Author: admin

Bharat Ratna: भारत सरकार ने बीते दिन बीजेपी के वरिष्ठ नेता और राम मंदिर आंदोलन के अगुवा रहे लालकृष्ण आडवाणी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित करने की घोषणा की। इससे पहले बीजेपी ने कर्पूरी ठाकुर को भारत रत्न देने की घोषणा की थी। भारत रत्न मिलने वालों की सूची में लालकृष्ण आडवाणी का नंबर 50वां हैं। आडवाणी के समर्थक उनको खूब बधाई दे रहे हैं। पीएम ने व्यक्तिगत रूप से आडवाणी से मिलकर उनको बधाई दी। पीएम के मुताबिक देश के विकास में आडवाणी की अहम भूमिका रही है।

वही अब सवाल यह उठता है कि आखिर आडवाणी ने ऐसा क्या किया है जो उनको भारत रत्न से सम्मानित किया जाए। आडवाणी के कार्य को लेकर सोशल मीडिया पर जंग छिड़ गई है। एक पक्ष आडवाणी को बधाई दे रहा है तो एक पक्ष का दावा है कि बीजेपी ने अपने राजनीतिक लाभ हेतु भारत रत्न का उपयोग किया है। आडवाणी के समर्थक लम्बे समय से उनको भारत रत्न से सम्मानित करने की मांग कर रहे थे। ऐसे में लोकसभा चुनाव को ध्यान में रखते हुए बीजेपी ने आडवाणी को भारत रत्न देने की घोषणा की है।

किस रणनीति के तहत मिल रहा आडवाणी को सम्मान:

वरिष्ठ पत्रकार विजय त्रिवेदी के मुताबिक पीएम मोदी आडवाणी के मार्गदर्शन पर चल रहे हैं। जब आडवाणी राम मंदिर के लिए अपना रथ लेकर निकले तो गुजरात चरण की जिम्मेदारी मोदी को मिली। माना जाता है मोदी को मुख्यमंत्री के पद तक ले जाने में लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी की अहम भूमिका रही है। मोदी आज पीएम हैं और आडवाणी के हिंदुत्व वाले एजेंडे पर कार्य कर रहे हैं। वह हिन्दू राष्ट्र के सपने को आगे बढ़ा रहे हैं। कहीं न कहीं पीएम मोदी ने आडवाणी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित कर उनका आभार प्रकट किया है।

गलती का सुधार:

राजनीति के जानकारों का कहना है की बीजेपी आडवाणी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित कर अपनी गलती को सुधारने का प्रयास कर रही है। बीते दिन राम मंदिर का भव्य प्राण प्रतिष्ठा कार्यक्रम आयोजित किया गया। कार्यक्रम में कई बड़ी-बड़ी दिग्गज हस्तियां शामिल हुईं। लेकिन श्रीराम मंदिर आंदोलन का नेतृत्व करने वाले दो प्रमुख चेहरे लालकृष्ण आडवाणी और मुरली मनोहर जोशी दिखाई नहीं दिए। आडवाणी के समर्थकों समेत कई बड़े-बड़े नेताओं ने आडवाणी की अनुपस्थिति पर बीजेपी को घेरा। कई लोगों ने दावा किया की आडवाणी की उम्र अधिक थी जिस कारण वह प्राण प्रतिष्ठा के भव्य कार्यक्रम में अनुपस्थित रहे। लेकिन सवाल फिर वही हुआ की जब कार्यक्रम में आडवाणी की उम्र के दलाई लामा को आमंत्रित किया जा सकता है। वह कार्यक्रम में उपस्थित हो सकते हैं तो लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी क्यों नहीं ?

आडवाणी का प्राण प्रतिष्ठा कार्यक्रम में अनुपस्थित होना। बीजेपी को कई सवालों के घेरे में खड़ा कर रहा था। अपनी गलती को सुधारने के संदर्भ में कहीं न कहीं बीजेपी ने आडवाणी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित करने की घोषणा की है। क्योंकि बीजेपी जानती है आडवाणी की अनुपस्थिति उनके वोट बैंक के साथ दोनों की आपसी सहभागिता पर भी सवाल खड़े कर रही है।

A Pivotal Day in Jharkhand’s Political Arena

In the intricate tapestry of Jharkhand’s political realm, today stands as a momentous day. The Soren government is set to face the floor test in the Legislative Assembly, a litmus test that will not only determine its current standing but also shape its future. The political pendulum started its swing when Hemant Soren resigned from the Chief Minister’s post on January 31, paving the way for the decision to anoint Champai Soren as the new Chief Minister in a legislative party meeting. Champai Soren took the oath of office on February 2, setting the stage for the government’s stability test today.

Current Political Landscape in Jharkhand

Presently, Jharkhand is under the governance of a Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), comprising 29 legislators from JMM, 17 from Congress, one from AJSU (AJSML), and one from RJD. Together, they constitute a formidable force of 48 members. However, it is imperative to note that the support of at least 41 legislators is crucial for the formation of a government.

The Challenge Before Chief Minister Soren

Chief Minister Soren faces the formidable challenge of proving a majority. Speculations suggest that some legislators are not aligned with Champai Soren. Prior to this, disgruntled JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom made significant remarks on ABP News, hinting at a potential rift. Hembrom declared his departure from the party, expressing discontent with the government’s policies. He remarked, “Anything can be sold anywhere. We did not go to Hyderabad with the other legislators; can anyone buy us?” He emphasized that he harbors no fear of being bought.

Recent Political Maneuvers

On Sunday, JMM and Congress legislators were brought back from Hyderabad to Ranchi. This relocation followed Chief Minister Champai Soren’s swearing-in ceremony, amidst claims by JMM and Congress that the opposition party BJP is attempting horse-trading.

The Possibility of Hemant Soren’s Inclusion in the Floor Test

According to PTI, a special court in Ranchi granted permission to former Chief Minister Hemant Soren to participate in the confidence vote in the state assembly on February 5. Hemant Soren had been arrested by the ED on January 31 in connection with a money laundering case related to land deals. During this period, he submitted his resignation to the Governor at Raj Bhavan.

The Evolution of Defamation Laws in India

In 2017, the Ministry of Law wrote a letter to the Law Commission, seeking clarification on why defamation should be dealt with under criminal law. The ministry argued that defamation receives significant criticism in our country, with some believing it affects fundamental rights. Consequently, the Law Commission was entrusted with the responsibility of examining all aspects of defamation to determine whether it should remain within the realm of criminal law.

Seven years later, the Law Commission, under the leadership of Justice Rituraj Avasthi, submitted its report in the 285th report, recommending the retention of criminal defamation laws in the new Indian criminal statutes.

Unraveling the Notion of Criminal Defamation

The Law Commission asserted in its recommendation that criminal defamation should persist in criminal law to instill fear in those who propagate false and fraudulent statements. Let’s delve into the details of what defamation entails, why it seeks a place in legal frameworks, and how it benefits the government.

Impact on Fundamental Rights According to the Law Commission

The Law Commission’s report highlighted that the right to thought and expression granted to the people of India under the Constitution aims to maintain peace and harmony in society. It emphasized the necessity of categorizing defamation as a criminal offense to safeguard the dignity and honor of individuals, preventing any encroachment on their respect.

Understanding Defamation

While the Indian Constitution grants every citizen the freedom of expression, it also establishes stringent laws against those who intentionally tarnish an individual’s name or reputation. In simple terms, defamation is a legal process created to address actions that harm someone’s dignity through wrongful intentions. It is commonly known as “defamation” or “libel” in English.

Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines defamation. According to this section, any person attempting to harm the reputation of another through writing, speech, signs, or images is guilty of defamation. The IPC even includes defamation against a deceased person, allowing their relatives to file a defamation case if attempts are made to tarnish their reputation.

The comment or statement given for defamation must be ‘objectionable,’ and the court determines whether the statement is indeed objectionable.

Exceptions to Defamation

Certain situations are not considered defamation:

1. Making a true statement about an individual or organization.
2. Government servants expressing opinions related to their duties.
3. Reports related to court proceedings and ongoing legal activities.

The Punishment for Defamation under IPC Section 500

If an individual is found guilty of defamation under IPC Section 500, they may face imprisonment for up to two years or a fine or both. The severity of the punishment is at the court’s discretion.

Examining the Political Landscape

Legal scholar Ankush Mishra from Patna University believes that categorizing defamation as a criminal offense might not directly benefit the government. However, the term “defamation” is frequently heard in political circles, particularly during election campaigns. Opposition leaders often accuse each other of attempting to eliminate non-BJP leaders and parties through legal cases. One such instance occurred in 2023 when Rahul Gandhi faced defamation charges for using the term “Modi surname.”

During this case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with various opposition leaders, accused the ruling party of trying to eliminate non-BJP leaders by filing cases against them. Kejriwal acknowledged ideological differences but argued that subjecting Rahul Gandhi to a defamation case was inappropriate.

While Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the defamation case led to his disqualification from parliamentary membership, the Supreme Court later intervened, putting a stay on the decision. Nevertheless, if he had been disqualified, the BJP would have likely gained an advantage in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The New Indian Penal Code and Social Service as a Punishment

The latest amendments to the Indian Penal Code and the IPC’s Section 500 regarding criminal defamation treat it as a criminal offense. Moreover, individuals found guilty of criminal defamation may now also be sentenced to perform social service. This inclusion signifies a shift in focus from purely punitive measures to reformative actions, potentially fostering a more holistic approach to addressing defamation cases.