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Madrid takes control of Catalonia but the region’s future is best with Spain

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]File photo of pro-independence Catalans in Barcelona during a referendum march. Photo credit: Quartz

~By Lilly Paul

The Catalans may have declared their independence from Spain but not even half of the region’s population had turned out to vote during the referendum

Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont’s declaration of independence (on Friday, October 27) from Spain has lead to Madrid, in turn, imposing direct rule on Saturday. The current turn of events is set to lead both Madrid and Catalonia towards a messy state of affairs.

Puigdemont’s announcement of Catalonia’s secession from Spain has, expectedly, not gone down well with Madrid and also the European Union. In a referendum (on October 1) held by the regional government of Catalonia, 90 percent of the voters chose to separate from Spain. However, the voter turnout for this referendum was 2.26 million, which is not even half the total population of Catalonia.

The referendum had already been declared illegal by Spanish courts and Madrid tried its best to stop such a voting. The anti-election crackdown by the Spanish government left hundreds of Catalans injured with Barcelona being the most affected region. The government raided polling booths, confiscated ballot papers and law enforcers even fired rubber bullets at the people. Madrid also invoked Article 155 of the Spanish constitution to impose direct control over Catalonia. The Article gives the Spanish government liberty to take over any autonomous region if it “does not fulfill the obligations imposed on it by the constitution or other laws, or acts in a way that is seriously prejudicial to the general interest of Spain.”

The crackdown of the Spanish government on Catalonia is not going to solve the problem. Instead it would further worsen the situation. The law and order situation of Catalonia is already getting disrupted. Since police administration is under the Catalonian government, a section of the police had already declared that it would not comply with the orders of Spain and will not carry out any action against the regional leaders. The current crackdown of the Spanish government is likely to affect the other half of the population of Catalonia which did not appear for voting and was perhaps not in favour of separating from Spain.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sacked Puigdemont and dissolved the Catalan parliament. He has also announced fresh elections for the region to be held on December 21. The practicality of the elections is in doubt as it was not desired by the Catalans nor is it clear as to how many of them would participate in these polls. The parties which would contest the elections fear presenting an anti-Catalonia stance and the ones not contesting for the election will not stand any chance for the upcoming five years.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1509202128649{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #a2b1bf !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}”]Catalonia has had a distinct culture, history and language—this distinction has been the main reason behind their wish for autonomy. Its identity has been constantly suppressed by successive regimes.

Catalonia was first recognized as a nation in 1931 by the second Spanish Republic’s constitution. It also recognized Catalan as the official language of Catalonia. However, this freedom and recognition had a very short life. The victory of General Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War marked the end of Catalonia’s freedom. Catalonia’s culture, its language and even the symbols of Catalan identity were prohibited and suppressed under the military ruling of Franco.

The death of Franco paved the way for Spain’s democracy in 1978. The Spanish constitution extended autonomy to some of its regions, and Catalonia was also among them. However, this autonomy has not actually solved the underlying desire for freedom of the Catalans.

Catalonia as defined in the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia “exercises its self-government constituted as an autonomous community in accordance with the Constitution and with this Estatut, which is its basic institutional law”.

In 2006, the Catalans campaigned to improve the terms of this Statute of Autonomy which made way to a new statute after which Catalonia was referred to as a “nation” in the preamble. This new statute extended Catalonia’s privileges in terms of taxation, judicial independence, and the official use of the Catalan language. The Catalan language enjoys joint language status along with Castilian, such that the teachers, the doctors and other public sector employees have to use the language in their workplace.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]What do the Catalans want?

Much of Catalonia’s independence drive and enthusiasm has been carried forward through the football team FC Barcelona. Posters reading “Independence” and “Catalonia is not Spain” have been a common sight in matches played by Barcelona. FC Barcelona is located in Catalonia. One such instance of Catalan nationalism was seen in a football match played between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, where right at 17 minutes and 14 seconds the stadium started chanting “Independencia”. This was because in 1714 Catalonia fought its battle of Independence.

Catalonia has been constantly in favour of independence. It is one of the Spain’s wealthiest regions and accounts to 20 percent of its economic output. Catalonia is also one of the most famous tourist spots in Spain and also contributes more than one-fifth of its GDP. But the major push for separation came after Spain’s debt crisis in 2008. Economists even predict that Spain is unlikely to cope up with the present debt crisis for several years to come.

This being said, one of the major arguments for separation from Spain is that Catalonia gives to Spain far more than it ever received. Catalans now want more autonomy to decide where their money is being used. The economic progress of Catalonia is also one of the reasons why the region thinks that it can sustain on its own.

This is not for the first time that the Catalans have voted for Independence. Earlier, in 2014, they had held a symbolic vote where more than 80 percent of the votes were cast in favour of freedom. However, the voting turnout in the current and the previous plebiscite has been less than 50 percent. This is possibly because the Catalans know that it is illegal at present. If there happens to be a fresh referendum form the Spanish government on Independence, which is unlikely, a higher voter turnout can be expected.

However, the Catalans are very well aware of the economic loss that it will have to incur if separated from Spain. Since most of the business houses have moved their headquarters to Spain, the separation will have an adverse effect on Catalonia’s economy. Moreover, with the EU not supporting an independent Catalonia, the path ahead will be even more difficult for the region. If Catalonia breaks away from Spain, it will also be out of the EU. Its way back will be decided by the EU members, of which Spain is also a member. One can easily expect a Spanish veto.

Catalonia has kept some of the key sectors such as education, healthcare and welfare under its control, but it is not financially independent.

The best way out for Catalonia is to be a part of Spain and demand for more autonomy as complete separation will land them in ruins and the tourism revenue will not be enough for the region to stand on its own.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Amid India-Canada diplomatic tensions, Justin Trudeau shares video of his Diwali celebrations

This comes a day after India expressed its concern over the reports of cancelled Diwali celebrations in Canada.

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Amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday shared a video of his Diwali celebration on social media platform X.

Sharing a 44-second video of his Diwali celebrations on social media, the Canadian Prime Minister wrote, “Happy Diwali! So many special moments shared celebrating with the community this week.”

This comes a day after India expressed its concern over the reports of cancelled Diwali celebrations in Canada.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Saturday, while addressing the media over Canada’s serious allegation against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar, said it was unfortunate that the prevailing atmosphere in Canada has reached high levels of intolerance and extremism.

In the video, Prime Minister Trudeau showed off some colorful religious threads on his wrists, explaining that he received them during visits to three Hindu temples in Canada recently. He called them symbols of “good luck” and “protection,” adding with a smile, “I’m not taking them off until they fall off”.

Trudeau was also seen interacting warmly with the community, celebrating the festival, and enjoying delicious Indian sweets like jalebis, which he jokingly said he would “save for the team.”

On November 1, Trudeau posted on X, “Happy Diwali! Today, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain families will celebrate the triumph of light over darkness with festivities, candles, diyas, and fireworks. Wishing you all joy and prosperity during this special time.”

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Jaiswal said India condemns the recent allegations made by the Canadian government against Shah that he was purportedly involved in the killing of Nijjar and called it “absurd and baseless”.

Jaiswal also said that India had summoned the Canadian High Commissioner on Friday to protest in the strongest terms for the references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison.

On Tuesday, Morrison claimed that Shah orchestrated a campaign of violence, intimidation, and intelligence-gathering aimed at Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. He informed members of Canada’s national security committee in Parliament that he had confirmed Shah’s name to The Washington Post, which was the first to report the allegations. However, Morrison did not provide details on how Canada became aware of Shah’s alleged involvement.

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India, China complete disengagement in Depsang, Demchok at LAC after 4 years standoff

The Indian Army said that coordinated patrolling will start soon by both sides, and the ground commanders will continue to hold talks.

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India, China complete disengagement in Depsang, Demchok at LAC after 4 years standoff

In a significant development, India and China have completed the disengagement exercise in the Depsang and Demchok friction points at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The troops of both the countries are now verifying the vacation of positions and removal of infrastructure.

Reportedly, the Indian Army said that coordinated patrolling will start soon by both sides, and the ground commanders will continue to hold talks. The two sides will exchange sweets for Diwali tomorrow.

Earlier, Foreign secretary Vikram Misri announced that New Delhi and Beijing reached an agreement to disengage in the remaining friction points at LAC in eastern Ladakh. After the agreement, the two countries began troops disengagement at the two friction points at Demchok and Depsang plains on October 23.

India-China relations worsened because of the Chinese troops’ aggression along the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border, in April 2020. It further deteriorated on June 15, 2020, after 20 Indian soldiers died in the line of duty thwarting the Chinese offensive in the Galwan Valley. New Delhi had said India’s bilateral relations with China will normalise only after the situation at the LAC returns to what it was before May 2020.

Reports said that the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have pulled back their forward-deployed troops and equipment from the two flashpoints, and have also dismantled temporary structures that had been built during the four-year-long standoff.

The Indian soldiers will resume their patrolling in areas that had been cut off because of the PLA’s presence. Nonetheless, the disengagement in Depsang and Demchok will not lead to the creation of buffer zones.

Both the countries had disengaged from Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, Gogra (PP-17A) and Hot Springs (PP-15) areas and created buffer zones. Speaking to a newspaper publication, Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (retd), a former director general of military operations said that the disengagement at Depsang and Demchok will facilitate patrolling by both sides in a coordinated manner, and in the agreed upon frequency and strength of the patrolling parties.

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Iran says 2 soldiers killed in Israeli air strikes

Emphasising Iran’s right to self-defense under the UN Charter, the Iranian Foreign Ministry highlighted its obligation to counter foreign aggression.

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The Iranian Army said on Saturday that two of its soldiers were killed in Israeli air strikes that targeted military bases.

Iran stated that its air defenses effectively countered the attack, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of two soldiers and some areas suffering limited damage.

The Israeli military conducted strikes on Iranian military sites after 2 am on Saturday, responding to what they cited as ongoing attacks by Iran and its allies in the region.

Following the strikes, the Israeli military announced they had successfully completed the mission and achieved their objectives.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the precise targeting of military sites in Iran to neutralize immediate threats to Israel.

“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel,” the Israel Defence Force posted on X.

Iran’s air defense headquarters acknowledged the hits on bases in Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran but asserted that these attacks were effectively repelled, with investigations ongoing to assess damages. Moreover, Iran indicated its readiness to retaliate against any Israeli aggression, stating that Israel would face proportional consequences for its actions.

Iran expressed its intentions to respond to the Israeli attacks on its military bases, condemning the actions as a violation of international law and the UN Charter’s principles on the use of force.

Emphasising Iran’s right to self-defense under the UN Charter, the Iranian Foreign Ministry highlighted its obligation to counter foreign aggression.

Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran, attributing the escalation to Israel and urging the UN Security Council to intervene for peace and security.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised that Iran should refrain from retaliating against Israel, advocating for restraint on all sides to prevent further escalation.

“I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I’m equally clear that we must avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to restrain. Iran should not respond,” the PM said at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The United States advised Iran to halt its attacks on Israel to cease the ongoing violence and break the cycle of conflict, underlining the importance of de-escalation.

“We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation,” U.S. National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett told reporters.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the Israeli operation throughout its development and execution by his National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan.

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