DELHI THE HINDU 8 EDITORIAL TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE The language of Pakistan India must guard against the type of politics that shaped, and continues to ruin, Pakistan a higher pitch. In October 2017, rence to the then military dictator ment of Muslims, which is other­ Congress leader P. Chidambaram of Pakistan. “Speak to Pakistan in wise impossible to establish. Con­ said in response to the appoint­ the language Pakistan under­ versely, Kashmir also becomes the Party and symbol ment of a new Government of In­ stands,” Mr. Modi said in 2013, site for the demonstration of the dia interlocutor for Jammu and when asked what he would have resolve of the ‘New India’ where Delhi HC order on ‘Two Leaves’ deepens Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma: “The done if he were the Prime Minister ‘appeasement’ is replaced with V arghese K. George T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s political dilemma demand in Kashmir Valley is to during the 2008 Mumbai terror brute show of strength. respect in letter and spirit Article attacks. he Delhi High Court verdict upholding the allot­ ur fight is for Kashmir, 370. And that means that they ‘Internal enemies’ ment of the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol to the AIADMK not against Kashmiris,” want greater autonomy… There­ Post­Pulwama air strikes The cries for revenge against ‘in­ Tjointly led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappa­ “OPrime Minister Narendra fore, I think we should seriously Last week’s military strike inside ternal enemies’ is getting louder di K. Palaniswami and Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam Modi said at a Bharatiya Janata Par­ examine that question and consid­ Pakistan has been characterised and shriller, pushing the entire

has come as no surprise. The Election Commission’s ty rally at Tonk in Rajasthan on Fe­ er on what areas we can give auto­ GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO by many as a clean break from the country to the edge. “India’s big­ November 23, 2017 order had ruled in its favour based bruary 23, which it now turns out nomy to Jammu and Kashmir.” Mr. that comes out only in campaign past. The real break from the past gest threat comes from its own in­ on the group’s majority in its organisational and legisla­ was setting the scene for the mili­ Modi responded: “Why are Con­ rhetoric. Jaswant Singh writes of came in 2014 itself when Mr. Modi visible internal enemies,” a Hindi tary strike inside Pakistan three gress leaders lending their voice to the India­Pakistan rivalry that Par­ called off a scheduled bilateral film director posted on Twitter tive wings. The claim of the faction headed by V.K. Sasi­ days later. The Indian strikes fol­ those who want azaadi in Kash­ tition “compartmentalised and meeting with Pakistan citing its along with a video clip of National kala, a confidante of the late Jayalalithaa, and her ne­ lowed a suicide terrorist attack mir? Congress is shamelessly using then tightly sealed the Hindu­Mus­ High Commissioner’s meeting Security Adviser Ajit Doval, in phew, T.T.V. Dhinakaran, to the party’s name and that killed 40 Central Reserve Pol­ the language that is used by sepa­ lim animosities; cementing fester­ with Kashmiri separatists, a rou­ which he makes the case that India symbol weakened after Mr. Palaniswami and Mr. Pan­ ice Force personnel on February ratists in Kashmir and is spoken in ing grudges into near permanent tine affair. Mr. Modi overturned never lost to a foreign power un­ neerselvam, who were in rival factions earlier, decided 14 in Pulwama in Jammu and Kash­ Pakistan.” Mr. Modi’s statement hostilities; what was domestic Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy which less betrayed by internal enemies. to come together in August 2017. Since then, they have mir. The Jaish­e­Mohammad, a ji­ ended Mr. Sharma’s mission as (Hindu­Muslim) became interna­ had three components: empower A Delhi lawmaker, formerly of the consolidated their position by getting Mr. Dhinakaran’s hadi group that operates from Pa­ soon as it was announced and the tional (India­Pakistan).” regional mainstream parties, en­ Aam Aadmi Party and now a Modi kistan, claimed responsibility for former chief of the Intelligence Bu­ The Congress’s Pakistan policy gage the separatists, and involve supporter, circulated a video last loyalists among MLAs disqualified and outmanoeuvring the attack. reau is now cooling his heels. “in effect was only an extension of Pakistan. Mr. Modi shut Pakistan week, in which he asks Mr. Modi to him in both the party structure and in court cases. Mr. Modi spoke in some detail “If the BJP loses in Bihar by mis­ Congress’s Muslim appeasement out of the equation; disengaged deal with the enemies across the Their unity was forged with the common aim of keep­ to explain how violence against take, then victory­defeat will be in policy,” wrote A.B. Vajpayee in with the separatist groups; and has border while offering that people ing out Ms. Sasikala, who was briefly elected interim Kashmiris that erupted in other Bihar but crackers will be burst in 1973, only two years after the Ban­ constantly undermined the main­ would meanwhile deal with the general secretary of the AIADMK after Jayalalithaa’s parts of India could strengthen di­ Pakistan,” BJP president Amit gladesh war. When India’s Pakis­ stream parties in the State, namely traitors inside. YouTube has since death in December 2016, and her nephew. The court visive forces, but the same speech Shah had said during the 2015 As­ tan policy is understood only as the Peoples Democratic Party and removed the video, but the law­ has ruled that the EC was well within its powers to ap­ had another statement that sembly election campaign in the “appeasement” of Indian Mus­ the National Conference, in the maker has found support on social showed where the edge of his pol­ State. If that insinuation is not self­ lims, one Hindutva leader thought last five years. A principle that the media. “Deal with them right now, ply the majority test and allot the symbol to the faction itics is. “I regret how some people explanatory, Mr. Modi went a step the best way to reach out to Indian current government has followed the mood in the country is suita­ that had more members in the general council and in its who live in India continue to speak ahead in the 2017 Gujarat cam­ Muslims was to appease Pakistan. in faith and the practice is that ble,” a ‘spiritual guru’ told a prime complement of MLAs and MPs. The court did not enter­ the language of Pakistan,” he said. paign: “Pakistan’s former army di­ That led to L.K. Advani travelling there is nothing to be negotiated time anchor who helpfully asked tain arguments that the Commission should have ruled It is this pronouncement of the rector general Arshad Rafiq said all the way to Karachi and praising with anyone in Kashmir or about what is to be done with those who against the Panneerselvam­Palaniswami faction be­ Prime Minister that has caught on that in Gujarat, Ahmed Patel [pol­ Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 2005. Kashmir with anyone, least of all are against India. cause it had changed the party’s basic structure by following the Indian air strikes. On itical secretary to then­Congress That move, however, boome­ Pakistan. Anyone suggesting This level of intolerance and call abolishing the post of general secretary; and the con­ Sunday in Patna, he accused all president Sonia Gandhi] should be ranged, set him on the downslide anything out of line with this is ac­ for mindless violence, fuelled by Opposition parties and profession­ made the Chief Minister.” He went and paved the way for the launch cused of talking the language of religious majoritarianism, and tention that the Commission’s order was vitiated by als who have raised questions re­ on to accuse his predecessor, Man­ of his loyalist, Mr. Modi, who Pakistan. calls to cleanse the nation of inter­ malice because it granted additional opportunities for garding India’s Pakistan and Kash­ mohan Singh, and the Opposition would displace him as the more If Pakistan is projected as repre­ nal enemies are indeed the lan­ filing affidavits, after which many reneged on their ear­ mir policy of helping Pakistan. Congress party of being in collu­ authentic bearer of the Hindutva senting the internal and external guage that first shaped but conti­ lier statements on which group they belonged to. sion with Pakistan to make an In­ mantle. threats to the nation, Kashmir be­ nues to ruin Pakistan. Prime The Dhinakaran faction has decided to appeal in the A fifth column? dian Muslim the State’s Chief Mi­ Mr. Modi made Pakistan a leit­ comes the location of Hindu vic­ Minister Modi is right — it is a mat­ Supreme Court against the order that has set back his ‘People who live in India but are nister. motif for Hindutva mobilisation in timhood, an essential component ter of grave concern; a lynch mob political fortunes. At the same time, it wants a common loyal to Pakistan’, a fifth column According to the notion of citi­ which the idea of an external ene­ of Hindutva mobilisation. The might just succeed where the sui­ symbol to contest elections. Mr. Dhinakaran himself that threatens the nation, has been zenship and territory in what may my and an internal alien fuses into massive violence and disposses­ cide bomber has repeatedly failed. a recurring allusion in Sangh Pari­ be called the Hindutva Strategic a convenient ensemble. He per­ sion faced by the Hindus in the To turn India into a cauldron of won a by­election to the Assembly from the RK Nagar var politics. Mr. Modi has, like he Doctrine, Indian Muslims are of­ fected this tool in the 2002 Gujarat Valley at the hands of jihadis vali­ strife like Pakistan. constituency as an independent with the ‘pressure has done with several components ten understood as an appendage campaign, which was almost en­ dates the Hindutva notion that the cooker’ symbol. He may have to register his party, the of Hindutva politics, raised this to of Pakistan. This is not a thought tirely on ‘Mian Musharraf,’ a refe­ community is a victim of appease­ v [email protected] Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), with the EC to get a common symbol. Ever since he began run­ ning a faction in the absence of Sasikala, who is serving a four­year prison term, he has been trying to make the A pivotal election in Thailand best of bad situations. He spent months in a Delhi pri­ The system is configured to the military’s advantage, but Thaksin Shinawatra may hold the key son himself on an allegation that he attempted to bribe an unknown EC official to get the party symbol. His pol­ royal status. Ms. Ubolratana’s an­ Party, led by former Prime Minis­ even if it won the majority of con­ itical survival has so far hinged on tactically preserving nouncement and the King’s public ter Abhisit Vejjajiva, is holding its stituencies. The Pheu Thai has, #70929 a dual identity: running a party on the one hand, and statement opposing her candida­ cards close to its chest; his public therefore, created a front of sever­ ture left no wiggle room for the stance is that his party will not join al political parties, so that all get a keeping his group’s claim to the AIADMK’s identity alive Election Commission, which has any coalition with the Pheu Thai few seats under the proportional through court cases. It is clear he is seeking to preserve since announced the list of official or any party which is seen as a representation system. This net­ his claim until the mainstream leadership is defeated in P inak Ranjan Chakravarty candidates for prime ministership front for the military. work will also help it function in an election, in the hope that a majority of the party’s without her name on it. The Pheu Thai Party is tipped to the extreme event of any ban be­ primary members will rally behind him. The coming A colourful personality, Ms. win a free and fair election in Thai­ ing imposed on the party. general elections and as many as 21 Assembly by­elec­ fter repeated postpone­ Ubolratana, who is very well edu­ land. Hence the military govern­ Thai politics, long dominated tions will be an acid test of his political survival. ments by the military go­ cated, has been active in social ment has worked assiduously to by the r oyal family and the Thai vernment in Thailand, the welfare projects in Thailand. She scuttle this prospect. One such military, with the support of the A GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO country’s general elections are established a close rapport with threat is a possible ban on the par­ Bangkok­based business elite, re­ now scheduled to be held on former Thai Prime Minister Thak­ family member to throw her hat ty by the Election Commission if mains in eternal search of an or­ Alarming spread March 24. Princess Ubolratana Ra­ sin Shinawatra, who is currently in into the ring of politics since Thai­ Mr. Shinawatra is found to be in­ derly democratic transition. Elect­ With H1N1 now a seasonal flu strain, care jakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, exile. She registered as the prime land became a constitutional mo­ volved in the party’s decision­ ed civilian governments are 67, the daughter of the late King ministerial candidate for the Thai narchy in 1932. Pitched against a making. Mr. Shinawatra mean­ routinely ousted by the army, workers and others at risk must be vaccinated Bhumibol Adulyadej, and eldest of Raksa Chart Party, which is allied royal opponent, Gen. Prayuth while has been refusingto kowtow earning Thailand the dubious dis­ n a short span of 55 days (till February 24) this year, four siblings, created a political with the Pheu Thai Party he had would have run into the realm of to military diktats and uses social tinction for among the highest tsunami recently by announcing established. His sister, Yingluck the unknown, given the respect media to broadcast his views, number of coups d’état. The cat­ the number of influenza A (H1N1) cases and deaths her candidature for prime minis­ Shinawatra, was Prime Minister and adulation that Thais extend to some of them critical of the ruling and­mouse game between the ar­ Ireported from India reached an alarming 14,803 and tership. Ms. Ubolratana’s political too, till she was overthrown in the royal family. military junta. The Pheu Thai Par­ my and political parties has per­ 448, respectively. The highest numbers were from Ra­ bid — she had renounced her royal 2014 by the current military junta, A staunch royalist, Gen. Pray­ ty in turn strictly avoids any men­ sisted for decades. jasthan (3,964), Delhi (2,738) and Gujarat (2,726). Uttar status and privileges after her past headed by the former Army Chief, uth may possibly be receiving a tion of Mr. Shinawatra in its cam­ Thailand’s military is loathe to Pradesh was next, with 905. While Rajasthan and Guja­ marriage to an American national General Prayuth Chan­ocha . Ms. helping hand from the King who paign and public part with power and has skewed rat had the highest number of deaths, at 137 and 88, res­ — was rejected by her brother, the Shinawatra too is in exile after the may want to avoid any political pronouncements. the polity to prevent a strong and pectively, Delhi recorded seven deaths despite record­ current King, Vajiralongkorn Bo­ military junta managed to convict upheavals before his formal coro­ vibrant democracy from taking dindradebayavarangkun, who said her in a case of rice subsidies for nation in May. Gen. Prayuth has al­ The military’s gameplan root. Yet the democratic urge of ing around the same number of cases as Gujarat. There that such a high­ranking member farmers. ready announced his candidature The Thai military junta has consis­ the Thai people cannot be sup­ appears to be no let­up, with the number of cases and of the royal family entering the The Pheu Thai Party remains for Prime Minister representing tently tried to re­engineer politics, pressed. The outcome of the forth­ deaths steadily rising. What is more disturbing is that political fray was against the coun­ the most popular political party in the Palang Pracharath Party, first by promulgating a new Consti­ coming election — under a flawed the number of cases reported till February 24 is nearly try’s royal customs, tradition and Thailand, with a largely rural vote which is pro­military . Gen. Pray­ tution in 2017, prohibiting political Constitution — may not truly re­ the same as that recorded in the whole of 2018 (14,992). culture. base in the relatively more popu­ uth’s main opposition will come meetings and campaigning by pol­ flect the people’s mandate, though At about 450, the number of deaths till February 24 is lated rice growing north­east of from the Pheu Thai Party. . itical parties. In this it has found a the restoration of the democratic nearly half the total reported in 2018 (1,103). The actual Electoral realities the country. Mr. Shinawatra, a te­ The electoral outcome will dic­ ready pool of political opportu­ process will redeem in some mea­ Ms. Ubolratana challenged the lecom tycoon, retains his popular­ tate the shape of the next govern­ nists, hankering for power . Gen. sure the people’s democratic number of cases and deaths this year is likely to be high­ Election Commission guidelines ity among Thailand’s rural voters ment. Will there be a national un­ Prayuth has used the opportunity aspirations. er as West Bengal has not reported the data to the Inte­ which prohibit parties involving and urban sections of the working ity government with participation to campaign in the countryside grated Disease Surveillance Programme. Moreover, the members of the r oyal family in class, primarily because of his ef­ by the major parties? This ques­ under the cover of roving cabinet P inak Ranjan Chakravarty is a IDSP data are based only on laboratory confirmed cases politics and elections, by claiming forts to institutionalise cheap tion has arisen because the King meetings. The 2017 Constitution Distinguished Fellow at the Delhi­based and deaths. The H1N1 virus, which caused a pandemic that her status is that of a com­ health care and subsidies for agri­ may want a show of unity, with was crafted to prevent the Pheu Observer Research Foundation. He is a in 2009, has since become a seasonal flu strain globally, moner. The King objected to this culture. His supporters appear to him being the rallying point. It is Thai Party from forming a govern­ former Secretary in the Ministry of including in India, and causes fewer deaths. According argument, asserting that she re­ have glossed over his financial no secret that the King had close ment again, and a proportional re­ External Affairs, Government of India and mains a member of the royal fami­ malpractices. ties to Mr. Shinawatra. presentation system designed to a former Ambassador to Thailand. The to the WHO, in 2009 the number of laboratory con­ ly despite her renouncing her Ms. Ubolratana is the first royal The pro­royalist Democratic deprive it of p arliamentary seats, views expressed are personal firmed deaths caused by the pandemic strain was at least 18,500. But a 2012 paper in Lancet Infectious Dis­ eases mentioned 2,84,000 deaths, which was 15 times LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. more than the number of laboratory confirmed deaths. On February 6, the Union Health Ministry had re­ Behind restraint also recognise this. writer appears concerned postponed war between the Demonetisation hurt the are in a competitive mode viewed the preparedness and action taken by States to The writer (Editorial page, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, over the inappropriateness sworn enemies. But it will be informal sector, leading to an and they are becoming deal with influenza cases when the number of H1N1 cas­ “Lines being crossed”, H yderabad of crossing international naive to think that this air employment crisis. The opinion makers instead of es and deaths stood at 6,701 and 226, respectively. Des­ March 4) says that all boundaries even when the strike will deter Pakistan stance of the government being news providers. The countries including the U.S. ■ With due respect to former U.S., Russia, Israel and from carrying out anti­India that the move was initiated print media is smug that a pite the number of cases and deaths more than dou­ have been reluctant to cross and top officials under the Turkey have done so with activity. The only plausible mainly to root out black dexterous heading will be bling in less than 20 days since the review, the Ministry the Rubicon and enter into United Progressive Alliance, I impunity when their national remedy is to co­opt the local money was changed to one indistinguishable to readers has made no additional effort to contain the spread . It an open confrontation with have to say this. During their interests were threatened populace in Kashmir; about achieving digitisation. but should be aware that the has issued a guidance “recommending” vaccines for Russia. But the fact is the innings they did their best to and challenged. The otherwise India will be On the agricultural front, common man can discern health­care workers, and deeming them “desirable” for U.S. did cross into Pakistan counter Pakistan. But, government was duty bound fighting a war not only with there was a lack of focus on biased reportage. On TV those above 65 years of age and children between six by air to get Osama bin unfortunately, it was not to protect its citizens, which Pakistan but also with its improving methods of channels, panel discussions months and eight years. Surprisingly, people with pre­ Laden. That was not effective as Pakistan still it failed to do, despite own citizens. cultivation. Instead, populist are noisy and often test the existing chronic diseases, who are most susceptible to construed as an act of war. continues with its successful international approval. Deepak Singhal measures such as writing off patience of viewers. Our government too did not policy of bleeding India. To say that “India’s finest Noida loans and compensatory There are numerous burning H1N1 complications according to the WHO, have been cross the Rubicon and tried Times are changing and we years were during the period allowance are being social issues in the country ignored — though its own statement released on Febru­ diplomatic means to get also have to change our 2009­2012” is strange. This Economy watch attempted to garner votes. that remain untouched by ary 6 had said more deaths were seen in people with Pakistan to wipe out tactics. Earlier methods are was a period when There is no denying the fact These ad hoc measures are the visual media and the diabetes and hypertension. With H1N1 becoming a sea­ terrorism on its soil. That past their expiry date. governance began that the government resorted not going to bring in a lasting larger focus is only on sonal flu virus strain in India even during summer, it is didn’t work. Hence we M.S. Mani, unravelling with corruption, to demonetisation without solution. politics. The media’s social advisable that health­care workers and others at risk get crossed into Pakistan to kill Chennai inflation and a deteriorating fully comprehending the V. Subramanian, responsibility is found Chennai themselves vaccinated. Despite the sharp increase in the terrorists who have situation in Kashmir. basics of the Indian wanting (OpEd page, “From been targeting our citizens ■ The writer’s justification P. Vaidyanathan, economy. Added to that was the Readers’ Editor”, March cases and deaths, the vaccine uptake has been low. Be­ in Jammu and Kashmir. for inaction post the 26/11 Chennai a hurriedly imposed GST, Note for the media 4). sides vaccination, there needs to be greater awareness Why is this any different? attacks is most which contributed to In order to be ahead in the R. Sridharan, so that people adopt precautionary measures such as Let the people in power unconvincing. The attacks ■ The incident of an Indian sluggish economic growth scoop news supply to the Chennai frequent handwashing, and cough etiquette. today do their jobs as they struck at the vitals of our pilot being captured and (Editorial, “Deepening public, it is indisputable that more letters online: deem fit. The media should national interest. Yet the later released may have slowdown”, March 4). many TV channels in India www.hindu.com/opinion/letters/

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 OPED 9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE The loss of intellectual autonomy Solar powerhouse For residential consumers to see rooftop solar as a viable To define one’s identity or community in terms of an exclusive religion is a vexed European notion electricity option, building awareness is crucial some form in the past. But these through various avenues, so that it is accessi­ were not thought to be part of one ble to all segments of the population and in single entity called Hinduism, so that local languages. Such awareness drives will those who owed allegiance to any reach larger audiences. Information kiosks one of these sets of practices did not can be set up in public institutions like banks think of themselves as belonging to a to offer information on the technology, as Rajeev Bhargava single system of belief and doctrine U ttara Narayan & Amala Devi well as on practical issues such as guidance in competition with and opposition on selecting vendors. A robust feedback me­ to all others. Indeed, mobility across chanism can be put in place for consumers No person in today’s world likes to be communities and multiple allegianc­ In February, the Cabinet Committee on Eco­ to share their experiences with others. told what to do or what to think. The es were common. As a result, most nomic Affairs approved phase 2 of the grid­ Consumer rights groups, rooftop solar young are particularly keen to have people refused to be slotted into ri­ connected rooftop solar programme, with a system vendors, and resident welfare asso­ the freedom to decide which beliefs gid, compartmentalised entities. focus on the residential sector. India has set ciations (RWAs) in larger cities are beginning to form. Intellectual autonomy is They were religious but did not be­ an ambitious target of achieving 40 GW of to organise campaigns and workshops to widely considered to be an impor­ long to a religion. This has virtually rooftop solar capacity by 2022. However, generate awareness and create a dialogue tant value. This was probably not ceased to be the case. while there has been progress on rooftop so­ with consumers. In November 2018, for in­ true in the past when large numbers Second, religious belief or prac­ lar installations among industries and com­ stance, the Bangalore Apartments’ Federa­ of people were illiterate, knowledge tice, or adherence to a doctrine, was mercial consumers, the uptake among resi­ tion held a workshop on residential rooftop was produced and stored by a few, never viewed as a condition of mem­ dential consumers has been slow. solar to sensitise their members. Several and there was wider social legitima­ bership in a wider national commun­ Urban residential electricity consumers RWAs have initiated discussions with resi­ cy for submission to those with pow­ ity. One’s religious or linguistic iden­ are still hesitant to consider rooftop solar dents to explore collective installation of er and authority. GETTY IMAGES/ ISTOCK PHOTO tity made little difference to one’s power for their homes. This is because they rooftop solar, starting with common facili­ However, even then, poets and belonging to the nation. Alas, now, don’t have enough information about it, ac­ ties like lifts and water pumps. philosophers routinely felt that intel­ English culture — if culture it can be sentiments is superseded without for many inhabitants of our territory, cording to a 2018 study by the World Re­ lectual autonomy is smothered by called — has increased tenfold the comparison or competition by a new a nation cannot but be defined in sin­ sources Institute in five cities — Bengaluru, Lessons to learn temptations of power. Asked by his evil of our dependence instead of re­ cast representing an alien culture gle religious or linguistic terms. An Chandigarh, Chennai, Jaipur and Nagpur. Since the market for residential rooftop solar pupils on how to relate to rulers, the medying it.” which possesses one like a ghost.” To exclusivist conception of the ethnic power is nascent, there are opportunities to medieval philosopher­saint Al Gha­ A more catastrophic malady re­ be sure, when two cultures come in­ nation — entirely against the spirit of Limited access to information learn from more mature consumer durable zali said, “It would be disastrous to sulting from this “well meaning bon­ to sustained contact with one anoth­ local Indian religions or conceptions For residential urban consumers, one of the markets. For example, RWAs can tie up with go to a ruler to offer unsolicited ad­ dage” was the loss of intellectual au­ er, there is bound to be give and take. of nationhood — devised first in key barriers to installing rooftop solar sys­ vendors to organise demonstration pro­ vice. It is acceptable to offer your opi­ tonomy. The watchword of Indians, One culture might even give to the Spain in 1492, developed further dur­ tems is that they do not know who to contact grammes, so that consumers can observe, nion if the ruler sought you. But it is he argued, has become “authority”, other more than it takes from it. Ho­ ing the European wars of religion, to understand the processes to be followed operate and understand how the system best if he goes his way and you go blind acceptance of ideas coming wever, all creative assimilation in­ and perfected in the 18th or 19th cen­ and permissions required. There is no single works. yours.” either from outside, from Europe, as volves a real conflict of ideas, and tury has seized the Indian mind. source to access information, evaluate bene­ It is important to also acknowledge that was the case of the then English­edu­ elements of an alien culture can be Thanks to narrow­minded education fits and disadvantages, and examine if any enthusiasm for rooftop solar energy largely Strategy of intellectual control cated Indians, or from inside, from accepted only after “full and open­ institutions and now the electronic government support (such as a financial sub­ comes from those with higher disposable in­ Since the end of the 18th century, as fossilised traditions, as was the case eyed struggle has been allowed to de­ media, the idea was first disseminat­ sidy) is available. Most of the technical infor­ comes and who live in their own houses. technologies of knowledge produc­ of traditional pundits. It was as if the velop” between the two encounter­ ed and then unquestioningly accept­ mation provided by various sources, includ­ This is one of the several reasons that elec­ tion became increasingly available to only choice before Indian intellec­ ing cultures. ed by Indians as if it were a long­held ing the government, tends to be tricity utilities are not very supportive of larger sections of society, intellectual tual elites was a hyper­westernised indigenous Indian idea. In accepting Internet­based. The study shows that less consumers generating their own power, as autonomy has been threatened not modernism or ultra­traditionalism. Two alien ideas in India today this alien idea of religion and nation than 20% of respondents rely on the Internet this would impact their revenues. Rooftop only by state power, but in other invi­ Some elites would have every detail I am afraid we have allowed two without proper comparison or com­ to make a decision concerning rooftop solar solar is a promising energy source for eve­ dious ways. Colonialism is a case in of their life determined exclusively deeply problematic alien ideas to pe­ petition with Indian ideas of faith systems. A significant majority of consumers ryone, including socio­economically weaker point. The British strategy of intellec­ by Western ideas. Others would have netrate our collective consciousness and community, we have sacrificed seek face­to­face discussions and recommen­ consumers. However, awareness building tual control was implemented by them fixed only by shastra, custom without thorough questioning or intellectual autonomy and gone dations from friends and family. sessions need to be socially inclusive and crafting a system of education rather and scripture. Each wanted to re­ proper comparison with ideas ema­ down the road to hell from which Eu­ Devising simple, well­designed and crea­ should take place during periods when con­ than brute coercion. Although the form the other, which was nothing nating from our intellectual tradi­ rope has itself yet to recover. tive ways to disseminate information is im­ sumers are likely to be at home. best of our thinkers outmanoeuvred but a call to substitute the authority tions. One is the idea of religion, and To define one’s identity or com­ portant to help consumers make informed The uptake of rooftop solar across eco­ this system — after all our most origi­ of “Guru Sayana with the authority the second, a particular conception munity in terms of a single, exclusive decisions. Information must be made easily nomic categories is also contingent on poli­ nal thinker of this period, Gandhi, of Max Mueller” or the “dogmatism of the nation. Religion, as a demar­ religion — Hindu, Muslim or any oth­ available to the consumers on the amount of cies that make it more accessible and affor­ was a product of this very education of European scientists and scholars” cated system of practices, beliefs and er — is a perverse European notion, a shadow­free roof area needed for generating dable. Consumer groups and development — it created acute anxiety among self­ with the “dogmatism of Brahmin doctrines, is largely an early modern mark of our cultural subjugation, a a unit of electricity and pricing; operating organisations have a significant role in syste­ reflexive thinkers. For example, Sri Pandits”. The absence of real choice European invention and begins its symptom of the loss of our intellec­ the system, after­sales maintenance and sup­ matically following key policies and institu­ Aurobindo lamented the “increasing was a symptom of an undermined existence in and through the theolog­ tual autonomy. To have done so is to port; and reliable rooftop solar vendors. tional procedures and ensuring that con­ impoverishment of the Indian intel­ capacity to think on one’s own, the ical disputes of the 16th and 17th cen­ have uncritically abandoned our The local electricity linesmen, electricity sumers’ concerns in accessing reliable lect” in the face of new knowledge power of humans to accept or reject turies. Under the impact of colonial­ own collective genius for something inspectors, and other nodal officials in the information are addressed. Raising aware­ imposed by European contact. nothing without proper questioning. ism, this category came to India and ill­suited to our conditions. Can this electricity department also have key roles to ness and building consumer capacity to en­ “Nothing is our own, nothing native Much the same conclusion was obliged Indians to think of them­ be reversed? Is it too late to heed Sri play. Building their capacities to disseminate gage with the sector are crucial for ensuring to our intelligence, all is derived,” he reached, a decade later, by the In­ selves as members of one exclusive Aurobindo’s warning or follow Gand­ such information and handle consumer qu­ access to affordable, reliable, sustainable complained. “As little have we under­ dian philosopher, K.C. Bhattacharya. religious community, not just diffe­ hi’s example? Can we recover our eries and concerns, and providing basic and modern energy for all and for India to #70929 stood the new knowledge; we have In ‘Swaraj in Ideas’, Bhattacharya rent from but opposed to others. It is collective intellectual autonomy? training in billing and metering for solar achieve its rooftop solar targets. only understood what the Europeans feared that Indians might suffer from of course true that gods and goddess­ power can go a long way in improving con­ want us to think about themselves a subtler form of domination “when es, ethical norms and prescriptions, R ajeev Bhargava is Professor, Centre for the sumers’ experience. U ttara Narayan and Amala Devi work with the energy and their modern civilisation. Our one’s traditional cast of ideas and rituals and practices did exist in Study of Developing Societies, Delhi Objective information must be put out programme at the World Resources Institute India

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC SINGLE FILE F ROM ARCHIVES Kashmir conundrum FIFTY YEARS AGO MARCH 5, 1969 Curfew in East Pakistan Indian Muslims must not pay the price Life in East Pakistan was paralysed to­day [March 4, Dacca] fol­ for Kashmiri transgressions lowing a general strike and hartal in response to the call by the all­party Students’ Action Committee to press its demands for Mohammed Ayoob better educational facilities. In West Pakistan doctors are on strike and large parts of Pakistan are in the grip of a postal Terrorism in the Kashmir Valley pos­ strike. An 18­hour curfew was imposed at noon to­day in Bogra es a significant internal security after clashes between police and anti­Government demonstra­ threat to the Indian state and has tre­ tors as East Pakistan observed hartal. Men of the East Pakistan mendous potential to trigger a mili­ Rifles were called in to help the civil authorities in Bogra after tary confrontation between India crowds had attacked a kotwali, set fire to the municipal office and Pakistan. However, the adverse and local Muslim League office and cut telephone wires. Police AP impact of separatism and terrorism used teargas to disperse violent crowds without much effect. in Kashmir on Indian Muslims’ posi­ Eight policemen including two officers were injured when de­ tion in Indian society has not been adequately examined. monstrators attacked the kotwali. Official circles said at Faiz­ Kashmir has become an albatross around the neck of In­ pur in Rangpur district, two rival groups of students clashed dian Muslims. Terrorist activities and calls for “azadi” by a this morning. minority of Kashmiri Muslims are increasingly complicating Indian Muslims’ efforts to find a place of trust and dignity A HUNDRED YEARS AGO MARCH 5, 1919. within the larger society. Kashmiri separatism accompanied by Pakistan­supported terrorism revives memories of Parti­ Bombay Mint Strike. tion and raises questions about the loyalty of all Indian Mus­ CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC lims. It also immeasurably weakens the underpinnings of a NOTEBOOK The strike of the employees of the Mint at Bombay still conti­ plural society and secular state, which are already under nues. Major Willis, Mint Master, posted a notice on the Mint threat from majoritarian nationalism. gate on Saturday [March 1] informing the men that the special The trajectory of Kashmiri politics has been distorted Another pilot, another release bonus which he had recommended had not been sanctioned from the very beginning. New Delhi is responsible for a fair by the Government and that in lieu of the bonus he had sanc­ share of the problems it faces in Kashmir today because of The events that unfolded 20 years ago, when Pakistan captured Flt. Lt. Nachiketa tioned a permanent increase in the wages at the rate of one an­ its wrong­headed policies — from the removal of Sheikh Ab­ na to those who were in receipt of 10 annas and less per day Amit Baruah dullah in 1953 to the rigged elections of 1987 that provided have been shot dead by Pa­ the Pakistanis that he around 11 p.m . I was also and 2 annas to those who were in receipt of more than 10 an­ the immediate stimulus for the armed separatist uprising. kistani forces after being would not go the Foreign waiting — to confirm his re­ nas a day. The notice was read by the strikers who appeared to But all this does not detract from the fact that the accession It’s a vignette known only captured. Ministry and would not lease and then file the re­ be satisfied and it was expected they would resume work with­ of Kashmir to India is an irreversible reality. to family and a few friends. On June 3, then Pakistani take custody of Flt. Lt. Na­ port for the newspaper. out any further trouble. Instead of doing so the strikers yester­ Unfortunately, a significant number of Kashmiri Muslims But now, with the country Prime Minister Nawaz Sha­ chiketa in the full glare of Flt. Lt. Nachiketa slept day made a representation to the Mint Master through a plead­ refuse to accept this reality unambiguously. While they may gripped by events sur­ rif announced at a press the media. that night at the residence er reiterating their original demand of increase of 4 annas a not be involved in violent actions against the Indian state, rounding the dramatic cap­ conference that Flt. Lt. Na­ Things moved swiftly af­ of the Indian Air Adviser day all round and further they asked a bonus of two months they are either unwilling or unable to forcefully oppose the ture and release of Wing chiketa would be freed as a ter that. Since it had been “Jack” Jaiswal and when I wages and strike pay. twin forces of secessionism and terrorism. Furthermore, re­ Commander Abhinandan “goodwill gesture” (Prime announced by Mr. Sharif, met him the next day at the Varthaman, maybe it’s time Minister Imran Khan used the Pakistani side got in High Commission, he was ported attempts by some Kashmiri youth to thwart counter­ CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC terrorism operations when they are under way provide evi­ to tell it to a wider the words “peace gesture” touch with the Internation­ full of questions. “How is it dence of their support for terrorists. These actions add to audience. in the case of Wg. Cdr. Var­ al Committee of the Red to report from Pakistan?” CONCEPTUAL the feeling in the rest of the country that Kashmiri Muslims As The Hindu’s corres­ thaman) and would be Cross (ICRC), which had set he asked me. “How were are anti­Indian, and some of this sentiment affects the ma­ pondent in Pakistan (1997­ handed over to then Indian procedures in place. Three you treated?” I asked him. M odern monetary theory jority community’s perceptions of Indian Muslims in their 2000), and living in Islama­ High Commissioner G. Par­ hours after being brought He only said, “It’s the first Economics entirety. Such ill­conceived actions also provide justification bad, I was caught smack in thasarathy inside the Pakis­ to the Foreign Ministry on night I managed some This refers to an economic theory which argues that a govern­ for the anti­Kashmiri feelings in the rest of the country that the middle of the 1999 Kar­ tani Foreign Ministry at Constitution Avenue, the sleep in all these days.” ment that borrows in its own currency can technically never surface in times of crisis such as the Pulwama terror attack. gil war. With Pakistan in­ 7.30 p.m. (IST) with the me­ ICRC allowed photographs Nothing more, the rest was default on any of its liabilities. This is because these govern­ It is incumbent on Kashmiri Muslims to make it clear that itially projecting it as a dia contingent in atten­ of Flt. Lt. Nachiketa to be just polite chatter. He did ments can simply print fresh money to pay off their debt. Ma­ they will have no truck with separatists and terrorists among “mujahideen” versus In­ dance. taken, but he did not speak not appear to have suffered ny supporters of modern monetary theory believe that go­ them no matter what their own grouse may be against the dian Army conflict, my re­ Coming out of the press to the waiting press. The any physical injuries. Later, vernments should simply stop worrying about fiscal deficits. Indian state. It is also obligatory for Indian Muslims to dis­ porting from Islamabad re­ conference, I phoned Mr. smiling Flt. Lt., dressed in he was driven across the Instead, they argue, governments should increase their social own and denounce those among the Kashmiris who har­ mained unaffected. Parthasarathy and said he trousers and shirt and dig­ Wagah border in a High spending through programmes like universal basic income bour secessionist tendencies. Indian Muslims paid a heavy On May 27, 1999, Pakis­ would receive a call from nity intact, was pictured Commission vehicle. Only and other forms of social welfare. Critics of modern monetary price for Partition, which was based on the false notion, dis­ tan claimed to have shot the Pakistanis asking him with Tariq Altaf, an Addi­ four months before that, I theory, however, say that such a policy will lead to higher credited by the separation of Bangladesh from West Pakis­ down two aircraft — a MiG to reach the Foreign Office tional Secretary in the Pa­ had stood watching the price inflation, which is simply an indirect tax on citizens. tan, that nations can be defined on the basis of religion. Mus­ 21 and a MiG 27 — as India and take custody of Flt. Lt. kistani Foreign Ministry. Delhi­Lahore bus roll in lim opinion leaders must communicate clearly that Indian moved to clear the Kargil Nachiketa. “Please don’t go A white Land Cruiser from Attari to Wagah with CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Muslims do not intend to pay the price for the transgres­ heights of Pakistani intrud­ there. The intention is to vehicle of the ICRC finally Prime Minister Atal Bihari sions of some Kashmiri Muslims against the Indian state. ers. Flight Lieutenant K. embarrass you and India,” I drove him to the Indian Vajpayee on board. M ORE ON THE WEB 3 Nachiketa, piloting the MiG told him and cut the call. High Commission, where Twenty years on, India­ The writer is University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of International 21, was taken prisoner, Alerted, the High Com­ the High Commissioner Pakistan relations continue What is the Homeless World Cup? Relations, Michigan State University and Non-Resident Senior Fellow, while Squadron Leader missioner sought instruc­ and other senior officials to be on a roller­coaster Center for Global Policy, Washington, DC Ajay Ahuja appeared to tions from Delhi and told were waiting for him, ride. http://bit.ly/homelesswc CM A ND-NDE YK