Sunday, July 25, 2010

That's all, Your honour! : July 18-24

1. More than 67 people were killed and more than 120 were injured when two trains collided head on in West Bengal. The accident happened at around 2-3 am. This is the 14th railway accident in the past 10 months, and the second one in Bengal in the past 2 months. As always, Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee says this might have been a conspiracy. Instead of concentrating on the relief operations, she went ahead with adressing a huge rally just 2 days after the accident. She even went ahead and blamed the Communist party for trying to sabotage the trains! The Home Ministry has differed with her, and said that this looks like a clear case of human error, and there is no room for conspiracy theories here. So while safety seems to be going for a toss, Mamta Banerjee is busy addressing rallies, planning protests and aiming for the CM's post in West Bengal. What a farcial railway minister we have !

2. Chandrababu Naidu came back into national news after a long time! Infact he turned a hero in Andhra Pradesh after a long time! He along with 76 other public representatives (MLA's, MLC's and MP's) wanted to visit the controversial Babli project in the Nanded District of Maharashtra. Maharashtra police stopped them at the border, and told them that they will take them to the project in their vans. Saying that, they took them all into preventive custody. Just when everyone was thinking that these leaders will just take bail and go back, was when Naidu said they have not done anything wrong and they will not take bail! They said they will not move until they are allowed to see the Babli project. Quite obviously, both the Maharashtra and Andhra governments have not imagined this twist, and with each passing day, Naidu was getting better press in AP. With the press starting flashing photographs of MLA's who were beaten up by the police, and carrying out multiple stories about the lack of facilities and respect to the public representatives of the state, bells started ringing in the government! Finally, all the leaders were transported to the Aurungabad airport ( they were told they were being shifted to Aurangabad jail) and forcibly put in a chartered plane. As
this Hindu article claims, Naidu emerged the winner in this round. Or as this cartoon calls him - Chandra "Babli" Naidu !

3. I think this is the first time, most sports lovers of this country wanted a bowler of the opponent team to take 8 wickets so that he can retire well ! Yes, am talking about the India- Srilanka test match where Mutaih Muralitharan needed 8 wickets to get to 800 wickets! And we obliged him too :D. Mutaih got 8 wickets in this match and retired with 800 test match wickets in his kitty. Looks like this is a record that will stay for a longg longg time to come. Look at the
list to know just how far the current crop is, from this record! Kudo Murali.

4. You should see
this picture! A congress MLA throwing flower pots in frustration! hahahahaha... That's all, your honour!

అదన్నమాట! : జూలై 18-24

చంద్ర "బాబ్లి" నాయుడు . ఈ వారం చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు మహారాష్ట్ర లో సృష్టించిన ప్రకంపనాలకు ఆయనకీ ఈ విధం గా పేరు పెట్టారు ! బాబ్లి లో నిర్మిస్తున్న ప్రాజెక్ట్ అక్రమమైనదని రాష్ట్రం లో అన్ని పార్టీలు ఎప్పటి నుంచో మొర పెట్టుకుంటున్నాయి. బాబ్లి ప్రాజెక్ట్ ని సందర్శించడానికి నాయుడు గారు 76 మంది ప్రజా ప్రతినిదులున్ని వెంట బెట్టుకుని వెళ్ళారు. అయితే మహారాష్ట్ర పోలీసులు ప్రాజెక్ట్ చూపిస్తాము అని చెప్పి, వీళ్ళని అర్రెస్ట్ చేసారు. అందరిని ఒక హాస్టల్ లో పెట్టారు. బెయిల్ తీసుకుని వెనక్కి వెళ్ళిపోతారు అని అందరు అనుకున్నారు. ఇక్కడే నాయుడు గారు కొత్త వ్యూహం పన్నారు. ఎం తప్పు చేసాము అని బెయిల్ తీసుకోవాలి అని ప్రశ్నించారు. బబ్లి చూసే వరకు వెళ్ళేది లేదు అని అందరు అక్కడే ఉంది పోయారు. కోర్ట్ చెప్పిన వినలేదు, అక్కడే ఉన్నారు. రాత్రి పూట రెండు చిన్న వ్యాన్స్ తీసుకు వచ్చి వేరే జైలు కి తరలిస్తున్నాము అని చెప్పారు. నాయుడు గారు కోపగించు కోవడం తో వెనక్కి తగ్గారు. మరుసటి రోజు ఆరంగాబాద్ జైలు కి పంపిస్తునాము అని చెప్పారు. తీరా చూస్తే విమానాశ్రయం కి తీసుకువెళ్ళి అక్కడే ఒక ప్రత్యెక విమానం లోకి బలవంతంగా ఎక్కించి వెనక్కి పంపేసారు.

ఈ 4 రోజుల పాటు జరిగిన ఉద్దంతాన్ని మన టీవీ చానల్స్ ఎద తెరిపి లేకుండా చూపించాయి. మన ప్రజా ప్రతినిదులకి జరిగిన అవమానాన్ని చూసి ప్రజలు కూడా ఖండించారు. ప్రాజెక్ట్ చూపిస్తాము అని చెప్పి అర్రెస్ట్ చెయ్యడం, అర్రెస్ట్ చేసిన తరువాత సరైన సౌకర్యాలు కలిపించక పోవడం , ప్రజా ప్రతినిధుల్ని లాతిలతో కొట్టడం - ఇవ్వన్ని చూసి ప్రజలు కూడా నిర్ఘాత పోయారు. అన్ని పార్టీలు కుడా తీవ్రంగా ఖండించాయి.

ఇది ఇలా ఉండగా - సాక్షి టీవీ మాత్రం జగనన్న ఓదార్పు యాత్ర కి ఎద తెరిపి లేని కవరేజి ఇస్తూనే ఉంది ... అదీ అలా సా .... గుతూనే ఉంది ! అదన్నమాట!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Trysts with MSM - Part 9

MSM - Main Stream Media
IBN's National Bureau Chief, Bhupendra Chaubey announced recently that he has the story of the year, and when he exposes that "dhoodh ka dhoodh, pani ka pani" will happen! And on the evening of Thursday, July 22nd, a 30 minute program was aired on how "evidence" found by CBI will nail Amit Shah, the Minister of State for Home, for his alleged involvement in the Sohrabuddin encounter case.

While talking about phone records collected by CBI, Bhupendra Chaubey explains that the minister spoke continously on the phone to police officers (now arrested) involved in the encounter. And then goes on to say that it is constitutionally wrong for a minister to talk to police officers directly! Not once but twice!

Upon asking him to clarify, he said this:

@ssudhirkumar check facts sudhir. This is a matter of constitutional propriety. Don't behave like the rest of twitterati

Upon repeated questioning how the constitution has come into the picture, he hasn't bothered to reply back.

Today, I sent a mail to Editor in Chief of IBN Live, Rajdeep Sardesai seeking a clarification:

Dear Editor,
First, let me congratulate you on the "dhoodh ka dhoodh, pani ka pani" expose on the "evidence" against Amit Shah gathered by the CBI. However, while watching the expose on Thursday, National Affairs Editor Bhupendra Chaubey has said that it is Constitutionally wrong for a minister to talk directly to the police. This is a factually incorrect statement and needs to withdrawn at the earliest available opportunity. There might have been a command structure failure, but nowhere does the constitution come into the picture here. In the heat of the moment, it looks like the constitution was bought into the picture.

Sadly, I haven't any retraction of any sort from IBN on this factually incorrect statement, yet. I am sure you will agree that this is a fit case for retraction, and this will also set a good precedent in TV media clarifying on errors.

Hoping for a response on this issue.

Rajdeep replied saying this:

I have checked the recordings. I think what mr chaube wished to say was to highlight was the question marks over mr shah talking to the ats continuously while the encounter operation was on and before and after it. That was the thrust of what he was saying, he may have been wrong to use the word 'constitution', but it does not detract from the substance of his story.

About 10 minutes after this reply came from Bhupendra Chaubey, who still stands by the statement!

Dear mr kumar
Glad that u r an avid viewer of cnn ibn. The statement that was made is factual and is correct. A home minister speaks to officers thru the dgp, a home min rarely speaks to officers of the ranks of sp and below unless in situations of emergency. That's the pt that has been made. I suggest u don't fall for clamour of twitter and appreciate the nuances of statements.

Best wishes

Bhupendra

The problem was with the use of the word "constitution" and this is what I replied back to Mr. Chaubey. Either way, I guess it is pretty evident that the error has been noticed, will rest the case now :)

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Trysts with MSM -Part 8: "Assaulted" and "Hounded"

MSM stands for Main Stream Media.
Never knew Part 8 will happen so soon :D. Post the questions posed on the previous blog, this is the reply I get from the author of the HT article:

After writing a cover story in @
HTBrunch on Internet Trolls, I am now getting assulated by @InternetHindus and @ssudhirkumar

Yep, you read it right, for asking this and other similar questions- he used the term "assaulted" and was also
told that:

@
ssudhirkumar All these sentences must have some context, right?

And then when he was kindly
asked to read the links sent to him before passing judgement, he replies

@
ssudhirkumar Not passing judgement. But yes, I will read the links in a couple of hours...got thing to do, at the moment.

And when
asked if he would withdraw the word "Assaulted", he says

@
ssudhirkumar Nope. Sorry. It stays.

So anyways, since he
promised to read the links and get back, didn't tweet him further that day.

48 hours after this, I ask him again if he had a chance to read the blog posts and he
replies

@
ssudhirkumar OK, since you won't stop hounding me, all I can say is that what anyone says to anyone is on Twitter is...
...their own prerogative. So if Sagarika or Rajdeep or Nidhi blocked you or was nasty to u, its their call!

Yep, again you read it right. Sending him 2 reminders in 2 days is "
Hounding".

I
asked: @pranavdixit hounding ???? Why should you use such language in the first place??? Is there no place for civilised discussion here?

For which he
says, @ssudhirkumar Is constantly sending me tweets asking me if I had the time to read your blog not 'hounding'?

@
ssudhirkumar Whatever. But I replied to you and that's all I have to say on the issue.

Fellow tweeple questioned him further, and he replied
thus:

@
SivaChandan I have read the blog. And iI still by what I say that what Sagarika and Nidhi have to say is their call.

SivaChandan If I tweet expletives at you, that would be trolling. If I say you are a fool, that does NOT equal trolling.

So he reads the blog, doesn't bother to respond and then says I am hounding, goes on to distinguish between a fool and abuse. Anyways, like mentioned before, a miniscule percentage of people "abuse" and how very convieniently they generalize! I bet we will see more such periodic articles in the near future, so that these journalists can further massage their own egos!

Thus ends Part 8 :)

Monday, July 19, 2010

Trysts with MSM - Part 7: "Are you for real"

MSM stands for Main Stream Media.
This was actually a very long time ago, before the "Trysts with MSM" series was started. Didn't bother to dig this up in recent times. Sagarika Ghose once wrote an article in Hindustan Times comparing today’s politicians to Dhritarashtra, I tweeted to her saying:

@sagarikaghose Dhritharashtra was actually blind, our leaders pretend to be blind…there is a sea of difference…

What followed was this discussion…

@ssudhirkumar “actually” blind. god, are you for real? The epics speak in complicated metaphors, D is THE metaphor of a blind king/parent..

@sagarikaghose aha! now you are interpreting what the epics speak…nice. And ohh yeah, I am for real !

@ssudhirkumar so ravana “actually” had ten heads? krishna “actually” supplied cloth from heaven?

@sagarikaghose why are you extending it madam? why divert the topic?

@sagarikaghose my point was to counter your comparison in your HT article. First you tell that you interpret epics it according to your wish

@sagarikaghose and then you ask me if I believe Ravan had 10 arms..oops heads, and krishna actually supply cloth…

@sagarikaghose frankly ma’am, I am at a loss as to how to argue and debate with you !!

@ssudhirkumar do you “actually” believe that? don’t you think these are literary and narritive devices? do go beyond amar chitra katha..

@sagarikaghose why do you find it so intolerant that I “Actually” believe D was blind? What just is wrong with it? And what’s with the tone?

@ssudhirkumar Its not “intolerant” its simply moronic..):

@sagarikaghose you find it “moronic” that I believe D was “actually” blind and it was not a metaphor? wow! get well soon ma’am.


@sagarikaghose I am just a common man with simple understanding.I cannot comprehend complex, complicated metaphors. thank you for the gyan.

The reason for digging this up today is because the media personalities bogus claims of being the victim of hatred on the Internet has somehow gone up in the recent times again. Hindustan Times even published an article yesterday, wherein it gives examples of some abusive messages and tries to charectize users.

Now, it is not anybody's contention that the kind of abuses printed are horrible. Why are we even debating them? Who, in their right mind would want to justify such language? Isn't it so elementary to expect such fringe elements everywhere? Frankly, have these "celebrities" been so naive that they didn't expect such abuses in the first place? Why pick up a small percentage of hate messages and play up the victim card so as to even quell genuine criticism?

Why is the media not discussing the positive effect of this open communication? Because it is not juicy enough? There have been umpteen examples of how media personalities have escaped from answering legitimate questions. Umpteen examples how people were characterized because someone else posted a hate message. Either the media talks about the fringe abusers or about those who praise them. What about those who question them? They have no place in this whole thing?

"You don't understand English" screamed Nidhi Razdan of NDTV. "What makes you think I am answerable to you" shouted Vikram Chandra of NDTV. "Are you for real" asked Sagarika Ghose of IBN.

Will Hindustan Times or for that matter any media channel publish this? Will they dare show the inane side of their celebrity journos?

Sunday, July 18, 2010

That's all, Your honour! : July 11-17

1. In yet another success story, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched it's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C15) and placed five satellites in their orbits. The biggest highlight of this launch is the placing of the StudSAT - a pico-satellite developed by a group of undergraduate students in collaboration with ISRO. 35 students of 7 different engineering colleges in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh designed this pico-satellite, which is now beaming back signals to the earth. This launch is a big leap in the faith of engineering students across the country, more so because the students are NOT from the famed IIT's and NIT's!

2. After weeks of tumultous scenes in parts of the Kashmir valley, curfew was
finally lifted. An all party meeting was also held in this week, which was boycotted by the main opposition party PDP. Even the Prime Minister appealed to the leader of PDP, Mehbooba Mufti, who still refused to attend the meeting saying that there was nothing substantial anyway that will happen in that meeting. True to the prophecy, the all party meeting decided to "appeal for peace" and one NDTV journalist found that a very good outcome. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also met both the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson, who assured him of full support - now we just have to hope that such incidents don't happen again - even if they do, sadly no one will be held accountable.

3. Karnataka Governor H.R.Bharadwaj is a man on a mission now. He wants corrupt ministers in the BJP led government in Karnataka, who are involved in illegal mining to resign. He met the Prime Minister and also the President on this matter. And then he publicly demands that these ministers should go. Now it is nobody's case that such corrupt ministers need to stay, but the Governor must know his limits and act accordingly. He cannot fancy himself to be the sole arbiterer while dealing with an elected government. And while his Congress roots are definetely playing an important role in this over activism, it is important that we read
this article in rediff that gives a clear picture of the entire Iron Ore mining scam issue. Particulary it is of interest to note that the fake licenses to the trucks got issued from Kadapa, whose MP is Jagan Mohan Reddy and the district is a YSR stronghold !

4. As if his
rebuke in the joint Press Conference was not enough, Pakistan Foreign Minister S.M.Qureshi vented further frustration the day after it too. And all that while our minister Mr. S.M.Krishna was still in Islamabad. SMQ alleged that SMK got frequent orders from Delhi (duh - if true, where else will he get them from!), and that the Indian side has come unprepared. He also said that our "selective approach" is taking us nowhere, and he doesn't want to just meet for photo oppurtunities! As always, we have refuted his comments, and then said we will continue to talk. SMQ then later says, that he believes in talks. And as of yesterday, he again changes track and says if he is going to visit New Delhi for further negotiations, he will do so only if we are prepared for a "result oriented dialogue" and will not come for "leisure trips"! Speaking of results, Mr. SMQ - how about you show some results on the 26/11 investigations?? That's all, your honour!

అదన్నమాట! : జూలై 11-17

మహారాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం గోదావారి మీద బాబ్లి దగ్గర ఒక ప్రాజెక్ట్ నిర్మిస్తుంది. దీని వాళ్ళ దిగువ ప్రాంతం లో ఉన్న మన రాష్ట్రానికి నష్టం కలుగుతుంది అని విపక్షాల ఆరోపణ. రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం కూడా సుప్రీం కోర్ట్ లో కేసు వేసింది, కోర్ట్ స్టే కూడా ఇచ్చింది. ఆయినా మహారాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం నిర్మాణం కొనసాగిస్తుంది అని వార్తలు వస్తూనే ఉన్నాయి. ఈ నేపధ్యం లో చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు గారు నాయకత్వం లో తెదేపా బృందం ఒకటి బాబ్లి ని పరిశీలించడానికి బయల్దేరి వెళ్ళింది. సరిహద్దు దగ్గర బాబ్లి కి తీసుకువేల్తాము అని చెప్పి, మహారాష్ట్ర పోలీసులు ౭౬ మంది తెదేపా నాయకుల్ని అర్రెస్ట్ చేసారు ! తెదేపా నాయకులు ఇప్పుడు భీష్మించుకుని కుర్చునారు. బెయిల్ కూడా తీసుకోవడానికి నిరాకరించారు. ఎన్ని రోజులు ఆయినా అక్కడే ఉంటాము అని చెప్తున్నారు. చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు గారి మీద మీడియా లో ఇప్పుడు విపరీతమైన సానుభూతి పెరిగింది ! అర్రెస్ట్ చేసిన నాయకులకి కనీస సౌకర్యాలు కూడా కలిపించటం లేదు అని ఆరోపణల వెల్లు వెత్తాయి ... కొన్ని చానెల్స్ అయితే ఎన్ని ఘంటల ఎన్ని నిమషాలు నాయుడు గారిని అర్రెస్ట్ చేసారో కూడా చుపిస్తునాయి ! ఇద్దరు కార్యకర్తలు ఆత్మా హత్య కూడా చేసుకునారు అని ఇప్పుడు వార్తలు కూడా వస్తున్నాయి.

ఇది ఇలా ఉండగా, జగన్ గారి ఓదార్పు యాత్ర కొనసాగుతూనే ఉంది. ఎమ్యెల్యేలు కూడా ఈ యాత్ర లో ఇప్పుడు పాలు పంచుకుంటున్నారు. జగన్ గారు ఓదార్పు తక్కువ , ప్రసంగాలు ఎక్కువ చేస్తున్నారు!

Friday, July 16, 2010

"Useful" and "Constructive"

India's External Affairs Minister met his Pakistan counterpart yesterday. They addressed a joint press conference.

When Pakistan's Foreign Minister was asked this "We are talking about taking the dialogue process (between India and Pakistan) ahead. In this scenario, Hafiz Saeed's anti-India tirade is affecting the environment, was this issue discussed"

To which he replied (it's a long answer, but you will have to read it in its entirety. "We discussed it. Incidentally, the minister (referring to India's S M Krishna) raised the question that he was concerned about hate speeches that incite people, and that we should avoid them. I do agree that both sides need to create an enabling environment, and not let the climate of engagement be vitiated by these speeches, should refrain from negative propaganda against each other"

Perhaps even he was bored with the same crap being dished out always and therefore continued thus - (here comes the actual stuff). "When you point out to Saeed's speech, or speeches, let me draw your attention to the Indian Home Secretary's (G K Pillai) statement. The dialogue which was reported in all Pakistani papers.. Tell me, to what extent it has helped? We were of the opinion that it was uncalled for"

So first he gives a long winded answer, and then goes about equating our Home Secretary with noted terrorist Hafiz Saeed. Hafiz Saaed is on record for his vitroil against the Indian state. It has been our long standing demand that he be tried for crimes against India. And Pakistan now has the gall to equate that guy with the Home Secretary of the country (who said that ISI is behind the 26/11 attacks). So now blaming ISI and threatening India are on the same page. Infact
this report in The Hindu calls the Home Secretary's statement as the biggest irritant. Wow - look to where we have stooped down to. Yet, we chose to remain silent on this. Our great External Affairs Minister didn't refute the "we agree" statement. The silence is defeaning.

No no, we just don't remain silent - we are desperate to talk to them. We are desperate to see to it that the talks do not fail at any cost. Happen what may, the end statement has to be that the talks will continue. Our Prime Minister is just so desperate to have the talks at any cost - it doesn't matter what people feel in India about it.

Every single time talks are held, we are told that "Terror is high on our agenda", and then we are also told that we will seek answers from Pakistan on the progress of their investigations. Now, has any progress been made? Is India satisfied with their response? If they are, then why do they have to rake it up each time there is a meeting? If they are not, then what on earth is stopping us from saying that we really can't move further if you don't co-operate? Why are we treated to this shameful spectacle with alarming regularity these days?

There is one more dimension - the media's role in this whole saga. Why are sections of the media so desperate to cover up the failures of the two governments, when it comes to these talks? Why don't they show more guts and demand better answers from our government as to what exactly is the strategy? Why this blind following of the shameful planning by the government. Many journalists just dish out the same stuff again and again, and never once do they talk about the need for us to be tough with Pak for encouraging terrorists (who by the way, kill our citizens). Even now, sections of the Indian media are making desperate attempts to see the "positive" side of these talks - we will talk further!

Ofcourse, we will talk further. It doesn't matter what kind of shit is thrown at us; it doesn't matter what kind of vitroil is directed at us. We will talk, even if you don't wish to. Even if you continue to encourage those who kill us.

And ohh by the way, for the
record, Pakistan found the talks "useful" and India found the talks "constructive"

Sunday, July 11, 2010

That's all, your honour!: July 4-10

1. For the first time in 2 decades, Army has been called into the disturbed areas of Kashmir, to quell the "anti-India" protestors. Earlier in the week, four more people were killed and 70 more injured in police firing. The state government then requested for Army help to contain this violence. The Home Minister has earlier said that there is LeT hand in these violent protests. Other intercepts have also suggested that some instigated, infact revealing some dangerous plans - "The sources pointed out that intercepts showed that hardline separatists had even discussed the possibility of killing at least 15 people ...". Yet, just look at how hopeless our government is. We are told LeT is responsible; we are told that the stone pelters are paid for; only 3 districts of J&K are currently facing this situation, yet the media goes bonkers about "Burning Kashmir"; the Chief Minister has woefully failed in controlling such situations over the years (this is not the first time this is happening); and we don't even know how much keen the Prime Minister is in resolving this issue. The worst part is that the Chief Minister has accepted that this has been a personal setback, and NDTV is going gaga over his "candid" admission!

2. Jagan Mohan Reddy has raised a banner of revolt against the party High Command - that too right amidst people. However, he has not formally announced any split from the party. He released a letter, written by him to the people of AP, wherein he explained how Sonia Gandhi was not too keen on his "Odarpu Yatra" and yet he thinks it is his duty to go and console these people. After he left to Srikakulam, Chief Minister Rosaih from Delhi said that the High Command was never against the yatra, but only suggested him not to carry it like a victory rally. Jagan is doing exactly the same thing now - he has asked why MLA's and Ministers were asked not to accompany him. He asked what sin he has committed that he has to be treated like this. He also asked whether those who died after hearing YSR's death news are not cadre of Congress. And he went on and on. He has been continously addressing rallies for the past 4 days, while consoling the families for about 10-15 minutes a day. Yep - the amount of time spent consoling is minimal compared to his time on the roads! TDP released the list of people he met and also released the reasons for their deaths, but no one seems to be in a mood to listen! It is all out in the open in AP, and as always the High Command is no hurry to take a decision.

3. And here it comes - ICC President Sharad Pawar who also happens to be the Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs minister of India has asked the Prime Minister to reduce his burden. The official reason for his request is that he wants to concentrate more on his party. We all know that he has to spend more time on ICC. If the Prime Minister had enough guts in him, he would relieve Sharad Pawar of ALL portfolios. But that's a little too much to ask no, your honour?!

అదన్నమాట! : జూలై 4-10

" ఈ యాత్ర ని ఒక దండ యాత్ర లాగ కాకుండా, ఓదార్పు యాత్ర లాగ జరపమనే అధిష్టానం ఆలోచన" అని ముఖ్యమంత్రి రోశయ్య గారు డిల్లి లో చెప్పారు. జగన్ మోహన్ రెడ్డి గారు మాత్రం దండ యాత్ర లాగే చేస్తున్నారు, అధిష్టానం మాట కి విలువ ఇవ్వకుండా !! రాష్ట్ర రాజకీయాల్లో అధిష్టానాన్ని ఎవరైనా ఎదురిస్తారు అని ఉహించి ఉండరు ! జగన్ గారు ఓదార్పు పేరు తో, జనాన్ని ఉద్దేశించి ప్రసంగిస్తూ, గత తొమ్మిది నెలల లో రాజకీయాలు బాగా బ్రష్టుపట్టిపోయాయి అని సెలవు ఇచ్చారు. వినే వాళ్ళు ఉంటె, ఏమైనా చెప్తారు కదా ఈ నాయకులు! మరుసటి రోజు విమర్శలు పదను ఎక్కాయి. వై ఎస్ ఆర్ పుట్టినరోజు నాడు ఎంఎల్యే లను జిల్లాలకి వేల్లనివ్వలేదు అని విమర్శించారు. తనతో పాటు ఓదార్చడానికి ఎవ్వరిని వెళ్ళకూడదు అని ఆదేసిన్చినందుకు, "నేను ఎం పాపం చేశాను " అని ఎదురు ప్రశ్నించారు. చనిపోయిన వారు కాంగ్రెస్స్ కార్యకర్తలు కార అని గట్టిగా అడిగారు. ఇంత చేసిన, ఇంకా తిరిగుబాటు చేస్తునారు అని మాత్రం చెప్పలేదు. చిరంజీవి గారి మద్దత్తు ప్రభుత్వం కి ఉన్నంత వరకు, ఈయన తిరుగుబాటు చెయ్యాలి అంటే కనీసం 30 ఎమ్యెల్యేలు కావలి... అంత వరకు ఈ మాటల యుద్ధం కొనసాగుతూనే ఉంటుంది. రాష్ట్రం లో పరిపాలన మాత్రం జరగటం లేదు , దాని గురుంచి మాత్రం ఎవ్వరు చర్చిన్టటం లేదు.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Dear Suhel Seth ...

First, Who is this Suhel Seth? He is a guy who has an opinion on almost anything and everything, and emotively expresses his opinions thus making them more dramatic than ever needed. Infact, this wikipedia link about him says it well - "...more widely known as the all-purpose TV talking head, newspaper columnist".

Why this blog? So, yesterday there was Bharat Bandh. This Bandh was called by all opposition parties to protest price rise in general and the recent fuel price hike in specific. English media, as usual, were not happy with the concept of Bandh. There were some violent incidents in parts of the country. Violence is no doubt condemnable, and if the state governments have the guts, they need to arrest those who resorted to it, and then reclaim the damages. No second thoughts about that.

However, the problem with intellectuals like Suhel Seth is that they were all over the TV last night (one such program is
here) going ballistic about "Why doesn't the opposition debate these issues in Parliament?". "Why doesn't the opposition have a civilised debate?". Now, this all pervasive Suhel Seth, in his quest for dramatics, has been very oblivious to the debates and multiple questions that have happened in Parliament on this very issue.

First, a quick search of the keyword "Price Rise" has given
12 results on the Lok Sabha Page. 12 debates in the last 1 year, which is a very good record. As recently as February 25, there was a full day debate in Lok Sabha on Price rise (though this debate is tagged under Price Hike!).

Fellow tweeter,
Sudhir Kudva, has painstakenly listed the various questions posed by opposition members on this issue. Will append that list to this blog. Therefore, Dear Suhel Seth and the likes, while we understand your distress as a citizen about loss of public property, it is reprehensible beyond compare that you conveniently ignore the suggestions/criticisms mounted in a civilsed manner by the Opposition parties. And don't change the topic to the violence now - that is condemnable and there is no argument there. The argument is all about the unfounded criticism of the lack of debates in the Parliament. Ok, bye Suhel!

Questions on Price Rise (kudos to the excellent effort by Sudhir Kudva):

http://bit.ly/c1ALOH Question raised by BJP MP - Bijapur Karnataka
http://bit.ly/dnL50G Question raised by Dhananjay Singh BSP MP Jaunpur UP 30-04-2010
http://bit.ly/cxcMv4 Question by Shri WAKCHAURE BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM Shiv Sena MP from Shirdi Maharashtra
http://bit.ly/d1G8AY Question by Asauddin Owaisi MIM MP from Hyderabad
http://bit.ly/bT4OCh Question by Dr. MM Joshi BJP MP from Varanasi UP
http://bit.ly/dDdDFu Dr. Mahendrasinh Chauhan BJP MP from Sabarkanta Guj
http://bit.ly/bL5YuE Question by Shri Sonawane Pratap Narayanrao BJP MP Dhule Maharashtra
http://bit.ly/bNohQJ N Cheluvaraya Swamy JDS MP from Mandya Karnataka
http://bit.ly/as9yFL Question by Shri Rudra Madhab Ray BJD MP from Kandhamal Orissa
http://bit.ly/aofndU Question by Harsimrat Kaur Badal Akali Dal MP from Bhatinda Punjab
http://bit.ly/bDgyrW Question by Dr. MM Joshi BJP MP Varanasi UP
http://bit.ly/bwjThQ Question by Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain BJP MP from Bhagalpur Bihar
http://bit.ly/apOJeu Question by S. Pakkirappa BJP MP Raichur Karnataka
http://bit.ly/cK0hos Question by Shri SANJAY SINGH CHAUHAN RLD MP from Muzaffar Nagar UP
http://bit.ly/cX0Stk Question by Ravindra Kumar Pandey BJP MP Giridh Jharkhand
http://bit.ly/9PzrUH Question by Smt. P. JAYA PRADA NAHATA SP MP from Rampur UP
http://bit.ly/aH2oJh Question by Tathagatha Satapathy BJD MP Dhenkanal Orissa
http://bit.ly/azatxb Question by Nishikant Dubey BJP MP Godda Jharkhand
http://bit.ly/aBfgj1 Question by radha mohan singh BJP MP from Purvi Champaran Bihar
http://bit.ly/c1vTc4 Question by Nishikant Dubey BJP MP Godda Jharkhand
http://bit.ly/dj91dY Question by Kirti Jha Azad BJP MP Dharbhanga Bihar

Sunday, July 4, 2010

That's all, Your Honour! :June 27 - July 3

1. 8,63,000 people affected in India, in the last four months. Now wait - are you wondering if the number is exaggerated? Not a bit. The reason we haven't known about this before is because our "national media" to which we have access did not tell us about this. Official sources have told a newspaper that 8,63,000 people have been affected by floods in the past four months in Assam. More than a thousand villages have been affected, and not a minute of coverage of this news. 8,63,000 people!

2. Stone pelters are back in action in areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Infact, our Home Minister, Mr. Chidambaram has blamed the LeT for being behind these violent actions. That we wouldn't bother to raise the issue with Pakistan is another issue though. The Hindu calls it (rightly so) "
Kashmir's street war". Most of these clashes havebeen occuring in old town areas and as The Hindu rightly points out, sometimes invovled 100 people or less. In the latest round of violence, 11 people have been killed (most of them youngsters). All this started when security forces killed militants in the Sopore area. No sooner did the killing happen, protestors were on streets and they soon turned violent, and the result - 2 protestors killed. And the cycle continued - more protests over the next few days - more unrest in the areas - more killings. Media first blamed CRPF and then realised that these protests happen with alarming regularity. Then it was realised that all these organised protests are the making of separtist groups. An SMS is apparently sent, and immediately a small crowd gathers and starts these disturbances! And now the Home Minister has blamed LeT directly ! Amidst all this, all that the CM of J&K could do was to appeal to the people. This link on The Hindu website will give us latest news.

3. It happened again. 26 CRPF men
killed in Chattisgarh, by who else but the cold blooded murderers - Maoists. Ensuing debates again underscored the point that no proper training is being given to these CRPF jawans, and yet they are being sent to the war. And the sad part - no one in the media is even questioning why this decision has been taken.

4. In what can be termed as a major success for the police, Maoist 3rd in Command, Rajkumar alias Azad has been
killed in an encounter with police in AP. This man has been responsible for the killing of 2 IPS officers, attempting to kill 2 CM's, killed 1 minister, one former Speaker and scores of policemen. He has risen to the spokesperson of Maoists and this killing is a HUGE blow to the Maoists. Now, however, Gadar, the balladeer, calls this guy as "True People's Leader". Yeah right, a mass murderer is the true people's leader - haa ! That's all, your honour!

అదన్నమాట! : జూన్ 27- జూలై 3

"తెలంగాణా కి అడ్డొస్తే , అడ్డంగా నరికేద్దాం." విజయశాంతి గారు ఇలా చెప్పారు. ఎన్నికల కమిషన్ ఈ వ్యాఖ్య ని చాలా సీరియస్ గా తీసుకుంది. విజయశాంతి మీద కేస్ పెట్టమని ప్రభుత్వం కి ఆదేశాలు ఇచ్చింది. అర్రెస్ట్ చెయ్యడానికి పోలీసులు వెళ్తే, కార్యకర్తలు ఎక్కడలేని హడావాడి సృష్టించారు. ఏదో ఏదో గొడవ చేసారు. మహిళా ఎంపీ ని ఎలా అర్రెస్ట్ చేస్తారు అని వక్రీకరించారు కూడా ! అంటే, మహిళ ఎంపీ నోటికి వచ్చినట్టు వాగోచ్చ ? మొత్తానికి ఆ రోజు అర్రెస్ట్ చెయ్యలేకపోయారు. మరుసటి రోజు విజయశాంతి గారు మెదక్ బయల్దేరి వెళ్ళరు. ఆవిడ వాహనాన్ని ఆపి పోలీసులు అర్రెస్ట్ చేసారు. మళ్ళి హడావడి సృష్టించారు విజయశాంతి గారు. నడి రోడ్ మీద ఎలా అర్రెస్ట్ చేస్తారు అని చిందులు వేసారు. మీరు ఇంట్లో ఉండకుండా రోడ్ ఎక్కితే , ఇంకా ఎక్కడ అర్రెస్ట్ చేస్తారు విజయశాంతి గారు?? చేసింది ఒక చెత్త వ్యాఖ్య, మళ్ళి దానిని సమర్ధించుకోవడం ఒకటి !

ప్రముఖ నక్సలైట్ నాయకుడు చెరుకూరి రాజ్కుమార్ అలియాస్ ఆజాద్ ని పోలీసులు ఈ వారం ఎన్కౌంటర్ లో చంపేశారు. మాధవ రెడ్డి మీద జరిగిన దాడి, శ్రీపాద రావు మీద జరిగిన దాడి, చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు మీద జరిగిన దాడి, నేదురమల్లి మీద జరిగిన దాడి, ఉమేష్ చంద్ర, వ్యాస్ మీద జరిగిన దాడి - ఇవ్వన్నితి వెనకాల ఆజాద్ హస్తం ఉంది. ఆజాద్ మరణం తో నక్సల్స్ కి పెద్ద ఎదురు దెబ్బ తగిలింది. పోలీసులకి ఇది ఉత్శాహాన్ని ఇచ్చింది.