What:

For a country where per capita income is less than fifty INR, 4000 Crore is in no-doubt a baffling and astounding number. And perhaps, that is why the expose of the Koda scam transported many Indians to the early nineties when they first heard about top politicians involved in a scam. A scam which transcended party boundaries, engulfing over 115 top-rate politicians and bureaucrats – the Jain Hawala Scam (1993).

The Jain-Hawala case, so named after the prime accused, sent shivers down the spine of the Indian masses when am journalist Vineet Narain, Editor of Kalchakra decided to begin his crusade against the corruption in the society.

Among those who were charge-sheeted included the names of political bigwigs such as LK Advani, Arjun Singh, Yashwant Sinha, Kalpnath Roy, Devi Lal, Pradeep Kumar, VC Shukla, Balram Jhakhar, Madhavrao Scindia, RK Dhawan, Sharad Yadav, Buta Singh, Kamal Nath, Natwar Singh, Madan Lal Khurana and many more.

The then Prime Minister, Late Narasimha Rao also came under the cloud of this scam for his extra-enthusiastic involvement in the investigation of the case. This scam shook the people of their religious and spiritual roots when Chandraswami (a Godman) was found to be an active part of this, many other scams, some of which were alleged to have closer ties with the Hijbul terrorist.

For more than half a decade, several cases linked to Jain-Hawala were heard by the High Court and Supreme Court. However, the Jains, along with other politician named, were acquitted unscathed by the honourable court for the lack of evidence.

The CBI which probed the case was constantly criticized for the manner in which the case was dealt with. The court felt that the Jain-Diary, which had scribbled details of the transaction, wasn’t admissible evidence, and since, the CBI couldn’t produce any other substantial evidence, the case slowly went Out Of Focus.

Why

The Jain Hawala scam is much diminutive, compared to the one we hear nowadays. Time and again, similar scams or of much larger nature such as fodder scam, Harshad Mehta, Satyam etc. have surfaced in the media, proving that the appetite of the politicians and bureaucracy have grown exponentially.

The 4000cr scam, in which a former CM is allegedly involved, just accentuates the point that the hunger for money hasn’t ended, and has endless boundaries. Earlier, the two-digit Crore scams had an involvement of over 115 alleged beneficiaries; today a single man has the capacity to eat up 150 times of such a large share of exchequers money.

Since, the 9/11 happened countries around the world are engaged in a crusade to exterminate the Hawala channels which are used by the terrorist organisation for funding their activity.

It is impertinent to nib the buds of such funding if the governments across the globe intent to get rid of the terrorism malice.

How

The case was slowly and systematically hushed up by the end of the 20^th century. The media too, after a certain point lost the interest and track of the case. After all, stories die after a certain time-limit in the media, and this time-limit is directly proportional to the interest the public sustains over a particular incident.

The Supreme Court was disappointed by the CBI, which soon was tagged as a puppet of the govt. by the public and media. Some experts believed that the CBI didn’t had the business to deal with this case, as they feel that the cases under the FERA should have been left to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). On the other hand, there are those who sympathise with the CBI.

A former CBI director, in an article in the Indian Express (published on 16 September, 1996) had stated that the CBI never had a case. He said that the CBI was under the pressure to act or else it would have been blamed for inaction.

Retired Chief Justice of India, J S Verma had blamed the CBI’s incompetence for the charge-sheets ending up in a fiasco.  However, the CBI stuck to its statement and said that substantial evidences existed, and that the High Court had made a mistake calling the evidences as non-admissible.

What Chakraview stresses:

The members of Chakraview know that in a country that has been built over the principles of democracy and Justice for all. Let us not give another chance to the people to mull and say, the system killed another hope. Hope that we live in a country where justice is assured not just because of legal obligations but from a whole-hearted effort of those who create the system.

26^th November 2008; Mumbai wakes up to yet another terrorist attacks, possibly the worst in recent years. It is of deep concern that Hotel Taj which is often portrayed as the Indian hotel industry’s and tourism’s prince had to face the enemy bullets tearing its superiority. Even though the hotel few weeks back had raised the security, in the wake of the Islamabad attacks. Here are the few bullets to brief you about the attacks.

· Around ten different places in Mumbai were attacked by a group of terrorists in the wee hours of 25^th November. Following were among the places attacked – Hotel Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Hotel Oberoi (Hotel Trident), Victoria Terminus, Marriott Hotel, Café Leopold.

· Around hundred people have been feared dead. Many foreign tourists were taken as hostages.

· ATS Chief Hemant Karkare and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar were killed in the exchange of firing between the terrorists and the officers.

· The police sieged the Taj premises and curfew has been imposed in the nearby regions of Oberoi and Taj Hotels. Schools, colleges and market have been shut down.

· The heritage part of the Taj built in the early 20^th century has been partially destroyed by the fire that broke out as the consequence of blasts and firing.

· An unknown group Deccan Mujahideen has claimed the responsibility of the attacks. According to various reports, around 16-20 terrorists in the mid twenties or early thirties planned the attack and used the water route to enter the Taj premises. Police claims to gun-down nine of the terrorists and is jointly operating with the NSG (national security guards), Black Commandos, Marine forces and army to combat the attackers.

Mumbai once again proved to be a soft and favourite target for the anti-social and anti-national elements which breed within our own soil. I can’t digest the theory of terrorists being imported to our country for the sake of attacking. If we see the modus operandi of attack, the terrorists used small raft kind of boats to reach the Taj Hotel, which is in the very vicinity of the Gateway of India. Any such attack cannot be carried out without the local help. There are some questions I would like the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Deshmukh to answer:

· Didn’t the police force have any idea about the attacks?

· How can a group of around 20 people just barge into the prominent ten places in Mumbai and carryout such organised attacks so easily?

· From where did these terrorists get these rafts?

· Gateway of India is one of the very prominent tourist attractions, why is the place so easily accessible to anyone?

· The attack on Victoria terminus or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus only points to the fragile security setup. Your take on the same.

· How could the terrorist easily kill a few policemen and drive away with the police vehicles?

This attack is not just the test of the morale of the fearless Mumbaikars, but the test of the ever boastful intelligence and defence departments of India. Since, these raft like boats aren’t designed to travel long distances, I am almost certain that the terrorists have been living in the neighbourhood from quite sometime. The police force and the intelligence will have to own up to their failure to prevent the attack; not only this, but all those that shook Mumbai in the recent past.

ATS Chief Hemant Karkare and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar laid down their lives while trying to defend the prestige of their country. I fear whether they will also have to go through judicial enquiry to prove themselves as martyrs just like the Bathla encounter episode. This attitude of the politicians who try to take political mileage out of even the brave attempt of the few dedicated officers would just end up in demoralising the whole police force. I mean, why would I, as an officer, lay down my life, only to be faced with enquiry for traitor?

The mushrooming trend of small unknown terrorist groups is another point of concern; firstly it was the Indian Mujahideen, now it is Deccan Mujahideen (allegedly). Police may say since these terrorist groups have little or no trace of existence in past, in country with a population of over 100 Crores ,it is difficult to monitor the movements of each individual.

The attacks carried out on Mumbai were by a few youngsters in the age group of 24-35, which seriously points towards the failure of the government, both Centre and state, to develop a sense of security and better prospects for these young minds. The radicalism is not only injected to them through their personal experiences, but by the politicians as well, who time and again reinstate that the country hasn’t been fair to them.

The soft pedaling of terrorism in India by repealing POTA and unexplained rationale behind the delay in the execution of Afzal Guru will only strengthen the will of these terrorists who, be it in the name of Hinduism, Islam or be it any other religion, opt to such inhuman measures of retaliation and agitation. No denial that POTA was draconian, but it still worked. I wonder why we keep on feeding these terrorists with the exchequers.

Contributed By

Supreeth Sudhakaran

Editor and Member  – Chakraview

 

After I saw the much awaited movie ‘Fashion’, I said to myself “Madhur Bhandarkar, you missed it!!!” The movie couldn’t raise an issue which every fashion freak is obsessed with, that is the ‘size-zero’ factor. Priyanka who looked quite sluggish on the ‘Fashion-ramp’ slashed out at ‘size-zero’ trend in order to defend herself before the film got released. On the other hand Kangana who looked in perfect shape preferred to charm the show-biz with her stunning power walks on the silver screen.   

Fashion industry has shifted its focus and so has the models. To get a highly accentuated look, the models go for a starving regimen. But ‘Size zero’ is not just about having skin and bone, a model needs to have a bustline and a good butt to complement the waistline. So, in order to get such a look many models ruin themselves by getting all fat. On the other hand some has to go for surgery to get their curvatures right.

This western trend is fast catching up; forget about our leading female actors, the skeletal physic has affected all the fashion loving girls. Recently, Kareena made a news by saying that she loves eating ‘Aloo k Paratha’ and ‘potato-chips’. This craziness has even taken a toll on the young girls; they are trying to emulate such skeletons. A few years back a young Delhi-based model lost her life due to over-dieting. I guess this issue needs to be taken up on an urgent basis.

The young girls who are madly after such ‘unhealthy-trends’ misses on important nutrition.  We cannot expect the parents to control everything that their kids do especially when it comes to who they view as a fashion icon. The Miami, Paris and Madrid Fashion Week were the first ones to take some tangible action in this regard by banning models with low body mass index. It is certainly a welcome move because beauties aren’t there to showcase themselves; they are there to represent ‘women-folk’ in general.  

Fat is unhealthy and looks horrid and so does the too skinny person. Therefore there is a dire need for fitness freaks to put some meat on their ideas regarding ‘beauty and fashion’.

 

 

Contributed by

Pratik

(Associate Editor & Member-Chakraview)

Hindutva does not teach destructive extremism. It might sound a bit ‘hardcore hindutvavadi’. But I simply could not stop myself from writing on this issue, after watching the news channels depicting the whole lot of Hindu organizations as supporters of terrorism, using caption like ‘आतंक का स्कूल? ‘, ‘मुश्किल में भाजपा!’, etc.

Let me make it clear that I am not affiliated with any party or organization. I am an Indian, a bit frustrated with the situation of the nation.

This is in connection with Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, the main accused in Malegaon blasts. She along with the two army-men, allegedly having links in Malegaon blasts are subjected to Narco tests. Mr. Vilas Rao Deshmukh said that on one hand people talk of having strict action against Terrorists, POTA and now they question the method of handling this case. Well, Mr. Deshmukh, the charges have not yet been proved on them. They are just ‘Suspects’. And in this quite-a-large country of ours, there is a large number ‘suspects’.

Well, I am a bit confused with the Government’s attitude towards extremism. Here, I am speaking in connection with Afzal Guru and Gilani. Gilani, a professor of Delhi University ‘allegedly’ had links with the attack on Parliament. He is a free man now simply because of Lack of Evidence. How interesting! He shared a house with main accused of the attacks and has been freed because of lack of evidence! Also, one man spat on his face and thus was heavily criticized by Congress backed organizations. What the f man! I wish all Indians learn to spit on the faces of terrorists. What the Congress want to do with this so-called secular outlook? Is it here only for vote-bank politics?

Your views may strongly differ from mine but in my opinion, it is simply a pre-election strategy adopted by the UPA. Let me put it this way… Suppose all charges on Sadhvi Pragya and other accused are proved. Then it is alright to take actions. After all, this ‘आतंक के बदले आतंक’ attitude will not lead to a better India. But my question is, why has the government suddenly become so hard on terror involving Hindu suspects? Well, I am not against Islam; but I am against this approach of the UPA Government. Why is Afzal Guru not being awarded capital punishment? Why Gilani, a terror suspect (with lack of evidence of course) allowed to teach in a reputed institution? Well, I consider this is the worst way of earning Muslim vote bank. Muslims are not ignorant minority. I wish they get to know and unveil your ‘secular’ intentions sooner than later!

The ATS was never so keen on any other case! They have alleged Malegaon blast suspects for having links with other blasts too, without any ‘evidence’ of course. There is something fishy, दाल में कुछ काला है!!

This policy of appeasing both communities being pursued by the government for electoral gains and pose as secular is a vicious cycle which will become difficult to break. Well, this is not a new phenomenon. Rajiv Gandhi, right back in 1985 had a golden chance to reform the obsolete Muslim civil code and get the application of uniform civil code. Had he not overturned the bill, we would have been living in a nation somewhat free from Hindu or Muslim Fundamentalism.

 

Contributed By

Abhishek Choudhary

Member – Chakraview

So, after a long ‘who would be the 44th US president’, Barack Hussein Obama is the President-elect for the esteemed post. And the ‘White House’ will now have a ‘Black President’. It is a historical moment in the US. 50 years ago, the Blacks were segregated from the national mainstream and today, a black is to serve as the President of USA. Well, it is definitely a big achievement. But what implications it has for India??

People say that Obama is a better choice for Indo-US ties but I feel that any US President, be it a Democrat or a Republican, would foster better ties with India, considering her growing importance in International politics. It is a global reality and no one can deny it.

Obama is critique of Bush’s method of war against terror. He favours withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. This certainly is not very good for India because the terrorists might get ample time to cement themselves in Pakistan and India’s position will be jeopardized. However, Obama is all set to cooperate with Pakistan to tackle militancy.

Obama talked of Kashmir issue. He suggests Pakistan to look towards India with confidence. This US intervention in bilateral issue of India and Pakistan might upset the ongoing negotiations on Kashmir. However, it will be good for India to have an internally stable Pakistan as her neighbor.

Talking of Nuclear trade, you may recall that Obama voted against Indo-US Nuclear Deal in the Senate. Also,he may pressurize India to sign the CTBT (Comporehensive Test Ban Treaty). However, he also talks of having better relation with countries like Iran. This will certainly help India and thus we do not need to worry much about energy security.

So, a final question… Obama talks of change. But do you think that this over-enthusiastic man will be able to tackle all the pressures and steadily maintain those stands which he talked of during his campaign? Or will he appear as someone else over a period of time (as we are used to see in the case of leaders of India)?

Anyways, whatever be the future, one statement of Obama impressed me a lot…                “One voice can change a room. If it can change a room, it can change a city. If it can change a city, it can change a nation. And if it can change a nation, it can change the world”

Well, I do believe in his idea of ‘change is all we need’ and hope that he will help to make this world a better place.

 

Contributed By

Abhishek Choudhary

Member – Chakraview

Finally the Star India Private Limited has got enlightened to stop almost a decade old torture of the K-soaps. The decision, though might have broken a million Aunty-hearts, the uncles would be laughing and satisfied that now they would have better odds of getting their dinner on time.

The worst part is that the decision was not mutual. The Star Parivar suddenly felt the need to take the K-serials off-air, after they failed to generate the hype they once could. Balaji Telefilms have warned to sue the channel for breach of contract. Mata Ekta seems to be really on hot metal as her recent productions failed to click. I wonder whether she should sue Star or Sunita Menon. I mean, isn’t she who advices Ekta on all her projects? I hope she would have warned Ekta about this tough time beforehand; otherwise, she would be next in the line to face Ekta’s ire.

The Star TV has been going through a rough patch lately. They have not been able to air latest episodes of its shows because of some administrative problems and strike by the producers. From past one year, all their most awaited programs have simply failed to strike a chord with the audience. Take for example the much celebrated entry-exit of ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai’. Even the new episode of the ‘Voice Of India’ lacked sheen.

However, Star One, the sister venture of Star, has gained popularity among the Gen-X with shows like Remix, Dil Mil Gaye etc, zooming ahead of channels like Bindass TV devoted to the young viewers. On the popularity of ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ (which entered its fourth season this year), the channel has also been able to entice a few mature audience as well.

The Star TV built its reputation over the TRP’s generated by the K-Soaps and of course, Kaun Banega Crorepati. Since Kaun Banega’s season 3 was nothing less than a disaster, they can’t launch its fourth season. On the other side, Ekta’s K-serial script writers are now devoid of any new tricks to push the TRP’s to rise. Cosmetic surgery, illegitimate relations, grand-daughters of grand-daughter, twenty year leaps, horrifying secrets, take-over….now what?? There’s a limit to everyone’s wild imagination!

No matter what Balaji Telefilms might say Star could not afford to carry on torturing their viewers, especially when the K-serials didn’t seem to conclude themselves. Forget it Ekta, they couldn’t afford to continue their sick alliance with the K-soaps which were hurting their cash registers. Star really needs to build a new face for itself…probably it should solicit the help of Ekta’s scriptwriters. After all, they hold expertise in reincarnations and plastic surgery!

Bye bye Ekta…Thank you Star Parivar!!

Contributed by

Mohini Katoch

(Member – Chakraview)

Terrorism has become a natural hazard for those living in cities. I am unmoved. So is everyone.

We all sit in front of the television, sigh and shed tears for those who died and those who lost their loved ones; then eat our dinner and go for a sound sleep. It’s as if terror is like a nasty road accident, as quickly as it happens, it vanishes from the public memory. Today we are shocked, tomorrow we shall sympathize, and day after we shall all forget but those who received the scars of terror. They will never forget. They will never forgive. They will never recover.

Just because we were not there by chance we feel that we are not supposed to worry ourselves. I look around and feel that I totally agree with these lines “God left this place a long time ago”. Now it’s as if an epidemic reproducing agents of chaos is eating away the very vestiges of our nicely ‘decorated’ ‘civilization’. What are we proud of? Is this what progress implies? The more civilized we get, the more we feel like eating each other away. This neo-cannibalism is the return gift; ladies and gentlemen; for the celebration of the pilgrim’s progress, the pilgrims of chaos.

contributed by

Ritika

(Member – Chakraview)

Homosexuality is not a  new term for india  but lately is being repressed on the grounds of our Indian culture, morals and values.It is interesting to note that our very own history predominantly exemplifies homosexuality in various forms. In Indian epics and chronicles, there are occasional references to same-sex intercourse. Probably the best known are the erotic sculptures adorning the celebrated temple architecture of Khajuraho, where one can find couples of the same sex entwined in ecstacy alongside the regular couplings of members of the opposite sex.Even if not part of the mainstream, the very existence of homosexuality was acknowledged in India and although not approved, there was some degree of tolerance when the act expressed itself in heterosexual terms – when men ‘became women’ in their desire for other men, as the hijra legacy suggests.

Coming closer to the present day situation, the question that pesters me the most is that “is our approval or disapproval of same-sex affection and intercourse dependent on ancient values,the same ancient sources that institutionalised the caste system and approved the subservience of women?” And I get my answer from the very fact that the law that illegalizes union of the same gender came not from religious fanatics of any kind, but surprisingly,from the British during the days of their rule in India. And while the west has begun to come to terms with this controversial lifestyle, India is still governed by laws made by Westerners in a different age altogether.

In today’s urban India, cases of homosexuality have an undeniable presence. However for a vast majority of them, secrecy is not just preferable but necessary. Keeping sexual activity of this nature under wraps has led to the serious threat of AIDS and STDs in the population. Harassment by the authorities is also commonplace for those indulging in the outlawed encounters.

A recent study conducted by the UNFPA in rural India has found that male-to-male sex is not uncommon. ‘‘In fact, a higher percentage of men reported male-to-male sex than sex with sex-workers. Close to 10 per cent of unmarried men and 3 per cent of married men reported sex with other men in the past 12 months,’’ says the study.

Few days back, the Court was hearing a petition filed by gay rights activists seeking decriminalisation of gay sex among consenting adults which, at present, is an offence under Section 377 of Indian Penal Code. According to Section 377 of the IPC, framed in 1860, ‘‘Whosoever has carnal intercourse voluntarily against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall be liable to fine.’’. The NGO, which works for AIDS awareness, had filed the PIL, seeking to declare section 377, IPC as violative of right to equality (Article 14), right to freedom (Article 19) and right to life and liberty (Article 21) of the Constitution.Calling it a “social vice” and “a reflection of a perverse mind”, the Central government opposed scrapping of Section 377 of IPC even as it came under fire from Delhi high court for its affidavit which contains divergent stands as stated by the home ministry and health ministry. The Central government earlier have described homosexuality a disease and as an indecent behaviour in society. It also claimed that homosexuals comprise only 0.3 percent of the population and the right of rest 99.7 per cent population cannot be compromised for them. In effect, the NGO limited its plea to toning down of the act to legalize private consensual sex between consenting adults. The health ministry, on the other hand, is in favour of scrapping the penal provision.

The court’s observation came when additional solicitor general PP Malhotra, appearing for the Centre, contended that homosexuality is a disease, which is responsible for the spread of AIDS in the country. A WHO paper says that it is not a disease but being treated as a disease in india. It is an accepted fact that it is the main vehicle that causes AIDS, but it is not a disease by itself.

It is highly aggrieving that rapists, if convicted get only 7 yrs of jail BUT these consenting adults, or “QUEERS” as we like to call these good human beings in ways that matters most in this world, get 10 yrs of imprisonment. Gays are beaten up and even raped under the cloak of this law.Two years ago, gays were forced into medication to ‘cure’ them. This mistreatment included shock and aversion therapy. On petitioning the NHRC, the case was rejected in the light of Section 377.

Let me cite that I am not at all in favour of repealing the section 377 entirely. Removing it altogether will legitimize other unacceptable and peculiar forms of sexuality. In my view, if laws are supposed to represent socially-acceptable dos and don’ts, then a new mindset is the need of the hour. Otherwise, normal human beings will continue to suffer inhuman exploitation just because nature has nourished them with the need to be different. My view is that that the act should be amended to help the homosexuals to come out of the closet and to protect them from such inhuman and insensitive behaviour in the backdrop of this inequitable law. It would also enable social workers, health workers and doctors reach out to the affected without fear of legal impediments.

Through this forum I would like to convey that there is nothing distinctive about  the homosexuals.They are very much like us only. Relationships are defined by comfort levels and not societal sanctions. They should not be subjected to any kind of discrimination because of their sexual preferences. The first few steps have been taken by some intrepid souls in what is destined to be a long-drawn battle for acceptance and we, the youth must take up the task of changing the mindset of the nation to this controversial subject.

Contributed by

Anjali

Member – Chakraview

This guy from Patna dared to talk with Raj Thackrey in the sole language which is understood by the MNS or Shiv Sena…. The language of Gun-shots.

Mumbai police shot him dead. I don’t criticize the police for this. They are here to maintain law and order. But I want to ask one question — Why a different way to handle a similar violent streak?? Why this double-stand?? The police should have arrested and interrogated him first rather than simply shooting him.

Yes, I agree that it was not the best way to express one’s resentment. But put yourself in the place of those young men from Bihar, UP who are afraid to sit for competitive exams in Maharashtra. Earlier, they feared the violent Shiv Sena and now, the Raj Thackrey led MNS. Is this the way to live in a so-called free nation? Surrounded by fear in every step you take?

This young man, Rahul, must be fully aware of what will be the aftermath of such an act. However, he showed everyone what shape a common man’s resentment can take.

I remember one movie, ‘A Wednesday’, which showed how roughly a common man’s anger could shape-up. If you criticize the character played by Naseer-ud-din Shah in this movie, then it is fine to criticize Rahul’s act.

I don’t mean to say that all of us should come up in arms. Also, a Rang De Basanti sort of attitude is impracticable. I am also not against the Gandhian non-violence. I only want to say that one can talk of such ideals only when the other person understands this language. Do you think it is of any use to speak with Raj Thackrey about Constitutional ways to meet one’s demand?? At least I don’t think so.

 

Contributed by

Abhishek Choudhary

Member – Chakraview

“I am not against conversion. But I’m against modern methods of it. Conversions nowadays have become a matter of business, like any other.”-Mahatma Gandhi.

In the fixture of ‘Politics and Conflicts’, balance of terror is used to counter the rise of another community. This is what happened in Kandhmal district of Orrisa. In an impoverished ‘state of affairs’, Panas (a scheduled caste) grew at the expense of Kondhs (the majority tribal community). The Panas, benefited from conversion, which offers some economic security and educational opportunities. Legally speaking, a convert ceases to enjoy the benefits of reservation but on account of the unregistered conversions they continue to enjoy their Scheduled Caste status. The social-economic imbalance due to large scale conversions of Panas greatly endangered the interests of the Kondhs. The murder of Swami Lakshmananda brought the problem to the surface and the Hindutava forces got legitimacy for going on a rampage.

While reading the newspaper on a dull Saturday morning I was aggrieved by the agony and pain a nun underwent during a press conference. The nun had been allegedly raped and paraded half-naked in Kandhmal on Aug. 25 by some Hindu roisters following the murder of Swami Lakshmananda. The reluctant nun was brought in the press conference only after a lot of persuasion by the church authorities. I felt pity for the nation where in the name of bringing justice for the community, a woman was disgraced before the media. In this massive propaganda game of religious communities, the emotions of a nun are least important.

Owing to the large scale conversion, the Hindu community has suddenly developed an increased sense of ‘community consciousnesses’. The anti-conversion forces like Bajarang Dal, Rastriya Swayamshevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are exasperated to save their religion from blatant encroachment by Christian missionaries. They claim to be the saviors of Hindu interests but in that process they resort to gross negligence of even basic human values. The caste oppression is still a huge stigma attached with the Hindu community. But our so called Hinduatva forces forget to trace out the flaws in our own system. Their activities have been mainly centred on checking the growth of minority community.

I definitely don’t support RSS or Bajrang Dal but at the same time I have a serious problem with the Christian missionaries who seems to be facing a serious ‘identity crisis’. Article 25 (i) of the Constitution defines the ‘Right to Freedom of Religion’ quite categorically: ‘all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion’. Propagation makes no sense at all without the possibility of convincing others of the validity of one’s religious beliefs and rituals. Thus religious conversions are permissible till the extent that it does not amounts to use of force or fraud.

A bill to ban conversions should be brought to immediate effect to restore the social order. If we can talk about banning of ‘Bajrag Dal’ than we can should certainly not shy away from talking about the misadventures of Christian missionaries in India. The Niyogi Commission set up to enquire into Christian missionaries activities in India, suggested a complete ban on conversions unless explicitly proved to have been entirely voluntary. Taking clue from this the government can pass a legislation to shift the onus of proof on the missionaries and converts, thereby discouraging forceful conversion and giving validity to the genuine ones.

The controversies over conversion greatly damage the fragile social fabric of our nation. In the name of conversion, Kandhmal violence and the nun’s rape is symbolic of ethnically turbulent India which can least afford to give way to any short of religious propaganda.

Contributed by

Pratik

(Associate Editor and member- The Chakraview)