Much needed regional peace
The deletion of the words ‘secularism and socialism’ in the state advertisement on the Indian Republic Day, mass religion conversion campaign, initiative to make Geeta the national book of India, and the prime minister’s silent consent to all these events sound a note of significant change in the internal policy of the country.
On the other hand, the big powers, including China and Russia, and the neighbours, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka, are closely examining the concluded tour of India by the US President Obama. China, who has already lost her trusted friend Mahinda Rajapaksha in the Sri Lanka Presidential election, sees the emergence of a new economic alliance involving India, Myanmar, Vietnam and Japan as a great challenge. Now if the USA turns to India completely to contain China, the map of this continent may find a change. In this situation, a single mistake if done by the Indian government in its internal or external policy will release Beijing from anxiety.
A section of fanatic Hindus are issuing strong warning to the people of the minority communities, say: Either convert to Hinduism or leave India. Such a statement drew huge criticism from home and abroad since it is a threat to democracy, life and property of the minority communities and the neighbouring countries.
Now the political observers are questioning: Is India choosing policy of confrontation with its neighbours in order to rule the region? To get the answer, we have to wait sometimes more.
Peter Rozario
Dhaka
