REWIND

New Delhi, 9 May 2024

CRUCIAL STAGE IN POLL BATTLE

By Inder Jit

(Released on 25 December 1979) 

Poll prospects have seldom before been more baffling prior to a general election. Few except those committed to one camp or the other are able to speak with any confidence about the possible outcome -- barely ten days before the first round on January 3, Expectedly, professional astrologers, royal and not so royal, have been in great demand. Not only those contending for power but captains of industry and scores of others are busy getting them to peer into the future. They would like guidance to decide on the political horses they might back profitably. But the astrologers have largely not been of much help. Most forecasts have tended to cancel each other out. Many have declared that Mrs Gandhi is under the influence of "an evil conjunction of stars" until mid-June and has "not a hope in hell." But others assert equally confidently that "she has a fair chance" of forming the government. Consequently, most punters report poor business. There are few wagers and still fewer takers.

Four trends are nevertheless clear. First, unlike in 1971 or in 1977, there is no such thing as a wave of any kind in favour of one or the other of the five contenders: Janata Party, Congress (I), Lok Dal, Congress (U) and the Loft front. Second, the contest is mainly between the Indira Congress and the Janata, notwithstanding loud public claims by the Prime Minister, Mr Charan Singh. Third, no single party is likely to romp home with a clear majority, if the crowds attending rival poll meetings or informal soundings by newsmen across leading states are any indication. Fourth, what may happen after the poll is anybody's guess. Almost all the top leaders are keeping their options wide open. Few have emphatically or categorically ruled out "cooperation" with the rivals after the poll. Press statements and reports about possible arrangements have no doubt been denied because of tactical compulsions. Significantly, however, the denials have been carefully worded leaving scope for conveniently driving coach and six through them if and when required.

There is no gainsaying the fact that some kind of a pro-Mrs Gandhi wave was discernible soon after the Lok Sabha was dissolved and a mid-term poll ordered. Most people felt bitter against the Janata Party and its betrayal and talked enthusiastically about Mrs Gandhi and her ability to give India what it needed most: a strong and stable government. But things have greatly changed since and "the wave" has largely subsided, as reflected in the assessment of a reliable poll watcher from Lucknow who proved remarkably correct in 1977. (One month before the poll, he gave the Janata Party 75 to 80 of UP's 85 seats and Mrs Gandhi a total of 150 seats all over India!) In mid-September, he gave Mrs Gandhi at least 50 of the 85 seats. But today he gives the Congress (I) a maximum of 30 seats. His assessment of the mood in UP and in Bihar is supported by some perceptive and experienced foreign newsmen. Three months ago, the Congress (I) looked like bagging all the four seats in Himachal Pradesh. Today, the Janata Party appears to have turned the tide in the hill State and might well repent 1977.

Mrs Gandhi and her principal campaigners still claim that their party will win a clear majority or at least hag 250 seats. ("We won 150 seats in 1977 but drew a virtual blank in the north", explained a top leader. "This time we hope to win at least a hundred seats in the north.") But there is a flaw in the calculation of the claim. The south is not likely to back Mrs Gandhi as solidly as it did in 1977. Indeed, latest indications show that Mrs Gandhi will not even do as well as she did in Andhra Pradesh, winning 41 of the 42 seats. The Janata, the Lok Dal and the Congress (U) and the Leftists look like winning at least ten to twelve seats, if not more. (A top Urs Congress leader from Hyderabad concedes to Mrs Gandhi a maximum of about 20 seats.) The situation for the Congress (I) is "largely hopeless" in Kerala ("a blank cannot be ruled out", according to informed sources) and not much better in Tamil Nadu in spite of the party's deal with the DMK. Karnataka will no longer be a cake walk. Mr Devaraj Urs and the Janata may well bag at least half the State's 26 seats.

Of interest in the all-India context are the views of some top but independent leaders. One such leader, who is known for his political acumen and robust commonsense and access to authoritative information, assesses the poll protects as follows: No party, according to him, will get a majority. The Lok Dal, he asserts, "may get a maximum of 50 seats although Mr Charan Singh insists that he will bag at least 150." He gives the Congress (U) 25 seats, the CPM and other Leftists 65 seats and the AIADMK and other regional parties about 30 seats. In other words, he expects all the parties minus the Janata and the Congress (I) to win about 170 seats leaving a balance of 359 seats out of total of 529 seats for which the poll is due to be held. This balance, according to the top source, is expected to be divided between the Congress (I) and the Janata one party possibly getting 10 to 20 seats more than the other. "They appear to be running neck and neck, at present", he added thoughtfully.

Most of the leading industrialists do not buy the foregoing assessment. They are "by and large, certain” that Mrs Gandhi will romp home to power. "Is this why the industrialists are allegedly backing the Congress (I)," I asked one tycoon the other day. Prompt came his significant but candid reply: "No, my friend, we industrialists do not back one party or the other. We only invest in those we regard as prospective rulers." But there are also veteran and widely respected industrialists at the top who disagree with the younger, enthusiastic set -- and prefer to remain independent. At a recent diplomatic reception, one of them was informally asked by a veteran pro-Indira diplomat: "Suppose there was a consortium to invest Rs 100 in the poll. What would you do?" The reply, at once interesting and meaningful, was as follows: "Well I would invest is 40... er ... no Rs 50 on Mrs G. Of the balance, I would put Rs 30 on the Janata, ...er… no, Rs 50. Yes, fifty-fifty." Late on Friday, he reaffirmed "I hold by my earlier assessment. It is still neck and neck although the Janata looks like coming up..."

Most diplomats understandably prefer not to go on record. Some are, therefore, agitated over certain news despatches attributing to their embassies "loaded assessment" of the poll prospects. Three of the five embassies are stated to give Mrs Gandhi "s clear majority" and the fourth over 200 seats. The fifth, major power, alone is reported to hold the view that Mrs Gandhi "will not return to power.") One Ambassador candidly told me: "The whole thing is concocted." However, a majority of the Ambassadors seem to feel that the battle is mainly between the Congress (1) and the Janata and that the fight between the two is "very close". Incidentally, almost all senior Ambassadors are greatly embarrassed by the invitation extended to Mrs Gandhi recently by the Thursday Club of junior diplomats at this pre-poll juncture and the subsequent publicity given to her remarks. Some of these Ambassadors have also assured the Foreign Office informally that they disapprove of anything which smacks of interference in India's internal affairs.

Much, as broadly agreed by the poll watchers, will depend upon what the main parties are able to do in the next ten days, which mark the crucial stage in the battle of the hustings. All the three principal contenders for the Prime Ministership Mrs Gandhi, Mr Jagjivan Ram and Mr Charan Singh - have been working hard and addressing as many election meetings as they possibly can in the course of a day. Both Mr Jagjivan Ram and Mr Charan Singh have also successfully raised doubts in the popular mind about her promise of "a strong and stable Government" by pointedly asking: What kind of stability? (Mrs Gandhi, it needs to be remembered, received a two-thirds majority in 1971. But this majority was eventually used to subvert the Constitution and establish personal rule.) The two leaders have yet to build up the required tempo and take it to a promising peak. Mr Jagjivan Ram even today gives the Impression of pulling his punches, which is not doing much good to his credibility -- and his reputation as a shrewd tactician. The Janata has still to launch its long-promised blitzkrieg against its principal enemy: the forces of authoritarianism.

Clear battle lines have yet to be drawn and the principal issue identified: what kind of an India do we want? Mrs Gandhi has made matters easy for her opponents by reviving around her the notorious, all-powerful caucus, headed by her son, Mr Sanjay Gandhi. Initially, the choice was stated to be between Mrs Gandhi and the Janata Party. Mrs Gandhi, the people were urged to believe, had learnt her lessons and could now be trusted to keep her son and his group under control. The choice now is no longer the same. It is sharp and clear and something which is easily comprehended by the masses: between the Janata Party and the caucus, between government by the people or government by a mafia. Mr Sanjay Gandhi, too, has presented his opponents with an invaluable gift, his public promise to complete the "unfinished task of Emergency." The next few days will determine if the Janata has the ability to exploit the mistakes of the Congress (I) and play for a win. Much valuable time has been lost already.--INFA.

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Open Forum

New Delhi, 8 May 2024

Elections & Youth

CAN PARTIES REMOVE APATHY?

By Dhurjati Mukherjee 

India’s foreign minister recently wrote in a leading national daily that “this is the first general election of the Amrit Kaal,(an empowered and inclusive economy) and our youth must recognise its significance”. What this means may be clear to the present government but for youth it would remain a grey area as its impact is not sufficiently felt by either the educated or uneducated sections. The government nurturing human resources, enhancing ease of livingand fostering entrepreneurship, are words unmatched by action for this generation. 

Opinion amongst social analysts and youth leaders boils down to a concern that the government is unfortunately not aware of the dimension of the problem, even though the youth represent the most dynamic and vibrant segment of the population. The country has the largest youth population in the world and as per Report of Technical Group on Population Projections, by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, youth in the age group of 15-29 years comprise 27.2% of the population for 2021 which is expected to decrease to 22.7 by 2036 but still huge in absolute numbers of 345 million. 

It is distressing that the general youth by and large are not much interested in the electoral process and do not see it as a tool to have their voice heard. Whatever may be projected by justifying high rates of GDP growth, the rural youth are increasingly finding agriculture unremunerative while small jobs are not quite available in the rural areas. There is growing sense of frustration and disillusionment amongst GenNext, and though the ongoing election may be a talking point it doesn’t inspire hope of a new government addressing their issues. 

This is borne out by a recent report of International Labour Organisation on unemployment in India. It found that of the total unemployed, 83 percent are youth. The share of educated youth among the total unemployed population is 66 percent. In fact, India has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. The headline rate of 23 percent puts the country in the company of Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and other such nations which don’t boast of being the fastest growing economy or fifth largest economy. For our small neighbour, Bangladesh, the figure is just 12 percent – half of that of India’s. Even scarier is that unemployment rate is 44 percent among those in age group of 20-24 years. 

It is thus not astonishing that those who have the highest stake in the future have shown the least inclination in voting. Around 38 percent of youth have registered to vote in the 2024 elections with some states such as Bihar, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh seeing less than a quarter enrolling.Anil Verma of Association for Democratic Reforms explains there’s cynicism amongst the youth about the electoral process. The apathy emanates from a feeling that major political parties which don’t have enough youth leaders, are not genuinely involved about the GenNext and its problems.  

Moreover, political leadership is not showing concern about emerging social and economic problems. About Bihar’s low young voter numbers, Rajiv Kumar of Action for Accountable Governance (AAG) explains that though political awareness was there, a sense of hopelessness and frustration persists among the youth about commitment of political leadership. 

Therefore, the guarantees or promises of political parties are not quite appealing to the young generation as they are not based on genuine intentions. Prime Minister Modi, BJP’s ‘star campaigner’ has been accused by Opposition of being silent on creation of job opportunities for youth. There is no word on adequate financial allocation to states to ensure employment is guaranteed for 100 days in a year, as per MNREGA. Besides, there’s a demand for such a programme in urban areas to provide jobs the youth. 

Moreover, many of the guarantees given by various political parties over the years have remained elusive, leading to disillusionment in elections. The future torchbearers of the country are also in a situation where there is intense competition and pressure, right from say Class X or XI, to rank and achieve high standards, which has resulted in increasing suicides, even among students who have entered IITs. 

According to a recent Lancet article, 75 percent of those who die by suicide are men, many economically precarious youths. The suicide rate in India increased from 6.3 per lakh in 1978 to a whopping 12.4 with 44 percent urban growth as recorded by the last Census, whereas suicides in remote areas largely go unrecorded. 

Additionally, government fighting graft, which bothers the young generation, is viewed more of a slogan by the youth, than concrete action. Recently, Prime Minister claimed that in past decade over Rs 30 lakh crore was spent on various development policies with beneficiaries receiving money directly into their accounts. This, he recalled as being different to Congress counterpart, who once had claimed, “if one rupee was sent from Delhi, only 15 paise would reach its destination…’ adding “imagine the consequences if they had control over Rs 30 lakh crore”. However, rural youth would be cynical about it as they see little difference in welfare projects meant for them or their families, whether by Centre or states. Corruption at grass-root levels remains unchanged, if not increased over the years.  

Congress on other hand has been alleging a pro-rich nexus of the ruling party and has promised to conduct a financial and institutional survey to ascertain who’s in possession of country’s wealth and would then undertake to redistribute the same. Whether it would bring cheer to the young is uncertain as corporates are moving towards automation which would further cut down job opportunities. 

It is imperative for political parties to ponder why country’s talented youth are shunning their right to vote. The only answer is a strategy or plan of action to influence and motivate them, as gainful engagement of GenNext is key to a harmonious socio-economic development. The government must ensure that apart from filling up vacancies in its sector, private sector too must recruit enough personnel, to be determined by a professional body, and not over-work their labour force, as is the case.  

There is also a need to start an unemployment allowance as suggested by some economists. When massive projects, whose beneficiaries are the rich, are being undertaken, starting such an allowance for the poor and EWS should not pose a problem. If necessary, a cess of say 1 percent for those who are super rich could be imposed to start such an allowance. 

A nation’s progress is dependent on its young generation. It is essential the economy has the ability to support the increase in the labour force and the youth have the appropriate education, skills, health awareness and other enablers to productively contribute to the economy, as stated by government itself. In our march towards a developed nation, the interests of youth can’t be ignored as its this generation which can shape the future of the country and contribute productively to nation-building. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Political Diary

New Delhi, 7 May 2024

#Me Too Singes Karnataka

ARE WOMEN PLAYTHINGS?

By Poonam I Kaushish 

If the scorching heat amidst sweltering electioneering wasn’t hot enough, some prurient parlour games have been added a heady potent to the mix. 

At the centre of the affair is JD(S) MP and its Hassan candidate Prajwal Revanna  accused of sexually exploiting several women -- Government employees, house helps, unorganised sector -- over many years after more than 2000 explicit videos appeared on social media. If this was bad news, another woman also named his father Holenarasipura MLA Revanna for abusing her from 2019-22 resulting in his arrest. Both are grandson and son of ex-Prime Minister Deve Gowda. 

Predictably, a blame game has started. While Revanna’s brother and former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has distanced the Party from the matter. BJP which has partnered JD(S) in Karnataka has accused the Congress Government of letting Prajwal flee the country, against the backdrop it took three long days before the State Government blinked and formed a Special Investigation Team to nail the truth. With and a look-out circular and a Blue corner alert, Prajwal is slated to return in a day or two. 

Sensing an opportunity to hit back at BJP, Congress’s Rahul accused it of aligning with a “mass rapist” and “always protecting” those who commit crimes against women. Besides, asking Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to help the victims. Yawn. 

Why am I not shocked? Primarily, as, it is not the first time a politician has been caught with his pants down. Over the years there have been many instances of our Right Honourables exploiting high offices for sexual favours. Beginning with ex-Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram son Suresh’s affair in the 70’s down Andhra Governor ND Tiwari sexual romp with three women 2009 alongside acknowledging a 34-year old as his son after a paternity test. 

Former UP Samajwadi bahubali Amarmani Tripathi extra-marital affair with poetess Madhumita Shukla 2007, Ex-Haryana Minister Gopal Kunda accused in an air hostess suicide 2012, Madhya Pradesh Minister Raghavji for abusing his domestic help by promising Government job 2013, junior Union Foreign Minister Akbar singed by ‘Me-Too’ 2018, BJP ex-MP Brij Bhushan Singh accused by female wrestlers last year ditto ex-Haryana Sports Minister and ex-hockey captain Sandeep Singh accused by a junior coach resigned.  

In a country where netas dalliances are seen as mere peccadilloes and accepted with a wink or ‘weaponised’ by rivals, has the latest controversy changed anything? No. Fobbed off as political mudslinging between two Parties, ‘honey-trap-by-rivals-out-to-get-him’ or reduced to entertainment distractions, a tamasha.    

Questionably, at what point do we say enough is enough? There are hundreds of instances of courage where women have come out to accost their predators. Political masters and blatant misogynist have ensured that political, corporate, sports film worlds thrive on dirty games to flaunt their masculinity. Association for Democratic Reform found over 134 sitting MPs and MlAs accused of crimes against women. 

Raising a moot point: Why are women viewed as sex objects? A plaything of males to satisfy their libido and massage their egos? Why are we so complacent when it come reporting sexual crimes? 

Clearly, in a society which lives with the regressive mindset that freedom and equality for women tantamount to promiscuity, we swing between two extremes. One where a girl child is bad news and nurtured on “conform” paranoia: Not to rock the boat, be fearful of what lies around the corner and subjecting them to countless restrictions in the name of women’s protection. Whereby fathers make the rules, husbands enforce them and male bosses reiterate them, speaking out against someone’s wrong doing is tough. 

A girl raped by one of her male relatives in locked in the precincts of her home, is told to keep quite to avoid repercussions on the facetious pretext of ‘what will people say’ and ‘nobody will marry you.’ Several women who face sexual abuse at work stay quite in order to avoid further harassment and unwanted attention. Or are hesitant to speak out fearing they will be dubbed ‘loose charactered’ at best or ostracized at worst. Either which way the damage is done.  Getting married and raising kids is the core of female existence. Sic. 

Not a few women complain that they are viewed as sex objects and mince-meat for male lust camouflaged as human animals to either comply or reconcile to battling it out at every level. To rise professionally they need a ‘godfather’ who can make or break them. 

Perhaps it has something to do with our patriarchal lineage and misogynistic culture. Whereby, we show utter disregard and disrespect for women.... rape, marital rapes, sexual assault and systemic harassment et al. A culture that believes that the worst aspect of rape is the defilement of the victim, who will no longer be able to find a man to marry her — and that the only solution is to marry the rapist. 

Recently, Karnataka’s Home Minister blamed “western culture these things do happen”. Really? Added another, “The more skin women show it’s like if there's gasoline, there will be fire. If there's spilt sugar, ants will gravitate towards it.” Cooed another, “Girls shouldn’t wear jeans and exposing clothes, it is against desi sabhyata…. They have no business to be driving around at 2 am in the morning.” Disgusting, to say the least. 

In an era when political image is branded like detergents, our netas completely disregard the fact that they have failed miserably in making our cities safe for its people. Crimes against women have more than tripled over the past ten years, according to National Crime Records Bureau’s latest data. 

Notwithstanding the #Me Too campaign, in a society where the national narrative conditions people to think that sexual harassment has no consequences; where sex crimes are dismissed as result of an imbalanced sex ratio; and where women have little or no cultural respect, it is going to be a steep uphill to change what is just par for the course. 

Where does one go from here? Given that this oppressive atrocity against women will get worse, not better. Clearly our leaders need to pay heed and address this seriously. For starters why haven’t our policing laws been strengthened? Laws tightened which would deter men to think thousand times before they commit crime? 

Our education system needs to emphasise the importance of gender equality and eradicate the sick male mindset. We need to change our approach to sexual harassment. One option is radical feminism to make a social impact and safety of women should be an important article of faith with people, society and Government. Along-with dignity, equal opportunity and independence of thought and action. 

To that end, we need stricter laws that ensure that those found guilty of workplace harassment are punished. The Vishakha judgment guidelines provide many safeguards, like having an “appropriate complaints mechanism with a complaints committee” at all. Parties should constitute an Internal Complaints Committee. 

Clearly, a revolutionary change is needed. The Constitution has given equal rights to women. Merely mouthing platitudes of freedom will no longer work. We need cry a halt to women being playthings of voyeuristic men. Will women continue to constitute the weaker gender? Continue to rot at the hands of lecherous, predatory or pedophile men? Will we break new ground and unshackle women?  A time to introspect and say Times Up. Enough of sexual harassment! ---- INFA 

(Copyright India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The World

New Delhi, 3 May 2024

India-Canada-USA

AVOIDABLE DISAGREEMENTS

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

(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism) 

Apparent divergence of approach to the puzzling interface between liberty and violence has cropped-up again between India, United States and Canada. The latest trigger has come from a report in The Washington Post naming an Indian official involved in the plot to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. The US government has expressed concerns while Government of India (GoI) responds in its own way. At the same time, anti-India and pro-Khalistani utterances and activities in Canada have once again deeply upset GoI. Since India and the US are strategically coming closer and India and Canada would want to do so, the question is how to avoid disagreements on balancing individualliberty with peoples’ security. 

In reference to the Post’sreport, the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on 29 April to the journalists that one VikramYadav from Indian intelligence agency RAW contacted the Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta to get Pannun killed by a hired assassin. Gupta is currently in the custody of Czech Republic waiting deportation to USA. Yadav had the approval of SamantGoel, the Chief of RAW. Pannun is having dual citizenship of USA and Canada, one of the main leaders of Khalistani movement, and legal advisor and spokesperson for Sikhs for Justice, a Khalistani organisation based in Canada. India has declared Pannun as a terrorist. 

Jean-Pierre said in the same press conference that, “India is an important strategic partner of United States, and we are pursuing an ambitious agenda to expand our cooperation in several areas”. At the same time, she added, “We expect accountability from Govt of India on that. We are going to raise our concerns directly with Indian government.” The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said in his response, “a high-level committee is looking into information shared by American side with us because it equally impacts our national security”. The Foreign Minister had endorsed this in his reply to Parliament on 7 December last year that a high-powered committee is looking into the material shared by United States. 

What is of curious importance is that the alleged plot to kill Pannun in US coincided with the 18 June 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in Canada’s British Columbia province.Intriguingly, that operation was also linked to Yadav according to western officials. This raised the western concern (Canada and US) about the escalating campaign of aggression against overseas Indians allegedly involved in anti-Indian activities, by Indian intelligence operations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed in the Canadian Parliament on 18 September 2023 that there was ‘potential involvement of Indian agencies in the killing of Nijjar’. 

Trudeau added that Canadian security agencies – Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Canadian Security Intelligence Agency – had the evidence of India’s involvement. He also reported that a fellow-member of Five-Eyes Alliance had shared similar information. Five-Eyes Alliance is an intelligence group comprising five Anglo sphere countries, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. Govt of India at the time had rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated. India had accused Ottawa of harbouring Sikh separatists. 

Jagmeet Singh, the President of the New Democratic Party, the third biggest party in Canada which props up the Trudeau government, came out in support of Trudeau’s allegations of Indian officials’ involvement, “today we learned of allegations that agents of Indian government murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian killed on Canadian soil. To all Canadians, this is my vow. I will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice including holding NarendraModi accountable”. 

Once again Govt of India was alarmed and agitated over raising of pro-Khalistani slogans at a public event at Toronto, attended by Justin Trudeau. This was the Khalsa Day organised by Sikhs in Canada on 28 April. As soon as Trudeau approached the podium, KhalistanZindabad slogans were raised. Trudeau was reportedly seen smiling at the chants of the slogan. Banners were also displayed which said ‘Modi wanted’. The Sikhs for Justice portrayed huge bannersidentifying NarendraModi, Rajnath Singh and Jaishankar as killers of Nijjar. This organisation is a pro-Khalistani group which called for revenge against killing of Nijjar and had initiated violence against Indian diplomats. 

Trudeau’s acquiescence in such pro-Khalistani slogans is ‘understandable’ as his government is surviving on the support of the New Democratic Party headed by Jagmeet Singh. This is a party whose support base consists of Khalistan-supporting Sikhs. Evidently, immigrants hankering nostalgically for their cultural roots,seek to recreate those in their adopted countries. If they fail to do so, they support the separatist and revivalist organisations in the countries of their origin. This is the case with large number of Sikhs in Canada. Having achieved material prosperity and lost their cultural identity, they tend to become reactionary in their approach. 

Last year, in the British Labour Party conference, I happened to run into a Sikh guest delegate from Canada who was a Member of Parliament from the New Democratic Party. In our conversation, he said that Nijjar was an innocent ordinary Sikh eking his livelihood from priestly activities in Gurudwaras. I was shocked to learn that a terrorist was perceived by Canadian Sikhs as a simple and ordinary person. 

The Govt of India summoned the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada in New Delhi and strongly protested the patronage given to anti-India elements in Canada. The MEA said, “It illustrated once again the space given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. It encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada which will prove detrimental to its own citizens”. Trudeau’s complicity in pro-Khalistani activities may go well with his vote-bank politics and alliance government. But it is certainly not advisable, nor acceptable in bilateral relations. How would Canada, for that matter United States react, if Govt of India were to encourage forces in India that attempt to create divisions and violence in their countries. 

Clearly, USA and Canada are missing the link between freedom at home and acts of terrorism abroad. Whether Indian agencies were involved in murder of wanted criminals in other countries, is a matter of investigation. What is however baffling is the duplicity maintained by Canada as well as United States. Trudeau should not miss the link between politics at home and foreign policy. A kind of politics that conduces Trudeau, should not be causing violence in other countries. Likewise, United States and its close allies like Israel can take out their enemies in other countries; Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad has done it in several countries, and the stark example of USA doing so is killing Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. 

Quite a few human rights experts argue that, given the justice system in USA, Osama should have been captured and tried. This is not the debate we will engage in, but the fact to underline is Osama Bin Laden was responsible for Twin Tower terrorist attack killing innocent people. USA militarily moved to Afghanistan and chased Osama into Pakistan. If any other country were to do a similar act of chasing and killing terrorists, why should USA object? ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)