In the realm of international espionage, shrouded in secrecy and whispered legends, operates India’s enigmatic intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Established in 1968, RAW stands as a sentinel,safeguarding the nation’s security through meticulous intelligence gathering, daring covert operations, and unwavering counter-terrorism efforts.
To delve into the world of RAW is to embark on a thrilling journey through the shadows, where unseen hands shape global events and national destinies hang in the balance.
Genesis of RAW: Brahmanical Imprint?
Origins
Foreign intelligence failure during the 1962 Sino-Indian War led then-Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to order a dedicated foreign intelligence agency to be established.
However Nehru died in 1964 and later Indira Gandhi (Nehru’s daughter) government decided to create a full-fledged intelligence agency based on the blueprint submitted by Rameshwar Nath Kao, then a deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau. Kao was subsequently also appointed as the first chief of RAW.
RN Kao was born in Varanasi on 10 May 1918 to a Kashmiri Brahmin family who migrated from Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir. He was brought up by his uncle Pandit Trilokinath Kao. From 1989, Kao dedicated his time largely to the task of restoring the dignity and honour of the Kashmiri Pandits.
Moto: Controversial?
The Motto of RAW is Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah a Sanskrit phrase from Manusmriti which means “Dharma protect those who protect it”. Does it mean that the purpose of RAW is to protect the Dharma (birth based occupational duties determined by the Caste or Varna System) as envisioned in Manusmriti and other Brahmanical scriptures like Bhagavad Gita.
For the unversed, Manusmriti is a controversial Brahmanical book symbolically burnt by BR Ambedkar, the architect of India’s constitution to liberate vast majority of Bahujan classes (OBCs, SCs & STs) from Brahmanical oppressions.
With respect to this Dharma, Bhagavad Gita in chapter 3 verse 35 says that one should rather die discharging their prescribed Dharma (caste determined duties) faultly, than discharging other’s prescribed duties perfectly as it has extremely dangerous consequences.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: || 3:35||
It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though tinged with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. In fact, it is preferable to die in the discharge of one’s duty, than to discharge other’s prescribed duties as it has extremely dangerous consequences. 3:35
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् || 18:47||
It is better to do one’s own prescribed occupational duties, even though imperfectly, than to do another’s prescribed occupational duties, even though perfectly. By doing one’s innate duties, a person does not incur sin. 18:47
There are certain other elite Brahminical ideas that makes it extremely dangerous for human fraternity and equality. These include philosophies like-
- Aham Brahmasmi (I am God): Through this elite and Brahmanical classes justify all they do thinking themselves to be God leading to a system devoid of any remorse, responsibility and accountability. Perhaps, this is the reason they never apologised for the caste atrocities.
- Sam Daam Dand Bhed (Lets prevail over others by any hook or crook): Interestingly, mighty empires and dynasts based on this philosophy still crumbled as Holy Quran says “They plan and plot and God also plans and the God is the best amongst planners”.
- Advaita Vedanta (Creator and Creation are one and same): This legalizes idol worship, ritualism, etc as a wholesale religious cooperative with Brahmins at the helm; also prevents unity and liberation of masses engulfed in endless religious jargon and superstitions.
All of the above is well reflected in working styles of RAW which since its inception embraced unconventional methods, often relying on deception, misinformation, targeted killings & assassinations and audacious covert operations to achieve its objectives.
According to noted constitutional law scholar Rajeev Bhargava “It [Brahmanism] is a sociopolitical ideology that encodes a memory of an ideal past and a vision of society in the future, one in which Brahmins occupy the highest place not only as exclusive guardians of a higher, spiritual realm but also as sole providers of wisdom on virtually every practical issue of this world. They possess superior knowledge of what a well-ordered society is and how a good state must be run. More importantly, their superior position in society and their superior knowledge stems from birth. This makes them naturally, intrinsically superior to all other humans, so superior that they form a separate species ( jati ) altogether. Nothing can challenge or alter this fact. No one becomes a Brahmin, but is born so. This sociopolitical ideology makes hierarchy necessary, rigid and irreversible. Brahmanism then is the most perfect form of conservatism, a status-quoist ideology par excellence, entirely suitable to elites who wish to perpetuate their social status, power and privilege. Paradoxically, this is the also the reason why it spread everywhere in India and beyond and why it endures: regardless of your religio-philosphical world view, if you are a privileged elite, you would find this ideology irresistible.”
وَمَكَرُوْا وَمَكَرَ اللّٰهُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَیْرُ الْمٰكِرِیْنَ
And they plan. God also has planned and God is the best of planners.
Holy Quran 3:54
Multifaceted Mandate: Safeguarding India’s Interests
RAW’s primary functions encompass a vast spectrum. Gathering foreign intelligence on matters concerning national security, thwarting and infiltrating terrorist networks, and safeguarding India’s strategic interests abroad are at the core of its mandate.
The agency’s tentacles reach far and wide, from monitoring foreign governments and militant groups to conducting covert operations to disrupt potential threats before they materialize.
R&AW maintains active liaison with other agencies and services in various countries. Those agencies include SVR of Russia, Afghanistan’s NDS, Israel’s Mossad, Germany’s BND, the CIA and MI6 have been well-known, a common interest being Pakistan’s nuclear programme
A Legacy of Triumph: RAW’s Pivotal Moments
Disintegration of Pakistan
One of RAW’s most celebrated successes lies in its crucial role during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
Through covert operations and tactical support to Mukti Bahini rebels, RAW played a pivotal role in dismantling Pakistan’s Eastern wing and paving the way for Bangladesh’s independence. This operation cemented RAW’s reputation as a formidable force in the world of international espionage.
Ravindra Kaushik
R&AW’s most successful spy Ravindra Kaushik spied in Pakistan in the 1970s. Ravindra Kaushik was born in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan on 11 April 1952 in Brahmin family. His father, JM Kaushik, was an Indian Air Force officer.
Kaushik was trained in Delhi for two years to be an undercover Operative in Pakistan. He was also trained to live life as a Muslim and was taught the Urdu language.
Kaushik converted to Islam, underwent circumcision and was given the cover name “Nabi Ahmed Shakir”.
After successfully getting admission in Karachi University, he completed his LL.B. After his graduation, joined Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer and was eventually promoted to the rank of major. He married a local girl named Amaanat and fathered a boy, who died in 2012–2013.
From 1979 to 1983, Kaushik worked as a Pakistani army officer, sending valuable information to India’s R&AW. He was given the title of ‘Black Tiger’ by the Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi.
However, in September 1983, Kaushik was caught & captured by ISI and tortured for two years at an interrogation center in Sialkot. He was sentenced to death in 1985; his sentence was later commuted to a life term by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
He managed to secretly send letters to his family in India, which revealed his poor health and the trauma he faced in Pakistani jails. In one of his letters, he wrote:
Kya Bharat jaise bade desh ke liye kurbani dene waalon ko yahi milta hai?” (Is this what people who sacrifice their lives for a big country like India get?)
In November 2001, he died of pulmonary tuberculosis and heart disease in Central Jail Mianwali in Pakistan. According to Ravindra’s family, the Indian government had refused to recognise him and had made no effort to help him.
Afghanistan
During the Soviet War in Afghanistan, R&AW had recruited three powerful warlords, including Ahmad Shah Massoud.
In 1996, R&AW had built a 25-bed military hospital at the Farkhor Air Base. This airbase was used by the Aviation Research Centre, the reconnaissance arm of R&AW, to repair and operate the Northern Alliance’s aerial support. This relationship was further cemented in the 2001 Afghan war.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, R&AW provided the intelligence to western countries that there were over 120 training camps operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, run by a variety of militant groups.
Canada
On 15 June 2023, Avtar Singh Khanda, the UK-based chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) was suddenly admitted to the hospital with a case of blood cancer, and later died. His followers in the UK believe that Indian intelligence had him poisoned and are demanding the full medical report.
On 19 June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani leader and alleged chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force was shot to death outside the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
This was heavily seen as an R&AW assassination operation by not only followers of Nijjar, but also from Canadian officials.
On 18 September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally accused the Indian government of the killing and acknowledged the expulsion of a prominent Indian diplomat responsible for R&AW activities in the country.
Controlling Kashmir Insurgency
Operation Chanakya also marked the creation of pro-Indian groups in Kashmir like the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen, Muslim Mujahideen etc.
These counter-insurgencies consist of ex-militants and relatives of those slain in the conflict. Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen leader Kokka Parrey was himself assassinated by separatists.
Nepal
In 1998, Mirza Dilshad Beg, a Nepalese parliamentarian and an ISI informant was assassinated by R&AW.
Assassination of Raju Pargai & Amit Arya was shot in 2011, who was running Mirza Dilshad Beg entire network in Uttarakhand.
Sri Lanka
In 2015, it was allegedly reported by the Sri Lankan newspaper The Sunday Times, that R&AW had played a role in uniting the opposition, to bring about the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa. There had been growing concern in the Indian government, on the increasing influence of economic and military rival China in Sri Lankan affairs.
Challenges and Controversy of Shadows
From its inception R&AW has been criticised for being an agency not answerable to the people of India (R&AW reports to Prime Minister only). Fears arose that it could turn into the KGB of India.
The main controversy which has plagued R&AW in recent years is over bureaucratisation of the system with allegations about favouritism in promotions, corruption, ego clashes, no financial accountability, inter-departmental rivalry, etc.
Noted security analyst and former Additional Secretary B. Raman has criticised the agency for its asymmetric growth; “while being strong in its capability for covert action it is weak in its capability for intelligence collection, analysis and assessment. Strong in low and medium-grade intelligence, weak in high-grade intelligence. Strong in technical intelligence, weak in human intelligence. Strong in collation, weak in analysis. Strong in investigation, weak in prevention. Strong in crisis management, weak in crisis prevention.“
Over the years, RAW has faced numerous challenges, navigating the treacherous terrain of Cold War politics, tackling the rise of global terrorism, and countering internal threats. From the hijacking of IC-814 in 1999 to the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008, RAW has been at the forefront of India’s response to these crises, often operating under immense pressure and public scrutiny.
Despite its successes, RAW remains shrouded in an aura of mystery. Its operations are rarely acknowledged, and its agents operate under assumed identities, their sacrifices often unsung.
The veil of secrecy surrounding the agency is both necessary and controversial. While it allows RAW to operate with impunity and effectiveness, it also fuels speculation and accusations of human rights violations and illegal activities.
However, one aspect of RAW’s operations remains undeniable: its unwavering commitment to India’s national security.
From its role in securing India’s nuclear program to its covert operations against terrorist networks, RAW has played a crucial role in shaping India’s position on the global stage.
Future Imperatives: Adapting to a Changing World
Looking ahead, RAW faces new challenges in the form of cyber warfare, rising regional tensions, and the ever-evolving landscape of global terrorism.
The agency must adapt its methods, embrace technological advancements, and continue to recruit and train the best minds in the country to safeguard India’s future.
Conclusion: Silent Guardian Stands Watch
The Research and Analysis Wing stands as a testament to India’s resolve and strategic prowess.
As the world grapples with an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, RAW’s role as India’s silent guardian becomes even more vital.
While its operations may remain shrouded in secrecy, its impact on India’s national security is undeniable.
The veiled eye of RAW continues to watch, ensuring that India stands tall amidst the shadows of the international stage.