Whispers Forum

The speed with which the ousted Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina was forced to exit Bangladesh(BD) by its army and land at Hindon airbase in India ,caught every one unawares.One wonders whether there was any intelligence and foreign policy failure on India’s part especially when its neighbour had been in turmoil for several weeks.This is a pointer towards a communication gap that existed between two friendly neighbours? Further, how did India fail to provide intelligence feedback and accordingly brief Hasina about handling the situation? Hasina has claimed CIA’s hand in the anti-Awami league movement.She claimed to be under massive pressure from the US for leasing out Saint Martin’s island in Bay of Bengal ostensibly to counter China’s influence in the Indian ocean.If, this is found to be true,Bangladesh ‘coup’ seems straight out of CIA’S game plan. India should wait and watch.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Hindenburg is a thin veil to distract the right-thinking Indians from the assault on Bangladesh and aggression on India next. After paralysing the Indian media completely and seeing India asserting its power in the region, America has become nervous. That America will fall so low is unimaginable, but the fact that call for MAGA by Donald Trump is receiving increasing support by the day, the Biden/Dem establishment wants to do something horrible to engage global public attention. It seeks to do a Bangladesh in Delhi. Take note that there is a silent regime change in Delhi which will carry out the “mission Bangladesh” in Delhi soon with its army of criminals assembled in Delhi. Donald Trump has cautioned America about criminals in prisons world over being released to take over America with the help of the Democrats. Can chaos and lawlessness in Delhi help them take over the PM House? You strike first or get over-run unaware. Hindenburg Research= Hindenburg Thuggery. Where are all advocates of Hindu Secularists and Advocates of Minority Rights? Paralysed?
M L Gupta

The last date of Income Tax Returns for AY 2024-25 is over and returns are being processed and refunds issued as the case may be. The Income Tax department has done remarkable work to speed up the work of return filing and processing. This is worth praising. No doubt the IT processing has been very fast in some cases and people are getting refunds as early as in 2 to 3 days. As per reports, returns which have been filed in the last week of July, 2024 have received their refunds but the returns which have been filed in June, 2024 are still waiting for their refunds. It is submitted with due respect to Finance Minister to please consider that returns are processed in sequential manner i.e. the returns which have been submitted earlier should be processed first then following FIFO (first in first out) principle irrespective of ITR numbers whether it is ITR1 or ITR2 or ITR3 or ITR4 etc. The status of the returns may also be given in the e-filing portal after 15 days of verification. This will ease out many problems and curiosity of the assesses to find their processing status. For kind consideration please.
Naveen

The Appellant stated that he has not received any information on the RTI Application dated 13.08.2022 filed with the UCO Bank. Before the CIC, the PIO referred to an earlier CIC Order dated 21.12.2023 regarding the same appellant, where it was directed that in order to avoid multiplicity of proceedings, the instant application by the appellant may be listed together for hearing and a common order to be passed in all the matters. The PIO referred to the notice dated 04.04.2024 with regards to the instant RTI application for appearing before the Hon'ble Information Commissioner. The PIO submitted that the subject complainant/Appellant is same to the Complainant in the earlier notice. Therefore, the queries which were sought earlier and replies given may be treated as replies to the instant notice. The CIC was baffled at the sheer complacency of the Respondent in coming across as being absolutely alien to the concept of the RTI Act or its mandate as it was being naively suggested that their sole reply of 21.12.2023 suffices all the past, present and future RTI Applications of the Appellant and that the Commission ought not to call upon the Respondent office for hearing any matters in the aftermath of the order dated 21.12.2023. The CIC noted that even the FAA has not bothered to decide the instant First Appeal till date, which is also a grave violation of the statutory duty cast upon the FAA by virtue of the RTI Act. The CIC was aghast at the conduct and the submissions of the PIO and directed the PIO to provide a point-wise reply to the instant RTI Application. The CIC instructed that the inaction on the instant First Appeal shall also be duly explained by the FAA.In the event that the FAA fails to comply with the said direction, the CIC will be constrained to deem the FAA as the CPIO in the instant matter for proceeding with action under Section 20 of the RTI Act.
Comments
Though there is express provision for action against the PIO for not following the provisions of the RTI Act, there is little that can be done against the FAA. This is one case where the CIC has resorted to a deeming provision and threatened to use it against the FAA.
Citation: Alom Hussain v. UCO Bank, CIC/UCOBK/A/2023/100779; Date of Decision: 29.04.2024
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The creation of Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds by India is a recorded fact globally especially after the “Blood Telegram” sent to President Nixon by the US diplomats in Dhaka in March 1971. We were lauded for excellent leadership globally and gave a new dawn to millions of Bengali people being butchered by Pakistan politicians and its Army. Full marks to the Indian Armed Forces for decisive victory in 13 days in the war against Pakistan/ China / USA in East Pakistan, smashing all efforts to halt India. We made a full Army surrender in Dhaka and laid their arms, and made 93000 fully armed soldiers, sailors, airmen, officers our Prisoners of War. A feat repeated by India after World War Two. The victory electorally by Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman in 1971 elections were honoured and he was installed as PM of Bangladesh. Democracy was restored to the new country in the teeth of Opposition by the USA , China , UK , Pakistan and some countries opposed to our humanitarian intervention. The withdrawal of our Armed Forces in 1971 from Bangladesh was exemplary. However, we should have ensured Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s security in the aftermath. A crucial mistake by the government of India then. Not to be repeated now in 2024. Today’s events in Bangladesh, especially after recent elections there, were won by Ms Hasina, was a surprise as she had opposed the reservation quotas policy in 2018 and abolished them. So how did a lower court in Dhaka reinstate this policy? That policy was again abolished by SC of Bangladesh last month. There is more going on in Bangladesh to totally subvert democracy and the election results of this year. Reports are coming from Bangladesh that militant Islamic clerics are trying desperately to overthrow the country’s constitution , Army . Secularism and democracy as enshrined by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , is / has been given short shrift. The Hindu population, Catholics, Buddhists and other minorities face an uncertain future. Currently the situation is very fluid and a military government has been installed. The Indian Armed Forces and Bangladesh Armed Forces have very cordial relations. We must prepare for the future calmly, and ensure secular democracy is restored in Bangladesh, and advise the Army through our Indian military sources. We are a large strong strategic neighbour of Bangladesh with enormous resources economically speaking. We have excellent ties through QUAD and G-20 with the Western powers and must ramp up our efforts in all fields. There is nothing to fear . When the going gets tough the tough get going.
Devindra Sethi
Appointment of Rajeeva as ED, Punjab & Sind Bank
This is great news!!! Congratulations on your admirable success. Hats off to you on your astounding achievements! Wishing you all the best in your well deserved new role. Sending my warmest congratulations
Ashoke Srivastava

Ms Sheikh Hasina has been permitted temporary stay in India. Giving political asylum ,is bound to aggravate the on-going anti-India movement in Bangladesh (BD)besides escalating atrocities against the Hindus. Massive infiltration of the Hindus is feared which would adversely impact India’s economy. There is another issue for India. For instance, could the BSF be permitted to use coercive means against the infiltrators? Do they have any chance of getting Indian citizenship? Backlash cannot be ruled out in India. Mohammad Yunus , the famous left-leaning economist and a Nobel Laureate, has been appointed as interim chief advisor and later as PM after elections within three months. Favorably inclined towards China, Yunus enjoys the army's support too. Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in south Asia. Their trade relations will be badly affected; mutually detrimental to both countries. No wonder, several Bangladesh projects could be hijacked by China causing incalculable harm to India’s economy. The military aspects cannot be ignored. India cannot afford to annoy the US, who would be interested in having air and naval bases in Bangladesh. In case of war with China and Pakistan ,India will be facing war on several fronts, the latest being indo- Bangladesh 4000 km long border. This would require recruitment/deployment of additional armed forces by India. Is India ready for this? Coming back to the asylum issue, there is a suggestion. PM Modi shares personal bonhomie with Sheikh Hasina. But, national interest is above personal friendship. India will have to rise above all this. The question of granting political asylum to Hasina, does not arise. Will it not be appropriate, if PM Modi uses his influence in locating a neutral country like UAE, Finland, Poland, Switzerland etc, any one of which could grant political asylum to Hasina. The US and the UK have both regretted their inability to oblige the former PM of Bangladesh. Let us wait and watch !
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

India and Bangladesh have maintained bilateral relations for 53 years, and last year, India extended an invitation to Bangladesh to attend as special guest the G-20 summit held in New Delhi. Bangladesh is India's largest trading partner in South Asia. Both countries are collaborating on significant projects in the field of electricity and energy. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is crucial for transporting high-speed diesel. Over the past decade, India has invested thousands of crores of rupees in Bangladesh for the construction of roads, railways, and ports. The current situation in Bangladesh will also affect trade with India, and China may push forward its demand to use the Chittagong port. India shares a border of about 4000 kilometers with Bangladesh. Therefore, in view of challenges from countries like China and Pakistan, India needs a friendly government in this region.
Aditya Kumar

Sheikh Hasina’s abrupt and dramatic resignation/ exit from Bangladesh(BD),is a matter of concern for India. China and Pakistan are jointly responsible for the mess. The Maldives, Srilanka, Nepal, Myanmar and now Bangladesh, are falling like ninepins. The increasing proximity of the Maldives and Nepal towards China, is a blow to India’s sphere of influence in south Asia. Worse, India cannot be comfortable with the care-taker government in BD. Pakistan as hostile neighbour is continuously launching terror attacks by infiltrating commandos into J&K. The reported jubilation by the ISI at Rawalpindi, Hq over Bangladesh, is on expected lines. For them, it is a revenge taken for 1971 war defeat. All things considered, China has succeeded in implementing its infamous “string of pearls” policy against India. Tough days are ahead for India.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)