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Political Notes

	August 13, 2007

Religious fundamentalists attack Taslima



Bangladeshi writer, Taslima Nasreen, was roughed up by legislators of the Majlis-i-Itthadul Muslimeen, and a mob led by them in Press Club, Hyderabad on Thursday, August 9. The writer of several novels, including Lajja, which was about treatment of Hindus by Muslims in Bangladesh, was in the city to launch the translated version of her works. Twenty MIM activists barged into the conference hall and hurled abuses on her. Without further warning they began throwing books, chairs and whatever they could lay their hands on at her. The organisers shielded Taslima Nasreen and saved her from injury. Badly shaken, Taslima flew out of the city. But in a statement she said that she would continue to fight against evil till her death.



The Andhra Pradesh police, instead of taking action against the MIM workers, has registered a case against Taslima Nasreen for hurting religious sentiments. This has been done on a com¬plaint by an MIM legislator. The police is yet to file cases against MIM leaders who had threatened to kill Taslima Nasreen if she dared to visit Hyderabad again.



In the meantime, the Centre has extended Taslima Nasreen’s visa for another six months.



The CPI(M) politburo in a statement has demanded firm action against those involved in the attack on Taslima Nasreen. It said the attack militates against Freedom of Expression. Academics and Human Rights activists have also demanded strict legal action against the MIM workers involved.





Mayawati finds way to encourage job quotas in Private sector



In the first such initiative by a state Government, Uttar Pradesh has introduced voluntary reservation of 30 per cent jobs in the private sector in the state. The quota will be implement¬ed through a contract between the government and a private compa¬ny and only in cases where the enterprise avails tax concessions and other benefits. The state cabinet approved a proposal on August 9 which provides that companies setting up business in the state would be given incentives only if they provided 30 per cent jobs for the weaker sections. Those who do not want to follow the quota formula cannot stake claim to concessions like land allocation, tax holiday and other subsidies.



With Mayawati expanding her area of influence from Uttar Pradesh to other states like Madhya Pradesh, the Congress is worried at the prospect and also its inability to translate the UPA government’s achievements into political benefit for the party.



In an indication that the leadership is concerned at the party’s inability to revive itself in states like UP, Bihar or West Bengal, Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently asked her general secretaries to prepare an action plan to galvanize the organization in every state ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha elec¬tions. The latest sign of worry comes from the Karnataka unit of the party which is looking at the large cut out of UP Chief Minister and BSP leader Mayawati that have started appearing in Bangalore and other cites. More than the ruling JD(S)-BJP, they fear that BSP’s entry might eat into its support base.



This is true also of the party in Gujarat - where elections are slated later this year - Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi where polls are due in 2008 and in Maharashtra where votes will be cast in 2009. In fact, there are fears that it might affect the party adversely even in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.





Apex court notice over Goa Speaker’s action



The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Goa Government on the petition filed by the BJP-led alliance challenging the order of Goa Assembly Speaker Pratapsinh Rane restraining two opposition MLAs from voting in the House during the Motion of Confidence moved by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. A Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan sought a reply from the state government on the allegation that the Speaker’s interim order was unconstitutional and was in blatant violation of natu¬ral justice and fair play.



In a related development, the BJP has sought President Pratibha Patil’s intervention in the issue. Addressing a rally in New Delhi on August 10, senior BJP leader L.K. Advani said as the constitutional head, President Pratibha Patil has an obliga¬tion to ensure that the dignity of the Constitution is maintained at all costs.



The NDA organised a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 10 against the Goa Assembly Speaker’s decision not to allow three legislators to vote on the no confidence motion.





Apex court refuses to lift stay on OBC reservations



In a major setback to the UPA Government, the Supreme Court has refused to vacate the stay on the implementation of the 27 per cent quota for other backward classes (OBCs) in central educational institutions like IITs and IIMs.



The five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan refused to entertain the Centre’s application for a vacation of the stay order on the ground of changed circum¬stances. This effectively put an end to the Centre’s effort to ensure reservation for OBC students in central education insti¬tutes in the current academic session.



“The interim order will continue. We are not going to pass any order,” the Bench said.



Reacting to the court’s decision, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said, “The Ministry is trying to do what is correct. The delay was not on our part. At every stage we were eager to get the matter resolved. Now we will see what can be done.” The HRD Minister was clear that the decision was not a setback and that the court had not rejected the idea of reserva¬tion for OBC students.





CEC to decide Navin Chawla’s fate



In an embarrassment for the Government, the Supreme Court on August 7 allowed BJP leader Jaswant Singh and another petitioner to withdraw their pleas seeking removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla after Chief Election Commission N. Gopalaswami asserted that he had powers to initiate action against an Elec¬tion Commissioner on the basis of a petition to him.



A bench of Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice V.S. Sirpurkar said : “We cannot stop anyone from representing to the CEC,” even as Additional Solicitor General Subramanium vehemently objected saying the government alone could initiate action for removal of an Election Commissioner.



The CEC has no power in this regard except to make a recom¬mendation to the President, he said and insisted that the Centre be heard on this. The court declined his plea.



“This point - whether he (CEC) has the power or not - is not an issue before us and we are not going to adjudicate on the matter,” the bench said, adding it has left the question of law open and either party could challenge it.



Immediately after the petition was withdrawn, the BJP said it would formally petition the CEC for Chawla’s removal. If the CEC recommends Chawla’s removal to the President, it would be a huge embarrassment for the UPA Government which has been defend¬ing him.