This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 6th of February and here are the headlines.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday regarding the deportation of 104 Indian citizens from the U.S. He assured that the Indian government is engaging with U.S. authorities to prevent ill-treatment of the deportees. Jaishankar emphasized that all countries must take back their nationals living illegally abroad and explained that using restraints during deportation is standard procedure by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since 2012.
In a speech on Thursday in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address. Modi criticized the Congress party for prioritizing "family first," stating that expecting “sab ka saath, sab ka vikas” from Congress would be a mistake. He also remarked that though the Congress government had not awarded the Bharat Ratna to B.R. Ambedkar, they are now compelled to acknowledge his legacy by saying “Jai Bhim.”
Harwinder Singh, one of 104 Indian deportees, shared his painful experience aboard the U.S. military flight that returned them to India. He described being handcuffed, chained, and confined to their seats for 40 hours. Despite repeated requests, deportees were only allowed limited bathroom breaks. Singh recounted the physical and emotional toll, adding that the crew was indifferent to their plight, though one kind crew member offered them fruits. The journey, he said, was “worse than hell.”
The death of Makhan Din, a Gujjar youth from Kathua’s Billawar area, is under investigation after claims of torture in police custody emerged. On Wednesday, Kathua District Magistrate Dr. Rakesh Minhas ordered a magisterial inquiry. Police say Din died by suicide after consuming insecticide on Tuesday evening. They denied accusations of custodial killing, noting Din’s familial ties to a Pakistan-based militant. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, directed the military on Thursday to devise a plan allowing for the voluntary departure of Gaza residents. This follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial announcement that the U.S. would take control of Gaza, resettle its 2 million Palestinians, and turn the region into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Katz praised Trump’s proposal, which has drawn widespread condemnation for its potential implications on Palestinian rights and the region’s future.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.
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