Indian rupee

India has arrested a 22-year-old climate activist and ally of Greta Thunberg after she promoted a so-called online "toolkit" that supports the country's protesting farmers. Disha Ravi, a leader from the Indian wing of Ms Thunberg's Friday for Future campaign, was arrested at her home in Bangalore on Saturday and taken to New Delhi for questioning after using social media to distribute the web document. Ms Ravi is accused of using the toolkit, an online document with advice on how to raise awareness about and take part in the farmer protests, for sedition against the Indian government. Her arrest is the latest escalation in India’s crackdown on free expression and political dissent as it seeks to stifle endorsements of the farmers’ mass protests. “She was one of the editors of the toolkit google document and a key conspirator in the document’s formulation and dissemination,” said a Delhi police spokesperson, referring to Ms Ravi. Ms Ravi appeared in a court in New Delhi on … [Read more...] about Indian environmentalist, 22, arrested over support of farmer protests

Facebook has been found censoring posts calling for the resignation of embattled Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. The social media firm briefly blocked users in multiple countries from searching for content with the hashtag #ResignModi, claiming that "some content in those posts" broke its rules. A spokesman said on Wednesday that the block had been reversed and that the company was investigating why it had happened. But the move sparked anger and confusion from Indians, who have suffered a spike in coronavirus cases and deaths and allegations of a government cover-up over the real statistics. The crisis has loosened Mr Modi's traditional grip on the Indian media even as his government uses new laws to force Facebook and Twitter to block specific posts that criticised his response to the pandemic. Hey @Facebook what is this ? pic.twitter.com/reQi0QZGtq — Dr. Srinivas MD (@srinivasaiims) April 28, 2021 Hey @Facebook what is this ? … [Read more...] about Facebook blocks posts calling for Indian prime minister Modi to resign

The renaming of the world's largest cricket stadium after India's prime minister, has renewed accusations of narcissism and a growing personality cult around the nationalist leader, in the latest row over politically-driven name changes in the country. The announcement that the 132,000-seat venue formerly known as Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad would be become the Narendra Modi Stadium sparked delight in his supporters and scorn from political opponents. Mr Modi's gift for oratory and keen populist instincts have made him by far the most popular politician in India, and in 2019 won his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a second term. Yet he has also attracted accusations of vanity and attempting to glorify himself as the founder of a new Hindu India. Critics last week asked whether the stadium's new name was an attempt to bolster his legacy with a relabelling spree. Dedicating sports stadiums to former prime ministers is common in India, but renaming such a high-profile venue for … [Read more...] about Modi accused of remaking India in his image after renaming world’s largest stadium after himself

Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, suffered a major blow on Sunday after his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost a key regional election amid mounting criticism of his response to the country's catastrophic outbrea k of the coronavirus. As the votes were counted for the state elections in West Bengal, a new daily record of 3,689 deaths from Covid was recorded on the day, along with 390,000 new infections. Britain announced on Sunday night that it was sending 1,000 ventilators to India. It comes on top of 200 ventilators, 495 oxygen concentrators and 3 oxygen generation units dispatched last week to Indian hospitals. Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the Chief Scientific Adviser, have also spoken to their Indian counterparts to provide advice and insight. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The terrible images we have seen in India in recent weeks are all the more powerful because of the close and enduring … [Read more...] about Narendra Modi pays price at the polls as India suffers another day of record deaths

Boris Johnson on Wednesday opened the door to increased immigration from India to the UK in exchange for a trade deal, as he prepared to meet Narendra Modi , the country's prime minister. Speaking from his plane, the Prime Minister said he hoped to strike a trade deal "by the end of the year" and that he had "always been in favour of having people come to this country". He suggested more relaxed rules for Indian immigrants could be offered by the Government in exchange for a speedy deal that allows the two countries to trade without tariffs. "We have a massive shortage in the UK, not least in experts in IT and programmers," Mr Johnson said. "We're short to the tune of hundreds of thousands in our economy. "We need to have a professional approach but it has to be controlled." His comments come after ministers announced they would loosen visa restrictions for Indian students earlier this year. Easier immigration is a key demand of Mr Modi in trade negotiations, and could … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson opens door to increased immigration from India in exchange for trade deal

Boris Johnson has been embroiled in controversy on the first morning of his long-awaited diplomatic visit to India after inaugurating a new JCB factory, one day after the company’s machines were used to illegally bulldoze Muslim homes and businesses in Delhi. JCB is owned by Lord Bamford , who is close with the Prime Minister and backed his Conservative leadership bid in 2019. Through his business interests, he has also donated at least £10 million in cash and gifts to the Conservatives since 2001. On Thursday, civil society activists and members of the Indian public accused the under-fire Mr Johnson of carrying out an ill-timed visit to the plant in Gujarat, the home state of Narendra Modi , the Indian prime minister. Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, a Delhi-based think tank, said: “The people working in Boris Johnson’s office are clearly unaware of the major human rights controversy over the use of JCB machinery in the bulldozing of … [Read more...] about JCB demolition row threatens to bulldoze first day of Boris Johnson’s India trip

Museums are facing pressure to return “stolen” artefacts to India after a council voted to repatriate a 14th century sword in a landmark vote. Glasgow councillors have backed a proposal to send back seven items taken out of India that eventually found their way into exhibitions across the city. Documents submitted to Glasgow City Council show officials from the High Commission of India lodged a request in January for the return of six artefacts “stolen” from Hindu temples and shrines in the 19th century. In March, an additional application made on behalf of the Indian Government asked for a 14th century tulwar, a sword used for ceremonial events, and its scabbard to be brought back after they were scavenged from the Deccan plateau. The items will now be transported to India after councillors recommended their return along with objects looted from Nigeria and belongings taken from a group of massacred Native Americans . The outcome was celebrated as the largest … [Read more...] about Glasgow City Council to return ‘stolen’ artefacts to India