India
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| − | '''India''' is a very large, very, very, very populated developing country (approximately one billion (10<sup>9</sup>) examples of ''Homo sapiens''). It is very proud of its spiritual heritage, having given the world [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], Sikhism and Jainism. It is also a very fractious country. | + | '''India''' is a very large, very, very, very populated developing country (approximately one billion (10<sup>9</sup>) examples of ''Homo sapiens''). It is very proud of its spiritual heritage, having given the world [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Sikhism]] and [[Jainism]]. It is also a very fractious country. |
There is a great deal of controversy over whether Indians have the necessary sense of identity to qualify as a [[nation]], particularly considering the great [[religion | religious]], ethnic, and linguistic divides within the modern Indian [[state]]. However, by being a functioning [[democracy]] since independence (with only short-lived eras of dictatorship under Indira Gandhi), it is definitely a functional [[state]]. | There is a great deal of controversy over whether Indians have the necessary sense of identity to qualify as a [[nation]], particularly considering the great [[religion | religious]], ethnic, and linguistic divides within the modern Indian [[state]]. However, by being a functioning [[democracy]] since independence (with only short-lived eras of dictatorship under Indira Gandhi), it is definitely a functional [[state]]. | ||
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== Terrorist attacks == | == Terrorist attacks == | ||
| − | India is a target of terrorism from several militant groups. The primary ones are Kashmiri Separatists, Islamist fundamentalists, Naxals (Maoist), and a few other separatist movements mainly in the far north-eastern states. Allegedly, some groups of Islamist terrorists are trained and funded by India's rival, [[Pakistan]]. | + | India is a target of [[terrorism]] from several militant groups. The primary ones are Kashmiri Separatists, Islamist fundamentalists, Naxals (Maoist), and a few other separatist movements mainly in the far north-eastern states. Allegedly, some groups of Islamist terrorists are trained and funded by India's rival, [[Pakistan]]. |
| − | India accounts for the second highest number of deaths due to | + | India accounts for the second highest number of deaths due to terrorist activities after [[Iraq]]. |
==Gay rights== | ==Gay rights== | ||
| − | Gay rights | + | Gay rights are not widely recognised in India. Homosexuality was (until very recently) legally classified as "unnatural sex", punishable by imprisonment from 20 years to life. Some journalists have argued that the Victorian era values imposed by the British colonialists have been an influence on this homophobia and the anti-gay laws.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/sep/18/gayrights.books]</ref><ref>[http://www.lesbilicious.co.uk/campaigns-politics/india-section-377-homosexuality/]</ref> The Hindu fundamentalist BJP is an openly homophobic party. To date, no political party in India, with the exception the Communist Party of India (Marxist)<ref>[http://pd.cpim.org/2002/feb10/02102002_aidwa.htm]</ref>, has voiced support for the legalization of homosexuality. In 1996 a film named Fire caused a lot of controversy in India due to its positive portrayal of lesbianism.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_(1996_film)</ref> In 2009, however, a bill was passed removing the bans on gay sex imposed by the British.<ref>http://www.newser.com/story/63362/india-legalizes-gay-sex.html</ref> |
== Sex in India == | == Sex in India == | ||
| − | + | In addition to homophobia, there are many other sexual taboos within Indian society and legislation. The sale of sex toys is banned, and possessing or publishing hardcore pornography, including on the internet, is a crime. | |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 17:54, 4 October 2009
India is a very large, very, very, very populated developing country (approximately one billion (109) examples of Homo sapiens). It is very proud of its spiritual heritage, having given the world Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. It is also a very fractious country.
There is a great deal of controversy over whether Indians have the necessary sense of identity to qualify as a nation, particularly considering the great religious, ethnic, and linguistic divides within the modern Indian state. However, by being a functioning democracy since independence (with only short-lived eras of dictatorship under Indira Gandhi), it is definitely a functional state.
Contents |
Politics
India also serves as an example that shows that Eastern polytheistic religions are not as immune to fundamentalism and violence as many in the West like to believe. The constitution of India guarantees religious freedom for all. However religious extremism is an important factor among parts of the country's population, as seen in the success of the Hindu fundamentalist (commonly known as Hindu nationalist) Bharatiya Janata Party [1] (BJP, in English, Indian People's Party), the second largest political party in the country. The BJP have incited a great deal of hatred and violence against Muslims and Christians living in India.
The largest political party in India is the secular Indian National Congress [2] (INC). The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [3] is an influential national party which opposes Hindu fundamentalism and globalization.
India along with other seven South Asian countries, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan, is part of a regional coalition named SAARC, though there are internal hostilities between India and Pakistan in SAARC which make SAARC an ineffective multinational alliance.
Economy
After independence in 1947, India tried to implement a socialist type economy, led by their first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a socialist. However it was a socialist mixed economy rather than a Soviet-style command economy. India's economy was framed in this model until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. After the USSR's dissolution, India adopted the Washington consensus and started to open the markets to the private sector. From that time, India's economy has been rapidly growing, with a GDP of $1 trillion[4] and a GDP growth rate of approximately 9.1%.[5] Some have estimated that India will be the third largest economy (behind the US and China) by mid-century.[6] Despite this, poverty is a severe problem in India. Approximately 27.5% of Indians live below the poverty line.[7] Nearly 14.3% of the population live on less than $1 a day.[8] Bureaucratic corruption is also a severe problem in India, and it makes economic progress slow.
Military
Militarily, India is the strongest country in South Asia. The Indian military is third largest in the world in terms of military personnel, and the Indian Army is the second largest standing army. The Indian Navy is the fifth largest navy[9] and the Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world.[10] Historically, the Indian military heavily relied upon Soviet arms and technical assistance, although it continuously developed indigenous technology. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, India have build most modern military technologies domestically, or with collaboration with foreign countries. The Indian Air Force maintains approximately 1300 combat and non-combat aircraft,[11] and the Indian Army maintain nearly 5000 main battle tanks[12] and the Indian Navy employs 155 vessels,[13] including one aircraft carrier. Six nuclear powered submarines are under construction,[14] and the Navy is undergoing a rapid modernization and expansion. Aircraft of the Indian Air Force include the 4.5 generation fighter Sukhoi Su-30MKI, which is IAF's primary air superiority aircraft. India is a de facto nuclear power. At present, India possesses two intermediate range ballistic missiles: Agni II with a range of 2,000–2,500 km, and Agni III with a range of 3,500 km. India is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile named Surya.[15] However this military is vastly smaller in size compared to China. For example, China maintains approximately 2000 combat aircraft while the IAF maintains only 700.
There are concerns of human rights violations associated with the Indian military. The Indian Peacekeeping Force in Sri Lanka is accused of human rights violations.[16] According to the Human Right Watch,[17]
“”Attacks on civilians by militant groups[18] and Indian security forces continued unabated before and after the change in government. Notwithstanding the repeal of POTA,[19] the government continues to use other legislation to shield security forces from accountability. Indian military, paramilitary, and police forces have engaged in serious human rights abuses not just in conflict-zones such as Kashmir,[20] but also when dealing with criminal suspects and detainees.
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Religious right
India suffers a lot from terrorism due to both Islamic and Hindu terrorists. The Christian church with the "baptize them all" policy is also causing trouble in India. Large and small communal riots are common, and many people die from these riots every year. A major Indian party (Bharatiya Janata Party), along with the Hindu fundamentalist organization commonly known as Sangh Parivar, are advocates of Hindu nationalism known as Hinduvta. There has been no anti-evolution activity in India, however, it seems Ken Ham wants to change that.[21]
Terrorist attacks
India is a target of terrorism from several militant groups. The primary ones are Kashmiri Separatists, Islamist fundamentalists, Naxals (Maoist), and a few other separatist movements mainly in the far north-eastern states. Allegedly, some groups of Islamist terrorists are trained and funded by India's rival, Pakistan.
India accounts for the second highest number of deaths due to terrorist activities after Iraq.
Gay rights
Gay rights are not widely recognised in India. Homosexuality was (until very recently) legally classified as "unnatural sex", punishable by imprisonment from 20 years to life. Some journalists have argued that the Victorian era values imposed by the British colonialists have been an influence on this homophobia and the anti-gay laws.[22][23] The Hindu fundamentalist BJP is an openly homophobic party. To date, no political party in India, with the exception the Communist Party of India (Marxist)[24], has voiced support for the legalization of homosexuality. In 1996 a film named Fire caused a lot of controversy in India due to its positive portrayal of lesbianism.[25] In 2009, however, a bill was passed removing the bans on gay sex imposed by the British.[26]
Sex in India
In addition to homophobia, there are many other sexual taboos within Indian society and legislation. The sale of sex toys is banned, and possessing or publishing hardcore pornography, including on the internet, is a crime.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ See the Wikipedia article on Bharatiya Janata Party.
- ↑ See the Wikipedia article on Indian National Congress.
- ↑ See the Wikipedia article on The Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ [4]
- ↑ [5]
- ↑ [6]
- ↑ [7]
- ↑ [8]
- ↑ [9]
- ↑ [10]
- ↑ [11]
- ↑ [12]
- ↑ [13]
- ↑ [14]
- ↑ Insurgent groups operating in India against the Indian government
- ↑ Prevention of Terrorism Act, a controversial act which was criticized by human rights activists for human rights violations
- ↑ A disputed territory which is the source of military conflicts between India and Pakistan
- ↑ Kens Ham's blog
- ↑ [15]
- ↑ [16]
- ↑ [17]
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_(1996_film)
- ↑ http://www.newser.com/story/63362/india-legalizes-gay-sex.html