#political news India

[mysharona1987]

[werindialive]

“Merely changing the name to I.N.D.I.A. will not allow UPA to erase its past “ Centre attacks the united opposition front

Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew a parallel between INDIA and East India Company or Indian Mujahideen after united opposition INDIA -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, the latter bring a no-confidence motion against the government. Now, there was a counterattack between the NDA and INDIA with senior party leaders and Union Ministers including the likes of S Jaishankar, and Nirmala Sitharaman leading the attack.

Union minister S Jaishankar earlier tweeted, 'Irony that those who seek intervention from abroad now believe that I.N.D.I.A can serve as a cover. Not to worry; the people will see through it,"

A tweet by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman read, "Those who begged Pakistan’s help to throw out an elected government in India now want to capitalize on the name I.N.D.I.A. Those who lectured on using only Hindi, now forget Bharat and don’t mind I.N.D.I.A. Those who forgot India serving only a dynasty/family/caste today remember I.N.D.I.A. Indians recognize opportunism."

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah also said that merely changing the name to I.N.D.I.A. will not allow UPA to erase its past. "In a bid to get rid of its hounding past, the opposition alliance has changed its nomenclature. But merely changing the name to I.N.D.I.A. will not erase their past deeds from public memory. The people of our country are wise enough to see through this propaganda and will treat this old product with a new label with the same disapproval," Amit Shah tweeted.

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[maintohthakgayibhaishaab]

[reasonsforhope]

"It was widely described as the week that India’s beleaguered democracy was pulled back from the brink. As the election results rolled in on Tuesday [June 4, 2024], all predictions and polls were defied as Narendra Modi lost his outright majority for the first time in a decade while the opposition re-emerged as a legitimate political force. On Sunday evening, Modi will be sworn in as prime minister yet many believe his power and mandate stands diminished.

For one opposition politician in particular, the humbling of the strongman prime minister was a moment to savour. Late last year, Mahua Moitra, one of the most outspoken critics of Modi and his Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), found herself unceremoniously expelled from parliament and kicked out of her bungalow, after what she described as a “political witch-hunt” for daring to stand up to Modi.

The murky and allegedly undemocratic circumstances of Moitra’s expulsion from parliament was seen by many to symbolise Modi’s approach to dissenting voices and the steady erosion of India’s democracy. She was among several vocal opposition politicians who were subjected to investigations by government crime agencies.

But having won a landslide re-election in her home state of West Bengal, Moitra will return once again to parliament, part of the newly empowered opposition coalition. “I can’t wait,” said Moitra. “They went to egregious lengths to discredit and destroy me and abused every process to do it. If I had gone down, it would have meant that brute force had triumphed over democracy.”

While he may be returning for a historic third term, many have portrayed the results as something of a defeat for Modi, who has had to rely on coalition partners to form a government. The BJP’s campaign had been solely centred around him – even the manifesto was titled “Modi’s guarantee” – and in many constituencies, local BJP candidates often played second fiddle to the prime minister, who loomed large over almost every seat. He told one interviewer he believed his mandate to rule was given directly by God.

“Modi’s aura was invincibility, that the BJP could not win elections without him,” said Moitra. “But the people of India didn’t give him a simple majority. They were voting against authoritarianism and they were voting against fascism. This was an overwhelming, resounding anti-Modi vote.”

During his past decade in power, Modi and the BJP enjoyed a powerful outright majority and oversaw an unprecedented concentration of power under the prime minister’s office, where key decisions were widely known to be made by a select few.

The Modi government was accused of imposing various authoritarian measures, including the harassment and arrest of critics under terrorism laws, while the country tumbled in global democracy and press freedom rankings. Modi never faced a press conference or any committee of accountability for the often divisive actions of his government. Politicians regularly complained that parliament was simply reduced to a rubber-stamping role for the BJP’s Hindu-first agenda.

Yet on Tuesday [June 40, it became clear that the more than 25 opposition parties, united as a coalition under the acronym INDIA, had inflicted substantial losses on the BJP to take away its simple majority. Analysts said the opposition’s performance was all the more remarkable given that the BJP stands accused of subverting and manipulating the election commission, as well as putting key opposition leaders behind bars and far outspending all other parties on its campaign. The BJP has denied any attempts to skew the election in its favour.

“This election proved that the voter is still the ultimate king,” said Moitra. “Modi was so shameless, yet despite them using every tool they had to engineer this election to their advantage, our democracy fought back.”

Moitra said she was confident it was “the end of Mr Modi’s autocratic way of ruling”. Several of the parties in the BJP’s alliance who he is relying on for a parliamentary majority and who will sit in Modi’s cabinet do not share his Hindu nationalist ideology...

Moitra was not alone in describing this week’s election as a reprieve for the troubling trajectory of India’s democracy. Columns heralding that the “mirror has cracked” and the “idea of India is reborn” were plastered across the country’s biggest newspapers, and editorials spoke of the end of “supremo syndrome”. “The bulldozer now has brakes,” wrote the Deccan Chronicle newspaper. “And once a bulldozer has brakes, it becomes just a lawnmower.” ...

“This was not a normal election, it was clearly an unfair and unlevel playing field,” said Yadav. “But still, there is now a hope and a possibility that the authoritarian element could be reversed.”

Harsh Mander, one of India’s most prominent human rights and peace activists who is facing numerous criminal investigations for his work, called the election the “most important in India’s post independence history”, adding: “The resilience of Indian democracy has proved to be spectacular.”

He said it was encouraging that an “intoxication of majoritarian hate politics” had not ultimately shaped the outcome, referring to Modi’s apparent attempts to stir up religious animosity on the campaign trail as he referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” and “those who have more children”.

“The past decade has seen the freedom of religion and the freedom of conscience and dissent taken away,” said Mander. “If this election had gone fully the BJP way, then India would not remain a constitutional secular democracy.”"

-via The Guardian, June 9, 2024

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - December 1-7

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles for 50% off this month!

1. These high-tech windows fight climate change – and will save you money

“[“Vacuum-insulated glass”] insulates five times better than double-paned glass. The Enthermal product line holds energy about as well as fiberglass wall insulation[…. T]he energy bill savings offset the upfront cost of the upgrade in two to seven years, depending on the building[….]”

2. Doulas test ways to curb Memphis’ Black maternal, infant deaths

“Research shows they are key to better health outcomes. […] Free of charge, [parents enrolled in this pilot program], in addition to being paired with a doula, get access to free yoga classes, diapers, breastfeeding starter kits, nutritious food and other tangible help that can measurably boost well-being.”

3. Scientists find feeding grazing cattle seaweed cuts methane emissions by almost 40%

“This is the first study to test seaweed on grazing beef cattle in the world. […] Most research to reduce methane emissions using feed additives has taken place in controlled environments with daily supplements. But Kebreab noted in the study that fewer than half of those methods are effective for grazing cattle.”

4. Success for local residents as Florida council toppled over sewage plant plan

“A citizens’ revolt in a small Florida city ousted an entire slate of councilors who were pushing for a new sewage plant to be built close to one of the state’s most pristine and treasured rivers.”

5. Beaver survey aims to show the urban benefits of Chicago's 'ecosystem engineers'

“Urban Rivers is installing [“artificial floating gardens”] along the river to restore native wetland habitats, which provide food and shelter for wildlife, as well as natural spaces for humans.”

6. The future of plastic: Biodegradable, durable, and even edible

“[… T]he composite plastic proved not only sturdy but also more malleable than its core component, hydroxyethyl cellulose. Additionally, since both cellulose and tyrosine are edible, the biodegradable composite plastic can technically be consumed.”

7. Limestone quarries could be vital for wild bee conservation

“Quarries provide valuable habitats for wild bees and other animals and plants that occur on the now rare calcareous grasslands," explains lead author Dr. Felix Kirsch[….]”

8. New England wedding vendors offer help to same-sex couples before Trump inauguration

“Marriage equality isn’t immediately at risk. Trump has said he considers it settled law, but of course it’s hard to take him at his word […] so vendors in the region are offering free or discounted services to queer couples and noncitizens in a rush to marry.”

9. The indigenous women saving India's endangered giant yams

“Since their formation in 2022, the 10 members of the Noorang group have planted and brought back to the community 180 varieties of wild tubers[….] The project is part of [… a] farming initiative to eradicate poverty, provide agricultural training and empower women in vulnerable tribal communities.”

10. The US is making and deploying more solar panels than ever before

“[… D]omestic solar module manufacturing capacity has nearly quintupled since 2022[….] Solar is the cheapest source of new power generation by far, and it’s an increasingly large employer in the U.S., particularly in Republican-led states.”

November 22-28 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[politijohn]

Source

[tiredguyswag]

"Criminalising marital rape would mean that the institution of marriage in India will crumble."

And what does this say about the institution of marriage in India?

For context, here's what's going on right now:

[workersolidarity]

🇮🇳🇵🇸 🚨

KASHMIRI INDIANS RALLY IN SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE ON INTERNATIONAL AL-QUDS DAY

📹 Scenes from a rally held in solidarity with Palestinians under siege and bombardment in the Gaza Strip in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, in far-northwestern India, on Friday April 5th, 2024, celebrating International Al-Quds Day (occupied Jerusalem).

#source

@WorkerSolidarityNews

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Indian government has made a "fundamental error" as he accused it of supporting a campaign of violence against Canadians on Canadian soil. The prime minister spoke to reporters Monday, hours after the head of the RCMP laid out stunning allegations accusing agents of the Indian government of playing a role in "widespread violence" in Canada, including homicides, and warned that it poses "a serious threat to our public safety." Earlier in the day, Canada announced it's expelling six Indian diplomats. India has denied the allegations and quickly retaliated, ordering six Canadian diplomats to leave the country within a week.

Continue Reading

Tagging: @newsfromstolenland

Article from October 14th, 2024.

[queer-azadi]

[mysharona1987]

[werindialive]

Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy   passed away after suffering from prolonged illness

Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy a renowned Congress veteran took his last breath on early Tuesday morning. He died in a Bengaluru hospital after struggling with a prolonged illness. He was 79 years old and was undergoing treatment for cancer since 2019.

His son broke the news on social media as he wrote, “Appa has passed away.” The news was made public at around 4:30 am.

The mortal remains of Chandy will be flown back to Thiruvananthapuram and will be kept for public homage at the Congress state committee office and later at the Durbar Hall of the state government secretariat. A two-day mourning and a public holiday have been declared by the state government on Tuesday. The funeral will be held on Thursday at Puthuppally in Kottayam.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shared condolences on the death of a senior leader. “It is extremely difficult to bid him farewell.”

“We were elected to the Legislative Assembly in the same year. It was at the same stage that we came to the political fore through student life. We led public life at the same time and it is extremely difficult to bid him farewell. Oommen Chandy was a capable administrator and a person who was closely involved in people’s lives,” he added.

Chandy was the chief minister of Kerala from 2011-2016 and 2004-2006. He was also the opposition leader in the state assembly from 2006-2011.

Born on October 31, 1943, at Puthuppally in Kottayam, Chandy first got elected from Puthuppally at the age of 27 in the assembly elections.

For more national and political news India in Hindi, subscribe to our newsletter.

[wheniamamonster]

Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar was brazenly shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C. on June 18. Nijjar, a supporter of a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent Khalistani state, had been branded by the Indian government as a "terrorist" and accused of leading a militant separatist group — something his supporters have denied. "Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said Monday in a speech to the House of Commons. "Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty."

Tagging @allthecanadianpolitics

[deadoveater]

Who spread suicide claim? Kolkata doctor’s colleagues say story originated in ex-principal’s office

The article:

KOLKATA: Colleagues of the 31-year-old postgraduate resident doctor whose body was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Aug 9 alleged that the hospital authorities’ initial claim that she died by suicide originated in then principal Sandip Ghosh’s office.

They questioned why the hospital authorities misled them when the death was a clear case of rape and murder. Supreme Court also raised concerns Tuesday about the hospital’s suicide narrative.

Hospital insiders disclosed that the decision to initially classify the death as a suicide was made in the office of Ghosh, who was later removed from his position following widespread protests and accusations of a cover-up.

According to the victim’s parents, they received two calls on the morning of Aug 9.

The first call at 10.53am from the hospital’s assistant superintendent Dwaipayan Biswas informed them that their daughter had fallen ill. Shortly afterward, a second call informed them that she had died by suicide. This news came as a shock to the family and colleagues, as signs of abuse and murder were reportedly evident on the doctor’s body.

The colleagues expressed outrage over the handling of the case, particularly the misleading information given to her parents. “Tell-all signs of sexual abuse and murder were all over her body. Why were the parents misled?” asked one of her fellow postgraduate trainees. Assistant superintendent Biswas had not acted on his own, another colleague said, alleging that “there was a plan to pass this off as a suicide”.

Colleagues also questioned the two-hour delay between the discovery of the body around 9am and when the parents were informed.

Ghosh had reportedly convened a meeting in the same seminar hall where the body was found, with at least two outsiders and several senior hospital officials. This meeting took place before the inspector in-charge of RG Kar hospital outpost was informed around 10.10am.

While Calcutta HC directed Ghosh to go on long leave, other hospital officials, including then medical superintendent Sanjay Bashist and the respiratory medicine department head Arunabha Dutta Chowdhury, have been transferred. “We are for a neutral probe and we also want the truth to emerge,” Bashist had said before he was transferred to CNMC.

(Poster's note: This article was posted on Aug 21, 2024. There have been significant developments in this case since then which I will try to post about as soon as possible. But I thought this was an important piece of information about what has been going on and all signs point to a significant coverup that indian public has been speculating since some of the other testimonies from the victim's colleagues.)

[just2bubbly]

omg scrolling through desiblr rn is so toxic and that's obviously because of the election results that happened yesterday. before I rant abt leaders, I need to say that the results were really humbling and that's a big win for democracy all in all (doesn't matter if you rightist or leftist)

what's shocking around here is that people are being hindu-phobic in the names of secularism, name any other religion that would tolerate this in India!! and please you tell me that you see leadership in a person that says that he will remove a reservation bar! - as general category person, this is like carving my own death. I understand that the right wing has leaned into a dictatorship in the recent months but if the leftist with their long chain of alliance comes in power then development is going slow down- leaders own need for power and money is going to result in internal struggle (not to mention the long standing history of alliance never working in the longer run) I'm not a rightist, have learnt that everyone is going to exploit us at the end of the day but it's better to have a party in power that atleast cares about the common people instead of just coming in power