KNOWN IN HIS constituency— Kheri, Uttar Pradesh—as Teni Maharaj, Ajay Misra being a Brahmin came as a surprise to those who were not well-acquainted with him. To most casual observers, he had always been Teni. However, it was in the expansion of the Union cabinet in July 2021 that the less-used Misra surname became important.
A few months before the expansion, Misra had won the Sansad Ratna award for 100 percent attendance in the Lok Sabha and for asking the most public interest questions. That made him the first-ever MP from Uttar Pradesh to receive the honour. But, his inclusion in the cabinet as minister of state for home affairs was driven more by the BJP’s aim of bagging the Brahmin vote in the state (around 10 percent) in the 2022 assembly elections.
On October 3, Misra’s reputation was blown away as cars—one of them allegedly driven by his son Ashish—mowed down three farmers and a journalist during protests over the now repealed farm laws. The special investigation team which is probing the incident has damningly held that the violence was planned.
Numerous non-political sources THE WEEK spoke to in Lakhimpur Kheri district said that the intention had been to clear the crowds so that Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya could reach a designated meeting spot. Routes were also changed at least twice; but, both times the farmers got wind of the alternatives and moved to obstruct them. Ashish is one of 13 people accused of the violence. Section 307 (attempt to murder) is likely to be added to the charge sheet.
この記事は THE WEEK の January 02, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は THE WEEK の January 02, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
