Disinformation Fact Sheet Human Rights Misinformation

Hijab: History, Mystery and Propaganda

Hijab is not part of any religious faith & the controversy fuelled by Islamists was to portray India as being inimical to Muslims’ interests Neha Dahiya & Rohan Giri Hijab controversy unfolded in Indian southern state of Karnataka when six girl students in Udupi government run pre- university college started wearing Hijab to the classroom beginning December 2021. They were turned out of classrooms for not following uniform rules. These girls started protesting outside the college and insisted on wearing Hijab with claims that it was part of their religious practice. And, they argued for freedom to practice their religion and attire associated with it. The girls in class 11 & 12 also admitted that while taking admissions they had signed an undertaking to abide by the college uniform or dress code. The girls became overnight global celebrities owing to protests while being anonymous until they followed the college norms upto December 30, 2021. The controversy intensified and led to massive protests for and against wearing hijab in several educational institutions across Karnataka and elsewhere in Indian states. The issue gained momentum drawing ire from political parties, activists, and leaders. If one were to dissect the controversy, hijab has roots in Persian and known as ḥajaba or the veil in Arabic. In Quran, hijab is termed as ‘Khimar’ which means curtain or partition in literal or metaphorical sense. Khimar originates from trilateral verb ‘khamara’, which again means ‘ghatta’, to conceal, hide, or cover something. Quran Surah al-Ahzab, verse-53 says, “Let them wear their Khimar over their juyub” referring to their chest. Allah instructed the believing women to bring the fabric to their front by drawing Khimar over their chests, as a covering. Khumurihina (plural of Khimar) used in this Quran verse refers to scarves that females wore on the Arabian Peninsula at the time. Given the clear distinction, justifiably one wonders as to why Hijab is used while Quran refers to it a scarf or Khimar. Subsequently, verse 30 in chapter 24 and verse 54 in Chapter 33, Holy Quran asked both men and women to act with “decency” and “integrity,” both physically and morally. The Quran did not mandate a strictly religious “uniform,” and the first spiritual message did not mean to impose strict or “fixed” dress rules once and for all as propagated by Islamist fanatics but rather to “recommend” an “attitude” or “ethic” towards the body and soul. Khimar versus hijab is not one of Islam’s pillars but rather relate to moral principles, behaviour and relational ethics. Only when religious faith is exercised freely can it meaning something. As a result, discussing Islamic obligation to wear a hijab or Khimar is spiritually and technically incorrect as the Quran states, “No compulsion in religion.” (256 of Al-Baqara). Muslim girls U-turn on uniform code in Udipi town may not have been incidental if one were to examine chronology of events that metamorphosed into an international controversy of sorts. It seems more like a pre-planned propaganda by radical Islamists to create fear psychosis within larger Muslim minorities that total over 200 million painting a dystopian picture about current state of affairs and drive oft-repeated myth that the state was against Muslims. Groundwork for the propaganda began in September 2021 when Campus Front of India (CFI), the notorious student wing of the radical Islamist outfit of Popular Front of India (PFI), began recruiting students from institutions across the country including Udupi. Aliya Assadi, Ayesha Hajeera Almas, Ayesha, and Muskaan Zainab, the four initially stated victims of Hijab controversy created Twitter accounts a month after CFI started its membership push. They subsequently began participating in hashtag campaigns to promote CFI extremist islamist agenda. Almas AH who spearheaded the Hijab controversy was interviewed by BBC, where she claimed that they were not CFI members and only contacted the organization when stopped from attending classes. But, Twitter handles of these girls present diametrically opposite side of the story. On November 1, 2021, they copy-pasted tweets of CFI against the new education policy. A cursory look at the content posting by these girls denotes that it has been done by design simultaneously. On November 8, 2021, these girls participated in CFI hashtag to disrepute Supreme Court decision relating to Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi (Birthplace of Lord Ram) issue. On the same day, these girls promoted #BabriMasjidVictimsofJustice hashtag posted by CFI president to oppose the Supreme Court verdict. Likewise, on November 19, 2021, these four Muslim girls participated in CFI #SaveKarnatakaFromFascists campaign against the state government. On December 12, 2021, the purported victims of hijab issue posted copied tweets and same hashtags of CFI in support of arrested criminal Rauf Shareef. Hence, protest for Hijab was motivated by radical Islamist organizations and these girls were only paraded to depict that Muslims were victimized in India. Hijab is not a compulsion as per Islamic faith and certainly not above education for kids from the minority communities in particular. Yasmin Nigar Khan, granddaughter of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan & president of All India Pakhtoon Jirga-e-Hind said a uniform code should be followed in schools. If girls wear a burqa or hijab in school premises, then there will be an issue of identification. There should be no politics in this. In schools, all students are equal and religion should be followed to an extent only. Karnataka high court in its interim order pending hearings restrained all students regardless of their religion or faith from wearing scarves, Hijab, saffron shawls in the classroom. There are provisions and restrictions for face covering or wearing a Hijab due to several reasons in different countries. For instance, in 2004, France imposed a fine equivalent to Rs 13,000 on those that wore hijab. Similarly, Syria where the Islamic State or ISIS has had considerable hold, hijab was banned in colleges way back in 2010. In 2012, President Putin’s administration in Russia banned hijab in schools and colleges. Three years later, Belgium banned niqab and Burqa in 2015. On the other hand, Bulgaria made covering of

Human Rights Insurgency

606

Balochistan, an Inhuman Laboratory for Pakistan

Balochis are oppressed at home, neglected abroad, and treated as an inconvenient relic from the past that would not go away. Rohan Giri / New Delhi Last week’s attacks on Pakistan Army Frontier Corps bases at Panjgur and Naushki by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) brings to fore the struggle of Baloch people seeking independence from the repressive security regime led by General Qamad Javed Bajwa. BLA’s Majeed Brigade attack on Pakistan’s army establishment is yet another grim reminder of state-sponsored disappearances, day light murders and abuse of Baloch people that serve as inhuman nuclear laboratory for Pakistan that’s long been a rogue state. While Balochis under forceful occupation of Pakistan faced reprisals’ of grave nature and human rights violation, two separate attacks last week bring to fore their struggle to regain lost self-respect and statehood. Lack of basic amenities in Balochistan also highlights the highhandedness of Pakistan’s army and the government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan may not have been on equitable terms with his army chief General Baweja. But then, the duo seems to have been one in dealing a death blow to Balochis campaign for freedom. Balochis have also been seeking trial of both General Bajwa and Prime Minister Khan by UN-led Human Rights Organizations that wax eloquent on other mundane issues. Balochistan that’s been least populous area under forceful occupation of Pakistan is rich in natural resources but figures at the bottom on human development indicators like education, employment, and medical amenities. Independent & Sovereign Balochistan Balochistan is flanked on the east by Pakistani provinces of Punjab, Sindh, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and on the west by Afghanistan, Iran, and Arabian Sea. Prior to 1947, Balochistan region was made of four princely states, Kalat, Lasbela, Kharan and Makran. Three months before independence from British rule, Muhammad Ali Jinnah demanded an independent state of Kalat that would have four Baluchi ruled princely states. Through a communiqué on August 11, 1947, Kalat was awarded the status of an independent and sovereign state. However, by October 1947, Muhammad Ali Jinnah had changed his mind and asked that Kalat be formally part Pakistan as a province. The Khan of Kalat was passionate about maintaining their independence and sovereignty. Pakistani army went to Balochistan fraudulently on March 26, 1948 and all the four princely states run by Balochis were occupied on April 1 1948. Pakistani army’s crimes, abuses, torture, arbitrary arrests, executions, and indiscriminate violence increased in the aftermath of capturing Kalat. From then on, Balochistan’s people had embarked on path of liberation struggle due to these excesses. Baloch Freedom Movement In 1948, Muhammad Ali Jinnah forcibly merged this larger princely state with Pakistan by mounting pressure on Nizam Ali Khan of Balochistan. Ali Khan had to give in under pressure. The Baloch do not consider this deal legal and since then, nationalist Baloch have been on warpath to get rid of slavery under successive Pakistani regimes. Nawab Nauroz (Nowroz) Khan also known as Babu Nowroz has been the symbol of Balochistan freedom movement. They were waging a guerrilla war against Pakistan for the independence. Navroz was arrested and thereon reports suggested his murder in Pakistani captivity. Hundreds and thousands of Baluchis have sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle. Now, Balochis have openly countered Pakistani army brutalities with weapons. Several organizations like Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Nationalist Army (BNA) have had repulsed Pakistani Army’s inhuman ingression on their lives. Balochistan has been in constant state of instability following Pakistan army’s occupation and its intent to resolve the issue through force. Reports also suggest that Pakistan security apparatus was not against deployment of army contingents and conduct raids through Pakistan Air Force to crush the rebellion in Balochistan. In 1974, Pakistan’s Army led by General Tikka Khan, whose tactics earned him fame as the ‘Butcher of Balochistan’. He dropped bombs on Balochis. On May 28, 1998, Chagai, the occupied region of Balochistan was shaken by a series of nuclear bombings that were designed to test Pakistan government’s nuclear capabilities. Since then, Balochistan became central to inhumane nuclear testing for Pakistan. ‘Kill and Dump’ policy Balochistan is a neglected, exploited and ignored region. On the pretext of territorial security and integrity, Pakistan and its security agencies have made it their hobby to violate human rights of Baloch people. Over years, human rights activists in Baloch have been accused of sedition, labeled as terrorists and subsequently kidnapped by security forces or killed in clashes. In several cases, their dead bodies were found on roadside, brutally disfigured or their skeletal remains found in mass graves. Karima Baloch’s assassination in Canada on December 20, 2020 had signature imprint of Pakistan’s ISI. Karima had gone missing before she was murdered, and her body was eventually discovered near Toronto’s waterfront. The Pakistani army launched a “kill and dump” policy in 2009 with zero tolerance for Baloch dissent. Pakistani military establishments utilised brute force to demoralise those demanding freedom and destroy the Baloch national spirit. Never ending brutalities notwithstanding, Pakistan’s security establishment has failed till now in breaking the determination and dedication of Balochis indigenous struggle. A non-violent community has been resorting to violence to protect itself. Pakistani army repeatedly unleashed violence and inhuman acts on the Baloch people each day. Baloch community has taken up arms for humanitarian and defence while the world’s famed human rights organizations and leaders remained mute witnesses to excesses of Pakistan’s army. Pakistan Army had illegally occupied Balochistan on the strength of arms. It is well known that Pakistan is a haven for terrorists. Although Pakistani terrorists have been linked in several terrorist attacks around the world, Balochistan refused to be involved in such acts of terror barring incidents that are part of their freedom struggle. Balochis espouse peace and tranquility. (Author is an operations manager at CIHS, New Delhi) E-mail – [email protected] Reference: http://southasiajournal.net/accession-of-independent-balochistan-to-pakistan/ https://www.vifindia.org/sites/default/files/Balochistan-Forgotten-War-Forsaken-People.pdf https://www.eurasiareview.com/06102020-pakistan-kill-and-dump-in-balochistan-analysis/

Business

518

Tread with caution: taxes & resources

Finance Minister may lean on Chanakya and Thiruvalluvar yet again to sell tax reforms, manage meagre resources and still provide relief to honest taxpayers K.A.Badarinath / New Delhi “Taxation should not be a painful process for the people. There should be leniency and caution while deciding the tax structure. Ideally, governments should collect taxes like a honeybee, which sucks just the right amount of honey from the flower so that both can survive. Taxes should be collected in small and not in large proportions” said Chanakya in arthashashtra of 1534 BC vintage. This should hold good for finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman when she rises to present her tax proposals for 2022-23 as part of the union budget in parliament on February 1. Chanakya’s celebrated treatise, arthashastra on socio-economic principles has been her beacon in last three budgets. Her predecessor and mentor, late Arun Jaitley had leaned heavily on the celebrated Indian administrator to tide over tight economic situation in the past. This time round, it may not be any different. And, one can expect Nirmala Sitharaman to dip into Chanakya’s teachings next Tuesday in articulating her taxation package. Her tax proposals in all probability should not only push growth but allow enough resources in the hands of individuals, families and companies to meet expenses, consume and invest as the case may be. Buoyant GST collections that ranged between Rs 130,000 – 140,000 crore during April – December 2021 and improving situation following Omicron induced Covid 19 third wave should provide her the confidence to roll out an acceptable tax package that will push consumption led demand for goods and services. First thing the finance minister may attempt is heed the advice on pruning the ten corporate income tax rates that range between 5.2 per cent to 42.744 per cent applicable to domestic and foreign companies based on their turnover, area of operation and uniqueness. Effective taxation will have to be brought down taking revenue considerations on board. Can effective tax rates for companies actually be brought under 5 – 35 per cent bracket is perhaps what Finance Minister should consider? Her corporate tax proposals may have to include the foreign companies that may expand their presence as part of on-going Make in India and Production Linked Incentives campaigns. Getting rid of all surcharges and cesses levied at every touch point on corporate income tax and GST may have to be considered by the finance minister though its easy said than done. Revenue considerations notwithstanding, reining in the fiscal deficit to below six per cent should be considered while rejigging the tax table. Same is the case with redrawing income tax rates for individuals. While there have been suggestions for aggressively taxing the rich individuals, wealth creators and job givers may be allowed the leeway to get on their work without liquidity squeeze. There have been suggestions to consider the work from home allowance provided by companies for inclusion under standard income tax deductions provisions owing to over two years pandemic. Similarly, professionals and workers have lost their pay big time and millions have been given the pink slips. Finance Minister Sithraman may have to find ways for providing them some relief as has been done in last budget. Her predecessor Arun Jaitley has been popular with both companies and individual taxpayers as he managed to provide succour to each one of these categories in every one of his five unblemished budgets. Sitharaman will do well in adopting this time tested approach. Not just the actual tax burden, as Chanakya’s arthashastra surmises, taxes should be easy to calculate, convenient to pay, inexpensive to administer and equitable in its burden on various stakeholders. Taking forward these tax reforms – on both direct and indirect fronts – is need of the hour. One big avenue for mobilization of revenues has been sale of government stakes in large state-run companies as part of its determined bid to get out of the business of being in business. While LIC initial public offer and offer for sale (OFS) should bring in about Rs 115,000 crore, getting divestment and strategic salee of BPCL where Rs 55,000 crore has been targeted should be done next fiscal. Similarly selling IDBI Bank at a valuation of Rs 25,000 crore and two more state-owned banks should be pursued aggressively, if that helps reorganizing the banking sector. Similarly, selling Shipping Corporation, Pawan Hans and BEML in part or as on where basis should bring in another Rs 40,000 crore. Well most of these companies and banks were on her radar already. But, the sale did not move forward this fiscal for a number of factors. Achieving disinvestment targets may help find resources for ambitious capital investments as well as development expenses especially in infrastructure, health and education apart from providing water at every door step. Barring a few tweaks in GST rates as per recommendations of GST Council that she heads, drastic restructuring on the economic front may have to wait especially from taxation side. As Tamil saint philosopher Thiruvalluvar in Tirukkural postulated, finance minister may have to take a pragmatic view of both domestic and external economic situation while unveiling the finance bill. Yet another predecessor of Sitharaman, Palaniappan Chidambaram had taken refuge in Tirukkural to sell UPA’s economic agenda. The tamil philosopher saint may not have had finance ministers in mind while writing 1300-odd aphorisms. But, saint Thiruvalluvar’s couplets have withstood the test even in twenty first century on tax breaks, prioritizing expenses from the government kitty. Kural’s chapter on knowledge of power came handy for Chidambaram to ward off unwanted pressure from different lobbies and stakeholders. Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of work, the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work. Accumulate wealth in order to spend it. These two kurals of Thiruvalluvar can guide finance minister in her jest for reforms, managing resources and economy. Over to Finance Minister! (Author is Director & Chief Executive of Centre for Integrated and

Human Rights

550

Winter Olympics: China heading for isolation

Communist Party of China and President Xi’s track record of human rights violations and unabated expansionism have riled the world Amritpal Kaur / New Delhi Winter Olympics and Paralympics this year being held in China beginning next week were to be showcased as President Xi Jingping’s acumen and dexterity with which he engaged the world. If reports were anything to go by, it’s not working for President Xi Jingping and his Communist Party of China that’s burning midnight oil to prevent the country’s total isolation in the international community. First came the political and diplomatic boycott of Chinese winter Olympics by the world powers to send out a strong message against well documented human rights violations of Uighur muslim minorities. Though most countries may still send in their sporting contingents, their officials will skip to protest against abuse and genocide unleashed against Uighurs. Going back to its origin in 1896, Olympics have been touted as the bridge to mitigate differences among countries and forging a bond of friendship. On the contrary, Winter Olympics 2022 being held at Beijing have walked into a grave shadow of all round acrimony due to China’s arbitrary actions with a number of Southeast Asian neighbours’ boycotting the games. Looming threat of Omicron variant of COVID-19 and massive internet crackdown by the powerful regulator in China has also not gone well with sporting nations. Since the last decade, Chinese growth story has translated into its assertiveness and obsession for blanket security theology. Its resurgence has made China more vocal treading on the verge of covert violence. One dimension of such an upturn has been China’s territorial disputes with its neighbours like USSR and Myanmar but with varying outcomes that range between amicable solution and outright arm twisting. However, amicable solutions have been scarce and far in between. In fact, the last amicable resolution of border dispute that China achieved was in 2011 with Tajikistan. On the contrary, the past decade shows a marked change in the Chinese modus operandi in dealing with such disputes. Since 2009 Beijing has been claiming unilaterally South China Sea its territorial waters by pushing forward Nine-dash Line which demarcates the whole of the water body as its territory. South China Sea has been a central to territorial dispute between China and its South East Asian neighbours. And, this got accentuated beginning 2013 when China started developing Spratley Island and Paracel Island region. The Chinese state has been claiming ownership of most uninhabited islands in South China Sea Zone at a fast pace. These Islands include Cuarton Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, Gaven Reef, Hughes Reef, Johnson South Reef, Mischief Reef, Subi Reef. Though Vietnam had been reclaiming some islands, what set the alarm bells ringing was the urgency with which Chinese started to develop these shoals. During 2014-16, China reclaimed more islands and territories than all other nations combined in the region’s history. Graver aspect of this Chinese belligerence is militarizing these islands. South China Sea is a narrow body which is also strategic as an important marine route that accounts for substantial world trade at over $ 3 trillion annually. Chinese attempt to capture scattered islands and fortifying them as its military zones has unnerved several of its friends and foes alike. Discreet reclamation of territories led to coining of term, ‘Salami Slicing’, that denotes Chinese attempt to expand its territory, one shoal at a time. Chinese expansionism has been in full display in its tussle with its India. Though settlement of Himalayan border issue has been an elusive phenomenon, over a period India and China had developed a mechanism to keep bilateral relations cordial while taking a piecemeal approach to disputed territory. Passage of Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement (1993) during the Narasimha Rao era is a case in point. Subsequently, technical agreements to manage the border issues were adopted after tough negotiations in 1996, 2005, 2012 and 2013. However, recent skirmishes in the high Himalayas including Galwan crisis, Pangong Tso tussle, Depsang Plain offensive in 2020 is a worrying signal. According to experts, China is engaged in salami slicing of Himalayan border by taking one post at a time. It has also been speculated that China is keeping the Himalayan fault lines simmering to hem India and gain simultaneous advantage in the Indian Ocean as an emerging blue water navy. This expansionist posture, mastering the seas around and major sea lanes of communication, it’s a crucial move in the strategic chess that China continues to play. Chinese arm twisting and expansionism is visible in the recently enacted Land Border Act (2021). On the face of it, the act charts the course that China is to adopt in the border determining process. It states that territorial sovereignty is inviolable and China would ‘resolutely defend territorial sovereignty and land border security.’ But, the trouble with this assertion is that only India and Bhutan do not have a settled border with China. Further, China’s ‘official map’ unilaterally claims entire Arunachal Pradesh, Barahoti plains of Uttarakhand and territory till 1959 claim line in the Ladakh region as its own land mass. The act of China declaring complete ownership of rivers running through its territory setting aside claims of lower riparian states had led to more disputes with neighbours. As far as India is concerned, its recently adopted Land Border Act has no validity since it has no veracity or solid ground. China seems to be waging a psychological offensive against its neighbors, through posturing, unilaterally declaration of unacceptable claims on disputed territories as well as constantly shifting goal posts. Since the Sixth Plenary Session of Communist Party of China in November 2021, it has been obvious that President Xi would continue into his third term as Chinese President. He has already put himself in the list of great leaders of China next only to Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping with his thought enshrined in the Chinese Constitution. Winter Olympics for him could have been a virtual crowing, a cherry on top of

Business Policy

957

Growth, Growth & more Growth should be the mantra!

Work opportunities for seekers & carving out more job-givers be the focus, emphasis on big picture will drive economic expansion K.A.Badarinath / New Delhi When finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman rises to present her fourth budget in continuum on February 1, the dedicated app, tablet or bahri katha will in all likelihood croon ‘naya bharat’ – New India — big time. One should not miss this soft singing for the determined bid she will make by laying threadbare plans to build ‘New India’ of her leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dreams. As the country gets ready for next economic prosperity cycle, 75-years post-independence, this plan and vision to turn India into a global economic power house would definitely be significant. Finance Minster Sitharaman who’s credited with steering the economy through the Covid 19 pandemic deftly cannot afford to ignore or set aside the challenges that besiege Indian economy in medium term. Well, if third wave of corona virus infections is waning out as experts believe, this should signal a comprehensive plan to rebuild what was lost to the pandemic and nurture the dream of $ 5 trillion economic muscle that drives the global growth impulses. GDP growth of 9.2 per cent projected for 2021-22, highest in 17-years should be the basis for rolling out the big picture while holding the handle firmly to sustain this growth momentum next five years in a row. Crude prices hitting $ 100 from current $ 86 per barrel may be the first big challenge she needs to factor in her budget package. Fuel induced inflationary pressures is what could moderate her big plans. Let’s not forget that fuel inflation was 10.95 per cent in December, 2021, 13.35 per cent in November 2021 and 14.35 per cent. With oil imports to cross $ 100 billion again next fiscal, reining in consumer centric inflation will still be a tricky preposition given that it touched 5.59 per cent in December 2021. Pointing to inflationary pressures leading to interest rate hikes is not to distract the Finance Minister away from her top priority to put the economy on high growth trajectory. We should be able to live with 4 – 6 per cent retail inflation next three years even as Nirmala Sitharaman goes about methodically in fiscal consolidation to putting economy on firm expansion mode. Unlike US and Europe that are swept with 30 – 40 years high consumer inflation, India still has headroom in inflation management as well as moderating interest rates. Growth, growth and more growth should be the only mantra that dictates Finance Minister’s budget package which got deviated last two years owing to Covid 19 management and related expenses. A conscious call will have to be taken on front-ending capital and infrastructure investments with at least 10 per cent increase in budget expenditure that was pegged at Rs 34,83,236 crore for 2021-22. Government will have to tango both domestic and foreign investors to sustain healthy growth momentum with expansion in industry, services as well as exports. Since farmers have delivered and continue to do so with about four per cent agriculture growth, emphasis should be on industrial expansion and double digit growth of services with focus on external markets. In this big picture, keeping the fiscal deficit at six per cent may not be a breeze next fiscal but doable given that 6.8 per cent target set for 2021-22 is all set to be achieved. Healthy growth in goods and services tax revenues is a big plus in deficit management. About Rs 1.29 lakh crore collection in December 2021 and Rs 1.31 lakh crore in the month before only hints at pent up consumer demand that’s driving sales and resultant revenue mop up. Merchandise exports at about $ 400 billion in 2021-22 are again a possibility. During January 1 – 7, 2022 alone, exports grew by about 25 per cent to $ 7.63 billion. Even in December 2021, India clocked an export growth of 36.2 per cent to $ 23.8 billion in just three weeks. This momentum needs to be sustained to touch a possible $ 500 billion in the entire next fiscal. Putting together a big package to boost India’s share in global merchandise exports is something that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman can do. Given the adage that taxes are not exported, boosting tax revenues through exports is not what should happen. Instead exports linked manufacturing will help increase the work opportunities that have been hard to come by. Setting up export-linked manufacturing infrastructure will drive growth in near future. This brings us to oft discussed question of growth versus jobs. Without creating jobs for millions of aspiring youngsters or an environment for job-givers, the $ 5 trillion dream means nothing for 1.4 billion Indians that are on the move. Official data shows that 1.39 million net new jobs were created in November 2021 registering 37.9 per cent increase year on year basis. Finance Minister Sitharaman will have to carve out opportunities for workers in informal sector where millions may have to get into manufacturing, services and export-linked merchandise production. This needs to get a little innovative, if her budget package has to be accepted and sustained. (Author is Director & Chief Executive Officer at Centre for Integrated & Holistic Studies. Views expressed are author’s own.)

Business

538

Unleash Unicorns, Support Start-Ups

Let India home to one million start-ups, 1000 unicorns in four years. Extend tax incentives, holidays; slash patents, trademark fees further K.A.Badarinath / New Delhi When Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal proposed creating 75 unicorns during seventy fifth year of India’s Independence, cynics sneered and questioned the entire start up ecosystem that evolved organically in last six years. On social media pages, these doomsayers even bracketed Indian start- ups as some kind of a scam in the making without recognizing the inherent talent, technology skills and aspiration of Indian youth that has gone in to provide multiple cost-effective solutions and businesses. Cynics and naysayers should take a walk rather than questioning the pace with which digital enterprises have reported growth, success, attracted international capital and were toasted the world over. Many of these start-ups have not only moved up as unicorns with over $ one billion valuation each but effectively challenged established large technology companies with deep pockets. There’s no reason why we cannot create 75 unicorns given that 44 such firms came into being in 2021 with eye popping valuation of $ 89.19 billion. This is more than unicorns that were created in the previous decade. Chasing US with 487 and China’s 301digital enterprises, India has upended as the fulcrum for third most valued technology start-ups with unicorn status. Today, India boasts being home to 82 unicorns valued at $ 274.17 billion. As per independent research and consultancy firm Hurun Global, these unicorns spread across sectors like education technology, financial services, software services to e-commerce in pharmacy and groceries have made waves especially during Covid 19 when lock downs and movement restrictions have been a norm. Every seventh unicorn created globally has been done by youngsters in India and Bengaluru emerging as the epicentre for these digital enterprises with immense value. Rightly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded emergence of a flurry of unicorns in just 12 months while celebrating the Swami Vivekananda Jayanti that marks national youth day. There’s no denying that India has the potential to evolve as the unbeatable destination for unique digital enterprises given the country’s love for everything around technology, innovation and creativity that’s virtually flummoxed the world. Over 50,000 such enterprises are in various stages of development taking off from incubation. From providing innovative security solutions, environment management, healthcare, space to industry 4.0, these start-ups have changed rules of game redefining Brand India as the mouse movers did in last two decades. These start-ups were primarily responsible for upping the valuations of traditional businesses and moving India’s position on the Global innovation index to 46 last year from 74th position in 2016. While a firm base for these lilliputian enterprises has been laid in last six years, shifting focus to manufacturing, automation, research and development start-ups may galvanise the traditional enterprises as well as businesses. Similarly, finding technology driven solutions faced day to day is an area that the unicorns as well as start-ups can add value. Targeted expansion in number of decacons with a valuation of $ 10 billion and above can be attempted in next phase. Right now, India is home to just four of them in Byju’s, Oyo Rooms, Paytm and Flipcart. A comprehensive strategy to nurture at least ten decacons should be put in place by the government in partnership with the start-ups ecosystem. Doubling the number of unicorns run by our women entrepreneurs to 26 next one year by the time we celebrate the startup day on January 16 is again doable. Let’s not forget that eight of the unicorns run by women emerged in just one year with Falguni Nayar (Nykaa), Gazal Kalra (Rivigo), Ruchi Kalra (OfBusiness), Divya Gokulnath (Byju’s), Ghazal Alagh (MamaEarth) and Saritha Katikaneni (Zenoti), among others made it to the list. Union budget to be presented on February 1 should be the right forum to review, revise and make fresh booster dose announcements for the sunrise start-ups and unicorns that have not only evolved businesses in trying times but created work opportunities for talented youngsters. Right now, start-ups pay only 20 per cent of patent filing fees. Barring a nominal fees, can we do away with major chunk of the compliance burden? Both product and process patents have seen a huge up tick at 28,000 last year as against 4000 in 2013-14. Start-up ecosystem has contributed big time to the high value patented products and processes. If finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has the leeway, should she not consider providing 90 per cent discount on trademark filing fees for start-ups? Already, these digital enterprises enjoy 50 per cent discount on trade mark filing fees. Reduction in the compliance burden has in last six years has led to registering over 250,000 trademarks as against 70,000 in 2013-14. Improving the patenting and trademarks regime apart from extending the zero-tax impost should help India top the high value start-ups game in next four years. States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana should in particular pick up the gauntlet to blossom a million start-ups by 2025. Moving these start-ups the value chain with a mix of artificial intelligence, robotics and internet of things can be the next phase to look at. (Author is Director & Chief Executive Officer at Centre for Integrated & Holistic Studies. Views expressed are author’s own.)

Uncategorized

595

War Room to Fight Cyber Wars, Secure Economy

A comprehensive policy must be put together to ring fence cyber fraudsters, mafia and hackers to insulate Indian financial markets K.A.Badarinath / New Delhi Even as RBI readies its plans to launch digital rupee later this year, government and banking regulator’s big focus will have to be on insulating Indian economy from cyber frauds, graft and securing the country’s financial interests. Enhancing economic security in the cyber world would be pre-requisite to further opening currency space through digital instruments. Given the cynical innovation in cyber-attacks that have been reported globally, scaling up the firewalls is the only option while making it a breeze for consumers to undertake financial transactions. On the top of it, introduction of digital currency would lead to new vulnerabilities vis-à-vis fraudsters and possible instability that security breaches could lead to in the economy. Reports said that at least 900 Indians were scammed of over Rs 1200 crore in an initial public offering of a non-existent crypto currency named ‘ICO’. This is only tip of ice-burg in the world of cybercrimes on economic front. While vetoing the proposal to introduce private crypto currencies, these concerns and impending economic uneasiness were flagged by the country’s central banker and RBI Governor Shakti Kanta Das. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will do well in rolling out a policy to secure India’s economic and financial interests in the cyber world. Union Budget to be presented on February 1 should kick off such a policy framework. Securing the financial ecosystem is particularly significant as more and more transactions are going online. As per data released by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), in December 2020 alone, over 4.56 billion transactions involving Rs 8.27 trillion (Rs 8.27 lakh crore) have gone online through united payments interface or UPI. Akin to consultations on crypto currencies led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, multi-stakeholders meeting on securing Indian economy in cyber space should be kicked off immediately. As per Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), cybercrimes are on the rise in India. Till June 2021, cybercrimes in the Indian financial markets were a staggering 6.07 lakh. The year before, about 11.58 lakh cybercrimes were committed while thousands of such instances went unreported. Rise technology related frauds were a fact as such cases more than doubled in two years from 3.94 lakh reported in 2019. In value terms, over $ 300 billion worth transactions marking about 18 per cent of consumption GDP during 2021 has been estimated by Hong Kong based independent capital markets and investments consultancy group, CLSA. As per CLSA projections, online transactions are estimated to touch a whopping $ 900 billion to $ one trillion by 2025-26. This is a huge jump given that online transactions accounted for about $ 61 billion that translate to little over six per cent of consumption GDP in 2015-16. This may include banking, non-banking and all financial markets transactions including equities, commodities, bullion and real estate etc apart from corporate deals. Another set of figures available are available in the 2021 report of PwC India and the Data Security Council of India. As per the report, value of digital payments in India was estimated to grow annually at 20.2 per cent from about US $ 64.8 billion in 2019 to US $ 135.2 billion in 2023. Given the huge stakes, India will have to draw up a comprehensive policy framework against cybercrimes in economic space. To start with, a war room may have to be set up like the Modi government did to deal with intransigent, expansionist and unreasonable neighbours like China and Pakistan. In RockYou 2021 cyber-attack that happened June last year, about 8.4 billion passwords were breached thereby wreaking havoc on the economic structures and consumers globally. In a similar attack, way back in 2009, about 32 million online accounts were compromised. This is not the first time such large scale hacking got unleashed on humanity and had the potential to wreck companies with billions of dollar by hackers and unethical operators. WannaCry Ransomware, one of the biggest attacks in 2017 compromised over 200,000 computers across 150 countries having devastating impact on several industries. It cost the world markets humungous six billion pounds in just a couple of days. Let’s not forget hacking of Yahoo servers that led to compromise of 500 million accounts though no banking information was stolen. But, Adobe cyber-attack in 2013 was different as over 2.9 million credit card users information was stolen, personal data of 38 million users got into wrong hands. Given that every industry, bank and financial markets operate in cyberspace, newer and innovative cybercrimes are bound to put billions of dollars at risk. Covid 19 pandemic in its third and fourth waves during last two years have taken most industry and services operations online thereby exposing themselves to the fraudsters like never before. Similar is the case with governance in states and centre where key issues were discussed in chat rooms or private online conference rooms that face attacks and infiltrated in continuum. Exponential digital growth, rising cyber-attacks, and stringent regulatory mandates have landed Indian economy and financial markets in a piquant situation. (Author is Director & Chief Executive Officer at Centre for Integrated & Holistic Studies. Views expressed are author’s own.)

Human Rights

567

Biden’s Summit for Democracy and Human Rights around the World

Prachi Mishra / New Delhi The United States of America under the leadership of President Biden launched the first Summit for Democracy, held virtually on 9th and 10th of December 2021. This Summit lays the foundation for deliberation and discussion on the preservation of democracy and human rights in the coming decade. A week before the Summit, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) released a paper on total democracy under one party rule as a strong assertion to the Summit. In a white paper released by the CPC, titled, “China: Democracy That Works”, China stated that it is the ‘largest democracy’ in the world. This is the first time that both the PRC and the CPC have claimed that China’s governance structures and policies run on democratic principles. U.S. President Joe Biden’s Summit and CPC’s white paper provide a fitting context to this analysis on human rights in various forms of governance systems around the world. In the last few years, there have been unprecedented challenges that have plagued most democracies. Be it the widening digital divide or the issue of gender-based crime, the nature of socio-economic challenges seemed to have weakened the democratic systems around the world. Similarly, over the course of the last decade, human rights violations around the world have also increased manifold. Non-democratic regimes, like China and Qatar, witness growing number of such cases but owing to their system of governance and media reportage, human rights violations in these countries are underreported or not reported at all. In this context, there is a pressing need to strengthen democratic systems and ensure that violation of people’s basic rights is addressed. In this brief, we draw a comparative analysis of human rights violations in different forms of governance systems. We present – Communist regimes, with a focus on China Theocratic regimes, with a focus on Pakistan Absolute monarchies, with a focus on Qatar Democracies, with a focus on India; and Totalitarian regimes, with a focus on North Korea The analysis is based on several indicators, viz., the nature of rights that are most often violated in a regime. These include women’s rights, rights to freedom of religion, children’s rights, freedom of expression and privacy, minority rights inter alia. Be it the suppression of Uyghur Muslims in China or the unlawful persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan or the inequality faced by women in Qatar, human rights are violated in each of these regimes but are sparsely covered in the media. In totalitarian regimes, like North Korea, violations are seldom reported, and data is unavailable for most of these indicators. In a functioning democracy, reasonably India, where the four pillars of democracy work independent of each other, human rights violations are duly reported, and the judiciary has been playing a crucial role in providing justice to the aggrieved. The independence of media has led to greater reportage of violations which is often misconceived as failure of democratic systems. This calls for a balanced view of all governance systems and how reporting of violations are suppressed in many of them. Based on the interventions provided during the Summit, this brief lays down a few recommendations on upholding the human rights in democratic systems. Violations based on the nature of governance system Qatar Qatar’s political system is a de facto absolute monarchy, with the Emir of Qatar serving as the country’s head of state and administration. Qatari legislation is primarily based on Sharia law. According to the 2003 Qatari constitutional referendum, it was decided that the state of Qatar will be a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature, yet elections were repeatedly postponed since 2013. Finally, in November 2020, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced that the elections will take place in October 2021. Following an announcement by the Emir of Qatar on August 22, 2021, general elections were held for the first time on October 2, 2021. Men and women over the age of 18 years were eligible to vote for thirty (30) of the fourty-five (45) seats in the Consultative Assembly, with the remaining fifteen (15) selected by the Emir. The thirty 30 seats were contested by two hundred eighty-four (284) individuals, including 29 women aspiring leaders. All candidates ran as independents as political parties are prohibited by constitution. No female candidates were elected and according to various non-governmental organisations, thousands of Qataris were denied the right to vote. Thereby, casting shadows on the Qatari constitutional monarchy claims. Freedom of Expression Qatar’s hereditary emir is in charge of all executive and legislative powers, as well as the judiciary. There are no political parties allowed, and while Qatari citizens are among the world’s wealthiest, the vast bulk of the population is made up of non-citizens who lack political rights, civil liberties, curtailed freedom of expression, freedom of religion and economic opportunities. In Qatar both print and broadcast media are influenced by powerful families and censored by the government. The international television network Al-Jazeera is showcased and branded to be exhibited as privately owned, however, the government is said to have compensated for its operating costs since 1996. In Qatar, all journalists practice some form of self-censorship and may risk jail time for defamation and other press violations. Access to the independent English-language website Doha News was restored in May 2020, after it had been prohibited in late 2016 due to a lack of an operating authorization. In 2017, and 2020, the outlet once more changed hands before resuming full operations. A change to the penal code in January 2020 makes spreading or publishing “fake news” punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of 100,000 riyals ($27,500). The new ambiguously written rule that criminalises a wide variety of speech and publication activities threatens to severely curtail Qatar’s freedom of expression in Qatar. Religious Freedom Islam is the official religion in the State of Qatar. There is no constitutional protection for freedom of religion. However, the constitution

Policy

907

Ban Crypto Currencies, No Exceptions

Without ‘ifs or buts’, crypto-money fueling speculation, online frauds, financing drug trade and terror through dark web be shut K.A.Badarinath / New Delhi India is not one of those Baltic republics where economic governance structures are either weak or non-existent. Neither is India run on exotic market instruments as is the case with a few European economies and the US. Indian economic management is also distinctly different from ‘commanding heights’ oligarchs that control communist regime in China. Since, India has its own thinking on economic and development issues and a population of 1.4 billion, the country may have to chart its own course on key issues like crypto-currencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with various stakeholders last week, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India’s governor Shakti Kanta Das have outlined India’s policy towards crypto-currency mania that continues to sweep several geographies like a storm. In Indian context, it’s not desirable to introduce or legalize crypto-currencies. Block chain based technologies may have other financial sector applications that can definitely be pursued for digitizing Indian economy. No one has an issue with exploring full potential of block chain technologies. But, one cannot make crypto currencies, a legal tender. Neither can crypto-currencies be treated as an asset that can be held, transferred or traded on market platforms or on the dark web, legally or illegally. It does not matter as to what’s the intention of countries like El Salvador in creating exclusive crypto-currency city. India cannot afford to gamble on crypto-currencies on which even advanced market based economies like US are to come to terms with. Union cabinet’s decision after several rounds of stakeholders’ consultations is significant as it seeks to ban all private crypto currencies. Simultaneously, Narendra Modi government’s move to introduce digital rupee beginning next year is precursor to digitizing US $ 3.08 trillion strong Indian economy. Digital rupee to possibly be introduced by RBI will be backed by sovereign assets and guarantees like any other banking instrument or paper. Digital currencies as legal tender have been contemplated by several central banks around the world. Even as Parliament’s winter session began on Monday, lobbies continued to work behind the scenes to push government towards either status quo on crypto-currencies or their weak regulation. These lobbies must be shown their place. Modi government need not be either apologetic or apprehensive on its decision to slap a complete ban on private crypto-currencies. In the sense, holding cryptos, their transfer and trading becomes an illegal activity and punishable under statute. This measure would also insulate Indian economy and markets from possible destabilization due to these speculative instruments. RBI governor Shakti Kanta Das has rightly pointed to ‘instability’ and economic gloom that crypto-currencies would ring in for India. The ban in itself cannot be viewed as Modi government being anti-reforms or new age technologies. For the youngsters that are high on block chain based trading of crypto money on unregulated exchanges or dark web, the decision may be a wee-bit unsettling. Retail investors in India that reportedly are over15 million with exposures up to US $ 6 billion on crypto speculations may be better off with protective cover of the state. Given that crypto-currency transactions cannot be brought under either banking regulator RBI or markets watchdog, Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the best possible option exercised by government is to ban them. Hence, these crypto-currencies related transactions cannot be taxed as well. Apart from validity or valuation issues, crypto-currencies misuse leading to serious security issues is what Prime Minister Modi hinted while chairing a meeting of stakeholders, bankers and investors last week. For instance, Enforcement Directorate has pointed to about Rs 4000 crore worth funds routed through crypto-transactions to launder ill-gotten funds by economic offenders. Can we open another channel for tax evaders, corrupt people and traders to legitimize their ill-gotten wealth? A recent study of Paris-based Financial Action Force (FATF) flagged 56 million illegal transactions on one crypto exchange named Liberty Reserve that was busted by US enforcement agencies. Liberty Reserve is just one of such exchanges whose numbers run into thousands and enable illegal transactions in billions. Crypto-currencies and exchanges by design do not allow for any regulation or enforcement and operate outside of banking channels in most geographies including India where banks wisely kept off from such operations. In the infamous Aryan Khan case last month, Narcotics Control Bureau had pointed to payments made using crypto-currencies to acquire drugs that were recovered from a ship owned by Cordelia Cruises. Drug pedlars were paid in bitcoins for the narcotic substances busted from the ship off the Mumbai coast in the aftermath of a rave party. World over the narcotics drug trade, laundered funds, credit card frauds, identity theft, investment frauds, computer hacking scandals were linked to crypto-currencies as per the FATF report. Terror financing by Pakistani outfits, Afghanistan’s Taliban and jihadists apart from Church using crypto-currencies were reportedly flagged by government officials in internal discussions. United Nations Centre for Counter Terrorism (UNCCT) had been pushing for a workable framework to prevent use of digital money including crypto-currencies to finance terrorist activities globally. Crypto-currency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill 2021 to be piloted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the on-going winter session of parliament may have to take 360 degrees view and ban the crypto-currencies without exceptions. SEBI panel has rightly pointed out that since there are no underlying assets, crypto-currencies cannot be bracketed as a class of assets like stocks, debt paper, legal tender, real estate or commodities. Even in most advanced economies like US, the banking regulators are yet to make comprehensive plans on crypto-currency while some states have gone ahead with their set of rules. Federal Reserve in US, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Comptroller of Currency may take the entire 2022 to chart a plan for crypto-currencies. While China has gone ahead to ban crypto-currencies beginning with issue of coins, all mining operations were shut down to safeguard its small investors. In

Human Rights

1.12K

Child Sexual Abuse: French Clergy Priests Turn Predators

Prachi Mishra / New Delhi Analysis of the Summary of the Final Report on Sexual Violence in the Catholic Church France 1950-2020, issued by the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse by the Catholic Church (CIASE The report presents an overview of sexual violence committed against children and other vulnerable persons systematically by the Catholic Church and its affiliated institutions in France in the last seventy years. Based on their findings, the Commission has broadly classified incidence of sexual violence into the following three categories: 1950 to 1970 – this period witnessed the maximum number of cases, with incidents rising every year 1970 to 1990 – this period saw a fall in the number of incidents of sexual abuse and violence 1990 to present – this period witnessed resurgence in the number of cases and incidence of sexual abuse and violence The report suggests that prevalence of sexual violence against children was in regions where religious tenets were not followed. The Commission attributed this to lower levels of superintendence of priests and low intolerance for misconduct on behalf of the priests and other clergy. Most cases of abuse and violence have been documented well in such regions. As per the report, the victims of the abuse were predominantly pre-adolescent boys from all socio-economic backgrounds. Sexual abuse and violence have been classified into six categories based on the perpetrator: Parochial abuse – committed by a local priest; School abuse – committed by a priest, theology teachers, and others associated with the Church; Educational abuse – committed by scout leaders or patrons; Therapeutic abuse – committed by a priest or a Church authority acting as a healer or a psychotherapist; Prophetic abuse – committed by Church authorities within the new communities which were popular in the 1970s; and Family abuse – committed by a family member or a close family friend As per the Commission, three tenets of the Catholic Church were used as grounds to exploit children and other vulnerable sections of the society. These are: Religious sacraments A sense of vocation Charity (helping others through the Church) The Commission has also recorded sexual violence and abuse against adults committed by the Church. Nuns and seminarists were subjected to violation and exploitation owing to power and control of those who were superior in authority to them. The Commission concluded that 330,000 children suffered abuse at the hands of the Church staff including those employed at Catholic schools, persons providing chaplaincy services, scout leaders, Catholic youth movement organizers, and religious members. Of these children, 65% (216,000) were assaulted and violated solely by priests, deacons, and other religious workers of the Church. Over one-third of these cases were committed by laypersons associated with the Church. Of the total number of cases of sexual abuse on children, 1.16% were committed by the Church and those associated. The report claims that the share of Church-led abuse is higher than abuse committed in other social set ups. Table 1 highlights these. Table 1. Percentage share in cases of sexual abuse against children Social set up Percentage share in number of cases Holiday camps 0.36% State schools 0.34% Sports clubs 0.28% Cultural and artistic activities 0.17% Catholic Church 1.16% The report suggests that the number of perpetrators of these crimes were between 2900 and 3200. This implies that there were a very high number of victims per perpetrator. A few cases have not yet been investigated and hence the Commission issued a range rather than absolute numbers. After investigations, the Commission commented on the attitude of the Church during the last seventy years. From 1950 to 1970, the attitude of the Church was to protect itself from such scandals and to save the aggressors. Hence, it concealed the fate of the victims and urged them to stay silent. From 1970 to 1990, the Church sidelined the issue of sexual violence at the hands of the clergy and rather chose to address the priesthood crisis, wherein the clergy had begun to dominate internal structures of the Church, monopolizing decision making within the system. From 1990 to 2010 the attitude of the Church started to change. It started recognizing the abuse faced by victims and started identifying the victims. From 2010 onwards, the Church started reporting these cases to the judicial systems, imposed sanctions on aggressors based on the Canon Law, and acknowledged the fact that dealing with such cases should no longer be an internal matter. Why did the Church fail to address these cases of sexual violence against children? The Commission analyzed the structure and working the Church and realized that the shortcomings or inaction was rooted in an archaic Canon Law. As per the law, It is important to safeguard sacraments and to reform the sinner; The victim holds no importance in the law, hence, there can be no justice for the victim in the systems of the Church; Sexual violence is not mentioned in the law, making it ill-fit to repress the incidence of sexual violence. (Prachi is a research consultant at Center for Integrated and Holistic Studies. Views expressed are author’s own.)

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