As Pakistan enters its winter of discontent, yet again, Maryam Nawaz has emerged as a front-ranking leader in a male bastion, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor
One Nation, One Election: Staggered electoral cycle important safeguard of India’s federal structure
The leitmotif of ‘One Nation’ is strongly aligned with the BJP’s policy and rhetoric; consider the 2017 introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (‘One Nation, One Tax’) and the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 (‘One Nation, One Constitution’). The ONOE falls within this inherent paradigm: an overpowering centre under the guise of administrative cost-cutting and electoral efficiency.
Kolkata rape and murder case: Confronting our collective failures
The medic rape-murder case, which captured global attention in an era dominated by the attention economy, had the potential to ignite systemic reforms, given the brutality of the crime. The movement, like many before it, held the power to expose the moral failings of the ruling party in the state. Yet, as so often happens, it faltered within a couple of months—or perhaps was made to falter. Herein lies an uncomfortable reality: we, the aam aadmi (common man), must share the blame.
Why Pakistan needs to reform and regulate its madrassas
Many critics argue that madrassas are breeding grounds for extremism. While there are undoubtedly instances of some seminaries being linked to extremist ideologies, it is essential to recognize that the vast majority of mudarrassahs are not involved in such activities. However, the lack of regulation leaves these institutions vulnerable to misuse.
Bangladesh's passport purge: Worrying signs of authoritarianism, undermining of democratic principles
The interim government's decision to cancel the passports of 22 military officials is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked executive power. It violates the Constitution of Bangladesh, contradicts international legal standards, and disregards judicial precedents. Moreover, it reflects a troubling disregard for due process and the rule of law.
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China-Pakistan naval axis to contain India's dominance in IOR
China is enabling Pakistan to set up a network-enabled warfare capability with satellite feeds to monitor the Indian Ocean Regions (IOR) like the Indian Navy employs Centrix provided by the US Navy, writes Cmde Ranjit B. Rai (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Has BJP’s hubris let it down in Kashmir?
In the BJP’s case, the arrogance bred by two successive general election victories convinced the party that it was now in a position to do more or less whatever it wanted, of which the first and foremost was the implementation of its longstanding desire to abolish Article 370, writes Amulya Ganguli for South Asia Monitor
India needs to play a bigger role in resolving Rohingya issue
Shringla also assured Myanmar of India’s support for the safe repatriation of displaced Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh. About 40,000 or more Rohingya live in Indian cities, including Kolkata and Delhi, so India has its own reasons to push for a solution to the Rohingya problem, writes Subir Bhaumik for South Asia Monitor
India's agri reform: Will the new farm bills benefit its farmers?
Given that around 86.2 percent of farmers in India are small or marginal, all the activities require capital that they cannot afford without the middlemen. The bills in no way tries to create alternate credit mechanisms to aid farmers, writes Akshat Singh for South Asia Monitor
Recalling the pain of 1962 Sino-Indian war: Lessons forgotten, truth buried
October 1962 is a sad chapter of Indian history and greater the pity that it remains under wraps, writes Cmde C Uday Bhaskar (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Indo-US relationship unlikely to sway the Indian American vote
The Indian American community is sophisticated, knows and understands the domestic political compulsions and will not allow themselves to be led around by short term promises, writes Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami for South Asia Monitor
Lessons of COVID-19 for US and India: Need to invest in global public health, promote democratic norms
Both the US and India are remarkable democratic experiments and their ability to champion democratic norms and freedoms - rather than weaken them - will prove critical to global peace and prosperity in the years ahead, write Sohini Chatterjee & Swadesh Chatterjee for South Asia Monitor
South Asian nations need to harness resources to cope with pandemic fallout
South Asian nations need to work together to cope with COVID-19 and unlock new opportunities to build economic resilience, connectivity, and human capital, writes Partha Pratim Mitra for South Asia Monitor
India needs serious rethink of its POK policy
The Pakistan army has never won any war but they are also aware that the political hierarchy in India is apprehensive of waging war on Pakistan with the Chinese presence in POK-Pakistan, writes Lt Gen Prakash Katoch (retd) for South Asia Monitor
COVID-19 calls for resetting targets under SDGs: Health and education needs fresh strategies
The pandemic has laid bare some fault lines and vulnerabilities in the domains of education and health, and the lessons need to reflect in the SDGs as fresh strategies, writes Ram Krishna Sinha for South Asia Monitor
Lessons from Bangladesh: India can learn from its neighbour's development model
Bangladesh’s export-led model of development is the major factor behind its growth dynamism and has altered its status from being a bottomless basket case to an Asian tiger in the making writes N Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor
Agri reforms in India: What should be the true price of farm produce?
The wealth of a country comes from its land. Around 55 percent of India’s population is connected with farming, writes Anil K Rajvanshi for South Asia Monitor
A lend-lease charter with the US will bolster India's maritime security
An Indo-US Charter with a lend-lease clause on the lines of the Atlantic Charter in 1941 is the need of the hour, writes Cmde Ranjit B Rai (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Women’s safety in India is unattainable without change in mindset
Till such time that mothers, as well as families in India, don’t cease to feel a little less obsessed about that beloved male child, or they don’t bring an end to that entitled treatment showered on him more than he deserves, daughters of India will never be safe within the domestic boundaries or beyond, writes Anuja Saha for South Asia Monitor
