INDIAN OPTION IN THE ESCALATING SINO- US COLD WAR IN THE REGION

INDIAN OPTION IN AN ESCALATING SINO-US COLD WAR IN THE REGION?

In the geo- strategic environs of our region,certain developments are taking place at a very hectic pace, which has serious implications for the peace and harmony of the South Asian region. In short and precise words, South Asia, South East Asia and Asia Pacific region are soon going to turn into a combat zone for a Cold War between China and USA. From Persian Gulf to South China Sea, proxy soldiers of the two belligerent nations are being lined up to checkmate each other. In this chess game of China and USA, India and Pakistan may emerge as the two front line states, each on the two opposing sides. It would definitely affect the peace and harmony of South Asia.

The tension between China and USA has been growing much beyond the war of words. In May 2016, weeks before President Obama of USA embarked on his visit to Vietnam and Japan, an American Reconnaissance plane in South China Sea was almost intercepted by two Chinese fighter aircrafts, which came within 30 feet of US plane. China does not like US intrusion into South China Sea because it claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Besides it is a known fact that South China Sea bed is rich in hydro- Carbons. Even in 2014 and 2015, US warships in South China Sea have been threateningly confronted by China. Such close encounters, between the two, are bound to create prospects of a military conflict, which would affect the countries of the region.

In order to boost support in the region, both are sewing allies in their prospective military alliances. From the US point of view India is considered a great asset to counter China; while China thinks Pakistan can checkmate India through her so called " Strategic Assets" . Therefore it openly throws weight behind her. Thus, India- Pakistan are caught in a quagmire of Sino- US Cold War with serious implications for peace and harmony of South Asia. Before I go any further, let me highlight some of the important events taking place, concerning India and Pakistan.

Recently, USA has shown a considerable tilt towards India in its Foreign policy. In May 2016, US senate blocked a $ 500 Million military aid to Pakistan, which was aimed to sell eight F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan. With this blockage, $ 700 million deal fell through because Pakistan was unable to send letter of intent by 24 May 2016. Then, USA passed a National Defence Authorization Act ( NDAA) -2017, which sought to provide military aid to India at par with NATO countries. The aim and purpose is to equip India military so as to allow it to stand up to Chinese expansionism in the region.. A report in May 2016, by a US think tank had stated that China was amassing troops on India's borders. It is in this context that the visit of Indian Prime Minister to USA on June 10, 2016 gains significance. While a red carpet welcome is being organized for him, he is also likely to address combined session of US lawmakers. Ceremonies aside, focus is going to be on China.

With India as the pivot, USA is building a military coalition in the South East Asia, and Asia Pacific region so as to contain growing Chinese influence. The countries , who are likely to be in this coalition besides India are Australia, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. In May 2016, US President, Barrack Obama visited Vietnam to renew US - Vietnam relations, severed since late seventies of last Century. First act of President Obama on reaching Vietnam was to lift Arms embargo on Vietnam. With this Vietnam can now acquire sophisticated arms from USA. Thus, from South Korea- Japan through Vietnam and Taipei to India- Australia, USA is trying to build a military coalition to checkmate China's growing expansion in the Asia Pacific region.

What is worrisome for USA is Chinese aggression in mineral rich South China Sea, where it has been going beyond its territorial waters to build airports on man made islands out of coral reef. The countries of the region such as Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have an overlapping claims over South China Sea. More recently, China has built artificial islands with military runways in the South China Sea just 300 miles from the Vietnamese coast. It posts a direct threat to Vietnam. A US report accuses China of acquiring 3200 acres of land in islands in South China Sea for military purposes.

As a counter, USA is fishing for access to Cam Ranh Bay, of Vietnam, where the Vietnamese have built a new international port which was another strategic reason for USA to lift the arms ban. It may be noted that a US presence there would allow US forces to use the port on the western edge of the South China Sea, thus linking up with US facilities in the Philippines on the Eastern edge of South China Sea. This would entail an attempt to checkmate China in the South China Sea. Attempts are also on to enroll Malaysia Brunei and Singapore, who find their territorial waters sovereignty being breached by China through her hegemonist acts in the region.

Now let us look at what China has been trying to do in the region. In Indian military analysis, certain acts of China are seriously unfriendly. They include Chinese support to insurgency in the North East to Maoist movement in the central and South India. China's repeated incursions across the line of Control in Ladakh, also make India uncomfortable. Increased military activities in Tibet and building activities in Nepal do ring alarm bells in India. Besides, China's open support to Pakistan invariably upsets India. It would be foolish to think that India was not concerned about such Chinese activities. It therefore seeks to counter such moves of China. And what better way to do so by aligning with obliging USA.

In July 2015, China signed CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) pact with Pakistan. With this pact China has committed some $46 Billion dollars for the development of Pakistan's tribal Areas falling in Baluchistan and KPK provinces, through which 3000 KM long Karakoram Highway runs from Sinkang (Jinjiang) province of Western China to Pakistan's warm water port at Gawador on the Persian Gulf. This has provided a much needed access to sea routes, near oil rich region, to China for her commercial activities.

Gawador port provides China an alternative route for her petroleum needs. It is important to note that, so far, 82% of China's oil needs and 25% of its Liquified Natural Gas requirements were carried from Persian Gulf through the sea routes, passing through Malacca Strait and South China Sea. The sea routes can be choked and thus not only derail Chinese economy but also affect its military capabilities. Therefore, Gawador port in the Gulf of Oman, near the Middle East oil rich region, attains significance because it provides a safe land route to China through Karakoram Highway. In May 2016, while visiting China, Pakistan Army's chief , General Raheel Sharief, assured China that Pakistan military would protect Chinese interests in this corridor at all costs. He also promised to raise a force of 3000 men to protect this corridor. It is estimated some 17000 Pakistan's military troops are currently guarding Chinese engineers and workers in Pakistan. It may also be noted that there had been reports of the presence of 10,000 to 15000 Chinese troops in the Gilgit- Hunza area of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan sees this intimate Sino- Pakistan relationship as a counter weight to India's growing military power in the region. In fact, both Pakistan and China, are using each other to checkmate India. Over the last few years, China has been bullying India by intruding troops into Indian territory in Ladakh. India responded with much restraint because it is still struggling to acquire a military punch vis- a- vis China. Thus, deliberate intrusion into Indian territory, repeatedly, almost at will, was not only to browbeat Indian military and amuse Pakistan Army but also to divert Indian attention from growing military activities of China in the Karakoram- Highway Corridor.

Come what may, China considers India as a major stumbling block in her race to global supremacy. In Spite of all the theatrics of peace and harmony between India and China, there are conflicting economic, political, military and strategical interests of the two Asian Giants. Militarily and economically, China has taken a march ahead of India and it can never accept Indian equality. There are historical reasons too for this Chinese hostility towards India. Dalai Lama and Tibet are key pillars of this hostility. It is this reason which will never diminish trust -deficit in Sino - Indian relations. Even India can not accept Chinese hand of friendship as true after what happened in 1962.

What must be noted is the fact that China is using Pakistan to contain India. Therefore, besides, Pakistan Military, it is China , too, who would not allow friendly relations between India and Pakistan. In order to keep Pakistan Military amused , China has made deft move to block India's membership of Nuclear Supplier Group ( NSG). What was more pleasing to Pakistan military was use of veto power by China in the UN Security Council, to stop declaration of Azhar Masood of Pakistan, head of Jamait-ur-dawa,(JuD) as a wanted international terrorist. India accuses him as a mastermind behind Mumbai 26/11 and Pathankot Air Base (2/1/2016) attacks. Despite foolproof evidences, Pakistan does not relent and China goes out to support Pakistan's viewpoint in UN Security Council. This certainly. Is not a friendly act towards India.

Truly speaking, given the geo- strategic, political, economic and ideological differences, India and China can not trust each other. This also seeds the mutual animosity between the two, though apparent thaw in their relationship since 1962. China, along with laying claims to Arunachal Pradesh of India in the East, has been in occupation of approximately , some 42600/- square KMs of Indian Territory in the Aksai Chin region of Jammu and Kashmir state of India. This also includes 5180 square KMs ceded by Pakistan to China since 1960s. In addition, it's string of pearls policy around the Indian Ocean aims at encirclement of India. Add to it China's open abuse of LC in Ladakh over the last few years. It should leave no doubts in the minds of Defence planners as to what entails danger to national security in the future.

While animosity with China seems to be a permanent affair,at least in the near future, often lapsing into "Blow Hot- Blow Cold"scenarios.,it would be pertinent to understand long term and short term options of India. In the long term option of dealing with China,, it is mandatory that India must counter China on her own mettle. To do so , it has to rapidly upgrade and strengthen her military muscles.

Besides, it has to ensure that her neighborhood is sanitized of Chinese influence. India must know that China has no inhibition of not only containing India but also breaking it up into 20-30 states. In an article in 2009, in an online Magazine, Global Times, Official Chinese mouth piece, author had recommended India's breakup. China has been pursuing this objective since then. It is evident from Chinese act of fuelling insurgencies not only in North East India. but also supporting Maoist/ Naxalite movement. Further, It wants to use Pakistan, Srilanka, Nepal and Bangladesh Desh as the pivots of this strategy.

Therefore, India must create viable military options against her such belligerent neighbors. This is where signing in May 2016 of an Indo- Iran deal on development of Chabahar Port in South Eastern Iran, some 100 Miles West of Gwador port, at the cost of $ 500 Million attains importance. Connected to this deal is construction of a 900 KMs long railway line, at a cost of another $400 Million , from Chabahar to Zeheden on the Afghanistan border, which will provide alternative military option to India in Afghanistan to tell Pakistan as to what can happen in KPK and Balochistan, if it does not stops its fueling militant movements in India.

To checkmate aggressive designs of China, India, besides developing its own military muscles, ought to counter Sino-Pakistan nexus by creating other military options for herself. Therefore , in the short term scenario, India has to use US umbrella to upset Chinese military advantages. Also, it has to stitch up a mutual defence pact with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and USA to checkmate China. Whether India likes it or not, it is a compulsion of present times for India to get drawn into the ongoing Cold War between China and USA. And India is going to play a major role in this battle. All the same, India must take full advantage of visible tilt in US foreign policy from Pakistan to India. Strategic relations with Iran and Afghanistan must be further strengthened to engage Pakistan on her Western borders. There should be no qualms about it. National security and defence can not be a hostage of moral baggage of the past.

Read more...

SINO INDIAN COLD WAR: AZHAR MASHOOD AND DOLIKUN ISA

SINO-INDIAN COLD WAR: AZHAR MASOOD VERSUS DOLKUN ISA

    Azhar Masood, is a Pakistani national, heading terrorist Organisation, Lashkar-E-Taiyba ( LeT) and Jamaat-Ud-Dawa. These terrorist organizations are engaged in terrorist operations in India. Pakistan military lexicon recognizes them as " Strategic Assets". India holds Azhar Masood responsible for terrorist attack on Pathankot Airforce base on 02 January 2016. India also accuses him of Mumbai 26/11 in 2008. Despite all the evidences provided by India, he roams freely in Pakistan, though put under house arrest. Recently, India had approached UN Security Council to declare him a "wanted Terrorist" . But this was blocked by China in a secret ballot, using her Veto Power.

    Why did China make this move? China has serious problem in its Eastern most autonomous province Xinjiang, also called Sinkiang. This province has Muslim Majority, who is wanting an independent East Turkistan state to be carved out of this autonomous region of China. The Muslim population is around 51.6% of the province population. There are two types of Muslim ethnicities, one is of "Uyghurs" of Turkick origin and other "Hui" is more closer to Majority Han population of China. The separatist movement is headed by Uyghurs segment of the population under the banner of WUC (World Uyghurs Congress) headed by Dolikun Isa. China has tried her best to suppress the Uyghurs movement through force.  It now wants to try it through the good services of Azhar Masood , who has good links with Taliban and Al Qaida. WUC is also supported by Al Qaida and more recently by ISIS. Besides, significance of Xinjiang province lay in the fact that it provides access to its area of economic interest around Gwador Port of Pakistan on the Arabian Sea. The famous Karakoram Highway oases through this. Besides, Xinjiang provinces borders India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Turkey and Kazakhstan . Its vulnerability becomes more acute if Uyghurs movement gains strength. 

  Annoyed with China for blocking its move in UN Security Council, India has made a counter move by issuing Visa to head Of WUC , Mr. Dolikun Isa. He is coming to meet Tibetan spiritual leader His Highness Dalai Lama. It is obvious, they are NOT going to exchange spiritual messages. Both Tibetans and Uyghurs are victims of Chinese oppressions. Tibet, Xinjiang and Outer Magolia are China's three major internal vulnerabilities, which are waiting to be exploited. Allowing Dolikun to visit Dalai Lama, India is sending a strong message of her TIT FOR TAT policy. This is the first time India has made a significant counter move. China's bullying of India for exploration of Oil in South China Sea in collaboration with Vietnam was earlier rebuffed. Similar Border excursion by China in Leh has been strongly opposed by Indian military though not in strength. 

     The is move by India should tell China that India is ready to stand up to her. It is a known fact that China has always seen India as a weakling. This notion has existed since 1962. No wonders, Chinese official Government news paper, Global Times had sarcastically observed a few days back that India was like a beautiful woman, who was always booing strongmen like USA and China. This was done when Indian ministers, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, External affairs and Manohar Parrirkar, Defence Minister were visiting China. This does reveal China's over confidence in herself and perceptions of a weak India. Global Times, is the same news paper which published an article in 2009, later withdrawn, which talked of breaking up of India into 20-30 states through a soft war. Maoists and Naxalites insurgency in India ever since has gained momentum. There is a tell- tale evidence of Chinese involvement in this. India has to tell China that you too have similar vulnerabilities in Tibet, Outer Mangolia and Xinjiang. 

       China’s aggressive posture towards India and her hectic activities of 'string of pearls' policy in the Indian ocean, rail-road construction in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) along with positioning of its troops in the FCNA of Pakistan, some two years back, is a sure indicator of her future intentions about India. On April 15, 2013, some 50 PLA troops intruded into Indian territory, up to 19 KMs in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) Sector of Ladakh and established a tented camp. This was clear provocation and NO friendly act. Though matter was resolved amicably, but it was at a great cost to India, where she had to accept Chinese terms to dismantle Indian look-out post in Chumar.  Thereafter a number of times China had intruded into Indian territory and tried to dominate it. But India reacted responsibly, a diplomatic term for "weakness". 

       In all assessments, therefore, the threat to Indian security from China is considered paramount. In an interview, to editor-in-chief, Mr. Raj Chengappa, of ‘The Tribune’, a North India daily from Chandigarh, published on October 17, 2010, General VK Singh, then, Chief of army staff of Indian Army, while talking of China, had rightly observed that notwithstanding the present peace on the Chinese borders, there was a need to be vigilant as the intentions can change when the capabilities grow. In other words, peace or no peace, Chinese threat cannot be discounted, particularly when you view it in terms of its latest activities around India.         

     China had been following a policy of encirclement of India both by sea and land. Its 'string of pearls' spreads from Gwador in Pakistan, through Hamanbantota in Sri Lanka to deep water port at Sittwe in Myanmar. It would control the sea lanes to India in the Indian Ocean. Besides, China had been busy in making foray into South Asian nations around India. India has Pakistan on her western borders, whose military sees India not only her enemy number one but also the only evil in the world. The Maoist Nepal, despite temporary setback, also looks to China as a friend, philosopher and a guide.  China has also cultivated Bangla Desh and sees it as a major anti-India plank for seeding and supporting separatist movements in India’s North East states. It supported Sri Lanka with weapons and equipment, during its final war with LTTE in the year 2008-09. What is worse is that China has been supporting the military regime in Myanmar to go nuclear through covert assistance from North Korea. If it happens then, India would be fully flanked in the North, East and the West by nuclear states. It would be very dangerous situation for India.         
   

         Thus, China’s over all military strategy against India has been four pronged:-

         (a)     Contain and isolate India by making her neighbors hostile and unfriendly.
         (b)     Outsource its low cost proxy war to Pakistan and Maoists/Naxalites by:-
                  (i)     Supporting and encouraging internal Insurgencies brewing in India 
                  and thus  break-up India through implosion.              
                  (ii)     Using Pakistan to the maximum to retard India’s military and economic 
                   growth.
          (c)     Dominate sea-lanes around India through a  ‘String of Pearls’ policy. 
          (d)     Befool Indian leadership and Indian public through overt goodwill gestures 
           in the interregnum period.

     To counter above Chinese strategy, India must consider her self equal to China in all respects. An aggressive rather than begging approach needs to be adopted. China must be reminded of Nathula -1967 incident. Further, India must develop intimate relations with countries hostile to China and develop this into a strategic partnership. Vietnam, Japan and Australia must become important links in this partnership. ASEAN needs to be explored for economic and military ties. Secondly, India must make all out efforts to reduce Chinese influence in her neighborhood. Countries like SriLanka, Nepal, Bangladesh Desh ought to be won over as part of an economic development program. If possible, engage Pakistan through Afghanistan. Let Baluchistan, Sindh and KPK become its thorn in the flesh. The way to deny use of Pakistan by China is through WOM ( War By Other Means). Having done this, India must take the WOM inside Chinese borders through Tibet, Outer Mangolia and Xinjiang. Fuel Uyghurs insurgency actively as does China in case of North East and Maoists/ Naxalites movement. Finally, relations with Russia must be strengthened. USA may be sought as a partner but it is an unreliable customer. It must not be totally depended. It has history of leaving friends midway to their own fate. Korea to Vietnam to Iraq, Afghanistan, even Pakistan and Kosovo , story is same of US betrayal. 

     It is imperative for India to be prepared for the worst. And the worst is when internal and external foes join hands to balkanize her. The moral and material support to Maoists and J&K militants from China and Pakistan, respectively, give enough indications as to what India must expect from her external foes. India doesn’t have to not only develop ability to fight on three fronts simultaneously but also be mentally tuned to face such an eventuality. Half the job would be done, once India accepts this as a reality of the near-future. Sometimes preparing for war serves as a good deterrent to the adversaries. Preparing meticulously, with worst scenario in mind, often lays the foundation of victory. And Modi government has made a good move by giving visa to Dolikun Isa.

Read more...

FAKE ENCOUNTER: TRUTH AND LIES OF ISHARAT JAHAN CASE!

FAKE ENCOUNTER: TRUTH AND LIES OF ISHARAT JAHAN CASE!

A raging controversy has engulfed the nation, over the last few days, whether killing of Isharat Jahan and three other persons by Gujarat Police in 2004, was a fake encounter or a genuine one? The line of arguments turning it "Fake", deliberately overlooks and ignores the fact that when there was a war, enemy soldiers were ought to be killed. If it was not done then, your own soldiers jeopardize their own lives because enemy soldiers won't give them a chance.

O' India! Shed some tears for Lt Kalia of Kargil -99 war fame! How was he treated by the enemy? Eyes gouged out; Genetals cut and the body was mutilated out of shape. India only huffed and puffed but nothing else it could do to Pakistan. On the other hand Pakistan's two IRREGULAR SOLDIERS are killed inside Indian territory with two Indian fifth columnists. Lo! Some Indian politicians and "secularists" are crying foul and say that it was a fake encounter. These secularists and politicians have, though, different personal motives hidden in this Fake Encounter Theory. The issue is not whether the method of neutralisation of IRREGULAR SOLDIERS of the enemy was fake or genuine but whether terrorists were Fake or real Enemies of India!

The constitution of India clearly defines as to who was to be treated as enemy. It says that anyone, whether citizen or a foreigner, who picks up arms against the Indian state or indulges in a conspiracy to undermine its integrity and security was to be treated as enemy of the nation. There are NO moral strings attached to it. When the integrity and security of the nation was concerned, human rights have NO place. Don't they say everything is fair in love and war.

The shouts and loud cries of a fake encounter of Ishrat Jahan is a very weak ploy to mask political intrigues. Judges who buy this theory would be going against the very constitution of India, which they are entrusted to uphold. It is painfully noted that FAKE ENCOUNTER THEORY was not to show concern for the Humsn rights of Isharat Jahan and her cohorts but part of a sinister design to eliminate political adversary through a misguided and misdirected judicial process by manipulating the instruments of the state, while in power.

Facts of Isharat Jahan now being revealed indicate that Isharat Jahan was NOT an Innocent Indian citizen. She was part of an Organisation fighting Proxy war against India. Her innocence gets blown to the winds when one asks oneself as to what was she doing with two LeT operatives, who were gunned down along with her. In his interrogation, David Headley claims that she was trained as a Human bomb by LeT. A UN document says that she was member of a terrorist Organisation , fighting proxy war against India. The interrogation report of David Headley by NIA officer , Mr. Behera, paints her as part of a LeT module. Then where is the question of her Human rights and innocence.? Even LeT website had initially claimed her as its operative, which was immediately noted by Indian intelligence agencies and brought to the knowledge of then government. How can , then, her elimination be treated as Fake?

The only fact is that four "IRREGULAR SOLDIERS" of the enemy, in the shape of Isharat Jahan , Javed and their two Pakistani collaborators, as determined by Indian Constitution , was done away with. There are NO violations of Human rights when enemy soldiers are killed in a war. It is as simple and straight. Indian judiciary and Indial lawyers harping about human rights and fake encounter ought to know the nuisance of modern day war, being pursued by Pakistan against India. It is called WOM (War by Other Means).Terrorist organizations raised and sponsored by it are their Irregular Soldiers' cleverly waging war against India through indirect means. To neutralize such irregular Soldiers of the enemy can not be termed as Fake. I am sure, Munish Tiwari and Randeep Surjewala of Congress's are not so ignorant about these inferences. If so, then, it is sad reflection of the people who ruled India for 55 years out of 68.

It is now known that first affidavit, filed by the government in the courts, which spoke of Isharat Jahan as part of a LeT module, was changed with the full knowledge of the powers that be. It does smack of an ulterior motive by the person who did it. The change has political and national security overtones. I have NO intentions of dissecting political intentions but would like to question this decision with national security in mind.

By accusing security forces and intelligence agencies, who eliminated the four LeT operatives, the morale of the forces was undermined. If the government's of the day, treat their soldiers like this, who would take risks to provide you internal security? This was a genuine case but at times genuine mistakes do occur, would the authorities say , " Go face the Music"? In the GAME OF THE FOXES, all kind of dirty tricks are employed the world over. There are NO moral strings tied on your intelligence agencies. In the instant case, INTELLIGENCE BUREAU was not only put under the scanner but it was pitted against CBI, Putting different organs of the state on a platform where both were baying for each other's blood is an anti -dose of National Security.

The deliberate act to paint Isharat Jahan and her three cohorts as Innocents, made National Security apparatus of India a laughing stock in the rest of the world. Look at the contrast what USA did when their CIA Contractor, David, cold bloodedly murdered two ISI agents in Lahore a few years back. It was an unpardonable act in a foreign country. But USA pulled all strings to take him back safely to USA. Why go, so far? Look at Pakistan. It makes mockery of all your evidences on 26/11 Mumbai Attack or more recently Pathankot Air Base Attack on 02 January 2016. It refuses to accept its involvement. All your evidences are thrown out of the window. And what India does, it exposes its own security men and tells the world, as to how high we are on the moral grounds. Why do the Indians forget the case of two Italian Marines who cold bloodedly murdered Indian fishermen. Italy refuses to send them India to face the trial.

Have we ever thought as to why world treats India like it does. it is because we are a confused nation, ruled by confused people , who have no idea of national security and its parameters. No wonder, recently, Global Times, a Chinese official mouth piece, carried an article , which stated that India was like a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN who wants to be booed by the strong men in the house , like USA and China. Worst was an observation by a CIA agent to Brigadier Yousuf Mohammed of Pakistan Army in the 1980-81, which stated that Indians are bastares who can sell their mothers for money. This has been quoted by Brig Yousuf Mohammed in this book, BEAR TRAP.

This fake encounter controversy has done much more damage to national security than Pakistan aided militancy and insurgency. So many sincere police officers and Intelligence officers have been harassed and tortured that their tales would prohibit any future officers to take risks. How can one secure a nation when it is its own enemy? Naturally, then Kirpal Singh's and Sarabjit Singh would be butchered by ISI and India would continue to harp about moralities.Who cares? Eight years back Mumbai 26/11 happened, what to say of prosecuting the culprits, Pakistan is not even accepting your evidence? Why would it, when India itself provides it excuses to doubt the credibility of the evidences furnished. Very sad state of affairs!

Read more...

NITISH KUMAR FREE BIHAR!

NITISH KUMAR FREE BIHAR!

India needs NITISH Kumar Free Bihar! What a sham he is---- He is advocating a KHICHDI RAJ in India in 2019----He stitched up an opportunist MAHAGATHBANDHAN with Laloo Yadav for Bihar Elections in 2015----- a Convicted & a corrupt politician. Both have hoisted Jungle Raj in Bihar. 

India also needs an Arvind Kejriwal Free Delhi------ A master of conceit.

India does need a Rahul- Vadra free Bharat ----- how gullible they are in exploiting India.

India desperately needs to be rid of Mayawatis, Mulayams, Mamtas, Karunanidhis, Dave Gowdas, Jay Lalitas, TSRs, Sidharamaiyas, also Mehboiba Muftis and Omar Abdullas. 

India also needs Indian Universities free of Kanhaiya Kumars and Khalid Umars.

India also needs to be free of RESERVATIONS and its resultant effect on administration and social moralities. 

Above all, India certainly needs an Arun Jaitley free BJP -------Not to forget Yogi Adityanaths and Sakshi Maharajs---- if it wants to survive. 

BJP obviously needs to shed its RSS baggage too. 

What say thou? Have your take.

Read more...

HANDWARA INCIDENT: MISCHIEVOUS TV NEWS CHANNELS!

MISCHIEVOUS TV NEWS CHANNEL: ALLEGED RAPE OF A SCHOOL GIRL BY A SOLDIER IN HANDWARA, NORTH KASHMIR !

How good are our TV News channel in masking the truth and fermenting enraging controversies is evident from an alleged rape of a school girl in HANDWARA of North Kashmir a few days back. The allegation led to protests by local residents and an attempted attack on an Army Post, probably, instigated by militants which led to firing by army. Unfortunately, a budding cricketer lost his life in the firing, who had nothing to do with the the protests. The allegation of molestation by a soldier was vehmently denied by the girl.

An Indian News Channel, NDTV , has added fuel to the fire by interviewing the mother of the girl, seven days after the incident, who gave a version different from what girl had said.. This one- sided version has painted the army as a culprit. It is manifestly apparent that name of the game is to denigrate the army by masking the truth. Is this freedom of press or misuse of freedom?

SC or High Cort of J&K should take a suo motto notice of this interview for causing disharmony . It is no doubts that the interview became the cause of fresh riots which led to the death of another young boy. NDTV news channel has behaved in a most irresponsible manner by spreading falsehood. if it wanted to do justice, it should have also given the view point of the Army along with this interview. Unfortunately,money sided interview only suggests that intent was to cause further unrest and defame the army. I am of the opinion that Army HQs or the Northern Command should sue NDTV for causing disruption of peace by such half truths. This could be a lesson for other news channels.

Here is what comes out from an extract of a news item in Times of India of April17, 2016: ---

"--------According to sources, the girl had filed an FIR (No. 130, dated April 12, 2016) against the two local boys who slapped and accused her of an illicit relationship with a soldier. The FIR under sections 509, 506, 341, 354 of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) was registered in front of a huge crowd that had gathered in the police station after the boys spread the word in the main market of the town.

Later that day, the father, along with the girl and her aunt, went to the police station seeking protection from violent mobs on a rampage in the town. Why the mother and the brother of the girl had not accompanied them was not clear. Sources said the two had instead gone to the girl's uncle's place and locked their own house.

Civil administration sources, however, confirmed the girl had recorded her statement before judicial magistrate Handwara under CrPC section 164 on Saturday. The girl, sources said, repeated the statem-ent she had made in the video.-----------"

In all probability, as I understand, the girl may have fallen in love with a soldier in the nearby army post. Apparently, the lover- soldier must have been frequently meeting his 16 year old teenage beloved. It is a known truth that in all love affairs, known and unknown, local acquaintances of the girls invariably oppose the outside boy winning the love of the girl. In the instant case, too, this might have been the bone of contention between the local boys of her class. Also, the brother of the girl and her mother might have resented and disliked it. Thus, the jealous classmates might have engineered this incident to scare the soldier and the girl. It was a typical Bollywood film script, in which mother and brother give a dissenting note. Thus, an easy exploitation by militants.?

It it is obvious that the mother had been pressurized to make this statement. But what was the pressure on NDTV to rush with this interview ? This is a lopsided display of liberty and freedom of press at the cost of National Security. What a sham democracy India is that it threatens her own security by her own people! Such news channels are working against the existence of India with short sighted vision to enhance viewership. To me, they are enemy of the state within the state. Time has come when India has to decide what to do with such fifth columnists, else be ready to disintegrate.

As regards firing by the army men on the so called stone pelting protesters, one must note that soldiers are deployed in Kashmir NOT for honey moon vacation. They have a job to do. If you are surrounded by 1000 people, who want to kill you, what would you do? Soldiers are NOT disciples of Mahatama Gandhi to allow the hooligans to put forward their other cheek to slap them. The protesters were not only pelting stones but we're also trying to burn the post held by soldiers. In self defence, they legitimately fired. If some innocent persons got killed, the fault lay with the marauding crowd, instigated by the separatists.

In a study carried out by a Human Rights Organization, a few years back, it came out that 97.3% cases of alleged rape and molestation against the soldiers in Kashmir were false and motivated cases. Deliberate attempt are made to convert deaths, rape and molestations by local criminals, engineered or otherwise, to denigrate and demoralize the soldiers. It is unfortunate that soldiers are NOT allowed to rebut such charges at the local level--- A practice followed by a Colonial British Army. It is left to PR ( Public Relations) men at a formation Headquarters, who are generally activated 7-10 days after alleged incident. But by then, damage is already done.

Use of Media is a force multiplier in LOW INTENSITY CONFLICTS OR FOURTH GENERATIONAL WARFARE, which I would prefer to call WOM ( War By Other Means). Armed forces and strategic planners have to understand this. There is a need to have ARMED FORCES TV NEWS CHANNEL to counter such false propaganda by these uncouth and irresponsible TV news channels. This is an urgent need of the WOM. Besides, armed forces must authorize their subordinates to video graph or film such cases of protests. And they should be immediately released to the press through its own media channel.

The spin doctors of Pakistan aided Militancy in India are avidly exploiting the commercial needs of Indian News Channels. It is alleged in most knowledgeable quarters that most of the Indian Media, both electronic and Print, was owned, controlled or funded by foreign agencies either directly or indirectly through pliable Indian proxies. In the conflict Zones of WOM, media should be regulated. Some amount of restrictions need to be imposed on TV News Channels.juug

Read more...

KASHMIR AND ITS HISTORY---- POLITICAL INTERIGUES AND LIES

KASHMIR AND ITS HISTORY: VICTIMS OF SELF MADE POLITICAL INTRIGUES, EXTERNAL CONSPIRACIES AND DELIBERATE MISINFORMATION.

The other day, there were riots in the Handwara Town of North Kashmir due to alleged molestation of a school girl purportedly by a soldier. However, the story of molestation turns out to be false and concocted one by some one who wanted to create tension and blame the army. It is no rocket science to know as to how these concocted stories of Rape and molestation have been used by militants to demoralize the security forces. As regards the instant case, here is something which comes out very clearly on the You Tube Video posted by some one. A transcription is posted below:-

"I went to the (public) washroom and handed my bag to a friend. When I came back, a Kashmiri student heckled me and snatched my bag. The boy in school uniform slapped me and asked 'if there were no boys in the valley' (angrily insinuating that the girl was in a relationship with a soldier). I was shocked and confused about what he had said. Suddenly, several boys gathered. The boy asked me to go to the police station with him. There was a police uncle nearby. I told the boy to return my bag so that I could go to police station with the cop. He said he would not return my bag and started abusing me.--------------------There was no soldier there (near or in the washroom). I saw Hilal (an acquaintance). He slapped me and asked me what I was doing there. I asked him how he too could accuse me of any such thing (allegation of an illicit relationship) knowing me and our family. He too started abusing. It seemed that they had conspired in advance. The boy instigated all other boys too to create trouble," the girls says in the video.

To be very frank, Kashmir and Kashmiris are entrapped in their self- made ordeals. Their history bears testimony to this. While researching for my book "Kashmir -- Footnotes From History", I came across very interesting facts about Kashmir and its history. Some historians and commentators talk about conceit and falsehood ingrained in the soil of Kashmir itself. But to me, the history of Kashmir is the villain.

Tragedy is that Kashmir looks towards "OUTSIDE GODS" for its internal problems to be resolved. When JALODHAV troubled them , they worshipped Lord Vishnu to rid them of the monster. When Turks attacked in the 14th Century, the king ran away leaving his queen behind., who in league with a foreiner, Rinchen Shah sought solution to incompetence of its own people. Rinchen Shah was debarred from becoming a Hindu by a Priest Devswamy, which changed the course of Kashmir History. . His descendants, Kashmiri Pundits pay the price of his rigidity today. Even today, they look towards others to resolve their self made problem. Let us know some facts of History.

"Kashmir”! It has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan over the almost last Sixty Nine years. Accusing fingers have been raised at individuals and leaders since 1947. It only shows how little people know about its history, which is the real cause of its current miseries. Here is what my reach found about Kashmir:-

“Kashmir” is known as the land of 'Neela Nag'—a Son of Kashyap Rishi and his wife Kudru, a supposedly serpent girl, who produced 'half-human and a half-Snake' children. Incidentally, 'Kashmir' is the name derived from Kashyap i.e. (Kashyap Mar). The beautiful valley of River Vitasta (Jhelum) has no one to blame but its own history for its current miseries. If it is now in the center stage of current Indo-Pak face- off, it is the handiwork of its history.

Frankly speaking, since 1820, Kashmir has been under the spell of the curse of its own history. And the cure will also come from its history only. I bet you will dismiss this as a joke. But recorded facts are otherwise. This logic (or truth!) of history of Kashmir was revealed to me, some three years back, by an illiterate Kashmiri guzzar of North Kashmir, when I had gone there to study the Kargil- 99episode. My friend, K****din, was convinced about it and I was stunned by it. And more I read about its history, more I am enamored by the sheer veracity of this logic. Here are some of the key points of my friend, K****din’s theory of 'Grand-Cycles-of-Kashmir-History': -

- Every 780-800 years of Kashmir's recorded history, it has been under the domination of a particular religion. This period of 780-800 years is called Grand Cycle of History.

- Every Grand Cycle is further subdivided into three sub Cycles of 265-275 years each.

- First Sub- cycle of each Grand Cycle relates to emergence, development and progress of a particular religion.

- Second Sub- Cycle pertains to consolidation and prosperity of the religion.

- The first two sub cycles of 500-530 years, above, make the golden period of domination of a religion.

- The third sub cycle leads to decay and degeneration of the predominant religion and

emergence of a new religious philosophy, which will dominate for other 500-520 years.

- The term ' religious domination' is to be read as 'State Patronization' of the philosophy of 'Worship and rituals' by human beings in a particular manner.

Keeping the above in mind, let us have a brief glance at the recorded history of Kashmir. The best sources are RAJTARANGNI by Kalhan and 'Nilamat Puran' of 2nd century AD. 'Rajtarangini' begins with the year 1184 BC when Gonanda-I, a 'Shaivite' king was ruling Kashmir. It roughly relates to Mahabharta period. The grand son of Gonanda-I was Gonanda- II who was deposed by one-Haran Deva- a brother of 'Janamejya' and Grandson of Arjun (Great Arjun of Mahabharat war). Most western and Indian Historians agree that Mahabharta war took place around 1000-1100 BC, although some Indian scholars put the date around 3000 BC. We will go by the majority opinion.

It will be interesting to note, prior to the coming of Aryans (Worshippers of Lord Vishnu – the Vegetarians), major portion of Northern South- Asia (Present day India, Pakistan etc) was inhabited by Shaivites (Worshippers of Lord Shiva - the non Vegetarians). Look at the 'Shiva Temples' spread along the length and breadth of the sub continent. 'Shaivism' and 'Vaishnavism' were different temporal philosophies. They were altogether different cults or what you call religions today.

Let us look at them: -

- The 'SHAIVISM' period in Kashmir ended with the deposition of Gonanda-II by Harandeva – a VAISHNAVITE. This was the end of Ist Grand Cycle of its history. It was around 1050 BC. We do not have any recorded version of history prior to this. There are only mythological tales. But all legends tell us it was the abode of Lord Shiva and his followers were of Naga race. Remember, Prince Takshak, who killed Parikshat- Arjun's son. He was a Naga. It is a different matter Aryan literature dubbed him as a 'Nag'- a 'Serpent'.

- The second grand cycle of Kashmir began around 1030-1050 BC. 'Vaishnavism' dominated it and it ended around 250 BC when great 'Ashoka' came to Kashmir and

founded SRI NAGAR in honour of goddess LAXMI (Approximately 800 years). Note, he was a Buddhist king and he established a city in the name of VAISHNAV goddess. It explains that cults (or so called religions of today) had no separate identity. They were intermixing and inter-mingling.

- The third grand cycle heralded BUDHISM in Kashmir and ruled the roost between 250 BC to 530 AD. 'Kushan' kings patronized it. 'Kushans' came to Kashmir from China around 260 BC. Shakas and Huns followed them. This grand cycle ended with the emergence of Huns (a Chinese tribe), whose first king of Kashmir was MIHIRKULA-a known tyrant in history (Approximately 780 years).

- The fourth grand cycle, which established ' Hinduism', began around 530 AD, when Gopal Ditya, Mihirkula's son, come to throne. It is he, who gave religious recognition to the term 'HINDUISM' as we know it today. Here-to-fore, the term 'Hindu' was used only as a geographical identity for the land East of River Indus. It is pertinent to note the word 'Hindu' has a Persian origin and derived from 'Sindhu'--a Sanskrit word. 'Sindhu' was the name given to River Indus (From Sindhu it became 'Hindu' in Persian and from Hindu it became 'Indus', Indic or Indi in Greek). As ancient Persians pronounced 'S' - as an aspirate'H', so 'Sindhu' became 'Hindu'. No Vedic literature or religious scriptures mention the word ‘Hindu’, whether it is 'Vedas', 'Upanishads' or the great epics. In the written from, first time the word 'Hindu' appears on a tablet dated back to 518 BC when king Darius- I was ruling Persia. He used it to describe the geographical extent of his kingdom uptoand beyond River Hindu (or Sindhu or Indus). Anyway, to cut the story short, till Gopalditya became king in Kashmir in 530 AD, the term 'Hindu' had only a geographical identity for the people living East of River Indus. To Gopalditya, these people were a Curious mix of conflicting beliefs and ideologies but with traits of liberal tolerance and peaceful co-existence. He, therefore, saw 'Shaivites', 'Vaishnavites' and 'Buddhists' as a composite mix of a larger philosophy. He termed it as 'Hinduism' and converted himself to it. Thus, it was a Chinese Hun, who gave 'Hinduism' its religious identity as a composite 'Culture of the Way of Living' of people. This Grand cycle of 'Hinduism' flourished between 530 AD to 1325 AD. (Approximately 795 years). It ended when Rinchen Shah, a Tibetan prince, came to power after marrying Rani KOTA DEVI, whose husband had run away when the Turks invaded Kashmir in 1324 AD.

- The fifth grand cycle, which brought in ISLAM, began around 1325 AD when Rinchen Shah, the King, converted to Islam as he was snubbed by a Brahmin Mr. Dev swami, who stopped him from converting to Hinduism. An outsider, Gopalditya-a Hun, had initiated the reign of HINDUISM in KASHMIR, but another outsider was prevented and he brought in Islam. Even before this, all famous Buddhist kings of Kashmir had been outsiders- Kushans from china- such as Jalushka, Haluska and Kanishka. Do not forget Harandeva (A Great Grandson of Arjuna of Mahabharta) - an Aryan, was also an outsider.

- The golden period of 500 years of Islam in Kashmir was upto 1820 AD - when it was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The third sub-cycle of this grand cycle began around 1820 AD. This sub cycle is of decay and degeneration. If you add other 265--275 years to the 1820 AD, this grand cycle will close around 2085 to 2095 AD.

- In other words, by the end of 21st century, the sixth grand cycle will take over. What will be its characteristics? It could be more liberalized 'Secularism' or 'Globalism'. I RECKON BY THEN THE MANKIND WOULD HAVE GOT RID OF RELIGIOUS GRIP AND THE MAN WOULD HAVE ENTERED THE COSMIC AGE. We would have left THREE WAVES of Agriculture, Industrial and Information/Knowledge far behind. The last wave of KNOWLEDGE will drive away religion to the privacy of our homes only. I suppose it will take another90- 100 years for COSMIC MAN to emerge on the scene. Therefore till then, Kashmir pot will keep boiling? History itself will seek answer for the problem that has roots in history. Rests, all of them are mere actors in this drama of history.

Having said this much, let me also make two points on the current day problem of Kashmir. First of all, it is a misnomer to equate Kashmir with the erstwhile territories of the state of J&K of Maharaja Hari Singh. The J&K territories of Maharaja Hari Singh comprised six different regions, which historically, ethnically, geographically and linguistically had nothing in common except a lose central control of 100 years by the descendants of Raja Gulab Singh.

These regions were Jammu, Laddakh, Kashmir, Baltistan, Dardistan, and 'Naushehra - Poonch - URI - Mirpur' extension of Western Punjab. While Jammu, Laddakh and Kashmir valley are with India; Baltistan, Dardistan (both making Northern areas of Pakistan) and 'Naushehra- Mirpur' extension of western Punjab (NOW POK) are with Pakistan. It is misunderstood and lost identity of other five regions and confused synonym of Kashmir with J&K which is the cause of problem between India and Pakistan. J&K is not Kashmir but Kashmir is part of it. To find a solution to this problem, Kashmir must be delinked from other regions.

My second point emerges from my first pointing i.e.------ If India committed blunders in 1947-1950, so has Pakistan. If only Pakistan had not forced the hands of Maharaja Hari Singh by sending tribal raiders in Sept 1947, the history would have been entirely different. This was the biggest blunder of MA Jinnah who acted on the ill - timed advice of his military advisor, Major General Akbar Khan (The infamous General Tariq of Tribal Raiders in Kashmir in 1947). Lord Mountbatten, last Viceroy and a so-called friend of India, had ensured that Indian leadership of the time, Nehru - Gandhi combine, remained drowned in its self-created sea of moralities. But Jinnah lacked patience or time (he was dying of cancer!).

However, I guess, Jinnah and Nehru could do nothing about it as 'History of Kashmir' had scripted their roles as much. Ordained by History, events in Kashmir moved, as it desires. All these Gilainis, Bhatts, Salahuddins, Yasin Maliks, Javed Mirs, Omar Farouks, Dhars, Sheikh Abdullahs of today, are pawns in the hands of the history of Kashmir. Kashmir had known tyrants (terrorists!) in its history: from 'Jaldevs' in the ancient times to 'Mihirkulas' in the medieval times. All were outsiders. Today's Salahuddins, Azhar Masouds, and their elk are the replicas of yesteryears 'Jaldevs' and 'Mihirculas'. History of Kashmir is using the terror groups to move on its pre-ordained path. Right, Sir, history will find a cure at the right time. Wait till the end of the century.

One passing remark I will make. Looking for a solution to Kashmir problem? Are you? Then, India and Pakistan must get out of the vicious grip of history. In simple terms, 1947 is not 2006 as 2006 will not be 2099. And today's solution is that LOC must be accepted as 'Interim IB'. Leave the rest to future generations. Do they have the courage to do so? If not, then, keep playing into the hands of history. Simla agreement of 1972; Lahore Declaration of 1999 saw the vision of such a possibility but it got scuttled because Nawaz Sharief & Co, realizing this possibility at a future date, pre-maturely ventured into 'LOC-Nibbling- Act' in Kargil in 1999. His Kargil misadventure was aimed at occupying important heights in Kargil before LOC became accepted as IB. Basically, it was to safeguard his Northern Areas-where a problem of independence is brewing up.

But history outsmarted him through his generals, who enlarged the scope of 'Nibbling act' to a total misadventure. And it derailed the whole process. History of Kashmir is too strong to allow anyone to tinker with its well-charted course. You need men of steel nerves on both sides of the fence to override this monster. Lawlessness in Kashmir, sir, isa creation of history and it will die when it would have served its purpose. Till then, live with it or make its mother infertile. It needs men of vision on both sides to understand this alternative option.

NOTE: This is excerpted from My Book "KASHMIR-ITS CURSE AND CURE ---- FOOT NOTES FROM ITS HISTORY"

Read more...