Political interference compromising credibility of higher offices
Recent developments have cast doubts on the integrity of higher offices. The government, in its need to make things work according to its whims, has been blatantly interfering with the functioning of the various offices thus leading to erosion of their reputation. This discussion started when Modi govt made use of Army for political purposes. This trend is entirely new to India that a government would shield itself behind Army and prompt Army officers to speak good about the ruling dispensation.
Eventually, things reached a stage where the keepers of law, justices sitting in supreme court, had to register their apprehensions against the CJI. If the legal system loses its objectivity, how far behind are other agencies? Who would protect democracy if the very pillar of democracy collapses? Supreme court didn’t manage its neutral image well even when the Vice President rejected impeachment charges. Petitioners had argued that since this case was about questioning the neutrality of CJI, he should not be allowed to choose members of the bench to hear this matter. The petition was withdrawn since the most basic tenet of law was broken by the CJI.
This has raised many doubts about the functioning of the Supreme Court that has to uphold democracy and has compromised the very foundation of this country’s most important pillar of functioning. This has not just cast aspersions on the functioning of highest office of legal system in the country, but the parliament has also failed in bringing most pertinent issues to discussion and frame new policies to safeguard the sovereignty of the country.
For instance, Lok Sabha worked for only 33.6 hours among 28 days during budget session, and could pass only 2 bills in the 14 minutes it could find to pass. The 2018-19 budget was passed without any discussion. Speaker denied permission for the opposition parties to show no trust vote against the BJP. PM Modi has to ensure the discussions happen among his colleagues. But on the contrary, he and his cabinet members had staged a day-long dharna opposing the non-coperation of opposition parties.
Ironically enough, this was some gesture to overcome criticism against his authoritarian behaviour. Now, the government is literally running without a finance minister since some time. The thinkers within BJP are ruing the state it has reached within the government. Though Reserve Bank would ideally form economic policies, it gave its complete concurrence to central government to demonetize currency notes in the recent past.
About 99% of the currency was returned to the banks. But about 100 people had lost lives in the meantime. The country still continues to suffer the result of demo on the country’s economy. The Election Commission has to work neutrally without any black spots on its name if democracy has to work to the best of its abilities. But in the recent past, whether it is postponing Gujarat elections or disqualifying AAP MLAs without hearing their case, EC has been proving it is after all a caged parrot who sings the tune of its owner. The saving grace was Delhi high court which heard the case and cancelled the earlier order of disqualification.
Deemed as independent, many agencies have been compromised with as far as their functioning goes. For instance, since the Chennai High Court couldn’t decide on the legality or the lack of it, of disqualification of 18 MLAs, it seemed like the government was running its show illegally. Now Chennai High court gave a mixed verdict. Hence, the whole matter has now reached a quagmire. In a democratic set up, when all else fails, one can always rely on judicial system to serve justice. But with even judicial system being compromised on, we surely are living in those dark days of undeclared emergency.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
