Latest news with #PrashantBhushan
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Panel discussion held to seek justice for Rohingya refugees
Days after the Supreme Court called the petition moved against the Rohingya being 'cast into the international waters' by the Government of India as 'fanciful ideas', a panel of six members comprising human rights lawyers and social workers gathered to seek justice for the refugees. The panel discussion comes in the light of the Rohingya refugees living in the national capital alleging that their family members were picked up from their camps and deported overnight to a shore near the India-Myanmar border, left in the international waters with only a lifejacket. Following this, the Supreme Court bench hearing petitions from Rohingya refugees to put a stay on such deportations by the government, refused their plea. Human rights lawyers Prashant Bhushan, Colin Gonsalves, and social activist Harsh Mander were present at the panel discussion along with journalist Pamela Philipose, human rights activist Rita Manchanda and social worker Priyali Sur. During the discussion, the members of the panel presented a study of the various case studies and media reports, including one report by The Hindu on the subject matter. 'Inhumane' deportation Speaking in the panel, Mr. Bhushan presented case studies of families who were impacted by the 'inhumane' deportation. 'The deportation process that India followed for the Rohingya refugees not only violates the International law but also its own Constitutional laws,' he said. Deporting refugees to a country where there is a genocide against them goes against Constituional values of right to live and international genocide convention, the senior lawyer added. Adding to the conversation, Ms. Sur, a social worker running the Azaadi Project, an organisation that works for women survivors of war and conflict, said that while it is important to question how the Rohingya refugees could be left in the water, it is equally important to question the way they are treated inside the country. 'The community's name has become a taboo; there is unwarranted detention for years, the children are separated from their parents and the conditions of the detention centres is inhuman,' she pointed out.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Right to reside is only for Indian citizens, not for Rohingyas, rules Supreme Court
In a significant decision, the Supreme Court on May 8 declined to intervene in the alleged deportation of illegal Rohingya Muslim migrants from Delhi, saying that if Rohingya refugees in the country were found to be foreigners under Indian laws they will have to be deported. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves and lawyer Prashant Bhushan had urgently approached the court with appeals, asserting that the Rohingyas are at risk of genocide in Myanmar and contending that as refugees, they possess the right to remain in India. #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures The bench, consisting of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and N Kotiswar Singh, ruled that the right to reside anywhere within India is limited to its citizens, indicating that non-citizens would be managed in accordance with the Foreigners Act. The court scheduled the hearing for the appeals on July 31. During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and advocate Kanu Agrawal informed the bench that the Supreme Court had previously rejected requests to halt the deportation of Rohingya Muslims from Assam and Jammu & Kashmir. This decision followed the Central Government's expression of security concerns related to the Rohingyas' presence in India and the potential implications for national security. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The World's Most Stunning Blue Flag Beaches Ranked: Top 25 List! Read More Undo In response to Gonsalves and Bhushan's claims that the Rohingyas fled their homeland as a result of genocide perpetrated by the Myanmar Army, and that they have been recognized as refugees by the United Nations Human Rights Commission with issued refugee cards, they argued for their right to live and reside in India. However, the Solicitor General countered their arguments by asserting that the Rohingyas are classified as foreigners, and referenced the Supreme Court's ruling in the Assam case, which stated that it would refrain from commenting on the conditions in Myanmar. He further explained that the court also indicated that the right against deportation is linked to the right of residence, which is exclusively available to Indian citizens. Live Events Despite these assertions, the Solicitor General assured the court that the deportation of illegal Rohingya migrants would adhere to due process under current laws and emphasized that India does not acknowledge them as refugees. He noted that India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and questioned the legitimacy of the UNHCR's designation of them as refugees. The bench acknowledged that while the right to life under Article 21 applies to the Rohingya migrants, they are nonetheless classified as foreigners, and their situation will be handled in line with the Foreigners Act.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
The Great Indian Apartment Elections
Dear reader, as someone reading a humour column in a newspaper on a Wednesday – I assume you are a well-read and curious individual. You might have followed many elections, a veritable psephologist who predicts vote shares like IPL scores. But there's one kind of election that could baffle Prashant Bhushan and bamboozle Prashant Kishor. An intricate web of promises, accusations, benefits and campaigns that are spicier than the general elections. Where neighbourhood uncles transform into Chanakyas, and the parking lot becomes the Kurukshetra: The Annual Apartment Elections! Every noticeboard becomes a battleground, every flat a constituency. It's the only election where the real winner is the guy who quietly deletes the WhatsApp group the moment the results are announced. Just like democracy is needed in a modern country, apartment elections are needed to stop people from wielding absolute power. Like that uncle whose children in the US bought him three flats in the same building. There's an Arvind Kejriwal in every apartment who might be a tenant but is fighting against corruption in Deepavali funds. Some pet owners believe their pets should be treated like human children. Those without pets want those pets far away from their human children. And finally, there are people like me who feed the stray dogs and earn the hatred of all the above candidates. While national politicians promise flyovers, SEZs, and freebies, apartment netas promise to lift repairs, 24*7 water, and a complete ban on children playing cricket within the apartment premises. Just as young voters in India avoid voting, the apartment's younger crowd are too cool (or too temporary) to vote. National campaigns feature rallies and online propaganda; in the apartment, we have secret lobby meets, whisper networks in the parking lot, and passive-aggressive pamphlets. When the uncle who's ignored you all year suddenly offers you a laddoo 'just like that', you know the polls are near. If national elections are fought over inflation, unemployment, and border security, apartment elections are fought over water timings, cleaning up dog poop, and whether the terrace can be used for yoga and badminton. Older people complain that youngsters drink too much on Fridays, dance too much on Saturdays, and breathe too much on Sundays. Young folks complain about restrictions – they can't bring over friends, partners, and friendly partners. If the National elections are overseen by the Election Commission, apartment elections are overseen by watchman Ramesh – who is doubling tripling quadrupling up as returning officer, moral police, and exit poll expert, whispering results to the milkman. And then there's the holy battlefield – the apartment WhatsApp group. Politicians become active once every five years. But apartment politicians have to maintain their image throughout the year. The apartment WhatsApp group (mostly archived and muted through the year) is a smorgasbord of complaints, cultural debates, and good morning pictures with roses in every colour imaginable to Leonardo da Vinci. This is where names are called out, accusations are hurled, and true personalities are revealed. I wonder if apartments in China have elections! But in every apartment in India, a shaky, beta version of Indian democracy thrives. And just like the national elections, nobody really cares about the results. Because no matter who wins – the lift still won't work, the water will stop right when you're in the second charnanam of an Ilaiyaraaja song in the shower. And the dogs will poop on the uncles who were complaining about the bachelor tenant's girlfriend staying over for too long. For, as the popular phrase goes: apartment democracy is a system of 'stop the people, mock the people, buy the people'. (The writer's views are personal)
United News of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC questions advocate Prashant Bhushan on India's poverty status
New Delhi, April 30 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday posed a pointed question to advocate Prashant Bhushan, asking whether India still carries the tag of a poor country, while hearing a suo motu matter related to the welfare of migrant workers during the Covid-19 lockdown. The query came from a bench comprising justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh after Bhushan presented data suggesting a rise in poverty levels since 2011. 'Mr. Bhushan, 2011, now we are in 2025. Are we still carrying the tag of being poor? Are we still on the premise that this country hasn't progressed? What is troubling us is that in 2011, 70% of people were poor — now it has increased to perhaps 80%?' the bench remarked during the hearing. Bhushan clarified that the observation was not based on his personal opinion but was supported by statements from former chief economists who have also pointed to a rise in poverty in recent years. The discussion unfolded during proceedings in a suo motu petition initiated by the court in 2020 to ensure welfare measures for migrants affected by the nationwide pandemic lockdown. Appearing for the Central government, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati submitted that the Centre has complied with the directions issued by the court. However, Bhushan contended that several shortcomings still persist in the implementation of welfare schemes for migrant workers. Due to a special bench matter scheduled post-lunch, the Supreme Court deferred further hearing to the next date. UNI SNG PRS
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Business Standard
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
India still carrying 'poor country' tag? SC questions Prashant Bhushan
The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned advocate Prashant Bhushan if India is still carrying the tag of a 'poor country', according to a Bar and Bench report. The observation comes in reference to Bhushan citing data which suggested that since 2011, poverty levels have increased in India. The court was hearing a suo motu plea initiated in 2020, seeking the welfare of the migrant workers during the nationwide lockdown following the Coronavirus pandemic. A two-judge bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh posed the question to Prashant Bhushan and noted, 'Bhushan, 2011, now we are 2025. Are we still carrying the tag of being poor? Are we still on the premise that this country hasn't progressed? What is troubling us is that in 2011, 70 per cent of people were poor, now it has increased to perhaps 80 per cent?' Responding to the bench, Bhushan noted the claim made is not just his, but a similar concern has been flagged by former chief economists, who believe that India's poverty is on the rise. Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati informed the top court that all the directions issued previously by the Supreme Court had been complied with. Migrant hardships during the Covid-19 lockdown On March 24, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown following a surge in the number of Coronavirus cases. The announcement, which came five days after the PM urged people to observe a self-imposed 'janata curfew', impacted many; however, the section which was the worst impacted were the migrant workers. As many migrants lost their jobs overnight after the industries were shut down with immediate effect, the workers were left to move back to their homes. However, their troubles did not end here as the government also suspended flights, buses, and trains during the lockdown. Many of these migrant workers resorted to walking back to their villages. The government soon responded with a relief package for the migrant workers worth $22.6 billion and ordered 'Shramik Special' trains, which ferried over three million migrants.
