(Image Courtesy: PIB)

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to citizens to take a pledge for a New India has overwhelmed as well as dazed me. Overwhelmed because it has kindled a new light at the end of dark tunnel. And dazed because I realize that virtually all ex-PMs foresaw ‘New India’ during their respective tenure.

With the promises and pledges for New India galore, I find myself in a whirlpool of dreams. I find they have not led the country near the promised Utopia. 

The other day, I instantly became Bhavuk (overwhelmed) when PM saw a New India in the mandate that BJP got in recent State assembly elections.

PM ordained: “On the NM Mobile App http://nm4.in/dnldapp, take the pledge and express your commitment towards building a new India.”

He added: “A new India is emerging, which is being powered by the strength & skills of 125 crore Indians. This India stands for development. When we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022, we should have made an India that will make Gandhi Ji, Sardar Patel & Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar proud.”

I look at the heaven and ask did they not feel proud when Parliament unanimously passed ‘Agenda for India’ to mark 50 years of Independence?

From Bhutto’s to Wani’s execution, Violence has outshined Kashmiriyat  

 

 (A 1951 Serene View of Srinagar. Image Courtesy: J&K Assembly)

 

“We the people of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh, in order to unite ourselves in an atmosphere of Equality and Liberty and to lift ourselves and our children for ever from the abyss of oppression, poverty, degradation, ignorance and superstition to a life of freedom with a scientific temper and to fulfil the historic task of making the state of Jammu & Kashmir the shining crown on the forehead of the Republic of India, do hereby adopt and solemnly pledge this Socio Political and Economic manifesto,” says ‘Naya Kashmir’ a manifesto adopted by National Conference way back in 1944.

This vision is articulated by Constitution of the J&K, the only State to have its own Constitution. Adopted in November 1956, it says: “The State of Jammu and Kashmir is and shall be an integral part of the Union of India.”

How is that Kashmir swung from scientific temper and Indian Identity to naked love for Pakistan, which organized mass rape & man slaughter in J&K during October 1947? 

How has graffiti –‘India go back’ in the Valley become trademark of separatism? Why masked youth take pride in waving flags of Pakistan and Islamic State? Such people perhaps harbour the notion that they can break away J&K from India in Talaq, Talaq, Talaq mode.

They believe that break-away on the lines of Bangladesh is possible. This idea has been fuelled by Pakistan and sustained by   Valley’s popular politicians who resemble two-headed snakes. This is the Kashmir Problem. And this is what has saved Pakistan from self-destruction.

“This problem is a difficult, intricate problem, and no amount of eloquent speeches by me or by the hon. member opposite will solve the problem, It may influence us for a while,” stated Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru while responding to Kashmir problem raised by BJP member in Lok Sabha on 26th June 1952. 

(Image courtesy:Central Institute for Research on Cattle)

 

“There are allegedly hundreds of Gosadans and Goshalas in the country, which actually do not exist, in whose names people collect money and eat it up,” stated Bollywood doyen, Prithviraj Kapoor, while participating in a discussion on Gosadans and Goshalas (cow shelters) in Rajya Sabha way back in March 1958. 

Mr. Kapoor's comment elicited a wisecrack from the then Deputy Minister for Agriculture, M.V. Krishnappa: “Since cow is a dumb creature so many people are doing so many things in the name of cow.”

Fifty-eight years later, the issue of dubious people masquerading as cow vigilante has now been raised in a similar way by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

In his maiden townhall with the public held last week, Mr. Modi stated: “I get so angry at those who are into the Gau-Rakshak business. A Gau-Bhakt (cow devotee) is different, Gau Seva (cow protection) is different. I have seen that some people are into crimes all night and wear the garb of Gau Rakshaks in the day.”

It is not known whether Mr. Modi, his bete noire of Chara Gohtala (fodder scam) fame, Lalu Yadav and other leaders have read the Parliamentary and Constituent Assembly debates on all that went wrong in the name of cow protection since the Independence. But what we all know is that the stringency and violence in the name of cow protection is nothing new. It has occurred under all regimes.

The obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) shown by a section of media especially TV channels’ on exposing publicity-hungry Gau-Rakshaks is relatively new phenomenon. This is diametrically opposite to its stance on Kuta-Rakshaks who pitch for safeguarding stray dogs at the cost of human lives. Though both types of vigilante group directly or indirectly contribute to human tragedies, yet media targets only Gau-Rakshaks. The media ignores or publishes as space filers tragic news about Kuta-Rakshaks'-induced killing of babies and kids by dogs.