India needs to restore its image as a pluralist democracy

[prasad1]

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The European Union (EU) Parliament is set to debate a clutch of resolutions on various policies of the Narendra Modi government, ranging from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to the changes to Article 370. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s ideological push has generated domestic challenges, be it in the form of sullen anger among locals in Kashmir or the protests against the CAA. But it has also generated a major international challenge, with criticism about the weakening of democracy in India.

To be sure, the EU Parliament does not reflect the will of the independent, sovereign governments that make up the Union. Additionally, the resolutions and statements by Members of the European Parliament lack any binding authority. It is also true that India’s external adversaries, and ideologically driven groups, have often pushed exaggerated propaganda. And there can be no arguing that the issues that are discussed are India’s business. But the onus rests on Delhi to allay apprehensions. It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

India needs to restore its image as a pluralist democracy

It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

www.hindustantimes.com

 

[zebra16]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">30 minute debate in nearly empty EU Parliament on draft resolution on CAA with most MEPs positive or netural towards India, few negative &amp; only one Pak origin British MEP strongly negative. <a href="https://t.co/XKDIVOaxNl">https://t.co/XKDIVOaxNl</a></p>&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="">January 29, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[zebra16]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#39;Why are we found talking about other countries here&#39; asks European MP, addings, &#39;we are voted in by people of europe not to discuss India&#39; <a href="https://t.co/kLJZWWNS33">pic.twitter.com/kLJZWWNS33</a></p>&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="">January 29, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[zebra16]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Neena Gill of S&amp;D: Lot of mis information campaign. Indians can hold thr executive into account. <a href="https://t.co/lXQRRBbOX0">pic.twitter.com/lXQRRBbOX0</a></p>&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="">January 29, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[zebra16]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan is behind the campaign. Pakistan flouts all rules, and we give them GSP: ID group&#39;s Mariani <a href="https://t.co/OXhy8mu3bi">pic.twitter.com/OXhy8mu3bi</a></p>&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="">January 29, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[zebra16]

Some snapshots of the so-called "debate" in the European Union Parliament given above..

The Act and its amendment/s (CAA) are in English too and the European MEPs are conversant in English and even by casual perusal can make out that it is not in the least discriminatory.

No need to fall head over heels and have wet dreams just because the editorial team of Hindustan Times thinks so.

 

[natkaushik]

The European Union (EU) Parliament is set to debate a clutch of resolutions on various policies of the Narendra Modi government, ranging from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to the changes to Article 370. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s ideological push has generated domestic challenges, be it in the form of sullen anger among locals in Kashmir or the protests against the CAA. But it has also generated a major international challenge, with criticism about the weakening of democracy in India.

To be sure, the EU Parliament does not reflect the will of the independent, sovereign governments that make up the Union. Additionally, the resolutions and statements by Members of the European Parliament lack any binding authority. It is also true that India’s external adversaries, and ideologically driven groups, have often pushed exaggerated propaganda. And there can be no arguing that the issues that are discussed are India’s business. But the onus rests on Delhi to allay apprehensions. It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

India needs to restore its image as a pluralist democracy

It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

www.hindustantimes.com

No concern of TN Brahmins.

 

[prasad1]

No concern of TN Brahmins.

Sarhad pe Marne Wala har veer tha bharat wasi"
That was in Hindi, so it may not be of concern to some(!).

sarhad par marnevaala har viir thaa bhaaratvaasii
But each man who died on the border was an Indian

Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

On behalf of Mrs. 55 and me, I’d like to wish all of our readers a happy Indian Independence Day! In celebration of this holiday, we have provided the lyrics and translation for an all-time p…

mrandmrs55.com

That should be of concern to all Indians.
Why limit our selves to ourselves, and be like a frog in the well.

 

[renuka]

Sarhad pe Marne Wala har veer tha bharat wasi"
That was in Hindi, so it may not be of concern to some(!).

sarhad par marnevaala har viir thaa bhaaratvaasii
But each man who died on the border was an Indian

Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

On behalf of Mrs. 55 and me, I’d like to wish all of our readers a happy Indian Independence Day! In celebration of this holiday, we have provided the lyrics and translation for an all-time p…

mrandmrs55.com

That should be of concern to all Indians.
Why limit our selves to ourselves, and be like a frog in the well.

True...as a nation all problems should be shared by each and everyone.
I was reading Al- Biruni's comments on India in his works..he was an 11th century Persian scholar who studied Sanskrit too and he had come to India to gain knowledge but he commented about lack of unity among various varnas which led to easy invasion.

 

[natkaushik]

sarhad par marnevaala har viir thaa bhaaratvaasii
But each man who died on the border was an Indian



That should be of concern to all Indians.
Why limit our selves to ourselves, and be like a frog in the well.
[/QUOTE]

Don't find the relevance of this quote also. However, on a given issue, there would be difference of opinion, many times acrimonious also. Usually there would be no meeting point. Why sow discard in a group of people of highly individualistic temperament trying to find common ground?

 

[Jaykay767]

True...as a nation all problems should be shared by each and everyone.
I was reading Al- Biruni's comments on India in his works..he was an 11th century Persian scholar who studied Sanskrit too and he had come to India to gain knowledge but he commented about lack of unity among various varnas which led to easy invasion.

Historically, I don't think this is correct in general. Not saying Al Brunis comment is wrong, but most likely limited to his experience.

Srivijayan empire held sway for over 700 yrs and could not be breached for long by invasions. And even northern kingdoms fought back tenaciously though they lost out initially due to infighting among neighbouring kingdoms.

Having said this, I am not saying there was no caste discrimination or fights, but all communities rallied to their King and fought as one against invasions.

 

[Jaykay767]

Most definitely a concern for all of us. India's internstional standing and image is badly damaged by the reckless anti democratic and anti constitutional actions of article 370 and CAA bill by this govt.

 

[natkaushik]

India isn't a 'pluralistic Democracy'. It is a 'Hindu' country run by successive 'Anti-Hindu Apartheid Regimes.

 

[pvnatarajan]

The European Union (EU) Parliament is set to debate a clutch of resolutions on various policies of the Narendra Modi government, ranging from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to the changes to Article 370. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s ideological push has generated domestic challenges, be it in the form of sullen anger among locals in Kashmir or the protests against the CAA. But it has also generated a major international challenge, with criticism about the weakening of democracy in India.

To be sure, the EU Parliament does not reflect the will of the independent, sovereign governments that make up the Union. Additionally, the resolutions and statements by Members of the European Parliament lack any binding authority. It is also true that India’s external adversaries, and ideologically driven groups, have often pushed exaggerated propaganda. And there can be no arguing that the issues that are discussed are India’s business. But the onus rests on Delhi to allay apprehensions. It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

India needs to restore its image as a pluralist democracy

It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

www.hindustantimes.com

And slowly but surely pave the way to an Islamic republic.

The European Union (EU) Parliament is set to debate a clutch of resolutions on various policies of the Narendra Modi government, ranging from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to the changes to Article 370. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s ideological push has generated domestic challenges, be it in the form of sullen anger among locals in Kashmir or the protests against the CAA. But it has also generated a major international challenge, with criticism about the weakening of democracy in India.

To be sure, the EU Parliament does not reflect the will of the independent, sovereign governments that make up the Union. Additionally, the resolutions and statements by Members of the European Parliament lack any binding authority. It is also true that India’s external adversaries, and ideologically driven groups, have often pushed exaggerated propaganda. And there can be no arguing that the issues that are discussed are India’s business. But the onus rests on Delhi to allay apprehensions. It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

India needs to restore its image as a pluralist democracy

It cannot play up foreign points of view when favourable (remember it invited MEPs to Kashmir), and dismiss them as irrelevant when unfavourable. India needs to restore its image as a healthy democracy, committed to pluralism. Fix the product, and the messaging.

www.hindustantimes.com

Sucumumb to pressure. Pave the way fir Islamic India.

 

[bvramani]

Most definitely a concern for all of us. India's internstional standing and image is badly damaged by the reckless anti democratic and anti constitutional actions of article 370 and CAA bill by this govt.

Just because some countries, without proper understanding criticise India's very correct actions and truly it is India's business. At the same time, our diplomacy must work to straighten this out with EU and our actions cannot be questioned as this has been debated enough, passed by both the Houses of Parliament and these have been proposed by all earlier governments and no-one had the spine to do it. Only Congress and opposition who do not have anything to fight against this strong government make a big hue and cry. As Swamy said in one of the meetings in Chennai, silent huge majority is with the government and it is the minuscule opposition which is causing a strain on the progress of India.