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Puja at Rabindra Sarovar: Religious sentiments vs environmental concern

Simrana Fatima and Ananya Sarkar
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Puja at Rabindra Sarovar: Religious sentiments vs environmental concern

Kolkata: Rising pollution and environmental issues might have become a focal point of discussion in many Indian cities, including national capital Delhi, but it seems, like Kolkata is yet to wake up to the cause.

As in recent Chhath Puja celebration, little attention to the directives and instructions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) paid by those celebrating the festival as well as the authorities.  Thousands of people forced themselves into Rabindra Sarovar after breaking the locks of the gates and jumping over the bamboo barricades to perform the puja rituals, officials informed.

Green Zone Rabindra Sarovar

In the previous two years, Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority or KMDA was quite unsuccessful in preventing the scores of people from flocking to the Lake Area. However, despite being better prepared this year with prior experience and regular meetings held with the community before the festival, the officials failed to control the enthusiastic crowd.

Ecology expert believe that the damage done to the Green Zone is irreversible. In spite of clean up drives for the last few days, the Lake—home to almost a hundred different species of aquatic animals—reeks of rotten flowers, reflect the damage done. The underwater layers mirrored the presence of empty packets of milk, incense sticks and even, burnt firecrackers. Carcasses of dead fishes and turtles were found on the water surface, indicating the catastrophic destruction that has been wrought on the otherwise peaceful atmosphere of the Sarovar area.

Kolkata green zone rabindra sarovar chhath puja pollution ecology environment
Another photograph of dead fishes in the Sarovar, shared widely on social media/FB

But in the current chaotic situation, guards blaming the numbers of devotees coming in while the Mayor had made it clear that its the impossibility of suppressing expression of any religious belief by using force.

Many of the local residents hint at unawareness as the primary reason. “Maybe, they were not aware of the alternate sites or that this was something illegal. I think this is an uproar made to appear more serious than it is”, said one resident, who demanded anonymity.

A number of other people also indicated at how the ancestral history of doing the Puja annually at the Lake Area, instigated the forceful entry this year. “Yeh Hamara Riwaaz Hai, Band Kar De Kiya? Baap-Dada Ke Zamane Se Chal Raha Hai (It’s our ritual, should we stop it? It’s going on since the time of our ancestors”),” reacted another anonymous source.

“I completely understand that saving the environment should be everyone’s priority right now but at the same time disregarding any religious practices or beliefs is completely incorrect. The religious sentiment behind Chhath Puja is really strong. Instead of just brutally shutting down the gates there could have been certain restrictions regarding the use of polluting items. I am not trying to justify the violence but I cannot ignore the fact that that lake has been the ideal location for Chhath Puja over the years,” said Hrishita Kumar, a college student.

Petitions have been filed against the misuse of the Green Zone, alongside on-going protests on a national level.

Would love to showcase Kolkata street kids’ performance in London- Hollywood Star Jeremy Irons

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Would love to showcase Kolkata street kids’ performance in London- Hollywood Star Jeremy Irons

Kolkata: Hollywood star Jeremy Irons’s Kolkata visit becomes memorable as he watched extra-ordinary performances by underpriviledged kids on Friday.

Although not many were aware before his visit to Kolkata, but actor Jeremy Irons, has been a patron of The Hope Foundation for a long time.

Impressed with the show, Irons – a winner of Academy Award, told eNewsroom that he would ‘love to showcase it in London. Jeremy, the legendary actor has also won Tony Award and Primetime Emmy Award along with Academy, which makes him stand among the rare category of Hollywood actors.

“I was knocked out by the show. I think it was extraordinary and enormous talent. Enormous about of work went into it. And the great thing about dance is that it gives you rules for life because you have to watch each other, you have to listen, you have to practice, you have to work hard and all the children who were working today had to it, were doing that. I think that if they continue to do that to their lives, they will have a wonderful life,” said Jeremy.

The Hope Foundation celebrated its 20th Annual Cultural and Education Day on the theme – ‘Power of Humanity’ in the presence of Jeremy Irons, Hollywood Actor and Hope Foundation’s patron, Maureen Forrest, Honorary Director, The HOPE Foundation and many other dignitaries. 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U35HrMp3vBk[/embedyt]

 

Riot of colours, celebration of talent

Performances par excellence, and a gentle reminder of what children from humble backgrounds can achieve if they are given the opportunity to do so. These were the hallmarks of Hope Foundation’s annual Cultural and Education Day held at Nazrul Mancha on the morning of November 8, 2019.

Five hundred fifty underprivileged children who have found hope since The Hope Foundation touched their lives presented an extravaganza that celebrated humanity, inter-faith harmony, India’s historical and cultural heritage, and also shared messages on the importance of saving water, trees and saying ‘No’ to plastic. Through their skits and dance routines, the children – ranging from tiny tots to young adults – also taught invaluable lessons pertaining to the need to protect and conserve Mother Nature, our planet and the environment.

The programme was graced by renowned Hollywood actor Jeremy Irons, his son and famous photographer Sam Irons, Maureen Forrest, Honorary Director, HOPE Foundation, Dr. Sinead Flanagan, Hope Foundation Ireland’s Ambassador and many other eminent dignitaries from Kolkata and Ireland.

Speaking to eNewsroom, Maureen Forrest, Director, HOPE Foundation stated, “It was incredible. Everyone was blown by the performances and also by the message and the story of the show and by the professionalism of the dancers and the choreographers. All of this is from little children most of whom are brought up in slums and on the streets and our point is that if you help, encourage and give children some help in life when they don’t have much of it and their parents are first generation learners, this is the result of what we see.”

The Hope Foundation established in 1999 is an Irish Charity with offices in Ireland, India, the UK, Germany and the USA. It aims to protect and lead towards the development of children living on the streets and in difficult circumstances. Hope operates over 60 projects in and around Kolkata through 13 local implementation partner organizations.

Jharkhand BJP leader gets ration from Antyodaya, claims being MNREGA labour, while Savitri starves to death after being denied Antyodaya card 

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Jharkhand BJP leader gets ration from Antyodaya, claims being MNREGA labour, while Savitri starves to death after being denied Antyodaya card 

Ranchi: In the past three years, Jharkhand has witnessed at least 23 hunger deaths. At a time when eligible poor are not getting rations and other benefits from social welfare schemes, ruling party leaders are milking all the benefits and perks of the scheme, that too on time.

BJP vice- president of Giridih district, Mahadev Dubey not just holds a Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) job card but also Antyodaya ration card, which is mostly issued to individuals from BPL category.

Ironically, the BJP leader hails from the same Jamua assembly segment, of which Savitri Devi was a resident. While Dubey got access to all the social schemes, Devi was denied of all the benefits promised by government welfare schemes. Dubey, not just got the cards, but also managed to get 38 days of work too, in 2019.

The 48-year-old BJP leader is in-charge of the Jamua assembly segment and has two-storey building in Deori. Antyodaya Cards have been issued in the name of his family members. For the uninitiated, Antyodya card, allows a family to get 40 kilograms of rice every month at the rate of rupee one per kilogram, among many other food-grains.

jharkhand bjp leader ration mnrega hunger Giridih starvation
MNREGA job card of Mahadev Dubey

However, the recent hunger death victim, Savitri Devi, was denied of an Antyodya card. Her application for a new card had also not been accepted by the food-grains supply department.

Significantly, not only BJP vice-president has got a job under MNREGA but he has been paid on time and there are no pending dues to be cleared for him.

His ration card details reveal that he has been regularly availing the benefit of purchasing 40 kilograms of rice. His most recent rice purchase was in November month.

A scan of social media profile of Mahadev Dubey will let you know, that he is close to all bigwigs of Giridih BJP like Jamua MLA Kedar Hazra, Gandey MLA Jai Prakash Verma and Koderma’s both present and former Member of Parliament (MP)s Annapurna Devi and Ravindra Rai, respectively.

When contacted BJP’s Giridih District President Sunil Agrawal, he claimed he has no idea about it. He refused to comment on the same.

Jamua MLA Kedar Hazra gave a similar reaction, he said, “I am out of Giridih at the moment. On my return, I shall look into the matter for a better understanding, following which I will be able to comment on the same.”

jharkhand bjp leader ration mnrega hunger Giridih starvation
Mahadev Dubey in white shirt-pant with Jamua MLA Kedar Hazra (Yellow shirt)/ Facebook

However, members from the opposition camp were not lax in letting the issue simply pass away, especially with election round the corner. “This is a classic example in Jharkhand to know what a common man and what a politician are getting in the state. Savitri Devi, who had no pucca house and was entitled to all government welfare schemes, was not just denied the Antyodya card but was also deprived of the PM Awas. Neither did she get the much-hyped gas connection under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna, nor did her sons manage to get the MNREGA job card,” said Krishan Murari Sharma, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s District Coordinator while talking to eNewsroom.

He added, “In the same assembly constituency, a ruling party leader is getting all the welfare scheme facilities, while Savitri was denied. Dubey Ji has got MNREGA job cards and jobs too; he has also been paid as well while thousands of MNREGA labours are still waiting for their wages for six months now to be cleared by the government in Jharkhand. He is also getting rations on time through his Antyodaya card,” added Murari.

Deputy Development Commissioner Mukund Das, told eNewsroom, “It is not necessary that a socially well-known or a person a two-storey building cannot make job card or get work under MNREGA. But I cannot rule out the possibility of him not working as labour. I will look into the matter.”

However, Dubey, when contacted, defended himself. Speaking to eNewsroom, he said, “I am an MNREGA labour and I also avail ration using the Antyodaya card. Not a single person from my family has a government job. We have 15 members in my family, so I avail of all these benefits.”

Dubey, a graduate in Political Science, added, “I welcome any inquiry in this regard.”

Video Story: Is Jharkhand a failed state or having a Jungle Raj? 22nd Mob Lynching cases in Raghubar government

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Video Story: Is Jharkhand a failed state or having a Jungle Raj? 22nd Mob Lynching cases in Raghubar government

Ranchi: Mubarak Ansari, 48, becomes 22nd mob lynching victims in Jharkhand. While Akhtar Ansari, 26, has managed to live on, despite receiving serious injuries from a mob thrashing. He  is undergoing treatment in a hospital in Bokaro district of Jharkhand.

Mubarak and Akhtar were accused of stealing a battery from a truck in Govindpur colony of Bokaro. The two accused hail from a village closeby. On Nov 5, the duo was intercepted by the owners, in Govindpur, when the they were allegedly whisking away a truck battery. Following which the owners invited many more resident, who tied Mubarak to a pole and began to mercilessly beat the two.

“We were mercilessly beaten from midnight to early morning of Nov 6. Only when some villagers of my village crossed by and identified us, that they called our village Sadar (local committee president), who informed the police,” said Akhtar in written complaint to the police.  Akhtar, is at present undergoing treatment,  also mentioned in the FIR that Mubarak succumbed to the injuries that he sustained due to mob lynching.

Like other lynching case, in this case too, the entire episode of Mubarak and Akhtar being lynched was recorded on camera. Female voices could also be heard inciting the mob and also demanding for a compensation.

Bokaro police has arrested four accused in this lynching case. Interestingly, in this case one of the arrested accused is a woman, who has been named in the FIR lodged by Akhtar.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDeY-Ynj2Ao[/embedyt]

 

The lynching of Mubarak is the latest one in the long list of at least 22 victims of lynching cases that has taken place in Jharkhand under Raghubar Das led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. People have been lynched sometimes on the basis of alleged stealing charges, sometimes for transporting beef and cows and sometimes for child lifting or theft. And mostly Muslims or members from the scheduled tribe (tribals) and scheduled caste (dalits) have been victims of these heinous crimes that have been taking place in Jharkhand, over these three years.

A recent case of Tabrez Ansari was highlighted across the world and the issue was even raised in United States and in its Security Council.

However, only in two cases (Alimuddin Ansari of Ramgarh and Mazloom Ansari of Latehar), conviction of the accused took place at the lower courts.

While it is well known to every that killers of Alimuddin are on bail now and have even been felicitated by the Hazaribagh MP Jayant Sinha.

A Dance show to Invocate The Artist Within

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A Dance show to Invocate The Artist Within

Kolkata: A strong sense of aesthetic appeal, grit and hard work intertwined together gave Shaswati Garai Ghosh the ideal canvas to exhibit her dance forms like a fluid art work through Sampriti, 2019, an annual dance event of an Odissi Dance Institute.

The choreography, concept and visually vibrant dance moves neatly weaved together left the audience mesmerized at the Indian Council for Cultural Relation’s (ICCR) Auditorium, on the eve of October 31.

Shaswati, a brilliant dancer and an equally talented choreographer brought together dancers of various age groups, from the very young to experienced members of the Odissi Repertoire and curated an evening of spellbinding colours, jovial moves and rustic textures.

The programme started with Arpan (homage to the almighty), which was followed by a dreamy sequence of Sthayi (a technical Odissi piece), Natati, Sthiti (a beautiful juxtaposition of yoga and dance movements) and Shankaravarnama Pallavi.

This was followed by a beautiful rendition of Rabindra Nath Tagore’s Aye Tobe Sohochori in classical tunes named Dha Dhina, portraying a reflection of the playful child to the cheerful adult.

odissi art artist Indian classical dance
Odissi dancers during Sampriti 2019 performance

Juda Bandhinu mirrored the eternal feminine character dressing up in embellishments, shying away and adorning the maiden within, all at the same time.

In her own composition, Vriddhi, Shaswati made a beautiful endeavour to portray the growth of an artist, with one Raga depicting one particular phase of the artist’s journey. The sublime piece showed the growing up of the playful, dancing kid to the delightful belle, lost and cultivated in her own moves.

Shaswati’s solo piece at the very end, on the Raag Kalashree was a quest within, as the dancer journeys within herself to find out the daring maneuvers in her heart. Depicting chaos and serenity at the same time, the piece ended with something more magnificent- call to the artist within.

A metaphor for the whole journey of life, Vriddhi culminated in the concoction of hope, faith and power. The fluidity of movements alongside the deeply philosophical overtones gave the piece a splendid touch and a lively enamour.

Shaswati’s solo was beautifully rendered and truly galvanizing. The event winded up with a sensational spiritual note, promising yet more such performances.

Hunger deaths continue to haunt Jharkhand, another death in Giridih

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Hunger deaths continue to haunt Jharkhand, another death in Giridih

Ranchi: One more alleged hunger death has taken place in Jharkhand. A 48-year-old woman died on Tuesday at Chirudih village in Jamua block of Giridih district, on November 5, 2019. Her husband has alleged that she died from hunger. With no food at home, the couple had been skipping on their meals for the past three days. Incidentally, the family has no ration card.

Ironically, it is the third alleged hunger death in Giridih in the last two years. Earlier, two persons had died in Tisri and Dumri blocks of Giridih district.

As far as Jharkhand is concerned, so far 23 alleged starvation deaths have taken place in the last three years.

In the most recent starvation death, Savitri Devi was alone when she died at her residence. Her husband, Rameshwar Turi had gone out in search of some daily wage work, so that he could make some arrangement for food. However, when he returned back home, towards the evening, he found his wife dead.

“We had not eaten anything since yesterday. She has died due to starvation,” said Turi, to media persons on Tuesday.

Listen what husband of the deceased has to say:

 

No food for Three Days

While on Wednesday when eNewsroom talked to Turi over the phone, he said, “We had not eaten since the last three days. Neither did we have any food at home nor the money to buy anything.”

He also refuted that his wife ill. “Savitri had no disease, she was fine,” he said, on being asked about his wife’s health.

Sixty-five-year-old Turi, is physically challenged. His right hand does not function properly. He said said, “I had not been getting work for a month now. Lack of works, even made me wash utensils at some eateries in exchange of food.”

starvation hunger deaths in jharkhand giridih food ration card
Ration card application form of Savitri Devi

No Ration Card, No Food

In earlier hunger death cases, it was found that victim’s ration card was cancelled as they had no Aadhaar and cards could not be linked. But in Savitri’s case, her Antoyodya card get cancelled without any reason and a new card never get made.

Now the family has no ration card in their name, “I had personally handed over the filled form to Block Supply Officer (BSO) Rajiv Ranjan a year back, but I am yet to get my ration card,” he added.

Also, Turi lives in a kachha house, despite eligible for a house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PM House Scheme).

Turi has three sons– two live separately, while the youngest one has gone to Kolkata in search of work.

The Block Development Officer (BDO) Binod Karmakar told eNewsroom, “Not having ration card is a serious issue and action will be taken if it is found true. I have told CO (Circle Officer) to inquire and submit the report as soon as possible.”

starvation hunger deaths in jharkhand giridih food ration card
Deceased Savitri Devi had Aadhaar, still not only her Antayodya card get cancelled and new one did not issue

Again no Post-Mortem

However, like all the alleged hunger death cases, post-mortem has not been initiated by the administration. The family has cremated Savitri Devi’s body.

BSO Rajiv Ranjan number remained out of range, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Sinha’s number was switched off, when eNewsroom tried contacting him.

Judicial inquiry demanded  

CPI-ML’s Dhanwar MLA Rajkumar Yadav visited the family and later told eNewsroom, “It is a starvation death, caused by the system and officials. First of all, Turi’s Antyodaya Card should not be cancelled, as he has no Pucca house.

The MLA also alleged, “And when his son went to the dealer to make the new card, Rs 2000 bribe has been asked from him.”

Yadav also mentioned that, “Turi is entitled for PM Awas and pensions also, but none has been given to him or his family. There should be a judicial inquiry in the case, else from Santoshi to Budni to now Savitri will keep dying. The Raghubar Das government should also take responsibility now, it has been 19 years of the creation of Jharkhand but still hunger deaths are continue.”

Fear, anxiety and uncertainty on the faces of Bengal migrant workers returning from Kashmir

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Fear, anxiety and uncertainty on the faces of Bengal migrant workers returning from Kashmir

Kolkata: The Union Government might be trying its best to suggest that an era of peace has dawned over Jammu and Kashmir, but the 132 migrant workers (of which 5 are from Assam) who were rescued from Kashmir have a different story to tell.

“What Kashmir? There is nothing left to talk about Kashmir. At present, it is in very bad condition. There are constant strikes. Vehicle movement is very restricted in the valley,” rued Komol Sarkar, a resident of North 24 Pargana, who has just returned to his home state West Bengal along with other 131 migrant labourers.

Sarkar has been going to Kashmir for the past eight years to work. But his time, he had to return to Kolkata on Monday evening, November 4, as he was feeling unsafe in the valley after five migrant workers from Bengal were shot dead by terrorists on October 29 in Kulgam.

Faju Sheikh, who had reached Baramula on October 12, is relieved to be back home. He said, “After that incident, we were living in constant fear. We all kept wondering, about our family’s fate if we too were killed by the militants. This sense of insecurity made us send out SOS to various people to help us get back home.”

The relief from fear, anxiety and uncertainty was visible on the faces of migrant labourers who reached to Kolkata from Kashmir. This evacuation of migrant workers is a first of its kind after the militant act in Kashmir.

Faju Sheikh, who had reached Baramula on October 12, is relieved to be back home. He said, “After that incident, we were living in constant fear. We all kept wondering, about our family’s fate if we too were killed by the militants. This sense of insecurity made us send out SOS to various people to help us get back home.”

Among the returnees, many had gone to the valley, a month back, while some had reached Kashmir and it seemed like they had been sent back from the station itself. However, on reaching Kolkata station many of the returning labourers, who had been in Kashmir for a longer period, were worried about their payments, as they hadn’t got their salaries.

Most of them were working in playwood factories in Kashmir.

Mayor of Kolkata and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Firhad Hakim was present at Kolkata Railway Station to receive the migrants and have them sent back to their respective home. Speaking to the media, he said, “I am here to ensure that each migrant labour reaches his home. Along with Bengali workers, 5 from Assam had also been rescued. We are ready to extend any help that they need to go back to their homes.”

west bengal migrants labourers kashmir workers TMC Firhad Hakim
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim talks to migrant labourers from Bengal as they reach Kolkata from Kashmir

On being asked about another bombing that took place in Kashmir, he said, “Democracy has been killed. We are being told that Kashmir is fine, then why all this is happening?” When asked about BJP’s allegation that TMC is doing politics on Kashmir issue, Hakim answered, “Choro Ko Sab Nazar Atey Hai Chor. Since they believe in doing politics of blood and hatred, they feel that others also indulge in the same practice. We don’t indulge in politics of hate or blood.”

The mayor informed that maximum workers are from Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Cooch Behar, Murshidabad area of Bengal, while 5 among the 132 rescued workers were from Assam. Bengal government has also arranged buses to send the labourers to their respective destinations.

Meanwhile, Samirual Islam of Bangla Sanskriti Mancha (BSM), who had been in constant touch with the labourers, since the killing took place, told eNewsroom, “We request the Bengal and central government to prepare a register for the migrant workers, so at the time of emergency they can be traced out.” BSM officials informed that they helped government in locating the labourers in Kashmir.

He added, “There is also a need to provide jobs to labourers, as it is a matter of survival for them. And they had gone outside the state because of getting lack of work here.”

Why spend tax-payers money on detention centres if illegal migrants won’t be deported to Bangladesh, asks Anti-NRC Forum

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Why spend tax-payers money on detention centres if illegal migrants won’t be deported to Bangladesh, asks Anti-NRC Forum

Kolkata: Joint Anti-NRC Forum, which has been protesting against the proposed implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB)  in West Bengal and rest of India after Assam,  has now waged a war on it and won’t stop till CAB gets scrapped and NRC gets stalled.  The Forum has now announced to conduct  Yatras across Bengal to sensitise common man about the ground reality of the two.

The Convenor of Joint Forum Against NRC, Deborshi Chakraborty, made it very clear, that their forum, would fight till the end to stall NRC implementation in Bengal and India.

“NRC is an anti-Human law. We are demanding the citizenship for all those left out of the final NRC-list in Assam. Setting up detention centres is not going to solve the problem,” he declared. He added, “The home minister of India in his last visit to Bengal, made it very plain and clear that the entire exercise is to corner a single community. Our understanding of Indian democracy doesn’t allow us to accept this religious discrimination while granting citizenship to illegal immigrants.”

Debashish informed about forum’s plan, “We understand the fear psychosis it is instilling in the mind of the common man. Hence, we have decided to organise an anti-NRC yatra to sensitise and educate common man about NRC and CAB. Pahad Theke Sagar (Mountain to Bay): Anti-NRC Bill will be flagged off on November 15 from Darjeeling and will culminate on December 6 at Bokkhali (Sunderban). This will be followed by a mass public meeting on December 9 at Kolkata’s Metro Channel area in Esplanade.”

Anti-NRC Yatra to steam up movement in Bengal

“We are ready to fight NRC and CAB at every level. Be it challenging the act at the apex court or taking on to the street to demonstrate public outrage, we are ready to do it all,” said Prasenjit Bose, another Convenor of the Forum.

While Debashish informed about forum’s plan, “We understand the fear psychosis it is instilling in the mind of the common man. Hence, we have decided to organise an anti-NRC yatra to sensitise and educate  common man about NRC and CAB. Pahad Theke Sagar (Mountain to Bay): Anti-NRC Bill will be flagged off on November 15 from Darjeeling and will culminate on December 6 at Bokkhali (Sunderban). This will be followed by a mass public meeting on December 9 at Kolkata’s Metro Channel area in Esplanade.”

Challenging both the Union and State government, Bose, sought answers to some tough questions raised by him on behalf of the forum. “According to media reports, our PM has assured Sheikh Hasina, PM of Bangladesh, during their meets in New York and New Delhi, that NRC exercise wouldn’t affect Bangladesh. Now, can you please explain as to why over INR 1600 crore is being spent on detention centres if these illegal migrants won’t be deported to Bangladesh.”

According to the Forum, the Yatra would formally flag off their fight against NRC not just in West Bengal but across India.

Straight questions for PM Narendra Modi

Challenging both the Union and State government, Bose, sought answers to some tough questions raised by him on behalf of the Forum. “According to media reports, our PM has assured Sheikh Hasina, PM of Bangladesh, during their meets in New York and New Delhi, that NRC exercise wouldn’t affect Bangladesh. Now, can you please explain as to why over INR 1600 crore is being spent on detention centres if these illegal migrants won’t be deported to Bangladesh.”

He pointed out, “Also, in 2014, while campaigning in Silchar, on February 22, PM Modi had said that they wouldn’t be abusing human rights like the way Congress did during its regime in Assam. Then why are the detention centres not being shut down in Assam and why has the centre commissioned the setting up of new detention centres not just in Goalpara but across India.”

Bose further said, “Can she explain, as to why the Union Home Ministry has notified the state in two separate notifications about census and NPR? If both are the same, then one notification should have been sent. Then why are the advertisements issued by state government suggesting Census and NPR as same.”

Questions for Didi too

Bose was even vocal in criticising the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. He said, “She has been saying that she is anti-NRC, but her recent advertisements are quite misleading. Especially when she says that National Population Register (NPR) is a regular census and the public need not fear. Please consult the July 31 Gazette issued by the Government of India, clearly states that NPR is a precursor to the implementation of NRC across India.”

Bose further said, “Can she explain, as to why the Union Home Ministry has notified the state in two separate notifications about census and NPR? If both are the same, then one notification should have been sent. Then why are the advertisements issued by state government suggesting Census and NPR as same.”

Stating the Manual Instructions for updating NPR, he said, “The Union Home Ministry clearly describes NPR as the first step towards the creation of a National Register of Indian Citizenship (NRIC). In the backdrop of the WB Assembly passing a resolution opposing NRC in Bengal, what’s the state government’s stand on the same, we would like to know.”

CAB is not the solution, giving citizenship to all is

The Forum also highlighted as to how CAB will also not be able to take care of the millions of Hindu who will be declared stateless on implementation of NRIC.

Chakraborty said, “According to page 39 of the Joint Committee report on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill Act 2016, Indian Intelligence Bureau has clearly indicated that according to their record, they are only 31,313 people belonging to the minority communities (Hindus- 25447, Sikhs -5807, Christians -55, Buddhists -2 and Parsis 2) who have been given Long Term Visas on the basis of their claim of religious persecution in their respective countries and want Indian citizenship. Hence, only these many individuals will be the immediate beneficiaries. The remaining would have to prove that they had sought refuge in India because of religious persecution. Also, if they had not declared so when they arrived in India, it will be pretty difficult to prove the same after so many years. Also, every such claim would be enquired into, including through R&AW before a final decision is taken.”

The session was concluded with Manzar Jameel, a member of the Forum reciting Urdu Poet Faiz’s couplet – “Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hai Tere (Speak, for you are free to speak).”

Goldsmiths from West Bengal set to return from Jeddah

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Goldsmiths from West Bengal set to return from Jeddah

Kolkata: The 21 goldsmiths from West Bengal who had been left stranded in Jeddah have a reason to smile. The officials from the Indian Embassy, Jeddah have sprung into act on to facilitate the smooth exit of the workers from Saudi Arabia to their country – India.

A video released by one of the key petitioners to National Anti-Trafficking Committee’s Kolkata Chapter, Nazrul Islam, can be heard saying, “Indian Embassy officials from Jeddah have contacted us, asking details of all the 21 migrant workers from West Bengal. We have been told that if we can produce the details of all the stranded workers along with our passport number and a ‘No Objection Certificate’ then they will help us get back home. It is a big relief for us.”

eNewsroom had reported the plight of 21 goldsmiths from West Bengal, who were left stranded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The migrant workers had been sent to Jeddah by their agent on a tourist visa. On reaching the airport the officials of Musalli Gold confiscated their passport and visa, thereby, leaving them at the mercy of the company. Initially the workers got their salary on time, however, for the past three months, the workers have not received their salary, leaving them helpless. The deplorable condition that they were being forced to live in made one of them contact NATC.

A migrant worker speaks after being contacted by MEA officials:

 

In an earlier SOS video, one of the migrant workers from Howrah were seen pleading in Bengali how they are forced to live in inhuman condition, “We are goldsmiths from West Bengal, and we are stuck here in Saudi Arabia for the past two years. We have been pleading to our employer to send us back to our country. We work for Saudi Arab’s Musalli Gold Factory. Our company is not responding to our plea. They are telling us to do what we can. We have been told that we can go back to our country on our own. But with no passport, how can we? Also, for three months we haven’t been paid. We don’t have food to eat and water to drink.”

Migrant workers had also pleaded, “We need to be back, as some of our parents are unwell, while some of our parents are on the verge of dying. We need to go back.”

"One of the stranded goldsmith, Nazrul Isalm from Hoogly district had contacted me. Following which we have been in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Embassy Jeddah and our counterparts in Saudi Arabia. We have produced all the necessary documents before the ministry to have Emergency Passports issued for these workers so that they can be immediately sent back home," informed Sheik Jinnar, Chairperson, NATC.

According to Jinnar, all the 21 migrant workers would be reaching India by Tuesday, November 5.

देश के सबसे छोटे विधान सभा में से एक, झारखंड में होंगे 5 चरणों में चुनाव

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देश के सबसे छोटे विधान सभा में से एक, झारखंड में होंगे 5 चरणों में चुनाव

राँची: झारखंड में विधान सभा चुनाव की घोषणा नवम्बर 1 को हो गयी और एक नहीं, दो नहीं, पाँच चरणों में होंगे राज्य में चुनाव।

और एक इत्तिफाक़ है के विपक्ष की सारी पार्टियां एक चरण में चुनाव चाहती थी और सत्ताधारी भारतीय जनता पार्टी (भाजपा)  5 चरणों में।

कुछ ही दिनों पहले हरयाणा में चुनाव हुआ, जहां 90 सीटे हैं, और वहाँ एक चरण में चुनाव हुए। झारखंड में मात्र 81 विधान सभाएं हैं।

नक्सल गतिविधि में झारखंड में 30 से 40 फीसदी तक गिरावट

चुनाव आयोग ने कहा के झारखंड नक्सल प्रभावित है और इसलिए ऐसा  हो रहा।

पर ऐसा करने के लिए चुनाव आयोग ने जिस नक्सल समस्या के सहारा लिया है। उसकी आज की स्थिती को भी देख लीजिये। दरअसल, नक्सल गतिविधि में झारखंड में 30 से 40 फीसदी तक गिरावट आई है, ये कहना है झारखंड पुलिस का।

दैनिक भास्कर ने जून 5 को एक रिपोर्ट में झारखंड पुलिस में मात्र 550 नक्सली बचे हुए हैं। और सीआरपीएफ की 122, आईआरबी की 5 और झारखंड जगुआर की 40 कंपनी फोर्स लगी हुई है इनके सफाया के लिए।

रिपोर्ट में कहा गया के, झारखंड में अब प्रतिबंधित नक्सली संगठन भाकपा माओवादी, टीपीसी और पीएलएफआई कमजोर पड़ गए हैं। नक्सली वारदातों में कमी आई है। प्रभाववाले कई इलाकों से नक्सलियों के पैर उखड़ गए हैं।

और ये भी के सिर्फ जनवरी 2019 से जून तक झारखंड में 25 मुठभेड़ हुई जिसमे पुलिस भारी पड़ी पुलिस और 18 नक्सली मारे गए, 65 गिरफ्तार भी हुए थे।

2018 में करीब 160 नक्सलियों को सुरक्षा बल के जवानो ने मार गिराया था। वहीं 1200 नक्सली गिरफ्तार हुए। 360 ने हथियार डाला था।

राजनीति के जानकार भी ये मानते हैं के झारखंड में नक्सल समस्या पहले से कम हुई है और चुनाव 2 या ज्यादा से ज्यादा 3 चरणों में हो सकता था।

डरी हुई है भाजपा 

चुनाव के घोषणा के बाद झारखंड मुक्ति मोर्चा के कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष हेमंत सोरेन ने एक विडियो मैसेज जारी किया।

“5 चरणों में चुनाव से ये स्पष्ट हो रहा है की इस राज्य में हालात अच्छे नहीं यही वजह है के देश में अकेले झारखंड में चुनाव हो रहा। राज्य में सभी सामग्री है, वयवस्था है फिर भी चुनाव पाँच चरणों होंगे। चुनाव की तारीख से ये पता चलता है के (रघुबर दास) सरकार की जड़े हिल चुकी हैं,” हेमंत सोरेन ने कहा।

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