In defence of self-defence
Two contradictory news items had hit the headlines of mainstream dailies on May 4, 2008. A delegation of the Communist Party of India consisting A B Bardhan, Gurudas Dasgupta and D Raja had called on the PM on May 3 (The Hindu front page) to urge the leader of the coalition government headed by Congress to disband the Salwa Judum (Peace Mission) initiated by the BJP government of Chattisgarh.
My friend the rebel, Maloy Krishna Dhar
Friendship between a spymaster and a journalist is a curious thing. Both gather and disseminate information and intelligence; though for different consumers. The JP Movement had galvanised India in the mid-1970s, and given the country an opportunity to rebuild the system. It failed because of the hunger of the political personalities. For us, (people like K. N. Gobindacharya, Nitish Kumar and I), the movement was a turning point.
Ignore the sycophants, Rahul Gandhi
Prior to this astro-political oracle I, a one-year wonder Congress and AICC member, (1997-98), happened to meet in mid-2005 an important cog in 10 Janpath. He sounded equally astro-prophetic: ‘you have missed the bus sir, by quitting politics. Rahulji is taking over soon.’
North East of what?
It is rather difficult to define the geographical, political, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and economic parameters of the region we call the Northeast. North East of what? Is it North East of geophysical India, of the Indian mindset, or is it something outside India?
Why Pakistan won’t leave Kashmir alone
The Jamait branch of Pakistan has been in the forefront of jihadist struggle since 1980. When we speak of Harkat-ul-Jiahd al Islami (HuJI), we forget that this dreaded outfit was originally floated by the JeI in 1980. Its ISI and Al Qaeda backed incarnation was born in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 1993.
A guided tour of 'outer' India
Most complexities arose out of Indian unconcern about the ‘outer’ Indian territories and lack of conscious efforts to integrate the remote areas with the mainland, while preserving the exquisite uniqueness of the civilisational, cultural and traditional legacies of the people of Manipur
The ‘discoveries’ of Pakistan
History is often made by the churning of buoyant minds, and discoveries are made by great explorers delving into the realms of cranial electrodes and the physical world.But the Discovery of Pakistan by Pakistanis has more metaphysical ingredients than the ingredients needed to make an Einstein.
Why Kashmir has failed Pakistan
Pakistan shed more shady tears by observing Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5. A national holiday was declared by the government as a sop to the Kashmiri people.
Why India must oppose Kosovo's independence
I am not sowing a new idea. I am just sharing the concerns and apprehensions expressed in several world capitals over the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, a breakaway Albanian Muslim majority province of Serbia
South India and the enemies within
Soon after the Mecca Masjid bomb blast (May 2007) and twin blasts in Hyderabad (August 25), several TV and print media friends grilled me: why should there be Jihadist attacks in the South?
A minority report that alienates the majority
Recently, a ‘right reactionary Hindu’ Patriot’s Forum filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court challenging the validity and legality of the Sachar Commission Report, which has recommended a plethora of concessions to the ‘minority’ Muslim community.
Why Vajpayee deserves a Ratna
Should we not look at jewels beyond the narrow confines of politics; that too of certain specific brands? Should we not recognise that “reactionaries and communalists” like Vajpayee also reign over millions of hearts? Should the nation be divided by the Congress and its allies on each and every issue, raising the ghost bogey of stale secularism?
Who killed Benazir?
Making a political forecast is more hazardous than astrological speculation. The loudest question now being asked after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination is about the future of Pakistan and political and security ambience in the region. The pundits make conflicting forecasts, according to their strategic interests and perceptions. However, several days after the assassination of an excellent leader, the main riddle as to who killed her is yet to be solved.
Big Brother and India’s internal security
For India, the thin line between strategic National Security that encompass major defence preparations and the internal security that are supposed to be localised law and order problems have been obliterated by blatant intervention by the neighbouring countries, and the unintended neglect of the umbrella regional security concerns of countries like Nepal and Myanmar. Thus, for India, internal security is synonymous with national security. But the Big Brother remained unconvinced.
A marriage of inconvenience
Most Pakistanis - barring close aides and admirers of General Pervez Musharraf, power-starved followers of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and chronic dreamers of democracy - have been foxed by the twists and turns in Pakistan’s political fortune and its internal security concerns.
The men who knew too much
The British initially set up the Intelligence Wing to keep a watch over troublesome Indian leaders and monitor any uprising in the provinces. Intelligence was one of the arms used by the British to run their writ in India and other colonies. In this venture the Indian intelligence and army helped the British more than the original sons of the Albions.
