Irom Sharmila: Gandhian War Against AFSPA

The anti-corruption cum government movements led by Yog Merchant Baba Ramdev and anti-graft Gandhian activist turned symbol of youth's aspirations in India, have done a world of good to a distinctly different pro-human rights struggle led by Iron Humane Lady Irom Sharmila. The forgotten struggle of Irom Sharmila seeking repeal of Armed Forces Special Power Act of 1958 has come to the fore. Irom has been on hunger strike for last 11 years but has largely remained unnoticed. Finally, the hunger strikes by people's leaders has brought the strong willed human rights crusader in the national debate. The recent hunger strikes by Ramdev and Anna have put across the board a message to Irom that a team is required to make authorities listen. And, now Team Irom Sharmila is taking some concrete shape and it seems to be taking definite cue from Anna Hazare movement against corruption.

Team Irom Sharmila has now decided to intensify the movement in midst of ongoing blockade in Manipur for more than two months-- by Sadar Hill District Demanding Committee and a counter blockade by United Naga Council. The economic blockade of the national highways connecting Manipur with the rest of the Northeast has created an acute shortage of essential commodities in the state. LPG is selling at Rs 2000 while petrol is selling at over Rs 160, potatoes at over Rs 50 a kg and tomatoes nearly Rs 80 a kg. Even the life saving medicines are hard to find. Team Sharmial wants to exploit the prevailing situation to bring forth their demand for repeal of AFSPA which has made life of ordinary citizens in the state equally vulnerable. Sharmila supporters claim that under the AFSPA rule, an average of two to three persons are being killed by the armed forces and no action is being taken against them.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act was legislated in 1958 to fight the internal armed rebels. The AFSPA was aimed at meeting the challenges posed by the Naga insurgency in the erstwhile NEFA. It was later extended to entire northeast and in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990, after emergence of terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. But, its imposition in peace time has met with resistance from the human rights activists but the government has maintained that the Act is necessary to keep the disturbing forces in check. The insurgents and separatists in both regions have used the government's decision to impose AFSPA as tool to alienate the resident population.

In Manipur, Sharmila took the cudgels to challenge the might of the government and her method has always been Gandhian, shorn of violence, concrete in belief and consistent in perseverance. And, truly the movement has now drawn inspiration from another Gandhian activist, Anna Hazare, who challenged the mightiest government of the largest democracy for going away from the popular perception on corruption and its handling.

Though in certain parts of the northeast, people have tried to give it an ethnic colour by saying that the AFSPA is aimed to making people with mongoloid features suffer at the hands of rest of the mainland ethnic groups. But, Sharmila has always detested such views while terming the Act draconian. This Gandhian (consciously or not) activist needs to be dealt with in a better manner by the state and the central governments. Putting her in police custody or force-feeding her is not a way to deal with peaceful protest that the father of the nation espoused in his fight against a colonial government. Irom Sharmila is a Gandhian made of a different metal.

Custodial Death: Omar In Pain, Congress Eyes Gain

Custodial death of National Conference worker, Syed Mohammad Yousuf has fuelled the sleeping aspirations of not only the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir but also the friend and ally, Congress. The alliance partner of Abdullah’s National Conference seems to be allying with the PDP of Mehbooba Mufti, although, covertly, in keeping Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in discomfort. As the plot is thickening over the death of Syed Yousuf after Abdullah Junior handed him over to police, the Congress leaders of Kashmir have begun to romanticize their brightening prospects anticipating the downfall of their ally and friend in state politics. Even the political observers in the
state feel that the Congress could be the real beneficiary of the ongoing crisis, which got worsened on Saturday morning, when Omar Abdullah’s police resorted to baton charge the PDP protestors demanding his resignation. The separatists, too, have joined Mehbooba Mufti in baying for Omar’s blood.

Now, consider this. Omar Abdullah will be completing his half tenure of six years in first week of January next year giving the Congress an opportunity to think of taking the relay baton from an alienated chief minister, though the two parties are not at an agreement of transfer of power like the one that the congress had with the PDP in the previous regime. The great opportunist party, that the congress is, will not shy away from making things practically unworkable for Omar Abdullah. And, if the signals emerging from both the Congress headquarters and the stakeholders in the Jammu and Kashmir politics are to be believed, the party is well on its course.

The only thing that is perhaps withholding the Congressmen from the valley from speaking their minds out is Rahul Gandhi’s personal friendship with Omar Abdullah and the former’s apparent commitment to the latter to keep intact his chair till the very last workable situation in the state. But, during his recent visit to the valley, Rahul Gandhi had give a patient hearing to Congress leaders wishing for a change of guard in Srinagar.

Notwithstanding, some of the state Congress leaders have started openly demanding a Congress chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir post-January, 2012 subject to approval by party president, Sonia Gandhi. This demand had begun as early as in May and June this year, when state Congress leaders asked for rotation of Chief Minister’s chair as they were unhappy with Omar capturing all the limelight with Congressmen being treated only as poor cousins in the corridors of power in the state. And, senior leaders including Dr Karan Singh, Saifuddin Soz and Makhan Lal Fotedar had assured the junior leaders of conveying their sentiments to the party high command in New Delhi. The views have come to take deeper grounds now in party headquarters and lobbying is underway to convince the top leadership to think on those lines and negotiate with the Abdullahs.

Also at work are two old camps of J&K Congress, namely those of union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and J&K PCC president Saifuddin Soz with former in being favour at the 10, Janpath. Soz supporters find a realistic chance for him to get the coveted seat in Srinagar, but sources also indicate strongly that Azad may be interested in the job if hints come from the top. This internal tussle for supremacy in Srinagar may prove beneficial for Omar Abdullah but then PDP is also, according to sources close to Mehbooba Mufti, ready to support a Congress government should National Conference be dumped. So, the Congress is weighing its options while Omar tries hard to save his chair and salvage his image and re-enforce his command in the state. The political situation in Jammu and Kashmir looks tailor-made for a Congress comeback lest Omar finds a magic wand to ward off all the ‘evil’ forces.

Ravana Was No Less Significant!

I never knew that Ravana was born just next-door and the moment I discovered that, I hit on the road to explore the place. Diwali is a festival of celebration for Rama's coming home, but for a change I thought let me take you to a place, which is the main cause for Rama's popularity.

My photographer, and me, to begin with took a very right decision of reaching the place by a motorbike than a four-wheeler. It was a narrow road and a bumpy ride leading to the final destination. The way to Ravana's birth place appeared quite interesting, as it was after ages that I could feel the smell of sand, animals bathing in pond filled with mud. It was a typical village, with an unforgettable ambience. This is what the birth place of Ravana called "Bisharakh" (Around 15 km from greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh) looked like. The village, it is said, derived its name from Ravana's father, Vishwashrawa.


I was yet to believe that Ravana was actually born here and to search the evidence of the same the first bit I did was met Mahant Ramadas, the chief priest of the temple, called "Ravan Ka Mandir". According to the villagers, this temple still preserves the Lingam laid by Rishi Vishwashrawa. I started with the most simple question, was he really born here? His apt reply was enough to send a tinge sensation running through my veins, "right here(while pointing finger underneath my chair. Could you believe Yamuna used to flow just outside this compound! the problem is that people don't believe, what they do not see themselves", chirped the priest.

Ramadas, popularly known in the village as Maharaj, continued in the same vein without any pride or shame of the tradition linked to Ravana. The village still has buried skeletons of humans reaching upto eight to ten feet, could you believe this asks the Maharaj. The priest himself claims to have seen the skeletons at least twice. No matter how exotic it appears, one starts believing in the claim of the villagers and the priest.

The village does not have a single temple or statue of Rama or any of his family members or the gods of Vaishnav tradition or even of Hanuman. Even goddess Durga is an unknown entity of worship here, because she supported and helped Rama in the war against Ravana. Moreover, whatever archaeological items that have been unearthed by the excavators from this village support the theory. The priest showed a broken statue of Shiva consuming ‘Visha' (poison), a broken hand with bangles of Parvati, Shiva's consort, and a clay head of Lord Ganesha.

Bihsarakh Dham, the place where Ravana's father established his ashrama and where Ravana spent his childhood does not look quite appealing in itself. The boundary surrounding it is a recent one, built by Umed Singh, husband of late Phoolan Devi. It does not look in a good shape. When I asked why don't they ask the administration or the Archaeological Survey of India to look after the place, it seemed as if I was advocating blasphemy. The priest, the villagers got infuriated and said, "We are capable of looking after our heritage. If government intervenes it would have to fight with the Panchayat". Clearly, they were not even sure what the government or the Archaeological Survey of India is supposed to do or, that Panchayat is a part of the government.

Dussehra is not celebrated in Bisharakh because it reminds the villagers of the disgraceful end of Ravana. For that matter they do not even enact Ramalila. But quite surprisingly they celebrate Diwali with grandeur and much fanfare. When I asked, why Diwali? Does not it remind you of Rama's victory over Ravana? Response was equally stunning. "We are not Ayodhyans. We don't love one and hate others. We respect Ravana but also love Rama because he fought for the truth. That's why we welcome Rama on every Diwali", said Mohan Bhati, a villager.

But how do the people of Bisharakh feel when someone from outside reminds them of the opprobrium attached to the infamous name? Do they pride in having an association with the place? Says Amar, a young man, "We feel proud that he was born here, however, there are people who take it as a shame. But Ravana was a very powerful and intelligent ruler, wasn't he? And, definitely the most awesome villager ever born in Bisharakh. So, what is in it to be ashamed of?"

Before leaving and after surveying the village, I once again went to Mahant Ramadas to ask two final questions. One, would you allow anyone to take over this place and temple? A straightforward "No" was his answer, because anyone else would not be able to understand the emotional attachment of the people with this place. Though they would be happy to have a trust to develop and manage Bisharakh Dham.

Second, would he advocate worshipping Ravana and therefore get a temple in his name built? Again, Ramadas's response was a blank "No". "We don't worship Ravana because no one worships him; his deeds were evil, but he was a Jnani (knowledgeable). We worship Lord Shiva and will continue to worship only him because Ravana worshipped him. This is our way of paying respect and homage to Ravana" was the final reply of Mahant Ramadas.

Born in this small village, Ravana went on to become the king of the most beautiful and the wealthiest kingdom of the contemporary world. Tradition has it that Parvati, in order to compete with Lakshmi in wealth, coaxed Lord Shiva to get the most beautiful home built for her. So, Lord Shiva got an island, called Lanka built purely of gold. Parvati wanted the most competent priest to perform the house-entering Yajna (sacrifice) for her new house. Hunt began for such a priest and it ended at Ravana, who performed the yajna but demanded Lanka itself as Dakshina (donation given to the priest performing sacrifice). Thus, Ravana landed in Lanka and Lanka landed in Ravana's lap.

(I had written this piece long time back for www.headlinesindia.com)

Vote Against Congress, if.... : Anna

After having taken on the cetral government with his hunger strike in new delhi recently, anti-graft activist Anna Hazare now goes political. He has appealed to people in all the poll bound states to vote against congress if the Manmohan Singh government does not pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session. Team Anna has already begun to shape electioneering with a bypoll scheduled in Hissar in Haryana
on October 13th. Next in focus is Uttar Pradesh, where Anna will set up his camp three days before the date of voting. Other poll bound states of Uttarakhand, Goa, Gujarat and Punjab will also see a different kind of poll campaign by Team Anna.

Clearly, Anna Hazare made a bold statement again on Tuesday by challenging the UPA govt once again over Jan Lokpal Bill. His renewed threat to undertake another hunger strike should Parliament fails to enact the Janlokpal Bill will surely compound problems for already embattled UPA think tank.

The veteran Gandhian, who has become a national symbol against corruption, on Tuesday refuted all the charges of him siding with the right wing parties. He said that only people with vested interests level such allegations against him and his team.

And, much to the liking of the congress party, Anna hit out at the Narendra Modi government of Gujarat for putting IPS officer behind the bars for speaking against the chief minister in cases related to 2002 riots. He wished that judiciary should be allowed to settle the case.

Anna Hazare's renewed fight for a corruption free administration on Tuesday seems to cross the frontiers earlier understood by many political observers. On Tuesday in Ralegaon, Anna made it clear that politics over communal violence is also a form of corruption, that people must fight with all their might.

Sonia Appears Before Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi made her first public appearance on Sunday after her surgery in the United States recently. Along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the UPA chief paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 142nd birth anniversary at Rajghat.

Sonia returned to India on September 08. Since then, Sonia had avoided public meetings and functions even though the UPA government witnessed a bitter clash between two of its senior ministers. She dealt with the crisis but stayed away from public giving rise to speculations that Sonia may be planning to pass on the mantle of the party to her son, Rahul Gandhi. Sundayz public appearance is being viewed as a signal that Sonia is still at the helm of the affairs both in the congress party and the UPA.

Sonia Gandhi is still recuperating from her surgery, but she has got herself into handling issues plaguing the Manmohan Singh govt including infighting and court developments in 2G scam and cash for votes scandal. Sonia is said to be working on alternate plans for a possible adverse court judgements post-Dussehra vacation, when hearing on several scams resume. The forced patch between two senior cabinet ministers over secret 2G note, effected by Sonia Gandhi last week was part of her alternate plans to navigate the government's ship through the turbulent waters of scandals and scams.

Sonia Gandhi's partial resumption of party work and her first public appearance at Rajghat on Mahatma Gandhi's 142nd anniversary comes at a time when the opposition is going berserk in its criticism of the scam tainted UPA government. Her public appearance also came a couple of days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh alleged that there are forces at work to destabilize the government. With this in backdrop, Sonia Gandhiz appearance before Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi seems to be an attempt to make an emphatic statement that she is not losing grip over nation's politics.

Sonia Gandhi had given indications of taking command of the party affairs some days ago itself when she summoned Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in the wake of Bharatpur communal violence and two state ministers being dragged into controversies surrounding women, one of them is traceless while the other has died. Also, Sonia Gandhi called on Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar last week, which according to sources yielded into Kumar giving sanction to prosecute BJP MP Ashok Argal in the cash for votes scandal. Clearly, Sonia wants to put her message in a very straightforward style, that has been typical of her in past two decades.

Reside in Happiness

I always feel happy, You know why?
Because I don't expect anything from anyone,
Expectations always hurt..
Life is short.. So love your life.. Be happy..
And Keep smiling.. Just Live for yourself and
Before you speak Listen
Before you write Think
Before you spend Earn
Before you pray Forgive
Before you hurt Feel
Before you hate Love
Before you quit Try
Before you die Live

Courtesy: Shakespeare