‘The News That Wasn’t’- a prominent TV show humorously had the anchor interviewing the lawyer who filed a case of sedition against the actress Ramaya returning from Pakistan, because she praised the people she met there. The lawyer embarrassingly had to agree, that everything justifying that Pakistan was Hell was also happening somewhere in India. Asked whether he was sure he was not speaking of India, he hastily exited! The Haryana Assembly invites a Jain monk to give a talk, and the talk is about religion guiding politics and his outdated misogynist views.
Surprisingly no political party finds this objectionable. On the contrary a BJP spokesperson justifies this act by giving the example of the Pope in USA. What is not kept in mind is that there are Christian dominant countries like Britain, USA, most of Europe and Muslim countries like Iran, Pakistan etc. India cannot be compared as it is a uniquely different democratic multi- religious, mult- lingual, diverse huge country assimilating many cultures that enriches the rich tapestry that makes Incredible India. I was surprised to hear a BJP spokesperson imply that anyone who does not subscribe to the parivar philosophy and beliefs is a pseudo Indian. That apparently will include all of us “sickular” people whose right and duty it is, in a healthy democratic government, to criticize, correct and curb arrogance and power which corrupts in more ways than one?
A poor man has to carry his dead wife for miles and a father his dead son for cremation because no one helps them. A hit and run victim remains on the road dead for over half an hour on a busy public road with vehicles unmindfully running over him. The disparities between the filthy rich and miserable poor seem to be widening. Hospitals do not admit/treat patients who are poor, do not give them an ambulance or make arrangements to help transport the dead body! A hypocritical polity and cynical public unfeelingly endure this reality of crime, destruction, pompous behavior and death daily in prime time news. Are we losing our humanity?
Right now is prime time for India. The Kashmir situation is critical and all our institutions are being destroyed by self serving politicians and a corrupted and selfish public. The Karnataka government refuses to follow a Supreme Court order on the Cauvery river water dispute, Not only that but vandalism and destruction of public property are indulged in to intimidate the courts that are expected to decide because the right decision will create a law and order problem. A person who refuses to sign a fake bill has his hand chopped off. A notorious convicted gangster Shahabuddin a RJD MP, is released on bail to a hero’s welcome and his convoy dare not be checked at the toll booth! Are we becoming a banana republic?
The hot topic today is action to grievously hurt Pakistan so that they desist from their proxy war where they sponsor, train and infiltrate terrorists to kill, damage and de stabilize our nation. The international diplomatic offensive from both governments is on and our media has gone berserk with panels discussion ranting and raving with some Pakistani guests included who of course deny everything as figment of our imagination. Our PM warns that there is great anger and mourning in our country and cries for retaliation. However our getting close to America has antagonized China and our close friend Russia. Russian troops are right now, for the first time exercising with Pakistan armed forces. China has reportedly assured Pakistan of help if they are attacked. India does not have the capability of Israel or America and the foe is nuclear armed. America still needs Pakistan for access to Afghanistan. All options are on the table and there is talk of starving Pakistan of river Indus water. This is not a good option since this will affect the people of Pakistan and there is a third international party to the Indus water treaty!
It is difficult to get unbiased news and television spews news and views as it happens 24×7. After surfing the English channels, I find besides BBC, CCTV which can at times also be biased, comparatively Al Jazeera is surprisingly the best. Not only do they have good looking anchors with perfect English diction, but good reporters at site all over the world trying to give unbiased reporting with as many sides of the story as they can find. In America the people have to choose as President from the phenomena of a Donald Trump who has taken over the Republican Party. Ironically, the people of America may vote for him not because they like him but that they like Mrs. Clinton less and want change!
The coming Goa elections have parties enticing lots of strange bedfellows, old discredited and also new parties. I do not belong to any political party and therefore these views are hopefully seen as unbiased. The MoI issue is a hot potato at time of writing, the Goa local RSS and BBSM head has vowed to sink the BJP which is backed by the central RSS, which has appointed a new head. How all this plays out will crucial for Goa’s future.
(The author is a retired naval officer and Freelance writer)
