NEWS BRIEFING January 24

The United States government has reportedly delayed the delivery of 31 MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones to India, linking it to the requirement for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York-based Khalistan activist with dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship.

A Newslaundry exclusive reveals that Harsh Chouhan, ex-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), voiced serious concerns about recent changes to India’s forest laws. These amendments, made by the Union environment ministry in June 2022 and December 2023, have been slammed for leaning towards corporate interests at the expense of forest communities.

A human rights activist and retired professor has asserted that 97% of individuals accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) are ultimately found innocent following extended periods of incarceration without trial.

A working married woman in India, on average, spends over six hours daily to unpaid domestic chores and caregiving activities. In stark contrast, a married man gives merely 42 minutes per day to these tasks. As a result, women have significantly less time than men for self-care, leisure and socialising, as highlighted by a recent study.

The Manipur government appears to have yielded to the demands of an armed Meitei militia, Arambai Tenggol, marking a significant shift in the region’s power dynamics. It’s a glaring indication of the state government’s inability to maintain control and enforce the rule of law, which can have far-reaching implications, both for the state and for the broader national framework.

On this Republic Day, let’s take a moment for introspection about our role as citizens. As per the Constitution of India, we are entrusted with certain Fundamental Duties. Among these, three duties – promoting brotherhood or solidarity, preserving our composite culture and developing a scientific temper and humanism – stand out for their relevance in today’s context. Let’s ask ourselves if we actively abide by these values in what we endorse, disseminate or tolerate?

Akasa Air has announced it is purchasing 150 Boeing 737 Max jets, a model also operated by SpiceJet and Air India Express. The 737 Max has been under intense scrutiny and embroiled in controversy following two fatal crashes that precipitated its global grounding in 2019. Presently, renewed safety concerns regarding the aircraft have emerged.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public service delivery promises efficiency and transparency, but the absence of policy frameworks governing its use can lead to grave injustices, particularly for the most vulnerable sections of society. In Telangana, an algorithm recently denied thousands of poor people access to food subsidies.

A recent incident in Manipur’s Moreh town, where houses and schools were allegedly set ablaze by Manipur Police commandos, illuminates three primary reasons for the ongoing ethnic violence, which has persisted for over eight months. It also offers insights into the first steps required to cease the unrest.

The consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on Jan. 22, mirrors India’s politics and culture to a far greater extent than its religious aspects. One wonders whether the Hindus who may disapprove of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) policies are genuinely pleased with the temple’s establishment. Can they focus on the essence of who Ram was and the depth of his teachings, solely because of the temple’s presence?

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution, expressing deep concerns over “acts of violence, increasing nationalistic rhetoric, and divisive policies” in India, months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released its 2023 prison census, showing an alarming rise in the incarceration rates of journalists. This trend signals a systematic campaign by governments to suppress dissent and monopolise information dissemination. This phenomenon not only reflects the status of press freedom and democratic principles in individual countries but also carries extensive implications for human rights, the rule of law, the management of information, international relations, and societal involvement, profoundly affecting every citizen within those nations.

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2024 identifies the rapid rise and spread of misinformation and disinformation as the most significant global risk over the next two years, shedding light on the nuances of this risk, its implications and the underlying factors that contribute to its proliferation.

The findings of a nationwide survey, focusing on the educational landscape of youths aged 14-18 in rural India, reveal several critical issues. These include a high dropout rate, a significant deficiency in foundational skills, a noticeable gender gap in educational attainment and a stark scarcity of vocational training opportunities. These revelations are consequential, as a substantial 65% of India’s population resides in rural areas.

India is in the spotlight at the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which began on Jan. 15, with an impressive growth rate of 7.3%, which places the country as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. But is this growth benefiting the majority of India’s workers? An analysis published in Bloomberg answers the question.

A new study published in the Lancet medical journal has brought to light a distressing reality: over 225,000 Indians died from cancer in one year due to preventable causes. This statistic places India second to China in such deaths, calling for immediate action at both individual and governmental levels.

A new book titled “Love Jihad and Other Fictions,” authored by three journalists, Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi and Supriya Sharma, meticulously debunks widely circulated conspiracy theories in India, such as “love jihad,” “population jihad,” and “forced conversions.”

Retail inflation in India climbed to a four-month high in December 2023, accompanied by a decline in industrial production, as revealed by data from the National Statistical Office. We have analysed these figures to explain their impact on you.

A comprehensive report from the U.S.-based organisation Human Rights Watch underscores persistent human rights challenges in India. It asserts that the central government’s policies are discriminatory against religious minorities, Dalits and tribal groups, leading to a rise in communal violence and “state-sponsored” abuses.

New research has revealed that bottled water sold in stores may contain significantly higher levels of nanoplastics than previously known. These particles, 1,000 times smaller than the average width of a human hair, are so small they can migrate through tissues into the bloodstream, potentially distributing harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body.

The rapid urbanisation of India’s cities is leading to a significant environmental challenge: the loss of urban trees. In addition to environmental concerns, the reduction of green spaces also significantly affects public health, heritage and biodiversity, demanding immediate attention.

India’s strategic push to transform Lakshadweep into a major tourist destination, in response to the Maldives’ political posturing and derogatory comments against Indian leadership, has ignited a complex debate. This initiative, while showcasing India’s regional assertiveness, raises concerns about the local community’s cultural identity and environmental sustainability.

Bilkis Bano, who endured a gang rape while five months pregnant and witnessed the murder of 14 family members, including her 3-year-old daughter, in Gujarat in 2002, expresses relief, stating she can finally “breathe” again. This follows the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the premature release of the 11 convicts, a release previously sanctioned by the Gujarat government.

In a recent event in Guwahati, Assam, a journalist named Dipankar Medhi allegedly faced harsh treatment from officials while simply performing his duties. The incident is undeniably a matter of media freedom; however, it also highlights the misuse of power – power entrusted to officials for serving the public, not for oppressing them.

In a compelling speech delivered on Jan. 5, Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna addressed the pressing need for an increased presence of women in India’s judiciary. This change, she argued, is essential for fundamentally enhancing the delivery of justice within the country.

Two scholars from Germany’s Heidelberg University say their study has found that civil society organisations in India, particularly those championing the rights of minorities, Dalits and Adivasis, are facing intensified state scrutiny and regulatory constraints, a situation resulting in a marked narrowing of the civic space within the country.

The Supreme Court of India has put a hold on environmental clearances previously granted by the environment ministry to mining companies that had commenced operations without the requisite environmental clearance, casting a spotlight on the country’s environmental governance, which must strike a balance between industrial interests and the imperative of environmental protection.

As the general elections approach this year, it is anticipated that government debt will rise, a trend commonly observed as governments tend to increase spending during election periods to bolster their chances of retaining power. This practice, recurring in almost every election season and observed globally, has mistakenly been normalised, with its significant impact on us, the ordinary citizens, often being overlooked.

A new government report on the use of antibiotics in India, highlighting its potential to foster “antimicrobial resistance,” or AMR. This condition arises when bacteria evolve, developing resistance to antibiotics, presenting a substantial threat to human health.

Over 17.8 million “active” workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) can no longer look for work due to the central government’s mandate for the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) for wage payments. The government asserts that workers were given ample time for compliance; however, civil society groups contend that the system is unreliable.