'The Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA), an umbrella coalition of progressive organizations across the United States, held protests in four cities across the US, against rising intolerance and violence against religious minorities and Dalits by the Hindutva groups and the ruling dispensation in India. Protests were held in New York City, Boston, Washington DC and Chicago, at prominent public locations.
'There's no doubt over Pahlaj Nihalani's love for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the Central Board Of Film Certification chief made 'Har Ghar Modi', for the Prime Minister, he has now come out with a new video called 'Mera Desh Hai Mahaan, Mera Desh Hai Jawaan'. Besides being available on YouTube, this five-and-a-half-minute music video — a paean to Modi and the policies he has instituted as PM — is reportedly playing in several cinemas at the interval point of Sooraj Barjatya's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which released on Thursday.
'Hundreds of noisy protesters made their fury known as controversial Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed to Britain with open arms. He held talks with David Cameron in Downing Street and made a lengthy speech in Parliament after flying in for a three-day visit. But outside campaigners showed their anger amid claims of human rights abuses, political prisoners, and alleged links to a massacre.
'Hundreds of people protested outside Downing Street in London on Thursday against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of talks with David Cameron. Modi’s visit comes at a time when a debate is raging in India over accusations that Modi is failing to rein in Hindu zealots trying to impose their values on all Indians. Many of the protestors were Sikhs and some carried banners during the peaceful demonstration.
'Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day UK visit, a group of over 200 writers – including the likes of Salman Rushdie, Neel Mukherjee and Magi Gibson – have written to Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to impress upon Prime Minister Modi the need “to stay true to the spirit of the democratic freedoms enshrined in India’s Constitution”... Below is the full text of the letter.
Dear Prime Minister
Re: Urging Action by British government to Safeguard Freedom of Expression in India
'undreds of protestors marking the venues visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but not a word of it appeared on Indian television and was barely---if at all--covered by the Indian media. The British and the world media, however, recognised the protesters not just through their coverage but also in a question to PM Modi asking him what was his message to the protestors outside. Needless to say he did not answer the question.
'The magnetism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not spared audiences turning out for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. A 5.30-minute video singing the praises of the prime minister and the Centre's achievements is playing during the interval of Sooraj Barjatya's latest movie at several multiplex chains across the country, including PVR Cinemas and Inox. The video is the brainchild of Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani. It is an expanded version of his recent Mera Desh Hai Mahaan, Mera Desh Hai Jawan.
'Bihar has meshed into London, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi under fire from both ends. Protests against his visit have taken over the headlines in London, while the dissidents led by the old guard blaming him and BJP president Amit Shah directly for the defeat, have occupied the media spotlights at home. The Bihar defeat has impacted on the UK visit with the British media joining the world in highlighting this, and recalling the Hindutva generated violence, and PM Modi’s own Gujarat record.
'A former spin doctor for Tony Blair has admitted that he was paid an undisclosed sum to write a biography of Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister. Lance Price, a former BBC journalist who worked for Mr Blair during his first term, publicised The Modi Effect saying that of "all the elections I have ever reported or taken part in, nothing compares to Narendra Modi's". In fact, Price has admitted, he had never heard of Mr Modi, who was elected in May last year, until he was approached by one of the Indian prime minister’s associates.
As UK academics researching development in India, we are deeply concerned about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the UK from 12-14 November, and call for the human rights abuses on his watch to be questioned in the public domain (Opinion, 10 November).
