The recent Slap “Thappar” or “Jhapad” incident with Sharad Pawar has hit the national and international headlines. Union Agriculture Minister and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) supremo Sharad Pawar was slapped by a 27 year old youth Harvinder Singh at the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) centre while leaving the premises after attending a literary function on 24th November 2011. A part time transporter from northwest Delhi, Harvinder Singh landed a slap on Pawar’s face while venting anger at the ongoing corruption done by the politicians.
The attacker, who previously is said to have assaulted former telecom minister Sukhram while he was being led away from court, a week ago on November 19, 2011 was later arrested. Singh's family said he had been treated for a mental ailment in the past. Along with NCP and Congress, all leading political parties in India condemned the attack. However, a fair portion of Indian population praised Harvinder Singh for his act and a sizeable population is not in favour sighting ‘violence should not be used as a means of raising concern’.
The civilized society will never appreciate the act of Harvinder Singh. The major reason is we remain in a ‘Democratic Country’ and here ‘Constitution’ is supreme, and no one has the right to break the ‘Law and Order’. Of course, as a civilized and responsible citizen of India I too don’t support the ‘Thappar’ act of Harvinder Singh. But at the same time I can’t become a ‘mute spectator’ and appreciate the ‘wrong doings of our politicians’. In the current scenario it seems our self pro-claimed ‘Biggest Democratic Country in the world’ is moving in wrong direction. Prime Reason, every affair of the country revolves around the political system, from a small colony, village to big cities. In result the roots of ‘corruption’ has deeply entered into the life of common people. No one today in India claim himself or herself ‘100% Honest’, every citizen of India is involved in corruption directly or indirectly.
‘Encouraging Corruption’ is a sin like ‘Involvement in Corruption’ but the common people can’t be held responsible for this. Our political and administrative system compels us to pay bribe at all helm of affairs, and we pay bribe as small as Rs. 5 or 10 to thousands and lakhs to get our work done, and save ourselves from the wrath of corrupt officials and lower rank staff.
Now coming back to Sharad Pawar Slap incident. His party workers and leaders did massive demonstrations in Maharashtra and condemned the slap offered on the face of their big size leader Sharad Pawar. No comment on the obligations of party workers and leaders, they are paying their homage to their supremo. However, here I reminds a famous dialogue of Salman Khan Starrer all time blockbuster ‘Dabaang’, “Thappad Se Darr Nahin Lagta Saheb, Pyar Se Darr Lagta Hai” (I am not afraid of slap, I am afraid of love). Similarly, Pawar ko Thappad Se Dar Nahin Lagta, Imandari Se Darr Lagta Hai, (Pawar is not afraid of slap, he is afraid of honesty).
Since long time, Sharad Pawar is said to be one of the most corrupt politician in India for which however there are no formal proofs but allegations of corruption have been charged on him time to time. Let us have a look in controversial (maligned) act of Sharad Pawar.
- Abdul Karim Telgi cited Pawar's name in relation to the 600 billion rupee Stamp-paper scam, during a narcoanalysis filmed by various Indian news channels. Telgi also claimed that it was Sharad Pawar's brain to print fake stamp papers across country and mint money.
- Wheat import in 2007: Bombay High Court issued notices to Sharad Pawar, questioning the decision to import defective red wheat and to submit details of procurement of the crop from different states and the exact process of importing it. The BJP asked for Pawar's resignation after alleging he was involved in a multi-crore scam involving wheat imports.
- In May 2007: a tender floated by the Food Corporation of India for procurement of wheat was cancelled when the lowest bid received was for 263 USD/ton. The government subsequently allowed private traders to purchase wheat directly from farmers that year resulting in a paucity of wheat to stock FCI granaries. By July 2007 the shortage at FCI was large enough to require import of wheat at a much higher price of 320–360 USD/ton. Taking advantage of this, traders who had domestically purchased wheat at 900 INR/ton earlier, were now offering the same to FCI at 1,300 INR/ton.
- On October 27, 2007: the Bombay High Court served notices to institutions headed by Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and Sadanand Sule (Sharad Pawar's son-in-law) along with a corresponding notice served to the Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) on why special privileges were given to Pawar and his family. This was done in consideration of a Public Interest Litigation No. 148 of 2006, filed by Shamsunder Potare alleging that the land said allocations in Pune, made in 2002, were illegal.
- While Pawar had declared that he is no richer than 3.6 crore rupees, the recent IPL Pune team bidding has revealed his 16% stake in City finance. IPL Pune team is supposedly worth 1200 crore rupees. Likewise, his 0.05% stake in Royal Challengers Bangalore team is alone worth 6 crores. The Pawars had consistently denied any IPL stake, but have now had to declare it publicly.
- Sugar prices in 2009: Opposition parties, including the BJP and the CPI(M) accused Sharad Pawar of engineering a steep rise in the price of sugar to the advantage of hoarders and importers.
- Onion prices in 2010–11: The opposition have accused him to be responsible on the same issue.
- Pawar is also listed on the No Criminals website as an incriminated offender of the Religion Institution Act 1988 (Prevention of Misuse).[20]
- Endosulfan: Even though almost all over the world has banned Endosulfan, India is the only one country which is against global banning of Endosulfan. Recently, Sharad Pawar made a remark that Endosulfan is not yet proved dangerous, which made some activist like Vandana Shiva to call him a corrupt minister.
The above mentioned allegations and orders of court somehow make it clear that Sharad Pawar is involved in the ‘menace of Corruption’ directly or indirectly. India is battling with the cancer of Corruption and the recent revelations of corrupt act done by politicians like Raja, Suresh Kalmadi, B S Yedurappa and Reddi brothers are really unfortunate and has taken the country to backfoot. The ‘Thappad Act’ of Singh is not just a unfortunate instance, it is an ‘Alarm Bail’ for the country’s political system including the Ruling Government and Opposition. The political leaders are enjoying all the luxuries with the precious money of common people. And if politicians like Sharad Pawar don’t take care of their acts, they would come across more and more ‘Thappar’ and ‘Jutta’ (Shoe) acts. It is the right time for the political parties of India to do logical and honest politics, unless the ‘Youth of the Country’ can go to any extent for fulfillment of their basic needs including education and employment.
Disclaimer: The author doesn't appreciate the act of Harvinder Singh. A citizen of India should never go against the country's 'Law and Order'.
