THIS IS WHAT INDIA IS! The youths’ upsurge amplifies hope for realizing the idea of India

Muhammad Abdullah Javed
December 21, 2019

The Upsurge of young souls with heart stirring voices, clarity of claims and an untiring and fearless attitude towards CAA and NRC has unarguably portray what in reality India is? It’s a clear demonstration and personification of what preamble of our Constitution proclaims. The persistent voices of students and youths from nook and corner of our country has made it clear what spirit of the idea of India is? Yes we are leaving in India of the 21st century with nicely blended collective conscience of the past legacy, squarely imbibed in the heart and soul of the young generation.

Unarguably, the immaculate thoughts spelling out from the radiant faces, speak of a new and vibrant India. The youth of our time have successfully rallied the spirit of indefatigable efforts of their elders. Congratulations for reminding us the united struggle that our ancestors have ensured in the past.

At present, the students voicing their concerns against the inhuman, draconian and undemocratic Citizenship Amendment Act has put the nation on hold. After the independence, seldom we found such protests, uniformly having their presence in the entire country, inspiring the students and youths to come out on the streets and stand on their toes to see truly secular and democratic country.  Let us summarize their efforts and know the extent of hope for realizing the idea of India:

1) At the backdrop of recent moves of the Government and the speedy way of passing various Bills, the silence prevailing throughout the country has largely been perceived as death of collective conscience, with very negligible and minimal voices against the unhealthy moves. Now, after the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizen (NRC), the showcase of concern from the younger generation has proved that perception was wrong. Their efforts are now being authenticated and appreciated as they are up against a move which is completely against the spirit of the Indian constitution. 

2) The students move has revived the hopes of millions and inspired to dream big. The silence in the recent past was not just silence, rather it was gaining momentum; the unwarranted moves of Party in Power have piled up and charged the younger generation to hold protests across the country to make everyone feel the presence of their living conscience.

3) The way students and youth have argued and put across their evidences to dismiss the rationality and logic of both CAA and NRC is judicially and morally perfect. The crux of their arguments perfectly integrate with the spirit of the Constitution, that in a secular and democratic country, sectarian and biased decision is strictly unwarranted and prohibited.

4) The protest not only unleashed the loopholes of this law but also brought forth the issues that were smartly put behind the veils. The unpleasant moves of the Government are now being further exposed by connecting them with issues like economic slowdown, unemployment, failure of the agrarian sector, ineffectiveness of the institutions, human rights violation, role of puppet media etc. Hats off to the intellect of our youths, they have decently argued and proved the connection between demonetization, GST and the present day’s economic slowdown. The discrepancy between the spirit of the constitution and the CAA and NRC, and the disparity between the promises and actions.

5) The way our leaders have argued with loads of lies and manipulations to assert their moves on different occasions in the recent past, was remained unchallenged so far. The ongoing protests appear to be a wider platform to unleash the flip side of their unwarranted moves and let every citizen know the truth behind.

6) Since India is secular and democratic nation, this spirit has been so deeply percolated that in spite of spreading propaganda, ensuring institutionalized efforts, Spirit of unity in diversity remain unaffected. Though the recently passed law seems against the Muslims and other backward classes, but the majority of protestors were from other religions. This speaks of the heightened spirit of India’s multi-religious set up. The souls of our elders might have found a new abode to rest in peace. With these united efforts we have realized their dream of keeping India a beautiful garden of plurality of cultures and faiths. 

7) The protests across the country and the message they impart are nothing but a clarion call for those who are at the helm of affairs, that the Indian citizens will remain united and will no longer remain silent over their underperformance and lame excuses. The citizens of new India prefer “welfare politics” over “divisive politics”.    

8) The unity among students and youths, clarity of objectives, focused and gallant efforts and a never say die spirit is a treat to watch. India is blessed to have millions of young citizens of this caliber. Their excellent academic and moral development will surely make India, a super power. 

The Destination of Protests?

What these protests will result, the time will reveal, as off now the present scenario has strengthened the united struggle, there are clear indications that the Government will ensure definite changes to suit our demands. But let us not subscribe to any patchy move. The only thing that can satisfy collective conscience and stop the spree of protests is repealing the law and assuring of strengthening the democratic and secular values. Else, there will be absolutely no stoppage and compromise. 

What next?

The organized efforts ensured so far, the depiction of boldness and uncompromising spirit have actually revived hopes of the millions to dream big. Let us advance this struggle and ensure that all those loopholes will get filled that are badly tarnishing the image of our country. Let us keep striving for upholding human rights, in particular women’s right, better economic and education system, uncorrupt and dignified institutions and flourishing agrarian sector. Let us take a pledge to make India of our dream where everyone lives happily, finds tens of ways to develop, discharge the assigned responsibilities and work for the betterment of country and the countrymen.

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News Network
May 6,2024

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Bengaluru: The Congress and BJP will lock horns on the electoral battleground again in less than a fortnight in Karnataka, as the stage is set for the second phase of elections in the 14 remaining Lok Sabha seats on Tuesday.

It is going to be a straight fight between the ruling Congress and BJP in Parliamentary segments in the northern districts. The JD(S) is not contesting in these seats and is supporting its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner -- the BJP.

The state has a total of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies. The first phase of polling in 14 seats in most of the southern and coastal districts was held on April 26.

A total of 227 candidates -- 206 men and 21 women -- are in the fray for the second phase.

More than 2.59 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 28,269 polling stations where voting will take place between 7 am to 6 pm.

The segments where elections will be held on Tuesday are: Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere and Shimoga.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had swept all these 14 seats, defeating Congress and JD(S), which were in alliance and ruling the state then.

Having scored a thumping victory in the Assembly elections last year, the Congress now appears determined to put up a strong show.

Karnataka is the most important state for the BJP in south India as it's only here that it has held power in the past.

Speaking to PTI, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Meena said adequate security arrangements have been made for Tuesday's polling.

"Around 1.45 lakh polling officials have been deployed across the 14 constituencies. In addition, 35,000 civil police personnel, 65 companies of Central Paramilitary forces and armed police of other states will be deployed for the polling day," he said.

Besides this, 4,000 micro-observers will also be on duty and 17,000 polling stations will be covered by webcasting, he added.

Davangere has the maximum number of 30 candidates, followed by 23 in Shimoga and Raichur has the least number - eight.

Former Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and Jagadish Shettar (Balgaum), Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and Bhagwanth Khuba (Bidar) -- all from BJP; Congress' Geetha Shivrajkumar (Shimoga) -- wife of actor Shivrajkumar and daughter of former CM S Bangarappa and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani (Gulbarga), are among the prominent names in the fray.

Also in the contest are MP and veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa's son B Y Raghavendra, suspended party leader and former Deputy CM K S Eshwarappa -- both from Shimoga, former Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and ex-Minister B Sreeramulu of BJP from Uttara Kannada and Bellary respectively and retired IAS officer G Kumar Naik of Congress from Raichur.

Stakes are high for several Ministers in this phase with their children in fray.

Sons of Ministers Laxmi Hebbalkar and Eshwar Khandre - Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar and Sagar Khandre - are contesting from Belgaum and Bidar respectively, while daughters of Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Shivanand Patil -Priyanka Jarkiholi and Samyukta Patil- are in contention in Chikkodi and Bagalkot respectively.

Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of Minister S S Mallikarjun and daughter-in-law of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, is in the fray from Davangere.

The Congress' performance in the elections, especially in the second phase which covers almost all Lingayat-dominated districts, is crucial, as the party did not win one of them in 2019, and to also check whether the grand old party has managed to retain the support of a section of Lingayats -- considered as the BJP's core vote-base -- which seemed to have somewhat shifted towards it in the 2023 Assembly polls.

The Lok Sabha election is being seen as a big test of sorts for Congress state unit chief D K Shivakumar, who has made no secret of his ambition to become chief minister, amid speculations of change in guard mid-way of the Assembly term. The stakes are also high for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as victory in this election is seen as key to strengthening his hands, analysts say.

It is also seen as a kind of a "litmus test" for state BJP president B Y Vijayendra, who has the onerous task of helping the party retain its supremacy in the Lok Sabha polls, by regaining its traditional Lingayat vote-base.

Ensuring a BJP sweep is paramount for the son of veteran leader B S Yediyurappa, to consolidate his position and silence critics who have questioned his selection to the post, overlooking seniors and seasoned hands.

The ruling Congress is mostly banking on the implementation of its populist five guarantee schemes while the BJP seems to be leveraging the "Modi factor" to the hilt.

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News Network
May 6,2024

Bengaluru, May 6: Arrested JD-S MLA H.D. Revanna, the son of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, on Sunday said that there is no evidence against him in the sex video scandal kidnapping case and that it was a "conspiracy" against him.

Talking to the media, while being taken for a medical test before being produced in front of a court here, Revanna stated that a kidnapping case had been lodged against him though he does not have 'one black mark' against him in his entire career of 40 years.

"Without evidence, I have been targeted... All allegations against me are false. My arrest has been made out of ill intention," he claimed.

"The case was lodged on April 28, then, they did not have any evidence. Later, the fake evidence was created on May 2 and I was fixed," he alleged.

Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara stated on Sunday that a Blue Corner notice has already been issued against Revanna's son and MP Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in the sex video scandal, as he is believed to be abroad.

"The Interpol will communicate to all nations and he will be located. Once he is located, the SIT will take a call on how he should be secured and brought back to India," he added.

Revanna was arrested on Saturday on charges of kidnapping one of the victims of the sex video scandal.

Parameshwara further maintained that the arrest of Revanna has saddened JD-S leaders and if action was not taken, the SIT would be blamed too.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge refused to comment on the alleged sex video scandal involving Prajwal Revanna.

About Revanna's arrest, he said that the SIT would initiate action as per the law. "Those indulging in such acts must be taught a lesson and justice should be given to the families of victims. No one can escape the law. No one should use this case politically," he stated.

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News Network
May 12,2024

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Mangaluru: A native of Kerala was arrested on charge of misbehaving with crew on an Air India Express flight while travelling from Dubai to Mangaluru International Airport. The man even threatened to jump from the aircraft, according to officials. 

Siddartha Das, the security coordinator for Air India Express, lodged a complaint against the passenger, identified as Muhammad BC from Kannur, Kerala, after which he was caught by the airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru. He was later handed over to the police.

DCP (Law and Order) Sidharth Goyal said the incident occurred on Flight IX814 on May 8.

When the flight was above the sea, Muhammad reportedly said he wanted to get off the plane, posing a threat to all on board. The unruly flyer was detained by airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru International Airport and he was handed over to Bajpe police station officials.

Sources added once the flight took off from Dubai, the accused went to the lavatory and thereafter started inquiring with the cabin crew about a person named Krishna who was not on the flight. Muhammad kept on pressing the bell for in-flight assistance, even though the cabin crew members were near at hand. He then picked up a life jacket, gave it to a crew member, and said he wanted to use it upon landing.

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