Opinion RSS vs inequality

While India has scored badly in almost all the parameters set out by the UN for the HDI,the article points out that,apparently paradoxically,the number of millionaires and billionaires in the country has increased: “This is prima facie evidence of the loot that is going on in the country. Just 1 per cent of the population is cornering all the wealth and growth of India… Instead of the seep down of a growing economy,where even the last man in the queue gets something,the reverse is happening. The common man is being squeezed to feed the insatiable greed of the rich and the mighty.”

The editorial goes on to say that on the one hand,India is recognised as a world-class location for F1 races,tickets to which are sold for Rs 1 lakh,and on the other,hunger and lack of basic amenities are common and female foeticide rampant. India has among the highest indicators of gender inequality,notwithstanding all the schemes initiated by Central and state governments. The editorial argues. “So where does all the money go? In a market economy,the top takes it all.” It adds that the India growth story has been stymied by nepotism and corruption,which are “eating away at the very foundation like termites.”

Jaitley for AFSPA

Organiser has also reproduced a note penned by the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha,Arun Jaitley,on why the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act should be continued in Jammu and Kashmir. The article argues that AFSPA may be harsh,but is necessary in J&K,as it is the only effective instrument available to deal with situations in “disturbed areas”. AFSPA protects personnel of the armed forces against legal proceedings,as they cannot be prosecuted without the sanction of the Central government.

The lax CBI

The Sangh Parivar’s Hindi weekly,Panchajanya,in its lead editorial,has come down heavily on the CBI,charging that it is a puppet in the hands of the government because it is now “trying to set free” — by not opposing the bail — the eight accused in the 2G spectrum case who are in Tihar jail,including DMK MP Kanimozhi and former telecom minister A. Raja. The article says it is thanks only to the courts that the eight arrested have not been able to free themselves: “Lust for power and ill-gotten money compelled the government to turn a blind eye,with even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh becoming a silent spectator as the country’s wealth got plundered. When matters started to come out in the open,the government tried to hush up the matter with the assistance of the CBI,even as the government citied coalition compulsions and pressure from the DMK. Thankfully,the courts posed a hurdle in the UPA’s plans,” it said.

UID for Bangladeshis?

Another article in Panchajanya warns of the “danger” of the UIDAI’s Aadhar card being “misused by illegal immigrants,especially from Bangladesh and Pakistan.” It alleges that the “leaders of some political parties” are involved in getting Aadhar cards made for such illegal immigrants,as they view them as votebanks. These leaders had earlier got ration cards made for the illegal immigrants,it charges.