"We must show respect to Dr Imkongliba and others .... Time to be broadminded .. , says BJP MLA Imchen

"We must show respect to Dr Imkongliba and others"

New Delhi 

"Nagaland is at a critical phase of its history... What we do today will leave a long lasting impact on our future generations. Therefore, we ought to be broad minded... the real Nagas; that's our tradition, BJP legislator Imkong L. Imchen said.

In a telephonic interview with 'Nagaland Page', he said, "Our state now should enter into a new world of hope and economic prosperity. But we have to show due respect to our founding fathers. People like Dr Imkongliba Ao, Vizol and J B Jasokie deserve love and respect".

Dr Imkongliba

Elaborating further, he said : "Sadly a new culture is being promoted... as if this world started in 1997 and as if Nagaland as a state was born in 2003... Why  such indifference be shown to leaders like S C Jamir and Dr Imkongliba?".

"Remember S C Jamir is still alive among the founding leaders... It was Dr Imkongliba who paid the price of statehood by his life. But sadly, during the 60 years celebration of the state assembly, the name of Dr. Imkongliba was never found," he said. 

In reference to the "ultimatum" issued by NFHRCC with regard to the Foothill Roads Project,Imchen said, "The threat from 12 tribes to withdraw from the Hornbill Festival is serious.Are we becoming so crazy... The state government compromised on FNT for this festivaland now this. We are really incredible.... will the state government again make somecompromises for the Hornbill".

Jokingly he remarked, "Who has the horn... I do not mind. We are concerned more about the bills".  

Imchen with blogger 

The former minister lamented that -"Perhaps some people may like to erase Dr Imkongliba's existence from history but I can tell you the people will never accept it".

He also stated that the same pattern is also applied in the present case of the 25th edition of Hornbill festival 2024. 

"Take the credit for what you do... but do not give an impression that only one man and his advisors are responsible for bringing glories to Nagaland.. the fact is Nagaland is passing through the worst of times in practically every sense".

Imchen said, "Senior leaders ought to be respected ... We all are around... we are witness to the fact that it was in 1999 when S C Jamir was the Chief Minister of the state this concept of Hornbill was launched in Kohima local playground .... but only from 2003 it was shifted to Kisama."

"These are painful things ... But I am not being personal. What do we benefit if we try to twist historical facts ? As a traditional Naga and as a Christian I believe of course history will be unkind to these people," said Imchen.

S C Jamir 

To a question, he said - "Now that honourable Home Minister Amit Shah has turned down the demand for a new interlocutor... the GoI should fix  a timeframe of three to six months for a final solution. He said -- "If  the government does not want to delay things further, let us have the agreement".

The former Minister also said - "I am sorry to say that the voice of the people had been suppressed through gun culture. 

Extortion has hurt people. Some organizations are functioning at the whims and fancies of their leaders. So let us end the stalemate .... and save Nagas of Nagaland". 

Ends 

Neem and bitter gourd - vegetable called 'karela' make a bad combo: This is the problem with Tripura - where overdose of Marxism has simply spoiled at least three generations ! It will take time ....

 It will take time for Tripura's pro-Marxists intellectualism and the deeply polluted 'mindset' to understand things or change themselves. The over dosage of Marxism has done the damage.

So, when they discuss Hindutva and Democracy, there will be Marxism followers who would have said even during Covid 19 - Go to Bangladesh... things are so better ! But that 'gentleman'and his grand pa and father had left 'East Pakistan' and taken shelter in Tripura !! 

Hence I call the state -a province of 'sab-janta' --- they know EVERYTHING ... even before you have uttered the word !!  

I might have generalised things a lot and some people may feel bad. But hope the sincere intent could be appreciated !  

Apologies to reasonable sections nevertheless !

The protest of Dec 2 against Bangladesh Govt of the day vis-a-vis attacks on Hindus ought to be appreciated. But there was no scope for vandalism and attacking a foreign mission. 

In the process, the country has been left embarrassed.  The state Chief Minister Manik Saha should tender a personal apology. Home Minister and Home Secretary should also do so !!

The police commissioner should be shunted out from his position immediately. 

And if a senior BJP leader was present on the spot that day, he should also be pulled up. 

The national embarrassment is huge. On this, the Bangladesh government and authorities (how much we may disagree with them) were right. 

They had good reasons to register the protest. Any country will do so !

On the part of New Delhi,  the Ministry of External Affairs has done the right thing by a strong statement issued yesterday (Dec 2) itself.

"The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances," the ministry said in a statement. 

This statement from the Ministry of External Affairs comes just hours after over 50 people, who were protesting against the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala on Monday. 

That was absolutely ridiculous thing to happen with a foreign mission.  

And if by chance, hooligans and Leftist cadres were involved, the law should take its course. 

What happened on Dec 2 at Agartala ought to be condemned in strongest term. 

Dhaka also closed its visa and consular office in Tripura following a security lapse incident.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, Pranay Verma reiterated India's commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh.

“Delhi wants to build a constant stable, constructive relationship with Bangladesh, saying no single issue should stand as a barrier for bilateral ties,” he stated.

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Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over breach of its mission in Agartala ::: “We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect", says Law Minister

Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over breach of its mission in Agartala

Bangladesh had lodged a strong protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in Tripura's Agartala by a group of demonstrators.  

Dhaka also closed its visa and consular office in Tripura following a security lapse incident.

 

“He (Verma) came as he was asked to come when we conveyed him our concerns,” a Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry official confirmed.  

Bangladesh on Tuesday, Dec 3, summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, a day after Dhaka lodged a protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in Tripura's Agartala by a group of demonstrators.  

The diplomatic tensions come amid political upheaval in Bangladesh, with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India in August following mass protests against her government. Her departure was followed by the installation of an interim administration under Yunus.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said the Indian envoy was called in response to the Agartala incident. The alleged attack saw protesters breach the premises of Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission, reportedly engaging in vandalism and setting fire to the Bangladeshi national flag.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, Pranay Verma reiterated India's commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh.

“Delhi wants to build a constant stable, constructive relationship with Bangladesh, saying no single issue should stand as a barrier for bilateral ties,” he stated.

India had earlier described the incident as “deeply regrettable.” The protesters were allegedly demonstrating against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka.

Pranay Verma emphasised the multifaceted nature of Indo-Bangladesh relations, saying, “Our relationship is wide-ranging and cannot be reduced to one issue or agenda. India is keen to build on inter-dependencies for mutual benefits.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, expressed concerns over the incident. 

Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul criticised the vandalism, calling it India’s “failure” to ensure diplomatic security. In a Facebook post, he wrote, “We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect. 

India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh.”

BJP set to honour Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra's next Chief Minister :::: And now ... Priyanka Gandhi Vadra -- the 'talent pool' angle !!

The BJP is inching ahead in announcing the name of next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. In all likelihood, the honour would go to Devendra Fadnavis, who was CM from 2014 to 2019 and later Deputy Chief Minister under Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde from 2022. 

The saffron outfit has named Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and ex-Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as the central observers for a meeting of its newly elected Maharashtra MLAs.

The issue of the next Chief Minister may be settled in the meeting that is set to be held on December 4.

The meeting will be held Wednesday morning in Vidhan Bhawan, the party functionary said. 

BJP leader Girish Mahajan, who is considered close to Fadnavis, visited Eknath Shinde’s house in Maharashtra's Thane Monday evening.

The episode highlights possibilities of  some differences between Eknath Shinde and the BJP high command. But the NDA as an alliance is more than happy and confident of PM Narendra Modi's acceptability to the voters.  

But the 'talent pool' debate has entered an entirely new dynamism and ne-ball games vis-a-vis the Congress party.  The grand old party is becoming extremely focused on the dynasty.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi's daughter Pryanka Gandhi Vadra is now another leader/scion of the dynasty to enter parliament. She will be the third lawmaker from the family now.

An article in Pakistani newspaper 'Dawn' sums up the paradox:

"For a country as large and complex as India, it does seem odd that the main opposition group struggles to find talent outside the Gandhi family. Ideally, the catchment area for talent should be more widespread."

The Pakistani paper is hardly pro-BJP or pro-Modi. Even such a media outlet throws a good question for Congress workers and leaders to ponder over: 

"Do Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi find themselves equipped for the enormous challenge? " 

The answer is perhaps in the next sentence -- "While the jury is out, the Gandhis may wish to cast an inward gaze to see if they have the intellectual depth, experience and fortitude needed...". 

(After extensive negotiations within the Mahayuti alliance, Eknath Shinde is now likely to take oath as one of two deputy chief ministers at the swearing-in ceremony on December 5) 

In the meantime as the BJP prepares ground for Fadnavis to return as the Chief Minister, things seem to be clear that Ajit Pawar of NCP will be the deputy CM. So the next question is whether it will be the outgoing CM Eknath Shinde as the second deputy CM.

However, analysts the "jump" from the top post to the deputy's for a Shiv Sainik (full of egos)  might be seen as a bit too big to stomach, and explain to party workers, even if it mirrors the step taken by Fadnavis himself in 2022.

A possible option people spoke about is is Eknath Shinde's son, Shrikant Shinde. However, 'Junior Shinde' has ruled out such a scenario. But all said and done, it appears the ball is in Amit Shah's court.

Eknath Shinde told reporters he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I told PM Modi I would not be an obstacle... we (the Mahayuti alliance that won the election) will go with what he decides."

In the Maharashtra polls, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the 288-seat House with 132 MLAs, while the Shinde Sena got 57 and the Pawar NCP group 41. 

Arithmetic suggests, the BJP can form the government - with the majority mark at 145 - without help from the Sena faction.

The Opposition has alleged EVM tampering and demanded a return to ballot voting. The BJP has junked these claims.

The Election Commission has warned that anyone spreading falsehood about EVMs will face action.

Blogger 

Back to Rahul Gandhi-Priyanka 'bhakti' from the 'Dwan' newspaper writer - Jawed Naqvi (otherwise an Indian). He feels:

"Rahul Gandhi has also become an articulate advocate for a greater share in political and economic governance for lower-caste groups, the OBCs, who comprise over half the population. 

Naqvi also adds, "If Priyanka and he succeed in galvanising the party, to capture the imagination of the masses as is thought they could, the Gandhis would earn the gratitude of compatriots who are groping in the dark for relief from Narendra Modi’s unending misrule". 

Of course as a sincere student of politics, readers will take the phrase "unending misrule"  with a pinch of salt. 

Well, the article is published in a Pakistani newspaper for India's western neighbour which is overwhelmingly clueless to handle a Hindutva icon Modi and also his friends such as Donald Trump.   

We are not overstating certain things here. 

Just glance over Rashid Amjad's article also published in 'Dawn' -- 

"On the external front, there are already serious concerns building up of global economic uncertainty as Donald Trump takes office next month. While the dollar will, in all probability, strengthen given his announced trade curbs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico in the first instance, a major trade war can erupt with each economy adopting policies designed to protect its own interests. 

As in the past, this could trigger a global recession which would hurt developing countries including Pakistan." 

So, a simple piece for Pakistanis and their newspapers - focus more on your problems. 

India has a strong democracy and Modi has won three consecutive polls. Like Sickulars in Bharat; you too could be worried for next few years at least as the Namo phenomenon still draws votes in India. 

Ting tong !! Post script - keep praying for 'miracles' by below average bro-sis sublings ! Jairam Ramesh and Mallikarjun Kharge too are doing so !! 

ends 

Arrested Hindu monk's lawyer Ramesn Roy attacked in Bangladesh, in ICU: Iskcon :::: No lawyer in Chattogram came to fight for the bail hearing

Threatened by Islamists in Bangladesh, no lawyer in Chattogram came to fight for the bail hearing of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in jail for over a week now. 

Das's former lawyer is battling for his life in the ICU after a brutal attack, and the monk will have to be in jail for a month now.

Monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari will have to spend a month in jail even as his previous lawyer is battling for life in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital after an attack at his home.

 Arrested Hindu monk's lawyer attacked in Bangladesh, in ICU: Iskcon 

In a tweet on Monday night, Radharamn Das, Vice President and spokesperson of Iskcon India, said, "Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court."

Iskcon India has claimed that a Bangladeshi lawyer defending arrested Hindu monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was "brutally attacked at his home by Islamists" and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, fighting for his life. The incident comes amid violence in Bangladesh in the wake of the monk's arrest on sedition charges.

Chinmoy Krishna Das was a monk of Iskcon, but the organisation distanced itself from him in September. However, it has spoken out against Das's arrest under sedition charges.

In a tweet on Monday night, Radharamn Das, Vice President and spokesperson of Iskcon India, said, "Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. 

His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life."  The incident "reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh", he was quoted as saying.

Chinmoy Das, who was arrested on November 25 from the Dhaka airport, has been charged in a sedition case for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag during a rally in October.

Following his expulsion from Iskcon, the monk was serving as a spokesperson for the Bangaldesh Sanmilito Sanatani Jagoron Jot -- a newly formed umbrella body spearheading the fight to secure rights for Bangladeshi Hindus.

His arrest sparked widespread protests in Dhaka and Chittagong, where his supporters clashed with security forces.

Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina - snap PTI/India Today 

Sheikh Hasina calls Muhammad Yunus mastermind of mass killings in Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina, addressing an event in New York virtually, slammed Muhammad Yunus for the string of attacks on temples, churches and the religious outfit Iskcon in Bangladesh.

"Today, I have been accused of mass killings. In reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who has indulged in mass killings through a meticulous designed plan along with the student co-ordinators. They are the masterminds. 

Even Tarique Rahman (BNP leader and Khaleda Zia's son) from London has said that if the deaths continue, then the government won't last," Hasina, who fled to India after the fall of her Awami League government in August, said. 

Referring to the alleged atrocities against the minorities in the country, Hasina said, "Today, teachers, police are all being attacked and killed... Hindus, Buddhists, Christians are being targeted. Churches and several temples have been attacked. 

Why are minorities being targeted in Bangladesh now?"  

The scathing attack on Yunus comes amid a wave of attacks on the Hindu community by radical Islamists in Bangladesh. The arrests of three Hindu monks have only added to the concerns. Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 amid violent student protests, with the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government subsequently taking over the country's charge.

The former Prime Minister claimed there was a plan to assassinate her just like her father and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed. Hasina said she left Bangladesh as she didn't want a "massacre".

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Congress banking heavily on Dynasty charm and politics of privileged !! In contrast BJP makes surprise choices as CMs ... but sends out a message to little known middle rung that they can have a Bright Career

BJP's Chief Ministers such as Mohan Yadav in Madhya Pradesh, Bhupendra Patel in Gujarat and Bhajan Lal Sharma in Rajasthan are examples of how the 'party with a difference' --the BJP - can reward its anonymous middle rung players. The story is different in Congress. 

In circa 2024 and humbled thrice 2014, 2019 and 2024 - it is still rejoicing the fact that Prianka Gandhi Vadra has entered Parliament. It's a record. 

Congress’s First Family will now have three MPs. Does it give any wrong signal?

Those who rejoice and bask in reflected glories of dynastic and elitists' success may miss the point. But it is a fact of life that on ground zero - at the level of faceless Indians - the Congress will obviously face the challenge of  projecting itself as a part for the young and middle class - who are ambitious but are also impatient.

"In doing so, it underlines a contrast with a Congress in the grip of family," says an article in 'Indian Express'. 

The Congress party has announced an intent to launch a “national movement” centred on its concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. 

“Free and fair elections is a constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission. Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take up these public concerns as a national movement,” last week’s Congress Working Committee resolution said.

The CWC meet was held in the aftermath of the party’s electoral defeat in Maharashtra, and the setback in Haryana just before that. Congress has already submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, and, by all accounts, the movement it proposes to launch will fold in alleged malpractices ranging from the EC’s less-than-neutral conduct to tampering with electoral rolls and voter suppression.

The bitter truth is, however, that there is no hard evidence so far to back its claims.

Closer studies since June 2024 suggests, the BJP seems purposeful even after a setback (of losing even Ayodhya/Faizabad Lok Sabha seat) and a few odd numbers. But Congress was given a huge encouragement in June has gone back to 'setback' moments as it miserably lost Maharashtra and also wasted an opportunity in Haryana.

In fact, an argument goes, can Congress fight back and does it have a strategy ?

The Bharat Jodo Yatra probably helped both the party and the leader Rahul Gandhi; but things were not enough.

Is it a case then that it appears the grand old party is just sitting back and waiting for voters to see the light or for the BJP to trip on anti-incumbency? The facts are really cruel. The Congress has a typical bad experience of fading out from the scene in states where it lost power. There are states like Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal - where it is no longer taken seriously. In the Lok Sabha elections, the party may like to look the other side - but it has lost three consecutive polls - 2014, 2019 and 2024. 

In the first two instances, it did not have one-tenth of Lok Sabha members and hence missed the formal Leader of the Opposition crown.     

In electoral sense, the Congress and especially Rahul Gandhi thought name calling against Gautam Adani would help their cause. It did not. 

In Maharashtra, if Congress relied on Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray factors; the calculation went haywire. 

If 'farmer distress' was an issue as were anxieties on price rise and joblessness. the party lacked adequate plans on ground to exploit.

In Haryana too an over confidence prevailed and it boomeranged. 

"The Congress seems to be counting, most of all, on being the inevitable receptacle of the vote when the voter turns away from the BJP. In far too many elections, Congress posturing has smacked of a complacent self-righteousness, suggesting that the only thing to be done is for the voters to see the error of their ways in choosing the BJP," says Vandita Mishra in her piece to 'Indian Express'. 

While the BJP plays the caste game to the full, for instance — in Maharashtra, ahead of the campaign, its strategists were counting the 350-plus OBC sub-castes and the 50-plus sub-groups in SCs — it also invites voters into bigger and wider imagined communities. The Nation and the Civilisation that upholds it, India on the World Stage, the Hindu Samaj, the Women, the Young and Aspirational, the Labharthi or beneficiaries. 

In contrast Congress, through its demand for the caste census — is generally seen as harping on narrower identities. PM Narendra Modi made it worse for the Congress by coining the slogan -- Ek Hae toh Safe Hae. It was a political masterstroke. It tried to give the message that the Congress -- well known for pro-Muslim and pro-Christan stance - was being anti-Hindu and trying to divide it. The Hindu unity came in favour of the BJP like a Tsunami.   

Congress really needs to find new political imagination !!

ends 

PM Modi, Union Ministers, BJP chief and actor Vikrant Massey watch 'The Sabarmati Report' in Parliament library's Balayogi Auditorium

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, shared the photos of him and his cabinet colleagues watching the film 'The Sabarmati Report' and said, "Joined fellow NDA MPs at a screening of 'The Sabarmati Report.' I commend the makers of the film for their effort".  

Speaking to the media after the screening of the movie, Massey said, "It was altogether a different experience to watch the film with the Prime Minister. The Defence Minister and the Home Minister were also there. 

I am not able to express my experience in words as I am happy that I was able to watch the film along with the PM... Watching the movie with PM Modi was the highest point of my career."  

On February 27, 2002, a fire incident on the Sabarmati Express at Godhra killed 59 people who were returning from Ayodhya after participating in a religious ceremony. The gory incident and the subsequent riots changed the course of Gujarat politics and to a large extent of India. 

Last month, PM Modi praised the filmmakers for "revealing the truth" behind the incident and said that a "fake narrative can only persist for a limited period of time".  "It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too, in a way, common people can see it," Modi said while praising the film starring actors Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra, among others.

Vikrant Massey, who announced a break in films on Sunday, thanked PM Modi for praising his movie, and said his "positive words" had encouraged the team. The Sabarmati Report producer Ekta Kapoor also expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister, saying his appreciation was a significant boost for the film's team.

The film, directed by Dheeraj Sarna, was released on November 15. It has been declared tax-free in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, all BJP-ruled states

The film is based on the burning of the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station on February 27, 2002, where at least 59 devotees/ Ram Bhakts returning from Ayodhya were killed. This incident led to widespread riots in Gujarat.

On November 17, PM Modi, who was Gujarat CM at the time of the incident, said a fake narrative can persist only for a limited period of time.

He commented on X, reacting to a user's post praising the movie for "bringing out the important truth of one of the most shameful events in our history".

Blogger's book 'Godhra - Journey of a Prime Minister' - 2018 publication 

A section of India Today's review read: "Overall, the film is an honest attempt at looking at the Godhra tragedy and what happened to the Sabarmati Express on the fateful day. 

However, it gets marred with several issues being put into it – including the entire vernacular vs English journalists angle, which goes grossly overboard, sometimes overshadowing the tragedy.

ends