And by email to anjani.moef@yahoo.com
Dear Dr Kumar
Qila Raipur Rural Olypmics – Bullock Cart Races Ban
I write to protest against the above captioned matter. As MLA for Qila Raipur, and as Chairman of the Grewal Sports Association (“GSA”), organisers of the famous Qila Raipur Games, I am most disappointed about the ban on the star event of this rural “Olympiad” by your Ministry. Whilst I have the utmost respect for any measures to prevent cruelty to animals I find the ban placed on Qila Raipur was both selective and ill advised.
The path to this ban has been a curious one. The GSA were given no prior notification, despite this being an annual, well-known and well-publicised event, and no chance was given to the GSA to reply or to make changes to satisfy the Animal Welfare Board or the Director of Animal Husbandry. The ban was handed down only on the eve of the Games by way of a letter from the Animal Welfare Board of India’s S. Vinod Kumaar to various Punjab authorities with a copy to Mr Grewal of the GSA. Upon the ban being challenged by the GSA, the Punjab & Haryana High Court directed the DC, Ludhiana, Mr Rahul Tewari to make a decision on whether the ban should be lifted. Mr Tewari delegated this decision to Punjab’s Department of Animal Husbandry. This ensured that any decision would not be in time to save the bullock cart races at this year’s Games.
The Notification in your name in the Gazette of India, on which this ban has been based, refers “...shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animals...”. There is, however, a clear distinction between a “sports” or “competition” animal and a “performing” one, as any horse or dog race aficionado would testify. I question why bullocks for racing are not considered more akin to competition horses and dogs than to performing bears and their ilk who certainly need the protection of this legislation. Clearly cruel training methods for dancing bears and other “performing” animals needs to be curtailed and I strongly endorse this. I do not and cannot however endorse the selective ban on competition / sports bullocks, especially when this ban is only in force at Qila Raipur. I would also expect that Major General (Retired) Dr Kharb, AVSM, especially should be aware of this difference due to his vast experience and I would invite him to Punjab to witness these races first hand.
To my knowledge there is in fact no legislation pertaining to bullocks and oxen and they have been clubbed with a legislation which was designed originally to protect circus and other performing animals in this case due to some misrepresentation or misunderstanding. In fact, the Animal Husbandry Department of Punjab itself conducted bullock cart races in Muktsar in 2011, introducing strong anti-cruelty guidelines with vets stationed every 100m down the track, a ban on whips etc and even went so far as trimming the nails and removing the rings of jockeys. I sense that in the case of this ban on the races at Qila Raipur the AHD was in fact under some external pressure.
The GSA could, in fact, work closely with the AHD to ensure that new rules, a state level umbrella body and stringent anti doping and registry of racing bullocks is put into place among other measures if there is any concern whatsoever about racing bullocks. But the overriding issue is the fact that bullocks should not be included in the GSR 528(E) Notification of 11 July 2011.
Even allowing for the serious question of definition above, I strongly feel that if there is to be a ban on such races, this needs to be carefully evaluated with inputs from senior Animal Husbandry officials in Punjab who are familiar with the sport, and all participants to see if there is an alternative to a total ban. There needs to be careful consideration as to whether, if certain conditions were met regarding use of whips etc, the races would be able to continue without concern to the welfare of these competition animals.
I also contend that these well bred sports animals are possibly some of the better kept bovines in Punjab, well fed and cared for, unlike other animals left in the streets, grazing from garbage dumps etc. or many working beasts of burden such as donkeys and horses pulling overloaded carts which legislation appears not to protect so aggressively.
If any such ban is to be imposed, I firmly believe it should also be across all rural games, pan Punjab. In this case, other bullock cart races have been held in villages near Qila Raipur, during these same days, whilst a ban was only placed on the event at Qila Raipur and racing pairs were easily spotted. All villages are known to have these events at this time of year and I question the singling out of the Qila Raipur Games and the Grewal Sports Association for this ban.
I humbly request that an investigation be made into this ban, and to how it came about. I would also like to understand how the Qila Raipur Games and the Grewal Sports Association were the only recipients of a notification of a ban whilst other bullock cart races continued unhindered in other nearby villages at the same time. The Grewal Sports Association are, I would contest, the best equipped organisers to implement animal welfare provisions such as on-site veterinary cover, and to apply strict guidelines to bullock cart racers with provision for fines and bans for violations and could in fact lead the way in this.
Additionally, a panel of bull owners and jockeys have said that they are more than happy to self regulate regarding use of any encouragements to the bulls to race which may fall foul of animal welfare standards, and to change their methods accordingly. The fact of this strong buy-in by racers, to ensure there are no accusations of cruelty, shows a willingness to adapt and evolve which, I contest, should be considered favourably by the Animal Welfare Board, the Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
I therefore ask you to arrange an investigation of this matter along with a clarification on the difference between performing animals (bears, dancing horses) and competition animals (race horses, sports horses, bullocks, greyhounds).
Yours sincerely
Jassi KhanguraNew Delhi
14 December 2011
Dear Bhenji
Sarpanch Slap a Slap in the Face of All Women and the Law
A week has passed since the disgusting debacle at your Sangat Darshan function in Gidderbaha in which a female teacher was slapped and assaulted by one of your supporting Sarpanches. Shocked and disgusted as I am by the thuggish behaviour of Daula Sarpanch Balwinder Singh, I am even more so by the deafening silence from you following the incident at your rally.
Not a single official statement. Not a single apology. Not a single attempt to engage with Ms Varender Kaur, which is surely the very least she deserves after being so brave in the face of such utterly unacceptable violence against her at your rally. Your father in law speaking his condemnation, although surprising and commendable, does not cancel the need for you to do so. What is required is for you to personally condemn this crime.
You claim to stand for women’s rights therefore your voice should have been the first to cry foul here. This was no distant incident with unclear facts. It happened at your event. Why are you unable to stand up for what is right? The respect and support you would have gained as a human being, as a woman, and as a leader would have far outweighed the disgruntlement of the Sarpanch involved. Instead, no-one has one iota more respect for you, and the whole scenario is mired in bad feelings. Sadly, you have become one more member of the SAD to fail to stand against the goonda culture which has burgeoned under the rule of your Party.
Sadly, without the footage going viral online and on TV channels this incident would likely have been completely buried immediately – and Ms Varinder Kaur would have been voiceless, as are so many others who are victims of the SAD henchmen. How many others are roughed up by Akali goondas beyond the cameras reach?
The tardiness in pressing charges against Balwinder Singh Sarpanch is shocking. If there had not been a public outcry then clearly nothing would have happened. Police were present in abundance at your rally. They were also close to hand at the time of the incident as has clearly been seen by millions of people on the footage shown across the world. Are they so toothless under SAD rule that they cannot act against crime committed under their very noses?
Alleging that it happened when you were not personally at the venue is no excuse. The function being in your name is even more reason to have condemned the incident in the strongest terms immediately. I cannot understand why you would not do so, and have not done so, and find it entirely unpardonable.
With disappointment
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Jassi Khangura MLA
]]>Giani Gurbachan Singh ji,
Jathedar, Akal Takht
Teja Singh Samundri Hall
Golden Temple Complex
Amritsar
Dear Sir,
Award 'Panth Ratan Fakhar-e-qaum’ to Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and not to S. Prakash Singh Badal
I write to express deep regret at the decision of the SGPC to award the current Chief Minister of Punjab, S. Prakash Singh Badal, with “Panth Ratan Fakhar-e-quam”. To many Sikhs worldwide this is an extremely upsetting decision, for if anyone has damaged Sikhism in recent years, it has been Chief Minister Badal, to many one of the biggest traitors of the Sikh race.
Not only has S. Prakash Singh Badal controlled the SGPC for far longer than any other Sikh, but he has undermined it in the process. It is no longer the independent body that it should be. Its functioning is now inferior, and it is sadly far from transparent. Under S. Prakash Singh Badal the SGPC has become an extension of his political party and does not even have an independent audit of its financial affairs.
No Sikh family has benefitted financially more from Punjab politics than the Badal family. When Punjab was burning they despatched Sukhbir Badal to the pleasures and safety of California. S. Prakash Singh Badal has always put his family first; the Sikh religion and the interests of Punjab are not his priorities.
Badal Sahib’s quest for power directly resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikh youth in the 1980s and 1990s. Had he acted in the interests of Punjab he could have had a more constructive role in returning Punjab to peace.
Many around the world would consider S. Prakash Singh Badal to be the most corrupt Sikh there has ever been. If the SGPC still decides to confer this award on the Chief Minister even after a public outcry, I would make one suggestion. I would ask that S. Prakash Singh Badal visit the Akal Takhs and swear he has never made money from corruption. I would ask that he explain how his family have accrued their wealth over the years, if not from corruption. I would ask why he sent his son overseas when Punjab was burning. Why he is afraid of Sikhs overseas?
Sadly, S. Prakash Singh Badal has been of service only to his family. He has sacrificed Punjab and Sikhism for his personal achievements. In light of this I strongly request the SGPC to review the decision to award this honour to S. Prakash Singh Badal.
There are far better Sikhs than Badal Sahib, who genuinely deserve such an award. Foremost among these is Dr Manmohan Singh. I trust you will give serious consideration to this suggestion.
Yours faithfully
Jassi Khangura, MLA
Halqa Qila Raipur
Gurgaon 122012
26 August 2011
Dear Mr Rattan,
Mansa Power Project
I note with concern that your company is acquiring land in Mansa district although none of the substantive regulatory clearances required have yet been obtained.
It is quite remarkable that the basis for the current land acquisition by the Punjab Government is solely a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Your company is yet to negotiate and execute a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the state. Consequently the project has no substance and it is quite remarkable that the Government of Punjab is prepared to acquire land for a project to which it has no contractual obligation to purchase any electricity generated.
The legality of such land acquisition is, therefore, questionable because in the absence of a PPA there can be no public interest, especially for a project that was not submitted to open competitive tender.
Without a PPA neither financial closure nor meaningful execution can take place. I am sure that you would agree with me that the only execution till date is the boundary wall.
No environmental clearance, no coal linkage; is there any real intent to build the project?
Your company should be aware that the decisions and actions of a government about to demit office are those that are routinely the first to be reviewed upon change of government. Rest assured that the political will that you may enjoy today will not last for long.
I note with concern that prior to the MOU you and your team held several meetings with Sukhbir Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, at The Trident, Gurgaon, which is in close proximity to your offices and which, you may not be surprised to learn, is owned by the said Sukhbir Badal.
These meetings have not helped to dampen the swirl of speculation surrounding your project, not least the allegations that massive bribes have been paid to the ruling family / party so close to the forthcoming elections.
No open tender, premature land acquisition, inappropriate meetings at questionable premises, no regulatory clearances; no wonder there have been calls for the project to be cancelled and a CBI enquiry to be initiated.
I strongly request you to consider one of the following options:
1. cancellation of the project
2. substantially enhance the compensation to the farmers
3. relocate the project to an area where all farmers accept your terms voluntarily.
Regards,
Jassi Khangura MLA (INC)Anna Hazare has managed to generate momentum and large crowds because he has a very saleable message that has near universal appeal. The solution, however, is far more complex than he leads us to believe. The movement is now far bigger than a mere pressure group and as such it is not happy just to offer advice but wishes to write the legislation and, in the process, undermine our elected legislators.
Anna's team should accept a reasonable first Lokpal Bill and then start working on the second.
A democracy works by applying the law that is written, reviewed and passed by the legislators. Allowing others to write the law is a very dangerous road. OK the AH movement has to date been orderly but future copycat movements may not be so disciplined.
What would happen if in due course 100 different groups started agitating for new states, water rights, capital punishment, gay marriage, food grain royalties, guaranteed jobs for all graduates, etc.... If they all felt that they could get their way just by way of mass organised protest, then you would have mob rule and anarchy with no one in control.
AH is taking us on a very slippery and potentially dangerous road. His arguments have some merit but it is his manner for forcing the issue that is dangerous for the future of the country.
Public protest is a fundamental right in a democracy. The problem with the AH movement is that Lokpal is being presented as the definitive solution to corruption, whereas in reality it is at best a starting point. The biggest weapon against corruption is political will, for which civil society needs our political parties!
AH and his team need to advise the public:
1. To what extent Lokpal would reduce corruption
2. What else should be done after the Lokpal bill is passed to further reduce corruption.
Yours faithfully
Jassi Khangura MLA (INC)Hon’ble Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji
Prime Minister of India
7 Race Cource,
New Delhi.
11 April 2011
Dear Respected Prime Minister,
Voting rights for Indian Citizens Outside of India
As a former NRI, I would firstly like to thank the Union Government for enabling the voting rights of some Indian citizens resident overseas.
I would also request that the law be further revised in 2 key aspects:
1. Address in Indian Passport
The new right applies only to persons who have recently migrated from India and who have not renewed their Indian Passport overseas. The current statute restricts voting rights only to those whose passport details their address in India.
However, there are hundreds of thousands of Indian citizens overseas who as NRIs have renewed their passports overseas and whose passports now details their overseas address. These persons, therefore, do not have voting rights for Indian elections.
You are requested to amend the statute to allow all Indian citizens resident overseas to be registered to vote at the last Indian address that features in either their current passport or in their last passport issued within India.
2. Attestation of documents at an overseas Indian Mission
The requirement that all documents required to be submitted with Form 6A be attested at the Indian Mission overseas is onerous, especially in large countries like Canada and America where the nearest Indian mission may be far away and often requires travel by air.
This requirement needs to be reviewed. Possible alternatives are :
i) to allow attestation by local professionals, like lawyers and accountants.
ii) to allow such documents to be submitted by post to the Indian Mission.
The test of the new statute is how many Indian Citizens abroad actually end up voting in our future elections. Therefore, I trust that our Union Government will review the current legislation at the earliest.
Kind regards,
Jassi Khangura, MLA
Sardarni Harsimrat Kaur Badal
Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
12 - Safdarjung Road
New Delhi
27 February 2011
Dear Bhenji,
“Nanhi chhaan” overshadowed by corrupt wealth
The opening on 1 March 2011 of The Oberoi, Gurgaon, proudly owned by your husband, will surely be a source of great joy for you and your family. This 202 bedroom Rs.1500 crores crown jewel will add to the vast array of assets that Sukhbir now owns directly and indirectly. It is surely the icing on the cake that will protect many future generations of your family from poverty.
Maybe your husband could explain to the Akal Takht his promotion of “the country’s only exclusive Cigar lounge”.
Wealth may be a private matter for most persons but in the case of politicians it becomes a matter for significant public concern when neither hereditary transfers nor successful legitimate business activities are able to support the assets accumulated by them.
The sad fact is that in spite of a political career spanning several decades the Badal family has through its actions become inextricably tainted by the stigma of corruption.
Only the family and those closest to it would know the reality but in the public mindset there is the firm impression that the family governs Punjab primarily to serve its own interests, ahead of those of the Akali Party, whilst the people of Punjab come a distant third.
Immense wealth brings with it huge responsibilities and, in most cases, philanthropy. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, two of the wealthiest persons in the world, have recently been encouraging other billionaires globally to donate large parts of their wealth to charity. I am not sure whether they have so far sent such a request to Sukhbir Badal but I am certain that their worldwide initiative has not escaped your attention.
You now have an incredible opportunity to follow the philanthropic philosophy of Bill and Melinda Gates by making a pledge to donate 98% of your family’s wealth to charity. That would still leave sufficient wealth for several future generations, which would also benefit from the considerable opportunity for legitimate wealth creation.
By doing so, in one fell swoop, you would provide the perfect riposte to the countless allegations of corruption against the family. I am certain that the political advantages of such a move are not lost on you.
You are a short pen stroke away from becoming the Melinda Gates of Punjab.
Please grasp this opportunity and history might even be kind to your family.
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Jassi Khangura MLA
Jassi Khangura MLA
]]>If numerous other international airlines can maintain direct connectivity with Amritsar, why not Air India? This proposal runs contrary to the interests of the people of Punjab, in particular the NRIs.
Consistent efforts of the then Punjab government led by Capt Amarinder Singh had resulted in the resumption of flights after twenty years when Air India reconnected Amritsar with the outside world in May 2005 with its flight to Toronto via Birmingham.
The sadly reality is that the current Akali-led Punjab government has been intent from the beginning on undermining Amritsar International airport. Our Deputy Chief Minister has a fleet of private jets and may not need commercial airlines but, all the same, he has made it abundantly clear that the priorities for his government are to promote Chandigarh Airport, for the substantial real estate opportunities surrounding that the ruling family and party cronies have amassed considerable interests in.
Moreover, if in the medium term Punjab can only have two viable international airports then Sukhbir Badal would prefer these to be Chandigarh and the new Bhatinda Airport that he is so keen to promote.
Instead of the current proposal Air India should be promoting Amritsar as a regional hub to take passenger traffic to London and beyond to the Eastern Seaboard of USA and Canada.
With the existing Boeing 777 fleet Air India could readily offer daily flights Amritsar to London or Birmingham, ultimately terminating in Toronto, New York and Chicago on different days of the week.
Add similar services from Delhi and you achieve good connectivity to these key North American cities via the UK, whilst providing passengers an opportunity to travel direct to Delhi or Amritsar on both days.
Please do not allow vested interests to undermine Amritsar International Airport.
Yours sincerely,
Jassi Khangura,
MLA, Halqa Qila Raipur, Ludhiana, Punjab.