PM needs to speak against assault on Swami Agnivesh
The assault on Swami Agnivesh is highly condemnable. The saint who has spent his life speaking against bonded labour, tribals and their betterment, is a highly respected personality among Arya Samajis. By now the identity of those who launched a deadly assault on him in the middle of the road, during broad daylight is pretty evident. The so called activists/goondas of BJP have caused him harm, floundered him and hit him bad.
Today, one wonders whether India is changing to suit the narratives of Godse, Hitler and Mussolini as against Dr Ambedkar, Gandhi, Nehru, Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose. Swami Agnivesh is known for his liberal views of hindu dharma. He has been protesting against any injustice meted out to the poor, dalits, women, and tribals anywhere in India. He has been very openly critical about the fascist face of Sangh Parivar. During his lifetime, he has spoken very strongly for the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy, bonded labourers of Haryana, and tribals of Jharkhand.
Today, this humiliating assault on him has to be condemned by one and all. India stands on democratic values granted by the constitution. In the last seven decades, the country stood firm on this course till the time Babri Masjid was demolished by communal and fundamental forces. Now they rule the country with this viciousness. People’s right to live a life of dignity and their freedom of expression has been threatened.
Today, one cannot speak about freedom of speech for various reasons. Our speech, our dress, our food everything is being controlled by some unknown extra constitutional hands. Freedom of expression and discussion are being threatened. There is an undeclared emergency ever since Modi, the then CM who was responsible for Gujarat massacre in 2002, became PM of this country. Though during emergency, people didn’t get down to murdering the others, today we have a situation where groups are unleashing violence and killing people for reasons that they raise their voice against inhumanity and inequality. And looks like the powers that be have given their silent concurrence to all this. Earlier, anti-superstition activist Dabholkar was being killed. It was followed by Maharashtrian rationalist Govind Pansare. Eventually senior researcher M M Kalburgi was done to death, and last year journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead.
On Tuesday, a group tried killing Swami Agnivesh in the broad daylight. Despite all this, the PM who often speaks on his ‘Man Ki baat’ has maintained massive silence over the issue. The same PM who would call his predecessor as ‘Mauni Baba’ has maintained stony silence over the issue. Does this mean he has silently approved of this? His silence raises a lot of questions? What do these acts convey about India to other nations? What is the motive of BJP for having attacked Swami Agnivesh who works for the welfare of people, while the party has maintained close links with the likes of Asaram Bapu who has been charged with rape?
Social reformer Basavanna said kindness is the root of all dharmas. Vedas wish universal welfare. Those antisocial elements who attacked Swami Agnivesh, which faith do they belong to? This incident that happened in Jharkhand is nothing less than an act of terrorism.
Those in high offices and with powers that be, need to condemn such incidents of goondaism or terrorism under any guise. Swami Agnivesh is referred to as modern Vivekananda, and is in his 80s now. People deem it fit to attack a senior citizen like him in the middle of the road? Is the law and order even alive in this nation? And how are those in high offices not even condemning it?
This attack on Swami Agnivesh when he was in Jharkhand to address a meeting of tribals on Tuesday, is clearly premeditated. Innocent youths have been misled with the poison of dharma, into carrying out this act. Before this attack, black flags were being demonstrated to Swami Agnivesh, in front of the hotel he stayed at. Swami Agnivesh had probably got the wind of this, and had even sought protection from the District Superintendent of Police. The Chhattisgarh state government did not heed to his demand to full effect. And even those cops who stood close to the place of attack were silent spectators.
This has to be condemned in strongest of words by everyone who believes in democracy of this country. Fascist forces and Gandhi’s killers are behaving like they have taken the contract of Hindu dharma on to themselves. They attacked film unit that went to shoot the plight of widows in Vrindavan. An artiste par excellence M F Husain had to leave the nation, fearing threat to his life. His works were reduced to cinders. Tamil writer Perumal Murugan received life threats and he was forced to put it on record that he would never write again in his lifetime.
Actors Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were threatened because they said incidences of intolerance were increasing in the country. Writer Dr U R Ananthamurthy was hounded for his views on growing fascism. And after Modi became the PM, these forces have come down to murdering people in broad day light. The days ahead seem dark and dinghy. The President needs to intervene and instruct the government to maintain law and order, keeping in spirit with the constitution of this country.
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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.”
