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{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
[[File:Rejaul Karim Laskar.jpg|right|thumb|Rejaul Karim Laskar]]

'''Rejaul Karim Laskar''' is an Indian politician from the state of [[Assam]] belonging to the [[Indian National Congress]]. He is a Congress ideologue and has written extensively on the policies of the [[United Progressive Alliance]] governments. He is also a prominent author and scholar of India's foreign policy and diplomacy.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 November 2016|title=Cong preparing strategy to woo NE minorities|agency=The Shillong Times|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2016/11/03/cong-preparing-strategy-to-woo-ne-minorities/|accessdate=28 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=11 May 2018|title=Rare honour for Assam scholar|publisher=Assam Times|url=https://www.assamtimes.org/node/21436}}</ref>

He served in the capacity of Observer (Minority Department) to the [[All India Congress Committee]] in [[Meghalaya]], [[Nagaland]] and [[Mizoram]].<ref>{{cite news|title=AICC Appoints Minority Observer for 3 Poll Bound States|url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/aicc-appoints-minority-observer-for-3-poll-bound-states/|accessdate=13 July 2017|agency=Northeast Today|date=15 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Northeast Briefs|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170518/jsp/northeast/story_152186.jsp|accessdate=16 July 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph, India|date=18 May 2017}}</ref> He is also former Spokesperson of [[Assam Pradesh Congress Committee]] and former Secretary of [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]] Vichar Vibhag (the Intellectual Department of the [[All India Congress Committee]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=AICC Appoints Minority Observer for 3 Poll Bound States|url=https://www.tiprasatimes.com/aicc-appoints-minority-observer-for-3-poll-bound-states.html|website=Tiprasa Times|accessdate=2 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Laskar sends 'letter of clarification' to RSS idealogue Sinha |url=https://www.thehillstimes.in/regional/laskar-sends-letter-of-clarification-to-rss-idealogue-sinha/ |publisher=The Hills Times |date=18 July 2018}}</ref>

==Activities as a Congress Ideologue==

As an ideologue of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]], Laskar has written extensively to popularize the [[foreign policy]] of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]] led [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government. He asserts that "the ultimate objective" of the [[foreign policy]] of the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government has been "to shape [[India]]’s external environment" in a way that enhances [[India]]’s [[National security|security]] and brings about its "rapid, sustainable and inclusive" [[economic growth]]. He claims that by means of an "enlightened" [[foreign policy]], carried out through "dynamic and effective" [[diplomacy]], the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government has “successfully promoted” [[India]]’s [[National interest|interests]] on a “broad range of issues, including trade, development, economic recovery, climate change, energy security and counter terrorism”.<ref name="auto26">{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul|date=December 2013|title=Promoting National Interest through Diplomacy|journal=Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist|volume=1|issue=9|page=59}}</ref>

Laskar argues that the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] government has successfully removed the "imbalance" which was allegedly brought in by the previous [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] government in [[India]]’s [[foreign policy]].<ref name="auto8">{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|date=July 2005|title=Strides in Look East Policy|journal=Congress Sandesh|volume=7|issue=11|page=19}}</ref> He observes that while the [[foreign policy]] of the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] government has been "firmly committed" to [[India]]’s "core national values", the government has, at the same time, pursued a strategy of "dynamic adaptation" to changes in [[India]]'s external environment.<ref name="auto26"/>

Laskar is a strong supporter of the [[India-United States Civil Nuclear Agreement|Indo-US nuclear agreement]] concluded by the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government led by [[Dr. Manmohan Singh]] and the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|G. W. Bush administration]] and claims that the agreement is the first step for [[India]] to become a part of the management of the global nuclear order in particular and that of the new world order in general.<ref name="auto18">{{cite news|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|date=20 November 2006|title=Significance of Indo-US nuclear deal|newspaper=The Assam Tribune}}</ref> He terms this agreement as a "diplomatic masterstroke" of the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government, which has put [[India]] on the "path of becoming a privileged member" of the global nuclear order from that of being a "victim of discrimination" by the same regime.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|title=Indo-US Nuclear Deal: Propaganda and Reality|journal=Congress Darpan|date=January 2007|volume=1|issue=4|page=12}}</ref> In fact, he claims that "nuclear diplomacy" of the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] government has been the "most brilliant component" of [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] government's [[diplomacy]]. He argues that [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government's "nuclear diplomacy" has ensured that [[India]] gets international recognition as a "responsible state with advanced nuclear technology" in addition to bringing to an end the "three decades of technology denial to India".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul|title=Promoting National Interest through Diplomacy|journal=Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist|date=December 2013|volume=1|issue=9|page=60}}</ref>

Laskar also claims that the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] government has made "great strides" in [[Look East policy (India)|India's Look East policy]] and at the same time ensured that this policy "contributes substantially" to India's [[national interest]]-both economic and [[National security|security]].<ref name="auto8"/>

As regards neighborhood policy, Laskar argues that the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government's [[diplomacy]] strived for a "stable, prosperous, democratic and peaceful neighborhood" by means of "sustained political engagement, economic partnership, enhanced connectivity, developmental assistance and people-to-people contacts".<ref name="auto26"/>

On [[economic diplomacy]] of the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government, Laskar argues that the factors which helped India to be largely unharmed by the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]] include not only the good management of the domestic economy by the government but also the success of the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] government's [[diplomacy]] in "maintaining an external environment" conducive to [[India]]’s "sustained economic growth”.<ref name="auto26"/>

Laskar has also written on foreign policies of previous [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] governments of [[India]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|title=India's Foreign Policy: An Introduction|date=2013|publisher=Paragon International Publishers|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-93-83154-06-7|pages=50–55, 78–94, 101–115, 133–139, 166–178}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul|title=Rajiv Gandhi's Diplomacy: Historic Significance and Contemporary Relevance|journal=Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist|date=September 2014|volume=2|issue=9|pages=46–47|url=http://www.diplomatist.com/dipom09y2014/article015.html|accessdate=7 March 2018}}</ref> On the [[foreign policy]] of [[India]]’s first Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], Laskar argues that the adoption of the policy of [[Non-Aligned Movement|Non-alignment]] and its "deft implementation" by [[Jawaharlal Nehru|Nehru]] has "secured" for [[India]] "a leadership role in world affairs" although [[India]] was neither major economic power nor a major military power at that time.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|title=India's Foreign Policy: An Introduction|date=2013|publisher=Paragon International Publishers|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-93-83154-06-7|page=81}}</ref> On Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]]’s [[foreign policy]], Laskar maintains that former’s neighbourhood policy was based on the belief that "the pre-eminent position" of [[India]] in [[South Asia]] gives it "unique and special responsibilities" for the maintenance of peace and stability in the [[South Asia|region]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul|title=Rajiv Gandhi's Diplomacy: Historic Significance and Contemporary Relevance|journal=Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist|date=September 2014|volume=2|issue=9|page=46|url=http://www.diplomatist.com/dipom09y2014/article015.html|accessdate=7 March 2018}}</ref>

He is also a critique of the foreign policy of the [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|AB Vajpayee]] led [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] Government that ruled [[India]] from 1998 to 2004.<ref name="auto21">{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|date=June 2004|title=Respite from disgraceful NDA foreign policy|journal=Congress Sandesh|volume=6|issue=10|page=8}}</ref><ref name="auto20">{{cite news|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|date=14 August 2004|title=Respite from a flawed foreign policy|agency=National Herald}}</ref> Apart from foreign policy, he has also written on other policy initiatives of the [[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]] Government such as the [[MGNREGA]], [[Direct Benefit Transfer]] as well as its other economic and social policies.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Laskar|first1=R. K.|title=MGNREGA: Safety net for the rural poor|url=http://old.thefinancialworld.com/epaper/fwepaper_new.aspx|accessdate=6 February 2018|agency=The Financial World|date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Laskar|first1=R. K.|title=To reap India's Demographic Dividend|url=http://old.thefinancialworld.com/epaper/fwepaper_new.aspx|accessdate=6 February 2018|agency=The Financial World|date=6 Feb 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Laskar|first1=R. K.|title=This is a pro-growth budget|url=http://old.thefinancialworld.com/epaper/fwepaper_new.aspx|accessdate=6 February 2018|agency=The Financial World|date=5 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Laskar|first1=R. K.|title=Direct cash transfer: A game changer move|url=http://old.thefinancialworld.com/epaper/fwepaper_new.aspx|accessdate=6 February 2018|agency=The Financial World|date=2 April 2013}}</ref> He is also a critique of the economic policies of the [[Narendra Modi]] led [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] Government.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=Rejaul Karim|title=Bahut Hui Mehangai Ki Maar- Ab Kuch Karo Modi Sarkaar|journal=Congress Sandesh|date=July 2014|volume=16|issue=11|pages=18–19|url=https://cdn.inc.in/pdf_archives/archives/000/000/015/original/2014-July-EP.pdf?1506072482|accessdate=6 February 2018}}</ref> He is a staunch supporter of [[Rahul Gandhi]], who he says, is "giving voice to the youth in decision-making".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Laskar|first1=R. K.|title=Rahul Gandhi-The Face of Emerging Youthful India|journal=Supreme Saviour|date=March 2013|volume=68|issue=3|page=8}}</ref>

==Recent Developments==

In October 2016, Laskar was entrusted by the Minority Department of [[All India Congress Committee]] to develop a strategy for attracting religious minorities (Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, etc.) belonging to the [[Northeast India|North East region of India]] towards the [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Congress seeks support of diverse communities|url=http://www.meghalayatimes.info/index.php/front-page/36392-congress-seeks-support-of-diverse-communities|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=Meghalaya Times|date=3 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cong to woo NE minorities|url=http://www.ohmeghalaya.com/cong-to-woo-religious-minorities/|accessdate=16 July 2017|agency=Oh! Meghalaya|date=2 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC minority department reaches out to Christians in NE|url=http://nagalandpost.com/Showstory.aspx?npoststoryiden=TkVXUzEwMDEwNjkyNQ%3D%3D-baKI23bNsXM%3D|accessdate=16 July 2017|agency=Nagaland Post|date=13 December 2016}}</ref> In April 2017, he submitted [[Laskar Committee Report|his 148-page report]] containing detailed recommendations to the [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Laskar Committee for greater representation of Christians|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/laskar-committee-for-greater-representation-of-christians/|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=Eastern Mirror|date=27 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bid to bring NE minorities under party fold|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/04/28/bid-to-bring-ne-minorities-under-party-fold/|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=The Shillong times|date=28 April 2017}}</ref>

In May 2017, Laskar was appointed as [[All India Congress Committee]] (AICC) Minority Department's Observer for [[Meghalaya]], [[Nagaland]] and [[Mizoram]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mitra|first1=Naresh|title=Cong appoints minority observer|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/cong-appoints-minority-observer/articleshow/58691479.cms|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=Times of India|date=16 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC Appoints Minority Observer for 3 Poll Bound States|url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/aicc-appoints-minority-observer-for-3-poll-bound-states/|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=North East Today|date=15 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC appoints Minority Observer for Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram|url=http://morungexpress.com/aicc-appoints-minority-observer-nagaland-meghalaya-mizoram/|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=Morung Express|date=14 May 2017}}</ref> On 15 October 2017, Laskar submitted his "interim report" to the [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]].<ref name="auto11">{{cite news|title=AICC Minority Observer for Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram submits his interim report to AICC|url=https://www.riluk.com/aicc-minority-observer-for-meghalaya-nagaland-and-mizoram-submits-his-interim-report-to-aicc/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=Riluk|date=15 October 2017}}</ref> He will submit his final report to the [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]] in January 2018 for [[Meghalaya]] and [[Nagaland]] and in October 2018 for [[Mizoram]].<ref name="auto11"/>

Earlier in February 2017, Laskar was appointed as the Observer of [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]] Minority Department for [[Manipur]] Legislative Assembly elections to coordinate the election campaign in the 60 Assembly constituencies of the Indian state of Manipur.<ref>{{cite news|title=Minority dept of AICC appoints|url=http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/minority-dept-of-aicc-appoints/|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=Sangai Express|date=7 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC minority wing appoints observer for Manipur elections|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/aicc-minority-wing-appoints-observer-for-manipur-elections/|accessdate=16 July 2017|agency=Eastern Mirror|date=6 February 2017}}</ref> On 9 April 2017, he submitted his report on the [[2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly election|Manipur elections]] to the [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=AICC Minority Dept's Observer for manipur submits report|url=http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/aicc-minority-depts-observer-manipur-submits-report/|accessdate=2 July 2017|agency=Sangai Express|date=10 April 2017}}</ref>

Recently, Laskar has been very vocal about alleged harassment of religious minorities, especially [[Christians in India|Christians]], in India <ref>{{cite news|title=AICC leader decries alleged harassment to Religious minorities in BJP ruled states|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/aicc-leader-decries-alleged-harassment-to-religious-minorities-in-bjp-ruled-states/|accessdate=13 July 2017|agency=The Northeast Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC leader decries alleged harassment to Religious minorities in BJP ruled states|url=https://assambulletin.com/north-east-india/aicc-leader-decries-alleged-harassment-to-religious-minorities-in-bjp-ruled-states-496535|accessdate=13 July 2017|agency=Assam Bulletin|date=16 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Harassment To Religious Minorities In BJP Ruled States Decried|url=https://www.riluk.com/harassment-to-religious-minorities-in-bjp-ruled-states-decried/|accessdate=16 July 2017|agency=Riluk|date=16 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=MNF cannot hunt with the hound and run with the hare: Laskar|url=https://www.zoramobserver.com/mizoram/mnf-cannot-hunt-with-the-hound-and-run-with-the-hare-laskar/|accessdate=29 August 2017|agency=Zoram Observer|date=25 August 2017}}</ref> and alleged attacks on Churches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Laskar condemns attack on church|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/channelnews/Regional/RegionalNews.aspx?news=TkVXUzEwMDExNjcxMw%3D%3D|accessdate=29 August 2017|agency=Nagaland Post|date=24 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Attack on Assam church condemned|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/06/25/attack-on-assam-church-condemned/|agency=The Shillong Times|date=25 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Attack on Assam church condemned|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/attack-on-assam-church-condemned/|accessdate=13 July 2017|agency=Eastern Mirror|date=24 June 2017}}</ref> He has also been vocal about what he terms as "discrimination meted out by the [[Narendra Modi|Modi]] Government against the minorities".<ref>{{cite news|title=AICC vigil on NDA anti-minority policies|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/07/15/aicc-vigil-on-nda-anti-minority-policies/|accessdate=16 July 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=15 July 2017}}</ref> He has also criticized the Presidential candidate of [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] [[Ram Nath Kovind]] over his alleged remark terming [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]] as alien.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kovind asked to clarify his remark|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/kovind-asked-to-clarify-his-remark/|accessdate=13 July 2017|agency=Eastern Mirror|date=6 July 2017}}</ref> He is a critic of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, which, he claims, can change the demography of sparsely populated states of [[Northeast India]] such as [[Meghalaya]], [[Nagaland]] and [[Mizoram]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Citizenship Bill 2016 may alter demography of NE states: Laskar|url=https://www.nagalandpost.com/ChannelNews/Regional/RegionalNews.aspx?news=TkVXUzEwMDExOTk1Mg%3D%3D|accessdate=29 August 2017|agency=Nagaland Post|date=26 August 2017}}</ref> He claims that the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] is "dreaming" about coming to power in [[Meghalaya]] with the support of [[National People's Party (India)|NPP]].<ref name="auto4">{{cite news|title=BJP-NPP alliance will not work in Meghalaya: Congress|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/10/31/bjp-npp-alliance-will-not-work-in-meghalaya-congress/|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=31 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|title=BJP support to NPP won't work in state: Laskar|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/11/01/bjp-support-to-npp-wont-work-in-state-laskar/|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=1 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto25">{{cite news|title=Meghalaya Polls: No Takers Of BJP Ideologies In The State, Says Congress|url=https://www.northeastindia.com/meghalaya-polls-no-takers-of-bjp-ideologies-in-the-state-says-congress/|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=NorthEastIndia.com|date=1 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto6">{{cite web|title=BJP dreaming about coming to power in Meghalaya with NPP support: Rejaul Karim Laskar|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R1rAFGiEb8|website=YouTube|accessdate=20 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto29">{{cite news|title=No takers for BJP in Meghalaya: Congress|url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/story/news/8/no-takers-for-bjp-in-meghalaya-congress/2017-11-01/1/324635#.WhJ4crZx21s|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=The Sentinel|date=1 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news|title=BJP-NPP alliance will not work in Meghalaya: Congress|url=http://www.netvisionnews.in/bjp-npp-alliance-will-not-work-in-meghalaya-congress/|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=Net Vision}}</ref> However, he claims that [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]-[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]] alliance will not succeed in [[Meghalaya]].<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto25"/><ref name="auto6"/><ref name="auto29"/><ref name="auto2"/> He even claims that the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]'s increased profile in [[Meghalaya]] will actually indirectly benefit the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cong confident of another term: How and why?|url=http://www.shillong.com/node/5280|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=Shillong.com|date=17 November 2017}}</ref> Laskar is known for his good relations with the [[List of Christian denominations in Northeast India|Church leaders of North East India]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Congress, BJP meet Christian leaders in poll-bound Meghalaya|agency=The Times of India|date=17 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC minority department reaches out to Christians in NE|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/channelnews/State/StateNews.aspx?news=TkVXUzEwMDEwNjkyNQ%3D%3D|accessdate=13 August 2017|agency=Nagaland Post|date=13 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC minority observer lauds church role|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/09/13/aicc-minority-observer-lauds-church-role/|accessdate=13 September 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=13 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC Minority Observer meets Nagaland Baptist Council leader Rev. Keyho|url=https://www.riluk.com/aicc-minority-observer-meets-nagaland-baptist-council-leader-rev-keyho/|accessdate=13 August 2017|agency=Riluk|date=11 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC minority observer visits Kohima|url=http://nagalandpost.com/Showstory.aspx?npoststoryiden=TkVXUzEwMDExOTIwMg%3D%3D-M8znX4y%2FpWA%3D|accessdate=13 August 2017|agency=Nagaland Post|date=12 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC Observer meets NBCC leader|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/aicc-observer-meets-nbcc-leader/|accessdate=13 August 2017|agency=Eastern Mirror|date=12 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC observer meets Presbyterian Church leader|agency=Highland Post, Shillong|date=15 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto9">{{cite news|title=AICC lauds church for NE's unity in diversity|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/11/18/aicc-lauds-church-for-nes-unity-in-diversity/|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=18 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC Minority Observer meets Rev. Lalramliana Pachuau|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/aicc-minority-observer-meets-rev-lalramliana-pachuau/|accessdate=29 August 2017|agency=Eastern Mirror|date=24 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Inc|first1=Vas|title=Cong minority leader meets Church leader in Mizoram|url=http://www.thehillstimes.in/cong-minority-leader-meets-church-leader-in-mizoram/|accessdate=29 August 2017|agency=The Hills Times|date=24 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC observer calls on church body leader|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=aug3017/city057|accessdate=30 August 2017|newspaper=The Assam Tribune|date=30 August 2017}}</ref> Recently, Laskar has been working in close cooperation with [[Meghalaya]] Chief Minister [[Mukul Sangma]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Laskar meets Mukul|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/11/03/laskar-meets-mukul/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=3 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Laskar, Sangma talk poll readiness|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/07/09/laskar-sangma-talk-poll-readiness/|accessdate=13 July 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=9 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Laskar, Sangma talk poll readiness|url=http://www.netvisionnews.in/laskar-sangma-talk-poll-readiness/|accessdate=16 July 2017|agency=Net Vision|date=9 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Big role for Cong minority unit before polls|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/08/06/news-from-across-meghalaya-86/|accessdate=6 August 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AICC leader meets CM|url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/story/news/8/aicc-leader-meets-cm/2017-11-15/1/326084#.WhKDwrZx21s|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=The Sentinel|date=15 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto9"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Sangma, Laskar discuss poll campaign|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/11/15/sangma-laskar-discuss-poll-campaign/|accessdate=20 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=15 November 2017}}</ref>

'''Laskar-Lotha "Debate"'''

In response to the allegations of corruption against him by the National Secretary of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] Scheduled Tribe Morcha Hayithung Bill Lotha, [[Meghalaya]] Chief Minister [[Mukul Sangma]] threatened to take legal action against Lotha.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mukul legal action threat to BJP leader Lotha|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/10/27/mukul-legal-action-threat-to-bjp-leader-lotha/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=27 October 2017}}</ref> In response, Lotha dared [[Mukul Sangma]] for a five hour long "open debate".<ref>{{cite news|title=Ready for open debate with Mukul Sangma: Lotha|url=http://www.dailynews360.com/story/news/ready-for-open-debate-with-mukul-sangma-lotha-10903.html|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=Daily News 360|date=29 October 2017}}</ref> Immediately, Laskar came to the defence of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma asking Lotha to debate with him for ten hours on the policies of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] and the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] on tribals and minorities instead of the Chief Minister [[Mukul Sangma]].<ref name="auto15">{{cite news|title=Laskar challenges BJP for open debate|url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/story/news/8/laskar-challenges-bjp-for-open-debate/2017-10-29/1/324337#.Wf8EDrZx21s|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=Sentinel|date=29 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite news|title=Lotha faces 10-hr debate challenge|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/10/29/lotha-faces-10-hr-debate-challenge/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=29 October 2017}}</ref> Laskar argued that the Chief Ministe [[Mukul Sangma]] should not be distracted from his "work of development of the state".<ref name="auto15"/><ref name="auto3"/> In response, Lotha said that he is ready for a two day long debate with Laskar on the condition that the Chief Minister [[Mukul Sangma]] also joins the debate on the third day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lotha ready to take on AICC for 48 hrs, wants third day with CM|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/10/30/lotha-ready-to-take-on-aicc-for-48-hrs-wants-third-day-with-cm/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=30 October 2017}}</ref> Laskar accepted Lotha's challenge of 48 hour long debate on the policies of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] and the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] on tribals and minorities but rejected the condition that the Chief Minister [[Mukul Sangma]] joins the debate arguing that [[Mukul Sangma]] is a "Man of Action".<ref>{{cite news|title=Clash of the political titans; Congress accepts BJP's debate challenge|url=http://meghalayatimes.info/index.php/front-page/40268-clash-of-the-political-titans-congress-accepts-bjp-s-debate-challenge|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=Meghalaya Times|date=31 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Meghalaya to witness 'intense war of words' as Congress accepts BJP's debate challenge|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/meghalaya-to-witness-intense-war-of-words-as-congress-accepts-bjps-debate-challenge/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=The Northeast Today|date=31 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Meghalaya to Witness 'intense war of words' as Congress accepts BJP's Debate Challenge|url=http://www.meghalayanews.com/2017/10/31/meghalaya-witness-intense-war-words-congress-accepts-bjps-debate-challenge/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=Meghalaya News|date=31 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Laskar says no to CM presence at 2-day debate|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/10/31/laskar-says-no-to-cm-presence-at-2-day-debate/|accessdate=5 November 2017|agency=The Shillong Times|date=31 October 2017}}</ref>

== See also ==
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* [[Laskar Committee Report]]
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==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Assam]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:Indian political writers]]
[[Category:Foreign policy writers]]
[[Category:Indian foreign policy writers]]
[[Category:Scholars of Indian foreign policy]]
[[Category:Scholars of diplomacy]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Rejaul Karim Laskar - Revision history

->Follow your instinct at 09:16, 29 September 2021