NATIONAL NEWS
Farmers defer their tractor march to Parliament
Just when face-off between farmers and parliamentarians appeared inevitable, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha suspended its November 29 tractor march to Parliament, and in a meeting next month, the roadmap for the future course of action will be decided upon. The decision to suspend the march comes two days ahead of the commencement of the Winter Session of Parliament during which a bill to repeal the contentious three farm laws is slated to be introduced. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions protesting the farm laws for the past one year has demanded an assurance in Parliament and said their demand for a legislation guaranteeing farmers Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops is also awaited. SKM leader Darshan Pal, while addressing a press conference, said, we are suspending the Parliament march on Monday. We had written to the Prime Minister for withdrawal of cases against farmers, allotment of land for building a memorial for farmers who lost their lives (during the protest), suspension of Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ from the Union Cabinet over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, along with other issues. He said that a reply is awaited and SKM will hold another meeting on December 4. The SKM also demanded that the government should initiate a dialogue with them in a respectful way. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the three farm laws would be withdrawn. Though farmer unions have welcomed the government’s move, they said their protest would continue until the laws are totally and formally withdrawn and other demands, including legal guarantee of MSP, are met. With assembly elections to the crucial states of UP and Punjab around the corner, the farmers will be watching the Union Government’s move closely.
Prime Minister chairs meeting to review COVID preparedness plans in light of a new strain
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday directed a review of plans to ease international travel restrictions amid emerging new COVID-19 virus variant Omicron found in South Africa, designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). As the US and other countries restrict travel from South Africa, In a two-hour-long meeting with senior Central Government officials, Mr. Modi highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals and testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’. The Prime Minister also asked officials to increase the second dose COVID-19 vaccine coverage at the comprehensive meeting he chaired to review the public health preparedness and vaccination situation for COVID-19. With the detection of the new strain, scientists and health experts in India have said new waves of infection are anticipated and unless we act quickly and efficiently, the country will possibly see repeat waves. India has better tools in hand now compared to two years ago, said Vinod Scaria, scientist at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB). He added the country, however, had to improve its vaccination drive, public health measures, health infrastructure and genomic surveillance to be better prepared. He directed that genome sequencing samples be collected from international travellers and community as per norms, tested through the network of labs already established under INSACOG, and early warning signals identified for COVID-19 management. He spoke about the need to increase the sequencing efforts and make it more broad-based.
President Kovind calls for discretion in courtroom utterances
President Ram Nath Kovind said judges must exercise ‘utmost discretion’ while making utterances in courtrooms and quoted an American judge to argue that courts are not representative bodies and are not designed to be a good reflex of a democratic society. The President made these remarks while delivering the valedictory address at the Constitution Day celebrations, organised by the Supreme Court of India, in the presence of Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana. Chief Justice Ramana, while addressing the inaugural session of the same event on Friday, stated that courts intervene not to usurp the role of the government, but to nudge it to take care of unresolved grievances. Speaking at the concluding session of the two-day event, President also wondered if there can be better way to appoint judges to the higher judiciary without diluting the independence of the judiciary even to the slightest degree. The President noted that in Indian tradition, judges are imagined as a model of rectitude and detachment more akin to sthitpragya [a person of steady wisdom] and the country has had a rich history of legions of such judges known for their utterances full of sagacity and conduct beyond reproach, which have become hallmarks for the future generations.
Delhi court orders FIR against Sambit Patra for posting Arvind Kejriwal’s doctored video
A Delhi court has directed the police to register an FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra for allegedly posting a doctored video of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal supporting the farm laws, saying it may have resulted in rioting like situation across the nation. Metropolitan Magistrate Rishabh Kapoor directed the Delhi Police to register the FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and conduct a thorough investigation against the BJP spokesperson while allowing the application of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Atishi. Ms. Atishi had moved the court seeking registration of FIR against Mr. Patra claiming that the video contained statements that were diametrically opposite to the stand taken by the Delhi CM and the Aam Aadmi Party concerning the farm laws and caused discontent and dissatisfaction in the minds of farmers. The judge noted, The fact that the video was published on the Twitter handle of proposed accused with the caption ‘teeno farm bills ke laabh ginate hue (Counting the benefits of the three farm bills) Sir ji’…, prima facie proves that same was circulated with no intention but to cause the farmers to believe that Kejriwal is supporting the farm laws, which may have perpetuated the state of outrage with the protesting farmers and may have resulted in rioting like situation across the nation. The court said that a thorough investigation was required to be conducted considering the seriousness of the allegations and directed the SHO to register the FIR against Mr. Patra and initiate the probe. The judge noted that in the original video, Mr. Kejriwal was seen replying to a question asked by a journalist by quoting that in the speeches given by leaders of BJP in support of farm laws, it was stated that due to the operation of said laws, the farmers will not lose their lands, the minimum support price assured to them will not be lost, the mandi system will not overturn.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
WHO urges vigilance in southeast Asia over Omicron
Countries must enhance surveillance, sequencing and assess the risk of importation through international travel based on updated information on circulating variants and response capacities, and take measures accordingly, World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Southeast Asia Region office said on Saturday, stating that countries in the region should be vigilant of the new VoC [variant of concern] Omicron. Though COVID-19 cases have been declining in most countries of our region, the surge in cases elsewhere in the world and confirmation of a new Variant of Concern, is a reminder of the persisting risk and the need for us to continue to do our best to protect against the virus and prevent its spread. At no cost should we let our guards down, said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO Southeast Asia Region. She added that comprehensive and tailored public health and social measures to prevent transmission must continue. The earlier the protective measures are implemented, the less restrictive they would need to be in order to be effective. The more COVID-19 circulates, the more opportunities the virus will have to change and mutate, and the pandemic will last longer, Dr. Singh warned. According to a release issued by the WHO South-East Asia Region, the most important thing people must do is reduce their risk of exposure to the virus — wear a mask and wear it properly covering nose and mouth; keep distance; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cover cough and sneeze; and get vaccinated. As of today 31%, of the Region’s population is fully vaccinated, 21% partially vaccinated while nearly 48%, or about a billion people are yet to receive even a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, said Dr. Singh, adding that they continue to be at risk of contracting severe disease due to the virus and spreading it further.
IIC cancels Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier
The International Cricket Council has called off the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Harare due to the introduction of travel restrictions from a number of African countries, including the host country Zimbabwe, following the breakout of a new COVID-19 variant in South Africa. The decision was taken during the preliminary league phase of the nine-team tournament, that was to decide the final three qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, to be played in New Zealand, as well as two additional teams for the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship. The qualifiers will now be decided according to the team rankings as detailed in the tournament playing conditions. Therefore, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now progress to the event in New Zealand. Women’s ODI World Cup will be held in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3. File ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said: We are incredibly disappointed to have to cancel the remainder of this event but with travel restrictions from a number of African countries being imposed at such short notice there was a serious risk that teams would be unable to return home. We have explored a number of options to allow us to complete the event but it isn’t feasible and we will fly the teams out of Zimbabwe as soon as possible. Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 by virtue of their rankings, whilst Sri Lanka and Ireland will also join them in the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship. The teams who have qualified for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April are Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand (hosts), Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh.
