There is&nbsp;so much hype now surrounding the recent death of Father Stan Swamy.

Swamy is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. He&nbsp;was facing investigation for his links to Maoist and Naxalite groups in India.&nbsp;

His death is being hyped up by a section of the media, social media and some politicians. But what is the truth?

Here are some of the facts that you should&nbsp;know.

So what really happened?

Elgar Parishad case&nbsp;accused Fr Stan Swamy, 84, suffered a cardiac arrest in&nbsp;Holy Family Hospital on&nbsp;July&nbsp;3. He passed away on July&nbsp;5.&nbsp;

What is the case he was involved in?

At the heart of the Elgar Parishad case is the incitement of people and giving of provocative speeches during a meeting of the same name, organised&nbsp;by Kabir Kala Manch on&nbsp;December&nbsp;31,&nbsp;2017 at&nbsp;Shanivarwada, Pune, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

The accused&nbsp;promoted enmity between the caste groups, which led to violence resulting in loss of life and property.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;&nbsp;case was registered on&nbsp;January&nbsp;8,&nbsp;2018.

During investigation, it was revealed that senior leaders of CPI (Maoist), a proscribed terrorist&nbsp;organisation,&nbsp;were in contact with organisers of Elgar Parishad to spread their ideology of Maoism&nbsp;or&nbsp;Naxalism&nbsp;and encourage unlawful&nbsp;activities.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;case&nbsp;was&nbsp;later&nbsp;transferred&nbsp;to&nbsp;National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The role of Stan Swamy emerged during the investigation, as he was found to be a member of CPI (Maoist) and actively involved in furthering its activities.

He was found to be in communication with CPI (Maoist) cadre. He was also convener of Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee (PPSC), a front organisation&nbsp;of CPI (Maoist).&nbsp;

Arrest and case: Was Swamy given due legal process?

Swamy was arrested on&nbsp;October&nbsp;8,&nbsp;2020 by NIA. He was&nbsp;duly informed of grounds of arrest in terms of relevant sections of law.

He was examined by the medical practitioner and accordingly,&nbsp;his health condition was certified to be stable.

He was also subjected to medical check-up.&nbsp;He has made no complaints about his ill-treatment&nbsp;at&nbsp;the hands of the investigation officers during his production before the concerned NIA&nbsp;court, according to the government.&nbsp;

He was sent on judicial custody to Central Jail in Taloja, Mumbai.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In between, his bail applications before the High Court of Bombay was&nbsp;rejected.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Was his health condition taken into account?&nbsp;

According to the government, Swamy was provided with&nbsp;all&nbsp;the&nbsp;necessary requirements related to entitlement of accused in detention.

From his arrest to production before a special court, all the necessary medical formalities after his arrest were complied with. Care and attention were given for his safety and comfort during the air journey from Ranchi to Mumbai.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During&nbsp;his&nbsp;judicial&nbsp;custody,&nbsp;Fr&nbsp;Stan&nbsp;Swamy&nbsp;was&nbsp;kept&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;separate&nbsp;cell&nbsp;of&nbsp;prison&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;with&nbsp;all&nbsp;necessary&nbsp;precautions&nbsp;and&nbsp;two&nbsp;attendants&nbsp;as&nbsp;per&nbsp;advice&nbsp;of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;officer&nbsp;of&nbsp;Taloja&nbsp;Central&nbsp;Prison in&nbsp;Mumbai.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;was&nbsp;provided&nbsp;with&nbsp;all&nbsp;facilities&nbsp;including&nbsp;wheel&nbsp;chair,&nbsp;walker,&nbsp;walking&nbsp;stick,&nbsp;straws,&nbsp;sipper,&nbsp;mug,&nbsp;commode&nbsp;chair,&nbsp;battery&nbsp;cells&nbsp;for&nbsp;his&nbsp;hearing&nbsp;machines,&nbsp;dental&nbsp;treatment,&nbsp;visiting&nbsp;psychiatrist&nbsp;and&nbsp;telemedicine, the government said.&nbsp;

Was he taken into custody?

No. Considering his age, no police custody was obtained by NIA during investigation, as sufficient evidences were already on record.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Did he get proper medical treatment?&nbsp;

On&nbsp;May&nbsp;21,&nbsp;2021, Fr Stan Swamy had filed criminal appeal before High Court of Bombay, regarding which Maharashtra had filed medical report of Board of Doctors constituted by JJ Hospital.

He was advised by court to be treated in JJ Hospital; however, he refused to get admitted in JJ Hospital.

Subsequently, High Court allowed his plea to be shifted and treated in Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, along with&nbsp;one attendant as per the protocol.

The Maharashtra government was directed to provide protection during the treatment.&nbsp;

Swamy remained admitted in hospital since&nbsp;May&nbsp;28,&nbsp;2021 for treatment in respect of ailments.

The duration of his stay in the hospital was extended till&nbsp;July&nbsp;6,&nbsp;2021.&nbsp;

There is so much hype now surrounding the recent death of Father Stan Swamy. Swamy is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. He was facing investigation for his links to Maoist and Naxalite groups in India.

There is so much hype now surrounding the recent death of Father Stan Swamy. Swamy is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. He was facing investigation for his links to Maoist and Naxalite groups in India. His death is being hyped up by a section of the media, social media and some politicians. But what is the truth? Here are some of the facts that you should know. So what really happened? Elgar Parishad case accused Fr Stan Swamy, 84, suffered a cardiac arrest in Holy Family Hospital on July 3. He passed away on July 5. What is the case he was involved in? At the heart of the Elgar Parishad case is the incitement of people and giving of provocative speeches during a meeting of the same name, organised by Kabir Kala Manch on December 31, 2017 at Shanivarwada, Pune, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The accused promoted enmity between the caste groups, which led to violence resulting in loss of life and property. The case was registered on January 8, 2018. During investigation, it was revealed that senior leaders of CPI (Maoist), a proscribed terrorist organisation, were in contact with organisers of Elgar Parishad to spread their ideology of Maoism or Naxalism and encourage unlawful activities. The case was later transferred to National Investigation Agency (NIA). The role of Stan Swamy emerged during the investigation, as he was found to be a member of CPI (Maoist) and actively involved in furthering its activities. He was found to be in communication with CPI (Maoist) cadre. He was also convener of Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee (PPSC), a front organisation of CPI (Maoist). Arrest and case: Was Swamy given due legal process? Swamy was arrested on October 8, 2020 by NIA. He was duly informed of grounds of arrest in terms of relevant sections of law. He was examined by the medical practitioner and accordingly, his health condition was certified to be stable. He was also subjected to medical check-up. He has made no complaints about his ill-treatment at the hands of the investigation officers during his production before the concerned NIA court, according to the government. He was sent on judicial custody to Central Jail in Taloja, Mumbai. In between, his bail applications before the High Court of Bombay was rejected. Was his health condition taken into account? According to the government, Swamy was provided with all the necessary requirements related to entitlement of accused in detention. From his arrest to production before a special court, all the necessary medical formalities after his arrest were complied with. Care and attention were given for his safety and comfort during the air journey from Ranchi to Mumbai. During his judicial custody, Fr Stan Swamy was kept in a separate cell of prison hospital with all necessary precautions and two attendants as per advice of medical officer of Taloja Central Prison in Mumbai. He was provided with all facilities including wheel chair, walker, walking stick, straws, sipper, mug, commode chair, battery cells for his hearing machines, dental treatment, visiting psychiatrist and telemedicine, the government said. Was he taken into custody? No. Considering his age, no police custody was obtained by NIA during investigation, as sufficient evidences were already on record. Did he get proper medical treatment? On May 21, 2021, Fr Stan Swamy had filed criminal appeal before High Court of Bombay, regarding which Maharashtra had filed medical report of Board of Doctors constituted by JJ Hospital. He was advised by court to be treated in JJ Hospital; however, he refused to get admitted in JJ Hospital. Subsequently, High Court allowed his plea to be shifted and treated in Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, along with one attendant as per the protocol. The Maharashtra government was directed to provide protection during the treatment. Swamy remained admitted in hospital since May 28, 2021 for treatment in respect of ailments. The duration of his stay in the hospital was extended till July 6, 2021.

Stan Swamy's death: Facts vs furore - here is what we know

Criticizing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led government, a provincial lawmaker from the opposition Nepali Congress Party, Narottam Baidhya has threatened to kill Prime Minister Oli.&nbsp;

A provincial leader from Bagmati Province in a meeting alleged that Prime Minister is compromising with every aspect of governance and therefore an "assailant like Nathuram Godse" is necessary to save the nation.

“Prime Minister Oli is compromising with every issue and reaching deals to cling on to the power. If Oli is let free this way, the country will collapse. Hence, an assailant like Nathuram Godse is necessary to save the nation,” Baidhya said at the provincial assembly meeting while making a reference to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.&nbsp;

Baidhya’s statement has been criticized from all quarters including his own party, Nepali Congress.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, a senior Nepali Congress leader said the party has instructed Baidhya to withdraw the statement and issue an apology to the Prime Minister.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-announces-budget-of-54-billion-for-next-fiscal-year-390981">Also Read |&nbsp;Pakistan announces budget of $54 billion for next fiscal year</a>

“It was an emotional error, and he should not have said this. It was not intentional. The leader might have thought that Oli is going too far looking at the recent political developments. I have criticized the leader for his controversial comments and have asked him to apologize to the Prime Minister,” the Nepali Congress leader told WION, who chose to stay anonymous.&nbsp;

When asked if Nepali Congress is planning to take any action against&nbsp;Baidhya, the leader&nbsp;said, “There is no need for an action as Baidhya will issue an apology.”

“CPN-UML is trying to use this against us and will make an issue about it.&nbsp;There is no need for criminal action,” the leader said when asked about the CPN-UML demanding criminal action against Baidhya.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali in a statement said, "The&nbsp;comment made by a member of the Bagmati Province Assembly is highly objectionable. Strongly condemning the statement, our party demands a criminal action.”

Nepali Congress Spokesperson&nbsp;Bishwa Prakash&nbsp;Sharma&nbsp;said that the party will not support such objectionable statements.&nbsp;

Criticizing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led government, a provincial lawmaker from the opposition Nepali Congress Party, Narottam Baidhya has threatened to kill Prime Minister Oli.

Criticizing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led government, a provincial lawmaker from the opposition Nepali Congress Party, Narottam Baidhya has threatened to kill Prime Minister Oli. A provincial leader from Bagmati Province in a meeting alleged that Prime Minister is compromising with every aspect of governance and therefore an "assailant like Nathuram Godse" is necessary to save the nation. “Prime Minister Oli is compromising with every issue and reaching deals to cling on to the power. If Oli is let free this way, the country will collapse. Hence, an assailant like Nathuram Godse is necessary to save the nation,” Baidhya said at the provincial assembly meeting while making a reference to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse. Baidhya’s statement has been criticized from all quarters including his own party, Nepali Congress. Speaking to WION, a senior Nepali Congress leader said the party has instructed Baidhya to withdraw the statement and issue an apology to the Prime Minister. Also Read | Pakistan announces budget of $54 billion for next fiscal year “It was an emotional error, and he should not have said this. It was not intentional. The leader might have thought that Oli is going too far looking at the recent political developments. I have criticized the leader for his controversial comments and have asked him to apologize to the Prime Minister,” the Nepali Congress leader told WION, who chose to stay anonymous. When asked if Nepali Congress is planning to take any action against Baidhya, the leader said, “There is no need for an action as Baidhya will issue an apology.” “CPN-UML is trying to use this against us and will make an issue about it. There is no need for criminal action,” the leader said when asked about the CPN-UML demanding criminal action against Baidhya. Meanwhile, CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali in a statement said, "The comment made by a member of the Bagmati Province Assembly is highly objectionable. Strongly condemning the statement, our party demands a criminal action.” Nepali Congress Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma said that the party will not support such objectionable statements.

Nepal’s opposition party leader threatens to kill Prime Minister Oli

Lennox Linton, the leader of opposition in Dominica, has slammed the government of Prime Minister&nbsp;Roosevelt Skerrit for not being 'forthcoming’ on the issue of Mehul Choksi, raising questions over his presence in the country. &nbsp;

Speaking to WION exclusively from Dominica, Linton said, "The only reason the government is keeping it under wraps and not wanting that people should know about it is because the government is embarrassed by the action it took to facilitate this transaction."&nbsp;

He explained, "The government clearly knew that Choksi was coming to Dominica. And the fact that he arrived without any passport raises several questions."&nbsp;

Choksi, who is involved in the mega PNB scam, was found in Dominica last week after mysteriously disappearing in Antigua. Since then, he has been in the custody of local authorities with a court case due on Wednesday over what is being described by the government as his 'illegal' entry into the country. &nbsp;

Linton highlighted, "We are not saying Mehul Choksi doesn't have to face the music or the courts for what he has done because these are serious charges. We have to be careful as in Dominica, there are issues with economic citizenship and many bandits enter the country in its name. "

In a strong statement, the opposition leader also questioned how operators of a vessel that came on Dominica on May 23, made a false declaration that it came on May 25 and did not mention Choksi.&nbsp;

Lennox Linton, the leader of opposition in Dominica, has slammed the government of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit for not being 'forthcoming’ on the issue of Mehul Choksi, raising questions over his presence in the country.

Lennox Linton, the leader of opposition in Dominica, has slammed the government of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit for not being 'forthcoming’ on the issue of Mehul Choksi, raising questions over his presence in the country. Speaking to WION exclusively from Dominica, Linton said, "The only reason the government is keeping it under wraps and not wanting that people should know about it is because the government is embarrassed by the action it took to facilitate this transaction." He explained, "The government clearly knew that Choksi was coming to Dominica. And the fact that he arrived without any passport raises several questions." Choksi, who is involved in the mega PNB scam, was found in Dominica last week after mysteriously disappearing in Antigua. Since then, he has been in the custody of local authorities with a court case due on Wednesday over what is being described by the government as his 'illegal' entry into the country. Linton highlighted, "We are not saying Mehul Choksi doesn't have to face the music or the courts for what he has done because these are serious charges. We have to be careful as in Dominica, there are issues with economic citizenship and many bandits enter the country in its name. " In a strong statement, the opposition leader also questioned how operators of a vessel that came on Dominica on May 23, made a false declaration that it came on May 25 and did not mention Choksi.

Opposition leader Lennox Linton says govt knew Choksi was coming to Dominica

Polling stations opened on Wednesday across Syria in a presidential election that is set to usher Bashar al-Assad into a fourth term in office.&nbsp;

The government says the election shows Syria is functioning normally despite a decade-old war, but the opposition and Western nations view it as merely rubber-stamping Assad's grip on power. Assad is running against two obscure candidates.&nbsp;

In Damascus University's Faculty of Arts, hundreds of students lined up to vote, with several buses parked outside.&nbsp;

"We came to elect president Bashar al-Assad...without him Syria would not be Syria," Amal, a nursing student, said.&nbsp;

"With our blood and soul, we sacrifice our lives for you Bashar," other students chanted ahead of the opening of the polling station.&nbsp;

Assad first took power in 2000 on the death of his father Hafez, who had ruled for 30 years before that.&nbsp;

Assad's rule has been defined by a decade-long war that erupted after peaceful protests against his authoritarian rule in 2011. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven 11 million from their homes, about half the country's population.&nbsp;

The other two candidates in the election are former deputy cabinet minister Abdallah Saloum Abdallah, and Mahmoud Ahmed Marei, head of a small, officially sanctioned opposition party.&nbsp;

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States said in a statement on Tuesday, criticising leader Bashar al-Assad, that the elections would not be free or fair. &nbsp;

Polling stations opened on Wednesday across Syria in a presidential election that is set to usher Bashar al-Assad into a fourth term in office. The government says the election shows Syria is functioning normally despite a decade-old war, but the opposition and Western nations view it as merely rubber-stamping Assad's grip on power.

Polling stations opened on Wednesday across Syria in a presidential election that is set to usher Bashar al-Assad into a fourth term in office. The government says the election shows Syria is functioning normally despite a decade-old war, but the opposition and Western nations view it as merely rubber-stamping Assad's grip on power. Assad is running against two obscure candidates. In Damascus University's Faculty of Arts, hundreds of students lined up to vote, with several buses parked outside. "We came to elect president Bashar al-Assad...without him Syria would not be Syria," Amal, a nursing student, said. "With our blood and soul, we sacrifice our lives for you Bashar," other students chanted ahead of the opening of the polling station. Assad first took power in 2000 on the death of his father Hafez, who had ruled for 30 years before that. Assad's rule has been defined by a decade-long war that erupted after peaceful protests against his authoritarian rule in 2011. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven 11 million from their homes, about half the country's population. The other two candidates in the election are former deputy cabinet minister Abdallah Saloum Abdallah, and Mahmoud Ahmed Marei, head of a small, officially sanctioned opposition party. The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States said in a statement on Tuesday, criticising leader Bashar al-Assad, that the elections would not be free or fair.

Syrians go to the polls in election that Assad is set to win 

The Pakistan government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday added the name of Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, who has been charged with corruption, to the no-fly list, barring him from leaving the country for medical treatment.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the Lahore High Court granted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz, also the younger brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, permission to travel abroad once for medical treatment.&nbsp;

After obtaining bail, Shehbaz, 69, was about to fly to London on May 8 when an Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team at the airport stopped him from travelling on the grounds that his name had been on the provisional national identification list (PNIL), which impose a temporary bar on someone to leave the country.&nbsp;

Shehbaz was offloaded from Doha-bound flight on May 8.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Shehbaz's name was added to the exit control list (ECL) after approval from the federal Cabinet.&nbsp;

A special committee of the Interior Ministry on May 12 had proposed to the Cabinet that Shehbaz should be barred from leaving the country due to corruption cases against him.&nbsp;

Shehbaz wanted to go to London for a medical checkup after he was bailed out of jail last month.&nbsp;

The interior minister said Shehbaz had not submitted any medical documents for travelling abroad or specified the treatment for his illness.&nbsp;

Last week, Shehbaz had challenged the placement of his name on a travel blacklist and sought one-time permission to go abroad for medical treatment.&nbsp;

"I have been a cancer patient and got treated in New York and London. I could not get treatment for more than seven months as I was in jail," the top PML-N leader said, adding in light of the medical test report conducted in jail, there was a need for immediate treatment. &nbsp;

Interior minister Ahmed said Shehbaz "was the guarantor for his brother Nawaz. But instead of bringing him back, he was trying to flee".&nbsp;

"If Nawaz Sharif did not return then why should Shehbaz return? This is a matter of common sense," he said in reply to a question.&nbsp;

Sharif has been in London since November 2019 on 'medical grounds'.&nbsp;

The Imran Khan government has declared Sharif an absconder and cancelled his passport. Sharif left the country after the court granted him bail in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was undergoing seven years imprisonment in Kot Lakhpat jail Lahore.&nbsp;

He was also granted four-week bail on medical grounds to have his treatment abroad. The government declared him an absconder after he failed to justify prolonging his stay in London.&nbsp;

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also said that Shehbaz's name has been added to the no-fly list after approval from the Cabinet and completion of legal formalities. "The relevant record has been updated in this regard," he tweeted.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, criticising the government's move, PML-N leader Azam Nazir Tarar said the party will file a case of contempt of court.&nbsp;

"The government refused to let him (Shehbaz) go abroad despite orders by the Lahore High Court," Tarar said.&nbsp;

Several PML-N leaders have been facing corruption cases, which they claim, are politically motivated.&nbsp;

On April 23, 2021, Shehbaz walked free from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail after about eight months behind bars in the money laundering and assets beyond means reference filed by the country's anti-graft body. &nbsp;

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had alleged that Shehbaz's family had assets of around PKR 16.5 million till 1990, which increased to over PKR 7 billion in 2018 which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Pakistan government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday added the name of Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, who has been charged with corruption, to the no-fly list, barring him from leaving the country for medical treatment.

The Pakistan government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday added the name of Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, who has been charged with corruption, to the no-fly list, barring him from leaving the country for medical treatment. Earlier this month, the Lahore High Court granted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz, also the younger brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, permission to travel abroad once for medical treatment. After obtaining bail, Shehbaz, 69, was about to fly to London on May 8 when an Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team at the airport stopped him from travelling on the grounds that his name had been on the provisional national identification list (PNIL), which impose a temporary bar on someone to leave the country. Shehbaz was offloaded from Doha-bound flight on May 8. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Shehbaz's name was added to the exit control list (ECL) after approval from the federal Cabinet. A special committee of the Interior Ministry on May 12 had proposed to the Cabinet that Shehbaz should be barred from leaving the country due to corruption cases against him. Shehbaz wanted to go to London for a medical checkup after he was bailed out of jail last month. The interior minister said Shehbaz had not submitted any medical documents for travelling abroad or specified the treatment for his illness. Last week, Shehbaz had challenged the placement of his name on a travel blacklist and sought one-time permission to go abroad for medical treatment. "I have been a cancer patient and got treated in New York and London. I could not get treatment for more than seven months as I was in jail," the top PML-N leader said, adding in light of the medical test report conducted in jail, there was a need for immediate treatment. Interior minister Ahmed said Shehbaz "was the guarantor for his brother Nawaz. But instead of bringing him back, he was trying to flee". "If Nawaz Sharif did not return then why should Shehbaz return? This is a matter of common sense," he said in reply to a question. Sharif has been in London since November 2019 on 'medical grounds'. The Imran Khan government has declared Sharif an absconder and cancelled his passport. Sharif left the country after the court granted him bail in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was undergoing seven years imprisonment in Kot Lakhpat jail Lahore. He was also granted four-week bail on medical grounds to have his treatment abroad. The government declared him an absconder after he failed to justify prolonging his stay in London. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also said that Shehbaz's name has been added to the no-fly list after approval from the Cabinet and completion of legal formalities. "The relevant record has been updated in this regard," he tweeted. Meanwhile, criticising the government's move, PML-N leader Azam Nazir Tarar said the party will file a case of contempt of court. "The government refused to let him (Shehbaz) go abroad despite orders by the Lahore High Court," Tarar said. Several PML-N leaders have been facing corruption cases, which they claim, are politically motivated. On April 23, 2021, Shehbaz walked free from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail after about eight months behind bars in the money laundering and assets beyond means reference filed by the country's anti-graft body. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had alleged that Shehbaz's family had assets of around PKR 16.5 million till 1990, which increased to over PKR 7 billion in 2018 which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Pakistan Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif placed on no-fly list 

Chad’s ruling military council has rejected an offer from northern rebels for a ceasefire and talks, calling them “outlaws” who needed to be tracked down and arrested for their role in the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby.

The rebels, known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), said on Sunday that they were ready to discuss a political settlement, two weeks after they poured over the border on election day demanding an end to Deby’s 30-year rule.

They came as close as 200-300 km (125-185 miles) from the capital N’Djamena before being pushed back by the army. The air force has since bombarded rebel positions, the military and rebels said. The military said on Saturday it had “annihilated” the rebels.

“Faced with this situation, that is endangering Chad and the stability of the entire region, it is not the time for mediation or negotiations with outlaws,” spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna said in a statement. He said some of the rebels had fled into Niger and asked authorities there to capture them.

Deby was killed on April 19 while visiting troops at the front, just after he won the election. His death shocked the Central African country, which has long been a Western ally against Islamist militants.

After Deby’s death, a military council headed by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, seized power and said it would oversee an 18-month transition to elections. Opposition politicians called this a coup. The rebels said they would not accept a “monarchy” and vowed to march on N’Djamena, before meeting resistance.

“FACT is ready to observe a ceasefire for a political settlement that respects the independence and sovereignty of Chad and does not endorse a coup d’etat,” FACT spokesman Kingabe Ogouzeimi de Tapol told Reuters on Sunday. 
 
CIVILIAN-MILITARY RULE?

The military council is under pressure to hand over power to a civilian transitional government as soon as possible. The African Union has expressed “grave concern” about the military takeover, while France and regional powers are pushing for a civilian-military solution.

A move towards temporary civilian-military rule could offer Chad a way out of the crisis. Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani are acting as mediators on behalf of the African Union. United Nations representatives are also holding talks with both sides.

A consensus is emerging among opposition politicians and civil society to support a transitional civilian president with a military vice president or prime minister, they told Reuters.

The proposal would mirror a transition in Mali, where a coup last August prompted international calls for the military to relinquish power. A civilian president was appointed with a vice president from the military, although the Malian opposition is still concerned about the military’s hold on power.

“Most of us are in favour of cohabitation between the military, politicians and civil society,” said Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, president of the opposition PLD party. “The Malian model ... is very inspiring.”

Any agreement will require cooperation from the military council. Its spokesman, Azem Bermendao Agouna, said it was open to discussions, but added: “The army will solve all the major challenges and will organise free and transparent elections.”

Chad’s ruling military council has rejected an offer from northern rebels for a ceasefire and talks, calling them “outlaws” who needed to be tracked down and arrested for their role in the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby.

Chad’s ruling military council has rejected an offer from northern rebels for a ceasefire and talks, calling them “outlaws” who needed to be tracked down and arrested for their role in the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby. The rebels, known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), said on Sunday that they were ready to discuss a political settlement, two weeks after they poured over the border on election day demanding an end to Deby’s 30-year rule. They came as close as 200-300 km (125-185 miles) from the capital N’Djamena before being pushed back by the army. The air force has since bombarded rebel positions, the military and rebels said. The military said on Saturday it had “annihilated” the rebels. “Faced with this situation, that is endangering Chad and the stability of the entire region, it is not the time for mediation or negotiations with outlaws,” spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna said in a statement. He said some of the rebels had fled into Niger and asked authorities there to capture them. Deby was killed on April 19 while visiting troops at the front, just after he won the election. His death shocked the Central African country, which has long been a Western ally against Islamist militants. After Deby’s death, a military council headed by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, seized power and said it would oversee an 18-month transition to elections. Opposition politicians called this a coup. The rebels said they would not accept a “monarchy” and vowed to march on N’Djamena, before meeting resistance. “FACT is ready to observe a ceasefire for a political settlement that respects the independence and sovereignty of Chad and does not endorse a coup d’etat,” FACT spokesman Kingabe Ogouzeimi de Tapol told Reuters on Sunday. CIVILIAN-MILITARY RULE? The military council is under pressure to hand over power to a civilian transitional government as soon as possible. The African Union has expressed “grave concern” about the military takeover, while France and regional powers are pushing for a civilian-military solution. A move towards temporary civilian-military rule could offer Chad a way out of the crisis. Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani are acting as mediators on behalf of the African Union. United Nations representatives are also holding talks with both sides. A consensus is emerging among opposition politicians and civil society to support a transitional civilian president with a military vice president or prime minister, they told Reuters. The proposal would mirror a transition in Mali, where a coup last August prompted international calls for the military to relinquish power. A civilian president was appointed with a vice president from the military, although the Malian opposition is still concerned about the military’s hold on power. “Most of us are in favour of cohabitation between the military, politicians and civil society,” said Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, president of the opposition PLD party. “The Malian model ... is very inspiring.” Any agreement will require cooperation from the military council. Its spokesman, Azem Bermendao Agouna, said it was open to discussions, but added: “The army will solve all the major challenges and will organise free and transparent elections.”

Chad military refuses talks with rebels as opposition presses for civilian rule

The main opposition challenger in Congo Republic's March 21 presidential election Guy Brice&nbsp;Parfiat&nbsp;Kolelas,&nbsp;who was sick in hospital with Covid-19 has died at 61, a spokesman said on Monday.&nbsp;

Kolelas's&nbsp;election campaign said on Sunday that the former minister was in hospital with Covid-19 and could be evacuated to France.&nbsp;

The spokesman Justin&nbsp;Nzoloufoua&nbsp;declined to give the cause of death, but said&nbsp;Kolelas&nbsp;died while he was being evacuated for medical treatment.&nbsp;

Kolelas&nbsp;released a video from his hospital bed late on Saturday. Breathing heavily and holding an oxygen mask next to his face, he said he was&nbsp;'battling against death'&nbsp;but urged Congolese to&nbsp;'go vote for change'.&nbsp;

Kolelas, the son of former Prime Minister Bernard&nbsp;Kolelas, came second in the 2016 presidential election. He was seen as the main challenger to President Denis&nbsp;Sassou&nbsp;Nguesso,&nbsp;who is seeking to extend his 36-year rule in Congo.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The main opposition challenger in Congo Republic's March 21 presidential election Guy Brice Parfiat Kolelas, who was sick in hospital with Covid-19 has died at 61, a spokesman said on Monday.

The main opposition challenger in Congo Republic's March 21 presidential election Guy Brice Parfiat Kolelas, who was sick in hospital with Covid-19 has died at 61, a spokesman said on Monday. Kolelas's election campaign said on Sunday that the former minister was in hospital with Covid-19 and could be evacuated to France. The spokesman Justin Nzoloufoua declined to give the cause of death, but said Kolelas died while he was being evacuated for medical treatment. Kolelas released a video from his hospital bed late on Saturday. Breathing heavily and holding an oxygen mask next to his face, he said he was 'battling against death' but urged Congolese to 'go vote for change'. Kolelas, the son of former Prime Minister Bernard Kolelas, came second in the 2016 presidential election. He was seen as the main challenger to President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who is seeking to extend his 36-year rule in Congo. (With inputs from agencies)

Congo Republic opposition presidential candidate Kolelas dies at 61 

Russian police detained around 200 people at a meeting of independent and opposition politicians in Moscow on Saturday, accusing them of links to an 'undesirable organisation', a monitoring group and a TV station said.&nbsp;

The detentions come amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin sentiment, following the arrest and imprisonment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who returned to Russia in January after recovering from a nerve agent poisoning in Siberia.&nbsp;

The forum, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, was a gathering of municipal deputies from all over the country, Andrei Pivovarov, the event's organiser and executive director of Open Russia, a British-based group founded by exiled former oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, told radio station Echo Moskvy.&nbsp;

As the forum got underway, police entered the building and began detaining attendees and taking them to police vans waiting outside, video footage from TV Rain and Russian news agencies showed.&nbsp;

The Moscow branch of Russia's interior ministry said around 200 people had been detained and that an investigation was underway.

Police said those detained were not following the appropriate anti-coronavirus health measures even though footage showed most of them wearing masks. They said some of those attending the forum had links to an 'undesirable organisation'.

"A significant portion of participants lacked personal protective equipment," the police said. "Members of an organisation whose activities are considered undesirable on Russian territory were among the participants."

OVD-Info, which monitors the detention of political protesters and activists, published a list of more than 170 people, it said had been detained.&nbsp;

"The finale of the short forum was very symbolic: deputies in police vans and masked police twisting people's arms," one detainee, opposition politician Ilya Yashin, wrote on Facebook.

"But no one promised us freedom on a silver platter. Russia will still be free."

Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice-president of the Free Russia Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organisation, shared a picture from the inside of a police van after he was detained.

TV Rain said Yevgeny Roizman, the former mayor of Yekaterinburg, and Moscow city councillor Yulia Galyamina were also detained.&nbsp;Open Russia is one of more than 30 groups that Moscow has labelled as undesirable and banned under a law adopted in 2015.

Rights advocates say the laws on 'undesirable' organisations and 'foreign agents' can be used to pressure and target civil society members. Russia denies that and says the laws are needed to protect its national security from outside meddling.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russian police detained around 200 people at a meeting of independent and opposition politicians in Moscow on Saturday, accusing them of links to an 'undesirable organisation', a monitoring group and a TV station said.

Russian police detained around 200 people at a meeting of independent and opposition politicians in Moscow on Saturday, accusing them of links to an 'undesirable organisation', a monitoring group and a TV station said. The detentions come amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin sentiment, following the arrest and imprisonment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who returned to Russia in January after recovering from a nerve agent poisoning in Siberia. The forum, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, was a gathering of municipal deputies from all over the country, Andrei Pivovarov, the event's organiser and executive director of Open Russia, a British-based group founded by exiled former oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, told radio station Echo Moskvy. As the forum got underway, police entered the building and began detaining attendees and taking them to police vans waiting outside, video footage from TV Rain and Russian news agencies showed. The Moscow branch of Russia's interior ministry said around 200 people had been detained and that an investigation was underway. Police said those detained were not following the appropriate anti-coronavirus health measures even though footage showed most of them wearing masks. They said some of those attending the forum had links to an 'undesirable organisation'. "A significant portion of participants lacked personal protective equipment," the police said. "Members of an organisation whose activities are considered undesirable on Russian territory were among the participants." OVD-Info, which monitors the detention of political protesters and activists, published a list of more than 170 people, it said had been detained. "The finale of the short forum was very symbolic: deputies in police vans and masked police twisting people's arms," one detainee, opposition politician Ilya Yashin, wrote on Facebook. "But no one promised us freedom on a silver platter. Russia will still be free." Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice-president of the Free Russia Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organisation, shared a picture from the inside of a police van after he was detained. TV Rain said Yevgeny Roizman, the former mayor of Yekaterinburg, and Moscow city councillor Yulia Galyamina were also detained. Open Russia is one of more than 30 groups that Moscow has labelled as undesirable and banned under a law adopted in 2015. Rights advocates say the laws on 'undesirable' organisations and 'foreign agents' can be used to pressure and target civil society members. Russia denies that and says the laws are needed to protect its national security from outside meddling. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia detains around 200 people, including opposition figures  

Former Kosovo prime minister Albin Kurti's anti establishment party is now all set to win election with a landslide victory. Exist poll gives victory to left wing party.

Albin Kurti coalition scores largest margin of support

Political audacity combined with a strong organisation storms straight ahead while dominating the flanks. It is the signature action of Narendra Modi, now grown familiar. It does not take anything from the style of politics and governance with its constant self-service of the last many decades.&nbsp;

The unequal Opposition, caught flat-footed, thrown out of the citadels of power, plays old drums and flutes - threats, intimidation, murders, booth-capturing, minority appeasement, arson, riots, lies, embezzlement.&nbsp;

It all worked perfectly well once, the public was none the wiser, beguiled by promises that never seemed to reach their maturity. But now there is the sullen dullness that comes with knowing one has been betrayed. It results however in arrests of the old masters under draconian laws, and attachment of their properties for recompense.

As if on another plane altogether, the Sensex, Nifty, Midcap index and even the Bank Nifty are touching new highs despite an ongoing, though reducing, economic contraction.&nbsp;

There is less panic into gold and silver. Less worry about major bank collapse. Some revival in real estate. New reform for the long-neglected farming sector. There is a great deal of infrastructure building. It is probably the principal driver of the Indian economy through the six years of the Modi administration.&nbsp;

Bold reform, obscured sometimes by strident misinformation spread by the disgraced, in the key areas of labour, land, company law, digitisation, electricity, water, social injustice has been undertaken. More and more transformation is in the offing from this determined government. Our foreign affairs and diplomacy have been completely revamped. India’s position in the world has been rebooted.

Old power brokers and middlemen, rent-seeking bureaucrats, extortionists, commission agents, benami wealth hoarders, runaways, are all under pressure. Promises made again and again in the past are being delivered upon by this government.&nbsp;

The North-East of the country has been drawn into the mainstream. Foreign investors are pouring money into the Indian bourses and into foreign direct investment (FDI). The foreign exchange reserves are at an all-time high, close to USD 500 billion. Contrast this with the near bankruptcy of 1991 before the economy was liberalised.

Now the foreign stock market players are apparently not daunted by steep stock valuations because they are optimistic about the future. It is a liquidity rush yes, but far from mindless speculation.

There is expectation of a global end to Covid with several vaccines to tame it. And a shift of economic attention away from a very badly behaved China. It has become a predatory China, under a misguided CCP, with attitudes better suited to a long-departed age of imperialism. How much time before this 1949 born Red China comes unstuck and on its way to a democracy?

India is and will continue to benefit from standing up to China. The world has taken note. Armaments, organisation and force readiness on land, sea and air, is moving fast. Border area infrastructure is being rapidly completed. If there is a future conflict there is no doubt that India will acquit itself well.&nbsp;

The BJP has recently won decisively in Bihar alongside its ally the JD(U). It is about to repeat the performance in the border state of West Bengal plagued by Islamic aggression, terrorism and infiltration. This is openly supported by the presently ruling TMC, heavily dependent on the nearly 30% Muslim population.&nbsp;

The demographics and the culture of the state have changed alarmingly, much to the quiet annoyance of the Hindu majority. West Bengal has enormous untapped economic potential. It is now firmly looking to the BJP for rescue.&nbsp; 
The chances of it coming to power in the 2021 assembly elections in the state gain ground every day. 
Those who don’t want India to prosper, love the chaos.&nbsp;

The lust to bring down the Modi government at any cost, &nbsp;in spite of it being very popular with the voting masses, is a difficult proposition. Admit it or not, all the brickbats are boomeranging.&nbsp;

There are also substantial chunks of the non-aligned Opposition who vote with and support government initiatives. In parliament, the government’s domination in both houses is now evident. The electoral juggernaut too rolls on from the grassroot elections to panchayats, blocks, districts and city municipalities, all the way through the state assemblies and on towards the national elections.

One narrative is backed by the power of the government. The other by the powerless Opposition and its camp followers determined to trash the whole place if nothing else. The powerful government refuses to retaliate with violence. The powerless Opposition tries even greater provocation.&nbsp;

This has become a familiar see-saw over the last six years, in parliament, in the TV studios, in the speech-making, on the streets. There is arson, rape, murder, false news. There is a desperate scrambling for lost electoral traction, a search for new leadership, even as vested interests refuse to let go.

It is obvious the baton has passed decisively to the BJP and its brand of nationalist, majoritarian politics. The leadership here has dedication honesty and vision. The world can see it.&nbsp;

However, those who have lost after decades in power refuse to do so. The new year 2021 is about to dawn after a most difficult 2020. It will usher in a new decade, the third of the 21st century.&nbsp;

India will prosper like never before, but it will jettison the florid code that hid under the ‘Idea of India’. That made the majority Hindu ashamed of his grand heritage.

Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat is not an inward-looking thing. It is about getting out of the clutches of commission agents and needless imports. It is building a strong domestic military machine for the country’s defence and export. And this government’s ‘New India’ is a very different thing from the false secularism that preceded it. There is room in it for every nationalist of every caste, creed, region and religion, but none for those who want to destroy the country.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

Political audacity combined with a strong organisation storms straight ahead while dominating the flanks. It is the signature action of Narendra Modi, now grown familiar.

Political audacity combined with a strong organisation storms straight ahead while dominating the flanks. It is the signature action of Narendra Modi, now grown familiar. It does not take anything from the style of politics and governance with its constant self-service of the last many decades. The unequal Opposition, caught flat-footed, thrown out of the citadels of power, plays old drums and flutes - threats, intimidation, murders, booth-capturing, minority appeasement, arson, riots, lies, embezzlement. It all worked perfectly well once, the public was none the wiser, beguiled by promises that never seemed to reach their maturity. But now there is the sullen dullness that comes with knowing one has been betrayed. It results however in arrests of the old masters under draconian laws, and attachment of their properties for recompense. As if on another plane altogether, the Sensex, Nifty, Midcap index and even the Bank Nifty are touching new highs despite an ongoing, though reducing, economic contraction. There is less panic into gold and silver. Less worry about major bank collapse. Some revival in real estate. New reform for the long-neglected farming sector. There is a great deal of infrastructure building. It is probably the principal driver of the Indian economy through the six years of the Modi administration. Bold reform, obscured sometimes by strident misinformation spread by the disgraced, in the key areas of labour, land, company law, digitisation, electricity, water, social injustice has been undertaken. More and more transformation is in the offing from this determined government. Our foreign affairs and diplomacy have been completely revamped. India’s position in the world has been rebooted. Old power brokers and middlemen, rent-seeking bureaucrats, extortionists, commission agents, benami wealth hoarders, runaways, are all under pressure. Promises made again and again in the past are being delivered upon by this government. The North-East of the country has been drawn into the mainstream. Foreign investors are pouring money into the Indian bourses and into foreign direct investment (FDI). The foreign exchange reserves are at an all-time high, close to USD 500 billion. Contrast this with the near bankruptcy of 1991 before the economy was liberalised. Now the foreign stock market players are apparently not daunted by steep stock valuations because they are optimistic about the future. It is a liquidity rush yes, but far from mindless speculation. There is expectation of a global end to Covid with several vaccines to tame it. And a shift of economic attention away from a very badly behaved China. It has become a predatory China, under a misguided CCP, with attitudes better suited to a long-departed age of imperialism. How much time before this 1949 born Red China comes unstuck and on its way to a democracy? India is and will continue to benefit from standing up to China. The world has taken note. Armaments, organisation and force readiness on land, sea and air, is moving fast. Border area infrastructure is being rapidly completed. If there is a future conflict there is no doubt that India will acquit itself well. The BJP has recently won decisively in Bihar alongside its ally the JD(U). It is about to repeat the performance in the border state of West Bengal plagued by Islamic aggression, terrorism and infiltration. This is openly supported by the presently ruling TMC, heavily dependent on the nearly 30% Muslim population. The demographics and the culture of the state have changed alarmingly, much to the quiet annoyance of the Hindu majority. West Bengal has enormous untapped economic potential. It is now firmly looking to the BJP for rescue. The chances of it coming to power in the 2021 assembly elections in the state gain ground every day. Those who don’t want India to prosper, love the chaos. The lust to bring down the Modi government at any cost, in spite of it being very popular with the voting masses, is a difficult proposition. Admit it or not, all the brickbats are boomeranging. There are also substantial chunks of the non-aligned Opposition who vote with and support government initiatives. In parliament, the government’s domination in both houses is now evident. The electoral juggernaut too rolls on from the grassroot elections to panchayats, blocks, districts and city municipalities, all the way through the state assemblies and on towards the national elections. One narrative is backed by the power of the government. The other by the powerless Opposition and its camp followers determined to trash the whole place if nothing else. The powerful government refuses to retaliate with violence. The powerless Opposition tries even greater provocation. This has become a familiar see-saw over the last six years, in parliament, in the TV studios, in the speech-making, on the streets. There is arson, rape, murder, false news. There is a desperate scrambling for lost electoral traction, a search for new leadership, even as vested interests refuse to let go. It is obvious the baton has passed decisively to the BJP and its brand of nationalist, majoritarian politics. The leadership here has dedication honesty and vision. The world can see it. However, those who have lost after decades in power refuse to do so. The new year 2021 is about to dawn after a most difficult 2020. It will usher in a new decade, the third of the 21st century. India will prosper like never before, but it will jettison the florid code that hid under the ‘Idea of India’. That made the majority Hindu ashamed of his grand heritage. Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat is not an inward-looking thing. It is about getting out of the clutches of commission agents and needless imports. It is building a strong domestic military machine for the country’s defence and export. And this government’s ‘New India’ is a very different thing from the false secularism that preceded it. There is room in it for every nationalist of every caste, creed, region and religion, but none for those who want to destroy the country. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

Opinion: Stock market flies banner of new India, Opposition hate rages

In Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif's assets have been seized. News channels have been asked not to air his speeches. Imran Khan has accused Sharif of 'playing India's game' by criticising the military. Has opposition unity rattled Pakistan's Prime Minister? WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Imran Khan accuses rival Nawaz Sharif of 'playing India's game'

Launching a scathing attack on the opposition for the ruckus during the discussion on Agri Bills in Upper House of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the behaviour displayed by various parties was "saddening, unfortunate and shameful".

“What happened in Rajya Sabha today was saddening, unfortunate and shameful. It is the responsibility of the ruling side to enable discussions in the House but it is also the duty of the Opposition to maintain decorum,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

"As far as I know, this has never happened in the history of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. This happening in Rajya Sabha is an even bigger matter. Attempts are being made to mislead the farmers on the basis of rumours. What happened is against the decorum of House," he said.

"It is expected of a good Opposition to help with the Parliament's proceedings. Acting for vested political interests and misleading people isn't healthy democratic practice," he said.

Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha, passed Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. These bills have already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

(With inputs from agencies)

Launching a scathing attack on the opposition for the ruckus during the discussion on Agri Bills in Upper House of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the behaviour displayed by various parties was "saddening, unfortunate and shameful".

Launching a scathing attack on the opposition for the ruckus during the discussion on Agri Bills in Upper House of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the behaviour displayed by various parties was "saddening, unfortunate and shameful". “What happened in Rajya Sabha today was saddening, unfortunate and shameful. It is the responsibility of the ruling side to enable discussions in the House but it is also the duty of the Opposition to maintain decorum,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. "As far as I know, this has never happened in the history of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. This happening in Rajya Sabha is an even bigger matter. Attempts are being made to mislead the farmers on the basis of rumours. What happened is against the decorum of House," he said. "It is expected of a good Opposition to help with the Parliament's proceedings. Acting for vested political interests and misleading people isn't healthy democratic practice," he said. Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha, passed Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. These bills have already been passed by the Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies)

'Saddening, unfortunate and shameful': Rajnath Singh slams opposition for ruckus in Upper House

Rajya Sabha saw a major ruckus on Sunday as Opposition members left their seats to demand a division of votes during passage of the two key farm bills.

Rajya Sabha, on Sunday, passed Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. These bills have already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

These key bills were passed by voice vote.

The Opposition resolutely demanded that the bills be sent to House panel for a closer scrutiny. The demands were negated by voice vote. The ruckus in the House had already started.

Deputy Chairman Hariavansh overuled the demand for a division of votes.

What followed was pure pandemonium. Opposition MPs, led by Trinamool Congress, rose from their seats and entered the well of the House. Books were flung at the Deputy Chairman. House marshals had to do their best to protect the Chair from this onslaught. The ruckus created by the Opposition had previously compelled Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to cut short&nbsp;

"These are the rules...!" TMC MP Derek Obrien could be heard telling the Deputy Chairman. He charged towards the podium. Obrien had the rulebook in hand. He has been accused of trying to tear the rulebook. He has denied the accusation.

The bills are facing staunch opposition from some farmer bodies as well as from within the ruling coalition. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the food processing minister from the Shiromani Akali Dal party, resigned from the government last week.

Opposition parties as well as the SAD felt the bills are the first step toward removing the MSP which will force the farmers to make distress sales to private companies.

The Farmers'' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to give freedom to farmers to sell their produce outside the notified APMC market yards (mandis). This, the government says, is aimed at facilitating remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels.

Farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce under this Act, according to the government.

It will open more choices for farmers, reduce marketing costs, and help them get better prices. It will also help farmers of regions with surplus produce to get better prices and consumers in areas with shortages at lower prices.

The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to give farmers the right to enter into a contract with agribusiness firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters, or large retailers for the sale of future farming produce at a pre-agreed price.

It seeks to transfer the risk of market unpredictability from farmers to sponsors.

Tomar said this legislation guarantees cultivators the price they negotiate at the time of sowing itself.

A third bill, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 that seeks to remove commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, onion, and potatoes from the list of essential commodities and will do away with the imposition of stock holding limits, is to be moved separately.

Rajya Sabha saw a major ruckus on Sunday as Opposition members left their seats to demand a division of votes during passage of the two key farm bills. Rajya Sabha, on Sunday, passed Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.

Rajya Sabha saw a major ruckus on Sunday as Opposition members left their seats to demand a division of votes during passage of the two key farm bills. Rajya Sabha, on Sunday, passed Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. These bills have already been passed by the Lok Sabha. These key bills were passed by voice vote. The Opposition resolutely demanded that the bills be sent to House panel for a closer scrutiny. The demands were negated by voice vote. The ruckus in the House had already started. Deputy Chairman Hariavansh overuled the demand for a division of votes. What followed was pure pandemonium. Opposition MPs, led by Trinamool Congress, rose from their seats and entered the well of the House. Books were flung at the Deputy Chairman. House marshals had to do their best to protect the Chair from this onslaught. The ruckus created by the Opposition had previously compelled Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to cut short "These are the rules...!" TMC MP Derek Obrien could be heard telling the Deputy Chairman. He charged towards the podium. Obrien had the rulebook in hand. He has been accused of trying to tear the rulebook. He has denied the accusation. The bills are facing staunch opposition from some farmer bodies as well as from within the ruling coalition. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the food processing minister from the Shiromani Akali Dal party, resigned from the government last week. Opposition parties as well as the SAD felt the bills are the first step toward removing the MSP which will force the farmers to make distress sales to private companies. The Farmers'' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to give freedom to farmers to sell their produce outside the notified APMC market yards (mandis). This, the government says, is aimed at facilitating remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels. Farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce under this Act, according to the government. It will open more choices for farmers, reduce marketing costs, and help them get better prices. It will also help farmers of regions with surplus produce to get better prices and consumers in areas with shortages at lower prices. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to give farmers the right to enter into a contract with agribusiness firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters, or large retailers for the sale of future farming produce at a pre-agreed price. It seeks to transfer the risk of market unpredictability from farmers to sponsors. Tomar said this legislation guarantees cultivators the price they negotiate at the time of sowing itself. A third bill, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 that seeks to remove commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, onion, and potatoes from the list of essential commodities and will do away with the imposition of stock holding limits, is to be moved separately.

Slogans raised, documents torn: This is how Opposition behaved in Upper house of the Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the passage of two farm sector bills as a "watershed moment" in the history of Indian agriculture, asserting that they will ensure a complete transformation of the farm sector and empower crores of farmers.

In a series of tweets after Rajya Sabha passed the bills by voice vote amid din created by protesting opposition members, Modi said these proposed laws will liberate farmers from numerous adversities as he noted that peasants were for decades bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen.

He again assured farmers that the existing government support system for them will continue.

Farmers in states like Punjab and Haryana have been protesting against these bills, with their leaders alleging that the legislations will dismantle the existing system and leave them to the mercy of corporate interests.

Reaching out to the peasantry in Punjab, the prime minister posted his tweets in Punjabi as well.

Shiromani Akali Dal, the BJP's oldest ally, has quit the Modi government in protest against these bills.

Modi asserted, "I said it earlier and I say it once again: System of MSP will remain.

Government procurement will continue.

"We are here to serve our farmers. We will do everything possible to support them and ensure a better life for their coming generations." These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them, he said.

"Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers.Now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results.This is a welcome step," the prime minister said.The two bills were earlier passed by Lok Sabha.

After they get the presidential assent, they will be notified as laws.

"A watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture! Congratulations to our hardworking farmers on the passage of key bills in Parliament, which will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers," Modi added in another tweet.

The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to give freedom to farmers to sell their produce outside the notified APMC market yards (mandis).

This, the government says, is aimed at facilitating remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels.

Farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce under this Act, according to the government.

It will open more choices for farmers, reduce marketing costs, and help them get better prices.

The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to give farmers the right to enter into a contract with agribusiness firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters, or large retailers for the sale of future farming produce at a pre-agreed price.

It seeks to transfer the risk of market unpredictability from farmers to sponsors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the passage of two farm sector bills as a "watershed moment" in the history of Indian agriculture, asserting that they will ensure a complete transformation of the farm sector and empower crores of farmers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the passage of two farm sector bills as a "watershed moment" in the history of Indian agriculture, asserting that they will ensure a complete transformation of the farm sector and empower crores of farmers. In a series of tweets after Rajya Sabha passed the bills by voice vote amid din created by protesting opposition members, Modi said these proposed laws will liberate farmers from numerous adversities as he noted that peasants were for decades bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. He again assured farmers that the existing government support system for them will continue. Farmers in states like Punjab and Haryana have been protesting against these bills, with their leaders alleging that the legislations will dismantle the existing system and leave them to the mercy of corporate interests. Reaching out to the peasantry in Punjab, the prime minister posted his tweets in Punjabi as well. Shiromani Akali Dal, the BJP's oldest ally, has quit the Modi government in protest against these bills. Modi asserted, "I said it earlier and I say it once again: System of MSP will remain. Government procurement will continue. "We are here to serve our farmers. We will do everything possible to support them and ensure a better life for their coming generations." These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them, he said. "Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers.Now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results.This is a welcome step," the prime minister said.The two bills were earlier passed by Lok Sabha. After they get the presidential assent, they will be notified as laws. "A watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture! Congratulations to our hardworking farmers on the passage of key bills in Parliament, which will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers," Modi added in another tweet. The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to give freedom to farmers to sell their produce outside the notified APMC market yards (mandis). This, the government says, is aimed at facilitating remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels. Farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce under this Act, according to the government. It will open more choices for farmers, reduce marketing costs, and help them get better prices. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to give farmers the right to enter into a contract with agribusiness firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters, or large retailers for the sale of future farming produce at a pre-agreed price. It seeks to transfer the risk of market unpredictability from farmers to sponsors.

Watershed moment for Indian agriculture, will ensure complete transformation of sector: PM Modi on farm bills

Belarusian President crackdown on Alexander Lukashenko on the opposition continues. Maxim Znak has now been detained by masked men wearing plain clothes

Belarus unrest: 'Masked men' seize opposition figure, Maxim Znak detained

Bangladesh’s ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia was released from prison on Wednesday on humanitarian grounds, her party said.

Khaleda, 74, was jailed in 2018 following her conviction for graft. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had suspended her prison term for six months, her party general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

Her health has been deteriorating for months and she was moved to a hospital in April last year. 
 
Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq said the move came after a brother and sister of Zia -- who has been in prison for two years -- appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to let her arch-rival fly to London for treatment. 
 
Hasina and Zia are bitter rivals whose families have dominated Bangladesh's politics since independence in 1971.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/historical-step-bangladesh-maldives-laud-india-for-observing-janata-curfew-over-coronavirus-287948">'Historical step': Bangladesh, Maldives laud India for observing 'Janata curfew' over coronavirus</a> 
 
Huq said, however, the 74-year-old Zia would not be allowed to go to another country. 
 
"On the basis of the application and having been directed by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia's conviction has been suspended," Huq told AFP. 
 
She is freed "on condition that she remains in her Dhaka residence to receive treatment and does not go abroad". 
 
There was no immediate comment from Zia's family or her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 
 
Sentenced to 10 years in jail on graft charges, Zia also faces nearly three dozen other outstanding cases. The BNP says the charges are politically motivated to keep her out of politics. 
 
Her lawyers have had repeated bail applications rejected. They have argued that she could die in prison without proper treatment.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/south-asian-governments-impose-coronavirus-curfews-border-controls-287798" hreflang="en">South Asian governments impose coronavirus curfews, border controls</a> 
 
A recent leaked medical report on Zia's health said her rheumatoid arthritis was becoming increasingly serious. She has already had two knee replacement operations. 
 
"As a result of combined active disease and accompanied damage she is, at present, at a crippled state and largely dependent on assistance for her day-to-day activities," the report said. 
 
Hasina took over as prime minister from Zia in 2009 and has ruled since. 
 
The United States, which has warm relations with Bangladesh, said it welcomed the decision to free Zia and pointed to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus. 
 
The global pandemic "needs leadership that is compassionate and prioritizes national unity," Alice Wells, the top US diplomat for South Asia, wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Bangladesh’s ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia was released from prison on Wednesday on humanitarian grounds, her party said. Khaleda, 74, was jailed in 2018 following her conviction for graft.

Bangladesh’s ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia was released from prison on Wednesday on humanitarian grounds, her party said. Khaleda, 74, was jailed in 2018 following her conviction for graft. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had suspended her prison term for six months, her party general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. Her health has been deteriorating for months and she was moved to a hospital in April last year. Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq said the move came after a brother and sister of Zia -- who has been in prison for two years -- appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to let her arch-rival fly to London for treatment. Hasina and Zia are bitter rivals whose families have dominated Bangladesh's politics since independence in 1971. Also read: 'Historical step': Bangladesh, Maldives laud India for observing 'Janata curfew' over coronavirus Huq said, however, the 74-year-old Zia would not be allowed to go to another country. "On the basis of the application and having been directed by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia's conviction has been suspended," Huq told AFP. She is freed "on condition that she remains in her Dhaka residence to receive treatment and does not go abroad". There was no immediate comment from Zia's family or her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Sentenced to 10 years in jail on graft charges, Zia also faces nearly three dozen other outstanding cases. The BNP says the charges are politically motivated to keep her out of politics. Her lawyers have had repeated bail applications rejected. They have argued that she could die in prison without proper treatment. Also read: South Asian governments impose coronavirus curfews, border controls A recent leaked medical report on Zia's health said her rheumatoid arthritis was becoming increasingly serious. She has already had two knee replacement operations. "As a result of combined active disease and accompanied damage she is, at present, at a crippled state and largely dependent on assistance for her day-to-day activities," the report said. Hasina took over as prime minister from Zia in 2009 and has ruled since. The United States, which has warm relations with Bangladesh, said it welcomed the decision to free Zia and pointed to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus. The global pandemic "needs leadership that is compassionate and prioritizes national unity," Alice Wells, the top US diplomat for South Asia, wrote on Twitter.

Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda freed on humanitarian grounds, her party says

Home Minister Amit shah is under fire from the opposition and has chaired several meetings with the police top brass.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has demanded Amit shah's resignation as the Delhi police in the national capital directly report to the home minister.

The Delhi high court has rapped the Delhi police for its failure to registering firs against leaders who indulged in hate speech just before the targetted violence broke out in the national capital.

Even the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi police for not taking action against those who made inflammatory speeches and said that if it had acted as required by law and in time the violence could have been averted.

Supreme Court Justice KM Joseph, while hearing a petition on the shaheen bagh protests lamented the lack of professionalism in the police force in containing the violence.

Section-144 has been imposed in the affected areas and shoot at sight orders issued. The chief minister of Delhi too called the situation alarming.

In a tweet — Arvind Kejriwal said that 'I have been in touch with people the entire night. Police, despite all its efforts, is unable to control the situation and instil confidence.'

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I have been in touch wid large no of people whole nite. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence 
 
Army shud be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately 
 
Am writing to Hon’ble HM to this effect
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1232536291213901825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He says the army should be called in immediately. In another tweet with pictures of the injured attached.

The Delhi CM said that Hindus, Muslims and policemen — none have escaped unhurt. This madness must end immediately.

Home Minister Amit shah is under fire from the opposition and has chaired several meetings with the police top brass. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has demanded Amit shah's resignation as the Delhi police in the national capital directly report to the home minister.

Home Minister Amit shah is under fire from the opposition and has chaired several meetings with the police top brass. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has demanded Amit shah's resignation as the Delhi police in the national capital directly report to the home minister. The Delhi high court has rapped the Delhi police for its failure to registering firs against leaders who indulged in hate speech just before the targetted violence broke out in the national capital. Even the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi police for not taking action against those who made inflammatory speeches and said that if it had acted as required by law and in time the violence could have been averted. Supreme Court Justice KM Joseph, while hearing a petition on the shaheen bagh protests lamented the lack of professionalism in the police force in containing the violence. Section-144 has been imposed in the affected areas and shoot at sight orders issued. The chief minister of Delhi too called the situation alarming. In a tweet — Arvind Kejriwal said that 'I have been in touch with people the entire night. Police, despite all its efforts, is unable to control the situation and instil confidence.' I have been in touch wid large no of people whole nite. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence Army shud be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately Am writing to Hon’ble HM to this effect — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2020 × He says the army should be called in immediately. In another tweet with pictures of the injured attached. The Delhi CM said that Hindus, Muslims and policemen — none have escaped unhurt. This madness must end immediately.

Delhi riots: Government under fire from Opposition, high court raps police and CM demands Army deployment

The Central government has said that the transfer of Justice Muralidhar is a "routine" affair and hit back hard at opposition after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised questions over it.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad explained ia a tweet that "Transfer of Honourable Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge, his consent is taken. The well settled process has been followed."

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Transfer of Hon’ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/1232893681558007809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Launching an scathing attack at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi he said that "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them."

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By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/1232893688214409217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The row that broke out after Centre on Wednesday transferred Justice S Muralidhar of the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a day he came down heavily on the centre, the government appeared to be as unsparing as the opposition.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The Central government has said that the transfer of Justice Muralidhar is a "routine" affair and hit back hard at opposition after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised questions over it.

The Central government has said that the transfer of Justice Muralidhar is a "routine" affair and hit back hard at opposition after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised questions over it. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad explained ia a tweet that "Transfer of Honourable Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge, his consent is taken. The well settled process has been followed." Transfer of Hon’ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed. — Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) February 27, 2020 × Launching an scathing attack at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi he said that "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them." By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them. — Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) February 27, 2020 × The row that broke out after Centre on Wednesday transferred Justice S Muralidhar of the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a day he came down heavily on the centre, the government appeared to be as unsparing as the opposition. (With inputs from Agencies)

Government says Congress politicising ‘routine transfer’ of Justice Muralidhar

India needs a better opposition which is the heart of any democracy and the ruling party should embrace that to keep it under check, noted economist and Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee said here on Sunday.

Speaking at a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), the 58-year-old India-born American economist said there was no correlation between the authoritarianism and the economic success.

"You can easily argue that Singapore had a successful dictator and can easily come back and talk about Zimbabwe. We can talk about this ad nauseum… At some level authority is an illusion," he said.

"India needs a better opposition. The opposition is the heart of democracy and the ruling party should want a better opposition to keep it under check," Banerjee said.

The Indian-American innovative MIT economist, his wife Esther Duflo and Harvard professor Michael Kremer jointly won the 2019 Nobel Economics Prize "for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty".

Elucidating on the ways to ameliorate poverty, he said there was no silver bullet, but many silver pallets.

"Poverty, like cancer, is many problems. There are many diseases. Some people are education poor, some are heath poor and some asset poor. You have to figure out what is missing. Trying to solve everything with one action is unviable to work and never does work," he said.

Banerjee also challenged the dogma that if the poor people are given the money they waste it, become lazy and fall back into poverty. He advocated that the people living in abysmal poverty should be encouraged by giving them assets and freebies.

"There is so much prejudice about the abilities of the poor. Give the very poor some asset. Not lend, but give them an asset. Maybe a cow, some goats or trinkets to sell, then you look at what happens to these people after 10 years. They will be 25 per cent richer, they will be healthier and happier. It encourages them to keep trying and they work harder than the people who didn't get the assets," he said.

"It is sustainable. We have calculated the rate of return on the investment. In India, it is 400 per cent. Net income that it generates is four times the amount you put in. The same experiment was done in Bangladesh for 10 years. It has been exactly the same there," he said, giving references from his work.

He said it was important that the poor are encouraged in the beginning, asserting that these people "actually have never done anything in their lives".

Banerjee also spoke about the crisis in the banking sector.

"We are in a deep cycle. It will take some time to fix things, particularly the banking sector. We don't have the money to do what China did which was to put the money in the banking sector, write off the loans. We cannot really afford that right now," he said.

He stressed that devolution of power and decentralisation were very important for economic success.

"Take China, it has on the ground democracy even though it is such authoritarianism set up. They introduced village elections 20 years ago. The elected leaders go to different places. The intra-province competition is intense. There is the devolution of power. China is much more decentralised than India despite its ruling Communist Party being such a centralised force," he said.

Responding to a question on whether he would accept the post of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor if it was offered to him, Banerjee said, "Absolutely not. Because to be an RBI governor, you better be a macroeconomist."

Asked if he could have won the Nobel Prize based in India, he said, "I don't think so."

"I benefited enormously from a place (MIT) where I had the world's best potential PhD students. And that is important. All this work that I am taking credit for is mostly done by others.

"My students, collaborators, and friends and that are what makes it valuable. It is not that there is the dearth of talent here, but bringing together of people on a large scale changes it. It is hard to do it alone," he said.

Born in Mumbai, Banerjee was educated at the University of Calcutta and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He received his PhD from Harvard University and is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

India needs a better opposition which is the heart of any democracy and the ruling party should embrace that to keep it under check, noted economist and Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee said here on Sunday.

India needs a better opposition which is the heart of any democracy and the ruling party should embrace that to keep it under check, noted economist and Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee said here on Sunday. Speaking at a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), the 58-year-old India-born American economist said there was no correlation between the authoritarianism and the economic success. "You can easily argue that Singapore had a successful dictator and can easily come back and talk about Zimbabwe. We can talk about this ad nauseum… At some level authority is an illusion," he said. "India needs a better opposition. The opposition is the heart of democracy and the ruling party should want a better opposition to keep it under check," Banerjee said. The Indian-American innovative MIT economist, his wife Esther Duflo and Harvard professor Michael Kremer jointly won the 2019 Nobel Economics Prize "for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty". Elucidating on the ways to ameliorate poverty, he said there was no silver bullet, but many silver pallets. "Poverty, like cancer, is many problems. There are many diseases. Some people are education poor, some are heath poor and some asset poor. You have to figure out what is missing. Trying to solve everything with one action is unviable to work and never does work," he said. Banerjee also challenged the dogma that if the poor people are given the money they waste it, become lazy and fall back into poverty. He advocated that the people living in abysmal poverty should be encouraged by giving them assets and freebies. "There is so much prejudice about the abilities of the poor. Give the very poor some asset. Not lend, but give them an asset. Maybe a cow, some goats or trinkets to sell, then you look at what happens to these people after 10 years. They will be 25 per cent richer, they will be healthier and happier. It encourages them to keep trying and they work harder than the people who didn't get the assets," he said. "It is sustainable. We have calculated the rate of return on the investment. In India, it is 400 per cent. Net income that it generates is four times the amount you put in. The same experiment was done in Bangladesh for 10 years. It has been exactly the same there," he said, giving references from his work. He said it was important that the poor are encouraged in the beginning, asserting that these people "actually have never done anything in their lives". Banerjee also spoke about the crisis in the banking sector. "We are in a deep cycle. It will take some time to fix things, particularly the banking sector. We don't have the money to do what China did which was to put the money in the banking sector, write off the loans. We cannot really afford that right now," he said. He stressed that devolution of power and decentralisation were very important for economic success. "Take China, it has on the ground democracy even though it is such authoritarianism set up. They introduced village elections 20 years ago. The elected leaders go to different places. The intra-province competition is intense. There is the devolution of power. China is much more decentralised than India despite its ruling Communist Party being such a centralised force," he said. Responding to a question on whether he would accept the post of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor if it was offered to him, Banerjee said, "Absolutely not. Because to be an RBI governor, you better be a macroeconomist." Asked if he could have won the Nobel Prize based in India, he said, "I don't think so." "I benefited enormously from a place (MIT) where I had the world's best potential PhD students. And that is important. All this work that I am taking credit for is mostly done by others. "My students, collaborators, and friends and that are what makes it valuable. It is not that there is the dearth of talent here, but bringing together of people on a large scale changes it. It is hard to do it alone," he said. Born in Mumbai, Banerjee was educated at the University of Calcutta and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He received his PhD from Harvard University and is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

'India needs a better opposition': Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to boycott the opposition meeting to be held on January 13, 2020, in New Delhi.

“Congress and Left are jointly resorting to hooliganism in West Bengal. They are responsible for the violence in Malda. Both the parties are indulging in dirty politics in the state. I will fight against National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) alone. I am going to boycott the opposition meeting in Delhi,” Banerjee said on the floor of the house at the Bengal Legislative Assembly during a special session today.

Her statements came in the wake of uproar in the assembly house where several Left and Congress leaders raised questions at the administration after a viral video surfaced where policemen were allegedly seen vandalising series of vehicles in Malda’s Sujapur.

“What we saw yesterday is condemnable. The administration has completely failed. Yesterday we saw policemen resorting to vandalism, the government must fix responsibility,” said CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty.

A day ago, massive clashes erupted in Malda district’s Sujapur after Left and Congress supporters were blocking the National Highway- 34 in support of the Bharat Bandh. When police tried to remove the blockade, they clashed with police and also hurled brickbats. Police in retaliation resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells. As many as ten vehicles were set ablaze by agitators claimed the police.

The opposition meeting to be convened by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on January 13, 2020, at the Parliament House will be attended by several opposition leaders over the present situation in the country in the wake of widespread protests against NRC and CAA.

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to boycott the opposition meeting to be held on January 13, 2020, in New Delhi. “Congress and Left are jointly resorting to hooliganism in West Bengal.

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to boycott the opposition meeting to be held on January 13, 2020, in New Delhi. “Congress and Left are jointly resorting to hooliganism in West Bengal. They are responsible for the violence in Malda. Both the parties are indulging in dirty politics in the state. I will fight against National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) alone. I am going to boycott the opposition meeting in Delhi,” Banerjee said on the floor of the house at the Bengal Legislative Assembly during a special session today. Her statements came in the wake of uproar in the assembly house where several Left and Congress leaders raised questions at the administration after a viral video surfaced where policemen were allegedly seen vandalising series of vehicles in Malda’s Sujapur. “What we saw yesterday is condemnable. The administration has completely failed. Yesterday we saw policemen resorting to vandalism, the government must fix responsibility,” said CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty. A day ago, massive clashes erupted in Malda district’s Sujapur after Left and Congress supporters were blocking the National Highway- 34 in support of the Bharat Bandh. When police tried to remove the blockade, they clashed with police and also hurled brickbats. Police in retaliation resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells. As many as ten vehicles were set ablaze by agitators claimed the police. The opposition meeting to be convened by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on January 13, 2020, at the Parliament House will be attended by several opposition leaders over the present situation in the country in the wake of widespread protests against NRC and CAA.

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee to boycott opposition meet in Delhi

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-rallies-to-revive-stalled-effort-to-oust-maduro-262603">Venezuela's opposition</a> on Sunday vowed to investigate alleged wrongdoing within its ranks after a media outlet reported that a group of opposition lawmakers had unduly advocated for a businessman linked to the government of President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;

Opposition leader and congress chief Juan Guaido said the legislature would probe the incident, which according to website Armando.info involved nine legislators from the First Justice, Popular Will and A New Time parties.&nbsp;

The scandal comes as opposition efforts to oust Maduro lose steam and Guaido, who has been recognized by more than 50 countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader, struggles to launch a new wave of street protests.

"(It is) unacceptable to use a state institution to attempt to whitewash the reputation of thieves and corrupt individuals who have looted Venezuela," said Guaido, pounding a lectern as he read from notes during a press conference.

According to the Armando.info report, the lawmakers were involved in writing letters of support for a Colombian national, Carlos Lizcano, despite evidence of his ties to Alex Saab, another Colombian man who is under US&nbsp;sanction for corruption associated with Maduro's state-backed food distribution program.

It was not immediately evident if or how the legislators broke the law.&nbsp;

Guaido said he suspected the legislators received illicit payments in exchange for writing the letters, but that this would be investigated.

The letters were addressed to the US&nbsp;Treasury and Colombia's public prosecutor's office, according to the report.

Neither institution responded to requests for comment.&nbsp;

First Justice, Popular Will and A New Time on Sunday issued statements deploring the alleged corruption and promising to remove the lawmakers from the legislative comptroller commission, which focuses on fighting corruption.

"There is a smear campaign against us and some of our fellow legislators in the Venezuelan parliament," Luis Parra, who was placed under investigation by First Justice, wrote on Twitter, insisting he had been a victim of "extortion."

Freddy Superlano of Popular Will, in a letter to Guaido dated Saturday that he posted on Twitter, denied wrongdoing but said that while the investigation proceeded he was stepping down from his role as president of the comptroller commission.

The distribution programme known by the Spanish acronym CLAP has become a crucial source of food for Venezuelans facing hyperinflation, which has left a minimum wage salary so devalued it can barely buy a day's groceries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-opposition-group-ends-occupation-of-embassy-in-brazil-261967">But the programme</a> has faced widespread accusations by Venezuela's opposition and US&nbsp;authorities of over-pricing food imports as part of a broad corruption racket.

Maduro has defended CLAP as an effort to help the country weather US&nbsp;sanctions that have hobbled the OPEC nation's oil exports and made it increasingly difficult to import basic goods.

Diosdado Cabello, No. 2 of the ruling Socialist Party, delighted at the opposition's infighting.

"Nobody is clean in that corruption dispute in the opposition leadership, accusations come and go between them, they're a society of political merchants," he wrote on Twitter.

Venezuela's opposition on Sunday vowed to investigate alleged wrongdoing within its ranks after a media outlet reported that a group of opposition lawmakers had unduly advocated for a businessman linked to the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela's opposition on Sunday vowed to investigate alleged wrongdoing within its ranks after a media outlet reported that a group of opposition lawmakers had unduly advocated for a businessman linked to the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Opposition leader and congress chief Juan Guaido said the legislature would probe the incident, which according to website Armando.info involved nine legislators from the First Justice, Popular Will and A New Time parties. The scandal comes as opposition efforts to oust Maduro lose steam and Guaido, who has been recognized by more than 50 countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader, struggles to launch a new wave of street protests. "(It is) unacceptable to use a state institution to attempt to whitewash the reputation of thieves and corrupt individuals who have looted Venezuela," said Guaido, pounding a lectern as he read from notes during a press conference. According to the Armando.info report, the lawmakers were involved in writing letters of support for a Colombian national, Carlos Lizcano, despite evidence of his ties to Alex Saab, another Colombian man who is under US sanction for corruption associated with Maduro's state-backed food distribution program. It was not immediately evident if or how the legislators broke the law. Guaido said he suspected the legislators received illicit payments in exchange for writing the letters, but that this would be investigated. The letters were addressed to the US Treasury and Colombia's public prosecutor's office, according to the report. Neither institution responded to requests for comment. First Justice, Popular Will and A New Time on Sunday issued statements deploring the alleged corruption and promising to remove the lawmakers from the legislative comptroller commission, which focuses on fighting corruption. "There is a smear campaign against us and some of our fellow legislators in the Venezuelan parliament," Luis Parra, who was placed under investigation by First Justice, wrote on Twitter, insisting he had been a victim of "extortion." Freddy Superlano of Popular Will, in a letter to Guaido dated Saturday that he posted on Twitter, denied wrongdoing but said that while the investigation proceeded he was stepping down from his role as president of the comptroller commission. The distribution programme known by the Spanish acronym CLAP has become a crucial source of food for Venezuelans facing hyperinflation, which has left a minimum wage salary so devalued it can barely buy a day's groceries. But the programme has faced widespread accusations by Venezuela's opposition and US authorities of over-pricing food imports as part of a broad corruption racket. Maduro has defended CLAP as an effort to help the country weather US sanctions that have hobbled the OPEC nation's oil exports and made it increasingly difficult to import basic goods. Diosdado Cabello, No. 2 of the ruling Socialist Party, delighted at the opposition's infighting. "Nobody is clean in that corruption dispute in the opposition leadership, accusations come and go between them, they're a society of political merchants," he wrote on Twitter.

Venezuela: Opposition to investigate reports of wrongdoing by lawmakers

Cambodian opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy arrived in Malaysia on Saturday as he sought to return home to rally his supporters against strongman Hun Sen, while security was beefed up at the kingdom's borders and in Phnom Penh.

Rainsy, who has lived in self-exile in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had long promised a dramatic return on November 9, Cambodia's Independence Day.&nbsp;

But Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, vowed to bar him and other figures from his party,&nbsp;which was outlawed ahead of much-criticised elections last year.

After being blocked from getting on a France-Thailand flight on Thursday, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived at the main airport serving the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, according to an AFP journalist.

Cambodian opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy arrived in Malaysia on Saturday as he sought to return home to rally his supporters against strongman Hun Sen, while security was beefed up at the kingdom's borders and in Phnom Penh.

Cambodian opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy arrived in Malaysia on Saturday as he sought to return home to rally his supporters against strongman Hun Sen, while security was beefed up at the kingdom's borders and in Phnom Penh. Rainsy, who has lived in self-exile in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had long promised a dramatic return on November 9, Cambodia's Independence Day. But Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, vowed to bar him and other figures from his party, which was outlawed ahead of much-criticised elections last year. After being blocked from getting on a France-Thailand flight on Thursday, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived at the main airport serving the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, according to an AFP journalist.

Cambodian opposition figurehead Rainsy arrives in Malaysia

Its a D-Day for the Pakistan PM Imran Khan. The 2-day deadline that was given by the opposition expires today. Now Fazlur Rehman Threatens to 'Shut Down' Pakistan

D-Day for Pakistan PM Imran Khan; WION reports from Azadi March Camp

In all, 22 of the 27 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are Right-wing politicians in their home countries. EU panel in Srinagar for visit and Opposition put out questions. Watch this video to find out more.

EU panel in Srinagar for visit, Opposition put out questions

Imran, Opposition spar over protest venue, a mass rally in the offing against Pak PM. Watch this video to know more.

Imran, Opposition spar over protest venue, mass rally in the offing against Pak PM

A Bangladeshi court sentenced a senior opposition figure to five years in jail Tuesday for evading taxes on the sale of a car he imported when his party was last in office.

The opposition in the South Asian country has long complained that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League party -- which tightened its grip on power following elections last year -- is seeking to muzzle dissent.

Harunur Rashid, who has emerged as a prominent voice in parliament, was found guilty of evading taxes on Monday after he sold a car he had bought duty-free in 2005 when his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was in government.

He was sentenced to five years in jail and fined five million taka by a court in Dhaka "for selling the duty-free car illegally, depriving taxes to the government", court inspector Ashikur Rahman told AFP.

The owner of a private television channel who bought the car was also sentenced to two years in jail.

There was no immediate comment from the BNP, the largest opposition party, whose leader and two-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was last year jailed for 10 years on graft charges.

Rashid, also a joint secretary of the BNP, earlier this month met with the deputy leader of the Awami League in an attempt to secure bail for Zia, saying she needed medical treatment abroad.

His own conviction comes weeks after Hafizuddin Ahmed, another senior BNP figure, was arrested under contentious digital security laws on charges of spreading anti-state propaganda.

He was later granted bail.

The BNP said the arrest was carried out to "muzzle" Ahmed as he was planning to speak out against a water-sharing accord Bangladesh recently signed with India.

A former army colonel, who was reportedly a member of Zia's security team, was also arrested on the same charges.

In recent years tens of thousands of opposition activists have been arrested for various acts.

At a general election in December which was marred by allegations of widespread fraud and ballot stuffing, the Awami League tightened its grip on power, with the BNP managing to win only seven seats.

Hasina last month launched a sweeping anti-graft crackdown, arresting prominent members of her own party and sacking the influential heads of its student and youth wings.

Hasina said the drive was necessary to prevent a repeat of the January 2007 coup by the powerful military, which said tackling corruption was one of its key goals.

A Bangladeshi court sentenced a senior opposition figure to five years in jail Tuesday for evading taxes on the sale of a car he imported when his party was last in office.

A Bangladeshi court sentenced a senior opposition figure to five years in jail Tuesday for evading taxes on the sale of a car he imported when his party was last in office. The opposition in the South Asian country has long complained that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League party -- which tightened its grip on power following elections last year -- is seeking to muzzle dissent. Harunur Rashid, who has emerged as a prominent voice in parliament, was found guilty of evading taxes on Monday after he sold a car he had bought duty-free in 2005 when his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was in government. He was sentenced to five years in jail and fined five million taka by a court in Dhaka "for selling the duty-free car illegally, depriving taxes to the government", court inspector Ashikur Rahman told AFP. The owner of a private television channel who bought the car was also sentenced to two years in jail. There was no immediate comment from the BNP, the largest opposition party, whose leader and two-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was last year jailed for 10 years on graft charges. Rashid, also a joint secretary of the BNP, earlier this month met with the deputy leader of the Awami League in an attempt to secure bail for Zia, saying she needed medical treatment abroad. His own conviction comes weeks after Hafizuddin Ahmed, another senior BNP figure, was arrested under contentious digital security laws on charges of spreading anti-state propaganda. He was later granted bail. The BNP said the arrest was carried out to "muzzle" Ahmed as he was planning to speak out against a water-sharing accord Bangladesh recently signed with India. A former army colonel, who was reportedly a member of Zia's security team, was also arrested on the same charges. In recent years tens of thousands of opposition activists have been arrested for various acts. At a general election in December which was marred by allegations of widespread fraud and ballot stuffing, the Awami League tightened its grip on power, with the BNP managing to win only seven seats. Hasina last month launched a sweeping anti-graft crackdown, arresting prominent members of her own party and sacking the influential heads of its student and youth wings. Hasina said the drive was necessary to prevent a repeat of the January 2007 coup by the powerful military, which said tackling corruption was one of its key goals.

Bangladesh jails key opposition lawmaker for graft

Mozambique's main opposition party Renamo on Saturday called for this week's election to be annulled, accusing the government of breaching their peace deal by using violence and intimidation during the vote.

Partial results from Tuesday's election show President Filipe Nyusi and his ruling Frelimo party headed for a major victory but the poll was marred by claims of fraud and irregularities.

Renamo accused Frelimo of violating a "cessation of hostilities agreement" under the August peace deal which states no party should "commit acts of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political objectives".

Renamo said some of its delegates were arrested after they caught poll organisers handing out more than one Frelimo ballot paper to voters.

"There were arbitrary arrests of agents... and voters who tried to complain about anything, ballot box stuffing, being unable to exercise the right to vote," they said in a statement.

The party called for a cancellation of the vote and asked for "new elections that must be supervised by reputable entities".

The vote was seen as a test of the fragile peace deal between Frelimo and Renamo, a former rebel group.

The two sides fought a brutal civil war from 1975-1992, devastating the economy and leaving almost one million people dead.&nbsp;

They picked up arms again from 2013 to 2016, although tensions continued until the peace deal was sealed.

Mozambique's main opposition party Renamo on Saturday called for this week's election to be annulled, accusing the government of breaching their peace deal by using violence and intimidation during the vote.

Mozambique's main opposition party Renamo on Saturday called for this week's election to be annulled, accusing the government of breaching their peace deal by using violence and intimidation during the vote. Partial results from Tuesday's election show President Filipe Nyusi and his ruling Frelimo party headed for a major victory but the poll was marred by claims of fraud and irregularities. Renamo accused Frelimo of violating a "cessation of hostilities agreement" under the August peace deal which states no party should "commit acts of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political objectives". Renamo said some of its delegates were arrested after they caught poll organisers handing out more than one Frelimo ballot paper to voters. "There were arbitrary arrests of agents... and voters who tried to complain about anything, ballot box stuffing, being unable to exercise the right to vote," they said in a statement. The party called for a cancellation of the vote and asked for "new elections that must be supervised by reputable entities". The vote was seen as a test of the fragile peace deal between Frelimo and Renamo, a former rebel group. The two sides fought a brutal civil war from 1975-1992, devastating the economy and leaving almost one million people dead. They picked up arms again from 2013 to 2016, although tensions continued until the peace deal was sealed.

Mozambique opposition calls for vote to be annulled

Opposition parties in Pakistan on Tuesday labelled the ruling government's move of setting up a CPEC authority through an ordinance as "illegal".

The major opposition parties -- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) -- called it an 'illegal'&nbsp;move in violation of recommendations of the parliamentary committee concerned, Dawn reported.

PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said that "the setting up of the CPEC Authority through a presidential ordinance was a 'backdoor legislation'&nbsp;and that his party would not accept the move."

President Arif Alvi has bypassed the parliamentary committee and parliament by signing the controversial ordinance," he added.

He also added that he does not want militarisation of civil society and will take the issue up in Parliament.

The Pakistani President on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance for the establishment of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA) to ensure the timely completion of the projects.

The ordinance is reportedly aimed at accelerating the pace of CPEC-related activities, find new drivers of growth, unlock the potential of the interlinked production network and global value chains through regional and global connectivity.

Opposition parties in Pakistan on Tuesday labelled the ruling government's move of setting up a CPEC authority through an ordinance as "illegal". The major opposition parties -- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) -- called it an 'illegal' move in violation of recommendations of the parliamentary committee concerned, Dawn reported.

Opposition parties in Pakistan on Tuesday labelled the ruling government's move of setting up a CPEC authority through an ordinance as "illegal". The major opposition parties -- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) -- called it an 'illegal' move in violation of recommendations of the parliamentary committee concerned, Dawn reported. PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said that "the setting up of the CPEC Authority through a presidential ordinance was a 'backdoor legislation' and that his party would not accept the move." President Arif Alvi has bypassed the parliamentary committee and parliament by signing the controversial ordinance," he added. He also added that he does not want militarisation of civil society and will take the issue up in Parliament. The Pakistani President on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance for the establishment of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA) to ensure the timely completion of the projects. The ordinance is reportedly aimed at accelerating the pace of CPEC-related activities, find new drivers of growth, unlock the potential of the interlinked production network and global value chains through regional and global connectivity.

Pakistan opposition parties call CPECA's formation illegal

What is Congress stand on Article 370? Watch video to know more.

What is Congress stand on Article 370?

A day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, the same was tabled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Govt, Oppositon spar over J&K reorganisation bill; LS to shorty vote on Article 370

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday tabled Triple Talaq Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

''This is a matter of gender justice, dignity and equality,'' Prasad said on Triple Talaq Bill.

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-passes-triple-talaq-bill-congress-stages-walkout-238448"> Lok Sabha&nbsp;on July 25 had&nbsp;passed</a> the contentious bill to criminalise triple talaq, amidst a walkout by Opposition members accusing the government of "singling out" a community.

The bill was passed with 302 votes in favour and 82 against it.

Yesterday, the BJP had issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha lawmakers to be present in both the Houses today to support the bills introduced by the government.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, seeks to criminalise the act of instant divorce among Muslims with a three-year jail sentence for men who practice triple talaq, which has been made illegal by the Supreme Court.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday tabled Triple Talaq Bill in the Rajya Sabha. ''This is a matter of gender justice, dignity and equality,'' Prasad said on Triple Talaq Bill.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday tabled Triple Talaq Bill in the Rajya Sabha. ''This is a matter of gender justice, dignity and equality,'' Prasad said on Triple Talaq Bill. The Lok Sabha on July 25 had passed the contentious bill to criminalise triple talaq, amidst a walkout by Opposition members accusing the government of "singling out" a community. The bill was passed with 302 votes in favour and 82 against it. Yesterday, the BJP had issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha lawmakers to be present in both the Houses today to support the bills introduced by the government. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, seeks to criminalise the act of instant divorce among Muslims with a three-year jail sentence for men who practice triple talaq, which has been made illegal by the Supreme Court.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tables Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha

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