Edits | December, 2023
RAJASTHAN ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Of all the ongoing assembly elections, elections in Rajasthan have become prestige issues for both the Congress and the BJP. Both these parties have been enjoying power in the state alternately since 1993. This time, while chief minister Ashok Gehlot seeks to break this trend banking heavily on his so-called ‘magic’, the BJP wants to wrest power at any cost. But this time they have not projected their two-time chief minister Vasundhara Raje as the CM face–a jolt for aspiring leaders. Instead, the BJP is depending too much on PM Narendra Modi’s popularity. It is no use talking about the policies and promises of the two major parties. Also, it is not that all is hunky-dory on both sides. Both the parties are infested with severe infightings and rebellion apart from anti-incumbency among the public. Swing of young voters, especially first timers in favour of young leaders may upset the apple cart for the veterans this time. No wonder then that the results may surprise us.
INDIA LOST BUT THE GAMERS WON
After ten consecutive wins in the ICC World Cup, India well deserved to win the final fixture. Poise of the Indian team indicated a sure and certain win for them. But the Australians defeated them and washed down their hope to lift the coveted trophy. This shameful defeat, that too, in the presence of the country’s PM is caused by betting. India lost the match, but punters won. Otherwise what has made the BCCI the richest Board in the world? Gamers lure crores of people to bet on the win or loss of certain teams. They pay even GST on their earnings as well. In short, betting has been legitimised in India and the matches crores of people watch in stadiums and television screens are nothing but a small tip of the huge corruption hidden underneath.
KILLER RELIGIONS
Wars, especially those fought to establish religious hegemony, show ugly faces of religions. Unfortunately, almost all the religions teach their followers to fight with the followers of other faiths. Such wars lead nowhere but leave in their wake old people, women and children to suffer endlessly as the youths are consumed by war. The victors often subject these survivors, particularly women, to unimaginable tortures and abuses. Children grow up with a resolve to take revenge when they become adults. The current conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas is a gory example of religious war. Israeli forces have killed at least 14000 Palestinians in retaliation for 1200 Israelis killed in the Hamas terror strike. They are hell-bent to finish Hamas but are bombarding civilian areas. Now, with a short truce, it may be hoped that the warring factions would honour it and deliver on their commitments. Otherwise, they will make their religions barbaric and scavengers.
HARYANA’S COMPULSION
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has rightly quashed the Haryana government decision to implement a 75% quota in the private sector for the local Haryanavis. Over the past three decades, Haryana has emerged as the hub for multinational business and MNCs in huge numbers have set up their offices there, especially in Gurgaon. Educated youths from other states are employed in these MNCs at positions requiring public dealings. Local Haryanavi youth have begun to feel cheated and it is but natural for the state government to appease them. Moreover, Haryana is going into assembly polls next year and is currently facing the highest employment rate in the country. Unemployed youth can no longer be pleased with religious rattle, hate mongering and the Mandir-Masjid issue. They are asking the BJP government what it has done in its 10-year tenure to provide employment opportunities for a teeming young populace. The government has no answer, hence the reservation trick. But it is a sheer violation of constitutional provisions which talk about equal opportunities for all irrespective of their domicile status. It has to do something concrete for the welfare of the local youths within the purview of the Constitution.
CA Divesh Nath
Editor Woman’s Era LinkedIn: Divesh Nath