Letters to the Editor: 06 March, 2020

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March 6, 2020

Justice should be given to Nirbhaya’s parents

The four Nirbhaya rapists should be hanged till death at the earliest so that other rapists may learn a lesson from this incident and not treat women like sex objects in order to satisfy their carnal desires. But what about the juvenile who has raped Nirbhaya too. Why was he left with just a light warning? Besides giving him a light warning, why has he been hidden in an isolated place where no one knows where he is now? Is there an answer to this? How much money has he bribed the court to let him off with just a light warning? Justice should be given to Nirbhaya’s parents so that her soul may rest in peace.

Jubel D’Cruz

Team India paid price for underestimating New Zealand

The New Zealand tour was the worst ever overseas assignment for Team India in recent times as they were white washed both in ODI’s as well as Tests after giving a similar treatment to Kiwis in the T-20 games. Perhaps we peaked too soon and became overconfident which was the reason of our debacle in the later part of the series. Captain Virat Kohli was all at sea with the bat and his behaviour on the field too left bad taste in the minds of his fans as he was reprimanded by the referees time and again. His frustration clearly showed as he also lost his cool with journalists during post match chats with the press.

Kohli is the best batsman in world cricket but he should learn to take failures in his stride. Aggression is good but over aggression can lead to defeats. Indians I thought took the New Zealand side lightly and paid the price. One must never count the chickens before the eggs are hatched and hope the defeat was a learning chapter for Kohli and his boys

S.N. Kabra

Dishonesty in examination

It’s examination time every where and along with it reports arrive of students cheating and all sorts of academic dishonesty happening. The news of a school clerk in Uttar Pradesh using his house as an examination centre of the state board to help students cheat in the Class 12 exam is the latest to hit the news headlines and this incident is rather surprising, shocking and goes to show how low our education system has been dragged to by some conniving and crooked people whose sole aim is to make quick money .

It is really worrisome that though the state government had set up a monitoring unit and the exam centres have CCTV camera coverage and in a first the state government has also launched a Twitter handle for immediate resolution of complaints and queries and in addition helpline numbers for the control room and all sorts of precautions taken the incident involving the clerk obviously reveal that there are elements in the academic field itself who by hook or by crook indulge in dishonest ways sadly supporting individuals who achieve what they want through immoral, devious and unprincipled method. Incidents such as these spoil the very purpose of examination and assessment.

Youngsters who adopt these unethical ways to achieve their aim later turn into corrupt individuals who pave way for corruption to ‘ reign’ in the society. Unless and until very strict measures are taken and stringent punishments are given to individuals who cheat and help cheating this ingrained taint in our education system will remain, tarnishing the very image of the nation’s education system.

M Pradyu

Amit Shah misleading minorities

Home Minister Amit Shah assured a public rally in Kolkata said: “No minority will have to leave the country owing to the new Citizenship Act.” I wonder, how long he will try to make the people fool while they know best that this act is violative of the Constitution. Why does he need to satisfy minorities? If his government had not excluded Muslims, he would not have needed to organize rallies across to make minorities satisfy. It simply shows that BJP want to hide what is in their hearts.

Mahmudul Hasan

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

Demise of Congress means the death of balanced politics in India – Part I

By

Vaidehi Taman

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March 5, 2020

The Congress Party called “Grand Old Party.” ruled the country for 55 out of 71 years since independence. But following the party’s crushing electoral debacle for a second time, there are questions about its future as the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty at its helm is unable to counter the most powerful leader India has produced in eras: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s oldest party is going through a leadership crisis. Over a month after Congress President Rahul Gandhi said he wished to quit as the party chief, over 130 Congress office bearers resigned from their individual posts to show solidarity with him. Some even threatened to protest outside the homes of other senior party office bearers in the days to come if the latter did not follow their example of quitting their respective posts and give Gandhi a “free hand” to restructure the party.

The battle within the Congress is gradually one between the party’s old guard and the young leadership. The sense among the younger leaders is that Gandhi’s hands need consolidation for him to purge several from the old guard to restructure the party. However, those in the old guard argue that Gandhi had led the party’s campaign from the front and most of the decisions were his.

Gandhi appointed Mohan Markam as head of the party’s Chhattisgarh unit replacing state Bhupesh Baghel since he is now the chief minister of the state. The Congress statement announcing the appointment said “Congress president has appointed” instead of the “AICC” that was being used in party statements effecting organisational changes since Gandhi’s decision to quit as party head.

At the first Congress Working Committee meeting after the poll results, Rahul Gandhi had announced his resignation but questioned senior leaders Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot and some others for not putting in their best effort to ensure the party’s success. The Congress currently has governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Puducherry and runs a coalition government in Maharashtra. Many think thanks take this phase of Congress as rebooting the party while others question the existence of it in the near future.

If we look at the history of the Congress party after independence, the defeat of Indira Gandhi in 1977, the Congress party under Indira Gandhi rose like a phoenix in 1980. The party continued to rule till 1989. Though Rajiv Gandhi won in 1984 because of a sympathy wave after the death of Indira Gandhi with a massive majority, he could not sustain it in 1989. Again in 1991 Congress came back to power and formed a minority government because of the sympathy factor. Though its performance was exemplary under Narasimha Rao, it could not come back to power mainly because of lack of a popular mass leader. Again in 2004, Congress came back to power because of the efforts of Sonia Gandhi.

Congress lost elections in 1977, 1989, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2014. All the elections it lost were due to major gaffes like imposition of emergency or huge corruption scandals or for want of a charismatic leader Congress could win the first four elections till 1967 because of the participation of Congress leaders in the freedom movement and the goodwill people had for the Congress. It won the 1971 election because of the charismatic leadership of Indira Gandhi. The spectacular victory of 1984 and that of 1991 were because of sympathy votes. In 2004, the Congress did not increase its seats, in fact it came down from 158 to 145. Still, the party formed the government because BJP performed badly winning only 138 seats. Though the Congress could win 207 seats in 2009, it could not get a majority. Then there was a division in the Congress in 1969 when many leading Congress leaders who were part of the freedom movement left the party. It was at this point of time the nationalism of the Congress, which was its prerogative, started moving away from the party. Also Congress by the nationalisation of the Banks, abolition of privy purses to erstwhile rulers and its socialism pushed themselves towards the left. Emergency was the culmination of all these for which the party had to pay a heavy price. Hitherto, till 2009, the Congress maintained some responsibility both in the number of seats as well as vote percentages. However, in 2014 securing 44 seats, the party looks more like a regional party rather than a national one. Ideologically too, Congress is confused about where it stands. While in power, it followed liberalisation and open market, but now it is projecting itself as left of center.

This ideological moorings and the confusion that emanate from the same, is hurting the party. At present Indian people are at home with liberalisation of economy and privatisation.

(The latter part will be continued….)

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

Congress misconduct: Seven members suspended from Budget session

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2020

These days Congress is being cornered on all fronts by the ruling party. The latest example is that yesterday, the Lok Sabha, through a motion it passed, suspended seven Congress members for the remaining period of the Budget session for their ‘gross misconduct’ after they snatched papers from the table of Speaker Om Prakash Birla and for ‘utter disregard’ for House rules. The suspended members are Gaurav Gogoi, TN Prathapan, Dean Kuriakose, Manicka Tagore, Rajmohan Unnithan, Benny Behanan and Gurjeet Singh Aujla.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said that his party has requested the Speaker to set up a panel to look into the continuous “indiscipline” by Congress members. “Snatching papers from the Speaker’s table is utmost disrespect to the Chair. We condemn this,” he observed.

Congress’s leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that it was a “government decision” and not one taken by the Speaker. Asserting that the Congress members had done nothing wrong, he said that it was a “dictatorial decision” and one that was motivated by “revenge politics.” “We saw revenge politics in the House, orders were given by the chairperson to suspend seven Congress MPs for this session,” Chowdhury said.

He alleged that the suspension was an attempt to weaken the party in the House as the government fears a discussion on the Delhi riots in Parliament.

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the “unruly” behaviour was “unprecedented” and would have shocked the country’s founding fathers. “We welcome the decision to suspend the unruly Congress members,” he said.

As soon as the House met at 3 pm following an adjournment, Meenakshi Lekhi, who was presiding over the House, named the lawmakers. Once a member is named by the Chair, he or she cannot attend the House for that day. She said when the House was discussing the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020, some members “forcefully” snatched and tossed papers from the Speaker’s podium.

“Such unfortunate incident has possibly happened for the first time in the parliamentary history…I condemn this behaviour,” she said while naming the members.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi then moved a motion to suspend these members from the House for the remaining period of the Budget session. The motion was passed by a voice vote amid protests by opposition members.

Responding to the suspension, the Congress declared it as a “dictatorial decision” by the government aimed at weakening the opposition’s voice ahead of a debate over Delhi riots.

Amid Coronavirus scare, Bhaijaan says “Salaam, Namaste”

By

Hema Singh

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March 5, 2020

Amidst Coronavirus fears, the world is moving away from hugs and handshakes. In the current situation, Bollywood’s Bhaijaan Salman Khan has urged people and fans to adopt traditional salutation styles like ‘namaste’ and ‘salaam’ to greet everyone in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

In a message by way of a picture from his workout session on Instagram, Salman has shared this picture. In this picture, Salman is seen sitting on a pull-down machine with his hands folded. He captioned the picture, “Namashkaar … hamari sabhyata mein namaste aur salaam hai! Jab #coronavirus Khatam ho jaye tab Haath milao aur gale lago….”

View this post on Instagram

Namashkaar … hamari sabhyata mein namaste aur salaam hai! Jab #coronavirus Khatam ho jaye tab Haath milao aur gale lago…. @beingstrongindia

A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) on Mar 4, 2020 at 9:12pm PST

The Sultan movie actor’s health advisory has garnered a whopping 1.2 million ‘likes’ and it has also got 18,000 comments till now.

The Novel Coronavirus spreads through contact with respiratory droplets during coughing and sneezing, doctors say. The dreaded disease has laid thousands dead all across the World. Approximately around 3,288 people have died due to this globally affected epidemic. Reportedly, there have been 29 cases of Coronavirsus in Maharashtra out of which 9 suspected cases are from Mumbai.

New hope for women: Govt to set up 138 fast-track courts for women’s safety; Mumbai to have 26

By

Hema Singh

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March 5, 2020

In a move that will bear grave consequences for offenders, the state government has decided to set up 138 fast track courts across the state for time bound disposal of cases of sexual offenses pertaining to women and children for a year. On Wednesday, an official order of a Government Resolution (GR) for setting up 26 fast track courts in Mumbai and 112 across the state was released.

Reportedly, out of the 138 courts, 108 will deal with cases of sexual offense against women whereas 30 courts will deal with cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As per the GR, 26 courts will be set up in Mumbai, 18 in Thane, 16 in Pune, 7 Amravati and 5 in Nagpur, while one court under POCSO Act will be set up in each district.

We have been reading news and hearing cases of sexual offense against women and children on a daily basis. It’s been reported that each minute in every corner of the state, a woman is either raped, molested and abused. By the help of these fast tracks courts in the state, there might be a ray of hope for those women and children. As per the same report, there are more than 30,000 cases related to sexual offences against women which are awaiting timely completion of trial in the state. And that is the reason why the government has set up these courts. People say the move is timely in the wake of increasing sexual offences against women and children.

The 138 courts will be set up in collaboration with the central government and state government. A total of Rs 103.50 crore will be required to set up these 138 courts out to which the Central government will bear 60 percent expenditure while the state government will bear the remaining 40 per cent.

Time to abolish reservation policy

By

S. Krishna Kumar

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March 5, 2020

The Supreme Court very recently expressed concern over the reservation policy and ruled that reservation should not be made applicable for promotions. To quote, the SC has done well so halt the quota juggernaut with the ruling that makes very logical sense: States are not bound to provide quotas in government jobs and there is no fundamental right to claim reservation in promotion.

Now, we are faced with the atrocious announcement of exclusive “5% reservation for Muslims” by the government of Maharashtra followed by Madhya Pradesh too.

The reservation system, on the whole, has today, taken a wider proportion and is more often “misused”-even after over 70 years of India’s independence. The system, as it stands today, prevents those students even with very high percentage of marks (especially belonging to those upper castes who are not covered under the reservation policy) from getting admission and employment as their right. This is because that in the field of education and employment seats and vacancies are “reserved” for SC/STs and other “beneficiaries” , anywhere between 70 and 80 per cent . This is atrocious since most deserving students and candidates even with percentages as high as above 90 and extremely brilliant academic records are deprived of their seats in the engineering, management and medical colleges and institutes and employment too. There still exists the provision that the SC/STs will get promotion under the quota policy. In other words, efficiency, merit, sincerity and performance will have no meaning and just by taking advantage of the quota policy, the SC/ST will get promoted to higher grades, even if one proves to be inefficient and an ‘under-performer’. Whereas, the truly meritorious and sincere performers will have to wait for his turn as per the policy of the government or the organization.

What is happening, therefore today is that every caste and tribe WANT to be treated as ST/SC or at least under the OBC – so that the benefits under the “reservations policy” can be availed of , irrespective of the economic and financial background – for generations in fact! In practice more “powerful castes” exert their influence to demand reservation as their might and right. Not long ago it was sad to see the JAT community had violently protested against reservation. And, then we witnessed the Maratha community in Maharashtra leading big rallies to demand reservation.

Today, it has become a “privilege matter” to be treated as an ST or SC, which was not so at least about a decade ago. The extreme extension of reservation by the Indian political leaders and the government, just to appease one community after the other, repeatedly, has now led to the “deprived caste or class” demanding “reservation” as a matter of right. At this rate, the day is not far off when the real upper caste strata (like Brahmins etc…) also take their turn to demand to treat them as “ST/SC”, because, today, they feel the heat and are the real ones who are deprived of admissions, jobs etc, due to “OVER patronage” of certain caste and communities. Moreover, in our country, it seems, there is no end to the longest list of tribes and caste – every year one caste or the tribe or the other keep rising up to demand reservation!

The solution lies in saying that “enough is enough” and we stopped these politicians from tinkering with the “reservation policy”, year after year and especially on the eve of elections. I don’t understand when our government will do away with this outdated “reservation policy” altogether and when will our politicians stop appeasing the certain sections of the community in the name of “reservation”.

Today ONLY MERIT should count. What is needed today is “reservation policy based on economic status”. Abolish caste or class or creed or community based reservation altogether.

Or BETTER STILL…..REMOVE RESERVATIONS ONCE FOR ALL.

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

Letters to the Editor: 05 March, 2020

By

Web Team

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March 5, 2020

SDMC’s move to impose professional tax unjustified

While Central government introduced Goods and service Tax (GST) to end too many types of taxes, it is illogical for South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to consider imposing Professional Tax from professionals having monthly income above rupees 50000. It is to be noted that it will be an added burden on professionals having annual income above rupees 20 lakhs who have to pay 18-per cent GST on their income. Furthermore, it will be cumbersome and complicated procedure to collect such new-to-be imposed Professional Tax by the civic body as it will be applicable even on those living outside jurisdiction of SDMC but having professional income from area under jurisdiction of SDMC thus creating an inspector-raaj breeding to corruption. Likewise imposing electricity-tax by the civic body is illogical even though its collection may not be cumbersome and complicated.

Main problem with civic bodies in Delhi is that these are getting only a very small fraction of total property-tax that can be collected. All civic bodies including SDMC in Delhi should take harsh and stringent-most steps to collect property-tax from all those also who are presently not paying property-tax at all. Once compliance of property-tax is proper and complete, all civic bodies including SDMC will have more than sufficient funds required by them. It is unjustified to further burden honest tax-payers because of dishonest tax-payers evading property-tax.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Patriotism and nationalism can never be taught

This refers to your editorial “Never ending hate between Hindu & Muslims”. Majority of us today seen to have forgotten that we are Indian citizens and so there is a complete absence of nationalism among the people. Mahatma Gandhi declared from behind the bars that, ”Patriotism is good, but it must not supersede the feeling of universal love for all humanity. It must not make us indifferent to the growing concept of ‘New World’. Patriotism and nationalism can never be taught, but these must be learnt.

No doubt, we have trained police force to tackle communal riots, but these (the riots) are mere gimmicks by our politicians to grab votes. Today, our country is going through crisis. The steps taken by the government to inculcate the values of secularism are not enough. There was a time when our leaders spoke of India’s mission of spiritualizing the world and the sentiment was applauded because it appealed to the patriot in each one of us and now our PM Modi is also inculcating the same. This is the time when we must do something and open our eyes to reality.

Vinod C. Dixit

Free public transport will reduce traffic congestion

The recent move to make public transport free for all in Luxembourg is welcome. The move is aimed at mobilizing people to use public transport whilst encouraging a carbon-free and emission-free urban eco-system. The move also comes at a time to reduce the increasing traffic congestion and make other busy cities take a note of such an example.

The concept of free public transport as an experiment will definitely encourage its use extensively. While First class and night services are exempted from availing free public transportation, the move to otherwise make it free during the peak time will reduce traffic chaos in Luxembourg. Busy cities elsewhere in world should now emulate this model and offer free public transportation facilities at least on shorter routes, last-mile connectivity, and airport shuttles. The move will help reduce traffic congestion, promote a carbon-free environment and encourage the people to use public transport extensively.

Varun Dambal

Time to rebuild lives after Delhi riots

With violence in Northeast Delhi abating over the last couple of days, space has opened up for activities and initiatives to reconstruct lives and livelihoods and rebuild ties damaged and ruptured during the recent communal violence in the capital. There is an urgent need for Mohalla committees. These are mixed-community groups that include members of a neighbourhood, especially women, as well as respected members of civil society and local police. Scores of Mohalla committees, which were set up in Mumbai’s community neighbourhoods in the wake of the communal violence following the destruction of the Babri Masjid in December 1992, are reported to have played a significant role in preventing communal conflagrations in Mumbai. The recent violence in Delhi is a wake-up call. It should serve as a reminder that the state often does not act to protect minorities, the marginalised and other hapless sections. It underscores the importance of people acting to protect themselves. Setting up Mohalla committees would be a positive step in this direction.

A Abuzar Sitamarhi

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

Girishikhar residents grieve against fixed toilets

By

Hema Singh

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March 4, 2020

The resident of Girishikhar Co-operative Housing near Abhinav Nagar Borivali (East) on March 2 sent a formal letter to the Ward officer of R/ central near Borivali (west) to remove the moveable toilets that have been set up close to their society. As per the residents, in 2009, the authority had kept moveable toilets at the same place and the residents had raised the same issue after which the toilets were shifted 100 meters away from the municipal dust bin.

Mr Samant resident of Girishikhar told AV, “They have alternative place at the corner ahead of the Masjid. Previously mobile toilets were placed there. They should shift these toilets there. In fact since there is more space there, they can double the numbers also.”

The resident’s complaint that the bad odour that was emitting out of it was unbearable and it also concerned their hygiene. The residents also stated that behind their apartment there is a small garden for children and because of the proximity, there might be chances of diseases and health issues. The residents have shown MLA Riddhi Khursange the place where they have last time kept those toilets. Riddhi will check and revert once she could convince BMC about the alternative place.

Mr. Sushil Baraskar resident Girishikhar said, “It’s harmful to each and every citizen residing around Girishikhar eg. kids, senior citizen and passer bys. Also there is bus stop where people board and alight from the bus they will inhale the polluted air and probably get sick. Also affected will be school children who come out of the school bus.”

After receiving a complaint from the residents of the society, the Asst. Commisioner R Central by way of its letter has informed them that it has issued work order for demolishing and reconstruction of existing toilet block at the above address to M. M. Constructions.

Mr Bodse Sub Engineer BMC said, “The installation of the toilet blocks are just on temporary basis and the same would be removed after two months. The toilets of slum residents are under construction now and once they are completed we will remove these remote toilets that are kept near Girishikhar society.”

It has also informed that during this period, it needs to make a temporary arrangement for the slum dwellers of the building using the particular toilet block. Further it has said that since this area is nearby a densely populated slum and there is no space to put up the temporary toilet, the Commissioner’s office has decided to install 6 nos. of temporary toilet blocks on the footpath along the municipal road.

Bhaskar Khursange former MLA told AV, “If Girishikhar residents locate appropriate place for toilets, we can help BMC authorities to shift the toilets from present place. As a representative of people I need to even think for the welfare of people in slum.”

The installation of the toilet blocks is purely on a temporary basis and the same would be removed after two months.

Advocate Padma Bhosle chairman Girishikhar cooperative society said,“This letter says that temporary toilets will be removed after 2 months but there is no guarantee of that. It might prolong further to 6 months also.”

On this, the residents of the Girishikhar Co-operative Housing Limited have informed that since the construction of the toilet would be on the footpath, it would be used randomly by the kids of the shanties to litter and thereby make the surrounding unhygienic.

Kedar Walimbe resident of Girishikhar said, “The main concern is hygiene. Right on the road, there’s a bus stop where we stand waiting for a bus in the morning and toilets are majorly used during then. People residing in the chawls don’t maintain cleanliness of their own surroundings; so just imagine how the state of toilets would be. They should be away from where they are placed now and should be moved to the earlier spot.”

They have also said that the toilet would be encroaching the existing bus stop. The residents have further said that footpaths are generally meant for pedestrians and not for toilets. In lieu of the same, they have asked the BMC to remove the encroachments immediately. They have also reiterated that no parking should be allowed for parking along the pavements.

BJP MP Gopal Shetty said, “Right now, I am in Delhi but I’ll forward this message to my colleague. And I’ll make sure that this work will be completed as soon as possible.”

Girishikhar residents in Mumbai toiled with toilets – BMC plays spoiler

By

Vaidehi Taman

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March 4, 2020

Under the Swachh Bharat campaign, the BMC has allocated Rs. 195.52 crore to make the city Open Defecation Free (ODF), which is the highest ever. In this connection it has identified 117 spots in the city to work on. But they have really not made efforts to locate appropriate places for these toilets for the slums in the city.

Similar is the case of Girishikhar Apartment in Kajupada, Borivali. The BMC has installed mobile toilets in a row on the footpath alongside the compound walls of the building. It is interesting to note that a public bus stop is located right there so much so even school buses take a halt here to pick and drop children making this installation highly unsafe for all concerned. Right behind the other side of the wall there is a garden and a hall for senior citizens to have evening gatherings and children to play indoor games. It is like one small community room. When BMC installs these mobile toilets, the residents are going to inhale the sewage fumes and foul smell. A viable concern is the footpath damage near the entrance gate as the replacement toilets and piping are installed.

Fumes that arise from a toilet are sewer gases. These strong gases are not only unpleasant that comes with the territory when not maintained, but are extremely unhealthy too. Hydrogen sulfide and often methane along with other chemicals and biological agents in varying degrees, compose sewer gas. The fumes of this gas pose definite health risks especially if inhaled for an extended period of time. The residents approached BMC authorities and the politicians pertaining to this constituency but instead of providing solutions, they were busy in passing the buck but none of them came with alternatives. The BMC issued a letter to the society stating that the toilets are temporary arrangements and they would be removed after two months. But there is no guarantee that the toilets are going to go from here if BMC work gets prolonged. Similar was the case in 2009, near B-wing of Girishikhar wall and it took two years to get rid of that toilet.

Odour and strange smell in mobile restrooms are a common problem. These toilets are not provided with auto flush systems to ensure that toilets are flushed after each use and the inline sanitizer treats the water to prevent scaling, removes buildup and cleans the toilet bowl. The floor drains are bound to cause unpleasant smells as they collect organic buildup with time. BMC is known for its lethargy and irregularities, so in such circumstances expecting them to keep toilets clean is a high expectation. Forget about the people living in building, but the people living in the slum may also suffer due to lack of access to sanitation and further suffer from preventable diseases and infections. In India, for instance, more than seven children per 10,000 residents die from diarrhea resulting from lack of sanitation. To address this, many state governments have announced drives to clean up their cities. But many cities are resorting to quick fixes that are polluting water sources and leaving countless urban communities by the wayside.

Take an example of India. In 2014, its government announced a highly publicised mission to “Clean India.” Under this mission, the government surveys and ranks the cities according to their cleanliness and hands prestigious awards to those ranking highest. The mission’s main aim was to rid the country of open defecation, makeshift toilets and open sewers by October 2019. This was music to the ears but later on, we realised the horrific side of it. These ambitious launches are temporary fixes where no one is ensuring their maintenance and long term functionality success or taking stock of the practical on street scenario. Hygiene and proper maintenance should be an addition parameter to such grand launch campaign and that is the true point of success. Accountability in the name of development is completely missing.

Samarth Mitra Mandal from Kajupada, Borivali slum residents were demanding for toilets to be rebuilt. But however, what they actually got was a “moving” toilets on the main road. A person has to walk a long distance for defecation, the toilets are limited and population is huge. Tomorrow, the small children or the grown-ups who would be able to tolerate the pressure of waiting for their turn may force to open defecate around. In such a scenario, can we really expect PM Modi’s Swachh Bharat dream getting fulfilled? Is installation of these mobile toilets the only point to celebrate and are we looking for genuine long term functionality success ratio?

The municipal government had achieved its aim of being declared as “open defecation free”, but the community was no better off. Look at the portable toilets those were installed in different slums of Mumbai. Today, three out of the four portable toilets are defunct. Slum residents are once again resorting to open defecation or using their self-built toilets. You go around Mumbai, this is the state of slums and their mobile toilets. Similar stories from all over Mumbai abound. Temporary fixes and cosmetic solutions offered by municipal governments are leaving countless communities empty handed in the long term. The particularly high risk of disease outbreak from water contamination in densely populated urban environments not only threatens lives but also reduces the time people can work, making it harder to escape scarcity. Although Mumbai has a centralised chlorinated water supply, it does not run through most slums. This particular slum has water supply issue. In such crises, can we expect adequate flush water can be poured to maintain hygiene? As summer approaches, water cuts are extreme which makes cleaning to ensure hygiene even worse. Wherever mobile toilets do exist in the city, they are either broken or leaking. Who is going to maintain these toilets? BMC officials or corporator are not going to do that. No toilet project will be a success unless you involve the community. Most slum houses do not have individual taps. A year ago, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) survey showed 78 per cent of community toilets in Mumbai’s slums lack water supply and 58 per cent have no electricity. Many slum toilets have no proper doors; men urinate in open door toilets in day broad light because its nature’s call and they are unable to control. In developing countries like India and in the financial capital like Mumbai, is it possible to assume that a government does not value its citizens? Is economic development a greater governmental issue than the health of its population? Do people not deserve access to basic human rights?

Unfortunately, slum is a big vote bank and gullible too. Right now the BMC has no answer to the angered Girishikhar residents and even public representatives like MP Pravin Darekar, former MNS MLA and now BJP member is busy appeasing Madrasas and slums. While residents of Girishikhar, in all probability, expect nothing from civic authorities, who they say, have ignored their pleas and appeals for taking action against portable toilets, now shouldn’t pin hopes on their MP either. BJP leader Gopal Shetty has assured residents of finding a solution but he did not revert either and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials have remained stubborn.

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

Need of the hour is stern action against instigators

By

C K Subramaniam

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March 4, 2020

India is a country that always faces the danger of the explosive built in animosity between two religious communities. It is a serious case though when one group cannot and will not accept the national laws and wants to create and live by its own version of laws. Naturally, the other group is vehemently suspicious of the other’s motives. When one comes to the conclusion that the government is unwilling or unable to stem the tide, they take matters into their own hands that often leads to catastrophic consequences.

Often it is a balancing act for the government. India will have to remain an unified nation under unified laws to be viable. Individual religions have individual manifestos, but no one’s manifesto can be supreme. The politicians are to blame for that. It is purely creation of Indian misguided opposition parties and they are responsible for the death and destruction of the beautiful city of Delhi. Clearly, anti-social and anti-nationalists are reaping advantages by creating such mayhem. Unfortunately our politicians are causing a rift in the society by beguiling the masses. The media is also not doing enough to make people aware.

Unscrupulous politicians are requested to withdraw from idiotic campaigns, unleashing of false propaganda , inciting religious venom etc. Once ignited, it would be difficult to douse the fire. Granting citizenship to minorities who fled from persecution was an unfulfilled promise for a long time. The present government deserves praises for taking initiatives to give relief to marooned refugees. Just think, giving citizenship to a majority will cause population explosion here. Don’t add vote bank politics everywhere. Just think, communistic preferences in delivery of quota for 3 generations have left meritorious of open category beyond margins. Who cares about deprivation of consumers when below average teaches impotent rise to power and imbecile treat? Better campaign against apartheid in reverse gear.

Beyond politics and sympathy for the family of the policeman killed, it’s a shame that he was shot at by a rioting mob. It’s very clear that it’s no more or a so-called ‘agitation’ but is riot encouraged and helped by opposition in general and particular parties specific? The government is responsible for maintaining law and order, leave alone peace, should stand up, if required through well armed forces and quell it.

This unrest over CAA should have been diffused long ago by the government by timely intervention in allaying the fears by reaching out to the protesters. We should have a clear drawing line and should not view every politicised issue from electoral dividends. The government allowed the unrest to pester and is now fire fighting. Time for maximum governance as promised.

The curfew and shoot and sight order for these hooligans, criminals who have inappropriate behaviour towards the law and order of the state, the country’s constitution and the judicial system given a protest march which should be conducted peacefully. I think these people should be arrested and brought to the judicial system of the country also shoot and sight order is justified for these criminals. Ever since the BJP and Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power, rioting stopped significantly. The Modi government was engaged in development of people with catch phrase ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas‘ irrespective of caste, creed and religion. When the nation was marching ahead with great pace, its enemy struck again. Seemingly, innocent law to offer long awaited justice to refugees was targeted to settle score.

Who are these protesters and who is instigating them? The answer to this will lead to a solution. The government needs to take a very stern action against the instigators and the media needs to name and shame them even if the instigators are sections of the media itself.

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