‘Countdown to start for Modi’s dethroning soon after Karnataka poll results’
Jignesh Mewani in a special interview
Bengaluru, May 11: Activist, youth leader and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani spoke to Varthabharati in detail on various burning issues in the country including Karnataka Assembly election, national politics and administration of Narendra Modi-led NDA government, attacks, sexual harassments and exploitations on dalits, backward classes, minorities and women.
WB: What’s your opinion on Assembly election being held in Karnataka?
Jignesh Mewani: I have travelled almost all districts in the last 20 days. People have never accepted the BJP’s Hindutva and communal politics. The tradition of Basavanna, Narayanaguru and Sufi saints was deeply rooted among people of Karnataka.
WB: Don’t you think that religious issues are getting priority more than development issues in this election?
Jignesh Mewani: The Hindutva forces were not succeeded in dividing the Muslims. In Vijayapura, more than 5000 people have decided against voting BJP in this election. Those who speak about four years and one month, would follow divide and rule policy.
VB: Will the divide and rule policy get success in state?
Jignesh Mewani: More than 80 per cent of people would not believe their ideology. In spite of their efforts, they would not get more than 20 per cent votes. People are aware of this fact. The Save Constitution campaign conducted in the state after the assassination of Gouri Lankesh was successful in creating this awareness among people.
VB: What’s your reaction about Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde’s statement that they have come to power to change the Constitution?
Jignesh Mewani: I would congratulate Ananth Kumar Hegde. He has disclosed what he has inside in him. BJP and RSS do not want the secular society which respects all religions equally. They want communal and corporate culture.
VB: On Modi’s challenge to Congress leaders to speak 15 minutes about state government achievements.
Jignesh Mewani: Forget speaking about the achievements of the Siddaramaiah government for 15 minutes. Let BJP leaders speak about the achievements of four and half year old Narendra Modi government for four minutes. In their administration, more than 9 crore youth should have got the jobs as they promised. But not even one per cent of youth were given jobs. Moreover, because of GST and Demonitisation, around 75 lakh people have lost their jobs. If Narendra Modh has real concern, he could fill up more than 5 lakh doctors posts lying vacant in primary and community health centres in the country. More than 16 lakh posts are vacant in primary schools. In the name of cow, 28 Muslims were killed. We were in the first place in IT sector. But in the last four years, the jobs were cut. In 2016-17, total 59,427 people have got jobs and it was declined to 13,972 in 2017-18.
VB: Are you accusing that the central government has failed to check sexual harassment and rape on women?
Jignesh Mewani: Only after the protests and movements across the country against Kathua incident, the central government has passed an ordinance. Total 52 BJP MPs, MLAs, and leaders were facing serious charges like sexual harassment and cases were also booked. In some cases, FIRs were also registered. As to why, the person who has 56 inch chest is keeping mum on these issues? Now, BJP has changed as ‘Balatkari Jaanleva Party’.
VB: Is the central government failed in protecting dalits?
Jignesh Mewani: Central ministers like Ramdas Atavale, Ramvilas Paswan and MP Udit Raj have become Hanuma for this BJP’s self declared Rama. Let them clarify their stand in Unnao incident. Brother of Saharanpur district president Bheem Army was killed. Upper caste people have been attacking the dalits and Muslims. I would appeal to the dalits in the state not to vote for BJP. Every day, the country is witnessing rape on six women, murder of two-three dalits, and atrocity on dalits in every 15 minutes. Thousands of people have been working as scavengers. Instead of giving right to live, the tribals are being evicted.
VB: Will the Karnataka election be a referendum for 2019 Lok Sabha election?
Jignesh Mewani: Right from the day of announcement of Karnataka Assembly results, the countdown will start for dethroning Narendra Modi. If the youth and women understand the deceptive politics of BJP, they would never vote for BJP. Supreme Court Judges have come to the street to speak against injustice. Why did Modi silent on Justice Loya death case. Media, civil society and judiciary were facing pressure. As soon as Modi steps down from the power, the BJP leaders themselves would disclose the corruption files of Modi.
VB: Are you feeling the absence of journalist Gauri Lankesh?
Jignesh Mewani: The Congress government has failed in taking the investigation into Gauri Lankesh murder case into a logical end. The accused should have been arrested. As to why Narendra Modi and BJP are not questioning Congress government? Because, BJP people knew the fact that those who believe in their ideology and members of their Shakhas have killed her.
Technology is being developed to know whether Mars has water on its surface or not. Then what is the difficulty in developing a technology to stop deaths inside toilet pits while cleaning them? If it is done, then Modi’s Skill India would definitely get success, Mewani said.
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US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Washington, Nov 7: Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee.
Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House.
"That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden said he hoped the election could also lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose. I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset,” he said.
“As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I'll fulfill my oath and I will honour the Constitution. On January 20th, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
Rebutting criticism of his economic policy, Biden said his administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.
Biden said he also spoke with Vice President Harris.
"She's been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character... She has great character, true character,” he said.
Biden added that Harris -- who took after Biden withdrew in July-- gave her "whole heart and effort" to her presidential campaign.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss," he said.
Adding that campaigns are contests of competing visions and the country chooses one or the other, Biden said, "We accept the choice the country made."
"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree,” Biden said.
His remarks are seen as an attempt to heal a country that appeared divided into two groups after the results of the bitterly contested presidential election were out.
"I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together, we've changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish our term. Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
Noting that setbacks are unavoidable, he said that giving up is "unforgivable".
"We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.
“That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It's a story for all of us, not just some of us," he said, adding that the American experiment endures.
"We're going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith,” Biden said.
