Report Wire

Category: India

  • Protests Continue For 3rd Day In Parts Of Kashmir Over Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah’s Killing.

    Thousands took to the streets in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam and Srinagar districts for the third straight day, predominantly in Shia-dominated areas, to condemn the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday. Prominent Shia leaders, including Aga Syed Ruhulla, a member of Parliament from Srinagar, and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, halted their political campaigns to join the demonstrations and pay tribute to Nasrallah.

    Ruhulla took to social media, stating that Nasrallah was a staunch supporter of Muslims and a fighter against Israeli oppression. “This is about how far hearts are from each other,” he said while speaking to Zee News. “People of Jammu and Kashmir have always stood with Palestine, and I felt it was appropriate to call off my campaign.”

    The MP criticized the current Indian government, saying, “India has one stand, but unfortunately the BJP has a different one. India’s foreign policy has historically favored Palestine, but under the Modi regime, it seems to align with Israel.” Ruhulla also expressed disappointment over global inaction, noting that while the UN has labeled the situation a genocide, world powers have remained largely silent.

    Several other leaders joined Ruhullah in condemning Nasrallah’s killing. Mehbooba Mufti, speaking to PTI, condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring him a “criminal” responsible for the deaths of thousands. “What will the BJP tell me? They supported the rapists in the Kathua case,” she added, referring to a notorious incident involving child sexual assault in 2018.

    The protests extended beyond Budgam, with demonstrations reported in areas like Zadibal and Pattan, where Shia communities also took to the streets, chanting anti-Israeli and anti-American slogans. Protesters carried images of Nasrallah, honoring him as a defender of Muslim rights.

    The Shia community has declared a four-day mourning period, which will conclude tomorrow. Local sentiment echoed throughout the protests, with many attendees voicing their belief that Nasrallah was a champion for the Palestinian cause and a victim of Israeli aggression.

  • RG Kar Case: Bengal Doctors Take Out Torch Rallies Across Kolkata Ahead Of SC Hearing |

    KOLKATA — Junior doctors from various government hospitals, along with community members, took to the streets on Sunday, holding torch rallies across the city to demand justice for a doctor murdered at RG Kar Hospital. The demonstrations that also called for improved security measures for medical staff in state-run facilities, came a day before the Supreme Court hearing on the case.

    The rallies were organized from multiple key locations, including RG Kar Hospital, Sagore Dutta Hospital, SSKM Hospital, Calcutta Medical College, and Jadavpur in South Kolkata. Participants stressed the urgent need for justice for the victim, a postgraduate trainee, while advocating for enhanced safety protocols for healthcare workers.

    On September 27, junior doctors had called on the public to participate in protests statewide, expressing solidarity ahead of the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Monday. After a month-long agitation, these doctors returned to work but indicated a potential return to a total “cease work” if the state government fails to guarantee their safety during the court proceedings.

    The rallies converged at significant city intersections, including Esplanade, Shyambazar, Park Circus, and Gariahat. Organized by the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front, an umbrella organization representing medics from various medical college hospitals, the events highlighted the need to eliminate a “threat culture” in medical institutions, where students reportedly face intimidation.

    At Sagore Dutta Hospital, junior doctors conducted a torch and candle march following an incident on Friday night, in which outsiders allegedly assaulted medical staff after a patient’s death. This incident prompted the medics to strike, demanding better security measures.

    As participants marched from Sagore Dutta Hospital to Dunlop Crossing on the outskirts of Kolkata, they carried candles and torches, illustrating their demand for safety and justice. The protests were ignited by the alleged assault on three doctors and three nurses at the hospital, which the medics claimed underlined the government’s failure to fulfill promises of security.

    In response to the escalating situation, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma visited RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Sunday afternoon to review security arrangements ahead of the Supreme Court hearing. He interacted with police personnel and conducted a tour of the hospital’s emergency department.

    The backdrop of the protests includes a troubling incident on August 15, when a mob vandalized the hospital’s emergency department, following a Calcutta High Court order to transfer the rape-murder investigation from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The city police are currently investigating this incident.

    The Calcutta High Court, addressing allegations of a threatening environment in medical colleges, directed the state government on September 26 to file an affidavit responding to claims made in a public interest litigation (PIL). The petitioners have alleged multiple issues, including intimidation, sale of answer keys for examinations, bribery, corruption, and sexual harassment within state-run medical institutions.

  • ‘Sanctioning Of Global Terrorists Should Not Be Impeded For Political Reasons’: Jaishankar’s Veiled Dig At China At UNGA |

    Jaishankar At UNGA: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today took a veiled swipe at China for supporting Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Dr S Jaishankar said that sanctioning of global terrorists by the United Nations should also not be impeded for political reasons. In the past, China has vetoed India and other developed nations’ bid to get Pakistan-based international terrorists sanctioned.

    “The world cannot be fatalistic about the continuation of violence on a large scale, no more than be impervious to its broader consequences. Whether it is the war in Ukraine or the conflict in Gaza, the international community seeks urgent solutions. These sentiments must be acknowledged and acted upon…Terrorism is antithetical to everything that the world stands for. The sanctioning of global terrorists should also not be impeded for political reasons.

    Talking about the overconcentration of production, Jaishankar said that it has negatively affected many economies. “An important cause of many getting left behind has been the unfairness of the current globalization model. Overconcentration of production has hollowed out many economies, impacting their employment and social stability,” said the EAM.

    Jaishankar said that India is acting like a beacon of hope in these troubled times. “In these troubled times, it is necessary to provide hope and rekindle optimism. We have to demonstrate that big changes are possible…When India lands on the moon, rolls out its own 5G stack, dispatches vaccines worldwide, embraces fintech or houses So many global capability centres, there is a message here. Our quest for a developed India will understandably be followed closely,” said Jaishankar.

    Previously, China effectively blocked a proposal to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist. The proposal was jointly submitted by India and the United States to the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions committee. Mir, wanted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, could not be listed as a global terrorist due to China’s objection. Such proposals require unanimous agreement from all member nations for approval.

  • Weather Update: IMD Issues Heavy Rain, Flash Flood Warning For Several Bihar Districts.

    Patna: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday forecast heavy rainfall in parts of Bihar, and warned of low to moderate “flash flood risk” in 13 districts over the next 24 hours.

    Heavy rain is likely in West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Patna, Jehanabad, Madhubani and Bhojpur districts, it said in a bulletin.

    These districts are at the risk of “low to moderate flash floods in the next 24 hours”, the Met Department said.

    The Disaster Management Department (DMD) has asked the administration of the districts to remain on alert, and take preventive measures in the wake of the forecast.

    The department has also written to the 13 district magistrates in this regard.

    Around 12 districts situated along the Ganga, including Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Patna, Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger and Bhagalpur, are already experiencing a flood-like situation in the state, and nearly 13.5 lakh people living in low-lying areas have been affected by rising water levels of rivers, following torrential rainfall, officials said.

    A large number of people from the affected districts have been evacuated and brought to relief camps, they said.

    Meanwhile, the Bihar Water Resources Department (WRD) has sounded an alert for flood in areas along the swollen Kosi and Gandak rivers.

    The water level of several rivers has been rising across the state, following continuous rainfall over the past two to three days, the officials said.

    “Incessant rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal has also led to rivers touching or flowing above the danger level at several places in the bordering districts. Keeping the gravity of the situation in mind, the authorities in Bihar will lift some gates at Valmikinagar barrage on the Gandak river in the intervening night of September 27 and September 28, and release 6 lakh cusecs of water, the highest in the recent past, ” a bulletin issued by the WRD said.

    The authorities will also release 6.81 lakh cusecs of water around 12 noon on September 28 from the Kosi Birpur barrage, it said.

  • J&K Phase 3 Polls: Over 12 Lakh Voters Set To Vote In Jammu On Oct 1 |

    Eleven Assembly Constituencies (ACs) of district Jammu are all set for polls with over 12 lakh voters going to exercise their right to franchise on October 1, during the third and final phase of Assembly polls.

    The district comprises eleven Assembly Constituencies namely Bishnah (SC), Suchetgarh (SC), RS Pura-Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Marh (SC), Akhnoor (SC) and Chhamb, with a total of 12,00,977 voters; 6,19,066 male, 5,81,887 female and 24 third gender voters.

    For smooth and hassle-free facilitation of voters, ECI has established 1,494 polling stations across the district with 609 urban polling stations and 885 rural polling stations.

    To foster maximum voter participation and facilitate voters, dedicated polling stations have been established across districts for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Polling booths managed by women as Pink Polling Stations, Polling Stations manned by youths, Green Polling Stations and Unique Polling Stations.

    Among all the eleven Assembly Constituencies of the district, 74-RS Pura-Jammu South AC has the highest number of 1,30,107 registered voters, comprising 67,322 males, 62,782 females and 3 transgender voters.

    The constituency also houses 149 polling stations, 98 urban and 51 rural for smooth and hassle-free voting experience for all registered voters.

    75-Bahu AC comes next with a voter population of 1,21,131, among which 61,963 are males, 59,159 are females and 9 third gender voters. To facilitate the voters, 139 polling stations have been established in this constituency; 131 urban polling stations and 8 rural polling stations.

    72-Bishnah (SC) Assembly Constituency comes next with 1,19,988 registered voters; 63,385 males, 56,602 females and 1 third gender voter. To ensure a smooth electoral process, 139 polling stations have been established across the constituency, of which 18 are urban and 121 are rural polling stations.

    Similarly, the 73-Suchetgarh (SC) Assembly Constituency has 1,13,449 voters, among which 59,727 are males, 53,720 are females and 2 transgender voters. A total of 128 rural polling stations have been set up in the constituency for a smooth and hassle-free voting process.

    Similarly, 79-Jammu North AC has 1,11,811 voters; 57,213 males, 54,595 females and three-third gender voters. To facilitate the voters of this constituency, 117 polling stations have been set up, including 87 urban and 30 rural polling stations.

    76-Jammu East AC has a total of 1,07,213 voters; 54,021 are males, 53,189 are females and 3 third gender voters. In order to ensure a participatory voting process, 153 polling stations have been established in the constituency, including 131 urban and 22 rural stations.

    Similarly, 78-Jammu West AC has a 1,06,252 voter population, of which 53,811 are males and 52,441 are females. For a smooth voting process, 118 polling stations have been established, including 112 urban and 6 rural polling stations.

    82-Chhamb AC has a 1,06,035 voter population; 54,295 are males and 51,740 are females. 165 polling stations have been set up in the constituency, with 8 in urban areas and 157 in rural areas.

    77-Nagrota AC has 96,007 registered voters, with 49,735 males and 46,272 females. The ECI has set up 145 rural polling stations in this constituency.

    81-Akhnoor (SC) Assembly Constituency has 95,386 voters, comprising 48,954 males, 46,430 females and 2 third-gender voters. To facilitate voting, 127 polling stations have been established, with 12 in urban areas and 115 in rural areas.

    80-Marh (SC) Assembly Constituency, with the lowest voter count, has 93,598 registered voters, including 48,640 males, 44,957 females and 1 third gender voter. The constituency has 114 polling stations, with 12 in urban areas and 102 in rural areas.

    Interestingly, the upcoming elections are set to be a coming-of-age moment for 47,963 first-time voters. These young voices are spread across the district, with 82-Chhamb AC leading the pack with 5,647 new voters, while 78-Jammu West AC has the lowest count at 2,801.

    Jammu’s senior citizens, who comprise nearly 18 per cent of the total electorate, are poised to play a pivotal role in the upcoming elections.

    These 2,15,338 voters, aged 60 and above, bring their wealth of experience to the polling booths. However, it is the centenarians who truly embody the spirit of enduring democracy.

    “Jammu boasts 404 voters between 100-109 years old, 29 super-centenarians aged 110-119 and remarkably, six voters who have lived through over 120 years of India’s history,” an official statement said.

    “Meanwhile, all arrangements are being put in place for smooth and peaceful polling in the district where voting is taking place on October 1. Currently, a number of voter awareness programs are underway in various parts of the district to generate interest among the electorate regarding the importance of exercising the franchise and to maximize the voter turnout.”

  • DNA: Analyzing The Support Of QR Codes For Waqf Feedback |

    The central government has introduced a bill aimed at curbing excesses associated with Waqf which resulted in the significant debate. The bill has been referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for modifications, with public opinion actively sought.

    There was a campaign to send feedback on the bill, various Muslim organizations launched a campaign that included issuing QR codes for submissions. The religious leaders urged people to scan the QR code and send emails, while announcements were made also in neighborhoods and proclamations were made from Eidgahs.

    In today’s DNA, Zee News analyzed the support of QR codes for Waqf feedback.

    here is today’s full episode

    Watch DNA LIVE with @Anant_Tyagii#DNA #AsaduddinOwisi #AIMIM #Congress #HimachalPradesh #NamePlate https://t.co/f33XtoiLfH

    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) September 25, 2024


    Meanwhile, Hindu organizations also launched a similar QR campaign. As a result, around 1.25 crore emails reached the JPC. However, now JPC member Nishikant Dubey has raised questions about this.

    Feedback may be submitted through AI, raising concerns about a potential conspiracy to conduct an international feedback campaign. Additionally, there are suspicions regarding an international plot aimed at disrupting the prevailing atmosphere.

  • DNA: From Kashmir To Kanyakumari, Analyzing Season Of Encounters |

    After the encounter with Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, the political fallout continues in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde is calling it a form of justice, while opposition leaders argue that shooting someone on the spot cannot be considered justice. This incident has sparked a larger argument about the balance between law enforcement and judicial processes in the state.

    Police Inspector Sanjay Shinde, who shot accused Akshay Shinde, is recognized as an encounter specialist in the Mumbai Police. He has previously worked in the Anti-Extortion Cell alongside Pradeep Sharma, who is also known as an encounter specialist.

    In today’s DNA, the Zee News Anchor analyzed the season of encounters.


    Watch Today’s Full Episode Here:

    Watch #DNA LIVE with Anant Tyagi #ZeeLive #ZeeNews #YogiAdityanath #UPNews @Anant_Tyagii https://t.co/Kgt9NCzRG9 — Zee News (@ZeeNews) September 24, 2024


    The encounter has sparked in other states as well. In Uttar Pradesh, wheelchairs have become synonymous with police action, while in Madhya Pradesh, stretchers have taken on a similar significance in the context of police encounters.

    Recently, a man named Arun Chauhan, who is accused of robbing a jeweller, was found lying on a stretcher. The police here also claim that their actions are justified, echoing the narrative seen in Uttar Pradesh.

  • Urdu Must For Karnataka Anganwadi Teachers? BJP Accuses Siddaramaiah Govt Of ‘Muslim Appeasement’

    Kannada vs Urdu Next? Amid the Kannada vs Hindi debate, CM Siddaramaiah-led Congress Government came under fire from the Opposition BJP over a notification that mandated Urdu as a must-know language for Anganwadi teachers. The notification has sparked an outrage with the BJP accusing the Congress of carrying out ‘Muslim appeasement’.

    “The announcement of the Congress government of the state that to get a job as an anganwadi teacher, one should know Urdu language is condemnable. The backdoor attempt to appease the Muslim community in the recruitment of Anganwadi teachers and allow only them to get jobs is once again highlighting the insidious policy of the Congress,” said BJP leader and former MP Nalinkumar Kateel.

    State Congress government’s declaration that Urdu language must be known if an Anganwadi teacher gets a job. Yes.

    Anganwadi also favors the Muslim community in the recruitment of teachers, so that only they can get the job. Yet again the crooked policies of the Congress are being shown.

    Unbearable… pic.twitter.com/M6Ry24dOr3 — Nalinkumar Kateel (@nalinkateel) September 23, 2024

    The BJP said on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister of Women and Child Welfare, Karnataka’s official language is Kannada. Please respond.”

    @INCKarnataka government is pouring Urdu into Kannada channel.

    उर्दु उर्डु As per the requirement, an official order has been issued from the Women and Child Welfare Department.

    CM @siddaramaiah अवेरे, महिल्या और छिल्ड़ने… pic.twitter.com/SX3S9VwXwB

    — BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) September 23, 2024

    According to reports, since Urdu is not an official language and is primarily offered as an optional subject in Urdu-medium schools, mandating it as a requirement for Anganwadi recruitment appears unjustified. The Karnataka government under Congress, since 2017, had been planning to introduce Urdu teaching in Anganwadi centres.

  • Punjab Cabinet Rejig Likely Today: Bhagwant Mann To Drop 4 Ministers, Induct New Faces |

    Punjab Cabinet Reshuffle: The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab cabinet is expected to witness a reshuffle on Monday evening. In the reshuffle, the Punjab cabinet will include five new ministers, while four ministers are likely to be dropped by the Aam Aadmi Party, news agency ANI reported, citing the Punjab government sources.

    The sources further stated that Ministers Balkaur Singh, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, and Anmol Gagan Maan are likely to be removed. The five new people who will be inducted are Hardeep Singh Mundian, Tarunpreet S Sondh, Ravjot, Barinder Goyal, and Mohinder Bhagat.

    The oath ceremony will take place tomorrow at 5 PM in Raj Bhavan, Punjab government sources told ANI.

    In Punjab Assembly Elections 2022, the AAP registered a landslide victory, winning 92 seats, sidelining most of its rivals including the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal.

    Earlier on September 12, in a major reshuffle the Punjab government transferred 38 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and one Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer.

    On September 7, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also assured the youth of job security and criticized the previous government for not being considerate towards the youth of the state while speaking at an appointment letter distribution ceremony in Chandigarh.

    According to the government, a total of 293 appointment letters were made during the ceremony. Out of which 263 of them were under the health department, 9 were under technical education, and the other 21 letters were under the water supply department.

    (With ANI Inputs)

  • ‘Pakistan Fears Modi, Would Not Dare To Open Fire’: Amit Shah In J&K Steps Up BJP’s Poll Campaign |

    Jammu And Kashmir Polls: As the second phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections inches closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stepped up its poll campaign in a bid to form government in the Union Territory following the elections, which are being held after a decade. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who reached Jammu on a three-day election campaign on Friday evening, is scheduled to address several election rallies.

    On Saturday, the senior BJP leader said that there is peace along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan fears Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would not dare to open fire, knowing fully that India’s response will be befitting to silence its guns.

    While addressing an election rally in the Mendhar border area in the UT’s Poonch district in support of saffron party candidate Murtaza Khan, Shah said the Center wiped out terrorism by replacing guns and stones in the hands of youngsters with laptops and added the government would not allow guns to resonate in the hills of the Jammu region.

    “We will construct more bunkers along the borders for the safety of people. I want to remind you of cross-border firings in the 1990s. Is cross-border firing happening today?” he asked. “It is because the earlier rulers here were frightened of Pakistan, but now Pakistan fears Modi. They would not dare to fire, but if they did, they would be given a befitting reply,” the senior BJP leader further stated.

    During his election campaigning speech, Shah said that “terrorism erupted in 1990 and continued till 2014, claiming the lives of 40,000 people.” “These three families failed to stop terrorism and instead encouraged it. The BJP and Modi put an end to terrorism and replaced the guns and stones in the hands of the youth with laptops,” he further stated.

    Shah launched a sharp attack at the National Conference and claimed that NC vice president Omar Abdullah is frightening people about the revival of terrorism. “I want to tell from here that despite your tutelage, Modi and Shah will not allow them to resonate in these beautiful hills again,” Shah said.

    “Terrorism is of no benefit to anyone. Guns were handed over to our children, and we too will be providing guns to Pahari youth by recruiting them in the police and army. For that, we will hold a special recruitment drive on the borders,” he further stated.

    The Union Minister came down heavily on the National Conference, Congress, and PDP and accused them of encouraging terrorism. He said that this election will ensure an end to the three families rule in the Union Territory.

    “It is necessary because these families never allowed the democracy to grow in J&K,” Shah said. He further stated that had the BJP government not formed in 2014 and elections to different panchayat Raj Institutions held, the 30,000 elected panchayat members would have never gotten an opportunity but instead would have worked to further strengthen their ‘kingdom’.

    Referring to the National Conference (NC) manifesto that they will review the reservation given to different communities, Shah said, “I want to assure you that we will allow them to touch the reservation under the scheduled tribe status to you. We will extend the reservation to promotion (avenues of the government employees).”

    The assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir are taking place for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh—in August 2019.

    The first phase of polling was held on September 18. The second phase will be held on September 25, followed by the third and final phase on October 1. The election results will be declared on October 8.

    (With PTI inputs)