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Flood of controversy

Adversity can also be an opportunity.

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BRP Bhaskar

Adversity can also be an opportunity. So contending political forces are fishing in the flood waters of Kerala for political gains. In the initial phase of the disastrous floods, the big task was to rescue people isolated and marooned in houses that were inundated. The official machinery, aided by volunteers who came forward in large numbers, acquitted itself creditably. That helped Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who personally led the effort to redeem his image, which had been dimmed by admitted police lapses in some sensational cases. Although the primary responsibility for rescue and relief now vests in the National Disaster Response Force, as usual the defence personnel were called in and they performed the tasks assigned to them with characteristic professionalism.

While the work was proceeding smoothly, the BJP’s local cyber force carried on a mischievous campaign demanding that the state government hand over complete control of the operations to the Army. 

Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi came for an aerial survey, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had announced a Central grant of Rs 100 crore towards flood relief. The Chief Minister sought from the PM Rs 2,000 crore. After the survey, which had to be shortened due to inclement weather, Modi granted Rs 500 crore more, making for a total of Rs 600 crore. There was an immediate outcry against the measly amount.

Around this time, word came from Abu Dhabi that the UAE government had set up a national emergency committee to look into sourcing of funds, aid material, medicines and other things “for our friends” in Kerala. Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohamed, who made the announcement, pointed out that the people of Kerala were a part of the UAE success story. He was alluding to the role played by Keralites in his country’s spectacular growth since the oil boom. In a tweet, Modi thanked Sheikh Mohamed for his “gracious offer to support the people of Kerala during their difficult time.”

When soaring oil prices brought prosperity, the thinly populated Gulf States desperately needed workmen and Keralites desperately needed jobs. Thus, began a mutually beneficial relationship. In the 1970s, when Dubai had an Arab population of only about 10,000, Keralites there numbered nearly one lakh. Over the years, the UAE emerged as the favourite destination of Kerala’s jobseekers. Hence, its quick and generous response to Kerala’s distress.

Modi, who had thanked Sheikh Mohamed, changed his stance after Pinarayi Vijayan told the media that the UAE had offered Rs 700 crore of aid. Central spokesmen said there was no specific offer from the UAE, and that, in any case, it has been India’s policy since 2004 not to take aid for disaster relief as it is in a position to manage without outside help. New Delhi sent an advisory to embassies to decline aid offers.

The 2004 decision was taken when India and several other countries were dealing with the damage caused by a tsunami. It did not actually lay down an inflexible policy. The government statement at the time said it was open to consideration of offers of relief aid in future, if it was necessary. The law on disaster management, which was enacted subsequently, provides for acceptance of foreign aid.

International assistance in times of calamities has a long history. The UN has been involved in such effort since its inception. There are also organisations like the Red Cross (Red Crescent in Islamic countries), which are older than the UN, with creditable record in this area. The Modi government’s problem with the UAE offer of help to Kerala appears to stem from two factors. One is that the reported figure of Rs 700 crore exceeds the amount it has given to Kerala so far. This can only be a temporary embarrassment. The Centre needs to provide more funds and that will put its contribution way above the UAE’s. The other factor is the latent sense of inferiority embedded in the Hindutva mind by memories of long years under non-Hindu rulers. This manifests itself often in the chant, “Say with pride, we are Hindus” and in animosity towards minorities. Modi’s followers are making subtle attempts to project his refusal of UAE aid offer as an assertion of India’s new-found status as an economic power. They need to remember that status is irrelevant in such matters. The US had accepted a small contribution of 25 tons of relief material, which an Indian Air Force plane carried to Arkansas for Katrina victims. That did not dent its superpower status.  

Pinarayi Vijayan said he had mentioned the figure of Rs 700 crore on the basis of information provided by M A Yusuf Ali, an influential Gulf-based Keralite businessman in the know of developments at the UAE end.

With the UAE Ambassador in India, Ahmed Albannam, clarifying that his country has not finalised any specific amount for assisting flood victims in Kerala, the air has now been cleared for Modi to take a considered view on the UAE government’s aid offer in the best interests of India and of Kerala, unclouded by extraneous considerations. 

Meanwhile the first of a dozen cargo flights which are to deliver 175 tons of aid material donated by UAE business houses has arrived in Thiruvananthapuram.

— The writer is  a senior Kerala-based journalist

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