Seeking the “Truths” about Indian Geopolitical Boundaries: Massacres of Cartography
Seeking the “Truths” about Indian Geopolitical Boundaries: Massacres of Cartography
Seeking the “Truths” about Indian Geopolitical Boundaries: Massacres of Cartography
Posted on 1st January, 2025 (GMT 19:22 hrs)
ABSTRACT
The article critiques discrepancies in India’s geopolitical maps, particularly concerning border disputes with China and Pakistan. It discusses how different countries’ maps depict these boundaries and examines India’s struggle to assert territorial integrity amidst international disputes. The piece also explores the ideological conflict between national sovereignty and the push for a homogenized Hindu identity, as advocated by the BJP, amid tensions over territorial control. The article highlights both diplomatic issues and internal political challenges.
“He sees a way of dividing the country different from the one used on the ordinary map. He feels tempted, say, to use the name “Devonshire” not for the county with its conventional boundary, but for a region differently bounded. He could express this by saying: “Isn’t it absurd to make this a county, to draw the boundaries here?” But what he says is: “The real Devonshire is this”. We could answer: “What you want is only a new notation, and by a new notation no facts of geography are changed”.” (Wittgenstein, L., Blue Book, p. 57)
To
Shri Ajit Doval,
The Honourable National Security Advisor of India
Sub: Seeking the “Truths” about Geopolitical Boundaries of India: Massacres of Cartography
Dear Shri Doval,
With full faith in the politico-geographical map of India as presented on the Indian government’s official websites, we find ourselves bewildered by the differing maps from various “foreign” nations. As citizens of India, we are committed to preserving the sovereignty and integrity of our Republic, following the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, “…assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation“. Therefore, we seek to uncover the “truths” of India’s map as seen from the servers of a few different countries (at present):
Now, let us go over from one particular map to another, one by one:
India’s Political Map as viewed on the USA server (22nd December, 2024; GMT 13:10 hrs)
India’s Political Map as viewed on UK’s Server (1st January, 2025; GMT 16:39 hrs)
India’s Political Map as viewed on Canada’s Server (1st January, 2025; GMT 16:42 hrs)
India’s Political Map as viewed on Vietnam’s Server (1st January, 2025; GMT 16:49 hrs)
As observed, one map conflicts with another in accurately defining India’s borders between China/Tibet and Pakistan. This discrepancy has led us to understand the following in this context:
China is “illegally” occupying 38,000 square kilometers of Indian territory, as stated by the Indian government. India has raised this issue with China multiple times, but Beijing continues its occupation despite diplomatic efforts. The Indian government apparently highlights concerns over China’s construction activities in these regions, which remain disputed and unresolved under international agreements.
China continues to illegally occupy approx 38,000 sq km of Indian territory: Govt VIEW HERE ⤡ (As reported on 4th February, 2022 ©India Today)
China continues to harp on its claim over Arunachal Pradesh VIEW HERE ⤡ (As reported on 25th March, 2024 ©The Hindu)
Yet,
Rahul Gandhi on Chinese attack: ‘Why is PM silent? Why is he hiding?’ VIEW HERE ⤡ (As reported on 17th June, 2020 ©The Indian Express)
Increasing Chinese infiltration and PM Modi’s silence very harmful for country: Rahul Gandhi VIEW HERE ⤡ (As reported on 11th July, 2022 ©The Hindu)
In February 2018, during a Young Change Makers conclave in New Delhi attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a supposedly “inaccurate” depiction of the Indian map was displayed. The Indian government raised concerns about this alleged misrepresentation with Canadian authorities. In response, Canada clarified that the event was organized by a third party and that the map in question was an artist’s creation.
India Takes Up Map Issue With Canada VIEW HERE ⤡ (As reported on 16th March, 2018 ©TOI)
India and China, following four years of strained relations stemming from a deadly clash in the Himalayas, are reportedly easing tensions after the recent BRICS summit. In October 2024, both nations have announced an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control to address the 2020 conflict. But to what extent has this agreement been effectively implemented, if at all?
With Pressures at Home and Abroad, China’s Xi and India’s Modi Thaw Ties VIEW HERE ⤡ (As reported on 23rd October, 2024 ©The Wall Street Journal)
The whole situation of the conflicts of interests regarding the volatile political geography of India, especially in relation to the much-disputed Line of Control (LOC, shared with Pakistan?) and Line of Actual Control (LAC; shared with China?), has been depicted through the two following videos by the popular youtuber Dhruv Rathee:
We are genuinely astonished after going through this entire issue as common Indian citizens. Does our perception indeed translate to belief? Who do we put our trust in? When the Sangh Parivar advocates for Akhand Hindu Bharat at the age of the “Viśvaguru“, what we observe starkly contrasts with the BJP’s so-called “dream” of an irredentist Indian territory.
The paper titled “An Incessant Struggle for Being a Homogenized, Pasteurized, Essentialist and Standardized Akhanḍa Hindu Rāṣṭra: Bharatiya Janata Party” examines the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) efforts to establish a unified Hindu identity within India. It focuses on the contentious Ram Temple issue, highlighting the differing narratives between the BJP and Hindu saints. The authors argue that the term “Hindutva” encompasses a diverse range of beliefs, which complicates the BJP’s attempts to homogenize Hindu identity. The paper also critiques the influence of neoliberal economic policies in India, suggesting that since the early 1990s, successive governments, including the BJP, have adhered to models dictated by international financial institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization. This adherence has led to increased conflicts and a regime of totalitarian control, necessitating suppression of dissent and perpetuating violence. In summary, the paper contends that the BJP’s pursuit of a standardized Hindu nation is challenged by the inherent diversity within Hinduism and is further complicated by the socio-economic impacts of neoliberal policies.
The imagiNATION of an irredentist Akhaṇḍa Hindustāna (अखण्ड हिन्दुस्तान) VIEW HERE ⤡
The paper titled “The imagiNATION of an irredentist Akhaṇḍa Hindustāna” critically examines the Sangh Parivar’s pursuit of a unified Hindu nation, or Akhand Hindustan. Employing a satirical approach, the authors highlight inconsistencies within the Hindutva ideology, particularly concerning the standardization of Hindu practices and the concept of Indian Standard Time. By adopting the perspective of Hindutva proponents, the paper deconstructs the ideological foundations of Hindutva, emphasizing the challenges in homogenizing India’s diverse cultural and religious landscape.
It is to be noted that during the Indo-China war of 1962, the then Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru stubbornly refused to pursue peaceful terms with China over the border dispute, clinging to his ideal of territorial nationalism. Bertrand Russell extensively critiques this in his book Unarmed Victory (1963), which was banned by the then Indian Government. The book includes Russell’s correspondence with the governments of India and China and reveals Nehru’s duplicitous role. According to Russell, Nehru initiated aggression against China as a diversion from the rising food movement (khādya āndolan) across the country. Despite being an anti-communist, Russell writes in his book:
“During the height of the Cuban crisis, on 24 October, the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr Chou En-lai, proposed a cease-fire to Mr Nehru along what he considered to be the lines of ‘actual control’ beginning 7 November 1959. In this proposal, he reiterated that he would be prepared to hold in abeyance the question of jurisdiction over any areas where there is a disagreement with the Government of India, and wished it to be clear that his proposal was not intended to determine de facto the designation of these areas. The Chinese have stated that they were always prepared to negotiate the areas in question without prejudicing the ultimate disposition of them. The reply of the Indian government has been that the Chinese have gradually established de facto control over certain areas which would be very difficult to alter once the principles of negotiation were accepted and that, therefore, India required entire Chinese withdrawal before she would consider discussion… The Chinese cease-fire and withdrawal strongly suggests that China is more anxious to put an end to the conflict than is India.“
IF ARTICLE 370 IS REVOKED, WHY NOT ARTICLE 371 OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION? VIEW HERE ⤡
It is not long since Sonam Wangchuk threatens walk to LAC, non-cooperation to paralyze Ladakh administration VIEW HERE ⤡ (As reported on 28th March, 2024 ©The Economic Times)
In conclusion, we strongly request you, as one of the foremost experts in navigating border disputes, geopolitical controversies, and threats to national security, to address this matter with the highest levels of the Indian government. It is imperative to work towards liberating Indian citizens from the confusing and misleading cartographic complexities as depicted above through real-time data. We are worried about the future of the sovereignty and integrity of India as a “nation-state”.
We conclude with this captivating satellite image of India as seen from outer space, captured using Google Earth GPS technology on January 1st, 2025, at 19:13 GMT. Observe the hazy upper regions of “India,” where distinct and well-defined borders are intriguingly absent.
Yours Sincerely,
Some Concerned Citizens of the Indian Republic
On Behalf of ONCE IN A BLUE MOON ACADEMIA (OBMA)
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