India
Kharge slams union govt for asking CBI to probe Odisha train accident: Letter to Modi
"...your government has no intent to address the systemic safety malaise, but is instead finding diversionary tactics to derail any attempts to fix accountability,” wrote the president of the Indian National Congress (INC), previously the union railway minister between 2013-2014.
New Delhi: A day after union railway minister Ashwini Yadav announced a CBI probe to investigate the three-train collision in Odisha that left 275 people dead and over 1,000 injured, Congress head Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising serious questions on this decision. According to Vaishnav it was a decision (request) of the Railway Board to bring in the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI).
In a four-page letter, Kharge has argued that law enforcement agencies cannot fix accountability for technical, institutional and political failures for which you need experts.
“The CBI is meant to investigate crimes, not railway accidents. The CBI, or any other law enforcement agency, cannot fix accountability for technical, institutional and political failures. In addition, they lack the technical expertise in railway safety, signalling, and maintenance practices,” Kharge said.
He continued that “the people in charge – your goodself [Modi] and Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav – do not want to admit that there are problems”.
It was also strange, Kharge said, that on Sunday Vaishnaw had both claimed to have found the “root cause” of the crash and also asked the CBI to investigate.
This was not the first time, the Congress leader argued, that a law enforcement agency was being asked to probe a rail accident. In 2016, the then railways minister had asked the National Investigation Agency to investigate the derailment of a train in Kanpur in which 150 people were killed.
“Subsequently, you yourself claimed in an election rally in 2017 that there was a “conspiracy”. The nation was assured that the strictest punishment would be meted out. However, in 2018, the NIA closed the investigation and refused to file a chargesheet. The nation is still in the dark – who is responsible for 150 avoidable deaths?” Kharge asked.
“The statements so far and the roping in of yet another agency without the required expertise remind us of 2016. They show that your government has no intent to address the systemic safety malaise, but is instead finding diversionary tactics to derail any attempts to fix accountability,” he said.
“All the empty safety claims of the Railway Minister have now been exposed. There is serious concern among the common passengers about this deterioration in safety. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the government to ascertain and bring to light the real reasons that caused this grave accident. Today, the most crucial step is to prioritise installation of mandatory safety standards and equipment across railway routes to ensure safety of our passengers and no recurrence of an accident like the one at Balasore,” Kharge said.
Kharge added, “Instead of focusing on strengthening the railways at the basic level, only superficial touch-ups are being done to stay in news.”
Kharge also pointed out that several government bodies have raised the issue of rail safety over the years. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, he said, had “criticised the complete apathy and negligence of the Railway Board towards recommendations of the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) that pulled up the Railway Board for not following safety procedures”.
“Why were the previous government’s plans to roll out the anti-train-collision system, originally named Raksha Kavach, put on the back burner? Your government simply renamed the scheme ‘Kavach’ and in March 2022, the Railway Minister himself projected the rechristened scheme as a new novel invention. But the question still remains, why have only a measly 4 percent of routes of Indian Railways been protected by ‘Kavach’ till now?” he asked.
The letter may be read here:
The devastating train accident in Odisha has shocked the nation.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 5, 2023
Today, the most crucial step is to prioritise installation of mandatory safety standards to ensure safety of our passengers
My letter to PM, Shri @narendramodi, highlighting important facts. pic.twitter.com/fx8IJGqAwk
Related:
Kharge slams union govt for asking CBI to probe Odisha train accident: Letter to Modi
"...your government has no intent to address the systemic safety malaise, but is instead finding diversionary tactics to derail any attempts to fix accountability,” wrote the president of the Indian National Congress (INC), previously the union railway minister between 2013-2014.
New Delhi: A day after union railway minister Ashwini Yadav announced a CBI probe to investigate the three-train collision in Odisha that left 275 people dead and over 1,000 injured, Congress head Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising serious questions on this decision. According to Vaishnav it was a decision (request) of the Railway Board to bring in the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI).
In a four-page letter, Kharge has argued that law enforcement agencies cannot fix accountability for technical, institutional and political failures for which you need experts.
“The CBI is meant to investigate crimes, not railway accidents. The CBI, or any other law enforcement agency, cannot fix accountability for technical, institutional and political failures. In addition, they lack the technical expertise in railway safety, signalling, and maintenance practices,” Kharge said.
He continued that “the people in charge – your goodself [Modi] and Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav – do not want to admit that there are problems”.
It was also strange, Kharge said, that on Sunday Vaishnaw had both claimed to have found the “root cause” of the crash and also asked the CBI to investigate.
This was not the first time, the Congress leader argued, that a law enforcement agency was being asked to probe a rail accident. In 2016, the then railways minister had asked the National Investigation Agency to investigate the derailment of a train in Kanpur in which 150 people were killed.
“Subsequently, you yourself claimed in an election rally in 2017 that there was a “conspiracy”. The nation was assured that the strictest punishment would be meted out. However, in 2018, the NIA closed the investigation and refused to file a chargesheet. The nation is still in the dark – who is responsible for 150 avoidable deaths?” Kharge asked.
“The statements so far and the roping in of yet another agency without the required expertise remind us of 2016. They show that your government has no intent to address the systemic safety malaise, but is instead finding diversionary tactics to derail any attempts to fix accountability,” he said.
“All the empty safety claims of the Railway Minister have now been exposed. There is serious concern among the common passengers about this deterioration in safety. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the government to ascertain and bring to light the real reasons that caused this grave accident. Today, the most crucial step is to prioritise installation of mandatory safety standards and equipment across railway routes to ensure safety of our passengers and no recurrence of an accident like the one at Balasore,” Kharge said.
Kharge added, “Instead of focusing on strengthening the railways at the basic level, only superficial touch-ups are being done to stay in news.”
Kharge also pointed out that several government bodies have raised the issue of rail safety over the years. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, he said, had “criticised the complete apathy and negligence of the Railway Board towards recommendations of the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) that pulled up the Railway Board for not following safety procedures”.
“Why were the previous government’s plans to roll out the anti-train-collision system, originally named Raksha Kavach, put on the back burner? Your government simply renamed the scheme ‘Kavach’ and in March 2022, the Railway Minister himself projected the rechristened scheme as a new novel invention. But the question still remains, why have only a measly 4 percent of routes of Indian Railways been protected by ‘Kavach’ till now?” he asked.
The letter may be read here:
The devastating train accident in Odisha has shocked the nation.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 5, 2023
Today, the most crucial step is to prioritise installation of mandatory safety standards to ensure safety of our passengers
My letter to PM, Shri @narendramodi, highlighting important facts. pic.twitter.com/fx8IJGqAwk
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5 Years Since Application and Still No Results: Frustrated Junior Engineers’ Protest Completes 6 Months in UP
Sitting at the Eco Park in Lucknow since November 26, 2022, the JE applicants are now tired and approaching the final stage of their protest.
Lucknow: It has been five years since the vacancy was released, and the applicants who applied for the Junior Engineer (JE) post under the Uttar Pradesh Public Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) continue to wait.
Sitting at the Eco Park in Lucknow since November 26 2022, the JE applicants are now tired and approaching the final stage of their protest. After protesting for nearly 200 days, the protesters are now sending letters to the governor, CM Office, and different departments responsible for filling these posts, stating, "Either give us our results and complete our recruitment or take responsibility for our suicide."
The candidates believe that their posts are lower in number compared to other positions under the UPSSSC, leading the government to neglect them. They feel that the other positions have a larger number, making it more convenient for the government to showcase their achievements in employment. However, since their post count is lower, they feel neglected.
A Brief Background
The protests began on Constitution Day, with a total of around 500 applicants gathering to register their protest. However, the numbers gradually decreased as everyone had their own problems. According to Mayur Verma, the leader of the protests, at least 30 applicants have remained constant at the protest site since November.
The Junior Engineer (JE) position was specifically introduced for diploma holders who specialised in technical fields like agriculture and civil. The eligibility criteria included completing high school followed by a three-year diploma course. Since the fee for the diploma course was much lower compared to pursuing a bachelor's or BTech degree, many students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds opted to complete this course and still be recognised as engineers.
The history of this vacancy tells a different story. The first vacancy, released in February 2016, was completed by 2017. In the same year, another vacancy for 385 posts was declared, and the recruitment process began. However, this time, there was a much longer delay, and the final document verification took place between February and April 2022. Since then, applicants for the 2016 vacancy have been awaiting a joining date and a final merit list after document verification.
While the recruitment process for the 2016 vacancy was ongoing, the government released another vacancy for the same JE post in 2018, with the number of vacant positions increasing to 1,477. Applicants saw this as a good opportunity to improve their situation -- especially those who had not been able to fill a post under the 2016 vacancy or were uncertain about the later one released in the same year. Little did they know that the fate of this vacancy would be as blurry as the vision of a myopic eye. After a long wait of over four years, recruitment exams were finally conducted in April 2022. However, since then, students have been waiting for the results, as for many of them, this is their last chance.
‘Left Private Jobs, Stranded Now’
As mentioned earlier, most of these students do not come from very affluent families and are therefore compelled to take up other jobs while they prepare for exams or wait for their results. One such student is Ankit, who has been a part of the protest at Eco Park consistently.
Ankit’s financial condition has not been very good, and his family has been pressurising him to leave Lucknow and come back home "so that they could marry him off". But Ankit has stayed at the protest site, hoping that this time he would get the job. “It has been six months now, and the situation is grimmer than ever,” says Ankit.
Similar is the case for others. Mayur Verma has been leading the protest and spoke with NewsClick regarding what he has observed throughout his own journey. "You know, one thing that has remained constant is that none of the authorities has ever responded well or even tried to take cognisance of this matter. Every time we have filed a complaint, the response has been the same. The authorities have said that our matter has been taken into consideration and they will look into it. But the matter never proceeds from there. We write another letter and yet again, receive the same reply," claimed Verma.
Verma himself has been preparing from Prayagraj since 2013. In the recruitment drive for the 2016 vacancy, he was disqualified at the interview stage, and the 2018 vacancy was "his last chance" to fulfil his dream. "It is not like I have not worked elsewhere; I have worked across Uttar Pradesh with several private companies as a site engineer and built several powerhouses." When asked about his preference for a government job despite his experience, he pointed to the prestige that accompanies government jobs -- as opposed to the taboo associated with private jobs.
"We come from a very orthodox background. In our family and social circle, anyone in a private job is worth nothing. I was earning well in the private job and had moved up to earning a salary of Rs 35,000. But still, if I have a government job with a lesser salary, I will be more satisfied because of the importance it brings," he said. Such a taboo exists in smaller towns and tier two and three cities, compelling the applicants to pursue government jobs only and wait for them for years, even if they remain without a job, said the applicants.
Talking about the support their protest has received in the past couple of months, Verma said, "In this difficult time, many have helped us too. Independent organisations, youth movements, and opposition party leaders like Akhilesh Yadav have stood with us. But we have always looked up to the central government and the state government to bring a solution to us, which they have failed to do."
One of the people to reach out to these students was Yuva Halla Bol's working president, Govind Mishra. In a conversation with NewsClick, he said, "I believe that not just their matter, but every individual's story is tragic. Some students travel 100 km to reach the protest site every week, some are in a terrible financial state, and others have their own problems." Govind demanded that the government take conduct exams as per the Model Exam Code and fill the vacancies in nine months' time so that the students do not face such problems for no fault of theirs.
Women applicants who have been waiting for the results narrate their stories that are also shaped by the weight of social pressures, some of which are worse due to their gender.
Rinku Shrivastava, who applied for the exam in the year 2018, could not sustain the pressure from her family and eventually got married. Even though she awaits the results still, she will not be able to take the job since she just had her second child and will have to take care of the family. In other cases as well, women were called back home.
In this context, however, Nidhi Singh’s case is remarkable. Coming from a farmer's family with limited land, she had to settle for a diploma due to financial constraints, despite aspiring to study B Tech or obtain a bachelor’s degree. Nidhi's journey was challenging, as she faced discrimination while seeking technical jobs, being denied opportunities based on her gender. Instead, she had to work as a receptionist, feeling the impact of societal biases. Despite her determination, Nidhi faced pressure from her family to get married, and eventually, her younger sibling was married off.
She says that she has not spoken with her family since she has refused to give in to their demand. “My father was really hopeful about my job and was proud of me, but ultimately, even he gave in to the societal pressure,” said Nidhi. At the age of 32, she awaits the results of her current job application, with no opportunity to apply for the next vacancy.
According to the applicants, they are currently in the final stages of their protest. They say they are sending letters to all the authorities, stating that this will be their last letter. On June 6, candidates plan to meet with officials and submit letters to them in several districts. On June 13, they plan to hold a massive protest at Eco Park in Lucknow.
Courtesy: Newsclick
5 Years Since Application and Still No Results: Frustrated Junior Engineers’ Protest Completes 6 Months in UP
Sitting at the Eco Park in Lucknow since November 26, 2022, the JE applicants are now tired and approaching the final stage of their protest.
Lucknow: It has been five years since the vacancy was released, and the applicants who applied for the Junior Engineer (JE) post under the Uttar Pradesh Public Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) continue to wait.
Sitting at the Eco Park in Lucknow since November 26 2022, the JE applicants are now tired and approaching the final stage of their protest. After protesting for nearly 200 days, the protesters are now sending letters to the governor, CM Office, and different departments responsible for filling these posts, stating, "Either give us our results and complete our recruitment or take responsibility for our suicide."
The candidates believe that their posts are lower in number compared to other positions under the UPSSSC, leading the government to neglect them. They feel that the other positions have a larger number, making it more convenient for the government to showcase their achievements in employment. However, since their post count is lower, they feel neglected.
A Brief Background
The protests began on Constitution Day, with a total of around 500 applicants gathering to register their protest. However, the numbers gradually decreased as everyone had their own problems. According to Mayur Verma, the leader of the protests, at least 30 applicants have remained constant at the protest site since November.
The Junior Engineer (JE) position was specifically introduced for diploma holders who specialised in technical fields like agriculture and civil. The eligibility criteria included completing high school followed by a three-year diploma course. Since the fee for the diploma course was much lower compared to pursuing a bachelor's or BTech degree, many students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds opted to complete this course and still be recognised as engineers.
The history of this vacancy tells a different story. The first vacancy, released in February 2016, was completed by 2017. In the same year, another vacancy for 385 posts was declared, and the recruitment process began. However, this time, there was a much longer delay, and the final document verification took place between February and April 2022. Since then, applicants for the 2016 vacancy have been awaiting a joining date and a final merit list after document verification.
While the recruitment process for the 2016 vacancy was ongoing, the government released another vacancy for the same JE post in 2018, with the number of vacant positions increasing to 1,477. Applicants saw this as a good opportunity to improve their situation -- especially those who had not been able to fill a post under the 2016 vacancy or were uncertain about the later one released in the same year. Little did they know that the fate of this vacancy would be as blurry as the vision of a myopic eye. After a long wait of over four years, recruitment exams were finally conducted in April 2022. However, since then, students have been waiting for the results, as for many of them, this is their last chance.
‘Left Private Jobs, Stranded Now’
As mentioned earlier, most of these students do not come from very affluent families and are therefore compelled to take up other jobs while they prepare for exams or wait for their results. One such student is Ankit, who has been a part of the protest at Eco Park consistently.
Ankit’s financial condition has not been very good, and his family has been pressurising him to leave Lucknow and come back home "so that they could marry him off". But Ankit has stayed at the protest site, hoping that this time he would get the job. “It has been six months now, and the situation is grimmer than ever,” says Ankit.
Similar is the case for others. Mayur Verma has been leading the protest and spoke with NewsClick regarding what he has observed throughout his own journey. "You know, one thing that has remained constant is that none of the authorities has ever responded well or even tried to take cognisance of this matter. Every time we have filed a complaint, the response has been the same. The authorities have said that our matter has been taken into consideration and they will look into it. But the matter never proceeds from there. We write another letter and yet again, receive the same reply," claimed Verma.
Verma himself has been preparing from Prayagraj since 2013. In the recruitment drive for the 2016 vacancy, he was disqualified at the interview stage, and the 2018 vacancy was "his last chance" to fulfil his dream. "It is not like I have not worked elsewhere; I have worked across Uttar Pradesh with several private companies as a site engineer and built several powerhouses." When asked about his preference for a government job despite his experience, he pointed to the prestige that accompanies government jobs -- as opposed to the taboo associated with private jobs.
"We come from a very orthodox background. In our family and social circle, anyone in a private job is worth nothing. I was earning well in the private job and had moved up to earning a salary of Rs 35,000. But still, if I have a government job with a lesser salary, I will be more satisfied because of the importance it brings," he said. Such a taboo exists in smaller towns and tier two and three cities, compelling the applicants to pursue government jobs only and wait for them for years, even if they remain without a job, said the applicants.
Talking about the support their protest has received in the past couple of months, Verma said, "In this difficult time, many have helped us too. Independent organisations, youth movements, and opposition party leaders like Akhilesh Yadav have stood with us. But we have always looked up to the central government and the state government to bring a solution to us, which they have failed to do."
One of the people to reach out to these students was Yuva Halla Bol's working president, Govind Mishra. In a conversation with NewsClick, he said, "I believe that not just their matter, but every individual's story is tragic. Some students travel 100 km to reach the protest site every week, some are in a terrible financial state, and others have their own problems." Govind demanded that the government take conduct exams as per the Model Exam Code and fill the vacancies in nine months' time so that the students do not face such problems for no fault of theirs.
Women applicants who have been waiting for the results narrate their stories that are also shaped by the weight of social pressures, some of which are worse due to their gender.
Rinku Shrivastava, who applied for the exam in the year 2018, could not sustain the pressure from her family and eventually got married. Even though she awaits the results still, she will not be able to take the job since she just had her second child and will have to take care of the family. In other cases as well, women were called back home.
In this context, however, Nidhi Singh’s case is remarkable. Coming from a farmer's family with limited land, she had to settle for a diploma due to financial constraints, despite aspiring to study B Tech or obtain a bachelor’s degree. Nidhi's journey was challenging, as she faced discrimination while seeking technical jobs, being denied opportunities based on her gender. Instead, she had to work as a receptionist, feeling the impact of societal biases. Despite her determination, Nidhi faced pressure from her family to get married, and eventually, her younger sibling was married off.
She says that she has not spoken with her family since she has refused to give in to their demand. “My father was really hopeful about my job and was proud of me, but ultimately, even he gave in to the societal pressure,” said Nidhi. At the age of 32, she awaits the results of her current job application, with no opportunity to apply for the next vacancy.
According to the applicants, they are currently in the final stages of their protest. They say they are sending letters to all the authorities, stating that this will be their last letter. On June 6, candidates plan to meet with officials and submit letters to them in several districts. On June 13, they plan to hold a massive protest at Eco Park in Lucknow.
Courtesy: Newsclick
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Indian Civil Services should be neutral not adjuncts of governments in power: Former bureaucrats, CCG
Signals given by the prime minister and other high ups of this regime threaten to redact and diminish the Indian civil services from Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s vision says the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) of former bureaucrats
A systematic attempt is being made to change the character of the civil services, particularly the IAS and the IPS, which, in our constitutional scheme, were uniquely intended to be a protective ring around the Constitution, unaffected by political changes, having an All India perspective rather than a regional, parochial one and being secure enough to maintain an independent, nonpartisan outlook, without fear or favour. It is in this context that former bureaucrats have written an Open Letter to the Indian President, Draupadi Murmu.
“The bedrock of all civil services in any democracy worth the name is their independence, neutrality, non-adherence to any political ideology in the discharge of official duties, the freedom to articulate their views to the political executive and the security of knowing that they would not be subjected to arbitrary actions for adhering to these values.
“These foundational characteristics had been forcefully expressed by Sardar Patel in his address to the Constituent Assembly in October 1947 in the following words:
“There is no alternative to this administrative system…The Union will go, you will not have a united India if you do not have a good All India Service which has the independence to speak out its mind, which has the sense of security that you will stand by your work…If you do not follow this course, then do not follow the present Constitution…Remove them and I see nothing but a picture of chaos all over the country.”
“Contrary to the above exhortation, we fear that the government, of which you are the constitutional head, is now attempting to distort this basic framework and historical understanding.
Further, measures are being taken that threaten the unique federal design of the IAS and the IPS, which underlies Sardar Patel’s vision of a permanent civil service that would both bind the country together and enable it to maintain a balance between the interests of the Union and the interests of the States. There are noticeable attempts to pressurise officers to show exclusive loyalty to the Union rather than to the ‘parent’ state cadre to which they are allotted. On occasion, arbitrary departmental actions have been taken against those who refuse to do so. Service Rules are sought to be amended to compel central deputations without the consent of either the officers concerned or their state governments, effectively undermining the authority and control of Chief Ministers over their officers. This has disturbed the federal balance and left civil servants torn between conflicting loyalties, thereby weakening their ability to be impartial.
“In the past governments have permitted lateral recruitment at senior levels and many such officers have distinguished themselves. Lately, however, there has been opacity in the recruitment process at mid-levels and concerns that candidates are being chosen based on their ideological predilections. The consequences of this for the future of an independent civil service requires no comment.
The CCG has also flagged certain concerning statements by high functionaries.
“The actions and words of some very senior functionaries of the central government increases our concern on the future of the civil service and the consequent danger to democracy in India.
“In this context we would like to mention that the National Security Advisor (NSA), while addressing IPS officers at their passing out function in 2021, had emphasised that they should treat civil society as the “fourth generation of warfare, that can be subverted, suborned, divided and manipulated to hurt the interests of the nation”. Such sentiments are antithetical to any democratic dispensation and aim at placing civil society in a position of conflict with the state.
“On the April 21, this year, the Prime Minister addressed a gathering of civil service officers on Civil Services Day. The address was unremarkable and comprised largely of a litany of the achievements of the present government over the past nine years, with a proforma acknowledgement of the contributions of the civil services. What was disturbing was his exhortation to the officers to be firm in dealing with malfeasance of political parties while in power. Though couched neutrally, the intent and objective were unmistakable.”
The bureaucrats have stated that their “concern about the future of the civil services is heightened by the reaction of some civil servants.
“The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie (LBSNAA) is the foundational training institute for All India Services and Central Services. In a recent op-ed, the Director of the LBSNAA wrote, “The task of defining an Indian ethos for the civil servants began in the 75th year of India’s independence, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address where he spelt out the country’s vision….”. Such unwarranted encomiums to the Prime Minister, by the Director of the premier academy for training future civil servants, are deeply disturbing.”
The group states further that they” apprehend that moves are afoot to redact Sardar Patel’s vision of an independent and apolitical civil service and replace it with apparatchiks and foot soldiers whose loyalty shall be to the ruling party and not to the Constitution of India. “
Who is the CCG?
The CCG is a group of former civil servants of the All India and Central Services who have worked with the Central and State Governments in the course of our careers. Both as individuals and as a group, we believe in impartiality, neutrality and commitment to the Constitution of India. We do not owe allegiance to any political party.
At a time when politics is leaning dangerously towards a centralised, authoritarian, national security state with a leadership seemingly amenable to abandoning, without demur, the fundamental principles on which our Constitution is based, it has become critical for citizens to ensure that institutions and systems like the civil services which can check this frightening erosion of constitutional values in the manner envisaged by the great Sardar are protected and strengthened. By virtue of their allegiance to the Constitution and not the government of the day, the All India Services, particularly the IAS and IPS, have a critical role to play. As the Constitutional Head of the Republic, we appeal to you to convey our concerns to the Union Government and caution them that this attempt to change the character of the civil services is fraught with extreme danger and, as Sardar Patel had warned many years ago, will spell the death of constitutional government in India.
Constitutional Conduct Group (82 signatories, as below)
|
1. |
Anita Agnihotri |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Department of Social Justice Empowerment, GoI |
|
2. |
S.P. Ambrose |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Shipping & Transport, GoI |
|
3. |
Anand Arni |
RAS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
4. |
Mohinderpal Aulakh |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Director General of Police (Jails), Govt. of Punjab |
|
5. |
Vappala Balachandran |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
6. |
Chandrashekar Balakrishnan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Coal, GoI |
|
7. |
Sushant Baliga |
Engineering Services (Retd.) |
Former Additional Director General, Central PWD, GoI |
|
8. |
Rana Banerji |
RAS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
9. |
T.K. Banerji |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Union Public Service Commission |
|
10. |
Sharad Behar |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh |
|
11. |
Aurobindo Behera |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Board of Revenue, Govt. of Odisha |
|
12. |
K.V. Bhagirath |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary General, Indian Ocean Rim Association, Mauritius |
|
13. |
Meeran C Borwankar |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former DGP, Bureau of Police Research and Development, GoI |
|
14. |
Ravi Budhiraja |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, GoI |
|
15. |
Sundar Burra |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
16. |
R. Chandramohan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Secretary, Transport and Urban Development, Govt. of NCT of Delhi |
|
17. |
Kalyani Chaudhuri |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal |
|
18. |
Gurjit Singh Cheema |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Govt. of Punjab |
|
19. |
F.T.R. Colaso |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Director General of Police, Govt. of Karnataka & former Director General of Police, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir |
|
20. |
Anna Dani |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
21. |
Surjit K. Das |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand |
|
22. |
P.R. Dasgupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Food Corporation of India, GoI |
|
23. |
M.G. Devasahayam |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Govt. of Haryana |
|
24. |
Sushil Dubey |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Sweden |
|
25. |
A.S. Dulat |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former OSD on Kashmir, Prime Minister’s Office, GoI |
|
26. |
K.P. Fabian |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Italy |
|
27. |
Suresh K. Goel |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Director General, Indian Council of Cultural Relations, GoI |
|
28. |
H.S. Gujral |
IFoS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Govt. of Punjab |
|
29. |
Meena Gupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, GoI |
|
30. |
Ravi Vira Gupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India |
|
31. |
Vinod C. Khanna |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Secretary, MEA, GoI |
|
32. |
Ish Kumar |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former DGP (Vigilance & Enforcement), Govt. of Telangana and former Special Rapporteur, National Human Rights Commission |
|
33. |
Sudhir Kumar |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Central Administrative Tribunal |
|
34. |
Subodh Lal |
IPoS (Resigned) |
Former Deputy Director General, Ministry of Communications, GoI |
|
35. |
Harsh Mander |
IAS (Retd.) |
Govt. of Madhya Pradesh |
|
36. |
Amitabh Mathur |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
37. |
L.L. Mehrotra |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Special Envoy to the Prime Minister and former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, GoI |
|
38. |
Aditi Mehta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan |
|
39. |
Sonalini Mirchandani |
IFS (Resigned) |
GoI |
|
40. |
Noor Mohammad |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority, Govt. of India |
|
41. |
Deb Mukharji |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh and former Ambassador to Nepal |
|
42. |
Shiv Shankar Mukherjee |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom |
|
43. |
Nagalsamy |
IA&AS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Accountant General, Tamil Nadu & Kerala |
|
44. |
Sobha Nambisan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Secretary (Planning), Govt. of Karnataka |
|
45. |
Ramesh Narayanaswami |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of NCT of Delhi |
|
46. |
Surendra Nath |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Finance Commission, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh |
|
47. |
P. Joy Oommen |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Chhattisgarh |
|
48. |
Amitabha Pande |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Inter-State Council, GoI |
|
49. |
Maxwell Pereira |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi |
|
50. |
Alok Perti |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Coal, GoI |
|
51. |
R. Poornalingam |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, GoI |
|
52. |
Rajesh Prasad |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to the Netherlands |
|
53. |
R.M. Premkumar |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
54. |
T.R. Raghunandan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI |
|
55. |
N.K. Raghupathy |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Staff Selection Commission, GoI
|
|
56. |
V.P. Raja |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission |
|
57. |
P.V. Ramesh |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Addl. Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh |
|
58. |
Satwant Reddy |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, GoI |
|
59. |
Vijaya Latha Reddy |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Deputy National Security Adviser, GoI |
|
60. |
Julio Ribeiro |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Adviser to Governor of Punjab & former Ambassador to Romania |
|
61. |
Aruna Roy |
IAS (Resigned) |
|
|
62. |
A.K. Samanta |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Director General of Police (Intelligence), Govt. of West Bengal |
|
63. |
N.C. Saxena |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Planning Commission, GoI |
|
64. |
A. Selvaraj |
IRS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Commissioner, Income Tax, Chennai, GoI |
|
65. |
Ardhendu Sen |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal |
|
66. |
Abhijit Sengupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Culture, GoI |
|
67. |
Aftab Seth |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Japan |
|
68. |
Ashok Kumar Sharma |
IFoS (Retd.) |
Former MD, State Forest Development Corporation, Govt. of Gujarat |
|
69. |
Ashok Kumar Sharma |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Finland and Estonia |
|
70. |
Navrekha Sharma |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Indonesia |
|
71. |
Raju Sharma |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Board of Revenue, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh |
|
72. |
Avay Shukla |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary (Forests & Technical Education), Govt. of Himachal Pradesh |
|
73. |
Sujatha Singh |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Foreign Secretary, GoI |
|
74. |
Tirlochan Singh |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, National Commission for Minorities, GoI |
|
75. |
A.K. Srivastava |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Administrative Member, Madhya Pradesh Administrative Tribunal |
|
76. |
Parveen Talha |
IRS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Union Public Service Commission |
|
77. |
Anup Thakur |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission |
|
78. |
P.S.S. Thomas |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission |
|
79. |
Geetha Thoopal |
IRAS (Retd.) |
Former General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata |
|
80. |
Jawed Usmani |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh & former Chief Information Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh |
|
81. |
Ramani Venkatesan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Director General, YASHADA, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
82. |
Rudi Warjri |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica |
Indian Civil Services should be neutral not adjuncts of governments in power: Former bureaucrats, CCG
Signals given by the prime minister and other high ups of this regime threaten to redact and diminish the Indian civil services from Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s vision says the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) of former bureaucrats
A systematic attempt is being made to change the character of the civil services, particularly the IAS and the IPS, which, in our constitutional scheme, were uniquely intended to be a protective ring around the Constitution, unaffected by political changes, having an All India perspective rather than a regional, parochial one and being secure enough to maintain an independent, nonpartisan outlook, without fear or favour. It is in this context that former bureaucrats have written an Open Letter to the Indian President, Draupadi Murmu.
“The bedrock of all civil services in any democracy worth the name is their independence, neutrality, non-adherence to any political ideology in the discharge of official duties, the freedom to articulate their views to the political executive and the security of knowing that they would not be subjected to arbitrary actions for adhering to these values.
“These foundational characteristics had been forcefully expressed by Sardar Patel in his address to the Constituent Assembly in October 1947 in the following words:
“There is no alternative to this administrative system…The Union will go, you will not have a united India if you do not have a good All India Service which has the independence to speak out its mind, which has the sense of security that you will stand by your work…If you do not follow this course, then do not follow the present Constitution…Remove them and I see nothing but a picture of chaos all over the country.”
“Contrary to the above exhortation, we fear that the government, of which you are the constitutional head, is now attempting to distort this basic framework and historical understanding.
Further, measures are being taken that threaten the unique federal design of the IAS and the IPS, which underlies Sardar Patel’s vision of a permanent civil service that would both bind the country together and enable it to maintain a balance between the interests of the Union and the interests of the States. There are noticeable attempts to pressurise officers to show exclusive loyalty to the Union rather than to the ‘parent’ state cadre to which they are allotted. On occasion, arbitrary departmental actions have been taken against those who refuse to do so. Service Rules are sought to be amended to compel central deputations without the consent of either the officers concerned or their state governments, effectively undermining the authority and control of Chief Ministers over their officers. This has disturbed the federal balance and left civil servants torn between conflicting loyalties, thereby weakening their ability to be impartial.
“In the past governments have permitted lateral recruitment at senior levels and many such officers have distinguished themselves. Lately, however, there has been opacity in the recruitment process at mid-levels and concerns that candidates are being chosen based on their ideological predilections. The consequences of this for the future of an independent civil service requires no comment.
The CCG has also flagged certain concerning statements by high functionaries.
“The actions and words of some very senior functionaries of the central government increases our concern on the future of the civil service and the consequent danger to democracy in India.
“In this context we would like to mention that the National Security Advisor (NSA), while addressing IPS officers at their passing out function in 2021, had emphasised that they should treat civil society as the “fourth generation of warfare, that can be subverted, suborned, divided and manipulated to hurt the interests of the nation”. Such sentiments are antithetical to any democratic dispensation and aim at placing civil society in a position of conflict with the state.
“On the April 21, this year, the Prime Minister addressed a gathering of civil service officers on Civil Services Day. The address was unremarkable and comprised largely of a litany of the achievements of the present government over the past nine years, with a proforma acknowledgement of the contributions of the civil services. What was disturbing was his exhortation to the officers to be firm in dealing with malfeasance of political parties while in power. Though couched neutrally, the intent and objective were unmistakable.”
The bureaucrats have stated that their “concern about the future of the civil services is heightened by the reaction of some civil servants.
“The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie (LBSNAA) is the foundational training institute for All India Services and Central Services. In a recent op-ed, the Director of the LBSNAA wrote, “The task of defining an Indian ethos for the civil servants began in the 75th year of India’s independence, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address where he spelt out the country’s vision….”. Such unwarranted encomiums to the Prime Minister, by the Director of the premier academy for training future civil servants, are deeply disturbing.”
The group states further that they” apprehend that moves are afoot to redact Sardar Patel’s vision of an independent and apolitical civil service and replace it with apparatchiks and foot soldiers whose loyalty shall be to the ruling party and not to the Constitution of India. “
Who is the CCG?
The CCG is a group of former civil servants of the All India and Central Services who have worked with the Central and State Governments in the course of our careers. Both as individuals and as a group, we believe in impartiality, neutrality and commitment to the Constitution of India. We do not owe allegiance to any political party.
At a time when politics is leaning dangerously towards a centralised, authoritarian, national security state with a leadership seemingly amenable to abandoning, without demur, the fundamental principles on which our Constitution is based, it has become critical for citizens to ensure that institutions and systems like the civil services which can check this frightening erosion of constitutional values in the manner envisaged by the great Sardar are protected and strengthened. By virtue of their allegiance to the Constitution and not the government of the day, the All India Services, particularly the IAS and IPS, have a critical role to play. As the Constitutional Head of the Republic, we appeal to you to convey our concerns to the Union Government and caution them that this attempt to change the character of the civil services is fraught with extreme danger and, as Sardar Patel had warned many years ago, will spell the death of constitutional government in India.
Constitutional Conduct Group (82 signatories, as below)
|
1. |
Anita Agnihotri |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Department of Social Justice Empowerment, GoI |
|
2. |
S.P. Ambrose |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Shipping & Transport, GoI |
|
3. |
Anand Arni |
RAS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
4. |
Mohinderpal Aulakh |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Director General of Police (Jails), Govt. of Punjab |
|
5. |
Vappala Balachandran |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
6. |
Chandrashekar Balakrishnan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Coal, GoI |
|
7. |
Sushant Baliga |
Engineering Services (Retd.) |
Former Additional Director General, Central PWD, GoI |
|
8. |
Rana Banerji |
RAS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
9. |
T.K. Banerji |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Union Public Service Commission |
|
10. |
Sharad Behar |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh |
|
11. |
Aurobindo Behera |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Board of Revenue, Govt. of Odisha |
|
12. |
K.V. Bhagirath |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary General, Indian Ocean Rim Association, Mauritius |
|
13. |
Meeran C Borwankar |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former DGP, Bureau of Police Research and Development, GoI |
|
14. |
Ravi Budhiraja |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, GoI |
|
15. |
Sundar Burra |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
16. |
R. Chandramohan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Secretary, Transport and Urban Development, Govt. of NCT of Delhi |
|
17. |
Kalyani Chaudhuri |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal |
|
18. |
Gurjit Singh Cheema |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Govt. of Punjab |
|
19. |
F.T.R. Colaso |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Director General of Police, Govt. of Karnataka & former Director General of Police, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir |
|
20. |
Anna Dani |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
21. |
Surjit K. Das |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand |
|
22. |
P.R. Dasgupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Food Corporation of India, GoI |
|
23. |
M.G. Devasahayam |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Govt. of Haryana |
|
24. |
Sushil Dubey |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Sweden |
|
25. |
A.S. Dulat |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former OSD on Kashmir, Prime Minister’s Office, GoI |
|
26. |
K.P. Fabian |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Italy |
|
27. |
Suresh K. Goel |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Director General, Indian Council of Cultural Relations, GoI |
|
28. |
H.S. Gujral |
IFoS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Govt. of Punjab |
|
29. |
Meena Gupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, GoI |
|
30. |
Ravi Vira Gupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India |
|
31. |
Vinod C. Khanna |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Secretary, MEA, GoI |
|
32. |
Ish Kumar |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former DGP (Vigilance & Enforcement), Govt. of Telangana and former Special Rapporteur, National Human Rights Commission |
|
33. |
Sudhir Kumar |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Central Administrative Tribunal |
|
34. |
Subodh Lal |
IPoS (Resigned) |
Former Deputy Director General, Ministry of Communications, GoI |
|
35. |
Harsh Mander |
IAS (Retd.) |
Govt. of Madhya Pradesh |
|
36. |
Amitabh Mathur |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI |
|
37. |
L.L. Mehrotra |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Special Envoy to the Prime Minister and former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, GoI |
|
38. |
Aditi Mehta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan |
|
39. |
Sonalini Mirchandani |
IFS (Resigned) |
GoI |
|
40. |
Noor Mohammad |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority, Govt. of India |
|
41. |
Deb Mukharji |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh and former Ambassador to Nepal |
|
42. |
Shiv Shankar Mukherjee |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom |
|
43. |
Nagalsamy |
IA&AS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Accountant General, Tamil Nadu & Kerala |
|
44. |
Sobha Nambisan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Principal Secretary (Planning), Govt. of Karnataka |
|
45. |
Ramesh Narayanaswami |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of NCT of Delhi |
|
46. |
Surendra Nath |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Finance Commission, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh |
|
47. |
P. Joy Oommen |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Chhattisgarh |
|
48. |
Amitabha Pande |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Inter-State Council, GoI |
|
49. |
Maxwell Pereira |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi |
|
50. |
Alok Perti |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Coal, GoI |
|
51. |
R. Poornalingam |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, GoI |
|
52. |
Rajesh Prasad |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to the Netherlands |
|
53. |
R.M. Premkumar |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
54. |
T.R. Raghunandan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI |
|
55. |
N.K. Raghupathy |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Staff Selection Commission, GoI
|
|
56. |
V.P. Raja |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chairman, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission |
|
57. |
P.V. Ramesh |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Addl. Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh |
|
58. |
Satwant Reddy |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, GoI |
|
59. |
Vijaya Latha Reddy |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Deputy National Security Adviser, GoI |
|
60. |
Julio Ribeiro |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Adviser to Governor of Punjab & former Ambassador to Romania |
|
61. |
Aruna Roy |
IAS (Resigned) |
|
|
62. |
A.K. Samanta |
IPS (Retd.) |
Former Director General of Police (Intelligence), Govt. of West Bengal |
|
63. |
N.C. Saxena |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Planning Commission, GoI |
|
64. |
A. Selvaraj |
IRS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Commissioner, Income Tax, Chennai, GoI |
|
65. |
Ardhendu Sen |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal |
|
66. |
Abhijit Sengupta |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, Ministry of Culture, GoI |
|
67. |
Aftab Seth |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Japan |
|
68. |
Ashok Kumar Sharma |
IFoS (Retd.) |
Former MD, State Forest Development Corporation, Govt. of Gujarat |
|
69. |
Ashok Kumar Sharma |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Finland and Estonia |
|
70. |
Navrekha Sharma |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Indonesia |
|
71. |
Raju Sharma |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Board of Revenue, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh |
|
72. |
Avay Shukla |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Additional Chief Secretary (Forests & Technical Education), Govt. of Himachal Pradesh |
|
73. |
Sujatha Singh |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Foreign Secretary, GoI |
|
74. |
Tirlochan Singh |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary, National Commission for Minorities, GoI |
|
75. |
A.K. Srivastava |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Administrative Member, Madhya Pradesh Administrative Tribunal |
|
76. |
Parveen Talha |
IRS (Retd.) |
Former Member, Union Public Service Commission |
|
77. |
Anup Thakur |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Member, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission |
|
78. |
P.S.S. Thomas |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission |
|
79. |
Geetha Thoopal |
IRAS (Retd.) |
Former General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata |
|
80. |
Jawed Usmani |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh & former Chief Information Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh |
|
81. |
Ramani Venkatesan |
IAS (Retd.) |
Former Director General, YASHADA, Govt. of Maharashtra |
|
82. |
Rudi Warjri |
IFS (Retd.) |
Former Ambassador to Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica |
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Hindu temple faces backlash for demanding removal of Kazi Nazrul Islam's picture from dance institute’s program
After this decision backfires, an apology was issued, the chief of the temple authorities said it was a “wrong guess” on their part
The administration of a Hindu temple in Navadwip has issued an unconditional apology after being accused of compelling a dance institute to remove a picture of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam allegedly because he was Muslim.
After a furore had risen amongst the residents of Navadwip, Mallika Dasi, the chief of the temple authorities, said it was a “wrong guess” on their part. “We thought devotees might object to the picture of Nazrul Islam. But we guessed wrong,” she said.
The Radha Govinda Jiu temple authorities said it was a "mistake" that would not happen again, as reported by the Telegraph. Notably, the temple is of the Vaishnav sect.
"We have harmed the feelings of the town's residents. We realized that Kazi Nazrul Islam transcended communal boundaries. As a result, we issue an unconditional apology and assure all that an episode such as this will not be repeated," said the temple authorities in a statement on Tuesday, published by the Telegraph.
What had happened?
On Monday, the ‘Navadwip Step Up Dance Academy’ had rented the temple's Naat Manch for a musical soiree to honour two of the foremost icons of South Asian literature, Rabindranath Tagore, and Kazi Nazrul Islam, and had banners printed with their images for the stage.
However, just minutes before the program began, temple officials explicitly told the organisers not to use a picture of a "non-Hindu." They allegedly also directed the organisers to refrain from garlanding a photo of any such person, which they had planned to do, on the temple grounds. With no time to spare, the organisers had no choice but to follow the verbal order and proceed with the event without any banners or photos.
As had been reported by the Telegraph, the removal of the banners had piqued the interest of some in the audience, prompting them to investigate what had occurred, which resulted in social media posts. Shortly after, the incident sparked outrage in Nadia.
The dance academy's principal, Bandana Saha, said they were planning to display banners with images of the two greats as a tribute when the directives arrived as a rude shock.
"A temple official told me that any banner depicting Nazrul would be prohibited because he practiced a different religion. The official also told us not to decorate his image in the temple grounds." she stated. She also pointed out that the authorities had no objections to Tagore. Thus, even though it was underscored, it became clear to her that the issue with Nazrul’s photographs was due to him being a Muslim.
Saha further explained, "We tried our hardest to persuade (the temple authorities' representative) that Nazrul was a man beyond any religious identity because of his immeasurable contribution to Bengali literature, music, and culture, which includes many devotional offerings in music for Hindu deities such as Krishna and Kali. But, unfortunately, they remained rigid, and we were forced to comply," as reported by the Telegraph.
Reactions in pursuant to this decision:
When word of the insult to Nazrul's legacy spread, it infuriated many Navadwip residents. "Nazrul Islam was born in an orthodox Sunni Muslim family. But, in reality, he was a pluralist who transcended all religious barriers," said Shyamasree Biswas Sengupta, an assistant professor in Kalyani University's Bengali department.
"It is quite shocking to learn that a person who composed thousands of songs, including Hindu religious devotional songs for Govinda (a name of Krishna, a foremost deity for Vaishnavs), was found objectionable at a Vaishnav temple," she added.
"This took place in Navadwip, which has always taken pride in its association with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Bhakti movement, which dates back six centuries," said Santiranjan Dev, secretary of Navadwip Puratattva Parishad (Navadwip Antiquities Council).
Who was Kazi Nazrul Islam?
Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh and known as the Bidrohi Kobi (Rebel Poet) by Bengalis around the world, was a 19th century literary icon and Indian freedom fighter from Asansol's Churulia. Known for his rebellious spirit and fervent patriotism, Kazi Nazrul Islam played a significant role in the Indian independence movement through his powerful writings. He composed numerous poems, songs, and essays that vividly depicted the struggles of the oppressed and advocated for social justice and equality. His poetic brilliance and evocative music earned him immense popularity among the masses. Nazrul Islam's contributions extend beyond literature and music. He was an ardent advocate for women's rights, religious harmony, and cultural diversity. His relentless pursuit of justice and freedom earned him the title of ‘National Poet of Bangladesh’.
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Hindu temple faces backlash for demanding removal of Kazi Nazrul Islam's picture from dance institute’s program
After this decision backfires, an apology was issued, the chief of the temple authorities said it was a “wrong guess” on their part
The administration of a Hindu temple in Navadwip has issued an unconditional apology after being accused of compelling a dance institute to remove a picture of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam allegedly because he was Muslim.
After a furore had risen amongst the residents of Navadwip, Mallika Dasi, the chief of the temple authorities, said it was a “wrong guess” on their part. “We thought devotees might object to the picture of Nazrul Islam. But we guessed wrong,” she said.
The Radha Govinda Jiu temple authorities said it was a "mistake" that would not happen again, as reported by the Telegraph. Notably, the temple is of the Vaishnav sect.
"We have harmed the feelings of the town's residents. We realized that Kazi Nazrul Islam transcended communal boundaries. As a result, we issue an unconditional apology and assure all that an episode such as this will not be repeated," said the temple authorities in a statement on Tuesday, published by the Telegraph.
What had happened?
On Monday, the ‘Navadwip Step Up Dance Academy’ had rented the temple's Naat Manch for a musical soiree to honour two of the foremost icons of South Asian literature, Rabindranath Tagore, and Kazi Nazrul Islam, and had banners printed with their images for the stage.
However, just minutes before the program began, temple officials explicitly told the organisers not to use a picture of a "non-Hindu." They allegedly also directed the organisers to refrain from garlanding a photo of any such person, which they had planned to do, on the temple grounds. With no time to spare, the organisers had no choice but to follow the verbal order and proceed with the event without any banners or photos.
As had been reported by the Telegraph, the removal of the banners had piqued the interest of some in the audience, prompting them to investigate what had occurred, which resulted in social media posts. Shortly after, the incident sparked outrage in Nadia.
The dance academy's principal, Bandana Saha, said they were planning to display banners with images of the two greats as a tribute when the directives arrived as a rude shock.
"A temple official told me that any banner depicting Nazrul would be prohibited because he practiced a different religion. The official also told us not to decorate his image in the temple grounds." she stated. She also pointed out that the authorities had no objections to Tagore. Thus, even though it was underscored, it became clear to her that the issue with Nazrul’s photographs was due to him being a Muslim.
Saha further explained, "We tried our hardest to persuade (the temple authorities' representative) that Nazrul was a man beyond any religious identity because of his immeasurable contribution to Bengali literature, music, and culture, which includes many devotional offerings in music for Hindu deities such as Krishna and Kali. But, unfortunately, they remained rigid, and we were forced to comply," as reported by the Telegraph.
Reactions in pursuant to this decision:
When word of the insult to Nazrul's legacy spread, it infuriated many Navadwip residents. "Nazrul Islam was born in an orthodox Sunni Muslim family. But, in reality, he was a pluralist who transcended all religious barriers," said Shyamasree Biswas Sengupta, an assistant professor in Kalyani University's Bengali department.
"It is quite shocking to learn that a person who composed thousands of songs, including Hindu religious devotional songs for Govinda (a name of Krishna, a foremost deity for Vaishnavs), was found objectionable at a Vaishnav temple," she added.
"This took place in Navadwip, which has always taken pride in its association with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Bhakti movement, which dates back six centuries," said Santiranjan Dev, secretary of Navadwip Puratattva Parishad (Navadwip Antiquities Council).
Who was Kazi Nazrul Islam?
Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh and known as the Bidrohi Kobi (Rebel Poet) by Bengalis around the world, was a 19th century literary icon and Indian freedom fighter from Asansol's Churulia. Known for his rebellious spirit and fervent patriotism, Kazi Nazrul Islam played a significant role in the Indian independence movement through his powerful writings. He composed numerous poems, songs, and essays that vividly depicted the struggles of the oppressed and advocated for social justice and equality. His poetic brilliance and evocative music earned him immense popularity among the masses. Nazrul Islam's contributions extend beyond literature and music. He was an ardent advocate for women's rights, religious harmony, and cultural diversity. His relentless pursuit of justice and freedom earned him the title of ‘National Poet of Bangladesh’.
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G20 related evictions and violence on India’s poor must stop: Jury
G20 has become an extra constitutional event, not abiding by the rule of law, were the preliminary remarks made by a jury at a public hearing on “Forced Evictions” organised by concerned citizens in New Delhi; G20 related evictions and violence on the poor must stop.
Image: Mukta Joshi / Article 14
While G20 is being projected as a “national pride”, it seems the government is prejudiced about its own people, particularly the poor. These were the broad conclusions arrived at in preliminary remarks by a concerned citizens jury addressing the issue in New Delhi on Monday May 22. The Jury members are Pamela Philipose, senior journalist; Beena Pallikal, National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights; Tikender Panwar, former deputy mayor, Shimla; Anand Yagnik, Advocate, Gujarat High Court; and Harsh Mandar, rights Activist.
“Having heard about the atrocities and evictions since this morning, it appears that the G20 event has become an extra constitutional event which does not abide by the rule of law. Such temporary suspension of constitution owing to G20 overturning High court or Supreme Court orders is unthinkable. What should we call it Amrit kaal or rakshas Kaal?” asked jury member Anand Yagnik.
A public hearing addressing the pressing issue of forced evictions in India took place on May 22 at Surjeet Bhawan, New Delhi. Organized by Concerned Citizens, a collective of organisations from varied fields, the public hearing was to shed light on the unjust evictions taking place across the country, particularly targeting farmers, street vendors, waste pickers, and residents of bastis (shantytowns), as part of the preparations for the G20 summit and the beautification of cities. While the glitter, glitz and pride around hosting the G20 has become an exercise of showcasing the “development” story of the regime, the public hearing brought to fore what is carefully omitted, i.e., the brutal saga of bulldozers razing homes to dust.
While G20 is being projected as a “national pride”, it seems the government is prejudiced about its own people, particularly the poor. Jammu Anand from Nagpur said, “A judge recently said there will be a mega event of Civil 20 as part of the G20 process, and hence the people of Nagpur should remain in discipline. This was enough of a signal for the local administration to take measures to save Nagpur’s pride. The Police Commissioner issued a public order that no beggars must be visible in the crossroads. Instead of Gareebi Hatao they are now doing Gareebi Chupao. In Nagpur in the context of the C20 inauguration we saw bastis being hidden with iron sheets with plastic grass on the surface so that they look “green”.
The testimonials spoke of extreme brutality in the evictions on the part of the authorities. Puja from Bela Estate, Delhi said, “We were given three hrs to pack our things which was next to impossible. Many students missed their board exams due to eviction drives on April 29. In a month’s time bulldozers were unleashed on us thrice. They first broke the hand pumps so that we have to leave immediately as one can’t survive without water. Kids had to miss their exams to save their houses. We now live under the flyover.” Abdul Shakeel from Basti Suraksha Manch said, “The Tuglakabad eviction was so brutal, that even those of us who have been working for decades with such evictions, have not seen something of this magnitude. Police surrounded the basti, jammers were installed so that no one could share videos, the phones of activists were snatched, the nearby hotels and shops were shut and the entire basti was razed in two days.” Rajender Ravi said, “It is not just the demolition of their houses; it is also erasing of their histories and all the roots and connections they have had with the space.”
Induprakash said, “On January 31, Horticulture department, for G20 related beautification near Sarai Kale Khan region, the shelter home which is coming in the way should be demolished. Thus an order was issued within a short time and the shelter home was levelled.” Jury member Pamela Philipose said “The aggravated use of bulldozer is absolutely a clear symbol of brutality and cruelty of the state. It is sad to hear how hawkers are seen as encroachers, basti dwellers are seen as illegal and the homeless are considered drug addicts.”
Various testimonies highlighted how the G20 has come as a curse on the livelihoods that are most insecure and precarious. Anand Lakhan from Indore said, “G20 can be an event for them, for us it's a calamity for the poor. Rahul Verma had a garage in Indore near Nakshatra Garden. His garage was removed as the G20 delegation was to come. He was resettled in an area that had no business prospect for his garage. Such are the realities of “resettlement”. He sank in depression and finally committed suicide.”
Mohammad from Bhuj said, “We were told that because of the G20 new employment opportunities will open up and tourism will improve. Such were the reports in the local papers. But the manner in which evictions and blockades were unleashed in the name of G20, it only spelt doom for the poor. Hawkers in Bhuj even agreed to shut shop for ten days for the delegation’s visit. But when they were back, many were removed within a month.”
Rekha from Bela estate said, “During the pandemic, it is us who gave food, we gave milk, vegetables. And now they are taking our lands and livelihoods away. It is the urban poor who suffer the most when any change takes place in the city.” Reena from Tuglakabad said, “My husband drives an e-rickshaw. Now after demolition there is no electricity. How will he even charge his vehicle? I have been on a hunger strike for 10 days. Am I not being heard just because I am poor?”
Sandeep of National Hawkers Federation spoke of the plight of the hawkers who are losing livelihood in the name of beautification. Some say when guests arrive, we always clean our households. “But does cleaning ever entail throwing the elderly and the most vulnerable out of the house?” He said, “Before G20 never had bulldozers used on street vendors but G20 is witnessing bulldozers on street vendors.” Listening to the attack on the vendor’s livelihoods, Jury member Anand Yagnik asked, if Pradhan Mantri can say he is a chaiwalla, why can't we sell chai in the streets?
Pruthviraj from Land Conflict Watch said that “India got the G20 presidency in November 2022 and people in Delhi suddenly started getting notices”. He said there are certain patterns that are apparent in the recent demolitions and some are more vulnerable than the other. “While in Mehrauli 700 notices were served, 25 houses were demolished. However in Tughlakabad, around 1500 notices were served and around 3000 houses were demolished as the residents were relatively more vulnerable.” He said in both places the houses/apartments of the relatively more affluent were spared.
Jury member Beena Pallical said, “Even in 2010 during Commonwealth Games they made huge stadiums using 700 crores from SC/ST budget. Even then there were evictions and demolitions. Today, the government has changed, but the situation on ground remains the same.” Tikender Panwar spoke of the obsession of authoritarian leaders with beautification - Napoleon, Hitler and now their descendants here in India. He said that “in the 1990s as land got monetised, the poor were seen as obstacles. So the working class needed to be marginalized in the technocentric model. The poor need to reclaim the city.”
Referring to the testimony of Shah Alam, resident of basti of waste pickers near the Ghazipur landfill, Harsh Mander said that we do not want an India where someone’s house is burnt eight times and one has to build again from the ashes every time. This must change. The jury members said after analysing the testimonials they will compile a report based on the tribunal within a week. They demanded an immediate end to the G20 related evictions and violence on the poor.
Related:
Aftermath of Demolition Drive in Tughlakabad: Hunger and Homelessness Rife
Tughlakabad Demolition: Dark day for the National Capital as hundreds rendered homeless
Calcutta High Court sets an example, orders Rs. 80,000 compensation for illegal demolition
G20 related evictions and violence on India’s poor must stop: Jury
G20 has become an extra constitutional event, not abiding by the rule of law, were the preliminary remarks made by a jury at a public hearing on “Forced Evictions” organised by concerned citizens in New Delhi; G20 related evictions and violence on the poor must stop.
Image: Mukta Joshi / Article 14
While G20 is being projected as a “national pride”, it seems the government is prejudiced about its own people, particularly the poor. These were the broad conclusions arrived at in preliminary remarks by a concerned citizens jury addressing the issue in New Delhi on Monday May 22. The Jury members are Pamela Philipose, senior journalist; Beena Pallikal, National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights; Tikender Panwar, former deputy mayor, Shimla; Anand Yagnik, Advocate, Gujarat High Court; and Harsh Mandar, rights Activist.
“Having heard about the atrocities and evictions since this morning, it appears that the G20 event has become an extra constitutional event which does not abide by the rule of law. Such temporary suspension of constitution owing to G20 overturning High court or Supreme Court orders is unthinkable. What should we call it Amrit kaal or rakshas Kaal?” asked jury member Anand Yagnik.
A public hearing addressing the pressing issue of forced evictions in India took place on May 22 at Surjeet Bhawan, New Delhi. Organized by Concerned Citizens, a collective of organisations from varied fields, the public hearing was to shed light on the unjust evictions taking place across the country, particularly targeting farmers, street vendors, waste pickers, and residents of bastis (shantytowns), as part of the preparations for the G20 summit and the beautification of cities. While the glitter, glitz and pride around hosting the G20 has become an exercise of showcasing the “development” story of the regime, the public hearing brought to fore what is carefully omitted, i.e., the brutal saga of bulldozers razing homes to dust.
While G20 is being projected as a “national pride”, it seems the government is prejudiced about its own people, particularly the poor. Jammu Anand from Nagpur said, “A judge recently said there will be a mega event of Civil 20 as part of the G20 process, and hence the people of Nagpur should remain in discipline. This was enough of a signal for the local administration to take measures to save Nagpur’s pride. The Police Commissioner issued a public order that no beggars must be visible in the crossroads. Instead of Gareebi Hatao they are now doing Gareebi Chupao. In Nagpur in the context of the C20 inauguration we saw bastis being hidden with iron sheets with plastic grass on the surface so that they look “green”.
The testimonials spoke of extreme brutality in the evictions on the part of the authorities. Puja from Bela Estate, Delhi said, “We were given three hrs to pack our things which was next to impossible. Many students missed their board exams due to eviction drives on April 29. In a month’s time bulldozers were unleashed on us thrice. They first broke the hand pumps so that we have to leave immediately as one can’t survive without water. Kids had to miss their exams to save their houses. We now live under the flyover.” Abdul Shakeel from Basti Suraksha Manch said, “The Tuglakabad eviction was so brutal, that even those of us who have been working for decades with such evictions, have not seen something of this magnitude. Police surrounded the basti, jammers were installed so that no one could share videos, the phones of activists were snatched, the nearby hotels and shops were shut and the entire basti was razed in two days.” Rajender Ravi said, “It is not just the demolition of their houses; it is also erasing of their histories and all the roots and connections they have had with the space.”
Induprakash said, “On January 31, Horticulture department, for G20 related beautification near Sarai Kale Khan region, the shelter home which is coming in the way should be demolished. Thus an order was issued within a short time and the shelter home was levelled.” Jury member Pamela Philipose said “The aggravated use of bulldozer is absolutely a clear symbol of brutality and cruelty of the state. It is sad to hear how hawkers are seen as encroachers, basti dwellers are seen as illegal and the homeless are considered drug addicts.”
Various testimonies highlighted how the G20 has come as a curse on the livelihoods that are most insecure and precarious. Anand Lakhan from Indore said, “G20 can be an event for them, for us it's a calamity for the poor. Rahul Verma had a garage in Indore near Nakshatra Garden. His garage was removed as the G20 delegation was to come. He was resettled in an area that had no business prospect for his garage. Such are the realities of “resettlement”. He sank in depression and finally committed suicide.”
Mohammad from Bhuj said, “We were told that because of the G20 new employment opportunities will open up and tourism will improve. Such were the reports in the local papers. But the manner in which evictions and blockades were unleashed in the name of G20, it only spelt doom for the poor. Hawkers in Bhuj even agreed to shut shop for ten days for the delegation’s visit. But when they were back, many were removed within a month.”
Rekha from Bela estate said, “During the pandemic, it is us who gave food, we gave milk, vegetables. And now they are taking our lands and livelihoods away. It is the urban poor who suffer the most when any change takes place in the city.” Reena from Tuglakabad said, “My husband drives an e-rickshaw. Now after demolition there is no electricity. How will he even charge his vehicle? I have been on a hunger strike for 10 days. Am I not being heard just because I am poor?”
Sandeep of National Hawkers Federation spoke of the plight of the hawkers who are losing livelihood in the name of beautification. Some say when guests arrive, we always clean our households. “But does cleaning ever entail throwing the elderly and the most vulnerable out of the house?” He said, “Before G20 never had bulldozers used on street vendors but G20 is witnessing bulldozers on street vendors.” Listening to the attack on the vendor’s livelihoods, Jury member Anand Yagnik asked, if Pradhan Mantri can say he is a chaiwalla, why can't we sell chai in the streets?
Pruthviraj from Land Conflict Watch said that “India got the G20 presidency in November 2022 and people in Delhi suddenly started getting notices”. He said there are certain patterns that are apparent in the recent demolitions and some are more vulnerable than the other. “While in Mehrauli 700 notices were served, 25 houses were demolished. However in Tughlakabad, around 1500 notices were served and around 3000 houses were demolished as the residents were relatively more vulnerable.” He said in both places the houses/apartments of the relatively more affluent were spared.
Jury member Beena Pallical said, “Even in 2010 during Commonwealth Games they made huge stadiums using 700 crores from SC/ST budget. Even then there were evictions and demolitions. Today, the government has changed, but the situation on ground remains the same.” Tikender Panwar spoke of the obsession of authoritarian leaders with beautification - Napoleon, Hitler and now their descendants here in India. He said that “in the 1990s as land got monetised, the poor were seen as obstacles. So the working class needed to be marginalized in the technocentric model. The poor need to reclaim the city.”
Referring to the testimony of Shah Alam, resident of basti of waste pickers near the Ghazipur landfill, Harsh Mander said that we do not want an India where someone’s house is burnt eight times and one has to build again from the ashes every time. This must change. The jury members said after analysing the testimonials they will compile a report based on the tribunal within a week. They demanded an immediate end to the G20 related evictions and violence on the poor.
Related:
Aftermath of Demolition Drive in Tughlakabad: Hunger and Homelessness Rife
Tughlakabad Demolition: Dark day for the National Capital as hundreds rendered homeless
Calcutta High Court sets an example, orders Rs. 80,000 compensation for illegal demolition
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Gauri, a film on journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh wins international award: Montreal 2023
At the South Asian festival in Montreal, the Best Long Documentary Award recently
Image Courtesy: currentaffairs.adda247.com
“Gauri” a documentary based on journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh , directed by sister, and film director Kavitha Lankesh has won the “Best Long Documentary Award” at South Asian Film Festival of Montreal 2023.
The citation of the award reads “A brave and uncompromising pulse-taking of the current crisis in Indian politics, focusing on the 2017 political assassination of trailblazing Bengaluru journalist Gauri Lankesh. A “J’accuse” docu-thriller directed and narrated with verve by Gauri’s sister, Kavitha Lankesh”.
Another documentary, an Indian entry, “All That Breathes”, which was an Oscar nominee was also in competition and won the runner up. The documentary film “Gauri” has been commissioned by Free Press Unlimited, Amsterdam. Free press Unlimited mission stems from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights : Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
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Gauri, a film on journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh wins international award: Montreal 2023
At the South Asian festival in Montreal, the Best Long Documentary Award recently
Image Courtesy: currentaffairs.adda247.com
“Gauri” a documentary based on journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh , directed by sister, and film director Kavitha Lankesh has won the “Best Long Documentary Award” at South Asian Film Festival of Montreal 2023.
The citation of the award reads “A brave and uncompromising pulse-taking of the current crisis in Indian politics, focusing on the 2017 political assassination of trailblazing Bengaluru journalist Gauri Lankesh. A “J’accuse” docu-thriller directed and narrated with verve by Gauri’s sister, Kavitha Lankesh”.
Another documentary, an Indian entry, “All That Breathes”, which was an Oscar nominee was also in competition and won the runner up. The documentary film “Gauri” has been commissioned by Free Press Unlimited, Amsterdam. Free press Unlimited mission stems from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights : Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Related:
Five years since we lost Gauri Lankesh
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Kerala: The Real Story, where Facts and numbers add up
"Examining Economic Metrics through the Veil of Ignorance: A Comparison of Six Indian States" explores how Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Karnataka perform on various economic metrics using philosopher John Rawls' concept of the veil of ignorance.
Representation Image
The article highlights Kerala's impressive human development and social welfare achievements, positioning it as an ideal state to be born in, according to Rawls' model.
John Rawls, a renowned philosopher, has greatly influenced the theory of justice. He believes justice should be established based on impartiality and fairness, ensuring equal opportunities for all members of a just society. The term "veil of ignorance" was coined by Rawls to suggest that people would choose equitable and fair principles of justice if they were unaware of their future circumstances. In shaping debates on social justice, equality, and democracy, his work has profoundly impacted contemporary political philosophy.
Using the "veil of ignorance" framework, let's compare the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Karnataka based on some basic economic metrics.
As a means of exploring the possibility of designing a just society without considering social status, wealth, abilities, and other factors that could potentially influence an individual's position in society, John Rawls, a prominent philosopher, developed the concept of a "veil of ignorance". According to Rawls, if individuals were positioned behind this veil and unaware of their future circumstances, they would choose principles of justice that are impartial and equitable for everyone. To illustrate this concept, Rawls cited the example of a newborn child who was asked to select a birthplace. In Rawls' opinion, a fair society would be one where every community member has an equal opportunity to succeed and where resources and benefits are distributed according to need rather than privilege or chance. It is also important to note that such a society would be free from discrimination or prejudice based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Food, shelter, healthcare, and education would be available to everyone.
The table delves into the various metrics (definition and sources are below for reference) determining a region or state's overall well-being and development. It is important to note that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Life Expectancy, Sex Ratio, Literacy Rate, Per Capita Income, and Human Development Index (HDI) all provide insights into the quality of life in a region or state.
Among all the states, Kerala is the top performer in most metrics, with the highest HDI, lowest IMR and MMR, the highest Life Expectancy, and the highest literacy rates for both sexes. Kerala's unwavering commitment to human development and social welfare is evident in these impressive figures.
While Kerala has a lower per capita income than Gujarat, it has a higher level of human development, suggesting a more equitable distribution of resources and better living standards for its citizens. It is a shining example of how a state can prioritise the well-being of its citizens while still achieving economic growth by achieving such impressive metrics.
The "veil of ignorance" concept of philosopher John Rawls states that the best state for a person to be born in is one that provides the most significant degree of social and economic equality and opportunities for a fulfilling life, regardless of the individual's characteristics.
In this context, Kerala is the ideal state to be born, as described in Rawls' model. The state of Kerala stands out as a beacon of hope and progress for the rest of the country due to its emphasis on human development, social welfare, and economic growth.
Definition of metric
|
Metric |
Definition |
Indicator of |
|
Infant Mortality Rate |
The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births per year. |
Overall health and well-being of a population, as it reflects factors such as access to healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation. |
|
Maternal Mortality Ratio |
The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in a given year. |
Quality of maternal healthcare and the status of women's health in a population. |
|
Life Expectancy |
The average number of years a person is expected to live from birth, based on current mortality rates. |
Overall health and well-being of a population are influenced by factors such as healthcare, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. |
|
Sex Ratio |
The ratio of the number of males to the number of females in a population. |
Gender balance in a population. |
|
Literacy Rate - Male |
The percentage of males aged 15 and above who are able to read and write. |
Education levels of males in a population. |
|
Literacy Rate - Female |
The percentage of females aged 15 and above who are able to read and write. |
Education levels of females in a population. |
|
Literacy Rate - Difference |
The difference between the literacy rates of males and females in a population. |
Gender disparities in education levels. |
|
Per Capita Income (INR) |
The average income earned by each person in a population in a given year is calculated by dividing the population's total income by the total number of people. |
Standard of living and economic development in a population. |
|
HDI |
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, ranking countries into four tiers of human development. The higher the HDI value, the higher the level of human development in a population. |
Overall well-being and development of a population, taking into account factors such as health, education, and income. |
Sources
|
IMR |
|
|
MMR |
|
|
Life expectancy |
|
|
Sex ratio |
|
|
Literacy Rate - Male |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_states_ |
|
Literacy Rate - Female |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_states_ |
|
Literacy Rate - Difference |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_states_ |
|
HDI |
(The writer is a financial professional, also passionate about the arts, academia, and social issues related to development and human rights)
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Kerala: The Real Story, where Facts and numbers add up
"Examining Economic Metrics through the Veil of Ignorance: A Comparison of Six Indian States" explores how Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Karnataka perform on various economic metrics using philosopher John Rawls' concept of the veil of ignorance.
Representation Image
The article highlights Kerala's impressive human development and social welfare achievements, positioning it as an ideal state to be born in, according to Rawls' model.
John Rawls, a renowned philosopher, has greatly influenced the theory of justice. He believes justice should be established based on impartiality and fairness, ensuring equal opportunities for all members of a just society. The term "veil of ignorance" was coined by Rawls to suggest that people would choose equitable and fair principles of justice if they were unaware of their future circumstances. In shaping debates on social justice, equality, and democracy, his work has profoundly impacted contemporary political philosophy.
Using the "veil of ignorance" framework, let's compare the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Karnataka based on some basic economic metrics.
As a means of exploring the possibility of designing a just society without considering social status, wealth, abilities, and other factors that could potentially influence an individual's position in society, John Rawls, a prominent philosopher, developed the concept of a "veil of ignorance". According to Rawls, if individuals were positioned behind this veil and unaware of their future circumstances, they would choose principles of justice that are impartial and equitable for everyone. To illustrate this concept, Rawls cited the example of a newborn child who was asked to select a birthplace. In Rawls' opinion, a fair society would be one where every community member has an equal opportunity to succeed and where resources and benefits are distributed according to need rather than privilege or chance. It is also important to note that such a society would be free from discrimination or prejudice based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Food, shelter, healthcare, and education would be available to everyone.
The table delves into the various metrics (definition and sources are below for reference) determining a region or state's overall well-being and development. It is important to note that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Life Expectancy, Sex Ratio, Literacy Rate, Per Capita Income, and Human Development Index (HDI) all provide insights into the quality of life in a region or state.
Among all the states, Kerala is the top performer in most metrics, with the highest HDI, lowest IMR and MMR, the highest Life Expectancy, and the highest literacy rates for both sexes. Kerala's unwavering commitment to human development and social welfare is evident in these impressive figures.
While Kerala has a lower per capita income than Gujarat, it has a higher level of human development, suggesting a more equitable distribution of resources and better living standards for its citizens. It is a shining example of how a state can prioritise the well-being of its citizens while still achieving economic growth by achieving such impressive metrics.
The "veil of ignorance" concept of philosopher John Rawls states that the best state for a person to be born in is one that provides the most significant degree of social and economic equality and opportunities for a fulfilling life, regardless of the individual's characteristics.
In this context, Kerala is the ideal state to be born, as described in Rawls' model. The state of Kerala stands out as a beacon of hope and progress for the rest of the country due to its emphasis on human development, social welfare, and economic growth.
Definition of metric
|
Metric |
Definition |
Indicator of |
|
Infant Mortality Rate |
The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births per year. |
Overall health and well-being of a population, as it reflects factors such as access to healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation. |
|
Maternal Mortality Ratio |
The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in a given year. |
Quality of maternal healthcare and the status of women's health in a population. |
|
Life Expectancy |
The average number of years a person is expected to live from birth, based on current mortality rates. |
Overall health and well-being of a population are influenced by factors such as healthcare, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. |
|
Sex Ratio |
The ratio of the number of males to the number of females in a population. |
Gender balance in a population. |
|
Literacy Rate - Male |
The percentage of males aged 15 and above who are able to read and write. |
Education levels of males in a population. |
|
Literacy Rate - Female |
The percentage of females aged 15 and above who are able to read and write. |
Education levels of females in a population. |
|
Literacy Rate - Difference |
The difference between the literacy rates of males and females in a population. |
Gender disparities in education levels. |
|
Per Capita Income (INR) |
The average income earned by each person in a population in a given year is calculated by dividing the population's total income by the total number of people. |
Standard of living and economic development in a population. |
|
HDI |
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, ranking countries into four tiers of human development. The higher the HDI value, the higher the level of human development in a population. |
Overall well-being and development of a population, taking into account factors such as health, education, and income. |
Sources
|
IMR |
|
|
MMR |
|
|
Life expectancy |
|
|
Sex ratio |
|
|
Literacy Rate - Male |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_states_ |
|
Literacy Rate - Female |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_states_ |
|
Literacy Rate - Difference |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_states_ |
|
HDI |
(The writer is a financial professional, also passionate about the arts, academia, and social issues related to development and human rights)
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Demand for President’s Rule in Manipur gains traction; more than 46,000 signatories
Mobs have been on the rampage in Manipur causing destruction of homes, vehicles and even deaths have been reported
A public petition has been raised on Change.org demanding President’s rule in Manipur which has seen mobs going on a rampage in clashes between Kuki tribe and Meitei community. The petition has so far garnered more than 46,000 signatures of who appear to be local citizens and the count is increasing.
While the former is a minority, it is a hill tribe and is opposing the majority Meitei’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status which the ruling BJP government agreed to grant.
The situation has become so precarious that the home department of Manipur has issued ‘shoot at sight orders’, and even suspended the internet. A BJP MLA was attacked by a mob and is recovering in the hospital, there is no official death toll yet and people are scared for their lives.
The public petition started by Sarvodaya Sangam states, “we appeal to the President of India to ensure peace in the state. She belongs to the indigenous tribal community, and we expect her to empathize with the vulnerable communities of the state. We urge the President of India to restore law and order and ensure the safety of life and property. We urge to consider the imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution of India, i.e. President’s Rule in the state. This step can ensure peace and tranquility among warring communities. The fundamental rights of every community need to be protected.”
The public petition also appeals for peace on both warring communities and wishes to spread the message of peace and to sit across the table and talk.
Kukis are unhappy with the BJP government in the state due to the multiple eviction drives on their ancestral forest lands, demolition of churches, insinuations of them being illegal immigrants from Myanmar and so on. The violence spread from Churachandpur district, a hill district, to the Imphal valley as well. Mobs have been on a rampage burning houses and vehicles. Even Kangpokpi, Bishnupur and Moreh are under attack.
The petition can be read here.
Related:
Even as Manipur burns, humanity thrives
Demolition of 3 Churches in BJP-Ruled Manipur for 'Illegal Construction' causes social media uproar
Policy and jurisprudence, India’s refugee policy has taken a regressive turn
Demand for President’s Rule in Manipur gains traction; more than 46,000 signatories
Mobs have been on the rampage in Manipur causing destruction of homes, vehicles and even deaths have been reported
A public petition has been raised on Change.org demanding President’s rule in Manipur which has seen mobs going on a rampage in clashes between Kuki tribe and Meitei community. The petition has so far garnered more than 46,000 signatures of who appear to be local citizens and the count is increasing.
While the former is a minority, it is a hill tribe and is opposing the majority Meitei’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status which the ruling BJP government agreed to grant.
The situation has become so precarious that the home department of Manipur has issued ‘shoot at sight orders’, and even suspended the internet. A BJP MLA was attacked by a mob and is recovering in the hospital, there is no official death toll yet and people are scared for their lives.
The public petition started by Sarvodaya Sangam states, “we appeal to the President of India to ensure peace in the state. She belongs to the indigenous tribal community, and we expect her to empathize with the vulnerable communities of the state. We urge the President of India to restore law and order and ensure the safety of life and property. We urge to consider the imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution of India, i.e. President’s Rule in the state. This step can ensure peace and tranquility among warring communities. The fundamental rights of every community need to be protected.”
The public petition also appeals for peace on both warring communities and wishes to spread the message of peace and to sit across the table and talk.
Kukis are unhappy with the BJP government in the state due to the multiple eviction drives on their ancestral forest lands, demolition of churches, insinuations of them being illegal immigrants from Myanmar and so on. The violence spread from Churachandpur district, a hill district, to the Imphal valley as well. Mobs have been on a rampage burning houses and vehicles. Even Kangpokpi, Bishnupur and Moreh are under attack.
The petition can be read here.
Related:
Even as Manipur burns, humanity thrives
Demolition of 3 Churches in BJP-Ruled Manipur for 'Illegal Construction' causes social media uproar
Policy and jurisprudence, India’s refugee policy has taken a regressive turn
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World Press Freedom Index: India rank further slides to 161, 11 spots behind Afghanistan
Pakistan too fairs better, countries ranked lower than India include Bangladesh, Turkey and China
Image Courtesy: newsclick.in
India’s record of press freedom worsens, from the 150th spot last year in 2022, India’s rank has further dipped to 161 in the 2023 edition of the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. This shocking situation puts India several spots behind Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have improved their rankings this year to be at positions 150 and 152, respectively.
However, countries ranked lower than India include Bangladesh (163), Turkey (165), Saudi Arabia (170) and Iran (177). China and North Korea occupy the last spots at 179 and 180, respectively.
The index was published today, May 3, which is also World Press Freedom Day.
The ranking is based on a country’s performance in five broad categories: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and most crucially, the safety of journalists.. Of the five, India’s ranking was lowest in the safety of journalists category (172) and best in the social indicator category (143). The hounding and incarceration of journalists in Kashmir and brazenly violent attacks on them in states like Maharashtra make the situation stark. As far as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are concerned, the highest numbers of criminal cases –criminalisation of free speech—have been reported.
Photo-caption: MAP showing India’s all time low in the security of journalists index
While India has ranked consistently low over the past few years, its rank has plunged to the lowest this year, 2023. This is one year before the next general elections, 2024 and the ninth year of the present political regime. In February last year, the union government had, predictably, shrugged off India’s dismal showing in the PFI saying :it does not agree” with the the views and country rankings listed in the World Press Freedom Index since it’s published by a “foreign” NGO! This has been the standard obtuse response to any critical comments or studies about the current administration.
“The violence against journalists, the politically partisan media and the concentration of media ownership all demonstrate that press freedom is in serious crisis in ‘the world’s largest democracy’, ruled since 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the embodiment of the Hindu nationalist right,” the 2023 report states.
“Originally a product of the anti-colonial movement, the Indian press used to be seen as fairly progressive but things changed radically in the mid-2010s, when Narendra Modi became prime minister and engineered a spectacular rapprochement between his party, the BJP, and the big families dominating the media. The prime example is undoubtedly the Reliance Industries group led by Mukesh Ambani, now a personal friend of Modi’s, who owns more than 70 media outlets that are followed by at least 800 million Indians. Similarly, the takeover of the NDTV channel at the end of 2022 by tycoon Gautam Adani, who is also very close to Narendra Modi, signalled the end of pluralism in the mainstream media. Very early on, Modi took a critical stance vis-à-vis journalists, seeing them as “intermediaries” polluting the direct relationship between himself and his supporters. Indian journalists who are too critical of the government are subjected to all-out harassment and attack campaigns by Modi devotees known as bhakts.”
Related:
Freedom of Expression: Driver for All other Human Rights
Guess where India stands on the World Press Freedom Index?
Replace toothless Press Council with Media Council: NAJ, DUJ
Saharanpur: Who were the ‘media men’ whose questions created tension during Friday prayers?
A fair media can defang intolerance
World Press Freedom Index: India rank further slides to 161, 11 spots behind Afghanistan
Pakistan too fairs better, countries ranked lower than India include Bangladesh, Turkey and China
Image Courtesy: newsclick.in
India’s record of press freedom worsens, from the 150th spot last year in 2022, India’s rank has further dipped to 161 in the 2023 edition of the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. This shocking situation puts India several spots behind Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have improved their rankings this year to be at positions 150 and 152, respectively.
However, countries ranked lower than India include Bangladesh (163), Turkey (165), Saudi Arabia (170) and Iran (177). China and North Korea occupy the last spots at 179 and 180, respectively.
The index was published today, May 3, which is also World Press Freedom Day.
The ranking is based on a country’s performance in five broad categories: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and most crucially, the safety of journalists.. Of the five, India’s ranking was lowest in the safety of journalists category (172) and best in the social indicator category (143). The hounding and incarceration of journalists in Kashmir and brazenly violent attacks on them in states like Maharashtra make the situation stark. As far as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are concerned, the highest numbers of criminal cases –criminalisation of free speech—have been reported.
Photo-caption: MAP showing India’s all time low in the security of journalists index
While India has ranked consistently low over the past few years, its rank has plunged to the lowest this year, 2023. This is one year before the next general elections, 2024 and the ninth year of the present political regime. In February last year, the union government had, predictably, shrugged off India’s dismal showing in the PFI saying :it does not agree” with the the views and country rankings listed in the World Press Freedom Index since it’s published by a “foreign” NGO! This has been the standard obtuse response to any critical comments or studies about the current administration.
“The violence against journalists, the politically partisan media and the concentration of media ownership all demonstrate that press freedom is in serious crisis in ‘the world’s largest democracy’, ruled since 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the embodiment of the Hindu nationalist right,” the 2023 report states.
“Originally a product of the anti-colonial movement, the Indian press used to be seen as fairly progressive but things changed radically in the mid-2010s, when Narendra Modi became prime minister and engineered a spectacular rapprochement between his party, the BJP, and the big families dominating the media. The prime example is undoubtedly the Reliance Industries group led by Mukesh Ambani, now a personal friend of Modi’s, who owns more than 70 media outlets that are followed by at least 800 million Indians. Similarly, the takeover of the NDTV channel at the end of 2022 by tycoon Gautam Adani, who is also very close to Narendra Modi, signalled the end of pluralism in the mainstream media. Very early on, Modi took a critical stance vis-à-vis journalists, seeing them as “intermediaries” polluting the direct relationship between himself and his supporters. Indian journalists who are too critical of the government are subjected to all-out harassment and attack campaigns by Modi devotees known as bhakts.”
Related:
Freedom of Expression: Driver for All other Human Rights
Guess where India stands on the World Press Freedom Index?
Replace toothless Press Council with Media Council: NAJ, DUJ
Saharanpur: Who were the ‘media men’ whose questions created tension during Friday prayers?
A fair media can defang intolerance
Related Articles
Theme
Campaigns
Videos
Archives
Archives
Podcasts
Freedom of Expression: Driver for All other Human Rights
Joseph Stiglitz, the 2001 Nobel Prize recipient in Economic Sciences said, “Free speech and a free press not only make abuses of governmental powers less likely; they also enhance the likelihood that people’s basic social needs will be met. Secrecy reduces the information available to the citizenry, hobbling people’s ability to participate meaningfully. Essentially, meaningful participation in democratic processes requires informed participants”.
Image Courtesy: newsletter.sscbs.du.ac.in
Profound and meaningful words indeed- which ring more than true today, particularly in India! Freedom of Speech and Expression has reached abysmal depths- its nadir Those who take a stand: write and speak against the Government and the ruling party are hauled up, false cases are foisted on them,they are attacked and even killed like Gauri Lankesh, Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi and others in recent years. Human rights defenders and anyone who expresses dissent are systematically and brutally targeted in India today! Most of the media (print and electronic) are‘godified’: they toe the line of their political masters, they are bought up (paid media), corporatized and co-opted. It is not a state secret, very visible; if they do not so, they have to pay the price- which is heavy indeed!
It is not surprising that last year the World Press Freedom Index 2022 ranked India 150 out of 180 countries in theworld. The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) will release its World Press Freedom Index 2023 on May 3 in the presence of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken RSF’s World Press Freedom Index has become an important global tool to measure press freedom, scoring and ranking 180 countries and territories. Each year’s Index prompts reactions from officials around the world, including the expected reactions from India! Given the state of Freedom of Speech and Expression in the country today, it is doubtful whether India has any chances of improving on its pathetic 150 ranking ofthe previous year.
World Press Freedom Day on May 3 is an annual commemoration adopted by the United Nations in 1993.This year is the 30th anniversary since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom.The theme this year is significant: Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights It powerfully signifies the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all other human rights. Something which India desperately needs and years for!
As a backgrounder for the day the UN has provided a path-breaking concept note. The opening para sets the tone for the entire day and of the appropriateness and urgency of the theme. “This proclamation marked the beginning of substantial progress towards enabling a free press and freedom of expression around the world –with the proliferation of independent media in many countries and the rise of digital technologies enabling the free flow of information online. Three decades have passed, with advancements in the respect for human rights and in related international frameworks. However, media freedom, safety of journalists and freedom of expression are increasingly under attack, which impacts the realization of other human rights.The international community faces multiple crises; conflicts and violence, persistent socio-economic inequalities driving migration, environmental crises and challenges to the health and well-being of people all around the world, while disinformation and misinformation online and offline proliferate with serious impact on the institutions underpinning democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Polarised political and societal discourse; erosion of trust; impositions of states of emergency and internet shutdowns; crackdown on critical voices and independent media; news desertification due to the collapse of traditional media business models; and tackling hate speech and online harms that disregard international standards, pose new threats to freedom of expression, and the fundamental role of human rights. It is exactly to counter these critical situations and threats, that press freedom, safety of journalists and access to information take centre stage.”
The concept note is an authentic reflection of the reality that has gripped India since 2014. The right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a prerequisite and a driver to the enjoyment of all other human rights. Article 19 of the Constitution of India guarantees to every citizen freedom of speech and expression. In the recent past the regime has systematically targeted and even throttled (sometimes in seemingly innocuous ways) all those who have dared oppose them or critiqued their policies and falsehoods. On the other hand, their ‘bhakts’, crony capitalist friends and those who accept the ideology of fascists, have no qualms of consciencespewing venomous hate speeches, denigrating and demonizing minorities and inciting people to violence. They do so with impunity, with the law-and-order mechanism as accomplices in these crimes, knowing fully well that they are cloaked with immunity! Absolutely nothing, they are cock-sure, will happen to them!
Human rights of the poor and the vulnerable, the excluded and the exploited, the minorities and the other marginalised are not only denied, trampled upon but are blatantly violated.
For example, ‘The Kashmir Files’ and now the soon-to -be-released ‘The Kerala Story’, reek with lies, denigration and perversion that would make any thinking Indian who cherishes freedom of speech and expression to hang one’s head down in shame! Ironically, the two-part BBC documentary on ‘The Modi Question’ with incontrovertible facts and authentic visuals is banned from screening/ viewing in India, because it reveals the whole truth and urges the viewer towards a more just and humane society!
The note reiterates, that this year’s special thirtieth anniversary celebration of World Press Freedom Day is therefore a call to recentre press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic, inclusive and diverse media, as necessary key to the enjoyment of all other human rights. This anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Conference and its Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights, which established important institutions safeguarding human rights, and with the 75thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On this occasion, the global community will debate and set the agenda for both the development of human rights and how to protect them in an ever changing world, and World Press Freedom Day will serve as an opportunity to put a strong focus on freedom of expression within the overall human rights agenda.
The question is: will India as a nation and as many citizens of the country as possible, have the audacity to dare by shaping a future of rights wherein the freedom of expression becomes a driver for all other human rights?
May 3, 2023
(The author is a human right, reconciliation & peace activist/writer)
Freedom of Expression: Driver for All other Human Rights
Joseph Stiglitz, the 2001 Nobel Prize recipient in Economic Sciences said, “Free speech and a free press not only make abuses of governmental powers less likely; they also enhance the likelihood that people’s basic social needs will be met. Secrecy reduces the information available to the citizenry, hobbling people’s ability to participate meaningfully. Essentially, meaningful participation in democratic processes requires informed participants”.
Image Courtesy: newsletter.sscbs.du.ac.in
Profound and meaningful words indeed- which ring more than true today, particularly in India! Freedom of Speech and Expression has reached abysmal depths- its nadir Those who take a stand: write and speak against the Government and the ruling party are hauled up, false cases are foisted on them,they are attacked and even killed like Gauri Lankesh, Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi and others in recent years. Human rights defenders and anyone who expresses dissent are systematically and brutally targeted in India today! Most of the media (print and electronic) are‘godified’: they toe the line of their political masters, they are bought up (paid media), corporatized and co-opted. It is not a state secret, very visible; if they do not so, they have to pay the price- which is heavy indeed!
It is not surprising that last year the World Press Freedom Index 2022 ranked India 150 out of 180 countries in theworld. The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) will release its World Press Freedom Index 2023 on May 3 in the presence of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken RSF’s World Press Freedom Index has become an important global tool to measure press freedom, scoring and ranking 180 countries and territories. Each year’s Index prompts reactions from officials around the world, including the expected reactions from India! Given the state of Freedom of Speech and Expression in the country today, it is doubtful whether India has any chances of improving on its pathetic 150 ranking ofthe previous year.
World Press Freedom Day on May 3 is an annual commemoration adopted by the United Nations in 1993.This year is the 30th anniversary since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom.The theme this year is significant: Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights It powerfully signifies the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all other human rights. Something which India desperately needs and years for!
As a backgrounder for the day the UN has provided a path-breaking concept note. The opening para sets the tone for the entire day and of the appropriateness and urgency of the theme. “This proclamation marked the beginning of substantial progress towards enabling a free press and freedom of expression around the world –with the proliferation of independent media in many countries and the rise of digital technologies enabling the free flow of information online. Three decades have passed, with advancements in the respect for human rights and in related international frameworks. However, media freedom, safety of journalists and freedom of expression are increasingly under attack, which impacts the realization of other human rights.The international community faces multiple crises; conflicts and violence, persistent socio-economic inequalities driving migration, environmental crises and challenges to the health and well-being of people all around the world, while disinformation and misinformation online and offline proliferate with serious impact on the institutions underpinning democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Polarised political and societal discourse; erosion of trust; impositions of states of emergency and internet shutdowns; crackdown on critical voices and independent media; news desertification due to the collapse of traditional media business models; and tackling hate speech and online harms that disregard international standards, pose new threats to freedom of expression, and the fundamental role of human rights. It is exactly to counter these critical situations and threats, that press freedom, safety of journalists and access to information take centre stage.”
The concept note is an authentic reflection of the reality that has gripped India since 2014. The right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a prerequisite and a driver to the enjoyment of all other human rights. Article 19 of the Constitution of India guarantees to every citizen freedom of speech and expression. In the recent past the regime has systematically targeted and even throttled (sometimes in seemingly innocuous ways) all those who have dared oppose them or critiqued their policies and falsehoods. On the other hand, their ‘bhakts’, crony capitalist friends and those who accept the ideology of fascists, have no qualms of consciencespewing venomous hate speeches, denigrating and demonizing minorities and inciting people to violence. They do so with impunity, with the law-and-order mechanism as accomplices in these crimes, knowing fully well that they are cloaked with immunity! Absolutely nothing, they are cock-sure, will happen to them!
Human rights of the poor and the vulnerable, the excluded and the exploited, the minorities and the other marginalised are not only denied, trampled upon but are blatantly violated.
For example, ‘The Kashmir Files’ and now the soon-to -be-released ‘The Kerala Story’, reek with lies, denigration and perversion that would make any thinking Indian who cherishes freedom of speech and expression to hang one’s head down in shame! Ironically, the two-part BBC documentary on ‘The Modi Question’ with incontrovertible facts and authentic visuals is banned from screening/ viewing in India, because it reveals the whole truth and urges the viewer towards a more just and humane society!
The note reiterates, that this year’s special thirtieth anniversary celebration of World Press Freedom Day is therefore a call to recentre press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic, inclusive and diverse media, as necessary key to the enjoyment of all other human rights. This anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Conference and its Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights, which established important institutions safeguarding human rights, and with the 75thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On this occasion, the global community will debate and set the agenda for both the development of human rights and how to protect them in an ever changing world, and World Press Freedom Day will serve as an opportunity to put a strong focus on freedom of expression within the overall human rights agenda.
The question is: will India as a nation and as many citizens of the country as possible, have the audacity to dare by shaping a future of rights wherein the freedom of expression becomes a driver for all other human rights?
May 3, 2023
(The author is a human right, reconciliation & peace activist/writer)