My take on-Lest we crawl(IE dated 25th March 2017

Subject: My take on’ Lest we crawl’

My take on- ‘Lest we crawl’-TIE dated 25^th March by Fali Nariman

There are some contradictions in the article because on one side the legal luminary cautions us that the

‘task of preserving our non-sectarian Constitution is too important to be left to courts’.

While agreeing to this I have a problem on accepting the Constitution as ‘non-sectarian’,

We have glibly often fallen upon the Constitution –to uphold is-as the bulwark of democracy.

In the same paper there is a front line heading, ‘SC puts its foot down, rejects Govt plan to veto postings on security grounds’. So shall we entrust the country’s internal security to the judiciary though we can’t entrust them with the task of preserving our non-sectarian Constitution?

Nariman has succinctly placed before the readers why we cannot leave the task of preserving our ‘non-sectarian Constitution’ to the courts by citing two instances-During the internal Emergency while nine of the High courts saved the day in protecting citizens freedom-only to be over ruled by bench of the highest court, (the majority 4-1) through Chief Justice A.N.Ray had glibly said that liberty was the gift of the law, and by the law it could be taken away. Hence we should be grateful to the judiciary who has gifted us with liberty and at whose fancy that gift can be taken away.Where does the Constitution and the non-sectarian constitution come. Liberty is conditioned to the rule of the judiciary that is how I understand Chief Justice Ray’s pronouncement. I fully agree with Fali Nariman in this context that we can’t entrust the judiciary with the task of preserving the ‘non-sectarian’ Constitution. The other instance which Nariman cites is how when the municipal councilors of Bombay were detained under MISA .A writ petition was filed in the Bombay High Court which found it reasonable and allowed the detainees to vote. This was reported in the newspapers. The following day the Solicitor General of India appeared in the SC and orally asked the judges for a stay. This was granted which resulted in the Congress nominee for mayor elected. Had the detainees been permitted the Congress would have lost the mayoral election. This reminds one of Indira Gandhi’s call for a ‘committed judiciary’. And there it was.(What strikes me is the fact that the Congress which now cries of Constitutional breakdown in the recent  Manipur and Goa election has had its ‘Hand’ dirtied right from the beginning. Its history of breaking and bending the Constitution and the Judiciary to serve its own vested interest was not only habitual but even a way of functioning for that party. I wish Rahul Gandhi and his chelas would read, recollect their deceptive sordid history and stop throwing stones at others.)Again I fully endorse the stand of Fali Nariman-that the ‘non-sectarian constitution cannot be entrusted to the judiciary.

My problem arises with the word ‘non-sectarian Constitution’ which the learned legal luminary had used. To me an ordinary citizen with no legal background except some knowledge of social legislations this is far from correct. The Constitution has not fallen from heaven. It was scripted by the leaders of those days whose perspective was different-whose experience was different and whose future world was limited -the ethos of the country- the aspirations were totally different. Their perspective too was limited-After all they were not all knowing and all seeing politicians. Sabbath is made for man and man is not made for Sabbath. The Constitution is not something that should not be changed-amended-it has been amended hundreds of times to suit the politicians. For example does the Constitution allow salaries and perks to the elected representatives of the people- MPs and MLAs. If the Constitution is secular what kind of secularism do we follow when we swear by it? First the constitution drafters did not include the word ‘Secular’ it was injected by Indira Gandhi with a purpose.

I fail to understand and comprehend the kind of secularism the so called secularists preach and practise. If I am a good Christian I am a secularist-if one is a good Hindu then one is communal. No matter what kind of secularism one adopts one cannot overlook the other Fundamental Rights which calls for Equality. A glaring example -How can the inclusion of Minority Rights made the Constitution secular? Are the Minorities not Indian citizens-why should they be given special rights to manage and administer their institutions in the name of religion? And in today’s world education institutions are just money spinning business enterprises. Do you need to use religion to confer such Rights? Is it not discriminatory? Then again why are the Imams given salaries for performing their religious duties? Why the Muslims should be allowed to be governed by the shariat and their personal laws. Is this secularism? How can there be meaningful and valid secularism when there is no acceptance of a Common Civil Code. The bias of the media and so called secularists are unjust and discriminatory- negating Fundamental Rights- this cannot be over looked. For example after the UP elections there seem to be a kind of heat generation by the ‘secularists’. What is going to become of India if at this rate the Hindus are going to sweep the country into power-this was their fear? It seems to me that the ‘secularists’ want the people to believe that only in their hands the country is safe. This has been proved otherwise. The secularists had only taken the country down the drain-looted and swindled, cheated and betrayed the people. They had only their own vested interest and towards that they craved for power. On the other hand it is clear that the BJP one and only aim is to preserve the unity of the country-bring in development and enrich the prestige and glory of Bharat Mata.It is strange that all the Opposition parties think only they are capable of preserving the ‘secularism’ of the country. And one needs no explanation of the kind of secularism they have preached and upheld. Towards this they all unite. But what a low level of politics these secularists practise–and their leaders indulge in. Look how they abuse the PM a constitutional elected leader of the nation.Mamata Begum calls the PM a devil-the upstart Kejriwal called him a psychopath -Mulayam Yadav said he is a goon-and of course the abuse and denigrating of the PM started with Sonia Gandhi who called him merchant of death, the buffoon Rahul Gandhi accused him as khoon ka dalali-not to be left out the convict who is on bail-Lalu Prasad Yadav had the use of a helicopter only to abuse the PM. What kind of secularists are these? What kind of secularism are they promising the nation that they will uphold? Stooping to this level can the country be safe in their hands. The problem with them is that they are terribly afraid of Modiji and hence resort to third degree hitting below the belt. But in all these Modiji rose like a sphinx. He showed that though he was only a chai wallah he has class-The country is fed up of these secularists and non-sectarians and see through their dirty games. Hence the cry that only they can uphold secularism  and be non-sectarians and non-communalists is a mirage-a farce and a deception. People are aware of this. On the whole using secularism makes no sense-Why this bias against saffron –when there is no bias against green and blue? Saffron is a rich color and manifest energy and glory. Look at the way Yogi Adhityanath has been dissected when he was elected CM of UP.-will he or will he not-was the litany. How his earlier utterances were analyzed. What about the Muslim hardliners-for example Owaissi. The TV channels call him for airing his opinion. Will the country be safe under persons like him? Will they uphold secularism?

What struck me was even the jurist and senior advocate- Fali Nariman has brought this aspect. ‘We are on the threshold of a Hindu state…We are moving –not towards the soft  Hindutva…… but the hard Hindutva of VD Savarkar and Hindu Rashtra,(state)Hindu Jati(race),and Hindu Sanskirti(culture)’.My stumbling block is in this. Yes the majority of the citizens are Hindus and thanks to their tolerance which is inbuilt in Hindutva all world religions flourished here. So I cannot comprehend the ‘soft’ and the ‘hard’ Hindutva divide which jurist Nariman depicts. Apart from it one must be also concede that the Constitution is no longer secular and non-sectarian-There is deep rooted bias and prejudice against the Hindus with rules and restrictions for them and none for the others. This is apparent when huge open spaces are used by the Muslims to congregate and to worship. The roads are blocked-the air is polluted and daily thrice the loud speakers blast the prayer and namaz. What if the Hindus all their temples follow the same? Can you imagine the ruckus and the confusion it will create? Office time they can be exempted for prayers. This is the kind of secularism and non-sectarianism do we follow. It is really laughable. No country proclaims its secularism and non-sectarianism nor has any country enshrined it in their respective constitutions. But we carry it on our sleeves. Is it not a historical fact that this country had only Hinduism? That is the religion-rather a way of life – which sprung from the soil and the inspirations of the ancients? It has no one and only God-your god and my God. It has only God. It is not an imported religion-it has no book and it has no rules and regulations. It is definitely a way of life-there is no religion as tolerant as the Hindu religion. It is inbuilt within its ethos. This allowed its followers to embrace all people of different religions. Can this be said of other religions-Islam and Christianity.

Which country will tolerate its citizens’ refusal to sing the national anthem and go to court where the Courts give them the freedom to sing or not to sing the National anthem? Which country will tolerate its citizens to hoist other flags-Does Hindu religion impose fatwas? The Hindus have realized that they have been taken for a ride. They are no longer safe in their own country. Their freedom and liberties are restricted under the garb of ‘secularism ‘and non-sectarianism. Why should the Hindu pandits be driven away from their own homes and become refugees in their own homeland-while now even the Rohingas have been allowed refuge in Kashmir.Why has the SC’s order to push out all the illegal Bangladeshis not been implemented? On the other hand they are given ration cards and allowed to remain because they become a vote bank.

It seems to have become a fashion for the so called secularists –artists, film persons and politicians to deride Hinduism and pamper the Muslims. It is only a vote catching gimmick but it does hurt. Tax money of the Hindus are being poured in for development in Kashmir-in subsidizing Haj,(though it is un-Islamic) funding madrasas, salaries for the imams ,for poverty alleviating programs (but FP is not adhered to by the Muslims)–these and more. But not a pie will be touched from the mosques and churches-Is this secularism? The monies of the temples are managed by the Government-Is this secularism and non-sectarianism? How much can one bend and certainly the Hindus cannot be crawling any more. This is the only country in the globe which is the birthplace of Hinduism-.Nobody objects if countries are referred to as Christian countries and Muslim countries but the moment one says this is a Hindu country all hell breaks loose.  Look how the Ramjanmabhommi is being viewed and fought over. It is a historical fact nay truth that this country had only temples from time immemorial- before the Muslim invasions and the Christians entry. Babri Masjid was a much later construction. Hundreds and thousands of temples were destroyed and in its place mosques were built. Mecca and Jerusalem are sacred to the Muslims and Christians similarly Ramjanmabhomi is sacred to the Hindus. Why is it so contentious for the Muslims to give it up and allow a temple to be built? After all is this not a Hindu rastra?

So there should be no problem for true secularists for accepting the fact that this is a Hindu Rastra and there will be Hindu jati and Hindu sanskriti. How does it hurt others? Where can these then be followed- in Pakistan, in the Middle East countries, in Vatican and Italy? Tell me one single country where these can be upheld-it can be only one country and that is India; why then grudge the Hindus and the people of this country their rights. My take is that the Constitution is neither secular nor nonsectarian. Finally there is no ‘soft’ Hindutva and ‘hard’ Hindutva-as Fali Nariman has cautioned.National patriotism cannot be sliced or diced, halved or pieced- kneaded ‘soft’ or ‘hard’. National Patriotism and Liberty-are our birthrights- inherent within every true Indian citizen. We shall not crawl henceforth to uphold this kind of non-sectarianism and secularism.

Dr Mrs Hilda Raja-Vadodara

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OPEN LETTER TO RAHUL GANDHI

 

On Mon, Mar 13, 2017 at 7:13 AM, hilda raja <pachake@yahoo.com> wrote:

Open letter to Rahul Gandhi

I do not think you will even understand the Indian psyche. You have no substance in attacking Modiji.It is only slogans and cheap gimmicks. You also suffer from some kind of obsession-his 57 inches chest. Are you envious of it? You who visit the gym thrice a day give me the impression that you suffer from narcissism. Hence your focus on body .You advice (!) Modiji  to listen to people but when people come to you it seems you are more interested to play with your dogs than give them a patient hearing. Of course you are strutting across the political arena especially when there is dissent, dissatisfaction and problems. You like to fish in troubled waters and foment the agitated people to gain votes and create a mirage. That is pure vested interest .Is no sign of a mature wholesome personality. You cannot look beyond that. Let me tell you that you and the netas like you are such foul mouthed that we are ashamed that you are projected as a leader. You have been repeatedly mentioning the 57 inches chest of Modiji. And think that you are uttering something political relevant and valid. Are you going about with a measuring tape? You threatened to make it 54 inches in Parliament. Who are you to make such a threat? You who cannot even utter some sense seem to make me think that you have  pasta instead of some grey matter in your head act and talk like one lost in the woods. People are shocked that you make such a remark of the PM. You talked of Modiji’s ‘suit boot ka sarkar’.How was your great grandfather dressed with that rose in his button hole. I think you are envious of Modi’s sense of dress and hence stoop to such comments. You and the likes of you cannot tolerate a poor man coming to that level well groomed with a perfect sense of dress – making the country proud. The pity is you think you are a ‘hit’ because of these slogans. Even ordinary high school boys can talk better than you. Take for instance your crocodile tears-standing with the fishermen-When your country cousins shot at the Kerala fishermen where were you? Why had you not shown your solidarity to those grieving? Your father allowed Warren Anderson to flee this country-provided him with a plane and saw to his safe exit from Bhopal after the terrible Bhopal gas leak which left hundreds and hundreds dead and maimed and affected with respiratory diseases. The unborn babies too were affected. So now what right have you to blame Modiji when you carry such a parampara and the sins of your party is on your head. Do not pretend to act innocent.

Check during the UPA regime how many communal riots took place and how many farmers committed suicide. Did your mother or her handpicked puppet of a PM visit them? So what are you now blaming Modiji for? Now you say that Indians are being killed in the US and blame Modi for it.What do you want him to do? On one hand you accuse him as being a dictator who wants to centralize everything. He has his efficient ministers for Home and Foreign Affairs to look into these. The alleged hate killings in the US are not the first of its kind. You need to look into the archives of the media and list out the killings that took place in Australia and the US during your mother unconstitutional regime What did the lame duck of the PM do? You know that you are bereft of any knowledge even of recent happenings. You remarked that Modiji  allowed Vijaya Mallya to loot and run away with the loot. In fact VM looted the country during the UPA government’s non governance. His millions and crores were not made in a two year period and the banks are all nationalized banks so what had the UPA done? Are you ignorant that the country cousin Quottrocchi was allowed to run away with his kickbacks. If you want firsthand information ask Hans Raj Bhardwaj.He will give you the exact details. What a shame for you to have all this and act so brazenly as though the UPA was a model government. If you are ignorant then what rights have you to be a leader? Should you not update yourself. This is not hoary history but recent happenings under your Congress government and the UPA.I suggest that when you periodically take off to your hideouts in foreign countries you can spend time in updating the history of the country-You speak of polarization and poverty .Tell me what is your report card? Your mother and the Congress   have abetted and polarized the people into castes and religious ghettos- for your own vested interest. Look at the number of scams under the UPA and the PM allowed these under his very eyes. when Modij made an apt simile that one should learn the art of bathing with a rain coat without getting wet you could not see the fine-tuned reference to MMSingh not being corrupt but allowing others under him to be. This you turned into a psychological jibe by twisting it into the ‘peeping tom’ category. Are you sick and now Lalu Prasad – one who has been convicted and is on bail repeats the same? Are  you not aware that you make yourself  a laughing stock .Having no substance and nothing to fault Modiji so you resort  on reeling out that he is a liar-you have accused him of taking crores when he was the CM of Gujarat.Why can’t you  produce some evidence ?You should be hauled up for perjury. When you abuse-and debase the PM you are abusing the people of India .It is only when something is said against the Nehru-Gandhi family then its hollow netas demand an apology to the country, Why- is India your fiefdom? You must learn the basics of public probity to be a leader. Respect and get respect-Respect the people of this country who elected Modiji.That is the minimum you can do. You recently stated that Modiji is old and tired and hence must retire. Your mother is old and sick why not advise her to return to Italy and rest. Leave us in peace. When she handpicked Manmohan Singh to be the proxy PM what was his age?

You had the cheek to accuse Modiji of Khoon ka Dalali after the surgical strikes.You and our party and your family has blood in their hands. Look how your leaders massacred, rampaged and brutalized the Sikh community. The Congress leaders were rewarded for this. Have you forgotten that your father also justified it. If one is to analyze your utterances and behavior one would conclude that you suffer from a deep psychological aberration. The sooner you attend to it the better. You who blame Modiji of being an utter failure and you escape periodically to your foreign hideouts. What for to rejuvenate yourself and return to mouth such low based accusations. Tell me where in the world will a PM be called eunuch, merchant of death, devil,liar,et al. Does it not reveal the low third rate mentality of those who utter such abuses? Remember that the lower you hit the higher Modiji will rise. It is a fact that for the first time India has a PM who works –who has a vision and who has a focus. I advise you to read O P Mathai’s book on your great grandfather-you will realize how the Nehru Gandhi family thrived on the poverty and ignorance of the people while they walloped in a life style which shames even the hardhearted. This is your parampara.You are half an Italian and hence you have no sense of Indian history.You and your mother are only anxious to capture the PM’s gaddi. But find Modiji an obstacle – anchorage because he knows much-he is strong and he will bring to book your deceptions. Naturally the fear-the jealousy the anxiety that Modiji is doing well-is acclaimed as a world leader and respected globally you and your party are unable to digest. I think it is time for you to grow. You are 47 years old and behave like a spoilt teenager. You have no respect for democracy that hence parachuted to be the VP of the party. It is good news for the BJP because under you the Congress will be decimated. Look how you are going and begging for a few seats to the regional State party leaders. You cannot win a single seat on your own unless you piggy ride on the regional parties. Shame on you. It is never too late to reform –to learn and to update. The minimum one would expect from you is ordinary courtesy to the PM-respect the people of this country who elected him. Every time you hit and make personal remarks you betray your lack of character and values. Stop being a hypocrite and do not shed crocodile tears. You are born with a sliver spoon in your mouth. You did not work to earn a livelihood-you did not sweat it out to climb the hierarchy and be what you are. Hence you will not appreciate the hardships of others-what you exhibit (love for the poor) is only a vote catching gimmick. Modiji has come the hard way-respect that-He has proved that no matter how small you are in a democracy one can reach the highest position with hard work and determination-credit that. These are things which will shape one’s character and make a person worthy to be a son of India-Bharat Mata.

Now that the results of the five States have been declared you must realize where you stand and what leadership qualities you have.Apart from this you must realize that India is no longer enamored by the Nehru-Gandhi name and has reckoned with the damage it had wrought. The poverty alleviation schemes were a mere eye wash and poverty only rapidly spread and deepened. You still went about posing yourself as a man for the poor. Now it is clear to the poor who is pro-poor and who will be the t savior of the poor. I only hope that you will give up your hypocrisy and pretense and start being realistic. No more can you and your party fool the people. But above all the minimum one would expect from you and your party is respect the Prime Minister. Do not indulge in personal attacks because these will only boomerang as you see. From the time Modiji became the Prime Minister your party-you-your mother and the Opposition just indulged in Modi bashing. Your cheap slogans only revealed the superficial façade .You need to apologize to the people of India for having demeaned-debased and directed cheap jibes at the PM-one whom the people elected and who is the only HOPE for the nation. I hope you remember how one of your party leaders-Mani Shankar Aiyer vehemently stated that Modi cannot dream of ever hoisting the national flag at the Red Fort-let him come and serve tea to the AICC.he stated What arrogance and nobody objected to this man’s third rate utterance-who continued to be the Congress spokesperson. This is the man who could not win a single election. I am repeating this to show the low level of the mindset of the Congress leaders. And what happened-MODI MARCH…started.Not only did he unfurl the national flag at the Red Fort once –twice and will continue to do so for years to come. Seasoned politicians will respect the will of the people. They will be able to gauge the mood of the nation-not the Congress leaders –your mother and you. Pride goes before a fall. What a fall for the Congress party –calling itself a national party but goes a begging to the regional parties to give it a piggy ride to continue its presence in the political scenario. You-your mother and your party have become irrelevant –the sooner you realize this better.

I really feel sorry for you-your family and think that it is not late to grow. To respect democracy and the people’s will. It takes good astute leaders of the Opposition to make a democracy vibrant. This is what the people expect from the Opposition parties. Blocking Parliament is a sign of defeat. Parliament is the forum where one would expect the Opposition to discuss debate and offer positive suggestions. Sure it can dissent and keep the ruling party on its toes. But not indulge in blocking –rushing to the well of the House-refusing to debate and discuss-holding placards in Parliament sends out a sign that the Opposition parties are not for good governance and are ill equipped to face the Treasury benches with valid, reasoning and critical thinking. The nation watching the Opposition function irresponsible will only make the people reject the Opposition and its unruly behavior. Opposing for the sake of opposing makes no sense. How can this be make democracy vibrant? It is never too late to learn-to grow and to be humble.To realize that people are no longer passive beneficiaries of your patronage. This is their country-their azadi and their right to look to good governance in which the Opposition must and should play a meaning role. Stooping to cheap jibes-playing to the gallery and trying to be smart by indulging in personal attacks will not be tolerated. You, your party, your mother and a few of the Opposition leaders by indulging in attacking the Prime minister has hurt the nation and people will not tolerate this. Can you point out at any one country in the world where the Opposition has derided and insulted its PM as  in India? Is it not a shame-Probity in public life is a must for any leader. When you insult the PM you are insulting the people who elected him-you are demeaning the position he holds and that has boomeranged.I hope your eyes will open and your learning process through the bitter experiences will enable you to grow…..

Dr Hilda Raja ,Vadodara

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Mohan Ramanan