'The Uttar Pradesh state government is preparing to fell 63,799 trees in Lucknow along the Gomti river for the Defence Expo, to be held in February next year, according to a report in IANS. In a letter, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has asked the Lucknow Nagar Nigam to cut trees from Hanuman Setu to the Nishatganj bridge as several events for the Defence Expo, in which guests from several countries will be invited to witness the country’s defence power, will be held there.
'A ‘hate speech’ by a Central Reserve Police Force constable during a debate organised by the National Human Rights Commission won a consolation prize on September 27. It also went viral on social media and while many criticised the harsh language used by the officer, some television channels chose to support her. The debate was on ‘terrorism and militancy in the country can be tackled effectively while observing human rights’. Two parts of Constable Khushboo Chauhan’s speech stood out.
'Ahead of a press conference on October 4, the Indian Air Force released a promotional video about the Balakot airstrike that was carried out in February on a target in Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. However, several media outlets reported the representational video as real footage that offered evidence of the airstrike in Pakistan. At the time of the attack, there had been some scepticism about what targets India had actually struck. While India said its bombs had destroyed a terror training camp, Pakistan claimed that only some trees had been hit.
'During the recent parliamentary debate on the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act had been repealed in 2004 not because it had been misused but to safeguard vote bank politics. This, despite the fact that the misuse of POTA is well established and its repeal in 2004 was welcomed as a significant step by India towards recognising that counter-terrorism cannot justify the violation of civil liberties and rights of citizens.
'Srinagar: The Central government’s announcement August 5 scrapping the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under Articles 370 and 35A of the constitution was preceded by the severing, overnight, of all mobile and internet connections.
The next morning, the 8 million residents of the Valley woke up to strict restrictions on their physical . movement as well. How did families cope with this situation, especially those who had medical conditions?This reporter spent three days in Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital documenting the situation...'
The video on the situation on the ground in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 released by the team consisting of economist Jean Dreze, Vimalbhai of NAPM, Kavita Krishnan (CPIML & AIPWA) and Maimoona Mollah of AIDWA.
As the Indian government resorts to annexation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir at gunpoint, detaining its political leaders and cutting off all means of communication, we extend our solidarity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as they struggle for their most basic rights and freedoms.
'On February 26, Indian fighter planes crossed over into Pakistan to drop bombs on a target in Balakot... The next day, the Indian Air Force scrambled to keep out enemy aircraft. The melee resulted in one Indian pilot being captured by Pakistan. It also left six Indian Air Force personnel dead, as a helicopter was shot down in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir. For more than two months, the Budgam incident was shrouded in mystery.
'The landmark 1969 musical, director Richard Attenborough’s debut film – a satire on the First World War, and on war and war – has even the Dalai Lama blessing the war effort in the early part of the epic comedy, so pious seems the project, so plainly just. In India, the storyline has not been dissimilar. The messianic effort by the ruling establishment that has gone into underlining the justness of the cause and the absolute necessity of the Balakot airstrikes – in weeks before a national election – has had many mesmerised...'
'Launch a ‘masterstroke’ of questionable effectiveness, make exaggerated claims and then attack those who question your claims as being ‘anti-India’... It was fascinating to view the wave of public approval that greeted the government following India’s airstrikes on Balakot. Celebrities vied with each other in extolling the move. Social media erupted in frenzied jubilation. The media eulogised the firm and decisive nature of the prime minister. Wild claims were floated in the media based on anonymous sources and ‘educated guesses’.
