Bihar witnessed 52.24% turn out, in the first phase of Assembly Election, seems that people have voted wholeheartedly despite the ongoing pandemic, which itself is a sign of vibrant democracy. Bihar elections are no litmus test either for BJP-JDU combine, or LJP or even Mahagatbandhan, because each party has failed Bihar in every possible way. Nitish, who like a trapeze artist jumped from Lalu’s swing to catch BJP rope in time, made a mockery of the mandate. BJP shamelessly accepted the bait and went on to govern as if they are elected to rule.

If you see the trend of the campaign, vast crowds are turning out to attend the public meetings addressed by RJD’s Tejaswi Yadav in a clear indication that the young leader has captured the imagination of Bihar electorate. People’s response to such rallies enables us to see which way the wind is blowing. His promise to create 10 lakh new jobs, seems to have galvanised the youth. In contrast, Nitish turned out to be faring poorly in every way. He made booze ban his main plank. Of late his government has been facing flak over its handling of pandemic, particularly in the wake of the return of the lakhs of migrant workers to the state and resultant rise in unemployment and rural distress. The widespread damage caused by floods has further added to the woes.

Narendra Modi Ji has conveniently skirted his failure to fulfil the promise of special state status, and special package for state and establishment of a central university in Bhagalpur made in the run-up to 2015 Assembly Elections. As such Bihar is at the bottom of the pyramid of economic indicators, while Nitish being the CM of the state for 15 years, so he cannot blame Congress as usual for their failures, at least in this case.

Lok Jan Shakti‘s Chirag Paswan’s open hostility towards Nitish, and his idolisation of Modi Ji highlight that some moves in the game of politics are at times beyond our comprehension, as Lalu, the patriarch of RJD is in Ranchi jail, while veteran Sharad Yadav has been suffering from ill-health, and a prominent Dalit leader Ramvilas Paswan died recently. Their heirs seem to have not just taken over the reins but have also taken over the narrative this time. The LJP which has a strong Dalit support base, reiterated support to Modiji, while fielding candidates against JDU, has lent its credence to the argument that it was part of saffron party’s long term strategy to edge out Nitish.

As such Bihar being a politically significant state and the election results are bound to have a significant impact on the course of national political scenario.we may have wait for the remaining schedule to be finished to come to some conclusion 

t’s shocking to note that ahead of Bihar polls, the BJP has come out with a promise of free Covid vaccines for all in the state if voted to power. Deplorably the vaccine has become part of poll rhetoric even if it is non-existent. It's appalling to see that ”a party with a difference” is dangling the non-existent vaccine in front of Bihar voters to woo them. The electorate is sought to be dehumanised when they are asked to barter votes for vaccines. I feel it’s a sheer moral bankruptcy to attempt to make political capital out of a pandemic that has discombobulated our lives.

More shocking is the governments of Tamilnadu, MP following the suit by announcing free vaccine for all, as elections are going to take place soon, while TS also not lagging in offering free vaccines, keeping Dubbaka & GHMC Elections in view, without realising that it’s implicitly saying that official benefits will now flow selectively among those who vote for it as quid-pro-quo, which sounds as bad as a public threat. Worse, it is not just another instance of poll populism -- it’s an attempt to manipulate the anxieties caused by the most lethal pandemic to have ravaged the world in more than a century. No doubt poll promises have no face value anywhere on earth. Still, BJP promises every Bihari a free vaccine if voted to power is not acceptable. Anyway, such promises of unrealistic nature where no vaccine is at near sight, let alone completely ready in midst of a pandemic are unfair. This only proves that the party is fearful of being defeated and hence is selling this fear of pandemic to the people. If the Centre wants to give away vaccines free of cost, they have to do so in the entire country not only Bihar or so.

After the dismal performance of the JDU-BJP coalition in handling pandemic, the returnee migrant issues, and not to forget the recent floods, the NDA must be offering free vaccines to woo the electorate. It should instead focus on improving the conditions in core sectors like Education, Employment,&Health care, etc 

If cynical opportunism is what BJP is playing at, to defend its electoral position in Bihar then Bihar can also ask about the promise of a “special package” that has been spoken of ad nauseam by CM Nitish for more than a decade. Politics over the vaccine, taking the center stage instead of addressing pressing issues of reviving the ailing economy and growing unemployment affirms that all political parties have a single point agenda to win elections at any cost using all gimmicks.

When health has been State subject the governments have to take a call over the distribution of vaccine once it gets ready under the universal program while all political parties jumping into the fray to make all tall promises like a free vaccine is a serious issue that requires the urgent intervention of Election Commission, lest it will be a mockery of an entire poll system.

The Bombay High Court granted bail to Rhea Chakraborty who was pronounced guilty by certain TV channels for driving actor SSR to suicide, siphoning off his money, and dealing narcotic drugs. The court observed that Chakraborty was not guilty of any offense of embezzlement of opium, External dealing narcotic drugs, financing illicit trafficking, and/or any other offense involving commercial quantities. Ever since the 34-year-old actor was found dead, many news channels had falsely cooked up theories of his murder, a witch-hunt against his girlfriend Rhea. There is no need to pinpoint which are the channels and who are all the anchors shouting from housetops, everyone knows, who are all doing this type of dirty tricks to get TRP ratings and political patronage. Under pressure from the media trial, the case was handed over to CBI for further investigation.

Media is supposed to be the fourth pillar of democracy and report unbiased news. This case is a perfect example of how media houses sensationalise news rather than reporting facts. They have become a tool for political parties to disseminate their political propaganda to polarise the masses. Further news debates are being used as a platform to distract people from important issues rather than being informed.

There was no denying the fact that in addition to investigations and interrogations Chakraborty must have become the target of patriarchy, politics, and media trails. Notwithstanding the absence of solid evidence to prove that she had hand in his death, she was still labeled as a “murderer”, worse she received rape and murder threats. Many news channels declared her guilty even before the law did.

However numerous questions arise from this drama that surrounded the false murder case. The most unfortunate aspect being the wastage of precious time and resources by the investigating agencies to delve into a case that had been constructed on speculation, allegations, and wild imaginations.

Chakraborty admitted that social criticism and media trails had adversely affected her and her family’s mental health. What kind of democracy are we living in where an accused person undergoes all kinds of mortification, trails, and alienation before she is even proved guilty? Nobody can forget the day she was manhandled by the media. A woman’s image was tarnished for the vested interests of others. I feel, she deserves a public apology from the perpetrators, while there is an urgent need for implementation of rules laid down by existing media regulatory bodies, and it is important both Centre and state governments show maturity and rise above partisan political considerations in dealing with such complaints.

Unfortunately, it looks like "Beti Bachao" is just a mere slogan for our honourable Prime Minister. Not a day goes by without a report of a rape case or sexual harassment, at least from Dec 2012, when a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was gang-raped in a moving bus in Delhi. She ultimately succumbed to injuries. Now despite protests by opposition parties demanding justice for Hathras victim, it’s shocking to hear another rape and murder of a Dalit girl in the same state of UP (Balrampur). This shows the Law&Order has completely failed in UP. Criminals and convicts have become fearless, and it’s a really sad state when we have to demand justice and protection from the government. When we will all be treated equally and women feel safe? Hathras rape and murder of a 19-year-old girl speaks of volumes about the harrowing conditions in which young girls live their lives. BJP shall cry for the blood the rapists and gun for the government, wherever they are not in power but will behave differently in states where they are in power. UP police’s step to cremate her body in the dead of night, by apprehending and threatening the victim's parents, who were held “hostages” in their house and couldn’t even see her face or perform the last rites. The UP Government is famous for staged encounters and nexus with criminals and denying the 19-year-old dignity even in death, is appalling. This is the state ruled by a person who calls himself a “Yogi” who looks the other way, encouraging his administration to do the same while the defenseless pulped female victim was treated worse than a discarded rag and unceremoniously cremated by cops. Even stray puppies receive more attention.

India reported 405861 cases of crimes against women in 2019, and UP tops the list with 59853 cases, according to the annual National Crime Record Bureau’s “crime in India” 2019. From 2018, the rate of crime against women has risen by 7.3 percent, with the country recording an average of 87 rapes every day in 2019. Assam reported the highest rate of crimes against women at 117.8 per lakh population.UP also had the highest number of crimes against girl children under the POSCO Act, with 7444 cases followed by Maharashtra, 6402, and MP 6053 cases.

Before forgetting the Hathras the shocking gang rape in Balrampur was a shame. This is the country where women are personified as Goddesses but they are treated without least sense of humanity. Is it not crucial to know where are we going? Is it not our responsibility to protect our daughters from these gruesome happenings?