Indian Elections 2009

Third phase of the Lok Sabha elections will be conducted on Thursday, April 30. Canvassing for this phase of the election ends today.

This phase will decide the fate of key candidates like L K Advani, Sonia Gandhi. hectic last minute canvassing by all parties was reported.

In this phase polls will be conducted in 9 states and 2 union territories for 107 seats. Polling will be conducted for all 26 seats in Gujarat, 16 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 15 in Uttar Pradesh, 14 in West Bengal, 11 each in Bihar and Karnataka, 10 in Maharashtra and one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

April 28th, 2009 | Tags: Lok Sabha elections, UPA/Congress | Category: Communalism, Indian Politics, Political Parties | Comments (1)

News Update : Apr 9 2009 - Congress today dropped Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar after protests from the Sikh community. If only there were similar protests against other candidates with criminal records.

The Congress’s decision to give tickets to Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar to fight the coming elections from constituencies in New Delhi has attracted the ire of the Sikh community. Mr. Tytler and Mr. Sajjan Kumar were accused of instigating violence against the Sikh community in New Delhi in 1984 after the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi. The two were recently given a clean chit by CBI in this regard.

The protests began after a journalist from Dainik Jagaran, Mr. Jarnail Singh, threw a shoe at Home Minister Chidambaram for evading his question about giving the tickets. The opposition, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), immediately tried getting political mileage out of this “shoe throwing” incident by supporting Mr. Singh and offering him financial award for the same.

• Sikh agitators disrupt rail traffic in Punjab, The Hindu, Apr 8 2009
• Protests in Punjab over Tytler issue, Times of India, Apr 8 2009
• Tytler claims Akali Dal behind shoe hurl, Indian Express, Apr 8 2009
• Don’t politicise my shoe attack, pleads Jarnail Singh, Hindustan Times, Apr 8 2009

Main stream media is speculating that Congress will most likely drop these two candidates to win back the Sikh support in New Delhi. After winning the Delhi State elections last year, the Congress can ill afford to hand any seat to the BJP. The stakes are very high and UPA needs to win every seat it can to remain in power.

April 8th, 2009 | Tags: Lok Sabha elections, New Delhi, SAD, UPA/Congress | Category: Communalism, Election Issue, Elections, Indian Politics, National Security, New Delhi, Terrorism, UPA/Congress | Comments (2)

At BJP’s national executive meeting in Nagpur, the party leadership announced that they will again be highlighting the issue of building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This is an attempt to win back the electorate that regards this issue as important. But 16 years after the Babri Masjid demolition, the Indian electorate has moved away from the issue.

• Here We Go Ram Again, Indian Express, Feb 9, 2009
• BJP makes a desperate bid to resurrect Ram temple issue, Economic Times, Feb 7, 2009
• Advani chooses to stay mum while Rajnath rakes up Ayodhya, Press Trust of India, Feb 7, 2009

As the results of the State Elections 2008 show, the average voter is more interested in good governance A political party will win more seats by promising a better future than trying to revive the past, no matter how glorious.

The final solution to the Temple/Mosque issue is very simple - it is completely up to the people of Ayodhya, and no one else, to decide whether a temple or a mosque should be built on that disputed site. The municipality of Ayodhya should refer to their Master Plan for the city and after considering the city’s layout, the numerous temples and mosques that already exist in the city and the legacy they want to leave their future generation; determine the final solution - a temple, a mosque, a public building, a memorial, status quo etc. The people of Ayodhya should not let anyone else dictate to them what they should do with their city, specially not politicians who promise them a place of worship at the expense of good governance.

One may or may not need a place to pray, but one definitely needs good governance to not walk on filthy pot-holed roads leading to that place of worship. And in 2009, every voter is acutely aware of this.

February 9th, 2009 | Tags: Ayodhya issue, Election Issue, Lok Sabha elections, NDA/BJP | Category: Communalism, Elections, Indian Politics, NDA/BJP, Uttar Pradesh | Leave a comment

Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the main accused of Malegaon blasts, has made allegations of unconstitutional torture and harassment against the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) that has her in their custody.

• ATS torturing me, says sadhvi, Sify, Nov 17, 2008
• Sadhvi alleges physical, mental torture by cops, Times of India, Nov 17, 2008

Right wing Hindu organizations, including VHP and BJP leaders, have come out in full support of the accused in Malegaon blasts and are claiming that the government is making them a scapegoat.

• ‘Pragya Thakur you march ahead, we’re with you’ , Indian Express, Nov 17, 2008
• Hindu Mahasabha protests against Sadhvi’s arrest, Zee News, Nov 17, 2008
• Anti-Terror Squad politically motivated, says Advani , NDTV.com, Nov 18, 2008

Similar allegations of bias were made by Muslim leaders and organizations when Muslim suspects were arrested for bomb blasts in other parts of the country. It is interesting to observe that in their zeal to capture Indians who are committing heinous crimes against the nation, the police force has managed to alienate both the Muslim as well as the Hindu right wing organizations. Given the cynical environment in the nation today, it would benefit the police if they maintained transparency about their procedures so as to defend such accusations levied on them.

Both the Hindu as well as the Muslim organizations have also openly come out with legal aid for the bombing suspects of their respective communities.

• Hindu outfits gear up to provide legal aid to Malegaon accused, Press Trust of India, Nov 6, 2008
• BJP, Sena to provide legal aid to sadhvi , Times of India Nov 3, 2008
• Jamia forms legal aid committee to provide aid to arrested students, Indian Express, Oct 2, 2008

It makes one wonder if the same organizations will also provide legal support to their community members if they were accused of lesser crimes , like say embezzlement.
Or is it just the charge of treason that will ensure legal aid and a sympathetic ear ?

November 18th, 2008 | Tags: Communalism, India Under Attack, Malegaon Attacks, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Terrorism | Category: Communalism, Elections, Indian Politics, Maharashtra, NDA/BJP, Terrorism | Comments (1)

In a disturbing development, the main accused of the Malegaon blast, sitting Army officer, Lt. Col. Purohit has admitted to his role in the terrorist act. This has dealt a blow to the Army’s secular credentials.

• I masterminded Malegaon blast: Lt Col , Economic Times, Nov 7 2008
• Army in crisis over saffron terror stain, IBN Live, Nov 7, 2008
• Army officer arrested for role in Malegaon blasts , NDTV.com, Nov 5, 2008

Every Indian hopes that this arrest is an aberration and is not indicative of any changes in Indian Army’s credentials. The Indian Army should owe it’s allegiance only to the President and the constitution of our nation. The fact that a ideologue could infiltrate the consciousness of a few army officers is not only embarrassing for the Army, but also a blot on it’s secular identity.

We urge the Army will take immediate steps to ensure that no divisive ideology based on religion, ethnicity, caste or language is able to brainwash it’s present or past recruits into conducting such anti-human and anti-national acts in the future.

November 7th, 2008 | Tags: India Under Attack, Indian Army, Malegaon Attacks, Terrorism | Category: Communalism, Election Issue, Maharashtra, National Security, States, Terrorism | Comments (1)

Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested three people for the blasts on September 29 in Malegaon, Maharashtra. These include a Sadhvi and couple of ex-Army men, all of whom had ties with the right wing Hindu organizations.

• Malegaon blast: two more held, Hindu, 28 Oct 2008
• Sadhvi Pragya to undergo narco test | More arrests, IBN Live, Oct 27, 2008

The arrest of Hindus for terror activities has shocked the nation and put the right wing parties in a defensive mode. The reaction has been on predictable lines, with moderate leaders taking a more pro-constitutional stand and the others proclaiming Sadhvi Pragya Thakur to be a innocent victim.

• Punish Sadhvi Pragya if found guilty: Advani , Indian Express, Oct 31, 2008
• Uma offers party ticket to Sadhvi Pragya, NDTV.com, Oct 30, 2008
• BJP chief backs Sadhvi: ‘there’s no evidence’ , Indian Express, Oct 29, 2008
• Sadhvi Pragya, victim of race for credit within police: Shiv Sena, Hindustan Times, Oct 28 2008
• Pragya Singh’s arrest sparks war of words in Sangh Parivar,  The Hindu, Oct 26, 2008

It is interesting to note that most of the Hindu religious and political leaders are having the same reaction as shown by the Muslim religious leaders after the Jamia Nagar shooting. The Others, from government and police at one end to the fundamentalists in other communities on the other end, are being blamed for some Hindus resorting to violent unconstitutional means.

These arrests bring the communal divide in India into focus. We analyze that as election dates approach, all the political parties will try and exploit this divide to win more votes from their voter base. One can look forward to a a glorious season of mud-slinging, that is if one enjoys that sport.

October 30th, 2008 | Tags: BJP, India Under Attack, Malegaon Attacks, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Terrorism | Category: Communalism, Election Issue, L K Advani, Maharashtra, NDA/BJP, National Security, States, Terrorism | Leave a comment

As the general elections approach, many political parties have earnestly begun building their support base by exploiting our diverse religious, caste, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. The latest party to join this fray is Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Mr. Raj Thackeray, the estranged nephew of Mr. Bal Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena.

With the slogan of “Mumbai for Maharashtrians”, MNS has been conducting a negative propaganda against “North Indians”. The latest of which included physical violence against candidates appearing for Railway Examinations.

• MNS, Sena attack north Indian Railway exam candidates, Indian Express, 19 Oct 2008
• Can’t beat them in exams, so beat them up: MNS, Economic Times, 19 Oct 2008
• Across country, chorus for action against Raj and his men, Expressindia.com

The Maharashtra government issued a non-bailable warrant against Mr. Raj Thackeray and arrested him from Ratnagiri, this morning. As expected, MNS members have started violent protests in various parts of Mumbai.

• Arrest warrant against Raj for hate speech in Feb, NDTV.com, Oct 20, 2008
• Mumbai police will serve warrant against Raj: Gaffoor, Hindu, Oct 20, 2008
• Raj Thackeray dares Maha govt to arrest him, Press Trust of India, Oct 20, 2008
• Raj Thackeray’s arrest sparks protests, Reuters India, Oct 21, 2008

The turn of events are expected to follow the beaten track. As the sentiment of the nation is very much against MNS and it’s tactics, main political parties like BJP and Shiv Sena will not publicly support this violent behaviour.

Our analysis is that in 2008 Indians are much more integrated than they were in the 70s when Shiv Sena started this propaganda. So it is very unlikely that MNS will be able to harvest many votes with the ‘Mumbai for Maharashtrians’ strategy and may end up being regarded as merely a nuisance factor.

October 21st, 2008 | Tags: Communalism, Indian Politics, Maharashtra, MNS, Mumbai, Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena | Category: Communalism, Election Issue, Indian Politics, MNS, Maharashtra, Political Parties, Politicians, Raj Thackeray | Comments (3)

Reports of communal violence in Orrisa has been in the main news for some time now with Kandhamal district witnessing barbaric acts of violence against the Christian community. Of particular shame are the crimes against women specially the heinous rape of a nun.

• Orissa violence death toll touches 35, sify.com, Oct 3 2008
• Nun likely raped during Kandhamal violence: Police, Press Trust of India, Oct 3 2008

Hinduism teaches men to treat all women, who are not their wives, like their mothers. These acts of violence against women are not only crime against humanity, but also anti-Hindu. It appears that the supporters of VHP and Bajrang dal in their zeal to bring about a Hindu Rashtra in India are going to setup Kansa Raj instead of Ram Raj.

The fact that the violence has continued for so long points to simmering social tensions between the various communities in the district. This tension obviously has been building for a long time and has not been addressed either by the government or the elders of the two warring communities.

• Orissa violence: NCM for action against forceful conversions, Zee News, Oct 3 2008

The bottom line is there will always be a tussle for resources in a poor country like ours whether the resources are land, government jobs or people’s souls. The expectation of India’s silent majority is that this tussle will be through non-violent democratic means and not by hiring gundas.

Our analysis is that this war between the two communities in Kandhamal will affect the election in 2009.

October 6th, 2008 | Tags: Communalism, Orissa | Category: Centre-State relations, Communalism, Election Issue, Indian Politics, Orissa | Comments (1)