All posts tagged: activists

Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir under investigation in Italy over Gaza flotilla

Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir under investigation in Italy over Gaza flotilla

Published by Parlour News

Italian prosecutors put Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir under investigation over the treatment of activists who were part of a Gaza flotilla last month, a judicial source said on Monday. Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir (C) arrives at the site of a suspected shooting attack in the town of Tzur Yitzhak in central Israel close to the occupied West Bank on June 7, 2026. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) (AFP) The source, who asked not to be named, confirmed earlier reports by Italian news agencies and said Ben-Gvir was being investigated on suspicion of torture and kidnapping of Italian citizens who were among the activists. If the probe determines charges are warranted, prosecutors could lodge a formal request for trial. In response to the Italian investigation, Ben-Gvir said in a statement: “I will not shy away from one investigation or another and will continue to stand proudly alongside our fighters.” Israel and Ben-Gvir have faced mounting international criticism after the minister in late May released a video showing detained …

Environmental activists challenge validity of Wetlands rules in SC

Environmental activists challenge validity of Wetlands rules in SC

Published by Parlour News

New Delhi Environmental activists challenge validity of Wetlands rules in SC The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the response of the Centre on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 which defines wetlands in a manner that excludes historically developed wetlands from the ambit of protection and preservation. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice on a petition filed by a group of nine environmental activists led by Ravindra Sinha who alleged that Rule 2(g) of the 2017 Wetlands Rules is inconsistent with India’s binding international obligations under the Ramsar Convention, 1971, and violates the basic right to life of citizens under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. “We are limiting notice to the vagueness of the definition,” the bench said as it posted the matter in August. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan who argued the petition explained how the exclusion is manifest in the 2017 Rules by comparing it with the earlier definition under the Wetlands Rules of 2010. …

Various organisations, former civil servants oppose CJI’s environmental activists comment

Various organisations, former civil servants oppose CJI’s environmental activists comment

Published by Parlour News

New Delhi, Various organisations and a group of former civil servants have expressed concern regarding Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s recent comments about people approaching the courts regarding environmental litigations. Various organisations, former civil servants oppose CJI’s environmental activists comment A Bench comprising the CJI and Joymalya Bagchi on May 11 had said, “Show us even a single project in this country where these alleged environmental activists have said that we welcome this project.” The observations were made during the hearing of a matter concerning the expansion of Pipavav Port in Gujarat. In an open letter addressed to the CJI, the individuals and organisations on Friday demanded a retraction of the court’s observations. It said, “The comments risk being understood as casting bona fide environmental scrutiny and public-interest litigation as reflexively ‘anti-development’.” The letter also said that such framing is “factually inaccurate, constitutionally troubling, and potentially dangerous”. In a separate statement on Friday, the group of former civil servants said, “The CJI’s remarks against environmental activists and litigants, suggesting that these activists obstruct ‘development’, …

Hong Kong court to hear closing arguments in Tiananmen activists’ trial

Hong Kong court to hear closing arguments in Tiananmen activists’ trial

Published by Parlour News

A Hong Kong court is expected to begin hearing closing arguments in the case of two democracy activists facing national security charges on Monday, as the trial enters its final stages. Hong Kong court to hear closing arguments in Tiananmen activists’ trial Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, who organised candlelight vigils to mark Beijing’s deadly crackdown on demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in 1989, are standing trial for “incitement to subversion”, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. The trial has been condemned by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as an attempt at “rewriting history”. Lee and Chow, leaders of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance, were charged in 2021 and have been behind bars since then. The trial, which began in January, took place over 22 days. Dozens of clips were played in court, showing the defendants speaking at vigils, protests and press interviews over the years. Hong Kong authorities say that the national security law has no retroactive effect, but it is common for prosecutors to cite pre-2020 material …

Elgar case: NIA seeks cancellation of bail of activists Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao

Elgar case: NIA seeks cancellation of bail of activists Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao

Published by Parlour News

Activist Sudha Bharadwaj. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told a special court that the two accused violated bail conditions by attending a gathering at the Mumbai Press Club on January 19 where other co-accused in the Elgaar Parishad case were present. The Court has asked Bharadwaj and Rao to respond to the plea. A special court on Friday (May 15, 2026) sought the response of lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj (65) and Telugu poet-activist Varavara Rao (85) to an application filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking cancellation of their bail. The NIA said Bharadwaj and Rao attended a meeting on the terrace of the Mumbai Press Club on January 19. According to the agency, other co-accused in the Elgaar Parishad case were also present at the gathering. The NIA added that the bail conditions imposed on the two barred them from communicating with co-accused or with others involved in similar activities. Bharadwaj was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in December 2021. Rao received interim bail on …

Kannur Police Co-operative Society recruitment exam disrupted as KSU activists storm venue

Kannur Police Co-operative Society recruitment exam disrupted as KSU activists storm venue

Published by Parlour News

The recruitment examination conducted for the last grade posts in the Kannur Police Co-operative Society was disrupted on Monday (May 11) after Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists stormed the venue, alleging attempts to facilitate backdoor appointments. The protest turned tense as activists allegedly tore question papers and disrupted the examination proceedings. The examination was being conducted for the posts of peon and night watchman. Around 50 candidates had arrived to appear for the test for two vacancies. KSU activists alleged that several applicants had not received hall tickets and claimed that the examination was being conducted secretly to facilitate backdoor appointments. On receiving information about the protest, MLA-elect T.O. Mohanan and Congress leaders reached the spot. District Congress Committee (DCC) president Martin George alleged that the hastily conducted written examination was intended to appoint CPI(M) loyalists before the new government assumes office. He further alleged that the entire recruitment process had been manipulated by accepting applications only from candidates backed by the CPI(M) and by preparing the list of selected candidates in advance. Meanwhile, Kannur …

Kannur Police Co-operative Society recruitment exam disrupted as KSU activists storm venue

Activists complain to Lokayukta against illegal mining in Belagavi

Published by Parlour News

Belagavi-based activists Rajkumar Topannavar and Sujit Mulgund have complained to the Lokayukta against illegal mining in some forest areas in the district. “We have submitted a detailed complaint to the Lokayukta Superintendent of Police against a massive illegal mining racket involving bauxite and aluminous laterite ore worth thousands of crores in the district, particularly in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks. The complaint specifically points to illegal mining on government land bearing Survey No 285 in Belgundi village and raises serious concerns about large-scale violations of mining laws, environmental norms and regulatory procedures,” they told reporters here on Tuesday. Published – April 28, 2026 08:12 pm IST Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

Delhi High Court pulls up police over allegations of illegal detention, torture of activists

Delhi High Court pulls up police over allegations of illegal detention, torture of activists

Published by Parlour News

Image used for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Delhi High Court on Thursday (April 23, 2026) pulled up the Delhi Police over alleged torture and illegal detention of certain activists last month, asserting that legal procedure must be followed even in cases involving grave allegations. A Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja asked the investigating agency to either take consequent action, or it would refer the matter to the CBI. Published – April 24, 2026 08:38 am IST Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

Activists seek delinking of women’s reservation from Census, delimitation

Activists seek delinking of women’s reservation from Census, delimitation

Published by Parlour News

The petition has been signed by 488 women’s rights advocates and activists from 95 Indian cities and districts. Image for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: The Hindu One the eve of a special session of Parliament for implementing the Women’s Reservation Act, women’s rights activists on Wednesday (April 15, 2026) sought amendments in the law, and the delinking of its execution from the Census, and delimitation. In a petition to all Members of Parliament, nearly 500 activists also said that the break-up of the 33% quota State-wise could be according to the States’ seat shares, and revised following every expansion of the legislature. Published – April 15, 2026 09:59 pm IST Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link