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Seeking justice in Dhaka

Election – January 2019 Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) – Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Khaleda Zia Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ally the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI)

▪ Spontaneous protests by college students against the death of two students in a road accident on July 29

▪ Long protests by Bangladeshi teenagers demanding “road safety” have come to an end

▪ Violence by law enforcement agencies and activists of the ruling party against the young protestors and journalists, has succeeded in suppressing a peaceful movement.

• Public support and increasing shift of public discourse from “road safety” to broader issues of governance and accountability.

• Awami league – blame game on opposition.

• Rumours added fuel to the fire.

• Since 2014, police and ruling party activists have attacked demonstrators, including university teachers, on numerous occasions.

• The award-winning photographer Shahidul Alam charged with Section 57 of the ICT act which allows the government to accuse anybody of hurting the image of the country. Markers of governance in the Bangladesh today

1. Government’s penchant for silencing the dissenting voice,

2. Decimation of the legitimate opposition thro Two potential scenarios now , after the protests:-

1. Government further tightens its grip, continues to go against anyone it thinks participated in the movement, puts pressure on the media, and arrests Opposition leaders for allegedly inciting violence. This may benefit the ruling party in the short term, but it will lead to potential adverse reactions of the youth.

2. Realisation that recent events are reflective of deep-seated discontents, propelling a move away from repressive measures, opening of democratic spaces for disagreement, freedom of speech and peaceful assembly It is up to the ruling Bangladesh Awami League to decide which path it will take.

Diagnosing Bias

• The Delhi High Court has ordered the formation of a committee of experts to examine if students with hearing impairment and dyslexia can pursue MBBS/BDS courses 2 important aspects of the social attitude towards those with physical and mental disabilities:

1. The actual inability of those who are physically challenged to perform a task.

2. Whether those with specific physical and mental disabilities should be allowed to become doctors. The inability of society to provide opportunities for accessibility, and acceptance.

• Technological progress has opened new sphere of inclusiveness.

• A doctor with disabilities will be more understanding towards a patient in a similar situation.

• Modify our medical curricula to be more willing to include students with physical and mental disabilities.

• The need is to redefine the technical standards and counselling competencies of medical education institutes to better define the needs of medical students with disabilities. Exclusion is the mark of a regressive society.

Breaking the Radcliffe barrier

▪ Chinese ambassador to India – Luo Zhaohui Luo visited Punjab last week.

▪ Hope for “peace, friendship and cooperation” between India and Pakistan.

▪ Nudge the narrative on the triangular relationship in a more positive direction.

✓ China is interested in making the CPEC as the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). ✓ If India joins CPEC – then it may more profitable for all countries

✓ Afghanistan and Iran are also interested in BRI

✓ BRI – easy access to central Asia India’s concern – CPEC’s transit through Kashmir If China returned to genuine neutrality on the Kashmir question between India and Pakistan then India may join CPEC The differences on economic and other issues in relation to BRI can easily be overcome through a focus on specific projects, whose terms could be negotiated to the satisfaction of India What incentive does Pakistan have for regional economic cooperation with India? → Difficult macroeconomic situation in Pakistan.

→ Beg from IMF or open trade route for India

• By BRI India can export its goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia through Pakistan.

• CPEC infrastructure — could help make Pakistan into a commercial hub between South and Central Asia, including China’s western regions. Depends on – Pak Army and China China’s growing political and economic influence on Pakistan.

• In Trump era – Pakistan is totally dependent on China

• China is playing a more active role in Afghan peace-making process with help Of Russia

Radcliffe Line

• Any economic integration must cross the barrier that divides the Punjab.

• Punjab, was historically heart of trans-regional trade routes but now a dead end

• Repeated efforts were made to change Punjab’s economic condition by respective CMs – cross-border religious pilgrimages and trade in goods and energy.

• But the barrier at Radcliffe Line remained as daunting as ever. Conclusion

▪ Imran Khan’s promise to build a “new Pakistan” .

▪ The apparent willingness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider a “fresh start” in bilateral relations

▪ This is opportunity for both countries to solve Issue

▪ Moment of opportunity to turn the Radcliffe Line into a commercial bridge.

▪ Overland transit trade with India could be the gamechanger for new Pakistan’s economy

On road to Mandalay, beyond

• On August 8 – India and Myanmar operationalised a Land Border Crossing Agreement that had been in the pipeline for long

• Any Myanmarese or Indian national with a valid passport and visa can now cross over without requiring special permission. Earlier, these crossing points were meant only for people of the border villages on either side — for family visits, buying and selling in the border markets . Permitted – 3 days and 16 km Only 1 Day visit for others

1. Moreh in Manipur

2. Zokhawthar in Mizoram India has a 1,643-km border with Myanmar A pilgrim from Mandalay could head to Imphal by road and then fly to Bodhgaya