000-tobecategorised

https://mailchi.mp/4f373a8b0b42/hindus-for-human-rights-celebration-of-hope-gala-10140756?e=92f3be0cc3

HfHR Caught in Crosshairs of Disinformation Campaign by the Indian Government
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/10/india-the-disinfo-lab-discredit-critics/
We are highlighting this critical Washington Post exposé that demands your attention. Uncovering a right-wing platform's systematic efforts to silence anti-Hindutva voices, this report provides an in-depth look at the challenges facing organizations like Hindus for Human Rights. This revealing piece not only sheds light on the systematic smear campaigns, intimidation tactics, and fruitless attempts to silence voices against Hindutva ideology, but also underscores the growing discomfort of the Hindu right towards advocates of peace and human rights.

Letter to the U.S. Senate on Transnational Repression
https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/en/blog/yyhkx1xnid76cs6k0n25z6gnytdpyf

Secret Indian Memo Exposes a Covert Crackdown Against Sikhs in North America
https://theintercept.com/2023/12/10/india-sikhs-leaked-memo-us-canada/
In an alarming revelation, The Intercept's latest article (https://theintercept.com/2023/12/10/india-sikhs-leaked-memo-us-canada/) exposes a secret Indian government memo detailing a crackdown on Sikh diaspora organizations. This significant piece provides evidence that, if validated, proves that the Indian government targeted specific activists, including the Canadian Sikh Hardeep Singh Nijjar and could confirm the stunning announcement made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in late September.

Are India’s Elections Free and Fair?  https://thewire.in/politics/are-indias-elections-free-and-fair M.G. Devasahayam  11-12-23

aggressive mind management and media manipulation in Indian elections. This perception, however, is not solely attributed to Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) doubts but also underscores deeper issues within India’s flawed electoral system, particularly the First Past the Post (FPTP) system

After the election, the Association for Democratic Reforms and Common Cause moved the Supreme Court, challenging the validity of the low mandate, alleging that there had been serious discrepancies between the number of voters in different constituencies and the number of votes counted. These discrepancies, totalling 739,104 votes, were in 347 out of 542 constituencies and range from one vote to 101,323 votes, amounting to 10.49% of the total votes. The case has not even been listed so far, and there has been no response from the Election Commission (EC) on the allegation of fraud in India’s electoral system.

The main issues :

The EVM issue

Integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral rolls

Electronic voting [EVM/VVPATs] and its compliance with democracy principles

Criminalisation, money power, and electoral bonds

Scheduling and processes of elections and compliance of Model Code of Conduct

The role of media

EC’s autonomy and its functioning before, during, and after elections

How Serious is India's Personal Loan Explosion? | Thomas Franco Dec 8, 2023

Thomas Franco, former general secretary of the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), looks at the recent RBI circular asking banks to be cautious about personal loans. He also discusses other loans, and shares insights based on the loan break-up among industry, households and individuals.