I  stay in a middle class colony of Delhi .My neighbours are a mix  of  different faiths.  I am not a pseudo –secularist like the Congresswala. But, I follow the hindu way of life with respects for other faiths.

My co-operative housing  society’s management  is usually  inactive. It is never co-operative.Come Holi, it turns pro-active. It is usually so,when it comes to spending from  Society’s funds. I urged them not to celebrate the occasion from out of society’s funds  which  was a public fund and its utilisation on religious celebrations was inappropriate . Earlier, the demand for constructing a temple in the complex was given up  only after  the matter was reported to Delhi Police. There were secret murmurs of protest from the majority community. I was targeted as I did not join their ‘Mutual Admiration Club!

If you do not  learn from history, the same is  repeated. The same happened  on the HOLI day. My protests turned more vehement  as  similar gestures were not shown during the  celebration of  Christmas and the  Eid.  The Management remained unconvinced, unconcerned and insensitive. The majority’s view prevailed in the ‘Number Game’. Celebrations started with fervour. The famous ‘Silsila’s  “Rang Barse”  song  was on the air  like the ‘National Song’ for HOLI ;  males dancing with their neighbours’ wives, leaving others flirting furtively.

The tagline  is : “Bura Na Maano, Holi Hai “. Does this  give  a licence to enjoy as you wish.

My emotional quotient is high.My heart bleeds for Sanjay Dutt. I can empathise with him and feel the pain.But, my empathy would be misplaced as emotions have no place in the verdict of the highest court of Justice.But, I am amazed at the sharp reactions of the bleeding hearts in the world of politics and filmdom.Not to lag behind,even Mr Markanday Katju ,former judge of Supreme court who besides being a citizen of India, also wears the hat of  Chairman, Press Council of India. He is a public servant holding a statutary office.One wonders whether  he  is discharging his duties diligently? Is he being fair and just  by appealing to  the Constitutional head of Maharashtra to use his discretionary powers and grant gubernatorial  pardon to Sanjay Dutt ?Has he visualized the sweeping repercussions, such an action would have on other cases,that are similarly circumstanced ? 

Do you agree with me?

The sting operation by a online portal exposed the executives of three private banks indulging in money-laundering activities.The story does not end here. Not to lag behind, even some public sector banks are allegedly indulging in the luxury of obliging mainstream political parties by receiving huge sums of of cash from them and 

channelizing the same into investment schemes by creating   benami accounts-holders.The RBI’s anti-money-laundering laws are being violated with impunity,both by private and public sector banks. While in govt service, I came across a case of a prominent political party flooding a government bank( two or three times a week) 

with sacks of unaccounted cash running into hundreds of crores of rupees ( black money in common parlance) for money-laundering.The MOF was apprised of  the details with documentary evidences. But, the matter was conveniently suppressed.The evil continues with vengeance, across the board, right under the nose of the 

RBI. Names of political party and the psu bank, are being withheld for obvious reasons.

Let  us not politicisize Pakistan PM’s  private pilgrimage  to Ajmer dargah. India’s foreign minister welcome to  the dignitary was in keeping with India’s age old traditions  and its conduct as a responsible Nation. This does not, however,take away India’s  right  to defend  its border and protect its sovereignty, if necessary, by 

carrying  hot pursuits into POK and demolish terrorists’ infrastructure. Why blame Pak’s PM who heads a sham democracy that merely complies with the orders of Pakistan army,particularly the ISI? Instead of serving  the interests of Pak’s army, let India issue orders to  its Army Chief to teach  a lesson to the former in the 

manner and language it deserves. Gen Bikram Singh’s statement  to lift the morale of our soldiers, alone ,does not suffice. Let  indian army  take action to defend country’s honour in the wake of beheading of two  Indian soldiers and  for merciless killing  of the Kargil martyr, Capt.Saurabh  Kalia.

Whether to restore Afzal’s body,already buried, to his family, is purely an Executive function,not legislative.No purpose will be served in Parliamentary discussion.The PM could have convened an All-parties meeting to arrive at a consensus.Why politicize the matter? The suggestion by the Congress-led UPA-II for discussion is a mere subterfuge to confuse the public and deflect public attention from the corruption issue of Choppergate scam. It is shying away from decision making.The Cabinet committee on security headed by the PM is mandated to decide upon such matter after taking into consideration the security scenario in J&K. The furore in Kashmir has subsided,more or less. Why prolong the matter ? Just say a polite NO to Afzal’s family.Informing them about execution belatedly, through the ‘Speed Post’, shows GOI’s total lack of humanitarian feelings.This was totally inhuman, immoral and unethical. This has jolted the conscience of Aam Aadmi in India. How much out of sync the Congress is from ground realities?

 A K SAXENA (A retired civil servant)

The Supreme court confirmed the death sentence on Afzal in 2004.Execution was carried out in 2013. The GOI has much to explain on delay.Can a chronological report be prepared and the responsibility fixed for delay in processing Afzal's mercy petition ?

Delhi's CM  (Sheila Dikshit)and the former President of India ( Pratibha Patil) must be held accountable for misusing their discretionary powers.

Let the Supreme court prescribe a specific time schedule for finalising the mercy petition so that the same is not misused  in future for cheap political ends by the ruling dispensation.

Do you agree ?

Passed in April 1923 by the Legislative Council of Great Britain , the OSA was never notified in thGazette of India. The Act becomes a law only after it is notified in the Gazette of India.  Gazette notification of  OSA ( India) is not available in India or UK.   The OSA was amended twice, in 1951 and 1967. The amendments were notified in the ' Gazette Extraordinaire of India'. The OSA conflicts with the RTI Act. The second Administrative Reforms Commission  while recommending scrapping of  OSA suggested that safeguards for ‘State Security’  be included  in the National Security Act (NSA) instead of the OSA. The UK replaced OSA 1923(UK) by its 1989 Act

Will the GOI ( MHA and Law ) re-write the draconian OS Act 1923 after taking into consideration the sovereignty of modern India  (not the British India) and the Constitutional and statutary safeguards  available to citizens of  India like  ‘ Freedom of Speech and Expression’, ‘Right to Information’ etc?

Jaipur Literature Festival (JFL) has a penchant for courting controversy. Ashis Nandy was ostensibly playing to the gallery when he remarked at a panel discussion that “Most corrupt people come from OBC, SC and ST communities”.. The eminent sociologist-turned-author was unprofessional when he failed to substantiate his thesis through empirical data..According to experts, no caste-based sociological study has ever been made. to support his sweeping generalization.. 

Corruption is endemic , un- related to castes or creeds.One knows of either small crooks or big crooks. Scams involving bureaucrats , big businessmen , the political class et al get suppressed irrespective of caste affiliations. Nandy’s naivete at JLF’s international forum has encouraged powerful sections to get political mileage out of the JLF’s imbroglio by ignoring their own credentials and track records.Ironically, the benefits of reservation instead of percolating to the deprived sections, are cornered by the high and mighty, 

Nandy has much to explain for his offensive remarks under cover of Freedom of Speech and Expression.He must be challenged intellectually and condemned unequivocally. Let the Jaipur Police not get trapped in political sloganeering.

The  effort  put in  by the three members  anti- rape committee headed by former CJI in submitting its  631 pages report to GOI merits appreciation.The job was completed  in a record 29 days after orally consulting   474, witnesses..Let the law makers in Parliament and State assemblies now legislate  on the matter.The lukewarm response  by  serving DGs  across the country, is reprehensible. Their  inability  to assist the committee  by giving suggestions/opinions  for  amendments to criminal law,  displays  their lack of concern for women’ safety. They must all be show-caused and reprimanded.

Justice Katju's views on countries problems merit  respect and  consideration.His scholarship should not and cannot be taken for granted. 

 However, he will rise more in my esteem ,if, he targets the evil of "Paid Journalism" in India.This hard reality has shaken the "Fourth Pillar" of democracy also called the Fourth Estate. It is common knowledge that the indian Media, print as well as  electronic, is sold out to the political class. Journalists owing allegiance to the Nehru-Gandhi-Vadra dynasty are being feted and paid regularly by the ruling dispensation.Their details are are a common knowledge in the journalistic circles. Radia tapes were a small sample.

The Media ,in return for the kickbacks, create media hypes to improve the sagging image of  the Congress.Even a non-event connected with  Sonia and Rahul Gandhi is portrayed as a 'Breaking News". Their facetious and irrelevant remarks grab the headlines. The Media’s single point agenda is to project Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister. Even seasoned  journalists are shy of questioning Rahul’s potential as  a leader.Not to lag behind, the  senior Congressmen  take pride in praising the dynasty to secure themselves in the eternal game of One-up-manship. Shameless and disgusting creatures, they are. Ethics in Journalism has undergone a paradigm shift.

Let the Chairperson Press Council of India,Justice  Katju focus his attention to it.

A K SAXENA (A retired civil servant)

I AM SURE RUSHDIE WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE A SUDDEN GUEST APPEARANCE AT THE JAIPUR LITERATURE FESTIVAL BETWEEN JAN,24-28.2013.

ONE HOPES, NO INTELLIGENCE INFO IS FABRICATED THIS TIME LIKE LAST YEAR. WHICH HAD PUT THE ENTIRE GOI IN THE DOCK WITH HUGE POLITICAL EMBARRASSMENT..

THE CONGRESS GOONS WOULD BE ADVISED NOT TO CREATE NUISANCE AGAIN THIS  TIME WITH THE COVERT SUPPORT OF THE STATE MACHINERY.

LET NO ONE TRY TO HIJACK THE EVENT FOR NARROW POLITICAL ENDS AND CHEAP PUBLICITY.

A K SAXENA (A retired civil servant)

GOI’s candy floss approach towards Pakistan despite several sponsored terrorist attacks during the last five years, has portrayed India as a soft State in the comity of nations. Lack of appropriate response by India emboldened Pakistan army (regular/irregular) to cross the LOC , brutally killing and  beheading  two Indian soldiers. 

Will GOI wake up and show its political will by instructing the Indian army launch a surgical strike on POK and dismantle all terrorist infrastructure on the other side of LOC ? 

Should India do a Kashmir in Baluchistan by way of retaliation ? This will take the pressure from J&K.What do you  think ?

Delhi court’s strictures against  CP,Delhi and his juniors in Delhi’s gang rape case, is a serious indictment of MHA.The blame game between MHA and Delhi govt over control of Delhi Police (DP) has exposed Delhi’s skewed governance structure with multiplicity of authorities. DP is inefficient, corrupt and insensitive due to its last jurisdiction and total absence of accountability.  Violations of local byelaws under the nose of DP has led to rampant unauthorised encroachments on public land .The DP is reluctant to remove encroachments as it is their regular source of illicit income.The scam is a thriving industry involving hundreds of crores worth of illegal  transactions. Traffic snarls are constant irritants due to Police apathy.

A Municipal Police force should be constituted in Delhi/ New Delhi for handling offences like violations of local byelaws leading to unauthorized encroachments. Functions of traffic management (along with traffic police) should  be transferred to NCT Delhi .The performance of officers  must be  monitored by Delhi’s Chief Secretary and the minutes must be kept in public domain as a shield against political interferences and cosmetic changes.

Off-loading DP of civic functions will enable Delhi’s Police Commissioner to focus his/her attention to critical areas like public and VIP security, women’ safety,anti-terrorism measures, law& order etc.

If the experiment succeeds in Delhi based on impact assessment study, then, it could be replicated elsewhere in the country.Will the MHA take a call ?

The Constitutional provision for reservation was meant to enable the lower echelons of society join the main stream . It was initially envisaged for 20 years from the date of adoption of the Constitution. But, unfortunately,due to vote bank politics , the law makers in Parliament gave  successive  extensions for 65 years. The benefits of reservation are presently being cornered by affluent sections of reserved categories whereas the poor are getting further marginalized. It is suggested that reservation in present form is gradually phased out through Constitutional amendment.The benefit of ‘affirmative action’ must be allowed ,across the board, based on the criteria of economic backwardness  irrespective of  Class or Castes.

 Merit is undoubtedly compromised due to lowering of  general qualifying standards for SC/ST/OBC while filling vacancies in these categories. This applies to all exams conducted by the UPSC , SSC and other recruitment bodies across the country.

Provision of the pernicious "single-point-directive", that exempts senior bureaucrats of the rank of Joint Secretary and above from direct probe by CBI in corruption cases, without prior prosecution sanctions of GOI, must be revisited. The Apex court in 1997 had quashed the exemption clause incorporated in the executive resolution of 1964 that created the CVC. The GoI, however, decided to restore it with statutory force through incorporation in the CVC Act.

According to reply by DOP&T to a Parliament question, the GoI during the last four years, denied sanctions in respect of 15 officers of the level of JS and above, against whom the CBI had solid evidences of graft charges. Worse, 14 cases, filed by CBI had to be closed for want of prosecution sanctions.

 The law cannot inhibit probe against senior bureaucrats and public sector executives and cover merely junior officers and PSU executives. Restoration, based on discrimination, is bad in law.ItsConstitutional validity must be examined by the Law commission, legal luminaries in the light of principle of "Equality before law”. Need it be mentioned that the level of JS and above is the cutting edge level for policy decision making and the scope of corruption is high.

A K Saxena (A retired civil servant)

The Delhi bus rape victim remained nameless throughout medical treatment. She was given names like :  Damini,  Amaanat, Jyoti, Nirbhay etc by the Media. Fair enough. 

But,could she be allowed to die in anonymity?Is it ethical? Was there a demand from the kins to keep her name secret? Supreme court’s directions apply to   living specie, not those who were murdered. Then, why is her name being kept a State secret?  Was the GOI (Read as 10-Janpath) scared of backlash by protestors ( 

One senior TV  journalist called them ‘lumpens’) had the girl’s identity been  revealed? Even cremation was carried out hurriedly at the government selected site at unearthly hours and under cover of darkness.

I agree with Shashi Tharoor. Naming the proposed anti-rape law after Delhi' bus gangrape victim is appropriate and would act as a deterrent. This would keep alive memories of  huge public angst against the rape and the stiff penalties, if any, in the minds of potential criminals.

The death of Delhi’s gangrape victim has jolted the conscience of every Indian. The spurt in the number of rape could be attributed to bad governance, lack of fear of law and growing insensitivity of police personnel . The penalty for rape as provided in IPC, does not match the culpability of outraging a woman’s modesty.The public outcry for capital punishment in rape cases merits consideration of law makers as this alone could instill fear in criminal minds.The offence of rape must be made  cognizable  and non-bailable.  The suggestion for ‘chemical castration’ cannot provide deterrence due to its reversibility.This could apply on  offenders who are on parole.

 The Presidential power for commuting death sentences into life imprisonment,   merits to  be reviewed through legislative intervention.  The exercise of  such power, being arbitrary and discretionary, merely encourages political interferences. Views of sociologists and psychologists must be considered along with police experience. While enhancing  penalty,  it  must be ensured  that there is no scope  for misuse  by women on the analogy of  Sec 498 (A) IPC in dowry cases.

WHENEVER I FEEL FRUSTRATED WITH THE ARROGANT  STYLE OF GOVERNANCE OF THE PRESENT  RULING DISPENSATION AND  CYNICISM SETS IN , I RECALL THE WRITINGS OF MY FAVOURITE URDU POET OF THE SUB-CONTINENT: "FAIZ AHMED FAIZ' ,THROUGH HIS IMMORTAL KALAAM 

“Hum Dekhenge”

- Faiz Ahmed Faiz

------------------------------

Hum dekhenge

Lazim hai ke hum bhi dekhenge

Woh din ke jis ka waada hai

Jo loh-e-azl pe likha hai

Hum dekhenge

Jab zulm-o-sitam ke koh-e-garaan

Rui ki tarah ud jayenge

Hum mehkumoon ke paun tale

Yeh dharti dhad dhad dhadkagi

Aur ehl-e-hukum ke sar upar

Jab bijli kad kad kadkegi

Hum dekhenge

Jab arz-e-khuda ke Kabe se

Sab but uthwaye jayenge

Hum ahl-e-safa mardood-e-haram

Masnad pe bithaye jayenge

Sab taaj uchale jayenge

Sab takht giraye jayenge

Bas naam rahega Allah ka

Jo ghayab bhi hai hazir bhi

Jo nazir bhi hai manzar bhi

Uthega analhaq ka naara

Jo main bhi hoon aur tum bhi ho

Aur raaj karegi khalq-e-khuda

Jo main bhi hoon aur tum bhi ho

Hum dekhenge

Lazim hai ke hum bhi dekhenge

Hum dekhenge 

The PMO has no locus standi in clarifying  GOI's stand on the allegations made against Vadra, a private person as per PMO’s perception.

But, he is also  the Congress's ‘damaad’. Hence ,he is a public servant as he is related to a prominent public servant called Sonia Gandhi. There is a  verdict from the Hon'ble Supreme court or some High court on the subject .The dividing line between the Congress and the GOI, is not blirred but has totally vanished. 

The Allahabad High court may order investigation by the CBI under its direct supervision to get at the bottom of the truth.

Incidentally, Vadra is related to country’s most powerful family.He is  politically exposed and cannot,therefore, be treated as a private person.Besides, he is getting all facilities like rent-free bungalow,free  electricity, water, transport, Z+ security etc.

A majority of constituents of Retail sector  in the un-organized sector regularly defaults in payment of sales tax, income tax. It  pilfers power and encroaches  on public land .It is, however, smart enough to pay bribes to corrupt politicians, the Police, Sales tax, income tax, municipal officials and those working in  Bijli and Jal boards. The leakage of public money contributes to growth of black money, not GDP.Once the FDI becomes operational, in multi-brand retail sector, the circulation of black money could reduce marginally. The moot point is : Could the kirana store owners work out an effective response  mechanism to retain their  market share in the consumers’ shopping basket under the revised dispensation? Yes; but  not without consumers’ support. The Kirana shops in villages, towns and cities are located in the neighbourhoods. Their replacement by multi-brand retail outlets would be out of question. These will continue to receive patronage by consumers  due to their residential proximity combined with  high transport cost, traffic congestions, parking problems  around   Big bazaars, Malls  etc. These act as a damper  on consumer enthusiasm for visiting the Malls.

The Congress  is aware of ground realities.However,beleagured by public angst against serial scams, rising inflation , the party was in desperate hurry in notifying  FDI rules  by skipping  promised consultation with  political parties and without taking Parliamentary approval. The motive was loud and clear : To deflect public  attention from the latest Coalgate  scam allegedly involving  the PM , his aides and central Ministers. The fear that “foreign players will capitalise on India's high-cost manufacturing base” may not hold water in the face of experience gathered by  India’s majors like the Reliance. Big Bazaar etc.The backlash by Kirana owners and their salesmen against indian majors, is not forgotten.

The assumption that FDI  will boost india’s economic  independence ,is thus  fallacious ,simplistic and misleading. It will be a no-profit-no-loss conundrum in Indian scenario.

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Where have our footpaths vanished?  The Indian citizens are demanding these back. The police is reluctant and insensitive to removing encroachers from public land. Reason? It is their assured source of regular income. Consider India’s capital city. Multiplicity of municipal authorities in Delhi is confusing. Details of controlling municipalities like DDA,NDMC,MCD(East,west,north,south ) the Delhi Police Stations , their officers concerned , Vigilance cells, are never displayed. The Aam Aadmi does not know where to complain. This helps the hawkers, encroachers belonging to unorganized sectors. Complaints made to zonal  Municipal Commissioners and Delhi Police Commissioner, are not even acknowledged.

Will the MHA (In- charge of Delhi Police)and Urban Development ministries apply their mind to the menace ,at least, in Delhi,to begin with ?

The states have no power over allocation of coal blocks . 

All policy matters are decided by the GOI alone. 

It is not on the concurrent list. 

The states can only make recommendations. 

In the present case ,the recommendations made by the Opposition-ruled states were straightaway rejected by the UPA-I&II despite clear opposition from successive Coal Secretaries at the Centre.

Any defence by the Congressmen is meaningless.Their denigration of Constitutional or Statutary institutions merits derision and condemnation!

The Kaalchakra churns out fresh scams  as older ones keep fading from memory. Recall some scams and events that  rocked the country . The list is illustrative,not exhaustive : Telgi’s fake stamp paper scam; Satyam  fiasco; Quattrocchi’s  grand escape; 2G spectrum allocation; CWG scam; wasting  Plan funds   by   Mayavati for erecting  statues ; Vote-for-cash scam;  high inflation rate; declining  GDP; Unusual  hikes in  rates of power, water and petrol; Soft-pedalling investigations against  Mayavati and Mulayam Singh Yadav in lieu of  their support to  the Congress; wasteful expenditure on  VIPs Security including that on  "democratic monarchy";  quid pro quo defence deals; Tetra scam; corruption in judiciary;  Municipal decay; Wire-tapping of former FM’s chamber and conference rooms; corruption in NRHM/ MNREGA schemes; false sense of food security; the contemplated “Mobile distribution” scheme for the “undefined” BPL category; mis-use of anti-corruption agencies by politicians; collapse of bureaucracy; fizzling out of Anna Hazare movement; Coalgate mega scam; Congress slamming the institution of  C&AG for  bold expose; India emerging as a “SMS” republic in the wake of  Assam infiltration; Kanda’s defiance of law and the hero’s welcome to his  surrender in Delhi at the “police station of his choice” etc…! Rapes and murders continue with impunity. The “nautanki” will go on. The common man wonders: Kya Phir Subhaa Hogi” ?

One wonders how did Pranab Mukherjee start speaking in chaste hindi so soon after winning the presidential election ? His flawless command over hindi during TV interviews was amazing.

He stayed in Delhi as minister for four decades; but hardly ever spoke in hindi,the official language of the union.

He proudly announced during the last budget session debate that "his hindi was not good".

The sudden transformation is being hotly debated in the media circle and corridors of power.

Do you want to know how did this transformation occur?

The coming Presidential election is marked by political brinkmanship. With the electronic media covering intra-party and intra-coalition splits on minute-by-minute basis , locating the ‘consensus’ candidate by all political parties, was impossible. Pranab Mukherjee, the “Sankat Mochak” of the Congress emerged as its nominee. Sonia Gandhi is ecstatic as Rahul Baba’s elevation as PM after 2014 general elections, would be hurdle-free. Intensity of politicking reportedly marked by alleged secret deals like gifting Cabinet berths, slowing down investigations in DA cases against corrupt politicians has exposed the quid pro quo culture of Indian polity. Appearance of SP and its bête noire BSP on the same page alongside the Congress re-inforces the belief that “Ends are more important than the Means”. This paradigm shift in ethos spells disaster for the country. Let the eggheads unite.

The moot point is : Could the Opinion Makers including intellectuals, social activists , teachers, Editors, Journalists, retired judges and civil servants ,et el remain as mute witnesses ? In the face of present turbulence in Indian polity, could they not spread awareness among members of Electoral College about the ideal of “ voting as per dictates of conscience”. I am baffled by the reticence of Indian Media.