News

Why is a billion-strong democracy silent on Egypt?

Friday, 04 February 2011, 17:41 Hrs   |    50 Comments
 Print Email
Why is a billion-strong democracy silent on Egypt?
Bangalore: The parliament sat numbed, in an otherwise engaging November evening, when President Barack Obama, head of one of the two largest democracies, reminded the other that it had largely shied away from condemning suppression of democratic rights and movements. Obama's specific reference was to Myanmar and India's imperviousness to the military junta's rigged elections and repression of democracy groups.

That this reference followed an exuberant praise of India's support to South Africa's anti-apartheid movement indicated a veiled rebuke of India's current policy of engaging whoever is in power in a country of interest.

Mubarak likely to step down under US brokered deal

Neither is Washington an immaculate chevalier of the democracy sacrament. In fact, half of the world's autocrats owed their existence to American backing. Yet, at the risk of throwing stone from a glasshouse, Obama could question India's diminishing contribution to the global democracy cause, especially when it aspires to be permanently ordained in the UN Security Council.

Between them, India and the US have issued half-a-dozen joint statements in the past decade, with platitudinous reaffirmation of their common democratic virtues and commitment to its promotion globally. New Delhi, though, has hardly moved a finger in fulfilling this mission, often relegating such processes as the internal affairs of a country.

Simply so, its discreet silence and reclusiveness ever since the Jasmine Revolution swept the Arab world belies its trappings of an emerging global power. Though ignoring the turbulence in a less-prominent Tunisia was affordable to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Egyptian upheaval has put South Block into a diplomatic dilemna. At the heart of the matter is New Delhi's reluctance to write off President Hosni Mubarak, who, like for the US and Israel, has been a long-time friend of New Delhi since the Non-Alignment days.

Mubarak's net worth estimated at $40-70 billion

Despite the elephantine street protests, India convincingly feels Mubarak might pull through, at least temporarily, until a transition to a new regime. Misplaced fears of a potential embarrassment from a pro-democracy statement if Mubarak manages to survive have forced a pathetic timidity in the MEA, which could not even garner the courage shown by Washington through its fairly balanced exhortation of an 'orderly transition'.

The roots of the MEA predicament lie not in its 'realist' policy transmutation of engaging useful regimes irrespective of their political attire. India's insensitivity towards the 'revolution' could rather be attributed to the absence of a policy on how to approach political emancipation movements in the neighbourhood and farther out. After decades of Nehruvian-inspired crusades in favour of freedom struggles, third world empowerment and nuclear have-nots, India's enhanced power profile, spurred by its astonishing economic growth, had prompted it to place itself among the global elite, but without appreciation of the responsibilities that comes with such elevation.

Driven by enlightened national interest, India has competitively engaged autocrats and juntas in its increasing bid to outmanoeuvre the Chinese influence in its strategic hinterland, extending up to Africa. Lost in this policy transformation was its ideological conviction on democracy and the will to endorse popular movements.

Egyptian journalist quits state TV

The turmoil in Egypt is an acid test which though also endows an opportunity to frame a long-term policy on its approach to popular movements and political turmoil. For, soon to follow on the heels of Egypt could be similar exigencies in volatile nations, including Yemen, Syria and Iran, and possibly even in the neighbourhood, in Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.
Source: IANS
1   2  Next>
Write your comment now
 
Reader's comments(50)
1: this is all useless

indian govt kept quiet because the root cause in Egypt was Corruption of rulers and it applies very much in india .It has done nothing rather congress regimes elevate corruption.

Also all others including america and Canada have no right to speak and they have enough problems at their hand to look into before they can meddle into others
Posted by:sanjay - 13 Feb, 2011
2: Gandhi’s India is silent about Egypt? Then who’s India it became today? You know what, do like other silent countries, wait till he massacre millions of people, and when he leaves, send a cable of congarulations. Shame on you.
Posted by:Tash - 07 Feb, 2011
3: MEA should protect Indians when ever there is an emergency in the troubled countries ,I think Minister Krishna is too slow and not active with his powerful portfolio .MEA should take proactive actions to damage control .
Posted by:Anil Mydur - 07 Feb, 2011
4: First of all, we should all understand that all countries only care about their interests. There is no charity going on in international diplomacy. So no if the great USA feeld the need to speak Anti Mubarak, we should all remember that they are ones who have backed many such regimes around the world for many a years. Further they are aspeaking now bcoz of the changed realities and perceptions of USA post 9/11. When India has not come out strongly against Egypt rule, they have officialy expressed the desire to see the legitimate aspirations of Egyptian people being fulfilled. Not everyone speaks in same language, even when intent is same, and certainly not everyone needs to speak the way to satisfy USA. Why is USA still silent/ or just doing lip service on other regions of Middle East, China, etc. In this world of crony capitalism, those who were once thieves are now pretending to be Judges....LAUGHABLE!
Posted by:Ankit Srivastava - 06 Feb, 2011
5: india is never racial
Posted by:wesley - 05 Feb, 2011
6:
India is not racial, but the populace very irresponsible and selfish. Irrespective of your History of Torture to our forefathers, there is no sense of urgency or class. Everyone to oneself, nation comes last. Very hetrogenious system coming out to the dismay of all and very dangerous for India to survive. Regionalism should be curbed, less powers to the states should be advocated and their governance should be reduced except to take care of local culture and language moderately, every thing else should come from the center. Local state governments are a waste and extremely distruptive. Be it the center of state the governance does not reflect responsibility. The emerging India is not represented in either. We have nothing to the with the internal disruption of another nation which is going through what it should. Let them sort their problems out themselves. God bless and good luck to them. Let us look after ourselves properly eliminating waste and creating educated expressive leadership with men and women of substance. Good Luck Egypt and Jai Hind.
ranjan Replied to: wesley - 06 Feb, 2011
7:
why is a b8llion strong democracy silent on an impotent prime minister who leads a pack of thieves? where is our square of protest. Its time we threw both the congress and its president out for good along with the dmocracy
ram Replied to: wesley - 06 Feb, 2011
8:
We must be atleast true to ourselves. Lets accept it- we are a nation of INSECTS, and we have repeatedly showed such traits consistently historically. So we behave exactly the way we are.
pran Replied to: wesley - 06 Feb, 2011
9:

Racial means relating to, or characteristic of race or races.Arising from or based on differences among human racial groups racial conflict racial discrimination.Where as now there is only one religion THE MONEY RELIGION, only one Race the POLITICIANS,only one way to Live make wealth under the umbrella of Politics.
pcman Replied to: wesley - 05 Feb, 2011
10: india's indirectly pointed out the dictatorship of mr mubrarak that he have to left his place and also in the favoure of democracy in egypt.i think it is quite right the movement is all about the people of egypt.
Posted by:myank - 05 Feb, 2011
11: India should play a vital role in supporting Egypt and its people. Its an opportunity for India to prove that they support other countries in extreme crises and always standby to spread human rights irrespective of religions.
Posted by:Hetram - 05 Feb, 2011
12: I still remember, during the attack on Parliament House how some innocent people died for saving the lives of our CORRUPT LEADERS . What a BAD LUCK
Posted by:MUKESH - 05 Feb, 2011
13: When the nation is facing scandals,scams,black money and drowned in neck deep corruption,what voice do they have on the turmoil in Egypt?Of course India should give its voice on it
Posted by:nairshree - 05 Feb, 2011
14: If India wants permanent seat in UN security council then it have to play global role in world's events. then the rest of the world recognise its contribution and importance..So india should act strongly in Egypt matter.
Posted by:Akshay Suman - 05 Feb, 2011
15: INDIA is great and we should see our country to be first ahead of our pride religions ,cultures etc.
Posted by:Karandeep SIngh - 05 Feb, 2011
16:
Culture is what we are and have today, Civlisation is what we had and were in the past.We can pride ourselves with the only one religion THE MONEY RELIGION,in India ,where as China is emerging as a major Economic domain every day.They are almost taking away or North to East land from part of Kashmir,Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh away quietly still we Indians remain helpless while our Politicians manage to run the country with their own goals.
pcman Replied to: Karandeep SIngh - 05 Feb, 2011
17: 63 years since we got Independence and we are still a developing nation.The country with large no.of young and bright talented peoples when will see their country becoming developed.
Democracy is just on papers.After every five years some new leader come and leave no opportunity to exploit and loot the country to quench his selfish desires (Jitna lootna he loot lo baad me moka mile na mile).
These politicians divide us in the name of religion,caste, regions,cultures,languages etc and we peoples happily vote to such hypocrites.
I think awareness should be spread among peoples that these methods of politics have become outdated.
Now the prime agenda is development and everybody should see INDIA to be first ahead of their proud religion,culture etc.
Every individual should understand its responsibility right from keeping his/her country clean to raising their voices against the unjust.
And the day when we will become one and think honestly about the welfare of our country then only we can see INDIA to be Superpower soon.
Posted by:Karandeep SIngh - 05 Feb, 2011
18: Wait for the TN Election for 2011. South India is in the hands of Maran Brothers and Karunanidhi Descendants if the DMK wins in the elections. These scams are nothing. They know how to handle it well and manage other corruption efforts go according to their wish. DMK must be renamed as KMK, Kazhaignar Munnetra Kazhagam, since the party is focused on improving only the descendants of karunanidhi.
As the Silicon India heading goes, there seem to be a competition among big political figures on who is going to a BIGGEST EVER SCAMMER IN THE HISTORY.
Posted by:Mahe - 05 Feb, 2011
19: When people who are in power reached that placew by succession by virtue of being son or daughter there ability to take decisions or spiced by their fear of loosing their job. The competence and decision making also depends on your integrity. I people has skeletons in the cupboard they cannot speak any thing that annoys people who matter. A country that was leading the non alligned countries during Nehru and Indira today is running to join the nuclear powers and UNSC permanent membership. How to please super powers is more important than what is good for people and for democracy.
Posted by:B.P.Kamalkumary - 05 Feb, 2011
20: when this is going to happen in India
Posted by:pandurangam - 05 Feb, 2011
21: This is absolutely correct and i really tell if we are still Indians we need to do one more movement as we had done in the VP sings Goverment those days back when i was an engineering student against Reservations and stuff like that . We the students at that point of time when Mafia was the word of the day whether it is in politics or normal life survived and made the govt repent on the false decision they had made to power their own party interests to garner votes.

I think this is again time to do something like that once again to bring back the nation again back into proper rails .

Quoting from above i do not think military is a solution for anything as it will make a country instable because of vairous factors for example Pakistan, Burma,etc...

So guyz if you all are serious then join the movement which we would be starting this May and try to change India and Force Indian government to be more transparent and open to the Citizens atleast...

You can email if intersted to join at magicgroup@gmail.com

Magic
Posted by:Magic - 05 Feb, 2011
22:
True, even our Late Cariappa tried with then PM to bring the nation to order, but was denied.Coming to movement,it is never too late but, time will run out during our life time,since Electronic Voting Machines are there to give the politicians a pensionable job In India,with no chance of terminations, again the Fake Currencies printing in our Nation seems to gone far beyond the M3 money supply which makes the Party men with abundant money escalating the cost of every usable item , thirdly our Judiciary, Enforcement personnel CBI, IT are there to make the hay while the sunshine under the umbrella of politicians,where as the middle class and the have nots are pushed to the corner to be content with what they have, move on amidst the corruptions drag their life span in struggles Mera Barath Mahan public.commonman@gmail.com
pcman Replied to: Magic - 05 Feb, 2011
23: Mera Barath Mahan,world written history is only 5300 years old which has witnessed over 15000 wars for freedom may be from Kurukeshetra, Liberation of Hebrews by Moses to cambodia,vietnam,afganisthan,iraq including the world wars billions would have perished ,but the entire world were just mute witness.Palestine is now reduced to not even 10% of its original area,hats off to Israel and the sound back up of US and so on from Christian countries. We the Indians like many other nationals in today's world are simple men not human.After all as listed above only $40-70Billion worth Mubarak is being cornered by Egyptians,where as if some one can be bold enough to exactly expose the wealth amassed by our politicians,especially the Chief Ministers and King Makers of India,followed by the Cricketers and ICC/BCCi who too are no exceptions when they cornered only Modi hiding all others,we will wonder that we have thousands of Mubaraks in our own country , by who are why to bell the cat?
Posted by:pcman - 05 Feb, 2011
24:
hello,
I only want to tell you no Christian country supports Isreal US is practically not a christian country. In fact In Alabama when a judge installed Ten commandmants in the court premises people saw to it that is removed. Strongest supporter of Israel is USA and in that country not even 10% go to church.
B.P.Kamalkumary Replied to: pcman - 05 Feb, 2011
25:
Christians, Hindus or Muslims all came into existence only recently, but politics and exploitations, extortions began much earlier.Israel some how ,even after Hitler's attempt to wipe out jews, remained ,survived and may be the back bone of US, UK,EU nations has gained supreme position,which can not be touched by any nation,religion or sect .
pcman Replied to: B.P.Kamalkumary - 05 Feb, 2011
26: Hi,
We are a corrupt nation. Even our Prime Minister is ashmed of us. Each man thinks pay is for joining some establishment. Corruption is our fundamental right. Why should we raise a question about Egypt? Mubarak was one of the currupt leaders. Well done Mubarak!
Dewan
Posted by:Major (Rtd) Dewan Taldar - 04 Feb, 2011
27:
Major sir, you said, "Even our Prime Minister is ashamed of us.", but shouldn't Mr. Prime Minister be ashamed of himself first?
Amit Replied to: Major (Rtd) Dewan Taldar - 05 Feb, 2011
28: I am truly sorry to say I found the language and diction garbled. I could not understand much of what has been written. please forgive me but do improve your writing skills. These pages are valuable. let us not waste them
Posted by:sushma sagar - 04 Feb, 2011
29:
I agree to you point.
Kushagra Replied to: sushma sagar - 05 Feb, 2011
30: Indians by nature are selfish. What we done about PoK and Akshai Chin. No doubt we are billion strong but we are led by mafias, morons and scamsters. The arms and soldiers are only for display during Republic day to children. Else with such a strong military and a friendly Israel we would have acted or said something by now. But the politicians are afraid that they will be labeled anti muslim and loose votes. In any case we are just watching the dangerous drama in Egypt from a distance. It is high time India who is a near super power and certainly a super power in Asia to speak out or send special envoys to Israel. It will only send out strong signal to Pakistan and China.
Posted by:JB Padhi - 04 Feb, 2011
31: We are silent because we are sworn to SECRECY laws
Posted by:aki - 04 Feb, 2011
32: Yes we are always silent.
1. Our government has the list of black money hoarders in Swiss Bank, but they won't disclose. We are silent.
2.The great pimp Finance Minister has the audacity to say in National Media, that it won't be disclosed and we are silent.
3. We see Hasan Ali on TV and next day he flees the country and we are silent.
4. We see at 17% food inflation the Ministers having good time with CEOs at Davos and we are silent.
5. We see our Agriculture minister playing politics on cricket rather than doing his job and we are silent.
6. We see industrialist like Rahul Bajaj, telling lobbyist cum journalist Barkha Dutt " Kaise wapas laoge Swiss Bank se paisa, tumhara baap ka paisa hai?" and we keep silent.
6. These 2 characters makes mockery of our democracy sitting in a hotel at Davos, we watch on national TV and we are silent.
7. Our fighter pilots die every other day because of out dated air crafts, we are silent. We only applaud by watching movies like Rang de Basanti and sleep.
8.Our day to day food getting poisoned by adding chemicals and no government is even bothered to look at it and we are silent.
9. Tax payers money is being misused by politicians and bureaucrats jointly and happily and we are silent.
10.The voting percentage in a city like mumbai doesn't cross 45% and we are silent.
11. So called pseudo intellectuals like Arundhati Roy bash my country publicly and we are silent.
12. More than half of our population live below poverty lines and we are silent.
13. Mafias rule most of the parts in my country and we are silent.
14. China forcibly occupying our areas and our borders are sinking, our spine less government doesn't have the guts to utter a single word against it and we are silent.
15. Our politicians ( from all parties, without exception ) divide us in the name of Religion, Caste or Culture and we fight every other day still we are silent.

The list is end less dear. We are a country who are used to being silent. When we are not bothered about our own country, why should we speak about Egypt.
Posted by:Biplab Kumar Biswal - 04 Feb, 2011
33:
Very well said Biplab agree with your comments. Its really unbelievable to see how these handful corrupted people(actually they are legal Gunda's) steering Indian government and forcing common people to live shitty life. Everything is possible if we unite to bring the change and history is proof of the same and so the present like Egypt.
Hetram Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 05 Feb, 2011
34:
Thank you for your words!
Living abroad and having less and lesser information about the loving country, it makes me aware of our drawbacks!
Thank you again,
Dipak Bose
Dipak Bose Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 05 Feb, 2011
35:
if you want to react y don't u enter into politics...
Labeeb Ahmed Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 05 Feb, 2011
36:
Yes, I am ready and I will....I am not a type who will sit on fence, its our country and we are responsible for whatever is happening, but I won't do it to react, I will do it to rectify.
Biplab Kumar Biswal Replied to: Labeeb Ahmed - 05 Feb, 2011
37:
This is absolutely correct and i really tell if we are still Indians we need to do one more movement as we had done in the VP sings Goverment those days back when i was an engineering student against Reservations and stuff like that . We the students at that point of time when Mafia was the word of the day whether it is in politics or normal life survived and made the govt repent on the false decision they had made to power their own party interests to garner votes.

I think this is again time to do something like that once again to bring back the nation again back into proper rails .

Quoting from above i do not think military is a solution for anything as it will make a country instable because of vairous factors for example Pakistan, Burma,etc...

So guyz if you all are serious then join the movement which we would be starting this May and try to change India and Force Indian government to be more transparent and open to the Citizens atleast...

You can email if intersted to join at magicgroup@gmail.com

Magic
Magic Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 05 Feb, 2011
38:
I am really amazed to see your thoughts and really was thinking you type people still exists in this country...Do you have any idea to do change this situation...atleast the preliminary way...Infact I would like to suggest you that...lets make a group of all this revolutionary minded people...and we may need to throw a bomb in our own parliament...something like Mr. Bhagat Singh...to awake the people of this country
Shantanu Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 05 Feb, 2011
39:
Dear Shantanu, Violence is no solution to any problem and we should not think about violence in a civilised world. To our good luck we are proud citizens of a democracy. In a democracy we are responsible for the condition of the country so we need to set right whatever in control of ours and an national movement forcing the Government to certain small steps:

1. Be absolutely transparent when it comes to corruption.
2. Ensure the food security bill so that no one is hungry in the country.
3. The selection process for bureaucrats need to change drastically, we are still following the framework started by Britishers, they basically wanted Dignified clerks not good leaders, so this need to change.
4. Whenever we see media sensationalizing issues we have to send alerts and rectify them.
5. We have to build a national culture, we have to think like "Indian" not in any other for of citizenship on the basis of cast, religion or state boundaries.
6. There should be an "Uniform Civil Code".
7. No special status for any state or whats so ever, tax payers money should not be utilised to butter anti nationals, people don't want to be called as Indian let them go, Its their loss not ours.
8. Uniform infrastructural development across the nook and corner of the country.
9. for reservation and support, financial status should be the only criteria.
10. There should be clear cut qualification criteria for people who wants to join politics and represent people in lower and upper houses.
11. Tax structures should be simplified and implemented properly, why we should have so complicated structures.

There are lot of other things, which I can suggest and convince, trying in those line, lets see how long it takes, but dear violence is no solution. We should be thankful to almighty that we are born as democrats and we should take this advantage to rectify our problems by non violent methods.
Biplab Kumar Biswal Replied to: Shantanu - 05 Feb, 2011
40:
@Biplab, I have no words for your comment! Looking forward for a good leader for our society. Some one who will rip the spines of antisocial elements, scamsters and moronic politicians.
Yoga Chandran Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 04 Feb, 2011
41:
@Yoga , there is no point looking for a good leader. We have to find the leader amongst ourselves or become leaders ourselves. No point just talking. The time for action has to come sooner than later
JayKay Replied to: Yoga Chandran - 05 Feb, 2011
42:
I guess, there could have been no better way to say than this.
Rohit Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 04 Feb, 2011
43:
Great thought Biswal but for a matter of fact if we look at the root cause there are various factors responsible. We are the main culprit in that regards. While we keep on enjoying 'Sheela ki Jawani' Nation will go to dogs. A handful of honest people and few defence persons are keeping the nation safe to an extent. Although its no more safe if teenage girls are raped by the MLA then one can imagine the condotion. I dont know but somewhere I feel like supporting Maoist if there cannot be an revolt there can be an assitance to revolt.

An open revolt is only possible once Foreign investment stops coming in. People go jobless & Poverty increases in the country. Thats what pulled tribels to turn to Maoist. Till the time those who are greedy for power and money are governing us we will ll live in a pathetic condition.
AD Singh Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 04 Feb, 2011
44:
Well said.
We will soon see Egyptian style uprising.... sitting on a time bomb how long can Indian youth be spineless & mute to all the corruption, scam, Black money... sooner or later once this Out sourcing business dries up most of the youth who are now busily spending time in malls will hit the roads & bring down those same malls.. happening in Egypt, will happen here too.

If Mubarak has 40-70 billion $ in his personal kitty.. are our politicians less.. matter of time.. Revolution will come.
aki Replied to: AD Singh - 04 Feb, 2011
45:
Well said Biplab ! You have hit the nail on the head !
V.Kurien Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 04 Feb, 2011
46:
Well said Biswal,We Indians are a bunch of Hypocrites. Feel shame to have born as an Indian.
Narayan Replied to: Biplab Kumar Biswal - 04 Feb, 2011
47:
Why you felt shame to be an Indian?
Go & take some mental treatment, I don't know your mind set & why you replying but let me tell thing do your own duty , don't espect from others.
We are not using our votes & end of day critising goverment.Be honest do your job spreads positive thoughts. Don't spread roumers. We are great country & have great history. Focus the people who serving our country still we have leader like Dr Abul Kalam why fews bad fellow ( Politicians , industalists,Administators etc .
vinod Replied to: Narayan - 05 Feb, 2011
48:
You shouldn't be ashamed for being born an Indian. We should be ashamed bout ourselves for being silent.
Manoj Replied to: Narayan - 04 Feb, 2011
49:
Yes I agree with Manoj, We should never be ashamed of being and Indian. This beautiful country is ours and we should have the guts to stand united and rectify it.
Biplab Kumar Biswal Replied to: Manoj - 04 Feb, 2011
50: It is appalling that interfering in the affairs of other sovereign nations in the name of 'foreign policy' has become a routine. We, the billion plus people, need to be reminded that if at all, it is incumbent upon us to reign in our political leadership and to ensure that we DO NOT indulge in any monkey business the way the erstwhile great nation USA does (it is not even an INDEPENDENT nation now). "All it takes for evil to arise is for good men to keep silent".
Posted by:Dr Kulwant Sharma - 04 Feb, 2011
Beautiful and dress selection, please go to Dresses
Sign Up for DailyDose and Read the Day's Highlights
Email:
SiliconIndia:  About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Help   |   Community rules   |   Advertise with us   |   Sitemap
News:       Technology   |   Enterprise   |   Tech Products   |   Startups   |   Finance   |   Business   |   Career   |   Magazine  |   Dailydose   |   News archive  
Network:      Network   |   Profile   |   Messages   |   Find   |   Blogs   |   Events   |   Q&A   |   CXO Insights  
Career:      Jobs   |   Companies   |   Mentorship   |   Videos   |   Career blogs  |   Training Institute  |   Freshers
Online courses:   Web developer   |   Java developer   |   CCNA training   |   SEO   |   SAS   |   SQL server 2005   |   J2EE
Education:   MBA   |   MCA   |   Engineering   |   Overseas Education   |   Internship
Life:           Jokes   |   Bookstore   |   Relocate  |   Marketplace
Cities:         Startup   |   Real estate   |   Finance  
Send your and help us continue to improve SiliconIndia
© 2012 SiliconIndia all rights reserved