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Bhutan, Bharat, bhai bhai !

China’s intrusive prevarication may not turn New Delhi – Thimphu relations sour. Trying dirty tricks as in Nepal may not work to Beijing’s advantage Rohan Giri / New Delhi As of now China has emerged as minor distraction in India and Bhutanese relations that span over millennia, civilizational ties with strong bonds of friendship and close people-to-people contacts. When Bhutan’s king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk was in capital earlier last week on three days sojourn, there was enough noise made that growing proximity between Thimphu and Beijing may derail former’s relations with New Delhi. Unflinching commitment to take this friendship to next level may have not gone down well with several Beijing protagonists within and outside India. This should not matter much. Much of arguments that relations between the two countries were not honky dory had been attributed to remarks made by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering on India – China – Bhutan border tri-junction, Doklam. The 73-days standoff between India & Bhutanese troops against Chinese counterparts during June – August 2017 is still fresh in mind. Twist given to Prime Minister Tshering’s comments was interpreted as Bhutan going the Chinese way which was untrue. In this backdrop, India and Bhutan scrupulously moving ahead with their commitment to neighbour-hood first policy assumes significance. Their shared vision for future cooperation including beneficial partnerships, significant reforms will have to be carried forward with vigour. Bhutan king’s meeting with Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi had in fact cleared the air and set the ball rolling for Bhutan in expanded bilateral trade cooperation, technology, cross-border connectivity, mutual investments etc. In the 13th five-year plan, both leaders envisioned successive Druk Gyalpos to guide India-Bhutan relations to new heights. Long-term sustainable bilateral ties in agricultural and critical commodities, setting up integrated checking post on the busiest trading way between both countries were also streamlined. Historical project of cross border rail link between Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan along with expansion of energy cooperation beyond hydroelectric project would further round the relations between two inseparable neighbours. Indian foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “India will work to extend an additional standby credit facility. We will work to shape long-term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan. Also, work to develop long-term bilateral arrangements for assured supply of critical commodities like petroleum and coal.” If joint briefings were anything to go by, Bhutan seems keen to collaborate in financial technology sector, start-ups and emerging technologies. In effect, clear message seems to be on using United Payments Interface and ride piggyback as Indian rupee’s acceptance for making transactional settlements. India and Bhutan are friends in need and in deed. Vaccine Maitri drive launched by India had pulled half a dozen neighbourhood countries out of the humongous Covid – 19 induced pandemic mess. In fact, Bhutan was the very first beneficiary of the Covid-19 vaccine consignment from India. On the other hand, China was on expansionist spree beginning 2017 when it tried to build a road in 2017 through Chumbi Valley of Bhutan. When Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister of India in 2014, Bhutan was the first country he visited treating the latter as a ‘reliable friend’ that could be trusted as an ally. There’s no denying that prior to this visit, there were some hiccups when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh withdrew cooking gas and kerosene subsidies. But, these were restored in 2014 after India saw a tectonic shift in its own power structure. Besides the bilateral and diplomatic relations, vibrant cultural linkages defined friendship between the two countries made it unique. (Rohan is a journalism graduate from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) New Delhi, and Manager Operations at CIHS.)

Disinformation Fact Sheet Hindus Human Rights Misinformation

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OIC selective amnesia, attempts to interfere in India’s affairs

Undermining Indian values may not help Muslim outfit, especially when it falls in line to support terror modules, their handlers Since its inception, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has made serious moves to interfere in India’s affairs periodically to constructed inaccurate, selective and misleading narrative that contravenes facts. During the recent violence heaped on peaceful Ram Navami processions last week, OIC came into the ring denouncing one side and following a set pattern. In the statement, OIC general secretariat said, “It has followed with deep concern the acts of violence and vandalism targeting the Muslim community in several states in India during the Ram Navami processions, including the burning of a madrasa and its library by an extremist Hindu mob in Bihar Sharif on March 31, 2023.” It continued, “The OIC General Secretary denounces such provocative acts of violence and vandalism, which are a vivid manifestation of mounting Islamophobia and systemic targeting of the Muslim community in India. The OIC General Secretary calls upon the Indian authorities to take firm actions against the instigators and perpetrators of such acts and to ensure the safety, security, rights and dignity of the Muslim community in the country.” In a befitting reply to these unwarranted one sided comments, official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, said on April 4, 2023, “We strongly condemn the statement issued by OIC secretariat today regarding India. This is one more example of their communal mind set and anti-India agenda. OIC does its reputation damage by being constantly manipulated by anti-India forces”. Facts were contrary to what OIC said in its press statement. Across states like Bihar, West Bengal, Maharastra and Jharkhand, islamists had targeted peaceful Ram navami processions when they passed through muslim majority areas provoking reaction from the faithful Hindus in a couple of places. On March 30, 2023, Ram Navami procession near Panjrigar mohalla in the Vadodara district of Gujarat was attacked by Islamists who pelted stones at the procession. In Uttar Pradesh, an incident of stone-pelting on a Ram Navami procession passing in front of a mosque was reported in the state’s capital Lucknow. In Maharashtra, Hindu processions were attacked in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalgaon, and Mumbai. A Ram Navami procession in the Malvai region of Mumbai’s Malad suburb was attacked by an Islamist mob as it passed by a Masjid near gate no. 7 area. In West Bengal, clashes broke out between two communities during a Ram Navami procession in the Dalkhola area of Islampur town of North Dinajpur. One person was killed and 5-6 policemen were injured in clashes in a Muslim-dominated area. Failure of the muslim religious and political leadership to rein in the rioters and violence perpetrators from their side seems to be root cause of violence, arson and friction. One key question is why does violence always happen during Hindu festivals that denote tolerance, bonhomie and boisterous with bhajans, singing and dance? Why’s it that violence invariably happens in Muslim majority areas? And, why’s it that Muslim leadership maintains a deafening silence on violence by jihadists and islamists of every hue and colour? This is not the first time OIC made attempts to interfere in India’s internal affairs violating global norms of diplomacy, decency and engagement in sane manner. Previously OIC had come up with a dubious statement on purported ban on Muslim female students from wearing hijab in the state of Karnataka. The statement had read, ‘the continued attacks targeting Muslims and their places of worship, the recent trend of anti-Muslim legislations in different states and rising incidents of violence against Muslims on flimsy pretexts are indicative of the growing trend of Islamophobia.’ Here again, the issue was misrepresented. Karnataka state government had only asked all students including female Muslims to adhere to uniform code set for colleges and schools. The issue was blown out of proportion after about half a dozen girls made hijab an issue as activists of banned organization, Popular Front of India (PFI). OIC also seems least bothered about partial or complete ban on hijab imposed by some of top Islamic countries. Chad, Egypt, Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, and Gabon are some of the prominent Islamic countries that are members of OIC that have not made wearing of hijab mandatory. Prior to that, the notorious organisation trumpeted its concern on reported Haridwar hate speech describing that as a public call for genocide of Muslims by Hindu followers. Muslims genocide has never ever happened in India’s history of millennia. In fact, it was the other way round. In Kashmir, thousands of Hindus had to migrate out over last three decades owing to constant attacks, humiliation, loot, rapes and abuse at the hands of muslim terror outfits fanned, funded and indoctrinated by Pakistani ISI. OIC, in its meeting on the side lines of 76th U.N General Assembly, pressed India to reverse its decision to remove Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. In fact, abrogation of article 370 of Indian Constitution was an internal administrative decision of the duly elected sovereign government through a due process of law enacted by Parliament, the highest democratic institution in the country. In 2020, Delhi riots, OIC selectively said that riots had caused arson and vandalism of Muslim-owned properties. On the contrary, facts have come to fore where Hindus lost lives, properties and got severely abused at the hands of gun trotting Muslim terrorists. Way back in 1969, Muslim world collaborated to form its own international organisation to act as collective voice of Muslim world named the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, later renamed as Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2011. After United Nations, OIC is the world’s second-largest international body with 57 member countries, all of which are Islamic nations or countries with Muslim majority. India, despite being home to second-largest Muslim population country in the world with over 210 million muslims is not a part of the OIC. OIC is managed by Saudi Arabia, although Pakistan, as the only Islamic country

Fact Sheet Geopolitics Hindus Human Rights Leadership Misinformation

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Majority Sikhs with India, against Khalistan

Western powers allowing handful Khalistanis to over their streets, resort to vandalism may be a way to pressurise India on Russia Neha Dahiya / New Delhi Barring a miniscule, vociferous and terror prone variety, majority Sikhs in India and elsewhere may not subscribe to the very concept of Khalistan. Silent majority may not have come out openly to say so. But, groundswell opinion of Sikhs may not be found in columns of print media, digital networks or TV shows that are beamed across. Whether Sikhs want a separate homeland called Khalistan becomes increasingly significant in wake of recent developments in Punjab and noisy, violent as well as aggressive protests being staged across world capitals. Also, for a research-based organization like Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS), gauging the mood of Sikh society was important before making out a case on the issue. Ground inputs, media reports, publicly available intelligence suggests that there’s no popular support for Khalistan whatsoever either within or outside India. Violence and demonstrations orchestrated by Khalistani proponents is only to drum up support for their elusive concept of a separate homeland. There’s enough documentation in public domain to drive home the point that Khalistan and Kashmir (K2) were a project of Pakistan’s dirty tricks department, ISI to foment trouble in Indian Border States by propping up sub-nationalism, religious activities. Otherwise, Amritpal Singh, a small time businessman from Dubai is just a handle with drug lords that are pushing narcotics illegally from across the border. He’s a fugitive with no popular support and seen by some as a ‘robin hood’ variety. And, Amritpal is not a ‘preacher’ as made out by the Western media that lacks basic understanding of the issue. Otherwise, there’s no reason why Sikh leaders in India and abroad would dare come out against this fugitive on the run from law enforcement agencies in India. They are of the view that Amritpal and his outfit Waris Punjab De may have captured imagination of a few misled youth. But, publicly influential Sikh leaders hold the view that he has ruined dignity of the Sikh community and teachings of Gurus. On March 19, 2023, Khalistani protestors pulled down the Indian tricolour and made an attempt to storm the Indian High Commission in London. Prior to this, Khalistanis have had derided India and called martyr Bhagat Singh as a traitor or a terrorist, defaced statues of Mahatma Gandhi in western cities and did not spare Hindu religious places scribbling provocative, anti-India, anti-Hindu and Pro-Khalistan slogans on the walls of the temples. Silent majority in Sikh society have begun to speak out slow but cautiously. For instance, President of Takht Sri Patna Sahib managing committee Jagjot Singh Sohi condemned the incident of pulling down our national flag. It has sent the wrong message across the world. “We would request the London government to take strict action against those people responsible for this shameless act. There are few people living outside the country and engaged in such work. The people of the Sikh community are doing great work in the world, but time and again, such people malign the name of our community”, added Jagjot Singh Sohi. “No one else except Gurpatwant Singh Pannu — founder of banned Khalistani terrorist organisation — is behind this episode. He is a controversial person and keeps on doing such things. He has no followers in India, and he has only a handful of people supporting him”, Sohi said. There’s considerable underlying anger within the Sikh society on tactics, activities and posturing by the Khalistani elements. Insult to Indian flag has disappointed several prominent leaders that do not subscribe to Khalistan or dissociate from India for a separate homeland. Balgendra Singh Shami, a sikh community leader from Washington DC partly blamed the western media for the ‘hype’ around Khalistani activists violence unleashed in San Francisco and the American capital Shami said, “There are more than a million sikhs who live in North America and out of that only 50 show up outside Indian Embassy (San Francisco) to protest.” Sounding a word of caution and reconciliation Balgendra Singh Shami, “Whatever happened in Punjab is very unfortunate. I also condemn the violent incident that happened in the United Kingdom and the Indian consulate in the United States. As we are a democratic country, we have full right to protest, but it should be peaceful”. Another Sikh leaded Jasdeep Singh was quoted as saying “We condemn any violence that has happened outside the Indian Embassy in San Francisco or the desecration of the Indian flag in London. Everybody has a right to protest, but it should be peaceful & no violence or vandalism should happen”. Moderation has been hallmark of most sikh leaders in western cities. Interestingly, not many have even referred to Khalistan or even offered lip sympathy. Former president of Haryana Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak committee, Baljit Singh Daduwal, said, “We should not take any such step which will affect the sikh community across the world. Punjab needs peace, brotherhood and development”. Most sikh and Hindu leaders have pushed the development plank as a meeting point for larger peaceful co-living within and outside India. United Kingdom Member of Parliament, Bob Blackman summed up the violence in Western cities by a handful of Sikhs. Blackman said, “this (Khalistanis) is a very small, ultra-small section of the sikh community. Vast majority of sikhs in this country (UK) absolutely reject the Khalistani project. It’s not going to happen, as we know… My message is very simple to the police, when this (violence) happens; those people need to be arrested and dealt with properly.” President of Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhbir Singh Badal was more emphatic notwithstanding his party’s rejection in the last couple of state elections. Badal pointed out, “The people of Punjab do not know Amritpal. Media has built him up and media has created the fear that Khalistani sentiment is reviving and growing in Punjab. We Sikhs do not want Khalistan. We want a strong and

Geopolitics Leadership Policy

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Tactical Power Shift

India & Japan for open Indo-Pacific, game changing bilateral ties define Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to New Delhi Prachi Mishra Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s two-day visit to India is part of on-going bilateral engagement between the countries agreed in 2006. Since then, Indian and Japanese leaders have consistently worked on strengthening ties and auguring a stronger and open Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Kishida’s visit signals growing influence of QUAD. It is also significant as India and Japan presently hold the G20 and the G7 presidencies respectively. Kishida’s visit comes in the wake of San Shinzo Abe’s tragic death. Prime Minister Abe is regarded as a great friend of India seeking to reconnect two classical civilizations. Kishida’s statements have pointed to a turning point with continuity in bilateral strategic relations. Highlight of his visit was to unveil a plan on Open and Free Indo-Pacific for which he committed US $ 75 billion. Japan and India have a long and shared history of bilateral relations, strategic cooperation, and a resolve to build a peaceful Indo-Pacific. Historical connect India and Japan share centuries-old relationship. Their ties can be traced back to the sixth century when Buddhism was introduced in Japan and adopted as a way of life in Japanese society. In 752 AD, Bharatiya Buddhist monk Bodhisena consecrated the Todaiji Temple at Nara. The towering Buddha statue at Tara has weathered many storms and stood the test of times. All through the last few centuries, India and Japan have never been adversarial towards each other and their relations have been free of disputes. In the recent past, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, and JRD Tata have been Indian cultural ambassadors to Japan[1]. In contemporary times, India and Japan signed a peace treaty after the Second World War which not only established India’s diplomatic relations in Japan but also uplifted morale of Japanese people who were recovering from the aftermath of the war. India also extended its iron resources to the war-torn Japan and helped immensely in its reconstruction. The first yen-loan was extended by Japan to India after Premier Nobusuke Kishi’s official visit to India in 1957. The two nations also find a lot of commonality in upholding democratic principles and rule of law. There have been umpteen trade and commerce deals between India and Japan. Set up in 1903, the Japan-Indian Association is the oldest global informal organisation in Japan. Economic and commercial cooperation Trade and commerce ties between India and Japan have steadily strengthened over last few decades. Both nations have a mutually beneficial relationship; Japan has tapped into India’s emerging and expanding market while India has relied on Japan for technology transfers and financial assistance. India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2011 is the most holistic agreement that not only facilitates movement of goods and services but also human resource, shared development of intellectual property, and custom processes. Japan has been the largest financial donor for India. Over the years, Japan has supported India in infrastructure and technological development in sectors like railways and roadways, power, and environment. The most recent and the most relevant projects are Ahmedabad – Mumbai High Speed Rail, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was also facilitated by Japanese assistance. Table 1 lists items of trade between India and Japan. Table 1. Import-export goods in Indo-Japan trade ties. Imports from Japan to India Exports from India to Japan Machinery and instruments Petroleum products Transport equipment Chemicals and compounds Iron and steel goods Fish and by-products of fisheries Electronic equipment and goods Metal ores and scrap Organic chemicals Clothing, textiles, accessories Tools Iron and steel products During financial year ending March 31, 2022, India was the 18th largest trading partner for Japan. Concomitantly, Japan was the 13th largest trading partner for India. Also, Japan’s foreign direct investment has soared in the last few years, with India becoming the 5th largest investing country for 2021-22. India has seen a sharp rise in the number of Japanese firms totalling to 1455 that operate in India. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the value of trade carried out between the two countries since 2008. Fig. 1.Trade values of Indo-Japan trade. Source: Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Government of India. Ministry of Economy, Trade, Industry, Government of Japan. CIHS Analytics Fig. 2. Foreign direct investment from Japan to India in the last few years. Source: Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Government of India. Ministry of Economy, Trade, Industry, Government of Japan. CIHS Analytics. India has been the biggest recipient of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans in the last few years. India receives these loans from Japan under the latter’s “Act East” policy and “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure”. Table 2 summarises Japan’s ODA towards India. Table 2. Japan’s ODA towards India[2] Loans 312.25 billion Yen 2021-22 Grants 5.12 billion Yen 2020-21 Technical Cooperation 8.5 billion Yen 2021-22 The two countries have strengthened their relationship by focusing on developing strong supply chains through the India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership. Both India and Japan have also been striving for environmental protection and reduction of greenhouse gases. Their Clean Energy Partnership which was formulated in March 2022 focuses on achieving carbon neutrality and working towards energy security. Along with the Japan-India Energy Ministerial Dialogue, it also aims for a strategic cooperation plan in the fields of hydrogen, ammonia, and LNG. Science and technology cooperation Both India and Japan have benefitted from their science and technology cooperation over last several decades. While Japanese firms have revolutionised the Indian technology market, Indian software engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and technologists have contributed immensely to scientific research and development in Japan. India and Japan signed bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 1985 to foster an era of scientific advancement in the Indo-Pacific. Subsequently, the India-Japan Science Council (IJSC) was set up in 1993 facilitated several advancements. Till date, it has[3] Over 550 students have attended exchange programs through a

Policy

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‘Swa’ to fuel RSS expansion drive

3S formula, Swadharm, Swadeshi, Swaraj, to add heft to its exponential expansion in run up to its centennial in 2025 K.A.Badarinath ‘Swa’ will fuel the largest Hindu centric organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in its next phase of expansion as it heads to celebrate its centennial in 2025. The threesome Swa defined by ‘Swadharm (positive dharmic Hindu way of life), Swadeshi (self-reliance) and Swaraj (independence in true spirit) will act as spring board in its next phase of expansion to over one lakh units or shakhas in India. The ‘3S’ formula encompassing Indian identity has been prescribed as sure shot matrix to India assuming leadership role globally and ensure human wellbeing. While these three very distinct ideas were bedrock of India’s struggle for independence during foreign invasion over centuries, they will provide ideological fodder to attain the pinnacle on socio-economic, cultural and religious fronts. Big push to Hindu way of dharmic life that’s in sync with environment will support restoring the delicate human – nature balance that’s skewed owing to excessive consumption of goods and services. Even on consumption or production front, RSS seems to have relied heavily on domestic sources of both ingredients, final products, processes and workforce given its unapologetic and uncompromising commitment to ‘self- reliance’. This is expected to not only create new work opportunities in India but evolve the country to be a global hub for production of both services and goods to fill in the serious gap owing to disruption in supply chains internationally. True spirited independence in thought, mind, spirit, action and evolution of Indian society is seen by the Sangh as a sure way to lead the world. RSS seems to have found its inspiration from ‘swaraj’ campaign of pre-independence days to unshackle the country from colonial British imperialists of pre-1947 aggression. The 3S formula – swadharm, swadeshi and swaraj – are also seen as backbone to achieving ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, i.e. universal brotherhood and human wellbeing to mark India’s resurgence. This primacy is expected to be based on her eternal values system and build on the country’s G-20 Presidency defined by this very theme around, one world, family and future. Well, the Swadharm, Swadeshi and Swaraj postulation of the Sangh have come in wake of its already running campaigns on ‘samrasta’ (social harmony) and ‘swasbhimaan’ (taking pride in one’s self and his or her roots). RSS general council three-day conclave held in Pattikalyana village near Panipat in Haryana did recognize serious challenges of fulfilling basic needs for 1.4 billion Indian population, carving out opportunities based on Indian beliefs in modernity, achieving holistic development through judicious use of technologies and new models that were eco-friendly. If one were to go by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, strengthening the institution of family, swadeshi entrepreneurship and evolving the society based on harmony and fraternity will form the basis for New India shedding the Nehruvian model. During ‘amrit kaal’, 25-years ahead of India entering its centennial year in 2047, RSS has emphasised on strengthening systems in education, economy, social, democratic and judicial institutions to take the leadership role globally. Sangh with its hugely committed cadres and 3S growth song will work on five key fronts by forging social harmony devoid of religious, caste based or regional fissures and promote family values based on Hindu philosophy apart from pushing the envelope on ecological conservation. While the Swadeshi movement will get a big push, sensitizing the people on their civic duty will be taken up by RSS to bring about cohesion in Indian society. Population imbalance, ending socio-economic discrimination and reinforcing ideals of democracy in the wake of Rahul Gandhi’s comments in London is something that seems very dear to RSS as an organization and a force to reckon with. Equitable participation of women under its own organizational umbrella beginning with family shakhas (units) or congregations and society at large is something Sangh will work towards, going by RSS general council deliberations. Sangh has rightly come up with an accommodative stance on same sex relationships sans criminalizing choices made by individuals. But, it rejected the idea of legalizing same sex marriages as has been the case in over 100 countries. (Author is Director & Chief Executive of non-partisan think-tank based in New Delhi, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)

Leadership Media

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Unsettling Judicial Overreach

K.A.Badarinath Open debate on legalizing ‘same sex’ marriages, stakeholders consultation must precede Parliament enacting a law. Courts have no role This is not the first time that courts have gone on an overdrive with judicial over-reach. Supreme Court’s stand on legalizing same-sex marriages is yet another example of its bid to trample on powers of the executive and Parliament. While demarcation of powers between the three is clear, repeated bid by the courts to stamp on someone else’s toe is making things worse for an already chaotic but working democratic setup that India has evolved over 75-years. During the ‘Amrit kal’, the intervening 25-years to the centennial, this transgression by judiciary has to change in New India. At one point of time, Honourable Lordships were trigger happy to sit on judgment as to whether a girl or woman can avail menstrual leave not leaving it to states, governments or stakeholders to decide. Supreme Court made attempts to assign itself the task of appointing three commissioners to Election Commission of India which is crass. When the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak in 2021, Supreme Court and High Courts expected Central Government and states to report on ‘virtual day to day basis,’ as to who were getting vaccinated and who were not. Latest is Supreme Court taking upon itself to decide on legality of same-sex marriages. Should this key socio, cultural, religious, dharmic and economic issue be left to courts? Erroneously, Article 21 and 19 (1) (a) of Constitution of India were invoked citing right to expression and dignity of those that favoured same sex marriages. There seems to have been temporary loss of memory that application of Section 377, Indian Penal Code was turned unconstitutional. And, thereby dignity and expression of homosexuality or lesbianism was restored giving men and women their right to sexual preferences in relationships. These relationships have been decriminalized My Lordships! Should courts be allowed to decide how one lives or marries? Do courts have the mandate to tamper with the institution of marriages in India that is not limited to just two individuals of opposite sex but the families and society at large? On the other hand, power to legislate on a delicate issue like marriages is definitely in the domain of the Government, Parliament, elected policymakers and definitely not with judges that do not support openness in their own appointments. Otherwise, there’s no reason why National Judicial Appointments Commission bill of 2014 was vetoed. Incidentally, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has rightly pointed out that marriages and related rituals were very sacred and sacrosanct in Hindu way of life that largely define and provides distinct face to Indian society. There’s awareness among stakeholders on deep divide and complexity in accepting same-sex marriages. In majority countries globally, same-sex marriages have not been legalized even if such relationships have been. In fact, in Indian context decriminalizing the same sex relationships in 2018 was humane in approach. In this backdrop, referring the same-sex marriages to a five-judge bench invoking Section 145 (3) of Indian Constitution needs closer scrutiny by stakeholders. Instead of making desperate attempts to hog headlines day after day, courts and honourable judicial officers should put their own house in order. Administering justice to common man or woman should take primacy in the way our judicial institutions function and not the urge to hog headlines next day, come what may. Reform in judicial system should be top priority of this elite club of judges that seek to run affairs of the country from precincts of their chambers. Phasing out adhocism, bringing in accountability, removing corruption and lobbying in courts that normally goes unreported or under-reported should be primacy of the Chief Justice of India who leads a pack of wise men and women. Administering justice in time is an issue that’s time and again flagged by several commentators including some top judicial minds. Over 4.9 crore out of five crore cases are pending in district courts across the country without respite to the commoners as per figures quoted by law minister Kiran Rijiju. As per the National Judicial Data Grid, over 93 crore cases were pending in subordinate courts, 49 lakh cases in High Courts and 57,987 cases in Supreme Court as of December 2022. Instead of restricting itself to constitutional issues, Supreme Court turning itself into regular court of appeals may be just one reason. More than that, the top court unwilling to play its role in reforming the system is the second reason. Thirdly, indulging in issues that may or may not be of its concern like the ‘same sex marriages’ could be yet another possible reason. During ten years of policy paralysis of United Progressive Alliance regime of 2004-13, judicial overreach got into high gear. Fledgling era of coalition governments and dirty political bickering etched out ground for judicial mis-adventurism by extension too. Highest judicial officers led by his Lordship Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud should take the first step towards making courts and related institutions relevant to 1.4 billion Indian people. My Lordships give judicial system a chance! (Author is Director & Chief Executive of New Delhi based non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies. Views expressed are personal)

Media

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Explainer: Recognition of same-sex marriages

On March 13, 2023, Indian apex court transferred a plea for recognition of same-sex marriages to the constitutional bench. Justice DY Chandrachud, PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala listed the hearing from April 18, 2023. In an affidavit, Indian government has opposed the plea seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages. Indian government said that marriage is accepted ‘statutorily, religiously and socially’ only between a biological man and a woman. The affidavit argued that any deviation from this accepted form could only be voted by lawmakers and not ruled by courts.

Geopolitics Leadership Policy

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Stability or chaos, What next in Nepal?

Rohan Giri Amid political uncertainty and bleak future, Himalayan former Hindu Kingdom, Nepal elected its new President in 78-year-old Ram Chandra Paudel. Paudel is a senior Nepali Congress leader and defeated Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist Leninist) backed Subas Chandra Nembang. In the 52,628 weightage-based votes, Paudel secured 33,802 and was anointed Nepal’s President while Nembang polled 15,518 votes. After Nepal Pratinidhi Sabha or House of Representative was in session for 64-days with 275 members, Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist Leninist) broke away from the ruling coalition alliance and the government. The break up in ruling coalition was triggered by reported disagreement on the presidential candidate. As per Nepal Parliament’s current status, a party or an alliance will have to muster the support of at least138 members to gain majority and continue in governance. Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist Leninist), the second-largest party in the coalition government with 79 members has recently deserted the ruling alliance. The alliance, however, does not appear to have suffered significant losses since the Nepali Congress Party has 89 members, Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Center) – 32 members, and Rashtriya Swatantra Party has 20 members. These three parties command a comfortable majority with no threat to the government as of now. Desertion of CPN (UML) is widely being attributed to Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, “Prachanda” violation of December 25, 2022 agreement put together to assume power by the coalition. As a consequence, eight CPN (UML) ministers including Deputy Prime Minister in the Prachanda-led incumbent government resigned en masse thereby creating a flutter. Previously, in 2017, the alliance between China’s front-man Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and Maoist guerrilla Pushpa Kumar Dahal fell apart. The churn in political coalitions demonstrates the potential for future uncertainties in Nepal. In an earlier report, it was predicted that the coalition would be difficult to survive as the co-existence of Maoists and Marxists influenced by China has seen about ten swearings-in and then thrown out of power in the last few years. To deal with such a situation, “under Clause 2 of Article 100 of the Constitution of Nepal, a prime minister would be required to seek a vote of confidence again if a coalition partner or political ally broke away or withdrew support from the government. In such a situation, Prime Minister will have to secure a fresh vote of confidence in 30 days. If the prime minister failed secure confidence vote by March 26 in the present context, Prachanda will lose office. Given the present numbers and assuming there would be no further cross overs or desertions, Prime Minister Prachanda is expected to sail through in the Parliament. Nepal, which established democracy in 2008 by ending the monarchical system of about 240 years, was successful in establishing democracy. However, with the change in the design, have they left behind their values as well? Nepal, a Hindu nation, has fallen into China’s trap. As a result, China’s debt has grown in the name of the country’s development, the leaders have become China’s puppets, and the path to instability is being taken in the name of disagreement. This mountain kingdom was different from that. The way to increase Nepal’s development and reduce instability will come from the nation’s own values, which are the Hindu values of a Hindu nation. Looking back ten to fifteen years, the contradiction between Hindu majority India and Nepal, which were very close, has grown. The Nepali leadership’s increasing closeness to the dragon is the only reason for this. So the actual cause for breaking the alliance is different from what we see on the information mediums; in reality, Beijing’s representative, KP Sharma Oli, wanted to take all the important political, economic, and strategic calls internally and externally but failed to do so. The following trust vote will decide who will lead Nepal and the next strategy. If the situation as it is now seen remains the same, then the current coalition can stay in power even further. (Rohan is a journalism graduate from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) New Delhi, and Manager Operations at CIHS.)

Policy Security Technology

570

India’s battle in the Skies: The Fight Against Pakistan’s Terror Drones

RahulPAWA | @imrahulpawa Recently, skies over India have become a battleground for an insidious new threat – terror drones. The severity of this menace was laid bare once again yesterday when Indian security forces detected a drone that had violated Indian airspace and was flying in from Pakistan near the international border in Gurdaspur district of the north Indian state of Punjab. In a swift retaliatory response, the Indian security forces fired upon the drone, causing it to retreat towards Pakistan. This incident follows a similar pattern from the previous month, where Indian security forces discovered a high-end Chinese-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK quadcopter in Gurdaspur that had infiltrated from Pakistan. The discovery of this sophisticated drone, valued at a staggering USD $13,700, is a sobering reminder of the growing use of advanced aerial technology by malevolent actors across borders. Moreover, not only Punjab has seen Pakistan-operated terror drones in violation of Indian airspace. Earlier this year, a drone was shot down in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar sector. Indian security forces recovered five packages of narcotics from the wreckage of that drone. In another incident of illegal cross-border drone droppings from November last year in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Samba district. The police recovered two unassembled improvised explosive devices with detonators, two Chinese-made pistols, four magazines loaded with 60 rounds, and half a million Indian rupees that were dropped by a terror drone controlled from Pakistan. With this recent uptick in Pakistan’s unmanned aerial vehicle activity, it is becoming incessantly clear that the incidents involving their terror drones in India are not isolated occurrences; rather, they represent a calculated and deliberate escalation of modern-day asymmetrical warfare aimed at undermining India’s security. The usage of such drones by Pakistan for activities like hostile reconnaissance, drug and weapon trafficking, and transporting explosives and ammunition into India has increased four times in Punjab alone since the beginning of this year. As a countermeasure, Indian security forces stationed along the international border states have ramped up their vigilance and intercepted more than a dozen terror drones from Pakistan in the past few weeks alone. It is no secret that Pakistan is deeply involved in the insidious practice of narco-terrorism. This is not mere hearsay but a widely acknowledged fact, confirmed by international organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL), and prominent forums such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+). The FATF’s demand last year for Pakistan to demonstrate concrete action against terrorism was a reminder of its precarious position on the FATF grey list. Recent scrutiny of Pakistan’s government-sponsored terrorism has also been directed towards its bid to revive a 2019 bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). There were serious concerns over using bailout funds, given Pakistan’s history of fostering secessionism and terrorism in India. Pakistan’s tumultuous past has been characterised by widespread criticism of its army’s rampant corruption, the government’s lack of developmental policies, and a blatant disregard for its citizen’s welfare. The country has been notorious for its efforts to cultivate jihadist extremism and sponsor terrorism against India, which has ultimately resulted in its downfall. Subsequently, a classic case study for the world to see as an example of how states that harbour and endorse extremism, sponsor terrorism, and lack coherent plans for their people’s growth and development are bound to fail. Concerningly, the increasing and escalating use of terror drones launched from Pakistan against India epitomises the mindset of the country’s deep state and army. Alarmingly, Pakistan seems to have decided to persist in diverting its valuable resources towards supporting terror, thereby continuing to nurture the monster of terrorism that it created, even though it has already bankrupted the country. By resorting to narco-terrorism, small arms smuggling and financing of terrorism by the use of terror drones with an aspiration to destabilise India, especially its youth. Pakistan is exposing itself to further repercussions at the hands of an able Indian national security apparatus and extreme scrutiny from its financial backers, organisations, unions and nations that greatly benefit it. Pakistan has active loans from international lending agencies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), among others. It is also a partner in the Paris Pact Initiative, which seeks to combat opiate trafficking, consumption and related issues along the Afghan trafficking routes. Pakistan benefits from Europe’s preferential tariff programmes, including the GSP+. However, Pakistan’s blatant support for organised crime, extremism and terrorism has seriously undermined its credibility. As a result, these agencies and entities have imposed new stringent rectification requirements on Pakistan’s support for terrorism and extremism to maintain their support. The country’s unwavering commitment to pursuing this treacherous path endangers regional stability and poses a significant threat to global peace and security. At this crucial juncture, the international community must recognise the gravity and implications of Pakistan’s “terror drones” deployment against India. Moreover, global leaders must take note of the nations that endorse and enable Pakistan’s actions. Pakistan’s long-standing ally, the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) led China, which boasts an unbreakable friendship with Pakistan, has become a source of concern. Recent findings of Pakistan-operated terror drones and weaponry recovered in Indian territory offer tangible evidence of Chinese technology, equipment, and weaponry being used for narco-terror and related terrorist activities in India. A considerable proportion of the drones used by Pakistan in cross-border operations in India are supplied by the Chinese firm SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. In December 2020, the US government listed DJI on a trade-restricted list due to concerns about its connections to the CPC government. Notably, some of the batteries that power these drones are manufactured by a company based in Karachi, Pakistan. Despite the CPC’s repeated claims of a firm commitment to combat international terrorism, doubts have arisen due to its continued support for Pakistan’s backed

Disinformation Media Misinformation Uncategorized World

701

Truth behind lies!

NYT breaks bread with terror supporters, spreads mischievous, malicious & fictitious propaganda on press freedom in Kashmir Zero tolerance to violence, subversion or terrorism has been the steadfast policy of Indian Government across her provinces including Union Territory of Kashmir which is non-negotiable. Past governments to an extent and the Narendra Modi-led regime in particular have implemented this policy in letter and spirit. Ignoring the sovereign right of a lawfully elected Government’s right to frame its policies towards terror, its handlers and supporters, The New York Times has provided its space to Anuradha Bhasin, executive editor of The Kashmir Times that worked in geometrically opposite ways. “Modi’s final assault on press freedom has begun” published as guest essay in opinion pages of The New York Times edition of March 8, 2023 is proof of this new found sweet heart ties between terror supporters and the American media establishment against India and her government. Bhasin, notorious for having peddled misinformation in the Kashmir valley lending support to subversives that were part of Pakistan’s K2 – Khalistan & Kashmir project – has the gumption to question Narendra Modi government and India’s commitment to press freedom. The New York Times seems to have fallen into the trap of anti-India forces campaigning globally to derail its famed growth and development story that’s beyond blemish. The Kashmir Times founder editor Ved Bhasin’s proclivity with terrorists supported, abetted and financed by Pakistan’s dirty tricks department, Security Establishment and ISI are known beyond doubt. Having supported terrorism and anti-India forces, today Anuradha Bhasin seems to be crying wolf on suppression of press freedom. If that was true, her write up that’s a figment of fertile imagination would not have been read, seen or viewed in India or elsewhere. Hence, her arguments are either flawed, erroneous or driving a pre-set agenda based narrative in the international media networks. The New York Times seems to have become a willing partner in this ‘fake-narrative’ push. In later part of her write up, Anuradha Bhasin admits to proliferation of media outlets in Kashmir. If repression were to be true, how do media flourish or expand in any part of the globe? Citing tax surveys on BBC to derive support to her argument again is laughable. Neither BBC’s operations have been restricted nor their reporting teams restricted. All that India stated was asking the British Broadcaster set up through an act of British Parliament to adhere to Indian rules and regulations. If press freedom was a threat, then how’s it that more than 300 active foreign and Indian scribes work for global media organizations? India has well established judicial system, policing and independent media apart from the executive as well as the democratic institutions that have defined the country’s governance structure in a federal format. First fallacy peddled by Anuradha Bhasin – who in person, family and her media empire benefited from the previous governments’ largesse – that Article 370 was abruptly withdrawn. Modi’s party, BJP election manifesto clearly outlined its policy of zero tolerance towards foreign funded terror groups of all hues and shades, their handlers and supporters. The elected government in 2014 went about to implement its agenda as people’s mandate that include abrogation of article 370. Intermittent internet shut downs is a common grouse of a few people in the Kashmir valley so much so the terror groups, their handlers and financing hands. Most of stone pelting, violence incidents have happened via the messaging apps generously used by Pakistani establishment. None can dispute the fact that internet connectivity improved and grassroots democratic process has begun to take shape ignoring violence, bids to subvert Kashmir and disintegrate the Kashmiri society. Making charges that Indian government forced judiciary to bend backwards or supressed press freedom has any basis or true.

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