Modi's cabinet is again dominated by caste Hindus



International Desk, Barta24.com
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Narendra Modi has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for the third time in a row. As last time too, caste Hindus have dominated Modi's cabinet. This time 72 people have taken oath as ministers. Among them, 10 people from Dalits and 5 people from other religions have taken oath. Among them 2 are Sikhs, 2 are Buddhists and one is a Christian.

The swearing-in ceremony began at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi shortly after 7:15 PM local time on Sunday (June 9). However, Narendra Modi and others arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan premises before the scheduled time.

Presidents or heads of government of seven countries were also present there. Apart from this, eight thousand domestic and foreign guests participated in the swearing-in ceremony.

President Daupadi Murmu administered the oath to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After that a total of 71 people including ministers, independent ministers and state ministers took oath one by one. Among them, 30 people took oath as ministers, 36 people took oath as state ministers, and 5 others took oath as independent ministers.

Among them there are 7 women, 5 other minorities. But not one of them is a Muslim.

Among the oath-takers are 10 Dalits, 27 Backward Hindus, 5 from various religious minority groups and 5 from tribals. 21 are upper caste Hindus.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA coalition partner BJP nominated Abdus Salam, a Muslim from Mallapuram, Kerala. But he could not be victorious. Besides, Nitish Kumar's JD (U) party in Bihar nominated an Islamic candidate in Kishanganj. He too was defeated.

It is known that 24 states are represented in Modi's cabinet this time in terms of caste. Out of these, 27 belong to Backward Classes, 5 belong to Scheduled Tribes and 10 belong to Scheduled Tribes and 21 represent Caste Hindus.

There were 57 ministers in the 2019 NDA cabinet. Among them, there were 32 upper caste ministers. There were 13 Ministers from Backward (OBC) groups, 6 Ministers from Other Backward Tribes.

Then in 2021 the size of the cabinet was increased. In this, participation from backward Hindus increased to 27 people. 12 from Scheduled Tribes and 8 from Other Backward Tribes. Also, 30 people from caste Hindus became ministers.

In the 2019 cabinet, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, elected from the BJP, became the minister of the ministry of minority affairs. His reign ended in 2022. He was then succeeded by Smriti Irani.

This time, a total of 5 religious minorities have taken oath as ministers. They are - Hardeep Singh Puri, Ravneet Singh Bittu, George Kurian, Kiren Rajju and Ramdas Athawale.

Of these, Puri and Athavale are members of the Raj Sabha. Rajju won from Arunachal Pradesh and Bittu contested from Punjab and failed to win.

Israeli attacks on Gaza: death toll rises to 39,175



International Desk, Barta24.com
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In the past 24 hours, 21 more people were killed in Israeli military strikes in the besieged Palestinian Gaza Strip. 39175 people have lost their lives so far.

This information was revealed in a report by Al-Jazeera, a Qatar-based media outlet, on Thursday (July 26).

At least 18 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, south of Gaza, according to reports. Two more deaths were reported in northern Gaza City and one in Nuseirat refugee camp. 21 Palestinian citizens have been killed in the last 24 hours.

Since October 7 of last year, 39175 people have been killed by Israeli military attacks. Another 90703 people were injured. Besides, several lakhs of people have been displaced. Most of the dead and injured are children and women.

On the other hand, 1139 Israelis were killed in Hamas attacks.

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South Africa gets first woman Chief Justice



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
South Africa gets first woman Chief Justice

South Africa gets first woman Chief Justice

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A woman has been appointed as the Chief Justice for the first time in South Africa. Her name is Mandisa Maya. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced May's name on Thursday (July 25).

This information was published in a report of ABC News. According to reports, President Cyril Ramaphosa has named current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as the country's new senior-most judge. Her tenure as Chief Justice will take effect from September 1. He will replace the current Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Zondo is retiring.

Maya (60) served as Chief Justice of South Africa's second highest court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, before her elevation to the Constitutional Court.

Ramaphosa nominated Maya for Chief Justice in February and was interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission in May.

Ramaphosa said in a statement that the commission recommended her and appointing her to the post is a significant milestone for the country. 

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Indian media apologized for misleading news about the Prime Minister



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Indian media apologized for misleading news about the Prime Minister

Indian media apologized for misleading news about the Prime Minister

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An Indian media has apologized for publishing misleading news about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

During the violent agitation over the quota in Bangladesh, India Today NE, a media outlet based in the northeastern state of India, reported that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had been airlifted out. After the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi protested the report, the outlet's website read: 'India Today NE- sincerely apologizes for this unintentional mistake and regrets any confusion or tension it may have caused in our neighboring country.'

It added, "As a respected news publication, we are committed to both factual and ethical journalism."

The Bangladesh High Commission in India has denied the accuracy of a report published in India Today NE on July 21, titled 'Indian students leave Dhaka due to violent clashes, PM Sheikh Hasina airlifted out', reports India Today NE ' is also shared on social media platforms.

At a critical moment, such news as reported by the High Commission of Bangladesh can confuse the common people and even inflame tension.

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The US is monitoring what is happening in the quota movement: Miller



International Desk, Barta24.com
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The US Embassy in Dhaka and Washington are keeping a close watch on what is happening in Bangladesh in the student quota reform movement, the State Department said. In addition, spokesperson Matthew Miller commented that the United States continues to convey its concerns on the Bangladesh issue from the podium of the State Department.

This spokesperson said that there can be no direct talk about listing the organization as a banned organization due to the torture and violence that the Chhatra League has been carrying out on students for the past one and a half decades.

Participating in the briefing, State Department Correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari raised the issue of violence conducted by Chhatra League and law enforcement forces in the ongoing movement of students and wanted to know, 'The ruling government has continued to attack the movement of students in Bangladesh. At least 6 students have lost their lives so far at the hands of government-backed law and order forces. Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student body of the ruling government, is brutally torturing students, especially female students. This organization has been doing such activities for the past decade and a half. Will you list BCL as a terrorist organization?'

In response, Miller said, 'I'm not going to say anything about the issue you mentioned (banning Bangladesh Chhatra League). We have observed the violence that has spread during the student protests in Dhaka. I am once again calling for the movement to be peaceful. At the same time condemn any form of violence in peaceful protests.'

In another question, this reporter wants to know, 'Abu Sayed, a student of the English department of Begum Rokeya University, stood with his chest in front of the police gun during the protest for the safety of his classmates. The police did not hesitate to shoot him. He himself could not understand that the police would shoot him like this while protecting his classmates. After the fraudulent election, Sheikh Hasina has held on to her power by torturing her like this. Foreign Minister Anthony  Blinken said, 'The whole world's eyes are on the Bangladesh elections. The United States will take whatever steps are necessary for this election.' But the moment the people's rights are taken away, you become completely silent. Why did this happen?'

In response, Miller said, 'First of all, what you said is not true. We are not silent. You've seen me speak over and over throughout the week. As I said last Monday and I say again today, we condemn any form of violence against peaceful protests.'

He said, 'The US Embassy in Dhaka and our officials from Washington are closely monitoring what is happening in Bangladesh. Students are being killed in protests, people are dying, it is under our watch.'

"We call on the government to respect a citizen's right to peaceful protest," Miller said.

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