Struggle between Pak Govt and Military

Tension between Pakistan civil government and military is not likely to go down any time soon. On one side where Military doesn’t seem to have faith on government, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani sacked defence secretary, retired Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi, on Jan 11 with an allegation of "gross misconduct and illegal action which created misunderstanding between institutions”. Next day Army announced it would not acknowledge Nargis Sethi as Lodhi's replacement. An army officer also made it clear that they would not react violently to the appointment of new defence secretary but at the same time, would not cooperate with the secretary. Lodhi was the most senior civil servant responsible for military affairs, who acted as the bridge between government and military. Lodhi’s suspension came amid Kayani’s warning to Gilani against allegations leveled against him and ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha. Gilani alleged that affidavit filing by army and ISI chief in Supreme Court on memo scandal without the permission of government was unconstitutional.
{What is Memogate scandal? There are allegation that Hussain Haqqani, close aide of Zardari and former Pakistani Ambassador to US had sent a memo to the former U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Mike Mullen in May, seeking US intervention in preventing a coup in Pakistan after the Abbottabad operation. Haqqani had to resign amid controversies. Probe has already started to identify reason and role of Zardari in the memo scandal.}
In response, Kayani warned Gilani that his statement would have dire consequences on the country and he needs to clarify or withdraw his statement. Kayani’s warning lead to sacking of Defence Secretary Lodhi which further worsened the tussle.
Gilani was summoned on January 19 in the case of contempt for not obeying an order to reopen corruption probes into the country's president. Supreme Court wants Gilani to write to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption case against Zardari which government had refused to earlier. He got two weeks breather from Supreme Court as he presented before court. “Zardari has complete immunity inside and outside the country. It will not give a good message to proceed against a President elected by two-thirds majority. A president could not be handed over to foreign courts,'' Gilani told the court, referring to approaching Swiss authorities. Controversies have left several questions unanswered. Will same Government continue to rule? Will it lead to early elections? Is Military coup an option?

Google Vs Vinay Rai

Scenerio goes like this… Kapil Sibal invites chiefs of Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Microsoft etc. and asks to remove the cartoons of politicians uploaded on these websites. IT companies refuse to comply with his direction. Matters cools down with Kapil Sibal backward step. Suddenly, a 39 years old journalist of weekly Urdu newspapers Akbari files plea in Supreme Court against the content on these websites. Does it look self motivated or a conspiracy by Government or just a publicity stunt?

We spoke to Mr. Vinay Rai, man who filed plea in Supreme Court. “Pictures uploaded on these social networking websites are objectionable, in the form of cartoons and comic pictures of God and Goddess which hurt religious sentiments of people and can cause communal violence. Nudity and obscenity are common on these websites”, said Mr. Rai. He also added that every website should review the content before it be uploaded as they do with the feedback that they receive about their websites. On being asked why he filed plea on Jan 17 after Kapil Sibal episode, he replied, “I approached Kapil Sibal five months back and in December also along with Muslim leaders. Sibal was only concerned about cartoon pictures of politicians such as Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, etc. He backtracked when he got no positive response from website owners.” If Mr. Rai is to be believed, then he is self motivated and has no influence of Kapil Sibal or any other political leader.

Then we contacted Mr. N.K. Kaul, an advocate representing Google. As per him, it’s not technically possible to block these websites in India or to remove all the content already uploaded on websites. “If Mr. Rai or any other individual finds something objectionable on websites, then he should report the content as spam/obscene to website itself instead of moving to court. “Sex” is an objectionable word but in our passports, voter ID cards, gender is written as “Sex”, that doesn’t mean Google will block important information pertaining to passport or voter ID cards. Same goes for “virgin”. This word is also part of virgin airlines. Google can’t block as it will deprive surfers of important information”, said Mr. Kaul. Mr. Kaul refused to comment on the motive behind filing of plea against these websites by Mr. Rai.

 In today’s world, people are smart enough to decide what is right and what is wrong. Any sensible man would report the objectionable content to website. If each person moves to court, then court would be too small to accommodate all. It has been observed that websites take action on reported content. In terms of IT knowledge, India is advancing at a very fast pace. Almost every person has an account on Facebook and similar social networking websites. Important is we regulate ourselves, instead of trying to regulate websites. Generation Y is much smarter and faster than Generation X. Any content cannot remain hidden for long.

Tie up; No tie up

Mamata Banerjee, chief of the biggest ally of UPA government has kept Congress on tenterhook. Since Trinamool has joined UPA, clouds are hanging over government. It’s a party, UPA can’t depend upon. The most crucial time when UPA needed it the most in parliament in its support over Lokpal Bill, Trinamool was standing with the opposition with its demand to remove Lokayukta clause. Mamata said that centre was framing laws which were binding on state and centre should not impinge on state matters. Centre should be concerned about Lokpal at centre and not Lokayukta at state as that’s the matter of state and should be left to be dealt by the state only. Trinamool has 19 members in Lok Sabha and 6 in Rajya Sabha. The moment Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced FDI in retail sector, Mamata attacked back saying decision had to be rolled back and she didn’t pacify until Pranab da gave her assurance. She said it was a unilateral decision of UPA and announcement was made without consultation with allies. Mamata even threatened to withdraw support at UPA’s decision to hike fuel prices. Before this, Mamata even refused to accompany Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his visit to Bangladesh where he was initially likely to sign treaty on equal water sharing of Teesta river with Bangladesh. Despite Manmohan’s assurance to Manmohan that treaty would not be signed, Mamata remained firm on not being part of the trip scheduled for Sep 6 and 7. Mamata was among five chief ministers of Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya, who were to accompany Manmohan in Bangladesh but Mamata pulled out at the last moment and government had to face embarrassment. The latest one was the dispute over renaming Indira bhavan in Kolkata after the poet Nazrul Islam. All limits were crossed when both parties came out in open with their arms up. Congress staged protest against Trinamool decision over renaming the Bhavan. Responding to this, Trinamool accused Congress of having colluded with CPI(M) which is the main opposition party of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and ruled for 34 years before Trinamool Congress came in power in 2011. Mamata said, “ Congress is protesting over renaming of Bhavan but it never protested when the Bhavan was being used by Jyoti Basu as CPM party office during his regime of 34 years. Despite all this I have never used strong words against Sonia or Manmohan Singh”. It’s just the beginning. There is more to see in future. Big question is whether Trinamool would remain with Congress or move separately!

Lokpal: Whom to blame?

Did Government actually want voting to take place? Government knew bill would not be passed if put to vote but at the same time, it didn't want to be termed as a loser. Government was not opposed to bill, why should it be! The biggest problem it faced was it could not convince its own Members of Parliament. Trinamool Congress was firm on opposing the bill in Rajya Sabha as it was not in favour of having Lokayuktas in states. Sixteen of its MPs were missing in Lok Sabha on Tuesday when they were needed the most. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee who never gets quite, lost his tongue in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was seen sitting like an idol with no expressions on face. They were the observers waiting for time to pass and that’s what happened. No voting could take place. House was adjourned sine die. It was a win-win situation for all. BJP didn’t want such a bill to be passed. Government saved itself from shameful defeat. Team Anna was also happy as it was always opposed to Government version of bill. After the bill was passed in Lok Sabha, started the blame game, with Congress charging BJP of double standards and Sonia coming out with statement in her Italian accent, ”BJP ka asli chehra deka” (We saw real face of BJP). This was well responded by Sushma Swaraj in her statement that it was not responsibility of BJP to fulfill Rahul Gandhi’s and Arun Jaitley saying in Rajya Sabha that Government had choreographed the proceedings such that there is no time left for voting. Government is not just accountable to people of India. India in May 2011 ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption. India ranks 95 among 183 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) which is only a reflection of India’s poor performance on corruption. Lokpal Bill was first introduced in 1968 in Lok Sabha and passed in 1969 but died due to dissolution of House. Legislation was revived in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998 and 2001 but it could never survive. Manmohan Singh, in 2004, assured that his UPA Government would enact the bill but that situation has not come yet even after 7 years. Who knows the future of Lokpal! Poor Lokpal!

Why Anna failed to gather enough support this time?

Anna has so far fasted four times. His first fast was at Jantar Mantar in April which went on for five days. His second fast was in Ramlila Maidan in August for 12 days. Third fast was a day long fast at Jantar Mantar on Dec 11. And the latest one was in MMRDA ground in Mumbai which started on Dec 27 and was to end on Dec 29 but had to be called off on Dec 28. Why is it that Anna had to call off fast a day before pre decided date? Probably, Anna has realized that same thing will not be taken with same enthusiasm every time by people. The 12 days fast of August was the most successful one with people from all walks of life coming down to the streets and protesting against corruption. More than one lac people had gathered in Ramlila Maidan in August. This gathering had supporters from different states of India. Public March happened everywhere in the country. Every person of team Anna was clean and pure then gradually many episodes came up. Arvind Kejriwal cought up in the controversy of violating bond rules by quitting the service before completing three years of service after going on a study leave on full pay leading him to pay Rs 9,27,787 to income Tax department. Kiran Bedi accused of presenting inflated air travel bills to her hosts then Arvind Kejriwal coming forward with a statement that Kiran Bedi should not have done so and that had he been in Kiran Bedi’s place, he would not have done that. At a point team Anna appeared divided. Kiran Bedi didn’t accept the mistake she had committed. If she wanted money for poor kids, she should have asked for donation in open, why she had to give inflated bills to her hosts! It was a compulsory donation that she had taken from her hosts. Not acceptable to people! Secondly, what was the logic behind fast of Dec 11 when Parliament was in session and working towards bringing Lokpal Bill? People are not against Anna, they are against the ways now being adopted by team Anna. To People, team Anna appears to be building undue pressure on government. It’s not giving them chance to perform. Lets see how much effective his campaign in poll bounds states would be!!

Indo Pak talk on CBMs from today (Dec 26, 2011)

India and Pakistan have begun Confidence Building Measures (CBM) talk in Islamabad today. The talk is resumed after four years. Today’s talk would focus on conventional CBMs including issues related to Jammu and Kashmir, Cross LoC trade and travel, Missile tests etc are to be discussed today. Nuclear issues would be discussed in tomorrow’s meeting. The 10 member Indian delegation is led by D. Bala Verma, Director General (Disarmament and International Security Affairs). Pakistan delegation is lead by Additional Secretary Munawar Saeed Bhatti (formerly deputy high commissioner in India). On January 1, 2012 India and Pakistan will again exchange lists of nuclear installations, probably the oldest India-Pak CBM that has survived.

Anna to fast again from Dec 27

Anna Hazare will fast again from tomorrow Dec 27, 2011 for three days in MMRDA ground of Mumbai over weak Lokpal Bill. Fast would be followed by “Jail bharo” agitation. So far more than 1 lac people have registered to be part of Jail Bharo agitation. After Anna returns from Mumbai, he would stage dharna outside Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi residence. They have demanded to make CBI independent and non partisan. CBI is believed to be manipulated and so its investigation is also influenced. Anna recently launched an attack on P. Chidambaram saying, “Had Lokpal bill been in place, P. Chidambaram would have been in Jail”. Several Congress politicians have caught up in war of words with Anna. Team Anna has decided to campaign against Congress in five poll bound states— Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab if Government fails to bring out strong Lokpal Bill. Anna went on his first five-day fast in April at Jantar Mantar, followed by second and most successful 12 days fast in August in Ramlila Maidan. A day long fast was also observed at Jantar Mantar on Dec 11. Parliament winter session has been extended for three days. It would conclude on Dec 29. Lokpal Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament on Dec 27.

China strategy: One Pearl at a Time

The Chinese government has already adopted a “string of pearls” strategy for the Indian Ocean, which consists of setting up a series of ports in friendly countries along the ocean’s northern seaboard.China has had a hand in building or refurbishing several geo-strategically-located ports in the region. In Pakistan, ports at Gwadar and Karachi have undergone extensive improvements and dredging by Chinese companies, as well as the construction of a new highway connecting them. China further modernized or constructed ports belonging to Bangladesh, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritania, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. This includes the $1 billion Sri Lankan port at Hambantota, which is a strategic six nautical miles from major sea lanes between the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. China has also capitalized on a 1992 agreement with Myanmar for the construction of ports at Small and Great Coco Islands in return for the modernization of Myanmar’s navy.In addition, Chinese firms constructed or modernized ports at Sittwe, Kyuakpu, Mergui and Hainggyi Island. Soon after India announced its decision to go ahead with oil exploration in South China Sea with Vietnam, China on Saturday (SEP 17, 2011) said it would expand its exploration of 10,000 sq km of seabed in southwest Indian Ocean. This was announced as part of its 2011-2015 oceanic development policy.China’s application for deep-sea mining licence in central Indian Ocean has been cleared by an international body, leaving the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs concerned. They fear Beijing may use it as “an excuse to operate their warships in this area”. With China’s acquisition of several new nuclear-powered attack submarines and additional diesel-electric submarines, and also the introduction of an aircraft carrier (the Shi Lang), the PLA navy may choose to establish a longer-term, sustained presence in the Indian Ocean, in part to help safeguard its Sea line of Communications. India has also carefully cultivated ties with the countries of the Indian Ocean rim, including Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, and Madagascar, providing these countries with naval support, such as offshore naval patrol vessels and staff and training.

Chinese monks attend Buddhist Congregation organized by New Delhi

Despite crackdown by China, Chinese monks attended Buddhist congregation organized by New Delhi. Religion has no boundaries. When China can’t control its own people, how can it impose restriction on India or other countries! It is believed Chinese monks came here on tourist visa either singly or in groups. This congregation was attended by around 800 delegates from major Buddhist nations of Asia. Heads of Buddhist organization from Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Japan and central Asian republics attended the event.

India Pakistan GDP

Year 2000 US$ is taken as the base value of India and Pakistan currency. Source: World Bank