Vidur&#039;s Blog

Major gains for BJP in UP urban body polls (thehindu.com)
BJP sweeps corporation polls in Uttar Pradesh (ibnlive.in.com)
BJP makes big gains in Uttar Pradesh local body elections (dailymail.co.uk)
‘UP poll verdict reflects public sentiment against UPA govt’ (thehindu.com)
Rahul Gandhi is a ‘dud bullet’ says BJP’s Yashwant Sinha (ndtv.com)

Assembly Election 2012 : Decline & Fall of Nehru – Gandhi Dynasty

Posted on March 12, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA MARCH 12, 2012 01.10 A.M.

Last month Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other Civic Elections were held in Maharashtra and they threw surprising results . BJP and Shiv Sena , along with their new ally RPI [ Republican Party of India ] have won Mumbai , Thane , Ulhasnagar , Nagpur and Akola municipal corporations . They , in fact , won 5 Municipal bodies out of 10 . In Mumbai BJP [ Bharatiya Janata Party ] and Shiv Sena combine is in power since 15 years . It is their 4th consecutive term . Before election results were declared , BJP was written off by Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists . BJP , to their utter dismay , won 3 more seats in Mumbai that 2007.

Same pattern was repeated in just concluded 5 assembly elections by same Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists . They wrote BJP off . But again they have bitten dust . They were baffled by the saffron surge .Latest assembly election in 5 states of India is going to be a game – changer in many sense of the term .

It heralds all – encompassing saffron surge .

It signifies decimation of Indian National Congress .

It signals decline and subsequent fall of Nehru – Gandhi dynasty .

It bares open Anti – Nationalist agenda of Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists .

5 Indian States , Where Elections Were Held

Flag of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a na...

BJP Flag with Symbol

Before election results were declared , almost all the News anchors and psephologists were in unison that the Congress will come with flying colours in all the states . It will oust BJP from Uttarakhand and Punjab and will gain substantially in Uttar Pradesh and BJP in Uttar Pradesh will be put to the 4th position . That Congress will win in Manipur was a foregone conclusion . They gave BJP just a slender majority in Goa .

Psephologists repeated these lies 24×7 . Mr. Rahul Gandhi and his campaign trail was followed by Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists . Even minutest details were dutifully reported and a false image was created about victory of Congress and defeat of BJP . Mr. Rahul Gandhi , Ms. Priyanka Gandhi and her kids descended on Uttar Pradesh and media portrayed them as the saviours of the people of Uttar Pradesh . All the BJP leaders were ignored as if they don’t exist . Mr. Mulayam Sigh Yadav was given larger number of seats compared to Congress but not the majority . According to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists , Congress was supposed to be the king – maker in Uttar Pradesh , king in Punjab , Uttarakhnd and Manipur and a minor looser in Goa .

Mr. Rahul Gandhi

Ms. Priyanka Gandhi

According to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists , BJP was going to be 4th in Uttar Pradesh , going to be ousted in Punjab and Uttarakhand and is going to be nowhere in Manipur . Goa was given to BJP but hesitatingly .

Shri Lal Krishna Advani , Shri Nitin Gadkari and all the big leaders campaigned tirelessly but were ignored . Uma Bharti Ji was not even mentioned in some channels .

Lal_Krishna_Advani_Website (Photo credit: Gauravonomics)

BJP believes in the theory of ” India First – Party Next – Self Last ” . BJP has no dynasty to safeguard . So they worked silently and tirelessly . From top leaders to ordinary workers all pitched in as per their capacity . Their sole aim was :

तेरा वैभव अमर रहे माँ , हम दिन चार रहें न रहें ……

Results came and all the Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists got shock of their lives . I was watching various news channels and was amused to watch the faces of anchors .

Punjab :

===========

The state had history of not giving fresh mandate to the incumbent party . From 1966, when uni – lingual Punjab was created after its tri-furcation , no incumbent government came to power again . So it was pretty easy to predict that Congress would be forming the next government . So without any second thought Punjab was given to the Congress . All Pre – Poll and Post – Poll surveys were unanimous .

But the results were shocking for all . Out of 117 seats SAD [ Shiromani Akali Dal ] and BJP [ Bharatiya janata Party ] got 56 and 12 respectively . It is 9 more than the simple majority . Congress got only 46 seats , 2 up than the last time .

Parkash Singh Badal : 5 Time Chief Minister of Punjab

Uttarakhand :

===================

BJP was written off in Uttarakhand . But in the final tally it got 31 seats and Congress got 32 . Just 1 more and still media ranted about BJP’s rout . It is unfortunate that BJP got just 5 short of majority . Shri Bhuwan Chand khanduri came just few months back and managed a miracle . Uttarakhand is missed by the BJP narrowly .

Goa :

============

Media showed some leniency as for as Goa was concerned . But they were willing to give BJP just 18 seats . 3 short of a simple majority . In the final reckoning BJP got 21 , absolute majority in the house of 40 . Its ally MGP [ Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party ] got 3 seats . So the combine’s seat tally is 24 in the house of 40 .

Manohar Parrikar - @ Time Chief Minister of Goa

Manohar Parrikar - 2 Time Chief Minister of Goa

Uttar Pradesh :

==================

World’s 6th biggest administrative unit Uttar Pradesh went through 7 phase elections . Mulayam Singh Yadav’s SP [ Samajwadi Party ] got absolute majority , though no one predicted it . According to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists , BJP was going to be 4th and Congress will be king – maker and SP will have to seek its support . Result is for all to see . With 224 seats SP got absolute majority in the assembly for the first time. So – called king – maker Congress got 28 seats , 4 more than 2007 elections .

Akhilesh Yadav

It is unfortunate that Uma Bharati ji’s efforts failed to give desired results . But consider some facts . BJP got 47 seats . 4 less than 51 , its 2007 tally . But BJP came second in 55 seats . One seat it lost by just 18 votes . Of these 55 seats many seats it lost by less than 200 votes . Had media not been so avers and instead portrayed true pictures , I feel results would have been different .

Uma Bharati Ji

Manipur :

================

I am happy for Manipur . Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh won 3rd consecutive term . His victory augurs well for this tiny North – Eastern state . He got 42 seats in the house of 60 . Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh has managed 12 more seats this time than the tally of 30 in 2007 .

Okram Ibobi Singh

But architect of Manipur’s Congress victory is the Chief Minister and not the Nehru – Gandhi dynasty . It should be clear to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists that despite all the hype , all the PR exercise and all the orchestrated clamour that only Nehru – Gandhi family can save the nation , is appearing wrong . Mr. Rahul Gandhi worked very hard in Bihar in the last election and got only 4 seats .

Members of Nehru - Gandhi Family

India belongs to nationalists . Whose credo is :

सज रहा है मात्रिमंदिर , मैं नहीं शोभा बनूँगा ,
और चित्रित भित्तिका है , मैं नहीं वह स्थान लूँगा ,
नीव का बस एक पत्थर , धूलि का बस एक कण हूँ ,
पूज्य माँ की अर्चना का , एक छोटा उपकरण हूँ ||

Map of Indian States As Per Ruling Party's Colour

The saffron in the map will keep on increasing . There are 7 BJP Chief Ministers in India . They are in ; Karnataka , Goa , Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh . BJP is junior partner in 3 more states . They are ; Punjab , Bihar and Nagaland . BJP is main opposition party in 3 states , having its leaders as Leader of Opposition . They are ; Rajsthan , Delhi and Uttarakhand . It has got 114 seats in Lok Sabha and 51 in Rajya sabha .

Today Congress controls only 30.07% of total value of vote share for the President poll , which is coming in July . In spite of Dynasty being at the helm , they are in minority as for as presidential poll is concerned and media wont be helpful here. It is sheer arithmetic . 58 Rajya Sabha seats are falling vacant next month . Then Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections are due towards the end of the year .

Not winning in Bihar and now not so impressive show in Uttar Pradesh in particular and all the other states in general does not augur well for the dynasty . Sheen is gone . Shine will soon go away .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

India’s state elections: A welcome slap in the face (economist.com)
Governing party is set back in Indian state elections (mercurynews.com)
Gandhi clings to Congress backing after election blow (smh.com.au)
Not Post-colonial Any More: (brothersjuddblog.com)
Rahul Gandhi’s star power falters in vital state election (smh.com.au)
India’s ruling Congress tastes stinging defeat (thehimalayantimes.com)
Party rallies for Rahul but critics say time is up for Gandhi dynasty (smh.com.au)
Rahul Gandhi’s Mission Failed in Uttar Pradesh? (ibtimes.com)
Elections in India point to political upheaval ahead (csmonitor.com)
India’s ruling party loses election in largest state – Boston Globe (bostonglobe.com)

Filed under: Politics | Tagged: Acting Trainer, Akhilesh Yadav, Assembly Election 2012, B. C. Khanduri, Bharatiya Janata, Bharatiya Janata Party, Bhuwan Chand khanduri, Bihar, BJP, BJP Chief Minister, BMC Elections 2012, Chhattisgarh, Congress, Delhi, Diction Trainer, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hindi Teacher, India, Indian National Congress, Jhharkhand, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Karnatak, Lal Krishna Advani, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Manipur, Manohar Parrikar, MGP, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Nagaland, Nehru Gandhi Dynasty, Nehru Gandhi Family, Nitin Gadkari, Okram Ibobi Singh, Parkash Singh Badal, Politics, Presidential Election India 2012, Priyanka gandhi, Punjab, Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan, SAD, Shiromani Akali dal, Shiv Sena, Sonia Gandhi, Uma Bharati, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Vidur, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Political Views | 1 Comment »

Jarawa Tribe of Andaman & Pan – Indian Mentality

Posted on January 17, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 17 , 2012 02.40 A.M.

Apart from Hindus , Muslims , Christians , Jews and Parsis India has a sizable chunk of animist tribal population also . Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a large tribal population , some of them are even pre – historic . Some of these aboriginal tribes have been declared endangered . It means they are on the verge of extinction .

Map of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Jarawa tribe is one of the most endangered tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands . There are just 240 Jarawas left . That is the reason Administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has declared them endangered tribes and have initiated several welfare schemes for the preservation of their identity and culture .

Map of India Showing Location of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Last week some tourists filmed a video , which showed that Jarawa women are dancing for food . When the news became public there was tremendous public outcry . Several mainstream channels carried the clippings and they were indignant that Jarawas were degraded by this dance – for – food act and that filming of the act was inhuman and insensitive . Demands for inquiry were raised and the administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands promptly ordered the inquiry .

Blurred Vision of Jarawa Dance Video Shown on Times Now

Blurred Vision of Jarawa Dance for Food

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are enchantingly beautiful . Azure sea , breath – taking greenery and primitive surroundings are beyond words .

Andaman Islands

Sunset and Sunrise also attract tourists . This pristine and virgin beauty has to be preserved from senseless urbanization . These eco – sensitive and fragile beauty can’t be open for unbridled modernization . Pre – historic jungles shouldn’t be allowed to become a concrete jungle .

Sunset in Andaman

A Seashore of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

We have a policy for tribals . It calls for their protection and for the preservation of their tradition and culture . This issue of preserving tribal culture is so vexed that initially I was swayed by the views of various anchors of news channels . In the Times of India of January 15 , 2012 , I read a column ” Swaminomics “ , written by columnist Mr. Swaminathan Anklesaria Aiyar . Thanks to Mr. Aiyar’s column , my views on this issue is clear now .

We do need to preserve our tribal culture . We should and must try to protect our endangered tribal population . But keeping them in quarantined atmosphere is not preservation . I am posting few photos of the Jarawa tribals . Watch these Jarawa men and women and then decide :

A Jarawa

Jarawas

According to me our tribal population should be allowed to mix with the mainstream . They should be encouraged to study , to live a decent life . They are entitled to proper medication and they have every right to have all the modern amenities . Just look at the photograph of Port Blair , the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands :

A Market of Port Blair

Main Road of Port Blair

Port Blair is not a metropolitan city .It is not like New Delhi , Mumbai or Bengaluru . But definitely it is a bustling town with all the modern amenities . Now compare this with the condition of the tribal population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands :

A Jarawa Family

A Jarawa Couple

Is it not inhuman to keep our tribals in the primitive condition of pre – historic days ? It is argued that exposing them to civil society will be injurious for their existence . Total land area of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is 6,496 km. Total population , as per recent census statistics of 2011 is 3,79,944 .There are only 5 tribes in Andaman Islands . They are ; Great Andamanese , Jarawa , Jangil , Onge and Sentinelese . Their total number is 7,000 . There are only 2 tribes in Nicobar Islands . They are ; Nicobarese and Shompens .Some of Nicobarese are educated and have been exposed to modern civilization ;

Tribal Population of Nicobar Islands

Out of all the 572 islands , only 38 are inhabited . Out of these 38 islands less than a dozen have some kind of tribal population . Can’t we keep watch on them and protect them from exploitation ? Tribals of North – East India are well – educated . They have been exposed to modern culture . They live in cities with all the modern trappings . They didn’t disappear and become extinct . In fact they are more rooted and still preserve their identity and thriving ethnic culture . Tribal People of Arunachal Pradesh , Nagaland , Manipur , Meghalaya , Mizoram and Tripura are modern , well – educated and city – centric . They don’t live in their pre – historic primitive conditions . Yet their tribal culture is intact , in fact it is more strong .

So the bogey of losing tribal culture is misplaced . If we insist that tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands should be kept in virgin and primitive preservation , we are treating then as animals of a zoo . I totally agree with Mr. Swaminathan Ankalesaria Aiyar that this zoo mentality should not be allowed to continue . Our constitution gives us right to work , right to vote and right to education . By keeping these trbals in a ghetto and trying to keep them away from modern civilization is depriving them of their fundamental rights . Sure , making them dance for food and filming the act is inhuman . But can any one answer why these Jarawas could be tantalized for food ? A well – fed population can’t be lured for food . So it is clear these Jarawas are deprived . They are famished . And thus were lured by tourists .

A Jarawa Child

A Jarawa Girl Child

A Jarawa Man

The Jarawas

Tribals in A Natural Habitat

Above posted photos tells everything . These tribals lack basic amenities . They are poor and famished . They must be craving for two decent meals a day and they are not getting that . So they gave in when tempted by the tourists . Can any one lure a Naga , a Khasi , a Garo , a Jayantia or a Mizo from the North – East India for food ?Everyone knows the answer . It’s a firm no .

So same treatment will be beneficial for the tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Island also . We need a modern , well – educated , well – fed tribal population , who are well – integrated with the mainstream . We do need to preserve distinct tribal identity and not a quarantined , secluded and ghettoized existence. Definitely tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands could be another Naga , Mizo , Khasi or Jayantia .

Tribals of Andamans

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Manhunt launched to nab videographer of dancing Jarawa women (thehindu.com)
Mainstreaming the Jarawas would be a disaster: Survival (thehindu.com)
Govt seeks reports from Andaman administration on Jarawa exploitation (thehindu.com)
Andaman Islands tour operator faces arrest over ‘human safari’ (guardian.co.uk)
Police say Jarawa video old, Govt orders probe (ibnlive.in.com)
Andaman tribes lured to dance for tourists (ibnlive.in.com)
‘Human Zoo’ Video Ignites Anger From Rights Groups! (disclose.tv)
Outrage Over Indian Islands ‘Human Zoo’ Video (maboulette.wordpress.com)
‘Human zoo’ video from Indian islands provokes worldwide outrage (news.nationalpost.com)
‘Human zoo’ video causes outrage in India (calgaryherald.com)

Filed under: Social Issues | Tagged: Acting Trainer, Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andaman Islands, Animists of India, Arunachal Pradesh, Diction Trainer, endangered tribes, Garo, Great Andamanese, Hindi Teacher, Hindu, India, Jangil, Jangils, Jarawa, Jarawa people, Jarawa Tribe, jarawas, Jayantia, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Khasi, Manipur, map of india, Meghalaya, Mizo, Mizorzm, Naga, Nagaland, Nicobar Islands, Nicobarese, North East India, Onge, Onges, Port Blair, Sentinelese, Shompen, Shompens, Times of India, Tribals of India, Tripura, Vidur, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog | 2 Comments »

Irom Sharmila’s 11 Years v/s Anna Hazare’s 12 Days

Posted on September 6, 2011 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA SEPTEMBER 06, 2011 08.30 P.M.

I am all for eradication of corruption. And if Anna Hazare is spear-heading a movement and went for a 12 days fast for the cause , it is a welcome sign and it should get wholehearted support of the nation and people. Government of the day and the parliament took cognizance of his endeavour and parliamentarians cutting across party line went into huddle and passed the resolution for the Lokpal bill , as was demanded by Team Anna . Vilas Rao Deshmukh , a central minister , was dispatched to the Ramlila ground with the letter of the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh , informing him that the resolution is passed by the parliament and that he should now break his fast. Very next day Ana Hazare ended his fast and the nation was relieved.

I fail to understand the mindset of our national and regional parties. If Anna’s fast can galvanize whole nation and everyone was concerned for his life, why this concern is not shown to Irom Sharmila Chanu , 38 , who is fasting since November 02 , 2000. She stopped eating when Assam Rifles troopers , while chasing militants , killed 10 villagers at Malom village . She was subsequently arrested and now being force – fed through a nasal tube in a hospital. It is now 11 year-long hunger strike and no one is concerned. The central government , political parties of all hue and colours , the electronic and print media , the intellectuals and conscience – keepers of our country and various NGOs , working in different sectors , all , either ignored her or didn’t show concern . National Human Rights Commission [ NHRC ] and National Commission for Women [ NCW ] are intriguingly silent too . Why ? Is it because she hails from North East India or more precisely from Manipur ? is her life not precious enough ? Is she a child of a lesser God ? Is she not even a speck in the scheme of the nation called India ?

Irom Sharmila Chanu

India’s neglected North East Region and our so-called love for our motherland is a conundrum. Assam , Arunachal Pradesh , Meghalaya , Nagaland , Manipur ,Tripura and Mizoram are called 7 sisters and they are part of North East India. Now Sikkim is also part of the North East and should be included in the group . This makes total 8 provinces in the region.

Political boundary of Assam in the 1950s.

Apart from Assam , two other provinces of North East ; Manipur and Tripura were in existence even at the time of independence . Later on Nagaland was created in 1963 and finally in 1972 during Indira Gandhi‘s tenure Arunachal Pradesh , Meghalaya and Mizoram came into existence and thus 7 sisters were born. Sikkim also became a part of India in 1975 during Indira Gandhi’s tenure.

Map of the Seven Sister States of North East India & Sikkim

NAGALAND :

================

Soon after independence , people in Nagaland and Mizoram started agitation for independence. Armed struggle is being carried on since then. The Nagas were the first one to demand a sovereign nation for Nagas. Their leader Angami Zapu Phizo formed Naga National Council and on August 14, 1947 started armed struggle for independent Nagalim. In 1963 central government gave statehood to Nagaland as the 16th state of Indian Union and started peace talks. In 1980 National Socialist Council of Nagalim was formed by T. Muivah , Isak Swu and S. Khaplang and they are still fighting in Nagaland , though now they are devided into two separate factions.; NSCN [ I - M ] and NSCN [ Khaplang ] . So far more than 25,000 lives have been lost in the bloody struggle of Nagaland.

MIZORAM :

============

Laldenga and his Mizo National Front waged war for independence in Mizoram. In 1986 after the Mizo Accord, though, insurgency ended but Hmar People’s Convention – Democratic and The Bru National Liberation Front have kept the flame alive.

MEGHALAYA :

=================

Meghalaya , though , relatively peaceful have two organizations fomenting trouble . They are ; The Achik National Volunteer Council formed in 1995 for an Achik Land in Garo Hills and The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council formed in 1992 to free state from Garo and non – tribal Indian domination.

TRIPURA :

============

At the end of 1970 several insurgent groups emerged in Tripura and started fight for the safeguard of tribal rights and end of the dominance of Bengalis from mainland India. Main among them are : National Liberation Front of Tripura formed in 1989 and All Tripura Tigers Force formed in 1990 .

ASSAM :

===========

The biggest state of North East India is troubled because of porous borders with Bangladesh . Anti – foreign agitation of 1980 spawned many insurgent groups in Assam. Main among them are : United Liberation Front of Asom formed in 1979 to establish a sovereign , independent Assam , National Democratic Front of Bodoland formed in 1989 to establish autonomous region of Bodoland , Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front formed in 2004 to fight for the cause of Karbi tribes and United People’s Democratic Solidarity formed in 1999 to fight for self-rule of Karbi trbes of Karbi Anglong. At present Assam is the most disturbed state of North East.

MANIPUR :

===========

State of Meiteis , who are Vaishnavites by faith , is also troubled and it started when some Naga organizations gave call to include Naga inhabited areas of Manipur into Greater Nagaland. Most important insurgent group of Manipur is Peoples Liberation Army formed in 1978 with the sole aim of liberating Manipur from India . The second one ; United National Liberation Front was created in 1964 and it also demands independence . Third important group ; Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak is also an organization of some importance demanding independence from Indian rule.

Above mentioned facts are very basic and known history of the insurgency in the North Eastern Region. To counter these movements and armed struggles , Government of India promulgated AFSPA , [ Armed Forces Special Powers Act ] of 1958 in the region. This act gives sweeping powers to armed forces. It gives them license to kill . Currently AFSPA is in force in Assam , Nagaland , Manipur [ barring some areas in and around Imphal , the capital of the state ] , 2 districts of Arunachal Pradesh [ Tirap and Changlang ] and some areas of Tripura .

People of North East resent the draconian AFSPA and they want its removal . Removal of AFSPA is demanded in Jammu & Kashmir also. I am intrigued that removal of AFSPA is being considered sympathetically by the central government in Jammu & Kashmir but when it comes to Manipur or other areas of North East it is refused point blank. Recently Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram visited Manipur and said that since there is no consensus , so AFSPA cant be removed. Was there consensus about Anna Hazare’s demand in the beginning ? Everyone sat and consensus emerged. If consensus could be manufactured in Anna’s case , why can’t it be done in the case of Irom Sharmila Chanu ? Anna’s fast is hailed as the democratic right of citizen of this country and his subsequent victory is heralded as the sign of vibrant democracy but Irom Sharmila’s fast is viewed as sedition. Anna got all the sympathy and Irom Sharmila got indifference.

Is it sign of vibrant democracy that people of Manipur had to agitate for the creation of a new district ; Sadar Hills ? Mayawati , the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh , creates districts at her whims and fancies and central government acquiesces. But in Manipur a tribal organization resorted to economic blockade for creation of Sadar Hills and no one took cognizance. A sense of outrage engulfed me when I saw a photo of a group of women protesting naked for the removal of AFSPA. Still no cognizance was taken. Insensitive central government ignores all the above mentioned demands , though the method was pure Gandhian , but the same government is willing to talk to the militants of Jammu & Kashmir for the removal of AFSPA . Can anyone explain me the cause for this partiality? If central government has no qualms in talking to Syed Ali Shah Geelani , Yasin Malik or other leaders of separatist Hurriyat Conference , then what is the hitch in talking to Irom Sharmila Chanu , who is not a militant or not resorting to armed struggle ? Of late talks are going on with ULFA leaders of Assam and NSCN [ I - M ] of Nagaland , who are waging armed struggle against Indian Union, but the silent , non – violent and peaceful movement of Irom Sharmil and the other women of Manipur is completely ignored.

I am pained , aggrieved and outraged . I can’t do much because I am too insignificant. But I firmly believe that if central government can talk to separatists of Hurriyat Conference of Jammu & Kashmir , then it can talk to Irom Sharmila Chanu also. If government of India can work out modalities for the breaking of the fast of Anna Hazare , then it can work out something for Irom Sharmila also. If consensus was evolved for Anna’s cause , it could be evolved for Irom Sharmila’s cause also. 12 days of Anna’s fast is too much but 11 years of Irom Sharmila’s fast is a lifetime.

Something should be done and it should be done soon.

Irom Sharmila Chanu

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA