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New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
In UK, Ravi Shankar Prasad invokes Gandhi, says principle of non-violence is more relevant today
LONDON: Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-violence is more relevant today given the terrorism being sponsored from across the border by Pakistan, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said in London on Sunday. Prasad, who is leading the all-party delegation in Europe as part of India's diplomatic outreach following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, marked the official start of the UK visit by paying floral tributes to B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi and addressing a massive community gathering at the High Commission of India. "It is a matter of great pride for us that right in the heart of London before the great statue of Mahatma Gandhi, we have come to pay our respects and offer flowers," Prasad told reporters at the Gandhi Memorial at Tavistock Square. "Mahatma Gandhi's principle is all the more relevant today, of non-violence, of truth, of amity, of sadbhav (goodwill). In this age of terrorism sponsored from across the border by Pakistan, his message is equally important," he said. Former minister and author M J Akbar reflected upon the "first known instance of terrorism as state policy" by Pakistan in October 1947 when 5,000 terrorists were sent to Kashmir. "Gandhiji was an apostle of non-violence, but about these raiders and terrorists Gandhiji sounded like (Britain's war-time prime minister) Churchill, and later he told a prayer meeting that the duty of Indian soldiers is to defeat this terrorism and never retreat," Akbar told PTI. Earlier, the delegation explored the Ambedkar Museum in north London, where the leaders reflected upon the enduring legacy of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. "Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us a very important document through which we live by -- the Constitution-- which we strive for, which we have been fighting for and ensuring that the idea of inclusivity, justice and equality for all is maintained in true spirit and not just in words," said Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. "On the other hand, we have a Pakistan which continues its terror activities. We both got divided at the same time in 1947, and in 1950, we became a Republic while Pakistan continues to struggle with having an elected government in place, and the army generals have totally taken over," she added.
The Print
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Operation Black Forest—how Modi-Shah's push for a Naxalism-free India is gaining ground
A significant achievement has been the elimination of a top Maoist leader, Basavaraju or Nambala Keshava Rao, in Chattisgarh's Abujhmad on 21 May. This operation, code-named Operation Black Forest, was aimed at dismantling Naxal and Maoist networks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are determined to eradicate Left Wing Extremism in the country and this was reflected in the latter's words: 'Our target is to end it completely by March 31, 2026.' While India celebrated the success of Operation Sindoor, another effective operation was underway in the heartland of India. The war against Left Wing Extremism has been quietly and steadily taking place in the country's interiors where a Red corridor existed from 'Pashupati to Tirupati', undermining the progress made under the democratic reforms as envisioned by the founding fathers of the Indian Constitution. What is Naxalism? Naxalism is a far-Left political ideology inspired by a blend of Lenin's ideologies, Karl Marx's theories, and Mao Zedong's form of Communism. It derives its name from Naxalbari, a hamlet in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, where a group led by the trio of Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, rose up and created an armed conflict in 1967. The uprising was speedily quashed by the state government. But it sparked off a nationwide movement, all the way from the borders of Nepal to the temple towns of southern India. The Naxalites used violence in the name of ideological or philosophical ideals. They called it an uprising against injustice and class struggle, or an armed revolution, where ideologies were imported from the Communist Bloc to destroy democratic values in India. The movement is also influenced by Mao's People's War, based on guerrilla warfare and rural uprising, hence giving rise to the moniker 'Maoists'. The Maoists consider the country and the Indian Constitution as their enemy and constantly engage in guerrilla-style warfare against the state. After Charu Majumdar's death in 1972, the Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist, which he founded, weakened and splintered up, only to get a new lifeline in the 1990s and early 2000s. While the Communist parties remained within the parameters of the Constitution, the CPI (Maoist) operated as a fringe outfit, indulging in law and order violations with a militant mindset to fight the state. Their activities extended in primarily rural, mineral-rich, and underdeveloped belts of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The central goal has been to capture power through armed insurrection and violence. The CPI (Maoist) emerged in 2004 with the merger of splinter groups, namely the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) People's War and the Maoist Communist Centre of India. While China, the country where this ideology originated, does not allow such extremist philosophies to operate on its soil, in India, these organisations have been placed on terrorist list and are banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Also read: The very people that Naxals claimed to fight for have rejected them Why was it important to curtail Maoism? According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Maoist insurgency has become a serious internal security challenge and an 'impediment to the nation-building process'. The Maoists had set up a parallel government in remote and less–inhabited areas, leading to a governmental vacuum and a concerning security situation that threatened the integrity and sovereignty of India. They do not recognise private investment and infrastructure development, and are against government welfare schemes. They ran parallel governments, engaged in unlawful activities like arms trafficking and extortion, and obstructed the functioning of schools and hospitals to ensure their sphere of influence prospered. The principles of Maoism erode the very tenets of democracy, as they are against free and fair elections and the democratic process. Maoists claim to protect the interests of the tribals and the landless, but in reality, they deny access to development and welfare for these neglected people. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, the Maoist insurgency has claimed nearly 12,000 lives since 2000. Not only are the poor civilians caught in the crossfire between the insurgents and the police forces, but valuable resources and funds that could be used for infrastructural development are diverted for anti-insurgency operations. There ought to be no misunderstanding: Maoists are a threat to national security, as they vociferously reject the Indian Constitution and aim to overthrow democratically elected governments through violence and anarchy, with the ultimate aim to control resources and create a parallel economy of terror and disruption. Economic consequences of the 'Red' movement The 'Red corridor' has been reduced to a handful of 'Red' hotspots, as per the MHA. The economic consequences of Left Wing Extremism have been far-reaching and monumental, mainly due to loss and damage to infrastructure, power lines, bridges, railway tracks; and the costs of deployment of security forces, loss to industry and mining operations. Further, according to a 2009 Hindustan Times report, a parallel economy worth Rs 1,500 crore had been operating in Naxal-affected regions, where these LWE groups would extort money from contractors and industrial houses to line the pockets of their commanders. Often, companies are compelled to pay huge sums to ensure their operations are not disrupted. Moreoever, naxalism impacts foreign investments as well. Also read: Success against Maoist leader Basavaraju was unthinkable a few years ago—here's what changed BJP government's action plan In 2006, a Left Wing Extremism Division was created under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor and control this scourge of society. A concerted game plan was initiated to counter this homegrown terror. The Union Home Minister would meet with the chief ministers of LWE-affected states every year and make personal visits to review the situation on the ground. The Cabinet Secretary is also expected to hold regular review meetings with the Chief Secretaries, the DGs and the DGPs. A concerted plan to end the Naxal movement is in place, and it is clear that PM Modi and Amit Shah mean business. 'The day is not far when Maoist violence will be completely eradicated from the country,' PM Modi said last week while announcing infrastructure projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Bihar's Karakat. Schemes to strengthen the security forces against LWE have been initiated such as the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), and Fortified Police Station scheme under which 626 such police stations have been constructed. The Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I) for LWE-affected areas scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for improving road connectivity in 34 LWE affected districts of eight states—Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. This scheme envisaged construction of 5,361 km road lengths in LWE-affected states, of which 5,204 km roads have been completed, according to the home ministry. Another scheme, Road Connectivity Project for LWE-affected areas (RCPLWE), worth Rs 11,725 crore, has been approved for the construction of 12,228 km of roads and 705 bridges sanctioned in LWE-affected states under the Ministry of Rural Development, out of which 9,506 km roads and 479 bridge works have been completed. Three telecom projects—Mobile Connectivity Project Phase-I & Phase-II, Provision of 4G mobile services in the villages of aspirational districts, and Saturation of 4G mobile services—are being implemented in LWE-affected areas to improve telecom connectivity. In total, 10,511 mobile towers are planned in LWE-affected areas under these projects, of which 7,777 mobile towers have been installed so far. This will help monitor and control Naxal terrorism in the affected areas. The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), launched in 2018, has also been a game-changer in uplifting underdeveloped districts through data-driven and inclusive governance. The double engine of PM Modi and Amit Shah envisage a holistic integration of former Naxalites into a civil society based on the tenets of inclusion and equality as envisaged by the founding fathers of the Constitution of India, creating a space for positive dialogue and rehabilitation of former rebels. Outreach programmes for the tribal youth are being conducted and a budget of Rs 52.5 crore has been released for this purpose. It involves influencing the youth through jingles, pamphlet distribution, and documentaries to help them eschew the path of conflict and embrace life under the umbrella of the Constitution. The aim is to mainstream the people by encouraging them to leave the path of violence and choose peace and prosperity to help build an inclusive society. Meenakashi Lekhi is a BJP leader, lawyer and social activist. Her X handle is @M_Lekhi. Views are personal. (Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ambedkar statue defaced again in Punjab
JALANDHAR: Two months after a Khalistan flag and graffiti reading 'Sikhs are not Hindus' were placed on Dr B R Ambedkar's statue in the village of Nangal near Phillaur at the behest of Sikhs For Justice, the statue at the same place was defaced with black paint, stamped with 'SFJ', and a Khalistan flag was put around it. SFJ's General Counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released the raw footage of the defaced statue on Monday morning, while also calling for the blackening of Ambedkar's statues on June 6, alleging he 'weaponized the Indian Constitution, which is the backbone of the infamous Operation Blue Star .' He also pointed out that targeting Ambedkar's statues was timed to mark the 41st year of the army action at Darbar Sahib. Police cleaned the statue in the morning and started scanning through the CCTV footage around it. 'On 6 June 2025, Sikhs For Justice will carry out a coordinated campaign to deface statues of Ambedkar across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh with black paint. This blackening is a direct message to the global Sikh community that the Indian Constitution — authored by Ambedkar — is the legal document that enabled the 1984 military invasion and subsequent genocide of Sikhs,' Pannun said. 'The Indian Constitution authored by Ambedkar legally reclassified Sikhs as Hindus under Article 25(b), which was the ideological foundation for the Indian Army's attack on Sri Darbar Sahib. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Ambedkar's Constitution was the weapon used by Indira Gandhi's regime to erase Sikh identity and justify state violence,' he added. He claimed that the statue defacement was aimed at exposing and confronting the Indian govt's constitutional and military crimes against the 'Sikh nation'. During the intervening night of March 30 and 31, a Khalistan flag and graffiti reading 'Sikhs are not Hindus' were placed on Ambedkar's statue at the same place at SFJ's behest. Later, Jalandhar Rural police arrested two accused - Sukhbir Singh and Avtar Singh from the village of Nurpur Chatha, near Nakodar - in the case. Police also added provisions of UAPA to the case while claiming that the accused received funds from abroad to vitiate the atmosphere in Punjab. Later, a new statue replaced the old one, and it was defaced this time.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Gandhi's principles more relevant today amid cross-border terrorism: Ravi Shankar Prasad in U.K.
Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-violence is more relevant today given the terrorism being sponsored from across the border by Pakistan, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said in London on Sunday (June 1, 2025). Mr. Prasad, who is leading the all-party delegation in Europe as part of India's diplomatic outreach following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, marked the official start of the U.K. visit by paying floral tributes to B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi and addressing a massive community gathering at the High Commission of India. "It is a matter of great pride for us that right in the heart of London before the great statue of Mahatma Gandhi, we have come to pay our respects and offer flowers," Mr. Prasad told reporters at the Gandhi Memorial at Tavistock Square. "Mahatma Gandhi's principle is all the more relevant today, of non-violence, of truth, of amity, of sadbhav (goodwill). In this age of terrorism sponsored from across the border by Pakistan, his message is equally important," he said. Former Minister and author M.J. Akbar reflected upon the "first known instance of terrorism as state policy" by Pakistan in October 1947 when 5,000 terrorists were sent to Kashmir. "Gandhiji was an apostle of non-violence, but about these raiders and terrorists Gandhiji sounded like (Britain's war-time Prime Minister) Churchill, and later he told a prayer meeting that the duty of Indian soldiers is to defeat this terrorism and never retreat," Mr. Akbar told PTI. Earlier, the delegation explored the Ambedkar Museum in north London, where the leaders reflected upon the enduring legacy of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. "Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us a very important document through which we live by — the Constitution — which we strive for, which we have been fighting for and ensuring that the idea of inclusivity, justice and equality for all is maintained in true spirit and not just in words," said Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. "On the other hand, we have a Pakistan which continues its terror activities. We both got divided at the same time in 1947, and in 1950, we became a Republic while Pakistan continues to struggle with having an elected government in place, and the army generals have totally taken over," she added. Their tributes to the founding fathers of the nation were followed by the nine-member team being received by Indian High Commissioner to the U.K. Vikram Doraiswami at India House in London, where hundreds of community leaders and members of the Indian diaspora had assembled waving tricolours and chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. "You have great regard for your motherland. The assurance to all of you is that India is strong, resurgent and will take care of Pakistan and terrorism, but you convey our message here and globally, too — terrorists must be made to pay the cost," said Mr. Prasad. The evening opened with a rendition of the Indian National Anthem and was interspersed with applause and chants in praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The delegation here belongs to different parties with different ideologies, but when it comes to the interest of our country, we all stand here united, not belonging to different parties but as Indians," said BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari. "Operation Sindoor was a political directive of the Indian government, of the Indian Prime Minister, and I want to share with you that it was a 100% success,' said former Deputy National Security Adviser Pankaj Saran. The High Commissioner underscored that terrorism needs to be treated as a global issue and not a problem limited to India. "It is a global reality, and to pretend that this is something that happens only occasionally that Indians have to live with is a grave mistake... the time has come for the world to take it more seriously." The community gathering was followed by a private dinner with the U.K.'s shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, and her team from the Opposition Conservative Party. "The delegation reaffirmed India's united stance and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms," the High Commission of India in London said in a statement. "They emphasised India's readiness to decisively respond to any and all acts of terrorism, underscoring the nation's policy of zero tolerance towards such threats," the statement added. The multi-party delegation, led by Mr. Prasad and comprising MPs Purandeswari, Chaturvedi, Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar Singh, Samik Bhattacharya, M. Thambidurai besides Akbar and Ambassador Saran, is scheduled for a series of engagements with think tanks, parliamentarians and diaspora leaders during the three-day U.K. visit concluding on Tuesday (June 3. 2025). From the U.K., the delegation will head for discussions and meetings with a cross-section of parliamentarians, political leaders and diaspora groups in the European Union (EU) and Germany. The delegation is one of the seven multi-party delegations India has tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to emphasise Pakistan's links to terrorism. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Hans India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
AP's share in KG Basin demanded
Rajamahendravaram: CPI State Assistant Secretary Muppalla Nageswara Rao demanded that Andhra Pradesh receive its rightful share of the natural wealth being extracted from the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin, particularly in the form of gas and oil. He announced that the CPI will organise a state-level conference in Rajahmundry in July to raise awareness and mobilise public support for this cause. Addressing the media at the CPI office here on Sunday, Nageswara Rao alleged that corporate companies are looting natural resources worth lakhs of crores of rupees from Andhra Pradesh. He urged the people of the state to rise in protest against what he described as systematic exploitation. 'The KG Basin contains more oil reserves than Bombay High. Resources worth around Rs 60 lakh crore are being siphoned off by corporate entities,' Rao stated. He said that, as per the Indian Constitution, 30% of the revenue generated from the extraction of natural resources must be reinvested in the development of the region they are sourced from. However, he claimed this directive is not being implemented in Andhra Pradesh. Given the state's dire financial condition, he urged the government to support the CPI's agitation for a fair share in resource revenue. He also expressed disappointment over the silence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan regarding the ongoing protests by workers seeking to protect the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. CPI District Secretary Tatipaka Madhu, Assistant Secretary Kundravu Rambabu, and City Secretary V Kondala Rao were present.
