Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Super Quadrilateral Grouping' that was published in Newsband

Super Quadrilateral Grouping

The ‘Quadrilateral’ grouping of India, Australia, Japan and the U.S. will meet in Singapore. The Quad is billed as four democracies with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. The four countries are expected to discuss infrastructure projects they are working on, and building humanitarian disaster response mechanisms. Discussions will include some of the overlapping issues among these groupings.

But the Quad remains a mechanism without a defined strategic mission. In 2007, when the grouping was first formed the idea was to better coordinate maritime capabilities for disaster situations. When revived in 2017, the grouping seemed to have become a counter to China’s growing inroads into the region. The entire focus on the Indo-Pacific makes the Quad a maritime, rather than land-based, grouping. Each member is committed to building a stronger Quadrilateral engagement. We have to see what the outcome of the third round in Singapore will be.

It should be clear to anyone who is willing to see that China has been spreading its tentacles in the Indian Ocean and in the South China Sea and East China Sea for quite some time but no one takes serious note of the threat that this constitutes for countries of the region or for world peace. There is not much appreciation even in USA that China's expansionist actions need to be countered. The primary reason why QUAD is not able to show its full potential is due to uncertain policies of the USA. No Quad country is sure how the US or other grouping country will react if there is any dispute with China because not a single country, except the USA, is able to challenge the hegemony designs of the powerful China.

It is in order to remember, however, that whenever China was strong it launched on a career of expansion. It has continued to do so in its incarnation as PRC. India has been at the receiving end of Chinese attention, forcing India to think carefully. We can hardly regard Chinese actions in South China Sea as anything less than territorial dispute. For an age now, China has been pursuing what is seen in India as imperial expansion not limited to China's time as PRC. The Chinese State in recent centuries has spread its hegemony over many non-Chinese peoples and had no compunction about shouting down secretary of state Mr Pompeo when he talked with Mr Yi about South China Sea.

Australia also has serious issue with China because of the latter's intrusion into Australian political system thereby threatening their democracy. However, India is wary of including Australia in the Malabar Exercises, a barometer for successful Quad when the Aussie Navy partakes it.

The 'Quad' or 'Indo-Pacific' or 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' remains a myth, concept or a hypothesis; different parties interpret differently and, as highlighted above, yet to define a common agenda. Whether ganging-up to take on China or keep the Indo-Pacific free from dominance, is still unclear. After Japan's PM visit to China last month, and willing to participate in the BRI, the Quad views turned topsy-turvy. Now, the Quad Members - rich or poor, are willing to join together in building infrastructure in the Region.

The time for Quads institutionalization has come and India should shun its ambiguity and need to foster the emerging institution. What is left to be seen is whether Quad will succeed in being the right answer to the Russia-China-Pakistan-Iran axis.

Quad meeting must be with fruitful outcome by which inter country investment among the members are made both on business and social projects. Yet all the member countries must establish the unwanted domination and claim of China in Pacific region.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Mohalla Assi, Ghoomketu and Pihu) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Mohalla Assi

Mohalla Assi (transl. The neighbourhood of Assi Ghat) is an Indian Bollywood satirical comedy drama film starring Sunny Deol, and directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi. After so much delay, the film is finally getting released on 16 November 2018.

The film is loosely based on Dr. Kashi Nath Singh's popular Hindi novel Kashi Ka Assi, a satire on the commercialisation of the pilgrimage city, and fake gurus who lure the foreign tourists. Assi Ghat is a ghat in Varanasi (Banaras) on the banks of Ganges River, and the film is based in a famous and historical 'Mohalla' (locality) by the ghat, on the southern end of Banaras. Also starring Ravi Kishen and Sakshi Tanwar, the film is set in the post-independence period. Sunny Deol plays the lead role of Sanskrit teacher and an orthodox religious priest (Pundit) while Sakshi Tanwar plays his wife. The story of the film goes through the events in 1990 and 1989 including Ram Janmabhoomi movement and Mandal Commission implementation. The movie is about how a Sanskrit priest decides to take matters in his hand when the locals of holy town Banaras stars to lure foreign tourists with fake spiritual gurus.

Ghoomketu

Ghoomketu is a Bollywood comedy film, directed by Pushpendra Misra. The film features Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the protagonist. The actor will be seen in a comic role for the third time in his career after Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Freaky Ali. The film also features filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who will be seen in a full-fledged comedy role of a police officer. The film is being produced by Phantom Films and Sony Pictures releasing.

The story revolves around an aspiring writer (played by Siddiqui) who travels all the way from Lucknow to Mumbai to be a part of film. An aspiring writer from a small town in U.P. runs away to Mumbai. He gives himself 30 days to try and prove his worth. Thus the story revolves around an aspiring writer (played by Siddiqui) who travels all the way from Lucknow to Mumbai to be a part of films. His struggles of making a movie in Bollywood Industry, defines rest of the story. Will he be able to make his journey worth? Or he will come back home without tasting success? That’s what the movie dwells on.

The movie has Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Bandu, Ragini Khanna as Mona, Richa Chadha as Sweety, Anurag Kashyap as Inspector Kabir, Jimmy Shergill as Roy, Swanand Kirkire as Milly, Raghubir Yadav as Train driver, Amitabh Bachchan in a cameo, Ranveer Singh in a cameo, Sonakshi Sinha in a cameo and Arjun Kapoor in a cameo.

Pihu

Pihu is a 2018 Indian drama thriller film written and directed by Vinod Kapri and Jointly produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Shilpa Jindal. It stars Myra, a two year old girl in the title role who gets trapped inside her house with no escape.

The movie is a social thriller starring the two year baby girl. She is living in a home where the adults are going through a complicated phase. Being a toddler, she is occasionally trapped in the accidental situations.

The film has Myra Vishwakarma as Pihu and Prerna Sharma.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Debate over who should be projected as PM candidate' that was published in Newsband

Debate over who should be projected as PM candidate

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday rejected the idea of projecting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the country saying, “India is a Parliamentary democracy and not a Presidential form.” After meeting DMK president M.K. Stalin, he said: “Our Constitution is Parliamentary democracy and only elected members of Parliament can elect the Prime Minister. Not you and me.”

The CPI(M) leader discussed with Stalin the need to create a secular front. He believed that the differences among various political parties would be ironed out. He said alliances in India would take place at the State level first. Then, on that basis, the national alliance will emerge.

People cannot forget that for full 10 years of the UPA rule, Rahul Gandhi could have asked for ANY ministry and he would have got it, but he chose to stay away. Dr. Manmohan Singh would have been too glad to oblige. We got the impression that RG doesn't have an aptitude for typical office routine. Now, RG has suddenly started revealing his desire or ambition for the HIGHEST OFFICE of the country. What does he know about how the government machinery works?! Running a political party is a totally different ballgame. In a government set up, you have to deal with officers who have their own ego and cynicism; it's not like controlling a bunch of party workers who are all sycophants in varying degrees.

Yechury’s rejecting idea of projecting Rahul as PM Candidate now seems to be creating a doubt in the minds of some regional parties. Yet Yechury is of the opinion that Modi should somehow be defeated and that the BJP party should not rule the country yet again; He should try to encourage and propose the name of a suitable candidate for the Prime Minister's post or whom he thinks is fit to take over from Modi. Some were also suggesting the name of Mayawati but whether she will actually fit in this post is the big question.

This is a kind of issue in democracy when the opposition becomes so strong that different parties having uncommon ideology join their hands but still their collective power can't bear results. They are afraid to tell the name of PM. Not even everyone’s views are identical. In case every state level party tries to present their senior leaders as their PM which leads to unstable government which even fails to complete the tenure, it will hamper the growth of country. God save India from this crisis.

Lastly, can anyone tell what talent, experience, contributions Rahul Gandhi has that qualifies him to be PM of India. Another thing is we had dark horses with no political base becoming PM in past as part of coalition politics. Is Yechury trying to be one like them? Many wonder whether Yechury and his party should be considered a spent force and whether his utterances carry weight. Or should we value his views as a lettered, veteran Indian politician?

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Congress-JD(S) success in Karnataka’s by-polls' that was published in Newsband

Congress-JD(S) success in Karnataka’s by-polls

The Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) has won two of the three Lok Sabha constituencies and both the Assembly seats for which byelections were held in Karnataka. The Bharatiya Janata Party thinks of Karnataka as its gateway to the south. But BJP got defeated in its stronghold of Ballari by around two lakh votes. This raises questions about the BJP’s prospects in the State in the 2019 general election. Even in Shivamogga, the lone constituency bagged by the BJP, the victory was somewhat narrow. The JD(S) won comfortably in the Mandya parliamentary and Ramanagara Assembly seats.

Having tasted success, the Congress-JD(S) tie-up could strengthen as they prepare for 2019. The Congress party has been losing State after State since 2014, winning only in Punjab and managing to share power with the JD(S) in Karnataka in a post-election arrangement.

But bypolls are not firm indicators of what will happen in a State Assembly or general election. The Congress victories, by huge margins in Alwar and Ajmer in Rajasthan and now in Karnataka, will infuse a lot of confidence in the party.

Remember that high speed soaring brings the fall at proportion to the speed of rise. Once INC was ruling most states and it gradually degenerated and consequently disintegrated. In heat of popularity, the INC party forgot to integrated and strengthen the local elements that led to coming up of several regional parties. No doubt, the same fate of BJP appears to be written large. The BJP has failed to focus on the local aspirants.

Bye elections are no indications of 2019. People are wise to select their PM. Congress needs a leader who is not a loose talker and more interested in sudden trips abroad destination unknown. His abusive language against Modi will not be swallowed easily by the people. Let not Congress daydream

Also remember that Karnataka does not have anything to do with the North of the Vindhya Hindi belt concept of Ram or other North Indian emotions. Local Leaders of both Congress and JD(S) are men/women with local roots and capable, with good connect with locals. The Policies of the BJP (Demonetization, GST, Hindi compulsion etc) have created tremendous problems, and North Indian leaders (including Modi) had no answers, nor any connect locally. As usual, People look for change, when frustrated. These factors have tilted the voting pattern and BJP is the obvious loser. If, however, Congress wishes to take on BJP, they need to find/select a competent leader (not Rahul Gandhi) to take on Modi, who still has enough strength. As things stand, Congress is extremely week, without a strong/capable Leader.

The Dangers of coalition party in running government is very much evident in Karnataka. Hence the Congress would be foolish to repeat the same at the centre. The Congress can rather wait for the next Loksabha elections in 2024 instead of being in a hurry to remove PM Modi.

Also, time has come for NDA Government to do self-introspection on the historical defeat in Bellary and to take total stock of the situation failing which facing decimation in Parliament election cannot be prevented with opposition coming from all corners.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'What’s wrong in changing names of places?' that was published in Newsband

What’s wrong in changing names of places?

Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, is changing names of places in his State. U.P.’s Mughalsarai Junction was renamed to honour Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. The rechristening of Allahabad as Prayagraj was done. Faizabad district, in which Ayodhya town is located, would henceforth be called Ayodhya district.

The mission seems to be to strip historical centres of association with Muslim rulers. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said the State government was willing to rename Ahmedabad as Karnavati. Attempt is being made to name the places to project a Sangh iconography or Hindu revivalism.

In the past, Place names that asserted British imperial power were replaced with names and symbols that attest to the subcontinent’s composite identity and history through the ages. Cawnpore became Kanpur. Madras to Chennai, Bombay to Mumbai.

We Indians or Hindustanis have a heritage and history beyond the Mughal Empire as well. When the names were changed then on the name of religion, we stayed helpless. What’s wrong in reinstating the historical significance beyond the Mughal era? It’s not Hindutva, its showing respect to the history. The prominent media should not play partisan politics in this matter by dividing the country on the basis of religion. It’s not the government who plays religion card, but the media.

Changing names once the colonial rulers depart is the norm and assuages people on restoration of their own ethos. It is a historical fact that Akbar renamed Prayag as Illahabad (in honour of his new religion Deen Ilahi) and what now the UP Government is doing is because the colonial Mughals were long back defeated and consigned to oblivion. And Ayodhya was the original town around which the city of Faizabad grew.

 What did Congress do in Karnataka - correctly changed all city names to the original Kannada names - and neither Rahul Gandhi objected nor media commented. In fact DMK changed Madras to Chennai which itself was wrong (as Chennai is also a colonial hangover - the Chennapp Naicken having obtained the lands through colonising Vijaynagar) and ought to have been called Mayilai or Mylapore.

How are Mughal invaders any different than British? Both were colonists whose main aim was to subjugate 'native' population. If there were any difference at all between them, British were lesser religious bigots than Muslim invaders.

What is wrong in renaming the cities or towns? Why in our country where the majority are Hindus the places should not have ancient Indian names. Prayagraj represents the prayag the nature of confluence of rivers. God Ram was born in Ayodhya. So it is apt to rename that place as Ayodhya. Why is removal of colonial names different than removing the previous colonizers’ name, what absurd logic does this pseudo secular group have? Why is it offending native Hindus when the fact is Muslims in reality are least bothered by change of names as much as few who are keen on fanning communal disrupt in every issue.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'The uproar over 'Sarkar'' that was published in Newsband

The uproar over 'Sarkar'

The AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has forced the makers of the Tamil film Sarkar to cut a scene and mute some dialogue, ostensibly because they are critical of government policy or offend their sensibilities. AIADMK supporters went on a rampage in cinemas that screened the film.

This film has become an easy target for the AIADMK dispensation, as it is critical of welfare schemes for which the State is renowned. Part of a woman character’s name will now be muted to avoid any impression. Images of people throwing into the fire mixers and grinders they had got from the government have also been snipped. The legal position that there should be no further enforced censorship once a film has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification has been wilfully ignored.

Producers are frequently forced by the politically powerful to compromise. These politicians should understand that films will and should make comments on issues of social importance. They have no right to take the law into their hands. What provoke them is the fact that there are films which depict governments, policemen, doctors, teachers and even judges as criminals.

Cinemas have an unusual influence on voters in TN & that treatment of political issues in Tamil cinemas can mislead the gullible public. It is true that the movie makers should desist from the temptation to take the easy route for a commercial success by stoking controversies without a proper understanding.

It is not AIADMK or BJP alone, who will be averse to criticism, but all political parties whether big or small had thrown their weights and created ruckus at different points of time in the past for objectionable scenes in the movies. Sometimes it appears that democracy is being protected from a corrosive polity with barely a wafer thin coating of law and order. Political thuggery and vandalism doesn't belong to this century, especially when it aims to stifle people's fundamental freedoms enshrined in the constitution.

Films make deep impact on society. That is why rulers are afraid of films that question their policies. They try to stop such films. One of the ironies in Tamil Nadu is that sometimes serious social issues are debated more in commercial cinema than in the political arena.

As much as films and newspapers have right to comment, those who are hurt and oppose those comments have right to protest without violence and take every step law provides them too. It is not one way street.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'US provides temporary relief to India' that was published in Newsband

US provides temporary relief to India

The U.S. administration has decided to grant India and seven other countries waiver on Chabahar and on oil purchases from Iran and this brings relief, although temporarily. This will help the Modi government tide over until the general elections, without any major oil price shocks. The waivers announced cover Indian investment in Iran’s Chabahar port and the plan to build a railway line from Chabahar to Afghanistan to facilitate trade.

Both India and China, Iran’s two biggest oil importers, have been extended waivers. The European Union, Russia and China have also been working on a “special payment mechanism” to circumvent sanctions. But they have yet to launch it, limiting India’s options. Moreover, despite the waivers from the U.S., India will still face the impact of the U.S. sanctions, both on oil and on its investment in Chabahar, as very few international companies may be willing to undertake contracts.

India has lost its moral leverage because it chose to reduce its oil intake from Iran, and entered into negotiations for alternative fuel supplies from Iran’s rivals in the Gulf. This should not affect Delhi-Tehran ties in the long run since we had to put national interest first when we dealt with any nation and on the same side we had to be ready to face challenges that the U. S. or any other country threw at us. Sanction on Iran on crude oil export is removed for temporary period. What will happen after that? India is one of major importer from Iran. India should discover some options.

Some Indians expected India to stand its ground against such "unilateral sanctions". India did not. No major country around the world except US's own declared allies like Japan honoured it. Non-compliant nations include India's declared rival China, Russia, EU, and Turkey. Has this capitulation on India's part amounted to India’s fall from grace at the world stage? In 2015 when the major powers negotiated the Iran Nuclear Deal, the format used was P5+1, that was, all the five permanent members of UNSC plus one member. By any definition, the Plus One slot should have gone to India. Bit instead, they gave it to Germany. Was this because of India’s tendency to bow down to the US? Does India have any other choice? No!