.

EDITORIAL

JOINT STATEMENT

After the 'Vision Statement' issued jointly during Clinton's visit to India, Joint Statement now issued in Washington after conclusion of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's talks with President Bill Clinton reflects convergence of respective stands on many vital issues of mutual concerns. True, business and trade remain on top agenda of giving massive boost to Indo-American relations but political and security aspects are equally relevant. In fact, all the three have to move in tandem for concrete results. It has been stated by an expert on Indo-American relations vis-a-vis Sino-American relations asto why the latter continue to have better rating in American policy perceptions. The expert analyses it very adeptly when he says that cheap Chinese goods keep the inflation rate in America down and nothing can please American rulers more. It automatically gives Balance-of-Payment advantage to China, a proposition that binds them together despite other serious concerns where China moves ......more

BOLD INITIATIVE

Maharashtra Government has taken some bold decisions to check population boom in the State. Though Maharashtra is not India but Mumbai is the financial capital of India. Though it is not even the largest State...more

By K N Pandita
The basis of a demand by Paki-
stani nationalities for autono-
mous States is that the existing structure of the federation is heavily loaded .....more

Terrorism brings
destruction and deprivation

By Anil Sharma

Hizbul Mujahideen declared unilateral ceasefire through their Kashmir based Operational Commander Abdul Majid Dar on 23 July 2000. The complete.....more

Talks to trick, trap
and trip India

By O P Modi

No talks with Pakistan", says Prime Minister Vajpayee "until it stops cross border terrorism".While many people in India take every straw in........more

Displaced Pandits-I
Kashmir crisis has
exploded certain myths

From B L Kak
"Pakistan’s proxy war explodes myths about Kashmir and threatens the survival of Kashmiri Pandit community".. .....more

EDITORIAL

JOINT STATEMENT

After the 'Vision Statement' issued jointly during Clinton's visit to India, Joint Statement now issued in Washington after conclusion of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's talks with President Bill Clinton reflects convergence of respective stands on many vital issues of mutual concerns. True, business and trade remain on top agenda of giving massive boost to Indo-American relations but political and security aspects are equally relevant. In fact, all the three have to move in tandem for concrete results. It has been stated by an expert on Indo-American relations vis-a-vis Sino-American relations asto why the latter continue to have better rating in American policy perceptions. The expert analyses it very adeptly when he says that cheap Chinese goods keep the inflation rate in America down and nothing can please American rulers more. It automatically gives Balance-of-Payment advantage to China, a proposition that binds them together despite other serious concerns where China moves independent of America. India could also gain similar priority in American esteem in its global calculations if organised exports of cheap Indian goods with quality label reach every American store/household. The expert opines that IT exports are equally leading India to achieve similar priority. So trade and economy remains at the root of according 'Most favoured nation treatment' by America to any country.

The security concerns have been adequately addressed in as much as joint statement supports India's stand on Kashmir when concern is voiced over connections between 'elements' in Pakistan and the situation in the State. Washington rejects culture of violence as the basis of solution for any problem in South Asian region which inter-alia means Pak sponsored terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir. Continuing violence and bloodshed is not acceptable and the issue must be resolved by peaceful means. While prescribing dialogue and India responding favourably, it has been stated that timing of such dialogue should be left to India. Being initiator and protagonist of peace initiatives not only with Pakistan but as a matter of basic policy this country is always and invariably committed to go two steps forward for every step taken by the other side (Pakistan). It is precisely in this context that joint statement refers to respect of Line of Control, renunciation of violence, restraint in responding to violence and then go about dialogue when conditions become conducive. In this context, Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfuth's clarifications need special mention. It emphatically States that America does not see itself as a mediator, that Kashmir though an issue is not the core issue, that scale of violence (Pak sponsored terrorism) shows no sign of abatement. To be precise it is the same stand which has been enunciated in Washington Declaration during former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit at the peak of Kargil war. Clinton had asked Pakistan to cease violation of LoC, stop transborder terrorism and then begin talk process as entailed in the Lahore Declaration. The crux of the matter is that present military ruler General Musharraf does not want to abide by either Washington or Lahore declarations and instead declares jehad as a State policy. So the Core issue is not Kashmir. It is the fundamentalism, strictly religion-based from which stems compulsive hostility with India. So Pakistan remains a major player in as much as reduction in tensions is concerned or for that resolving of Kashmir issue. In fact, this is one of the 8 issues that were slated for bilateral discussion under Lahore Declaration but not the Core issue. Once America agrees to jointly fight all sources of terrorism, it obviously cannot support Pak military regime. That explains why Clinton did not meet Musharraf during latter's visit to New York while red carpet has been spread for Prime Minister A B Vajpayee.

As regards non-proliferation concerns. India has promised to develop maximum consensus within the country on the crucial issue of signing CTBT even as American President will pursuade Congressmen to ratify the CTBT. In doing so India wants better appreciation of its security concerns and political compulsions because unlike Pakistan or China ours is a democracy and every decision thus taken has to be approved by Parliament.

Taken in its entirety, the visit has been very useful in putting Indo-American relations on even keel. As regards trade and economic relations they are in for massive thrust. The tilt is in favour of India and away from Pakistan although USA is in no mood to dump Pakistan outrightly. America wishes to keep its foothold intact both in Delhi and Islamabad although relations with either would not be at the cost of India or Pakistan. India shall thus be well advised to tread its path cautiously vis-a-vis expectations from Washington once it comes to taking any strong action against the terrorist sponsor nation. Again, India will have to organise its vast small scale sector to access American market quality wise, quantity-wise besides price-wise to become 'Most Favoured Nation'.

BOLD INITIATIVE

Maharashtra Government has taken some bold decisions to check population boom in the State. Though Maharashtra is not India but Mumbai is the financial capital of India. Though it is not even the largest State, it probably envies Kerala and Tamil Nadu once it comes to controlling burgeoning birth rate. Though Maharashtra is not even amongst the BIMARU States where birth rate is maximum and pertinent source of concern to planners, it opts for series of disincentives for those not sticking to two-child norm. This is not prescribed in the National Population policy where no consensus could be developed to introduce disincentives for those not adopting small family norm and incentives for those willingly opting for it. Entire National Population Policy is based on voluntary compliance through better pursuation, education and making available family control gadgets at door steps. It is therefore open to question asto why Maharashtra has chosen to do what others have been reluctant.

The disincentives already announced need specific mention. No Government employee opting for third child will be eligible for housing loans. Likewise, no business loans would be available to entrepreneurs not adopting two-child norm. Effect of these measures is thus restricted to educated employees who even otherwise opt for voluntary small size family. Likewise no prospective businessman could afford big family even before the entrepreneurs gets settled in his business. Once having obtained the loan and subsequently becoming fully settled, he can indeed violate this prescription, particularly after he refunds the loan. In both these cases the target is urban population while real India lives in the countryside. Another disincentive is that anybody having more than two children will not be eligible to contest elections to local bodies and cooperative societies. There is no such bar however on contesting assembly or Lok Sabha elections. Appears to be discriminatory and half hearted approach. By far the most crucial decision is to debar the third child from getting subsidised PDS rations. His/her name will be included in the ration card but rations not made available. This is a very sensitive issue because Central Government is planning to issue free-rations to the poorest amongst the poor. These disincentives are bold but do not address to the core issues that could bring down the birth rate i.e. full literacy and extensive medicare. And as long as it happens only in Maharashtra, overall population growth will not change in the country.

Along the 26th Parallel in Sindh

By K N Pandita

The basis of a demand by Pakistani nationalities for autonomous States is that the existing structure of the federation is heavily loaded against them. Urban centres of Sindh, in particular Karachi, present a unique case. It is not a province. It used to be the Federal Capital, till Ayub Khan, afraid of political demonstrations and to deprive the Mohajirs, shifted the capital to Islamabad in 1961. Karachi was given back to Sindh and fiscally and administratively became sandwiched between the Central and Sindhi bureaucracy. When Karachi demanded its legal and economic rights, a reign of terror was unleashed upon Mohajirs through extra-judicial killings, abitrary arrests by the Military, Para-Military Rangers, Intelligence Agencies and mock trials by the Terrorist Courts.

The political activity in Karachi started by the establishment of Mohajir 4 Qaumi Movement (MQM) as the first and only Mohajir party. However, witnessing the success of this party, another political party with the addition of Haqiqi to its name was established according to knowledgeable circles by the Pakistani Government itself to blunt the edge of the MQM.

MQM was accused of all sorts of alleged crimes. The Muslim League started a campaign that MQM has a pro-Indian bias and they have not reconciled with the creation of Pakistan. With the regimes in Islamabad turning their guns upon the Mohajirs, Altaf Hussain, and the outstanding leader of MQM, had to seek refuge in the UK and continues to live in exile.

The talk of separation or independence of Karachi along the lines of 26th parallel of Sindh province started because of shifting of capital to Islamabad and the introduction of quota system for government jobs in Karachi. Adversely affected by the denial of their basic rights of education and employment, the Karachi youth stood in revolt.

There was no open talk of secession of Sindh at least till the Federal Government decided to ''teach a lesson to Hindustanis (Mohajirs).'' A reign of terror, extra-judicial killings, loot, arson and rape became the order of the day in Sindh. In this background the talk of freedom or separation started. A debate ensued in Pakistani intellectual circles on the pros and cons of Karachi's separation or self-determination. Various versions like separation, second partition, freedom, self-determination, secession etc. of Karachi are in vogue. Autonomy or self-determination for Mohajirs is no longer a dirty word.

At the moment, attention is focused on what is traditionally called ''city-state''. It is Greater Karachi along the 26th Parallel of the province, rather than the parameters of the nuclear city of Karachi. With the name of Mohajiristan, Karachi along the line of 26th Parallel would have sufficient natural resources and minerals besides abundant agricultural land. In recent years many Karachiites have installed turnkey projects/factories in other countries. Shipping and maritime insurance also offer lots of possibilities . Karachi's location as round the year open port makes it a key player in international trade including entre-pot trade and international sub-contracting. As a matter of fact a report by the United Nations termed Karachi as an ideal centre of commerce, a free port and good for liberalization of trade. Pakistan Government has not as yet implemented this report.

Those propounding the city-state of Karachi along the 26th parallel or Mohajiristan argue that Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh do not need a huge standing army, nuclear programme or jihad in Kashmir. All that it needs is peace, education, health facilities, social services and a safe place under the sun. Karachi wants that the feudal lords are off its back and primitive customs such as honour killing, karo-kari, serfdom etc. are banished forever.

The MQM thinks it is in a unique position to achieve the seven-point objectives of the Mohajiristan State essentially because it stands for religious tolerance and opposes fanaticism in all its forms. According to its think-tank, Mohajiristan will be a middle size efficient and peaceful State or an Autonomous Region. None of the city-states has a large standing army. Mohajirs believe in non-violent struggle for the realisation of Mohajiristan. The plan of action envisaging seven priorities for the Mohajiristan is as under (a) constitution based on presidential form of democratic governance (b) equal treatment to minorities (c) snactity of community places of worship (d) no gender bias (e) banning the use of force to implement edicts of religion (f) volunteer police force with social orientation (g) diversion of army expenditures for social development, education, health, sanitation, transport etc. and (h) Urdu as official language.

Propagators of Mohajiristan find no reason why the Mohajirs should suffer the agony of rootlessness Mohajiristan would be a sizeable country. Among the members of the United Nations it will have a population of more than 61 countries, Mohajiristan population would be approximately more than quadruple to Belgium. Bolivia, Cambodia, Cote d'vore, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Malawi Zambia and Zimbabwe. It may not be a large country in terms of its area but even then it would be higher in ranking than Andorra, Antigua, Dominican Republic Qatar, Moldavia, Malta, Mauritius, Bahrain, Barbados, Luxembourg, Tuvalu and the Vatican. The size of Singapore, a free port par excellence, fits the profile of Mohajiristan, i.e a population of 4 million packed in an area of 252 sq miles. Karachi has a population of 15 million Mohajirs out of a total population of 22 million and an area of 1500 sq miles.

In his very first speech to Pakistan Constituent Assembly, Jinnah exhorted his followers to establish a ''democratic, secular, welfare state''. What the Pakistani rulers brought about is a theocratic, dictatorial and anti-people State. It would be in the fitness of things that Mohajirs reverse this volt face and fulfil Jinnah's dream. India accepted the creation of Pakistan, Pakistan accepted Bangladesh. There is no reason as to why Mohajiristan should not find an acceptance with and recognition by Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The sub-continent has learned to live with trauma. This would be completing the incomplete task of partition of India. How long will Islamabad subjugate 23 million Mohajirs and millions of other nationalities that put together make more than fifty per cent of her total population.

Displaced Pandits-I
Kashmir crisis has exploded certain myths

From B L Kak

"Pakistan’s proxy war explodes myths about Kashmir and threatens the survival of Kashmiri Pandit community". Please hold your breath, the 15-word sentence has not come from any leader or politician; it is the title of a book-a book written and marketed after the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley a decade ago.

Authored by Prof. Gopi Kishen Muju, presently residing in Jammu as a "refugee"-the Government has not so far declared the displaced Kashmiri Pandits as refugees-the book begins with the lucid description of how certain myths about Kashmir have got exploded in the past one decade or so. In fact, Prof. Muju has prefaced his book by saying that the Kashmir crisis, culminating in the exodus of the "entire" minority Hindu community from the Valley during 1990-92, has exploded certain myths.

Apparently, in a fit of rage, the author has noted that these myths had "blinded the Indian political leaders to see the reality and kept the general masses in India in dark about the factual position and other important aspects of the unrest going on in Kashmir". Prof. Muju’s conclusion: The belief that Kashmir was a symbol of secularism in India where Mahatma Gandhi had seen "a ray of hope and light" has now turned out to be a myth, a delusion, because of the terrorism, lashed out by communal and fundamentalist elements, killing hundreds of Hindus and other secular people and forcing the "entire" Hindu minority community to run away from Kashmir like frightened pigeons.

Prof. Muju’s conclusion number two: Secularism and peace prevailed in Kashmir because a Kashmiri Hindu (Pandit) did not retaliate to the "numerous onslaughts" made on him from time to time on different fronts-economic, educational, business, social, employment, religious, cultural and even historical-directly or indirectly. "This non-retaliating and silently suffering profile adopted by a Kashmiri Hindu kept the communal and fundamentalist elements of the majority community (Muslim) at bay, and the anti-Indian elements raise their ugly head easily and openly, though they were not at all inactive".

Referring to the "initial success" of the rallies and assemblies in the mosques in Kashmir, the book has thrown up conclusion number three: Indoctrination of religious fundamentalism had been going on in Kashmir over a number of years in the local mosques to prepare the Muslims of the Valley finally to wage of religious war (jehad) against the ‘infidel" and against India. "Specially trained mullahs particularly from UP, Bihar and West Bengal had been working in these mosques and other Islamic establishments like Jamaat-e-Islami schools, private houses, families and other places to brainwash and indoctrinate the young innocent Muslim boys and girls, particularly those coming from poor and uneducated families".

Prof. Gopi Kishen Muju, who is a member of BJP’s National Council, has yet another conclusion: The upheaval and subsequent migration of the "entire" population of Hindus from Kashmir has exploded the myth and delusion harboured by some that the Government of India would tumble down and hell would be let loose in India if a Kashmir Pandit was touched, victimised or harassed in any way in Kashmir. "A Kashmiri Pandit must have felt shaken that no such havoc has taken place in India in retaliation to his migration; rather in proportion to the gigantic nature and extent of the problem not a single blade of grass has moved in most of the quarters which matter in the administration by this unparalleled exodus".

Conclusion number five: The turmoil in Kashmir has belied a strong belief among the people, especially the Kashmiri Hindus, that a Kashmiri Muslim could never take to arms "because of his cultural lineage from Kashmiri Pandits" and the environment provided by Rishis, Munis and Sufis. "Unfortunately, that faith and belief has been shaken and shattered and proved only a myth. A fundamentalist-turned-terrorist has betrayed that faith reposed in him and even endangered a secular Kashmiri Muslim. The turmoil has exposed the myth that a Kashmiri could not fight or face Army or security forces because of his timid nature, sobre temperament and humane feelings and culture inherited from his ancestors, whose blood he still carries on in his veins".

Conclusion number six: A Kashmiri terrorist has proved that he can do "anything, including betraying his country, breaking his solemnised political commitments and even kill his own conscience by murdering his own brother mercilessly and brutally, rape innocent and helpless women irrespective of age and health conditions, and in the name of jehad do all ignoble, shameful, disgraceful and heinous crimes".

Conclusion number seven: The fear of security forces is no longer in the mind of a Kashmiri Muslim. "This can have far reaching implications for the future of the entire country, as the adventure of gun culture can be quite attractive for a young mind especially when there is a regular moral, financial, psychological and positive material re-inforcement to continue the insurgency from outside the country and inefficient administration inside the State. Bulk of Kashmir youth have no longer remained law-abiding faithful citizens and have engaged themselves in subversion and insurgency directly or indirectly".

Prof. Muju has lambasted Indian intelligence agencies for their far-from-satisfactory performance in Kashmir. And his conclusion: The hope and belief that the Indian intelligence agencies were a highly alert and efficient lot whose surveillance capabilities and efficiency was insurmountable has been belied as Pakistan has launched a very well planned and calculated subversive insurgency movement in India. "It is highly surprising and even intriguing to see how our intelligence agencies have failed to keep a track of anti-national elements and their movement and how huge quantities of sophisticated arms and ammunition have reached Kashmir".

(To be continued)