“The (Doklam) border row this time is an action targeted at China that caters to the demand of India’s religious nationalists,” it claimed. AFP file

Beijing, July 20

The Sino-Indian border row is an offshoot of rising Hindu nationalism in India which has hijacked New Delhi’s China policy and can lead to war between both countries, a Chinese daily warned on Thursday.

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“Nationalist fervour that demands revenge against China has taken root in India since the border war. The election of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fuelled the country’s nationalist sentiments,” said a commentary by the Global Times.

“In diplomacy, New Delhi is demanded to act tougher in foreign relations, especially toward countries like Pakistan and China. The border row this time is an action targeted at China that caters to the demand of India’s religious nationalists,” the article by Yu Ning said.

Chinese and Indian armies have been engaged in a stand-off that began more than a month ago at Doklam in the Sikkim section of the winding Sino-Indian border. This covers the trijunction of India, Bhutan and China.

“The Modi government can do nothing if religious nationalism becomes extreme, as shown in its failure to curb violent incidents against Muslims since he came to power in 2014,” said the commentary.

“India is weaker than China in terms of national strength but its strategists and politicians have shown no wisdom in preventing India’s China policy from being kidnapped by rising nationalism.

“This will put India’s own interests in jeopardy. India should be careful and not let religious nationalism push the two countries into war.

“Since India’s defeat in the Sino-Indian War of 1962, some Indians have been stuck in a zero-sum mentality in dealing with China.

“The war inflicted lingering pain on India and it became a hard knot to untie, leading to an ingrained suspicion of Chinese strategy.

“China’s development is seen as a misfortune to India. The faster China grows, the more fearful they are,” the commentary said. — IANS

Hindustan becoming ‘lynchistan’, says Selja

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 20

Congress leader and former Union minister Kumari Selja today said the 5,000-year-old Hindustan was also being known as ‘Lynchistan’.Speaking during a discussion on the increase in lynching incidents and atrocities on minorities and Dalits across the country, the former minister said while the government was talking about the Dalit progress, it had reduced funds for SC/ST schemes.Talking about the Una incident, she asked, “What would you call those who eat dead animal’s meat due to poverty? The government is talking about action after the incidents, but my question is why these incidents are happening at all… only because of you the mob mentality has risen its head.”“Why these ‘gau rakshaks’ and cow lovers can’t take care of cows which are dying instead of targeting the cattle transporters?” she asked. “With shame I’m saying about the incident in my place Hisar. A mob… people from some of your sister concerns… like the Bajrang Dal came and killed a Muslim guy. What action would you take?” she asked. “The government’s denial mode is not going to help the country. And you cannot become a Hindu by speaking good Hindi, but by becoming a Hindu in heart,” Selja said while concluding.

Don’t give it a political colour: Gujral

• SAD Rajya Sabha member Naresh Gujral on Thursday urged members to refrain from giving political colour to lynchings incidents, which were forcing investors to stay away from India
• Gujral said the government could talk to the Chief Justice of India for creating a special court for speedy trial of lynching cases, which amounted to acts like ‘terrorism’