ISLAMABAD: Society, politics and media in both India and Pakistan are passing through similar situation. The two countries are facing two major challenges — the rising tide of religious and communal extremism.

Resistance politics is on the decline resulting in shrinking space for freedom of expression.

This was the crux of a talk given by Indian veteran journalist Chanchal Manohar Singh at the weekly event of editors and senior journalist’s at the National Press Club on Friday.

Mr Singh, who is on a private visit to Pakistan, spoke succinctly on a host of issues including the increasing communal and social discord, violence against minorities, dissenting views in India, the simmering issue of Kashmir and the divisive politics of Baharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He blamed the egoistic politics of secular and progressive forces which enabled BJP to come into power despite begging 37% vote in last elections.

This realisation has been felt in the opposition ranks and a grand alliance is being cobbled up to counter the rising extremism of Hindutva in forthcoming state elections, he said.

BJP is trying to win over Mayawati by offering deputy Prime minister’s slot to her but she is eyeing the PM’s position, he observed.

About Kashmir imbroglio, Mr Singh, who runs Society for Promotion of Peace, said the new phase of insurgency is totally indigenous which is being admitted at official level.

The Indian government is trying to alter the demography of Kashmir by proposing amendment to Article 35-A of Article 370 that intends to give residential rights to non-Kashmiri Hindus to buy properties and do business there which is facing stiff resistance by all major political parties of Jammu and Kashmir.

He rubbished the idea of any possibility of uniting the two parts of Punjab.

He said in all major channels were controlled by Ambani and corporate magnets who promoted chauvinistic nationalism.

There are a few media outlets like The Hindu which are still resisting pressures and maintaining their objectivity, he said.

Senior journalists including M.Ziauddin, Shahidur Rehman, Fouzia Shahid, Farhan Bukhari, Nasir Malik, Mustansir Javed, M. Ilyas Khan, Mohammad Suhail, Jamil Khan and others attended the session.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2018