Ashwini Ahuja: Writer & Columnist

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2011-06-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

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Artist In Confusion

2009-11-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

Ashwini Ahuja' new book ARTIST IN CONFUSION and his interview over it in Glittering India, Mumbai

Artist In Confusion is an endeavour to understand the spirit and beauty of relationship

For More Detail, click: www.ashwiniahuja.com

My Hindi Articles

2009-07-25T04:29:00.000-07:00

Please read my Hindi Articles. Visit this link
http://ashwinia.blogspot.com

Looking forward to your comments...

My Articles in Daily Etalat

2009-07-08T10:49:00.001-07:00

Read my articles in Srinagar based Daily Etalat
http://ashwiniahujawriter.blogspot.com/

My Hindi Books

2009-07-08T10:48:00.001-07:00

View my Hindi books
http://ashwiniahujabooks.blogspot.com/

My Articles in THE VERDICT

2009-07-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Read my articles in Mumbai based weekly tabloid THE VERDICT
http://articlesintheverdict.blogspot.com/

My Article in Greater Kashmir

2009-07-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

Read & Comment
http://ashwini-ahuja.blogspot.com/

MY Articles in Meri News

2009-07-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

Here, let me know you, I had been the contributor of Meri News Online Portal for a long time. I contributed to them several articles on different subjects. Visit the below link, you will find many articles.
http://www.merinews.com/cj/ashwiniahuja
Read & Comment

My Articles In THE OBSERVER OF MANAGEMENT EDUCATION

2009-07-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just click and read...don't forget to comment

http://ashwinikumarahuja.blogspot.com/

Articles In Glittering India

2009-07-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Just click, read & Comment...
http://articlesinglitteringindia.blogspot.com/

Read My Articles in Supremacy

2009-07-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Just click, read and comment...
http://supremacymonthly.blogspot.com/

2009-07-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

http://supremacymonthly.blogspot.com/

Taj Terror

2009-06-12T06:50:00.001-07:00

No blame game, be cautions

TAJ TERROR

Corruption plus security lapses lead to ominous situation like this, writes Ashwini Ahuja.

First time, after the independence of India, our politicians are somewhat worried over the grim situation of the country. Before this, they always showed off their worry & regret whenever terrorists’ activities happened in any part of the country but the recent attack on Mumbai, which was so far the biggest ever aggression has awaken them from long slumber and they actually felt that the country is experiencing the worst time. They really worried.
According to some media reports, now, they realize that there is definitely something shameful on their part because of their failure in check security lapses and mend them timely.
It is utterly shocking to mention that the Mumbai attack by Pakistani terrorists was well planned, meticulous, involving the acquisition of large quantities of arms & ammunition and a ship for transport from Karachi to Mumbai through sea route but the intelligence agencies, shamefully or sloppily, didn’t get the hint of their planned attack. A worst shamefully happened under the nose of big security.
What is the purpose of such corroded, thoroughly incompetent and internally subverted system of governance? Why we spend thousands of crore on them at Mumbai if they are not able to take on one small bunch of terrorists. It is discernible to feel that how ten young Muslims defeated the might of India’s armed forces?
Second point, if our security personnel knew about the terrorist plan and didn’t deliberately take an urgent preventive step because of having the taste of bribery grease on their palm, it is totally a criminal negligence on their part. Such corruption, casual behaviour ought to be wiped out at its nascent stage. It is explicable that it is political interference and corruption at high-level which is directly linked to ministerial corruption also which leads to the birth of terrorism in the country.
The question is: why the leadership of the country always remains failed to comprehend the internal situation of the country? Why the intelligence agencies didn’t gather the clues before the gigantic, unpleasant incident? It is quite simple to understand that once the culture of bribery corrodes the internal security apparatus, none can stop the enemies of nation finding their way with ease to strike the targets of their choice. First parliament, second Taj and next what?
In 1993, the gang of Dawood Ibrahim had smuggled huge quantities of RDX & ammunitions by greasing the palms of key personnel in the security & custom. The situation has not changed even after 15-16 years. However, politicians first time ever felt the sense of to be shamed. It is the first time when the word “SHAME” began to haunt them and they are haphazardly trying to hide themselves. They promise to the country people with terrible shivers in their body and frustration in their sound that they will take on terrorism. In fact, they are feeling themselves totally unsuccessful to control over the situation which has gone out of their hands only because of their vote-bank reasons.
After the terrorists’ attack in Mumbai’s different locations- Taj hotel, Oberoi/Trident hotel & Nariman house and the death of nearly two hundred people including some top police officials, the politicians of the country thought that the situation would pacify with the time gone but it did not, rather the anger among country men went on increasing day by day. Then, the politicians have no other ways but for trying to escape themselves from people’s anger. Our two ministers have to say sorry to Mumbaikars when he realized their teeth gnashing in the head of politicians and government. Newly Home Minister P. Chidambaram too realized a mistake on government part.
It is no hidden thing that there were several security lapses. And these were because of widespread corruption in different government departments which allowed the situation to become so depressing and dismal. People of the entire country are now angry in view of the irresponsibility of the politicians and they have the every right to express their ire.
Over the week of terrorist attack, the rallies and candle-light processions are being organized across the county even in small towns and villages following the Gateway of India’s gathering. The overwhelmed & wild anger of common men of India has realized the politicians that they are nothing more than an object of their contempt and hatred.
India has now shivered only because of those who let the county down fostering corruption & allowing hooliganism and terror free on run for just garnering votes. The protestors in different cities refused to pay taxes as a first step if the government remains failed to protect the common people of the country. No security, no tax was the slogan. It was a kind of non-cooperation movement as Mahatma Gandhi had launched in 1942 against British Regime.
If we look at the expenditure of our leaders’ security, we will definitely shudder. The expenditure on the security of Sonia Gandhi and her family is approximately 117 crore while for other leaders it is gone beyond 250 crore. Only leaders need security? Why the common men of India are derived from appropriate security?
We shame to hear that the budget for NSG (National Security Guard) whose commandos had saved several people from Taj, Trident & Nariman House had decreased from 159 crore to 150 crore a year before. People of the country well understand that politicians are provided special security at the cost of common men’s money. If the government remains failed to give the public full security, why should the people pay taxes to the government? And the people have the every right to oppose the government.
Pragmatically, it’s time to think over the genesis of crisis and act sternly. It is not a time to just speak rhetorically- “the terrorists will be brought to justice”. When they will be brought to justice? After the massacre of more thousands? After one more attack on Taj? Why the government of India delaying in action despite knowing they are the enemies of India’s diversity & secular fabric and playing worst with India at the behest of Pakistan.
“Action, not words” was a message from aggrieved public which the TV channels displayed. The government of India should well understand the public mood. What they actually want? By action means- they want concrete action against Pakistan, nothing else. They want to know what will the next step of the government of India if the rulers of the neighboring country denied extraditing the hardcore terrorists to them. Should the rulers of the neighboring country be taught a lesson for fostering terrorism as a low cost, low risk proxy war against India? Should India needs more evidences after the Mumbai mayhem.
It is time to strengthen & reconstruction of the security institutions and to modernize the creaking antiquated justice system. The huge security flaws which the Mumbai attack has exposed should be finished off forthwith. This attack was a 60 hours war-like situation. The next if it unfortunately happens may be biological or even nuclear. Can we afford such attacks? Indian politicians should mend their ways and work with solidarity to curb the menace of terrorism without playing the game of blaming on each other. Presently, it is no shame to say that we have been cheated by all those we have trusted.

This article has been published in 12th December 2008

2009-05-25T02:41:00.000-07:00

Landslide victory of Congress-led UPA has proved that India needs not the politics of hatred, division & inconsequentiality, writes
Ashwini Ahuja

Secular India, Secular Government

Surprising return of Congress led UPA with phenomenally aplomb has proved that people don’t like the politics of hatred, division & inconsequentiality. In recent concluded Lok Sabha election; the Congress has gained what even so many of its allies thought was undreamed of. Its unprecedented wave has not only demolished the bastions of the left but it swept the major BJP strongholds also plus it licked some regional parties tremendously who played fouls dividing the society on the lines of religion and caste. It is a positive sign for the Congress.
Before election, we were much afraid regarding the political instability of the country and look forward to horse trading but thankfully Congress led UPA has pulled us out of the macabre jawbones of instability. We are hopeful political stability will boost the dithering economy of our country.
Incredibly, in 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Congress party alone has touched the 200 mark, its highest score in 18 years which has fiercely slapped the Hindutva agenda of BJP. The message of this election is: don’t guess, the electorates are foolish enough and you can hoodwink them with your syrupy words or inflammatory speeches.
Previous to the elections, it was also quite obvious that UPA will form the government after wooing some new partners apart from its old allies but on 16th of May, UPA’s fear vanished when they got unexpected mandate in their favour. Really, the electorates told the all political parties or their leaders that they know which party or alliance is good for the country.
The results in the favour of UPA show that, for voters, the BJP agenda and its policies have become hollow & meaningless. Voters disliked their inherent hatred for both Muslims and Christians. The leaders of BJP have to abandon this hatred if they want to get success in future. Second, now, after the defeat, they have to adopt modern outlook to play a significant role of unwavering opposition also focusing on the issues of development in spite of temple issue and like that.
If we look closely, we observe that the unanticipated defeat of BJP entails several reasons: first is Varun Gandhi. The party tried its best to make him hero though reservedly. If the party denied a ticket to him after his inflammatory speech he made at Pilibhit, it can send a message to the entire nation that hatred has no place in their agenda but instead the BJP attempted to derive benefits from the polarization of vote-politics simultaneously condemnation of the speech. This dual politics has showed the real face of the party to the entire country.
After Malegaon, the BJP showed no hesitation in denouncing even the ATS. If a national party of country which too have ruled the nation challenges the law & order of the country distinguishing between Hindu terrorism (Hindu terrorism is justifiable in their eyes) and Muslim terrorism, there should be no place for them in a secular country.
As for POTA, it can be said an achievement of BJP but, thanks to this single achievement, they made the National Security their darling issue and recklessly misused the law mostly to target Muslims. On the issue of poverty alleviation, child nourishment, health care, education, for the boosting of economy, on the issue of foreign policy, BJP remained utterly failed. It could not promulgate any concrete policy.
Issue of temple, just to incite the Hindu sentiments & criticism of Dr. Manmohan Singh (just for the sake of criticism) as a weakest prime minister were the cast-iron reasons of BJP’s defeat. India needs young, dynamic, enthusiastic leaders who could develop the party into a modern political party. The earlier the old, chauvinistic leaders of BJP retire, the better it is for both the party and the country.
As for the drubbing of Marxists both in Kerala and Bengal, voters didn’t like their attitude of thwarting the process of economy reforms. By opposing the nuclear deal to delight the Muslim population of the country, in last Congress led UPA government, they had showed that they are nothing more than the servants of China despite getting the immediate reaction of Muslim population as comrades hoped for.
Good agrarian growth record, higher procurement prices, subsidies galore, no surrender to DMK blackmail over LTTE, appropriate response of 26/11 to Pakistan plus Rahul Gandhi’s personal interest to boost up the youths of the country are the several reasons behind the incredible performance of Congress. Apart from it, Rahul Gandhi’s decision of the Congress to go it alone has also paid off handsomely.
However, let’s hope that Congress will not misuse its power as Mrs. India Gandhi did and BJP as a strong and responsible opposition will not let them unleash their whims. The BJP should well understand that Dr. Manmohan Singh is not a weakest ever prime minister. It is the only prime minister after first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (1957) who has returned to office after a full five year term and people of the country know what is good in him. Mr. LK Advani needs not tell the nation he is weakest ever or not.

Ashwini Ahuja, Freelance Writer & Columnist

2009-05-07T23:45:00.000-07:00

Criminality In Politics, Who Will Weed Out

2009-05-07T23:28:00.001-07:00

Undoubtedly, the political parties endorse the entry of criminals in politics considering the winnability factor. Despite the intervention of EC, Supreme Court and watchdog media, the scourge of criminality is still prevalent, writes Ashwini Ahuja

Criminality In Politics

Whenever the season of elections comes; the debate over the tickets to the candidates of criminal-background heats up. All political parties irresponsibly give tickets to such candidates without bothering the gravity of the crimes they have committed. Media, TV channels repeatedly focus on the issue. Sometimes, down to enormous pressure and clamour over the dispensation, parties replace their candidates but over the election, all things are settled down because the all political parties know the habit of voters forgetting things.

If we recall back, during the past 62 years, no ruling party either in the centre or at states has endeavored to weed out criminality in politics. The presence of criminals in parliament and state assemblies are widespread. No government has ever thought over the need of any independent creditable agency which could investigate the criminal cases against politicians. Why it so happens? Analysts say, obviously it is the criminal-politician nexus that stop the parliamentarians passing the legislation that would get rid of the corrupt and criminal elements in politics. Political parties know the criminals have the guts to win elections by hook or by crook. Politicians opt for them considering their winnability factor.

Politicians are aware they can convert their muscle power into votes. Criminal history reveals that they enter politics to gain influence so that the cases against them are dropped or not proceeded with. Thanks to their financial clout they are able to get a significant place for them in politics. Political parties too use the blow of criminals in elections judging the muscle and money blend in them. Also, they tap them for funds and in return provide them with political patronage and protection as well.

No doubt, under the Supreme Court’s orders, the Election Commission has made it mandatory for candidates, before filling the nomination, to disclose the details of their property, details of criminal background (if any), their liabilities to public financial institutions plus their educational qualifications. It is a first good step which has been taken to remove the criminal elements from our houses. To tackle the problem in totality, apart from judiciary and election commission, the government also should pass legislation. But the pertinent question is: will the government do? If a law is enacted to check on their criminal record, it would not be possible for them to escape, so, if you are- as a common man of the country- dreaming a good time ahead when criminals might be shunted out of politics, you are having your head in the clouds.

Pragmatically, eradicating the criminality in politics at present is one of the toughest tasks. It has captured an immeasurable space in politics. The National Commission to review the working of the constitution also points out that criminalization has become a disquieting characteristic of India's politics and its electoral system. Large sections of society have always condemned the presence of criminals in parliament and assemblies and also they have done their efforts to eliminate the scourge. But it is not enough. We sensibly need to find out the concrete ways how we can pressurize the government maximum enacting the law & purging the system et al.

In reality, no government is ever serious thanks to its selfish motives. We are also remained unsuccessful to convince our voters who play significant role in choosing criminal candidates. We enjoy when they play foul games. We all are not united. Some of us glorify murderers and scoundrels. Don’t wonder if we, in the years to come, see their dominance stronger in politics. Because of such criminals, our democracy has become unjust where political parties are compelled to buy MPs or MLAs to the save or to fall off the governments.

Don’t surprise, in the present election also despite the pressure and media campaign, Congress, BJP; BSP & Samajwadi Party- all have fielded the candidates of criminal background respectively 24%, 29%, 19% & 43%. In the last UP assembly elections also, out of the total 5,539 contested candidates 965 had criminal records. In 1996, as many as 39 members of the parliament faced criminal charges. In 1998 Lok Sabha elections, out of the 500 candidates 72 had criminal proceedings pending against them.

In fact, politics is a safe place for criminals. Political power protects them from facing the law of land. Likewise, they enjoy the bliss of their authority. We have seen several hardcore criminals, murderers, rapists; scamsters after joining the politics have become big leaders. Despite that their inclination doesn’t change. They loot the country; encourage booth capturing, murder, rape having connivance with the other groups of dons & mafia but when the law does its course against them they instantly start crying that the action against them is politically motivated.

Will Durant- one of world’s greatest philosophers had once written in his book, in the last stage of the democracy, gangmen will rule. Criminals will flourish joyfully. The law of the land will guarantee them full protection. If they are in politics, they will commit crimes. They will not be arrested. If arrested, they will not be convicted, if convicted, they will not imprisoned, if imprisoned, they will be pardoned, if not pardoned, they will be allowed to escape. Meanwhile if they are killed in encounter, the governments will bury them with dignity and in their remembrance, memorials will be built.

No doubt, it is the picture of the last stage of the democracy we are now watching. Should we celebrate the decay of democracy? If not, it is the time to think seriously how we can thwart the dominance of criminality in politics. All the leading political-parties itself should introspect; the loopholes in the legal system should be plugged. The EC should act ruthlessly and more strictly against all those parties that support candidates with criminal record. Glorification of criminals is a bad practice; it must be checked for the welfare of the democratic setup.