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Why protect criminals?
Left unity |
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Syria on the boil Repression can’t continue forever After Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Bahrain, it is the turn of Syria now. Anti-government protests in Syria are becoming more widespread with every passing day. The Syrian army has taken control of Jisr Al-Shughour, the town which has been in the news for intense protests for a long time against the Bashar Al-Assad government.
Politics of blackmail
The succession syndrome
Empowering
the old
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Why protect criminals?
IN January the Supreme Court asked the government what action it had taken against tax evaders who had parked their illegal wealth in foreign banks. The question is still valid and the government fumbles for an answer. On Monday, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee expressed helplessness in dealing with tax havens (Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Singapore and Hong Kong). Banks there refuse access to details about their clients. They have tight bank secrecy laws. The world’s rich park their ill-gotten wealth in such protected banks as their own countries lose tax revenue. A study for British charity Oxfam says the developing countries lose $124 billion in taxes a year, which is more than $103 billion, the foreign aid they get. At a seminar of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) in Delhi on Monday, Pranab Mukherjee asked the world community to pressure tax havens to share past banking information. The OECD has blacklisted such countries, barring Switzerland, for sanctions. After 9/11 the bankers softened but not much. The 2008 global financial crisis forced many cash-strapped governments to get tough with the tax havens. The G-20 meeting in 2009 in London called for their cooperation to clean up the global financial system and check offshore tax evasion. But the results have been below expectations. The danger is money generated through arms sale or drug trafficking could be used to fund terror attacks. The Indian government has been less than earnest in pursuing the issue, the court and public pressure notwithstanding. While the US and some European countries have extracted concessions by threatening sanctions, Indian leaders are content making platitudinous calls for global pressure. The government still has no clear strategy to stop illegal outflows and nail the rich here with unaccounted holdings abroad. Political will for determined action is missing. There may be hurdles in retrieving money stashed abroad, but what prevents the government from coming down really hard on local criminals — powerful individuals and firms — before they launder money?
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Left unity
IT
is no surprise that friends of the Left want the CPI and the CPM to merge, as indicated by CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury in Hyderabad this week. While the CPM has just lost power in its bastions in West Bengal and Kerala, the CPI has for long been a junior partner in the Left Front. The combined strength of the Left Front in the Lok Sabha came down dramatically in the last general election from 60 to 25. It would require a tremendous capacity at self-delusion to deny that the Left is facing a major existential crisis in the country. It is not unnatural, therefore, for the ‘friends’ of the Left to wish for a merger of the two major parties so that a comprehensive Left unity is achieved and resources are combined to handle the crisis. While leaders of the CPI have been vocal about the unity of the two parties for some time, the CPM for the first time appears receptive to the idea. But while the two Left parties are on the same page on most of the national issues, there are differences too that may come in the way of the merger. CPM leaders have been contemptuous of the CPI’s alleged love affair with the Congress. Indeed, the CPI for some time was described as the ‘Communist Party of Indira’. While the CPI retains a theoretical approach to class struggle, the CPM , particularly in West Bengal, has not hesitated in employing violence to counter opposition. The CPM-led government in West Bengal had also merrily followed the BJP and RSS line on infiltration on the India-Bangladesh border and steamrolled opposition within the Left Front. The relevance of the Left cannot be understated in a country in which over one quarter of the population lives below subsistence level while two quarters are arguably poverty-stricken. But the Left does require to re-invent and modernise itself and come out of dogmatic positions on liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation. The merger could possibly help the two parties emerge from the shadow and shackles of the past. |
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Syria on the boil
After
Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and
Bahrain, it is the turn of Syria now. Anti-government protests in
Syria are becoming more widespread with every passing day. The Syrian
army has taken control of Jisr Al-Shughour, the town which has been in
the news for intense protests for a long time against the Bashar Al-Assad
government. The region where the town is located has been known for
rebellion against the rule of the Alawite minority. Bashar’s father,
Hafiz Al-Assad, also had to use force to quell protests against his
rule in 1980. Many people lost their lives then. In the current
agitation, over 1200 protesters have been done to death by the armed
forces of the regime. Yet the unrest is not under control. The Syrian regime has been known for its repressive policies. It has done little to end corruption, which is rampant at every level in the government. There is an acute job shortage and prices are skyrocketing. People have been leading a miserable life in this West Asian country. The pro-democracy protests in other countries in the region provided them an opportunity to raise their voice against the incompetent and repressive regime. The government was forced to end the emergency, which it had imposed a long time back to punish people on any pretext. But it has taken no serious step to go into the grievances of the protesters. Thousands
of people have crossed over the borders to find refuge in the
neighbouring countries. The indiscriminate use of force may compel
more people to leave their homes. But this will not end the trouble in
Syria. The unrest has acquired a sectarian complexion. The Sunnis, who
have never been comfortable with the rule of Damascus, have been at
the forefront of the protests because the ruling family belongs to the
Alawite Shia sect. The rebellion is unlikely to come to an end so long
as there is no regime change. President Bashar Al-Assad should know
this and start preparing for introducing democracy in Syria. Otherwise
the continuing protests will lead to the country getting ruined. |
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Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.
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Politics of blackmail
MF Husain, a highly respected and loved Indian, died in enforced exile in London last week, mourned by millions, a cruel victim of crude, “cultural-nationalist” blackmail. There were many protests. But who in “civil society” undertook a “fast unto death” or otherwise against this symbolic murder by some of these self-same elements of “civil society” of the Idea of India, which, of course, lives on? Consider more recent times. The DMK was quick off the block to call an executive meeting and let it be known that withdrawal of its ministers from the Union Cabinet might follow as Kanimozhi had been denied bail in the 2G spectrum. No anxious call from Delhi ensued. The bluff was called. There is perhaps a lesson here. Meanwhile, the Ramdev circus took a not unexpected turn with the Baba’s most zealous followers twisting in the wind from the sixth day of the “indefinite fast” to get him off the hook. The issue here is not a brave fight against black money. His demands include a mixed bag of the frivolous and irrelevant. He seeks kudos in the furtherance of a political agenda with gleeful support from the Sangh Parivar. He has vouchsafed a declaration of his Trust assets but not of his commercial companies, extensive lands and a private jet in which he travels. What does he have to hide? Ramdev sought police permission for a yoga camp for 5000 persons at Delhi’s Ramlila Grounds but did not spend a minute in yoga instruction. The question asked of the government is that, knowing much of this, why did it depute four ministers and the Cabinet Secretary to Delhi airport to negotiate with him? The government admittedly acted ham-handedly and failed to explain its conduct. What has been informally suggested is that after the Anna Hazare ruckus, the object was to inform the Baba of the steps taken and contemplated to deal with black money and thereby dissuade him from further agitating the matter by going on a fast. Over the next two days, Ramdev was largely persuaded and said he would only undertake a token 36-hour fast and then ask his people to disperse. The matter was reduced to writing by the Baba’s aide but on this being made known, he resiled from the agreement and accused the government of a conspiracy by cheats and liars. The Baba and his audience at the Ramlila Grounds became abusive and hysterical with the media projecting a live national Press conference to air all manner of comments from the crowd and from distant locations cross-country. Nevertheless, talks with the government continued late into the night to no avail. Ramdev appeared adamant on fasting along with many of his followers. With tensions mounting and many more thousands likely to join the gathering the following day, the authorities decided to revoke the permission granted for a yoga camp as this had now clearly become a pumped up political rally with people like Sadhvi Rithambara on the dais. The police moved in after midnight. Ramdev jumped off the dais into the crowd, sought refuge among women acolytes, dressed as one of them and was finally caught while fleeing when his disguise gave way. The drama ended not with a bang but a whimper. Some, including police personnel, were hurt. References to Jallianwala Bagh, “a second freedom struggle” and the Emergency are laughable. Critics bemoan the fact that a “peaceful, sleeping crowd” was attacked and plead the fundamental right to freedom of assembly, citing Article 19(b) of the Constitution. Would they but read Article 19(2) they would find the answer. The government acted pre-emptively to prevent a possibly explosive situation developing on the morrow with sundry political elements eager to fish in troubled waters outside and beyond the fiction of a “yoga camp”. Had anything gone wrong, these same critics would have come down heavily on the government for not taking timely, anticipatory action. Heads I win. Tails you lose! The Baba’s response from Haridwar: “I shall raise a self-defence force of 11,000 youth”. Now to Anna Hazare, a simple man increasingly in danger of going overboard. His definition of “civil society” is self-centred. Recourse to an “indefinite fast”, which he has again proclaimed from August 16 if the Lokpal Bill is not enacted by then, is emotional blackmail. Means are as important as ends. Subverting parliamentary democracy and the basic structure of the Constitution is to invite or advocate fascism. True, successive governments have been lax in dealing with corruption and have turned a blind eye to it. The UPA too has much to answer for. Yet action is gradually being taken under public pressure. Reform and legislation take time and political consensus building. The “Jan Lokpal” is no magic wand and it would be idle to imagine otherwise. Many inter-locking measures and actions will be required to deal with the problem as it exists and in its new manifestations. A monolithic super-organ accountable to none would be dangerous. The issue of whether the Prime Minister, the higher judiciary and MPs should be brought under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal can be debated. There is a case for including the Prime Minister, with suitable safeguards, but this need be no stumbling block. Bringing the apex court under the jurisdiction of another body is a contradiction in terms, and MPs may best be left to be dealt with by Parliament and the courts. None of these issues constitutes a breaking point. The Hazare group had best get on with the drafting. Parliament will, of course, have the last say. All talk of fasts must end. The country can do without coercive politics and competitive
humbug. |
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The succession syndrome Most institutions are being increasingly afflicted by what, for want of a better term, I can only call the succession syndrome. There was a time, when all CEOs, both incoming and outgoing, worked on the assumption that each CEO tried to do his best by his institution, sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. But the failures were never due to a lack of good intentions. As a result all CEOs were very firm in quashing any criticism that was offered either about their predecessors or about their successors Now, barring a few exceptions, all new CEOs spend most of their time finding fault with their immediate predecessors and criticizing them at every opportunity. A few, for good measure, criticize all their predecessors! Outgoing CEOs, in turn, keep a careful watch on their successor and gleefully pick holes in everything and anything that he is trying to do. They talk about it openly to anyone who is willing to listen. Both patterns of behaviour are born from a strong sense of insecurity. The new CEO feels that by criticizing his predecessor and belittling his achievements he is proving his own superiority. While the outgoing CEO feels that by running his successor down he is ensuring that his achievements are not forgotten. Both individuals forget that the outgoing CEO is now history, nothing that is said can add to what he did for the institution and no amount of criticism can detract from his achievements. What is also forgotten is that this constant carping is counterproductive: all that it achieves is to lower both the individuals in the esteem of their listeners. Another aspect of the succession syndrome is the compulsive need that the new CEO feels to change everything that his predecessor had done as quickly as possible. There is always need for change. In fact a new CEO is brought in with the hope that he will bring in these changes. But change, merely for the sake of change, can only be disastrous for the institution. The new CEO does not give himself time to understand the system he has inherited. He sweeps out all that is old, including the tried and tested. Some of these changes work but most of the time the devastation caused is similar to that caused by a rampaging bull in a china shop – utter confusion, the destruction of valued and valueable traditions and the alienation of the staff. The outgoing CEO, though seething inwardly with envy, studiously ignores the changes that have been successfully implemented. Instead he focuses on the ones that have gone wrong and gloats openly over the damage they have wrought. Much is being done today by way of workshops and seminars and self renewal programmes, which all institutions subscribe to whole heartedly. I wish someone would devise a programme to build up awareness about the pitfalls of the succession syndrome. I know that I would be one of the first to enroll for such a
programme!
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Empowering the old IN 2006, the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), an NGO with presence in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East called upon countries to support the movement.
It began by asking countries to observe the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15th June every year. Since then WEAAD has been embraced by NGOs, government agencies and individuals in many countries. The first step towards tackling the growing menace of abuse, neglect, and abandonment of older people is of course to recognise that it exists, that it happens amongst us and that it is a problem. But the absence of authentic statistics, limited studies, inadequate documentation besides the lack of conceptual and definitional clarity on abuse and neglect have led to the problem being under-recognised. Besides, the reluctance of witnesses to testify and unclear evidences add to the difficulties in assessing the incidence of elder abuse and neglect. The 6th INPEA annual meeting in London on June 17th lays emphasis on reviewing the new developments. Education and training of social workers on prevention of elder abuse and the need to have better tools to facilitate detection, intervention and prevention are areas the meeting will focus on. In many countries substantial progress has been made towards reaching a consensus on definition of elder abuse and neglect. There has also been progress towards identifying new information on risk factors. Nuclear families and increasing incompatibility between the young and the old have adversely affected the welfare of the elderly. A growing number of older men and women now live on their own. This despite their frailty and age related disabilities making them dependent on their adult children in the absence of adequate social security. The aged are becoming increasingly vulnerable to crime, violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Clearly, there is an urgent need to educate and train professionals like lawyers, bank employees and those working in insurance and financial institutions. That is because these professionals and the police are in a position to stop abuse before it happens. Growing evidence In India, the subject was taboo till recently, possibly in view of the strong tradition of reverence for the elderly. Joint families have lived together for generations and the society has been in a denial mode in so far as ill-treatment of the elderly is concerned. Coming to terms with such abuse within ‘respectable’ families has been far from easy. But there is growing evidence of families neglecting the old. Media coverage, research and NGOs , besides crime records and the police, indicate how families are increasingly discriminating against the elderly, neglecting them and often abusing them. There is little doubt that the quality of life of the elderly has suffered in many parts of the country. The increase in the number of Old Age Homes and a growing demand for institutional care outside the family are also pointers to the problem. Research conducted by this writer indicates that the problem exists across socio-economic groups and cuts across the rural-urban divide. Sample surveys have thrown up the interesting nugget that older women seem to be more vulnerable to neglect and abuse than the men. But in the absence of comprehensive surveys, it is difficult to arrive at definite conclusions. Isolation, abandonment and social exclusion are some forms of the abuse of the elderly one comes across. Denial of legal, medical and human rights and depriving the elderly of choices and a role in decisions, financial or otherwise, are some other forms of neglect which have surfaced. Robbing the elderly of respect and dignity is also not so uncommon any longer. Significantly, the elderly find themselves at the receiving end of not just strangers (robbers and murderers)but also of family members, neighbours, friends, public servants, police, domestic helps and service providers. The elderly are losing control over property forcing them to undergo financial deprivation. Immovable property belonging to the elderly are increasingly being grabbed, making the elderly homeless. There is evidence that some are being left out of family functions and community activities. Many of the old are being abandoned by grown up children and forced to live in institutions. Some live in ashrams or old age homes while some are being forced out to the streets. Verbal humiliation is on the rise with insulting, rude, insensitive and disrespectful language being used increasingly towards the old. Add to this the emotional and psychological trauma of receiving threats, facing growing fear and insecurity and the stress to which the elderly are being exposed can be appreciated.
Old and ill ? If you are old and also ill, you may find it worse. Instances of not taking into account older persons’ disabilities and frailty, giving insufficient and non-nutritional food, not being responsive to diseases and illnesses of the older person and not assisting in seeking adequate and timely medical care and not providing sufficient care are, unfortunately, no longer rare. A Report by United Nations shared at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid in 2002 revealed that 4% in a community based sample claimed to be physically abused and in yet another research, 20% of the older people living in an urban area said they had been neglected in their households. With rapid increase in the population of older persons in the country, estimated to be about 100 million now, the magnitude of the problem can no longer be ignored. While it is true that various factors , including health, personality, and availability of resources along with land rights, property and inheritance systems etc determine the extend of discrimination and neglect of the elderly, the fact of the matter is there is drastic need in the country to reduce the ‘dependency’ of older people on families and communities.
What can be done It is crucial that we recognise “elder abuse and neglect” as a public health and human rights issue. Our national programs must work towards empowering older people to achieve health, food and financial security. Older people should not be discriminated due to age for entry into investment & entrepreneurial sector and micro finance opportunities must be opened to them. It is also important that they have access to geriatric services in health delivery systems. Recent announcements of the government of increasing amount and coverage of pensions for people above 60 years of age is a welcome proposal but along with it, it is necessary to raise retirement age and opening re-employment opportunities as well as facilitating mid and late- life education and skill development. This will go a long way to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities of the elderly. The scope of developing post-retirement residential facilities which provide safety and security with age-sensitivity in environments familiar to older people is an option being adopted in many countries. It is time that we respond seriously to the ill-treatment of older people and free them from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
THE LONE RANGERS
Dr Singh ( 70) , a retired doctor, has been living with his son and daughter-in-law. But he waits endlessly for his meals and often has to go without food. Because he is an early riser and also goes to bed early, he requires his meals to be served according to his convenience. But that is a far cry. He also complains about food being served which does not suit his taste or age. Complains make it worse and a lot of unpleasantness follows. Mrs Shanta ( 75) brought up two sons after losing her husband very young. Her younger son was just three months old at the time. She managed to educate them and now lives with the younger son and his family. The elder son did much better than the younger sibling but decided to have no relation with his mother and him. He went away to raise his own family. Years later the elder son donated a community water cooler to the residential area he resided in. Prodded by neighbours and friends he did invite his mother to grace the occasion. But at the function itself, she was ignored, so much so that guests sitting next to her were served refreshments while she was not. Mrs Kamlesh ( 65) belonged to a rich family, is the mother of five well-settled sons and single-handedly looked after her husband, who remained bed-ridden for 15 long years. But while some of her sons live quite near and are willing to support her financially, they have little or no time for her. The case studies reflect a growing reality in India. As families and homes shrink and households get smaller and more and more women go out, the old , more often than not, are deemed to be a burden. The coping capacity of the young is being put on test as the elderly complain of loneliness, lack of leisure and emotional support. There is no one to talk to and there is no one willing to listen to them…it is almost as if old age itself is a disease.
(WHO country report)
Financial abuse: Theft, theft by a person with power of attorney, fraud, extortion, forgery, stopping mail with intent. Neglect: Criminal negligence causing bodily harm or death. Mental cruelty: Intimidation, threats, insults.
Do Plan for your own future when you are well and still independent. Make a will and review it annually. Have your pension and other cheques deposited directly into your account. Stay active in the community as long as possible.
Do not Revise a will without careful thought and speaking to someone you trust. Leave jewellery, cash, or other valuable possessions lying around the house. Make it burglar-proof. Rely solely on family members for your social life and care. Allow adult children to return to your home (especially if they have drug, alcohol, or psychological problems) without carefully considering the situation.
(The writer is Associate Professor of Sociology, Maitreyi College, Delhi University and has specialised in Gerontology)
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Physical abuse: Assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement, murder.