09-04-2006, 01:19 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Nothing is fair in games & politics </b>
Arun Nehru
Pioneer.com
As for politics in India, the vendetta syndrome continues and Ms Maneka Gandhi is added to the list on rather irrelevant issues. And in Parliament it takes Mr Kapil Sibal, Mr P Chidambaram and Mr Priyaranjan Das Munshi to deal with her as she accuses Congress president Sonia Gandhi of vendetta. Clearly, whether it is Ms Jaya Bachchan (on the Office-of-Profit issue) and her family, Mr Mulayam Singh, Ms J Jayalalithaa, or for that matter, Mr Natwar Singh and his family, there is a growing feeling that they are being targeted.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>There is no doubt that Ms Sonia Gandhi is making a big mistake. The hunters always become the hunted</span> and few in the political game are worried about Government agencies, be that the CBI, Enforcement Directorate or Income-Tax Department. Nothing lasts forever, and it is not unusual for the same officials to be investigating both the "hunters and the hunted" for the same offence.
<b>Ms Maneka Gandhi and her son will be formidable campaigners and public sympathy will be in their favour as personal vendettas are unleashed to frighten them.</b> I think all concerned are aware that only insecure leaders threaten others with their own insecurity.
<b>Mr Arun Shourie must be next on the list, and I pity those who have to confront him with corruption charges. There can be differing viewpoints, but to malign someone with Mr Shourie's integrity is sheer political stupidity</b>. Politics is a hard game and those who throw punches must be prepared to receive a few in return. And in these cases, you may well receive 10 for each punch delivered. It is sad that better sense does not prevail.
There is no shortage of "eminent" lawyers in the Congress party, but not one of them had the time or the nerve to anticipate the future implications of the action initiated on Ms Jaya Bachchan. After many twists and turns the matter is still in the Supreme Court, and look at the political cost of this blunder. All these acts have very little political support and it would be wise to remember that leaks and spills always take place from the top. There are few secrets where the orders are coming from. And I think all this is unnecessary, as retribution will come sooner than later in one form or the other.
All Governments deny racial profiling. While the intent may not be there, the fact remains that daily activities are conducted by 'normal' human beings and after 9/11 there is a clear and visible bias. Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones may not have meant it when he called South African cricketer Hashim Amla a terrorist for sporting a beard. Similarly, events in Amsterdam, where 12 Indian Muslims were detained, jailed and later released, indicate that all is not well.
An apology in these matters is not enough. It needs to be understood without doubt that profiling on the basis of looks and name (religion) will only create further alienation. It will be fair to say that while the majority of Muslims are against terrorists and murderers, there is a growing feeling that the community in particular and Asians in general are subject to 'special treatment'.
Genuine mistakes will take place but a punitive gesture is necessary so that certain things are not taken for granted. <b>There should be no doubt about the fact that Governments or security agencies are basically not 'racial'.</b> This despite the fact that individuals can have extreme views and proper screening is necessary before staffs are deployed in sensitive areas. Security issues require intensive training over several years but the threat perception and attacks multiply by the day. So the Governments have little option but to deploy staff at all levels on an emergency basis.
<b>I visited Guwahati, the capital of Assam, a few days ago. Having some experience of security systems I observe the quality of staff and I have little hesitation in saying that the security checks, procedures at the airport were outstanding and the best I have seen in many years. Firm, polite and very thorough and I watched the drill till the last passenger was cleared. There was no relaxation by the staff. </b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Arun Nehru
Pioneer.com
As for politics in India, the vendetta syndrome continues and Ms Maneka Gandhi is added to the list on rather irrelevant issues. And in Parliament it takes Mr Kapil Sibal, Mr P Chidambaram and Mr Priyaranjan Das Munshi to deal with her as she accuses Congress president Sonia Gandhi of vendetta. Clearly, whether it is Ms Jaya Bachchan (on the Office-of-Profit issue) and her family, Mr Mulayam Singh, Ms J Jayalalithaa, or for that matter, Mr Natwar Singh and his family, there is a growing feeling that they are being targeted.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>There is no doubt that Ms Sonia Gandhi is making a big mistake. The hunters always become the hunted</span> and few in the political game are worried about Government agencies, be that the CBI, Enforcement Directorate or Income-Tax Department. Nothing lasts forever, and it is not unusual for the same officials to be investigating both the "hunters and the hunted" for the same offence.
<b>Ms Maneka Gandhi and her son will be formidable campaigners and public sympathy will be in their favour as personal vendettas are unleashed to frighten them.</b> I think all concerned are aware that only insecure leaders threaten others with their own insecurity.
<b>Mr Arun Shourie must be next on the list, and I pity those who have to confront him with corruption charges. There can be differing viewpoints, but to malign someone with Mr Shourie's integrity is sheer political stupidity</b>. Politics is a hard game and those who throw punches must be prepared to receive a few in return. And in these cases, you may well receive 10 for each punch delivered. It is sad that better sense does not prevail.
There is no shortage of "eminent" lawyers in the Congress party, but not one of them had the time or the nerve to anticipate the future implications of the action initiated on Ms Jaya Bachchan. After many twists and turns the matter is still in the Supreme Court, and look at the political cost of this blunder. All these acts have very little political support and it would be wise to remember that leaks and spills always take place from the top. There are few secrets where the orders are coming from. And I think all this is unnecessary, as retribution will come sooner than later in one form or the other.
All Governments deny racial profiling. While the intent may not be there, the fact remains that daily activities are conducted by 'normal' human beings and after 9/11 there is a clear and visible bias. Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones may not have meant it when he called South African cricketer Hashim Amla a terrorist for sporting a beard. Similarly, events in Amsterdam, where 12 Indian Muslims were detained, jailed and later released, indicate that all is not well.
An apology in these matters is not enough. It needs to be understood without doubt that profiling on the basis of looks and name (religion) will only create further alienation. It will be fair to say that while the majority of Muslims are against terrorists and murderers, there is a growing feeling that the community in particular and Asians in general are subject to 'special treatment'.
Genuine mistakes will take place but a punitive gesture is necessary so that certain things are not taken for granted. <b>There should be no doubt about the fact that Governments or security agencies are basically not 'racial'.</b> This despite the fact that individuals can have extreme views and proper screening is necessary before staffs are deployed in sensitive areas. Security issues require intensive training over several years but the threat perception and attacks multiply by the day. So the Governments have little option but to deploy staff at all levels on an emergency basis.
<b>I visited Guwahati, the capital of Assam, a few days ago. Having some experience of security systems I observe the quality of staff and I have little hesitation in saying that the security checks, procedures at the airport were outstanding and the best I have seen in many years. Firm, polite and very thorough and I watched the drill till the last passenger was cleared. There was no relaxation by the staff. </b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->