Month: July 2024

No Sign of Breakthrough Again as India, China Meet For 30th Round of Foreign Office-Led Talks

Wednesday’s discussions under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination were the first to take place in India after the 2020 Galwan clashes.

New Delhi: After two back-to-back meetings between their foreign ministers, India and China held their latest round of foreign-office led border talks on Wednesday (July 31).

While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the discussion “constructive”, there is no sign of a breakthrough having occurred.

In the last one month, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi have met twice on the sidelines of multilateral summits in Astana and Vientiane.

While their public statements have not indicated any change in their positions, the frequency of their meetings has raised speculation of an thaw.

Wednesday’s talks took place as part of the 30th round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs in New Delhi.

This is the first time the WMCC has met in India following deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh in 2020, following which bilateral ties between the two countries soured.

In its press release, the MEA said the “discussion at the meeting was in-depth, constructive and forward-looking”.

Significantly, it stated that that both agreed to “maintain the momentum through the established diplomatic and military channels”.

They also “reviewed the current situation along the [LAC] with a view to finding an early resolution of the outstanding issues”, the MEA said.

It added that they “agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments.”

The Chinese foreign ministry stated that based on the “important consensus” reached by the recent meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers, the two sides agreed to “focus on specific issues related to the China-India border, take care of each other’s reasonable concerns, and reach a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible”.

The press note further stated that the two sides agreed to “strengthen the construction of negotiation mechanisms, accelerate the negotiation process, and achieve a turning point in the border situation as soon as possible”.

Following the 29th WMCC meet in Beijing in March, the MEA said the two sides discussed their views on achieving “complete disengagement” along the LAC, while China characterised the meeting’s agenda as promoting the “transition of the border situation into a normalised phase of control”.

Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged from some places along the LAC after the 2020 clashes, but the Chinese have refused to undertake any disengagement at two places, where soldiers of both sides continue to block each other.

India’s position is that bilateral ties cannot return to normalcy until the border issue is resolved, while China maintains that the border issue should not overshadow their broader relationship.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar reiterated this view when he met his Chinese opposite number Wang Yi in Laos last week.

East Asia joint secretary of the MEA, Gourangalal Das, represented the Indian delegation during Wednesday’s meeting, and the Chinese side was represented by Hong Liang, director-general of the Chinese foreign ministry’s Boundary and Oceanic Department.

The first round of talks under the WMCC was held in 2012.

The two sides have also participated in corps commander-level talks since the 2020 clashes to discuss the return to the status quo ante at the LAC, though without success.

Kerala CM Contests Amit Shah’s Claim That His State Was Warned of Heavy Rain Week Before Landslides

During the discussion regarding the Wayanad tragedy in the Rajya Sabha, several MPs asked that it be listed as a national disaster and asked for a special financial package for Kerala.

Bengaluru: The Union government gave a warning to the Kerala government of heavy rain and the possibility of landslides on July 23 – as early as seven days before the Wayanad landslides occurred – said home minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (July 31).

Shah added that on the same day, nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) left for the state under his approval. He said that if the state government had heeded the warnings and shifted vulnerable communities, people would not have lost their lives in the landslides in Wayanad.

In a press conference on the same day in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan responded that it was “not a time to blame each other”. Detailing the times that alerts had come in from the Union government, Vijayan said that the Union home minister had presented information in parliament that was “inconsistent” with facts.

As of July 31, as many as 161 dead bodies have been retrieved from the disaster-struck areas near Meppadi in Wayanad, where three major landslides occurred in the early hours of July 30. However, rescue efforts are still ongoing as 191 people are still unaccounted for, as per the CM’s statement at the press conference on July 31.

More than 80 relief camps have been opened in the district of Wayanad.

Warned Kerala seven days before: Shah

Speaking during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on July 31 on the Wayanad landslides and on the loss of lives and ongoing rescue efforts in the area, Shah said he would like to “clarify” certain things to ensure that there were no “misunderstandings”, given the entire nation watches the proceedings of the House.

“I would like to make it clear here before the House that on July 23 itself, the Union government gave an early warning to the Kerala government,” Shah said.

“On July 23, seven days before [the landslides happened]. On July 26, we warned that there would be heavy rains of more than 20 cm … a possibility of landslides, [that] mud could rush and that people could be trapped and die in this too. I didn’t want to say anything, but questions were raised about India’s early warning system.”

Also read | Cars Hanging From Trees, Bodies Washing Ashore: Amidst Devastation Rescue Efforts on at Wayanad

Several Kerala MPs said in the discussion that their state does not have an adequate early warning system, even though it has been asking for one since 2013.

“Do we have a warning system? Do we have an alert system? Do we have a system of coordinated efforts? We do not have a warning system. We are living in an age of NASA, IPCC report, AI, etc … When such heavy rains happen, the mud will become weak, do we have a system? … We have not learnt from [Cyclone] Ockhi, [the 2004] tsunami [and the 2018] floods,” MP Jebi Mether Hisham, who represents Kerala in the Rajya Sabha, said during the discussion.

“There has to be a pre-warning system for such kinds of disasters and catastrophes. We need a specialised system for these vulnerable areas. A whole task force, which includes meteorological, oceanographic, geological and hydrological teams, should be constituted. This should be given to a specialised institute like the IITs. Only then can this pre-warning happen,” said Haris Beeran, an Indian Union Muslim League MP from Kerala.

A.A. Rahim, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP from Kerala, said the state doesn’t even have a properly functioning RADAR weather forecasting system.

“Kerala has been demanding a modern Doppler RADAR since 2013. In Kochi, the RADAR is not functioning most of the time and is an old system. In Thiruvananthapuram, the RADAR is under ISRO and cannot be used all the time for this purpose. In northern Kerala, there is not even a single RADAR … Please listen to us. Kindly ensure a proper weather forecasting system without further delay,” he said.

Heed warnings, says Shah

Shah lashed out at these allegations that there is no early warning system in place.

“Don’t scream ‘Please listen [to] us, please listen [to] us’, please read it: what warning we have sent, please read it,” Shah said.

He also claimed that there are several state governments that have paid heed to these warnings and managed disasters in such a way that there were zero casualties.

“In Odisha, we gave a four-day warning before the cyclone … only one person died, that too accidentally. For the Gujarat government too, we gave a cyclone alert three days before, and not a single animal died,” he claimed.

“But I want to humbly say that the same old words that you’re taking here and demanding [for an early warning system] – we do have an early warning system,” Shah said. “The Indian government spent Rs 2,000 crore on an early warning system after 2014. All regions are given warnings seven days prior. This is accessible for all people on the website. There are early warning systems for rains, heatwaves, storms, cyclones, even for lightning … But no one is heeding these.”

Many regions have used it and benefitted, Shah claimed. And as per this early warning system, on July 23 itself, nine NDRF teams by flight left for Kerala under his own approval, he added.

“The Union government did so much, what did the Kerala government do? People were living in vulnerable situations, but were they shifted? Why weren’t they shifted?” Shah asked. “If they had been shifted, how would they have died?”

After Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014, the early warning system started in 2016, and India now has the most modern early warning system in the world, Shah added. There are only four countries that give warnings seven days in advance, and India is one of them, he said. “But you had to read it.”

As much as 10% of state disaster response force funds can be taken by states without permission from the Union government, Shah continued.

“Irrespective of party politics, the Narendra Modi sarkar will be with the Kerala government and the people of Kerala,” he claimed.

Also read: Every Monsoon, Kerala’s Deadly Landslides Showcase the ‘New Normal’

“Not a time to blame”, says Kerala CM

“This is not the time to blame each other. However, reports from the Rajya Sabha indicate that the Union home minister claimed they had issued a warning, and Kerala did not respond appropriately,” Kerala CM Vijayan said in Wednesday’s press conference in Thiruvananthapuram.

An orange alert was in place in the disaster areas, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that rainfall would be between 115 and 204 mm, he said.

“However, the actual rainfall was much higher. The area received 200 mm of rain in the first 24 hours and 372 mm in the next 24 hours, totaling 572 mm in 48 hours. This far exceeded the initial warning. The area had never been on red alert before the disaster. However, after the incident, a red alert was issued at six o’clock in the morning,” Vijayan said.

Between July 23 and July 28, the IMD did not issue any orange alerts for heavy rain in Kerala, Vijayan countered. He added that on July 29 at 1 pm, an orange alert was only issued for Wayanad district. The red alert and the possibility of heavy rain for Wayanad were announced only at 6 am on July 30, after the landslide.

“On July 29 at 2 pm, the Geological Survey of India issued a green alert for July 30 and 31, indicating a possibility of minor landslides or rock bursts. However, by that time, heavy rain had already occurred, and the landslide had taken place.”

Similarly, the Central Water Commission, which is responsible for issuing flood warnings, did not issue any warnings for either the Iruvazhinji Puzha or Chaliyar river between July 23 to 29, Vijayan said.

“The Union home minister has presented information in parliament that is inconsistent with these facts,” Vijayan said.

Based on Kerala’s prior request, an NDRF team was made available at the beginning of the rainy season; Kerala raised the demand for nine NDRF teams and the government had already deployed a team in Wayanad district, he added. Vijayan also put the onus on climate change, which he said has led to significant alterations in our environment.

“We need to take proactive steps to address and adapt to these changes. When faced with these issues, can we avoid responsibility by claiming it’s not our duty to get involved? The [Union] government should also consider this issue seriously. As part of addressing climate change, effective measures should be taken to prevent the impending disasters, he said.

‘Declare Wayanad landslides as national disaster’

During the Rajya Sabha discussion earlier in the day, several MPs requested that the Union government declare the Wayanad landslides as a national calamity or disaster, as this would release crucial financial assistance not just for rescue and rehabilitation efforts but also rebuilding the region and the lives of people from scratch.

“With profound grief, I am participating in these discussions,” said John Brittas, MP from Kerala. “[Considering] the magnitude of tragedy that Wayanad has witnessed … [we] need to declare it a national disaster. Earlier, the minister said there is no provision … I would plead with the home affairs ministry to understand the extent of this tragedy – this is the worst disaster that has occurred in Kerala,” Brittas said.

Other MPs who supported declaring the Wayanad tragedy as a national disaster included M. Thambidurai of the AIADMK, and Praful Patel of the NCP.

“Rs 2 lakh compensation inadequate”

During the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Singh, a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, said that as soon as the prime minister heard of the news, he immediately spoke to the Kerala CM and assured him that the Union government would provide the state with whatever help it could.

The PM on Wednesday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for those who have been killed in the landslides and Rs 50,000 for those injured, Singh added.

Several MPs, including Hisham of Kerala and Ramji Gautam of the BSP from Uttar Pradesh, pointed out that a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who died in the landslides would not suffice.

Many others asked for a special financial assistance package for Kerala in light of the Wayanad tragedy. These included Raghav Chadda of the AAP and V. Sivadasan, a CPI(M) MP from Kerala.

RSS an Organisation With ‘Unimpeachable Credentials’, Says Dhankhar in Rajya Sabha

While expunging remarks made by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman, Dhankhar said he would not allow a member of the House to ‘single out an organisation doing national service’.

New Delhi: Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday (July 31) once again reiterated his support for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling it an organisation with “unimpeachable credentials”, while expunging remarks made by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman, who alleged that the criterion for appointments to the National Testing Agency (NTA) was if a person belonged to the RSS.

While asking a supplementary question about the NTA, which has been embroiled in criticism over the conduct of competitive examinations including the NEET and NET, Suman said that the government’s main criterion for appointments was if a person belongs to the RSS, which is the BJP’s ideological parent organisation.

Dhankhar then interjected and said that his remark would not go on record as the RSS was an organisation with “unimpeachable credentials”, leading to an uproar in the House.

“I have asserted in this house that the organisation has unimpeachable credentials. I take exception. It will not go on record,” said Dhankhar.

Amid the uproar, Congress MP and leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge then rose from his seat and said that the Samajwadi Party MP had not violated the rules of the House and that he should not be stopped from speaking the “truth”.

“You are the custodian of the House. But a member who is speaking under the rules, until he does not violate the rules, he should not be stopped from speaking. What he is saying is true. When the truth is spoken, they can answer. This is not right. You’re misusing … this is not right,” said Kharge.

Dhankhar then said that the leader of the opposition had “in a sense indicated to the chair that I have transgressed the rules by objecting to the member”.

He said that while he agrees with Kharge about the rules, Suman was not transgressing the rules but “trampling the Constitution of India”.

“For this reason I say the RSS is a global think-tank of the highest order, nothing else will go on record. I will not permit a member to single out an organisation doing national service,” he said.

“This is a violation of the constitution. Under our fundamental rights, under part 3 of the constitution, organisations have rights,” he continued amid an uproar from both the opposition and treasury benches.

“I declare here that the honourable member raised the issue that is not only against the rules but against the Constitution of India,” said Dhankhar and declared that Suman’s remark had been expunged.

“This organisation has all the right to contribute to national growth, for national development,” said Dhankhar.

“I hereby rule that the RSS is an organisation that has full constitutional rights to participate in the development journey of this nation. This organisation bears unimpeachable credentials and comprises people who are deeply committed to serving the nation selflessly. To take exception that a member of this organisation cannot participate in the development journey of the nation is beyond the rules. I therefore do not allow the member to raise the issue.”

Dhankhar then said that it was not for the first time that he was saying that the RSS was an organisation that has worked for national development.

“I have said, this is not for the first time. I am reiterating. The nation needs to get the benefits … 1.4 billion people have to contribute to the development of the nation. It is soothing to note, it is wholesome to note, that the RSS as an organisation has been contributing for national welfare, our culture, and everyone should, as a matter of fact, take pride in any organisation which is acting in this manner.”

Earlier this month, during the motion of thanks to the president’s address, Dhankhar had expunged remarks made by Kharge on the RSS.

“You are saying a particular person is a member of the RSS. Is that in itself a crime? The RSS is an organisation working for the nation. They have a lot of intelligent people,” he said.

On July 9, the Narendra Modi-led Union government revoked the ban on government servants from joining the RSS, but has classified the files pertaining to this decision.

Netanyahu Ordered Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh’s Killing to Scuttle Peace Talks: Former Ambassador

Former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE Talmiz Ahmad believes Hamas and Iran will retaliate in their own time and in a measured way because they do not wish to provoke a wider regional conflict.

One of India’s foremost experts on the Middle East and a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, Talmiz Ahmad, has said that he believes Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have ordered the killing of Hamas leader and former Prime Minister of Palestine, Ismail Haniyeh, to scuttle peace talks, because if a successful ceasefire had been agreed to, Netanyahu would have lost his job as Prime Minister of Israel.

Ahmad does not believe that the Biden administration in Washington would have been consulted, leave aside given prior clearance, before  Haniyeh’s assassination. He also believes that although Hamas and Iran will retaliate – and separately Hezbollah for the killing of Fuad Shukr 24 hours earlier – they will do so in their own time and in a measured way, because they do not wish to provoke a wider regional conflict.

Charging Ahead, Leaving Workers Behind: The Human Cost of India’s Electric Vehicle Push

Collaboration between training institutes and educational institutions can create continuous learning opportunities, while technology partners can offer on-demand ‘phygital’ learning courses to upskill the existing workforce.

The automobile sector is undergoing an Electric Vehicle (EV) transition. Around 45-84% of vehicle powertrain parts will become obsolete, affecting their manufacturers amidst the ongoing transition from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to EV.

The most affected would be informal and contractual workers; approximately 31% of job roles in the auto sector will be affected, with 14% becoming obsolete and 17% requiring reskilling. How are the workers trying to adapt to this transition? How is the Government planning to tackle this problem?

The automotive industry stands at a pivotal juncture, grappling with the shift towards more sustainable and eco-friendly mobility solutions and the continuing growth of traditional internal combustion vehicles. The automobile sector contributes significantly to the GDP, with 7% to national GDP and a staggering 49% of the manufacturing sector’s GDP. The transition from ICE to EV impacts not only vehicle production and usage but also the livelihoods of millions of workers globally. As this transition unfolds, adopting a balanced approach that safeguards jobs and the economy while advancing towards a greener and more equitable future is crucial.

Also read: Why Modi Supporters Are Not Happy Over the Union Budget

The automobile sector is estimated to employ about 30.7 million people, considering direct (13.7%) and indirect employment (86.3%). Among the workers employed directly in the automobile sector, there is a high share of contractual workers. For example, an analysis of the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) data of registered organised manufacturing units (as of 2021-22) shows that about 36% of the workforce are permanent workers, and the rest, 64%, are contractual workers.

The EV market in India is set to explode, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49% from 2022 to 2030. By 2030, annual EV sales are projected to hit 10 million units, up from 1.38 million today. This surge is driven by government policies such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME I and FAME II) and production-linked incentives (PLIs).

While these policies promote technological advancements and infrastructure development, they fail to address the socio-economic challenges faced by the workforce. These efforts made to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles should address the social dimensions of this transition, ensuring that workers are not left behind in the race towards sustainability.

Findings from three biggest auto clusters in India

iFOREST surveyed 300 auto component manufacturers and 1100 workers across three auto clusters of India: Pune, Hosur and Gurugram.

This survey was conducted to evaluate the auto ecosystem and assess the impact of the ICE to EV transition on Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Auto Component Manufacturers (ACMs). It was attempted to identify the assembly lines and workforce in traditional ICE that the transition towards EV would majorly impact. The survey was also conducted to witness how the MSME industry deals with this transition and what the workers’ perspective is towards this transition.

A large proportion of the workforce surveyed (95%) had completed secondary education. Over 38% of workers have completed Industrial Training Institute (ITI) courses or have other diplomas/certifications across different enterprise sizes. Close to half of all the workers in large and medium enterprises have done ITI courses or have other diplomas/certifications. The majority of the workforce in the auto sector is also semi-skilled or skilled. However, a significant % of the workforce (80%) relies on on-the-job learning or training. Only 7% of workers were found to have completed formal vocational training.

“I cannot stop this change from happening. I would keep doing what I know best from the past 10 to 15 years: replicating design drawings into precise components,” says the owner of a small enterprise at MIDC Chakan producing crankshaft axles.

The survey found that this transition would highly impact the workforce involved in manufacturing powertrain components of ICE vehicles. EVs require fewer parts and, in turn, fewer maintenance and repair activities than ICE vehicles, leading to fewer jobs. Analysis showed that 45-84% of ICE vehicle powertrain parts will become obsolete, affecting manufacturers. This transition would mostly affect the workforce working in engine and engine components, drive lines, and transmission assembly lines.

Workers in an auto parts manufacturing unit. Photo: Arranged by the author

The most vulnerable are the contractual and informal workers, who comprise nearly 60% of the workforce in auto component manufacturing. These workers are often associated with micro and small enterprises that have limited capacity for technological adoption, making them particularly susceptible to job losses. MSMEs are less capable of adapting due to lower profit margins and limited financial resources. 

Consultations with 60 workers in servicing and informal repair shops across three auto clusters were also undertaken to understand their perception of the EV transition and prospective impacts. The workers expressed unease about adapting to the EV ecosystem, considering the reliance on computerised components. Lack of familiarity with EV technology and inadequate capital for specialised equipment emerged as critical challenges. Most of them (about 85%) also said they lack the necessary skills for EV maintenance. The informal repair shop workers in two-wheeler repair shops also said they had received fewer clients recently. Considering their low skill levels and limited opportunities to get absorbed in the EV ecosystem, they find the situation increasingly challenging. If things do not improve, they plan to move out of the auto sector to job opportunities in other sectors.

“Business is already down. EV has a circuit board about which I don’t know. I may close my shop and open a Vada Pao stall,” says an Informal repair shop owner in Chikhali.

Secondary research across the automobile value chain was conducted as part of the project, and it was mapped that there are at least 564 job roles in the automobile sector. This includes roles in various sub-assemblies/processes/stages to produce ICE vehicles and EVs and other aspects like dealership, services, etc. It was found that approximately 31% of job roles in the auto sector will be affected, with 14% becoming obsolete and 17% requiring reskilling.

Table 1: Category-wise job roles of auto ecosystem. Source: iFOREST analysis

The road ahead for auto workers in India

“I know this change is happening, but any car or bike produced today would run for another 10-15 years, so I am safe,” said an informal spare and auto parts and repair shop owner in Bhosari.

Globally, recent worker strikes have highlighted workers’ concerns about this transition. The US United Auto Workers (UAW) went on strike at Stellantis, Ford, and General Motors demanding fair wages and job protections amid the EV shift. Similarly, IG Metall in Germany has pushed for a just and equitable transition for automobile workers. The US government recently announced $15.5 billion to support a strong and just transition to EVs, including retooling existing plants and rehiring workers..

To ensure a just transition, it is crucial to integrate workforce considerations in the EV policy framework. This includes comprehensive planning and coordination among various stakeholders, such as employers, training institutes, workforce programme designers, and community-based organisations. Upskilling programmes, apprenticeships, internships, and partnerships with universities and community colleges are essential to prepare the workforce for the new demands of the EV industry.

Workers in an auto parts manufacturing unit. Photo: Arranged by the author

Training programmes should be redesigned to include advanced EV technologies, battery management systems, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Collaboration between training institutes and educational institutions can create continuous learning opportunities, while technology partners can offer on-demand ‘phygital’ learning courses to upskill the existing workforce. On-the-job training should also be promoted without reducing wages for participating workers.

The EV transition presents a tremendous opportunity to improve prospects for workers and local economies. However, it requires a balanced approach that ensures technological advancements complement human resource development, minimising job displacement and enhancing job prospects. Only through such a comprehensive strategy can the promise of a greener future be realised without leaving the workforce behind.

Harshil Sharma is a senior programme associate at iFOREST.

Congress Submits Privilege Notice Against PM After He Calls Anurag Thakur’s Speech ‘Must Hear’

Thakur had said in a veiled reference to Rahul Gandhi that those who did not know their own caste were asking for a caste census.

New Delhi: A day after BJP MP and former Union minister Anurag Singh Thakur’s veiled attack against Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi – saying that those who did not know their own caste were asking for a caste census – found support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress submitted a privilege notice against Modi.

Congress MP and former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi wrote to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla on Wednesday (July 31), giving notice to move a privilege motion under Rule 222 against Modi for posting on X Thakur’s speech in the lower house, parts of which were expunged from House proceedings.

“There is a lot of talk of caste census and OBCs. Jiski jaat ka pata nahi, wo ganna ki baat karta hai [one who’s caste is not known, he is talking about a caste census],” said Thakur on Tuesday during his speech in the discussion of the Union budget 2024-25 without naming Gandhi.

While the Lok Sabha saw a heated exchange between the opposition and the treasury benches following Thakur’s remarks, Modi later on Tuesday evening shared a portion of Thakur’s speech on X, calling it a “must hear”.

“This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri @ianuragthakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance,” wrote Modi.

In his notice, Channi wrote to Birla that while the “objectionable remarks” made by Thakur had been expunged from parliamentary records, they had been posted by the prime minister.

“It is, however, shocking to note that these expunged portions had been tweeted by the prime minister on X along with the whole speech video. In addition to this other objectionable expunged words in the speech had also been tweeted,” the notice said.

Channi said in his letter that the prime minister’s tweeting of Thakur’s expunged remarks “clearly amounts to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House” and requested that privilege proceedings be initiated against Modi.

Also on Wednesday, members of the opposition INDIA alliance protested in the Lok Sabha against Thakur’s remarks in the well of the House during question hour and demanded an apology from the prime minister, leading proceedings to be adjourned briefly until noon.

“I condemn the opposition’s behaviour in the House today. The Congress party and Rahul Gandhi keep crying ‘caste, caste’ all day, everyday … The Congress today has tried to weaken the country. I want to tell the House through the speaker that the Congress tried to break the country by criticising the army … and worked to end Indian democracy and [to] spread anarchy and violence … We will follow the rules and regulations,” said Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju before the House was adjourned.

Eminent Citizens Urge Defence Minister to Halt Licences to Firms Exporting Arms to Israel

“The grant of licences and approvals for export of military material to Israel, coupled with reports of such exports by Indian companies, constitutes a serious violation of India’s obligations under international law and our own Constitution.”

New Delhi: Twenty five eminent citizens, including former Supreme Court and high court judges, economists, activists and poets, have written to the defence minister, urging him to halt the licence process that allows exporters to send military arms and ammunition to Israel. 

Israel has been leading an onslaught described as a genocide against Palestine, following an attack by the group Hamas in October last year. Several thousands of Palestinians have died in brutal attacks. 

India’s reported arms ‘exports’ to Israel amid the Gaza conflict has sparked controversy.

The letter is signed by former Supreme Court judges Ruma Pal, B. Sudarshan Reddy, and S.N. Variava, former Madras high court K. Chandru, former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, retired IFS officers Deb Mukherji and Ashok Sharma, retired IAS officers Meena Gupta and EAS Sarma, former Lalit Kala Akademi chairperson Ashok Vajpeyi, author Arundhati Roy, musician T.M. Krishna, CPIM leader Brinda Karat, psephologist Yogendra Yadav, senior advocate Chander Uday Singh, advocates Prashant Bhushan, R. Vaigai, and Mihir Desai, activists Harsh Mander, Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey, Anjali Bhardwaj, Kavita Srivastava and Vijayan MJ, and development economist Jean Dreze.

India’s purported support – through the grant of licences – to at least three companies for the export of arms and military equipment to Israel, even during this period of the ongoing war in Gaza and after the ICJ rulings goes against India’s obligations under international law and the mandates of Articles 21 and 51(c) of the constitution, the signatories write to Rajnath Singh.

Below is the full text of the letter.

§

To,
 The Defence Minister Ministry of Defence
Room No 305
‘B’ Wing, Sena Bhawan
New Delhi-110011

30th July 2024

Subject: Re cancellation of licences and halt to grant of new licences to companies supplying military arms and equipment to Israel

Dear Sir,
We are writing to you as concerned citizens, alarmed at the continued grant of export licences and permissions to various Indian companies, for the supply of military arms and munitions to Israel, since the war on Gaza began. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has clearly ruled that Israel is in violation of obligations under the Genocide Convention and further that Israel is in illegal occupation of the occupied Palestinian territory. In light of these rulings, any supply of military material to Israel would amount to a violation of India’s obligations under international humanitarian law and the mandate of Article 21 read with Article 51 (c) of the Constitution of India. We urge you, therefore, to cancel the concerned export licences and halt the granting of any new licences to companies supplying military equipment to Israel.

Export of military equipment by various Indian companies to Israel

As per reports  and information available in the public domain, we believe, at least three companies in India dealing with manufacture and export of arms and munitions have been granted licenses for the export of arms and military equipment to Israel, even during this period of the ongoing war in Gaza and even after the ICJ rulings. These licences have been obtained from either the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or the Department of Defence Production (DDP) that authorize export of arms and munitions for military use and dual use purposes.

In January 2024, Munition India Ltd. (MIL) a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, was permitted to ship its product to Israel and the company again applied for exporting the same product under repeat order from Israel and approval of the same is under consideration by licensing authorities. A private Indian company, Premier Explosives Ltd. (PEL), which has been exporting explosives and allied accessories to Israel under licence from the DGFT at least since 2021, has been permitted to export these items twice since Israel’s war on Gaza began last year – on November 20, 2023, and January 01, 2024. Hyderabad-based joint venture, Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd., in which the Adani Group has a controlling stake, has manufactured and exported munitions in the form of Indian – made aero-structures and subsystems purposed specifically for military use, for over 20 Hermes 900 UAVs/military drones to the Israeli military between 2019 and 2023. Hermes drones – similar to what Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd has delivered – have been extensively used in the Israeli Defence Forces’ military campaign in Gaza. The company’s annual report 21-22 mentions that the company has received orders for 22 Hermes 900 subsystems to be delivered over 36 months and the most recent financial report reveals that a new subsidiary of Adani Enterprise, Adani-Israel Ltd. has been incorporated in Israel in September 2023.

An important document detailing the Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET) application status as available on the DGFT website, provides the following information on grant of licences and licences pending consideration to MIL and PEL:

  1. (Serial number 2880) Application made by M/s Munitions India Limited on 14.08.2023 for fresh export to Israel was granted approval on 1.01.2024
  2. (Serial number 3807) Application made by M/s Munitions India Limited on 18.04.2024 as a repeat order is pending approval.
  3. (Serial no. 2841) Application made by M/s Premier Explosives Limited on 2.08.2023 for fresh export was granted approval on 20.11.2023
  4. (Serial no. 2890) Application made by M/s Premier Explosives Limited on 18.08.2023 for fresh export was granted approval on 20.11.2023
  5. (Serial no. 3045) Application made by M/s Premier Explosives Limited on 5.10.2023 for fresh export was granted approval on 1.02.2024

(A copy of the SCOMET application status document as available on the DGFT website and downloaded on 2.05.2024 is annexed as Annexure 1)

The licence approval to MIL and PEL to export some of their products to Israel was by the DGFT and not the DDP, meaning thereby, that the product MIL sought to export is a ‘dual- use’ item, but could include an item for military use as well. However, details of items for which export licenses have been issued are not available in the public domain. Such products could be in the form of explosives, and pyrotechnics, initiators, fuses and charges thereof, which, besides their direct military use, would also have non-military applications such as rock blasting and other geo-engineering work. There is every possibility that, in the context of the ongoing war being waged on the Palestinians in Gaza, these would be used by the IDF for its military ends.

The SCOMET application status document has been downloaded from the DGFT website on 2nd May 2024. Thereafter, some changes appear to have been made to the manner of disclosure of information on the DGFT website, as currently, the application status no longer discloses the name of the country to which the export is being made and order status details.

Having voted in favour of a UN resolution on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in December 2023, India’s abstention from voting on a resolution calling for ceasefire and an arms embargo on Israel in April 2024, raises serious questions regarding India’s possible complicity in aiding the war despite the ICJ ruling on genocide. This coupled with credible reports and publicly available records suggests that Indian authorities have granted licenses for the export of arms to various companies including a public sector company, for the export of munitions to Israel.

On April 2, 2024, a ship containing explosives loaded in Chennai was en route to Israel’s port of Ashdod. A report published on Al Jazeera states that according to a document seen by Al Jazeera,4“…the ship contained explosives loaded in India and was en route to Israel’s port of Ashdod, some 30km (18 miles) from the Gaza Strip. Marine tracking sites show it departed Chennai in southeast India on April 2… The identification codes specified in the documentation, obtained unofficially by the Solidarity Network Against the Palestinian Occupation (RESCOP), suggest the Borkum contained 20 tonnes of rocket engines, 12.5 tonnes of rockets with explosive charges, 1,500kg (3,300 pounds) of explosive substances and 740kg (1,630 pounds) of charges and propellants for cannons.” Reports also states that “A second cargo ship that had departed India was denied entry on May 21 to the port of Cartagena. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the Marianne Danica left from India’s port of Chennai and was en route to Israel’s port of Haifa with a cargo of 27 tonnes of explosives. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares confirmed in a news conference that the vessel was denied entry on the grounds that it was shipping military cargo to Israel.”

Violation of International Law and Conventions

India is bound by various international laws and treaties that obligate India not to supply military weapons to States guilty of war crimes, as any export could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law. India is obligated under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention), which India has signed and ratified, to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide. India therefore cannot export any military equipment or weapons to Israel when there is a serious risk that these weapons might be used to commit war crimes. Article III of the Genocide Convention makes States complicity in genocide a punishable offence. Article IV of the Convention provides “thatmember states must punish those who commit genocide, regardless of their position: constitutional rulers, public officials, and private individuals”. The obligation not to supply weapons to States possibly guilty of war crimes is also an obligation directly based on common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions which India has also signed and ratified. The principles embodied in these Conventions are part of general international law.

The International Court of Justice on 26th January 2024, ordered provisional measures against Israel for violations in the Gaza Strip of obligations under the Genocide Convention. The provisional measures include immediate military halt to all killings and destruction that is being perpetrated by Israel on the Palestinian people.

In a press release dated 20th June 20246, several UN experts have warned that the transfer of weapons and ammunition to Israel may constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws, and risk State complicity in international crimes, possibly including genocide, reiterating their demand to stop transfers immediately.

“…In line with recent calls from the Human Rights Council and the independent UN experts to States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, arms manufacturers supplying Israel –…should also end transfers, even if they are executed under existing export licenses.

…These companies, by sending weapons, parts, components, and ammunition to Israeli forces, risk being complicit in serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian laws

The UN experts said that arms companies must systematically and periodically conduct enhanced human rights due diligence to ensure that their products are not used in ways that violate international human rights and international humanitarian laws.”

On the 19th of July 2024, the ICJ rendered a detailed judgment7 on the Legal Consequences arising from policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem. The court held that the sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying power, through the use of disproportionate violence on the Palestinian people, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel’s presence in the occupied territory unlawful.

  1. The Court considers that … The sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying Power, through annexation and an assertion of permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continued frustration of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful.

…

  1. Moreover, the Court considers that, in view of the character and importance of the rights and obligations involved, all States are under an obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They are also under an obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It is for all States, while respecting the Charter of the United Nations and international law, to ensure that any impediment resulting from the illegal presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to the exercise of the Palestinian people of its right to self-determination is brought to an end.”

The ICJ has further held in Alleged Breaches of Certain International Obligations in respect of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Nicaragua v. Germany) that it considers it particularly important to remind States of their international obligations relating to the transfer of arms to parties to an armed conflict, in order to avoid the risk that such arms might be used to violate the Genocide and Geneva Conventions.

You must be aware that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has held in numerous cases that India is under an obligation to interpret domestic law in the light of the obligations under the conventions and treaties that India has both signed and ratified.

In short, the grant of licences and approvals for export of military material to Israel, coupled with reports of such exports by Indian companies, constitutes a serious violation of India’s obligations under international law and our own Constitution. International law aside, we consider such exports to be morally objectionable, indeed abominable. We demand, therefore, that India should immediately suspend its collaboration in the delivery of military material to Israel. Further, India must immediately make every effort to ensure that weapons already delivered to Israel are not used to contribute to acts of genocide or violations of international humanitarian law. The details of export licenses, including the country to which exports are being made, should continue to be in the public domain, as was available on the website earlier. You are therefore requested to review and cancel/suspend all existing licences for the supply of military arms and munitions by Indian companies to Israel.

Reviving Punjab’s Economy: The Potential and Pitfalls of Resuming Trade with Pakistan

Punjab MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s recent call in the parliament for reopening of the Attari-Wagah and Hussainiwala borders for trade with Pakistan once again draw our attention to the economic interconnectedness of Punjab and Kashmir with Pakistan. 

In a recent parliamentary session, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) advocated for reopening the Attari-Wagah and Hussainiwala borders for trade with Pakistan. This plea comes at a critical juncture, intertwining economic aspirations, regional stability and political strategy. This article explores the historical significance of these trade routes, Punjab’s current economic scenario and the benefits and challenges of resuming cross-border trade.

Historical context of trade routes

During the Mughal era (1526–1857), Punjab served as a crucial trade corridor connecting South Asia to Central Asia and beyond. The Grand Trunk Road, a major artery expanded by the Mughals, facilitated extensive trade across the region. Lahore, a principal city of Punjab, became a bustling commercial hub where goods such as textiles, spices and precious metals were widely traded. Historical records from travelers like Ibn Battuta and Mughal chroniclers highlight the prosperity of the region, driven by its strategic location and robust trade networks.

The Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1801–1839) further cemented Punjab’s role as a vital trade centre. Ranjit Singh established a stable and prosperous state with a well-maintained infrastructure and a strong military presence. The Lahore Darbar became a prominent trade hub, attracting merchants from across Asia and Europe. The Sikh Empire’s policies facilitated trade in commodities such as shawls, carpets, horses, and grains. Accounts from British and European travellers of that time document the bustling markets and the economic vibrancy of Punjab under Ranjit Singh’s rule.

Also read: Why Cross-LoC Trade Must Resume After the COVID-19 Crisis

Post-Partition trade dynamics

After the partition in 1947, the Hussainiwala–Lahore border via Ferozepur and Kasur continued its trade function until the 1971 war, and closed aftermath of the 1971 war. This route held strategic importance, linking India to Afghanistan through Pakistan. Key imports included dry fruits and fresh fruits, further reaching Delhi, while India exported textiles, betel leaves, and other goods to its trade partners. Despite the close economic interdependence between India and Pakistan post-partition, ongoing hostilities and political-military tensions hindered growth, particularly affecting the Punjab region on both sides.

The closure of the Hussainiwala-Lahore border in 1971 marked a significant economic setback. While the Attari-Wagah border remained functional intermittently, trade got completely halted following the abrogation of Article 370, with Pakistan imposing and India continuing the suspension. The disrupted long-standing trade routes and severed economic ties, leading to economic challenges that Punjab continues to grapple with today. The embargo not only severed trade and people-to-people exchanges but also significantly reduced government revenue used to gain from licenses, customs duties, and storage fees etc. This loss impacted warehousing corporations and transport services, directly affecting the livelihoods of small traders, wholesale suppliers, and the hospitality industry in border cities.

Indian trucks queue up to leave from Bab-e-Tijarat i.e. The Trade Gate on the Pakistani side. Photo: flickr.com/Asian Development Bank/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Poonch-Rawalkote trade route in Jammu and Kashmir offers a valuable case study. Operational since 2005, this route has significantly boosted the local economy by enabling the exchange of goods and fostering a sense of normalcy and cooperation in a conflict-ridden region. Studies, including those by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlight the economic benefits brought about by this trade route, suggesting similar potential for the Attari-Wagah route.

Current economic scenario in Punjab

Today Punjab’s economy faces significant challenges. Once known as the “Granary of India,” the state now struggles with economic stagnation and rising unemployment. Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) indicates a troubling unemployment rate, exacerbated by limited industrial growth and declining agricultural profitability. The closure of cross-border trade has compounded these issues, cutting off a vital economic artery. Farmers and traders in border areas have particularly felt the economic pinch, leading to increased calls for reopening trade routes.

A report from the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development highlights that the balance of trade has historically favoured India. It noted that the bilateral trade potential in 1995 was estimated at $6.693 billion, and a World Bank report (Kathuria 2018) projected this figure could reach $37 billion. However, the actual formal trade between the two countries before the embargo was only $2.2 billion to $2.6 billion, far below its potential due to restrictions on many items and limited trade to necessary products like medicine and food items. Clearly, the closed trade routes are not benefiting Punjab or India as a whole, despite India’s trade edge.

Security challenges and cross-border terrorism

Security concerns pose significant hurdles to translating this dream into reality. Incidents like the recent infiltration of terrorists involved in the Kathua attack, reportedly entered through Punjab, underscore the risks associated with cross-border trade. Ensuring robust security measures is paramount to prevent such incidents and maintain peace. Intelligence reports and security analyses indicate that without stringent border control and monitoring, the risk of cross-border terrorism remains high.

Additionally, Punjab’s current law-and-order situation does not support reopening trade routes. Border cities like Ferozepur and Fazilka are already deeply grappling with illegal cross-border trading. Post 1971, Pakistan by way of a non-military proxy war opted for the Punjab route to hollow out. No matter which government reins in Punjab, the illegal supply of drugs and arms has only increased over the years and none could knock the heel of this issue. Items such as counterfeit currency, large quantities of drugs, and arms are regularly smuggled through the Hussainiwala border. These issues highlight the need for a balanced yet proactive approach that addresses both economic aspirations and state and national security imperatives.

Peace as a precondition for trade

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, in line with her party’s 2024 manifesto and election promise, appealed in the parliament to reopen the Attari-Wagah and Hussainiwala borders. Her call for reopening these borders cannot be divorced from the necessity of peace. Trade cannot flourish in an environment fraught with violence and mistrust. Therefore, any move to resume trade must be accompanied by diplomatic efforts and stringent security protocols to mitigate cross-border terrorism. Historical precedents, such as the Indo-Pak peace processes of the early 2000s, show that trade and peace negotiations often go hand in hand.

Local demands and political strategy

Badal’s statement reflects broader demands from local leaders in Punjab’s border villages, who have long advocated for the resumption of trade to revive their economies. The Kartarpur Peace Corridor in 2019 provided a glimmer of hope for locals, suggesting the possibility of reopening borders during Punjab’s economically challenging times. However, recent years have seen heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan and growing instability, leading locals to doubt the feasibility of such promises, often reiterated by leaders during election seasons.

For the Akali Dal and the Badal family, this issue also presents an opportunity to regain political relevance in Punjab. Having lost traction in recent years, championing a cause that resonates with the economic concerns of their constituents could be a strategic move to reclaim influence. Political analysts note that the Akali Dal’s support base has eroded due to various factors, including their stance on agricultural reforms and alliance dynamics.

In their 2024 election manifesto, the Badals highlighted the disparity in trade opportunities, noting that if Gujarat ports can facilitate Indo-Pak trade, so should land borders. This stance, however, overlooks the critical security and instability issues brewing in Punjab and its adjoining highly sensitive Jammu and Kashmir.

Border management and international trade fall under the Union government’s jurisdiction, while security is a Punjab state responsibility. Although, the demand for reopening border trade is genuine but requires the centre and state government to first ensure effective law and order and curb cross-border illegal activities, such as drug and arms smuggling via road and air (drones). The threat of drugs is a real concern for India as 80% of illegal drugs inflow into India, comes from Pakistan and Punjab in addition to the inhouse wrecked law and order situation makes the situation more grave to open borders for trade exchange.

The call to reopen the Attari-Wagah trade route is complex and is coming from both sides of the border. According to recent news reports, Pakistan’s business community has also advocated for the resumption of this historic trade corridor. But the whole debate involves economic potential, security challenges, and political maneuvering. While Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s call highlights a path to potential prosperity, it is imperative to address underlying security concerns to ensure that such a move does not compromise national integrity.

Only through a balanced approach can the benefits of cross-border trade be realised, paving the way for a more prosperous and peaceful Punjab. Historical lessons and current geopolitical realities both emphasise the need for a cautious yet hopeful approach to this complex issue. Therefore, the demand to reopen bilateral trade amidst ongoing situations and growing instability in this part of the sub-continent remains a distant dream, and would only favour Badal’s political relevance in the Punjab state.

Kanwal Singh is a Policy Analyst and Columnist from Jammu and Kashmir. Sagina Walyat is a researcher, analyst, and AsiaGlobal Fellow of The University of Hong Kong. 

‘Modi’s Kyiv Visit Will Make Amends for Badly Timed Putin Bearhug’: Shashi Tharoor

In a 25-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, four time Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said US President Joe Biden “is rethinking some of his enthusiasm to India”

In an interview to discuss a visit to Ukraine in August which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to be considering, Shashi Tharoor has said it would “make amends” and be “a rebalancing” for Modi’s visit to Moscow three weeks ago. Tharoor described Modi’s “bear hug” with Vladimir Putin as “a setback” adding it was “most unfortunately badly timed”.

He said the hug, which coincided with a major NATO Summit in Washington and a Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Ukraine which killed 37, gave the wrong impression to the Western world. He said the same about a phrase in the Indo-Russian joint statement which spoke about the war “around Ukraine” rather than in Ukraine. Tharoor suggested that a visit to Ukraine would make amends for both.

In a 25-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, Shashi Tharoor, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, a former Under Secretary General of the UN and a four time Congress MP, said “(President) Biden is rethinking some of his enthusiasm to India” and the message being conveyed by the US is “we have other partners in Asia”. Therefore, “tough conversations from Washington are not entirely surprising,” he said.

Tharoor said so far Washington has been “indulgent” of India’s increasing reliance on Russian oil and, although not happy with Delhi’s refusal to criticise Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, has sought to treat this as an irritant and not allowed it to damage relations.

On the Road With the Kanwar Yatra: Rs 10,000 From a Disabled Mother, School Leaves, and Ambedkar

For many, the Kanwar Yatra is a family affair. For others, it is expensive.

Read part one of the series here.

Haridwar/Muzaffarnagar/Meerut/Delhi: Shravan, considered holy to many Hindus, began on July 22, 2024, and with it, the Kanwar Yatra began. Thousands of Kanwar Yatris have been participating. In Haridwar of Uttarakhand, throngs of kanwariyas can be seen gathering at the ghats to carry the waters of the Ganga back to their hometowns.

Haridwar boasts over 15 major ghats. The famous Har Ki Paudi ghat is the one most frequented by kanwariyas. This ghat, thus, is the starting point of the Kanwar Yatra. With lakhs crowding a single riverbank, the Uttarakhand government’s inability to prepare for the event has also been on full display. The ghat has been home to piles of garbage, with material waste flying around. 

Garbage piled up on Har Ki Paudi Ghat.

Devotees

What does the kanwariya carry? There are many kinds of the kanwar – Jula Kanwar, Dak Kanwar, Vishal Kanwar, Pittu Kanwar, Khadi Kanwar, and Kalash Kanwar. 

Kalash Kanwar is stacks of kalash or steel pots placed on either side of a bamboo stick. These kalashes are tied with tight ropes to prevent them from falling, and once they are filled with water, they are sealed to prevent any leakage. If the water spills anywhere on the way to the kanwariyas’ hometown, the kanwar of that kanwariya is considered broken.

This year’s Kanwar Yatra from Haridwar to Muzaffarnagar and Meerut saw Kalash Kanwars with water ranging from 11 litres to almost 121 litres. 

Kanwariya sleeping in the rain next to their Kanwar at Har Ki Paudi Ghat. Photo: Atul Ashok Hawale.

For the two other most popular kanwars – Jula Kanwar and Khadi Kanwar – the kanwars are decorated.

There are some for whom this is the first Kanwar Yatra. For some others, it is their 25th.

Many kanwariyas who participate in the Kanwar Yatra come from economically weaker sections of society. As I travelled from Haridwar to Delhi, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and Roorkee, I did not see a single businessman, politician, government employee, or wealthy individual carrying a kanwar.

Several participants did not complete their school education. Several were daily wage workers, labourers, drivers, unemployed, or students.

A man participant in the Kanwar Yatra is called a “bhole,” while a woman participant is called a “bholi.” A bhole is a devotee of the Hindu deity Shiv. During this Yatra, kanwariyas adhere to a vegetarian diet, avoiding non-vegetarian food, onion and garlic. 

Kalash Kanwar in Haridwar.

Arguments between hotel or dhaba owners and kanwariyas along the way due to the use of onions and garlic in food are common.

Rajesh, who came from Delhi to Haridwar for the Kanwar Yatra, tells me, “I work as a daily wage worker. I have been doing the Kanwar Yatra for the last six years, and this year, 18 people have participated with me. They are also daily wage workers. The journey from Haridwar to Delhi will take us the next 10 days to complete, and the cost is expected to be Rs 7,000-8,000 each.”

Some said they saved money all year for the Yatra. 

Anmol Yadav, who lives in Kalyanpuri, Delhi, is participating in the Kanwar Yatra for the first time this year with his friends. Anmol’s father is a factory worker who makes belts, while his mother is disabled and stays at home.

Anmol says, “I am a student of Class 8. I am walking with a Pittu Kavad, while my friends have taken Kalash Kavad.”

Kanwariya carrying Kalash Kanwar near Shiv Chowk in Muzaffarnagar.

Advised by his friend, Anmol took Rs 10,000 from his mother for the whole trip but exhausted it in the course of the stretch from Haridwar to Muzaffarnagar. Subsequent online payments by his mother, of Rs 500 and then Rs 200 also proved inadequate. 

“Most of my money was spent on food. The dhabawala charged Rs 100 for a plate. Now, I have to manage my expenses until we reach Delhi, where there is a Kanwar camp so that I can save money,” Anmol said.

A Kanwariya wears mostly saffron clothes or a shirt or T-shirt with a picture of Shiv on it. Some kanwariyas decorate their kanwar with flags, rudraksha beads, masks or images of Shiv.

Kanwariyas from Haryana, Delhi, Meerut, and Ghaziabad, after leaving Haridwar, usually visit the Shiv temple at Shiv Chowk in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, before proceeding to their hometowns.

Every year, Shiv Chowk, Meenakshi Chowk, and Rana Chowk in Muzaffarnagar are crowded during this time.

Kalash Kanwar placed on the Meerut-Delhi highway road with flags placed on both sides. Photo: Atul Ashok Howale.

I spotted a kanwar carrying a blue flag with “Jai Bhim” written on. Today, Dalits are among the most oppressed groups in the country. Those who consider themselves upper-caste Hindus often deny Dalits entry to temples. Kapil Sagar, a youth from the same Dalit community, was walking with a 51-litre kanwar of Ganga water during the Kanwar Yatra. He is a native of Saitli, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

“I have been walking from Haridwar for the past five days on this Kanwar Yatra. I have completed Class 12. I have two brothers and a sister. My father is a mason. One brother runs a canteen, and the other works in a factory. As others have hoisted flags, I have also hoisted a blue flag with Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ‘Jai Bhim’ written on it. Dr. Ambedkar is also our god,” he says.

Families

For many, the Kanwar Yatra is a family affair. 

Laxman, who works as a driver in Delhi, was walking with his two daughters. In this Kanwar Yatra, the participation of women was slightly less than that of men.

A husband and wife with their two children attending the Kanwar Yatra. Photo: Atul Ashok Howale.

Laxman has been participating in the Kanwar Yatra since 2008, but this year he has brought Karishma and Sunahli. 

Laxman says, “I have taken 15 days off from work to participate in this. Sanatan Hinduism is the greatest religion. Every Hindu should do the Kanwar Yatra at least once in their life. Both my daughters wanted to come, so I brought them. Both girls have taken leave from school.”

Rambabu, who works as a bike mechanic in Delhi, and his son on the Kanwar Yatra. Photo: Atul Ashok Howale.

Like Laxman, Rambabu, originally from Aligarh but currently living in Delhi for work as a bike mechanic, has brought his son with him for the first time this year. Since July 25, Rambabu has been travelling with his son on a bike from Haridwar. Rambabu has been participating in the Kanwar Yatra since 2013; last time, he says, he walked to Delhi with a Jula Kanwar.

Rambabu says, “My family consists of three children and a wife. Every time I participate in the Kanwar Yatra alone, but this time my son said that he also wanted to come. He will go back to school after the trip, he is very happy now.”

Older participants note that in recent years, the number of kanwariyas participating has been steadily increasing.