54 Journalists Killed Worldwide in 2024, says RSF
In 2024, at least 54 journalists worldwide lost their lives either on the job or because of their reporting, according to the year-end roundup by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which shows that over half of these deaths occurred in conflict zones, with Gaza identified as the most lethal region globally. The report also mentions two of the five journalists currently detained in India.
The Politics Around Places of Worship Act
Several petitions were submitted to the Supreme Court on Dec. 11 to defend the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, on the eve of a hearing where the law’s validity will be scrutinised. The legislation mandates the preservation of the religious character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947, which blocks political mobilisation around the emotive issues concerning perceived “historical wrongs.”
The Rich Are Fuelling a Spike in Home Prices in India
The outgoing Union Revenue Secretary, Sanjay Malhotra, has been appointed as the next Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), set to take office on Dec. 11 for a three-year term. To explain the importance and relevance of the country’s central bank, the following describes its role in our lives.
New Reserve Bank of India Governor Appointed
The outgoing Union Revenue Secretary, Sanjay Malhotra, has been appointed as the next Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), set to take office on Dec. 11 for a three-year term. To explain the importance and relevance of the country’s central bank, the following describes its role in our lives.
8 More Protesting Farmers Injured With Tear Gas Shells
Eight more farmers sustained injuries on Dec. 8 when Haryana police discharged tear gas shells at protesters attempting to enter Delhi on foot to voice their demands for legal guarantees for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and other longstanding grievances. The incident is the latest in a series of crackdowns this month, which have already resulted in injuries to at least 15 other farmers.
BJP Alleges US Govt., George Soros, Rahul Gandhi Are Attempting to Destabilise India
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that the U.S. government, billionaire investor George Soros and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi are conspiring to destabilise India. The party alleged that the investigative media platform Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) plays a central role in this purported effort, while not questioning the factual basis of the investigative reports.
Farmers’ Protest: 15 Injured and Hospitalised After Haryana Police Use Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets
At least 15 farmers were injured and hospitalised after the Haryana police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters at the Shambhu border on Dec. 5. The demonstrators, who were seeking to enter Delhi, are part of a movement demanding government to address agricultural issues for the last five years.
Manipur Autopsy Reports: 10 Kuki-Zos Killed in CRPF Firing
A thorough analysis of the autopsy reports for the 10 Kuki-Zo “village volunteers” killed in Manipur during an alleged gunbattle with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) suggests that the young men were shot from behind or from multiple directions and at close range. Some of them also sustained injuries that cannot solely be attributed to gunfire.
Lawyer Dushyant Dave Accuses India’s Judiciary of Enabling Divisive Religious Politics
Advocate Dushyant Dave has sharply criticised the judiciary for enabling divisive politics by permitting surveys of mosques over claims that they constructed on the remains of temples from the Mughal era. In a media interview, the lawyer directly accused India’s former Chief Justice, D.Y. Chandrachud, of undermining the Constitution and contributing to rising communal tensions.
How Government’s Reduced Shares in Public Banks Will Affect Us
One of the key proposals in the latest banking reform bill, which was debated in the Lok Sabha on Dec. 3, is to cut the government’s stake in public banks from 51% down to 26%. Some opposition members are calling it a move toward privatisation. There are at least four major concerns for citizens regarding Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, that the government needs to address.
Autopsy Reports Indicate CRPF Misconduct in Manipur
Ten young men from the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur's Jiribam district recently lost their lives in what's been reported as a gunfight with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The CRPF claims these individuals, labelled as “militants,” had attacked a local police station and a nearby CRPF camp. However, subsequent post-mortem reports, seen by Newsreel Asia, cast doubt on the legality and ethics of the actions taken by the paramilitary force.
Trump’s Warning to BRICS Members–Including India–Against Pursuing Alternatives to US Dollar
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has warned BRICS members, including India, against pursuing alternatives to the U.S. dollar, threatening economic retaliation and saying that any efforts to create or support a BRICS currency could lead to severe trade penalties.
Election Commission to Review Maharashtra Voter Turnout, Allegations of EVM Tampering
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will review voter turnout figures and investigate allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering in Maharashtra, in response to concerns raised by the Congress party regarding the transparency of the recent state assembly polls.
A Judicial Commission to Investigate Communal Violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh
A judicial commission has been established to investigate the communal violence that erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, after a second survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths and widespread unrest. The incident, which involved clashes between locals and authorities over claims that the mosque was constructed on the remains of a temple from the Mughal era, quickly escalated to a point where over 2,500 individuals were booked.
How Indian Gov’t Should Respond to Adani’s US Indictment
The Indian government is under mounting pressure to respond decisively to the indictment of Gautam Adani in the United States for alleged bribery and fraud. The charges against the Adani Group, which include accusations of substantial bribes to secure solar power contracts, demand government action to protect India’s global business reputation and domestic corporate culture.
Delhi’s Air Pollution: Government Inaction Amid a Dire Health Emergency
Nov. 27 marked the “cleanest” day of the month in Delhi, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting a 24-hour average AQI of 303 for the city. According to researchers, breathing air with an AQI over 300 is roughly equivalent to smoking about 25 cigarettes a day. This implies that each winter, the millions of residents in and around Delhi effectively “smoke” at least 1,600 cigarettes, as the capital is shrouded in a suffocating blanket of smog for around 65 days between October and January.
Why Does Violence Surge in Manipur Whenever Its Chief Minister Faces Crisis?
Manipur is burning yet again, marking its third major escalation since the violence began in May 2023. The initial outbreak and the three subsequent flare-ups have almost seemed predictable, each coinciding with challenges to the leadership of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
Should There Be No Male Tailors, Barbers, or Gym Trainers for Women?
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) State Women’s Commission has proposed a series of measures aimed at protecting women from harassment, including unwanted advances and inappropriate physical contact. These measures include prohibiting men from taking measurements of women in tailor shops, cutting their hair or training them in gyms. What impact would this proposal have on the residents if it were enacted? I went out to collect their reactions.
Ladakh’s Case for the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule
On Oct. 21, Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded his 16-day hunger strike after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to resume discussions on the four key demands made by local leaders. The most crucial demand of the people of Ladakh is for greater autonomy through statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Speaking to Newsreel Asia, a leading Ladakhi activist elaborates on the rationale behind these demands.
Rahul Gandhi Keeps the Issue of National Caste Census Alive
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition, has reaffirmed his commitment to implementing a national caste census, this time focusing on making Telangana a model state for such an initiative.