Adnan Bhat is a journalist based in New Delhi, India.

Indian government gives itself the power to “fact-check” and delete social media posts

12 Apr 2023  |  Rest of World  |  English  |  Press freedom

The Indian government has amended its technology rules, empowering a state-run fact-checking unit to label information as 'fake, false or misleading' and mandate social media platforms and ISPs to remove such content. Non-compliance could lead to loss of safe harbor protection for these platforms. This move has sparked concerns among journalists, activists, and opposition parties, who view it as a means for the government to control the narrative and suppress independent reporting. The Editors Guild of India and the opposition Indian National Congress have criticized the amendment for its potential to infringe on press freedom and freedom of speech. A court petition has been filed by comedian Kunal Kamra, and the Bombay High Court has sought a government response. The Internet Freedom Foundation has also expressed concerns about the lack of accountability in the government's definition of 'misleading' information.

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Bombay High Court Indian government Rest of World The Caravan Editors Guild of India Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Internet Freedom Foundation Press Information Bureau

Prutha Bhosle is a journalist based in Pune, India.
She is currently exploring a freelance job opportunity in an esteemed organisation. 
Since March 2016 to July 2016, she has worked as a full-time journalist with Pune Mirror, a local newspaper. There, she has edited reporter copies and designed ...

How nation-wide lockdown forced 1.8 million to continue pregnancy

26 Jul 2020  |  Mid-day  |  English  |  Abortion

The nationwide lockdown in India due to COVID-19 led to a significant number of compromised abortions, with an estimated 1.85 million women unable to terminate unwanted pregnancies. The disruption in the supply chain of Medical Abortion (MA) drugs and the conversion of healthcare facilities into COVID-19 care centers exacerbated the issue. Organizations like the Ipas Development Foundation and the Family Planning Association of India highlighted the challenges faced by women, while platforms like Hidden Pockets saw a surge in calls for assistance. Despite the Indian government declaring safe abortion as an essential health service, many women, especially in rural areas, struggled to access these services. The Bombay High Court made a rare judgment allowing an unmarried woman to terminate her pregnancy beyond the legal limit due to lockdown constraints.

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Bombay High Court Ipas Development Foundation Family Planning Association of India Hidden Pockets Population Foundation of India UNICEF

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I am an independent journalist and photographer covering issues of human rights, with a decade's experience. Named the 2012-2013 IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow, and the 2015 IMC Medienbotschafter Indien-Deutschland. I split my time between Assam in northeast India, and Mumbai in west India.

Dying Young in Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Camp

01 May 2018  |  thediplomat.com  |  English  |  Environmental Pollution

The article details the severe health and living conditions faced by residents of Mahul, a slum rehabilitation camp in Mumbai. It highlights the high pollution levels, inadequate infrastructure, and the resulting health issues, including multiple deaths. The narrative includes personal stories of residents, their struggles, and the ongoing legal battle to have Mahul declared inhospitable. The article criticizes the government's insufficient response and emphasizes the need for better living conditions and rights for the poor.

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Bombay High Court National Green Tribunal Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Environment Pollution Research Center MCGM

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Rebecca Bundhun is a British journalist based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She writes for publications including The International New York Times and The National newspaper, Abu Dhabi. She focuses on business, economics, and social issues in India.

Gautam Doshi is a multimedia journalist and a documentary photographer based in Mumbai who is interested in human rights, climate change, environmental issues, development and systemic barriers, and rights for people with disabilities.

In August 2019, Gautam received the Bob & Diane Fund (by Ms. ...

Karnataka Hijab Row: Incorrect Years, Cases Cited by BJP officials

15 Feb 2022  |  www.factchecker.in  |  English  |  Religion

The article examines statements by BJP officials Sanju Verma and Charu Pragya regarding court rulings on the hijab in educational institutions, finding inaccuracies in their references. It clarifies the context and content of various court orders from the Bombay High Court, Madras High Court, and the Supreme Court of India, including the 2018 Kerala High Court order, which is the only correctly cited case by the officials. The article also discusses the constitutional debate over the hijab in the ongoing Karnataka High Court proceedings.

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Supreme Court of India Madras High Court Bombay High Court Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Student Islamic Organisation of India

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I am a multi-platform journalist with work published in different Indian and international media outlets, including Aljazeera English, DW, Friday Magazine, Barcroft TV and The Sun. I also take up fixing assignments and work with international journalists with their projects in Indian subcontinent. ...

Can society prohibit unmarried people from renting a house?

22 Aug 2022  |  INVC  |  English  |  Legal Rights

Housing societies in cities often prohibit renting to unmarried individuals based on various prejudices, despite the legal standpoint that no one can be denied a rental based on caste, religion, creed, or gender if they have proper documentation. The article emphasizes that housing societies have no constitutional right to enforce such discriminatory rules and that flat owners have the discretion to rent their property. Legal recourse is available for those facing discrimination, including complaints to the Registrar of Co-operative Societies and court injunctions. The article underscores the importance of challenging discriminatory practices to uphold fundamental rights and achieve 'Housing for All'.

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Bombay High Court Supreme Court Consumer Courts Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Registrar of Co-operative Societies

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Pamposh Raina is a journalist based in New Delhi, India.

Newswallah: In the English-Language Press Wednesday

02 Nov 2011  |  The New York Times  |  English  |  Aviation Industry

Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were found guilty of taking bribes to fix a match against England, with Mohammad Amir having already pleaded guilty. India's Income Tax department is investigating black money in Swiss bank accounts, with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stating names will be revealed if prosecutions occur. Petrol prices in India are expected to rise due to increasing crude oil prices and the depreciating rupee. Air India pilots have taken legal action against management for alleged discrimination in training for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with unresolved integration issues since the 2007 merger. An editorial criticizes the government's treatment of the airline.

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Bombay High Court Income Tax Department News of the World Comptroller and Auditor General

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Yuvraj Sakhare is a journalist based in New Delhi, Delhi, India. He is a postgraduate in journalism from one of India's top-most Journalisms schools-Asian College of Journalism, Chennai.

Maharashtra govt's 'favouritism' towards RSS and BJP-linked cooperative banks could harm Devendra Fadnavis' image

05 Mar 2018  |  www.firstpost.com  |  English  |  Judiciary

The Bombay High Court nullified two Maharashtra government resolutions favoring TJSB Sahakari Bank and Maharashtra District Cooperative Bank, raising concerns about political favoritism and corruption. The court criticized the arbitrary nature of these decisions, which were seen as benefiting banks with connections to the RSS and BJP. Key figures like Devendra Fadnavis and Vinod Tawde faced scrutiny, with allegations that these moves could damage their reputations. The controversy highlights the influence of political affiliations on government actions and the judiciary's role in addressing potential corruption.

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Bombay High Court RSS BJP Shiv Sena Janata Dal (United)

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Pirzada Shakir is a journalist based in Jammu and Kashmir, India. He extensively writes on defense, conflict, identity conflict, human rights, gender, social issues, environment and politics. His work has been published in different international and Indian media outlets including Press Trust of ...

Elgar Parishad accused activist granted bail, NIA to move SC

01 Oct 2023  |  www.newsbytesapp.com  |  English  |  Violence

The Bombay High Court granted bail to Anand Teltumbde, an activist accused in the Elgar Parishad case, against a Rs. 1 lakh surety bond. The order has been stayed for a week as the NIA plans to move to the Supreme Court. Teltumbde, currently in Taloja Prison, denies involvement in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence. The Elgar Parishad event, held to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima, allegedly featured provocative speeches leading to the violence. Teltumbde is the third accused to be granted bail, following P Varavara Rao and Sudha Bharadwaj.

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Supreme Court Bombay High Court Communist Party of India (Maoist) British East India Company Peshwas of the Maratha Confederacy

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Varsha Torgalkar is a journalist based in Mumbai, India. I have covered agrarian crisis, communal violence and human rights. I also write on travel.

Companies Profited, Farmers Suffered As Centre Gave Free Pass To Faulty Soybean Seeds

01 Sept 2020  |  HuffPost  |  English  |  Farmer Compensation

A good monsoon has not benefited many farmers in Maharashtra due to faulty soybean seeds, leading to widespread complaints and minimal compensation. The Union Agriculture Ministry, led by BJP's Narendra Singh Tomar, lowered seed certification standards, resulting in increased complaints. State-owned Mahabeej Corporation and private companies like Eagle Seeds and Gold Seeds are primarily blamed. Activists criticize the delayed actions of the agriculture department and the central government's policies. The Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court's directive for state action against seed companies, further complicating the issue.

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Bombay High Court Supreme Court Union Agriculture Ministry

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