SP’s Support Crucial Though the Smajwadi Party has given positive indications of favoring the Indo-US nuclear deal it has not yet revealed its intentions clearly on the N-deal. It is being assumed that SP would also try to convince other smaller parties to stand in favor of Congress on the issue of nuclear deal. Though it appears that Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Smajwadi party is keen to help Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Indo-US nuclear deal the mood in the UPA is not in favor of the Smajwadi Party at the cost of the Left. Though Ram Vilas Paswan led LJP favors the SP but they don’t want it at the cost of Left like the NCP and the DMK .Even RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav is not prepared to face elections. SP’s support is crucial for the survival of the UPA government in case of Left withdraw its support to it. UNPA It must be recalled that SP is a key constituent of the United National Progressive alliance besides Telugu Desam Party, Asom Gana Parishad, Shorthand Vimukti Morcha, Indian National Lok Dal and PMK. Even it is not clear whether the United National Progressive alliance will survive as one of its constituent Asom Gana Parishad has threatened to walk out of the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) if SP decides to support the Congress-led UPA government. On the other hand CPI (M) has asked the Government to implement the Common Minimum Program (CMP) in the right earnest instead of “passionately” pursuing issues like the nuclear deal. Briefing In an effort to ensure the support of the SP, the government on Wednesday gave special briefing to its leaders Amar Singh and Ram Gopal Yadav on the nuclear deal to address their concerns over the agreement. Both the leaders had also got a special briefing from national security adviser M.K. Narayanan. Smajwadi Party had apprehensions about the 123 Agreement and America’s Hyde Act. Now the congress is relying upon the support of Smajwadi party, with which, it had serious differences in the past. And whatever decision SP takes it will be guided by its political compulsions specific to Uttar Pradesh. As PM is determined to go ahead with the N-deal possibility of early elections cannot be denied it is only SP that can stop the government for some time from early fall and the future win of the [...]
Archive for July 3rd, 2008
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‘Gulabi Gang’ A Social Movement
July 3rd, 2008 
Aman The Gang The several hundred vigilante women of India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state’s Banda area proudly call themselves the “gulabi gang” (pink gang), which had taken upon it the onus to free the society of corruption. The gang has waged a war against the ‘wrongdoers’, the corrupt government officials and the violent husbands. The Gang shot to the limelight in April 2006 when it hijacked trucks laden with food meant for the poor that was being taken to be sold for profit at the market by corrupt officials. Later, action was taken against the wholesaler. Formation The gang, based in Banda district, one of the poorest parts of Uttar Pradesh, has got them a name because of its strict dress code, pink sarees and blouses. The women in pink have thrashed men who have abandoned or beaten their wives and unearthed corruption in the distribution of grain to the poor. They have sworn to root out corruption in the police force and deliver ruthless summary justice to anyone believed guilty of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Sampat Pal Devi, a 46 year old woman, leads the “pink gang”. Gang has even unearthed wrongdoing among politicians despite the fact that its members are drawn from the lowest ‘dalit’ caste at the bottom of Indian society. Works Members of the Gang always carry a lathi (stick) for protections or to use to beat the wrongdoers. The gang has consistently been both praised and criticized for taking the law into its own hands. Some of the gang members have been hit by a variety of criminal charges. But they remain unrepentant. They already have done some work in combating crime and corruption in the area. Evan the local police favored their style of functioning. They are termed as,” not a gang in the usual sense of the term but as a gang for justice. They have remained away from political parties and NGOs because,” they are always looking for kickbacks when they offer to fund”. It is not only a women’s group but a movement that is against the social injustice, child marriages and corruption.
