Paramilitary solider stands guard near Ganta Ghar at Kashmir. File photo

Sandeep Dikshit
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 15

The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission has decided to ask the US Congress and State Department to pressurise the Indian Government into permitting international journalists and independent human rights organisations to assess the situation in Jammu & Kashmir for themselves.

In a hearing on the situation in Kashmir by the Congressional committee, the decks were loaded against the Indian Government’s stand on J&K — that Internet clampdown was meant to curb terrorism and the abrogation of Article 370 had ushered long-denied social justice norms.

Many of them dwelt on the deniable of religious freedom in J&K after the August 5 clampdown and Congressmen were particularly keen on grilling the witnesses on religious freedom violations. This issue is expected to find greater resonance at the December 4 hearing.The hearing was broken into two sections.

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The apex court dismissed pleas seeking review of its clean chit to the government in the deal.

New Delhi, November 14

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the review petitions against its verdict in the Rafale deal on grounds that they lacked merit, reiterating its clean chit to the Modi government in the fighter jet agreement with French firm Dassault Aviation.

The apex court also rejected the contention that there was need to register an FIR in connection with the Rs 58,000 crore deal.

The pleas had sought re-examination of the apex court’s December 14, 2018 verdict that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets.

“We find the review petitions are without any merit,” a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph said.

The rejection of review petitions is tantamount to the apex court giving a second clean chit to the Modi government.

Reading out the judgment, Justice Kaul said the judges had reached the conclusion that it is not appropriate to order a roving inquiry into the allegations.

Maintaining that the review petitions had sought the registration of an FIR in connection with Rafale fighter jets deal, the bench said, “We do not consider it to be a fair submission.”

“We do not find it appropriate to consider passing order for registration of FIR,” the bench said.

Justice Joseph, who wrote a separate judgment, said he agreed with the main verdict written by Justice Kaul subject to certain aspects on which he had given his own reasons.

In December last year, the apex court had dismissed the petitions seeking an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the deal.

On May 10, the apex court reserved its decision on the pleas, including one filed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan, seeking a re-examination of its findings.

The review petitions were filed by the trio, lawyer Vineet Dhandha and Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Sanjay Singh.

While reserving the judgment on the review petitions, the apex court asked the Centre searching questions on its deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets on issues like “waiver of sovereign guarantee” and the absence of technology transfer clause in the inter-governmental agreement (IGA).

The bench referred to an earlier judgment, which said an FIR is a must when information revealed commission of cognizable offence.

Attorney General KK Venugopal had told the bench that “there has to be a prima facie case, otherwise they (agencies) cannot proceed. The information must disclose commission of cognizable offence”.

Justice Joseph had referred to the earlier deal and asked the Centre why the IGA on Rafale with the French administration did not have the clause of transfer of technology.

“The court cannot decide such technical aspects,” Venugopal said in response. PTI

Rahul Gandhi calls for probe by JPC after SC verdict on Rafale

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 14

The Congress on Thursday rejected BJP’s criticism on the Supreme Court verdict on Rafale and sought a probe into the jet purchase from France.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted after the verdict and sought a joint parliamentary committee probe into the deal.

Justice Joseph of the Supreme Court has opened a huge door into investigation of the RAFALE scam.

An investigation must now begin in full earnest. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) must also be set up to probe this scam. #

The Congress said the Supreme Court expressed limitations in probing the deal and also observed that nothing stops the police to investigate a cognisable offense.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted today, “Justice Joseph of the Supreme Court has opened a huge door into investigation of the RAFALE scam. An investigation must now begin in full earnest. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) must also be set up to probe this scam. #BJPLiesOnRafale.”

The Congress made it clear that it would raise the matter in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. Congress media head Randeep Surjewala meanwhile said the party stood vindicated on its stand in the matter and the court had left a room open for a probe.

“It is now up to the government to take this investigation into Rafale forward,” Surjewala said

No probe in Rafale deal: SC dismisses review plea

The Indian Army effectively retaliated. File photo

Jammu, November 13

Pakistani troops on Wednesday shelled forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said.

The Indian Army effectively retaliated.

“At about 0700 hours, the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and intense shelling with mortars in Keri sector,” the defence PRO said.

The cross-border firing was going on from both sides when the reports last came in.

Pakistani troops had earlier violated the ceasefire on Tuesday by shelling forward posts and villages in Poonch district. In the retaliatory firing by Indian troops, a Pakistani Army soldier was killed, sources said. PTI

On the occasion of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary, the British High Commissioner to India pens a note of gratitude to the community, while recognising its positive influence on UK history, politics, culture and economy

Dominic Asquith

A lot has changed since the 1950s, when Sikh settlers from Punjab earned London’s Southall its moniker of “Chota Punjab”. Southall can no longer claim to have the biggest Sikh population in the UK (although it does still boast of one of the largest gurdwaras outside of India). That’s no sign of decline — merely a reflection of the fact that the UK’s nearly half-a-million British Sikhs now live across the country, from Hounslow to Glasgow. Sikh communities are embedded into the fabric of British society. There are now direct flights to Amritsar from Birmingham and — more recently — from London. This April, the UK celebrated its first National Sikh Heritage Month.

What has remained unchanged since the 1950s, however, is the community’s positive influence on UK history, politics, culture and economy. Much as they are here in India, British Sikhs are known at home for their enterprising spirit. Lord Raminder Singh Ranger, appointed last month to the House of Lords (where he joins fellow Lords Indarjit Singh and Ranbir Singh Suri) is a telling example of that spirit. As the story goes, Lord Ranger arrived in the UK in 1971, earning minimum wage at a fast food chain. He launched his first company in 1987 out of a shed with a starting capital of just £2. Today, his business is worth over £200 million and has been awarded five consecutive Queen’s Awards.

Perhaps just as remarkable is the fact that such success is not by any means unique. Entrepreneur Reuben Singh was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s youngest self-made millionaire in 1998 and as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 2003. Sikh names feature prominently on UK business awards every year. It is estimated that roughly one in three British Sikh families own a business and the community contributes over £8 billion annually to the UK economy.

It’s not just business. In addition to the House of Lords, there are also now two Sikhs in the House of Commons. In the legal field, Lord Justice Rabinder Singh became, in 2003, both the youngest judge to sit in the UK High Court and the first to wear a turban rather than a wig. In another first, he was then promoted to the Court of Appeal. In cricket, Monty Panesar was the first Sikh to represent a nation other than India when he played for England in 2006. And across the third sector, individuals such as Bhai Mohinder Singh of Guru Nanak Nishkam Seva Jatha and Surinder Kaur Ghura of Newcastle tirelessly work to promote inter-faith harmony. Bhai Mohinder was in fact honoured in 2012 with one of the highest Papal Awards for promoting better inter-faith understanding.

Embodying Guru Nanak’s teaching of service, British Sikhs have also championed a commitment to charity — dedicating nearly 65 million hours and £125 million to social causes each year. Organisations like Langar Aid, Midland Langar Seva and Niskham SWAT provide free food to the needy across the UK and internationally. Manjit Gill’s social enterprise ‘Binti’ works in 12 countries, including in the UK and India, to provide affordable sanitary pads for girls and remove the stigma surrounding menstruation. Birmingham-based Sant Baba Joginder Singh Ji Domeli Charitable Trust runs free eye surgery clinics throughout the year, including in Punjab. These are just a selection of impressive examples from the Sikh diaspora.

It would of course be remiss not to mention the long history of Sikhs in the military. More than 3,00,000 Sikh soldiers fought in the two World Wars and British Sikhs continue to serve with distinction to this day. In 2002, the names of all Sikh Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients were inscribed on the monument of the memorial gates on Constitution Hill, next to Buckingham Palace. Last year, Mandeep Kaur became the first Sikh chaplain with the Royal Air Force and Jatinderpal Singh Bhullar made headlines across the UK in 2012 when he became the first member of the Scots Guard to wear a turban instead of a traditional bearskin.

I am conscious that the UK’s complex past with India, including with Punjab, throws shadows on some parts of our history. That should not be forgotten. We must — in keeping with Guru Nanak’s teachings — remember, learn and strive to do better. And as I hope I have managed to convey, there’s much to celebrate as well. In fact, the British Sikh Report 2014 showed 95 per cent respondents were proud of their ‘Britishness’, just as the UK is proud of them.

As the world celebrates the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, I will be grateful — to his many disciples, who continue to make such a mark on British society. I hope this wealth of wonderful examples continues to define the living bridge between our communities, and our shared future.

Hall of fame

• Reuben Singh: Recognised by Guinness Book as the world’s youngest self-made millionaire in 1998
• Monty Panesar: First Sikh to represent a nation in cricket other than India when he played for England in 2006
• Lord Justice Rabinder Singh: He is both the youngest judge to sit in the UK High Court and first to wear a turban rather than a wig
• Lord Raminder Singh Ranger: Businessman, appointed last month to the House of Lords; was earlier conferred MBE, CBE
• Jatinderpal Singh Bhullar: First member of the Scots Guard to wear a turban instead of a traditional bearskin
• Mandeep Kaur: First Sikh chaplain with Royal Air Force. Born in India, she is an Amritdhari
• Bhai Mohinder Singh: Chairman of Nishkam Group of Charitable Organisations that works for social regeneration, education, health, etc.

Aiming for bull’s eye: Governor VP Singh Badnore at New Moti Bagh Gun Club in Patiala on Sunday. Rajesh Sachar

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 3

Governor VP Singh Badnore today kick-started the third edition of the Military Literature Festival (MLF) by inaugurating the second Shotgun Shooting Championship.

The event is a joint initiative of the Punjab Government and the Chandigarh administration in collaboration with the Army.

Badnore said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh would inaugurate the main Military Literature Festival slated to be held in Chandigarh from December 13-15. He also said the event had become so popular in the past two years that it had attained the second position after the Jaipur Literature Festival.

The competitions today saw participation of young shooters from across the state, capturing the essence of military’s formidable sporting culture and ethos.

This year also prominent national and international personalities would be attending the festival, added Badnore. Lauding Captain Amarinder Singh’s visionary approach to promote sports culture in the state, he exhorted athletes to inculcate qualities of both the head and heart to succeed as true sportspersons. “These events are a perfect way to connect today’s youth with the rich history of our forces,” he said, assuring the participants of all possible assistance from the state government.

Along with other shooters, Badnore also participated in an exhibition match of trapshooting. A total of 60 shooters, including international sportspersons, are vying for honours in the skeet and trap categories at New Moti Bagh Gun Club.

Lt Gen TS Shergill, Maj Gen Sanjiv Verma, Capt Amarjeet Singh Jeji, SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Bhupinder Sidhu along with students of Punjab Public School, Nabha, and Yadavindra Public School, Patiala, witnessed the event.

OF the many epic infantry battles in history, Porkchop Hill, battle of Imjin, Saragarhi, Rorke’s Drift, Basha Hills, Mortar Bluff and Water Picquet are some. The raw courage and tenacity displayed in close quarter battle is conspicuous when compared with contemporary stand-off attacks or drone attacks, which delete human qualities of valour and courage. Three such battles were fought during the first and second Burma Campaigns of World War II by Second Fifth Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force), earning it three Victoria Crosses, two in one single action — in less than 24 hours. These small unit infantry actions prevented the Japanese from reaching Imphal in 1943-44.

The battles were fought astride Tiddimpur-Bishenpur-Imphal road after the battalion had suffered a terrible mauling while retreating across the Sittang river in February 1942, as the bridge was prematurely blown off in the fog of war, reducing the unit’s strength during the fighting withdrawal to half its original. The first Victoria Cross was won by Havaldar Gaje Ghale on May 26, 1943 for capturing Basha Hill occupied by the Japanese. Ghale led a platoon of raw soldiers when neither had been under fire. The approach to Basha Hill was along a narrow ledge devoid of foliage, covered by a dozen machine guns and subjected to artillery and mortar fire. Entering this killing zone and leading his men through it twice unscathed was a miracle. Crossing it a third time, he suffered multiple wounds but charged the Japanese positions shouting ‘Ayo Gorkhali’. He stormed enemy fortifications, refusing to be evacuated. This inspired his men to press the assault, forcing the Japanese to flee.

The next two Victoria Cross actions were fought around Bishenpur on June 25/26, 1944, where the Japanese were attempting to outflank defences astride the road to Imphal and also dominate the track to Silchar. This happened after the Japanese had been repulsed in Kohima and Japanese 15 Army then turned to Imphal. On June 25, Second Fifth was ordered to take hill features Water Picquet, Mortar Bluff and BP Picquet. Subedar Netra Bahadur Thapa led a reinforced platoon of 41 men and occupied Mortar Bluff.

The Japanese started their first assault on Mortar Bluff in overwhelming strength, but were beaten back. Heavier attacks led to their gaining a foothold near the post. Two machine guns going out of action and depletion of ammunition among the defenders led to a dangerous situation. Six ammunition reinforcement couriers were hit but Thapa personally retrieved the ammunition. Two of his posts were overrun but Thapa rallied his men to fight back. They held on even as he was mortally wounded. His body was found the next day, khukri in one hand and the head of a Japanese soldier nearby.

After Mortar Bluff came the epic battle for Water Picquet. It entailed first recapturing Mortar Bluff and then taking Water Picquet. Naik Agan Singh Rai’s section was the first to reach the barbed wire but they were pinned down by machine guns. Rai instantly charged and silenced the machine gun, which inspired his men to advance and capture Mortar Bluff, which was under fire from a 37-mm anti-tank gun from the nearby Water Picquet. Without waiting, Rai and Charlie Company charged towards Water Picquet and destroyed the gun emplacement. So stunning was the action and so resolute the spirit of his company that Water Picquet was seized. The recapture of Mortar Bluff followed so swiftly after its epic defence as to make it one historic battle and in less than 24 hours.

In 2015, 70 years after its two VC actions, Second Fifth returned to Bishenpur to Mortar Bluff and Water Picquet, this time, chasing Nagas and Kukis and occasionally paying homage to the Japanese war memorial nearby. Now, at Dehradun, veterans from India and Nepal have joined to remember the three winners of the Victoria Cross and other brave Bahadurs, who collectively have made Second Five a name to reckon with.

Debris of the MiG-29K fighter jet that crashed shortly after it took off on a training mission from INS Hansa in Goa on Saturday. PTI

Panaji, November 16

An Indian Navy MiG-29K trainer aircraft crashed outside a village in Goa on Saturday noon, a senior defence official said. Both pilots ejected safely, said Indian Navy Flag Officer, Goa, Rear Admiral Philipose George Pynumootil.

A major tragedy was averted as the pilot pointed the aircraft away from populated areas. The officer said the aircraft was on a regular training sortie when the incident occurred.

A villager said the aircraft crashed on a rocky plateau on the outskirts of Verna, 15 km from the state capital, around noon. The wreckage of the aircraft lay strewn in one-km area, he said.

The aircraft is attached to INS Hansa located near Dabolim in Goa. Taking to Twitter, the Indian Navy spokesperson said, “During a training mission, after take-off from INS Hansa at Dabolim a MiG-29K trainer aircraft suffered an engine fire. The pilots Capt M Sheokhand and Lt Cdr Deepak Yadav ejected safely”.

The pilots were provided first-aid and shifted to hospital in Vasco. — PTI

A gunfight between security forces and terrorists is still under way in Lawdara village, about 55 km from Srinagar. Tribune file

Srinagar, November 10

Security forces killed a terrorist in a village in Bandipora district of north Kashmir during an operation on Sunday, officials said.

A gunfight between security forces and terrorists was still under way in Lawdara village, about 55 km from Srinagar.

The encounter started when security forces launched a search operation following specific information about the presence of some terrorists, the officials said.

They said the terrorists opened fire on the security personnel, who retaliated, and in the ensuing gunfight, a terrorist was killed.

The identity and group affiliation of the terrorist killed is yet to be ascertained, the officials said.