United States former President Donald Trump

Trump Skips GOP Debate, Says People There ‘Shouldn’t Be Running For President’

United States former President Donald Trump, on Wednesday (local time), skipped Republicans’s first 2024 presidential primary debate and questioned what he would be doing there, sitting for 2 hours and getting harassed by people “that shouldn’t be running for President?”

Trump skipped the first GOP debate and instead opted for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. 

Responding to a question on why he skipped the GOP debate, Trump said, “You know a lot of people have been asking me that and many people said you shouldn’t do that. But you see, the polls have come out and I am leading by 50 and 60 points. And you know some of them are at one and zero and two… do I need to sit there for an hour or 2 hours, whatever it’s going to be and get harassed by people that shouldn’t be running for President? Should I be doing that?”

“And a network that isn’t particularly friendly to me, frankly you know they were backing Ron Desanctimonious like crazy and now they have given up on him. I mean, it’s a lost cause and it reminded me very much of 2016,” he added. 

The US’ former President recalled the 2016 election and said that he went through the same experience then and had to fight them all the way. He further stated that it would be more appropriate not to do the debate.

“I don’t think it’s right to do if you are leading by 50 or 60. I have one poll leading by 70 points and I am saying why am I doing it? And I am going to have 8-10 people, whoever made the debate, I don’t know how many it is but I am going to have all these people screaming at me, shouting questions at me, all of which I love answering, I love doing but it doesn’t make sense to do them So I have taken a pass, as you probably noticed,” Trump said in an interview with Carlson. 

Meanwhile, at the GOP debate conducted by Fox News, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Mike Pence, Doug Burgum, Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson were present. 

Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy, termed the US support for Ukraine, amid the conflict with Russia, as “disastrous” saying that if he is elected President, he would not support an increase in aid to the battle-scarred country, reported CNN.

He added that the resources going to Kyiv should be used domestically, instead.

Notably, 7 of the 8 GOP candidates raised their hands in affirmation to a question from the moderator, Brett Baier of Fox News where he asked if the candidates would support Trump as a presidential candidate even if he is convicted. Asa Hutchinson was the only candidate who did not raise his hand in affirmation. 

The interview of Donald Trump with Tucker Carlson has garnered nearly 96 Million views on social media platform X (formerly called Twitter) till now. (ANI)

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US former President Donald Trump America

Need One More Indictment To Close Out This Election: Trump

Hitting out at the Biden administration, former United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that he wears the indictments as a “badge of honour” and he needs just one more to “close out” the upcoming presidential elections, New York Post reported.

He was delivering a speech at the annual Alabama GOP dinner in Montgomery on Friday.

Trump said that the growing list of charges he faces has only helped his campaign and said he considers each indictment a “truly great badge of honour.”

“It’s not going to make any impact, because every time they file an indictment we go way up in the polls,” New York Post quoted Trump, the front-running Republican presidential candidate, saying to the crowd.

“We need one more indictment to close out this election,” he joked, to cheers. “One more indictment and this election is closed out, nobody has even a chance.”

Trump has been indicted three times since March. The latest charges, filed Tuesday after an investigation by special counsel Jack Smith, accuse Trump of knowingly spreading false information about widespread voter fraud after he lost the 2020 election to President Biden.

Trump told the crowd Friday that he referred to the indictments as “a badge of honour” because he is “being indicted for you.”

“So, thanks a lot,” he said.

Slamming the Biden government further, Trump called the Justice Department “corrupt”, saying charges could have been filed against him years ago, but instead “they waited right until the middle of the election”. (ANI)

“They waited until I became the dominant force in the polls because we’re dominating everyone, including Biden, in the polls. And then they filed them all, everyone, one of them, at the same time,” New York Post quoted Trump as saying.

The former President blasted the trio of indictments as “election interference” and called the latest case “an outrageous criminalization of political speech.”

“This ridiculous indictment against us, it’s not a legal case — it’s an act of desperation by a failed and disgraced Joe Biden and his radical thugs,” Trump said.

“The reason this is happening is simple: Joe Biden is the most incompetent and at the same time the most corrupt president in the history of the United States,” the New York Post quoted Trump as saying.

“Every time more Biden corruption is exposed his henchmen indict me because they want to knock out the bad publicity,” he said, calling it a “cover-up” for the “Biden crime family.”

Earlier in the day, Trump posted on his Truth Social a vague warning: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU.”

However, he had reportedly been warned not to issue threats by the judge during Thursday’s arraignment, as per New York Post.

Earlier on Friday, Trump also pleaded not guilty to the new charges special counsel Jack Smith brought against him in the case alleging mishandling of classified documents from his time in the White House, CNN reported.

The filing marked the second time in 24 hours that the former president entered a ‘not guilty’ plea, following his arraignment Thursday in the special counsel’s separate investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges related to special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. (ANI)

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White House Classified Document Case

Donald Trump Indicted in Classified Document Case

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted in an investigation into his handling of classified documents after he left the White House, The Hill reported.

He has been indicted on seven federal criminal charges for retaining hundreds of classified government documents and even making false statements after leaving the White House, it reported.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he has been summoned to appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon.

The National Archives spent months seeking the return of presidential records after Trump left office, with Trump’s team eventually turning over a tranche that included nearly 200 classified records, The Hill reported, The Hill reported.

“I never thought it possible that such a thing could happen to a former President of the United States, who received far more votes than any sitting President in the History of our Country and is currently leading, by far, all Candidates, both Democrat and Republican, in Polls of the 2024 Presidential Election. I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!” Trump wrote on the social media platform.

“This is indeed a DARK DAY for the United States of America. We are a Country in serious and rapid Decline, but together we will Make America Great Again!” he added, The Hill reported.

It is the second indictment of Trump, who is running for president in 2024 Presidential elections.

That ignited the Justice Department investigation that included a subpoena for records and eventually spurred the August 2022 search of the property, where the FBI found more than 100 more classified records. Trump’s team in June had turned over just 38 classified records when asked to hand over any remaining classified materials.

At least one of the charges against former President Donald Trump will be a conspiracy charge, CNN reported quoting a source familiar with the matter.

The Trump team does not expect charges to be unsealed tonight, another source said.

The former president has been charged with seven counts, CNN reported quoting a source .

The warrant the FBI secured to search the property indicated that they expected to find evidence to support violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice, as well as another statute that bars the retention of government records.

In a statement echoing his Truth Social posts, Trump called it a “dark day” for the country following his indictment in the classified documents investigation.

Special counsel Jack Smith has been overseeing the investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents since he was appointed to the role in November.

Trump’s attorneys met earlier this week with Justice Department officials, including Smith. Experts widely viewed the meeting as a sign that Smith’s investigation was winding down.

The warrant the FBI secured to search the property indicated that they expected to find evidence to support violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice, as well as another statute that bars the retention of government records.

It’s not clear from Trump’s post what charges he has been indicted on.

Still, the indictment is a historic one, the first-ever federal criminal charges brought against a former president. Trump was indicted on state charges in New York in a separate matter earlier this year.

Trump has offered various defenses, including that he had the right to take the documents and that he could unilaterally declassify them without going through any formal process, The Hill reported.

Multiple outlets reported last week that prosecutors obtained audio of Trump in 2021 discussing a classified Pentagon document he still had in his position and that he indicated there were restrictions on who could view it — a comment that could undercut his defence.

The Espionage Act also only requires wrongfully retaining national defence information, meaning prosecution does not hang on a document’s classification status.

Trump has compared his handling of classified documents to President Biden’s ever since Biden aides discovered late last year and earlier this year sensitive classified materials from Biden’s time as vice president at an old Washington, DC, office and his Delaware home, The Hill reported.

But Biden’s team notified Justice Department officials of the discovery and are cooperating with an ongoing special counsel review of Biden’s handling of classified materials.

The indictment is likely to loom over Trump’s 2024 campaign for the White House, but the former president and his team wasted little time on Thursday seeking to rally support.

Trump’s campaign sent out a fundraising email shortly after he announced he was charged looking to raise funds off of the news. (ANI)

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White House Classified Document Case

Trump Charged For Three ‘Catch And Kill’ Hush Money Payments: Manhattan District Attorney

United States former President Donald Trump has been charged with three pre-election hush-money cases, including the one made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg said in an official statement.

In the statement, the attorney mentioned three instances of the ‘catch and kill’ scheme in Donald Trump’s indictment.
“In one instance, American Media Inc. (“AMI”), paid USD 30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman, who claimed to have a story about a child TRUMP had out of wedlock,” Bragg said in a statement.

The attorney also stated that the AMI paid USD 150,000 was paid to the woman who claimed to have a sexual relationship with Trump. And former President asked his lawyer to reimburse AMI in cash.

AMI admitted its conduct was unlawful in an agreement with federal prosecutors and made false entries in its business records concerning the true purpose of the USD 150,000 payment.

“In a third instance – 12 days before the presidential general election – the Special Counsel wired USD 130,000 to an attorney for an adult film actress. The Special Counsel, who has since pleaded guilty and served time in prison for making the illegal campaign contribution, made the payment through a shell corporation funded through a bank in Manhattan,” the statement read.

Bragg also said that during the 2016 election, Trump and others employed a “catch and kill” scheme to identify, purchase, and bury negative information about him and boost his electoral prospects.

Trump is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with 34 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.

“The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election,” said District Attorney Bragg.

“Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct. As the Statement of Facts describes, the trail of money and lies exposes a pattern that, the People allege, violates one of New York’s basic business laws. As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law,” he added.

After winning the election, Trump reimbursed the Special Counsel through a series of monthly checks, first from the Trump Revocable Trust – created in New York to hold the Trump Organization’s assets during TRUMP’s presidency – and later from Trump’s bank account. In total, 11 checks were issued for a phoney purposes. (ANI)

Amritpal’s Escape, A Nelson’s Eye To Migrants Boat & A Bobbing Trump

One Man

India’s public services have never striven to become number one in competence. However the recent alleged escape of Amritpal must deserve India’s security services, the Punjab Police and the Central Reserve Paramilitary Forces a life time Olympics Gold in incompetence. One man with a turban, highly recognisable face and voice, slipped through a dragnet of 50,000 security and police services. Even the invisible man would have had some trouble, with an accidental bump into someone. There is no doubt the resourcefulness of Sikhs is legendary.

Amritpal Singh, who had started with a campaign against drugs started to get on the ‘Khalistan’ track. Suddenly the independent State-directed Indian media promoted him from a social campaigner to fiery preacher and then upscaled him to ‘State enemy Number 1’. All with rocket speed within a space of two months.

The Indian State doesn’t like anyone talking about freedom. Freedom was what Gandhi did and was extinguished at his funeral. Any resurgence is boxed in jails. Since the BJP follows the teachings of the sages, it isn’t clear where it says in Vedas or Shastras that no community can be given freedom. However that is a different matter. The BJP shastra is a unique one.

Amritpal says he will give himself up when he feels ready to do so. It seems he is running the game currently. At least for now Amritpal 1 and India 0.

Nelson’s Nation Fighting Dinghies

In the centre of London stands the proud statue of Lord Nelson, in the famous Trafalgar Square. Nelson had established the Naval Supremacy of Britain in the legendry battle at Cape Trafalgar against the mighty Spanish Armada and French Navy under Napolean.

Nelson’s was outnumbered in ships, outgunned in artillery and cannons and outmanned in number of men under arms. Yet his direct tactics won decisively. This was 1805. The national theme ‘Rule Britania, Britania rules the waves’ has been one of the most known and representative songs of Britain’s once powerful Navy.

Now Nelson’s legacy has met the rubber Dinghy. The entire might of Britain’s Naval Forces seems a bit outwitted by single rubber dinghy carrying unarmed desperate refugees fleeing persecution or food poverty. Using Nelson’s tactic, it aims straight for the coast.

Under Rishi the Marketman, the British Navy has been reduced to fighting these poor destitute people, many of them women and children, and still losing. Led by the Britain’s new ‘Superwoman’ version, Suella Braverman, the British Home Office has decided that the inflatable rubber Dinghy is the biggest threat to the ‘Realm’. How times change. Nelson is safe in Trafalgar Square. Perhaps it is time to build another column next to it with a dinghy on it.

The Bobbing Trump

Trumpustan is a unique country. However much conventional forces attack it, it has the ability to bob back into the centre of American politics. Everything has been thrown at it, yet it survives and thrives in the media, polls and among the hard core Republican voters in USA.

The latest weapons used to squeeze the genie of Trumpustan into a solid sealed cask has been an indictment and moves to arrest him. Trump wants the arrest to feature forced handcuffs. His supporters will go ballistic and tear open any political containment.

Even Trump’s competitors in the Republican Party are forced to support him. They have no choice. If they don’t, they will lose a huge base of Republican voters, which means the competition ends and Trump wins again.

Trumpustan is a political country within America. It wants to Make America Great Again. Although it is not clear where further Trumpustan wants to take it. The USA is the wealthiest, the mightiest and the most powerful country anyway. Perhaps competing against imagined Aliens in another galaxy?

Trumpustan is hard evidence of the cutting edge physicists theory that there are alternative universes and hence alternative realities. It doesnot matter what evidence exists in our simple world, Trumpustan dismisses it as ‘fake’, political and conspiratorial.

Trump is being charged with giving hush money to a so called prostitute named Stormy Daniel, before his last election, to keep her quiet about his brief dalliance. Stormy has stormed into limelight, the media and the political circus of USA by accusing Trump of giving her merely a whopping $125,000. She obviously wants to rake in more.

But in Trumpustan, she is a liar, the State is a liar and even the Judges appointed by Trump might be liars. Trumpustan carries on with god Trump continuing to forge alternative realities in which the American system become dysfunctional and illusionary.

NYPD Secret Service Plan

NYPD, Secret Service Plan To Close Key Streets For Trump’s Arraignment

New York City officials plan to close key streets in lower Manhattan as a security measure if former US President Donald Trump is indicted when he appears in a court here on Tuesday, reported ABS News.

The US Secret Service is coordinating security plans with the New York Police Department in the event that former President Trump is indicted and arraigned in an open courtroom in Manhattan, according to sources.
Both agencies discussed logistics, including court security and how Trump would potentially surrender for booking and processing, according to sources briefed on the discussions, reported ABC News.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said on Twitter on Thursday that “NYPD and other law enforcement agencies have been planning and coordinating intensively for this moment. New York City is ready. If there is a Trump mob, they have lost the element of surprise.”

Earlier Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he was “confident” the city is prepared for any protests related to a potential indictment of the former president.

“We are monitoring comments on social media, and the NYPD is doing their normal role of making sure there is no inappropriate actions in the city,” Adams said Monday at an unrelated press conference. “We are confident we’re going to be able to do that.”

Trump is expected to appear in court on Tuesday afternoon, the first former US president to be indicted. A grand jury convened by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who had been investigating Trump’s role in hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, determined on Thursday that there was enough evidence to bring criminal charges against him.

Trump, who is running for the Republican nomination for next year’s presidential race, has denied any wrongdoing and called the probe and the indictment a partisan attack. Bragg is a Democrat.

A team of Secret Service agents accompanied by New York Police Department officials toured the courthouse and its entrances on Friday, apparently mapping the former president’s transit through the building.

Writing on his Truth Social platform Saturday, Trump called for protests against what he said was his expected arrest Tuesday, reported ABC News.

Online posts indicate there appear to be a handful of small protests being organized by different grassroots groups. On Sunday a small group of pro-Trump demonstrators gathered on the bridge connecting Palm Beach to the mainland. They said they would return with more people on Tuesday or sooner if Trump were to be indicted, according to reports.

An intelligence bulletin issued Sunday by the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C., and obtained by ABC News, says that some extremists consider the possible indictment of Trump a “line in the sand.”

“Potential criminal justice actions taken toward a former US president — or actions perceived to be taken toward the former president — remain a ‘line in the sand’ for Domestic Violent Extremists (DVE) communities and thus have the potential to manifest in violence toward government targets or political officials,” said the bulletin from the DC Fusion Center, a threat intelligence group within the agency.

The FBI is warning local and state police agencies around the country about concerns related to a possible indictment of Trump, but the bureau says it doesn’t have any additional information.

“The FBI continues to closely monitor a potential Indictment of the former President which open-source reporting has indicated may occur in the coming week,” the FBI said in a warning obtained by ABC News.

The US Capitol Police also issued their own assessment regarding potential violence, saying that they have seen “no current indication of threats directed at the US Capitol or Members of Congress” as it relates to Trump. (ANI)

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US President Donald Trump

Trump Announces 2024 Presidential Election Bid

Former United States President Donald Trump has announced that he will seek the Republic Party nomination to contest in the 2024 presidential election.

“In order to make America great and glorious again I am tonight announcing my candidacy for President of the United States,” Trump said on Tuesday (local time).
“It was only the beginning to rescue the American dream,” he further added.

The announcement comes in the wake of mid-term elections held in the US.

CNN reported that Trump’s paperwork establishing his candidacy landed with the Federal Election Committee shortly before he delivered his announcement at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida waterfront estate.

Democrats have been leading in 50 seats of the US Senate while Republicans continue to take lead in 49 seats, The Washington Post reported. Democrats have been leading in 207 seats while Republicans have been leading in 217 seats in the US House.

Trump in recent months has been hinting that he would run in the presidential elections.

Talking about Republican Party, the former US President said that his party has become much bigger, much stronger, much more powerful [and] can do much more good for the country.

He also said that Russia’s war in Ukraine would “never have happened” if he was President

“Even the Democrats have admitted that,” Trump said.

For the record, no Democrats have said that Russia’s war in Ukraine would not have happened if Trump was President, Trump added.

Former US President also promised not to give Biden “four more years.” “I will ensure Joe Biden does not receive four more years,” Trump said.

“Our country can not take that. It can only take so much… We will do it again, but with even more votes this time,” he added.

Former US President has set his eyes on winning a second term in Washington as he made a statement regarding two GOP governors Ron DeSantis of Florida and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia who could challenge his status as the party’s anchor in the coming months, CNN reported.

Making a statement regarding Glenn Youngkin, Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social said, “I Endorsed him, did a very big Trump Rally for him telephonically, got MAGA to Vote for him – or he couldn’t have come close to winning.” Notably, Donald Trump lost to US President Joe Biden in the presidential elections held in 2020. He and his supporters have not acknowledged the results and are accused of voter fraud. (ANI)

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Former US President Donald Trump Announcement

Will Make Big Announcement On Nov 15: Trump

Former US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) said that he will be making a “very big announcement” next week on November 15.

This comes against the backdrop of Trump’s expected to jump into the race for the White House in 2024.
“I’m going to be making a very big announcement on Tuesday, November 15 at Mar a Lago in Palm Beach Florida,” he told a cheering crowd in Ohio.

He teased a third presidential run while campaigning in Ohio ahead of the final day of voting in this year’s midterm elections.

Trump is holding his final rally of the midterm season to bolster Senate candidate JD Vance. “We want nothing to detract from the importance of tomorrow,” said Trump.

Trump has been increasingly explicit about his plans to launch a third presidential campaign, saying in recent days that he would “very, very, very probably” run again and would be formalizing his intentions “very, very soon.”

“I will probably have to do it again but stay tuned,” he said Sunday night in Miami. “Stay tuned to tomorrow night in the great state of Ohio.”

This comes as Trump on Thursday opened a swing of four rallies in the US state of Iowa. The rallies held by the ex-US president come in the final five days of the midterm elections in Iowa.

“In order to make our country successful and safe and glorious, I will very, very, very probably do it again,” Trump said. “Very, very, very, probably.” The crowd erupted in applause and chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!” “Get ready — that’s all I’m telling you,” Trump said. “Very soon.”

Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican seeking an eighth consecutive six-year term joined Trump in the rally. Trump is campaigning for the Republicans ahead of the midterms, but his name is not on the ballot this year as he inches closer to announcing a third presidential campaign.

Democrats currently control both House of Representatives and the Senate and losing any of both bodies to Republicans would significantly decrease Democrats’ power in the next two years of President Joe Biden’s term. It will be decided by an Election day voting scheduled for November 8, reported New York Times.

According to Cook Political Report, in the five states with toss-up Senate races, Trump has not held rallies in two — Georgia or Wisconsin — since the primary season ended.

The classification of “Toss Up” is used to refer to races that are the most competitive of the cycle, and which either party stands a reasonable chance of winning, reported cook political.

Trump will visit just one of those toss-up states, Pennsylvania, in his final four rallies.

Ahead of the US midterm elections, star campaigners for Democrats, including two former presidents and another former presidential candidate, have picked up the pace on the campaign trail, for key polls amid the record high inflation and slowing American economy.

Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are campaigning hard while President Joe Biden kept a light schedule.

Federal offices that are up for election during the midterms include all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 33 or 34 of the 100 seats in the US Senate. (ANI)

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US President Donald Trump

Trump: Very Happy About Musk’s Twitter Takeover

Former US President Donald Trump lauded Twitter’s new ownership under billionaire Elon Musk on Friday.

“I am very happy that Twitter is now in sane hands, and will no longer be run by Radical Left Lunatics and Maniacs that truly hate our country,” Trump said in a Truth Social post following Elon Musk’s completed takeover.
On Thursday night, Musk fired a number of Twitter executives including CEO Parag Agrawal and Vijaya Gadde, Twitter’s longtime head of legal, policy, and trust, who was in charge of significant account decisions, including suspending Trump.

The former president said Twitter “must now work hard to rid itself of all of the bots and fake accounts that have hurt it so badly. It will be much smaller, but better.”

Elon Musk said that the social media company “will be forming a content moderation council with widely diverse viewpoints.” That means suspended accounts like those held by former President Donald Trump won’t immediately return to Twitter.

“No major content decisions or account reinstatements will happen before that council convenes,” Musk added.

On Thursday, Musk wrote in a posted note to Twitter advertisers that “Twitter obviously cannot become a free-for-all hellscape, where anything can be said with no consequences! In addition to adhering to the laws of the land, our platform must be warm and welcoming to all.”

Hours after news of Musk’s takeover broke, a fake statement from Trump began circulating online.

“Congratulations to Elon Musk on his purchase of Twitter. Many people are saying that change was needed, as the old management was too concerned with the woke agenda,” the fabricated statement read.

“I have been told that my account will be back up and running on Monday — we will see. Happy to be able to engage with an African-American-owned business!”

In July, in a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk who had long been showing his interest to buy Twitter terminated the deal. The Tesla CEO did so by alleging that Twitter violated their mutual purchase agreement by misrepresenting the number of spam and fake bot accounts on its platform.

After Musk put out the deal termination announcement, the market saw a sharp decline. Later, Twitter sued Musk accusing him of using bots as a pretext to exit a deal. (ANI)

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Will Covid Crisis Create A Better World?

It is sad that when India is poised to fight back Covid-19 pandemic with the help of a vaccine it has produced in collaboration with the British, it will not be hosting Prime Minister Boris Johnson for this year’s Republic Day celebrations.

The visit was not intended by either nation as a ceremonial, goodwill-good talk event. The media in both countries had painted a bright collaborative picture despite the pandemic and the economic woes that it has accelerated and despite criticism of their respective leaderships in their respective homes and elsewhere.

To the British media, Sean O’Grady of The Independent for one, India was (and remains) an ideal British destination as an economic powerhouse that could help Britain post-Brexit to reach out globally. This has also been the trend in much of the Indian thinking, although Brexit itself is considered a disastrous move.

Much cooperation was in store, on several fronts, and this should continue, visit or no visit.

Going beyond bilateral issues, and the limited impact they would have in both South Asia and in Europe, it is worth stressing on the oodles of hope that the New Year has brought, but without enough effort to apply the correctives that made last year disastrous worldwide.

The New Year has ushered in or reinforced some supreme ironies that are not likely to go away. One of the biggest, if not the biggest, is that of the United States, the most powerful nation with the best of doctors, medicines, hospitals with the support of science and technology –and money to buy anything from anywhere – having the highest number of Corona-casualties.

And Johnson, who could have acknowledged the role of the British-found vaccine in India, had to cancel his visit because of the grim turn Corona has taken at home. The Doctor has failed to heal himself.

Many leaders across the world feel that Donald Trump might have won the US presidential polls but for the Covid-19 devastation. But is the man who threatens to “fight like hell” till his last day in office at all sorry or repentant for his deliberate and conscious neglect, and repeated misdirections in fighting the pandemic? Are other leaders across the world, too, who find scapegoats to justify their omissions and commissions on the Corona front ready to mend their ways?

ALSO READ: A Vaccine Of Hope

Trump will go, but Trump-ism survives. The storming of the Capitol by his supporters on his exhortations was an unprecedented, almost unthinkable, challenge to American democracy. It exposed the depths of the divisions that have coursed through the US during Trumps four years in office. This is how democracy dies.

The incident rang alarm bells worldwide for other leaders. It is gratifying that Johnson and India’s Narendra Modi joined other serving and retired heads of government in condemning the storming of the Capitol, pleading that democratic processes be allowed violence-free.

Having talked of the leaders of the ‘greatest’ and the ‘oldest’ democracies with regard to the pandemic, some observations on the performance of the ‘largest’ are essential because India is also the world’s third-highest for Corona deaths. The shock lockdown ordered on March 24 last year gave barely three hours to prepare to 1.3 billion people. Over 40 million migrant labour were displaced and walked hundreds of miles to seek work or deprived of it, to their impoverished homes.

A bulk of them were from Bihar. After a subsequent election victory in the state, Modi cited them as “endorsement of our policy” to fight Corona. Other chief ministers have also hastened to take credit, while glossing over the failures and miseries they have caused. 

A year hence, the government is to begin a study to examine the impact of this world’s largest mass movement caused by job-loss. If not avoidable, it could have at least been managed better.

India was in an economic mess long before Corona exacerbated it. But the blame continues to be placed at the door of the past government that went out of office over six years ago.

The story is similar to Brazil’s Jared Bolsonaro, the Indian Republic Day’s Chief Guest last year, and quite a few others who have used their electoral mandates to ride the rough shod on political critics and non-government bodies among others, and suppressing popular protests. Sadly, sections of bureaucracy, judiciary and media have played the ball with the politicians in power.

It may sound anti-democratic, but give them large majorities in legislatures, and they run berserk. Does the problem lie with leaders and their parties winning popular mandates with massive majority in legislatures? What tempts them to impose personal/ political agenda with potential to divide people?

The largest functioning democracy, India currently has examples of a chief minister building a 900 million palace (Telangana), another razing an entire city and battling courts that question his decisions (Andhra Pradesh) and at least three chief ministers issuing ordinances that penalize marriages among consenting adults, if they are by a Muslim man and a Hindu woman.

They take their cue from New Delhi that has enacted three federal laws on farming, virtually snatching away a subject that is with the states as per the Constitution. How can there be a single federal law in a country of India’s size with its differing weather conditions, water resources, crop patterns and marketing systems?

ALSO READ: ‘World Is Taking Note Of Farmers Protest’

With millions affected, over a hundred thousand farmers have blocked entries to the national capital for the past several weeks. Three scores have died in freezing cold. Talks are dragging on. Notably, the farmer is the only one to produce record quantities of food when India’s industrial output, the service sector and the commercial activity suffered thanks to Covid-19.

In saying all these things, one cannot be ignoring the strong support base such leaders and their governments enjoy. One is the middle class and the other, the corporate sector – both suckers for a ‘strong’ leadership and the political stability that supposedly comes with a popular mandate. All other things do not seem to matter. Modi, at least, continues to enjoy this support, and his party continues to win elections in one state after the other.

India’s middle class embraced the lockdown dutifully and enthusiastically, lighting lamps and clanging food plates. The fleeing migrant worker was a good riddance till his absence was felt. But to its credit, the middle class also organised relief. The lead was taken, not so much by governments overwhelmed by the crisis, but by the NGOs and charities.

Vaccines, both British-found and Indian, may – and must – raise hopes, although Corona is still not going to go away soon. The larger question is: Will this create a semblance of churning, among the leaders and those who place their faith in them by voting them to power, to work for a better world and may be, leave a few good examples for the future generations to emulate?

The writer can be reached at mahendraved07@gmail.com