The ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ of Kodagu
Central defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman was in Kodagu recently to survey the damage caused by recent torrential rains and floods. A group of environmentalists met her when she came to attend the meeting in Deputy Commissioner’s office. The most important aspect is that there were a few retired army men in the team that awaited her audience. Instead of coming straight to this meeting, she engaged in a conversations with environmentalists. They wanted to brief her about the destruction caused on ecology, mining and damage-causing activities that were happening in Kodagu in the name of development contributing to the present state of challenge that the tiny region found itself in.
Just as she was getting an update on all this, the elected representatives from BJP and Congress began to insist that the minister aborts this conversation and proceeds to attend the meeting organized by district administration. Their argument was the officers and teams engaged in relief operations were waiting for the minister to address the meeting so that they could proceed with their work for the day. This naturally upset the minister. Though she said she was speaking to the ex-army men, BJP leader K G Bopaiah said the minister could do as she pleases. This line of speech was used by district in charge minister too who tried to embarrass the BJP members, and this further complicated the matters and riled up the minister. As a result of all this, the union minister left flood ravaged Kodagu in a huff.
The phobia that affects the elected representatives and environmentalists is not a new phenomenon. What rights did the elected representatives of BJP have to insist that the minister shouldn’t engage with the environmentalists of Kodagu? Why would they assume the environmentalists were speaking against the interest of Kodagu, while the whole world is discussing the ill effects of unabated ‘development’ happening unmindful of the topography of the areas? When the environmentalists speak about the ecology and indigenous characteristics of the area, they are branded as ‘enemies of development’.
Politicians have even attacked many environmentalists and locals as well. Many have been called the ‘outsiders’ just to dissuade them from engaging in Kodagu’s safety. “What do the outsiders know?” ask the estate owners of this area whenever the question of Kodagu welfare arises. Even at the time of floods destroying the livelihoods of Kodagu, such questions were being asked. This line of argument was used even when NGOs tried to reach relief materials to deserving people. “What do you know about this place?”
As far as ecology is concerned, Kodagu is a very complex region to be understood. Generalisations about Kodagu can only make the understanding more complicated. Hence, the ‘outsiders’ are always viewed with suspicion for that matter. Even culturally Kodagu is inimitable. For the same reason, outsiders are yet to be accepted wholeheartedly in this closely guarded fort.
Thousands have migrated to Bangalore and other places from Kodagu. Fanatics have used this area to spread their activities. But none have been rejected in the outside world. There are some organisations that look down upon Malayalam speaking people as untrustworthy. They have camouflaged their own mistakes and held others responsible for the destruction they have caused. Only after Sangh Parivar founds its roots in Kodagu, the feeling of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ has gotten strong. They have been successful in using this argument to keep people at bay. Which is why they fret at the sight of Gadgil or Kasturi Rangan reports that speak about conserving Kodagu, and Kerala.
Open discussions are not being allowed about the topic. If the government persists, they speak about ‘separate state’ demand. Rain is not the sole cause for destruction in Kodagu. The interference and exploitation of hills and mountain regions in the name of development has led to the disaster. Experts say climatic changes have caused the torrential rains and destruction. But the destructive development has had a major share in the situation Kodagu and Kerala are facing today.
Kerala government has admitted that the water released from Mulla Periyar dam caused flooding. This dam has always been a looming threat to Kerala. Ecologists have said this dam would be the reason for Kerala going underwater someday. But all these warnings and cautions are seen as bitter pills to those who are bent upon pilfering the area. Forget the Gadgil report, the state must at least try and implement Kasturi Rangan report to aid sustained development of Kodagu. Everyone who wants to conserve Kodagu is a Kodava in spirit. But those who are living here yet causing destruction are to be seen as vested interests. Let the best interest win.
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Iran Shocks World, Hits F-35
America's most advanced fighter jet, the F-35, was never hit in combat — not once, in its entire history. Countries spend over ₹900 crore to buy just one of these aircraft. The whole world believed this plane was untouchable. Then, on March 19, something happened over Iranian skies that shocked military experts across the globe.
Iran hit it. And nobody saw it coming.
America Was Too Confident — That Was the Problem
Before understanding how this happened, you need to understand what America believed going into this. The US had been bombing Iran since February 28. After roughly 20 days of heavy strikes, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Iran's air defences were completely destroyed — finished, flattened, gone.
US President Donald Trump even said proudly, "We can fly wherever we want, and no one is even firing at us."
Based on this confidence, America flew its prized F-35 deep into the heart of central Iran. That alone tells you how sure they were. You don't send your most expensive jet into enemy territory unless you believe there is zero danger.
But Iran, a country under heavy international sanctions, still had something left. And it used that something extremely well.
So How Did Iran Actually Hit a Stealth Jet?
Here is where it gets interesting for regular people to understand.
We have all heard the word "stealth" — it sounds like the plane is completely invisible. But India Today explained that stealth only means it is hard to detect by radar. Hard — not impossible. It does not mean the aircraft is totally invisible.
Think of it this way. Even if you cannot see someone in a dark room, you can still feel their body heat if they stand close enough. That is almost exactly what happened here.
The F-35's engines produce enormous heat. Iran's weapon likely used an infrared sensor — basically a heat-seeking system — to detect that heat, lock onto it, and follow the jet. No radar needed. The F-35's biggest advantage, its radar-invisibility, simply did not matter.
The weapon Iran likely used was the 358 missile — also called SA-67 — which is a loitering munition. Think of it as a slow, intelligent drone that flies around patiently waiting, scanning the sky for heat signals from aircraft engines. Once it finds one, it chases it down. Iran has used this exact weapon before against American MQ-9 Reaper drones — and since this war started, America has already lost more than 12 of those drones.
This Has Happened Before — In 1999
This is not the first time America's "invisible" aircraft was brought down by a smarter enemy.
In 1999, during NATO's bombing campaign over Serbia, the US flew its F-117 Nighthawk — which was then considered the world's most advanced stealth aircraft. Serbian forces shot it down using an old Soviet missile system from the 1960s. Not with new technology — with clever thinking. They briefly switched on their radar, caught the jet at the right moment when its stealth was less effective, and fired.
The lesson both then and now is the same — no aircraft is completely invincible. Smart tactics can beat expensive technology.
Why This Changes Everything in the Iran War
Here is the bigger picture that really matters.
America and Israel had told the world that Iran's air defences were basically dead. Based on that, they sent massive B-1 and B-2 bombers — aircraft that are normally used only when a country is 100% sure it controls the enemy's sky. That is a huge military risk to take.
But if an F-35 — the most advanced aircraft in the sky — can still be hit, then Iran's defences are clearly not dead. Some pieces are still very much alive and working.
This means the US and Israel may now be forced to completely rethink their war plan. Their jets may need to fly higher, use longer-range weapons, and spend far more time and money finding where Iran's remaining defence systems are hiding underground.
Around 15 countries use the F-35 today. Even India was offered this jet by Trump during PM Modi's White House visit — though India has not shown interest so far.
Geopolitical expert Adam summed it up simply — a heavily sanctioned country just tracked, chased, and hit the world's most expensive stealth jet. That is not a small thing.
Sometimes, one moment changes everything.
(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or position of the publication, its editors, or its management. The publication is not responsible for the accuracy of any information, statements, or opinions presented in this piece.
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