Cordinal Invitation to #RememberingRajiv
Commemorating the 35th Assassination Anniversary of Sri. Rajiv Gandhi - India’s Youngest Prime Minister - which is also commemorated as Indian National Anti-Terrorism Day.
Commemorating the 35th Assassination Anniversary of Sri. Rajiv Gandhi - India’s Youngest Prime Minister - which is also commemorated as Indian National Anti-Terrorism Day.
Join in from 7 pm onwards on Wednesday, 21st June 2025 on https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ew2zcRKyRp-yHQNveWfqaQ
21st of May 2025 would commemorate the 35th Assassination Anniversary of Sri. Rajiv Gandhi - India’s Youngest Prime Minister - which is also commemorated as Indian National Anti-Terrorism Day.
The latest Pahalgam Terrorist Attack has further intensified the Global Debate over the use of Terror as an Instrument of State Policy.
Observers say that this attack was motivated from the charged up speech of General Asim Munir on April 16, 2025, Key Points of the same as generated by Grok are as follows:
Two-Nation Theory and Hindu-Muslim Divide:
Munir emphasized the ideological foundation of Pakistan, highlighting differences between Hindus and Muslims. He stated, “We are different from the Hindus in every possible aspect of life – our religion, customs, traditions, thoughts, ambitions are different.”
He urged Pakistanis to teach their children about Pakistan’s creation and the two-nation theory, suggesting it as a means to reinforce national identity.
Kashmir as Pakistan’s “Jugular Vein”:
Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, describing it as the country’s “jugular vein” and expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their “struggle against Indian occupation.”
He stated, “The government’s stance on Kashmir is absolutely clear; it was our jugular vein, it is our jugular vein.”
Superiority of Islamic Ideology: Addressing overseas Pakistanis, Munir remarked, “Because you live in different civilizations, don’t you ever forget that you belong to a superior ideology and a superior culture.”
He referenced Pakistan as a state built on Islamic principles, comparing it to the first Islamic state of Medina. He said, “Till date, there have been only two states which have been built on the foundation of the Kalma… first was the Riyasat-e-Tayyaba (or Riyasat-e-Medina, the first Islamic state established by the Prophet)… and the second, which Allah built 1,300 years later, is your country (Pakistan).”
Balochistan and Internal Security: Munir addressed separatist threats in Balochistan, vowing to “beat the hell out of these terrorists very soon,” referring to insurgents like the Baloch Liberation Army.
He dismissed security threats, claiming “even 10 generations of terrorists cannot harm Pakistan.”
Anti-India Rhetoric: The speech included remarks perceived as inflammatory by India, such as dismissing the “1.3 million-strong Indian Army” as unable to intimidate Pakistan.
Context and Reception:
The speech was delivered in the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials, adding to its significance.
Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, condemned the speech as “communal rhetoric” and suggested a direct link to the Pahalgam attack, which occurred six days later.
Critics in India and some analysts viewed the speech as an attempt to rally domestic support amid Pakistan’s economic and political challenges, while also diverting attention from internal issues like Balochistan’s insurgency.
The speech sparked significant controversy, with some sources noting it as a strategic move to bolster the military’s influence domestically and among the Pakistani diaspora.
In its resolution 72/165 (2017), the UN General Assembly, established the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism to be commemorated annually on 21 August, in order to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Acts of terrorism propagating a wide-range of hateful ideologies continue to injure, harm and kill thousands of innocent people each year.
Despite international condemnation of terrorism, victims and survivors of terrorism often struggle to have their voices heard, their needs supported, and their rights upheld. Victims often feel forgotten and neglected once the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack fades, with profound consequences for them.
Few Member States have the resources or the capacity to fulfil the medium and long-term needs of victims of terrorism to enable them to fully recover, rehabilitate and re-integrate into society. Most victims can only recover and cope with their trauma through long-term multi-dimensional support, including physical, psychological, social and financial.
Member States have the primary responsibility to support victims of terrorism and uphold their rights. The United Nations has an important role in supporting Member States to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by standing in solidarity and providing support to victims of terrorism; offering capacity building assistance; establishing networks; and offering support to civil society organizations, particularly victims' associations; and encouraging Member States to promote, protect and respect the rights of victims of terrorism.
The United Nations provides technical assistance and capacity-building to Member States and victims' associations in better addressing the needs of victims of terrorism.
ReTHINK INDIA INSTITUTE thereby invites students from Post-Primary to Post-Doctoral Levels (in their own category) to the Remembering Rajiv Contest 2025 whereby, they shall delve deep in the life & times of Sri Rajiv Gandhi and his Political Philosophy as the Prime Minister of India in structurally thwarting Terror as a Means of Accomplishing a Political End.
Registrations (Registration Link) to this effect shall be open upto 21st June 2025 (International Yoga Day) and a Research Study Period would be granted to them upto 21st of July 2025 till then they would have to submit a detailed Essay in not less than 1500 words.
On 20th of August 2025, the Participants would have to make a presentation on their Essay Submitted in an online mode (they can add upon further material if they desire so).
Felicitations would be made on 21st of August 2025- International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
For any query or assistance, Participants my ping
Dr. Surbhi on 9910050597 or email to editor@rethinkindia.in.
Registration Link for Remembering Rajiv Contest 2025