The announcement by the Prime Minister, of repealing the three notorious farm laws that were passed by Parliament, is definitely a big victory for the farmers movement and those who have been protesting these unjust laws for the last one year. 

The government failed to the extent that BJP lost one of its oldest allies, Shiromani Akali Dal at that time when the government took this decision. It felt that farmers would be tired of the protests and would go back home after some time, but that did not happen.

The BJP tried its best and we saw all kinds of efforts to damage the protests. Initially, farmers were threatened with counter protests. Farmers faced protest at the Singhu border as well as Tikri border when local goons were brought in to protest against the farmers under the pretext that it was disturbing traffic and creating problems for the locals. Then came the historic day. The Farmers decided to march into Delhi on the Republic Day riding their tractors. Police hesitantly gave them permission and created chaos at the Red Fort. The government got a handle to suppress the movement as anti-national.

Propagandists on prime time were already shouting loudly to take ‘stern’ action against the ‘terrorists. Every effort was made to instigate the locals against the farmers. A swift police action was being planned at all the three border areas. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath thought that it was a suitable time to act at the Ghazipur border and hence things were being planned. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait was addressing farmers at Ghazipur border and tears flowed when he spoke, which created a massive outrage in the entire Western Uttar Pradesh belt. The authorities in Muzaffarnagar had warned their counterparts in Ghaziabad to desist against taking any action as it would only create a massive crisis. Rakesh Tikait’s call made the farmers more determined as they started marching towards the Ghazipur border. Before January 26, 2021, it was Singhu border which was the main scene of action but after Rakesh Tikait’s call Ghazipur border became the focal point of the farmers movement.

The massive participation of the farmers from Western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana actually thwarted the move of the ruling party to make it an issue of “national vs. Anti-national” as they had to deal with their own constituency which has voted with them massively in the last two general elections and 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly election. If it were merely an issue of Punjab’s farmers, then BJP would have succeeded in isolating them and making it their favourite, we versus them issue but they failed because Bhartiya Kisan Union led by Rakesh Tikait became more vocal and participated with greater strength.

In the last one year, over 750 farmers got killed in these peaceful protests. While all those who laid down their lives for a cause are called ‘Shaheed’ or ‘martyrs’ yet it should not be ignored or forgotten that ultimately it is the union government, its political leadership of the day, that failed them and looked extremely insensitive to the basic demands of the farmers. Anyone who is aware of the extremities of north Indian weather can vouch how difficult and hard it would have been for men women and children of all ages, to sleep under the open sky in hot humid months from April onwards, followed by a rainy season in Monsoon, and again extremely cold weather particularly from December to February.  Many farmers died due to cold weather, and so many others were compelled to commit suicide, but we heard not a single word of sympathy or solidarity.

In the last seven or eight years since Narendra Modi became prime minister, the government, BJP or its ministers have never ever uttered a single word on deaths of people in movements whether student protests or that of anti CAA-NRC or farmers’ protest. The whole premise and focus of this governance model was to completely ignore or shout down those stories of pain, agony and anger. So much was the insensitivity that this government patted on its back for ‘successful’ handling of ‘Corona crisis’ even when we all saw, India was one of the worst in handling the crisis with over 4.65 lakh (four lakh sixty five thousand) deaths, but not a single word of morning, sympathy or failure by the regime. Instead, any one questioning the government was shouted down and faced stringent laws. Media became a lapdog of the government which has completely lost its credibility as it was merely broadcasting stories to malign the opponents and glorifying the ‘supreme leader’. All this only created an extremely insensitive society where deaths and brutality have been normalised.

One should not forget how the media was ‘monitoring’ everything at the protest sites. ‘Fakenews’ ‘reporters’ were pushed to the protest sites to bring stories of dissent among farmers as well as to ‘show’ the ‘world’ how ‘lavishly’ the farmers were living at these protest sites. It was said that the farmers were drinking milk, eating dry fruits and living in luxurious AC huts. Many times, it was also shown as if they were not farmers but goons and terrorists but that failed. Having been to some of these protest sites and speaking to many people including activists and those associated with the movement, I can only say that I found political understanding of the farmers far superior to that of the urban English-speaking middle classes.

Farmers resorted to different kinds of protests but everything was peaceful and democratic. The entire movement is an example of how to fight peacefully against a repressive regime. But it is also a fact that the current regime could not afford to antagonise the powerful farming communities in the election season. According to an article published in Down to Earth magazine, the total number of farm related protests in 2020 was 2,188 as per National Crime Record Bureau data which was 19% more than the previous year. It was also reported that prior to that farm protests had considerably reduced in India after the 2013 land acquisition act was passed and making ‘consent’ an extremely important factor as well as compensation for the acquired land was being provided under well laid terms and conditions.

In the last two years, there were several all-India general strikes called by the farmers, several Chakka Jams, rail rokos and most of them have been peaceful even when the police resorted to highhandedness. The horrific incident in Lakhimpur Khiri where the son of a union minister was involved in the terror incident crushing several farmers and a journalist under his fast-moving SUV will never be forgotten. The minister is still there, and his ‘illustrious’ son got arrested after the Supreme Court intervened. It defined how the government under the current regime was functioning and ‘care’ for public opinion. While the chums of the government were freely abusing the opponent, misusing the constitution and had no faith in India’s inclusive pluralistic culture, those who questioned the unconstitutional means and deeds of the ruling party were arrested under stringent laws where procedures were created to humiliate and intimidate them. The fake news wallahs were provided Z plus security to abuse the constitution as well as the people of India but no questions were asked.

It is ironic that these laws were passed through highly undemocratic means. As the opposition were protesting in parliament supporting the demands of the farmers the government was determined to crush the opposition voices. It brought ‘experts’ to unleash its propaganda against the farmers and support the bill. The one man who stood apart in this entire exercise and spoke with courage and conviction is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who on the floor of the house as well as elsewhere said that the government would have to withdraw these bills. Mark my word, he had said, you will have to withdraw it. He proved correct and stood taller than any of his contemporaries.

Even when the prime minister made a long speech today, he was sure that the ‘majority’ of farmers all over the country actually ‘supported’ the law as it would have benefitted them. Narendra Modi then went on to say that the ‘government’ was unable to convince a ‘few’ of the farmers, and that he does not want to make any one feel left out hence in the greater ‘national’ interest, he was withdrawing the bill. Though this announcement itself is highly objectionable and unconstitutional, as the prime minister or any minister actually cannot announce any policy level decision outside the Parliament. The announcement ethically should have been made in the Parliament first, but then Narendra Modi and BJP does everything according to the political calculation and as the party was finding it difficult in the Uttar Pradesh elections due for early next year, he decided to announce it. Of course, these days, he wants to ‘speak’ to people every day giving the ‘Darbari media’ ‘enough’ material for discussion for their prime time shows. He does not want to leave a single day without being in the limelight. Today was Guru Nanak Jayanti as well as the birthday of former prime minister Indira Gandhi but the entire country erupted in joy after the prime minister made the announcement of repealing the law. It was unthinkable in recent times for Narendra Modi to concede defeat or regret on anything but political fallout of the farm bill was much more powerful and dangerous to make the prime minister and the government show its back to its crony friends.

Just before we forget as we are habitual in doing so, we must understand what has the government been doing through amendments and new bills for the farmers. Some of the achievements of this government to benefit their cronies during the last two year when the country wanted a better response to handle the corona crisis, when people were dying in the absence of Oxygen and the Ministers said in the Parliament that none died due to that.

They are amending the Indian Forest Act to help their crony friends at the cost of Adivasi lives.

They diluted the environmental clauses and did not want to publish the mandatory notices regarding a new project in local languages only after the Delhi High Court spoke strongly for it.

They wanted to remove the ‘consent’ clause from the land acquisition act so that they can do things at their whims and fancies.

Through legal interventions they actually helped their cronies which flouted the clause under the act under which any company which fails to initiate a project within five year of the contract will have to return the farmers land.

Like the Land Acquisition Act, the government will definitely work on a different plan to bring these things so one need to be alert. It can act through states by suggesting land is a state subject. Various states have already amended their land laws as per the guidelines of the Center. If things don’t work politically, judiciary is an alternative though the current trends of judicial activism give some hope. We wish it become more active and ask questions which political parties or media is unable to do yet a careful scrutiny of all the judgement of former Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra on land acquisition, forest, slum dwellers cases will make an interesting point that Adivasis became ‘encroachers’ in their own land they protected centuries. We know what happened after that. The order was reversed when there was a huge uproar but still various methods were used. Justice Mishra is now chief of National Human Rights Commission openly endorsing the government policy on everything.

Why were farmers so vehement to protest these bills? All the three bills were aimed to protect the business interest of the private corporations and create their monopolies. The farmers had understood it well that their land and life were endangered.

Don’t forget the statement by the National Security Adviser at the police academy in Hyderabad that the ‘fourth generation’ war should be fought against ‘civil society’. When the top officer of the government thinks this way, it is clear how they want to ‘govern’ the country. It is ‘My way or High way’ where the common person will find it hard to walk through without the preconditions imposed on them by those in power or who manage them.

We should not ignore the fact that the withdrawal of these bills is not love for the farmers but to get back to the basics of elections. Western Uttar Pradesh and particularly Jats became the supporters of BJP in the last two decades. Frankly, speaking after the Mandalisation of Indian politics, Jats sided more and more with the “upper caste” parties and BJP was natural for them. BJP’s Hindutva agenda got pushed in the farming belt through 2013 Mujaffarnagar riots which isolated Muslims in the region and made them unwanted. The polarisation has always been used by BJP for its power games but in the process Jats got politically marginalised. So much so that in a state like Haryana, where Jats voted for BJP, the party still has a chief minister belonging to the Khatri community. The farmer movement brought the old Jat pride and association with Muslims. Jat-Muslim unity actually was the last thing that BJP can think of as it is bound to create an extremely difficult situation for the party in the Western Uttar Pradesh where party leaders were unable to make any visit in their constituencies.

A massive turn out in Akhilesh Yadav’s rallies, as well as persistent efforts by Priyanka Gandhi to develop her party, are also creating problems for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Initially, BJP felt that ‘promoting’ Priyanka or Congress as their main ‘opponent’ would help them in Uttar Pradesh but it has boomeranged. Priyanka’s meetings and political activism has helped Congress at least in the narrative and perceptions which was not there initially. Uttar Pradesh is definitely giving BJP a nightmare and that is why the entire central cabinet will be campaigning there. It is not for any other reason the prime minister inaugurated ‘ Ganga Express High way’ and brought the air force fleet for a ‘show’. It was nothing but a purely election gimmick. The people did not get impressed. Next day’s rally of Akhilesh Yadav actually showed the mood of the people in the state. There are still three to four months and BJP leaders would go to town with folded hands, saying that the prime minister has taken a decision in ‘national interest’ and why Modi is ‘important’ for India. There will be other things too which will be ‘administrative’ in nature hence farmers’ battle is half won and until and unless there is a change in Lucknow in 2022, we cannot think that the bills are completely withdrawn as there are dangers of backdoor entry like the land bills or by changing the name etc. The MSP issue is still not resolved.

It is important for political parties in Uttar Pradesh to not let their guard down, as the culmination of withdrawal of farm bill should be in change of government in Lucknow which is essential for a political change in Delhi that India is looking for in 2024. The farmers have done their best and it is time for the political parties in the opposition to understand the feelings of the people of India, get united, form long term coalition and fight the battle with courage and conviction so that such anti-people laws never see the light of the day and consigned to the dustbins of history. This must give a lesson to all the political parties that they must not take people for granted and allow free flow of information as a credible media is the need of the hour to give a timely warning to the government about what is going on the ground. Unfortunately, BJP leadership was more grounded in this regard than the media and the result is Modi took a decision because he knows well that the political cost of ignoring his own constituents could be extremely high.

Let us hope the unity of the farmers, mazdoors and others will continue so that the idea of India is strengthened, and no government can dare to take such hasty anti-people decisions in future. Success of the farmers’ protest showed that powerful dictatorial governments can be brought to their knees through peaceful democratic protests, and yet it is important to understand that the battle is not won unless this show of strength and solidarity reflects in political change in the coming days.

*Views expressed are the author’s own.

Related:

Will repeal of Farm Laws help BJP win UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand elections?

Farmers celebrate repeal of three laws at Delhi borders!

Three Farm Laws to be repealed: Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

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When I got a Facebook notification related to the inauguration of Patanjali’s Coronil in the presence of two central Ministers, I was surprised. This is because last year, Ramdev claimed that his company has been able to find a medication for Covid 19 after much ‘research’ and ‘testing’ on the patients. But later the Ministry of Ayush in the month of June, declined to give him permission to claim it had a vaccine for Corona.

According to a report published in The Hindu, Ramdev says that the daily demand for Coronil is 10 lakh packs a day, but Patanjali is unable to fulfil that as it can only supply one lakh packs a day. Now the question is how can such a product be allowed to be sold in the market?

We all know that Ramdev is using religion and yoga to promote the dubious business, and this government has been more than happy to promote him. Basically, they compliment each other. While one can ignore the other things related to Patanjali which makes tall claims, it is criminal to ignore, promote or encourage senseless or fake claims related to cure of Corona when scientists world over are grappling with it and when the world is fighting against one of the most lethal diseases which threatens humanity.

The shameless and thuggish way that he claimed, in the presence of two ministers, that Coronil has got approval and clearance from the World Health Organisation shocked me! I felt that this government might have used its influence on WHO and probably that is why these Ministers are here. It was shocking to hear and what was a blunder was the presence of the Health Minister who did not utter a word that Coronil is not a treatment or medication to cure Covid 19. Ramdev claiming things in the presence of two ministers and their approval to what he said, suggested that politicians are ready to lose international credibility for the sake of domestic constituencies.

The two ministers, Nitin Gadkari and Harsh Vardhan, became party to a fraud by Patanjali which shamelessly dragged the name of World Health Organisation. Ramdev and his company have flouted rules and regulations without any fear as they know that the ruling party is more than happy to promote and encourage him. This is the best example of how crony capitalism functions and what is the outcome when capitalism and religion mix together.

The Hindutva propaganda media was more than eager to jump on the fallacy of Ramdev Covid vaccination claim. These rogues actually are endangering the lives of millions of people by actively participating in fake news. For their fake nationalism, they are ready to use the fake news without ever checking its credentials. Unfortunately, when the Union Health Minister participates in it then it is seriously the issue of propriety and ethics. Both the Ministers must explain what prompted them to go to participate in the programme launched by Ramdev and why they allowed themselves to be used by him.

Ramdev’s fake claims have been rejected by the World Health Organisation. It is surprising for all as to why WHO should give authorisation or certification, but WHO today has become what NASA used to be once upon a time. We must not ignore that once a boy from Balia was congratulated in the UP Assembly in the year 2005 for topping ‘International scientist Discovery’ conducted by NASA which later found out to be fake news. It is important to know how and why these fake news look ‘real’ and the answer lies in our ‘attempt’ to look the ‘best’ and ‘most outstanding’. I know we all love to be famed people, achievable and omnipresent and omnipotent yet there are realities whether we really deserve it without working harder.

It is good that the World Health Organisation issued a clarification that it has not given any certification to Patanjali research. Actually, all the TV channels who have been imposing the thuggish Patanjali on us need to explain their conduct. The shouting brigade of Sharmas, Chaudhries, Chaurasias, Dubeys, Tripathis, Devgans must be asked to explain their shameless behavior and being party to defame our country and dupe the people for buying a fake vaccine.

Indian Medical Association has sought clarification from Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan. IMA is rightly shocked and we are happy that it showed some spine at the moment when the Minister who himself is a well known doctor is seen in promoting a product which is neither certified nor scientific. IMA said, “Being the Health Minister of the country, how justified is it to release such falsely fabricated unscientific products to people of the whole country…can you clarify the time frame, timeline for the so-called clinical trial of this said anti-corona product?”

“The country needs an explanation from the minister. The Indian Medical Association will also write to National Medical Commission seeking suo moto explanation for his blatant disrespect to the code of conduct of Medical Council of India,” the IMA said.

We demand a ban on Patanjali products for persistently spreading fake and malicious propaganda regarding its product and violating all the business and medical ethics. The government must investigate the Patanjali products as well as its commercial practices to find whether or not they violate norms and ethics? The two ministers M/s Nitin Gadakari and Dr Harshvardhan must explain their presence at the ceremony and should completely dissociate themselves with such unethical behaviour. Let us see whether the two ministers have the courage and conviction to do so?

Related:

IMA questions Health Minister’s support to Ramdev’s Coronil

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On the morning of May 24, 2020, the body of Banarasi Mushahar was found on the road near a village school in Koilaswa, in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh. On the other side of the road, his severely injured friend Ram Preet who had joined him last night, was discovered lying unconscious. They had left home together the previous night. 

Village Pradhan Keshav Yadav called the police, who soon came to the conclusion that both the men had consumed Toddy (a local alcohol) which resulted in a brawl between the two in which Banarasi Mushahar got killed and Rampreet got injured.

However, Banarasi Mushahar’s family has refused to accept this theory and sought justice. They feel Ram Preet, who belongs to the Nat community, is being falsely implicated in the case and that the crime may have actually been committed by the village strongmen. 

In this interview Mushahar’s widow Raj Mati Devi says that she has not got the chargesheet of the case, and does not know what is happening as she says police never bothered to come to her village and ask the family any questions about the case.

Other pieces by Vidya Bhushan Rawat:

Covid snatches another Ambedkarite: Charles Wesley Meesa no more!
U Sambasivarao: Tribute to a great Bahujan visionary
Tribute to Dr Vijayam
Sadanand Fulzale passes away at 93

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The death of 20 soldiers on the Indo Chinese border at the LAC during the ‘de-escalation’ of the forces is shocking to say the least. The incident is reported to have taken place during the intervening night of June 15 and 16, and as per reports not a single bullet was fired. The government did not say anything except that during the day the army made a Press Release  suggesting that a violent face-off happened in the middle of the night June 15-16 between Indian and Chinese troops in which two soldiers and one colonel of Indian army were killed. After day long speculation, there was another press release suggesting that 20 Indian soldiers have been killed in the scuffle and 43 Chinese men too were either hurt or killed.

There were reports of Chinese aggression in Doklam, Sikkim about a couple of years back and that time too it was reported that both the armies were fighting hand to hand with each other but then the ‘political diplomacy’ of both the government continued. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been over eager to welcome Chinese Prime Minister Xi Jinping. Chinese backstabbing has always been like that and one should not forget what happened in 1964. India and China were supposed to be great friends and slogans like Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai were the order of the day. Chinese premier had visited India and was welcomed here. Attacking Indian side and then blaming being attacked is the favorite Chinese position. Since 1964, the situation was tense but no fire was shot except in 1975 as Ajay Shukla writes in the Business Standard saying that “This is the first deadly clash on the 3,488-kilometre disputed border since four Assam Rifles jawans were ambushed and killed by Chinese border guards in October 1975”.

Fact of the matter is that the Chinese government realises the international importance of these locations. They want to surround India and reach out to all our neighboring countries with whom the current government has not been able to maintain a cordial relationship. Our phobia with Pakistan notwithstanding, we actually harmed our relationship with a trusted friend like Bangladesh as well as Nepal. China is actually reaching out to all the countries including Sri Lanka. Of course, Pakistan is already warming up to China and is keen because of its own insecurities from the current Indian dispensation. China is actually building up an ambitious plan to expand its economy and it will not want India in an equal partnership. Diplomatically too, Chinese seems to be succeeding because of the complete failure, as our diplomacy faces a tough task because of the internal issues which have become externalised or internationalist. Right from CAA, issues of religious minorities, suppression of dissenters and human rights defenders have already attracted international attention. The unilateral attitude shown by India on Jammu and Kashmir issue without taking into confidence the local leadership of the region is also well known to the international community. Diplomacy has to be left to the Foreign Ministry but when the Ministry is over burdened with defending the indefensible at the international forums particularly related to issues in India, then, one has to assume how the situation is.

Right now there was no proper communication as how can we say our Jawans were killed in de-escalation’. Indian government must not hide facts. Newspapers have reported how China has occupied 60 square kilometer of Indian territory. A report published by prestigious UK daily The Telegraph on June 12th, 2020 says, “China has occupied more than sixty square kilometres of Indian territory in eastern Ladakh, according to a senior Indian Army source, in a dramatic escalation of the simmering tension between the two Asian superpowers. The Daily Telegraph can reveal that up to 12,000 Chinese troops pushed over the border into India last month amid border clashes as Beijing looks to slap down Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his ever-closer relationship with the United States.”

Those who spoke about these things in India were trolled by the Bhakts in the media as well as on social media. We were informed that the talks are going on at the top level of military leadership and that both sides have agreed to ‘de-escalation’. Actually, these are official fauzi terms. But how come a de-escalation is becoming violent? And we need to explore this issue. It means that Chinese are not ready to leave the area which they have occupied and perhaps want Indians to push further. And it can be clearly found in a categorical tweet by former Chief of Indian army General Ved Malik, who paid a rich tribute to Col Santosh Babu who was killed. General Malik’s tweet actually explains everything. He tweeted, “Exemplary duty & commitment! Col Santosh Babu went by PLA’s disengagement assurance given on 6 Jun. His task was to ensure the PLA vacated the violated post in Galwan Valley. Ambushed & killed in action when he led patrol to oversee vacation. Salute to the brave heart! Condolences to family”.

It is a clear indication that Chinese have acquired some area in the Galwan Valley which is Indian territory. It means that even after the talks, the Chinese were not ready to leave their occupied territory. The other factor is that the Chinese have already built up a massive presence of their ‘People’s Liberation Army’. Now, the question is whether India will accept the terms and conditions without getting its territory ?

Chinese know well about our ‘nationalist’ media and while we have reported deaths, they have refused to do so under the pretext that we don’t want to escalate tension. So, the Chinese politics is that of aggression and then claim victimhood of Indian aggression.

Back home, look at the media. If this was an issue with Pakistan, our government and our media would have launched an all out offensive. People would have thronged at the street, Modi and Shah would have spoken and retired generals with high voltage volume would have cried to take over Lahore but in case of China, they are quiet and don’t want to discuss the issue. War cries with Pakistan are suitable for the political constituency but as far as China is concerned, it might not be electorally beneficial. Moreover, the military might of China has grown enormously. Many generals have spoken that India is not of 1962 but so is true about China which has grown extraordinarily.

Let us hope peace will return at the border but the main question remains whether Chinese have retreated or not from the areas they have occupied. Peace without justice is not possible. India needs to assert and claim.

The post Why conflict during de-escalation at the LOC with China? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Amidst the Corona scare, the one thing that has not stopped in India from doing its work, is the hate mongering by those who were supposed to act as the torch bearers of sanity. That the country is deeply divided, and many want it to do so because their politics flourish on these deep rooted divisions. Never had we seen such filth and garbage being placed on the platter at 9 pm shows as is being today. The TV anchors have been virtually fighting against each other, and become the spokes-persons of the political parties mainly the ruling party. Even the spokes-person still speak better as being political means the opponents are not your enemy but Arnab Goswami allegedly offers his ‘clients’ reportage that is full of racists, casteist and communal bigotry. In any country, where rule of law function, this man would have ceased to be called a journalist long ago, but it is in India where he is not merely being encouraged but perhaps being given new ideas.



Is Arnab the new face of politics in India? Will the politics be defined by such anchors who will make the political opponents look petty and small. I think the answer lies in yes. Anyone, who has seen shows of these garbage producers can vouch that they have nothing but hatred and therefore work against the spirit of the constitution of India. It look that they feel that there is no end to their power hence they are ready to go to any extreme.



I may and may not agree with the Congress Party or Sonia Gandhi, but the language of Arnab Goswami is despicable to say the least. It is open defamation. He has TV channel so he is being allowed to say anything. Why is the ruling party behaving in such a way even in these times of crisis. Will the BJP, its leaders, our honorable Ministers speak up against such defamatory language ? Will they condemn such media ? Is it a deliberate encouragement to destablise the Maharashtra government ?



I don’t think they will, because since 2014, he has been allowed to go on rampage and speak whatever he wish to. FIR being filed against those who are bringing to the people the public issues. People are facing draconian laws for their ideologies and perceptions. Even in this crisis, when nation need to be one we are witnessing charges against media persons while those who are abusing and openly threatening people on social media as well as their media channels are roaming free and shouting louder.



The most depressing thing is that there seems to be no recourse, neither national nor international. Every institution has its own limitations and perhaps the thin line of demarcation between the executive and this autonomous institution is now completely diminished. It look all ‘autonomous’ institutions have now become part of the executive and government. That is the ‘biggest’ ‘achievement’ of the government.



Electronic channels have almost zero credibility, and most of them are providing shield to the political masters and giving ‘ideas’ to their ‘devotees’ to defend them. The business dealers who own them enjoy more power. Media was called watch dog of the government but now it has become watch dog of the intellectuals and opposition parties. That is another achievement of the ‘democratic’ India. The virus of communalism, hatred, bigotry and racism has now entered into the mind of the people and they don’t think twice before they push their forward button or approval.



World over, people are getting united in these times of crisis. We need to stand together to overcome this crisis. Doctors, scientists are working over night to ensure that people are saved from the pandemic. They speak of physical distancing but building social solidarity but here in India where we are still much better off and hopefully so in dealing with it along with other South Asian nations, this crisis has left us more divided. Was it not the duty of media to build the bridges but rather it has become habitual of finding a Muslim angle to every crisis that India is finding. At the time, when media and saner voices should have used their medium to heal people from deep rooted scars and prejudices, we are finding that they want to deepen these prejudices for ever. It is deeply painful and disturbing. Now as we feel deeply helpless in this situation when courts have no time and media unable to take a stand against such garbage, we can only wait that good sense will prevail as the hatred might inflict scars on the opponents or victims but it will not leave the perpetrators too from its negative impact. We sincerely hope that political class and particularly the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting categorically call out such filth, otherwise the damage on our society as well as polity will be irreparable.

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Today India proudly celebrates the 129th birth anniversary of one of its greatest icons of all time, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. For millions, Dr Ambedkar is not merely a political head or a leader, but part of their daily lives, the first name that they utter when they wake up in the morning and before going to sleep at night. Such has been his impact in our socio-cultural-political life, that those who opposed him and can never really follow his words and philosophy, are today actually trying to portray them ‘better’ Ambedkarites.

No other political figure or social icon has touched lives of Indians as powerfully as Baba Saheb Ambedkar has, and therefore this will be for the first time when people are compelled to stay indoors under the compelling circumstances. Otherwise the crowds that throng to various places in India particularly at the Parliament Street, are worth watching. It is a cultural event when you will find books, literature, music and everything which can describe an Ambedkar Samaj, as my respected friend late N G Uke used to say.

So, this year is unusual as people will not be able to pay their floral tribute to Baba Saheb Ambedkar at the parliament House but thanks to technology Ambedkarites are defining new ways to remember him. As I said, frankly, in the lives of millions of people, Dr Ambedkar is very much alive in their heart, in their home and in their memory. The fact is that Dr Ambedkar grew in stature and popularity every year and even in these dark times, it his thoughts and courage of convictions that inspire us to move forward. We cannot ignore the vital factor that during the anti CAA protests, student protests and all the protests for the rights of the people, the Constitution became the most powerful instrument of solidarity and unity of the people of India. I don’t think in any part of the world, people are so attached to a Constitution that they used it so powerfully symbolically in their protests. 

When the protests were at the peak, we saw the carefully orchestrated violence in Delhi resulting in the deaths of so many people and systematic looting and damaging of property of the Muslims in particular. And now we have the lock-down due to Corona. Unfortunately, those who have blood on their hands, want to give a ‘conspiracy’ angle to every event and therefore converting the whole failure of the system of governance into an artificial villain. Fake news is being produced and spread everywhere, threatening to blow the very edifice of our social political and cultural space. The idea of India as espoused by our constitutional forefathers and defined by Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, is under the grave threat and therefore we need to be cautious and alert to defend it at any cost.

The world is facing this huge crisis to its order. Obviously, this is a man-made crisis. Our life style, our rabid exploitation of nature and bio-diversity, everything is retaliating. It is a warning to all of us to mend our ways. It is an opportunity for all of us to build a new society based on the principals of equality and fraternity as Baba Saheb Ambedkar wanted, a Prabudhdh Bharat i.e enlightened India.

World over, crisis is an opportunity. Look at the speech delivered by Boris Johnson where he mentions the names of two nurses from New Zealand and Portugal who served him so well through the National Health Services of UK. We know this National Health Service has more than 40% immigrant workers who have dedicated their lives for the protection of the people. Today, UK is more united to face the Coronavirus pandemic and thanks to National Health Services, people are realizing its importance and accepting the role played by the immigrants there. A number of very senior doctors originally hailing from Africa and Asia particularly Bangladesh, Pakistan and India laid down their life in protecting people and fighting against Corona but unfortunately in India Corona was communalized and Muslims were targeted. Sadly, the role of Indian media has been terrible and absolutely racist and reactionary in this regard. It is not merely the dirty tricks but it created frenzy where the poor face the worst ostracisation. Reports are coming in that the upper caste people who are quarantined at some facilities in various places have refused to eat food cooked by Dalit cooks.  There are still prejudices prevailing in the society. We were never divided that much as we stand today.

While we do understand the importance of unity in these trying times, how is it possible without a show of gesture by the so-called dominant forces? How will there be unity when people face caste-based discrimination and the food is not taken? How will we have unity when the fake whatsapp messages are being delivered and created to vilify communities and people.

The Corona crisis has exposed the hollowness of those who seek ‘divine’ intervention for everything. It has exposed the hollowness of the religious groups who can only work as charities now, as it is the medical science which will do the needful. And when we see doctors of diverse faith and ethnicities working overnight and breaking the walls of prejudices to serve the people, it is time, the politicians too understand that.  The role of media in these critical times is not merely to report ‘positive’ stories which they must but also report the gaps, the discrimination and the issues of the medical fraternity. Media should also expose the corruption as the crises are the best period for many to mint money as this is an ‘opportunity’ for those.  Media can’t just remain the public relations broadcaster of the ruling party. If that is the case then all the shops must be shut and let Doordarshan and All India Radio do the work because even today they are far superior to those shouting brigades which are creating hatred and panic.

It is in this regard, we feel disturbed that the Uttar Pradesh police filed cases against Mr Siddhartha Vardarajan, founder Editor of The Wire, one of the finest online news portals. When the ‘manustream’ media surrendered, it is portals like The Wire that provided us hope about news. We may agree and may not agree with everything that the Wire publishes, but I don’t think a tweet posted by Vardrajan deserve a police intimidation and FIR. If he misquoted chief minister, I am sure, CM’s office could have written the rejoinder and if he had not published, they could have gone to the Press Council or even to the court. Filing of criminal cases is nothing but an intimidating exercise. We hope the courts will take cognizance of this and trash the FIR.

The other dangerous thing is the attempt to frame Dr Anand Teltumbde, one of the most respected scholars of our time. Again, one may or may not agree with his view points, but none can ever doubt his integrity. He is a scholar and not a gunman that the intelligence is trying to project. If the independent voices are arrested and framed then there is no way out. Though Anand is related to Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, he never ever used this in his writings and public life. He is a thoroughly independent person whose critical analysis is respected by his opponents too. When we celebrate Dr Ambedkar’s birthday, it will be the supreme irony that a leading scholar of our country will be surrendering in the court as all his efforts to get bail got rejected. We have read his daughter’s article with deep anguish and pain about their parents’ mental agony.

Today, Anand wrote an appeal to the nation as he knows despite his convictions, he is now feeling deeply dejected and hopeless. A person of his repute and conviction when face such crisis which was unimaginable for him and his colleague, can face such. It was ironical that Supreme Court was releasing many others due to Corona threat but Anand at 65 is being jailed. It is so sad that when everything in the country is locked down, the police and security agencies are still finding time to shut down the voices of dissent.

Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar was the biggest dissenter of his time. Today, the Hindutva brigade too is shouting ‘Jai Bheem’. Today, the prime minister will pay his ‘tribute’ to Dr Ambedkar. Respecting Dr Ambedkar is respecting Indian constitution and demolition of caste system. Respecting Dr Ambedkar means respecting dissent as he often quoted Voltaire. He said that India need Voltaire who can speak with conviction. If the government is serious about respecting Dr Ambedkar, it must adhere to directive principles of Constitution, strengthen our public sector, engage in constructive dialogue with all political forces in the country, not consider dissent as being anti-national or anti constitution and respect India’s minority’s rights.

For all those who are celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti, I would request to stay in but not keep silent. Speak up against wrongs. Stand up against superstitions and caste discrimination. A true Ambedkarite will never remain silent against injustice as without dealing with gross violation of human rights, you can’t build a humane society with fraternity.  Respect for all those who are working round the clock for the well-being of the people. Let us respect doctors, health workers, sanitation workers and other officials, civil society organisations, community workers are working day in and out to protect us. Wish all good health and protection and hope that this Ambedkar Jayanti will give us new thought to rebuild our society based on love and affection, on equality of human being without any discrimination. Let us celebrate the life of Dr Ambedkar by following his ideals and acting on them.

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Today, India remembers Kanshiram Saheb on what would have been his 87th birthday. His followers, admirers, friends and political scientists will all remember him. His presence, from the Indian political horizon, is missed desperately. Particularly by the Bahujan movement which is facing an extreme political crisis in the absence of growing expectations of the masses and the utter failure of political parties, particularly those which claim a Bahujan legacy, to respond to these.

In it’s second term, the Narendra Modi government has been on stage two of an all out war with the opposition and Indian citizens who have stood against the various policies of this government. The aim of the ruling party people is to discredit political dissenters by dubbing them anti national. Specific actions of this government that have resulted in nationwide disquiet but which failed to evince a strong response from parties like the BSP (which was founded by Manyawar Kanshiram) need to be critiqued.

But before that, the re construction of the Bahujan world, a concept that Kanshiram had built so laboriously, travelling across the country, bringing so many diverse communities to one platform, giving them home and aspirations. This was unparalleled. 

Those Indians who had never tasted power even at the Panchayat level rose to become leaders of consequence, were made to contest from unreserved constituencies and won these elections! toSuch voices face extinction now as the power of money dominates! Political leaders misuse the term, ‘ I am opportunist’ remarked upon by Kanshiram Saheb to suit their own corrupt practices. It was clear when he used the term opportunist that for the welfare of his people he was ready to go to any extent–building alliances with forces etc– but none can ever blame him either for being monetarily corrupt or for not working towards the consolidation of the interests of the Bahujan Samaj. 

The BSP, as a political party came out from a powerful Bahujan movement with strong Ambedkarite leanings and therefore the expectations of the common people today are similar as they used to be in the days of its birth and growth. 

In the greater interest of the people, we therefore say, do not kill the party or weaken it but play a bigger role in democratising it and making the leadership understand that people are expecting the top leadership to respect their sentiments.

Things have changed now. We can not have same sets of standards. When Kanshiram Saheb started his movement, his faith lay with his people, Ambedkarites in unknown villages and towns who joined him and trusted him. That trust was never betrayed and people got space in the leadership spectrum. He nurtured them. Today, it is the youth of India that have been crying and speaking up against the anti people policies of this government. 

The Universities are being targeted, reservation is under the threat, political dissent being crushed, there is a lock down in Jammu and Kashmir with more than 7000 political activists –including former chief ministers in jail — and there has not been a significant response from this Bahujan political leadership. The silence or the calculated silence on anti CAA, anti NPR-NRC protests as well as on the question of targeted violence against Muslims —by the police both in Delhi as well as Uttar Pradesh — should have evoked a sharp, political response. There has been, instead, a studied silence.

There has been no attempt from the Bahujan leadership to reach out to communities which reflects the ideological crisis of the leadership. 

Why we say this is not only because Ambedkarites do not suffer from ideological inefficiencies like the brahmanical secular sections with their ‘balancing’ act of ‘sarv-dharm-sambhav’.  For us, the Bahujan, secularism is making spaces for the most marginalised, respecting the  Constitution and de-brahmanising political forums and cultural spaces. We all know that the protests against CAA, all over India showed how the country was embracing Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar and his thoughts. How people were finding that Ambedkarism and his progressive, democratic ideas are the only way to fight against brahmanical hegemony and their methods to divide people through creating false narratives. Ambedkarites actually know these narratives better than any one else in India because they are in the best position to expose them.

But this opportunity has been allowed to slip. The breaking up of alliance with Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh was a big set back. It is a well known fact that it was the BSP which gained most from such an alliance. Akhilesh Yadav had shown a lot respect to the BSP. His ability and capacity to understand Dr Ambedkar and his philosophy made him a better politician. I have been a critique of Samajwadi Party’s campaign attempt against Dr Ambedkar in the past when the party tried to pitch Lohia against Dr Ambedkar. The fact is Lohia wanted Dr Ambedkar to be the leader of a united opposition. For all these misadventures, the alliance between Samajwadi Party and BSP could have worked as it ignited the caders of both the parties and they felt that the good old days of ‘mile mulayam kanshiram, hawaa ho gaye jaishree ram’ will return. 

While both parties failed before the corrosive onslaught of the BJP with its divisive campaign, the breaking up of an alliance unilaterally by the BSP was the bigger jolt. It trashed all the hopes of the people who felt that the combined strength and longer term coalition of the Bahujan is the only guarantee to defeat the brahmanical forces, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

Now, we hear that another party is being launched today. I am not a fan of party politics but somewhere these developments reflect the 

failures of the BSP leadership to handle challenges with care. Now, if Chandrashekar Azad forms a party, this can only damage BSP in Uttar Pradesh. It will be difficult to re-build both the confidence and brand like the BSP. Which is why I am of the opinion that it is the BSP leadership that must introspect and include young leaders within its fold particularly those Ambedkarites who are emerging from the Universities. Provide them space, not necessarily a party ticket but send them to work among communities, build up and support cultural spaces and social movements. Keep critiques close or atleast  read them as ‘bhakts’ only damage the party. Psychophants never give the correct picture of the masses who are getting increasingly disillusioned.

It is time the BSP re-dedicates itself to the philosophy of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar by reaching out to the masses as Manywar Kanshiram Saheb had done by travelling across the length and breadth of the country . Can the new young aspiring leaders of party be asked to make a move, leave their Scorpios and pick up a cycle or walk through the dusty lanes and wadas and tolas  of the villages to connect to the people and assure them that the party stands with them and to uphold their rights? While a lot of time has been wasted, yet, all is not lost. Nor the battle over. Can the BSP leadership rise above itself? 

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The world’s two biggest and greatest democracies are exhibiting their strength today, in the most undemocratic way. Gun-trotting policemen and security agencies will cover the entire Ahmadabad today, particularly the routes where Donald Trump and Narendra Modi are holding a ‘roadshow‘. Here, people cannot move around freely but can only come and go at the whims of the rulers. Trump is expecting 10 million people on the road. Perhaps, he wish to see and ‘cherish’ India’s millions, as he has mentioned this figure on a number of occasions, on his twitter handle and to the crowd of Republicans in the United States.

Both the leaders are ‘loudspeakers’ and love themselves too much. They speak of their ‘country first’ and nothing else. Just as Modi is a great Hindu, Trump is a great Christian and feels that India must favour America, while Indians feel that they will do more than what they can to please the Americans. Indian right-wingers, even in the heyday of the Cold War, never liked our proximity to Soviet Union and always wanted to be ‘acknowledged’ by the Americans.

Today, when the American President is here, we can see a clear reflection of what Baba Saheb Ambedkar had said about our society long back. He had said that this society cannot treat anyone as equal, because it believes in ‘the ascending order of reverence and the descending order of contempt’. President Trump would get to see ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam’ for which India is known, but here too, we always ’embrace’ the guests, provided they are ‘white skinned’ and have ‘dollors’ in their pocket. Our Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam is never meant for those who are considered to be ‘below’ us. The Wall of Shame and Contempt that has been erected from the airport till the Motera Stadium only shows how we try to cover up our poverty. If the Gujarat government was so anxious that Trump should not watch the poverty, then actually, it exists in the minds of the policy planners.

For the last few days, there have been many stories of shame coming from Gujarat, but neither the media nor the political leadership in Gujarat and at the national level bothered about them. The girls in a college in Bhuj were humiliated, and the hostel warden asked them to remove their cloths so that she could check whether they were menstruating or not. Similar news reports have come from Surat, where the Surat Municipal Corporation-run state government hospital had a fitness test for women probationers after three years. These women were humiliated in public, as an outdated and rejected finger-test was done on them to check their ‘fitness’. The women were standing naked for nearly two hours. Think of the trauma and humiliation they underwent. It is reported that nearly 400 women were made to suffer this utter humiliation.

The question is why has there been not much hue and cry? Why Gujaratis, who are so internationally aware, do not even feel shame over it? Why have they keep quiet? They have been very vocal about Hindutva and its defence.

If reports are to be believed, such a humiliating practice of checking women’s fitness exists, and it only got exposed when some of the women, who felt humiliated, reported to some of their friends and colleagues, while many refused to go for the ‘fitness’ test out of fear of humiliation.

The other day, we found reports of the same kind of humiliation experienced by the girl students in a technical institute of Bhuj, which is being run by the Swaminarayan people. (Actually, it is their duty to explain whether they still feel that women are impure because they menstruate.) We also heard about some of the parents defending it, as they felt that it is better to face some humiliation, rather than their daughter getting into a relationship, and then getting pregnant. It is deeply disturbing to hear such kinds of narratives, but what is more shameful is the silence of the state and the media, virtually not making it an issue at all. Political opposition has become virtually bankrupt in ideas, as it does not raise these issues.

Violence against Dalits is quite high in Gujarat, and there appears to be a pattern to it in the form of economic boycott, so that people cannot raise their heads. For the last many days, young SC-ST-OBC students and aspirants for government jobs have been sitting in protest at Gandhi Nagar, against the failure of the state government to honestly implement the reservation policy, but it has not got any support from the media or the political class.

Now, Gujarat is ‘welcoming’ Donald Trump and we say ‘athithi devo bhav’ but we cannot allow our poor people to come out on the street and welcome the ‘guests’. Gujarat model is basically successful in hiding the dirty realities of the state, its below-standard education system, its highly caste- prejudiced societies and in handing over public land to a few cronies, some of whom may be at the dinner table tonight, rubbing their shoulders with global business and political elite.

We hope that one day, the international media will find time and space to discuss this model of ‘development’, which isolates millions for the happiness and success of a few. Those, who will be travelling in the cavalcade from the Airport to the Motera Stadium, should find time to just cross the wall and meet the people, who have been  declared as ‘unseeable’ by the Gujarat government, and listen to their pains and agonies. The wall, constructed along the entire way, is the wall of not merely shame, but hidden apartheid that exists in our villages everywhere and must be exposed now.

Democracy will only be a hypocrisy as long as such walls exist.

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Deeply disturbing scenes of violence in East Delhi are floating since yesterday where over 5 persons have been killed including one policeman of Delhi police in the violence. We dont know whether they were killed in violence or police firing but according to police, section 144 has been imposed in about 10 locations of Eastern Delhi like Mauzpur, Babarpur, Seelampur, Jafarabad and other adjoining areas. The burning of cars, of market, and massive mobilisation of people as well as stones reflect a well planned strategy to defame the protests against CAA.

As we know that the protests against the CAA in Delhi and rest of the country have been by and large peaceful with protesters sitting on a Dharana holding Constitution of India, chanting slogans for India’s unity and protecting our constitution and taking inspiration from the founding fathers of our constitution. The power of these protests is that they are being led by women who are not merely listeners but leaders too and want to negotiate on their own. The role of clergy has been diminished and traditional netas too are sidelined. Moreover, a new young dynamic leadership is emerging particularly among the Muslims. This is also a fact that most of the women would not have taken to protest if there were no distress and feeling of helplessness. What is the option other than peaceful protest and engaging with others. Shaheen Bagh that was eye opening and a celebration of our peaceful protests and engagement with fellow citizens when the state abdicated its responsibility.

Now many Shaheen Baghs have emerged in India and people are redefining protest movement which are peaceful and effective but then this is the thing which is hated by the hate monger on the opposite side. Government, it seems, is clearly rattled by these protests though determined not to acknowledge them. There is no concern, no seriousness and no attempt to reach out to the people and clarify about the CAA-NPR-NRC. Instead, the favorite Sanjay Gandhi model has been found the most useful where the ruling party encourages a militia of goons chanting Bharat mata kee jai slogan and actively assisted by the police in intimidating others.

There is no denying fact that BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s open threat and challenge to police that they wont care any one including the police if the roads are not cleared in next two three days aggravated the situation. What was more disturbing that Kapil Mishra, notorious for his goondaism, foul mouth has got all legitimacy from the top leadership of the BJP and that he can abuse all protesters in the presence of a senior police officer shows his ‘power’ and ‘connection’. It also look that Kapil Mishra is unable to digest his defeat and undeterred despite Election Commission’s chiding him he continue to spew poison every time he opens his mouth perhaps knowing fully well as that alone is the ‘biggest’ ‘quality’ to reach at the top of the party leadership.

No action was taken against Kapil Mishra till date and now the when we see the flames of hatred sweeping in the north Eastern Delhi, where police was also seen pelting stones, the pattern is clearly visible. Make the peaceful protests as ‘clashes’ and convert as if there are fighting both the side. Everywhere, there is the same pattern which make police and administration to look Muslims as if they are not Indian citizen. The whole pattern of reporting and looking this from that ‘angle’ where police has to ‘stand’ with the ‘deshbhakt goons’.

A theory is being floated that these disturbances are aimed at embarrassing India in front of Donald Trump, during his visit. In this global age, people know everything as what is happening and most of the time international media is reporting in a much better and detailed way than our propagandist channels. Secondly, why was Kapil Mishra allowed to go without arrest when he threatened dire consequences. Who is he. He cant be allowed with these threats. It is here our constitutional bodies have to act and arrest him. There is no statement by the prime minister or home minister while the Minister of State for home is blaming Rahul Gandhi for the death of police constable. Now, these are familiar tricks to get away from accountability as what is the MHA doing in this regard. Rather than seriously pondering over the situation and introspecting what happened and how to stop this poison, the government it seems, deliberately want to prolong it to polarise the entire nation so that they can enjoy the fruits of hatred.

A Times of India reporter reported how for the entire day slogans of Jai Shri Ram were provocatively being used on the loudspeakers in the Mauzpur area. Why has police allowed this ? When people were being targeted on the basis of their identity and shops were put on flames after carefully. 

Delhi Minorities Commission, Chairperson Dr Zafarul Islam Khan wrote in his facebook post that Muslim localities are being targeted and that police need to protect people and arrest armed goons roaming around and vandalising properties. Sadly, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has not uttered a word except showing his utter ‘helplessness’. 

Can a chief minister who won with massive mandate keep quiet and not make any efforts to bring sanity and peace. Is this entire issue merely a law and order issue or the time has come for the Central government to speak to the people and do it. How long will we allow this to happen ? Can the government just get out of it by blaming the opposition and terming the protests as anti national and by encouraging the goons to abuse the opponents of CAA.

When media does not ask questions to the power, when the police behave like a militia, when the judges sing hosannas to the power and when extra-constitutional authorities dictate us right and wrong, then, we must assume that institutions have virtually collapsed and except for ‘event management’ nothing working. They have kept conspicuous silence or targeting the opponents as if they are not the citizens of the country and have no right to speak. The Supreme Court is hearing the petition on Shaheen Bagh Protests but why protests be looked in isolation and not linked to the CAA. The delays on part of courts are aggravating the anxiety of the people as how long will we all live in this uncertainty when political executive think that dissent is seditious and anti national. Supreme Court has defined it many times and now judges are speaking such as Justice D Y Chandrachood and Justice Deepak Gupta who have clearly mentioned that democracy is not majoritarianism and that dissent is essential for a robust democracy but then everything is bad if issues are not decided on time when people need it. Supreme Court must take up the issue when Parliament has not been able to have a meaningful discussion and Parliamentary debates these days are not to discuss and reach to a consensus but mostly ‘laffazi’ to get clapping from the respective bhakts and chamchas of netas so we dont expect much from them at the moment. Delay in deciding these issues by the Court is hurting the very foundation of our secular republic.

We all need to join hand and save the republic before it is too late to douse the flames of hatred. Violence must be stopped and is no justification for anything. Police too must act impartially and take strict action against those spreading hatred and rumors. Our republican values, democracy and diversity is under the threat and it is our national duty to protect our nation which only possible by peace and communal harmony among all the citizens. Pushing one citizen against other and creating fears in the minds of people who do not belong to your faith or identity is no nationalism but an anti national act. Any one who is trying to divide India is acting against our national interest. Let all of us arise and awake so that no force can divide on the basis of our religious, caste and ethnic identities which are personal. We must protect India and feel proud of it as an Indian citizen. We appeal to all people to remain peaceful and isolate those elements who spread hatred and are violent as it will  bring no solution for any one whether pro or anti CAA. Let peace and sanity prevail and we fight our battles democratically and peacefully till people get justice. 

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