Caste Politics and Census

Rave reviews have been received over Life Watch’s exclusive article “Unconstitutionally Yours!” highlighting the non-inclusion of caste and religion columns from the ongoing exercise of Census 2011. This is to be remembered that the Government had agreed to include a OBC column in this year’s sensex after a gap of 79 years after high-pressure lobbying by OBC satraps and angry outbursts against the Government by three Yadavs, viz. Mulayam, Laloo and Sharad. Despite agreeing, half-hearted results have led to no results.
The fact that despite the Government agreeing and going ahead with the Census exercise, the pros and cons of including caste in the ongoing census exercise are still being debated in the Group of Ministers (GoM) meet reveal the inherent unwillingness to include it, whatever be the motive.
In one such meet held recently, a presentation was given by the office of the Registrar General of India on the pros and cons of including caste in the ongoing census exercise.
Both, RGI Chandramouli and PG Dhar Chakravarthy, gave a presentation to the GoM on the issue. Sources confirm that RGI officials made it clear that it was a difficult feat logistically to include caste in the Census and that this could be done only in the second phase of the exercise. Some members of the GoM even went back to the history to prove their point—that even the last caste-based census in 1931 was flawed. “In West Bengal alone 1,38,000 people had declared themselves to be casteless,” they said.
Significantly, law minister M. Veerappa Moily continues to remain a great supporter of including caste in the Census.
Unfortunately, behind the hue and cry raised over including caste in the Census, the other important issue raised by Life Watch (see June 1-15 issue) of removal of religion and mother tongue column, which used to be there in the census forms till last census, has been silently ignored.

FISSURES GETTING DEEPER IN BIHAR

Strange are the ways of politics. It is still sometime for the final countdown for assembly polls to begin in Bihar. But fissures between JD (U) and BJP are close to reaching a point of no return over Nitish’s strict denial to allow campaigning for Narendra Modi and Varun Gandhi in the State. Despite BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain’s categorical remarks of there being no Article 370 in Bihar, implying that democratically and constitutionally, it was not possible to stop a party leader from electioneering in any other state, the BJP was left with no choice but to become quiet when Nitish Kumar didn’t budge from his stand. BJP has decided to take into account JD(U)’s sensitivities when deciding the campaigners in the State. Obviously, ground has been conceded by the BJP which had to bow to Nitish’s requests without really saying so. After all, politics is politics and ultimately, compulsions prevailed.
However, things are not so rosy at ground level. Several cases of sloganeering and verbal attacking have taken place in recent past between JD(U) and BJP workers. These fissures may widen further as polls draw nearer and campaigning becomes more cut-throat. Both parties will have to keep a watch on its workers and prevent unwanted disturbance.
The two parties seemed on a splitsville course, when just a few days later, BJP reportedly said that JD(U)’s sensitivities will be taken into consideration when deciding the campaigners in the state. Obviously, ground had been conceded by the BJP. It had bowed to Nitish’s requests without really saying so. So, politics is politics and ultimately, compulsions prevail. The BJP-JD(U) is also likely to stick to their 2005 seat sharing formula, which has not come as a surprise. It can be left unsaid that the 15-year-old partnership cannot afford to break at this point, just months before Bihar polls.
The entire drama started when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar objected to a poster showing incorrect pictures of some Muslim school girls of Azamgarh (UP), presumably shown as from Gujarat. But what got him fuming was an advertisement in a local daily showing him and Modi holding hands at an earlier election campaign in Ludhiana. This immediately aroused in him fears of any potential loss of Muslim votes at this delicate juncture i.e just ahead of state elections. Nitish, then stretched it a bit too far by returning the Rs 5 crore Kosi flood relief money back to Gujarat and canceling a dinner he was to host for the BJP during its National Executive at Patna. Modi is despised by the state’s Muslim electorate post the Godhra riots. Since the campaigning would be for the alliance as a whole, therefore it is very likely to show Kumar as a Modi supporter and damage his image in front of the 12-16% Muslims of the state. Hence the vociferous stubbornness at not letting his state counterpart campaign in Bihar. Likewise, Varun Gandhi’s speeches are ridden with communal overtones, so Nitish cannot afford to be seen as friendly with him. When the Bihar Chief Minister sent a police team to Surat to inquire into published advertisements, it created cracks in the coalition. But his recall of the cops at BJP’s protest showed that the fissures were just temporary. Both the allies have known their indispensability to each other. And that is why Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi’s accompanying Nitish on the last leg of his Vishwas Yatra did not surprise. Nitish’s statement to the media on the same day, “Everything is fine”, has silenced any alarm bells.

Files do not move in Delhi as Didi prepares to knock-out Left from Bengal

Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee has tasted blood in Bengal. After battering the Left in West Bengal’s civic poll elections, the Railway Minister is preparing to deliver the knock-out punch in West Bengal, in the Assembly elections to be held next year. With eyes on Chief Minister’s seat, she has stationed herself in the State to consolidate the gains of the civic polls and get the momentum going till the elections.
Focus on Bengal has shifted the focus from Railways in Delhi so much so that the Ministry is acutely feeling the punch of Mamata’s aloofness from the Ministry. Inside sources within Railways reveal that the files are not moving at all. Transfers and postings are not taking place and even small day-to-day decisions are getting delayed. “If the Minister is not present, how can you expect others to take decisions? Neither can all the files be sent to Kolkata for her perusal,” said the source.
Due to her absence from the Ministry, several promises made during the budget still remain unmet. Not to mention the 375 stations that were to be made as Adarsh stations, even the New Delhi and Anand Vihar railway stations have not been developed as per expectations. With such a big infrastructure in place, Anand Vihar station has just a few trains moving from there. New Delhi railway station too has plethora of problems (see Life Watch, May 1-15, 2010).
Even though this issue was discussed within the Trinamool Congress, the outcome was that Mamata should retain the portfolio as there was no statutory requirement for her to stay in Delhi as railway minister. When quizzed, sources say that there may not be a statutory requirement but what about the moral requirement, with such huge amount of work pending in files lying on tables. The more hands-on minister is required at Railways immediately, feels people within the Ministry.The reshuffle in Manmohan Singh cabinet is due anytime now but is being postponed because Mamata’s final view whether she will retain the Ministry or will give it to someone else is not known yet. After all, given its emerging political status in West Bengal, the Congress is not likely to overrule her proposal.

‘Training of police personnel essential’ : Rajiv Krishna

He is a busy man indeed! After all, working as the DIG-Police Lucknow comes with lot of responsibilities. His days (and often nights) are spent solving the law and order problems from the highest level. He makes it a point to listen to woes of the public on daily basis. Yet, he is a family man who spends whatever time he is left with either with the family or in maintaining himself ‘fighting fit’ through a rigorous fitness schedule.
A fitness freak himself, Rajiv Krishna is in favour of an extensive training drill, not just for the new recruits but also for the existing workforce, time and again. But for the fact that the police force is already understaffed and cannot be spared much for training sessions and fitness drills, Rajiv Krishna would have put into force a more rigorous plan to bring about much-needed training and fitness regime for police officers of all ranks.
“Not just physical training, there is a need to make the officers aware of changing technological and scientific developments, like computers, internet, modern mobile gadgets besides ever-changing laws related to human rights, CrPc and IPC rules and Indian constitution,” informs the DIG.
Adds he: “Training is an inherent part of all management functions. It enables the personnel and staff to remain fighting fit and move ahead with time – something that is extremely essential for smooth and satisfactory working of an organization.”
“For police department, it is even more essential that a proper training system is built. The police force in UP is over-worked and stressed and a proper fitness regime would help them cope with the situation more effectively. Moreover, training is particularly needed for the police force as bulging bellies are not just an eyesore but also a deterrent in their duties that at times require extra energy and stamina to nab the culprits.”Though he believes he has not been able to do enough in this regard, whatever time Rajiv Krishna gets he spends that in encouraging officers and informing them of the positive effects of remaining fit.He informs that there are three training facilities in Lucknow at present. These include the 32nd Battalion PAC RTC, 35th Battalion PAC RTC and Reserved Police lines RTC. Training of new recruits goes on from 4 in the morning and till dinner time. Apart from imparting training in squad drill and police drill, the recruits are taught riot dealing and traffic management. Arms’ training too is an important part of the training exercise. Other than this jawans are taught horse-riding and rope climbing besides games like volleyball, football, hockey and kabaddi. During the day they are taught law, Indian constitution, rules related to human rights, IPC, CrPc and how to write FIRs and other reports in police stations. This forms a major portion of the 11-month training, consequent to which they get their respective postings.Training for serving officers too is conducted from time to time, though more regular trainings sessions may be welcome.
At times when such extensive training for new recruits is not taking place, small courses are run related to computers, how to improve the image of police, human right laws, technological updates and other courses Refresher courses too are conducted from time to time for existing personnel.Yoga and regular motivation camps, including interaction with psychiatrists too are essential, says the DIG adding that lack of adequate staff doesn’t allow him to do all that he wishes to do.

“Audit of NGOs shall be made compulsory”: Dr. Kiran Chadha

Dr. Kiran Chadha is the executive director of Rashtriya Mahila Kosh. She has added responsibility of being the Executive Director of Central Social Welfare Board. A lady of immense experience in various Government positions, one who has undertaken several research projects, one who has worked as Joint Secretary in Ministry of Women & Child Development and also in Ministry of Defence, as Director in Ministry of Defence and also with Border Roads, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Commerce and Indian Council of Child Welfare, and has exposure to several ministries and departments, if such a lady gives one reason for all the evils that plague our ministries which are dependent on NGOs for execution, she ought to be taken seriously.
Despite remaining associated with several social welfare organizations, Dr. Chadha is disgusted with the way the NGOs work. Keep in mind she is dealing with NGOs on day-to-day basis. Today, she has come to conclusion that she doesn’t like Social Welfare at all. Avers Dr. Chadha candidly: “I have no trust on the NGOs. They spend not even 50% of the amount they take from us. They travel first class, move around in luxury cars, keep employees and maintain luxurious offices – all with our money. I think this problem will only be solved when we make it compulsory to have audit of the NGOs.”
“We are closing 20% of crèches that we are running. They were running only on paper and taking money from us. A lot many others might be spending just a fraction of what they take from Government.”
Another solution given by Dr. Chadha is Public-Private Partnership. And suggest stringent laws to punish the NGOs who defaults on Government money, meant for the poor and the needy.

“I have no sympathy for the bureaucrats” Rita Bahuguna Joshi

In an exclusive meeting with Life Watch, Congress President in Uttar Pradesh, Rita Bahuguna Joshi speaks her mind and heart out on UP’s present state of scenario and woeful condition that the State has witnessed during the past 22 years. Rita herself suffered tremendously because of the prevailing law and order condition in the State when her house was burnt and her car attacked. Read Ms. Bahuguna’s views in first person, as she spoke to Life Watch…
For past 22 years, UP has suffered a lot in terms of governance. Congress party had done a lot for development of State and after we quit the power in 1989, the State has steadily gone down since then. It is very unfortunate that in terms of human development index and in terms of social development index, UP is taking lead from bottom. We are considered worst state in India in terms of education, poverty levels and corruption. Unsocial elements rule the roost and we are considered the most unsafe state in the country.
Unfortunately when the people selected the BJP, they found themselves cheated on emotional and sentimental grounds because of Mandir. They gave Samajwadi a chance and it was money and muscle during that tenure. Corruption was supreme. Now, with Mayawati coming, people feel cheated once again because she had given very high sounding promises to give a clean state. I think she will go down in history as personally the most corrupt politician and a Chief Minister who has headed the most corrupt Government in the country. Now with Rahulji’s entrance and his focus on UP, Congress taking to the street, picking up people’s issue, UPA government’s performance in terms of social welfare programs, programs for the poor, people are once again turning towards Congress and Congress party is working very hard to try to pick up the people’s issues. We are trying to rein in the UP Government on the issue of corruption and misgovernance. Party elections are going on; we are strengthening our cadre. We hope to give a new facelift to the Party and in the next two years we are hopeful of turning the tide in favour of the Congress.
I am very sorry to say that bureaucrats are not doing their duty properly. Executive is considered to be a very strong pillar of democracy. But they have become a team of pshcyophants. They are totally corrupt. Bureaucracy is equally responsible for the plight of the State. I feel very sad that they have not stood by the oath that they had taken to save democracy. There are hardly a handful of bureaucrats whom you can call clean. They are paying money for posting. They are cheating the people. The way people are being looted by the bureaucrats and the Government, they are hand in glove. For 22 years they have been cheating; they have been registered in cases. I have no sympathy for the bureaucrats; we are making a list of corrupt bureaucrats.
The Congress party has governed long enough to know how to carry out the administration. I have seen my father working; if the politician is clean and committed everything can be brought under control.

Rahul Gandhi: Fructification of Dream Mission 2012

"There is a work that my father had started, a dream he had dreamt. I come to you today saying…allow me to turn that dream into reality": this was Rahul Gandhi prior to 2009 Lok Sabha elections. The great success that Congress received during the elections catapulted Rahul as the undisputed leader of the masses, the most charming leader for the youth and somebody towards whom we can still look with hope for a better future for our great nation.
Rahul is working hard for fructification of his Dream Mission 2012, as per which he hope to regain power in Uttar Pradesh after nearly two decades. These polls are considered crucial for the Congress to re-emerge as the single dominant force at the Centre. At present, the party has merely 22 legislators in the 403-member State Assembly. To cash in on the strong undercurrent that Congressmen believe exists in several parts of Uttar Pradesh, Congress has decided to announce its candidates for the State Assembly elections almost a year before. Senior State Congress leaders like Rita Bahuguna Joshi believe that the poll preparations have already begun.
To gain a foothold in Jat-dominated western Uttar Pradesh, discussions are on with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh to merge with the Congress before the assembly elections. Singh was not keen on merger but favoured a long-term alliance mutually beneficial for both the parties. Doors had already been opened to give a berth in Union Cabinet for Ajit Singh, but inside sources reveal that this had to be postponed when the Jat leader demanded the lucrative Petroleum ministry and gave no final indication for a merger.
Implementation of Rs. 7,266 crore package for Bundelkhand, a stronghold of UP Chief Minister Mayawati, too has been announced to put BJP and BSP on a back-foot.
Congress will have to play its cards well if it wishes to see its Dream Mission 2012 come true!
Another Mission 2011 on the anvil for Rahul
Mission 2012 may be to regain power in Uttar Pradesh. Another mission, Mission 2011 is reportedly on the anvil for the young and dashing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who unlike his rather flamboyant sister Priyanka, is known to keep a low profile. Mission 2011, say sources, is for a suitable bride for this most eligible bachelor. And this bride will not be Juanita, the Colombian girlfriend whom he met during his stay at Harvard. LW sources reveal that the bride-to-be has already been finalized and it is merely a matter of time when the announcement will be made. Rahul’s bride may well be one who might help him accomplish his Mission for 2012.
A few hearts are sure to get broken upon hearing the announcement. A lot many hearts, though, will be gladdened beyond doubt when they get to hear the welcome news of our own Rahul’s final settlement.

Mission 2011 highlights
Wanted a young, beautiful, decent, homely Brahmin girl, preferably from a politician’s family in Uttar Pradesh. If the family has had unflinching relationship with Congress in the past, nothing better.
All this on lighter side!
Rahul (to mother Sonia): Maa, meri shaadi kyon nahin ho rahi?
Sonia (to Rahul): This is because Congressmen, owing to your Mission 2012, have written on walls all over: ‘Sonia ko bahumat (bahu mat) do!