Democracy Loses To Devils Advocate

राष्ट्रीय अपराध रिकार्ड ब्यूरो के आंकड़े बताते हैं कि स्त्रियों के खिलाफ होने वाले अपराध साल-दर-साल तेजी से बढ़ रहे हैं। 16 दिसंबर को दिल्ली में हुए सामूहिक बलात्कार के खिलाफ जो व्यापक आक्रोश पैदा हुआ, उसके चलते सरकार को संबंधित कानूनों को और कठोर बनाने के लिए विवश होना पड़ा। इससे उम्मीद बंधी कि ऐसी घटनाओं में कमी आएगी। मगर ऐसा नहीं हो सका। इस केस में शनिवार को जो पहला फैसला आया उसने पूरी न्यायिक प्रक्रिया से जनता का विश्वास उठा दिया।

एक स्थानीय विधालय से एक फर्जी उम्र प्रमाण पत्र बनवाकर दिल्ली रेप कांड के एक आरोपी ने कोर्ट में पेश किया और हमारे न्यायालय ने उसे सच मान उसे नाबालिग करार दे दिया। कौन नहीं जानता कि सामान्य तौर पर अभिभावक अपने बच्चों की उम्र दो-तीन साल कम करवाकर ही स्कूलों में नामांकन कराते हैं? फिर सब कुछ जानते समझते हुए भी व्यावहारिक क्यों नहीं होती हमारी न्याय प्रणाली। मोटी-मोटी किताबों की कानूनी मजबूरी है या कोई राजनीतिक मजबूरी?

विज्ञान के माध्यम से हम डायनासोर और हजारों-लाखों साल पुराने जीवों की सही उम्र पता लगा सकते हैं फिर अदालत ने एक मेडिकल या वैज्ञानिक बोर्ड गठित कर ऐसे घृणित अपराधी की वास्तविक शारीरिक उम्र जानने की कोशिस तक क्यों नही की?

इसके आलावा अगर अपराध की प्रकृति और गंभीरता को भी पैमाना मानकर न्यायालय ने अपना फैसला सुनाया होता तो आज शायद भारतीय न्याय प्रणाली से लोगों का भरोसा इस कदर नहीं टूटता। इस तरह 16 दिसंबर को दिल्ली में हुए सामूहिक बलात्कार के खिलाफ जो व्यापक आक्रोश सड़कों पर पैदा हुआ था उस सामूहिक जनभावना को हमारी व्यवस्था ने कुचल दिया।

घटना को तर्कसंगत परिणति तक पहुंचाने की जटिल और लंबी होती प्रक्रिया के कारण ज्यादातर मामलों में पीड़िता और उसका परिवार न्यायालय तक जाना ही नहीं चाहता। इसके बाद भी जब 16 दिसंबर जैसे उदाहरणीय केस में अगर इस तरह के तर्कहीन और अव्यवहारिक फैसले आते रहे तो वह दिन दूर नहीं जब जनसमूह खुद फैसले करने लगे। अब सब्र का बाँध टूटने लगा है और इंडिया गेट पर विरोध प्रदर्शनों के दौरान लाठी और वाटर कैनन से पिटी जनता कहीं आंदोलित हो गई तो डेमोक्रेसी की दुहाई देने वाली इन स्तंभो को उखड़ते देर न लगेगी।

यह सर्वभौम सत्य है कि दिल्ली में हुई बलात्कार की इस घटना पर जो तीखी प्रतिक्रिया हुई वह अपने आप में अभूतपूर्व थी। जनता की तटस्थ भूमिका ने इस घटना को प्रतीकात्मक बना दिया। घटना के विरोधस्वरूप कैंडिल मार्च करने वालों पर शुरूआती दिनों में सतापक्ष ने मजाक भी किये। पर दिसंबर की ठंड रातों में इंडिया गेट पर हजारो हाथों में जलती मोमबत्ती से टप-टप कर चूता गर्म मोम मानों इस नेतृत्वविहीन भीड़ के खौलते तन-मन को शीतलता दे रहा था और इसलिए यह कहने में अतिश्योक्ति नहीं होगी कि बलात्कार की घटना पर ऐसी तटस्थ प्रतिक्रिया, बदलाव के नए युग के सूत्रपात का संकेत दे रही थी।

व्यवस्था परिवर्तन के लिए हमेशा से कोई एक प्रतीकात्मक घटना ही आंदोलन का मु्खपृष्ठ बनी है. अरब के मोहम्मद बूआजाजी, एक 26 बर्षीय बेरोजगार युवक, जो ट्यूनीसीया की सड़कों पर फेरी लगा कर कुछ सामान बेचता था और अपनी माँ मुनूबिया और बहन बसमा का इकलौता सहारा था. पुलिस ने अतिक्रमण बताकर उसके सामान जब्त कर लिए और जब वह ट्यूनिशिया म्यूनिसिपल के दफ्तर पहुँच कर अधिकारियों से उसके सामान छोड़ देने की विनती की तब वहाँ की महिला कर्मियों तक ने उसे थप्पड़ मारे और पुलिस ने अन्य अमानवीय तरीकों से प्रताड़ित किया. इन सब से आहत मो. बूआजी ने 17 दिसंबर को मिस्र के दमनकारी सरकार के खिलाफ ट्यूनीसिया के सार्वजनिक स्थल पर दिन-दहाड़े आत्मदाह कर लिया. इस घटना से मिस्र की जनता उबल उठी और मिस्र आंदोलन की नींव पड़ी. अभूतपूर्व आंदोलन से अत्यंत दबाब में आये राष्ट्रपति अबीदाईन बेन अली को इस्तीफा देना पड़ा जो पिछले 23 बर्षों से लगातार शासनाध्यक्ष थे। इस प्रतीकात्मक जनाक्रोश की घटना ने पूरे मिस्र का इतिहास ही बदल दिया।

दिल्ली कांड के संदर्भ में जो बात चिंताजनक है वह है कि इतने विरोध के बाद भी न तो सरकार और न ही आला-अधिकारियों में से किसी एक ने भी इस्तीफा दिया था। जनाक्रोश से बिलबिलाई सतापक्ष ने पुलिसिया तंत्र से पहले तो आंदोलन को कुचलने की कोशिस की परंतु इसके गंभीर विपरीत परिणाम को देख बैकफुट पर आ गयी। कुछ कदम पीछे हट कर सरकार ने जनता को ठोस कानून और कड़े एक्शन का आश्वासन दिया। परंतु शुरूआती अफरा-तफरी के बाद पहले तो नाबालिग की उम्र 18 से 16 बर्ष करने से सरकार का इंकार और अब 8 महीने बाद सजा (जुवेनाइल को सुधार-गृह में सुधरने के मौके दिए जाते हैं, उसे सजा नहीं कही जाती) देने से इंकार कर न्यायालय ने भारतीय जनभावनाओं को भड़काने के पर्याप्त कारण तो दे ही दिये हैं।

Amit Sinha is a bilingual writer and research Journalist. He can be contacted at facebook.amit

Secularism Misinterpreted

This story originally appeared at www.nwoow.com on Aug 30, 2013

The generally accepted, meaning the world over, is that a Secular state is one where the state remains indifferent to, and neutral between, the religious beliefs and practices of its citizens. In short, the separation of Religion from the state, Religion belongs to the home, the family, the temple or church or mosque- but not in public life.

If we are failing as a secular state, it it because equality before the law is not being practiced. In the 1970’s Indira Gandhi brazenly undermined this spirit by building her vote bank of Kshrriyas, Harijans, Adivaasis and Muslims, Known as KHAM.

In Bihar parlance, everyone understand the onset of MY(Muslim-Yadav) equation which helps buoy the Jungle guru incumbent for three consecutive term(with non-de script breaks) amid tough opposition polarization. Did we bat an eyelid to such brazen moves. 


Now the somehow proclaimed intellectual politician and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar who got historical mandate in 2010 assembly poll is never reluctant to use such cheap measures. In fact he has divided the economically backward society on cast card to yet deepest possible level. This man represents the Kurmi community having just 3.5% representation in the state and hence he is dependent on others casts’ voter. Undoubtedly, the Mahadalit and Pasmanda was his virtue of necessity and never been a mission to recognize the most painful of society.

Consider another set of numbers. Because of higher birthrates, the percentage of Muslims in India has risen from about 9.91% in 1951 to 14% in 2010 and must have around 15% by mid 2013. This counts near 170 millions i.e. 17 crores. At this state of circumstances we are bounded to co-habitate with peace.

The recent efforts by VHP for 84-kosi orbital movement at Ayodhya might have instigated Muslim psychology. These days we often came across line ‘the return of 90s’. Do we really want those happenings to repeat? Nope. Never. Muslims in India today play significant role in economy, in society at large. In mundane life they become intrinsic part of Indian society. This despite their reservations about social acceptance. The appaling consequences of the VHP’s actions will only breed a new generation of terrorists, in their own fold and among the communities of Muslim and Dalit victims.

One lesson of history is worth remembering: that a society that turns against other minorities, soon ends up by turning on its own. Pakistan and some hardcore fundamentalist countries are the best example of this. Moreover India replete with minorities. Most strikingly, Hindus have the largest minorities of all! Indeed, who or what is the Hindu majority? What happened to Brahmin superiority in Tamil Nadu? What is happening to upper castes as the lower castes form coalitions? Is the numerical superiority of Dalits in several sates fully appreciated? Adivasis are now organised and striking back with bang. Going back a little in time, have we forgotten that over half the Mughal elite that ran the Mughal administration were Rajputs.

The issue is to take a clear stand with governments, that we do not believe in an India segmented by caste and/or religion. We don’t specify our manufacturing assembly to make soaps, shoes, TV’s, bike and pharmaceuticals for religion or cast specific. Both the majority and minority collectively have to play this role to make the government understand the real problem and make policies for welfare, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Amit Sinha is a bilingual writer and research Journalist. He can be contacted at facebook.amit

More Dynamics To Rupee Fall

The article originally appeared at हिन्दुस्तान yuva on Sep1, 2013

खाद्य सुरक्षा विधेयक को लोकसभा की मंजूरी मिलने की खबर ने रुपए को करार झटका दिया और शेयर बाजार भी औंधे मुँह गिरा। ऐसे वक्त में जब देश न्यूनतम जीडीपी, गिरते विकास दर और औधौगिक उत्पादन के साथ-साथ बढ़ते महँगाई दर से त्राहिमाम है, इस विधेयक की मंशा ही गलत नजर आती है। इस योजना से 24,000 करोड़ रूपये के अतिरिक्त बोझ के प्रभाव के अनुमान भर से शेयर बाजार में खलबली मच गई और बुधवार को सेंसेक्स लगभग 600 अंक तक गिर गया। एकदिनी कारोबार मे 3.7 प्रतिशत की अभूतपूर्व गिरावट दर्ज कर रूपया 68.85 के अभूतपूर्व न्यूनतम स्तर को छू गया।

इस बार भी विदेशी निवेशकों में भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था पर भरोसे की कमी का रोना रोया जाने लगा। परंतु सच्चाई यह है कि भारत में विदेशी निवेश का एक बड़ा हिस्सा पोर्टफोलियो इन्वेस्टर का है जो कि पिछले कुछ सालों में बढ़ कर कुल विदेशी निवेश के 50 प्रतिशत तक पहुँच गया है। मालूम हो कि पोर्टफोलियो इन्वेस्टमेंट अस्थाई होता है और यह पैसा किसी भी समय बाजार से किसी भी वक्त निकाला जा सकता है। केंद्र में बैठे हमारे अर्थशास्त्रीयों की फौज इस पैसे को स्थाई विदेशी निवेश समझने या समझाने की गलती क्यों कर रहे हैं, यह आर्थिक से अधिक राजनीतिक प्रश्न नजर आता है।

इन सबसे पृथक वायदा बाजार ने मँहगाई बढाने के लिए जिम्मेदार है। आज खाध पदार्थों के दाम सटोरिए तय करने लगे हैं। गेंहूँ, चावल, चीनी, चना से लेकर सोना-चाँदी तक का कारोबार वर्चुअली(हवा में) हो रहा है। इसे आधार बनाकर बड़े व्यापारी स्टाक कर कृत्रिम कमी पैदा कर रहे है। इससे चौतरफा मुश्किलें बढ़ रही है परंतु न तो सरकार और न विपक्ष ने अबतक वायदा बाजार और पूंजी बाजार के सटोरियों पर लगाम लगाने की चर्चा तक की है। खैर, इन सबके बीच शुक्रवार को राहत की खबरें आई और शुरूआती घंटों में ही रूपया 2 रूपया तक चढ़ा। परंतु अचानक से आई इस खनक से ज्यादा उम्मीद ठीक नहीं।

Amit Sinha is a bilingual writer and Research Journalist. He can be contacted at facebook.amit

Was It a Mass Suicide !!!

This article originally appeared in www.nwoow.com dated August 20th, 2013

As the fateful train mows down 37 pilgrim passenger in Bihar, the negligence on part of railway and state government is being uncovered. The nwooow team were the one of the first to reach the fateful site. Though an high level enquiry has already been ordered by the railway ministry, our team finds that it was little to blame on part of railway or state administration.
Pilgrim passengers' act surprised the driver

* Devotees killed while attempting to stop Rajya Rani Express knowingly it does not has stoppage there.

*The train was not supposed to halt at Dhamara Ghat and was given clearance to pass through. Being a Super fast train it was running at around 80 kmph, which is normal to it. Hence all claims of over speeding seems to be an emotional argument.

* A large number of pilgrims attempted to stop the train to board.  They gathered together at the middle of the track to stop the train.

* This surprised the driver of the fast moving Rajya Rani express who applied the emergency brakes, but it was not possible to stop spontaneously. It took its time and distance to stop.

Some 160 kilometers away from state capital where the tragic train tragedy took place on fateful Monday, the scene is still grotesque. Some bodies were trampled enough beyond recognition, some bodies cut down to two-three pieces. None of the dead were having their full body parts with them. Though the official figures come to 28, local media claims the toll to 37.

Due to lack of administration at Dhamara Ghat station for 3 hours immediate precipitants  took away the injured (or dead) at their own. Majority of the fateful pilgrims were women and children, though the identity has yet not established to each of them. About 50 passenger were injured in the accident, 24 of whom are being treated at hospitals nearby.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that 37 persons, including women and children, were killed. Among them were 13 women, four children and 20 men. The victims hailed from Khagaria, Saharsa, Munger and Naughachia. Twenty four others, who sustained injuries, were admitted to the hospital here.

Soon after the incident at 8.40 am, a violent mob assaulted the train driver, set on fire an AC compartment and engine of another train, vandalised the station and even held a few rail staff hostage. The two drivers of the express train, Rajaram Paswan and Sushil Kumar Suman, fled from the spot after being attacked. They later contacted railway officials to informing them that they were safe, ECR CPRO Amitabh Prabhakar said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Chief Minister appealed for calm.

Most shocking of the entire episode come to light when media, medical team and other administratitve agency reacted to the accident. There is no road in the 3 Kilometer radius to this countryside. Rail line is the only lifeline. This scenario delayed the help. Moreover when a special medical help train were sent, the angry mob did not allow it to reach near the site and scared of getting vandalised the team of doctors had to wait for an hour untill security forces took the situation under control.

Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar said the express was not supposed to halt at Dhamara Ghat and was given clearance to pass through, but the pilgrims on the tracks thought they could stop the train. "It's not just surprising, it's shocking, no body are supposed to do that", he said. Though the driver applied the emergency brakes, it was too late by then, he said, adding an internal inquiry has been ordered into the accident. The pilgrims were going to nearby Katyani Sthan temple to offer ‘jalabhishek’ to Lord Shiva on the fourth and final Monday of the holy month of Shrawan.

Superintendent of Police S K Jha said the engine of the Samastipur-Saharsa passenger train and an AC coach of Saharsa-Patna Rajyarani Express were set on fire by enraged local people.

Minister of state for Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the express train was travelling at a speed of 80 km per hour when the accident occurred.

He said although relief trains carrying doctors and nurses were sent from Saharsha and Barauni, they could not reach the spot as the law and order situation there was not conducive because of protests by angry people.

The Bihar Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for family of each of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured. Chief Minister himself ruled out lapses by the state administration. Railway minister Malliarjun Kharge expressed concern for the deceased family.

Compensation announced

* Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs to the family of each of the deceased. He also urged Railway Minister Malliarjun Kharge to provide the maximum compensation to victims considering the fact that “this is a rarest of the rare incidents”.

Reluctant Youth In Indian Democracy

Due to inept policies and irresponsible behavior, leaders of independent India has discouraged the society since India got independence. With perpetual denial of rights and promises the mango people of India are in a real sorry state.

The financially sound middle class which surfaced after the economic reforms of 90's is restless asking that why their leaders not providing them an atmosphere like California and New York. Almost every corporate and industrialist in India are irascible because they are trussed into red tape ism of govt. quarters. The middle-lower, lower and poor stratum of society that constitutes majority to India's population are reluctant to participate in the mainstream as they believe that their leaders are cheating them despite knowing the fact it's their vote that empowers this democracy.

At present, a large constituent of society especially youths are looking for gutsy leaders, and this has been expressive especially since the inception of social activist Anna Hazare at national plank(post August, 2011). The followed up power-packed demostration on the streets of national capital, other metros and big cities at regular interval for various causes had this inherent message. But our political forces deliberately ignored to recognise the fact. Since our political parties has no drive at all. Irrespective of party line they fails to present a hero, an ideal to this big nation. There is a severe drought of leader(s). This state made people gets distracted from the mainstream politics and made them reluctant to whole democratic process which is the most dangerous phenomenon for a democratic nation like India.

We often blames media for mindlessly following bollywood Khan's and alike stories. Our youth are crazy behind them. But right before blaming them we are answerable to them. Actually youths today are are groping in dark to find an ideal. This lack of leadership scenario was first witnessed during 1966-67 when people began to vote against the incumbent government. Congress got the maximum jolt as it was ruling most of the states then. It was a high time when the second line of leadership from socialist faction, unsatisfied congress leaders presented better alternatives. Later on Ram Manohar Lohia, Jaiprakash Narayan and alikes shook the nation by youth energy. The movement helps emerge Janta Party to power but under the burden of over intellectualism the myth of second independence got busted. The non-congress polarisation scattered.

Again, in 1989-90s, under the umbrella of social justice a large faction of society seems congregated. It was a completely afresh idea for the independent idea. It got negative publicity and society gets divided into caste system as provisions of Mandal commission surfaced. It was the time when there was unprecedented scarcity of leadership at national dais. Rajiv Goswami was a commerce student at the Deshbandhu College, Delhi University who attempted self-immolation to protest against Prime Minister V.P. Singh's implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations for job reservations for backward castes in India. In October, 1990 Goswami spearheaded a formidable movement against the Mandal Commission and his act of self-immolation led to larger protests and a series of self-immolations by college students throughout India. Following years were exceptionally unstable and the society was bifurcated on the line of upper-lower caste on widest note.

With all these flashback one things is quite clear that an independent India lack good leader with few exceptionally bright activist enlighten the political plank time to time. But in true sense better people denies politics and politicians denies betterment. This trend lead our society into a backward state. From social justice to casteism, from regionalism to secularism and non-congress polarisation has never let development become a agenda. Even after 66 years election are contested with promises of drinking water, roads, electricity. And these all under the mascot of caste and religion. Now on the eve of another democratic fest due in 2014, youths need to set their agenda to fight against, on the backdrop of travesty of democracy India has been witnessing for quite long.