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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Is Bangladesh slipping into authoritarianism?
On June 7, on the eve of Eid ul Azha, the Chief Adviser to the interim government in Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, delivered a televised address to the nation, promising to hold elections in April 2026. He also announced that the country would witness the launch of the 'July Proclamation', which had been earlier planned by student activists to 'bury' the Constitution of Bangladesh, as it is linked to the founder of Bangladesh and Awami League co-founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prof. Yunus said that the document will 'include a list of reform proposals, agreed upon by all parties, aimed at building a welfare-oriented state.' As the interim government of Bangladesh has announced that there could be constitutional reforms, there are concerns that the country is slipping into authoritarianism. Is Bangladesh slipping into authoritarianism? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Smruti S. Pattanaik, Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses; Sanjay Pulipaka, Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation Host: Kallol Bhattacherjee Audio edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian You can now find The Hindu's podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Experts align with Omar's view, saying revival of Tulbul Navigation Project will yield socio-economic benefits for J&K
NEW DELHI: PDP chief may have slammed CM over his call for reviving the Tulbul Navigation Project , but he has echoed India's long-term interests, with experts flagging how its implementation will yield socio-economic benefits for the entire UT. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project, also known as the Wular Barrage , is a navigation lock-cum-control structure located at the outlet of the country's largest freshwater lake, Wular, in J&K. It was designed to facilitate navigation on the Jhelum river during lean winter months (Oct-Feb) but was stalled by Pakistan citing the (IWT). As the treaty is in abeyance following the last month Pahalgam terror attack, experts, who have tracked the project's development ever since it was stalled by Pakistan in 1987, believe that its implementation can be the most immediate step for the benefit of J&K. 'It is time for India to finally break ground on the long-stalled Tulbul Navigation Project,' said Uttam Sinha, a senior fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses. He rues that for nearly four decades, the 'developmental aspirations' of the people of Kashmir were 'sacrificed at the altar of diplomatic caution' even as its implementation falls well within the treaty. 'It is a matter of interpretation. India has long held the view that regulating depletion of naturally stored water for use of navigation, which is non-consumptive, is permissible under the IWT,' said Sinha. Kushvinder Vohra, former Central Water Commission chairperson, echoed similar views and explained how the project will help in better flood and water management through the Wular lake, and also help in tackling drainage congestion downstream. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'It shall help in maintaining requisite water depth in the Jhelum below the Wular lake during the lean period so that navigation can be maintained throughout the year,' said Vohra, noting that it will also have an 'incidental benefit' of increase in power production through hydro-electric projects . But why was the project stalled when it falls well within the treaty? After all, non-consumptive use is permitted to India under the IWT which includes control or use of water for navigation, provided these do not prejudice downstream uses of waters by Pakistan. Islamabad could never establish any prejudice to their downstream uses by the construction of the structure. Pakistan during multiple secretary-level talks in the past flagged that the project structure is a barrage with a storage capacity of around 0.3 million acre feet (0.369 billion cubic metre) and that India is not permitted to construct any storage facility on the main stem of the Jhelum river. Sinha said, 'It's a matter of interpretation.. .Now, the suspension (of the IWT) paves the way for a more assertive water of the Tulbul project is the most immediate step that can be taken.'
