The current farmer agitation is one of the major protests.  It is an unprecedented protest which includes the participation of 12 million farmers and 14 million truck drivers.

It is a matter of great public concern that many rounds of talks and the seize around the nations capital borders have remained inconclusive.   Many national celebrities from various fields have decided to return their state honours in a show of solidarity with the agitating farmers. The farmers fear that the gains of the new farm laws would not percolate down to them.  And have expressed fears they may lose their negotiating power to the large corporates. 

 By pushing these laws in haste, the Government has lost out on the virtues of consensus.  It could have ensured the acceptance of its policies had it addressed the angst of the farmers.

The central Government claims that farmers will have unfettered freedom to sell their produce at higher prices in any market in India hereafter under the new legislation but the farmers fear of corporates dictating procurement terms is not altogether unfounded. With the dismantling of APMC Mandi’s and the government having no power to keep a watchful eye on the deals being struck between farmers and traders, there seems to be a greater possibility of farmers being exploited by the heavy cartelised corporate giants. Also, state governments stand to lose the revenue from the APMCs which fund the various farmers-related Welfare measures. The farmers proved that they cannot be fooled easily. And that they are aware of the nexus between the government and these corporates. Farmers feel that the major benefactors of these farm bills will Adani and Ambani's, who are known to be quite friendly with Prime Minister Modi and the ruling dispensation.  Adani, for that matter, is an expert in using political connections for business advantages. He also did that in Australia in ways that made the public put up placards saying “stop Adani.” India is different since Modi came to power. Adani's net worth increased 121% per cent to more than $26 billion by getting government tenders to build infrastructure projects.

The unloved question here is how to ensure that the reforms do not lead to monopoly or cartelisation. Equally important is the issue of federalism as Agriculture as such, is a state subject. The states play a crucial role in this sector, but they have been scarcely involved in the passing of agriculture laws.

Farmers have always borne the brunt of the natural calamities like floods, drought. And they labour endlessly in inclement weather. It's a pity that these annadatas themselves have to sit on roads to get their voice heard.  

According to the Global Hunger Index 2020, India ranks 94th among 107 countries, in terms of hunger and continues to be in the “severe” hunger category. This index is also an indicator of the poor human development of the country. Now, India is behind most of its south-Asian neighbours, including Bangladesh. Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan ranked 75, 78, 88 respectively, are also in the same category but are above India. Nepal ranked 73rd and Srilanka 64th are better off and are in “moderate” hunger category.

Many factors contribute to India’s “severe” hunger and the other hand the collective net worth of half of nation’s 100 richest people on 2020 Forbes India Rich list saw a rise of 14%. Sensex, an Index Of 30 companies actively trading on Bombay Stock Exchange, used to observe “the overall growth, Development Of particular industries, ups and downs of the Indian Economy closed at 38,673 points on March 31st 2018. One needs to consider all these, along with data released with the National Statistical Office, which shows that the Economic growth slumped to 11year low of 4.2 per cent in 2019-20. One school of thought holds that the rise in wealth-despite Corona -inflicted downturn-was partly due to the cut in corporate taxes from 35% to 25% last year. If you see the GHI, India is just better than Afghanistan among all south-Asian neighbours. Instead Of concentrating on religion, etc. Our policymakers need to wake to the reality of the situation and adopt a convergent approach to tackle this problem faced by our country.

The problem of hunger both in urban and rural areas should be tackled differently, as numerous factors contribute to this” severe” hunger status. There is a lack of stable employment, due to frequent migration, many have not registered with the system and hence do not receive the required benefits, not to forget the poor public distribution system. It’s advisable to have an autonomous PDS based on community-led procurement and storage. There is also a need to hold negotiations between centre and states on food and nutrition security measures and India needs to reevaluate its economic reform strategy and consider course correction to feed the hungry and create opportunities for gainful employment.

 I read a newspaper editorial titled ”Disastrous Disinvestment policy” which decries the move to disinvest profit-making public sector enterprises. A closer look at the PSUs on the chopping block reveals the flawed thinking on the part of the Govt whose only objective appears to be to handover profit-making state-owned companies to the favoured corporate groups. The government has failed the public sector by too much interference, reducing the autonomy of the management in respect of pricing, employment, purchases and marketing etc. If you recall, the dismantling of PSUs under the guise of disinvestment began during NDA1, which ended up disinvesting 7 PSUs, and the present dispensation has disinvested as many as 23 PSUs disregarding the interests of agitating employees. It is ironic that our PM who claims to have sold tea on Railway platform, during his childhood, should be contemplating to sell the very same Railways.  And I also feel, it’s preposterous to privatise LIC, an iconic organisation which is the pride of India with over 40 crores policyholders, having assists worth 30 lakh crores? Yes, its a fact that there are some inherent problems, like excess workforce, obsolete technology, inefficiency, lack of accountability etc. The public sector as such, is nobody’s baby, competition from the private sector, politically influenced unions. In my opinion, the burning problems of poverty and unemployment cannot be addressed without due support from the public sector. The government needs to change its policy on PSUs from disinvestment to revival and sell only those enterprises which cannot be revived at all. It also warrants a re-look at the move to sell of PSUs to raise resources. There is also an urgent need to strengthen the independence and autonomy of PSU boards.

 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?