Whistle blowing website Wikileaks has sparked a fresh storm in India. Apart from the political establishment, Bollywood also finds itself under its scanner.
The official site of Wikileaks says it is a non-profit organization funded by human rights campaigners, journalists and the general public. Launched in 2006, it promotes the leaking of information to fight government and corporate corruption.
Wikileaks came into limelight in October 2010 when it published 400, 000 secret U.S. files on the Iraq war. The documents highlighted abuse of prisoners, violation of rights and killing of civilians in Iraq.
Silicon India takes you through some of the recent revelations of Wikileaks on Indian Politicians and Bollywood; their genuinity and ramifications.
Mayavati sent private jet to collect sandals
A Wiki cable describes Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayavati as "egomaniac and corrupt". Quoting the CM's aide Satish Mishra, the cable says, "Mayavati is a virtual paranoid dictator and she is bent upon becoming the Prime Minister."
The leak further reveals that Mayavati sent a private jet to get her sandals.
The UP CM has hit back at Wikileak founder Julian Assange calling him a 'madcap' fit to be sent to an asylum.
The aide Mishra has also denied the leak. He calls it a mischief of some opponents to create unrest in the party.
Modi aiming for a greater national role
U.S. diplomatic cables made public by Wikileaks reveal a great political ambition for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
A leak says Modi is using his strong base in Gujarat to find himself a national position in the BJP power struggle. Modi is harping on Gujarat's investment friendly (but not minority friendly) record to get his hands on "bigger things" (a national role) in the party, the cable reveals.
The cable further says Modi has to clean up his image if he is to aspire for the post of the prime minister.
Chidambaram commented on North and South disparity
A cable dated August 2009 quotes Home Minister P Chidambaram saying to American Ambassador Timothy Roemer, "There is a great disparity in the growth of South and North India...South India is the entrepreneurial and business hub of India."
In the same cable, Home Minister allegedly goes on to say that India could achieve 11-12 percent GDP growth if only Southern and Western parts of the country were considered. The rest of the country held back the growth, he laments
Maharashtra lacks in Political leadership
A leaked U.S. cable has hit out at the current and preceding governments in Maharashtra for ignoring development in the state.
The leak further states that even a little infrastructure development in the state should be seen as a major performance due to years of neglect in the state.
Bollywood is funded by Underworld
A leaked U.S. diplomatic cable says Bollywood is funded by corrupt politicians. Without directly referring to Dawood Ibrahim who allegedly funded many movies, the leak says many of the movies in the past decades were funded by the Gangsters from Mumbai's underworld.
The documents also speak about the different aspects of Bollywood including organized crime connections, profitability, growth opportunities and the Bollywood-Hollywood partnership
How genuine are the Wikileaks?
The recent disclosures by Wikileaks have once again revived the debate on the genuinity of the cables. While some feel that Wikileaks is doing the right thing by exposing the dark aspects of the governments across the world, others allege that the Whistle-blowing site is being misused by rival parties to score political mileages.
Our politicians are known for their 'dirty agendas'. However, as a section of the public fears, they may be playing a 'dirtier game' of posting false documents on Wikileaks to unseat their opponents.
Ramifications of the recent leaks
The recent leaks may lead to serious consequences. While causing political embarrassment, they may also dry up informal interactions between states in foreign offices and intelligence agencies. The officials of different countries may only rely on formal communication with each other via notes and printed documents. Fearing leaks of their conversations, the diplomats might avoid informal interactions and chats with the representatives of a host government over a cup of tea or drink.
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