Letters to the Editor: April 15, 2019

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April 15, 2019

FEATURE LETTER DIARY 679x400 e1553672678487 — Letters to the Editor: April 15, 2019 3

Time’s up

Narendra Modi’s time is up. Soon he will start selling tea once again in his hometown, Gujarat. The lotus flower, a symbol of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) will soon stop blooming. The hand that rocks the cradle (Congress) will soon be able to rule the nation with Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister.

The BJP had lost the elections in some of its strongholds states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The results are seen as a clear setback to the incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose command, the country has only seen rising tide of extremism and intolerance especially against Muslims and Christians.

We have to use our brains and vote for the right candidate in 2019 with eyes wide open.

Jubel D’Cruz

SSC paper leak for vested interests

Bhiwandi police arrested a 40-year-old coaching class owner and now a parent is also involved in the paper leak as question papers of the SSC examination were leaked on social messaging application and it created a stir in education circle in Mumbai. However, Mumbai divisional board have refused to call it a leak and thus given a twist to the case. It is reliable learnt that the racket involves teachers, private tutors, schools, and students were involved in this mysterious leak in the social media. It was a case of vested interest as the person involved wanted to his daughter to score high marks and hence, all the more reason for the leak.

Chitra Krishnan

Better voter awareness strategy

The recent conclusion of Phase I voting for elections in 91 constituencies has resulted in a skewed voter turn-out ratio. The outcome of such a voter turnout may be now be known further as the election progresses in the upcoming phases and may perhaps have an impact with the announcement of results.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) this time was very proactive to mobilize voters to the polling booths with various voter awareness drives including Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation program (SVEEP) with the creation of an exclusive SVEEP division. The division has striven hard to create voter awareness programs but the outcome of the voter turnout in the first phase of elections. It has resulted to conduct further extensive outreach programs and thus aim to achieve a better voter turnout in the upcoming phases.

Further ECI should strive to bring about an innovative strategy to find solution to the missing names and voter lists which may perhaps have impacted voter turnout. It is ironical to note that despite successive extensive campaigns, some of the voters are still under confusion related to carrying Voter slips and carrying identity card to the polling booth. A complete voter turnout could not be achieved perhaps due to the chances of missing/deleted names from the voter list and which now needs an immediate and innovative solution. The ECI can further use the technology to quickly identify the list of missing/deleted names and thus help ensure to enable voting to achieve a high voter turnout.

The other outreach factors adopted by ECI such as a dedicated voter express train carrying the message of voting, providing assistance to Persons with Disability (PwD) through ‘Matdatha Mitras’ as volunteers, selfie contests encouraged on social media, extensive awareness drive to use CVIGIL app, 1950 helpline and NSVP portal etc are also appreciable. Perhaps an overworked ECI was time bound by too many frameworks to be resolved in the guise of Model Code of Conduct and thus the attention required for the purpose of voter awareness strategy and achieve high voter turnout perhaps took a back seat.

Varun SD

Guest Control Order of 1960 is need of hour

Considering large-scale wastage of food-items in marriage-celebrations, some legislation like that of Guest Control Order 1960 should be there. Even Afghanistan took measures to curb such mega-expenses on marriage-celebrations.

Apart from preventing huge wastage of food, such steps will automatically check ugly show of status through money in marriages which in present era is becoming root cause of aborting female foeticide because of money required to be spent in marriages of daughters.

Madhu Agrawal

Timing of voting

It is quite but natural that voters have every right to question the candidates about the nature of work done so far and the future plans if they come back to power. Voters are the kings and vote bank politics carry most of the weight. People are educated and knowledgeable and do not want to exercise their right to vote in a blind way. They would like to exercise their franchise to the right candidate and as per their conscious. No one can pressurise them with force or money. That is the real essence of democracy in this country.

Anandambal Subbu

Making most of manifesto

Manifestos of both BJP and Congress fall short on education sector, though they have tried to touch upon key issues related to secondary and higher education. It is not a dream come true manifesto anyway. It will be the most important in the entire history of India. BJP is likely to come out as the single largest party in the election. NDA is likely to come back to power. NDA may turn the tables and may form the government with an absolute majority.

C.K. Jayanthy Maniam

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

Shiv Sena-BJP change colours

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Suraj Chandran

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April 14, 2019

Political parties adopt various types of tricks to connect with the voters ahead of the election. They also go to the extent of changing the background colour of their symbol to attract voters. Shiv Sena and BJP are known to follow hardcore Hindutva ideology and both the parties recognise themselves with the colour saffron. Even party workers of both these parties wear saffron outfits and turban. However, both the parties don’t have any qualms to change the background colour of their symbol to lure Muslim voters in Jammu and Kashmir.

All India Mahila Congress General Secretary Shamina Shafiq told Afternoon Voice, “BJP won’t gain anything by changing the colour of its symbol. You can fool people only once and not every time. They have fooled the people for five years. People won’t be fooled this time and they will show the BJP its place in this election.”

Saffron colour in the background is missing from Shiv Sena’s official Facebook page. There is no change in the symbol but the colour of the logo has been turned black and white. Sena’s alliance partner BJP too has changed the colour of lotus from saffron to green while campaigning in Jammu & Kashmir. This change has happened amid the voting process for the first phase of Lok Sabha election across the country including Maharashtra.

J&K National Conference State Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari asserted, “This is colourful politics. According to me, BJP will stand to benefit out of this and they will win two seats. This activity is planned from Delhi. Politics vary from state to state.”

On the other hand, the Sena and BJP party workers are unhappy with the party’s decision to change the background colour of its logo. According to them, saffron colour is the identity of Sena-BJP and it should not make changes in it. They added that changing the background will send a wrong message to party cadre and voters. Many of them proudly flaunt the saffron colour while campaigning for the party. BJP and Sena might have changed the background colour of their symbol but whether they will stand to benefit from this only election results will say. Instead of working for the welfare of the masses, both the parties are adopting gimmicks to attract voters.

Former BJP minister Umashankar Gupta said, “We don’t have any issue with the green colour. People are spreading false rumours about BJP and the party is not indulging in this act and it is done by others.”

Shiv Sena is having a pre-poll alliance with the BJP for contesting the Lok Sabha polls. Both the parties have announced a 25-23 seat-sharing pact for the Lok Sabha election. As far as the state election is concerned, both the parties will contest an equal number of seats. The Shiv Sena had sought a larger share of seats for contesting the assembly polls wherein it demanded a return to 1995 seat sharing formula when the Thackeray led party had contested 169 seats and BJP was allotted 116 seats out of 288 assembly seats in the state. In the 2014 general election, the NDA had won 41 out of 48 seats in the state. BJP and Shiv Sena contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls together but fought the assembly election separately.

Even though Shiv Sena is the alliance partner of the BJP-led state government but often there has been a rift between both the parties. After winning the state assembly polls, BJP has been trying to play the role of big brother which has upset Sena. Sena often takes potshots at the BJP through its mouthpiece Saamana.

Aadhaar data of 7.8 cr at Risk!

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Rajesh Choudhary

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April 14, 2019

Ever since the Aadhaar card was introduced in India, there is no end to controversies. The main issue connected with Aadhaar is its security and the possibility of violation of Right to Privacy. The social activists and political parties of India have also been raising these. Despite the claim of full proof security of UIDAI, Aadhaar data’s security is breached. Aadhaar data of 7.8 crore people are stolen. A private company IT Grids (India) has illegally obtained Aadhaar data of 7.8 crore voters in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. UIDAI has itself lodged an FIR with the Cyberabad police in this regard. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is the issuing and managing agency of the Aadhaar Card.

It is learned that Hyderabad based IT company IT Grids (India) was using these data to broaden Telugu Desam Party’s Seva Mitra mobile app. TDP is ruling party in Andhra Pradesh. On the other hand, CM of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu has denied the allegations and said that the app is meant for only verifying beneficiaries of government’s welfare schemes. He accused TRS and BJP of conspiring to help YSR Congress in elections.

Ananda Howal, President of Indian Social Movement said, “There has been an attempt to hack digital information and other important documents relating to the people not only in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but in other states by ruling and other political parties. The data can be misused by foreign countries too. This problem is not restricted to Andhra and Telangana but the entire nation would be affected by it.”

According to Telangana Police, investigations so far revealed that the IT Company was in possession of sensitive data. In addition to this, the profiles of voters are also stolen. These could be used during ongoing Lok Sabha elections. On March 7 this year, TPD had lodged a complaint about this in Andhra Pradesh. Now, both the cases are handed over to SIT of Telangana.

Vinod Kumar Boinapally, Telangana Rashtra Samiti MP alleged, “The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is going to lose in Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. That is why he is making an allegation of conspiracy on TRS. We have performed well in recently held Telangana Assembly elections, while their situation is critical. Therefore, they are adopting every maneuvering.”

Earlier, WikiLeaks had reported that the CIA may have access to Aadhaar data. According to WikiLeaks, the United States’ top intelligence agency, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is using tools devised by US-based technology provider Cross Match Technologies for cyber spying that may have comprised Aadhaar data. Cross Match Technologies, a provider of biometric identity solutions received certification from the UIDAI) in 2011. It was one of the first suppliers of biometric devices for Aadhaar data collection.

Keeping in the view of risks of security of Aadhaar number, last year the Supreme Court of India in its historic verdict ruled that it is not mandatory to link Aadhaar Card with existing bank accounts or to open new ones. The Supreme Court also said that Aadhaar should be mandatory for welfare schemes of government and not for services like bank accounts, school admissions, mobile connections or any examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE), National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical entrance and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In spite of so much debate on the security of Aadhaar data, the UIDAI assurances, and the Supreme Court’s directions, data theft of such huge number came to light. The anxious citizens of the country want the government of India and UIDAI to address the concerns as early as possible.

This is why Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated!

By

Afternoon Voice

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April 14, 2019

Ambedkar Jayanti also known as Bhim Ji Jayanti is celebrated by the people of India with great sense of happiness, devotion and dedication to remember and to pay respect to the one of the most qualified leaders of India for his selfless contribution towards the poor, rejected, neglected, downtrodden and boycotted people of India. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar – the father of the Indian Constitution and great human rights activists was born on 14 April 1891.

Ambedkar established the “Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha” in 1923 to spread the necessity of education as well as enhancing the economic and social status of Dalits of India. He initiated a movement for the people using the slogan “Eradicate-Agitate-Organise” with an aim to eradicate the casteism systems from India and rebuilding the Indian society by following the rule of equality of human beings.

He also lead a march in 1927 at Mahad, Maharashtra to establish the equal rights for the untouchable people of India who were not allowed to even touch or taste the water of “Public Chawdar Lake”. He has been marked in the history of India for starting the social movements like anti-caste, anti-priest and temple free movements.

He led the temple entry movement in 1930 at Kalam Temple, Nashik, Maharashtra for the human rights and political justice. He said that the political power is not the only way to solve all the problems of the depressed class people; they should get the equal right in every fields of the society. He was seriously and deeply involved in making legal changes in the Constitution to protect the rights of lower class people during his Membership of Viceroy’s Executive Council in 1942.

He contributed immensely by protecting the Fundamental Rights (for the social freedom, equality and eradication of untouchability for Dalits) and Directive Principles (enhancing the living standard by securing the fair distribution of wealth) of the State Policy in Indian Constitution. He kept his social revolution on till the end of his life. He was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in April 1990 for his greatest contributions towards the betterment of India.

This festival is celebrated with great passion across the nation including Banaras, Delhi and other big cities. In Banaras – to celebrate this day, various types of programmes like painting, general knowledge quiz competition, debate, dance, essay writing competition, symposium, sports, and drama are organised by the Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti Samaroh Samiti in Kutchehri areas. Apart from this, free health check-up camps are also organised at many places in order to provide free check-up up and medicine to the poor and needy people.

The United Nations celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti in 2016, 2017 and in 2018. Indian Post issued stamps dedicated to Ambedkar’s birthday in 1966, 1973, 1991, 201, and in 2013 as well as featured him on other stamps in 2009, 2015, 2016 and in 2017. Government of India issued 10 Rupees and 125 Rupees coins in 2016 to mark the 125th Birth Anniversary to honour him. A Google Doodle was published for Ambedkar’s 124th birthday. Twitter launched Dr Ambedkar emoji as a tribute to the legend in 2017 on the occasion of Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti.

Ambedkar Jayanti: Being an Indian you must know about the father of Indian constitution

By

Afternoon Voice

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April 14, 2019

Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated to acknowledge the noble contribution of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar towards the Dalit communities. Ambedkar was one of the first Dalits of the country who went in to seek admission in a collage and received a college degree. Dr. Ambedkar faced disrespect, discrimination and humiliation at the different stages of his life and his childhood did not dither him from achieving what he wanted in life personally as well as professionally. He continued his study with full dedication, determination and became a successful economist and an Indian jurist.

Ambedkar Jayanti is a mark of respect to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar – apart from working impeccably well in his professional field he also went on to become a prominent Indian political leader and philosopher whose dedication and consistent efforts in helping the Dalits attain their due rights and respect in the Indian society is what has set him apart from the others so much so that he is one of the very few Indian leaders whose birthday has been declared as a republic holiday in the country.

The birth anniversaries of only few leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru are celebrated with such a great zeal and energy. Ambedkar holds a stature that is not less than that of Gandhi or Nehru. He inspired, encouraged and motivated the general public to support him in the fight for a noble cause. He started many movements to bring about the reforms for the backward Dalit class in India and led marches to public drinking water places as the Dalits were not allowed to take water from there.

He led many other similar movements for the right of Dalits to admission at different places. People supported him and still see him as an inspiration. Ambedkar Jayanti is also celebrated in various schools mostly a day before the Jayanti. The educational institutions organise various types of events to pay homage to Ambedkar and also inspire the students to become as knowledgeable, strong-willed and humble as him.

The events begin with speech by the public figures or knowledge persons on the life and philosophy of Ambedkar. The reason to do so is to acquaint the students with the struggles Ambedkar faced and how did he overcome the same by becoming the winner after all odds. Apart from speech, debate, competition and inter-house quiz are also organised. Students belonging to the Dalit class hold special reverence for this day because they too face the same problems which were faced by Ambedkar throughout his life and that are what makes this day even more important for them.

In many states, fair is held on this occasion as well many cultural programmes. The aim of the fair is to spread the message of love, peace, brotherhood, unity, harmony and humanity. Ambedkar Jayanti is a day to remember the actions taken for the harmony of the nation by one of the greatest leaders who was also a historian, teacher, writer, editor, anthropologist and orator. Above all, he was not just a leader but like a god for the Dalit community whom he helped them to get what they deserved.

Letters to the Editor: April 14, 2019

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Web Team

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April 14, 2019

Banana republic

India has become a banana republic after the BJP with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country came to power in May 2014. Today, there is no safety for women and even children in the country — rapes and murders are taking place almost every day — violence and terrorism are occurring in every nook and corner of the country and there is no justice for the victims at all. B

Jubel D’Cruz

Unemployment and rising population

A high percentage of unemployment in a country has a direct correlation with the rising population as sex is the only source of entertainment as well as spending time in a situation of idleness. The UN report which indicates that India’s population has risen twice as that of China in percentage terms over the years doesn’t come as a surprise which is the reason why India is lagging behind our foe nation when it comes to economic development & progress. Religion sentiments & superstitions too are responsible for the population explosion in our country which is like a Time Bomb on the Earth waiting to blast with the excess weight in its surface.

India cannot be a silent spectator and our govt needs to take stern measures to control population which is the source of all evils in our country. Even water would become insufficient to feed our population over the years which can result in a civil war not just in India but globally as well. Family planning is the need of the hour but left to people alone, it won’t give the desired results. Couples with 2 kids should be forced a sterilisation and vasectomy operation irrespective of their financial status or religion. Reward couples with a single child with tax incentives and popularise adoption. Test tube babies too should be banned in our country. Forced measures sound criminal but it seems the only option looking at the gravity of the situation. Creating jobs for the poor too would help in population control!

S.N.Kabra

Vishu is one of the most popular South Indian festivals

By

Jayanthy Subramaniam

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April 14, 2019

Vishu is one of the most popular South Indian festivals and it is widely celebrated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is the traditional New Year for the residents of these states. The people living in this region speak Malayalam language, it is also known as the Malayalam New Year.

In Kerala, the start of the Zodiac New Year, when the sun enters into Sidereal Aries, Ashwini Nakshatra—is celebrated as Vishu. It is said that what one sees when one first opens one’s eyes on Vishu morning is an indication of what one can expect in the year to come. Thus on Vishu, the effort is made to assure one opens one’s eyes before an auspicious image—the Vishukkani. While the festival is called “Vishu” only in Kerala, across India festivals sharing the same spirit such as Ugadhi in Andhra Pradesh and in Karnataka, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Bihu in Assam and Baisakhi in Punjab are celebrated around the same time of year. The Malayalam word Kani literally means that which is seen first, so Vishukkani means that which is seen first on Vishu day.

Like most parts of India, festivals in Kerala are an integral part of the social and cultural structure of the state and festival time is the best time to plan one’s travel to Kerala.

The heart of this festival of Kerala is the preparation of the Kani, the lucky sight or gift. The custom of preparing the Kani has been followed for generations. The women take a large dish made of bell-metal called Uruli, arrange in it a grantha that is a palm-leaf manuscript, a gold ornament, a new cloth, some flowers from the Konna Tree, some coins in a silver cup, a split coconut, a cucumber, some mangoes and a jack-fruit. On either side of the dish are placed two burning lamps with a chair facing it. Family members are taken blindfolded and then their blindfolds are removed and they view the Vishu Kani. As in other Indian festivals, a great feast at home is the high point of celebrating Vishu in Kerala.

After visit to the family, a feast is arranged with all the Kerala delicacies, Kootu, Kari, Avial, Olan, Payasam, etc etc. Thus, the ‘Vishukkani’ has over the years become a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, areca nut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers Konna, and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called ‘Uruli’. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. As Vishu ushers in a New Year dawn, people wake up to behold the ritualistic arrangement. Giving off handsel to the younger members of the family is part of the celebrations.

Arranged in the family puja room the night before by the mother in the family, the Vishukkani is a panorama of auspicious items, including images of Lord Vishnu, flowers, fruits and vegetables, clothes and gold coins. The Vishukkani will also be laden with gold-coloured fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, jack fruit, golden cucumber, etc. The Akshatam, as it is full of turmeric, also is gold in colour and the reflection can be seen in the mirror. Last but not least, a spiritual book, such as the Bhagavad-Gita, should be made part of the arrangement.

The grandmother or mother who arranges the Vishukkani will sleep in the puja room after she is finished and then, waking during the auspicious hour of the Brahma Muhurata between 4:00 to 6:00 a.m., she will light the oil-lamp wicks and take in the auspicious sight. She will then walk to the rooms where the rest of the family is sleeping and wake them. Covering their eyes, she will then lead them to the puja room, where she will allow them to take in the auspicious sight.

The auspicious start of the year, which has come to us due to the grace of beginning it with a divine vision, is not for us alone. It is up to us to spread this love, happiness, and hope to the rest of society. All South Indian Festivals end with a big feast and Vishu is not an exception to this way of celebrations.

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

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Judiciary should become more transparent

By

Web Team

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April 14, 2019

Transparency and Accountability are the major measuring rods for any pillar of democracy. The more transparent a body is the more confidence people will have in it. It has been a long-standing demand from several civil society groups and also from the government itself to have audio and video recording of the court proceedings. However, the judiciary has been reluctant in making itself open for public scrutiny. However, the recent decision of the government to allow CCTV cameras inside the courtrooms is a move in the right direction. However, if the trust on the judiciary has to improve, then a few landmark judgments will not suffice. The whole system has to become transparent.

The recent decision of judiciary can be summed up in the following way:

No audio recording, but an only video recording of the court proceedings through Closed Circuit Television Vision (CCTV) Cameras.
At least two districts in each state to have CCTV cameras in courts and in court complexes
High courts to have cameras installed within three months
These video recordings are not accessible through RTI without the order of the High Court.

This eventually means that the opacity still remains in the judiciary because no one will get to know what has been told in the court as there is no audio recording. They are not accessible through RTI and the decision of the High Court may take longer time. Later on, the same issue itself may become a burden to the courts which are already having a lot of cases pending with them. This will result in both delay and denial of justice.

The judiciary has kept itself opaque from people as well as other organs of democracy like legislation and executive. That is why, despite being passed, the National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) Act was quashed by the honorable Supreme Court. I agree that some judges are favouring NJAC and they have to be considered as an exception. NJAC would have given more transparency in the appointment of judges. However, the collegiums system has overpowered NJAC.

While we are talking about self-disclosure by the governments to maintain transparency and accountability, while we are forcing the political parties to come under RTI and disclose about the sources of their funds, it is important for the judiciary to introspect its views and decisions. All expenditures that are incurred on judiciary comes from public money and the public should have the right to know the proceedings of the courts. It will not only improve trust on the judiciary, but also speed up the proceedings of the cases as judges can access the recordings of the previous proceedings which will help them to move ahead faster with the case.

(The author of the article is a Psychologist and the Founder of
Mano Samvaada.)

By Akshara Damle

(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.)

Congress’s policies forced Kashmiri Pandits to flee from Kashmir: PM Modi

By

Web Team

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April 14, 2019

Hit back at Congress on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a rally at Kathua, said that Congress’s policies forced Kashmiri Pandits to flee from Kashmir. Attacking the Congress party, PM Modi further said that it was their policies that the Kashmiri Pandits had to flee from Kashmir. He asked, can Congress give justice to Kashmiri Pandits? Can Congress give justice to 1984 riots victims? Calling Congress’s NYAY scheme a ‘big sham’, he warned the people. PM said, “I’m committed to an honourable return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits.”

PM Modi also attacked Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh. He said that Captain Amarinder Singh was busy in ‘bhakti’ of ‘Congress Parivar’. He went to Jallianwala Bagh with naamdar (Rahul Gandhi) but didn’t find it right to attend the event with Vice President. This is the difference between ‘Rashtrabhakti’ and ‘Parivar bhakti.” The Prime Minister added, “I have known Captain Amarinder Singh for a long time. I have never raised a question on his patriotism. I can understand the kind of pressure which must have been put on him for such ‘Parivar Bhakti’.”

Rape at Rashtrapati Bhavan: Govt silent, Nation shocked!

By

Rajesh Choudhary

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April 12, 2019

A student in Delhi has been allegedly raped by a staff member at the staff quarters of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The nation is shocked and anguished at the rape of the student in a high-security area like the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Until now, the incidents of rape in the temple, mosque, church, police station, etc. have hit the headlines.

Congress MP Sushmita Dev said, “It’s an unfortunate incident. Rashtrapati Bhavan is a high-security place. What can we expect from the government if it can’t provide security to women? Such an incident occurs in staff quarters of Rashtrapati Bhavan when Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks about ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign. If the PM would have taken this incident seriously, such crimes would not have occurred. This means that nobody is taking the PM seriously on women’s security.”

Even the Rashtrapati Bhavan is not safe for women. This incident has shaken the nation after more than six years of Delhi gang rape case on a bus in December 2012. The police have registered an FIR against the accused, who is absconding. The culprit called the university student to the staff quarters of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and raped her on the pretext of marriage on Tuesday night.

Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of Maharashtra State Commission for Women, said, “If rape incident occurs in a high security institution like Rashtrapati Bhavan, it is unjustified and questions should not be raised about the security of women in the rest of the country. It’s the accused’s mindset that provokes him to commit such crimes. Law must be strengthened to curb rape incidents.”

It is more shocking that the government and the administration are tight-lipped over this serious crime against a woman in the premises of official residence of the President of India. It seems as if nothing happened at all. The police have not arrested the accused yet. They are verifying the allegations. However, the Deputy Commissioner of Police denied the claim and said that the accused used to live in Kali Bari, where the student often visited him. The student is pursuing M. Sc. It is claimed by many that the police are trying to prove that the incident of the rape did not happen in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and perhaps the officials have censored the news.

Social activist Teesta Setalvad said, “It is sad, angering, and shameful. Is this what we have come to? Our government speaks of Beti Bachao and the highest place of Constitutional governance becomes the witness of such violence against women?”

The national capital New Delhi remains unsafe for women as ever. It is one of the worst places in the world for sexual violence against women. According to a report of Delhi Police, more than five women were raped every day in the national capital in the first three and a half months last year. The police claimed that in 96.63 per cent of the rape cases reported last year, the accused was known to the victim. More than six years after the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012, and despite stringent gender laws, and an open conversation on sexual violence in the country, nothing has changed in the whole country including national capital Delhi. Even today, girls are molested in schools, professional women are raped by taxi drivers and male colleagues, village girls are trafficked and sold to brothels in cities. The law and order is very serious in New Delhi. Crime data showed that 578 cases of the rape were reported in the city till April 2018 against 563 cases in 2017.

NCP IT cell National President Bindu Bhosale said, “It is a very shameful act that a student has been raped at Rashtrapati Bhavan staff quarters. Where is the security and safety of women in India? If a girl is not safe in the surrounding of Rashtrapati Bhavan in presence of security then how safe is our villages, cities and other places in India. We have to fight for our safety. If there is no safety at Rashtrapati residence,how can there be safety at other place?. The accused should be punished and hanged to death. There must be a change of governance.”

In the first week of January 2019, 92 cases of heinous crimes, including 11 murders and 22 rape incidents, have been reported in New Delhi. From January 1 to 7, there have been 11 murders, 13 cases of attempt to murder, 46 armed robberies, and 22 rape incidents.

The law alone cannot do much in these cases. We have to change the mindset of society. For this, an integrated and collective initiative should be taken on all level. Every male child must be taught to respect girls and women at home first.