Editor,
Arnab Goswami who was arrested by the Mumbai Police on November 4, last for having been accused in being an abettor in the suicide of a 53 year old interior designer, Anvay Naik and the latter’s mother in 2018 as he was charged under Sections 306 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. However, sooner than later, the Apex Court granted him bail in a record time of one week, that is, on November 11, last. This specific action of SC has unmistakably unleashed a flutter in social circles and a great deal of misgivings in the psyche of the conscientious citizens. Oddly, in the wake of Goswami’s arrest a hue and cry was raised by the BJP members, not excluding prominent Union Ministers, as they opined that it was nothing sort of an attack on the press and free speech at that, but these social justice warriors are oblivious of the fact that many fellow-journalists, like Goswami, are still incarcerated and awaiting the much desired bail. In a word, we have to be convinced that Goswami is one of the many journalists, very fortunate!
Notwithstanding the fact that Goswami was once a resident of Shillong, capital of Meghalaya, like me, but sadly I hold no brief for him anymore given that his Republic channel has virtually turned out to be a level playing field for those at the helm, thus defeating the very essence of true journalism and thereby bordering on the contours of yellow journalism. Hence I have long since abstained myself from being his avid listener from those days when he was with the Times Now news channel at the fag end of his association with the latter, when he had, perhaps unwittingly, exhibited telltale signs of being biased in anchoring political debates!
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Via email
Political maturity
Editor,
The war of words between the UDP General Secretary, Jemino Mawthoh and AL Hek of the BJP and the Health Minister was interesting. Hek is a seasoned politician and weighs his words carefully. He correctly stated that in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies. AL Hek had left the BJP when he felt that it made better sense to join the Congress then. Later he moved back to the BJP and that too was a calculated move since Hek knows that with the BJP in power at the Centre it made better sense for him to be with the winning side. Hek had also calculated that the Congress would not be returning to power in Meghalaya, what with the party in disarray at the national level. Politics is a game at best and all that gibberish about serving the people is secondary. Wise people work at getting re-elected and make very calculated moves towards that end. Hek has done that and also expanded his business because it’s not possible to win elections if one has no money and does not own a business or several businesses. Name one politician in Meghalaya today who is also not doing business as a primary occupation and politics/governance as a secondary one.
Jemino Mawthoh served the people well and brought in development schemes in his constituency but that did not seem good enough for the people of his constituency. They did not give him a second tenure. He contested the Lok Sabha election and lost to the Congress candidate and sitting MP Vincent Pala. Then the MDA proposed his name for the Rajya Sabha seat but the NPP pushed its own nominees to the Upper House. It’s as good as a betrayal by the NPP which should have consulted all partners before nominating its state president to the Rajya Sabha.
Now as General Secretary of the UDP, Mawthoh is placed in a peculiar situation where he has to defend all the allegations of corruption in the MDA Government of which his party is an ally. The UDP had to do something similar when it had aligned with the Congress to form the government in Meghalaya. That Mawthoh should tell the BJP to leave the coalition just because the Party was pointing out at corruption is an immature reaction. He would have been better off keeping quiet. Acts of corruption cannot be condoned by any political party even if it is part of a coalition because ultimately it is the party that is answerable to the people and not individual MLAs/ministers.
Yours etc.,
Timothy Sawkmie,
Via email
Why this push for homogeneity?
Editor,
While a top profile Indian leader scandalously announces that “criminals can be identified by their dress,” thereby demonising a large section of Indians who are as indigenous to India as the die-hard saffronites, Jacinda Ardern the New Zealand PM ensures promotion of a dress associated with people who are basically settlers in New the country. When sporting of hijab is being prohibited, discouraged or frowned upon by many non-Islamic countries around the world, New Zealand has proved itself as a bright exception in this regard. By its decision of inducting the hijab as part of police uniform, New Zealand has shown the world what the essence of democracy is all about. In India there are attempts to kill diversity so as to establish a homogeneous way of life which is actually nothing but a crude desire of ensuring cultural dominance of the majority or “mainstream” through language race and religion. An ideal democracy strives to literally accord equal status to each and every linguistic religious cultural groups residing within the country respecting their ethos sentiments sensitivities attire to dietary habits. India, under the ever increasing grasp of forces practicing the parochial imperial philosophy of “Hindi, Hindu Hindustan” and all other believers of majoritarian mindset around the world should learn from New Zealand and Jacinda Ardern what respect towards diversity and sentiment of minorities is all about.
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Via email