Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, Aug 24, 2024

Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, August 24, 2024

The recent visit of India’s Prime Minister to war-torn Ukraine is good news and that the PM paid homage to children killed in the war and offered medical, and humanitarian assistance and firmed-up bilateral agreements is also good. India’s abstention on certain votes at the UN condemning Russia’s violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine has been jarring. Now, reports showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine conveying Gandhi’s message of peace ahead of and during talks with Volodymyr Zelensky sound surreal and hollowed of meaning. Ever since the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, India has stood on the side of Moscow and has benefited from not facing Western sanctions despite active trade with Russia. The Ukrainians do not see any role being played by India in mediation or possible peace negotiations with Russia. Indian officials did attend the June 2024 Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland but did not endorse the joint statement adopted there. Mr Modi’s July 2024 visit to Russia had been sharply criticised by President Zelensky. The trip to Kyiv was triggered by an invitation from President Zelensky during the G7 Summit in Italy in July 2024. Dropping the name of Mahatma Gandhi comes in handy when Mr Modi is outside the country and trying to craft an image for himself as a reasonable man. Mr Narendra Modi served as a full-time activist of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) a Hindu supremacist paramilitary organisation modelled on European fascist parties, that was banned for its involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. While in India, it is rare for Mr Modi to stand up and talk of non-violence. People associated with his party and from the Hindutva right wing have been openly involved in countless acts of violence against India’s minorities, including public lynchings, and demolitions of their homes. Mr Modi turns a blind eye to these and chooses to go silent. For over a year, India’s northeastern state of Manipur has been torn by inter-ethnic violence abetted by a private militia lauded by the state’s chief minister a man associated with Mr Modi’s party the BJP. Over 50,000 people have fled their homes and live in refugee camps and hundreds dead in Manipur. Mr Modi who has time for a show of sympathy in distant Kyiv has not bothered to visit Manipur to show a semblance of a healing touch or preach any dialogue. All dialogue is shut, and diplomacy too is on hold for peaceful ties when it comes to Pakistan, our neighbouring country. Foaming at the mouth our leader invokes the most bellicose rhetoric when it comes to neighbouring Pakistan —(Ghar mein ghus kay marengay) ‘will enter your home and bash you’. It is time India got leaders who are truly compassionate & know how to promote peace & healing within the country and beyond.

August 24, 2024 —HK