1. What to Expect From Modi’s UK Visit
On Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in London for his three-day UK visit, a first by an Indian prime minister in almost ten years. The Hindu, decodes what this visit means for both nations. The report says,
On Friday, Mr. Modi will address a CEO’s forum, where several MoUs are expected to be announced between British and Indian companies. “We want to be seen as job makers, not job takers,” Mr. Jaishankar said, while refusing to be drawn into comparisons with the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, when deals worth $62 billion were announced.
Read the full report here.
Also read The Quint’s Modi’s Maiden UK Visit is Likely to Advance Strategic Partnership
2. Anup Chetia Handed Over to India: All You Need to Know About the ULFA Leader
After two decades of pursuing, the Indian government finally managed to get ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia extradited from Bangladesh. He was detained in Bangladesh in 1977 for entering the country with forged documents but was only handed over to India on Wednesday. The Indian Express lists 10 things that one should know about Chetia.
Read it here.
3. Girish Karnad Gets Death Threat for Tipu Comment, Says Sorry
Actor and playwright Girish Karnad has apologised after receiving death threats for his comment on Tipu Sultan. Karnad had recommended that the Kempegowda International airport be renamed after Tipu Sultan.
According to Times of India,
Speaking about the threat to Karnad, a senior police officer said, “A tweet was posted by someone with the user name Intolerant Chandra.... We are aware of the tweet and action will be taken if necessary and if a complaint is lodged.” The tweet, later deleted by the user, read: “Girish Karnad will meet the same end like kalburgi if he enrages kannadigas by replacing in Kempe gouda (sic) with Tipu Sultan.”
Read the full report here.
4. Columnist Hasan Suroor Caught in Paedophilia Sting in London
Indian-origin journalist Hasan Suroor has been arrested and charged with paedophilia-related sections in the UK. A sting operation by Unknown TV allegedly exposed Suroor’s intentions for a “sexual encounter” with a 14-year-old girl.
A video was posted by the group on social media in which Hasan Suroor was confronted. The Quint cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Read the full story here.
5. Hitch in Pakistan Boy’s Return to Karachi
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj looked extremely satisfied on October 26 when deaf-mute Indian girl Geeta returned from Pakistan. But her efforts to do the same for 15-year-old Ramzan will have to wait a little longer. According to The Hindu, Ramzan’s mother Razia Begum refused the visa given to her to visit India due to media reports of communal tension in India.
The report says,
There are other stumbling blocks too. Diplomats on both sides are yet to coordinate their efforts. Sources in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi said an official letter from Islamabad, requesting faster action on the boy’s repatriation had not received any response from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Read the full story here.
6. Mr Mani Goes, Too Little Too Late
An editorial in The Hindu explains the entire bar bribery scandal with a timeline and explains why the resignation of Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani comes a little too late.
Mani had resigned from the post after the vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau named him in the FIR of the bar bribery case probe. The editorial says,
Lack of political will in speedily getting Mr. Mani’s resignation, so that there could be a free and fair investigation, has already proved to be costly, and it is seen to be part of the reason for the setback the United Democratic Front suffered in the recent local government elections. In fact, even after the court made its mind known, Mr. Mani’s immediate attempt was to buy time.
Read the full piece here.
7. Tension at Golden Temple, Jathedar Shown Black Flags
As Akal Takht head Gurbachan Singh’s began his customary address on Bandi Chhor Diwas that coincided with Diwali, Sikh youth brandished swords and raised slogans at the Golden Temple.
Pilgrims and tourists hurried out of the shrine as the group began sloganeering. A Hindustan Times report describes how the chaos unfolded.
Read the full report here.
8. Why the BJP’s Blame Game Just Does Not Add Up
Nistula Hebbar writes for The Hindu explaining the series of events taking place in the BJP since the Bihar poll drubbing. Her opening remark: “A post-mortem is never pretty, especially of a humiliating poll debacle”.
She goes on to explain how arithmetic and chemistry between the prime minister and the Bihari voter failed the party and turned the election in favour of the Grand Alliance.
Hebbar also writes about the letter by senior BJP leaders, or the margdarshak mandal, and what it really means for the old and the new guard.
Mr. (Sushil Kumar) Modi retorted, “Have you ever seen an election in any State in India where caste does not have a role?” It meant that while both sides played to caste identities, one side played it better. The moral posturing that a developmental narrative shorn of primordial identity was rejected in favour of the Mandal narrative does not stand when one goes through the campaign rhetoric.
Read the full piece here.
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