Adv B A Alvor

Adv B.A Aloor

Adv. B A Aloor’s demise highlights a somber irony in how society measures worth—often not by integrity, but by popularity or success. 

Despite his unwavering commitment to justice, even if it meant losing cases and allowing guilty clients to be punished, he was remembered not with respect but with silence. His principled approach is rare in a world that rewards clever manipulation and flashy victories. He did not receive a commendation even though his guilty clients were convicted.

In contrast, we frequently glorify those highly paid lawyers who bend the truth or charm the masses. We reserve our praise for the cunning rather than the conscientious. That no tear was shed for a man who perhaps stood too firmly for what was right speaks more about us than about him.

-K A Solaman

Hollow words

#Hollow #words.

The grand declarations made by Kerala’s political leadership about transforming the State into a global start-up hub ring hollow in the face of ground realities. 

While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan boasts of increasing start-ups to 15,000 and generating over one lakh jobs by 2026, the situation on the ground is far from promising. Public sector employment opportunities are virtually nonexistent, pushing the youth to migrate en masse to other states or abroad in search of dignified work. 

The startup rhetoric appears to be a smokescreen—an attractive narrative to mask the State's failure in creating sustainable, accountable employment opportunities within the government and public sector.

What makes matters worse is the rampant culture of backdoor appointments, particularly favouring party loyalists and reappointing retired officials with clear political affiliations. 

This blatant undermining of merit-based recruitment not only disillusions the youth but also erodes public trust in governance. If the government is sincere about transparency and fairness, it must take a strong stand—starting with declaring backdoor appointments and re-employments of retirees as criminal offences. 

Until such actions are taken, the promises of innovation, start-ups, and job creation will remain nothing more than fairy tales, narrated to distract the public from the growing unemployment crisis and institutional decay.

K. A Solaman

National security first

#National security first

The Government of India works hard to ensure the nation’s security and unity. Any act that weakens this effort, especially by political leaders or media, should be strongly condemned. If reports of foreign connections or anti-national activities by prominent leaders are true, it is deeply disturbing. The people of India expect loyalty and honesty from those leaders in opposition parities too.

Leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Robert Vadra, MA Baby, and VD Satheesan must act responsibly. If they support or remain silent about forces that threaten our country, it raises serious concerns. Speaking in favor of groups involved in violence or disturbing the peace of regions like Jammu & Kashmir is dangerous. Such actions can divide the country and damage national interest.

Channels that spread provocative news or try to weaken public trust in India’s security forces should be held accountable. Media freedom is important, but it should not come at the cost of national unity. The government has every right to take strict action against individuals and platforms like Media One TV that promote internal unrest or mislead the public. National security must always come first.

-K A Solaman

Pakistan's hypocrisy

#Pakistan's hypocrisy

Pakistan's persistent sponsorship of terrorism against India is a reprehensible and dangerous policy that continues to undermine regional peace and stability.

Instead of focusing on development and diplomacy, Pakistan has repeatedly chosen to harbor and support terror outfits that have carried out brutal attacks on Indian soil, claiming countless innocent lives and inflicting deep wounds on the nation’s collective psyche. 

This state-sponsored terrorism is not only a gross violation of international norms but also a glaring reflection of Pakistan’s failure to curb extremism within its own borders. It is hypocritical for its leadership to now cry foul over consequences like the potential reconsideration of water-sharing agreements, when for decades, it has waged a proxy war against India. Enough is enough—India will not be a silent victim, and the world is watching.

-K. A. Solaman

Horrifying brutality

#Horrifying brutality

The recent terrorist attack in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, is a horrifying and unforgivable act of brutality. This heinous assault strikes at the very heart of our nation’s integrity and peace. 

It is not merely an act of terror, but a calculated move aimed at destabilizing the country and fomenting communal unrest. The fact that the victims belonged to the Hindu community raises grave concerns about the targeted nature of this violence.

 In such a grim context, the often-repeated phrase “terrorism has no religion” rings hollow and inapplicable. We must not allow such rhetoric to cloud the reality of a deeply communal and ideologically driven act. 

The government must act with unwavering resolve, employing every available measure to identify and punish not only the perpetrators but also their enablers and sympathizers within and beyond our borders.

Moreover, the possibility of internal conspiracy cannot be overlooked. It is disturbing that certain media houses and vested interests within the country appear to justify or downplay such attacks, thereby indirectly supporting the cause of the terrorists. This is a betrayal of national unity and must be dealt with firmly. 

The likely involvement of Pakistan, given its long history of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, adds another dangerous dimension to this tragedy. Diplomatic and strategic pressure must be intensified, and no stone should be left unturned to expose the masterminds behind this massacre.

 India must send a clear message to the world: such acts will not go unanswered, and those who threaten our people, our peace, and our sovereignty will face the full force of justice.

-K A Solaman

Shepherd of peace no more

#Shepherd of peace no more

Pope Francis, the gentle shepherd of peace and compassion, has departed from this world, leaving behind a legacy etched in love, humility, and unwavering faith in humanity. 

A true servant of the people, he embraced every soul—regardless of creed or nation—with the warmth of divine compassion and the strength of boundless empathy. 

His deep affection for India and its spiritual richness stood as a testament to his universal heart. In his life of simplicity, he lifted the lowly, comforted the broken, and challenged the world to choose love over division, mercy over judgment. 

His passing is not just a loss to the Catholic Church, but a profound sorrow for all who dream of a world united by peace.

--K A Selaman

Misplaced priority

#Misplaced #priority.

At a time when Kerala is grappling with an alarming overdraft of six lakh crore rupees and struggling to meet its financial obligations, the decision to squander Rs.15 crore on 500 advertisement boards glorifying the Chief Minister is nothing short of outrageous. 

Each board costing Rs.3 lakh is a glaring symbol of misplaced priorities and fiscal irresponsibility by the Marxist-led government. 

Instead of addressing the dire economic crisis, rising unemployment, and crumbling public services, the ruling front is indulging in shameless self-promotion. This extravagant misuse of public funds in a cash-starved state is an insult to the common citizen and a blatant dereliction of democratic responsibility.

-K A Solaman

Kururnezhuthukal

#Kurunnezhuthakal

While the idea of encouraging creativity among first graders by compiling their diary entries into a book titled Kurunnezhuthukal may seem innovative, its actual utility raises significant concerns. 

At such a tender age, most children are still mastering basic literacy skills, and expecting coherent, meaningful diary entries from them is unrealistic. The inclusion of responses from parents and teachers might lend the book some structure, but it also hints at an overreach in attributing mature intentions to children’s raw expressions. 

Moreover, the effort seems to divert attention and resources from more pressing educational needs — such as addressing the widespread inability among high school students to write their own names correctly or perform basic academic tasks. A meaningful education reform should prioritize foundational learning outcomes, not symbolic publications.

Further, the fact that a sitting Education Minister is personally editing such a publication may indicate a misallocation of both attention and public funds. Critics allege that the initiative subtly pushes political ideology into households by embedding Marxist imagery and narratives within the pages meant for young children. 

If true, this politicization of primary education is deeply problematic and undermines the apolitical nature education should uphold. 

Additionally, if the minister’s own academic proficiency is in question, as seen in public instances of numerical errors, it casts serious doubt on the intellectual credibility of such an editorial project. In this light, 

Kurunnezhuthukal appears less as a creative educational tool and more as a questionable endeavor possibly aimed at image-building or financial exploitation under the guise of child-friendly literature.

- K A Solaman

Sideshow of malaise

#Sideshow of malaise

The sensationalism surrounding cine actor Shine Tom Chacko’s antics during the DANSAF raid—his alleged drug abuse, dramatic escape from a hotel, and mockery of the police—has been blown out of proportion by the media, turning a trivial episode into prime-time entertainment.

When a leading Malayalam daily goes so far as to publish a route map of his escapade, it raises serious questions about journalistic priorities. 

This deliberate amplification of frivolous matters appears to serve a darker purpose: to distract the public from urgent and pressing issues that affect the lives and livelihoods of thousands. For instance, the ongoing indefinite strike by ASHA workers—women who are the backbone of grassroots healthcare—and the mounting frustration of candidates in the CPO rank list awaiting appointments are both being sidelined in favor of a celebrity sideshow.

Such distractions are not accidental; they reflect a deeper malaise under the Pinarayi Vijayan regime, where calculated media manipulation helps bury inconvenient truths. Cases of monumental significance—like the allegations of unaccounted wealth against senior bureaucrat K.M. Abraham or the financial dealings linked to the Chief Minister’s daughter—barely make a ripple in public discourse. Instead, comic relief in the form of Shine Tom Chacko becomes the focal point of attention, trivializing governance and mocking accountability. 

In today’s Kerala, it seems everything—from corruption to law enforcement—is treated as a joke, reinforcing a culture of impunity and distraction that benefits those in power while leaving the real concerns of the common people unheard and unresolved.

-K A Solaman

Departure from decorum

#Departure from decorum

The recent conduct of Kerala IAS officer Dr. Divya S. Iyer is deeply disappointing and reflects a troubling departure from the decorum expected of a civil servant of her rank. 

Her exaggerated praise of political figures—likening K. K. Ragesh to the mythological Karna in terms of loyalty—and her overtly emotional public display, such as embracing Minister K. Radhakrishnan, are glaring examples of behaviour unbecoming of an IAS officer. These actions blur the crucial lines of neutrality and restraint that are hallmarks of the civil service. 

The IAS training is meant to instil discipline, objectivity, and an unwavering commitment to constitutional values, not to produce politically sentimental figures who risk eroding public trust in the bureaucracy. If such conduct becomes the norm, it would seriously undermine the credibility, dignity, and impartiality of the administrative machinery.

-K A Solaman

Murshidabad violence

#Murshidabad #violence

The ongoing violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, is a grim reminder of the complete failure of the Mamata Banerjee-led state government to uphold law and order. It is appalling that the Chief Minister, instead of working towards maintaining peace, has openly defied a law passed by Parliament, triggering unrest. 

Her provocative stance against the Waqf 

Act Amendment has not only emboldened violent elements but has also set a dangerous precedent where state leaders challenge the constitutional framework of the country. Mamata’s blatant disregard for democratic institutions and her inability to contain the escalating violence exposes her government’s sheer incompetence and lack of control.

Equally disturbing is the silence of INDI alliance leaders and sympathetic media outlets who seem to turn a blind eye to the destruction unfolding in West Bengal. In a democracy, citizens absolutely have the right to protest, but that right ends where violence begins. Riots, arson, and destruction of public property are not forms of dissent—they are criminal acts and must be dealt with sternly. The state administration’s passive response to the chaos signals either complicity or complete paralysis. 

The central government must act swiftly and decisively by deploying military forces to restore normalcy and protect innocent citizens. No government, state or central, can allow lawlessness to overrun people’s lives.

-K A Solaman

Judicial overreach

#Judicial #overreach

Governor Rajendra Arlekar is absolutely right in calling out the Supreme Court for its recent verdict concerning the role of the Governor of Tamil Nadu, which clearly crosses constitutional boundaries. The judiciary must respect the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution.

 Matters concerning the duties and conduct of Governors are the domain of the executive and legislature, not the judiciary. Judicial overreach undermines the democratic framework by encroaching upon the authority of Parliament, which alone is empowered to make and interpret laws in such matters. The Supreme Court is duty-bound to uphold the Constitution, not reinterpret it to serve ideological or institutional biases.

 It is high time the judiciary is reminded that it is not above the Constitution or the will of the people, as represented by the Parliament. Governor Arlekar has rightly voiced a concern that resonates with every citizen who values constitutional integrity and democratic balance.

-K A Solaman

Dangerous trend

#Dangerous trend.

The rampant rise in the demand for honorary doctorates, especially those obtained by paying hefty sums, is a dangerous trend that undermines the sanctity of academic excellence and intellectual achievement.

 It is alarming that certain agencies are exploiting people's desire for prestige by issuing fake degrees under the false claim of affiliation with UGC-recognised universities. Such actions not only deceive the public but also tarnish the credibility of genuine academic institutions. This practice is nothing short of academic fraud, and both the issuers and recipients of these bogus doctorates are complicit in a criminal act. 

Strict legal action must be taken against all those involved to preserve the integrity of our education system and to send a clear message that academic honors are to be earned through merit, not purchased through money.

-K A Solaman

Misplaced priorities

Misplaced priorities

The ongoing struggle of ASHA workers in Kerala, who are paid a meager daily wage of just ₹232, exposes the hypocrisy of the ruling Marxist government. These women, who provide crucial healthcare services, have been protesting for 51 days in front of the Secretariat, yet the ministers and party leaders remain indifferent.

 Instead of addressing their genuine demands, the government resorts to mocking and abusing them, showing complete disregard for the working class they claim to support. This blatant neglect proves that their so-called pro-labor stance is merely a political facade. 

The Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, who should be resolving such critical issues, has time to celebrate the success of a controversial film but refuses to meet the protesting ASHA workers. The insensitivity of these leaders highlights their misplaced priorities and lack of commitment to the real struggles of the people.

Adding to this shameful scenario, the Marxist leaders are openly promoting the film Empuraan, a movie that not only insults Hindu & Christian religious symbols but also glorifies Pakistani militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. Such a film is a direct attack on religious harmony and national security. 

It is outrageous that a CPI(M) MP, John Brittas, tried to use Parliament to publicize this divisive film instead of focusing on issues that truly matter to the people of Kerala. The Central government must immediately ban Empuraan and investigate the foreign funding behind this propaganda-driven project.

 Instead of supporting such anti-national and anti-religious narratives, the administration must focus on addressing the grievances of ASHA workers and protecting the dignity of hardworking citizens.

- K A Solaman