Author: P Pavan
Publication: Mumbai Mirror
Date: August 21, 2007
URL: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=3&contentid=2007082120070821025605859aa7db6a8
Introduction: YSR wants allottees to have
tricolours with a picture on Indira in their houses
In a controversial decision, the Andhra Pradesh
government has said it will allot government houses and extend the ownership
of the allottee only if he/she keeps a logo with Indira Gandhi on a tricolour
prominently displayed on the wall.
Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy on Monday
defended naming "certain things" after late prime ministers Indira
Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. "After all, they have laid down their lives
for the nation. This is how we can pay tribute to them," he said.
But criticism is mounting from all quarters.
"A house is the right of any citizen who fulfils the statutory eligibility
conditions. Such conditions cannot include praising only Indira Gandhi or
Rajiv Gandhi," said CPI state secretary K Narayana.
While the main Opposition, the Telugu Desam
Party (TDP), is planning to move court on the issue, the Communist Party of
India (Marxist) has objected to "forcing people to keep the picture of
a person regardless of their likes and dislikes".
The CPI-M says it'll launch a people's movement.
"We will urge people to refuse to take the house if they are forced to
keep the emblem of Indira Gandhi," a senior leader indicated.
Rights activists are up in arms too.
"A government has the power to impose
on people only certain Constitutional obligations like respecting the tricolour,
Constitution, the President of India and Governor of the state and of course,
the judiciary. But, it cannot direct the people to respect a person, merely
because he or she has worked for the nation," said M A Shakeel, coordinator
of the Human Rights Law Network.
The Opposition parties are also opposing the
government's decision to change the name of Kukatpally Housing Board Colony
to Rajiv Gandhi Housing Colony.
