Skip to main content

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Independence is for elite political leaders and corporates

By Harasankar Adhikari 

The TMC-led government of West Bengal is in power for a 3rd term of another 5 years with an absolute single majority. This populist government has implemented several populist programmes for the people rather than supporters of this party. It publicises that Ms. Mamata Banerjee is the symbol of honesty and she has devoted herself to the better living of people or cadres of her party. Dole-based development and corruption are in parallel. Leaders of different hierarchies are involved in rampant corruption or day-night corruption. Corruption has been diversified from tarpaulin, ration to school jobs, coal scams, cattle scams, and so forth. The cut-money from developmental allocation has been officially recognised in an open meeting.
Opponents have been shouting against it. But the TMC party ignores it as politics. Then, Public Litigation Interest moves to the honourable High Court of Calcutta and several orders for investigations into the cases of scams are made to the ED and CBI. Both these central agencies are accordingly running investigations and some of the leaders are suspected, arrested and under custody.
It is obvious because these people have significantly looted public money and cultivated a culture of corruption in West Bengal. TMC cadres are agitating against it because these agencies are purposely used for political purposes by the BJP. But the leaders and cadres of TMC make no effort to probe their honesty. They have made enormous wealth during this tenure of 10 years. Most of them are not from noble families or they left their very highly paid jobs before that. They use the administration as an instrument of corruption deliberately.
Democratic service to the people of Bengal is also an instrument to ensure the self-prosperity of the leaders of TMC. Their strategies for people’s development and prosperity lie within the limits of their dole. Their abusive power mode makes people deaf and dumb. A culture of fear is prominently inculcated in the state. At a recent public meeting near Kolkata (Behala), Ms. Mamata Banerjee asked her supporters to create chaos when she would be interrogated. It demonstrates that she is being investigated by the ED and the CBI. She has made no effort to cleanse herself and her party's cadres of any dishonesty or corruption. She clearly indicated that corruption is the right of her cadres when she is in power. She reveals her dual character of crying for people and supporting the cadres to carry on corruption. She is with her cadres for the vote.
Every Indian celebrated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on the eve of completing 75 years of independence with a tricolour flag in each household. But unfortunately, this freedom or independence is for whom? It is for the political leaders in rule or opposition because both categories follow the same line when either one is in rule. This independence is for the political leaders to be free to lie, be corrupted, make wealth, enjoy power, and threaten the people who voted for them. This independence for them is to do whatever they like. But the common mass, even intellectuals or activists, has no right to talk against government policies. They would be punished with incarceration and even death in this democratic country.
At the Lal Quila (Red Fort), the Prime Minister would promise 5 to 7 determinations for a strong, self-sufficient nation (Atmanirvar Bharat), where one-third of the population would remain hungry, ill-healthed, and in other serious crises. For instance, unemployment is a problem for the unemployed, no matter how it is connected with the government.
The colonial rule was by foreigners. But in independent India, the rule is by the own people, elected by the suffering. This independence is for elite political leaders and corporates. The leader will patronise in order to enrich the corporate. The colonial rules snatched wealth for their own country. In independent India, the elite keeps wealth in foreign custody.
When would this type of discrepancy stop? When will Indians enjoy real freedom? Is it not the political leaders that have become a burden to this nation?

Comments

TRENDING

Land under siege: A silent crisis, desertification is threatening India’s future

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Desertification is emerging as one of the gravest environmental challenges of our time. Marked annually on June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought reminds us that the fate of our planet’s land—and the billions who depend on it—is hanging in the balance.

Hyderabad protest demands end to Operation Kagar as senior Maoist leaders killed in encounter

By Harsh Thakor*  A protest was held on June 17 at Indira Park in Hyderabad by the Shanti Charchala Committee, calling for an end to Operation Kagar and the start of peace talks with Maoist groups. The event brought together representatives from several political parties and civil society organizations. Among those who addressed the gathering were CPI (ML) New Democracy Central Committee member Vemulapalli Venkatramayya, along with leaders from the Congress, BRS, CPI, CPM, Telangana Janasamithi, MCPI, SUCI, CPI ML, RSP, and VCK. The programme also featured performances by cultural groups such as CLC, HRF, TVV, Arunodaya, Praja Kala Mandali, and Praja Natya Mandali. Public figures including actors Narayana Murthy and Tudundebba Upendar and academics like Professor Anver Khan and Professor Vinayaka Reddy participated as speakers.

Madhya Pradesh village's inspiring example of how small budget effort conserves water amidst heat wave

By Bharat Dogra  Heat waves have been intensifying over vast areas of India in recent days and there are also many reports of water scarcity making the conditions worse for people. However the situation can differ significantly in various villages depending on whether or not significant water conservation efforts have been made. In recent years I have visited several villages of good water conservation efforts where I noticed that even at the time of adverse weather conditions, people of these villages as well as farm and other animals feel important relief in terms of access to adequate water. Due to water and moisture conservation, conditions of farms and pastures is also much better. What is more, with the participation and involvement of people, even quite low budgets have been utilized well to achieve very useful and durable results.     

Central London discussion to spotlight LGBTQ+ ex-Muslim rights and persecution

By A Representative   On June 13, 2025, the Dissident Club in Central London will host a public discussion to mark the 18th anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) and to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event, scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, will feature speakers Ali Malik, Maryam Namazie, and Taha Siddiqui, who are expected to address the intersecting challenges faced by LGBTQ+ ex-Muslims globally.

Population explosion: India needs a clear-headed policy, data-driven governance, long-term planning

By N.S. Venkataraman*  At the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as a special guest, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau citing two main reasons: India’s rise as the world’s fifth-largest economy and its status as the most populous nation. While economic growth is undoubtedly a point of pride, the latter distinction—India’s population—raises an important question: should this be seen as a strength or a source of growing concern? India has not conducted a national census since 2011, leaving the current population figures largely speculative. Estimates place the population at around 1.4 billion, with projections reaching 1.8 billion by 2050. Despite modest declines in fertility and death rates, the annual population growth remains between 1.5% and 2%. The next census, scheduled for 2026, will provide a more accurate demographic picture, but until then, policymaking remains uninformed by crucial data. Over the past eleven years, the gov...

Victim to cricketing politics, Alvin Kalicharan was a most organized left handed batsman

By Harsh Thakor* On March 21st Alvin Kalicharan celebrates his 75th birthday. Sadly, his exploits have been forgotten or overlooked. Arguably no left handed batsman was technically sounder or more organized than this little man. Kalicharan was classed as a left-handed version of Rohan Kanhai. Possibly no left-handed batsmen to such a degree blend technical perfection with artistry and power.

Exploring 'Volokolamsk Highway': A tale of Soviet heroism and resilience

By Harsh Thakor*  "Volokolamsk Highway" is a classical war novel by Alexander Bek, first published in Russian in 1944 and translated into English in 1958. Set during WWII on the Eastern Front, it describes critical battles fought by the Soviet Red Army against Nazi forces advancing toward Moscow in October 1941. Republished by Foreign Languages Press in 2023, the novel offers a vivid portrayal of Soviet soldiers' struggles to defeat fascism. It is recommended for those seeking insight into Soviet heroism during World War II.

Better halves lead the way as organic farmers, entrepreneurs and social reformers

By Bharat Dogra  Two major challenges continue to limit the full participation of rural women in development. First, their crucial roles, potential, and capabilities often remain underrecognized. Second, even when women are encouraged to take on broader responsibilities, the overarching development models may not align with their needs or perspectives and may even appear counterproductive. Under such conditions, it is unrealistic to expect women to engage as enthusiastic and creative participants.

Citizens demand judicial probe into Ahmedabad plane crash, cite neglect of intern doctors, victims' families

By A Representative    A wide coalition of concerned citizens, academics, medical professionals, social activists, and public intellectuals has submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of India demanding an urgent judicial inquiry into the recent tragic airplane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed over 240 lives. The petition, coordinated by the Movement for Secular Democracy (MSD), calls for a high-level judicial committee, headed by a retired High Court justice and comprising eminent citizens, to investigate the incident beyond the scope of the existing technical committee.