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It’s Mayhem in Cuckoo land

Published

9 years ago

on

PM Modi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Ranjona Banerji

Apart from eternal optimists who live in cloud cuckoo land where lollipops grow on trees and no one ever gets diabetes, there is a palpable disquiet amongst the people of this country. Three years ago, a very large number of Indians – at least 31 per cent – really did believe that the “good days” promised by the prime minister and his party were really coming. Two years ago, their smiles had dimmed only a bit. They were still sure that around the corner, there were rainbows with pots of gold at the end for each one of us because changing that fallacious and mischievous “70 years of nothing” would take time.

By a year and a half ago, when almost nothing was happening on the ground to clean India, skill India, job India, make in India or make India, smiles shrunk considerably. Some diehard believers argued that writers, artists, artistes, scientists, doctors, scholars, academicians, social workers, sociologists, actors, painters, intellectuals and more who criticised the government were all anti-national. Others were disturbed by the deaths of people on the suspicions of storing beef, by the attacks on Dalits including the death of students like Rohith Vemula and of the strong “Hindutva” turn that sections of society was taking.

Then disparate but frightening decisions were taken. On November 8 2016, the prime minister removed 86 per cent of currency in the market to stop black money, stop counterfeiting and stop terrorism. In March, 2017, Yogi Adityanath, strong Hindutva voice within the Sangh Parivar, was made chief minister of UP after an overwhelming assembly victory by the BJP.

In the interim, Kashmir has become a cauldron of fear and violence, Pakistan upped its attacks on India and the terrible impact of demonetisation is now an accepted economic reality.

Now those cheery smiles are forced, if they exist at all. The anger of farmers across India has galvanised public opinion and the shameless violence of criminals running amuck as “cow protectors” has laid bare the real intentions of the Hindutva lobby. Far from “good days” and “everyone developing together”, we have a collapse of law and order across states, the backbone of our economy in disarray and regressive ideas are being introduced as high points of ancient culture.

A collection of 65 retired bureaucrats have written an open letter expressing dismay at the “a growing hyper-nationalism that reduces any critique to a binary: if you are not with the government, you are anti-national. Those in authority should not be questioned – that is the clear message.

“In the face of a rising authoritarianism and majoritarianism, which do not allow for reasoned debate, discussion and dissent, we appeal to all public authorities, public institutions and constitutional bodies to take heed of these disturbing trends and take corrective action. We have to reclaim and defend the spirit of the Constitution of India, as envisaged by the founding fathers.”

Equally, there is a fear now amongst ordinary people of the unreliability of this government. That it has become a disruptive force rather than a trustworthy guardian. An artist friend tells me that this government has ruined his life because he is no longer getting commissions or clients. A hired car driver says he, his friends and family have gone back to saving cash because they have little trust in the government and no idea what it is going to do next. A businessman says that the confusion over GST has led to orders being down by 60 per cent in some sectors and the cost of even three months of chaos to an economy already in trouble is incalculable.

These are a disconnected people from disconnected backgrounds and lives. But the uncertainty and fear is real. When agitating farmers are shot by the police and the chief minister of the state where this happens, sits on a “dharna for peace” which costs the exchequer over Rs 2 crore according to some newspaper reports, what confidence does it build for citizens in Madhya Pradesh and indeed the rest of India?

Even worse, the prime minister, who tweets his pain for various losses suffered from Manchester to Myanmar, has nothing to say about the loss of lives in Mandsaur. If Manmohan Singh was pilloried for being a silent prime minister, Narendra Modi has used silence as a tool to ignore all the pain for which his party or government are responsible. On display, we have a studied avoidance of the problems afflicting India. So Modi is happy to tell you to practise yoga and wash your hands regularly but will not even pretend to shed a tear for an old woman thrashed by the Madhya Pradesh police?

Who’s smiling now?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Karnataka cabinet clears 15% internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, recruitment to begin soon

Karnataka approves internal reservation within SC quota, paving way for jobs

Published

7 hours ago

on

April 25, 2026

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The Karnataka cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has approved an internal reservation framework for Scheduled Castes (SCs) within the existing 15% quota, a move expected to address long-standing demands and restart stalled government recruitment.

The decision was taken during a special cabinet meeting and introduces a revised formula to distribute the quota among different SC sub-groups.

How the quota will be divided

Under the new structure, the 15% reservation for Scheduled Castes will be split into three categories:

  • 5.25% for “left-hand” SC communities
  • 5.25% for “right-hand” SC communities
  • 4.5% for other SC groups, including nomadic communities

The formula is based on proportional representation and aims to ensure equitable distribution of benefits among various sub-castes.

Recruitment to resume after long delay

The cabinet’s approval is expected to immediately unlock recruitment for thousands of government positions that had been on hold due to the reservation issue.

Officials indicated that recruitment notifications will now be issued, potentially opening up more than 50,000 vacancies across departments.

Long-pending demand addressed

The move comes after decades of demands from different SC communities seeking internal classification within the quota system. The government described the decision as a step toward social justice and balanced representation.

The issue had remained unresolved for years due to legal and administrative complexities, including concerns over exceeding the Supreme Court-mandated 50% reservation cap.

Political and social significance

The decision carries both administrative and political importance, as it addresses a sensitive issue affecting multiple communities within the Scheduled Castes. It also comes at a time when reservation policies continue to be a major subject of debate across states.

While the government has presented the move as a corrective step, it is likely to trigger reactions from various stakeholders, including opposition parties and community groups.

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India News

Amit Shah claims Mamata leaving, BJP coming after high turnout in Bengal polls

Amit Shah says high turnout in Bengal polls signals shift from Mamata Banerjee’s rule, predicts BJP surge.

Published

7 hours ago

on

April 25, 2026

By

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday expressed strong confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prospects in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections, asserting that the political mood in the state signals a shift away from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Speaking after the first phase of polling, Shah claimed that the high voter turnout indicates a desire for change, stating that “Mamata is leaving and BJP is coming.”

The first phase of elections recorded a notably high turnout across several constituencies, which Shah said reflects growing public support for the BJP and dissatisfaction with the current administration.

BJP predicts strong performance

The senior BJP leader went a step further, projecting a significant electoral gain for his party. He suggested that feedback from party workers and internal assessments indicate that the BJP could secure a large share of the seats contested in the first phase.

Shah linked the voter turnout to what he described as a broader shift in public sentiment, claiming that people in the state are moving from “fear to trust” and are ready for political change.

Intensifying political battle

The remarks come amid a high-pitched political contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee. The ongoing election has seen sharp exchanges between leaders from both sides, with each camp projecting confidence in forming the next government.

Shah’s comments also follow recent statements by Banerjee targeting the BJP at the national level, highlighting the broader political stakes surrounding the Bengal elections.

As polling progresses in multiple phases, the results are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the state.

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India News

Kejriwal calls MPs for meeting, sources say he was unaware of developments

Arvind Kejriwal met AAP MPs at his residence, with sources suggesting he was unaware of developments that emerged ahead of the meeting.

Published

7 hours ago

on

April 25, 2026

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In a key political development, Arvind Kejriwal called a meeting of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs at his residence, with sources indicating that the party chief was unaware of what was about to unfold.

According to sources, the meeting was convened amid signs of unease within the party. However, those familiar with the developments said Kejriwal did not have prior knowledge of the concerns or positions that some MPs were expected to raise during the interaction.

The discussions come at a time when AAP is navigating internal challenges, with indications of differing views within sections of its parliamentary leadership. While details of the meeting have not been officially disclosed, sources suggested that the interaction carried an element of surprise for the party leadership.

There has been no official statement from the party regarding the outcome of the meeting. The situation remains fluid, and it is not yet clear what impact these developments may have on the party’s parliamentary strategy going forward.

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