Geopolitical Churning in North East Asia

North Korea has now successfully tested its rocket engine and inching closer to development of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICMB). North Korea’s missile testing spree is speeding up and portending immense danger for the security of the region. Over 20 years of international sanctions have failed to bring DPRK onto the path of denuclearization. DPRK’s burgeoning assertiveness and relentless nuclear buildup is now cause of intense consternation. The heat of situation is more critically felt by South Korea. The twin-Korean Republic capitals are 120 miles away and this alarming nuclear arsenal development prompts deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System) in South Korea to intercept any incoming missile. The installation of THAAD is critically objected by China.

North Korea had been now the front runner of international headlines for its unprecedented number of missiles launches and nuclear tests since last year. While nations are struggling to conclusively figure out a solution to tame DPRK, the infamous assassination of Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of Kim Jong Un in Malaysia on Feb 13^th with a proscribed nerve agent VX further stoked new fears. This event has taken away international attention from the launch of a solid-fueled Pukguksong-2 (North Star-2) capable of hitting the US bases in Okinawa and Guam on Feb 12^th. This attempt was a front runner to Scud missiles launched on Mar 7^th. Use of VX nerve agent had indeed startled the international community forcing it scrutinize UN report that warned of the unabated nuclear proliferation activity of DPRK. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, DPRK has the third largest stockpile of chemical weapons. DPRK is one of six countries which refused to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention of the UN passed in 2006 following its underground nuclear test. While it signed the Geneva Protocol that prohibits used of chemical weapons, it doesn’t prevent the country from producing and accumulating the stockpile. It is believed to have 2500 to 5000 tons of CW agents and capable of producing nerve agents like Sarin and VX. Reports suggest that China and Malaysia exported the chemicals to manufacture CW. For long nations simply ignored the threat since DPRK was reeling under threat and hence their ability to produce CW might have been hampered. But the use of nerve agent VX for assassination has ignited fresh suspicions. DPRK had supplied CW to Syria. In 2009, Greece has intercepted North Korean vessels carrying CW heading towards Syria. North Korea has technology to deploy CW with field artillery, FROG rockets, Scud and Nodong Missiles and now it is developing aiming at ballistic missile delivery.

DPRK irked by the joint military operation of South Korea and US and THAAD installation on March 7th as a show of strength launched four Scud-missiles that landed in the exclusive economic zone of Japan. Post-launch, DPRK announced that “situation is already on the brink of nuclear war” and confirmed that these missiles were tasked to hit the US bases in Japan. The launches came at a time when Trump in a twitter post indicated that ICBM testing will not happen.  Indeed, North East Asian region had never been so dangerously posited as now.

The assassination besides ruining the diplomatic relations between North Korea and Malaysia had earned the rebuke of China. China with an immediate effect, in accordance to UNSC Resolution of 2321 imposed sanctions on importing coal for the rest of the year. Till now China refrained from imposing sanctions on DPRK despite international pressure and terminated purchases after assassination as it offered protection to Kim Jong Nam in Macau. It is widely known that besides, Pakistan, China had the most reliable ally in DPRK and stalling of imports drew lot of attention. The depth of China’s engagement with DPRK is very illustrious and Beijing incessantly uses it leverage with DPRK against US. Calling off imports from DPRK has dimensions to it. An economic report illustrated that China stalled imports from DPRK, since the previous year it had imported record high supplies of coal and facing glut. Also, China, ROK and US tamed Kim Jong Nam, a plausible claimant to DRPK throne to obtain insider report of Pyongyang. Hence his unexpected assassination had dented the objectives of these three countries.

Now, it would be pertinent to analyze DPRK’s close ties with China that strengthened after the Korean war of 1948. With ideology driving the bilateral ties, Kim II Song, the founding father of DPRK and later his son Kim Jong II always held China in very high regard. DPRK with its rich reserves of iron ore, coal, magnesite, bauxite, copper, zinc, and other minerals became dearer to China. Until the death of Kim Jong II in 2011, bilateral ties flourished and prospered. Kim Jong Un, who clinched the reins soon turned dictatorial, aspired to break the glitch of being the client state of China. Unlike his predecessors who embarked on state visits to China regularly, Kim Jong Un refused to visit to Beijing. He pursued a “de-Sinification” program and executed Jang Song Thaek, for his close links with Beijing. He was at a higher position in hierarchy and mentor of Kim Jong Nam in 2013. He was accused of abusing power and underselling resources to China. Killing of Kim Jong Nam exemplifies, Un’s efforts to consolidate his unequivocal authority on the regime and to exterminate all challengers to his power.

China is embittered with DPRK, but is left with no options. Beijing aspires to keep DPRK under its strangle hold vanquishing all chances of reunification of North and South Korea. China views a resurgent Korea in alliance with US as a threat to its inimitable rise. Geostrategist Brahma Chellaney, opined that “for centuries, China has seen the Korean peninsula as its strategic Achilles Heel-a region that offers foreign powers an attractive invasion route or a beachhead for attacking China”. China has an unresolved border dispute with DPRK and believes that a unified Korea might rally against China harder. Territorial dispute is about certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers and centered on Chongji, where a 33-km stretch of the boundary is unsettled. To fortify its territorial claims on North Korea, it is making dubious claims and attempting to rewrite history stating that ancient Kingdom of Koguryo founded on Tongge river basin of North Korean is Chinese, not Korean. Kim Jong Un miffed by Chinese high-handedness is wriggling hard to come out its fold. It is seeking talks with Washington. But the eight-yearlong regime of President Obama grossly misread the situation and intensified sanctions. Sanctions crippled DPRK’s development and shunning of diplomatic engagement propelled Pyongyang’s single-minded pursuit of advancing missile systems and nuclear weapons development process. Now the hastened THAAD deployment in South Korea to protect it against medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles had further deteriorated the vulnerable stability of the region. While the indispensability of THAAD is still an issue of larger debate as it is untested, talks of its installation is brewing trouble in the region.

THAAD deployment by the US in South Korea to protect its ally was viewed with suspicion. As the X-band radar of THAAD with a range of over 2000km can keep a watch on China and detect its missiles in flight. So, China is vainly persuading the US from deploying THAAD. On the other hand, China’s relations with ROK have touched a new low. China is instigating protests, stirring up anti-American sentiments in ROK and stepped up retaliatory tactics. China ordered the tour agencies to cut trips to South Korean island Jeju, popular among Chinese travelers. Imports of cosmetics, electronic goods are blocked. Telecast of Korean entertainment programs is stalled. China is largest trade partner of ROK and economic stand-offs might have a toll on the Asia’s fourth largest economy. ROK is currently battling domestic insurgency with Constitutional Court upholding the impeachment of President Park Guen-Hye and ordering election within the next 60 days. China is already exploiting internal turmoil of ROK. China is bolstering the moves of Minjoo party opposing the deployment of THAAD in South Korea. Already the lawmakers and Minjoo party workers are regularly visiting China to workout strategy of renegotiations with US for THAAD installation.

The unabated missile development of DPRK is keeping the US on tenterhooks. US adopted a similar strategy of imposing economic sanctions on Iran and North Korea, both non-signatories of NPT and straddling the path of nuclear proliferation. While US for time being had tamed Iran, its North Korean strategy outsourced to China had backfired. North Korea soon mastered the art of flouting sanctions with evasive techniques. Reports revealed that DPRK began using foreign citizens as facilitators and relied on front companies to operate with key countries like China, Malaysia, and Singapore. Kim Jong Nam’s assassination clearly validates the claims of the report, wherein foreign nationals are employed to carry out the task. Till now, Malaysia for its favorite country for carrying all its operations, which allowed North Koreans to travel visa-free until the assassination. Incidentally, with Chinese covert support, DPRK is pulling on well despite sanctions without much trouble. Though China has announced blocks on imports, they not exhaustive and fool proof. DPRK is crucial for China’s vital geostrategic interests and Beijing will desist from playing hard ball with Pyongyang. Collapse of DPRK might indeed be deleterious to Chinese interests. It is time, US and other countries come up with viable solutions and persuasive diplomatic engagement to bridle unrestrained galloping of DPRK along path of nuclear proliferation. Trump administration should review its North Korean policy now.

China is in war of words with Japan also with Tokyo all set to send its largest warship, Izumo on a three-month tour to Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and Sri Lanka through the South China Sea before joining Malabar joint naval exercises with Indian and US vessels. China’s unapologetic aggressive assertions and United States inept Asian policy has eventually turned North East Asia into potential rivalry zone.

@ Copyrights reserved.

King Salman postpones state visit to Maldives over protests of sell-off of Faafu atolls

The month-long visit of Saud King Salman bin Abdul Aziz to East Asian countries raised several eyebrows. The powerful king embarked on an official visit to Asian countries-Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Japan, and Maldives to bolster economic links with this region under its “vision 2030” doctrine. A humongous entourage of more than 1000 which included Princes, Diplomats, Clerics, Officials carrying 459 metric tons first landed in Malaysia in a grandiose style. Slump in crude oil markets have in recent years forced Saudi Arabia to diversify its investment. Armed with twin objectives of strengthening economic ties with this region and to deepen religious ties with Muslim-majority nations Sauds are making forays into East Asian region. With flustering of bilateral ties with the US, Saudi Arabia is making rapid strides to reach out to China and Japan, the largest buyers of Saudi Oil.  Saud King, so far has inked several pacts to make investments in Malaysia, Indonesia, defence agreements with China and sought joint collaborations with Japan and China in transportation and infrastructure development. Besides, Saudi Arabia has extended financial aid for religious studies and issued visas for pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina to citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia.

While the trip has many dimensions to it, the last leg of King Salman’s visit to Maldives for two weeks stands postponed. His state visit to Maldives was cause of intense trepidation for India. As per the original itinerary, two entire resorts were booked for the King Salman and his entourage. International media was rife with reports of President Yameen’s plans of selling-off Faafu atolls to Saudi Arabia. Maldives, lying along the major shipping routes in the Indian Ocean has a great geostrategic significance. The archipelago comprising of twenty-six atolls spanning over 1000 kilometers in the Indian Ocean is extremely popular among the international tourists for its blue lagoons and myriad beaches. Faafu atolls, a collection of 19 low-lying islands, 120 km from the capital Male and inhabited by 4000 people to Saudi Arabia. The government simply dismissed denied the reports of selling entire atoll and claimed that Saudi Arabia is planning to set up $10 billion (roughly equal to three times the GDP of Maldives) SEZ which includes medical infrastructure, educational institutes besides, resources for promoting high-end tourism. on Faafu atolls to promote tourism and downplayed the concerns of the opposition.  But an alleged audio leak two ahead of King Salman state visit revealed President Yameen’s intentions of selling the atolls to Prince Mohammed “who would own the islands for perpetuity”. This audio leak had triggered massive protests across the archipelago leading to postponement of King’s visit. Though the Maldivian government blamed the postponement on the outbreak of Swine flu. A series of events like detention of journalists, confinement of opposition leaders and confiscation of material related to protests, bribing officials into silence clearly suggest that media reports about Faafu atolls are indeed true. With details of the project shrouded in anonymity geostrategic experts are visibly disconcerted. Further chilling reports of brewing radicalization in Maldives in the past four past years had fueled anxiety of India watchers.

Former Maldivian president in exile Nasheed is openly voicing concerns about the dubious Saudi Arabia-Maldives collaboration and questioned absence of transparent bidding process. Nasheed came to power in 2008 ending three-decade long dictatorship of President Mahmood Gayoom but soon Nasheed’s rule was cut short by a palace coup staged by supporters of Gayoom. Nasheed unlike his predecessor tried to foster bilateral ties with India and the West and strongly believed in democratic credentials. He was largely seen as a pro-Indian leader. But he was thrown out of power in 2012 and country plunged into an unrest. In the ensuing elections, he won and laid claims to power. But soon he was soon shunted out of power and jailed by his political opponents on fictitious charges. Later President Abdulla Yameen, half- brother of Gayoom assumed the reins in November 2013. Like his brother Gayoom who declared Maldives as 100% Muslim country, built mosques to spear head Islamization, Yameen deepened relations with Saudi Arabia. Days into power, he revamped the liberal democratic credentials of the government. This included blocking of all religions except Sunni Islam, adherence to principles of Islam, legitimization of the fatwa, mandatory study of Koran in schools and made Arabic language a compulsory subject. Yameen extensively travelled to Saudi and signed an agreement with Saudi Arabian Muslim Scholars Association to obtain huge grant for construction of mosques, facilitating the travel of Arab clerics, and awarding scholarships for studying Islam. He throttled democratic voices, restricted freedom of press and passed a constitutional resolution making Islam the state religion. In the same stride, he rolled out red carpet to China, who is supporter of the 54-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). In short, Yameen brought about a radical change in its foreign policy by embracing China and allowing the Saudi Arabia to spread the radical Islam tenets. Saudi Arabia eventually set up embassy in Male. Even the number of flights operating between Riyadh and Male had doubled.

Located south of the Lakshadweep Islands, Maldives is in India’s backyard and robust indoctrination of Maldivians is a grave threat to India. India and Maldives share a historical connect with reports indicating transmission of conservative Wahhabi ideology to Kerala. In 2007, Indian police arrested Maldivian youth accused in Male bomb blast in Kerala. Maldives tryst with Islam began quite early since its location served as a stopping point for the seafarers and traders of West Asia. The Island thus had become a fertile ground for Islam. Till 2008, despite Gayoom’s hard-core Islamic credentials, the island profusely exuberated syncretic culture. But after losing power, President Gayoom joined hands with Islamic hardliners to topple liberal democratic regime of Nasheed paving way for the resurgence of radical Islam. By 2012, Maldives witnessed a sudden rise of hard-core Islamists. Demonstrations carrying the black flag of IS and chants against democracy became more common. Post 2014, number of mosques sprang up across the Island, adoption of headscarves and burquas by women and movement of youth to Syria and Iraq to fight along IS increased tremendously. According to a latest estimate 200 to 300 Maldivians travelled to Syria to join the IS ranks. These startling figures compared to its miniscule population of 400,000 indeed sends warning signals. The IS being driven from the Middle East, is seeking new havens for renewing the process of radicalization. With uninterrupted flow of funds and ideologues from Saudi Arabia, Maldives is bound to turn into breeding ground for Wahhabi Ideology. While Maldives vainly attempts to dispels fears of churning out radicals, Saudi Arabia and China are all set to capitalize on its strategic geographical positioning.

China identified Maldives as an important part of its strategic “String of pearls” and began deepening its relations with the Island to have a foot hold in the Indian Ocean. Ever since China has been proactively clinching infrastructure development projects on the island. In December 2016, Maldives quietly leased out an Feydhoo Finolhu, an uninhabited island closest to Male for 50 years to a Chinese company for $4 million. Maldivian government has tactfully amended its law in July allowing government to bypass competitive bidding. Earlier in 2014, China won a contract worth $210 million for construction of Friendship bridge connecting Male’s eastern edge to western corner of island Hulhule where international airport is located. Indeed, China has also agreed to build a runway for airport at Laamu, south of Faafu atolls. Interestingly, Saudi Arabia too have larger plans for Maldives and in 2014, just before President Xi’s visit King Salman as Crown Prince pledged $1.2 million to build mosques, donated $1.5 million to health sector and $1 million to Islamic Ministry’s Waqf Fund. Saudi Arabia used soft power as a bait to gain strategic benefits from Maldives. Saudi Arabia followed similar strategy before announcing construction of a base at Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa. Saudi’s declaration came six weeks after China’s announcement of setting up military base in Djibouti. This major announcement can’t be mere coincidence.

Saudi Arabia and Chinese relations took a new turn when President Xi broke neutrality and supported Saudi stand on Yemen. Ever since bilateral military cooperation intensified and counterterrorism forces of both countries conducted joint military exercise recently. Saudi Arabia in a bid to lessen its reliance on America, agreed to be part of OBOR too. Strategic experts are now speculating that China and Saudi Arabia might perhaps join hands to build military base in Maldives as both countries want to “safe guard trade routes-their oil routes-to their new markets, to have strategic installations and infrastructure”. As of now Saudi Arabia is busy greasing hands of the protesters in Maldives to annihilate any residual opposition. Till recently, former President Nasheed harangued that climate change would threaten the existence of the archipelago.  But now he is vociferously campaigning against leasing out of Faafu islands raising serious concerns about the impending fall out on Maldivian sovereignty. Unfortunately, coaxed by the Ultra-conservative Islamic ideology and mired by 70% external debt to China, Maldives might eventually concede the atolls. India can hardly ignore the developments in Maldives due its geographical proximity and deep historical connect with radical Islamic groups in Kerala.

@ Copyrights reserved.

Is ominous indignation of Secular Brigade relevant anymore?

For all the vile remarks and obnoxious debates with respect to appointment of Mahant Yogi Adityanath as the 21^st Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, calling it an assault on secularism, did media ever introspect why secularism wasn’t included in preamble in the first place? The description of India was changed in 1975 when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi through 42^nd amendment brought in massive changes in the Indian constitution by adding the words “Secular and Socialist” to the preamble. The amendment, notoriously referred as the “mini constitution” or “Constitution of Indira”, besides redefining India, reduced the powers of the Supreme Court, High Courts and laid down the fundamental duties.  Koenraad Elst, in his insightful commentary offers a profound explanation as why the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar refused to include the word secular in the preamble. Like Mahatma Gandhi, he too firmly believed that religious pluralism has been an integral part of the Hindu society and hence the need for separate doctrine calling for “equal respect for all religions” seemed trivial. This simple understanding really sums it all. India has been a cradle for various beliefs, religions, customs. For centuries people of different faiths lived in harmony and co-existence. Hence the issue of being guided by the doctrines of Secularism laid out and borrowed from Europe civilization was thought to be a misfit in a nation with entrenched culture of religious pluralism. But with time, the founding principles, and the basic character of the Hindu Civilization, began to lose significance. The vital ideology began to erode.

From the late 19^th century, leaders for various reasons began to appease certain communities for larger political gains prior to the independence movement. Simultaneously the developments in Europe and their ideological frame work of secularism found consonance with India leaders educated in the West. A sudden surge in Pan-Islamic identity was witnessed in India after British victory defeated Ottoman Empire. To win the confidence of the Muslim League, to strengthen the Indian protests during the Independence Struggle, Indian National Congress and Gandhi supported the All India Khilafat Movement. After Independence to respect the sensibilities of Muslims, Indian leaders have conceded to their wishes. Nonetheless, this perspective guided even India’s foreign affairs so to say- being sympathetic to Arabs, equating racism to Zionism, support to Palestine etc. The practice of catering to a community gradually began to make strong in roots in the Indian Polity. This eventual appeasement, in turn became the core of the Indian secularism. Further by making secularism a basic tenet of the Constitution, it has emerged as the guiding doctrine for Indian leadership.

Religious plurality is ingrained in Indian civilization. But the motley group of intellectuals indoctrinated by Indianized version of secularism started infamously contesting the basic precincts of the land by labelling it as “Hindutva”. Institutions, organizations, individuals championing this religious plurality are looked down and any effort to uphold pluralism is deemed communal. Alas !!! these self-proclaimed secularist tribe fail to understand that unlike the Abrahamic religions of the West, the definition of religion in India is comprehensive. Religion in India is a way of life.  Consequently, the narrow, biased definition of Secularism included in Constitution through amendment became the bulwark. The Congress party and its ilk over the decades institutionalized this definition. In the past seven decades, this dictum ruled the roost. With the appointment of Yogi Adityanath who was branded as Hindu fundamentalist, BJP has turned the tide. BJP strongly believed in secularism rooted in religious pluralism, a concept which was widely misconstrued. It had few takers but continued to exist at the fringes. Labelled as communal, all its initiatives and activities were viewed through tinted glass.

In the meanwhile, minority appeasement began more rampant. Even initiatives like RTE weren’t sparred of this bigotry. The secular narrative practiced by the political establishments began to touch the lives of common man. While the media dominated by branded secular tribe never brooked on this issue, the skewed religious demographics, concessions to minorities and their religious heads, political parties pledging for reservation based on religion became more intense. Perhaps, the Hindu community in the largest state of UP with 19% of minority population began to silently bear the brunt of this blatant appeasement. Though MSM haven’t ever delved on this issue the record number of 450 riots in the Western UP and the inept political handling had undoubtedly left an indelible impression on the majority community. The article may sound condescending. But in fact, Prime Minister’s remarks on “Kabristan” which was out rightly condemned by the secular brigade as fomenting polarization, perhaps reflected ground realities. The victimized voices found a ray of hope in BJP paving way for Hindu vote consolidation.

Despite its poor appeal for several decades BJP’s idea of pluralism had thrived. Though BJP was in power earlier it obtained an overwhelming majority only in 2014. Ever since, the party has been making attempts to push forward it ideological perspective. This conservative (so to say) perspectives began to gain ground and challenge westernized narratives that dominated the academic and intellectual domains for past seven decades.

The colossal electoral mandate in UP provided needed impetus for BJP to push forward the ideology it envisioned for India. Losing no opportunity, Modi-Shah duo rose to the occasion and made a bold decision that embattled the secular brigade. The brutish majority and immense popularity of Yogi Adityanath together heralded his ascent to post of Chief Minister. Expectations are exceptionally high from Yogi Adityanath so is the scrutiny. The hawkish media will now closely follow the UP story. Risks are high and any misadventure in administration might cost BJP electorally. Interestingly, there is a resounding resonance to the BJP’s idea of secularism on the ground now. Stakes are high and UP administration must prove that development and Hindutva can go hand in hand. After winning his straight fifth term in 2014, Yogi Adityanath said that “my agenda is Hindutva and development and they complement each other.” It is time for swift action. Good governance can augur BJP’s electoral triumph and political ambitions. Enthusiastic columns endorsing and hailing the BJP’s decision at Myindmakers and elsewhere testimonies the same.

Rajeev Bhargav once stated that, “India’s secularism is no copy of Western secularism, based on keeping or creating a distance in the relation between religion and the state. Instead it embraces religion, but tries to keep neutrality between the different religions. Except that it makes a distinction between the majority and minorities, which get privilege in the constitution, the laws and political practice, in order to protect them from the majority. Thus, a parliamentary majority involving non-Hindus imposed reforms on Hinduism but doesn’t touch Muslim law. India discriminates against the majority”. At present, the designation of majority and minority are slowly losing relevance. The narrow demarcating line is rather smudged now. In states like Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern States and Punjab Hindus are a minority. In Kerala, there is no distinct majority community, Hindus have shrunk from the 50% mark. In terms of demographic statistics, a minority community can at times be a majority in a particular state. So, on what basis are communities designated as majority or a minority?

Discrimination and pandering are the outcomes of this skewed doctrine of secularism advocated by Indian establishment. The basic minimum condition of a secular state is that all citizens should abide by same laws. In India, every religion has a separate law. Hence India is not a secular state. The paradigm of Hindutva, which cherishes religious pluralism, often ridiculed as anti-secular is a true exponent of secularism. The only political party that promises real secularism is BJP which promises to bring about Uniform Civil Code. Paradoxically, BJP is labelled communal.

Regarding anointing Yogi Adityanath, the newly elected MLAs chose him as their leader in a democratic way. Honoring the decision of democratically elected peoples’ representatives, BJP has reinstated him as the Chief Minister. He has established his political credentials by getting elected five times in a row. Every time the margin of victory is higher than previous elections. Indian media is known for branding any vocal Hindu leader adorning saffron robes as a Hindu Fundamentalist. (Indian Secularists strictly adhere to the gospel: questioning Christian or Muslim faiths and their clergy is blasphemous, but demonizing Hindu Priests is upholding secularism).  Enough of this meaningless rant….

@ Copyrights reserved.

How will BJP’s unprecedented electoral triumph pan out for India?

Make no mistake, in democracy, a decisive and dominant leader is always rewarded. The unprecedented victory of BJP in India’s largest state has flabbergasted the political pundits and the opposition parties. Much before elections, media declared that the electoral verdicts would be a referendum on demonetization, had built tremendous momentum for the same. Though BJP busted the media predictions of electoral debacle by romping home victories in Chandigarh, Odisha, Maharashtra municipal elections, MSM chose to undermine the popular verdict. MSM inimitable grouse towards BJP is well known.  The landslide victory of BJP in assembly elections had proved naysayers, which largely included the media and political pundits wrong. They miserably failed to assess electoral acceptance of BJP. With abysmal poll predictions, their reputation and elitism touched a new low. Incidentally, BJP by winning the highest number of assembly seats in past four decades had not only made mockery of tendentious political pundits but reduced the opposition to smithereens. BJP won 3/4^th majority in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the heartland of the Hindi belt and performed exceedingly well in Manipur. In Goa, anti-incumbency and internal rifts had a toll on electoral outcome. Of the five poll bound states, BJP announced that it will form government in four states. But experts were skeptical about the party’s assertions.

By clinching a massive victory in the third year of power, Prime Minister Modi belied fabricated narratives of the media and emerged as a dominant leader. Unlike the intermittent outbursts of opposition leaders, Modi’s relentless pursuit towards development and enviable people connect made him popular among masses. While opposition tried to portray Modi government suit boot ki Sarkar, the poor had found new hope in Modi. Unprecedented acceptance of Modi and sweeping electoral mandate reflects the same. Right from early 1950’s power brokers had manufactured an identity which led to genesis of minority vote banks. Over the decades, these have become valuable assets to politicians who smartly milked the gains. On the other hand, the majority community was divided and voted along lines of caste, creed etc. This kind of identity politics and voting patterns thus perpetuated. In the current elections, the demarcations along various identities have smudged. BJP accused of polarizing communities is depicted as a Hindutva force. Its rise is projected as inclement to minorities. By analogy media predicted that BJP will voted out in Muslim majority areas. Muslims constitute 19% of voters in UP. Amit Shah was charged of marginalizing minorities for not having a single Muslim candidate in the list. But BJP swept polls in Deoband region and won 57 seats in areas with over 25% Muslim voters. Growing electoral support of Muslims towards BJP indicates that poverty is greatest leveler and that appeasement politics too have expiry date.

While media had scoffed at various initiatives of Prime Minister the fruits of schemes like Mudra yojana, Jan Dhan yojana, Ujjwala yojana, Suraksha Bhima Yojana, construction of toilets under Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, direct bank transfers are slowly transforming lives of the impoverished. Modi’s flagship program, Guru-Shishya parampara of paid training to unemployed Muslim youth seems to be catching up with the minorities. For decades, poverty alleviation had been a political rhetoric and delivery was a myth. The poor and aspirational class had finally found a leader in Modi who could deliver. The overwhelming majority in UP clearly reflects the same. This unconventional voting pattern in UP might pave way for decimation of vote-bank politics. Instead, majority consolidation and approval may begin to change the tide of the elections. Political parties which are now catering to interests of certain sections of society will be forced to change their course. With BJP, well ahead of the curve in this aspect, other parties have lot of catching up to do. The poor and aspirational class will no longer be swayed by empty promises. Development, good governance, transparency will be rewarded.

Development and poverty eradication often transcends caste barriers. BJP has won the confidence of aspirational class with promise of development. In the past seven decades, leaders have reinvented and extensively used the term poverty and appeasement for pocketing votes. By taking bold steps Modi has earned confidence of people. With promise of new hope and change, Modi have set new benchmarks. Challenges are much harder now. Partisan politics may no longer find takers. Opposition parties may find it harder to take on BJP if they fail to resonate with aspirations of people. Empowerment is becoming a buzz word and the young voters are yearning for a massive transformation. Consequently, parties lacking an inclusive, comprehensive vision may sooner or later hit a stumbling block. Politicians must reinvent and recalibrate their strategies to stay relevant for greater electoral mobilization.

Imbued with ideological commitment and armed with comprehensive vision for India, with time, BJP has mastered the social engineering. It quickly learnt lessons from poll debacles and being cadre-based party, dynasty proliferation was curtailed. Having nurtured and fired in ambition of building a strong nation, party workers are disciplined and ideologically uncompromising. Years of work at grass root levels have hardened the party workers. Hence opposition parties may not find it easy to break into the bastions of BJP. Till now BJP was treated as political pariah and was alienated by other parties on charges of being communal. Signifying the end of political alienation, political outfits in Goa and Manipur reposed faith in BJP paving way for formation of government in both states headed by BJP.  By staking claims for formation of government in Goa and Manipur BJP has exuded new found political assertiveness.

With massive electoral mandate comes huge responsibility. The new BJP government in UP must gear up for the uphill task of fulfilling expectations and aspirations of the electorate. It must act on excruciating issues of eradicating corruption, restoring law and order situation, carrying out extensive combing operations to cull out anti-national elements (in the wake of latest IS threat to India, with operating dens in IS) and evolving a strategy to fulfill the aspirations marginalized sections of society. With over 3/4^th majority at its disposal government should diligently construct a frame work for uniform civil code, endeavor to bring the disputed Ramajanmabhoomi issue to logical conclusion and take firm stance on triple talaq. Large number of young Muslim women voted for BJP for its stand on triple talaq.

With BJP’s formidable win Modi now appears to be politically unassailable. This will have greater implications on India’s foreign policy. Modi’s political strength might help in dealings with neighboring countries bestowing him greater authority to take strategic decisions crucial for India’s security. These massive electoral verdicts will eventually help Modi government to have greater bargaining power in Presidential elections. Projects like electrification of villages, improving power supply and distribution of free LPG connections to poor households can be expedited in UP.

Addressing the party supporters after the spectacular victory, Modi called for inclusivity and made a fervent appeal for “building a new India” by 2022 marking the 75^th anniversary of India’s Independence. Earlier in the day he launched an app “ÏamnewIndia” urging the youth to take a pledge of building the India which will make leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Babasaheb Ambedkar proud. Undeniably, Modi’s relentless efforts to usher India into a new realm and the unflinching commitment to work towards development of country is slowly catching up with people. Time and again, media and opposition sneered and scoffed at Modi’s vision of governance, made mockery of initiatives like Swacch Bharat Abhiyan. Following the unprecedented electoral victory, leaders like Chidambaram, Nitish Kumar are acknowledging Modi as a dominant leader and crediting demonetization respectively. Now political pundits and politician Omar Abdullah are calling General elections of 2019 in favour of Modi. As of now, 60% of Indian population in BJP with its allies ruled states, almost seven times more than Congress and its allies ruled states. By 2019, BJP will slowly expand and penetrate into regions emerging as a pan-Indian party. 

@ Copyrights reserved.

Ultra-leftist DU professor Saibaba convicted for Maoist Links

DU Professor GN Saibaba and five others were convicted for their links with the banned CPI(M) organization and awarded life imprisonment by a sessions court in Gadricholi, Maharashtra. On August 22^nd, 2013, Maharashtra Police nabbed Hem Mishra, a JNU Student Mahesh Tikri and Pandu Narote who were carrying a microchip to be passed onto dreaded Naxal Narmada Akka operating from Gadchiroli forest following a tip-off. These three pretended as mediators to enter the forest. After initial police interrogation of the suspects, Prashant Rahi, a freelance journalist and Vijay Tikri who was acting as courier were also taken into police custody in September 2013. The story slowly then began to unfold and police finally zeroed in Saibaba, the master mind behind the whole network. After six months of extensive search, police arrested Saibaba who was operating under various pseudonames on 9^th May 2014. Saibaba, an English professor at DU’s Ram Lal Anand College was arrested in May, 2014 by Maharashtra Police for providing logistic support, and recruiting students for Maoist front. He is wheel-chair bound and 90% disabled. On medical grounds, Mumbai High court granted him bail after 14 months for three months. He was re-arrested on Dec 25^th 2015 and was released in December 2016 on a bail issued by Supreme court.  

Saibaba who hails from Amalapuram district of Andhra Pradesh was engaged in Naxal activities from his college days. He completed his MA and PhD from University of Hyderabad, founded the All India People’s Representation Forum (AIPRF) and worked as secretary of the forum from 1994 and 1996. During this period, he was arrested number of times for being the brain behind various attacks on police, for recruiting students to carry the fight against the democratic system of governance. In 2005, he joined Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), an organization banned for subversive activities by Andhra Pradesh government. RDF was frontal organization of CPI (M) with a motto of “Naxalbari Ek Hi Rasta”. But he steadily climbed the hierarchical ladder of the Maoists and even helped in formation of Committee for Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP) with the help of RDF. Saibaba over a period of time travelled extensively to different countries and established firm contacts with like-minded people across the world. It was officially established that he has contacts with Maoists operating in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. He was instrumental in forging strong links between the Maoists and separatists of Kashmir. In a startling revelation, Maharashtra police said that four students carrying out anti-state struggle, who are members of Democratic Student’s Union (DSU) joined Maoists at behest of Saibaba. They claimed that Saibaba was indoctrinating and recruiting students for Maoist movement.

In its uncompromising verdict sessions court clearly reiterated that court can’t recuse Saibaba despite being 90% disabled for the quantum of violence perpetrated leading to loss of several innocent lives. Reacting to the life sentence, Saibaba’s wife, Vasanta said, “In the history of Maharashtra this is the first case in which all the persons have been convicted in all sections with life imprisonment. No evidence has been proven by the prosecution….electronic evidence were not sealed.” On expected lines, she is playing a victim card and alleging it as conspiracy of BJP-RSS combine. Sympathy is already pouring from various quarters and the leftist-liberal brigade is preparing ground for blowing the issue out of proportions. Hence expect thousands of op-Eds condemning the authoritarianism of the BJP government (both at Centre and state). Frankly, this judgement couldn’t have come at much better time. The court had dispassionately awarded punishment to all the convicts under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The message was loud and clear: a person with 90% disability is not entitled for leniency since he is the think-tank of a frontal organization that perpetrates violent, anti-national activities.

Herein comes an interesting twist to the tale: Campus wars in the capital held all the narratives under siege. Liberal brigade under the umbrage of freedom of speech began shielding persons who have raised the anti-national slogans. They fiercely supported Umar Khalid who was organized a meeting condoling Afzal Guru and raised anti-national slogans. Interestingly, Khalid who is now arrested on sedition charges is established to have links with left-wing extremists. In September 2015, Khalid travelled to Nagpur to meet Misra, JNU student who was arrested for acting as courier between Saibaba and underground leaders of CPI (Maoist) Puppalla Laxman Rao alias Ganapathy. The level of coordination and support clearly reinforces deep-seated understanding between Maoist sympathizers and students embracing separatist conspiracies.

Khalid’s 11-year-old sister Sarah Fatima, rechristened as Comrade Sarah, welcoming his brother who was released on bail in March 2016, amidst cheers of JNU crowds said, “It is a moment to rejoice that Umar and Anirban have come out of jail together. But I want to tell you everyone that our struggle doesn’t end here. We need to continue our struggle till everyone (including DU professors G.A.R. Gilani and G.N. Saibaba) gets justice and all charges are dropped” explicitly brandishing the deep-seated ties between urban elitist Maoists and secessionists.

With regards to credentials of Umar Khalid, the news link http://www.india.com/news/india/umar-khalid-a-maoist-reveals-maharashtra-police-probe-against-the-jnu-student-975627/ quotes that unconfirmed Intelligence Bureau report indicates he is a Pakistan terror operative Jaish-e-Mohammed sympathizer (JeM). It needs no genius to join the dots as why the azadi slogans raised across the border by militant networks are heard in the prestigious University of our capital city.

The vicious “urban Maoist” networks are vitiating University atmosphere. Mounting evidences clearly indicate close links between Maoist leaders and students with secessionist agenda. The veil of leftist brigade is now falling-off. But still they continue to argue, coerce, and justify the actions of students. Raising anti-national slogans in JNU wasn’t an isolated case, the rot is slowly spreading to other universities. Can a country like India, sandwiched by belligerent neighbors afford to ignore the deeply-entrenched nexus between Maoists and secessionists? Is it fair to simply dismiss anti-national slogans as perversion of misguided youth? 

@ Copyrights reserved.

An antidote for Reza Aslan's offensive attack on Hinduism

At a time, when Varanasi became cynosure of Indian media for the high-decibel political activity, right across the globe a tendentious attempt was made to create “Hinduphobia” under the ruse of unravelling the spiritually vibrant Banaras city. The obnoxious portrayal of Varanasi, the “City of Light” as the “City of Death” by Islamist Scholar, Reza Aslan, in a six-episode Spiritual Adventure series, Believer elicited sharp responses from the Hindu community. Broadcasted on CNN, the articulate anchor who wouldn’t take an iota of criticism on Islam had tarnished the reverberating spiritual iconoclastic civilizational values of India. The episode which aired grotesque images of corpses, had depicted the Aghori cult of Hindu believers in a poor light. The attempt to portray random brown bearded men as people practicing cannibalism at the height of racial crimes in US is abominable. The brutal misinterpretation of the sanctity of the river Ganges and a reckless assault on the faith of millions of people is indeed callous. In the last few weeks, Indians in US have become victims of racial discrimination. This insidious misrepresentation of the third largest religion in the World will not augur well for Indian Americans who are already facing the heat of the anti-immigration. For decades, India Americans are known for their invaluable contributions to American society and are widely reckoned for their peaceful coexistence. While Reza Aslan and CNN had the temerity to grossly distort the sanctity of the scared city of Varanasi could they ever dare say a word against Mecca or Jerusalem?

Post 9/11 to defuse Islamophobia, Aslan passionately argued that Islamism and Jihadism were different. Further he tried to impress that Al-Qaeda was waging a cosmic war with the West. He expounded that Cosmic war “is a ritual drama in which participants act out on earth a battle they believe is actually taking place in heavens”. He even prescribes that “Cosmic war is not to fight, but rather to engage moderate Islamic political forces in the democratic process”. Hence, he tones down the necessity of waging a war on terrorism. [With this he had necessarily evaded from condemned the brutal beheadings and inhuman atrocities committed by IS against minorities and specifically Yazidi women].  In fact, Washington Post, commends his thought process saying that it “offers a very persuasive argument for the best way to counter jihadism”. The New Yorker too applauded his interpretation. Reza thus had a phenomenal success in allaying fears of Islamism at least in intellectual circles. But why on earth should CNN and Reza stoke fears among Americans with dehumanized portrayal of a fringe mystic Hindu group?

Indian Americans have earned a distinct repute for making outstanding achievements and are among the top tier of the American society still why do channels like CNN relentlessly endeavor to portray India as land of snake charmers? Why this cynical obsession of offensive portrayal of India? This disdainful representation can’t be simply ignored since the Western media has an extensive outreach and penetration through which it can make or break narratives. At this juncture, it might perhaps be important to draw lessons as how the western media functions and how Hindus must learn to handle the gross misinterpretations of Hinduism. In the controversial California text books case, an attempt was made to replace “Hindu” and “India” with “South Asia” amounting to erasing and diminishing the significance of India. It could have been a brazen obliteration of India from the historical precincts. Due to the stellar efforts of the Hindu-American organizations, a literally battle was waged. The honors were equally divided with some of the corrections recommended by Hindu groups reinstated and some historical aberrations corrected. But still there were some discrepancies in the interpretation of Hinduism and India. Indeed, this was one of literary battles waged by the Indologists in Contemporary times who managed to win it partially. The battle of narratives between the Left-Liberals versus the “Hindutva forces” or “Conservatives”, has brought to fore the absence of authoritarians on Hindu intellectuals. Despite being one of the oldest religions, India grievously lacks the intellectual firepower or a battalion of scholars who can defend santana dharma on any platform.

Religion in modern times is judged by the Abrahamic axioms that basically deals with faith in God and mandates the followers to religiously abide by the principles outlined in a holy scripture. But Hinduism unlike the modern religions is more about seeking and urges the seeker to look within to realize the “Brahman”. Interestingly, the all-encompassing Hinduism is so flexible and amenable that it exhorts believers of the faith to pursue different ways to seek salvation. While the beginners are initiated into the religion through simple rituals, ardent seekers inclined to ascend higher realms of spirituality are persuaded to enter the next level. Religious leaders or Gurus emphasize on Sadhana or meditation for the enthusiasts. Resplendent Hinduism is thus an ocean of knowledge which can’t be judged by preset boundaries or narrow definitions. To defend this iconic religion a person must take a plunge into the treasure troves. Unfortunately, despite inheriting this enviable treasure troves, successive Indian leadership failed to promote the Indic narratives. Interestingly, there are distinguished chairs and study centers for various religions in India in top-tier universities, but no dedicated center for Hinduism. Ancient scriptures, invaluable literature receives scant attention. While there will be a spurt in outrage when Hinduism is mocked at, India critically falls short of the intellectual arsenal to give a befitting reply. Even now Sanskrit, mother of all languages and the only medium to unravel ancient scriptures is derided. Though the offensive attacks on the religion can be combatted with intellectual might, the rabid misinterpretation can stop altogether if India aspires to become a developed country-economically and militarily strong.

@ Copyrights reserved.

Selective Outrage: A Proprietary Right of Leftist-Liberals

Top tier institutes of the national capital which should be making headlines for momentous academic achievements are hijacking the news headlines for abject fracas orchestrated by their political mentors. The high-drama which loomed large over University campuses, began on Feb 22^nd refuses to die down even after a week. Like the events which unfolded on JNU campus around the same time last year, the main stream media had yet again managed to chisel a hero to garner all the sympathies. By and large this phenomenon of making heroes and playing victim card to portray current political administration as authoritative seems to be the main agenda. This process indeed has its origins in the worst ever electoral defeats suffered by the dynasty and its romantic seasonal bed partners.

Ever since Modi’s ascent to power, Indian public is bombarded with new and non-decrepit phrases which have become routine words in normal parlance. Terms like- freedom of expression, intolerance, fascist regime, extremism, oppression, anti-national, right to dissent began to dominate the political discourse. Each of these phrases traces their origins to synchronized desperate, dramatic events aimed to tarnish the Narendra Modi government, who is viciously targeted, trolled by the combined opposition. Every significant uprising since then was aimed at creating more turbulence and widening the binaries. The absolute majority of the NDA in 2014, has denied the grand old party of India to even clinch the position of leader of principal opposition. Congress critically fell short of the required numbers to claim the post. Unrest was brewing among the opposition. Besides the major upset in 2014 general elections, Congress was drubbed in every other assembly election post-2014. Subsequently, Lutyens Circle and its confederate intellectual cabal was reduced to a minor-league. Sulking media and fretful opposition combine unleashed a campaign to aggravate dormant ideological asymmetries. While this might appear to be an irresponsible allegation, the series of uncanny assaults on the political establishment validates these charges.

The campaign made its first significant impact through mysterious attacks on Churches in capital city a week prior to the state assembly elections. This adversely impacted the electoral prospects of BJP in Delhi. Emboldened by its malicious campaign- a spree of wild but potentially disruptive events began to dominate the political scenario. Heralded by protests at IIT Madras that implicated the high-handedness of Ministry of Human Resources followed by stiff opposition and massive media outrage towards sale of beef in Maharashtra. Though the ban on sale of meat was in vogue for past several years of Congress rule, a sudden upsurge in outrage was witnessed with MSM taking sides under NDA government. Even before this uproar could die, unfortunate lynching of Mohammed Akhlaq by a mob over suspicions of beef consumption had created a national furor. Akhlaq later succumbed to death. Media castigated the government for the crime. Extensive media coverage coupled with intellectual outcry of growing intolerance provided enough meat for all international newspapers. Consequently, articles titled “Ïndia being ruled by Hindu Taliban” began to make their appearance. Back home, Nayantara Sehgal, nephew of Jawaharlal Nehru gave fresh impetus to intellectual cabal by returning the Akademi award triggering the Award Wapsi row. This orchestration began to spread like a wild fire. The intellectual elite later milked the suicide of a Dalit student, Rohit Vemula on the University of Hyderabad campus alleging Dalit-suppression. It is widely known that the student unions in Universities have strong political affiliations. Political leaders of various hues made a bee-line to campus, lashing out at the University administration and condoning the central government. Soon this fueled agitations in different universities. It is important to ponder over all these issues to reiterate the fact that Leftist-Liberal outrage had always been selective. To foment more trouble for ruling party which had a pro-Hindu image, Left brigade pulled up all strings to oppose Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, World Cultural Festival along banks of Yamuna, stall the inauguration of 112-ft statue of Adi Yogi at Coimbatore, intensified campaigns on ecological grounds against burning of firecrackers during Diwali.

Alternatively, media-intellectual outrage blissfully opted to ignore incidents of same intensity and amplitude that occurred during the same period. Attacks on temples which have increased manifold never received any attention or condemnation. Communal clashes in UP, mass exodus of Hindus from Kairana village of UP, Kaliachowk riots, Dhulagarh riots in Bengal, merciless beating of Hindu students of Tehatta High School in Uluberia, West Bengal for celebrating Saraswati Puja, killings of Sangh followers in Kannur, killings of gau rakshaks in Karnataka haven’t ever made to headlines of any major newspaper. Suicide of Rohit Vemula was protested but suicide of 21-year-old Abhishek in Sringeri, Karnataka wasn’t ever debated since Abhishek belonged to ABVP. The hypocrisy of the intellectual elite is glaring.

The political narrative of independent India has been hijacked for the past seven decades by the Left- brigade. Campuses, Universities, academic institutions, media have been strong bastions of the Left. Naturally, students passing out from these institutions were indoctrinated with these ideologies. Globally, elite educational institutions have been breeding grounds for leftist ideology who were categorically referred to as Liberals. Any alternative narrative that tried to question or challenge was unsparingly pushed back. Dissenting voices were muffled. So globally debates cornered around Liberal Vs Conservative/ right-wing thinking. As a result, academia, curriculum and education set-ups are devoid of alternative facts, data sets or counter-arguments. In India, too all other counter-arguments challenging the existing ideology became extinct reflecting the intolerance of dominant ideology that even laid siege on policy-making bodies. This explains the systemic cleansing of non-left academia in India and why economic models of non-left economists like Shenoy, P.C, Mahalanobis, Jagadish Bhagwati have few takers. While the doctrines advocated by Amartya Sen are widely taught and accepted. Leftists especially dominated social Sciences. Indeed, noted Leftist-historians, Irfan Habib and Romila Thapar thwarted peaceful resolution of Ayodhya-Babri Masjid issue. Dr. KK. Muhammed former regional director of ASI in his autobiography revealed that excavation led by Professor BB Lal, DG ASI, in 1966-67 claimed to have found remains of the temple at the disputed site. The cabal of leftist historians have misled the Allahabad High Court. The seminal works of historians and sociologists who offered alternative thought process was brandished as saffron literature and stiffly resisted.

Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Adviser reflecting on the same indicated that independent India was a “reluctant reformer" since the dominant talent pool was averse to new changes. By 1970s when the socialist model advocated by Nehru failed to revive the Indian economy and cloaked a Hindu Growth Rate, economist Raj Krishna prompted Indian leadership to bring in new reforms. It was only in 1991, when India plunged into deeper financial crisis did India reluctantly accepted economic reforms as a final resort. Thus, it needs no rocket science to infer that the so called intellectual elite and AISA (All India Students Associations) have their loyalties towards left.

Last year, JNU students raised anti-Indian during a cultural program commemorating martyrdom of slain terrorist Afzal Guru calling for destruction of India. As the news broke out and charges were slapped on these AISA students the intolerance brigade lashed out at government for curtailing the freedom of expression. Various political parties thronged JNU campus to express solidarity and reiterated dissent is integral to democracy. Political leaders instead of condemning the malicious sloganeering that threatens sovereignty and integrity of the country stood by them citing freedom of speech entitled by constitution of India. Earlier, similar program honoring Afzal Guru was held in University of Hyderabad and Rohit Vemula was part of it. Hence the sloganeering which started in Hyderabad resonated audaciously in JNU campus indicating the existence of a nefarious network. These campuses have been bastions of the Left and none can easily breakthrough. For calling these activities anti-national, Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and by consequence BJP were thoroughly reprimanded. Modi was labelled as fascist and authoritarian. From 2014 till now, left has created several heroes from the ordinary people to play victim card. These include-Mohammed Akhlaq, Rohit Vemula, Kanhaiya Kumar and now Gurmehar Kaur. News just broke out that while sedition charges against Kanhaiya Kumar were scrapped Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya and seven others were charged with raising anti-national slogans. Nine other sloganeers identified were outsiders and Kashmiris. Now contrast this with Kamlesh Tiwari who was slapped with sedition charges for calling Prophet Mohammed first homosexual. He is languishing in jail without any investigation from Dec 2015. There wasn’t a murmur of protest by advocates of free speech.

The present ruckus between ABVP and AISA erupted over Ramjas College extending invitation to Umar Khalid, accused of raising anti-Indian slogans for a seminar on Culture of Protests. When ABVP objected, invitation was withdrawn. (Intriguingly, AISA forced JNU to withdraw invitation Ramdev Baba from entering JNU, Prof Makarand Paranjape was stopped by JNUSU from entering his office-no protests) But this entire episode soon turned ugly with reports suggesting ABVP has resorted to stone throwing. Gurmehar Kaur, a 20-year-old student of Lady Shriram College and daughter of a martyr began to troll ABVP with hashtag #studentsagainstABVP. This latest entrant into college fracas has for a while taken off the sheen from the protests. Instead she was trolled for her one year old video propaganda for peace- which read “Pakistan didn’t kill my dad, war killed him”. This message elicited sharpest responses from a wide range of people on the social media. The trolls she claimed included a rape and death threat. Political cahoots soon charged ABVP of threatening the young girl. ABVP was singled out as a solo villain. Soon twitter was flooded with tweets condemning the Right of being bigoted and misogynistic. The following day Kaur tweeted that she was withdrawing from the protest and left Delhi. Intellectuals resurfaced again, condoning the social media backlash faced by Kaur and linked it to collapse of freedom of expression and hinted of weakening democratic credentials of the country. For the past one week, ABVP alleged that students and faculty of Ramjas College has raised anti-India slogans and hence they protested. But AISA vehemently denied. But the video clippings shown by India Today clearly validated ABVP’s claims.

In the past few decades, Indian political and academic discourse was going through significant churning. The dominance of leftists at least in some pivotal positions is petering out. For various reasons, people with contrarian narratives, untouched by the leftist indoctrination are steadily streaming up in the hierarchy. The momentum for fresh narratives is gaining more strength. While the existing narrative still prefer to call them by various names as illiberal or conservatives or rightwingers, these alien outliers are now grappling with the old world liberal ideologists for their space. These ideologues who monopolized the political and intellectual arena are now resisting the new change. Precisely due to their intolerance, the space for debate and discussion is shrinking. Also, Prime Minister Modi through his diplomatic outreach has significantly reshaped World’s perception towards India. Previously Diplomats and intellectual elite who represented India abroad carried messages and identities of the country shaped and steered by leftist ideology. Now messages deeply reflective of Indic identities, Indic narratives are being presented to the World.

The panoply of events from May 2014, till date clearly reinforces the selective outrage of Leftist Liberals who project themselves as saviors. But they wreaked havoc in a democratic and secular republic by pandering to certain sections of community for their narrow political gains. They have monopolized the political and intellectual space of India and aspires to exert strangle hold. In fact, the dubious raising intolerance campaign stemmed from their deep-seated insecurities. For the first time, the Right is challenging their hegemony over academic and intellectual spaces. The message is now loud and clear, if the Left is unwilling to concede space for debates and discussion, episodes of campus ruckus might become more frequent.

Finally, for all the ruckus over intolerance, will the leftist brigade care to explain their studied silence towards the fatwa against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh, Tarek Fatah, Subhash Chandra issued by Imams of Kolkata & others and for dropping Shazia Ilmi from a session on Triple Talaq organized by Jamia Milia Islamia. Eruption of the campus wars at the fag-end of UP Assembly elections and Award Wapsi tirade rocking the nation just before Bihar assemblies can’t be mere coincidence…..

@ Copyrights reserved.

Modi tears into Congress

Yet again Congress found new pretext for boycotting the Parliament. Needless to say, the budget session is gearing up for complete washout. Congress is miffed again, u heard it right. Yesterday Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the motion of thanks for Presidential address on Jan 31^st lashed out at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Rather, Singh earned the remarks for his uncategorical allegorical references to demonetization by calling it “organized loot” and “legalized plunder”. Singh further described implementation of demonetization as a “monumental failure”. Ironically it was under the regime of Singh country’s resources and finances were marauded. The malaise of corruption wreaked the emerging economy. The humongous losses accrued to treasury were simply dismissed as mere zeroes.

Modi’s unapologetically remarked at the tenure of the Singh saying the “in this country, perhaps there will be hardly anyone from the economic field who wielded significant influence over country’s financial affairs for half of country’s 70 years of independence. Out of 70 years, for 30-35 years, he has been directly associated with financial decisions. So many scams occurred… we politicians have lot to learn from Dr Sahab. So much happened, there is not a single blot on him. Dr. Sahab is the only person who knows the art of bathing in a bath room with a rain coat on”.

Modi who opened discussion on the floor stressing the need for curbing black money and corruption made a swipe at Singh. He began by saying “Manmohan Singh ji had delivered a speech here…Recently a book was released in which Manmohan Singhji had written a foreword. Initially I thought he is a renowned economist and the book will have his contribution. But then I realized it was written by somebody else and he had only written the foreword. In his speech, also I felt the same”. This has triggered uproar among the Congress. Modi took a dig and added “the word I did not even utter, that too they have understood”.  Congress party leaders raised slogans, interrupted the House and soon staged a walk out. Clearly, Congress is outraged by the “rain coat” jibe. They have threatened to boycott the Parliament till Prime minister apologizes. Opposition too denounced Modi’s remarks about his predecessor as distasteful. But Congress indignation might have few takers as it will be labelled as deliberate effort to stall proceedings of Parliament. Congress for long reveled in “higher than thou attitude” and chided harsh scrutiny of their governance. But never refrained from making pugnacious comments on opposition.

Manmohan Singh was revered for his phenomenal economic reforms that ushered India towards globalization. Despite his illustrious academic credentials, Singh will go down the history as the most incompetent and despicable Prime Minister. During his two stints, as Prime Minister, colossal corruption marred the country. Coal scam, 2G scam, common wealth games scam were carried right under his nose but turned a blind eye to the listless number of financial scandals. In the decade, long UPA tenure, he remained a puppet and carried out the orders issued by the high command.  Congress for long took umbrage under Singh’s integrity and credentials. Singh sat all the investigations by authorities and literally decamped all the government institutions probing various scams. While there is no direct evidence of his collusion with wrong doers, it is highly improbable to assume that Singh is not aware of the large scale financial scandals.

Modi’s audacious remarks, “if you cross the limits of decorum, then you should have courage to listen to the response. We have the capacity to play in the same coin. We do so within the limits of decorum and boundaries of the constitution. They don’t want to accept defeat in any form. How long will it continue?” soon after Congress staged walk-out will open a new chapter in Indian democracy. While Congress alleges that Modi took Parliamentary discourse to a “lowest level”, it should rather be ashamed of unsavory comments of Pramod Tiwari on demonetization, “kisi sabhya desh ne yeh nahi kiya; jisne ne kiya hai unke naam itihaas mein hai, pehle Gaddafi, doosra Mussolini, Hitler aur chautha hai PM Modi”. For that matter, even Rahul Gandhi’s khoon ki dalali comment on surgical strikes was appalling. It is rather amusing to watch Rahul jumping into fray to criticize Modi calling his scathing attack “shameful” and saying that “when a Prime Minister reduces himself to ridiculing his predecessor, years his senior, he hurts the dignity of the parliament and the nation”. Maybe he should better be asked: was his act of tearing the ordinance in a Press Club with impunity elevated the dignity of Parliament? Congress’s new found respect for Singh is rather intriguing. Sonia Gandhi’s “maut ka saudagar” and “Zeher ki Kheti” references are still afresh in people’s minds. For that matter, was the uninterrupted spiteful background commentary by a Congress leader throughout Modi’s speech until they staged walk-out any sanctimonious? Manmohan Singh’s immoderate comments at a press conference referring to Modi as one “who presided over massacre of citizens” and added “without going into credentials of anyone, I think it will be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as the PM”. It would be an understatement to say that India has become a banana republic under Singh. The dynasty had held Indian democracy under siege of for long and claim to be more equal than others. The grand old party has the least credibility to lecture on according respect to former Prime Ministers or party leaders. Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s body wasn’t even allowed to pass near the party office while Party President Sitaram Kesari was locked up in a bathroom. Reality check and gutsy rebuttals by Modi has clearly rattled the Congress whose depleted electoral strengths has become cause of concern. Congress is perhaps, feeling the heat of a tenuous opposition.

Parliament is regarded as temple of democracy and exchange of barbs might be a necessary predicament for conducting the business. But there should be level-headed playing. Criticisms must be taken in a right stride. Every elected representative has right to voice out his opinions without fear or favor. Crying wolf would eventually erode the credentials of a political party in democracy. After Congress walk out, Modi broached about the reluctance of Indira Gandhi despite Justice Wanchoo committee’s recommended demonetization of higher currency. Fearing electoral drubbing Indira Gandhi refused to roll out demonetization. Modi cited the references from the Unfinished Innings written by former home minister Godbole. Modi also reiterated that Communist leaders Jyoti Basu and Harkishan Singh Surjit on different occasions batted for decommissioning of higher currency notes. He even apprised the Parliament of Jyoti Basu’s speech on Aug 26^th 1972 where he strongly pitched for implementing the recommendations of Wanchoo Committee report of 1970. In his speech he alleged that black money has become lifeline of Indira Gandhi’s government and hence she was unwilling to bring about demonetization and hence report of the committee wasn’t tabled in parliament. In another address on Sep 4^th 1972, Jyoti Basu on the floor of house reiterated dire consequences of proliferating parallel economy and unabashedly pronounced that her regime has become “government of black money, for black money and by black money”. Modi also Harkishan Singh Surjit’s speech on 27^th Sep, 1981 once again questioned the intentions of government in curbing black money and called for demonetization of high value currency. Certainly, this kind of stinging attack had upset Congress which was least prepared to hear facts which are extremely harsh.  Modi’s temerity to call a spade a spade had punctured bloated ego of the dynasty and its sycophants.

@ Copyrights reserved

Dubious Chinese Investments in South Asian Countries

Chinese investments and developmental loans to third world countries are propitious and not a subject matter of debate. But the inimical geostrategic assertiveness of China under ruse of trade diplomacy is posing a grave threat to balance of power in South Asian region. Though critics might take up cudgels for questioning the veracity of dissecting trade diplomacy of China, veritable hegemonic aspirations of China have upended the harmony of Indian sub-continent.

Pakistan

Systemic warming up Pakistan to China from the late 1950’s, firming up of their relation which steadily graduated into “all-weather friendship” is posing grave threat to India. Cementing ties, President Xi on his visit to Islamabad in 2015, unveiled $51 billion CPEC connecting Kashgar in Xinjiang passing through Gligit Baltistan region of PoK to Gwadar port along the Arabian Sea. It is a common knowledge that Sino-Pakistan had its foundations in geopolitical or strategic benefits and spear-headed by a common anti-India agenda. With a panoply of 51 bilateral agreements and CPEC, China wooed Pakistan for eternity.  Substantial opacity about the details of investments and bank credits are raising serious doubts about the real intentions of China. But what emerges is that unlike other projects, Gwadar port project worth $3.5 billion is financed by zero percent China loans underlying the geostrategic significance of Gwadar port. China even clinched 43-old lease deal of Gwadar port till 2059. Gwadar port was opened in 2007 with initial Chinese funding of $200 million, but it wasn’t commercially viable. Until 2013, China hasn’t seriously calibrated the geostrategic advantages of the port. President Xi has resurrected the project for its vital geostrategic position. He strongly backed Gwadar port development to exercise control over Straits of Hormuz 400km away, overcome Malacca Dilemma, gain accessibility to Indian Ocean and pivotally strengthens strategy of “Containing India”. Akin to Chinese strategies of establishing close links with resource rich regions, through CPEC, China has laid its eyes on the $70 billion Saindik copper and gold resource mining project in Chagai district of Baluchistan. But Baluchistan would receive a paltry 1% of total earnings. Also, local economy or employment opportunities are unlikely to improve as project contract mandates employing Chinese labor. Chinese labor wages having gone up several folds. The extra financial burden of employing 70-75% of Chinese workforce for higher wages will be credited to project costs. Though China continues to stubbornly defend its trade investments as an effort to uplift under developed countries, docking of armed Chinese nuclear submarine at Karachi suggests otherwise.

While Gwadar port development is making quick progress, there is no news of infrastructure projects (mostly power plants) inked under CPEC. Reports indicate that China’s FDI in Pakistan surged to 38.8% making it the single largest investor. Other major investors-US, Norway, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Germany are now slowly withdrawing their investments. Senators of Pakistan’s upper house are at logger heads with political establishment and raised serious doubts about CPEC and its benefits to Pakistan. Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development expressed concerns saying that “Another East Indian Company is in offing; national interests are not being protected. We are proud of the friendship between Pakistan and China, but the interests of state should come first”. Small and medium industries are feeling threatened as cheap Chinese goods are flooding Pakistan markets. Besides, CPEC China now has stakes in premier bank-State Bank of Pakistan. Common strategic interests herald Sino-Pakistan relations. Its iron brotherhood is likened to US-Israeli ties. Friendship apart, China’s muscular investment patterns should be taken with a bag of salt.

Reports are now emerging with China’s mouth piece Global Times expressing concerns about increasing fiscal deficit of Pakistan. In a veiled caution, it said “China may need to diversify its way of financing the CPEC projects. Currently, many projects are financed by Chinese government concessional loans. It is unrealistic and unsustainable to pin hopes on government loans from China. Such lending model is likely to drive up the debt level of the recipient country and toss it into a vicious cycle of inflation and currency devaluation”. Clearly, this suggests that Pakistan is heading towards a debt default as Sri Lanka.

Maldives

Timing of Chinese infrastructure projects on the Indian Ocean archipelago followed a clear pattern. Ending the three-decade rule of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Mohammed Nasheed, stormed into power in 2008. President Nasheed courted India, West and promised to reinforce democratic values in administration. But was thrown out of power in a coup carried out by supporters of Gayoom in Feb 2012. He was replaced by President Waheed, who cancelled the single largest Indian investment of $511 airport construction deal awarded to GMR. China was one of the first countries to support Waheed’s government and since then Maldives pivoted towards Beijing. India reacted rather lately to these developments and China in meanwhile, seized the opportunity and replaced India. Reports indicate that China agreed to grant Maldives $500 million, (equivalent to quarter of its GDP) in loans during President Waheed’s visit to China. In Feb 2013, President Nasheed at the height of legal proceedings against him took refuge in Indian Embassy at Male for 10days. But Delhi chose to stay away with Opposition parties of Maldives alleging India’s interference in their internal affairs. In a botched-up election of November 2013, President Abdulla Yameen, clinched the reigns. He drastically reoriented the island by reinforcing religious conservatism and Chinese engagement. Both Yameen and Gayoom believed in indispensability of China as China is a supporter of association of 56 Islamic countries, Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC). Yameen accepted a $8.2 million Chinese grant towards implementation of developmental projects. In Jan 2014, Chinese ambassador announced a plan for construction of 15,000 houses. Next day morning, a Chinese Naval ship, Peace Ark, reached the shores of Maldives to provide medical aid across the country till July 5^th.  After Sri Lanka, China has set eyes on Maldives which is ideally located in Indian Ocean through which one-fifth of World’s trade is routed. Soon China roped in Maldives under the MSR initiative, both Presidents exchanged visits in early 2014. President Xi laid foundation stone for construction of 1500 houses at Hulhumale, nick named China town on his visit to Male. Maldives awarded the cancelled airport contract to a Chinese company, Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) for $800 million. In addition, China has clinched a contract to build Gadhoo port, in the Southern Atolls, which will be a key addendum to MSR. This period also witnessed a sudden spike in number of Chinese tourists visiting Maldives by 44.5% replacing Great Britain.

In 2015, Maldives government passed a constitutional amendment allowing foreign entities or companies to own land if they have made investments of over $1 billion and could reclaim over 70% of land (for project) to buy land. Implications of such irresponsible bill were discussed in detail at https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/india-wary-constitutional-amendment-maldives.  Earlier, foreign entities could lease land for 99 years. While President Yameen asserted that this will boost Male’s economy, the bill is awfully biased towards China. Unlike India, China with its deeper pockets can invest in commercially unviable but strategically important projects to tighten its strangle hold over Maldives. Opposition is now worried as Maldivian government owes 70% of external debt to China. With these fresh overtures and pro-China posturing, Maldives is at the brink of falling into a debt trap. Gadhoo Island would soon be another Gwadar or Hambantota as analysts believe that Maldives can’t be a commercial hub. But China is determined as Gadhoo is close to US base Diego Garcia. It is keen on turning the port into China’s submarine dockyard.

Nepal

Due to historical, traditional, mythological, linguistic, and religious connect, India and its Himalayan neighbor had close friendly ties with no restrictions on movement of men and material. But the 2015 blockade took a toll on long-standing bilateral ties and China milked these fissures. Promising development through which it can challenge India, China wooed Nepal with the OBOR initiative on a precondition that Nepal will uphold the One China policy. Singing to the tunes of miffed Nepal post blockade, China condoned India. Beijing affirmed that it understands how Nepal is suffering due to Indian hegemony and thrusted incentives of OBOR.  In 2016, Prime Minister K. P Sharma Oli signed a transit agreement wherein a strategic railway link will be built between two countries passing through Tibetan mountain terrain.

A close look at the surging Chinese investments in China since 2008, clearly indicates that the economic cooperation has an underlying strategic angle to it.  As of 2015-16, China accounts for 42% of Nepal’s FDI. Chinese Official Development Assistance increased from $19 million to $38 million overtaking India’s $22 million. According to reports, energy projects and infrastructure sectors topped the list. China’s increasing presence in the region is in part facilitated by the dominant political opposition which majorly include Maoists, Communists, and Nationalists. This group which is averse to India’s investments heartily welcomed China’s dubious hydropower dams. China has not only used its ilk in Nepal to crackdown on Tibetans travelling to India but also obtained disproportionately large stakes of 75% in the 750-megawatt West Seti Dam. Aside the strategic value of Nepal (reducing Nepal’s dependence on India and coerce South Asian nations to adhere to Chinese line) China wants to control bountiful water resources of Nepal.

Numerous rivers originating in Tibet flow through Nepal. China wants to build a cascade of dams in Nepal to control water flows of Ganges into lower riparian countries India and Bangladesh. China is also funding the Pokhara airport, Upper Trishuli hydropower project and investing $3billion to develop birth place of Buddha, Lumbini into a cultural hub.

Afghanistan

Of all the investments and economic links forged by China, Afghanistan’s case must be analyzed very critically. For all those, who vouch for China’s symptomatic support to third world countries towards development, Beijing’s support to Afghan Taliban dashes, all Chinese claims as a benevolent power. China established ties with Afghanistan during Hamid Karzai’s administration around 2001. Unlike other international donors China’s foreign aid stands at $200 million (a fraction of its $25 billion global foreign aid). China’s interest in Afghanistan is two-folds: to harvest the benefits of sizeable chunk of Afghanistan’s abundant natural resources and integrate it with the crucial five-country railway systems (China-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Iran). Through this China wants to reduce transport distance between China and Iran or the East which is a major oil supplier. Moreover, China is attempting to use its investments (under its Western Development Strategy) in Afghanistan to offer training to Afghan Police to secure its Western border and monitor the restive Xinjiang region.

To foster its aspirations, China is heavily bidding for mining natural resources. Two groups of China’s Metallurgical Group Corp., (MCC) won joint bid of $3.5billion undeveloped Mes Ayank Copper Mine field in Logar province in Central-East Afghanistan. In addition, China is eyeing the unexplored iron deposits in Herat Province; gold reserves of Badakshan, Takhar and Ghazni; three copper, two gold deposits and oil basin in Mazar-e-Sharif. (Badakshan is the headquarters for Turkistan Islamic Party, a militant organization of Uyghars. Reports confirm that Chin is conducting joint counter-terrorist operations with Afghanistan in this region).While mining operations which include construction of roads, power generation units would boost employment opportunities for Afghan youth, with American troops all set to withdraw, Chinese plans might be hampered. Interestingly, China chalked out alternative plans to brace the prospect of Taliban taking over crucial areas around Kandahar. Chinese companies have started paying Taliban to prevent any attacks on their mining investments. Further, Russia and China citing IS threat in the region asked the UNSC to withdraw sanctions against select Taliban leaders.

But as of now, Mes Ayank, the largest copper deposits lying beneath the ruins of blown out Bamiyan Buddha statues has become a bone of contention. China won the contract in 2008 but the mining work hasn’t started till now. While President Ghani is keen on tapping the $1 trillion worth mineral deposits to mitigate the tapering foreign aid, there is stiff opposition from environmentalists and archeologists from mining this region. In the meanwhile, China is demanding slashing of royalties to begin the project. But such an agreement would potentially dent Afghan government’s revenue. With Taliban expanding their offensive and extending control over newer territories, Afghan government is in tight situation and might give into Chinese demands. Afghanistan is at cross roads of Central Asia and South Asia and gateway to the Persian Gulf region. It is last straw in China’s great game, China’s renewed interest in Afghan security and Afghan peace process testimonies the same.

India

India and China have been active trading partners for long. But India must be wary of burgeoning bilateral trade imbalances that run close to $53 billion. Cheaper Chinese products inundating Indian markets are stunting India’s manufacturing industry. While splurging on profits from Indian markets, China is not only restricting entry of Indian goods into their markets but stifling Indian rise globally. China’s intransigence towards India’s entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group and blocking sanctions against Masood Azhar mirror the same. China is making strategic investments in Indian startups like Paytm, Snapdeal, MakeMyTrip, Ola, Hike, Ibibo which rose of $2.3 billion. But experts suggest that Chinese investors altogether have wider interests in India. Now they are increasingly focusing on merger and acquisitions.

By and large, China is significantly expanding its foot hold in South Asia through strategic investments pivoted on “China First” doctrine. 

@ Copyrights reserved.