Waiting for whistle scam

#Waiting for Final Whistle Scam.

 Possibly our Sports Minister has now become Kerala’s official Messi travel agent. First he declared Messi is coming in November, then suddenly, “Oh sorry, stadium not FIFA-approved, Messi busy, calendar full, dog ate the permission letter”. 

Now he promises March next year. Meanwhile, a mysterious sponsor with more controversies than football goals keeps popping up like a surprise substitute player. 

And the ticket drama? People booked seats faster than fans clicking IPL tickets. This is only to end up watching breaking news instead of football. Now the Minister says “don’t blame us, only dates changed!   Yes, just a small change.. Argentina went to Angola, tickets vanished, but don’t worry, Messi will come next March. 

By the time he arrives, the Minister might be sitting at home watching highlights of the scam enquiry. And if the dates shift again, the next minister can handle the “Messi arrival mission,” while this sponsor runs a masterclass on how to dribble money better than Messi dribbles footballs. 

Kerala is waiting with snacks and popcorn for the Final Whistle Scam.

-K A Solaman

Toxic film award

#Taxic film award.

The decision of the jury for the 55th Kerala State Film Awards to confer the Best Lyricist award to Vedan  is a gross abdication of moral responsibility. Vedan is one who is facing multiple serious rape and sexual-assault allegations.

By endorsing his work while his case remains sub judice, the state‐awarded honour transforms what should be a celebration of artistic merit into a toxic signal. The government machinery of cultural recognition is seemingly  detached from any sense of ethical accountability.

The jury, and by extension the government is here to legitimize one who is under credible legal scrutiny. And this erodes public trust in the integrity of the award and demeans the very idea of merit‐based recognition.

The implications for society are gravely disturbing when a person accused of violating the fundamental dignity of others is publicly lauded by a state institution, 

Such a move encourages cynicism. It undermines victims’ faith in justice and sends the subtle yet pervasive message that talent can offset or even excuse alleged predation. The government’s complicity in this tarnishes the credibility of the award. Award to a so called rapist is a political favoritism or  failure of oversight for the part of government monitored jury.

The message conveyed is absolutely wrong. The Government  should not normalise an unacceptable standard.in State awards.

- K A Solaman

Poverty-tree state

#Poverty-free state

Kerala is a State drowning in debt and living off borrowed money like a college student on credit cards. But now at  a grand spectacle it is suddenly blowing trumpets and unfurling banners to declare itself poverty-free! 

And who is better to certify this miracle than three millionaire film legends descending like a celestial audit committee. Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Kamal Haasan together declare “end of extreme poverty” in Kerala. 

Anyone who dares to point out that a family can slip into poverty the moment a flood hits, or a medical emergency strikes, is conveniently labelled “anti-development.” Forget data, forget reality, a celebratory PR event is clearly more nutritious than food kits.  The State is to keep rejecting from the Centre, Kerala Piravi gift to Keralites. 

And let us applaud the admirable gender equality on display, that is,  three men representing the triumphant march of the poor to prosperity! Truly visionary. Why bother with women, self-help women collectives, or the actual beneficiaries of social welfare when we can have red carpets and movie stars? After all, a State government that refuses many Central schemes but freely queues up for loans must prove its genius at financial wizardry. Solving poverty by proclamation is a better idea 

In Kerala ordinary families are  struggling with inflation, unemployment, and post-flood rebuilding. But here we stand, watching the ruling front declare victory while reality scratches its head, wondering whether to laugh or cry.  

Of course, people  need not worry. If poverty returns tomorrow, perhaps another superstar, may be Messi,  will come for an inauguration to fix it.

- K A Solaman

Tragicomedy of PM-SHRI school in Kerala

#Tragicomedy of PM-SHRI in Kerala.

The Kerala government’s handling of the PM-SHRI schools project has turned into a classic display of political drama disguised as policy. Education Minister V. Sivankutty proudly announced that the state joined the project for the future of students. But within days, that very future was put on hold. Thanks to protests from the CPI,  coalition partner of LDF. 

Apparently, in Kerala politics, students’ education takes a back seat whenever ideological ego trips are at stake. The government that claimed to stand for progress now looks like a troupe of confused performers. They are.unsure whether to clap, cry, or exit the stage.

What’s more telling is the suspicious urgency to form a ministerial subcommittee as it is a traditional Kerala remedy for burying uncomfortable truths. When corruption or mismanagement lurks in the background, committees bloom like mushrooms after rain. The public sees through it: the government’s hesitation isn’t about protecting federal autonomy or ideology; it’s about protecting secrets. 

While the LDF partners quarrel over slogans and or so-called principles, the real victims are school students. They are left watching their so-called protectors fight over who gets to wear the moral crown. It’s a tragicomedy where the actors forget their lines, but the audience still pays the price.

-K A Solaman

Will Messi come or not?

#Will #Messi come or not?

It seems Kerala’s football dreams were briefly hijacked by a man with more ambition than authenticity. The man is the so-called “sponsor” who promised Messi but he delivered a mess. 

With a résumé that reads like a thriller of  unauthorized tree cutting from forest land, mysterious stadium “renovations,” and now a phantom international match, he tried to turn Kerala’s sports scene into his private circus. 

One wonders whether he planned to bring Messi or merely a cardboard cutout from Buenos Aires! The way this grand show evaporated proves once again that when shady businessmen step into the sports arena, the only goal scored is against public trust.

As for Kerala’s Sports Minister, he seems to have mistaken political theatrics for sports development. Instead of nurturing homegrown talent, he was busy warming up for a handshake that never came. When the state exchequer is gasping for breath, talking about crores for a foreign star’s fleeting appearance is like painting luxury boxes on a crumbling stadium wall. 

The minister’s role should be to raise players, not illusions. But alas, in Kerala’s sports field, the whistle blows not for fair play but for fouls.

-K A Solaman

Sivankutty's Intellectual Gymnastics

#Sivankutty's #intellectual #gymnastics.

When Minister V Sivankutty boldly announces that Kerala can sign a national agreement without following it, he truly breaks new ground in political comedy. Money is the main concern and not academic standard.

According to his logic, PM SHRI funding is like a buffet, that is, take the money, skip the items we don’t like.  He assures everyone that Kerala’s curriculum will remain untouched, as if the MoU is just a decorative ribbon to tie around existing practices. 

After all, this is the same education system that introduced “Party-Approved Teacher Handbooks”as it was  a proud effort to ensure that every chapter has ideological vitamins. Teachers, in return, graciously recycled these tomes into dustbin décor and silently expressed  academic creativity.

The CPI leaders clap like members of a laugh track, delighted by this new form of intellectual gymnastics. They argue that Kerala can join the scheme without joining the scheme, a Schrödinger’s Agreement, both valid and void at the same time. In their grand vision, NCERT books may arrive, but Kerala’s own ideological handbooks will remain mandatory.

With such brave innovation, Sivankutty and company are rewriting not only the curriculum but also the definition of logic by proving once again that satire is sometimes just reporting the news.

-K A Solaman

Vasavan should quit

#Vasavan should quit

Minister V.N. Vasavan seems to have taken his portfolio as “Devaswom” a little too literally, as if the gods themselves were meant to serve his convenience. Under his watch, the Travancore Devaswom Board finds itself in a golden scandal where temple ornaments apparently performed a divine metamorphosis from gold to copper! 

When the Kerala High Court takes notice and the opposition demands accountability, the minister’s only visible response is the art of denial. It seems Vasavan believes that devotion is best expressed not in service or transparency, but in silence and stubbornness. Perhaps he imagines that by ignoring the noise, the gods and the people will forgive him.

Then came the vallasadya at Aranmula, where Vasavan allegedly dined before the deity had been offered the meal, an act against conventional practice and ritual.. And if that wasn’t enough divine irony, his stoic stance behind President Murmu at Sabarimala, while she prayed with folded hands, revealed a man who could neither bow before faith nor rise to the dignity of his office. 

A minister of Devaswoms who cannot show reverence in the abode of the gods, nor responsibility in their administration, has surely lost his moral right to hold the post. It’s time for Vasavan to perform his own atonement starting with resignation.

-K A Solaman

System Failure in P2.0

#System #failure in P 2.0

The Pinarayi Vijayan government’s failure to clear a relatively small debt of ₹158 crore to medical implant distributors exposes the shocking negligence towards the state’s most vulnerable citizens. 

The government hospitals are the only hope for the poor. The poor people are forced to halt life-saving heart surgeries due to non-payment equipment suppliers to hospitals. This reflects a collapse of financial discipline and moral responsibility.

 While the government boasts of welfare schemes and social justice, patients who depend on free or subsidized treatment are left gasping for life in hospital corridors.  The surgeries are postponed indefinitely because the system cannot pay its bills.

As the LDF prepares to seek a mandate for “Pinarayi 3.0,” this situation stands as a grim reminder of misplaced priorities and arrogance in governance. A government that can spend lavishly on publicity, festivals, and unnecessary projects but fails to pay suppliers for essential medical implants shows contempt for public health and compassion. 

The poor, who trusted the state’s health system, now face unbearable agony. This is not just fiscal failure but it is moral bankruptcy at the heart of Kerala’s governance.

-K A Solaman

PM SHRI School admitted

#PM SHRI #school #admitted

The recent decision of the Kerala government to join the PM SHRI scheme, after initially opposing it, once again exposes the inconsistency and political opportunism that have become characteristic of the state’s governance.

Minister V. Sivankutty’s assurance that Kerala’s educational policy will remain uncompromised appears hollow when viewed against the government’s habitual pattern of criticizing central initiatives for political mileage and later quietly accepting them to access funds. 

This double standard reflects a lack of coherent policy vision. Instead of formulating independent, sustainable reforms in education, the government seems more focused on extracting financial benefits while maintaining a façade of ideological resistance to the Centre.

Such contradictions have weakened the credibility of the Left-led administration in Kerala. The CPI, a key constituent of the ruling front, has particularly lost its ideological clarity. They are  trying to rule and oppose all the time. 

The politics of selective resistance only exposes Kerala's dependence on central assistance for governance. While the government loudly project Kerala as a model state or even as a quasi-independent entity distinct from the Union, their inability to sustain essential programmes without central aid highlights administrative

inefficiency and fiscal mismanagement.

 This approach of opposing for politics and accepting for survival not only undermines Kerala’s governance but also erodes public confidence in its leadership.

-K A Solaman

Disregard to RTI Act

#Disregard to RTI Act.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 was enacted to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance by empowering citizens to seek information from public authorities. 

When a citizen inquires about the reason for his name being deleted from the voter’s list, it is a legitimate request for information that directly affects their democratic right to vote. Such a query cannot be dismissed by hiding behind technicalities or by quoting irrelevant definitions from the Act. 

The Public Information Officer (PIO) has a statutory duty to provide a clear and factual response, such as the official reason for deletion or the authority responsible for the action. By refusing to give this information, the officer has not only denied the citizen’s right but also shown disregard for the principles of transparency that the RTI Act upholds.

The  kind of misleading response represents a growing trend of bureaucratic evasion that weakens the RTI framework. The officer’s answer is not only evasive but also reflects ignorance or deliberate distortion of the law. 

The RTI Act never intended to allow officers to hide information by citing procedural loopholes; instead, it obligates them to assist applicants in obtaining the correct information. The citizen’s question clearly pertains to a government record, namely, the voter list and hence falls squarely within the Act’s purview. Such misuse of authority warrants disciplinary action, as it discourages public participation and erodes faith in democratic institutions. 

To preserve the sanctity of the RTI Act, erring officials who misuse their position to deny rightful information must be held accountable under the provisions of the law.

An inappropriate reply given by the Panchayat Secretary clearly undermines the very spirit and purpose of the Right to Information (RTI).

-K A Solaman

Hijab issue. lacks maturity

#Hijab #issue lacks maturity

The father’s reaction to the hijab issue at St. Rita’s Public School reflects a lack of maturity and a failure to prioritize his daughter’s education over emotional impulses. Instead of resolving the issue calmly and guiding his daughter to adapt to the school’s uniform policy he has chosen to withdraw her, citing emotional distress. 

Education is meant to prepare students to face life’s realities with discipline and understanding. If the girl is not withdrawn from the school there is possibility for father constantly finding fault with the school, whether about teachers’ remarks, marks, or other grievances. His duty as a parent is to ensure her continuity in quality education, not to politicize or dramatize a manageable situation. The new school that is going to admit the girl should be beware of her father.

Equally concerning is the conduct of the Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, whose frequent and inconsistent comments on this issue only deepen the confusion. As the head of the education department, he should maintain neutrality and uphold the institutional authority of schools rather than appear to sway with political pressure. His repeated remarks, shifting tones, and lack of firmness undermine public confidence in the education system. 

A responsible minister must offer clarity, stability, and balanced judgment, not fuel controversies through impulsive statements. Both the father’s overreaction and the minister’s inconsistency ultimately harm the broader goal of maintaining discipline, respect, and educational integrity in schools.

-K A Solaman

Hijab controversy

#Hijab #controversy

The controversy surrounding the Hijab issue at St. Rita’s School, Palluruthy, Kochi, is both unnecessary and unfortunate. Every educational institution has the right to enforce a prescribed uniform code meant to promote equality, discipline, and unity among students. The decision of the school management to restrict the use of the hijab inside the classroom, if it is part of their uniform policy, is completely within their rights and in no way discriminatory. 

Parents who admit their children to such institutions must understand and accept the rules and regulations at the time of admission. If they find the policies incompatible with their beliefs, they are free to choose another school that aligns with their preferences instead of creating conflict and disruption.

The reaction of certain political and religious outfits, reportedly forcing the closure of the school, is deeply condemnable. Education spaces should never be turned into arenas for political or communal confrontation. The alleged act of the child’s father bringing activists to threaten the school authorities is a serious breach of law and order and shows a complete lack of respect for institutional autonomy.

 Such intimidation tactics undermine the very purpose of education, that is to foster harmony, discipline, and understanding. The incident highlights the need for parents and community leaders to act responsibly and protect the sanctity of educational environments from divisive political interference.

-K A Solaman

Pepper spray to doctors

#Pepper Spray to doctors

The idea of providing pepper spray to doctors as a means of self-defense, though well-intentioned, is largely impractical. Attacks on medical professionals usually occur suddenly, leaving little time for them to use any defensive tool effectively. In the tense and chaotic atmosphere of a hospital emergency, reaching for a pepper spray and using it safely without escalating the situation is almost impossible. 

Moreover, such measures shift the burden of safety onto doctors themselves, rather than addressing the root cause of violence in hospitals. The lack of adequate security, poor crowd control, and emotional volatility of bystanders are the main reasons. for violence.. Hence, relying on pepper spray is a superficial remedy that offers more psychological comfort than real protection.

To ensure the genuine safety of doctors, more concrete and systematic measures must be implemented. Hospitals should have round-the-clock police presence or at least a rapid-response system in collaboration with nearby police stations. Security personnel trained in conflict management should be deployed in sensitive areas like casualty and intensive care units. 

Strict laws against hospital violence must be enforced swiftly to deter future assaults. Educating the public on medical ethics, treatment limitations, and patient communication can help reduce misunderstandings that often lead to aggression. Only through a combination of legal enforcement, institutional security, and public awareness can doctors truly be protected from physical harm.

-K A Solaman

The Nobel Peace Prize 2025

The #Nobel Peace Prize 2025

The Nobel Committee deserves heartfelt congratulations for awarding the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, by recognizing her courageous fight for democracy and human rights under an oppressive regime,. 

The Committee has once again reaffirmed the true spirit of the Peace Prize by honoring those who uphold freedom, justice, and the dignity of the human spirit. Machado’s relentless struggle against dictatorship, her voice for the voiceless, and her unwavering belief in democratic values represent the highest ideals that Alfred Nobel envisioned when he instituted this award. Her recognition sends a strong message of hope to all who resist tyranny and continue to believe in peaceful change through courage and conviction.

The Nobel Committee must also be commended for maintaining its independence and integrity amid global political pressures and speculations. In a year when media attention and political campaigns attempted to steer the spotlight toward high-profile figures, including Donald Trump, the Committee stood firm on principle rather than popularity. 

By honoring Machado, they have demonstrated that the Peace Prize is not a tool of political propaganda but a moral beacon guiding humanity toward justice and freedom. This decision reinforces global faith in the impartiality and credibility of the Nobel institution, thus proving once again that truth, courage, and democracy are values worth defending above all else.

-K A Solaman

Duty of election officers

#Duty of Electoral Officers

The act of removing genuine voters, especially women, from the electoral rolls without proper verification is a serious dereliction of duty on the part of the electoral officers. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their democratic right to vote. 

Instead, by arbitrarily striking off names from the voter list on the assumption that married women no longer reside at their ancestral homes, these officials are not only violating the principles of fairness and justice but also undermining the very foundation of democracy. Every citizen has the constitutional right to vote, and it is the moral and legal duty of electoral officers to protect, not deny, that right.

Such insensitive and bureaucratic actions reflect a lack of empathy, awareness, and professionalism among some panchayat secretaries and election officials. Denying women their voting rights without proper enquiry, even after they personally approach the officials, is cruel and undemocratic. Instead of facilitating participation, these officers are creating unnecessary hurdles and distress for voters. 

The State Election Commission and the Government must take this matter seriously, initiate strict action against the erring officials, and conduct proper training programs to make electoral officers more responsible, people-friendly, and respectful of citizens’ rights. The aim of election officials should always be to encourage voting, not to discourage voters.

-K A Solaman

Politically charged mime

#Politically charged Mime

The teachers of Kumbala Government Higher Secondary School acted responsibly and within their rightful authority by stopping the pro-Palestine mime show. At a time when India maintains a carefully balanced diplomatic stance on the sensitive Palestine issue, allowing a politically charged performance within a school setting would have been inappropriate and potentially divisive. 

Educational institutions must remain spaces for learning, not platforms for political expression or international controversies. The teachers, therefore, rightly intervened to prevent the school from being drawn into a politically motivated spectacle under the guise of art, thereby upholding institutional discipline and neutrality.

In contrast, the statement by Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty supporting the inclusion of the same mime in the State Festival is both improper and legally questionable. It undermines the authority of the school and district-level selection committees, which are the legitimate bodies to decide which performances qualify for higher-level competitions.

 Ministerial interference in such academic and artistic processes sets a dangerous precedent and risks politicizing educational events. Moreover, granting special permission to one item outside prescribed procedures could attract judicial scrutiny and erode public trust in the education department’s fairness and professionalism.

-K A Solaman

Flip-Flops of LDF

#Flip-flops of LDF

The Left Democratic Front under Pinarayi Vijayan, once boasting of reformist zeal and aggressive governance, is now visibly in reverse gear. What was once projected as bold progressive action, such as permitting women to enter Sabarimala against centuries-old traditions, has now been silently shelved for political survival. 

The same government that branded “Namajapa” protests as regressive and unlawful has now embraced the chant themselves, clearly exposing their double standards. 

From an early phase of open Muslim appeasement, the regime has now turned towards Hindu appeasement by seeking proximity to leaders like Vellappally Natesan and Sukumaran Nair, desperate to retain its footing before the 2026 elections. Such opportunistic flip-flops, rather than showing political maturity, only expose the government’s lack of vision and its obsession with securing a “Pinarayi 3.0” at any cost.

In fact, the people of Kerala continue to suffer under a regime marked by high taxation, rampant corruption, and police high-handedness. The state, under the LDF, has witnessed repeated instances of custodial torture, political violence, and the rise of goondaraj, where party-affiliated gangs operate with impunity. 

At the same time, ordinary citizens are squeezed with exorbitant taxes, backdoor appointments in government services flourish, and scams ranging from gold smuggling to KIIFB mismanagement remain unresolved. Now, the same rulers who unleashed violence and division on dissenters suddenly present themselves as peace-lovers, even convening religious summits to portray themselves as protectors of faith. 

The irony is striking: those who once wielded the stick to silence protestors now hold out garlands of harmony. For a government that has thrived on arrogance, intolerance to criticism, and misuse of power, this dramatic rebranding is  laughable.  It's certainly a retreat just to secure a few votes.

-K A Solaman

Media spreading negativity

#Media spreading negativity.

The role of the media should be to inform people with news that is relevant, constructive, and beneficial to society. Unfortunately, many newspapers and channels today give unnecessary importance to odd and disturbing incidents that happen in faraway places. 

For example, a small incident in a school in Haryana where a class 2 child hung on his legs, was reported in Kerala with great prominence, even though it has no direct connection to the lives of people here. Such reports do nothing but disturb the peace of mind of readers and spread negativity. Journalism should focus on issues that genuinely matter, like education, health, development, and public welfare, rather than sensationalizing isolated and unfortunate events.

When the media constantly highlights suicides, violence, and cruelty happening in remote corners of the country or world, it is not serving society but harming it. Most readers neither need nor benefit from knowing every disturbing incident, especially when it is presented in a sensational way. This type of reporting can create unnecessary fear, sadness, or even unhealthy curiosity in people who otherwise would not think about such matters. 

The duty of the press is to filter information wisely, not to inject poison into the minds of innocent readers. Newspapers and channels must realize that the world is vast, and not every disturbing event deserves front-page coverage. What people truly deserve is news that uplifts, informs, and guides them toward positive living.

-K A Solaman

Operation Numkhor

#Operation #Numkhor

Operation Numkhor is a strong step by Indian Customs to stop smuggling and tax evasion. Luxury vehicles were brought into Kerala through fake papers and without paying the proper taxes, which is a serious crime. No one, including film stars or other famous people, should be above the law.

 Even if some actors say they did not know about the scam, ignorance of the law cannot be used as an excuse. Tax evasion not only causes huge loss to the country but also encourages illegal networks and even possible links to terror funding. Such crimes must be punished strictly so that it becomes a lesson for everyone.

At the same time, the role of the Malayalam visual media shows clear bias. Since popular actors like Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj are involved, the case is being downplayed and not widely reported. If the same incident had involved Suresh Gopi, the  TV Channels would have filled their programs with debates and criticism for weeks. This double standard weakens public trust in the TV shows. 

Media should not protect celebrities or hide their faults. Instead, it must stand with the truth and the people, highlighting all wrongdoings equally, no matter who commits them.

-K A Solaman

wounds remain unhealed

#Wounds remain unhealed.

The LDF government under Pinarayi Vijayan has repeatedly shown arrogance and insensitivity towards the deeply held beliefs of crores of Ayyappa devotees. In 2018, by deliberately supporting the violation of Sabarimala’s age-old traditions and filing cases against innocent devotees, the government created wounds that still remain unhealed. 

Instead of respecting the sentiments of the faithful, Pinarayi Vijayan and his ministers ridiculed believers, dismissed their protests as political drama, and weaponized the police against ordinary pilgrims. Such actions exposed a government that placed its ideological stubbornness above the cultural and spiritual values of the people it was elected to serve.

Now, years later, the same rulers are trying to wear a mask of devotion by organizing expensive “Ayyappa meets” at Pampa with crores of taxpayers’ money. This hypocrisy has not gone unnoticed. Devotees clearly saw through the drama, as reflected in the success of the Pandalam Ayyappa protection meet compared to the flop show at Pampa. 

Spending huge sums to whitewash past mistakes will not erase the betrayal of 2018. The resurgence of people’s anger shows that the wound is still raw, and the government will be forced to face the consequences of its anti-devotee stance when the people deliver their verdict at the ballot box.

-K A Solaman