“She was forced into a car violently by a male officer of the Rajasthan Police, who was not in uniform. Her mobile phone was taken away… Her statement was nor recorded… She states that one hour before she and the police party reached Dholpur, Rajasthan, they stopped for dinner at a roadside restaurant and the police party also consumed liquor,” are not words extracted from a script of the latest cop drama web series. This is what the Delhi High court observed in the case of 26-year-old Sheena Choudhary, who was forcibly detained from Delhi by the Dholpur district police on November 24, 2020. The police were allegedly acting at the behest of Choudhary’s parents who were trying to marry her off against her wishes.
Act Now for Harmony And Democracy (ANHAD) founder Shabnam Hashmi, who was in contact with Choudhary since November 20, had said the police as well as the woman’s uncle manhandled and treated her like an accused. “Choudhary was with eight young girls and boys from ANHAD at an eatery near the office. As they stepped out, Rajasthan policemen pounced at her. I was told they have taken her to Jamia Nagar police station. When I reached, she wasn’t there. I met the SHO who told the Rajasthan police that they have to first bring her to the police station, but they did not listen,” said Hashmi.
Sheena Choudhary, was working in Dholpur as a Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow placed by the IIM Bangalore as part of the National Skill Mission. A graduate of Miranda House College and Delhi School of Social Work, Choudhary had no plans of marriage and wanted to pursue higher studies and a career.
She told the Court that her phone was not returned to her despite her repeated demands and that even the Delhi Police did not record her statement. The court observed that “All these allegations, if true, raise very serious issues with regard to the working of the police force and certainly call for investigation and appropriate action.”
The Delhi High Court on Thursday called the Rajasthan Police’s action of forcibly taking away a 26-year-old woman as “completely unjustified”. According to news reports a bench of justices Vipin Sanghi and Rajnish Bhatnagar said, “It was not open for the male force to forcibly push Sheena into a car. We have already noticed that she was not an accused and was stated to be a victim of the offence in the FIR registered by father and uncle of Sheena.”
Sheena was brought back to Delhi and produced before the court via video conferencing, and narrated how she left her home after her family pressured her to get married, and how the Rajasthan Police forcibly took her to Dhaulpur to record her statement before a magistrate. The court was hearing a petition filed by the woman, through her pairokar (friend), seeking her own production and safety, stated news reports.
She told the court that her “mobile phone was snatched by the officials” and while on their way to Dhaulpur, they stopped the vehicle for dinner at a roadside restaurant where the “police officials consumed liquor.” The bench took cognisance of the allegations saying it raises “serious issues with regard to working of the police force and call for an investigation” and directed the “ State of Rajasthan to look into the aforesaid aspects and an inquiry be made and take appropriate action accordingly.”
The bench was also critical of the fact that the woman was driven all the way to Rajasthan for recording of her statement before a magistrate which could have been done before a court in Delhi, “we find that the action taken by the Rajasthan Police to forcibly take away the woman to Rajasthan with them despite her saying that she was at the office of ANHAD (NGO) was completely unjustified.” The court added that incident has left both the woman and her family members in a state of shock.
The woman had told the court that she was taken away from Delhi by the Rajasthan Police on Tuesday while she was having lunch in Jamia Nagar with her friends. On seeing the police party, she started running and screaming for help, however, she was forcibly caught by the officials and pushed into their vehicle. Her father reportedly filed a police complaint in Dholpur, Rajasthan, which is also her place of work for the alleged offences of “kidnapping, abduction to compel for marriage and wrongful confinement.” It was in pursuance of that FIR, that Rajasthan Police came to Delhi and picked her up.
Meanwhile, the woman’s father Satinder Kumar told the court that their entire family was highly educated and “encouraged their children to go for higher studies”. He said his daughter had “not conveyed to him properly that she wanted to study further and did not want to marry at this stage.” He has assured the court that the family will not pressurise her to get married and urged the bench to make his daughter understand to come home.
However, Sheena said marriage was not in her priority list and that she was under family pressure to get married and was feeling threatened and scared due to which she had to run away. But, she clarified that she does not want any action against her family and was only concerned about her own safety.
The bench after interacting with the woman, and her father and uncle noted, “It appeared to us that the desire expressed by the woman that she does not want to get married to anyone at this stage and this did not register to the minds of parents and relatives who were keen to get her married” adding that “the incident has sent a clear message that the woman does not want to get married at this stage,” the matter is listed for further hearing on December 5.
The court directed the Delhi Police to drop her to the residence of activist Shabnam Hashmi, the pairokar who has filed the petition on her behalf, and told the family not to contact Sheen, who will call them if and when she wishes to. The court asked the Station House Officer (SHO) of Jamia Nagar police station to also counsel Sheena’s father about this order and its compliance.
Sheena had earlier sought legal help from the Delhi State Women’s Commission’s Chairperson Swati Maliwal on November 23, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Parliament police station on November 21 along with National Federation of Indian Women’s General Secretary Annie Raja. She made the requests to officials to ensure her safety via:
1. A restraining order to prevent family from forcibly accosting her or contacting her
2. A protection order to prevent physical harm
3. A direction to local police to inform Choudhary parents not to contact her while she stayed in a place of her own choosing.
4. A transfer to Jaipur along with security so that the woman will feel more secure.
“My family is denying my right to make my own decisions with regard to my future. They want to perform my marriage without my consent and without any say in choice of my future husband. I have known my family to be conservative in such matters. They agree with some very regressive views and attitudes that people in the community have about women,” Choudhary had said, adding instances of physical violence against girls for disobeying orders were not uncommon in her family.
In the ongoing matter of Deepika Singh Rajawat v Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir & ors (CRM[M] No. 405 of 2020), the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on November 25, refused to interfere in the investigation pertaining to an FIR registered against Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat for her tweet on Navratri.
Justice Sanjay Dhar directed that the investigation in the FIR may continue but the final report shall not be filed by the investigating agency before the competent court without permission of the High court.
He observed, “At this stage, it may not be appropriate to go into the merits of the rival contentions of the parties and it will also be not proper to interfere in the investigation of the FIR, which is stated to be at its infancy.”
Advocate Rajawat has already been protected by way of an anticipatory bail granted by Principal Sessions Judge, Jammu in October, 2020.
Background
Rajawat challenged FIR No.174/2020 registered against her for offences under Section 295-A (deliberately outraging the religious sentiments of a class) and 505[2] (promoting hatred enmity between groups) of the Indian Penal Code registered at Police Station, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
The FIR was registered based on complaint that Rajawat had tweeted a picture from her official Twitter account showing an image of a woman being revered during the time of Navratri and being sexually assaulted during rest of the year with a caption ‘irony’.
Rajawat had stated that she posted the said tweet “with an objective to raise voice against increasing rape cases in India and condemn people who bring atrocities on Women”. She therefore, sought a stay on investigation during the pendency of the present petition for quashing the FIR.
The Senior Counsel P.N Raina who appeared for her contended that if, “we have a look at the image that was tweeted by the petitioner, it does not, in any manner, hurt the religious feeling of any community, inasmuch as it simply depicts that the women are being revered during Navratri festival, whereas similar treatment is not given to them during rest of the days of the year.”
But the Additional Advocate General (AAG), representing the government, pointed out that after Rajawat put out the controversial tweet, a particular outfit felt agitated and held a demonstration in front of her house and she had to seek police protection.
On October 21, SabrangIndia had reported on how the Hindutva mob assembled outside her residence and raised slogans against her as they were allegedly offended by her online activity.
The J&K High Court has directed the State to file their response/status reports and the next hearing is slated to be heard on February 9, 2021.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) marked its anniversary on November 26 (formally launched on 26 November 2012). As attempts were being made to stop thousands of farmers marching towards Delhi on the same day, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal, took to social media to condemn the violence on the farmers. He called the three farming bills that they are protesting against, “anti-farmer” and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – led central government “instead of withdrawing this bill”, is preventing farmers “from holding peaceful demonstrations”, and assaulting them with water cannons. He called this a “crime” against the farmers, and said to be able to hold a peaceful demonstration is their Constitutional right.
केंद्र सरकार के तीनों खेती बिल किसान विरोधी हैं। ये बिल वापिस लेने की बजाय किसानों को शांतिपूर्ण प्रदर्शन करने से रोका जा रहा है, उन पर वॉटर कैनन चलाई जा रही हैं। किसानों पर ये जुर्म बिलकुल ग़लत है। शांतिपूर्ण प्रदर्शन उनका संवैधानिक अधिकार है।
A day later some of the onus is likely to shift onto the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government itself. The Delhi Police, which takes its directions and orders from Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought official permission from the Delhi government to convert nine stadiums in the city into temporary prisons. This has firmly put the onus on Kejriwal again. Will he allow it, after he gave a pro-farmer statement? A litmus test indeed. In the past the Delhi Government had reportedly given permission to allow stadiums to be used as temporary prisons to hold the activists detained for protesting against CAA-NRC-NPR in December 2019. Hundreds, including senior citizens, were arrested and held at various locations across the city, including stadiums, for hours.
Rumors that BJP has threatened AAP govt that if any law and order problem happens , President Rule will be imposed ….So as to pressurize them for permission for jails .
Today, November 27, there may just be thousands of farmers who will be arrested if they manage to enter the heavily fortified national capital region, and hold even a symbolic protest anywhere in the city. “The Delhi Police is not under the state government,” is the common refrain from the party in power. This is the most repeated reason given whenever a crucial law and order situation arises. This time, however, a theory is afoot that “BJP has threatened the AAP govt that if any law and order problem happens , President Rule will be imposed ….So as to pressurize them for permission for jails.”
Chilling visuals of tear gas being fired at Singhu border of Delhi-Haryana.
Water cannons, tear gas, lathi charge among stringent measures being taken by Haryana government to block #farmersprotest#DilliChalo
#WATCH Delhi: Police use water cannon & tear gas shells to disperse protesting farmers at Tikri border near Delhi-Bahadurgarh highway.
Farmers are seen clashing with security forces, as they tried to head towards Delhi as part of their protest march against Centre’s Farm laws. pic.twitter.com/L67PN4xYKy
This however, should not matter to the Kejriwal-led government, which perhaps may have to create more containment zones, perhaps even a night-curfew, selected market closures if the Covid-19 cases in the city continue to rise. The so-called “threat” of Presidential rule is unlikely to be issued. If the Centre wants it can impose President’s rule in any state, without the state Government’s ‘permission’. No such imposition has been put in place in Haryana, where the police clashed with farmers groups to stop their movement towards Delhi.
On Friday November 27, about 10 tear gas shells were fired at farmers as they approached the barbed barricades set up by the Delhi Police at the Singhu Border. This is the major entry-exit point at Narela in Delhi on one side and Sonepat in Haryana on the other, stated media reports. Tear gas shells had earlier been fired at the Tikri border, in an attempt to top the farmers to stop them from entering the National Capital Region.
However the farmers seem to be determined and prepared to face all obstacles:
किसान दिल्ली जाकर ही दम लेंगे, अहंकार तोड़ेंगे इस सरकार का l किसानों को #MSP की गारंटी का क़ानून चाहिए l#MSP_गारंटी_कानून_बनाओ
While the Delhi government is yet to formally state its stand on the permission sought by Delhi Police to convert nine stadiums into temporary jails, more metro stations have been closed today by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). These include: entry & exit gates of Brigadier Hoshiar Singh, Bahadurgarh City, Pandit Shree Ram Sharma, Tikri Border, Tikri Kalan and Ghevra stations on Green Line. Yesterday, multiple stations were closed in the New Delhi/Central Delhi areas.
For now, senior AAP leaders are using this opportunity to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for the way the farmers are being treated. They have also urged the Delhi Chief Minister to welcome the farmers into NCR and reject the demand of Delhi Police to use stadiums as jails.
वाह मोदी जी क्या देश के अन्नदाता ने आपका पेट भरकर, वोट देकर इसी दिन के लिये देश का प्रधानमंत्री बनाया था कि आप उनके साथ जानवरों सा व्यवहार करें. मैं मुख्यमंत्री जी से आग्रह करूँगा कि दिल्ली पुलिस की जेल बनाने की माँग ठुकरा कर, अन्नदाताओं का स्वागत करें. https://t.co/0xcwsmwPcK
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, at least 105 farmers were detained on Thursday, and the number is expected to rise with more farmer groups reaching Delhi on Friday. The news report quoted an anonymous “senior police officer aware of the development,” saying that the “Looking at the situation at the borders, we think we will require such places to keep the detainees. We are yet to receive a confirmation.”
Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha also urged the Delhi government to deny the permission. “The farmer of our country is neither a criminal nor a terrorist. Right to protest peacefully is enshrined in Indian Constitution – Article 19(1) and protests are the hallmark of a free, democratic society,” he tweeted.
I urge the Delhi Govt to deny permission for setting up temporary prisons. The farmer of our country is neither a criminal nor a terrorist. Right to protest peacefully is enshrined in Indian Constitution – Article 19(1) and protests are the hallmark of a free, democratic society. https://t.co/cqMvEb181r
The Allahabad High Court observed that the Sessions Judge and Magistrates have not performed their duty and noted, “A mass disaster or Pandemic may severely obstruct our life and governing systems in many ways but the doors of the courts of law must remain open for the protection of Article 21 of the Constitution of India.” (Abhishek Srivastava v State of U.P Bail App No. 5384 of 2020) and (Sanjeev Yadav v State of U.P Bail App No. 5756 of 2020).
Criticising the conduct of lower courts, Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi remarked, “Non-performance of duty owing to holidays is firstly a serious dereliction of duty on the part of the Session Judges/magistrates.”
Background
The Court was hearing two bail applications on the ground of default on the part of the prosecution to file the charge sheet within the statutory period as provided under Section 167(2) of Code of Criminal Procedure which violated their right to personal liberty embodied under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
The First Bail application (Bail No. 5384 of 2020) was filed by one Abhishek Srivastava and the second one (Bail No. 5756 of 2020) was filed by one Sanjeev Yadav. Abhishek Srivastava’s first remand order was passed on January 16, 2020, thereafter, the judicial custody continued from time to time and lastly, the remand was extended for a period of fourteen days, that is up to March 25, 2020.
Subsequently, due to Covid imposed lockdown, no remand orders could be passed from March 25 to June 26, 2020.
The period of 90 days (as mandated under section 167[2]) in his application expired on April 14, 2020 and in absence of any remand order since March 25, the applicant (Abhishek Srivastava) continued languishing in jail till the filing of the charge sheet on May 1 and thereafter until the rejection of default bail by the Magistrate on June 26.
Similarly, in the case of Sanjiv Yadav, his right of default bail accrued to him on April 29, 2020 on completion of 90 days. This right was very much alive when the charge sheet was filed in the court on May 5, however, he too was denied default bail.
The Single Bench then opined on Abhishek’s application, “The personal liberty of the accused applicant oscillated without any attention either by the prosecution or the guardian of justice i.e. courts. The duty on the part of the State to set the applicant free by apprising the court was given a complete go by to legitimize the default. Non-performance of the judicial duty also owes its failure to the nationwide lock-down due to Pandemic Covid19.”
So, the issue that the court was faced with was whether such a right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India would stand eclipsed under the lock-down directives issued by the Government or any directives issued by the High Court applicable on holidays contrary to the mandate embodied under Section 167(2) Cr. P.C?
Section 167(2) empowers the Magistrate to detain an accused in jail for a maximum period of 90 days only.
Courts observations and final order
While taking note of the matter before it, the High Court said, “The District Judges were under a bounden duty to assign the remand duty to the courts of magistrate/Session Judge during the lock-down period and irrespective of the fact that the courts were closed, the remand matters were bound to be taken up and wherever the indefeasible right of personal liberty accrued to an accused incarcerated in jail, he ought to have been offered default bail in the manner prescribed under Section 167(2) of the Cr.PC.”
“The remand matters could not be ignored selectively by attaching preference or priority to fresh/first remand cases in derogation of the procedure applicable on holidays”, the Bench added. With respect to Abhishek Srivastava’s application, the court said, “The report forwarded by the District Judge, Lucknow is alarming and the selective role which the courts have played from March 25 to April 16, 2020 deserves to be condemned.”
The court also lamented over the unfortunate situation created by the State. “It is unfortunate to note that the legal services which the law contemplates as an essential service for victims was rendered inadequately by the State as well as by the legal services authorities during the Pandemic Covid-19. In the absence of the services of legal practitioners, the State was under a bounden duty to activate legal aid authorities to deal with the situation and the benefit of default bail accruing anywhere ought to have been effectively taken up before the courts”, he said.
Regarding the two bail pleas filed by the petitioners, the court first noted that in Abhishek Srivastava’s application, “There is a clear dereliction of duty in Bail Application No. 5384 of 2020 (Abhishek Srivastava v. State of U.P.) and the position is amply evident from the report of the District Judge,” and directed the Magistrate to order for his immediate release.
With regard to the second Bail Application No. 5756 of 2020 (Sanjeev Yadav v. State), Justice Masoodi noted, “The prosecution has adopted a peculiar stand to justify the default. It is stated that the closure of court prevented them to file the charge sheet before the deadline i.e. April 29. The prosecution has taken a bald plea without showing any steps having been taken to file the charge sheet by approaching the court or through online service.”
Further, the Court said, “The right of default bail which undoubtedly accrued to the applicant became enforceable on 29.4.2020 (April 29). This right was very much alive when the charge sheet was filed in the court on 5.5.2020 (May 5) and survived thereafter.” The Court said that the applicant Sanjeev Yadav was entitled to be enlarged on bail.
The Allahabad High Court directed the Senior Registrar of this Court, in the light of report forwarded to the Court on September 29 by the District Judge, Lucknow, to obtain the relevant details of magistrates/Session Judges from District Lucknow/Hardoi who had failed to pass remand orders from March 25 to June 16.
A portrait size painting of Diego Maradona was on display at certain ruins in war torn Syria where people were mourning the death of the legend. In the entire Latin American world, people are pouring their respect to Maradona who died in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital where his body is kept at the presidential palace as people continue to flock in to pay their last respect to the legend. The Argentine President has declared a three day moaning. Tributes are pouring in the world over whether it is nations or sports federations or political activists who Maradona supported through their causes.
On his passing away, we need to ponder this question as what separates giants like Diego Maradona or Mohammad Ali from rest of the sports icons who might have been hugely successful financially but the grief and outpouring of their passing away will never be the same. Of course, we know, in our own country, there are cricketers who we worship but except for endorsing commercial brands and that too for their own purposes, they remain quiet. Most of the film stars and sports persons who join politics rarely take a stand except the official lines of their ‘parties’. Many of them who become members of parliament, don’t even attend the parliament.
So in such a scenario, we look at the outpouring of grief world over for the passing away of Maradona who definitely was an extraordinary player but there are many and it is not that he won Argentina the football world cup. That glory is for the year 1986.
In the Western World, Maradona was a ‘cheater’ and he fell from grace in the cases of ‘drug addiction’ where he was denied admission in the hospital in his own country and it was Cuba which gave him shelter and brought him back to life after deep depression. Latin America has been hugely influenced by revolutionary Fidel Castro, the leader who built Cuba a great nation, a model for all the smaller countries to follow. Again, the same ‘liberal’ ‘independent’ western media would often call Castro a Mafia of Miami. For Maradona, the 1986 World Cup victory against England was far more satisfying because the way Britain used its power to control Falkland Island which Argentina claimed as their territory and British took it by their force.
Maradona’s political thoughts made him far superior to other players who rarely spoke. That makes him a superhero in the company of Mohammad Ali, who never let his stardom forget his community and the racial crimes that the Blacks in the United States have faced. It is not that persons from the marginalised background don’t reach the heights but soon the establishment capture them and use their successes as the success of ‘their model’. Most of these icons become part of the commercial interest which serves the power elite of the world. That is why, I say, the work done by Maradona or Mohammad Ali remain far powerful and world over people remember them for the cause they fought for.
Maradona used to call Fidel Castro his ‘second father’. On Castro’s death, it is reported, Maradona wept uncontrollably. We need to understand what are these qualities in these legends which set them apart. Fidel Castro was a treat to listen and read. A man of bigger ideas who could stand up to a mighty American empire that wanted to swallow the tiny nation of Cuba. Despite western world’s vilification, Fidel Castro not only influenced the culture and politics of Cuba but other nations. The way Cuba helped other countries and gave them self respect was unprecedented. Che Guevara was an Argentine international who along with Fidel Castro became iconic among all those nations victims of colonialism. Definitely, a person like Diego Maradona would not have grown up in his country without listening to the folklores of the political legends.
When Maradona was recuperating in Cuba, it is said that Fidel Castro would invite him for a morning walk and discuss various political issues. Later, Maradona organised a talk show and interviewed Fidel Castro. That political understanding made Maradona a believer in socialism and secularism. He decried the Vatican and the Pope once upon a time. He was aware how neoliberalism was a process of re-colonisation of the poorer nations and therefore stood with all the leaders of the Latin American countries who were resisting the American interventions in their countries. Whether it was Evan Moralis of Bolivia or Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, the legend of Football, always stood with their cause.
Maradona never forgot his roots and he realised that even when he got stardom, it is time, this stardom is used to spread the political ideology which he felt would bring true socialism and restore rights to the people. This feeling of International solidarity made him speak in support of the cause Palestine. ‘I am a Palestinaian by heart’, he said once and wanted to even coach their football team.
This internationalism took Che Guevara to various parts of the world to make people aware of their rights and inspire the young minds to work for the betterment of the world. And this was visible in Diego Maradona when he could stand with Evan Morales and Hugo Chavez to condemn George Bush’s effort to bully Venezuela.
And yes, he was not ‘contesting’ elections as happens in our part of the world. A sports star will keep quiet on important public issues, and when want to join a political party will speak about ‘issues’ and keep quiet. That is why Mohammad Ali remains a legend as he never succumbed to this publicity of the capitalist media. He remain grounded to his identity and the discrimination done to it by the system of white supremacy. The same was true about Maradona. Fortunately, Maradona’s political thoughts matured with guidance and advice of Fidel Castro and he became an internationalist.
Life of Maradona as well as Mohammad Ali shows us that sports icons can use their superstardom to encourage and promote progressive ideas and fight against injustices. They can be true heroes of humanity if they use their stardom for undoing historic wrongs and raising uncomfortable questions. Unlike the new found love of ‘charity’ that the ‘stars’ do and promote their stardom, taking a political stand on important issues that impact us, remain the most important and it is here both Maradona and Mohammad Ali have left their contemporaries far behind.
Maradona will be remembered not merely for his golden goals but also for uncompromising stand against colonialism and exploitation by the mighty powers of the world. Hope sports icons will learn a few things from you that merely earning huge money will not make their lives worth remembering but standing for a cause makes you different from them. Every condolence and outpouring of grief that is coming from different parts of the world is an indication that not all of them would have known your sports skills, a large number of people are pained because they know an international hero is gone, who stood with the rights of the oppressed.
A fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Rajkot’s Uday Shivananda Hospital, a designated Covid care facility, at about 12:30 AM on Friday, November 27. Five Covid-19 patients were killed and six patients were injured in the inferno.
Bhikha Theba, chief fire officer of Rajkot told the Indian Express that at the time of the fire there were 33 patients in the hospital, 11 of whom were in the ICU. He told the publication, “Three of them died on the spot while we managed to rescue the remaining 30 and shift them to Gokul Hospital.”
Rajkot municipal commissioner Udit Agrawal told IE that two other people died while receiving treatment after being shifted to the other hospital.
According to Theba, the fire was put out in 30-45 minutes. He told IE, “It appears that the fire could have been started by an electronic short circuit.”
Rajkot mayor Bina Acharya said that the hospital had fire clearance and fire fighting equipment. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakhs to the next of kin.
CM Shri @vijayrupanibjp has expressed grief over the incident of fire at Shivanand COVID Hospital in Rajkot. CM has ordered a probe into the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs.4 lakh each to the family of deceased.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who previously served as Chief Minister of Gujarat also offered his condolences:
Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to a hospital fire in Rajkot. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. Praying for a quick recovery of the injured. The administration is ensuring all possible assistance to those affected: PM
The incident raises questions about how Covid care facilities are run in the state.
Chilling reminder of Ahmedabad Hospital fire
This incident brings back memories of a similar fire that broke out in the ICU of Shrey Hospital on September 6, in Ahmedabad killing eight people, all undergoing treatment for Covid-19. That incident was mired in controversy and a CBI inquiry was demanded when it was discovered that CCTV cameras did not record anything of significance on the night of the fire and that mobile phones of victims went missing mysteriously. Hospital authorities were accused of washing their hands off the incident by blaming it on the negligence of two junior level employees.
Civil society members had then issued a statement saying, “While the fire broke out reportedly due to a electrical short circuit, the inadequacy and non-adherence to standard fire safety mechanisms in the hospital, and the lack of evidence for any standard procedure of rescue having been initiated strengthens the suspicion that the hospital may have been criminally liable for the deaths of the unfortunate victims.”
The statement also pointed out failure to book the accused under proper sections of the law, saying, “For a fire of this nature, which took the lives of 8 helpless patients, which is likely to have occurred due to wilful negligence of fire safety rules and procedures, the charges should have been far more stringent.” They further demanded, “We feel that section 304 of the CrPC should have been invoked, and the failure of the police not to have done so raise(s) serious questions regarding their intent to do a free and fair investigation. There seems to be a conspiracy to get the hospital management off the hook.”
The oldest person to be arrested for terrorism related offences, Father Stan Swamy has filed a bail application before the National Investigation Agency, Special Court in Mumbai to be released from Taloja Jail. His application has been filed through Sharif Shaikh.
The primary ground for seeking bail is that he is 83 years old and suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The bail plea states that he was shifted to the prison hospital. It further contends that there is no risk of flight or jumping bail.
“…he was not arrested during the long investigation lasting more than 2 years itself shows that he was never seen as a flight risk or someone who would tamper with evidence. It was a malafide arrest”, the plea reads as per Bar and Bench.
The bail application further states that he was not arrested despite having been interrogated twice in July and August of 2020, until he was arrested finally on October 8, 2020. Nothing was found after two raids were subsequently conducted in Swamy’s residence. In fact, the Pune Police had also stated on record in a plea filed by Swamy in Bombay High Court that the “they had no intention of arresting him, as he was not an accused.”
Further, the application argues that his name was not even a part of the original FIR. His name was claimed to have been added in a remand application in 2018 by the police as a suspected accused.
The bail plea also mentions that the NIA had allegedly not claimed that Father Swamy was present close to the site of Bhima Koregaon when the incident took place. Swamy apprised the court that the evidence allegedly relied upon by the NIA was correspondence with various people to seek legal aid for Father Stan’s organisation, Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee (PPSC), which works for undertrial Adivasis and Dalits falsely accused as Maoists.
Father Stan had requested the court to provide him with a sipper mug on November 6 and the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s lawyers had sought a good 20 days’ time to file a reply to Father Stan Swamy’s application.
The NIA yesterday, on November 26 expressed their inability to provide a straw and sipper mug to the Parkinson’s inflicted Priest. Father Stan then contended before the special court that he required a sipper or straw to drink liquids due to vigorous shaking of hands and some warm clothes for the winter.
The court has now directed the medical officer to reply to the requirement of straw and sipper along with winter clothes. The matter will now be heard on December 4.
Fr. Stan Swamy was arrested from Ranchi by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the night of October 8 for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to instigate caste violence in the Bhima Koregaon village near Pune in 2018. He has been booked under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Talks with the protesting farmers will be held on 3rd December by the Union Agriculture Ministry, however they have no declared agenda to discuss with the farmers.
4:00 PM
Farmers at the Tikri border have also entered Delhi.
3:50 PM
Protests organised at Parliament Street, Delhi by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (a platform for peasant organisations) in support of the protesting farmers.
3:40 PM
Police have resorted to throwing stones at the farmers at the Singhu border. Some of the farmers report minor injuries.
3:35 PM
Breaking : in a big victory for farmers, the Government has relented, agreeing to allow protesting farmers to come to Nirankari, Samagam Ground, Burari inside Delhi. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has accepted this offer.
3:25 PM
Farmers have broken two layers of barricading and are opening up the road. Despite several tear gas shells and water cannons being fired, farmers continue to make their way into Delhi.
3:15 PM
Farmers have started breaking the barricade at Singhu border.
3:00 PM
Water cannons being used again by the police to push back farmers at Singhu border.
More and more farmers are joining the agitation at Singhu border as they stand face to face with the police. The farmers have marched to the barricades and have told the police that before midnight they will be standing inside Delhi, that they cannot be stopped.
2:30 PM
Police could be seen asking the protestors from Punjab to back off on the pretext of COVID 19 guidelines in a conversation.
Police says that they will not allow the farmers protesting against the Centre’s new farm laws to enter Delhi if they reach the borders of the national capital.
“I will sacrifice my life before everyone else does. I am not afraid of death.” an old woman who has joined the protest could be heard saying in the video.
Hundreds of farmers have gathered at Singhu border despite the continuous tear gas fired by the police. They will wait at the border for the farmers who are on their way and then march towards Delhi.
1:40 PM
Delhi government refuses permission to police to convert stadiums into prisons for protesting farmers.
1:35 PM
Water cannons and tear gas used on the farmers at Tikri Border.
1:30 PM
Chakka jam on Delhi- Dehradun highway near Meerut and another one on Delhi- Agra highway.
1:25 PM
Protesting farmers jump barricades in Sirsa, “We are going to Delhi for our rights. Whatever we do will be peaceful. We won’t harm any person or property. Even if we have to stay for a month, we will. Even if we attain martyrdom, we will” says a farmer.
1:20 PM
AIKSCC and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has sent a letter to the Prime minister requesting him to let farmers come to Delhi and talk to the representatives of the Government.
1:15 PM
Saket Gokhale have issued a notice to CNNnews18 regarding their false and biased coverage of the farmers’ protest claiming that the farmers are being misled.
1:10 PM
“Gurudwaras in Delhi are raided by intelligence agencies to check ‘whether farmers are hiding in the gurudwaras’ Oh foolisH Gujarati goons, farmers have nothing to fear, they do not hide.” says Qabeer Jalandhari
1:00 PM
Protests erupt in Rohtak after a farmer got into a car accident and succumbed to the injuries. The farmers say the accident occured because of the hurdles set up by the government
12:55 PM
Delhi Police seeks Delhi govt’s permission to convert nine stadiums into temporary prisons. This is now going to put onus on Kejriwal again. Will he allow it, after he gave a pro-farmer statement?
12:50 PM
Members of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee prepare in Amritsar for their tractor rally in Delhi “We have loaded food material for a month and cooking utencils in our trolleys. We are all headed towards Delhi now” said a farmer
12:40 PM
Langar was arranged at Panipat Toll Plaza for the farmers travelling to Delhi.
Haryana Police again engaged in a failed attempt to stop the crowd by using water cannons to clear the protestors at Haldana border
12:30 PM
Vehicles are not being allowed to drive through Singhu border. Non protesting civilians are directed to take different routes. Thousands of protesting farmers still on their way to Delhi as the police is using tear gas to disperse the crowd near Singhu.
12:25 PM
Tear gas used on farmers as they arrived at the Singhu border.
The farmers say that they are prepared for a 6 month protest in Delhi if needed and won’t return until they are heard and the three farms laws are repealed.
12:00 PM
Over 50,000 farmers are estimated to reach Delhi by today. Trucks full of ration and blankets have reached the farmers.
11:55 AM
Trenches as deep as 30 feet were dug up on the orders of the Central Government on the National Highway to stop the farmers from reaching Delhi.
11:50 AM
So, did you read our round up of the top 10 moments of yesterday.
And we are back!! After a historic day of peasants march and workers strike, the action has now moved into day 3. With farmers from the northern state pushing back barricades and announcing highway blockades, let us see for long the Modi sarkar can look away.
November 26, 2020
7:45 PM
Mumbai-Delhi National Highway blocked by over 6,000 people of CPI(M), AIKS, CITU, AIDWA, DYFI and Kashtakari Sanghatana.
7:40 PM
A number of Mosques in Delhi have made arrangements for the meals of the arriving farmers, food is being delivered to those who can’t reach the mosques says contact person Mr. Shari
7.35 PM
Our Constitution has many special features but one very special feature is the importance given to duties: PM Narendra Modi. India’s farmers do their duty everyday, how are we safeguarding their rights ?
Our Constitution has many special features but one very special feature is the importance given to duties.
Mahatma Gandhi was very keen on this. He saw a close link between rights & duties. He felt that once we perform our duties, rights will be safeguarded.
The farmers came well prepared for the long march towards Delhi. They say they do not have any guarantee of MSP from the governments and will fight for their rights for as long as it takes. As inter state bus service was stalled, some farmers even helped stranded travellers with rides on their tractor-trolleys, along the way. Farmers deserve to be heard.
Haryana farmers are protesting in big numbers but state’s CM and Dy CM are not coming out to even meet them. Navdeep Singh, a young farmer from Ambala, Haryana risked his life to shut off a water cannon jet. The protest is a success because of brave farmers like him.
Farmers while going to Ratiya, Haryana from Boha, Punjab.
7:10 PM
Police stopped members of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha And Shaheed Bhagat Singh Kisan Union from moving forward.
7:05 PM
Visual of demonstration at Siddipet District, Telangana.
7:00 PM
Demonstration at Ragunathapalem, Telangana.
6:55 PM
Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh reacts to Haryana CM ML Khattar. Singh tells Khattar the latter should have talked to the farmers before their #DilliChalo march. Reminds him that even Haryana farmers are also marching to Delhi. Why did Khattar not cite pandemic protocol when BJP pushed #FarmLaws through.
Shocked at your response @mlkhattar ji. It’s the farmers who’ve to be convinced on MSP, not me. You should’ve tried to talk to them before their #DilliChalo. And if you think I’m inciting farmers then why are Haryana farmers also marching to Delhi?
Today is Punjab’s 26/11. We’re witnessing end of right to democratic protest: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Haryana govt, Centre ‘choosing to repress’ #FarmersProtest, reported PTI.
6:35 PM
Demonstrations at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
6:30 PM
Rally in main centre of Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh despite heavy rainfall.
6:25 PM
“Just look at them they are at bed age, But they are still here for #FarmerProtest and for their families future, the height of democracy is so up.” tweeted Majinder Singh along with a picture of old women marching towards Delhi.
Just Look at them they are at bed age , But they are still here for #FarmerProtest and for their families future, the hight of democracy is so up.
National President of AIKKMS, Comrade Satyavan and member of National Security Board of AIUTUC, Comrade Ramesh Sharma take part in the demonstrations on Sansad Marg, New Delhi
6:10 PM
Bijendra Singh Dahiya, district head of All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS) and Jaibhagwan Rajeev Gandhi were arrested along with others from Education City, Sonipat, Haryana
6:05 PM
Stills from demonstrations at Ballari, Karnataka.
6:00 PM
Demonstrations organised by AIUTUC, KRRS in Tumur Karnataka.
5:55 PM
In visuals coming in from Munger district SQCI Communist Party workers participating in nationwide general strike.
5:50 PM
“…Kisan Sangharsh Samitis have started cropping up in the villages in and around Delhi in UP and Haryana and farmers are preparing for massive protests in their villages, in the Govt, offices and to move into Delhi in support of the demand that the Central Govt. withdraw the 3 farm acts and the Electricity Bill 2020…” says the press release by Samyukt Kisan Morcha & All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC)
5:45 PM
Bhartiya Kisan Union And Fazilka’s convoy leaves for Badar
5:40 PM
Stills from the protest at Devadurga, Raichur, Karnataka organised by various organisations including AIUTUC, AIDSO, RKS, AIKKMS, AIDYO, CITU, AITUC and KRRS
5:35 PM
“Blockade at Singoor Station, Hooghly in support of the #MazdoorKisanStrike..” tweeted CPI (M), West Bengal
No one can stop this fight for rights. The farmers toil for 12 months, guard the fields, and only then they grow the food grains. They somehow manage to arrange water and electricity… but can’t bear the bank loans… tears flow from their eyes: Bhojpuri singer Neha sings in solidarity with farmers.
Finally, Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, speaks up, but only to engage in a verbal spat with the Punjab CM… “I’ve been trying to reach out to you for the last 3 days but sadly you decided to stay unreachable – is this how serious you are for farmer’s issues? You’re only tweeting and running away from talks, Why?”
I’ve been trying to reach out to you for the last 3 days but sadly you decided to stay unreachable – is this how serious you are for farmer’s issues? You’re only tweeting and running away from talks, Why?
Stills of IFTU (International Federation Of trade Unions) led General Strike In Vijayavada.
3:40 PM
Delhi Police arrested protesters who were resting last night from Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tila last night. Police have defiled our place of worship, says the farmer recording this clip.
Demonstrations and road blockade in Pune led by unorganised labours and members of Kagaj Kach Patra Union
3:15 PM
Tamil Nadu peasants voicing their grievances against agriculture laws, labour codes, Electricity Bill despite the threat of Cyclone Nivar
3:05 PM
Demonstrations at Shahbad, Rajasthan.
3:00 PM
Demonstrations in front of the District Court Bhadrak, Odhisa.
2:55 PM
Still from the protest at Alwar, Bihar.
2:50 PM
Visuals coming in from a protest organised by AIDSO, Karnataka.
2:45 PM
Delhi Police is in full force at Jantar Mantar, trying to prevent the gathering of farmers: AIKSCC
At Jantar Mantar. Police in full force trying to prevent the protest gathering of farmers. Arresting AIKSCC leaders. BJP repression is visible everywhere pic.twitter.com/u9Ex2hZHso
— All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (@aikscc) November 26, 2020
2:40 PM
Stills from protests in Karnataka by RKS,APMC, AIKKMS.
2:35 PM
Stills from the protest at Chattisgarh by the All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sangathan.
2:30 PM
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh questions Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar for stopping farmers by employing undemocratic means.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh condemns Haryana govt’s forcible attempts to prevent farmers from marching to Delhi. CM asks why Manohar Lal Khattar’s govt was stopping farmers, terms use of force as undemocratic & unconstitutional: Punjab Chief Minister’s Office
Punjab farmers at the blockade set up by the Haryana Police
2:20 PM
Hundred of farmers sat on the road in a massive protest organised by the All India Sugarcane Growers Association Central Committee Members in front of the Pathri Tehsil office Under the leadership of Co. Deepakrao Lipne and Uddhavrao Paul.
2.15 PM
They are trying to create a divide between soldiers and farmers. The farmer sends his sons to protect the nation’s border: Kanhaiya Kumar leading pro farmer, pro worker rally in Patna today.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Raigad district of Maharashtra has been called shut today due to the widespread protests.
2:00 PM
Visuals coming in of protests in West Bengal Organised by All India Democractic Student Union and All India United Trade Union Centre.
1.55 PM
Every citizen should feel directly connected to every law & decision taken under it: PM Narendra Modi said today. So this means farmers must be allowed to question the Farm Laws too.
The language of our laws should be so simple that every common person understands it. We, the people of India, have given this Constitution to ourselves. Therefore, every citizen should feel directly connected to every law & decision taken under it: PM @narendramodi
Trade Union workers go out on streets in huge numbers in Gulbarga, Karnataka.
1.40 PM
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Former Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing, the Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda wants PM Narendra Modi to direct Haryana CM
ML Khattar to let farmers’ march on peacefully to in Delhi. Will he listen?
Murder of democracy on #ConstitutionDay! Farmers’ voices stifled, water canons used on annnadata! I appeal to PM @narendramodi ji to direct Hry CM @mlkhattar ji to let our farmers’ march on peacefully to convey their issues to Centre in Delhi. I stand in solidarity with them.
“Stop selling the country… Inqalab Zindabad” could be heard from visuals coming in from Assam of protest a organised by All India Krishak Khet Mazdur Sangathan and All India Democratic Student Organisation.
1.30pm
Dushyant Chautala, Haryana’s Deputy Chief Minister, seems to be maintaining radio silence today. However, he shared ‘Greetings on #ConstitutionDay’ while remaining silent on the Constitutional rights of farmers.
सबसे बड़ा,सबसे सफल,सबसे शक्तिशाली संविधान हमारा, अमर रहें स्वतंत्रता सेनानी,जिंदाबाद रहे हिंदुस्तान हमारा।
As per reports from CPI(M) representative in Jawahar, Comrade Ratan Budhar is leading the Rasta roko agitation against various government policies.
1:20 PM
A crowd gathered in front of the Solapur CITU office to participate in the march after the November 26 strike, despite police repression
1:15 PM
Members of the Bombay University and College Teachers Union join their voices to the nationwide condemnation by trade Union workers. Visuals coming in from Dapoli, Alibaug from Raigad district and Kalyan in Thane district.
1.10 PM
Senior journalists fear there is a deliberate move afoot to incite the farmers and provoke them into reacting violently and thus setting off a chain reaction which causes chaos in Punjab.
It appears to be a deliberate move to incite the farmers and provoke them into reacting violently and thus setting off a chain reaction which causes chaos in Punjab. Very worrying. https://t.co/BOyL9BSo3A
Trade Unions in Odisha make a move. Workers go out on streets to denounce the anti-worker labour codes.
1:00 PM
All India Kisan Union plant to perform memorandum in protest of the atrocities on farmers by demonstrating in their tehsils from 11:00 AM tomorrow.
“All farmers will prepare the advance strategy of the movement. Take part and protest against various atrocities being committed by the Government of India on farmers gathering in Delhi from all over the country today, as well as those trapped at blockades,” said Union members,
Contact of All India Kisan Union: 09456 2147 68, 085 33991 777
12:55 PM
Visuals of large group of trade Union workers coming in from Mysore and Raichur in Karnataka
12.50 PM
We will arrest farmers who try to force their way in: Delhi Police, is leasing with Haryana Police. Checking all vehicles with UP, Haryana number plates reports NDTV. Even smaller road-borders will be manned, reported NDTV. This will go on till tomorrow.
12:40 PM
Yogendra Yadav arrested by Haryana police at Rathiwas Jat Village Rd, Haryana for allegedly disrupting peace.
12:35 PM
Workers Union in Maharashtra’s Shahada, Nandurbar and teachers’ Union at CGSP College gate at Talasari Palghar participate in General Strike.
12:30 PM
Palghar trade union workers denounce anti-people laws at the local level.
12:25 PM
Visuals of police manhandling protesting farmers heading towards Jantar Mantar
12:20 PM
Protesters break through police barricades
12:15 PM
Farmers enter Delhi shouting slogans demanding the withdrawal of the three agriculture laws and denouncing Modi sarkar.
12:10 PM
Thousands of protesting farmers, led by Terai Kisan Sangathan, moving towards Delhi stopped by UP govt on Nainital Delhi Road, at Flora Hotel on UP – Uttarakhand border.
12:05 PM
Tosham’s All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sangathan AIKKMS batch left to reach Sampala, Rohtak.
12:00 PM
There is now a 20 km chakka jam at the Agra-border national highway.
11:55 AM
Leader National Farmers Organization Jasvir Bhatti along with his batch succeeded in reaching Delhi!
11.50 AM
Boulders and barricades, and more police deployed than ever. The state is doing all it can to stop the farmers from standing up for their rights.
Shameless Anti Farmer PM Modi has declared WAR on FARMER’S of Hindustan.
Dangerous attempt by TV channel TV 9 Bharat to communalise and discredit farmers’ protests by linking farmers to Khalistanis #FarmersProtest
Right wing TV channel TV 9 Bharat runs propaganda to discredit farmers’ protest, attempts to communalise protests by linking farmers to Khalistan #FarmersProtestpic.twitter.com/otx1DJ9jGw
Getting a sense of Déjà vu? Farmers have been observing such protests all over India for the last two months. The earlier major protest took place on September 25, 2020.
11.40 AM Bharat Bandh today to protest labour and farm laws, 10 major labour unions participating but the RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), has said that it will not participate in the strike.
11:35 AM
On Haryana Bridge, Tear Gas launched on Farmers, barricades flung into river, reported NDTV. Haryana has sealed borders with Punjab today and tomorrow after orders from Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
11:30 AM
Police use tear gas to disperse the gathering crowd of farmers at Shambhu border near Haryana’s Ambala region.
#WATCH Police use tear gas shells to disperse farmers who are gathered at Shambhu border, near Ambala (Haryana) to proceed to Delhi to stage a demonstration against the farm laws pic.twitter.com/ER0w4HPg77
— All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (@aikscc) November 25, 2020
11:17 AM
Delhi police deploys personnel outside Manju ka Tila Gurudwara just before a Joint Kisan Morcha press conference in Delhi at 11.30 am. Section 144 applied.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal supports farmer protests. He not only calls the three bills “anti-farmer” but also criticises the central government for curtailing the farmer’s right to peaceful protests.
केंद्र सरकार के तीनों खेती बिल किसान विरोधी हैं। ये बिल वापिस लेने की बजाय किसानों को शांतिपूर्ण प्रदर्शन करने से रोका जा रहा है, उन पर वॉटर कैनन चलाई जा रही हैं। किसानों पर ये जुर्म बिलकुल ग़लत है। शांतिपूर्ण प्रदर्शन उनका संवैधानिक अधिकार है।
To exercise more control over the farmer protests, drone camera has been deployed for security surveillance at Delhi-Faridabad border.
#WATCH Drone camera deployed for security surveillance at Delhi-Faridabad (Haryana) border, in view of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march pic.twitter.com/gfoCTinFIe
Workers General Strike kicks off today! As Union members and labourers take to the street, here is a detailed breakdown of the labour-codes the peasantry is decrying.
Haryana’s government employees will join today’s strike under the banner of Sarv Karamchari Sangh to protest the state and central government policies. Sarv Karamchari Sangh President Subhash Lamba said that all government departments, boards, corporations and university-workers and urban local body employees will participate.
11:00 AM
Central government has assured farmers the three agricultural laws will work for their benefit. Here’s an article by AIKSCC that addresses one of their key concerns regarding the new farm laws – MSP.
Amid farmer protests being led in thousands, Delhi Police has deployed a new strategy at the Singhu border to prevent the former’s tractors. Delhi Police has created a barricade with trucks filled with sand.
Are farmers rights guaranteed by the Constitution? YES! Here’s an article by Citizens for Justice and Peace to understand the significance of a peasant movement on Constitution Day
As per an AIKSCC press release, more than 3 lakh farmers are moving from various parts of Punjab towards Haryana border in thousands of tractors and trucks.
10:35 AM
IFTU starts of Constitution Day with an early morning strike in Mayapuri industrial area of New Delhi
10:30 AM
Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice to the Haryana government in a habeas corpus petition filed seeking release of over 100 farmers detained at midnight yesterday. Here’s Sabrang India’s update.
“It is very strange that the Haryana government has closed down the borders of the state. The Constitution does not grant any such powers to the state. To think that the system that is supposed to serve the people is harming their fundamental rights is saddening. These actions will serve as vital attacks on BJP rule.” – Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sangharsh Samanvya Samiti, Haryana
10:20 AM
Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta Dakonda District Ferozepur and the rest of the convoy coming from Ferozepur from Fazilka Handaya leave at 10 AM sharp
10:15 AM
Chakka jam has begun at the highway of Agra-Rajasthan border where Medha Patekar has been detained since last night
10:10 AM
Farmers send videos of chakka jams at Punjab and Delhi border on Shambhu barrier. 1 dozen farmers trolleys have arrived so far. Police have put a rapid action force there and on top of the barrier Large stones have blocked the road
10:05 AM
So what are the key demands of the bandh ?
Withdrawal of all “anti-farmer laws and anti-worker labour codes”
Payment of Rs 7,500 in the accounts of each non-tax paying family
Monthly supply of 10 kg of food grains to needy families
MGNREGS expansion to give 200 workdays every year, higher wages and the scheme’s implementation in urban areas
Stop “privatisation of the public sector, including the financial sector, and stop corporatisation of government-run manufacturing and service entities like railways, ordinance factories, ports etc.”
Withdrawal of the “draconian circular on forced premature retirement of government and PSU employees”
Pension to all, scrapping of NPS (National Pension System) and the reimposition of earlier pension with improvement in EPS-95 (Employees’ Pension Scheme-1995 run by retirement fund body EPFO)
10:00 AM
Workers union or remote controlled ? Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), which is aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will not take part in the all-India strike. “It is clarified that BMS and its units will not participate this politically motivated strike on 26th November 2020,” said the BMS in a statement issued on Tuesday.
9:55 AM
Bank Strike Today
The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) on Tuesday announced its decision to join the 26th November 2020 strike. “The Lok Sabha in its recently held session has passed three new labour enactments by dismantling existing 27 enactments in the name of ‘Ease of Business’, which are purely in the interest of corporates. In the process, 75 percent of workers are being pushed out of the orbits of labour laws since they will have no legal protection under the new enactment,” the AIBEA said in a release.
The AIBEA, which has four lakh bank employees from several public and old private sector and some foreign banks as its members, represents most of the banks barring State Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank.
As per the press release, nearly 30,000 bank employees from 10,000 bank branches of public sector banks, old generation private sector banks, regional rural banks and foreign banks in Maharashtra will participate in the strike.
9:45 AM
26th November strike: Which unions are participating? Ten central trade unions, which have called the bandh are: Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC),Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) The joint platform also includes independent federations/associations.
9. 35 AM
State forces Vs farmers. Haryana barricaded its borders, suspended bus services with Punjab, Delhi Police on alert, borders at Gurugram, Faridabad fortified, exit gates at key Metro stations shut
9:30 AM
Sardar Jagjit Singh Dallewal led thousands of farmers through broken police barricades at the Punjab-Haryana border, and marched into Tohana in Haryana, moving towards Delhi.
सरदार जगजीत सिंह दल्लेवाल जी के नेतृत्व में हजारों किसानों ने पंजाब-हरियाणा के बॉर्डर पर पुलिस बैरिकेड तोड़ कर हरियाणा के टोहाना में प्रवेश कर लिया है और दिल्ली की तरफ कूच कर रहे हैं… pic.twitter.com/ikJeLVEgjC
Delhi police issues a circular of possible closure of key metro stations in Central Delhi. Delhi police calls the farmers’ march towards Delhi a “snap protest/rally/march.”
9:10 AM
Visuals coming in of Haryana police using razor wires to block protesting farmers from marching towards Delhi.
Chandigarh’s Mohali Police issued an advisory on Wednesday night against taking the Chandigarh-Zirakpur-Delhi and the Patiala-Zirakpur-Chandigarh routes, where farmers’ protest march had caused traffic jams.
Alternative routes suggested were — Chandigarh-Panchkula-Nada Sahib-Yamunanagar-Delhi route for Delhi, and the diversion from Chhatt Light point towards Mohali to Chandigarh.
Women, children, men at Kanganwal village in Punjab observed a candle march last night to boost farmers movement. Residents said it may look as though farm laws are concerned with agriculture but they affect all sections of society.
All India Lawyers Union has extended its support to the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement of farmers
8.50 AM
Mumbai stands with farmers!
Com. Prakash Reddy, Feroze Mithiborwala, Yohan Tengra & Ambar Koiri have given a call for solidarity protest to be held at 12.00pm, 26th of November, at the Kotwal Garden, opp. Plaza Cinema, Dadar (West), Mumbai.
8.45 AM
“We have permission to reach the location in Delhi but police from other states are stopping us from moving forward” – AIKKMS
8.40 AM
More than 3,50,000 farmers will march to Delhi through various roads connecting Punjab through Haryana on more than 20,000 tractors, trailers & 1000s of cars, buses & trucks – AIKSCC
Update: #AIKSCC Dilli Chalo: More than 3,50,000 farmers will march to Delhi thru various roads connecting Punjab thru Haryana on more than 20,000 tractors, trailers & 1000s of cars, buses & trucks@mlkhattar you are self-barricading Haryana by listening to your masters voice !!
— All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (@aikscc) November 25, 2020
8.37 AM
Kamgar Karmchari Sanghatna Sanyukt Kruti Samiti to go on a nation wide strike and form human chain to show their support to the farmers
— All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (@aikscc) November 25, 2020
8.30 AM
“They are asking us to reach the wedding venue after the muhurtam”- Medha Patkar said after the police told her and the protest rally that they will be let out by today evening
“The repressive action of government of UP is condemnable and we would like to ask the government as to what is their duty towards us when we are illegally stopped by UP POLICE and we are compelled to sit on Satyagrah on highway itself” – Medha Patkar
8.25 AM
Farmers march blocked by big boulders at Haryana border!
8.20 AM
People marching in support of farmers stopped by police in the middle of the highway!
8.15 AM
Several Farmers’ unions came together as they painted over walls about the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement
8.12 AM
This is how farmers prepared and left Firozpur, Punjab for Delhi, to protest the farm bills and to make their voices heard!
8.10 AM
AIKSCC delegations from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh being detained in the middle of nowhere by Uttar Pradesh police, on a highway, before Agra. Medha Patkar, Pratibha Shinde, Kavitha Srinivasan and others were in these convoys, and they have been detained by the police!
8.08 AM
On the eve of Constitution Day, our rights are being violated says Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti marching in support of farmers, who started their march on November 23 from Maharashtra as well as Karnataka crossed many states on their way and after reaching UP border, were intervened and stopped by the police
8.05 AM
#ModiAgainstFarmers and #FarmersDilliChalo were trending on Twitter last night.
8.02 AM
All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha Press Release condemned brutal treatment of the farmers, by the Haryana Govt on their way to Delhi. “There is no limit to which this RSS BJP goverment will go in-service to the corporates,” said the General Secretary, Dr. Ashish Mital
8.00 AM
All possible attempts are being made to curtail this march! The administration has invoked section 144 in Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana.
An All India Krishak Khet Majdoor Sangathan worker distributed pamphlets on a public road. They have said they will reveal their slogan in the program scheduled for today
7.50 AM
Farmers moving on Ambala Highway were met with icy cold water cannons, in the chill winters of Punjab but, undeterred they are marching on, while also facing the Rapid Action Force commissioned to stop and control the Farmers’ march
7.45 AM
In Ambala, farmers, atop tractors were driving towards Delhi, while those on the road were seen flipping police barricades and pushing them towards the police.
7.40 AM
While farmers are exercising their democratic right to protest, news channels like TV9 leaving no stone unturned to discredit the farmers, calling them pawns of Khalistani movement!
7. 35 AM
Farmers broke barricades in Kurukshetra and marched towards Karnal. The Gurgaon-Delhi border has been sealed heavily by police force and their mission is to not let these farmers enter Delhi today. Will they be able to hold off a large scale farmers march such as this?
Protests took place in Dhubri, Assam in support of the nationwide general strike
7.25 AM
CITU National Secretary and All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers (AIFAWH) President was present at the Punjab Haryana border, along with the peasantry, where they were stopped by the police.
Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) comrade Rajendra Singh condemned these arrests and said that by suppressing the farmers, the government is putting the country in grave danger.
7.10 AM
Regional Secretary of AIKKMS Jaykaran Mandothi and Samay Singh were among the farmer leaders who were detained by Rewari police yesterday
Welcome Back to our Live Blog! We have been tracking all events and incidents since last night and have a lot of updates for you. A lot has transpired in the intervening night.
November 25, 2020
7:58 PM
Kisan Sabha at Paliganj city in Patna district. Secretary Kripa Narayan Singh, State Councilor Sant Kumar, District President Mangal Yadav, Party leaders Anwar, Umesh Manjhi, Anil Kumar Yadav, Sunil Kumar, Ramayan Mochi, Ramashish Ram, Nand Singh and others burn the effigy of PM Modi. The event was organized against the arrest of the farmer leaders of Punjab Haryana, who were preparing for the Delhi rally, demanding the withdrawal of the three anti-farmer laws and the new electricity bill.
7:46 PM
West Bengal workers come out on the street in huge masses to denounce anti-worker laws.
7:39 PM
Farmer leader Yogendra Yadav calls for all citizens to join in with farmers unrest on virtual platforms if not in real life. Hashtag to be used #FarmersDilliChalo
7.30 PM
Want to protect the nation? Then protect the farmer first.
Unwelcome in Haryana. Boulders blocking the protestors’ path! This is how the state thanks the farmers who have worked the land all their lives, growing food?
Protesting Panjab Farmers facing border closures at Haryana on their way to #Delhi !
Human Rights activist, Teesta Setalvad tweeted “We the People of India is where the power of this Country should lie! It is very cold. And a wicked regime does what it knows best: inflict pain on its Citizens! Horrid RAJ!”
Haryana police personnel raided the houses of dozens of farmers’ rights activists on Tuesday. CPM leader Ram Chander Shahnal, member, Fatehabad Zila Parishad, president of the district unit of the Khet Mazdoor Union, was among the farmers’ leaders picked up by the police.
Protect India’s National assets from merciless loot & defend the working people’s rights and livelihoods. Support the workers’-farmers’ countrywide protests: November 26-27: Sitaram Yechury General Secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist).
To protect India’s National assets from merciless loot & to defend the working people’s rights and livelihoods. Full support to the workers’-farmers’ countrywide protests: November 26-27. pic.twitter.com/n35zI0nHNu
“AIDSO Kerala sings songs to show their support to the to the protestors of All India General Strike”
നവംബർ 26 ൻ്റെ ദേശീയ പണിമുടക്ക് വിജയിപ്പിക്കുവാൻ അഭ്യർത്ഥിച്ചു കൊണ്ട് AlDS0 ജില്ലാ കമ്മിറ്റി കോട്ടയ൦ തെരുവിൽ സംഘടിപ്പിച്ച സംഗീത വിരുന്ന്. 26 Nov All India General Strike.#AIDSOpic.twitter.com/2KzRmNZqv9
“We will fight this movement thinking of it as a battle” says a protestor
5:00 PM
Punjab farmer leader Balbir SIngh Rajewal says, “I condemn the central and Haryana government for their repressive actions especially against Punjab farmers. I want to ask PM Modi and CM Khattar are we not a part of India? Why are we stopped at the border?”
4:55 PM
23 checkpoints within Punjab and 7 inter state borders sealed. Kisan Union Youth Secretary arrested from a bus.
4:50 PM
Reports coming in of Police force used to stop the procession led by BKU chief Gurnam Singh Chadhuni on G T Road on November 25
4:45 PM
Videos of farmers forcing their way through Haryana police’s barricades. Journalist posts video farmers driving cars to make a road through police hurdles.
अंबाला में हरियाणा पुलिस के बैरिकेड किसानों को नहीं रोक पाए| किसान दिल्ली की तरफ आगे बढे| किसान संगठनों ने कृषि कानूनों के विरोध में ‘दिल्ली चलो’ का नारा दिया है| pic.twitter.com/byrGxbI1UA
किसान खतरनाक मूड में हैं| कार, ट्रैक्टर लेकर सीधे चढा दिये पुलिसिया इंतजाम पर| अंबाला में हरियाणा पुलिस की कोई तैयारी फिलहाल काम नहीं आ रही| किसान दिल्ली की तरफ बढ़ रहे हैं| pic.twitter.com/dFJeJ6ei1H
“We want Bills repealed in toto. We do not subscribe to the view that these farmers benefit farmers. They are principally made to benefit corporate farming. Agriculture economists also agree that these laws will hurt the farmers. Radd karo is our demand. The electricity Bill should not be passed” – Yogendra Yadav
4:40 PM
“The number of farmers who have left to go to Delhi are in lakhs. We shall not do any violence. Conservatively around 2 lakh farmers have left to enter Delhi. Thousands will be coming from UP and Haryana. We do not know how many will enter but we will do our peaceful protest” – Yogendra Yadav during Press Conference
4:35 PM
Similar to Punjab farmers, Uttarakhand farmers reported farmer leaders are being arrested at the dead of night a day before the nationwide protest march.
4:30 PM
Gherabandi in different parts of UP. 4-5 spots will observe jamavda from tomorrow. Gathering will march towards Delhi. This preparation has begun – Ashish Mital member of working group of AIKSCC
4:25 PM
Delhi police claims it has not given permission for observing the strike. Warns that farmers who enter will be arrested.
REGARDING FARMER ORGANIZATIONS MARCH TO DELHI ON 26&27 NOVEMBER
All the requests received from various Farmer Organisations regarding protest in Delhi on 26 and 27 November have been rejected and this has already been communicated to the organisers.@CPDelhi@LtGovDelhi
As per a press release from CITU the Odisha government has declared Essential Services Maintenance Act banning strikes in several sectors. Management has threatened action against workers for participating in the strike.
4:15 PM
Videos from Punjab show that on the eve of Constitution day a convoy of 31 tractor-trolleys from BKU Ekta of Dakounda district have left for Delhi. 13 tractor trolleys from Fazilka led by Harish went to Bathinda to join the Mastu Ana caravan.
4:10 PM
General Secretary of AIKSCC Hannan Mollah said protest will take place in two parts. First part will be the protest march. The second part will be the walk to Jantar Mantar in Delhi to demand withdrawal of three anti-farm laws and Electricity Bill. Delhi farmers will wait for farmers at Jantar Mantar from 11 AM.
4:05 PM
Punjab farmer leader Darshan Pal stated during a press conference that big stones have been put on top of the barricades along border areas using cranes. (so that barricades can’t be removed)
4:00 PM
We are LIVE now, on the eve of the strike. Reports are coming in from all over about the many ways in which governments – state and central both, are working to foil the general strike. On the other hand, trade unions and peasants are also taking to the streets. Watch this space for more.
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