Don’t make Hasan Gafoor a scapegoat !

Government of Maharashtra is in the state of fix over the interview of former Mumbai Commissioner of Police Hasan Gafoor published by The Week in which he is believed to said that four top ranking IPS officers from the State Police shirked their duties on the fateful night of 26/11, which was the most horrendous night to have been experienced by any city in the world.

Parambir Singh, who is currently discharging his duties as DIG Konkan @ Thane Range who is named by Gafoor as one of the four IPS officers, who had allegedly lagged on terror night, has threatened to initiate a legal action against Gafoor, Deven Bharati too on his part has taken pains to explain his whereabouts on the dreadful night to the media, in his attempt to negate Gafoor’s proposition.

No sooner Gafoor’s charges were carried by the media on Saturday 21^st November, both CM and Home Minister R R Patil were quick to summon both Gafoor and KL Prasad to know what had actually transpired.

The political aftermath of 26/11 was so much so that both the then CM Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy CM R R Patil were required to put down their papers, over the public outcry, as the inefficiency of both the Mumbai Police state and intelligence wing came to the fore.

To quell the public anger, the then newly sworn in CM Ashok Chavan promptly announced the formation of Ram Pradhan – V. Balachandran Committee to find out the role of the police personnel for those three crucial days. However, quietly strangely, till this date, the terms of reference of Pradhan Committee have never been made public.

Though couple of public interest litigations were filed in the Bombay High Court for fixing the responsibility on the erring government officials for the dereliction of their duties, the Government got the boost, as the Apex court has granted a ‘stay’ for making Pradhan committee report public, when the matter reached to Delhi. So everything is under the wraps and no body knows who are the officers who have been indicted by the committee and who are the ones, to whom a clean chit has been given.

In the light of fresh bomb shell dropped by Ex Mumbai CP, it is interesting to note, wheat Gafoor has deposed before the committee and whether he had castigated any such aspersions on the erring officers, when he had ample opportunity to air so. If he has not, then Gafoor is inviting a trouble for himself.

Though the media has carried reports, that Government was furious over Gafoor’s interview, which has been given to the weekly publication in contrast to Civil Service Rules, it needs to be seen, whether Government gives him an opportunity to argue his side, as a principle of natural justice.

One would recollect that few weeks after the blast, Gafoor had categorically stated during the press conference about the involvement of ‘local elements’ in 26/ 11 attacks and was quick to backtrack when he was presumably admonished by Delhi over his revelation.

This time too, Gafoor has backtracked and has now tried to shift the onus on the publication.

One must remember that The Week publication belonging Malayalam Manorama group is India’s highly respected publication and is never known to have indulged in any kind of yellow journalism, or scandalous writing or scoops, or defamatory campaign while targeting anyone, etc. or taking any kind of soopari on behalf of some against his rival, in order to boost its circulation figure, since its inception.

Hence, unless Gafoor proves that all that The Week has carried is false and imaginary, the revelation published by the The Week needs to be believed and be taken seriously.

Given the sensitivity of the issue, when the matter was being published on the 1^st anniversary of 26/11, its reporter must have carried minimum an audio tape recorder, if not video recorder, while conducting Gafoor’s interview. If its reporter has taped so, then Gafoor has no chance to show that the weekly magazine has twisted his statements.

Be that as it may, the government must show the courage to enquire and find out, whether all that Gafoor has now said about the dereliction of duties of four IPS officers in question is true or otherwise !

But the moot question, is when the government of the day, does not show the courage in making 26/11 Pradhan committee report public, will it dare to ask the duo of Pradhan – Balachandran to have a second round of enquiry in the fresh set of allegations made by Gafoor? Or else, Gafoor would be made a scapegoat and he would be fired from the service for talking to the media and deingrating the image of the police department, which he once held as numero uno.

One feels that India’s democracy is a superficial democracy. In US, the Bush administration was quick to constitute an enquiry over 9 /11 attacks, which was made its findings public, after the report was laid down before the Congress. However, in India, 26/11 report is wrapped in a secrecy. ! Two tales of world’s biggest democracies !

Dalai Lama’s unwarranted comments on Indian judiciary

 Dalai Lama is highly respected Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader not just in Tibet and India, but all over the world. Barring Islamic countries, he has thousands of followers practically in each and every country on this earth.

 His non violent struggle over seeking political independence for Tibet is quite applauding and he has been resolutely facing Chinese tantrums over the last five decades in the most peaceful manner. His any comment or opinion over Tibetan issue becomes a news item which is carried by the media in few hours all over the world.

 India, on her part has consistently supported him right from Nehruvian era and successive Indian governments have been virtually treating him as a ‘State guest’.  He has been enjoying India’s uninterrupted hospitality since mid 1950 and even the Chinese government trades with him very cautiously, lest it can have a back firing effect thereby resulting in a world reaction.

 In the first and second week of November, 2009, Dalai Lama once again hit the headlines over his decision to visit Buddhist monasteries at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, the sovereignty of which has been persistently disputed by China.

 Dalai’s visit to Tawang in India’s North East state derived international media’s attention after a very hostile reaction from China. 

 This resulted in disturbing the entire atmosphere in Arunachal Pradesh so much so that it had cascading effect both in Delhi and also in Beijing, which finally resulted in the media being asked to leave Itanagar.

 Suffice to say that Dalai Lama is a very revered figure and his small comment can create a ruckus or turmoil.

 His latest comment during the International Jurists conference currently underway at New Delhi about the Indian judges pocketing money is highly unwarranted and uncalled for comment for the numerous reasons.

 Firstly, he is not an Indian citizen; in fact he has been staying Indian as an exile and has been accorded a political asylum in our country. Secondly, to the best of the knowledge of this writer, he has never knocked the door of any civil, criminal, High Court or an Apex Court either in the capacity as a petitioner, nor he has been summoned in any court of law over any issue and hence in sum and substance, Lama has no exposure or contact with the Indian judiciary at all by any means.

 Hence, one wonders, what business to talk about the Indian judiciary (whatever the ills which it might be having at various levels), when he had no first hand experience or the personal knowledge of the same.

 If at all there are any flaws in the Indian judicial system, we Indians are capable of looking into it and in fact major judicial reforms are in the process and law ministry under the aegis of Verappa Moily has already is making serious efforts to bring a new judicial order in the country.

 One feels that Dalai Lama has unnecessarily and unwarrantedly castigated comments about the Indian judges, many of whom are in the news for the numerous reasons since last few months, more so after Justice Dinakaran’s episode.

 Being a perennial guest in this gigantic land of hospitality, Dalai Lama should refrain from talking about the internal affairs of the country, be it pertaining India’s social, religious, economic, judicial issues, etc.       

 A foreigner has no right to criticize Indian judiciary, unless he has undergone or has derived any personal experience, while dealing with it as party litigant.

 When Senior Counsel Ram Jethmalani made comments about   ‘Wahabism and terrorism’ in the same conclave, the Government of India, made was ultra quick to disassociate with his remarks. Why the Indian government did not express minimum displeasure over Dalai Lama’s comments about the Indian judiciary? That’s a question to ponder. !

 If he is not told to be a sensible, he would not hesitate to comment about India’s other ills, no matter, whether they are true or untrue.

 Am afraid, the organizers of International judicial conference erred in inviting him the Buddhist spiritual leader for Delhi conference, as he is no way connected or concerned with the justice system. What was he going to share with the audience, when he has no exposure with the Indian judicial system?

Be that may, one wonders, how a spiritual person of his stature can cross ‘Laxman rekha’?  Hence, one feels that nobody is infaliable in this world !

Professional Aussies V/s. Amateurish Indians

No praise would be too high for the Aussies for the manner in which they have won 7 match ODI series against home team India at Guwahati on Sunday on the backdrop of numerous adverse circumstances.

Visitor’s side was already depleted with injuries to Brett Lee, wicket keeper Tom Paine, Peter Siddle, etc. as they were compelled to leave the series in midway. Hence the team that played against India was virtually Australian ‘B’ team with the exception of Skipper Ricky Ponting and Mr. Consistent – Mike Hussy, who are in their mid thirties.

The manner in which they got into groove from Mohali fixture when they were trailing by 2 – 1, as India had won Nagpur and Delhi encounters very handsomely.

At Chandigarh, a total of 250 posed by Kangaroos appeared to be too big for the Indians as they catapulted before their wily attack. While at Hyderabad, Indians did well in their attempt to surpass a mammoth score of 350 runs posed by the Aussies, as they fell just short of just by four runs. Barring Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina, none could contribute from India’s batting line up, which is often touted as the ‘the most strongest batting line up in the world’. Sadly, it remained only on the paper and at crucial moments, it crumbled in panic situation.

Though India lost Hyderabad tourney, the hopes of winning the series were highly rekindled due to magnificent effort made by Sachin Tendulkar of putting up 175 runs on board, which all, but in vain.

It is of a common knowledge that at Guwahati, where the game starts at 08.30 AM, first 8 to 10 overs are extremely crucial to the team batting first, as dew in the air weather is very conducive for the swing bowling.

Even as, the Aussies though had inexperienced players at their disposal, had better bunch of bowlers, in the form of Dough Bollinger and Michael Johnson, who exploited the conditions to the best of their abilities. That is why the home team got reduced to 28 for 5 in barely 9 overs ! In fact, the outcome of the game was forgone conclusion.

One is not able to comprehend why Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to bat, when he was fully aware of the impact of the weather on the side batting first. Was he over confident of India’s batting strength? While Indians were batting at night in the previous game at Hyderabad, they had to open up in a broad sunlight at Guwahati. A very contrasting condition !  

Aussie legendary spinner, Shane Warne has rightly criticized Dhoni for his innocuous decision to pad up first and his over all inept handing of Indian bowlers. One feels that Dhoni did not marshal his resources properly, he apart from Ashish Nehra, he could not get any other bowler who could penetrate Aussie batting line up at crucial moments. Pravin Kumar lacks international standard and Munaf Patel was brought into team at the fag end of the series. Ishant Sharm’a dismal performance is a matter of big concern.

Dhoni’s over reliance on Harbhajan proved to be costly, as the offie from Punjab has by now completely lost the ‘art of spin bowling’ and he appears to be more comfortable with his batting line up.

It’s a huge set back to Dhoni, who is often billed as ‘India’s most successful skipper’, but in the last six months, he has lost T – 20 World Championship, Champion’s Trophy and now ODI series against visitors. The cynics are bound to raise question mark over his ability to motivate team and take the right decisions at the crucial moments.

As Aussies having secured an unassailable lead of 4-2, the last fixture at D. Y. Patil Stadium at New Bombay has lost significance, where the tickets were sold out even before the Guwahati game started.

It was painful to watch India loose sixth encounter and with the morale of the team at the lowest ebb and one wouldn’t be surprised if the visitors wrap up the series by a margin of 5-2.

Though depleted, Aussies played like truly professionals and the manner in which the Indian team faired in the tournament; one had a feeling that India was an amateurish side! Ultimately, physical fitness, mental strength and the ability to withstand the crucial situation counts in the ODIs. Unfortunately, the Indian team failed in all these tests. Hence, though the Indians are at No. 2 in the ICC’s ODI rankings, one wonders, whether it is merely by an accident or the same is on merits?

One feels that the most crucial moment of Dhoni’s cricketing career has now arrived, whose abilities, both as a batsman and as a skipper is often debated.

The only solace of the India – Aussie ODI series is that 50 over cricket is hereto stay, as the fears were expressed by many cricket pundits about its utility; after the phenomenal success of T – 20 format in recent times all over the world. That’s the only thing to cheer about!

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