26 November 2008: The Sordid Saga of Mumbai..WHAT LIES AHEAD?

It goes without saying that the nation is disgustingly shocked due to miserable state of affairs in Mumbai on 26 November 2008. As we lament, weep, sulk, mourn over this chaos unleashed, let us ponder over what lies further? What are the challenges ahead?

The masterminds behind the attack- meticulous planning to enter hotel, playing upon lacuna in laws of sea, movement of arms and food in store, are few things that gave a jolt to the existing machinery of the State. What is in their minds who have enacted it? Are they human as they profess no respect for sanctity of like? What religion they adhere to when they violate the basic fundamental ethos of religion – love, care, fraternity? How long can we blame the state as being soft on terror when its dirty fangs have not spared a single part of globe? The nation stood politically undivided and the nonsense gimmick of regional chauvinism by Raj Thackrej stood shamefully exposed to the ebb.
There is need to condemn this terrorism in unanimous terms, building consent on fighting back together as the nation that we will not loose on National Integrity at any cost. While we capture these emotional-psychological strands, at the societal-political level we need federal agency to tackle the menace of terrorism between the Union and State Government.

synchronisation of federal foreign policy aims!

synchronisation of federal foreign policy aims!

Federalism in the contemporary world is a significant means to reconcile unity and diversity within a political system. Democracies like United States of America adopted for federalism to limit governmental powers ,while India and Canada made the choice for federalism because it accommodates diversities.
Diversities within a society enrich politics, culture, legislation and the judicial discourse as it reflects and respects the reality of the diversity of the human nature. Issues of legitimacy, of “we” as opposed to the “other”, autonomy, are important challenging issues to be pondered over.

The forces of integration moved the International Relations away from Realism and more close towards Neo-Liberalism, signified by presence of complex interdependence within the International realm and end of the hegemony of the Statist ideas. The challenge in each federal nation is to ensure that the foreign foray and activities of sub-national/constituent units/ states and the larger aspect of foreign policy as articulated by the federal government do not overlap and clash. The present day global scenario cannot exist in vacuum, bypassing the grassroots, therefore both orders of government need to contribute towards effective external presence of the nation. The constituent units have greater understanding of nuances of ground realities, their needs while the Federal government have greater experience in articulating National Interest in international sphere. Their co-operation needs to be enlisted through effective intergovernmental relations

United States of America: Incoherent federal foreign policy agenda

United States of America: Incoherent Federal Foreign Policy Agenda

The United States of America is a federal republic with a bicameral parliament. . The concept of ‘state’ is largely missing from American political discourse being supplicated by the term ‘government’.
The federal approach to interpret this constitutional prism in US clearly speaks that apart from a very limited power to enter into international agreements, with the approval of the Congress, the only involvement of the States in the treaty making process is through State representatives in the Senate.
Better connectivity, communication, have made citizens to put onus on States to ensure their interests. The internationalization of production, distribution, transportation, communications, and investment, have provided incentives to State and local governments to create new jobs, diversify their economic base, and enhance revenues , hitherto not pursued by them.
The issue of state sovereignty arises as the ‘distinction between foreign and domestic policy is increasingly becoming blurred with sub national units entering an arena which was customarily regarded as prerogative of federal government’
There have been debates that rise of States in foreign affairs , on the ethical grounds it represents a highly desirable democratization of the foreign policy process, yet its accompanied facet of localization, leads to a dangerous derogation from national governments' power to conduct a coherent foreign policy.

say 'HELLO!'

Hello, an interesting movie asking us to probe what lies beneath us, a yet another good Friday dose. Based on an International Book selling novel ‘one night at call centre’, by Chetan Bhagat, the story begins with the pomp and splendor of Salman Khan, whose chopper gets delayed post the show. While waiting in the lobby, a sudden visit by Katrina Kaif that she shall recite a story to kill boredom during the wait, only if he makes a movie on it. What makes Khan buy the deal was the idea of God involved within it.

The story revolves around lives of Shyam, Vroom(Sohail Khan), Radhika (Amrita) , Priyanka (Gul Panag), Isha (Isha Kopiakar), Military Uncle, who have been living simple yet unsatisfied lives as calling agents in call centre. Initially when they began working, the work seemed interesting but later monotony strikes which owes largely due to their lot.

The script by Chetan Bhagat deserves kudos for brilliantly capturing the scenario of our common lives and the ‘other-side’ accompanied with the BPO effect. The late night shifts, the spat of words at being late in cab pick up, the parties associated along with work, the change in our daily routine to sustain American economy, the anger gulped down on hearing unwanted words at the foreign call, the greed for NRI match for daughter, the unfriendly attitude of in-laws for the working women deserve to be mentioned for capturing the paraphernalia surrounding our common lives.

An escapist move comes when the five decide to go out to forget the unpleasant night and the larger uneasy lives they are experiencing. A sheer glimpse of absurdity that surrounds our lives pointing to meaninglessness within this life. A call from GOD during their accident guides them to listen to their inner conscience, have confidence, believe in themselves and learn to loose so as to taste success.

A revolutionary mood a la Che Guevera, comes forth with the six folks planning to tame the miseries of life with their wits and conviction. The power of media and civil society come forth to challenge the crude edges of neo liberal market forces calling for downsizing jobs. A tinge of revolution, using the power of technology to serve the use of indigenous employment, is seen when the calling agents create the fear about virus and need for constant calling. Determinism to do rise above the failures faced in life, which ended in happy end for all, with each carving a niche for itself with its efforts and faith.

A telling account, close to reality. Alvira Agnihotri deserves credit for designing clothes that make the character look real rather than ‘reel’ types. The dialogues by Bhagat capture the imagination, the feeling of each and everyone who have been effected by realities of globalization.

DILUTING REALIST FOREIGN POLICY?

The discourse on foreign policy which was hitherto seen in crude realist discourse where only the federal government was representative of foreign afairs is being changed. Today neo-liberal post modern paradigm in the realm of International relations refuses to adhere to crude Domestic-international distinction, and concedes to the existence of multiple realities. This has put onus on the policies of the nation to respond to the demands of changed times.

State sovereignty is becoming porous or perforated as the local has connection with the global. It is not a one way process but constant process of interaction, where federalism can be analysed under the paradigm of pluralistic democracy as the two sets of governments are independent yet jointly linked.

Sub national units have expanded their continental and international involvement over the past two decades. This is particularly significant in the United States, where individual states such as California, New York and Texas have GDPs which rival industrialized nation-states. In case of India, the treaty making power is an executive prerogative under Article 253. and recently, the Parliament was able to assert its power in case of Indo-U.S nuclear deal, the former left ally of United Progressive Alliance Government forced the executive (government) to share every information with the Parliament.

LAWS, BARGAINING, AND PEOPLE

LAWS, BARGAINING, AND PEOPLE

Federalism signifies a continuous process of tough bargaining and negotiation between the federal and state government. This has great significance in context of a parliamentary federal set up like India. In present time, where non traditional security dimensions like terrorism loom large with its threats cutting across borders. The organized nature of this crime with systematic clandestine nature of its operation adds to the gravity of the situation.

The federal apparatus is disturbed when certain states vulnerable due to the changing context of security raise their voice to the need for special laws to tackle the problem. To address the problem at hand, the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was promulgated in 1999, reportedly to combat organized crime and terrorism. The Gujarat Control of Organized Crime Bill (GUJCOC), which is similar to MCOCA, in response to bomb blasts on 26 July in Ahmedabad and similar attempts at Surat is being pushed upon.

MCOCA is pending for Presidential assent since four years. Similarly when there is call for GUJCOC, the need to address the security scenario in the nation in a holistic manner needs to be addressed. If each state calls for special laws to deal with rising threats each time, then the issue of co-ordination and its imbalance arises. It is not only one state that in under, the security situation has to be dealt from the vantage point of national integrity where such laws seem to be at odds.

It is commendable how Gujarat has achieved a commendable level of development under Chief Minister Narendre Modi and the recent terror strikes are condemnable in severe terms. However, these premises alone do not merit the case for special laws as it does not solve the problem at hand. Mere laws will be insufficient to tackle the problem, unless we pay attention to its implementation. How laws like Prevention of Terrorism Act- POTA have been misused under the pretext of national security which led to a communal divide is an acclaimed fact. This statement has special bearing in case of present demand for GUJCOC.

The organized nature of crime calls for strengthening federal apparatus by doing away with political vendetta, party politics , and working of the two levels of government involving the third tier of Grassroots democracy to unearth the problem. The spirit of federalism dies down when the bargaining between the two levels settles down to aspect of political scores. With United Progressive Alliance at Centre and Bhartiya Janata Party in Gujrat, the sheer reduction of security threat to the level of special laws is unhealthy .in federal and polity terms.

It needs to be emphasized that to deal with anarchists like the terrorists who believe in phantom like destruction, the administration and police at the Centre and State level needs to work in tandem to attack the problem at hand. There needs to be constant dialogue between them and search for consensus. The cry for MCOCA and GUJCOC no has to be dealt very carefully by the Union government, taking into the special need of each state. It has to also keep in mind that if these laws come into force, will it allow other states for such laws as when terror strikes. This might lead to balkanization of federal polity in lieu of each state calling for its special interest and laws.

Thus there is need to first tackle the security challenges by mobilizing the grassroots. There has be systematic efforts at Union and State level to tackle terror to avoid duplication and overburdening the State apparatus with more laws. It is the people residing in various states that should be seen as Citizens of one unified nation, this should be the guiding spirit of dealing with phangs of terrorism as it this common lot that is at the bearing end of ultimate causality.

FEDERAL AGENCY FOR METRO TERRORISM

FEDERAL AGENCY FOR METRO TERRORISM

As the dastardly fangs of terrorism, rock the by lanes of yet another Metro city Ahmedabad, it is high that we sit and ponder over the dangerous fault line.

It needs no iteration that those who believe in killing the innocent lot to prove their prowess so as to terrorize the state apparatus have a very shaky level of conviction in humanity. The threat of terrorism cuts across all borders and the enemy is faceless. The issue of compensation and rehabilitation of affected victims need attention but the larger issue is how long can we let ourselves at the receiving end?

To suggest to implement draconian laws like Prevention of Terrorism Act would be insane looking at the delicate nature of the problem at hand. Further laws remain passive unless implemented with a genuine thought to improve the society.

India is a federal parliamentary democracy, with a bicameral Parliament, which bears striking resemblance to Canadian Constitution, which can be attributed to the presence of British Rule in both countries. The unfortunate terror strikes are limited to realm of metro cities so as to create maximum damage to the ‘Aristotelian mean’- the metros where Middle class are prominent, which are integral to sustenance of Democracy. Earlier it was Mumbai, now Ahmedabad, so as terror strikes at a stroke, what can be done from this federal paradigm.

It was during the National Democratic Alliance the idea of federal agency was mooted, which would cater to looking after the onslaught of non-traditional security dimensions, of which this metro terrorism is namely one. This aspect has been recently endorsed by the present Congress regime. It is high time that we ponder over the modalities of operation of federal agency to deal with terror situation

It needs to be emphasized that to deal with anarchists like the terrorists who believe in phantom like destruction, on what levels of efficiency will this federal agency work? The administration and police at the Centre and State level needs to work in tandem to attack the problem at hand. There needs to be constant dialogue between them and search for consensus. Undoubtedly there will be synchronization of aims as both the levels of government would consent to regime of law and order, avoiding the blasts.

The issue of funding comes to fore as to which level of government will bear the cost to exchequer. It is not everyday that blasts are happening and then in wake of sudden blast, to get into fast action, would be an unwise proposition for the federal agency. We need to define the ambit of patrolling terror in wider regular terms without involving any cumbersome hindrance for the common lot.

The issue of systematization level of terrorism comes up, as not all States face the same vengeance, like West Bengal, Kerala are less prone to attack unlike Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat. So how to deal with terrorism at Pan India level. The Naxal violence is another of its kinds where Salwa Judum has faced backlash with the people not ready to give up arms. So how to juxtapose the various forms of violence being inflicted in the nation needs to be clearly defined for the agaency to work well.
The issue of special task forces like Para military forces have been resented by the States in the past as it makes their subject in the State list – Law and Order vulnerable to mercy of the centre. Thus the new agency needs to carefully gauge the sensitivities of each state before any action.

The issue of monitoring of terror is mandatory. Thus the agency should involve experts from strategic field, who would work in tandem with the administration to eliminate terror. We need to broad base the efforts by raising the awareness amongst the common man about the need to maintain unity in diversity amidst the chaos unleashed by such attacks. The idea of National Interest needs to perceived in true Secular, plural ethos of the country.


Email: amnamirza2002@gmail.com