On Sunday (May 23), a scuffle broke out between a navy officer and the police in the Mauripur area near Hawker’s Bay in Karachi, Pakistan.
As per reports, the altercation took place after the police stopped the navy officer from going to the beach in accordance with the Coronavirus protocols in the city. The cops also tried to stop his car. The miffed navy commander then got down from his vehicle and misbehaved with the police. A video of the scuffle has now surfaced on social media.
In the video footage, the officer from Pakistan Navy and the Karachi police personnel were seen exchanging blows near the police checkpoint on Hawker’s Bay. Reportedly, the police did not initially retaliate to the navy personnel’s misbehaviour, keeping in mind his seniority. Soon after, another car carrying other naval officers reached the spot which further escalated the violent confrontation.
Reportedly the Navy officer was going to the beach with his family and was angry when his car was stopped by policemen.
A navy major ranked officer physically assaulted policemen when Police tried to stop the Major’s family on COVID SOPs at Hawksbay Karachi. Both are forces but one is civilian other isnt. Is there any rule of law for them? Do we need goons when we have uniformed? By @MHunainAmeenpic.twitter.com/qR2FdaJbTo
This is bad, very very bad. A recent scuffle between ??Navy and Karachi police has occurred. This should not have happened at all. Every institution and their personnel must respect law of the land . Let’s prevent our ?? from further embarrassment. Enough is enough ☹ pic.twitter.com/zHvEokdJKQ
— Shafiullah Khalil?? (@shafiullah71) May 24, 2021
A police spokesperson informed that a First Information Report (FIR) has not been registered in the case. He pointed out that several such incidents took place in the past as well but no cases were lodged. Another official added, “The concerned officials are thoroughly conducting an inquiry into the incident…Every aspect is being assessed. Departmental action would be taken against the personnel responsible for this unpleasant incident.”
The spokesperson said, “Supremacy of law and respect for institutions is incumbent upon all of us.” He added that ‘certain elements’ on social media are trying to create misunderstanding between the Police and the Navy by imparting it a ‘wrong colour.’
On Sunday (May 23), a former New York Times (NYT) science editor named Nicholas Wade slammed mainstream media publications for falling for Chinese propaganda and ignoring that Covid-19 might have leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan. His remarks came at a time when more scientists are increasingly supporting the theory that the Wuhan Coronavirus was developed in a laboratory.
In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, he lamented that journalists from mainstream media outlets had failed to take off ‘political glasses’ in investigating the origins of the virus. He said, “I think we see a sustained Chinese propaganda effort at work. But, you know, more than that, it was just the blindness, if I could put it that way, of our media — we’re too polarized to see scientific issues for their own sake without putting a political gloss on them.”
“We don’t know for sure: The origin of the virus is just we’ve got these two possible scenarios. But if you look at all the evidence and ask yourself, well, which scenario explains all these facts better on present evidence, it seems, to me at least, that the lab-escape hypothesis explains it a lot better. But it’s a sort of complicated conclusion to arrive at, and I can only assume that the media was blindsided, they didn’t do the work that was necessary,” Wade held the mainstream media journalists accountable.
It must be mentioned that leftist mainstream media portals such as CNN, New York Times, and The Washington Post had rejected the possibility of Coronanivrus’ origin in a Chinese laboratory during the onset of the pandemic. This is despite the fact that scientists at the Wuhan Institue of Virology have been working on bats and improving the efficacy of coronavirus years prior to the outbreak of Covid-19. The Wuhan lab was permitted to handle Class 4 pathogens, which are dangerous and have the potential to transmit from humans to humans. Interestingly, it is just 20 miles away from the Huanan Seafood market.
Multiple Wuhan lab researchers fell ill in November 2019 : US State Department
After Beijing vehemently denied carrying out research to weaponise the coronavirus at the maximum-security Wuhan Institute of Virology, a US intelligence report has revealed that several researchers at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology fell ill in November 2019 and had to be hospitalized. It is interesting to note that the Trump administration in January had said that the researchers at Wuhan lab had become sick in autumn 2019, however, it did not mention hospitalization.
China, opposing every bit of such information, continues to report that the first patient with Covid-like symptoms was recorded in Wuhan only on December 8, 2019. The intelligence community, however, still does not know what the researchers were actually sick with. “The intelligence community does not know exactly where, when, or how Covid-19 virus was transmitted initially,” added the Director of National Intelligence.
WHO released the much-awaited report into the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus last month concluding that it’s “extremely unlikely” the virus originated from a laboratory. The other likely option as per the report is a spillover from an animal reservoir host to human, followed by direct person-to-person transmission. As many as 14 countries have disregarded the WHO study and have called for a continued scientific and collaborative approach to be taken to be able to trace the origins of COVID-19 successfully and conclusively.
The debate around allopathy and Ayurveda is not new to India with the former discrediting the latter. After apologizing for his statement dissing doctors, Baba Ramdev has launched another attack on the Indian Medical Association firing 25 pointed questions at them. With these questions, Ramdev has tried to highlight the shortcomings of allopathy with him asking for permanent solutions to some of the most common diseases.
मैं इंडियन मेडिकल एसोसिएशन व फार्मा कंपनियों से विनम्रता के साथ सीधे 25 सवाल पूछता हूँ- pic.twitter.com/ATVKlDc9tl
In an open letter addressed to the Indian Medical Association and pharma companies, he asked for permanent solutions offered by allopathy to treat most common ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.
His questions read:
What permanent solution does allopathy offer for treating hypertension and its complications, Type 1, Type 2 Diabetes and their complications, thyroid, arthritis, colitis, and asthma?
Just like allopathy offers treatment for TB and Chicken Pox, does it has any medicine for treating Fatty Liver, Liver Cirrhosis, Hepatitis?
Baba Ramdev urged finding solutions for the aforementioned diseases as allopathy is a field, which is over 200 years old.
Ramdev Baba’s open letter to IMA. Image Source: Twitter
Asking about non-surgical treatments for heart related problems which prove to be expensive for many, Ramdev questioned,
What treatment does the pharma industry offer to treat heart blockages? Does it also offer a non-surgical solution to Angioplasty?
Does the pharma Industry offer treatment for Enlarged Heart and Ejection Fraction (ET) without using a pacemaker?
Additionally, the letter demanded to know about side-effect-free treatments and permanent cure for several ailments common among Indian people. His questions are as follows:
Does Allopathy offer treatment for reducing cholesterol triglycerides, which does not cause any side-effect on the liver and can it offer side-effect-free cure for constipation, gastric, acidity and increase haemoglobin?
Does the pharma Industry have a permanent solution to cure headaches, migraines, insomnia and permanent treatment to improve eyesight and hearing?
Can allopathy give a permanent treatment for Pyorrhea that can stop the weakening of gums and teeth?
Is there a medicine, which can help a person reduce 0.5-1 kg every day without any surgical treatment?
Can allopathy doctors provide a permanent solution for psoriasis, arthritis, white spot syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, spondylitis and turn RA (Rheumatoid factor) from positive to negative?
Is there any treatment to reduce stress hormones and increase happy/good hormones in allopathy?
Besides IVF, which is a very painful process, does allopathy offers any natural treatment for infertility?
Name any medicine in the pharma industry, which can help reverse the ageing process of humans.
Is there any allopathic medicine, which can help a person give up all substance and alcohol addictions?
He also raised a question on medical advancement which hasn’t been able to treat critical Covid-19 patients without liquid medical oxygen,
Does the Pharma industry have a solution to treat COVID-19 patients, without using liquid medical oxygen?, Ramdev asks.
Hinting at the innumerable attacks launched at him, Baba Ramdev also asked if allopathy has any treatment for the growing hatred and violence and also a cure that can put an end to the fight between allopathy and Ayurveda with the following questions,
“Mankind is walking towards the path of hatred and violence. Is there any allopathic treatment for the same?
Does the pharma industry has a medicine, which can put an end to a fight between allopathy and Ayurveda”, he asked.
Lastly, Baba Ramdev posed a pertinent question as to why do doctors fall sick when allopathy has the solution and treatment for every ailment,
“If allopathy is capable of treating every disease and health condition, then its doctor should never fall ill”, Ramdev said.
Baba Ramdev’s remarks on allopathy
In a video that went viral on social media, Ramdev could be heard saying that allopathy is a hollow practice and that many people have lost their lives due to allopathic medicines.
To this, the Indian Medical Association took strong objection and even threatened to move Court if the Union Health Ministry does not take cognizance of the remarks made by Ramdev.
IMA issues press release over a video on social media where Yog Guru Ramdev allegedly speaks against Allopathy. IMA demands that the “Union Health Minister either accept accusation & dissolve modern medical facility or prosecute him and book him under Epidemic Diseases Act.” pic.twitter.com/FnqUefGjQA
The letter was ironically also signed by the National President of the IMA Dr JA Jayalal who wanted to use the platform of the Indian Medical Association as a springboard to share the “love of Jesus Christ” and be a “living witness to God and encourage young medical students and doctors to receive Jesus as their personal saviour”.
Health Ministry raised objection
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also took to Twitter slamming Baba Ramdev for his remarks against allopathy and sent a letter urging him to retract his statement.
संपूर्ण देशवासियों के लिए #COVID19 के खिलाफ़ दिन-रात युद्धरत डॉक्टर व अन्य स्वास्थ्यकर्मी देवतुल्य हैं।
बाबा @yogrishiramdev जी के वक्तव्य ने कोरोना योद्धाओं का निरादर कर,देशभर की भावनाओं को गहरी ठेस पहुंचाई।
Patanjali’s contribution to the fight against Covid
Patanjali has come under constant fire since it initiated a battle against Covid. Patanjali was the first Indian company to publish a research paper on the new Covid-19 drug approved by DCGI.
On May 8, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had announced that it got approval for an anti-Covid-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
Before DRDO conducted trials on the drug, scientists and experts from Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, Jain Vishwa Bharti Institute, and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences had published a paper in March 2020 on the possible use of the molecule for Covid-19.
Patanjali’s Coronil had received certification from the Ayush Ministry last year as Baba Ramdev released research on ‘first evidence-based Ayurvedic medicine against COVID’.
Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan who was a part of the launch had then remarked that Ayurveda has slowly gained prominence in a host of countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China. He added that across the world, Ayurveda of India is being institutionalised in the regular medical system and a doctor with a degree in Ayurveda is welcomed in many countries for the skill he/she possesses.
However, Ramdev’s sharp remarks against doctors and the Pharma industry is being objected by many since it has the potential to spread misinformation and involves risks.
On May 24, Belarus’s authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko managed to arrest journalist Roman Protasevich allegedly on the pretext of a bomb scare. His regime forced Ryanair’s flight from Greece to Lithuania to divert to Belarus’s capital Minsk. The flight was about to land in Vilnius, Lithuania, when the pilots received a bomb threat alert at around 12:50 PM local time. While Belarus claimed it was the pilot’s decision to divert the flight to Minsk, Ryanair said that the decision came from Belarusian air traffic controllers.
Belarus sent a MIG-29 to escort the plane
Soon after the flight diverted to Minsk, Belarus scrambled a MIG-29 fighter jet to escort the plane to land in Minsk. According to the press release issued by President’s office, the orders directly came from the President “make the plane do a U-turn and land and approved dispatching the fighter plane.”
Ryanair Flight 4978 had already begun its descent into the Lithuanian capital when the pilot announced that the plane would be suddenly diverting to Minsk, capital of neighboring Belarus.
When to pilot announced that the plane would be landing in Belarus, the expressions on Protasevich’s face changed quickly, as noticed by the fellow passengers. He was visibly worried for his safety and reportedly begged the attendants not to divert the flight to Belarus as he was facing the death penalty in his native country. The attendant, however, expressed an inability to help him.
The scene inside the plane was tense
Protasevich knew his time was up, so he started preparing for the arrest after landing. Based on the ordeal of several passengers, he reportedly grabbed his belongings and handed over the laptop and phone to his girlfriend, who was sitting next to him on the plane. “He seemed scared. You looked at him and thought: ‘Something is going on with him,” said a passenger.
But one of the passengers, Belarusian dissident journalist Roman Protasevich, reacted immediately, standing up from his seat, reaching into the overhead locker, pulling a laptop computer from his hand luggage and passing it to a woman along with his mobile phone 2/5 pic.twitter.com/ch2QvTV0dX
The passengers were getting information on SMS from the airlines about the diversion, but no one told them what was happening. In its statement, the airlines said that its crew was “notified by Belarus (Air Traffic Control) of a potential security threat on board and were instructed to divert to the nearest airport, Minsk.”
The stage was ready at Minsk airport
The stage for the arrest of Protasevich was all set at Minsk airport. The passengers were asked not to move after landing. A team of patrol guards was ready outside with dogs. They were brought inside the plane for a security check. The passengers were escorted after an hour of landing to a waiting room where they were held for checking. As per reports, they were not allowed to leave the room even to go to the loo.
While speaking to The Guardian, a passenger described being stripped of his boots and searched all over by hand said, “It was very unpleasant experience.” Protasevich was immediately separated on arrival in Minsk. He was searched separately from the fellow passengers. After a bit of explanation of what was happening, he was taken away by the security personnel.
Protasevich, 26, was immediately separated on arrival in Minsk. The European Union called for Protasevich’s immediate release, with the head of the EU’s executive European Commission and the Polish prime minister describing the incident as a hijacking https://t.co/eNBa3QO49B 5/5
Lithuania’s defense minister Arvydas Anusauskas said in a statement that the girlfriend of Protasevich and four other passengers were not allowed to reboard.
Roman Protasevich’s ‘confession’
On Monday, a video was circulated on state tv channel where Protasevich can be heard ‘confessing’ that he had organised mass unrest in Minsk. “I am in Detention Centre no 1 in Minsk. I can say that I have no health problems, including with my heart or any other organs,” he could be heard saying. He was seen wearing a black hoodie and some dark markings are visible on his forehead.
“The attitude of employees towards me is as correct as possible and according to the law. I continue cooperating with investigators and am confessing to having organised mass unrest in the city of Minsk,” he said.
Protasevich had reportedly organised protests against Alexander Lukashenko, the President who has ruled Belarus for over two decades. Lukashenko recently secured a landslide victory in elections. The opposition had said that the elections were rigged. Subsequently, his administration cracked down on the dissenting protestors
World leaders react to the arrest
The world leaders reacted strongly against Belarus government for the incident. Gitanas Nauseda, President, Lithuania, slammed Belarus’s President and called the act a “state-sponsored terror act.” He said he would propose the European Council ban Belarusian planes from European Union airports and impose serious sanctions against the Lukashenko regime.
?? leaders will discuss a state-sponsored terror act in #Minsk tomorrow at #EUCO. My suggestions: airspace over ?? shall be recognized unsafe, ?? aircrafts shall not be accepted in ?? airports, immediate investigation by @icao & serious sanctions against the regime.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, foreign minister, Lithuania, said, “Belarusian airspace is completely unsafe for any commercial flight, and it should be deemed this not only by the EU but by the international community. Because now, this instrument could be used for any plane crossing Belarusian airspace.”
Ingrida Simonyte, Prime Minister, Lithuania, said, “This is the act of state terrorism directed against the security of citizens of the #EU and other countries.”
What happened today is an attack not only on Lithuania.
This is the act of state terrorism directed against the security of citizens of the #EU and other countries.https://t.co/kxfl6VX0iI
— Ingrida Šimonytė (@IngridaSimonyte) May 23, 2021
She further added, “Lithuania urges int. community to ban Belarus airspace for civil aviation, toughen sanctions on Lukashenka regime, demand release of Raman Protasevich and all political prisoners in Belarus, and strengthen support to Belarusians fighting for freedom!”
What happened today is an attack not only on Lithuania.
This is the act of state terrorism directed against the security of citizens of the #EU and other countries.https://t.co/kxfl6VX0iI
— Ingrida Šimonytė (@IngridaSimonyte) May 23, 2021
Dissident leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said, “Lukashenka’s regime must take full responsibility and face punishment for hijacking the civilian plane this Sunday. They try to justify themselves now, but no one believes the regime’s words. It proved long ago that lies and speculations are the basis of its’ existence.”
Lukashenka’s regime must take full responsibility and face punishment for hijacking the civilian plane this Sunday. They try to justify themselves now, but no one believes the regime’s words. It proved long ago that lies and speculations are the basis of its’ existence. pic.twitter.com/V9wixvGlEg
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) May 24, 2021
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union Commission said, “We are closing our airspace to planes from Belarus and call on EU airlines not to fly over the country.” She further added, “Lukashenka and his regime will face severe consequences. We will keep pressure on the regime until it respects media freedom and freedom of opinion. Roman Pratasevich & Sofia Sapega must be released immediately.”
Lukashenka and his regime will face severe consequences.
We will keep pressure on the regime until it respects media freedom and freedom of opinion.
Roman Pratasevich & Sofia Sapega must be released immediately.
Belarus authorities are entirely responsible for their health.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 24, 2021
Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, said, “We strongly condemn the Lukashenka regime’s brazen and shocking act to divert a commercial flight and arrest a journalist. We demand an international investigation and are coordinating with our partners on the next steps. The United States stands with the people of Belarus.”
We strongly condemn the Lukashenka regime’s brazen and shocking act to divert a commercial flight and arrest a journalist. We demand an international investigation and are coordinating with our partners on next steps. The United States stands with the people of Belarus.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 23, 2021
Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki Called for immediate sanctions against the Lukashenka regime. He said, “Hijacking a civilian plane is an unprecedented act of state terrorism that cannot go unpunished.”
Zwróciłem się do Przewodniczącego @eucopresident o rozszerzenie agendy jutrzejszej Rady Europejskiej o punkt dot. natychmiastowych sankcji wobec reżimu A. Łukaszenki. Porwanie cywilnego samolotu to bezprecedensowy akt państwowego terroryzmu, który nie może pozostać bezkarny.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday reiterated his commitment to the people of his state and said that his administration will not discriminate between voters and non-voters before providing facilities. He said that his government will ensure medical aid is provided to everyone who needs it.
While interacting with mediapersons in Azamgarh, CM Yogi Adityanath said that in 2020 when the first case of Chinese coronavirus was detected in UP, the state did not have adequate testing and treatment facilities. The sample had to be sent to Pune lab and patient was shifted to Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital. “Today we conducted 3,26,000 tests. 80,000 ICU and isolation beds are available in the state. Over 4.65 crore tests have been conducted in the state till now,” he said.
CM Yogi Adityanath said that special vaccination booths will be set up for guardians of children under age of 12 so as to provide a safety cover for the children. He also urged people to educate others to not be afraid of testing as well as vaccines.
COVID in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populated state, has till now registered 16,73,785 positive cases for Chinese coronavirus. Of these, 76,703 are active as of now. 15,77,720 people have recovered from the disease while 19,362 have lost their lives to the virus.
Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi has gone ‘missing’ in Antigua and Barbuda, his lawyer Vijay Aggarwal has claimed. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, are accused of perpetrating bank fraud worth Rs 13,600 crore on Punjab National Bank. The fraud came to light in 2018 and he along with his nephew have been on the run since. While Modi is currently in UK, Choksi was in Antigua.
“Mr Mehul Choksi is missing. His family members are worried and anxious and had called me to discuss. Antigua police are investigating. Family is in the dark and worried about his safety,” his lawyer reportedly claimed.
Choksi is currently wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). Reports suggest he may have fled to Cuba fearing extradition to India. India does not have extradition treaty with Cuba.
As per reports, Choksi left his home for a dinner at a well-known restaurant in southern part of the island. He was never seen again. His vehicle was discovered at Jolly Harbour but there was no sign of Choksi. He is currently the citizen of Antigua and is fighting a battle to stop his extradition to India for the trial against him on fraud charges. Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne had earlier said that his citizenship will be revoked and he will be extradited to India once he exhausts all his legal options.
Recently, a UK court had ruled that his nephew Nirav Modi will be extradited to India from UK to face charges of conspiring to defraud PNB. Choksi faces charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty, including delivery of property, corruption and money laundering.
Days after proclaiming that Delhi won’t go under lockdown yet again, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on April 19 announced a week-long lockdown to curb the resurgent coronavirus outbreak. AAP supremo Kejriwal had then reassured the citizens that the current lockdown would be short-lived and not as prolonged as the last year’s nationwide lockdown. A month later, Delhi is still under lockdown and there are no signs of its removal.
On Sunday, i.e 23 May 2021, Arvind Kejriwal announced that the lockdown in Delhi has been extended by another week till 5 am on May 31. The Delhi Chief Minister did hint at the unlock process, but it came with a caveat—If there is a sustained decline in the number of daily coronavirus cases, the process of unlocking will be initiated. For now, the lockdown will be in place, and the unlock process will also be slow, said Mr Kejriwal, highlighting the need for caution in the wake of the third wave of the coronavirus outbreak.
The announcement of another week of lockdown came even as the positivity rate in Delhi has dropped to 2.5 per cent from a whopping 36 per cent back in April when the outbreak in the national capital seemed to be at its peak and more than 25,000 new cases were registered on a daily basis. 1,600 new cases were reported in Delhi on Saturday, a marked decrease in the daily COVID-19 cases.
The number of cases has substantially dropped, the reported deaths have also seen a downward trend, even the COVID care facilities in Delhi have been significantly augmented, resulting in the increased number of hospital beds, streamlined supplies of medicinal oxygen and key drugs, and yet the Delhi government has shown little inclination to blow away the lockdown cobwebs and, if not completely, but at least partially remove the restrictions.
Nevertheless, AAP persisted with another round of unnecessary lockdown in Delhi, continuing to exact an economic toll on the Delhi residents already ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak. However, AAP’s call for another week of strict restrictions does not jibe with its support for the farmer’s protests.
Even as Delhi residents are expected to remain hunkered down in their homes, owing to the extension of the lockdown, Delhi Minister Raghav Chadha took to Twitter to announce Aam Aadmi Party’s support to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s call to observe a countrywide protest on May 26, marking the completion of 6 months of their agitation.
“Aam Aadmi Party extends support to call given by Samyukt Kisan Morcha to observe a countrywide protest on 26 May marking the completion of 6 months of their Andolan. We urge the centre to immediately resume talks with farmers and accede to their demands. AAP stands firmly with the farmers,” Chadha tweeted.
Source: Twitter
Now, this is in stark contrast to the ongoing restrictions imposed by AAP in Delhi. On one hand, AAP wants people in Delhi to forgo their means of livelihood and remain indoor to keep the virus at the bay. At the same time, it extends its support to the farmers protests, which analysts and epidemiologists have claimed to be one of the reasons behind the surge in the coronavirus caseloads caused by the UK strain.
“Punjab played a key role in the rise of cases related to the B.1.1.7 variant. There were at least four major clusters (super spreader events), marriages, farmer protests from February 1 to February 28, that are responsible for large spikes. By March, Delhi was warned about a possible 15,000 critical cases,” said Dr Sujeet Singh, who is a director at the National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC).
However, such concerns did not deter AAP from indulging in politics by allowing the farmers to organise a protest against the three farm laws. It seems that the AAP government want Delhi residents to observe lockdown restrictions so that ‘farmers’ can flout COVID strictures and run amok on the streets demonstrating against the central government.
This arbitrary application of lockdown, where residents of Delhi are prohibited from venturing out and continuing with their economic activities, while farmers are allowed and encouraged to congregate in huge numbers to stage mindless demonstrations against the central government, exposes the AAP government’s duplicity in dealing with the threat posed by COVID-19.
It does not want to lift the lockdown restrictions because of the raging pandemic, but actively encourages farmers to hit the streets against the central government. This hypocrisy brings us to the contentious issue of whether lockdowns are truly effective in bringing under control the coronavirus outbreak and the if the costs associated with the lockdowns are worth the gamble.
The futility of imposing crippling lockdowns to combat the COVID-19 outbreak
As India began grappling with the second wave of the coronavirus outbreak, the clamour for a nationwide lockdown was increasing even as there was very little evidence to suggest that lockdowns are especially effective in eliminating the spread of the virus. Analysts and experts are still unsure if lockdowns are a potent tool in the fight against the pandemic, or they simply add to the economic woes of the vulnerable section of the population.
The trends from the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic make it amply clear that the imposition of lockdown resulted in significantly lowering the spread of the pandemic. The first lockdown was imposed in India on the 24th of March, 2020 and lasted three weeks. Three weeks later, it was extended till the 3rd of May. Thereafter, the unlock was on in phases and from June, all spaces apart from containment zones and few other places, restrictions had largely been lifted.
The data from that specific period is noteworthy. From March till June, cases were on the rise all the time despite the fact that the lockdown was in place and numerous restrictions were in order. From June till September, despite the fact that restrictions had largely been lifted, the cases do not show a disproportionate increase or a sudden spike.
While the first wave of the lockdown was necessary, given that it provided time to the country to prepare for the pandemic and augment its capabilities to combat its spread, another wave of lockdown is only going to add pressure on the Indian economy, which is already reeling from the adverse effects of the first lockdown.
People in many parts of the country have expressed their displeasure at the implementation of a lockdown because it is not uniform in its impact. Small businesses have suffered immensely due to the lockdown and are yet to recover fully.
While entire sectors such as tourism and hospitality have been torched, delivery services such as Amazon and Swiggy and Zomato and other avenues where employees can work from home have continued to prosper. Such disparities perhaps explain why lockdowns have support from certain sectors and complete opposition from others because they do not impact everyone equally.
Additionally, Epidemiologists have hinted that COVID-19 is here to stay, warning the country to brace for subsequent waves of the pandemic. A developing country like India, with a population of over 1.4 billion, does not have the luxury enjoyed by affluent western nations with a significantly lower population to impose months of strict lockdown and emerge from it almost unscathed.
India has a sizeable population of people who barely survive hand to mouth. For these people, poverty and starvation are imminent threats, not the pandemic. Imposing lockdown directly affects their livelihood and deprives them of living a dignified life. India cannot afford another wave of national lockdown that would push the vulnerable sections of the society that are already grappling with the after-effects of the first lockdown to the brink.
Instead, the state governments in India need to expand their testing and tracing and turn their focus on vaccinating as many people as possible to stop the spread of the pandemic. Persistence with costlier alternatives such as the enforcement of a sweeping lockdown should be shunned, and models followed by states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and others, who have demonstrated that the virus can be brought under control without having to take the harsh step of imposing a rigorous lockdown, should be emulated.
Delhi government needs to take a cue from these states and institute necessary policy changes to fight the coronavirus outbreak, rather than blindly going ahead with the easy option of imposing a strict lockdown and continuing to subject its citizens to misery.
Amidst the ongoing Israel-Palestine crisis, several incidents of brazen anti-Semitism have come to light. In one such case on Friday (May 21), a man yelled racist slurs at a rabbi and dropped a bag full of faeces outside a synagogue in Florida in the United States.
The incident took place at the Chabad of South Broward Synagogue in Hallandale Beach in Florida. A cellphone video has captured the unidentified man, screaming anti-Semitic remarks at a rabbi from atop his electric bicycle. He later returned barefoot, holding a bag containing human faeces. While wishing death upon Jews, he dropped the bag outside the synagogue.
Reportedly, the police have now launched an investigation into the case. The cops also informed that the accused also spat on a menorah (ancient Hebrew lampstand) near a sidewalk. While speaking about the matter, Hallandale Beach Police Captain RaShana Dabney-Donovan said, “Apparently, a young lady who was picking up her daughter from the Chabad witnessed this Black male dump what appeared to be a large bag or a pillowcase or some white cloth that contained human feces…It’s very important for us to combat these types of incidents”
The eyewitness recounted that she had gone to pick up her daughter from school at around 3:30 pm. “All of a sudden, I see this man standing there, no shoes. He was wearing a white tunic. I approached to see what was in the fabric, and it was feces. When he noticed I was following him, he started yelling, ‘[Expletive] Jews, you should not be doing this.”
Hallandale Beach Commissioner Anbelle Lima Taub emphasised that the timing of the incident is crucial as it coincides with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. “It seems that every time there is an uprising or a situation globally or nationally, easily identifiable members of our religious community, specifically the Orthodox Jewish community, are a target,” she added.
Jewish people under attack across the world
As the tension escalated between Israel and Gaza, the attacks on Jewish people have increased worldwide. In London, hundreds of thousands of “peaceful protestors” marched for Palestine and raised slogans against the Jewish people. In a video from Belgium, Belgians chant “death to Jews” at the “pro-Palestinian” protest. It was all happening in the name of “freedom of expression”.
In a viral video, pro-Palestine protesters were seen advocating the rape of Jewish women. In another video, a man Jewish man was attacked in New York. The pro-Palestinian mob attacked him with a metal chair that led to a severe head injury. In a video from Canada, Pro-Palestinian mob was seen attacking a Jewish man. When a woman tried to save him, she was molested by the mob. Synagogues were also vandalised in Germany last week following the escalation of violence between Palestine and Israel. Protests and also become violent in France in Saturday.
About 146 retired public officials from various walks of life, including Judiciary, Civil and Police Services, Diplomats and Armed Forces Officers, have signed a petition expressing their concern over the recent spate of political violence unleashed in West Bengal following the conclusion of the state assembly elections. The petition has been submitted to the Hon’ble President of India, seeking an SIT probe in the matter to bring offenders to justice.
“Recent targeted political killings and bloodshed after the State Assembly elections in West Bengal highlight the need for every right-thinking citizen to observe nonviolence at all costs and respect a democratic process which inherently rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation,” the petition read.
The petitioners said they are submitting the Memorandum because they are greatly disturbed by the mindless instigation of reported violence in electoral vengeance against people who simply exercised their democratic right to vote for one political party or the other.
“Media reports, largely substantiated by eyewitness accounts, mention murders, rapes, attacks on persons and property, including by anti-national elements, leading to the forced migration of people to shelter homes. These reports show unabated attacks after the results of the West Bengal state elections and the deficient and inappropriate response of the local administration and police. These unfortunate developments, if unchecked, could establish a trend which will undermine and ultimately destroy the deep-rooted democratic traditions of India,” the petition added.
It further said, “The media has widely reported that over a dozen persons, including women, have been killed in post-poll violence in the State. Over 15,000 incidents of violence have reportedly taken place. As per credible reports, out of 23 districts in West Bengal, 16 districts have been badly affected by violence. As a result, 4000 to 5000 people have reportedly migrated to Assam, Jharkhand and Orissa.”
The petition, signed by 17 retired judges, 31 former IAS and Civil Services Officers, 32 ex-IPS officers, 10 former Ambassadors, and 56 Armed Forces veterans, demands a special relief package for the victims of violence, adding that all efforts should be made to rehabilitate them and provide them with adequate security.
It said serious offences such as of rape, attempted rapes, violation of the modesty of women, attack on scheduled castes and tribes, and incidents of religious sacrilege are the worst manifestation of post-poll violence in West Bengal.
The petitioners also came down hard against the TMC rule in West Bengal, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led party of failing to uphold the law of the land as the state witnessed an unprecedented incident of political violence following the state assembly election results.
“It is clear that the overwhelming majority of civilian deaths resulting from political violence were the result of what should be understood as serious acts of commission and omission of the law and order enforcement machinery of the State, or, in the worst-case scenario, induced “State Terror,” the petition said.
Cautioning that the rampant bout of violence had the potential of eroding the democratic norms in the country, the petition sought President’s intervention in ensuring that the country’s democracy is salvaged and the post-poll violence as witnessed in West Bengal is not allowed to hit at the roots of the Indian democracy.
It demanded strict action against the culprits—firstly, by identifying the public servants who failed to take any action and abandoned their duty; secondly, by identifying the political provocateurs; thirdly, cases should be registered in respect of all offences in the wake of violence; and finally, effectively proceeding against the actual offenders to bring them to justice.
“It is recommended that an SIT monitored by a retired Supreme Court Judge appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India should be formed for a fair investigation and speedy justice. Further, since West Bengal is a sensitive border state, we request that these cases should be handed over to NIA to deal with the anti-national onslaught on the culture and integrity of the country,” the petition said.
2093 women advocates write to the Supreme Court judges, demanding them to take cognisance of post-poll violence in WB
About 2093 women advocates from 28 states and 8 union territories of India have written a letter to the Supreme Court judges, asking them to take cognisance of the post-poll violence in West Bengal continuing since 2 May 2021, and the erosion of rule of law and institutional breakdown in the state.
“The police is hand in gloves with the goons and the victims are not in a position to even register their complaints. There is a complete breakdown of the constitutional machinery in the State. Even the media is silent for the past few days and not showing the true and current picture of the State of West Bengal,” the letter said.
The signatories have asked the Supreme Court judges to take cognisance of the matter and constitute a Special Investigation Team to register FIRs and investigate into the deaths and other vengeful attacks as being reported in news.
The women advocates have also demanded direct court monitored investigation in a time bound manner, trial by specially constituted fast track court wherever charge sheet is filed by the SIT regarding cases emanating from the post poll violence in the State of West Bengal.
The letter asked the court to issue directives to provide full compensation for death/injuries/loss of property to the victims/family members of the post poll violence by the State of West Bengal.
Besides, the letter demands appointment of a nodal officer for the registration of complaints of the victims.
“Director General of Police of the State of West Bengal may kindly be directed to set up an effective complaint mechanism at all levels on priority basis and to file a daily report before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, regarding the complaints received by Police Department from all channels,” said the letter, adding that the Director-General of Police of the State of West Bengal to provide full protection to the victims.
Post Poll violence in West Bengal
Post-poll violence has become a leitmotif of news emerging out of Bengal following the declaration of results. Umpteen number of violence against political opponents have been reported from the state. In an overwhelming number of such incidents, the victims have been BJP supporters and workers while the accused were said to be the supporters of the TMC party. More than a dozen of BJP workers have lost their lives in the post-poll violence that ensued following the victory of the TMC party in the assembly elections.
The violence unleashed against them forced hundreds of BJP party workers and supporters to flee their villages along with their families. They crossed over to Assam where they have been provided temporary shelter under supervision by minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. It is not just the BJP but even CPI(M) which has accused the TMC of killing its workers. Reports of attacks on BSF jawans have also emerged in the media.
Delhi Police has clarified that its teams had visited the offices of Twitter India to serve a notice as per routine process.
Delhi Police says its teams went to Twitter offices to serve a notice to Twitter, as a part of routine process. This was necessitated as cops wanted to ascertain who is the right person to serve a notice, as replies by Twitter India MD have been very ambiguous.
Earlier, media reports had claimed that the Special Cell of the Delhi Police is raiding offices of Twitter India in Delhi and Gurgaon in connection with its probe into the alleged Congress toolkit conspiracy.
Big! Delhi Police special cell is raiding offices of Twitter India in Delhi and Gurgaon in connection with the Toolkit probe. pic.twitter.com/bZGtwFLIBq
The Delhi Police teams returned from Gurgaon after finding that its office was shut as employees had been instructed to work from home in light of the Covid-19 pandemic since March last year.
Delhi Police Special Cell team returns from Gurgaon after they find the Twitter India offices shut. Apparently there is work from home at @TwitterIndia since March last year. Was this move by Government to send out a message? pic.twitter.com/aCBfjhb5CC
Earlier today, it was reported that Delhi Police has sent a notice to Twitter demanding an explanation for their adding the ‘manipulated media’ tag to tweets by BJP politicians on the alleged Congress toolkit. The social media platform has been asked to explain the reason behind their decision to add the tag.
The Police wants to know on what basis Twitter decided to add the ‘manipulated media’ label to the tweets. Delhi Police has said that as per their investigation, Twitter is acquainted with some facts related to the matter and are in possession of some information regarding the same.
The Government of India had raised objection to the labeling of the tweets. Ministry sources had said, “In its communication to Twitter, the Ministry has stated that a complaint has already been made by one of the concerned parties before local law enforcement agency questioning the veracity of the toolkit and the same is under investigation.” Sources said that Twitter has taken an arbitrary and unilateral decision regarding the matter.
