Category: India

On Saturday, farmers marching to Delhi paused their journey after some were hurt by tear gas used by police in Haryana, near the Punjab border. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader from Punjab, informed reporters that their group, called ‘jatha’, had decided to return for the day. He mentioned that around 17 to 18 farmers were injured in the clash, and that some police officers also used rubber bullets, causing serious injuries to one farmer.

Pandher claimed that the police used water mixed with chemicals to push back the farmers, and that they fired more tear gas than before. However, Rajat Gulia, a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Ambala, denied these claims. While the government is discussing the 75th anniversary of the Constitution in Parliament, Pandher pointed out that no one is speaking up for farmers. He questioned why a group of 101 farmers could pose a threat to law and order.

The farmers resumed their walk to Delhi around noon but were halted by barricades set up by the Haryana police. This was their third attempt to enter the capital, having previously tried on December 6 and December 8, but were stopped each time. The farmers, representing the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been staying at Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 after being blocked by police.

They are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), along with other requests like debt relief, pensions for farmers and laborers, not increasing electricity rates, dropping police cases, and justice for victims of past violence in Lakhimpur Kheri.

The Bengaluru City Police have filed a case against Nikita and her family (including her mother Nisha, brother Anurag, and uncle Sushil Singhania) after Subhash’s brother made a complaint. They are accused of helping Subhash commit suicide and other crimes. A police team tried to give Nikita a notice to appear for questioning about her husband Atul’s death. But when they went to their house in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, it was locked, and neighbors said the family had left.

Police Commissioner B. Dayananda mentioned that they are actively investigating the case and are determined to find justice. The notice specifically called for Nikita and did not mention her family members, even though they were named in the complaint. As the officers arrived, no one was at home.

Subhash had left a suicide note and a video blaming his wife, her family, and a judge for his problems. He felt overwhelmed by the many legal issues he was facing, often having to travel between Bengaluru and Jaunpur. His father, Pawan Kumar, said that Subhash often complained that the court did not follow the law, and he felt trapped by the situation.

In July 2024, a family court ordered Subhash to pay Rs 40,000 every month for his child, which was a lot considering he earned Rs 84,000 a month. His lawyer explained that this money was only for the child and not for Nikita, who could support herself.

Nikita’s uncle Sushil dismissed the allegations, saying they were not true. He stated that Nikita will answer all claims when she returns. Nikita’s lawyer, Vijay Mishra, questioned why Subhash would take such drastic action and called for a thorough investigation.

Nikita and Atul married in 2019 but began to have problems by 2021. Nikita had accused Subhash and his family of dowry harassment, which is a serious allegation. There is much debate about how this law can be misused.

Pawan Kumar, Subhash’s father, expressed disappointment with the legal system. He said that Subhash believed in justice but felt crushed under the pressure. As the investigation continues, Subhash’s family wants justice and is looking for answers. They hope this tragic event will lead to discussions on how marital disputes are handled in court systems.

The Delhi government has asked the Supreme Court to ban firecrackers all year long. They believe this will help reduce pollution in the air and loud noise, especially during the Diwali festival.

Every year since 2017, Delhi has limited firecracker sales and use during Diwali, but the pollution has not gotten better. Senior lawyer Shadan Farasat, representing Delhi, said they want a permanent ban on firecrackers to protect the environment. Firecrackers release harmful gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which hurt the air, soil, and water.

SC’s Request to Neighboring States
The Supreme Court, guided by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, has also asked nearby states for their thoughts about a complete firecracker ban. This ban would cover making, storing, selling, and using firecrackers. They want to ensure that citizens have the right to live in an environment without pollution, stating that no religious beliefs can justify causing harm to nature.

Experts Weigh In
Experts say while firecrackers can increase pollution, they are not the only problem. Dipankar Saha, a former pollution control official, mentioned that firecrackers have a quick effect on pollution, especially in still air. However, when the wind blows, their impact is less.

Professor Mukesh Khare from IIT-Delhi explained that firecracker pollution stays low to the ground, especially in winter when there is less wind. This polluted air can be inhaled, which is harmful to health.

Sunil Dahiya, an environmental expert, called the proposed firecracker ban a “symbolic step.” He believes we should also tackle other pollution sources, like cars and factories.

Environmental and Health Effects
The leftovers from firecrackers harm the environment, affecting the air, soil, and water. Chemicals can remain for a long time after the celebration. Studies have shown that fireworks can also scare away wildlife. For example, some birds in Europe left their homes due to firecracker noises.

Chandra Bhushan, an environmental leader, warned that fireworks can also start fires, endangering people and property.

Moving Towards Electric Vehicles
The Supreme Court is urging a switch to electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce air pollution from cars. Justice Oka suggested creating a rule to make government vehicles electric, similar to when public transport in Delhi was changed to compressed natural gas (CNG) back in 1998. The Delhi government has confirmed that all new government vehicles will be electric. The court also asked for data on vehicles used in public transport to help speed up the shift to EVs in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Supporting Workers Impacted by Pollution Rules
The court recognized that pollution rules can hurt workers’ jobs. They ordered that workers affected by restrictions must receive support. The Delhi government is providing ₹8,000 to 90,000 workers and checking to see if more people need help.

Fireworks are a hot topic in Delhi’s fight against pollution, especially in winter when the air is more polluted. Studies in other cities, like Beijing, show that festival fireworks can lead to sudden increases in pollution levels. While firecrackers are part of the problem, experts say we shouldn’t forget bigger pollution sources like cars and factories. Delhi’s pollution plans also include dealing with burning crop waste, managing garbage, and controlling industrial emissions. The Supreme Court is working on the firecracker ban while addressing wider pollution issues to find a complete solution to Delhi’s pollution troubles.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli recently visited China and made important agreements. During his trip from December 2 to 5, he signed a deal for cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This deal is not a blanket agreement; instead, it allows for discussions about specific projects one by one. This means Nepal can get help from China without upsetting its relationships with India and the United States, which is crucial for its own political stability and economy.

Oli’s visit includes plans for further talks with India’s Prime Minister, aiming for a visit to New Delhi in mid-January 2023. The joint statement from the visit shows that both Nepal and China value their friendship, but there are still challenges ahead. Historically, the communist parties in Nepal have been close to China, but Oli was smart not to make any promises that could backfire politically. Instead, a special team worked together to create this new BRI Framework that both his party and the centrist Nepali Congress supported.

The statement emphasizes respect for China’s internal matters, such as avoiding support for Tibetan independence or Taiwan’s independence. The two countries also agreed to work together on cultural exchanges and deepen their economic ties through various projects.

Nepal plans to strengthen its transportation system by developing highways and economic corridors that will connect it better with China. They also want to reopen 14 border trade points that have been closed recently. This will make it easier for people and goods to move between the two countries. In addition, opening flights to cities like Pokhara and Lumbini is in the works to boost travel and trade.

However, Nepal has ongoing concerns about borrowing money for these projects, and they prefer grants instead of loans. They’re aware that people in Nepal are cautious about too much dependence on China, so balancing relationships with India and the U.S. remains essential. The newly formed task force for BRI projects contains members from both major parties, which is a smart move to ensure a united front.

When the Nepali officials visit India next, they’ll have a solid plan from this visit to guide their foreign relations.

New Delhi: On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the famous actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor on what would have been his 100th birthday. He called Kapoor the “eternal showman.” In a message on X, Modi wrote, “Today, we celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of legendary Raj Kapoor, a creative filmmaker and actor. His talent touched many hearts across India and the world.” Recently, the Prime Minister met with the Kapoor family, known for many successful actors, to remember Raj Kapoor’s important contributions.

Raj Kapoor was born on this day in 1924 in what was then called undivided India (which is now Pakistan). He came from a family of actors, with his father being the famous Prithviraj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor became one of Hindi cinema’s greatest filmmakers. His movies often showcased the life of ordinary people and promoted working-class values. He also had a strong talent for discovering new music, which helped make his films loved by audiences in India and beyond.