South Asia Citizens Web

In Nigeria, a big gang of Islamic fundamentalists, namely Boko Haram, is fighting for a “state of God”, killing civilians of other faiths, destroying educational institutions and abducting girls. And the secular state Nigeria – the most populous country and economic power number one in Africa –is powerless against it. Something similar is happening in Iraq. A relatively small militia of Islamist jihadists called ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) – according to estimates of Western experts, (along with allied militant Sunni groups) about ten thousand strong – invaded northwestern Iraq, and the soldiers of the Iraqi army – in all about two hundred thousand strong – who were stationed there took flight in a panic, totally without a fight. They even threw away their uniforms and helmets, and ran (probably) straight back home. The fact that the units in question were taken by surprise cannot be the only explanation for the flight. For even on the following days, the army could not stop the advance of the ISIS-fighters.

Many of the Maobaadis are inspired by pure ideals and sincere beliefs. But unfortunately the politics of violence is a slippery road that can change human character, and transform lofty goals into current nightmares. Democrats need to start a dialogue to bring about lasting democracy in Nepal. If they are far-sighted, the Maobaadis can make a historic contribution to this dialogue. With due respect we must tell Comrade Prachanda and all the comrades: your anger is justified, but your violence is not. Instead of venting your anger in ways that often harm your own citizenry, subjecting them to yet more cruelty, it would be more fruitful to build democratic structures and practices (both within and outside the political parties) which will become the foundations for a future democratic Nepal.

Sri Lankan army is reluctant to recover from its victory hangover, not realising that the resulting anxiety among its people threatens the relief that came at the end of the civil war

As I write this we have been preparing to demonstrate against the shocking, though predictable conduct of the Shiv Sena Members of Parliament at the Maharashtra Sadan force feeding a staffer who happened to be Muslim and who also happened to be on the month long Ramzan fast in New Delhi. It is to the credit of an otherwise compliant and complacent media that this issue was given the attention it rightly deserves in a secular democratic republic.
The point is that the Shiv Sena and the sangh parivar, now in power and control in New Delhi actually believe that India is no more secular and democratic, but actually there dream inverse state of Pakistan – a Hindu Rashtra. Listen to what BJP member Ramesh Bhiduri said yesterday in Parliament when the matter was being debate “Go to Pakistan, this is Hindustan.”

A reuters photo feature on mineworkers in Pakistani Punjab.