Kapil Sibal Launches ‘Insaaf’

Former Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday launched his new platform ‘Insaaf’ to fight "injustice" prevailing in the country. He called on everyone, including Opposition parties' Chief Ministers and leaders, to support him in his endeavour. The platform will be dedicated towards building a network of individuals “throughout the country who are wedded to the cause of justice.”

Sibal while addressing a gathering at Jantar Mantar alleged that a government working against the citizens is at the helm. While launching the platform last week, Sibal said, “We have started a website 'Insaaf ke Sipahi' where anyone can register. This will be a national level platform where lawyers will be at the forefront,” the former Congress leader said.

On Saturday, he launched a blistering jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that “the blood of injustice runs in Modi’s body”. He said, “If someone is defecting and changing parties, then he should not be permitted for any public post. Neither should he be given support from the government. If PM Modi did this, there would be no defection. But they will not do it. Because the blood of injustice runs in Modi's body and with this, they are running the government.”

Sibal also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government of misusing investigating agencies, averring that the Enforcement Directorate sees the Indian map in a different way, targeting only Opposition-ruled states.

While addressing a gathering at Jantar Mantar, the former Union minister and eminent lawyer, referred to the raids on properties related to former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, and said it was BJP's reaction to losing power in Bihar.

"You can see what is happening in Bihar. They felt Tejashwi and Janata Dal (United) (JD-U) were coming together... It has been years since Lalu ji left the post of CM. They came to remember the case all of a sudden," he said.

He also demanded “justice for students and teachers”. “I demand PM Modi to give the salary of Rs 50,000 to teachers. All India Teachers Services should be launched. All the teachers should have a confirmed job. There should be no contract jobs. State Teacher’s Services should be there in every state. Central Schools should be built for tribal, backward class and women,” Sibal added. He emphasised on education and in the last 8 to 10 years their education has been affected.

The initiative by Sibal, who is considered an important voice of the Opposition, and his talk of bringing parties and leaders together for the "fight against injustice" comes amid a crack in Opposition ranks with the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) trading barbs repeatedly.

Sibal said common people and lawyers together will fight against injustice through this initiative. "The RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) shakhas spread their ideology in every locality and that ideology also gives rise to injustice in certain cases. We will fight that injustice also. We want that in every nook and corner of the country 'insaaf ke sipahi' stand up and fight," he said.

Speaking with The Citizen, Dr Suresh Gawai, a Mumbai-based lawyer who had come to support Sibal said that this platform was the need of the hour. “The situation that India is in currently is at a very dangerous precedent. The Constitution of India by Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar has gone in the hands of organisations like RSS and we need to save it from them” he said.

Citing the Preamble of the Constitution, Sibal meanwhile, said though India's sovereignty will always remain, it was not moving on the path of socialism, democracy was on the decline and there were also questions over the Republic.

The Constitution also promised social, economic and political justice, he pointed out, alleging that there was "injustice" prevailing on all the three fronts.

Talking about political injustice, Sibal said the Xth Schedule of the Constitution that deals with the anti-defection law has become a "defector's paradise". "After 2014, they (the BJP) have toppled eight governments, be it in Meghalaya, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra. Tell me if there is any other country where elected governments are toppled through inducements and buying of legislators. Courts, lawyers and people are silent, this is political injustice," he said.