Prabhu Chawla, the renowned journalist, predicted that the fate of a “Single” will be decided by a “Single” in the context of 2014 Lok Sabha elections, namely Mayawati, Mamata and Jayalalita. “In the present political scenario, the regional parties would play a crucial role in formation of Government by the single largest national party like Congress or BJP after the Lok Sabha elections. No national party will be in a position to form the Government at Centre on its own. The regional parties will certainly emerge as King Maker.”
Prabhu Chawla, the renowned journalist, who waged wordy war and forced dozens of top guns in different domains to sweat and fret in his popular talk show “Seedhi Baat” on Aaj Tak TV channel and the “Theekhi Baat” show on the IBN7 channel, was in Nagpur on Tuesday. Chawla attended the National Students’ Parliament programme as guest speaker. The programme was organized by the Raisoni Group of Institutions at its Hingna Campus.
The fearless journalist Prabhu Chawla, while addressing National Students’ Parliament on the topic “Fighting Crime against Women and the Political Scenario in the Country,” predicted that the fate of a “Single” will be decided by a “Single” in the context of 2014 Lok Sabha elections, namely Mayawati, Mamata and Jayalalita. “In the present political scenario, the regional parties would play a crucial role in formation of Government by the single largest national party like Congress or BJP after the Lok Sabha elections. No national party will be in a position to form the Government at Centre on its own. The allies of the UPA and the NDA hold the key. The regional parties will certainly emerge as King Maker. And there is even possibility of the Third Front forming the Government if both UPA and NDA fall short of the magic figure of 273 seats in their tally. In politics, anything can happen. The sworn enemies turn foes when it comes to power sharing,” Prabhu Chawla asserted.
Talking on women’s qualities of handling tricky situations more comfortably and decently than men, Chawla said, “When a woman can be finance or home minister of her sweet home, why can’t she be Home Minister of the country. At present, the womenfolk in the civilized country like India have become second citizens in general terms. Majority of men see women with jaundiced eyes, a plaything, inferior to them even though the girls and women are on par with men in each and every field. I would say women are superior in the context of roles they play in their entire lives,” the ace journalist said.
Prabhu Chawla emphasized empowering of womenfolk. Every political party talks of empowering women but lack the will power to do so. In many parts of the country, women have not even crossed the limits of their houses, villages and work at hearths and homes for their entire lives, Chawla said.
“Talking on women’s safety and security would be futile unless revolutionary measures are initiated not only by the Governments. Government at the best can enact stringent laws but cannot provide safety and security to each and every woman in the country of 120 crore population. It is the mindset of men that needs to be changed. But remember, hardly a few thousand criminal elements in the society of crores of decent people have made lives of women miserable. Three women are running the Government in three States and a woman is running the country but still safety and security of women are at stake. The crime against women could definitely be blamed to the emergence of Internet and other hi-fi inventions. The talk on the topic would stretch to infinite time. But one thing that could curb the crime against women is the change of mindset,” the talk show host said.
“In Indian entertainment industry, women are being portrayed as victims and are being tortured at every stage of their lives by the society. Or shown as sex object. I don’t understand why such portrayal. In the western showbiz, women have portrayed in positive roles because they are positive and independent. People should not form their opinions on what is shown in the movies or other entertainment channels,” Prabhu Chawla cautioned.
The Nagpur Today took the opportunity to talk to Prabhu Chawla on the sideline of the programme and sought his views on some finer points.
Nagpur Today: All political parties are banking on votes of youths. Do you think youths would turn up in large number to the polling centres?
Prabhu Chawla: Youths would definitely make a difference in this election. They will have to rise above the caste, religion bar and vote in massive number for fulfillment of their aspirations. There are about 21 crore new youth voters this election.
Nagpur Today: Has not electronic media concentrating more on urban population and devoting more time to political issues than social issues?
Prabhu Chawla: Yes. Electronic media has become city-centric and not catering to the masses. That is because of the TRP and viewership comes from urban masses. Media is working for classes and not for masses. Media has become exclusive rather inclusive. Print media, of course, is reaching out to the urban and rural populace as well and raising the social issues effectively.
Nagpur Today: Don’t you feel there is a scope for crosschecking claims/charges of women as well in the case like Justice Ganguly case.
Prabhu Chawla: I respect women a lot. They are more credible. Women know what is right and what is wrong .