The post US and India must learn from MLK and Gandhi, end the politics of hate appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In remembrance of Nehru on his 56th death anniversary his role as a democrat with scientific temper which has made immense contribution to India has to be highlighted. Nehru conceptualised the term ‘scientific temper’ in 1946 and defined it as an attitude of logical and rational thinking.The term ‘scientific temper’ is contemporary, but appeals to rational enquiry are not new to Indian ethos. 

We are proud land of Sushruta,physician in 8th century BC and of Aryabhatt ,mathematician in 5th century but tragedy is today we still have prejudices for ‘scientific temper’ as envisaged by Nehru.His vision of scientific temper should be seen in the context of his understanding of science and religion for a better appreciation. For Nehru science was not merely an individual’s search for truth but it should be an integral part of one’s thinking and action. He was more interested in social consequences of science which has made it possible to view traditional beliefs in a new light based on facts. One should not accept tradition simply because it is tradition as our sages of yesteryears were exploring too. 

In The Discovery Of India, Nehru writes, “The scientific approach, the adventurous and yet critical temper of science, the search for truth and new knowledge, the refusal to accept anything without testing and trial, the capacity to change previous conclusions in the face of new evidence, the reliance on observed fact and not on pre-conceived theory, the hard discipline of the mind, all this is necessary, not merely for the application of science but for life itself and the solution of its many problems.”

His concern in giving priority to Science was the reason that he was elected the first non-Scientist as Chairman of Indian Science Congress in 1937 (British India) there in the meeting he said “It is science alone that can solve the problems of hunger and poverty, of insanitation and illiteracy, of superstition and deadening custom and tradition, of vast resources running to waste, of a rich country inhabited by starving people.”

Nehru’s legacy of scientific temper got reflected when our Constitution adopted it as a fundamental duty of every citizen. The importance of spreading scientific temper in the country was highlighted in various science and technology policy statements adopted by him as Prime Minister.

At Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1954 he said “Lots of people may not know, why such an emphasis is being put on science. Why so much money is being spent Why did I take the trouble to come from Delhi? The big countries have more power while our country has remained poor….If we wish to empower our country, which is now independent, we have to create a strong base–so we can learn the basics…This may not show immediate results but finally result in the uplift of the country.”

History of modern India since Independence is marked by immense contribution of Nehru as PM in establishing centres of scientific learning with the start of establishing Atomic Energy Commission with Bhabha and several Institutes of Research to make India self reliant in science and technology which is a must for any vibrant democracy.Today we have privilege to be a leading Science power in the world only because of Pandit Nehru’s legacy.

Earlier this year Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan at a programme in Bengaluru highlighted the need for both a spirit of inquiry and for science to spread through large and small collaborations. “I think science flourishes when there is real freedom of thought and opinion and minimum ideological interference,” he said. 

The above statement is the soul of Nehru’s core belief where democracy and science together can only solve socially relevant issues, like poverty and hunger.So it is imperative for India’s democracy and it’s Government both at the Centre and the States that they should remove the obstacles that undermine scientific temper for inclusive and peaceful development of Indian society.

(Picture is of Nehru and Einstein taken on Nehru’s visit to Princeton University,US)

*The author is Director Centre for Objective Research and Development (CORD)

The post Nehru and the culture of ‘Scientific Temper’ appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented global crisis and has infected more than 4.5 million people in more than 200 countries. Even before the onset of this pandemic, the global economy was confronting turbulence on account of disruptions in trade flows and attenuated growth. The situation has now been very much aggravated by the demand, supply, and liquidity shocks that Covid-19 has inflicted on many economies, including the Indian economy.

 Managing an epidemic requires tackling the health consequences of the outbreak, as well as its social, political, security, and economic dimensions. This implies setting priorities between various interests and goals – in short, a lot of politics.

What follows is a non-exhaustive overview of the many considerations and important questions national authorities must reflect on in their response to Covid-19.

Many health professionals argue for stricter social countermeasures to keep people at home. To them, saving lives should be the absolute priority and in case of doubts, a ‘no-regret’ approach should prevail. Many argue that the response should be free from so-called ‘political interference’.

However, these measures can increase inequalities, put people in precarious economic situations, and have many other consequences that cannot be fully anticipated but govt response seen in different parts of India tend to simplify the equation by only focusing on one issue; limiting the spread of virus.

Policymakers, however, have to take into account the side-effects of public health measures and other interests at stake and for that we need better cohesion amongst the political class cutting across the political ideology barriers for the betterment of countrymen. Policymakers will have to reflect on how much they should emphasize the different views and side-effects in responding to the pandemic. With COVID -19 spreading around the globe. There are fears of a deep global recession. As a consequence of lost income from lockdowns and other restrictions, there will be serious threats to poorer communities’ access to food and India will have to face this challenge too.

The world needs solutions. That’s why the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged G20 leaders to take measures to ensure that global and national markets continue to be a transparent, stable, and reliable source of food supply.

Amidst all these concerns situation arising due to Covid-19 fallout, global political leadership is talking of consensus in politics for their countrymen.

In Israel where two bitter political opponents came together, “We will safeguard the democracy, we will fight the coronavirus and we will take care of all the citizens of Israel.”

Netanyahu Israel PM echoed the message of unity in a tweet.

“I promised the state of Israel a national emergency government that will act to save the lives and livelihoods of the citizens of Israel. I will continue to do everything for you, citizens of Israel,” responded Gantz bitter political opponent of Netanyahu and joined his govt as Defence Minister.

Similarly, in Netherlands Mark Rutte PM invited Martin Van Riju a former Labour Party Health Secretary, his political opponent to join his cabinet as Health Minister and had the courage to say in public all for better governance for Covid-19 response, “He has years of experience in healthcare and knows the Ministry well.”

Today in this crisis Union of India needs a coalition government, especially one subordinating party differences to the national interest in a time of crisis both at the Centre and States. We have this

opportunity as nation to get united in this hour of need where political, caste, region, religion differences should take backseat and Prime Minister Modi of BJP who enjoys confidence of large sections of Indians regarding his integrity and his desire to serve the country should invite best brains to manage the affairs of governance in this crisis where inter-state issues can be tackled for betterment of economy, containment of the virus and lessening the pain of migrants travelling back home.

Manmohan Singh ex PM of Congress Party can give strong support to manage affairs for economy under his guidance. Similarly, Left Front led govt in Kerala has been a successful model for containment of spread of virus, their expertise in medical health care can be used nationally.

Udhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena has shown exemplary administrative prowess as CM of the state hit hardest by the virus. His administrative capability can be help in Inter-State advisory council kind of set up in the govt.

Arvind Kejriwal of AAP as Delhi CM has made Delhi a good example of relief work to the poor and needy in the crisis, so his relief care management skills can be used. Similarly, Telangana CM has given some good agrarian reforms in the state to be replicated at national level.

Opposition leaders in states as big as UP and Bihar can be of utility in national government. Akhilesh Yadav has been an able administrator as CM with huge experience of developing infrastructure sectors and his political party with a large cadre base can be of big utility in national government. Similarly, Tejaswi Yadav with his youth and vigour can rally large numbers of Biharis around for nation building again.

The list is endless, we have immense political talent cutting across political lines to serve the country in this hour of crisis. It is only the PM and his party can take this call for national government, hope they do it.

*The author is Director, Centre for Objective Research and Development, Lucknow.

The post How setting aside party politics can help India in the battle against Covid-19 appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“On May 11, 1857,16th of Ramzan, Bahadur Shah Zafar was sitting in the Jharokha doing his wazifa(recital of Quran) when the Indian sawars of 3rd Cavalry including Hindus and Muslims of East India Company came to Musamnan Burj and called out to him to lead them against British as the Badshah of Hindustan.”

—- Excerpt from Dastan-e-Ghadar by Zahir Dehlvi,a poet and contemporary of Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Today I quote this to remember May 11, 1857, start of the First War of Independence of India with Badshah Bahadur Shah Zafar as Commander in Chief. But today when in remembrance of our bravehearts who fought British Imperialism under Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857 we should know a dark reality that we may have words of praise for our freedom struggle movement which started in 1857 but in practice we as society still eugolise our colonial masters. 

As William Hodson an irregular cavalryman who took Bahadur Shah Zafar’s three sons Mirza Mughal,Mirza Khizr Sultan and Mirza Abu Bakr after their surrender into captivity and later killed them in an act of cold blooded murder as captives in Delhi, the actions were controversial even at the time. The future Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts (who later rose to become General, Field Marshal and Commander in Chief of British Armed Forces) then a junior officer serving in the Delhi campaign, called this action of Hodson a “blot”. But even today a prestigious Boarding and Day School, LaMartiniere College,Lucknow which has this “blot” Hodson’s grave and School in independent India still boasts of that it’s the only school in the world to have battle honours,a battle fought by Colonial British forces along LaMartiniere school boys and staff against Indian fighters under Command of Bahadur Shah Zafar,Emperor of India.

In 1858 battle this “blot” Hodson was killed. LaMartiniere College also has a Hodson House as one of the four houses and has given all respect and honour to this “blot” Hodson who disgraced and was inhuman to our the then Commander in Chief Bahadur Shah Zafar. So, our best gesture of remembrance of India’s First War of Independence will be to remove this “blot” from Lucknow and transfer it to Britain at the earliest.

The post Remembering the uprising appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The post How did we get here? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Akhilesh Yadav’s meeting in Kannauj and an incident associated with it has generated vast media attention. For the future of the young scion’s role in Uttar Pradesh politics, it is significant. At a meeting at Kannauj on February 15, a BJP supporter reportedly walked to the front and first raised the issue of unemployment. Believing that this youth could well highlight the incompetence of BJP govt both at the Centre and State, Akhilesh Yadav invited him near the dias! Instead, the young man used the platform to raise the slogan of “Jai ShriRam”. At first, Akhilesh Yadav reacted normally and made some astute political points. But when the sloganeering continued unabated, the SP supremo lost his cool. Yadav’s response is now being analysed critically in some political quarters, in an atmosphere that today prevails in Namo’s New India. It reveals a strategy of the BJP to deliberately send such a youth to the Kannauj rally to provoke Akhilesh Yadav.

The entire transcript of Akhilesh Yadav’s reponse is not objectionable in the first instance but he lost his cool which was not expected of him and which flies in the face of his image of a collected politician. Akhilesh Yadav has very well nurtured his political image as a sincere politician with a mix of humility and modesty with modernity in the past two years since he has taken complete control over the party. There is now no room for criminals, more respect for women and their promotion in leadership is visible. Outright cronyism has taken a back seat. Earlier, the bitter and often, petty family feuds within the Samajwadi Party came out in the open but ideologically Akhilesh Yadav remained steadfast. Through this political churning, a new political party emerged creating a picture of an outfit where clean politics mattered. Something similar to the Aam Aadmi Party’s  kind of politics in Delhi where Arvind Kejriwal with his own image countered the distractions which had been (deliberately) brought into the Delhi campaign by the BJP! This was a cynical ploy of the “the party with no difference” with its attempt to centre the political discourse around the religious identity divide between Hindus and Muslims where Shaheen Bagh, the India Pakistan (cricket) match, ‘Goli’ (gun shots) and ‘Gaali’ (abuse) was brought to the fore.

BJP knows this strategy well: that it is the image of the leadership that wins an election! Rather than working to better the image of their own leadership, it is far easier to target and shame the political image of opponents. The BJP has done this well and with easy because of the vast propaganda mill that they control. This is visible in their strategy vis a vis Rahul Gandhi and in fact, the entire Gandhi family. They have, in fact, have reaped political benefits nationally by doing so.

Now two years down, the UP elections in 2022 are a big battle that looms; a battle which the BJP will leave no stone unturned to win. Akhilesh Yadav today has the best chance to win. Already there are murmurs in political circles, words a la Arvind Kejriwal, to the effect that “ab desh mein kaam ki rajneeti chalegi” and Akhilesh Yadav is best suited to represent that “Kaam ki Rajneeti” in UP. Knowing this full well, the political machinery of the BJP wants to damage this image of Akhilesh Yadav where his image of being sincere, non-corrupt and hard working and his efforts for development in developing infrastructure in the health, power, education and women empowerment sectors remain fresh in the minds of the state’s electorate. A deepening of this image will be detrimental to the BJP’s poll prospects in UP where –in the present scenario —BSP’s is fast losing the political oppositional space and the Congress is rudderless. This makes for the possibility of a sharp, two way fight in UP between the BJP and Akhilesh Yadav in 2022. As was evident in Delhi and Jharkhand (2019, 2020), a two way fight against a strong regional party opponent in the state elections makes BJP lose.

Under these testing circumstances, for Akhilesh, the best strategy is to nurture upon his image of responsible and sincere leader. Despite and inspite any provocation from the BJP, he should not fall into their trap from where they can target and shame his image. If he nurtures this calmly, we have a serious electoral battle ahead of us, in 2022 in UP.

(The writer is director, Centre for Objective Research and Development (CORD))

The post Can Akhilesh Yadav emerge as UP’s Go-To Opposition leader in 2022? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Both these bouts of violence have had far reaching political impact for the Samajwadi Party's (SP’s) political fortunes specially when it's key opponent, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has an eye on the Samajwadi Party’s core vote base, that is Muslims; this collective vote base which at one time, almost blindly supported Mulayam Singh Yadav's SP has felt the deep and lasting scars of betrayal, since 2013.

There is a also debate within political circles in Lucknow and beyond, of how, deliberately, Akhilesh (the chief minister) has tried to cultivate an image which does not make him another "Mulla Akhilesh" as his father in the early 1990's. The prefix to his name in political circles, type-casts him, (if rather crudely) as pro-Muslim.

The Justice Sahai report on the Muzaffarnagar violence (2013) when made public had conclusions that were shocking: it completely absolved the state government and worse: the inquiry report said nothing about the key players who engineered the rioting and violence against the Muslim minority. The commission only held two police officers accountable for what the former judge found, predictably, an ‘intelligence failure’.

Akhilesh is today politically facing a dual challenge from within his family and also from his key support base which among Muslims. There is a distinct buzz amongst Muslims, especially in western UP, traditional Jat-land that in this election, support to any party is not guaranteed. Between the lines, this tentatively expressed sentiment could signal a shift the collective Muslim support base from the SP to the BSP, inspired by the fact that the BSP has consolidated its Dalit support base (that had declined to 19.5 per cent in 2014). This has been reflected in the large turnout of Dalits to BSP supremo, Mayawati’s rallies in Saharanpur, Agra, Azamgarh, Allahabad and Lucknow. Today, the BSP looks to be in a more formidable position to take on the BJP. As of today, Muslims will, in more likelihood, be voting for the formation that can put up a more realistic electoral battle against a resurgent BJP. This negative, (against the BJP) collective vote of the Muslim, however, also has the potential danger of consolidating the non-Dalit Hindu vote in favour of the BJP.

मुजफ्फरनगर दंगो के आरोपी संगीत सोम व सुरेश राणा को मोदी की रैली में सम्‍मानित किया गया।

  Eventually, however, the issue of communal riots and justice to the victims (survivors) which is the reason for this substantial political turnaround will remain unaddressed. I have been going through text of reports of different commissions of enquiry established post communal riots in different parts of the country. Key principles of equality and non-discrimination, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) are echoed and find space in the Indian Constitution. India is a signatory to the UDHR. The UDHR, under Article 2 provides for rights without discrimination, without restriction of any kind based on race, language or religion etc.; Article 7 provides for equality before law and to the equal protection of the law for all; Article 8 postulates the availability of an effective remedy in law for acts violating the fundamental rights guaranteed to an individual and Article 12 provides for the right to a fair trial. These rights are enshrined in Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

Yet, little has happened vis a vis the delivery of justice to riot victims except politicking by our political class to reap benefits out of such dastardly acts. Can it be said in all honesty that the investigation and prosecution in matters relating to communal riots which is really based on protecting human dignity and the right to life, are in accordance with the above, lofty legal principles? 

These questions posed must of necessity give cause for deep introspection. Thus, the Justice Sahai report will be a much-discussed document in the coming UP elections, but only for vote-gathering. Sad, but true.

(The author is Director, Centre for Objective Research and Development [CORD], Lucknow)

The post The UP Election and Riot Politics appeared first on SabrangIndia.