A letter to Asia Peace on Leftist and pseudo-secularists by SKD

Dear Omar Saab:
What you say is correct. It is the same section which admired Indira Gandhi, it is the same section which admires Narendra Modi. "advanced by the Indian leftists and pseudo-secularists", these words are usually used by Narendra Modi, Lal Advani and their elk. Originally, added to the lexicon by L. K. Advani, these words are found in the vocab of the Indian right wing, whose India shining slogan bit the dust 5 plus years back. I am surprised that Chat Saab espouses the same words, though I am not sure if he is coming from the same school of thought.

I for one give credit to the "Indian leftists and pseudo-secularists", for keeping India from following the neo-con economic policy of the USA's, into the current economic disaster. Indian economy did not follow the USA's , hook, sinker and bait, because left’s objection to removal of the checks and balances. Thus they were not removed as the Indian neo-con wanted. Other wise India's 600 million poor would have suffered as never before. And probably NREGA would never have happened. It is now being speculated that the beneficiaries helped congress over that top. In addition a second Harshad Mehta has not surfaced yet, thanks to the checks and balances left in place, due protest and resistance "advanced by the Indian leftists and pseudo-secularists", though Satyam scandal did surface.

As far as General Musharaf is concerned, he represents the what the big business favors, one point contact. It is no wonder that USA, till recently, has always supported dictators because business has found them more pliable. That is what Indian stock market is roaring about.

In addition when Musharaff came Nawaz Sharif had moved to extreme right, and almost fascist.(remember invading supreme court to evict the Chief Justice? He, so as to use the street power of the Mullah had supporting them openly, though PPP was no great socialists either. The weak civil society - now rejuvenated/reborn by the lawyer's movement (some say it came in to existence) will I hope and wish, destroy the vestiges fascist power that the ruling parties have in the subcontinent, soon.

In my opinion as the PMs have become weak (unlike Indira Gandhi tenure, for example), the institutions like Supreme Court, Election Commission, became strong. With them the civil society and democracy, has moved forward. No one has the absolute stranglehold on power, any more.

One major hurdle remain - the power of money - which was very clear during the last election and during No-confidence vote in Indian parliament last year. This is suspected to continue, due to the Congress Government coming back to power. Gandhi family is being suspected of having huge money in Swiss banks. Total Indian's deposits are estimated to be $1.5 trillion, held by some 35000 or so, Indians. I wish the Indian intelligentsia goes after the exposure of this huge money and bring the money power to control. Though BJP operatives are no saint in this respect, the primary culprits are the congress operatives, simply because they have remained in power the longest time in last 62 years. Lastly, this is a party where a large section where the great grand sons of the freedom fighters are now rising to power, thus scruples are low and connections are deep. More money in Swiss bank helps. I wish G-20 brings out every thing in to open and the parties are cleansed of the opportunists, in one big sweep.

A cleaned Indian politics, will surely help the world but till such time it will be impossible. Yes, Pakistan should trace Musharaf’s money, asap. Else he will come back through the backdoor, buying his way back.

Best wishes,
Sandip