Supreme Court mandates better control of agitations and protests
Protests have been seen as a sign of legitimate dissent, about raising the voice of ordinary people against some action; in many cases, a protest is about having a good outlet for the frustrations of people. However, it is also true that protests have been hijacked by people with vested interests, and in many cases by lumpen elements. So, for every scene of people walking peacefully with placards, you have scenes of youth rampaging, burning vehicles, disturbing the lives and economic well-being of city-dwellers (think about the daily wage earner or streetside vendor who loses out on the daily income on the day that a protest shuts down all other activity).
As we have seen in the past, the Government, of whom it is expected that they ensure law and order on the street, does not intervene in many cases. In some cases, the protests have been called by the ruling party, or by other elements (which the Government does not really want to put down). Consider the case of the Gurjar agitation of last year in Delhi; in broad daylight, the media could see that the agitators were blocking major roads and burning vehicles, and the police had no interest in actually preventing them from doing such things.
Categories: Accountable, Citizen, Compensation, Court, Crime, Disturbance, Governance, India, Judiciary, Law, Policy, Politics, Protection, Punishment, Responsibility, Security Tags: Agitations, Court, India, Judicial, Law, Police, Politics, Punishment, Responsibility, Security, Violence
IPL moves out of India, security problems
Maybe the name should be changed to that of the NRI Premiere League now; given that more NRI’s will now be watching the match live at the ground rather than Indians. Last year, the Indian Premier League (after initial criticism of the high costs involved), turned into a spectacular crowd fest, with huge audience participation. The T-20 cricket tournament was a huge TV success, to the extent that movie makers were reluctant to release movies in the same time frame. So, when the cricket tournament was planned for the second run this year, there was a wide spread anticipation that the tournament would be even bigger and more spectacular this year.
And then the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan, the neighboring country where attacks by militants are common. The attack was the first manifestation that radical elements were starting to attack the popular game of cricket; the first reaction was to lay out the differences between India and Pakistan in term of security and to emphasize that playing of the game was safe in India. One does not want the perception that the security situation in India is so bad that the Government cannot ensure security for international sportspersons. After all, the Commonwealth Games are planned for 2010, and security is one of the critical points.
Categories: Accountable, BJP, Congress, Disturbance, India, Politics, Security, Terrorism Tags: BJP, Congress, Cricket, Image, India, Politics, Security
Terrorism: India and Pakistan bicker
Lee’s Dhaba
#fullpost{display:none;}There has been a lot of mail regarding the Mumbai tragedy. In its aftermath, Pakistani blogs have been full of accusations and recriminations. Even those that would question their own government find it easier to focus on India. I have reproduced below my response to a Pakistani blog on the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Zeeshan
Thank you for posting this article.
First, some things we agree on:
While I am Hindu and you are Muslim; I know the things I stand for you will stand for: a safe environment for my children, good schools, good job, good career prospects in the future…freedom of speech and freedom to follow my path to God..if our governments could provide that then the rest I will leave in the hands of your God and mine.
With respect to tolerance and stupidity here some facts to think over:
You are inaccurate about 9/11 since AlQaeda and Taliban took responsibility for that Act.
It is true that India does not have friendly relations with its neighbors..and a budding power must be able to make friends with its neighbors. This is a failing of my government and must be rectified and the responsibility always lies with the bigger brother.
It is also true that I have a lot of good Pakistani friends…mostly in the middle-east..and most of them would prefer to live in their home-land but feel insecure or there are not enough opportunities.
Pakistan is spending huge amounts of its budget on military expenditures…I know this is supposed to be because of the Indian giant next door…but the fact is Pakistan has attacked India twice militarily…not the other way around.
In 1947, the economy of Pakistan and India was on par. While India spent little on military it spent enormous amounts on education and infrastructure. Today the economy of India is 50 times the size of Pakistan on a per capita basis.
As a result, today the Pakistan military is a match for a country 6 times its population…but the Pakistan economy is having to get hand-outs from the IMF to pay its bills. This is not right and your government is to blame.
In 1948, after partition, 20% of the population of Pakistan was Hindu and 80% Muslim. Today less than 2% is Hindu. In India, the Muslim population was 8% Muslim in 1948, today it is over 13%.
Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world where the Hindu population has declined.
In India, we have Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Shabana Azmi, Azim Premji, Hamid Ansari, Abdul Kalam, Pataudi, etc…..all Muslims but they are great and respected for their achievements not because of their religion which is their private affair.
There is little doubt that India has far surpassed Pakistan on the world stage..it is not because the people are smarter or work harder..we are the same people after all…it is because the Pakistan government has not pursued good policies for its people.
The conflict between our countries has to end. I do not care if it is ISI or CIA or AlQaeda or RAW…you have to know that these conflicts are breaking the long term dreams of the Pakistani people.
Do not think that your government is going to follow good policies without your push…they have not done so for 60 years. It is time for the Pakistani people to rise up and wrest their country from the vested interests.
If you agree with my first paragraph then you know the path to friendship. Focus on our agreements…and build on that. The conflicts then melt away. Those that wish to divide us are forcing us to focus on our differences. It is within us to not allow that to happen.
Salam
Categories: Citizen, Coalition, Congress, Convenience, Crime, Discrimination, Disturbance, Education, Family, Governance, Growth, India, Law, Media, Pakistan, Politics, Protection, Responsibility, Security Tags:
