At this moment of history when Congressmen and women try to rediscover the virtues of Nehru legacy, they ought to remember one quality of their hero which had clearly given him an upper hand vis-à-vis Sardar Patel.
THAT WAS IN NEHRU’S ROLE AS A “STRATEGIC LINK” AMONG DIVERSE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL GROUPS IN INDIA. -- blog Nov 13/14 , 2014
Noted writer Michael Brecher answers few of these questions in ‘Nehru – A Political Biography’ and says eloquently: “there were differences which set them apart”.
While Patel, for instance was “ruthless, practical and blunt in speech and action”; Nehru was a man of great charm and aesthetically inclined, impulsive and emotional. He also argues: “to the world at large Nehru was, with Gandhi, the symbol of India’s struggle for freedom. Patel never attained this stature….”.
Nov 11, 2014:
Maulana Azad – the low-profile man who almost saved India the Partition
In politics, an oft repeated statement is as much they change, as much they would remain the same. In the season of who has ‘stolen’ whose history, thanks to certain assertive moves on the issue by the Modi regime, the birth anniversary of Abul Kalam Azad, freedom fighter and country’s first Education Minister, passed off in a low key affair.
This also justifies the allegation that over the decades, India’s ruling elites have tried to keep all glories for one family primarily and occasionally agreed to share the limelight between two ‘surnames’ – Nehru and Gandhi.
Dec 21, 2015
Mamata Banerjee said she felt “sad” a senior Congress leader (Sonia) was being summoned for personal appearance in the court. Mamata almost forgot that in the process she was trying to redefine the basic issue of accountability of citizens towards the judicial authority.
In her enthusiasm to extend support to ‘madam Sonia’ – Mamata also forgot that Delhi High Court had rejected the plea hardly 24 hours before for exemption in appearance and had directed Sonia Gandhi and Rahul to appear before the city magistrate.
Dec 12, 2015
Assam actually had turned into a small laboratory of demographic influx and domination. And by 2015 – when the Population by Religious Communities of Census 2011- was released, everyone was aghast as Assam’s Muslim population increased to 34.22 per cent, a quantum leap of over four per cent.
But the Hindu population stood around 61.46 per cent. To top it all, 9 districts - Barpeta, Dhubri, Karimganj, Goalpara, Darrang, Bongaigaon, Hailakandi, Nagaon and Morigaon have turned Muslim majority – a major change from six Muslim dominated districts in 2001.
Obviously the influx issue will be a dominant and top of the election-politics agenda in Assam for next few months. While the BJP and the regional outfit AGP will fight for the space, there’s also the crucial factor of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) – led Badruddin Ajmal which commands immense support base in Muslim strongholds.
2016:
Quoting from former bureaucrat Madhav Godbole's book 'Unfinished Innings: Recollections and Reflections of a Civil Servant', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, when YB Chavan had advised Indira Gandhi to implement the Wanchoo panel recommendation for note-ban in 1971, Indira Gandhi had snubbed Chavan with her question, "Will Congress party never contest any election again."
Under attack by political detractors for his demonetisation drive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Dec 16, 2016 made blistering attack on the Congress and the Left parties for what he said coming in defence of the "dishonest" people and asserted that the new decline in the standard of politics was a matter of "deep concern".
"....beimano ke saath dene ke liye ikkathey ho rahen haen (It is as if they have all decided to join hands to defend and take side of the dishonest and corrupt people)," the Prime Minister said in his over half-an-hour speech at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting (on his govt't move for Demonetisation)
Sept 28, 2017
(Though this had nothing to do politics or opposition/Congress party...I am including this here)
"Without captors' goodness..............There is goodness in everybody," says Father Tom Uzhunnalil
There is goodness in everybody," says Father Tom Uzhunnalil
New Delhi, Sept 28 The Kerala-based Christian priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was released from ISIS captivity earlier this month, on his return on Thursday said "there is goodness in everybody" and had they been "not good" his return would not have been possible."I pray for everybody....there is goodness in everybody and had they not been good, my return would not have been possible," Father Uzhunnalil told a crowded press conference here.
Sept 24, 2017
Congress Revival: Where are 'Out of Box' ideas?
When Rahul Gandhi launched an overseas trip eyeing to re-launch himself - just on the eve of his possible coronation as Congress president, some skeptics were surprised - where are the 'out of box' ideas to revive India's grand old party.
In terms of perspective, the Congress party has turned too much predictable and this has weakened its fight for electoral revival. Incidentally, the tale is same both in BJP-ruled Gujarat or a regional party-ruled Andhra Pradesh.
United Andhra Pradesh was the chief architect of Congress victory in 2004 and 2009 and look at the sad tale today. Hence, there are needs for trying some innovative steps.
An attempt should be made to sound ‘more reasonable’ than mere loyalists to the leadership. Sam Pitroda and so on are only old faces and even the style of Rahul Gandhi's attack on the Narendra Modi government is on predictable lines. The main issues remain unaddressed. This suits the coterie but not the party or even Rahul Gandhi himself.
Jan 1, 2018
Minorities continue to reel under love-hate relationship with Modi regime
Religious minorities in India - especially Muslims and Christians - continue to reel under love-hate relationship with the BJP-led Narendra Modi government even as the bygone year 2017 was marred by heated debate on issues like Triple Talaq, Love Jihad and conversion row.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday, December 24, urged the Central government to withhold and withdraw its Bill to outlaw instant Triple Talaq, stating that it was against the principles of Shariah and an interference in Muslim personal law.
On December 15, the Union Cabinet approved the much talked about Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 that seeks to provide punishment for instant Triple Talaq and gives victims the right to seek maintenance from their former spouses. The Supreme Court in a 3:2 judgement in August had banned Triple Talaq, saying it violated the fundamental rights of Muslim women.
(second part will cover 2019 to 2023)
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