| 21 June 2023
1. In an open letter addressed to U.S. President Joe Biden, 75 Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives have called on him to raise pressing human rights issues during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington this week. The lawmakers expressed concerns regarding religious intolerance, press freedoms, internet access, and the targeting of civil society groups in India. Led by Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Pramila Jayapal, the letter emphasized the importance of discussing these issues to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The lawmakers acknowledged the need for a strong relationship with India but stressed that it should be based on shared values.
2. During a fundraising event in California, US President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator, further escalating tensions between the two superpowers. Biden's remarks came just a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in talks with Mr. Xi in Beijing, aiming to alleviate strained relations. Biden also highlighted an incident in which the United States shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon, claiming it embarrassed Xi Jinping. China swiftly responded, expressing opposition to Biden's comments and calling them "extremely absurd and irresponsible." The ongoing strained relations between the US and China pose challenges to future diplomatic efforts.
3. The Manipur High Court has admitted a review petition seeking to modify its March 27 order that directed the state government to recommend the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. The petition has been filed amidst continued unrest in the northeastern state. Clashes broke out in Manipur in May after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' protesting the Meitei community's demand for ST status. The high court has directed the state government to provide limited internet services in designated places, considering the necessity of internet access for urgent and essential work.
4. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's recent praise for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered a heated exchange between political parties in India. While Union ministers celebrated Musk's positive remarks about India's potential, the Congress party criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for propagating "fake news." Musk's comments on Twitter, where he acknowledged compliance with local government regulations, further fueled the controversy. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of managing social media platforms in a diverse democracy like India and the tensions surrounding free speech and national laws.
5. The Supreme Court of India dismissed the petitions of the West Bengal government and the State Election Commission (SEC) challenging a Calcutta High Court order. The high court had directed the state poll panel to deploy central forces across West Bengal for the upcoming panchayat elections. The Supreme Court stated that holding elections cannot be a "licence for violence" and emphasized the need for free and fair elections. West Bengal has a history of political violence during elections, and the deployment of central forces aims to ensure a peaceful electoral process. The ruling is seen as a setback to the state government, which has been in conflict with the opposition BJP in Bengal.
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