Page 99 - Social Issues
Impasse over voting by Mizo refugees ends
The impasse that resulted from the Election Commission's (EC) decision to set up special polling stations along the Mizoram-Tripura border for the Reang tribal refugees to vote in the Lok Sabha polls was resolved on Thursday after the agitating NGO body called off its agitation.
'Azadi Lekar Rahenge' - women activists hit streets against BJP govt
Hundreds of women activists, students and professionals hit the streets Thursday to demand 'azadi' (freedom) from all kinds of oppression under the BJP regime. The women, raising slogans of "Azadi lekar rahenge", marched from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar in the national capital under the banner of 'Women March 4 Change'. Such marches were organised at several places across 20 states of the country. With just a week left for the Lok Sabha elections to begin, women across the country protested against the "environment of hate and violence" under the BJP regime. "We need equality. We do not want war, we do not want violence. We say no to mob lynching. We say no to hate politics and atrocities," said journalist Bhasha Singh addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar. "Women are not baby-producing machines. We have fought enough and we will continue to fight for our freedom. No one can dictate to us on what we should wear, or whom to love. Humara time aa gaya hain (our time has come)," she .
No tax burden on middle class for 'Nyay' scheme: Chidambaram
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Thursday said his party will not put additional tax burden on the middle class while implementing the 'Nyay' scheme, if voted to power, under which it has promised to give Rs 72,000 each to five crore poorest families. The former finance minister also said it was a "promise" of the Congress not to increase the tax burden of the middle class. "I have already said in press conference and various interviews: there will be no increase in the tax burden of the middle class. This is our promise," he said in a tweet. The Congress Tuesday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, making a slew of promises, including giving Rs 72,000 each to five crore poor families under a scheme called Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY), filling up 22 lakh government vacancies, bringing a separate budget for farmers and fixing a single moderate GST rate. The Congress manifesto committee was headed by Chidambaram.
EC denies clearance to 6 Cong advertisements
The Election Commission has refused permission for circulation to six campaign videos submitted by the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, including one about the Rafale row, the party said here Thursday. The party, while seeking a review of the decision, alleged that the poll body was acting under the Union government's pressure. "Six of our election advertisements were rejected by the EC on different grounds. There was nothing objectionable in these campaign teasers and it looks like there is Centre's pressure on the EC," said Shobha Oza, state Congress media cell chief. According to the EC, one of the advertisements did not pass muster as it featured a disabled person. The poll body also took objection to an injection syringe filled with a tri-coloured liquid featured in one of the advertisements. The video on the Rafale fighter jet deal did not get clearance as a case related to the controversy is pending before the Supreme Court. Oza said the advertisement was satirical and it would not .
Stalin promises justice to Pollachi sex case victims
DMK President M.K. Stalin said on Thursday if his party came to power, justice would be delivered to victims of Pollachi sexual abuse-cum-blackmail case. The DMK would not politicise the matter, he added.
Tencent, Xiaomi may censor worker-issue GitHub page
In a bid to suppress what may turn into a mass outcry, major Chinese companies like Tencent and Xiaomi are trying to censor a page on software development platform GitHub where workers are protesting against the overtime work culture that is prevalent in China.
Jaitley defends Electoral bonds, ask opponents to suggest alternatives
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday defended the electoral bond scheme saying if donors are forced to disclose their names, the system of political funding through cash and black money will return. The Election Commission, in an affidavit before the Supreme Court which is hearing the matter, said electoral bonds have made political funding opaque and would have "serious repercussions on transparency of political funding", due to its anonymous nature. The government had in 2018 brought in the electoral bond scheme as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of its efforts to bring transparency in political funding. Under the scheme, the name of the donor is known only to banks. "If you ask people to disclose that (identity of a donor) also, then I am afraid the cash system will be back," he said, adding people find fault with the scheme but not come up with any alternative to check the use of black money in the electoral process. "There is a particular ...
Ban TikTok for encouraging pornography: Madras HC
The Madras High Court has asked the Centre to ban the Chinese video mobile application TikTok, saying it "encourages pornography" and is spoiling the future of youths and minds of children.
Delhi police official commits suicide by jumping in front of Metro train
A Delhi police official allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of the metro train here on Thursday."At around 12:05 in the afternoon, a person committed suicide by jumping in-front-of the approaching metro train towards Huda City Center from platform 1 of Jahangirpuri metro station," the police said.The deceased identified as 45-year-old ASI Ajay Kumar, was posted in the Communications department of the Delhi Police. "Kumar was on leave from February 2 to March 4 but extended his leave for another one month citing medical reasons and was expected to join duty today," the police added.Following the suicide attempt, he was immediately rushed to the hospital, where the doctors declared him dead on arrival. Preliminary probe reveals that the Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was suffering from depression.A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and an investigation has been launched in the matter.
Sri Lanka commando kills self at PM's residence
A Sri Lankan police commando committed suicide on Thursday by shooting himself with his weapon at a checkpoint at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's official residence in the capital, officials said.
Delhi Police ASI commits suicide by jumping in front of metro
A 46-year-old Delhi Police ASI allegedly committed suicide by jumping before a metro train on Thursday, police said. Ajay Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), was posted with the communications unit of the Delhi Police, they said. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said the incident took place around 12 noon at Jahangirpuri station when the train was moving towards Huda City Centre. Jahangirpuri station is located on Yellow Line that connects Samyapur Badli in northwest Delhi to Huda City Centre in Gurgaon. Kumar, a resident of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, was on a medical leave from February 12 to March 4. He extended his leave for another one month and was supposed to join duty on Thursday, police said. "He jumped before the metro train at Jahangirpuri station this afternoon, following which he was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (metro) Mohammed Ali. No suicide note has been recovered. However, preliminary ...
If Modi is re-elected, he will change India into totalitarian regime: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to power, he would throw away the Constitution and change the country from a democracy to a totalitarian regime. Modi has three slogans "loot", "riots" and "kill the people", she said at a rally in Cooch Behar. Claiming that it was the TMC government which solved the six decade-old enclave issue with Bangladesh in 2015, Banerjee said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was an attempt by the BJP to turn legal citizens of the country into refugees. "We (TMC) will never allow NRC (National Register of Citizens) in Bengal. Modi is no one to decide who will stay and leave the country. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is another ploy to turn legal citizens of this country into refugees. We should be careful of their (BJP's) sinister plot," she said. Mocking Modi for his 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign, the chief minister said the 'chaiwallah' (tea seller) who failed to fulfil promises made ...
Delhi Police ASI commits suicide by jumping in front of metro train
A 45-year-old Delhi Police ASI allegedly committed suicide by jumping before a metro train on Thursday, police said. Ajay Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), was posted with the communications unit of the Delhi Police, they said. Kumar, a resident of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, was on a medical leave from February 2 to March 4. He extended his leave for another one month and was supposed to join duty on Thursday, police said. He jumped before the metro train at Jahangirpuri station this afternoon, following which he was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, Deputy Commissioner of Police (metro) Mohammed Ali said. No suicide note has been recovered. However, preliminary enquiry revealed that Kumar was apparently suffering from depression, the officer said. He was undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Kangra. Further investigation is underway, police said.
Impasse over voting by Mizo refugees continues
The impasse that resulted from the Election Commission's (EC) decision to set up special polling stations along the Mizoram-Tripura border for the Reang tribal refugees to vote in the Lok Sabha polls, continued on Thursday.
Police commando on duty at Lankan PM's residence commits suicide
A 31-year-old senior police commando, deputed at the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's official residence, allegedly committed suicide here on Thursday morning, according to a media report. The incident happened after Dilruksha Samarasinghe, who was with Special Task Force, shot himself dead with his service revolver while being on duty at a security checkpoint near the Temple Tree, the Colombo Page website reported. "The officer died after being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital," the report said. Officials said that the reason behind the suicide has not been ascertained, the paper reported. Sri Lankan leaders and visiting dignitaries are given protection by the Special Task Force which is specially trained for security as well as urban guerrilla warfare.
India's middle class, neo-middle class to be largest vote component in 2024 polls: Jaitley
Noting that India's socio-economic character has significantly altered in the past few years, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday that the country's middle class and neo-middle class will be the largest vote component in the 2024 general elections."We are at an important cusp of history. If I look back in the last five years, India has changed and like any other country, it is evolving from developing status to improve its economic quality and quality of the lives of the people," he said at the annual conference of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here."It is important to keep our integrity. Our socio-economic character is significantly altering. By 2024 elections, India's middle-class and neo-middle class will be the largest vote component," said Jaitley adding the quality of public discourse and policies will need to be different."For almost five years, India has been the fastest growing economy despite several obstacles like bad monsoon and a global slowdown. I
Indian Leaders for Social Sector to organize unique leadership program
Indian Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) is organizing the fifth edition of its flagship ILSS Leadership Program from April 5 to 13, 2019. The nine-day residential course, which will once again take place at Ashoka University, aims to enable and equip senior talent from diverse backgrounds to play leadership roles in the social sector.Over nine days, the best minds in the social sector will help program participants gain a deeper understanding of the development landscape in the country, including the challenges, complexities and opportunities. Eighteen senior executives from diverse industries, such as finance, media and infotech, will attend this edition of the ILSS Leadership Program."It is our endeavour that program participants step out of the ILSS Leadership Program with greater clarity on how they can contribute to the country's development agenda - some might transition to the social sector while others might volunteer more effectively or even start social enterprises of their .
Madras HC directs Centre to ban Tik Tok
Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Central Government to ban popular Chinese video app TikTok, saying it was "encouraging pornography". The order also directs the media from telecasting videos made using the app.TikTok, an app that allows users to create and share short videos with special effects, has over 54 million monthly active users in India."The Government has to answer whether the Union of India will enact a statue, like Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, enacted by the United States, to prevent the children becoming cyber/online victims," the judgment order read."Majority of the teens are playing pranks, gaffing around with duet videos sharing with split screen to the strangers. The children who use the said application are vulnerable to sexual predators," the court said in reply to a petition filed by Madurai senior lawyer Muthu Kumar.Kumar told the court that the Governments of Indonesia and Bangladesh have already prohibited the use of Tik Tok ...
Texas bans clergy from executions after Supreme Court ruling
Texas prisons will no longer allow clergy in the death chamber after the US Supreme Court blocked the scheduled execution of a man who argued his religious freedom would be violated if his Buddhist spiritual adviser couldn't accompany him. Effective immediately, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice will only permit prison security staff into the execution chamber, a spokesman said Wednesday. The policy change comes in response to the high court's ruling staying the execution of Patrick Murphy, a member of the "Texas 7" gang of escaped prisoners. Texas previously allowed state-employed clergy to accompany inmates into the room where they'd be executed, but its prison staff included only Christian and Muslim clerics. In light of this policy, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Texas couldn't move forward with Murphy's punishment unless his Buddhist adviser or another Buddhist reverend of the state's choosing accompanied him. One of Murphy's lawyers, David Dow, said the policy ...
Legal marijuana workers blast citizenship denials over work
US immigration authorities blocked two immigrants' applications for citizenship because of their work in Colorado's marijuana industry, their attorneys and Denver officials said, accusing the Trump administration of quietly targeting immigrants seeking jobs in the growing field. Oswaldo Barrientos said he began working in the marijuana industry in 2014, inspired by the research he had done into medical products after his mother's skin cancer diagnosis. He was brought to the US from El Salvador as an infant and was granted a green card when he was 13. He assumed the citizenship application process would be simple. The 30-year-old is fluent in English and said he has no criminal history, pays taxes and graduated high school. But during an in-person interview in November, the interviewer became focused on Barrientos' job with a state-licensed company that grows marijuana, he said. Weeks later, he got a letter from US Citizenship and Immigration Services denying him because of his job, ...