Anand Ranganathan advocates for Israel-like solution in Kashmir
New Delhi: Anand Ranganathan, an Indian political commentator and television panelist, has sparked controversy by advocating for an Israel-like approach to address issues in Kashmir. His comments were made during a chat show hosted by ANI Editor Smita Prakash, featuring co-panelists Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Sushant Sareen, and Tahseen Poonawala.
During the discussion, Ranganathan expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in Kashmir and criticized past policies. "I am not enthused by Kashmir at all. I don’t want to visit it. All our policies, cutting across governments, have failed us Indians," he stated. He pointed out the plight of Kashmiri Hindus and criticized the perceived facade of normalcy created by tourism figures, noting, "You haven’t rehabilitated 7 lakh Kashmiri Hindus. All the money coming from the tourists is going to the terrorists. This terrorism/militancy and whatever you call it is going to continue."
Ranganathan suggested that an Israel-like solution is needed, involving settlement building, combating terrorism, and securing borders. He remarked, "You need an Israel-like solution to Kashmir. The fact that Israel is unable to solve it is not because Israel is not acting to solve it. Israel has catered to its people, but we haven’t."
Following an uproar over his comments, Ranganathan issued a clarification on his X handle (formerly Twitter), stating, "Calling for an Israel-like solution—rehabilitating the victims, making settlements, fighting terror, securing borders—is not calling for genocide; it is calling for preventing another genocide. I stand by Israel. I stand by Kashmiri Hindus. And I stand by every single word."
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
