Tag: Manipur violence

The Hindu Morning Digest, December 10, 2023

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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs that a joint team of officers visited six seaports in Gujarat, including the Adani Tuna Port. File photo: adaniports.com

Jaishankar speaks to Palestinian PM, reiterates India’s long-standing position on Palestine

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on December 9. Mr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s long-standing position on Palestine. During the telephonic conversation, Mohammad Shtayyeh expressed deep concern on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

Ram temple sets off realty boom in Ayodhya

As Ayodhya town gears up for the consecration of the temple, land prices soar to an all-time high, especially in areas around the new structure. The combined efforts of the Union and State governments — currently involved in the development of Ayodhya with 264 projects worth about ₹32,000 crore, including highways, roads, infrastructure, a green field township, an international airport, international spiritual centre, among others — is also a reason for the city’s growth.

MEA carries out “technical correction”, after Meenakshi Lekhi objects to her name in question on Hamas

Hours after Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi claimed that a parliament question that carried her name was not signed by her and sought an inquiry in the “breach”, the Ministry of External Affairs swung into action and said a “technical correction” is being carried out to the name of the Minister mentioned in the Unstarred Question in the Lok Sabha.

Ashok Gehlot faults communal polarisation for Congress’s defeat in Rajasthan

The outgoing Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot listed communal polarisation as one of the key reasons for Congress’s defeat in Rajasthan in the recent Assembly election, at a meeting to review the reasons for party’s debacle presided over by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held in party headquarters in Delhi. There was a unanimous view that the party should have heeded to reports of anti-incumbency against the sitting legislators, instead 88% of the sitting MLAs were repeated.

Four years on, CAA awaits political nod for its implementation

Four years after the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 was passed by Parliament, the legislation is yet to be implemented despite the administrative framework in place as it awaits political nod from the BJP-led Union government.

Mamata seeks audience with PM Modi for release of Central funds

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month to seek the release of Central funds to the State. “I will meet him [the Prime Minister] with some of my MPs. They are not paying our dues, especially for the 100-day work scheme [MGNREGS]. Funding for rural roads and even health schemes have been cancelled. If the Prime Minister doesn’t give us time, I will see what I can do,” the Trinamool Congress chairperson said in Siliguri.

RSS trade union arm to protest Centre’s policies again

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the trade union arm of the Sangh Parivar, will hold its second protest rally against the BJP-led Union Government in a span of just one month. This is the second BMS protest in a month; anganwadi workers and helpers, mid-day meal cooks, ASHA workers demand permanent jobs with government employee benefits.

Israel presses on with Gaza bombardments, including in areas where it told civilians to flee

Israeli warplanes struck parts of the Gaza Strip overnight into Saturday in relentless bombardments, including some of the dwindling slivers of land Palestinians had been told to evacuate to in the territory’s south. The latest strikes came a day after the U.S. vetoed a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, despite it being backed by the vast majority of Security Council members and many other nations. The vote in the 15-member council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining.

Portfolios allocated to Ministers in the new Telangana Cabinet

The State Government has issued a gazette notification of the portfolios allocated to the newly constituted Cabinet after the approval of Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Saturday. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to retain the Municipal Administration and Urban Development portfolio along with the General Administration and Law & Order. He will also hold all other unallocated portfolios.

Morbi bridge collapse | Gujarat High Court bats for lifetime pension, help for victims’ families

Observing that one-time compensation is not going to help the families of the victims of the Morbi suspension bridge collapse, the Gujarat High Court asked the Oreva Group, the company responsible for operation and maintenance of the ill-fated bridge, to provide life-time pension to the elderly who lost their sons and jobs or stipend to widows. The division Bench of Chief Justice Sunil Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee was hearing a suo motu PIL on the October 30, 2022 incident in which 141 persons lost their lives after a British-era suspension bridge collapsed.

Visited six seaports, including Adani port in Gujarat, to check unregulated ports that could impact national security: MHA to parliamentary panel

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs that a joint team of officers visited six seaports in Gujarat, including the Adani Tuna Port, after the panel sought to know the action taken against more than 20 seaport immigration check-posts (ICP) running in violation of rules with implications for national security. Earlier, in a report tabled in the Upper House in March, the panel had sought to know of the bottlenecks in the effective functioning of seaport ICPs.

Manipur violence | CBI files chargesheet against nine accused in Naga woman abduction-killing case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed a chargesheet against nine accused persons in a case related to the abduction and murder of a 55-year-old Naga woman in Manipur in July amid the ethnic conflict. The ethnic conflict in the State, underway since May 3, between the dominant Valley-based Meitei people and the hills-based Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zo people, has led to the deaths of at least 175 people so far, with thousands of others injured and tens of thousands internally displaced. 

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Morning digest | India dismantles Sri Lanka to book World Cup semifinal spot; weapons, ammo, police vehicles looted in Imphal mob attack, and more

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India’s Mohammed Shami being congratulated by teammates after registering a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka during the match in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. India won by 302 runs.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Ind vs SL | Ruthless Men in Blue demolish Sri Lanka to make the semifinals

India became the first team to secure a semifinal spot at the Cricket World Cup after Mohammed Siraj bowled a stellar opening spell to help the hosts dismantle Sri Lanka for a 302-run win on November 2.

Siraj took three wickets for nought in the first seven balls as Sri Lanka lost its first four wickets for just three runs within 19 deliveries.

Decoding the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee’s probe against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra

The story so far: The controversy surrounding Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra over charges of cash-for-query has snowballed into a political storm, with the parliamentary ethics committee examining the allegations levelled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nishikant Dubey against her. 

The matter surfaced earlier this month after Mr. Dubey accused the West Bengal MP of accepting cash and favours for asking questions in Parliament at the behest of a businessman. The Speaker in turn referred the matter to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee for an investigation and report. The panel has since recorded statements of the BJP MP and another complainant, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. Ms. Moitra, meanwhile, has dismissed “false, malicious and defamatory accusations” against her, and is expected to appear before the committee on November 2.

Not much progress in INDIA bloc, Congress more interested in State polls: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday blamed the Congress Party for the Opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) losing steam as. “The Congress party seemed to be more interested in assembly elections in the five States,” he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a jibe over Mr. Kumar’s statement and said the INDIA bloc has been a tukde-tukde (fragmented) alliance bereft of any “vision or mission”.

‘A curse to be a parent in Gaza’: More than 3,600 Palestinian children killed in just 3 weeks of war

More than 3,600 Palestinian children were killed in the first 25 days of the war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. They were hit by airstrikes, smashed by misfired rockets, burned by blasts and crushed by buildings, and among them were newborns and toddlers, avid readers, aspiring journalists and boys who thought they’d be safe in a church.

U.S.’ Antony Blinken and Llyod Austin to travel to India for 2+2 Ministerial dialogue

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin would be travelling to India for the 2+2 Ministerial dialogue with their Indian counterparts External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this month, the State Department has said.

Bhutan King to visit India amid fresh momentum in China boundary talks

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will begin an eight-day visit to India on Friday, a trip that comes amid renewed push by Bhutan and China for an early settlement of their lingering boundary dispute.

Announcing the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it would provide an opportunity to both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to further advance the “exemplary” partnership.

Fresh restrictions kick in as air quality turns ‘severe’ 

As the overall air quality slipped into the ‘severe’ category in the national capital for the first time this season on Thursday, a ban on construction and demolition activities, barring some essential projects, was declared by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR with “immediate effect”.

Later in the evening, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that all government and private primary schools in Delhi will remain closed on November 3 and 4 in view of rising pollution.

Karnataka steps up surveillance after detection of Zika virus in mosquito pool in Chickballapur

Karnataka has stepped up surveillance after a mosquito pool in Chickballapur was found to be positive for Zika virus, a vector-borne flavivirus transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Mosquito samples collected from Thalakayalbetta village in the jurisdiction of Dibburahalli Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Chickballapur during routine surveillance were found to be carrying the Zika virus, according to the molecular virology laboratory report from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) State unit in Bengaluru. The samples tested positive on October 18, and since then, intensive preventive measures have been taken up to check the spread of the disease.

Fifth edition of The Hindu BusinessLine Changemakers Awards will be held today

The fifth edition of The Hindu BusinessLine Changemaker Awards, which celebrates individuals and organisations that have brought change in society, will be held in New Delhi on November 3.

R.K. Singh, Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy will give away the awards to the winners. The awards will be given across six categories: Social Transformation; Digital Transformation; Financial Transformation; Young Changemaker; Iconic Changemaker; and Changemaker of the Year.

Weapons, ammo, police vehicles looted in Imphal mob attack

Around 700 armed miscreants attempted to storm a police camp, and snatched eight sophisticated weapons, over 600 rounds of ammunition, and over half a dozen vehicles from multiple police locations in Imphal on Wednesday evening, according to details accessed by The Hindu.

Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured as they tried to stop the miscreants from looting weapons at the 1st Manipur Reserve Battalion camp. A police source said that three of the eight looted weapons, including AK-47 rifles, have been recovered and that raids are continuing to arrest the accused persons.

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Morning Digest | SC to pronounce judgment in same-sex marriage case; UNSC to vote on resolutions on Israel-Hamas war, and more

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People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian people, on October 16, 2023, in Boston.
| Photo Credit: AP

Same-sex marriage case | Supreme Court to pronounce judgment today

A Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud is scheduled on October 17 to pronounce its judgment in a series of petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. The case was reserved on May 11 for judgment.

Same-sex marriage verdict LIVE updates | Top court to pronounce judgment at 10:30 A.M.

The other four judges on the Bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice S Ravindra Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice PS Narasimha. Justice Bhat is scheduled to retire on October 20.

UN Security Council meets to vote on rival resolutions on Israel-Hamas war

The U.N. Security Council met Monday evening to vote on rival Russian and Brazilian resolutions that reflect deep divisions over the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the latest Hamas’ attacks and Israeli retaliation.

But immediately after the meeting was gaveled to order, the United Arab Emirates ambassador, Lana Nusseibeh, asked for members to go into closed consultations, and the 15 council ambassadors left the room. Several diplomats said they wanted a delay in the vote, especially on the Brazil resolution.

CBI files chargesheet against six accused in Manipur sexual violence case

The Central Bureau of Investigation on October 16 filed a chargesheet against six accused persons and a report against one child in conflict with the law in connection with the incident in which women were gang-raped, stripped and paraded by a violent mob in Manipur this May.

‘Practical issues’ in forming alliance with SP in Madhya Pradesh, says Kamal Nath

A day after the Samajwadi Party (SP) said it had worked out an alliance with the Congress for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election, the Congress’ chief ministerial candidate, Kamal Nath, on October 16 said discussions were held with the SP, but there were some “practical issues” in forming an alliance in the State.

Political storm over ‘cash for query’ allegation against TMC MP Mahua Moitra intensifies

The political storm over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s “cash-for-query” allegation against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra intensified, with Ms. Moitra serving a legal notice to Mr. Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai who supplied the alleged evidence against her.

Union Minister of State for Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, was among several BJP leaders who spoke out against Ms. Moitra, saying, “If true, this is indeed shocking and shameful.” The Adani Group also issued a statement, which said the latest allegations corroborate their stand that “groups and individuals have been working overtime to harm its name and market standing.” 

Will ‘measure’ Congress ‘strengths’ before going ahead with seat distribution in U.P., says SP

In a dramatic turn of events, the Samajwadi Party (SP), on October 16, said if Congress is not ready to accommodate the U.P.-centric party in Madhya Pradesh suitably and decide tickets as per its whims and fancies in coming Assembly elections, the SP will ‘measure’ Congress ‘strengths’ before going ahead with seat sharing under the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, in U.P., India’s political most crucial State sending 80 Lok Sabha members.

Caste census not to divide people but to ensure that the deserving get their due: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing an election rally at Baran in Rajasthan on October 16, asserted that their demand for caste census is not meant to divide people or snatch anybody’s rights but only to ensure that deserving groups get their rightful share in development.

India and U.K. discuss Indo-Pacific and trade at ‘2+2’ Foreign and Defence Dialogue

Reaffirming mutual commitment to maritime freedom, India and the United Kingdom on October 16 discussed the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussion was held here during the inaugural “2+2” Foreign and Defence Dialogue which acquired a special significance because of the ongoing talks between the two sides for a Free Trade Agreement.

Journalist bodies seek President Murmu’s intervention for protection of media freedom

Media bodies on October 16 sought President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention to ensure that the freedoms of speech, and to profess occupation and livelihood, in the Constitution, were protected. Journalists also held a day-long protest at the Press Club of India against attacks on media freedom.

Opposition leaders meet Palestinian Ambassador to express solidarity, call for urgent ceasefire

Several Opposition leaders met Palestinian Ambassador Adnan Abu Alhaija on October 16 to express their concern for the Palestinian people and said that India should exercise its diplomatic influence to call for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

In Brazil’s Amazon, rivers fall to record low levels during drought

The Negro River, the Amazon’s second largest tributary, on Monday reached its lowest level since official measurements began near Manaus 121 years ago. The record confirms that this part of the world’s largest rainforest is suffering its worst drought, just a little over two years after its most significant flooding.

Cricket World Cup 2023 | Zampa triggers Sri Lanka’s fall before Marsh, Inglis hand Aussies first win

It took an apocalyptic dust storm and a freak bout of rain for Australia to get its World Cup campaign back on track with a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Monday.

While it wasn’t exactly the statement win the Aussies were looking for after two successive defeats, the return of Mitchell Marsh (52, 51b, 9×4) to his characteristic best and Adam Zampa (four for 47) to his wicket-taking form were positives they would settle for.

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Morning Digest | India says no specific information shared by Canada on Nijjar killing; Kovind-led panel to seek political parties’ views on simultaneous elections, and more

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A photograph of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is seen on a banner outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, British Columbia. File.
| Photo Credit: AP

Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing | No specific information shared by Canada, says India

“No specific information has been shared by Canada on the [Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing case], either then or before or after… We have, you know, as we have said, or I think we have made very clear, we are willing to look at any specific information,” the Ministry of External Affairs said on September 23.

Kovind-led panel to invite political parties for their views on simultaneous elections

The high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to examine the possibility of simultaneous elections held its first meeting and decided to invite national and regional political parties to submit their views and suggestions on the issue. The first meeting of the committee was to prepare an action plan and discuss holding consultations with stakeholders. Preparation of working papers and research on the subject for an in-depth discussion were also on the agenda of the meeting.

Congress irked at CPI MP’s suggestion to not repeat Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad

A suggestion made during internal discussions at the recent national executive meeting of INDIA bloc member CPI that senior leader Rahul Gandhi not seek re-election from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in 2024 has annoyed the Congress, especially its Kerala unit.

Bidhuri was instigated by ‘unsavoury remarks’ about PM, BJP MP tells Speaker

A day after Opposition parties’ floor leaders in Parliament flooded Speaker Om Birla with letters supporting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali’s demand that BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri’s communal slurs against him be referred to the privileges committee, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, in turn, wrote to the Speaker, asking that the “unsavoury conduct” of Mr. Ali also be probed.

In Tamil Nadu, yet another sand storm

On March 17, 2021, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court passed an order directing the State authorities to ensure that river sand for construction purposes was supplied only when the buyer produced an approved building plan. The court issued the guidelines while disposing of a couple of writ petitions accusing officials of colluding with lorry owners in the sale of sand and seeking directions to enable members of the public to buy sand through the Tamil Nadu Sand Web Service Portal.

No justification for delay in implementing Women’s Quota Bill: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said there was no justification for a delay in the implementation of the women’s reservation Bill, for which the BJP government at the Centre was trying to find excuses such as the new Census and delimitation of constituencies. On the other hand, the Central government was not willing to conduct a caste census, he said.

PSU engineers who build equipment for ISRO go without salary for 20 months

Around 3,000 employees of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), including technicians and engineers, who helped produce many a equipment for the Indian Space Research Organisation, including the launch pad of Chandrayaan-3, are now forced to sell edibles and garments. These HEC employees, forced to engage as part-time daily wage workers, including driving autorickshaws, have not been paid their rightful salaries for the last 20 months.

423 acres decluttered in Union government offices in two years, data shows

Central government office space of the size of around 320 football fields has been cleared of clutter and junk in the past two years as part of two special drives, data shows. Now, the Centre has decided to scale-up efforts to reach a “saturation level” in all offices as part of its upcoming ‘Special Campaign 3.0’.

Political parties in Punjab adopt contrasting strategies amid India-Canada conflict 

As diplomatic relations between India and Canada take a nosedive, political parties in Punjab are treading cautiously. Mindful of the need to cultivate their vote banks ahead of the parliamentary election due in 2024, major parties are adopting starkly different strategies in the State, which has strong connections to a substantial diaspora population in Canada.

Kamala Harris tasked with new role fighting U.S. gun violence

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris took on a new role Friday fighting gun violence, a job likely to give her more visibility ahead of the 2024 election. The 58-year-old Democrat will head up the new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which will provide coordination on the issue but largely lacks any kind of enforceable power to tackle the scourge in a country that has more firearms than people.

Muslim bodies seek Bidhuri’s disqualification for remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali

The leading Muslim bodies of the country have called for the disqualification of the BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri who indulged in a slur-laden diatribe against Kunwar Danish Ali, the Bahujan Samaj Party MP on the concluding day of the special session of Parliament.

Is the TDP heading towards a leadership crisis in Andhra Pradesh?

After the arrest of Telugu Desam Party national president N. Chandrababu Naidu by the A.P. CID in the alleged skill development scam case, there seems to be a void on the leadership front in the four-decade-old party.

India-Australia ODI series | Men in Blue looking to seal the deal against visiting Aussies

The Men in Blue landed in this historical city on Saturday as the No. 1 team across formats. They had made history when they beat Australia in the first ODI at Mohali; only South Africa had achieved the feat of being the ICC’s top-ranking team for men in Tests, ODIs and T20Is at the same time, back in 2012.

Cancel Group-I preliminary test held on June 11, reconduct it: HC to TSPSC

Justice P. Madhavi Devi of Telangana High Court on Saturday allowed a writ petition seeking cancellation and re-conduct of the preliminary examination held June 11 for recruitment of Group-I cadre officers.

Pakistan’s PM says manipulation of coming elections by military is ‘absolutely absurd’

Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister said he expects parliamentary elections to take place in the new year, dismissing the possibility that the country’s powerful military would manipulate the results to ensure that jailed former premier Imran Khan’s party doesn’t win.

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Morning Digest | India’s first solar observatory mission Aditya-L1 launches today; ED arrests Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal in bank fraud case, and more

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Preparations in the final phase for India’s maiden solar mission, Aditya L1 onboard the PSLV-C57, ahead of its launch on Sept. 2, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI

India’s first solar observatory mission Aditya-L1 to be launched at 11.50 a.m. today

India’s first solar observatory mission, named Aditya-L1, will be launched onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11.50 am on Saturday. This PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 mission can be counted as one of the longest missions involving ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle. However, the longest of the PSLV missions is still the 2016 PSLV-C35 mission which was completed two hours, 15 minutes and 33 seconds after lift-off.

Opposition says govt. rattled by INDIA alliance; thus exploring ‘one nation one poll’

Opposition parties on Friday said the coming together of the INDIA alliance had worried the ruling BJP, forcing it to set up a panel to explore the feasibility of holding Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously. The government on Friday constituted a committee, headed by former President Ramnath Kovind, to explore the possibility of holding simultaneous elections to State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha, a day after announcing a special session of Parliament from September 18-22.

SC moots even airdropping food, medicine in Manipur due to blockades

The Supreme Court on Friday suggested even airdropping food and medicine in Manipur after Justice Gita Mittal Committee said the situation might turn dire with supplies dwindling due to road blockades, coupled with an outbreak of chickenpox and measles in relief camps lodging victims of ethnic violence. Chief Justice Chandrachud also sought action from the government about the unidentified bodies of people killed during the violence still lying in mortuaries in the State.

Rajnath Singh cancels 2-day visit to Sri Lanka

In a sudden development, the Defence Ministry on Friday announced that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh would not be travelling to Sri Lanka on a two-day visit beginning Saturday, which it had announced earlier in the day, due to “unavoidable circumstances”. Coinciding with the visit, INS Delhi, Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer, arrived at Colombo on September 1.

IIT-Delhi student dies by suicide, second case in two months

A 21-year-old student of B.Tech final year at the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi died by suicide on September 1. According to the police, the student was on extension as he failed to clear some exams. It is the second incident of suicide on IIT-Delhi campus in last two months. On July 10, a student named Ayush Ashna, who was pursuing B.Tech (Maths), passed away after a suicide bid.

Some countries are trying to hijack G-20 agenda, says Russia

A week before the G-20 summit in New Delhi, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov on September 1 came out strongly against western attempts to foreground the Ukraine crisis at the multilateral platform saying that political issues should not be raised in keeping with the tradition of G-20. He further said the language of Bali Declaration 2022 that had mention of Ukraine will have to change when the G-20 countries meet in New Delhi. 

Countdown to the end of the fascist BJP regime has begun, says Stalin

Alleging that “lies and falsehood are the capital of the fascist BJP regime”, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Friday said the countdown to the end of the BJP rule had begun. In his statement at a joint press meet held on behalf of the INDIA bloc of Opposition parties in Mumbai, Mr. Stalin alleged that the BJP had, during the past nine years of its rule, shown scant regard for democratic ethos, and now, it had become a threat to the very existence of democracy.

ED arrests Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal in bank fraud case

The Enforcement Directorate on September 1 arrested Jet Airways (India) Limited’s founder chairman Naresh Jagdishrai Goyal, in connection with an alleged loan fraud involving about ₹538.62 crore of the Canara Bank. The ED probe is based on a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in May. Among those named as accused were the company, Mr. Goyal, his wife Anita Naresh Goyal and Gaurang Ananda Shetty.

Singapore ex-deputy PM Shanmugaratnam elected president: official results

Former Singapore deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected president on September 1, according to official results, in the city-state’s first contested vote for the largely ceremonial position in more than a decade. Shanmugaratnam replaces incumbent Halimah Yacob who ran unopposed for her six-year term in 2017.

Children from void, voidable marriages entitled to parents’ share in ancestral property: SC

The Supreme Court on September 1 held that a child born of a void or voidable marriage can inherit the parent’s share in a joint Hindu family property governed by the Mitakshara law. A voidable marriage is one that is made invalid by the husband or wife through a decree. A void marriage is invalid at the very inception. Mitakashara law of succession governing Hindu Undivided Families applies to the whole of India except West Bengal and Assam.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi demands debate on China, others in special session of Parliament

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded a debate on the border issue with China, along with others, in the special session of Parliament convened by the government even as he said that any Bill on ‘one nation-one election’ would be unconstitutional. He demanded that the NDA government hold a comprehensive debate on China. Referring to media reports on ‘one nation-one election’ with regard to the special Parliament session, he claimed that it is “impossible”.

8 killed, 29 injured in Manipur since August 29: source

As many as 29 people were injured and eight killed in a fresh cycle of violence that erupted on the boundary of Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts in Manipur since August 29, a defence source said on Friday. The area witnessed intermittent firing between the two groups on Friday where a person was said to have been injured in Churachandpur.

India to have 42.5 crore air passengers by 2035, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

India is expected to have 42.5 crore air passengers by 2035 from the current level of 14.5 crore and that is the growth potential that international players can look at, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Friday, September 1, 2023. The Union Minister also said that the regional air connectivity has democratised civil aviation and has spawned four regional carriers.

Asia Cup 2023 | High-voltage India-Pakistan clash all set to produce sparks

Fitness test for one side, carrying the form for another. And the last leg for the World Cup preparations for both the teams. All these objectives will be paused for eight hours at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on the outskirts of hilly Kandy on Saturday afternoon. After all, it’s India vs Pakistan time. That too in the Asia Cup. And the same stands and grass banks that wore a deserted look on Thursday for Sri Lanka’s game against Bangladesh — the other fierce inter-continental rivalry — will be choc-a-bloc.

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Morning Digest | China releases new official map, showing territorial claims; Assam Rifles files defamation suit against Manipur politician, and more

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An Indian Army jawan looking at the India-China border through his telescope in Arunachal Pradesh. File.
| Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR

Assam Rifles files defamation suit against Manipur politician, seeks apology

Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the country, has slapped a legal notice against a Manipur politician for causing “considerable harm to the reputation and standing of the organisation in the public eye.” It said the notice is being served for tarnishing the reputation and “discouraging and demoralising” the Central armed police force. Assam Rifles sought a “written” and “public” apology for the false allegation and defamation asking him to retract the statement he made at ‘Condolence of Meitei Martyrs’ in Delhi on June 30.

China releases new official map, showing territorial claims

China’s government released the “2023 edition of the standard map of China”, which continues to show the entire State of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region within China’s borders. The latest map follows Beijing in April announcing it would “standardise” the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, including a town close to the Arunachal Pradesh capital of Itanagar. This was the third such list “renaming” places in Arunachal Pradesh, and was seen by observers as a response to India holding events in the lead-up to the G-20 summit in the State, which Beijing had opposed. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the September 9-10 summit in New Delhi.

Only Centre can conduct census, Union tells SC in Bihar caste survey case

The Union government saidonly the Centre is entitled to conduct census, in its reply to the Supreme Court on the Bihar government’s caste-based survey. The Centre had filed an affidavit earlier on August 28 morning which said in its penultimate paragraph that “no other body is entitled to conduct the exercise of either census or any action akin to census”. Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused to stay the uploading of data collected in the recently concluded Bihar caste-based survey while debunking claims that the Nitish Kumar government had violated the fundamental right to privacy by compelling people to reveal their caste.

Rajnath Singh to visit Sri Lanka this weekend, say defence sources

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka over the coming weekend, defence sources confirmed. The visit comes at a time when the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry is considering a fresh request from China to allow the visit of a research ship. Last week, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry acknowledged receiving a request from the Chinese Embassy. The research vessel Shiyan-6 is expected to arrive in October. 

Article 35A took away fundamental rights while giving special rights to permanent residents of J&K, says CJI

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said Article 35A, which empowered the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature to define “permanent residents” of the State and provide them special privileges, denied fundamental rights to others. “Article 35A gave special rights and privileges to permanent residents and virtually took away the rights for non-residents. These rights included the right to equal opportunity of State employment, right to acquire property and the right to settle in Jammu and Kashmir,” Chief Justice Chandrachud, heading a Constitution Bench, observed on August 28.

India’s population growth alone is not enough to make its economy stronger, says Moody’s

India’s population growth would raise its labour force availability but that alone won’t be enough to make the economy stronger or improve fiscal outcomes, due to the quality of education in the country, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report on Monday. In a report on Sovereigns in South and South East Asia, titled ‘Population growth alone will not drive credit benefits for emerging economies’, the rating major said it expects continued population growth in the region to support economic expansion as working-age populations will remain large compared with younger and older citizens.

Warming Pacific points to rise in cyclones over India: Study

Tropical cyclones that originate near the Equator, while being devastating, have been unusually subdued in recent decades. The last major cyclone of this kind in the Indian neighbourhood was the 2017 Cyclone Okchi which devastated Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. However, a combination of global warming and a cyclical event called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) that repeats every 20-30 years, could make such cyclones more frequent in the coming years, a study published on Monday in the journal Nature Communications said.

Federal Judge sets March 4 date for historic Donald Trump trial

A federal judge has set a date of March 4, 2024, for Donald Trump’s election subversion conspiracy trial — placing one of the biggest criminal cases in American history at peak election season. Special counsel Jack Smith had asked for the trial of the 45th US president to begin on January 2, while Mr. Trump’s attorneys countered with a proposed date of April 2026 — 17 months after the election.

Fire in coach: Five from Uttar Pradesh arrested in Madurai by Tamil Nadu Railway Police

The Tamil Nadu Railway Police, have arrested five persons from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the fire that broke out in a coach and claimed nine lives near the Madurai railway junction on Saturday. The arrested persons have been accused of having carried inflammable articles on the train, in violation of Section 164 of the Railway Act.

U.S. raises concerns on India’s decision to curb tech imports

With the U.S. flagging concerns over India’s decision to impose import restrictions on certain electronic devices, both countries have agreed to find a solution to the issue that addresses the concerns of both nations, according to a statement of USTR. The issue was flagged during a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai here on August 26.

Foxconn billionaire Terry Gou says he will seek Taiwan’s presidency as independent candidate

Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of the electronics giant Foxconn, declared that he will run as an independent candidate for president in Taiwan’s 2024 election, ending months of speculation. Mr. Gou’s Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., is a major supplier to Apple and has factories in China. He has long had presidential aspirations. He ran in the 2019 election but lost as Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party easily won re-election.

I have no personal desire to hold any post in INDIA, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday categorically said that he had no “personal desire” to hold any post in the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) ahead of the upcoming third meeting of the Opposition bloc in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1. The buzz in political circles was that Mr. Kumar might be appointed as INDIA convener at its Mumbai meeting. Earlier, Mr. Kumar had initiated the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna on June 23 in which altogether 16 parties, including Congress, participated. The second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 18.

WB fireworks blast: toll climbs to nine, one arrested

The death toll in an explosion at an illegal fireworks factory at Mochpol area under Duttapukur police station in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district rose to nine on Monday with one more person succumbing to injuries. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her disappointment at a meeting of the State Cabinet today. She wanted to know why steps were not taken after she had sought action following an explosion at Egra in Purba Medinipur district. An explosion at an illegal fireworks factory at Egra on May 16 claimed 12 lives.

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Morning Digest: August 9, 2023

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Manipur Police register criminal case against Assam Rifles

In an unprecedented move, the Manipur Police have registered a criminal case against the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the country, for “obstruction of duty” and “criminal intimidation”. The police have accused the personnel of the 9th battalion of the Assam Rifles of the “arrogant act” of “giving a chance to the accused Kuki militants to escape freely to a safe zone”. The Assam Rifles has been under continuous attack from Meitei civil society groups and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs in the valley since the start of ethnic violence on May 3, which has claimed more than 150 lives.

Defence Ministry to switch to locally built OS Maya amid threats

In the face of increasing cyber and malware attacks on defence as well as critical infrastructure across the country, the Defence Ministry has decided to replace the Microsoft Operating System (OS) in all computers connected to the Internet with a new OS, Maya, based on open-source Ubuntu developed locally. “Maya has the interface and all functionality like Windows and users will not feel much difference as they transition to it. To begin with, the direction is to install Maya on all computers connected to the Internet in South Block before August 15,” one official involved in the process said. In addition, an ‘end point detection and protection system’, Chakravyuh, is also being installed in these systems.

Resolution in Kerala Assembly seeks to scrap plan for UCC

The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed a unanimous resolution demanding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government abandon the polarising move to draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tabled the politically consequential motion that has an immediate bearing on preserving the personal laws that govern marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession of minority community members, chiefly Muslims. Notably, Christians, especially Catholics, accept canon laws as personal laws.

Bilkis Bano case: Supreme Court says public outcry will not affect its judicial decision

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said public outcry will not affect its judicial decision while hearing petitions challenging the remission granted by the Gujarat Government in August 2022 to 11 life convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case. “Public outcry will not affect our judicial decisions. We will consider only legal submissions. Suppose there is no public outcry, are we supposed to uphold the order? If there is a public outcry, does it mean it is a wrong order?” a Bench headed by Justice B.V. Nagarathna addressed advocate Shobha Gupta, appearing for Ms. Bano.

BJP leader accused of humiliating Muslim youth

A Muslim youth was allegedly forced to lick his spit by former BJP MLA Devendra Kunwar in Dumka district of Jharkhand. A video of the purported incident, which took place on August 6, is circulating on social media in which the former MLA from Jarmundi is seen making the youth do sit-ups, forcing to lick his spit and kicking him on his back. The victim, Taufiq Ansari, is a resident of Sadhudih village. On Sunday afternoon, the villagers caught him and brought him to the panchayat, accusing him of taking photographs and videos of women bathing in a river in Naunihat.

Retired judges are not colleagues, their opinions not binding, says CJI on Ranjan Gogoi’s remarks

Retired judges are no longer “colleagues” and their opinions are not binding, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said on Tuesday, in reaction to the statement by former top judge and current Rajya Sabha member, Ranjan Gogoi, about the ”doubtful jurisprudence” of the Basic Structure of the Constitution. The Chief Justice was responding to senior advocate Kapil Sibal’s reference to the statement made by Mr. Gogoi in Parliament on August 7.

Opposition MPs stall Lok Sabha proceedings over Sansad TV scroll on PM Modi government’s achievements

Opposition members in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday stalled proceedings for over 10 minutes during the debate on the no-confidence motion after some of them objected to a scroll that was appearing on the bottom of the screen of Sansad TV. BSP member Danish Ali accused Sansad TV of showcasing “achievements of the Modi government”. He added that it was “unprecedented to highlight a government’s work against whom a no-confidence motion has been brought in by the Opposition”.

With the Delhi Services Bill out of the way, Opposition and government in no-holds barred battle in the Rajya Sabha

With the Delhi Services Bill out of the way, it was a no-holds barred battle in the Upper House on August 8. Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar first announced Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’ Brien’s suspension for disregarding his directions, but later dropped the matter altogether. This kept the House engaged for the best part of the pre-lunch session. The Opposition also submitted a notice to move a privilege motion against the Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal, for calling them (the Opposition) “traitors”. By all indications, the Rajya Sabha will see a high voltage exchange in its last three sittings of the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

Why no disaggregated data on tribal populations, asks House panel

A Parliamentary Committee on the empowerment of women on August 8 tabled a report in the House, which pulled up the Union government for not having disaggregated data on the health conditions of tribal populations in the country and called for extensive data collection in this regard. The panel also called for a review in the Allocation of Business Rules so that the Tribal Affairs Ministry can be empowered to appropriately plan resources for tribal welfare in sectors like health, education, nutrition, skill development and livelihood.

Filmmaker Siddique passes away

Popular filmmaker Siddique, 68, who suffered a heart attack on August 7, died in Kochi on August 8, 2023. The death occurred around 9.10 p.m at the Amrita hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for liver-related ailments over the last one month. His condition had worsened on Monday. Doctors had put him on ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) support. He is survived by wife, Shajitha, and three daughters.

BJP says doors are open after RLD chief misses RS voting on Delhi services Bill

The absence of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary from the Rajya Sabha during the debate and voting on the Delhi services Bill on Monday has led to a buzz over his association with the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The RLD on Tuesday played down the incident and cited the health condition of Mr. Chaudhary’ wife as the reason behind his absence from the House. It maintained that the party was part of INDIA and was in coalition with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh.

After clashes, garment and leather units in Manesar hub face acute shortage of workers

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, mostly in garments and leather goods space, in Manesar Industrial Model Township have been battling a shortage of workforce, with several of their employees from the religious minority having returned to homes amid fear and uncertainty in the wake of the communal clashes in South Haryana last week. “Almost half of my 60-odd employees belonged to religious minorities and have left since the clashes broke out. There was a sense of fear, and in some cases the landlords, fearing a backlash, asked them to vacate the premises,” said Manmohan Gaind, Chief Executive Officer, M. M. Creations, which makes couture clothing and home furnishings.

WI vs India, 3rd T20I | Suryakumar back to best as India keep series alive with seven-wicket win

Suryakumar Yadav was back to his disdainful best as India stayed alive in the series with a seven-wicket win over the West Indies in the third T20I here on Tuesday. West Indies skipper Rovman Powell’s whirlwind 40 not out off 19 balls pushed the hosts to 159 for five after Kuldeep Yadav (3/28) stemmed the flow of runs in the middle overs. Debutant Yashavi Jaiswal (1) and Shubman Gill (6) got out cheaply in run chase before Suryakumar came up with a special 83 off 44 balls to help India gun down the target in 17.5 overs.

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Morning Digest: August 8, 2023

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Rajya Sabha passes Delhi services Bill with support of 131 MPs

The Rajya Sabha passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill in New Delhi on August 7, four days after the Lok Sabha cleared the Bill. According to the Centre, the Bill is for the “maintenance of democratic and administrative balance in the governance” of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Bill was passed with 131 members voting in favour of it and 102 voting against it. Apart from the NDA constituents, the Bill got the support of the members from BJD and YSRCP.

Home Ministry seeks eighth extension to frame CAA rules

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought yet another extension to frame the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA). The legislation that fast-tracks citizenship to non-Muslim undocumented migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh has been ineffective since its passage in Parliament four years ago. The Ministry has written to the parliament committee on subordinate legislation in the Lok Sabha, seeking time till end of September to frame CAA rules, a government official said, adding that the committee had granted the extension. This is the eighth extension sought by the government. The last such request was made by the MHA in January to extend the deadline till June 30. 

Manipur Government note in Supreme Court shows one case of rape and murder till July 31

A note presented by the Manipur Government in the Supreme Court on August 7 shows that only one case of rape and murder was registered in the State during ethnic violence from May 3 to July 31. The note presented by the State said a “disaggregation” of 6,523 First Information Reports (FIR) shows that one case of rape and murder (the victim was allegedly raped and murdered), three cases of rape/gang-rape, six cases of assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, and 72 cases of murder had been registered as on July 31. Compared to this, the cases registered for arson, looting, and destruction of house property mostly numbered in four figures.

Armed with SC order, ED takes Senthilbalaji into custody for interrogation

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday night took V. Senthilbalaji, jailed Tamil Nadu Minister without portfolio, in its custody in an alleged money laundering case after the Supreme Court earlier in the day allowed the agency to interrogate him for five days. Mr. Senthilbalaji, who was arrested on June 14, could not be interrogated earlier as he was admitted to hospital following complaints of chest pain. Subsequently, he underwent a heart bypass surgery at a private hospital in Chennai and upon being discharged, was lodged at the Puzhal Central Prison, Chennai.

WHO medical product alert: one batch of Indian-made combination syrup found contaminated in Iraq

One batch of COLD OUT — paracetamol and chlorpheniramine combination syrups used to treat symptoms of the common cold and allergy — manufactured by Fourrts India for Dabilife Pharma Private Limited has been reported to the World Health Organization (by a third party) as substandard or contaminated. In a medical product alert issued on Monday, the WHO said: “COLD OUT syrup (Paracetamol and Chlorpheniramine Maleate) identified in the Republic of Iraq and reported to the WHO on 10 July 2023 by a third-party sample was found contaminated.”

BJP flays Opposition, news outlet over ‘foreign links’

On a day when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi returned to the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Union Ministers Anurag Thakur and Rajeev Chandrashekhar cited a report in The New York Times to accuse the Opposition of being hand in glove with a foreign government and a media outlet to peddle influence in India. In remarks in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Dubey said the article in the newspaper detailed how the news website NewsClick had received ₹38 crore in funding and that money had been used to create an “anti-India” atmosphere. He also accused the Opposition of stoking that atmosphere and that it too had received funding from the Chinese government. Significantly, the Lok Sabha Secretariat had first expunged some parts of Mr. Dubey’s speech which were later reinstated.

Opposition pulls all stops, crosses 100 mark in division in RS on Delhi Services Bill

In a keenly contested vote on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Opposition fell short by 29 votes, but sees it as a psychological victory where the coalition stood united keeping its ranks intact. This is the first defeat for the newly formed INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) coalition. By some estimates it could also be the first time an Opposition bloc has crossed the 100 mark in a division in the Upper House. The last time the Opposition came this close to the government in the Upper House was in July 2019, when The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, better known as Triple Talaq Bill, was put to vote after a lengthy debate.

He saved three men from the mob in Nuh. Six days later, a bulldozer came visiting

As communal clashes broke out on July 31 during Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Brijmandal Jalabhishek Yatra, the lives of Ravinder Phogat of Hisar, and his two friends travelling through Nuh got intertwined with that of a local resident, Anish. He gave the trio shelter, offered food, words of comfort, and then escorted them to safety. Six days later, bulldozers tore into Mr. Anish’s house. Mr. Phogat, the grateful guest, made frantic calls to the police to attest that it was a place they took refuge in, not one from which stones were pelted. But the damage had been done. “Anish did not have even 1% involvement,” rued the Hisar native.

Bengal Panchayat Election | Adhir writes to Mamata seeking intervention over ’abduction’ of elected Opposition candidates

West Bengal Pradesh Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting her “urgent intervention to stop the intimidation and abduction of the elected Opposition candidates prior to the formation of the three-tier panchayat boards”. In the letter, Mr. Chowdhury said despite violence in the panchayat polls, wherever Congress candidates have won in panchayat polls ,”police/political leaders/ goons are threatening them by slapping murder & other charges thus compelling themselves to save their lives through surrender by accepting Trinamool Congress membership”. 

Parliamentary Panel says provision to ensure representation in higher judiciary should be mentioned in MoP

A Parliamentary Panel on Monday called for Supreme Court and High Court Collegiums to recommend an adequate number of women and candidates from SC/ST/OBC backgrounds for judicial appointments, adding that “this provision should be clearly mentioned in the Memoranda of Procedure (MoP), which is currently under finalisation”. The report on Judicial processes and reform was tabled on Monday by the House panel on Personnel, Public Grievances and Law and Justice, headed by BJP MP Sushil Modi. 

Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi says basic structure of constitution debatable

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, a nominated member in Rajya Sabha, said on August 7 that the basic structure of the Constitution has a “debatable jurisprudential basis”. This was Mr. Gogoi’s maiden speech in the Upper House. He was participating in the discussion on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Four women members – Jaya Bachchan (Samajwadi Party), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT) Vandana Chavan (NCP) and Sushmita Dev (TMC) walked out of the House to protest his speech as he had faced allegations of sexual harassment during his stint as the CJI in 2019. Mr. Gogoi had denied the allegations and a Supreme Court panel had given him a clean chit. 

William Friedkin, Oscar-winning director of ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘The French Connection,’ dies

William Friedkin, the generation-defining director who brought a visceral realism to 1970s hits “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist” and was quickly anointed one of Hollywood’s top directors when he was only in his 30s, has died. He was 87. Friedkin, who won the best director Oscar for “The French Connection,” died on Monday (August 11) in Los Angeles, Marcia Franklin, his executive assistant for 24 years, told The Associated Press on behalf of his family and wife, former studio head Sherry Lansing. His son Cedric Friedkin told the AP he died after a long illness.

Parliament proceedings | Lok Sabha passes National Research Foundation Bill

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill, that proposes to establish the National Research Foundation (NRF). The new body aims to direct research, innovation and entrepreneurship in “strategic” areas, ranging from science to humanities and involve the private sector, which currently contributes only around 36% to research and development expenditure, in a bigger way. The NRF replaces the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), established in 2008, and will be presided over by the Prime Minister of India and the minister of science and education as ‘vice presidents.’

Israeli air strikes near Damascus kill six fighters, says war monitor

Four Syrian soldiers and two Iran-backed fighters were killed Monday in pre-dawn Israeli strikes near Damascus, a war monitor said, in the latest deadly Israeli air raid to hit war-torn Syria’s capital. The air strikes targeted Syrian regime forces, and military positions and weapons depots used by armed groups supported by Tehran, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

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Morning Digest: August 7, 2023

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Tomato is being sold between ₹240 to ₹250 per kg in New Delhi. India’s retail inflation may have spiked close to or over the 6% upper tolerance threshold of the RBI in July, owing to a broad-based uptick in food prices, and could remain sticky in coming months, economists reckon.
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Amid fresh clashes in Manipur, ITLF leaders to meet Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold talks with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) in New Delhi on August 7 or 8. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said on August 6 that he had facilitated the meeting, on Mr. Shah’s request for “one-to-one” talks with Manipur’s Kuki-Zo tribal leaders. The development comes amid a fresh cycle of the ethnic violence in Manipur that has claimed more than 150 lives since May 3.

Armed men damage shops of Muslims in Panipat

According to Mayank Mishra, ASP Panipat, armed men vandalised properties at three locations under the Chandni Bagh police station limits on Sunday and threatened the owners to vacate them. So far, the police have rounded up 15 people and their role is being ascertained, he said. “We are trying to understand their modus operandi and find out who is behind this mob and providing them with arms. Many more will be rounded up based on CCTV footage and the videos shot by residents,” he said.

Rising food prices may undo recent respite from inflation

India’s retail inflation may have spiked close to or over the 6% upper tolerance threshold of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in July, owing to a broad-based uptick in food prices, and could remain sticky in coming months, economists reckon. This could compel the central bank to stay hawkish and possibly raise its inflation projections for the ongoing July to September quarter (Q2) as well as the full year 2023-24 at its monetary policy review this week, and delay hopes of an interest rate cut.

ISRO successfully performs orbit reduction manoeuvre, brings Chandrayaan-3 closer to moon

The Indian Space Research Organisation on August 6 said it has successfully carried out the orbit reduction manoeuvre of India’s third moon mission Chandrayaan-3, a day after inserting it into the lunar orbit. The space agency said it will carry out the next such operation on August 9. “The spacecraft successfully underwent a planned orbit reduction manoeuvre. The retrofiring of engines brought it closer to the moon’s surface, now to 170 km x 4,313 km. “The next operation to further reduce the orbit is scheduled for August 9, 2023, between 1300 and 1400 hrs IST,” ISRO posted on X on August 6.

Delhi services Bill | Be present in Rajya Sabha, Congress issues whip to its members

With the Delhi services Bill set to be taken up in Rajya Sabha, the Congress has issued a Whip to its MPs asking them to be present in the Upper House till its adjournment on August 7. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress’ Chief Whip in the Upper House, issued the three-lined Whip on August 4, saying that “very important issues will be taken up for discussion in Rajya Sabha on Monday i.e. August 7, 2023.” “All members of Congress Party in Rajya Sabha are requested to kindly remain present in the House from 11 a.m. onwards till the adjournment of the House on Monday, August 7, 2023, without fail and support the party stand,” the Chief Whip said. This may be treated as most important, Mr. Ramesh added.

Details of unaccounted-for wealth highly classified: Government

The National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), a research institute under the Ministry of Finance, has refused to reveal any information on unaccounted income and wealth inside and outside India, saying that it could affect economic interest of the country. Denying a copy of the “Estimation of unaccounted income and wealth inside and outside the country” called for by a petitioner under the Right to Information Act, the NIPFP said the information sought was a classified document in terms of the agreement between the institute and the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Thus, the information was exempted under Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act.

ICC Cricket World Cup | Pakistan cricket team gets government clearance for participation

The Pakistan government on August 6 gave clearance to the country’s senior men’s team to travel to India for the 2023 World Cup, ending months of uncertainty over their participation in the showpiece. A press release from the foreign ministry informed that Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. It has, therefore, decided to send its team to India to compete in the upcoming World Cup. “Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations,” the release said.

Why has not Rahul been reinstated as MP, asks Stalin

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday questioned why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had not been reinstated as Lok Sabha member despite the Supreme Court staying his conviction in a criminal defamation case last week. “Why hasn’t Thiru @RahulGandhi been restored as an MP despite the Supreme Court staying his conviction? Why the urgency shown to disqualify him is missing now? Is the BJP afraid of brother #RahulGandhi’s presence in Parliament?” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

NIA arrests one more accused in PFI case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested one more accused for his alleged involvement in the activities of Popular Front of India (PFI) and channelising illegal funds from abroad to its members, the agency said on Sunday. Shahid Reza of Chakia area in East Champaran district was tracked down following the purported disclosures made by another accused named Mohammed Yaqub Khan. The agency has arrested 16 persons in the case so far.

Ajit Pawar is finally in the right place: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who shared the dais with rebel Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during an event in Pune, said on Sunday that the rebel NCP leader was now finally seated at the right place. This was first time Mr. Shah, who holds the Cooperation portfolio, shared the stage with Mr. Pawar after the latter split the NCP led by his uncle Sharad Pawar last month to align with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction government.

Pak court ordered ex-PM Imran be put in Adiala jail not Attock prison: Report

Imran Khan awoke on Sunday as an inmate in the high-security Attock prison in Attock city but should have been in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, according to the order issued by an Islamabad trial court that found the former Pakistan Prime Minister guilty in a corruption case. Mr. Khan, 70, was arrested from his home in Lahore on Saturday shortly after being convicted and sentenced to three-year imprisonment in the Toshakhana corruption case.

West Indies beats India by two wickets to take 2-0 lead in five-match series

West Indies beat India by two wickets in the second T20 International to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series here on Sunday. Opting to bat first, India scored 152 for seven. West Indies completed the chase of 153 with seven balls to spare, as Nicholas Pooran blazed his way to a match-winning 67 off 40 balls. Earlier, playing in only his second match, Tilak Varma top-scored for the visitors with a 41-ball 51, which is also his maiden half-century at this level.

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Morning Digest | Four held in Manipur sexual assault case; Justice B.R. Gavai to head Bench hearing Rahul Gandhi defamation case today, and more

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Manipul sexual assault case main accused Huirem Herodas Meitei of Pechi Awang Leikai in police custody on July 20, 2023.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Four held in Manipur sexual assault case

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on Thursday that none of the guilty in the May 4 sexual violence case will be spared adding that he got to know about the incident only after a video went viral on Wednesday. He said that the government will seek capital punishment for the accused even as police confirmed that four persons have been arrested in the case.

First day of Monsoon Session a washout

The Parliament failed to function on the first day of the monsoon session, with the Opposition remaining adamant that the first order of business should be a debate on the violence in Manipur with a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though the government said it was willing to hold a discussion on the Manipur situation, the PM was only briefly present in the Lok Sabha, and both Houses were adjourned for most of the day, due to Opposition protests.

B.R. Gavai to head Bench hearing Rahul Gandhi defamation case today

A Supreme Court Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and P.K. Mishra is scheduled to hear a petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to suspend his conviction in a criminal defamation case on Friday.

Focus on joint projects during Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s India visit 

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on July 20 arrived in India for an official visit, a year after he became President of the Island nation that witnessed its worst economic crisis last year. Mr. Wickremesinghe is scheduled to call on Indian President Droupadi Murmu and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 21, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

RS Chairman nominates four women parliamentarians to panel of vice-chairpersons

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar nominated four women parliamentarians to the panel of vice-chairpersons, giving women equal representation in the panel, for the first time in the history of the Rajya Sabha, even as the women’s reservation Bill, that was first introduced in 1996, remains pending.

NHRC takes up Manipur abduction, gang-rape case, issues notice

Two and a half months after the ethnic conflict in Manipur began on May 3, the National Human Rights Commission of India issued its first public statement about human rights violations in the State on Thursday. In its statement, the NHRC said that it had taken cognisance of the May 4 incident in B. Phainom village of Kangpokpi district, where a mob of 1,000 Meitei people had abducted five members of a Kuki-Zo family while they were being escorted to safety by the Manipur Police.

Nine dead, 13 injured as speeding car ploughs into crowd in Ahmedabad

In a horrific incident, nine people were killed and over a dozen grievously injured when a speeding luxury car mowed down a crowd gathered at an accident site in Ahmedabad’s SG highway flyover On July 20, 2023.

Supreme Court urges Centre to transfer cheetahs to another location

The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Union Government that the deaths of 40% of the 20 cheetahs brought from South Africa and Namibia to the Kuno National Park (KNP) in under a year is does not present a good picture.

SC proposes to nominate pro tem DERC chairperson, takes time till August 4 to scout for suitable candidate

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday indicated that it may appoint a pro tem chairperson to discharge the functions of a Delhi Electricity Regulatory (DERC) Commission chairperson for “a little while” after the Delhi government and Lieutenant-Governor failed to reach a consensus on a name.

16 dead after landslip triggered by heavy rains buries village in Maharashtra’s Raigad

At least 16 persons were killed and 21 injured after a landslip induced by incessant rainfall buried the hamlet of Irshalwadi in Raigad district, 65 km from Mumbai, said authorities on Thursday.

Two Nobel winning U.S. economists among 304 write to President against Visva-Bharati Vice-Chancellor

As many as 304 people related to the world of education, including two Nobel winning American economists, have written to President Draupadi Murmu, criticising Visva-Bharati Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty for targeting Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, who has a house near the university in Santiniketan.

Centre bans export of non-basmati white rice to check price rise

The Centre banned the export of non-basmati white rice on Thursday. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Union Commerce Ministry announced in a notification that the ban would come into effect immediately and exemptions would be given only if the loading of non-basmati rice on the ship had commenced before the notification or the shipping bill was filed and vessels had already berthed or arrived and anchored in Indian ports.

Fresh consultation needed on Uniform Civil Code, Law Minister tells Rajya Sabha

The Law Commission has started fresh consultations on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) due to the “relevance and importance” of the subject and various court orders on the matter, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

China doesn’t want a trade war with the US but will retaliate against further curbs, ambassador says

China does not want a trade war with the United States but will retaliate against any further U.S. restrictions on technology and trade, the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. said. Ambassador Xie Feng criticized U.S. curbs on the sale of microchips and chipmaking equipment to China that were imposed last year by the Biden administration. Beijing has described the measure as part of an effort to “contain” China.

India vs West Indies, Test 2 of 2 | West Indies show some fight before Kohli puts India ahead on day one

irat Kohli reached close to a memorable hundred in his 500th International game after the West Indies put up a much needed fight to limit India to 288 for four at stumps on day one of the second Test in Port of Spain on July 20

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