Editorial #1 Social justice and a lost chance by a Prime Minister
Social Justice and a Lost Opportunity: Manmohan Singh’s Leadership in Retrospect
Context
As India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh’s tenure between 2004 and 2014 witnessed significant decisions and indecisions that transformed the dynamics between subaltern Hindus and Muslims in the Hindi heartland. His leadership, marked by a paradoxical blend of global vision and domestic inertia, provides critical insights into the interplay of secularism, social justice, and liberalism in India’s evolving political landscape.
Introduction
On November 24, 2009, Barack Obama, the first non-white President of the United States, hosted Manmohan Singh, India’s first non-Hindu Prime Minister, at the first state dinner of his presidency. This historic moment symbolized the zenith of liberal values in the world’s oldest and largest democracies. While Singh may not have been a towering political figure like Obama, his tenure reflected a shared global trend—the rise and subsequent challenges of liberalism on social, economic, and international fronts.
Manmohan Singh’s tenure demonstrated a nuanced understanding of global challenges, marked by his role in the India-U.S. civil nuclear deal, economic liberalization, and climate change negotiations. As a Partition survivor and a Nehruvian, Singh emphasized the importance of religious harmony. However, his decisions and indecisions would shape Indian politics in ways that demand a closer analysis to understand contemporary developments.
The 2004 Mandate
The 2004 general elections marked a pivotal moment in Indian democracy. Despite the Anti-Sikh Riots of 1984, the appointment of a Sikh Prime Minister in 2004 showcased India’s pluralism. This milestone occurred without resistance from the Hindu majority, reflecting a high point in India’s social fabric.
The election results were also seen as a rejection of the market-centric policies of the previous government. Ironically, Manmohan Singh, a staunch advocate of economic liberalization, found himself constrained to implement a welfarist agenda dictated by democratic compulsions.
UPA-1: A Coalition of Diversity
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-1 government emerged as a coalition of religious and linguistic minorities, alongside subaltern social groups. This inclusive political composition fostered policies that resonated with marginalized communities. However, following the 2009 elections, the Congress leadership excluded subaltern representatives from the Hindi belt, replacing the Left with the Trinamool Congress while retaining the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. This exclusion created a perception of upper-caste dominance and alienated Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Dalits, contributing to their eventual shift toward the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014.
Leadership and Social Justice
Manmohan Singh’s indecisiveness on social justice issues significantly impacted his legacy. The UPA’s promise of progress was undermined by the imbalance between secularism and social justice. For instance, the clash between Singh and Arjun Singh on the OBC reservation agenda exposed the fragility of this balance. While the Supreme Court’s 2005 judgment on reservations in private educational institutions sparked nationwide debates, Arjun Singh’s efforts led to a constitutional amendment enabling such reservations. Despite this, Manmohan Singh’s reluctance to extend quotas to private institutions diluted the impact of these reforms.
The 2009 Elections and Political Realignment
The Congress’s surprising resurgence in the 2009 elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, cannot be explained without acknowledging the OBC quota’s role in rallying subaltern communities. However, Congress managers misinterpreted these results as an endorsement of other policies, such as the employment guarantee scheme and the nuclear deal. Subsequently, key proponents of social justice, including Arjun Singh and Meira Kumar, were sidelined in UPA-2.
Congress Strategy: Missteps and Consequences
The Congress’s strategy of pitching Muslims against subaltern Hindus backfired. While the party believed this could weaken the OBC-Muslim coalition, it inadvertently fueled the rise of Hindutva, as OBC and Dalit communities perceived these efforts as prioritizing Muslim interests over their own. Manmohan Singh’s controversial statement about minorities having the first claim on national resources exacerbated these perceptions, further alienating subaltern groups.
The Parallel Debate on Welfare and Justice
The debate on social justice during Singh’s tenure was paralleled by discussions on the welfare of marginalized communities, including Muslims, Dalits, and OBC Christians. Initiatives like the Sachar Committee’s report highlighted the socio-economic disparities faced by Muslims but also intensified communal and caste-based fault lines.
Conclusion
Manmohan Singh’s tenure exemplifies the Congress’s traditional neglect of OBC concerns in favor of a broader coalition of minorities and upper castes. Leaders like Arjun Singh recognized the growing political significance of OBCs, a realization shared by Narendra Modi, who successfully addressed subaltern Hindus in his political strategy. While Singh’s global vision and economic reforms remain commendable, his hesitation on social justice issues represents a missed opportunity to consolidate a progressive, inclusive coalition.
The Congress party’s 2024 manifesto promises OBC, SC, and ST reservations in private institutions—a long-overdue acknowledgment of an idea stalled under Manmohan Singh’s leadership. Rahul Gandhi’s vision of rebuilding the Congress on the twin planks of secularism and social justice reflects lessons from this era. However, the question remains: can the party reconcile these principles to regain its foothold in the Hindi heartland?
Editorial #2 The red flag as China’s expansionist strategy rolls on
Context
India, as the dominant regional power in South Asia, must spearhead a collective and robust response to counter China’s aggressive actions that threaten regional stability and sovereignty.
Introduction
Recent developments along the China-India border underscore the unpredictable and expansionist tendencies of China’s strategy in South Asia. These actions, including the announcement of a mega-dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra) and the creation of two new administrative counties in northeastern Ladakh, pose direct challenges to India’s sovereignty and regional security. These incidents, coming in the wake of recent troop disengagement agreements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), highlight the need for a decisive and unified regional approach.
The Transboundary Water Issue
China’s Territorial Encroachments in South Asia
- Nepal and Bhutan: Both countries face persistent boundary disputes and encroachments by China, reflecting a pattern of aggressive territorial claims.
- Impact on South Asia: These encroachments exacerbate regional tensions and demand a coordinated response from affected nations.
China’s Unilateral Actions on Transboundary Rivers
- Brahmaputra and Indus River Systems: China’s unilateral infrastructure projects, including dams, threaten water security across South Asia, impacting India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
- Lack of Regional Coordination: Despite shared concerns, South Asian nations continue to address water issues with China bilaterally, which weakens collective bargaining power.
Proposed Chinese Dam on the Yarlung Zangbo
- Project Scale: A hydropower dam near the China-India border with a capacity to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually.
- Downstream Impacts: Likely reduction in water flow and silt deposition, endangering agriculture, biodiversity, and fisheries in India and Bangladesh.
- Strategic Risks: Uncontrolled water releases during monsoons or geopolitical tensions could lead to catastrophic floods in India, creating a strategic vulnerability.
- India’s Countermeasures: Recognizing these risks, India has accelerated its hydropower projects, investing $1 billion in Arunachal Pradesh to develop 12 hydropower stations.
Border Disputes and Cartographic Aggression
Strategic Objectives of China
- China’s creation of two new counties in northeastern Ladakh exemplifies its strategy of “cartographic aggression” to assert claims over disputed territories and gain strategic leverage over adversaries.
Territorial Disputes with India
- Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh: China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh and its aggression in Ladakh highlight its broader territorial ambitions.
- Regional Overreach: Beyond India, China’s overlapping claims extend to Nepal and Bhutan, further destabilizing the region.
Tactics of Cartographic Aggression
- Renaming Indian Locations: Standardizing and renaming disputed territories to assert ownership.
- Settlements in Disputed Areas: Establishing infrastructure to create facts on the ground.
- Official Maps: Incorporating contested regions into Chinese maps to legitimize claims.
Legal Perspective
- International Law: Territorial claims based solely on cartographic assertions lack legitimacy under international law, as emphasized by rulings such as the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) judgment in the Minquiers and Ecrehos case.
- Effective Administrative Control: Sovereignty over contested territories requires effective administrative control, not just map-based claims.
The South Asian Response
Economic Engagement and Regional Tensions
- While China has pursued economic engagement with all South Asian nations, its territorial and water-related disputes have strained relations.
Approaches in Southeast Asia vs. South Asia
- Southeast Asia: Countries have adopted collective strategies through multilateral organizations like the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and ASEAN.
- South Asia: In contrast, South Asian countries, including India, rely on bilateral engagement, hindered by power asymmetry and limited regional cooperation.
Conclusion
India, as the leading regional power, must take decisive steps to unify South Asia against China’s expansionist strategy. A comprehensive and collaborative approach, leveraging regional forums and multilateral institutions, is essential. This strategy should prioritize diplomatic engagement, regional cooperation, and infrastructural investments to safeguard sovereignty and enhance regional security. India’s leadership is crucial in addressing the growing challenges posed by China’s assertiveness, ensuring a stable and secure South Asia.
