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DELHI
CITY EDITION Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08
20 Pages ₹ 12.00 RNI No. UPENG/2012/49940
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The Hindu Bureau to Germany using his di-
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU plomatic passport bearing
CAMPAIGNING ENDS the number D1135500
Voting for he Ministry of Ex- shortly after news of his
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
2 Friday, May 24, 2024
City Delhi
EDUCATIONAL
GENERAL Campaigning for Lok Sabha seats
EDUCATIONAL
GENERAL
in Delhi ends with BJP blitzkrieg
Parties and candidates make last-ditch effort to garner votes; all seven seats in Delhi to go to polls tomorrow; 162 candidates are
in the fray; Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, and Piyush Goyal hold public meetings and roadshows
B
efore the dust settled since AAP came into exis-
on the last day of tence. While it underlined
campaigning for the the “failures” of the Con-
seven Lok Sabha seats in Del- gress during its several de-
hi on Thursday, political par- cades-long rule at the
ties and candidates pulled Centre, the party attacked
out all the stops to woo vo- AAP over local issues in Del-
ters in the city that will go to hi. The INDIA bloc’s cam-
polls on May 25. paign was centred around
The lead-up to the electo- defeating the BJP to “save de-
ral battle in Delhi saw a di- mocracy”.
rect face-off between the The Opposition’s INDIA
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bloc blew the poll bugle with
and INDIA bloc partners a massive rally at the Ramlila
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Maidan on March 31, with va-
Congress, marking a depar- rious alliance partners — Sa- Star show: BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani with Chandni Chowk candidate Praveen Khandelwal at
ture from the usual triangu- majwadi Party, CPI(M), DMK, a roadshow in Ashok Vihar on Thursday; (below) AAP’s Raghav Chadha campaigning for party’s East Delhi
lar contest seen in the past 10 TMC, PDP, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kuldeep Kumar in Patparganj on Wednesday. SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA / ANI
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years. Both sides exuded and JMM — sharing the stage.
confidence of winning all se- Delhi, South Delhi, West Del-
ven seats. Heightened pitch hi and East Delhi, and for
As candidates in their res- The BJP heightened the pitch ‘Haath’ (Congress’s symbol)
pective constituencies con- last week as Mr. Modi ad- in North West, North East
ducted rallies and road- dressed two rallies in North and Chandni Chowk consti-
shows, the battle boiled East Delhi and West Delhi tuencies.
down to a contest between constituencies. Union Home AAP’s poll campaign got a
Prime Minister Narendra Mo- Minister Amit Shah also ad- shot in the arm with the re-
di and Delhi Chief Minister dressed rallies in the city. On lease of Mr. Kejriwal, who
Arvind Kejriwal. The Con- Thursday, Union Ministers was arrested by the Enforce-
gress, hoping for a resur- Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, ment Directorate (ED) on
gence in Delhi a decade after Smriti Irani, and Piyush March 21 in an excise policy-
it was pushed out of the Cap- Goyal unleashed a last-day linked money laundering lash from a section of its and the Congress raising is-
ital by AAP, managed to con- blitzkrieg. case, from Tihar Jail on inte- leaders as former Delhi Con- sues of unemployment and
vince its party workers that Several Chief Ministers of rim bail. gress chief Arvinder Singh inflation.
they were fighting a larger BJP-ruled States, including While the AAP convener Lovely announced his exit As local issues struggled
battle to save democracy and Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pra- was in jail, his wife Sunita from the party over its to find a place in the poll nar-
the Constitution by entering desh), Pushkar Singh Dhami Kejriwal held roadshows for choice of candidates and the rative, Mr. Shah, in a rally,
into an alliance with AAP. (Uttarakhand), and Pramod party candidates. Senior par- decision to enter into an al- promised to work towards
The Congress and AAP are Sawant (Goa) also cam- ty leaders Atishi, Saurabh liance with AAP. He later regularising all unauthorised
PUBLIC NOTICE fighting the polls under a 3-4 paigned here to seek votes Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh, joined the BJP. colonies by 2026 in the Capi-
seat-sharing pact. A total of for the party’s nominees. and Gopal Rai held several Charges against each oth- tal, if voted back to power.
162 candidates are in the fray The BJP has held all seven public meetings under the er for running divisive cam- AAP and the Congress pro-
with the maximum contest- seats for two consecutive party’s ‘Jail ka Jawab Vote se’ paigns were made by both mised full statehood for Del-
PUBLIC NOTICE ing from the North East Delhi terms. Hoping to wrest the campaign. sides, with the BJP leaders re- hi if INDIA bloc forms the go-
constituency. seats, AAP and the Congress The Congress, which minding people of the work vernment at the Centre.
The BJP, in its campaign sought votes for ‘Jhadu’ came out in support of the they have done at the Centre Delhi has a total of
rallies, attacked the INDIA (AAP’s party symbol) in New Delhi CM, witnessed a back- in the last 10 years, and AAP 1,52,01,936 voters.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
Friday, May 24, 2024
THE HINDU
Delhi City 3
Alisha Dutta
NEW DELHI
Vote to save
democracy,
A
ll seven Lok Sabha
seats in Delhi will
be won by the IN-
Constitution:
DIA bloc, which will form
the government at the
Sonia Gandhi
Centre at the end of the
general election, said se- The Hindu Bureau
nior Congress leader Rahul NEW DELHI
Gandhi on Thursday.
“The Lok Sabha election Rahul Gandhi addressing an election rally with Kanhaiya Kumar in Former Congress chief So-
results will surprise eve- north-east Delhi’s Dilshad Garden R.V. MOORTHY nia Gandhi on Thursday
ryone,” Mr. Gandhi added, issued a video appeal in
addressing a rally at Dilshad ing understanding of stitution, which is the which she urged the vo-
Garden while campaigning farmers’ problems and in- source of the public’s ters of Delhi to ensure vic-
for Congress’s North East ternational politics,” he voice,” he said. tory for INDIA bloc candi-
Delhi candidate Kanhaiya said. Later in the day, while dates in all seven Lok
Kumar. The Congress leader also addressing a group of wo- Sabha seats in Delhi.
The Congress MP re- attacked the PM for “chan- men voters alongside North “This election is a fight
ferred to Mr. Kumar as the nelling the country’s mo- West Delhi Congress candi- to save democracy and the
“babbar sher” (lion) of the ney towards his rich date Udit Raj, Mr. Gandhi Constitution of India. This
party while taking a dig at friends”, including billio- said the election was a bat- election is being fought on
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Prime Minister Narendra naire businessmen Gautam tle between two conflicting issues like unemploy-
Modi, who had said in an Adani and Mukesh Ambani. ideologies. ment, inflation, and the at-
interview on Wednesday “Unlike the BJP, the Con- “This is a fight between tack on constitutional in-
that “God had sent him to gress will empower the so- the RSS-linked BJP, which stitutions. You have to play
do his work”. cially and economically treats women as second- your part in this fight,” Ms.
“Kanhaiya Kumar, unlike backward sections of socie- class citizens, and our par- Gandhi said in the video
the one who claims to have ty, provide monthly sti- ty, which promises to make message, adding that ev-
been sent by the parmatma pends and jobs to the un- you financially indepen- ery vote to INDIA bloc can-
(God), understands the lo- employed, necessary dent and pay for the unpaid didates would go towards
cal issues ailing this consti- vocational training to the labour you perform in your “creating an India of
tuency while also possess- youth, and protect the Con- households,” he said. equality”.
Timings
States Delhi
INBRIEF
쑽 BJP has crossed BJP will get wiped out
310 seats in five from entire Purvanchal
phases, says Shah
The Hindu Bureau
LUCKNOW
region in U.P.: Akhilesh
On the last day of campaigning for the sixth phase, SP chief targets ruling party for ‘neglecting’
Union Home Minister Amit
U.P.’s farmers, says people now want to follow the Constitution and not listen to ‘Mann Ki Baat’
Brahmins being harassed Shah, addressing an elec-
tion rally in eastern U.P.’s
under Yogi govt.: Mayawati Siddharthnagar on Thurs- Mayank Kumar In 2019, BJP won
day, claimed that the Bha- LUCKNOW majority of seats
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Thursday ratiya Janata Party (BJP)
from the region
claimed that the condition of poor people has crossed 310 Lok Sabha ddressing a rally in
belonging to the upper castes was not good and
Brahmins in particular were being harassed
under the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.
seats in the first five phases
of polling held so far, and
added that the Congress is
Home Minister Amit Shah at a
rally in U.P.’s Siddharthnagar
A Machhlishahr Lok
Sabha constituency
as part of a whistle-stop
despite a formidable
SP-BSP coalition
Addressing an election rally in Mirzapur in not getting even 40 seats. on Thursday. PTI tour on the last day of cam-
support of party candidate Manish Tiwari, Ms. “The INDIA bloc has paigning for the sixth future of our coming gen-
Mayawati said atrocities being committed against been wiped out in the first leaders also say that they phase in Uttar Pradesh, Sa- erations. Our lives are at
minorities under the guise of Hindutva have five phases. I am telling [Pakistan] have an atom majwadi Party (SP) presi- risk under their [the BJP’s]
peaked in the State. She said the BJP was you, this time Congress is bomb. But we are not dent Akhilesh Yadav on government,” said Mr.
following wrong policies just like the Congress not even getting 40 seats scared of atom bombs. PoK Thursday asserted that Yadav.
and the NDA won’t be able to retain power at the and Akhilesh Yadav [SP is and will remain part of despite all its efforts, the
Centre if the election is fair. PTI chief ] will not even get India and we will take it ruling Bharatiya Janata Par- ‘Rise in inflation’
four seats. We [the BJP] back,” he said. ty (BJP) will be wiped out Targeting the BJP for “ne-
have crossed 310 seats,” On the issue of abroga- from the Purvanchal (east- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav with party candidate Babu glecting” the farming com-
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Mr. Shah said at the rally in tion of Article 370, the ern U.P.) region in the face Singh Kushwaha during a poll rally in Jaunpur on Thursday. PTI munity, the Leader of the
Chhattisgarh ‘coal levy scam’: support of the party’s Do-
mariyaganj Lok Sabha can-
Home Minister targeted
the Congress for ‘praising’
of the Opposition surge.
He said the way the ing [us], it seems the INDIA tion. In Machhlishahr, BJP
Opposition in U.P. Assemb-
ly referred to the party’s
two sent to EOW custody didate, Jagdambika Pal. Pakistan. “The Congress Backwards, Dalits and mi- bloc is going to win all 27 candidate B.P. Saroj had promises made in the past.
The Lok Sabha consti- said the removal of Article norities are supporting the seats in the remaining two won by a wafer-thin mar- “They had said they will
A Raipur court on Thursday remanded tuency comes under Sidd- 370 was wrong. You all tell INDIA bloc in all 27 seats of phases. Ever since we start- gin of 100-odd votes. double farmers’ income
suspended IAS officer Ranu Sahu and former harthnagar district. In me whether the removal of the region, it is certain that ed expanding the PDA fa- and make them prosper-
deputy secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office 2019, Mr. Pal won the seat Article 370 was wrong,” he the SP and the Congress mily, the BJP’s people have ‘This poll about future’ ous, but in the last 10
Soumya Chaurasia in four-day custody of the by a margin of over asked the gathering. Terro- will perform exceedingly become scared. This time, The SP president said the years, income has not in-
State’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in a case 1,05,000 votes, defeating rism ended in Kashmir and well. Fourteen of these par- Purvanchal is taking the voters are not interested in creased. Instead, inflation
linked to the alleged coal levy scam in BSP’s Aftab Alam. the nation is now fully se- liamentary seats are going PDA family along,” said Mr. listening to Prime Minister and the cost of farming
Chhattisgarh. The two were arrested in the past The Home Minister as- cure, he added. to polls on Saturday. Yadav, addressing a rally in Narendra Modi any more. have increased,” he said.
by the Enforcement Directorate in connection serted that PoK (Pakistan- Praising the law and or- “We are going to com- support of the party candi- “Now, no one wants to lis- Mr. Yadav also ad-
with the money-laundering linked scam case, occupied Kashmir) is part der situation in Uttar Pra- pletely wipe out the BJP date, Priya Saroj. ten to Mann Ki Baat [a refe- dressed a rally in Pratap-
unearthed during the previous Congress regime of India and the ruling dis- desh under the BJP govern- from Purvanchal region. In the 2019 poll, the BJP rence to the PM], everyone garh in favour of SP candi-
in the State. Mr. Sahu and Ms. Chaurasia were pensation will take it back. ment, Mr. Shah claimed The way the PDA (Pichda, won the majority of seats wants to listen to the Con- date S.P. Patel and in
arrested on Thursday and produced in the court “Leaders of Pakistan claim that mafia and anti-social Dalit, Alpsankhyak, or from the crucial region stitution and follow the Jaunpur for party nominee
of Additional District and Sessions Judge (IV) Atul that Pakistan-occupied elements had migrated Backwards, Dalits and mi- despite a formidable SP- path of the Constitution. Babu Singh Kushwaha, a
Kumar Shrivastava. PTI Kashmir is theirs. Congress from the State. norities) family is support- Bahujan Samaj Party coali- This election is about the former U.P. Minister.
Fisherman
arrested for
Amid backlash over Haryana govt.’s e-initiatives, ‘Corruption’ not part
passing Coast Oppn. vows to roll them back on coming to power of poll equation for
Guard secrets Ashok Kumar
GURUGRAM
achieve the government’s
vision of “paperless” and
Parivar Pehchan Tohana seeking greater au-
tonomy and strengthening
get it fixed. “Our Kurukshe-
tra Lok Sabha candidate,
Kurukshetra voters
Patra has been
Press Trust of India “faceless” delivery of ser- marred by privacy of panchayats. The Con- Abhay Chautala, too has
AHMEDABAD With the BJP government vices, the Parivar Pehchan gress supported the de- raised the issue in his elec-
concerns, large-scale GROUND REPORT
in Haryana facing a back- Patra has been marred by mands and Mr. Hooda, the tion speeches, promising
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism lash from a section of sta- privacy concerns and discrepancies in user chief guest at the event, to roll them back or fix the
Squad (ATS) has arrested a keholders over some of its large-scale discrepancies details, causing said the e-tendering sys- shortcomings,” he said. Vikas Vasudeva
21-year-old fisherman for e-initiatives, the Opposi- in user details, causing in- inconvenience tem was “the mother of Undeterred by the criti- KURUKSHETRA
allegedly sharing sensitive tion has turned it into an convenience to people. corruption” and would be cism, former Chief Minis-
information about the In- election issue and pro- A source in the Agricul- abolished when the party ter Manohar Lal, who is From rivals in the past to
dian Coast Guard with Pa- mised to roll them back on ture Department said Meri in panchayats had sar- forms the government. credited with most of these allies now, and from levell-
kistan-based agents, an of- coming to power. Fasal Mera Byora, which panches up in arms. They Indian National Lok Dal e-initiatives, has on more ing scam allegations to
ficial said on Thursday. Congress leader and provides multiple services accused the government of spokesperson Rakesh Si- than one occasion thanked nominating the same per-
former CM Bhupinder to farmers through a single trying to weaken the pan- hag told The Hindu that the the Opposition leaders for son as party candidate, Ku-
‘Received money’ Singh Hooda, who has of- portal, was a good initia- chayati raj system by tak- party was the first to raise referring to the govern- rukshetra Lok Sabha seat A woman walks past defaced
Jatin Charania, 21, a resi- ten described the govern- tive, but poor implementa- ing away rights and routing the issue of inconvenience ment as “Portals Ki Sar- in Haryana offers an inter- political graffiti. FILE PHOTO
dent of Porbandar, alleged- ment as “Portals Ke Sar- tion and loopholes not just all works through officials. and hassles caused by the kar”. He has expressed esting political equation.
ly received money for shar- kar”, has vowed to scrap its caused hassles to farmers introduction of e-initiatives confidence that voters, However, the voters of this political parties that have
ing photographs and flagship programmes — Pa- but also led to instances of Seeking autonomy as the portals did not func- who have benefited from constituency do not seem been making tall claims
information about Coast rivar Pehchan Patra and fraud and corruption. In November last year, the tion properly and often the hassle-free delivery of keen to factor that in. and promises to eradicate
Guard vessels and jetty in Meri Fasal Mera Byora — if The introduction of e- Haryana Sarpanch Asso- wrong information was services, will give a befit- While corruption was a ‘corruption’.
the coastal town, the ATS the party returns to power. tendering for development ciation held a Panchayati uploaded, making people ting reply to those threa- key aspect for all parties to
said in a release. Launched in July 2019 to works worth over ₹2 lakh Raj Adhikar Bachao rally in run from pillar to post to tening to roll them back. target each other during ‘No moral ground’
the campaigning, the issue Mr. Singh, who owns
appears to have lost rele- around 10 acres of farm-
vance with the voters. land, said, “The corrup-
South Delhi’s urban villages seek their slice of the pie Kurukshetra,
votes on May 25, was a
Congress bastion before
which tion issue is insignificant,
hardly anyone is bothered.
Political parties join hands
the BJP’s Raj Kumar Saini for political gains. AAP al-
Satvika Mahajan from South Delhi — BJP’s of Delhi Panchayat Union, “Despite the area being was elected from this seat ways kept criticising the
NEW DELHI Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and says, “A big problem resi- better developed than in 2014. Nayab Singh Saini Congress but now both
Aam Aadmi Party’s Sahi dents of South Delhi’s ur- most others in the vicinity, won it for the BJP in 2019. have come together. So
Beyond the upscale locali- Ram — are well-known Guj- ban villages face is the ow- people here continue to He replaced Manohar Lal where do they stand
ties of Saket and Vasant jar faces. While the BJP no- nership of their land and suffer from petty crimes as Haryana Chief Minister morally?”
Kunj lies an area once minee hails from the same houses. The issue affects a such as theft.” in March this year. He added, “Naveen Jin-
called ‘Dilli Dehat’ — a clus- village as the former BJP population of nearly 5 lakh Abhishek Singh, the ca- This time, it is practical- dal was an accused in the
ter of nearly 100 villages MP, the AAP candidate people. So, when people retaker of a home in Kalka- ly a direct contest between coal block allocation scam
spread across Lado Sarai, comes from Tehkhand from these areas go out to ji, says, “Here, once the Naveen Jindal (BJP) and during the UPA govern-
Palam, Kapashera, and ad- village. vote, they are likely to garbage starts piling up, it Sushil Gupta (AAP). As per ment. The BJP has in the
joining areas where farm- Delhi is scheduled to think about the candidate continues to accumulate the seat-sharing agreement past targeted him over cor-
ing was the biggest source vote on Saturday. who promised them a de- for days until compelled by of the INDIA bloc parties, ruption but now he is their
of livelihood. Over time, finitive resolution.” thousands of phone calls AAP got one Lok Sabha candidate. I will vote consi-
with the arrival of develop- Shrinking farms Explaining the problem, by residents, the authori- seat while the Congress is dering what the govern-
ment projects and busi- Sixty-nine-year-old Rajjo Mr. Yadav says over the ties decide to clear it.” contesting the remaining ment — at the Centre and in
nesses, farmlands gave Devi, while tending to her past several decades, many nine in Haryana. the State — did for me as a
way to residential spaces, cattle in Lado Sarai, says, people in ‘Dilli Dehat’ built Poll promises Indian National Lok Dal farmer.”
and most vil- “Till about their homes on land that One of the main poll and Jannayak Janata Party In Thanesar, Pawan Ku-
lages be- 20 years ago, was demarcated to be out- planks in Mr. Ramvir Singh ( JJP) candidates are also in mar, who is self-employed,
came people here side the village boundar- Bidhuri’s campaign is the the fray. expressed similar senti-
urbanised. depended ies, as a result of which promise to regularise Del- The electioneering saw ments. “Corruption as an
However, mainly on they had no papers to hi’s unauthorised colonies. the candidates hit top gear issue always attracts atten-
‘Dilli Dehat’, where Jats agriculture to support their prove ownership rights. At a rally that Union in the rising heat covering tion, but what I feel is that
and Gujjars have a sizeable families. Then the Delhi Families that inherited Home Minister Amit Shah the urban and rural re- political parties use it for
presence, continues to Development Authority these properties found it held on May 20 in South gions for maximum im- their convenience solely to
hold sway over South Del- started taking possession difficult to sell them or take Delhi’s Sangam Vihar in pact. While AAP accused get votes and support. The
hi’s politics. The former of land parcels and resi- loans against them. support of the party candi- the BJP government in the way BJP earlier targeted
two-time BJP MP of the dential colonies started date, he said the BJP-led State of patronising ‘cor- Naveen Jindal and then
parliamentary constituen- coming up.” High crime rate Central government, after ruption’, and promising to fielded him as their candi-
cy, Ramesh Bidhuri, a pop- She adds that Lado Sarai Away from the urban vil- winning the election, will eradicate it, the BJP assert- date, what does this show?
ular Gujjar face of the par- now has no agricultural about the lack of basic have access to the same lages, people living in ensure that all unauthor- ed that their administra- It is a repeat of the same
ty, hails from South Delhi’s land, and only a handful of amenities, such as irregu- luxuries as them [farm- neighbourhoods closer to ised colonies in Delhi are tion had firmly acted story with the Congress
Tughlakabad village. Be- the nearly 1,500 families lar water supply and poor- house dwellers]. They get central Delhi say traffic regularised by 2026. against ‘corruption’ and gi- and AAP joining hands.”
fore Mr. Bidhuri, Con- living there still have cattle. ly maintained roads. clean water; we get gar- congestion, high crime Meanwhile, Mr. Sahi ven people a ‘transparent’ Pawan Sonti in Ladwa
gress’s Ramesh Kumar, a As one moves towards bage and broken sewers. rate, and cleanliness are Ram has spoken about government. said, “Politicians promise
Jat, was the Lok Sabha Chhattarpur, which houses Voice of dissent We are perhaps not as im- their major concerns. working for the welfare of Far from all this, Amrik several things during the
member from the seat. some of the fanciest farm- Sipping tea in front of a portant for the Chhavi Sharma, a la- urban villages and ensur- Singh, a farmer in Radaur election season and then
This time as well, both houses in the National Cap- huge farmhouse, Dharam authorities.” wyer based in South Del- ing that all the basic amen- town, is least concerned most of them conveniently
the primary contestants ital Region, residents talk Pal, 78, says, “We don’t Than Singh Yadav, chief hi’s East of Kailash, says, ities are provided to them. and said he has lost faith in forget them.”
Published by Nirmala Lakshman and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRP Act).
ISSN 0971 - 751X
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Friday, May 24, 2024 5
Delhi
States
A rallies in Haryana
and Punjab ahead
of the sixth phase of polls
tution to the SCs, STs, and
OBCs and give it to those
who do “vote jihad”.
ty of the INDIA bloc.
The PM said he is the
watchman of the rights of
the Election Commission
of delaying the release of
voter data to find a scape-
‘Ineffective CM’
During a rally in support of
BJP’s Patiala candidate Pre-
Upping the ante against
Kerala Governor Arif Mo-
hammed Khan, Higher
High Court order quashing
the Governor’s nomina-
tions to the Kerala Univer-
on May 25, Prime Minister Campaigning for Dha- the deprived and has come goat for its imminent loss. neet Kaur, Mr. Modi target- Education Minister R. Bin- sity Senate, she claimed his
Narendra Modi on Thurs- rambir Singh, the BJP’s to assure them that no one “Every vote cast for the ed the Bhagwant Mann-led du has accused him of at- nominees lacked outstand-
day accused the Congress candidate for the Bhiwani- can take away their reser- Congress will be a waste, AAP government in Punjab tempting to “saffronise” ing academic credentials.
and its INDIA bloc allies of Mahendragarh Lok Sabha vation as long as he is alive. since it can never form a and said the sand mining the higher education sec- She claimed various
dividing the country into seat in Haryana, Mr. Modi, Mr. Modi said the Con- government,” he said, ad- and drug mafia are having tor in the State. court judgments, including
Narendra Modi with Dharambir three nations, including referring to a recent High gress, if it has its way, will ding that INDIA bloc par- a free run. He said the “ka- Dr. Bindu also charged the recent one, have pro-
Singh, BJP candidate for the two Muslim ones, to “ap- Court order cancelling five arrest people for even ut- ties are saying they will gazi (ineffective) CM” is bu- Mr. Khan with sabotaging ven that the Governor’s in-
Bhiwani-Mahendragarh seat in pease their vote bank”, lakh OBC certificates in tering the word “Ram”. He have five PMs in five years sy attending the party’s reforms that were being terventions were not in the
Haryana, on Thursday. ANI and saying Muslims have West Bengal, said the re- said it wants to obliterate if voted to power. “INDI Al- “Delhi Darbar”. implemented by the State right direction.
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up against TMC, CPI(M) rivals
Tough fight: (From left) Debangshu Bhattacharya (TMC), Abhijit Gangopadhyay (BJP) and Sayan
Banerjee (CPI-M) are locked in a battle for Tamluk Lok Sabha seat. DEBASISH BHADURI
If you have
any respect
for me, come
back, Gowda
warns Prajwal
The Hindu Bureau
BENGALURU
SPOTLIGHT
Delhi
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Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the BJP candidate for the Amritsar parliamentary constituency, walking along with his supporters through the streets of Attari village seeking votes during his campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The saffron
MSP worth only ₹7.5 lakh crore. In contrast, dur- pealed farm laws. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election,
ing the 10 years of the Modi government, agricul- the BJP had contested three seats — Amritsar,
tural produce worth ₹20 lakh crore has been pro- Hoshiarpur, and Gurdaspur — while SAD fielded
cured from farmers at MSP. Previously, farmers candidates in the remaining 10. When the results
faced delays in receiving payments, but now the were announced, the BJP and SAD won two seats
funds are directly deposited into their bank ac- each, while the Congress secured eight and AAP
counts,” he said. clinched one.
push in Punjab The BJP’s pitch is also that the Centre has
worked towards securing the interests of Sikhs,
and local issues that need the intervention of the
Union government can be resolved once the BJP
is re-elected at the Centre. Punjab BJP president
Sunil Jakhar says, “The issues of the agitating
farmers can only be addressed by the next BJP go-
After parting ways with the SAD, the BJP in-
ducted several Sikhs into the party, including
former Chief Minister and Congress leader Ama-
rinder Singh in 2022, and former Congress leader
Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi in 2021. Hindus too, in-
cluding Jakhar — a senior Congress leader — were
brought on board.
The BJP is trying to garner the support of the Sikhs by recruiting social and political influencers
vernment at the Centre.” While in alliance with the SAD, the BJP’s base
from the community and spreading the message of being pro-farmer in a State driven by At a public rally in Attari village, situated on had largely been urban Punjab. Now, it is at-
agriculture. Vikas Vasudeva finds mixed feelings about the party’s campaign on the ground the India-Pakistan border, attended by a few tempting to reach out to rural areas, especially to
hundred people, Sandhu entreats people not to the farming Jat Sikhs, who traditionally support-
see their local problems in isolation, but to think ed the Congress and lately AAP, which came to
n the May heat in the land of five rivers, es to waive the debt of farmers and ensure a legal of solving them at the national level. “We have an power in the 2022 Assembly election.
metroPLUS
Y cognitive behaviour and seeking
Catalyst (Below) Director treatment. Unfortunately, there is
Pen to cherish
Ashwin Agrawal; with his not much awareness among doctors
cast on the sets of Broken and the people suffering are not
Mirror. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT vocal. They often lock themselves up
in darkness, wear masks or have
delusions. That is why a lot of cases
remain uncured and end up in the
Crafted by NOTE, the 100% biodegradable
mental health spectrum. pen has a recycled paper refill, non-toxic
Ashwin ink, and metal, paper, or bamboo exterior
Q: Tell us little more about your work
Agrawal makes A: I don’t make films for
entertainment. I make them to shake
short indies on and wake people up. In every such Nidhi Adlakha
work you need a story where the
misunderstood main character is struggling, but
nidhi.adlakha@thehindu.co.in
conditions to then it can’t be shown for too long. id you know that over
convey positive
Due to the dearth of funds, I made
short films but I find they have no
recovery. Short films are shared on
D 50 billion ballpoint
pens are trashed every
year? And that 95% of a
messages of revenue-basis, they are rarely sold.
So, this time I decided to shift to a
conventional pen is made of
plastic. Over seven years ago,
self-acceptance two-hour format feature film for
profit as it gave me the space to
Saurabh H Mehta set out on a
mission to craft a pen sans
and self-love explore. Recognition is better and it
is easy for filmmakers to sell the film
plastic and has launched what
he claims is the world’s first X
or finance your own film on a tight 100% biodegradable pen. Useful invention The eco-friendly
budget. With a background in pens; and (below) Saurabh Mehta.
sustainability and innovation, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Q: Why have you directed two of your and after working in the
films in English? energy access sector across It involved numerous
Healing
Soma Basu A: The first short film I directed was South and South-East Asia, experiments and trials over
soma.basu@thehindu.co.in Crossroads, highlighting the issues of Saurabh returned to Delhi in four years, particularly with
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
abandonment. I read a lot and for 2017 to step into his family crafting a recycled paper
rom an acting coach to instance, found out there are 21 ways business of plastic ballpoint cylinder that needed a precise
X
Geetika Sachdev Edible stories Huevos Rancheros and
STEPOUT Truffle mac and cheese served at
t the upscale Horizon Marieta in Gurugram. SPECIAL
쑺 Of labouring
mothers
Baroda-based artist,
A Plaza on Gurugram’s Golf
Course Road known for
its limited but premium dining
ARRANGEMENT
A Latin
aspects of the labour room process. Come restaurant. This artwork also sets bread and the Harissa grilled
with your Own Light is her solo show that the tone for what diners can chicken wings, a spicy dish
captures complex emotions and difficult expect ahead. balanced with the pleasingly
spaces. “She’s an avid traveller who complex sweetness of hot
love affair
At Latitude 28, F-208, First Floor, Lado Sarai; has explored the globe and is yet honey.
Till June 15; 10.30am to 7pm rooted in her Latin-American Marièta also has a selection
culture. This thought has of tacos on the menu with a
inspired the immersive food and choice of fillings including tofu,
cocktail programme at the spicy sweet potato, pulled
restaurant,” says Chaitanya Marieta’s Latin-American-inspired chicken, crispy fish, blackened
Mathur, co-founder of Marièta, menu includes agave-forward shrimp, or pork belly.
and the person behind popular I also sample the truffle mac
dining and nightlife cocktails and a selection of tacos and cheese with bacon, which is
establishments in Delhi like Dear God, named after indulgent, but not especially
Donna, Bohca, and Dirty Jungle. the iconic moment when the late innovative.
The restaurant’s USP is its not a passing trend; tequila is Next, I am recommended the legendary footballer Diego On to the desserts — I
쑺 Gourmet twist selection of agave-forward here to stay.” Second Date, a signature Maradona made history during particularly enjoy the chocolate
Chef Kunal Kapur offers an exquisite limited cocktails prepared with fresh My first order is a familiar offering, served in a dainty coupe the Argentina vs England picante with chilli chocolate
edition jackfruit-based special menu. He has ingredients, including Picante, which bowls me over glass with an imprint of a quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA cremeux, pineapple compote,
created gourmet style dishes elevating the homemade syrups and bitters. with its unusual flavour profile. kiss. While it is almost too pretty World Cup. This cheeky take on and brandy snap. The zing of
culinary journey with the fruit. The menu Chaitanya explains, “Over the Typically, this cocktail has to drink, I dive straight into this the margarita is a blend of citrusy chilli in every bite alongside the
includes jackfruit galauti, seekh kebab, nihari past decade, tequila has jalapeño as the dominant layered cocktail, a blend of and smoky flavours. It combines tanginess of pineapple is a match
and tawa pulao among other dishes. experienced a remarkable ingredient; however, at Marièta, tequila blanco, agave, and sake, tequila blanco and mezcal with made in heaven.
At Quarter Plate, H-10/A, Tower E, evolution. Mixologists across the the concoction has a spicy-fruity enhanced with the tropical lemongrass, yuzu, lime and
SkymarkOne, Sector 98, Noida; Till June 10; globe are exploring its versatility taste with the addition of berries. flavours of kaffir lime and orange coriander salt for a refreshing
12.30pm to 11.30pm; ₹2,400 plus tax for two to craft innovative cocktails There’s also Cointreau for a hint blossom. drink. Price for two (with alcohol) is
beyond the classic margarita. It’s of sweetness. Star of the show is Hand of The food menu is equally ₹3,500 plus taxes
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
8 Friday, May 24, 2024
Editorial Delhi
T
he announcement by Ireland, Norway, dastardly crimes committed against hapless regime chants paeans of women’s empowerment in heinous cases.
and Spain, of their intent to formally re- is Chairman of
women in its precincts. So strong is the DeepStrat, a former and Nari Shakti. Every Budget, central or State, allocates more
cognise the state of Palestine, next week, pernicious grip of the family over the polity that The speed with which action proceeded after funds towards women welfare. Every statement
Central Information
is one more important sign of the changing tide none of the survivors being exploited since 2021 Commissioner and a accused escaped is as impressive as the laggardly on law and order in Parliament or outside
of international opinion that Israel Prime Minis- had the courage to speak up or lodge a complaint retired IPS officer who moves before. The first case was lodged a day mentions zero tolerance of crimes against
ter Benjamin Netanyahu cannot afford to ignore. until the sordid drama was forced into the open, served as Secretary, after the flight of the accused. The SIT was then women. Laws have been strengthened, rules
In just the past month, in the UN General As- with some political help. Security, and Special formed. The survivor’s statement was arranged amended and yet when it comes to the crunch,
sembly, 143 countries, including India, passed a Director, Intelligence before a magistrate and an LOC was issued. MLA punitive action does not measure up to
resolution calling for the recognition of the Pales- Many questions Bureau
HD Revanna, the father of the accused who is also expectations.
tinian state by the UN Security Council, where The case of missing Janata Dal (Secular) Member allegedly involved in the case, was arrested on The present case reveals inaction on all fronts.
the U.S. has vetoed such a move. Earlier this of Parliament, Prajwal Revanna, who is allegedly May 4 for allegedly kidnapping a victim of sexual Ideally, the JD(S) should have expelled the MP the
week, the International Criminal Court Prosecu- at the centre of this crime plot, is a telling assault and released on bail after a few days. More same day that the case was registered. His
tor moved applications for arrest warrants for Mr. commentary of a broken criminal justice system women, from various walks of life, summoned passport too should have been cancelled under
Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for and the shadow of politics looming large over the courage to lay bare the brutal assault on their the Passport Act since the Central government
operations after October 7 in Gaza as well as the every aspect of administrative and police bodies. As of now, several rape cases have been has the powers to revoke it on reasonable
Hamas leadership for the terror attack that killed functioning. After all, how can one, no matter registered. grounds such as involvement in criminal acts. As
1,200 in Israel, terming these as “war crimes”. how important he or she is, go beyond the reach But the accused is missing and unlikely to pointed out above, the state police have already
On Friday, the International Court of Justice will of law for so many days after allegedly return to India before the election results. In our failed to apprehend the MP in time. The senior
pronounce another verdict in the petition by committing such heinous crimes? Who is democracy criminals have as good a chance of officers too buckled under pressure. Moreover,
South Africa calling for additional measures in responsible for this abject failure to apprehend victory in polls as others. Maybe, as an MP, he still despite having knowledge of the MP’s nefarious
the prosecution of Israel for “genocide”. The lat- him in time? expects some privileges during his arraignment. acts, the BJP and the JD(S) backed his nomination
est decision by the three countries, that have Reportedly, various pen drives containing for fighting the elections and even the Prime
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
been vocal in their criticism of Israel — they join grisly scenes of the alleged rape, and sexual Reaching out to Interpol Minister campaigned for him. Was this an
eight EU members that have already recognised assault against at least 100 survivors, were strewn The Central Bureau of Investigation is the intelligence failure, or did the information on him
Palestinian statehood — may not materially across public locations, such as the Maharaja interface with Interpol in our country. The State not matter?
change the situation on the ground. But it is stadium, parks and other places, on April 24, just police must register their information with the
meant to be what the Irish Taoiseach Simon Har- two days before the polling in Hassan. This ought CBI to reach out to Interpol for locating, The plight of the survivors
ris referred to as an “act of powerful political and to have been the first clue for police to act. The apprehending any accused. But as of now only a No one can say how soon the lost ground can be
symbolic value” to Israel, especially as it essays prosecution branch should have been consulted blue corner notice (BCN) has been issued by the retrieved. But in the meantime, the SIT should
what could be the “final assault” on Rafah. While for acting upon the minefield of information Interpol and not a red corner notice (RCN). have more women officers and investigators to
practically every country has condemned Ha- leading to the accused. Especially as he was Interpol notices are basically to share critical, reach out to all the women victims. Such crimes
mas’s terror attacks, Mr. Harris said it would be a known to all, the police should have sent a notice crime-related information between member cannot go unpunished because of delays,
mistake to ignore the legitimate Palestinian go- to the alleged perpetrator, Prajwal Revanna, that, countries, seeking international cooperation for technical lacunae, poor investigation or weak
vernment in the West Bank, saying that “Hamas pending enquiry, he should not leave the city or tracing or apprehending fugitives in any part of prosecution. One expected a nation’s outcry
is not the Palestinian people”. Norway’s Prime should have gone to the court for a restraining the world. Various types of notices are issued by against such a hardened criminal. There is no
Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that the move order, registering a case suo motu. A look out the Interpol – red, yellow, blue, black, green, media trial since the media was already gagged
aimed to support “moderate forces that are on a circular (LOC), should have been issued by the orange, and purple. In the context of this case, by the court order on the appeal of the accused.
retreating front in a protracted and cruel con- immigration authorities at the request of the BCN is to collect additional information about Every section of society should join hands in
flict”. Spain’s action followed its denial of port fa- Karnataka police to prevent the accused from a person’s location, identity or activities in crying out for justice for the survivors.
cilities to a Danish-flagged ship with explosive escaping via an airport. Yet, nothing was done relation to a criminal investigation while an RCN As the nation awaits the trial of a man in a case
material from India meant for Israel, which it said and the accused escaped on the strength of his
Parliamentary is issued for seeking the location and arrest of the involving perhaps the world’s most horrific
was a firm policy now. Israel’s response, howev- diplomatic passport to Germany without visa, proceedings person wanted for prosecution or to serve a incidents of crimes against women, the most
er, has been to recall its envoys and summon the one day after the polls. mention ‘zero sentence. heart-breaking image in the case — of a
envoys of all three countries for a dressing down. Why did the police not act in time? Why was tolerance of The BCN has drawn no response so far. The 48-year-old loyal household help, who served the
In the immediate future, the multiple messag- the Special Investigation Team (SIT) not RCN requires a court warrant for arrest which father and grandfather of the accused for years,
crimes against
es of near-global consensus are meant to push Is- constituted on the same day? Were they busy was only issued by the court on May 19, on the pleading with folded hands to the accused while
rael’s government to rethink its plans for Rafah, women’, yet,
with elections, or perhaps the prospect of acting when it comes plea of the SIT. Accordingly, RCN would be or the accused sexually assaulted her — will continue
to stop more civilian losses, and to allow human- against the accused on their own was too already is issued against the accused. The path is to send shivers down the spine of people for
itarian aid free access into Gaza. But in the longer daunting for the local police. But then, the
to the crunch, also clear for cancellation of his passport. years to come. No punishment can ever be
term, they are meant to remind Mr. Netanyahu information about videos was known much punitive action But this not a signal that the accused may be enough for such a dastardly crime.
that even if he has disassociated himself from the earlier to higher authorities, when the gag order in India fails imminently arriving in India. He has the option to
“two-state solution”, this is something the world on media was imposed by the court on airing spectacularly go to the courts and he can remain abroad with The views expressed are personal
believes is the road map to peace. By turning deaf
to these messages, Mr. Netanyahu is only further-
ing his isolation, especially from an international
community that came out in full sympathy on Oc-
tober 7, but has grown increasingly horrified by
the military campaign since then.
A visit to preserve China’s interests in Europe
T
he Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first trip The goals of French President Emmanuel investment. Newer plans exist for railways to link
Snap poll to Europe (except Russia) in five years,
earlier this month, was carefully
Macron were fairly straightforward — to promote
French trade interests as well as to push China to
Chinese factories in eastern Hungary to markets
in western Europe. CATL, the giant Chinese
Rishi Sunak seems to have sensed constructed as evidenced by his ports of call — stop supplying weapons components to Moscow. battery company, is setting up a plant to supply
France, Serbia and Hungary. The first is a leading He did his own messaging by meeting the Tibetan German EV makers. The Chinese EV giant, BYD,
a window of opportunity for his party proponent of the notion of “strategic autonomy” Sikyong (Prime Minister of the government in which hopes to capture the European market,
of Europe, the second is a non-North Atlantic Manoj Joshi exile) Penpa Tsering on the eve of the Xi visit. has chosen the southern Hungarian city Szeged
P
rime Minister Rishi Sunak sprung a sur-
prise election announcement when he Treaty Organization, non-European Union (EU) is Distinguished In Paris, Mr. Xi also met with the European to set up its first factory in Europe.
revealed that the United Kingdom would outlier close to Russia, and the third is a Fellow, Observer Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who Hungary is today the closest ally of China
head to the polls on July 4. While the incumbent pro-Russian maverick that has blocked many Research Foundation, has advocated a policy of “de-risking” from China within the EU and it provides China access to the
government of the Conservative Party was not re- resolutions criticising China in EU. New Delhi by reducing dependence on Chinese imports and world’s largest trading bloc. Its world view is at
quired to call for an election until January 2025, technology. Both Mr. Macron and the EU chief odds with its Eastern European neighbours who
almost since the day Mr. Sunak entered 10 Down- World events, visit’s goals urged China to ensure a more balanced trade are wary of Russian aggressiveness, and by
ing Street, most polls have suggested that his par- The COVID-19 pandemic had the effect of closing with Europe. extension, China.
ty would lose the next election by a margin of ov- off China to the rest of the world for an extended France is united with the EU on the issue of the
er 20%, the likes of which are “usually only seen period, forcing Beijing to re-adjust its global cost advantage that Chinese EVs have over Between eastern and western Europe
at exceptionally bad moments in the midterm”. It investment goals because of economic problems. European cars. While the Chinese are keen to China had sought to develop ties with eastern
is possible that Mr. Sunak and his team seized Indeed, Mr. Xi did not travel abroad for two and a ride on the strength of their EV industry, the European countries through the so-called 17+1
upon the political capital that may accrue to half years and has not been too frequent a Europeans are equally keen to protect their car China and Eastern Europe (CEE) community to
them from the recent announcement that the traveller even after the restrictions were lifted last manufacturers. serve as a gateway for markets in rich western
U.K.’s inflation rate has dropped to 2.3%, the low- year. In 2019, the EU had recast its doctrine to Europe. However, this has now fallen victim to
est in at least three years. There might have been In this period, the world had been turned define China as “a partner for cooperation, an the Ukraine war which has strained ties between
a few other factors including a positive assess- upside down geopolitically by the Russian economic competitor and a systemic rival.” A China and many of the Eastern European
ment of Mr. Sunak’s cabinet in steadying the eco- invasion of Ukraine. In the meantime, the sceptical Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has countries which are backing Ukraine. In all
nomic ship in the post-COVID-19 scenario, and a China-United States trade war has morphed into a described it as driving to a crossing where the fairness the CEE had begun to pall even before
legal victory securing the government’s plans to technology war and the Biden administration has lights are simultaneously green, yellow and red. the invasion of Ukraine as the countries realised
implement immigration reforms that will see broadened and intensified the technology But this somewhat convoluted formulation seeks that despite promises, the Chinese remained
some asylum seekers sent to Rwanda to have restriction regime on China. In the U.S. and to balance Europe’s China policy between the focused on western Europe.
their applications processed there. Europe, accusations of Chinese dumping of economic opportunity it sees there, with the risks Europe itself figures large in Beijing’s world
While it is true that polls suggest voter frustra- cheap goods have intensified and there are calls from China’s economic policy and its national view. Among the key Belt and Road Initiative
tion at the end of 14 unbroken years of rule by the for retaliation. A lot of them focus on electric security postures. (BRI) projects have been railways linking China to
Conservative Party, Mr. Sunak’s comment that vehicles (EV), an area where China has emerged a Europe via Central Asia. With the help of
this election will take place at a time where the world leader. The focus on Hungary high-speed trains, the Chinese aim is to crunch
world is “more dangerous than it has been at any Mr. Xi had three goals — to prevent the EU Mr. Xi got a warm welcome in Serbia and the overland distance between themselves and
point since the end of the Cold War”, is not with- from getting too close to the U.S., to avert a trade The Chinese Hungary which do not otherwise attract prosperous Europe, which they see as a market
out merit. Indeed, the denouement of the long- standoff with EU and to bolster China’s standing President’s trip top-drawer visitors. Chinese foreign direct for their increasingly sophisticated products.
drawn Russian invasion of Ukraine could make or in Europe. He has had to do all this in the face of to Europe was a investment in Serbia is growing and it has Given the global developments, Mr. Xi’s visit
break the security paradigm for Europe and the the fallout of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that invested $5.5 billion in the country, mainly in can be seen as a defensive one, aimed at
carefully
U.K., including not only serious questions regard- has hardened the western alliance against Russia, copper mining and a steel processing plant. The preserving Chinese interests in Europe in the face
with China having to sustain some collateral constructed one big investment common to both countries has of adverse geopolitics. But visits to Hungary and
ing territorial sovereignty on the eastern front
but also energy security with knock-on effects for damage. It has also had an indirect influence in in the face of been in the upgradation of the Belgrade-Budapest Serbia, though high on the friendship front, are
prospects for economic stability. Similarly, the shaping negative EU views on China’s trade adverse high-speed railway project, and there are plans not likely to break much ice with the rest of
churn in West Asia, including the humanitarian policy. geopolitics for more roads, tunnels and bridges with Chinese Europe which is increasingly sceptical of China.
tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the strategic churn
punctuated by the threat of war in the Iran im-
broglio, will have echoes throughout the region LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
and certainly for the U.K. Finally, it is unclear that
even with the Rwanda plan receiving a legal ECI’s appeal notwithstanding, but one Recognising Palestine merciless annihilation of It is in the spirit of ending restoring peace.
green light, the Sunak government has been able The Election Commission of wonders whether this has We are long past the gory Palestine by Israel has at the long-drawn battle Reshaping its foreign
to have a tangible impact on small boat crossings India (ECI) asking political been adhered to this time. wars of the Middle Ages and last managed to kindle between Israel and policies towards the new
at a broad level. Contrarily, government statistics parties, in particular the two There has been mudslinging even the conflicts in Korea human sensitivity. The Palestine for peace to exist world order is the dire need.
indicate that even though such arrivals dropped national parties, to desist and blame games, with or Vietnam that bordered move by Spain, Norway and in West Asia that Ireland, The U.S. should venture to
by around 33% during 2022 and 2023, boat cross- from raising divisive issues each side believing itself to on human savagery. Yet, in Ireland to recognise Norway and Spain have do this in the light of the
ings for 2024 are at a “record high” by compari- has come a bit too late. be a paragon. The ECI has a the ongoing conflict in Palestine as a state i formally decided to havoc it creates by its
son, and between January 1 and May 21 of this With the election almost major role to play in Gaza, the horrors are being acknowledges that it has a recognise the state of mindless interventions.
year more than 9,800 people crossed the U.K.’s nearing to an end, the conducting polls the proper reenacted. Proportionate right to sovereignty as any Palestine. N. Visveswaran,
border through such means. In this context, his important guideline would way. With all the machinery response in hostilities is fair other nation. Nations must This is a good gesture for Chennai
remark that the Labour Party would want people not meet its true objective and with the powers that and revenge endorse this movement to others to follow. Letters emailed to
to think “this election is over before it’s even be- and purpose. are bestowed on it, cannot understandable, but enable the restoration of The U.S. should cease letters@thehindu.co.in
gun” might not be wrong, but he and his col- Most politicians and parties the ECI have done better? bloodlust does no credit to peace in this region. interventions in the must carry the full postal
leagues would do well to ask where the opposi- are seasoned campaigners, Balasubramaniam Pavani, humankind in this day and R. Narayanan, crisis-ridden countries in address and the full name or
tion’s confidence in this regard stems from. the moral code of conduct Secunderabad age. The attempt at a Navi Mumbai West Asia and focus on the name with initials.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Friday, May 24, 2024 9
Delhi
Opinion
E
arlier this month, the Supreme Court Action against malpractice is one thing, but to SS: Action against malpractice is one thing, but
ruled that advocates cannot be held compensate an aggrieved consumer is to compensate an aggrieved consumer is
liable under the Consumer Protection another. As we have an ombudsman for the another. As we have an ombudsman for the
Rajeshwari Act, 1986, for deficiency in service. insurance, banking, and electricity sectors,
Sekar insurance, banking, and electricity sectors,
The Court also indicated that its 1995 decision maybe [we should have] an independent
that held medical professionals accountable maybe we should have an independent authority to deal with these issues as a first step.
is a
medico-legal under the Act may need to be revisited. It authority to deal with these issues in the The consumer should always have the option to
expert in suggested that the definition of the term medical sector too. file a case before the consumer courts. But as a
Chennai with ‘services’ under the Act, which includes the SAROJA SUNDARAM first redress, we could have a body where the
over 18 years of medical sector, be re-examined. The issue will matter could be taken to first. Similarly, we have
experience be placed before a larger Bench. Should doctors, the option of mediation under the Consumer
handling
like lawyers, be kept out of the Consumer Commission on appeal, and then to the National Protection Act. As of now, medical negligence is
consumer court
cases and
Protection Act? Rajeshwari Sekar and Saroja Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. It not covered under it. That is something we
medical cases Sundaram discuss the question in a conversation An operation theatre. GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO takes 10 harrowing years to prove that you are could work on.
moderated by Aroon Deep. Edited excerpts: innocent. It’s an experience that really takes the
misconduct and take action on erring doctors, spirit out of doctors. The doctor is rendering a Do grievance redressal forums actually draw
Is it appropriate for patients to take recourse but how will it benefit the affected patient or service. He is highly qualified, just like an a distinction between explicit malpractice
to the Consumer Protection Act? family? I don’t think the National Medical advocate. He is ready to help the patient. But and adverse outcomes that follow a risk that
Council has the powers to award compensation these are the problems — delays and frivolous was present in some way or the other? How
Rajeshwari Sekar: It is a welcome decision by to patients for the injuries they sustained. There litigation. And there are people who just don’t can physicians safeguard themselves against
Saroja the Supreme Court to revisit the facts of the 1995 may be provisions in civil and criminal law, but want to pay doctors, so they come up with some litigation in cases where they genuinely did
Sundaram case; it will give a better explanation for the criminal law may be brought into effect only in case to cause trouble. It takes a toll on doctors. everything that they could to prevent a
word ‘service’. Indian Medical Association v. V.P. case of death of patients. We all know that while If doctors’ associations themselves have an specific outcome?
is the executive Shantha was a landmark case which decided there is a remedy available in civil law, it is a authority who can view these cases with expert
director of the that doctors, medical professionals, and long-winded trial with elaborate rules of medical knowledge and act, that would be RS: What is needed is a very strong regulatory
Chennai-based hospitals do come under the Consumer procedure, fees, and delays. This deters an sensible, instead of a person approaching the authority which can monitor medical
Citizen
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Protection Act as service providers. Doctors are aggrieved patient or family from approaching court and going the long way. The courts cannot professionals’ activity, but they should also have
Consumer and
Civic Action highly qualified professionals who provide a courts. The Consumer Protection Act is a decide by themselves anyway; they have to get powers to control what is happening.
Group service to the people. They are highly benevolent legislation enacted with the main an expert opinion from a group of doctors. So, There is medical indemnity insurance that a
specialised. This cannot be equated with any objective of protecting the rights of consumers, that can be avoided. lot of doctors subscribe to in order to be safe if
other [profession] because human bodies react and we all know who a consumer is. When a they get into any problem. But it is a difficult
differently in different situations. A lot of work person buys a product or a service for a SS: I think largely it [the 1995 judgment and the process if they have to go to court regardless.
and research goes into medical practice. Many consideration, they are a consumer as defined Consumer Protection Act] gives an opportunity
surgeries are high tech. Patients have to be under the Act. As for the medical profession, it for patients to challenge malpractice and seek SS: If you go through the judgments, there are
carefully taken care of. is not a business per se, but a service rendered redressal. The remedies provided under the Act several which have been decided against the
But there are people who misuse the Act. that is often associated with a cost. are quite advantageous to the patient. In all consumers as well. It’s not like every doctor is
They don’t want to pay the doctor’s fee or the The judgment in the V.P. Shantha case clearly these years I don’t think we will be able to point framed and that every case fought ends up in
hospital fee. They create a ruckus and file a case explained the relationship between a doctor and out any case of an unfair or incongruous favour of the consumer. The Commissions have
under the Consumer Protection Act. This turns patient as a contract for service and said that it judgment rendered by the redressal agencies handled the cases quite diligently, I would say.
into a harrowing experience for doctors and (the medical service) would come within the under the Act. Expert opinion is sought if the Diligent service delivery, maintaining proper
hospitals. When things go well, a patient is purview of the Act. I think this judgment should issue is complex; only then are cases decided. records about the patient’s history, taking
happy, but when things go wrong, the patient stand good because it benefits the affected As for consumers, I think it is time to do a proper consent for treatment will safeguard a
blames the doctor and the hospital. This is consumers, who are the affected patients. study to see how many frivolous cases have been doctor’s interest. Following the checklist
dangerous. Doctors order a bunch of medical Otherwise, where will patients seek solace? filed over the years. In most cases it would be a protocols required for maintaining proper
tests to protect themselves against these genuine case of malpractice, or the patient or medical records is important. Communicating
complaints. And that increases the cost of What are the problems and opportunities in the family would have been made to strongly clearly about the risks [before procedures or
procedures. Everything has to be on record, so using the Consumer Protection Act as the believe that they were wronged by the doctor. treatment] and outcome of the
that if there is a dispute, they can prove that pathway for patients to challenge adverse Non-provision of adequate information on time procedure/treatment, and timely referral of the
they were correct in doing whatever they did. outcomes? is one of the main reasons for this. The delay in patient in case of complications help physicians
consumer commissions is an issue that needs to safeguard themselves against such litigation.
Saroja Sundaram: I think it is appropriate for RS: In some cases, we find there is gross be dealt with definitely because 10–12 years of
patients to take recourse under the Consumer negligence [on the medical professionals’ part]. delay in handling cases undermines the
Protection Act because without the Consumer In such cases, following the legal process is okay. objective of the Act, which is to provide speedy
Disputes Redressal Commissions, the affected But what about people who have done a good redressal to complaints. To listen to the full interview
Scan the code or go to the link
patients will not have an effective adjudicating job and yet a shadow of doubt is cast on them?
www.thehindu.com
body to get their grievances redressed. The Patients go to court and file a case, then they go What would an alternative mechanism look
Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, may define to the district forum, then to the State like if consumer forums are deemed to be an
I
n the last 34 years, parliamentary identified. Protesters checked locals for
elections in Jammu and Kashmir indelible ink and punished them on find-
( J&K) have been a battleground for ing it. Many voters’ houses were stoned at
mainstream political parties and separa- night. Reporters could only speak to vo-
tists espousing ideologies ranging from ters whose faces were covered. Locals re-
Kashmir’s independence to accession to ferred to the voters as “ghadar (traitors)”.
Pakistan. This year, for the first time in Srinagar recorded a voter turnout of
my journalistic career, I covered an elec- 11.8% and Baramulla, 27.8% that year.
toral battle limited to the mainstream Cut to 25 years later. The scene has
parties, with some championing the completely changed. The two regions re-
cause of semi-autonomous status for J&K corded a turnout of 38% and 59%, respec-
and others for a complete integration tively. The National Conference vice pre-
with the Union of India. This is an unpre- sident, who is a candidate from the
cedented leap in the electoral dynamics Baramulla seat, made his maiden poll
of the region after the erstwhile State of speech in his 25-year-long political career
J&K was stripped of special status and re- in Srinagar’s old city. The poll venue was
duced to two Union Territories in 2019. less than 1 km away from the plaque bear-
In 1999, I was a cub reporter with a lo- ing the names of more than 30 civilians
cal daily in Srinagar. Kashmir was in the who died in firing by security forces on
throes of violence. Omnipresent mili- May 21, 1990, when they were carrying
tants kept security forces on their toes. the body of assassinated separatist leader
As reporters, we had to prepare for days Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq for burial. The Pe-
to cover the general election. We had to oples Democratic Party president, who is
get special passes and plan to report from a candidate from the Anantnag seat, ad-
spots that ensured the least possibility of dressed a rally in Srinagar’s old city, a
militant violence or street protests. The stone’s throw from the house of Moham-
fear of being hit by stones on the street or mad Abdullah Bangroo, one of the found-
even grenades near polling booths kept ing members of the Hizbul Mujahideen.
us on edge, especially on polling day. Rallies during the late evening and door-
The stage was set for elections in Sep- to-door campaigns were held for the first X
tember-October. Most of the militant out- time in the most volatile pockets of south Lozbang Sherab, 75, head of the family feeding his ailing wife Pustong Lamo, 85, before they went out to cast their vote in Warshi village, which is home to just one family and
fits and separatist groups had called for a Kashmir. Parties hired lyricists and sin- five eligible voters, in Ladakh. REUTERS
poll boycott in all the three parliamen- gers to increase their poll pitch.
tary seats of Kashmir Valley — Anantnag, On polling day, stone-pelters, mili-
Baramulla, and Srinagar. They described tants’ families, and hardline cadres of the A HUNDRED YEARS AGO MAY 24, 1924
their decision as “a democratic way to re- Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned in F R OM T HE A RC HI VE S
ject India’s rule in Kashmir and a means
to seek international attention” to the
2019, stood in queue along with others
who had boycotted elections in the past,
Empire day in London
Kashmir issue. The run-up to the polls at polling booths in Srinagar and Bara- FIFTY YEARS AGO MAY 24, 1974 about 100 wagons from the Visakhapatnam
were marred by attacks on security forc- mulla. Pockets of Pulwama and Sopore, port, and about 180 wagons from the Bombay London, May 24: United Empire was the theme
es and workers of parties. ‘Fidayeen’ or which once recorded the highest number port. of the speeches at the Empire Day dinner under
suicide attacks by militants began in of militant recruits, led the change. In So- Special drive to move From the minor ports in South India, the auspices of the Colonial Institute this
Kashmir. I could gauge the fear from the pore, the voter turnout was 44% com- movement of imported foodgrains for local evening when the Duke of Connaught presided
fact that very few rallies were held, and pared to the less than 4% in the past. Out- fertilizers by rail areas was also arranged regularly. over a distinguished company of 400 including
only under multi-tier security arrange- side polling booths, people debated The spokesman said, as the situation the Duke of York, Sir Joseph Cook, Sir Hugh
ments. Many areas such as Srinagar’s old Article 370, jobs, mining rights and harsh New Delhi, May 23: A Railway Ministry improved a week ago, the Railways instituted a Clifford, Sir James Allen and Sir Gordon
city and Baramulla’s Old Town were no- police verifications. I saw voters with va- spokesman claimed to-day that during the special drive to move fertilizers, besides Guggisberg. Mr. Thomas, proposing the
go zones for mainstream leaders for elec- ried ideologies for the first time. Indeed, fortnight since the strike began, Railways had foodgrains from all major ports in the country. principal toast, appealed to his bearers to drop
tioneering. Angry local youth would this was the first election where ideology, been regularly loading and moving imported A programme for dispatches on an urgent the miserable class warfare and class talk.
throw stones at these leaders if they at- and not sadak, bilji, pani (road, electrici- foodgrains from all the major ports at near basis was also drawn up in consultation with (Cheers). Let all, no matter of what class or
tempted to hold rallies in these areas. ty, water), dominated the campaign. normal level. the concerned Ministries. Loading of creed, unite in making the Empire worthy of the
On polling day, bullet-proof vehicles or On an average, the Railways have loaded petroleum products from all the refineries was sacrifices of those of all classes who defended
long columns of security forces could be peerzada.ashiq@thehindu.co.in daily 135 foodgrain wagons from Madras port, also maintained at the normal level. the Empire in war.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
Delhi www.thehindu.com Friday, May 24, 2024
● ●
10
Text&Context 0
NEWS IN NUMBERS
Number of Lok Sabha Amount of fine Number of mobile Worth of artillery to IndiGo airline’s profit
candidates above the slapped by EU on connections directed be sent to Ukraine by doubled in 2024
age of 80 Mondelez to be re-verified the U.S. March quarter
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
Household net financial savings to GDP ratio have declined due to increased borrowing and structural shifts rather than a mere change in savings pattern; there’s a need for
macroeconomic policies to support household income growth to reduce its own financial stress and stabilise the macroeconomy
T
he bone of contention in the significantly in 2022-23,
recent debate has been the primarily due to a higher
drastic fall in household net borrowing to GDP ratio. This
financial savings to GDP ratio decline cannot be solely
during 2022-23 on account of a higher explained by a shift in the
borrowing to GDP ratio. In response to composition of savings.
our previous article ‘On the Fall in
Household Savings’ (The Hindu, April 21,
쑽
2024), the Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) The increase in household
to the Government of India has borrowing has led to a higher
interpreted this trend as a mere shift in debt-income ratio, resulting in
the composition of household savings, greater interest payment
where households are argued to incur burdens. This trend has been
greater borrowing (or reduce net financial particularly pronounced in the
savings) solely to finance higher physical post-COVID period.
savings (investment). In this article, we 쑽
argue that this interpretation is
Unlike previous periods of high
inconsistent with broad trends and
household borrowing, the
highlight some signs of structural shifts in
current period is characterised
the Indian economy. by a lower nominal income
growth rate compared to the
Not a mere change in savings pattern average lending rate, leading
The household savings to GDP ratio is the to increased financial stress on
sum of its net financial savings to GDP households.
ratio, physical savings to GDP ratio and
gold and, ornaments. A mere shift in the 쑽
composition of savings would have kept There is a need for
the overall household savings to GDP ratio macroeconomic policies that
unchanged, with lower net financial not only address inflation and
savings to GDP ratio or higher borrowing government debt targets but
to GDP ratio being fully offset by higher also stimulate and support
physical savings to GDP ratio. Figure 1 household income growth to
shows the extent to which these ratios mitigate these emerging
changed during 2022-23 as compared to challenges.
2021-22 and indicates a contrary
phenomenon.
The net financial savings to GDP ratio
declined by 2.5 percentage points,
whereas the physical savings to GDP ratio
increased only by 0.3 percentage points.
The household borrowing to GDP ratio
increased by 2 percentage points,
significantly more than the increase in the
physical savings to GDP ratio. With the
gold savings to GDP ratio remaining the previous episodes when household by such Fisher dynamics. The post-COVID average GNI growth rate was greater than
largely unchanged, the household savings borrowing increased? period has seen a sharp rise in the ratio the average lending rate from 2003-04 to
to GDP ratio declined by 1.7 percentage between nominal debt and nominal 2007-08. In contrast, the average GNI
points. In short, the phenomenon of a Signs of structural shift income of the household, largely on growth rate was lower than the average
household’s higher borrowing to GDP Since the share of interest payment in account of a lower nominal income lending rate during the period 2019-20 to
ratio cannot be explained exclusively in household income (interest payment growth rate. The debt-income ratio as an 2021-22.
terms of change in savings composition. burden) is the product of interest rate and indicator of household leverage (or
In our last article, we argued that lower debt-income ratio, any increase in the repayment capacity) has received Macroeconomic challenges
net financial savings to GDP ratio and latter would lead to a greater interest scrutiny, particularly after the global The comforting news at the present
higher borrowing to GDP ratio largely payment-income ratio at a given interest financial crisis. Notwithstanding the juncture is that India’s debt servicing ratio
reflected a household’s need to finance rate. The recent period has been recent rise in the lending rate that has is still lower than that of many countries.
greater interest payment commitments at associated with a sharp rise in both these contributed to the rise in debt-income But with the emergence of the Fisher
a given income amid higher interest rates variables. The debt-income ratio of the ratio, the key structural feature that has dynamics, there are at least two unique
and debt-income ratio, leading to an household can potentially change emerged in the recent period is that the challenges that confront the Indian
increase in financial distress of the through two distinct factors. The first nominal income growth rate has often economy.
household. factor pertains to a higher net been lower than the weighted average The first challenge pertains to
Surprisingly, the CEA’s response is borrowing-income ratio of the household, lending rate. This seems to be the very decreasing the gap between interest rate
based on the analysis of absolute nominal where net borrowing is the difference mechanism by which a household’s and income growth and slowing down the
numbers of household total savings. He between total borrowing and interest interest payment burden and growth of the debt-income ratio of the
argues that the nominal value of a payments. Household’s stock of debt debt-income ratio have increased. household. While the level of
household’s total savings has increased, would rise at any given level of income if Table 1a shows that the average value debt-income ratio presently remains low,
as the nominal value of physical savings they decide to increase their net of the growth rate of household frequent episodes of income growth
has increased more than the fall in borrowing for financing higher disposable income has been lower than lagging behind the lending rate can
nominal value of net financial savings. investment or consumption. the weighted average lending rate (WALR) quickly push up household’s interest
However, this trend merely shows that the The second route involves factors that for the period 2019-20 to 2022-23. The payment burdens.
nominal (inflation unadjusted) growth are largely exogenous to the household’s average value of the lending rate for this The second challenge involves
rate of total household savings has been decisions-namely, the interest rate on the period is constructed from the Reserve stemming the possibility of downward
positive during 2022-23, which has hardly outstanding debt and the nominal income Bank of India’s quarterly figures. The adjustment of aggregate demand amid
been a topic of contention. A positive growth rate of the household. Any household disposable income data is not high interest payment and debt
nominal growth rate of savings neither increase in interest rates or reduction in yet available for 2023-24. However, the commitments of the household. Such
addresses the historic fall in net-financial nominal income growth rate increases a gross national income (GNI) growth rate, possibilities emerge when households
savings to GDP ratio nor refutes our household’s debt-income ratio during a which is closely associated with the tend to maintain stock-flow norms in debt
explanation of the higher borrowing to particular period. If the growth in interest growth rate of household disposable and wealth management by curtailing
GDP ratio and the phenomenon of greater payments outweighs income growth, the income in the recent period, has recorded their consumption expenditure. The
interest payment burden of the debt-income ratio will continue to grow. lower than the average WALR for this sharp decline in the consumption to GDP
household that we pointed out. Such mechanisms can be described as year. These emerging features seem to ratio in 2023-24 points towards such a
The phenomenon of household’s “Fisher dynamics” following Irving stand in contrast with previous episodes possibility.
higher interest payment burdens and Fisher, who explained the phenomenon of high household borrowing, like the These challenges point towards the
debt-income ratio in the post-COVID of rising debt-income ratio in terms of period of 2003-04 to 2007-08. While a need to include an additional
period, however, brings forth two changes in interest rate and nominal long run comparison becomes difficult macroeconomic policy target to stimulate
important questions: Does it reflect a income growth rate. with the indicators used in Table 1a, one and support household income growth.
qualitative change in the structure of the Starting from the pre-COVID growth can use International Monetary Fund’s Zico Dasgupta and Srinivas
macroeconomy in the recent period? If slowdown of 2019-20, the Indian lending rate data and the GNI growth rate Raghavendra teach economics at Azim
yes, how different are these features from economy has typically been characterised for the analysis. Table 1b shows that the Premji University
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Friday, May 24, 2024 11
Delhi
Text&Context
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Know your
English
K. Subrahmanian
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
The difference between ‘She has got to go
there every Monday’ and ‘She has to go
there every Monday’ (K. Rajalakshmi,
Tuticorin).
‘She has got to go there every Monday’
means that she must go there every
Monday. “Has got to’ implies a directive, a
command. She has got to finish the work
by tomorrow. ‘She has to go there every
Monday’ means that it is her duty to go
there every Monday. It refers to a habitual
Shadow of conflict: People walk in an alley of the Palestinian refugee camp of Shatila in Beirut’s southern suburb. AFP action.
Do out (S. Sindhur, Bangalore).
Vasudevan Mukunth into it by trade with China. X is made by Questions and Answers to the previous day’s
mixing a residue from the incomplete daily quiz: 1. This popular actor was elected five
X combustion of, say, vegetable matter times from the Mumbai North West constituency.
QUESTION 1 with water. Name X. Ans: Sunil Dutt
The Ancient Roman word for dark (or X 2. Which politician (deceased) holds the record for
saturated) black became the source of QUESTION 4 serving most terms from the Lucknow parliamentary
the word ‘negro’ in English, ‘nero’ in Name the 16th-century reform constituency? Ans: Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Italian, and ‘noir’ in French. It was also movement in Europe in which, among 3. The first representative was elected from the Akhil
the source of the name of a country. other acts, the reformists decried the Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha ticket. His son
Which country? wearing of bright colours — especially by represented another party and also became the
X the clergy — and replaced them with Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Ans: Nirmal Chandra
QUESTION 2 black and grey gowns. Hint: This Chatterjee, Somnath Chatterjee
The Latin word for black was ‘ater’ movement benefited greatly from 4. This former representative from Madhubani was
and was historically associated with Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the one of the first two communists to become Union
cruelty and darkness of the soul. printing press. Ministers. Name him and the Ministry he headed.
Name the modern English word X Ans: Chaturanan Mishra, Minister of Agriculture
derived from ‘ater’ used to describe QUESTION 5 & Farmers Welfare
acts of cruelty. When a jaguar has a dominant allele 5. Name this former MP who became the president of
X (which it may have inherited) containing the National Rifle Association of India. Ans: Kalikesh
QUESTION 3 the melanocortin 1 receptor gene with Narayan Singh Deo For feedback and suggestions for
X is the name of a dark ink that likely some deletions, it is called X. When the X Visual: Identify this gentleman. Ans: Raj Narain Text & Context, please write to
originated in China around the third same changed gene is inherited by a Visual Question: Until 2019, this was the blackest Early Birds: K N Viswanathan | Prashant Nain | letters@thehindu.co.in
millennium BC. However, its name is leopard through a recessive allele, it is substance known to humankind. Name it. SURREY Akshay Kumar Khanna | Rajmohan V | M. Suresh with the subject ‘Text & Context’
the work of the British, who first came also called X. What is X? NANOSYSTEMS Kumar
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
12 Friday, May 24, 2024
News Delhi
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
led caste slurs at them. The were uploaded on its web- in the Supreme Court, say- stitution shows inclination the trial. The EC has not sized. While Pankaj Pawar
police said the clash broke site. He said it was con- ing “indiscriminate disclo- towards power, then it passed the high constitu- and Ashok Pawar were res-
Violence erupted on Thursday morning at So- out after the currency demnable that the EC was sure” of polling station- should be understood that tional obligations and tests cued, the bodies of Nama
nachura village in Nandigram in protest against notes being showered on not fulfilling its constitu- wise voter-turnout data this is the end of democra- imposed upon it. It is time Shinde, Vaibhav Wagh and
the incident. the groom fell on some wo- tional duty and its inclina- and posting the figures on cy,” he said. that the EC rose to the oc- Rahul Pawra, who
BJP workers set several houses on fire and at- men related to the ac- tion was “one-sided”. its website would cause Raising the poll panel’s casion and dealt with these drowned, were retrieved.
tacked those belonging to Trinamool Congress cused. A case was regis- Mr. Singhvi also accused chaos in the election instructions that one could issues on a constitutional The search is on to find
supporters. tered under Sections of the the EC of trying to be “the machinery. not raise questions on the basis. It has voted for con- the missing SDRF person-
The villagers blocked roads by felling trees and IPC and SC/ST (Prevention election department” of Mr. Singhvi said the EC’s Constitution, Mr. Singhvi cealment instead of tran- nel, Arjun Jedgule, said
prevented the police from entering the violence- of Atrocities) Act. the BJP by not acting on actions on complaints asserted, “We are openly sparency,” he alleged. authorities.
affected areas.
The police used force and resorted to baton
charge to disburse the protesters.
While the Trinamool leadership claimed that
Ms. Arhi’s death was the result of a faction feud
between the old BJP and new BJP, family mem-
‘Indian forces using Eight killed, over 50 Police enter
AIIMS ward in
bers of the deceased claimed that it was a political
murder.
“Our brother-in-law was in Trinamool but later
Kuki and Myanmar injured in boiler blast at SUV to arrest
shifted to BJP. The Trinamool people were angry
groups to wage war’ accused
as to why he was working for BJP,” the daughter-
in-law of the deceased said.
Trinamool spokesperson Santanu Sen called The Hindu Bureau deliberate attempt to drag
Dombivli chemical plant The Hindu Bureau
the incident a “reflection of the BJP’s internal feud GUWAHATI the NSCN into a conflict it NEW DELHI
between the party’s old-timers and its new re- had steered clear of while Snehal Mutha
cruits in Nandigram”. The Indian armed forces pursuing a political settle- MUMBAI The Uttarakhand Police
BJP leader and Nandigram MLA Suvendu Adhi- were using a Kuki extre- ment to the ‘Naga political drove an SUV through an
kari said that the violence was the result of incite- mist outfit and a pro-de- issue’ with the Govern- Eight people were killed emergency ward, up to the
ment by Trinamool general secretary Abhishek mocracy armed group in ment of India, the outfit and over 50 injured in a sixth floor, of the AIIMS in
Banerjee, who addressed a public meeting in the civil war-torn Myanmar to said. boiler explosion at a chem- Rishikesh to arrest a staffer
area on Wednesday. wage a war against the “Na- The KNA(B) had a Mani- ical plant in the Dombivli accused of sexual harass-
“The bloodshed was a direct fallout of Bhaipo’s ga Army” along the India- pur-based wing called the Maharashtra Industrial De- ment. The car, trundling
[nephew] provocation in Nandigram yesterday Myanmar border, the Na- KNA. The PDF was the velopment Corporation through the ward, shocked
[on Wednesday]. The barbaric murder was or- tional Socialist Council of armed wing of the exiled (MIDC) area, 40 km from patients and attendants.
chestrated by the Trinamool after realising its cer- Nagalim (NSCN) said on National Unity Govern- Mumbai, on Thursday. In a 26-second clip re-
tain defeat. The hands of the jihadis do not trem- Thursday. ment that was fighting the Fire and Rescue Servic- corded on Wednesday, se-
ble before hacking a woman to death,” Mr. It said the National In- Tatmadaw or Myanmar es officials said the explo- As many as 22 fire engines and 16 tankers were brought in to curity officials can be seen
Adhikari posted on social media. vestigation Agency, by al- military, which staged a sion took place at the Amu- control the blaze at the chemical factory in Dombivli. PTI clearing the way for the
The BJP leader, who visited the local police sta- leging that the NSCN had coup on February 1, 2021. dan Chemical Company in car. The police said a nurs-
tion, alleged that the police officers held a meeting been helping radical Meitei “It is a matter of regret Phase 2 of the MIDC, lead- and Rescue Services, Na- plosion took place, said lo- ing officer had allegedly
with an accused Trinamool leader right there in groups to fuel the year-old that the AR and the para ing to a devastating fire tional Disaster Response cal people had constantly sexually harassed a woman
the station. ethnic conflict between the regiment are openly stand- around 1.40 p.m. Force (NDRF) and Target demanded that such indus- doctor inside an operation
The Leader of the Opposition was heard ex- Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups ing out to collude with Ku- “The blast took place Disaster Response Force tries be relocated. “The re- theatre at the AIIMS. The
horting Central police forces to take action against in Manipur, was “spitting ki militant groups against due to a technical issue in (TDRF), and doctors have sidential areas are around accused, Satish Kumar,
those responsible for the violence in the State on venom”. the NSCN, creating a war- the reactor. It caused been deployed at the site. 200 m from the MIDC and was suspended but he got
Wednesday. The NSCN said the As- like scenario in the border drums containing chemi- While those injured in around 400 companies admitted to the psychiatric
In the 2021 Assembly polls, Mr. Adhikari defeat- sam Rifles (AR) and the In- areas of India and Myan- cals to explode, further da- the blast were taken to the and mills operate in the ward in the hospital.
ed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Nandi- dian Army’s para regiment mar. No such war-monger- maging other units. In the nearest hospitals, a few area,” he said. The police said they had
gram by a margin of 1,956 votes. Nandigram is were using the Kuki Na- ing situation was wit- impact, windowpanes of workers were still stuck in- Chief Minister Eknath taken the car inside to safe-
considered a stronghold of Mr. Adhikari. tional Army (Burma), or nessed in recent history nearby houses and shops side the unit and the res- Shinde announced a com- ly bring out the accused as
The violence brought back memories of the KNA(B), and the People’s despite the area (being) were shattered,” Dombivli cuers have been unable to pensation of ₹5 lakh to the there was tension on the
2007 agitation against forcible land acquisition Defence Force (PDF) for a prone to infiltration by dif- Chief Fire Officer Namdeo locate them. kin of each of the deceased premises. AIIMS Director
where the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and proxy war to kill the Coun- ferent militant groups,” the Chaudhary said. Ravi Kumar, who was and treatment expenses Meenu Singh said it was
the Trinamool were at the loggerheads. cil’s members. This was a NSCN said. Personnel from the Fire near the spot when the ex- for the injured. “an emergency measure”.
Seven Naxals
killed in
Military Affairs Department Being rich no
excuse to skirt
Rope in NDRF, ITBP to
encounter in seeks feedback from three rural medical manage Char Dham crowd,
Chhattisgarh service: SC
services on Agnipath scheme Centre tells Uttarakhand
The Hindu Bureau The Hindu Bureau
RAIPUR Dinakar Peri pledging to abolish the NEW DELHI
NEW DELHI scheme and revert to the Ishita Mishra
At least seven alleged Nax- earlier manner of perma- Supreme Court judge Jus- NEW DELHI
alites were killed in an en- As the Agnipath scheme nent recruitment if voted tice P.S. Narasimha said
counter with the security for the recruitment of sol- to power. travelling in and serving With an unprecedented
forces along the boundary diers into the three Servic- Speaking at an event in rural India was a beautiful number of pilgrims visiting
of Narayanpur and Bijapur es completes two years, March, Defence Minister experience, and being rich the Char Dham temples in
districts in Chhattisgarh on the Department of Military Rajnath Singh defended enough to pay through a Uttarakhand, and videos of
Thursday. Affairs (DMA), headed by the scheme and said the fu- private medical school was chaos and mismanage-
According to the police, the Chief of Defence Staff, ture of youth joining as Ag- no excuse to skirt public ment going viral on social
the encounter began has sought feedback from niveers would not be im- service. media, the Home Ministry
around 11 a.m. when a se- the forces on the scheme. pacted. He added that the Justice Narasimha made reviewed the yatra arran-
curity team was conduct- A meeting was held in A recent meeting reportedly government was “open” to the observation while gements on Thursday.
ing a search for the Indra- this regard on Wednesday reviewed the scheme’s bringing any changes in hearing a plea assailing a Around 9.5 lakh people Call for caution: The Kedarnath temple premises filled to the brim
vati area committee where the progress was re- progress at the highest level. the scheme “if required”. Karnataka government visited the four temples of with devotees on the Char Dham Yatra. PTI
members of Maoists on the viewed at the highest level, To questions on the is- notification requiring med- Badrinath, Kedarnath,
inter-State boundary and it has been learnt. Agnipath scheme for re- sue, an official source said ical students to complete a Gangotri and Yamunotri in jasthan, Bihar, Haryana, try. It also asked the State
was fired upon by the Monthly reports are be- cruitment of soldiers into the Army conducted regu- year’s compulsory public the past 14 days. West Bengal, Chhattisgarh to take the help of the Na-
Maoists. The police had re- ing regularly sent by the the armed forces for four lar reviews to ensure the ef- rural service before regis- The Uttarakhand go- and Delhi. tional Disaster Response
ceived information about units, formations, and regi- years, doing away with the ficacy and currency of its tering with the Karnataka vernment has spoken to The State Tourism De- Force (NDRF) and the In-
the presence of the Maoists mental centres to the Army earlier process. The overall policies on human resourc- Medical Council. He asked the governments of five partment has a dedicated do-Tibetan Border Police
in that area and a joint headquarters with marks, intake has been capped at es. Terming the scheme whether “people in private States from where the tur- website for Char Dham ya- (ITBP) for crowd
team comprising the Bas- a source said. “Feedback is 1.75 lakh till 2026, and Ag- “transformational”, the institutions” owed no res- nout of devotees was the tra registration. In view of management.
tar Fighters and the Dis- received from all units, niveers on completion of source added that regular ponsibility towards nation- highest, and requested the crowd, offline registra- Earlier this week, Chief
trict Reserve Guards (DRG) compiled at various forma- four years will get an op- feedback was obtained pe- building. them not to let unregis- tion has been banned till Minister Pushkar Singh
along with teams of Special tions and sent to headquar- portunity to join regular riodically to ensure error- The petition had argued tered pilgrims undertake May 31. Dhami had directed offi-
Task Force (STF) was con- ters, along with an aver- cadre and up to 25% would free implementation of the that medical candidates the yatra. Uttarakhand Union Home Secretary cials to analyse the short-
ducting the search. aged-out quantified be selected through anoth- scheme. enrolled in private institu- Chief Secretary Radha Ra- Ajay Kumar Bhalla has in- comings in the yatra arran-
The security forces res- feedback. Marks are given er recruitment process. The Navy and the Air tions constitute an intelligi- turi said the highest num- structed Ms. Raturi to send gements and submit a
ponded, and the bodies of out of 10 on various attri- The Agnipath scheme Force have already com- ble differentia under Arti- ber of devotees came from daily reports of pilgrims at report. His order came af-
seven uniformed Naxalites butes,” the source said. has become a major poll is- piled the feedback which is cle 14 of the Constitution nine States — Uttar Pra- the Char Dham temples, ter several videos of chaot-
were recovered, a police On June 14, 2022, the go- sue in the Lok Sabha elec- ready to be sent to the and should not be subject- desh, Madhya Pradesh, yatra routes and halting ic scenes around the tem-
statement said. vernment announced the tion, with the Congress DMA, sources confirmed. ed to compulsory service. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Ra- places to the Home Minis- ples went viral.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
14 Friday, May 24, 2024
News Delhi
INBRIEF
쑽 Bengal’s most-deprived region Police file FIR
against Rohini
Acharya for
Jangalmahal sees fierce battle Saran violence
Eight seats in southwestern Bengal go to the polls tomorrow; stoppage of MGNREGS funds is a major poll issue in the The Hindu Bureau
SASARAM
region, which had seen Maoist violence in the past; former judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay is contesting the Tamluk seat
A first information report
Shiv Sahay Singh (FIR) was filed against Ro-
Mumbai girl is the youngest KOLKATA hini Acharya, daughter of
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
Indian to scale Everest ight constituencies chief Lalu Prasad and Sa-
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
mool Congress and the Purulia, Jhargram, Midna- pak Adhikari, alias Dev, vorced in February 2023. held by members of the clashed, resulting in the
Bharatiya Janata Party pore, Ghatal, Bankura, and the BJP’s Hiranmoy The most interesting Adhikari family since 2009 death of a 25-year-old man,
(BJP). Bishnupur, Tamluk, and Chatterjee alias Hiran, contest, however, is at and the election here is Chandan Yadav.
Outrage over custodial death The region has been on Kanthi. cross swords. Mr. Dev has Tamluk, where former Cal- seen as a prestige battle for BJP worker Manoj Ku-
of man in Assam’s Lakhimpur the boil for the past few
years owing to the Kurmi
While Purulia is up for a
contest between sitting BJP
been representing the con-
stituency since 2014 and
cutta High Court judge Ab-
hijit Gangopadhyay is con-
Mr. Suvendu.
Mr. Suvendu, who quit
mar, who is a representa-
tive of Mr. Rudy, had filed a
The Assam police suspended the in-charge of a agitation, with the com- MP Jyotirmoy Singh Maha- Mr. Hiran is the MLA for testing on BJP ticket. Mr. the Trinamool to join the complaint with the police
police outpost in Assam after the custodial death munity listed in the Other to and Trinamool candi- Kharagpur Sadar. Gangopadhyay has of late BJP in 2020, holds consid- alleging that Ms. Acharya,
of a 42-year-old man detained in a mobile phone Backward Class (OBC) cate- date Shantiram Mahato, At Bankura, BJP MP Sub- courted controversy for re- erable influence in the dis- along with her seven sup-
theft case. Arsabh Ali from South Chandmari gory demanding inclusion Jhargram has seen both has Sarkar, a doctor, is pit- marks directed at Chief Mi- tricts of Paschim Medini- porters and 50 unidenti-
village in Lakhimpur district collapsed at the on the Scheduled Tribe parties field new faces — ted against Trinamool nister Mamata Banerjee, pur, Jhargram, and Purulia fied people, indulged in il-
Khelmati police outpost on Thursday, hours after (ST) list. Leaders of the Sahitya Akademi winner leader and advocate Arup for which he had been cen- and it remains to be seen legal activities in two
his detention. The news of his death sparked community have fielded and Santali author Kalipa- Chakraborty. The Bishnu- sured by the Election Com- whether the BJP can hold booths in the Chapra As-
outrage with the villagers laying siege on the Independent candidates da Soren pads up for Trina- pur seat has already mission. He is contesting its edge. Five of the eight sembly segment on May
outpost before the authorities managed to pacify for seats across the region. mool against the BJP’s Pra- grabbed headlines as form- against Trinamool student seats — Purulia, Jhargram, 20.
the crowd. Locals said the phone was stolen from One of the most de- nat Tudu, a doctor. At er spouses, BJP MP Saumi- leader Debangshu Medinipur, Bankura and The police have filed se-
Bormoria village and the deceased, a barely prived, the region faced Midnapore, the contest is tra Khan and Trinamool’s Bhattacharya. Bishnupur — were won by ven FIRs in the post-poll
literate person, happened to purchase it. But the stoppage of funds under between two actor-turned- Sujata Mondal, are locked Soumendu Adhikari, the BJP in 2019 while the violence case and arrested
police suggested the man could have been a the rural employment gua- politicians, the BJP’s Agini- in a heated battle. In the brother of BJP leader Su- Trinamool won Ghatal, two. A special investigation
member of a mobile phone theft gang. rantee scheme mitra Paul and the Trina- 2019 election, when a vendu Adhikari, is contest- Tamluk and Kanthi. team is probing the case.
19
(4,3)
Uneasiness resulting from small ulcer developing over
Azhwars praise the Lord
right side of lip (7) While writing a novel or literature, an author may inadver-
21 Lecturer crushed by wife going astray, becoming tently omit to include specific ideas or information he in-
lethargic (4) itially thought of. Sri Gomadam bhattar Swamigal said in a
22 Caution one getting joint and cocaine in show (10) discourse that Vedas are not written by anyone and con-
25 Criticising overacting without hesitation (9) tain all valuable guidelines for our life.
26 Spot senorita in trendy clothes (5) Dharmasastra, itihasas and Puranas supplement the
27 Reveal what to do to prevent pot boiling over (4,3,3,3) Vedic injunctions. Lord Krishna says in Sri Bhagavad Gita,
Down “Tasmat sastram pramanam te” (Chapter XVI, sloka 24).
2 Team is buckling under pressure in game (7) Sastras are the authority. They tell those acts that will
3 Analysis of urine and stool provides answer (10) please God, distinguish between righteous and unrighte-
4 Orders tart on reflection after drinking a little tea (5) ous, truthful and untruthful, and give guidance as char-
5 Smart blue gown at inauguration for lady (9) ters (Sasanath sastram).
6 Exposes in topless nightclubs around island (4) Solution to previous puzzle Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku
There are 108 divya kshetras. Except for Sri Vaikunta,
7 A silly person touring north European city (7) the remaining 107 are denoted by the Vedas as “Satham
8 Bow tie night planned initially (2,5,4) Dhamani Sapthacha.” Some temples are brought into exis-
10 Right habitat to conserve national bird (11) tence by humans, some by rishis, some by celestials, and
Across
13 Recognised deceit, card's fake (10) some by God Himself, called Swayam Vyaktha Kshetras.
1 Naughty sailor had a pic arousing sexual desire (13) There are eight such kshetras. The most important are Sri-
15 Renovate finally after uncontrolled bushfire (9)
8 Model poses for assignments (5) rangam and Tirupathi, which 17 Puranas and 10 Azhwars
18 Revolutionary cover girl's predicament (7)
9 Get tar that is primarily carcinogenic compound in this? praise. With God’s benign blessings and melting devotion,
20 High priest is quiet about dispute (7) Azhwars composed wonderful hymns that glorified the
(9) 23 Most despicable, stealing soldier's watch (5) deities of divyakshethras. They are called Azhwar Manga-
11 Excellence of flatfish with a nice salad (10) 24 Charge to catch first show of traditional gala (4) lasasanam (benedictory poems by Azhwars). Lord Na-
rayana resides happily in all these kshetras.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Friday, May 24, 2024 15
Delhi
Business
INBRIEF
쑽 Sensex, Nifty hit all-time high May business
growth robust
MARKETS
쑽
MARKET WATCH
Key indices surged 1.6% to closing and intraday highs after buying momentum in auto, banking flash PMI data NIFTY 50
stocks on Thursday, following the RBI’s ₹2.11 lakh crore dividend payout to Govt. on Wednesday PRICE CHANGE
Adani Enter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 3387.30. . . . . . . . 246.35
Reuters Adani Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1443.35. . . . . . . . . . 65.15
The Hindu Bureau ing high. During intraday BENGALURU Apollo Hosp. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 5970.05. . . . . . . . 101.90
Asian Paints. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2903.75. . . . . . . . . . 18.00
MUMBAI the Nifty-50 index touched Axis Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1165.25. . . . . . . . . . 39.25
an all-time high of Business activity in India Bajaj Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 8963.45. . . . . . . . 157.90
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
NestleIndia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 2474.15. . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
NTPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 372.30. . . . . . . . . . -1.55
in EV firm Omega Seiki Services Centre, has been has not agreed to the merg- cord’ profit of ₹8,172 crore
dipped to 58.4 from 58.8.
Robust demand was RCap moves
Japan’s Exedy Corporation has announced its
called off, more than a year
after talks began.
er. The board went
through the proposal in
for the financial year 2024.
It clocked a loss of ₹305 and the first year where all
supported by new business
in the services industry,
NCLT on plan
decision to invest in Omega Seiki Pvt. Ltd., an A BSE spokesperson great detail and communi- crore in the previous fiscal. four quarters have been which grew at the fastest
electric mobility solutions company based in said the discussions had cated that they see more IndiGo also reported a profitable. pace since January, as well Press Trust of India
India. The company has not announced the gone on for a while but the value in investing in the ex- doubling of net profit to Speaking during the as rising manufacturing NEW DELHI
quantum of investment. “Moving forward, we bourse has decided to call change and growing pro- ₹1,894 crore for the fourth post-results analysts’ call, output and new orders.
will collaborate on the development of electric off the merger. An email to ducts. As long as they are quarter of last fiscal from CEO Pieter Elbers said the Strong international de- Reliance Capital adminsta-
vehicles equipped with our proprietary NSE did not get a response. ready to invest, we are also ₹919 crore in the year-ear- business product was mand meant overall ex- tor has moved NCLT for a
high-efficiency electric drive units, which consist K. Rajaraman, Chair- fine with the decision.” lier period. This is the sixth aimed at addressing the ports expanded at the fas- 90-day extension of dea-
of motors and continuously variable man, International Finan- (The writers are with The straight profitable quarter “ever-growing need for test rate since the start of dline to implement Hindu-
transmissions,” the company said on its website. cial Services Centres Auth- Hindu businessline) for IndiGo since COVID-19 premium travel”. series in September 2014. ja Group’s resolution plan.
Azad bags DRDO lab Engineering ITC Q4 net slips 1.3%, ‘Unsold homes in Delhi-NCR halved’
exports fell in
deal for turbo engine April on metal to pay ₹7.50 dividend Press Trust of India March quarter this year, of March 31.
NEW DELHI according to Anarock. In the same period, Ben-
World Delhi
AP AFP REUTERS AP
X X X X
UN war crimes investigators said on Thursday they were tracking Russian strikes on the eastern Ukraine city of Kharkiv killed at least A two-day Israeli raid on the occupied West Bank city of Jenin killed Norway said on Thursday that it will close its border to Russian
the escalating fighting in conflict-torn Myanmar’s Rakhine State, five people and injured nine, regional authorities said on Thursday. at least 12 Palestinians, health authorities said on Thursday. Israel’s tourists, shutting their last direct access to Europe’s border-free
and were probing reports that thousands from a persecuted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attacks as “brutal” Army said on Wednesday troops had “exchanged fire with armed Schengen area, as Moscow vowed to respond to the
minority had been displaced. Clashes have rocked Rakhine since and said Russia was “taking advantage” of Ukraine’s lack of air men and killed a number of terrorists, including two terrorists who “discriminatory” measure. As of May 29, most Russian tourists will
the Arakan Army (AA) attacked junta forces in November. AFP defence systems to launch fatal attacks on towns and cities. AFP threw explosives at the forces”. AFP not be able to enter Norway, the government said. AFP
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
Associated Press wave of arrests of defence
Taiwan independence forces will be left with their ‘heads broken and blood flowing’ after colliding against the trend of MOSCOW officials did not indicate a
China achieving complete unification, says Foreign Ministry; Chinese naval vessels and military aircraft encircle the island campaign against the
A deputy chief of the Rus- military.
sian military general staff “The fight against cor-
Agence France-Presse verned by the Communist to the ongoing drills. has been arrested on ruption is consistent work.
BEIJING Party since 1949 — claims “Faced with external charges of large-scale brib- This is not a campaign, it is
Taiwan as part of its terri- challenges and threats, we ery, Russian news reports constantly ongoing work.
C
hina on Thursday tory and has vowed to will continue to defend the said on Thursday, the latest This is an integral part of
encircled Taiwan bring the democratic is- values of freedom and de- in a series of bribery ar- the activities of our law en-
with naval vessels land under its rule, by mocracy, and safeguard rests of high-ranking mili- forcement agencies,” he
and military aircraft in war force if necessary. peace and stability in the tary officials. Lt. Gen. Vadim Shamarin said on Thursday.
games, as it vowed the Thursday and Friday’s region,” he said. China has The arrest of Lt. Gen. The deputy head of the
blood of “independence drills — codenamed “Joint repeatedly branded Mr. Lai Vadim Shamarin followed Ministry’s personnel direc- federal prison service for
forces” on the self-ruled is- Sword-2024A” — involve a “dangerous separatist” the arrest this week of Ma- torate, was arrested on the Moscow region, Vladi-
land would flow. aircraft and ships sur- who would bring “war and jor General Ivan Popov, a bribery charges two days mir Telayev, also was ar-
The two days of drills rounding the island to test decline” to the island. Beij- former top commander in after Mr. Shoigu was re- rested Thursday on charg-
are part of an escalating their combat capabilities, ing was further incensed Russia’s offensive in Uk- placed. es of large-scale bribery,
campaign of intimidation China’s People’s Liberation with his inauguration raine, also on bribery Russian reports said.
by China that has seen it A Chinese military ship, right, sailing near the Pengjia Island, off the Army (PLA) said. speech in which he hailed charges. ‘No campaign’ Mr. Shoigu had been
carry out a series of large- Taiwan coast, as the latter’s forces patrol the sea. AFP a “glorious” era for Tai- In April, Deputy De- Mr. Shamarin is also the widely blamed for Russia’s
scale military exercises Taiwan’s response wan’s democracy. fence Minister Timur Iva- head of the Defence Minis- failure to capture Kyiv ear-
around Taiwan in recent way, China’s military said China’s propaganda out- Taiwan responded by de- The drills, which began nov was arrested for brib- try’s main communica- ly in the Ukraine fighting
years. The drills come after they would serve as lets. ploying air, ground and sea on Thursday morning, are ery. Mr. Ivanov was a close tions directorate. He is be- and was accused of incom-
Lai Ching-te was sworn in “strong punishment for “Taiwan independence forces, with the island’s De- taking place in the Taiwan associate of Sergei Shoigu, ing held in custody for two petence and corruption by
as Taiwan’s new President the separatist acts of ‘Tai- forces will be left with their fence Ministry vowing to Strait and to the north, whom President Vladimir months, Russian news mercenary leader Yevgeny
this week and made an in- wan independence’ forc- heads broken and blood “defend freedom”. Presi- south and east of the is- Putin dismissed as Defence agencies cited a military Prigozhin, who launched a
auguration speech that es”. Foreign Ministry spo- flowing after colliding dent Lai said he would land, as well as areas Minister soon after Mr. Pu- garrison court as saying, mutiny in June 2023 to de-
China denounced as a kesman Wang Wenbin against the great... trend of “stand on the frontline” to around the Taipei-adminis- tin’s inauguration to a new but other details of the mand the dismissal of Mr.
“confession of then delivered a warning China achieving complete defend Taiwan in a speech tered islands of Kinmen, term in May. case were not reported. Shoigu and military chief
independence”. that included language unification,” Mr. Wang told on Thursday afternoon, Matsu, Wuqiu and Lt. Gen. Yury Kuznet- Kremlin spokesperson of staff Gen. Valery
As the drills got under more commonly used by presspersons. China — go- without directly referring Dongyin. sov, head of the Defence Dmitry Peskov said the Gerasimov.
At least nine dead as U.K. political parties Russia passes decree to allow seizure of
stage collapses at hit campaign trail as U.S. assets in nation in a tit-for-tat move
Mexico election rally election battle starts Agence France-Presse Many Western last month passed a Bill would come in the form of
MOSCOW companies have left that would allow President U.S.-owned assets — such
Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse with hardliners. The right- Russia since it Joe Biden to use frozen as real estate, companies,
MEXICO CITY LONDON wingers’ tumultuous time Russian President Vladimir Russian assets in the Unit- bank accounts or shares —
launched its offensive
in power has been domi- Putin on Thursday signed a ed States for a special fund based in Russia.
An election rally in north- U.K. political leaders nated by Brexit and its decree allowing the confis- on Ukraine to support Ukraine. Many Western compa-
ern Mexico descended into kicked off six weeks of chaotic aftermath, as well cation of assets inside Rus- The Russian decree will nies have left Russia since
tragedy after a gust of wind campaigning on Thursday, as COVID and a cost-of-liv- sia belonging to the United give Russian companies, it launched its offensive on
sent the stage careening in- firing the first angry shots ing crisis, all of which has States, its citizens and nancial assets, mostly its organisations and indivi- Ukraine.
to the crowd on Wednes- in their electoral battle be- eaten into public support. companies, to compensate central bank reserves, after duals that have been hit by Those that remain — or
day night, killing at least fore the country votes for a Anti-immigration fringe those hit by Western sanc- Moscow ordered troops in- sanctions the right to apply have yet to finalise sales of
nine people, including a new government on July 4. party Reform UK is snap- tions against Moscow. to Ukraine in February for compensation from the their Russian businesses —
child, authorities said. Conservative Prime Mi- ping on the heels of the To- The West froze around 2022. Russian government. could now be at risk of hav-
At least 50 other people Security forces cordon off the nister Rishi Sunak ended ries, polling at 11% with the $300 billion of Russian fi- And the U.S. Congress The compensation ing their assets seized.
were injured in the acci- accident site in Mexico. AP prolonged speculation potential to split the right-
dent, some seriously, ac- about the general election wing vote.
cording to Nuevo Leon Go- Mexico’s meteorological in a rain-soaked speech on The vote — the first to be
vernor Samuel Garcia. service had warned of hea- Wednesday outside Down- held in July since 1945,
Footage of the incident vy rain, wind gusts of up to ing Street, which some when Labour under Cle-
showed a chaotic scramble 70 km per hour and possi- took as an omen for his ment Attlee defeated Win-
as people screamed and ble tornadoes in Nuevo Le- Conservatives’ chances at ston Churchill’s Conserva-
tried to leap away from the on and other northern the ballot box. tives — is Mr. Sunak’s first
collapsing structure while states on Wednesday The Conservatives have national electoral test.
the lights and a giant night. been in power since 2010, Labour is also promis-
screen toppled onto the The event was the clos- first with David Cameron ing economic stability, say-
area where presidential ing campaign rally for Citi- as Prime Minister, then ing the Tories’ reputation
candidate Jorge Alvarez zens’ Movement candidate Theresa May, Boris John- for sound stewardship of
Maynez and members of for mayor of San Pedro son and Liz Truss, and in- the nation’s finances had
his Citizens’ Movement Garza Garcia, Lorenia creasingly beset by scandal been stained by Ms. Truss’s
party were standing. Canavati. and ideological infighting short-lived tenure.
SCIENCE
Delhi
64a4795a-f79d-4fcd-8af9-530665b6c30b
they “did not put patient safety first”. “failed not once, but repeatedly”. Patient
The six-year-long inquiry is a dissection safety was ignored; decision-making was An infected person still dies
and diagnosis. It uncovers a coverup that A protester outside Westminster, in central London, during the Infected Blood Inquiry final report. AFP “slow and protracted”; people’s every four days in the U.K.,
was “more subtle, more pervasive, and autonomy and privacy were neglected; per one estimate
more chilling in its implications” than an using concentrated pooled plasma from clinical freedom was abused; 쑽
orchestrated conspiracy. It was tens of thousands of donors. It was governments and NHS officials were People were failed repeatedly.
undertaken “to save face and to save deemed to be a medical breakthrough. defensive; the lack of transparency and Patient safety was ignored;
expense”. The calamity was made more The caveat: Factor VIII had a high risk of Those in authority committed the accountability amplified the injustice “to decision-making was slow;
catastrophic by the “defensiveness of infection. Even one blood sample, if ultimate folly, they did not put the people whose lives had been autonomy and privacy were
government...and its refusal over decades infected with HIV or Hepatitis C, could patient safety first destroyed by infection”. neglected; clinical freedom
to hold a public inquiry.” contaminate the entire batch. Demand SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF At a medical level, the opportunities to was abused; lack of
“Affected individuals and families have rose within the U.K., prompting the NHS reduce risk were missed and new risks transparency and
been very stoic in their wait,” says Kate to import supplies from the U.S. were created. There was a failure to accountability amplified the
Khair, a nurse and Director of Research at American blood products were often haemophilia. In January 1982, leading achieve self-sufficiency in blood clot injustice to victims
Haemnet. “Many now feel that the report sourced from high-risk donors including expert Arthur Bloom wrote an infamous treatments in England and Wales; a
gives them vindication.” prisoners, and drug addicts. letter to haemophiliac centres, suggesting failure to introduce surrogate screening
The infections were not fully “the most clearcut way” of testing the for either HIV or Hepatitis C; delays in
The Infected Blood Inquiry understood and identified at the time: the infectivity of the new treatments was on introducing screening for HIV and
The public inquiry, the largest of its kind agent for Hepatitis C was identified in patients previously unexposed to Hepatitis C despite mounting evidence.
to be carried out in the U.K., was 1988, and the first case of AIDS in the U.K. large-pool concentrates – including Doctors, haemophilia centres, pharma
commissioned in 2017 to “examine the was recorded in 1981. Research as early as children. Sir Langstaff vivisects the events companies were guilty of “giving too
circumstances in which men, women, the 1940s shows transfusions or the use of at Treolar’s College in Hampshire, a many transfusions when they were not
and children treated by National Health plasma could transmit “serum hepatitis,” specialist school for people with clinically needed, or when less would
Services ... were given infected blood and which could be fatal or lead to long-term haemophilia. Children were used as have sufficed, or overriding a patient’s
infected blood products” since 1970. The diseases such as liver failure and cancer. “objects of research” and treated wish not to be transfused”.
affected included two groups: those with By the 1970s, researchers had identified “unnecessarily with concentrates
haemophilia (and similar blood the virus responsible for Hepatitis B and (especially commercial ones) rather than What next?
disorders), and people who received became aware of the risks. The choosing safer treatments”. A Mr. Langstaff has given the government a
blood transfusions during surgeries and ‘unexplained Hepatitis’, as Hepatitis C BBC investigation found that of the 122 year to respond to its findings, noting that
childbirth. Between the decades in was understood then, was known to be pupils who attended Treloar’s between the inquiry is far from over. Its
question, at least 3,000 people have died responsible for “the majority of 1974 and 1987, 75 died of HIV and hepatitis recommendations include immediate
due to receiving infected blood. The post-transfusion hepatitis cases and that C infections. compensation, public memorials and for
Haemophilia Society estimates another just as Hepatitis B could have serious The inquiry estimates that of the the learning to seep into medicine,
680 people have died since the inquiry long-term consequences, so too might 4,000–6,000 people with bleeding government and civil services so that the
began. An infected person still dies every non-A non-B Hepatitis”. The WHO disorders in the U.K., about 1,250 tragedy is never repeated. Blood products
four days in the U.K., per one estimate. warned in 1974 and 1975 against importing developed both HIV and Hepatitis C. Of should only be used when necessary, and
Deaths and infections linked to tainted blood products from countries with high them, 380 were children. Three-quarters should be regularly screened for known
blood were also recorded in Australia, rates of hepatitis, such as the U.S. of these individuals have died. Those who viruses. “We need to be sure that the
Canada, China, France, Ireland, Italy, By 1984, when HIV was identified as a received blood transfusions during products we use now are as safe as they
Japan, Portugal, and the U.S. cause, experts grew concerned that surgeries also went on to develop can be”, Dr. Khair adds.
Haemophilia is a rare genetic condition people receiving Factor VIII blood infections. The inquiry estimates that Chief among the Infected Blood
where the blood does not clot properly. concentrate were at risk of HIV infection. between 80 and 100 of them were Inquiry’s recommendations is to create an
Up until the 1970s, treatment options Evidence was, however, discarded and infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with enabling environment where the “patient
included administering the frozen blood authorities failed to switch to safer Hepatitis C. Reports showed the death toll voice is heard”. Dr. Khair concurs. “We
product cryoprecipitate. It carried a low options, Sir Langstaff’s review found. rose among people infected with have to engage with and listen to patient
risk of passing on an infection since it was Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV for two opinions and concerns and act upon
formulated from a single blood donation, Why was tainted blood used? decades, and by the 1990s, almost 3,000 them,” she says. “We can, and should,
but cryo was hard to store and harder to The inquiry revealed how contaminated people had died. On multiple occasions, learn from this — all care that we give
administer to patients. Enter Factor VIII, a blood plasma products imported from the government officials decided not to needs to be assessed”.
revolutionary ‘wonder treatment’ made U.S. were used to treat people with suspend the importation of commercially (saumya.k@thehindu.co.in)
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BIG SHOT
At the upcoming World Health Assembly,
a toolkit to prepare nations for pandemics
Ramya Kannan to prevent unwarranted travel vention, preparedness, and
and trade restrictions. response. The draft pandemic
When the World Health As- WHO Director General Te- agreement, with its own Mem-
sembly (WHA) meets next dros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ber State-led negotiating pro-
week, it will create a historic said: “The IHR has served for cess, is also due to go to the
milestone for global public 20 years, but our experience in World Health Assembly.
health. A package of amend- using this vital tool for the
ments, based on 300 propo- management of multiple pu- Building capacities
sals made by member coun- blic health emergencies, in- A potential new pandemic
tries after the pandemic, will cluding COVID-19, has demon- agreement and the amended
be the star of the agenda. strated important areas in IHRs would be complemen-
These amendments to the In- which they could be tary to international instru-
ternational Health Regulations strengthened.” ments designed and negotiat-
will target improving the abili- Of the amendments, he ad- ed by Member States to help
ty of countries to respond to Lockdown during the COVID-19 ded: “This is historic. Coun- countries protect their peoples
public health emergencies of pandemic. GETTY IMAGES tries have come together better from future pandemic
international concern. around improved international threats. The IHR focuses on
The International Health formed consent and non-dis- mechanisms to protect every building countries’ capacities
Regulations (IHR), first adopt- crimination in the application person in the world and future to detect and respond to public
ed by the WHA in 1969 and last of health measures under the generations from the impact of health events, which could
revised in 2005, were con- Regulations. Therefore, the epidemics and pandemics.” take on international dimen-
ceived to maximise collective IHR is an instrument of inter- IHR Working Group co- sions, while the draft pandem-
efforts to manage public health national law that is legally chair Ashley Bloomfield hoped ic accord focuses on a coordi-
events while minimising dis- binding on 196 countries. the amendments woul hold nated international response
ruption to travel and trade. out. “It has been a long process to pandemics, with equitable
There are 196 State Parties to Surveillance systems to achieve consensus on the access to vaccines, therapeut-
the IHR, comprising all 194 The IHR requires that all coun- majority of amendments. This ics, and diagnostics at the
WHO Member States plus tries have surveillance systems shows the importance the centre.
Liechtenstein and the Holy capable of detecting acute pu- world places on being able to (ramya.kannan@thehin-
See. The IHR provides an ove- blic health events in a timely prepare effectively for and res- du.co.in)
rarching legal framework that manner, assessing these pond better to epidemic and
defines countries’ rights and events, reporting to the WHO pandemic threats, and that
obligations in handling public those that may constitute a pu- there is strong international
health events and emergencies blic health emergency of inter- consensus on how to go about For feedback and
that have the potential to cross national concern, and res- international public health suggestions
X borders. They also introduce ponding to public health risks protection.” This process has for ‘Science’, please write to
‘Mad honey’ (komar honey in Turkish) is displayed in a shop in Cayeli, in the Turkish province of Rize. The lush green Pontic important safeguards to pro- and emergencies. The goal of been running in parallel with science@thehindu.co.in
Alps are home to a subspecies of rhododendron whose purple flowers contain a hallucinogenic neurotoxin with which tect the rights of travellers and country implementation is to an intergovernmental process with the subject
bees make ‘mad honey’. Its fans swear it can cure heart palpitations, dodgy stomachs, and even impotence. Yet every year, other persons in relation to the limit the spread of health risks to develop an international ‘Daily page’
hundreds of people end up in hospitals after gorging themselves on the substance. AFP treatment of personal data, in- to neighbouring countries and agreement on pandemic pre-
CM S ND-NDE
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