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Kamal Haasan gets Godse for appeasement

May 13, 2019

Renowned superstar and politician Kamal Haasan has fueled yet another controversy, saying free India’s first terrorist was a Hindu. He has tried to link terrorism to Hinduism, which can provoke the anger of pro-Hindu organizations and political parties. Earlier this year, he had called for a plebiscite in Kashmir. Last year, Kamal Haasan had sparked another controversy with his comment on the ‘poonool’ (sacred thread) that Brahmins wear. He said that he avoided the sacred thread as it affected him a lot. Political pundits are of the belief that this statement by Haasan has caused him more harm than good. It seems that Kamal Haasan is searching political success through usual religious provocation lines. So-called progressive personality like him is also trying the same communal formula for political mileage.

It is worth mentioning that on February 21, 2018, the superstar launched his political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam in Madurai, seen as Tamil Nadu’s political capital. The 63-year-old Haasan said, “My party’s name is Makkal Needhi Maiam (roughly translated to People’s Justice Centre).” Elaborating on his party’s ideology later, Kamal Haasan said that the party could not be bracketed as left or right but would draw the best from all ideologies. I’m Centre. This is why the party’s name also included the word, centre.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan spoke to Afternoon Voice on the controversial statement of Haasan just before boarding the plane for Madurai. She hit back at Haasan for his comments. She said, “Actor Kamal Haasan is recalling Gandhi’s assassination now and calling it Hindu terrorism, it is condemnable. Standing amidst minorities in Tamil Nadu bye-election campaign, he is lighting a dangerous fire to gain votes by minority appeasement.” She wondered why the actor-turned-politician did not comment on the blasts in Sri Lanka last month, in which 253 people were killed.

Soundararajan said that Gandhi’s assassination was decades old, and the guilty had been punished. Tamil Nadu BJP chief also accused Haasan of violating the Model Code of Conduct and hoped that the Election Commission will take action against him.

During campaigning in Aravakurichi assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu, Makkal Needhi Maiam’s chief said, “Free India’s first terrorist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi. I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. The actor-politician said that he was one of those proud Indians who desire an India with equality and where the three colours in the tricolour, an obvious reference to different faiths, remained intact. Earlier too, Haasan had stoked a row, when in November 2017, he took potshots at what he termed as “Hindu extremism. The BJP and Hindu outfits had lashed out at him. Aravakurichi is one of the four Assembly constituencies where bypolls are scheduled on May 19. MNM has fielded S Mohanraj from this seat.

On the other hand, Kamal Haasan’s party, the Makkal Needhi Maiam, defended him. Party’s office-bearer Mahalakshmi Surya said, “Kamal Haasan is our party president and whatever he said we support him. His statement is in support of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. It should be handled with sense, not sensationalism.”

In February 2019, Kamal Haasan was at the centre of a controversy after he asked why India was scared to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir. He referred to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as Azad Kashmir. Haasan made the statement when asked about the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 47 CRPF personnel were killed. However, he later claimed his comments were taken out of context.

During a Twitter interaction with his fans, the actor was asked which books (nool) have had an impact on his life. Immediately after the tweet, Haasan faced a severe backlash from the Brahmin community. President of the Tamil Brahmins Association M Narayan said that this statement by Kamal Haasan was solely to take his set political agenda forward. According to senior journalist and political analyst RK Radhakrishnan, this was a desperate attempt to reach out to the people. Anti-Brahminism had run its course and will not work.

It is notable that few decades ago, anti-Brahmin and Dravidian parties not only flourished but came to power in Tamil Nadu. Late CM of the state Jayalalithaa was a Brahmin but she became the leader of Dravid. Jayalalithaa also came to politics from the film industry. Kamal Haasan is also a Brahmin by caste. His house is located in neighbourhood of that of Jayalalitha in Chennai. Veteran Dravid leader Karunanidhi was also an actor. Perhaps, Kamal Haasan is trying to follow both leaders, and abusing Brahmins and Hindus. But political success is far away so far.

Chetan Rajhans, national spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha, also condemned the statement of Kamal Haasan. He said, “It is completely baseless allegation. Nathuram Godse was a nationalist. He never waged a war against the nation. The murder of a person does not symbolise terrorism. Many politicians are accused of murder charges but they are not terrorists. Therefore, the interpretation by Kamal Haasan is condemnable. It is unfortunate and an example of hatred.”

By Moumita Mukherjee

Hindus do not need outside enemies

Vaidehi Taman

May 13, 2019

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, whose party made its debut in the national election and Tamil Nadu assembly bypolls, said in his speech that the first extremist in independent India was a Hindu, but he forgot to mention that the first freedom fighter too was a Hindu, the one who divided this nation was also a Hindu. The emergence of the extreme right wing is a gift from the pseudo-liberal left wing, not only in India but also all over the world. Haasan was referring to Nathuram Godse who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. Nathuram Godse like intellectuals take gun in the hand when the nation is divided and riots kill many innocents. Though I do not endorse the killing of Gandhi but understand the plight of angry Indian who could not tolerate the brutality, where girls were raped, children killed and old were put to fire.

Godse a young learned, educated and very well cultured person belonged to Chittapavan Brahmin community in Maharashtra. But the situations and circumstances during the partition of India, the first ever riots in independent India might have irked him to take such drastic step. I don’t support what he did; also I am of the opinion that he would have shown equal anger against Britishers who were not only ruling us but subjected to cruelty. Anyway, time and again our politicians are digging the history to their advantage, be it Modi name calling and shaming Nehru or be it Haasan attacking Godse. None of them have guts to talk about presence. These so-called intellectuals do not know that for backing one religion they are harming the sentiments of other religion, which is against the principles of both intellectualism and secularism. They are trying to find religion in terrorism and when someone else does this they start preaching lessons on secularism and tolerance. And hypocrisy is that they claim themselves to be a secular free-minded people or nationalists.

While people belonging to a particular religion say that they are paragons of virtue and are victims of falsehood in spite of being in the forefront of terrorism world over, not one ‘secular’ individual in India has the guts to call them bluff. But these same individuals, in spite of being Hindus, have no qualms about calling people of their own religion terrorists to please the minority community. One remembers UPA leaders stating that saffron terror is the main threat for India even as Maoists and Jihadists were causing mayhem in the country. Hindus do not need outside enemies. The enemies are within.

Gandhiji supported the idea of a separate Nation for Muslims. In a sense, he was responsible for the creation of Pakistan. In spite of the Pakistani aggression in Kashmir, Gandhi fasted to compel the government of India to release an amount of Rs. 55 crores due to Pakistan. The hostility of Muslims was a result of Gandhi’s policy of appeasement. Scrutinised in the light of recorded history, these prove to be clever distortions to misguide the innocent. Gandhi in those days was very active in the coarse and tumbles of politics. The proposal for partition of the country and violent reaction against it generated tensions that ultimately resulted in separatist killings on a scale of extraordinary in human history. For the ethnic Muslims, Gandhi was a Hindu leader who opposed the creation of Pakistan on sectarian grounds.

Ethnic Hindus looked upon him as an obstruction to their plan to revenge the atrocities on Hindus. Godse was born out of such extremities. The assassination of Gandhi was a conclusion of decades of systematic brainwashing.

The influx of Hindus from Pakistan who were uprooted and who had suffered killings of relatives, abductio, and rape of women and looting of their belongings had created an explosive situation. The local Hindus who were outraged by the treatment meted out to their Hindu brethren and the anger of local Muslims against reports of similar outrages on their coreligionists in India made Delhi a veritable witches’ cauldron. This resulted in killings, molestation, torching of houses and properties. In such surroundings, Godse was nothing but the mindset that took birth to extremism. One can dismiss what he did, assassination by itself is not as wicked as the attempts to rationalise, justify masquerade it as a religious act. In Godse’s view, Gandhi was giving in to Muslim interests in ways that seemed unfair and anti-national. Gandhi’s blatant Muslim Appeasement has bothered many Indians.

Gandhi supported Khilafat Andolan that was in support to put an Islamic government in Turkey instead of secular govt, while in India Gandhi wanted a secular government. Gandhi never took any measure or even public stand to criticise Muslim League’s radical Islamic ideology in its initial days but he was always against Hindu Mahasabha and RSS for extreme right-wing ideology. He was always trying to placate Jinnah and Muslim League instead of calling spade a spade. Gandhi even agreed to give India’s control to the Muslim League when every Muslim league leader was openly rivaling with Hindus and Sikhs. After partition, Pakistan wanted a road corridor through India that will connect West Pakistan to East Pakistan. There is no doubt that some people belonging to Hindu faith have picked up a gun for crimes, but none of them have done it in the name of their faith. There are many Naxals who were born into the Hindu faith but picked up a gun for their Left ideology – the ideology of Stalin, Mao, Lenin. There are many insurgent groups in northeastern states but they have not, never have, and never will pick up the gun in the name of Ram, or Krishna, or Shiva. There are no Hindu groups banned by the UN for their terror activities.

There are organisations belonging to left ideology, white supremacy ideology, numerous of them belong to Islamist ideology; but not even a single one, which belongs to Hindu ideology, banned by UN. The simple reason is that the Hindus, which talk about killing innocent people in the name of religion or ideology, would support no organisation. We need to understand that Godse, who assisted Gandhi has not picked gun just because he was terrorist or Hindu, he was a citizen of India who disapproved riots and partition, in protest he assassinated Gandhi, which is condemned but today’s politicians are hell-bent on digging graves for their own interest.

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

India’s first terrorist was Hindu: Kamal Haasan

Web Team

May 13, 2019

Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan has stoked a possible controversy, saying free India’s first “terrorist was a Hindu,” referring to Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing an election campaign at Aravakurichi in Tamil Nadu last night, the actor-politician said that he was one of those “proud Indians” who desires an India with equality and where the “three colours” in the tricolour, an obvious reference to in Tamil Nadu different faiths, “remained intact.”
“I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India’s first terrorist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it (terrorism, apparently) starts,” he said. Haasan said he had come here “seeking answers for that murder,” referring to Gandhi’s assassination in 1948. “Good Indians desire for equality and want the three colours in the tricolour to remain intact. I am a good Indian, will proudly proclaim that,” he added.

Earlier too, Haasan had stoked a row, when in November 2017, he took potshots at what he termed as “Hindu extremism,” which drew condemnation from the BJP and Hindu outfits. Aravakurichi is one of the four Assembly constituencies where bypolls are scheduled on May 19. MNM has fielded S Mohanraj from this segment.

2019 sees a matured leader in Rahul, Priyanka’s late entry may benefit BJP

Moumita Mukherjee

May 13, 2019

The seven-phased general elections for the 17th Lok Sabha is very near to its end. A total of 59 parliamentary constituencies across the country voted on Sunday which includes 8 seats in Bihar, 7 seats in Delhi, 10 seats in Haryana, 4 seats in Jharkhand, 8 seats in Madhya Pradesh, and 14 seats respectively in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. While Maneka Gandhi, Sadhvi Pragya, and cricketer-turned-politician and BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir are the significant candidates from the ruling saffron party, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Aam Aadmi Party’s Atishi, and Congress’s Digvijaya Singh are three of the other faces who are standing in the electoral battle line.

In comparison to 2014, when the Modi-wave was in full swing and anti-incumbency against the then ruling UPA 2 government was evidently visible, the prediction that BJP can get into the central power was accepted by the majority — be it citizens, political experts, or the media. However, in 2019 is nowhere the same. If you talk to people around, you don’t need to go far, just around your house, the auto-rickshaw drivers, the shopkeepers, the hawkers, the mixed response will clearly suggest you that the job of the Exit Poll calculators is going to be very tough this time and moreover, May 23 can bring forward any uncertain result.

Saturday is a regular holiday in my profession schedule. I spend the day doing all my household chores that hardly get my attention in the rest of the week. That also includes one very important thing — I roam around my neighbouring locality — with purposes like shopping, some window shopping, and lots of small chats with people around. This week was no exception in my routine and the uncertainty over the poll results can be felt throughout.

Although opinion polls till 2017 and mid-2018 claimed that Modi holds huge popularity among the masses and it’s expanding its footprints across the country rapidly, major defeats in three Hindi heartland states last year changed the verse. The party also failed to grip Mizoram and Telangana. However, there’s no such anti-incumbency against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government, but the list of unfulfilled promises, hurling abuses at opponent political parties, dramatic speeches have not gone well with the voters. At the same time, the victory in these three states elevated the tossed out Congress and brought them back in the run. It successfully managed to boost its grassroot workers after being horribly outvoted from Centre. Suffering a loss in Chhattisgarh, where the saffron party was in ruling for the last 15 years, and also in Rajasthan and MP moreover when the party is ruling at the Centre is considered a major setback for the outfit. If sources are to be believed, this keeps on haunting the BJP in the general elections.

The uncertainty over the May 23 outcome and moreover on the performance of BJP intensified with the calculation that these abovementioned fives states, which hold 65 Lok Sabha constituencies, favoured BJP with 59 seats in 2014. Though electoral prospects and voter sentiment defers in both state and Parliamentary elections, however, securing a majority in the three Hindi dominated states seems unlikely in 2019. Urban middle class and traders, the usual vote bank of BJP, too appear to be unhappy with the government’s decision of imposing GST and demonetisation.

While we talk about voters unsatisfied with the Modi government, the equal uncertainty rules over voters desiring to see Congress in power or Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister. When Rahul Gandhi appeared in his public gathering as more mature than before with his straight-forward dialects, many have admired the organisational skills Priyanka Gandhi has shown in the last few months, but they have parallel agreed to it that the delayed launch of Priyanka can cost Congress. Hope Congress keeps this in mind in its strategies ahead. The assembly elections where Congress tasted victory too haven’t seen a significant winning margin; however, experts believe that it managed to give a strong wake-up call to BJP.

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: May 13, 2019

Web Team

May 13, 2019

Heatwave in Maharashtra

Heatwave continued for the second day in succession and it scorched Vidarbha and other places in Maharashtra. Mumbai experienced a cloudy sky and hence it was somewhat sultry in the afternoon. The temperature continues to stay at 33 degree Celsius. Thus the cloudy city will sweat more and a partly cloudy sky may bring some relief by the evening. The nights are also sultry and people prefer use of air conditioners to beat the heat. Vidarbha is already reeling under water scarcity and this present condition will add more to the heatwave conditions in the state.

Subramanyam Swamy

Corruption allegation against Rajiv Gandhi

It refers to most downgraded politics during on-going poll-campaign where Prime Minister lost cool by making allegation of corruption on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi just to counter repeated allegations by Congress President on Prime Minister.

Undoubtedly Rajiv Gandhi was most immature Prime Minister putting the country in big trouble at several occasions especially on wrong decision to send Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka to fight LTTE which was trained in India. But there were no direct charges of corruption on him even though some of his closest aides were alleged to be linked with Bofors-controversy.

It would have been better if Prime Minister would not have compared himself with Congress President where there is a vast difference in maturity-level, age and status of the two.

Madhu Agrawal

Penalise traders for giving candies in place of coins

Presently with Reserve Bank of India and government-mints is facing a unique problem of storage of coins and mints at times working in just one shift rather than usual three, still many vendors are continuing with faulty practice of giving candies, chocolates and other such unwanted items in place of balance coins. Many retailers have made it a practice to give candies and chocolates in place of coins even though they have sufficient coins in their cash-boxes. It is a noble way to earn extra profit through such forced sale of unwanted items devised in the days when coins were in scarcity.

The Central Government should take steps to stop such anti-consumer tactics by making provision to impose fine on traders who give candies, chocolates and other unwanted items in place of balance coins to consumers. RBI should direct all private and public sector banks to ensure sufficient coin-bags of each denomination especially of rupees one and five at all their branches so that these may be available on demand to any one irrespective of being customer of the bank.

Production of coins of rupees two should be stopped by increasing production of one-rupee coins because it is quite often that one-rupee coin is not given back as balance of two-rupee coin due to unavailability of one-rupee coin-bags. Coins should only be in denominations of rupees one and five.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Herculean task

The 6th and penultimate phase of election during summer months in northern part of India is most tiresome one in General election history. Fifty nine seats were on for voting and it was a crucial one for the ruling party and the opposition. The turnout in the 5th phase was not encouraging and it should be compensated in this phase of election. Fortunately for the voters there is no rain to disrupt voting and there were no untoward incident. It is a herculean task to conduct elections in a peaceful way and that too in a democratic manner. The Election Commission deserves all praise and the team of officials who took part in the election process deserves all the accolades for doing the job in the best interest of the country.

C.K. Ramani

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

Modi attacks Congress over Pitroda’s ‘Hua to Hua’ remark

Web Team

May 13, 2019

Image Courtesy: Agency

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharpened his attack on Congress over its leader Sam Pitroda’s hua to hua statement on anti-Sikh riots in 1984. While addressing a rally at Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh Modi stated that the remarks reflects the arrogance of the opposition party.

Modi said, “While the Congress leaders are saying “hua to hua”, the people of the country were saying enough is enough.”

Due to the casual approach of the Congress poor people were denied pucca houses, electricity, LPG and toilets. They are now saying enough is enough stated Modi.

He criticized the Kamal Nath government for its alleged failure to implement loan waiver promise in the state. Modi likened people to God and said, “The Congress cheated God.”

Cycling success

Jayanthy Subramaniam

May 13, 2019

Cycling in India can be a challenge, with unruly traffic, pot-holed roads, and no lanes for bicyclists. Yet, the community is growing, with some using it as a fitness tool, a few to commute, and some as an adventure sport. Specialist biking stores have opened up; there are niche races and better cycling gear. All they ask is that you join the club, helmet firmly in place and if you wear arm and leg gears its well and good as additional protection from impending danger.

Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity, which means that your heart, blood vessels, and lungs all get a workout. You will breathe deeper, perspire and experience increased body temperature, which will improve your overall fitness level. The health benefits of regular cycling include good blood circulation, high stamina, and decreased body fat levels. To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Regular physical activity can help protect you from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes, and arthritis. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day – for transport, recreation, and sport. Cycling is a good way to control or reduce weight, as it raises your metabolic rate, builds muscle and burns body fat. If you’re trying to lose weight, cycling must be combined with a healthy eating plan. Cycling is a comfortable form of exercise and you can change the time and intensity – it can be built up slowly and varied to suit you.

Cities are focusing on developing more lung spaces in the city. As part of smart city initiatives, smart components like cycling, street furniture, jogging track, space for hawkers, etc., will contribute a lost in enhancing the aesthetic of the city. The petrol cost is going high, cycling tracks should be provided to encourage the use of cycles as alternative transportation in a busy city. While some may argue that healthy living is possible even without hitting a gym, we need to dwell on the practicality of such arguments. Unlike the US, we do not have special cycling lanes; our offices are not equipped with lockers and shower-rooms that we can freshen up after walking or cycling our way to work. With fuel costs at an all-time high, this e-bicycle makes cycling less stressful, and more efficient, so you burn more calories than cash. These e-cycles are available all across India, but initially, we have stockists at Kochi, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. They will soon be available with e-commerce platforms. Goa and other seashore areas provide hiring cycle facility to encourage cycling activities to go round the city pedalling.

Cardiovascular diseases include stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack. Regular cycling stimulates and improves your heart, lungs, and circulation, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Whether it’s to boost your fitness, health or bank balance, or as an environmental choice, taking up bicycle riding could be one of the best decisions you ever make.

Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels. Research also shows that people who cycle to work have two to three times less exposure to pollution than car commuters, so their lung function is improved. A Danish study conducted over 14 years with 30,000 people aged 20 to 93 years found that regular cycling protected people from heart disease.

Cycling is fun – and it’s a great family activity. But by making cycling part of your – and your children’s – routines you will be doing some great things for your bodies and giving you a sense of well being that you will never find in front of the TV. Cycling as a family is a fun way to spend your free time, and a great bonding experience. You will enjoy the excitement of discovering new routes together and the shared sense of achievement as your fitness improves and you become more confident, experienced cyclists and there lies the cycling success.

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

India is at risk of infiltration by Islamic State

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

May 13, 2019

While Indian voters are going to the election centers to elect the next government and the Prime Minister who would lead the country for five years, in one hand there is direct threat from the Islamic State of jihadist attacks in India as well as some other countries in South Asia; on the other hand, there is disturbing news about Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists entering Indian territories through Indo-Pakistan borders.

According to media reports, ISIS already has named Abu Muhammed al-Bengali as its ‘Emir’ in Bengal with the sole declared purpose of conducting terror attacks in Bengal in India and in Bangladesh. The most significant point that most of the counter-militancy experts are missing, is to understand, why ISIS has chosen that particular part in South Asia, which is inhabited by Bangla-speaking people. Counter-militancy experts in India are interpreting ISIS threat as a threat on India. But they are actually wrong. Islamic State is not targeting the whole of India, but only a part of it. Do the Indian counter-militancy experts have any answer to this point as to why ISIS has selected only Bengal in India and neighboring Bangladesh as their next jihadist fronts?

For years, notorious jihadist outfit Hizbul Mujahedin has been active within Bengal in India as well as Assam, Tripura and other states in the northeast. Hizbul Mujahedin has formed a strategic alliance with United Liberation Front of Assom (ULFA) and natural alliance with Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) in Bangladesh under the coordination of Pakistani espionage agency Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). In the recent months, Hizbul Mujahedin found Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) as another natural ally, while ARSA also is at the priority list of both Al Qaeda and Islamic State kingpins. This is actually a nexus of jihadists which can terrorize a huge area covering Bengal in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and some part of China.

Counterterrorism experts in Bangladesh and India would downplay the possible threats posed by Islamic State or any jihadist force saying things are already under control and they have successfully “dismantled” most of the bases of the homegrown jihadist groups. In this case, my suggestions to them would be to evaluate and study the Easter Sunday jihadist attacks in Sri Lanka, which may lead them in realizing, jihadist groups may create havoc simply by mobilizing few individuals and they may not need a whole army of jihadists for doing this.

Taking lesson from the Sri Lanka attacks, counterterrorism experts in Bangladesh and India definitely need to reboot their old-fashioned perception on jihadist groups and their pattern of attacks.

Image Courtesy: Reuters

Silent rise of jihadist forces in India:

The devastating terror attack in Sri Lanka had links to Islamist groups in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. That this radicalisation was going on had never really made any headlines until the Lankan attack stunned everyone. The alarming point of the rise of radical Islam within Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the southern India had been out of focus of the counter-militancy or counterterrorism experts for years. It only came under radar following the April-2019 jihadist attacks in Sri Lanka. There are valid question as to why the state governments in that part of India did not take any initiatives in confronting the spread of radical Islam and why the Indian intelligence agencies had failed in knowing about this growing monster.

We need to remember, radical Islamist preacher Zakir Naik has been promoting and spreading radical Islam in India for years with millions of dollars he was receiving from his Arab patrons. Indian authorities were either reluctant or unaware of the notorious activities of Zakir Naik. It was me, who had started writing against this Islamist preacher since 2002 and had exposed his face to the world. As a result, Zakir Naik was refused entry in the United Kingdom and Canada. But, despite such international reactions on Zakir Naik, surprisingly Indian state machinery had no interest in even investigating the activities of this man, most possibly because, India does not want to annoy its Arab friends by doing anything against radical Islam.

While Pakistan has always been accused of harboring jihadists and terrorists, India, until the Sri Lanka attacks had never been accused of such notoriety. Counter-militancy experts are already seeing deep and insidious ISIS network across India, perhaps under a web of aliases. This is not only a grave threat to India’s national security but also a potential collapse of its signature distinction from Pakistan – that Indian soil is not used by the terrorists. Once attacks like the one in Sri Lanka start to find back linkages to India that would be a stunning rebuke to one of the country’s most preciously held mark of distinction from its northern neighbor. India now badly needs a Prime Minister who would understand the threat posed by ISIS and other jihadist forces. India currently has a Muslim population of 172 million. It will be very much convenient for the preachers of radical Islam in mobilizing majority of this 172 Muslim population towards jihadism especially when radical Hindutva would be the ruling force under the leadership of Narendra Modi or any of those BJP-RSS top-brasses.

In 2014, Narendra Modi made lots of promises to the people of India. He showed them the dream of India emerging as the mightiest economy in the world surpassing China and even America. But now, after five years, with the unemployment rate growing up and poverty increasing, Modi’s ‘economic miracle’ has fallen flat. Instead he had created the atmosphere of poisonous religious nationalism in India. During Narendra Modi’s rule, everywhere in India, there is persecution of Muslims into the hands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members. India’s Muslims, who make up some 14 percent of the population, have been subjected to episode after violent episode, in which Hindu mobs, often with what seems to be the state’s tacit support, have carried out a series of public lynching in the name of the holy cow, that ready symbol of Hindu piety. The most enduring image of Modi’s tenure is the sight of Mohammad Naeem in a blood-soaked undershirt in 2017, eyes white and enlarged, begging the mob for his life before he is beaten to death. The response of leadership in every instance is the same: virtual silence. Basic norms and civility have been so completely vitiated that Modi can no longer control the direction of the violence. Once hatred has been sanctioned, it is not always easy to isolate its target, and what the BJP has discovered to its dismay is that the same people who are willing to attack Muslims are only too willing to attack lower-caste Hindus as well.

Image Courtesy: AFP

On the other hand, Narendra Modi’s key challenger Rahul Gandhi is no blessings as well. Jawaharlal Nehru’s political heirs, who ruled India for the great majority of those post-independence years, established a feudal dynasty, while outwardly proclaiming democratic norms and principles. India, under their rule, was clubbish, anglicized and fearful of the rabble at the gates. Whatever people may aspire from Rahul Gandhi, in the end, if his party comes to power, India will once again turn into a nation ruled by political feudal dynasty, who had never thought of the people of the country during their previous tenures.

Under the above facts, it is impossible for anyone to understand as to how India can effectively fight the rise of jihadist forces, especially with India’s double-standard of talking against radical Islamic militancy in one hand and kissing those Palestinian Arab jihadists and mega-terrorist outfit Hamas on the other hand.

(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.)

Aam Aadmi Party out of race in Delhi?

Suraj Chandran

May 12, 2019

The Aam Aadmi Party which had come to power in Delhi by winning 67 out of 70 assembly seats has lost its sheen. As Delhi went to poll for seven Lok Sabha seats the contest is happening between Congress and BJP as AAP seems to be losing the plot due to four years of anti-incumbency. AAP which had formed government in Delhi in 2015 has lost its popularity due to acrimonious relationship with the Modi government at the centre. AAP was unable to form an alliance with Congress which might dent its poll prospects. Talks between the Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal have failed to yield the desired results. The alliance with the Congress would have helped AAP to consolidate anti-BJP votes but that did not happen.

Political expert Abdul Wahab said, “AAP is an emerging party in Delhi. The development work undertaken by the party in the field of education, infrastructure, reducing electricity bill will benefit the party. Modi was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in which it was mentioned that he is the divider of the nation. Delhi residents are aware about this. They will vote for AAP in the name of development.”

“Congress is not in the race to win election. Muslim voters might vote for Congress. They are unhappy with Kejriwal due to lack of development in Muslim dominated areas. Congress might stand to gain two to four seats. BJP will be on the backfoot,”he added.

AAP has fielded renowned faces like Raghav Chadha, Atishi who have been known for transforming government schools in Delhi. Chadha is locked in a battle with sitting BJP MP Ramesh Bhiduri in south Delhi seat. Here Congress candidate is Vijender Singh. Recurring confrontation with Lieutenant-Governor who represents the centre has not helped AAP’s cause. The party also has been demanding full statehood to Delhi but centre is turning a blind eye towards it. The AAP manifesto focuses on granting full statehood to Delhi where state government can take control of the law and order without interference from the centre.

Journalist Kanchan Srivastava said, “There is a tough fight going on so we can’t predict which party will win. Surveys undertaken are showing mixed results. The true picture will emerge after the counting of votes. Every party works for its own prosperity and if Congress has not aligned with AAP there might be some political calculations behind it. Congress has been working since a long period of time. Congress might have an upperhand if it has not aligned with AAP. If Congress had gone for an alliance with AAP then it would have been a disaster for the former.”

On the other hand, Congress is trying to regain its lost ground in Delhi. Congress announced the names of candidates for all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi by fielding three time chief minister Sheila Dixit from North-East Delhi, former Union minister Ajay Maken from New Delhi and Olympic bronze medalist Virender Singh from South Delhi. The party also fielded JP Agarwal from Chandni Chowk, Arvinder Singh Lovely from East Delhi, Rajesh Lilothia from North-West Delhi and Mahabal Mishra from West Delhi. Sheila Dikshit has took over from Maken as the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief earlier this year.

CPI (M) leader Ajit Abhyankar said, “According to me AAP will win more seats in Delhi. They have done outstanding working since last four years. People of Delhi can see the politics. Residents also have seen how Modi can stoop to low level.”

BJP is banking on the split of anti-party votes between Congress and AAP. BJP had won all the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi last time. The party is expecting the Modi wave and Balakot air strike will turn its fortunes in Delhi in ongoing Lok Saba polls. BJP has fielded Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk, Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi, Parvesh Verma from West Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi, Hans Raj Hans from North West Delhi, Gautam Gambhir from East Delhi and Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi. At present BJP holds all the seven seats in Delhi.

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