India's Islamic Heritage Sites Being Documented

 

India's Islamic Heritage Sites Being Documented  

Syed Ali Mujtaba

Mr. Siraj Thakor, from Toronto, Canada, has undertaken the monumental task of creating an online database of all the Islamic Heritage Sites of India. He likes to preserve it digitally and make it available to all to cherish the Islamic past of this great country.

Mr. Siraj is looking for volunteers to assist him with the information on Islamic Heritage Sites in India. In response to his call, someone wrote to me with detailed information about a graceful mosque that lies in ruins in the Gaya district of Bihar.

This mosque popularly called ‘Lodi mosque’ was built around 1536 AD during the Lodhi rule in India. It is believed that Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, one of the rulers of the Lodhi dynasty had taken initiatives to get this mosque constructed.

This mosque is about 25 km from Gaya on Gaya-Patna road. It is exactly near Kundwa village at Khijrasarai block in Gaya district. It is situated on the banks of the river Falgu, a kilometer from village Kundwa. On the West of the river is Lodhipur village colloquially called Lodpur, while on the east is Kundwa village.

The mosque becomes functional only during the ‘Eid’ and ‘Bakrid’ festivals when some Muslims from Kundwa village come to offer prayers in this mosque. For the rest of the years, this mosque remains a picture of neglect and want for maintenance. There is no Azaan called from this mosque as there is no one to take care of this house of worship. Some people have illegally occupied the land around this mosque but there is none to challenge such encroachments.

This historical mosque comes under the Archaeological Survey of India but neither ASI nor the Bihar government nor the Waqf Board, have any concern in protecting this Islamic heritage site. It is in this context people like Mr. Siraj Thakor, who is the Past President of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI), comes into the picture. 

 He wrote to me: “Dear Brother Syed Ali Mujtaba, ASAK, I am a Past President of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI), We have undertaken the monumental task of creating an online database of all the Islamic Heritage Sites of India to preserve it digitally and make it available to all. I would take this opportunity to request you to be part of our team to collect info on Islamic Heritage Sites in your area. Alternatively, can you put in touch with someone or the organization which would be interested in such a historical task and leaves a legacy for the Indian Muslim generation to come? Wassalaam- Siraj Thakor.”

Mr. Siraj has started an All India campaign to document such historical Islamic heritage sites in ruins. If you have any similar story of any such Islamic heritage site near you, please write to him directly with photographs; (thakorsiraj@hotmail.com). You can even contact him on ‘WhatsApp’ -+1 416-277-7082.

This is a huge initiative and the efforts of people like Mr. Siraj needs to be strengthened. Anyone, anyone where in the country who feels concerned about vanishing  Islamic Heritage Sites in India must come forward and join his team.

– Maiñ akelā hī chalā thā jānib-e-manzil magar– log saath aate gae aur kārvāñ bantā gayā –

(Translation: I set off alone towards my goal, but, people came along and it began to turn into a caravan!)

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com

Some Muslims set to visit Temple on Ugadi day

Some Muslims set to visit Temple on Ugadi day

         Syed Ali Mujtaba

Chennai:  Come, Ugadi, the Telegu New Year that falls this year on April 13, 2021, and some Muslims of the Kadapa town in Andhra Pradesh will be seen flocking to the historic Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy temple to seek blessings from the presiding deity for a great year ahead.  

Lord Venkateswara, Balaji is a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.

This tradition is centuries old in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Many Muslims from Chittoor, Kurnool, and Anantapur district visit the Balaji temple every year on Ugadi day.

The temple is popularly known as Devuni - Kadapa, or the threshold of the Lord, and is considered as the gateway to Tirumala, some 120 km away, the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara in Tirupati.

The members of the Muslim community believe that Lord Balaji had married a Muslim woman known as Bibi Nancharamma.  According to a popular legend, Bibi Nancharamma was one of the consorts of Lord Balaji, a local Muslim woman.    

Another legend is Bibi Nancharamma was the daughter of Malik Kafur, the General of Allaudin Khilji in South India whom Lord Balaji married in 1311 AD. The Muslim community of this region since then treats Lord Venkateswara as their son-in-law.

Muslims throng the Devuni - Kadapa temple right from 6.00 AM and scores of men and women take ‘harathi’, consume the ‘teertham’ and ‘prasadam’ and accept the “satagopam” placed on their head by the temple priests there.

On the day of the temple visit, Muslims do not touch any non-vegetarian food. They take bath and carry flowers, jaggery, sugarcane pieces, and tamarind to offer to the deity. This includes ‘Vepapathi,’ a special dish made of jaggery and sugarcane.

Priests conducted special prayers and bless the Muslim devotees as they do to the Hindu devotee. This tradition is centuries old and there is nothing Hindu- Muslim about it. This is done every year and those who visit the temple are allowed to pray and seek blessings for peace and prosperity for the year ahead. 

Kadapa incidentally has a Dargah, which is frequented by the Hindus, and the Muslim priest there does the same act without making any fuss about the Muslim or the Hindu community. 

Well, this is real India untouched by the pollution of high politics of Hindu nationalism. In post-truth India, where the brand new republic is being experimented, such practices of interfaith communal harmony show mirror how pluralism is thriving in the country.   

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com

 

Hindutva has arrived in America!

 Hindutva has Arrived in America! 

Syed Ali Mujtaba

This may not be news for those who have little connection with US domestic politics, but for those who are closely watching the house of Uncle Sam it's apparent that Hindutva forces have arrived in America! 

This is an interesting development that needs to be closely watched as America’s "melting pot culture" is having the taste of India’s Hindu organizations that are challenging the core US values in its home turf.

These organizations are; 'Hindu SwayamSevak' (HSS) - the International Wing of the RSS, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). 

These organizations are extolling the virtues of the Hindutva ideology and teaching the Americans the values of Hindu Civilization.  

Surprisingly these Hindu outfits do not claim to be the custodian of ‘Santam Dharma.’ The confine being the advocacy group of Hindu Americans but do not define ‘Hinduism.’ They seem to be self-convinced to represent the entire caste matrix of ‘Santam Dharma’ along with the Hindu minority groups like; Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains in their world view of Hinduism.    

Among the Hindutva organizations, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is the most articulate organization. It was founded by rich, articulate, and highly educated second-generation Indians in 2003 with the mission to educate the Americans about Hindus and Hinduism.

 The HAF came into existence barely a few months after the Gujarat pogrom in 2002 which was against the Muslims and there was huge outrage against then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.  

The HAF justifies the Gujarat communal riots calling them a spontaneous act, an outburst of the Hindus against the Muslims who they say were responsible for the death of ‘Kar Sevaks’ in the Godhra train tragedy. A similar stance was taken by them during the 2020 Delhi pogrom. 

The HAF members are on a mission to support Narendra Modi and his extremist policies. They dismiss all criticism against him as ‘Hindu-Phobia.’

Going through the website of HAF one gets the impression it’s an extension of Hindutva forces that are currently at work in the US.    They have put stories on their website that suggests their energies are focused on supporting Modi’s acts in the ‘Dreamland.’    

 After 2014, the HAF’s effort is to defend Prime Minister Modi’s policies. Be it, note ban, GST, making J&K a UT., the lockdown, etc. The talented pool of young and accomplished voices of HAF is defending Narendra Modi as a savior of mankind, projecting him as the world’s ‘greatest leader.’

This group’s speckless campaign was finely articulated at the ‘Howdy Modi’ show. This particular event during the Trump administration boosted the Indian Prime Minister’s image in America and showcased the Hindu- American voting muscle to the Americans.

Banking on the large Hindu voters, such lobby groups are propping up Hindu candidates that could represent their ‘Hindutva ideology’ in the US Congress, thus making deep inroads into the US politics.

Tulsi Gabbard, Sri Preston Kulkarni, Padma Kuppa, Raja Krishnamurti were candidates that was backed by the Hindu lobby groups in America.  

Some civil rights activists in the US have accused HAF of backing a fascist ideology. They in turn are rebutted with the accusation that they are pro-Islamists suffering from Hindu-Phobia.

The HAF proclaims to be involved in the areas of human rights, civil rights, and education, etc. They say their motto is to promote dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism along with the well-being of the ‘Hindus.’  

However, these sweet words are a charade, the truth is their mother outfits RSS and the BJP in India instruct them to make inroads into US politics. The neo-rich Hindu Americans are donating extensively to support the Hindu candidates so that they can impact US politics.

The HAF job is also to challenge the mainstream US media on their reportage on India. Several websites are propped up by them that are engaged in challenging the popular media outlets like NYT, Washington Post, and Time, Newsweek, etc. Their job is to refute the negative coverage of the Indian Prime Minister and his policies.   

The HAF claims it is a politically agnostic and non-partisan group that does not favor or endorse any political party or candidate and is not affiliated with any religious or political organization. However, if we go to their website, they have put stories on ‘Bengali Hindu Genocide in 1971’, ‘India's Citizenship Amendment Act,’ ‘Kashmir and Articles 370/35A’, ‘Correcting Media Portrayals of Hinduism’, Commercial use of Hindu Images, etc. 

All these stories, tear open the underbelly of Hindutva forces in America from where the yank Golwarkars and Sarwakars ooze out.

There is a need to keep a close watch on such organizations that are spreading their tentacles in US politics. They need to be put on a leash before they make any deadly assaults on the American value system.   

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com

 

 

Democracy has won over ‘Demoncracy’ in J&K Polls

Democracy has won over ‘Demoncracy’ in J&K

Syed Ali Mujtaba

The BJP government in Delhi has conducted the District Development Council in J&K. This was done almost one year of its occupational rule. The poll was conducted to make a point that people of J&K endorsed BJP’s decision of August 5, 2019.  The results speak how miserably the BJP has failed. Inherent in the BJP’s victory beguile is the slur that Democracy has won over ‘Demoncracy’ in J&K

There are few things that need to be analyzed with regard to the DDC poll results. The BJP’s strategy was that the local poll will be boycotted by the people of Kashmir and in such case its victory in Jammu will hold the credibility of the poll and that would justify its August 5, 2019 decision.  The participation of the mainstream party in the polls upset the BJP’s calculation.

The results of the DDC polls did not endorse the BJP’s move to revoke the special provisions to the J&K and make it a Union Territory. In fact the poll verdict made a loud statement for the restoration of the autonomy which was forcibly taken by the BJP government in Delhi. It also made a statement that the people of the Valley desperately need freedom, peace, dignity and democracy.

 The poll results highlighted the total alienation of the people of the valley towards the Delhi rule. The restoration of faith and trust deficit that BJP has created will linger on long after it ceases to be the rulers of ‘Hindusthan.’

The BJP’s claim that it has emerged as a single largest party at the DDC has to be accepted with a pinch of salt.  Out of 75 seats that the BJP won, 72 have come from the Jammu region, that too from six Hindu dominated districts —Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Samba and Doda and Reasi.  In these districts there is sharp religious polarization between Hindu Jammu and Muslim Kashmir. These districts are traditional Hindutva vote banks and there is nothing to celebrate about the BJP’s win.

The fact is the Congress won 26 seats in the Jammu region and the ‘Alliance’ won in both mixed areas, as well as in Muslim-dominated areas, makes BJP claims of being the single largest party being hollow.

The puzzle is how did the BJP win three seats in the Srinagar region? How it got 3 per cent votes in the Valley?  Independent sources say, the 3 seats are won by coercive methods. People were asked at gunpoint to vote for BJP. Many votes were cast in absentia by bogus voting. Those managing the booths voted for the BJP. Huge security personnel took part in the state orchestrated voting process.

There were reports that the alliance parties were not allowed to campaign freely, their movements were restricted. The central government made life difficult for the top leaders to reach out to the masses. The BJP candidates or its allies were given full security to campaign. Many high profile Muslim BJP leaders like Shahnawaz Hussain and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi went to for campaigning to the valley.  Even with all these, hullabaloo the   BJP could win only 3 seats. Given the administrative paraphernalia and security set up that the BJP has put up in the Kashmir valley, this very poor show by the mighty state power. Certainly, the result does not suggest that the BJP has become a mainstream party in the Valley.

The BJP backed Apni Party hardly had any significant impact in the DDC polls. There were reports that the BJP used the state machinery to the benefit of the Apni party. It has also pumped in huge cash and resources to help it win the polls. But in spite of all the backing given by the BJP, the Apani party could win only 12 seats. The BJP thus miserably failed in creating an alternative leadership in the Kashmir valley.

The BJP’s moves to change the course of Kashmir valley’s politics by propping up Apni Party was totally debunked by the people of the Kashmir valley. In BJP’s circles,  Altaf Bukhari, the leader of the Apani party is touted to be the new Shiekh Abdullah who will hold the BJP’s flag high in the Kashmir Valley. The DDC   results point that Altaf  Bukari  has become the Altaf Hussain of Pakistan – a  crook to the core.

The DDC poll also did not endorse the BJP claim that its move of August 5, 2019 has been able to contain the scourge of terrorism in J&K.?  The statistics of militancy related activities speak the fact that armed militancy has increased since the state became a Union Territory. 

The BJP claims to end dynasty rule has also not got vindicated at the DDC poll? The fact is BJP’s campaign to remove dynasties in J&K did not reflect on the poll results. People have restored faith in the old dynasties of Abdullahs, Muftis and Sajjad Lone. 

In sum the DDC poll results clearly reflect a mass resentment and anger at the state of affairs in the Union Territory of J&K. People have clearly voted against the ‘demoncracy’ that is thrust on them. The poll verdict points that the people unanimously oppose the central government’s move to abrogate Article 370, the dissolution of the state assembly, the arrest of political leaders, the lockdown, the clampdown, and the totalitarian and authoritarian methods adopted by the BJP. The DDC poll results reflect a total failure of the BJP government towards J&K.

The DDC poll on the positive side has restored people's faith in the electoral process. The results vindicate that people want restoration of autonomy, state assembly and true federalism in J&K.

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com

 

‘Love Jihad’ twist to Sandalwood Drugs Scandal

‘Love Jihad’ twist to Sandalwood Drugs Scandal 

Syed Ali Mujtaba 

The Sandalwood drug scandal in Karnataka has led to arrest of several film stars that has now sparked a new controversy and that’s ‘Love Jihad.’ Sandalwood refers to the Kannada language film industry in Karnataka.

The Sandalwood drug scandal story became juicy after the arrest actress  Sanjjanaa Galrani by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on September 8.

A twitter handler @ShobhaBJP whose actual name is Shobha Karandlaje has raised the issue of the evil link between Love-Jihad-and Drugs. She pointed out that ‘Love-Jihad’ cases being reported across the country has links with drugs mafia. This BJP sympathizer wanted this angle to be also probed and the motive to stir social harmony to be stopped. 

It is true that Sanjjanaa Galrani had converted to Islam in October 2018 and changed her name to Mahira. In the affidavit, the actress had declared that she converted to Islam on her own will after studying Islam for years. The document also has her photograph along with the date of conversion i.e. 9th October 2018.

Sanjjanaa Galrani who had made her film debut in Tamil Movie Oru Kadhal Seiver (2006), and soon became known for her controversial role in the Kannada film Ganda Hendathi (2006) remake of the Hindi film Murder (2004) is surrounded by rumors of dating Dr. Azeez Pasha, a Bengaluru-based cardiovascular surgeon.  

The speculation became nearer to truth when a picture of Sanjjanaa Galrani with Azeez Pasha surfaced in the social media confirming their relationship. In the picture both could be seen dressed in a traditional outfit, which looks like a wedding attire. 

On being quizzed, both Sanjjanaa and Dr Azeez had shared differing views about their marital status. The actress’ mother’s had her own opinion. Sanjjana who is trained in salsa dancer said; “I am not married, I want to make it clear that I am not,” She said while addressing to the media on the drug case. 

On the other hand, Dr Azeez said, “Yes, the photograph is from a ceremony that is akin to a marriage.” But when Sanjjanaa’s mother was asked, she confirmed that actress got engaged to Pasha and their wedding was postponed due to Covid 19. 

“They were engaged around three and a half years ago. They were set to be married this April, but the pandemic made us postpone it,” Sanjjanaa’s mother said. 

The Sandalwood Drug Case heated up after the arrest of Kanada actress Ragini Dwivedi on September 3, 2020.  The arrest was made linking Kanada film actors with drugs. On September 8, the Central Crime Branch also arrested Sanjjanaa Galrani’s in the same case. 

Sanjjanaa came under scanner after her assistant was held by the CCB officials for alleged role in supplying drugs in film parties. 

Currently, Sanjjanaa and Ragini are lodged in the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru. Both have vehemently denied all such allegations.  

Sanjjanaa in a video that went viral is seen refusing to give her blood samples and then arguing with the investigating officer and other senior doctors that she had lost trust in the police and that she had no clue why she was arrested.

The Central Crime Branch officials have named 12 people in the First Information Report (FIR) related to the use of contraband drugs in Sandalwood. 

The CCB also arrested actor Ragini Dwivedi’s, friend and RTO clerk Ravishankar, realtor Rahul Shetty and an event manager, Viren Khanna, and Rahul Thonshe,  a close friend of Sanjjanaa Galrani. 

In the FIR, it has been mentioned that both the actresses Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani supplied illegal narcotic substance during parties that they organized. Apart from this, actor couple; Aindrita Ray and Diganth Manchale were also summoned during the investigation of the Sandalwood drug case.

Sanjjanaa Galrani who is brought up in Bengaluru, is of Sindhi origin. She received her first modeling offer when she was in college. She appeared in over 60 television advertisements, the most notable being a ‘Fastrack’ with John Abraham.

Sanjjanaa Galrani has done over 50 projects including 43 films. Her films  include with Shivanna , Darshan , Pawan Kalyan, Prabhas Raju , Mohanlal, Mamooty besides other stalwarts in South India film industry. Her television projects include ‘Big Boss’ in Kanada.  She has also worked at Colours Channel in Hindi.  

The Sandalwood Drugs scandal has echoes from the arrest of Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty. Rhea was arrested for her alleged role in the drugs angle which had emerged in the investigations into the suicide death of her boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Sushant Rajput was found dead at his apartment in Mumbai on June 14. The initial investigation revealed that prima facie it was a case of suicide but later his death has led to a drug trail in Bollywood, investigation of that is still being going on.   

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com

On a Ladak Cliff India- China doing Handstands

On a Ladak Cliff India- China doing Handstands

Syed Ali Mujtaba

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Pangong Tso remains poised on a razor’s edge. India- China animosity is high, mutual trust is nonexistent, and all past agreements and mechanisms that provided the basis for managing the border dispute has gone for a toss. The situation is slipping fast towards a point of no return, but a war that looks eminent is something that both sides have ruled out.

This has come out clearly in the India-China five points agreement between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the margins of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meet in Moscow. They agreed that these five points will guide the two countries to ease the tension and work towards disengagement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The five points are; i) Both sides should not allow differences to become disputes. ii) Both sides shall abide by all the existing agreements and protocols. iii) Border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue iv) Both sides to continue communications through the Special Representatives mechanism V) Both sides should expedite to conclude new confidence-building measures.

However the force posture on the ground suggests both sides may not move towards any military de-escalation.  It is because of this the situation on the LAC is not only alarming but incredibly on the edge.  Indian and Chinese troops are just a few hundred meters apart at a forward position at Pangong Tso.  It appears India- China are doing handstands on the edge of a cliff in Ladak.

 India has consolidated its force posture and held its forward position there. China has mobilized massive number of troops including artillery, armored vehicles paratroopers, infantry and air defence personnel. Its H-6 bombers and Y-20 large transport aircraft are deployed at the LAC.

It looks both the countries are readying for war. But are there any real incentives for war?  India certainly does not want a military conflict, less so because country’s economy is devastated due to the pandemic.  On the other hand China too does not want a war because it has other theaters of conflict hotter than Ladak.

So what does India and China wants? China wants India to accept its bigger power status and its right to set the terms of engagement. China further wants to force India to do reverse act without crossing the threshold of war. However, India is equally determined not to play into the Chinese hands. Rather India wants to go on the front foot and test Chinese nerves as to how far it can go in such war of attrition.

There is no sign of urgency between the contending parties and even the approaching winter has no impact on the easing of the tensions. Both the countries are caught in mental complacence determined for a long haul waiting for other to blink. There is a danger in such strategy because longer the standoff, the likelihood of tinderbox to get ignited due to any miscalculation.

So what is at stake? Can India cede some of its territory that it claims since 1962 and accept a unilateral withdrawal at LAC to defuse the escalating tension.  This would mean redrawing of the LAC and accepting revision of LAC at China’s diktats.

India has rejected such idea and has chosen to remain firm on the ground and to achieve its strategic objective that is making China bend as if it’s an Arm wrestling.

On the other side, China as the stronger power sees no merit in pulling back its troops, restoring status quo ante and handing over India a “win“on a platter. Beijing is determined that not an inch of its territory to be lost. Chinese side perceives that such a compromise on its part will not be seen as the benevolence of greater power, but surrender to a resolute Indian side. So Chinese side is determined its military is fully capable and confident in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

So what could be done in such a situation? External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had earlier said that the recent standoff between India and China “has to be found in the domain of diplomacy.” However he quickly qualified his statement that any solution must be “predicated on honoring all agreements and understandings and not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally.”

However, in the dialogue between defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on the margins of SCO at Moscow, the Chinese side said that onus of the crisis is on India. And to this the defence minister made counter allegation. He added  India is equally determined to protect its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.  So whatever hopes for peace was built before the meeting got quickly dissipated.

Now External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s five point agreement with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, have put a question mark whether such agreement will really defuse the tension on the ground?

This becomes more nuanced with his statement that any solution must be “predicated on honoring all agreements and understandings and not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally.”

If that is the case, will the Chinese side reciprocate him on the ground especially after having gained an upper hand in the LAC crisis? Going by the current situation where the two forces are poised head to head in an eyeball to eyeball confrontation, the space for any compromise is almost nonexistent.

It is certain that Chinese president Xi Jinping will not pullback its troops perceiving that the cost of conflict weighs higher than complying to India’s demand of going back to the April position. This will be a huge loss for Chinese image both at home and abroad and such idea is totally ruled out.

As far as India is concerned, going by the words of both Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affair’s Minister Jaishakar, it is crystal clear, that India is not going to accept the current status quo and push forward to dislodge the Chinese troops from its occupied position.

In such situation how can the tension be defused? Well someone has rightly pointed out that diplomacy is the art of making possibility. So, it is possible that a solution can still be hammered out through a face-saving formula but what would be that mutually acceptable face-saver formula remains a mystery.

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com

China Closing on India, Opened New Flash-Point at POK

 

China Closing on India, Opened New Flash-Point at POK

Syed Ali Mujtaba

China is closing on India at Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and has opened a new flashpoint with the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam in POK. The way India has opposed the construction of the dam, it looks that after Ladak, the POK could be the next big flash point between India and China.  

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on July 15, 2020 had kicked off the construction work multi billion dollar project at the Diamer-Bhasha dam. Pakistan government in May 2020, signed a 442 billion contract with a joint venture of a Chinese state-run firm and a commercial arm of Pakistan’s military for the construction of this dam.

China Power, a Chinese state-run firm holds 70% and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), a commercial arm of its Armed Forces hold 30% share in the consortium to build the Diamer-Bhasha dam.

Pakistan’s Council of Common Interests (CCI) approved the construction of the project in 2010. However, it suffered delays because of international lending agencies which remained associated with the project, backtracked due to opposition from India. Pakistan finally gave the contract to China.

India in May 2020 had vehemently objected to the construction of multipurpose Diamer Bhasha dam. India denounced the project calling it a violation of its territorial sovereignty. India has opposed the move on the grounds that Gilgit-Baltistan region is part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and all such projects in the Indian territories that are currently under Pakistan’s occupation are illegal.

"This dam will lead to submergence of a large part of land of the Indian union territories of J&K and Ladakh and we condemn the continuous attempts by Pakistan to bring about material changes in Indian territories under its illegal occupation,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

China has rejected India’s concerns, calling them misplaced and asserted that the economic partnership between China and Pakistan are directed at enhancing development and the welfare of people.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Bajing that it is part of a "win-win" bilateral cooperation to promote the wellbeing of the local population and the dam would accelerate development and create job opportunities, besides improving availability of water and clean energy.

With regard to India’s objection that POK is inalienable part of India, the Chinese spokesman said, “China's position on the issue of Kashmir is consistent and it considers Kashmir is a historical baggage that has to be unloaded as per UNSC relevant resolutions.”

Since the major part of the Diamer-Bhasha dam is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, China has directly has crept into the theater of Kashmir conflict.  The construction of the dam has brought a new dimension into the Kashmir conflict and may become a source of conflict in the region.

Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director at the Asia program of Wilson Center at Washington DC says; “exploiting India’s vulnerabilities is an essential element of China’s “contain India” policy.”

“It is only a matter of time that China’s expansionist strategy in Kashmir is more visible and India will have no option then to challenge Chinese belligerence just like they did in Doklam, North Sikkim or Ladakh,” Kugelman added.

The US academic sees the growing Chinese investments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir as a strategy of closing on India. Kugelman  warns that Kashmir could emerge as the next big flashpoint between India and China where Pakistan will have pivotal role to play.

According to Kugelman, “these moves will bring one more tension to already strained India-China relationship. He was referring to the tense situation in Ladak where Indian and Chinese troops are locking horns on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Chinese investment in POK for the Diamer Bhasha dam has attracted  alarming response from India’s Defence head. Chief of the Defence Staff General Bipan Rawat has repeatedly talked about two front wars. About LAC standoff General Rawat has said, if negotiations fails with China, then India is ready with the option of war. The CDS is also of the view to bring the US into the theater India China Pakistan conflict. He has given statement that India should join ‘Quad’ to contain China at South China Sea.

Chinese moves in Kashmir have certainly aggravated strains to the already strained ties between India and China. The tension will involve Pakistan and the fact is all three are nuclear-armed neighbors, the prospects of the ‘Day After’ is chilling.

Many Indian experts have expressed concerns over the alarming situation developing on the LAC and LOC and attribute it to the ill-conceived hardline policies of the BJP government towards Kashmir, Pakistan and China.

The alarming situation has its echoes from the BJP’s historic judgment of abrogating Article 370 and doing away the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP with such acts instead of cooling down the temperatures has added fuel to the fire and has complicated the situation on the ground.

War as an exit option from such complicated situation sends chill in the spines of many Indian. The BJP government is under the impression that China is another Iraq or Afghanistan where US may assemble a coalition of force and come for India’s rescue. If the US does not come for India’s defence can India hold the ground on its own?

This war of attrition started by the BJP for its domestic consumption may go out of control and in such situation anything could happen. The BJP may not be there to see the remains of the day, but will common Indians cope up with such a situation is the big question that begs for an answer.  

The best bet for India is to refrain from war mongering and cool down the temperatures that has reached a new high in India-China, India Pakistan relationship.

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com