Learning of Sanskrit is 'discouraged' in Tamil Nadu, regrets Nirmala Sitharaman
Bengaluru, Sept 29: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regretted on Thursday that learning of Sanskrit is discouraged in Tamil Nadu.
She said in her early schooling and going till college, learning Sanskrit was not easy at all because of the "political environment in which we lived."
"And it's not as if I lived in a foreign country. I lived in Tamil Nadu. Sanskrit was discouraged and I think even today they discourage," Sitharaman said.
In spite of that, she said her parents insisted and she found a good teacher and privately learnt Sanskrit "somewhat".
"Learning Sanskrit or learning Hindi was not encouraged at all (in Tamil Nadu)..," the Minister said.
Sitharaman was speaking at a function organised by 'Karnataka Samskrit University', on the occasion of Pre-graduate Convocation and 'Sanskrit week celebration'.
She said she is very proud to know that Karnataka as a State is encouraging learning of Sanskrit.
The Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka said she was very impressed to know that more than 35,000 students all over Karnataka are learning Sanskrit.
Sitharaman said in the last seven-eight years, since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, several steps have been taken to develop, encourage and cultivate India's rich and ancient language, including financial assistance to research projects and publications.
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US State Department report highlights human rights violations in India
Washington DC: In a scathing critique of human rights abuses, the United States State Department has released its annual report titled "India 2023 Human Rights Report." The document, compiled by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, sheds light on a myriad of issues, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and surveillance of civil society activists and journalists.
One of the most concerning issues outlined in the report is the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur. The conflict has resulted in significant human rights violations, with hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced from their homes since early May.
The report criticises the Indian government's response, citing minimal credible steps taken to identify and punish officials responsible for human rights violations. Instances of arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, are highlighted, such as the case of former Samajwadi MP Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, who were shot dead in custody in Uttar Pradesh.
Furthermore, the report highlights an alarming incident where constable Chetan Singh fatally shot three Muslim passengers and a Railway Protection Force official on a train from Jaipur to Mumbai. Witnesses claimed Singh selectively targeted his victims based on their names, leading to allegations of a hate crime.
Extrajudicial killings are not isolated incidents, as the report reveals a staggering 813 cases registered between 2016 and 2022, with Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh recording the highest numbers. Additionally, disappearances allegedly involving government authorities and arbitrary arrests are widespread, with police accused of failing to file required arrest reports, resulting in unresolved cases.
The report sheds light on the misuse of special laws to delay judicial reviews of arrests, particularly citing the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which accounted for over 8,000 arrests between 2015 and 2020. It also documents instances where individuals were detained for custodial interrogation without proper identification or arrest warrants.
Property seizure and forced evictions without due process are also condemned in the report. Numerous cases were reported where individuals were displaced from their residences and had their properties seized or demolished, often under the pretext of municipal regulations.
Of particular concern is the targeting of vocal critics from the Muslim community by state governments, especially after protests or communal violence. Human rights activists report instances where bulldozers were used to destroy homes and livelihoods without adequate legal recourse, raising questions about the abuse of power.
In addition to physical harassment and attacks, journalists critical of the government face intimidation tactics, including raids on their workplaces and homes, seizure of electronic devices, and threats of legal action. The report highlights instances where government officials, at both local and national levels, exert pressure on media outlets, constrain freedom of movement, and disrupt access to communication services, such as mobile telephones and the Internet.
The report concludes by emphasising the Indian government's restrictions on digital media and frequent monitoring of users, undermining freedom of expression and privacy rights.
