Is God's Own Country turning into Godmen's Own Country? If the recent events involving fraud godmen are any indication, it is time Kerala'smost famous catchline was rewritten. Day after day, several scandals linked to self-styled godmen are surfacing in the most-literate state in the country.
On Tuesday, the house of a pastor was searched by Income Tax (IT) officials in Kottayam.
IT officials searched the home of one pastor Thanku in Kottayam following reports that he had allegedly amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, police said.
Meanwhile, a rationalist group, Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, on Tuesday held a roadshow by sprinkling boiling water on the body of one of its activists to expose the fraud linked to one local godman, who claimed extraordinary powers.
The recent arrest in Kochi of Santosh Madhavan, who is facing charges of raping minor girls, cheating and financial fraud took the lid off flourishing spiritual rackets.
Bogus Swamis and spiritual fraudsters also came under scanner after a gun-totting Himaval Bhadrananda created a scene in a police station by threatening to shoot himself and opened fire causing minor injuries on his left palm.
Bhadrananda was also arrested and remanded. Two police officials were suspended for not professionally handling the situation.
In yet another incident of fraud by alleged godmen, a person was on Tuesday arrested for making false claims that he could cure several ailments, including cancer.
A complaint was registered against self-styled godman Chandran Mama in Kozhikode by his former disciple Aneesh, who had taken his father to the "Swami" for cancer treatment, police said.
The godman offered to cure the disease with a special medicine and demanded Rs 30,000 for the treatment, but he settled for Rs 10,000 and asked Aneesh's father to consume the medicine for a permanent cure, police said.
However, the patient got no relief from the medicine and died, the complainant said, adding it was he found out that the medicine prescribed by "Swami" was nothing but a product of Amway, that costs only about Rs 1,000 in the market.
The police is on the look-out for Chandran Mama, who has a sizeable number of followers.
The Government of Kerala appears to be on a collision course with religious groups in the wake of the several scandals associated with them, which the political leadership feels has done damage to the image of the state.
The arrest of a godman on charges of allegedly raping minor girls, the attempted suicide by another and a third who is now on the run after failing to pay back a loan of a million rupees, has prompted Kerala's Minister of Temples, G. Sudhakaran, to declare most swamis as frauds.
"They're conducting all kinds of criminal and material activities behind their spiritual exteriors," The Times quoted Sudhakaran as saying.
"Ninety per cent of them are fake and criminals. There are so many swamis who have enlightened the hearts and minds of people, but these people are fakes with no idea about spirituality. They are only interested in women and money and muscle power," he added.
His comments have outraged many devout Hindus, who consider these swamis to be beyond reproach, and even above the law.
Atheists and rationalists, however, have hailed the minister's diatribe, saying his speaking out could go some way in eliminating a malaise that has plagued India for centuries.
"This isn't just a problem confined to Kerala - the same thing happens everywhere else," Narendra Nayak, the president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, said.
"You have all sorts of illegal things going on in ashrams, but police won't go in there because they're holy places," Dr Nayak alleged.
Part of the problem, he said, was that no Central religious or government body regulates the activities of the swamis.
James Vadakkumcherry, a former teacher at the Kerala police training college who is doing a study on bogus swamis, said that there were about 50 or 60 such 'holy men' in Kerala alone.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
MF HUSAIN PAINTINGS NOT OBSCENE: DELHI HIGH COURT
The Delhi High Court today quashed the criminal proceedings against controversial painter M F Husain for allegedly hurting public sentiments by painting obscene pictures of Hindu goddesses.Hearing three petitions filed at different places, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said, "the allegation is baseless. It is a matter of having different perspectives and cannot be the basis for initiating criminal proceedings.
The order was seen as a huge relief to the 91-year-old painter, forced to live in self-exile abroad after a series of protests against the controversial paintings.
One of the petitions mentioned that Husain had painted 'Bharatmata' in an obscene manner. The Court termed the controversial painting 'not obscene", Dwaipayan Venkateshacharya Warkhedkar had first moved the trial court, referring to a book titled "Anti-Hindus" published in 2003.
The book described how Husain's painting had allegedly denigrated Hindu deities.
The cases filed in different states were earlier clubbed on the direction of the Supreme Court and were being heard by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in Delhi.
The order was seen as a huge relief to the 91-year-old painter, forced to live in self-exile abroad after a series of protests against the controversial paintings.
One of the petitions mentioned that Husain had painted 'Bharatmata' in an obscene manner. The Court termed the controversial painting 'not obscene", Dwaipayan Venkateshacharya Warkhedkar had first moved the trial court, referring to a book titled "Anti-Hindus" published in 2003.
The book described how Husain's painting had allegedly denigrated Hindu deities.
The cases filed in different states were earlier clubbed on the direction of the Supreme Court and were being heard by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in Delhi.
Supreme court on Ram sethu
SETHU NOT A PLACE OF WORSHIP: SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court has said that Ram Sethu, cannot be called a place of worship, though it may be a sacred structure. ?Who says it (Ram Sethu) is a place of worship? Who goes to the middle of the sea to worship,? a bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran asked. ?Don?t say people go there and worship,? observed the apex court when Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy submitted that Ram Sethu has to be protected as it was a place of worship for devout Hindus. The court, however, said that it may be a sacred structure making a differentiation between the two concepts.
Swamy said that the Centre was bound by the Madras high court order directing to consider an archaeological probe to declare Ram Sethu as an ancient monument. He said that Ram Sethu has been held by Hindus as sacred and anyone who tries to damage it should be booked for criminal offence under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code. ?Its an admitted place of worship and I go every year to worship,? he said adding, ?lordship, it is not a question of your belief, but it is the belief of the people of this country.?
When the bench said it was a matter of perception, Swamy said, ?Hindus unanimously believe that its a place of worship. It is not my belief. It is the belief of people of this country that it is a sacred place,? he further said, adding that ?you (court) cannot sanction the belief of the people?. Swamy and others who have opposed the project, which allegedly involved breaking of the Ram Sethu, a 30-km long reef connecting Talaimannar coast of Sri Lanka and situated south-east off Rameshwaram, wanted that the Centre should clarify its stand according to the high court order.
Senior advocates K K Venugopal and Arun Jaitley, appearing for other petitioners, submitted that though the Centre last year had withdrew its controversial affidavit, the order of the high court on archaeological investigations before the petitions were transferred, was still in existence. However, the court said, ?You (petitioners) cannot insist on high court order when order has been passed by this court.?
The Centre, which on February 29 filed the fresh affidavit after the flip-flop over Ram Sethu, has now decided to engage noted jurist Fali S Nariman to seek clearance for going ahead with the Rs 2,087-crore project.
Meanwhile, after complaints that some of the petitioners had not got the entire documents filed along with the fresh affidavit, the bench posted the matter for hearing on April 29. The Centre in its fresh affidavit has sought clearance for going ahead with the Sethusamudram project on the same alignment, saying issues of faith cannot be resolved through scientific evidence.
The affidavit cleared by the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs, which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has said the opposition to the project which started two years back was ?misconceived? and ?unsubstantiated? and the court should ?refrain from interdicting?.
The Centre has said that a committee of eminent persons appointed on October 5, 2007, re-examined the entire project, including the six possible alignments, to conclude that the alignment No-6 (Ram Sethu) was the ?best alternative? and to alter channel alignment at this stage would be ?infeasible? as it would lead to huge losses to the public exchequer.
The Supreme Court has said that Ram Sethu, cannot be called a place of worship, though it may be a sacred structure. ?Who says it (Ram Sethu) is a place of worship? Who goes to the middle of the sea to worship,? a bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran asked. ?Don?t say people go there and worship,? observed the apex court when Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy submitted that Ram Sethu has to be protected as it was a place of worship for devout Hindus. The court, however, said that it may be a sacred structure making a differentiation between the two concepts.
Swamy said that the Centre was bound by the Madras high court order directing to consider an archaeological probe to declare Ram Sethu as an ancient monument. He said that Ram Sethu has been held by Hindus as sacred and anyone who tries to damage it should be booked for criminal offence under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code. ?Its an admitted place of worship and I go every year to worship,? he said adding, ?lordship, it is not a question of your belief, but it is the belief of the people of this country.?
When the bench said it was a matter of perception, Swamy said, ?Hindus unanimously believe that its a place of worship. It is not my belief. It is the belief of people of this country that it is a sacred place,? he further said, adding that ?you (court) cannot sanction the belief of the people?. Swamy and others who have opposed the project, which allegedly involved breaking of the Ram Sethu, a 30-km long reef connecting Talaimannar coast of Sri Lanka and situated south-east off Rameshwaram, wanted that the Centre should clarify its stand according to the high court order.
Senior advocates K K Venugopal and Arun Jaitley, appearing for other petitioners, submitted that though the Centre last year had withdrew its controversial affidavit, the order of the high court on archaeological investigations before the petitions were transferred, was still in existence. However, the court said, ?You (petitioners) cannot insist on high court order when order has been passed by this court.?
The Centre, which on February 29 filed the fresh affidavit after the flip-flop over Ram Sethu, has now decided to engage noted jurist Fali S Nariman to seek clearance for going ahead with the Rs 2,087-crore project.
Meanwhile, after complaints that some of the petitioners had not got the entire documents filed along with the fresh affidavit, the bench posted the matter for hearing on April 29. The Centre in its fresh affidavit has sought clearance for going ahead with the Sethusamudram project on the same alignment, saying issues of faith cannot be resolved through scientific evidence.
The affidavit cleared by the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs, which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has said the opposition to the project which started two years back was ?misconceived? and ?unsubstantiated? and the court should ?refrain from interdicting?.
The Centre has said that a committee of eminent persons appointed on October 5, 2007, re-examined the entire project, including the six possible alignments, to conclude that the alignment No-6 (Ram Sethu) was the ?best alternative? and to alter channel alignment at this stage would be ?infeasible? as it would lead to huge losses to the public exchequer.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Briber Citizen !
Hi
I read an interesting article reg the corruption of govt officials in kerala -expecially KSEB & KWA.
here is the link The myth of "public sector"
I would like to add my own experience regarding the payment of bribe to KSEB and KWA for getting my house connection. firstly , without any difficulty these "things" happen as if it is a routine. i had to pay around 2000 rs totally to get electricity connection normally...that too only as per the seniority... and no jumping the queue.. this amount was for just placing the papers infront of the "officers". and for each visit by the concerned people, shell out another 200 to 250 rs. around two or three such visits for each connection.
Eventhough i was relectant togive, i ultimately gave it as my electrician said , "it can't be changed, and if we try to oppose , our connection may be delayed or not sanctioned!"
Thus is the situation here in "God's own country"!
Ultimately , we are all "Briber Citizens"!
Citizen CV
I read an interesting article reg the corruption of govt officials in kerala -expecially KSEB & KWA.
here is the link The myth of "public sector"
I would like to add my own experience regarding the payment of bribe to KSEB and KWA for getting my house connection. firstly , without any difficulty these "things" happen as if it is a routine. i had to pay around 2000 rs totally to get electricity connection normally...that too only as per the seniority... and no jumping the queue.. this amount was for just placing the papers infront of the "officers". and for each visit by the concerned people, shell out another 200 to 250 rs. around two or three such visits for each connection.
Eventhough i was relectant togive, i ultimately gave it as my electrician said , "it can't be changed, and if we try to oppose , our connection may be delayed or not sanctioned!"
Thus is the situation here in "God's own country"!
Ultimately , we are all "Briber Citizens"!
Citizen CV
Monday, May 5, 2008
Kerala Women's Policy -Suggestions
The draft of the Kerala state Women's Policy -2008 has been published. It is nopw available for suggestions from public.
the following link gives the copy.
http://www.kerala.gov.in/womenpolicy/pdf/wp_2008.pdf
After going through the draft women's policy i would like to mention the following points
1. The policy is framed well. but there are lot of vague areas which is just being mentioned in a casual way .For eg it is mentioned that extravanganza in marriages will be limited.but how? that is not mentioned.
2. one of the main concerns that women face is while traveling ,when they don't have a proper toilet facilities . can the women's policy do soemthing abt it?
3. eventhough there is a mention about Indecent represenation of women's act , how many cases actually have been registered under it? it should be used properly.how?Similarly the punishment for cybercrimes and pornography should be made more strict
4. Harassment at workplace is increasing more and more .especially in private organisations. how many orgns give a paid maternity benefit? is there any measures to find that? not all. Similarly "glass ceiling" effect is also visible in all kinds of organisations ,private or public.is there any way to change it?
5.Awareness classes must be first given to men on "gender equality" .Conducting classes to women is ok. but any woman can become a prostitute only by chance,not by choice. and it is a man who is behind that. So, the first awareness pgm should be for men. Gender sensitisation classes for men in all sectors -be it a slum or an MNC. Similarly ,adolescent girls should be given awareness about the modes that these "pimps" operateand how to escape from it.
6.Wide publicity can be given for women's empowerment and gender sensitisation through the media
7. similarly , stringent action to be taken against all media which gives sensational news out of a women issue or which supports vulgarity and sexual representation of women. Advertisements should also be scrutinised
8. Compulsory HIV test for men before marriage.
on the whole , the women's policy is a good attempt in papers. It needs to be properly implemented with proper auditing and a timeframe
regs
CV
the following link gives the copy.
http://www.kerala.gov.in/womenpolicy/pdf/wp_2008.pdf
After going through the draft women's policy i would like to mention the following points
1. The policy is framed well. but there are lot of vague areas which is just being mentioned in a casual way .For eg it is mentioned that extravanganza in marriages will be limited.but how? that is not mentioned.
2. one of the main concerns that women face is while traveling ,when they don't have a proper toilet facilities . can the women's policy do soemthing abt it?
3. eventhough there is a mention about Indecent represenation of women's act , how many cases actually have been registered under it? it should be used properly.how?Similarly the punishment for cybercrimes and pornography should be made more strict
4. Harassment at workplace is increasing more and more .especially in private organisations. how many orgns give a paid maternity benefit? is there any measures to find that? not all. Similarly "glass ceiling" effect is also visible in all kinds of organisations ,private or public.is there any way to change it?
5.Awareness classes must be first given to men on "gender equality" .Conducting classes to women is ok. but any woman can become a prostitute only by chance,not by choice. and it is a man who is behind that. So, the first awareness pgm should be for men. Gender sensitisation classes for men in all sectors -be it a slum or an MNC. Similarly ,adolescent girls should be given awareness about the modes that these "pimps" operateand how to escape from it.
6.Wide publicity can be given for women's empowerment and gender sensitisation through the media
7. similarly , stringent action to be taken against all media which gives sensational news out of a women issue or which supports vulgarity and sexual representation of women. Advertisements should also be scrutinised
8. Compulsory HIV test for men before marriage.
on the whole , the women's policy is a good attempt in papers. It needs to be properly implemented with proper auditing and a timeframe
regs
CV
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