By Abhishek Pandey

Politicians often shook our belief in democracy and secularism by making silly comments to gain attention or perhaps the prime goal, votes. The ongoing drama of Varun controversy is the recent example of this trend. Mr. Gandhi is not the first politician to make comments dipped in ‘hate-sauce’, which he claims are doctored in the compact disc (CD). Hate campaigning is the technique to come in the news headlines in recent times. And, our media fell prey to these techniques every time. Whether, it is Raj Thackeray calling shots against north Indians to become the messiah of Marathi ‘manus’ or it is Varun Gandhi abusing Muslims to make targeted electorate feel his political presence as aggressive ‘Hindutava’ face in the saffron party. Everything is done to elevate own stature in the cesspit called politics.

The whole India watched Varun Gandhi’s venomous statements against Muslims through video footages of his rally, which were repeatedly shown on the news channels. He was seen on the idiot-box saying, “This is not the ‘hand’ (of the Congress), this is the hand of the lotus. It will cut the throats of Muslims after the elections,” It is ironical that the son of animal right activist Maneka Gandhi is hurting the sentiments of the human beings. This incident is a slap on the face of his great-grandfather and first Indian Prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who fought for the formation of secular India unlike Pakistan, after several years of freedom struggle.

We may think that Varun Gandhi is a beginner in the politics and bound to commit stupid mistakes. But he is not an exception in the Indian politics. The List is long. Senior politicians have also made such statements. Former Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said in Goa after post-Godhra Gujarat riots, “Wherever Muslims live, they don’t like to live in co-existence with others, they don’t like to mingle with others; and instead of propagating their ideas in a peaceful manner, they want to spread their faith by resorting to terror and threats.” Later, Mr Vajpayee justified that he was talking about extreme faction of Muslims and he meant ‘such’ Muslims in his speech, not Muslims in general.

In 2003, Praveen Togadia, General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) committed the same mistake by ejecting hatred in the minds of the people against a community. Togadia reportedly said, “…Muslims, you are orphans, you are alone. You are being given the illusion that people are with you. The kind of abuse we had to suffer after Gujarat, both the BJP and the VHP. I issued a challenge to Sonia Gandhi publicly. There have been riots before also in Gujarat. I challenged Sonia Gandhi, saying that there must be one Congress worker at least in every village in Gujarat. Name a single village where during communal violence a Congress person has saved the life of Muslims. Ahsan Jaffri (former MP) was phoning all Congress workers desperately. How many Congress workers came to protect him? Not even one. Oh, Muslim brothers, if the Congress can give me the name of even five villages in Gujarat where congress workers saved Muslims or protected Muslims, I will give you the name of hundred villages where Congress workers have worked under the bhagwa jhandha (saffron flag) of the VHP.”

Ashok Singhal of same party was also reported saying in a rally in September 2002, “Godhra happened on February 27 and the next day, 50 lakh Hindus were on the streets. We were successful in our experiment of raising Hindu consciousness, which will be repeated all over the country now." The list does not end here. It also involves other politicians of different faith.

Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Imam of Jama Masjid reportedly expressed apprehension that the country may witness 1947-like agitation, if those arrested in the blasts case are not released. Mohammed Yaqoob Qureshi, Former UP Minister for Minority Welfare and Haj, announced on record that he would award 51 crore rupees to any person who behead the Danish cartoonist for making cartoon of Mohammad. The head of religious institutions and political parties are not supposed to utter these crap speeches which may lead to violent aggressions. Don’t they respect the Indian constitution?

Region, language and caste are also used for garnering votes. Balasaheb Thackeray, who was punished and barred from voting and contesting in the elections for six years, reportedly said in Shivsena mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ after the Babri mosque demolition, “Muslims revolt in their own areas. They beat Hindus, demolish temples and attack the police. The government is appeasing these traitors. It is learnt that Pakistan has manufactured seven bombs. But the bomb that has been made in India with the blessings of Pakistan is more dangerous. Now Pakistan need not cross the borders for launching an attack on India. Twenty-five crore Muslims loyal to Pakistan will stage an insurrection. One of these seven bombs made by Pakistan lies hidden in Hindustan.” Bal Thackeray was also involved in campaigning against south Indians in sixties by raising slogans like “Bhagao Lungi Bajao Pungi (Chase out south Indians from Mumbai and blow bugles).”

Last year, Raj Thackeray also adopted the legacy of his cartoonist uncle Bal Thackeray to acquire votes by hate politics. Raj Thackeray commented on Biharis, ''Biharis should remember that if they abuse us, our hands will rise. We'll hit them every day, for breakfast, lunch and dinner" Udhhav Thackrey also said that non-Maharashtrians would be “packed off” if they were given jobs in the mega project for modernisation of Mumbai airport. Though, Indian constitution allows any Indian to live anywhere in the country.

The bandwagon of these leaders also includes Narendra Modi, Imam of Jama Masjid Ahmed Bukhari, Yogi Adityanath, Mukhtar Ansari, Abu Azmi, Vinay Katiyar, and many more. The space is not enough in this article to mention the name of all champions of this trade.

Leaders, who command a significant supporter base, don’t understand that their comments can end in a bloody communal clash. India has stringent laws to shut the mouths of such communal zealots. India penal code has the different sections for executing the accused of causing social disharmony by his or her word or expression. Section 153A, 153B, 295A, 298, and section 505 of Indian Penal code prohibit any person to spread enmity or fear in the society and can put these fire-spewing politicians behind the bars. Though, most of these politicians are still amidst of us not in the jails. They were booked under these sections of IPC, but not punished. The case is pending in the courts or they have been acquitted because of lack of proper evidences. It seems that these politicians don’t give a damn to these laws.
Few sections of Representation of peoples (RPA) act, like 123a and 123B, restrain politicians to seek votes on the grounds of religion or caste. Remarkably, Bal Thackeray was debarred from the voting and contesting elections in 1999 by Bombay High court under Sections 123A and 123B of the RPA related to seeking votes on grounds of religion and spitting venom against one section of the Indian population.

‘Inheritance of hatred campaigns’ should be dumped in the dustbin by electorates in this general election. Voters should tell these factions of politicians, “You can not fool us any more and we are going to through you out from the ‘sacred’ parliament, this time’. Justice will take its course on the ‘right’ time but this would be the verdict of people for the people. We hope, it will dwindle the brigades of these politicians and no politician would dare to claim the ‘heritage of hatred’.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Rastriya Swaymasevak Sangh (RSS) has shuffled its major players ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Mohan Madhukar Bhagwat has been appointed the sixth ‘Sarsanghchalak’, the highest rank in hierarchal structure of RSS. He is stepping in the shoes of Kuppahalli Sitaramayya Sudarshan, who resigned citing health reasons. Is it the sign of a ‘real’ change?

If you ‘google’ RSS then you get the first result, ‘Really simple syndication’ (RSS). RSS is used for feeding you updates from the different websites, blogs or whatever, you subscribe. It is different from Rastriya Swayma Sevak Sangh (RSS). This organisation is not simple syndication of thoughts and ideology. It is bit complicated and has not updated his ideology since its inception.

The chief is new now. Mr. Bhagwat, at the age of 59, is the youngest RSS chief after Guru Golwalkar. Bhagwat, who was the general secretary – Sarkaryavah - since 2000, is a veterinary doctor by profession. A KB hedgewar look-like Bhagwat, joined the RSS as pracharak in 1975. Since then he is serving sangh parivar on different posts. In the recent reshuffle in the Sangh Parivar, Suresh Joshi became the new – Sarkaryavah - general secretary of RSS.

RSS is known for many reasons. It is known for supporting ‘Hindu cause’. It supports ideology of Akhanad Bharat. It is known for its demand of ‘Hindu Rashtra’. Sangh parivar has extended its supports in many relief camps during draughts, floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other natural calamities in India. It is also known for its chain of educational institutes in India, called Saraswati Shishu Mandir. These schools are providing quality education. Two schools run by RSS – BNSD Shiksha Niketan and Pt. Deendayal Upadhaya Vidayala- in Kanpur hog almost 60% and more space in the merit list of UP board.

Sangh is also known for morning and evening Shakhas in many cities of India. RSS has a huge network of shakhas which amount more than 50,000 branches across the nation. A daily gathering of all Swayamsevaks (volunteers) in a predefined area at a common meeting place for one hour is called a Shakha. The daily morning or evening ‘Shakha’ of RSS is not visible in many cities these days. Localities used to join the RSS volunteers in yoga, games and other physical activities. These Shakhas seem to be on the verge of extinct. Now, these Shakhas are hardly seen in many parts of the country. Despite increasing number of Shakhas every year, numbers of attendants are declining. This issues has been worrying RSS pracharks and had been one of the main issues in many conclaves. In the wake of this trend, Sangh Parivar has started IT shakahs to attract the youths in the organisation.

Despite the efforts, stark picture of the reality is different. RSS has weakened as an organization in last few decades. RSS’s clout is also not visible in the politics. Though, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is its political wing. RSS endorses BJP but sometimes, there is a visible ideological spat between both institutions. Jan Sangh which later became BJP was formed as a political wing of the RSS. Article 4 of the RSS constitution states that the RSS `had no politics and is devoted purely to social work'. Though, NDA regime (1998-2004) has seen hiccup in BJP-RSS relations because RSS tried to dictate its terms. And many sangh pracharaks like Narendra Modi and LK Advani has come into active politics.
RSS is losing its voice because of the inactivity of its members or inactivity of the organisation in public-welfare related works. Sangh Parivar comes in the news when there is a conflict in southern states between its workers and communists. It came in the news when there was a conflict in Kandhmal. RSS comes on front pages when its leaders make controversial comments on increasing Muslim population or something against a community. The Akhila Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) releases the organisation’s ‘controversial’ resolutions on important issues. In recent times, ABKM released resolitions on Islamic terrorism, conversions, minority appeasement, education with national ethos, dignity of women, Bangladeshi migrants and on Amaranth Movement. These resolutions have created a stir in the country. More often then not, RSS comes in the media for their infamous activities or inflammatory statements.

Sangh Parivar lovers may be thinking that new maestro would bring a change in the organization. They should hope because optimism is necessary for any development. But the reality should not be forgotten. RSS has been banned in India thrice but ban was lifted every time after few moths or years. It was banned after Gandhi ji’s assassination because it was believed that Nathu Ram Godese was its member. Second time during emergence, it was banned and lifted when Janta Dal came to the power. Third time, organization was banned in India after Babri mosque demolition and again ban was lifted after few months.

RSS, which was formed as the organisation of volunteers, is unable to attract the people –especially youth- to join the organisation. RSS claim to have more than 50,000 shakhas across the nation, where volunteers gather on a routine basis. This is a huge chain of organized people. RSS can help the government of India with such a large network to aware the people about the different public welfare programs. But, first it has to strengthen itself. They should help all the Hindus - since they consider that everyone living in India is a Hindu - without any discrimination. This would be a great service to the nation by a ‘nationalist’ organization.

We expect from the new chief, Mohan Bhagwat, of an 84 old ideological organization that he would ask the RSS members to respect the all three colors of the national flag, not only saffron in true meaning. RSS must forget its final goal of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ because we can not survive as a theocratic nation in a globalised world. India is a melting pot of different cultures, religions, race and languages. RSS must not forget that ‘United we stand and divided we fall’.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Navratri has been celebrated in the country with full enthusiasm and devotion. Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri takes place in the month of March-April or the first day of Chaitra month. This year, it is starting from 27 March and last up to March 3. The New Year, according to Hindu calendar, starts from the same day. Navratri is one of the major festivals of India. Navratri takes place twice a year. Sharad Navratri takes place in the month of September-October. All the nine auspicious days of navratri are devoted to the nine different forms of goddess Durga.

The fasting and feasting is part of the ritual of these nine days. Jagrans, Bhajan gatherings, temple visits are parts of the activities of devotees during navratri. Dandiya nights are the recent trend, where couples dance and play dandiya whole night. Now, Dandiya is not only limited to temple premises. It has reached in five star hotels, resorts and dance clubs. Dandiya and Garba, which are dance forms of Gujarat, are played all over the country with high esteem of zest and enthusiasm. Many followers organize bhandara (meal for all) on their own expenses for the poor people. Many people prefer to buy new goods on these days as these nine days are considered special in comparison to other normal days.

On the very first day, puja is organized in every household and devotees set up a kalash (earthen pot) and seeds are sowed in it. It is kept at worshiping place till the last day of navratri known as navmi (ninth day). Many Hindus keep fast on these days to get their wishes fulfilled by goddess Durga. Few self styled neo-devotees keep fast on the first and last day of the navratri to show their devotion during their hectic professional schedule. This trend has gain popularity because fasting for nine days is not practically possible for many devotees. This trend gives them chance to show their devotion and affection to the goddess Durga in a convenient way.

In the new millennium, everything is available for a cost. Many renowned restaurants have started special services for the devotees, who keep fast. The special plate or thaalis are available. So, Devotees need not to worry about the food while fasting. They can get the vrata thaali (plate for those who keep fast) by paying Rs. 50 to Rs. 800 per person in many restaurants and hotels. Menu includes the kuuttu ki puri and pakore, sabudana ki kheer, khuskhus aloo, banana chips, sabudana wafers, sabudana ki khichri, different variety of sweets, and lots more dishes. Variety is also not a problem these days.

Sharad Navratri is celebrated with more enthusiasm in some parts of the country. Sharad Navratri ends with Vijayadashmi or Dashahra. This festival is observed as the victory of good over evil. Bengalis are known for celebrating Durga Puja in a big way. Pandals of the Durga puja are decorated using flowers, idols, dry fruits and other materials. The decoration of the pandals starts before a month or two. Many singers and artist are invited to sing devotional songs and present other religious acts during the fest.

This year, Vasant Navratri is just before the Lok Sabha elections and all the citizens should pray to Maa Durga for a stable government, which can help the people in the season of economic slump. Let us pray together,

Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike l

Sharanye trayambake gauri, Narayani namostute ll

Meaning: O Mother! You are the personification of all that is auspicious, You are the benevolent form of Lord Shiva, You bestow Divine energy and help people achieve Righteousness, wealth, fulfil desires and Liberation, You are worthy of being surrendered to. Three eyes adorn You. O Narayani Devi, I pay obeisance to You !

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By Abhishek Pandey

Caste and Religion does not matter much in the globalised world. These issues have been limited to the personal choice. It only matters when we here some loud voices on issues related to reservation or during political campaigning, though Election commission has restricted political parties to not use caste or religion as their political plank to attract voters.

Uttar Pradesh has largest number of parliament seats in the country. The major issues in the election is the appeasement of people on the based of caste. It is the main political plank of most parties. Parties’ ally with the different parties on the basis of their strong hold on a specific caste or religion. Many political parties are known for their leaning to a particular caste or religion in the country. Bahujan Samajwadi Party is one of the examples. Mayawati is ruling in UP on the basis of her unique Brahmin-Dalit caste engineering. She won the assembly election on ‘caste programming’ by sweeping 202 seats out of 403 seats. It was the first time after 1991 that any party came in to power of its own.

Mulayam Singh’s Samajwadi Party (SP) and Lalu Prasad’s Janta Lok Dal (RJD) is having good vote bank among Muslims and Yadav community in their respective states. Ajit Singh, Rastriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief, has sizeable clout on backward class community in western Uttar Pradesh. Few months back, RLD joined NDA. Rastriya Janta Dal’s arrival in NDA cluster can increase numbers of seats in backward caste dominated areas for the alliance. Kalyan Singh’s departure from the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is a blow to parties Lodh votes in western UP. Samajwadi party accepted Mr Singh, who was anti SP until this episode. His son, Rajvir Singh has been a LS ticket. This all political games are played on caste based politics.

Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh burnt for many days on caste politics of Gujjars. The issue started when BJP promised them to give ST status and after back tracked. Recent assembly elections’ result has shown the Gujjars angst against the party. Many people lost their lives when Gujjars were demanding for their Schedule Tribe status. Gujarat is also an example of caste and religion based politics. Keshu Bhai Patel was the BJP leader before Narendra Modi because he has clout over Patel community, which amount a large section of voters in Gujarat. Narendra Modi replaced him after Godhra mishap, which became a religious issue and many voters voted him to the power.

New political party in Andhra Pradesh Praja Rajyam, Which is created by famous Actor Chiranjeevi, is expecting to mobilize the large chunk of voters from Kapu community, which amounts 15% of the state’s electorate. Kamas and Reddys had been associated with Telgudesham party and Congress, respectively. Electorates from these communities would decide the fate of these parties in Andhra Pradesh. Vokalligas and Lingayats have decided the Karnataka politics in last several years. And in last elections, Lingayats helped BJP to come in to the power in Karnataka.

Caste has played major role in rising politicians to the power in other states also. DMK rose to power in Tamilnadu under the plank to end ‘Brahmanical oppression’ and anti-Hindi language issue. AIDMK chief Jaylalita is another player from opposite political fray in Tamilnadu. Many regional political parties emerged on the ground to represent the local people of the particular caste. Maharashtra has also seen movement against south Indians in past and now, against north Indians. Shivsena and Maharashtra Navnirman sena (MNS) are pioneers of this kind of malice campaigning against non-Marathi speaking population in Maharashtra. Northeast states have also seen language based political issues in many elections, when Bihariis were killed in the state. Bengal has seen the campaigning against Marwaris. Caste, Language and Religion plays major role to win elections in most of the constituencies in India. Many parties nominate and shuffle the stature of candidate on the basis of his/her caste.

This is one of the reasons; the viability of third front can be doubted. It has many representatives of different caste, region and religion. The interest of different political parties would clash during the policy implementation, if voters allow them to come to the power. This trend should go. Caste, religion or language based politics is not in the favour of the aam aadmi.

This time, we will eager to see that Mayawati’s technical expertise of social engineering would work in Lok Sabha polls as successfully as it worked in last assembly elections. We would love to see the future of Praja Rajyam Party in Andhra Pradesh. The election would also show us that Kalyan Singh’s departure affected the BJP or not. We would also see the outcome of ‘hatred speeches’ of Raj Thackeray.

Parties must stop looking at the voters as Dalit, Brahmin, and Backward community. We need the political parties which don’t have leaning to any caste, language or religion. Parties may lean towards different ideologies for the betterment of the nation.

People should not vote for the politicians, who play these cheap planks. They should vote for development. This would be the best option for the progress of the nation in gloomy days of recession. What would happen, no one knows? We have to wait till the ‘climax’.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Media are hell-bent to attract the larger number of readers to their publication or maximum audience for their TV or radio channel and maximum eyeballs for their Internet sites. Sex trade, which is thriving under the nose of nation’s capital - media capital- has not attracted any media attention as yet. My last article ‘Sex for sale on Internet’ tried to explain the business operation of these ‘escort/ massage service providers’ in the national capital and other metro cities in India, these groups are operating in metro cities with apparent impunity.

Sex workers in many parts of the country have raised their voice against the exploitation. The operation of these groups could make another section of exploited girls. These ‘sex traders’ are showing a short cut way of being rich to college going and other over ambitious girls. The old bollywood movies’ cliché` ‘Koi bhi ladki apni marji se is dhande me nahi utarti’ (none of the girls enter in prostitution with her consent) is likely to appear false in this scenario. The high rates, which varies from Rs. 10k per couple of hours to 1 lakh rupees for a night or more for additional services, does not show their economical compulsion. This trend shows lust for money. Someone’s lust is being fulfilled for another’s lust and media prefers to be silent..

Many girls are victims also of this malpractice, because if once they enter there is no exit door. Few months ago, a foreigner revealed that she was lured in the profession by some agent, who promised her job in fashion industry. She was told that she would be given modeling contracts in India and when, she came then after few days her passport was taken away and she was forced in to prostitution.

The advertisements of these escort services/massage parlors are ‘shamelessly’ displayed in the prominent English dailies of capital. Few newspapers, keep them aside from this malpractice of generating revenue. Newspapers, which are considered the watchdog of society, don’t give a damn to check these types of advertisements.

Three Ss, Sachin (cricket), Shahrukh (Bollywood movies) and Sex sell like a hot cake in India. The huge income of BCCI and cricket players, success of the film industry on the basis of Shahrukh khan’s acting and sexy masaala in the movies verifies it. Newspapers get the news from London that ‘Losing virginity on cam can fetch $20,000’ or ‘Mom seeks a sex mate for her son’. But unfortunately, they close their eyes to ‘sex trade for elites’ with in the city. The main reason is unidentifiable. The reason could be the revenue generated by these ‘service providers’ through their ads in the newspapers, one can see these classified ads in Delhi’s few english dailies. They would not like to lose the revenue because all game is about get maximum advertisers.

Indian Trafficking (prevention) act does not allow the public advertisements given by the prostitutes. An ad containing ‘Dream girls for all India services’ with contact details and claim to provide educated, hi-profile models of Indian, Russian and Afghan origin, for escort services, in the newspapers. But when they were contacted, reality was different altogether.

This is not ethical also for newspapers to publish these ads. I hope, Press council of India and Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), and Indian Newspaper Society would look in to the matter. I expect, they should stop these ads with immediate effect. They can not afford to sweep the issue under the carpet for long. A change is needed

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By Abhishek Pandey

The million dollar question, technology is a boon or curse, has been asked umpteen times. Technology has made our life easier and more comfortable in many aspects. But it has other sides also. Technology has created threat among parents because of its misuse. YouTube, Social Networking sites, Internet porn sites have been existing and worrying parents because of misuse of these sites by children. Though, these sites are available on net without any control and any one can access them by just clicking ‘I am 18’ tab. There are thousands of uncontrolled porn websites. Pornography is available in different forms like explicit pictures, short animated movies, stories to online videos. This is not limited to porn sites but sex trade and online brothel are also emerging on the net with huge network across the globe.

In India, Escort services are cover for the online sex trade. These websites claim that they would arrange top Indian models for $330 or Rs.15,000 per two hour per session or per ‘shot’. The full night service demands Rs. 25000 to Rs. 1, 00,000. These websites claim to make available working models, aspiring actresses, and Asian, Russian, European girls. They claim to provide blonde, brunettes and redheads to their customers in exchange of handsome amount. Few websites also display the explicit pictures of the girls.

Few facilities provided them are not appropriate to be mentioned here. All the fees charged by them are in USD. Some websites provide girls outside the country also. A total of approx 2000 websites of same kind are in operation in India and figures would go up to several thousands, if foreign sites are included. These websites are trying to cover themselves behind the massage services providers. Many girls on their own websites have shared that they have provided their ‘services’ to top bureaucrats, politicians and business entrepreneurs. These ‘service providers’ claim to provide their ‘service’ in any city of the country and even, abroad on the customers’ demand. Many websites on the net invite the girls to join them in escort service, which is a dangerous sign.

When one of the service providers were contacted to find out the functioning of these groups, a fluent English speaking women picked up the phone. She asked for the details like the Hotel name and room no, requirement of girls, for an individual or for couple of guys and other similar details. She explained the rate is Rs. 10,000 per person for couple of hours. And, she suggested to contact few hours before the actual; appointment. These are some staggering facts of ‘flesh market’ in a differently neo conservative culture like India.

Some countries have gone to another extreme like online brothel. ‘Big Sister’, a voyeuristic video porn site cum online brothel, is one of the pioneers of this ill trend. The brothel is situated in Prague, Czech Republic. Man can get the free service provided by female prostitutes but they have to allow Big Sister to record their intimate moments. Entry for females and couples is free on the same condition that they would be on camera during their sexual activities. Websites sell these videos to their customers on the basis of monthly registration of $30online per month or for the payment of few dollars at once. This website has also one link for girls to join the profession.

India has stringent laws against the obscenity, trafficking and pornography. Information Technology act 2000, section 67, prohibits the publication or transmission of any material, ‘which is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or if its effect is such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it’. The punishment of this crime in first conviction is imprisonment of five years with fine up to one lakh rupees and in the case of second conviction person may be imprisoned for ten years with fine up to two lakh rupees. Section 292 and 293 of Indian penal code has the provision of punishment in the case of distribution and selling of obscene materials. Though, we have some stringent laws but all of them unlikely to be effective on Internet.

Prostitution is prohibited to thrive in public places under The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) in India. Sex workers can be punished for seducing clients in public places and customers can be punished for a sexual activity near to public place. India had religious prostitutes called ‘Devdasi’ (servant of gods) who are likely to turn in to ‘tech-dasi’ (servant of technology) for few rupees. Indian government has to take some stern steps to avoid making Sonagachi (Kolkata), GB road (Delhi), Kamathipura (Mumbai), Budhwar Peth (Pune), Dalmandi (Varanasi), Reshampura (Gwalior) or similar red light areas in online space.

Ministry of Child and Women welfare have given the details that a total of 2.8 millions sex workers are working in India. And more than 35% of them entered in the profession before the age of 18 years. The addition of these tech-savvy sex workers’ groups can swell up the numbers. The technology can be dangerous for the spreading of trafficking and prostitution in the country. It is the dangerous trend and the Indian government must look in to it in the time when government, United Nation (UN) and many NGOs are working together to fight HIV and other fatal diseases.

India has seen lot of moral policing on couples holding hands or sitting in the park. It has also seen vandalised restaurants and greeting cards shops during Valentines Day and Friendship Day. These both are two extremes and India lives in between. Indian government and social activist must raise the issue of online obscenity and indecency to save the young breed. Our politicians seem to have problem of hard of hearing but their ears started working well during election period. This is the best time to raise the issue and demand a ban on such pornographic websites so that no Noida or DPS MMS scandal is repeated or no children go stray in its early age. They could be from any one’s family. The best move can be: ‘Come forward and raise your voice’.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Poll dates for 15th Lok Sabha elections have been announced. World would watch the election of largest democracy of the world in five faces from April 16 to May 23. The 15 Lok Sabha elections would decide the fate of six national and 224 regional parties. A total of 740 millions voters would decide the next ruling government of India.

Election commission has given the details of the young voters which amounts 24% of electorate this time. The contradiction is that India has more than 40% MP aged between 50 to 90 years of age. All the parties are planning to woo the young voters to get the maximum number of seats in the next parliamentary elections. We can only hope that parties would also increase the seat share for the young politicians. But it does not seem to happen. All the parties want votes of youngsters but for oldies only.

Congress has Rahul Gandhi as the young face of party. Rahul has been seen visiting slums and villages of the different states for elevating himself as a ‘real’ politician. BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani has also showed that he is a tech-savvy with a vision of a youngster by lifting dumbbells at the age of 78. Advani has taken the support of online advertising to attract the young Internet users. Advani is also planning to visit college campus across the country to propagate his ideology ahead of LS polls. He is asked for volunteers to support in his college campaign and many have come ahead to support him.

India has some young turks in both houses of parliament. Rajesh Pilot’s son Sachin Pilot, Madhav Rao Scindhias’s son Jyotiraditya Scindhia, Indian National Congress also have Former MP Jitendra Prasad’s son Jatin Prasad, Union minister Murli Deora’s son Milind Deora, Actor cum politician late Sunil Dutt’s daughter Priya Dutt, Former Andhra Pradesh CM NT Ramarao’s daughter D Purandeshwari and few more.

Other parties also have young faces like Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma’s daughter Agatha Sangma, Former CM of Tamilnadu M Karunanidhi’s daughter Konimozhi and NCP president Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule are few examples of the leaders who are carrying forward their political lineage. Samajwadi party has Akhilesh Yadav, son of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Kalyan Singh’s son Rajbir Singh, Bhajan Lal’s son Kuldip Vishnoi, Prakash Singh Badal’s son Sukhbir Singh Badal and few others have put their feet in their parents’ shoes.

It seems that we are having many young leaders in Indian politics. But another side of this coin is not as bright as it should be. All the aforementioned young leaders have not come from grass root level. Most of them are won just because of their political background. They have not gone to the process of making a politician. Despite of this fact, their capabilities can not be questioned. But the dependence of all these leaders to the senior politicians in the party for almost all the important decisions show that they are memo-queen of their political party.

This is not a good sign that young politicians have not been accepted unless they have any political background. We need young politicians those can understand the need of youngsters which amount 24% of registered voters or approx 180 million youths. Indian youth need the good professional institutes, good educational and health policies, good job opportunities, better life style, good roads, availability of all the brands in his/her city, corruption less society, proper security in public places, comfortable transport facilities and many more. Youths are more demanding than other ‘aam aadmi’. They are looking for an ‘Obama’ to happen in India. Their demands are not too much. They know the capacity India and ready to extend their hand for the incredible change in India’s future. But who is ready to hold their hand.

If they can prosper the Silicon Valley in USA then why cant they do the same magic in Bangalore. If most of the well trained Indian doctors and engineers are working for western countries to make sure the proper running of research institutes and health centers. Why can’t they do this in India? They can do it but they need something in return.

After watching complicated political strategies, young generation of India wants to know about the reality in the promises of the politicians, young or old. The need the government which don’t play the political tantrums by raising caste, religion, regional and other trivial issues in their manifesto. The young voters would definitely look for the government which would be able to solve the problem of economic slump. They would vote for the government which would create jobs for them in the time of crisis.

We can only hope that next government would listen to these issues and surely, they would not ignore this voice and if they would do, it would be at their own peril. Is any one listening?

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