Political Diary

New Delhi, 23 April 2024

Love Jihad

HOLIER THAN THOU POLL WAR

By Poonam I Kaushish 

In this heated poll season, India is once again caught in a battle royale between the Gods, another Love Jihad (LJ) which is raising temperatures. LJ, a convenient political tool and de rigueur wrapped in welfare schemes and development that helped bring BJP to power at the Centre twice over. Whereby, ishq-mohabat-shaadi cutting across caste and religious boundaries inter-meshed with forced conversions churned the political cauldron resulting in an unholy clash between the ‘holier than thou’!

The latest Love Jihad outcry has its genesis in murder of a Karnataka college girl by her former classmate in Hubballi which has ignited a political firestorm in the State, with the girl’s family alleging the accused had been pressuring her to religiously convert and marry him. Naturally, the BJP termed it a case of ‘love jihad,’ hitting out at the Siddaramaiah-led Government, accusing it of playing politics of appeasement at the expense of law and order. With the ruling Congress staunchly denying the allegation, asserting “it was a mutual relationship.” Thereby, reopening the can of worms of the old familiar enemy, country wide.

Resulting in the Hindutva brigade bandying Bahu-Beti Bachao Sangharsh Samitis and unleashing an aggressive, systematic campaign to create “awareness” and combat LJ with the BJP being the driving force behind anti love-jihadists legislations across States ruled by it. Wherein, any action taken against the perpetrators is justified, even if it means taking law into their hands. Said UP Chief Minister Yogi, “those who conceal their identity and play with the honour of our sisters and daughters, if you don’t mend your ways, your ‘Ram naam satya’ journey (final trip) will begin.”

Congress accuses BJP for engineering Hindu majoritarian communal style of politics by using tactics like attempting to electorally marginalise Muslims to patronising communal violence, especially around the emotive ‘love jihad’ issue and bringing anti-conversion laws in States ruled by it.

The BJP retaliates by blaming Congress and its State Government of failing to take action against the Muslim boy slamming it as a ‘Muslim Party’ part of the “tukde-tukde gang” which protects terrorists and follows politics of appeasement “working on Pakistan’s agenda.”

As for other Opposition Parties despite taking the Hindutva brigade to task over their anti-minority plank and opposing aggressive Hindutva consolidation, they do not want to be labeled as “pro-Muslim.” Reading the ‘Muslim mind’ as an anti-BJP phenomenon on which they base their political strategy.

Who does one fault? Given our netas have perfected intemperate language to inject poison in society over the years. Alas, politics has meandered into narrow confines of polarisation and appeasement rhetoric, rabble rousing abusive, devoid of any substance, spreading hatred but also tilted towards widening the communal divide pitting Hindus against Muslims.

All to sway sentiments before elections in all religions whereby every Party is stoking the fire, hoping it would gain dividends underscoring the games politicians play at the altar of political expediency. To keep their gullible vote-banks emotionally charged so that their own ulterior motives are well-served.

Undeniably, post its defeat in the State Assembly polls, BJP is using its new Hindutva rajneeti post Ayodhya consecration and Hindu cultural renaissance to make inroads into areas and regions even with little or no significant minority presence as it revolves around its pet slogan Sab Ka Saaath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Vishwas es baar 400 paar. Yet it realizes the ‘Muslim mind’ is still problematic.

Last year various right-wing outfits undertook Hindu Jan Akrosh rallies to press for laws against ‘love jihad,’ ‘land jihad’ and ‘Hindutva is in danger’ card. Opposition Parties accuse the Saffron Sangh of playing out divisive issues: how Muslim population’s growth rate threatens the primacy of the “Hindu” nation with a cynical eye on electoral gains. Notwithstanding, this dog whistle politics spells bad news for communal harmony.

Not many are aware the LJ programme started in 1996 with blessings of some Muslim organizations in Kerala, though the term was first heard in the State’s Pathanamthitta district in September 2009 and used in a Kerala High Court judgment three months later. Dubbing it ‘an alleged Muslim plot to forcefully convert young brilliant Hindu girls to Islam by having Muslim boys entrap them in love affairs’, it asked the State Government to consider enacting a law to prohibit such “deceptive acts of LoveJihad”.

Notwithstanding denials by Islamic fundamentalist outfits like National Democratic Front (NDF) and ‘Campus Front’ of Popular Front of India (PFI), the Kerala Government said that 2,667 women had converted to Islam in the State since 2006. Police figures on the other hand total over 8000 conversions in the last four years alone. Add to this another 60,000 girls have been converted in Karnataka alone according to the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.  In the last six months  UP registered over 20 LJ cases.

Turn North, South, East or West, the story is the same. Religion is turning out to be a question of money, big money. Recall, flush with funds from their headquarters in the US, a number of church groups allegedly converted hundreds of Hindus to Christianity in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Kashmir and Karnataka by giving them money and jobs in the decades post Independence.

On the flip side, the VHP and Bajrang Dal too established groups of armed youth, called Raksha Sena, in every village of Chhattisgarh, in order to stop conversions to Christianity.  And where conversions had taken place another movement called the Ghar Wapsi (“Return Home”) was launched in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Orissa for reconverting the tribal Christian back to Hinduism.

To put an end to this five States: Rajasthan, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat have enacted anti-conversion laws that bar conversions but allow re-conversions to Hinduism. Jharkhand has declared its intention to enact a similar law.

Fortunately, the Supreme Court settled this matter in 1973 wherein it distinguished between the right to proselytize and the right to convert. Upholding the Constitutional validity on anti-conversion laws enacted by Orissa and Madhya Pradesh in 1967-68, it ruled: “What the Constitution grants is not the right to convert another person to one’s own religion, but to transmit or spread one’s religion by an exposition of its tenders.” The Court also observed that organized conversion was anti-secular and that respect for all religions was the essence of India’s secularism.

It is time now for our leaders to spare a thought for all those who have lost their lives in the meaningless Love Jihad over the years and delink religion and divisive grammar from politics, consider a ban on divisive politics and open a “mohabbat ki dukan in a nafrat ka bazaar.”

Importantly, they need to understand that by playing Hindus and Muslims against each other they are only serving their vested interests. The aim should be to raise the bar on public discourse, not lower it any more. Parties and fringe elements need to realize the collateral damage it causes will be permanent. Neither Lord Ram nor will Allah forgive the polity for playing havoc in its name.

Let us not reduce LJ to a political gimmick. Our leaders need to do a cost-benefit analysis and put a stop to converting religious gush into political slush. True Love Jihad, anyone? ----- INFA 

 (Copyright India News & Feature Alliance)

Economic Highlights

New Delhi, 22 April 2024

J&K Economy Paces Up

GSDP DOUBLES, HEALTH SHINES

By Shivaji Sarkar 

Jammu and Kashmir is advancing at a pace that may surprise many across the nation, boasting of strong health and social indicators. It stands out with impressive statistics for women and high per capita income particularly remarkable considering it’s a region predominantly inhabited by minorities. 

The Union Territory is making strides forward despite occasional Opposition protests, such as the one in September 2023 against the abrogation of Article 370 and the delay of grassroots elections. The Congress on April 1, 2024, held protests again at Srinagar BJP state headquarters against the Centre over its alleged attempts to cripple the Opposition parties ahead of the general elections. Democratic protests are back. 

It was not easy, but Home Minister Amit Shah, who not only led the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A but also keepsa close watch on every development, observed and analysed with precision, allows such demonstrations to give a vent to the anguish. This was not possible some years back when none knew from where a terrorist bullet would fly in. Since June 19, Shah has been visiting the Union Territory often and these became more frequent since October to reorganise the affairs.Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha says that the speed of development in the UT has gone up by ten times since the abrogation of Article 370. However, voices within disputethis. 

Kashmir is aspirational as it has better standard of living and aspires to have more investments and strengthen its different indicators. There are impressive data from the administration and the NITI Aayog which show it is progressing on most counts as investments pour in. It has received investment proposals totalling Rs 56,857 crore against a target of Rs 75,000 crore, potentially creating 2.62 lakh jobs. From 1600 investors, 800 have already deposited their initial investments and secured land allotments. However, the full impact is yet to be realised due to gestational issues in the process. Additionally, the administration anticipates an additional Rs 3,000 crore in foreign investment following business delegation visits from the UAE and other countries. Since 2019, gross state GDP (GSDP) has doubled to Rs 2.25 lakh crore from Rs 1 lakh crore.

The Economist magazine writes, “Tourism, it is true, has seen a modest recovery—backed by a government campaign that portrays Kashmir as a peaceful, picturesque place. Visitor numbers in 2022 were roughly the same as in 2018 (more in 2023). Yet tourism, which currently accounts for 6 percent of state’s GDP has taken an almighty leap to be a major driver of growth”. Though political changes thawed some sectors. 

Social welfare and focus on healthcare and education has been the cornerstone of governance in J&K since the mid-20th century. This has improved with government jobs, which are dwindling. There is restlessness as jobs, particularly government jobs, are lagging. Most of 2.62 lakh jobs promised are not in government.The state tops in health indicators, according to National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). It has a sex ratio at birth of 976 female births against per 1000 male children. This means 47 more female births against all-India average of 929. 

Infant mortality rate, children dying before the age 5, at 18.5 per 1000, is better than the national average of 42. Even the total fertility rate is positive. Against national average of 2, J&K has 1.4. It means 60 fewer births, ensuring better health and living conditions. Most births take place at a hospital or clinic. Against national average of 88.6 percent, 92.4 percent of the women deliver their babies in an institutional facility. But 65 percent women suffer from anaemia against the national average of 57 percent. 

As per NITI Aayog’s 2023 report, the standard of living is higher in terms of use of clean fuel – 32 percent; electricity usage 99 percent and housing. However, it lags behind in access to clean drinking water, 10.37 percent against the national 7.3 percent. 

Women in J&K are relatively more empowered than rest of India. It has less spousal violence; higher age at marriage, female labour force participation, women attaining more than 10 years of schooling and owning phones. Overall social conditions are better than the average living conditions of minorities elsewhere in India. Even it has less polygamy at 1.4 percent.J&K has an average per capita income of Rs 1.36 lakh and is comparable with Punjab’s Rs 1.49 lakh. 

Shah notes an improvement in the Valley’s situation, projecting J&K as a leading economic state. Intense combing operations before his visits have now become routine drills. Terrorism is nearly eradicated in the Valley, although sporadic incidents of migrant killings occur in the Rajouri-Poonch area. This region, part of the Anantnag constituency, is divided by the PirPanjal range, forcing candidates to undertake a 500 km detour to reach voters. Traversing the constituency poses a significant challenge for political parties and candidates during campaigning. 

The National Conference of Farooq Abdullah with ally Congress is contesting all the seats as they could not reach an agreement with PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti. She is contesting from Anantnag. The NC-Cong is contesting Baramulla, Anantnag, and Srinagar in the Valley, and Udhampur and Jammu. Since the Valley politics has become volatile, the BJP is not contesting or even supporting its supposed allies like the Democratic Progressive Azad Party of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Apni Party. Azad though was keen but has not filed his nomination. Similarly, ApniPary is also in the lurch. 

Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided the party would not contest the seats in the Valley to involve the local people more in the parliamentary system and governance. The Centre is sending vibes that Kashmir would do better with the support of its own people as their trust deepens. 

Regional parties express their discontent, attributing it to a portion of their supporters who insist on further improvements in the security situation. Despite this, there remains a persistent demand for the reinstatement of Article 370, which appears unattainable. Many individuals still express discomfort with the extensive security presence, now more covert, which is reportedly targeting migrant populations. Economic growth, reflected in job opportunities and business development, remains stagnant, affecting the average income per family. Approximately 22 percent of the population remains unemployed. Following the Lok Sabha elections, there is optimism among the people for broader prospects and opportunities.----INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 20 April 2024

India Votes

1^st PHASE SEES BOYCOTT

By Insaf 

The biggest democratic exercise in the world kicked off yesterday. Of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, 102 went to the polls in the first phase across 21 states and UTs. While the Election Commission was reeling out polling percentages, as 40% odd around 1 p.m. across the board, it would be upset with its tally by the end of the day, given chunks of voters chose to boycott instead. In six districts and 20 Assembly segments of 60 in eastern Nagaland not a single vote had been cast. This is in response to call by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) asking for a complete shutdown for the solitary Lok Sabha seat given the Center’s failure to keep its promise of creating Frontier Nagaland Territory. Apparently, state CEO show-caused the ENPO asking why action shouldn’t be taken against it for interfering or attempting to interfere with free exercise of any electoral right and thereby committing undue influence. Pat came the reply: “shut down was voluntary initiative by people” and call was given for maintaining law and order situation! In down south Tamil Nadu, the story is similar. In nine places, the voters did not go to polling stations either as a protest against a greenfield airport coming up, or for a railway bridge not being built, or non-resolution of their long-pending demands for basic facilities. However, no action can be taken against the voter. The blame lies elsewhere. The voters make their point, and it must be corrected.    

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Rajputs To Boycott BJP

Should the BJP be worried on western UP front? At a ‘mahapanchayat’, on Tuesday last, Rajputs decided to boycott the saffron party candidates in Muzaffarnagar, Kairana and Saharanpur Lok Sabha constituencies. Their grudge is that the community has been neglected in the distribution of party tickets. And thus, in these areas, the community will not vote for BJP candidates, ‘but will opt for another strong candidate from other parties.’ Interestingly, while the boycott is for BJP candidates, the Rajputs said it wouldn’t apply to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who ‘was their voice, but wasn’t being heard by central BJP leadership’! Intriguing indeed for the voter as in UP, it’s not Prime Minister Modi alone which holds sway, but Yogi too, who has come to be seen as a good administrator. The region has helped BJP per se win majority of seats in the past due to a consolidated Hindu vote. But now the big question is whether the ‘mahapanchayat’ decision ‘will become the reason for BJP’s downfall in Western UP,’ as claimed.

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TN in Focus

Tamil Nadu this time round has surprised many an election watcher. Campaigning in the state had been hitting national headlines. This, given the fact that BJP has kept a sharp focus on the south and longs to make inroads. And that’s why this election is seeing a three-cornered contest: the ruling DMK-led alliance which includes Congress, two Communist parties and Muslim League; BJP and opposition AIADMK, which parted company from NDA. While the DMK and team is confident that it shall rule the roost, the margin victories may not be as easy as was in 2019 and that it is facing an inti-incumbency factor. For the BJP, state president K Annamalai has kept the party’s presence in the state, but it is star campaigner Modi and his popularity which the party is banking upon, given his repeated campaign visits in past year, especially the past couple of months. BJP, which has raised the stakes seeks to change the arithmetic, by relegating AIADMK to the third spot, managing the second for itself. Recall, the state has in the past voted one-sided: in 2019 of 39 seats, DMK-Congress got 38 and in 2014, AIADMK got 37. Will BJP be a new entrant in Dravidian politics?

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Chhattisgarh ‘Surgical Strike’

Naxalism will see an end in five years in Chhattisgarh if BJP comes to power, were words of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking votes during last November’s Assembly polls. He is determined as on Tuesday last, the BJP-ruled state witnessed the biggest encounter in the state’s history of fighting Left Wing Extremism, with 29 Maoists killed in Kanker district and 3 security personnel injured in a joint operation of BSF and state police’s District Reserve Guard. It’s being said senior cadres of outlawed CPI-Maoist Shankar, Lalita, Raju and others, may have died in the operation launched and a huge cache of weapons, including AK-47, SLR, Insas and .303 rifles, were recovered. Since 2024, 79 Maoists have been killed in their stronghold of Bastar region, which goes to polls yesterday. Polling in Kanker district will be held on April 26. Hailing it as a ‘surgical strike’, Deputy CM and state home minister Sharma reached out to the Maoists saying ‘We want talks…whether they do it in a group or through representatives. Bastar needs peace. We are committed to this.’ Will his offer be taken up after this encounter?

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States Laxity On Mob Lynching  

State governments must pull up their socks. With most not filing their affidavits in a writ petition filed in July last regarding action they have taken in incidents of mob lynching and cow vigilantism against the Muslim community, the Supreme Court has issued a deadline of six weeks and shall take up the case after summer break. The petition was filed by National Federation of Indian Women seeking directions to States to take immediate steps viz the top court’s verdict of 2018 to effectively deal with such cases. Notices were issued to the Centre and DGPs of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. While the latter two states filed their reply, the petitioner pointed out that in MP there was an incident of alleged mob-lynching, but the FIR was for cow slaughter against victims and likewise in Haryana FIR was registered for transporting beef but not mob lynching. All incidents, not selective, must be reported as states have principal obligation to ensure vigilantism, be it cow vigilantism or any other vigilantism of any perception, doesn’t take place, had said the court. It issued guidelines for authorities to deal with such incidents, but so far it’s been in vain!

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Relief For Dog Lovers

Dog lovers will be relieved but must be watchful. The Centre’s notification banning sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including American Bulldog and Pit-bull Terriers has been a no-go in two courts. Karnataka High Court quashed it with no such power available under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 or Animal Birth Control Rules, New Delhi had no such authority. A week later, petitions challenging the directive in Delhi High Court were disposed, after Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying admitted it was put out without consulting or inviting objections and suggestions from private entity or stakeholders. Agreeing it wasn’t possible to give an oral hearing to every dog owner, the Centre was directed to issue “a public notice on its official website and one national daily inviting objections to the proposed draft notification/amendment to the rules.” These, it said, shall be considered before finalising fresh notification. The Dept must listen lest it finds itself in the doghouse! ---INFA

(Copyright, India News Feature Alliance)

Round The World

New Delhi, 19 April 2024

Indian Parliament Elections

IS FOREIGN POLICY AN ISSUE?

By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri

(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an interview that elections in India are festivals of our democracy. It is true that across the country, people are in a festive mood and are excited about exercising their fundamental right, i.e. to vote for a candidate of their choice. An avid political commentator had put it in different, slightly derisive words, “Indian politics is electionised not much democratised”. His observation pointed to elections round the year in some part of the country or the other. As India has three-tier governance – Centre, states and local governments, elections for any one of the tiers is happening somewhere in the country throughout the year. 

Obviously, several issues and features of Indian politics come up during elections. The issues that matter to voters, and the features, mainly the organising principles, are manifested during elections. But does foreign policy issues figure in the campaigns of political parties, at least the national parties? From the reports in the press, opinion polls, voters’ surveys, it is evident that foreign policy is not a priority. This contradicts with India’s aspirations of becoming a Vishwa Guru or a Vishwa Bandhu, the latter epithet is mentioned in the BJP’s manifesto under the section on foreign policy. 

Before we scan the issues in the manifestoes of the political parties, we should learn why voters are not interested in foreign policy. Indian voters like those in many developing countries do not have much interest in internationalism for a variety of reasons. I will list only a few. Many Indians, for lack of adequate resources, cannot travel and explore the world. As it is said, you cannot feel for something, you have not seen. Second, the lack of enough international outlook, many people in India do not comprehend that international communities comprising both state and non-state actors influence each country including India in multiple ways. 

The external influence over the countries has intensified under the ongoing process of globalisation. So far, the global outlook has been the prerogative of the big powers – Europeans, Americans and Russians. This is because of their superior economic and military might. Chinese and Indians are new entrants. Ironically, China has the resources but not many likeable ideas that will enable it to play a credible international role. India has the ideas drawn from its rich civilisation and enduring democracy, but lacks resources. Also, India, a vast country with the biggest population in the world, consisting of 28 states, is like the European Union of 27 countries. Both Union of India and the European Union get too embroiled in their internal matters with little enthusiasm and energy left for internationalism. 

The foreign policy making is left to an elite club of bureaucrats and so-called experts. Voters hardly influence the making of foreign policy. New Delhi like Brussels fails to realise that playing an international role will enhance the internal strengths. It is a truism that foreign policy of any country is a function of its domestic strengths which are also called determinants. An improved international engagement, which New Delhi seems to seek, requires the backing of domestic heft – economic, political, demographic, developmental and technological. Likewise, a diminished role in the world will level down the internal initiatives, reforms and rejuvenation. India, therefore, needs to internationally position itself which is commensurate with its national strengths and strategies. 

From the above premise, let us look at the issues raised by political parties in their manifestoes. We will take two parties for the purpose – the BJP, which ran the government for the last ten years and the Indian National Congress, the main Opposition party. Other political parties are not so consequential in foreign policies. Although Left parties do talk about it, their electoral strength is limited to one state government. 

BJP’s manifesto reflects the foreign policy the government has been following: securing the permanent membership of UNSC; putting neighbourhood first; using the Indian Diaspora for investment and diplomatic support; becoming the voice of Global South; creating a global consensus on fight against terrorism, strengthening Indo-Pacific region for security and growth; establishment of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and so on. BJP seeks to elevate Bharat as a global soft power. 

An ambitious but desirable promise that BJP makes is to be the First Responder Bharat. This means, building on its success of providing emergency relief material mainly vaccinations during Covid, India seeks to promote its reputation as a trusted global partner and a first responder in extending humanitarian assistance in disaster-relief programmes. Equally promising is the focus on building cultural centres across the globe to showcase Bharat’s rich culture and offer training in yoga, ayurveda and classical music etc. BJP promises to present Bharat as the mother of democracy. If they do so, it may silence the Indian as well as international critics of the health of Indian democracy. 

Congress begins its foreign policy promises by strongly criticising BJP government’s handling of Chinese intrusions in Ladakh, Galwan clash in 2020 and Indian forces not having access to 26 out of 65 patrolling points, which is equivalent to 2000 sq mtrs in Eastern Ladakh. Congress repeats their age-old approach of ‘continuity and change’ in India’s foreign policy. Other references to India’s foreign policy made by Congress, sound rhetorical except that they make a strong claim on restoring status quo with China, a different approach to the conflict in Gaza, and closer relationships with the neighbouring countries. Also, Congress emphasises on building consensus on foreign policy. They claim that this was the case since independence until BJP made notable departures from this consensus. 

Communication between political parties – Ruling and the Opposition is essential in a democracy. Respect for dissent in domestic and foreign policy is a hallmark of a robust democracy. That said, there could be divergent opinions and approaches in policies including the foreign policy. The consensus the Congress Party is referring to, perhaps existed when Congress party was predominant with smaller opposition parties in Indian politics. 

At any rate, it is advisable to make foreign policy an issue in elections. This will enhance the domestic determinants of India’s foreign policy. There is no dearth of information available to voters through the new media, the internet. It is just that political parties should be willing to share their foreign policy strategies with their voters. Before they do so, they need to educate themselves on the world affairs. Many parties do not have a foreign policy cell in their party structures. Congress party has one but not functional, what to talk of other smaller and regional parties. Voters should also demand that political parties should commit themselves to positions in India’s foreign policy. 

Let us note that Prime Minister Modi made a reference to Katchatheevu, an Islet between India and Sri Lanka; the latter possessing it. That is the way to mobilise voters on a foreign policy issue regardless of whether it was the right cause to take up since it is not being reclaimed nor is it mentioned in BJP’s manifesto. Implementation of CAA is another. These are the examples of how to use foreign policy in a competitive electoral process. And this is the way to become a world power.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)