Break the walls

When I met MJ Akbar (MJ) for the first time at his office in Green Park, New Delhi, we had a very transitory interaction. Though not much noticeable happened, in the last minutes of discussion, however, he made a statement which was to make a lasting impression on me – for life.  ‘We have built walls for generations… now its time to break them down.’ he said, as I hopelessly agreed.

For over hundreds of years walls have been built and fortified in this country. It’s stronger than the walls erected by the Israelis to keep away the Palestinians from crossing into their territory. The wall we are talking of is the Hindu-Muslim emotional divide. Apart from the four metros and other cosmos, when I move towards the rural areas, if not all – most, I see how agitated people are against each other. I am saddened by the hatred person of one faith harbors against another in a sense of utter disbelief.

Certainly both have valid reasons from their perspectives to this mutual distrust. But, the issue that baffles my mind is as to why be it that no efforts for lasting reconciliation have been made from either side until today? I am unable to comprehend as why do populace retort to hostility, fighting and brutality when frustrated without giving talks-for-peace a chance? Many may argue that we hadn’t had much of riots in the past ten years. But that is not to say that mutual discontent has vanished. It is gathering momentum, though steadily, even today.

After arrack went off the rack

Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, had no place for alcohol in his grand vision for India. In prompt compliance to this ‘vision’, his condemnation was written into the constitution. All the states, according to it, are supposed to be making it gradually more complicated to obtain alcohol until none is available. The motives of our founding fathers were commendable: in rural India booze is a dominant anaesthetic against the pains of destitution and yet it exacerbates that deprivation and ruins families! But there was never a pragmatic chance of eradicating the ‘demon drink’ completely. Many efforts were made, but with little success.

In 2007, during the reign of BJP-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka, B S Yediyurappa (BSY), under the capacity of Dy. Chief Minister took a ‘very brave’ step of eradicating the arrack by banning it. Though it was a bloody blow to the arrack barons, it was, however, well received in the rural areas. The Stree Shakti Group, an NGO, and other Seers of Hindu Monasteries, who have been campaigning hard for the eradication hailed the former Dy. CM for his commendable measure. It can be called commendable because in Karnataka 50% of revenues from the liquor industry come from arrack alone. To put it in figures: of 3,414.94 Crores excise collections in 2005-06, arracks share was 1,565.40 crores.

Karnataka Elections: So who will loose?

The election campaigning is going on in full swing in Karnataka. The destiny of the state polls will also decide the next Lok-Sabha (LS) elections due next year. It is well anticipated that if BJP is to be triumphant Congress is sure to put off the early elections. If not, premature LS polls are assured.

In the helm of affairs while H D Deve Gowda is acting as a proverbial Jackass, Congress is trying its level best to prove itself as ‘the most principled’ and ‘ideal’ party to rule. For ‘all deserving’ former Chief Minister (CM), B S Yediyurappa (BSY), of the BJP, it is all about: as to whether or not he would be seated on the chair of CM, yet another time. Every one is desperate for Power. But why are they seeking Power? Is there a sustainable mission to it? I have my own incredulity, though for many it may seem otherwise.

Yes, they do talk at a great length on principles, ardor and pledge. But how much do they really observe in action? For decades now we Indians are forced to choose from best of the most dreadful politicians to rule us and to administer the affairs of the government. Everyone in this state, and country, will agree that we need a much deserving leader, but what is the definition to that ‘deserving leader’? We certainly aren’t clear. Why? In answering this ‘Why?’ lies the key to our prosperity. But we haven’t ever thought over it. And that’s because: we have our own personal ‘problems’, ‘commitments’ and ‘crisis’ to attend to. Amidst which there is hardly any time for the nation? Thus we suffer.