"Unanimity in support for action against terrorism": Ravi Shankar Prasad in Belgium
Brussels [Belgium], June 5 (ANI): BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, leading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation as part of India's big diplomatic outreach to refocus attention on terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor, said that there has to be a 'collective resolve' in the fight against terrorism, for human values, democracy, and humanity.
After the delegation meets with the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) from the delegation for relations with India, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Security and Defence, Ravi Shankar Prasad described the meeting as 'extraordinary'
'There was unanimity in support for action against terrorism, and they were the first to convey solidarity to India,' said Ravi Shankar Prasad. 'India is a stabilising country, a big country, a democratic country, and there has to be a collective resolve in the fight against terrorism, for human values, democracy, and humanity. That was the essence of the discussions,' Prasad added.
Earlier, BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari said, 'India is capable enough of taking care of itself. The Indian army never surrenders. But they thunder. We not only had male armed officers taking the front line, but we had women, too, who took the front line on the battlefield.'
'What is important here is to tell the entire world that today terrorism is not the conventional terrorism, but we are facing unconventional forms of terrorism in the form of radicalisation, sleeper cells and so on. So if it is at the doorstep of India today, it could be at your doorstep tomorrow,' she said.
Samik Bhattacharya, part of the delegation, cautioned about the impact of terrorism and its spread to Europe in the future.
'We want to send a clear message to all of Europe, the challenges India is facing today could also impact Europe in the future. Suppose anti-Hindu, anti-Christian, and anti-Buddhist propaganda continues unchecked. In that case, the consequences we're seeing in India may unfold across the European Union and other nations, and we are already seeing early signs of this.'
He invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech and said: 'The question arises, where are the IMF funds given to Pakistan being used? Pakistani military personnel are reportedly acquiring properties in the UK, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, and the United States -- but where is that money coming from? While the country's population is pushed towards hunger, those funds are being funnelled to military elites. Prime Minister Modi has made it clear -- any future acts of cross-border terrorism will be treated as acts of war, and India will respond differently this time,' he said.
The delegation arrived in Brussels on Wednesday after concluding their visit to the United Kingdom. During the two-day visit, the delegation is scheduled to hold several meetings aimed at consolidating global consensus against cross-border terrorism.
The delegation includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.
Earlier, the delegation visited the UK to garner widespread support for India's fight against terrorism and highlight Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. The team received support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora.
Ravi Shankar Prasad noted that they met UK leaders, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, and underlined the need for greater global accountability in terrorism financing, while reinforcing India's democratic approach.
The diplomatic effort is part of India's broader global outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 as a military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which claimed 26 lives.
Subsequently, the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
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The Wire
36 minutes ago
- The Wire
An Anti-Caste Counterculture Is Gradually Taking Root in UK Universities
In a darkened lecture theatre in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, about 50 people gathered on a Sunday morning for a special screening of Court by Chaitanya Tamhane, a movie that critiques casteism in the Indian legal system. Meanwhile, 400 kms away in northwest England, a book stand in the library of Lancaster University showcased a special collection on caste and Ambedkar. And in another part of the UK, at the University of Leeds, students gathered to commemorate Ambedkar's birth anniversary and discuss plans for the newly formed Dr Ambedkar Society. These scenes from Dalit History Month celebrations in April this year in different parts of the UK represent a quiet but growing assertion taking root in many English university campuses. With more Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi students going to the UK for higher education in recent years, they are creating a counterculture on campus, challenging how 'India' and 'South Asia' are understood among British and international students and faculty. Through organising lectures, workshops and film screenings, and by forming anti-caste and Ambedkarite student societies on campus, marginalised students in the UK are amplifying voices from within their communities on an international platform and contributing to the global understanding of caste and resistance to it. Some are taking the effort further by trying to push for their universities to recognise caste in their policies, to help address the familiar patterns of discrimination and structural inequality marginalised students experience in the UK. Creating a new cultural presence on campus With tens of thousands of Indian students enrolling in UK universities every year, it is commonplace to find 'India Societies' and 'Hindu Societies' among the many student-run clubs on campuses across the country. In fact, societies that promote Hindu religion and culture on campus have been around in the UK since at least 1991 . Through these groups, students organise a variety of events including Bollywood nights, aartis , Diwali and Garba celebrations, and discussions on Indian politics and society Dalit students who came to the UK to study did not feel represented by any of these existing societies, said Abhishek Bhosale, PhD scholar and current President of the SOAS Ambedkar Society. When the society was formed in 2018, the idea was to create a safe space where Dalit students could get together, as well as to democratise and diversify the campus by putting forward their stories and perspectives, he said. In the past year, during Abhishek's tenure as president, the society has organised several public events including a discussion with The Wire' s Sukanya Shantha and her lawyer Disha Wadekar on their petition in the Supreme Court about caste-based discrimination in Indian prisons. The society also organised discussions on Shahu Patole's book Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada and Anand Teltumbde's book Iconoclast. What impact do students hope to have through these events? Abhishek explained that by telling the story of caste in a university like SOAS with an international, politically engaged student body, sensitisation about caste inequalities can reach the wider world through these students when they return to their home countries. 'We want to internationalise the authentic stories of people from Dalit backgrounds. For example, if not for the SOAS Ambedkar Society, there wouldn't be a discussion in London on Patole's book about Dalit food,' Abhishek said. They also try to bring the academic discussions to life through cultural events such as the Anti-Caste Film Festival they organised in April this year, where the Court was screened. With support from the filmmakers who obliged without a screening fee, the students also showed Jai Bhim Comrade , Fandry , Kaala , and Dr B R Ambedkar to a diverse audience of 60-70 members in London. Poster of the Anti-caste film festival organised by the SOAS Ambedkar Society (Left). A scene from the screening (Right). Photo: Abhishek Bhosale/ SOAS Ambedkar Society. SOAS is also home to the first known Adivasi student society in the UK, the Maki Munda Indigenous Studies Society. In the 2023-24 academic year, a few students from Jharkhand who were at SOAS on various government scholarships created this society to engage with Adivasi issues on an international platform. In their public events, they make it a point to invite Adivasi scholars and grassroots activists as panelists, often joining virtually from India, to share their indigenous knowledge and first-hand experiences. During a student fair in January 2024, the society also organised an Adivasi dance from the Chotanagpur region. 'People write about the poverty among Adivasis, their trauma and rights abuse but rarely do they embrace Adivasi culture. As Adivasis, we constantly battle damnation and shame in being who we are. Through the dance, we wanted to showcase our rich heritage and give it due regard in an international space,' said Madhuri Xalxo, a PhD scholar and founding member of the society. A handful of universities in the UK now have Ambedkarite or anti-caste societies formed by students. The Ambedkarite Society of Edinburgh at the University of Edinburgh was formed in January 2024 as a response to various incidents of casteism that marginalised students experienced from fellow Indian students of privileged caste backgrounds. 'I was very taken aback by the lack of sensitivity among many Indians. So we formed the society to promote an anti-caste consciousness among students from India, among diaspora and among international students,' said Aniruddha Mahajan, PhD scholar and founding president of the society. At the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a few Dalit students started an LSE Ambedkar Society in January 2024 to give the iconic social reformer's ideas due regard in his alma mater. Ambedkar enrolled as a student in LSE in 1916 and completed a master's degree and a PhD from the university. Ritu Kochar, PhD student and founding president of the society, said, 'I was very proud to join the same university where Babasaheb once studied. But when I came here, I realised that even though Ambedkar is featured prominently as a notable alumni of LSE, there is hardly any engagement with his ideas on economics, caste or religion.' Through its activities, the society aims to change this and bring focus to his scholarship. At the University of Oxford, the Oxford South Asian Ambedkar Forum (OxSAAF) was formed in 2021 with the intention to create an alternative to the existing Indian cultural presence on campus, mostly associated with Diwali and Bollywood. 'One thing we wanted to do from the beginning was to create a desi counterculture of food, clothing, films and so on, in Oxford,' said Shireen Azam, DPhil scholar and founding member of OxSAAF. For instance, in 2022, OxSAAF organised a screening of the film Kaala by anti-caste filmmaker Pa Ranjith. 'After the screening, we gave out food coupons which said 'India is not a vegetarian country'. We served both veg and non-veg food but we wanted to push against the widespread association of India with vegetarianism,' Shireen said. Most societies have about 6-10 core members from different caste backgrounds and nationalities, with many more students and members of the public participating in their events. Despite their resolve to assert their presence, keeping the societies active year after year is a challenge since master's students leave when their one-year courses conclude, and PhD students are often kept busy by research and academic commitments. Outside of societies, some individual students like Mayur Helia, PhD scholar Lancaster University, are also doing their bit to bring insider perspectives to conversations on caste within academia. When he first enrolled here, he noticed that the university's library did not have many books on caste or Ambedkar. 'The library had whole sections of books on Gandhi and on Nehru but there was hardly anything on caste, especially those written by people from within the Dalit community,' Mayur said. This prompted him to write to the library's administration in 2024, suggesting that they commemorate Dalit History Month just as they mark occasions like Black History Month and LGBTQ+ History Month. The library staff obliged and in April 2024, for the first time, the library had a bookshelf showcasing books such as Caste Matters by Suraj Yengde and Coming out as Dalit by Yashica Dutt, along with a note on the significance of Dalit History Month. This year, too, the library celebrated the occasion with a dedicated bookshelf. Instagram: Lancaster University Library. Perhaps the biggest shift is the presence of so many researchers from marginalised caste backgrounds in the UK, engaged in academic knowledge production on caste, its history and its contemporary life. Students see this as an opportunity to correct the 'Savarna gaze' in research on the subject and to tell overlooked stories of resistance and dignity. 'There are enough privileged caste researchers doing research on us. I want Dalits to come here to the UK and talk about the community. Now it is time for insiders to get their voice and for the mic to be passed,' said Mayur, whose own PhD research is on caste, resistance and surveillance among sanitation workers in South Asia A growing push for recognition of caste in policies within UK universities Ambedkar famously said that caste would migrate with Hindus wherever they went, a prediction that has been visibly borne out in recent years across the globe. In the UK, too, students from marginalised castes experience subtle and unsubtle forms of discrimination from South Asian faculty and fellow students, and even outside the campus For instance, as a master's student at the University of Edinburgh, Vaishnavi (who goes by first name only) felt alienated by fellow Indian students when she told them she was on the Maharashtra government's overseas scholarship for OBC students 'After I told them, those students didn't want to go out with me, they didn't want to be friends. It disturbed me,' she said. It reminded her of similar experiences of discrimination she had endured during her undergraduate studies in India. 'You come from India and you are trying to run away from that but even here, you are getting the same experience,' Vaishnavi said Many students are first-generation learners who don't have the support networks or resources to tide over these challenges of moving to a new country with an unfamiliar academic system. Even the scholarships, particularly the National Overseas Scholarship, has its issues with students complaining that the stipend amount is insufficient to cover the high cost of living in the UK, forcing them to work part-time jobs Although university administrations in the UK are generally sensitive to the diverse needs of students, a lack of understanding of caste and its impact on the student experience means that universities are ill-equipped to address the specific issues of marginalised caste students. As president of the Ambedkarite Society of Edinburgh, Aniruddha tried to help a few students seek redressal after being subjected to caste-based discrimination from fellow Indian students. But the institutional mechanisms of the Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) in place to deal with such grievances fell short. 'It was difficult to make them understand the seriousness of the complaint and the overt and covert ways in which caste discrimination takes place. Most importantly, they didn't understand the impact it has on the victims and the trauma they experience,' Aniruddha said. When contacted, the EUSA said they were not in a position to comment since they are in the process of changing their representatives for the new academic year. To tackle this lack of understanding, students are now also trying to bring an acknowledgement of caste in policies within their universities. In 2023, students at SOAS, led by Sushant Singh who was then the union's co-president for Welfare and Campaigns, made a proposal to the Students' Union to add 'caste' to their Equality and Diversity policy. Now, as per the amended policy , the union is committed to creating equal opportunities and eliminating discrimination on the basis of caste, along with other characteristics such as age, race, and gender identity. The policy, however, applies only to the students' union and not to the university since the two are separate legal entities. Some students, like Yashashwani Srinivas, a PhD candidate at the University of Leeds, are trying to bring change by taking up positions with some influence. Yashashwani is a recipient of the White Rose doctoral studentship funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in the UK. She applied to be on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee for the studentship, and once on it, she advocated for caste to be included in the diversity monitoring. She was successful and, since October 2023, the studentship guidance states that while students will not be discriminated against on the basis of caste, age, race, gender and so on, this information will be collected anonymously to monitor the diversity of the cohort. It's a small change but in the process of doing it, Yashashwani hoped to begin important conversations around caste, conversations which she and fellow students now plan to keep going through the newly formed Dr Ambedkar Society at Leeds. Students are not alone in this fight – they are supported, with evidence and advice, by existing networks of anti-caste advocacy groups in the UK. Santosh Dass MBE, chair of the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA) in the UK, argued that these small wins, like Yashashwani's and the one at SOAS, are 'vital' even if they don't have an immediate impact. 'Maybe having the word 'caste' in the diversity policies will make them think about how people in positions of power may be treating Dalit students differently,' she said Dass and others in the UK's decades-old Ambedkarite movement have been campaigning for caste to be included in the UK's 2010 Equality Act which provides legal protection from discrimination at the workplace and in wider society on the basis of nine protected characteristics, including race, gender, sexual orientation, and age Previously, their efforts were thwarted by counter-lobbying from groups such as the Hindu Forum and the Hindu Council in the UK. Now, with students and Ambedkarite societies on campus trying to bring a recognition of caste within their universities' policies, activists like Dass are hoping that it creates a bottom-up demand for the UK government to include caste as a protected characteristic in the law If caste is added to the Equality Act, universities would be required to take active steps to eliminate discrimination on the basis of it and advance equality of opportunities, said Meena Dhanda, Professor of Philosophy and Cultural Politics at the University of Wolverhampton and long-time anti-caste activist. This could result in sensitisation for all staff and more targeted support for marginalised caste students with finding accommodation, navigating academics, scholarships and addressing any discrimination What happened in Oxford in 2023 is an indication of how the work of student societies and anti-caste groups in the UK can come together to create a wider impact. In June 2023, OxSAAF organised a one-day conference on the theme 'Caste Beyond South Asia' with participation from academics, senior university administration staff, and key activists from the UK. Professor Annapurna Waughrey and Professor Meena Dhanda, both academics involved in the anti-caste movement, and Dass of ACDA shared their research on caste discrimination in the UK in housing, education and employment. Holly Cooper, Equalities Officer for the Oxford branch of the University and College Union (UCU) which represents academic and support staff in higher education, was present at the meeting. ' The conference revealed the extent of the injustices related to caste-based discrimination at Oxford and the wider community. As Equality Officer, my main job is to address injustices, and so taking action was a necessary step,' Holly said in an email response. The discussions prompted Holly to take up the issue of caste at a meeting of the Oxford UCU branch, ultimately leading to them passing a resolution to recognise 'caste' as a protected characteristic within the branch. The motion also led to many conversations among branch members on what caste is and what caste discrimination looks like. Yet, the Equality Act even as it exists today does not hinder universities from making positive change, if they have the intent to do so. Since the 2023-24 academic year, the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD) offers the Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship , the first of its kind, targeted at students from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Caste backgrounds as well as first-generation learners to study on eligible master's programmes. The centre, based in Somerville College, University of Oxford, made a case for the scholarship on the basis that students from historically marginalised castes faced a higher barrier of entry to study at the University of Oxford. Commenting on the role of UK universities in addressing caste inequity, Baroness Jan Royall, Principal of Somerville College, said in an email, 'Universities have a responsibility to ensure that students from all backgrounds have equal access to education and opportunities. While caste discrimination may not be as widely discussed in the UK, it remains a deeply entrenched issue for many South Asian students. If we are serious about global inclusivity, we must acknowledge these challenges and take meaningful steps to address them.' Anti-caste activists, academics and students believe that the clamour for change within universities will only gain momentum in the coming years. As more students from marginalised castes come to the UK to study, there will likely be more instances of discrimination from privileged caste peers, and a greater push for universities to take notice and address inequities within South Asian and Indian communities. 'It is one thing to be interested in issues of caste out of intellectual curiosity. But it is different when it's intimately connected with your own lives. The presence of people for whom it's a question of their own lives has changed everything. Their presence will force a change which is urgently needed,' Professor Dhanda said. Meghana Choukkar is a journalist and researcher affiliated with King's India Institute at King's College London. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
India Today
38 minutes ago
- India Today
Security measures enhanced in valley ahead of Amarnath Yatra
Indian security forces have intensified their efforts to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. With anti-terror operations underway in Jammu and Kashmir, preparations for the annual pilgrimage are in full Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 9, will see heightened security measures along the entire route. The Indian Army, in coordination with other security agencies, is taking proactive steps to ensure the pilgrimage is smooth and secure. Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Prateik Sharma visited the Srinagar-based 15 Corps (Chinar Corps) earlier this week to assess the Army's preparedness and review security arrangements. 'The Army is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the journey is fully safe and smooth,' officials year, approximately 50,000 security personnel will be deployed across the 38-day journey. Forces will be stationed at base camps, on the yatra routes, and in all sensitive areas. Surveillance will be strengthened by the use of drones, helicopters, and round-the-clock CCTV monitoring. Digital mapping will be used to track the movement of pilgrims, and digital ID cards will be issued for all yatris and pony riders to strengthen identity Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Indian Army have jointly audited all routes for security. Additional safety features being implemented include the following:Blocking all approach roads linked to national highways during the yatraEnhanced jammer and escort convoy protectionDeployment of Quick Reaction Teams, bomb disposal units, K9 dog squads, and increased drone surveillanceActive deployment of combined Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles throughout the routeadvertisementThe yatra, which will commence from Pahalgam, has long been a target of terror groups. There have been 36 attacks on the Amarnath Yatra over the past 32 years. The first occurred in 1993, with multiple attacks following through the 1990s. In 2000, the deadliest attack killed 32 and injured 60 at the Pahalgam base camp, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. In subsequent years, grenades were lobbed at camps and vehicles. A lull followed until 2017, when gunmen attacked a pilgrim bus, killing seven and injuring have emphasised that ensuring the safety of pilgrims is their highest priority. 'Security agencies have increased their vigilance for the peaceful and safe conduct of the yatra,' officials said. 'It is the priority of the central and state governments that the devotees can reach the holy cave without any fear and hinderance.'Last year, over five lakh devotees undertook the Amarnath Yatra, a number expected to rise again this year. IN THIS STORY#Amarnath Yatra#Jammu and Kashmir
Hindustan Times
38 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
PM Modi opens world's highest Railway Bridge in J&K after Op Sindoor
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, marking his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the launch of Operation Sindoor. Accompanied by J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, PM Modi unfurled the tricolor and celebrated a major milestone in national infrastructure. The Chenab Bridge, a key part of the ₹43,780 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, connects Kashmir with the rest of India and stands as an engineering marvel—soaring 359 meters above the riverbed, making it 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. Watch for more
