SC dismisses review plea for reinvestigation into Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination
The Supreme Court has found “no grounds” to recall its judgement rejecting the plea seeking reinvestigation into the alleged “larger conspiracy leading to” the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The apex court refused to take into account the plea in the review petition that claimed that “fresh” documents and evidence would clear the air in the matter.
Mumbai-based researcher Pankaj Phadnis , who is also the trustee of Abhinav Bharat Charitable Trust, had filed a petition asking the apex court to peruse some books and a forensic report of the photographs of wounds on the body of Gandhi to decide the need for fresh probe into his killing.
The Supreme Court had rejected his earlier plea for re-investigation into the assassination on March 28, 2018. In the fresh plea, he had given reference from two book — “Who Killed Gandhi” by Lourenco de Salvador written in 1963 and “India Remembered” by Pamella Mountbatten, daughter of the then Governor General Lord L. Mountbatten. He had claimed that examination of the two books would lead to conclusion that the person/persons in the highest echelons of power, were “complicit” in the murder of Gandhi.
In the plea, he claimed that he had obtained a report of a well-known expert in the United States who has categorically confirmed that four wounds were visible on the chest of Gandhi in the photograph obtained by him from the National Gandhi Museum, Delhi and which had been published on January 31, 1948 by a prominent newspaper and has been on display for the last 70 years in the museum.
Johnny Depp seeking USD 50 million in damages from ex-wife Amber Heard
Hollywood star Johnny Depp has filed a USD 50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife and actor Amber Heard for accusing him of domestic violence in an article published in Washington Post.
According to The Blast, the 55-year-old actor’s lawsuit is his response to Heard’s Washington Post op-ed that she wrote last year, in which she claimed to be a victim of abuse. In the op-ed, Heard, 32, had revealed that she lost out on a number of film roles as a result of the “full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out”. She had also claimed that she received death threats after she accused Depp of domestic violence.
In the lawsuit, Depp’s lawyers insisted that he “never abused Ms. Heard” and alleged that she used the claims in order to further her career in Hollywood. “Ms. Heard is not a victim of domestic abuse, she is a perpetrator,” says the suit, while calling the allegations against Depp as “hoax”. Depp also claimed he was dropped from a “Pirates of the Caribbean” film after the op-ed was published, causing him financial damage. He is seeking USD 50 million in damages.
Tornado wreaks havoc in Alabama, 22 dead
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones has said that at least 22 people died and several others injured on Sunday, due to a tornado that roared into southeast Alabama. The severe storm caused catastrophic damage and unleashed other tornadoes around the Southeast.
Drones flying overheard equipped with heat-seeking devices had scanned the area for survivors but the dangerous conditions halted the search late Sunday, Jones said. An intense ground search would resume Monday morning.
The National Weather Service confirmed late Sunday a tornado with at least an F3 rating and a track at least half a mile (.8 kilometers) wide caused the deadly destruction in Alabama. Radar and video evidence showed what looked like a large tornado crossing the area near Beauregard shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday, said meteorologist Meredith Wyatt with the Birmingham office of the National Weather Service.
President Donald Trump tweeted late Sunday, “To the great people of Alabama and surrounding areas: Please be careful and safe. … To the families and friends of the victims, and to the injured, God bless you all!”
UN Secretary-General welcomes IAF pilot’s return to India
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the return of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthman from captivity in Pakistan and called on the two countries to sustain the “positive momentum” and engage in further constructive dialogue.
“UN chief Guterres welcomes the news of the release of the Indian pilot by Pakistani authorities,” his spokesperson Stephane Dujarri c told PTI when asked about the Secretary-General’s response to the development.
Varthaman’s release was being watched with bated breath across India as the IAF pilot was accorded a hero’s welcome as he crossed onto India through the Wagah Border. The IAF pilot’s release was seen as a major step towards defusing a near-war situation triggered by India’s retaliation over Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism. Varthaman was in one of the eight MiG-21s that took on the invader and shot down an F-16. During the dogfight, his plane was hit and he bailed out, landing in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where he was taken into custody by the Pakistani army.
On the Rise: A Million Creative Entrepreneurs
Given a chance, who would not aspire to be in full control of their destiny? Experimenting, learning and deciding a unique pursuit, like a boat freely moving in a vast ocean.
Once upon a time, India was such a nation. A society of creative individuals, coexisting in culture of truth and justice. Wise people called it Dharm, (self-regulating wisdom), where each person could blossom to fullest, as eloquently stated in two words–“Aham Bramhasmi” (I am the Creator). Those ahead, facilitated others growing around them. That was the civilisation, when India was known by her truer name, Bharat.
Since times immemorial, new lives are born each day, being nurtured with utmost care. Yet, only a handful may choose to pursue adventures of true freedom. Majority perish with little or no trace, without ever getting to know the real purpose of their being. Decision is always one’s own.
Twenty-first Century has begun with a new set of innovations, with extraordinary opportunities for the mankind. Advent of internet has put the man on an accelerated path of growth. The only limitation being one’s own imagination. Every passing day brings yet another disruption, towards greater possibilities. How many of us are willing to see the big picture and dare convert these possibilities into reality is the root question.
Youth in every country is blessed to be born in such rare times, which can be termed as ‘eye of the storm’ for at least a century to come. Like a whirlpool, the global-order is in a flux and in the midst of churning. Dynamic creative minds would strive and establish the world at a higher orbit of purpose, in a matter of a generation or so.
India is poised uniquely to play a decisive role during this churning and thereafter, as her ancient wisdom would be increasingly sought by the future leaders from everywhere. Hers is a demonstrated reality of sustained coexistence through thousands of years, despite barbaric onslaughts. This becomes even more pertinent as the future direction of mankind shifts inward, having reached the saturation point externally. So, the creative opportunities for youth who are India-born and/or who have proper exposure to Indian heritage in any domain of choice or natural aptitude is immense. All that is needed is truly passionate entrepreneurial spirit.
“Entrepreneur-ing” means having the courage to chart a new course, with clarity and conviction. Ability to define actual need, understanding extent of associated challenges and risks, willingness to plunge oneself with definite goals are the key characteristics required to be nurtured from very young age.
As wrongly perceived, entrepreneuring is not about becoming owner of a business enterprise, necessarily. When someone like a Sreedharan (Delhi Metro) or a Bhabha (BARC) decides to take charge of creating a new institute, it is as much an act of entrepreneuring. Sense of ownership, in any case, is always required in every task of life to grow oneself internally and to one’s fullest. In fact, owning an enterprise does offer freedom and flexibility in defining priority of dreams and pursuing them in ways possible.
Anyone and everyone who feels his or her mind being grossly under-utilised or wasted in championing futile goals of any organization, small or large, in village or in a city, or anywhere else, has a rare chance to untie oneself and rise!
Join our campaign… “Be an Entrepreneur”
Yes, we are still talking to Pakistan but in different languages
Pakistan has been saying from all public platforms that it wants talks with India. Pakistan wants to talk in order to defuse escalating tensions between the two neighbours. It wants third party or multiple party mediation to help achieve its goals which is to get off the hook. The right, left and centre flailing of arms by India has left it shattered and agitated.
Pakistan is mortally afraid to be made a punching bag by the giant that it has been needling all these years. Pakistan’s political class as also its people and the so-called “civil society” members on both sides of the border are proving to be its most valuable assets.
This is a 360 degree turn, from talking to India through its terrorism machinery to pleading in a civic manner. All this is fake optics meant to dissolve the Indian resolve to break bones of terrorists.
Talks have always been on between the two nations and the mode of communication were terrorist proxies controlled by Pakistan. These talks are at least a decade old and date back to 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008.
Pakistan talked in terms of killing over 166 people in 2008, and India responded by setting up the NIA (National Investigation Agency)! Laugh or cry at this choice by India, but that is the most serious thing done by India post-26/11.
Cut to the Uri attack of 2016. This was a message from Pakistan regarding its destructive capabilities. Merely ten days after the Uri attack, there was a communication from India by way of retaliatory surgical strikes. INDIA DID TALK BACK. However, Pakistan said there was no response from India, entirely refuting this two-way communication.
Cut to Pulwama terror attack on the Lovers’ Day (February 14) in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred. Indian Mirages replied back by bombing Balakot. Again, this was one communication from India that Pakistan refuses to acknowledge.
Analyse its claims that other than some trees, nothing much was hurt. This claim and any truthful account regarding the extent of damage suffered by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has been stubbornly kept under wraps by Pakistan. This serves to anger India further as these bombardments were carried out to damage Jaish. Pakistan claims it has suffered no damage and needs to be put firmly on the escalatory ladder of hostilities.
It should not be allowed to step back into its cocoon of comfort and allowed to act as a hatchery of terrorism. If its hatchlings are its prime priority, the whole hatchery needs to be targeted.
What was Pakistani response to Balakot? Intruding aerially into Nawshera area and dropping bombs. This was its effort to send a message to India. There was a perfect response from India with a MiG-21 worth $2 million shooting down an F16 worth $18 million.
Unfortunately, a Pakistani pilot was killed in most tragic circumstances after surviving a hit from Mig-21 Bison. He was lynched by his own countrymen. He was not even given the honour due to a martyr sacrificing his life for the nation. Why? As a rogue nation, Pakistan cannot admit openly that it used F16s given by the US for carrying out attacks on the Indian territory. It is a miserable failure of its calculations that its use of F16s for attacks will get exposed in the very first attempt. The wrong end of the stick from the US will sure be reserved for a future date and time.
Pakistan’s conduct will shape the future US ties with it and it is difficult to foresee the Americans doing nothing about it. They will factor in Pakistan’s behaviour in the manner of a thug. The end user agreement of F16s, to defend itself against possible attacks, has been VIOLATED by using them for aggression against the Indian military target of Naushera Brigade.
With the downing of F 16, Abhinandan has virtually made all of Pakistan’s squadrons of F16s a useless asset. Assets that can be deployed only within the boundaries of the Pakistani nation to defend itself. Any aggressive intent or use of these fighter aircraft will possibly bring a swift response from the US.
Losing one F16 has psychologically crippled the Pakistani Air Force (PAF). It is faced with a situation where its best aerial asset is reduced to a useless showpiece. These F16s CANNOT enter the Indian airspace as things stand now under the agreement for their supply. They will be seriously violating the agreement with the Americans.
This two-way dialogue has been continuing and talks have been on between the adversaries. Pakistani denial of this dialogue is a pack of lies and worth sheer contempt. Nothing else.
Pakistan’s choice of language had been robust Punjabi all this while, with Muridke and Bahawalpur dictating the discourse, as Bajwa’s proxies. We had chosen to speak a soft language earlier and opted for speaking French (Mirage 2000s) and Russian (MiG-21s) at Balakot and elsewhere.
Israeli Hebrew via Hebron drones, Spice (missile), American English (via surveillance aircraft), Russian (via IL 76 Refueller) etc are among the languages that India is speaking in present times. This multi-language discourse delivery is the reason for Pakistani discomfort.
There is no reason for us to break down the dialogue, even if it is likely to turn into a monologue from us soon. Talks were always on and they must continue, unabated.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
Wing Commander Abhinandan is back. One Pakistani F16 has been shot down and their pilot killed. Pulwama has been avenged with the destruction of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps. And our apologists are back to hankering for immediate commencement of peace talks. Where’s the India-Pakistan relationship headed and what happens next for Pakistan?
After the Pulwama attacks there was a complete sense of gloom and doom in the country and everyone wanted revenge. Within a few days sarcastic comments were being made by leaders of the opposition. Twelve days later, the Indian Air Force hit back hard and destroyed three Jaish-e-Mohammad training camps in Pakistan and killed around 350 terrorists who were being trained. Also killed were 25 leaders of the terrorist organisation. It is interesting to note that it is primarily “family” members of Azhar Masood who were in leadership positions (no other meanings intended here)!
These strikes were applauded all over the country. It was surprising that while every opposition leader congratulated the Indian Air Force which was their due, not one of these politicians acknowledged the strong decision making by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ironically, after making so much noise about the attacks, these political parties are now blaming the BJP for politicising the IAF action.
The following day, Pakistani F16 fighter jets tried to enter Indian air space and were rebuffed. One of these modern jets was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan who had been taken into custody. Under the Geneva Convention and after a lot of behind-the-scenes diplomacy and political manoeuvre, he has been released and back as a war hero.
So why are some sections of the press suddenly swinging to the other side?
Why has Imran Khan become a diplomat par excellence and what makes so many of our journalists and opposition politicians give so much credit to Pakistan.
- It surprises me that some sections of the press have started to comment on why war is never an answer. Quite an inane set of platitudes because no one can deny this. But when you see how much hurt has been caused to our nation over the years by Pakistan supported terrorists, are these journalists talking about pulling back and going back to status quo ante?
- Some journalists are questioning why the Prime Minister is going about his normal work day. Why shouldn’t he? I am sure he is monitoring the situation closely and has a team of excellent leaders who are more directly handling the matter. The same journalists would take the counter view if the Prime Minister was seen to be spending all this time on this matter.
- Some journalists have asked whether India has a Defence Minister? I was not able to understand this comment. In addition to the Defence Minister and the National Security Advisor, there are three Chiefs of Staff and it is this core team that must be handling every detailed issue under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister.
- Some politicians are screaming that all political activity must be stopped by PM Modi. Have they stopped all political activity from their side? The answer is a clear No.
- One senior BJP leader has announced how many seats his party will win in a state. I think this is a very insensitive comment and must be condemned at all costs.
- Then there is the Chief Minister of a major state who can’t stop talking about how this entire Pulwama episode has been stage managed by the ruling party. This thinking needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It only shows the thinking of this Chief Minister.
I would strongly urge that we should let our elected Government do its work.
On the other hand, Pakistan is in serious trouble.
- Their economy is bankrupt, and though they are receiving some money from United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and China, all this money is coming with strings attached. There is no free lunch and some day payment will be extracted from Pakistan for today’s largesse.
- Prime Minister Imran Khan is a puppet of the powerful Pakistan Army whose single point agenda is to keep war mongering against India. They have no other reason to exist.
- Pakistan has created trouble on all its borders with Iran, Afghanistan and India. Its all-weather friend China only looks at a selfish financial partnership on account of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- No investors are willing to come and invest in Pakistan.
- Despite so many promises, no credible action is expected to be taken by Pakistan against the terrorist camps being supported by their Army.
- Finally, the Pakistan Army will continue to have a stranglehold on the country and every time a politician attempts to raise his head, they will either cut it or control it.
The last word has not been written on this subject. The last bullet has not been fired and the last life has not been lost. This is a long battle which has scarred many and will continue to scar many more.
Pakistan needs to take some serious confidence building measures which would include:
- Allowing China to declare Azhar Masood as an international terrorist and hand him over for trial.
- Hand over Hafiz Saeed to India to stand trial for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008.
- Hand over Dawood Ibrahim, the architect of the 1993 Bombay attacks. (Bombay is now officially know as Mumbai. The name change happened in 1995)
Handing over these three terrorists would be a starter but given popular opinion, it is highly unlikely that the Pakistan Army will ever agree to handing over their prime terror arm.
Yet, it’s only after these actions have been taken should Pakistan ask for a dialogue on Kashmir.
It is too early for us to forget Pulwama and it is unrealistic to expect everyone to forgive and move on.
As the old saying goes we must forgive if Pakistan takes action against the terrorists, but we must never forget the harm they have caused us.
Punjab CM urges Pakistan to release all POWs of the 1971 War
Extending a warm welcome to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on his return home, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has urged Pakistan to release the Prisoners of War (PoWs) still in its captivity from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
In an informal chat with media as part of his tour of the border areas in the wake of the escalating tensions at the LoC (Line of Control), the Punjab CM also urged the Indian government to take up the issue with Islamabad.
Expressing happiness that talks to further thrash out the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor were on track despite tensions, Captain Amarinder Singh requested New Delhi to allow 5,000-10,000 pilgrims to cross through every day once the corridor it becomes operational. He recalled his own family’s close connect with the Kartarpur Gurdwara, which his grandfather Bhupinder Singh had helped rebuild after the 1928 floods.
On the issue of compensation to people whose land was being acquired for the Corridor, Captain Singh said the state government will thrash out the matter with union government.
He hoped that tensions along the border are resolved soon and Sikhs across the globe get the opportunity to have ‘Khule Darshan Deedar’ of the historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara with the fast completion of the Corridor. He added that he would be the first one to cross the border to pay his obeisance at the historic Gurdwara.
Kashmir challenges have increased manifold
It needs to be understood that Pakistan is equally determined to derail the political and security threshold in its quest to keep Kashmir on the boil. The situation requires enhanced vigilance and preparedness to meet unexpected challenges in the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Kashmir Valley.
Wing Commander Abhinandan has been returned by Pakistan to India. There are divergent reasons being given for this decision by Pakistan but courtesy demands that we ignore the supposed ulterior motives and look for something positive in the development. It is a reason for celebrations and also reason to acknowledge the release as a good gesture on the part of the Imran Khan, in accordance with international norms. It is notable here that the escalatory threshold between India and Pakistan (both nuclear powers) had reached critical levels in a manner that caused apprehensions of all an out war under a nuclear cloud.
Now, with release of the pilot, attempts are on to bring down the tensions.
The release, however, has not had any impact on the situation along the Line of Control (LOC) and the hinterland in Jammu and Kashmir. Even as the return of the Wing Commander was underway, heavy firing was reported all along the LOC which has led to some civilian casualties. A massive counter-terrorist operation at Kupwara was also underway that witnessed the killing of two terrorists and also the unfortunate martyrdom of four security personnel and one civilian.
Cross LOC firing has been going on incessantly since the aerial attack by India on terrorist modules in Pakistani territory on February 26 that led to the destruction of three terrorist camps. Pakistani troops have been firing their Mortars and Missiles from civilian houses, using villagers as human shields. The Indian Army, however, has been targeting the Pakistani posts away from civilian localities. Pakistan had also unsuccessfully attempted to enter Indian air space in the sector with its sophisticated F-16 aircraft but the attempt was thwarted by the Indian Air Force with destruction of one Pakistani aircraft.
The writing on the wall is very clear. No let down in the Pakistani involvement in Jammu and Kashmir can be expected despite the so-called “grand” gesture of returning Wing Commander Abhinandan. There may be some de-escalatory movement between the two countries at the national level but it is unlikely to impact the conflict situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The political development in the Kashmir region is also witnessing some paradigm shifts in policy. The crackdown on the Jamaat-e-Islami leading to arrest of its members followed by its ban has raised hackles of the political establishment in the Kashmir Valley. Hurriyat and even mainstream leaders have spoken against this action by New Delhi thus indicating creation of a fragile political situation. There are rumours that the Hurriyat too may face a ban. The government may go in for simultaneous elections for the state as well as parliamentary constituencies. Conduct of elections in Kashmir is a challenging process and such a scale will add to the security and administrative burden.
The Indian Army is sensitive to the emerging challenges and it is for this reason that the senior commanders of the Northern Command are visiting and interacting with their troops regularly, while making on-ground assessments of the situation to ensure that the preparedness is in order. Even as firing from across the border was underway, Indian Army’s Commander of the Northern Command, Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh, accompanied by the Corps Commander was visiting the forward posts in Poonch. He took a detailed briefing on the actions taken to meet the challenges of increased ceasefire violations through superior and aggressive domination of LOC by the troops, in accordance with the policy to give a befitting reply to Pakistani transgressions.
While considering the root cause for the escalation of the situation to such dangerous levels as has been witnessed in the last few days, the finger points, first and foremost, towards the Pakistan Army. It is a sinister, ruthless demon that is out to devour all that comes its way in a devilish pursuit for power. The Pakistan Army has long since shed tenets of honourable military norms and is quite content in converting poor, uneducated civilians of its country into cannon fodder, to be wasted without remorse in order to “bleed the Indian forces.” In this evil design it is being assisted by unscrupulous and mercenary warlords like Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed who run killing machines under their patronage.
Sadly, there are some in Kashmir who have also sold their soul to the devil and help in fructification of these evil designs. Young Kashmir boys are being indoctrinated and exploited to follow the self destructive path of terrorism by these elements. The recent crackdowns are a valiant attempt by the government to check this malaise.
The government of India should not reduce the pressure that has been built up against Pakistan and its proxies in Kashmir. To relent now would mean losing the initiative and the lost ground will be very difficult to cover in future. Pakistan simply has to be exposed for the evil that it perpetrates with impunity even as Kashmir is cleansed for its debilitating and destructive influence. The first step should be to put our own house in order for which action at the political and operational level is underway, simultaneously, there should be no let-down in exposing Pakistan in front of the international community. Preparations for a military face-off should gain momentum while enhancing existing security protocols.
It needs to be understood that the enemy is equally determined to derail the political as well as the security threshold in its quest to keep the region on the boil. The situation requires enhanced vigilance and preparedness to meet unexpected challenges in the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Kashmir Valley. The security forces, led by the Indian Army, will have to usher peace and build an environment conducive for the conduct of free and fair elections, notwithstanding the attempts to derail the same. It is quite apparent that the challenges to the security forces operating in the region, especially for the Northern Command of the Indian Army, have increased manifold.