August 31, 2023
Dear Readers,
As I reflect on this past month, I find myself amidst the rich mosaic of human existence. The complex interplay between democracy and violence, the intricate trajectories of political leaders like Imran Khan, and the awe-inspiring exploration of celestial frontiers invite me to peer into the multifaceted nature of our reality.
As I explore these happenings, let us recognize that the potential for positive change resides within us. Whether through nurturing unity in democracy, deciphering the complexities of political shifts, or reaching for the moon to uncover the secrets of the universe, our collective journey is guided by a quest for knowledge, understanding, and progress.
Sincerely,
Hari Jaisingh
Violence and Democracy
How come India has, of late, been witness to increasing violent tendencies? There is no straight answer to this question, nor is it that specific individuals or political groups can be blamed for the country’s growing polluted culture. In a way, we have witnessed competitive negativism in the polity today. And we know that a democratic polity like ours cannot grow on healthy lines in an atmosphere of negativism.
Take the case of the Railway Protection Force [RPF] constable on escort duty in the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express. He fired twelve rounds from his automatic service rifle, killing his senior and three passengers on board. Constable Chetan Singh first shot his senior, Assistant Sub-inspector [ASI] Tikaram Meena, before turning to the passengers. Tikaram Meena was only nine months away from retirement.
There has been a perplexing shift in the narrative regarding the mental health of Chetan Singh, the RPF constable. On August 2, he revealed that his family had concealed his medical condition from the authorities. However, he later retracted his statement. In response, the Railway Ministry clarified in a press release that:
“The treatment for the present medical ailment has been taken on his personal level by Chetan Singh and is not in official records. He and his family have kept it a secret.”
In another instance of turmoil subsequent to Hindu-Muslim clashes in Nuh, a mob of far-right Hindu individuals killed the deputy imam at a mosque in Gurgaon. The State Home Minister said the violence against the Vishwa Hindu Pradesh yatra in the Muslim-dominated Nuh district seemed long-planned and fuelled by social media content. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated that those responsible for damaging property will pay for it. However, he refrained from elaborating on the specific measures he intends to implement as part of this punitive action.
The Supreme Court has been firm and categorical and has adopted an unequivocal stance. The Bench, headed by Justice Khanna, advised the Centre and the police to proactively address violence and curtail the spread of hate speech at the rallies. Khanna said:
“There cannot be a quarrel on the point that hate speech vitiates the atmosphere… Authorities must take precautions that no violence, no hate speech is made. The Union government should immediately get in touch with the States’ authorities concerned…Rule of law has to be maintained.”
Moving to Manipur, senior leaders of the opposition alliance called I.N.D.I.A. [Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance] sought President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention to re-establish peace and harmony and determine accountability for the devastation following the violent acts in the state. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge told the President to impress upon Prime Minister Modi to visit Manipur, take steps to restore normalcy, and provide relief to the people.
In a memorandum to the President, the opposition alliance urged her to “press upon the Prime Minister to urgently address the Parliament on the prevailing situation in Manipur.” The impact of the violence has been devastating, with more than 200 lost lives, over 500 injured, and more than 5,000 houses gutted in arson-related incidents. Further, a staggering number of people have been displaced, living in dire conditions in relief camps across the state.
At this juncture, Prime Minister Modi needs to become proactive in providing a healing touch to the people of Manipur. Violence in the state has turned uglier.
No one has ready answers to plug loopholes in the mind and the system. However, I believe in the larger objective of turning India into a land of opportunity and equality. This conviction isn’t mere rhetoric; it must translate into a meticulously crafted Plan of Action in critical socio-economic fields sans vote bank politics.
What is disturbing is a crooked and lopsided system and operational discrimination gaps in critical areas of our national life. This is a big challenge facing the nation. If we Indians discard our inbuilt dishonesty and hypocrisy, to begin with, everything will fall in line. Our operating problem is one of negative mindset and unhealthy competitive politics. Modern India needs a balanced vision for “feel good” segments of society and the poor, have-nots, tribals, and Muslims.
Minority and majority communities must constantly adjust themselves for the greater good of society. A broad, rational, and national attitude is necessary for this. Most of the old attitudes are no longer relevant. So are senseless acts of violence which could spell disaster for any democratic set-up.
The relationship between democracies and violence is complex. On the one hand, democracies represent a way of life that is nonviolent as they provide peaceful means for resolving conflict. However, democracies can also be violent, especially during political and social upheavals. Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sums up my sentiments in the following quote:
“…the mark of a true democracy is not in the rule of its majority but in the protection of its minority – otherwise mob justice would be considered democratic.”
August 4, 2023
Imran Khan’s changing fortunes
Whither Pakistan? It seems caught in various interest groups, from the complex ruling establishment to the Army and varied shades of terrorism. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is badly caught in Islamabad’s vicious power circles. Unless overturned, the conviction rules him out of contesting the upcoming elections.
This case reveals what Pakistan’s politics can do to a one-time influential leader. The 70-year-old Imran Khan was provided a “bug-infested C-class cell” with little daylight access and enough space for a prayer mat.
Pakistan’s top election body also disqualified him for five years following his conviction in a corruption case. The Election Commission of Pakistan has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf [PTI] Chairman was found guilty of corrupt practices. Pakistan’s poll body says that Khan “deliberately concealed” details of the gifts he retained from the Toshakhana, a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept, during his time. Khan faces over 150 cases and charges like terrorism, violence, blasphemy, corruption, and murder.
Imran Khan has challenged his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case in the Islamabad High Court, saying the verdict by a “biased” judge is a slap in the face of due process of law and “fair trial” and, therefore, is “a gross travesty of justice.” In his petition, Khan said that the trial judge made the conclusion based on a “pre-disposed mind” instead of the merit of the case because the petitioner’s lawyer was not given the right to present arguments.
The former outstanding Pakistani cricketer is undoubtedly popular and trendy. It may be recalled that the economic crisis, made worse by massive floods, helped Imran stage a “stunning comeback.” His public standing soared after a failed attempt on his life last November. This virtually turned the one-time famous cricketer into a martyr. This is how he grew in the public eye.
Pakistan military wanted to get rid of their former protégé – who, at one stage, tried to assert his power to appoint the next Army Chief of Staff. This was an imprudent move on the part of Imran Khan. He ought to have remained within his power limits.
Interestingly, the military’s tactics against Khan were almost identical to its strategy to eliminate Khan’s rivals in 2018 when he was the military’s pet candidate. However, the fast-changing chain of events has made Imran a zero from a hero in Pakistan’s complex politics.
Amidst the complexities surrounding Imran Khan, it is essential to delve into the intricate dynamics that shaped his political journey. Recently, The Intercept shed light on a confidential diplomatic cable, referred to as the ‘cypher’, which hints at Washington’s exertion of pressure to facilitate the removal of the former Pakistani Prime Minister. This revelation offers a unique perspective that adds nuance to the narrative.
The leaked cable unveils a conversation of paramount significance. It involves Pakistan's then-ambassador to the United States, Asad Majeed, and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu. This exchange transpired less than two weeks following Imran Khan's visit to Moscow on February 24, 2022, which marked the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In this diplomatic dialogue, the candidness displayed is striking. In a relatively straightforward manner, Lu broached the subject of a potential no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister. According to the document, Lu is quoted as saying:
“I think if the no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington because the Russia visit is being looked at as a decision by the Prime Minister. Otherwise, I think it will be tough going ahead.”
This assertion reveals a certain level of audacity in the exertion of influence, potentially underscoring the multifaceted layers of Khan's tenure and his interactions on the global stage. Such revelations cast a distinct light on the intricacies of political maneuvering and international dynamics surrounding Imran Khan's leadership. They remind us that the truth often extends beyond the surface, urging us to look deeper into the intersections of power, diplomacy, and leadership.
The harsh reality surrounding Imran Khan is regrettable. The charges against him range from corruption to terrorism. However, reducing his characterization to these accusations is deeply unfortunate, as it fails to encapsulate the essence of his legacy and contributions.
August 11, 2023
India’s tryst with the moon
The moon is no longer a fanciful flight of poets and romantic persons. Today, it is a realm conquered by science and ingenuity, exemplified by India's space agency, ISRO [Indian Space Research Organisation].
In a momentous achievement, the Chandrayaan-3 Lander marked a historic milestone in India's space endeavors as it gently landed on the moon’s south pole after starting its journey with a velocity of approximately 6,000 km/h. It was a 17-minute powered descent. The complex final phase of the descent has been fittingly termed “15 minutes of terror” by K. Sivan, ISRO's former Chairman, in reference to the Chandrayaan-2 landing.
ISRO, learning from its failed experiences with Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, brought about pivotal changes to ensure the triumph of Chandrayaan-3. These alterations encompassed strengthening the lander's legs, optimizing engine configuration, enhancing propellant quality, and integrating advanced sensors.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, launched on July 14 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, has undergone a series of maneuvers, including earth-bound adjustments, crucial trans-lunar injections, and lunar orbit insertions. These maneuvers have ensured that the spacecraft navigates the moon's complex gravitational pulls and trajectory alterations.
India's feat has reverberated globally, garnering praise from international leaders and space agencies. With this successful landing, India has joined an exclusive club of nations – the United States, Russia, and China – that have achieved such a feat. Moreover, India is the first country to land in the polar region of the moon, believed to hold the key to future lunar missions due to its potential reservoirs of frozen water.
As we reflect on this achievement, the words of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi come to mind:
“The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”
This triumph underscores India’s pioneering spirit in space exploration and is a result of its persistent questioning, innovating, and striving for excellence in the face of challenges.
In the days ahead, the Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover is poised to conduct chemical analyses of the lunar surface, further enhancing our understanding of the moon.
Looking back, India’s journey in space exploration has been nothing short of extraordinary – a trajectory that traces from Aryabhata to Chandrayaan-3 and beyond. This journey has been propelled by visionaries such as former President Abdul Kalam, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and countless brilliant minds at ISRO. Their tireless efforts, combined with the visionary leadership of figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, have illuminated the dark side of the moon and lighted up new hopes among our aspiring young scientists, paving the way for a brighter future for both them and the nation.
Chandrayaan-3 has accomplished what its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, could not. This spectacular achievement is a testament to the dedication of ISRO scientists, the visionary leadership that steered them, and the culmination of years of dedication and scientific prowess. Herein lies the true greatness of India's prowess in space exploration. As the world watches, India’s journey continues, with its sights set on new horizons and uncharted cosmic territories.
August 25, 2023