The Catch Up: 18 February

Feb 18, 2025

The Supreme Court has granted interim protection to a controversial podcaster while condemning his offensive language. West Bengal's Chief Minister calls the Maha Kumbh a 'Death Kumbh,' criticizing the government's poor arrangements for the event. A tragic incident unfolds as a 20-year-old engineering student from Nepal dies by suicide at KIIT University, leading to the termination of security staff. The podcast also touches on legal troubles for a former minister and highlights tensions in U.S.-Russia relations amid the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Key Political Developments and Social Issues in India

00:00 • 4min

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 18th of February and here are the headlines.

The Supreme Court granted podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia interim protection from arrest over alleged objectionable comments on his YouTube show, "India’s Got Latent." Despite this, the court condemned his language, describing it as perverse and shameful. Justice Surya Kant criticized Allahbadia's choice of words, saying they would embarrass parents, brothers, sisters, and society at large. He expressed disgust, asking what other standard of obscenity would apply in this country. Allahbadia’s lawyer was reprimanded for defending the program's language, while the court made strong remarks on the perverted content.

Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, criticized the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over the handling of the Maha Kumbh, calling it a "Mrityu Kumbh" (Death Kumbh). She claimed that bodies had been hidden to reduce the death toll and pointed out the lack of proper arrangements for the poor at the event. Banerjee emphasized the need for better planning, stating that while VIPs had tents worth Rs 1 lakh, the poor were left unassisted. She called for measures to prevent stampedes and ensure safety at such religious gatherings.

The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha has faced criticism after a 20-year-old engineering student from Nepal died by suicide. The university terminated two security staff members and suspended two hostel officials and an administrative officer. The student had earlier complained about mistreatment from a batchmate, a 21-year-old from Lucknow, who has been arrested. The situation escalated with protests against the university's handling of the incident and allegations of racial behavior. Over 500 Nepali students were initially evicted but were reinstated after intervention from the Nepal embassy.

President Droupadi Murmu has authorized the prosecution of AAP leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in a money-laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. The sanction was requested by the Ministry of Home Affairs, citing adequate evidence. Jain, 60, will face prosecution under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deals with the prosecution of public servants for crimes committed during official duties. The move follows a thorough investigation by the Enforcement Directorate regarding allegations of corruption and financial misconduct.

Following extensive talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States and Russia have agreed on four principles to restore diplomatic relations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that both countries aim to reestablish functional missions in Washington and Moscow. A high-level team will be appointed to help negotiate a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. The discussions will also explore potential geopolitical and economic cooperation once the conflict ends. Rubio emphasized that ongoing engagement would continue to ensure progress on these issues, with both sides committed to a productive resolution.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.