The growing intolerance of senas and their sainiks

The sainiks in India have been notorious for fighting their "cause" in a different way. Be it the "soldiers" of the notorious Sri Ram Sena, or firebrand leader Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which has been subdued since the 2014 Maharashtra assembly elections, or that of the original Sena – the Shiv Sena – which has been making all out efforts to assert its supremacy in the state after being outperformed by longtime ally BJP in the same electoral battle, hooliganism has remained their key principle to seek power or remain relevant.

Apparently, the Shiv Sena is hoping to be back in the reckoning in Maharashtra, which it once ruled as the bigger partner of the alliance with the BJP, by resorting to such tactics.

The party recently forced noted Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali to cancel his concert in Mumbai citing his nationality and the tension along the Indo-Pak border.

Sudheendra Kulkarni

The latest move is much more shocking, as the person facing the brunt of the Shiv Sainiks is Sudheendra Kulkarni, ex-BJP idealogue and an old associate of party veteran LK Advani.

Probably what pained Kulkarni – the chairman of think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) – more is being labelled as a "deshdrohi", a traitor, when some Shiv Sainiks allegedly threw black ink on his face on Monday to discourage him from organising a function in Mumbai to launch former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book – Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insider's Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy.

Strong reactions from ally BJP and other opponents failed to dissuade the Shiv Sena from pursuing its anti-Pakistan stance and thus the extreme intolerance. Continuing with its agenda – using Pakistan to gain lost ground in Maharashtra – Uddhav Thackeray's party has now allegedly threatened against a Pakistani food festival in Pune. The main organiser – young entrepreneur and Congress supporter Tehseen Poonawalla – posted on his Facebook page that Shiv Sena is threatening him against holding the event.

In the past, the MNS had tried to portray itself as a party against bhaiyas – people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh living in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. Like the parent party Shiv Sena, it also adopted an anti-Pakistan agenda. However, after making some quick gains, the party now seems to be struggling for its existence.

Another self-claimed group of nationalists – Pramod Muthalik's Sri Ram Sena – also tries to hog the limelight by indulging in acts of violence and vandalism from time to time.

Despite defeat after defeat, these sainiks have failed to realise that by creating such issues and showing intolerance, they are harming their parties more than benefiting. It would be better for the Thackeray cousins and Muthalik to learn from their experiences and follow a moderate and democratic way to register their protest if they think there is indeed an issue.

Bihar polls: Lalu Yadav's desperation shows he fears for RJD's existence

Politics is all about balancing the equations, particularly that of religions and castes in the Indian scenario, to achieve political gains. Out of power for over a decade now, one of the country's most tainted leaders – Lalu Prasad Yadav – has been doing anything that he thinks can get his clan, and his party – Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) – back to rule Bihar.

And, filing of two FIRs – one in Patna and the other in Jamui – against the former chief minister and ex-railway minister only proves the veteran leader's desperation. Time is fast slipping out of the hands of the once messiah of the Yadavs, whom the people of the community idolised. Now, even his close relatives, who would once do anything to keep the RJD in power, are deserting Lalu.

The seasoned politician knows well that by staying out of power for too long, he cannot hold on to his somewhat trusted vote bank – the people of his community – who have been loyal voters of the RJD for decades.

Lalu's M-Y (Muslim Yadav) equation seems to be too redundant a theory in Bihar's current scenario. He was generous enough to initially accept Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav as the leader of the Grand Alliance, which also comprised the Congress and the Janata Dal United (JDU) as the other main outfits. But the seat sharing deal did not work out as per Mulayam's wish, prompting him to quit the alliance, showing further cracks in the Yadav vote bank. Of course, the SP is not as big an influence in Bihar as it is in its home turf (Uttar Pradesh).

Then, encouraged by the AIMIM's performance in the last Maharashtra Assembly election, Asaduddin Owaisi also announced his party's arrival in Bihar. The party looks confident about making a big dent in the Grand Alliance's minority vote bank. That virtually kills Lalu's M-Y formula.

The RJD chief even backtracked from his recent "Hindus also eat beef" remark, which was apparently aimed at blunting the influence of Owaisi and Mulayam over the Muslim vote bank, clearly to save the Yadav vote bank. He realised that Hindus, particularly Yadavs, revere cows and they could take offence to his comment.

Lalu has certainly made some of the biggest sacrifices to be in the reckoning once again. The friendship with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – once his biggest rival – says it loud. However, his sacrifices don't really seem to be working in his favour right now. Only time will tell whether he will be able to bring the RJD back to power in Bihar with the help of his opportunist friend like Nitish Kumar.

Hum Bolega To Bologe Ki Bolta Hai, is that what Narendra Modi thinks!

As a prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh often came under attack for either not speaking or speaking too less even when there were issues aplenty to address. However, he silenced the opposition by his famous address in Parliament about three years ago when he invoked an Urdu couplet to hit back at his critics.

"Hazaron jawabon se achchi hai khamoshi meri, na jaane kitne sawalon ki aabru rakhi (My silence is better than a thousand answers, it keeps intact the honour of innumerable questions)," Singh said in August 2012 in his statement during the discussion on coal block allocation scam.

PM Narendra Modi

The incumbent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is a leader who is known for speaking, and speaking a lot. He would often criticise Manmohan Singh for not speaking whenever it was required.

But that was when he happened to be the Chief Minister of Gujarat as he aspired to rule the nation. He still speaks, but not when the opposition parties attack him over any issue. He takes time and reacts only when either the matter snowballs into a major controversy or, many a times, just dies down.

The ruling BJP is under attack once again. This time, over favouring former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi, who has been facing an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe, procure documents from the UK to travel to Portugal.

The opposition first attacked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who even admitted to helping the other Modi by speaking to British Labour MP Keith Vaz. As the matter persisted, the opposition stepped up the attack and even dragged the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) into the controversy. Now many parties have been seeking the prime minister’s reply on the issue.

But Modi, who has of late restrained himself from frequent public speaking, probably after knowing the sanctity of the post he holds, has been silent.

I wonder what Mr Prime Minister must be thinking while he is attacked by the opposition parties. Probably Kishore Kumar’s famous song from 1974 Hindi hit “Kasauti” -- Hum Bolega To Bologe Ki Bolta Hai (If I speak up, you will say I speak too much), picturised on megastar Amitabh Bachchan -- would aptly describe the situation of the prime minister.

Delhi Goes Broom-Broom

For a change, it’s broom-broom, not vroom-vroom on Delhi roads (obviously not all) these days as theme cleanliness makes its way back to the national capital.

It all started from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Swachch Bharat Abhiyan” last year, when social media was abuzz with comments of his “masterstroke” that saw both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) virtually conceding their election symbols – hand or palm and broom respectively – to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

AAP's Safai Abhiyan in Delhi on June 13.
AAP/Twitter

Modi’s campaign became a big hit with the prime minister himself nominating celebrities from different walks of life for his #SwachchBharatAbhiyan. The opposition, however, rubbished it saying it was only a photo op for Modi and his party colleagues.

Somehow, Delhi’s cleanliness war has revived. In fact, it has not just revived, but has intensified. The fight is not restricted between the ruling AAP and its key challenger BJP, but even now insignificant Congress has also jumped into the fray.

A day after Delhi's sanitation workers called off their strike over their unpaid salaries, it was a battle for broom-upmanship when leaders of both the BJP and the AAP took to cleaning the streets as they also threw dirt at each other blaming for the garbage crisis in the city.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia led the AAP campaign on the city roads along with the party leaders Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh and Alka Lamba on Saturday morning.

Delhi BJP's Safai Abhiyan on June 13.
BJP/Twitter

It was then the turn of BJP to wield the broom as the party’s Delhi chief Satish Upadhyay also got into the cleanliness mode. As he led the cleanliness drive, Upadhyay blamed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the stinking mess, accusing him of only doing politics rather than focusing on governance.

Congress too is not sitting idle all this while. And, the party’s charge was led by none other than the party’s heir apparent Rahul Gandhi. The party launched a dual attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre and AAP's state government over the garbage crisis in the city after some sanitation workers visited the Congress vice-president to thank him for his support.

The Congress claimed that it was after Rahul Gandhi's meeting with the agitating workers that the matter was resolved and nearly 15,000 sanitation workers ended their 12-day strike.

Rahul Gandhi with Delhi Safai Karmcharis during their agitation on June 12.
@OfficeOfRG/Twitter

"Now when the strike has ended, those belonging to the party of PM Narendra Modi and AAP have come out on the streets for a photo op in the name of clearing the garbage. Neither AAP nor those belonging to Modiji's party spare any opportunity of photo-up," senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed said.

Whoever gets the credit for any good that happens in Delhi, let the city and its people benefit. Let the broom fight go on so that Delhi gets rid of that stink it has remained notorious for. Hope these Safai Abhiyans do not just end up as photo ops for these parties!

Maggi is Boiling, But it Will Soon Cool Down Like Colas

I remember my college days when, to change the taste of daily meals served in the hostel mess, many of my friends would stack packets of those instant two-minute noodles in their rooms. In fact, one of my friends was so fond of it that she could eat it without even the basic two-minute boiling and would just soak it in water for a few minutes in her mug and have the “delicacy”.

Madhuri Dixit Nene in a Maggi ad.

I am still looking for reasons why Maggi is so addictive that even a one-year-old wants to have it again and again. It is like that cola drink which the infants find so tasty that they refuse to finish their bottle of milk if they get an access to it.

I wonder why no cola company went bankrupt in India when there was a surge of reports about the presence of pesticides in their popular beverages a few years ago. The MNCs bottling cola drinks are still thriving in the lucrative Indian market despite the off-and-on campaigns against them.

And now, it is the turn of Nestle -- a Swiss multinational food and beverage company -- to face the wrath of various governments within India and the media alike. With the states like Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh reportedly mulling action against Nestle’s flagship Maggi noodles, its business seems to have already taken a hit.

Not just states, even the Indian Army has reportedly taken Maggi and instant noodles of other brands off the racks from the outlets of its massive network of Canteen Stores Department (CSD).

Nestle would definitely feel the heat. But, I still believe that the food major would overcome the hostilities as Indian consumers’ memory is short-lived.

TV news channels often come up with their shows that scare the viewers of cancers and other deadly diseases by consuming poisonous colours and chemicals being used to adulterate sweets, milk and even vegetables and fruits. But do we really stop buying them?

Generally we don’t. In our prevailing system of “inspector raaj”, wherein manufacturers and sellers are allowed to push anything to the market, food safety was never a priority. Adulteration of foods and drinks is rampant, while the action against the culprits is rare.

So, when petty sellers can make money by compromising food safety, why should MNCs or giant food chains adhere to set standards? Let them also bribe the inspectors and make some easy money.

Indians often equate their film and sports stars to God. The very icons charge hefty money to endorse products, including those which make false claims and which are harmful.

As it is happening now in the case of Maggi endorsements, cases are being filed against the likes of Amitabh Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit. But soon, after some FIRs and summons, these legal actions would die down and we will be back to relishing the two-minute noodles.

The 72-year-old Mr Bachchan now says he stopped promoting Maggi two years ago. The actor's name was dragged into the controversy along with the current brand ambassador, Madhuri Dixit, and the product’s face in the past, Preity Zinta.

As if the reports of high lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) content in Maggi noodles were not enough, Nestle faced another negative publicity in the form of larvae being found in its Everyday milk powder.

But this is not the first time that inquiries are being ordered against any popular food product and is facing the threat of a ban. But the present episode should act as an eye-opener and the authorities concerned should act seriously against the day-to-day poisoning of our food, not just Maggi.

People will sure forget the episode and go back to their favourite Maggi once again. After all, we all know how unhygienic and unhealthy those street foods are, but don’t we stop next to one such road-side stall to have those spicy pani-puris and samosas!

Who is a better diplomat, Sushma Swaraj or Narendra Modi?

She was once seen as a future prime minister as she impressed not just her own party leaders, or the people of India who would often see her on their TV screens strongly pitching against the then UPA government whenever there was a need, but even by the Congress-led alliance for being articulate and keeping the point of view of the majority of India.

The BJP largely banked on its two leaders – Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley – as they efficiently played the roles of Leader of Opposition in both the Houses of parliament. There were occasions when Swaraj actually proved herself a stronger leader than the most of her party colleagues, including Jaitley.

But the surge of Narendra Modi literally wiped the BJP top order, and Swaraj was no exception. The then chief minister of Gujarat suddenly shrouded the mass appeals of veterans like Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Jaswant Singh and also Swaraj to a great extent.

Nevertheless, Swaraj did find a place in the NDA government's cabinet. Though the ministry of external affairs was not considered such an important portfolio when compared to the likes of ministry of home affairs and ministry of finance, the MEA did face some big challenges given the state of affairs involving India's bully neighbours and the friendly countries turning neutral.

However, it was not really the external affairs which kept Swaraj on her toes all the time, the bigger challenge was posed by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. From the day one, Modi kept on challenging Swaraj by taking diplomacy in his own hands as he invited all the heads of SAARC nations to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his council of ministers.

A year down the line, Swaraj is being admired as a minister more than any of her colleagues. Away from the media, she always preferred to work silently. Apart from addressing media on some rare occasions, like the hostage crisis in Iraq and Syria, she preferred to stay away from the limelight.

Swaraj hogged the limelight on Sunday as she addressed a mega press conference marking the completion of the NDA government's one year in office. As usual, Pakistan stole the show yet again as the minister ruled out cricket diplomacy with the country or talks with it until the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, including Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi who was released from a jail recently, were acted against.

The minister did not restrict her address to her ministry. In fact she started elaborating Modi government's key achievements in the first year in office. She then answered the queries of journalists, without any hesitation or gaffe, unlike her ministerial colleague Rajnath Singh who had recently committed a faux pas at his press conference in the national capital. Singh had said that India had entered into an agreement with France to make nuclear weapons as part of Modi's pet "Make in India" campaign.

Apparently, her political strategy makes Swaraj different from the rest in the cabinet as she never moaned about her portfolio or even more than obvious interference by none other than Modi. Modi, who is often credited with India's bold outlook towards the West or even criticised for staying away from India for too long rather than visiting the Indian poor, always shadowed Swaraj as the external affairs minister and she let that happen.

There is no real failure on the part of her ministry. It has been rather appreciated for its efforts, including the major rescue operation in Syria wherein citizens of many other countries were also taken out of the war-torn nation along with the thousands of stranded Indians.

Call it her political strategy or her diplomatic prowess, Sushma Swaraj has time and again proved why she is the most efficient minister in the Modi government.

Beef Ban: Justice Katju Calls Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi 'Idiot'

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju on Friday called Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi an "idiot" over the latter's statement on Thursday that those who cannot live without eating beef should go to Pakistan or any other country.

Slamming the minister – a senior BJP leader – over his remark, Katju posted on his Facebook page: "I am a Hindu, and I have eaten beef, and will again eat it. There is nothing wrong in beef eating. 90% of the world eats beef. Are they all sinners ?"

"And I refuse to believe that cow is sacred or our mother. How can an animal be a mother of a human being ? That is why I say 90% Indians are idiots, Mr. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi included," the post of former chief of Press Council of India reads.

Even Finance Minister Arun Jaitley disapproved of Naqvi's remark, saying people should be aware of their responsibilities.

Speaking at a media conclave on Thursday, Naqvi had said, "It is not about loss or profit, but it is an issue of faith and belief. Those who are dying without eating beef can go to Pakistan or Arab countries or any other part of the world where it is available."

Recycle gold to curb import

Gold price first touched four figures in October 2009 at an average of $1,040 for one troy ounce (about 31.1 gm). It kept on soaring - peaking at $1,813.5 in August 2011, as per the World Gold Council. However, gold price has since been falling, barring some minor temporary upward movements in the international market. The significant price correction goes in favour of gold loving Indians.

According to a recent report, the Indian women hold more gold than the US treasury. Indians' love for the yellow metal only adds credibility to the report.

No wonder, at nearly 1,000 tonnes annual consumption, India figures among the top gold importers, as the country hardly mines its own reserve of the precious metal.

Given the craving for gold Indians have, it would remain in demand even if the government bans its import. That will only encourage smuggling, which has been going on for decades.

Value wise, gold happens to be the most imported item after crude oil, as both jointly skew Indian foreign trade against the overall exports from the country.

The rapidly widening current account deficit (CAD) forced the previous UPA regime to take some harsh measures to contain it, which included sharp increase in import duty on the yellow metal. It was, however, still a wise move to hike the duty rather than impose a blanket ban on gold import.

Here's why import of gold should not be banned:

1. Social value of gold

Owning gold has been considered as a status symbol of Indians for ages. People buy it on certain festivals and other auspicious occasions. It is also considered as the best financial security given the ease of its liquidity.

2. Rise in smuggling

Since gold is so valuable to Indians, it will be really difficult to persuade them not to buy it. It will only aid to illegal trade of the commodity. It is better to hike the custom duty, if it becomes inevitable, than impose a blanket ban on its import. Otherwise, we might see new generations of Haji Mastans and Dawood Ibrahims coming up to fill the demand-supply gap.

3. Pressure on jewellery industry

A good portion of imported gold is processed and exported to various countries to cater to the demand for Indian jewelleries. In fact, the gems and jewellery industry contributes around 15 per cent to the country's overall exports. However, a limited or non-availability of the precious metal will throw a huge challenge to the jewellers for fulfilling demands in overseas as well as domestic market. The ban would destroy the thriving jewellery business, which provides jobs to millions of people.

4. Impact on foreign trade

Ban on import of a certain item might lead to the export of others from India as it is likely to invite some retaliatory action. The step might draw criticism of international bodies like World Trade Organisation and India could be seen as an unfavourable destination for investors.

5. Stabilising gold price

According to the World Gold Council, from the peak of $1813.5 in August 2011, price of gold has fallen significantly to $1260.25 per troy ounce at the end of January 2015. The significant price correction gives the government no reason to ban the import of gold.

6. Improving forex reserve and CAD

The Economic Survey 2014-15 expects the current account deficit to fall below 1 per cent in the coming fiscal on the back of easing prices of some commodities, including crude oil and gold, from the peak of 6.7 per cent of GDP in the third quarter of 2012-13. India also has fairly high reserve of foreign exchange, which has steadily been on the rise over the years. So, for now, the condition does not justify a ban on import of gold.

Instead, it was only prudent on part of the current NDA government to come out with its innovative ideas to extract the massive gold reserve, estimated to be more than 20,000 tonne within India. The government's gold monetisation scheme is expected to allow recycling of the metal lying idle in bank lockers, chests of rich temples and individuals' vaults.

If implemented properly, the gold monetisation scheme, coupled with the launch of gold accounts, might prove to be a better way to curb import than the last government's decision to hike import duty.

Though Finance Minister Arun Jaitley decided to keep the custom duty at record high in his first full-fledged Union Budget, his proposed amendments should see a drop in import of the precious metal and allow him to reasonably lower the duty in future.