DELHI THE HINDU 8 EDITORIAL MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Lines being crossed The reasons behind India’s restraint after the 26/11 attacks are still valid today India. The second marked the year quences that follow such a step. on multiple targets in Mumbai city when India and Pakistan formally Any hope that international op­ (picture), in which nearly 170 per­ announced their emergence as nu­ probrium on Pakistan for the JeM sons were killed. Extensive discus­ The week after clear powers — leading to a kind of attack would deter Pakistan from sions were held at that time as to India must keep up diplomatic pressure stand­off between them. Between taking a retaliatory step for the at­ the possible actions that could be M .K. Narayanan 1971 and 1998, the South Asian re­ tack on Balakot needs to be taken against Pakistan, and many on Pakistan to act against terror groups gion witnessed the retreat from Af­ eschewed. ideas were considered — including ith India and Pakistan deciding to de­escalate ghanistan of Russian forces, and The reality is that while few that of similar pre­emptive strikes post­Balakot tensions, the focus has moved to he February 26 aerial strike the simultaneous emergence of would sympathise with Pakistan, on terror training camps along the Wthe diplomatic sphere. India’s strikes on a tar­ by India on a Jaish­e­Moham­ the phenomenon known as the well recognised as a country that LoC and beyond — and given up. mad (JeM) training camp in ‘Afghan Jihad’. The latter would harbours terrorists of every de­ The reality was — and this still get deep inside Pakistan were coupled with diplomatic T Balakot, located in Mansehra dis­ thereafter spawn radicalised Isla­ PTI scription, there are much larger is­ exists — that India did not possess manoeuvres that ensured no country censured India trict of Pakistan’s Khyber Pak­ mist violence across the entire re­ dlers in Pakistan. The radicalised sues at stake. There is the matter the kind of special forces (with the for the move. And in a turnaround for ties with the Or­ htunkhwa province, came hardly gion and even beyond, giving rise suicide bomber (Adil Ahmad Dar) of maintaining the sanctity of the requisite capabilities) that other ganisation of Islamic Cooperation after half a century, a fortnight after the Pulwama ter­ to organisations such as al­Qaeda was apparently spotted by JeM Westphalian Order, which has countries had, viz. Russia’s Spet­ External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was able to put ror attack on a Central Reserve and its acolytes. In Kashmir, it led masterminds in Pakistan many helped keep the peace across the snaz, Germany’s GSG­9, the U.S.’s the country’s case before the body, while Pakistan Police Force (CRPF) convoy on the to a shift in tactics, and the com­ months prior to the attack, and Pa­ world for centuries. This man­ SEALS and the U.K.’s SAS and SBS. stayed out. In recognition of India’s justification to act Srinagar­Jammu highway. The ter­ mencement of a more radicalised kistan controllers continued their dates certain rules and procedures It was felt at the time that it would ror attack was carried out by a JeM and militant phase of struggle. ‘handholding’ almost till the last as far as the conduct of interna­ not be possible in the circumstanc­ against an imminent terror threat from the Jaish­e­Mo­ suicide bomber, who rammed his Kashmir has never been the same minute. Pakistan’s fingerprints are tional relations is concerned. Vio­ es to carry out a pinpointed attack hammad, the U.S., the U.K. and France also moved in at explosives laden vehicle into the since. all over the Pulwama incident. lation of the territory of another on either the LeT or JeM head­ record speed to bring another listing request against convoy, killing 40 CRPF Pakistan was the main benefici­ India’s decision to carry the bat­ country, whether from land, sea quarters. Whether India should the group’s founder, Masood Azhar, at the UN Security personnel. ary of this. It gained control of the tle beyond the Line of Control and or air, whatever be the degree of violate Pakistan’s airspace was al­ Council’s committee for terror designations. There is a The Pulwama attack on Febru­ Taliban, which soon achieved as­ into Pakistan has several implica­ provocation, is generally per­ so carefully deliberated upon, but reasonable assumption that China will not block it this ary 14 was the deadliest attack to cendancy in Afghanistan’s affairs. tions. At its most basic level, it sig­ ceived as an act of war. Today, Rus­ wiser counsels at the time felt that time as it did during the last three attempts. There were date on security forces in Kashmir. Recruits and tactics from the Af­ nifies that in the battle against ter­ sia is being pilloried by the West this would be perceived as nothing other outcomes that defied the past. Although Islama­ It was seen as a message to India ghan Jihad helped intensify the ror, India is more than willing for the former’s annexation of Cri­ short of war. The failure to take ac­ that ‘Terror Incorporated’ in Pa­ struggle in Kashmir and tilt it in fa­ currently to side­step protocols mea. Russia is also being castigat­ tion is being reviled today in cer­ bad had spoken in the past of its abilities with “tactical kistan was upping the ante and vour of Pakistan. Terror, thereaf­ that dictate conduct among na­ ed for interfering in the U.S. presi­ tain circles, but it needs to be re­ nuclear devices”, there was no such mobilisation after taking matters to a qualitatively ter, became the strategic instru­ tions not officially at war. No dential elections in 2016. Yet, all membered that some of India’s India’s strikes. On the other hand, Pakistan was able to, higher level. That it chose to do so mentality employed to keep India amount of euphuistic chicanery al­ countries, including the U.S., have finest years were during the pe­ with its aerial response, also indicate that it was not when the general election in India in check. That is, until the Febru­ ters this reality. been reluctant to cross the Rubi­ riod 2009­2012. without non­nuclear options. Finally, indications that is around the corner further made ary 14 attack on the CRPF convoy We live in a highly disruptive con and enter into an open con­ the international community was involved in effecting a it an act of dare­devilry, almost in­ in Pulwama. world. Nations often find them­ frontation with Russia. Upholding India’s word breakthrough are clear. U.S. President Donald Trump viting India to retaliate. selves in a state of undeclared war. This should, hence, give us rea­ It may be said that having already A big provocation Tensions and provocations bet­ son to pause, and to debate wheth­ taken the step, there can be no go­ hinted at a breakthrough in talks hours before Pakistan Turning point Pulwama was the ultimate provo­ ween countries that share borders er the world could construe our ing back. India’s leaders, however, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the release of The aerial attack featured Mir­ cation. The suicide bomber deto­ — among the more prominent be­ action of violating Pakistani air­ need to be reminded that India’s Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. age­2000 jets (designed to fly at nated between 80 and 90 kg of ex­ ing North and South Korea — often space, even if it is to carry out an restraint in responding to previous The government must, however, also assess what it speeds of up to Mach 2.2) fitted plosives, which experts have remain high. In the present in­ attack on a JeM training centre, as terror attacks is the crucial factor has actually achieved in strategic terms, and the conse­ with state­of­the­art radar and fly­ identified as RDX, categorised as a stance, a strong riposte by India justified or not. There is little giving India credibility as far as quences of the “new normal” it has sought to create by­wire flight control systems, car­ military grade explosive available was only to be expected, with the doubt that India’s policy­makers keeping commitments are con­ with Pakistan. Despite the strikes, it is far from clear rying precision guided missiles. with the armed forces. Prepara­ debate centring round the degree took the decision to carry out the cerned. It is important to recog­ Sukhoi Su­30MKI jets were stand­ tion for the attack suggests that it of restraint to be exercised. attack on Balakot — even if it nise in this context that India is that the capabilities of the JeM have been degraded to ing by, and early warning aircraft — was not a one­off event, and that Whether an aerial attack on a ter­ meant violating Pakistan airspace committed to‘No First Use’ in nu­ the point where it can no longer carry out attacks in In­ the Israeli Phalcon and the indige­ the planning had commenced ror target inside Pakistani territory — only after a great deal of deliber­ clear matters, and the world has dia. New Delhi must also track the JeM’s assets and abil­ nously built Netra — were also de­ much earlier. Preparing a suicide comes within the ambit of a credi­ ation, but it is still a highly debata­ accepted this guarantee purely ities within Jammu and Kashmir, as well as any intelli­ ployed. The reliance on air power bomber to carry out an attack en­ ble minimum deterrent is, howev­ ble step. based on India’s moral capital and gence and security protocol failures that may have not only induced a new pattern in tails a great deal of psychological er, debatable. stature. The question is whether preceded the Pulwama attack. Second, while Pakistan the India­Pakistan conflict training, which is conducted over Employment of air power is per Dilemma after 26/11 India’s word will be treated as in­ announced it would study the dossier given by New Del­ post­1971, but also marks a para­ a considerable length of time (this se recognised the world over as an Understandably, no two situations violable in the future, even as In­ digmatic change in the nature and pattern was seen in the case of the escalatory step. No amount of di­ are identical. Nor are the condi­ dia seeks a seat as a permanent hi on Azhar and the JeM, it does not appear to be willing character of India’s battle against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam plomatic verbiage can obscure this tions prevailing the same at any member of the UN Security Coun­ to act against either, and has not taken steps akin to the Pakistan­based terror. and of suicide bomber Dhanu res­ fact. The phrase ‘non­military pre­ time. In November/December cil. This is something that we need few it had after the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Two dates, 1971 and 1998, are ponsible for Rajiv Gandhi’s assassi­ emptive strike’ used by the Indian 2008, on the eve of the general to ponder over. Mumbai attacks or the 2016 Pathankot attack. Pakistan significant in this context. The first nation). Intelligence available sug­ Foreign Secretary and other offi­ election of 2009, India confronted Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s comments witnessed the dismemberment of gests that the suicide bomber was cials does not in any way change a similar dilemma following the M .K. Narayanan is a former National practically defending the JeM and putting out excuses Pakistan, accompanied by Pakis­ assisted, guided and propelled to this reality. The nation, hence, November 2008 terror attack by Security Adviser and a former Governor of “illness” for Azhar make that clear. It is also neces­ tan’s unremitting hostility towards achieve maximum impact by han­ needs to brace itself for the conse­ Pakistan’s Lashkar­e­Toiba (LeT) of West Bengal sary to realise the limits of calling international atten­

tion to India’s concerns, to ensure that there are no #70929 curbs on what India sees as its strategic autonomy. Fi­ The basics are vital nally, the government must have a firmer handle on its messaging after the events of the past week, so that a Making hospitalisation affordable will spell relief, but there is no alternative to strengthening primary health care public reading of its strategic purpose is not lost in the health and wellness centre . This ing on this colossal insurance pro­ in the pursuit of an effective and claim vs counterclaim spiral with Pakistan. year, the outlay is ₹1,600 crore (a gramme will need to rise consider­ efficient health system. It must be 33% increase) clubbed under the ably with every passing year so remembered that the achievement National Health Mission (NHM) that its commitments can be met. of a “distress­free and comprehen­ Deepening slowdown budget. Assuming that at least the However, the same coming at the sive wellness system for all ”, as Can the RBI’s reduction in borrowing costs same number (15,000) of new expense of other critical areas is enunciated by the Union Finance S oham D. Bhaduri health and wellness centres would ill­advised. Minister in this year’s Interim Bud­ help check the demand slowdown? be planned for 2019­20,and that at get speech, hinges on the perfor­ ndia’s economy is inarguably slowing, and the latest least half the aforementioned Staff shortage mance of health and wellness estimates from the Central Statistics Office discon­ n 2011, a high­level expert amount of ₹ 16 lakh would be re­ GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO Today, the condition of our prim­ centres as they will be instrumen­ group on universal health cov­ quired to run an already approved ed by the Ministry of Finance to ary health infrastructure is lamen­ tal in reducing the greater burden certingly point to a deepening slowdown. GDP I Ierage reckoned that nearly 70% health and wellness centre, the re­ Parliament in August 2018 project­ table: there is a shortage of PHCs of out­of­pocket expenditure on growth is projected to have eased to 6.6% in the Octob­ of government health spending quired sum for the year 2019­20 ed a 17% increase in allocation for (22%) and sub­health centres health. Their role shall also be crit­ er­December period. With the CSO now forecasting the should go to primary health care. stands at around ₹ 3,600 crore. the NHM in 2019­20 . However, (20%), while only 7% sub­health ical in the medium and long terms full­year expansion at 7%, fiscal fourth­quarter growth The National Health Policy (NHP) While this is a conservative esti­ there has only been only an in­ centres and 12% primary health to ensure the success and sustaina­ is implicitly pegged at an even slower 6.5%. At that le­ 2017 also advocated allocating re­ mate, the realistic figure could ea­ crease of 3.4% this year. With this, centres meet Indian Public Health bility of the PMJAY insurance vel, growth would have slowed to a seven­quarter low, sources of up to two­thirds or sily exceed ₹4,500 crore. The cur­ the NHM budget for this year Standards (IPHS) norms. Further, scheme, as a weak primary health­ giving the incumbent NDA government its slowest pace more to primary care as it enun­ rent outlay is less than half the (₹31,745 crore) barely crosses the numerous primary­level facilities care system will only increase the of annual growth. The data clearly reflect the pain ciated the goal of achieving “the conservative estimate — not to actual spending on the pro­ need complete building recon­ burden of hospitalisation. highest possible level of good mention that building health and gramme in 2017­18 (₹ 31,510 crore). struction, as they operate out of The government needs to re­ points in the real economy that have been evident for health and well­being, through a wellness centres at the given rate On the other hand, the Centre rented apartments and thatched member its promise of ‘Health as­ some time now. For one, the farm sector continues to preventive and promotive health­ (15,000 per year) can fulfil not looks fairly committed to increas­ accommodations, and lack basic surance to all’ made in its election remain in trouble with GVA (gross value added) growth care orientation”. However, if cur­ even half the proposed target of ing access to hospitalisation care, facilities such as toilets, drinking manifesto in 2014. Apart from an in agriculture, forestry and fishing having slowed sharp­ rent trends and projections are 1.5 lakh health and wellness predominantly through private water and electricity. Data by In­ adequate emphasis on primary ly to 2.7% in the last quarter, from a 4.2% pace in July­ anything to go by, this goal is likely centres till 2022. players. This reflects in the 167% diaSpend show that there is a stag­ health care, there is a need to de­ September and 4.6% a year earlier. With rabi sowing to remain a pious hope. increase in allocation this year for gering shortage of medical and pa­ part from the current trend of er­ showing a shortfall across most crops after a deficient Last year, an outlay of ₹1,200 Picture of extremes the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yo­ ramedical staff at all levels of care: ratic and insufficient increases in crore was proposed to transform The overall situation with the jana (PMJAY) — the insurance pro­ 10,907 auxiliary nurse midwives health spending and make sub­ north­east monsoon, and the abiding structural issues 1.5 lakh sub­health centres into NHM, India’s flagship programme gramme which aims to cover 10 and 3,673 doctors are needed at stantial and sustained investments that have pushed a multitude of farmers into acute dis­ health and wellness centres by in primary health care, continues crore poor families for hospitalisa­ sub­health and primary health in public health over the next de­ tress nowhere near resolution, it is hard to foresee an 2022, which would provide a wid­ to be dismal. The NHM’s share in tion expenses of up to ₹5 l akh per centres, while for community cade. Without this, the ninth di­ early revival in this crucial primary sector. This, in turn, er range of primary care services the health budget fell from 73% in family per annum — and the go­ health centres the figure is 18,422 mension (‘Healthy India’) of “Vi­ continues to dog demand in the hinterland for manu­ than existing sub­ and primary 2006 to 50% in 2019 in the ab­ vernment’s recent steps to incen­ specialists. sion 2030” will remain unfulfilled. factured products, from two­wheelers to tractors, and health centres (PHC). Going by the sence of uniform and substantial tivise the private sector to open While making hospitalisation af­ is evident in the consumption spending data. Growth in government’s own estimate, in increases in health spending by hospitals in Tier II and Tier III ci­ fordable brings readily noticeable S oham D. Bhaduri is Chief Editor, ‘The 2017, it would cost ₹16 lakh to con­ States. The medium­term expendi­ ties. The increase in the PMJAY relief, there is no alternative to Indian Practitioner’, and a medical doctor private final consumption expenditure eased apprecia­ vert a sub­health centre into a ture projection statement present­ budget is a welcome step — spend­ strengthening primary health care based in Mumbai bly to 8.4%, from the second quarter’s pace of 9.8%. Manufacturing is another source of concern. The es­ timates for growth in GVA for the sector put the pace at LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. 6.7%, weaker than the 6.9% posted in the second quar­ ter and a rapid deceleration from the April­June pe­ JeM chief in Pakistan own country as a whole. while India’s repeated to setting the country’s Mother’s role of groves (Kavu in Kerala), riod’s 12.4%. The latest Index of Industrial Production The statement by Pakistan Dhruv Vyas, attempts to get the same UN agenda instead of reporting That a mother is like a which indirectly signifies (IIP) figures also give little cause for optimism as manu­ Foreign Minister Shah Chennai to designate the UN­ is worthy of consideration workhorse from dawn to disappearing human values facturing expansion in December slowed to 2.7%, from Mahmood Qureshi that the proscribed Pakistan­based by news channels that are dusk, especially in her and man’s alarming founder of the terrorist Double standards terror group, Jaish­e­ obsessed with ‘breaking prime, and who fulfils disconnect with nature. 8.7% 12 months earlier. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das group Jaish­e­Mohammad, The move by the UN Mohammad chief, Masood news’ (“Jaitley takes a swipe every need of the family Every folk art when had in fact pointedly cited how “high­frequency and Masood Azhar, is “unwell” Security Council’s 1267 ISIS Azhar, as a ‘global terrorist’ at news channels”, March has been captured sincerely presented or survey­based indicators for the manufacturing and ser­ is testimony to the fact that and al­Qaeda Sanctions remains a voice in the 3). Viewers often look at beautifully in the narrative, performed is a ‘return to vices sectors” suggested a slowdown in the pace of ac­ the civilian and military Committee to list Hamza wilderness even after breaking news as nothing “Caring with dignity and nature’ experience and tivity, to help justify his vote last month for an interest leaderships of Pakistan are bin Laden (the son of Pulwama. Undoubtedly, more than a nuisance. empathy” (‘Open Page’, Theyyam is no exception. rate cut to bolster growth. That most of the sectors com­ well aware of the Osama bin Laden) under its China’s all­weather­ While overzealous news March 3). I am sure that the The entire man­nature prising the broader services basket remain becalmed whereabouts of the leaders sanctions list, calling him friendship with Pakistan anchors cry for quick article would have made relationship is one of of various terrorist the “most probable has once again come in the revenge against Pakistan, many readers recollect the eternal confluence, adds to the sense of disquiet. It remains to be seen if the organisations (“Azhar down successor” to al­Qaeda’s way. If only China had others go straight for the precious moments spent convergence and conflicts, RBI’s reduction in borrowing costs helps check the de­ with renal failure?”, March current leader Ayman joined the other permanent government’s jugular. with their mothers. It is apt and eventually it is nature mand slowdown in the fourth quarter, an improvement 3). India should not accept al­Zawahiri just because he members of the UNSC in There are still others who to recall the quote about a that prevails. in investment activity notwithstanding. Gross fixed the peace proposal of has called for followers of designating Masood Azhar set the agenda of the mother’s role: “A mother is One wonders why in the capital formation, the key metric for investment de­ Pakistan Prime Minister al­Qaeda to commit terror as an international country’s judiciary. The she who takes the place of modern age, we are grossly mand, expanded by a healthy 10.6%, building on the se­ Imran Khan but instead attacks, points to the abject terrorist, the current crisis press is the last line of all others. But whose place unconcerned about the cond quarter’s 10.2% increase. Still, with military ten­ should continue mounting double standards of the could, perhaps, have even defence in a democracy but no one else can take”. ill­effects of self­made sions with Pakistan on the boil, a long campaign for the pressure on Islamabad to committee in fighting global been avoided. reporters must also hold a K. Jayanthi, disasters when there are hand over the JeM chief to terrorism (‘World’ page, Nalini Vijayaraghavan, mirror to events on the Chennai ample lessons in myths and general election ahead, uncertainties looming on the India. The people of “UNSC blacklists Osama’s Thiruvananthapuram ground, rather than turning folk tales to avoid such global trade and growth horizons, and little fiscal lee­ Pakistan should realise that son”, March 3). It is critics of events. More Dance and nature situations. way to tease back momentum through increased their leadership is appalling that he has been On the media often, their news items read The ‘Magazine’ cover story M.V. Radhakrishnan, spending, the economy appears headed for a period of protecting and harbouring pre­emptively proscribed Union Finance Minister like editorials. (Page 8, March 3), “‘Where T hrissur, Kerala uncertainty at least till the next government is in place. terrorists which does more by the UN Committee on a Arun Jaitley’s lament that Kangayam R. Narasimhan, have my groves gone?’,” more letters online: harm than good to their mere threat perception news channels are resorting Chennai laments the disappearance www.hindu.com/opinion/letters/

CM A ND-NDE YK THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2019 OPED 9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

F ROM THE READERS’ EDITOR Failing the forest The difference between Both human rights and wildlife rights groups have not used the Forest Rights Act as a conservation tool have led to submergence of fores­ journalism and propaganda tland and also caused heavy siltation in the river. When wildlife groups point to­ Journalists should report events rather than become wards the thousands of ‘bogus cheerleaders for hate politics and intolerance claims’ that are being filed and that Bahar Dutt should be rejected, what should not “The sad truth is that today government pro­ go unnoticed is that the state in fact is paganda prepares its citizens for war so skil­ not always keen to recognise the fully that it is quite likely that they do not On February 13, the Supreme Court rights of people in forest areas (even want the truthful, objective and balanced re­ ordered the eviction of more than 10 if it may get them votes) as it be­ porting that hero war correspondents once lakh Adivasis and other forest dwell­ comes tough to ‘divert’ land for big A .S. Panneerselvan did their best to provide.” ers from forestland across 17 States. projects. A case in point is the Ma­ The petitioners, mainly wildlife pithel Dam that is under construc­ Fact and fiction NGOs, had demanded that State go­ tion in Manipur. Once commis­ Since the terrorist attack in Pulwama that Soon after India’s air strikes in Balakot, Pa­ vernments evict those forest dwell­ sioned, it will submerge 1,215 killed 40 CRPF personnel and the subse­ kistan, many TV channels citing anonymous ers whose claims over traditional for­ hectares (ha) of land, 595 ha of which quent military response, there have been sources claimed that the attack across the estland under the Scheduled Tribes are under forest cover. In 2015, the two distinct narratives in the media. On the LoC killed 300 terrorists. However, when the and Other Traditional Forest Dwell­ NGT had asked for the state to seek one hand is an uncritical group of people official version was put out, the government ers (Recognition of Forest Rights) forest clearance for the project. To who constantly whip up patriotism and con­ spokesperson refused to speculate on the Act, 2006, known simply as the For­ obtain forest clearance, the State go­ struct nationalism in a narrow sense. They number. Meanwhile, international media­ est Rights Act (FRA), had been reject­ vernment would have to prove that are keen to reduce journalism to propagan­ persons, who have access to Balakot, visited ed. On February 28, the court stayed the rights of the tribal people and for­ da. On the other is a set of professionals who the site. Their findings made a mockery of its controversial order and asked the est dwellers would not be affected. continue to retain their commitment to the many of the tall claims that were being made States to submit details on how the However, the State government re­ core values of journalism and opt to report from India’s TV studios. In this newspaper, a claims of the dwellers were decided fused to recognise the rights of the events instead of becoming a tool of war. sober and responsible analysis was made and the authorities competent to people living there since it was keen much before Wing Commander Abhinandan pass final rejection orders. to construct the dam. Reporting war and conflict Varthaman’s capture. For instance, in his While the Supreme Court has now There have been hundreds of cas­ The reportage and headlines of The Hindu comment piece, “India’s options after Pul­ made it clear that there will be no for­ es that offered both these divergent exhibit a commitment to facts as well as a de­ wama” (Feb. 19), Happymon Jacob examined cible eviction, what the order has groups the opportunity to come to­ sire to minimise tension between two neigh­ the option of using strike aircraft to carry out succeeded in doing is resuscitating a gether for the cause of the environ­ bours. Here journalism is a public good and precision strikes in locations across the LoC. sharp binary between the human ment and communities. Can the two refuses to become an instrument of deceit. He presciently warned: “But such air incur­ rights­ and wildlife rights­based groups put down their metaphoric The headline of Feb. 28, “IAF plane shot sions are likely to be detected and intercept­ groups that have for decades tried to swords and use their powers to fight down, pilot taken captive by Pak. army”, was ed by Pakistani radars and air defence sys­ swing public opinion in their favour. the battle that needs to be fought? both appreciated and vilified by readers. The tems. If an aircraft is shot down or pilots are The wildlife groups who went to “In 2013, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision­making power of the gram people who felt that the headline was not pa­ captured, it could become a bigger headache court argue that implementation of sabhas under the Forest Rights Act when it asked them to take a decision on Correcting historical injustice triotic enough drew their inspiration from for the government. Pakistani retaliatory the FRA could lead to ‘encroach­ whether or not they wanted bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills of Odisha.” Likewise, could not the same wildlife many broadcast journalists. I would urge strikes cannot be ruled out either.” ments’ and fresh clearance of fores­ The Dongria Kondhs who unanimously voted no. * A. MANIKANTA KUMAR NGOs which filed this petition in the them to watch senior journalist Sashi Ku­ Writer Namita Gokhale made an impor­ tland for human dwellings. The hu­ Supreme Court have joined hands mar’s video, “Parasites of prime time”, in tant observation recently: “One of the great­ man rights groups have argued that for conservation. Sadly, both sides rence between ‘recognition of rights’ with the local communities and used which he clearly establishes how dominant est life learnings of the ever contemporary the FRA was passed by Parliament have propagated misinformation to and ‘diversion’ were accepted, the the FRA to challenge big develop­ TV channels have become cheerleaders for Mahabharata is the lesson of the Chakravyuh and is aimed at correcting historical garner support for themselves. groups at loggerheads would in fact ment projects coming up on fores­ hate politics and intolerance. and the consequences of entering it without injustices to traditional forest dwell­ The first myth that needs to be find grounds for commonality. tland instead? Human rights groups My friend and the founder of the Ethical full foreknowledge.” Her tweet doesn’t apply ers who, since colonial times, have busted for the wildlife lobby is that It is in fact the Supreme Court that too cannot be absolved of blame. Journalism Network, Aidan White, never only to governance and military affairs, but been subject to a cycle of evictions. when a right is recognised of a forest paved the way for this commonality Most of them have been quick to res­ tires of pointing out a simple fact: that jour­ to journalism too. The very act of verification Since colonial times, as governments dweller/Adivasi on a piece of land, it in 2013 when it asked the gram sab­ pond when the judiciary steps in, but nalists who work in or near a conflict zone that differentiates this profession from all asserted their control over forests, doesn’t mean that he/she will cut has to take a decision on whether the have been missing when it comes to see first­hand the brutal and inhumane con­ other forms of communication tells us not be India’s forest history has become a down all the trees in that area. This is Vedanta group’s $1.7 billion bauxite the tedious groundwork of working sequences of war. The act of bearing witness an Abhimanyu, one who knew the entry cycle of evictions from forestland often the strongest note of disso­ mining project in Odisha’s Niyamgiri with the gram sabhas and ensuring helps them refrain from promoting propa­ strategy but not the exit one. and rebellions by forest dwellers. nance between the two groups — the Hills could go forward or not. It thus that genuine claims are filed. The ganda based on what he calls “skewed no­ Indian journalists have made some of the implication that recognising rights affirmed the decision­making power same human rights groups did not tions of romantic patriotism or tribal alle­ most incisive arguments against the perni­ A fundamental difference on forestland is the same as clear­fell­ of the village councils of Rayagada come forward to fight cases that giance”. There is a huge corpus of literature cious idea of embedded journalism (the Now, here’s the problem. Both ing that forest. Therefore, to argue and Kalahandi under the FRA. All 12 could have helped conservation as on war and conflict journalism. One fact practice of placing journalists under the con­ groups have been so locked in ideo­ that the rights of millions of forest gram sabhas unanimously rejected well as the people who live in those emerges from such literature and from war trol of one side’s military during an armed logical debates — whether in the dwellers have been recognised mining in the hills. areas. Both groups have failed the reporters — from the time of the World Wars conflict). The difference between journalism courtroom or on social media — that through the Act does not mean that Again, in 2016, it was the FRA that forest. There is a chance to correct to my colleagues who have covered more re­ and propaganda lies in the language that is they have failed to protect what the forest is a pie to be divided . On was invoked by the National Green the historical injustice has been in­ cent wars in the neighbourhood: those who used in reports. Ethical journalism will re­ could potentially have been benefi­ the other hand, when forestland is Tribunal (NGT) when the people of flicted on the people and to India’s bay for blood are far removed from the sites port the killing of a solider as the killing of a #70929 cial to their respective interest ‘diverted’ for big development pro­ Lippa in Himachal Pradesh were gi­ forests. And it is through the FRA of violence and do not have a sense of the solider and refrain from using loaded propa­ groups: the forest. The FRA was jects, like mining or highways or ven the powers to decide whether or that India can achieve that aim. loss and pain experienced by families. In his gandist words like martyr. meant for forest dwellers , but it roads, it is actually clear felled or not they wanted a hydel power pro­ insightful book, The First Casualty , Phillip could have also been a powerful tool submerged. If this fundamental diffe­ ject in this area. The project would B ahar Dutt is an environment journalist Knightley gives us an important warning: r [email protected]

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC S INGLE FILE F ROM ARCHIVES Equally in the spotlight FIFTY YEARS AGO MARCH 4, 1969 China clash figures in Delhi talks Some recent Hindi films show that The Sino­Soviet border clash yesterday [March 3], involving an ‘character actors’ no longer have a unspecified number of soldiers killed on both sides, is be­ lieved to have figured in the two­hour long talks to­day bet­ secondary status ween the visiting Soviet Defence Minister, Marshal A. A. Grech­ Kunal Ray kov, and the Indian Defence Minister, Mr. Swaran Singh. The clash coinciding with the arrival of the Soviet Defence Minister here [New Delhi] on a week­long goodwill visit naturally came ‘Character actor’ is an annoying up for reference at the talks. In the absence of detailed official term that Bollywood taught me reports, maps were understood to have been consulted on the early on. Though it owes its origin basis of news agency reports that had come in late last night to the West, it is used in a pejora­ and this morning. After the Soviet delegation left, the mem­ tive way in mainstream Hindi ci­ bers of the Indian delegation stayed back in conference for nema. This coinage with its inhe­ about half an hour. The incident and the motivations behind rent class distinction sets apart a the Chinese provocation which could not be considered in cohort of actors from the leading depth in the absence of details are, however, likely to come up SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT men and women of Hindi films. I at an informal level when the two Defence Ministers meet wonder why, though. After all, again. the central lead is also playing a character in the film. And what would many of these films be without the so­called CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC character actors? CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC A HUNDRED YEARS AGO MARCH 4, 1919. Characters do not exist in a vacuum. They are created DATA POINT and embellished vis­a­vis their social backgrounds. The mi­ Mechanical Engineering: Lord Ronaldshay’s Speech. lieu of the lead characters or a contrast is created through their association with an array of supporting characters who Presiding this afternoon at the prize distribution of Sibpore Ci­ are uncharitably labelled character actors. vil Engineering College [in Calcutta, March 3] His Excellency In the larger power hierarchy too, character actors are of­ [Lord Ronaldshay, the Governor of Bengal] said that the Ben­ ten relegated to a secondary status. We barely see them at galee child hitherto was given no chance of developing any ap­ film promotions unless they are yesteryear sensations stag­ titude for mechanics, which he might possess. Something ing a comeback or if their performance has received rave re­ must be done to develop the boys’ attitude for manual work in views. For a very long time, Hindi cinema used character ac­ school and institutions. A beginning had already been made in tors as comic relief, or they essayed prototypical aunts, this respect and manual training class had been introduced in uncles, parents or friends. Very few received an indepen­ about 30 Zilla and high schools and proposals were being dent storyline or back story unless it impacted the hero or made for extending this form of instruction. This was the the heroine of the film. means of finding out whether the boy had any bent for engi­ A new crop of Hindi films is, however, attempting to neering before he actually came to the college. change that portrayal. In many recent films, ‘character ac­ tors’ successfully eclipsed the main lead and attracted more CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC attention for their performance. There are perceptible CONCEPTUAL changes at the level of scriptwriting where special attention is being accorded to the character arc of these actors. For in­ H ygiene hypothesis stance, I think of films such as Bareilly Ki Barfi, Masaan, Medicine Newton and Badhaai Ho equally, or perhaps more, for the multiple stories that abound alongside the lead, sometimes This refers to the hypothesis that certain allergic reactions to the point where one wonders who the lead really is. may simply be the result of the lack of exposure of individuals In this context, Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy stands out for to germs during childhood. It is believed that exposure to mi­ many reasons: its nuanced storytelling, superlative perfor­ croorganisms during childhood can help in the sufficient de­ mances, luscious camerawork ( Jay Oza), extremely mea­ velopment of the body’s immune system and also in establish­ sured editing (Nitin Baid) and effort in finding other stories ing a beneficial symbiotic relationship with microbes. The of Dharavi beyond the known and the obvious. It also excels hypothesis was first proposed by British epidemiologist David in bringing to the forefront a bunch of ‘character actors’ P. Strachan in his 1989 paper “Hay fever, hygiene, and house­ who make every bit of their screen time memorable. Vijay hold size”. Strachan proposed that children growing up in Varma as the unscrupulous yet humane Moeen and Sidd­ small families with better amenities may actually be more sus­ hant Chaturvedi as rapper MC Sher are the highlights of the ceptible to various allergies due to insufficient exposure to film. They are not second fiddles but hold their own in the germs. plot. They are both integral to the narrative while also help­ CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC ing to bring about different facets of Ranveer Singh’s Murad. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC In fact, the film opens with Moeen and then Murad appears MORE ON THE WEB 3 from behind. Similarly, Murad is unimaginable without his friend and mentor, MC Sher. The hope is that this will enable World Wildlife Day: Organisations which help India’s new encounters in storytelling in Hindi films. untamed

The writer teaches literary & cultural studies at FLAME University, Pune http://bit.ly/WorldWildlifeDayVideo CM A ND-NDE YK