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.
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.
JubelD’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.)
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.
Kamal Nath, Lalit Maken, Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, HKL Bhagat all these Congress leaders were involved and many proofs have been made against them, which went wrong as CBI always gave them clean chit under pressure of government. Even Amitabh Bachchan as per some Sikhs who was a close associate of Rajeev Gandhi made a provocative statement “Khoon Ka Badla Khoon Se Lenge” meaning “Blood for Blood” which was shown on DD Channel. Those days Sikhs were being dragged out of their homes to be butchered. Killings were carried out in various ways, each more spine chilling than the other. Some victims were beaten with iron rods until all that was left of them were a few last breaths. Many were burnt alive after being garlanded with kerosene-soaked tyre lit with much ceremony.
Two Sikh bodyguards assassinated Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. Hours after her death, Delhi and other cities with Sikh population witnessed large-scale rioting. Over the next few days, horrific mass killings of Sikhs took place. The carnage of 1984 is perhaps the worst human tragedy, India has faced. And what intensified the pain of the riot victims was that even over three decades later; none of the main accused in the case was prosecuted.
After a 34-year-long wait, the Delhi High Court convicted a senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in one of the multiple anti-Sikh riots cases. The verdict came on a day when the Congress formed governments in three states – MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in 2018 – and the new MP Chief Minister was also charged with inciting mob violence during the riots. Kamal Nath (presently the CM of Madhya Pradesh) was there at the plot where many Sikhs were killed. While defending himself Kamal Nath once confessed that he was there to save people not to kill them. As far as judiciary is concerned there are no charges against him till now. After 1984 he has been elected at various ministerial posts. In recent election when Congress won in MP while BJP lost after 15 years of ruling, Akali Dal one of the allies of BJP raising voice against Kamal Nath to destabilize Congress.
The root cause of anti-Sikh riots in 1984 was the words of Amitabh Bachchan. Indira Gandhi was already dead by that time so none of the blame can be attached to her. There was an article, in Times of India “1984 riots: ‘Why nobody noticed Amitabh Bachchan spewing venom in India’.
A prime witness in 1984 anti-Sikh riots said that everyone who had been watching Doordarshan saw how superstar Amitabh Bachchan provoked the rioters. Following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, India erupted in riots against Sikhs in 1984. Recently, a US-based Sikh human rights group lodged a criminal complaint against Bachchan in Australia for instigating and abetting 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Australia’s ‘Criminal Code Act 1995’ states that Australian courts can have jurisdiction over cases involving crimes against humanity irrespective of whether the offence was committed in Australia or not.
Apart from Sajjan Kumar, there were many political leaders, who volunteered the riots, but most of them are having good life even today. Law could not do much against them. H.K.L. Bhagat, then the Minister of state (Information and Broadcasting). Babu Ram Sharma, Member, Municipal Corporation (Ward No. 58) reported to be the right-hand man of H. K. L. Bhagat, was responsible for loot, arson and murder in trance-Yamuna areas-Babarpur, Chajupur Colony Gonda, led people on motorcycle with megaphone. Sajjan Kumar, Cong. (I) then the M.P. from Mangolpuri has paid Rs. 100 and a bottle of liquor to each person involved in the killing. Lalit Maken, Cong. (I) the then Trade Union Leader and Metropolitan Councilor, paid mob with Rs. 100 each plus a bottle of liquor. A white ambassador car reportedly belonging to him came four times to the G.T. Road area near Azadpur. Instructions to mobs indulging in arson were given from inside the car. Dharam Das Shastri, Cong. (I) MP from Karol Bagh reported to be carrying voters list with him at Prakash Nagar for identification of Sikhs. On November 5, according to newspaper reports, he along with other Congress-I leaders tried to pressurise the SHO of Karol Bagh Police Station to release the persons who arrested during the police raids to recover looted property.
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Member of Municipal Corporation, Kalyanpuri reportedly held a meeting in Kalyanpuri, following which violence broke out immediately. According to many eyewitnesses, he led mobs that indulged in loot, murder, arson and rape. Sukhan Lal Sood, Metropolitan Councilor, according to eyewitnesses, was seen leading mobs, which indulged in loot, murder, burning and rape. He had come with petrol and serial lists and addresses of Sikhs in the locality. The women refugees recognised him and drove him out. Jagdish Chander Tokas, Member of Municipal Corporation Munirka (Ward No. 14) reportedly led a mob to R.K. Puram Sector IV and V. Ishwar Singh, Member, Municipal Corporation, Mangolpuri (Ward No. 37) allegedly led the mobs that indulged in looting, burning, rape and murder in Mangolpuri area. Balwant Khokhar, then the Youth Congress-I Leader, Delhi, identified as one of the persons responsible for instigating looting and arson in Palam Colony area.
Faiz Mohammad, Youth Congress-I Leader, Delhi, named by refugees in Shakurpur camp and in Mangolpuri for being a part of the mob indulging in looting, arson and murder. Satbir Singh, Youth Congress-I allegedly brought busloads of people from Ber Sarai to Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School (Munirka). They burnt school buses and parts of the school building. He was reportedly involved in looting and beating of Sikhs that carried on throughout the night on November 1. List is too long and justice is too short.
Irony is that, entire establishment and government bodies, volunteered in violence, there are many questions yet to be answered. For example, who ordered around 46 Indian Railway trains to stop and allow the death squads to hunt down Sikhs? Who ordered the Fire Brigade not to save Sikh property? Who gave the order for the police to travel through areas spreading rumours that Sikhs had poisoned Delhi’s water supply and trains arriving from the Punjab were filled with Hindu bodies? Who ordered Medical staff in hospitals not to treat Sikhs? Who authorized the use of Delhi Transportation Company buses to transport the mobs? Who supplied the mobs with money and weapons? Who was involved in the pre-planning, possibly months before the assassination? Was the government aware leaders of Congress (I) & the Police met on night of October 31? Who authorised the use of government-issued voter and ration lists, which were used to identify Sikh homes? Why were Doordarshan TV and All India Radio allowed to repeatedly broadcast crowds chanting anti-Sikh slogans?
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
The over 60 km-long pipeline is the first-ever cross-border petroleum product pipeline in the South Asia region, according to a video presentation made before the inauguration.
As of now, tankers carry petroleum products from India to Nepal as part of an arrangement which is in place since 1973. “This India-Nepal energy cooperation project is a symbol of our close bilateral relations.
Boosting ties with Nepal! Inaugurating first ever cross-border petroleum products pipeline in South Asia https://t.co/9CGe36g3m1
As per reports, the landmark pipeline will ensure smooth, cost-effective and environment-friendly supply of petroleum products to Nepal. The 60 kms long pipeline from Motihari in Bihar to Amlekhganj in Nepal has been constructed by India in just 15 months, half of its 30 months deadline. It has been constructed at the cost of around three hundred fifty crore rupees which are entirely borne by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
IOC has also trained officials of Nepal Oil Corporation and refurbished two storage tanks of NOC at Amelkhganj depot. Besides ensuring smooth and environment-friendly supply of petroleum products the pipeline is also expected to help Nepal in saving billions of rupees every year on transportation and leakage.
Onam is a harvest festival celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala. It is a state festival which falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (either in August or September) according to Malayalam calendar. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. The Malayalis celebrate this festival with unity without the difference of caste and religion.
Onam is a celebration of ten days. The festival is marked by various sports and festivities in Kerala, including worshiping, music, dances, games and boat races. People put flower mats in front of their houses on this day, to welcome the King Mahabali. Onam is celebrated with lots of cultural elements. This festival is the most important harvest festival of Kerala. Keralites all over the world celebrate this festival with great pomp and gaiety.
As we look back through our ancient history, Onam was started as a celebration venerating one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu – Vamana. Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a Brahmin and visited the Yaagam conducted by the great King of Kerala at that time, Mahabali. Mahabali promised to give anything requested during the Yaagam. Vamana, the great Brahmin claimed three paces of land from Mahabali. The Brahmin grew so huge and claimed the earth and the heaven with just two footsteps. With one more footstep waiting to be given, Mahabali gave himself to the Brahmin as a mark of his word. Once in a year, Mahabali promised to visit his people’s home and so came into custom the great festival, Onam.
Not just Hindus, but Muslims and Christians too celebrate Onam, as it is a secular festival.
JubelD’Cruz
Follow healthy lifestyle during monsoon
A good healthy diet and simple life style is all you need to tackle the fury of monsoons which otherwise bring a lot of joy in our lives. Rains can be fun but it does bring along with it some monsoon related health issues which one needs to be careful. Being cold during rains means we drink less water and we need to be hydrated all time by consuming lots of fluid whenever needed. Dietary habits are important due to leas physical activity as we normally skip our regular walks and jogging during heavy rainfall. Yoga, free hand exercises at home and meditation would work wonders to keep oneself fit both physically and mentally as well.
Medicines for common cold and monsoon related ailments like fever, rashes and allergies should be kept handy. Keep yourself dry at all times as most of the diseases including the common cold is due to wetness. A balanced diet of proteins and avoiding fried items are magic ‘mantras’ to keep you healthy during monsoons. Always keep extra pair of clothing and rain wear to withstand showers which are unpredictable!
S.N.Kabra
Take steps to revive auto sector
The recent crisis of slowdown in auto sector needs an immediate overhaul with a strong action plan by the Government. The recently elected NDA government is now poised with an immediate challenge post elections to look into the slow down issue affecting the auto sector. The same wasn’t anticipated prior to elections as the situation was normal earlier.
There is a need for increased efforts to bring in necessary industry reliefs by government and one should not merely look at assurances to settle down. There is a high demand to re-look GST provisions and Finance Ministry should involve actively to bring down GST rates in auto industry. Both the Finance Ministry and Ministry of Transport and Highways should engage actively and quickly expedite necessary process to bring down GST rates to enable auto sector come out unscathed from the crisis.
Varun Dambal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Scores of Bangladeshis living in Mumbai illegally has been hot issue in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena and the MNS have been raising this issue on different occasions. Now just before state Assembly elections, matter of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants may gain momentum and this might be a poll issue as the Maharashtra Home Ministry has written a letter to the Navi Mumbai planning authority asking for land to build a detention centre for illegal immigrants.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik spoke to our correspondent Nikhil Sagare said, “The census of illegal migrants is done at a regular basis. If the government is following this process then it is justified. The deportation of illegal migrants is a continuous process.”
As per sources within the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), they have received a letter seeking a two-to-three-acre plot at Nerul in Navi Mumbai. This place is 20 kilometres away from Mumbai. The move came less than a fortnight after the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) list in Assam declared 19 lakh people as foreigners. Now Maharashtra is likely to implement NRC to oust illegal immigrants from Mumbai and entire state. The letter for seeking land in Navi Mumbai for detention centre has raised its possibility.
BJP worker Avdhut Wagh said, “Wherever there is a requirement of National Register of citizens it will be implemented in those states. Wherever there is a demand from citizens for implementation of NRC it will be implemented in those areas.”
However, the Maharashtra Home Ministry has denied of sending any such letter. According to guidelines issued by the Centre earlier this year, all major immigration points in the country need to build detention centre. Illegal immigrants can be kept in this centre when they will be caught by authorities. The Shiv Sena has been claiming that there are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Mumbai. Union Minister and Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant said recently, “NRC was needed in Assam to solve the problems of the original inhabitants of the region. That is why we supported the NRC move… want a similar exercise to be held in Mumbai to drive out the Bangladeshis living here.”
Thus, the Shiv Sena demanded that National Register of Citizens (NRC) should be implemented in Mumbai on the lines of Assam to solve the issue of illegal Bangladeshis living in the city. It is an apparent attempt to cash in on the issue ahead of the Assembly polls.
According to Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, there are nearly 1 crore Bangladeshis in greater Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas. But they are nowhere on record. Sanjay Raut said, “An NRC in Mumbai will help the citizens of the country, especially Indian Muslims who are defamed and blamed for the acts of these Muslims from outside India.”
It is worth mentioning that the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants also suits the BJP. Ministers of the BJP have raised the demand for an NRC-style exercise in Bihar. There are millions of Bangladeshi immigrants living in eastern parts of Bihar. If Devendra Fadnavis government takes steps to implement NRC, the BJP and Shiv Sena will be benefited as this move will polarise voters.
Around 40 lakh people those who are illegal migrants in Assam have been left out of a draft list of citizens; they are bound to face deportation if they cannot prove their citizenship. The state’s National Register of Citizens or NRC has been updated for the first time since 1951 to account for illegal migration from neighbouring Bangladesh. Releasing the updated list, officials highlighted that no one would be deported or arrested. The recount is seen by critics as a move to target Assam’s Muslim population on the pretext of weeding out Bangladeshi migrants. This was just a draft and not the final list.
India’s geostrategic location, its relatively sound economic position vis-à-vis its neighbours, and its liberal democratic credentials have long made it a magnet for people in other parts of the region who are fleeing persecution in their countries of origin or looking for a better life. Refugees from Tibet, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have found shelter in India. While refugees coming from other areas—including Tibet, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Myanmar—have been dealt with in a somewhat systematic, although ad hoc, manner, the influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh has largely been left unattended. Most of the illegal migrants from Bangladesh are Muslims and are of criminal mindset. They are burden on Indian economy.
Political parties has made Hindus & it’s Co-sects as second citizens out of their constant hunger to appease Muslims. Even after facing severe backlash from voters all over, they did not correct & see what price Political parties are continuing to pay. It’s always said “take care of your own first , before others”. BJP and its allies have done a yeomen service to native Assamese. British, known for their governance and cunningness, did RIGHT thing to create Hindu India and Pakistan for Muslims and cunningly crated on east & west of India. So, getting at least this 40 lakhs illegal immigrants, should ONLY be a beginning, as otherwise, by in next 40 yrs, native Indians will become “minorities” in Assam and another 4/5 generation later Hindustan, will become “Islamic Republic of India. The problem of detection, dispersal and even deportation of infiltrators would not be formidable one if the Centre and State governments tackled it with zeal and imagination in time. The issue of illegal immigrants in the state of Assam is a seemingly intractable problem which, unresolved, would imperil the local communities identity and culture.
The most disturbing development in the twentieth century Assam has been that of the spike in the population arising out of the influx of migrants. This influx was prevalent, right from the Colonial Era. Those days’ labourers from Odisha or Jharkhand were brought in as workers in tea plantations. Likewise arrived the Marwaris or merchants of Rajasthan who have a monopoly over trade, both wholesale and retail. These migrants came in and occupied tracks of land for settlement. However, these migrants, despite being considered ‘outsiders’ did not pose a threat to the Assamese sense of identity and economic independence. The numbers were small and they lived generally within the confines of their own community. But in the recent past the number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants has seen a steady rise over the years. The over grown population became threat to different states especially Assam. It’s high time that government should act strictly and deport them to their motherland. The availability of cheap labour from Bangladesh has resulted in this rise of illegal migrants infiltrating into the every metro city of India including Mumbai. These immigrants take advantage of improper fencing at the border. The illegal migrants take shelter in slums. To prove their citizenship the immigrants often procure certificates declaring them as Indians, from sarpanches (village heads) of local villages.
These Bangladeshi immigrants often pass off as Indians by claiming that they belong to parts of West Bengal (WB). Efforts to prevent their ingress into the city or to deport them have not been very successful. Out of the 1448 held in Mumbai this year, about 250 were deported. The trials in these cases usually go on for a couple of years. Once they are bailed, they go back to their jobs in the city. There is no direction given to them to return or get deported. Poverty drives these immigrants to come to the city along with their families in search of livelihood. However, they also cooperate with police investigations. They stay in slum pockets and keep themselves involved in doing petty jobs.
In the early 1940s, a large number of migrant labourers of Muslim origin were brought in from the erstwhile East Pakistan towards implementation of the ‘Grow More Food Campaign’ of the government. The issue of rehabilitation remained unresolved. It was in the wake of the liberation of Bangladesh that several lakhs of refugees came to North-East India. These ‘outsiders’, had come in search of a living, from their impoverished land. But, they were seen as encroachers on scarce resources like land and potential competitors to employment opportunities and political power. This perception has now become a reality and, more often than not in an insidious way through the machinations of the politicians who are hell bent on securing electoral votes. The problem of immigration persisted and grew larger with time. This issue has even taken political and sometimes violent forms in many states of the North-East. This neglect has adversely impacted the interests of local populations in the areas seeing large-scale influxes of illegal immigrants as well as India’s national security interests. Further, the absence of national refugee laws has blurred the distinction between refugees and economic migrants, leading to the denial of any assistance to even genuine asylum seekers. It now poses an enormous problem for India and the millions of affected people. Further delay in addressing the problem will only make matters worse.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
In the passing away of Shri Ram Jethmalani, India has lost an exceptional lawyer and iconic public figure who made rich contributions both in the Court and Parliament. He was witty, courageous and never shied away from boldly expressing himself on any subject. Ram Jethmalani was the Union law minister and also the Urban development minister during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee led NDA government. He also served as the Supreme Court Bar Association president in 2010. We are all saddened by the passing of Ram Jethmalani, former Union Minister and a veteran lawyer. He was known to express his views on public issues with his characteristic eloquence. The nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a person of great erudition and intellect and a crusader in both law and politics he stood steadfastly for the causes he took up.
Feisty, ebullient, fearless, outspoken to a fault, uncaring of consequences or of societal norms, he had a large heart and a restive temperament. Always a crusader, his mind and body remained good almost to the end. In him we have not only lost a distinguished lawyer but also a great human who was full of life. Ram Jethmalani’s passing away is an irreparable loss to the entire legal community. He will always be remembered for his vast knowledge on legal affairs. His passing away is a great loss not only to the Bar in the country but also to Parliament and the country as a whole.
Ram Jethmalani, twice Law Minister, criminal lawyer, jurist, teacher, litigant and parliamentarian who relished the epithet ‘unchanged and unrepentant maverick’, passed away at 95. Jethmalani remains an enigma in modern times as he was a man who spoke and acted out of personal conviction. He felt that “I do not claim to be infallible but even my most trenchant critics would not deny that I speak and act out of personal conviction. I write also to stir debate and have the humility to retract my views when bested in such debates,” he wrote in Maverick Unchanged and Unrepentant.
When faced with barbs about his role as a defence lawyer for the powerful, Jethmalani stoically replied that he was serving the law as an officer of the court. The law allowed an accused to put forward his best defence. It was up to the courts to declare a person guilty. He defended the likes of Harshad Mehta, Ketan Parekh, underworld don Haji Mastan, the killers of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, BJP veteran L.K. Advani in the hawala scandal and headed Manu Sharma’s defence in the Jessica Lal murder case.
Jethmalani wrote that India’s progress did not require more mosques and temples. Controversies like a Ram temple in Ayodhya on the site of the Babri mosque must be totally outlawed. Instead, at the disputed site, a university of secular education and religious harmony should be established. It is a pity that we pride ourselves on being secular without giving such education to our youth.
Ram is fearless and forthright on occasions and too forthright. He is irrepressibly audacious with a sense of the dramatic. He has the gift of hitting the headlines but has a warm and golden heart. In politics he has gravitated through the whole spectrum and he believes in what Oliver Goldsmith wrote: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” He wears his heart on his sleeve. He will confront openly and attack directly. He will not stab anyone in the back. But these strengths and virtues are handicaps in Indian politics. As a result, he is a potent force in the Opposition, but uncomfortable on the treasury benches and many of his colleagues on the treasury benches become even more uncomfortable in his presence. His knowledge in criminal law was matched by none. It is a great loss to the country. R.I.P.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Sad to learn about the death of Ram Jethmalani who was the country’s best known criminal lawyer apart from being a distinguished parliamentarian. He was also the former law minister of the country and was an authority when it came to the legal system in India. He was an iconic personality who lived his life to the fullest and never afraid to speak against the system or views he didn’t believe in. Legal system is synonymous with his name and he would be remembered till the time law in our country is in existence.
Ram Jethmalani was a household name though controversial at times. He defended not just former PM Rajiv Gandhi‘s killers but also controversial personalities like Harshad Mehta, Ketan Parekh and Afzal Guru which can be excused as defending criminals was his professional duty. He even shocked all when he contested against Vajpayee for Lok sabha from Lucknow in 2004.
Long live the memory of the departed soul. R.I.P Ram Jethmalani. May his soul rest in peace!
S.N.Kabra
Lord Ganesha: Remover of all obstacles
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a large scale in several parts of India, including Mumbai. The history of Sarvajanik Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra is centuries old.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is the remover of all obstacles and all the problems in one’s life. Little children call him friend Ganesha as they believe he loves them and also takes care of them in their times of difficulties.
JubelD’Cruz
Government should allow water-purifier only with provision of waste-less water
Presently RO (Reverse Osmosis) water-purifiers usually have a drainage-pipe that drains out an appreciable quantity of water as waste water before preserving the filtered water in the reservoir. Central government should direct concerned ministry or department whereby water-purifiers may be innovated where there may be no generation of waste water to be drained out before preserving purified water in the reservoir. Any provision of compulsory installation of a separate reservoir to store waste-water to be used otherwise will not work, because people in general will either remove any such reservoir or get it emptied by throwing away the waste water.
Since RO water-purifiers are now-a-days very common in households, hotels, restaurants, eateries and offices, installation of water-purifiers without generating waste water to be drained out will save huge quantity of supplied tap-water from being wasted.
Madhu Agrawal
Metro dream
The commercial capital is gearing up for infrastructure development and the Metro move is to shorten the time gap and make the metro dream come true. We can reach from one place to another in a reduced duration and that is a boon for the local commuters. It will take only 60 minutes to reach from one end of Mumbai to its satellite extremities, despite the route changes once in Metro is up for grab for commuters. The connectivity mobility and sustainability will help the city’s growth. With additional lines and the Metro Bhawan foundation stone for the state of the art 32 storey building it will be a dream project. It is a heartening news for the hard hit Mumbai commuters. The state government will pump in over Rs. 1.2 lakh crore over the next decade to build metro corridors stretching 7 kms over a period of time. Metro dream is coming true.
The lack of competent primary care bedevils our health system. Unless this is addressed, our pitiable health statistics cannot be rectified. Despite having an excellent template provided by the Bhore Committee report, we have not made much progress in this area. Having qualified at a time when all medical education was in the public sector and having also witnessed the decline in standards after private medical colleges came to prominence, I am convinced that health care and medical education should fully be in the public sector. The inferiority of the private health care system of the U.S. in comparison with the public health services of the European countries should show us the way. Perhaps, we do need our own Aneurin Bevan to get us a National Health Service.
Sudeep Kumar
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Potholes in Mumbai or Mumbai in potholes?
Prime Minister 
Scores of Bangladeshis living in Mumbai illegally has been hot issue in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena and the 
In the passing away of Shri