From Modi magic to urn politics
There is no second thought on the fact that Atal Bihari Vajpayee is single handedly responsible for the respectable position the otherwise ‘untouchable’ BJP acquired in the past to form NDA. We don’t know yet of how long Modi’s fallacy and loud politics would continue. But Vajpayee provided a solid foundation for BJP is a reality beyond any doubt. Vajpayee has a long standing political journey that begins from pre-independence days. He built BJP based on liberal values of Hindutva.
Hence, his statesmanship should mean much more to BJP over the politics of Adityanath, Amit Shah or Modi and the likes who have no value-based approach to their politics. After his death, Vajapayee’s persona is being misused. Of course, the members of BJP have all the rights to invoke the name of their leader who built the party. And if the opposition says a party should not use the name of its most significant person, it would be ridiculous.
Congress still uses the name of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv at every election it fights. Reforms such as land tenancy act, or nationalization of banks brought in by Indira Gandhi; and the computer revolution set in by Rajiv are still good calling cards of Congress around every election. So then why should the BJP not use the name of Vajpayee who just died a few days ago? In a way, BJP has a better standing when they take Vajpayee's name for the sake of their party. But then today’s BJP that is led by Modi does not want to identify itself around the statesmanship, liberal values and accomplishments of Vajpayee. They do not want to follow the values set their most revered leader either.
Everybody remembers their favourite leaders through their achievements. For instance, the country knows the contribution of Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv through the progress of the country. Similarly, Vajpayee has contributed very significantly to the country’s bilateral relations with other nations. He never assumed his ideology was bigger than the nation itself. He tried hard to control the extremist powers that had set out to destroy the interest of the country against the Hindutva they wanted to spread across the nation.
He was helpless amidst the extremist forces that had surrounded him. His efforts to improve Indo-Pak relations are highly commendable and honest to the core. To remember him, is to live the ideals he strived to introduce into the society. But when he slipped into coma, his ideals also slipped into dark alleys of this nation. Today, nobody needs the path he followed.
BJP leaders only need the ashes from his final rites. They have now filled the urns in his name and have set out to all corners of the country to achieve their goal. If there is a way he’d know about this, it would hurt Vajpayee more than anyone else.
One of the first persons who took objection to this is Vajpayee's sister Karuna Shukla. “We have completed the final rites of Vajpayeeji according to our family customs and scattered his ashes in Ganga and Yamuna as per the tradition,” she told the media. But then BJP has been filling numerous metal pots with ashes claimed to be that of Vajpayee's and distributing them to states across the nation. Their intention is to scatter the ashes in main rivers in every state. While the family members already said they didn’t hand over the ashes to anyone else, what ash is being distributed in the name of Vajpayee then? Who gave them that amount of ash? Putting aside his ideals and values, why is BJP hell bent upon only disseminating his ashes? Why has the party come down to this? BJP as it stands now, has completely ignored the ideals and values that Vajpayee stood for. They are now out to emotionally manipulate people just the way as they did with Ram Janma Bhoomi issue collecting bricks in the name of god. They are trying to cover up their misdemeanors under the guise of ashes.
In the recent times, government and Pollution control boards have been laying down strict rules against discarding remnants of corpses in rivers. Now the government itself is spearheading this scattering of ashes in rivers. How would the government then advise common people not to engage in such rituals? Now the ashes that are entering the river stream are not from Vajpayee's final rites. They are the result of reducing his thoughts to cinders. This ash is that of the person who advised his men to follow ‘Raj dharma’ after the Gujarat genocide. They are the ashes of those people who died standing in queues during demonetization. And those of the people who were killed at the hands of mobs for transporting cattle. Those who were lynched in connivance with the government have become ashes. It is also that of those babies who died under the government’s watch for lack of oxygen.
BJP leaders are scattering them in rivers. Thus insulting their own Namami Gange, in glaring day light.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
