Remembering Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 65th Death Anniversary

Late Syama Prasad Mookerjee left for his heavenly abode on June 23, 1953. Even after 65 years to the sordid saga, Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s death remains an unsolved mystery. The roots of the Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP lies in the hands of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, so does India’s.

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RTIwala Trending: Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a leading intellectual academician and educationist of his time. He served as the Minister for Industry and Supply under Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. A politician who lived 52 years, made a 14-year short carrier and had created a history; died on 23rd June 1953, in Srinagar. A leader who is known that if his ideas had been implemented at that period it would have demonstrated a new and strong future of the nation. Let’s take a sneak peak of his life, profession and uncountable contributions made by him.

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“Whatever work you undertake, do it seriously, thoroughly and well; never leave it half-done or undone, never feel yourself satisfied unless and until you have given it your very best. Cultivate the habits of discipline and toleration. Surrender not the convictions you hold dear but learn to appreciate the points of view of your opponents.”

-Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee

Early life and Education:

RTIwala Trending Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on 65th Death Anniversary — (Image Source: indiafacts.org)

Born and brought up in a Bengali Hindu family on 6th July 1901 in Calcutta (Kolkata). His father Ashutosh Mookerjee served as a judge in the High Court of Calcutta and mother Jogamaya Devi Mukherjee. He started his schooling from Bhawanipur’s Mitra Institution and later moved on to Presidency College. He was teacher’s favorite and secured the first position in English graduation in 1921. He got married on 16th April 1922 to Sudha Devi. After marriage, he continued his studies and completed his M.A. in 1923 and further pursued B.L. in 1924.

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Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee: Career in Politics

1] Like father, like son

His father also held the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta and earned the title ‘the lion of Bengal’. Like his father, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, too, was a great educationist and served as the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the university from 1934 to 1938.

2] A politician with a golden heart

Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee joined politics in the first half of the twentieth century where he played a pivotal role concerning education system in India and not politics. He was against the Diarchy System of education at that time that was introduced by Montague-Chelmsford Reforms. Because of this he resigned his seat in the Council and to come back as an independent candidate.

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3] Leader of the Hindu Mahasabha

He became the President of the Hindu Mahasabha in 1939 and had organized a large-scale relief work for the drought-affected in Bengal.

4] Noakhali Riots changed his ideology

Noakhali riots occurred in 1946 in the Chittagong division of East Bengal (now Bangladesh) was one of the worst events ever happened that involved forced conversions, arson, looting etc. And another was the Kolkata riots the same year. He demanded the partition of Bengal for preventing the inclusion of Hindu-majority areas from Muslim-dominated East Pakistan.

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5] After Independence being Nehruvian

He designed the first Industrial policy of India, an able administrator and gained admiration from the government and the Congress. But he dared to challenge Nehru’s political methods by drawing an alternative framework for the civilizational fountains of the Indian experience. He was strongly against the Nehru-Liaqat Ali Pact, any agreement with Pakistan government and so he resigned from the Cabinet.

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6] Founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh and Crusader of Kashmir

Before resigning from Nehru cabinet he was completed devoted to RSS and he established The Bharatiya Jan Sangh in 1951; the ideological predecessor of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). He was against the Kashmir law and entered there illegally and died on 23rd June under mysterious circumstances in prison.

7] His support to Nationalist Scholars

He was in favor of scholars who wished to do research in Indian history from an Indian point of view. He opened the first museum of the Indian history, culture, and archaeology in the university and invited international universities to send their students to study the Indian civilization, culture, and Sanskrit. He invited Rabindranath Tagore to deliver the convocation addressed in Bengali.

The Rafale Deal: A complete analysis

RTIwala Trending: The Rafale Deal has been the most talked about the overseas deal. All the major political parties have indulged themselves in mudslinging. This deal has significance for the Indian Air Force but the political parties have always raised their concerns. RTIwala analyses what the entire scenario lays in the whole chaos around Rafale and the deal.

What is a Rafale Aircraft?

Rafales are twin-engine Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) manufactured by Dassault Aviation. Dassault is a much known French firm. Rafale fighter jets are positioned as ‘Omni role’ aircrafts that are competent to execute a wide-range of combat roles such as-

air supremacy,
interdiction,
aerial reconnaissance,
ground support,
in-depth strike,
anti-ship strike and
Nuclear deterrence.

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Why does India need Rafale?

Rafale deal initially began with the mammoth plan of India to revamp its Indian Air Force fleet by introducing MMRCAs. Rafale was not India’s only choice. Several international aviation manufacturers expressed concern upon knowing the Indian government’s plan. Six renowned aircraft manufacturers competed to bag the contract of 126 fighter jets. It has been touted as the largest-ever defense procurement pact of India.

The Initial bidders were:-

Lockheed Martin’s F-16s,
Boeing’s F/A-18s,
Euro fighter Typhoon,
Russia’s MiG-35
Sweden’s Saab’s Gripen

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All aircraft were tested by the Indian Air Force. After a careful study and analysis of the bids, Euro fighter and Rafale were shortlisted. Dassault bagged the final contract to provide 126 fighter jets. It was the lowest bidder and the aircraft were said to be easy to maintain.

The actual procurement process

RTIwala Explains the Rafale Deal — (Image Source: Wikimedia)

Indian Air Force required additional fighter jets in 2001. The current Indian Air Force fleet mainly consists of heavy and light-weight combat aircraft. After analyzing, the Defence Ministry thought-out was bringing in intermediate medium-weight fighter jets. The actual process began in 2007. The Defence Acquisition Council was headed by then Defence Minister A.K. Antony. There was an approval to the Request for Proposal to buy 126 aircraft in August 2007. This was the beginning of the bidding process.

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The deal was originally estimated to be worth $10.2 billion (Rs.54,000 crore). The arrangement included acquiring 126 aircraft. 18 of the aircrafts were required to be in fly-away condition. The rest were required to be made in India at the Hindustan Aeronautics facility under the policy of transfer of technology.

What is the actual chaos?

After Rafale won the contract, the Indian side and Dassault Aviation started a dialogue in 2012. Mostly such negotiations usually stretch to several months, the Rafale negotiations have been on for almost four years now. The agreement was signed only in January this year. Both India and France witnessed national elections. A change in government was also observed while the discussions were underway. Pricing was another major factor. Even during the final signing of the purchase agreement, in January, this year, both the sides couldn’t reach a conclusion on the financial aspects. According to the reports, the price of an aircraft is about Rs.740 crores. India wants them to possess them at least 20 percent lesser cost. Though the initial plan was to buy 126 jets, India has scaled it down to 36, that too in a ready state.

Importance of deal to both India and France

India: India took a brave move by choosing Dassault over its traditional partner Russia’s MiG. It could have led to disturbances in international relations. Thankfully, nothing of this sort happened. India also uncared U.S.’ Lockheed, at a time when India and U.S. were aiming for closer ties. Procurement of combat aircraft is long overdue and a necessity for the Indian Air Force. The further postponement will make things worse for the Indian Air Force. This deal is India’s biggest-ever procurement. It is an undeniable fact that in the effectiveness of the Rafale deal lies the future of other defense procurements.

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France: Rafale jets are currently being used mostly by France, Egypt, and Qatar. Dassault Aviation is hoping that export of Rafale jets will help the company meet its revenue targets. India was the first country that agreed to buy a Rafale after it was used in Libyan airstrikes. If India inducts these jets in its military fold, other nations could express its willingness to buy Rafales. Thus, it has a direct relationship with the French economy. Therefore, it holds a lot of significance for an Indo-French relationship.

The latest update

The Congress alleged that a “huge scam is brewing” in the Rafale deal and accused the Modi government of “promoting the interests of Prime Minister’s crony capitalist friends”.

Congress communication Chief Randeep Surjewala said that the Modi government violated the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and bypassed the interests of PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Mr. Surjewala alleged that Prime Minister Modi’s visited France and announced the deal for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in disperse circumstance. He further commented that this action was done without following the DPP. There was no inter-governmental agreement. Moreover, India’s Defence Minister was not present there. Something shocking that he revealed was the presence of Mr. Anil Ambani, owner of Reliance Defence Limited. He was present in France during the Prime Minister’s visit.

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence Limited, however, has described the allegations as “baseless” and “unfounded”. It asserted that Mr. Ambani was part of the PM’s delegation as a member of the Indo-French CEO Forum.

RTIwala Analysis

We hope that the Indian Air Force doesn’t have to wait for longer period of time. This deal was carried on for the nation. Politicising such acts which are actually important for state security is a matter of sheer disgrace. There is a difference between coming up with facts. We have come close to the ending of 2017 and still haven’t provided the IAF with what it deserves. This is a fight, which seems to be lost. National security cannot be compromised in the midst of mudslinging by the political parties. It is high time that importance of nation and its security is taken care of.

Here’s What You Didn’t Know: Where is the Rohingya abode?

RTIwala Explains: Rejected by the country they were born in and shunned by the neighboring states, the Rohingyas are searching their true fate. The Rohingya are among the most vulnerable amongst forcibly displaced groups across the world. Thousands of Rohingya have been fleeing Myanmar, especially after the August 25 violence in Western Myanmar. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which places them among the “the most vulnerable groups of the forcibly displaced” has said a total of 87,000 Rohingyas have arrived in Bangladesh till date.

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Who are the Rohingyas?

The Rohingyas are one of the most persecuted communities in the world. Although, they have been living in the state of Arakan since the 8th century (which is now part of Burma), the Rohingyas have been under extreme scrutiny by the Burmese government. They haven’t been recognized as citizens of The Union of Burma since the 1962 coup d’état by General Ne Win. Rohingya are an ethnic group, largely comprising Muslims, who predominantly live in the Western Myanmar province of Rakhine. They speak a dialect of Bengali, as opposed to the commonly spoken Burmese language.

Though they have been living in the South East Asian country for generations, Myanmar considers them as persons who migrated to their land during the Colonial rule. So, it has not granted Rohingyas full citizenship. According to the 1982 Burmese citizenship law, a Rohingya (or any ethnic minority) is eligible for citizenship only if he/she provides proof that his/her ancestors have lived in the country prior to 1823. Else, they are classified as “resident foreigners” or as “associate citizens.”

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Since they are not citizens, they are not entitled to be part of civil service. After decades of oppression and marginalization, the passing of the 1982 Citizenship Law deemed them officially stateless.

What happened in 2012?

Myanmar state, which was ruled by the military junta until 2011, has been accused of ethnic cleansing in Rakhine by the United Nations. It deported thousands of Rohingya to Bangladesh in the seventies and the citizenship law was also enacted by the junta. Things changed little for the Rohingya even after the political reforms in 2011 that eventually led to the first general elections in 2015, as the democratically-elected government-headed by President Htin Kyaw has been unwilling to grant citizenship.

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Sectarian violence between Rohingyas and Rakhine’s Buddhist natives began flaring up in June 2012, following the rape and murder of a Rakhine woman in a Rohingya-dominated locality. The riots, which were triggered, as a result, went on for almost a month with causalities on both the sides. Ethnic clashes between Buddhists and Rohingyas broke out in Rakhine State in June 2012, resulting in a number of deaths (official records peg the toll at 78) and displacing over 1,00,000 people.

What happened on 25 August, 2017 ?

Rw Explains Rohingya Violence — (Image Source: The Hindu)

On the 25^th of August 2017, the Burmese military launched a massive offensive against the Rohingya population of Rauthedaung, Bauthidaung and Maungdaw townships of Rakhine State. An estimated 4,000 men, women and children have been killed. More than 65,000 Rohingya have crossed the border into Bangladesh as refugees with a further 20,000 currently stuck in No Mans Land between Burma and Bangladesh with Burmese military still attacking them. Hundreds of homes have been burned to ashes; reports of children being beheaded by Burmese military men have emerged. The Government of Burma is relenting in their open genocide approach to the Rohingya.

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Muslim militants in Myanmar staged a coordinated attack on 30 police posts and an army base in Rakhine state on August 25. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a group previously known as Harakah al-Yaqin, claimed responsibility for the attacks. In the counter-attacks launched by Army at least 59 of the insurgents and 12 security personnel were killed. India and Bangladesh have also claimed ARSA is creating trouble in their soil too. The “clearance operations” to root out ARSA launched by the Myanmar military has once again affected the lives of Rohingya, many of whom have been living in relief camps since 2012. Reports of villages being torched, civilian deaths, and Rohingya youths being picked up for interrogation have followed the militant attack.

Who is responsible?

Aung San Suu Kyi is the State Counsellor and de facto leader of Burma. Myanmar’s pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has come under criticism for failing to voice the concerns of Rohingyas. She is a Nobel peace prize winner and she has also openly denied the genocide the Rohingya have faced. It was under her instruction that she called a commission to investigate. The commission reported back on 24^th of August with recommendations, the very next day through Min Aung Hlaing she gave the green light for the most brutal attacks the Rohingya have ever faced. The Myanmar government continues to turn a blind eye towards thousands of Rohingyas living in pathetic conditions, faced with human rights violations and with no country to call their own.

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According to Human Rights Watch, the Rohingya population in Myanmar is between 8, 00,000 and 1,000,000. The Rohingyas have however been subjected to continued discrimination in Myanmar. The 1982 Citizenship Act omitted them from the list of ethnic groups, and the national census in 1983 did not count them either. The condition of Rohingya Muslims living in temporary camps in Myanmar is pathetic. Four months after the violence, 75,000 people continue to live in these camps. The United Nations report on sectarian violence in Myanmar says that border guards in Bangladesh “sent refugees back in barely sea-worthy wooden boats during rough monsoon rains”.

Why is Bangladesh having a problem with the Rohingya?

An estimated 87,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh since late 2016. The influx has been increasing since August 25. About five lakh Rohingyas have already taken shelter in Bangladesh over the last two decades. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is clearly unwilling to take in more. She has even urged the United States to put pressure on Myanmar to stop the exodus of Rohingyas. “We have given shelter to a huge number of Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds and it’s a big problem for us,” she had said.

What about Rohingya in India?

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs there are approximately 40,000 Rohingyas living in India. They have reportedly reached India from Bangladesh through the land route over the years. MoS Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, recently informed the parliament that all the Rohingyas in India were “illegal immigrants” and they will be deported soon. A case is pending in Supreme Court with the petitioner asking the Union government to stop with its deportation plans.

(Inputs by Gehna Kundra)

Zakir Naik charged by NIA: Why?

RTIwala Explains: The National Investigation Agency has been able to find 19 immovable properties linked to Zakir Naik. The properties have been valued at Rs. 104 crores.

Zakir Naik, the controversial televangelist accused of radicalizing youth for terror activities has been formally charged by the National Investigation Agency. He has been accused of making subversive speeches. He has been formally charged by NIA under the stringent anti-terror law. The NIA probe also linked 19 land and building worth Rs. 104 crores to Zakir Naik. The NIA said in its charge sheet that it was still inquiring into the sourcing of funds for these properties.

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The 51-year-old Islamic preacher had fled India in July last year. He had fled after terrorists in neighboring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches. That revelation prompted security agencies in India to take a hard look at his speeches and other activities. A lot of chaos was observed last year. The interrogation related to Naik made many eyeballs rise. Many Muslim organizations even came in his support.

Naik and the Drama

Rw Explains Zakir Naik — (Image Source: Times of India)

Over the next few months, the government started the process of shutting down a non-profit Islamic Research Foundation that he ran from South Mumbai. The agency has, however, given his sister Nailah Naushad Noorani a clean chit. The Agency has said that she was a director of the two companies on paper only. “She signed the cheques on the instruction of her brother and had no knowledge of the company affairs,” the NIA said.

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A government order was issued to ban the organization. It was also declared that anyone to be associated with this non-profit will be observed as a criminal. Zakir Naik had been extolling Osama Bin Laden, proclaiming that every Muslim should be a terrorist. The Home Ministry says Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups. He had been inspiring Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

The Developments

Naik, a medical doctor-turned preacher, during his interactions with the Indian media from abroad, has repeatedly denied all the charges. But he hasn’t presented himself before investigators who persuaded a court to formally declare him as an absconder. Earlier this year, the government had also canceled his passport and confiscated assets worth 18 crores. A PTI report cited unconfirmed reports that he has acquired citizenship of Saudi Arabia but this has not been confirmed yet. New Delhi has also approached Interpol against Naik to seek a red corner notice against him to make it difficult for him to travel on a travel document issued by any country.

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It would be pivotal to see how events take turn ahead. When it comes to National Security, the government won’t take any risk at its part. The developments will be really crucial. The Government has always maintained a stiff stand on security. However, it would have to keep in check the uprising of religion-based discrimination.
(Inputs by Gehna Kundra)

Doklam Issue Resolved: What, Why and How?

RTIwala Explains the Doklam Issue: India and China were engaged in a 73-day-long tussle in Doklam. The standoff ended on August 28 with mutual understanding after China halted the construction of the road. The 73-day-long Doklam standoff was “safely resolved” after several rounds of talks with India, a top Chinese military official said. People’s Liberation Army (PLA) official Liu Fang cited it as an example of how the Chinese military is trying to resolve issues through dialogue mechanisms with different countries.

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On 16 June 2017, the Chinese military attempted to build a road in the territory claimed by Bhutan. The territory is close to the Chicken’s Neck area connecting India’s northeastern states with the mainland. Chinese troops with construction vehicles and road-building equipment began extending an existing road southward in Doklam.

RTIwala Explains Doklam Issue — (Image Source: Tehra Times)

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On 18 June 2017, around 270 Indian troops, with weapons and two bulldozers, entered Doklam to stop the Chinese troops from constructing the road. The standoff ended on August 28 with mutual understanding after China halted the construction of the road. “Of course it is safely resolved right now,” said the Chinese officials. The tension that prevailed during the three-month-long standoff at Doklam has been diffused by the announcement to dilute military presence at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction. After the August 28 disengagement at Doklam, the PLA said then the “Chinese military will remain vigilant and firmly defend national territory and sovereignty”.

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The Chinese military, which has undergone a massive reform drive since Xi took power in 2012, has an annual budget of over USD 141 billion, next only to the US. The Chinese officials have reminded India to draw lessons from the stand-off. They want India to abide by established treaties and the basic principles of international law. India and China have mutually agreed to de-escalate tensions along the disputed territory.

Doklam Issue: The Timeline of Events

June 16 – The Indian Army intercepts and stalls road-laying efforts by the Chinese in the Doka La area of the Doklam plateau. It led to a standoff between units of the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China. There is a dispute over the plateau, which is just north of the tri-junction of Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet.

June 20 – The Bhutanese envoy in New Delhi registers protest against Chinese intervention into its territory.

June 23 – China refuses entry to pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar — a site considered holy by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains — citing damage to roads due to rains in Tibet.

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June 28 – The Chief of the Army Staff, Bipin Rawat, visits Sikkim to take stock of the situation.

June 29 – China tests a 35-tonne military tank in Tibet, near the Indian border.

July 6 – China calls off a meeting between Premier Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 meet, saying the “atmosphere was not right.”

July 18 – Chinese foreign ministry asks India to immediately withdraw its troops to avoid any escalation of the situation.

July 22 – India and China should engage in direct dialogue free of any “coercive aspects” to reduce the tension over a military standoff in Doklam, the Pentagon said.

July 31 – Chinese border guards enter one kilometre into Indian Territory and threaten shepherds grazing cattle in the Barahoti area of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.

August 3 – India must withdraw its troops on the Doklam plateau or face ”serious consequences”, says a senior Chinese diplomat in New Delhi.

August 4 – China says it has shown “utmost goodwill” over the prolonged military standoff with India in the Sikkim sector but warned that its “restraint” has a “bottom line“.

August 9 – Defence Minister Arun Jaitley tells the Rajya Sabha that the armed forces were strong enough to meet any challenge to the country’s security, underlining that lessons had been learned from the 1962 war.

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama describes India and China as close neighbors but cautioned against “harsh words.”

August 17 – State-run media house Xinhua releases a video in English, entitled “The Seven Sins of India”, which accuses India of “trampling international law” and “confusing right and wrong” over the Doklam crisis.

August 18 – Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu makes comments supporting India’s position on Doklam.

August 25 – China agrees to tackle trade imbalance. Beijing says it does not want Doklam stand-off to hurt trade and promises to send a delegation to India by December to help build trade ties.

August 28 – India and China mutually agree to de-escalate tensions in the Doklam plateau, bringing putative closure to the dispute that created fears of outright armed conflict between the two nuclear weapon states.

(Inputs by Gehna Kundra)