Why I think Casteless Society in India is a Wishful Thing!

Post Rohith Vemula’s suicidal demise the question again came to fore whether the caste system in our society can be done away with. The references such as ‘deep rooted caste system’ have always been used to blame the ancient caste system and upper caste people. Politicians naturally will do politics for their vested interest but the so called caste crusaders too use such occasions to express anger against this social evil. Even one such crusader commented that caste system and democracy can’t run hand in hand.

Some people say that expecting a caste-less society in Indian set up is a wishful thinking. The crusaders will jump the gun on such people citing that these upper caste people never want the caste system to go and the oppressed caste people should up in arm to teach these people a lesson.

However I was also very hopeful some years back that one day this caste system will definitely go. The reason of my belief was simple that Vedic system doesn’t endorse such system. In fact caste was an invention of British. Vedas in fact talks of a ‘Varna System’ that was based on one’s service to the nation. The Varna was never based on birth rather very mobile considering how one contributes to society irrespective of his/her birth. Somehow this process was corroded and birth based Varna was implemented for vested interest of influenced social elites.

But then many such corrupt traditions were eliminated gradually and one should be always hopeful that this caste system should also be eliminated one day. But when I thought deeply on those sane people saying that expecting such miracle is a fantasy, I found they are really true to their words and really the caste-less society in India is just a castle in the sky.

The crusaders by this time must have painted me a Bramhinical advocator supporting the caste system. But be patient, I want eagerly for a caste-less society but unfortunately the reasons that I am putting below are so deep rooted in present day system, I find no reason to believe that casteless society is possible. To start with I can say confidently that so called upper caste people are not the reason for deep rooting caste system at the present day. I am just putting two important reasons for my belief why caste-less society is a wishful thinking.

The Vote Bank Politics

Democracy is always an effective tool to empower downtrodden because it gives every citizen to be represented through their representatives to fight against any discrimination meted out to them. Now days there are scores of political parties that claim to be true representative of the down trodden. In fact in today’s polity no political party dare to say that it is anti lower caste. Unfortunately these political parties are never interested for a caste-less society rather they seek this caste system to remain firmly so that their vote bank remains intact. Instead of putting efforts to end such social evil, they further divide the castes in to various groups such back ward, most backward and extreme backward. There also further division - politicians who further divide castes as - Paswans, Chamars, Dhobis, Nishads, Kewats etc. British introduced “divide and rule” policy to rule India. These politicians further divided people in various lines. A casteless society will unite people and the politicians can’t fool people through vote bank politics. The fear of perform or perish forces these politicians to continue dividing people. Thus it’s impossible to break their hegemony on dividing people and hence I believe the caste-less society is daydream.

Duplicity of Lower caste crusaders

The caste crusaders claim that they are strong advocate of a caste-less society. But if you say whether caste based reservation should also be done away with, they will vociferously say a big NO, citing thousands years of tortures to one caste people by upper caste people. Point is if there would be caste based reservation how there would be a caste-less society? Question will automatically come how the oppressed people match up to affluent people. The answer too is there that reservation should be done on the basis of economic criteria only thus ending the caste system rather ensuring a class system purely on economic criteria. Class is always mobile contrary to immobile caste. But then the crusader will scream that this is a way to give reservation facility to poor upper caste people. Now there are number of question which they can’t answer. For example if there will be no caste system where is the question of upper caste? Does poverty has any caste? Even if a so called poor upper caste got the facility what’s wrong in it? Isn’t he a citizen? Or he should punish for some wrongs his fore fathers done? Is revenge a method in democracy? If you put caste system for facilities what’s wrong if a poor upper caste man devoid of any facility from the democracy resort to glorify his caste at least.

Point is simple to make ours a caste-less society we all have to come aboard and formulate such systems so as everyone will be happy to be a part of the system. But I am afraid the vested interest of politicians and duality of crusaders will never allow a caste-less society to prevail and hence I realize that such a system is definitely a wishful thinking, flight of the imagination only and can never be a reality. 

Unnecessary politics over Rohith Vemula's dead body, while the real cause of suicide is caste discrimination

The unfortunate suicide of Rohith Vemula, a research scholar from University of Hyderabad has suddenly sparked political outrage in the country. According to sources, one ABVP leader Shushil Kumar complained against five members including Rohith from Ambedkar Student's Association (ASA) that he had been assaulted by them. Initial investigation report didn't find substantial proof hence the accused were let off with stern warning.

Then Bandaru Dattatreya, a BJP Union minister wrote to HRD minister citing that the ASA students are anti-national (because they demonstrated against Yakub's hanging) and indulged in caste-politics. He claimed that they got rid of punishment in the case of assaulting ABVP student due to poor investigation, hence needed strong action.

Subsequently, all the five accused students including Rohith were expelled from their hostel in December. They were denied access to hostels and other buildings on the campus except their classroom, library, conference and workshops related to their subject of study. They were evicted from their rooms and since then they were forced to sleep in a make shift camp in the campus.

Point is simple. The university V-C P. Appa Rao who is considered to be a BJP man might have acted as per the instructions of his political boss and served serious punishments to the accused students from ASA.

A case has been registered against Union minister, Bandaru Dattatreya, V-C P. Appa Rao and four others for abatement of suicide.

Now question is whether it's abatement to suicide by V-C and his political boss? If closely looked at, it's case of fierce student politics. It's a conflict between ABVP and ASA. The deceased was a part of such politics. Does political matter abate suicide?

In the suicide note Rohith didn't mention any such thing. If his suicide note is read carefully, it gives an indication that he was under tremendous strain due to caste based discrimination in University of Hyderabad (UoH). Question is whether this caste based discrimination a new phenomenon in this university after BJP took charge in Centre as opposition is blaming that aggressive saffronisation in the university led to caste based discrimination.

But facts are otherwise. According to senior faculty members, the caste based discrimination in UoH was there since its inception from 1974. This is nothing to do with politics. This was due to the social system prevailing in Hyderabad and its surrounding.

Is Rohith first to commit suicide for caste discrimination? The answer is again no. Nine students including Rohith from Dalit community committed suicide in University of Hyderabad due to caste based discrimination, in last decade. Before Rohith, in 2013 a PHD scholar M. Venkatesh committed suicide while opposing the caste based discrimination. Nine students committing suicide, it is not a small case. There must be something wrong in the University, which needs urgent attention. Definitely it's not politics that took nine lives. It's the caste base discrimination against marginalized sections that cost some genius lives; it's a socio-political problem. It requires urgent attention as University can't be a place for discrimination on any basis.

From a political point of view, yes, Bandaru Dattatreya has no locus standi in University politics. He may not abate the suicide but definitely vitiate the student politics. Action should be taken against him and I feel he should also be sacked as a minister.

But, what about others, who are doing politics over student's dead body? Arvind Kejriwal who was mum on Malda riots has become very vocal in this case. Mayawati sent a two member committee to the university. Rahul Gandhiis visiting the university today. Where was Rahul Gandhi when eight students from Dalit community committed suicide in last decade during UPA's rule? Bandaru Dattatreya is condemned from intervening in students’ politics. Why Rahul Gandhi should also not be condemned for intervening in students politics, first in FTII and now in UoH.

It's time to take stern steps to end caste based discrimination in the universities. But will the political class realize it? I guess no. They have their interests in doing politics even on the dead body of the students. That's very unfortunate

Opposition should stand behind Narendra Modi instead of attacking his Pakistan policy

During and after Pathankot terrorist attack, opposition and critics started blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unconventional diplomacy towards Pakistan. Questions are also being raised over his December 25th surprise visit to Lahore, indirectly blaming it for what happened in Pathankot attack. It is being said that terror attack is reaction to that stealth diplomacy.

Many are are asking where is the 56 inch chest which has so far not issued any public statement accusing Pakistan directly or indirectly. Some even stooped too low. One TMC MP went to the of stating that Prime Minister has links with terrorists.

Gone are those days when political parties remain united whenever there is any issue with a foreign government. These days petty politics is so rampant, that political parties spearheaded by the Congress are never ashamed of indulging in narrow blame game politics even on the issues of national security. Everyone is now demanding PM Modi to call off the proposed foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan to be held this month only. Some are of the opinion that Narendra Modi has become soft towards Pakistan while chasing Nobel peace prize.

Point is, whether Modi's Pakistan policy is wrong? Whether he's too soft towards Pakistan? Is his mode of diplomacy failing?

No one can deny is that Modi's foreign policy is the best one in the history of Indian diplomacy. He successfully presented India as a powerful country which can't be ignored by any other nation. In fact there are many countries that have started looking towards India for a leadership. This is the achievement of Modi government in past 18 months.

As an intelligent leader, Modi knew that Pakistan can't be dealt with conventional diplomacy that was being practiced since 1947. That's why he innovated out of box diplomacy specifically for Pakistan, which can be called hot-cold diplomacy. India being the larger country, as an elder brother it sometimes reached out to Pakistan unexpectedly.

His invitation to Pakistan Prime Minister for his oath taking ceremony or his surprise visit to Lahore proved his intentions that he is ready to grant genuine concessions to Pakistan as an elder brother. But at the same time cancelling talks due to Pakistan's insistence on meeting with Hurriyat leaders also proves how rigidIndiacan be. Such hot-cold diplomacy gives message to not only Pakistan, but also intimates the global polity how India can be flexible in improving ties with Pakistan yet rigid over some genuine concerns.

As a result global leaders are rallying with India where as exerting pressure on Pakistan to fall in line. In case relations with Pakistan are snapped, global polity will find Pakistan as the erring country and not India. Nowadays even bilateral relations have global ramification. If Pakistan has to be cornered globally due to his proxy war with India, then India has to prove globally that it's a responsible country with honest intent for peaceful cohabitation with its neighbor.

The other political parties need to understand this. Opposition for the sake of opposition only exposes their pettiness. It's very appropriate that PM remained silent on Pathankot terror attack. Some proofs of Pakistani militants' involvement when discovered were immediately sent to Pakistan government pending final dossier after the investigation. In the meantime even the USA experts have endorsed ISI hands in this attack. PM Modi stayed calm. A pressure has been built upon Pakistan. As a result Pak PM Nawaj Sharif was compelled to talk to Indian Prime Minister and extended assurance that he will take strong action following the leads made available to him by the Indian government.

Indian Prime Minister still remained silent. This is a mature and elder brother-like statesmanship. You promised for action, I am waiting to see how you are acting before I am going public. Had he come out immediately and declared snapping ties with Pakistan, it would have made him very popular at this emotional juncture. But that would have been very damaging in global diplomacy as India could have been criticized for immature hurried reaction.

'Stop all bilateral talks till Pakistan takes action against Pakistani terrorist outfits' is the demand by opposition. What they think? Is Modi desperate for talks with Pakistan despite the attack? Read the situation well including the press release of PMO, which states that Pakistani PM promised to take action against terrorist outfits. Isn't it an indirect condition for the bilateral dialogue between foreign secretary levels? Prime Minister didn't say that the talks will not happen, at the same time he didn't confirm also. In diplomacy sometimes silence says thousand words. This silence further will pressurize Pakistan to take some action.

Frankly India is at war with Pakistan since eighties when Pakistan began proxy war. But wars don't prevent talks. As long as diplomatic offices are available in both the countries the scope of talk is always there. Even when there is no diplomatic relation, talks still can be held through third party mediator. Point is, how you give direction to such talks. The event till date proves that Narendra Modi is on right track with respect to his Pakistan policy. He appears to be the only man at the moment who can resolve issues with Pakistan in his own un-orthodox style.

The opposition needs to rise above petty politics and stand behind the prime minister as it's an issue that's related with national interest. There should be no politics on national interest especially issues with hostile Pakistan.

Malda riots: Isn’t it time for true intellectuals to raise their voice?

What does an intellectual mean? In general terms they are the people who always raise their voice against injustice without fearing any backlash from the government of the day, influential groups or any powerful body. Their rebellious tone remains innovative, peaceful and full of logic.

When the award wapsi drama was enacted by a self proclaimed intellectual group against brutal murder of some writers in general and Dadri lynching incident in particular, I had raised questions on their real intentions. The brutal killing of any human or suppression of any group by any means naturally constitutes injustice and definitely requires voice to be raised. However intellectuals never were selective.

Next, let's see the paradox in the thought process of those intellectuals. When M.F. Hussein had painted Hindu Goddesses naked, same intellectuals called it artistic freedom and accused the reactionary Hindu groups as extremists and intolerant. But when Taslima Nasreen wrote her mind and got deadly Fatwa from hardcore Muslim clerics, these intellectuals remained mum for unconvincing reason. These are the so called intellectuals, who in fact became backbone of 'Indian Secular Industry' which in the name of secularism is in fact doing petty politics indulging in religion centric provocations. Action-reaction, tolerance-intolerance are the terms innovated by them used by politicians for vote bank politics.

The condemnable Dadri lynching is termed as intolerance of the majority, the present government and RSS follower. I always believed that such manufactured rebellion is in fact true intolerance to the rise of Narendra Modi. Let's take the barbaric incident of Malda town in West Bengal. Some two hundred thousand people from Muslim community came to the street against a comment by Hindu Mahasabha member, Kamalesh Tiwari's on Prophet Muhammad.

The protesters ransacked the town torching lots of vehicles including a BSF's, burnt down Police station and many shops. The vandalism as evident from the various pictures aired by news channels was so severe that it raises acute fear. Neither Mamata Banerjee-led government took any action against offenders nor did main stream media take any note of it. Why? Is it because they are very tolerant of offences by minority community of the country?

When Yakub Memon was hanged, many intellectual-cum-terror apologists argued thatMumbaiblast was a reaction to Babri demolition. Why this logic was not extended to post Godhra riots? Should we consider that the Muslim genocide inGujaratin 2002 was a reaction to train burning at Godhra where 59 Hindus were burnt alive? Should we also justify the 1984 Sikh massacre as reaction to brutal killing of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi? Logic can't be used selectively. Logic is always universal and applicable to all situations. Thus the arguers of action-reaction analogy must also come clear on this.

What has the Hindu Mahasabha member said? He said even Prophet Muhammad might be a homosexual. This he said in reaction to Azam Khan who said that all RSS members are homo sexual. I can understand the hurt sentiments of Muslims for obnoxious reference to their prophet. But at the same time I can also realise the hurt sentiments of RSS followers, a sizable population in the country. The Hindu Mahasabha member is in jail since a month for passing such condemnable comment. But why Azam Khan is free till date? Why Owaisi brothers are also free, who in public had passed condemnable remarks against Hindu God Ram and his mother apart from asking ten minutes free hand to finish the entire Hindu followers?

Point is, there can't be two sets of rule for two communities. In the Hindu Mahasabha case, the guilty is already in jail. Despite this people came out on the streets demanding his hanging? Are they demanding Shariat justice, if yes on what right?

The troubling development is acute double standard of self claimed secular politicians. Let's see JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi's response on this issue. "I condemn the comments of Hindu Mahasabha leader on Prophet Muhammad; also I feel what happened in Malda is not correct".

You can read this line twice how Tyagi's comment is full of duplicity. He condemns remark by Hindu person and said what Muslims did is incorrect.

He is not the only politician, rather a range of politicians mostly from anti-BJP parties have the same mindset. Every one visited Dadri in their political tourism but ignored the Malda and similar events. So is also the award wapsi club and self claimed secular media. That means it's clear that their intellect, activism and politics is based on religion centric and inclined entirely towards one religion.

For short term political gains, it may be very beneficial. The minority community has acquired the skill to be a firm and committed vote bank to which political parties had to surrender. That's why Mamata Banerjee gave a blind eye to Bangladeshi infiltration into Bengal which made Malda, Murshidabad and one more district to face drastic changes in demography. It resulted into resulting majority Hindu community becoming minority in these districts. The time may not be very far away when Hindus in these districts might have to flee in the same manner Kashmiri Pundits had to flee from J & K during nineties.

What would be the long term consequences? Well that would be definitely dangerous. Hindus in general are known as a very tolerant community. But the tolerance has a limit. But if this limit reaches the point when things can't be controlled, the backlash would be imminent. The vote bank political game will finally make two communities come to face to face violently which will be great human crisis apart from soiling the nation's image.

It's time for true intellectuals (true intellectuals are not bounded by religion, caste, race or creed) to raise their voice and expose the dangerous political game of these political traders and self claimed intellectuals.Indiais home to a diverse population commonly known as Indians. The religion always comes next. Too much tolerance to one community in fact is intolerance to other community.

Thus in the interest of the nation's pride I request all true intellectuals to come out in open and raise voice against such dirty game of anti-nationals. (I consider all those playing game of vote bank politics that might result into a violent friction between communities as anti-national).

PICTURE SOURCE - GOOGLE IMAGES

Pathankot Terrorist Attack: Punjab Police is bigger culprit than the Pakistani terrorists!!

The Pathankot terrorist attack has shocked the nation. No one had expected such an incident to take place while Narendra Modi is at the helm of affairs. Many started searching history on Pakistan's previous responses to India's outreach, justifying that this attack happened due to Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Lahore on December 25. This is really a test for Modi-Doval, as what will be their next step! Time will tell how India under Modi responds to this act of cowardice.

However the aim of this article is not to discuss how Modi's foreign policy towards Pakistan is or how untrustworthy Pakistan is. The primary question is, whether only Pakistani terrorists are responsible for this attack or there is an Indian angle to it too?

As per reports, Gurudaspur SP Salwinder Singh was briefly kidnapped by terrorists. The terrorist moved for around 31 kilometers along with the kidnapped SP, crossing a number of check-posts without being stopped because the SP's vehicle, a Mahendra XUV had a blue beacon light on top. The SP after being released informed the police at 3.30 am on December 31 regarding entry of terrorists and the possibility of an attack on the air force station. On early morning of January 1, the attack took place and six terrorists killed seven Jawans during the three-day long encounter. This raises a few pertinent questions which are as follows:

1) Why wasn't the SP's specific information taken seriously and why wasn't the area around the air force station cordoned off?

2) There are around 50,000 Army men present in Pathankot who are expert in countering terrorists. Why weren't they pressed into action? NSG reached the airbase just an hour before the attack took place. Why did the NSG reach so late?

3) NSG's expertise is in specific cases of encounters where a few terrorist are holed up, but the Pathankot case was very different and could have been handled with the Army men's expertise. For example an NSG commando was killed while recovering a terrorist's body, because of a bomb explosion. Army is more careful while recovering such bodies and checking whether any bomb is planted or not. They do such jobs in Jammu and Kashmir every day.

4) It is also mysterious why the terrorists released SP Salwinder Singh alive after a few hours. Why wasn't the SP interrogated to find out whether he was part of the conspiracy or not? The story unfolded till now suggests that the SP might have shown the road leading to the air force station to the terrorists. Instead of being arrested, the SP is being openly allowed to give interviews to media.

5) How did an SP's vehicle with people in Army uniforms cross so many checkpoints without being checked or stopped particularly when there is a terrorist alert? Was the vehicle not searched because it’s common in Punjab to let top official's vehicles pass without any checking? Many reports say that Punjab Police is involved in drug trafficking in the state. The question here is, whether the system of alleged drug trafficking by Punjab Police is giving an advantage to terrorists?

6) Punjab Police got specific information 26 hours before the attack, yet seven soldiers were martyred. Who is responsible, the terrorists or Punjab Police?

There are many more questions which need proper answers. The threat from terrorists will always be there, but if our security system especially the police remain casual and irresponsible, how can we blame the terrorists only? The intelligence and security system in Jammu and Kashmir is very strict now, due to which terrorists are not succeeding in carrying out any spectacular attacks over there. And that's why they have now chosen Punjab, especially north Punjab, taking advantage of police lapses. Punjab Police needs to answer all these questions. The government of Punjab too needs to come clean on this.

That's why I think that for the Pathankot terrorist attack, Punjab Police and Indian intelligence are bigger culprits than the Pakistani terrorists. You can't blame a thief for stealing, if you leave open your valuables without watch and guard.

After SC's nod Kerala must implement liquor ban effectively

The Supreme Court upheld Kerala High Court's verdict on liquor free Kerala where public consumption of liquor is banned. The liquor can be availed through five star hotels and for some time through government outlets. Some activists and news channels are protesting against the ban on liquor calling it violation of fundamental right. They are saying that what one should drink is his or her personal matter.

Many also started complaining that such ban will result in loss in state government's revenue apart from encouraging boot-legging. Many linked this ban with probable loss to tourism sector.

Freedom to eat or freedom to drink is never a fundamental right in any type of set up including democracies. Governments always have a say over what not to eat and what not to drink considering various aspects that include social, environmental and other things. Endangered species are being protected from hunting and consumption.

In India cow slaughter and beef eating (cow meat) is banned in many states as a Constitutional mandate. Here it is to be noted that in the name of beef lot of confusions are being created by both pro and anti-beef lobby. As per Indian context, beef is considered all type of meat including cow, bull and buffalo.

In the export context, goat and lamb meat is also included in beef. Hindus are opposing cow slaughter and consumption of cow meat. Muslims too are aware of this and they are not in favor of cow slaughtering. Muslim political leaders like Asaduddin Owasi, Azam Khan and many others have officially said that they favor ban on cow slaughter and cow meat consumption.

In many Hindu areas buffalo is sacrificed to goddess and its meat is consumed. That's why if beef is really clarified, there wouldn't be confusion and unnecessary tensions. Any way governments are authorised to ban and public can't demand it as their right.

Coming back to liquor-free Kerala, I can say government should afford loss of revenue as democracies are welfare states. States shouldn't generate revenue at the cost of public health. Those who oppose liquor ban citing that foreign tourists will not visit Kerala; I would say they don't know ABC of tourism. Foreign tourists don't go to Kerala to consume liquor. They are consuming it at their home. They come to enjoy the beautiful locations and liquor ban will not be a constraint at all.

However, when there is a ban, there is also scope of bootlegging and smuggling mafia. Government while banning the alcohol must take steps to prevent all these. Apart from the prevention mechanism, it should also take steps for spreading awareness among people involving civil society. There are lots of NGOs which work to de-addict alcoholic people; they should be taken on board.

One thing to be noted here is that, banning something is always easy as it takes some sentence to be typed and signed. But to implement the ban in the interest of the people really requires honest intent and effective measures. Hope Kerala government will implement this ban with right earnest.

It's too early to say that 'Jungle Raj' has returned in Bihar!

Recently Bihar noticed a spurt in crime where three engineers, a business man and a sarpanch was killed. On December 26th two engineers from a road construction agency were killed in Darbhanga. Then on Monday, body of 43 year old Ankit Jha, a Muzaffarpur resident was found at Bharti village in Vaishali district. Ankit was working as a quality manager for a private telecom company. His throat was slit.

In Dhoom Tola of Katihar district, a couple was stabbed to death by their relatives on Monday night. In Bhagalpur, a contractor's supervisor was shot dead at KSTPS residential colony. The victim Nawal Kushwaha was working in KSTPS (Kahalgoon Super Thermal Power Station). In Muzaffarpur a grocery trader Suresh Choudhury was shot dead by three motorcycle borne criminals near Zero mile. On the same Monday night, body of one Mohammed Qamar Alam was recovered from Patna city.

The killing of two engineers on December 26, was very gruesome and the credential of Bihar Police is at stake. It was reported that the police protection was removed just before the murder, which is really mysterious. Other murders in past 24 hours although are not connected to each other but raises serious questions on law and order of the state.

Opposition parties especially BJP termed the happenings as 'Jungleraj returns' or 'Jungleraj part-II'. Sources also said that many investors, who wanted to invest in Bihar's development program, postponed their plan for a six month to watch the law and order situation.

Question is whether 'Jungle Raj' as anticipated by BJP due to coalition of Nitish Kumar with Lalu Yadav has returned. I think it's too early to reach to a conclusion on this. Crimes do happen in all the states despite strictness and vigilant police.

The term 'Jungle Raj' also indicates towards a law and order system where no follow up action is taken up after a crime. During Lalu's rule there were allegations of criminals being protected by politicians? Police was unable to act or even arrest criminals despite having clear evidences.

This is not the situation in Bihar now. The Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took up urgent meetings with top police officers fixing accountability on them. Various police teams are investigating all the murders and in pursuit to apprehend the culprits. The intent appears to be honest. Hence to say that 'Jungle Raj' has returned is definitely incorrect. BJP and other opposition parties should demand arrest of culprits instead of engaging in politics at the moment.

However Nitish Kumar really has a difficult task in his hand. He must be aware that although Bihar public has given him landslide mandate, they are still doubtful of 'Jungle Raj' during Lalu Yadav's tenure. He has to act fast and very effectively to restore the trust of the public that the law and order situation would not deteriorate. He should also remember that development and investment in the state is always directly proportional to the condition of law and order of the state. He has to maintain law and order situation in the state, else people will not pardon him.

I hope Nitish Kumar knows all this and will ensure that public trust is restored. The perception of ‘Jungle Raj returns’ needs to be defeated in the interest of Bihar.

The politics behind alleged DDCA scam

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is infamous for his shoot and scoot stunts. He had accused many opponents as corrupt but till date he couldn't proved anything. In past he had accused Sheila Dikshit, Nitin Gadkari, Robert Vadra, Ambani, Adani and the list goes on, endlessly, where the latest inclusion is Arun Jaitley.

Kejriwal has lost his credibility because of only accusation and no substantiation of allegations. Some news channels have now reported that even the Chetan Sanghi Committee report does not implicate Arun Jaitley. Thus his claim that CBI raid was to get the Chetan Sanghi report, which could create problems for Jaitely turned out to be false and an absolute lie. The claim that the report recommends for further investigation, doesn't really implicate anybody. Thus without any proof, if you are accusing one for corruption, then defamation case is due for you. What Arun Jaitley did exactly!

However, this doesn't mean that DDCA is absolutely clean or even Arun Jaitley is not aware of any irregularities/frauds etc. In fact not only DDCA but all cricketing bodies including its parent body BCCI has many rotten things inside, which need urgent cleaning. The cricket bodies are dominated by politicians irrespective of the parties and in these irregularities everyone has a stake. In DDCA, if Arun Jaitley is guilty and then also is Rajiv Shukla and Navin Jindal. But all these politicians have such understanding that they bail out each other at the cost of cricket.

The Congress jumped on to corner Jaitley using this opportunity. What it couldn't realize that it is defeating their logic on National Herald case. The Congress till date is claiming that there is no fraud in National Herald case because Young India is a section 25 (currently its section 8) company. They must realize that all cricketing bodies including DDCA and BCCI too are section 25 companies and everyone knew how corruption is rampant in these bodies.

Kirti Azad is another BJP MP who is raising the issues of DDCA scam particularly against Arun Jaitley. However Kirti Azad too has some skeletons in his cupboard, which proves that all his acts are in fact due to his known enmity against Arun Jaitley. There are allegations against Kirti Azad that during his tenure as chief selector for Delhi, lot of irregularities took place including undue favours to undeserving players.

It's also being alleged that he had favored his son for Delhi cricket team. He was removed when Jaitley became chief of DDCA. Politically too Kirti Azad had anger against Arun Jaitley. He although didn't say anything publicly but every political observer know that Azad feels that Arun Jaitley had a role in denying his wife Poonam Azad a Lok Sabha ticket in 2014 general elections. Similarly his wish to make her wife appointed as Censor Board chief/member too didn't happen for which Arun Jaitley seen as the villain.

Point is simple, although there's lot of irregularities in cricket bodies but none is interested to clean it, rather they are playing their politics in the name of fraud in cricket bodies. Neither Kirti Azad nor Kejriwal wants a clean cricket body. It' just used to score political points.

Kejriwal instituted a committee for probe in DDCA but didn't follow the procedure intentionally. As per norms, he should recommend the committee to LG for approval. He constituted the committee without the approval of LG. He knew that it will be made null and void by LG and when it's done he will further play politics claiming that Central government is trying to scuttle the probe through LG. These are cheap politics and clearly show that Kejriwal's intent is to do politics rather than probing the alleged frauds.

Good thing is that, justice R.M. Lodha committee is expected to submit a report on reforms in BCCI in the first week of January where it may prescribe to free cricket bodies from politicians and corporate. If that happens, then I think BCCI and its affiliates can be cleansed purely and cricket will be saved from the politics. Till then these political stunts will continue.