Jagmohan's grasp on Kashmir politics and Delhi's pollution proved prophetic
New Delhi: The greatest misnomer in journalism is that more often one starts regarding the stories and happenings around you as something of their own. A journalist is never a hero.The same yardstick would apply to some people in constitutional positions, they would play their roles as the situation of the time demands and move ahead.
Born on September 25, 1927, Jagmohan would be best remembered as a former Governor of militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir. But he was also a Lt. Governor of Delhi and once a blue-eyed babu of Indira Gandhi.
He courted controversiesduring Emergency and was known for having moved close to Sanjay Gandhi.
Of course, he later became a BJP man and a Minister in the Vajpayee government.
A prolific writer and a sincere reader, Late Jagmohan had an eye for details. But the biggest catch was,he was very candid. He did not mind criticising "George (Sahab) Fernandes", though they were friends and members of the same cabinet.
When it came to stint as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during V P Singh government, he said there was "disinformation deluge" emanating from people like Rajiv Gandhi.
In his book, 'My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir', Jagmohan had lambasted the "unimaginable ignorance about the fundamental reality of Kashmir" among many leaders and experts.
On disinformation, he wrote: "The principal source of the deluge was Rajiv Gandhi and his coterie. Later on, another source - George Fernandes and his associates - made their contribution".
In the 1980s, Indira Gandhi had picked him to be Governor of Jammu and Kashmir -- perhaps in preference to Punjab; - and Jagmohan had stoutly defended the controversial dismissal of Farooq Abdullah in July 1984 and the installation of G M Syed as the chief minister.
Many have debated that even before deputing him to Kashmir, Indira Gandhi had decided to topple Farooq. Was it the beginning of an erroneous policy in the state ?
In the 1990s during V P Singh's tenure, it is said the assassination of Maulvi Farooq spoiled the game for India. Apparently, Mufti Mohammed Syed, the then Union Home Minister, had advised for adequate security and even 'protective custody' of Maulvi Farooq; but Jagmohan-led administration did not act.
Maulvi was chairman of the All Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee, a coalition of disparate political parties in Jammu and Kashmir that sought resolution of the Kashmir conflict.
He was assassinated on May 21, 1990.
Later his differences with George Fernandes had only added to the complexities and put the VP Singh government on the dock.
However, Jagmohan would never run short of admirers as well. He is also known as one of the'most vilified' protagonists in the entire tragedy or canvas called 'Kashmir dispute'.
But he was firm and assertive. His letter to Rajiv Gandhi in 1986 on Article 370 remains a testimony for posterity.
" Article 370 is nothing but a breeding ground for the parasites at the heart of paradise. It skins the poor. It deceives them with its mirage. It lines the pockets of the “power elites.” It fans the ego of the new sultans. In essence, it creates a land without justice, a land full of crudities and contradictions. It props up politics of deception, duplicity and demagogy."
And in September 2019 after the controversial Article was abrogated, it must be a momentous occasion for him whenHome Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders called on the 91-year-old ailing Jagmohan.
As the Urban Development Minister he played a key role in ensuring Delhi Metro in the capital when this move generated protest over issues of land encroachment and other related matters.
So much was his farsightedness that he could predict in 2000: ".....both physical and mental pollution would increase (in Delhi), productivity and peace would suffer a further decline and the future of Delhi would be sealed".
He once told this journalist that he liked headlines in certain English newspapers; or he did appreciate a piece by an Editor of 'The Statesman' Ravindra Kumar on the issue of 'breach of privilege' raised in Parliament from time to time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his condolence message said, "Jagmohan Ji’s demise is a monumental loss for our nation. He was an exemplary administrator and a renowned scholar. He always worked towards the betterment of India. His ministerial tenure was marked by innovative policy making".
Ravinder Pandita, head Sharda committee Kashmir, said - "We have lost a true saviour in Jagmohan Malhotra ji. His stint twice in the state will be remembered for overall development, infrastructure & discipline".
Expressing condolences, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, "....The Doyen has left".
ends
Thanks to 'TMC win', Bengal BJP workers take shelter in Assam:
New Delhi/Kolkata: The Bengal pogrom is really becoming big.
Now, around 400 BJP Bengal 'karyakartas' and family members under attack by Trinamool cadres have crossed over to Dhubri in Assam and have been given shelter and food by the Assam government.
"In a sad development 300-400 Bengal BJP karyakartas and family members have crossed over to Dhubri in Assam after confronted with brazen persecution and violence. We are giving shelter and food," Assam Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.
"Mamata Banerjee, Didi must stop this ugly dance of demonocracy! Bengal deserves better," he tweeted with snaps from the spot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and took stock of the situation after post-poll violence and sporadic violence has claimed lives of about nine workers and left several injured including women.
Sources said Mr Modi spoke to the Governor amid reports that the Additional Chief Secretary, Home in West Bengal did not submit any report to the Governor yet on the post-poll violence as sought by him.
"Cannot figure out why ACS Home has not forwarded to me these when violence continues unabated and there are concerns over it in Country and even outside," the Governor wrote in a series of tweets.
Meanwhile, Left leaders have started admitting the violent activities in West Bengal. Kakali Khetrapal, a 52-year-old CPI(M) worker from Nabagram in East Burdwan's Jamalpur was hacked to death.
Senior communist leader and CPI-M politburo member Subhashini Ali has condemned the ongoing post-poll West Bengal violence and lamented that "no justice can be expected" under the given circumstances.
"Yes TMC has won decisively but that has increased its aggression against political opponents," she tweeted.
"Our AIDWA comrade KAKOLI KSHETRAPAL was brutally murdered in her home in Jamalpur, Burdwan two days ago. Appalling. No justice can be expected. We have lost a brave woman comrade," she wrote.
Aishe Ghosh, CPI leader and President of JNU Students Union president, wrote: "TMC should at least respect people's mandate, which was given to you for working for the people of Bengal, not for unleashing violence on our people. Your party cadres are unleashing violence, attacking houses, party offices. This won't be tolerated at any cost".
Ghosh was the CPI candidate from Jamuria assembly constituency.
CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury also tweeted:
"Are these reports of gruesome violence in Bengal TMC’s ‘victory celebrations’?Condemnable.
Will be resisted and rebuffed. Instead of focusing on combating the pandemic TMC unleashes such mayhem.
CPI(M), as always, will be with the people to protect, assist, providing relief".
In a tweet, CPI(M) West Bengal unit says, "Comrade Kakali Khetrapal, a 52-year-old CPI(M) worker from
Nabagram in East Burdwan's Jamalpur was hacked to death on Sunday. Trinamool members,
celebrating their election victory, allegedly entered her home while she was cooking and attacked
her with a sharp weapon".
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has urged Mamata Banerjee to "restore" law and order in the state at the earliest but lamented that Additional Chief Secretary Home has "not forwarded" to him reports from DGP and Kolkata police commissioner on the continued violence.
 |
| CM & Guv: Cold War |
"Both DGP of West Bengal Police and Commissioner of Police, Kolkata have informed that they had sent their reports as sought by me to ACS Home. Cannot figure out why ACS Home has not forwarded to me these when violence continues unabated and there are concerns over it in Country and even outside," the Governor wrote in a series of tweets.
He wrote: "Reports indicate horrendous state of affairs. Horrified people are fleeing to save themselves. Flooded with SOS appeals. Harmads are on killing and destruction spree. Such nosediving of constitutional values cannot be countenanced."
He called upon the Chief Minister to act quickly and "restore order".
BJP has alleged that in continued spree of gruesome violence even targeting women and that at least six party workers have been eliminated.
This violence has a pattern and is state sponsored, BJP leaders Sambit Patra and Anirban Ganguly told reporters.
"Yeh prayojit hinsa hae. Sahayog nahi, prayog hae", said Samit Patra.
"The way women are being dragged out of their homes and being assaulted and made half-naked, these cannot be accepted in any civilised state, society and organisation," Patra told journalists in a virtual conference.
He said Mamata Banerjee should realise that she has won the election and thus in this moment of poll victory, she should show 'graciousness'.
"Moreover, you are a woman Chief Minister and you presented yourself as a daughter of Bengal. Those mothers and young women are being dragged out of their house and being attacked, are they not Bengal's daughters?," he asked.
"Do they deserve this, Mamata ji. Is it their crime that they voted and worked for BJP ", Patra said adding in fact prior to completion of the elections Mamata Banerjee had warned the rivals that after poll process is over, people will be taught lessons.
He wondered why Congress leadership and especially Rahul Gandhi is silent on these attacks. "Forget BJP workers, now even Congress leaders and workers are being attacked," Patra said and alleged that the former Congress President was perhaps only drawing a sadistic pleasure that the BJP workers were at the receiving end of Trinamool's violence.
Jagmohan's grasp on Kashmir politics and Delhi's pollution proved prophetic
New Delhi: The greatest misnomer in journalism is that more often one starts regarding the stories and happenings around you as something of their own. A journalist is never a hero.The same yardstick would apply to some people in constitutional positions, they would play their roles as the situation of the time demands and move ahead.
Born on September 25, 1927, Jagmohan would be best remembered as a former Governor of militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir. But he was also a Lt. Governor of Delhi and once a blue-eyed babu of Indira Gandhi.
He courted controversiesduring Emergency and was known for having moved close to Sanjay Gandhi.
Of course, he later became a BJP man and a Minister in the Vajpayee government.
A prolific writer and a sincere reader, Late Jagmohan had an eye for details. But the biggest catch was,he was very candid. He did not mind criticising "George (Sahab) Fernandes", though they were friends and members of the same cabinet.
When it came to stint as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during V P Singh government, he said there was "disinformation deluge" emanating from people like Rajiv Gandhi.
In his book, 'My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir', Jagmohan had lambasted the "unimaginable ignorance about the fundamental reality of Kashmir" among many leaders and experts.
On disinformation, he wrote: "The principal source of the deluge was Rajiv Gandhi and his coterie. Later on, another source - George Fernandes and his associates - made their contribution".
In the 1980s, Indira Gandhi had picked him to be Governor of Jammu and Kashmir -- perhaps in preference to Punjab; - and Jagmohan had stoutly defended the controversial dismissal of Farooq Abdullah in July 1984 and the installation of G M Syed as the chief minister.
Many have debated that even before deputing him to Kashmir, Indira Gandhi had decided to topple Farooq. Was it the beginning of an erroneous policy in the state ?
In the 1990s during V P Singh's tenure, it is said the assassination of Maulvi Farooq spoiled the game for India. Apparently, Mufti Mohammed Syed, the then Union Home Minister, had advised for adequate security and even 'protective custody' of Maulvi Farooq; but Jagmohan-led administration did not act.
Maulvi was chairman of the All Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee, a coalition of disparate political parties in Jammu and Kashmir that sought resolution of the Kashmir conflict.
He was assassinated on May 21, 1990.
Later his differences with George Fernandes had only added to the complexities and put the VP Singh government on the dock.
However, Jagmohan would never run short of admirers as well. He is also known as one of the'most vilified' protagonists in the entire tragedy or canvas called 'Kashmir dispute'.
But he was firm and assertive. His letter to Rajiv Gandhi in 1986 on Article 370 remains a testimony for posterity.
" Article 370 is nothing but a breeding ground for the parasites at the heart of paradise. It skins the poor. It deceives them with its mirage. It lines the pockets of the “power elites.” It fans the ego of the new sultans. In essence, it creates a land without justice, a land full of crudities and contradictions. It props up politics of deception, duplicity and demagogy."
And in September 2019 after the controversial Article was abrogated, it must be a momentous occasion for him whenHome Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders called on the 91-year-old ailing Jagmohan.
As the Urban Development Minister he played a key role in ensuring Delhi Metro in the capital when this move generated protest over issues of land encroachment and other related matters.
So much was his farsightedness that he could predict in 2000: ".....both physical and mental pollution would increase (in Delhi), productivity and peace would suffer a further decline and the future of Delhi would be sealed".
He once told this journalist that he liked headlines in certain English newspapers; or he did appreciate a piece by an Editor of 'The Statesman' Ravindra Kumar on the issue of 'breach of privilege' raised in Parliament from time to time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his condolence message said, "Jagmohan Ji’s demise is a monumental loss for our nation. He was an exemplary administrator and a renowned scholar. He always worked towards the betterment of India. His ministerial tenure was marked by innovative policy making".
Ravinder Pandita, head Sharda committee Kashmir, said - "We have lost a true saviour in Jagmohan Malhotra ji. His stint twice in the state will be remembered for overall development, infrastructure & discipline".
Expressing condolences, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, "....The Doyen has left".
ends
 |
| Jagmohan slammed Rajiv |
Amid violence against BJP workers in Bengal, saffron party announces nationwide Dharna
New Delhi: The BJP has announced a nationwide dharna on May 5 against the widespread violence unleashed by the Trinamool Congress workers post the election results in West Bengal.
Announcing this the party said, this protest will be held following all Covid protocols across all organisational mandals of the BJP.
The party also announced that BJP national president J P Nadda will be visiting West Bengal on May 4 and 5 in view of the widespread post-results retributive violence unleashed on BJP workers and supporters by "criminal elements" in the TMC cadre.
"He will be visiting families of the affected karyakartas," a missive from the ruling party in the country said.
Even Left and Shiv Sena leaders have expressed concern about the violence.
"TMC should at least respect people's mandate, which was given to you for working for the people of Bengal, not for unleashing violence on our people. Your party cadres are unleashing violence, attacking houses, party offices. This won't be tolerated at any cost," tweeted Aishe Ghosh, CPI leader and President of JNU Students Union president.
Ghosh was the CPI candidate from Jamuria assembly constituency.
The Union Home Ministry has called for a report. Things are turning serious and hence a report has been sought, sources said.
Earlier on May 3, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar had summoned the state DGP.
"Have been constrained to urgently summon DGP of WB Police in the wake of alarming law and order in the state," the Governor tweeted.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee at Nandigram, said in a message with a video footage that women workers of the saffron party were also being attacked.
"Heart-rending scenes in Kendamari Village in my Constituency Nandigram earlier today (May 3). Miscreants from the Trinamool Congress mercilessly thrashed our Women Karyakartas".
He further said: "A shameful day for the Nation. This is a living example of how the Trinamool respects our Nari Shakti".
There has been a large scale anti-BJP workers violence post May 2 election results and so far several people have died too.
"Thanks didi for your silence. You can't digest your defeat so you want this sort of antacid. Shame on your government forming," wrote BJP MP from Coach Behar, Nisith Pramanik.
Even Shiv Sena deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote urging Trinamool leaderDerek-O-Brien to "ensure" enforcement of rule of law.
"After a fiercely fought campaign, reading on social media instances of violence in West Bengal. Request you @derekobrienmp to bring some clarity and also ensure strict rule of law prevails," she wrote.
BJP leader Baijayant Jay Panda wondered why the mainstream media was still silent over it.
"Horrific POGROM underway in West Bengal. BJP workers and their establishments being systematically targeted for violece, arson and murder. Happy with this "idea of India" ? Visuals are all over social media, will mainstream media cover? Yet Modi is fascist and Didi the secular darling?," he tweeted.
Union Minister Babul Supriyo also condemned the violence. He also criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks the BJP was circulating old snaps and videos.
"There cannot be a bigger lie than this. But then that's the USP of TMC. Yesterday was yesterday.Tomorrow shall be tomorrow but we shall fight," he tweeted.
Actress Kangana Ranaut also took to Twitter and said:"BJP won Assam and Puducherry. No violence reported. TMC won West Bengal.Hundreds of murders and Bengal is burning. But Modi is fascist and Mamata is a secular leader. Enough is enough". She also used the hashtag 'PresidentRuleInBengal'.
There was anguish among netizens of what is going on in the state.
"No dharna sir our brothers are being killed here. The goons of mamata should be punished more than that. We need President's Rule in Bengal." wrote one Tanushree Sarkar on the micro blogging site.
ends
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