A BAD OMEN FROM OUR NEIGHBOUR [BANGLADESH RIFLES (BDR) VS BANGLADESH ARMY (BDA) ]

   On February 25^th, the world witnessed the lifting of about 70 army officers from the mass graves in the Bangladesh rifles military compound. This is the worst military mutiny ever to have happened in the Asian continent. Once again, it has raised the doubts that whether Bangladesh is our reliable neighbor in terms of security aspects. The reason for the revolt is assumed that the director-general of BDR is extremely unpopular among the soldiers of the lower cadres because of his corruption and bad treatment of the lower officers. As the director-general did not allow the soldiers to meet the prime minister sheikh hasina wajed, and express their grievances, they became violent and shot down the DG of BDR. They even held hostage of some army persons and later killed them. This incident has many implications.

First, Bangladesh civilian administration does not have good control over their military counterparts. Military is expected to occupy a prominent place in Bangladesh politics. Despite the PM of Bangladesh holding the defense portfolio, she could not control the mutiny.

Second, in order to combat the Indo-Bangla border insurgencies, drug &human trafficking, we need a responsible force of Bangladeshi rifles. So India is upset in this regard.

Third, setting up of two independent committees, one by the army and the other by the government to probe the mutiny, reflects the lack of confidence between the two parts. This is not desirable in a democracy.

Let us hope that the armed forces of Bangladesh remain with in their constitutional limits and be subservient to the civilian administration. This a lesson for Bangladesh that armed persons cannot be treated as mere casual labourers. Only now Pakistan has moved from military cover to civilian cover. Let Bangladesh do not repeat the same mistake.

THE KNOWN RIDER OF THE UNKNOWN TIGER [ PAKISTAN - AT THE VERGE OF BEING A FAILED STATE IN TERMS OF SECURITY]

Today, when I was watching the well often rain interrupted match of India Vs NewZealand, there was a flash news at the bottom, stating that the SriLankan cricket team have been brutally attacked by the Pakistani terrorist outfits. Yes, four SriLankan players and the SriLankan team manager have been injured. The terrorists were targeting the bus in which the SriLankan players were travelling. They were attacked by rocket launchers, pistols and AK-47s. Five Pakistani police personell were killed. Even cricket is not spared from these terrorist activities. This new tactic of the terrorists, in targeting the international players has many implications.

First, Pakistan which has been creating and using the terrorist outfits to achieve its political and military objectives, face the threat from its own child. Now the magnitude, extent, linkage and reach of these terrorist organizations has reached beyond the limit, that, it is definitely uncertain on the part of the country to control these outfits or bring the perpetrators of terror to justice.

Second, now the terrorist outfits are evolving to the next stage. Targeting the international players or international people has much significance in the international arena than any local target. Now the terrorist outfits are taking this as a tool to threaten and destabilize the Pakistani government.

Third, in terms of sports, Pakistan is well known, only for the game of cricket. The attack on the cricket players is definitely a set back to the Pakistani cricket team. Now all the countries of the world will refuse to go to Pakistan. So this is definitely a setback to the Pakistani cricket  board.

Fourth, as unfortunately Pakistan, Bangladesh and SriLanka have become a troublesome country in terms of security, in one way or the other, there is a doubt that the next cricket world cup 2011 is likely to be held in the Indian subcontinent.

Fifth, Pakistan has began to face more threat from its terrorist organizations than any other country for which it has been designed for.

Sixth, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen an earlier terrorist oraganisation of pakistan had close links with the LTTE. The LTTE carried heroine, arms and ammunitions from pakistan and afghanistan to other parts of the Islamic world. In return, LTTE obtained anti-aircraft weapons from HUM and ISI. Even now is alleged that LTTE and HUM has close contacts. So this incident can also be said as HUM paying their old debts to LTTE by attacking the SriLankans.

So, Pakistan can no longer route these terrorist organizations to India or Afghanistan. It should take this as a lesson that political or military objectives cannot be successfully achieved by these terrorist outfits through its well believed back door strategy. Some scholars have even alleged that they are riding on a tiger without any control. Of course, I do accept this stand. Even now, if Pakistan is not ready to destruct the terrorist bases, then definitely we can assume that Pakistan is marching towards the status of a failed state.

FATHER OF NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION – A Q KHAN [THE MERCHANT OF MENACE]

On February 6^th, I read a news item that stated that, the supreme court of Pakistan has struck down all the charges against the father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, A Q Khan and declared that, there after khan will remain a free citizen of Pakistan. This incident will have major implications in the present world scenario. 

In the year 1972, khan worked for URENCO, an Holland based uranium enrichment facility. When India conducted operation “smiling Buddha”, Pakistan was very desperate in having the minimum nuclear credibility. The Dutch authorities accuse that khan has stolen the blue prints of gas centrifuges and suddenly left Holland. When CIA assured that, it would track and monitor khan, Holland left the responsibility to US. Subsequently, Pakistan established a nuclear research facility at Kahuta. Later in 1998 Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test code named “Chagai-1”. 

It is generally alleged there was a Chinese hand of support in the development of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb. It is also alleged that Pakistan was trading nuclear secrets with North Korea for Ballistic missile technology. It is also alleged that Khan was frequently contacted by Al-Qaeda to build a radiological bomb and the crude nuclear bomb. IAEA reported Iran has built Uranium enrichment facility based on the blue print of URENCO. In 2004, Govt of Pakistan reported that khan has divulged nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea. There after he was placed under house arrest. 

6^th February turned the events dramatic. With his release, it is a tough time for the IAEA to safeguard the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Atleast, what we could hope is that Khan’s nuclear knowledge should not fall in the hands of al-Qaeda or Hizbul-mujahideen. Let us hope for the best and plan for the worst.

THE BEST WAY TO ROB A BANK IS TO OWN ONE [ THE ANATOMY OF GREED ]

            Hardly a month before, the Satyam computer services chairman, the IT poster boy of Andhra Pradesh, RamalingaRaju has confessed that he has routed all the corporate governance norms and conducted the greatest Indian forgery of about Rs.7000 crores. Account balance fraud, inflated profits, non existent cash reserves & interests and understate liabilities took the toll to this huge amount. He is yet to be probed by SEBI on the cases of insider trading, unfair trade practices and frauds. But apart from this there are other aspects that prove that the chairman left no stones unturned.

            First, the promoters of this company who had the stake of about 25%, gradually decreased their stake to 5% over a period of 7 years. This proves that, the promoters already knew that the empire was falling, and they were conscious of securing their money, before its complete fall. The promoters sold over 4.5 crores of shares over a period of 7 years.

            Second, the promoters of this company had siphoned huge amount of satyam funds to the 2 companies namely, Maytas properties and Maytas infrastructure which were run by none other than the 2 sons of Ramalinga Raju.

            Third, in the era of post liberalization, the auditors who were to ensure that the accounts were monitored to the  best industry standards have miserably failed. Kudos to Raju, who has paid much more to the auditors of PriceWaterHouse, than they deserved.

            Fourth, though not confirmed, there are allegations that there were only 40,000 employees as against 53,000 employees. So, the salary money of the fake employees, of the tune of Rs.20 crores per month have found its way to the real estate ventures of RamalingaRaju. This explains how Raju managed to acquire 6800 acres of land when the government has imposed the cap of agricultural land per person [54 acres in case of dry agricultural land or 25 acres in case of wet agricultural land or 1000 square metres in cities].

            Fifth, there are even allegations that Raju would have committed money laundering by the way of funds from tax haven like Mauritius.

            Sixth, he used his influence and his political clout to make Hyderabad Metro Rail Corporation fall in the hands of Maytas Infrastructure run by his son.

            Raju has brilliantly proved that the best way to rob a bank is to own a bank. He constructed an empire from the scraps. He made the investors to pay for the empire. And finally, he robbed the empire.

NAVIN.B.CHAWLA [THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ELECTION COMMISSIONER]

            Right from the day, he has assumed the office of the election commissioner in 2005, Navin.B.chawla has landed himself in many controversies. Every time, he is caught up in a controversy, the office of the election commission gets defamed. Hardly, three months are there for him to assume the most coveted office of the chief election commissioner [CEC], the present CEC, Gopalswamy, has suo-motu has sent a recommendation for his removal to the president. This has raked up constitutional and institutional controversies. Before moving to the constitutional controversies, let us see the factorsthat has led to the following events.

             First, during the emergency of (1975-1977), Navin chawla was secretary to the Lt.governor of Delhi. The SHAH commission that inquired into the “emergency excesses” has described him to have behaved in an authoritarian manner and misused the power in a way to disregard the welfare of the citizens. The SHAH commission also declared that he is not fit to hold any public office.

             Second, in 2006, the BJP submitted a petition to the president for his removal, along with the consent of about 200 MPs. The reason cited was, chawla’s jaipur based Lala chamanlal education trust has secured MPLADS funds from 4 congress MPs. They accused that chawla was allotted 6 acres of land from the congress government of Rajasthan. So the BJP accused him of having leanings with the congress.

             Third, BJP also filed a petition in the supreme court challenging his integrity and impartiality. As, the litigation headed no way, they ultimately with drew it.

             Now, the present CEC, Mr.Gopalswamy has recommended for his removal (suo motu) to the office of the President of India on the grounds of “partisanship”. Now this has raked up the major constitutional controversy. The election commissioners are treated on par with the chief election commissioner in terms of functions, salaries and allowances. Only difference is the chief election commissioner acts as the chairman of the commission with administrative responsibilities. To protect the independence of the election commission from the arbitrariness of the executive, the constitution of India holds that he shall be removed by the way of impeachment for proved misbehaviour or incapacity. To protect the office of other election commissioners, the constitution of India has laid that, the other election commissioners cannot be removed except on the recommendation of the Chief election commissioner. It does not mean that CEC has his free will for the removal the other election commissioners. The convention is that the objective of the removal of the election commissioners should start from the political government. Only based on that, the CEC can give his recommendation. But in this case, the CEC has himself initiated for the removal of the election commissioner.

             Reading by the lines of the constitution, the CEC has the right to recommend for the removal of the other election commissioners to the president. But according to the democratic convention, the initiation for the removal of the Election commissioner should initiate from the political government. The constitution has rested the “recommendation” power on the CEC only to protect the independence of other election commissioners from the arbitrariness of the executive. So one more testing time for the president, supreme court, constitution and the democratic values. Let us see what stands the test of time?

RAMA SMILES [ONE MORE FEATHER ON THE CAP OF FANATIC HINDUISM AND RABID CULTURALISM]

Two days before, there was a Tv coverage on the brutal incident of the Mangalore pub attack. A group of about  forty young ruffians, in the name of acting for the just cause of protecting Indian culture, marched towards the Mangalore pub, shouted against the so called betrayers of Hindu tradition in obscene words, vandalized the pub, chased and molested the innocent girls, drove out the entire group with the full presence of media and finally, they were satisfied as having participated in the Anti-aparthied movement of Nelson Mandela. Some even go to the extent of defining the combing operation as “RAMA SMILES”. Very well, what can I say about this? INDIA SHINES. There are also other aspects that need to be worried about.

           First, the media is well informed about the attack. Even a group of media persons came to the spot well in advance to shoot the atrocities in live. Not only the media should directly picturise the social realities, it is also their social responsibility to prevent the riot. They should have atleast informed the local police by spending a one-rupee coin in a local Telephone booth. If they are not willing to spend their hard earned money, atleast they can beg for a one rupee-coin from the near by passers and do that. Is this the point where the competitive journalism has landed itself? Are they not ashamed? What happened to their ethics in mass journalism? If you media people do not do anything, and remain as a silent spectator, you are also the perpetrators of mass crime.  Do you view the general public as mere consumers? So, it is the time for the administrative and the police machinery to take stringent actions against these irresponsible media thugs for not sharing the information with the police in advance.

           Second, dear victims of the Mangalore attack, consuming alcohol in a pub is a legal activity. There is nothing wrong in it. In this democracy, you have each and every right to live a life the way you like. But, in most cases, the pub going girls are always accompanied by the male counterparts, may be boy friends or something similar like that. What happened to them, when the mob attacked? Why do you have a friendship or company with these coward Romeos when they fly off the incident, not even showing a single form of resistance. Atleast, in this Valentines day, select some one who is really brave and help you in your tight corners. Never ever become a victim once again in your life time.

           And finally, to the activists of  ”SRI RAM SENA”. Do not aim for the cheap publicity like this. There are so many pressing issues in each and ever corners of this country that deserves attention. There are loads of people deprived of  food, shelter, economic, political and social status. Take up their cause. Work for them. Do not indulge in these uncivilised acts any more. Of course, Pramod Muthalik went to the extent of justifying this horrible incident as a measure to save “Mothers, sisters and daughters” [MSDs here after]. You can ensure that your own MSDs are brought up in the tradition as your like. You can grow your MSDs as you like. You can curtail the rights of your MSDs. You can ensure that nothing offensive to the tradition(like alcohol) enter in any of their physical cavities(like mouth). But do not extend this immoral policing to other MSDs.

           The centre piece of the story is the debate of “BUDDHA SMILES VS RAMA SMILES”. Of course, when ever our Indian nuclear experiments succeed Buddha smiles. When ever these erotic savage occurs Rama smiles. Once Rama smiled in Tamilnadu, Sethusamudram project has been putoff. Now Rama smiled in Karnataka, girls have been curtailed of their rights in public places. If Rama continue to smile in other parts of India, what can I say then…?INDIA IS NOT ENOUGH.

THE ROMANTICIST PHILOSOPHER OF ARAB-ISRAELI LOVE STORY [FROM COLONELL QADAFFI TO MAHATMA QADAFFI]

Very recently, I read an article about the one state solution propounded by the Libyan ruler MUAMMMAR QADAFFI for the Arab-Israeli conflict. He has been the greatest thinker of pan-Arabism and pan-Islamism. His ideas always revolved around the unity of the Arab countries, the cause of the Palestinian people and the liberation of Palestine from the imperialist clutches of the Zionist Israel. But I don’t understand his intention behind his recent “ONE-STATE SOLUTION” to the Palestinian-Israel conflict on the following grounds.

 First, why does the Arab world take a moderate and soft (POLITICAL) stand to Israel which has a scant regard for human rights and the future of Palestine. Israeli defence forces go on killing the Palestinian civilians in the name of so called combating terror.

 Second, Israel has not respected the UN mandate or the international public opinion in general and the Arab public opinion in particular.

 Third, Israel does not want the Arab-nationalism to foster on a separate Palestinian state. Even it has succeeded in creating the divide between the HAMAS led by Ismail Haneyah and FATAH led by  Mohammed Abbas with the back up of the western intelligence, money, and the muscle power.

 

Fourth, Israel has never recognized the rights of the refugees who have fled in a mass exodus to resettle there. It does not take responsibility for the mass exodus of Palestinians in 1948 war (AlNaqba) and the aftermath.

 

Fifth, Israel has no intention of ceding Eastern Jerusalem in the hands of Palestine.

 Sixth, Israel has constructed illegal settlements in the region of west bank, and has no intention of evacuating its settlements from the west bank.

 Seventh, its economic blockade of Gaza has resulted in human sufferings.

 Lastly, “operation Castlead” of Israel has killed nearly 1500 Palestinian people starting from December 2008.

 When Israel is brutally attacking the Palestinian civilians, it is not fair on the Libyan ruler to express his idealistic ideas of one-state solution. Any ideas of final settlement should focus towards the practical and pragmatic solution of independent Palestine state with complete Palestinian authority and sovereignty. So, Mr.qadaffiji, your Gandhian ideals will not solve the Arab-Israeli problem