Swamy in soup -Harvard, India and Intolerance

This is a season of Swamis in soup for one reason or other ! Joining the bandwagon of Swamis like Nitya Nand, Ramdev, Balkrishna etc. is not so Swami like Subramanian Swamy who has stirred acdemics, inttelectuals and common man alike by his unholy (?) article.

Subramanian Swamy isn't your average summer school instructor. Swamy was a Harvard University economics professor before returning to politics in India, where he is president of the Janata Party. But he comes back to Cambridge in the summer to teach at the university, still sharing his views in India -- views that are setting off a debate at the university and in his home country.

In an op-ed in Daily News & Analysis last month, Swamy responded to a recent bombing by Muslim terrorists in Mumbai. India could wipe out terrorism, he wrote, by taking certain steps, such as declaring India a Hindu state where "non-Hindus can vote only if they proudly acknowledge that their ancestors were Hindus," or demolishing mosques, or banning conversion from Hinduism to any other faith. The op-ed's author ID didn't note Swamy's Harvard connection, but it didn't take long for word of it to reach the university.

Some students said that, while respecting academic freedom, they find it offensive that an instructor could be advocating the removal of voting rights for people of a given religion.

A petition from Harvard students and parents, plus others, demanding that Harvard "terminate" Swamy's association with the university states that he has gone beyond what is acceptable discourse. "While free expression and the vigorous contest of ideas are essential in any academic community, so, too, are respect and tolerance for human difference. By advocating measures that would grossly violate freedom of religion and the unqualified right to vote for different religious groups, and by aggressively vilifying an entire religious community, Swamy breaches the most basic standards of respect and tolerance," the petition says.

The petition also raises issues about his fairness as an instructor: "Swamy's comments cast doubt on his ability to treat a diverse community of students with fairness and respect. The highly insulting and stereotypical nature of his comments suggest that he cannot be trusted to regard Muslims -- and no doubt other groups -- with anything but a jaundiced eye."

The dispute has attracted considerable attention in India, with some groups calling for Swamy to be arrested, and with the country's National Commission for Minorities planning a discussion this week of the implications of the article.

There have also been reports -- starting in The Harvard Crimson (based on quoting the summer school dean as saying "we will give this matter serious attention") and spreading elsewhere -- that Harvard is planning some kind of review of Swamy as well. The Foundation for Individual Rights last week wrote to Drew Faust, Harvard's president, noting those reports, and calling on the university not to investigate Swamy's statements or take action against him. The statement about "serious attention," FIRE wrote, "will unacceptably chill expression among members of Harvard's community."

Despite that quote, there is no investigation, and Swamy has been teaching his courses (which conclude this week) without incident.

And a Harvard spokesman, Jeff A. Neal, released a statement Sunday that -- while noting the concern over Swamy's statements -- defended his free speech rights.

"As an institution of research and teaching, we are dedicated to the proposition that all people, regardless of color or creed, deserve equal opportunities, equal respect, and equal protection. Recent writings by Dr. Swamy therefore are distressing to many members of our community, and understandably so," the statement said. However, it added: "It is central to the mission of a university to protect free speech, including that of Dr. Swamy and of those who disagree with him. We are ultimately stronger as a university when we maintain our commitment to the most basic freedoms that enable the robust exchange of ideas."

— Scott Jaschik

The Phrase "Corruption stalls Indian Parliament" will shortly enter Oxford Dictionary

India is great place on the earth, or as BJP would say better than heavens , quoting scriptures. But latest to add to its greatness is not much to do with sciptures , religion etc , to the dismay of BJP and other such parties. Latest feather in the cap of of "Golden Bird " is being added by none other than great leaders of our oldest party in collusion/helplessness thrust by its allies. "Corruption in India" has become a buzzword so much so that Buzz, facebook and twitters are toying with the idea of making "Corruption in India" a trending topic forever. If they decide to do so then our country will sure be first to enter the Great Hall of Corruption Fame. At least now  we would be glad to be number one in the world in the area of  corruption!.

Another feather in the cap is going to be Oxford Dictionary's decision to acknowledge the Phrase "Corruption stalls Indian Parliament" as part of English language. Henceforth if someone has to express the  loot of public money, exploitation of poor etc and action of elected representatives thereon they would simply refer it by phrase "Corruption Stalls Indian Parliament".  Oxford seems to have realised that corruption and stalling legislature is going to be a phenomena across the globe. And thus we have got the honour from Queen's English.

But young children of India are no less innovative. In a recent inter school fair, children came out with the idea of "Corruption Stalls" to attract public towards their stall. Though grownups went to stall in the hope that they may get some part of  corruption booty as it might have been organised by some great politician, children had other ideas in their young unpolluted mind and they were seen selling Raja Idali, MMS Pakora, PC dhokla etc.

We should really be proud of our country and say "Mera Corrupt Bharat Mahan" !

We lucky Indians now enjoy shout and scream opera of our beloved crooks in Parliament for more than a month -Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow, uproar in RS

The Lok Sabha was on Monday adjourned for the day after paying tributes to former Haryana Chief Minister and sitting member Bhajan Lal, who died during the inter-session period. According to TV reports, uproarious scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha over the government’s handling of the corruption issue.

As soon as the House met on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, Speaker Meira Kumar made obituary reference to Lal, a member from Hissar, who died on June 3.

She described him as an able administrator and champion of the causes of the masses and worked for the uplift of the weaker sections throughout his political career spanning over four decades.

The House also made obituary references to former members Dharmabhiksham, Sribatcha Digal, Sripal Singh Yadav, L S Tur and Chaturanan Mishra.

The House also mourned the loss of lives in twin attacks in Norway, the terrorist attack in Mumbai on July 13, train accidents at Thanagaon on July 7 and at Fatehpur, both in Uttar Pradesh, on July 10.

“I am sure the House would join me in expressing grief over these terrorist attacks and tragic accidents,” Kumar said.

The members observed silence for a while before the House was adjourned for the day.

Brief adjournment in RS

Main opposition BJP and other parties today forced a brief adjournment of the Rajya Sabha by creating uproar over several issues including the 2G spectrum scam.

Immediately after Chairman Hamid Ansari read out obituary references, BJP members were up on their feet raising the issue of statements made by former Telecom Minister A Raja in the court.

They were supported by members of AIADMK who displayed copies of a Tamil newspaper. BSP members raised the issue of farmers plight and were seen moving into the aisles.

Dr. Ansari said he could not hear anyone as members were speaking simultaneously.Minutes into the din, he adjourned the house for 15 minutes till 12 noon.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2312962.ece

China gets taste of Pak friendship ? China blames terror camps in Pakistan as 20 killed in Xinjiang

 China on Monday blamed "extremists" trained in terror camps in Pakistan for orchestrating attacks on civilians in the troubled Xinjiang province, where 20 people, including alleged militants, were killed in violent incidents over two days. 

While nine people were killed in a violent attack on Saturday, another 11, including five suspected militants, were killed in another attack on Sunday night. 

A statement by the Kashgar municipal governmentsaid militants trained by the 'East Turkistan Islamic Movement' in Pakistan were responsible for the recent flare up in violence. 

"A group of religious extremists led by culprits trained in overseas terrorist camps were behind the weekend attack on civilians in China's far-western Xinjiang," state run Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. 

"Initial probe has shown that the heads of the group had learned skills of making explosives and firearms in overseas camps of the terrorist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in Pakistan before entering Xinjiang to organise terrorist activities," it said. 

The Xinjiang region witnessed massive riots in 2009, when almost 200 people were killed in its capital Urumqi, following which China launched a major crackdown against Uyghur Muslim separatists. 

On July 18 this year, 14 "rioters" were killed when they reportedly attacked a police station and killed four people in the province's Hotan city. 

This is perhaps the first time that China has pointed fingers at its close ally Pakistan while referring to ETIM camps there. Xinjiang shares its borders with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and a lot of trade between China and Pakistan is routed through Kashghar as it is located close to the border. 

There was panic in Kashgar city after militants attacked a restaurant on Sunday evening before setting it on fire. The incident left six civilians and five militants dead. The attack came after nine people were killed in another incident on Saturday. 

While five 'suspects' were shot dead by police on Sunday night, four others were caught. Fifteen persons, including three policemen, were injured in the attack, Xinhua reported. 

The regional publicity department said in a statement that a "group of armed terrorists" broke into a restaurant in the city centre in Kashghar about 4 pm yesterday and killed the restaurant owner and a waiter besides setting fire it. 

"They then ran out and hacked civilians indiscriminately, leaving four dead and 12 injured, while police and fire fighters were striving to put out the fire," it said. 

Terming it a "premeditated terrorist attack", it said police opened fire and killed four suspects at the scene, while another suspect died later in hospital. 

The area was cordoned off and traffic restrictions were imposed on major roads and squares. 

Many people were seen fleeing in horror from the downtown area as police cars, fire engines and ambulances whizzed by to tackle the second violent incident within a day. 

The attacks resembled the 2009 riots and following up incidents in which Uyghurs had attacked Chinese Han settlers in Urumqi in what police called "a severely violent terrorism case" organised and premeditated by terrorist groups. 

A crackdown ensued by security forces on ETIM, which China accuses of fomenting trouble in the region, besides Uyghur leader Rebiya Kadeer, who lives in US in exile. 

Yesterday's attacks were also reportedly directed against Han settlers, and the attacks left the mainland Chinese scared to do business in the province. 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-blames-terror-camps-in-Pak-as-20-killed-in-Xinjiang/articleshow/9440242.cms

Musing:Politicians of India practice self annihilating policies and attack each other when they should have kept mum in 2G, CWG, illegal mining

Politicians in India are unique lot in themselves. They not only defy established norms of governance, decency and society, they also defy old adage like "Chorawa Chorawa Mausiaut Bhai" (All thieves are maternal cousins). In fact no rule of nature, society, nation applies to them. Otherwise what would you say about loud voices raised by a party when other party is caught red handed but keep mum when their own men are caught. BJP and other parties have been shouting from roof top against UPA government, Manmohan Singh and others , accusing them of abetting scam after scam - 2G, CWG to name a few. But very same parties are quite when All top ministers, including chief Minister of Karnataka, have been indicted by Lokayukta in illegal mining cases. It's not that illegal mining issue have been raised by Lokayukta suddenly. Like 2G , CWG etc, this epitome of corruption has also been known to public , including BJP,  since ages (in today's fast world a year is more than a decade as public memory fades fast !). Had BJP and UPA shown respect to rules of game - social, political, decency... they would have kept mum and refrained from attacking each other irrespective of  magnitude of corruption.That way less noise would have been generated and probably their brethren would have not been tasting pakora and chai in Tihar and other such designated and respectable Jails. This would have also, probably, delayed arrival of likes of Anna Hazare , Ramdev on political scene of nation. Unfortunately politics , it seems, is self annihilating process partuclarly when your objective is to fill your coffers at the expense of poor men. They become so arrogant that  they forget that public too have some intelligence and is capable of making them lick the dust.  Let's hope smart among politicians realise that respect for rule and age old customs is important and start internalising at least "Chorawa Chorawa Mausiaut Bhai" at least. That way there is , thou remote. but hope for nation !

Alongwith Government's apathy is there lack of understanding in Civil society on how to tackle corruption ?

In Indian Express there is a  a news item that the Minister of Rural Development has requested CAG for audit of all centrally-
funded RD schemes and that CAG has agreed to this request from
September 2011. Why only rural schemes ? Why not NHRM  and other Centrally-sponsored schemes. It is important to note that in the
same newspaper a news item talks about  800 new ambulances parked in a Tata dealership in Lucknow but undelivered for want of drivers. Moreover alleged embezzlement of more than Rs 2700 cr in NHRM funds in UP has also been reported? Somewhere in Assam school children admitted and eligible for free mid-day meals exceed the number of kids born in the corresponding period in.

Al these schemes are not under complete scruitiny of CAG and government could have done least to entrust their audit to CAG. Moreover PSU banks are being used as milching cow by politicians with no accountability. Why not CAG audit for them ? These issues need to be taken up by civil society in parallel with Lokpal. Ensuring CAG's jusrisdiction to every aorganisation where government has interest will go long way in bringing transparency in the country. 

Cash-for-votes middleman names Amar Singh, Ahmed Patel

An alleged middleman in the cash-for-votes controversy related to the 2008 trust vote on Wednesday said Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh was the "main" man behind the scandal and also accused Ahmed Patel and other Congress leaders of involvement.

"I have nothing to hide, Amar Singh has the main role in this," Suhail Hindustani told reporters Wednesday after being questioned by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.

"Amar Singh had used Ahmed Patel in all this," he said, referring to the former Samajwadi Party leader and the confidant of Congress president Sonia Gandhi respectively. "Amar Singh and Ahmed Patel were working together and I helped them. There is nothing left in this case, it's crystal clear," he said.

Hindustani, who claims to be a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth wing member, also said he was called by those "close to" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "Ahmed Patel called me, big leaders of Congress called me, people close to (Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh called me," he said.

He also said that a narco test should be conducted on everyone to find out the truth. "Do my narco test, do Amar Singh's narco test, if possible do Manmohan Singh's narco test," Hindustani said.

The questioning of Hindustani came a few days after Amar Singh's former aide Sanjeev Saxena was arrested by Delhi Police.

Saxena is alleged to have tried to bribe BJP MPs Ashok Argal, Mahavir Bhagora and Faggan Singh Kulaste into voting for the Manmohan Singh government in the 2008 trial of strength over the Indo-US nuclear deal. Bags filled with currency notes were shown in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2008, minutes before a trust vote was to take place.

Hindustani was called to the Crime Branch office this morning for questioning, where he appeared with supporters and a bouquet of flowers for the senior official questioning him. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/cash-for-votes-middleman-names-amar-singh-patel-ahmed/articleshow/9296695.cms