March 07, 2006

Another Leaf from the UPA Book of Dirty Politics


Political Gain by any means ?


When Lalu Yadav, the Minister for Railways, appointed the U.C.Banerjee Committee to look into the so-called technical aspects of fire in the bogie of Sabarmati Express at Godhra, it was clear that the smoke screen of the ‘technical inquiry’ was hiding a sinister objective of impairing, if not altogether sabotaging, the due process of law.

That this was indeed the purpose of the inquiry, was evident because of the fact that when it was set up, investigations were already being conducted by the law enforcing agencies whose job it was to do so in order to establish facts and take actions according to law as warranted. The Railway Administration itself had conducted its own investigations. The Justice Nanavati Commission was already conducting an inquiry into the overall situation of riots in Gujarat and the events leading up to the riots including the fire in Sabarmati Express.

In the light of these, no other conclusion could be reached about the objective of the Inquiry other than that presented before. A case was already filed in the Gujarat High Court questioning the appointment of the Committee and an interim order was passed by the Gujarat High Court at that time in this regard.

However, the U.C.Banerjee Committee proceeded with its work and had earlier made public its interim findings that were contrary to the findings of other investigations conducted in accordance with the due process of law. The timing of the announcement of the interim findings appeared to be politically opportune for the UPA partners.

But what clearly reveals the dirty tricks mind-set of the UPA is the timing of the final findings of the Report of the Banerjee Committee. Mr. Justice Banerjee went on record to say that he was asked to submit the final Report by 7th March, which he did, by submitting the same on 3rd March 2006. The date March 7 is significant as it coincides with the date of the hearing in the Gujarat High Court and is conveniently close to the forthcoming elections in certain States.

The Gujarat High Court rightly showed its displeasure that Mr. Justice Banerjee made the findings public even as the entire matter was being pursued as per legal process. The Gujarat High Court was also right in prohibiting any action on the Report, till the judgment in the matter before it.

It is, perhaps, just as well that Mr. Justice Banerjee chose to make his findings public on the 4th March prior to its tabling in the Parliament by the Railway Minister. Had the Report been tabled in Parliament, events would have taken another course. Perhaps, Mr. Justice Banerjee partly realized this and at the cost of attracting unfavorable comments from the Gujarat High Court, made the findings public, enabling the interim orders from the Court to prevent the tabling of the Report.

The UPA Government has consistently shown a liking for stooping low for cheap and temporary political gains. Unfortunately, the Left parties who are normally cautious, have, in this instance, fallen prey and jumped onto the Lalu wagon by supporting this patently mischievous action to derail the due process of law, for doubtful political gains. History will judge all those who play the politics of appeasement without realizing the consequences. As for Lalu, whatever praise he has earned due to his handling of his Ministry is likely to be lost because of his mindless action in handling of this issue. He is likely to cause his own wagon to derail.

82 comments:

Anonymous said...

Politicians are responsible for stirring up 99% of communal troubles. It is futile to expect them to change.

Anonymous said...

Congress culture of appeasement has affected all parties.

Abi said...

Well, this is some serious rant!

Two things strike me as obvious:

1. Political parties are always interested in what is good for them. Fortunately, they screw up often in their assessment of what is good for them. So, IMHO, finding ulterior motives behind politicians' actions is a waste of time.

2. Justice Banerjee hasn't done anything behind the back of the public; the report of the Commission headed by him is in the public domain, and many news organizations have already commented on it. I came here (through an e-mail tip-off) looking for a substantive critique of what the man has said in the report. Sadly, I don't find such a critique here.

Finally, according to at least one report, it wasn't just Laloo who wanted the Banerjee Commission's report issued ASAP. Justice Nanavati himself was interested in some aspects of this investigation.

Anonymous said...

Hi

That was an interesting post. One could see your feelings in the post. Keep it coming

Your blog brought back lots of old memories and thoughts about my COUNTRY, INDIA, our society, friends and relatives, the recent Jessica Lall controversy, et all

Zahira Sheik (Best bakery case) lied, is being convicted and fined.

What happens when others defamed Swami Ramdev's on his medicines ?

What about the press briefings of Brinda and company that made Hindus and Swami Ramdev look silly ? Isn't that defamation ? When the govt found medicines clean, how did the earlier samples have animal matter ?

What about the attack on Ayurveda, a 2000 year old knowledge ? What about the reputation of Hindus ? sants or common men ? are Hindus destined to die in bomb blasts, defamations and lies ?

What applies to Zahira Sheikh should apply to Brinda Karat and company or anyone who is proven to have lied ? or no ?

Is Zahira prosecuted just because she is a Muslim Woman ?

more at
http://o3.indiatimes.com/mera/archive/2006/03/08/525397.aspx

Regards
Vinayak

Anonymous said...

It is difficult to understand what is the definition of 'rant' for some readers.

What the writer of the blog article has tried to point out is that the inquiry was set up for subverting due process of law which was already on. It is irrelevant whether Justice Banerjee did anything behind anyone's back or not.The problem is with those who have tried to use him to suit their own ends.

greensatya said...

If we look back into our 59 years of freedom we won't find a single instance where any of these committees have served the purpose of doing what they were asked to do.
It is not only present railway minister or then railway minister, they are all biased.

But still I consider the Justice Banerjee commission instituted by Indian railways as correct step. Gujarat or not, communal or not, it was an accident of railways so how come the then railway minister didn't institute any investigation. Does all railway accidents have to wait for the concerned state governments to insitute the inquiry ?

tanvi said...

I agree with green satya

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