Opinion Divide and rule

Organiser launches a scathing attack on the UPA,saying that 65 years after Independence,it continues to perpetuate the policy of divide and rule,and providing benefits to small sections of society instead of following the principle of “Bahujan hitaya,bahujan sukhaya” (for the good of the larger majority).

“What else do we make of the persistent onslaught on Hindu interests and identities by a minority government,led by a non-elected,nominated prime minister,with all the major offices of the state and the ruling party reserved for individuals with [the minority tag and [a deliberate attempt to divide and subdivide and micro-divide the Hindu society in the name of caste,sub-caste,mini and minuscule castes for special state patronage”,asks the article. It adds,though,that India’s economy is thriving in spite of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh being at the helm.

Panchjanya also has a similar editorial,where it marks the 63rd Republic Day by commenting on the failures of the Congress-led government on several fronts,including price rise and terrorism.

Junking UID

The Organiser also attacks the government over the Unique Identity scheme (Aadhar),raising the fear that the initiative may be scotched because of objections raised by the Planning Commission,the finance ministry,the standing committee of parliament,NGOs and Home Minister P. Chidambaram. “Is it that Sonia Gandhi does not want it? Because no other power in the UPA would have prompted such a massive opposition to a scheme launched with such fanfare. Perhaps an identity card might in many ways save the poor man from the crimes of the powerful as mentioned above,” it says,while referring to an article in The Economist that has praised the UID scheme.

Refugees at home

An article on the Reangs of Manipur by Ram Madhav,national executive member of the RSS,claims that the tribal community has been facing religious persecution in their own state just like Kashmiri Pandits did in Jammu & Kashmir. Also known as the Bru community,they are the only non-Christian tribe in the region,who,having resisted conversion in the Christian-dominated region,are now having to pay a price for it,claims the article. “It is 14 years since they had become refugees in their own land. Escaping from the marauders,thousands of Reangs fled into the neighbouring state of Tripura. For the last 14 years they have been living there in seven different relief camps. A total population of nearly 35,000,these Reang refugees today lead a pathetic life,” Madhav says,adding that whatever help they are getting is only from the Tripura state administration and organisations like the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.

Charging the Central government for showing very little interest in lessening their plight,Madhav demands a proper repatriation and resettlement plan for them. “Talks for drafting this plan should be held in a free and fair manner. So far,the tripartite talks between the Mizoram government,the Central government and the Reang leaders used to take place in Aizawl only. In an intimidating atmosphere in Aizawl,the Reangs fear that they can’t get justice. The talks should take place in Agartala or Guwahati so that there can be free and frank discussion,” the article says. “The political rights of the Reangs need to be safeguarded in any such agreement failing which the entire community would lose its identity,” it adds.

Guarding J&K

ANOTHER article in Panchjanya says that it is a challenge for India to foil foreign conspiracies over Jammu and Kashmir. It is important to defeat the falsehood spread by extremists and anti-nationals and understand the real picture regarding J&K,especially,it says,when Pakistan has always tried to keep the issue alive at the international level. As part of its strategy,Pakistan has also depended on the United States and the West to ensure that the focus does not get diverted from Jammu & Kashmir. However,in the light of changes in the international situation and the ensuing faceoff between the West and Islamic countries,Pakistan has been compelled to turn towards China in its J&K project,the article claims. “Unfortunately for India,it continues to stand at the very crossroads where it stood when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru left it because of his shortsightedness,” Panchjanya says.