Defeat of the right wing

This season seems to be the season of the right wing in trouble. In India, the right wing nationalists BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) lost for the second time in five years and in the United States the right Republicans lost for the first time in eight years.

Perhaps its Iran that survived this trend with the re-election of its current President defeating the reformist rival convincingly, though disputed.

I am noticing good similarities between the state of the BJP and that of the GOP. Both are sulking. Both are searching for a theme. Both are clueless.

But I also notice that there are some good dissimilarities too. The GOP is better equipped to recover faster than the BJP simply because its not hamstrung by the "party ways" of Indian political parties. The GOP currently is seeing a back-and-forth between leaders who represent different shades of GOP ideology who are trying to occupy the leadership vacuum. While it looks like a dust storm, it is part of a process of rejuvenation and new direction.

Unfortunately, Indian political parties still chiefly rely on dynasty's and political patronage as a driving force. Even the famous 'party with a difference', has found its 'difference' to be woefully inadequate to meet the current challenge of quickly becoming irrelevant.

I read with amusement a news report where the BJP President Rajnath Singh had issued a gag order prohibiting airing of opinion by party leaders. These people still don't get it. Openly venting is part and parcel of the healing process. By gaging these voices, you are simply postponing it for a rather loud explosion later.

The whole bunch of people on top, those tired faces returning to their seats after this defeat like nothing has happened will hurt the party more. And I never thought I will say this, but the BJP's anti-dynastic mindset has given the Congress party a one up over it. Images of all those young sons and daughters of former party leaders makes the Congress party look young and energized. Compare this with all the grey haired BJP leaders like Advani, Swaraj, Joshi, Jaitely, Singh, Sinha, Modi, etc.

I am reminded of grumpy tired old people sitting outside Walmart welcoming customers when they step into the store compared to young faces that one sees in Target. All these small things shape the mindset of the common folks.

The strength and weakness of the BJP is its ideological roots. If the BJP continued true to its original RSS brand of Hindutva, the part will shrink and become a counter weight to the left parties. A core group sticking to their guns no matter what will surely find some takers, enough to keep them in power in a few states but not at the national or even regional level.

However, if the BJP wants to be relevant and a counter weight to the Congress, then it must occupy the political space between the center and the extreme right. It is there that the anti-congress platform lies and is up for grabs.

Fortunately for the party, there is no other in the horizon that is ready or equipped to occupy this space. At least not yet.

Anyways, I really am not that concerned about what political space the BJP will occupy. I am more concerned about the lack of inner-party political tools and mechanisms to deal with such situations. Its even more shocking that having been in the opposition for five years, one would have expected the BJP to have used all this time to re-invent not only itself but also its party machinery. However, what we see here today is a rudderless, captainless ship on the stormy high seas with mutiny on everyones minds.

For the the party with a difference, its about time to do something that's totally different. Something that's radical and never seen in Indian politics today. Anything short of that will severely restrict its political ascendancy in the near future.

Fortunately for the Congress, its ruling family seems have both its heart and mind in the right place. They are making the right moves and the right noises. And their goal to becoming India's natural party of governance is laudable.

I remember vividly, when the congress party was defeated in the 90s and the BJP emerged as the largest party, there were calls in the air declaring the decline of the Congress. Dynastic politics and cronyism were held responsible for the party's decline and some even predicted that the congress will eventually splinter and die out. Those were the days when the center of the whole country had shifted to the political right and the BJP had a bumper harvest.

Now years later, the political center has moved left of its position coming right back to the Congress's political space and BJP has remained stagnant.

Its about time the BJP interpreted the tea leaves correctly.

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The NY Times Patronizes India

Before you read any further, I suggest you read this New York Times Op-Ed titled "India's Challenges".

And I am sorry to be so judgmental but the article is a whole load of BS.

For this blog post, I will only talk about those lines which, in my humble opinion, are the most bogus.

The first paragraph had these lines.

"...it is time for India to exercise the kind of regional and global leadership expected of a rising power."

The NY times does not waste time and space. The patronizing attitude starts from the first paragraph itself. The paper sets the stage for India by saying its about time she behaved like a power. Oh! wow! Finally some recognition !!

After a few paragraphs of Pakistan bashing, the paper then drops the line and I quote.

"India is essential to what Pakistan will do."

So what does it mean? Does it mean the US should involve India on all its plans in Af-Pak? Or does it mean India to some measure contributes to the situation by its silence? or perhaps the paper cannot make a determination of what it wants?

Anyways, the next few lines not only makes it abundantly clear what the paper wants but also what the administration of President Obama has in store for India.


And I quote again.

"New Delhi exercised welcome restraint when it did not attack Pakistan after the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai by Pakistani-based extremists. But tensions remain high, and the Pakistani Army continues to view India as its main adversary. India should take the lead in initiating arms control talks with Pakistan and China. It should also declare its intention to stop producing nuclear weapons fuel, even before a proposed multinational treaty is negotiated. That would provide leverage for Washington and others to exhort Pakistan to do the same."

Says the NY Times - "New Delhi exercised welcome restraint...". And so the paper approves of India's restraint but that's just not enough.

Continues the NY Times - "India should take the lead in initiating arms control talks with Pakistan and China...stop producing nuclear weapons fuel...That would provide leverage for Washington...to exhort Pakistan..."

Simply put the paper wants India simply to roll over and play dead. Waste of so many words above to express this intent!

Wait there is more. The paper then drops the K-word.

"Ignoring Kashmir is no longer an option."

Oh really! Pray why, may I ask the venerated paper, should Kashmir suddenly come into the picture now? Is it because the US has miserably failed to make Pakistan play ball and wag its tail?

And then comes the most naive of them all.

"India has played a constructive role in helping rebuild Afghanistan, but it must take steps to allay Islamabad’s concerns that this is a plan to encircle Pakistan."

What!? What was that? India should bend over backwards to make Pakistan feel its not being encircled? Are you really that dumb? Why would we want to do that? India IS encircling Pakistan, period. And just because the US finds it inconvenient for its War on terror, why should India give up its legitimate security concerns.

The Op-Ed then closes with these patronizing words.

"India is the dominant power in South Asia, but it has been hesitant to assume its responsibilities."

Oh please! Go sell this to someone born yesterday.

Did any of you watch former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf's interview in Fareed Zakaria GPS?

Pervez list out all the divisions and infantries of the Indian army posted on its border with Pakistan and sights that as the primary reason for Pakistan not being able to direct more troops to its western border to fight the Taliban.

What President Pervez does not say is that India needs to keep troops there on account of two reasons -

1. Export of terror from Pakistan for decades now, latest one in Mumbai.
2. Pakistan army's penchant for high risk battles, the latest one in Kargil.

Pakistan's Mumbai gamble to provoke India into action to enable it (Pakistan Army) to move troops to its eastern border thereby giving some elbow room to their Taliban fell flat. And so once again they have created this mirage of a Taliban take over to jolt the US into complying with whatever Pakistan wants.

The proof is in all the papers. The administration which said it will question every penny spent by Pakistan, now within days is pushing to approve billions of dollars to aid Pakistan in its so called fight against the Taliban. I can only feel sorry for the Americans.

How many of you have heard of the "Super Nanny" TV show on ABC? I picked this up from the TV show's website and it says -

"Jo Frost, as Supernanny, can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the savage six-year-old and get the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries."

Sounds similar?

United States = Vexed Parent
Pakistan = Wild, Savage, difficult child

May be Obama should give Richard Holbrook's job to The Super Nanny.


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Victory? What Victory?

So finally the day has come when Sri Lanka believes no longer will its people be terrorized by the Tamil Tigers. No longer will the Lankans have to send their sons to join the Lankan army to fight the tigers. No longer will they wake up every morning listening to news of attacks and suicide bombings. And so the Lankans celebrate the victory.

But again what are they celebrating? Are they celebrating the fact that their own countrymen are now refugees? Are they celebrating the fact that the armed struggle for equal rights by the minority Tamils started because of Sinhalese nationalism? Are they celebrating the army having fought its way to victory killing and bombing Tamils and their settlements? What hollow victory is this?


The Tamil Tiger's methods may be wrong but their love for their people cannot be questioned. May be they lost sight of the ultimate goal, the welfare of the tamils, but they did start off on the right path.

To the Sri Lankan government and the majority Sinhalese, I say this. Show some humility in victory. Show some magnanimity. Show some brotherly concern. The victory dance over Tamil blood will not go down well with the now vanquished Tamils.

Your behavior will sow the seeds for future generational relationship between different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka and directly impact the island nations future. This is the time to introspect and reach out to the minorities.

If the Sri Lankan government wishes to be seen as the government of Sri Lanka instead of as the government of the Sinhalese, it must stop making crude gestures that could be misconstrued as Sinhalese chauvinism. The Sri Lankan president kissing the soil of Sri Lanka is one such. What soil is he kissing? The soil where blood of citizens were spilled?

The government and the President is advised to keep its emotions in check and get on with the task of healing and reaching out to the hearts of fallen Tamils.

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From the Tamils to the Kashmiris

India always has had problems with its peripheral states. Especially those that were either partitioned or have brethren living in the neighbouring country.

Most of us know these states by their reputation - Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

West Bengal is special. Not only was West Bengal partitioned in 1947, it also is ruled by a party front ideologically closer to our northern neighbour.

Anyways my point is not to run through the history of these states.

I am going to specifically look at the current crisis in Sri Lanka, its impact on Tamil Nadu and what J&K can learn from it.

Something really beautiful is happening in Tamil Nadu. No need to be aghast. Just hear me out.


The Sri Lankan army has gained considerable ground against the LTTE in the past year. With the LTTE almost close to annihilation, Tamil organizations everywhere have heightened their pitch. The tamil political parties in India jumped right in to speak up for the plight of Tamils in Lanka.

The principle political outfits namely the DMK led by Dr. Karunanidhi and the ADMK led by Ms. Jayalalithaa engaged in a pitch battle to out do each other. That elections were fast approaching added to the combustible mix.

However, there was this common theme or line that both political formations in Tamil Nadu toed. And that was their lobbying with the government of India to intervene in whatever possible means at their disposal to halt the suffering of the Lankan Tamils. Each outfit was pushing the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to lean on the Sri Lankan President to halt the continued bombardment. Leaving aside the merits of the case, what should be taken note of is that for the first time the Tamil parties similar to the Israeli lobby in the United States, lobbied heavily with the government to act.

The Tamils, baring some extremist cat calls, empowered by their clout in New Delhi, used it effectively to steer India's position with respect to Sri Lanka. And in doing so they exercised considerable restraint keeping in mind both India's larger interests and that of pan-Tamil chauvinism. This whole scenario could have gone haywire for a number of reasons, including a scenario where some extremist Tamil chauvinistic group in Tamil Nadu hijacking the issue and stealing the main political party's thunder.

So what lessons can other peripheral states learn from this?

Imagine this.

The Taliban having gained a foothold in Pakistan's Swat, decide to test the waters in the rest of Pakistan. I suppose they have already started doing this. For whatever reason, the Taliban decide to move northwards towards Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas instead of Baluchistan and Punjab. There is real threat of a Taliban take over and residents of the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir do not know if Islamabad will send in the army to help them.

Meanwhile there are massive protests in Jammu & Kashmir on the Indian side. Political parties such as the National Conference and the PDP begin out shouting each other demanding that the Indian government do something. The call to save Kashmiriyat from the Taliban has rallied the entire state and has forced even the pro-Pakistan outfits of the Hurriyat to support this call.

Members of Parliament from the state make speeches in Parliament calling for an intervention similar to the Battle for Srinagar. They warn that India is morally bound to save Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from being wiped out and demand that India do something to save Kashmiriyat.

Sounds familiar? Possible Scenario? Can and will the Kashmiri's learn from the Tamil experience?

Will the Kashmiris see the wisdom of investing their future and that of their children in the idea of India?

photo courtesy: India Tourism Network

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Lessons for India

Ever since Nepal's monarchy was overthrown in a maoist inspired rebellion and ever since the maoist party won in the elections that followed, India's hold on Nepal's pulse has slowly but steadily slipped away.

For whatever reason, all countries surrounding India seem to have trouble practicing democracy. While as a country we cherish the peaceful transfer of power every five years, we take pride in being the largest democracy in the world against all odds, and we strongly believe that our model of democracy is the right one for a diverse country like ours, we still are not seen as that shining democracy upon a hill worth emulating by our neighbours.

Why?

Nepal is a classic example. For decades we have had a close relationship with the Nepalese ruling class, be it the monarchy or the elected dispensation. But lately, India seems to have lost the mojo for Nepal or more importantly the other way round!

For all the continues engagement between the two countries for decades, somehow Nepal seems to have taken to Maoism now. Why?


Now lets move on to Bangladesh. In the 70's, India militarily intervened to aid the Mukti Bahini to gain independence from Pakistan. That perhaps was the highest point in the relationship between the two countries. After that it has been a bumpy ride downwards. Bangladesh has been alternating between military rule and an elected government ever since. Not much influence there from its western/northern/eastern neighbour!

Pakistan. Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan. Newspaper columnists in that country sometimes look across the fence when they wish their government learn some lessons from across the border. But that's about it.

Sri Lanka is a case by itself. Though Sri Lanka practices democracy quite regularly, that country stands accused of ethnic cleansing, by its Tamil minority. A governing model based on India's federal setup has been proposed for a long time now. Hopefully something similar will come up soon that will satisfy the urge for equal rights for its Tamils.

I could go on. But the above examples are enough to show a pattern. India has tremendous influence on all its neighbours. However, all for the wrong reasons. Being the largest multi cultural democracy in the world, shouldn't we be exporting our ideas, values and solutions to these smaller countries that are so desperately in need of a good workable governing model.

Its sad to see our newspapers reporting maoist violence during elections. Even China has moved away from the socialistic policies of Chairman Mao. Inspite of this, even in our country we have the threat of maoist violence rival the threat of terrorist violence today.

What are the missing pieces here? Why aren't our neighbours saying - Why can't we be like India?

Why don't our neighbours look upto how we practice democracy in such diversity? Why isn't the Indian governing model worth emulating or learning from?

Why are we not yet that bright shining country upon the hill in this dark dark sub continental night?


image courtesy: jagrutindia.com


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Its my tamil new year...

I was mad. Really mad. When I heard the government of my state of Tamil Nad, India had decreed(yes, decreed) that the Tamil new year will no more be celebrated in the month of Chithirai (April) instead it will from now onwards be celebrated in the month of Thai (January), I was irritated.

Who the hell is the DMK government to decide when the new year should begin? Who do these politicians think they are? For a minute I was magically transported back in time when emperors and kings ruled by decree and cared less for public opinion. The government and the Chief Minister perhaps mistakenly believe that they reign over the Kingdom of Tamil Nadu.

Decades ago, an egoistic Congress party equated India to Indira and Indira to India. We all know what happened. Be you ever so high the law of the land and the people are always high above you.

A party that preaches godlessness and shuns beliefs and faiths, should keep away from playing with centuries old traditions and cultures. I have no problem with the party of non-believers. Ours is a democratic country and people are entitled to their own ways of life. A political entity, just because it occupies the seat of power for five years, does not give it the right to meddle. What next? Will we be celebrating the CM's birthday as Tamil Day?

The leader of the party, Kalaignar Karunanidhi, is a wise man. I have always respected him as one of our finest leaders. However today I disagree with him. This is my Tamil new year's day and no one can change it.

photo courtesy: wikimedia
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Prez Obama walks up to the PM...

Yes, that was in the Indian press and media today. That President Obama "walked" up to the Indian Prime Minister excited the Indian press that it was quoted verbatim across much of the media. Apparently one of the members in the delegation saw this happen!

Indian culture puts the onus on the younger person to approach the elder and more experienced one as a mark of respect. Jolly good indeed! Totally another matter that in these gatherings everyone walks around greeting everybody else. Well, in the west its called socializing.

Interpretation for sound and show purposes apart lets simply look at the schedule of President Obama at the G-20 on Wednesday and Thursday. Here below are two links to the 2 day schedule released by the White House Press Secretary.

President Obama's Wednesday G-20 Official schedule

President Obama's Thursday G-20 Official schedule

Let me pick out a few engagements from both these schedules.


On Wednesday:

11:45AM The President meets the Russian President @ Winfield House
02:00PM The President meets the Chinese President @ Winfield House
05:35PM The President meets HM Queen Elizabeth II @ Buckingham Palace

All of the above are very important engagements. The fact that Mr. Obama chooses to meet the Russian and Chinese leaders at his residence in London on the same day that he meets his host the Queen speaks to the importance that the administration attaches to these countries.

On Thursday:

08:00AM The President meets the South Korean Prime Minister @ the summit sidelines
09:50AM The President attends the G 20 plenary session
03:45PM The President meets the King of Saudi Arabia @ the summit sidelines
04:30PM The President meets the Indian Prime Minister @ the Summit sidelines

Now there are two ways of looking at this. Either the glass is half full or half empty.

The half full glass is that the President did choose to meet the Indian leader at the G20. On the whole he perhaps met only a handful of leaders among the 20 or so leaders attending the summit.


The half empty glass is that the US is not going to give as much importance to India as it got from the previous Bush administration. It simply showed when the US leader met only the Russian and Chinese leaders on the first day. For all the achievements that India has made post 1991, we still have a long way to go before our voice is heard at such forums.

The Bank of China Governor publishes an essay on the Bank's website and it catches wildfire all over the world. Our opinion is barely heard even in the Indian press, which is more concerned with silly things like who walked up to whom.

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