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West Bengal in turmoil; ruling TMC and newbie BJP in non-stop power battle

June 11, 2019

West Bengal has been prone to political violence for nearly 50 years. Power struggles in the state have always been marked by bloodshed. The current violence in West Bengal is battle of power between the ruling party TMC and the newbie BJP. The TMC fought a long and fierce battle with the Left front and came to power in 2011 in the state. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the BJP made inroads in the bastion of the TMC and won 18 seats out of total 42 seats in the state. It is a setback to the TMC, whose tally fell from 34 in 2014 to 22 seats. Therefore, it can be said that the violence in West Bengal is sustained by its history.

Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He apprised them about the ongoing violence in West Bengal. In post-poll political violence over one dozen people have been killed and several others injured in Bengal. It was apprehended that Keshari Nath Tripathi might recommend President’s rule in the state due to unabated violence. But he said that there was no such discussion during the meetings with PM Modi and Union Home Minister.

In contrary to initial indication, Keshari Nath Tripathi said that it is not demanding President’s rule in Bengal. The party said that it will defy the Mamata Banerjee government’s ban on its political programmes and victory processions. BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that the ruling TMC took out victory marches in seats where it won in the Lok Sabha polls. The state government prohibited the BJP from doing so by imposing Section 144 of CrPC. Vijayvargiya said, “We want to exercise our democratic rights but the state government has used its powers to target our leaders and workers. We will defy its clampdown on us. It is our right. The BJP has announced a protest in the state on June 12 against the killings of its workers, allegedly by people linked to the Trinamool Congress.” Vijarvargiya alleged that CM Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee duo are behind the TMC workers targeting those associated with the BJP.

On the other hand, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of provoking violence after clashes killed three BJP workers and one Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker on Saturday. Further clashes followed on Sunday when police allegedly stopped BJP workers from taking away the bodies of the slain party workers. , Mamata Banerjee said, “The BJP is trying to spread unrest in Bengal and is planning to provoke riots. They are spreading fake news on social media. Bengal is not Gujarat. Since I am the only one who is exposing their dangerous game plan, they have started to send advisories. The BJP is trying to sell democracy.” CM Mamata Banerjee was responding to a home ministry statement issued on Sunday that said, “The unabated violence over the past weeks appears to be a failure on the part of the law enforcement machinery of the state to maintain the rule of law and inspire confidence among people.”

Pratap Banerjee, BJP general secretary (Kolkata), said, “The TMC has been trying to subvert democracy in the state. Our protest will continue. The people are defecting from TMC to BJP and she is now on a self-destruct path, where she herself is snuffing out her party’s chances in the 2021 elections.” The state unit of the BJP has set the wheels in motion to prepare for the assembly elections. Buoyed by its recent success in the Lok Sabha polls, the state leadership has also reached out to the central leadership to tackle not just the violence in Bengal, but also the strategy for the forthcoming polls.

Pratap Banerjee said, “The TMC has lost control of its own agitators. She has arbitrarily arrested people. The people are also seeing that BJP is the only alternative. The central leadership is also being kept in the loop. And, if things keep going on like this in the state and elections are declared, then the BJP will definitely emerge as the winner.”

According to political experts TMC supremo, Mamata Banerjee’s actions are harming her. Sabyasachi Dasgupta, professor of history at Vishva-Bharati University, said, “Mamata Banerjee needs to project a face of humility among the public and accept responsibility for the poll debacle. It will be very tough for her in 2021 if she carries on like this,”

It is remarkable that three supporters of the BJP and another from the TMC had been killed in fresh violence on Saturday and at least 18 others were wounded. West Bengal has been on edge since Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP launched an aggressive campaign to win the parliamentary seats last year. Local BJP leader Mukul Roy tweeted three BJP workers were shot dead in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. BJP’s general secretary in the state, Sayantan Basu said, “The clashes broke out over the hoisting of BJP flags and the putting up of posters. They tried to throw away our party flags and posters and when we protested, our workers were shot from point-blank range.” On the other hand, state’s Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick, who belongs to the Trinamool Congress, said, “One of the party supporters was hacked and shot dead by BJP workers. He said, “When he was on his way to attend a party meeting, he was hacked at first. When he managed to free himself, he was shot dead.”

The BJP won 303 seats in the national parliament, increasing its previous tally of 282 seats in 2014. The party is going to give a very tough fight in ensuing assembly elections in the state in 2021. The Trinamool Congress, which has its stronghold in West Bengal and is led by the firebrand Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly accused the BJP of fomenting trouble in the state. West Bengal has witnessed some of the most violent feuds between rival parties. Last month, a BJP supporter was shot dead in state capital Kolkata and a car belonging to a Trinamool member was pelted with rocks. Last year, a BJP worker was killed and his body was hanged from a tree. Prime Minister Modi had called the killings “shameful and anti-democratic”.

How was former Mumbai University student Prashant Kanojia’s three days in jail?

Web Team

June 11, 2019

The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for arresting journalist Prashant Kanojia and ordered to release him immediately. Journalist Prashant Kanojia was arrested by the UP police for posting a video on Twitter and Facebook on CM Yogi Adityanath. The Supreme Court asked the UP government why was he arrested and under what provisions. A vacation bench comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and Ajay Rastogi was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Kanojia’s wife Jagisha Arora. According to the verified Twitter handle of Kanojia @Pjkanojia, he is a former student of Mumbai University.

It is notable that Prashant Kanojia was in jail for the past three days. He was not produced before any Magistrate to seek a transit remand. No arrest memo was prepared and neither Kanojia nor his wife was told of why he was being taken and who the arresting officials in civil dress were.

An FIR was registered against Prashant Kanojia at Hazratganj police station on Friday night in Lucknow. The UP Police alleged that the accused made objectionable comments against the CM and tried to malign his image. Prashant Kanojia had shared a video on Twitter and Facebook where a woman is seen speaking to reporters of various media organisations outside the CM’s office, expressing her desire to marry Yogi Adityanath and claiming that she had sent him a marriage proposal. Kanojia had shared a video on Twitter and Facebook where a woman is seen speaking to reporters of various media organisations outside the CM’s office, claiming that she had sent a marriage proposal to Adityanath. She claimed in the video that she had been conversing with the chief minister for a long time over video chat and that now she wanted to know if he was willing to spend his life with her.

According to Jagisha Arora’s petition, the FIR against Kanojia has been filed under Sections 500 of the Indian Penal Code and 66 of the Information Technology Act, both of which are bailable offences. It is strange that the police filed a case against Section 500 (defamation) since the law requires the concerned person (in this case CM Yogi Adityanath) to file a complaint himself. There are procedural lapses on the part of the police, including not presenting Kanojia before a magistrate and no arrest memo being prepared. Two sections were later added to the charges, which were not on the original FIR – IPC Section 505 and IT Act Section 67. Jagisha Arora said in her petition that neither of these sections are prima-facie made out. The malice is evident from the manner of the arrest.

Prashant Kanojia was unceremoniously taken away by men in a civil dress on June 8, 2019, from his Delhi residence. The police officials of Lucknow had lodged an FIR against him under Sections 500 IPC and 66 Information Technology Act, 2000 both of which bailable offences. Actually, the police can have no role whatsoever to lodge an FIR in a case under Section 500 IPC, which is criminal defamation, and requires under Section 199, CrPC that the person aggrieved alone may file a complaint before a Magistrate. Section 66 of the Information Act carries a maximum sentence of 3 years which is bailable in terms of section 77 B of the Act. The police was bound to release him in Delhi itself in terms of Section 436 CrPC which mandates release on bail in bailable cases but this statutory mandate was not even considered by the police.

The Supreme Court bench took note of the submission of the lawyer Nitya Ramakrishnan, appearing for Jagisha Arora that the plea needed urgent hearing as the arrest was illegal and unconstitutional. The Uttar Pradesh government opposed the bail application filed by Kanojia’s wife. The UP government said that the high court should have been first approached. The Supreme Court does not ordinarily entertain writ petition unless the high court has first been approached. The Supreme Court slammed the UP government and said, “Have you ever come across remand for 11 days in such a case? The Supreme Court bench also made it clear that the court does not appreciate the tweets posted by Kanojia but those cannot be grounds to send him behind bars. The bench said, “We need not comment on the nature of the posts/tweets for which the action has been taken. The question is whether the petitioner’s husband ought to have been deprived of his liberty. The answer to that is prima facie in the negative. We find that the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India and particularly under Articles 19 and 21 are non-negotiable.”

The UP government said, “They have checked Kanojia’s Twitter profile and observed that he has been posting inflammatory content against God and religion. He has also tweeted about politicians and other public personalities.” The Supreme Court said, “A citizen’s right to liberty has been infringed. We have gone through the records. Opinions may vary, this sort of thing should not have been published. But why arrest?”

A group of journalists and activists held a protest in Delhi on Monday over the arrest of journalist Prashant Kanojia and the editor and the head of a Noida-based TV channel by the Uttar Pradesh police, alleging that it is an attack on the freedom of expression. They demanded the immediate release of Kanojia, Anuj Shukla, who is the editor of Noida-based TV channel Nation Live, and its head Ishika Singh, who have faced police action over the release of alleged objectionable content against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Another person was arrested in Gorakhpur on Sunday for ‘defaming’ Adityanath, making it the fourth such arrest in the last three days. Earlier, Ishika Singh, head of a Noida-based news channel, and Anuj Shukla, one of the editors of the channel, were arrested for allegedly making “objectionable comments” and “propagating defamatory content” against the UP chief minister.

Chronology of the case

June 5: A lady calling herself Hema Shrivastava addressed a group of persons/reporters in Lucknow claiming to be in love with the CM Yogi Adityanath. A video clip of this was uploaded on YouTube and some other portals by the next day and these are still accessible.

June 6: Prashant Kanojia posted a video on Twitter and Facebook saying “ Ishq Chupaye Nahin Chupta Yogi Ji”

June 6-7: Some newspapers also published this news.

June 7: An FIR was lodged by Hazratganj PS Lucknow

June 8: Prashant Kanojia was arrested and sent to Lucknow Central Jail.

June 9: The Editors Guild of India condemned the arrest of Kanojia.

June 10: His wife Jagisha Arora filed the habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court.

June 11: The Supreme Court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to release Prashant Kanojia immediately.

Population Control: Learn From China

R K Sinha

June 11, 2019

All process of General Elections to 17th Lok Sabha is complete. The NDA government at the Centre has begun working once again. Although the government has to take many important decisions in the interest of the country the government should come forward with a policy decision on how to control the population in the country. It will receive all-around support. Time has come to take a decision on population control without any further delay. Already we are running late in reducing our birth rate or bringing population explosion under control. Vote bank politics of the ruling party is responsible for not enforcing drastic measure to check population growth in the country. In order to get votes of a particular community previous governments never gave any thought to check population. This led to rising in backwardness and poverty in society. We were left behind in growth and prosperity.

In the meantime, Yoga Guru Ramdev has come out with suggestions that a third child in the family should be barred from contesting elections, no right to vote and other governmental facilities should be withdrawn. All citizens of the country who love the nation will stand with one voice in favour of Baba Ramdev’s policy on population control.

I have a caveat to this proposal of Ramdev. Why debar a third child of a family from exercising his or her right to franchise. Instead, parents of the third child should be debarred from casting vote and contesting polls.

Baba Ramdev has come out with a proposal on population control at a time when the country is struggling to bring down the rate of birth. In fact, the burgeoning population in India is eating into the vitals of economic growth like a termite. How any government can give the benefit of development to a fast-growing population? The population has always emerged as a stumbling block in the overall development and growth.

It is difficult to believe when the country is facing the problem of the overgrowing population which stands today at 130 crores a leader like Assaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM has reacted to Ramdev’s suggestion in a negative way. The newly elected MP from Hyderabad has said, “There is no law to stop people from saying something which is unconstitutional. Why we should give any attention to what Ramdev has said. He can practice Yoga but how come Narendra Modi would forfeit his right to vote just because he is the third child of his parents”.

You can judge the political motive of Owaisi. He can stoop to any low to politicize issues. He has said something which is pedestrian in nature.

Does Owaisi not see how the uncontrolled population growth in India is ruining our pace of development? Had he got any concern for the nation he would not have uttered these words. Does not Owaisi see crowds all over in the country?

At Railway Station, in bus stands, in bazar, in a shopping complex, in malls, and on roads, it is a sea of humanity everywhere. If Owaisi is not serious about population explosion it is a matter of grave concern. It is because of a leader like Owaisi that Muslims in India are compelled to live in the dark-age.

Baba Ramdev has said something about controlling our population growth that China has done many years ago.

Long back China had stopped giving governmental facilities and other benefits to its citizens who went to go for more than one child. The one-child norm in China helped the country not only to check the population but to revive its economy. Today China is one of the most economically powerful countries of the world.

Baba Ramdev is also saying that all government benefits to be withdrawn from a family who go for more than two children.

When the country is concerned about population growth there are some ‘vidvans’(Learned) class of people who see population as a blessing. They believe that more the people there would be more work with the corresponding rise in income. This argument is totally illogical. Those seeing opportunities in population explosion are not aware of the realities of ‘heaven’. Unemployment, illiteracy, and crime are directly related to fast-growing population in the country. If we look at the ground reality, it is increasingly getting impossible to manage and control our population. The problem of unemployment is so acute that highly educated people are ready to teach for a paltry amount of rupees three to four thousand a month. An engineer should consider himself lucky if he gets Rs 15,000 a month. Labourers and farmers are forced to live in ‘inhuman condition’. We invite foreign investment by telling them about ‘cheap labour’ in India. Child labour is rampant. The condition of illiteracy and lack of education is horrifying.

In the last census conducted in 2011, our population had crossed 120 crores. We were only next to China in the world’s most populated nations. If drastic steps are not taken immediately we will surpass China by 2025 in terms of population. Another problem we face is large scale illegal migration in West Bengal and Assam from Bangladesh which has a four thousand long kilometer border with India. According to one estimate over 3 to 4 crores Bangladeshis have already settled in India. These migrants can be seen in India doing odd jobs in towns. You may recall that criminal elements of Bangladesh origins who are settled in Delhi’s Vikaspuri had brutally murdered Dr. Pankaj Narang a few years ago. Dr. Narang’s mistake was that he had tried to stop some youths from driving motorcycles at breakneck speed.

This is time to prepare a broad policy to check the population growth in India. It can be done only when we rise above religion and community. One must remember that religion will survive only when India survives.

(The writer is a Member of Rajya Sabha)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Letters to the Editor: 11 June, 2019

Web Team

June 11, 2019

R.I.P Girish Karnad

In the death of Girish Karnad our country has lost an actor par excellence, activist and one of Indian theatres finest personality. He was an award-winning filmmaker who was bestowed the Jnanpith award apart from Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He was a friend, philosopher and guide for many apart from being humble to the needy. Girish Karnad fought for liberal values as he spoke passionately on subjects and causes dear to him.

Girish Karnad was the doyen of not just Indian cinema but the world of Indian literature as well. He was often in the news for his liberal views which resulted in controversy but he was never afraid to speak what he felt though he received threat to his life at times. The void created by his death will be difficult to fill.

R.I.P Girish Karnad. May his soul rest in peace!

S.N. Kabra

Girish Karnad was one of the best actors

Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan actor Girish Karnad will always be remembered for his roles in Bollywood films. No other actor could play the roles he played. He was one of the best actors. I’ve seen most of his films and I liked his acting very much. May his soul rest in peace.

Jubel D’Cruz

Marine Drive-Juhu Beach tragedy an eye-opener
Whatever said and done drowning incidents have crippled the city and neighbourhood. This incident had happened in the rough sea before the monsoon rains and it is an eye opener. People lose their composure and sea water is most dangerous during the time when high-tides takes place. Tragedy at Marine Drive and Juhu beach accounted for two and miserable drowning deaths sends wrong signal to people going to sea. By ignoring warnings and signals people venture into the sea face the music. They throw caution to the wind by entering the choppy sea and invited trouble. Let us take care to save human life from drowning.

Jayanthy Ramaswamy

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Observing National Anti-Child Labour Day enough to combat the system?

Vinod Dixit

June 11, 2019

Each year on June 12, the World Day brings together governments, employers and workers organisations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them. Today, 152 million children are still in child labour. Child labour occurs in almost all sectors, yet seven out of every 10 of these children are working in agriculture. Childhood is considered to be the most wonderful phase of life. However, not all children are fortunate enough to experience this stage. Poverty, hunger, and lack of resources push millions of children to the world of labour at a very tender age. Unemployment of parents also causes child labor as it leads to desperation in that everyone has to contribute towards putting a meal on the table for the family. Child labor is a serious social problem, not only in India but also in other developing countries. The law in Indian soil says that any child below the age of 14 cannot be employed either in a factory or office or restaurant. Childhood is the great and happiest period of the lives of everyone during which one learns about the basic strategy of the life from parents, loved ones and nature. Child labour interferes with the proper growth and development of the children in all aspects like mentally, physically, socially and intellectually.

Child labours are paid very low wages that range from one third to a half of that of adults, even when their output is greater. Taking into consideration the law concerning child labour, the child workers are virtually unprotected by the Indian constitution. While the government proposes to abolish the problem of child labour according to the Act of 1986 but it seems impossible as unfair means are being practiced to evade legislation of any king by the employers. The child labourer has often been understood as cheap labour, which is a vital economic asset to the developing the industry. However, this never justifies the inhuman conditions, which these innocent ones face.

It is seen that Child labourers are totally sidelined by some organisations. No doubt, due to immense poverty and adult unemployment, many children do need work; hence, I would like to suggest that to have a complete ban on any kind of work for children below 14 is impractical but there should be a cut off age. Children below 10 should not be allowed to work at any cost. Time has now come when we need to organise ‘Workshops-cum-training” centers for poor children in Gujarat so that they can earn while learning some skills.

Child labour has moved from the more formal setting of factories to informal settings such as domestic helpers, and industries like embroidery, glass, beedi-rolling, carpet-making, lock-making, etc. This indicates that unless stronger and more effective steps are taken, child labour will continue to be a part of the global and national story. In India, 10.1 million in the age group of 5 to 11 years and 22.87 million in the age group of 15 to 18 years are out there working day in and day out to earn for a square meal and supporting their family’s income. Undeniably, food and education are two main aspects of proper growth and development of children. Ironically, it is the need for food that compels parents to engage their children in laborious roles.

Worldwide 218 million children between 5 and 17 years are in employment. Among them, 152 million are victims of child labour; almost half of them, 73 million, work in hazardous child labour. Hazardous child labour is most prevalent among the 15-17 years old. Among 152 million children in child labour, 88 million are boys and 64 million are girls. The parents of children are not aware of the possible harmful effects of child labor on their children.

Child labour is a concern that multiple governments all over the world are combating. For a better world, it is a call to everyone to always report cases or incidences of child labour so that the rights of these children are defended by all possible means. We must understand that only when we complement the efforts of governments and NGOs, the laws, policies, and schemes will start showing favourable results. Instead of child labor, the entire focus should be on child education. If the boy or girl takes up a small job as a domestic help or restaurant boy against a nominal salary, he or she does not get enough time for primary and secondary education. The illiterate and unskilled population cannot make a great nation. Observing National Anti-Child Labour Day once a year is not enough to combat against an age-old social system.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

RIP Girish Karnad: Actor to Activist

Rajesh Choudhary

June 10, 2019

Renowned actor and activist Girish Karnad passed away on Monday after a long illness. According to his family, he died at a hospital in Bengaluru at 6.30 am. Girish Karnad followed the leftist ideology and fought against many atrocities recently. He led the protests after the murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh. He had said that the right wing did not have the intellectual calibre of the left. He was also known as a writer, film director, and playwright. His contribution to Kannada playwriting parallels that of Mohan Rakesh in Hindi, Vijay Tendulkar in Marathi, and Badal Sarkar in Bengali.

Social Activist Medha Patkar told Afternoon Voice, “After the murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, I also participated with him in the protest. He was a supporter of the Narmada movement. Girish Karnad was very a progressive and sincere actor and writer. Karnad was fearless and his entire life was full of social commitment. He was kind to all those who face discrimination. He was against all dividing forces. It was Arundhati Roy who introduced him to me. Girish Karnad was very firm on his remarks and values, and he was committed to humanitarian values.”

Girish Karnad was born on May 19, 1938, in Matheran, Maharashtra, in a Konkani-speaking family. Girish Karnad graduated from Karnataka University in Dharwar in 1958. After this, he went to England as a Rhodes Scholar, where he received a Master’s degree in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics from Lincoln and Magdalen College of Oxford. He had also been a Visiting Professor at Fulbright College, University of Chicago.

Social activist and CPI (M) leader Ajit Abhyankar said, “Girish Karnad was a very progressive theatre personality and art person. His contribution to the progressive movement in the field of art is very valuable and enormous.”

Karnad was a strong critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was among the more than 200 writers who had signed a letter ahead of the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls appealing people to vote BJP and its allies out of power. He said that the ideas of India and its Constitution were under threat. He was a voice that championed the freedom of expression, used his stature to stand and fight for what he believed in despite failing health and numerous threats to his life. In September 2018, Girish Karnad carried a placard that read ‘Me Too Urban Naxal’ at an event organised to mark the first death anniversary of Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru. With a tube in his nose, Girish wore the placard around his neck. Speaking to the gathering on the first death anniversary of Gauri Lankesh, Girish Karnad had spoken up against the house arrests of activists in the entire country.

Renowned author Sadanand More said, “I met Girish Karnad in Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (in 1997) in Ahmadnagar. He was the Guest of Honour. He was a very excellent human being. He inspired the young generation by his exemplary deeds.”

Girish Karnad had once said, “What is horrifying now is not what the Naxals or terrorists are doing but what the police are saying. The accusations against rationalists are complete hogwash. It is not a rational talk. It’s scary because they believe they can do what they want. Someone in Pune is investigating the case and someone in Delhi is directing them. This is grim. If speaking up means being a Naxal then I am an Urban Naxal. I am proud to be a part of the hit list.”

Comparing Congress and BJP-led governments, Karnad had said in 2018, “When we spoke about politics we used to speak of Lanchavatara (corruption’s dance) and now we are talking about Lynch-avatara (dance of lynchings).” He had said this while participating in a memorial session to mark the first anniversary of the death of Gauri Lankesh.

In response to his utterances at the function, an FIR was lodged against Karnad. The right-wing identified the veteran actor as an ‘urban Naxal’ following the event. NP Amruthesh, a member of the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishat, had complained in the FIR that Karnad had Maoist links.

Even liberals questioned him when he blasted VS Naipaul for the latter’s antipathy towards Indian Muslims at the Tata Literary Festival in 2012. Subsequently, he called Rabindranath Tagore a second-rate playwright and said that Gurudev’s plays were unbearable.

His plays, written in Kannada, have been translated into English and several Indian languages. Karnad was one of the most prominent artistic voices of his generation. He was an eminent playwright with works such as “Nagmandala”, “Yayati” and “Tughlaq”. He was part of the parallel film movement and acted in movies such as “Swami”, and “Nishant”. His TV credits include “Malgudi Days” in which he played Swami’s father and a hosting stint in the science magazine “Turning Point” on Doordarshan in the early 1990s. Girish Karnad was last seen by Hindi film viewers in Salman Khan’s film Ek Tha Tiger and its sequel Tiger Zinda Hai. Eminent directors including Ibrahim Alkazi, Prasanna, Arvind Gaud, and BV Karant had directed plays and films featuring Karnad. The Indian performing arts industry mourned the death.

Girish Karnad – A fearless socio-political activist and actor

Vaidehi Taman

June 10, 2019

When intellectuals were attacked and their freedom of speech was chocked, there was one man who voiced strongly against the ruling government of India. He said, “Me too Urban Naxal, arrest me as well…this is time to kick out the RSS govt, otherwise we have to sacrifice lives for the freedom it may take 300 years again.” Well! This very statement made a lot of impact in the hours of silent struggle in India. Girish Karnad was also one of over 200 writers who issued an appeal to Indians in April to vote out hate politics in the Lok Sabha elections and vote for a “diverse and equal India”. He was a voice that championed the freedom of expression, used his stature to stand and fight for what he believed in despite failing health and numerous threats to his life. Girish Karnad carried a placard that read ‘Me Too Urban Naxal’ at an event organised to mark the first death anniversary of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru. With a tube in his nose, Girish wore the placard around his neck. Speaking to the gathering on the first death anniversary of Gauri Lankesh, Girish Karnad had spoken up against the house arrests of activists across the country. He was later charged for wearing the placard around his neck at the event. He was a very bold writer, good actor and a strong voice of India.

Karnad was a very famous personality with a low-key average life. He never liked extravagant stardom. His funeral will be a low- key affair. Honouring his last wishes, his family has decided to avoid any sort of processions or public viewing. Karnad is said to have suffered multiple organ failure and breathed his last. His cremation will not include any religious rituals; will be held at an electric crematorium. Karnad was known for his secular voice that championed the cause of freedom of expression.

Karnad was born in Matheran, Maharashtra, in 1938. A Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, Karnad has written several plays in Kannada and is considered one of the most prominent playwrights in Kannada literature. While at Oxford, Karnad wrote his first play, the critically acclaimed Yayati in 1961. His other acclaimed works include Tughlaq (1964), Hayavadana (1972) and Nagamandala (1988).

The Jnanapith Award recipient made his acting and screenwriting debut in the Kannada movie Samskara in 1970, based on a novel by U.R. Ananthamurthy and won the first President’s Golden Lotus Award for Kannada cinema. He made his directorial debut with Vamsha Vriksha (1971), based on a Kannada novel by S.L. Bhyrappa. Other popular films in Kannada include Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane (1977) and Ondanondu Kaaladalli (1978). He was also a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, in the 1960s that earned him his Master of Arts degree in philosophy, political science, and economics. His plays, written in Kannada, have been translated into English and several Indian languages. Karnad was one of the most prominent artistic voices of his generation.

He was a part of the parallel film movement and acted in movies such as “Swami”, and “Nishant”. His TV credits include “Malgudi Days” in which he played Swami’s father and a hosting stint in the science magazine “Turning Point” on Doordarshan in the early 1990s. He predominantly worked in South Indian cinema and Bollywood. His rise as a playwright in the 1960s, marked the coming of age of modern Indian playwriting in Kannada, just as Badal Sarkar did in Bengali, Vijay Tendulkar in Marathi, and Mohan Rakesh in Hindi. For four decades Karnad composed plays, often using history and mythology to tackle contemporary issues. He translated his plays into English and received acclaim. He was active in the world of Indian cinema working as an actor, director, and screenwriter, in Hindi and Kannada cinema, and had earned awards. He was conferred Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan by the Government of India and won four Filmfare Awards, of which three are Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada and the fourth a Filmfare Best Screenplay Award. As an activist, Karnad has a history of making outrageous and untrue statements.

He once on a mainstream English news channel said that a man, who killed 3,000 Muslims, has become the Prime Minister. The death toll in the Gujarat riots was 850 Muslims and 250 Hindus, which the seculars usually feel free to round up and convert to 2,000 Muslims. This is, of course, apart from the question of exactly how Modi “killed” the Muslims. Karnad severely criticised VS Naipaul for saying that the invaders from Central Asia looted, killed, plundered and, yes, forcibly converted people to Islam. He felt that this was an attack on today’s Muslim population in India. Yes, it is true that several invaders like Ghori and Ghazni right up to the Mughal rulers like Babar and Aurangazeb did some of the above, but that doesn’t mean that Dr. Abdul Kalam is being held responsible for these actions. There are some of us who are able to separate the two, but Karnad seems unable to do so.

Even in this instance, he has denounced Kempegowda as a “feudal” chieftain. What was Tipu Sultan, a member of the proletariat? Without agreeing or disagreeing let’s concur why Girish Karnad’s remark bizarre.

Consider Kolkata airport. It is named after Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Now, Ravindranath Tagore also belonged to Kolkata and is also an integral part of the Bengali identity. Why not name the airport after him? Can you really compare the two giants and decide? Now, you may say that Tipu is no Tagore. He is indeed a controversial figure. And no point going into that debate, but it is not like there aren’t roads named after him and not like he hasn’t left a strong mark on the Mysore area including Bangalore. So, in the end, these decisions are primarily political. Why is it that the most vocal opposition to this suggestion came from Vokkaligas? Why was the name changed to Kempegowda in the first place (it happened a couple of years ago – before that, it was simply Bangalore International Airport)? So, it is perfectly fine if we do not agree with Girish Karnad. However, he was not saying anything particularly bizarre. It is just lame when the right wingers let no chance in trying to belittle him by calling his literature substandard. How many times do you wonder about the same thing about those writers whose opinions you agree with? After all, they were also awarded by the same political dispensation. Let’s keep the politics aside and mourn for the loss — RIP Girish Karnad.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

RBI cut-Now Banks come in action

Web Team

June 10, 2019

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to cut the Repo rate by 25 bps to 5.75 per cent unanimously and decided to change the monetary policy stance from neutral to accommodative. For FY20, RBI again cut its GDP growth forecast by 20 bps to 7.0 per cent, in first half year 6.4-6.7 per cent and in second half year 7.2-7.5 per cent, owing to weak investment activity, weak global demand, and moderation in private consumption.

In the last two policies, RBI cut its growth forecast by 40 bps. RBI more or less kept CPI inflation for FY20 at the same level with 3.0-3.1 per cent in first half year of FY20, earlier it was 2.9-3.0 per cent in the first half-year of FY 20 and 3.4-3.7 per cent in second half year of FY20, earlier it was 3.5 to 3.8 per cent. However, there are risks related to the monsoon, vegetable prices, crude oil, geopolitical tensions, financial market volatility, and the fiscal scenario.

Global economic growth has lost pace after the first quarter of FY 19, reflecting a further slowdown in trade and manufacturing activity. Loss is growth is fairly widespread across both advanced and emerging economies. The loss in momentum in quarter fourth growth can be attributed partly to a slowdown in exports. Weak global demand due to an escalation in trade wars may further impact India’s exports and investment activity.

The relationship between system liquidity and deposit rates is clearly visible in the historical data. Liquidity was in surplus mode between November 16 and December 17 and at the same time, average term deposit rate in less than one year declined by 525 basis points. Meanwhile, when the liquidity started declining and moved to deficit mode from April 18 to December 18, banks increased the deposit rates by 375 basis points.

Leverage Ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by the bank’s total exposure. The tier 1 leverage ratio is used as a tool by central monetary authorities to ensure the capital adequacy of banks and to place constraints on the degree to which a financial company can leverage its capital base. As per the framework on LR put up by RBI, the banks were monitored against an LR of 4.5 per cent as the final guidelines were not announced. Since most of the banks are maintaining a higher LR requirement, the bringing down of the ratio would give a scope of further enhancing exposure in assets and non-balance sheet items.

RBI currently manages systemic liquidity based on the guidelines of Liquidity Management Framework 2014. Given the focus that liquidity management has generated in the recent times and RBI’s tinkering with new ways of injecting durable liquidity, the time is right for putting in place a comprehensive policy which is easily accessible to all the market participants and will help in the uniform assessment of systemic liquidity needs. While analysing data, for 64 NBFCs with loans and advances above Rs 100 crore, who have reported their cash and bank balance, we observed that, while loans and advances have increased by around 8 per cent from September 18 level, cash and bank balance increased by around 53 per cent as on March 19. Moreover, the growth is mainly seen in Government-backed NBFCs like Power Finance, REC, LIC housing Finance, etc.

In the developmental and regulatory policies, in order to harmonize our standards with Leverage Ratio standards of Basel III, RBI has decided to keep the minimum requirement of 4 per cent for DSIBs and 3.5 per cent for other banks. Since most of the banks are maintaining a higher LR requirement, the bringing down of the ratio would give a scope of further enhancing the exposure in assets and non-balance sheet items. RBI has also scrapped transaction charges for RGS and NEFT. In a positive development for small and medium forex clients, RBI has also announced the launch of the online trading platform for retail participants.

Under the current scenario, it would be pertinent to ponder whether financial instability should be thought of only as something that impedes the attainment of the inflation goals over time, or does society directly care about financial stability for other reasons. In view of the above, we can say that the RBI decided to cut Repo rate by 25 bps with a unanimous vote of 6-0, which is largely on expected lines. For FY20, GDP growth forecast has been cut by 20 bps to 7.0 per cent by the RBI.

– Satish Singh

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)

PM Modi, President Kovind pay tributes to Girish Karnad

Web Team

June 10, 2019

girish karnad died — Image Courtesy : ibtimes.co.in

Renowned actor and playwright Girish Karnad has passed away in Bengaluru due to multiple organ failure. He was 81. The entire film industry is mourning the death of Karnad. The veteran actor had directed several Hindi and Kannada films. Karnad made his acting as well as screenwriting debut in Kannada movies. Karnad a recipient of Jnanpith Award was also conferred the Padma Shri in 1974 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. His plays written in Kannada have been translated into English and several Indian languages. Renowned personalities hailing from politics and film fraternity paid tributes to Karnad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter to pay tributes to Karnad. He mentioned that Girish Karnad will be remembered for his versatile acting.

Girish Karnad will be remembered for his versatile acting across all mediums. He also spoke passionately on causes dear to him. His works will continue being popular in the years to come. Saddened by his demise. May his soul rest in peace.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2019

President Ramnath Kovind stated that he is saddened by the demise of veteran actor and director Girish Karnad.

Sad to hear of the passing of Girish Karnad, writer, actor and doyen of Indian theatre. Our cultural world is poorer today. My condolences to his family and to the many who followed his work #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 10, 2019

Actor Kamal Haasan also paid tributes to the actor and stated that Karnad’s scripts has inspired him.

Mr.Girish Karnad, His scripts both awe and inspire me. He has left behind many inspired fans who are writers. Their works perhaps will make his loss partly bearable.

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 10, 2019

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