Month: October 2020

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav released his party manifesto for Bihar Elections 2020, in Patna on Saturday and said that he will make efforts to create a new Bihar by bringing in overall development.

“Our party’s resolution is to bring overall development to the state and create a new stunning Bihar,” he said.

“This is not a manifesto, it is our pledge to bring a change which is set to become true. Every sector has been taken into consideration while preparing this manifesto so that we can make Bihar a happy, better and prosperous State,” Tejashwi Yadav said while releasing vision document.

“We have talked about issues like employment, woman empowerment, agro-industry, education, smart village, Panchayati Raj institute, poverty, community development, healthcare services. In this, Lalu Prasad Ji and Rabri Devi Ji’s message has also been given to the people of Bihar,” he added.

The RJD leader continued saying, there is a difference between employment and job.

“A ragpicker is also employed but here we are talking about 10 lakh government jobs and it is set to become true during the first cabinet meeting itself. 4.5 lakh jobs are vacant in the healthcare services sector, the education department, etc. The post of seven per cent junior engineers are lying vacant,” he added.

“If we had to make fake promises like BJP and double-engine government, we would have promised to give 50 lakh or one crore jobs,’ he added.

“BJP will tell who is their CM face? Nitish Kumar? Nitish Kumar stood his hands-on providing 10 lakh jobs. So from where will BJP give the jobs? Nitish Kumar is leading, then who are they fooling around?

Earlier, the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar-the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and Left parties released its poll manifesto for the assembly election and promised 10 lakh jobs in the first cabinet meeting if elected to power.

In the 20 point manifesto of the Congress, free education for girls up to masters degree, Scooty for girl students scoring 90 per cent marks in class 12th. The Party has also tried to play a regional card by Promising the Maithili language to be included in the compulsory subject school syllabus.

Importantly Mazdoor Information Center in all states’ capital has also been promised to allure migrant labourers, who had been a major sufferer during the lockdown.

Congress, CPI, CPM are part of the grand alliance under the leadership of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Bihar with 243 assembly seats will go to polls in three phases: October 28, November 3 and November 7. The results will be declared on November 10. (ANI)

After Barisha Club’s idol depicting goddess Durga as a migrant worker in Kolkata won several hearts, another Durga Puja pandal in Murshidabad is now making a splash while paying tribute to the healthcare workers.

Bengal is known for its theme-based pandals during the Durga Puja festival. A Durga Puja pandal in Murshidabad has installed idols while paying tribute to the healthcare workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this theme-based pandal, goddess Durga is seen crowning the healthcare worker. In this unique representation, the goddess Durga has been depicted as paying tribute to a woman health worker with a crown in her hand, instead of her customary trident (Trishul).

“Our theme this year is COVID-2020. The healthcare workers across the country are working for us and our pandal’s theme is basically to pay tribute to them. Goddess Durga is seen crowning the healthcare worker. Another message via this theme is to make people aware to follow COVID-19 safety measures and protect themselves,” said Shoumodip Shonai, member of the pandal’s club.

The pandal is a poignant representation of how our healthcare workers across the country have put the lives of others first by working tirelessly to serve the people of the nation amid the pandemic.

“We want to tell people via our theme-based pandal that they are safe in the hands of our doctor and they are helping to get us cured of this disease,” said Kaveri Sinha, another member.

Various themed pandals in West Bengal have taken social media by a storm this year. (ANI)

Israel and Sudan have agreed to normalise relations and end the state of belligerence between the two nations, announced US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time).

According to an official statement issued by the White House, Donald Trump, Sudanese Chairman of the Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to discuss Sudan’s historic progress towards democracy and opportunities to advance peace in the region.

This comes days after Trump had announced that Sudan will be removed from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list after it pays USD 335 million to the victims of previous attacks in the US.

Following President Trump’s decision to remove Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, the US and Israel have agreed to partner with Sudan in its new start and ensure that it is fully integrated into the international community

“The United States will take steps to restore Sudan’s sovereign immunity and to engage its international partners to reduce Sudan’s debt burdens, including advancing discussions on debt forgiveness consistent with the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. The United States and Israel also committed to working with their partners to support the people of Sudan in strengthening their democracy, improving food security, countering terrorism and extremism, and tapping into their economic potential,” the statement read.

“The leaders agreed to begin economic and trade relations, with an initial focus on agriculture. The leaders also agreed that delegations will meet in the coming weeks to negotiate agreements of cooperation in those areas as well as in agriculture technology, aviation, migration issues and other areas for the benefit of the two peoples. The leaders also resolved to work together to build a better future and advance the cause of peace in the region,” the White House added.

On September 11, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain officially agreed to normalise relations with Israel, in a trilateral phone conversation with Trump and Netanyahu.

The move came after United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel had agreed to normalise relations in August. The first two Arab countries to recognise Israel were — Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. (ANI)

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday lashed out at the Centre for abrogating Article 370 and said that she will raise the Indian tricolour when the “flag of Jammu and Kashmir” is brought back.

Addressing her press conference after being released from detention, she said: “My flag is this (points to the flag of J&K kept on the table in front of her). When this flag comes back, we will raise that flag (tricolour) too. Until we get our own flag back, we won’t raise any other flag…This flag forged our relationship with that flag.”

“Our relationship with the flag of this country is not independent of this flag (Jammu and Kashmir’s flag). When this flag comes in our hand, we will raise that flag too,” she added.

The PDP chief also said that she will not contest any election until Article 370 is restored.

“I have been a street fighter. I have no interest in elections. Until our status is back, Mehbooba Mufti will not contest any elections. My struggle will not be for restoration of Article 370, it will be the resolution of Kashmir problem,” she said.

“We have acceded to a liberal, democratic and secular India. We are uncomfortable with today’s India,” Mufti said.

Mufti said that Jammu and Kashmir came into an international spotlight like never before after Article 370 is revoked.

“It is a fact that China captured 1000 sq km of our land. I think we somehow managed to get back around 40 km. China speaks of Article 370 too. They say it is disputed and ask why was J&K made UT? Jammu and Kashmir came into international view like never before after abrogation,” she added.

Mufti, who was in detention from August 5 last year following the abrogation of the special status of the erstwhile state, was released on October 13. (ANI)

Addressing his first election rally in poll-bound Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tributes to the soldiers from the state who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Galwan Valley clash and the Pulwama attack.

“Sons of Bihar lost their lives in Galwan Valley for the tricolour and ensured Bharat Mata’s head is held high. Jawans of Bihar were also martyred in Pulwama attack. I bow my head at their feet and pay respects,” PM Modi said at the election rally in Sasaram.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and others, was speaking at the Biada Maidan in Sasaram.

“Bharat’s heart is Bihar, Bharat’s respect, pride is Bihar, Bharat’s culture is Bihar, Bihar is the call for independence, the call for ‘sampoorna kranti’ (complete revolution) is Bihar, Atmanirbhar Bharat’s flagship is Bihar. Whether it is for the security, or development of the country, the people of Bihar always stay in the front,” he added, speaking in Bhojpuri.

The Prime Minister thanked the voters of the state for having decided to ensure the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) victory and recounted the woes of the state under the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rule.

“The people of Bihar cannot forget the day when sunset meant all work had to be stopped. Today there are light, roads, and the most important thing there is that environment where the state’s common resident can live without fear,” he said speaking about the NDA rule.

“There were those days when under the purview of those who ran the government, dacoities, murders used to happen. Extortion used to happen, in those days when the girl used to step out of the house her family used to be worried till she returned. They used each government job as a source to earn lakhs and crores of rupees, they took bribes from Bihar’s youth for posts. The generation might have changed today but the youths need to remember who pushed the state into such difficulties,” he added.

The Prime Minister remembered and paid tributes to the former Union Minister late Ram Vilas Paswan, and former RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh in his speech.

PM Modi also lauded the timely and fast work done by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. (ANI)

A Pakistan-based business school was forced to cancel an online seminar with well-known economist Dr Atif Mian following pressure from extremist groups.

Dr Mian, who belongs to the Ahmadiya community, was slated to speak on “Why has economic growth fallen behind in Pakistan?” at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi. However, the seminar was scrapped due to threats from extremists.

“Dr Atif R. Mian’s lecture “Why has economic growth fallen behind in Pakistan?” scheduled on November 5, 2020 has been cancelled. Inconvenience is highly regretted,” IBA Karachi tweeted.

Dr Mian also confirmed the news about his seminar.

“Sorry to report that my zoom economics seminar at IBA Karachi has been cancelled due to threats that the university administration was facing from extremists. My very best wishes and prayers are with the students of IBA,” Mian tweeted.

Back in September 2018, Atif Mian was asked to quit Imran Khan’s Economic Advisory Council within days of his appointment for being a member of the Ahmadiya community, Dawn reported.

So much for Imran Khan’s claims to protect minorities of Pakistan. He could do nothing about the smear campaign that was launched on social media seeking Mian’s removal over his Ahmadiyya faith.

After Dr Mian’s announcement on IBA seminar, Wendy Gilmour, Canada’s high commissioner to Pakistan expressed regret over the development.

“I am very sorry to hear this. An opportunity lost for the students and wider interested community,” Gilmour tweeted.

This news comes after a UK-based All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Ahmadi Muslim Community had revealed details about the discrimination the Ahmadiyya community has been facing in Pakistan.

In August the report titled “Suffocation of the Faithful – the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and the rise of International Extremism” said that persecution against the peace-loving community intensified following the partition of the Indian subcontinent and the formation of Pakistan. (ANI)

China has accused Canadian parliamentarians of spreading “lies and rumours,” over the issue of genocide against the Uyghur minority community in Xinjiang.

“The sub-committee of the Canadian parliament neglects the fact of political stability, economic growth, ethnic solidarity and social harmony in Xinjiang. Its groundless statement is full of lies and disinformation. This is blatant interference in China’s internal affairs and reflects those Canadian individuals’ ignorance and prejudice,” said Chinese spokesperson Zhao Lijian while responding to Canada’s House of Commons subcommittee’s statement.

Zhao Lijian said, “China has repeatedly made clear our stern position on Xinjiang. Xinjiang-related issues are not at all about human rights. The so-called genocide in Xinjiang is a rumour and a farse fabricated by some anti-China forces to slander China.”

This comes after a subcommittee of Canada’s Parliament called out China on genocide in Xinjiang province, The Globe and Mail reported. The committee also called for human rights-related sanctions.

Responding to Canada’s subcommittee, Zhao said, “China has repeatedly made clear our stern position on Xinjiang. Xinjiang-related issues are not at all about human rights. The so-called genocide in Xinjiang is a rumour and a farse fabricated by some anti-China forces to slander China.”

This follows after the Canadian committee used the term “concentration camps” to describe Chinese centres for forcible political indoctrination and skills training. It also mentioned documents with details on plans to subject women of child-bearing age to birth control in Xinjiang.

“Witnesses were clear that the Government of China’s actions is a clear attempt to eradicate Uyghur culture and religion,” the committee wrote.

Furthermore, the committee asked Canadian leadership to impose sanctions against Chinese officials for human-rights abuses.

Xinjiang region is home to around 10 million Uyghurs. The Turkic Muslim group, which makes up around 45 per cent of Xinjiang’s population, has long accused China’s authorities of cultural, religious and economic discrimination.

Classified documents known as the China Cables, accessed last year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, threw light on how the Chinese government uses technology to control Uyghur Muslims worldwide.

However, China regularly denies such mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training.

The Chinese government has been admonished world-over for its repressive measures against the ethnic Uyghurs like mass detention, mass surveillance, restriction of religious and cultural identities, as well as other gross human rights abuses. (ANI)

A complaint has been filed against actor Kangana Ranaut at a Mumbai court for “spreading hate and breaking the brotherhood, integrity of the country” through “provoking hate speeches” given by her.

The Metropolitan Magistrate 65th court, Andheri, Mumbai has set November 10 as the next date for hearing in the matter.

The complainant, a Mumbai based lawyer, advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, has accused Ranaut of attacking not just the Maharashtra Police, and government in connection with the death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, but of also “promoting enmity amongst our country people for her political gain”.

The complaint includes several of Ranaut’s tweets in which she had targeted politicians, Maharashtra Police and personalities from the Bollywood film industry.

“She has stooped even low by misusing her fanbase, fame, power, influence through her social media accounts and has been creating hatred, enmity amongst authorised legally constituted government bodies and also prevailing religions in India through her tweets/statements with an aim and intent to garner cheap publicity, personal gains and benefit by taking undue advantage of the grave situations prevailing in India,” the complaint read.

The complainant also said that he had filed a police complaint on September 4, 2020, at Andheri police station requesting to register an FIR against the actor for her “several illicit tweets”, and had even given his statement to the police but pointed out that “no action has been taken against the accused despite the offences being serious in nature”.

Khan has urged the court to take cognizance of the issue and take necessary action against Ranaut for offences which according to him fall under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and any other acts which can be levied. (ANI)

During his Asia trip from October 25 to 30, US State Department Secretary Michael Pompeo will be urging the Sri Lankan officials to make decisions about its relationship with China and to review the option that the United States offers for transparent and sustainable economic development, an official said.

“Right now, we think [Sri Lanka is] at a point to make some choices about where they head,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean Thompson on Thursday (local time) said while replying to a question on Sri Lanka’s growing relationship with China.

“In the interest of strengthening our longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka and reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region, we encourage Sri Lanka to review the options we offer for transparent and sustainable economic development in contrast to discriminatory and opaque practices,” he said.

Thompson said that the US appealed to Sri Lanka to make necessary decisions to secure its economic independence for long-term prosperity.

“We urge Sri Lanka to make difficult but necessary decisions to secure its economic independence for long-term prosperity, and we stand ready to partner with Sri Lanka for its economic development and growth,” he said.

Pompeo will be travelling to India, Colombo, Male and Jakarta from October 25 – 30. (ANI)