ROUND THE STATES

New Delhi, 6 November 2008

Jobs for Sons of Soil

CMs Favour National Policy

By Insaf

Regional chauvinism in Maharashtra continues to cause grave concern in all the other State capitals.  It could trigger problems across the country by playing on linguistic emotions and reviving demands for a better deal for the sons of the soil.  Anxious to keep its Maharashtrian vote bank intact against the onslaught by the Maharshtra Navnirman Samiti, the Vilasrao Deshmukh Government is now busy formulating a policy to implement a 35-year old order that reserves 80 per cent of jobs in the new industries for the locals.  A standing instruction to opt for locals has already been issued to the industries, according to the Chief Minister.  A new order will incorporate some changes.  State Chief Ministers elsewhere concede there is need to provide a better deal for the locals.  But this cannot be at the cost of national unity and integrity.  They feel there is need for the Prime Minister to call a conference of Chief Ministers to forge a national policy on the question of reservation of jobs for sons of the soil.

Meanwhile, condemnation of Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navnirman Samiti continues to snow ball.  Most State Capitals are eager to see the Centre adopt a sterner stance in regard to the attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra as demanded by Lalu Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan at the Centre and Nitish Kumar in Bihar.  Importantly, even the Supreme Court has criticized the Government for lacking the required political will to tackle these unabated attacks against outsiders. In fact, it has agreed to hear a PIL, seeking protection of life and liberty of individuals besides properties on November 10.  On Tuesday last it even drew attention to Article 355 of the Constitution which mandates the Central Government to protect a State against external aggression and internal disturbances.  This reads: “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.”  Not just that.  The same day, Vice President, Hamid Ansari, also emphasized the need for the Maharashtra Government to adhere to its constitutional responsibilities “scrupulously.”

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Eminent Mahashtrians Speak Out

Fortunately, not all Maharashtrians are with the State’s politicians.  A group of eminent Maharashtrians have spoken out urging fellow Maharashtrians to reject outright the regional chauvinists “who are engaged in dangerous games for electoral gains.  In a statement on the attacks on north Indians, they have said that the perpetrators have defied the rule of law and challenged the fundamental right of the citizens to travel, study, reside or earn a livelihood anywhere in India.  These illegal and unconstitutional actions, they assert, are an affront to the heritage and the tradition of tolerance that Marathi saint-poets, social reformers and intellectuals have cultivated over the centuries.  It adds: “Regional chauvinism jeopardizes the very future of Maharashtrian youth in whose name the chauvinists are agitating.  Maharashtrian youth, like youth all over India, have legitimate aspirations to acquire education, develops skills and successfully compete in the market place to get better jobs and higher incomes.  These are, indeed legitimate aspirations and can be met by a dynamic and united India.”

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Assam  To Set up Own RAW

Assam’s woes have finally come to the forefront, thanks to the serial blasts last week which claimed 80 lives and left 800 injured. Not only has a serious security lapse come to light, but the critical issue of continuing invasion by Bangladeshi migrants has taken centre stage. The Congress-led Tarun Gogoi government is all set to establish its own Research and Analytical Wing (RAW), and the Centre is preparing to extend the ban on ULFA. The RAW, under a special branch of the State Police, will be given the brief to study and investigate activities of various terrorist outfits not just within the State, but also in Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is no secret that Dhaka continues to harbour and train outfits such as ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) and the HuJI (Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islam), which are clear suspects in the recent blasts. The Centre too is keen to outlaw ULFA once again by classifying it as a terrorist organization and banning it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A ban was first imposed on it way back in 1990 and the last in 2006.

Other than Bangladesh providing a base to ULFA or the HuJI, the Centre needs to take a stern stand viz illegal migration from across the border. Over the years the demography of the North East, especially that of Assam, has drastically changed wherein the southern part of the State is fast becoming Muslim-dominated, triggering communal violence on and off. A meeting of the National Intelligence Board is being called by the National Security Adviser, M.K. Narayanan to consider ways and means to stop this influx, which is also believed to be providing support to the militants. Whether the State RAW and the Centre will work in tandem is the big question. Importantly so because the recent serial blast could have been avoided, according to the Assam Chief Minister, had the security agencies—the Army, State police and the IB-- talked to each and coordinated action. Intelligence reports about possible blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigaon had been received on September 17!

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“Wanted Candidates” for J&K Poll

The forthcoming Assembly poll in Jammu and Kashmir has thrown up the first-ever case in the country’s electoral history of a national party advertising for candidates. Kingfisher Airline chairman and Working President of the Janata Party has in an advertisement in a English daily in an Kashmir invited candidates for the Assembly polls, beginning a fortnight from now. All those interested, said the ad should contact the State party chief, Som Nath Dabgotra. The only qualification required here is that the person “must be financially sound.” Whatever that may mean for the locals, it has been made worthwhile for giving a shot, because Dabgotra promises “no losses, only gains.”  Well, if the candidate can spend five lakhs, the party will give 25 lakhs. In addition the candidate has been promised a car, government accommodation and personal security. The Janata Dal proposes to contest 52-60 seats and claims that far from facing a shortage of candidates, for each Assembly seat, four candidates have been lined up. But then, why the advertisement?  Surely Jammu & Kashmir elections cannot be taken so lightly. What the Janata President, Dr Subramaniam Swamy has to say remains to be seen.  

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The southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are in the throes of a fresh crop of a film stars entering the political scene in the next general election to the Lok Sabha. Chiranjeevi and his party “Praja Rajyam” is giving sleepless nights to TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, who is desperate to make a comeback. To check growing desertions and low morale in the rank and file, Naidu organized a massive public meeting “Yuva Garjana” (roar of the youth) in Guntur district on Wednesday last, attended by lakhs and was a match to Chiranjeevi’s recent rally. However, this may not be good enough, as the super star is contemplating having a tie-up with the BJP for the polls. After all, the saffron party did create history by forming its government in Karnataka. Be that as it may, in Tamil Nadu, super star Rajnikanth has everyone guessing whether he would eventually take a plunge into Tamil Nadu politics. True, he first wants to understand what politics it’s all about. Ultimately, however, he asserts: “If God directs me tomorrow, I will enter politics.”—INFA

 (Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)