Democracy under house arrest
Terrorism and extremism are the biggest problems plaguing the world. Terrorists and extremists didn’t descend from the skies. Terrorism is a result of excesses of the rich countries. Similar realities are the reason for the genesis of Naxalism in north east and other parts of India. The attack and assault unleased on them made them lose faith in the democratic system, and reach out to weapons to protect themselves.
Inequality, poverty and hunger are the main causes behind Naxalism having found its root in the nation. Another reason for this could also be Army was used against these people to uproot them from their natural habitats. This contributed greatly to the growth of Naxalism. But any fight that uses weapons is not an acceptable way of expression even if it is for the people. Today we can seek justice only through democratic means. This has been proved time and again through the pages of history in India. But the state is committing a huge mistake in identifying the organisations/agencies that are creating a rift or trouble through extremist activities.
Earlier, all the anti-social activities and extremism would be attributed to muslims and the rest was easy to set the narrative. Soon after the destructive activities were carried out, the accused would be held and even punished for the crime. Media and investigative agencies didn’t deem it important to run a detailed investigation into the matter. It was always seen as ‘people of a particular faith being arrested for whatever crime’. As a result of this thousands of muslim youths went into jails never to come out. Their future was lost. This damaged the country’s internal security in two ways. The actual culprits were scot free. And this encouraged them to cause more destruction. The others who were wrongfully jailed, ended up being disillusioned by democracy that didn’t do them justice and got into the path of crime since they were already branded as criminals. Innocent muslims were turned into terrorists.
Investigations of Malegaon, Ajmer, Mecca Masjid, Sanjhota blasts were carried out with Muslims being the focal point. But many years later, the truth was revealed that Sangh Parivar members had executed these blasts. Irony is, the government is not showing any interest in curbing the Hindu terrorism that is raising its wide hood. This double standard followed by the government continues into elaborating on the term ‘terrorism’ to suit the narrative set by themselves. While all the destructive forces were called ‘terrorists’ earlier, the Modi-led government calls all those thinkers and progressive intellectuals as ‘urban naxals’.
On one hand, the governments are asking the naxals to drop weapons and come into mainstream; and on the other, they are branding thinkers as ‘urban naxals’. The government is trying to close all options of a dialogue by saying criticizing the government is equal to criticizing the country. This has caused major damage to the democracy and this is dangerous.
We have already seen people who turn away from democracy take to destructive paths. Democratic fights have taken a different route now. Hardly anybody speaks against labourers or farmers. The government isn’t even taking cognizance of democratic demonstrations. Instead, the ones who participate in such demos are branded as terrorists, and they are arrested. All those human rights activists under house arrest are deeply respectful of democracy. They have been speaking against anti-democratic forces. Unfortunately, anti-constitutional forces are right around us and they are let free while the democratic activists are being hounded. People are looking at activists with suspicion owing to these anti-democratic forces. And it could be owing to the pressure exerted by anti-constitutional elements that the government is arresting the activists and progressive thinkers.
This is a direct message the government is sending to the minorities, muslims and exploited communities of the nation, informing them that if they continue to speak against the government, they would also be meeting the same fate. Hence, the anti-constitutional people according to the government are guardians of culture, and all those who are protesting are naxals. To declare them as thus and then eliminating them is the motive of the government. The terrorist organisations will reap total benefit of this, is beyond doubt. To close the routes of protest, which is a constitutional right, is to deny democracy. Hence, the whole of democracy is under house arrest today.
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Ready to face no-confidence motion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Hassan (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Congress government led by him was ready to face the no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition during the legislature session from December 8.
With Deputy CM D K Shivakumar by his side, he reiterated that they would both abide by the high command's decision on the leadership issue.
"Let them (opposition) bring in a no-confidence motion or adjournment motion or any other motion. We are ready to face it. Ours is an open book, transparent government. We are ready to face anything," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
However, BJP state President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, clarified that the party, along with the JD(S) has not discussed or decided anything so far regarding moving a no-confidence motion against the government.
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The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
Not wanting to react to a question on the leadership issue, the CM said the Congress high command is very strong.
"D K Shivakumar and I will be committed to whatever the high command decides," he said.
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accompanied AICC Mallikarjun Kharge till airport from Vidhana Soudha, after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary, which had led to some speculation about possible discussion between the two on the leadership issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
However, both the CM and Deputy CM had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which is seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.
