3 MORE MPs SUSPENDED, TAKING TOTAL NUMBER TO 146

Three more opposition members were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Thursday, taking the total number of suspensions from the Lower House of Parliament to a record 100.

With this, the total number of MPs suspended for unruly behaviour from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha stands at an unprecedented 146 since December 14.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for the suspension of D K Suresh, Deepak Baij and Nakul Nath. Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had warned the three MPs against protesting in the House.

The opposition had been seeking a statement in the House by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the December 13 security breach, and disrupting proceedings.

The action to suspend opposition MPs drew sharp criticism from the Congress and other parties, which accused the BJP govt of trying to bulldoze through key legislations in an 'opposition-less' Parliament.

PARLIAMENT PASSES 3 CRIMINAL LAW BILLS

The three bills to replace the colonial-era criminal laws will not only make India's criminal justice system the world's best but also put an end to the tareekh-pe-tareekh system, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday.

The bills, making punishments more stringent for terrorism, lynching, and offences endangering national security, were approved by Parliament.

The three bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote in the absence of most opposition MPs as many were suspended for unruly behaviour while they were pressing for a discussion on the December 13 Parliament security breach. The Lok Sabha had approved the bills on Wednesday.

The bills that repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act will usher in a new era in the criminal justice system, Shah said. The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bills will now go to the president for her assent, upon which these will become laws.

"I feel proud that for the first time, India's Parliament is framing laws for the country's criminal justice system that have a purely 'Bharatiya' soul, body and thought," he said, adding that this will help the country leapfrog from the 19th to the 21st century.

Highlighting the bills' key features, Shah said terrorism has been defined for the first time and made a punishable offence. "Those who ask what will happen after these laws, I want to say that they did not have the definition of terrorism even after ruling for several decades. The Narendra Modi govt has shown zero tolerance towards terrorism and has given its definition in these laws," Shah said.

"The Congress never wanted to end the sedition law. It is the Modi govt that is ending it forever," Shah asserted

Forensics will be made compulsory in offences with a punishment of seven years or more.

Contrary to the British era when these laws were primarily aimed at punishing people who went against the regime, the home minister said the intent of the three bills is "to provide justice and not punishment".

The new laws ensure that all police stations and courts will be integrated and digitised, Shah said and expressed hope that the Union Territory of Chandigarh will be the first to be completely digitised.

Hit-and-run cases will be punishable by 10 years' imprisonment while a lenient view is taken in cases of road accidents where the accused attends to the victims by taking them to hospital, Shah said. The bills provide for timelines from the registration of FIRs to the investigation and filing of charge sheets.

Trials in absentia will now take place for accused such as those involved in bomb blasts or economic offences who, after committing the crimes, go into hiding, Shah said.

A timeframe has also been prescribed for filing of mercy petitions, Shah said and added only those on death row can file such petitions and that too within 30 days of the Supreme Court confirming the punishment and no one else can file such pleas.

DAY AFTER TRUDEAU’S ‘TONAL SHIFT’ REMARK, MEA TALKS OF CORE ISSUE

India once again asserted on Thursday that its “core issue” with Canada remains that of the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country.

The comments of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came a day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said India’s ties with Canada may have undergone “a tonal shift” following the indictment of an Indian national in the US for plotting an assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist.

“Our position has been consistent. We have highlighted how we see the problem and frankly, the core issue remains the space that is given to extremists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country,” Bagchi said. He, however, chose not to make a direct comment on Trudeau’s remarks.

“I think there is a beginning of an understanding that they cannot bluster their way through this and there is an openness to collaborating in a way that perhaps they were less open before,” Trudeau had said. He said the US indictment appears to have convinced the Indian govt to adopt a more sober tone. “There is an understanding that maybe, maybe just churning out attacks against Canada is not going to make this problem go away. We do not want to be in a situation of having a fight with India right now over this,” Trudeau said.

“We want to be working on that trade deal. We want to be advancing the Indo-Pacific strategy. But it is foundational for Canada to stand up for people’s rights, for people’s safety and for the rule of law. And that is what we are going to do,” he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

PEOPLE KNOW NATION IS "ON CUSP OF TAKE-OFF": PM MODI ON 2024 POLLS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underscored the BJP's hopes for a third term in the 2024 general election, saying the people of India trust the party that brought them this far. In an interview with Financial times, PM Modi said, "They realise that our nation is on the cusp of a take-off... They want this flight to be expedited, and they know the best party to ensure this is the one which brought them this far."

In the wide-ranging interview, the Prime Minister also spoke of India's foreign policy that in a world that is "interconnected as well as interdependent", job creation, comparisons with China and the govt's focus on Make in India.

His govt, he said, has shown steady improvement in job creation and focussing on efforts that would make India the next big destination for investment. "We envision a system where anyone from around the world feels at home in India, where our processes and standards are familiar and welcoming," he added.

"You have done a comparison with China, but it might be more apt to compare India with other democracies," he said.

Asked about Opposition allegations against his govt that includes "targetting" of his detractors, PM Modi said there is a "whole ecosystem that is using the freedom available in our country to hurl these allegations" through media. They have the right to do so, but "others have an equal right to respond with facts," he added.

"It is important to recognise that India wouldn't have achieved the status of the world's fastest-growing economy if the issues you've highlighted were as pervasive as suggested," he said. "Often, these concerns stem from perceptions, and altering perceptions sometimes takes time," he added.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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15 DEAD, DOZENS HURT IN CZECH VARSITY SHOOTING; GUNMAN KILLED

A deadly shooting at a university in Prague has killed several people and injured dozens others, the Czech police said. Atleast 15 people have been reported killed in the shooting and the gunman is said to be a student of the same university.

The accused, who is in his early 20s, allegedly killed his father around two hours before he opened fire at the people in the university.

The police said that the shooter has been eliminated and the people from the building have been evacuated.

"WAR OVER TOMORROW IF...": ANTONY BLINKEN HITS OUT AT "AGGRESSOR" HAMAS

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has strongly called out nations of not demanding that the terrorist organisation Hamas stop hiding behind civilians, lay down its arms, and surrender.

In a press briefing at the US State Department on Wednesday, Blinken said that many countries are urging the end to the ongoing conflict, but how is it possible that there are no demands made of the aggressor?

"What is striking to me is that even as, again, we hear many countries urging the end to this conflict, which we would all like to see, I hear virtually no one saying--demanding of Hamas that it stop hiding behind civilians, that it lay down its arms, that it surrender. This is over tomorrow if Hamas does that. This would have been over a month ago, six weeks ago, if Hamas had done that," Blinken said.

"How can it be that there are no demands made of the aggressor and only demands made of the victim?" he added.

Nonetheless, senior US officials, like President Joe Biden, have urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take more significant actions to preserve innocent lives while waging his campaign against Hamas in reaction to the growing number of civilian deaths in Gaza as a result of Israel's response.

THE REST

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TERROR STRIKE IN J&K’S RAJOURI: 4 SOLDIERS KILLED, 3 INJURED IN AMBUSH

Four Army personnel were killed and three injured when their vehicles were ambushed by militants Thursday evening near Dehra Ki Gali (DKG) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

“An operation was being conducted in the general area Dehra ki Gali since the night of December 20,” the Army said Thursday evening. “At approximately 3.45 pm on December 21, two Army vehicles carrying troops were moving to the operational site, which were fired upon by terrorists. Own troops immediately retaliated. In the ongoing operation, our troops sustained three fatal and three non-fatal casualties.” Another soldier was reported dead later.

Sources said two vehicles, a Gypsy and a mini-truck, were on their way from Bufliaz in Surankote to Thanamandi in Rajouri, where a Rashtriya Rifles unit is located. As the vehicles reached below Topa Pir, militants who appeared to have already laid an ambush attacked them.

Since 2021, 33 Army personnel and over a dozen militants have been killed in encounters at different places in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Of these, 19 soldiers have died in the last eight months. Ten civilians have also been killed by militants during the period.

The Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, said recently that at least 20-25 terrorists were active in both these places.

DELHI HC GIVES EC 8 WEEKS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST RAHUL GANDHI

The Delhi high court on Thursday asked the Election Commission to take a decision as expeditiously as possible, preferably within eight weeks, on a notice it has issued to Rahul Gandhi for his alleged 'pickpocket' jibe targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the statement made by the Congress leader during a speech delivered last month was 'not in good taste'.

A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, while hearing a public interest litigation seeking action against Gandhi as well as formulation of guidelines to prevent such 'malpractice' by political leaders, observed the EC was examining the matter and has even issued a notice to Gandhi on November 23 seeking his stand and therefore its outcome should be awaited. "The (EC) notice said action will be taken. (So) let us leave it to them," said the court.

"Considering that deadline for filing reply is over and no reply (from Gandhi) has been received, the court directs EC to decide the matter as expeditiously as possible, preferably within 8 weeks," the bench, also comprising Justice Mini Pushkarna, ordered.

Petitioner Bharat Nagar told the high court that Gandhi made speeches on November 22 at rallies in Rajasthan, levelling 'heinous allegations' against individuals holding 'highest govtal positions', including the prime minister and the home minister.

The former Congress president took the 'pickpocket' dig at Modi during a poll speech, alleging that the prime minister diverts people's attention while industrialist Gautam Adani picks their pockets. This is how pickpockets operate, he had alleged.

The petitioner also objected to certain other statements by Gandhi referring to the prime minister as 'panauti'.

'The allegations made by Rahul Gandhi are without there being any proofs available in public domain and Rahul Gandhi should be asked to prove that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Gautam Adani are 'Jeb Katra-Pick Pocket',' the PIL said.

BRIJ BHUSHAN AIDE ELECTED WFI CHIEF, SAKSHI MALIK QUITS WRESTLING

With garlands draped around his neck, firecrackers bursting in the background and supporters chanting his name, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh flashed the victory sign for the cameras. Standing next to him was a beaming Sanjay Singh, Brij Bhushan’s ‘nominee’ who was elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Thursday, defeating former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran by a margin of 40-7.

As celebrations erupted at Brij Bhushan’s MP bungalow near Jantar Mantar, the site of protests against him, wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat broke down while addressing the media at the Press Club of India in New Delhi.

“He (Sanjay Singh) is Brij Bhushan’s right-hand man. He is more special to him than his own son. Now that he is president, the coming batch of women wrestlers will also fall prey,” Vinesh said.

Then, dramatically, Sakshi placed her wrestling shoes on the table and announced her retirement. “If Brij Bhushan Singh’s business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, (then) I quit wrestling,” she said.

The wrestlers underlined their disappointment with the govt, claiming it couldn’t fulfill its promise to keep out Brij Bhushan’s family members and associates from the election process.

Back in June, before the wrestlers called off their protests, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had assured Sakshi, Vinesh and Bajrang Punia that wrestlers would have a big say in deciding who occupies the posts of president, general secretary and treasurer.

While there was no immediate statement from the govt on the remarks of the women wrestlers, an official said, “It is unfair of the wrestlers to say that the govt should have interfered and ensured that the candidates selected by the wrestlers win, because the govt cannot interfere in the election of an autonomous body. Interference of the govt leads to disqualification of the federation by the world body, as per the Sports Code.”

“Today’s election paves the way for lifting of the suspension of the WFI by the global wrestling body, United World Wrestling (UWW),” the official said.

PRESS BILL PASSES LS, THAKUR SAYS ‘STEP TO SHED MENTALITY OF SLAVERY’

The Lok Sabha passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 by voice vote Thursday, with I&B Minister Anurag Thakur saying it will simplify registration of newspapers compared with a British-era law it replaced.

Dismissing concerns about press freedom, Thakur called the Bill “yet another step of the Modi Govt towards jettisoning the mentality of slavery”.  He also targeted the Congress for continuing the British-era law brought in to “stop freedom fighters from launching newspapers”.

The Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session, on August 3. It replaced the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867.

“This Bill is simple, smart and has a simultaneous process for registration of newspapers and periodicals. Earlier newspapers or magazines had to pass through an eight-step registration process. This can now be done at the click of a button,” Thakur said.

Rajya also passed the telecom Bill yesterday, a day after Lok Sabha had passed it.

“DON’T LET KIDS DRESS UP AS SANTA CLAUS WITHOUT PARENTS’ PERMISSION”

The education officer of Madhya Pradesh’s Shajapur district has said that both govt and private schools will face action if students take part in Christmas-related events without the permission of their parents. This includes children dressing up as Santa Claus or Christmas trees for plays or other events.

The order by district education officer Vivek Dubey, issued on December 14, reads, “Students should not be made part of Christmas-related events, including making them dress up or play roles like Santa Claus and Christmas tree, without the written consent of parents, to prevent any untoward situation or incident.”

Dubey said there have been complaints in the past, and that the order does not ban Christmas events in schools.

A YOUNG INDIA CLINCH 2-1 SERIES WIN AGAINST S AFRICA

Sanju Samson's mature maiden ODI hundred and wiliness of a young set of bowlers on a sticky surface formed a heady concoction in India's 78-run win over South Africa in the third and final match in Paarl on Thursday.

India, thus, bagged the rubber 2-1, their second series triumph on these shores since 2018.

Samson's measured 108 (114 balls) and Tilak Varma's patient 52 (77 balls), his first fifty in this format, guided India to a competitive 296 for eight. Their 116-run alliance for an enterprising fourth wicket stand was a treat to watch.

South Africa challenged the tourists through a fifty by Tony de Zorzi (81, 87 balls) but were eventually bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh marshalled Indian bowlers with a satisfactory haul of four for 30.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

One must not lose desires. They are mighty stimulants to creativeness, to love, and to long life. – Alexander A. Bogomoletz

OFF TRACK

A young man, hired by a supermarket, reported for his first day of work. The manager greeted him with a warm handshake and a smile, gave him a broom and said, "Your first job will be to sweep out the store."

"But I'm a college graduate." the young man replied indignantly.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that," said the manager. "Here, give me the broom, I'll show you how."