Election results have been out and I am yet to recover from the shock of watching Mr. Narendra Modi willing to lead the country despite a clear message from voters that his kind of political rhetoric is not acceptable for a pluralistic nation like ours. If only Mr. Modi had chosen to act like a true statesman and refused the offer of the post of Prime Minister as an act of political morality and as an ethical practice in keeping with democratic values, it may not have been ‘business as usual’ with theatrics like celebrating international day of yoga in Kashmir where elections are due.
Adding to this hypocrisy was the speech of RSS leadership after the election results were declared as it was clear their kind of Hindutva will not garner votes as expected and anti-muslim rants are not going to get them the credibility they expected from the majority Hindu population of India.
The sudden initiation of dialogues over conflict in Manipur after passage of an year and expressing concerns over urban housing after a lapse of 10 years is to distract the nation from scrutinising the criminal laws drafted based on a recommendation by a parliamentary committee under the auspices of the Home Ministry and not by the Law Commission as is the norm. India's legal luminaries have been discussing this issue on digital media and it is a shame that these people's voices are not being heard even by the Chief Justice of India. I am truly hoping that NDA alliance partners ensure that the efficacy of these new laws are debated before the parliament and members are given an opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter in the interest of natural justice and equity.
Years after independence, governments have been struggling to find a solution for under-trials languishing in prisons, which is of utmost priority under criminal procedure laws. It is also disheartening to note that a Court has chosen to adjourn a matter for nearly four months relating to acquisition of disproportionate assets by an erstwhile minister of a regional party. Most of the corruption cases against public officials and ministers do not end in conviction merely because it could be inconvenient for the popular parties and also to be used as an arm twisting tactic by ruling parties. Essentially, laws should fast track cases relating to public money and help citizens in deciding what kind of people need to stand for elections and seek votes from innocent and ignorant citizens. The labyrinthine provisions under the Income Tax Act is a double-edged sword that need to be simplified and not render the work of Chartered Accountants as unnecessary or redundant as was the case of removing the benevolent provision of Settlement Commission that could have generated more revenue and less fugitives and lesser black money.
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