Freedom First

Summary

The April 2013 issue of Freedom First criticizes Budget 2013-14 as a letdown and an exercise in denial. The editorial portrays Indian politics as dominated by survival strategies, red herrings, and capitulation to vote-bank pressures, while also discussing the anti-rape law, the Justice Verma report, Italian marines, Sri Lanka diplomacy, and the launch of the Children First Party of India.

The rendered pages include two economic critiques of Budget 2013 and the Twelfth Plan, reflections on the New Delhi protests after Nirbhaya, analysis of the Justice Verma Committee Report, a short piece on the death of a rapist, and the start of reflections on freedom and justice. Later pieces on terrorism, NCTC, a book review, adult education, and the Children First Party appear in the contents but beyond the rendered range.

Essays

Budget 2013 - An Elaborate Exercise in Denial

By M. R. Venkatesh

M. R. Venkatesh argues that Budget 2013 is an elaborate exercise in denial. The article criticizes stalled projects, policy paralysis, the handling of the Food Security Act allocation, and the failure to restore investor confidence through clear time-bound action.

• Frames Budget 2013 as denial of India’s economic challenges.
• Highlights stalled projects and policy paralysis.
• Critiques weak commitments and lack of implementation clarity.

Twelfth Plan and the 2013-14 Union Budget - 3

By Sunil S. Bhandare

Sunil S. Bhandare analyzes the Twelfth Plan and the 2013-14 Union Budget, focusing on plan expenditure, fiscal space, ministry capacity, and whether large increases in outlay can become real outcomes.

• Questions feasibility of a large increase in plan expenditure.
• Connects fiscal prudence with preserving development outlay.
• Emphasizes implementation capacity and physical targets.

The New Delhi Protest

By Nitin G. Raut

Nitin G. Raut’s article on the New Delhi protest describes the public reaction to Nirbhaya’s rape and death as spontaneous youth anger against lawlessness, corruption, and unaccountable power. It compares the protest to Tahrir, Bastille, Tiananmen, and Nav Nirman while criticizing the UPA leadership’s distance from citizens.

• Treats the protests as spontaneous civic outrage.
• Critiques the government’s police response and moral distance.
• Connects citizen protest to constitutional rights and governance failure.

Justice Verma Committee Report

By Suresh Sharma

Suresh Sharma examines the Justice Verma Committee Report, especially recommendations touching armed forces and sexual violence. The article argues that court-martials can be faster than civilian courts and criticizes proposals that would hold commanding officers responsible in ways the author considers impractical.

• Discusses recommendations after the Delhi rape case.
• Defends court-martials against blanket civilian-court treatment.
• Critiques parts of the proposed approach to armed forces accountability.

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