The News Caravan

Tag: India

  • Long live the brave people of Kashmir

    Long live the brave people of Kashmir

    Being a Kashmiri myself, I salute the Kashmiris who are holding massive protests and agitations in the Pakistan army occupied Kashmir against inflation, particularly huge rise in electricity bills and prices of foodstuffs.
    To many it seem that such protests will achieve nothing, but to my mind they have a historical significance.
    To my mind, the agitating Kashmiris are providing leadership to not only their own state but to the whole of India and Pakistan, in two ways. Let me explain.
    (1) The Kashmiris have rightly focused on a real, economic issue, i.e. price rise, and they have refused to be befooled by the government which usually tries to divert attention towards irrelevant issues.As the Roman Emperors used to say ” If you cannot give the people bread give them circuses ”. Unfortunately for the Pakistan Government, the Kashmiris will not be satisfied with having circuses any longer, but insist on having bread.
    Massive unemployment and skyrocketing prices of essential commodities have made life almost unbearable for most Indians and Pakistanis, not just Kashmiris.
    Kashmiris are thus showing the path ahead to all Indians and Pakistanis in this respect.
    One may recall the march of Parisian women demanding bread to Versailles in October 1789, which brought down the Bourbon dynasty, and the demonstrations for bread in St Petersburg in February 1917 which brought down the Romanovs.
    (2) The second significance of these protests is that in many places slogans were shouted ” We want freedom from Pakistan ”, and in some places even  Indian flags were hoisted.
    To my mind, this marks the beginning of the realisation among Pakistani people that in fact India and Pakistan ( and Bangladesh ) are really one nation, sharing the same culture, which were one for 500 years ( since the time of Mughal Emperor Akbar ). Partition of India in 1947 was a British swindle, on the basis of the bogus two nation theory, perpetrated by the British through their agents Gandhi and Jinnah, and must be undone.
    The aim of Partition was to keep Hindus and Muslims fighting each other so that we remain weak and backward, and not emerge as a modern industrial giant, of which we have all the potential, and thus become another China, a big rival to Western industry with our cheap labour. ( as explained in the video below )
     Unless we reunify under a secular government and with modern minded leaders we can never emerge as a modern industrial giant, but will remain condemned to massive poverty and unemployment, appalling level of child malnourishment, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, lack of proper healthcare and good education for the masses, etc
    The brave Kashmiris, showing magnificent and unwearied fighting spirit, undaunted by all odds, are giving much needed leadership and guidance to the people of the entire Indian subcontinent.
    Long live the brave and courageous people of Kashmir, who have hearts of tigers !
    No amount of military jackboots can cow down such valiant and indomitable people
    Justice Katju
  • Those who have not seen Holi of Braj have not seen India

    Those who have not seen Holi of Braj have not seen India

    Holi, the festival of colours, is played in most of India for one day ( this year it will be on 25th March ).

    Justice Katju Urges Joint Holi Celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh
    Holi

    But in Braj Mandal ( the area around Mathura city ( comprising of Mathura, Gokul, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon, etc ) ) it is played for one full week, commencing from Holi Day.

    I believe that one who has not seen Braj ki Holi has not seen India

    Braj ki Holi: Those who have not seen it, have not seen India

    https://indicanews.com/justice-katju-those-who-have-not-seen-brij-ki-holi-have-not-seen-india/

    Throughout the week, commencing from Holi day, Braj Mandal is full of colours everywhere. Skits are performed in several places showing Lord Krishna’s life and ‘raas leela’ i.e. dalliance with the gopis ( girls ) of Vrindavan, and especially with his beloved Radha.

    On the first day of the week, i.e. Holi day ( which will be this year tomorrow, 25th March ) there will be ‘lathmaar Holi’ at Barsaana, a place about 40 kms from Mathura city. There is a famous Radha temple in Barsaana on a small hill, which I have visited. There women of 80, girls of 5, and females of all ages in between, can be seen dancing all the time.

    In Barsaana people do not say ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ as is said elsewhere, but ‘Radhe Radhe’. That is because they believe that Krishna deserted them when he was attacked by Jarasandh and fled to Dwarka in Gujarat, but Radha remained with them.

    On this day boys of Nandgaon, which is about 7-8 kms from Barsaana ( and where it is believed Krishna had spent part of his childhood ) march all the way to Barsaana, where the womenfolk beat the former on their heads ( probably symbolising their anger at Krishna who had deserted their Radha ). The boys have to wear protective headgear, else they may be seriously injured, so fierce is the beating.

    The last day of the Holi week in Braj is ‘Dauji ka Huranga’. Dauji is Balaram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, and there is his temple situated about 30 kms from Mathura where this event takes place. There is a square courtyard there surrounded by buildings, filled with 1 or 2 feet coloured water. On this occasion the womenfolk tear off the upper garments of the menfolk there, dip them in the coloured water, and then beat the menfolk with those torn clothes ( probably symbolising getting back at the ill treatment they got from their menfolk for 364 days in the year ). In the meantime colour is flying around everywhere in the air.

    I have appealed to Pakistanis and Bangladeshis to also play Holi

    Justice Katju Urges Joint Holi Celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh

    For seeing more videos of Brij ki Holi, Lathmaar Holi, Dauji ka Huranga, etc see on youtube

  • Justice Katju Urges Joint Holi Celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh

    Justice Katju Urges Joint Holi Celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh

    Holi, the festival of colour, is falling on 25th March this year. I appeal to Pakistanis and Bangladeshis of all communities to celebrate it together.

    Justice Katju Urges Joint Holi Celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh

    Before 1857 Hindus would participate in Eid and Muharram, and Muslims in Holi and Diwali together, and there was no communal feeling among them. There were no communal riots or animosity till that time.

    In 1857 the Great Mutiny broke out, in which Hindus and Muslims jointly fought against the British. After suppressing the Mutiny the British decided that the only way to control and rule over India was divide and rule, that is, create animosity between Hindus and Muslims. 

    I may here give a historical account of an incident which occurred before 1857

    Inn the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Avadh, the capital of which was Lucknow, Muharram and Holi once fell on the same day. Muharram is an occasion of ghami or sorrow (for Imam Husain, grandson of the Prophet and his 72 followers who were killed in the battle of Karbala by the forces of the tyrant Yazid) while Holi is an occasion of celebration (the festival of colours, marking the beginning of spring).

    The Hindus of Lucknow decided not to celebrate Holi that year out of respect for the sentiments of their Muslim brothers and sisters, who were in grief.

    The Nawab took out the tazia from the Bada Imambada in Lucknow in a procession and buried it in Karbala, a site in Lucknow with the same name as the place where Imam Husain was martyred. Having done so, he asked why people were not playing Holi. After being told the reason, the Nawab said that since our Hindu brethren have respected the sentiments of Muslims, it is also the duty of the Muslims to respect the sentiments of Hindus, and declared that Holi must be played the same day. And he was the first to start playing Holi and it was played all over Avadh by both Hindus and Muslims, although it was also Muharram.

    The Moghuls and other Muslim rulers and their subjects ( including Muslims ) would celebrate and play Holi with great gusto. There are many accounts and paintings to prove this, as given below.

    https://www.awazthevoice.in/culture-news/mughals-nawabas-turned-holi-into-state-festival-10495.html

    http://scroll.in/article/800900/in-mughal-india-holi-was-celebrated-with-the-same-pomp-as-eid

    https://sabrangindia.in/article/colourful-history-holi-and-islam/

    Muslims and Festival of Colours, Holi

    http://scroll.in/article/711675/these-miniature-paintings-show-how-the-mughals-and-other-indians-royals-celebrated-holi

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/phoolon-wali-holi-during-qutub-shahi-era-reflects-ganga-jamuni-tehzeeb/articleshow/90315654.cms

    https://sabrangindia.in/article/who-says-holi-just-hindu-festival-muslim-scholars-sufi-mystics-mughal-emperors-not-speak/

    https://indianexpress.com/article/research/akbars-court-to-bulleh-shah-couplets-colours-of-indias-many-religions-blended-over-holi-7823260/

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/who-says-holi-is-a-hindu-festival/story-wLBl9qfCogU9rbc1Kw6EON.html

    https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/in-good-faith-holi-mughal-era-colours-hindu-festival-muslim-culture-5663983/

    After 1857 the British, through their local agents, propagated the idea that Holi was only a Hindu festival, and it was unislamic to celebrate it,  and so many Muslims stopped playing it. 

    It is high time now that this false propaganda be put an end to, and all people in the Indian subcontinent again start celebrating each others festivals, including Holi, which is a symbol of our composite ‘Ganga Jamuna tehzeeb’

    In this connection, here is my interview by my Pakistani friend, Sajjad Azhar Pirzada, a journalist based in Lahore, on Holi

     Here is a beautiful poem on Holi by the great Urdu poet, Nazir Akbaradi

    And here are some Pakistani youth, both Hindu and Muslim, celebrating Holi

    I was pained to learn that a few years back the Pakistan Higher Education Commission banned Holi celebrations in Universities, calling them ‘Unislamic’, when students of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad ( both Hindus and Mulims ) celebrated it.

    I appeal to Pakistani ( and Bangladeshi ) youth, particularly Muslims, to defy such a silly ban if it is again imposed this year, and jointly celebrate Holi this year with their Hindu brothers and sisters, with great enthusiasm, fervour and verve, and thus give a blow to religious bigotry, which is plaguing our sub continent.

  • Trudeau’s Hobson’s choice – Canada India relations

    Trudeau’s Hobson’s choice – Canada India relations

    The ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada has taken the center stage both in Canada and India. The war of nerves continues without resolution, with a series of tit for tat responses. Leaders on both sides appear to have firmed up their stances as the relations between two key democratic countries in the world flounders.


    At the center of this rift is the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in Canada’s British Columbia earlier in June this year. He was a plumber by day and a Khalistani terrorist by night who had active links to Pakistani and Canadian Intelligence agencies. The man was wanted by Indian security agencies for several years now, on multiple charges that included terrorism, narcotics, murder, and fake passport rackets.


    Can two major liberal democracies snap their relations over the death of an otherwise small time plumber cum terrorist who was unknown to Canadian public? Had Canada not gone public with its accusations, the matter would have had a greater chance of resolution by prudent heads via bilateral negotiations behind closed doors in Ottawa or New Delhi.


    There was further escalation when Prime Minister Trudeau, while addressing Parliament had the chutzpah to ask India to cooperate with them in the on-going investigations, thereby preemptively declaring his presumptions of guilt on part of India. This is no diplomatese or for that matter able statesmanship.


    In a further embarrassment to the Canadians, media reports have pointed out the plain incompetence of Canadian security agencies who have made no headway in the murder investigations even after three months, despite the availability of CCTV footages and eye witness accounts.


    Its appeal for support from its Five Eyes partners had at best, a cautious response from the US, while others mouthed carefully measured statements but offered no direct condemnation of India. Canada’s diplomatic intransigence pushed itself into a corner thus magnifying a problem that it created in the first place.


    The Canadian government as well as media – electronic media in particular – have been actively shepherding the narrative on the row to one of freedom of expression and Canada’s sense of justice and propriety in international conduct.


    The reality of course is at variance with Mr. Trudeau’s public posturing. The real problem, between the two countries is the shelter, support and sustenance provided to anti-India terrorists who are seeking to break away territory from India.


    The Canadian government has been supporting anti-India groups and individuals for many decades now. In recent years however, Canada under Mr. Trudeau, has crossed the diplomatic red line on several occasions – by repeatedly commenting on India’s domestic politics and turning a blind eye to terrorists putting up posters to kill Hindus and Indian diplomats in Canada.


    Slicing through the crafted diplomatic veneer of Prime Minister Trudeau’s “… rule of law, country and the protection of our citizens and defense of our sovereignty are fundamental…”, speech in Parliament, we continue to see Canada’s serial duplicity in mouthing something and doing the exact opposite. How come Canada’s sovereignty is more sacrosanct than India’s territorial integrity?


    So that explains the anxiety of the Trudeau administration and major sections of its media to spin doctor a narrative far removed from the real reasons for the current state of Indo-Canadian affairs. The Indian media, on the other hand, has been level headed and reported the unfolding episodes by bringing in opinion makers from both countries to the table.


    The fragility of Trudeau’s ruling coalition and hence his compulsions to pander to extremist Sikh groups that spearhead the National Democratic Party of Canada are well understood. But to jeopardize Canada’s key international relationship, particularly during a less favorable economic cycle, for the sake of political expediency only smacks of myopia and political immaturity.


    Prime Minister Modi on the other hand, runs a very strong and stable government and enjoys the loyal support of almost 80% of its vast populace. India under Modi today is of a different mettle. Lot of quiet transformations are already in place – be it bilateral dealings or securing India’s vital interests. As a powerful economy that is leading the resurgence of global economies, it has over the years invested and upgraded itself to deal with existential threats from far and near.


    Unlike the past, the Indian security establishment is now more than willing and capable of delivering a “global solution to global threats” to the safety, security, and territorial integrity of India. Furthermore, India has demonstrated the political will to execute it.


    The problem is that Canada, like many other countries, has discovered much to its chagrin, that it is no longer business as usual with India. India is no more the worlds’ whipping boy who will take state duplicity lying down when it comes to its security and safety of its citizens.


    It must be noted here that in official communiques, the government of India while rejecting Trudeau’s statements, has sought evidence of Indian hand in the murder of the plumber-terrorist. India knows fully well that no intelligence apparatus of a nation worth its salt will share its intelligence on matters of such high visibility that would compromise its assets.


    It is worth mentioning that India has not publicly denied its hands in getting rid of threats to its territorial integrity. As the Indian foreign minister Dr S Jayshankar said, ”political convenience cannot give way to terrorism”. But if Canada or any other country would choose to do business with India in its old-fashioned ways, there will certainly be a “global response to global terror”. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau has a Hobson’s choice on his hand.

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    An article by Naagesh Padmanaban, a US based Professional. Author can be reached at naageshwaranp@hotmail.com

    Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the TheNewsCaravan

  • Why there are more fools in Pakistan than in India

    Why there are more fools in Pakistan than in India

    I once made a statement that 90% Indians are fools

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/90-of-indians-are-fools-justice-katju/story-u2BwASq2de52ofBFUhcsmM.html

    I now wish to state that 95% Pakistanis are fools. 

    One may ask why I have given additional 5% marks to Pakistanis, since I have often said that India and Pakistan are one nation.

    My answer is that a Hindu who does not associate with Muslims becomes a fool, and a Muslim who does not associate with Hindus becomes a fool.

    In India about 15% of the population is Muslim. So most Hindus would have associated and interacted with Muslims, and have Muslim friends.

    https://m.timesofindia.com/india/muslim-population-in-2023-estimated-to-be-20-crore-lok-sabha/articleshow/101996898.cms

    On the other hand, almost 97% Pakistanis are Muslims, and only about 2% are Hindus. 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Pakistan

    So the chances of a Muslim in Pakistan associating with a Hindu or having Hindu friends are remote.

    It logically follows that there are more fools in Pakistan, than in India, and that is why I have added those 5% marks for Pakistanis.

  • Justice Katju Argues Against Partition, Advocates for Indian Reunification Under Secular Government

    Justice Katju Argues Against Partition, Advocates for Indian Reunification Under Secular Government

    I have been since long propagating the idea that the Partition of India in 1947 was a British swindle, and that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are really one nation, sharing the same culture, were one for 500 years since the time of Moghul Emperor Akbar, and must reunite under a secular government.

    https://indicanews.com/2023/03/09/justice-markandey-katju-indian-reunification-is-an-idea-whose-time-has-come/

    In response, many people said that the fact that atrocities are being committed on Muslims in India, especially after 2014 when BJP came to power, proves that Partition and creating Pakistan as a separate Islamic state, was a good idea.

    One person ( possibly a Pakistani ) tweeted :

    ” May be it was worth giving a thought a decade ago but now it’s more than obvious that Jinnah’s ideas were prophetical. Don’t you see what BJP is doing? They’re reinventing history, Muslim persecution, Babri Masjid replaced by Ram Mandir, lynching of Muslims and cow vigilante on the loose ”.

    I submit in reply that it was precisely because India was partitioned on religious lines on the basis of the bogus 2 nation theory, and an Islamic State called Pakistan created, that what is happening in India now is happening, and was sooner or later inevitable. It could not have happened if India had remained united.

    Newton’s Third Law of Motion states : Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So once India was partitioned on religious lines and an Islamic State called Pakistan created, India, though declared to be a secular country in its Constitution, was one day bound to become a Hindu State, and atrocities committed on non Hindu minorities ( just as they are committed on non Muslim minorities in Pakistan )

    After all, the Constitution is just a piece of paper. The ground realities, which are very different, are what really matter. 

    The Indian subcontinent has such tremendous diversity ( perhaps more than in any country in the world ), that only secularism can work here. The Moghul Empire lasted so long because it was broadly secular and inclusive. 

    The idea that Hindus and Muslims are inherently hostile to each other was bogus. For centuries they have lived peacefully and amicably in India.

    https://www.nation.com.pk/02-Mar-2013/the-truth-about-pakistan

    The purpose of Partition was that united India should not emerge as a modern industrial giant ( of which it has all the potential ), and thus become a big rival to Western industry, as China has become.

    https://indicanews.com/2023/06/13/justice-markandey-katju-on-dr-pervez-hoodbhoys-superficial-understanding/

    But without becoming highly industrialised we cannot abolish massive poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, lack of proper healthcare and good education, etc

    So those who still believe Partition was a good idea are totally mistaken

  • What is happening in India?

    What is happening in India?

    There were some people in India who thought, like Neville Chamberlain at Munich in 1938, that strife can be avoided by appeasement. So they accepted the handing over of the site of the demolished Babri Masjid to right wing Hindu organisations for building a ‘bhavya’ Ram Mandir there, thinking this will end communal strife and tensions in India.

    https://thewire.in/law/the-ayodhya-verdict-is-based-on-a-strange-feat-of-logic

    However, soon after demolition of Babri Masjid, cries were heard ”Abhi to yeh jhaanki hai, Kashi Mathura baaqi hai” ( i.e. ”This is only a glimpse, Kashi and Mathura remain” ). And  sure enough demands for demolition of Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, and Shahi Masjid in Mathura, and building ‘bhavya’ Shiva and Krishna temples on the sites, have been growing louder and louder.

    But supposing these 2 mosques are also demolished, and Hindu temples built on the sites. Will the matter end there ? Surely not, for the communal pot must be kept boiling.

    Now a demand has come for demolition of Shivalay Masjid and Teele Waali Masjid in Lucknow, and restoring the Hindu temples which originally stood there.

     And some of those raising the demand want demolition of 50,000 masjids in India which were allegedly built by demolishing Hindu temples.

    There are even demands for demolishing Qutub Minar, Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, Jama Masjid, Delhi, Taj Mahal, Agra, Atala Devi Masjid in Jaunpur, etc since these were allegedly built by demolishing Hindu temples there.

    The real issues like massive poverty, record and rising unemployment, skyrocketing price rise of food and other essential commodities, appalling level of child malnutrition ( every second child in India is malnourished, according to Global Hunger Index ), almost total lack of healthcare and good education for the masses, etc have all gone into the background.

    https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/global-hunger-index/

    So what is going on in India ? Or, to use the words of the popular Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore, Bharat mein ka ba ?

    To understand what is going on, please see this video

    Please also read these articles :

    https://indicanews.com/2023/02/22/the-puppeteer-and-the-puppets/
    https://indicanews.com/2023/07/13/justice-markandey-katju-on-bastille-day/

    As explained therein, the basic problems of India, which are socio-economic, can only be solved by rapid industrialisation and modernisation, but the developed countries will oppose this tooth and nail ( for the reasons given in the above video )

    So our problems cannot be solved within the Constitutional framework but by a mighty, historical people’s revolution led by patriotic, modern minded leaders determined to rapidly industrialise and modernise the country, and give the people decent lives..

    https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/10/04/opinion-india-needs-modern-minded-revolution-to-become-a-first-world-nation.html

    But historical experience shows, as pointed out in the articles below, that before an actual revolution there is always an ideological revolution, in which the weapons used are not swords, guns or bombs but ideas ( e.g. as it happened in France before the French Revolution of 1789 ).

    https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ideological-struggle-launched-by-voltaire-rousseau-needed-markandey-katju-2112351

    My tryst with Journalist Moeed Pirzada
    Karan Thapar’s interview of Fali Nariman

    India is presently passing through the period of ideological revolution, i.e. the pre-revolutionary period.

    https://m.facebook.com/justicekatju/posts/1616869378353602/

    What am I up to? Read Justice Katju

    Patriotic Indians, who want to help the country, must first understand all this.

    The interest of people of the Indian subcontinent is to rapidly industrialise and become an industrial giant, like China, for only then can we abolish poverty, unemployment, hunger, and the other great evils which plague our society. On the other hand, the interest of the developed countries is that the Indian subcontinent must not be allowed to become an industrial giant, and must be kept backward ( for the reason I explained to Moeed Pirzada in his video interview ).

    Thus, our interests directly conflict, and the developed countries, through their agents ( the rulers of India and Pakistan, and the politicians of both countries ) will do their level best to prevent us from becoming an industrial giant, and they are doing that by making our people fight each other on the basis of religion, caste, language, race, etc.

    It is high time that our people understand this vile scheme, expose it to the public, and launch a mighty united people’s struggle ( in which tremendous sacrifices will have to be made ), under secular, modern minded leaders, for creating a just, modern political and social order in which all our citizens get decent lives

  • Dunith Wellalage: The Rising Star Who Shines Bright with a Stunning Five-Wicket Haul Against India

    Dunith Wellalage: The Rising Star Who Shines Bright with a Stunning Five-Wicket Haul Against India

    In a dazzling display of left-arm spin bowling, 20-year-old Dunith Wellalage of Sri Lanka left the cricket world in awe as he claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in One Day Internationals (ODIs), dismantling India’s top order in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo on Tuesday.

    Wellalage’s exceptional performance brought a sudden halt to India’s aggressive start, sending key Indian batsmen including Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya back to the pavilion, showcasing his immense potential as a spinner on the international stage.

    India had raced to an impressive 80 for no loss in just 11 overs before Wellalage’s masterclass with the ball began. With his first delivery, he clean-bowled Shubman Gill, uprooting the off-stump in a spectacular fashion.

    Virat Kohli, one of the world’s most renowned batsmen, was the next victim, offering an easy catch to short midwicket. Rohit Sharma followed suit in the very next over, falling prey to a delivery that kept unusually low, crashing into his stumps.

    In his second spell, Wellalage showcased his all-around skills by accepting a return catch off KL Rahul and nicking off Hardik Pandya to the wicketkeeper, with Sri Lanka’s successful DRS review confirming the latter dismissal.

    The left-arm spinner exhibited remarkable control over the ball, extracting sharp turn off the surface, as seen in the dismissal of Shubman Gill. He also displayed his mastery of the arm ball, trapping Rohit Sharma with a straighter delivery that stayed low, leaving the Indian captain bewildered.

    Wellalage’s incredible spell culminated with a fifth wicket, symbolizing his breakthrough performance on the international stage. His name was etched in the record books as he secured the prized wickets of Rohit, Gill, Kohli, Rahul, and Hardik, securing his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs.

    Wellalage’s journey to prominence began during the 2022 U19 World Cup, where he captained the Sri Lankan team. Throughout the tournament, he displayed his prowess with both bat and ball, emerging as the highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps in six matches, at an impressive average of 13.58. Additionally, he contributed with the bat, amassing 264 runs at an average of 44, earning the distinction of being Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer.

    The talented young spinner made his ODI debut against Australia in June 2022 at Pallekele, making an immediate impact by claiming two wickets in a closely fought encounter that ended in a two-wicket loss for Sri Lanka. He also made a solitary Test appearance for his country, facing Pakistan in Galle in July 2022.

    Dunith Wellalage’s remarkable performance against India in the Asia Cup Super Four match has firmly established him as a rising star in international cricket, and cricket fans worldwide eagerly await his future exploits on the pitch.

    Summary:

    • Dunith Wellalage, a 20-year-old left-arm spinner from Sri Lanka, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs against India in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match in Colombo.
    • Wellalage dismissed key Indian batsmen, including Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, to halt India’s aggressive start.
    • His impressive control over the ball, sharp turn off the surface, and mastery of the arm ball were on full display during his spell.
    • Wellalage first gained recognition during the 2022 U19 World Cup, where he was the highest wicket-taker and Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer.
    • He made his ODI debut against Australia in June 2022 and played a single Test against Pakistan in July 2022, showcasing his potential on the international stage.
    • Wellalage’s stellar performance against India has solidified his status as a rising star in international cricket.
  • Indian Army Heroine ‘Kent’ Sacrifices Life Shielding Soldier During Rajouri Encounter

    Indian Army Heroine ‘Kent’ Sacrifices Life Shielding Soldier During Rajouri Encounter

    In a display of unwavering bravery and dedication, Indian Army dog ‘Kent’ valiantly laid down her life while shielding a fellow Army jawan during a counter-terrorist operation in the Narla Bambal area of Rajouri district in Jammu. This heroic act resulted in the martyrdom of one terrorist, one Army jawan, and injuries to several others in the ongoing operation.

    Kent, a six-year-old canine, was a proud member of the 21 Army Dog Unit, serving with distinction in the Indian Army’s counter-insurgency unit. Throughout her four years of service, Kent had participated in numerous counter-terrorism operations, showcasing her exceptional skills and loyalty.

    A senior Army official revealed that Kent played a pivotal role at the forefront of the operation. “Kent was leading a column of soldiers in pursuit of fleeing terrorists. Despite heavy hostile fire, she unflinchingly shielded her handler, ultimately sacrificing her own life, exemplifying the finest traditions of the Indian Army,” the official stated.

    This poignant incident serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions made by these four-legged heroes who stand alongside their human counterparts, ready to serve and protect the nation.

    Operation Details and Casualties

    In the ongoing encounter, security forces successfully neutralized one terrorist while one Army jawan tragically succumbed to his injuries. Additionally, two Army jawans and one Special Police Officer from the Jammu and Kashmir Police sustained injuries during the operation.

    The encounter unfolded when a combined team of the Special Operations Group of the Rajouri Police and the Indian Army converged on the Narla Bambal area, where the terrorists were hiding. Fierce gunfire exchanges ensued, with both sides engaging in intense combat.

    Seized Items and Counter-Terror Efforts

    During the operation, security forces discovered various items abandoned by the terrorists before their hasty retreat. Among the confiscated items were solar chargers, which the terrorists intended to use for charging their devices in the Rajouri forests.

    ADG Jammu Mukesh Singh stated, “One terrorist was killed, and one Army jawan lost his life. Two Army jawans and one SPO were also injured during the operation.” This operation signifies the relentless commitment of security forces in combating terrorism in the region.

    This poignant sacrifice by ‘Kent’ follows in the footsteps of another heroic Army dog, ‘Zoom,’ from the 28 Army Dog Unit, who posthumously received the Mention in Despatches award last year. Zoom bravely gave her life in Operation Tangpawa in South Kashmir’s Anantnag after sustaining two gunshot injuries on October 13th.

    The indomitable spirit of these fearless canines continues to inspire and remind the nation of the selfless dedication exhibited by our armed forces and their loyal companions in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

    • Indian Army dog ‘Kent’ sacrifices her life while shielding a soldier during a counter-terrorist operation in Rajouri.
    • One terrorist is neutralized, while one Army jawan martyred, and several others injured in the ongoing operation.
    • Kent, a six-year-old canine, was a member of the 21 Army Dog Unit and had participated in multiple counter-terrorism operations.
    • Security forces recover items, including solar chargers left behind by the terrorists.
    • ‘Kent’ joins the ranks of heroic Army dogs like ‘Zoom,’ who received posthumous recognition for her bravery in a previous operation.
  • Understanding India’s Manipur Conflict and Its Geopolitical Implications

    Understanding India’s Manipur Conflict and Its Geopolitical Implications

    The northeastern Indian state of Manipur has been gripped by a wave of inter-ethnic violence since May 3, leading to significant casualties and property damage. The clashes, primarily involving the Meitei and Kuki ethnic communities, have raised concerns not only locally but also within the broader South Asian context.

    Summary:

    • Violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur have claimed over 75 lives and resulted in extensive property damage.
    • The state government has responded with military curfews and troop deployments, following familiar strategies employed in India’s Northeast.
    • Manipur’s history of ethnic tensions and insurgency is rooted in its merger with India in 1949 and the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
    • The recent violence erupted following a court’s consideration of Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, highlighting long-standing ethnic divisions and grievances.
    • The conflict’s evolution remains uncertain, with attention on the Indian government’s response and prospects for reconciliation among communities.

    Historical Roots of Conflict

    Manipur, often referred to as the “Land of Jewels,” is a region nestled within mountains, home to 39 diverse ethnic communities practicing various faiths. The origins of the current conflict trace back to Manipur’s controversial merger with India in 1949, which laid the groundwork for ongoing resistance and separatist movements. Central to the dispute is the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in 1958, granting extensive powers to military and paramilitary forces in “disturbed areas,” primarily affecting Northeast India and Jammu and Kashmir.

    Armed Groups and Democracy Challenges

    The proliferation of armed groups within Manipur, numbering around 60 at one point, has contributed to a sense of internal conflict. These groups have intertwined themselves with politics, endorsing candidates in state elections and even seeking party tickets. Reports of intimidation and violence during elections have resulted in what some describe as “democracy at gunpoint” in the region.

    Immediate Trigger of Violence

    The most recent violence erupted following a court’s consideration of Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community. While the Meitei had long sought this status for constitutional protection and benefits, concerns over deepening ethnic divisions arose, leading to protests by the All-Tribal Students Union of Manipur. Subsequently, violence erupted, leading to retaliatory actions between Meitei and Kuki communities.

    Complex Underlying Issues

    Intra-Indigenous community tensions have been simmering for years, with the state government’s handling of Indigenous land rights issues fueling discontent. Land imbalances and the influx of refugees from Myanmar have further complicated matters, leading to insecurity for the Meitei community. Throughout this turmoil, it is the women and children who bear the brunt of the conflict’s consequences.

    The Way Forward

    The situation in Manipur remains volatile, with armed militants, distrust among citizens, and a scarcity of essential supplies. The response of the Indian state has come under scrutiny, prompting visits by India’s Home Minister and Chief of Army Staff. A judicial probe and peace committee have been announced, but their effectiveness hinges on the cessation of violence.

    Prospects for reconciliation and lasting peace are intertwined with addressing the legacy of violence and government responses. Civil society and Indigenous peacemaking initiatives, including truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies, offer a path toward healing fractured communities. Women’s involvement in peacebuilding and fostering transparent governance are seen as vital steps toward a more peaceful future.

    As Manipur grapples with its complex and deeply rooted conflicts, the world watches, mindful of the broader geopolitical implications this region holds for South Asia.

    This article was authored by Binalakshmi Nepram and Brigitta W. Schuchert and is published as an analysis and commentary piece.

    • Violent ethnic clashes in Manipur, India, between the Meitei and Kuki communities have left over 75 dead and numerous buildings destroyed.
    • The Indian government’s response includes military curfews and troop deployments, following a historical pattern in the region.
    • Manipur’s conflict stems from its merger with India in 1949 and the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
    • Recent violence erupted due to court consideration of Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, exacerbating ethnic divisions.
    • The situation remains unpredictable, with attention on the Indian government’s actions and potential reconciliation efforts among communities.