1. PM Modi, Cabinet Members Shah, Rajnath Singh Watch The Sabarmati Report in Parliament With Vikrant
2. Parliament deadlock ends as Govt, Opp reach consensus on Constitution debate
3. India condemns breach of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala
4. Protesters gather near Indian High Commission over attack in Agartala mission
5. Traffic Resumes On Noida-Greater Noida Expressway After Farmers Leave Protest Site 

What Else

1. India poised to finalise deal for 26 Rafale Marine jets from France: Navy Chief Admiral
2. India’s first water transport service ‘Uber Shikara’ launched in Kashmir
3. Congress demands CBI probe into ₹6,000-crore ‘ponzi scam’ in Gujarat
4. Oxford study lauds PRAGATI monitoring of infra projects
5. Sheikh Hasina calls Muhammad Yunus mastermind of mass killings in Bangladesh
6. Pakistan: PTI founder sent on 14-day remand in seven cases
7. PTI retracts claim of hundreds of deaths at D-Chowk
8. China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan

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PM Modi, Cabinet Members Shah, Rajnath Singh Watch The Sabarmati Report in Parliament With Vikrant

• PM Modi attended a special screening of the film, “The Sabarmati Report” today at 4 pm in Parliament’s Balayogi Auditorium.
• The film, starring Vikrant Massey, is based on the 2002 Godhra train burning incident.
• Union Ministers, including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, also attended the screening.
• The film has been declared tax-free in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat.
• Vikrant Massey, the lead actor, joined the screening, marking his first appearance after announcing his retirement from films.
• PM Modi had earlier praised the film, saying it sheds light on the truth behind the Godhra incident.
• The screening was also attended by other prominent leaders, including BJP MP Ravi Kishan and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. (more)

Parliament deadlock ends as Govt, Opp reach consensus on Constitution debate

• The week-long standoff in Parliament has finally come to an end, thanks to an agreement between the govt and the Opposition.
• The breakthrough was achieved after a meeting of floor leaders from all parties, convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
• As part of the agreement, a special discussion on the Constitution has been scheduled in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
• The Lok Sabha will take up the debate on Dec 13-14, while the Rajya Sabha will hold its discussion on Dec 16-17.
• This comes as a relief after a week of disruptions and protests in Parliament over various issues, including the Adani indictment case, Sambhal violence, and Manipur unrest.
• The Opposition had been demanding discussions on these issues, but the government was initially reluctant.
• However, after facing pressure from within its ranks and from other Opposition parties, the Congress leadership decided to shift its strategy and seek a discussion on the Constitution instead.
• This move has paved the way for a smoother functioning of Parliament, at least for now. (more)

India condemns breach of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala

• Thousands of protesters gathered around the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura, on Mon, to protest the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh and attacks on minorities in the country.
• The protesters, numbering over 50, breached the mission’s premises, sparking concerns among those present.
• The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident, calling it “deeply regrettable” and emphasizing that diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances.
• The govt has taken steps to increase security for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other missions across India.
• The protests were triggered by the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, on charges of sedition.
• Das was accused of hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on Oct 25.
• India has expressed concerns over the rise of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
• The relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since the interim govt, headed by Muhammad Yunus, took power in Aug. (more)
• Advocate defending arrested monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu attacked in Bangladesh: Iskcon: ISKCON has reported that Advocate Ramen Roy, who represents arrested Bangladeshi Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, was brutally assaulted in Bangladesh and is now hospitalized in critical condition.
• According to ISKCON, Roy’s only “fault” was his legal defense of Prabhu, and his home was ransacked, leaving him fighting for his life.
• This incident comes amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, with rising attacks on Hindus and their places of worship in Bangladesh.
• The Indian govt has taken these incidents seriously and communicated its concerns to Bangladesh authorities. (more)

Protesters gather near Indian High Commission over attack in Agartala mission

• A group of people brought out a torch procession near the Indian High Commission in the capital’s Gulshan area today.
• They were seen chanting slogans, condemning the attack on the premises of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala this afternoon.
• They gathered there at around 10 pm.
• However, the police barricaded them and did not allow them to go close to the high commission. (more)
• Attack on Agartala mission: Student bodies protest at DU: Student leaders in Bangladesh staged a demonstration condemning the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in India’s Tripura.
• They criticized India’s approach, accusing them of interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
• The students, representing various organizations, including the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement and Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, gathered near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University.
• They emphasized that the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission was a serious breach of diplomatic protocols and demanded that India take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions.
• The student leaders also expressed concerns over India’s alleged role in interfering with Bangladesh’s internal affairs, particularly in the context of the recent mass uprising.
• They accused India of trying to spread its hegemony in Bangladesh and criticized the Indian government’s relationship with the Awami League.
• The students urged India to respect Bangladesh’s sovereignty and ensure the safety and rights of all Bangladeshis, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. They also called for an end to border killings and violence, which they attributed to a joint conspiracy between the Awami League and India. (more, more)
• Bangladesh’s Youth Minister Asif Mahmud has called for UN Peacekeeping force assistance after the Bangladesh mission in Agartala was attacked.

Traffic Resumes On Noida-Greater Noida Expressway After Farmers Leave Protest Site

• Traffic on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway has resumed after farmers left the protest site following talks with the administration.
• The farmers, led by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP), demanded compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
• Main Demands: 10% developed plot and 64.7% remuneration for farmers who lost their land in Gautam Buddha Nagar
• Implementation of the Land Acquisition Act, which was passed in 2013 but not implemented
• Increase in the circle rate: Change in displacement policy to protect farmers displaced due to airport construction
• The Noida police had deployed a 3-tier security plan, with around 5,000 police personnel and 1,000 PSC workers, to maintain law and order during the protest. (more)

India poised to finalise deal for 26 Rafale Marine jets from France: Navy Chief Admiral

• The Indian Navy is set to acquire 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft, with negotiations at an advanced stage.
• According to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the deal is only one level short of being taken to the Cabinet Committee on Security.
• In addition to the Rafale deal, the Indian Navy is also focusing on expanding its fleet, with 62 warships and one submarine currently under construction.
• The Navy is also set to induct 60 Utility Helicopters Marine and has accepted the necessity for 31 more powerful warships and submarines.
• Admiral Tripathi also highlighted the Navy’s vigilance regarding activities in the region, particularly those involving the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
• This year’s Navy Day celebrations will be hosted in Puri, Odisha, on Dec 4, and will feature live operational demonstrations attended by President Droupadi Murmu (more)
• The Navy Chief has expressed surprise at the rapid growth of the Pakistan Navy, despite the country’s economic situation.
• He noted that Pakistan seems to be prioritizing military strength over public welfare.
• The Pakistan Navy’s expansion is largely backed by China, which is providing support for the construction of eight new submarines.
• Admiral Tripathi assured that India is aware of these developments and is ready to handle any threats.

India’s first water transport service ‘Uber Shikara’ launched in Kashmir

• Uber has launched a pre-booked water transport service called Uber Shikara, allowing tourists to explore Dal Lake’s serene beauty more conveniently.
• This initiative combines modern technology with traditional shikara rides, making them more accessible and affordable.
• While this service standardizes pricing and provides a reliable booking platform, benefiting both tourists and Shikara riders, some concerns arise. (more)

Congress demands CBI probe into ₹6,000-crore ‘ponzi scam’ in Gujarat

• The Congress party has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe into a ₹6,000-crore ponzi scam in Gujarat, allegedly involving a BJP-associated individual, Bhupendra Jhala.
• Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil alleged that Jhala used his BJP connections to lure people into investing in his scheme, which promised to double their money within 2 years.
• Gohil displayed photos of Jhala with senior BJP leaders, including CM Bhupendra Patel and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting his close ties with the party. (more)

Oxford study lauds PRAGATI monitoring of infra projects

• A recent Oxford University study has praised PM Modi’s PRAGATI system for accelerating 340 projects worth $205 billion, driving economic transformation in India.
• The study highlights PRAGATI’s effectiveness in bringing stakeholders together, leveraging technology to speed up projects, and ensuring development benefits reach remote areas.
• Every rupee spent on infrastructure yields ₹2.5 to ₹3.5 in GDP, driving economic growth. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Sheikh Hasina calls Muhammad Yunus mastermind of mass killings in Bangladesh

• Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has accused Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, of mass killings and targeting minorities.
• Hasina made these allegations during a virtual address to the Awami League in New York, claiming that Yunus is behind the attacks on temples, churches, and the Iskcon religious outfit.
• Hasina’s accusations come amid a wave of attacks on the Hindu community by radical Islamists in Bangladesh. Three Hindu monks have been arrested, adding to concerns about the targeting of minorities.
• Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 after violent student protests, which led to the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government taking over.
• The former Prime Minister alleged that there was a plan to assassinate her, similar to the killing of her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975.
• Hasina claimed she left Bangladesh to avoid a “massacre” and stated that her security personnel were instructed not to open fire on the armed mob that came to assassinate her. (more)

Pakistan: PTI founder sent on 14-day remand in seven cases

• Pakistan’s anti-terrorism court (ATC) has sent Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, on a 14-day judicial remand in a New Town police station case.
• Khan, currently in Adiala Jail, was arrested after getting bail in the Toshakhana case.
• The ATC judge, Amjad Ali Shah, approved Khan’s judicial remand in 8 cases, including the New Town police station case, which relates to vandalism during recent protests.
• The prosecution had sought a 15-day physical remand, but the court granted a 14-day judicial remand instead. (more)
• ATC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, 94 others: An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and 94 others in connection with a protest in Islamabad.
• The list includes prominent PTI leaders, former military officers, and other notable figures.
• The protest, which turned violent, resulted in at least 12 deaths and hundreds of arrests. The court accepted the police’s request for arrest warrants for all 96 suspects. (more)

PTI retracts claim of hundreds of deaths at D-Chowk

• Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has retracted its claim of hundreds of party workers being killed during clashes with security forces in Islamabad’s D-Chowk.
• PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar stated that only 12 workers lost their lives. Gohar met with PTI founder Imran Khan, currently in Adiala Jail, and provided him with information about the Islamabad protest.
• Khan expressed deep sorrow over the incident and condemned the firing of shots during the protest.
• He also ordered care for the injured and paid tribute to the workers and leaders. (more)

China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan

• China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region. The US should not in any way aid or abet “Taiwan independence” separatists and their separatist activities.
• Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te recently arrived in Hawaii for a two-day “transit” visit to the United States, marking his first visit since assuming power earlier this year.
• This visit has sparked criticism from China, which firmly opposes any trips by Taiwan leaders to the US.
• China’s disapproval stems from its long-standing claims over Taiwan, dating back to 1949 when the modern communist state was established.
• The US, while maintaining unofficial ties with Taiwan, officially recognized China in 1979 and downgraded its relationship with Taiwan.
• This visit is not an isolated incident, as Taiwan’s leaders have made similar “transit” visits to the US in the past.
• For instance, former President Lee Teng-hui visited Cornell University in 1995, which led to China conducting military exercises and criticizing the visit.
• Lai’s visit is also significant given his party’s pro-independence stance, which China views as “separatist.”
• The US has maintained that such transit visits are “not uncommon” and has urged against overreaction. (more)