It's high time we all must participate in Bekauf Azadi like protest

Equality is important for all of us                             

By Kiran Deep                                                                                                                                  Chandigarh has witnessed a massive voice demanding equal rights for girls to roam around freely during night same as boys raising slogans of Azadi…Azadi…Azadi… for two and half hour in Chandigarh last night. The idea of freedom is what they were discussing and raising their voice for equal justice. The women in procession were reciting poetry, they were singing songs, some are reciting couplets and some were dancing to the tune of songs dedicated for the empowerment of women. Varnika case here turned out to be eye openers for many as a result many parents along with their daughters too have reached here to express their solidarity for equal rights for girls.   Carrying banners of “Bekauf Azadi” in their hands they raised slogans for complete freedom  all along roads from Rose Garden to Arts College Sector 10 from 10.30pm to 12.30 pm. However Keeping in view the sensitive case, I was expecting much more crowd specially of youths keeping in view t he strength of students in Panjab University and other colleges. Besides the activists of the different organisations, emotionally charged people from different parts of the city even from Mohali and Panchkula too participated in the procession expressing their solidarity with the activists who were vocally raising voice against the stalking incident and need to change the mind set of males. Girls too have equal rights same as boys to roam freely during night, they said. The Varnika incident has shocked the city which is known for itsfreedom and safety otherwise.The situation further aggravated when police mishandled the case as the accused happened to the son of the influential person. Later following a massive pressure from the people protest and also as condemned by the politicians of different political parties even of BJP, the police has registered a case of attempt to kidnap against Vikas Barala, a son of Haryana BJP president. As Varnika is educated and daughter of senior Bureaucrat so the duo are fighting this case with full strength and people too have equally supported their cause. It is the responsibility of all of us together to eliminate such henious crime such as stalking and an attempt to kidnap of girl. We must collectively raise voice against such crime…

Nature only...

                                        

                                           By Kiran Deep

When you are no more but nature only…

When you are flowing with the unconditional flow of river like never before as if you are no more but water only…

When you are feeling the fresh breath of soulful air in the morning  like never before as if you are no more but soulful air only…

When you are surrounded by the dense forest all around as if you are no more but a tree only

When you are walking unconditionally and moon is soulful guiding force like never before as if you are no more but moonlight only…

When soulful light of Sun rise is enough to hypnotise your neurons as if you are no more but Phonon only (quanta of light)...

When soulful colours of nature are within and all around as if you are no more but essence of colours only…

When melodious songs of birds are enough to enlighten your soul like never before as if you are no more but birds only…

When narrow roads and steep mountains are true companions as if you are no more but mountain only…

When there is soulful stillness within and all around as if you are no more but nature only…

God Bless all…

Unfortunate My Lord...

Political Emergency in Kanhaiya case…

By Kiran Deep

 Do not think about any kind of intellectual freedom, equality, about suppressed people and victims. As situation has deteriorated to the extent in the country that JNU students president Kanhaiya Kumar who dared to raise his voice against the present regime and system, has to undergo so much harassment. Kanhaiya was yesterday granted interim bail by the High Court but with serious restrictions. It appeared that we are still living in the pre-Independence era as concept and feeling of freedom seems to be distance dream. Despite the fact that Delhi government probe revealed that Kanhiaya had not raised any anti national slogans and also gave clean chit to him, he still has to suffer. The Delhi police will take its time to complete the investigation and Kanhaiya has been given six months interim bail. Kanhaiya is student leader and has to be treated like student leader only not like any hardcore criminal. I am too patriotic and have great respect for Army of my country. I love to say Jai Hind…Bharat Mata ki Jai again and again. But whatever happing with Kanhaiya and suicide of Rohith Vemula has really hurt me badly. The students have to have free space to grow and follow ideology of his or her choice. No government can force the students to follow its ideology. Students must have freedom to talk about rights of poor, liberty and need of transparent system against corruption. It’s good that finally the JNU students president Kanhaiya was yesterday granted bail by the Delhi High Court however the restrictions imposed on him are really a cause of concern. The freedom of individual seems to be a distance dream. It has become trend  in the present regime to hit the educational institutes include JNU, University of Hyderabad, FTII, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIMs. Kindly let the students be students and to have the feel of freedom. No government or authority can claim rights over intellectual freedom and soul of students.

Jai Hind

Freedom of Soul…

                            By Kiran Deep

When mystical music of rain drops is all around,

When trees are dancing all around,

When leaves are singing soulful mystical songs,

When divine wine is making my neurons to dance with soulful music of rain drops,

When my body is no more and soul is only guiding force,

When water waves are true companions as if I am water only,

When birds are in complete resonance with nature and singing melodious songs again and again,

When distance is meaningless same as vastness of sky,

When identity is no more with everything dissolve in crystal clear water,

When fresh breath of air is enough to feel soulful nature like never before,

When I am no more but soul only,

Rohit Vemula suicide-High time to root out caste terrorism in India

                         Open your heart for humanity and world without surname  

                                               By Kiran Deep

 Unfortunately but true.Caste terrorism is still prevailing in different parts of India. Even after 68 years of Independence, there is much needs to be done to reform the system and upliftment of Dalits in the country. Suicide by Rohith Vermula a Dalit research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, has exposed the discrimination with Dalits even at institute of higher education in India. The political, education and economic empowerment of Dalits is still seems to be distance dream keeping in view of the present circumstances prevailing in the country. Many people in India are still exhibiting their superiority on the basis of their caste against others. Surname is still much point of discussion in our society. This is evident from the fact that where ever we go, people usually ask about your surname and that become first point of discussion. Surname is main identity for many as it provide them something to claim that they are born superior than others.    

Vemula suicide has also raised serious question mark on the functioning of the Universities in the country and their hostile attitude towards Dalit students. The reports in print and electronic media has highlighted that the University authorities are miserably failed to understand the grievance of Vemula and four other Dalit students of Ambedkar Students Association (ASA). The BJP led Central government is ruling in the country but this does not mean that AVBP will discriminate and ill treat other students organisations. It is outmost duty of any University to treat all the all the students equally irrespective of their caste and religion. 

 Although people usually boost that they are liberal, do not follow the caste system, but reality is quite different in our society. Despite the tall claims by many politicians, educationists, administrative and police officials, they usually give preference to the people of their caste while discriminating with the others. It's irony that every political party talk about Dr B.R Ambedkar and his philosophy during elections to seek Dalits vote  on Ambedkar's name but in actual many political parties hardly do anything to change the caste system.

The Vemula's incident has also highlighted the central government must directly intervene in this matter to prevent such heinous crime. This is not the first education institute where such incident took place, the cases of direct interference in the administration of FTII, IITs and IIMs had also been surfaced during the present regime. The BJP government has already faced the anger of people in Bihar elections and trend will continue in other state elections unless it will change its policy. The think tank of BJP really has to work hard to win the hearts of youths across the country. In the democratic country, it is the duty of every political party to ensure equal rights and opportunity to all irrespective of their caste and religion. It’s high time that we all must think of our country without caste system and without surnames so that no one can face any kind humiliation and harassment.

The police have registered a case against Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya, the University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor P. Appa Rao, and two ABVP activists on charges of abetment to suicide, and violation of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Vemula’s suicide case. Today BJP is in power and tomorrow it might be other party? How things will change?. Things will change only when the mindset of the people will change.  

Jai Hind   

Is it justice or injustice? Contempt of court notice to Arundhati Roy, Saibaba’s bail rejected

Even a word “Freedom” seems to be alien in the present circumstances where the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a notice of contempt of court notice to writer –activist Arundhati Roy for airing her views in Outlook Magazine demanding bail for Professor Saibaba for his alleged links with Maoists.

By Kiran Deep  

Why we have alien concept like freedom of speech and expression in the constitution and laws related to human rights. Even a word “Freedom” seems to be alien in the present circumstances where the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a notice of contempt of court notice to writer –activist Arundhati Roy for airing her views in Outlook Magazine demanding bail for Professor Saibaba for his alleged links with Maoists. Why we preach justice for all when in actual practise things are entirely opposite in many cases. Courts in India are considered to be temple of justice because whenever we suffer injustice from the government and police, the only place we approach for justice is Judiciary. Courts must appreciate the activists and writers who are selflessly highlighting the plights of deprived people and working for some cause. If the human rights of activists are not protected and writers do not have rights to air their views against the wrong doing of system, then people will lost their complete faith in the system. Such cases require intervention of the Supreme Court.

This is high time when Supreme Court seriously help the writers, journalists and activists to get rid of draconian law such as contempt of court and defamation. The last week order of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has jolted many badly after reading that Saibaba with 90 percent physical disability has to live in inhuman conditions as he belong to one particular ideology and that ideology does not match with the present regime. Freedom does not come by preaching, freedom has to be felt by Individuals across the country.

Why I am concerned about the case has reason.  I did a series of stories for The Tribune in 2009 and later also half an hour documentary for the day and Night News Channel on suspected Maoists who were arrested in Yamunanagar district by the Haryana police. It was shocking and unbelievable that the police had arrested many on filmy ground. In one such case a youth was arrested by the police for writing slogans asking to boycott the elections despite the fact he is illiterate. To much surprise the alleged leader of these suspected Maoists was MBBS gold medallist.

While highlighting the problem of Maoism is India I even wrote article in this blog on May 29, 2013 with headline Need of development, reformative approach and constructive dialogue to end Maoist problem in India. I feel like sharing it keeping in view the present case.

Need of development, reformative approach and constructive dialogue to end Maoist problem in India

by Kiran Deep

Development, reformative approach, constructive dialogues are the things which the state and central government should do to end the Maoists problem in India. The government should involve NGOs, people from religious organisation, experienced IAS officers, police, doctors, actors, and army officials, journalists to handle and solve the problem. It requires collective efforts to tackle the problem. The government should use police and army only to built confidence among the people and provide safety to them, not to kill them.  The killing of innocent people in Chhattisgarh by Maoists is an unfortunate incident and should not have happen.

 I feel that the state and central government before planning any policy and action against Adivasis must need to understand that who are the Maoists or Naxalites? Why they are fighting? Do they have genuine cause or anger against the system? Does they are the most neglected or ill treated people?  Does the leaders of these Maoists are functioning independent or playing in the hand of external forces? Does the advises of Chhattisgarh have any idea about what Naxalism is all about or they are just fighting to get basic amenities? The state and centre government use police and army to ensure that the deprived people feel must feel a part of the democratic system and not to terrorise them. As many cases it is surfaced that only leaders of these rebel are aware of philosophy or ideology of Maoism while all other innocents are just fighting for their rights to protect them. 

I have some experience to understand little about them while doing reporting which I am sharing. While I was working with The Tribune in 2009 I did a series on suspected Maoists in Haryana who were arrested by the police. I have attached five stories below and also I did half an hour documentary with Day and Night News Channel in 2011 and two links of the documentary also attached below.

I cannot stop myself sharing my feeling as there is a lot of talk and different solutions suggested by the experts, politicians and also by media. Even many go aggressively suggesting recommending immediate army action to root out the Maoists in India or to solve Maoists problem. But first and most vital question surface is who are the Maoists?  They are Indians.  And then with whom and why they are fighting…They are fighting for their rights as they have been deprived of even basic amenities…and many of them much exploited. Adivasi's are poor.....and they are not aware of but the naxalism or Maoism all about....So the protection of the people and to get them into main stream is the duty of the state and central government and also of all those who can help to solve the problem.

The government has to make environment so better that the the aggrieved people can participate in the democratic system. It is the duty of the state and central government to create job opportunity for them so that they can earn meal three times a day at least respectfully and live respectfully. And also provide them basic amenities such as drinking water facility, provide them education so that they can associate with other people. I feel it’s the responsibility of the governments ensure that  people must feel that they are also a part of democratic system where they have equal rights and also equal responsibilities. The government also has to ensure that the poor advasis should not be displaced unnecessary, they should not to be suppressed by powerful people and also , they should not face heinous crimes such as rapes and murders.    

I have fill faith in democratic system and hoping that aggrieved people will join the mainstream and it is the duty of all of us the citizen of India to help them come out of their sphere. We all should have to work united to end the problem of Maoism or Naxlism in the country.


These are links of the documentary which I did for Day and Night News on Suspected Maoists in Haryana in two parts in 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXCcEzbnbzQ

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAb9xqZZi30

These are links of the five stories which I did for The Tribune in 2009
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090701/haryana.htm#5
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090702/haryana.htm#5
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090703/haryana.htm#5
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090704/haryana.htm#5
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090705/haryana.htm#5

EOM

PM must intervene and lift ban on Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) of IIT–Madras

Freedom of Speech and Expression is our fundamental right

An Open letter to the Prime Minister

By Kiran Deep

Freedom is our soul nature. Freedom is what we all need. The colleges and Universities are the places where the students can feel freedom of speech and expression at extreme and this is our fundamental right. How can we expect dynamic, intellectual and honest leaders unless we give them freedom to express their views freely?

At time when India is making its marks at international level due to advancement in Technology such as launch of Mangalyan on September 2014 by ISRO into Mars surface with amount less than even Hollywood movie budget and its success in its first attempt only and in other sectors. And also as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been visiting different countries to get the investment and establish bilateral relation. The decision to ban Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) by the Indian Institute of Technology–Madras (IIT) management has damaged the reputation of the India and also hurt many people all over India.

The decision of de recognition of the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) by the IIIT-Madras is completely unacceptable and beyond the normal understanding of people. The reason to ban APSC is seems to be completely political as the APSC was vocally criticise the Prime Minister Modi and the BJP policies. The role of Human Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani is also not appreciable as she has acted hurriedly on an anonymous complaint by not giving much thought about the student’s rights. The Minister should have played the positive role by interacting with the students of APSC or directing the management of IIT Madras to hold meeting with the students in this regard to clarify the issue.

The Issue of freedom of speech and expression is a matter of great concern with the rise in the incidents of violence against those who are taking chance to expose the wrong doings in the society across the world.  Perumal Murugan writer of one Part woman had to face a lot of harassment following his book, bloggers and cartoonists were killed,  Edward Snowden has to live in exile and is fighting for his safety after he leaked the documents. The founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has to struggle a lot of  for his safety and security after several expose . To much aghast new whistle blower act in India too do not have much safety for whistle blowers.

 Only Freedom can make difference in the life of people and allow them to live the way they wanted to live and can express them freely.Now it’s high time that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene to end the dispute. As the banning of APSC has damaged the image of the central government not only among the students across the country but at International level too. The IITs are much respected institutes not only India but all around the World, If such thing can happen in IIT Madras then what can we expect from the management of the educational institutes situated in remote areas. Education means freedom but irony is that we are not giving freedom to students in Educational institutes only.

Jai Hind

EOM