At RSS mega meet, concerns over Hindus being left out of NRC: Sources
Pushkar, Sep 7: Concerns were raised at the RSS' meeting with its affiliates on Saturday over several genuine citizens being left out of the final list of the NRC in Assam, majority of whom they claimed are Hindus, sources said.
A detailed briefing was held by RSS affiliate 'Seema Jagran Manch' on the final list of the National Register of Citizen's in Assam, published on August 31, that left out over 1.9 million people, the sources said.
Over 200 delegates of 35 RSS affiliates are attending the coordination meeting, first such after the Lok Sabha elections. BJP working president JP Nadda, general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh and general secretary Ram Madhav are also in attendance.
Sources said during the briefing on the NRC concerns were raised on several genuine citizens being left out, especially those who settled in Assam from neighbouring states, the sources said.
Leaders also expressed concerns claiming that majority of the 1.9 million people excluded are Hindus, they said.
The BJP has criticised the updated NRC list and has said the government will bring in a legislation to safeguard the Indian citizens if the Foreigners Tribunals deliver adverse judgements against the appeals.
At the meeting, a presentation was also made on the revoking of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and situation in the Valley thereafter.
The Narendra Modi government's decision of abrogating provisions of Article 370 was "overwhelmingly applauded" by Sangh members in the meeting, who termed it as a decision in line with the organisation's ideology, the sources said.
RSS-backed 'Purav Sainik Seva Parishad', an organisation of former defence and paramilitary personnel, also shared its views and suggestion on the situation in Kashmir and overall security situation in the country, they said.
The three-day-long meeting that will have 14 sessions, began on Saturday with an address by RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi. Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat will address the gathering on its concluding day on September 9.
A wide variety of issues are being discussed at the meeting, ranging from environment to economy, the sources said.
The 'Swadeshi Jagran Manch' and the 'Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh' will brief delegates on the economic slowdown in the country, they said.
With the apex court hearing the Ayodhya land dispute case on a daily basis, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad will share at the meeting details of the ongoing judicial proceedings in the matter, the sources said.
A detailed analysis of the BJP's performance in the Lok Sabha elections and its recently-concluded membership drive will also be done at the meeting.
RSS publicity co-in-charge Nariender Kumar said it is a coordination meeting of Sangh and its affiliates, no decision or resolution is passed in this annual gathering.
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Nepal goes to polls in first general election since govt-toppling Gen Z protests last year
Kathmandu (PTI): Nepalese citizens on Thursday morning started to reach polling booths in all 165 constituencies amid tight security to cast their vote in the crucial general election, the first since a violent Gen Z protest that toppled the K P Sharma Oli-led government last year.
More than 18.9 million eligible Nepalese will be exercising their franchise to elect the 275-member House of Representatives from among the 3,406 candidates vying for 165 seats under direct voting, and 3,135 candidates vying for 110 seats through proportionate voting.
The voting started at 7 am and will conclude at 5 pm. The counting will start immediately after the ballot boxes are collected.
"Voting started in all the constituencies, including the southern plains, hilly area and the mountain region at 7 am," Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said.
“The election started in a peaceful environment across the country,” he added.
Addressing a press meet here on the eve of the polls, Acting Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari on Wednesday had said that all preparations for the election had been completed and urged voters to participate actively and enthusiastically in the democratic exercise.
In Kathmandu, the weather was fine, sky was clear and people were enthusiastically queuing up to cast their votes.
The Gen Z youth, through their two-day intensified protests on September 8 and 9, ousted Prime Minister Oli, chair of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) -- CPN-UML -- who was heading a coalition government with the backing of Nepali Congress that enjoyed nearly two-thirds majority support.
After Oli's ouster, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives on September 12 and appointed Sushila Karki as the caretaker PM.
The major issues raised by Gen Z are anti-corruption, good governance, an end to nepotism, generational change in political leadership, etc.
Starting Wednesday, Nepal has declared a three-day holiday for the polls.
There are a total of 10,967 polling booths and 23,112 polling centres, the Election Commission data showed. As many as 65 political parties are taking part in the election.
