Anna Hazare: "Gujarat is now land of scams"

Image via WikipediaIn a move clearly coordinated by his colleagues, Anna Hazare visited Gujarat with Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal.  After listening to the views of the public brought in by several NGOs, Anna Hazare remarked "all I see (are) scams, that too in the land of Mahatma".

"I would like to make two appeals to chief minister Narendra Modi. First is to appoint the Lokayukta in the state, and second to bring in a legislation that would empower the gram sabhas in taking decisions related to the village, especially those dealing with the village land," Hazare said.

Hazare even went as far as to proclaim that India faces even greater threats from enemies within the country rather than from neighbor Pakistan. Now, that's an excellent tutoring job.

The media is already pitching this as "Anna Hazare turns against Modi".  I can't wait to see how fan number 1 Narendra Modi reacts.

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Modi, Aarushi, 2G, CWG: Unresolved Controversies Fatigue Rant [Update]

• 1: SIT submits report on Modi's role during the Gujarat riots
• 2: SC questions CBI over it's U-turn on Aarushi murder
• 3: Kanimozhi, Raja, DMK TV chief got Rs 200 crore bribe from DB: CBI
  
• 4: Kalmadi ends up in jail; accused of favoring Swiss company Omega

The common thread through the headlines today appears to be my own reaction.

I can't say I've read past every single headline on every single twist and turn for the past n number of years on the Gujarat riots or the Aarushi Talwar double murder case or the 2G telecom spectrum scam or the 2010 CWG scam.

But ah sure am gettin' tired'f readin'th headlyines, said PC in her best Scotty McCreery impersonation.

What does one take for unresolved controversies fatigue syndrome anyhow?  The red pill?

Which pill shall I take?
Source:Adam Kalel

Cue Morpheus.  Yes, Morpheus, I know you can only offer me the truth and nothing more. You see, the thing is, that's really all I want.  And don't worry about me so much! I already promised Col Jessop I can handle the truth.

Com'on now.  Can a blogger get some fresh blood around here?  Calling all attention-seeking-hoping-to-get-caught potential criminal minds.  Now's your time.  You serve it up.  I'll read it.

Disclaimer: Really? I need to write a disclaimer because some of you might accuse me of condoning future criminal activity? Really?

Update: Just what I suspected.  Don't expect justice for 13 year old Aarushi anytime soon.  According to an U.K based expert criminologist's opinion on the Aarushi Talwar double murder case, (the) "opportunity to collect crucial unadulterated evidence was missed. Unless fresh evidence comes to light, doubts will linger."  Thank you for taking the time, Deen Najubudeen.

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Did Narendra Modi order the Code Red? I want the truth! [Update]

Police officer Sanjiv Bhatt says he attended a meeting at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's house on February 27, 2002.

During this meeting, Modi allegedly asked the police to go easy on rioting mobs tearing apart Muslim owned shops and residences in revenge for the massacre of 59 Hindu passengers on Sabarmati Express known as the infamous Godhra incident.  Bhatt was Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence (DCP) at the time.

Both Modi and Bhatt's ex boss, former Director General Police (DGP) K. Chakravarti, say Bhatt did not attend this meeting.

Bhatt's ex driver, Tarachand Yadav remembers driving him to and back from this half hour meeting.

Who is lying?  Who is fudging facts?  Is Bhatt credible?  Why did the SIT reject and leak Bhatt's testimony to high ranking Gujarat government officials?

Did Bhatt go to the meeting?  Did Bhatt go to the CM's house but stay outside the room?  Did Bhatt hear Modi give the orders with his own ears or did somebody inside the meeting tell him seconds later?  Same difference?  Not quite. Did that somebody misunderstand Modi's words?  Did that somebody fib?

Colonel Jessop, Did you order the Code Red?
Source: Moviedb

Did Narendra Modi order the Code Red?  I don't want to speak for all Indians, partisan and otherwise, but I want the truth.  And yes, either way, I can handle it.

Update. Days later, a jailed IAS officer backs up Bhatt's claims on Modi's anti-minority stance during the Gujarat riots through his own independent experience.  The plot thickens.

Update. On May 23, Sanjiv Bhatt named Modi and Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah tried to influence him prior to his deposition to the Supreme Court appointed SIT.

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Does Narendra Modi know what the letters NGO stand for?

SEWA logo

This one is irksome and unsurprising.

The latest Indian cablegate news is that the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat tried to encroach upon SEWA, the Ahemadabad headquartered globally reputed award winning multi-faceted women's non government organisation, in order to "disseminate communal ideologies" to their six hundred thousand members all across the state.  When the NGO resisted, its grants were held up over "financial irregularities", delaying payment for over five months to 12,000 poor members.

In a September 2005 cable, U.S. Consul General Micheal S. Owen recalls his meeting with SEWA general secretary Reemaben Nanawati.  Nanawati explains that SEWA strongly resisted pressure from the state government because communal harmony is crucial for the work of the trade union and self help group and  characterizes the state government's reaction as "vindictive".

Sigh.  Do you think, in our lifetime, we shall see the day Indian state governments stop treating the poor as their personal territory and start celebrating instead of interfering with the work of large successful NGOs?  I don't.  Why?  Two words: Vote bank.  Do I really need to spell it out to you?  No?  Good.

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