The Rohingya issue has begun taking a political turn, with leaders cutting across party lines, projecting their views, which in many ways is contrary to that of the government and against the national interest. Omar Abdullah stated that there were no reports of Rohingya’s being a security threat till 2014, when he was the Chief Minister. Mamta Banerjee, through whose […]
The Rohingya’s forced migration from Myanmar into Bangladesh has been in the headlines in the recent past. There are controversies surrounding this forced migration. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR), US and many other nations have blamed the Myanmar army for ethnic cleansing. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UNHCR, went on the state that this is clearly a […]
The PMO passed directions to the defence ministry to task the army to clean up tourist spots in high altitude areas of the muck deposited by tourists over the years. In the last two years, the army has laid mats for the Yoga day celebrations, a responsibility of the state government, as also of constructing two pontoon bridges for Sri […]
Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s second woman defence minister, Indira Gandhi being the first, assumes her appointment with immediate effect. Like all her predecessors, she would have limited knowledge on the functioning of the military. The three service chiefs and the defence secretary would spend time, slowly taking her through the paces, enabling her to comprehend the complexities of military power and […]
Friday 25th Aug, a black day, when the Haryana government writ collapsed in the state. It was the day, when Ram Rahim, a self-styled godman was to be sentenced for alleged rape in the Panchkula CBI courts. For a week, Lakhs of his supporters had been entering the city, jamming sidewalks and parks, creating confusion amongst residents, conveying the message […]
Chidambaram’s recent article in the Financial Express entitled, “Centre has taken a maximalist position on Kashmir like militants”, is seeking to defend the failures of the UPA and deflect its faulty policies to the present government. Further, a weak opposition is always scared when the government in power adopts a different approach, which may succeed. Every approach must be given […]
Fading Indian politicians seek limelight solely hoping for a boost in their careers. A few minutes of media glare, they hope, would re-open doors to a flagging career and maybe their party would suddenly recognize their capability. Mani Shankar Aiyar rushed to Srinagar, seeking to hobnob with the Hurriyat, knowing that even when his party was in power, they had […]
The nation is aware, Lakshman had amply illustrated it in his cartoons, that finding an honest politician is akin to seeking a needle in the haystack. The needle may still be found, an honest politician unlikely. Politics is never the art of caring for the common human, but first of filling pockets, then possibly catering to the needs of the […]
The Indian system of governance, in the manner it has evolved post-independence, is unique, especially as it concerns the functioning of the military. Fear and lack of trust on the military, compelled the government to relegate it to the level of attached offices, the only country to do so. It was post Kargil and the Kargil committee report, which blasted […]
The past few months have witnessed a series of media attacks on the army. It began with the present Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) appointment, moved to the complaint by one jawan of a million plus army and covered the statement made by the COAS on stone throwing and disrupting operations against militants in the valley. Every incident erupted on […]