Satisfying a Politician

What a relief that Mr. AR Antulay is now satisfied on how Late Hemant Karkare became a martyr.

Yet another instance of a parliamentarian belittling our confidence. Another politician stooping low to indulge in vote bank politics. Its funny that these people dare pull a fast one on "we the people" and use a death of one of the most courageous and intelligent police officer.

Does he really have the privilege to speculate in public? Shouldn't these "esteemed" politicians especially a Union minister be far more cautious about what they indulge in public, unless the governement has failed to satisfy them? Truly, I think such instances should be causes for defamation, as these acts are nothing short of defaming the intelligence of voters and of the nation.

"All doubts in this respect have been clarified", says Mr. Antulay. Well, is he doubting that there was a terror attack in Mumbai? Or does he believe that it was one huge Bollywood set? Or he only sees through the vote lens and believes he will please some voters by speculating on a soldiers martyrdom?

Unfortunately, we the people get swayed by conspiracy theories. This might sway some as well. But such make believes especially when politicians indulge in it irresponsibly, should be delat with - swiftly.

He is satisifed.

But I am not. Hopefully, neither are "we the people". Especially the ones in his constituency.

Terror and Laws

Knowing that India has a strong anti terror law, where they can deny bail, use statements made in police presence as evidence and charge someone for terrorist activities, would Ajmal Amir Kasab, or any of his associates, have refrained from committing the act?

Even without such laws, Hyderabad police could wrongly detain 21 muslim youths for almost a year and torture them. Those people have since been released and compensated. Imagine if POTA were in place. Would a cop have the courage to say these are wrong detention or would they have rather continued detention under POTA or a TADA.

Less than 2%, I think, has been the conviction rate under POTA or TADA. Quite a few are still behind bars after several years. And imagine giving the powers to state and state police the power to arrest, interrogate, take statement and basis that statement, convict someone for offences as foul as terrorist acts. Can we as a nation even handle such power when even the simplest are abused by those in charge? Can we afford to have a police officer with such sweeping powers? Not even a metro can afford it where there is awareness and media presence. Rest of India can definitely not.

Its not about the law - it clearly does not act as a deterrant as most of those who commit these offfences are suicidal. Its about the enforcement agencies - low on education, and understanding (they arrested the Noida doctor for daughters murder claiming illegitimate relations because they used to exchange mails??), training (are they equipped to handle latest weapons, or even aim and fire, investigate?), motivation (over worked, under paid) and free of influence (political masters - Corporator, MLA or any other small time politician can influence their promotion or posting).

The need is to reform policing and make the police force answerable to people and not the politicians at least not the state level politicians. Train and compensate them better. Equip them with better technology. Separate policing and investigation. National Investigation Agency seems to answer two of these - an investigation agency and not answerable to state government.

Police reforms remain an issue still. The sooner they're taken up the better for the nation.

A CM we do not deserve

I don't deserve this.

As a citizen can I seek defamation proceedings against a Chief Minister for behaving worse than an animal? A dog is far better than the standards this guy measures up to. Clearly Mr. Unnikrishnan does not even need to take cognizance of this.

The CM is right, Mr. Unnikrishanan shouldnt have behaved like this. He should have taken a military action and physically hauled him and his entourage not just out of his house but out of the country. How dare he? He is not even playing his age leave aside a CM. Someone needs to tell him that as a CM he is a public servant and Mr. Unnikrishnan not just public but also a martyr's father. He does not have the authority or even the maturity to tell anyone how one should behave or not. Mr. Unnikrishnan had every right to charge him under tresspass.

Trust me, action needs to begin at home. With these politicians. Neighbouring country or the external hand can be dealt with by our forces. We the people need to draw a line when it comes to a politician's behaviour.

Did someone say Left were educated lot?

Before we forget, lets keep pushing the envelope

If anything, Mr.Naqvi's statement about "few men in suit boot and few women pasted with lipstick and powder" clearly shows that a politician is scared that the people protesting this time are the educated ones who up until now had been happy indulging in drawing room politics.
This is the fear that the politicains need to be living with. This is something that will ensure that they toe the line when it comes to behaving in.
This is a constituency which hardly goes out and vote. If they start voting, politicians do not know how to go about their business with the same as callousness. A victory of sorts this. Should egg us on to push the envelope further.