On 7th March, on the eve of “International Woman’s Day”, Mumbai Mahila Congress President Ajanta Yadav took to Twitter to share pictures of her and her team felicitating the newly crowned VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 runner-up Manya Singh.
Tagging Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, the ‘torchbearer’ of women equality and empowerment and other members of the grand old party, the Congress Mahila President Tweeted: “On occasion of eve of “International Woman’s Day” I and My Team Mumbai Mahila Congress felicitated Manya Singh VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 Runner Up at her residence Wishing her “All the best for a very bright future’.
Ajanta Yadav’s tweet
Now, Manya Singh’s father has accused the Congress leader of pulling off a cheap stunt with his daughter for publicity. Omprakash Singh has alleged that Congress leader Ajanta Yadav gave a gift bag to his daughter, which even had a tag of Mumbai Mahila Congress attached to it, with nothing but scraps of paper stuffed in it. Moreover, it also had torn pictures of Manya.
Speaking to the media, Omprakash showed the gift bag given by the Congress leader and emptied its contents to show scraps of paper crumbled inside it.
Manya Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver’s daughter
Manya Singh, the runner up to Femina Miss India 2020, who hails from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, could not win Miss India 2020 crown but she did win people’s hearts with her sheer hard work and perseverance. Her story is an inspiration for all the women who were not born with a silver spoon.
Manya Singh’s father is an auto-rickshaw-driver. She revealed how she went without food and sleep for many nights. She said that she could not attend school as she started working when he was just a teenager. “All the clothes I had were hand-me-downs. I yearned for books, but luck wasn’t in my favour. Eventually, my parents mortgaged whatever little jewellery my mother had to ensure that I paid my exam fees in order to earn a degree”, she said describing her struggles.
Manya Singh took up odd jobs like dishwashing, working part-time at a restaurant, skipping meals and walking miles to save money. She ran away to Mumbai at the age of 14 to pursue her dreams. Her parents supported her decision and also shifted to Mumbai.
On March 7, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad registered a case against an unknown person based on the complaint filed by Vimla, wife of Mansukh Hiren. The case is registered under section 302 (murder), 201 (Causing disappearance of evidence of the offence, or giving false information to screen offender),34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), and 120B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Earlier, a missing person report was filed at Naupada police station. Later Hiren’s body was found in a creek near Mumbra. Initially, it was believed to be a case of accidental death by suicide at Mumbra police station in Thane, but later it was revealed that handkerchiefs were found stuffed in Hiren’s mouth.
Maharashtra Home Department issued an order to transfer the case related to Hiren’s death to ATS. All related documents were then taken by ATS from the Mumbra police station. The ATS is also investigating the case related to gelatins found outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence, which is connected to Mansukh Hiren, as it was his alleged vehicle in which the gelatins were found.
The investigation officer said in a statement that Hiren was the only witness or lead they had in the car case. He said, “Hiren was the only witness or lead in the car case, and we have lost him too. We are looking for other possible lead.”
Someone had called Hiren posing as investigating officer
As per the family members of Hiren, he had received a call at 8 PM on March 4 from someone who identified himself as Tawde, an investigating officer in the gelatin stick case. His son Meet was with him at the shop when Hiren got the call. He told Meet that he was called to meet the Crime Branch Official from the Kandivali unit at the Ghodbunder area in Thane. He left the shop in an auto-rickshaw.
At around 10:30 PM, his phone was switched off. Hiren’s family filed a missing person report the following morning at Naupada police station. Later his dead body was found in the creek at Thane. His son was called at the spot where he identified the body as Hiren.
It was a case of murder – Hiren’s son
While talking to Indian Express, Vinod, Hiren’s elder son, said it was murder. “He knew swimming well, and he would not end his life by jumping into a creek,” Vinod said. The police said that the body was found with a cloth mask around his mouth, and pieces of cloth were stuffed in his mouth. The doctors who conducted post-mortem at Chhatrapati Shivaji hospital in Kalwa reserved the opinion on the cause of death. They reported that there were no external injuries on the body.
When the case was transferred to ATS, they met the family. They took Meet to the ATS office to register a case under sections of murder, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and common intention. An Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank official will lead the case.
How Hiren got linked to Ambani’s bomb scare case
On February 26, police found an abandoned car outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence in which they found gelatin sticks. The police found several fake number plates in the car, one of which was similar to the car used by a security officer at Ambani’s house. Based on the chassis number, police reached out to Mansukh Hiren, who owned the car. In his statement, Hiren told police that on February 17, he had to leave the car on the road as it faced a technical snag, and he was getting late for a meeting. When he returned the next day to pick up his car, it was missing from the spot. He had registered a complaint at Vikhroli police station.
Former CM Devendra Fadnavis had stated in the assembly that the owner of the Scorpio car, which was used to plant gelatin sticks and a threat letter outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Mumbai, was in touch with a mobile phone number that is registered in the name of Mumbai Police officer and ‘encounter specialist’ Sachin Vaze.
On March 7, Hindus and Muslims clashed and reportedly pelted stones at each other in Bhainsa, Nirmal district, Telangana. As per initial reports, ten people, including media persons, civilians and police personnel, were injured, and two houses and at least one auto-rickshaw were set ablaze during the incident. Three of the injured were rushed to the Nizamabad district hospital for treatment.
Reports suggest that the clashes took place at around 8:30 PM when a biker and members of other community had an argument on the road in Zelfekar lane. According to reports, the violence took place around Zulgiqar Mosque in the town. The argument led to two groups clashing. When the police learned about the incident, they rushed to the spot. Section 144 has been imposed in the area. Adilabad Superintendent of Police Vishnu S Warrier was also rushed to Bhainsa. The additional force was placed in the area to ensure law and order. Some videos have surfaced showing people setting a house on fire and pelting stones
This is so dangerous Every time in quick time they bring mob of large numbers to attack Hindus. Why don’t @TelanganaCMO controls such riots by Mo$ques/Mu$lims? Is this doing by illegal immigrants?#BhainsaRiots#Bhainsapic.twitter.com/edobjThTEI
Horrific and disturbing visuals of communal clashes are coming up from #Bhainsa of #Telangana, section 144 imposed.
Even in 2020, hundreds of Hindu houses were burnt to ashes after communal clashes. We are witnessing a repeat of January 2020 pogrom under watch of @TelanganaCMOpic.twitter.com/36vSURcDNn
Arvind Dharampuri, BJP’s Member of Parliament, Nizamabad, Telangana urged Telangana Police take immidiate action. He said in a tweet, “Apparently, Some disturbing visuals of communal clashes are coming up from Bhainsa. I request @TelanganaDGP to immediately take stock of the situation and deploy additional forces before it flares further and causes more damage.”
Apparently, Some disturbing visuals of communal clashes are coming up from Bhainsa. I request @TelanganaDGP to immediately take stock of the situation and deploy additional forces before it flares further and causes more damage.@HMOIndia@kishanreddybjp
— Arvind Dharmapuri (@Arvindharmapuri) March 7, 2021
Bhainsa has a history of violence
This is not the first time Bhainsa has seen communal tension. In January 2020, a clash broke between Hindu and Muslim communities that left around 11 people injured. Reports suggested that 18 houses were set on fire in Korbagalli street, and several bikes were torched. BJP MLA Raja Singh was put under house arrest. He had alleged that AIMIM was behind the attack on Hindus in Bhainsa. On February 3, it was reported that the Telangana government filed a case against a journalist for reporting how Muslim mobs attacked Hindu homes amidst chants of “Allah ho Akbar”.
On Monday, a controversy was sparked after several of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Virender Singh Kadian’s old tweets went viral on social media. The contentious tweets, expressing vile abuses at women, Hindus, journalists and political opponents, have led to demands of his ouster from AAP.
It must be mentioned that Kadian was handed the election ticket by Arvind-Kejriwal led AAP and he secured his seat from the Delhi Cantt constituency in South-west Delhi. In a vile Hinduphobic tweet, Virender Singh Kadian said, “All Godmen are ch*tiyas. The biggest ones are those who go to listen to their religious lectures. Mama’s boy, aren’t the fake 33 crore gods not enough?”
Some have said that the MLA used the phrase ‘Maa ke Laadlo’ to mean ‘Maa ke l*vdo’ which is deeply offensive and appears consistent with the rest of the tweet.
Screengrab of his tweets
Several old tweets from 2017 dug out by netizens show Virender Singh Kadian targeting his political dissenters with objectionable and highly misogynistic language. “Wake up you motherf*ucker! Dumba**, stop f*cking your sisters,” read one tweet. “Tell me the charges of your sister. She f*cks me for free,” read another tweet. In another misogynist tweet, he said, “Teri maa ka lajpat nagar“.
Screengrab of his tweets
He also compared a Twitter user to a pig and said that pigs never change. The AAP MLA was also seen abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a derogatory tweet, Virender Singh Kadian wrote, “Illegitimate child of Modi, get lost from here!”
Screengrab of his tweets
He had also referred to Home Minister Amit Shah as a ‘motherf*cker’ and claimed that he has turned Mother India pale. Virender Singh Kadian has also hurled abuses at BJP leader Kapil Mishra. “Wake up motherf*cker, how long will you f*ck your sisters?” he said. As evident from his tweets, Virender Singh Kadian has weaponised misogyny to get back at his political opponents. In his old tweets, he did not hesitate from demonising women to settle political scores.
Screengrab of his tweets
AAP MLA Virender Singh Kadian abuses journalists
In a series of tweets dating back to 2018, the AAP legislator was seen hurling choices of expletives at former India TV journalist Sushant Sinha. “You sister’s d*ck, are you BJP spokesperson motherf*cker? Have some shame. How far will you stoop, pimp? “
Screengrab of his abusive tweets
In another tweet, the AAP MLA was seen abusing Sushant’s mother and accusing him of incest. “You are a true motherf*cker. Did you have sex with your mother that resulted in your birth.”
Crossing all societal norms of civility, he was seen hurling abuses at those who watch Zee News.
Screengrab of his abusive tweets
Netizens demand action against AAP MLA Virender Singh Kadian
After the tweets of Virender Singh Kadian went viral on social media, BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga demanded his expulsion from AAP and an apology from the Chief Minister for hurting Hindu sentiments. He wrote, “Shame on Arvind Kejriwal for giving ticket to Anti Hindu Virendra Singh Kadian. I am going to file FIR (through my advocate) against him tomorrow. I demand Kejriwal to throw him from his Party immediately and apologise to Hindus.”
Shame on @ArvindKejriwal for giving ticket to Anti Hindu Virendra Singh Kadian. I am going to file FIR (through my advocate) against him tomorrow. I demand Kejriwal to throw him From his Party immediately and apologise to Hindus pic.twitter.com/RLtRwfRQWj
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) March 7, 2021
Twitter user Ajay Shukla tagged Chairperson of the Women’s Commission (Delhi) and said, “Please take action against this man for harbouring such misogynistic mentality. Also, find out if the women in his house are safe and free of danger.”
— Ajay Shukla – जलवायु एक्टिविस? (@ajayrshukla) March 8, 2021
“AAP leader is increasing the dignity of women and the society. Manish Sisodia (Delhi Education Minister), will you transform Delhi like this? Expel him from the party,” wrote another user.
Another user tweeted, “Wow, Arvind Kejriwal! What kind of politician have you kept in the party? Very good. He has already shown his character and upbringing through his tweets. He (Virender Singh Kadian) has shown us how he treats her mother and sister at home.”
AAP MLA peddles usual ‘hack theory’, claims foul play
After being caught off guard, the AAP MLA alleged that his Twitter account was hacked. “I want to inform everyone that my verified account has been hacked. Someone has tweeted utterly vile tweets from my account. I am taking legal action against that person.”
Screengrab of AAP MLA’s last tweet
Several users pointed out that his disturbing tweets date back to 2017, which has no relevance to the fact that his account has been allegedly hacked now. Virender Singh Kadian then made his account private and later deleted it, in the hopes of not exposing himself further. However, several of his Hinduphobic and misogynist tweets are now available in the public domain in the form of screenshots, thereby foiling his plans to avoid public accountability. Amidst the controversy, the demand for his ouster from Aam Aadmi Party has gained momentum on the micro-blogging platform.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have been in the news for months now after they decided to ‘leave’ the British royal family and give up their titles. There have been a lot of rumours about the pair facing an unpleasant situation in the royal family’s sphere and talks of Meghan being discriminated against. In an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle has confirmed the suspicions of facing racial discrimination.
Meghan Markle says several members of the Royal Family discussed with Harry concerns over what the color of Archie’s skin color would be.
— Lynnette KhalfaniCox (@themoneycoach) March 8, 2021
Speaking to Oprah, Meghan Markle said that she was terribly concerned when she and Harry learned that the UK royal family is going to provide no security staff to Harry or Archie, their child.
Archie was not going to be called a prince, no security, no titles
Meghan said to Oprah that when she was pregnant, there was a lot of ‘conversations’ going around in the royal family sphere, about how the coming baby of Meghan and Prince Harry, formerly the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, may not be given any royal title, and may not be given the title of a prince. When Oprah asked whether it was because of Archie’s ‘race’ (Meghan is of African-American descent), Mackle paused for a second and took a deep breath.
Meghan then told Oprah that during her pregnancy, a member of the Royal family had even talked to prince Harry about ‘how dark the child’s skin colour is going to be when he is born’. The reply seemed to have shocked Oprah so much that she was left speechless for a moment. When Oprah asked who was having ‘that’ kind of conversation with the expecting parents, Meghan told that she cannot reveal the name because it is going to be very damaging to them.
The royal family cut Prince Harry off financially
In the same interview, Prince Harry has also opened up a lot about the pressure and emotional challenges of being a part of the royal family. Harry has stated that his family had cut him off financially in the first quarter of 2020 and all he had was what his mother, the late Princess Diana, had left him. He also added that probably Princess Diana ‘saw it coming’.
And now the money: Harry: My family literally cut me off financially in the first quarter of 2020. I have got what my mum left me. I think my mum saw it coming. And I felt my Mum's presence through this process.#OprahMeghanHarry
Prince Harry also told that he had felt ‘trapped’ in the royal family and he could never have left had it not been for Meghan. Harry and Meghan are also currently expecting their second child and the couple revealed that they are going to have a girl this time.
About the conversation about Archie’s skin colour, Harry stated that he is never going to share that conversation as he never going to be comfortable with it.
Prinece Harry and his wife Meghan, an American actress and social activist, began dating in 2016 and were married in 2018. They had announced that they would be leaving their royal titles and duties in early 2020. The couple were stripped off their royal security and royal purse following the announcement. Prince Harry is the sixth to the line of the British throne.
There has been a lot of tabloid stories and media hype over Harry and Meghan’s relationship. Meghan is regarded as the first ‘person of colour’ to be married to a British prince. Many celebrities had opined that Meghan was subject to undue scrutiny and unfair treatment, was unnecessarily vilified because of her race.
On March 7, during the referendum, 51% of the voters in Switzerland cast their vote favouring banning people from covering their faces completely in shops, restaurants and streets. However, full facial veils will be allowed inside places of worship and for ‘native customs’. It has to be noted that covering the face for health and safety reason will not be affected by the ban. That means wearing a mask in situations like the Covid-19 pandemic are exempted from the law.
The final results on Sunday showed that out of 26 cantons in the country, just six rejected the initiative. The turnaround was a little over 50% which is above average. Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said that only a fraction of the Muslim women population wears such veils in Switzerland. The result should not be seen as a blanket “vote against Muslims.” She welcomed the fact that several Muslim voices took part in the campaign and noted that some of them were even in favour of the ban.
The proposal was introduced by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP). They campaigned for the proposals with slogans like “Stop Extremism.” Apart from Switzerland, several other countries like France, Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium and Denmark have already banned the hijab in public places.
Opposition and criticism on hijab ban
The Parliament of Switzerland and the seven-member executive council that constitutes the federal government of the country had opposed the proposal of the referendum. They instead proposed an initiative to force people to lift the facial covering when asked to confirm their identity to the government officials.
The Muslim groups have also criticized the ban. Calling the referendum a ‘dark day’ for Muslims, Central Council of Muslims said, “Today’s decision opens old wounds, further expands the principle of legal inequality, and sends a clear signal of exclusion to the Muslim minority.” It further said that the decision would be challenged in the court by the group.
Ines Al Shikh, a member of the feminist collective Les Foulards Violets, said that the decision is an attack against Switzerland’s Muslim community. “What is aimed here is to stigmatize and marginalize Muslims even more.”
Several hoteliers and tourism professionals, especially from Berne and Geneva, where tourists from Arab countries are frequent, fear that the decision may hurt their business. Nicole Brändle Schlegel of the HotellerieSuisse umbrella organization said that it would damage the country’s reputation as an open and tolerant tourism destination.
The ban is for everyone without explicit mention of a burqa
The supporters of the ban do not see it as an attack on anyone’s freedom. The referendum text does not explicitly mention Islam or burqa, or niqab. They suggested that the ban on facial masks will stop violent street protesters and football hooligans from wearing masks. Notably, their campaign, however, mentioned the role of Islam in public life.
SVP’s campaigns to ban Islamic symbols
The initiative to ban face covers was introduced by the Egerkingen Committee in 2016. It is linked to the populist right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP). The same organization successfully pushed for a vote to ban the construction of new minarets in 2009. At that time, SVP said that minarets are signs of Islamisation. During the current campaign against face cover, the ads showed a woman wearing a niqab and sunglasses with the slogan “Stop extremism. Yes to the veil ban.”
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the first state in India to administer 20 lakh Chinese coronavirus vaccines. CM Yogi Adityanath has directed the state administration to update the vaccination details on the portal every day by 5 PM.
समस्त जिलाधिकारी व मुख्य चिकित्सा अधिकारी अपने जनपदों में वैक्सीनेट किए गए लोगों का डाटा नियमित रूप से प्रतिदिन शाम 05 बजे तक पोर्टल पर दर्ज कराएं। कोविड वैक्सीनेशन कार्य की नियमित मॉनिटरिंग की जाए: #UPCM श्री @myogiadityanath जी
On Sunday, the UP CM held a meeting at his official residence to take stock of the vaccination drive in the state. He said that the integrated command and control centre must be utilised for the vaccination purpose. Yogi said that while there has been a significant reduction in the infection rate, the threat of coronavirus still lingers. Hence, it is necessary to maintain vigilance.
ई-संजीवनी एप का व्यापक प्रचार-प्रसार किया जाए। अधिक से अधिक लोगों को इसके माध्यम से ऑनलाइन चिकित्सकीय परामर्श की सुविधा उपलब्ध कराई जाए व कोविड चिकित्सालयों की व्यवस्थाओं को चुस्त-दुरुस्त रखा जाए: #UPCM श्री @myogiadityanath जी
UP CM said that through the E-Sanjeevani app, more and more people have taken benefit of online consultation with doctors. As per reports, almost 6 lakh people have consulted doctors online through the app. He said that more people should be connected through the app.
On Saturday, 22,984 people were vaccinated in Uttar Pradesh. 364 vaccination sessions are conducted in which Covishield and Covaxin vaccines were administered. 14,85,447 people have been registered first dose while 5,29,142 people have been registered second dose in Uttar Pradesh. In India, over 2 crore people have been vaccinated till now. On Saturday itself 14,24,693 people were vaccinated in India.
The vaccination drive in India started on 16th January 2021 for frontline workers. For senior citizens and for people age 45 years and above with co-morbidity, the vaccination started from 1st March 2021. Prime Minister Modi took his first dose of vaccine on 1st March 2021 in the morning at AIIMS in New Delhi.
French billionaire and right-wing politician Olivier Dassault died in a helicopter crash in Normandy, France. He was 69 years old. Dassault was the grandson of Marcel Dassault, who founded the firm that manufactures the Rafale planes.
As per reports, the helicopter carrying him crashed shortly after taking off from Normandy coastal resort in Deauville where he had a holiday home. The pilot was also killed in the crash. The cause of the crash is not yet known.
Olivier was the eldest son of Serge Dassault and inherited his father’s estate along with his two younger brothers and a sister in 2018. His personal fortune is estimated to be about €6bn (£5.2bn).
Olivier Dassault aimait la France. Capitaine d’industrie, député, élu local, commandant de réserve dans l’armée de l’air : sa vie durant, il ne cessa de servir notre pays, d’en valoriser les atouts. Son décès brutal est une grande perte. Pensées à sa famille et à ses proches.
French President Emmanuel Macron took to Twitter to express his condolences on the death of Dassault. “Olivier Dassault loved France,” he tweeted.
The French air accident investigation bureau (BEA) reported that the aircraft, an Aérospatiale AS350 Écureuil, had crashed on take off from a private ground. The BEA has opened an inquiry and five investigators were being dispatched to the scene for investigation. As per reports, an involuntary manslaughter investigation is also underway.
Dassault was an MP for the conservative Les Republicans party since 2002 and was considered the 361st richest man in the world along with his siblings.
Chris Silverwood, head coach of the England cricket team, has announced that the rotational policy, which has come under intense criticism following the test series defeat against India, will continue into the summer. He further said that key players may be given breaks during the Ashes as well.
The statement has earned him great criticism on social media. Fans were unhappy with the possibility of England not playing their best 11 players during Ashes, considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in cricket.
— Kash Mahmood ??????? ?? (@kash786tango23) March 7, 2021
So basically he is saying that players will be rotated in the Ashes (the pinnacle of the Sport for an England player) so they can be fresh for a $1million+ IPL contact and limited overs cricket. https://t.co/ITZ4Kj36pP
How dare he destroy test cricket. If this is his attitude he shouldn’t be in the role. Rotation in the Ashes for crying out loud. https://t.co/q5JhiPyVW1
India hammered England 3-1 in the recently concluded 4-match test series with England failing to register any real challenge after going up 1-0 up in the series. The batsmen struggled to cope with Indian spinners on turning tracks.
The visiting side also faced criticism for its team selection which they changed frequently without any success.
While the ongoing atrocities on the Uyghur Muslims by the Chinese government are well known, the attempts of the Communist regime to Sinicize minority communities are not limited to the Uyghurs alone. The Sinicization project has intensified under the Xi Jinping regime, and its affect is being seen everywhere, from Chinese occupied Mongolia in North to Tibet in the South. The Sinicization project means eradication of all languages, cultures, religions and traditions that are not Han Chinese, all in the name of national unity.
The project is also going on in full swing in Inner Mongolia, the Chinese occupied Mongolian region that borders Mongolia to the north. The region saw large scale protests from locals there last year against a new directive aimed at reducing the use of Mongolian language in the region. The protests had started after the Chinese government had issued an order mandating Mandarin as the language of instruction in schools in place of Mongolian.
The new rule stipulates that three subjects, Chinese language and literature, ethics and law, and history, will be taught only in Mandarin in all schools in Inner Mongolia by 2022. This had triggered massive protests from people in Inner Mongolia, an uncommon sight in China. However, the protests were brutally subdued by the administration as schools were surrounded by armoured vehicles and dozens of protest leaders were arrested.
Chinese officials used both enticement and threats to make people accept the decision. Parents who had refused to send their children were threatened with layoff, fine, and expulsion of the students. Government and public sector employees were warned that they will be suspended or fired if they don’t send their children to schools. While students were also offered cash rewards to convince their peers to return to schools. Authorities had also announced that parents who sent their children to school would receive preferential access to government aid programs.
According to reports, at least 4000 to 5000 ethnic Mongolians were put under police custody last year for protesting against the new language policy. Arrest warrants were sent to the parents, along with printouts of their photographs in the protest venues taken from security cameras. In some places like Tongliao city where the protests were among the fiercest, cars were banned from the roads to prevent the protestors from gathering. Apart from that, social media posts about the protests were promptly deleted by the authorities.
President Xi Jinping openly called for Mongolians in China to switch to Mandarin language. ‘Inner Mongolia should unwaveringly promote the use of national common textbooks to correct “wrong ideas” on culture and nationality’, he had said on Friday. He also said that Inner Mongolians should “learn by heart that the Han ethnicity cannot be separate from ethnic minorities and that ethnic minorities cannot be separated from the Han ethnicity.” The Chinese president had added that the officials should do a good job in popularising the national common language.
Chinese government has defended the decision to impose Mandarin education on everyone, saying it will improve the education and employment opportunities for students from minority ethnic groups. Authorities also claim that Chinese-language books are of higher quality than Mongolian-language books. However, minorities like the Mongolians are not convinced with this, as they fear that it will lead to a gradual demise of their language and culture.
Mongolian is not the only language the Chinese government is trying to replace with Mandarin. The Communist regime has also implemented similar policies in Tibet and Xinjiang in the past. Earl, the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region had issued orders saying that Chinese and Tibetan languages were to be given “equal weight,” but now that policy has been changed. While Tibetan language has been retained in schools, Mandarin has been made the primary medium of instruction. A similar policy is also in place in Xinjiang, where Uyghur is being replaced by Mandarin in schools.
In order to implement the policy, the government has drastically reduced the number of teachers teaching in the minority languages. In fact, the government itself says that Mongolians should not complain abut the policy as they are not alone facing this, Tibetans and Uyghurs have already seen the language transition in their respective regions.
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is known by Southern Mongolia by the local Mongolian people, to retain its association with Mongolia. For much of history, it was part of the greater Mongolia nation. But in 1947, the Peoples Republic of China occupied it, and established it as an autonomous region.
