Mr. Prime Minister.. Why are you silent about the Anti-Conversion Bill? : Ex-governor Margaret Alva
Bengaluru: Expressing fear against the attempt to enforce the anti-conversion bill in the state, Former Governor Margaret Alva has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Elucidating on the rising attacks against the minorities happening in Karnataka, she has also objected to the government’s inaction.
In the four-page letter, the Congress leader has questioned the nation’s leader on the country’s happenings and said, “Mister Prime Minister… how can you close your eyes and remain silent when atrocities in India’s minorities are mounting?”
“Your silence Mr. Prime Minister, is misread as tacit approval and encouragement to the ever increasing violence and intimidation India’s minorities are being subjected to. When will you speak up and put a stop to this madness and violence?”
“’ The Karnataka Protection of Right of Freedom of Religion Bill’ has provisions that have been previously struck down by courts and are clearly violative of the Indian Constitution. It makes all minorities, our institutions, practices, services, and charities suspect” she details in the letter.
The Bill is yet to receive approval at the Vidhana Parishad level. The proposed bill intends to take away personal liberties of privacy, religion, marriage, and decision making. Is this the India we have struggled over 70 years, to build? she questioned.
My letter to the PM, New Year’s Eve 2022. pic.twitter.com/4mibJTJ0ev
— Margaret Alva (@alva_margaret) January 10, 2022
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
