Page 85 - Social Issues
At an election rally Nitish highlights efforts made by his
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday highlighted efforts made by his government for the betterment of minorities, in an indirect rebuff to the opposition Mahagathbandhan which has been attacking him for realigning with the BJP. People may try to create misperceptions but nobody can conceal the truth. Plenty of welfare schemes for the minorities have been launched during my stint in power. Madrasas have been given the same priority as government schools, he said. The JD(U) national president was adderessing an election rally in the Lok Sabha constituency named after this district where muslims are said to be in the majority. Moulvis teaching at the Madrasas are getting emoluments at par with the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission., Meritorious students from these seminaries are being given scholarships upon scoring well in examinations like Vastaniya, Fokaniya and Molvi, Kumar underscored. Our government has ensured that power, sanitation facilities and
Bubul Das quits AGP
Former AGP Minister Bubul Das Monday quit the party in protest against its alliance with the BJP for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Das told reporters here that he has sent his resignation letter to AGP President Atul Bora. A former MLA from Jagiroad assembly constituency, Das was a cabinet minister in former Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta's ministry from 1996 to 2000. A close associate of Mahanta, Das had strongly opposed the Citizens Amendment Bill and also protested against the BJP-AGP alliance of ongoing poll.
Matondkar gets police protection after Cong-BJP workers clash
Actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar was Monday granted police protection after a group of "BJP supporters" clashed with Congress workers during her poll campaign in north Mumbai. The scuffle took place near Borivali railway station where Matondkar, the Congress candidate from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency, was canvassing, police said. An onlooker said some BJP workers shouted 'Modi, Modi' as they confronted the Congress workers outside the railway station. The BJP has fielded sitting MP Gopal Shetty from the constituency. Matondkar told reporters that she lodged a police complaint "after some BJP workers barged into her rally". "We received an application from Matondkar and granted her protection till the elections get over," said Sangramsinh Nishandar, DCP, Zone XI. Asked if those involved in the scuffle were supporters of the BJP as claimed by Matondkar, the DCP said police do not have any such proof at this moment. "What we can say is that those involved in the ...
TN's long transgender candidate fights a tireless battle, keeps focus on safety of women
The razzmatazz of campaigning, so much a part of elections anywhere in India, is missing but Tamil Nadu's lone transgender candidate M Radha is undeterred as she walks tirelessly from one corner of the South Chennai parliamentary constituency to another to canvass for votes. Accompanied by just a band of 25 odd supporters, Radha traverses long distances from dawn to dusk in the heat, confident she can put up a tough fight in a seat dominated by the biggies -- arch rivals DMK and AIADMK and actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam. A cook by profession, 50-year-old Radha is fighting the election as an Independent and is keen on raising women's issues in the Lok Sabha if elected. Two members of the transgender community filed their nominations for the polls in Tamil Nadu on April 18. The other person, who filed from Madurai, withdrew her nomination subsequently. For Radha, this is also a personal battle. "At least one transgender should be elected to the Parliament/assembly. We ...
Indian-American Congressman offers help to countrymen in tax filing
Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera has offered to help the residents of California's Sacramento County who might be having issues with filing of taxes after the introduction of new federal tax law. Bera, the US Representative for California's 7th Congressional District, has been representing the Sacramento County since 2013. He announced on his Twitter handle that his office was eager to help in whichever way it can. The new law has new deduction cap on state and local taxes, which the law caps at USD 10,000. Before 2018, taxpayers were allowed to deduct their total combined state and local taxes from their federal taxes, softening the blow of high property and income taxes in states like New Jersey and California. The impact is keenly felt by middle-class homeowners who live in towns with high property taxes. April 15 marks the Tax Day in the US. "This tax season, I know many families are sitting around their kitchen tables and are trying to figure out how to make ends meet. And ...
Manipur's human rights activists propose Truth Commission
Is it time for Manipur to establish a Truth Commission to look into its infamous extrajudicial killings and other serious human rights violations? A group of human rights activists and academics who met at Manipur University here last week said 'yes, also proposing other solutions.
SC to hear after 2 weeks a plea for proper probe in Muzaffarpur shelter home case
The Supreme Court Monday said it would hear after two weeks the fresh plea alleging that CBI tried to "shield the real perpetrators" in the Muzaffarpur shelter home case by not conducting proper probe on "crucial leads" which are available on record. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said an advance notice has been circulated in the matter by the other side seeking deferment of the hearing on the plea. The fresh interim plea has been filed in a pending PIL of Nivedita Jha in which the apex court had directed CBI to probe the shelter home sexual assault cases. The plea, filed through advocate Fauzia Shakil, has sought a direction to the CBI to carry out a thorough, proper and scientific probe into the case. Several girls were allegedly raped and sexually abused at an NGO-run shelter home at Muzaffarpur in Bihar and the issue had come to light following a report by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The probe into the case was transferred to CBI and the agency has
SC refuses to stay HC order banning TikTok app, to hear plea on Apr 22
The Supreme Court Monday refused to stay the Madras High Court order that directed the Centre to ban the "Tiktok" app over concerns about access to pornographic content through it. The top court said that ban directive was just an interim order and the high court is schedule to hear the matter on April 16. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said that it is keeping the issue open for further adjudication and would consider it on April 22. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Chinese company ByteDance, said there were over billion downloads of the mobile app and an ex-parte orders were passed by the Madurai bench of Madras High Court. He said the court did not even issue notice in the matter and an order was passed without hearing them. The bench said the high court is already seized of the matter and the ban order was just an interim order. "We are not closing the issue. Let the high court hear the matter," the bench said ..
Plea against AP govt schemes ahead of polls infructuous: HC
The Delhi High Court Monday said a plea alleging that the Andhra Pradesh government has attempted to influence voters by launching schemes, including giving monetary benefits, ahead of polls, has become infructuous. Justice Yogesh Khanna declined the plea of Jana Chaitanya Vedika in which it had sought direction to the state government to keep the transfer of funds, as part of the schemes, in abeyance till the elections are over. The plea has become infructuous as the entire money has already been disbursed, the court noted. A similar petition, which was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, has also been dismissed. The plea had alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led dispensation was attempting to influence voters through various schemes, including giving monetary benefits, ahead of polls. The court was earlier informed that in pursuance to its directions, the Election Commission has taken a decision on the representations of the organisation, which had alleged that disbursal
Plea in SC to let women offer namaz inside mosques
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday pleading that Muslim women be allowed to enter and offer namaz inside mosques.
Matondkar seeks police protection after Cong-BJP workers clash
Actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar Monday approached police for protection after a clash between Congress and BJP supporters during her poll campaign in north Mumbai. The scuffle took place near Borivali station where Matondkar, Congress candidate from Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency, was campaigning, police said. The BJP workers chanted slogans outside the Borivali railway station, shouting 'Modi, Modi' as they confronted the Congress workers, an onlooker said. BJP has fielded sitting MP Gopal Shetty from the constituency. Matondkar told reporters that she lodged the police complaint for her safety after some BJP workers barged into her rally. She said she was shocked by the "blatant violation" of model code of conduct by the workers of the ruling party and blamed the BJP for "creating fear". "This is just the beginning and may take a violent turn. I have asked for police protection as there is a threat to my life. I have filed a police complaint," she ...
'BJP will bring Citizenship Amendment Bill again to protect interests of indigenous people'
The BJP is committed to protecting the interests of indigenous people against the influx of illegal immigrants, a major concern in Manipur which witnessed violent protests against the now-aborted Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, the party's candidate from the Inner Manipur seat - R K Ranjan Singh - has said. Singh said the protests in the state in February this year against the bill were based on "ill-informed campaigns" and reiterated that his party will curb illegal immigration into India through a fresh version of the bill, along with the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country. "It is clearly stated in our manifesto that we will bring the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and it already has appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of indigenous people against immigration of foreigners," Singh told PTI here. He reiterated that "the bill cannot be implemented without the consent of the states where immigrants are proposed to be accommodated". Asked ...
Sikh community added vibrancy and vitality to Singapore's multiracial society
The Sikh community in Singapore has added great vibrancy and vitality to the fabric of the country's multiracial society, a Singaporean minister has said, lauding the community for contributing to nation-building efforts and distinguishing itself in many different fields from education to law. Communications and Information Minister S Iswaran, while launching a year-long celebration commemorating the Sikh faith founder Guru Nanak's 550th birth annivesary on Sunday, said the small Sikh community is able to thrive in multiracial Singapore is a testament to the country's commitment to having an inclusive society. The Sikh community has added great vibrancy and vitality to the fabric of Singapore society, the Indian-origin minister said. "The community has left a mark on Singapore, not just in terms of the economic aspects but also in our social development," Iswaran said. As part of the celebration, the community initiated a Sewa Pledge, aiming to collectively clock 550,000 hours of ...
SC asks EC about action against Mayawati, Adityanath for hate speeches
Taking note of the alleged hate speeches made by BSP supremo Mayawati and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during poll campaigns, the Supreme Court Monday sought to know from the Election Commission about the action initiated against them. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi summoned a representative of the EC for Tuesday while agreeing to examine the poll panel's contention that it has limited legal powers to deal with hate speeches of politicians during electioneering. The bench referred to submissions of the EC that they can issue notice, then advisory and finally lodge a complaint against an errant politician for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by giving hate speeches based on caste and religion during campaign. "The EC says they are toothless. They say that they first issue notice, then advisory and then complain," the bench said, adding it would examine the aspect relating to poll panel's power to deal with hate speeches during poll campaign. The counsel ...
Scuffle between Cong, BJP supporters during Matondkar campaign
A scuffle broke out between Congress workers and BJP supporters during Congress candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Matondkar's election campaign at Borivali here Monday, police said. The BJP workers chanted slogans outside the Borivali railway station, shouting 'Modi, Modi' as they confronted the Congress workers, an onlooker said. Matondkar approached the Borivali police station and lodged a police complaint after the scuffle. She has sought police protection after the incident and is expected to address media on the incident later in the day, an aide of the Congress candidate said. BJP has fielded sitting MP Gopal Shetty from the constituency.
Trump's plan of sending immigrants to sanctuary cities under review: White House
US President Donald Trump's possible plan of sending undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities is undergoing a "complete and thorough review," according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.Speaking to Fox News, she said: "Whether or not it moves forward -- that's yet to be determined. This was raised at a staff level, initially, and pushed back on. The President wants us to explore it again, and that's being done, and they're doing a complete and thorough review.Sanders added that they "have to look at all options," to respond to the situation at the US-Mexico border, reports Xinhua.'Sanctuary cities' are local jurisdictions in the United States which refrain from cooperating with authorities, detaining undocumented immigrants for possible deportation.The US President threatened on "placing illegal immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only" earlier this week, blaming the Democrats for the country's "weak" immigration laws.Trump added that the United States "has the absolute legal
US Secretary of State visits Venezuelan migrants in Colombia
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Venezuelan migrants in Colombia on Sunday as he wrapped up a four-nation tour of South America aimed at pressuring Venezuela's socialist president, Nicolas Maduro. Pompeo went to a migrant centre in the border town of Cucuta with Colombian President Ivan Duque. Not far away, Venezuelan security forces with riot gear stood in the middle of the Simon Bolivar international bridge separating the two countries. The migrant centre has been the first stop for some 3.4 million Venezuelans who have fled hyperinflation, severe shortages of food and medicine, and political upheaval in their homeland. Pompeo described a "very moving" encounter with a Venezuelan mother named Geraldine who crossed into Colombia and was torn about abandoning her country even as she had to scavenge for diapers, medicine and other basic goods she could no longer find in Venezuela. Mimicking President Ronald Reagan's famous "Tear down this wall" speech in Berlin at the end of .
A battle for survival: To quench thirst, residents of this Assam village collect water dripping from mountains
Dima Hasao (Assam) [India], Apr 15 (ANI): People residing in Semkhor village of Assam are facing acute water crisis even after 70 years of independence.To meet their needs, the residents of this village collect water that drips from the mountains in pits.Crying foul, the locals here told ANI, that governments kept on changing but none helped them in combating the crisis.Sopesh Pathari, a resident of Semkhor village, narrating his ordeal said, "We drink water which comes out of mountains. We do not have arrangements like tubewell or anything by the government. People residing in the area are drinking water like this."Their sufferings do not end here; the locals have to travel over a kilometre to fetch water every day."We have a big water problem. We have requested the government department but they did not do anything. We travel one kilometre to get clean water," another resident Khurabi told ANI.The locals further underscored that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has ...
White House reviewing plan to move illegal migrants to sanctuary cities
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said that President Donald Trump's prospective plan to send undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities is undergoing a "complete and thorough review."
Senior journalist ends life
A 56-year-old senior journalist allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence at Aurangabad in Maharashtra on Sunday, police said. The journalist, Sundar Vilas Latpate, was found hanging at his house in Pundalik Nagar around noon, an official said. He was rushed to a local hospital, but was declared dead before admission, he said. Police recovered a suicide note purportedly written by Latpate, which said he was ending his life as his wife was not staying with him, the official said. A case of accidental death has been registered and a probe is underway, he said.