Thought Garage

New BC Commission took office on Thursday, 24th September and vows to request enumeration based on castes in the wake of political motivation by all major parties to include more castes in to BC.

The commission is also of the opinion that it may need to extend BC reservations quota in order to include more people. Otherwise, the existing BC community will be severely impacted.

Our Take on Whole Reservation Issue, in brief:

Caste system is a social issue.  No matter what you do in the form of reservations, people will not forget their caste. One of the main reasons behind Chiranjeevi’s motivation to come into politics is the expected unconditional support of 30% of Kapus, because he belongs to Kapu community. When leaders highlight and exploit the very caste issue on such a public face, we don’t think we can ever eradicate the caste issue in our society.

Even the most affluent and well educated youth, establish organizations and community groups exclusively based on Caste, though implicitly. Middle class and poorer sections have been waging wars against each other and against government exclusively based on caste itself.

Reservations have failed to do any good to uplift based on caste. 60 years in action, and we still fight to EXTEND or ADD to it. It does speak louder than any report.

Its time to have a fresh look and new strategies. No more political gimmicks and caste based reservations.

Why not bail out failed home owners, the root cause of the whole sub prime mess and financial blackout?

Bailing out businesses will not help home owners, as the original problem is still left out, and only fixing side effects.

First, the idea of a debate with YS Raja Sekhar Reddy right on, was brushed aside by Chiranjeevi saying he got no time to dabble. But then a more thoughtful reply came in, saying that He is ready if YSR himself appear in the debate.

Despite ‘movie’ style fights for a open debate on State development by both sides, we think, finally happening of a Debate is most unlikely.

Politically speaking, leaders from both sides know there is no conceivable benefit from actually having such a debate, than just talking about it in the press. Last time, Lok Satta attempted to arrange such a debate on very fair grounds, but all efforts and vision of Jay Prakash went in vain. Political parties know a lot better than informing people.

Most allegations today’s politicians make against other leaders, won’t stand a fact check or face to face dialogue.

Praja Rajyam (PR) president Chiranjeevi on Monday declared that he was ready for a public debate with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on the State’s development.

Initially though, in reply to a question whether he would take the challenge thrown by Information Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, he said he had no time for dabbling in debates. He was busy finalising his tour programme of going to people, apart from crystallising policy papers explaining his party’s stand on various issues.

Mr. Chiranjeevi made it clear that his focus was on meeting as many people as possible before taking up his ‘yatra’.

He said his priorities lay in touring the entire State and covering as many mandals as possible and talking to people in the districts and taking their feedback.

The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Chiru ready for debate with YSR

Trickling .. Trickling .. Praja Rajyam expands its memberships

Though at trickling rate, everyday at least 4 or 5 Politicians are joining Praja Rajyam party leaving their current parties in despair or lack of identity. Once  seats are finalized in Congress and TDP, We expect many more to join the party.

Intimidation is not new to Politics, but not this way. So far, we have seen direct criticism on policies, statements and predictions. But the movie style of intimidation takes it to a new style.

They Used To Physically Attack. Now they found a better way.

If you criticize Praja Rajyam party, then you will get a bouquet of flowers every where you go. If you criticize Chiranjeevi, people will start offering prayers in the temple for your well-being. That’s the movie style. The same fans, used to attack you and your belongings a little earlier. Now they think they found a better form of intimidation, the movie style.

Gandhigiri or Rowdyism under the hood

You can take direct criticism, with a pinch of salt, and be okay with it. But this kind of movie style ‘criticism’ certainly intimidates more than any thing. Though it looks like the ‘Gandhian’ way, I don’t think it is. Its a movie style soft version of ‘Rowdyism’. Most respectful way and dignified way of showing your response to criticism is to either offer a genuine response to the criticism and prove them wrong or respectfully ignore as baseless.  Going to their (other leader’s) meetings, and offering them Roses or offering prayers is a worst form of intimidation, worse than threatening like a rowdy.

Politics, Presented to You By Movie Industry

With the introduction of Chiranjeevi in to politics and impending surge of Movie stars (TDP is brining in NTR family and Congress is trying to rope in a few too)  in to Politics in various parties, people of Andhra Praedesh can expect to see the effect of Movies every where.

Political meetings orchestrated by Art Directors, Speeches written by famous Dialogue writers, Songs by Movie song writers and performed in live or in studio by the same Music directors, and Producers pitching in loads of money as they also invest in the Political careers, every thing is Movies.  TVs, the smaller screen versions, also revving up with mixing Movie clips with Political statements, often confusing people what is movie and what is real life statement.

Intimidation is Intimidation, irrespective of the Weapon Used

Obviously, it doesn’t stop there. Followers and fans started imitating scenes from movies, or improvising in real life, to intimidate people and leaders that are critical of their party.

Intimidation is intimidation. It doesn’t matter whether you threaten with a knife and attack with stones or offer flowers. Everybody know your intentions.