Opinion Lokpal impasse

There are serious reservations about inclusion of the superior judiciary within the Lokpal’s purview. I,for one,am of the view that such a provision would be inconsistent with the existing legal and constitutional provisions regarding removal of judges for proved misbehaviour. Judicial accountability is important but so is judicial independence,which would be seriously impaired if the alleged misbehaviour of the Supreme Court and the High Court judges is to be adjudicated upon by the Lokpal. Clearly,there are genuine differences which can be further discussed and also debated in Parliament and if necessary,referred to a Standing Committee. Disagreement with Anna Hazare team’s draft should not be construed as betrayal by the government. After all,there has been convergence on many issues. Continued dialogue is the way forward. Threat of a fast unto death on August 16 before these vital issues are debated in Parliament is most inappropriate. Indeed it smacks of pressure tactics.

Pak’s contribution to jazz

Jazz is a universal language which transcends national frontiers. This became apparent during the Jazz Yatras and Utsavs organised by Capital Jazz. Russian,Bulgarian and Polish jazz musicians who could not speak a word of English,communicated eloquently with English speaking jazz musicians through their instruments. The language all musicians understood was the key in which the composition would be played which would be indicated by the pianist and that’s all the musicians needed to know for their rousing performances.

Pakistan has made a unique contribution to jazz music. A group of ageing musicians from Lahore has made an album of jazz standards and bossa nova blended with Hindustani music. The album features unique reinterpretations of classics like Dave Brubeck’s Take Five,Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Girl From Ipanema and Errol Garner’s Misty. Businessman Izzat Majeed and Mushtaq Soofi undertook the task of tracking down these musicians and putting together an orchestra which has given a fresh lease of life to these musicians who had worked with great ustads and belong to famous gharanas. They were respected and given patronage but things changed during Zia-ul-Haq’s military regime.

It was a thrilling sight to watch on the TV channels Pakistani musicians in full white Islamic robes with violins firmly in their hands,swinging away to Dave Brubeck’s Take Five. Pakistan’s break-through in jazz could have a salutary effect on the present frosty Pak-US relations and also contribute to Pakistan’s stability. Never underestimate the power of jazz.

Humourless Indians

It appears we have become humourless. We fail to see the funny side of life and react disproportionately to certain events. The trouble is that we take ourselves too seriously. Take the example of Sushma Swaraj dancing and singing patriotic songs at the Rajghat. I have interacted with Sushma when she was at the Bar and later on as Cabinet minister. To my mind,she was at her relaxed best at Rajghat. Yet,we heard angry cries of sacrilege. The spectacle of our Foreign Minister S M Krishna,a keen tennis fan,enjoying tennis at Wimbledon for which he had paid for the tickets,caused an unsporting furore. Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remark that the Congress has become a circus,taken out of context,was furiously condemned. Mani was called a clown and a loose cannon who had behaved in a most unbecoming manner. Arguably,Mani’s remark was politically incorrect. However,the reaction was excessive. Apparently,we have lost our sense of proportion and in the bargain,jettisoned our sense of humour.

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