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December 03, 2001
Indian politicians intervene to cover up Indian School Controversy
keralamonitor.com The Indian school reform in Muscat is taking a new turn as various parties in the game with vested business interest have sought political support from New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram to counter any move that will adversely affect their hold over the lucrative education business in the Gulf.
According to informed sources, the leading Kerala based Muslim politician has been frequenting Muscat for obvious reasons and to keep the new Indian Ambassador within limits. Similarly, a senior BJP Minister is in Muscat to discuss various things. It is believed that the Indian school issue will be one of the items in the minister's agenda.
As there is a clear convergence of business interest, various political leaders have entered into a "marriage of convenience' so that the Indian Ambassador, senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, leading sociopolitical organisations and even the media remain silent about the controversial school issue. Some of the new members in the board of directors are apparently replacement for the old timers. According to inside sources, the school lobby has chalked out a clear cut strategy to control more media exposures and possible moves from the Indian Ambassador by influencing the political machinery in India. Even a one Rial reduction in tution fees or other items would involve huge loss to the busiinessmen who control schools --in one month the total loss of revenue to all the schools would be RO 20,000 -- or Indian Rupees 24 lakhs!
"The lobby was willing to shell out even Rs. 6 to Rs.8 crores to Indian politicians to settle the matter in their favour and stop any action by the Indian Ambassador. Since the Ambassador was taking a tough stand and he could go to the extent of ordering an investigation by the higher authorities in India, the lobby changed its strategy to accept some cosmetic changes in the board composition and retain overall control over school matters. This was particularly needed in view of the detailed reports in the print media," said inside sources. 'This decision was taken because even after spending Rs.8 crores, there is no guarantee that the move would serve their interest or counter changes in the board composition.' It was in this context that some members of the school bard resigned from the board.
Within a few months after the new Indian Ambassador assumed charge, three leading Indian political figures have visited Muscat. All these politicians -- whether from the Muslim League or the BJP-- wining and dining with leading businessmen who have much to lose from the school issue. Even when BJP leader from Kerala was on a private visit in Muscat, a special dinner was hosted by a leading Indian businessman Irrespective of the colour of flag, businessman want the service of Indian politicians.
Despite strong ideological and religious differences which they expressed openly in public meetings, such leaders have 'private meetings' with the Indian businessmen who control the Indian schools. Anther leader was in Muscat to participate in special Iftar parties organised by the businessman and religious leaders. Some of the Kerala politician havebeen allegedly controlling school business through subtle means.
Another strategy adopted by the business lobby is to silence the Indian Ambassador, senior embassy staff , leaders of the social organisations and the media. As almost all the leading businessmen are represented in the revised board of directors, media organisations have been influenced by threatening to withdraw advertisements if they continue to publish school related reports. In one case, the senior official of a leading business group in Muscat interfered and warned that all advertisements will be withdrawn if any more negative school stories appear in an expatriate oriented newspaper. In this fashion, the lobby has been trying to silence two media organisations in Muscat. Attempts have also been made to silence two leading Malayalam Channels aired from Kerala -Viz Asianet and Kairali - which come out with Malayalam current affairs programmes and Gulf News.
It may be noted that two Malayali journalists in Muscat who have played commendable role in exposing the Indian school mismanagement have been threatened in various manners including direct threats to their life. Unidentified callers threatened to eliminate a reporter and his entire family not only in Muscat but back in Kerala. Similar threatening letters are issued against reporters who have been going after school stories.
The more dangerous role to counter school reform campaign is played by an Indian social organisation which has always been controlled by leading Indian businessmen. Even though there are at least three lakh Indians here, the total membership of social organisations remained one thousand or so - not even one per cent of the Indian community population. The covert agenda of these organisations has been to play second fiddle to the businessmen who control every aspect of the expatriate life - health, education, travel, religion etc. Whenever it suits the business lobby's interest, the leaders of the social organisations make big noise about social evils. Otherwise, they will remain silent for unknown reasons. Whether it is the issue of high airfare to India, high tuition fees in Indian schools or medicine prices the social organisations keep studied silence.
In the school issue, some social leaders have been playing a dirty role - a subtle campaign among parents in favour of the businessmen in an attempt to rig the survey being conducted by the Indian Ambassador among parents. Even though these so called leaders have been pretending to be standing for the betterment of Indian community and self proclaimed humanists, they have been campaigning to ensure that there is no change in the current fees structure in schools. Their campaign has been to seek public support for private school promoters against the Indian community schools.
The only loser in this whole drama appears to be ordinary Indian parents who are helpless against the mighty business lobby. Ordinary parents of Indian schools will continue to pay high fees and silently suffer their problems, but the business lobby will continue to make millions. A share of the booty will go to all those who support them in this business.
