Fall from Grace

The sordid story of Andhra Pradesh involving an octogenarian Governor of the State alleged to have sexual exploits in return for material favours has not only lowered the image of political big wigs but has put to shame the ethical norms of our society as a whole. We seem to have accepted that in order to meet our selfish ends it is perfectly fair to offer any type of temptation. So it is not that means should justify the ends but the opposite. What ever may be findings of the investigations, if any, the fact remains that there were two parties in this episode. Whereas the focus of the media has been the Governor and his alleged deeds, there has been no condemnation of the provocateur of this episode. The media perhaps seems to be interested only in the salacious part of the story. The story was broadcast after the alleged promise of mining lease was not fulfilled. Had it been met then there was no problem and story.

There is need for serious consideration of the fact that in such type of incidents both the bribe giver and the receipient should equally receive public attention and condemnation.

Unholy alliance in Jharkhand

It is a sad day in the political history of Jharkhand where no single party has emerged in majority after elections. This has resulted in proverbial commercial sale, purchase ,mergers,acquisitions and auctions for Government formations. The most distressing fact is that an accused charged with murder,corruption and money laundering will head the state. Most abominable fact is that of BJP which claims to be party with a difference lending support in this unholy alliance with an eye on the piece of cake. Has the greed for power overtaken the ethics, objectives and principles which were hall mark of BJP. After the series of set back this party received in the past one or two years. One expected it to have learnt lessons for its down fall. But they seem to be on self destructive path. It is known to all that this Government will not survive long as Shibo Soren is a maverick unfamiliar with loyalty and principles in life. There is a need for amendment to the law that in similar situations when no single party is in majority, President Rule should be imposed whatever be the cost. People pay heavy cost under the rule of a corrupt and unstable Government than otherwise/

What is David Headley's real story

THE SENSATIONAL disclosures by Indian authorities of the nefarious roles of David Coleman Headley and the U. S. Investigative agencies in the 26/ 11 massacre are a matter of grave concern for our country.

Headley was allegedly a CIA agent engaged in drug smuggling who is later stated to have double- crossed with the Pakistan terror groups sponsored by the Pak government agencies.

This reflects not only Headley two- facedness but also that of US administration. If true, then it is horrifying that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI) was aware about the impending attack in Mumbai but did not sound out the Indian government.

Further, they refused to allow Indian investigation team to examine Headley. The numerous visits of Headley to India, Pakistan and Dubai and the source of finance could not have escaped the notice of CIA/ FBI as he was their paid agent. They willfully ignored these facts which would have saved hundreds of lives and precious property. If such a conspiracy been hatched against US on Indian soil or within the knowledge of Indian investigation agencies, wouldnt the US have behaved differently? The common man in India is, therefore, bewildered about the real design and sincerity of the US, a country that is neither reliable nor dependable and is concerned with purely selfinterest.

Their unusual doles of money and arms to Pakistan a perpetrator of world terrorism is indicative of their Mindset.

Should India have alliance with such an unprincipled regime?

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits America

"Values bind us" said our honest and kind hearted Prime Minister when he gave this message to the American President during his recent visit to that country. However, this failed to cut much ice with him as the sequence of events illustrates. That the head of Democratic party in United States one of the largest democracies in the world preferred the autocratic and dictatorial regimes of China and Pakistan over India the largest democracy is indicative of the Obama's Mindset and future relations with India. Both USA and India have been victims of Pak based and engineered terrorism but Barack Hussain Obama blatantly ignored to confirm that US financial and arms supplies to Pakistan will not used against India. It is not unfair to conclude that "values are behind us" and not bind us any more.

There has been no worthwhile gain of the present visit as America neither agreed on nuclear issues nor on terrorism related matters. This attitude was became clear to the common man in India when our investigation team that went to examine the terror suspect Hadley but was unceremoneously ejected out. That our Prime Minister has returned empty hands needs no more mention. There were achievements though of red carpet, being the first state guest, glittering state dinner and best of rehtorics. Now India has to decide that it has to tend its field itself with expectations of outside sources.

Pakistan Rulers lose Balance of Mind

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik's ridiculous accusation of India giving financial aid to Talibans is a joke of the century. It demonstrates the frustration of Pak rulers in meeting the situation of their own creation. The entire world including people of Pakistan know as to who and for what purpose the monster of Talibans was created. As the well known saying goes "as you sow, so shall you reap". The disintegeration of Pakistan is in the least interest of India for maintaining stability in the region. But if rulers of that country are bent upon self destruction by promoting violence,hatred and fanaticism, who can help them. This unfortunate and irresponsible statement of Mr. Malik has come at a time when India has been making out of the way overtures to build bridges between the countries. It is ironic that when India tries to move one step forward the powers in Pakistan move two steps backwards.It is time that people of Pakistan should throw out such organisations out of power who have not allowed them to keep pace with the changing times and taste peace and prosperity.

Austerity. Security and Publicity

It is unfortunate to note that a very serious issue of austerity in these times of economic crisis has become a subject of frivolous comments and ridicule. The journeys undertaken by Sonia Gandhi by Economy class by Air and that of by Train by Rahul Gandhi were at first given undue publicity and subsequently twisted as security risks. No one denies the security angle attached to both these leaders, but was not the security breached by giving advanced publicity to these events?

2. Travel expenses is not the only area of austerity in Government expenses. There is over staffing, wasteful office expenses, uneconomic and redundant schemes and hospitality expenses which need to be pruned. Mere issue of instructions .Circulars and Orders have not yielded any result in the past nor will it bear any fruit in future. What is required is sincere will and determination to enforce these measures. Look at the publicity mongers politicians and Government Ministers holding Iftar parties at public expenses in a Secular State, not out of anyrespect for the faith but out of sheer publicity appetite. How do we propose to manage austerity. security and publicity at the same time?




( O.P.Tandon)

If asked to resign, I will kill myself

"If asked to resign, I will kill myself: Buta Singh" is a most irresponsible and desperate attempt to blackmail the process of investigation and justice. Buta Singh 's love for power is well known as he has switched political loyalties to cling to power. His aforesaid statement perfectly proves this. Buta Singh is holding a constitutional Office and the involvement of his son in a criminal case directly concerning his official functions is a cause for concern and suspicion. All dignitaries are supposed to ensure that their wards and relations do not exploit their official positions. However. Buta Singh has not only been claiming his personal innocence but also that of his son.

2. He has been Home Minister of India and knows the working of CBI and it does not behove him to cast aspersions on its working. As the can of worms is opening up against his son, the best he could have done was to keep his mouth shut or chant the proverbial "Let the law take its own course."He seems to be committing Harakiri by issuing public statements in nervousness.

Religious Blackmail of an Indian Actor

It is unfortunate to observe that Media is becoming a party to exploitations by individuals to meet their narrow personal needs by hook or by crook. The recent case of Actor Emraan Hashmi in claiming with the active and direct support of particularly the visual media that he was denied the purchase of a flat by the Co-operative Society on grounds of being a Muslim is pure and simple blackmail. By projecting it on TVs again and again this will have negative impact and widen the communal bias.

2. It is no body's case that such incidents do not happen in India or other parts of globe. However, India has diverse cultures and traditions which have bearing on social structure of each group. And we cannot force any one to break them to satisfy the ego of a particular person or section of society. For instance no Jain landlord will accommodate a Non-vegitarian tenant or member of their Housing Society irrespective of whether he is a Hindu or Muslim. Like wise, landlords are reluctant to accommodate single females, advocates, Doctors, event managers etc for various valid or invalid reasons. No one can force them to this type of blackmail as Hashmi has tried to play. There are many Group Housing Societies et up by religious groups under many names viz.Islamia, Brahman,Shiva. Then there are Societies based on regional bases, Kangra, South India, Malalyam, Uttarkhand, Gujarati etc. In Delhi we have Societies based on professional links like Press Enclave, RBI Colony, Swasthya Vihar and Nirman Vihar, AGCR colony etc. These groupings were set up as a matter of convenience , cohesiveness and more importantly as a filter to ward off undesirable element. By playing the religious card, Hashmi has adequately proved himself as an undesirable and unwanted person for the Society in question. It is regrettable that media went beyond its brief in this case.

Murky Politicians of Kasmir

The recent events in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly have exposed the lowest level to which PDP leaders can stoop down for their narrow political ends. The role of a vigilant opposition in a democratic regime is to corner the Government in power on national and administrative issues and not personal character assassination. PDP was sharing power with Congress till a few months ago and the said Sex scandal happened during that period. At that time they never mentioned about the the name of Omar Abdullah in the list of accused or suspected persons.

2. Now that they are out of power and have no issue to remain in public lime light, they have chosen this irresponsible and detestable path to malign a popular young dynamic leader of the State. The conduct of Mehbooba in throwing microphones on the face of the Assembly Speaker and later on tearing the report of the CBI in House illustrate her desperate frame of mind. It is a dangerous trend to whip up street passions which will sometime boomerang on them. The role of PDP was exposed when they remained silent when a three year old child and his father was brutally murdered by the terrorists but were very vociferous about the death of two girls with questionable circumstances. It is the same party which had pleaded for common currency in Kashmir as well as Pak occupied area. This party with a anti national agenda deserves to be treated with utmost severity under the law so that they do not pose threat to peace stability and tranquility in the State

GUN MAN OR TERRORIST

The comments made in leading newspapers of America about the 26/11 attack in Mumbai by Pakistani terrorists describing Kasab as a Gunman and not a terrorist is a shocking, irresponsible and malicious comment from a country which witnessed similar carnage on 9/11. Does it reflect the mindset of the people of a developed nation towards the citizens of third world countries. Why American establishment is viewed with suspicion and an incredible ally by majority of the global countries is because of this type of arrogant complex.They do not seem to have learnt any lessons from Vietnam, Iraq and now in Afghanistan.

2. Even Pakistan has now admitted the role of its citizens in the terrorists plot hatched in Pakistan and executed in Mumbai and have started legal proceedings against the perpetrators of terrorism. In that background as well as the independent investigations carried out by U.S. Authorities which also came to same conclusions, to call the terrorists as merely gunmen is a mischievous statement. Should we call the 9/11`attack in New York as a Missile fire by rogue fliers?. Such statements do no good to Indo-US relations despite Hillary's glamorous visit, The American media should better show maturity and good manners in their writings.

Composite Dialogue with Pakistan- a national shame

Despite vociferous claims made from the roof top by the Prime Minister and the Congress Party's shouting brigade that we will not have any talks with Pakistan till the perpetrators of Mumbai carnage are brought to book, Prime Minister has brought national shame to India by yielding to Pakistan at the NAM meeting held in Egypt. Not only has he agreed to start the dialogue with Pakistan but has succumbed to their pressure to include Baluchistan in the joint statement. In other words as if India is brewing the trouble in that region of Pakistan.

The statement makes no mention about closure of terror camps in P O K nor handing over criminals and terrorist leaders like Dawood and Sayeed. What was the urgency or need to hold talks with Pakistan in the present situation when they had never struck to their words. Shri Vajpayee started the peace dialogue by his Bus journey to Lahore believing in the sincerity of Pak leaders intentions but it was immediately followed by Kargil War.
After the change of military ruler, Pak President, Asif Zardari made several honey coated statements in favour of India=Pak relations followed by heinous Mumbai attack sponsored by ISI.There are news of Pakistani forces building bunkers along side the Indo-Pak border which have been confirmed by our Army Generals. In the forgoing context, is it not a betrayal of the nation by the ruling party? Are we going to play to the tunes of American Government which has no interest

Remembering the Kargil Heroes

The victory of our brave soldiers in the Kargil war against Pakistan will go down as a most glorious event in the history of our Armed Forces which merits nation wide celebration every year. However, the foot in the mouth statement made by Congress MP Rashid Alvi against commemorating this event has not only shocked the Armed Forces but the entire nation. His perverse statement that our Forces merely took back the area occupied by Pakistani forces does not call for any celebration. Is he indirectly mourning the defeat of Pakistan through his ill coceived statement. He needs to elaborate about his nationality. The nations world over celeberate the victories of their Armed forces for recovery of their territorries from Naziz. This is a natural act of patriotism to honour soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of their nation.

It is for the Congress Party to decide whether to tolerate such unpatriotic persons in their fold but the nation expects the Government to take suitable action prescribed in the law of the land against him for denigrading the honour and dignity of our brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the honour of Motherland. Congress or no Congress, Alvi is a turn coat who changes political parties with the drop of a hat and is unknown to scruples.

Budget 09

The Budget proposals announced by the FM have frustrated the genuine expectations of all sections of society viz. Common man, corporate sector and the financial sector which had risen following the presentation of Economic Survey. It is a direction less document, more of rehtoric than any concrete steps for the growth. There are no measures to control the rapid inflation,generate skills and employment, stimulus for power and reality sectors and increase the industrial production. The paltry increase of Rs.10,000/- to Rs.15000/- in personal income tax exemption is peanut compared to the mounting inflation and the rocketing prices of essential commodities.

2. Although Pranab Da did not lose his sleep over the crash of Stock Market, it does indicates the response of the nation to these proposals. How the huge fiscal deficit is proposed to be met and what are the stimulus for attracting investments are questions with blank answers. People are also sanguine about the proposed measures for rural sector as since independence these have not physically not reached the rural masses. The people feel cheated and no Cheer Leaders deployed strategically in the visual media by the powers in position succeeded in cheering the nation.

Australian Racism

The wave of racial attacks on Indian students in Australia, 85 reported cases in past three years besides a large number unreported, is a cause for major concern for India. The racial Mindset of Australians is not a new thing as we had experienced it frequently during cricket matches with the Aussies. However, targeting Indian students who were invited for studies in their Universities through a blitz of Government and private ads and media propaganda by extracting billions of Rupees from them is most unethical and condemnable in a civilised society. To add insult to the injury the Australian Police force has been most uncooperative to the racial victims and Govt. A mute spectator

Now that the water has flown over the head, it is time for serious introspection on our part also. There is a craze for sending our children for studies abroad when we have far better courses and institutions in India which have established their identities abroad. The students of these institutions have made to the highest positions in the world for a in various fields. On economic considerations also it pinches a big hole in the pockets of middle class parents who send their wards to third class institutions which have mushroomed in Australia like Coaching Classes in India.

These students are misled to believe that after completion of their studies like MBA they will get Permanent Resident status and a Job.What Jobs they get subsequently is either a Taxi Driver or a Security Guard.Have you ever seen an MBA etc, driving Taxi or a Security Guard in India? It is time that public awareness is articulated against studies in Australia and the Government deal firmly with the touts duping our innocent public for studies in racial Australia.

Pak releases terror Mastermind

The release of proclaimed terror mastermind and perpetrator of Mumbai carnage as well as similar dastardly acts elsewhere, by Pakistani High court for want of adequate evidence presented by the prosecution is a slap on the face of Pakistani authorities for their shameless conduct. They have hardly emerged out of the Taliban's wrath within the country and are back in their old game of aiding and abetting terrorist groups against India. Soon after the release of Jamat-ud Dawa chief Hafeez Saeed, Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani suddenly remembered Kashmir.These events are fraught with danger for India as a message is being conveyed to the terrorist groups that Pakistan Government stands to fully support them. Pakistan does not seem to have learnt the lesson from its recent experiences with Taliban that these blood thirsty groups have crossed the lines of nationalism and will devour whatever is available to them.

Unfortunately, the role of America is dubious as all these developments cannot take place without its tacit approval and support. The initial euphoria that was built up around Obama is soon fading both at home and abroad due to his inconsistent policies and more of rhetoric than action. As far as India is concerned there is little to expect from him and perhaps Bush had a better understanding. India should also now learn its lessons and act firmly with Pakistan without reservations and ignore Americans who have time and again proved untrustworthy.

Al Qaeda in Lahore

The dastardly attack by terrorists on the Police Training School in Lahore deserves to be condemned by all rational people under the Sun as it is a most vicious act against humanity. It reveals the scale and magnitude of the cancerous cult of terrorism. It need not be reiterated as to who has been the founder and promoter of this cult in the region at this hour of agony and grief for the families of innocent victims. We in India have been victims of such heinous acts for many years. Only last week we lost five of our brave soldiers when there was infiltration bid aided and abetted by Pakistan's para forces a fact acknowledged even by U>S>A.

2. Now that such incidents have become a daily affair both in India and Pakistan a prudent approach would have been for both countries to evolve a joint strategy to meet this menace. Unfortunately, however, instead of a balanced approach and co-operation a blame game has started fueling the fire of hatred and intolerance. The statement of Pak Interior Minister MrRehman Malik comparing it with 1965 War(with India) and hand of foreign power is most offensive and derogatory. He further wanted to know how and from this group got the sophisticated weapons, a question India has repeatedly been posing to Pakistan when similar attacks take place in India. We in India are really concerned whether Pakistan will be able to retain the democratic Government it has recently acquired or the Army will again seize power as they are not used to salute their civilian bosses.

Obama the Philanthropist

At a time when the American economy is reeling under the worst crisis of the century its newly elected President Obama has made a rare act of Philanthrophy by declaring a largesse of $1.5 billion per year for a period of 5 years to Pakistan to disrupt, dismantle and defeat terrorist Groups in Pakistan. Although some cosmetic conditions have been attached to this benevolent grant, past history is a witness to Pakistan's record of observing the guidelines attached to grants. In fact U.S.A. has been pouring money and military materials in Pakistan with the same purpose and it is no secret that Pakistan has been diverting the same to the terror groups with the twin object of seizing control of Afghanistan and confronting India. This fact is not unknown to the American people and Government. One wonders,therfore, about the real intentions of the U.S. Government.

2. The real source of supplies both financial and arms to Al qaeda and Taiban has never been revealed. These groups have no air capability like LTTE and hence either they are being provided by Pakistan directly or a passage is being provided by it for third country imports. In any given situation the involvement of Pakistan is established beyond doubt. The U.S. tried the carrot and stick policy with General Parvez Musharif and failed and should not dream of succeeding with the present unstable regime. If it is really serious to combat the scourge of terror it should strike at the appropriate places which are not unknown to its intelligence agencies and use this $1.5 billion to stimulate its economy.

Democratic Norms & Elections

We very proudly proclaim ourselves to be the second largest democracy in the world. True as far as the game of numbers to elect public representatives to form the Government is concerned. However, every political system has inherent norms attached to it and without observing them one cannot claim to belong to that category. In the current run upto elections for 15 th Lok Sabha we are witnessing strange permutations and combinations of diverse ideologies not based on identical manifestos but motivated solely to grab power at any cost which is not the spirit of democracy.

Further, in the campaigns for elections all ethical norms are being thrown to winds. The offensive and abusive language against adversaries is being used freely without any fear of consequences. There is a made race to out do as witnessed recently from the utterences of Varun Gandhi, Manish Tiwari, Uddhav Thackeray and score others in the queue. Are we evolving a new set of norms and project to the world for democratic governance. If this the prepoll sceniario we can imagine the post poll scene.

Declare Pakistan a Terror State

The dastardly attack on Srilankan Cricket Team in Pakistan is in continuation to the Pakistan sponsored terrorists to spread anarchy and destruction in the world over. After Mumbai carnage they tried their dirty hands in Bangladesh to unsettle the democratically elected Government through a mutiny by the fundamentalist elements in the para military forces and now comes the attack on sportmen of a peaceful and non-alligned country. Their handing over of Swat valley to the fundamentalists for rule under Shariat Law cannot befool any one including U.S.A. as to their designs. They have hatched the nurseries of terrorism and are nurturing and promoting them unabashedly. This is the second case in the history of sports after Munich Olympic when innocent sportsmen have been targeted. It is time, therefore, that United Nations Organisations takes immediate steps to declare Pakistan a Terrorist State and annihilate its terror promotion set up to bring peace to the world.

Criminalisation of Politics

The people of India had been expressing concern about criminalisation of Politics in India as almost all political parties had started fielding candidates with a dubious background during elections and many of them to the utter misfortune of the country got elected. These candidates had all shades of crime to their credit like rioting, rape, murder and frauds etc.

2. This trend has gained momentum now that general elections are nearing. The Samajwadi Party has declared such a candidate for its Lucknow constituency. Not to be left behind Congress has admitted a match fixer in its fold to be fielded from Hyderabad. One wonders at the bankruptcy of our political parties who are not able to find and field nationalist and clean persons to participate in governance of the country. If this practice continues, day will not far behind when Tihar Jail will become the scouting ground to locate tough candidates. Is it that these parties are following the maxim "Politics is the last refuge of a scoundrel".

Talbanisation of Pakistan

The latest events in Pakistan particularly the handing over of Swat valley to Talibans indicates a deeper conspiracy on the part of Pakistan towards gradual and systamatic talibanisation of the country. No sovereign country in the world history will hand over a part of its territory to a terrorist group to govern it with a law different from the laws of its constitution as has been done by Pakistan. There are many indicators to prove that Pakistan had been working towards this end. Talibans had recently announced that any attack on Pakistan by India will be repulsed by their organisation contrary to Pak claims of being victims of Talibans terror.India has, therefore, to prepare itself against Pakistan's designs of spreading the culture of Pak sponsored terrorism.

2. There is also a need to reduce our reliance upon U.S.mediation as they have always pursued their self interest. The statement of U.S. Special envoy Richard Holbrooke that
Taliban is a common threat to India, Pakistan and U.S.A is a pointer to their insincerity in describing the facts. How can Pakistan who is the sponsor,perpetrator and now power sharer with Talibans be clubbed with threat to India. The importance it attaches to India can be imagined from the fact that India has been excluded from U.S. Secretary of State's visit to Asian countries. So let us take care of ourselves without outside help.

      




Pakistan's game of shuttle cock

Pakistan has once again tried to act smart in its game of throw ball by admitting that the perpetrators of Mumbai carnage were Pakistani nationals who had partly hatched the conspiracy in Pakistan and partly in Austria, USA, Italy etc. This has come after months of shifting stands like the changing colours of a chemeleon. We need not feel exuberant over this admission as it does not help the victims of the tragedy nor it ensures punishment for the state actors and directors of this dastardly tragedy. The public memory is not that short as to forget the statements made by persons holding high offices in Pakistan who denied the Pak nationality of Kasab, declared Indian nationals behind it and that no proof had been submitted to them. Pakistan High Commissioner in U.K. Issued irresponsible and offensive statements against Indian investigators. 2. We know and the entire world knows that Pakistan administration's hands are soiled in this conspiracy which has not only been found by Indian authorities but by a number of foreign Governments who carried out independent investigations. So there is nothing to feel satisfied with Pakistan's statements unless they surrender the wanted criminals to India. Pranab Mukherjee should search his conscience when he says that Pakistan's statement is a positive development.

ISLAM & YOGA

The fundamentalist among Muslims are dragging the religion to the ridiculous extent. The recent pronouncement of these people is to declare Yoga as un Islamic not because of any ill effects on their health but because of its Hindu origin. The state of Indonesia as well as Malaysia have banned this practice in their countries mercifully sparing the Hindus from the ban. Well in a way it is good that these enemies of humanity are kept away from this divine blessing which not only rejuvenates the physicall form but also the spiritual strength. The enlightened people all over the universe have flocked to learn this celestial practice.

Turn arounds of US and U.K. Governments

Our Government has been giving disproportionate importance to U.S.A and U.K. Governments manoeuvers to mediate between Pakistan and India following Mumbai carnage by Pakistan based and aided militants. Both the Governments initially issued statements confirming the involvement of Pakistan based terror organisations and declared that the Government of Pakistan could not be absolved of its responsibility in the tragic incidents. The high level dignitaries of USA like Secretary of State, Condeela Rice and U.k. Prime Minister Gordon Brown shuttled between Islamabad and New Delhi and made statements purportedly to shun Pakistan. However, their main intention was to protect Pakistan from retaliation from India as it now becomes clear.


2. After having succeeded in their game plan, Obama, the President elect of USA has proposed to triple aid to Pakistan purportedly to contain terror. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Miliband has also absolved Pakistan Government of its involvement in the terrorist attacks. This is a clear evidence of the duplicity of both the Governments. Our past experiences with both these Governments on various issues show that they are unreliable and least dependable. Every one knows that the aid to Pakistan will not be used to fight terrorism but finance the terrorist organisations for their global terror operations.Indian Government should learn a lesson of self reliance and act instead of issuing daily statements.

Code of Conduct required to handle Strikes

For the past one month we have been witnessing strikes and strikes in the country which has not only adversely affected the daily life of common man but also the economy of the country. The Auto Driver's strike in Mumbai,Public Sector Oil Companies Officer's strike and the continuing Trucker's strike in the country are the events which indicate as though the Government has become helpless and ineffective. This virus of Strikes in the country is without doubt a prelude to the coming elections when the interested groups consider the best time to exploit the Government in conceding their demands.Although in a democracy, people have the right to strike but is also incumbent that it should not be at the cost of injury to the national causes. We may consider that just as before any election there is a moral code of conduct prescribed by the Election Commission,similar Code of Conduct should also be prescribed for the public and professional groups against carrying out any Strike during this period.

Muslim League demand breaking of ties with Isreal

This refers to the news item regarding Indian Union Muslim league's demand for breaking of diplomatic relations with Isreal following the latter's offensive against Hamas militants. This militant group has been targetting Isreali settlements and civilians with rocket attacks for the past six months but no voice was raised by IUML against Hamas. Now that Isreal after numerous warnings is acting in self defence the fundamentalists are giving it a religious colour. It is unfortunate that innocent civilians are being killed in this operation accidentally due to the topography of the location but the fact remains that Isreali forces are not targetting the civilians. No Muslim organisation has brought any pressure on the Hamas to stop their attacks who are stubbornly declaring that they will continue their strikes irrespective of the heavy loss of innocent lives.

2. The Mindset of IUML and their ilk to view every event through the prism of religious bigotry is the prime reason for their alienation from the mainstream and disservice to Isam.No wonder their loyalties become questionable. They have not raised the demand to snap ties with Pakistan following Mumbai carnage but are more concerned with events in Gaza. It is time that Muslim leaders in the country should introspect to separate religion from politics and generate national loyalties.

Unending Song of Evidence

Ever since 26/11 carnage of Mumbai by Pakistan based terrorists,Pakistan has been parroting for evidence about the involvement of Pak nationals. Although the Governments of India and U S A have provided enough concrete material, Pakistan continues to repeat its song to avoid the real issue of acting against the involved groups.Unfortunately, our Government and media have fallen into the trap of Pak conspiracy and are daily supplying various explanations and items of proof by way of statements and in print thus wasting valuable time and resources. Are we under obligation to Pakistan's daily demands of new and more evidence? People are also tired of this boring and mischievous song of Pak authorities and expect stern action and answer.Let us stop responding to these absurd demands and teach them a lesson or two.