Delhi HC dismisses appeal by Samata Party challenging ECI’s decision to reserve election symbol Flaming Torch

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November 3, 2022

Delhi High Court Election Commission of India — Image: PTI

The Division Bench of Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal moved by one Samata Party challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to reserve the election symbol “Flaming Torch” for Shiv Sena Party led by Uddhav Thackeray for the upcoming Andheri East Assembly bypoll.

Samta Party had approached the Division Bench challenging the single bench order rejecting its petition

The Division Bench headed by Delhi’s Chief Justice Satish Chander Sharma also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad found no fault in the single bench order and dismissed it on Thursday

Recently, the ECI had allotted the ‘Flaming Torch’ symbol to the Uddhav group to be used in the upcoming Andheri East bypoll.

Earlier, the single bench, while passing the order, noted that the Petitioner/Samata Party was declared unrecognised by the Election Commission in 2004.

The Petitioner Party claimed that it was declared unrecognised by the Election Commission in the year 2004, but it was recognised as a national party.

The symbol “Flaming Torch” was reserved for Samta Party and Samta Party is contesting elections constantly and in future, it may gain its recognition as a recognised party, then how can the symbol be given to some other party, stated the plea.

The plea further stated that the Samata Party (SAP) petitioner organisation is a political party in India, initially formed in 1994 by George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar.

It was an offshoot of the Janata Dal. The party has socialist leanings, and at one point wielded considerable political and social influence in North India, particularly in Bihar.

The plea also stated that the decision of the Election Commission of India whereby it allotted the symbol of ‘Flaming Torch’ to Shiv Sena is erroneous.

The Election Commission of India in the Impugned order dated 10.10.2022 itself states that the symbol “Flaming Torch” is not in the list of free symbol as it is reserved for Samata Party.

Because of the decision of the Election Commission declaring the erstwhile reserved symbol of the Samata Party to Shiv Sena the petitioner/party has been left without any symbol and, therefore, unable to ventilate their political aspirations in the upcoming bye-elections, the plea read.

Excessive rise in crime against journalists continues in Afghanistan: UN report

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ANI

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November 3, 2022

Afghanistan Taliban Crime against Journalists — Representative Imagre

In the wake of the excessive rise in crime against journalists in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated in its report the human rights violation of at least 200 reporters.

UNAMA tweeted on Wednesday on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists that the crackdown on media is still persistent in the country and that arbitrary detentions and intimidation are a part of a media person’s life in Kabul, Khaama Press reported.

Taking to Twitter, UNAMA said, “Human rights abuses of more than 200 reporters in Afghanistan recorded by UNAMA since August 2021. Record high numbers include arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation.”

“Media in #Afghanistan is in peril. Let us all help #ProtectJournalists #EndImpunity,” UNAMA tweeted.

The UNAMA called for the protection of Afghan media at all costs and added that the media is in “peril”.

In addition, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, stated that more than 70 journalists have died this year as a result of their job, reported Khaama Press.

“We must end the common culture of impunity and enable journalists to do their essential work,” Guterres wrote on his Twitter handle.

Meanwhile, according to Tolo News, some journalists in the capital said that they were faced with restrictions while covering security events and access to information.

“Security forces don’t allow us to cover events and that is a serious problem because media and people who watch the media want to be aware of events,” said another reporter, Abid Momand.

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in mid-August last year, it rolled back women’s rights advances and media freedom revoking the efforts on gender equality and freedom of speech in the country.

According to a report by the South Asian Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) over 45 per cent of journalists have quit since the terrorist outfit assumed power.

The ever-increasing restrictions against media in Afghanistan have also drawn widespread criticism globally with the United Nations (UN) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) decrying the arrests, demanding the Taliban stop harassing local journalists and stifling freedom of speech through continued detentions and threats.

The Taliban had promised women’s rights, media freedom, and amnesty for government officials in the group’s first news conference after the takeover in August.

However, activists, former government employees, and journalists among others continue to face retribution.

This is their frustration, Voters will give reply to opposition: Jharkhand CM Soren after summoned by ED

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ANI

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November 3, 2022

Jharkhans Chief Minister Hemant Soren — Image: PTI

While targeting the opposition, Chief Minister of Jharkhand Hemant Soren said after four-time facing defeat in the election center is using government agencies in the wrong way.

“This is their frustration. Every single voter of Jharkhand will give a reply to the opposition,” he said.

A day before, Jharkhand Bhartiya Janta Party president and Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Enforcement Directorate to summon Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and said that the law is equal for all.

“The law agency is doing its job. The one who has committed an economic offence cannot escape the law. The chief minister had allotted illegal mines in his name and the entire Jharkhand is well aware of this scam,” Jharkhand BJP president Deepak Prakash said.

“He also allotted the mines in the name of his wife, his advisor, and MLA representative Pankaj Mishra. It is evident that the entire scam of illegal mining is worth a thousand of crores. The ED’s summon to Soren on the grounds of this evidence is welcomed,” he added.

He further said that the “economic criminals” of the country have looted Jharkhand resources and action should be taken against them.

In a major breakthrough after the news of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday aired, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Party leader Manoj Pandey alleged the Centre government of vendetta politics.

“PM should also be summoned in several cases,” Pandey said. “We’ll approach the Court if there’s injustice. I don’t know if the ED can summon a Chief Minister. If so, the Chief Minister will respond after consulting legal experts,” JMM leader told to media.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been summoned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) on November 3 for investigation over contravention of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and in a money laundering probe linked to an illegal mining case in the Sahebganj district.

Gujarat Assembly elections to be held in two phases on December 1 and 5; counting on December 8

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ANI

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November 3, 2022

The voting for the Gujarat Assembly elections will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5 while the counting of votes will be done on December 8, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Thursday.

“First phase of Assembly elections in Gujarat to be held on 1st December & second phase on 5th December; counting of votes to be done on 8th December,” he said.

The CEC informed that as many as 3,24,422 people would be first-time voters in the state.

“I am happy to inform that 3,24,422 new voters will vote for the first time this time in the Gujarat Assembly elections. The total number of polling stations is 51,782. At least 50 percent of the polling stations set up in the state will have webcasting arrangements,” Kumar said.

“For a better voting experience, 1274 polling stations will be managed entirely by women and security staff. Public Works Department will welcome voters at 182 polling stations. For the first time, 33 polling stations will be set up and managed by the youngest polling staff,” he added.

Maharashtra: Polling started for Andheri East Assembly byelection

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PTI

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November 3, 2022

Andheri Bypolls Byelections Mumbai — Image: PTI

Polling started for the byelection to the Andheri East Assembly constituency here at 7 am on Thursday.

This is the first Assembly election in Maharashtra after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government collapsed in June following a revolt by Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde.

Shinde subsequently became chief minister in alliance with the BJP. Rutuja Latke, the candidate of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, is expected to win comfortably in the byelection after the BJP withdrew its nominee.

The election was necessitated due to the death of sitting Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke, Rutuja Latke’s husband, in May this year. There are 2,71,502 registered voters in the constituency and 256 polling booths. Polling is being held from 7am to 6pm. There are a total of seven candidates in the fray. Barring Latke, all are independents. Counting of votes will be held on November 6.

Nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought: Russia

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ANI

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November 2, 2022

Russia Ukraine War Nuclear Power — Representative Image: AP/PTI

Amid the escalating tensions in Ukraine, Russia on Wednesday issued a statement outlining the risks of nuclear war, saying “nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”.

“In implementing its policy on nuclear deterrence, Russia is strictly and consistently guided by the tenet that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. Russian doctrinal approaches in this sphere are defined with utmost accuracy, pursue solely defensive goals and do not admit of expansive interpretation,” Kremlin said in a statement on preventing nuclear war.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised concerns about the security situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

The ZNPP site has been controlled by Russian forces since March. Until recently, operational decisions were taken by its Ukraine staff, but Russia has announced it has taken control of the facility and is now taking those decisions.

In recent months the site has been beset with power outages caused by shelling, putting nuclear safety and security at the plant at risk.

Russia said it is strongly convinced that in the current situation, “caused by irresponsible and impudent actions aimed at undermining our national security,” the most immediate task is to avoid any military clash of nuclear powers.

“We urge other states of the ‘nuclear five’ to demonstrate in practice their willingness to work on solving this top-priority task and to give up the dangerous attempts to infringe on vital interests of each other while balancing on the brink of a direct armed conflict and encouraging provocations with weapons of mass destruction, which can lead to catastrophic consequences,” it added.

In a further sign of the precarious situation in the area of the ZNPP, the IAEA team has reported there had been shelling in the vicinity of the plant in recent days, following a period of reduced military activity.

Last week, shelling near the thermal power plant switchyard temporarily disconnected one of the ZNPP’s three back-up power lines through which the town of Enerhodar has been receiving electricity.

“Operating staff at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant are working hard in very challenging circumstances to prevent the kind of repeated power outages we saw in early October,” Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the IAEA.

“While their determined efforts have had some positive results, the plant’s power situation remains extremely vulnerable.”

Director General Grossi has engaged in high-level talks with both Ukraine and Russia in recent weeks aimed at agreeing and implementing a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the ZNPP as soon as possible.

Xi Jinping expressed his “great concern” about the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan

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ANI

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November 2, 2022

China President Xi Jinping Pakistan — Image: Twitter

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday expressed his “great concern” about the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and conveyed his hope that its all-weather partner will provide a reliable and safe environment for Chinese institutions in the country.

President Xi conveyed this concern when he met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his official visit to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today.

“President Xi expressed his great concern about the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and conveyed his hope that Pakistan will provide a reliable and safe environment for Chinese institutions and personnel working on cooperation projects there,” the official statement from the Chinese said.

This follows the recent surge in targeted attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan by ethnic rebel groups. In the wake of increasing attacks, Beijing has expressed concerns about the inadequate security measures by Islamabad.

After the Karachi university bombing in April this year, the Pakistani media reports said the Shehbaz Sharif government has decided to bear the security costs of almost all Chinese projects.

In a joint statement today, both sides also expressed their strong determination to counter all threats and designs against CPEC and China-Pakistan friendship.

“Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and security of all Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan. The Chinese side appreciated Pakistan’s strong determination and vigorous measures in this regard,” the statement read.

During his meeting with Xi, Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Xi on the successful conclusion of the 20th CPC National Congress.

“He lauded the central role of the CPC and its leadership in promoting China’s development, prosperity, and national rejuvenation,” the statement read.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen and deepen the “All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and enhance practical cooperation in all areas.

The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations, as well as, the regional situation and international political landscape.

“The two sides agreed on the importance of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership amidst the emerging global challenges. The meetings were marked by traditional warmth, mutual strategic trust, and commonality of views,” the statement read.

In the joint statement, the two sides also raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history that should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements,” the statement added.

Chhattisgarh: Fast-track court sentenced 52-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping a disabled girl in Sakti

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ANI

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November 2, 2022

Chhattisgarh Fast Track Court Life Imprisonment — Image: ANI

A fast-track court in Sakti on Wednesday sentenced a 52-year-old man to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 2000 for raping a disabled girl.

The court of Special Judge Yashwant Sarathi convicted the man, Chanuram Nirala under sub-section 2 (l) of section 376 and section 450 of the IPC.

Special Public Prosecutor Rakesh Mahant said, “The victim lives with her grandmother since childhood. She is physically and mentally handicapped. She speaks and listens with broken words, whose gestures are understood by her grandmother. Her grandmother works as a cook in a primary school”.

“On September 23, the victim’s grandmother had gone to school to prepare food around 10 am. The girl was the only person in the house. When her grandmother came back from school at 2:30 pm, the victim told her entire story that the accused Chanuram Nirala of the village had forcibly entered the house at around 12 pm and raped her,” Mahant added.

The complainant along with the villagers lodged a complaint at the police station.

Following which, the police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The police arrested the accused and sent him to jail in judicial custody.

After the investigation of the case, the charge sheet was presented to the court for trial.

“During the trial, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment under sub-section 2 (l) of section 376 of the IPC and a fine of Rs 1,000 and 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1000 under section 450 of the IPC,” Mahant added.

Plea in SC to provide free sanitary pads to girls studying in Classes 6 to 12

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ANI

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November 2, 2022

Supreme Court Plea Free Sanitary Pads to Girls — Image: PTI

A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking to issue directions to governments to provide free sanitary pads to girls studying in Classes 6 to 12.

The plea has been moved by Jaya Thakur through advocates Varinder Kumar Sharma and Varun Thakur.

The petitioner said that serious difficulty is faced by adolescent females between the ages of 11 and 18 years coming from poor backgrounds.

“These are adolescent females who are not equipped with and are also not educated by their parents about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. The deprived economic status and illiteracy leads to the prevalence of unhygienic and unhealthy practices which has serious health consequences; increases obstinacy and leads to eventual dropping out from schools,” the petitioner said.

Henceforth, in the plea, the petitioner has sought to issue directions to provide the separate girl toilet in all Government, Aided and residential schools and to issue directions to provide one cleaner in all Government, Aided and residential schools to clean the toilets.

The plea also sought to issue a writ order or directions in the nature of mandamus to the Respondents to provide a three-stage awareness program i.e. Firstly, the spreading of awareness about menstrual health and unboxing the taboos that surround it; Secondly, providing adequate sanitation facilities and subsidized or free sanitary products to women and young students, especially in disadvantaged areas; thirdly, to ensure an efficient and sanitary manner of menstrual waste disposal.

In India, the right to health derives from the Directive Principles of State Policy and is an established right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India which guarantees the right to life and dignity, the petition said.

The ability to manage menstruation in a hygienic manner is fundamental to the dignity and well-being of women, especially in a democratic society.

It constitutes an integral component of basic hygiene, sanitation, and reproductive health services. Inadequate menstrual hygiene management compromises girls’ education, health, and well-being.

Therefore, efforts to address these inadequacies must involve the provision of sanitation and hygiene facilities along with creating an enabling social and physical environment that addresses all menstruation-related needs, the petition said.

India successfully conducts maiden flight-test of phase-II ballistic missile defence interceptor AD-1 missile

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ANI

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November 2, 2022

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor AD-1 missile with a large kill altitude bracket off the Odisha coast.

The flight test was carried out with the participation of all BMD weapon system elements located at different geographical locations.

“AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles and aircraft. It is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and equipped with the indigenously developed advanced control system, navigation and guidance algorithm to precisely guide the vehicle to the target,” a DRDO official said.

During the flight test, all the sub-systems performed as per expectation and this was validated by the data captured by a number of range sensors including radar, telemetry and electro-optical tracking stations deployed to capture the flight data.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and other teams associated with the successful flight trial of AD-1 and said it is a unique type of interceptor with advanced technologies that are available to very few nations in the world.

He said it will further strengthen India’s BMD capability to the next level.

Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat also congratulated his team on the successful trial of AD-1 and said this interceptor will provide great operational flexibility to the users and has the capability to engage many different types of targets.