Counterview

Counterview Desk  A fact-finding report, conducted by Ghulam Saber Ghulam Rasool Malek of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Surat: Shabbir Hameed Malek, senior leader, Surat district; Moin Memon, social worker; Dawood J. Sheikh, advocate; and Mujahid Nafees, convener, Minority Coordination Committee, Gujarat, in a "closer look" into the alleged anti-Muslim actions in Surat has said that it was a state-sponsored mobocracy, claiming, the mob in Surat "forced the state administration" to act in a biased manner.

Counterview Desk In an open letter, as many as 96 ex-civil servants have asked Mallikarjun Kharge, President, Indian National Congress, have expressed "disgust and dismay" for having giving ticket to Chaudhary Lal Singh to contest the  forthcoming Assembly election in Jammu & Kashmir  from the Basohli constituency in the Jammu region, stating that, as member of the BJP in 2018, he "represented the worst aspects of the politics of hate promoted by the Sangh Parivar."

By Rosamma Thomas*  A 100-day Satyagraha has been launched at the entrance to the demolished Sarva Sewa Sangh in Rajghat, Varanasi, by a group of Gandhians seeking restoration of the land to the Sarva Sewa Sangh, and punishment as provided by law for the illegal capture and demolition of the headquarters of the Sarva Sewa Sangh, a society registered in 1948 by Vinobha Bhave to spread the message of Gandhi.

By A Representative  Surat: A fact-finding report details events following an incident near the Variyavi Bazaar police chowki on Variyavi Bazaar Main Road in Surat. According to the report, a Ganesh pandal was situated 50-100 meters from the chowki. It is alleged that 5-6 Muslim children, aged 8-10, arrived in an auto-rickshaw driven by a Hindu and threw stones at the Ganesh pandal, hitting drums placed there.

By Shankar Sharma*  Recent actions by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) have sparked criticism for their seemingly irrational nature and a lack of consideration for community welfare concerning the country's diverse populations. The NBWL's 79th Standing Committee meeting showcased troubling choices impacting both wildlife protection and resource management. 

By Mansee Bal Bhargava, Durga Das, Garbhit Naik, Sromona Burman* A newly formed no bet-for-profit organization,  WODER , dedicated and motivated to work towards water security for all for all the time, was at the World Water Week (WWW) 2024 organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)  from August 25 to 29th. The WWW2024 theme was, ‘Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future’ and centered around water cooperation for peace and security. The event underscored the collaborative effort needed to achieve a peaceful and sustainable future. 

By Devisingh Tomar, others*  The recent Narmada Jalsatyagrah, a protest lasting more than 36 hours, was concluded with a commitment from participants to continue their fight against injustice unless the given assurances are honored. This intense demonstration involved numerous representatives from the Sardar Sarovar-affected communities, including prominent figures such as Medha Patkar, Kamla Yadav, Kesar Somare, Bhagwan Septa, Sushila Nath, and Kailash Yadav. 

By A Representative  Ranchi: Over 2,000 people from various districts of Jharkhand gathered in the state capital Ranchi today to remind the Hemant Soren government of its incomplete promises and the need to keep the BJP out of Jharkhand. The Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha organized the demonstration at Raj Bhavan. Slogans such as "Bhaajpa Hatao, Jharkhand Bachao" (Remove BJP, Save Jharkhand) and "Hemant Soren Sarkar, Jan Muddo Par Wada Nibhao" (Hemant Soren Government, Fulfill Promises on Public Issues) resonated at the protest.

By A Representative  The civil rights group, Friends of the Earth India (FoEI), has urged both the Government of India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Gujarat Government, which manages the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd, to take immediate and effective action to prevent a potential disaster in the Narmada Valley. 

By Rajiv Shah  The environmental advocacy group South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) has issued a warning , supported by detailed diagrams, that the Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) is at risk of causing flash floods in the Narmada Valley this year, similar to incidents that occurred last year.