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Terrorism and Military Lok Sabha election and Indian Premier League has ended after keeping the nation gripped almost for two months and now it is the time to groove over some past incidents that affected every sphere of the Indian society. On papers Lok Sabha elections took the time of almost two months but infect all the political parties had started their political maneuvers almost in the early months of 2008. Many political parties were seen making hue and cry over various unimportant issues and sometimes some of them touched those matters for which they were at one hand criticized by the society and on the other hand they helped the enemies of the nation. But Indian public has understood the region, caste and religion based politics of various parties and now they started to vote for those governments that have given performance and progress to their states. 2009 elections are the perfect examples of it. But one episode that shook the nation and social bonds of the society was the arrest of some retired and serving military officers who were accused of helping some saffron terrorist organizations for carrying out bomb blasts in the Muslim populated areas. A J&K based seer and a sadhvi were also arrested in connection with the Malegaon bomb blasts. Indian investigation agencies reveals that a few months ago a camp was organized in the forests of some eastern state in which some retired and serving military personal had imparted arms training to the activists of an organization that was later on found to be involved in bomb blasts of which Muslims were the prime targets. Some pictures were also appeared in leading newspapers of India in which the accused sadhvi and the seer were seen sharing the dais with some prominent BJP leaders. Later on BJP leadership had declined from any relationship with the accused persons. But whole of this issue had dented BJP’s image. Though we can not rule out that this issue was politically misused by the other major political parties but we also can not rule out the possibility of a political hand behind them.

Character of Indian Military For the political parties such kinds of issues are their daily games but this whole of the issue affected Indian defense forces’ image very adversely. The involvement of some military officers in the bomb blasts and their arrests are a matter of shame and sorrow. But military has also learnt some lessons from whole of this episode. Learning from these unwanted controversies military should make it clear that anyone who takes the oath to protect his country and motherland at any cost, has a special place to his religion in his conscious and sub-conscious mind. Indian defense forces have understood this fact and with it has become famous in the entire world for its bravery, discipline, secularism and communal harmony. That’s why Indian military’s involvement is being demanded to help the civil services and by UNO to carry out peace missions around the world. Indian defense forces have proved their ability and neutral character during communal riots, national calamities and emergency. It has been praised at the international level for carrying out various peace missions successfully. In reality Indian soldiers are the true protectors of communal harmony and secularism.

Religious Gatherings We can not rule out that religion has always affected the mentality of the soldiers.  Out soldiers, their thinking and consciousness is also affected by their religion. Every community has used religion in the battlefields and has won the battles. From his training to his retirement, every soldier of the world worships his arms according to his religious rituals. It is the proven fact that soldier can sacrifice everything in the name of religion. In the battle while attacking the enemy, use of religious slogans is natural. In its true meaning religion is the best method of encouraging the soldiers in the battlefield. In Indian defense forces special efforts are made to keep the communal harmony and secularism. And seers and religions preachers play a special role in this practice. These preachers preach national unity, communal harmony, character building expect religion. In the mixed units religious signs of various religions are kept under the one roof. Religious lectures are given on regular basis and in a disciplined manner. And in these gatherings the involvement of the officers of the same unit is necessary according to the rules weather he belongs to that religion or not. On special occasion families of soldiers and officers also take part in these gatherings because the religion of the soldiers is considered the religion of their officers. In those platoons and regimens in which most of the soldiers are Muslims, officers also fast during the Islamic holly month of Ramjaan.

Religious Occasions Many of us will be surprised to know that sometimes, in case of the absence of the preacher of a religion the preachers of other religions perform daily rituals of that religion. For example in the absence of Pandit (Hindu preacher), Granthi (Sikh preacher) performs the Hindu rituals and religious duties. Pune based Army Institute of National Integration organizes religious courses at various times in which students are given the education of spreading and preaching communal harmony. In these courses, special lectures are given on the goodness, and communal harmony of every religion. Misuse of religion is strictly prohibited in the military. Political and religious discussions are also strictly prohibited in the military. This is not allowed even while helping the civil administration during the communal riots. Except it, military organizes special camps and initiates various programs on the occasions of religious festivals etc. The organization of journeys to Ajmer Sharif and Jama Masjid are the perfect examples of it. In the same way Military makes special arrangement for the protection of Hindu pilgrims during the Amarnath pilgrimage. Every official pays special attention to keep communal harmony during the yatra as people of various religions come into contact with each other. Despite of these relentless efforts sometime some soldiers get distracted. If it happens then these issues should not be given much attention because it affects the courage and character of Indian security forces.

Efforts If some of the military personals are found not on the expected lines then they should be given severe punishment. India is going through one of its worst phases. Social unrest created by economic reasons is being projected as religious unrest by some evil minds who are guided by their personal and political aims. If some political leaders point fingers and demand investigations in some police encounters then it is not the fault of police but of the political leaders who do not even care about the supreme sacrifices made by the valiant police personal. It must be learnt that a regional party leaders had demanded CBI enquiry in the Delhi encounter in which some IM militants were killed and an officer had also laid his life. SP leaders had raised this issue to woo the Muslim voters prior to the Lok Sabha elections. But they had indirectly projected all the Muslims in bad lights. Such kind of political parties are the biggest threat to the communal harmony and national unity of the nation. In such kind of situation defense and police forces remain under tremendous pressure. Security personal come into contact with the society and during that time their minds can be affected by the communal feelings prevalent in the society. And if some of them get distracted then it is natural. But defense forces should keep on their regular relentless efforts to keep the communal harmony intact.

Dhoni has assured that India will retain the T20 Champion title. He is satisfied with the squad and said that this is a balanced side with some outstanding talent. There is no pressure on the boys. India is the defending champions of the tournament about to begin on June 5 in England. India will be playing its first game on June 6 against Bangladesh. Dhoni said India has a strong batting side as we bat right down till #8-9. This is also known to Dhoni that India has a strong bowling attack as well as he mentioned in the pre departure match conference.  India has some outstanding talents like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Dhoni himself who can change the course of game anytime. All they need is to focus on the potential that they have and they will have to use the same to retain the title. Dhoni advised not to worry about the result just focus on playing to their potential. He said team will have to give its 100 percent and it can defend the title for sure.  

Team India is tired after a hectic IPL which was played in South Africa and Dhoni knows it. However he said that it has on the other hand helped the players to hone their skills for the World Cup. Since most of the players who have played in the IPL were from India and all the team members of the T20 Squad of India were part of the IPL so they now have the hang of it. They had the practice of almost more than 50 days which would be sufficient for the team to retain the title. Playing so many matches would make you tired as we are humans and not machines but the exposure that team India got and the skills they have developed would be helpful. The most important thing is the experience. In the superfast game of twenty 20 all you need to know is how to handle the pressure. While batting first there is a pressure of setting a huge target and thus batsmen play under pressure which is harmful. Same is the case while chasing as there is lot to achieve in just 20 overs. Just one missed ball could cost you a defeat at the end of the game. On the bowling front it is the pressure of retaining the opponent to the minimum score possible. Dhoni is happy with the fact that he has lot of options when it comes to the non regular bowlers. In fact in the spin department all the players have some experience in handling the pressure. With the kind of bowling Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh has done in the IPL, if the same continues no one can defeat India. Rohit Sharma and Yusuf Pathan are no less if you look at the statistics of the IPL.

 Though there are some lesser experienced players as well like Ravinder Jadeja however their form in the T20 IPL was excellent and it was evident that they are very good at handling the pressure. In the times of crisis Jadeja has played well in IPL. Also he has faced world’s top bowling attacks pace and spin both when he faced Brett Lee and Murali respectively. This has helped him learn a lot as to how to handle the pressure. Though some of the cricket pundit has some concerns about the opening pair of India however Dhoni seems to be not bothered about it. For batting he has the clear thought about Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir and on the bowling front it would go to Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan.

 All is well that ends well. This is not the over confidence but the confidence that Dhoni has in his team mates and above all in himself that he can lead from the front. We wish Dhoni and his team all the very best. Jai HO….     

Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress decided to start Non Co operation Movement against the British Government. It aimed to

(a)    Support the Khilafat movement

(b)   To compel the Government to compensate for the atrocities committed by it on the  people at Jallianwala Bagh and during the Martial law in the Punjab

(c)    To achieve the goal of Swaraj

The Program consisted of

(1)    Boycott of impending of government schools and colleges

(2)    Boycott of the law courts

(3)    Boycott of foreign goods

(4)    Boycott of the law courts and honorary offices

(5)    Refusal to attend government Durbars.

The constructive side of the program consisted of

(a)    Establishment of national schools and colleges

(b)   The use of private arbitration courts in place of Government courts for litigation etc.

(c)    The use of Swadeshi cloth on large scale

(d)   Revival of hand spinning and hand weaving

(e)   The removal of untouchability.

The movement was completely non violent. The movement captured the imagination of the people from the very start. The whole nation rose as one man. Many distinguished lawyers like CR Dass, Pandit Moti Lal Nehru, Jawahar lal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Vithal Bhai, Vllabh Bhai Patel and Dr. Rajender Prasad gave up their practice to join the movement. Many prominent Muslim leaders like Ali Brothers, Dr. Ansari and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad also came forward in the non cooperation movement. Many students gave up studying in the Government schools and colleges. Many national education institutions like the Gujarat Vidya Peeth, the Bihar Vidya Peeth, the Benaras Vidya Peeth, the Kashi Vidya Peeth, Bengal National University, Jamia Milia of Delhi, and the National College of Lahore were started.

The Swadeshi Cloth became popular. The Takla and Charkha appeared n every home and became the symbols of the movement. Liquor shops and foreign cloth shops were often picketed. In Punjab the non co operation movement was headed by Lala Lajpat Ra. The Gurudwaras Reform Movement was being carried in Punjab and same was linked to the Non co operation Movement. Mahatma Gandhi called the Gurudwaras Movement as the first decisive battle for freedom.

The Non Cooperation movement brought the common people in the political struggle of the country. It created among them a spirit of self confidence and self reliance. When the movement was in full swing in 1922, there was a strange and unexpected development. Gandhiji suddenly decided to call off the campaign. The reason which prompted this action was that an angry mob had attacked and burnt a police station in Chauri chaura, a village in the Gorakhpur district of UP in which 22 policemen were killed. Gandhiji took a serious view of this incident. He announced that the Indian people were not yet ready to wage a non violent struggle.

The suspension of non co operation movement greatly shocked the younger leaders of Congress like Subhash Chandra Bose, and Jawahar Lal Nehru. The common people lost enthusiasm to continue the movement. It gave an opportunity to the Viceroy Lord Reading to strike hard. The government arrested Mahatma Gandhi and sentenced him to six years imprisonment on the charge of sedition. He was however released from the prison in the beginning of 1924. By this time the people of Turkey rose under the leadership of Mustafa Kamal Pasha, deprived the Sultan of his political power. Kamal Pasha abolished the office of Khalifa. The new constitution of Turkey provided for the separation of religion and politics. As a result. The question of Khilafat had also been closed. But soon the political condition of India took a new turn and the Congress intensified the struggle for the achievement of complete independence or Puran Swaraj in place of Swaraj.