Mailbag

The 'Fire' Alarms!

Sir,

Deepa Mehta's 'FIRE' his come in for a lot of flak lately, initiated by Shiv Sena activists 'Vandalism' displayed outside a Cinema Hall. Is that supposed to be interpreted as a genuine protest of responsible citizens of a nation, should we see it as an outcry of a sensitive society adhering to certain ethos? If this is so, which still stands suspected, it raises a further question as to why are these "guardians'' of our culture 'mutespectators' to the amount of filth and obscenity that inundates the commercial Cinema where there is no dearth of such'FIRES' that have set ablaze the society, corrupting Young innocent minds and gradually consuming the framework of those values and those norms upon which every society supports and sustains itself.

Well, the real disturbing issue is that how far can the fundamental right of FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION as inscribed in our constitution, be stretched? It has to have certain parameters defining its limits. Somewhere at least, a line has to be drawn. Such movies as THE BANDIT QUEEN, FIRE and the like generate a momentary furore but somehow, eventually, these 'Shekhar Kapoors,' these 'Deepa Mehtas' manage to get things done in their favour. They succeed in sending across the signal that such kind of protests will only stifle the 'development of art', the 'development of an artist.' They even manage to make the public speak, their language but what percentage of the populace constitutes this 'high-brow' society that claims to have'refined aesthetic tastes to be able to appreciate such works of art? Hardly any. For once just stand in a queue waiting to purchase the tickets for these movies, a whole lot of 'quality' comments enriched with a whole lot of 'quality' adjectives will thoroughly nourish your ears, filling you with disgust and leaving you feeling very uneasy. This is an evidence enough to prove that an average plebian goes to watch such movies with the intention of feasting his eyes. He knows he is going to have a gala time inside as he has so much to feast his eyes upon! and then this crowd comes back ENLIGHTENED, (perverted)! It is these starved people who constitute a majority of the audience.

Now this raises another issue should these artists have a certain commitment towards society or do they have the FREEDOM to practice art for arts sake only? It is beyond doubt that an artist is gifted with a hightened sensibility, over and above that of an average mind. But why do they do not realise that what they view as an aesthetic piece of art can prove highly disastrous for the common man who is at a different level of the sensibility.

Literature, or for that matter, all forms of art, and society are mutually dependent. They have a cause and effect relationship. They effect and get effected by each other. So a piece of art can never be viewed in isolation. It will inevitably leaves its impression on the society.

Yours etc........
Maneesha Prakash
Jammu

Land Reforms

Sir,

When one comes across the revolutionary economic measures under taken by S.M. Abdullah, the lion of Kashmir, he proudly remarks "what an excellent performance.'' But the people born after forties cannot fully appreciate the charm and the beauty of these measures. Therefore, it becomes imperative to throw some light on the atmosphere which was prevailing before the end of autocratic rule in Kashmir.

There was an atmosphere of fear i.e., fear of officials, Jagirdars and policemen, etc. It was beyond one's imagination to visualise a person saying some thing, even in whispers against any official, not to talk of the rulers, Kashmiris were subjected to centuries, old slavery. They would not muster any courage to listen to something that could be construed as anti Government. As a result of this they were destined to be treated like dumb-driven cattle.

Things reached to their climax when Kashmir alongwith the territory between the Ravi & Indus were simply sold by the Britishers to Maharaja Gulab Singh for a sum of Rs. 75 lakhs. (Rs. Seventy five lakhs) only. Dr. Iqbal the Philosopher-poet has commented on this:-

"The farmer, the field, the mountain,

and the fallow land were sold.

Ah! a nation was sold so cheaply.''

In token of supremacy of the British Government Maharaja was to present annually to British Govt one horse. Twelve goats of approved breed (six male & six female) and three pairs of Kashmiri Shawals. The British crown has acquired the territory from the Sikh rulers i.e. our earlier masters through Lahore treaty one weak before the execution of the sale deed on March 16th, 1846. Thus our status was reduced to the 'Slaves of the Governed.'

Under such circumstances one person mustered courage to point out the atrocities that were being perpetrated on his brethren. He was none other than Late. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah. He raised a cry against the oppressive system without any fear. The Kashmiris at first did not believe in their eyes for it could never strike them that a human soul has the right to say something against the ruling clique. They rubbed their eyes to make sure that they were not day dreaming and that it was a certainty. A man was born amongst them who was destined to deliver Kashmiri Nation from the old age supression. They, inturn rallied behind him and after a great strife and struggle the reigns of the Govt. automatically fell in the hands of Sher-i-Kashmir.

During a brief spell of five years (1948-53) the new popular Govt headed by Sher-i-Kashmir under took some rather unconventional measures which had far reaching consequences vis-a-vis the economy of J&K State. These economic measures left deep impression on the minds of the Kashmiris about the towering personality of Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah.

In mid forties Sheikh Sahib adopted a revolutionary concept called as 'Naya Kashmir.' One of the points of the 'Naya Kashmir' programme was the abolition of (Jagirdari system) and handing over the land to its real master to the tiller. With this peasant proprietor relationship was to undergo a radical change. The system of landlordist was over thrown. A student of India's agriculture economy would simply be astonished when he notices the contrast in the rural setup of J&K and the rest of the India.

The sweeing land reform, that makes J&K State a progressive State could not have been executed but for the will power of Sher-i-Kashmir. Thus, our peasantry cannot and must not forget the debt it owes to the 'Lion of Kashmir.'

Yours etc......
Ashok-K-Koul (Lalpuri)
471-72, Rajpura Chowk,
Jammu (J&K)-180001

Cash Crunch

Sir,

In the hours of crisis we have to be vigilant and over cautious to streamline the things in a scientific manner lest it may give teeth to the wide spread resentment and grouse. The treasuries can give you the candid view of financial crunch where you can find young and old, elbowing their way from one room to another carrying their pension books, AG's authority, with a small cotton bag hanging on their frail shoulders, imploring for expeditious payment.

Mis-management is the main factor responsible for embarrassment and particularly so when pick and choose strategy, is adopted at treasury. Whatever the little resources remain at treasury preference for disbursement should rotate on first come and first basis.

The Director Accounts and Treasuries is advised to chalk out the fool-proof programme so that pensioners, suppliers, contractors are not subjected to humiliation and embarrassment.

Yours etc....
P. N Sus
129-Surya Vihar, Talab Tillo
Jammu.

Continue honest efforts

Sir,

When Delhi, Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh States geared up for recently held Assembly elections, one thing was clear from various pre-poll surveys that anti-incumbency factor will decide the future of these states. To counter this phenomenon, BJP reacted by making a quick & abrupt change of guard in Delhi i.e Mrs Sushma Swaraj replacing Sahib Singh Verma as Chief Minister of the State. Many political analysts considered it a wise move as the target of the opposition as well as general public ire Mr Sahib Singh Verma was removed from the scene & person with better image i.e Mrs Swaraj was brought in. BJP did whatever they could do to retain at least Delhi if not Rajasthan & thought that anti-incumbency factor could help them past a win in MP. The BJP's think-tank thought that victories in two states would automatically neutralize loss of Rajasthan.

Prime-Minister Atalji in the meantime repeatedly averred that results of these assembly elections shall not be treated as referendum on central Govts, performance. He also, being star of BJP, involved himself in addressing various street corner meetings to ensure victory of BJP in MP BJP,s gameplan was to try & see that price-rise does not dominate the election scene.

The Congress went to any elections for the first time under Mrs Sonia Gandhi's leadership. In MP, Mrs, Gandhi took care of infighting by making Mr Digivijay Singh, the Chief Minister, accountable for the election results. While selecting candidates Mrs Gandhi took care of anti-incumbency factor by putting up new faces on majority of seats. Congress under Mrs Gandhi 's leadership was successful in making BJP's Govt's rule at centre a key issue, mainly sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities. This is what we call leading from the front & it paid huge dividends when Congress party swept the polls for the first time since the heady days of 1984 elections. It goes to the credit of Congress party that they were able to successfully convey the issue of BJP Govt's non-performance at the Centre to the masses in all states.

People were watching Mrs Gandhi's political conduct right from the day her husband Mr Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. Her reluctance to take over the mantle of party leadership or the leadership of the country even when it was offered to her on a platter was much appreciated. However, when she eventually did take over the reigns of the party after pressures from all quarters, the Congress party under stewardship of Narasimha Rao & Kesri had touched its nadir & was almost written off by political pundits.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi started from scratch but by her political behaviour & conduct she succeeded in getting back the confidence of the Minorities, Dalits, OBC's & other sections of the society who had moved away from the Congress under Narasimha Rao & Kesri. She achieved this by making less noise & more by her political conduct. In any history, I am sure she must be the only leader to have achieved so much success by her ''Conduct'' alone.

In Delhi under Mrs Sonia Gandhi's leadership, maximum Sikh candidates won on Congress ticket. This feat, which was solely achieved due to personal efforts of Mrs Gandhi, was thought as impossible proposition only a few days ago post anti-Sikh riots in 1984. Majority of Muslims, who had moved away from Congress after Babri Masjid demolition, voted for Congress. Our t of 111 BSP candidates in Rajasthan 102 candidates forfeited their security deposits. All this indicated that Minorities, Dalits & OBC's were coming back to Congress.

In Chattisgarh area of MP, where BJP expected maximum seats (BJP gave the impression that they were the champions of Chatisgarh Statehood concept), the Tribal belts believed in Mrs Gandhi's leadership more than anything else.

This election has clearly established that people of this country believe that sincere & honest leadership still exists & that was a major reason that they overwhelmingly voted for Congress. People. noticed a clear & sincere attempt to try & remove criminal element by the Congress leadership. People realise that system cannot get rid of such mess over night & as such rewarded Congress leadership for at least making a honest attempt to clean the system.

Congress under Mrs Sonia Gandhi's leadership will have to continue its honest, efforts of putting this country on road to progress & prosperity.

Yours etc...
Dr Mehboob Beg
Former Cabinet Minister
J&K State