India’s interests betrayed in Egypt

The Prime Minister of the Union of India is oath-bound to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. And also to faithfully discharge his duties towards all manner of people in accordance to the Constitution and the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

Now India is no stranger to terrorism. Terrorists have been ripping us apart for decades and thousands of innocent lives have been lost under jihadi attacks. These only increased in intensity and frequency in the last few years. Bomb blasts became a routine and the people, appalled at our leaders' inaction, accepted it as a fact of life. Then 26/11 happened. This attack on Mumbai was no routine bomb blast. But we had professionally trained fidayeen attackers wrecking havoc in India's commercial capital. They held the city hostage for over 60 hours and by the time they were neutralised over 300 innocent lives had been lost. Landmark buildings were in flames, many lives were disrupted. People were enraged at this assault on their lives and the PM addressed the nation. Condemnations and promises were a part of it -

The dastardly terror attacks that took
place in Mumbai last
night and today leading to the loss of many precious lives and injuries to many
others have deeply shocked the nation. I strongly condemn these acts of
senseless violence against innocent people, including guests from foreign
countries. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and
sympathies to those injured. The Government will take all necessary measures to
look after the wellbeing of the affected families, including medical
treatment of injured.

[...] We are not prepared to countenance
a situation in which the safety and security of our citizens can be violated
with impunity by terrorists.

[...] We will take the strongest possible
measures to ensure that there is no repetition of such terrorist acts. We are
determined to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the safety and
security of our citizens.

[...] We will take up strongly
with our neighbours that the use of their territory for launching attacks on us
will not be tolerated, and that there would be a cost if suitable measures are
not taken by them. [Link] (Emphasis added)

In the seven months since then, all we saw was a bunch of files exchanged between us and Pakistan. Leave inflicting costs on our neighbour aside, even diplomatic measures weren't forthcoming. When Singh and Gilani met in Egypt last week, this resulted -

Both Prime Ministers recognized that
dialogue is the only way forward. Action on terrorism should not be linked to
the Composite Dialogue process and these should not be bracketed. Prime Minister
Singh said that India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including
all outstanding issues. [Link] (Emphasis added)

We had Singh assuring the nation, all the while, no dialogue would take place unless Pakistan acted credibly on ending terrorism. And now we have the same Singh agreeing to de-link terrorism from discussions with Pakistan. It gets even worse -

Prime Minister Gilani mentioned that
Pakistan has some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas. [Link]

Balochistan featured in the joint statement. When it is India that is among the worst affected by terrorism in the world and clearly was the victim in the Mumbai attacks, thanks to Singh, Pakistan manages to paint itself as a victim. It was Singh's responsibility to ensure keeping pressure and onus on Pakistan. But what really happened, in his presence, was that both the nations came out as equally aggrieved parties. It is astonishing that images of destruction and innocent blood did not come to Singh's mind when he met Gilani and issued the joint statement in Egypt. And this is the same person who is known to have lost sleep on at least one other occasion. So much for guarding India's interests. Singh's attempt of passing the buck and seeking refuge under "bad drafting" is juvenile to say the least. It lends all the more credence to the fact that he was not being diligent in Egypt.

Singh, being the PM, ought to realise the responsibilities of his position and the potential implications of his actions on nation. He has demonstrated an inability to do so on multiple occasions. This particular joint statement has grave implications. Singh's judgement is a suspect. Until he proves otherwise, it must be concluded that Singh is incapable of keeping our national interest above all else.

G-20 assessment of Indian measures against terrorism

Cheerleaders won't take the "communal" folk's word on Congress' laxity towards terrorism. Well, then here's the G-20's assessment. India fared poorly against these key measurement criteria -

1. Number of terrorists listed under
UNSCR 1333/1390 for which a freeze order has been issued: NIL

2. Number of other terrorists under UNSCR
1373 for which a freeze order has been issued: NIL

3. Amount of assets frozen for all
terrorists: ZERO

4. Specific risk-based measures in place to ensure that
non-profit organizations cannot be abused for the financing of terrorism?: NO

Even an Islamic country like Saudi Arabia fared better than us. For the complete listing click here. Because this report by the G-20 is inconvenient to the "secular" party and gives more fodder to the "communal forces" no mention was made of this by any news media covering the summit.

It is time the "voice of the people" media shunned its slant and start taking matters concerning our national interest seriously. Reducing the debate on terrorism to a yelling contest only takes the focus away from the grave dangers facing the nation.

The 100 day plan that Singh forgot

Manmohan Singh is to visit Assam tomorrow and today this happened -

Terror struck Assam on the eve of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's visit when the state was rocked by three blasts and a
grenade attack in the space of five hours on Monday killing seven persons - all
in the Maligaon area here - and injuring 63. [Link]

This in a state represented by Singh himself in the upper house and on the eve of his visit there. Speaks volumes of his complete laxity on terrorism. Assam has been experiencing blasts and terrorists activities have only increased in the past 5 years under Singh's leadership. Yet Manmohan Singh fails to realise the danger posed by terrorism to our nation.

When he visits Assam tomorrow, the people should remind him of this -

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday
suggested setting up of a task force to initiate a 100-day plan to address
"emerging challenges" in the areas of terrorism, Naxalism and insurgency.

"I suggest establishment of a task force
which would initiate a 100-day plan to develop an integrated capability to
address emerging challenges in areas such as left wing extremism, terrorism and
insurgency," Singh said addressing the conference of the country's top police
officers. [Link]

Singh delivered that sermon on 23 Nov 2008. It is now well past the 100 day mark and yet bombs continue to rip our cities apart. Much like everything else, nothing came of this promise.

Manmohan Singh continues to be tentative

PM talks tough on terror, that probably is the oft repeated headline following each act of terror on Indian soil. Sadly though, it does not include the word 'acts'. In fact that has been true of Manmohan Singh throughout his tenure as the PM. He has failed to act on any matter of significance.

Talking at Parvasi Bharatiys Divas at Chennai, Singh had this to say -

‘‘We’ll continue to work with the international community to ensure there’re no safe havens and launching pads for terrorists,’’ the PM said while inaugurating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2009 at the Chennai Trade Centre.

Repeated terror attacks, growing in frequency and intensity have only proven that India probably is as safe a haven for the terrorists, along with their overt and covert supporters, as Pakistan. With such as dismal record to show for himself, the PM's credibility is in tatters. But that does not stop him from pontificating the world on how terror must be dealt with.

Israel's response in Gaza is in sharp contrast to Manmohan Singh's response to Pakistan after it attacked in Mumbai. While Israel is committed to protecting it's citizens and sovereignty, Singh asks it to exercise 'restraint'. Much like he is being patient with the terrorists while our cities and citizens are being bombed away. Moreover, he goes on to condemn Israel when it clearly is acting to protect it's national interests. In his condemnation, he had this to say -

"It is our hope that the international community will come together to restore peace and normalcy," he said inaugurating the seventh edition of the three-day Pravasi Bhartiya Divas here.

However, this concern for peace and normalcy was lacking when bombs rained on Israeli soil. Singh did not seem to be bothered then. India can never dream of being superpower until it can protect it's citizens and interests. While war may or may not be the best option, lack of tough actions against Pakistan will only cast doubts on Singh's intentions. All this talk for being 'tough on terror' will be severely lacking in credibility until there actually is some action. There were a host of diplomatic measures that could be initiated against Pakistan. Recalling our High Commissioner, reviewing trade, denying access to Indian air space are some. Yet, over a month since the Mumbai attacks wrong signals continue to be sent by not exercising diplomatic retaliation. Experts and ex-officials have criticized this inaction.

Singh and the UPA continues to be timid, incoherent and spineless in guarding India's interests. The Indian electorate must take a lesson from Jharkhand voters and drive this alliance, that is hurting India, out of power.

More lip service

Manmohan Singh has apologised to the nation over the Mumbai attacks. However, he owes much more than that. He, along with Sonia, has blood on his hands. Sitting over specific intelligence inputs is akin to complicity in murder.

That it took Manmohan Singh this long to realise his folly is a sorry indication of his clouded intellect. This realisation ought to have dawned on him back in Aug. 2004 (soon after he took over as our PM) when a bomb went off in Assam (ironically represented by him in the Rajya Sabha) killing innocent school children. That should have been the incident to startle Singh from his slumber and jolt him in action. Since then, there have been at least a dozen major terror attacks on our soil and yet it is now, after about 3000 lives have been lost, he realises his mistake. Unconvincing. So much for his concern for the aam aadmi!

There is one critical realisation that has not yet dawned on Singh. It is actions that define a leader, not words. Throughout his tenure, all that Singh has ever delivered is sermons to the nation. What baffles one and all is when Singh knew so much on what the government should be doing, why has there been no action on his part. L K Advani, in the Lok Sabha, rightly asked the question, "Are you here to govern or tender advice?". And Arun Shourie, in the Rajya Sabha, has made a compelling argument indicting the ruling dispensation of criminal apathy are dereliction of duty.

Perhaps no other Prime Minister has hurt our national interest so much as Manmohan Singh. He has been nothing short of a monumental letdown.

The people of the nation are angry precisely because of the UPA's failure to act on any significant matter. The current outpour is only a culmination of over 4 years of frustration. Mere words or assurances will no longer placate the them, action, rather concrete and decisive action in the nation's interest will. The opposition too has vowed its complete support to steps in this regard. It is questionable if the PM will shun partisanship and appeasement to stand up and deliver for the nation.

Shocking beyond words

What kind of a government ignores threats to its own citizens and sovereignty? The callous apathy of sitting on specific intelligence inputs without doing anything about them is unpardonable. This pioneer news report makes the governments negligence clear.

Some excerpts -

Two days before the terrorists struck at Mumbai, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had intercepted this chilling message: Char halal ho gaye jenab (four have been killed).” Already in possession of information about a possible attack on Mumbai by sea route, the RAW passed on this message to the Coast Guard to increase vigilance along the coast. The matter ended there. No one cared to react. Two days later, the terror boat made a safe landing at the Cuffe Parade port in Mumbai coast.

And here is specific intelligence input [Emphasis added] -

This is just one piece of input that went abegging. The terrorists were in constant touch with their ‘masters’ across the border and several of their messages were intercepted by the Indian intelligence, who passed them on to both the Centre and the Maharashtra Government. There were similar other specific inputs which intelligence officials processed and warned of an imminent attack on Mumbai. Some warnings specifically mentioned Taj and Oberoi hotels as possible targets. For once, it would be unfair to lay the blame at the door of RAW, Intelligence Bureau or National Security Adviser.

But where is accountability? Resignations are nothing but escape routes for politicians. The UPA and the Maharashtra government ought to be tried in court for negligence and dereliction of duty. And sadly, none of the mainstream "secular" news media and the self proclaimed conscience keepers of the nation hold the politicians accountable. All we ever hear from them is pontification.

The exemplary Arun Shourie too has completely exposed the UPA's callous apathy and failures to carry out its duties. Please read it in its entirety. With leaders like the UPA constituents who needs enemies.

Indian security forces were not hasty

Isreali intelligence personnel seem to believe that Indian security personnel acted in haste in storming to flush the Jihadis out in Mumbai. While this may have been true elsewhere that was facing such a situation for the first time, it is not true in India's case. India has seen decades of Jihad waged on its soil by Rabid Islamists. And we have all the intelligence and evidence one could have against Pakistan. In fact, we probably have more than enough evidence that conclusively connects Pakistan with all the terror unleashed in India. Our political leadership has been inept in using it to secure India's interests. And that is the sad part.

Sold out souls

The recent terror attacks in Mumbai have left this blogger shocked, enraged and dismayed. My nation has been under attack for years now. This is only an escalation. But this has eluded our political leaders. The media slant, even in such times, is disturbing. CNN-IBN has not even bothered to wait for the situation to get under control to start putting a spin on it. Read this for a conclusive proof of them having sold out their souls. This line is particularly galling -

What baffles the security agencies is the sacred thread tied on his wrist which many say could be a plot to show that the attack was undertaken by probably an extreme Hindu group.

While all other reports prove that this is an Islamic terror attack. Read here, here, here and here.

And here, CNN-IBN is already trying to protect the gutless wonder Shivraj Patil. Completely soulless and sickening.

Terrorists wage war in Mumbai

There should be no doubt that India is under terror attack. It has been for a few years now, but the terrorists have ratcheted up scale and intensity. Will the leaders, particularly Manmohan Singh and Shivraj Patil have the intellectual clarity to realize this or will their pusillanimity continue? It is time the people held them responsible of derelection of duty and give the current leadership the boot.

You know where this is headed, don't you?

Establish terror links to the Hindus anywhich way, then equate the RSS with SIMI, then ban the RSS, next BJP and finally all Hindus. That Congress's social justice for you.

Trial by media

Raucous reporting by presenters of vacuous intellect passes off for serious news In India. The 24 X 7 television news channels are so driven by sensationalism and TRPs, they have dropped all semblence of responsibility, objectivity, fairness and nonpartisanship. News reports are no longer factual presentations made after thorough verification, instead they are almost often peppered personal opinions, spun to suit the presenter's political inclinications. Hardly any report could be considered credible enough to be regarded as a reliable record of an event.

Any objective viewer of the Indian news channels will have noticed their blatant one-sided coverage of events. The electronic media has appointed itself as the nation's conscience keeper. The abject lack of respect for law and the judicial process in the media houses is evident from their eagernesss to pronounce verdict even before the law has taken course.

The recent Amarnath episode is one such example. News coverage presented the Pakistani flag waving, anti-India slogan shouting Muslims of Kashmir as the aggreved party, while there was a near total black out on the completely patriotic and justified Jammu protests. Apparently Hindus had no claim on temporary land for their pilgrimage to Amarnath.

Gujarat riots of 2002 were covered to death, without investigating into the cause, however, there was complete silence on the Nandigram episode. The Gujarat riots brings us to another example of blatant partisanship. The Nanavati commission, which had the Supreme Court's (SC) blessing, after one of the most thorough investigations, absolved Modi of wrong doing. Yet the media sough to discredit the report by comparing it to an extra judicial commission on whose report a stay order has been issued by the SC, simply because it did not suit them.

While multiple bombs exploded in Assam last month, it only was as a momentary breaking news item on the news media which is in the midst of a campaign to prove "Hindu terrorism". The alacrity with which the media is seeking to prove Hindus as "terrorists" is galling. The same was completely missing in investigating or reporting any previous acts of terror. In contrast, there was every effort to protect any and every Muslim link. The same media houses denouncing Hindus as "terrorists" never painted previous acts as "Green terror" or "Islamic terror". Terrorists did not have religion we were told. Yet that has not stopped the media in proclaiming Hindus as "terrorists". While the "intellectuals" are busy lecturing, the same conscience keepers of the nation are completely silent on the illegal Bangaldeshi immigrants issue, illegal and unethical conversion activities of the foreign missionaries.

It is time the media be held accountable for its irresponsible and partisan behaviour. It is time for a reality check. The political position they hold and try to sell to the people is so far left that it is an anathema to our national interest. Divisive and seditious voices are given prominence and termed as the voice of the "sane" or "intellegence" while nationalism is denounced. The nation must question the media's transgressions.

Our leaders must act, our people must make them do so

Our cities continue to be bombed and all we get is banal responses to the incidences from our leaders. The attacks were (and they continue) highly disturbing and could affect the moral of the people. The unmitigated disaster of a Home Minister, Mr. Shivraj Patil, was not even innovative with his remarks. The same words spoken as after every such incident, tossed and rearranged so they do not sound repetitive. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has been equally disappointing. But we have now come to expect this after having known them for these past four years. What else was new in their reactions to the recent bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad?

The dust had not yet settled from the blasts and we had the two main political parties sparring already, each trying to gain as much political mileage as it possibly could. First up, it was the UPA, headed by Congress that tried to exonerate itself by claiming it had warned the Karnataka government of a possible terror attack. Next we had the BJP claiming that the Congress is deliberately trying to go slow on the terrorists by not bringing back POTA. The BJP has a good point here since a tough anti-terror law would empower security agencies to act strongly and bring results to their investigations. However the latest allegation by Ms. Sushma Swaraj is far fetched even by conspiracy theory standards. The Congress will use it to discredit the BJP. This task will be easier since the Congress has immense clout in the mainstream media. The verbal war has the potential to divert attention from what is necessary. Some Congress leaders demand Mr. Modi's ouster, by the same logic, Mr. Shivraj Patil should be the first to go since terrorism has flourished during his tenure.

The Congress’ response has been typical, careful not to disturb its votes. The dogged refusal to act tough on terror even after bombings in two cities on two successive days in indicative of where their interests lie, national security is clearly not one of them. Add to that its handling of the Bangaldeshi refugees, border disputes with our neighbors, the Naxal and Maoist violence and nothing more would be needed to prove this. Congress leaders, especially the Prime Minister no less, claim that POTA never stopped terror attacks from taking place. However, that does not stop them from claiming that the present penal codes are enough in tackling terror. Clearly the penal codes are inadequate too. Another idea suggested by Dr. Singh is forming a federal agency to handle terrorism. Well, that too would not stop attacks unless it is armed to the teeth with tough anti-terror laws with less political interference into its functioning.

However, it is not all depressing. The police and emergency service response in Bangalore was very quick and effective in keeping the situation under control. There definitely is a marked difference in the way the state machinery worked during the Deve Gowda days and now. Similarly, the services in Gujarat following the tragic events have been praiseworthy. Mr. Narendra Modi was quick to respond to the situation and did not allow the situation to grow into anything unfortunate. The response of the leaders of the two states has also been praiseworthy. Both seem determined to deal with the situation without diverting their attentions to anything else. That is a good sign.

The center, especially the UPA rather the Congress, does not have the political will to deal with internal security matter strongly. This is even more pronounced since their vote base seems to have eroded greatly due to high inflation and the recent events involving the trust vote in the parliament. It does not want to disturb its traditional vote base lest it gets completely wiped out. It is the people who must refuse such banal responses from the Home Minister and our Prime Minister and demand action from them. It is time words replaced actions.

Update: My earlier thoughts about Ms. Sushma Swaraj's allegations were incorrect. I now believe she may not be entirely incorrect. Knowing Congress' dubious history and its ability to be involved into many a controversy, it is perfectly capable for anything. Besides, Ms. Swaraj did not name the Congress explicitly, so why are the Congressmen cursing her? Was it not a party to such grave allegations as the BJP being behind the attack on our parliament, Godhara etc? Any who can forget the unfounded allegations such as "Merchant of death" which our "secular" media furthered willing knowing fully well that it was a flase and grave charge aimed at vilification.

Is this not a security challenge Mr. Patil?

When Karan Thapar asked this question in connection to the Naxal and Mao aggression, our honourable Home Minister said "I Don't think so". And yet our policemen and ordinary folks continue to perish at the hands of aggressors. Mr. Patil has clearly not learnt any lessons.

Just how clueless is the Home Minister is evident from this interview. His only concern remains to steer himself away from any responsibility. If Mr. Patil expended as much effort in tackling terrorism strongly rather than try to defend himself by technical arguments, our country would be much better off. But this eludes the minister. But then again, how can one blame him when he hardly finds time to deliberate over security matters knowing all his time is spent in attending to his Madam boss (when not defending himself or making irresponsible statements). Dozens of bomb blasts have taken place under his tenure, the Naxal and Mao violence continues unabated and yet, our Home Minister remains unshaken. Almost all of the investigations into the various bomb blasts have not made any significant progress. There simply is no political will, lest it hurts their vote base. He has lost all moral responsibility to continue in office and should step down immediately accepting his failure.

The security situation today is not exactly rosy. We are faced with security threats across from all our borders. The continued lapse could cost us more. Is this not a serious security challenge facing us today? Do you not think so Mr. Patil?

A question for Sonia & Manmohan

What did you mean when you said you won't tolerate the charge of being weak on terrorists? Our fellow countrymen have been losing their lives in thousands while you continue to mouth platitudes. Can you refute the charges against you with proof & without rhetoric? And no, you can't use the Kandahar incidence as justification for your failures. We're talking about our nation here.

Honourable (?) Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, is this what you meant by reforms with a 'Human Face'? The Home Minister Shivraj Patil doesn't even acknowledge there's a problem. Just how clueless can one be. There can't be any hope with such leadership.

Sonia & Manmohan your failure to tackle terrorism is costing our country dear.

India among worst hit by terrorism...

...says the US State Department. This is further proof of total failure of the UPA government on this front.

As sad as this is, it's hardly surprising when our Home Minister is Shivraj Patil. Here's a man who considers it important to spend more time with his masters attending to their comfort than working for the nation's security. When his Prime Minister says that Naxalism is a great threat facing the nation, our hon. Home Ministers differs with him on the issue. He simply fails to understand the seriousness & tries to downplay the threat by reading the numbers as convenient to him.

Predictably, all the 'secularists' which include news channels, activists, 'eminent' personalities & human rights activists aren't crying hoarse at this. So much for objectivity.

Is it any wonder then our countrymen continue to die due to terrorism with such clueless leaders at the helm. The last year alone cost us over 2,300 of our compatriots. Who's the 'Maut ka Saudagar' now?