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Violence returns to Saharanpur in Mayawati shadow, Bhim Army looks to grow

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Violence returns to Saharanpur in Mayawati shadow, Bhim Army looks to grow

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bhim Army’s Nawab Tanwar says Mayawati’s visit is a political ploy on seeing the Bhim Army’s success in Saharanpur

Rajesh Sinha

Violence returned to Saharanpur on Tuesday, with members of the two communities – Thakurs and Jatavs – clashing after the visit of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati in Chandpur.

The cycle of violence has not come to a standstill in Saharanpur. But it has flowered in Dalit assertion. Led by the Bhim Army in this part of Uttar Pradesh, it is finding resonance in other parts, notably in Gujarat which had seen Dalit mobilisation after cow vigilantes flogged six Dalits in Una for skinning dead cows.

The upsurge, that has followed the rise of Hindutva politics in the country and in the state and is, at least, partly in reaction to it, is also an indication of how disconnected BJP’s rivals – even that party of the Dalits, the Mayawati-led BSP – are with society and the issues faced by different sections comprising it.

Floundering for ways to counter the BJP, they missed the stirrings in Dalit society. Small wonder, then, that those engaged in this ‘uprising’ assert they are not with any political party, have no political affiliations. But Delhi did colour Blue on Sunday. Barring a few websites and newspapers, the nation’s media chose to not cover it. That is now turning into a groundswell, the gathering at Jantar Mantar that has scared the powers that-be and their media.

Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar ‘Ravan’ has been unavailable for questions. APNLive spoke to Nawab Satpal Tanwar, one of his key lieutenants, on Tuesday when Mayawati was headed for Saharanpur.

Asked if the Bhim Army supported Mayawati or wanted her support, he started by asserting that Bhim Army is a social organisation and it has no relation or affiliation whatsoever with any political organisation.

“If Behen ji (Mayawati) is going there, we do not oppose BSP and we are not against her. We are against parties that propagate communalism and spread communal hatred. But I would like to say this – that this incident (of Rajput attack on Dalits) is now one month old. After we demonstrated our strength at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi with a crowd of ‘several lakhs’, without anyone’s help, Behen Mayawati realised our power and decided to go to Saharanpur. Her visit is meant only to serve her own interests,” he said.

Tanwar said the fight would not end here or stay confined to Saharanpur. He regretted that the government had deployed anti-terrorist squads and the special task force in Saharanpur. “They are treating us like terrorists and equating us with Naxalites,” he rued. He said the next plan was for a rally at Ram Lila Maidan in Delhi. He said as the main organiser of Bhim Army’s campaigns, he was in touch with Gujarat Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani. They plan to organise another rally and tie up with Dalits in other parts of the country to make it a larger movement, said Tanwar.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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Yogi Adityanath accords tax-free status to Sabarmati Report film in Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.

The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.  

Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.

Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.

The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.

The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.

Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.

Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.

The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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