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As the final five phases of polls draw closer, rift among <keyword id="20101713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="INDIA-bloc-partners" source="keywords">INDIA bloc partners</keyword>, <keyword id="21533469" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress-Left-combine" source="keywords">Congress-Left combine</keyword> and the <keyword id="19942089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TMC" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="TMC" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="TMC">TMC</keyword>, which are fighting separately has intensified, triggering a fierce contest across half of the remaining 36 constituencies in West Bengal driven by local issues such as <keyword id="20074422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sandeshkhali" source="keywords">Sandeshkhali</keyword> and the SSC scam. TMC's decision to contest independently in the state, rather than as part of the bloc, has led to a three-way contest, with the other contenders being the BJP and the Congress-Left alliance. Nevertheless, both TMC and Congress have asserted that they are part of the INDIA bloc at the national level and are authentic representatives of the opposition front in Bengal. Political analysts suggest that without a dominant national narrative like national security after the 2019 Pulwama attacks, local concerns such as corruption allegations, the cancellation of School Service Commission (SSC) jobs, incidents in Sandeshkhali and implementation of the <keyword id="19965573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Citizenship-Amendment-Act" source="keywords">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> (CAA) are altering election dynamics. Maidul Islam, a political scientist at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, remarked, "Till a few months ago, it seemed the elections in Bengal will be a bipolar contest between the TMC and BJP. But with issues like corruption and Sandeshkhali gaining prominence, the Left-Congress alliance is fast gaining traction in several seats and turning the polls into a three-cornered contest in at least 18-20 LS segments." He said besides the two and three seats in Malda and Murshidabad districts, where TMC and Congress secured two each and the BJP one in 2019, there are 13 seats spread across South Bengal, where the TMC and the Left-Congress alliance are engaging in intense competition. "It's not that the Left-Congress will win many seats, but in segments where their vote share is above 10 per cent, there is a likelihood that they might influence the outcome, to the disadvantage of either the TMC or the BJP, if they manage to secure two per cent more votes," Islam added. According to sources in TMC and CPI(M), the electoral battleground extends beyond Malda and Murshidabad, encompassing Lok Sabha segments like Dum Dum, Srerampore, Arambagh, Hooghly, Howrah, Barrackpore, Bardhaman-Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Bankura, Purulia, Tamluk, Kolkata North, and Jadavpur, all poised for a three-cornered fight. Notably, eight of these seats were won by TMC and the remaining by BJP in the 2019 parliamentary polls. "The shift in dynamics presents the Congress-Left alliance as a significant player, and its emergence complicates the electoral narrative, transcending the conventional TMC versus BJP dichotomy," political analyst Subhomoy Moitra said. While the Left Front is contesting 30 seats, the Congress has fielded candidates in 12 out of 42 seats. "We wanted an alliance with the Congress, but they were delaying the seat-sharing arrangements, so we decided to go alone. Now the Left-Congress alliance is helping the BJP by trying to eat into our votes," remarked TMC leader Santanu Sen. According to TMC leaders, the breakup of INDIA alliance in Bengal has both electoral advantages and disadvantages. "After the Left and Congress alliance fell apart in West Bengal in 2019, it had led to a four-cornered contest with BJP bagging the entire chunk of the anti-TMC votes in the state," they said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP bagged 18 seats and its vote share rose from 17 to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, despite a 3 per cent rise in vote share, the TMC lost 12 seats, dropping from 34 to 22. The Left drew a blank with a vote share decline from 24 per cent to 6 per cent, and the Congress lost two seats, shrinking its vote share from 9.5 per cent to 5 per cent and bagging just two seats. "Local issues such as corruption and SSC scam are helping the Left-Congress in the state as there is anger among a section of people against the TMC and also against the BJP over the perception of a tacit understanding," a TMC leader said. Analysts observe that <keyword id="43868" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mamata-banerjee" source="Orion">Mamata Banerjee</keyword>'s intensified criticism of Left and Congress, accusing them of aiding BJP, and the ensuing sharp responses from CPI(M) and Congress, alleging a secret pact between TMC and BJP, as indicative of the growing significance of Left-Congress alliance. Data from various local elections and by-polls conducted after 2021 assembly elections indicate a shift in anti-TMC votes as there has been a resurgence of Left-Congress combine. Incidentally, the BJP had witnessed a decline in its vote share as compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha and 38 per cent in 2021 assembly polls. In 2023, violence scarred panchayat polls which covered nearly 70 per cent of the state's electorate, the TMC had bagged 51 per cent of votes whereas the BJP had bagged 22 per cent. The Left-Congress-ISF alliance had, however, bagged 23 per cent votes. The ISF this time, however, has decided to contest alone in 17 seats. Congress leader Suvankar Sarkar emphasized, "People are disenchanted with the TMC and the BJP, as they are both sides of the same coin. People are coming out in large numbers to support the Left-Congress candidates." CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty expressed confidence in the Left-Congress alliance's potential to deliver surprising results in the elections, claiming initial success in breaking bipolar politics in Bengal. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar downplayed the significance of the rift in opposition alliance and the three-cornered fight in various seats. "People know that BJP is only fighting TMC's misrule in Bengal. Those who want to vote against TMC, will vote for us only just like in the 2019 and 2021 polls," he said. Political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty suggested that TMC stands to gain the most from the three-cornered contest. In minority pockets, the Left-Congress alliance could dent TMC's vote base, potentially aiding BJP's prospects, he noted.

West Bengal Elections: Rift among INDIA bloc partners triggers three-cornered intense contests

Washington, The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was notified in India on Monday, was long overdue and mirrors the Lautenberg Amendment for religious refugees in the United States, Hindu American groups said. Under CAA, which was passed by the Parliament in December 2019, the central government can grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants - from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan - who came to India due to religious persecution before December 31, 2014. "India's Citizenship Amendment Act is long overdue and necessary. It protects some of the most vulnerable refugees in India, granting them the human rights they were denied in their home country, and the clear and expedited path to citizenship needed for them to begin rebuilding their lives," said Hindu American Foundation (HAF) executive director <keyword id="20923718" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="suhag-shukla" source="keywords">Suhag Shukla</keyword>. HAF in a statement said that CAA does not alter the rights of any Indian citizen nor does it establish any religious test for general immigration or exclude Muslims from immigrating to India, as is sometimes wrongly said and reported. "CAA mirrors the long-established Lautenberg Amendment in the US, in place since 1990, which has provided a clear immigration path for persons fleeing a select group of nations where religious persecution is rampant," she said. "I'm proud to see both the oldest and largest secular democracies in the world - the US and India - be a beacon of hope by extending a pathway to freedom and a new life to those who have suffered gross human rights violations simply because of their religion," Shukla said. This is a big win for human rights for the persecuted religious minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, said <keyword id="20923719" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pushpita-prasad" source="keywords">Pushpita Prasad</keyword> of Coalition of Hindus of North America. "A reminder - CAA has NO impact on existing Indian citizens of any faith. It simply fast-tracks the Indian citizenship process for approximately 31,000 religious minorities who fled Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan in the face of extreme and systemic persecution," Prasad said. "For instance, each year in Pakistan alone 1000+ minor girls from minority communities are kidnapped, forcibly converted and 'married' to their abductors, with support from police and judicial authorities. As a result, petrified families with young kids have been fleeing to India for basic safety," Prasad said. "CoHNA had run an education and advocacy campaign on CAA in 2020 to counter the fake propaganda being pushed on the topic, with eight cities passing resolutions against. To prevent the spread of misinformation AGAIN, we urge residents of US and Canada to educate themselves and others around them," she said. Popular African-American singer <keyword id="20258529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mary-millben" source="keywords">Mary Millben</keyword> described it as a pathway towards peace. "This is a true act of democracy," she said in a post on X. "As a Christian, woman of faith, and global advocate for religious freedom, I applaud the Modi-led government announcing today the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act now granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan," Millben wrote. The popular singer thanked Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword>, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Indian government for their "compassionate leadership and most importantly for upholding religious freedom" in welcoming those persecuted. On the other hand, Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) condemned and expressed serious concerns over the announcement by India to implement CAA, which it called "discriminatory". "The law is a flagrant manifestation of discriminatory intent, designed with the explicit purpose of discriminating, dispossessing, and disenfranchising Indian Muslims. Its insidious aim becomes glaringly apparent when considered alongside the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens," said <keyword id="20923720" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mohammed-jawad" source="keywords">Mohammed Jawad</keyword>, IAMC president.

Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA is long overdue, say Indian American groups

Islamabad, <keyword id="3001" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword> and <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> engaged in a heated debate, filled with accusations against each other, over deteriorating <keyword id="4728016" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="minority-rights">minority rights</keyword> in each other's countries at the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The accusations erupted when a resolution, co-sponsored by Pakistan, was presented in the UNGA, condemning damage and destruction to religious sites. Pakistan's contention on the resolution was with reference to the demolition of the <keyword id="43572" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Babri-Masjid">Babri Masjid</keyword> in India. India's assertion against Pakistan on burning down of a Hindu shrine in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa's Karak district, Islamabad termed it "unwarranted assertions", stating that "India should set its own house in order rather than feigning concerns for minority rights elsewhere". "This is not the first time India has tried to feign concern for minority rights elsewhere while being the most egregious and persistent violator of minority rights itself," said Zulqarnain Cheema, the Pakistani delegate at the UNGA. On the other hand, India's representative raised serious questions over Islamabad being the co-sponsor of the resolution. "It was ironic that Pakistan was one of the co-sponsors of the resolution. The attack on the Karak shrine was carried out with the explicit support of law enforcement agencies," said the Indian representative. "The resolution cannot be smokescreen or countries like Pakistan to hide behind," he added. The Pakistani delegate responded by stating that "the clear difference between India and Pakistan with respect to minority rights can be gauged from the fact that the accused in Karak incident were immediately arrested, orders were issued for repairing of temple, the highest level of judiciary took immediate notice, and senior political leadership condemned the incident". "Whereas in India, blatant acts of discrimination against Muslims and other minorities takes place with state complicity," he said. The Pakistani representative highlighted the "the <keyword id="6564012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="citizenship-amendment-act">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> (CAA), the <keyword id="383721" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Register-of-Citizens">National Register of Citizens</keyword> (NRC), the 2002 Gujarat massacre, the 2020 Delhi progrom, blaming the Muslims for spreading the coronavirus, raising the bogey of love jihad, cow vigilantism and terming West Bengal Muslims termites, extra judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris and blatant attempts to turn Muslims into a minority in occupied Kashmir", adding that "the RSS-BJP regime's record is replete with instances of gross and systematic violations of the rights of minorities, in particular Muslims". "As a perennial of state-sponsored discrimination against its minorities, India is in no position to pontificate on the issue of minority rights elsewhere," he added. Islamabad's Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram expressed satisfaction over the adoption of resolution at the UNGA, stating "Pakistan will continue to play a leading role in denouncing violent attacks on religious sites". "I am happy that the UN General Assembly today adopted by consensus a resolution ï¿½ sponsored by &amp; other OIC countries ï¿½ on the protection of religious sites. Pakistan will continue to play a leading role in denouncing violent attacks on religious sites," Akram tweeted. The resolution was proposed by Saudi Arabia and co-sponsored by countries including Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Sudan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines and Venezuela. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/new-realme-stores-in-india-and-ceo-says-there-is-plan-for-new-devices/articleshow/80443801.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Realme plans to open 500 new stores in 2021⁠— the CEO reveals the company will go beyond smartphones in the 5G era</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/amplify-ai-the-conversational-ai-startup-founded-by-two-south-asians-has-scored-big-with-brands-and-governments/articleshow/80443958.cms">From Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' win to the Modi government's COVID-19 reach out⁠— a startup founded by two South Asians has scored big with brands and governments</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tcs-surpasses-accenture-to-become-the-worlds-largest-it-company-by-market-value-for-a-short-time/articleshow/80446014.cms">TCS briefly beats Accenture to become the world's largest IT company</a>

India, Pakistan spar over minority rights at the UN General Assembly

<ul><li>India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act is being challenged by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) less than a day after being passed by the Rajya Sabha. </li><li>IUML claims that the act is unconstitutional and violates the fundamental right to equality. </li><li>It has asked for stay order on the Act until the matter is resolved. </li></ul>India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) was passed in the Rajya Sabha just yesterday and it’s already being challenged by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). It has filed a petition with the Supreme Court accusing the new act of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/academicians-ex-babus-authors-scientists-seek-withdrawal-of-citizenship-bill/articleshow/72469434.cms">being in violation</a> of the Constitution’s fundamental right to equality. <div type="image" title="CAB3" msid="72487641" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Protests against CAB turn violent in Guwahati, Assam&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>
 Protests have been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-citizenship-bill-assam-protests-rise-conrad-sangma-and-aribam-syam-sharma-join/articleshow/67830987.cms">ravaging India’s north-east</a> since the cabinet’s decision to introduce the bill in Lok Sabha. The violence only escalated after CAB <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/foreign-policy/news/lok-sabha-works-through-the-night-to-pass-citizenship-bill/articleshow/72450180.cms">moved to the Rajya Sabha for approval</a>. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/society/news/north-east-student-body-in-warns-indian-government-against-amending-the-citizenship-act/articleshow/72276774.cms">Protestors</a> burnt tires on the roads and threw bricks at the police, forcibly shutting down shops and markets. When the Border Security Force (BSF) tried to stop them, they damaged the fire brigade vehicle. 

<div type="image" title="CAB4" msid="72487676" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Protesters burn tires along the roads&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 CAB is now ready to become law — an official act instead of a bill — after the Rajya Sabha passed the bill following a gruelling six-and-half-hour debate. Guwahati continues to be at the epicentre of anti-CAB protests — railways services have been halted, a curfew has been imposed and mobile serves in ten districts have been suspended. To control the deteriorating law and order situation in Assam and Tripura, eight columns of the Indian Army have been deployed along with 12 companies from the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF). Why is the Citizenship (Amendment) Act being challenged? CAB takes the original Citizenship Act of 1955 and adds a religious element to it, according to PRS, an independent research institute. It restricts the eligibility of citizenship for illegal immigrants to certain religions — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — leaving Muslims, Jews and atheists out of the fold. Some have even labelled it India’s new ‘<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50670393">anti-Muslim</a>’ law. <div type="image" title="CAB2_edited" msid="72487556" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Congressmen burn the effigy of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) during their protest march in Patna on Wednesday&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>
 IUML claims that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is in violation of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the constitution — the right to equality, the right to non-discrimination, and the right to life. Its writ petition to the Supreme Court is asking for a stay order on the amendment until the matter’s been fully explored. <div type="image" title="IUML leaders" msid="72487539" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;IUML leaders (left to right) P K Kunhalikutty, Khader Mohideen, Panakkad Hyder, and Ali Shihab Thangal &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 The US Commission of International Religous Freedom (USCIRF) also echoed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-citizenship-bill-is-a-dangerous-turn-in-the-wrong-direction-says-us-commission-for-religious-freedom/articleshow/72452797.cms">similar concerns </a>on Monday. “The CAB is a dangerous turn in the wrong direction; it runs counter to India’s rich history of secular pluralism and the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law regardless of faith,” it said. CAA is also in violation of the Assam Accord of 1985, which led to the deportation of illegal immigrants from the state regardless of of their religion. <div type="image" title="CAB5" msid="72487770" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People stage a demonstration against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Agartala, Tripura&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 The bill justifies its stance stating that only religions who are a minority in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were included as eligible for citizenship. This is despite the fact, as many debaters have pointed out, that Muslims are a minority in both Sri Lanka and Nepal. “India is a democracy, though people have the right to voice their ideas and demands, such actions are not appreciated in society,” said Assam Chief Secretary <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-admits-protests-over-citizenship-bill-a-challenge-calls-for-calm-1987411">Alok Kumar</a>. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, will be arguing on IUML’s behalf in the Supreme Court. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-citizenship-bill-is-a-dangerous-turn-in-the-wrong-direction-says-us-commission-for-religious-freedom/articleshow/72452797.cms">India’s Citizenship Bill is a dangerous turn in the wrong direction, says US Commission for Religious Freedom</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/foreign-policy/news/lok-sabha-works-through-the-night-to-pass-citizenship-bill/articleshow/72450180.cms">Lok Sabha works through the night to pass citizenship bill</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/academicians-ex-babus-authors-scientists-seek-withdrawal-of-citizenship-bill/articleshow/72469434.cms">Romila Thapar, Amitav Ghosh, Nandita Das join 600 writers and artists to seek withdrawal of Citizenship Bill</a>

India's Citizenship Act gets challenged at the Supreme Court barely a day after passing Parliament

<ul><li><keyword id="10387" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Microsoft">Microsoft</keyword> CEO <keyword id="276564" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Satya-Nadella">Satya Nadella</keyword> hopes India will build on its multi-cultural ethos and 70-year history to overcome its challenges. </li><li>On the sidelines of the <keyword id="69007" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Economic-Forum">World Economic Forum</keyword> at <keyword id="100810" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Davos">Davos</keyword>, Nadella told Bloomberg that he is an ‘India optimist’. </li><li>He believes that countries need to support immigration or they might miss the <keyword id="2497750" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="tech-boom">tech boom</keyword>. </li></ul>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently came under fire for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/bezos-india-visit-and-a-billion-dollar-business-many-reasons-why-microsoft-may-have-had-to-retract-satya-nadellas-statement-on-indias-new-citizenship-law/articleshow/73240323.cms">flip-flopping on his stance</a> against India’s new citizenship law — the <keyword id="6564012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="citizenship-amendment-act">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> (CAA) — that has been a source of unrest in the country. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nadella told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-01-21/microsoft-ceo-warns-immigration-policies-need-enlightenment-video">Bloomberg</a>, "I’m an India optimistic." "When I think about the multi-cultural ethos of the country, the vibrant democracy and the economic opportunities that the country has to raise what is 1/5th of the population and participate in the 4th industrial revolution — I’m an optimist," Nadella explained. Addressing similar immigration policies of the US, Nadella claims that countries need to support immigration or they might miss the tech boom. In order for countries to attract talent, they need to be immigrant-friendly. "In order for India to stay on track, it has to manage all of the challenges," he added. Nadella’s changing stance on immigration in India Last week, Nadella told Buzzfeed editor Ben Smith, that the citizenship law that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/protests-against-caa-in-jamia-milia-aligarh-muslim-university-assam-bengal/articleshow/72745936.cms">discriminates against Muslims</a> is "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/bezos-india-visit-and-a-billion-dollar-business-many-reasons-why-microsoft-may-have-had-to-retract-satya-nadellas-statement-on-indias-new-citizenship-law/articleshow/73240323.cms">just bad</a>". However, mere hours later, Microsoft issued an official statement on behalf of Nadella stating, "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly." Not just Nadella, but most CEOs of domestic companies too have refrained from speaking out on the issue for a fear of <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/india-inc-silent-on-caa-protests-heros-naveen-munjal-says-may-hit-image-6177782/">hurting investment sentiment</a>. In India, protests against the CAA have broken out in many parts of the country with the government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/caa-internet-shutdowns-make-india-example-for-china/articleshow/72931761.cms">shutting down the internet</a> and sometimes <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/fresh-protest-in-delhis-seelampur-over-caa/articleshow/72836926.cms">using force</a> to keep protestors at bay. However, Nadella believes that India is multi-cultural and has the history to back it up, which should be enough to carry it through its current circumstances. "I think, the fact that there is that 70-year history of nation-building — I think it’s a very strong foundation… I hope that what is happening in India today will build on that multi-cultural ethos that the country has," he said. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/bezos-india-visit-and-a-billion-dollar-business-many-reasons-why-microsoft-may-have-had-to-retract-satya-nadellas-statement-on-indias-new-citizenship-law/articleshow/73240323.cms">Bezos’ India visit and a billion-dollar business ⁠— many reasons why Microsoft may have had to retract Satya Nadella’s statement on India’s new citizenship law</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/caa-internet-shutdowns-make-india-example-for-china/articleshow/72931761.cms">Indian government shut off the Internet over 100 times in 2019 — and China is lovin' it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-citizenship-bill-challenged-by-iuml-in-supreme-court-one-day-after-passing-rajya-sabha/articleshow/72487481.cms">India's Citizenship Act gets challenged at the Supreme Court barely a day after passing Parliament</a>

Microsoft's Satya Nadella says he's an 'India optimist' — the country needs to manage its challenges to stay on track

<ul><li><keyword id="276564" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Satya-Nadella">Satya Nadella</keyword> says that he hopes for an India where an immigrant can aspire to lead a multinational corporation. </li><li>Nadella’s comments come after a group of over 150 Indian-origin professionals urged business leaders like Nadella, Pichai and Mukesh Ambani to come out and oppose the new citizenship act. </li><li>CAA has also drawn criticism from Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who was later supported by Democrat presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. </li></ul><keyword id="10387" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Microsoft">Microsoft</keyword> CEO Satya Nadella today raised his voice against the <keyword id="6564012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="citizenship-amendment-act">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword>, throwing his weight behind the growing voices of dissent against the new citizenship law. "I think what is happening is sad... It's just bad.... I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of <keyword id="6354512" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Infosys">Infosys</keyword>," said Nadella to <a href="https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedBen/status/1216751208037261312">BuzzFeed</a> editor-in-chief Ben Smith. Why Nadella’s opposition to CAA is important Nadella is amongst the first few from the international tech community to voice his opposition on India’s new citizenship law. He is also amongst the few high-profile Indian-origin CEOs at the helm of top US-based multinational company. Others in the list include Sundar Pichai, Shantanu Narayen and Ajaypal Singh Banga. Nadella’s Indian origins and his rise to become the CEO of one the biggest tech giants of the world in the US - an immigrant success story - speaks volumes against laws like CAA. In a <a href="https://twitter.com/MicrosoftIndia/status/1216790874639589376">detailed statement</a>, Nadella said, “I’m shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the United States. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up or lead a multinational corporation benefitting Indian society and the economy at large.” Nadella is not the only high-profile critic of CAA Other high-profile critics of the new citizenship law include Indian-American Congresswoman <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/us-presidential-candidates-bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-come-out-in-support-of-pramila-jayapal/articleshow/72912789.cms">Pramila Jayapal</a>, who was later supported by Democrat presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Welcoming Nadella’s comments, noted historian Ramachandra Guha tweeted, “I am glad Satya Nadella has said what he has. I wish that one of our own IT czars had the courage and wisdom to say this first. Or to say it even now,”. A group of over 150 Indian-origin professionals working at Google, Uber, Amazon and Facebook have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/indian-techies-pen-open-letter-again-citizenship-bill/articleshow/72993889.cms">published a letter</a> urging leaders like Satya Nadella, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and others to come out and voice their opposition against CAA. While Nadella has come out as the first major voice of opposition amongst these, it will be interesting to see if Pichai and others would join him. Why is the CAA so controversial? The Citizenship Amendment Act came into force on January 10, fast tracking the process of citizenship to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The new law caused widespread criticism and protests in India and beyond, primarily for the fact that it discriminates based on religion. Over the last few weeks, widespread protests across the country have erupted. The <keyword id="8447268" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="caa-protests">CAA protests</keyword> have drawn crowds out in large numbers, with many of these protests being held in universities like Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi University, Hyderabad University and more. Several students were also injured in clashes against the police. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/news/latest-report-on-citizenship-amendment-act-from-clsa-on-caa-impact-on-the-economy/articleshow/72991988.cms">"There is nothing good" about the Citizenship Act, says global broking house CLSA in a report on India's drooping economy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/american-billionaire-tim-draper-is-concerned-about-india-funding-plans/articleshow/72896053.cms">American billionaire Tim Draper is spooked by India's new Citizenship Act that "chooses one religion over another"</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-citizenship-bill-challenged-by-iuml-in-supreme-court-one-day-after-passing-rajya-sabha/articleshow/72487481.cms">India's Citizenship Act gets challenged at the Supreme Court barely a day after passing Parliament</a>

Satya Nadella answers call to speak on CAA, 'I think what’s happening is sad. It’s just bad.'

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6379311" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jamia-Millia-Islamia">Jamia Millia Islamia</keyword> University in Delhi — which is home to over 20,000 students — has turned into a political hotbed ever since the protests against the <keyword id="6564012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="citizenship-amendment-act">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> (CAA) broke at its premises. </li><li>This was after the Indian government passed a bill that allows special treatment to non-muslim migrants — including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan — making them eligible for Indian citizenship. </li><li>The university was originally established in Aligarh in 1920. It was recognised as a central university in 1988, after it was moved to Delhi from Aligarh.</li></ul>The Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi — which is home to over 20,000 students — has turned into a political hotspot once again. This was after over a hundred students were injured in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that broke out at its premises. Students across universities — Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Jadavpur University, IIT Bombay, <keyword id="151282" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="University-of-Delhi">University of Delhi</keyword> — are coming together in support of the students at Jamia Millia Islamia after police activities. They are protesting against the CAA which provides special treatment to non-Muslim migrants while giving Indian citizenship. The Muslim minority is now agitated on the initiatives that exclude them from the government policies. Political crisis and Jamia’s evolution When <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> was under British rule, Mahatma Gandhi called for a boycott of the educational institutions under the colonial rule. This led to nationalist teachers and students joining hands to establish Jamia Millia Islamia University. Maulana Mehmud Hasan, who was also a freedom fighter laid the foundation stone of the university at Aligarh. The university was originally established in Aligarh in 1920. However, it was later recognised as a central university in 1988 by the foundation committee that included renowned nationalists and political leaders Abdul Majeed Khwaja and Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari. Amid the intensifying political struggle, the foundation committee then decided to move the university to Delhi. “The Jamia has to run. If you are worried about its finances, I will go about with a begging bowl,” Gandhi had then said. The Muslim community considered Jamia to be a threat to the <keyword id="44216" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aligarh-Muslim-University">Aligarh Muslim University</keyword> back then. But now it is joining Jamia with protests across campuses in UP, Ahmedabad and Goa, demanding immediate withdrawal of CAA. Deemed-to-be university to central university In 1962, 42 years after its inception, the University Grants Commission (UGC) declared Jamia to be a ‘deemed to be university’ — which is an accreditation awarded to higher educational institutions in India, granting status of a university. In 1988, it was declared as a central university. The institute now has an array of centres dedicated to research and technology programmes. But the university students are known for the many causes it takes up. The students took social media by the storm over a debate on triple talaq with RSS and BJP leaders. In July 2019, Triple talaq which allows Muslim men to divorce their wives easily, was criminalised by the Indian government. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/protests-against-caa-in-jamia-milia-aligarh-muslim-university-assam-bengal/articleshow/72745936.cms">Many parts of India are burning and the rest are on the edge as protests against new Citizenship Act spread</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/opposition-parties-throng-police-stations-over-jamia-milia-crackdown/articleshow/72729661.cms">Opposition parties throng police stations over Jamia Milia crackdown</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/10-horrific-pictures-show-how-northeast-india-is-burning-in-protest-of-the-new-citizenship-act/articleshow/72507565.cms">10 horrific pictures show how northeast India is burning in protest of the new Citizenship Act</a>

Born out of a political crisis, Jamia Millia Islamia turned into a political hotspot yet again

<ul><li><keyword id="276564" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Satya-Nadella">Satya Nadella</keyword> was reportedly calling India’s new citizenship law ‘bad’ and ‘sad’ but soon issued a more diplomatic official statement on Twitter.</li><li>Nadella flip-flop on the issue could owe to the fact that one of Microsoft’s primary contenders, Amazon CEO <keyword id="191583" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jeff-Bezos">Jeff Bezos</keyword>, is scheduled to meet India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow.</li><li>India’s importance for Microsoft is also growing as it hit the $1 billion mark in revenue last year and expanding collaborations with the government.</li></ul>Within hours of calling the <keyword id="6564012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="citizenship-amendment-act">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-digital-governance-tech-tour-accelerate-digital-india/">‘bad’ and ‘sad’</a>, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella decided to take a more diplomatic approach. Aside from the big bucks at stake in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Nadella may have to rethink his critique of the Indian government’s policies given his rival, Amazon’s top boss Jeff Bezos, is headed to India to meet none other than the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="MicrosoftIndia" handlename="Microsoft India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/884640054622040064/D-yhyh7L_normal.jpg" favoritecount="12558" retweetcount="5159" status="Statement from Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft https://t.co/lzsqAUHu3I" createdat="1578940526000" id="1216790874639589376"></div>





 Since his initial statements, some followers of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Twitter have been calling for a boycott of Microsoft products. Considering India’s importance for Microsoft, it’s understandable that he chose to flip-flop on his statement. 
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="BuzzFeedBen" handlename="Ben Smith" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1154905038755700737/GnV1kdPz_normal.jpg" favoritecount="19277" retweetcount="7967" status="Asked Microsoft CEO @satyanadella about India's new Citizenship Act. &quot;I think what is happening is sad... It's just… https://t.co/TWkoEW8egt" createdat="1578931068000" id="1216751208037261312"></div>





 India’s importance for Microsoft Last year, <keyword id="28250" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Microsoft-India">Microsoft India</keyword> reported more than $1 billion in revenue, according to business intelligence platform <a href="https://www.tofler.in/microsoft-corporation-india-pvt-ltd/company/U74899DL1988PTC032549">Tofler</a>. However, Microsoft’s billion-dollar business in India also faces intense competition. The company grew 13% last year but just a year earlier, the revenue had clocked a 12% drop. According to analysts, a lot of the company’s growth comes from enterprise solutions — the like expansion of its cloud business, Azure, and Office 365. Even <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/cloud-revenue-is-now-50-of-microsoft-india-revenue/articleshow/67567328.cms">Anant Maheshwari</a>, president of Microsoft India, admits that more than 50% of the company’s revenue comes from cloud and cloud-based services. However, the company has roughly a third of India’s estimated <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2019-11-05-gartner-says-end-user-spending-on-public-cloud-servic">$3 billion cloud market</a> despite being an early mover ⁠— Microsoft set up its first data centres in India in 2015 a year before Amazon Web Services. The day before Bezos meets Modi Nadella’s appraisal of India’s Citizenship Amendment Act also came a day before his rival Bezos is set to meet the country’s Prime Minister. Indian government has repeatedly said that it is looking to make big investments in digital infrastructure and that would be a big opportunity for the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, Google and the likes. Politicians are a sensitive lot, particularly in India. Nadella’s criticism at this juncture may allow the government to take a more charitable view of Microsoft’s rival Amazon for future opportunities. In the US, an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/enterprise/mobile/someone-is-spreading-an-amazon-smear-campaign-as-cloud-giants-compete-for-a-10-billion-defense-cloud-contract/articleshow/67185920.cms">anti-Amazon smear campaign</a> was spread around Washington D.C. that reportedly was one of the primary reasons why the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/news/microsoft-just-scored-a-huge-upset-over-amazon-by-winning-the-fierce-battle-over-the-10-billion-jedi-contract/articleshow/71768668.cms">Bezos-owned cloud service lost</a> the Joint Enterprise Defence Infrastructure (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/ceo-satya-nadella-says-microsoft-beat-amazon-for-the-10-billion-jedi-cloud-contract-because-of-its-leadership-in-connecting-data-centers-to-the-cloud/amp_articleshow/73236458.cms">JEDI</a>) contract to Microsoft. Microsoft’s other engagements with the Indian government Last year, Microsoft <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-digital-governance-tech-tour-accelerate-digital-india/">announced</a> the ‘Digital Governance Tech Tour’ to help skill government officials in charge of IT services across the country. “Microsoft’s first-of-its-kind Digital Governance Tech Tour for government officials reiterates our commitment to be a trusted partner to the government by enabling and empowering officials to do more with technology in service of the citizens,” said Maheshwari at the time. In a collaboration between the Indian government and the French government, Microsoft and other global tech giants — like Google, Facebook and Amazon — have helped set up the PaRis Artificial Intelligence Research (PRAIRIE) institute. In education, Microsoft is also helping the state government of Andhra Pradesh lower the rate of dropouts by trying to determine predictive patterns — the reasons behind why students leave school without completing their degree. Microsoft also has its fingers dipped in water management and urban planning when it comes to setting up smart cities, like Surat in Gujarat. It’s is also working with <a href="https://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/NationalStrategy-for-AI-Discussion-Paper.pdf">NITI Aayog</a> on a pilot project for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy as well as with ICRISAT to develop an ‘AI sowing app’ to help farmers determine the best time to plant their crops. With so much at stake, it’s understandable why Satya Nadella decided to take a more centred stand on the issue of CAA rather than weigh heavy one side. Microsoft’s other investments beyond core business The American tech giant’s also partnered with Reliance Jio. <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/data-centres-may-prove-to-be-the-next-big-opportunity-in-india-/articleshow/71714171.cms">Reliance</a> said it would offer Microsoft cloud services to small and medium enterprises through its telecommunications network, Jio. In addition, it would set up data centres that would run Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform. The American tech giant is also giving Indian startups a push. Last year, it announced a new venture fund, M12 to invest to help emerging business ideas grow. “Microsoft has been playing a vital role in shaping and nurturing the startup community in India and across the world... We remain excited about India’s entrepreneurial startup potential and will continue to accelerate it as a growth engine for the economy,” explained <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-digital-governance-tech-tour-accelerate-digital-india/">Maheshwari</a>. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/jeff-bezos-likely-to-attend-amazon-smbhav-event/articleshow/73239043.cms?src=hp_ts">There are 20 million reasons for Jeff Bezos’ likely personal appearance at Amazon’s mega event in India tomorrow</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/satya-nadella-answers-call-to-speak-on-caa-i-think-whats-happening-is-sad-its-just-bad-/articleshow/73237638.cms?src=hp_wh">Satya Nadella answers call to speak on CAA, 'I think what’s happening is sad. It’s just bad.'</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/thousands-of-angry-indians-are-planning-to-disrupt-a-visit-from-jeff-bezos-by-staging-mass-protests-over-amazons-disruption-of-retail/articleshow/73241576.cms">Thousands of angry Indians are planning to disrupt a visit from Jeff Bezos by staging mass protests over Amazon's disruption of retail</a>

Bezos’ India visit and a billion-dollar business ⁠— many reasons why Microsoft may have had to retract Satya Nadella’s statement on India’s new citizenship law

<ul><li>India’s Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> will host the year’s first <keyword id="245371" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Council-of-Ministers">Council of Ministers</keyword> today evening in the national capital. </li><li>Allies of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) are hoping that Modi will expand his cabinet to accommodate ‘respectable’ representation. </li><li>The council will also have to address the issues of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the <keyword id="36141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-slowdown">economic slowdown</keyword>. </li></ul>India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to kick off the new year with his first Council of Ministers today evening. Not only is it the first meeting of the year, but it may also be important with rumours of Modi wanting to reshuffle and expand his cabinet. <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/pm-narendra-modi-to-review-ministerial-work-in-years-first-council-of-ministers-meet-today/535060">Times Now</a> reports that Modi will be returning to Delhi to hold the Council of Ministers at 5:30 pm today after returning from the Indian Science Congress (ISC) in Karnataka. Allies of the <keyword id="58687" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharatiya-Janata-Party">Bharatiya Janata Party</keyword> (BJP) — like <keyword id="6358821" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="shiv-sena">Shiv Sena</keyword> and the <keyword id="123462" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Janata-Dal">Janata Dal</keyword> — have been asking for ‘respectable’ representation sources told <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/cabinet-expansion-reshuffle-on-the-cards-amid-demands-from-bjp-allies-119110400024_1.html">Business Standard</a>. That’s not surprising since there are currently 72 ministers on Modis’ Council of Ministers — not one from BJP’s allies. Slots are still up for grabs since the council can accommodate a total of 81 ministers, excluding Modi — 15% of the total number of members in the lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha. Addressing the issues While the political elements may be more interested in getting a seat at the table, there are other pressing issues on the docket as well. Multiple reports of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/caa-internet-shutdowns-make-india-example-for-china/articleshow/72931761.cms">clashes between protestors and the authorities</a> have been coming in over the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-citizenship-bill-challenged-by-iuml-in-supreme-court-one-day-after-passing-rajya-sabha/articleshow/72487481.cms">Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)</a>. In addition, the global economic slowdown has the Indian economy on the edge. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/imf-calls-out-indias-growth-rate-which-did-not-translate-into-jobs/articleshow/72947797.cms">India’s ‘growth rate’</a> which did not translate into jobs was recently called out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Modi held the last Council of Ministers on the 21 December, four days before Christmas. Today’s council will the first major hurdle of 2020. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/caa-internet-shutdowns-make-india-example-for-china/articleshow/72931761.cms">Indian government shut off the Internet over a 100 times in 2019 — and China is lovin' it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/5g-data-privacy-surveillance-ai-digital-tax-and-e-commerce-to-drive-tech-debate-in-india-in-2020/articleshow/73054149.cms">5G, AI, data privacy and mass surveillance — 12 biggest tech policy challenges India will have to face in 2020</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/8-charts-that-show-that-corruption-is-still-a-way-of-life-in-india/articleshow/72260521.cms">8 charts that show that corruption is still a way of life in India</a>

Narendra Modi to lead the first Council of Ministers of the year today— cabinet expansion may be on the cards

<ul><li>Digital activists have issued a legal notice to the <keyword id="6358992" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Police">Delhi Police</keyword> against the use of the Automated Facial Recognition Software (AFRS).</li><li>They assert that such mass surveillance is 'completely illegal' and 'unconstitutional'.</li><li>Even though AFRS is being used to monitor crowds in Delhi, its original intent was to help the police track down lost children.</li></ul>The Delhi Police has come under the scanner for using camera <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-police-using-drones-to-track-down-protestors/articleshow/72902707.cms">drones to track demonstrators</a> during protests against the <keyword id="6564012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="citizenship-amendment-act">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> (CAA). 
 <div type="image" title="afrs7_edited" msid="73052603" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Drone spotted flying over Delhi during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 However, they've also been using <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-plans-for-facial-recognition-without-law-in-place-to-regulate/articleshow/70201128.cms">facial surveillance</a> to monitor crowds even when there are no signs of non-cooperation. A report by <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/police-film-protests-run-its-images-through-face-recognition-software-to-screen-crowd-6188246/">The Indian Express</a> states that Delhi Police used the Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) to screen the crowd during Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>'s Ramlila Maidan Rally on 22 December. 
 <div type="image" title="afrs4_edited" msid="73052609" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Crowd gathered for Prime Minister Narendra Modi&amp;#39;s rally at Ramlila Maidan on 22 December&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 That kind of mass surveillance, according to digital rights activists at the Internet Freedom Foundation (<a href="https://internetfreedom.in/we-demand-the-delhi-police-stop-its-facial-recognition-system/">IFF</a>), is "completely illegal". "From building an underlying database of people from public protests to running it on crowds of people attending rallies. This directly impairs the rights of ordinary Indians from assembly, speech and political participation," it said in an <a href="https://internetfreedom.in/we-demand-the-delhi-police-stop-its-facial-recognition-system/">open letter</a> to the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Delhi Police. 
 <div type="image" title="afrs8_edited" msid="73052612" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Supporters of the Citizenship Amendment Act at Prime Minister Narendra Modi&amp;#39;s rally at Ramlila Maidan on 22 December&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 It was supposed to find lost children The original intent of AFRS, however, was to find lost children. But even then, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-plans-for-facial-recognition-without-law-in-place-to-regulate/articleshow/70201128.cms">success rate fell far short of expectations</a>. The High Court called out its inefficiency on at least three occasions. "Since this High Court case contains no clear direction for the use of facial recognition software, even for instances of locating missing children a question arises - What is the legal authority under which this facial recognition system is being implemented," said the IFF. 
 <div type="image" title="afrs_edited" msid="73052614" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Telangana Director General of Police M Mahender Reddy along with senior officials launch &amp;#8216;Facial Recognition System&amp;#8217; integrated with the TSCOP mobile app to aid investigators in identification of criminals in Hyderabad &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 The danger of mass facial surveillance Sources told the Indian Express that the Delhi Police has over 1.5 lakh 'history-sheeters' in its photo dataset so far. It's already being used in day-to-day crime investigations. When it comes to public events, a smaller, secondary dataset made up of 2,000 images of terror suspects is used. A third database of 'rabble-rousers and miscreants' has only recently been added to their arsenal. 
 <div type="image" title="afrs5_edited" msid="73052618" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;AFRS was also reportedly used to monitor the crowds during India&amp;#39;s Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 "We submit that the use of the AFRS for profiling and surveillance at public congregations is illegal and unconstitutional," said IFF's <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-GA-LlcVlnm0Ln4nuA_E_gLBMr6zeWzn/view">legal notice</a> to the Delhi Police. Since there are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-plans-for-facial-recognition-without-law-in-place-to-regulate/articleshow/70201128.cms">no guidelines for the use of AFRS</a>, there are no guidelines for the formulation of the databases. Thus, there is no checklist for the list of people including or excluded from the databases. AFRS — a system without a purpose Even if AFRS is to be used, it <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-plans-for-facial-recognition-without-law-in-place-to-regulate/articleshow/70201128.cms">needs to have a legitimate aim and purpose</a>. Its application should not be random and as per arbitrary rules. "The use of AFRS for surveillance must clearly define the legitimate aim and purpose of such use, even if legality is presumed," said the IFF. This is extremely important because while the authorities may see the AFRS as a way to make their jobs easier, the system needs to be balanced against fundamental civil rights — like the <keyword id="515140" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="right-to-privacy">right to privacy</keyword> and freedom of speech. 
 <div type="image" title="afrs3_edited" msid="73052619" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Citizenship Amendment Act protestor being hauled off by the Delhi Police&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 "There is no material/references available that state what legitimate aim would be achieved by the use of AFRS in political rally or protest given even at such spaces voicing dissent or assembly is an exercise of the fundamental right of a person," the IFF points out. As for the 'trinity of databases', the collection of data can't be a blanket exercise. It needs to be specific and targeted while also preventing bias. "If the goal is to identify a specific instance of wrong-doing or prevent crime (in policing), the State cannot achieve that by blanket and indiscriminate data collection, that fails to distinguish between those against whom there is probable cause of suspicion, and against whom there is not," said the IFF. If checks and balances aren't put in place, it will be easy for misuse to seep through the cracks and take advantage of the lack of oversight and accountability. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-police-using-drones-to-track-down-protestors/articleshow/72902707.cms">Police using drones to identify key protestors⁠— and it may lead to harassment in the future</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/indias-new-data-protection-is-in-the-works-and-companies-will-only-have-to-pay-2-million-for-violations/articleshow/72381112.cms">India's new data protection law is in the works and companies will only have to pay $2 million for violations</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-plans-for-facial-recognition-without-law-in-place-to-regulate/articleshow/70201128.cms">India is all set to deploy facial recognition but there is no law in place to keep a check</a>

Outcry over mass facial surveillance — digital rights activists say it’s ‘completely illegal’ and ‘unconstitutional’

<ul><li>The Indian government has been shutting down internet services in select parts of the country amid protests against the <keyword id="6564012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="citizenship-amendment-act">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> (CAA).</li><li>The internet shutdowns have led an outcry from human activists that such measures aren’t coming down through the ‘right channels’.</li><li>The accelerated pace and expanse of the internet shutdowns also has China citing India as ‘setting an example’.</li><li>Businesses aren’t immune to the effects either as many online retailers rescheduled orders or reported a dip in sales.</li></ul>Amid the protests, violence and discord over India’s newly formed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), authorities have been shutting down access to the internet in selected areas to control the situation. When the internet isn’t being shut down, it’s at least being slowed down — known as throttling. Human rights activists claim that the order did not come down the ‘right channels’ making the entire exercise ‘illegal’. 
 <div type="image" title="protest2_edited" msid="72931875" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Throngs of anti-CAA protests outside the Red Fort in New Delhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 It can only be ordered by a competent authority like Union home secretary or state home secretary, but this order was not issued by them," technology lawyer Mishi Choudhary told <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/delhi-internet-shutdown-did-not-come-via-right-channel-digital-right-activists/72897911">ET</a>. And, this is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/internet-shutdowns-in-india-have-skyrocketed-but-now-the-indian-government-wants-that-to-stop/articleshow/67178243.cms">not the first time</a> that the government is being accused of using <keyword id="991379" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Internet-shutdown">internet shutdown</keyword> as a ‘quick fix’ solution for ‘potentially’ volatile situations. 
 <div type="image" title="protest6_edited" msid="72931857" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Phone with postpaid connections finally get network access in Kashmir on 14 October 2019 after 71 days of an internet shutdown&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 In fact, India has turned so infamous for it during the last few months that China — known for its strict surveillance of online activity — is citing India as an example. India’s internet shutdown shows normal practice for sovereign countries," said an editorial by Qing Qiu in <a href="http://en.people.cn/n3/2019/1217/c90000-9641267.html">People’s Daily</a> — China’s largest newspaper and a controlled entity of the country’s ruling party. Internet shutdown capital of the world The government is allowed to sanction an internet shutdown in the case of a public emergency under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. The problem is that internet shutdowns have become so common in India that it now has a reputation for being the ‘<a href="https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/inside-the-internet-shutdown-capital-of-the-world-11575644823381.html">internet shutdown capital of the world</a>’. Kashmiris had to endure a four-month-long shutdown while the networks in Assam and parts of West Bengal were sporadically cut and activated. 
 <div type="image" title="protest7_edited" msid="72931888" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Parts of Kashmir remain under curfew and internet black out&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 Since 2012, the internet has been shut down in India a total of 375 times and most of them have occurred during the last two years — 134 in 2018 and 103 in 2019. It means that shutting down the internet in a state of emergency should be standard practice for sovereign countries," according to the <a href="http://en.people.cn/n3/2019/1217/c90000-9641267.html">People’s Daily</a> editorial. Impact of internet shutdowns The damage of an internet shutdown isn’t restricted to missing messages on WhatsApp or an update on Instagram either. Although, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did ironically try and send out a tweet his ‘brothers and sisters in Assam’ when it was under an internet blackout. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="77241" retweetcount="15350" status="I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I wa… https://t.co/VPsj5t5opd" createdat="1576124902000" id="1204981291730341888"></div>



 Internet shutdowns are affecting businesses as well. Between 2012 to 2017, they cost the economy nearly $3 billion, according to an estimate by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (<a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2018/apr/26/internet-shutdown-cost-indian-economy-usd-3-billion-from-2012-17-study-1806393.html">ICRIER</a>). This time around, food delivery apps like Zomato, Uber Eats and Swiggy saw their <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cabs-to-food-e-biz-hit-by-internet-shutdown/articleshow/72920805.cms">volumes dip by 10 to 20%</a> in Delhi. Grofers, an online grocery delivery service, had to reschedule 20,000 to 25,000 of its orders in Lucknow. 
 <div type="image" title="protest1_edited" msid="72931915" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Traffic comes to half as roads get blocked by anti-CAA protestors in New Delhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 In addition the effect on businesses, this might not be the best time for the Indian government to be exercising its power in such a way with the Personal Data Protection Bill underway. The bill is currently under discussion by a joint committee after being tabled in the Parliament in its last session. There are concerns that it has too many loopholes that will give the government access to user data in the name of ‘national security’ or a ‘public emergency’ — the very same reason used to justify the many internet shutdowns across the country. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/internet-shutdowns-in-india-have-skyrocketed-but-now-the-indian-government-wants-that-to-stop/articleshow/67178243.cms">Internet shutdowns in India have skyrocketed — but now the Indian government wants that to stop</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/All-the-countries-where-someone-managed-to-shut-down-the-entire-internet-160and-why-they-did-it/articleshow/70009168.cms">All the countries where someone managed to shut down the entire internet - and why they did it</a> <a href="http://businessinsider.in/india-accounted-for-most-number-of-intentional-internet-shutdowns-in-south-asia-2017-18-unesco/articleshow/64189016.cms">India accounted for most number of intentional internet shutdowns in South Asia 2017-18: UNESCO</a>

Indian government shut off the Internet over a 100 times in 2019 — and China is lovin' it

<ul><li>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making fuel cheaper by ₹5 and slashing taxes on alcohol by 25% to woo voters.</li><li>The State Assembly Election is slated to take place in April, this year.</li><li>After winning the majority away from Congress in 2016, BJP is hoping these measures will help assuage voters after protests broke out against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019.</li></ul>The Assam State Assembly Election is still two months away but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is already paving the way to woo voters. The state’s finance minister <keyword id="90408" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himanta-Biswa-Sarma">Himanta Biswa Sarma</keyword> withdrew additional cess on petrol, diesel and alcohol on Friday. The removal of these taxes, this will make petrol and diesel cheaper by ₹5 and the cost of alcoholic beverages will dip by 25%. And, the new rates will be applicable starting midnight tonight. "At the peak of COVID-19, we had levied additional cess on petrol, diesel and liquor. Now, the number of patients has reduced... I am grateful to my cabinet colleagues who agreed to my proposal this morning to rescind this additional cess,” Sarma said during his speech to the House where he presented a vote-on-account for ₹60,784.03 crore. He also revealed that Assam’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 23.12% between 2016-17 and 2019-20 at constant prices. The annual growth rate stood at 7.71% in the period as against the rate of 6.11% at the national level. The 2016 election was a big win for the BJP. It was able to usurp the Congress leadership which had been in place since 2001 under Tarun Gogoi. However, during the BJP’s time in power the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has led to mass protests across the state. However, Sarma is confident of BJP’s win. In 2019, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/will-win-100-out-of-126-assembly-seats-in-2021-despite-protests-himanta-biswa-sarma/articleshow/72974239.cms">he said</a> that the BJP will come back into power by winning at least 100 out the 126 assembly seats. Congress, on the other hand, plans to fight the 2021 election by forming a ‘Grand Alliance’. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/politics/aiudf-says-yes-to-congress-led-grand-alliance-in-assam-2815833.html">reportedly</a> given its consent along with some leftist parties. There is also the possibility of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) joining the coalition. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/spicejet-and-indigo-stocks-take-off-as-a-2-hour-flight-could-now-cost-up-to-13000/articleshow/80873865.cms">SpiceJet and IndiGo stocks take off as a 2-hour flight could now cost up to ₹13,000</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/comparison-between-realme-x7-pro-5g-and-xiaomi-mi-10i-mobile-phones-with-price-and-specifications/articleshow/80873224.cms">Realme X7 Pro 5G vs Xiaomi Mi 10i – best mid-range device under ₹30,000 in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/experts-say-india-and-china-both-need-to-show-their-voters-that-they-won-in-ladakh-for-the-disengagement-to-be-successful/articleshow/80876036.cms">Experts say India and China both need to show their voters that they won in Ladakh⁠ for the disengagement to be successful</a>

You Searched For "citizenship amendment act" and got 12 results

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Indian government shut off the Internet over a 100 times in 2019 — and China is lovin' it

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