About Us Contact Us
Home Blog Page 891

KPSS’s fast-unto-death begins in Srinagar

By
-
0

On Sunday, the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS), began its fast-unto-death in Ganpatyaar, located in the Habba Kadal area of Srinagar. The group was forced to take the extreme measure after no action was taken on its last memorandum submitted to the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory to provide urgent relief to non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Despite the mass forced exodus of the community from the region in the late 80s and early 90s, 808 families still remain in the Valley, many of whom live amidst abject poverty, some struggling to put food on the table, others scraping by without medicines. Unemployment remains a key concern.

In a statement released, the group said, “Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R) Department is punishing left out (Non-Migrant) Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus for staying back in Kashmir Valley. Since abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A we the Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley are facing harassment and isolation at the hands of Relief Department. Despite multiple directions from Hon’ble High Court and recommendations from the Central Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Relief Department is playing with the life and security of the Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley.”

The group had been regularly writing to various local authorities, including those of the erstwhile state and subsequently the UT. Non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits had secured a big victory when the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had ruled in favour of making provisions for their employment, way back in 2013. However, despite this nudge from the court, little action had taken place on the ground. KPSS says, “Situations are created like either they sabotage the whole process of Jobs and Rehabilitation of Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley or we must negotiate under the table deal with the officers / officials of the Relief Department to get the directions of the Hon’ble High Court and recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs implemented on the ground zero.”

KPSS president Sanjay Tickoo had also met the LG on August 27 and sought his reassurance. But now, almost three weeks since that meeting, patience is wearing thin. “As such, for the survival of 808 Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits/Kashmiri Hindus families living in Kashmir Valley, I, Sanjay K. Tickoo, President, KPSS have decided to start Fast-Unto-Death from today i.e. September 20, 2020 against Relief Department for persecution and bureaucratic harassment against Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus for not implementing Hon’ble High Court directions and recommendations issued by Ministry of Home Affairs regarding Job and Rehabilitation of the left out Community who chose to stay back in Kashmir Valley,” said the KPSS president.

KPSS lists the following under its Charter of Demands:

1)       KPSS demand Vigilance inquiry against the officers/officials of the Relief Department for deliberately stalling and sabotaging Relief and Rehabilitation of Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley and misusing their official positions to harm Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley.

2)            Implementation of Hon’ble High Court directions and recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding Jobs to the unemployed educated Kashmiri Pandit/Kashmiri Hindu youths.

3)       DMRR&R deliberately delayed the process by more than four years as such give one-time age relaxation to all the over-age candidates’ w.e.f. 31.05.2016 (date of the judgment passed by Hon’ble High Court in OWP 1986/2013 titled Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti and others Vs. Union of India and others)

4)            Easy and stress-free process of providing Bonafide Certificates to all the aspirants (Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits / Kashmiri Hindus) as per SRO 425 dated 10.10.2017.

5)            Monthly Financial Aid to 808 Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandit – Kashmiri Hindu families living in Kashmir Valley

6)            Providing accommodation to all deserving Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandit – Kashmiri Hindu families living in Kashmir Valley as per recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

7)            Extension of benefits of Migrant Welfare Fund to the Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley.

Related:

Kashmiri Pandit delegation meets J&K LG
Here’s why non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits feel betrayed
Teesta Setalvad in Conversation with Sanjay Tickoo
CJP demands justice for non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits 

 

Why are retired IPS officers attacking Julio Ribeiro for seeking fair probe into Delhi riots?

By
-
0


Image Courtesy:opindia.com

Like a few others before them, another group of retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, have written to oppose their brother officer Julio Ribeiro’s letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner in connection with the investigation into the February 2020 communal violence in Delhi. Ribeiro had written to the Delhi Police Commissioner urging a fair probe and received an uninspiring response from the top cop, following which Ribeiro had schooled him in another letter on his duties as a police officer.

Meanwhile, allegations of police complicity in exacerbating the violence continue to grow, even as police have gone on an arrest-spree targeting activists like Dr. Umar Khalid, who had spoken at rallies and demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). The latest letter by the IPS officers alleges that by writing to the Police Commissioner, Ribeiro, is ‘supporting’ Dr. Khalid!

A couple of days ago, 26 retired IPS officers wrote a letter saying Ribeiro, who was former Mumbai Police Commissioner, DGP Gujarat and Punjab, “is supporting Umar Khalid”, reported the Indian Express. According to these 26 retired officers Umar Khalid allegedly “raised anti-India slogans” and that they “condemn” what they have called “anti-India expression and communal narrative”.

Soon after the arrest of Dr. Khalid, a PhD scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Ribeiro had written to Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava stating that police were cracking down on “peaceful protestors” while ignoring senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politicians who had made provocative, communal public speeches. Ribeiro’s letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner had pointed out loopholes in the ongoing probe into North East Delhi communal violence. Shrivastava, however, defended the investigation and said no arrests were made on the basis of religion or party affiliation. He has now found support in this group of retired officers, who wrote as stated in the IE, “A section of former police officers can’t declare anyone innocent and try to put the police force in a bad light. These officers have no right to suspect or question the integrity and professionalism of their successors in the Indian Police Service, and in turn demoralise them.”

Those who signed the statement are: R S Gupta, former Delhi CP; P C Dogra, former Punjab DGP; M G Raman, former Kerala DGP; former UP DGPs R N Singh and Bhanu Pratap Singh; and Praveen Dixit, former Maharashtra DGP.

In his first letter to the Delhi CP that may be read here,  Julio Riberio has taken Shrivastava to task for his failure to ensure a fair probe into the communal violence that broke out in February 2020 in North East Delhi. Ribeiro, a former IPS officer with a formidable reputation as a policeman and thereafter a civil rights activist, said Delhi Police took “action against peaceful protestors but deliberately failed to register cognizable offences against those who made hate speeches which triggered the riots”. He ashed why BJP leaders “Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma have not been arraigned before the Courts of law while deeply-hurt Muslim women, peacefully protesting against discriminations based on religion, were lodged for months together in jail!”

He was supported by nine more former police officers, who also wrote to the Delhi CP. They called the investigation ‘flawed’. The letter was signed by Shafi Alam (former Director General, National Crime Records Bureau), K. Saleem Ali (former Special Director, CBI), Mohinderpal Aulakh (former Director General of Police (Jails), Punjab), A.S. Dulat (former OSD on Kashmir, Prime Minister’s Office), Aloke B. Lal (former Director General (Prosecution), Uttarakhand), Amitabh Mathur (former Director, Aviation Research Centre and former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat), Avinash Mohananey (former Director General of Police, Sikkim), P.G.J. Nampoothiri (former Director General of Police, Gujarat) and A.K. Samanta (former Director General of Police (Intelligence), West Bengal).

These former top cops are a part of the Constitutional Conduct Group, under the aegis of which retired officers belonging to the various services often take up matters of public interest and welfare. They wrote: “…[W]e would like to say that it indeed is a sad day in the history of Indian police that investigations and challans submitted in the court by Delhi Police in connection with riots of this year are widely believed to be partisan and politically motivated. It pains all those police officers, serving as well as retired, who believe in upholding the rule of law and our Constitution.” More on this may be read here.

Ribeiro responded to Shrivastava’s denial

Ribeiro had written back the doubts he raised have not been cleared at all. He had further highlighted the major flaws in the investigation and repeated that it was “impossible, to justify the licence given to the three B.J.P stalwarts I named – licence to rant, rave and threaten those who are peacefully protesting perceived wrongs. If the speakers were Muslims or Leftists the police would have surely taken them in for sedition!” Julio Ribeiro’s rebuttal to the Delhi Police commissioner’s reply can be read here.

Opposition leaders appealed to President, sought judicial probe

Apart from the senior cops who have raised the issue of an urgent need to investigate the riot investigation itself, several prominent political leaders met President Ram Nath Kovind and urged that he order a judicial probe into Delhi violence. They told the President that they were alarmed at the way scores of summons, questionings, and arrests under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and other charges, have been set into motion. The senior leaders of national Opposition parties met President Ram Nath Kovind, on Thursday, and gave him a memorandum, putting on record their demand for a judicial probe by sitting or retired judges, into the investigations that are now underway, probing Delhi communal riots of February 2020.

The three page memorandum has been signed by Congress’ Ahmed Patel, CPI’s D Raja, CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury, DMK’s Kanimozhi and RJD’s Manoj Jha. “There are, however, serious questions about the role played by the Delhi Police itself, during the violence, and also the manner in which police is harassing and attempting to falsely implicate activists and young people who took part in the anti-CAA/NRC/NPR movements, as perpetrators of violence,” stated the memorandum. The detailed article, and the memorandum may be read here.

Brinda Karat altered Commissioner, on recent illegal processions in communally sensitive areas

Another, and most alarming letter has been written by CPI(M) Polit Bureau Member Brinda Karat who wrote to the Commissioner of Delhi Police, SN. Srivastava, to draw his urgent attention to these disturbing incidents. Brinda Karat asked the Commissioner to act against communal activity in Shiv Vihar where non festive, aggressive processions sloganeering ‘Jai Shri Ram, Har Har Mahadev’ were taken out after dark. This is a sensitive area of North East Delhi, and Karat, a resident of Delhi was the first political leader, to have alerted the Commissioner about these  disturbing processions, and shared the the videos were the groups are heard screaming ‘Jai Shri Ram, Har Har Mahadev’ aggressively as they can be seen walking down the lanes of Shiv Vihar, North East Delhi, after sundown on September 15. She asked the commissioner to take appropriate action against such moves which can have dangerous consequences if they flare up into communal confrontations. Her letter can be read here.

It is not yet known if  the President has responded to the memorandum given by Opposition leaders, or if the Delhi Police commissioner has responded to Brinda Karat’s urgent letter, proactively. However, so far, no political leader, or retired IPS officer has written to oppose them. 

Related: 

Dialed 100 repeatedly, got no answer: Delhi riot survivor
North-East Delhi Riots: Minorities Commission investigations reveal role of Delhi Police, politicians
The ruling is surprising and disappointing: Brinda Karat on Hate Speech Case 

Agricultural Bills passed sans votes! Nation-wide, farmers rise in anger, Oppn United

By
-
0

Agriculture bill

The Centre has decided to pass three controversial agricultural Bills in the Rajya Sabha despite lacking the required number of votes on September 20. This act of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) completely affronts the essence of democracy and disregards Parliamentary rule and procedure.Incidentally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare had admitted to the agrarian crisis on September 18when it said that more than 10,000 farmers, cultivators had died by suicide in 2019. This is part of the staggering 42,000 suicide deaths in the informal sector in that year. With the new “reforms” things are likely to just get worse.

RS MP, Derek Brien of the Trinamool Congress took to twitter to express his outrage.

 

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s (TRS) President K. Chandrashekhar Rao had, along with other MPs from his party vehemently opposed the “anti-farmer” dubbed Bills. However, the Centre called for a voice-vote amid loud protests and despite lacking the required quorum, and went on to pass the Bill/Act. That too on a session called on Sunday! Worse, the proceedings of the official Rajya Sabha TV station were silenced so Indians, in a democracy could not hear or see the proceedings that took place in the Upper House.

 

 

 

 

“Today is the black day of Indian Parliament for passing the death warrant to Indian farmers by adopting three anti farmers bill breaking all rules and Procedures.No voting was allowed. Modi is the purohit [priest] of this last rites of Indian peasantry. Now all democratic secular people should rise againstthis anti-people anti-farmers anti-national conspiracy and defeat the demon,” said AIKSCC’s General Secretary Hannan Mollah.

The three Bills in question are the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill which had received widespread condemnation from farmer’s Unions for their pro-corporate policies.

The world over, in all countries, barring one, price security for farmers’ produce is always provided for by Government, not by companies, which only buy cheap to sell dear and earn huge profits.

 

 

In retaliation to the government decision, the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committeehas called for an all-India farmers’protest on September 25. The organisation intends to launch a massive resistance against the three Bills/Acts, the New Power Bill 2020 and the steep hike in Diesel and Petrol prices. Moreover, they also demanded that the Central Government pass the two Bills proposed by AIKSCC for “Karja Mukti, Poora Daam” (Debt relief, Full Price.)

Similarly, the All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) said it would participate in the All India Protest Day day as well. They said various resistance actions such as Rasta Roko, Rail Roko will be organized throughout the country against the destructive legislations promulgated by the Centre. Moreover, the AIAWU said it would observe bandhs in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as well.

According to the AIAWA’s press release, “The aim of these three legislations is to abolish the APMC Mandis, Government’s role in procurement at MSP, and to allow corporates the freedom for hoarding and black-marketing. At the same time, corporates are promoted in the agriculture sector through contract farming.”

The press released pointed out that these laws would adversely affect the general public of India. The laws will affect the public distribution as well as prices of essential commodities that will hereon be dictated by the market.

“The Central Government which is hell-bent to serve the interests of the big corporates is exposing the lives of millions to danger by giving freedom to free-market forces in the agricultural sector, which is already in crisis, and farmers and agricultural workers are forced to commit suicides,” it said.

Meanwhile, the AIKSCC also rubbished the Centre’s claims of a pro-Minimum Support Price (MSP) attitude.

 

 

This was in reference to a recent Parliament question and answer session wherein data presented by Minister of State For Ministry Of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Danve Raosaheb Dadarao showed that the number of wheat farmers who availed MSPs doubled in the last five years, while the number of paddy farmers who availed MSPs increased by 70 percent in the same period.

 

In a press released, the AIKSCC said that price security for farmers’ produce has always been provided by the Union governments and not by companies. The private sector would only buy cheap to sell dear and earn huge profits.

“Farmers’ indebtedness has grown during BJP rule and is rising faster as input prices are being raised by the Government, as in Electricity and Diesel and by the Companies which will have freedom to contract peasant land and force farmers to buy dear under the new laws. Indian peasants and the landless are committing suicide in huge numbers, almost two every hour, but despite slogan of ‘atmanirbharta’, the Government is selling their interest to big companies,” it said.

The Opposition, across the Board has opposed these moves of the Modi.2 government that is being clearly interpreted as a further bid to squeeze farmer interests and leave them to the mercy of large agro-corporates.

The major Opposition Party in Bihar, that goes to the polls within a month, the Rashtiya Janata Dal (RJD) was unequivocal:

 

 

Punjab:

 

 

Tamil Nadu:

 

 

Related:

Amendments to agricultural laws, dangerous for farmers: National Unions

Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s resignation, a public warning from Punjab farmers?

Over 42,000 workers from informal sector allegedly die by suicide

AIKS congratulates farmers on protests against anti-farmer ordinances issued by Centre

Femicide: UP Man Rips Open Pregnant Wife’s Stomach To Find Out Baby’s Gender

By
-
0
Femicide: UP Man Rips Open Pregnant Wife's Stomach

In a horrific incident, a father of five daughters here allegedly ripped open the stomach of his pregnant wife on Saturday evening allegedly to find out if she was going to deliver a son this time. Pannalal slit the stomach of his 35 year old wife,  with a sharp-edged weapon in the Nekpur locality under the Civil Lines police station area, injuring her seriously, senior police official (City) Pravin Singh Chauhan said.

An FIR has been lodged and the husband has been arrested, Mr Chauhan said, adding that the reasons behind the crime is being looked into.

The family of the woman, who was rushed to a Bareilly hospital in a serious condition, alleged that Pannalal wanted a son and committed the crime to know if it was male or female foetus.

The locals immediately rushed the woman to the district hospital from where she was sent to the Bareilly hospital in a serious condition. The woman is said to be six to seven months pregnant, the police said.
 
The Incident is a terrible recall of a crime committed on Feb 28, 2002 on young Kauser Bano at Naroda Patiya, Gujarat, It was one of a series of incidents of gendered violence and killings that took 124 lives in this area alone on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Such mass crimes against the marginalised acquire legitimacy when society, with its obsession for a son, can do the same to “their own” women!

Public order a state subject: Smriti Irani on gov’t measures against gendered crimes

By
-
0

Image Courtesy:noticebard.com

The Ministry of Women and Child Development said that police and public order are a state subject and thus the state’s responsibility when asked about measures to address the evil of violence against women.

When asked about government measures to contain the menace of violence against women, Union Minister Smriti Irani said, “’Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens rest primarily with the respective State Governments.”

This statement came along with data that showed a growing rate of crimes against women. Similarly, the Department records also showed that most States had failed to utilise even half of the Nirbhaya Funds released. In December 2019, Parliament data showed that many States had failed to effectively use Nirbhaya Funds.

For example, Maharashtra was recorded as the only large State that had used zero funds provided by the scheme. The data resulted in severe criticism of both Central and state governments for their general apathy towards a prevalent social issue.

During this year’s monsoon session, the Centre’s records showed yet again that states had utilised less than half the funds provided under this scheme. The only exceptions were Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Moreover, in stark contrast to the 2019 data, the Centre now said that Maharashtra had utilised Rs. 179.36 crores out of Rs. 295.93 crores funds released.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh had only used Rs. 42.72 crores out of Rs. 123.37 crores funds released despite being the state with the highest women suicides due to dowry-related issues – 496 deaths in 2019. Among Union Territories, Delhi ranked the highest with 59 such deaths in 2019. Overall, 1,815 dowry-related suicides were registered in India in 2019.

Similarly, the newly-created Union Territory of Ladakh had used no money from the Rs 0.27 crores funds released.

When Member of Parliament (MP) Adoor Prakash asked about proposals received by the Centre under this scheme and government measures to enable faster implementation, Irani said:

“A total of 35 schemes/ projects have been appraised and recommended by the EC so far. The EC reviews the status of implementation of the approved projects from time to time in conjunction with the concerned Ministries/ Departments/ Implementing Agencies (IAs). The Ministries/ Departments/ IAs also review and monitor the progress of their respective schemes/ projects for faster implementation at their level.”

MP Amar Singh asked the Centre about the increasing violence against women and the continuing prevalence of the social evil of dowry in India.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2016-2018 showed that crimes committed against women had increased from 3,38,954 cases in 2016 to 3,78,277 cases in 2018. The maximum number of cases were filed under ‘Cruelty by husband or his relatives’ in 2018. As many as eight cases were registered in 2018 under the crime of ‘buying minor girls.’

The Union Minister said that the Government considers safety and security of women as its highest priority and listed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 among the many government legislations.

Related:

NHRC, Delhi High Court spring into action, pull up governments on women’s safety measures, utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund
Now, Smriti Irani says no data on anganwadi workforce!
No data, so no compensation: Centre’s shocking revelation on migrant labourer deaths!
WCD Ministry gives unsatisfactory answers on efforts to protect women and children

Come back to us on a method to strengthen NBA : SC in Sudarshan News case

By
-
0

Image Courtesy:boomlive.in

The Supreme Court continued hearing the petition filed against Sudarshan News on the second consecutive day and observed that questions of national security have to be regarded along with human dignity.

On the September 15 hearing the bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and KM Joseph had observed, “You cannot target one community and brand them a particular manner… This is an insidious attempt to malign a community… As a Supreme Court of the nation we cannot allow you to say that Muslims are infiltrating civil services. You cannot say that the journalist has absolute freedom doing this”.

On the September 17 hearing, Sudarshan News defended its show titled “Naukarshahi me Muslamano ki Ghuspaith ke shadyantra ka bada khulasa” (The conspiracy behind Muslim infiltration in UPSC – The Big Reveal) by calling it “investigative journalism to awaken the citizens and the government about anti0national and anti-social activities”.

The arguments continued on September 18, even though the bench was not sitting otherwise, an exception was made for this case and heard arguments through the day.

During the hearing, Advocate Divan appearing for the respondents, Sudarshan News, argued at length defending the show. The bench, after looking at the materials placed before them by both parties remarked that the show had been presented in a manner that incited hate.

Justice Chandrachud’s remarks

LiveLaw reported that Justice Chandrachud particularly pointed out the graphics that were used during the show to depict a Muslim person. He noted that the show contained a pictoral representation of a Muslim with a beard, skull cap and green face, with flames in the background and termed this as problematic.

He further commented on the “investigative journalism” angle that Divan kept referring to, “See, we have no problem with you investigating into the funding of an organisation. But, to say that every member of a community represents a terrorist organisation just because some funding member is not above the board, is wrong. This is a cause of concern. Because this is where it goes from free speech to hatred as it implies that every member of that community has an agenda.”

When Divan told that the court should refrain from giving specific directions as to what the channel must and must and must not do, Justice Chandrachud said, “Let the marketplace of ideas flourish in India. We know what happened during the Emergency. But, we have the constitutional duty to protect human dignity and that is as important as protecting free speech. Tell us what you propose to do. Let Mr. Chavhanke tell us how he plans to approach this. Let a message go to the media that we need to fight for a nation that is inclusive, that is able. Tell us what you feel about national security. As judges we are also concerned about national security. But, we have to protect human dignity as well…We don’t want to do the work of a Censor Board. You know, such as “Beep, Beep, Beep”.”

Lack of effective self-regulation

LiveLaw reported that Justice Chandrachud raised concerns about the lack of effective self regulation.

“NBA says that they have a committee headed by Justice Sikri. They can impose a maximum fine of 1 lac fine and this shows how toothless you are. But NBA is only for members,  so Sudarshan News not being a member is not governed by NBA… How can you have self regulation if NBA is the only body you have ?”

He further pointed out the “obvious deficiency of self-regulatory body” as all channels are not its members. Justice Chandrachud further reprimanded the government for not taking further notice of the show after the September 9 order allowing the telecast of the show stating “please ensure that it’s in conformity with the programme code”.

“That’s it. Nobody saw anything after it was broadcasted. NBA said that Sudarshan TV was not a member.”

Justice Chandrachud asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to tell the court “how they will engage with the private bodies, but also with the government.”

Justice Chandrachud asked Advocate Nisha Bhambhani appearing for News Broadcasters Association (NBA), “One thing you can do is come back to us on a method to strengthen NBA, so that you have a higher regulatory content. You have a few members and your regulations cannot be implemented. You need to tell us how it can be strengthened.”

Bhambhani submitted, “It is not a toothless organisation as they make the channels apologise during Prime Time to all their paid viewers.”

Justice Chandrachud asked Bhambhani, “Do you watch TV? Can you control it?” To this Bhambani replied, “No, but we have improved significantly. It’s just that not all channels are our members.”

Justice Joseph and Justice Malhotra’s remarks

Justice Joseph, during the hearing remarked that it should have been a matter of joy that 50% of candidates getting selected in UPSC exam were from marginalized communities. He said that the channel, through the show, was running them down.

Justice Joseph further expressed his anguish on the way the minority community was depicted on the show, “What kind of attitude are you inculcating with this ? When 4 episodes have already been broadcast? Will you continue with this rant ? There are other communities also who want to ‘capture the power’. The bottom line is you’re maligning community.”

“Some of these images were offensive to us as well. These flames and 500 crore, they were hurtful to us as well ! These have to be taken down,” said Justice Malhotra.

The court has given Sudarshan News the chance to file an affidavit on what they propose to do and the next hearing is scheduled for Monday, September 21, at 2 P.M.

Related:

Sudarshan News defends show calling it investigative journalism; Centre says regulate digital media first
SC restrains Sudarshan News from telecasting “UPSC Jihad” show, calls it ‘insidious’
Retired civil servants move SC; seek authoritative meaning of ‘hate speech’
Centre allows Sudarshan News to air controversial #UPSCJihad show

Tablighi Jamaat members attacked in Beed

By
-
0

Image Courtesy:twocircles.net

You do not deserve to live in Hindustan, you cannot live here – these caustic words were used against four Tablighi Jamaat members by assailants on the night of September 16 in Maharashtra’s Beed district, reported TwoCircles.net.

The four men; Suhail Tamboli, Aslam Ather, Sayyed Layak and Nizamuddin Qazi, were travelling to Ambajogai village from Dharur when a group of six people allegedly attacked the travellers and their already broken-down car in Hol village. Of the six assailants, Assistant Police Inspector Anand Zote from the Yusuf Wadgaon police station said Narayan Dhanraj Ghuge and Rahul Tukaram Ghuge have been arrested.

Meanwhile, Tamboli who was beaten unconscious, said that the assailants intended to kill him and his friends that night. The travellers were ruthlessly beaten and verbally abused for 40 minutes late in the night. Tamboli was hit on the head twice by a brick and beaten by a stick until it broke. Ather was punched and attacked by sticks.

The incident took place soon after two men on a bike drove up to the broken-down car and began verbally abusing Ather and Qazi. Tamboli and Layak had gone to get water for the parked car’s coolant. Ather and Qazi alleged the two people used communally charged language and called more people to the spot. Tamboli said that the gathered assailants pulled at their beards and skull caps. Recalling the incident, Layak said it was as though the two groups had been enemies for a long time. He and his friends were clueless to the cause of the sudden attack.

Ather and Tamboli managed to escape and hide in a nearby farm for the latter half of the incident. They watched the assailants damage the car after kicking their friends in the chest and the head. Ather claimed he heard one of the attackers say “they are dead.” The police arrived at the site an hour later.

Once the assailants left, Ather and Layak called their village and took Tamboli and Qazi to Ambejogai Government Hospital. An FIR was registered on September 17 at the Yusuf Wadgaon Police Station for charges such as attempt to murder and voluntary assault.

Related:

Jungle raj, and mob bloodlust thriving in Haryana?
Communal and Targeted Violence Bill: Why it must be codified into law
BJP spreading virus of communal prejudice & hatred: Sonia Gandhi
It is a war against Ambedkar’s Constitution, not just Muslims alone: Dalits

Expert committee to look into draft EIA recommendations

By
-
0

Image Courtesy:empowerias.com

The Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on September 18 said that an expert committee will look into the suggestions for the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification.

“An Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. S.R. Wate, former Director, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has been constituted for review/deliberation on the comments and suggestions received on the draft Environmental Impact Assessment Notification,” said MoS Babul Supriyo.

Moreover, he said that the Kerala government recommended important changes to the policy such as the classifying minor mineral mining with lease area of 2 hectares to 100 hectares under the B-1 category. Moreover, mining with lease area of less than 2 hectares can be delegated to the District level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) rather than State level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, said the State. The Kerala government also asked for restoration of the 30-days-notice period for public hearing and retention of the DEIAA and the DEAC (District Expert Appraisal Committee.)

The draft notification has been criticised by many environment protection organisations and activists who claimed that it weakened the environmental regulations and laws in India. Most notably the draft has received criticism for its pro-corporate revisions. Three environment websites who were bringing this issue to the forefront were also blocked by the government in July.

Supriyo said that the draft EIA was published in the Official Gazette on April 11 for comments from the public until August 11. Several suggestions were received from stakeholders across the country including from State Government and Union Territory administrations.

Related:

40+ gas leaks, fires at refineries and oil wells in 4 years: Petroleum Ministry to LS
My worst nightmare is coming to school with an oxygen cylinder: Ridhima Pandey to PM
Karnataka HC extends stay on publication of draft EIA
Another explosion at Baghjan oil well injures three foreign experts

1...890891892...2,697Page 891 of 2,697

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Join our mailing list to get the latest human rights news that matters, straight to your mailbox.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Join our mailing list to get the latest human rights news that matters, straight to your mailbox.

Important Links

Other Links

CONNECT

Email: sabrangind@gmail.com

© Sabrang | All Rights Reserved