INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY MARCH 17, 2023 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol. 31 No 11 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • March 17, 2023 US Senators reaffirm Arunachal Pradesh as integral part of India, condemn China’s military action By Ayushi Agarwal | Wa s h i n g t o n [US], March 15 (ANI): United States Senators Bill Hagerty and Jeff Merkley have introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution reaffirming the United States‘ recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India and condemned China‘s military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). “At a time when China continues to pose grave and gathering threats to the free and open Indo-Pacific, it’s critical for the United States to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our strategic partners in the region–especially India,” said Senator Hagerty in the press release. “This bipartisan resolution expresses the Senate’s support for unequivocally recognizing the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, condemning China‘s military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, and further enhancing the US–India strategic partnership and the Quad in support of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” he added. Making clear that the United States views Arunachal Pradesh as part of India, US Senator Jeff Merkley said that the resolution commits the US to deepen support and assistance to the region, alongside like-minded international partners and donors. “America’s values release. supporting freedom and a rules-based order must be at the center of all of our actions and relationships around “This resolution makes clear that the United States views the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Republic of India–not the People’s Republic of China–and commits the US to deepening support and assistance to the region, alongside like-minded international partners and donors,” he added. The resolution also reaffirms that the US the world–especially as the PRC government pushes ARUNACHAL PRADESH an alternative vision,” said SEE PAGE 6 Senator Merkley in the press ENDS APRIL 3 RX 500h NX 450h+* RZ Luxury* A“SAVE THE DATE” WORTH SAVING Yeh hai aapka invitation to uncover what makes a Lexus … a Lexus — from thrilling performance and remarkable capability to unmatched experiences. lexus.com | #Lexus *Limited availability. See your preferred Lexus dealer for details. ©2023 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Land for job scam case: Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti get bail New Delhi [India], March 15 (ANI): Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday granted bail to former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and their daughter Misa Bharti and others accused in connection with the land-for-job scam case. The case will be heard next on March 29. Court noted that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed the chargesheet without arrest and directed all the accused to furnish a Rs 50,000 personal bail bond and a like amount as surety. Lalu Yadav was seen arriving at the Rouse Avenue Court in a wheelchair. The former Bihar Chief Minister had undergone a kidney transplant in Singapore three months ago. Lalu Yadav along with his wife Rabri Devi, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Misa Bharti were summoned by the court in the land-forLalu Yadav see page 6
March 17, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Anthony Fauci moved research to Wuhan lab in 2014: US lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr Washington [US], March 14 (ANI): American environment lawyer and author Robert F. Kennedy Jr said that former Chief Medical Advisor to US President, Anthony Fauci who had been in charge of developing bioweapons for the Pentagon since 2002, moved his bioweapons research to the Wuhan lab in 2014, after three viruses escaped from US labs, according to a video posted on Twitter by kanekoa. substack.com. Robert in an interview with American stand-up comedian, political commentator Jimmy Dore said that Pentagon “took the money that Cheney (former US Vice President) gave them (from the Patriot Act), USD 2.2 billion, and they funneled it through NIH, and it all went through Anthony Fauci. So beginning in 2002, Anthony Fauci got a 68 per cent raise from the Pentagon for doing bioweapons development, and he got a raise of billions of dollars a year, and then he started doing all of this gain-offunction,” according to the video by kanekoa.substack. com. In a video of the interview tweeted by kanekoa.substack.com, Robert who is the son of U.S. senator Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of President John F. Kennedy, said that “in 2014, three of those bugs escaped in high-profile escapes from different labs in the US. Congress held hearings on it. Everybody was angry, and 300 top scientists sent letters to Obama saying you got to shut down Fauci because he is going to create a pandemic.” As per Robert, Obama, at that time, ordered a moratorium. Fauci was then doing 18 different gainof-function experiments around the US. Fauci then “moved his stuff offshore to Wuhan, where he could do it out of sight of these 300 scientists and nosy White House officials who were trying to shut him down,” Robert said. “And he continued to do it with the same people he was funding here, Ralph Baric and Peter Dazak, and they moved their operation to the Wuhan lab,” he added. New York-based Magazine National Review recently said that national leaders and international agencies have remained silent about the origin of Covid during the recent summits of the United Nations, G7, and G20 and that mainstream media has also not critically covered or scrutinised the question regarding Covid’s origin. Investigating Covid’s origin is an urgent priority, it stated, adding that it is a public-health disaster of unfathomable magnitude that has killed one million Americans, more than the total American casualties in World War 2. It is the essential duty of the government to find the origin of any major disasters and formulate reforms necessary to prevent future occurrences, the report stated. “Given the horrific scale of the social and economic damages caused by Covid, one presumes that the U.S. government would be intent on continuing the investigation to find its origin. The Biden administration in late 2022, however, declined to support an independent, post-9/11style bipartisan commission on the origin of and response to the pandemic,” the report said. (ANI)
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March 17, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Australia wants to cooperate with India to build relationship in culture, economic relations: PM Albanese New Delhi [India], March 10 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday said that Australia wants to cooperate with India and build a relationship in culture, and economic relations as well as in the area of security. Addressing a press conference after being accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan here this morning, the Australian PM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a very warm welcome in India and said that the two countries are partners and building that partnership even stronger each and every day. “I thank PM Modi, for a very extraordinarily, generously and warm welcome here. Australia and India are great friends. We are partners and we are building that partnership even stronger each and every day,” said Australian PM Albanese. “I led a delegation here of significant business leaders as well. We want to cooperate with India and build a relationship in culture, economic relations as well as in the area of security,” he said. Albanese further said that both countries are cooperating to make a better world as the cricket teams of both countries are competing to be the best in the world. We are competing on the cricket field to be the world’s best but together we are building a better world,” the Australian PM said. Prime Minister Modi welcomed his Australian counterpart at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Australian PM also inspected a Guard of Honour. On his maiden India trip, Albanese and PM Narendra Modi briefly watched the ongoing fourth and final Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, between India and Australia, at Ahmedabad on Thursday. A special coin, minted to mark the occasion, was used at the toss. The Prime Ministers also took a lap around the stadium on a specially designed chariot to mark the occasion. Later in the day, the Australian PM will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The two leaders are expected to discuss various gamut of issues to further boost the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between their nations. Besides, both leaders are also expected to hold talks on trade, investment, defence, education and renewable energy. PM Albanese will also call on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan later this evening. Earlier on Thursday,Albanesemounted a fighter aircraft onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, in Mumbai. The Australian PM sat inside the fighter jet while officers of the Indian Navy shared details and information on India’s biggest aircraft carrier. He also watched day 1 of the final test match of the BorderGavaskar Trophy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad. “I’m very honoured to be here today on the newly commissioned Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant, my visit reflects my government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to India both Pacific and beyond. Whilst here, I have had the great pleasure of meeting with the talented and highly professional men and women of India’s Navy. What lifts defence relationships to new levels is the resolve and foresight of those who see the relationship not just for what it is, but for what it could be. One such person is my friend, Prime Minister Modi,” the Australian PM said while interacting with mediapersons after climbing onboard INS Vikrant. A l b a n e s e thanked PM Modi for his “dedication to driving forward our defence and security partnership which is of increasing strategic importance as we navigate the challenges of our region together”. He called India a “top-tier security partner.” “For Australia, India is a top-tier security partner. The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity. And there has never been a point in our country’s history where we’ve had such a strong strategic alignment which has been reinforced by my current visit to India and will be reinforced further by Prime Minister Modi’s attendance at the quad leaders meeting,” the Australian PM added. Australian PM further said, “In a short period of time, we both depend on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indopacific for our trade and for our economic wellbeing. And we share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring the Indopacific is open, inclusive and prosperous.” (ANI) New Delhi [India], March 11 (ANI): India and Australia called for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to be effective, substantive and fully consistent with international law, according to the joint statement released by both countries. In the joint statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese reiterated the importance of adherence to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the South China Sea. These remarks came after Albanese paid an official visit to India where he met PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday. “The Prime Ministers underlined the importance of being able to exercise rights and freedoms in all seas and oceans consistent with international law, particularly the UNCLOS, including freedom of navigation and overflight,” according to the joint statement. “They underscored the importance of disputes being resolved peacefully in accordance with international law without threat or use of force or any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo, and that countries should exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability,” the statement added. PM Modi and his Australian counterpart also reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation through the Quad. The Australian PM looked forward to working closely with India to advance the Quad‘s positive and practical agenda, including welcoming PM Modi to Australia for the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit Both the PMs are looking forward to continuing to work together with Quad partners in the Indo-Pacific, to advance their shared vision for a region that is free, open, inclusive and resilient, and to deliver on commitments from the 2022 Quad Leaders’ Summit. “The Prime Ministers welcomed progress on Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which will seek to strengthen regional economic cooperation and integration to address new and emerging opportunities and challenges in the IndoPacific, including in supply chains and the clean energy transition,” the statement read. “They appreciated the Quad‘s ongoing efforts to implement the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative, which will help enhance maritime domain awareness and support regional partners to counter challenges such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and to respond to climate and natural disasters,” the statement added. PM Modi and PM Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and the ASEANled regional architecture, including working closely together through the East Asia Summit (EAS). They noted the close cooperation between India and Australia under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) aimed at better management of shared maritime domain by enhancing cooperation in preserving maritime ecology, reducing the impact of marine pollution, ensuring sustainable use of marine resources and reducing the impact of climate change. In this regard, they agreed to continue their close cooperation under various multilateral mechanisms such as ISA, Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI), EAS and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). (ANI) India, Australia call for code of conduct in South China Sea to be effective
FRIDAY MARCH 17, 2023 Over 40 Years Of Experience MP: NDRF deployed, operation underway to rescue FAMILY HAIRCUT $ child stuck in 60-feet borewell MEN • WOMEN • CHILDREN 5 5 ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN 20 $ & up SERVICES Vidisha (Madhya Pradhesh) [India], March 15 (ANI): The operations are still underway to rescue Lokesh, the eight-year-old who fell into 60-feet deep borewell on Tuesday at Kher Khedi village of Madhya Pradesh‘s Vidisha district, said officials. “Work to dig parallel to the borewell is complete. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will now make a tunnel between them. A platform is set-up to keep the child safe after that will the tunnel be made. NDRF says operations can take another 1.5-2 hours,” Vidisha Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sameer Yadav told ANI. According to the officials, the boy is stuck at 43 feet and a doctor’s team is monitoring the child. The ASP added, “The child hasn’t eaten anything as we were unable to reach him inside the tunnel. But the NDRF team has assured to make the rescue faster and hopefully the child will be safely out soon.” The police and administration reached the spot immediately on recieving the information about the incident. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Now in Ashburn, VA ❖ Accounting and Bookkeeping Service ❖ Audit, Review, Compilation and Attestation Service ❖ Tax Service ❖ IRS Service ❖ Web Hosting ❖ Business Consultancy ❖ Dedicated Service with Smiling Faces ❖ Experienced and Reliable Staff Year Round ❖ Rely on 24 Years of Experience Balagan Arumugaswamy, CPA, LL.M Tel: (301) 931-1040, (301) 931-1042 (301) 595-4331; (703) 723-4488; (703) 723-4458 Fax: (703) 723-1140; (301) 595-4332 E Mail: balagancpa@msn.com Website: www.balaganfinancials.com • BEARD TRIM $500 $ • SHAMPOO 1000 • BLOW DRY $1000 $ 00 • PERM FROM 20 $ 00 • COLOR FROM 20 • HIGHLIGHTS FROM $3500 • SPA PEDICURE FROM $1700 C&S Beauty & Barber Shop 7311 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 info@csbarbernschool.com Tax Season is around the corner, are you ready ? Balagan Business & Tax Services Main Office: 12100 Franklin Street Beltsville, MD 20705 Branch Offices: 44335 Premier Plaza Suite#100, Ashburn, VA 20147
INDIA THIS WEEK “India provided more than 291 million Covid doses...UN entities,”aRajya Sabha MPall, Patra at 146th IPU in Bahrain M a n m a companionship for [Bahrain], March 15 (ANI); Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra at the 146th InterParliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Bahrain on Wednesday highlighted India’s role in providing Covid vaccines to 99 countries and to UN entities by pursuing the principle of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka ka Prayas.’ “IndiabelievesinVasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means ‘The World Is One Family.’ It is with this belief in peaceful coexistence, and inclusive societies that India provided more than 291 million doses of ‘Make-InIndia’ COVID vaccines to 99 countries and to United Nations entities, including more than 14 million doses of COVID vaccines as a grant to 50 countries and UnitedNationspeacekeepers totalling support to 150 countries,” said Patra. “Today, India is moving ahead, pursuing the principle of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka ka Prayas,’ which means development for all, trust of all, efforts of all the all-inclusive, peaceful coexistence mantra,” added Patra. India, the largest democracy in the world. Since ancient times, India has been globally recognized for promoting peaceful, quintessential and inclusive societies. “The fact that India has never attacked a foreign country and has adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence in its conduct bolsters our character. Strong belief in peaceful coexistence. As the world’s largest democracy, India is committed to promoting democracy, inclusive society, and peaceful coexistence,” said the Rajya Sabha MP. Moreover, India has perceptible participation in the United Nations peacekeeping, with more than 253,000 Indians have served in various UN peacekeeping missions around the world. “As for our achievement under From thePoet’sPen From TheWEEK- March Pen Poet’s 17, 2023 INDIA THIS INDIA THIS WEEK- February 10, 2023 If - Thanks be to God Poem by Rudyard Kipling Janie Alford If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, I do not thank Thee , Lord, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and eatbe tired by waiting, That I have bread to not while others starve; Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies, While empty hands solicittoHeaven; Or being hated don’t give way hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise; Nor for a body strong If you can dream---and not make dreams your pain. While other bodies flatten beds of master; If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim, No,you can meet with Triumph and thanks! If not for these do I give Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:. If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted byIknaves to make a trap for fools, But am grateful, Lord, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, Because my meager up with worn-out tools; And stoop and build’em loaf I may divide; For that my busy hands If you can make one heap of all your winnings May move to one turnanother’s need; And risk it on meet of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, Because my doubled strength And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew I may expend to steady one who faints. To serve your turn long after they are gone, Yes for all on when do I is nothing in you And so hold these there give thanks! Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!” If For can talk withshare, desire to bear you heart to crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch, And will friends If neither foes nor lovingto lift, can hurt you, If all men countone by deathless Love– Flamed into with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Thanks be to God for this! Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, Unspeakable His a Man, And---which is more---you’ll beGift! my son! US Senators reaffirm Arunachal Pradesh as integral part of India, condemn China’s military action ARUNACHAL PRADESH FROM PAGE 1 Sustainable Development Goals 16, which aims to promote a peaceful and inclusive society concerned. India aims to ensure that citizens not only have access to fundamental rights but have effective use of them. In this direction, various national initiatives have been introduced in the Indian Parliament in the form of legislation, policies, programs and schemes,” said Patra. “In closing, distinguished delegates, we as young parliamentarians across the world have a lot to contribute towards global peace, sustainability and inclusiveness of developmental efforts,” he added. He further said that the youths of the world consider India a role model. “People of our nations look forward to us for guidance, support, and redressal of their grievances. The youth of the world consider us role models. We have a huge responsibility. We are duty-bound and take responsibility for the people we represent. Let us work together in a common voice to build a sustainable, inclusive, progressive, peaceful, healthy, and happy society,” he added. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online recognises the McMahon Line as the international boundary separating China and India‘s state of Arunachal Pradesh. The Senators’ resolution condemns additional China‘s provocations, including the People’s Republic of China‘s use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, construction of villages in contested areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities and feature in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and expansion of PRC territorial claims in Bhutan. The resolution serves to further strengthen the ties between US and India partnership regarding defence, technology, economics, and people-topeople ties and promotes enhancing our multilateral cooperation with India through the Quad, the East Asia Summit alongside partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other international fora. (ANI) Land for job scam case: Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti get bail Lalu Yadav From Page 1 jobs scam case. Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court had issued summons to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti and 13 others, in connection to the case, while taking cognizance of the CBI Chargesheet filed against them. Notably, while CBI has been questioning several members of Lalu Yadav‘s family, and ED has conducted several searches in connection with the case. The Enforcement Directorate team had on March 10, conducted a raid at the residence of the Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in Delhi for over 11 hours. On March 10, Remember: ED conducted searches at 24 locations at various places in Delhi NCR, Patna, Mumbai and Ranchi in the Railways land-for-job scams. The searches were conducted based on specific intelligence inputs. The ED also conducted raids against many relatives of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad at multiple locations across Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR) and Bihar in the alleged landfor-jobs scam. The CBI also summoned Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the land-for-jobs case, however, Tejashwi skipped appearing before the probe agency due to his ‘wife’s ill-health. (ANI) “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” JESUS CHRIST
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March 17, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Gay Marriage: Centre in SC opposes plea seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage, says it can’t be compared with Indian family unit New Delhi [India], March 12 (ANI): Centre, in its affidavit, has opposed the plea seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage, saying that living together as partners by same-sex individuals, which is decriminalised now, is not comparable with the Indian family unit and they are clearly distinct classes which cannot be treated identically. The Centre has filed the affidavit countering the demand made by various petitioners seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. In the affidavit, Centre has opposed the plea and said that pleas seeking legal recognition of same-sex ought to be dismissed as there exists no merit in these petitions. Same-sex relationships and heterosexual relationships are clearly distinct classes which cannot be treated identically, the government said as its stand against the petition seeking legal recognition of LGBTQ marriage. It is for the legislature to judge and enforce such societal morality and public acceptance based upon Indian ethos, the Centre said in its affidavit and added that western decisions sans any basis in Indian constitutional law jurisprudence, cannot be imported in this context. In the affidavit, Centre apprised the Supreme Court living together as partners by same sex individuals, which is decriminalised now, is not comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children. Centre submitted that the principles of legitimate state interest as an exception to life and liberty under Article 21 would apply to the present case. Centre submitted that the statutory recognition of marriage as a union between a “man” and a “woman” is intrinsically linked to the recognition of the heterogeneous institution of marriage and the acceptance of the Indian society based upon its own cultural and societal values which are recognized by the competent legislature. “There is an intelligible differentia (normative basis) which distinguishes those within the classification (heterosexual couples) from those left out (same-sex couples). This classification has a rational relation with the object sought to be achieved (ensuring social stability via recognition of marriages),” the government said. Centre submitted before Supreme Court that statutory recognition of marriage as a union between a “man” and a “woman” is intrinsically linked to the recognition of the heterogeneous institution of marriage and the acceptance of the Indian society based upon its own cultural and societal values which are recognized by the competent legislature. Centre submits that the fundamental right under Article 21 is subject to the procedure established by law and the same cannot be expanded to extend to include the fundamental right for a same sex marriage to be recognized under the laws of the country which in fact mandate the contrary. Despite the decriminalization of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the Petitioners cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage to be recognized under the laws of the country, Centre made it clear in its affidavit. “Recognition of marriage necessarily brings with it the right to adopt and other ancillary rights. It is, therefore, necessary that such issues are left for being decided by the competent Legislature where social, psychological and other impacts on society, children etc., can be debated. This will ensure that wide-ranging ramifications of recognizing such sacred relationships are debated from every angle and legitimate state interest can be considered by the Legislature,” Centre said. Adding further, the government said that marriage between a biological man and a biological woman takes place either under personal laws or codified laws and the parties entering into marriage create an institution having its own public significance as it is a social institution from which several rights and liabilities flow. “ S e e k i n g declaration for solemnisation/registration of marriage has more ramifications than simple legal recognition. Family issues are far beyond mere recognition and registration of marriage between persons belonging to the same gender. Living together as partners and having a sexual relationship with samesex individuals [which is decriminalised now] is not comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children which necessarily presuppose a biological man as a ‘husband’, a biological woman as a ‘wife’ and the children born out of the union between the two – who are reared by the biological man as a father and the biological woman as mother,” the affidavit said. Countering the petitioner’s submission, the government submitted that registration of marriage of same-sex persons also results in violation of existing personal as well as codified law provisions -such as ‘degrees of prohibited relationship’; ‘conditions of marriage’; ‘ceremonial and ritual requirements’ under personal laws governing the individuals. If marriage is to be solemnised and registered under any personal law; ‘requirements for registration’, if marriage is to be registered under the Special Marriage Act; ‘restitution of conjugal rights’; ‘judicial separation’, ‘divorce’; ‘conditions of divorce’; ‘alimony and maintenance pendente lite’, ‘permanent alimony and maintenance’; ‘expenses of marriage proceedings’; ‘disposal of property’, ‘adoption’, ‘guardianship’, etc will be affected, which is the exclusive domain of the Legislature, the government said. The government submitted that the Parliament has designed and framed the marriage laws in the country, which are governed by the personal laws/ codified laws relatable to customs of various religious communities, to recognise only the union of a man and a woman to be capable of legal sanction and thereby claim legal and statutory rights and consequences. Any interference with the same would cause complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws in the country and in accepted societal values, Centre submitted. Various petitions are being dealt by Supreme Court seeking legal recognition of samesex marriage under Foreign Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act and other laws. One of the petitions earlier has raised the absence of a legal framework which allowed members of the LGBTQ+ community to marry any person of their choice. According to the earlier petition, the couple sought to enforce the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals to marry any person of their choice and said that, “the exercise of which ought to be insulated from the disdain of legislative and popular majorities.” The petitioners, further, asserted their fundamental right to marry each other and prayed for appropriate directions from this Court allowing and enabling them to do so. (ANI)
FRIDAY MARCH 17, 2023 9 Sale Ends 3/30/2023 16 parties take part in Opposition party leaders’ meet led by Kharge New Delhi [India], March 13 (ANI): Sixteen parties participated in the Opposition party leaders’ meeting chaired by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament on Monday. Indian National Congress; Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK), Janata Dal (United); Aam Admi Party; Communist Party of India (Marxist); Kerala Congress, Rashtriya Lok Dal; Nationalist Congress Party; Communist Party of India; Indian Union Muslim League; Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray); Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Revolutionary Socialist Party; Rashtriya Janata Dal; Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the NC. Earlier today, a meeting of Congress MPs under the chairmanship of party president Mallikarjun Kharge was held at the party’s Parliamentary Party (CPP) office in Parliament to chalk out the strategy. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were present in the meeting. Congress Lok Sabha Sabha and Rajya Sabha members also participated in the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting to decide the strategy for Budget session. Talking to ANI ahead of the start of the proceedings of the day, Kharge said, “Opposition leaders will bring up every issue including unemployment, inflation and raids by ED-CBI. We will take the opinions of all opposition leaders to form a strategy”. Kharge on Sunday met Vice President and Upper House Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar in the national capital on the eve of the commencement of the second part of Budget Session and sought his cooperation. Kharge said that the Opposition parties are “keen to play” a constructive role in in making the government accountable. The Budget session of 2023 resumed after a month-long recess. The recess was for enabling the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees to examine the demands for grants and make reports relating to their ministries or departments. The focus of the second part of the Budget Session which resumes on 13th March will be on the demand for grants and passage of the Union Budget. The government is also likely to bring in legislation for passage in this part. As per the records, about 26 Bills are currently pending in the Rajya Sabha and close to 9 in the Lok Sabha for passage.Two Bills – The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 were referred to a Joint Committee by the government last Winter Session and they are currently being examined by the panel. It is known through sources that the CP Joshi-led panel discussing the Multi-State Cooperative Bill will be presenting its report in Parliament in the upcoming session. This panel has completed its discussion on the Bill and is likely to adopt its draft report on 13th March. The government will also list The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 which was scrutinised by a Joint Committee of Parliament. It is also known through the sources that the government may bring the keenly awaited Personal Data Protection Bill in the upcoming session. This Bill is likely to be cleared by the Union Cabinet soon. Amongst the Bills pending in the Rajya Sabha, three Bills have already been passed by Lok Sabha including The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019, The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022, and The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022. (ANI)
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