Page 6 - Democracy

US praises Taiwan's democracy after pro-independence candidate's victory

Retired US officials met with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday and praised the island's democratic process that produced a new president-elect and legislature over the weekend in defiance of China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan and threat to annex it by military force. Taiwan's democracy has set a shining example for the world, a democratic success story based on transparency, the rule of law and respect for human rights and freedoms," former national security advisor Stephen Hadley said. America's commitment to Taiwan is rock solid," he said. Taiwan on Saturday elected current Vice President Lai Ching-te as the new head of government, a move likely to prompt China to maintain its military, diplomatic and economic threats against the island. Hadley was joined by former Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg, who affirmed bipartisan support for Taiwan based on our unofficial but warm relationship, our insistence on exclusively peaceful means to address the cross .

Polling begins in Taiwan, over 19 mn voters to elect President, VP

The world is keenly watching Taiwan as its citizens prepare to vote for a new President and Parliament amidst escalating tensions with China

Taiwan expects China to apply pressure on incoming govt after election

Taiwan goes to the polls to elect a new president and parliament under the shadow of an increasingly assertive China which has called the vote a choice between "peace and war"

Canadian politician Ed Broadbent, a social democracy stalwart, dies at 87

Ed Broadbent, a social democracy stalwart who helped build up Canada's leftist New Democratic Party, has died. He was 87. The Broadbent Institute, the Ottawa-based think tank he founded in 2011 to promote social and economic justice, announced his death Thursday. It not give a cause of death. The institute called Broadbent a fierce champion for ordinary Canadians. Many in Canada remember him as a tireless fixture of federal debate in the 1970s and 1980s, going toe-to-toe with four different prime ministers, including Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney. Ed devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world, the Broadbent Institute said. He was a rare intellectual who could connect the challenges faced by ordinary citizens with the movements and institutions striving for economic democracy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that Canada is better off thanks to Broadbent's selfless service. An advocate for equality and champ

PM Sheikh Hasina pays homage to Bangabandhu after election victory

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday paid glowing tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after her party's landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election. The 76-year-old leader, ruling the nation since 2009, won a fifth overall term in the one-sided election on Sunday, which witnessed a low turnout. She paid homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu inside the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Mujibur Rahman's younger daughter and the prime minister's younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, later also separately placed a wreath at the portrait. The prime minister's daughter Saima Wazed and Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq were present on the occasion. After laying the wreath, Sheikh Hasina stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memory of Bangabandhu, who was assassinated on August 15, 1975. Earlier in the morning, the prime minister along with her

Democracy should continue in Bangladesh, says Sheikh Hasina as polls begin

"My heartfelt thanks to the people of Bangladesh. There were many obstacles but the people of our country are very much aware of their voting rights and the need for polls, PM Hasina said

Democracy to face toughest challenge in face of fake news in 2024

The stakes are extraordinarily consequential for the future of democracy itself. In the US, the electoral favorite appears to revel in the possibility of becoming a dictator

'Right to protest' under threat in UK, undermining a pillar of democracy

For holding a sign outside a courthouse reminding jurors of their right to acquit defendants, a retiree faces up to two years in prison. For hanging a banner reading Just Stop Oil off a bridge, an engineer got a three-year sentence. Just for walking slowly down the street, scores of people have been arrested. They are among hundreds of environmental activists arrested for peaceful demonstrations in the UK, where tough new laws restrict the right to protest. The Conservative government says the laws prevent extremist activists from hurting the economy and disrupting daily life. Critics say the arrests mark a worrying departure. The government has made its intent very clear, which is basically to suppress what is legitimate, lawful protest," said Jonathon Porritt, an ecologist and former director of Friends of the Earth. A PATCHWORK DEMOCRACY Britain is one of the world's oldest democracies, home of the Magna Carta, a centuries-old Parliament and an independent judiciary. That syste

Year Ender: Democracy turning pages with inauguration of new Parl building

The old Parliament House in India, designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, is a colonial-era building that underwent six years of construction from 1921 to 1927

Democracy strangulated by govt: Sonia Gandhi on suspension of MPs

Sonia Gandhi Wednesday alleged the government was "strangulating democracy" by suspending MPs over a legitimate demand and said the Congress has its task cut out for next year's general elections both as a party and as INDIA bloc member. Noting that the assembly election results being very disappointing is an understatement, the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson urged party MPs to channel their disappointment into a positive drive for next year's general elections. This was the first time that Sonia Gandhi spoke on the recent assembly poll results. Later on Wednesday, Congress MPs held a protest against the suspension of opposition members outside Mahatma Gandhi's statue in the Parliament complex. Addressing party MPs at the meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the Central Hall of Parliament, Gandhi said, "To say that the assembly election results in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been very disappointing for our party is an understatement." "The .

'Media must act as responsible pillar of democracy, call out fake news'

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said there are "individuals and media outlets" who consistently spread fake propaganda against 'Bharat', both domestically and internationally, and stressed that media must act as a responsible pillar of the democracy, calling out fake narratives in the open. "It is our collective responsibility to challenge such narratives, expose the falsehoods, and ensure that truth prevails," he said. "It is essential to safeguard the interests of our nation and avoid providing space to anti-India views that can threaten the unity and integrity we hold dear," Thakur added. The minister was addressing an event organised here by the Press Council of India (PCI) to mark the National Press Day. "Even as we celebrate the freedom of the press, we cannot turn a blind eye to those who seek to undermine the spirit of our nation. There are individuals and media outlets that consistently spread fake propaganda against Bharat, both domestically

EAM Jaishankar meets Portugal PM; discusses contemporary challenges

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has discussed contemporary challenges with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and appreciated his guidance for the further development of India-Portugal ties. Jaishankar, who arrived here on the first leg of his four-day visit to Portugal and Italy with an aim to further bolster India's bilateral ties with the two key European nations, also appreciated Portugal's support for India-EU ties. "Pleasure to meet Prime Minister @antoniocostapm today (Tuesday). Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed contemporary challenges and appreciated his guidance for the further development of our ties," Jaishankar said on X. Earlier, the foreign minister held "productive talks" with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Cravinho here during which they discussed the progress in bilateral economic cooperation and exchanged views on West Asia, Ukraine, Central Asia and the Indo-Pacific. He also met Augusto Santos Silva, the President of the ...

Black day for democracy: Abhishek Banerjee after release from detention

"Today is a black day for Indian democracy," TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said as he and other party leaders were released by the police on Tuesday night, hours after being detained during a sit-in at the Union Rural Development Ministry office here. Banerjee said Tuesday's incident will stand as an example of 'New India' as public representatives were "dragged and manhandled" by Delhi Police and journalists questioning the government were booked under the anti-terror law UAPA. The development came as the tug-of-war between the Centre and the West Bengal government over the release of funds to the state intensified with the TMC holding protests in the national capital for the second consecutive day. Banerjee, along with party lawmakers, state ministers and supporters including MGNREGA workers, protested at Jantar Mantar here, a day after they held a two-hour sit-in at the Rajghat on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary before being evicted by the police. They later took ou

Democracy, ONOP, governance

Democracies are withering everywhere and require constant reform. In India, one-nation-one-poll is a good idea, but it cannot work as a standalone reform

Gandhi's message of non-violence biggest strength of democracy: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Mahatma Gandhi's message of non-violence is the biggest strength of democracy as he paid tribute to the 'Father of the Nation' on his birth anniversary here on Monday. Adityanath paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Town Hall and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's statue at Shastri Chowk on the occasion of their birth anniversaries. During a visit to Gandhi Ashram in Golghar, he spoke to people engaged in yarn spinning there, and also bought some Khadi clothes. The chief minister said Gandhi showed the strength of non-violence to the world, and described it as the biggest strength of democracy. "Bapu showed the path of truth and non-violence to the world. We can win over the biggest powers of the world by following democratic principles. Following swadeshi', truth and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi forced the autocratic British regime to leave the country," he said. The chief minister said that the ...

Next LS polls fight to save Constitution, democracy: AAP MP Sanjay Singh

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday said that the next Lok Sabha elections will be a fight to save the Constitution and democracy in the country. Addressing the AAP's 'Leadership Development Conference' here, he said, "The BJP-led government is spreading hatred and communal poison... next Lok Sabha elections will be a fight to save the Constitution and democracy," he said. He claimed that the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab were working for development. The Rajya Sabha MP said the Congress was in power in Assam for 15 years and the BJP for seven years but neither parties worked on the burning issues of the state. Stating that AAP will contest panchayat and assembly elections in Assam, he urged party workers and leaders to work for the welfare of the people. He claimed that Assam is facing price hike and the state's economy is burned by excessive debt.

Publish books presenting India's journey as 'oldest democracy': Om Birla

Claiming that India is the "oldest democracy", Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday asked publishers to consider publishing books on the country's democratic journey, its culture and heritage to present it to the world in a proper manner. These books will also inspire the coming generations, he said. Addressing an event organised by the Federation of Indian Publishers here, Birla said the global influence of Indian democracy has increased today and the country, under "the efficient leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has the capability to solve all the challenges facing the world. "We have brought socioeconomic changes in our country through democracy. Today, under the efficient leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has the capability to solve all the challenges facing the world. India's strength has increased," he said. The Lok Sabha speaker said Indian publishers today have "a very big role" to play in taking India's increased strength, prosperity, culture

New Parliament's architecture killed democracy, conversations: Congress

The Congress on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the architecture of the new Parliament building alleging that it has killed democracy and conversations, a charge the BJP said is an insult to aspirations of 140 crore Indians. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the new Parliament building realises the Prime Minister's objectives and should be called a Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot. "Perhaps a better use for the new Parliament building will be found after regime change in 2024," Ramesh claimed in a post on X. "The new Parliament building launched with so much hype actually realises the PM's objectives very well. It should be called the Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot. After four days, what I saw was the death of confabulations and conversations both inside the two Houses and in the lobbies. If architecture can kill democracy, the PM has already succeeded even without rewriting the Constitution," Ramesh said. Hitting back, BJP president J P Nadda

Nari Shakti Vandan Bill proclamation of new India's commitment: PM Modi

"The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is not an ordinary law; this is a proclamation of the New India's democratic commitment. This is an evidence of the Modi's guarantee of women-led development" he said

Women's reservation bill will further strengthen Indian democracy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the purpose of the new women's reservation bill Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam is to expand women's participation in Lok Sabha and assemblies, and asserted it will further strengthen Indian democracy, as he urged MPs of both Houses of Parliament to pass the bill unanimously. In the first speech in the first session in the new Parliament building, Modi underlined the role of politics in the effective transformation of society and said Indian women have immensely contributed in sectors ranging from space to sports and start-ups to self-help groups. "The Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam will further strengthen our democracy. I congratulate mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation for Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam. I assure all mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation that we are committed to making this bill into a law," he said, amidst thumping of desks by members of both treasury and opposition benches. Some opposition parties, including the