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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched the second leg of his campaign for Bihar assembly elections, raking up the <keyword id="6354931" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ayodhya">Ayodhya</keyword> issue and urging the people to defeat the opposition which had ushered in a "<keyword id="3362535" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="jungle-raj">jungle raj</keyword>" in the state and embezzled funds meant for development schemes. Invoking the imagery of Goddess Sita and her father Janaka, the king of Mithila of which this north Bihar town became the capital later on, Modi said those who used to taunt the BJP over the delay in construction of Ram temple were now forced to applause. "I am happy to be here, in the birth place of Mother Sita. Construction of temple at Ayodhya has also begun. Those siyasi log (political opponents) who used to taunt us with the question what is the date (for commencement of construction), have now been forced to clap in applause," Modi told a rally here. The prime minister, who shared the stage with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, lavished praise on the latter, calling him the "bhaavi mukhyamantri" (prospective CM) and crediting him with Bihar's economic turnaround. "The people of Bihar have made up their mind to inflict yet another defeat on those responsible for the 'jungle raj' where crime graph had soared to an extent that living a normal life became difficult for the common people, our mothers and sisters," Modi said in an obvious attack on the RJD-Congress combine, without mentioning either by name. "They committed financial irregularities in the name of waiving farm loans. They took bribes to give jobs. The NDA stands for development. Beware of those who are greedily eyeing the funds earmarked for progress," said Modi. He said those who were in power before the NDA government was formed were so obsessed with their "commission" that they never cared about connectivity for regions like Mithila. A project like Kosi Mahasetu could be completed only when the NDA was in power both in the state and the Centre, he added. The prime minister, who spoke at length about the measures taken by the Centre for the development of Mithila as well as those proposed for the future, sought to strike a chord with the local populace by recalling legendary Maithili poet Vidyapati and uttering phrases in the local language. He also made references to "paan" (betel leaves) and "makhaan" (fox nut) cultivated in the area in abundance. In a deft attempt at reaching out to the lower castes, Modi also paid tributes to Dalit icon Baba Chauharmal. Noting that voting was underway in several assembly segments in the first phase of elections, Modi urged the people to stay safe and take precautions in view of the COVID 19 pandemic while exercising their franchise. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ajay-piramal-believes-that-if-banks-wont-lend-to-long-term-projects-india-will-need-to-revive-the-likes-of-idbi-and-ifci/articleshow/78906135.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Ajay Piramal believes that if banks won't lend to long-term projects, India will need to revive the likes of IDBI and IFCI</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/apophis-the-god-of-chaos-asteroid-is-speeding-up-increasing-the-likelihood-of-it-hitting-earth-in-2068/articleshow/78895818.cms">Apophis, the ‘God of Chaos’ asteroid is speeding up — increasing the likelihood of it hitting Earth in 2068</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/kumar-mangalam-birla-says-cement-industry-is-recovering-and-analysts-find-evidence-of-it-outside-ultratech-too/articleshow/78791281.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla is surprised by the rebound in infrastructure and construction in India</a>

Modi kicks off second-leg of Bihar campaign — rakes up issues of Ayodhya and 'jungle raj' at rally

Prologue: The history of the <keyword id="81273" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="British-Raj" source="Orion">British Raj</keyword> in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> is so vast and so full of life that no movie – be it the action-heavy RRR, a gamified Lagaan or even the many passionate Bhagat Singh movies – could scratch the surface of it. But an American and a Frenchman paired up to achieve this in their book ‘<keyword id="400044" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Freedom-at-Midnight" source="Orion">Freedom at Midnight</keyword>’. It’s the story of India that many Indians know little about. For years, I have regaled many with the unbelievable anecdotes from the book, which is soon to be made into a web series. As we complete <keyword id="2177193" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="75-years-of-independence" source="Orion">75 years of independence</keyword>, I believe a brief summary of this epic is in order for we all need to know the history of how we got here today, breathing free in a country we can call our own. <div type="image" title="India at 75" msid="93508033" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;India at 75&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> A century and a half after Vasco da Gama discovered India, most of Europe had given up bland meals, and now pepper mills are on every dinner table. But India remained a free country only until the 1600s. That’s when Dutch traders decided to raise the rates of a pound of pepper by five shillings — a move that made a cartel of Englishmen receive an official sanction from Queen Elizabeth I to exclusively trade in all countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope. The company, called East India Company (EIC), also the world’s first company to issue equity shares – kickstarted a reign of evil, by a race which believed was ‘destined to govern and subdue’, according to Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre’s classic Freedom at Midnight. <div type="image" title="Freedom At Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre" msid="93508039" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Freedom At Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The wolf of this yet to be formed Wall Street was Captain William Hawkins, a seaman who was more of a pirate than an explorer. He soon found himself in the court of Jahangir, in an empire so vast and wealthy that his own Queen would have appeared to be the ruler of a provincial hamlet in contrast. Queen, Kipling and memsahibs EIC’s coffers filled but India, with its numerous territories and squabbles, would not let him hold on to their policy of ‘trade not territory’. But white supremacy is to prevail amongst ‘lesser breeds without law’ as Jungle Book writer Rudyard Kipling puts it. Even the British born writer believed that the right to rule Indians was placed on British soldiers by “the inscrutable decree of the providence”. The British shouldered it and region after region was lured by treasures if not treachery, weak and powerful kings won with weak enemies. The great Maratha Shivaji himself was known to have admired the British who fought for their honour, as he laid siege on Surat. Droves of young English men arrived in this strange land – with men in sagging dhotis and bare-armed women in sarees, and travelled the length and breadth of the country into villages with rations and letters that proclaimed their rights. And, they were all taught one principle - The English ran the country but they dwell apart. Memsahibs in India started running a very large version of Downton Abbey – with dinner parties that boasted of a servant per guest. They also set the tone for the Victorian era social seclusion – probably to keep their men away from the exotic temptations of the state. But it also made the British much different from many rulers that made India their home. Also, they were sending away taxes they collected from them back to the crown, as Indians starved. The British in India lived it up, served by coolies, and none were ‘better than Gunga Din’, a poetic character that saves an Englishman. They hunted tigers and killed ‘almost all’ cheetahs, the smallest of the big cats - which are now extinct in India, thanks to the Raj. They were having champagne in silver buckets and golfing, in style – golf arrived in India 30 years before New York. They also built the world’s highest golf course at 11,000 feet on the Himalayas. Almost a century after India became a British colony directly under the Queen’s rule, after the devastating Second World War, the country’s parliament voted to ‘leave the country’. George VI was sad that he had let go of a country he always wanted to visit but couldn’t. To ensure there was a smooth transfer of power that didn't lead to anarchy, he chose his handsome cousin, who was known as much for his charm as his military prowess. The former trait would serve Louis Mountbatten more than the latter, as he became the lord and the last viceroy of India, as he took over what his predecessor called, ‘Operation Madhouse’. <div type="image" title="Louis Mountbatten" msid="93508078" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Louis Mountbatten&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The new-age Buddha and Christ Elsewhere in another continent and another British colony, a young lawyer who was an utter failure in Bombay, landed in South Africa and to his own surprise found success. He profusely read Henry Thoreau and Leo Tolstoy and the Gujarati brain of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was working in wonderful ways. <div type="image" title="Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi" msid="93508085" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> When the British government irked him by closing Transvaal borders to India, he led a movement of Thoreau’s civil disobedience with over 2,000 people that included women and children. He added his own twist – non-violence and he brought it back to India. Now called Gandhigiri, his principles continue to inspire generations across continents. The man who took a vow of poverty, had held on to his Ingersoll watch for years until it was stolen when he was travelling in a train. He was moved to tears as he told this story with child-like pain to Lord Mountbatten, but his loss was short-lived. The man who stole it, returned it and begged his forgiveness – which was given with a hug and a chuckle. Gandhigiri had taken over India at the time of Mountbatten’s arrival. Mountbatten knew that this man who Winston Churchill sneered at, ‘as a half-naked fakir’ was not to be taken lightly. After all, Gandhi had already sent back Sir Richard Cripps without a deal, refusing UK’s offer during the war to rule India as a British dominion. Goat curd and surgical precision Mountbatten called it Operation Seduction and while he forged a great friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi was another soul altogether. He insisted on eating his own goat curd at the Viceroy House, took prayer breaks and insisted that India should remain one – keep the baby alive instead of cutting it into two. Jinnah, however, was all vanity, which was deeply hurt when he received fewer seats during the 1937 provincial elections. He demanded a Muslim state. India would be divided with surgical precision, he promised Mountbatten. The King’s cousin, the book says, dealt with him like a sailor rather than a statesman but Mountbatten knew that he could not move the unmoved, and most of Congress were in favour of two nations. Rooms full of rubies and a pen pistol But it took India’s iron man, Vallabhai Patel, to keep the rest of India intact and convince over 500 rajas, princes, nawabs and nizams as they called themselves to shift their allegiance from the crown to the nation. Stronger than the unity statue built in his honour, Patel continued summing up a case for the jury even after he was handed a note saying that his wife passed away. <div type="image" title="The Statue Of Unity" msid="93508178" hostid="261" sizebytes="162276" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Statue Of Unity&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Patel and the career bureaucrat, V.P. Menon, executed their operation seduction to gain control over men who were already seduced by sex, sport and the worst of all maladies - boredom. Most of them amused themselves with Lancaster pistols made of solid gold, rubies the size of pigeon eggs and working train sets on silver rails. The Jeff Bezos of that time, known to be the world’s richest, was the Nizam of Hyderabad, who had rooms full of precious stones eaten away by rats as the miser spent nothing and resorted to smoking the leftover cigarette butts of his departed guests! Most of the eccentric rajas sided with India – even Hari Singh of Kashmir, who wanted to be independent, was worn down by logic that a landlocked state would forever remain in a state of war. But the young Maharaja of Jodhpur, certain that his lavish life wouldn’t be approved by the Congress socialists, tried to go over to Jinnah’s side. But Menon’s watchful spies got wind of it, cornered him, and the Maharaja held a pen-pistol to the bureaucrat's forehead until Mountbatten confiscated it – and used it later to liven parties back home. Cursed by the stars Mountbatten was warned by the most popular astrologist of the time that August 15, 1947 was a ‘day cursed by stars’. He, however, chose sentiment over astrology – the date was the anniversary of the day Burma won against Japan, a war he was part of. It wasn’t just the viceroy, even Nehru and Jinnah did not see the bloodbath that followed. What stopped them from seeing what was to come was their own tolerance and atheism. Communal passions ran so high and so deep that right after the Union Jack came off the Viceroy house, Punjab and Bengal fell into a riotous rage – something a wily Gandhi always knew. That’s why the 78-year-old spent the midnight far away from the celebrations, spinning and lamenting the night India became independent, 75 years back. Before we let you go, here's what we like you to know-Innovaccer's solutions have been transforming the healthcare industry their unique approach to data analytics. Sandeep Gupta Co-Founder and COO, Innovaccer details this scion's growth as they continue to make healthcare data accessible, useful and transformative. Register Now: <a href="https://saasscions.com/" target="_blank">https://saasscions.com/</a> <div type="image" title="Business Insider India brings you SaaS Scions" msid="93508208" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Business Insider India brings you SaaS Scions&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

SIMPLY PUT: What happened before India got Freedom at Midnight

India’s political landscape is increasingly being defined by the troubling nexus between crime and politics. A study has highlighted a startling correlation: the election of politicians with criminal records is directly linked to a rise in crime across the country, particularly in states with weaker institutional frameworks. As India's political system continues to grapple with this issue, the societal consequences are becoming clear. <h2>A history of <keyword id="23341122" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="criminal-politicians" source="keywords">criminal politicians</keyword></h2><keyword id="21026899" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pappu-Yadav" source="keywords">Pappu Yadav</keyword>, a veteran politician from Bihar, serves as a prime example of this disturbing trend. Having represented his constituency for nearly 25 years, Yadav has faced 41 criminal cases, including serious accusations of murder and kidnapping. Despite his conviction in 2008, Yadav was acquitted in 2013, and he continues to hold political influence. His case is not unique; the political scene in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh is littered with politicians facing multiple criminal charges. Anant Singh, another prominent figure from Bihar, holds a political career shadowed by 38 criminal cases, including murder, kidnapping, and attempts to murder. These individuals represent a broader pattern where politicians accused of serious crimes continue to serve in public office despite their criminal backgrounds. "They are getting elected, and over time the number has only been going up," remarks lead author Nishith Prakash. "In some states, it could be as high as almost 40% of people who are representing the state have some kind of a criminal accusation." <h2>Crime begets crime</h2>The research delves into the ramifications of electing criminally accused politicians. The study found that states with a higher number of such politicians also experienced increased <keyword id="22044507" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="crime-rates" source="keywords">crime rates</keyword>. For example, states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, known for their historically weak institutions, have seen crime rise by 4.3% annually with the election of criminal politicians. The number increases to 5.8% when the politicians are accused of serious crimes like murder and kidnapping. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113692670" title="What will it take for Kangana Ranaut’s &amp;#39;Emergency&amp;#39; to finally hit theatres?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Prakash notes that weak rule of law and institutional failure create fertile ground for such politicians to not only rise to power but also exacerbate the deteriorating law-and-order situation. When politicians themselves are involved in criminal activities, they often manipulate legal and administrative systems, further weakening law enforcement and emboldening criminal networks. The reign of <keyword id="20122630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lalu-prasad-yadav" source="keywords">Lalu Prasad Yadav</keyword>, president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal political party in Bihar, illustrates the adverse impact criminal politicians can have. Under his leadership, Bihar’s political environment devolved into what is now infamously known as "Jungle Raj," a period marked by rampant kidnappings for ransom, particularly targeting affluent individuals like doctors and schoolchildren. The researchers note that during this time, the kidnapping industry flourished as criminals enjoyed either direct or indirect support from the state. <h2><keyword id="22404298" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="impact-on-women" source="keywords">Impact on women</keyword> and <keyword id="19900794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-growth" source="keywords">economic growth</keyword></h2>Beyond the immediate rise in general crime rates, the study revealed alarming statistics regarding crimes against women. Electing criminally accused politicians was found to increase crimes against women by 12.6%. In states where such politicians held office, female labour force participation dropped by 10-11%, as women felt unsafe and chose not to engage in work outside their homes. The research also highlighted the economic toll criminal politicians take on their constituencies. Areas represented by politicians accused of serious crimes saw economic growth lag between 2.3% and 6.5% per year compared to other regions. These leaders often misappropriate public funds, divert resources for personal gain, and enable criminal enterprises, all of which stifle local development. <h2>Legal measures taken</h2>India has made strides in identifying and tracking criminally accused politicians. A landmark 2003 ruling by the <keyword id="19895345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Supreme Court" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Supreme Court">Supreme Court</keyword> mandated that candidates for political office must disclose their criminal records, making it easier for voters and institutions to scrutinise their backgrounds. However, the law only disqualifies convicted individuals from running for office, allowing accused politicians to continue their political careers while facing serious charges. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113446721" title="It&amp;#39;s not just the rhetoric — apathy and jokes could be fueling a spiral of retaliatory political violence, expert warns" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The research conducted by Prakash and his team has caught the attention of Indian courts and the Election Commission. While reform is slow, there is growing recognition that the quality of political leadership has a profound impact on societal outcomes, from crime rates to economic performance. "The quality of politicians matters," Prakash notes. "Who you elect has implications on outcomes that we care about. It could be economic growth, it could be crime against women, it could be labour force participation. These are very important outcomes for society and the economy." The findings of this research have been published in Journal of Law Economics and Organization and can be accessed <a href="https://docs.iza.org/dp15259.pdf">here</a>.

Not only does electing “criminal” politicians often lead to an increase in crime in India, it can also be terrible for the economy: study

<ul><li>The <keyword id="8829783" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus pandemic</keyword> is showing a declining trend in India, except for two to three states.</li><li>Under the Unlock 5.0 guidelines, schools have gradually reopened in states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Sikkim.</li><li>However, some of the states and union territories (UTs), including New Delhi, have decided against reopening schools citing safety concerns. </li></ul>The coronavirus pandemic is showing a declining trend in India, except for two to three states. In September, India had reported the worst single-day spike of new COVID-19 cases at nearly 100,000. Over the past few days, India has been reporting less than 50,000 cases daily. With it, children across several states — Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Sikkim — have <a href="https://theprint.in/india/education/only-up-is-ready-to-reopen-schools-other-big-states-delay-move-until-october-end/514911/">been masking up</a> and returning to the classroom. However, some of the states and union territories (UTs),<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-schools-to-remain-closed-till-further-orders-manish-sisodia/articleshow/78907214.cms"> including New Delhi</a>, have decided not to re-open schools citing concerns for safety by parents. When the central government initially gave the go-ahead for schools to reopen, Uttar Pradesh was the only big state to consider a phased re-opening. Most of the states decided not to re-open schools amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s the status of schools across the country — The Indian government, while announcing the guidelines under Unlock 5.0, <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/mha-retains-unlock-5-0-guidelines-permissions-on-reopening-schools-in-india-states-to-decide-soon/673813">permitted </a>schools to reopen. However, it left the final decision to state governments based on the on-ground situation. The Punjab government allowed both private and public schools to reopen from October 19 for the students of class 9,10, 11 and 12th. The schools in Punjab are permitted to open for three hours daily and are expected to strictly follow the standard operating procedure. Schools in Haryana’s Gurugram also reopened from October 15 in a graded manner. However, schools <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurugram/attendance-picks-up-but-space-concerns-persist-in-gurugram-schools/story-0uenlJaYnF9wA21bxRBL3L.html">reportedly</a> have difficulty finding the space to accommodate everyone and keep inline with social distancing norms. The Uttar Pradesh government also <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/schools-reopening-students-return-to-school-in-noida-after-seven-months-1733323-2020-10-20">allowed </a>private and public schools to reopen from October 15. According to reports, some of the largest private schools in Noida have been equipped with cameras to help parents monitor their children in real-time and allay any concerns. The Himachal Pradesh government <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/himachal-to-open-regular-school-for-classes-9-to-12-from-november-2/story-9JTqJXwYoHhEwSVggfEkiN.html">allowed </a>schools to reopen for the students of class 9 to class 12th from November 2. It also allowed colleges to resume classes. The Delhi government, on the other hand, decided not to open schools. According to Education Minister Manish Sisodiya, all schools shall remain closed till October 31 since parents are still concerned about safety. The West Bengal government has <a href="https://theprint.in/india/education/only-up-is-ready-to-reopen-schools-other-big-states-delay-move-until-october-end/514911/">delayed</a> the decision to re-open schools until after Diwali. Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh have also decided not to reopen schools amid COVID-19. Some of the states like Rajasthan are yet to decide on the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/rajasthan-schools-may-open-from-november-2-for-classes-10-to-12/articleshow/78885606.cms">reopening </a>of schools. Reports suggest that the government may allow schools to reopen from November 2. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-extends-suspension-of-international-commercial-flights-till-november-30/articleshow/78907655.cms">India extends suspension of international commercial flights till November 30</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/modi-kicks-off-second-leg-of-bihar-campaign-rakes-up-issues-of-ayodhya-and-jungle-raj-at-rally/articleshow/78907531.cms">Modi kicks off second-leg of Bihar campaign — rakes up issues of Ayodhya and 'jungle raj' at rally</a>

Delhi schools to remain shut till October 31 — Most Indian states remain wary of reopening schools as well

Bihar might be on the cusp of a major generational shift in politics as it braced for Tuesday's counting of votes for the assembly election, with most pollsters predicting a landslide for the five-party Grand Alliance led by the young RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Counting will be taken up at 55 centres across 38 districts where the outcome will decide the fate of the Nitish Kumar government that has helmed the state for a decade and half. Most exit polls have predicted a rout for the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine and a resounding victory for the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) led by RJD's 31-year-old chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, who has thrown down the gauntlet at redoubtable Nitish Kumar, the battle-scarred veteran more than twice his age. The Election Commission is making sure that the winds of potential change cause no disruption in the counting process. According to Chief Electoral Officer H R Srinavasa, central armed police forces have been deployed at the strong rooms, where the EVMs have been stored since the completion of voting, and the halls where these will be unsealed Tuesday morning after counting of postal ballots gets over. The state has 243 assembly constituencies and the most keenly watched will obviously be Raghopur in Vaishali district from where Tejashwi Yadav is seeking re-election. Kumar is a member of the legislative council and has not contested the assembly election. Raghopur has been in the past represented by his parents Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi both former chief ministers. Tejashwi's elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav is contesting from Hasanpur in Samastipur district. In addition, Tuesday's counting will also decide the political fate of nearly a score of ministers. Prominent among them are Nand Kishore Yadav (Patna Sahib), Pramod Kumar (Motihari), Rana Randhir (Madhuban), Suresh Sharma (Muzaffarpur), Shrawan Kumar (Nalanda), Jai Kumar Singh (Dinara) and Krishnanandan Prasad Verma (Jehanabad). With much of the NDA's election narrative focusing on RJD's association with "jungle raj", an allusion to the alleged collapsed law and order during the 15 years when Lalu-Rabri ruled the state in succession, the fate of "bahubalis", leaders known for strong arm tactics, will also be keenly watched. Two of the most notorious criminal-turned-politicians- Anant Singh (Mokama) and Reetlal Yadav (Danapur)- are contesting on RJD tickets. A win for the RJD-led coalition will bring a redemption of sorts for Tejashwi Yadav whose leadership abilities were called into question after his party failed to win a single seat in the Lok Sabha elections last year. The NDA had won 39 of the 40 seats and one had gone to the Congress, an RJD ally. It may also revive the fortunes of the three Left parties--The CPI, CPI-M and CPI-ML--which were consigned to near oblivion over the past two decades. The five-party 'Mahagathbandhan' also comprises these three Left parties, which were a force to reckon with in the past. Election officials and district administrations face the daunting task of restraining supporters of political parties from crowding the counting centres amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Prohibitory orders will be be place outside the counting centres to prevent people from gathering in large numbers, officials said. According to Srinivasa, while 19 companies of the central armed police forces will be deployed at strong rooms and the halls where counting will take place, another 59 have been entrusted with maintaining law and order. Each company comprises roughly 100 personnel. Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Jitendra Kumar said Bihar Military Police and local police will also chip in while senior officials will keep a watch through display screens connected to CCTV cameras installed at the counting centres. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hyperloop-pod-carries-two-humans-through-a-tube-at-over-160-kmph-for-the-first-time-ever/articleshow/79121765.cms">Hyperloop pod carries two humans through a tube at over 160 kmph for the first time ever</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/top-cyber-espionage-groups-that-have-india-in-their-crosshairs/slidelist/79120867.cms">Top cyber espionage groups that have India in their crosshairs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/bigbasket-the-e-grocery-startup-which-tata-group-is-eyeing-admits-a-data-breach-of-over-20-million-users/articleshow/79122791.cms">BigBasket, the e-grocery startup which Tata Group is eyeing, admits a data breach of over 20 million users</a>

Bihar readies for D-day as polls forecast JDU-BJP win

New Delhi, Nov 29 () RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on Friday demanded that the government should send the Industrial Relations Code Bill to a parliamentary standing committee for a redraft as certain provisions are against the interest of workers.
 Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid protest by the opposition parties.
 "Government should withdraw the provisions going against the interest of the workers in IR Code and send to Parliamentary Standing Committee to redraft it," the BMS said in a statement.
 The union also asked the government that it should urgently find ways to address industrial failures otherwise the burden is being conveniently shifted to the shoulders of workers in the name of labour reforms.
 The union has decided to discuss its further course of action on the provisions and about industrial failure in a meeting to be held in Haridwar from 11-13 December 2019.
 It pointed out that the draft law will create a battleground in the industrial sector as its many provisions are against the interest of workers.
 The large exemption regime proposed will create jungle Raj where parties will be compelled to settle their disputes with muscle power. Lack of expertise and vision is explicit in such an exercise of redrafting India's labour laws, it added.
 It is of the view that the present provisions prohibiting strike will make the industrial sector a conflict zone destroying industrial peace and will create friction at floor level.
 The bill provides for a notice of strike before 14 days and within 2 months.
 The union thinks that it is clearly a restraint on strike and asked to remove penalty for "illegal" strike.
 Fixed-term employment is a new definition in the bill, which was not in the last draft.
 Casualisation and contractualisation is going to create an explosive situation in the near future and it will also lead to below quality productive activities in Industrial sector and create an India of "casualised" labour, the union added.
 The BMS also said that the government has no business in interfering with internal matters of Trade Unions like fixing the rate of subscriptions payable by the members, prohibition on person holding an office of profit as office bearer, restraining outsiders as office bearers, protecting members of trade unions who do not participate in strike thereby creating split and weaken trade union etc.
 In the new chapter IX and X on the permission for retrenchment, closure and lay off has been reduced/retained at 50-100.
 Due to high mechanisation, companies can now run with 20-30 workers compared to 100 workers for same operations in olden times, BMS noted while suggesting that the existing threshold limit of 100 itself is on the higher side.
 It was of the view that if each unit in an industrial establishment or undertaking is considered as a separate unit, it is easy for the employer to split up into smaller units and get out of the threshold limit to circumvent the coverage of various provisions of the labour laws.
 On the definition of "wages", it said that it excludes a long list of allowances etc. which will assist unscrupulous employers to avoid payment to ESI (employees state insurance) and EPF (employees' provident fund) etc. which is against the Supreme Court decision in Group Four case.
 The union also objected to the definition of "worker" which expressly excludes apprentice.
 It is also against the provision which makes oral evidence in disputes about standing orders inadmissible and arbitrary powers given to the government to nullify the awards of Tribunals passed after a long trial.
 The time limit prescribed for the worker to apply for the execution of recovery of money as "within one year" is also an anti-worker provision whereas the general civil law says 12 years. This is to support unscrupulous employers, it pointed out.
 Different dates for implementing different provisions, exclusion clauses, Government's power to give exemption, complicated definitions, the threshold limit for coverage of certain chapters etc. are age old methods which are against the spirit of Codification and simplification, the union added. KKS KKS MR

Send Industrial Relations Code Bill to standing committee for review: BMS

With each passing day, BJP’s stance on orthodox Hinduism is taking a toll on the party’s reputation. While Prime Minister Modi is keeping no stones unturned to bring in investments, conservative vision of the RSS and intolerance to other religions has taken an ugly turn. 
 
A few days back, a lynching incident resulting in death of a senior citizen in Uttar Pradesh over alleged beef eating have become an international issue where ‘freedom’ in India’s largest democracy is at stake. Yesterday, an independent member of legislative assembly in Jammu and Kashmir was mishandled by BJP members in the assembly because he had organized a beef festival to move over the crisis of conservatives. 
 
Since then, everyone in the country was waiting for Prime Minister to speak on the issue, but he didn’t. Today, he finally had to break his silence after Lalu Prasad’s beef remark. Lalu Prasad Yadav had said that Hindus too eat beef. 
 
Modi has launched a blistering attack on RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, saying his beef eating remark is an "abuse" and "huge insult" to Yaduvanshis (Yadav clan) and asked people of Bihar to reject the grand secular alliance (Lalu and Nitish) warning it will bring jungle raj 2". He earlier mentioned that Nitish’s regime as Jungle Raj 1. Modi has also scoffed at Lalu's explanation that he made the beef remarks under the influence of some "shaitan" (devil). 
 
He said, "I wonder the devil got only his (Lalu) body to enter. I want to know how the shaitan got the address (of Lalu). The devil got no other body in entire Bihar, India and the whole world except that of his. And he also welcomed the devil as if some relative has come.” 
 
Addressing rallies in Munger, Begusarai and Samastipur, Modi castigated the RJD chief over his 'Hindus also eat beef' remark. 
 
"What all is he saying. What all Yadavs eat? Whatever position Lalu rose to, it was because of these Yaduvanshis and he insulted them. What kind of abuses you are hurling at them. Is it not an insult of Yadavs and Bihar? Do not humiliate the Yaduvanshis so much? Laluji, these Yaduvanshis helped you to come to power," said Modi. 
 
Insisting that Lalu cannot absolve himself of his beef remark, he said,"People of Bihar have to find out why the devil came to Lalu only. What were his bad habits due to which it happened. Do we have place for such people in Bihar. 
Now, all we want to tell dear Modi is: Sir, we sure wanted your remark on the beef and lynching issue, but a considerate one. Election politics is what we expect least from the man, who we chose as the head of the nation. Or do we?

​Modi speaks on the beef issue, but only to counter Lalu

Forming an alliance with his rival for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/JDU-wins-Bihar-Elections-2015/articleshow/49710372.cms">Bihar elections 2015</a> worked in favour of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=lalu+prasad+yadav">Lalu Prasad Yadav</a>. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nitish+Kumar">Nitish Kumar’s JDU</a>, which ousted Prasad’s RJD in 2005, formed a grand alliance with the RJD supremo and won the state elections. 
This victory has yet again brought Prasad in the political limelight after 10 years. 
 
Prasad, who proved to be a crowd and vote magnate during elections, is going to be the kingmaker. 
 In contrast to 22 seats in 2010, Prasad’s RJD in <keyword id="2857351" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar-Elections-2015">Bihar elections 2015</keyword> won 80 seats. 
 Despite having the upper hand, Prasad has let Kumar be the <keyword id="587316" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chief-Minister-of-Bihar">chief minister of Bihar</keyword>, backing JDU like never before. 
 
Not only this, the RJD boss helped the Grand Alliance consolidate the OBC vote-bank in its favour by attacking RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his suggestion for reviewing the reservation policy. 
 
The BJP’s poll plank of Prasad’s ‘jungle raj’ backfired too and the RJD chief galvanised its votes to JD (U) candidates too. 
 
The BJP, which began its poll pitch on development and economic growth, was under pressure and deviated to caste politics. It tried to stop RJP’s juggernaut by giving tickets to 22 Yadav candidates but it failed as well. 
 
Now it is to see in which direction the Grand Alliance will steer Bihar to. Will the kingmaker return with his scams as well? How will be the favour returned to his family including his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap and his daughter Misa Bharti, who campaigned for the elections? Time will tell. 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/5-ways-in-which-Modis-charm-is-visibly-fading/articleshow/49720738.cms">5 ways in which Modi’s charm is visibly fading!</a> 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

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