Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 Sonakshi Sinha urges fans1 A NUWAY MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION to clean Mumbai beaches

STORY ON page 31 Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 Vol. 14 Issue 48 Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017, 2017 $1 www.thesouthasian.info Laying BRICS On China Road Journalist Gauri Lankesh’s killing Modi’s decision to attend the BRICS Summit helped India ranks 136 out of 180 countries in press freedom defuse Doklam. It can be used as a platform for peace. India was ranked a lowly 136 among 180 countries in the latest world press freedom rankings released in April with the dismal performance blamed on “Modi’s nationalism” and growing “self-censorship” in the mainstream media.

The murder of senior nationalism” and growing “self- Facebook is gearing Who is Hardeep Singh Puri? journalist and editor Gauri censorship” in the mainstream Hardeep Singh Puri: In his four-decade Lankesh in her home in media. India slipped three places up to make money Bengaluru has brought the focus as compared to the year before. from WhatsApp career in diplomacy, he served critical back on the perilous conditions India was ranked just three roles as India's ambassador to Brazil journalists in India work in. India places above Pakistan and was Facebook Inc is and the United Kingdom, and Perma- was ranked a lowly 136 among one notch below violence-torn gearing up to make money from 180 countries in the latest world Palestine. India’s neighbours WhatsApp, the messaging nent Representative of India to Geneva press freedom rankings released Bhutan and Nepal were placed service used by more than a Hardeep Singh Puri, 65, a billion people every day, the in April with the dismal at 84th and 100th rank, 1974-batch Indian Foreign Ser- Wall Street Journal reported on performance blamed on “Modi’s respectively. (Contd on page 22) Tuesday. WhatsApp will be vice officer is considered to have testing new features to make it been close to L K Advani during How We Killed Expertise easier for people to NDA-I. Puri is considered as one communicate with businesses of the top diplomats of India and Average Americans have never much liked eggheads. That’s they want to reach on has served as India’s Permanent dian delegation to the UNSC, and not a bad thing in itself: Americans are a skeptical but level-headed WhatsApp, the messaging Representative to the United Na- served as the chairman of the people—or were until recently—whose common sense and ingenuity allowed their nation to achieve great heights in science, diplomacy service said on a blog post. tions from 2009 to 2013 and was Counter-Terrorism Committee of and the arts, while never displacing the ordinary voter as the deciding “We’re building and the vice president of the Interna- the UN and president of the UNSC. voice in affairs of state. But recently skepticism has curdled into testing new tools via a free tional Peace Institute, New York. In his four-decade career in di- WhatsApp Business app for something more toxic, even dangerous. Donald Trump explicitly Currently, he holds the post of plomacy, he served critical roles small companies and an campaigned against experts, calling them “terrible” and saying he president and chairman of think- as India’s ambassador to Brazil enterprise solution for bigger didn’t need them. As president, he seems determined to prove that tank Research and Information companies operating at a large and the United Kingdom, and Per- experts are unnecessary to the running of a superpower—winging scale (Contd on page 23) System for Developing Countries manent Representative of India to important conversations with foreign leaders, issuing an executive (RIS). He is also the head of In- Geneva. (Contd on page 23) order without advice from (Contd on page 23) Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 2 Apple, Google, Microsoft vow to fight for employees hit by Trump’s latest move HOUSTON: US tech giants, (DACA), a move likely to impact pledged in a note to employees deport any one of them, we will act quickly,” Nadella tweeted. including Apple, Google and 8 lakh undocumented workers to offer any employees provide and pay for their legal Facebook CEO Mark Microsoft, have pledged to including more than 7,000 affected by the change the counsel,” Smith wrote, of the 39 Zuckerberg, meanwhile, spoke stand by their employees after Indian-Americans. Microsoft “support they need, including Dreamers who work at out against the decision to the Trump administration and Apple are offering the most the advice of immigration Microsoft. He said the company rescind DACA and encouraged scrapped an amnesty full-throated defence of experts.” Apple will “fight” for would also seek to intervene in users to call Congress to support programme that granted work “Dreamers” — undocumented its Dreamers, Cook tweeted. “If those cases. “Dreamers make a measure that would enact the permits to immigrants who individuals who have been in the Congress fails to act, our our country & communities DACA program—created by an arrived in the country illegally US since they were young and company will exercise its legal stronger. We stand for diversity executive order by then- as children+ . US President registered with the federal rights properly to help protect and economic opportunity for President Obama —into law. Donald Trump on Tuesday government to get work our employees,” Microsoft everyone. Legislation to protect Google’s India born CEO Sundar scrapped an Obama-era permits. Apple CEO Tim Cook president and chief legal officer 800,000 #Dreamers is an Pichai took to Twitter to call on programme known as Deferred condemned the Trump Brad Smith wrote in a blog post. economic & humanitarian Congress to act to defend the Action for Children Arrival administration’s decision and “If the government seeks to imperative. Congress needs to DACA. Trump’s withdrawal of US immigration policy for children is short sighted Donald Trump has suspended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)programme which saves 800,000 migrants who arrived in the US as undocumented children from being deported 800,000 migrants who arrived in US has a deeply embedded law. Trump claims he is not the US as undocumented culture of migration and its laws, opposed to DACA, he just wants children from, effectively, being judicial precedents and much of the US Congress to convert it deported. This has been a its political establishment – into a piece of legislation. Strict particularly poignant issue Republican and Democrats – are constitutionalists would argue because many of these biased in favour of an open the president is right to demand migrants came to the US so door policy. Various Trump- an ad hoc policy be made into young – the average age of backed anti-immigration actions law. It is obvious the legal arrival is six – that they know no such as the select ban on argument is little more than a fig other country. The vast majority Muslim migrants and leaf for the US president. So far, of them are Latinos though restrictions on H-1B visas have it seems unlikely Republican and about 7000 are believed to be run into legislative and judicial Democrat legislators would join Immigration is the four-letter being seen by United States of Indian origin. Mr Trump was resistance. But they resonate hands to reverse Mr Trump’s world of contemporary politics President Donald Trump as the elected on a platform that with his white working class action. But if they did so, it around the world. It resulted in means to resuscitate his called for the deportation of base so he has persisted. would be a small but symbolic step Brexit, roils central Europe drooping poll ratings. Mr Trump illegal migrants and restrictions Shutting down DACA is different towards reversing the present today, will be a subtext of Prime has suspended the Deferred on immigration as a whole. from the earlier actions. Barack global scepticism about what are Minister Narendra Modi’s Action for Childhood Arrivals Implementation of this Obama initiated the programme the otherwise self-evident benefits present visit to Myanmar and is (DACA)programme which saves platform has not been easy. The but was never able to make it of human mobility. Trump’s ‘China First’ option in NorthTrump Korea ignores will Make Bannon China Great turmoil Again in F Although a Chinese military intervention in North Korea is unlikely, it’s Beijing’s best opportunity to achieve greater strategic parity with the US in the region Most pundits agree that the least planners. In Trumpian terms, Japan and South Korea have guarantee in exchange for one. China’s strategic gains bad way to deal with North this is a ‘China First’ option that remained close allies of the curtailing its nuclear programme, from a successful military Korea’s nuclear sabre rattling is could help ‘Make China Great United States during the six the only country capable of intervention would include not a continued combination of tight Again’. decades since then, hosting US providing it is China. No only control of what happens on containment and aggressive Any military intervention, bases and sheltering under US American promise would remain the Korean Peninsula, where it diplomacy. Fewer, however, Chinese or otherwise, would nuclear protection, China and credible beyond the term of the presumably would be able to have recognised that the least carry huge risks. But before North Korea have drifted ever president who gave it, if even establish military bases, but bad military option — the one dwelling on them, consider what further apart. that long. So if China were to also regional gratitude for implied by US President Donald a successful Chinese As a result, China has little combine threats of invasion with having prevented a catastrophic Trump’s insistence that China intervention would achieve. For control over its neighbour and a promise of security and war. No other action holds as take responsibility for its starters, it would put North Korea purported ally, and probably nuclear protection, in exchange much potential to make Chinese dangerous neighbour — is a right where the country’s post- scant knowledge of what is going for cooperation and possible leadership within Asia seem Chinese invasion, or regime Korean War history suggests it on there. It could, it is true, regime change, its chances of both credible, and desirable, change forced through China’s belongs: Under a Chinese tighten the existing siege on winning over large parts of the especially if the alternative is a threat to launch one. nuclear umbrella, benefiting North Korea by cutting trade Korean People’s Army would be reckless, poorly planned US-led This outcome, which would from a credible security further and blocking energy high. Whereas a nuclear war. What China needs, above all, sharply shift East Asia’s guarantee.Mao Zedong used to supplies. But this might achieve exchange with the US would is legitimacy, and intervention in strategic balance in China’s say that his country and North little beyond pushing Kim Jong- mean devastation, submission to North Korea would provide it. favour, is not as unlikely as most Korea were “as close as lips and un’s cloistered regime to look for China would promise survival, Successful use of hard power people think. In fact, its very teeth” — a fitting description, support from its other neighbour, and presumably a degree of would bring China, to borrow the plausibility is one reason why it given Chinese troops’ role in Russia. If, as is commonly continued autonomy. For all distinction coined by Harvard’s needs to be taken seriously, averting an American victory in assumed, North Korea wants except those closest to Kim, the Joseph S. Nye, huge reserves of including by Chinese military the Korean War. But while some sort of credible security choice would not be a difficult soft power. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISMENT 3 ‘Mention of Pak, Afghan terror groups in Brics declaration a mistake by China’ The Brics grouping on Monday bracketed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed with global terror groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Movement of Uzbekistan, 1960s,” Hu Shisheng, to be identified, platform for the the Haqqani network, director of the Institute of said.According to Hu, emerging economies to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e- South and Southeast the Haqqani network is in talk about terrorism. I Mohammad, TTP and Hizb Asian and Oceania a commanding position think the agenda of this ut-Tahrir,” as terrorist Studies at the China within the Afghan Brics summit has been groups. “We deplore all Institutes of Contemporary Taliban, which now hijacked by some terrorist attacks… and International Relations, told controls more than 40% forces,” Hu said. Wang condemn terrorism in all its Hindustan Times. “I think of the territory in Dehua from the forms and manifestations this is too costly,” Hu said. Afghanistan. “There is a Shanghai Municipal wherever committed and by “It is really a big mistake, rationale to regard this Centre for International whomsoever and stress that which the Chinese group as a political Studies questioned the China has made a mistake economic forum, was there can be no government will feel in the group more than a terror selective inclusion of by including terrorist hijacked. The Xiamen justification for any act of coming years.” A leading group,” Hu said. “Such groups from Pakistan. “I groups based in Pakistan declaration endorsed and terrorism,” the statement expert on south Asia an inclusion could make frequently hear from and Afghanistan in the issued by the five Brics said. But Chinese experts echoed Hu’s view. “India the Afghanistan situation Pakistan that they think Xiamen declaration as the countries on Monday questioned what they said won the game and the worse.” China’s role in India supports the move could prove costly for listed the “Taliban, ISIL/ selective inclusion of statement is what India promoting Afghanistan’s Balochistan Liberation Army its ties with countries in the DAISH, Al-Qaida and its groups in the list. “The wanted and got. It’s not political reconciliation and other subversive region, experts said. Also, affiliates, including China-Pakistan relationship a step that China should will be reduced to groups active along the they said the agenda of Eastern Turkistan Islamic will face its biggest, biggest have allowed,” the nothing, he added. Afghanistan-Pakistan Brics, which is an Movement (ETIM), Islamic challenge since the expert, who did not wish “Brics is not the ideal border,” Wang said. Pakistan rejects Brics statement on presence of terror groups on its soil Pakistan on Tuesday rejected a statement by the five emerging-market BRICS powers that militant groups in Pakistan pose a regional security concern situation,” he added. response to the Brics during a brazen assault the Afghan Taliban and “These organisations, declaration said on the financial hub of targets US-led foreign they have some of their Pakistan was “seriously Mumbai in 2008. forces in Afghanistan, remnants in Pakistan, concerned” about the It added that Pakistan and the Tehreek-e- which we’re cleaning,” threat posed by was “deeply concerned” Taliban Pakistan. Khan also told Geo News terrorism in South Asia. by the presence of The US warned Pakistan channel, without It noted that groups Islamic State, Eastern that it could cut military specifying which groups based in the region, Turkistan Islamic aid if the country doesn’t he was referring to. including Afghanistan, Movement and Islamic do more to tackle terror “But Pakistan, we reject such as the Tehreek-e- Movement of Uzbekistan sanctuaries on the this thing categorically, Taliban Pakistan and its in the “ungoverned Pakistani side of the Pakistan on Tuesday sanctuaries in no terrorist organisation associates like Jamaat- spaces in Afghanistan” Afghan border. China is rejected a statement by Pakistan,” Khan told the has any complete safe ul-Ahrar “have been as they pose a threat to also concerned about FridayBrics that evening terror groups media tweets after a meeting havens.” responsible for extreme regional security. Islamist influence spilling based on its soil such as of the Defence Khan’s response acts of violence against For the first time, Brics over from Pakistan and JeM and LeT pose a Committee of the followed a declaration on Pakistani people”. bracketed the JeM and Afghanistan into its far- threat to regional Cabinet in Islamabad. Monday by Brazil, he statement, however, LeT with the Islamic western Xinjiang region. security, with defence “Terrorist safe havens Russia, India, China and was silent on anti-India State and al-Qaida in the Countries attending a minister Khurram are found in South Africa that called terror groups Jaish-e- Xiamen Declaration that December conference Dastagir Khan saying Afghanistan. Pakistan for patrons of Pakistan- Mohammed (JeM), was issued after the aimed at stabilising the country does not does not fear any based terror groups to blamed for the 2001 grouping’s summit in the Afghanistan made a similar provide safe haven to external aggression as be held to account. attack on India’s coastal Chinese city. statement, naming several such organisations. its army, navy and air A brief statement issued parliament, and The declaration also Pakistan-based terror We have already said force are keeping a by the Foreign Office Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), named the Haqqani groups as a source of that there are no terrorist strict eye on the spokesperson in which killed 166 people Network, which is part of concern. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 OP-ED 4 India is learning to behave like a superpower Before sending out troops on the border, successful governments explore all possibilities on the diplomatic front. That’s what New Delhi did.

Heading towards the 75th challenges and warnings. For its ambitious OBOR project, anniversary of its Indians who love China could not have accepted independence, has India learnt sensationalism, this was a India’s absence from the to behave like a superpower? different kind of thrill. The two BRICS summit. This had the The sequence of events over video clips had become a good potential of inflicting a serious the last few months would seem antidote for their anxieties. blow to China’s economic to suggest this. You must have All through this turmoil, the interests. So, it made amends. got it by now — I mean the ruling establishment in India There is a possibility that India’s standoff with China and its displayed extraordinary policy architects had resolution. restraint. Defence Minister Arun anticipated this and accordingly The Indian government Jaitley’s brief but consequential taken the blow-hot blow cold deployed a judicious mix of response to the Chinese was decisions. Before sending out strength and wisdom during the that the India of today wasn’t troops on the border, Doklam episode. Two videos the India of 1962. A few days successful governments explore may be fresh in your memory. later, Prime Minister Narendra all possibilities on the diplomatic companies conduct their diplomacy. In a way the present The first was in Doklam in which Modi said India was ready to front. That’s what New Delhi did. business in India. If our people government led by Narendra Indian soldiers can be seen resolve every issue through Prime Minister Narendra turn against China, who’ll buy Modi has bid goodbye to that pushing back the intruders in dialogue. That is why world Modi is in Beijing at present. In their products? policy. Whether it is action Red. In the second, at Ladakh’s opinion kept turning against the evolving scenario, he will It will be wrong to assume against insurgents in Myanmar, Pangong Tso Lake, the them and ultimately China had certainly meet his Chinese that previous governments have surgical strikes against physicality of the conflict is to drop its road-building plans. counterpart with renewed not done enough to defend our Pakistan or skirmishes with palpable. Pelting stones, This was the second jolt to our confidence. One hopes both the borders. In 1967, during a Chinese soldiers, New Delhi raining fists and blows on each powerful neighbour. First, India countries will prioritise peace skirmish near Nathu-La, Indian hasn’t been reluctant to talk other, Indian and Chinese boycotted Chinese President Xi and prosperity over other troops neutralised more than about them. Till now the United soldiers appear to be engaged Jinping’s pet One Belt One issues. Chanakya wasn’t wrong 300 Chinese soldiers but the States and its allies have been in a wrestling match. Episodes Road Project (OBOR) and now when he said we can change general public didn’t get a whiff pursuing this policy. We should such as these have taken place this. Once bitten, why would everything but our neighbours. of it. In 1999, it took a long time welcome the tact and maturity on the border with China in the India compromise on its Alertness, understanding and for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee that New Delhi has displayed past too, but it was the first time sovereignty or on the security cooperation are the best policy government to declare the over the last few months. It is a that the videos were being of its borders? Some people to deal with a neighbour. China Kargil conflict as a war. Those sign of India’s new-found watched by people in their believe that after the setback to should understand this. Their were the days of hesitant confidence. drawing rooms, in a matter of hours. The places where this ‘Citizen who speaks freely no longer safe’: skirmishes took place are inaccessible for tourists. There isn’t even a village in the vicinity. Gauri Lankesh’s murder sparks outrage So who shot these videos and why did they go viral? The answer to this may still be a Journalists, politicians and activists unite to condemn mystery, but by destiny or the murder of Bengaluru journalist Gauri Lankesh. design, it served a larger purpose. The videos kindled a Journalists, authors, rights 136th in this year’s World confidence in the common activists and members of Press Freedom Index citizen that our defence forces Parliament expressed outrage compiled by Reporters are second to none. When the over the murder of senior Without Borders. occasion demands, they can journalist Gauri Lankesh on Lankesh’s murder made put up stiff resistance and push Wednesday, a day after the 55- many commentators recall back the Chinese. year-old was shot dead by similar killings of activists This is a clear sign of a shift unidentified assailants outside Narendra Dhabolkar, Govind in India’s military strategy. her home in Bengaluru. Pansare and MM Kalburgi.“To What is significant is that Protests were planned kill someone for their views is even as India was changing its across India by journalist not Democracy, its beginnings spots, China was steeped in the groups, including the Editors’ of a Banana Republic, where old mould: trespassing followed Guild, Press Club of India and safe,” it said. both.” violence speaks louder than by hollow threats. When its Press Association. In a Senior journalists expressed The journalism fraternity words,” said film director defence ministry said India statement released on their shock and anger at losing banded together to condemn the Shekhar Kapur. should remember what Wednesday, the Indian a brave colleague, but also attack. “To those who use guns Lankesh’s murder shook happened in 1962, its foreign Writers’ Forum pledged to spoke out against what they to silence dissent, you are the political class, too, with ministry joined the chorus and continue Lankesh’s fight. ”The saw as a muzzling of dissent cowards. And your bullets may leaders across parties added: The way the Indian army forum condemns the continued with bullets. kill but will not deter the brave,” condemning the attack. went to Doklam, imagine what unmaking of India in which Veteran journalist Shekhar said Rajdeep Sardesai. Karanataka chief minister could happen if the Chinese writers, artists, scholars, Gupta tweeted: “Journalism is India has a poor track Siddaramiah called Lankesh’s went and ensconced rationalists - and indeed any nothing without courage. record when it comes to killing “an assault on democracy”, themselves in Nepal? They citizen who exercises her right Democracy is nothing without protecting journalists. The promising a free and fair probe. unleashed a series of to speak freely - is no longer dissent. Lankesh had plenty of country slipped three places to (Contd on page 23) Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 EDITORIAL 5 Gauri Lankesh Could Not Be The Way to Make North Jailed. But She Could Be Killed Korea Back Down The cowardly, brutal killing of Gauri Lankesh has led to waves of spontaneous After Sunday’s nuclear test, the most powerful yet, and two successful intercontinental protests in different corners of India. Gauri was a voice of honesty and courage, missile tests in July, North Korea can credibly threaten to nuke a major United States she challenged the status quo in multiple ways as a single woman, as the editor of city and kill millions of Americans. To date, the Trump administration, frustrated by its a weekly, as an anti-establishment voice, as the proud promoter and practitioner misplaced hopes of Chinese cooperation to restrain Pyongyang, has been reduced of Kannadiga language and cultures, as a vociferous opponent of Hindutva to empty bluster, while others, including a senior official in the previous administration, ideologies. It is known that she was targeted by the Hindutva forces more so after are resigned to living with a nuclear-armed regime on the Korean Peninsula. she was convicted of defamation for a story she published in 2008 against a BJP But a nuclear North Korea is unlike a nuclear China or Russia. During the Cold War, MP Pralhad Joshi and BJP leader Umesh Dushi. She had publicly stated that she neither Beijing nor Moscow faced an existential threat in the form of an alternate intended to challenge the conviction in the higher court, declaring, “Some people Chinese or Russian state. Pyongyang, on the other hand, has had to live with a far want to see me behind bars, but that has not happened.” She was given bail. She more prosperous and legitimate Korean state across its southern border. This internal could not be put behind bars. But she could be killed. Who are the murderers? dynamic of the Korean Peninsula compels Pyongyang to continue to threaten war and perfect its weapons of mass destruction. The regime’s logic is that the more The investigation has started. Some of her friends and family have asked for a CBI advanced its nuclear capability, the less likely the United States will be to defend inquiry. Whether it is the state government or a central agency that does the South Korea at the risk of sacrificing millions of American lives at home. Hence, for investigation, her killers must be caught and punished. the North, menacing the United States is a nonnegotiable means of isolating and Karnataka Law Minister TB Jayachandra has said that the manner of exercising dominance over Seoul. This is how the regime of Kim Jong-un seeks to Gauri’s killing is similar to that of MM Kalburgi, the public intellectual, rationalist ensure its long-term survival. thinker who was gunned down at his Karnataka home two years ago. His killers This latest nuclear blast, during America’s Labor Day weekend, shows that have not yet been identified or punished. Earlier in Maharashtra, two leading Pyongyang is less interested in reaping concessions from the international community intellectuals Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar were shot down. Their killers than in sticking to its playbook of strategic provocations. It seeks maximum political also have not been identified. There is a pattern to the targets and the killings, and impact by conducting carefully timed weapons tests. The pattern of the United States’ the needle of suspicion in the latest - that of Gauri points clearly to those who tepid response to these affronts has been to apply incremental sanctions to get would gain from her death, gain because they think it will send a warning message Pyongyang to back off a bit and then to defuse tension.Pyongyang’s provocations, to all those who challenge their ideology, gain because they think they have silenced which have been followed by disingenuous talks about denuclearization, have often also won generous blandishments from its adversaries, including at least $10 billion a powerful voice. Her killers may be hired killers, they may be directly members of from Seoul and $1.3 billion from Washington over the past 20 years or so. With an organization. But in truth, Gauri was killed by the atmosphere of violence created good reason, Pyongyang sees itself as wielding both a carrot and a stick. Even now, by the politics of hatred and bigotry in which every communal or casteist fanatic despite solid American support for the South, North Korea is able to pressure Seoul finds legitimacy in the act of killing, of burning, of cruelty. into selective censorship. Whether North Korea can induce Washington to abandon When a Muslim is lynched on manufactured rumours that a cow has been Seoul or embrace a nuclear North Korea, the security of the rich, risk-averse South killed, it is backed by top leaders who use their positions of power to spread the will be increasingly compromised either way. The only nonmilitary means of forestalling message that this is all pure and good work in defense of religion and religious this ominous trajectory of events is for the United States to enforce both American belief. When Dalit homes are burnt to cinders, they are being taught that Manu and United Nations sanctions against the North Korean regime and its enablers, the Smriti is the benchmark to keep Dalits in their place. When those wearing black foremost of which remains China.Thanks to the strength of the dollar, Washington coats, mandated to uphold the law, beat up a young man like Kanhaiya Kumar in has the means to create severe financial hardship for Pyongyang. For far too long, the premises of a court of law and bay for his blood, they feel no shame, they take the United States has shied away from shutting off the Kim regime’s sources of pride in their criminal actions. For them, dissent is sedition and this is the way to money and matériel, let alone sanctioning its Chinese partners. This has been out of concern that Pyongyang might escalate its aggression or that Beijing would adopt deal with anti-nationals, that is the word from the very top. When acts of terror are retaliatory economic measures. These fears are unfounded: North Korea escalates committed by right-wing groups owing allegiance to Hindutva ideologies, and the tension according to its own timetable, while China shows restraint in the face of top investigation agency cautions the public prosecutor to “go soft” in the case, legitimate financial measures.There is therefore a compelling case to isolate what is it but clear patronage to terror acts? Within a year of such instructions Pyongyang economically. (Contd on page 23) becoming public, all the accused get released on bail. This is the environment which encourages killings of those who challenge this politics - like Gauri Lankesh. This is how the communal right wing operates: create an environment of hatred and let the fanatics do the job. That is the atmosphere created when Gandhi was killed. In 1994, after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, when the country was deeply wounded by communal hatred and violence, an interview of Gopal Godse, younger brother of Nathuram Godse, was published in the magazine “Frontline”. ISSN No. 1554 06X In a chilling telling of Gandhi’s assassination, he describes how an Chairman & Publisher : Karam Singh Thind atmosphere is created. “It many times happens that the clouds gather in the skies Managing Editor: Sharanjit Singh Thind and we assume that in the next 15 minutes it will rain. But things happen otherwise. Editor in Chief : Bhupinder Kaur Thind Winds blow and take away the clouds...so what is required for the rainfall? That Editor (Political Affairs-India) : Aruna Singh particular atmosphere, the particular degree of temperature to be connected with Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah Special Correspondent : the particles of water in the cloud. And then they take the shape of water to drop to the earth...so there might have been conspiracies and conspiracies and the wind Photographers: Ruth Alvarez/Hamad Gagandeep Singh (INDIA) might have come and blown them away. But when everything was in order, this Editorial Intern: Aman Thind Web Coordinator : Jatinder Kumar conspiracy (the killing of Gandhi) proved to be fruitful...” So spoke the brother of Gandhi’s killer who had stated proudly in the interview “all the brothers were in the A Publication of NuWay Media Group RSS. Nathuram, Dattatreya, myself and Govind. You can say we grew up in the RSS rather than in our home. It was like a family to us.” RSS spokespersons today REGD & MAILING OFFICE : claim that the RSS has gone through many stages - from “ignorance about it, to P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 opposition to it and now, acceptance” of the organization. The widespread protests against the killing of Gauri in which most people, rightly or mistakenly believe that it is the hand of the Hindutva forces behind it, just as in the killings of Pansare, Dabholkar TelFax : 516 342 1076 and Kalburgi, show that there is no “acceptance”, there can never be “acceptance” [email protected], [email protected] and that truth and justice will prevail. We deeply mourn the loss of Gauri Lankesh. www.thesouthasianinsider.com

We extend deep condolences to her family and large numbers of friends and admirers. Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints Her vibrant life and work will always be an inspiration and will live on as will the values expressed by the various writers, authors and forum participants in The South Asian Insider do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Editor. All advertisers advertising in The South Asian Insider assume responsibility for accuracy of their advertisements. The South Asian Insider and progressive politics she held so dear to her heart. and/or people associated with it are not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers and don't endorse any product or services advertised in The South Asian Insider. We strongly urge consulting your lawyer before buying/contracting /hiring through the ads published in the newspaper. We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 OPINION 6 Middlemen In God’s Market People largely err in finding their spiritual master. The guru shouldn’t be a rockstar with fans willing to obey anything. The case isn’t different outside India too. It is human to try and the rishi who ‘heard’ what solve the problems of life, understand nature and use no one else could hear. without any material, that knowledge to improve That secret knowledge was intellectual or emotional the quality of life. The transmitted by ritualists investm-ent? Maybe he is forager did it. The hunter (brahmana) and passed on a sorcerer, with secret did it. The fisherman, the by teachers (acharyas), knowledge not accessible herdsman and the farmer who granted kings to all? He can dig into the did it. But where does legitimacy. But then the magical world that overlaps nature end? Does it exist Buddha came along and the material world? Isn’t bey-ond sight and sound? acc-e-ssed this secret that who is mystic, yogi, Beyond senses? Who can doctrine by meditation and druid or magi supposed to access this world beyond contemplation. His be? name and form? followers transmitted We want to understand are not students chasing a We find this is the word essentially racist. It is In tribal society, there Budd-ha’s knowledge and the guru phenomenon teacher; they are fans of films, of sports, theatre, rooted in the human desire was the shaman. In eventually concluded rationally. Since the 19th running after a rockstar, dance and music. In the for meaning and validation. Chinese society, the anyone could be a century, under Protestant willing to do anything he world of politics too, when It manifests differently in shaman became king, for Buddha, thus access the influence, there was a tells them to do. even the most absurd different cultures. But it is he had the ‘Mandate of transcendental world. In global trend to equate all How does one create a words of a leader sound universal. We feel Heaven’ to rule. In Greek the Puranas, the wisdom holy men as good rockstar? You can train to rational to his mob of trolls. disconnected from the soci-ety, kings claimed of the Vedas was being teachers. So Jesus, be an actor. You can But we are not willing to world around us, and seek that their father, or mother, revealed to all by Shiva and Muhammad, Buddha are pretend to be a celebrity. extend this to the hallowed belonging. There is the was a divine being. It made Vishnu. Not only did they all being cast into a single But few have been able to world of spirituality, which rational and burdensome them special. In Arab- decode Vedic wisdom, mode. This has led many explain the phenomenon of is just a fancy word for world of relationships with Persian society, there they embodied it. modern guru enthusiasts to a rockstar. What makes deep psychology: the their roles and came God’s messenger We have to understand give the word guru, which people so crazy for a emotions and sensations responsibilities; but what who introduced the idea of all this to appreciate the simply means someone performing artiste on that cannot be explained by really fuels us is the God who created the world guru phenomenon. Who is with gravitas or intellectual stage? What is it about his measurable phenomena. It irrational and involuntary and his message of how a guru? Is he just a wise weight—a pseudo- song and dance that is that part of our existence world of love, a connection we are supposed to live in old man (pir, in Persian), -etymology as one who renders people mad? They that is located just beyond over which we have no it. The messenger was the or a messenger takes people from chase him. They cry for the tangible and the control, but feels real, leader; he spoke to God, (paigambar, in Persian) of darkness (gu) to light (ru). him. They are even willing explainable. It is the inspiring yet safe, common and followed God’s God, God himself, or the But in fact, the connection to die for him. What is the inspiration that manifests sense notwithstanding. A instruction, and told people embodiment of wisdom, bet-ween a guru and his science? All psychologists as poetry. This is not just guru is able to evoke this who should be king. whose presence and disciples is visceral, are able to offer is just an Indian phenomenon. unconsciously. In Vedic society, it was blessings are enough to defying rationality. They post-facto rationalisations. Any such suggestion is (Contd on page 23) There is much more to the India-China partnership than border disputes By getting through the Doklam crisis without a shot being fired, India and China have shown that as they both rise, the potential for cooperating more and confronting less remains considerable. India and China to begin economies for the first former’s use of terrorism negotiating yet another time, signalling how the to further its political border management BRICS concept is agenda is a flawed policy agreement, but one that attractive to other players that undermines a incorporates protocols as well. growing Chinese interest regarding military in regional stability. The confrontations in third The surprise was the joint statement was countries and even the Chinese acquiescence to noticeable for speaking maritime domain. a mention of Pakistan- about almost every major The BRICS summit based terrorist international conflict that was a symbol of how organisations like the has a bearing on world much larger the Sino- Lashkar e Tayyeba and stability. It is hard to see When you think about both agreed to treat Beijing. One, India was Indian relationship is than Jaish e Mohammad in the India and China ever Doklam, keep calm and Doklam and similar border defending the claims of a disputes over joint statement. The becoming close friends carry on. Prime Minister incidents as problems third country, Bhutan, uninhabited bits of rock. statement does not but they need not Narendra Modi and the that should be managed with which it has a The Xiamen summit denounce these groups become violent rivals. By Chinese leader, Xi rather than treated as a defence understanding. continued the emerging or call for action against getting through the Jinping, seemed to have fatal flaw in bilateral Two, as a consequence, economies tradition of them, it merely expresses Doklam crisis without a sensibly adopted the view relations between the two there was just enough laying out an concern at these and shot being fired and even that there is more to the largest Asian countries. misunderstanding for the international order which other terrorist groups. high-level summitry being larger Sino-Indian Doklam, as seems to crisis to escalate quickly would give them a Nonetheless, it reflects an sustained, they have relationship than a border have been recognised by to the point it had the greater say in rules- evolutionary step upward shown that as they both stand-off during their both sides, represents a potential to become making and institutional in Beijing’s attitude to rise, the potential for hour-long meeting on the new phase in the something larger than representation. It also terrorism. Namely, that cooperating more and sidelines of the BRICS territorial disputes either side wanted. There incorporated a number of while Pakistan remains its confronting less remains summit in Xiamen. They between New Delhi and seems to be a case for other emerging “all-weather friend,” the considerable. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 OPINION 7 Why BJP’s treatment of NDA allies could derail its Mission 350 Despite indications that it will not be pushed around, BJP needs allies in 2019. But its treatment to NDA partners could influence potential allies

Prime Minister Narendra two JD(U) leaders being the Congress. It is not just the Modi is known to spring included in the ministry. But JD(U) which is chafing against surprises and he has done it Nitish Kumar disclosed that his a perceived humiliation, again in the Cabinet reshuffle. party had neither been asked, Thackeray has also expressed As surprising as the widely- nor was any offer discussed. his unhappiness at not being hailed elevation of Nirmala It stood to reason that the consulted or informed about the Sitharaman as the defence JD(U), which has formed a reshuffle.The Shiv Sena’s angst minister was the non-inclusion of government with the BJP in against the BJP is nothing new, the Janata Dal(U), or for that Bihar, would enter a government and the possibility of the BJP matter any other existing or new led by the BJP at the Centre. breaking with its oldest ally ally. The other surprise was that That this did not happen has before the 2019 elections cannot the four former career given a handle to Kumar’s be ruled out. There were also bureaucrats who were inducted detractors, including rival Lalu strong rumours at one stage why the AIADMK was not taken youth — cannot be denied. The into the ministry were not given Prasad, to make snide remarks about the NCP — playing into the Cabinet, as once allies’ unhappiness can have a departments related to their against the Bihar chief minister. footsie with the BJP and reported. Given the BJP’s bearing on the party’s ‘Mission specialisation. Hardeep S Puri, That Kumar, who once enjoyed remaining with the Opposition — majority in the Lok Sabha, Modi 2019’. A ‘happy’ Kumar, for with his immense experience in a near-parity status with Modi, joining the Cabinet. This would is in a comfortable position vis- instance, can add value to the BJP the foreign policy domain, has someone who could take him on make sense only if the Sena a-vis the allies. Unlike in the not just in Bihar but also in eastern been given urban affairs; and KJ in the future, cannot get his were to pull out of the past, when the Congress yielded UP where there is a concentration Alphons with his expertise in party’s entry into the Cabinet Maharashtra government and the to regional parties’ ambitions in of Kurmis. An ‘unhappy’ Kumar urban matters got tourism. today, must add to his NCP was needed to prop it up. the states in order to get their may not put his best foot forward As for allies, it is possible that discomfiture. But then, Kumar Otherwise, the NCP joining the support at the Centre, the BJP in 2019 or 2020, and the stakes Modi may still induct them, consciously chose a limited role NDA would give strength to the is acting tough, not giving up on are higher for the BJP today than particularly the JD(U), in another for himself, confined to Bihar, Congress, for some of its base its plans to widen its base in for Kumar. The BJP’s ‘Mission 350’ expansion exercise, though he when he quit the ‘grand alliance’. would gravitate towards the states. It has given enough may need allies. The treatment has given no such indication. The BJP brass may calculate grand old party. The best case indications that it will not be meted out to the present allies — Unless done soon, the exercise that Kumar — and for that matter scenario for an ascendant BJP pushed around by allies. And summed up in the words of a would be meaningless for the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra is to keep the yet, politics is never static, and JD(U) leader as a partnership with countdown to the general — has few options today. Kumar Congress and the NCP apart and even though Modi’s popularity “izzat” or “beizzat” — could elections would begin in 15 cannot go back to Prasad, just have a four-cornered contest continues undimmed, the influence the decision-making of months. as it would be difficult for next time. The continuing political growing restiveness in sections potential allies, who are neither in The media had written about Thackeray to shake hands with flux in Tamil Nadu may explain today — Dalits, farmers, jobless the NDA or UPA today. Gauri Lankesh’s case shouldn’t fall by the wayside owing to police apathy In all these cases, there was enough forensic evidence for the police to act on. But they don’t seem to have made any headway either due to incompetence or deliberate neglect the victim and carried out the crime purpose. In Lankesh’s case, she had in full view of others and in the case also been involved in rehabilitating of Lankesh,CCTV cameras. Maoists and this also earned her This suggests that they have no fear many enemies. But from whichever of the law or of being apprehended. source the threat came, it is This also suggests that they may have inexplicable that the police did not powerful backers. The other is that have a greater handle on the these cases have been hanging fire situation and seem to have been for years. It can only be hoped that caught completely unawares. Lankesh’s case does not become a Unfortunately, media attention also casualty to such apathy. The killers wanes after such sensational in all these cases have left behind murders allowing the police to get enough evidence for the police to away with inaction and proceed on. Surely using ballistics incompetence. In the Dabholkar and forensic evidence, some headway case, two of the suspects are could have been made by now on the absconding. In all the cases, the A link is being drawn between the Indeed, there is no denying that older cases. In fact, these cases had investigating officers have been ghastly murder of journalist Gauri journalists have come under great receded into the background and have changed frequently despite protests Lankesh in Bengaluru, that of pressure in recent times especially been resurrected now only after from the families. The longer these rationalists Narendra Dabholkar in those reporting on injustices and Lankesh’s killing. From the time lag, cases take, the less the likelihood of Pune in 2013, Govind Pansare in corruption. There are two worrying we can only conclude that the police finding evidence or the culprits. It is Kolhapur in 2015 and MM Kalburgi in aspects that must be highlighted. In are either incompetent or are time that we at least learnt of any Dharwad in 2015. It is too early to all these cases as also similar ones dragging out these cases for whatever progress made in these cases. Like come to any conclusion about which have not got much notice, the reason. This is simply unacceptable. those before, the case of Lankesh, Lankesh’s killing as investigations are murders have not been carried out in There have been demands for the who fought so valiantly for the underdog, underway. But, many see this as an any secretive manner. Rather, the Karnataka’s chief minister’s should not fall by the wayside once the assault on the freedom of the press. killers have quite openly approached resignation. But this serves no attention has died down. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 SPECIAL : GAURI LANKESH MURDER 8 Journalist Gauri Lankesh, known critic of Hindu right-wing extremism, murdered The Karnataka Police is on the hunt to trace the killers of the senior Kannada journalist who was shot dead at her house in Bengaluru Tuesday evening. The Karnataka Police is vice president Rahul Gandhi tracing the killers of senior too spoke out against the Kannada journalist, Gauri murder. She recounted the Lankesh, a critic of Hindu 2015 murder of Left ideologue extremism, who was shot dead and Kannada author Prof MM at her house in Bengaluru on Kalburgi, who was shot dead Tuesday evening. in a similar manner by an “The three special teams set unidentified gunman at the up to crack the case are on the doorstep of his home Two lookout for the suspected months after Kalburgi’s murder, assailants. We are taking the a young Dalit writer of a book movements of people and critiquing the Hindu caste system vehicles at check posts and was abducted and assaulted by inter-state borders,” deputy goons in Karnataka. Writer commissioner of police (West) Huchangi Prasad said his M N Anucheth told IANS in assaulters kept calling him a Bengaluru. traitor. Before Kalburgi, According to the police, at Maharashtra rationalist and least three suspects were communist leader Govind involved and Lankesh was found comment on the issue, we convicted by a court for the killing. Shortly after the Pansare was shot along with his dead on her verandah around cannot reveal any further details defaming two BJP leaders for murder, Karnataka chief wife during a morning walk on 8pm with bullet wounds to her at the moment.” articles published in her minister Siddaramaiah February 16, 2015, near their head and chest. Television Karnataka home minister periodical in 2008. She was expressed shock in posts on home in Kolhapur. He died in reports said seven bullets were Ramalinga Reddy said there sentenced to six months in jail Twitter: “In fact, this is an hospital four days later. The fired at her and three hit her. were two CCTV cameras and and asked to pay Rs. 10,000 assassination on democracy. In main suspect in the Pansare Lankesh, 55, was the three police teams were working penalty. Lankesh had been her passing, Karnataka has lost murder is allegedly associated daughter of famous poet-turned- on the case. granted bail. Journalists as well a strong progressive voice, and with Sanatan Sanstha, a Hindu journalist P Lankesh. She was In November, Lankesh was as several politicians condemned I have lost a friend”. Congress right-wing group. the editor of Gauri Lankesh Patrike, writing often against State funeral for Gauri Lankesh, K’taka Sangh organisations and communal violence in the country. CM orders SIT probe as protests erupt “This is not the death of a journalist, but the death of Journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, a known critic of right-wing democracy and constitutional extremism, was shot dead outside her Bengaluru home on Tuesday. values. She had raised her voice against communal violence with Protests swept India on Wednesday gate to her house to park her car. “This Kalburgi. In all cases, probes have seen us and we know that all our lives against the killing of senior journalist Gauri person is seen firing at her, and because little progress though chief minister are in danger. But we did not Lankesh in Bengaluru as Karnataka set up of the impact of the shots that were fired at Siddaramaiah ruled out an immediate expect this,” said KL Ashok of a special investigation team and police close range she falls back inside her connection between these incidents and the Karnataka-based Komu pored over surveillance footage to solve the compound,” the chief minister added. Lankesh’s murder. Politicians sparred over Souharda Vedike (Communal sensational murder. Lankesh’s murder prompted her death, with Congress president Sonia Harmony Forum), who worked Lankesh was laid to rest with full state spontaneous events across 10-odd cities Gandhi saying she asked Siddaramaiah to closely with Lankesh. honours in Bengaluru where thousands of to protest against what the Editors Guild of ensure swift justice. “Anybody who speaks people poured in to pay their respects to India called a “brutal assault on the freedom against the RSS/BJP is attacked & even Ashok said there “was no the 55-year-old editor and outspoken critic of the press”. In Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, killed. They want to impose only one doubt” that Lankesh’s killing was of Hindu right-wing elements. Unidentified Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow, Patna ideology which is against the nature of part of a larger conspiracy to kill assailants pumped three bullets into her and many other cities, ordinary citizens India,” said party vice-president Rahul rationalist ideas. “Narendra head and chest on Tuesday night while she joined writers and journalists in Gandhi. But the BJP attacked the state Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, MM was entering her residence in the city’s demonstrating against the killing and government, blaming it for delay in the Kalburgi and now Gauri busy Rajarajeshwari Nagar. demanding strict action. “The silencing of investigations into Kalburgi’s murder and Lankesh. They were all rationalist “It was a dastardly attack by organised a journalist in this manner has dangerous demanding a CBI probe into Lankesh’s thinkers, and that is why they criminals… I have ordered the constitution portents for Indian democracy,” said the death. “Law and order of Karnataka is the have been murdered,” he added. of a SIT, which will be headed by an Indian Women Press Corps. responsibility of the state government, n 2015, Left ideologue and inspector general of police,” chief minister Lankesh’s brother, Indrajit, also under Congress. Holding the prime minister Kannada author Prof MM Siddaramaiah told reporters. expressed confidence that the culprits responsible for it is wrong,” said Union Kalburgi was shot dead in a “She had met me just a week ago but would be traced with the help of CCTV minister Nitin Gadkari. she had not informed me about any threat footage and the journalist’s mobile phone. Many journalists and intellectuals in similar manner by an to her life,” he added. The Union home “Her mobile phone also contains a lot of Bengaluru also appeared angry with the unidentified gunman at the ministry also sought a report from the state evidence and clues... Investigation is state government. “When we asked doorstep of his home. government. underway,” he added. Her death brought Siddaramaiah to ensure justice for Kalburgi, Bengaluru deputy Siddaramaiah said he personally the spotlight back on three similar killings he only gave us assurances… Maybe if commissioner of police MN examined CCTV videos and that said in the of rationalists and left-leaning thinkers since that murder had been cracked we might Anucheth said, “It is too early to footage, a person wearing a helmet is seen 2013 -- Maharashtra’s Narendra Dabholkar, not have seen this day,” said K Neela, a approaching Lankesh, who was opening the Govind Pansare, and Karnataka’s MM close associate of Lankesh. ABOUT THE STATE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE COUNTRY, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INDIA HAS SAID. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 SPECIAL : GAURI LANKESH MURDER 9 ‘I am also Gauri’: Bengaluru journalist’s murder sparks protests, condemnation The killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh by gunmen outside her residence in Bengaluru “raises alarm” about the state of freedom of expression in the country, Amnesty International India has said. The killing of journalist Gauri the barrel of the gun”. Indian democracy,” said the Karnataka chief minister Dabholkar dead while he was Lankesh provoked outrage and Lankesh, 55, was the editor MPC. Siddaramaiah also announced out for a walk in the anguish across the country on of the independent Kannada- Outraged, prominent a SIT probe, to be headed by Maharashtra city of Pune. On Wednesday, with thousands language magazine “Lankesh journalists from across Delhi inspector general-level officer in Wednesday, the Indian Writer’s protesting what they saw as an Patrike”. In November, she was gathered at the Press Club of the matter, saying his Forum called Lankesh’s murder effort to silence a critic of found guilty of defaming India, and demanded justice government had an “open mind” “a chilling continuation” of the Hindutva groups. lawmakers from the Centre’s amid call for standing up to to an investigation by the CBI. killings of Dabholkar, Pansare ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in “forces” trying to the “muzzle” Her killing was the latest in and Kalburgi and pledged to Even as police promise to a 2008 story. She said the case the voices of dissent. a string of similar attacks in continue Lankesh’s fight against hunt down the assailants who was politically motivated and Similar protests were held in recent years targeting writers, the “haters of free speech”. gunned down Lankesh outside vowed to challenge her Hyderabad,artists and scholars who faced Police have arrested a her Bengaluru home on conviction in a higher court. Thiruvananthapuram and a backlash for criticising Prime suspect in Pansare’s murder Tuesday night, many said they Print and electronic Kolkata, among other cities. Minister Narendra Modi’s who has been released on bail. feared the perpetrators of the journalists in Chennai took out The US embassy in New government or the BJP. Another suspect is in custody attack — like so many others rallies, shouted slogans and Delhi also condemned the “The silencing of a journalist in the Dabholkar case. But no — would get away with demanded the arrest of killing. in this manner has dangerous one has yet been prosecuted impunity. heLankesh’s killers. They said Congress president Sonia portents for Indian democracy,” in any of the three cases. the killing was “an affront on the Gandhi said it was a chilling said Shobhana Jain, the “We will continue to speak Spontaneous rallies erupted freedom of expression”. reminder that “intolerance and president of Indian Women’s on her behalf and ours. They in cities and towns across India Journalists’ organisations bigotry is raising its ugly head Press Corps. cannot silence us all,” the on Wednesday. Protesters Maharashtra, including those in in our society”. In 2015, scholar Forum said in a statement. demanded the government do Mumbai, strongly condemned Her son and party vice Malleshappa M Kalburgi was Some said they feared the more to protect free speech in the killing. The Mumbai Press president Rahul Gandhi, senior shot dead at his Bengaluru killing was evidence that the the secular democracy. Club (MPC), the Mumbai leader P Chidambaram, Punjab home, following death threats space for democratic opinion In Bengaluru, thousands Marathi Patrakar Sangh chief minister Amarinder Singh from right-wing Hindu groups was shrinking in India. The gathered for a public vigil and (MMPS), the Mantralaya Ani and party spokesperson after he criticised idol worship message is, “if you do not fall the viewing of Lankesh’s body Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh Abhishek Singhvi also and superstitious beliefs by in line, you will be executed”, at Town Hall. (MVVS), the TV Journalists expressed shock at the killing. Hindus. said Ananya Vajpeyi of the Weeping, they filed slowly Association (TVJA) and others, The BJP, for its part, Earlier that year, writer and Centre for the Study of past her glass-covered coffin. in separate statements, accused Rahul Gandhi of trying anti-superstition crusader Developing Societies. “Gauri Some carried placards that expressed outrage. to make “political capital” out of Govind Pansare was shot dead Lankesh’s murder last night was read “I am also Gauri.” “If this is how the Fourth Lankesh’s murder and rejected while taking a walk with his wife more than the killing of an Others held banners that Estate is going to be treated by as “irresponsible and baseless” near their home in Maharashtra. individual; it was an assault on said: “You can kill the person; the powers that be, while the the allegations linking the killing And in another daytime attack the freedom of the press, on the but not her ideas” and “Voices government looks the other way, to the people following its in 2013, two assailants shot anti- right to dissent and on of dissent cannot be stifled by it is indeed a black hour for ideology. superstition activist Narendra democratic citizenship.” Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 10 Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 11 Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 12 Namami Gange mission: What Nitin Gadkari must do to clean Ganga highways. To ensure water To clean Ganga, Nitin Gadkari must round the year for the monsoon- start with rejuvenating and cleaning fed rivers of India for water the tributaries that feed the river highways, the government will have to build barrages etc, and that goes against its other aim In a bid to give a more concerted systems but was not a top-of-the of aviral dhara. push to the Centre’s clean line administrator. The 2,525-km The other critical issue Ganga action plan, Prime river which flows through is of pollution: The business- Minister Narendra Modi on Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, as-usual strategy won’t work. Sunday gave minister of road Bihar, West Bengal and The main problem with sewage transport and highways Nitin Jharkhand is of key electoral treatment plants (STPs) was Gadkari additional charge of the importance to the BJP as it not only that they could not ministry of water resources, accounts for approximately 167 seems still does not have a forgetting that nirmal dhara is cope with increasing pressure, river development and Ganga Lok Sabha constituencies. clear-cut road map on how to go only a subset of aviral dhara, not but also bad maintenance. The rejuvenation. While it is too early Here’s the challenge that Mr about it. According to the the other way round. To ensure Centre built them but the states to debate on whether Mr Gadkari Gadkari has at hand: According Namami Gange Mission, that there is aviral dhara, the and municipalities did not have will manage to turn around this to the water resources ministry, rejuvenation implies restoring the focus cannot be only on the the wherewithal to maintain critical and difficult project, if a total of 160 projects, worth “wholesomeness” of the river and main river. The ministry really them and the contractors critics are to be believed, we now around Rs 12,500 crore, have that includes three things: Aviral has to work on the smaller rivers, made a killing. With two have minister who is a good been approved under the dhara (continuous flow), nirmal as it mentions in the integrated ministries on his plate, Mr administrator but with limited Namami Gange Mission – the Rs dhara (unpolluted flow) and Ganga mission, since these feed Gadkari’s hands will be full. understanding of river systems 20,000-crore project for ecological and geological the main river. What needs to But, if he can turn this round, and ecology replacing a cleaning the river. integrity. Yet the ministry it seems be seen also is how Mr Gadkari he will be doing not just the colleague (Uma Bharti) who had Mr Gadkari has his work is overly focused on nirmal balances his new job with his BJP but the country a huge some understanding of river cut out because the ministry dhara but not aviral dhara, existing interest in water service. Govt freezes bank accounts of more than 2L firms in crackdown on shell companies ICAI, said most companies The Department of Financial Services has advised banks removed from records under that they should take immediate steps to put restrictions section 248 of the Companies Act on bank accounts of such struck-off companies. are defunct ones with no business activity and very few of them could be shell companies. Often, The finance ministry on accounts only after they get entrepreneurs open companies Tuesday restricted directors of legally restored by an order of to hold certain assets such as around 200,000 dormant the National Company Law trademarks, but because of companies struck off official Tribunal, the finance ministry business reasons, they fail to start records from accessing their said in a statement. Action will operations. Prime Minister Narendra firms’ bank accounts. The move be taken against companies Modi’s administration is cracking is a precautionary measure detected to have been used for down on firms that are engaged in aimed at preventing misuse of money laundering and tax The banker explained that are an indication of possible fraud as well as those that are the bank accounts, said a evasion. “The department of transactions that are way wrongdoing. Kamlesh Vikamsey, dormant and strain the regulatory government official who spoke financial services has, through beyond the capital of a company another former president of system. on condition of anonymity. A the Indian Banks Association large section of these (IBA), advised all banks that they companies may have failed to should take immediate steps to Not shied from taking tough decisions: PM Modi in Myanmar comply with the requirement of put restrictions on bank NEW DELHI: In his address to strike on Pakistan without fear note, the Prime Minister submitting annual reports and accounts of such struck-off the Indian diaspora in Myanmar or hesitation. “We have not shied recounted how he’d read other filings as their businesses companies,” said the statement. on Wednesday, Prime Minister away from taking decisions that somewhere that five Bs are the had failed to take off. Some of The department also cautioned Narendra Modi pitched his are tough. For us, the nation is base of India-Myanmar them have come under the banks in dealing with companies government’s nation building bigger than politics,” he said. relations, namely: Buddhism, scanner of the income-tax that are listed as active in RoC efforts to realise his vision of a “People of India have the Business, Bollywood, department for suspected money records, but have not been filing ‘New India’ free of any kind of confidence that India can be Bharatnatyam and Burma teak. laundering and stock price annual records disclosing any discrimination. “We are not transformed and we can break He then observed, “the most manipulation. The companies charge on their assets for the merely reforming India but are free from some of the evils important ‘B’ is missing here and have been removed from the benefit of stakeholders, said the transforming India. A new India that entered our systems,” he that ‘B’ is ‘Bharosa’ (Trust).”It is records of the Registrar of ministry statement. “This is a is being built. An India free from added. PM Modi also noteworthy that during his 35- Companies (RoC) under section house cleaning exercise,” said poverty, terrorism, corruption, commended the Indian minute address, PM Modi did not 248 of the Companies Act. Ved Jain, former president of communalism, casteism is being community in Myanmar for allude to the Rohingya Muslim Reasons include not accounting rule-maker Institute created,” PM Modi said at the contributing to their adoptive crisis. The Myanmar government commencing operations within a of Chartered Accountants of Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon. country’s development while is facing international censure year of incorporation or not India. A senior banker explained The Prime Minister said the also keeping in touch with for the violence against the carrying out any business in the that defunct companies—those BJP-led NDA government has their roots. He assured them minority community, and its preceding two financial years. that remain only on paper and made crucial executive the Indian government has repercussions are being felt in Directors of these firms will be do not do any business—can decisions like demonetization, taken a number of measures India too, in the form of illegal able to access the bank also be used to launder money. introducing GST and the surgical for the diaspora. On a lighter Rohingya refugees Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 13 Brics member states must find common ground to balance Western interests Each member has a different relationship threatened by the US disavowal, and importance of “green with the US or EU. Yet, it is important to development and low carbon articulate common positions in areas of economy” recognised. Common convergence to balance the norms positions were articulated inter alia on Syria and Afghanistan, emerging from the West based solely on the North Korean test “deplored” trans-Atlantic interests with call for “peaceful means and direct dialogue”. Issues that these summits The just-concluded ninth more linked to China and have deliberated on remain Brics summit in Xiamen, China, exploring new opportunities, important in the global context. had attracted more than the including military, in Pakistan; The first Bric summit (South usual attention because of the and two (South Africa and Africa joined from 2011) was preceding month-and-a-half Brazil) bedevilled by political and international trade, and nearly since both India and China grew held in 2009, in the wake of the tense standoff between India and economic instability. This was a 50% of growth in recent past. in framework of global growth 2008 global financial crisis. China at Doklam, and the sixth far cry from the beginning of this Despite the shifts in relative and rising exports, and both are Brics nations usually met and nuclear test conducted by North century when the concept was global economic and political concerned about the coordinated positions also in the Korea coinciding with its start. promoted as an investment standing, especially with protectionist sentiments in the framework of discussions in G20 Questions were also raised marketing strategy by western increase in China and India’s West, particularly US. (grouping of major world about continued relevance of financial firms, and taken GDP since 2000, there is still a Commitment was reiterated to economies, set up at initiative of Brics since two of its members forward by the five countries also need to work for “a more just, work for “enhancement of the US and France in 2008, (India and China) had serious as a check on post-1990 western equitable, fair, democratic and voice and representation of stimulated by the financial crisis) differences, geopolitical rivalries unipolar dominance. representative international BRICS countries… in global and the UN. The common and intensifying competition in Despite its detractors, the political and economic order” as economic governance”, positions they adopted on the Indian Ocean, South Asia summit and its outcomes showed the Xiamen declaration including shares and voting international trade and finance, and Southeast Asia; two other that the Brics process remains reiterates. Multi-polarity is rights in the World Bank and global financial architecture and members (India and Russia) relevant. The five countries-- essential for India to exercise its IMF, where progress has been governance, quotas and voting were seen as somewhat drifting Brazil, Russia, India, China and “strategic autonomy”, a declared made, but much remains to be shares in the World Bank and apart with India building closer South Africa--account for 42% goal of India’s foreign policy. done. A call was made to fully IMF, were important to balance relations with the United States of the world’s population, 23% Support was also expressed implement the 2015 Paris Western perspectives and and Europe, and Russia getting of global GDP, 17% of for “an open world economy” agreement on climate change, interests. Brics 2017: Modi and team took off from India cannot rule out possibility of two- front war with China and Pakistan, China satisfied, but differences remain Army chief General Bipin Rawat says One needs to simply scratch the surface of the BRICS bonhomie NEW DELHI: India cannot rule out the to find that China’s indignation over Doklam is quite raw. possibility of a two-front war - with China and Pakistan were clearly coordinated to send a - despite having credible nuclear deterrence message out – New Delhi and capabilities, said Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Beijing were trying hard to move Wednesday. Stating that differences with Pakistan forward, leaving behind the military seemed to be “irreconcilable”, with the country impasse which had threatened to continuing to wage a proxy war against India, Gen Rawat hijack diplomatic ties. But said China too will continue with its efforts to nibble differences remain. One needs to away Indian territory through “salami slicing” and other simply scratch the surface of the measures. “As far as the northern adversary (China) BRICS bonhomie to find that China’s is concerned, the flexing of muscles has started... indignation over Doklam is quite raw. Salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual Official news agency Xinhua’s manner, testing our limits of threshold... is something report on the Modi-Xi meeting – we have to be wary about and remain prepared for their 9th one-on-one – made it a situations that could develop into conflicts,” said Gen point to mention the impasse. “Xi Rawat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Earlier in the day, foreign secretary and Modi’s meeting came following The Army chief’s warning that India cannot let and his entourage of India’s top S Jaishankar made it a point not to a military stand-off lasting more than down its guard on either of the two fronts came at a diplomats took off from a sunny mention Doklam – called Donglang two months after more than 270 seminar here, a week after the over 70-day Doklam Xiamen on Tuesday afternoon a by the China -- during his 10-minute armed Indian troops with two standoff between India and China was finally diffused fairly satisfied lot after the BRICS interaction with international media bulldozers crossed the boundary in with mutual disengagement and withdrawal of troops+ summit. The Doklam impasse was on the bilateral meeting between mid-June into the Donglang after intensive diplomatic parleys. over, with New Delhi managing to Modi and President Xi Jinping. The (Doklam) area in the Chinese The Indian defence establishment has emerge from it, if not a winner, at closest he went was to mention territory to obstruct infrastructure repeatedly warned of a “collusive threat” from least on equal terms despite “situation” – twice. Neither did the construction,” the Xinhua report Pakistan and China, who often describe themselves withdrawing troops; Pakistan-based ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) said. “On August 28, China as “all-weather friends”. After the Doklam crisis, the terror groups were mentioned in the spokesperson, Geng Shuang, confirmed that India had withdrawn assessment is that the People’s Liberation Army will BRICS statement under China’s mention it when he took questions personnel and equipment from not shy away from needling India with current chair and on Chinese soil, on the military impasse at the regular Donglang, and said its armed forces “transgressions” — military parlance for intrusions proving to be vindication on India’s press briefing in Beijing. Both would strengthen patrolling and or shallow probes - all along the 4,057-km Line of stand against terrorism and India’s mentioned the need to have a defence of the area to resolutely Actual Control, especially in places like eastern pitch for FDI and global governance peaceful and tranquil border. The safeguard the country’s sovereign Ladakh and eastern Arunachal Pradesh, as was reforms at the summit was heard. responses from the two governments security,” the report added. earlier reported by media. WORLD Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 14 GST collection tops Rs 94,000 cr for July from 44 lakh businesses NEW DELHI: As many as six lakh to 44 lakh and over Rs 2,500 crore more dozen central and state levies like excise so far, the official said revenue mop up more businesses have filed returns and has come in as taxes. duty, service tax and VAT, kicked in from is likely to further go up when all the tax paid taxes in last one week, taking maiden The collections so far are from 74 July 1 and requires all tax payers to payers file returns. The collections so revenue collections from GST to about per cent of the total taxpayer base and register on the new tax platform, GST far are in excess of the finance ministry’s Rs 94,700 crore. more people are likely to come in when Network. internal estimate of Rs 91,000 crore. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had last the final returns are filed in GSTR 1, 2 He said 72.5 lakh people have The government had earlier this week week stated that 38.38 lakh businesses and 3. migrated into the GST regime but only extended time for businesses to file had filed their returns and paid Rs 92,283 Separately, Revenue Secretary 44 lakh have so far filed returns. returns. Now sales return or GSTR-1 for crore in taxes for the month of July+ - Hasmukh Adhia at an event here said 11 There are six crore private July will have to be filed by September the first month of implementation of lakh businesses have not yet completed enterprises in the country which also 10 instead of September 5 earlier and independent India’s biggest tax reform, registration for the Goods and Services indicates that there is further scope of purchase returns or GSTR-2 would be the GST. A top official said since then Tax (GST). widening. While Adhia did not indicate filed by September 25 instead of the number of returns filed has gone up The GST, which unifies more than a the tax collections that have been made September 10 earlier. BJP got Rs 461 cr, Congress Rs 186 cr Missing SPG commando from ‘unknown sources’ in FY16: Report from Sonia Gandhi’s The BJP got Rs 461 crore as donations from ‘unknown sources’ in 2015-16, accounting for nearly security traced in Delhi 81 per cent of its total income, while the same for the Congress was 71 per cent or Rs 186 crore NEW DELHI: A Special Protection Group commando trained for VIP security covers, unknown sources was Rs 460.78 who had gone missing on September 1, crore while that of the INC was Rs was traced to a relative’s house near 186.04 crore. Tughlaq Road on Wednesday. He is being Income from “unknown sources” questioned about his disappearance. refers to those where the source is “We had formed teams to trace down the not declared for donations below Rs SPG commando and he was located in the 20,000. Such income includes those Tughlaq Road area. He had left his mobile from sale of coupons, relief fund, phone at home before leaving. He is being miscellaneous income, voluntary debriefed for the time being,” said B K contributions and contribution from Singh, DCP, New Delhi. meetings or morchas, stated the Rakesh Kumar had left his home in Dwarka report. The BJP got Rs 461 crore as for the ruling BJP and the Congress sector-8 on September 1. His family had The details of donors of such voluntary donations from ‘unknown sources’ in (INC) while the two parties’ cumulative told the police that Kumar had left to report contributions are not available in the 2015-16, accounting for nearly 81 per total income amounted to Rs 832.42 for duty at 10, Janpath. However, it was public domain, it said. cent of its total income, while the same crore in fiscal 2016, according to found that he was not deputed to a VIP so The contribution statements, submitted for the Congress was 71 per cent or ADR, a non-government organisation far. by the political parties declaring names Rs 186 crore, a report said on that works for electoral reforms. When he did not report for duty, his family and other details of donors who Wednesday. ADR said the total declared income made several calls on his mobile phone. contribute above Rs 20,000, are the Citing their tax returns, the report by of the BJP and the Congress stood at When the multiple calls went unanswered, only known sources of income parties, the Association for Democratic Rs 570.86 crore and Rs 261.56 crore, they initially assumed that he must have ADR said. Reforms (ADR) said the two parties respectively, in 2015-16. been posted in a bad signal zone. When Among the unknown sources of together got Rs 646.82 crore, or over The findings are based on an analysis they enquired with his colleagues later they funding, maximum funds were 77 per cent, of their total income from of the two parties’ income and found that he had not joined duty at all. collected under “voluntary “unknown sources” during the year. expenditure data submitted to the On September 3, Kumar’s father filed a contributions” by the BJP, which Voluntary contributions and coupon Election Commission of India. missing person complaint at Tughlak Road amounted to Rs 459.56 crore in fiscal sales were the key income sources In 2015-16, the BJP’s income from police station after which the police started 2016, it said. a manhunt for him. SC asks states to appoint cops in each district to prevent cow vigilantism list steps they will take to step Focus on cow protection has risen since the BJP-led up security on highways, where government took power three years ago, and several states cow vigilantes have stopped ruled by the party made laws to punish cow slaughter. vehicles carrying cattle and attacked people. It also asked the central government to explore The Supreme Court on a week to comply with the what actions it can take against Wednesday asked states to court’s order. the states that fail to prevent such appoint in every district a senior Focus on cow protection, attacks. Advocate Tushar Mehta, police officer whose job will be especially by vigilante groups, appearing for four BJP-ruled to stop violence in the name of has risen since the BJP-led states, tried to persuade the cow protection. government took power three court not to issue the order but Proposing measures to stem years ago, and several states violence that has killed several officer shall take prompt action was overruled. The top court was what it called growing violence ruled by the party made laws to people, mostly in BJP-ruled and will ensure vigilante groups responding to a private petition by so-called cow protection punish cow slaughter. states. Critics accuse the and such people are prosecuted from Tushar Gandhi, the great groups, the court said the nodal So-called cow protectors vigilantes of using cows as a with promptitude,” a three-judge grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, officers would have to ensure have targeted cattle and meat pretext to target Muslim and bench led by Chief Justice of which sought action by states to that vigilantes did not become a traders, transporters and even Dalits. The court said states must India Deepak Mishra said. curb cow-related attacks. law unto themselves. States have farmers walking their animals — stop this. “The senior police It said states would have to Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISMENT 15 Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 16 Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE 18 Goddamn!Goddamn!Goddamn! He is the man with all the answers, who has the masses and the ‘classes’ eat- ing out of his hands. He pushes the -envelope of profit and power that piety and fealty draw like nothing else. But this heady combo of cult and clout also makes the -godman’s fall as a common criminal just as spectacular.

God and sometimes the a baba who looks straight out have been branded with sleaze reasons—the dera movement’s clearance. The dera had voice of God. He plays stress- of a comic-strip but has deathly and worse. The common thread origin in Punjab’s Dalit matrix, hitherto barred Haryana’s buster, therapist, family and serious aspects to him: on his is the bouquet of spirituality on as an alternative to elite- women and child department business advisor, and the man way to jail, he left a wake of offer for the seeker, criminality controlled panthic Sikhism, is from inspecting these with all the answers: corpses, injured followers, to lace his pockets, a lust for now well attested (The Dera ‘orphanages’. Only when he marketing, yoga, TM, world damaged property and a fistful real estate, a protective Sultanates, p 46). There are landed in custody did the peace, FMCG goodies, miracle of real heroes. Eyes remained entourage, fanatic followers and also, of course, spiritual department finally write to healing, salvation from glued to television and mobile politicians bidding for their reasons. Says Jyotir-maya district authorities who existential dilemmas. He (it’s screens as the ‘baba of bling’, boroughs of influence. Sharma, author of several transferred the orphans to state- mostly a he) is also often the Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh A similar media blitz was last books on Hinduism, “The basic run institutions. Amongst them object of secret envy. Though ‘Insaan’, leader of Dera Sacha seen exactly four years ago charisma that draws followers were around 20 minor girls. The claiming a touch of other- Sauda (DSS), was first when rape allegations were to cults is that they can have a dera also ran residential -worldliness, he’s so blatantly convicted and then sentenced levelled against Asaram Bapu two-way communication with schools and colleges within its of this world and totes all the to 20 years, along with fines, (real name: Asumal Sirumalani). God, who otherwise doesn’t borders. Police sources claim toys that boys like—and in for the rape of two of his former It’s difficult to erase the imagery answer directly to their prayers. there was a direct passage from such abundance that it fits most devotees. The anonymous letter piqued by news reports of the Within the ascetic tradition, the the godman’s residence to a common fantas-ies. And if that finally led to the conviction godman being administered a godmen are seen as an girls’ hostel. there’s a whiff of cultic described the rape scene as ‘feather test’ to rule out any incarnation of a God.” Latter-day godmen are of fanaticism at one end, at the out of a Bollywood B-film, with chance of erectile dysfunction The social genesis fades course a kind of genetic mutant other he also possesses that a pistol on the bed and a bef-ore proceeding with a rape into the background as the emerging out of the old sects ultimate aphrodisiac: political pornographic film playing on a trial. Asaram would allegedly gurus attain at a stratospheric and reformist movements. clout. So, it’s always a TRP- TV screen. throw a fruit at a female follower level of popularity and enter the Having lost touch with their booster when a bad boy of A full accounting of what to mark her for his women pop-cult world where new social context, they soon forfeit babadom bites the dust as a went on at DSS may not be apostles to deliver to his ashram seekers of truth need merely to the spiritual one too. Flip the common criminal. possible—the tales are legion. for an ‘anushthan’. His son flip out their smartphone and pages and there is evidence Viewers had their fill of One case that has resurfaced Narayan Sai (also later access social media apps to that every corner of India has exclamations and is that of a man from Jaipur arrested) had an overactive see posts from their gurus. But recorded tales of babas schadenfreude last week after whose wife was escorted out of libido too. a retrospective glance is exploiting their flock, committing the judicial gavel came down their room at the Sirsa dera one The rape allegations against illuminating. Ram Rahim crimes with self-proclaimed on night and never returned. After Kripalu Maharaj, a godman from inherited DSS in 1990 from his divine ind-emnity and political futile att-empts to Allahabad, portrayed a scene no guru under a cloud of quid pro quos. This last aspect lodge an FIR at a less cheesy, with dialogues like controversy. Some say DSS’s partic-ularly attracts notice, Sirsa police station, “Tu mera premi, aa gale lag ja” popularity is an index of a because it challenges the he tried from Jaipur. apparently sending female government push against the construct that a godman only The Rajasthan police devotees into a hypnotic trance. waning Khalistan influence. “He feeds the spiritual void or social eventually filed a Later, older female disciples targeted Mazhabi Sikhs and alienation. closure report with the would tell them they had been then broadened his base. Gurus And yet the connection court and the court “blessed with pure devotion”. know what to offer a consumer between the spiritual and was about to rule on The accounts started flowing and have a cafeteria-like temporal may be nothing new. the closure, when the only when a case was filed in approach with a variety of “The general foundational rape trial concluded and Trinidad and eventually dropped products from which you can assumption is that a godman of led to the conviction. for want of evidence.In 2011, select. Some sell yoga, some whatever variety must be above Possibly the first Kripalu Maharaj’s successor, meditation and so forth,” says worldly considerations and conviction by Indian Prakashanand Saraswati, too Bhavdeep Kang, author of a politics and must dispense courts of a godman for was accused of molesting a book on godmen, Gurus. spiritual solace. But since raping his followers, minor. He jumped bail and The Sikh radicals describe ancient times, godmen have ‘Insaan’ is in fairly tampered with the evidence, but him as the government’s always competed with each quasi-divine was later convicted in absentia Frankenstein. “Following the other for lay members, donors, territory. Babas with a 280-year sentence. It’s green revolution, landless benefactors and royal of all hues and believed he made it back to people felt neglected and the pat-ronage. Many godmen religious India with a fake passport. In a SGPC did not evolve any couldn’t have formed their cults persuasions later account, the survivor mechanism to include them in without royal patronage,” says described the cultist mentality of mainstream Sikhism. The Dalits Sharma. “From 19th century on, her mother, who had told her found solace, fulfilment of basic the modern nation state that that she should “just enjoy it”. needs and a way out of social developed needed an alignment Why do people flock to the evils at the deras,” says with spirituality but that cannot garish Ram Rahim, with his put- Kanwarpal Singh, be done explicitly. If spirituality on ghetto gangsta vibe, spokesperson for the pro- becomes a threat to the state, superhero flicks and pop ditties Khalistan group Dal Khalsa. the state will not tolerate it.” like Love Charger that claim an Ram Rahim claimed to have set But what one gets now is anthem-like appeal among up ‘orphanages’ within his increasingly caricaturish dev-outs? There are social ashram, but without any official versions—often you can trace SPECIAL FEATURE Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 19 2008, the godman’s bodyguards had fired at a crowd of Jat Sikhs at a Mumbai mall, killing Balkar Singh and injuring others. In 2007, a former driver of Ram Rahim had confessed that the godman had allegedly ordered his former accountant Faqir Chand’s murder. The trail had gone dry in both for want of witnesses. “This one conviction will change things the arc even within one entity. his devouts brought back the clashed with Arya Samajis A godman named Sat Saidata corpse to his ‘Santal Dal’ outside his ashram in Rohtak, had set up an ashram at ashram in Sukchar, a village in Haryana. Three people died. A Charkhari in Mahoba, Uttar Hoogly district. The held it year later, when the Punjab & Pradesh, circa 1900. In this hostage for 55 days, claiming Haryana High Court issued an village of Dalits, he offered he was merely in a trance and arrest warrant, the police could them his name and they took it an awakening was imminent. not execute it for two weeks as on as a surname. The village The administration served the godman holed up in his revered both him and his several notices in vain. ashram, protected by a human successors. The fourth Eventually, the police broke chain of thousands of women successor was more open the gates one night, followers. A hundred policemen, ambitious. In 1999, he confiscated the rotting corpse 70 journalists and 30 others convinced a devout old woman and took it for cremation. were injured in the clash that to commit sati. “A sati But the comic aspects divert followed and Rampal was memorial would have drawn attention from the real damage arrested the next day. The more followers. So, the potential—the mix of politics, violent streak was in evidence was seen last year in a state- because the courts have godman was upfront about violence and legal immunity. By again as his followers disrupted owned horticultural garden in ended the state patronisation telling me that he convinced the the 2000s, for instance, a courtroom while proceedings Mathura, UP, where a of the dera,” says Kanwarpal old -woman, whose alternative Asaram’s clout was quite visible. continued. breakaway faction of the Jai Singh. was to live at the mercy of He used to circulate a pamphlet Patiala lawyer Harinder Pal Gurudev cult had set up shop While the protective daughters-in-law and relatives. showing chief ministers, union Singh Verma, the CBI special for two years—running a umbrella is there, of course, He was later arrested,” says ministers and opposition prosecutor against Ram Rahim country within a country. The the ashrams exhibit an Sharma. leaders bending at the waist, since 2007, once had a car original Jai Gurudev passed enviable GDP rate, often Or take ‘Freezer Baba’ palms joined in a salute or of dera followers hit his himself off as Subhas ending like Maharishi Ashutosh Maharaj. Born touching the godman’s feet. vehicle from behind, though Chandra Bose, drawing on Mahesh Yogi, who is said to Mah-esh -Kumar Jha, he had “How can such a man be treated he was unhurt. During the the popular theory that he was have had Rs 50,000 crore left his home and became an like a criminal? Bapu swayam trial, a lawyer-follower of the alive. Pankaj Yadav took over worth properties, or any of ascetic in 1973. A decade later, bhagwan hai (he is God godman also issued a death from him—and Ramvriksh the southern spiritual he set up an ashram in Noor himself),” says a lawyer linked threat to him while was a malcontent unhappy at ‘empires’. Says activist Mahal near Jalandhar that to the ashram. proceedings were on. There being sidelined. Sreeni Pattathanam, soon started attracting migrant Such absolute faith soon are also two murders—of After failed attempts to speaking over phone to labourers from Bihar. In turns murderous. After Asaram Ranjit Singh, a brother of one enforce a ‘Netaji’ currency, Outlook from Kollam, “New- January 2014, the godman and son landed in custody, new of the rape survivors, and of Ramvriksh gathered age gurus have corporatised died, but his trust claimed he cases emerged—witnesses journalist Ram Chander followers—mostly old tribals spirituality. They jet-set and had only gone into ‘deep getting bumped off—and old Chhatrapati, who had and Dalits from eastern UP live lavishly. They use meditation’ and would cases surfaced. Ex-followers published the rape victim’s and MP—and started spirituality to create empires. eventually come out of it. They turned up to depose about letter. Singh’s father and marching towards Delhi. Political powers and big brought in a commercial murders, disappearances and Chhatapati’s son are Midway, he was given space business are -beholden to freezer and kept him in it. In occult practi-ces. The parents witnesses so the CBI feels it in Mathura. The commune them. Most of them avail tax mid--2014, when this reporter of two boys who disappeared has a good case. “Ram had a ‘national song’, a benefits as charitable ventured into the ashram, it from an ashram in Madhya Rahim’s freedom was directly school and other facilities but institutions. Their account took four rounds of frisking Pradesh in 2008 found public connected with these deaths, the core team was secretly books should be made and security checks (the last support. The Supreme Court so he is being tried for stockpiling weapons. When public. But governments are by the Punjab Police). recen-tly issued notices to all conspiracy,” says Verma. police broke through the afraid to touch them because Approaching ‘Freezer Baba’ or states to set up guidelines for Senior advocate Anupam garden’s wall, a gunbattle they are afraid of the his abode was impossible, the witness protection in India Gupta, as amicus curiae, raged till someone set fire to devotees who make up a trust’s functionaries said. The based on a petition by recalled an army intelligence the huts and those in them. sizeable vote-bank.” son, Dilip Jha, eventually Mahendra Chawla (Sai’s former input that had said former Thus ended the devotion of And what happens to the approached the courts to aide) and the fathers of two military personnel were some. Those who, as Kang dera’s mini-empire in Sirsa? cremate the corpse so as to complainants. Meanwhile, a imparting weapons training to says, “make an investment in The children have control as of claim succession. But the probe into Asaram’s tantric DSS followers. Noting the the guru’s purity even more now, but after the government Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan practices lies sealed with the impending rape and murder than the guru”, for whom and judiciary are done with its would not let go of the corpse. Gujarat government since 2013. trials, Justice M. Jeyapaul “anything that impugns the assets, there may not be much At stake was an estate worth Spurts of violence both seem too had said the dera should purity of the guru is left. And Ram Rahim’s followers hundreds of millions of dollars. to come naturally to cults and be searched for weapons and unacceptable”. Trouble is, may carve out a place in Delhi’s The followers of Balak also occasionally cause their its activities monitored. The this is a homicidal sort of Jantar Mantar, squeezing into Brahmachari in Calcutta were downfall. In 2013, followers of apprehension came true—it purity. In Ram Rahim’s case, a tent somewhere between the not as lucky. In 1993, the a self-styled Kabirpanthi was all live on national TV on there are older murder cases respective followers of Asaram godman died in a hospital and godman, Rampal Singh, August 26. Similar mayhem that may now resurface. In Bapu and Sant Shri Rampal. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 TRAVEL 20 Stateless and unwanted: Who are the Rohingya and why are they fleeing Myanmar? Human rights organizations describe the systematic targeting of Rohingyas by the Myanmar government and Buddhist nationalists as ‘ethnic cleansing’. the military junta effectively denied. What is India’s stance on the stripped Rohingyas of their Human Rights Watch has Rohingyas? Burmese nationality and basic periodically released satellite India is home to rights, rendering them stateless. imagery showing wide-spread approximately 40,000 Along with the Rohingyas, an fire-related destruction in Rohingyas, according to the unknown number of Persons of Rohingya villages. The latest Ministry of Home Affairs. About Indian Origin (PIOs) who reside release on September 2, 2017 16,500 Rohingya living in India in Burma are also stateless, estimates that 700 buildings were are registered with the United though they have lived in the burned down. Nations Refugee Agency country for generations. Where are they migrating to? (UNHCR), but their actual According to the Indian According to the United numbers are much higher. The government’s estimates, as Nation High Commissioner for UNHCR says Rohingya refugees many as 2.5 million PIOs could Refugees (UNHCR), 123,000 are spread across six locations Thousands of starving isolated area in western Burma, be living in Burma. Rohingya refugees have fled in India — Jammu, Nuh in Rohingya refugees are fleeing bordering Bangladesh. In the 1990s, the Rohingya western Myanmar since August Haryana’s Mewat district, Delhi, the latest round of violence in The Rohingya are ethnically, Muslims were issued identity 25. Hyderabad, Jaipur and Myanmar, with many being linguistically, and religiously cards, known as ‘white cards’, Bangladesh hosts the Chennai. stranded at the Bangaldesh different from Myanmar’s categorizing them as temporary maximum number of Rohingya The Indian government has border without access to food or dominant Buddhist community. citizens. refugees in the world. The issued Long Term Visas to 500 medicine. The Rakhine region is In 2014, the government held country was already hosting Rohingyas, which will help them The United Nations on Myanmar’s least developed its first census in 30 years, nearly 34,000 registered open bank accounts and secure Sunday said that more than region, with more than 78 per backed by the United Nations. It Rohingya refugees in admission in schools. 75,000 Rohingyas have fled cent of households living below initially permitted the Muslim Kutupalong and Nayapara While New Delhi had Myanmar’s Rakhine region the poverty line. minority group to identify as camps, as well as several accepted Rohingya refugees, it since August 25. Satellite About 1.1 million Rohingyas ‘Rohingya’, but backtracked in hundred thousand has been wary of taking a strong imagery shows entire Rohingya are said to live in Myanmar’s the face of opposition by undocumented Rohingya living stance on the issue, fearing villages burnt to the ground in a Rakhine region. According to Buddhist nationalists. in makeshift sites and local China’s influence on Myanmar. clash between government the International Observatory of The Rohingyas have been villages. Bangladesh, however, K Yhome of the Observer forces and armed militants. the Stateless, after the British the targets of violence considers Rohingyas illegal Research Foundation who has The Rohingyas, Myanmar’s annexed the Rakhine region in perpetrated by both the state as infiltrators and plans to relocate studied India-Myanmar relations Muslim minority, are counted 1824-26, they encouraged well as Buddist nationalist them and refuses to take in any closely says, “India’s position is among the world’s most migration from India. groups. They are denied basic more refugees. that this is an internal affair of persecuted communities. Human Successive Burmese rights, restrictions are placed on Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar.” rights organizations describe governments have maintained marriage, employment, religious Thailand, Pakistan and Saudi On August 9, 2017, the their systematic targeting by the that the Rohingyas are illegal choice. Coupled with this, the Arabia also host Rohingya minister of state for home Myanmar government and migrants from India and abysmal poverty and lack of refugees. In 2015, Rohingyas affairs, Kiren Rijiju, told Buddhist nationalists as ‘ethnic Bangladesh and have refused to development in the Rakhine fleeing bouts of violence were parliament that the cleansing’, which the country recognize them as one of the region had fuelled Rohingya stranded on their boats as government has issued detailed denies. country’s 135 ethnic groups. migration. country after country refused to instructions for deportation of As the international The Myanmar government’s But an unparalleled refugee take them in, earning them the illegal foreign nationals including community once again confronts refusal to grant Rohingya crisis has been brewing since title of ‘boat people’. Rohingyas. a looming Rohingya refugee citizenship status or any legal 2012, when Buddhist nationalists crisis, an explainer on the documentation has effectively burned Rohingya homes and historical and political reasons made them stateless, reports killed more than 280 people and that have left the community Council for Foreign Relations. displaced tens of thousands in stateless: In 1962, after General Ne retaliation for the alleged rape Who are the Rohingya? Win’s Burma Socialist and killing of a Buddhist woman. The Rohingya are Burma’s Programme Party (BSPP) According to the International Muslim minority who reside in seized power, the military Organization for Migration, more the northern parts of the Rakhine government dissolved Rohingya than eighty-eight thousand region(historically known as social and political organisations. migrants took to sea from the Arakan), a geographically In 1982, a citizenship law by Bay of Bengal between January 2014 and May 2015. The Rohingya often pay people smugglers to find them a way outside the country. The resulting boat journeys are dangerous, and have claimed hundreds of lives. After attacks on border posts in October 2016, the ruling government, helmed by Nobel Laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi, intensified its crackdown on Rohingyas. The government forces were accused of arson, rape, extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses that they Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 AUTO 21 Before Daddy: Here’s why Bollywood and underworld refuse to break-up Satya, Vaastav, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai… and now Daddy. As discussion shifts to whether underworld holds relevance anymore, one thing is for sure – the cinema on the subject sure does. a film for them. In fact, one of days. Dawood Ibrahim, Ibrahim, figuring in most of the top actors today — who was meanwhile, was a fan of Rishi them. The fact that most of just starting out then – hid in his Kapoor. The actor wrote in his these ganglords came from vanity van for hours to escape autobiography how he was slums or the underbelly of the aide of an underworld boss invited by the gangtser to his various cities added yet who was waiting for him on film Dubai villa to have tea. Spotted another layer of romanticism sets. The lack of transparency by one of Dawood’s men at the to the narrative. Mahesh in the industry’s financial matters airport, Rishi was handed a Manjrekar’s Vaastav was made it a perfect way to launder phone and told ‘Bhai baat based on Chota Rajan’s life money. karenge’ in the 80s. He was and was a huge success. Whether it was Dawood then invited and Dawood served Ram Gopal Varma understood Ibrahim or Abu Salem, no one the actor and his friends tea the pull of these stories and was immune to the charms of and biscuits. This was much delivered some of his best Satya, Company, Vaastav, friends or family, or probably be the industry. Making it their before the 1993 bomb blasts works such as Satya and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, a part of a wedding soon turned business was the logical next and Dawood becoming India’s Company. Shootout at Agneepath… and now Daddy. It into a business. Underworld step. In fact, author S Hussain most wanted. Lokhandwala, Shootout at is often asked why Bollywood is started investing money in films Zaidi has famously said that don While the grasp of Wadala, Once Upon a Time in obsessed with underworld. The – picking distribution rights of Abu Salem wanted only ‘fame, underworld gradually Mumbai and D Day are just a role of a gangster is a de riguer films and even financing them. fame, fame’. And what could be lessened with the advent of few of the succesful films that before you earn your stripes and Where money power didn’t a better way of grasping it than studio system, the industry’s followed in the genre. Coming establish yourself in the industry. work, coercion came handy. A the glamour industry? Salem, obsession with these larger- up next are Arjun Rampal- However, dig a little and the phone call from the Bhai could who was apparently obsessed than-life stories didn’t. The sstarrer Daddy where he relationship – at its roots — is make a recalcitrant top star say with his good looks, was smugglers of gold, diamonds plays Arun Gawli – yet another symbiotic. Just as the industry yes to films and threats could get fascinated with actor Sanjay and sundry other items of the Mumbai don who came out of came to be obsessed with crime film rights. Dutt and wanted to meet him. 70s morphed into dreaded nowhere to rule his own syndicates, the Mumbai The photos of top underworld He reportedly met the actor mob bosses and the industry’s kingdom – and Haseena underworld was obsessed with bosses with superstars of the era when he delivered two AK-47 portrayal of them gave them Parker where Shraddha the glitz, glamour and fame that are no secret. It is said that rifles to the actor before 1993 broad strokes of glamour. Kapoor will play Ibrahim’s only movies could provide them. Chota Shakeel’s man Rizvi went bomb blasts. While Salem has The makers got readymade sister. Even as discussion has With 80s and 90s came to film set several times with a denied this, it is said that Salem stories replete with ruthless shifted to whether underworld underworld’s increased interest briefcase full of cash, asking to was so overwhelmed after hunger for power, money in holds relevance anymore, in the industry. What started as meet the director and meeting the actor that he could the underworld sags. And one one thing is for sure – the cinema summoning a star to meet demanding that he should make not stop talking about it for particular man, Dawood on the subject sure does. Blue Whale threat: Real or imaginary ? The Blue Whale challenge — a suicide game where the player is given various tasks by an administrator over 50 days, ranging from isolation to self-harm and ultimately suicide — is not really new remove links to Blue Whale and later onto their own flesh. The seemingly prevalent in many parts Challenge, which has allegedly led game advances innocuous of the world is said to have children to commit suicide in the challenges at first, such as waking originated from Russia. The creator country. The directions have come up at unusual hours, or watching of the game, Philipp Budeikin, was from none else than the Law and horror movies alone. However, the sentenced to three years of jail by Information Technology Minister challenges get progressively a court in Russia for having Ravi Shankar Prasad. “People are dangerous. The administrator incited at least 16 schoolgirls to committing suicide due to Blue usually set the tasks over 50 days. kill themselves. He is reported Whale game. Clear instructions The last task involves suicide. to have told investigators when have been issued to all the Although Russia has the highest he was arrested that he was technology platforms that they must victims, ‘The Blue Whale “cleansing society”.The game delink this game immediately Challenge’ has also believed to have asks its participants to perform 50 because under the Indian IT claimed lives in the UK, India and tasks, starting from mundane ones With many questions creator? Is there any forensic ecosystem, no initiative shall be the US. The name comes from the and culminating in taking one’s life. regarding Blue Whale leading to evidence from devices acquired permitted which provokes young phenomenon of beached whales, The participants are told to record suicide by children still remaining from suspected victims of the boys to commit suicide. This is a process by which the mammals all their tasks, which include waking unsolved and unresolved, the big game? Is there any communication plainly unacceptable,” Prasad said. strand themselves on a beach. up at odd hours, inflicting harm on question arises if this threat is real channel that can be intercepted? “I appeal to all the platforms to abide Blue Whale Challenge gives one’s body, listening to or imaginary? Is it mere mass On August 11, the Government of by the direction which the IT certain tasks to its players for a psychedelic rock and so on. There hysteria? Is it sensationalism India directed Google, Facebook, Ministry has given. It is important period of 50-days and the final task is still no clarity as to how spread by cyber world? Or it is real WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and the violation will be viewed very leads to suicide. The player is also participants ‘play this game’. While threat that is tainting the young and Yahoo to immediately remove seriously,” the Minister asked to share photos after some say it might be an app, there minds and leading them to commit the links to the online game, which observed.Blue Whale Challenge’ is finishing every task. The Blue are rumours that it can be done suicides? There are more has led to alleged suicide of an online game that is believed to Whale challenge is an alleged via social media platforms like questions as if Blue Whale is an children in India and other have originated in Russia, where ‘internet/social media game’ Facebook, Instagram etc. The app or a website? Where are the countries. The Government has several teenagers have killed wherein the participants are given game also allegedly involves challenges coming from? Who is made it clear that it will take action themselves over it. The game starts a series of tasks to complete over carving out shapes on one’s hosting the service or app? What against social media platforms and by asking participants to draw a a period of time. The alleged final skin and other forms of self- are the end points? Who is the their operators, if they fail to blue whale on a piece of paper, task is suicide. The game which is mutilation. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 CONTD. 22 Laying BRICS On China Road

Spin doctors in India and Doklam. A boycott of the Summit would unsettled boundary between the Delhi. These are views shared China have been on an While several lessons will be have made it clear that much of two sides peaceful and tranquil by others as well. Recently, overdrive since August 28 to drawn by both India and China India’s anger was directed is clearly not working. “Doklam Indian army chief General Bipin explain to their respective from the Doklam experience, a against Xi and, moreover, it should be seen as a warning Rawat warned that incidents of audiences on how the stand-off particular decision of India’s would also have disappointed about where Sino-Indian stand-off between Indian and at Doklam, where soldiers of the appears to have played a key other member-nat-ions, relations are heading,” adds Chinese soldiers may become two sides faced each other off, role in finding an early resolution particularly Russia and its Raghavan. more frequent along the LAC in raising the spectre of war to the stand-off at the land near President Vladimir Putin, who is A major worry for Raghavan future. Yet, despite scepticism between the two Asian giants, the India--China-Bhutan keen that BRICS remain a vis-a-vis the Doklam episode about BRICS’ future from certain was resolved amicably without a trijunction. This had to do with successful forum. Significant as and its resolution is the quarters, it continues to be a single shot being fired. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s it is, Modi’s decision to prevailing mood in India. He feels grouping useful not only for the But, more importantly, they decision to participate in the participate in the BRICS that because of commentaries development and growth of the had to explain as to how the forthcoming BRICS Summit, Summmit clearly conveys two and analyses, most Indians five member-countries, but also resolution was reached without scheduled to be held in Xiamen, things: India’s commitment to believe that it was China that a large number of developing making any major compromise China, from September 3-5. BRICS and to play a part in the withdrew and looked for a economies in Asia and Africa. from the two countries’ stated Incidents of border stand-off grouping of which it has been a comp-romise because it realised Besides, BRICS continues to be positions. are occuring at more frequent founding member; and second, that a pos--sible war would not a useful platform for Indian and India had moved into intervals since 2013. It shows to make it clear to China that work out in its fav-our. The fact Chinese leaders to meet Doklam, a Bhutanese territory, that the existing mechanism to despite outstanding issues, New that most of these pol-icy bilaterally to iron out many of after China started constructing manage the border issue is not Delhi was keen to resolve them -pla-nners in Delhi believe that their outstanding issues and a road there in violation of working. amicably, through negotiations. India’s ‘firm resolve’ to stand up help the five members to existing agreements. New Delhi “This was a very important At the same time, it also wanted to China was something hailed collectively take positions on a felt that the road was designed and significant decision on to stress on areas where India by most countries in South Asia host of issues that affect them to give China easy access to the India’s part,” says former MEA and China can work together, and elsewhere, was a dangerous all. But it is the forthcoming ‘Siliguri Corridor’—a narrow secretary N. Ravi. “It clearly from which both can benefit. int-erpretation. “This is likely to meeting between PM Modi and passage that connects the shows we have now risen above But despite such positive make Indian policy planners President Xi on the BRICS nor-theastern part of the country the dispute mode,” he adds. signals issuing forth from New more reckless,” he warns. sideline that is being eagerly with the mainland—posing a A debate had been raging in Delhi, there are some who Irrespective of whether the awaited by people in the serious security thr--eat. China, the Indian establishment on caution about the emerging Doklam episode will lead to a subcontinent and beyond. which claims Doklam as part of whether PM Modi should boycott scena-rio and the likely cavalier attitude on India’s part Having amicably resolved the its own territory, on the other the BRICS Summit to show trajectory of Sino--Indian or not, there is no doubt that Doklam stand-off, expectations hand, insisted that India vacate India’s displeasure over China’s relations. “Doklam clearly shows sections in India that had always have also risen in different the land immediately, warning growing belligerence. This how relations between the two been suspicious of China and quarters that the two leaders that otherwise Beijing will have option, predictably, was being sides are now far worse than continues to use the 1962 prism may now direct their officials to to take recourse to measures to championed by the hardliners. what they were some years to see the evolution of future travel down a path that makes forcibly evict Indian soldiers. However, the pragmatists felt back,” says military historian Sino-Indian developments, have Sino-Indian relations more Despite the belligerent Modi should not boycott the Srinath Raghavan, a senior only hardened their position stable, peaceful and productive. statements that poured out of Summit. Earlier this year, India fellow at Delhi’s Centre for after the recent crisis. “India- Doklam didn’t happen in a various sections in China, had boycot-ted the One-Belt- Policy Research. China relations are now more vacuum; one of a series of crisis, negotiations between the two One-Road Summit in China—a According to him, incidents seen as a zero-sum game than it caught the world’s attention sides, especially among its toweringly ambitious initiative of border standoff between as one where they can and prompted the Chinese to senior diplomats and officials, close to Chinese President Xi Indian and Chinese soldiers have cooperate with each other for unleash its usually well--guarded continued in an attempt to reach Jinping’s heart, something he is been occurring more frequently mutual benefit,” says Raghavan. belligerence. Its lessons must an amicable solution. India, keen on being a success. But since 2013—Daulat Beg Oldi, He argues that any development not be confined only to cynical surprisingly, showed admirable India stayed away from the Depsang, Doklam—than they that turns out to be in India’s conclusions of strategic equanimity throughout the Summit, opposed as it was to the were in the past. These clearly advantage is seen with suspicion manoeuverability. In the deft crisis, deciding not to match proposed China-Pakistan- show that the existing by China and those that benefit handling of its resolution may lie China word-for-word in raising Econo-mic Corridor, which is to mechanism to keep the Beijing are resented by New the seeds of lasting peace. the temperature further. pass through Pakistan-occupied Understandably, the Kashmir, territory that India resolution to the standoff on claims to be under Pakistan’s Journalist Gauri Lankesh’s killing August 28 was reached only “illegal occupation”. after both sides agreed to adopt Since then, Modi and Xi have a more flexible position, while met twice—once at the India ranks 136 out of 180 countries in press freedom agreeing to leave the Shanghai Cooperation Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark took the first four positions in the rankings. The United interpretations of how it was Organisation in Astana, States was at the 43rd position. Large swathes of sub-Saharan Africa, including dictator-ruled settled to their respective spin Kazakhstan, where India, along Zimbabwe, performed better than India. This came after a string of journalist deaths and murders, doctors. For India, the with Pakistan, became a full especially in small-town India, including Hindustan reporter Rajdeo Ranjan in Bihar last year. Two bottomline was an assurance member, and the second time on years ago, a similar study by Reporters Without Borders termed India as among the three most from the Chinese that road the sidelines of the G-20 Summit dangerous countries for journalists in 2015. “With Hindu nationalists trying to purge all manifestations of “anti-national” thought from the national debate, self-censorship is growing in the mainstream construction activities at Doklam in Hamburg. The last meeting media,” the report from media watchdog Reporters without Borders said. India was ranked 133 last will stop. For the Chinese, it was was more significant, as it took year. The report mentioned that journalists were increasingly targets of online smear campaigns immediate withdrawal of Indian place when Indian and Chinese and threats.Prosecutions are also used to gag journalists who are overly critical of the government, soldiers. Since Indian troops soldiers were facing each other with some prosecutors invoking Section 124a of the penal code, under which “sedition” is punishable came to Bhutan’s aid to prevent at Doklam. But the impending 9th by life imprisonment.” “No journalist has so far been convicted of sedition but the threat encourages the road construction, it’s BRICS Summit was more self-censorship.” The watchdog was also critical of a social media and internet gag in Kashmir and cessation meant New Delhi’s important, as this was the first said that in the absence of any “protective mechanism, coverage of sensitive regions continued to objective was achieved, paving such meeting being hosted by be “very difficult”. China was 176th among 180 countries and was described as the “world’s leading the way for its withdrawal from Xi since he became president. prison for citizen journalists”. North Korea was at the bottom of the index. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 CONTD. 23 Middlemen In God’s Market We want to believe it is mass Perhaps it has something to do multiple gurus and multiple marketplace. Here there are sense, like a viral meme whose hypnosis. We want to believe he with evolution. The animal needs prophets. China too does not many buyers and sellers: a viral-ness defies explanation is just a teacher, or a good to be part of a pack or a herd. like any challenge to the variety of interpreters of God’s and reproducibility. Until we organiser, or a marketing man, We submit to the queen bee, or Emperor, and hates separating message for the religious, or accept the animal side of or a manipulator and a hypnotist, the alpha male, and feel safe, temporal and the spiritual. But Buddha’s message for the humanity, and that imagination or a performer, but we know that as decisions and responsibility in India, multiple gurus have secular, or for the new-age establishes an irrationality that all teachers, organisers, are outsourced. We are happy thrived along with multiple gods, seekers something to do with is part of the human condition, marketers, manipulators, to be part of a larger picture, for divinity was seen as mysticism, yoga and altered and until we outgrow our need hypnotists and performers anchored in the guru rockstar. manifesting in various ways: states of consciousness. Each to control and predict every cannot be gurus, or rockstars. He, or she, makes us feel rock, plants, animals, one is openly branding and phenomenon, we will never be Some people just connect. And connected to something larger geometrical patterns and stocking themselves in ret-ail able to handle the power of these the connection is inexplicable, than the visible, measurable, humans too. Today, with the rise outlets. Most begin with rational spiritual rockstars, who even to the guru, who may use controllable reality that fails to of Pax Americana—a mixture of (or rationalised) approaches. themselves are clueless of the words like ‘transcendent’ and impress, or empower us. The capitalism and Protestant But then the thunderbolt strikes. source of their power, and so ‘God’ and ‘soul’ and West, with its discomfort with aversion for singular authority— Some become rockstars, where very often corrupted by the ‘consciousness’ to explain it. plurality, rej-ected multiple gods, spirituality has become a rationality ceases to making agency it offers. The Way to Make North Korea Back Down This would include levying In June, the United States The test for President willingness to use its lethal threats or blaming others, the hefty fines on the Chinese identified the Bank of Dandong Donald Trump will be to refrain powers will only grow unless it Trump administration should banks that, unwittingly or as a money-laundering from any impulse to relax is confronted by the specter of work on becoming a credible otherwise, launder money for concern. Deprived of plausible sanctions prematurely when bankruptcy and the consequent financial threat to the Kim Pyongyang and facilitate dollar deniability, Beijing has neither faced with the next major destabilization of its rule. While regime. Only then will the transactions on behalf of North protested vociferously nor provocation by Pyongyang. reassuring American allies United States be in a position Korean entities. A useful ripple retaliated. The same was true And it will come. North Korea South Korea and Japan of the to negotiate from a position of effect from such action can be when the United States sees itself as a revolutionary United States’ steadfast strength, an entirely feasible expected. In the past, China’s charged four Chinese state that cannot live as the commitment to their defense, feat that has nevertheless biggest financial institutions nationals affiliated with the permanently inferior Korean the Trump administration eluded every administration to have voluntarily ceased Dandong Hongxiang Industrial nation. should also persuade Seoul date. Only then will the Trump transfers with banks, both Development Company last Since the Kim regime is and Tokyo not to fall for the administration have offset the North Korean and Chinese, year with money laundering; governed by the need to same trap of settling for an futility of American diplomacy that have been designated by Beijing responded by arresting dominate South Korea by illusory peace in the face of over the past quarter-century the United States as involved the head of the company and threatening the region with Pyongyang’s intimidation. by the kind of resolute action in money laundering. several other executives. nuclear annihilation, its Rather than issuing empty that will save lives. Facebook is gearing up Who is Hardeep Singh Puri? to make money from How We Killed Expertise An alumnus of Hindu College, Delhi University, Singh His own Cabinet and picking a radio talk-show host with no background briefly took teaching as a lecturer at St. Stephen’s col- WhatsApp in science or agriculture for the top science position in the Department of lege, Delhi, before joining IFS. During the JP move- with a global base of customers, like Agriculture. In the far less grand homes of ordinary American families, ment, he actively participated as a student leader. airlines, e-commerce sites, and knowledge of every kind is also under attack. Parents argue with their In today’s Cabinet reshuffle he was inducted as a banks,” according to the blog post. child’s doctor over the safety of vaccines. Famous athletes speculate that Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry the world might actually be flat. College administrators ponder dropping WhatsApp has already started a pilot of Housing and Urban Affairs. program that would feature a green algebra from the curriculum because students keep failing it. This is all badge next to a business contact, immensely dangerous, not only to the well-being of individual citizens, but to indicating that the business was the survival of the United States as a republic. How all this happened, and ‘Citizen who speaks freely no verified by the messaging service. why it threatens our democracy, is a complicated story. Even Alexis de “We do intend on charging Tocqueville took note of the American distrust of intellectuals in the 19th longer safe’: Gauri Lankesh’s businesses in the future,” Chief century, and it only deepened with the social and political traumas of the Operating Officer Matt Idema told the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, globalization and technological advances murder sparks outrage Journal in an interview. Reuters had have created a gulf between people with enough knowledge and education Talking to media in New Delhi, Congress vice reported in March that a potential to cope with these changes, and people who feel threatened and left behind president Rahul Gandhi said: “Anybody who revenue source for WhatsApp was to in the new world of the 21st century. As a result, the implicit social contract speaks against the ideology of the BJP-RSS charge businesses that want to contact between educated elites and laypeople—in which professionals were is pressured, beaten, attacked and even rewarded for their expertise and, in turn, were expected to spread the benefits customers, citing company killed.” “It is very sad that a journalist against of their knowledge—is fraying. Americans live increasingly separate lives documents. Started in 2009, fanaticism was killed. The entire country is with WhatsApp was acquired by based on education and wealth, part of a decades-long “big sort.” What is qualitatively different today is that ordinary citizens seem increasingly her. Truth cannot be suppressed,” he added. Facebook for an eye-popping $22 Lankesh was a known critic of the right-wing billion in 2014. While WhatsApp had confident in their views, but no more competent than they were 30 or 40 and had attacked the Modi government over little revenue at the time of the deal, years ago. A significant number of laypeople now believe, for no reason but its policies and politics. She had been the purchase price was slightly more self-affirmation, that they know better than experts in almost every field. than the market value of Sony Corp. They have come to this conclusion after being coddled in classrooms from convicted in a defamation case filed by BJP Facebook has not focused on kindergarten through college, continually assured by infotainment lawmaker Prahlad Joshi over a 2008 article. WhatsApp so far. The social network personalities in increasingly segmented media that popular views, no matter Minsters from the ruling party condemned the had started showing ads inside its how nutty, are virtuous and right, and mesmerized by an internet that tells attack on Wednesday, asking for a speedy Messenger app in July to further them exactly what they want to hear, no matter how ridiculous the question. investigation. “Terrible news from Bengaluru monetize the chat service. Idema It is easy to dismiss hostility toward experts as a function of a poor education, about the heinous murder of Gauri Lankesh. I but that’s inaccurate. The affluent, educated parents of Marin County in declined to describe the paid features condemn all acts of violence against California, after all, led the way on the anti-vaccine madness. “Dilbert” or say when they would make their journalists,” said sports minister Rajyavardhan debut, according to the report. “We cartoonist Scott Adams, who holds an MBA, has a large audience for his attacks on experts, including his astonishing claim that there’s nothing a Rathore. Minister of information and broadcasting don’t have the details of monetization Smriti Z Irani also condemned the attack. figured out,” he told the Journal. president can’t master in a conversation with a specialist in an hour. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 CONTD. 24

The Deep State Is Real But it might not be what you think. At a conference in mid-July, Barack For a generation, the people who of Trump’s conversations with foreign an inexperienced George W. Bush was Obama’s CIA director, John Brennan, saw something like an American deep leaders) and the absurd (critical tweets arguably led to war by a bipartisan cadre remarked that executive branch officials state—even if they rarely called it that— from federal accounts like that of the of national security insiders who had have an “obligation … to refuse to carry resided on the left, not the right. The 9/ National Park Service). To Trump and long wanted to take out Saddam Hussein. out” outrageous or anti-democratic 11 attacks triggered the rapid growth of his allies, the new president is now the Even the Trump critique about the orders from President Donald Trump. an opaque security and intelligence victim of conspiratorial bureaucrats deep state in revolt, however The comment quickly caught the machine often unaccountable to the threatened by a president trying to exaggerated, is worth consideration. attention of Rush Limbaugh, who saw civilian legal system. In the 2000s, the “drain the swamp.” In August, after Hillary Clinton voters might delight in the nothing short of a threat to the republic. critique focused on a “war machine” of Environmental Protection Agency classified material gushing forth about “He practically called for a coup!” the military and intelligence officials, employees alerted the New York Times the president’s men—but its release can radio host bellowed on the air a few days defense contractors and to an EPA report on climate change they be criminal. (In May, Brennan called the later, warning of a plot orchestrated by neoconservative ideologues who, in feared would be quashed, a headline at intelligence leaks “appalling.”) Yes, the “embeds in the deep state at the some versions, took orders directly from the conservative Breitbart News website president could be covering up Pentagon, State Department, various Vice President Dick Cheney. In the shouted: “Deep State Teams with Fake misdeeds of his own, raising thorny intelligence agencies.” Obama era, the focus shifted to the eerie News.” Even more anxiety swirls around ends-and-means questions. But Trump Embeds in the what? A year ago, precision of “targeted killings” by classified information: In July, the haters should consider the precedent— the term “deep state” was the province drones, and then the furor over Republican-led Senate Homeland and how they would feel if, say, a of Edward Snowden acolytes and fans Snowden, the ex-National Security Security Committee released a report President Kamala Harris were to enter of paperback espionage thrillers. Today, Agency contractor whose 2013 leaks that found the Trump administration was the White House in 2021 and be hobbled Limbaugh takes it for granted that his exposed the astonishing reach of the being hit by national security leaks “on by a similar blizzard of leaks from millions of listeners know what it meant. government’s surveillance. “There’s a nearly daily basis” and at a far higher intelligence officials who consider her The deep state entered America’s definitely a deep state,” Snowden told rate than its predecessors encountered. soft on terrorism. national discourse in 2017 with the the Nation in 2014. “Trust me, I’ve been (After the report was picked up in the Whether any of this means there feeling of an already familiar character, there. conservative media, Trump’s son Donald is a deep state in America depends ready to assume a starring role as hero Even measured academics began to Jr. tweeted a link to it. “If there ever was on your definition. Powerful or villain—depending on how you feel describe a dual-state system in the confirmation that the Deep State is real, bureaucrats with access to about Trump. It’s easy to dismiss the United States, the focus of Tufts illegal & endangers national security, it’s government secrets and trusted idea as the breathless complaint of a University international law professor this,” he wrote.) media friends certainly do try to frustrated president who hasn’t learned Michael J. Glennon’s 2014 book, Thus have the old battle lines flipped. influence presidents from the to work the system. But it’s not that National Security and Double Conservatives who once dismissed shadows. But in Washington, at simple: There really is a kind of cabal Government. Glennon observed that concerns about political abuse of NSA least, their views and goals are not that operates independently of elected Obama had campaigned against Bush- surveillance now complain about monolithic. And unlike their officials in Washington—even if it’s not era surveillance and security policies in intelligence leaks linking Trump counterparts in the developing world, quite what Trump or his conservative 2008 but acquiesced to many of them associates to the Kremlin; liberals who they do tend to execute the orders allies think it is. as president—suggesting a national- not long ago were denouncing the CIA they’re given by the president, Political scientists and foreign policy security apparatus that holds sway even for its unaccountable power have however grudgingly—and are experts have used the term deep state over the elected leaders notionally in discovered new affection for the heroes committed to upholding the rule of for years to describe individuals and charge of it. at Langley who might uncover law. institutions who exercise power Enter Donald Trump. After January impeachment-worthy dirt. Some of the subversion and leaks independent of—and sometimes over— 2017, the unaccountable string-pulling Beneath the politics of convenience Trump has faced are merely federal civilian political leaders. They applied it bureaucracy suddenly came to seem, is the reality that a large segment of the employees defending their turf from budget mainly to developing countries like especially to liberals, less a sinister U.S. government really does operate cuts and bone-headed ideas. That’s far Algeria, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, cabal than a crucial check on a without much transparency or public from the way the right-wing blogger Mike where generals and spies called the real president determined to blow up the scrutiny, and has abused its awesome Cernovich described matters in August, shots in nominally democratic societies system we had come to take for granted. powers in myriad ways. And sometimes when he told fellow conspiracy theorist and and replaced elected leaders when they Trump was openly hostile to much of the government bureaucracy really does talk-radio host Alex Jones that the deep saw fit. (Turkey and Egypt have recently the government he now ran, and its exercise power over the commander in state would turn, literally, murderous: moved to more overt security-state institutions began fighting back, chief: Obama felt that the military “Trump will be killed. … They’re going to dictatorships, in which the deep state is sometimes in public ways. They did so pressured him into sending more troops kill us, they’re going to kill him, they’re going the only state.) with a combination of the severe (leaks to Afghanistan than he had wanted, while to kill everybody.” Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 WORLD 25 Ghazipur disaster: Stop our cities from becoming choked with garbage Apart from the fact that they are dangerous and dumping garbage like this causes the leaching of dangerous chemicals into the soil, it would be unfair to citizens of that neighbourhood to export the city’s garbage to their locality. What is needed is dedication and discipline from both the civic agencies and the citizens to effectively implement segregation of waste at source to reduce the amount of garbage that reaches landfills. waiting to happen for a few had broken out in the Deonar only 20% should reach the years now. It is estimated that landfill that took nearly 10 days landfill. Building new landfills is about 3000 metric tonnes of to bring under control. not the solution. Apart from the garbage are dumped at the While half-hearted fact that they are dangerous Ghazipur site every single day; attempts have been made to and dumping garbage like this in spite of the fact that this landfill segregate waste at source and causes the leaching of One of the big problems two people is a warning to all was supposed to have shut down to create waste to energy hazardous chemicals into the of massive urban agglomerations civic agencies. The National in 2002, when it was filled to plants within these landfills, soil, it would be unfair to and cosmopolitan cities such as Green Tribunal (NGT) has even capacity. The piles of there has been no real change citizens of that neighbourhood Delhi and Mumbai is that of issued show cause notices to unsegregated garbage lead to in the way that Delhi deals with to export the city’s garbage to waste management. Solid waste the Delhi government, the East the formation of highly the problem of waste their locality. What is needed generated in a city the size of Delhi Municipal Corporation flammable methane gas; that has management – be it e-waste, is dedication and discipline Delhi needs to be immediately (EDMC) and others over the caught fire in pockets, several biodegradable waste or plastic. from both the civic agencies reduced, reused, and recycled collapse. times, putting at risk the lives of As a report in the Hindustan and the citizens to effectively if we want to save our cities from This 70-acre garbage many of the ragpickers who work Times has highlighted, 50% of implement segregation of becoming choked with garbage. dump is situated in the middle there every day. Delhi has learnt the generated garbage is fit for waste at source to reduce the The collapse in the Ghazipur of a densely-populated part of no lessons from Mumbai, where composting and 30% is amount of garbage that landfill that led to the death of the city and has been a disaster in March 2016 a massive fire recyclable; which means that reaches landfills. Doklam issue: China’s Xi Jinping has a PLA problem The Doklam pullbacks suggest that the removed chief of the People Liberation Army’s joint staff department, General Fang Fenghui, was an obstacle to clinching a deal with India and probably was responsible for precipitating the standoff in the first place.

The Doklam debate has encroachment deep into Ladakh. military fully under his control. missed one key element: The The encroachment, the worst in During his 2014 India visit, mutual withdrawal deal was many years in terms of the Xi appeared embarrassed by the clinched just after Chinese number of intruding troops, accompanying PLA President Xi Jinping replaced overshadowed Xi’s visit. encroachment and assured the chief of the People It is bizarre that the PLA Modi that he would sort it out Liberation Army’s (PLA) joint would seek to mar in this upon his return.Soon after he staff department. This topmost manner the visit of its own head returned, the Chinese defence position – equivalent to the of state to a key neighbouring ministry quoted Xi as telling a chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs country. Yet Chinese Premier Li closed-door meeting with PLA of staff – was created only last Keqiang’s earlier visit to New commanders that “all PLA forces year as part of Xi’s military Delhi in 2013 was similarly should follow his instructions” reforms to turn the PLA into a preceded by a 19-km PLA and that the military must display force “able to fight and win incursion into another part of “absolute loyalty and firm faith reforms, Xi has used his anti- one generation after the 1868 wars”. Ladakh that lasted three weeks. in the party.” He has conveyed corruption campaign to ensnare Meiji Restoration. Boosted by The Doklam pullbacks Such provocations might that same message repeatedly a number of top PLA officers. war victories against Manchu- suggest that the removed chief, suggest that they are intentional, since then, including recently on He has also cut the size of the ruled China and Tsarist Russia, General Fang Fenghui, was an with the Chinese government in the 90th anniversary of the ground force and established a the Japanese military gradually obstacle to clinching a deal with the know, thus reflecting a PLA’s creation. Had civil control new command-and-control went on to dictate terms to the India and probably was preference for blending soft and of the PLA been working well, structure. civilian government, with tragic responsible for precipitating the hard tactics. But it is also would Xi repeatedly be But just as a dog’s tail cannot consequences. standoff in the first place. Fang possible that the provocations demanding “absolute loyalty” be straightened, asserting full The PLA’s increasing clout was fired just days after he underscore the continuing from the military or asking it to civil control over the PLA is has led China to stake out a hosted America’s highest- “disconnect between the military “follow his instructions”? proving very challenging. After more muscular role, including ranking military officer, General and the civilian leadership” in Under Xi’s two immediate all, the party is ideologically and resurrecting territorial and Joseph Dunford. China that then U.S. Defence predecessors, Hu Jintao and morally adrift and depends on maritime disputes, asserting new To be sure, this was not the Secretary Robert Gates had in Jiang Zemin, the PLA gradually the PLA to sustain its political sovereignty claims, and using first time that PLA belligerence 2011 warned about. became stronger at the expense monopoly and ensure domestic construction activity to change in the Himalayas imposed Xi’s purges of generals and of the party. The military’s order. The PLA, with its soaring the status quo. It won’t be long diplomatic costs on China. A admirals and other reform- growing power has troubled Xi, budgets and expanding role to before the PLA rekindles classic case was what happened related actions have been a former military reservist whose safeguard China’s overseas Himalayan tensions with a new when Chinese President Xi designed to consolidate his present wife — folk singer Peng interests, sees itself as the encroachment. Jinping reached India on a state authority over the PLA and Liyuan — is a civilian member ultimate arbiter of Chinese China’s internal politics visit in September 2014. Xi ensure that it does not blindside of the PLA, holding a rank nationalism. clearly has a bearing on its arrived on Prime Minister the government. But as Fang’s equivalent to major general. The structural change in external policy. China’s Narendra Modi’s birthday with a firing and other latest changes As part of his effort to China parallels what happened prospective rise as a praetorian strange gift for his host — a in the PLA leadership highlight, reassert party control over the in Imperial Japan, which rose state will adversely affect the predawn Chinese military Xi is still working to bring the military and carry out defence dramatically as a world power in security of its neighbours. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISMENT 26 Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ART & CULTURE 27 Why Mobile phone brands in India are moving zones in all major cities in the through all kinds of channel”. more stores in India in next two country including Delhi, With these Moto Hubs across the years. Xiaomi has a bigger Hyderabad and Bangalore by country, Motorola hopes to create reason for propping up offline end of this year. After being open, engaging hubs for 18 to stores across the country, Jai present in India since 2014, 30yrs old customers at all buzzing Mani, Lead Product Manager, Motorola too launched six retail retail sites in India. Known world Xiaomi India said, “Last year we set ups simultaneously across the over as online only brand, Xiaomi launched Mi air purifier, I think country and the company plans too invested in offline stores a lot of people have definitely to open 50 more, which are called called Mi Homes in India. After not bought a product like air Moto Hubs, by the end of this opening about 50 stores in China, purifier online. So if people financial year. However Motorola Xiaomi brought its first Mi Home come to the store to see the does not see it as an offline in India this year in May at a phone, they will see the air expansion strategy but an shopping mall in Bangalore. Even purifier and see what it looks like expansion of experience though the Mi Homes in India so it’s a great way for people to It’s surprising how all the major money off of their online only strategy, Sudhin Mathur, were a vastly different from the experience our products. For online only mobile phone brands presence. Then you wonder why Country Head, Lenovo Mobile big experiential Mi Homes in those products (non in India that have been known in the last one year, all of these Business Group, India said, China, it was a big move for smartphone) offline is really the to create virtual stampede every brands have tried to one up each “There is a strong demand Xiaomi as the company was key experience and MI home now and then are now moving other in building offline shops in from our consumers to touch, seen as one of the most popular lets us control how the products back to brick and mortar stores. the country. Most recently feel, and experience our online smartphone brand in India. are displayed, and control the Smartphone brands like Xiaomi, Coolpad announced the launch products. The market has The latest Mi Home however is experience of the people who OnePlus, Motorola and others of its first experience zone in become very big, more than an experience store in one of the walk in the store. It’s a great way have been extremely popular in India and the company is looking 100million customers now buying most popular mall in NCR and to reach more people and helps India; they have all managed to to expand its offline presence by smartphones and we need to Xiaomi has already set up five us sell different types of make quite an impact and opening six exclusive experience cater to all kind of consumers stores and has plans to open 100 products.” Shell company directors siphoning Sebi warns of rising external debt risks as off funds face up to 10-year jail term masala bonds surge The government has also identified chartered accountants, company The rupee-denominated bonds, popularly known as masala bonds, are likely to add to the nation’s secretaries and cost accountants associated with shell firms in certain cases. external liabilities even if they don’t hold any risks “However, even prior to such action, if they have siphoned off any money, strict to currency movement says SEBI. action would still be taken against them,” the release said.During a review meeting chaired by minister of state for corporate affairs PP Chaudhary in New Delhi on Wednesday, it was also decided that directors of such shell companies which have not filed returns for three or more years, would be disqualified from being appointed in any The rupee-denominated bonds, popularly other company in that position. known as masala bonds, are likely to add to the Further, such persons would be nation’s external liabilities even if they don’t hold barred from being reappointed as any risks to currency movement, a top Sebi directors in any of the companies where official said on?Wednesday. they had been directors, “thereby “When money flows into the country from compelling them to vacate office”. “It is foreign investments, we are attracting some risks expected that as a result of this exercise, and it is not currency risk alone. Masala bonds The government said on Wednesday struck off the names of more than 2.09 at least two to three lakh of such don’t hold any currency risks but at the same directors or authorised signatories of lakh companies from the records as they disqualified directors shall get debarred,” time, the external liability of the country goes up. deregistered companies who try to have not been carrying out business the release said. Noting that all efforts This needs to be kept in mind,” Sebi whole- time siphon off money from the firms’ bank activities for long and banks have been are also being made to identify the actual member G Mahalingam said here. accounts can face up to 10 years directed to freeze their bank accounts. beneficiaries and persons behind shell “And a huge amount of foreign inflows at a imprisonment. Besides, the directors “In case the director or authorised companies, the government said the time when the currency has been substantially of shell companies that have not filed signatory of any ‘struck off’ company profiles of directors are being gathered appreciating is something the regulators must their returns for three or more years tries to unauthorisedly siphon-off money by the agencies. Details such as be concerned about,” he said, addressing a would be disqualified from holding from its bank account, he/she may background, antecedents and their role capital markets summit organised by industry such position in any other firm. attract punishment of imprisonment of in the operations/functioning of shell lobby Ficci. The government has also identified not less than six months extendable to companies are being compiled in The masala bonds are debt instruments chartered accountants, company 10 years,” an official release said. collaboration with enforcement through which designated domestic entities can secretaries and cost accountants The government also said that if the agencies. raise funds by accessing overseas capital associated with shell firms in certain fraud involves public interest, the “The professionals, chartered markets, while the bond investors hold the cases. Continuing its crackdown on punishment would not be less than three accountants/ company secretaries/cost currency risk. In fact, the World Bank arm IFC the black money menace, the years of imprisonment and the quantum accountants associated with such shell thus far has raised the largest amount through government said identification of more of penalty would be three times the companies and involved in illegal this instrument. According to some estimates, shell companies is in progress and amount involved. activities have been identified in certain the masala bonds accounted for 39 per cent of efforts are on to find the “actual Already, the directors or the authorised cases,” the release said. Action being the total ECBs of USD 7.39 billion reported by beneficiaries and persons” behind signatories of such companies have taken by the apex institutes concerned the Reserve Bank in the fourth quarter of FY17, such entities. been restricted from operating the firms’ against such individuals is also being while the approvals for the same rose to USD The corporate affairs ministry has bank accounts. monitored by the ministry. 2.9 billion over USD 0.8 billion in the third quarter. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 BUSINESS 28 Cuddling, saying romantic things to your man may enhance relationship happiness According to a recent study, for enhancing sexual satisfaction and relationship happiness, behaviours like cuddling, saying romantic things or decorating a room romantically may be appealing, especially for men.

even for men, are than 2,000 men and being romantic or sexual romantic and affectionate women, who completed the with one another, behaviours,” said lead survey, many have enhancing both their author Debby Herbenick. engaged in a wide variety sexual satisfaction and “These included kissing of behaviours and that relationship happiness,” more often during sex, some are fairly common. they stated. This research cuddling, saying sweet/ They noted that although has many implications for romantic things during sex, many men and women the future understanding of making the room feel rated a range of sexual adult sexual behaviours. romantic in preparation for behaviours as appealing Sexuality educators, sex, and so on,” Herbenick and may have tried them clinicians as well as people added. A sample of in the distant past, fewer in the general population Americans was asked engaged in them in the past will now have a better about whether they have month or year. The data understanding of the engaged in more than 30 highlights opportunities for prevalence and diversity of sexual behaviours. In couples to talk more openly sexual behaviours For enhancing sexual saying romantic things or men, finds a study. addition, they investigated with one another about experienced by adults in satisfaction and decorating a room “Contrary to some the level of appeal of nearly their sexual desires and the U.S. general population. relationship happiness, romantically may be stereotypes, the most 50 sexual behaviours. interests. “Together they The research is published in behaviours like cuddling, appealing, especially for appealing behaviours, They found that in the more may find new ways of journal PLOS One. Want to spice things up in the bedroom? Listen to sexy music More reasons to embrace the keto lifestyle. A low The sexier we find the music, more sensual becomes the touch for us, according to the carb, high fat diet may be key to long life study.through a curtain where it that the duration and A low carb diet also helps increase longevity and was stroked by a controlled intensity of contact was robot movement.At the always the same, it could improve physical strength, says a recent study. same time they listened to additionally demonstrate pieces of music, which that the observed transfer they later evaluated on a effects from music to touch scale of being “not at all are based on very basal sexy” and “extremely mechanisms — rather than sexy”. In one of their by a person’s imagination experiments that involved a to be touched by a person human assistant, the of a certain sex or researchers found that the attractiveness who listens It is a well-known fact administered sexiness of music is to the same music. that music can evoke a simultaneously,” said study transferred to the touch “Music seems to range of emotions. leader Tom Fritz from Max experience. Interestingly, change our perception of Researchers have now Planck Institute for Human when the participants knew touch. Certain features Consuming a ketogenic diet — which is high fat, found that it can even Cognitive and Brain in advance that they would seem to be transferred low protein, and low carbohydrates — may not only influence our sense of Sciences in Leipzig, be stroked by a robot from music to touch,” Fritz help in weight loss, but also increase longevity and touch. The sexier we find Germany. rather than by a person in said. One explanation improve physical strength, says a recent study. The the music, more sensual The research, the experiment, the music could be that the emotional study, conducted on mice models, showed a 13% becomes the touch for us, published in the Journal of still had the same effect expression in single increase in median life span for the mice on a high according to the study. Experimental Psychology: regarding sexiness of musical sounds follows the fat versus high carbohydrate diet. “In humans, that “We have observed General, involved a robot touch. same dynamics as would be seven to 10 years. But equally important, that the sexier we perceive administering incognito Using a robot’s emotional expression with those mice retained quality of health in later life,” said music, the sexier we also touches. Study participants automatically controlled touch, the study said. nutritionist Jon Ramsey from the University of perceive touch that is placed their forearm brush did not just ensure California - Davis. In addition, the ketogenic diet increased memory and motor function (strength and coordination), and prevented an increase in age- Role play, BDSM, and more: Advice every related markers of inflammation. It also had an impact on the incidence of tumours as well, the researchers youngster must have for a great sex life said. The older mice on the ketogenic diet had a better “Some things are better than its erogenous zones. Let your psychological control of a memory than the younger mice, which is really sex, and some are worse, but imagination run wild and discover submissive partner (sub). It’s remarkable, the researchers said. According to the there’s nothing exactly like it,” said your fantasies. Don’t shy away from critical to remember that study, detailed in the journal Cell Metabolism, eating Amercian actor-comedian WC experimenting with kinks either. So informed and explicit consent is a ketogenic diet ramps up the production of the ketone Fields. We couldn’t agree more. But the next time you’re in bed with your at the core of BDSM, so both body beta-hydroxybutyrate acid (BHB), which helps to have unforgettable sex, you need partner, you can let them know partners need to be on the same improve memory and increases lifespan. “This study to have your basics in place (no, exactly what you enjoy, which leads page. BDSM often involves use indicates that a ketogenic diet can have a major impact what you saw in porn doesn’t to better, more satisfying sex. of props like leather whips, on life and health span without major weight loss or count). So, read up before your next 2) Experiment with BDSM handcuffs, and leashes. It’s restriction of intake. It also opens a new avenue for hot date. It might feel like a scary idea at important that you engage in BDSM possible dietary interventions that have an impact on 1) Find out what turns you on first, but BDSM can lead to some with a highly trusted partner who ageing,” Ramsey said. For the study, mice were split A number of young people are memorable orgasms. BDSM respects you. Also, decide on a into three groups: a regular rodent high-carb diet, a a bit clueless when it comes to what (Bondage, Domination, Sadism, safe word beforehand – at any point low carb/high fat diet, and a ketogenic diet (89-90% truly gets them going. Spend some Masochism) involves a dominant during intercourse if you feel like of total calorie intake). The ultimate goal is to find a alone time exploring and partner (referred to as ‘dom’) taking stopping, say the safe word. It way for humans to benefit from BHBs without having understanding your own body and complete physical and should act like a signal to stop. to go on a restrictive diet, the researchers said. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 LIFESTYLE 29 Parineeti Chopra gets trolled on Instagram

Parineeti Chopra gets trolled on (FOA) advocacy panel. So she was loss journey, Pari in an earlier post Instagram. Bollywood celebrities taking a break from the shoot, as had written, “I was constantly made are not new in getting trolled on she is currently in Australia on fun of, but the person I was, I social media and such incidents are holidays. Parineeti shared some generously laughed with them. increasing day by day. Recently pictures on her Instaram account Today, many people ask me what Priyanka Chopra got trolled for and after that she gets trolled on triggered the weight loss; did I give Syrian visit and now her cousin internet. A few of the hate comments in to the “Bollywood pressure”? To Parineeti chopra gets trolled on read, “Ma’am pahle aap jyada that I say – thank god I became an Instagram. khoobsurat thi” while another read, actor and had that pressure!” On Recent Tourism Australia has ”Aap ki face bhi isi ke jaisa deikh the work front, Parineeti is currently appointed the stunning Bollywood raha hai… dieting band kar di jiye. busy shooting for ‘Golmaal Again’ actress – Parineeti Chopra as the This is not the first time that the directed by Rohit Shetty along with first Indian woman ambassador to actor has been a victim of internet Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi and be a part of the ‘Friend of Australia’ trolls. Opening up about her weight Tusshar Kapoor. Sonakshi Sinha urges fans Aishwarya Rai Bachchan BALD photo goes VIRAL A photo of Aishwarya rai Photoshop perhaps can to clean Mumbai beaches is breaking the internet sometimes do more where she is seen damage than without hair. yes, without good.Aishwarya Rai hair . The message Bachchan BALD photo behind this picture is that goes VIRAL This is not the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai first time Aishwarya has had donated her been a target to such fan- gorgeous locks to God, to made hoaxes. Few seek blessings for an months ago there was news eternal beauty. Aishwarya claiming that owing to Rai Bachchan BALD growing tensions and Bachchan BALD photo Rai Bachchan BALD photo goes VIRAL The discord with her in-laws i.e goes VIRALApparently, photo goes VIRALIn story behind this picture the Bachchans, Aishwarya her bold scenes and other news hoax was that is that this is a had deliberately overdosed intimacy with her co-stars she is pregnant . Well, photoshopped picture. In on tranquillisers at her on screen (remember Ae all this is rubish . reality this picture was residence, in an attempt to Dil Hai Mushkil?) was the Aishwarya is not clicked outside a temple. end her life! Aishwarya Rai reason behind it.Aishwarya pregnant and this picture is also a hoax Ram Rahim’s special relationship with Rakhi Sawant Ram Rahim-Rakhi Sawant close relationship with Bollywood.ram relationshipThere are many pictures relationship : Ram Rahim who has rahim-rakhi sawant of Ram Rahim and Honeypreet is been jailed for 20 years will not be relationshipAccording to information, getting viral on social media, in which able to make a film now. Cine And in the success of a film of Ram both are showing up with many Bollywood actress Mumbai beachesIt should Tv Artistes Association (CINTAA) has Rahim, Rakhi Sawant looked on Bollywood stars.ram rahim-rakhi Sonakshi Sinha is using be noted that Sonakshi will canceled his work permit. Not only a regular platform took selfie with sawant relationshipThe political her star status for soon be seen in the thriller has this, but Indian Film & Television Ram Rahim.ram rahim-rakhi leader of Ram Rahim was also something good. The 30- film ‘Ittefaq’, directed by Directors‘ Association (IFTDA) sawant relationshipAfter getting something that all the leaders of year-old-actress has urged Abhay Chopra. The movie terminated the membership of his the punishment for Baba, Rakhi the party were drawn to the Sacha her fans and followers to is an adaptation of the adopted daugter Honeypreet along had said that Ram Rahim was Sauda.ram rahim-rakhi sawant clean up the beaches in 1969 film by the same with Ram Rahim.ram rahim-rakhi very good friends of her. In the relationshipAlong with many Mumbai.Taking the matter name. The film will also star sawant relationshipNow Honeypreet next movie they can get a chance politicians, Baba Ram Rahim has to Twitter, she tweeted, Sidharth Malhotra and will not be able to make the film, but to play. Ganeshji will release them a very close relationship with “Hope there comes a day Akshaye Khanna. for some time Ram Rahim had a very soon.ram rahim-rakhi sawant Bollywood. when we dont mess it up to begin with! Come on guys, join in to Sunny Leone and Daniel Weber with Nisha look awesome in these pictures #freethebeach!” Alongside Sunny Leone and Daniel spotted at airport. They going back. Until then she her tweet, she shared a Weber with Nisha look were not alone . Nisha was thought she was going on poster of the event, which awesome in these pictures. also with her parent . Nisha a road trip. But we have read, “Join the citizens… Sunny Leone and Daniel was wearing a denim top read up and consulted Gandhi Statue, Juhu Weber are the most and pink pants with her our friends about how to beach, September dashing couple of hair tied in a small bow. cope with her at this 6.Sonakshi Sinha urges bollywood industry. Now , Daniel hold her and Sunny stage, and we have fans to clean Mumbai they have adopted a baby also was with them . Sunny accepted that it’s going beachesThis is not the first girl and named her Nisha was looking too gorgeous to take her some time to time a B-town celebrity has Kaur Weber. Sunny and in a formal dress . Sunny adjust in this new campaigned for the beach Daniel adopted her from and Daniel are giving an environment.” Well, it is clean-up. Last month, Latur. Sunny spend most of example of good parents . so good to see how Sunny actress Dia Mirza, along the time with her daughter Both of them take care of and Daniel are doing their with her producer-husband . Her husband Daniel too their baby girl . When talk best to keep Nisha Kaur Sahil Sangha, was seen as grabbed eye balls with his about Nisha Daniel said, ” Weber comfortable and part of the appearances with the When she came home, I happy. We wouldn’t mind initiative.Sonakshi Sinha adorable baby. Recently think that’s when it dawned to see more of their pics urges fans to clean Sunny and Daniel were upon her, that she is not after this private outing! Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ENTERTAINMENT 30 Kangana Ranaut onslaught: Hrithik Roshan, Aditya Pancholi, Adhyayan Suman While Aditya Pancholi has threatened legal action against Kangana Ranaut,react Hrithik Roshan has refused to react. Adhyayan Suman claimed he had no idea about what Kangana said. Almost a year after raking (Hrithik) sent me a notice to come there. It was a kind of all lies. She has to prove that I up a controversy over seeking an apology and asked house arrest. Then I went to have done that. My family is her alleged relationship me to organise a press meet his wife. His daughter is a very much affected by it. My with Krrish 3 co-star conference to clear his name. year older than me. My film wife and I will take legal action Hrithik Roshan, He said he will date the pope Gangster was about to release against her,” he added. Kangana Ranaut but not me. He also threatened then. I met his wife and asked Adhyayan Suman had revisited the me to leak mails and do other for her help. She said to me that earlier accused Kangana of public spat last things if I don’t apologise.” they are happy whenever he is practising black magic and had weekend In her interview with Rajeev not at home otherwise he raises even physically hit him. when she Masand, she further said, “He his hands on domestic helps Kangana told Sharma that gave three runs away when he sees me. and others around. It’s actually beating him up wouldn’t have explosive In fact, when we broke up in good for us if he is not around, been a bad idea. “He was 95 interviews 2014 and after that one year so I can’t help you.” kgs and I was of 49 kgs. How talking when he was harassing me and Reacting to the allegations, could I ever hit him? I wouldn’t about, stalking me, I complained to his Aditya told Bollywoodlife, “She be able to? However, now that I amongfather. I told him that his son is is a mad girl, what to do, did look at it I should have hit him,” others, harassing me, stalking me, has you see the interview? Didn’t she said. Hrithikhacked my account and he’s you feel like some mad person When Indian Express Roshan, Aditya not letting me get into any other was talking? Who talks like that? contacted Adhyayan, he told Pancholi and relationship. So his father said We have been in the industry them, “Sorry haven’t heard Adhyayan Suman. I’m going to arrange a meeting for so long, nobody has ever about the interview …been Kangana claims she for you. Since then, I’m hoping spoken anything so evil about too caught up with the more has been in a relationship with to get a meeting with him to have anyone. What should I say, important things in life… and all three. a two-word conversation with she’s a mad girl. If you throw I am not interested in While Aditya Pancholi has him and ask him that he’s telling stones in mud, it will only spoil knowing about it either.” threatened legal action against the world he doesn’t know me.” your clothes.” After being told what the her, Hrithik simply walked away When asked about Kangana, “I am going to take a legal action Queen star has said in her when asked about Kangana. Hrithik walked away from the against her. She is lying that’s interviews, he added, “It’s ok Adhyayan Suman, on the other reporters in a recently uploaded why I am taking legal action for people to have opinions and hand, has claimed he does not video on YouTube. Talking against her. I don’t know about at this time I don’t have one. know about the interviews! about Aditya, she told Rajat other people, but as far as my Will talk soon. Need to get back In her interview with Rajat Sharma, “He got an apartment story goes and what she has for my shot.” Sharma, Kangana said, “He for me but didn’t allow my friend spoken about me, she has said After slamming Kangana Ranaut’s ‘current circus’, Sona Mohapatra blasts celebs, paid Singer Sona Mohapatra, who made headlines of her own after writing an open letter to KanganaPRs Ranaut, slammed celebrities and their paid PR armies in a series of tweets Tuesday. Singer Sona Mohapatra began ‘journos’ hankering after this masala” at public for you. Long, long before Monday by writing an open letter to whom she blew her nose with an emoji. It’s you turned queen et all but your Kangana Ranaut in which she said the the same journalists she appears to be current run across the airwaves Bollywood star was guilty of “doing a targeting in these tweets. regurgitating personal details of disservice to feminism” by “washing her The Simran star has been making your love life over & over again, dirty linen” in public and reviving her fight headlines recently, by revisiting several washing dirty linen in public & with Hrithik Roshan. On Tuesday, after feuds she has developed over the years - more so as part of a facing backlash for voicing her opinions, her mud-slinging with Hrithik Roshan, professional PR campaign she took to Twitter to slam “paid PR” and allegations against Aditya Pancholi and before your film release is the “celebrity circus trap”. In her open Adhyayan Suman, and verbal fights in bad taste. No two ways letter, which the singer had posted on her with the co-writer and director of her about it. Also, it does a big Facebook page, Sona said “Your success new film. She’d even written an open dis-service to the cause of doesn’t need this tabloid trail. Your well letter of her own following her onscreen feminism & fair play. thought out & superbly worded open letters spat with filmmaker Karan Johar on his Wish you well & wish of the past, fearless interviews addressing talk show, Koffee With Karan. Kangana you would rise above larger issues, taking a stand, taking legal had called the director a “flag-bearer this muck & make your recourse are welcome. The current of nepotism” in a fiery appearance on point through actions ‘circus’, not.” She was addressing the show, and in the letter, addressed & your work. Your Kangana. She posted a couple of tweets her Rangoon co-star, Saif Ali Khan, who success doesn’t in defence of her letter too.She’d ended had sided with Johar. Dear Kangana, I need this the letter by calling out “the so called have always cheered loudly, in private & in tabloid trail. Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ENTERTAINMENT 31 When the North Koreans aren’t conducting nuclear tests, they’re watching films like Baahubali, Krrish The biannual Pyongyang International Film Festival has screened films like Baahubali, Krrish and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. We asked North Korea for more While they’re not celebrating North Korean citizens another “however details.it has been very difficult ‘successful’ hydrogen bomb view on the world,” Nicholas in finding a sales company tests, North Koreans are Bonner, a China-based interesting in supporting a small apparently watching Bollywood filmmaker who helps “coordinate cinema (sic).” hits like Bajirao Mastani and foreign films shown” at the festival It’s still unclear how these films Krrish. told us through email. “The are sourced. Bonner identified The Pyongyang International audiences love them,” he said. himself as one of the co-directors Film Festival, which celebrated its The 2016 edition included an of a film called Comrade Kim first year of existence in 1987, even bigger slate of Indian films. goes Flying, a film the Toronto has had a long history of The Tamil film, Kanavu Variyam; International Film Festival screening Indian films. Their Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram declares the first “Western- website - which compiles a list of Leela follow-up, Bajirao Mastani; financed fiction feature made films screened at biannual event Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar is Back; entirely in North Korea”. - mentions Ranbir Kapoor-starrer SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The According to a New York Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Beginning and Kangana Times article published in 2012, films like Gurinder Chadha’s The Interview (he died in a Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish as having Ranaut’s ‘Many Weds Manu Bonner “steered (the North Bend it Like Beckham - were scene scored to a Katy Perry been screened at the 2014 Return’ (Google translate Korean writers) toward comedy heavily censored to suit the song), prompted hackers to edition (in the Informative flummoxed, perhaps) were and away from the more insular North Korean tastes. steal thousands of Screening category), while screened in the Informative predictable propaganda line of Like most outside media, films confidential documents from Ranveer Singh, Deepika Screening category. However, triumph through hard work.” too are restricted in North Sony Pictures, the film’s Padukone’s Ram Leela, and the obscure film, Ramsingh For the longest time, though, Korea. And foreign films about home studio. Threats of a Sunny Deol’s Singh Saab the Charlie was the only Indian the Pyongyang International Film North Korea are even less terror attack followed, which Great were screened in addition to the competition lineup. Festival showed mostly welcome. It was rumoured resulted in the film’s theatrical competition the same year. The festival would like to propaganda films. The few that the portrayal of their release being pulled. It was finally “It is a very positive way of screen more Bollywood and international titles that passed the leader, Kim Jong-un, in the released via home video and on cultural engagement and showing ‘Malayalum’ films, Bonner said, thorough screening process - 2014 Seth Rogen comedy, streaming. Varun Dhawan’s October girl, Banita Sandhu: Shoojit Sircar reveals how she was discovered

point”. He says, “But slowly, Juhi, actress? “It has never mattered Ronnie (Lahiri; producer) and I to me if I am working with zeroed in on her and were sure established or non-established that, ‘She is the girl we should go actors. The demands of the for’. My casting director also felt script is all that matters. The that she was the right person for script required a certain face, this character.” The film-maker vulnerability and innocence, adds that the project will go on so we did many auditions,” he the floors within a few weeks. “We says. are still working on finer details, Shoojit admits that but most probably, we should start “established names” were also in October,” he says. Be it considered. “But Juhi, Ronnie Minissha Lamba in Yahaan and I thought that Banita is (2005), or Ayushmann Khurrana perfect for the character. In and Yami Gautam in Vicky Donor the past, if I have worked with (2012), Shoojit Sircar has a Minissha, Yami, Nargis Fakhri knack for finding newer faces. in Madras Café (2013), “Please don’t say that; I don’t Deepika (Padukone) in Piku have any such knack (laughs),” (2015), or the three girls in he says, adding that what he Pink (2016); they worked as Remember the stunning been chosen for the project. for the film. He says, “I didn’t always hunts for is the ‘feel’ and characters and not just model from the DoubleMint ad Shoojit says, “Everybody pursue it further at that point, as ‘vibe’ in an actor. because they were last year who went on to loved Banita in a chewing gum we were still working on the So, what made him choose a established or non-established become a sensation of sorts? commercial that I had directed. script. Then, we locked the script newcomer, when he could have stars,” he says. Now, the same girl, Banita It had almost 40 million hits. While and Varun was finalised. We did easily worked with an established Sandhu, from Wales (UK), is I was shooting the ad film, Juhi look at other actors [for Banita’s set to make her big Bollywood (Chaturvedi; writer) and I were part], but then one day, I called debut in Shoojit Sircar’s also working on the script [for this her and told her that I may be October, co-starring Varun film]. So, one day, I clicked a casting her in the film, and that Dhawan. There has been a lot picture of Banita and sent it to she should start doing of buzz about Banita and it is Juhi saying, ‘She has the workshops,” he says. The Piku only now that her identity has potential to fit into the character (2015) director admits that been revealed. In fact, Shoojit that we are looking at’.” Until then, although Banita had been given reveals he took his own time the film-maker hadn’t told Banita the news, the film’s makers telling Banita that she has that she was being considered “weren’t absolutely sure until that Wednesday 13 to 19 September, 2017 ADVERTISMENT 32