An orphan called Red Fort adopted by industrialists
Only orphans are given away for adoption. The main reason behind this rescuing of children discarded in garbage bins, drains and hospitals is to share the joy of having an offspring, and add value to the life of parents who want children but cannot have them for whatever reasons. No person has ever given away his or her child in adoption to anyone else. And even if they are reeling in poverty they would not like to be deprived of the joy of bringing up children. But only the poor give away their children for adoption out of helplessness and with the hope that at least their children’s future can be secure that way.
But then, the law never approves of this. If at all anyone gives their children away in adoption to the rich, legal action can be initiated against them. Unfortunately, today the authorities are giving away everything in adoption to the rich and famous, including the land, water, forest, natural resources everything. The tribals who lived in the forest since generations, were asked to leave forest so that they can be turned into national forests and eventually resorts can be constructed by the big names in hospitality.
Industrialists are gradually gaining control of everything that belonged to the poor. Whether it is the space or land or even the seas, they are the sole authorities of these aspects. They have taken away the rights of Mogaveera on the seas and sea produce. Mogaveeras would not only fish in the rough waters, but they also ensured the seas were not polluted by those who wanted to ride its waves. But according to industralists, sea is a goose that lays golden eggs. They are fishing in the deep water of the sea to empty out the smallest of small fishes too. Just the way as extensive drilling of borewell has led to collapse in the water table, seas are turning into graveyards of all varieties of fish owing to extensive fishing. Those who lived in the beach have been chased away to make way for mega resorts. Now, natural inhabitants of these spaces need to obtain permission from the industrialists if they have to even take a stroll around the sea. Public sector industries are being privatized gradually. Railway department has been privatized to some extent. Air India will soon fall into the hands of some rich investor. Private players are entering govt. companies as far as insurance is concerned. The banks which were released from the clutches of private players, are facing the danger of being privatized again.
One would have assumed the party BJP which often speaks about the glorious history and culture of the land would try to protect Indian heritage at the very least. But today Adani and Ambanis are ruling the country with BJP at the forefront. Their money is seen in memorials of this country. Now, in what looks like a result of their own interference in the government along with their advice, the nation seems to be listening to them beyond a certain permissible point. The government is giving away monuments in adoption to make good for the lacunae of money we are witnessing now. Now the red fort has been put on sale for Dalmia group to buy it for a mere Rs 25 crore. Dalmia Bharat Samooha is the first company to have adopted a heritage monument.
Red Fort and India share a very close relationship with each other. The very first bugle of freedom fight was sounded in 1857 from the very Fort. Independent India’s first Prime Minister addressed the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort. Every year, Prime Minister of India gives a speech from the very fort which has safeguarded the democracy of this country. Government declared that it would not be able to take care of this and gave away the responsibility to a company for a mere Rs 20 crore annually. Is this the sorry state of affairs?
Red fort gets more money from the visitors themselves, than the amount for which it has now been mentioned. The government could have improved its condition by using the income red fort generates. But this looks like a helpless situation where a poor mom gives away the child for adoption. The Red Fort could have been improved using its own revenue. A corporate would never understand the value of heritage. He may sell the resources available there like cut down the trees to sell wood etc. The difference between a commoner and industrialist is massive.
A rich man looks at Red Fort like an investment, but a commoner looks at it as identity. An industrialist may start a resort inside the fort and commercialise it. Every brick of this monument would be telling a story and hence should not be parted with. But the Modi government known for drastic economic decisions has made another one and given red fort away in agreement with Dalmia group. By now a lot of monuments have gone into the pockets of businessmen. Some day we may lose all historical spaces and become a country without references to the history. A policy made by the British that adopted children do not have any property rights led to independence struggle. Very soon this would be repeating. Our people will fight to save their rights over land, water and historical surroundings in the near future if governments continue to be this blind.
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Waqf bill attack on Constitution's basic structure, INDIA bloc opposes it: Gogoi
New Delhi (PTI): Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday said the INDIA bloc will oppose the proposed changes to the Waqf law and called the bill an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution with an aim to dilute its provisions, defame minorities, disenfranchise them and divide the Indian society.
Hitting back, former Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said when large number of Waqf properties are lying vacant and being looted, the government has all powers to bring a law to regulate it.
He told Gogoi that while he cited Constitution, he did not present a complete picture on its various provisions authorising government to bring laws on various issues, including Waqf properties.
Initiating the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Gogoi accused the government of misleading Parliament, referencing past discussions on the matter.
"This bill is an attack on the basic structure of our Constitution, an attack on our federal structure, and has four primary objectives: to dilute the Constitution, to defame minority communities, to divide Indian society, and to disenfranchise minorities," he alleged.
"The claim that the 2013 UPA government did not act on this issue is false. Repeated allegations have been made," Gogoi said, questioning the necessity of the amendments.
He further argued that the bill had not been adequately discussed with minority representatives.
"In 2023, four meetings of the Minority Commission were held, and yet, there was no mention of the need for a Waqf amendment bill. I ask the government - was this bill drafted by the Minority Affairs Ministry or some other department?"
The opposition MP also raised concerns over Clause 3, which defines individuals practising Islam.
"Minorities are now being forced to prove their religious identity with certificates. Tomorrow, will people from other faiths also have to do this? This is against Article 26 of the Constitution," he said.
"Which community do you want to mislead? The same community that fought for India's independence? The community that sacrificed alongside Mangal Pandey in 1857? You want to tarnish the reputation of a community in which 2 lakh ulema were martyred? You seek to defame the community that supported us during the Quit India Movement? You want to stain the name of the community that supported the Dandi March on April 6, 1930?" Gogoi said.
"You wish to malign the community that opposed the British policy of divide and rule in 1926? You aim to taint the community whose leader, Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani, demanded complete independence?" he added.
Gogoi also accused the government of spreading misinformation about the bill's impact on women's rights.
"There is an attempt to create the illusion that the existing law discriminates against women. In reality, the law already has provisions for the protection and empowerment of women, including widows," he said.
He also claimed that the Joint Parliament Committee did not take any suggestions of the Opposition into consideration.
Gogoi noted the reduction in revenue allocation from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, arguing that instead of reducing it, the government should consider increasing it to 11 per cent to strengthen the Waqf Board. He also claimed that provisions on imprisonment had been diluted.
"There is a clear attempt to take control of Waqf properties. Today, their eyes are on one minority group; tomorrow, they will target another. We support necessary reforms, but this bill will only lead to increased litigation and more problems," he said.
Countering the Opposition attack, Prasad said the church community is also in favour of Waqf amendment bill as churches too are facing the problem of encroachment by Waqf bodies.
He said the government cannot watch silently as corruption on Waqf properties continue unabated.
"Waqf is not a religious body; it is a statutory body. There are over 8 lakh Waqf properties, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages. Shouldn't there be a mechanism to ensure proper governance? The opposition is politically bound to oppose reforms, but they must look within themselves," he added.
Prasad said that the amendments were necessary to ensure transparency and fairness in Waqf administration.
"The Waqf Bill is about regulating properties, not about targeting any community. If the bill provides more representation to backward Muslims in Waqf affairs, why is the opposition objecting? If Waqf properties are being misused or illegally occupied, the Constitution allows for corrective legislation," he said.
Prasad said the Congress has over the years only paid lip service to the cause of minorities but did nothing to empower them.
He also referenced the Shah Bano case, accusing the Congress of undermining legal reforms for political gains.
"When the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Shah Bano, the Rajiv Gandhi government overturned the decision for vote bank politics. Congress had 400 seats then but never got a majority after that. Today, they continue to oppose necessary reforms for political reasons," he said.
According to the bill, trusts created by Muslims under any law will no longer be considered Waqf, ensuring full control over them.
Only practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to Waqf, restoring the pre-2013 rules. Also, women must receive their inheritance before Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans, the bill proposes.
