Mohammad Shahid goes past the goal post

Do you remember Mohammad Shahid? The great hockey player? Considered as the greatest dribbler, stick magician during the 1980s before Pargat Singh came into picture? The former captain of Indian national hockey team Mohammad Shahid lost his final battle for life. He was in coma and had been on ventilator at the Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon.

Shahid was suffering from a complicated jaundice and dengue. His condition required liver transplantation but his kidneys were not functioning well. So, liver transplant was not possible. His creatinine and bilirubin levels were very high signaling a very critical stage of his ailment.

It was in June when Mohammad Shahid was diagnosed with jaundice and dengue after he complained of severe stomach pain in Varanasi, where he lived. He was rushed to the Sunder Lal Hospital in the BHU. But, his condition worsened. On doctors’ advice, Shahid was airlifted to the Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon on June 29.

Doctors at Medanta said that Shahid developed jaundice due to weak immunity. His body was weak and not responding properly to medication, which complicated the problem. The hockey legend had been in the ICU ever since he was admitted to the Medanta Hospital. To wrest deterioration of his condition doctors put him on the ventilator but the great dribbler slipped into coma on Tuesday. He breathed his last Wednesday.

File Photo: Mohammad Shahid

Shahid worked as the sports officer with the Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi- a unit of the Indian Railways, which was bearing the expenses of his treatment. The centre also announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh to support his treatment.

Known for his mesmerizing dribble and dazzling wrist work, fast and hard push, the former centre forward player made his presence felt at the very first appearance in the 1979 Junior World Cup held in France. The same year he graduated to the senior level and was made part of V Baskaran’s national team. Mohammad Shahid was the member of the hockey team which won an Olympic gold medal in 1980 in the controversial Moscow edition. This was the last hockey gold medal at the Olympics that India won in the game.

Such was his dominance in the Olympic and thereafter in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan that Shahid was chosen for the Arjuna Award in 1980-81. He was also conferred with the Padma Shree in 1986 for his extraordinary performance on the field. In partnership with Zafar Iqbal, Shahid ran like a hare in the field. He was the greatest runner, dribbler and striker of his time. He was part of the team which won silver medal at 1982 Asian Games and was the captain in 1986 when his team won bronze at the Asian Games. Soon, followed his exit from the game.

Many believe that Mohammad Shahid left the game prematurely. He should have continued. Once again, at 56, he left the field early. He should have continued

GST politics and mother-in-law syndrome

It was perhaps during the stone age cultures that the mother-in-law came into being. We have moved into the age of virtual world (Maya?) but mothers-in-law continue to dominate the psyche of human beings. You don't believe? See Whatsapp messages, jokes shared but do forget real life experiences. But, I never thought the our politics is also afflicted with this syndrome.

Mothers-in-law justify their acts towards their Bahus by putting up a defence that what she is subjecting her Bahu to she faced it herself when she was a Bahu. They also claim that they are not the kind of tyrants their mothers-in-law used to be. They project a moderate and more plausible face by inventing new logic every other generation. I am afraid same could be said about Indian politics. GST Bill is a classic example of this attitude.

It was in 2007-08 when the then finance minister P Chidambaram proposed to implement the GST Bill by April 1, 2011. It was the deadline, which seemed very far into future. UPA-I would have been gone by then. New government would have taken any call. But, Chidambaram knew it well. He had faith in continuity of the coalition-in-government. So, he wished to usher in the second generation reform through a unified goods and services tax bill.

Chidambaram continued to appeal to the then opposition block led by the BJP till 2014 to pass the GST Bill. But, the BJP always found some fault with it. Its approach was so frustrating that just ahead of the budget session of the deadline year, 2011 the then prime minister Manmohan Singh lashed out at the BJP in his interaction with TV media editors. He was so convinced of the BJP's strategy that he did not talk of finding a meeting ground. 

Five years down the line the now ruling BJP and its prime minister sees some hope in the Congress as Narendra Modi talked of reaching a consensus and passing the GST Bill. But, the Congress does not look in the mood of let it go. The treatment that the BJP meted out to their reforms haunts the Congress so badly that it is hellbent on forcing the BJP swallow the same bitter pill. The mother-in-law syndrome.

File Photo: P Chidambaram and Narendra Modi

Earlier BJP led by the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi opposed GST Bill saying the states would suffer loss. Now, the Congress wants a constitutional guarantee for the same. Back then Narendra Modi has suggested tax-autonomy for Gujarat. (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080613/jsp/frontpage/story_9405524.jsp)

But, now the Congress wants constitutional amendment for any future change in tax rates.

The GST deadlock is purely political. It's been 25 years when India opened itself to the world but the same political party is blocking the way for opening India to the Indians in what is being termed a next generation reform, which the former prime minister and the architect of the first reforms, Manmohan Singh called an 'envy of the world'. And, the other party is now pleading for reforms. The court of politics remains the same, the players have switched sides. The ball is yet to rest.

Religion can do good things as well

To divide is religion. Religion either makes a person terrorist or a coward. From Rome to Asom, religion has played several dirty tricks. But, the same religion can be a partner in solving serious global problems including terrorism and environment degradation. 

Churches, temples, mosques can easily eradicate poverty if they open their chest. But, they don't. Even the government won't let them do this. To some sceptics, it would take them back to proverbial dark age when churches, temples ruled. Mosques still do in some parts of the world.

But, a brave step has been taken by the Good Shepherd Church of India. It has now joined the Haritha Haram campaign which aims at making Telangana green. Telangana has a good tribal population. So, some conversionists may be looking at it as a good avenue to expand their faith. But, there are agencies to see that they don't lure or force tribal or poor people.

Dr. Joseph D’ Souza, Moderator Bishop of the Good Shepherd Church pledged to promote plantation of trees in Telangana as the state finance minister Etela Rajender Garu launched the Haritha Haram campaign. The minister, the bishop and others planted saplings to mark the occasion. 

Dr. Joseph D’ Souza, Moderator Bishop plants sapling in Hyderabad on Friday

But, the focus should be on the church people as D'Souza said, "This is in line with what the Bible teaches. We have to take care of God's creation." If the scriptures teaches environmental care why the Church have neglected it till now? The followers of the Church have done the biggest damage to the environment.

Pundits have been claiming that the plants are worshipped in Hinduism. But, they never cared for launching a movement to protect one of the gods. They have been busy in finding another house for just one of the gods, who is now more a symbol of politics than worship. 

The Quran proclaims that God is the creator of the world. "The Earth is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you his stewards over it." But, Maulvis seldom take note of it. They are quite busy with women's clothing, laws of property, right to choice of food, right to block the road for offering prayer et al.

So, if some priest is taking interest in expanding green cover, it is a welcome step. Green is not a colour of religion. The proponents of green have chosen black.

Kashmir as it stands today

Kashmir... This word has emotive connotations in two big South Asian nations, India and Pakistan. Whenever this word is uttered, a part of their conscience-sentiment gets stirred up. They start feeling as if they have been cheated by someone. Who? Answer does not have a definite article. It’s complex. People become staunch nationalists, get angry and confused at the same time for they don’t understand what’s Kashmir.

So, what’s Kashmir?

Kashmir is a part of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which also includes Laddakh and Aksai Chin captured by China during 1962 war. Geographically speaking Kashmir consists of high mountains in the Himalayan and trans-himalayan ranges hosting several highest peaks and a beautiful vale of Kashmir. It includes Pak occupied Kashmir as well. Aksai Chin forms part of Laddakh, a different geographical expression from Kashmir.

History

Kashmir finds mention in ancients texts of India and Tibet. Mythology goes that it was founded by a sage called Kashyap, who is said to have drained a lake to reclaim the valley or land. So, the name Kashmir. During Chandragupta Maurya's time or during Alexander's invasion Kashmir was a political entity and part of the expanding Magadh Empire. 

A few years later, Ashoka is credited with quelling a rebellion there. Like all ancient political unit, the history of princely Kashmir is fraught with wars and bloodshed. This continued till 1860 when the present geographical denomination of Kashmir came into existence. The British recognised this.

The Partition

The India Independence Act, 1947 paved way for creation of India and Pakistan. At that time India had over 550 big and small princely states. They were given option, under the Act, to go either side or remain independent. Most of the states signed treaties and merged with India or Pakistan. A couple of Kings showed resistance or reluctance. The King of Kashmir, Hari Singh was not willing to join either. And, he made it clear. So, technically speaking at the Independence, three countries came into existence: India, Pakistan and Kashmir, which comprised Jammu and Laddakh as well.

The Problem

Pakistan sponsored militia-invaded Kashmir in September 1947 under the guidance of Major General Akbar Khan of Pakistani Army. Hari Singh did not have enough means to protect his state or himself. He asked the Indian government to come to his rescue. The Indian leadership headed by Pt. Nehru and Sardar Patel did not accept the request immediately. They first asked the King to sign a treaty for merger with India saying that similar treaties had been signed by other princely states. This treaty with the King is known as the Instrument of Accession, which was signed in October 1947. 

Now, Indian forces landed on the territory of Kashmir. But by then Pakistan backed forces had occupied almost one-third of Kashmir. Indian government decided to protect the capital of Kashmir and the princely house there. It did not wish to push Pakistani forces beyond Kashmir, by now the territory of India. Perhaps, the Indian leadership could not understand the meaning of Kashmir’s merger with India. Here lies the core political problem of status of Kashmir.

(POK- Pak Occupied Kashmir; COK- China Occupied Kashmir)

Going to the UN

India took the matter to United Nations. India filed the case under Article 37 instead of Articles 36 and 51 of the Charter. Simplified, Article 36 refers to the invasion of a sovereign territory by an outside power. While Article 37 refers to the invasion of a territory disputed between the two countries, by one of them. Lodging the complaint under Article 37 was negation of the India Independence Act. Simply put, despite Kashmir having become an integral territory of India, the government of India admitted at the UN that a part of it was not surely under its sovereignty.

The Resolution

The UNSC Resolution 47 on Kashmir was passed. It asked for the appointment of two neutral observers by the UN and holding a plebiscite in Kashmir to determine the democratic will of the resident population.

The Two Conditions

The UN clamped two conditions.

1. that Pakistan should withdraw its troops from Kashmir

2. having seen that India should do the same before actual plebiscite could be held.

The Follow Up

Pakistan never thought of going back from Kashmir. And, so India was not bound to either withdraw or hold plebiscite. Though, India has been holding parliamentary and state elections there and it is forwarded as a sort of plebiscite by the Indian think tank.

But, technically nothing could be done on the UN Resolution. And, this is where the Kashmir issue stands today. 

Violence in the Kashmir Valley is a by-product of internal and international politicking (not politics).