Category: India

The Kerala Legislative Assembly, in a display of unanimous consensus, passed a resolution on Wednesday, urging the Central Government to formally acknowledge and adopt the name “Keralam” as the official designation for the southern Indian state. The move highlights the assembly’s determination to preserve the state’s cultural heritage and historical significance through this proposed alteration.

According to the resolution, the adoption of “Keralam” as the state’s official name would not only reflect the region’s unique linguistic identity but also reinforce its distinct cultural and historical roots. The term “Keralam” is deeply ingrained in the state’s history and carries a profound meaning, encapsulating its rich traditions and geographical characteristics. The assembly members unanimously emphasized that this change would serve as a tribute to the state’s vibrant heritage and its people.

In the words of the resolution, “The name ‘Keralam’ encapsulates our cultural essence and the spirit of our land. It signifies the unity of our people and their deep connection to the state’s diverse traditions.”

The resolution further highlights the significance of “Keralam” in various historical texts and ancient scriptures. By reclaiming this traditional name, the assembly seeks to solidify the state’s identity and commemorate its illustrious past. The members of the assembly underscored the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural legacies for future generations, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the people of Kerala.

As the resolution gained unanimous approval, members of the assembly from various political backgrounds expressed their support and enthusiasm for the proposed change. The collective endorsement of “Keralam” as the official state name symbolizes a shared commitment to honoring the state’s rich cultural tapestry and upholding its historical integrity.

In the words of one assembly member, “This resolution is a testimony to our unity in diversity. It echoes the sentiments of millions who identify with the name ‘Keralam’ and recognize its significance in defining our heritage.”

The resolution’s passage also signifies the assembly’s call for a renewed sense of cultural pride and identity. By embracing the name “Keralam,” the state aims to project a strong sense of unity and self-awareness, while also preserving the linguistic and cultural nuances that make Kerala truly unique.

The Chief Minister of Kerala, lauding the assembly’s decision, stated, “The unanimous adoption of the resolution reflects the unwavering commitment of our representatives to our shared history. ‘Keralam’ is not just a name; it is an embodiment of our collective ethos.”

The resolution, once officially recognized by the Central Government, would solidify “Keralam” as the state’s official name, enshrining it in administrative and official documents. This step would affirm the state’s identity and further elevate its cultural and historical standing.

The Kerala Legislative Assembly’s unanimous adoption of the resolution to embrace “Keralam” as the official state name underscores the assembly’s dedication to preserving the state’s rich cultural heritage and historical legacy. This decision reflects the assembly members’ commitment to celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity, while also fostering a collective sense of pride and identity. As the resolution awaits Central Government recognition, it holds the promise of a future where “Keralam” stands as a testament to Kerala’s enduring heritage and unity.

Quoting the Chief Minister’s sentiment on the matter, “The unanimous adoption of the resolution reflects the unwavering commitment of our representatives to our shared history. ‘Keralam’ is not just a name; it is an embodiment of our collective ethos.”

Overall, the assembly’s move to embrace “Keralam” as the official state name is poised to become a significant milestone in Kerala’s cultural and historical journey, reinforcing its distinctiveness and underscoring its cultural resilience for generations to come.

Saying that there was a “complete breakdown” of law and order and constitutional machinery in Manipur and the state police had “lost control over the situation”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned the state Director General of Police (DGP) at the next hearing on August 7.

In a status report submitted to the court, the state government said a total of 6,523 FIRs were registered, including 11 related to violence against women and children; 252 people were arrested in connection with these FIRs; there were 5,101 cases of arson; and 12,071 preventive arrests.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud that two of the 11 FIRs on violence against women and children had been transferred to the CBI.

Asked what the state intended to do about the other FIRs, Mehta said they could be transferred to the CBI. The Bench, which included Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, asked if the CBI could investigate over 6,000 FIRs.

Mehta said all the 11 FIRs related to violence against women and children could be transferred to the CBI. The court could then take a call later, he said.

“But what about the remaining (FIRs), assuming they don’t go to the CBI? The state police is incapable of investigating. It’s so obvious they have lost control over the situation. There is no law and order left. Absolutely no law and order left,” the CJI said.

Mehta objected and said: “Your Lordships may not say that. There are repercussions. Statements can be used, misused”.

“We are in the midst of a war of a different dimension. So anything that’s said in the court will have repercussions,” Attorney General R Venkataramani said.

Pulling up the police for their “tardy” probe, the court questioned the delay in registering FIRs. “Look at the way the investigation is so lethargic. It appears that except for one or two FIRs, there was no arrest at all… statements recorded after such a lapse of time,” the CJI said.

“Not justifying, but given the situation on the ground, that (delay) may have happened. Maybe they were deployed more on the law and order front,” Mehta said.

“That means for two months, the situation was not conducive for recording FIRs… It seems to give us the impression that from the beginning of May until towards the end of July, there was no law… there was a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state. To the point that you cannot even…register an FIR, the police cannot make an arrest,” the CJI said.

“You may be right that the police could not make an arrest because the situation was out of control. An officer of the police could not enter the locality to make an arrest,” he said. “Assuming that is so, does this not point to the fact that there is a complete breakdown of law and order and of the machinery of the state,” he added.

In a severe indictment of the Manipur government for its abject failure to curb bloody Kuki-Meitei clashes and horrific crimes against women, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said there was an absolute breakdown of law and order and constitutional machinery in the sensitive border state in the past three months.

A bench headed by CJI D Y Chandrachud said the state government’s status report pointed to delayed registration of FIRs, lethargic investigation, big delays in recording of statements and only a small number of arrests.

When solicitor general Tushar Mehta said this could have happened because of the volatile situation on the ground, the bench said, “Assuming that the ground situation was such to prevent police from taking action against the accused, does it not point to the fact that there was a complete breakdown of law and order machinery in the state. If the law and order machinery cannot protect the people, where do they go?”

DGP summoned

The apex court ordered the Manipur director general of police (DGP) to appear before it on Monday with a break-up of FIRs lodged based on the gravity of offences.

He was asked to apprise the court on the action taken against the policemen who allegedly handed over to a mob the two hapless women who were stripped, paraded naked and sexually assaulted.

The state government said until July 25, the death toll from the ethnic strife was 150, with two Imphal districts accounting for 60 deaths, followed by Churachandpur 28, Kakching 21 and Bishnupur 20.

It said as many as 5,107 incidents of arson took place, with two Imphal districts recording 1,176 cases, Churachandpur 1,044 and Kangpokpi 1,124 cases.

The violence in Manipur has been raging for over two months now, and hundreds of churches and many precious lives have been lost. This year we have just completed half a year of 190 days and we have already witnessed 400 incidents of violence against Christians across 23 states in India with Uttar Pradesh leading the chart with 155 incidents. Last year during the same period (January to June 2022) 274 incidents of violence against Christians witnessed.

There are six districts in Uttar Pradesh which are witnessing incidents of violence against Christians with 13 incidents in Jaunpur, 11 incidents EACH in Rae Bareilly and Sitapur, 10 in Kanpur and 9 each in Azamgarh and Kushinagar districts. But the highest number of incidents of violence against Christians in a district has gone to Bastar in Chhattisgarh with 31 incidents.

This year, the month of June in 2023 has witnessed the highest number of incidents against Christians with 88 incidents (almost 3 incidents a day) followed by 66 incidents in March, 63 in February, 62 in January, 50 in May and 47 in April. Last year, 2022, the same period January won the sad distinction of being on top of the chart with 121 incidents (almost 4 incidents a day), followed by 40 in May, 31 in February, 29 in April, 28 in March and 25 in June.

All these 400 incidents of violence against Christians are spread across the length and breadth of our country, irrespective of which political party is in power. There are twenty three (23) states which are witnessing incidents of violence against Christians. Uttar Pradesh – leading with 155 incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh with 84 incidents, Jharkhand – 35, Haryana – 32, Madhya Pradesh – 21, Punjab – 12, Karnataka – 10, Bihar – 9, Jammu & Kashmir – 8, Gujarat – 7, Uttarakhand – 4, Tamil Nadu – 3, West Bengal – 3, Himachal Pradesh – 3, Maharashtra – 3, Odisha – 2, Delhi – 2 Andhra Pradesh – 1, Assam – 1, Chandigarh – 1, and Goa – 1.

As per the reports recorded by the United Christian Forum (UCF), the incidents of violence against Christians have been increasing sharply and steadily since 2014: 147 incidents in 2014, 177 in 2015, 208 in 2016, 240 in 2017, 292 in 2018, 328 in 2019, 279 in 2020,505 in 2021, 599 in 2022 and 400 incidents in first 190 days of   2023.

Ironically, despite being the victims in all these atrocities, it is the Christians who are facing more FIRs than the accused, as the police fail to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of such mob violence. There are 63 FIRs lodged against Christians on false allegations of conversions under the Freedom of Religion Act.There are 35 Pastors still in Jail with bails being denied repeatedly. Moreover, those who are getting bail find themselves still incarcerated due to bureaucratic delays in processing their release. Several representations by leaders of the Christian community to the President, Prime Minister and the Home Minister are still awaiting any response.

Update On Petition On Violence Against Christians Before Supreme Court Of India

The matter came up for hearing on 10th July 2023. The Union government opposed our petition. Our advocate Colin Gonsalves submitted an interim prayer for SIT comprising officers outside the respective states to register FIRs, investigate and prosecute; police protection prayer meetings conducted by the Christian community and to provide legal aid to all the victims. Next hearing will be on 14th July 2023.

Opposition parties convened in Patna, emphasizing the upcoming general election as a battle between “democracy and dictatorship.” The meeting aimed to present a unified front against the BJP, with a focus on setting aside past biases and working together. While no joint statement or seat-sharing formula was announced, the commitment to jointly combat the ruling party remained strong.

Highlighting their commitment to collaboration, the Opposition planned several future meetings, with the Congress scheduled to host the next gathering in Shimla around mid-July. Despite a few tense moments, particularly between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the overall atmosphere was cordial. Many opposition leaders urged the Congress to exhibit generosity, while the party, in turn, adopted a more reserved approach, prioritizing listening over speaking.

The meeting commenced with opening remarks from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, leader of the Janata Dal (United), and his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) colleague Lalu Prasad. Kumar expressed confidence that as the election draws nearer in May 2024, more political parties would join their alliance. Prasad, who made his first appearance at a political gathering following a recent kidney transplant, called on the Congress to demonstrate magnanimity and suggested that the dominant force in each state should be given precedence—a sentiment echoed later by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav.

Although Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was encouraged to speak as the leader of the largest party present, he opted to listen attentively and reserved his remarks for the conclusion of the meeting. Sharad Pawar, the patriarch of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), expressed his desire for a joint statement to be issued, but other parties felt it was premature to do so at this stage. Arvind Kejriwal advocated for embracing the motto of “nation first, party second,” urging flexibility from each party.

Nitish Kumar, according to sources, stated, “As we edge closer to May 2024, many more political parties will join this block.”

The conversation then shifted towards the much-anticipated discussion on electoral arrangements. M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), emphasized that there cannot be a “single formula for seat sharing across the country.” He explained that it would vary from state to state based on the political dynamics in each region. This viewpoint was supported by Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, who deemed the idea of having one common candidate against the BJP in all 543 seats as “impractical.”

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress, urged the opposition to strive for a “no vote to BJP” approach while being mindful that the fight should not devolve into a “BJP versus All” scenario. She emphasized that it should be framed as “BJP vs People of India.”

Rahul Gandhi, the former president of the Congress, addressed three key points towards the end of the meeting. He referred to Sharad Pawar’s comments, citing the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of the NCP, Congress, and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra as an example of how the opposition can overcome past differences and ideological issues. Gandhi emphasized that the Congress party would not be bound by its past preferences and dislikes, as unity among the opposition should begin with a clean slate. He also highlighted the BJP’s current monopoly over finances, institutions, and modes of communication, stressing the need for the opposition to build a common narrative to counter this dominance.

Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), emphasized that the opposition must prioritize addressing the issue of economic distress. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar criticized the BJP, stating that the party in power at the center is not acting in the national interest.

During a joint press conference at the conclusion of the meeting, Kumar condemned the BJP, stating that the party is not working in the national interest. Banerjee declared that the opposition would work relentlessly to stall the BJP’s progress, even if it meant facing challenges and adversity. She affirmed three resolutions: unity among the opposition, collective participation in the election against the BJP, and the organization of the next meeting in Shimla. She concluded by saying, “History has started from here.”

Mallikarjun Kharge mentioned that the next meeting would involve further discussions on region-specific political scenarios. Former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah expressed concern that the very idea of India is under threat. Mufti stated that democracy and various institutions in the country are under attack, highlighting that what started in Kashmir is now affecting the entire nation. Abdullah expressed hope for free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Left leaders D. Raja, Sitaram Yechury, and Dipankar Bhattacharya echoed the sentiment of moving forward together and fighting unitedly to reclaim the essence of the Republic. Similarly, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena, stated that the first step towards a joint effort against the BJP has begun in Patna. They expressed confidence in achieving their goal through unified efforts.

Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Akhilesh Yadav, and Lalu Prasad also addressed the media, highlighting that the meeting was the initial step towards their shared objective.

M.K. Stalin elucidated that “there can be no ‘single formula for seat sharing across the country'” and that it will vary based on the political equation in each state.

India is anticipated to surpass Japan and Germany, becoming the world’s third-largest economy, as per projections by S&P Global and Morgan Stanley. S&P bases their prediction on India’s nominal annual GDP growth, which is expected to average “6.3 percent through 2030.”

Similarly, Morgan Stanley forecasts that India’s GDP will more than double by 2031, as mentioned in a CNBC report. The country possesses the necessary elements for an economic surge, driven by offshoring, investment in manufacturing, the energy transition, and its sophisticated digital infrastructure, states Morgan Stanley.

India recently recorded a 6.3 percent growth during the July-September quarter, as reported by the National Statistics Office. S&P’s report highlights that “these projections assume continued structural reforms, including trade and financial liberalization, infrastructure and human capital investment, and labor market reform.”

India to become an export-driven economy

India is on the path to becoming an export-driven economy, according to S&P analysts. The Indian government has been concentrating on supporting private businesses through initiatives like production linked incentives (PLI) to boost manufacturing, investment, and exports across various sectors, as the country aims to establish itself as a global manufacturing powerhouse. S&P analysts suggest that “it is very likely that the government is banking on PLIs as a tool to make the Indian economy more export-driven and more inter-linked in global supply chains.”

Morgan Stanley also projects that the manufacturing sector’s contribution to India’s GDP will “rise from 15.6 percent of GDP currently to 21 percent by 2031.” As a result, the bank anticipates that manufacturing revenue will triple from the present $447 billion to approximately $1,490 billion.

The report from Morgan Stanley adds, “Multinationals are more optimistic than ever about investing in India … and the government is encouraging investment by both building infrastructure and supplying land for factories.”

The challenges A prolonged global recession could pose a significant hurdle to Morgan Stanley’s predictions, as India’s economy heavily relies on trade, with approximately 20% of its output being exported.

Despite the second quarter GDP growth rate aligning with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) forecast at 6.3%, the gross value added (GVA) only increased by 5.6%, leading to concerns about the true strength of the economy. Furthermore, the manufacturing sector exhibited a surprising weakness, with a negative growth of 4.3%.

Another challenge comes from net exports. With imports growing much faster than exports, net imports have nearly doubled compared to the previous year, resulting in a drag on GDP. Mridul Saggar, a former Monetary Policy Committee member, suggests that the slowdown in global exports will provide fewer opportunities for India. He explains, “Slowdown seems to be coming. It’s coming globally, it’s coming less in India. In India, domestic factors have also driven the growth down.”

Recently, analysts have lowered their projections for India’s GDP growth. Goldman Sachs, considering high borrowing costs and diminishing effects of the post-pandemic economic reopening, has cut GDP growth expectations to 5.9% in 2023, compared to the 6.9% growth of 2022.

The Finance Ministry expressed concerns last week that a global recession may hamper the future of India’s export industry. Additionally, Moody’s reduced its India GDP growth forecast for 2022 to 7% from the previous 7.7% estimate, citing rising inflation, high interest rates, and a global economic slowdown.

“Kerala shines as a beacon of progressive ideas where every voice matters and the spirit of unity paves the way for a brighter future,” Chief Minister of Kerala and a Communist party leader, Pinarayi Vijayan told the Kerala Diaspora in at the American regional meeting of the Loka Kerala Sabha (LKS) on June 10^th, 20203.

Vijayan on Sunday addressed hundreds of members of the diaspora community from the state of Kerala at a public event on Times Square. On Saturday, he inaugurated the American Regional Conference of the Loka Kerala Sabha, a non-resident Keralites’ convention in New York.

“We have made giant strides in every sector over the last six years,” he said. Addressing the public event at the center of the popular Times Square, Vijayan highlighted Kerala’s progressive values, social harmony and equitable growth.

He outlined infrastructure development and investments in public schools and the health system and other sectors undertaken and economic growth and development achieved by his administration. He further said the state is a model of inclusive development and has emerged as an example of people-centric progress.

Compassion and social justice drive “our policies that empower marginalized communities and foster equal opportunities for all,” the chief minister said. While achieving gains for the state, he and his administration have also addressed certain areas that required focus and attention, he pointed out.

Kerala formulated an action plan that resulted in the state achieving the prime position in the national food safety index. Vijayan noted that Kerala is the most literate state and its government schools and hospitals have been adjudged as the best in the country by several agencies, including the NITI Aayog.

“We have the best law-and-order situation. All this has been made possible because communal harmony and peaceful coexistence are always ensured. That is why there has not been even a single instance of communal violence in Kerala over the last several years,” he said amid cheers and applause from the audience.

Vijayan urged the Kerala Diaspora around the world “to continue to cooperate with us in the times to come to make your land more and more prosperous.” The chief minister also pointed out that Kerala became India’s first fully e-governed state in May. “It is a historic milestone in the internationally-acclaimed Kerala model of development and social progress. Through e-governance, we are championing transparency, efficiency and inclusivity. We are harnessing technology to ensure seamless access to diverse public services of which more than 900 are now available online.”

LKS is a common platform of Keralites living across the world, held in New York last week, had run into a political controversy over soliciting sponsorship for the event. Both state opposition parties, the Congress and the BJP, have flayed the Kerala government for seeking money to dine and share the dais with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of the CPI(M) at the meeting.  Organized by the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) the latest regional conference of the LKS has got embroiled in a controversy over a policy of graded access for individual sponsors of the event, based on the amount they donate — a practice and policy similar to fundraisers by US political parties.

During a separate meeting with officials, Vijayan invited Pfizer, a multinational pharma major, to open a research center in Kerala. The CM invited Pfizer during a high-level meeting held in New York. The high-level delegation of Vijayan included Rajya Sabha M P John Brittas and the state’s Chief Secretary VP Joy, who made a presentation on the state. The meeting was attended by the Vice Presidents of Pfizer Dr M Raja, Dr Kannan Natarajan and Dr Sandeep Menon.

The pharma company’s officials al’o sought d’tails of the contributi’ns the southern state can make in the area of pre-clinical research. The group also discussed the possibility of effectively tilizing Kerala’s research knowledge in the areas of biotechnology, bioinformatics, statistics and applied mathematics, it said. The state officials, in turn, detailed the achievements of Kerala in the health sector. The Pfizer officials also shared their interest in working with the state’s new Digital Science Park, inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As a next step, a delegation of top company officials would visit Kerala by September, the CMO statement added.

The LKS, comprising mainly prominent non-resident Keralite businesspersons and professionals, as well as MPs and MLAs from the state, was formed by the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government. Three LKS conclaves have so far been hosted by the state government, all in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, with the third and last one in June 2022.

More than 270 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a passenger train derailed and struck two other trains in eastern India on Friday, June 2^nd. officials said.  The rail disaster, in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, was among the deadliest in a nation with a history of rail safety problems.

The crash, in the state of Odisha, shocked India, now the world’s most populous country, and renewed longstanding questions about safety problems in a system that transports more than eight billion passengers a year. The country has invested heavily in the system in recent years, but that has not been enough to overcome decades of neglect.

The crash occurred when several cars of a train derailed and collided with a second one in Balasore District, the train’s operator, South Eastern Railway, said in a statement. Local officials said the tangle ultimately involved a third train carrying goods.

Some of the passengers were heading back to the eastern state of West Bengal from information technology or nursing jobs in southern India, The Indian Express newspaper reported. Others were day laborers.

As daylight broke, teams of rescue workers with dogs and cutting equipment were laboring to free injured people trapped in the wreckage of twisted train carriages. Officials said that 115 ambulances had been mobilized and that all nearby hospitals were on standby.

The government in the state, home to about 45 million people, declared a day of mourning after India’s worst rail disaster in two decades. Dozens of trains were canceled. Teams from the Army, Air Force and National Disaster Response Force were mobilized to help. And people near the site of the crash were lining up to donate blood.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised “all possible assistance” for the victims and offered his condolences. A senior official confirmed that Mr. Modi was likely to visit the site of the disaster on Saturday. “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Mr. Modi wrote on Twitter. “May the injured recover soon.”

Ashok Samal, a shopkeeper, told The Hindustan Times that he was ending his day near the railway in his village of Bahanaga on Friday when he heard a deafening noise, ran to the track on the main line between Kolkata and Chennai, and saw a pile of mangled train cars.

“There were loud shrieks and blood all over,” he told the newspaper, adding that he saw people trapped under coaches and people wailing for help. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister of railways, told reporters on Saturday that he had ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

India’s railway system, one of the largest in the world, was first developed in the 19th century by British colonial authorities. Today, more than 40,000 miles of track — enough to wrap around the earth about one and a half times — spread like capillaries over a nation about twice the size of Alaska that stretches from the Himalayas to tropical rainforests.

In 2005, at least two dozen people were killed when a crowded passenger train slammed into a stationary cargo train in the western state of Gujarat. Six years later, scores died when a mail train derailed in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, east of New Delhi.

In 2016, more than 100 passengers died in another Uttar Pradesh derailment. Two years after that, dozens of people were mowed down by a speeding train in the northwestern state of Punjab as they celebrated a Hindu festival with fireworks.

The deadliest wreck prior to the Friday’s accident was a crash in 1999 in West Bengal that killed about 285 people as two trains collided head-on.

In 2021 alone, there were more than 16,000 train-related deaths, according to the country’s National Crime Records Bureau. That figure includes cases in which people were struck while walking on tracks or fell out of moving trains.

Passenger safety has come under scrutiny in India in recent years. In 2012, a committee appointed to review the safety of the rail network cited “a grim picture of inadequate performance largely due to poor infrastructure and resources.” It recommended a host of urgent measures, including upgrading track, repairing bridges, eliminating road-level crossings and replacing old coaches with ones that better protect passengers in case of an accident.

The Modi administration has since spent tens of billions of dollars to renovate and modernize old trains and tracks. On Saturday, Mr. Modi had been scheduled to inaugurate, by video conference, India’s 19th Vande Bharat Express train, a new electric model manufactured domestically. It has technology designed to help reduce the risk of collisions, and it will run between the western city of Mumbai and the southern state of Goa. But in a system weakened by years of neglect, deadly problems persist.

In a recent address, Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna emphasized the significance of secularism and integrity as fundamental principles in upholding the constitutional ideals of India. The statement came during her speech at the valedictory function of the National Law School of India University’s (NLSIU) 4th Annual International Moot Court Competition, which was held virtually on October 3rd, 2021.

Secularism: A Pillar of Indian Democracy

Justice Nagarathna highlighted the importance of secularism as one of the basic features of the Indian Constitution. She noted that the term “secular” was added to the Preamble of the Constitution through the 42nd Amendment in 1976. This amendment aimed to solidify the concept of secularism within the country’s legal framework.

The Justice stated that the concept of secularism is deeply rooted in India’s history, with its foundations dating back to ancient times. She quoted Mahatma Gandhi, who once said, “If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: search after truth through non-violent means.” This quote underscores the essence of secularism in India, where the pursuit of truth and justice is considered paramount, irrespective of one’s religious beliefs.

Justice Nagarathna further elaborated that secularism in India does not imply a complete separation of religion from the state. Instead, it signifies a harmonious coexistence of all religions, with equal respect and protection under the law. She emphasized that the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion.

Integrity: The Foundation of the Legal System

In addition to secularism, Justice Nagarathna stressed the importance of integrity in the legal profession and judiciary. She explained that integrity is the foundation of the legal system, as it ensures the trust and confidence of the public in the administration of justice.

According to Justice Nagarathna, integrity is not merely about adherence to the law but also encompasses moral and ethical principles. She quoted former Chief Justice of India, Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, who had said, “Integrity is the first, second, and third requisite of a judge.” This quote highlights the significance of integrity in the judiciary, where the impartiality and fairness of judges are crucial in maintaining the credibility of the legal system.

Justice Nagarathna urged law students to cultivate the virtues of integrity and honesty, as these values play a key role in upholding the constitutional ideals of India. She also encouraged them to contribute to nation-building by participating in initiatives that promote social justice and equality.

The Role of Legal Education

The Justice acknowledged the role of legal education in shaping future generations of lawyers and judges. She commended NLSIU for organizing the International Moot Court Competition, which she believes fosters critical thinking, research, and advocacy skills among law students.

Justice Nagarathna concluded her address by emphasizing the need for continuous learning and improvement in the legal profession. She encouraged law students to strive for excellence and remain committed to the ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

At a diaspora event in the United States, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, describing Mr. Modi as a prime example of those who believe they possess more knowledge than even God. During his discussion with members of the Indian community at a Mohabbat ki Dukaan event in Santa Clara, California, Mr. Gandhi asserted that the hostility Muslims currently face in India was once endured by Dalits in the 1980s. He expressed concern about India’s treatment of Dalits, tribals, minorities, and the poor, emphasizing the Congress party’s efforts to address these disparities.

On his six-day U.S. tour, the Congress leader is set to participate in various activities, such as speaking at Stanford University, addressing the National Press Club in Washington, attending closed-door sessions at think-tanks, and engaging with intellectuals, academics, and lawmakers.

Gandhi stated, “The world is too big and complicated for any person to know everything. That is the disease… There is a group of people in India who are absolutely convinced they know everything.” He went on to quip, “If you sat Modi ji with God, he will explain to God how the universe works and God will get confused about what have I created.”

According to Gandhi, this overconfident group claims to be able to teach history to historians, science to scientists, and warfare to the army. However, he pointed out their unwillingness to listen, saying, “But at the core of it is mediocrity.”

Discussing the inauguration of the new Parliament building and the Sengol row, Gandhi argued that these matters merely served as distractions since the Modi government fails to address pressing issues like unemployment, price rise, and the spread of anger and hatred.

Rahul Gandhi commented that the BJP avoids addressing key issues, resorting to actions like the sceptre incident. He playfully asked, “Aren’t you happy that I’m not lying down?” During his speech, when Khalistan supporters interrupted him, he responded with “mohabbat ki dukaan” before security personnel removed the protesters.

At another event at the University of California’s Silicon Valley Campus in Santa Cruz, Mr. Gandhi expressed confidence that the BJP could be defeated if all opposition parties unite and align properly. He mentioned that the process of bringing opposition parties together is advancing, adding, “So, I think bringing the Opposition together is important, but also aligning the Opposition and making the people of India understand that there is not just a group of Opposition parties that have combined but a proposed way forward for the country.”

Gandhi praised the Bharat Jodo Yatra for offering an alternative vision for India and working towards ending the “politics of hate.” Despite the government’s efforts to halt the yatra, he highlighted its massive support from people across India, from Kanniyakumari in the South to Srinagar in the North.

He commended Indian Americans for representing India in the United States, stating, “You make us all proud.” He continued, “When America says Indian people are extremely intelligent, Indian people are masters of IT, Indian people are respectful… All these ideas that have come, they’ve come because of you and because of your actions and your behavior.”

Indian Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is visiting the United States in June to highlight the values and vision of “real democracy”, according to Sam Pitroda, chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress. Gandhi’s visit will include addresses to public meetings and university students in San Francisco, Washington DC and New York, where he will also meet members of Congress and think tanks and Wall Street executives. Pitroda explained Gandhi’s agenda saying, “we are not here to complain. We are here to share what is going on in India.” Pitroda continued that the purpose of Gandhi’s America visit is to begin a new conversation with individuals, institutions, media and the Indian diaspora to promote “freedom, inclusion, sustainability, justice, peace and opportunities world over.”

George Abraham, vice-chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress-USA said, “I hope that Rahul Gandhi’s visit will energise the diaspora into a renewed appreciation of democracy and freedom the Indian diaspora aspires to have.” Gandhi’s itinerary includes meetings with think tanks and universities. The programme is packed with a thousand people due in attendance in San Francisco and a private dinner in Washington, DC.

Gandhi has been criticised for alleging that the structures of Indian democracy are under attack and claiming there is a “full-scale assault” on the country’s institutions. These remarks made while on a March visit to the UK saw the BJP accuse him of maligning India on foreign soil, seeking foreign intervention, and dividing India, among other claims.

The Congress, in reply, cited instances of Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising India’s internal politics abroad.

The Congress party is the oldest party in India, founded in 1885. It dominated Indian politics for the years following the country’s independence in 1947, until India opened its economy in the 1990s, leading to the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has since emerged as the dominant party in Indian politics, and Gandhi’s Congress has struggled to regain political ground against the BJP and its allies.

The Indian Election Commission is also currently investigating allegations of electoral malpractices in the lead up to the general election in May which saw the BJP secure a second term in government.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches his nine-year milestone in office on May 30, the Congress party posed nine questions for him on Friday. “We want the prime minister to break his silence on these questions,” stated Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Delhi.

During the briefing, the Congress unveiled a document named “9 saal 9 sawaal” (9 years 9 questions), which contained the party’s inquiries on topics such as the economy, corruption, Covid-19, and social justice. “The prime minister must respond to these nine questions before the BJP begins to celebrate,” demanded Congress.

In response to this critique, the BJP labeled the questions as a “bundle of lies and mountain of deception.” Ravi Shankar Prasad, former Union minister and BJP leader, defended the party by highlighting India’s economic growth from the “fragile five” position to the fifth largest in the world, while addressing the points raised by the Congress party.

Below are the questions presented by the main opposition party:

1. The Economy:Why is it that inflationand unemployment are skyrocketing in India? Why have the rich become richer and the poor poorer? Why is public property being sold to PM Modis friends, even as economic disparities are increasing?
2. Agriculture and farmers:Why is it that the agreements made with farmers while repealing the three black farm laws have not been honoured? Why has MSPnot been legally guaranteed? Why didn’t farmers’ income double over the last 9 years?
3. Corruption and cronyism:Why are you putting people’s hard-earned savings in LIC and SBI at risk to benefit your friend Adani? Why are you letting thieves escape? Why are you silent on rampant corruption in BIP-ruled states, and why are you letting Indians suffer?
4. China and national security:Why is it that even after your clean chit to China in 2020, they continue to occupy Indian territory? 18 meetings have been held with China, yet why do they refuse to yield Indian territory and instead continue with their aggressive tactics?
5. Social harmony:Why are you deliberately using the politics of hatred for electoral gains and fueling an atmosphere of fear in society?
6. Social justice:Why is it that your oppressive government is methodically destroying the foundations of social justice? Why are you silent on the atrocities against women, Dalits, SC, ST, OBCs and minorities? Why are you ignoring the demand for a caste census?
7. Democracy and federalism:Why have you weakened our Constitutional values and democratic institutions in the last nine years? Why are you practicing the politics of revenge against Opposition parties and leaders? And why are you using blatant ‘money power to destabilise governments elected by the people?
8. Welfare schemes:Why is it that schemes for the welfare of the poor, needy and tribals are being weakened by cutting their budgets and making restrictive rules?
9. COVID-19mismanagement: Why is it that despite the tragic deaths of over 40 lakh people due to COVID-19, the Modi government has refused to compensate their families? Why did you suddenly impose a lockdown which forced lakhs of workers to return home, and not provide any support?

Jairam Ramesh emphasized that Rahul Gandhi had persistently raised these nine questions during and after the Bharat Jodo Yatra, yet no answers have been provided. “It is time for the prime minister to break his silence,” Ramesh urged.

Congress leader Pawan Khera suggested that the prime minister should declare an “apology day” and apologize to all Indians, as he claimed Modi’s promises were fictitious.

In response to Congress’s allegations, BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad defended the government’s stance on national security, arguing that India’s land was seized by China when Congress held power, while India demonstrated its strength in eastern Ladakh during skirmishes with the neighboring country’s army. Prasad also criticized Jairam Ramesh for using harsh language against Modi and advised Congress to “rise above their hatred for Modi.” He confidently predicted a third defeat for Congress in 2024.

Prasad called Congress’s accusation of “Covid mismanagement” the “height of shamelessness.” He cited the Oxygen Express trains, improved health infrastructure, and nationwide vaccination efforts as evidence of the government’s actions. Furthermore, he mentioned that even Congress leaders received vaccinations.

Addressing concerns about the economy, Prasad stated that India’s economy has grown from $1 trillion in 2014 to nearly $3.5 trillion today, and the country’s forex reserve has increased to over Rs 50 lakh crore (Indian valuation). Additionally, exports have nearly doubled to Rs 36 lakh crore.

Regarding inflation, Prasad noted that retail inflation stands at 4.7%, while wholesale inflation has dipped into the negative. He compared these figures to higher inflation rates in the US, France, and Germany.

Lastly, Prasad mocked Congress for questioning corruption, asserting that the UPA’s decade-long tenure between 2004-14 was riddled with corruption scandals. He claimed that Congress is synonymous with “four Cs of cut, commission, corruption, and the Congress.”

The much-awaited new Parliament building was officially inaugurated at a grand ceremony, marking a significant milestone in India’s democratic journey on Sunday, May 28^th, 2023 in New Delhi.

The new Parliament building is a testament to the country’s progress and commitment to democratic values. Spanning over 64,500 square meters, the structure has been designed to accommodate the growing needs of the nation’s legislative body. It features state-of-the-art facilities, including spacious chambers for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, committee rooms, and office spaces for Members of Parliament and their support staff.

A Symbol of Unity and Progress

The new Parliament building is an architectural marvel that embodies the spirit of unity and progress. Designed by renowned architect Bimal Patel, the structure seamlessly blends traditional Indian design elements with modern aesthetics. The geometric patterns and motifs adorning the façade pay tribute to India’s rich cultural heritage, while the cutting-edge construction techniques ensure efficiency and sustainability.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering, he emphasized the importance of the new Parliament building as a symbol of India’s unity and progress. He highlighted that the structure represents the aspirations of over 1.3 billion Indians and serves as a reminder of the responsibilities entrusted upon the elected representatives.

Key Features of the New Parliament Building

The new Parliament building boasts several impressive features that cater to the evolving needs of the nation’s lawmakers. Some of the key highlights include:

1. Enhanced Seating Capacity: The Lok Sabha chamber can accommodate 888 members, while the Rajya Sabha chamber can seat 384 members. This increased capacity ensures that all elected representatives have adequate space to carry out their duties effectively.
2. Digital Infrastructure: The building is equipped with advanced digital infrastructure, enabling seamless communication and access to information for the lawmakers. This includes high-speed internet connectivity, video conferencing facilities, and a robust security system.
3. Environmentally Sustainable Design: The structure has been designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating energy-efficient systems and eco-friendly materials. It features rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling systems, solar panels, and green spaces, making it a model for sustainable development.
4. Accessibility: The new Parliament building is designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, ensuring that all citizens can actively participate in the democratic process.
5. Art and Culture: The building showcases India’s diverse artistic and cultural heritage through various art installations, sculptures, and murals. These elements serve as a constant reminder of the country’s rich history and vibrant traditions.

A New Chapter for Indian Democracy

The inauguration of the new Parliament building marks the beginning of a new chapter in India’s democratic journey. As the nation faces unprecedented challenges, the state-of-the-art facility will provide a conducive environment for lawmakers to debate, discuss, and formulate policies that cater to the needs of a rapidly evolving society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his hope that the new building would inspire future generations to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution and work towards the collective goal of nation-building.

As the ceremony concluded, the new Parliament building stood tall as a symbol of India’s resilience, unity, and progress. It serves as a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to democracy and the aspirations of its people.

United World Wrestling (UWW), the international wrestling body, has strongly criticized the detention and treatment of wrestlers who were involved in a scuffle with the Delhi Police on May 28. In a statement, UWW expressed concern over the recent events, stating that it is “even more worrying” that the wrestlers were arrested and temporarily detained for organizing a protest march.

The wrestling body voiced its disappointment with the lack of progress in the investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment made against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP. UWW called on the authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.

UWW also pledged to hold a meeting with the wrestlers to assess their condition and safety, reaffirming their support for a fair and just resolution of the wrestlers’ concerns. Additionally, UWW reminded the federation that the previously set 45-day deadline for holding an elective assembly must be respected. Failure to do so could result in UWW suspending the federation, which would force the athletes to compete under a neutral flag. UWW had already taken action earlier this year by reallocating the Asian Championship, which was initially planned to be held in New Delhi.

Last month, Nenad Lalovic, the President of UWW, sent a letter to the WFI, seeking clarity on the management of the sport in India. Copies of the letter were also sent to PT Usha, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and J Poivey, an official from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In response, the WFI complained of government interference in their affairs.

The wrestlers who are protesting against sexual harassment had planned to discard their medals into the Ganga River, a sacred river in India, as a symbol of their ongoing protest. However, their action was postponed after Naresh Tikait, a prominent farm union leader, intervened and persuaded them against doing so. The protest, led by Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, world championships medalist Vinesh Phogat, and Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia, is aimed at raising awareness about the issue and demanding justice.

On Tuesday evening, the aggrieved wrestlers gathered on the banks of the river in the city of Haridwar, clutching their medals and surrounded by a crowd. Tearfully, they reconsidered their decision after Naresh Tikait arrived at the site and convinced them to give the government five more days to respond to their demands.

UWW’s condemnation of the treatment of the protesting wrestlers and its call for a thorough investigation highlight the international wrestling body’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of athletes. The wrestlers’ decision to postpone their symbolic gesture indicates their hope for a positive response from the government within the given timeframe. The ongoing protest serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing and combating issues such as sexual harassment in the world of sports.

Indian officials have secured the extradition of a Pakistani-Canadian businessman, Tahawwur Rana, to face charges in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. The US court approved India’s request to extradite Mr. Rana, who is a US resident. The National Investigation Agency of India is investigating his alleged role in the attacks. Rana was arrested on an extradition request by India, which accuses him of knowing that his friend, David Coleman Headley, was involved with Lashkar-e-Taiba, an extremist group. The US government has claimed that Rana supported the terrorist group by providing Headley with cover for his activities. Six Americans were among the 166 people who were killed during the 60-hour siege in Mumbai. Federal prosecutors have concluded that Rana has committed the crime of commission of a terrorist act, and he faces charges that include conspiracy to commit murder and terrorism offenses.

Judge Jacqueline Chooljian, US Magistrate Judge of the US District Court Central District of California, reviewed Rana’s case in a 48-page court order. The extradition treaty between India and the United States is responsible for the extradition decision. The judge said that India has issued an arrest warrant and charged Rana with a range of offenses that fall within the jurisdiction of the treaty. The court has given the US Secretary of State jurisdiction over the extradition of Rana to India.

“Based on such a review and consideration, and for the reasons discussed herein, the Court makes the findings set forth below, and CERTIFIES to the Secretary of State of the United States the extraditability of Rana on the charged offenses that are the subject of the Request,” Judge Chooljian said.

The US government has argued that Rana knew about Headley’s meetings, the discussions, and the attack targets. They have further argued that Rana was part of the conspiracy, and there is probable cause that he committed the substantive crime of commission of a terrorist act. Rana’s attorney opposed the extradition, but the court ruled that there is sufficient competent evidence to establish probable cause that Rana is the individual who has been charged in India, and whose extradition has been sought by India.

“The foregoing charged offenses constitute extraditable offenses within the meaning and scope of the Treaty and over which India has jurisdiction,” Judge Chooljian concluded.

The US government approved Mr. Rana’s extradition to India in March, adding that he would be allowed to serve a 14-year sentence that he is currently serving in the US before being sent to India. A few days ago, Judge Chooljian ordered Rana to remain in US custody until the US Secretary of State approved his extradition to India.

Rana’s extradition is significant because it marks the first time that someone has been extradited from the US to India for trial. The US government has shown its commitment to the global fight against terrorism by approving Rana’s extradition despite his residency in the US.

India has long pressed Pakistan to extradite seven men accused of planning and executing the attacks, including Lashkar-e-Taiba’s founder, Hafiz Saeed. However, Pakistan has been reluctant to cooperate with Indian authorities, citing insufficient evidence.

The trial against Rana in India is likely to draw significant media attention, and prosecutors will have to ensure that they have a strong case against him to ensure his conviction. “Rana’s extradition would send a signal to terrorist organizations that they cannot operate with impunity and that the world community is united in combating terrorism,” said US Attorney General Merrick Garland earlier this year.

A US court has cleared the extradition of Pakistani-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to India where he is sought for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Said to be linked with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Rana, 62, was arrested in the US for his role in attacks that saw 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists storm buildings in Mumbai, killing 164 people, including six Americans, in a 60-hour siege.

“The court has reviewed and considered all of the documents submitted in support of and in opposition to the Request and has considered the arguments presented at the hearing,” Magistrate Judge of the US District Court of California, Judge Jacqueline Chooljian, said in a 48-page court order on Tuesday, which was released on Wednesday.

“Based on such review and consideration and for the reasons discussed herein, the court makes the findings set forth below and certifies to the Secretary of State of the US the extraditability of Rana on the charged offenses that are the subject of the Request,” the judge said in the order.

Rana’s arrest in the US was made at India’s request as per the 1997 Extradition Treaty between the two countries.

He was convicted in Chicago in 2011 of providing material support to the LeT, which planned the Mumbai terror attacks.

The development comes after a US court last month dismissed a status conference motion moved by Rana, stating that it anticipates a ruling on his extradition to India within 30 days.

Prosecutors in the court argued that Rana knew that his childhood friend Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley was involved with the LeT, and helped him in scouting locations and landing zones in Mumbai for carrying out the attack.

Rana was also aware of what was discussed in Headley’s meetings, including planning of the attacks as well as the targets.

While the extradition was contested by his lawyer, the judge ruled that there is sufficient competent evidence to extradite him.

The extradition had been requested for conspiracy to wage war, to commit murder, to commit forgery for the purpose of cheating, to use as genuine a forged document or electronic record, and to commit a terrorist act; waging war; murder; committing a terrorist act; and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.

“It is therefore ordered that Tahawwur Hussain Rana be and remain committed to the custody of the US Marshal pending a final decision on extradition and surrender by the Secretary of State to India for trial of the offences as to which extradition has been granted pursuant to Title 18, US Code, section 3186 and the Treaty,” the Judge ruled.

Rana was born in Chichawatni in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and attained his medical degree from the Cadet College Hasan Abdal, a military residential college in Hasan Abdal, Attock district.

In this college, he met Headley, who became a major ISI operative. A physician by profession, Rana served as a captain general duty practitioner in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps.

Rana and his wife, who is also a physician, immigrated to Canada in 1997, and obtained Canadian citizenship in June 2001.

The couple lived primarily in Chicago and owns several businesses, including an immigration service agency. (IANS)

In a significant victory for the Indian National Congress, the opposition won control of the southern Karnataka state, taking it from the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The result will breathe new life into opposition parties, which have been divided. They hope to form a united front to challenge Modi’s government in the general election next year, as he seeks a third consecutive term as prime minister. The defeat of the BJP in Karnataka means the party has lost the only southern state it has ever controlled. It is believed that the BJP had been banking on Modi’s popularity to win the state, but this had been damaged by recent religious tensions.

Over the last few weeks, Modi had been campaigning hard in Karnataka, which has a population of 65 million people. The Election Commission of India has stated that the Congress has won 123 seats and is leading in 12 others, giving it the majority of 113 in the state assembly. The BJP has won or is leading in 64 seats, while another regional party, the Janata Dal (Secular), has won 20 seats. India’s Election Commission, which is yet to declare full results, expects to confirm the Congress victory on Saturday.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress General Secretary, attributed his party’s win to its focus on local issues such as “livelihood and food security, price rise, farmer distress, electricity supply, joblessness, and corruption”. He went on to comment that “The PM injected divisiveness and attempted polarisation. The vote in Karnataka is for an engine in Bengaluru that will combine economic growth with social harmony.”

In turn, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress party, expressed his joy at the party’s win. He said that “The markets of hate have been shut down and the shops of love have opened”.

Karnataka is India’s second wealthiest state, and the BJP had placed great weight on winning there. The polarisation of communities between Hindu and Muslim inhabitants has increased in Karnataka over the past few years. The BJP had supported the banning of girls from wearing headscarves as part of their school uniform, further stoking religious tensions. According to the 2011 census, 84% of Karnataka’s population were Hindu, almost 13% Muslim, and less than 2% were Christian.

Modi’s BJP had promised social welfare measures and pledged to spur development, but before the election, it moved towards its usual play, Hindu nationalism, saying that the Congress had ignored Hindu values and sought only to appease minority groups, particularly Muslims. The BJP also withdrew a 4% reservation in job and education quotas for Muslims and allocated it to two Hindu caste groups. By contrast, the Congress built its campaign around claims of rising inflation, alleged corruption, and poor infrastructure provision. It promised electricity subsidies, rations for poor families, and financial support for unemployed graduates.

This latest defeat for the BJP comes after it also lost the Himachal Pradesh state to the Congress in December 2017. While the Congress had been previously routed by the BJP in national polls, this victory in Karnataka could revive its fortunes and lay the groundwork for winning a substantial share of seats in next year’s general election. It is understood that the Congress has a better chance of winning more southern states, which are less sympathetic to the BJP’s Hindu nationalist policies, while the BJP stands a better chance of winning in the north and west of India where its policies have had a stronger following.

If the BJP’s defeat in Karnataka is a sign of things to come in the general election, Modi’s third consecutive term in office is looking uncertain.

The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Supreme Court that citizens of India have the right to freely choose their religion and propagate it peacefully. The government stressed that unless unlawful means are employed, spreading Christianity by missionaries is not illegal as per the Constitution of India. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led government submitted to the court that anti-conversion laws are prone to misuse against minorities, and it would not be appropriate for the government to interfere with personal belief and privacy.

In an affidavit filed recently, the Tamil Nadu government maintained that there have been no incidents of forceful conversion reported in the state in the past several years. It criticized PIL petitioner-advocate Ashwini Upadhyay for attempting to target Christian missionaries by filing a “religiously motivated petition” requesting a CBI probe into alleged cases of forcible conversion and a draft on anti-conversion law by the law commission of India.

The government acknowledged that citizens have the right to propagate their religion as per Article 25 of the Constitution. However, if their act of spreading their religion is against public order, morality, health, or fundamental rights, it must be viewed seriously. The Tamil Nadu government cited Articles 21 and 25 of the Constitution, stating that “every citizen has the opportunity to practice and spread his religion peacefully” and the right to have faith in a particular religion is an inviolable right that the state is obligated to protect.

The state emphasized that citizens have the right to change their beliefs, and the government must maintain a balance between the right to propagate religion and public order. The MK Stalin-led government revealed that in 2002, the state had passed the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act, which was later repealed in 2006 due to popular opposition.

The government also denied Upadhyay’s claims regarding the suicide of a minor girl named Lavanya in Tamil Nadu after she was allegedly forced to convert by the Christian institution where she was studying. The state stated that the Central Bureau of Investigation is still investigating the cause of Lavanya’s death, and as per the state police’s investigation, there is no concrete proof or clinching evidence to say that she committed suicide because of compulsion to convert to Christianity.

The Tamil Nadu government sought the dismissal of Upadhyay’s PIL, arguing that the petitioner belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has attempted to convert the court proceedings into a political fight. The government stated that Upadhyay’s request for a CBI probe into the alleged cases of forcible conversions and a draft on anti-conversion law by the law commission of India are baseless and unwarranted.

As per the Tamil Nadu government, anti-conversion laws can be misused against minorities, and citizens have the right to freely choose their religion and propagate it peacefully. The government’s submission to the Supreme Court highlights the need for maintaining a balance between the right to propagate religion and public order. The government’s stance reiterates the Constitution’s guarantee of every citizen’s right to propagate their religion peacefully and change their beliefs.

According to recent calculations made by the United Nations, India will surpass China in terms of population by the end of this weekend. While China has held the title of the world’s most populous country for many years, restrictive policies limiting families to one child have led to a dramatic decrease in China’s birth rate and allowed India to advance. However, becoming the most populous country in the world is not a title that is necessarily desirable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern about India’s “population explosion” and has praised families who carefully consider the impact of having more children. “In 21st-century India, the ability to fulfill dreams starts with a person, starts with a family. If the population is not educated, not healthy, then neither the home nor the country can be happy,” Modi has said.

But how did India’s population become so large, and how long will it continue to grow? The World Population Prospects data of the United Nations was analyzed, and experts were consulted by journalists to gain insight into India’s demographic shift.

What factors contributed to India’s massive population?

Understanding fertility rates is essential in determining a country’s population growth or decline. It is generally accepted that the average fertility rate, which is the number of children per woman, must be at least 2.1 for a population to maintain itself, and even more for it to grow. In the 1960s, India’s fertility rate was at 6, similar to some African countries today. However, the government’s latest nationwide assessment period from 2019 to 2021 showed that India’s total fertility rate dropped to 2.0, down from 3.4 in 1992 to 1993. Despite the decrease in fertility rates, the population continues to grow due to demographic momentum, where large cohorts of younger individuals grow into the age when they become parents.

Frank Swiaczny, a senior researcher at the Federal Institute for Population Research, explained that “when the fertility rate drops, the population continues to grow for several decades. And that is because younger, large cohorts are still growing into that age when they become parents.” Therefore, even with a replacement or sub-replacement fertility rate, India’s population will continue to grow slowly because of the significant number of women entering their reproductive years.

India’s fertility rate is unevenly distributed across the country, leading to a north-south divide that sees more babies born in the north. However, even the highest fertility rate in India, which is 3.0 in Bihar, is not considered high, according to Barbara Seligman, chief strategy and growth officer, and senior vice president at PRB, a non-profit organization that focuses on demographic data and population research. Seligman added, “It’s really striking to see just how many states are below replacement level. All but five states — Bihar, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur — are at that level, and notably, they’re all in the north.”

In contrast, southern states, such as Goa, have a fertility rate similar to some countries in southern Europe that are currently struggling to support an aging population with a shrinking workforce. Experts say India’s leaders would wise not to ignore this trend. According to the UN’s classification, India is now an “aging society,” where 7% of its population is aged 65 or older. In some states, such as Kerala in southern India, the population over 65 has doubled in the last 30 years and is now at 12%. This trend is expected to extend to more states, given the low total fertility rate.

“We’re going to see more and more states over the course of the next 30 years aging in the way that Kerala is now,” Seligman said. This trend can have significant implications for India’s economy, healthcare system, and social infrastructure, as older populations tend to have greater healthcare needs and require support from younger populations, who are the ones who have to bear the burden of such support.

India’s leaders must consider these implications as they shape policies to manage the country’s demographic trends. While India’s population growth may slow down due to lower fertility rates, the aging trend must be addressed. To ensure that India’s aging population can live comfortably and with dignity, long-term planning and investment in infrastructure, including health, housing, and employment, are critical. In conclusion, India’s leaders must recognize the demographic reality and take necessary measures to tackle these challenges. As Frank Swiaczny noted, “maintaining a balance between the size, composition, and distribution of the population is more important than when confronted with the choice of adopting policies to either raise or reduce fertility.”

India’s Population Growth Rate Slows Down

India has a rapidly growing population, but its growth rate has slowed down, according to UN data. The country’s population is expected to peak at 1.7 billion in 2064. Currently, over 40% of India’s population is under the age of 25, with an estimated median age of 28 in 2023, which is almost a decade younger than China’s. India’s working-age population is more than 900 million, which is expected to reach 1 billion in the next decade. This young and relatively low-paid workforce is largely English-speaking, digitally literate, and known for their entrepreneurship, making India an attractive alternative manufacturing hub for Western companies.

However, India’s contribution to the share of the world’s working-age population is expected to decline in the coming years, giving way to a younger population of workers emerging from Africa. While India has a significant number of working-age people, experts caution that the nation needs strong policies to capitalize on its youth. “A large number of people is not enough, we need to come up with a holistic plan,” said Sonalde Desai, Director of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and Professor at the University of Maryland.

India needs people with the skills to fill high-value jobs, and an economy that produces these types of jobs. “We need people who have the skills to fill some of the high-value jobs and an economy that produces these high-value jobs,” said Desai. Poonam Muttreja, the Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, said that addressing this gap is “imperative for India to progress to fulfill its aspirations of being a developed country.”

India’s reputation for entrepreneurship, combined with a young and digitally literate workforce, has made it an attractive destination for foreign investment. However, the country must ensure that its young workforce is equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of the future. The government should focus on policies that enable the development of higher-value jobs and invest in programs that provide education and training for workers to meet the demands of a changing economy. “The challenge for India is to make sure that a young population translates into a productive workforce,” said Desai.

What’s next for India?

India, one of the world’s poorest countries per capita, is experiencing unprecedented economic growth, moving up global economic league tables. Its economy is now the fifth largest, and among the fastest growing, in the world at nearly $3.5 trillion. However, India’s fortune is not evenly distributed, and poverty is a daily reality for millions of Indians. Moreover, while India has a large young population willing to work, figures show that there aren’t enough jobs for them, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions in the north, reliant on agriculture.

According to the World Bank, India is expected to outperform all other major economies, with growth of 6.6% by 2023, compared to 4.3% for China and just 0.5% for the United States. Some projections estimate that India will take the third position in the next 10 years and become only the third country with a GDP worth $10 trillion by 2035. Experts say that population growth can be a tremendous productive force for the economy, but economic growth hinges on providing good quality, productive, and well-remunerated jobs.

Sabina Dewan, a senior visiting fellow at the Center for Policy Research, said, “If India doesn’t get the balance right, it risks squandering the considerable advantage of being the world’s most populous country with the world’s largest share of working-age human capital. The challenge of educating, providing training, and enough good quality jobs is huge. If we don’t create enough good jobs, we waste the tremendous potential of our workers. And we could be looking at a youth population that has greater aspirations than ever before but few opportunities for income generation.”

India needs to invest more in education beyond primary school, particularly for women. Although comparisons show that India has a significant population of younger women ready and willing to work,  their participation level in the labor force – the estimation of the active workforce and people looking for work – was just 19% in 2021, which was less than half the overall labor force participation rate of 46%, one of the lowest in Asia. In comparison, China and the United States’ comparative rates were 68% and 61%, respectively.

Furthermore, the problem is worse in economically disadvantaged regions in the north, such as Uttar Pradesh, which is home to 17% of India’s population but has only 9% of its industrial jobs. For this reason, India needs to strengthen its secondary school system’s safety and provide it closer to where the girls are because many parents do not send their daughters to secondary schools, which are far away, because of security concerns. “Education is the best contraceptive pill that can be given to a woman,” said Muttreja.

India needs better policies to put women to work and ensure they stay there. More options for temporary contraception are needed to give women more control over childbearing. According to Desai, “Education is the best contraceptive pill that can be given to a woman.” If India creates better policies for women, it could reap the rewards of a larger and more productive workforce.

The Supreme Court has made a significant ruling that it has the authority to dissolve marriages based on “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” invoking special powers under Article 142. This ruling comes with a further decision that the mandatory waiting period of six months for divorce through mutual consent can be waived, provided certain conditions are met.

The Constitution Bench comprising of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, AS Oka, Vikram Nath, and JK Maheshwari has laid down factors that can determine when there will be an irretrievable breakdown of marriage. They have also outlined how to balance out equities, specifically with regard to maintenance, alimony, and the rights of the children.

The Court grants a “cooling-off” period of six months to a couple seeking a divorce, with the aim to save the marriage. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that this period of six months can be waived if certain requirements and conditions are met.

The Court stated that “The time gap is meant to enable the parties to cogitate, analyse and take a deliberated decision. The object of the cooling-off period is not to stretch the already disintegrated marriage, or to prolong the agony and misery of the parties when there are no chances of the marriage working out. Therefore, once every effort has been made to salvage the marriage and there remains no possibility of reunion and cohabitation, the court is not powerless in enabling the parties to avail a better option, which is to grant the divorce. The waiver is not to be given on mere asking, but on the court being satisfied beyond doubt that the marriage has shattered beyond repair”.

The court further clarified that a party cannot directly approach the Supreme Court and seek relief of dissolution of marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage directly from it. The remedy of a person aggrieved by the decision of the competent judicial forum is to approach the superior tribunal/forum for redressal of their grievance.

The original issue referred to the Constitution Bench was whether the mandatory waiting period for divorce by mutual consent, as prescribed under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, could be waived by the Supreme Court. However, during the hearing, the Constitution Bench decided to consider the issue of whether marriages could be dissolved on the ground of irretrievable breakdown.

“Article 142 must be considered in light of the fundamental rights. It should contravene a non-derogable function of the Constitution. Court under the power is empowered to complete justice,” the bench said.

This case was referred to a five-judge bench seven years ago by a Division Bench of Justices Shiva Kirti Singh and R Banumathi. After hearing arguments, the Constitution Bench reserved its judgment on September 29, 2022.

This ruling has far-reaching implications on the divorce proceedings in India, as it empowers the Supreme Court to dissolve marriages based on irretrievable breakdown, thereby reducing the burden on family courts and lessening the time required for obtaining a divorce. The ruling also provides relief to those couples who may have been forced to remain in a broken marriage due to the mandatory waiting period of six months.

The Supreme Court has provided a groundbreaking decision that has significant implications for divorce proceedings in India. The Court’s ruling that it has the power to dissolve marriages on the ground of “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” and its waiver of the mandatory waiting period of six months subject to certain conditions will help reduce the burden on family courts and provide relief to couples who may have been forced to remain in a broken marriage.

A court in Gujarat’s Surat city has rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s application for a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark. The court rejected Gandhi’s application – filed on April 3 – for a relief pending his appeal against a lower court’s order sentencing him to two years in jail in the case.

The conviction in the criminal defamation case and two-year jail term led to Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha. He represented Wayanad in Kerala as an MP.

The verdict prolongs the uncertainty over whether he will be able to participate in the national elections scheduled for next year. Gandhi was sentenced to two years in prison for making remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname during an election rally in 2019. He will not be arrested until he has exhausted all legal remedies.

His lawyer, Kirit Panwala, has stated that they will contest the decision in the Gujarat High Court. Furthermore, Gandhi lost his parliamentary seat a day after his conviction on 23 March due to a Supreme Court order that disqualifies a lawmaker who is sentenced to two or more years in jail with immediate effect.

The Congress party has criticized Mr. Gandhi’s conviction and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of political vendetta. However, the BJP has rebutted these allegations, stating that due judicial process was followed in the case. Earlier this month, Mr. Gandhi had filed petitions to suspend his sentence or secure bail, and to suspend his conviction in a court in Surat. The court granted him bail to appeal against his conviction, but it is the stay or suspension of his conviction that is critical to reinstating him as a Member of Parliament.

The case against Mr. Gandhi, brought by BJP lawmaker Purnesh Modi, centered around his remarks made in Karnataka state in 2019 during an election campaign, where he said, “Why do all these thieves have Modi as their surname? Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi.” Nirav Modi is a wanted Indian diamond merchant, while Lalit Modi is a former chief of the Indian Premier League who has been banned for life by the country’s cricket board. Modi’s complaint stated that the comments defamed the entire Modi community. However, Mr. Gandhi said that he made the comment to expose corruption and that it was not directed against any specific community.

A stay on conviction by the sessions court could have paved the way for Gandhi’s reinstatement as a Member of Parliament. Now that his application for stay has been rejected, he will continue to remain disqualified.

Gandhi can now appeal against the rejection in a higher court and the same cycle of hope and despair would continue. He can only be reinstated as a Lok Sabha MP only after the conviction is stayed or dismissed.

The Congress on Thursday said it will continue to avail all options still available under the law. “Isn’t it exceptional enough to get a 2 years sentence for criminal defamation? Just long enough to be disqualified from Parliament,” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted.

The BJP hailed the court’s decision as “victory” of the judiciary and the people. BJP leader Sambit Patra said that the decision is a “slap on the face of the Gandhi family”.

India has surpassed China to become the world’s most populous nation with 142.86 crore people, according to a UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) State of World Population report. China stands second with an estimated population of 142.57 crore, the report states.

India has not conducted a census since 2011 hence most population figures published are not accurate but approximate calculations, a UN official said. The new data also marks the first time India has topped the UN list of most populous countries since the organization started collecting population data in 1950.

The data has revealed that 25 percent of India’s population is aged between 0-14 years, 18 percent is in the 10 to 19 age group, 26 percent are of 10 to 24 years, 68 percent between 15 to 64 years, and 7per cent are above 65 years. It further noted that India’s population is expected to keep rising for nearly three decades before it peaks at 1650 million and later begins to decline.

Commenting on the recent data, UN’s Chief of Population Estimates and Projection, Patrick Gerland, said in an interview with the BBC that any numbers about India’s real population size are “naive assumptions based on fragmented information. We don’t have real official data coming out from India,” he added.

It is to be noted that India has not conducted a census since 2011. The 2021 census was cancelled because of the COVID pandemic and has currently been pushed back again to 2024.

According to the new UNFPA data, China recorded a looming demographic decline as birth rates fell and the country’s workforce aged.  According to the latest UN report, the global population will hit 8.045 billion by mid-2023. It further noted that countries in Europe and Asia could expect a demographic slump in the coming decades.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has had his appeal for a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case rejected by a court. The decision means that the uncertainty over whether he can contest in next year’s national elections continues. Gandhi was sentenced to two years in jail in 2019 for comments he made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname at an election rally. His lawyer, Kirit Panwala, told the BBC that they will challenge the decision in the Gujarat high court.

While Gandhi won’t be arrested until he has exhausted all legal appeals, he has already lost his seat in parliament due to a Supreme Court order which states that a lawmaker convicted in a crime and sentenced to two or more years in jail is disqualified with immediate effect. The Congress has criticised Gandhi’s conviction and accused the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of political vendetta. The BJP, on the other hand, has denied this, stating that due judicial process was followed in the case.

The defamation case against Gandhi was brought by BJP lawmaker Purnesh Modi and revolved around comments Gandhi made in Karnataka state in 2019 during an election rally. In his speech, Gandhi said, “Why do all these thieves have Modi as their surname? Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi.” Purnesh Modi alleged that the comments had defamed the entire Modi community, but Gandhi said that he made the comment to highlight corruption and it was not directed against any community.

Despite the conviction and loss of his parliamentary seat, Gandhi has filed appeals to suspend his sentence, secure bail, and suspend his conviction in a court in Surat. The court had granted him bail to appeal against his conviction, but it’s the stay or suspension of his conviction that’s crucial to reinstating him as an MP. Gandhi’s lawyer has stated that they will continue to pursue legal avenues to challenge the decision.

The uncertainty surrounding Gandhi’s political future has raised questions about the role of criminal defamation laws in India, which have been criticized for being used to stifle dissent and criticism of those in power. In recent years, several high-profile cases have been brought against journalists, activists, and politicians, raising concerns about freedom of speech and the independence of the judiciary. As India heads towards its next general election, the outcome of Gandhi’s legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape.

The Finance Minister of India arrived in the US Capital this week embarking on an official visit from April 10 to 16, accompanied by officials of her ministry and the Reserve Bank of India. Nirmala Sitharaman will attend key meetings of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) starting Monday, the finance ministry said.

The US Chamber of Commerce’s US-India Business Council (USIBC) co-hosted India’s Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman for an exclusive member roundtable at US Chamber headquarters in Washington DC, Monday, April 11, 2023 in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The round table focused on how the US and India could strengthen trade and investment ties amidst a dynamic macroeconomic environment, and India’s increasingly important role as a destination for global investment.

In addition to Finance Minister Sitharaman, the roundtable was attended by Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to the United States, Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, V Ananth Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, USIBC Board Chair Edward Knight, members of the USIBC Global Board of Directors, and representatives from companies across key sectors.

In her remarks, Minister Sitharaman emphasized that policy consistency and pursuit of reforms despite the pandemic have been a hallmark of the government’s approach. The Minister highlighted the impact of digitization and economic formalization at length, stating that India meets the requirements of a fair transparent economy due to its achievements in transitioning to digital payments and integrating the informal sector. In the end, she invited the investor community to participate in and make the most of the opportunities that India has to offer, now and going forward.
The Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, also addressed the roundtable attendees and highlighted that as the President of G20, India is committed to multi-stakeholder engagement.

During her visit, Sitharaman will interact with investors, economists and think tanks; participate in bilateral engagements, including a meeting with US treasury secretary Janet Yellen, and discuss key issues such as strengthening of multilateral development banks, digital public infrastructure and crypto assets, the ministry said in a statement. Sitharaman and India’s central bank governor Shaktikanta Das will jointly chair the second G20 FMCBG meeting on April 12-13, 2023.

Key engagements of the minister include spring meetings of IMF-WB, the Second G20 FMCBG meeting under India’s presidency, other G20-related side events, World Bank Development Committee and IMF Committee plenaries, bilateral engagements with countries and international organisations, interaction with global business leaders and investors in roundtables and engagement with the Indian diaspora, it said.

The FMCBG meeting is expected to be attended by about 350 delegates from G20 countries, 13 invitee nations and various international and regional organizations. The meeting will take stock of the progress made on outcomes envisaged under India’s G20 Finance Track agenda, the ministry said.

On the sidelines of the spring annual meetings of the World Bank, Sitharaman will have bilateral engagements with counterparts from G20 countries and heads of other delegations, including international organizations, to discuss issues and areas of mutual interest and cooperation under India’s G20 presidency.

On April 11, the finance minister will meet US treasury secretary Janet Yellen to discuss issues of mutual interest. On April 14, she will attend a seminar to review the financial implications of crypto assets and discuss policies to leverage benefits and contain risks.

The annual report is compiled by a bureau within the State Department and is mandated by the US Congress where the records of all countries are inspected.

The US State Department released a report on human rights practices in India highlighting the country’s challenges to freedom of expression, cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings, confiscation and destruction of property without due process, discrimination against minority groups among others.

On freedom of expression, the report said, “The government generally respected freedom of expression, but there were instances in which the government or actors considered close to the government allegedly pressurised or harassed media outlets critical of the government, including through online trolling.”

The department in its report also flagged the use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), claiming that civil society organizations have “expressed concern that the central government sometimes used UAPA to detain human rights activists and journalists”.

Erin M Barclay, acting assistant secretary of the bureau of democracy, human rights and labour, said that the US and India regularly consult “at the highest levels on democracy and human rights.”

“We have and we will continue to strongly urge India to uphold its human rights obligations and commitments. Not surprisingly, we also regularly meet with civil society both in the US and in India to hear their perspectives and learn from their experiences, and we encourage the Government of India to consult with them as well,” Barclay said at a State Department briefing in Washington DC on March 20.

It also flagged reports from civil society organizations alleging that both state and Union government intimidated media “through physical harassment and attacks, pressuring owners, targeting sponsors, encouraging frivolous lawsuits, and in some areas blocking communication services, such as mobile telephones and the internet, and constraining freedom of movement”.

The case of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez whose “pretrial detention has been extended at least five times by the NIA Special Court in New Delhi” was highlighted along with the arrest of Umar Khalid “for making a speech during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.” It also mentioned the denial of bail to the majority of the 16 activists “incarcerated on conspiracy charges related to the Elgaar Parishad Bhima Koregaon protests.”

Mentioning discrimination and violence, the report highlighted forced religious conversion for the purpose of marriage and instances of killings, both of Hindus and Muslims, during episodes of communal violence.

(APP): The erosion of the rights of human rights defenders and religious minorities, use of repressive laws including counter-terrorism and money laundering to silence dissent, prolonged detentions, and killings feature today’s India as exposed by Amnesty International in its latest report.

The report “The State of the World’s Human Rights 2022/23” said the Indian government “selectively and viciously cracked down on religious minorities, and explicit advocacy of hatred by political leaders and public officials towards them was commonplace and went unpunished.”

It said that during the said period, the punitive demolitions of Muslim family homes and businesses were carried out with impunity.

“Peaceful protesters defending minority rights were presented and treated as a threat to public order. Repressive laws including counter-terrorism legislation were used rampantly to silence dissent. Authorities intimidated human rights defenders using digital technologies, including unlawful surveillance,” the report said.

Amnesty highlighted that Adivasis and marginalized communities including Dalits continued to face violence and entrenched discrimination.

It said that in a continuing pattern of harassment and intimidation, unlawful and politically motivated restrictions were placed on civil society organizations and human rights defenders including activists, journalists, students and academics.

On 14 July, the lower house of parliament banned a number of ordinary words from being spoken during parliamentary debates including, among others, “corrupt”, “sexual harassment”, “criminal”, “eyewash”, “incompetent” and “hypocrisy” to police the speeches of opposition members of parliament.”

In September last, mass raids were carried out against the NGO Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates across India which was later declared an “unlawful association” under counterterrorism law, for its alleged involvement in the “funding of terrorism and terrorist activities”, despite no such charges and trials and against those arrested.

The Indian Supreme Court had upheld provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (2002) relating to the powers
of arrest, confiscation of property. These powers have been repeatedly abused to repress civil society and limit dissent.

Throughout the year, the authorities routinely used international travel bans to stifle independent voices including the human
rights activist and former head of Amnesty International India, Aakar Patel, journalist Rana Ayyub and at least two Kashmiri
journalists who were scheduled to speak abroad on India’s human rights situation.

The government cracked down on critics by resorting to arbitrary arrests, including without following due process, under
draconian and repressive laws.

On June 28, Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of the independent fact-checking website ALT News, was arrested by police in New Delhi, for denouncing discrimination against minorities and criticizing increased censorship.

Eleven human rights activists continued to be detained without trial in Maharashtra state under the UAPA. They were academics Shoma Sen and Hany Babu; tribal rights activist Mahesh Raut; poet Sudhir Dhawale; lawyer Surendra Gadling; civil rights activists Rona Wilson, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves; and three members of the cultural group Kabir Kala Manch – Ramesh Gaichor, Jyoti Jagtap and Sagar Gorkhe.

Journalist Siddique Kappan and three others remained detained under laws on sedition and the UAPA. The authorities imposed new restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The High Court of Karnataka upheld a state order restricting all protests to a designated area in the state capital, Bengaluru. The Gujarat state police detained human rights activist Sandeep Pandey along with seven others who were due to participate in a march demanding a public apology to gang-rape survivor Bilkis Bano as the convicts been released from prison by the Gujarat government.

The Indian government used criminal laws disproportionately against religious minorities, particularly Muslims as the police routinely arrested Muslims for acts including offering prayers, conducting legitimate business transactions, and eating beef.

In the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat, public calls were made by some Hindu groups for the economic boycott of Muslim businesses.

Hate crimes including violence against Dalits and Adivasis were committed with impunity. More than 50,000 suspected crimes against members of Scheduled Castes and more than 9,000 crimes against Adivasi people were reported in 2021.

Several Kashmiri journalists were arrested, including Fahad Shah, Aasif Sultan and Sajad Gul. After being granted bail by local courts, they were re-arrested almost immediately under the UAPA. Journalists Aakash Hassan and Sanna Irshad Mattoo were prevented from travelling abroad by the immigration authorities without a court order, warrant or even a written explanation.

According to official data, Jammu and Kashmir accounted for the highest proportion of deaths involving the police in India between April 2020 and March 2022.

As per the report, the perpetrators continued to commit sexual and domestic violence with impunity. The government of the state of Karnataka imposed a ban on women and girls wearing headscarves (hijab) in public schools which also led to harassment of Muslim women and girls.

Rahul Gandhi was suspended from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case last week. The Lok Sabha Secretariat also declared his constituency in Kerala’s Wayanad as vacant.

According to the Representation of the People Act, a lawmaker sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more shall be disqualified “from the date of such conviction” and remain disqualified for another six years after serving prison time.

Last week, a court in Surat found Rahul Gandhi guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname. The Congress leader, however, was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to allow him to appeal the Surat court verdict.

The case was filed against Rahul Gandhi by BJP MLA and ex-Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for saying “how come all thieves have the common surname Modi” while campaigning in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. (IANS)

As India overtakes China as the world’s most populous nation, there is a crisis of population in parts of the country where fertility has fallen below replacement levels and migration has left behind ghost towns inhabited by the elderly. The BBC’s Soutik Biswas travels to Kumbanad, a town in Kerala state which is grappling with the consequences of an ageing society.

For years, schools in a drowsy town in Kerala have been facing an unusual problem: students are scarce and teachers have to go out looking for them. They also have to pay from their pockets to bring students to the school.

A 150-year-old government upper primary school – which educates students up to the age of 14 – in Kumbanad has 50 students on its rolls, down from about 700 until the late 1980s. Most of them are from poor and underprivileged families who live at the edge of the town. With only seven students, grade seven is the largest class. In 2016, the class had only one student.

Getting enough students to the school is a challenge. Each of its eight teachers fork out 2,800 rupees ($34; £28) every month to pay for auto rickshaws (tuk-tuks) ferrying students from home to school and back. They also go door-to-door looking for pupils. Even the few private schools in the area are sending out teachers to look for students – the biggest one has barely 70 students.

On a muggy afternoon recently at the upper primary school, you could barely hear the hum of lessons and hubbub of squeals that form the soundscape of a busy schoolhouse. Instead, teachers taught a few children in dark, quiet classrooms. Outside, in the sun-baked courtyard ringing the building, a few students wandered around desultorily.

Some 15% of the homes are locked up because residents have migrated or are staying with their children abroad. “What can we do? There are no children in this town. I mean, there are barely any people living here,” said Jayadevi R, the principal, wryly.

She is right. Kumbanad lies at the heart of Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district where the population is declining and ageing. This in a country where 47% of people are below the age of 25; and two-thirds were born after India liberalised its economy in the early 1990s.

Kumbanad and half-a-dozen verdant villages around it are home to some 25,000 people. Some 15% of the 11,118 homes here are locked up because the owners have migrated or live with their children abroad, says Asha CJ, the local village council chief. There are 20 schools, but very few students.

One hospital, a state-run clinic, more than 30 diagnostic centres and three old-age homes are pointers to its greying population. More than two dozen banks – including eight branches within less than half a kilometre – vie for remittances from townspeople who live and work all over the world. Around 10% of the $100bn in remittances that India mopped up from Indians living abroad last year came to Kerala.

Kerala – along with neighbouring Tamil Nadu – is some sort of an outlier in teeming India: the decadal rise in population here between 2001 and 2011 – when the last census was conducted – was lowest (4.9%) among states. A new-born in Kerala can expect to live for 75 years against the national average of 69.

Fertility rates in the state have dipped below replacement levels – 1.7 to 1.9 births per woman – for at least 30 years now. Smaller families ensure that children are educated well. This leads to the young migrating quickly within and outside the country for opportunities, leaving their parents at home.

“Education makes children aspire for better jobs and lives, and they migrate,” said Prof KS James of the Mumbai-based International Institute for Population Sciences.

“Their native places are then populated by their elderly parents, many of them living alone.”  Behind the tall metal security gates of her two-storey red tiled home in Kumbaud, Annamma Jacob, 74, has been living alone for as long as she can remember.

Her husband, a mechanical engineer with a state-owned oil company, passed away in the early 1980s. Her 50-year-old son has been living and working in Abu Dhabi for more than two decades. A daughter lives a few miles away, but her husband has been working as a software engineer in Dubai for three decades.

Her next-door neighbours are absent: one locked up her house and took her parents to Bahrain, where she worked as a nurse; the other moved to Dubai and rented their place to an elderly couple.

The neighbourhood is a picture of desolation. Amidst a lush landscape of tapioca, banana, and teak trees, handsome houses with expansive yards stand vacant, their driveways scattered with dried leaves and cars covered in dust. CCTV cameras have taken the place of guard dogs.

In vivid contrast to the cacophony of India’s chaotic and bustling towns, swathes of Kumbanad are surreally deserted and half-frozen in time. It is a town abandoned by many of its inhabitants but it is not languishing in ruins. The deserted houses are painted regularly, almost like they expect people any day. Except, they hardly come.  “It is a very lonely life. I am also not keeping good health,” Ms Jacob said.

Despite her heart disease and arthritis, Ms Jacob has travelled abroad to spend time with her son and grandchildren, and has vacationed in Jordan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Israel with her children.

The things strewn around in her carpeted living room tell you something about her links with the world: imported paracetamol tablets, pistachios and cashew nuts, yellow paper flowers stuffed in China-made vases; and a bottle of imported body wash.

I asked her why she built a sprawling 12-room house only to live alone. “Everyone builds big houses here,” she smiled. “It’s about status.”

She spends a lot of time in her backyard farm where she grows tapioca, bananas, ginger, yam and jackfruit. At other times, she meditates and reads newspapers. She has a dog called Diana in a kennel outside.  “Some days, I only talk to Diana. She understands me.”

At her age and with her failing health, it is exhausting to work on the farm. Ms Jacob said she cannot afford a farm hand. A shortage of labour has meant steep work wages for the few who look for work. A daily labourer charges a thousand rupees for a six-hour day looking after the farm. Even Ms Asha’s village council is not able to find and afford people to digitise its records.

A few lanes away, Chacko Mammen, who suffers from heart disease and diabetes, works in his little farm for four hours every day, growing bananas. The 64-year-old worked in Oman for three decades as a salesperson before returning home. He shut a small business after six years because he did not find enough people to work for him. Now, after a lot of effort, he grows and sells about 10kg of bananas every day from his farm. “I just cannot afford a worker,” he said.

Shoring up the work force in an ageing society is always difficult. Even migration of workers from other states doesn’t always work, sometimes because of a distrust of outsiders. Ms Jacob said she did not prefer hiring a migrant. “I live alone. What if they kill me?” she said.

In this mellow town of elderly people and shuttered homes, there is very little crime. The police said thefts are rare because people don’t keep much money and valuables at home. They don’t remember the last time a murder took place here.

“It’s all very peaceful. We only get complaints about cheating. Old people being cheated by their relatives or domestic helps who forge their signatures and withdraw their money from banks,” said Sajeesh Kumar V, the chief inspector of the local police station.

A year ago, a relative of an elderly resident embezzled nearly 10m rupees by faking her signature. Last year the police arrested four promoters of a private financial firm which set up shop in the town and promised steep returns on deposits. When it began to default in what looked like a ponzi scheme, some 500 local depositors went to the police.

“That was a big crime for this area,” said Mr Kumar. “Otherwise we are mainly dealing with minor fights among residents – about some noise, or rubbish being dumped outside their home, someone’s wild tree branch encroaching on a neighbour’s farm. Those sort of things.”

The lack of crime means that the police spends most of its time looking after the old. They regularly check in on 160 single and ailing people; and have given away mobile alarms in some of their homes so they can alert neighbours during emergencies. In 2020, the police broke down the door of a house when no one answered the doorbell and found the resident, an elderly woman, lying on the floor.

“We took her to the hospital, where she recovered, One of our jobs is also moving residents to old-age homes. We check on old people, we take them to doctors,” said Mr Kumar.

“Old age is the only problem here,” said Father Thomas John, who runs a geriatric centre in Kumbanad.

The town has three wheelchair accessible old-age homes with open spaces, wide doorways and hallways. The Alexander Marthoma Memorial Geriatric Centre, a five-storey building alongside a 150-bed hospital, takes care of more than 100 locals, aged between 85 and 101. Almost all are bedridden, and their families pay 50,000 rupees every month for their care. Sometimes the children come and stay with them at the 16-year-old centre.

“Most of the children live abroad and have no option but to move the very old parents to old-age homes,” said Father John.

Not far away, the 75-year-old Dharmagiri Old Age Home houses 60 locals, all above 60 years of age. Last year there were 31 new admissions. There are separate buildings for men and women. The waiting list is growing: a new 30-room building that can accommodate 60 elders is coming up.

“Most of the women who stay with us are victims of cheating. Some of them have been abandoned by their families,” said Father KS Mathews, who runs the home.

The ailing elderly, old-age homes, labour shortages, migration of the young, declining population, ghost towns.

“This is a story of any demographic change. This will be the story of the whole of India, finally,” said Prof James.

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