November 26, 1949: entry into force of the Indian Constitution

On November 26, 1949, the Indian Constitution, approved by the Constituent Assembly on January 26, 1949 (Republic Day), came into force.                                                                                                  

Indian Emblem by User:Indianvipjatt

The Consituent Assembly, which was presided over by B. R. Ambedkar, had been elected by universal suffrage and met for the first time on December 9, 1946, when India had not yet obtained the Independence that was formalized on August 15, 1947.

This is the Preamble of the Constitution in the current text.

We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: 

JUSTICE, social, economic and political; 

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; 

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; 

and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; 

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twentysixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION

The Indian Constitution is the longest of the known Constitutions counting 395 articles and 12 annexes. The length is also due to the size and diversity and variety of the territory and the population of the state (cultural, linguistic, religious, social, etc.).

India, named with the ancient name of Barath, is constituted as a Union, a parliamentary Federal Republic with the tripartite of the main powers (legislative, executive and judiciary) classic in Western liberal constitutions.

The States are currently 29 to which are added 7 territories with special administration including the territory of the capital Delhi.

The powers of the Central State and those of the Federal States are subdivided into the VII attached to the constitutional charter:

Union List (central powers): 97

State List (powers of States): 66

Concurrent List (competing powers): 47

Needless to say, this division has often involved the intervention of the highest Indian judicial body, the High Court, to resolve conflicts of jurisdiction.

Each State has its own organs (President, Governor, Parliament, etc.) and its own official language.

India has a President who has functions of guarantee and representation and that is elected by the Parliament integrated by the representative of the State Parliaments.

The Parliament is divided into the Upper House or Council of States (Raj Sabha) and the People's Chamber (Lok Sabha). In addition to legislating, Parliament appoints the Prime Minister who habitually, but not necessarily, is the leader of the party or coalition that emerges victorious from the polls.

Hindi in the Devanagari writing is constituted by the art. 343 as the official language of the Union and the use of English for fifteen years is then foreseen in official documents and courts of justice and then continuously extended until today.

Alongside Hindi as the language of the Union, 22 other official languages ​​are listed in Annex VII, namely: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Guajarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiris, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Panjabi, Sanskrit, santholi, sindhi, tamil, telegu, urdu, napali, konkani and manipuri.

Indian National Anthem

All the films I've seen in India, I've seen them in the cinemas of Maharastra. The last one was the beautiful Bajirao Mastani that  I've seen in a Nashik cinema.

Before of the film on the screen appeared the Indian flag and was played the Indian national anthem.

I thought it was a custom or a requirement for all Indian cinemas. In fact this occurred only in the Maharastra cinema, the State of Mumbai, and in those of Goa.

Until November 30, when the Supreme Court of India ruled that in all Indian cinemas before the film projection screen should look like the Indian national flag and has to be played the Indian National Anthem.

The decision is the answer to a petition to the Court by Shyam Narayan Chouksey, a retired engineer, who was offended when, only one in the movie theater, stood up during the playing of the anthem 

and the other spectators asked him to sit  because covered their vision.

From this fact he started his campaign in favor of the Indian anthem which ended with the decision of the Supreme Court.

The court also ruled that during the performance the spectators must stand up and that all the cinemas of India have ten days to fulfill this obligation.

In its explanatory memorandum, the Supreme Court has highlighted the need to instill respect for the anthem and the national flag, according to the top court, “a time has come, the citizens of the country must realize that they live in a nation and are duty bound to show respect to National Anthem, which is the symbol of the constitutional patriotism and inherent national quality.”

The text of the Indian national anthem, Bharata Deshiya Gitam, was written by Rabindranath Tagore and is entitled Jana Gana Mana ie "You are the ruler of the world", here's a translation from Wikipedia:

Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,

Dispenser of India's destiny.

Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha,

Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal;

It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,

Mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by

The waves of the Indian Sea.

They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.

The saving of all people waits in thy hand,

Thou dispenser of India's destiny,

Victory, victory, victory to thee.

To know more The Hindu

BJP triumphs

One party has the absolute majority of seats in the Lok Sabha, the Indian Parliament.

The victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP ), the Hindu nationalist party led by Narendra Modi which is symbolized by a lotus flower, has been more overwhelming than any better poll, winning 283 seats out of 543 available.

The majority of which will have Modi is even more overwhelming if you think that the coalition that supports him, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA ) won 337 seats, while the Congress-led coalition scored just 58 seats .

The opposite side of the coin is given by the collapse of the Congress Party led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul (both re-elected), which goes beyond the worst defeat of the polls, so that the historic party of Nehru and Gandhi has gone under the two-digit winning 43 seats compared to the previous 206 seats. In practice, the party which led India to more than fifty years after independence, has been swept away. Consider that only in the state of Uttar Pradesh, BJP took more seats than the Congress has taken all over the country .

The only country left in the hands of Congress is Kerala, where, however, the BJP won for the first time in history a seat. In the rest of India the BJP victory was unique.

The victory of the BJP, characterized by a liberal economic policy and a strong religious and nationalist connotation, was greeted by a sharp rise in the Bombay Stock Exchange and many spontaneous demonstrations.

Poor also the result of the party Aam Aadmi Party, the party of corruption that took only 4 seats.

The turnout was high, with 66.38 % of the voters it is the highest of all time in India.

Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister on 21 May.

More here.

Indian elections: the dates

The largest democracy in the world calls its 814 million voters to the polls to elect the members of the Lok Sabha, literally the People's house, the Parliament of the Republic of India.

Have been made know the dates of this major exercise in democracy. The indians will vote - depending on the state - from 7 April to 12 May, while the counting will take place on 16 May and the installation of the new legislature will be made by May 31.

These are crucial elections. Hardly the Congress Party, who led India almost continuously since independence to today, will win. Polls give a clear advantage Narendra Modi, the candidate of the nationalist party BJP, the current prime minister of the populous state of Gujarat.

Will play a key role in the regional parties and the neo-formation that has won in recent weeks, the town hall of Delhi, the Common Man Party (AAP). Their deputies will be essential to allow one of the two major national parties to launch the new government, as Congress or BJP difficult to get an absolute majority of votes.

Indian Elections

May is approaching and with it the national elections that will call to the polls 800 million Indians.

For the Congress Party (click here), which expresses the current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, these elections will be crucial and very difficult.

The many cases of corruption have come to the fore, the economy does not pull anymore, vertical fall in the rupee against the dollar, the double-digit inflation with an intolerable reduction in purchasing power, the discontent of many segments of the population are all factors pushing hard to believe that the party of Sonia Gandhi will replicate the results of the previous national elections of 2009.

This impression is confirmed by the recent statal elections which were held in key states in the Indian federation where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu nationalist party led by his critically acclaimed and discussed (click here) leader Narendra Modi, won in a clear way.

The BJP wins in key states and populous as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.

The difficulty of the Congress Party is also evident from the delay with which the Congress chose the name of the candidate for prime minister which will be compared with Modi. Granted, although not flattering in the polls, the appointment of Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi and grandson of Indira.

Political situation is complicated by the born of a new star. It is AAP, Aam Aadmi Party (literally Common Man Party, click here), which comes from the experience of the anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare and that is driven by Arvind Kejriwal. The AAP has won the important Delhi hall where Kejriwal, with the support of the Congress, became Chief Minister in last December to resign a few days ago when his anti-corruption bill (the Jan Lokpal Bill) was rejected by parliament in which the AAP has not the majority.
But Congress and BJP, the two major Indian parties, will not be able to govern alone and will need the support of the myriad of local and regional parties as well as the AAP whose votes will be difficult to do less.




Read more here, here, here, here and here

Babri Masjid

Babri, Mughal emperor, would never have imagined that his decision had dramatic repercussions in India after nearly 500 years.

Rama, Vishnu's avatar

In 1528 in fact, the emperor built the Babri Masjid, Babri Mosque, in Ayodhya , mythical place where , according to tradition, was born Rama, incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu and the protagonist of the epic Ramayana.

No problem arose until about sixty years ago, when Hindu extremist groups have begun to claim the land where the mosque had been built (more than 400 years before!), arguing that in that specific area was a temple dedicated to the Hindu Rama.

The disputes and controversy went on until 6 December 1992, when a mob of Hindu extremists literally razed the mosque and built on its ruins a makeshift temple in honor of Rama.

To the demolition violent clashes followed across India during which an unknown number of people died even though official sources talk of 2,000 deaths mostly Muslims.

Of course, the story did not end there, so it's been going on between high and low up to the judgment of the High Court of Allahabad in 2010 decided that the area where once stood the Babri Masjid had to be divided into three parts: one dedicated to the Hindu temple that is already there and the other two are intended respectively to the Hindu community and the Islamic one .

The ruling was happy with everyone and no one at the same time and periodically revived the problem mainly because of the political exploitation by parties that leverage on  "Hindu identity".

And so a few days ago (remember that the crucial national elections of 2014 are approaching), the police arrested more than 1,200 extremists who wanted  participate in the city of Ayodhya in an unauthorized demonstration called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an Indian nationalist group.

To know more

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/1200-Hindu-extremists-arrested-over-plans-for-illegal-demonstration-in-Ayodhya-29310.html

http://world.time.com/2013/10/18/indian-temple-town-tense-over-threatened-hindu-rally/

Food Security Bill

In one of its recent meetings, the Indian government has approved the National Food Security Bill, a bill against hunger and malnutrition in India.

The scheme aims at providing 5 kg grain per person per month to 67 per cent of the country's population at the rate between Re 1 and Rs 3 per kg. (1 rupee= 0.013 euro) as well as free meals to pregnant women, nursing mothers , children between six months and 14 years old, malnourished children and homeless.

The program, which must be approved by the Indian Parliament , is likely to benefit 800 million people people and the total cost will be about $ 22 billion, making it the biggest food security programme in the world. 

The project, which some say is too expensive for the country, is seen by observers as a compromise between what Congress president Sonia Gandhi wanted and what the Manmohan Singh government was willing to deliver.

Rajnath Singh, president of the main opposition party BJP, criticized the delay with which the measure was taken, but he said that his party will not oppose the project, but which will propose some amendments.

One of the weaknesses of the initiative seems to be lack of clarity on the criteria for identification of beneficiaries. The intention is to make that choice based on the results of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census, expected to be available by October.

The observers judged the measure is very important in a country where, according to government data, 43% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. Indeed, the Global Hunger Index of the International Food Policy Research Institute places India in 15th position out of 67 countries afflicted by chronic hunger and famine, a situation that is "alarming".

Many also highlight the need for the project to be protected from the corruption that turns out to be the biggest threat to its implementation. 

Several studies have shown that, in recent years, between 35 and 55 per cent of the resources from food programs were taken and sold on the free market.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajnath-Singh-says-BJP-wont-oppose-Food-Security-Bill-in-Parliament/articleshow/20943081.cms


http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/food-for-politics/article4885672.ece?homepage=true


http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Food-is-a-right-Christian-entrepreneur-says,-but-warns-laws-must-protect-against-corruption-28385.html

Controversy about Sangma

More and more heated political controversy in India with the approaching date of the presidential polls planned for July 19 (click here and here). 

The candidate of the Congress Party is the expert Minister Mukherjee while the opposition has a surprise candidate Purno Agitok Sangma, Christian and tribal also supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposition party linked integralism Hindu. 

Sangma's candidacy seems to be purely instrumental. As stated in the article by Choudhury Ratnadip of Tehelka , Sangma took part in a race for Presidentsail to win only san other, the upcoming political elections. 

"Sangma had thrown his hat in the ring for the presidential candidate with the 2013 Assembly polls and 2014 Lok Sabha elections in mind. By portraying himself as the candidate of the tribals and Christians, he has taken a calculated risk that should serve him well in the long run." 

The figure Sangma - a former member of the Congress party - is very controversial and his alliance with the BJP and some of his statements have raised controversy. 

Recently, to a broadcaster who asked how a Christian like him justifies the support of the BJP suspected of connivance with the anti-Christian violence carried out by Hindu fundamentalist, he answered: " Where is the evidence that the BJP is responsible for the anti-Christian pogrom in Kandhamal? Let us not jump to conclusions ... we must not make such allegations." 

The Christian reaction not long in coming, "that of Sangma - said Cedric Prakash, Director of" Prashant ", a Jesuit center in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) for human rights, justice and peace – is the typical stand of an opportunist. It will be a very sad day for the country and for the cherished values ​​of democracy, should he be elected to be the President of India." 

"The BJP - continued Prakash - had really no one to put as their candidate. Besides, in the future they could always say that they supported a Christian and a tribal, groups which they have consistently demonised and attacked all these years! And surely they will continue their attacks in the future, too.. " 

Also Lenin Raghuvanshi, an atheist activist for Human Rights and executive director of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (Pvchr), has denounced the statements of the presidential candidate as "ridiculous" statements to "be condemned in full," a clear sign that "the ultra-nationalist Hindu BJP are manipulating PA Sangma." And to think - he continued - that Sangma is also supported by the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC). 

According Raghuvanshi, with his statements Sangma "is trying to clean up the image of the Hindu nationalists, hoping to attract tribal sympathy and votes.”

To know more:

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-08/india/32588464_1_sangma-presidential-polls-christianity

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Raghuvanshi:-BJP-manipulates-Christian-candidate-for-president-25124.html

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Activist-priest:-Sangma-is-a-disgrace-to-all-of-India-25154.html

Presidential Election 2012

Pranab Mukherjee with Tim Geithner

Less than a month before the elections of the Indian President, the positions have been clarified. The two main parties, the Congress Party and its allies, and the BJP, the opposition party, have not found an agreement for a common candidate. 

We should thus have two candidates, one is the current Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee claimed by the Congress and the other is Sangma, Christian and tribal supported by the BJP and other political formations. 

On 29 June, the Minister Mukherjee has presented his own candidature to the presence of Prime Minister Singh, Congress Party’s President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul. 

The previous day was the turn of the candidate of the opposition, PA Sangma who in his appeal that has played up the 'tribal' card and renewed the charges against Sonia Gandhi for her foreign origins. 

If Sangma win, he would be the first time a Christian and a tribal representative office achieves the most Indian institutions.


To know more

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Sangma

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pranab-Mukherjee

Who will be the next President?

Who will be the 13th President of the Republic of India? On July Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, first woman to hold this office, won’t be President, her term of office will expire after five years.

Indian Ocean satellite image

The Indian political world is in turmoil, great maneuvers and contacts started long for a not at all easy choice.
In India, the President has mainly representative and constitutional guarantee functions, but it is a very important office and symbolizes the unity of a country in which differences are many and sometimes very deep.
The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament and of the state legislative assemblies and usually there is an agreement between the main political forces.

In more of sixty-year history of independent India has always tried to choose the President taking into account the great variety and diversity of Indian society for cultures, religions, castes, languages, genders, ethnic groups.
For example, although the Hindus are the overwhelming majority of citizens and parliamentarians, and then they could always elect a representative of that religion, were chosen even presidents Muslims and Sikhs. Presidents were people from various Indian states and belonging to various castes, Dalits have been Presidents and women too - as the current President.
Today there are many pretenders and it is difficult to predict what will happen. 

Apparently the candidatures of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Vice of the President, Hamid Ansari, are very strong, but there are the names of Meira Kumar, Lok Sabha Speaker, of current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and of Punjub Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Key will be the indication of the Congress Party who is working with representatives of other parties to find a candidate shared.
It should be noted, however, the position taken by some parties and organizations which propose that the next President is a tribal, ie a representative of the indigenous peoples of the subcontinent.
Others propose for the highest office of India a Christian, because one of them was never President and the Christian presence is both quantitatively and qualitatively important in India and in that sense there is the name of the current Defense minister A.K. Antony who is Christian or the name of P.A. Sangma of the Nationalist Congress Party leader who comes from a Christian and tribal communities.
Some commentators criticize this approach to the choice: “While the Presidential dialogue centres around meaningless qualifications such as a Muslim, Tribal, Christian or whatever – you can read on The Hindu - millions of Indian lives continue to ebb away in the darkest, bottomless pits of poverty and illiteracy, denial and deprivation. What the highest office of the land needs is a person of stature, integrity and courage, who will shed his political lineage after being elevated to the post, and fulfil his Constitutional obligations without fear or favour.”

Right to Education Act

Indian flag

The awaited judgment of the Supreme Court of India on the constitutionality of the Right to Education Act caused a stir in India. 
The Right to Education Act (RTE) is the school reform passed in 2010 which - among others - imposes mandatory free schooling for all children from the ages of 6 to 14. 
In particular, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of one of the most controversial sections and that had caused more controversy and questions of constitutionality and that is one that requires all private and public schools have to keep aside 25% seats for children from poor families .
The schools will receive funding from the central government and from the various federal states, although many private schools argue that such funding will not be sufficient to allow free access required by law.
The RTE Act will not apply to those institutions run by minority organisations and which do not receive money as aid either from the government or local bodies. 

This exclusion has been criticized by some groups who think it absurd that disadvantaged children within the minority communities also stand to lose by such an exemption.

In its judgment, the Court pointed out that out of the 12,500,755 schools offering elementary education in India, 80.2 per cent were government-run, 5.8 per cent were private aided schools and 13.1 per cent private unaided. Of these, 87.2 per cent of the schools were located in rural areas. 

The Court based its verdict on the principle that education is a fundamental right of all children between 6 and 14 years of age.