Combating Maoist Thuggery By Political Posturing

It seems that the Left and double standards are synonymous with each other. Following the Maoist attack on Lalgargh, the Left argued that proscription would increase their appeal amongst the sections of society they represent. It is baffling that they believe the same ideology cannot be extended to right-wing organizations. One would reckon that the danger these forces represent to the state are far too serious for political parties to play politics, but our politicians always baffle and confound us with their ever decreasing sense of ethos.

Nobody in their right mind would believe that force alone would work against the Maoists. The fact that the Maoist cadre consists of the most vulnerable section of society is an indication of how we, as a nation, have failed in our promise to make growth equitable. We must first accept that we have made grave errors in our treatment of the sections that are ensnared by Maoist ideology. We must convince them that the ideology they believe in will not achieve what they seek. Then, we must work towards providing development to the weakest, and simultaneously fight the Maoists politically and militarily.

The Maoists are thugs who use pretensions of championing pro-people causes. If they were truly for the masses, why don’t they lay down their arms and join the political mainstream? They blow up cell phone towers and other infrastructure which provide so many benefits to the people whose cause they claim to fight for.

We would do well to remember that communism, even socialism will not deliver our people from poverty; our pre-1991 economic statistics are proof of this. We must contain Naxalism by providing the basic amenities of our people. For that, our political class needs to be united. Looking for vote banks and playing politics in situations which threaten internal security is dangerous;and it is not only the Left which is guilty. It seems our politicians have still not learnt the lessons of 26/11. They must act fast lest they need another reminder.

Colleges And Their Virtuous Bans

I don’t know what it is with colleges and their infinite wisdom with regard to protecting the virtue of their female students. Four colleges in Kanpur have banned T-Shirts and jeans. They are not the only ones. My Alma mater, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Viswa Mahavidyalaya University, enforced the ban, as did Anna University and a host of other colleges. Bapuji Dental College, where my sister has taken admission for BDS apparently has the ban in place as well. Gender neutrality is a concept either lost in our colleges or forgotten.

In some cases, the ban is applicable to both male and female students (my college is an example, though admittedly not a good one, seeing that there are a host of rules with regard to the female student population which are regressive) on the grounds on professionalism and preparing the student to the work environment. Yes, one has to adhere to a certain dress code in the work environment, but what is the need for preparation, given that the transition will be natural? Colleges are not only about academics and preparation for the big, bad world, but also a coming of age; an experience that shapes an individual. Professionalism is not only about the clothes; in fact if it were only about the clothes, it would not be a quality that prospective employers search for.

Even more out of touch with reality is the assertion that jeans and T-Shirts are provocative and invite some form of abuse. This stems out of a patriarchal belief that clothes are a cause for attacks on women, that victims “deserved it”. Numerous studies have proved that clothes, provocative or otherwise, are not a reason for attacks on women. The mindset that a woman is somehow inferior to a man is behind many of these attacks. Men must learn to respect boundaries. I wonder how much divinity we posses when everyday, there are reports of sexual abuse of women.

One cannot decide what an individual has to wear, irrespective of the individual’s gender. If an individual has a right to vote, then he/she must have the right to decide what he/she wears. College goers must be treated like the adults they are.

What must be fought is sexual abuse as a whole. Provocation is not a defence. It is a fact that institutions as well as a large part of our population, male and female must understand. I must have the freedom to wear what I want, be it T-Shirts, jeans, cargos or a simple shirt and trousers. Denial of this freedom is akin to denial of basic human rights.

This Ain't The End

These are not good days for Manchester United fans. Ever since the champions league final, fans have had to face an onslaught of bad news. What should have been a time of celebration and jubilation has turned into concern and dare we say it, fear.

Football fans point to the champions league final and say that Manchester United was all hype and no substance; that Barcelona proved that claims of United being the best in the world were far-fetched. My answer is simple. There can be no denying that Barca were the better team in Rome, just as there can be no denying that United played magnificently to retain the premier league, win the club world cup and almost become the first team to retain the European Cup. Some United fans will offer excuses and say, it would have been different had United taken at least one of the many chances they had in the first ten minutes. However, ifs and buts do not win trophies. There is no shame in losing to a quality team.

There have been suggestions that a huge overhaul is needed, but one bad game does not diminish the achievement of the players. Great teams bounce back from disappointments, and United will show next season why we are one of the best in the world.

That noble ambition has suffered a setback by the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. I can see Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Man City fans jumping in glee every time speculation rises of another high profile departure from Old Trafford. Ronaldo and Tevez will be sorely missed; and it will be difficult for us to replace them. However, this situation provides an opportunity to the youngsters such as Nani, Tosic, Ljajic, Wellbeck, Macheda and Gibson. There are rumours that Karim Benzema and Douglas Costa are being approached by the club, but newspaper stories are often proved wrong, and hence cannot be trusted. As a lifelong fan, I recognise that the departures of Tevez and Ronaldo will affect the performance of the team. However, the advantage is that there will no longer be speculation around the future of the high profile players. This will lead to a better dressing room environment, a prerequisite for success. The manager would have prepared for such an eventuality, and I am sure he has replacements in mind, via the transfer market from within the squad. Rivals may be laughing at us now, saying nobody wants to stay or come to the club, but we will be the ones laughing come May 2010. Of that, I am sure.

The club’s debt has been a topic of much debate, but I think Man United is too big a club to do the Leeds way. Rival fans might be hoping for this to happen, but we are talking about one of the biggest sport brands in the world. The debt will be settled in time. I just hope that the money will be available for Sir Alex to make the changes he wants to see. The debt should not affect Sir Alex signing the players he believes are worthy of putting on the Manchester United jersey.

In Fergie We Trust.

This club has gone through a lot, and still rose from the ashes. Something as trivial as a couple of players, no matter how good they may be, cannot sound the death knell for the club, as some suggest.