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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

External involvement in Chandranath’s murder

Political and Geopolitical forces behind the killing in West Bengal New Delhi: The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have not only signaled a new trajectory in Indian politics but have also stirred ripples in global geopolitics. The unprecedented victory of the BJP in the state brought to light events that reveal how the long-standing cycle of political power struggles and violence is now emerging in a new form. The most alarming manifestation of this shift came late Wednesday night with...

External involvement in Chandranath’s murder

Political and Geopolitical forces behind the killing in West Bengal New Delhi: The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have not only signaled a new trajectory in Indian politics but have also stirred ripples in global geopolitics. The unprecedented victory of the BJP in the state brought to light events that reveal how the long-standing cycle of political power struggles and violence is now emerging in a new form. The most alarming manifestation of this shift came late Wednesday night with the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal secretary to senior BJP leader Shuvendu Adhikari. Chandranath Rath, a veteran who served 15 years in the Indian Air Force, was closely working with his family friend and senior BJP leader, Shuvendu Adhikari. His killing is more than an isolated personal attack and it signals a disturbing new dimension of political violence. Historically, electoral violence in West Bengal has targeted the workers of losing parties. This time, however, even the leaders and workers of the winning side have fallen victim. The implications of this violence extend beyond the state's borders. Following the BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal, the activity of anti-India elements in neighboring countries has intensified. Bangladesh and Pakistan have expressed concern over the party's victory, while China and the United States are also closely monitoring its implications. This highlights that election results in border states now carry geopolitical significance far beyond local politics. For decades, West Bengal and Assam have been treated as strategic zones in broader geopolitical games, with external forces allegedly attempting to maintain unrest in these regions over the past seven decades, like Jammu-Kashmir. Investigations into Chandranath Rath's murder indicate a pre-meditated conspiracy. The assailants used advanced Glock 47X firearms, suggesting that the plot was not confined to local planning alone. The crime occurred just 60 kilometers from Basirhat, near the Bangladesh border, which strengthens the likelihood of external involvement. Violent History History shows that violence and muscle power have always been intertwined with West Bengal politics. From the "Khaddo Movement" of the 1960s to slogans like "Dam Dam Dawai," political action was often synonymous with coercion, intimidation and murder. During the Left Front era, strategies like "scientific rigging," booth capture, and leveraging local goons became commonplace. Later, the Trinamool Congress inherited these structures and kept them under its control. Today's events demonstrate that this system remains alive. Border Dynamics The complexity of border areas and communal dynamics further complicates the scenario. In constituencies along the West Bengal and Assam borders, Muslim candidates secured victories, while regions adjacent to West Bengal in Bangladesh are represented by members of Jamaat-e-Islami. Groups like Jamaat-e-Islami have long pursued anti-India agendas, and their influence can be seen in electoral outcomes across these areas. The BJP's recent victory, and the violence that ensued, draw attention to geopolitics. The President of the United States congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking an unprecedented acknowledgment of a state-level BJP win. In contrast, Pakistani and Bangladeshi media have reacted with alarm, while discussions in Bangladesh's parliament highlight concern for the Muslim communities in these regions. Local outbreaks of violence further underline that West Bengal is no longer merely a domestic political theatre, however, this is a hub of geopolitical activity, where external forces seek to keep unstable and chaotic. This cycle of political violence extends beyond individual acts. It has become a complex mix of administrative inefficiency, local political rivalry, and external interference. The immediate presence of DGP Siddh Nath Gupta and CRPF DG Gyanendra Pratap Singh at the crime scene underscores the gravity of the situation. Chandranath Rath's murder is not merely a personal tragedy but a broader political and societal security challenge. The events echo the 1970s when Naxalism emerged in West Bengal, eventually spreading across India's "Red Corridor." Rath's assassination makes it clear that politics in West Bengal is no longer limited to electoral competition or local governance. The incident lays bare the intertwined realities of political violence, international geopolitics, and social security concerns. If the current trends continue, West Bengal may evolve into a region sensitive not only to national politics but also to global strategic interests.

India, A Spacefaring Nation in the Making

India’s story is not to mimic the Cold War space race or impress the skies, but to integrate space into everyday life.

The immortal line ‘saare jahaan se achcha’ took on celestial significance when Rakesh Sharma, orbiting Earth aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984, recited it in response to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s now-legendary query: “How does India look from space?” That moment not only etched itself into the national imagination but also marked the beginning of India’s manned space odyssey. Four decades later, as Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian to travel into space, this time to the International Space Station (ISS), the emotional resonance is unmistakable. But more than that, it signals a renewed momentum and reflects a nation still in the process of becoming truly spacefaring.


Shukla’s journey comes at a transformative juncture in India’s space programme. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is no longer confined to launch services or modest interplanetary forays. It is steadily expanding into new frontiers, preparing for human spaceflight through Gaganyaan, advancing lunar and solar missions, exploring quantum communication, and developing reusable launch systems. These efforts represent the qualities not only of an accomplished space agency but also of a nation gradually moving toward full-fledged space capability.


This new chapter stirred in me memories of reading A Spacefaring People, Perspectives on Early Spaceflight, edited by Alex Roland and published by NASA in 1985. I recall reading the book with great excitement when it first appeared, captivated by how the early decades of American and Soviet space efforts were not just feats of engineering but profound expressions of scientific ambition, managerial vision, and international strategy. As Shukla embarks on his mission, those formative stories feel freshly relevant.


Roland’s collection reminded us that spaceflight has always been more than just rockets. It is about cultures of innovation, long-term investment, and a willingness to ask questions that begin with “what if.” The early American space programme, for example, was as much about developing weather and communications satellites as it was about lunar landings. It showed how technology, when aligned with clear purpose and public support, could catalyse new industries and transform nations.


India too now stands at that threshold. From Chandrayaan’s pinpoint lunar landing to the Mars Orbiter Mission’s budget-friendly success, India has shown the world its knack for precision and frugality. But human spaceflight is a far more complex frontier, demanding life support systems, escape mechanisms, orbital docking and rigorous astronaut training.


ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, backed by Rs. 10,000 crore, aims to send two-three astronauts into low Earth orbit for up to seven days aboard the HLVM3 launcher and an indigenous crew module. Beyond the engineering feat, it reflects years of quiet progress in materials, avionics and environmental systems.


As history shows, investment in space technologies pays rich dividends. GPS, remote sensing, weather prediction, precision agriculture, and even medical imaging have roots in space programmes. In India’s case, space technology already supports more than 60 civil applications, including flood forecasting, crop mapping, broadband connectivity, and disaster early warning. For every rupee spent on ISRO, independent assessments suggest a return of over three rupees in economic and societal value.


What sets this moment apart is not just the science but the symbolism. A second Indian in space reminds us that this is no longer an isolated event. It is the beginning of continuity. That this journey is taking Shukla to the International Space Station, a hub of scientific cooperation involving the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, and now India, adds a new layer of meaning. It reflects India’s growing integration into the global community of spacefaring nations engaged in long-duration, orbital science.


India’s approach carries added significance in the evolving global context. The very definition of space power is shifting. It is no longer centered on Cold War-era prestige or loud demonstrations of might. Today’s spacefaring nations are those that embed space into national priorities, supporting livelihoods, education, security, disaster resilience, and climate monitoring. India’s ability to apply space science toward societal development gives it a distinctive model that is pragmatic, inclusive and scalable.


Unlike the space programmes of the past, which were often framed as geopolitical theatre, India’s journey remains rooted in service, sustainability, and inclusion. There is little appetite for spectacle. Instead, the focus is on strengthening national capability, supporting developmental goals, and offering responsible global partnerships. That India has done so while remaining cost-effective, peaceful, and technologically self-reliant is even more noteworthy.


This transition from aspiration to institution-building is critical. A spacefaring nation is not created by a single mission or a single astronaut. It is built through the patient layering of infrastructure, human resource development, cross-sector partnerships, and a culture that values exploration. India is beginning to meet each of these requirements. Its space ecosystem now includes vibrant startups, satellite builders, ground station operators, university-led payloads, and even space law experts. This broad-based momentum bodes well for the future.


We are not there yet, but we are on our way. Shukla’s flight is part of a longer arc that began with quiet resolve, took shape through institutional rigor, and is now reaching toward the stars with growing confidence. That he will work aboard the ISS reflects not only individual achievement but a national coming-of-age moment, one in which Indians are no longer observers of the space age but contributors to its future. India, slowly but surely, is becoming a spacefaring nation.


(The author is the former Director, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, and Visiting Professor, IIT Bombay. Views personal)

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