Latest developments - with 18 updates. Friday 15th Jan : Be Informed, Be Active
1. Today’s meeting of farm leaders with Agriculture minister Tomar is inconclusive. Next meeting on 19th Jan.
2. USA might impose sanctions on Ambani and Adani business groups. Possibility of US sanctions on the two corporates known to be behind these laws - Ambani and Adani families under the Magnitsky Act. The Magnitsky Act is a US law that directs at human rights abusers and crooked, unethical officials worldwide.
3. US Senior Lawyer and Political Analyst Lanny J. Davis has lately published an article on the current situation and the jeopardy that the Indian government has placed itself in favoring these farm laws, resulting in political damage.
4. Sikh organizations in clouding WSO, Sikh Press Association and many others have their 2nd meeting with Facebook about censorship today. The protests outside Facebook have brought them to the table again, however from the first meeting many months ago, Facebook made no progress. We await any outcome of this meeting.
5. Godhi media Zee News tweet that Bhupinder Singh Mann who resigned from 4 member committee appointed by Supreme Court was due to Canadian pressure. He confirmed in interviews that it’s purely due to him wanting to free himself from the games. It’s latest example of Zee News acting as a propoganda vehicle rather than a journalism outlet.
6. Sikh Siyasat - The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has issued notices to various activists and relatives of some others in relation to a case registered under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Documents available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) show that notices have been issued to activists, persons engaged with charity organizations/NGOs and some reporters working for Sikh TV channels based abroad.
7. Actor turned activist Deep Sidhu has revealed in a TV interview with a Punjabi web-channel that similar notice is also sent to his brother.
8. Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur said that about a dozen people have contacted him after getting similar notices from NIA.
9. The FIR is registered against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Paramjit Singh Pamma (UK) and Hardeep Singh Nijjar (Canada).
10. 500 pages of what’s app chat of Republic TV Arnab Goswami is leaked online. His messages show his close relationship with Modi office, plus his attempts to manipulate policy. In one of the alleged chats, Goswami indicated that he 'will be meeting BJP leader Prakash Javdekar asking for help from the PMO (Prime Minister Office) with respect to his TRP scam'. Separately the messages shows Arnab knew about air strikes against Pakistan 3 days before they happened. Then him celebrating the death of Indian soldiers, despite acting as the most fierce Indian nationalist on TV.
11. A blog has been created called humancostoffarmersprotest.blogspot.com which is documenting more details on the farmers who has passed away.
12. Wing commander Anuma Acharya drives a Tractor during Flag March on the Army Day at farmers protest site, Ghazipur in New Delhi.
13. LONDON: Several British MPs have called for human rights provisions in any future trade deal with India, after debating in the House of Commons the persecution being experienced by minorities.
14. UK - Slough, Gerrards Cross & Beaconsfield residents are requested to contacted their MP in reference to a push to have UK Prime Minister formally address the farmers issue.
15. 10 senior officer bearers have left Punjab BJP & joined Shiromani Akali Dal, in protest against 3 hated Agri laws. Any association with BJP in Punjab is extremely tainted. In a joint Press conference, all members said that the party BJP has failed to understand Punjab and Agricultural conditions in Punjab. They said that party high command is insensitive to the issue of farmers.
16. In Punjab, BJP leaders Dinesh Kumar & Shwet Malik have been gheraoed. Malik had gone for inauguration of gym whereas Dinesh was holding a meeting.
17. New York Times article - Why Are India’s Farmers Angry? The protesting farmers fear that new laws will help giant corporations and leave them at their mercy.
18. Farmers plight conference being held in UK on 24th Jan.
19. Singer Shree Brar of Kisan anthem released today from police custody. He thanks Sangat for support.
20. Keertan and abyass continue morcha.
