Two-day agitation against Land Acquisition Ordinance
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare launched a two-day agitation against the Land Acquisition Ordinance in New Delhi on Monday. Calling the ordinance "undemocratic", Hazare said that a "jail-bharo" movement would be launched from the Ramlila grounds in the capital after the end of a four-month-long padayatra around the country to gather support for the agitation. Hazare called the Narendra Modi-led government worse than the British regime, and demanded the complete recall of the ordinance. While Hazare stated that he would not allow the Aam Aadmi Party or the Congress to share the stage with him at the protest venue, he said that anyone could join the protest. Numerous supporters of the Ralegan Siddhi-based activist joined him at the designated site of Jantar Mantar, including Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar, who said that the land ordinance would lead to the "death of farmers".
Ukraine refuses to withdraw heavy weapons from conflict zone
In a setback for the already-threatened ceasefire agreement in Eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian military said on Monday that it would not withdraw heavy weapons from the conflict zone, owing to continuous attacks made by separatist rebel forces in the zone. The truce was threatened last week after the rebels captured the key transport town of Debaltseve, after which continuous violations by both sides led German Chancellor Angela Merkel to state that it was clear that the ceasefire was not being implemented. The Ukrainian government, meanwhile, accused rebel forces backed by Russian troops of wanting to make further advances in the country, a charge that both Russia and rebel commander Eduard Basurin denied.
Mumbai attacks accused Zakur Rehman Lakhvi challenges detention
Mumbai attacks accused Zakiur Rehamn Lakhvi on Monday challenged his detention in the Islamabad High Court. Raja Rizwan Abbasi, Lakhvi's counsel, told PTI that the Pakistani government had detained Lakhvi on illegal grounds under the Public Maintenance Order, and that the government had no legal justification to detain him after the trial court had granted him bail. Lakhvi, along with six others, were charged with planning and executing the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 that left 166 people dead. Meanwhile, High Court judge Noorul Haq Qureshi decided to hear Lakhvi's plea on Tuesday.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi takes leave of absence
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a leave of absence from the party, citing the need to "reflect on recent events" as the reason for doing so. Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said that Gandhi had requested Congress President Sonia Gandhi for time off, and was granted a leave of absence for a "few weeks", after which he is expected to return to active participation in politics and the "affairs of the Congress party". According to Singhvi, Gandhi intends to plan for the coming session of the All India Congress Committee. However, Gandhi faced criticism for taking leave the day the Budget Session commenced in Parliament, with speculation within the party suggesting that it was a ruse to gain control of the party from the current leadership.
Mohan Bhagwat says conversion was the motive behind Mother Teresa's work
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Monday that conversion to Christianity was the reason behind Mother Teresa's service to the poor. At a function organised by Apna Ghar, an NGO, Bhagwat said that while Mother Teresa's service "would have been good", its objective was the conversion of the person being served. According to Bhagwat, while the issue was not about conversion, conversion done in the name of service devalued the service itself. Leaders from opposition parties in the country reacted to Bhagwat's statement, with Trinamool Congress Leader Derek O'Brien on Twitter condemning it while asking for a reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare launched a two-day agitation against the Land Acquisition Ordinance in New Delhi on Monday. Calling the ordinance "undemocratic", Hazare said that a "jail-bharo" movement would be launched from the Ramlila grounds in the capital after the end of a four-month-long padayatra around the country to gather support for the agitation. Hazare called the Narendra Modi-led government worse than the British regime, and demanded the complete recall of the ordinance. While Hazare stated that he would not allow the Aam Aadmi Party or the Congress to share the stage with him at the protest venue, he said that anyone could join the protest. Numerous supporters of the Ralegan Siddhi-based activist joined him at the designated site of Jantar Mantar, including Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar, who said that the land ordinance would lead to the "death of farmers".
Ukraine refuses to withdraw heavy weapons from conflict zone
In a setback for the already-threatened ceasefire agreement in Eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian military said on Monday that it would not withdraw heavy weapons from the conflict zone, owing to continuous attacks made by separatist rebel forces in the zone. The truce was threatened last week after the rebels captured the key transport town of Debaltseve, after which continuous violations by both sides led German Chancellor Angela Merkel to state that it was clear that the ceasefire was not being implemented. The Ukrainian government, meanwhile, accused rebel forces backed by Russian troops of wanting to make further advances in the country, a charge that both Russia and rebel commander Eduard Basurin denied.
Mumbai attacks accused Zakur Rehman Lakhvi challenges detention
Mumbai attacks accused Zakiur Rehamn Lakhvi on Monday challenged his detention in the Islamabad High Court. Raja Rizwan Abbasi, Lakhvi's counsel, told PTI that the Pakistani government had detained Lakhvi on illegal grounds under the Public Maintenance Order, and that the government had no legal justification to detain him after the trial court had granted him bail. Lakhvi, along with six others, were charged with planning and executing the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 that left 166 people dead. Meanwhile, High Court judge Noorul Haq Qureshi decided to hear Lakhvi's plea on Tuesday.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi takes leave of absence
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a leave of absence from the party, citing the need to "reflect on recent events" as the reason for doing so. Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said that Gandhi had requested Congress President Sonia Gandhi for time off, and was granted a leave of absence for a "few weeks", after which he is expected to return to active participation in politics and the "affairs of the Congress party". According to Singhvi, Gandhi intends to plan for the coming session of the All India Congress Committee. However, Gandhi faced criticism for taking leave the day the Budget Session commenced in Parliament, with speculation within the party suggesting that it was a ruse to gain control of the party from the current leadership.
Mohan Bhagwat says conversion was the motive behind Mother Teresa's work
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Monday that conversion to Christianity was the reason behind Mother Teresa's service to the poor. At a function organised by Apna Ghar, an NGO, Bhagwat said that while Mother Teresa's service "would have been good", its objective was the conversion of the person being served. According to Bhagwat, while the issue was not about conversion, conversion done in the name of service devalued the service itself. Leaders from opposition parties in the country reacted to Bhagwat's statement, with Trinamool Congress Leader Derek O'Brien on Twitter condemning it while asking for a reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
