J&K Has World’s Highest Rate of Internet Shutdowns; Xi Urges Frontline Forces to Be Combat-Ready
MEA shows ‘colonial’ hangover about BBC, China dam in Tibet may affect Ganga tributary flow, Dharma was killed by the ‘asura’ rulers of Gujarat, what the LGBT community thinks of Bhagwat uncle's views
A newsletter from The Wire & Galileo Ideas | Contributors: MK Venu, Seema Chishti, Siddharth Varadarajan, Sidharth Bhatia, Sushant Singh and Tanweer Alam | Editor: Pratik Kanjilal
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Snapshot of the day
January 20, 2023
Pratik Kanjilal
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday evening held a rare conversation via video with People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers stationed along the India-China border, State media in Beijing reported yesterday. Speaking from the PLA headquarters in the capital, Xi addressed troops at a border defence station in Khunjerab under the Xinjiang Military Command and “inspected their combat readiness”. The Xinjiang border command was the only PLA army command Xi was shown speaking to. He also addressed a Chinese navy formation and an air force brigade and “ordered them to remain alert and be ready for combat.” State media reported Xi had asked the border troops “about their border patrol and management work” and “hailed the soldiers as models of border defence and encouraged them to persist in their efforts and make new contributions.”
China is building a new dam in Tibet on a tributary of the Ganga, close to the border tri-junction with India and Nepal, which could be used to control the flow of water downstream, new satellite imagery reveals. Earlier, China unveiled plans to build a “super” dam close to the LAC in Tibet on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo river, which flows into Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang and then to Assam as the Brahmaputra. Satellite imagery has also shown that China has developed villages and military and dual use infrastructure in the eastern and western sectors of the LAC. Satellite images tweeted by Damien Symon, a geospatial intelligence researcher at Intel Lab, showed Chinese earth development and dam construction activity conducted on the Mabja Zangbo river in Burang county of Tibet since May 2021.
The gap between Chinese and official Indian figures on bilateral trade has widened yet again, while New Delhi works to stamp out the problem of Indian importers deliberately under-invoicing shipments to evade duties. It increased to $18 billion for 2022 from $12 billion in the first nine months of the calendar year— an addition of $6 billion in October-December. While the gap between exports claimed by China and imports recorded by India widened from $10 billion in January-September to $16 billion in January-December, the difference in the case of exports claimed by India and imports recorded by China remained constant at $2 billion. The Department of Commerce attributed the gap to a slew of factors including under-invoicing.
India was the largest importer of seaborne Russian crude oil, surpassing China, in the first fortnight of January. According to energy intelligence firm Vortexa, Indian refiners cumulatively imported around 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in January 1-15. Private refiners, such as Reliance and Nayara Energy, accounted for 60% of imports.
The government has been forced to approach Myanmar’s Tatmadaw (military junta) for an explanation for the events of January 10, when a bomb fell on the Tiau riverbed, which marks the border between the two countries. The Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson described it as a matter of concern. Informally denied by the Assam Rifles, the incident which created panic, anger and consternation on India’s side of the border has finally elicited a response. “As per my information, Myanmar carried out an air operation on January 10-11 near border areas. We confirmed that there was no violation of our airspace. But on January 10, a bomb fell on the Tiau riverbed which is on the India-Myanmar border… It is said that there is a Farkawn village in Champai district,” Arindam Bagchi said.
A 75% dip in gold imports in December, due to the government’s attempts to curb non-essential imports, led to a contraction in India’s overall imports for the first time in 25 months, but a resultant supply constraint of gold contributed to a 15% decline in gems and jewellery exports. Gold imports dropped to $1.2 billion in December while gems and jewellery exports stood at $2.5 billion.
Jammu and Kashmir recorded internet shutdowns 24 times last year ― the world’s highest in a single region ― finds a study by VPN provider Surfshark. The company said that in 2022, such actions were taken only 10 times in the rest of India. Internet shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir are a regular occurrence, which the authorities justify as precautionary measures. Surfshark said that residents of Jammu and Kashmir have been facing “unprecedented internet restrictions” since 2019 after the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to the erstwhile state. Residents experienced a complete blackout from August 2019 to January 2020, after which 2G internet was allowed. The authorities restored 4G services after almost 18 months.
The BJP state government in Karnataka paid Rs 88 lakh to Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General of India KM Nataraj, who argued on its behalf in the Supreme Court case concerning the hijab ban in the state. A report by the investigative digital publication The File revealed that Mehta was paid Rs 39.60 lakh and Nataraj was paid Rs 48.40 lakh for arguing the case. Mehta appeared in court nine times, while Nataraj appeared 11 times. The two advocates received Rs 4.4 lakh per hearing as remuneration. The Solicitor General of India is subordinate to the Attorney General for India and is India’s second-highest law officer.
India’s biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is recalling 17,362 units of six models ― Alto K10, S-Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno and Grand Vitara ― to rectify a possible defect in the airbag controller, according to a regulatory filing. The affected vehicles were manufactured between December 8, 2022, and January 12, 2023.
The archives of the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are at loggerheads over the custody of documents dating from 1948-1956 , when the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, ruled. Government orders and land records from this period have multiple copies, as was customary for farmans from the Nizam’s government. Telangana maintains the right to hold on to these originals, and Andhra Pradesh can have the digitised version. But Andhra Pradesh says they should have them too — or at least the first copies of the originals. The Telangana archives contain important documents from the Mughal period and the Nizam’s government. Examples include documents of a Muslim freedom fighter opposed to Partition, farmans like the Nizam’s sanction of Rs 1 lakh to Banaras Hindu University in 1939, and an 1876 order banning sati in Hyderabad State.
The Drugs Control Department (DCD) of Karnataka on Wednesday issued a circular to all pharmacists prohibiting them from selling condoms, oral contraceptives and antidepressants to minors. Condoms, contraceptives, cigarettes and whiteners were found recently in the bags of Class X students during a search by the representatives of a school. Following this, many petitioned the Drug Control Department to take action.
Voice of America has a documentary on the story of AltNews.
Collegium puts foot down as Modi govt stalls judges’ appointments
The Supreme Court Collegium has expressed its disagreement with the Modi government, which returned the proposal to appoint gay advocate Saurabh Kirpal as a judge of the Delhi High Court, because he is open about his sexual orientation, as well as the proposal for four other judges. The government apprehends that given Kirpal’s “attachment” to the cause of gay rights, bias and prejudice cannot be ruled out. It had therefore referred the proposal back for reconsideration. However, in a resolution dated January 18 reiterating Kirpal’s name, the Collegium comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph said, “The fact that Mr Saurabh Kirpal has been open about his orientation is a matter which goes to his credit. As a prospective candidate for judgeship, he has not been surreptitious about his orientation. In view of the constitutionally recognised rights which the candidate espouses, it would be manifestly contrary to the constitutional principles laid down by the Supreme Court to reject his candidature on that ground.”
The proposal to appoint Kirpal has been pending for over five years. The recommendation was unanimously made by the Collegium of the Delhi High Court on October 13, 2017, and approved by the Supreme Court Collegium on November 11, 2021. The SC Collegium agreed that it was advisable for Kirpal to not speak to the press about the reasons which may have weighed in the recommendations of the Collegium being sent back for reconsideration. However, it added that Kirpal has competence, integrity and intellect. “His appointment will add value to the Bench of the Delhi High Court and provide inclusion and diversity. His conduct and behaviour have been above board.” Another reason cited by the Centre to return the proposal is that Kirpal’s partner is a Swiss national. But SC Collegium however noted that there is no apprehension that the behaviour of Kirpal's partner has any bearing on national security.
The Collegium also reiterated its recommendation last year to the Centre to appoint Advocate Somasekhar Sundaresan as judge of the Bombay High Court holding that his views on social media cannot be used to infer that he’s highly biased and opinionated, as the government suggests. The Collegium of the Bombay High Court had recommended his name on October 4, 2021. On February 16, 2022, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended his name for appointment as a judge of the Bombay High Court. On November 25, 2022, the government sought reconsideration.
The Supreme Court Collegium also reiterated the name of advocate R John Sathyan for elevation to the Madras High Court. It overruled the Centre’s objection to his name for sharing an article in The Quint critical of PM Modi. The court said that it doesn’t impinge on the suitability, character or integrity of Sathyan.
If the government rejects these names now that they have been reiterated, it will trigger a major showdown between the executive and judiciary.
MEA exhibits ‘colonial’ hangover about BBC’s Modi documentary
After the BBC broadcast the first part of its documentary titled India: The Modi Question on BBC Two, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) yesterday reacted to it, saying that the series is “a propaganda piece, designed to push a particular discredited narrative.” “If anything, this film or documentary is a reflection on the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of this exercise and the agenda behind it. Frankly, we don’t wish to dignify such efforts,” the MEA spokesperson said during his weekly briefing. “Do note that this has not been screened in India… We think that this is a propaganda piece, designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, lack of objectivity and continuing colonial mindset is blatantly visible,” the ministry added.
The Hindu asked if the broadcaster had pulled down the video from YouTube. A BBC spokesperson said, “The documentary on YouTube was not uploaded by the BBC. As is standard practice, we have illegal uploads of any BBC content removed.” About the documentary, the BBC stated that it “will examine how Narendra Modi’s premiership has been dogged by persistent allegations about the attitude of his government towards India’s Muslim population and a series of controversial policies implemented by Modi following his 2019 re-election, including the removal of Kashmir’s special status guaranteed under Article 370 and a citizenship law that many said treated Muslims unfairly, which has been accompanied by reports of violent attacks on Muslims by Hindus.” Stand by for more howls of protest from the MEA.
UP college denies entry to burqa-clad students
A college in Moradabad, UP, on Wednesday denied entry to scores of burqa-clad Muslim girls, triggering protests. According to sources, the girls had a heated exchange with the guards. They later staged a dharna outside the gates against the college management. While the girls said that they had every right to wear burqas, the college management said that no one who does not follow the dress code would be allowed entry. “We had implemented the dress code in October last year… we have thousands of students and all know that… we will enforce the rule under all circumstances,” said a senior college functionary. He said that there was a “'changing room'” near the gates, which the girls were free to use.
Pee-gate perp’s flying ban extended
Air India has banned Shankar Mishra for four months in connection with the pee-gate incident. Mishra was initially banned for just 30 days, but the order has now been extended. Other airlines are also expected to put him on the no-fly list once the Directorate General of Civil Aviation comes out with its order on the matter. Mishra allegedly urinated on a woman passenger while drunk on an Air India New York-New Delhi flight on November 26. Delhi Police registered an FIR against him on January 4 on the complaint of the woman. The case between Mishra and a 72-year-old lady flying business class is pending in Delhi’s Patiala House Court.
The Long Cable
Dharma was killed by the ‘asura’ rulers of Gujarat
K. Subrahmanyam
With the Gujarat riots of 2002 and Narendra Modi’s role as chief minister back in the news, this April 2002 edit page article by one of India’s leading strategic thinkers is worth recalling. Excerpts:
How can people who stabbed, burnt and killed their neighbours call themselves Hindus? Alienated from the Hindu tradition, and rejecting its finest thoughts, harbouring a deep sense of inferiority towards the Semitic religions, attempting to imitate and organise themselves on dogmatic structures, giving up the free and inquiring ways of Hindu philosophy and thought, these detractors have launched a campaign to destroy the spirit of the Hindu way of life These anti-Hindus call themselves Hindus but in spirit and thought they belong to the dogmas of the dark ages.
Hindu tradition is based not on acceptance of particular gods, dogmas, revelations and religious structures but on reverence for Dharma which is the rule of law and the ethics of the age… Today’s ethics, formulated by the constitution, is secularism – that is the yuga dharma. Violators of it cannot be considered Hindus; they can only be looked upon as enemies of the Hindu way of life.
The true Hindu way of life is… threatened by those who want to imitate others and abandon its essence, because they have misinterpreted it through the prism of dogmatic faiths. For those who assert ‘Brahmasmi” and ‘Tattvamasi”, it does not matter if the temple at the birthplace of Rama comes up a few years or a few decades later, if it comes up at all…
Rama cannot be venerated by those who transgress Dharma by killing innocents. A way of life which highlights the birth and death cycle, allows one the freedom to worship God in any form or not to worship at all, proclaims the cosmic universality with its Advaita cannot be reconciled with the killing of innocents.
Dharma was killed in Gujarat [in 2002]. The administrators who failed to protect the innocent citizens are guilty of adharma and if Rama had been alive he would have used his bow against the ‘asura’ rulers of Gujarat.
Reportedly
Earlier this week, Tamil Nadu minister and Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin visited his uncle, expelled DMK leader MK Alagiri, at the latter’s residence in Madurai. Alagiri and his wife Kanthi went to the doorstep to welcome their nephew. Kanthi even planted a peck on Udhayanidhi’s forehead. They exchanged shawls and spent 45 minutes together, and the DMK officially said it was nothing more than a “family meeting”. The camaraderie on display has raised eyebrows in the corridors of state politics, since Alagiri had been his brother Stalin’s staunch critic till two years ago. He has also faded from mainstream politics and cosying up to him is unlikely to bring Udhayanidhi serious political benefits. But the DMK scion told reporters he just wanted to seek his uncle’s blessings. Alagiri returned the affection: “My brother’s son is like my son.” That’s some reconciliation in Tamil Nadu’s numero uno political family.
Prime Number: 4th
India is ranked 4th of 145 countries considered for the annual Global Firepower review in 2023, with a score of 0.1025 (a score of 0.0000 is considered perfect). China is at 3rd place, with a score of 0.00722 while Pakistan is 7th, with a score of 0.1694. The US is on top (0.0712), followed by Russia (0.0714).
Deep Dive
As India overtakes China as the world’s most populous nation, a comparison between the two countries on an array of demographic issues such as birth rates, unemployment, female labour participation, poverty and urbanisation, underscores the challenges India faces.
Opeds you don’t want to miss
TCA Raghavan writes that we will not be doing a disservice to our national interest by maintaining equanimity in our tone on Pakistan, even while being cognizant of the real threats and dangers that emanate from it.
Justice (retd) Govind Mathur writes that the words of the Vice President and other speakers at the recent Jaipur conference and the letter by the Law Minister only suggest the desire of the government for control on the mode of appointments of judges, and ultimately to check the independence of judiciary.
Two projects of yoking ancient India to nationalism and national identity have been attempted in India. One carried the seeds of self-critique within, the second one, which now has Indians in thrall, refuses to look at the ravages wreaked by Hindus. It refuses to recognise the deep-rooted rot in society sanctioned or even set by the custodians of Hinduism, writes Neera Chandhoke.
Kaushik Jayaram writes that the demonetisation verdict is significant for India’s digital currency pilot project. The court may have missed an opportunity to clarify the true extent or limits to the guarantee of the currency by the state.
We all know the pride-invoking narrative: Buddha was a revolutionary, emancipatory leader, Mauryan emperor Ashoka spread Buddhism across India and the rest of the world, and ‘Islamic invasions’ destroyed it. But the rise and fall of Indian Buddhism was a stranger, more exciting process than we could ever imagine, writes Anirudh Kanisetti.
Yashica Dutt writes that Rohith Vemula’s ‘first time of a final letter’, forged by his luminosity, was a clarion. A burning note of despair and heartbreak, it seared onto brains, pierced through guts, and blazed through collective memory across generations.
At the BJP national executive meet, it was clear that Modi’s focus is implacably on setting the G-20 agenda, which, he hopes, will assure him a place in history, perhaps surpassing Nehru and Indira Gandhi. In the meantime, motormouthing about sassy movies and petty issues is discouraged, writes Arati R Jerath.
Mark D Martin writes that the motive behind the December 10 incident — news reports and a statement by the aviation minister suggest that Tejasvi Surya opened the emergency exit of a flight “by mistake” — should ideally be one of the following three: One: Innocent; Two: Sinister, and Three: Cocky, laced with a generous sprinkling of hipster-doofus and immaturity.
Listen up
Former India and Mumbai all-rounder Karsan Ghavri in conversation with Clayton Murzello about his early days in Mumbai after arriving from Saurashtra in the early 1970s, the language barrier, playing cricket for the fun-loving Parsi Cyclists club, representing the strong ACC team and observing Tiger Pataudi as India captain.
Watch out
In a conversation with Naresh Fernandes, economist Ashoka Mody explains why the sinking Himalayan town of Joshimath is symbolic of the Indian Republic. He also discusses the Modi government’s handling of the economy, the Gujarat Model of development, why JRD Tata celebrated the Emergency and whether India can replace China as a manufacturing hub.
Over and out
Members of the queer community respond to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement about them. Did it signal acceptance?
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