Congress leaked by WikiLeaks

Saswat Panigrahi

Julian Paul Assange is giving sleepless nights to world leaders by releasing a series of ‘secret’ US diplomatic cables on his whistle blower website Wikileaks. A few of those cables on India hit the Congress party hard. Let’s read those ‘secret cables’ between the lines.

US cable dated August 3, 2009

A secret US diplomatic cable dated August 3, 2009 released by the whistle blower website quoted Congress general secretary and party’s ‘potential’ prime ministerial face Rahul Gandhi as saying ‘Hindu radical groups’ pose a much bigger threat to India than Pakistan-based terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba.


Look at the context in which the senior Congress leader made such comment. According to the diplomatic cable, the observation was made on July 20, 2009 -- less than eight months after 26/11 – when Indian establishment was busy in pressurising Islamabad to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice and US’s support was crucial to bend Pakistan internationally.

Gandhi made those observations during a conversation with US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer at a luncheon meeting hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in honour of visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

While making such sweeping observations, the senior Congress leader forgot that he was talking to the Ambassador of that country whose support India sought to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 to justice. The reckless comment had the potential to weaken India’s 26/11 case internationally. Rahul Gandhi’s statement outlines his deficit of knowledge in international diplomacy. Well, America has its own counterterrorism agencies to make their assessment. Hope, it did not pay much heed to Rahul’s ‘sensational’ claim.

Remember, Rahul Gandhi is the man on whom Congress pins bundle of hopes. The party sees him as the ‘rightful claimant’ for the top job.

Gandhi’s comment demonstrates his half-baked knowledge on the subject of terrorism. Dangerously ignorant about India’s national security concerns, he has failed to recognise the real challenge the country is facing. What is more outrageous is that Rahul went to the extent of singing a ‘popular’ Pakistani tune on terrorism that could give a big leverage to the propaganda of terror groups operating from its soil.

Such rumblings undermine national interest. It will encourage terrorists and weaken India’s fight against terrorism.

LeT is a threat to India as well as to the world. It executed the Mumbai terror attacks which snuffed out the lives of at least 166 innocent people and wounded more then 300. By suggesting Lashkar is a lesser threat than ‘Hindu radical groups’ to score some brownie points, Rahul Gandhi has sarcastically compounded his serious mistake.

It is pertinent to mention that over the few years, allegations have been made against a few splinter Hindu groups about their involvement in bomb blasts. But nothing has yet been proved against any one of them. At the same time, counter allegations are also being labelled against the Congress-led UPA government. It is said that the allegations against those Hindu groups aim at satiating a narrow political goal. It is also argued that there is a deliberate effort to paint terrorism in secular colour and hence some Hindu organisations are being dragged to make that ‘balance act’.

Hindu organisations now have the reasons to read the veracity of those allegations from Rahul’s statement. Prof Surendra Jain, All India Secretary of VHP while talking to Zeenews.com said, “Rahul Gandhi’s comment was part of a well calculated move to defame the Hindus. This vindicates the fact that Congress is deliberately implicating Hindu organisations with terror allegations. The Hindu society out rightly rejects Gandhi’s claim. The strategy of tarring Hindu organisations with fictions will definitely boomerang on Congress”.

He added, “Rahul’s comment smacks of a politics of desperation. To woo Muslim vote bank he has stooped to the level of a LeT spokesperson”.

There is a chasm in the magnitude of threat perception between front line terror outfit LeT and a splinter Hindu organisation accused of being involved in a bomb blast. But Rahul Gandhi brushes aside the reality and went on to the extent of calling ‘Hindu radicalism’ a greater threat than jihadi terrorists. His statement was deliberate and smells of his hatred against Hindu organisations.

Earlier, WikiLeaks revealed that how Congress played communal politics post 26/11 to garner the Muslim vote bank ahead of the 2009 general election.

US cable dated December 23, 2008

According to a confidential memo by then US ambassador to India, David Mulford dated December 23, 2008 released by WikiLeaks, a section of Congress leadership was seen playing religious politics post 26/11, after one of its leaders, AR Antulay, implied that Hindutva forces may have been involved in the Mumbai terror attacks.

"The Congress party, after first distancing itself from the comments, two days later issued a contradictory statement which implicitly endorsed the conspiracy," Mulford wrote in his secret cable to the state department by adding “Hoping to foster the support (of Muslim community) for upcoming national elections, the Congress party cynically pulled back from its original dismissal and lent credence to the conspiracy”.

There was a row over that revelation when Congress general secretary and a known ‘Hindu-basher’ Digvijay Singh claimed that just two hours before the Mumbai attacks the slain ATS chief told him in a telephonic conversation that his life was “under threat” from ‘Hindu radical groups’. Singh first claimed “Karkare called him”, then claimed “he called Karkare” but Maharashtra government says there was no existence of record of the purported telephonic conversation between Digvijay and Karkare.

The sum and substance of Digvijay Singh’s remark suggest that “Hindu groups were also linked to the 26/11 terror seize." Such comment is utterly disgusting and has embarrassed the country. Rahul Gandhi’s comment is no better and was just a flow from the same thought.

As Digvijay continues with his baseless claim, Congress distanced itself from his comment and called it a “private conversation between two individuals” and “the party has no role in it”. But those in know of inside out of Congress strategy say Digvijay was simply endorsing his party’s stand. But, Congress party does not have the guts to disassociate it from Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Hindu terror’ fetish.

It is not for the first time that the Congress party is seen playing communal politics to garner vote bank. The country is witness to minority pandering by Congress ever since India’s partition. But with WikiLeaks reveal Congress’s communal politics has now found its way into the public domain.

US cable dated Aug 4, 2006

Ever since Sonia Gandhi took the baton of Congress, minority appeasement is very much synonymous with the Congress brand of politics.

The reason: Congress is bitterly paranoid by the rise of BJP. WikiLeaks has reiterated the very fact by releasing another US diplomatic cable dated Aug 4, 2006. In the cable titled 'A Garrulous Sonia Gandhi opens up to Maria Shriver', marked 'confidential' which details Gandhi's meeting with the first lady of California, she stated, “The right (wing) was becoming strong in India and Congress weak, tipping her hand and compelling her to enter politics to protect the Gandhi family legacy”

Stung by Wikileaks revelations Congress scurries for cover. The party now says the discloser “is not worth to be dignified”. But imagine, had it been against BJP, the Congress’ reaction would have just been the opposite.

East: Year ender 2011

Nitish Kumar: New mascot of development

Riding the wave of development, Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)-BJP coalition stormed back to Patna’s power centre with an overwhelming majority. Remember, Bihar was at crossroads when Nitish took over the reins of the improvised state five years back? He promised a naya Bihar and the state has surely changed for the better. Coupled with a drastic improvement in law and order situation -- kidnapping is no more an industry in Bihar and jails are not comfort zone for criminals -- massive investments in creating infrastructure has ensured an upward swing in the state’s economy, making it the fastest growing one in India.

The mechanical engineer in Nitish Kumar also did dabble in social engineering. By forming a new social group called ‘Maha Dalits’, he tried to bring into the fold all those classes and subclasses which had been hitherto left behind during the first wave of social change. Nitish Kumar has awakened the Bihari sub-nationalism and the Bihari asimta by providing good and clean governance.

But with this consecutive victory of his coalition has come the rising burden of expectations of people. Only time will tell, whether Nitish Kumar can meet those aspirations.

Humanitarian crisis in Manipur

The year 2010 saw Manipur cut off from the rest of India for 70-long-days because of the blockade by Naga groups. The bandh was called by All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) and the United Naga Council (UNC) to protest against Manipur government`s decision to hold elections in the tribal dominated hill districts. The blockade gathered further fuel when the state government refused entry to Thuingaleng Muivah, a Naga rebel leader and general secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). The blockade was the second in recent times. In 2005, a similar blockade called by Nagas continued for 50-long days.

The relentless seize by separatist outfits and indefinite curfew imposed by government crippled Manipur and threw daily life completely out of gear. The price of essential commodities shot up. Life-saving drugs ran into short supply. Surgeries at hospitals were suspended due to non-availability of oxygen cylinders. Manipur was on the brink of a severe humanitarian crisis.

The situation worsened due to the decision of the Transporters` and Drivers` Council, Manipur that they would not ply trucks/public carriers/oil tankers/buses and any public vehicles on NH-39 passing through the State of Nagaland, unless their pre-conditions were met.

The unrest in Manipur continued unabated as the Centre failed to break the impasse. The Government sent in troops to end the standoff a tad too late. On the same day the Naga separatists suspended the blockade.

A triumph of humans and nature

The year 2010 turned out to be a green year for Odisha, newly named so. The state saw the cancellation of two proposed mega projects -- $1.7 billion bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri and $3.5 billion university project on the Puri-Konark marine drive. Both the projects belong to the London listed Vedanta group, were nixed on grounds of serious violation of law.

Environment ministry cancelled the Niyamgiri project following the NC Saxena Committee terming it illegal. The Committee in its report stated that Vedanta had flagrantly violated environmental and forest laws in active collusion with the state officials. The proposed project could hit the rights of two of the most endangered primitive tribal groups -- Dongria Kondh and Kutia Kondh.

In a second setback to Vedanta, Orissa High Court quashed the process of acquisition of 6,000 acre of agricultural land -- which includes 1,300 acre of arable land belonging to the Jagannath Temple -- for the Vedanta university project. The court made it clear that state government’s notifications made to award the land for the university project “illegal” and “bad in the eye of law”. The proposed project could hit at least 50,000 people across 22 villages of Puri district who depend primarily on agriculture. The project would have an extreme impact on eco-system.

The fate of Rs 54,000 crore POSCO project -- which happens to be the largest Foreign Direct Investment of the country -- hangs in balance on similar grounds. The majority view in Environment Ministry proposed for the cancellation of the project.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and his BJD are battling the allegations of selling the state’s riches to private firms at the cost of livelihood of the people. The Opposition knives are out with ugly scenes occurring in the state assembly recently. A Congress lawmaker climbed onto the Speaker’s podium and lay down on it during an agitation in the well of the House.

Political instability in Jharkhand

JMM and BJP together formed the government following the hung Assembly that the election results threw up as the year 2009 came to a close. But in a stunning political twist, Shibu Soren-led JMM voted for UPA in the cut motion in Parliament on price rise in April. Political instability was the price that Jharkhand then paid as BJP withdrew its support from the state government.

In September, Nitin Gadkari-led BJP inked a fresh power-sharing deal with JMM, brushing aside the resentment expressed by a section of party top brass. JMM, BJP and AJSU came together and formed the new government under Arjun Munda. But how long the ‘rainbow coalition’ will last remains a question.

-- As it appeared in the yearender 2011 coverage of Zeeonline

A victory of development

Saswat Panigrahi

Riding the wave triggered by “development”, the JD(U)-BJP alliance stormed back to power in Bihar with a three-fourth majority. Of the total 243 Assembly seats, the JD(U) and its coalition partner BJP managed to win a staggering 206.

But before understanding the nitty-gritty of numbers and percentages that constitute the landslide victory let’s try and decipher the reasons that led to Nitish Kumar being anointed as the newest mascot of development.

Ever since his victory, most commentators have hailed him for turning Bihar into a success story. His vision, determination and action to rebuild Bihar are indeed commendable.

Surely, Bihar has changed and Nitish has fit in as the prime catalyst to the entire process.

In 2005 Assembly Elections the state hoped for the change and hence voted for JD(U)-BJP coalition. In this election people of Bihar have recognised the change and hence voted back the incumbent government.

“Bihar mein vikas jeet gaya hai. (Development has won in Bihar)”, the victorious chief minister said humbly in wake of the massive show of support by the people of his state.

Much water has flow down the Ganges in Patna in the last five years. Bihar was at crossroads when Nitish took over the reins of the improvised state. Situation was topsy-turvy to say the least but he promised a naya Bihar (a new Bihar).

A naya Bihar sans its negative image - a state which would stop making headlines for its poor infrastructure, where crime would no longer be a career option and kidnapping an ‘organised industry’… a state where citizens would not be forced to go elsewhere in search of prosperity and safety.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar started his work from the scratch with, initially, a two-point agenda - improvement of law and order and development.

And soon enough, the chief minister along with his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi were able to kick start a non-functional state.

The Economics

Coupled with a drastic improvement in law and order situation - kidnapping is no more an industry in Bihar and jails are not comfort zone for criminals - massive investments in creating infrastructure has ensured an upward swing in the state’s economy.

From 2004 to 2009, the state’s economy registered an impressive annual growth rate of 11.35 percent in sharp contrast to a mere 3.5 percent growth in the previous five years term.

The per capita income has been increased from Rs 7,443 to Rs 13,959 in between the same period. The state’s development spending on construction-related projects has grown from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 16,000 crore per year. In tune with the economic prosperity the migration rate of the state has come down drastically.

The Politics

Nitish is being credited for awakening the Bihari sub-nationalism and the Bihari ashimta (Bihari pride). Caste seems to be losing its relevance in Nitish Kumar’s naya Bihar.

However, it would be missing the point to suggest that caste calculations are entirely out of the window.

The fact: apart from the focus on development, the mechanical engineer in Nitish Kumar did dabble in social engineering.

By forming new social group called ‘Maha Dalits’ (most backward classes) out of the existing Dalits, he tried to bring into the fold all those classes and subclasses who had been hitherto left behind during the first wave of social change.

With a whopping 35 percent vote share in the state, the ‘Maha Dalits’ turned out to be, as results suggest, the sure-shot recipe for success at the hustings.

With a measly tally of 22 seats, the lantern of Lalu Prasad Yadav seems to be flickering and his brother-in-arms Ram Vilas Paswan, with just three seats, appears to be headed for political oblivion.

On the coalition side, clearly, the Bihar election result has thrown some animated signals. Let’s read the figures between the lines and try and decipher the import of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA’s landslide victory.

JD(U) and BJP won 115 and 91 of the 141 and 102 seats they contested, respectively. In 2005 Assembly Elections JD(U) and BJP won 78 and 55 seats with the same seat sharing equation. This implies JD(U)’s tally has been increased by 26 percent in comparison to the last election while that of the BJP has increased by 35 per cent.

Undoubtedly, the improvement of tally of the saffron party - better in comparison to its coalition partner JD(U)), which was marred with internal rifts in the run up to the polls - has surprised many.

Apart from the Nitish magic – which undeniably worked in its favour too- the other reasons which seem to have aided in the stunning show by the BJP include the fact that the BJP contested the poll purely on development agenda.

Ably managed by two general secretaries – Ananth Kumar and Dharmendra Pradhan – who skillfully managed the war room, the BJP approached the voters with a clean slate - track record of Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Sushil Modi - that hastened the development work done by the coalition government.

BJP would be hoping to replicate its success in Bihar in other states, especially because it feels that the Congress is on the backfoot over corruption scandals that have rocked the nation, but the fact remains that they cannot claim to be completely “clean” given the Yeddyurappa taint.

Congress trouble

There are sound lessons for the Congress in view of its worst ever drubbing as it has managed to net only four seats.

The party needs to understand that poor organisation can’t be covered up by high-profile election campaigning by Sonia, Rahul and the Prime Minister.

Moreover, targeting Nitish Kumar on the issue of development seems to have backfired.

Challenges ahead

With this consecutive victory of JD(U)-BJP coalition has come the rising burden of expectations of the people.

Bihar is India’s least industrialised state. To set the speed of development Nitish Kumar needs to bring exponential investment and for that to happen, the new government needs to continue with its focus on infrastructure.

For industrialisation the state needs to allot land. Here Nitish Kumar needs to be extremely cautious. Hope, he won’t do a Naveen Patnaik by giving a go ahead to industries at the cost of livelihood of the people.

Other important challenges: concerted efforts are needed to tackle the acute power shortage in the state.

Moreover, keeping in view of the gap between the consumption of agricultural products and their production, the state needs to improve its agricultural productivity.

Nitish has history on his side, but whether he along with his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi – both products of Sampoorna Kranti movement launched by legendary Jayaprakash Narayan – would be able to bring in sampoorna kranti(total revolution) Part II in Bihar is something only time will tell. Here’s wishing them best of luck.

-- Published in Zee online

26/11: Two years on

Saswat Panigrahi

It’s been two years. The scars of a 60-hour-long terror siege which scripted a gory tale in blood is very much alive. The fidayeen style attacks were coordinated shootings and blasts on multiple targets across India’s financial capital unleashed by Pakistan based jihadi elements.

The attacks took place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Nariman House, Metro Cinema and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College. There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and another one in a taxi at Vile Parle.

The unprecedented terror strikes, which startled India and the world -- started on November 26, 2008 and ended on November 29, 2008 -- snuffed out the lives of at least 166 innocent people and wounded more then 300. Among the dead were 136 Indians and 28 foreign nationals from 10 countries.

Mumbai police, Rapid Action Force personnel, Marine commandos and National Security Guards commandos performed their duties with remarkable bravery and professionalism in their battle with the terrorists. 15 policemen and two NSG commandos sacrificed their lives in the counter-offensive. Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble (who succeeded in capturing a terrorist alive), Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad Chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte, Encounter Specialist Vijay Salaskar, Senior Inspector Shashank Shinde were among the 15 policemen killed in the operation. NSG Commandos Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Hawaldar Gajendra Singh were also killed during the counter-offensive.

What may be the most well-documented terror strikes of the recent times, the attacks which were carried out by ten trained Pakistani young jihadis, were meticulously planned several months ahead of time. The attacks were executed by the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) inside Pakistan. Reports say former officials from the Pakistani Army and its ace intelligence service Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) helped training the Mumbai attackers. The sophistication in the design of the terror strike also clearly points to an official backing from Pakistani agencies. However, a possible involvement of local elements in the role of facilitators can’t be ruled out either.

Indian investigations reveal that the ten jihadis, who travelled to Mumbai from Karachi via Porbandar across the Arabian Sea, hijacked Indian fishing trawler 'Kuber', killed the crew and entered Mumbai on a rubber dinghy. They had a detailed lay out plans of their targets. To navigate to Mumbai by sea and to find their targets, the terrorists used Global Positioning System handsets. They also used Google Earth to familiarise themselves with the locations of their targets. Moreover, the attackers were constantly directed by handlers from inside Pakistan via mobile phones and Voice over Internet Protocol.

The investigation further reveals that each jihadi carried a dozen hand grenades, a 9 mm handgun with two 18-round clips and an AK-47, seven to nine 30-round magazines and more than 100 rounds of loose ammunition. Each attacker also carried a 17.6-pound (8 kg) bomb. Type 86 Grenades made by China's state-owned Norinco were used in the attacks.

Reports say the terrorists used at least three SIM cards purchased on the Indian side of the border with Bangladesh, pointing to a local involvement. Reports further suggest that one SIM card was purchased in New Jersey, US.
Blood tests of the jihadis indicate that they had taken cocaine, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide drugs and steroids during the attacks to sustain their energy for long hours.

Investigations revealed that the attackers were in their twenties. Nine of the ten attackers were from the Pakistan’s Punjab province and one was from the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Nine of the ten gunmen were shot dead during the counter offensive by security forces while one captured alive.

After a series of denials to India’s dossier on Mumbai attacks, Pakistan which continues to be a safe haven for terrorists buckled under tremendous international pressure. Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik finally agreed that "some part of the conspiracy" did take place in Pakistan and promised to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice.

The Pakistani authorities have also admitted to their Indian counterparts that the LeT plotted and financed the attacks. Pakistani investigations conducted on LeT camps in Karachi and Thatta revealed diaries, training manuals, maps of India and operational instructions relating to 26/11. "The investigation has established beyond any reasonable doubt that the defunct LeT activists conspired, abetted, planned, financed and established [the] communication network to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai," said a report of Pakistani investigation handed over to India.

However Pakistan which is not abandoning its policy on supporting terror groups, lets Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and the mastermind of the terrorist siege in Mumbai, continue to make hate speeches and incite jihadis. Saeed, against whom an international arrest warrant was issued by Interpol, was freed by a Pakistani court from detention on the ground that the “Pakistani Government did not have enough evidence against him”, outlining Islamabad's lack of seriousness in its ‘commitment’ to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 to justice.

Obviously, behind the doors diplomacy of the Congress-led UPA Government has failed to bend Pakistan. Moreover, it had shocked the nation by delinking terrorism from composite dialogue in the Sharm el-Sheikh Indo-Pak joint statement, issued by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in July, 2009, replicating a Charles De Gaulle line. It is to recall that after 26/11, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had categorically stated that there was no question of holding dialogue with Pakistan unless it gives enough proof of taking action against its nationals who masterminded Mumbai attacks, and initiate steps to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil.

Date after date has been set for Pakistan to display action against the perpetrators of 26/11. Home Minister P Chidambaram held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik in Islamabad on the sidelines of SAARC Home Ministers' conference in June, 2010. “Time for giving dossiers is over. It is time to act and bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage swiftly to justice,” Chidambaram said. But, two years after 26/11, there is zero progress by Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the carnage to justice.

David Coleman Headley, an American citizen of Pakistani origin plotted the Mumbai attacks along with his associate Tahawwur Rana, another Pakistani origin Canadian citizen. Headley, who is a step brother of Danyal Gilani, the Public relations officer of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was formerly known as Daood Sayed Gilani and changed his Muslim name to Christian. The LeT operative, many believe was a CIA agent once. The FBI investigations reveal that Headley had attended militant training camps in Pakistan between 2002 and 2005. Between 2006 and 2008 he made several surveillance trips to India scouting targets for the Mumbai attacks. He was also plotting similar terror strikes in strategic locations of the country.

Pakistan had confirmed the arrest of a retired army major for his links with Headley and Rana. Reports indicate that the notorious Pakistani intelligence agency ISI could be linked to Headley. There are reports which also suggest Headley’s link to Bollywood.

Both Headley and Rana are currently in FBI custody. Headley has pleaded guilty for his role in 26/11. The US has promised to share the outcome of findings of 'full review' on Headley. But, India is yet to get a chance to interrogate the 26/11 plotter.

Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone 26/11 terrorist captured alive was sentenced to death by a special court in Mumbai in May, 2010. Now Kasab is facing another trail on the same case in Bombay High Court. His lawyer says he is not even interested in the case. Reports suggest that the cost of keeping the lone gun man alive is as much as Rs 60 crore and counting.

At a time the country is paying tribute to the heroes and victims of Mumbai terror attacks, let’s discuss the naked truth. 26/11 has laid thread bare an abysmal intelligence and a spineless security, which helped the terror siege to succeed. Further, there are questions which continue to haunt the Government. How bullets traversed through the bullet-proof jacket of three top Mumbai cops -- ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, ACP Ashok Kamte, and Encounter Specialist Vijay Salaskar. Intriguingly, Hemant Karkare’s bullet-proof jacket reportedly went missing, and so did the file on the procurement of those jackets. An inept RR Patil, ‘famous’ for his utterly ridiculous remark right after the terror siege -- “Bade shehron mein aisi choti baatein hoti rehti hai” – enjoys his old portfolio of Maharashtra Home Minister. Two years after 26/11 rehabilitation still elude scores of victims and their families.

In the larger reckoning, the problem remains. India is being systematically targeted by jihadi elements. Two years on, is India alert and prepared to thwart future terror attacks?

-- Published in Zee online

Hope Obama keeps his words

Saswat Panigrahi

American President Barack Obama is facing the heat of a bruised economy which casts its shadow on the US mid-term polls. It is at this juncture when Obama has succeeded in carving out his Mission India plan. His India visit was skilfully calculated and the agenda carefully scripted.

Obama has understood India’s potential as a robust economy and its growing advancement in the field of science and technology. This is precisely the reason the ‘brand’ America is now attracted towards the ‘brain’ India. “India is not simply emerging; India has already emerged”, Obama lauded while addressing the majestic Central Hall of the Indian Parliament. The US President said, “Instead of resisting the global economy it became one of its engines unleashing an economic marvel.”

The US President accepted India as a civilization that has been shaping the world for thousands of years. Saluting the ancient civilization of science and innovation he admitted, “Indians unlocked the intricacies of the human body and the vastness of our universe,” adding, “Instead of becoming dependent on commodities and exports, it invested in science and technology. And the world sees the results, from the supercomputers you build to the Indian flag that you put on the Moon.”

Obama’s new understanding of the idea of India and its potential to deliver for the world is welcome. With its growing economic clout, India understands that it can play an important role in shaping a new world order.

Obama has recognised India’s emergence as a rising global super power. In a diplomatic gesture, he supported India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, which many consider as the high point of Obama visit. “In the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member”, the US President promised. It is another matter that the US later stated that UNSC reforms were not happening anytime soon.

America will now remove several Indian organisations from its “so-called entity list” and realign India in export control regulations. It also intends to support India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes -- Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement -- in a ‘phased manner’.

This implies India will have a say in determining global export control, which could give our country an edge over China. Looking at India’s technological advancement, the US also sees its interest in inducting India in the multilateral export control regimes. America is keen to sell its defence equipment to India. But India needs to be careful and selective. In return, the US should open gates for transfer of technology to India.

It was during Obama’s visit, the Indo-US joint statement outlined cooperation in civil space, defence, and other high-technology sectors. Here India needs to be extra careful because the move could compromise nation’s communication secrecy.

Obama-led America sounds soft on Pakistan, the epicentre of international terrorism. But, why hasn’t the US labelled Pakistan a terrorist state, Obama was quizzed by a student at St. Xavier College, Mumbai. “Pakistan is an enormous country; it is a strategically important country not just for US but for the world. Within Pakistan there are some extremist elements…US is working with the Pakistani government in order to eradicate this extremism”, Obama responded.

However, while addressing Indian Parliament, the US President spoke in a changed tone. “We will continue to insist to Pakistan’s leaders that terrorist safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice.” Chinese aggression against India and Kashmir issue were apparently missing from Obama’s Mission India plan.

Obama’s India visit clinched as much as 20 business deals, carried business worth USD 10 billion and a whopping 50,000 jobs to his country. Perhaps that was the reason, a visibly pleased American President -- who desperately needs New Delhi to curb the rising unemployment of his country -- struck a chord different from American ‘national’ line on the raw nerve that is ‘outsourcing’.

Whenever I’m asked about Indians taking away our jobs, I want to say: You know what, they’ve just created 50,000 jobs,” he said addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Tearing apart the baseless allegations that Indian IT industry is making a growing number of Americans unemployed, the Prime Minister firmly retorted, “Indians are not in the business of stealing jobs.”

There are reasons that the US has accepted India as an indispensable partner. Remember, it was former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee who had first famously declared India and the US to be “natural allies”. Now American President Barack Obama has asserted that India and US will be “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century”.

So far, there has been a perception in India that America always backs the wrong horse. It is true to an extent that the oldest democracy has never really supported the worlds’ largest democracy. Instead, it has yet to get rid of its Sino-Pak obsession. Obama’s India visit has shown promise. However, it remains to be seen to what extent Obama delivers on his promises, especially helping us get the UNSC seat and putting pressure on Pakistan to crackdown on terror.

World politics is no more America’s fiefdom. It a multi-polar world and India-US relationship should be based on mutual interest, trust and respect. For Indian leadership, it is a litmus test to play an incremental diplomatic ace to showcase India as a true world leader.

Appeared in Zeenews.com on November 23, 2010

Nitish Kumar in pole position

Nitish Kumar’s development agenda seems to have brought Bihar back on track. Will the wily Lalu Prasad prove the poll pundits wrong, or will Ram Vilas Paswan play the role of king maker? Saswat Panigrahi examines the strengths and weaknesses of the title contenders

Steering a new social engineering

“Bihar ki gaadi patri se utar chuki hai. Usko patri par lana hoga” (The train of Bihar has derailed. It needs to be brought back onto the track.)

Those were the words of Nitish Kumar in response to a huge public mandate in support of JD(U)-BJP coalition before five years. That time he had the unenviable task of reviving a topsy-turvy Bihar.

The development indicators painted a bleak picture. Data of 2004-05 showed 41.4 per cent of Bihar’s population was below the poverty line. A staggering 53 per cent of State’s population was illiterate -- just double the national average -- the highest rate of illiteracy in the country. Bihar had a per capita income of Rs 7,443 -- the lowest in the country -- a one-third of the national average. The State was languishing in the bottom echelons of the national development index.

Bihar was making headlines for all the wrong reasons- its poor infrastructure, low delivery of services and large scale scams. Crime, ignorance and anarchy were the key features of a paralysed Bihar. The State was utterly failing to utilise central funds.

Five years have passed since Nitish Kumar took the reins of Bihar. Showcasing a new miracle economy the State has changed fast. The State registered a high growth rate for the first time in the post-Independence period. According to the Bihar Economic Survey 2009-10 State’s economy registered an impressive annual growth rate of 11.35 per cent over a five-year from 2004-05 to 2008-09. This is in sharp contrast to a mere 3.5 per cent growth rate in the previous five years. The survey also shows a rise in per capita income from Rs 7,443 in 2004 to Rs.13,959 in 2009. Now Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has earned the right to flay the Congress-led Central Government’s for its apathy in granting funds for Bihar’s development.

The sea change vindicates Nitish Kumar's claims of a naya Bihar (a new Bihar) in which his coalition partner BJP has an equal share. Under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi, the JD(U)-BJP coalition has successfully shaped Bihar’s social engineering. The coalition is again headed to the polls where Bihar’s electorate will give their verdict.

Before taking over the reins of the State, Nitish Kumar had a successful stint as a Union Minister for Railways and Agriculture during the NDA regime. Kumar, a mechanical engineer, is a product of the Sampoorna Kranti movement launched by legendary Jayaprakash Narayan.

If election is the index of performance and popularity, then the JD(U)-BJP coalition seems poised to storm back to power.

On a comeback trail?

"Jab tak samosa me aalu, tab tak Bihar me Lalu (As long as there is potato in the samosa, Bihar will always have its Lalu)", once proclaimed Lalu Prasad Yadav that became a smash hit over night. Hate him, love him, but you just can’t ignore him. That aptly sums up the enigma that is Lalu Prasad.

Political observers have marvelled at his mastery over playing with the complex permutation and combination of caste, class and religious equations in politics. His ‘Lantern age’ was fuelled by blatant use of caste and communal politics, often camouflaged under dubious slogans in the garb of ‘social justice’ and ‘secularism’.

A product of the Sampoorna Kranti movement launched by legendary Jayaprakash Narayan -- as his rival Nitish Kumar and his foe-turned-friend Ram Vilas Paswan -- Lalu Prasad positioned himself as a messiah of Dalits and minorities. He successfully nurtured the Muslim, Yadav and Dalit (MYD) combine at different periods of his political reign.

Lalu stoked the Mandal fire and rode to the crest of Patna’s power centre, to head a Janata Dal government in 1990. Five years later in 1995 Assembly elections he made a clean sweep by winning a staggering 165 of the 324 assembly seats. But a year later, Lalu was embroiled in the chara ghotala (fodder scam) estimated at Rs 950 crore. The Janata Dal was divided, and Lalu formed his own party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal by virtually taking with him all the Janata Dal legislators in the Bihar assembly. The opposition knives were out for a cornered Lalu resulting in him relinquishing his chief ministership. In a political masterstroke, he anointed his wife Rabri Devi as CM.

Lalu spent 103 days in custody. From the ‘comfort zone’ of the jail he remote controlled the functioning of Patna darbar. It was during those days the state’s crime graph witnessed a steep rise. Crime suddenly became a lucrative career option in Lalu’s Bihar, and kidnapping became an ‘organised industry’.

It was during the Lalu era that Bihar’s development graph dipped alarmingly. In those days the State utterly failed to utilise central funds. Bihar witnessed a zero growth in his fifteen year legacy. Bihar was at the crossroads. But Lalu managed to hog headlines by promising to make the roads of the state ‘as smooth as Hema Malini's cheeks’.

When the Congress-led UPA government came to power in 2004, Lalu Prasad got the lucrative Union Ministry for Railways though he was eyeing the Home Ministry. Reports suggest that Prasad had misused his position as the Union Railway Minister to help his relatives acquire land. As the Railway Minister he appointed Justice UC Banerjee Commission to ‘investigate’ the Godhra train carnage. Banerjee commission came out with a report in 2005 just before the last Bihar election. “The Sabarmati Express burning was an accident,” the report said. The politically motivated report was to score brownie points with Lalu’s minority voters. But in the 2005 Bihar elections his lamp lighter era flickered.

After UPA-II came to power in 2009 Congress derailed Lalu from the cabinet. Lalu suddenly finds himself out in the cold and politically isolated. The maverick politician is making a desperate bid to reclaim lost ground. But the ghosts of the past still haunt him.

Political opportunist par excellence

He wears different hats, he changes his friends with even greater alacrity. A firm believer in the dictum -- there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics there is only permanent interest.

You have seen him in the United Front camp. He was there in National Democratic Alliance. You have seen him in United Progressive Alliance. You have also seen him in Fourth Front camp. He has served as Union Minister under as many as five different Prime Ministers. He could emerge as a possible king maker in case of a fractured mandate. Meet the Lok Janshakti Party supremo Ram Vilas Paswan, a man for all seasons, and opportunistic ally.

A product of Sampoorna Kranti movement launched by legendary Jayaprakash Narayan -- as his rival Nitish Kumar and his foe-turned-friend Lalu Prasad Yadav -- Paswan also stakes his claim as a messiah of Dalits and minorities.

Paswan who started his political career under the aegis of the United Socialist Party later joined the Janata Dal. When the Janata Dal was split, Paswan jumped to Janata Dal (United). In 2000 Paswan then broke away from the Janata Dal (United) and formed the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

Paswan served in lucrative portfolios of Railways, Communications, Coal and mines, Chemicals and Fertilizers and Steel, Labour and Welfare in the Union Cabinet. But his
Stints in the cabinet meant precious little for Bihar.

In the 2005 Bihar elections Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) performed poorly. In the 2009 general election Paswan forged an alliance with Lalu Prasad whom he once accused of being extremely corrupt. The foes-turn-friends duo formed Fourth front dumping their erstwhile coalition partner UPA. LJP drew a blank in the 15th Lok Sabha. But a shameless Paswan rushed to New Delhi to provide what he described as ‘moral support’ to UPA.

Paswan, like his new found friend Lalu languishes in political oblivion. He is desperately eyeing plum ministeries in the hope that the LJP-RJD combine might prove political pundits wrong and upset Nitish Kumar’s applecart.

Plunder as development

Saswat Panigrahi

The cancelling of Vedanta’s $ 1.7 billion bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri has spiked the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha Government’s development-through-mining programme and could mean political advantage for the Congress. The next target could be Vedanta’s Lanjigarh refinery against which protest is mounting by the day

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s mega industry plank has come a cropper. London-listed aluminium czar Vedanta Resources, which enjoys the patronage of the BJD Government has received a strong blow with the Ministry of Environment and Forest nixing a $ 1.7 billion proposed bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri.

The decision came following the NC Saxena Committee terming the proposed mining project illegal and recommending that the project should not be allowed to go ahead. The Forest Advisory Committee under the Environment Ministry reviewed the NC Saxena Committee report and made further recommendations on which the Ministry took a final call.

The findings of the four-member experts panel, headed by Naresh C Saxena, member of the National Advisory Council came as a no-holds-barred indictment on Vedanta and the functioning of the BJD Government in Odisha. In its 119-page report, the committee constituted jointly by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ministry of Tribal Affairs on June 29 has cited violation of a series of laws by Vedanta in active collusion of the State Government.

“Vedanta Company has consistently violated the Forest Conservation Act, Forest Rights Act, Environment (Protection) Act and the Orissa Forest Act in active collusion with the state officials," the report said.

It was in 2003 that Vedanta Resources had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Odisha Government for construction of an alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district to process aluminium for export. The Lanjigarh refinery commenced full operations in 2007. The refinery sources minerals from the indigenous mines of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. To make the aluminium processing cost effective the company proposed to mine Niyamgiri Hills of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, situated adjoining the refinery and estimated to have approximately 73 million tonnes of mineable ore. The Ministry of Environment had given in-principle approval to Orissa Mining Corporation to mine for Vedanta’s refinery in December 2008 following a Supreme Court order. The Lanjigarh refinery was awaiting green signal from the Environment Ministry for mining the Niyamgiri hills. The proposed mining project involves the diversion of 660.740 hectares of forest land which would lead to axing of 1,21,337 trees.

The proposed Niyamgiri project was likely to affect 5,148 people living in 28 Kondh villages. It includes two of the most endangered primitive tribal groups — the Dongria Kondh and the Kutia Kondh — who are heavily dependent on forest produce for their livelihood. Landless Dalits who live in these villages and are dependent upon the Kondh would also be similarly affected.

“Allowing mining in the proposed mining lease area by depriving two Primitive Tribal Groups of their rights over the proposed mining site in order to benefit a private company would shake the faith of tribal people in the laws of the land which may have serious consequences for the security and well being of the entire country,” the NC Saxena Committee report observed.

The report cited that in the mining project there had been flagrant violation of Forest Conservation Act, Forest Rights Act and Orissa Forest Act while diverting forest land for non-forest purposes. In Niyamgiri — which is protected under Schedule V of Indian Constitution — as per Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, the gram sabhas (hamlets in a Scheduled Area) should be consulted for diversion of forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act. The rights of the forest dweller over their traditional habitat needs to be recognised first under the Forest Rights Act and then under the Orissa Forest Act. The gram sabhas are the statutory bodies for implementation of the Forest Rights Act. No forest land can be diverted for non-forest purpose unless gram sabhas certify that implementation of the Forest Rights Act is complete.

“… the process of recognition of rights under the Forest Rights Act has not been completed; the consent of the concerned community has neither been sought nor obtained; and the gram sabhas of the area concerned have not certified on both these points as required,” the report said.

As brought out by the report, it is interesting to note that the local authorities had even gone to the extent of providing false certificates to show that the Forest Rights Act has been implemented in the proposed mine areas.

Stating further violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, the report noted that a 3.5 km long road to the proposed mining site was constructed through the forest area, parallel to Vedanta’s conveyor corridor which also formed part of the village forest lands.

The report observed that mining Niyamgiri hills would have severely degraded the ecosystem of the rich wildlife habitat. The panel has also found serious faults with Vedanta’s Lanjigarh refinery project as well. In a severe violation of conditions of operation, Vedanta Resources had expanded the existing annual production capacity of its refinery six-fold — from one million tonnes per annum to six million tonnes per annum — without obtaining environmental clearance. “This expansion, its extensive scale and advanced nature, is in complete violation of the Environment (Protection) Act and is an expression of the contempt with which this company treats the laws of the land,” the report said highlighting the violation of the Environment (Protection) Act by Vedanta refinery.

Stating that Vedanta flagrantly violated the Forest Conservation Act in its refinery project, the report said, “The company is in illegal occupation of 26.123 hectares of village forest lands enclosed within the refinery premises.” “This… shows an appalling degree of collusion on the part of the concerned officials,” it added.

The report further stated that the refinery has been accorded clearance under the Environmental Protection Act by falsifying and concealing information about the nature/designation of land acquired. “From the beginning, the State Administration and Vedanta Alumina both knew that large tracts of forest land were required for the refinery as well as for mining. However, they deliberately misled the MoEF on this point,” the report said.

The NC Saxena Committee report did not spare the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs either for turning a blind eye to the project. Even when the proposal for diversion of forestlands for setting up the refinery was pending before the MoEF; how Vedanta was accorded environmental clearance on the same basis has been questioned. The committee also slammed the Ministry of Tribal Affairs saying it is so weak to the extent that it cannot implement its own laws related to displacement and tribal welfare.

The expert panel in its report shows in both Niyamgiri and Lanjigarh projects, Vedanta have thrown existing laws out of the window and hence recommended to set aside both the projects. But the MoEF has rejected environment clearance to the Niyamgiri mining project only, which would automatically seal the fate of Lanjigarh refinery project. It remains to be seen what actions to be taken against the culprits. But, for the tribals of Niyamgiri, only half the battle is won. As long as the Lanjigarh refinery exists, threat looms large over Niyamgiri.

Meanwhile, the once-neglected Niyamgiri has been witness to some never-seen-before games of political oneupmanship. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has become the new patron of the Niyamgiri movement. “I am your soldier in Delhi,” Mr Gandhi told a tribal rally claiming his stake as the new ‘tribal messiah’. A shamed BJD termed the NC Saxena Committee report as politically motivated and drew inferences connecting it to the visit of the Gandhi scion. The BJP demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister on moral grounds.

“Naveen Patnaik’s blueprint of corruption is out in the open. The State Government was caught red-handed selling Odisha’s riches to private firms at the cost of the rights of the poor. Naveen Patnaik is anti-tribal and anti-poor. He has no right to continue in the office,” Odisha BJP president and former Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram said.

-- Appeared in the OpEd page of The Pioneer on September 06, 2010

YFN urges separate law to deal with ‘honour killings’

The following is the text of the key note address by Saswat Panigrahi, national co-convener of Youth for Nation at the talks on ‘Scourge called honour killing’, held in Delhi University on August 07, 2010.

Esteemed speakers, the august gathering and my friends in the media

Youth for Nation(YFN) is an All India organisation having seven chapters across the country. It is a voluntary organisation which creates leadership development programme in the youth. It aims at streamlining nationalism by linking Youth in nation building. YFN is a national movement to arise and awake the youth of our country. It is an initiative to unite the youth across the country on a single platform, where they can share their potentials, exhibit their latent talent and contribute towards nation building. Youth for Nation firmly belives that youth is the most potent catalyst for change. YFN calls upon the youth to take a firm stand on issues affecting our nation.

In pursuit of its commitment towards creating social awareness, Youth for Nation takes great pleasure in organising talks on the ‘Scourge called honour killing’.

‘Honour killings’ are on the rise in India. ‘Honour killings’ target young couples who dare to marry outside their caste or in the same gotra or in the same village or in the neighboring village or in the communities having brotherhood. ‘Honour killings’ are perpetrated under the garb of saving the ‘honour’ of the community, caste, gotra or family. In the name of ‘honour’ young people are brutally lynched to death. On many occasions parents kill and dump the bodies of their children, as they say “for bringing dishonor” to the families. Relatives also join in that shameless attempt to protect the family's so called ‘reputation.’ But whose honour they talk about? Such killings bring dishonor to the nation.

Data on honour killing is disturbing. More than 1,000 young people in India are done to death every year in the name of ‘honour’. Figures show Haryana, Punjab and UP account for about 900 ‘honour killings’ and another 100 to 300 occur in the rest of the country. In the recent past ‘honour killings’ also have been reported in the national Capital.

To tackle the spurt in 'honour killings’, the Supreme Court had sought response from the Union Government and eight States on steps taken to prevent such incidents. Following the directive of the apex court Government has decided to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to suggest changes in the law to deal with ‘honour killings.’ But it seems the UPA Government is going slow on bringing a law to rein in such social crimes.

Let’s discuss threadbare the factors responsible for ‘honour killings.’ ‘Honour killing’ is the result of a sick mindset driven by a fixed belief in the interpretations of caste or gotra. In the 21st century when India is positioning itself as an emerging global superpower, confusions over the interpretations of those post-Vedic values in Hindu society seem out of sync.

Youth for Nation believes in the unity of Hindu society and hence sees nothing wrong in inter-caste marriage per se. But all is not well relating to the use and interpretations of gotra in the Hindu society in case of marriage. It is high time to admit that there is a great deal of confusion as the practice varies from place to place. We have gathered here to set the record straight.

So what is gotra? Going by the definition, a gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. In most cases, the lineage is traced through the paternal line. Though people from the same gotra aren't always blood related, as per the traditional matrimonial system, sagotra marriages are not approved as people of the same lineage are considered as siblings.

Scientific evidence seems to suggest that people from the same gotra share historical roots and hence there could be genetic similarities. However, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 allows intra-gotra marriages.

Let’s take a look at the regional variations or shall we say distortions in the interpretations of gotra. In some paternal communities where gotra is passed down from father to children, marriage can be solemnised with maternal uncle’s son or daughter, while such marriages are forbidden in matrilineal communities like Malayalam and Tuluvas, where gotra is passed down from mother to children.

Another common practice in south Indian Hindu society is the wedlock between cross-cousins.

The north Indian Hindu society not only follows the gotra norms for marriages, but also has regulations which go beyond its basic definition. There are reportedly (hold your breath) as much as 3000 gotras in North India. In addition to that some communities in North India do not allow marital alliances in the same village, and neighboring villages. Some communities even consider the marriage with some other communities as a taboo on the lines that both the communities are having brotherhood. Some communities also do not allow inter-caste marriages. In north western States of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where Khap panchayats thrive in the rural society, the writs are clearly defined. Those who dare to oppose the writ face the wrath, and sometimes a grisly death.

Sarvjatiya Sarvkhap Maha Panchayat -- the umbrella body of Khap panchayats -- demands an amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act seeking a ban on marriages amongst the same gotra as well as people within the same village. Should the permissible limits be relaxed keeping in mind the modern compulsions and the need for social mobility? Does the Hindu Marriage Act need to be amended? Our esteemed speakers on the dias will shed light on that subject.

But I must conclude by saying ‘honour-killing’ is an extreme violation of human rights. Youth for Nation strongly condemns ‘Honour Killings’. As perpetrators get away scot-free on account of legal loopholes YFN urges a separate law to deal with such heinous crime. We are unequivocal in our demand that the existing investigations to all the ‘honour killings’ should be fast tracked and the perpetrators be dealt with in the harshest possible manner.

I therefore request our esteemed speakers to keep their views regarding such an evil social system. Healthy criticisms and comments are welcome.

Thank you.

A brief profile of the speakers

Dr Surendra Kumar Jain: Prof Dr Surendra Kumar Jain is an academic and Hindu right activist. A product of Delhi School of Economics Dr Jain presently works as an Associate Professor of Department of Commerce in Hindu College, Rohtak University.

Prof Jain is the All India Secretary and national spokesperson of Vishva Hindu Parishad. Earlier he worked as the national president of Bajrang Dal. Dr Jain also works as the General Secretary of Arundhati Vashisth Anusandhan Peeth, which carries out research work on nationalistic issues in as much as eighteen universities across the nation. Prof Jain is known for his strong view on hindutva and indianness.

Manoj Raghuvanshi: Manoj Raghuvanshi is a pioneer in the field of broadcast journalism. A practicing television journalist for three decades of experience, as much as 4500 telecasts go his credit. He has anchored and produced several well-known programmes like Newstrack, Aap Ki Adalat, India’s Most Wanted and Javabdehi. Raghuvanshi, a veteran in crime journalism is mostly found to be associated with current and burning issues of present day India.

Prof Avaneesh Awesthi: Prof Dr Avaneesh Awesthi is Associate Professor of English language and literature in Delhi University. A well known commentator in socio politico affairs Prof Awasthy contributes regular columns to major national dailies like Jansatta, Navbharat Times, Dainik Jagran and Rastriya Sahara.

Advocate Prithvi Singh Vatsa: Advocate Prithvi Singh Vatsa is a senior advocate of Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. He taught in Faculty of Law, Delhi University. Mr Vatsa is the national vice president of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh.

Dr Krishna Priya Das: Dr Krishna Priya Das is the Vice President of ISCON, New Delhi and Medical Director of ISCON, India.

Ashima Khanna: Social activist

Chowdhry Ram Charan Solanki: Khap Pachayat sarpanch, Palam gaon, Delhi

Rajvir Ghelot: Khap leader

Moderator: Paritosh Vyas is the National Convener of Youth For Nation. He is an Engineer and management professional. Presently he works as a General Manager with an architectural engineering company in Kolkata. Mr Vyas is the founder of a widely read e-magazine called Rastriya Swabhiman and the owner of an innovative website for blood donation. He was a ‘Lead India’ finalist from Gujurat.

Mining a loophole

Saswat Panigrahi

Of the 341 mines existing in Odisha, only 126 operate on the basis of a valid lease. A paragraph in the 53-year-old Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act has proved to be the State's bane and the mining companies' boon: It is allowing illegal operators to plunder Odisha to the tune of Rs 3 lakh crore

Mineral-rich Odisha has become a paradise for illegal mining in the last one decade. To earn big bucks, smugglers are making a beeline for the State with the sole aim of plundering its precious minerals. Legal lacunae make illegal mining easy. A sizeable number of mines in the State have been operating years after their leases have expired. The miners use a legal clause involving extension of their leases as an excuse to continue their activity.

Out of 341 mines existing in Odisha, only 126 operate on a valid lease. Of the 215 mines that existed illegally, the leases of 15 expired more than 20 years ago, those of 17 expired 15 to 20 years ago. The lease period of 38 mines ended 10 to 15 years ago and that of another 65 mines ended 10 years ago. The remaining 80 mines have been operating five years after their leases lapsed. This was brought to light by the interim report of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee.

In November 2009, a 150-page petition filed by Mr Rabi Das, senior journalist and president of Odisha Jana Sammilani, brought the mining scam to the notice of the Supreme Court. In response to the petition, the apex court had entrusted the CEC with the task of investigating the scam. The CEC had asked the State Government to furnish all details related to it. The findings of the interim report are based on the submissions made by the Odisha Government and the petitioner.

The 85-page report has laid bare rampant illegal mining making use of lacunae in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. As per the ‘deemed extension’ clause under Rule 24A(6) of Mineral Concession Rules 1960, if a lease holder applies for the renewal of mining lease within a stipulated period, the lease is automatically ‘deemed’ to have been extended till the State Government actually deals with the applications.

“A large number of mines are operating in Odisha even after the expiry of the mining lease period. This is being done under the provision of ‘deemed extension’ of mining leases provided under Rule 24A(6) of Mineral Concession Rules and is happening because the applications filed for the renewal of the mining leases remain undecided for a considerable period of time after the expiry of the mining lease period,” the report said, adding: “The deemed extension clause is primarily meant to deal with contingency situations and to ensure that the mining operations do not come to an abrupt end because of administrative delays in deciding renewal applications.”

But the rule has been misused to allow the expired leases to exist for years. “This provision is not meant to be availed of indefinitely. Moreover, continuing mining over a long period of time without renewal of the mining lease becomes a potential source for serious illegalities and irregularities,” the report observed.

Scores of mine owners have excavated iron ore, chromite, manganese and other minerals much beyond the stipulated limit. “The mining activities also exceeded the production limit as approved under the mining plans,” the report said. In Odisha, a good number of mines co-exist with the forest land or reserve forest areas. According to an estimate, as much as 80 per cent of the State’s mineral-rich forest land is being exploited. While carrying out illegal mining, the miners shamelessly flout the Forest Conservation Act and environmental norms.

“Mining activities were going on in a large number of mines in Odisha without requisite approvals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, environmental clearances, and Air and Water Acts,” the CEC report said, adding, “There was lack of effective coordination and common understanding between the officials of the Mines Department and the Forest Department resulting in ineffective enforcement of statutory provisions.”

The report has suggested a set of recommendations aimed at curbing illegal mining. The CEC has asked the State Government to dispose of the mining lease renewal applications pending for years expeditiously and in a time-bound manner. Deemed extension clauses should only be used in contingency situations and cannot be availed of indefinitely, the CEC said. It also further said that mining in non-forest areas can be allowed only after obtaining environmental and other statutory clearances by the lease-holder. The CEC has decided to charge all illegal miners a one-time fine on a land cost valuation formula. For both renewal of mining lease and mining lease, the lessees would have to pay the net present value of the forests for the entire lease area as per a 2002 Supreme Court directive, the report stated. The fine amount is expected to run into Rs 2,000 crore. But the Odisha mining scam is estimated at Rs 3 lakh crore. The figures tell their own story. The CEC formula does not take into account the millions of tonnes of illegal minerals.

Ever since media coverage of the scam, the BJD Government has been in the dock. Well aware of the large-scale pillage, it turned a blind eye - indeed, let the red-tape allow illegal mining and smuggling, thereby providing covert help to the jholawallah brigade in siphoning off Odisha’s minerals. The image of the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha Government has been dented. The Odisha Government is trying hard to underplay the scam and sweep it under the carpet. It is reluctant to go for a CBI inquiry into the matter. An indifferent Odisha Government, sitting on the renewal of mining lease applications for years now, is saying it is not at fault as the miners are to blame for not submitting documents, forcing authorities to keep the files on hold.

The Green Bench of the Supreme Court has directed the Odisha Government to implement the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee with immediate effect. It is now up to the Odisha Government to follow the directive.

-- Appeared in the OpEd page of The Pioneer on July 07, 2010

Also read: Minesgate digs Odisha’s grave

Does human life mean a little in India?

Saswat Panigrahi

Twenty-five years after lethal Methyl Iso Cyanate (MIC) gas leaked from a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal killed at least 25,000 people, a Bhopal court convicted the company and seven of its officials for criminal negligence and sentenced them for a mere two-year. The accused bailed out in just two hours. "Surely justice... has been done," -- Bhopal gas case judge said talking to media persons.

As rich, elite and powerful are involved in the case there was a deliberate attempt to cover-up. The investigating agencies as well as the prosecutors successfully mishandled the case and distorted the evidence with the clear instructions of those in the corridors of power. And the judiciary acted as a recording machine for those distorted evidence. Moreover, the Indian legal provisions are also inadequately codified to deal with the man-made disaster. Hence the verdict, though a shame is not a surprise at all.

Once the judgment came, skeletons began to tumble out of Congress’ closet, causing acute embarrassment to the party. Evidences are pouring in that former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Arjun Singh acted on the directive of Rajiv Gandhi Government at the Centre to ensure a safe passage to former chairman of Union Carbide Warren Anderson in the aftermath of Bhopal gas tragedy.

BR Lall, former Joint Director of CBI, who was in charge of the investigation from April 1994 to July 1995 says CBI was told by the Ministry of External Affairs to go soft on Anderson. Declassified CIA documents of December 8, 1984, a day after Anderson was released after being arrested, shows that the Rajiv Gandhi Government bailed him out. Gordon Streeb, a former US diplomat who was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the American embassy in New Delhi said Anderson was freed as part of agreement then government of India made with its US counterpart. MK Rasgotra, then Foreign Secretary confirmed that Anderson was given a “safe passage” and then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was aware of it. Then Bhopal Collector Moti Singh, has revealed that he was instructed by the then State Chief Secretary to bail out Anderson. December 7, 1984 edition of a US-based newspaper The Pittsburgh Press quoting a release from the Union Carbide saying its chief Warren Anderson was promised by then Indian Government of a safe passage.

After the Bhopal gas case verdict came a shamed Congress government quickly swung into action. A Group of Ministers (GoM) was constituted to examine all issues related to the tragedy, including remedial measures, and make appropriate recommendations on the relief and rehabilitation of the victims and their families. Within two weeks after the GoM constituted, it put together a package of relief, rehabilitation and compensation for the survivors. The rehabilitation package pegs at Rs 982 crore. As things stand, the Indian taxpayer will pay for the pollution of the multinational.

Government now says it will extradite Anderson. But despite the sound and fury, there is there is little hope that India will ever lay its hands on Warren Anderson for alleged culpability in the Bhopal gas tragedy.

Waiting for our Messi

With Indian football languishing at the bottom of the FIFA rankings it's time for some soul-searching. So what ails Indian football? Saswat Panigrahi searches for answers

Remember how Mohun Bagan's bare-footed athletic club beat East Yorkshire Regiment in 1911 and became the first Indian football team to lift the IFA shield? During its glory days the Indian football team qualified for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, but could not be a part of the show-piece event as it was playing bare feet at that time. In the 1951 Asian games in New Delhi and 1962 Asian Games held in Jakarta, team India won gold medals. The success story of Indian football doesn’t end there. India became the first Asian nation to reach the Olympic football semi-final in Melbourne Olympics 1956. Besides, India won bronze in 1970 and silver medal in the 1964 Asian Football Championship. Indian football boasted of football wizards like Gostha Pal, Subimal Chuni Goswami, Sailen Manna, PK Bannerjee, Peter Thangaraj, and Jarnail Singh Dhillon among others that took Indian football to dizzy heights. That was the past. Cut to the present, and Indian football cuts a sorry picture. Indian football fans have to take solace in the glory of adopted teams during the World Cup.

Looking at the nation’s football performance at present, Indian football team’s wining of the Nehru Cup in 2007 at the 13th year of the tournament could be seen as a step in the direction. In 2009 Indian football team again did an encore at the Nehru Cup and added another feather to its cap. Also in 2007 India defeated Tajikistan, lifted the AFC Challenge Cup and qualified for the AFC Asia Cup of 2011 to be held in Qatar.

But where does Indian football team stand vis-à-vis the big boys? The truth is Indian football team has never competed in World Cup. India is ranked a lowly 133rd in the FIFA rankings 2009.

Baichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan, Sunil Chetri, Climax Lawrence, Mahesh Gawli and Shanmugam Venkatesh are the big names in Indian football today. But, they pale in comparison to their illustrious forbears.

At a time when the rest of the world is in the grip of a football mania, Indians will be rooting for either the Brazilians or the Argentinians. Sadly the likes of Baichung Bhutia will wax eloquent on the other teams in the fray, in his avatar as football commentator/ expert. Apart from dissecting performances of the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. The diminutive powerhouse will also display his knowledge of the game, instead of trying to dribble past some of the superstars of the sport. At the same time some football crazy nations will be getting ready to make the cut. But, if someone asks will India ever participate in FIFA World Cup, many will have a hearty laugh.

But, what ails Indian football? Football is played as much in the mind as on the football pitch. It seems our football bosses and players seem to have reconciled to the fact, that we don’t have what it takes.

Despite the game having a presence in the country for more than a century, our players do not possess either the flair, attitude or guts to take on the world’s best. Most Indian players are physically light years behind their European, South American, even Asian counterparts. Low on morale, they do not have the killing instinct to make the cut. Neither do the coaches have the expertise to inspire the players to greater glory.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF), the governing body of football in India is ridden by internal politics. And the Government seems to be least bothered in providing the requisite logistical and infrastructure support to set in place a meaningful football programme. There is no visible comprehensive package to focus on the fitness and tactical dimensions of the players. The scarce funds earmarked for training and development programmes is being misused. The general apathy and absence of a clear vision is proving costly for Indian football as they slide further down the pecking order.

In this cricket crazy country, football is said to be the second most popular sport. Football boasts of a massive fan base across the length and breadth of the country. In states like West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Sikkim and Mizoram cricket could be left behind in the popularity charts. With Indian players conspicuous by their absence in premier football events, it’s time for some soul searching.

If some of the greatest football stars came of the ghettoes of South America and Africa, why can’t Indian football players prove their mettle? Can Indian football reclaim pride of place in the world football? Or could it dream of making it to the top 30 in world order by 2030? Can we ever have our own Ronaldo? To ensure that India takes its first tentative steps in its bid to gain respectability, tough decisions need to be made. The All India Football Federation needs to be recast. It’s time for heads to roll, and accountability to be fixed. Rope in former legends to share their valuable insight, and stop hiring second rate coaches whose footballing careers were shrouded in obscurity. We love our Maradonas and Ronaldoes. Can we have our own? Let Indian football represent hope.


-- Appeared in FIFA World Cup 2010 special coverage of www.dailypioneer.com

Sketching a dynastic siyasat

Saswat Panigrahi

Master storyteller and path-breaking director Prakash Jha knows his subject well. He has mastered the art of putting the subject into the skin of the characters. Jha feels the pulse of contemporary issues and raises them through the medium of cinema.

In Damul Prakash Jha raised caste oppression, in Apaharan he captured Bihar’s kidnapping industry, in Mrityudand he dealt with social and gender inequities and in Gangaajal he captured the pathos of an upright cop trying to deal with a corrupt system. His movie always has a social message. His films rely on solid performances that complement a normally gripping story line.

Jha’s big-budget political thriller Raajneeti which was shot in the Hindi heartbelt hit the silver screen in June. The movie’s plot and central characters are loosely based on great Indian epic Mahabharata in parallels with the American cult classic The Godfather. The film which vividly portrays a modern Indian political dynasty also deals with the interplay between personal aspirations, greed, loyalty and betrayal. It has laid threadbare the ugly underbelly of dynastic politics.

Jha contested the 2002 and 2009 Lok Sabha election from Champaran (Bihar) on a LJP ticket and lost. But he has figured out the political jigsaw and knows its finer nuances. In Raajneeti, on the baground of a modern Indian dynastic politics, Jha has skillfully captured the dynamics of political powerplay -- organisational politics, heat and dust of elections, theatrics on the campaign trail, poll management, how the media is managed in a bid to swing votes in see-saw elections, manipulation in politics, abuse of power and violence in politics. From popular political gestures to pity casting couch, from caste factor to class factor, Jha has played a number of issues to the audience gallery. He has shown a keen understanding over the local lingo (read Hindi belt). The dialogue is replete with expressions and terms that the aam aadmi in general could relate to. Dialogues like -- Raajneeti mein murde kabhi marte nahin, unhe zinda rakhna hota hai taaki jab samay aaye to woh bhi bolein had a pan-Indian appeal.

It was an intelligent script written by Prakash Jha and his co-writer Anjum Rajabali told the viewer with flair. Raajneeti is a story of a cabal of power-mongers indulged in a seamy power struggle. It centers around a powerful political family called ‘Pratap family’ which runs a regional party. When the patriarch of the family suffers a paralytic stroke, the seat of power automatically shifts to his younger brother, much to the discomfort of his son Virendra Pratap (played by Manoj Bajpai) who considers himself as the true inheritor of his father’s legacy. Simmering in the shadow he can’t see his rival cousin Prithvi Pratap (played by Arjun Rampal) rising to power. To play his political card, he sides with a dalit leader called Suraj Kumar (played by Ajay Devgan). Suraj, an ace Kabbadi player, who later emerges as a dalit leader, brought up in a dalit household, happens to be an abandoned child of Prithvi’s mother and an idealist-leftist figure Bhasker Sanyal (played by Naseerudin Shah). The bloody battle for power begins. Prithvi’s younger brother, Samar Pratap, who intrinsically takes interest in politics, working on a PhD in Victorian poetry, setting aside his academic ambitions to teach in New York University steps into the battle following his father’s murder. The simmering volcano called ‘Samar’ erupts, plays a political ace and changes the game of power. His was mama (uncle) Brij Gopal (played by Nana Patekar) to council him in his mission. In the clash for power, Samar’s sweetheart Indu (played by Katrina Kaif) became barter and forced to marry his elder brother Prithvi. The murder of her husband compelled Indu to plunge into the political battlefield and won a mandate on the basis of a sympathy wave.

If one sees Raajneeti as a modern-day Mahabharata, Arjun Rampal has played a Bhim, Manoj Bajpai a Duryodhan, Ranbir Kapoor a Arjun, Ajay Devgan a Karn and Katrina Kaif a Draupadi. Nana Patekar stars as a Krishna. Also Ranbir Kapoor's character is a reminiscent of desi Michael Corleone, the protagonist of The Godfather.

Raajneeti, with a running time of 2 hours and 50 minutes has skillfully handled a powerful storyline and a huge star cast. The turn of events in the movie are rightly linked. Like his previous movies, in Raajniti also Jha successfully put the subject into the skin of the characters with a great accuracy. All actors have delivered their role with great perfection. The performances are strong and credible. For veterans like Nana Patekar and Naseerudin Shah playing serious characters is no difficult task. Nana Patekar was impeccable as he appears in his contemporary style. Naseerudin Shah in a brief role leaves a noteworthy performance. Senior actors Ajay Devgan and Manoj Bajpai have brought back the memories of their incredible performance. But the real surprise came from Arjun Rampal, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, thanks to Prakash Jha. Jha has transformed the three actors and fit into their most challenging roles till date. A handsome Arjun Rampal wears an overwhelming confidence as seen never before. In his first ever such performance, a dashing Ranbir Kapoor fills out his serious character with calm and hence managed to stand out. A sparkling Katrina Kaif draping in saree was carefree as she perfectly plays a serious role.

Raajneeti is certainly the best movie of its genre by far.

Scam called Vedanta

Saswat Panigrahi

The recent Lok Pal report highlighting gross irregularities committed to favour the Vedanta Group with regard to its ‘world-class’ university project is a strong indictment of the BJD Government in Odisha. It’s time Naveen Patnaik comes clean on the issue

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is in trouble again. This time for the biggest land grab scam in independent India. As much as 6,000 acre of three-crop agricultural land has been allotted by the State Government to the London-based Vedanta foundation, purportedly for establishing a ‘world-class’ university on the Puri-Konark marine drive. The recent order of Odisha Lok Pal Justice PK Patra in response to a petition filed by trade union leader Dwarika Mohan Misra is a strong indictment of the functioning of the State Government. As brought out by the findings of the Lok Pal, the whole idea of Vedanta university was conceived in the Chief Minister’s office.

Mr BK Patnaik, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, had initiated a file relating to the establishment of Vedanta university by putting up a note which was signed by the Special Secretary of Finance, the Agriculture Production Commissioner, the Minister for Higher Education, the Minister of Finance and the Chief Minister on July 13, 2006. Just six days after the initiation of the file, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on July 19, 2006, between the Odisha Government and the Vedanta foundation for the establishment of a ‘multi-disciplinary’ university.

“The MoU in question signed by the parties does not constitute a legally enforceable contract. It appears from the records that the officials of the Government of Odisha had acted in haste to accede to the request of the foundation,” says the Lok Pal in his 26-page order.

The Lok Pal’s findings clearly indicate that 6,000 acre of agricultural land — which includes 1,300 acre of arable land belonging to the Jagannath Temple that farmers linked to the seva of the temple cultivate, and another large stretch of land containing huge quantities of thorium and other rare minerals — is in the process of being acquired by Vedanta Foundation. This violates the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, the Lok Pal observes.

There is also a huge chasm between the land required and the land grabbed. The Lok Pal agrees that such a vast track of land would not be required for the establishment of the proposed university, as even world-class universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard are built on lesser land space. This clearly points to an ulterior motive behind the acquisition.

The project will affect at least 50,000 people across 22 maujas (villages) of Puri district who depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihood. Also, the land in question comes under the Costal Regulation Zone and is situated adjacent to the sweet-water zone of Puri district which stands to be adversely affected if the project is operationalised.

It is interesting to note that following the proposal for Vedanta university, the foundation has changed its name thrice. It was originally named Sterlite Foundation but later changed to Vedanta Foundation and then again to Anil Agarwal Foundation. It has been further revealed that Anil Agarwal Foundation is not a public company but a company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.

The State Law Department clearly stated that the acquisition of land for Vedanta university would require the change of status of the foundation from ‘private company’ to ‘public company’, and only then would it meet the qualification prescribed by the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. “But the views of the Law Department appear to have been misread by the public servants concerned,” the Lok Pal says.

The foundation submitted erroneous documents with regard to the change of its legal status from private to public, and thus, cleverly hoodwinked the core committee comprising senior bureaucrats of the State and influenced them to believe that the Section 25 company had been converted to a ‘public company’. Following this, the core committee rendered all assistance to the foundation even without complying with the statutory requirements.

“From the materials available on record it is clear that the representative of Anil Agarwal Foundation was able to manoeuvre or influence, mislead and misguide senior bureaucrats of the State who had acted without application of mind,” the Lok Pal judgement says, adding, “Steps had been taken in extending the helping hand in haste to Anil Agarwal Foundation in various ways.”

Citing the Supreme Court verdict that says imparting education is essentially charitable in nature and educational institutions should not be established with the motive of earning profits, the Lok Pal has raised a cloud of doubt on the motive of Anil Agarwal Foundation in establishing the proposed international university. The foundation has so far not defined an international university, further putting a question mark on its intention.

The Lok Pal has made a series of recommendations to the Odisha Government on the university project. It has recommended that the Chief Minister consider a moratorium on the project until compliance with the legal provisions for conversion of Anil Agarwal Foundation from a private to public company was met.

It has also asked the State Government to constitute a vigilance cell to monitor the progress of the project and to see to it that the land acquired and delivered to the foundation is done so in phases and not utilised for purposes other than education. Besides, it has directed the State Government to ensure payment of adequate compensation by the foundation to those affected by the project.

Meanwhile, the Lok Pal order has triggered strong reactions from the Opposition. The BJP has rightly raised the issue in the national domain. The party has also demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister on moral grounds.

Shamed by the Lok Pal order and worried over its political ramifications, the Odisha Government has come out with a Press release which says that the media cannot publish the Lok Pal judgement as it has not been tabled in the Odisha Assembly — a logic strongly contested by the BJP which says that it is not the proceeding but the findings which the media should be able to report. The State Government has also written to the Lok Pal’s office, urging the latter to restrain the publication of the report.

-- Appeared in the OpEd page of The Pioneer on April 22

Cloud on Vedanta varsity land grant

Saswat Panigrahi I New Delhi

The allotment of 6,000 acres of agricultural land by the Odisha Government to London-based Vedanta Foundation for a proposed ‘world class’ university on the Puri-Konark marine drive has triggered strong reactions from a national convention held under the aegis of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch.

It has been learnt that there is a crude chasm between the land allotted and the land required for the Vedanta university project. Amongst the 6,000 acres of agricultural land, 1,300 acres belong to Lord Jagannath Temple which farmers linked to the seva of the temple cultivate and another large stretch of land contains huge quantity of thorium and other rare earth deposits.

Moreover, the land for which the project was announced comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), situated adjacent to the sweet water zone of Puri which is going to be affected if the project is made operational, experts say.

The proposed university claims to cater to the needs of one lakh students. ‘Secret’ official communication indicates that inside the university campus there are plans to construct a 600-MW power plant, multi-star hotels, shopping malls and airport.

Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi suspected a huge scam in the project. “The intention of the Vedanta Foundation is not education but pure business. The Foundation has so far not defined the status of international university, which further clarifies its intention. This will be a prodigal paradise for the rich and elite at the cost of agricultural land. The project aims at destruction, not development,” said Joshi. Taking strong cognisance of handing over Jagannath Temple land to the foundation for a throw-away price Joshi said the BJD Government is playing with the sentiments of the Hindus.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rudra Narayan Pany said, “The illegal land grab of Vedanta Foundation has a tacit patronage of the Naveen Patnaik Government. Despite being a private company, the Foundation gets all necessary clearance of the State Government to acquire huge quantity of agricultural land, though as per law no private company is qualified to set up a university. In return the BJD 2009 poll campaign was largely funded by Vedanta foundation.”

“This was an erroneous and illegal understanding, indeed an unauthorised transaction derogatory to the interests of Odisha,” quipped Uma Ballav Rath, convener of Vedanta Vishwa Vidyalaya Virodhi Sanghrash Samiti. “It is smuggling in the name of education,” lamented Jayant Das, former Advocate-General, Odisha.

-- The report appeared in The Pioneer on April 14, 2010