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Rediscovering Kashmir in Kalhana’s Paradise

September 13, 2019

Suddenly narratives over Kashmir have changed for both India (Hindustan/Bharat) and Pakistan where New Delhi extended its horizon up to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (known as Ajad Kashmir) and Islamabad aggressively insisted on its domination over the entire Jammu and Kashmir. The lousy debate broke out as Indian Parliament endorsed the revocation of Article 370 and 35A and also reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir province in the first week of August 2019.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and many others in the ruling clout start making stronger statements that the entire Kashmir (read comprising PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan and Aksai Chin) would be an integral part of India very soon, whereas Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has shown desperations to prove Islamabad’s authority over the region. Amidst the war of words, an interactive session with a Jammu based senior journalist was organised at Guwahati Press Club on 23 August, which was materialized with the video-conference at a time when there was wild rumour that entire Jammu & Kashmir was under strict internet censorship as a precautionary measure by the government.
Tito Ganju, editor-in-chief of Epilogue, an English newsmagazine published from Jammu, while interacting with Guwahati scribes commented that Article 370 was always a temporary provision in the Constitution of India and architects of the Constitution were clear about its temporary position.
Recognised as an expert on the Constitution, Ganju was clear that those individuals who argue that Article 370 forms the basic structure of India’s Constitution were simply trying to mislead the nation. He added that temporary provision is the weakest one among three provisions (other two being Special Provision and Transitory Provision).
Ganju pointed out that the government had the legal and constitutional mandate to deal it with the manner it deems fit. Jammu & Kashmir was under President’s rule and hence the legislative power of the State in accordance with the constitutional provisions lied with the Parliament
and the Centre took the route of Parliament to bring in the bill to make necessary changes in Article 367 and Article 372. The historic decision by the Union government in New Delhi to revoke Article 370 & 35A and reorganize Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories was denounced sharply by various individual and organizations of India and abroad. The authority has continued the detention of various Kashmiri leaders, willful restriction of communications and even public movements in the valley even though normalcy returns to Ladakh and Jammu region.
Recently around 600 eminent Kashmiri Hindus along with their hardcore supporters welcomed the removal of Article 370 and geo-political reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Displaced Pandits of Kashmir, who are presently taking shelter in various parts of the world, believe that it was the foundation where the prejudiced J&K Muslims flourished in the secular India.
Signatories include Anupam Kher, Padamshri Subash Kak, Padamshri Pandit Bhajan Sopori, Padamshri Jawahar Lal Koul, Padamshri Kashi Nath Pandita, PN Razdan, RL Hangloo, Ashok Ogra, Sushil Pandit, Shakti Bhan, Ashoke Pandit, Ratan Parimoo, Ashok Kaul, Hriday Kaul Bharati, Kailash Mehra Sadhu, Kavita Suri, Khema Kaul, Kuldeep Raina, Avtar Krishan Rahbar, Sunil Bhat, Ashok Hak, Kashmiri Khosa, Lalit Ambardar, Ramesh Marhatta, MK Raina, TK Ganjoo, Sanjay Raina, Usha Handoo, Ravinder Raina, etc.
Ganju, while speaking about the possibility of return by hundreds of Kashmiri Brahman families to the valley, commented that time and situation was yet to be conducive for their return. Asserting that Kashmiri Pandits have suffered genocide and their presence in the valley has been eventually reduced from cent-percent to hardly three percent now, Ganju commented that their homecoming must be addressed in terms of historical aspect than a cosmetic contemporary understanding.
Moreover adequate safety, security and dignity should be the cardinal of any policy on their return and rehabilitation, he stated. Though Kashmiri Pandits are the aboriginals of the valley with first and uncontested claim over the resources, their demand for a centrally administered region carved out of Kashmir valley should be acknowledged, he argued.
Ganju declared that in every foreign attack in Kashmir, Hindu families were made to pay heavily as they were subjected to arson, humiliation and displacement from various localities like Muzzafarabad, Gilgit, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajuari, Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Skardu, etc. In course of discussions, Ganju mentioned Rajatarangini, an authentic historical chronicle on rulers of early Kashmir and its neighbours, written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri Brahman historian Kalhana. Penned some time in 1148- 50, the book has descriptions of Maharaja Jaisimha as the last great Hindu ruler in Kashmir.
Considered as the best authentic work of its kind, Rajatarangini reveals the beauty of Kashmir as comparable to only the heaven. A place named after Kashyap Rishi (sage), Kashmir is enriched with mild sunshine, icy cool water, majestic tree-flower-fruits etc. “Kailash is the best place in the Tri-loka (three worlds namely Swarga, Marta and Patal), Himalayas the best place in Kailash and Kashmir the best place in Himalayas,” narrated Kalhana. For some time, Kashmir was a part of Mauryan emperor Ashoka’s Buddhism territory. Kashmir then emerged as a flourishing centre for Buddhism when Buddhist scholars, intellectuals and followers frequently visited the place. Ashoka also developed Puranadhisthan (present day Srinagar) and repaired numerous temples, pagodas and old shrines. The region was also ruled by Kushana emperor, Delhi sultan, Mughal samrat, Sikh raja, Dogra kings, etc.
Rajatarangini has cited Amritprabha, popular queen of Kashmir (wife of Meghbahan), who hailed from Assam (then Kamrup). Another important king of Kashmir, Lalitaditya had maintained a friendly relationship with Kumar Bhaskar Varma, the powerful king of Kamrup. Harshavardhana, the 7th century central Indian emperor was common friend to both of them. Then most of the local population in Kashmir was worshippers of Shiva (one of Hindu Trinity after Brahma and Vishnu). Narrating the recent political history of Jammu & Kashmir, Ganju claimed that Maharaja Hari Singh had all moral, ethical and legal rights to decide upon the accession of his kingdom with either dominions (India and Pakistan) and the king duly signed the treaty of accession with Indian Dominion on 26 October 1947. J&K Maharaja was seeking a better deal with both the Dominions before finally making its mind. The unwanted aggression of Islamabad through Pakistani Army regulars and tribal forces into the erstwhile province of Jammu & Kashmir later compelled the king to seek assistance from New Delhi and eventually he signed the Instrument of Accession (J&K).
Talking about the petition filed by India in the United Nations after Pakistan’s aggression, Ganju made it crystal clear that it was strictly on the Pak hostility into Jammu & Kashmir with the lone argument of majority Muslim presence there but it had already become a legal territory of India following the official consent of J&K Maharaja.

Adding further he disclosed that the Centre was simply pampering the separatists of Srinagar valley in particular through a kid glow treatment prostrating interest of the nation and the supremacy of its Constitution to the whims of Kashmir region. The nation-state over 70 years now unfortunately incentivised separatists including the so-called mainstream political parties of Kashmir region and ultimately continued penalizing the nationalists of the region.

(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.)

The dilemma of a fast-bowler

C S Krishnamurthy

September 13, 2019

Accidents always arrive unannounced. The nasty injury of Steve Smith when he was hit on the neck by the English pacer Jofra Archer reminded the fatal blow of Australian batsman Philip Hughes. While the helmet manufacturer had reportedly said that Hughes was not wearing the (then) latest version which was far more protective, the 30-year old Smith, batting without armguard, was first struck on the forearm by Archer, who bowled consistently over 140 kmph. Smith was also not wearing the attachment to the helmet that protects the neck, now preferred by many players. It’s not mandatory until now, perhaps it may become a requisite soon.

Hughes’ death rocked nations, borders and cultures. Freakish though, reports had suggested that the hit “millimetres either side could have saved him with a mere concussion”. This is where Smith is extremely lucky to get away with a mere concussion. The leather ball, weighing 160 grams, was travelling at 135 kmph when it hit Hughes, whereas the Archer delivery was 147.5 kmph. Some biomechanical experts opine that the impact is “similar to being hit by a bullet”.

Should bouncers be banned?

The debate which kickstarted, following the death of Hughes, makes rounds whenever you see serious on-field injuries. There have been cries for the bouncer to be outlawed. Bouncers are used tactically to drive the batsman back on to his back foot if he has been freely playing his front foot shots. To this end, they are nearly directed at the bodyline, which is not “illegal” provided the ball bounces on the pitch. Aiming the batsman’s head without bouncing on the pitch is “beamer”, which is lethal and illegal

The essence of good batsmanship is the ability to stroke and defend, both off the front foot and the back foot. Banning the ‘bouncer’ would produce more kids and less cricketers. Any attempt to redefine the “bouncer” would be a major regression to the game, which is already pro-batsman (with field restrictions, power plays, limits on number of bouncers in an over, high quality bats…) than it used to be.

Batsmen in the pre-helmet days relied on agility and a good eye. All glory to those stalwarts like Don Bradman, Sunil Gavaskar, Viv Richards, Gary Sobers, G R Vishwanath… Same delivery. Some defend. Some hit boundaries. Some gets out. Some injured. In some sports, dire risk is a constant companion. A single punch in Boxing at the wrong place can kill. In F1, a miscalculation can decimate in seconds.

Australian duo, Dennis Lille and Jeff Thomson, and the Caribbean pacemen of the Seventies and the Eighties bowled all day with barely anyone, not even the umpire, took any objection. Viv Richards was a rare exception, who never wore helmet even against the likes of Lillee and Thomson. While he trusted his life to his eyesight and nerves, Don Bradman said it was “a wonder more batsmen were not injured seriously”.

Australia and South Africa take great pride in the bouncy nature of their wickets. This meant that a ball normally pitched quite short anywhere else in the world to come up to the head height can be pitched short of a length on most Aussie/South African pitches. It’s time some parameters are in place regarding the hardness of the pitch. It goes the other way in India with the ball hardly going over ankle height!

The game should go on

The game of cricket tests everything of a batsman, bouncer inclusive, only then the comprehensive ability is ascertained.

A fast bowler would probably say that banning bouncers is akin to banning cover-drives. It is part of the game. In cricket, fielders are also prone to serious risk. Raman Lamba, Mark Boucher, Saba Karim instantly comes to mind. What one would question though is the quality of the pitches, helmet designs, player’s behavioural pattern (like sledging, verbal intimidation…). Sledging that involves threats such as advising an opponent that he is “about to get a broken arm” should be outlawed, as it sends a wrong message to youngsters that it is okay to break some one’s arm in the name of sport.

In the modern version of the game, the batsman reverse-sweeps, scoop-hits and can miss and get gravely injured. The game is played across the length and breadth of the country in grounds and gullies, with inferior gears, poor pitches and no first-aid kits, and one can, even without “bouncers”, get hurt.

A tiger without ferocity, a cobra lacking venom, and a fast-bowler sans bouncer is not in line with established nature. Improving the headgear and better coaching on how to negotiate a climbing delivery are a more logical response to the on-field injuries. The cricketing fraternity should delete the dilemma of a fast bowler.

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

Letters to the Editor: 13 September, 2019

Web Team

September 13, 2019

Jethmalani will be remembered by people

Ram Jethmalani who died due to old age on September 8, 2019 will always be remembered with affection by the Indian public whom he served with such honour and dedication. May God open the gates of heaven for such a distinguished person like him.

Jubel D’Cruz

Motor Vehicles amendment has impacted LTV riders

The Motor Vehicles amendment enforced in 2019 has impacted hard to most of the LTV riders including two wheelers and car users. Violation of safety rules related to not wearing a seat belt in a car is one of the penalties levied by the traffic police department. However the rule to wear seat belts should also be enforced to all categories of HTVs and public transport buses operating in various metropolitan cities. As the crew of the public transport buses have been entrusted to drive safely by not endangering the lives of passengers, it is now obvious that the drivers of public transport buses wear the seat belts and drive in the best interest of passenger safety.

The government should urgently insist public transport corporations across the country to conduct audit of its buses operating in metros like Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Mysuru etc. and across BRTS network in Ahmedabad, Hubballi etc. The audit should consist of checking seat belt availability for the safety of bus crew and thus ensure its strict adherence accordingly.

Further there is an urgent need to raise awareness to drive safely while wearing a seat belt in buses and HTVs alike including public transport and BRTS buses. Hence the government should strive to ensure that the crew members driving buses within city, inter-city, intra city, BRTS network and airport shuttle routes are made to wear the seat belt mandatorily and drive the vehicle. The move to enforce mandatory seat belts rule for the bus drivers will help ensure enhanced passenger safety along with complying to road safety regulations and personal well being accordingly.

Varun Dambal

Long detentions make gangsters operate gangs from jails

It refers to day-light killing of a notorious criminal in Narela (Delhi) on September 8, 2019 allegedly due to a gang-war. Crime-activities in the capital city can never be controlled where known gangsters operating gang said to have been operating from inside the jail, are kept in long custody. It may be recalled that unfortunate incident of hijack of IC-814 Indian plane on December 24, 1999 was caused only to successfully get released three notorious terrorists from Pakistan including Maulana Masood Azhar who has become headache for India after his forced release as pre-condition to free Indian civilian plane.

Delhi government and Delhi Police should take initiatives so that court-trial of known gangsters may be supersonically completed at all levels including at trial-stage and at High Court and Supreme Court in case cases move at stage of higher courts. Even it should be ensured that mercy-petitions if filed by such convicted gangsters in case of confirmation of death-sentence may be decided fast to make final execution as fast as possible.

Only such fast justice-delivery-system can check increasing crimes by gangsters in the capital. If needed, Delhi government can write to Chief Justice of India for ensuring fast justice to pave way for making Delhi crime-free capital.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Limit number of episodes in TV serials

It refers to media-reports that a Hindi TV serial has reached its 3000^th episode on a private TV channel. Continuance of TV serials for years after years with even change in generations of the characters shown in such TV serials makes viewers TV-addicted with unimaginable number of total man-hours viewing TV-serials only adversely affecting studies of students and proper attention to children by mothers who are victims of such addiction. Already social media has ruined life-style and working-efficiency of all including office-goers.

Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should regulate maximum number of episodes in a normal TV serial to say 52 (one year). However such a restriction may not be there on epic-serials and TV serials with single story in each episode.

Madhu Agrawal

Aarey land dispute

No one is a victor as the project metro is a social cause and it reveals the development of the Commercial Capital. The city is in for a drastic change and it is time to make sure less number of trees are chopped to make it a dream come true project. Aaditya can dare to do damage just for the sake of vote bank politics for the coming assembly elections. But in reality we find Mumbai city is lagging behind Chennai, Bengaluru and Delhi and it is time to speed up Metro project for which Metro Car Depot is a catalyst to make the project a successful one. Let us not make it a prestige issue.

M.R. Jayanthy

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

During Ganpati immersion 18 killed across Maharashtra

Web Team

September 13, 2019

At least 18 persons drowned in separate incidents during immersion of Ganesh idols across Maharashtra, police said on Friday. Meanwhile, 12 persons killed as a boat capsized in Bhopal’s Lower Lake during immersion in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

Immersions, which began on Anant Chaturdashi on Thursday, continued into Friday morning in several parts of Mumbai, Pune and Sangli, officials said.

Drowning incidents were reported in 11 districts comprising Amravati, Nashik, Thane, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Dhule, Bhandara, Nanded, Ahmednagar, Akola and Satara, an official said, adding that 18 persons lost their lives in these. The deaths include four in Amravati, three in Ratnagiri, two each in Nashik, Sindhudurg and Satara, one each in Thane, Dhule, Buldhana, Akola and Bhandara.

In neighbouring Thane, a 15-year-old boy, identified as Kalpesh Jadhav of Kasara, drowned while immersing a Ganpati idol. The incident took place around 7:30 pm on Thursday, an official said.

Bodies of four persons taking part in immersion on Thursday in Purna river in Amravati’s Watole Shukleshwar village were fished out, he said. In Nashik, two persons drowned, three were rescued while one was missing, police said.

The deceased were identified as Prashant Patil (38), who drowned near Ramkund, a bathing ghat on the banks of the Godavari river, in Nashik city, and Yuvraj Rathod (28), who drowned in a pond at Pahine village near the temple town of Trimbakeshwar. Lifeguards and fire brigade jawans rescued three persons near Someshwar waterfall in Nashik.

A man identified as Soma Shivanakar drowned in a pond at Dolsar village of Bhandara district, a police official said. Chaitnya Shinde (20), a resident of Malkapur, was washed away in Koyna river at Karad in Satara district. In Akola, Vicky More (27) was feared drowned during immersion in a water-filled quarry, an official said, adding that the area had been fenced off but devotees cut the fence to immerse idols.

Kripashankar, Urmila not decided where to switch?

Rajesh Choudhary

September 11, 2019

Just ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections, actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar and once a strong leader of Mumbai Congress Kripashankar Singh have resigned from the Congress. There are speculations that Kripashankar Singh, Urmila Matondkar and many more Congress-NCP leaders will join the BJP. Although, they have not decided where to switch. NCP leader Ganesh Naik and Congress leader Harshvardhan Patil joined the ruling BJP on Wednesday. Prior to this, NCP MLAs Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, Vaibhav Pichad and Sandeep Naik and Congress MLA Kalidas Kolambkar switched over to the BJP. Similarly, Sachin Ahir, Jaydutt Kshirsagar, Dilip Sopal, Rashmi Bagal and Dhanraj Mahale of NCP and Dileep Mane of Congress are big names who joined the Shiv Sena recently. The list of opposition leaders willing to join the BJP and the Shiv Sena is long. In near future many leaders will change their allegiance and get entry in ruling alliance.

When our correspondent Nikhil Sagare spoke to Congress MLA Arif Naseem Khan he said, “Congress won’t get affected due to resignation of Kripashankar Singh. It is unfortunate. If he is trying to play opportunistic politics then it doesn’t augur well for him.”

It is remarkable that state Assembly elections are due in a couple of months. Before this, it seems that there is a bee line from opposition Congress-NCP to ruling alliance BJP-Shiv Sena in the state. Every leader resigning from Congress and NCP is joining either the BJP or Shiv Sena. Therefore, Urmila Matondkar might join the BJP, the possibility of this cannot be denied. As per another report, Urmila is supposed to join the Shiv Sena. After Urmila’s resignation from the Congress, senior Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted, “Karma has no deadline.” Before this tweet she tweeted, “Jako rakhe saian, mar sake na koy (whose saver is god, no one can kill him).” Actually, Priyanka Chaturvedi wanted to contest the Lok Sabha election from Mumbai as Congress candidate. But she was denied and the party gave ticket to Urmila Matondkar. So, Priyanka Chaturvedi quit Congress and joined the Shiv Sena. But within six months, Urmila left Congress due to petty in-house politics in the party. She contested the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North seat as a Congress candidate but lost to senior BJP leader Gopal Shetty. Urmila Matondkar had joined the Congress in March. Then she had said, “I am here because I believe in the ideology of Congress and what the party stands for. I have not joined the party for the sake of elections.”

जाको राखे साइयां, मार सके न कोय। pic.twitter.com/ZMjM6hULSB

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) September 10, 2019

On the other hand, Kripashankar Singh has said that he might reconsider his resignation if the Congress party changes its stand on Article 370. He quit the party over difference with the party on Article 370. But last week CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray visited his residence to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha. According to sources, he may join the BJP. The party lacks a strong face of north Indians in Mumbai. Kripashankar Singh is the fittest person to fill this gap. He will not join Shiv Sena as he lost last Assembly elections to Shiv Sena candidate from Kalina seat. Sena will not allow him to contest from this seat. He wants his wife to get ticket from Kalina. If the BJP and the Shiv Sena do not ally in upcoming Assembly elections, the BJP may give Kalina seat to his wife.

It is worth mentioning that after landslide victory of PM Narendra Modi in the parliamentary elections, political scenario in Maharashtra has changed completely. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine won 41 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, while NCP won 4 seats and the Congress could win only one seat. As per surveys, the BJP can win over 150 seats in Assembly elections if it fights elections without any alliance.

Kripashankar is trying to find safe place in BJP

Vaidehi Taman

September 11, 2019

Former Congress minister and senior leader Kripashankar Singh announced he had quit the party. In the recent past, many Congress workers and leaders left the party and joined either BJP or Shiv Sena. Since 2014, BJP has gained lot of support from people. As Maharashtra and Delhi elections nearing by, Congress has no chance of getting any deposits in any of the two states, so these political leaders are trying to find safe place where they can win and retain their power, therefore BJP is best option for them. You might wonder why BJP is allowing these corrupt leaders to join the party, winning is main agenda, any leader joining a party will definitely bring some votes though it varies from the 100 to lakhs depending on the stature of the leader. BJP cannot deny any such votes and strengthening their party. Most of the times, politicians indulges in corruption because they get free hand from their high command. So there is nothing wrong in politicians (corrupt or not) joining in BJP from various other parties. There are many leaders joined BJP and kept aside, so that the nonsense they were creating being in opposition is now under control. So Kripashankar Singh and Urmila, they both are likely to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party soon, though he is reported to be in touch with even the Shiv Sena as well, aides indicated.

Urmila may not be entertained in Shiv Sena, as Priyanka Chaturvedi left Congress when Urmila was given ticket to contest and she was denied. Though, Sena is looking for strong candidates from all the parties where they want their party to be stronger and can go alone if needed. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray had visited Singh’s Bandra residence to celebrate Ganeshotsav recently. However, Urmila has not revealed her future course of political action so far though speculation is rife that she may consider joining another party.

Singh – once billed as the Congress’ benign north-Indian face in Mumbai – has also expressed his differences with the Congress’ official stance opposing the recent decision of striking down of the Constitution’s Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Among other posts, Singh was the Mumbai Congress President for a term and served as Minister of State for Home and held other portfolios in the former Congress-Nationalist Congress Party coalition government.

In 2011, Singh and some of his close family members had come under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in certain corruption-related cases after which he had to quit his ministerial post in mid-2012. Meanwhile, several prominent faces from the Congress and NCP are likely to join the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena this week as the countdown for the announcement of Maharashtra assembly elections starts.

Singh has been cleared by a special court of the allegations of the disproportionate assets as speaker of state legislative Assembly refused sanction to prosecute him under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Singh was a sitting legislator till October 2014. Both the refusals in response to the applications filed by the investigating agency Economic Offences Wing had come during the Congress-led government in June and October 2014. Some leaders in the Mumbai unit of the Congress insisted that there was more than “that-meets-the-eye” in political parlance. Singh was believably keen on fighting the Lok Sabha elections from one of the six seats in Mumbai. The BJP is also tapping the possibility of contesting him from Jaunpur in UP. If Kripashankar joins BJP then there would be one more corrupt count in BJP joining from opposition. No doubt Kripa has his vote bank and also connect with people, his joining BJP may help party gaining Uttar Pradesh votes.

Kripashankar—arrived in Mumbai in the ’70s as a potato/onion vendor. He used to reside in a chawl room with 25 other roommates. He struggled hard to achieve his dreams in this city. Besides being the Congress’s city unit president, he was the party MLA from Kalina suburb. But that election could come under a cloud too. The affidavit filed under Rule 4-A for the October 2009 Maharashtra assembly polls did not mention the duplex apartment under immoveable assets held by spouse; nor did it disclose four other properties either held by his wife or in which she has financial interest. This became the subject of an election petition filed by one of Kripashankar’s rivals from Kalina constituency—Chandrakant More, of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena—in the Bombay High Court. Nevertheless, the BJP is becoming a dumping ground for other party members.

BJP before the elections shouted on rooftops about Congress corruption and now it is six years and the government has still not arrested anyone. But the most corrupt politicians are given open arms welcome in the party. BJP is more or less the same as Congress minus the scams for now. By the next to next elections, BJP would have successfully absorbed the remainder of Congress, possibly even Rahul Gandhi and by then, if AAP or a brand new party manage to be the new face we are looking for, it will be time for change.

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

Onam: A day of celebration for Malayalees

Jayanthy Subramaniam

September 11, 2019

Onam, the festival of Malayalee community is being celebrated on September 11, 2019 in a colourful way. The colourful and picture festival represents the spirit of the Malayalees in India in general and all over the world in particular. The people of Kerala believe that on the Thiruonal day King Mahabali visits his subjects and hence the day is marked by Onasadhya in traditional Kerala style.

Thirty one types of dishes were served in plantain leaves to the members. The menu includes Tairu Pachchadi, Inchi Kari, Achar Naranga, Achar Manga, Dal, Nei, inchi pulli, moru, Kondattam, Molaku, Ishtu, Elisseri, Chakara upperi, Varuta Kaya upperi, Pazham, Uppu, Nadan, Choru, Cheriya Choru, Mathan Puli pachchadi, Kootu Kari, Kalan, Olan, Aviyal, Thoran, mix thoran, Sambhar, Rasam, giant size Papadam and small one as well.

The festival marks the home coming of legendary King Mahabali. He is also popularly called Maveli and Onathappan. Mahabali is the son of Virochana and grandson of Prahlad, the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashipu. Mahabali also belonged to the Asura (demon) dynasty but was an ardent worshipper of Lord Vishnu. He was greatly respected and was considered to be wise, judicious and extremely generous. Everybody was happy and the rich and the poor were treated at par. There was neither crime, nor corruption prevalent in his kingdom. It is said that people did not even lock their doors just like Shani Shingnapur as there were no thieves. There was no poverty, sorrow or disease in his kingdom. It is believed that on the Thiruvonam day, Lord Vishnu took his fifth avatar as Vamana and sent him to world. Onam celebrations are marked in Trikkakarna near Aluva said to be capital of King Mahabali. A temple with a deity of Trikkakara Appan or Vamanamurthy who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise is also located in this place.

The word Thiruvonam is derived from the Sanskrit word Shravanam. Thiruvonam is one among the 27 Nakshtras (stars). The word Thiru is used to address places and activities associated with Lord Vishnu. Thiruvonam is also believed to be the star of Vishnu. Onam is celebrated in the first month of Kollarvarsham of the Malayalam Calendar. This corresponds with the months of August and September every year.

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

BJP MLA from Mira-Bhayander complains against defamatory video posted online

Web Team

September 11, 2019

Narendra Mehta,BJP,Mira-Bhayander,Thane,Social Media,Defamation — Image Courtesy: Facebook

BJP MLA Narendra Mehta has lodged a complaint with Thane police in Maharashtra against unidentified persons for allegedly defaming him by posting online a video containing objectionable content, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the complaint filed by Mehta, the MLA from Mira-Bhayander seat, a video has been circulating since Monday on social media, purportedly showing a Ganesh ‘aarti’ (prayer) in which some objectionable words along with his clippings have been inserted, the official at Navghar police station said. The MLA claimed the mischief amounted to defaming him and hurting the feelings of his supporters, he said.

Based on the complaint, the police registered an FIR on Monday against unidentified persons under IPC Sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class), 298 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 500 (defamation) and 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory). No arrest was made so far, the official said, adding that a probe was underway.

Letters to the Editor: 11 September, 2019

Web Team

September 11, 2019

Potholes in Mumbai or Mumbai in potholes?

The entire city of Mumbai is in potholes would not be an wrong statement as the city is at the mercy of corrupt road contractors who use substandard material to construct road projects that don’t last for more than a couple of weeks. The road at Bangur Nagar off Link Road near Central Mall where I reside developed big cracks and potholes within a week it was laid and shockingly no action has since been taken to repair the same since almost four months now.

Corruption rules roost at BMC where contractors sublet contracts to mint money. There is not a single street or road in the entire city of Mumbai which is free of potholes. The entire stretch of city is dug up for one reason or the other and most accidents happen not because of motorists not following road laws but on account of bad roads and potholes. Accountability is the need of the hour and contractors should be paid in phases after monitoring their work. Corrupt contractors should not just be penalised but suspended so that it acts as a lesson for others of their tribe!

S.N.Kabra

RIP Ram Jethmalani

With the passing away of Ram Jethmalani on September 8, 2019, India has lost an eminent jurist, an able administrator and a seasonal Parliamentarian. Ram Jethmalani was a veteran lawyer and a former Union Minister. He was witty, courageous and never shied away from boldly expressing himself on any subject. May his soul rest in peace.

Jubel D’Cruz

Sea saw battle for seats

The sea saw battle for assembly election seats in Maharashtra took a different turn as Sena settles for less than half and concedes for 110 seats in a quick move. More important than the weep stakes is the perception that the Sena has conceded the argument that the BJP is the dominant partner in the state. PM’s visit paved the way for maintaining big brother-younger brother relationship and that worked wonders in seat settlement. An amicable settlement will see that the alliance will go smoothly and that will provide the base for an overwhelming victory in Maharashtra for the combination once again.

Nickhil Mani

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

Kamal Nath: SIT reopens anti-Sikh riots case

Suraj Chandran

September 10, 2019

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has landed himself in trouble after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by Union Home Ministry has decided to reopen seven anti-Sikh riots cases where the accused were either acquitted or trial closed. Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that Home Ministry will reopen anti-Sikh riot cases against Kamal Nath. Sirsa tweeted,“It is a big victory for Akali Dal. The SIT will look into Kamal Nath’s involvement in the anti-Sikh riots.” The order came on petition filed by Sirsa.

When AV correspondent Nikhil Sagare spoke to Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe he said, “The government has failed on all fronts, be it political, social or economic and unemployment is also rising. In order to divert people’s attention from these issues, they are holding inquiries against opposition leaders. They have been in power for five years and no development has taken place. They are indulging in political vendetta to hide their failures.”

After the notification became public Sirsa said senior Congress leader and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath had allegedly given shelter to five people who were accused in one of the seven cases. Kamal Nath was never named in the FIR registered in New Delhi’s Parliament Street Police station. Five persons named as accused in the case (FIR 601/84) were accommodated in his residence. All these accused were discharged due to lack of evidence. Sirsa said, “All allegations made against Kamal Nath will be probed by Special Investigation Team (SIT). Two witnesses will appear before the SIT where they will tell about Kamal Nath’s role in the riots.”

BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said, “I don’t think so the government is trying to impose pressure on opposition by reopening old cases. There is no question of political vendetta. All agencies are doing their work as per court guidelines. Courts are independent and free so leaders can approach the court. If they think that they have not done anything wrong they can go to the court against all agencies.”

The witnesses were Sanjay Suri who now lives in England and Muktiyar Singh who is now in Patna. “I have spoken to both of the witnesses and they are ready to appear before the SIT to record their statements. The case is related to a mob of rioters storming the Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib,” said Sirsa.

Kamal Nath had earlier denied the charges. According to the Home Ministry notification, the SIT has taken up discharged cases for scrutiny or preliminary inquiry. The seven anti-Sikh riots cases were registered in 1984 at police stations in Vasant Vihar, Sun Light Colony, Kalyanpuri, Parliament Street, Connaught Place, Patel Nagar and Shahdara.

The SIT has issued public notices asking individuals and organisations to provide information related to the seven cases. “This is to inform to all individuals, groups of persons, associations, institutions and organisation that if they have any information in respect of any of the cases they may contact the officer in charge of SIT police station,” the SIT said.

Sirsa claimed that Kamal Nath’s name was never included in the FIR nor was he investigated by the police. The SIT was set up on February 12, 2015 following a recommendation by the Home Ministry appointed Justice (retd) GP Mathur committee. The three-member SIT comprises two Inspector General Rank IPS officers and a judicial officer. The SIT has so far reopened around 80 out of the 650 cases registered in connection with the anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She was shot dead by her own Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.

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