Hello NL Team,

1. @Abhinandan: about the caste break up story you said: “conceptually, what this is trying to accomplish, I think, is perfectly fine”. Suppose, Zee News did a story mentioning only X number of Muslims, and Y number of Christians died in Pulwama, and drew a wrong conclusion, say something ridiculous bullshit like: hence, Hindus sacrifice more for the nation. Should we be as forgiving to the initial thought of doing a religious break up? I have a feeling, you are going to call out my false equivalence with a list of logical fallacies I have committed, but beyond those, if what I’m asking makes any sense, please do consider answering this.
2. It felt like Arunachal Pradesh issue was included, just to make sure you can tick a box. It was not even a discussion, just one person’s opinion. No one pitched in with their views. Article 35-A was mentioned, but no clear context set on what Article 35-A is, or how that relates to this issue. Can you please pick this up for discussion again, with more preparation?
3. You guys did well in calling out all of govt’s misgivings in handling Abhinandan’s capture. What Modi said in subsequent speeches, or on Twitter, is even more abhorrent. However, assuming our soldier had not been captured, and had this not been peak election campaign season, can all of you discuss your opinion only on the first airstrike, which you rightly pointed was probably aimed at drawing a new red line. You’ve discussed how AAP is trying to break the status quo in Delhi by doing something different. Shouldn’t the Central govt, similarly, get at least some benefit of the doubt, for risking a new normal? 

Also, did you notice, our air strikes were not highly criticised, by Opposition, or media, even staunch Modi opponents in media, until Abhinandan’s capture, or am I a Bhakt?

Regards,
Swapnil Luktuke

***

Hello,
Keep up with your work, I hope you achieve your target for covering the election, I have introduced a couple of my friends to Newslaundry and see if they could subscribe to it. This model will come into the picture as mainstream but still needs a couple of years. I am not mufatkhor.

IAF bombing

I, personally, think it is hypocritical that some people are directly asking the prime minister for the Pulwama attack, but don’t thank the IAF or say the PM’s role is not significant in the operation that followed. However, my personal thought is PM had little-to-less knowledge about how to do, when to do and even if I can extend it to why to do it. He just took the role of the CEO and gave permission, while most of work was done by other people. The important person behind this is undoubtedly is Ajit Doval. If anyone wants to thank or criticise, it should be him and not PM Modi, I think. In his talk at SASTRA University, he clearly mentions that India would be defence-aggressive, making surgical-kind of strike after Pulwama attack no surprise.

Peace talk with Pakistan

My idealist view is same: there should be peace talks with Pakistan, however, realistically, I don’t think so. Again, I am citing this video by Mr Doval. This his talk/interview with Lallantop.

If what he says is right then international help would be reduced if we had talks with Pakistan. In that case, it would be good not to talk I think—international pressure should not be reduced. 

Can Pakistan be trusted? 

As it’s a military-driven country, the history of PMs of Pak is very bad . According to my understanding/knowledge, Pakistan sold nuclear systems to North Korea. They also helped Osama to hide, even after pressure from the USA. If they can say no to the USA why will they help India. No actions on JeM by Pakistan after 2001, 26/11 or Uri attack. How can we trust them? My idealistic view is same: no violence. There should have been peace talks with Hitler, or ISIS, or Japan, or any terrorist groups. But when peace fails, as none of the philosophies are perfect, then violence takes place. Why is it okay for world to deal with the ISIS issue with violence and India with peace? Since everything has limitations when one thing fails other should be taken, I think we have tried peace for last couple of decades and it failed. Also, I think, the POTA rule shouldn’t have been removed in 2004. I am a technological student/researcher with a nascent idea of international politics, I would like your comments on it. Lastly, Osama’s son is again on list and suggests it will be in Pak or Afghan, let’s see where the USA finds him.  

Why India media likes Vimaans or Indian planes ?

I am not criticising the messenger but the structure in which the message is presented. One article in The Wire compares old IITs with new IITs, number of papers published, a number of citations, PhD students etc which is impressive work. However, the media in India focuses more on airplanes than work done in NCL, NPL, IITs, IISERs, IIScs, ISROs, DRDOs and others etc. Even in the USA, there are conferences where they show that the Earth is flat but media gives more attention to serious work than these. However, in India, media is looking for sensational news. The highest amount of research is shown in none of the mainstream news channel but Doordarshan (DD). Instead, others are busy with planes/vimaans. I am not considering some dedicated magazines or websites for research in Science.

Lastly, all my views are based on some knowledge as I am technological research, Notan expert. Please feel free to correct me. I think not everyone can be an expert in international politics, people with PhDs, or some experience like RAW, IB, should talk on it rather than media person who might have less knowledge.

All the best for your collection.