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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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India News

INDIA Bloc protest intensifies, Opposition MPs plan Rajghat march

The INDIA bloc has planned another round of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Opposition MPs expected to march to Rajghat on Thursday.

Published

19 hours ago

on

October 8, 2026

By

The INDIA bloc is set to intensify its protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Opposition MPs expected to march to Rajghat on Thursday.

The fresh mobilisation comes a day after several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, were detained during protests against the Election Commission. The leaders were later released.

The Opposition has been demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over allegations linked to electoral rolls and what it has described as “vote chori”.

Opposition leaders discuss next course of action

INDIA bloc MPs met at a cafe in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the next steps in their protest. Following the meeting, the leaders were expected to proceed towards Rajghat.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted an INDIA bloc luncheon meeting on Wednesday, after which buses were arranged to transport MPs. Several Opposition leaders later staged a sit-in and raised slogans demanding the resignation of the poll body chief.

Mamata Banerjee among leaders expected to join

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is likely to be part of the Opposition’s 10-member delegation that will meet President Droupadi Murmu on Friday.

The INDIA bloc has also sought an appointment with the President. Ten Opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, have been given an appointment to meet the President on Friday.

The INDIA bloc had sought a meeting with a 15-member delegation, but Rashtrapati Bhavan agreed to a 10-member delegation.

Case against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi

The Delhi Police has registered a case against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other leaders and workers over alleged misconduct during the protests.

Police sources said the FIR alleges assaulting police personnel and obstructing government work during Wednesday’s protest.

The INDIA bloc’s agitation follows an earlier march towards the Election Commission headquarters, during which Opposition MPs demanded action over their concerns regarding electoral rolls and alleged irregularities.

Election Commission protest continues

The Opposition has announced further protests as it seeks to keep the issue in focus.

Congress has described October 8 as a “Black Day” nationwide, while Opposition MPs are continuing their campaign against the Election Commission.

The latest protest comes amid heightened security at CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Delhi residence and around the Election Commission headquarters.

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India News

Delhi Building Collapse: Many trapped as 5-storey structure comes down

A building collapsed in Delhi’s Seemapuri area on Wednesday, with several people feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams have reached the spot.

Published

2 days ago

on

October 7, 2026

By

A building collapsed in Delhi’s Seemapuri area on Wednesday, with several people feared to be trapped under the debris.

The incident took place in northeast Delhi, where emergency teams were rushed to the site after the collapse was reported.

Rescue operation underway

A search and rescue operation has been launched at the site as authorities work to determine whether people are trapped beneath the debris.

The Delhi Fire Service received information about the collapse at around 3:30 pm and sent fire tenders to the location. An official said some people might be trapped in the debris.

The incident has prompted an emergency response in the area, with rescue personnel working to locate anyone who may be trapped.

Collapse comes a month after Satya Niketan tragedy

The Seemapuri incident comes about a month after a building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, where people were trapped after a multi-storey structure came down.

Further details about the Seemapuri collapse, including the number of people trapped and any casualties, are awaited as the rescue operation continues.

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Bhagwant Mann hits back at BJP over CBI search in Sangrur

Bhagwant Mann hit out at the BJP over a CBI search in Sangrur, alleging political targeting and claiming the agency returned empty-handed after a nearly six-hour search.

Published

2 days ago

on

October 7, 2026

By

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the BJP over a CBI search at the residence of his officer on special duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Sangrur, alleging that central agencies are being used against political opponents ahead of elections.

Mann said the CBI action was an indication that elections were approaching and accused the BJP of using agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate against Opposition leaders or their associates.

“The CBI raid shows that elections have arrived,” Mann said.

The Punjab Chief Minister cited cases involving Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and leaders close to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while alleging that central agencies have been used ahead of elections. He also said Aam Aadmi Party leaders faced similar action before the Delhi Assembly elections.

Mann says CBI returned empty-handed

According to Mann, the CBI search at Gharachon village in Sangrur lasted nearly six hours.

The Chief Minister claimed that the agency “did not find anything” during the search and returned empty-handed. He alleged that the action was part of a BJP conspiracy to defame him and his government.

Mann also linked the CBI action to the BJP’s anti-drug campaign in Punjab and questioned the political impact of the campaign.

He alleged that the CBI action was politically motivated and intended to create a narrative against the AAP government ahead of upcoming elections.

CBI search at Mann aide’s house

Earlier, a CBI team searched the house of Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Gharachon village in Sangrur.

The search triggered a political confrontation involving the ruling AAP and Opposition parties. Representatives of Waris Punjab De and Akali Dal Punar Surjeet gathered in the village and welcomed the CBI team.

After the CBI vehicles left the area, people were seen beating dhols, performing bhangra and showering flower petals on the vehicles carrying the agency officials.

Sources cited in the report said the CBI was investigating allegations involving people accused of causing significant losses to Punjab and looting public money.

BJP hits back at Bhagwant Mann

BJP leader Tarun Chugh criticised the response to the CBI search, calling it an “extraordinary display of shamelessness”.

Taking a swipe at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Chugh said the time for political drama was over and that those responsible would have to answer for money allegedly stolen from the people of Punjab.

“Stop the drama. Let the investigation proceed and let the facts speak,” he said.

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