Reality Bites!!

The deadly and audacious attack on CRPF jawans by Naxalites on 6^th April raises so many questions on our understanding as well as strategy to deal with the left extremism. As our Prime Minister said “Naxalism is the gravest internal security threat to India”. Some other has described this massacre as a war on Indian Parliamentary Democracy. This is the time we must realize the need to root out the actual problem. This issue which began as a socio-economic problem became law and order issue and gradually turned into insurgency.

The Early Naxal Movement started in 1967 from a village called ‘Naxalbari’ in West Bengal by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal and Jangal Santhal. Initially this movement was against the landlords. So it got support from the landless laborers. Inspired by Mao’s doctrines, they believed in armed struggle by Indian peasants and tribals to overthrow the Indian Democratic State by 2050. It has spread over 200 of the 626 districts in India.

The popularity of the Naxalism is increasing in the undeveloped areas primarily among tribes.  As we know, 33% of India’s population still lives below poverty line. These days one particular phrase is very popular: “India Mein Do Hi Cheez Hai; IPL Aur BPL.” As per report only 7 individuals have net worth equal to 30 crores Indians. Can we solve this problem through ‘Operation Green Hunt’? Is this a viable option?

The economic conditions of most tribals are miserable. Schools, Roads and Hospitals are invisible. They have to walk miles to fetch a bucket of drinking water. Due to vote bank politics, only creamy layer got benefitted from the positive discrimination policy.

By and large, tribal society is egalitarian. There is no hierarchy. Men and women have equal status. Mother-in-laws treat their sons’ wives as their own daughter. So there is no difference between sasural and mayke. Dowry system does not exist. More importantly they are not greedy. Even in the early Vedic Age the tribal leader was seen as “primus interpares” i.e. first among equals. Ironically, modern world is known as ‘Global Village’ not ‘Global City’!!

Can we say ours so called modern materialistic value neutral society as egalitarian? Is this society free from social evils? Male chauvinism still exists in some form or other. Everyday there is news on dowry deaths. (Dis) honor killings decorate the front page of the newspapers. Saas-Bahu Ki Ladaai To Jag Jaahir Hai. Do our leaders behave themselves as first among equals? Is this development? Is this modernization? This is merely westernization not modernization. In 63 yrs we have achieved economic growth but definitely not development. Our per capita income has increased but on social development parameters we lag far behind. There is no equal distribution of social and economic wealth. Even Planning Commission has accepted the fact that LPG policy has widened the gap between the rich and the poor. So steps must be taken to bridge this gap. Besides, special attention should be given to bridge the digital divide too.

“FCI Godowns Mein Ann Sadate Hain Lekin Karodon Logon Ko Do Waqt Ki Roti Nahin Milati! Jinake Paas Pahanane Ko Kapade Nahin Hain Use Hey Drishti Se Dekha Jata Hai. Lekin Kuch Logon Ke Kam Kapadewale Dress Bhi Fashion Ban Jaate Hain! Kahin Aasmaan Hi Chhat Hai To Kahin Chhat Par Helicopter Utar Sakate Hain!” Yehi Hai ‘India Shining’!! Wearing scanty dresses, listening western songs and speaking foreign languages don’t necessarily signify modernization. Modernization of heart is essential which should be reflected in thoughts, ideas, perception and attitude towards socio-economic-political development. The recent studies say that occidentalists are heading towards spiritualism in search of mental peace whereas orietalists towards materialism in search of material happiness which leads to agony. In this regard Swami Vivekanand’s speech in ‘Parliament of World's Religions’ (Chicago, 1893) is very important. He said “each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.”

Now the question is how to tackle this biggest challenge posed by the ultra left. First of all we must know that it is not a war. We can’t wage war against our own people. Some of our own people who are deprived of basic amenities have sympathy for left wing extremists. It shows the failure of governance and administration. Ram Rajya or Good Governance is still Utopia in India. Concept of SMART governance (Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent) is only on paper. Due to weaknesses in delivery system allocations are not reaching to whom it is targeted. Poverty, unemployment and rampant corruption have provided the congenial environment for Maoists to get popularity among tribes. We have to make distinction between the Maoists and ordinary tribals. Every Maoist is not a tribal; neither is every tribal a Maoist.

Government alone can’t solve this problem. Public-Private Partnership can play a big role. Now time has come for private sectors to discharge their social responsibilities. They can train these socially, economically and educationally backward and alienated but culturally rich, faithful and lovely gift of God through opening of special educational institutions. E-learning can play a big role in remote areas. At the same time government of India should promote these initiatives by offering more tax benefits. Even it is responsibility of every individual to contribute in any form for the upliftment of the weaker sections of the society. Only then we will be able to become Developed State by 2020. Putting 240 million hands together can make anything possible.

Holistic approach is the need of the time. In short term strategy comprehensive security arrangement must be done. Focus should be given on better training, effective command & control system, rapid action, anti guerilla techniques etc.

Top brass naxal leaders are well educated, highly motivated and trained in guerilla warfare. There is a general impression among tribals that Maoists don’t kill innocent people and punish guilty government officials. So we should take every step to win the hearts of the tribals. In long term strategy, these steps must be taken to eradicate the menace of naxalism:

1. Right to education- This is effective from 1^st April this year.
2. Right to food: This is on government’s policy agenda and a draft is expected soon.
3. Right to health: At least one state Assam has taken initiative in this regard.
4. Right to Employment: This is not on government’s agenda.
5. Delivery mechanism to be made more effective and accountable: As per Transparency International Report India is ranked 84^th on Corruption Perception Index. The recently held Twenty20 friendly match between the Union Minister and IPL Commissioner truly justified this ranking! Expectantly, BCCI- the Board of Cricket Corruption in India- didn’t play the role of watchdog over IPL- the Indian Paagalpan League!! Stringent law with effective implementation and promotion of ethics in governance and administration are few steps which could be considered.
6. Land Reforms: We have to relook the law pertaining to tribal rights over forest land which is a major cause of concern regarding tribal displacement.

MPs’ Salary Hike- Revisited!!!

Persistent double-digit inflation, growing fiscal and revenue deficit, shadow of recession but 300% (Rs 50,000) salary hike and still dissatisfied MPs- are the unique characteristics of world’s largest democracy!!. As per Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2010, a package of 1.6 lakh a month for legislators have been ensured by way of pay and allowance with retrospective effect. Again, an MP is eligible for pension of Rs 20,000/month if he serves for five years!! Can we expect pension for life just after 5 years in office? Is salary hike justified?

We are living in a democratic setup where People’s Representatives have been given highest rank. Maintaining offices at different places, frequent visits to their constituencies, entertaining public coming from their constituencies, price rise, autonomy and independence of legislators and accountability for public policy justify this hike. But conscience of common people does not allow this hike. Are they really accountable People’s Representatives who decide the fate of our current as well as future generations?

First of all, this violates the principles of natural justice- one can’t be judge in his own case- the core principle of the Rule of Law. This decision could have been taken by independent body. Secondly, most of our MPs do not attend Parliament session. Even if they come, their sole motive is to disrupt the proceedings. Only 10% questions were answered orally during Question Hour in this Monsoon Session. Do our poor MPs get salary to create pandemonium in the Houses?

According to the National Election Watch (NEW), a nationwide campaign comprising of more than 1200 NGO working on electoral reforms, improving democracy and governance in India, in the 15^th Lok Sabha there are 162 MPs (29.83%) with pending criminal cases. There are 76 MPs (14%) with serious pending criminal cases. There are pending criminal cases against 9 ministers in the current Lok Sabha. Should law breakers be allowed to become law makers?

Again, 315 of 543 MPs are crorepatis. The average assets of an MP is 5.33 cr. Interestingly, the chances of winning based on assets of candidates are 32.65 % (more than 5 cr), 18.47% (50 lakhs to 5 cr), 6.28 (50-10 lakhs), 0.43% (less than 10 lakhs). Statistics clearly reveal the role of money and muscle power in Indian elections.

There are 49 crorepati ministers in the new Lok Sabha. INC has 40, DMK has 5, NCP has 2 and JKN & AITC has 1 crorepati minister each. This is just the calculation based on disclosed assets and in reality it can be manifold. All the 13 MPs from Punjab are crorepatis. Do these poor crorepati MPs need salary hike?

They equate themselves with Secretaries of Government of India who get salary 80,000/month. But they forget that Secretaries are public servants and they are not allowed to run business. At the same time the majority of the MPs run their own businesses. It is rightly said that the emoluments to MPs should be measured on CTN (cost to nation) basis like in companies where the concept of CTC (cost to company) is prevalent.

As for as educational qualification is concerned we found that out of 543 MPs, 151 are graduates, 132 are post graduates and 107 are graduate professional, 54 are 12^th, 46 are 10^th, 21 are Ph.D, 9 are 5^th, 9 are 8^th, 4 are literate, 7 are others, 3 are not given. We have several instances of MPs uncomforting while taking oath!! Is it good practice to have no minimum educational qualification for MPs?

Can we compare profiles of these MPs with CEOs? Nowadays, politics is no more service. It has become business. Criminalisation of politics and politicisation of crimes have made things worst. They don’t know even national anthem and national song!! Rape accused becomes minister of state for home, and scam accused becomes Cabinet Minister in the name of political compulsions!! Netaji publicly says ‘Hum Jail Se Raaj Karenge’ aur aisa Karke Dikhate Hain!!

Why do we elect tainted representatives? In fact, we are left with Hobson’s choice. Clean persons are not willing to enter politics. I still remember one incident. A guy asked a question to T.N. Seshan, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India, ‘to whom we should vote?’ in a seminar on ‘Electoral Reforms: Role of Youth’. The Physics genius and Palmist IAS replied ‘Jis candidate ke saath apani behen ki shaadi kar sakte hain’.

So Electoral Reforms not salary hike is the real issue. Most of our honourable MPs are unable to utilize even MPLADS fund. Gentlemen we are the future of India. We are expected to rise above personal interests. We must use franchise but use judiciously. Doston, hamare netaon ne to menhgai se nibatane ke liye apana rashta nikaal liya!! Now is the time for us to awake, arise and fight!!