Swami Adityanath has written off all loans to farmers even though Uttar Pradesh finances are in the red. The farmers of Tamil Nadu spent 40 days in Delhi, and held bizarre protests at Jantar Mantar and even outside the PM’s Residence demanding their loans should likewise be written off! They exhibited skulls, went naked, ate grass, rolled on the roads and even drank their own urine as seen on television screens around the world, all to no avail. The Tamil Nadu CM had to go to Delhi to placate them and promise to solve their issues.
Maoists were once again able to ambush and kill 25 of the100 strong CRPF force providing security for road construction work. Kashmir is a dangerous mess, stone pelting to prevent successful elections being held by the government. In both cases the local population has been alienated. The army is bearing the brunt for failure of the politicians. Terrorists/ insurgents who are motivated and prepared to die will always have the upper hand. The army casualties will increase and so will public disdain! With support from across the border, things are already out of hand. Demagogic forms of populism are on the rise.
Cow protection frenzy is at an all time high, spreading all over India vigilantes terrorise people dealing in cattle, many times police looking on. Fear is the key. Sting operations shockingly reveal how these organisations are training their goons to terrorize/break the limbs of victims with “dandas” so they are maimed for life, but no blood/marks should be visible! The answer by the ruling party is always that it is condemnable, people concerned will be arrested and law will take its course. No one will be spared! This sounds hollow and is obviously more than just a law and order problem.
The Bagrang Dal and VHP militant wings of the RSS and other fly by night Hindu organisations are in full flow. It is reported that BJP MPs and MLAs are now leading mobs to attack police stations to put fear in this force, especially if they dare to lodge a FIR or arrest any of the vigilante members! I watch in disbelief as I read that they now want Aadhar number for each and every cow to keep a track of them, whilst hundreds of cows are reportedly neglected and dying of starvation in Bundelkhand in UP and elsewhere. I understand the State is preparing to look after them. The holy cow must get all priority. Moral policing with Romeo squads harasses couples and goons even lynch a senior citizen on a rumor he helped a couple elope! Twenty three former bureaucrats have warned Rajasthan CM that unchecked cow vigilantism will inevitably lead to anarchy. The havoc and pain being inflicted on the cattle traders and industry, mostly minority community is immense. The agrarian economy in India is dependent on bovine animals. Non- productive animals must be sold or culled to commercially sustain the finances of the whole scientific far reaching ecosystem. The animal thus can be looked after and well fed so it can function productively in the various cycles making the dairy, farming, leather and food industries thrive. Banning slaughter leaves an unproductive animal to die of old age. The farmer will be unable to afford to continue feeding it, also all the dependent industries are starved, industry suffers, people lose their jobs and what about disposal of the dead animal? Right from the PM, the highest authorities’ relative inaction and silence here is very disturbing!
To control black money, there are stringent bank rules and Income Tax authorities are given excessive powers that can be mis-used to harass anyone. Our money in banks and the exchequer could be used at the government’s whims and fancies. Complete electronic surveillance could enslave us! How much will making Aadhaar cards for every cow and implementation cost? Writing off various loans? The PM hopes Bhim-Aadhar will revolutionise economy and digitization will empower poor people. Senior citizens/ manual labor know practically how difficult it is recording/confirming a finger print! I find the bank machines not working/defective frequently and system failures have been slowing down/ holding up operations and transactions today. Linking government Aadhaar data base outside gravely endangers citizen’s security and privacy. Perhaps in another few years the transmission, technology and our infrastructure will be safe and good enough and all of us savvy for reliable operations.
Well-known Advocate Fali Nariman addressing an audience which included MPs and MLAs openly questioned why no one is asking the PM in Parliament if he is taking India towards a hardcore Hindutva Rashtra when it is so evident. Brand Modi is the BJP mantra in any and every election anywhere in the country that India gets systematically painted saffron. It is reported that the RSS is building a multi storied building in Delhi which will be its headquarters. These are “acche din” for the BJP and safety for all who join them. There is re-distribution of wealth and multitude of schemes for the poor vote bank and those subscribing to the Sangh Parivar. With today’s loss of values, worship of wealth and “Pradhan Sevak” Modi’s charisma pushing the envelope for development and radical change for a New India, with no worthwhile opposition unless “We the People” acknowledge wrongs and course correct, the writing is on the wall!
(The author is a retired naval officer.)
