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© 2012 Sanjeev Sabhlok's revolutionary blog
Here's an extract from a comment the writer Firoze Hirjikaka made on the Classical liberals and libertarians on Facebook group on FB. Very well said, Firoze.
Anna Hazare is little more than a glorified country bumpkin and a bit of a buffoon to boot. His unsolicited public pronouncements and summary verdicts are becoming monotonously predictable and are frankly ludicrous.
As long as Anna confined his crusade to the issue of corruption, he had a degree of credibility and even enthusiastic support. But when he sets himself up as judge and jury on everything under the sun, he just comes across looking pathetic. His latest outburst against Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi takes the cake. As is well reported by now, Singhvi was apparently filmed in a compromising position with a lady of his acquaintance.
Anna was prompt to deliver his verdict. “If he is found guilty, he should be hanged” he pronounced portentously.
Hanged for what? Since when is a sexual liaison between two consenting adults considered a crime? In my opinion, Singhvi got unnecessarily defensive by resigning his Parliamentary posts. He did not rape the woman, for heaven’s sake. What went on behind closed doors is nobody’s business except his and the lady in question.
I am aware that we have hypocritical public figures who delight in setting themselves as moral policemen and Anna probably wants to lead that brigade. Even so, to decree that Singhvi’s transgression deserves capital punishment is the height of absurdity and intolerance. You just cannot go around hanging everybody who does not meet your unreasonable standards. This is not a Clint Eastwood western.
If Anna has chosen to remain celibate, that is his personal decision. It certainly does not make him morally or spiritually superior to the overwhelming majority of humanity who lead normal lives. Even the Bible exhorts its followers to go forth and procreate. In any case, by prescribing hanging as his one stop punishment for all perceived crimes and misdemeanors, Anna is merely displaying his profound ignorance of the law and indeed, his lack of common sense. If his team does not keep him in check, it will end up with egg on its collective face.
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To spread the message of liberty and critical thinking, please share this post
Team Anna should keep Anna under check – good advice on Facebook http://t.co/kflfCQI8 #currentaffairs #india
Team Anna should keep Anna under check – good advice on Facebook http://t.co/1luVACaK
Dear Sanjeev,
Surprise to see ur analysis and I am not satisfied with your analysis. I guess you should have gone through #AMSClip and other such tags in twitter.
In the video its clearly audible, that singhvi was asking sexual favor in return for judge post. You can hear in the very begining when Singhvi enters his chamber. This clearly nullifies your “argument” that there was mutual sex between two individuals.
Here is the lady, http://www.dhcba.com/mlgnb2.aspx?bcd=D/384/1987 involved in the act. And here is the newspaper cutting that is connected with it, which tells why her candidature to judge post was rejected by CJI kapadia. http://www.legalindia.in/kapadia-for-review-of-delhi-high-court-move-on-five-new-judges
And third point of yours: “What went on behind closed doors is nobody’s business except his and the lady in question.”
Mind it its Singhvis supreme court chambers, and its not his home. And constitutionally it is not legal to do such unlawful act in public places. My tax money is meant for such shag!
And what a shame of these media ppl and guys like you who are defendinng such people. The same Singvi guy is heading a chariman post of standing committee of parliament and doing such immoral act and these guys preach about morality.
Why media house like Rajdep sardesai and NDTV folk silent on such issues. If we compared to BJP pornography Singhvi’s act is 100 times more inlawful. Why the hell u r silent. Why don you do research and then project your thought.
What Anna said is completely right and he might have been apprised by such development before commenting. You guys simply beat around.
EArlier I was cynical about Anna’s demand to put judiciary in lokpal but after this video I am ‘for’ including judiciary in lokpal.
I hope you publish my reply as I attached all my claims with proofs.
Regards
Kumar
Anna is one of the most successful and coveted leaders of India today. I do not think that it is right to talk so negative about his capability.
Initially I also had doubt but with each passing day of 14 days fast at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, Government came on knees, it proved that how knowledgeable and strong the guy called Anna is.
It takes years to appreciate a burning issue. We should not consider it lightly. How many of us dare to be so strong on any issue?
So I feel that Firoze Hirjikaka has made mistake not Anna.
Kumar, you are right to criticise me on this. I did not conduct any research on this, given enormous time constraints. I’ve taken Hirjikaka’s comment from FB on good faith. These are not my arguments, but I did support them on good faith. So I’m responsible for these comments.
Unfortunately I’ve not even had time (nor will have the time) to look through your citations but I assume you are pointing out the correct facts which indicate that this is actually a serious criminal act. That would (and should!) significantly ramp up the punishment.
Whether that would call for hanging is quite a different matter, though. I do hope Team Anna will ensure that they are seeking only what is within the law and not any excessive punishment.
I’m sure Mr Hirjikaka must have formed his opinion based on some press clipping, and would change his mind with the more detailed information you have provided.
s
Dear KK
Given the more detailed information now available, I’d agree with you. This also means I must devote more time to research each issue on which I comment. Time constraints do deter me from doing so, though. I don’t have an army of advisers or any “team”. I must take things on good faith.
There will be errors of judgement made. All I can assure is that when such an error is made I’ll be the first to change my mind.
s
Let us assume for a moment that Kumar is better informed than the rest of us and his comments are to be accepted as gospel. The fact remains that Singhvi’s transgression is definitely not severe enough to merit a death penalty. If he did proposition the lady in an inappropriate setting, she was at liberty to rebuff his advances. I do not know the outcome, but if the lady did accept, it would have been in anticipation of a quid pro quo. She was not defenseless as, for example, a rape victim would have been. I still maintain that there is too much moral hypocrisy, particularly among our politicians. The same politicos who take the moral high ground in public have been exposed watching porn clips in the Assembly. There are far more pressing issues in this nation that Anna should be focussing on.
Dear Sanjeev,
Intellectual people like you who have ideas to transform shouldnt not get dillusioned by “corrupt” or “paid” media reports.
Here is a very good blog on http://www.mediacrooks.com that clearfully analyses the corrupt media and their practices. In short they describe how these media houses are perfect “चापलूस ” or boot lickers in front of Italian family.
Regarding their reporting on Singhvis clip here is one of the nicest analysis http://www.mediacrooks.com/2012_04_01_archive.html
Guys like Rajdeep sardesai who run 24/7 news channel, they have been designed to divert attention form the issues. And guys like you and Feroze who form a opinion from these media houses report are bound to have a different opinion as reflected in above FB post and some of your previous blogs.
Read the above blog from medicrooks blog you will clearly understand, why such news on Singhvi was quashed. It was power of social media that brought it out. Even after that hardly these media people had any discussion or TV debate as they had run series of programme vehmently on BJP candidates watching porn in assembly.
This shows, the media has in fact become corrupt. Evidences such as Radia Tape which involved Barkha Dutt, Singvi, Prabh chawla, Vir sanghvi etc who were working as brokers or dalals signifies the fact that 4th pillar of democracy has been compromised to sell India in front of Italian mafia.
So one suggestion to all such intellectual people who have great ideas and ability to transfrom India, Please dont read anti-corruption crusaders such Anna and Ramdev with fake media reports.
Please follow the news through twitter and internet and get to know the truth behind every allegations.
At least we can do something for our country.
Jai Hind
Regards
Kumar
Dear Firoze
Thanks for your comment in the light of new information.
The revised perspective on this issue indicates that this was a coercive act, hence criminal. Yes the said lady was at liberty to rebuff his advances, but so also is the person who is “forced” by corrupt politicians to pay. There is no physical force, but economic or other force. That is covered by criminal law – the prevention of corruption act, for instance.
I agree that should the facts of the case be established, the law must be allowed to take its own course. I don’t see ANY reason why such an act would attract the death penalty. That’s where the original point about keeping Anna in check still applies.
Anna must be counselled to advocate the RULE OF LAW – let the crime be proven and let the punishment recommended in the laws be imposed.
Anna must be asked to stop becoming a one-man police-prosecutor-judge-jailor.
s
Dear Kumar
Transparency is the way to the truth. There is no human who can devote the time necessary to understand the detailed truth of any case. The best approach is to lay it out in the open and to discuss it with people who bring different perspectives to the table. That’s what I aim to do. Yes I would like to (if time permits, which it doesn’t!) to research more. But I rely on people like you to come by and correct me where I am wrong.
s
Kumar–
I looked at the videos on youtube. The audio quality was extremely poor. Can you provide a link to a video with good audio quality and also the approximate time when Sanghvi and the lady discussed the matter of a judgeship?
Why should Sanghvi be hanged? Is it because:
1. He had sex with a woman not his wife? Does that mean you and Anna want to make adultery punishable by death?
2. He had sex in his Supreme Court Chambers? Is a Supreme Court chamber a public place? Does Sanghvi pay a rent for the chambers or is it some sort of grant from the govt/Court? If he pays rent I see no reason why sex is a problem. If you claim that “it is not legal to do such unlawful act in public places” then you have to show what is the unlawful act in the first place. Is it the sex?
3. He bartered sex for a judgeship or in other words corruption. Is it your contention that all corruption be punished by death? If not what kind of corruption should be punishable by death and what should be not? (I would also like to know how you define corruption)
Will you also include the lokpal within the jurisdiction of the lokpal?
My problem with Anna is not that he is fighting corruption. My problem with Anna is that he has no understanding of the basic principles of due process. His answer for every issue is violence, either the death penalty or public flogging
Dear Sanjeev,
It easy to understand, so can you write another blog post that can crticize Singhvi and Co.. in similiar tone as you guys criticize Anna and Ramdev.
Answer will be big NO!!
Take a look such similar thing happens in media… Check this TV debate at CNN IBN .. sagarika ghose show… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ktaoMnAcIw
The interview with Sri Sri was recorded earlier and was faked as live. Same questions as asked in offline interview were put but was orchestereted very efficiently in the debate. The other guest was vehmently targetting Sri Sri ravishankar, to which he can’t even defend. And thus the purpose of diverting attention was served.
Imagine the audience who will be watching this show, how their opinions would have been changed. In one glance one can’t even notice such errors. Since english media news are being watched by most of so called english speaking intellectuals, their so called opinions on anti-corruption movement would drastically change.
At least they would have given a chance to Sri Sri ravishankar to defend himself.
This issue was also buried until social media Twitter and some patriotic tweeple found it and made it trend for 2 days. Result was: CNN IBN ran a ticker of apology for short duration when no one watches news and she claimed they were not informed , blah blah…
Similar is like you blog post. One can target without any proofs and after in the comment section one can regret that they were misquoted and misinformed etc.
So sir, Please I request write a similiar blog post such that your followers know what Corrupt media and people are doing. Expose these FAI’s in Indian media. The are stripping my motherland. In short “बेच रहे हैं भारत माता को ” !!
And dear Sir, Please get your news feed from Twitter, every corrupt activities of media/GOVT/ Opposition is exposed. and that is the reason Kapil Sibal wants to control this social media as well.
I hope and request you will get news feed from Twitter and elsewhere and then form an opinion and write.
Jai Hind
Kumar
Dear Feroze,
The person is a public officer, and he is indulging a corrupt practice in premises of SC. The is not a a normal matter. And lady who is offering herself is equally responsible for the corrupt act.
I agree that “hanging till death” may not be appropriate punishment. But the focus is on Corruption and its cure through stringent punishment. But your blog post is describing more on
1. Targetting Anna’s celibacy.
2. Anna choice of punishment.
3. Annas ignorance
4. Singhvi morality etc..
I wish the the issue would have been remained alive and not other irrelavant stuffs.
Please make your opinions based on the facts and truth and not some bootlickers paid media news channels news.
REgards
Kumar
Dear Sanjeev,
I readily concede that Singhvi’s actions may be categorized as criminal. However, his guilt or innocence is not the point of my article. My opinion focusses on the over-the-top reaction to his perceived misdeeds. There are many public figures in this country that display unwarranted intolerance and are quick to rush to judgement by appointing themselves judge and jury. Often their main motivation is self publicity.
Human society is flawed all over the world. Human frailty is a fact of nature. When an individual or group assume a posture of superiority and infallibility – moral or otherwise – they go against the grain of liberal thought. That is what I object to.
Incidentally, on the matter of referring to selected blogs as evidence of proof, I would like to point out that the internet is such a vast arena that with enough time and effort, one can discover as many blogs supporting your viewpoint as there are opposing it.
Agreed, Firoze. The point remains that Anna (and all of us) must advocate the rule of law. “Off with his head”-type reactions must be given pause, since the detract from the key issues.
Dear Kumar
Re: “an you write another blog post that can crticize Singhvi and Co.. in similiar tone as you guys criticize Anna and Ramdev. Answer will be big NO!!”
I would request you to note that I do NOT criticise Anna/Ramdev’s intent. I criticise their over-the-top and ill-informed approach to the solution.
And if you are talking about corruption, I’ve noted the corrupt practices of all political parties and most senior leaders of these parties on my blog including in headlines. I do NOT support corruption.
I will unfortunately not have time to review each and every corrupt person’s story.
Instead, I advocate SYSTEM REFORM – that will change the laws and systems to ensure that good people get to govern India. Do read BFN (http://bfn.sabhlokcity.com/) in which I’ve provided extensive analysis on these lines. And consider joining FTI (http://freedomteam.in/) to make that dream a reality.
Yes, I agree that the initial content on this blog post does not reflect the facts of the case, but it does point to the fact that sitting on the sidelines and complaining is not going to get us anywhere.
If you really want India to change, please consider joining politics.
I met Arvind Kejriwal a few weeks ago and recommended that he join politics. THAT is the solution (provided he offers the right policies). See http://sabhlokcity.com/2012/02/dear-arvind-the-only-path-to-corruption-free-india-is-through-policies-of-liberty/.
I think it is time to consolidate and let all good people assemble together and decide the right policies. It is time to stop wasting our breath on the corrupt. Or to hope that reforms can be achieved from the outside.
Either join politics and OUST these corrupt people, or learn to live with them.
s
Team Anna should keep Anna under check – good advice on Facebook http://t.co/kflfCQI8 #currentaffairs #india
Team Anna should keep Anna under check – good advice on Facebook http://t.co/kflfCQI8 #currentaffairs #india
I am with you, you are very much right no body has right to make any comment on a person’s private life untill it affects society.