24 घंटे जल रही हैं चिताएँ 

धधकता शम्शान ।
जहाँ जल रही है देह लेकिन धुँआँ कहाँ होता है वो दर्द जो इंसानी रिश्ते की बुनियाद है ।
नेपाल में बागमती किनारे जलती चिंताएँ कल तक हँसी अठखेलियाँ करती कोई बेटी थी । था वो कोई नन्हा सा बच्चा जिसकी मासूम नाज़ुक उँगलियों को अपने हाथ में लेकर माँ की आँखों से आँसू छलक जाते थे । माँ थी । पापा थे। ज़िंदगी थी। अब असीम दर्द है, बेइंतहां दुख है।

शम्शान बयां करता है किसी त्रासदी का दर्दनाक, विक्राल रूप ।  कंधा किसे देना था , कौन दे रहा है । अपने बच्चे की चिता को कंधा देने से बड़ा कोई बोझ नहीं हो सकता । पैर थरथराते हैं । काँपता है हृदय । जैसे ख़ुद अपने ही शरीर का एक अंग अग्नि में धधकेगा ।
ऐसे हज़ारों शव पहुँच रहे हैं बागमती किनारे । हम दूर बैठे आँकड़ों पर सहमते हैं  शनिवार को पता चला लगभग 200 । आँकड़ा बढ़ता गया , पहले 500 , फिर हज़ार के बाद रूका ही नहीं ,अब  4, 5 हज़ार ।

ज़रा सोचिए । पिता धंसी हुई इमारत के बाहर अपनी बीवी और 9 महीने की बच्ची की चीख़ती आवाज़ें सुनें और कुछ ना कर पाए ।दम तोड़ रही साँसों की छटपटाहट को थाम ना पाए । बचाओ बचाओ की वो चींखें , बेरहम हालात के सामने दम तोड़ दें । एक पति , एक पिता बस सरकती साँसों को मौत के आगे बेबस होता देखे । हर रात , ताउम्र बुरे सपने की तरह जगाएगी उसके पिता को उसके बच्चे की चीख़ ।

ये त्रासदी कुछ हज़ार लोगों की मौत के साथ ख़त्म नहीं होगी । ये क़ैद रहेगी उस राहतकर्मी की आँखों में जिसने चीख़ें सुन सुन कर बहुत मशक़्क़त की , फँसें हुए व्यक्ति के पास पहुँच भी गया, लेकिन वहाँ शव मिला । ये क़ैद रहेगा उस बच्चे की आँखों में जिसने अपनी माँ की अर्थी उठते देखी है । ये क़ैद रहेगा उस सवाल में कि खिलखिलाते घरों की ख़ुशी कैसे मिनटों में मातम में बदल गई । ये घटना जीवित रहेगी उस सवाल में कि कैसे क़ुदरत से मज़ाक़ ने आज हमें उस मोड़ पर ला दिया है कि हम उसके सामने बेबस निहायत हो गए हैं । 

देवी देवता, धर्म ! पूजा ! आस्था विश्वास आज मुक़द्दर नहीं सँवार सकते । उसके सहारे कई आगे बढ़ने की कोशिश करेंगे । फिर भूलेंगे हम आंसुंओं के सैलाब में कि खिलवाड़ हमने क़ुदरत से किया है । फिर भूल जाएँगे हम कि इंसानी ज़िंदगी को लेकर हम कितने लापरवाह हैं । फिर अपनी याद्दाश्त में पीछे धकेल देंगे उस सच्चाई को कि बेहतर तैयारी से भूकंप के ख़तरे वाले इलाक़ों में नुक़सान को सीमित रखा जा सकता है । 

शम्शान में धधक रहा है धुँआ । सिसकती वीरान गलियों की गवाही ये शम्शान ही देती हैं । 
आंसूं भी यहीं हैं । ढाढ़स भी । थामो जो ज़िंदा हैं उनका हाथ, समेटों दिल में अपने खोए हुए का दर्द , कि बढ़ते ही रहना है तुमको आगे । मन को ये दिलासा देकर कि वो संसार से गया है , तुम्हारे भीतर से नहीं । 

ASHUTOSH'S 'MEGHA'

AAP neta Ashutosh in tears .
AAP neta Ashutosh howling .
AAP neta Ashutosh begging for forgiveness.
AAP neta Ashutosh saying ' main gunahgaar hoon'

And as the country judged him with every word and every sob , Ashutosh was pouring his heart out on television for a good one and a half hour . What triggered it ? Well, Megha Singh , daughter of the the farmer Gajendra singh who committed suicide, asked him a humble question . She said , " I have no complaints , my father will never come back, but all I ask is , if all the people present there had shown some ( manavta ) humanity , my Father would have been alive! I have nothing against you , you can come and visit us ."
Such poise, such courage , such maturity, by a fifteen year old who saw pictures of her father hung from a tree become the national news is unnerving in many ways ! A fifteen year old who saw her 9 year old brother Raghvendra Singh perform the last rites of her father and has spent the last two days amidst high pitched howling and questions laden with anger by her grandmother was so COMPOSED .She spoke with a mildness that would have shaken the biggest hard nosed neta on  the planet. She asked with such humbleness that would have tugged at the heart of the most calculative neta !
Answering her was an emotional Editor who had spent decades on television asking incisive questions but was now in his new avatar as neta .
Ashutosh broke down .
The one question everyone is asking me is, were the tears genuine ? Yes they were . But they were the vent of a guilt that will not leave the AAP netas who witnessed Gajendra's suicide and did nothing . As they defend themselves on TV saying it was an error of judgement and vehemently put forth their argument  in front of netas of BJP or Congress that accuse, deep inside the past three sleepless nights each one of those AAP netas on stage knows that Gajendra's life could have been saved . Yes , Gajendra Singh would have been alive , if AAP netas would have taken him seriously . They know it .

Conscience .
Guilt .
Doesn't  let the heart live in a peace .But let it go to Ashutosh's credit that his conscience is alive . Politics usually runs havoc with the inner self . Often kills it !
Even as the world discusses Ashutosh's crying and #AshuCries trends on number 1 on Twitter , I salute Megha , I salute her courage . All I can say say is it takes such grace to be composed when you have lost your father like that. It was her humbleness , her softness which did Ashutosh in.

I TAKE OFFENCE, BBC

Needless ?
Offensive ?
Shameful ?
Insulting ?
All of the above.

The convict preaches us. "During rape the girl shouldn't fight back"
And this is courtesy BBC .Great mission achieved according to them -the world wil know a rapist's mind.
Not only is it deplorable , it offends me.

So is this a great piece of journalistc venture? Definitely not. It is a shameless attempt to encash an incident that shook a nation .

Every woman I knew squirmed at the thought of what Nirbhaya faced . It was a feeling of intense pain . It was like every woman was raped on the bus that night. Tossed and mercilessly beaten even as she faced the worst humiliation in her short life .Many of us woke up in the middle of the night , shuddering at the thought of her agony. How they tore her apart , took brutality to a new level by attacking her every time she resisted. Her vagina was brutally mutilated.  Soaked in blood they threw her off the bus .

In Safdarjung Hospital , as she fought the severe wounds and infection, her mother by her side , The braveheart just kept telling them, everything will be fine . 

I saw her mother go hysteric . She would not allow any male cleaner / staff  come close to her daughter's bed . Agony soaked tears never stopped flowing.

Nirbhaya wanted Justice . She wanted death for her rapists.

She breathed her last in Singapore .
For the first time an entire city was out on the streets and a Government was cornered on woman safety. I remember, from  MOS Home to the Delhi Police Commissioner, sounding frantic and desperate for a solution to the deadlock everytime I talked to them about their next step . Day after day, relentlessly people pursued the cause . India Gate was becoming an uncontrollable situation for the Govt.  Finally, the Govt  was forced into taking action.

Two years later Nirbhaya's mother still awaits justice, a rarity in Indian courts and specially if you want it to be on time . 
Aghast at the convicted rapist's interview she breaks down saying "My daughter has been raped again . This man laughs at us in the courts everytime he comes for the hearing and people are taking his interview ? I dont get dates in the court , I am still waiting to see them punished and they will show his interview ! Are these journalists ?"

Frankly , She is right in putting forth this question . Mukesh mocks us with this interview. His mind is no rocket science. His views being considered, is what is shocking . BBC knows its a story that has an emotional connect to Indians and this documentary will be seen out of sheer shock and anger . What they probably dint see was a ban . But here it is . A ban on a shameless attempt to make a buzz/hype around a story of Emotional connect . It is a ban on the right to mock a million Indians in the name of journalism . When Nirbhaya was desperately fighting death to live her dreams of a Physiotherapist, her version , her agony was left to the imagination . She died with her dreams , before She could tell the world what Mukesh / any other convict did to her. Her recorded statement before the magistrate is yet to get her justice in Indian courts and courtesy BBC , We get to read the rapists mind .

Not needed.
I take offence, BBC.

DISCLAIMER -TO HURT ONE AND ALL

Four Children . No, make it five .

 Abki baar bachche chaar ! Someone added , Nahi paanch !   After all its about a mandate for 'chappan inch ka seena' (56 inches chest size ) .

Everybody is a Muslim screeched Assadudin Owaisi .

Sakshi to Owaisi , respected Parliamentarians  of the Indian Democracy come out with the most disrespectful statements and get away with it .
Do they deserve to be seated in our Parliament , not worth asking, because black and white answers will never be forthcoming . So what is expected from us - Enter the mode of #SeedhaSawal losing breath over no jawab .

Incident 2
The Censor Board Chief resigns over MSG release, alleging coersion and corruption . So how powerful is the 'Rockstar Baba ' ? No guesses, considering he has a #LoveCharger . No, it is a #LoveCharzer .
In between all the hashtags of #iSupportMSG , CBI likely to summon Dera Sachcha Sauda Chief Ram Rahim to Delhi where an FIR has been filed against him in Castration Case . This will be the third CBI investigation that the Dera Chief will face.
Meanwhile in real life too , he plays God and has his way .His film is to be released.Baba sure rocks.

Every Baba has his day in this country .
Incident 3
Now Baba Ramdev .His company Patanjali Ayurved is about to reach the 2000 crore mark. He claims it a victory of Swadeshi over multinational fmcg 's. Question is , is it linked to Bjp's victory. When those in power share stage with those who run business , even companies that have gone broke ,suddenly start minting pathbreaking revenues . Baba Ramdev's humble reply to this accusation is, "Modiji is fond of me but I have never seeked any favours . Yes the Congress govt always caused hindrance to our growth" .
And did I tell you he registered severe protest in a live interview with me when I called him Businessman Baba . He says it over and over again , "I have no shares in the company." I promptly asked , "Who is the CEO?" He answered, "Acharya Balkrishna, the company belongs to him " . And dont we know Acharya Balkrishna belongs to Baba Ramdev !

 Incident 4
Meanwhile away from the babas , with a distraught heart many see this headline coming .
No One Killed Sunanda
After No One killed Jessica , we witnessed the unwritten headline , No One Killed Aarushi, and now this .
Justice . Denied Again ? The delay kills the case at every step after the actual killing. Fudged up investigation and pathetic forensic labs ensure the murder of every case . Foul play was evident from day one but took Delhi Police one year to even raise such suspicions in their investigations and apply Sec 302
Justice can wait yet again .

While shameless poltical agendas are carried forward with statements based on religion by elected Parliamentarians , while accusations of coersion and corruption fly in the air over Babas that succeed in playing God by bypassing rules or manipulating them, and justice continues to be captive of shoddy  or manipulated investigations , the country awaits, with a great sense of pride , Obama's visit .

Yes, we shall dress up Agra and Delhi . Just for your information Agra has no airport till today . As per reports Obama is sure to get a flower treat. The report in ET says 35,000 exotic cut flowers and 20 quintals of loose chrysanthemums and marigolds are to be used for Republic day celebrations .  The exotic flowers ordered for the occasion include 4,000 Holland variety tulips , 3000 cut Anthuriums, 15,00 Oriental Lilies and 1000 golden Orchids .

The flower budget for Obama R-Day appearance exceeds PMO's quarterly expense.
 Let me sum it up like this ..

उम्र भर यही गलती करते रहे
धूल थी चेहरे पर
हम आइना साफ करते रहे

आओ खेद करें


प्रधान सेवक के देश में खेद की खेती शुरू हुई है। खेद यानि अफसोस ।

कैब में बलात्कार हुआ , गृहमंत्री ने इसे शर्मनाक बताया

सरहद पर शहीद हुए संकल्प की चिता तिरंगे में लिपटी मां की गोद में पहुंची , सरकार ने दुख व्यक्त किया ।

दो साल बाद भी निर्भया की मां इंसाफ का इंतज़ार कर रही है, देश को खेद है।


भारत सरकार में मंत्री साध्वी निरंजान ज्योति को भी खेद है । कहाँ तो माननीय मंत्री जी भारतीय होने की एक नई परिभाषा मुल्क को समझा रही थीं । एसी गाथा गढ़ी कि शब्द भी शर्मिंदा हो गए । कहा, जनता तय करे कि वो रामज़ादों को सत्ता सौंपेंगी  या हरामज़ादों को । यानि हर हिंदू रामज़ादा है । और जो रामज़ादा नहीं है वो हरामज़ादा है ।

अवाक , खामोश , बद्हवास , सुनिए । और सोचिए कि कि इस देश को चलाने वालों की सोच क्या है । सोच की गंगा अगर सूखने लगे तो संभालिए खुद को , क्योंकि साधवी इस देश की एकमात्र गौरवशाली वक्ता नहीं हैं ।


ममता बैनर्जी भी बोलीं और बोलीं तो बांस को शर्मिंदा कर दिया । भद्रलोक इस अभद्रता पर आवाक था । नज़रें झुक गईं। ममता बैनर्जी बांस के नायाब इस्तेमाल पर आमादा थीं। मुख्यमंत्री की भाषा पर लोग गुस्से में थे। ममता की पार्टी के सांसद तापस पाॅल तो रेप को राजनीतिक हथियार बनाने की बात पहले ही कर चुके थे ।भाषा की इस हिंसा पर  बंगाल को गुस्सा तब भी आया था। लेकिन फिर खेद पर जाकर मामला रफा दफा हो गया ।

लेकिन ना ये कोई पहला मौका है ना आखिरी ।

16 दिसंबर हो या 5 दिसंबर , धीरे धीरे ये देश एक अंतहीन अफसोस की श्रंखला में उलझ गया है। जन आक्रोश सत्ताधारियों के लिए सिर्फ  एक गुज़रता तूफान है । जैसे 16 दिसंबर वाला गुस्सा एक खतरनाक किस्म के मौन में बदल गया और निर्भया की मां आज भी इंसाफ के इंतज़ार में है । उनका दर्द समझिए । कहती हैं मेरी बेटी दो बूंद पानी के लिए सड़क पर तरसती रही , उसके गुनहगार आज दो साल बाद भी जेल में दूध रोटी खा रहे हैं । इंडिया गेट वाला गुस्सा कितना हल्का साबित हुआ । तारीखों में उलझे इंसाफ और वोट के लालच में लिपटी राजनीति ने जकड़ लिया है देश को ।प्रधान सेवक का ये देश ना निर्भया की मां के आंसू पोछ पया ना शहीद संकल्प शुकला की मां के ।

 निर्भया की जान चली गई हम अपनी व्यावस्था में जान नहीं फूंक पाए। पिछले 6 महीनों में सुप्रीम कोर्ट पहुंचने के बाद भी निर्भया कांड में एक बार भी सुनवाई नहीं हुई है । जिसे देश ने प्रतीक बनाया , जब उस केस में भी इंसाफ नहीं तो बाकियों का क्या। निर्भया के शरीर के चीथड़े कर दिए आरोपियों ने और अब मुझे ये कहने में ज़रा भी संकोच नहीं कि एक लापरवाह और सुस्त न्याय व्यवस्था ने कदम कदम पर न्याय का गला घोट दिया है । वो न्याय जो नर्भया का था , वो न्याय जो उसकी मां का है, इस देश की आधी आबादी के आजादी से जीने के अधिकार का है ।

झाड़ू उठाईए हाथ में । कीजिए खूब सफाई । सड़क का कूड़ा तो फिर भी हट जाएगा । लेकिन एक स्वच्छता बाकी है । एक अभियान और शुरू कीजिए, स्वच्छ सोच की।

#SeedhaSawaal How dead are we inside?

Once again We are quick in showing outrage. A thing we do best. Even as we all salute the Rohtak Bravehearts for fighting back Sexual Molestors on a bus ,what about the Cowards who just watched and smiled ?
Let me tell you THESE COWARDS AND THEIR DNA IS NOT VERY UNIQUE IN INDIA. They stand everywhere . The Bus stand , inside the bus , at the workplace, schools , colleges ,marketplace . Incredible India has such cowards who can sit silent if it's not their own sister. They simply enjoy. They smile. They fake ignorance and carry a 'I have nothing to do with this ' look on their face that can put anyone to shame . Silence is a virtue they adopt out of cowardice . They die for those moments as a human being
When Nirbhaya died in a  Singapore Hospital a nation showed outrage at India Gate. A young dream was brutally gangraped and  mudered on a moving bus in the heart of the capital. India was angry. The youth of this country demanded change. They were ready to brave police lathis. But not ready to relent.

What has changed today , except the calendar and perhaps the place. Now it's Rohtak and three sexual predators abuse two girls in a bus. Just like Nirbhaya fought back then , Pooja and Aarti hit back . What is more shocking this time is the video of cowardly onlookers who just watched . The three men harassed and people aboard the bus just sat back in their seats . Two girls fought back with all their might and other passengers sat frozen enjoying the incident . Will we ever face ourselves ?

With every such incident we want the system  to change . We scream slogans . We paint posters . We start protest marches and light candles. Care to change the system within yourself , anyone?