3 Things

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 27th of March and here are today's headlines.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today contested his arrest and remand by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy. Senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal in the Delhi High Court said that a sitting CM was arrested on the cusp of elections when the Model Code of Conduct is in place and the arrest is impinging on the level playing field.Meanwhile, India took strong objection to the remarks by a US spokesperson on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, quote,  "In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents."The Enforcement Directorate today issued fresh summons to Trinamool Congress leader and ousted Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra in connection to a FEMA contravention case. The TMC leader and Businessman Darshan Hiranandani have been asked to appear before the probe agency on the 28th of March. The agency is scrutinising transactions associated with a non-resident external account in this case, along with examining various other foreign remittances and fund transfers.Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections will be held before September and that the Centre will consider revoking the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act there. In an interview with the local media, Shah said the government plans to withdraw troops from the Union Territory (UT) and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone.The Indian Embassy in the US has condoled the “unfortunate accident” in Baltimore where a cargo ship manned by a 22-member Indian crew, struck and demolished a key bridge. The Indian Embassy in the US said in a post on X, quote, “Our heartfelt condolences to all affected by the unfortunate accident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore." Unquote. It said that the Embassy has created a dedicated hotline for any Indian citizens who may be affected or require assistance due to the tragedy. The Embassy is ascertaining details regarding the vessel’s crew.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the enforcement directorate and the resulting protests. Discussions on accusations, opposition concerns, and BJP's motives. Analysis of political ramifications close to Lok Sabha elections.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 26th of March and here are today's headlines.While the Aam Aadmi Party is protesting against the arrest of Kejriwal, in a counter-protest, the Bharatiya Janata Party sought to march towards the Delhi Secretariat to demand the CM’s resignation. The police have said that permission has not been granted for protests and Section 144 has been imposed outside the Prime Minister’s residence in view of  AAP’s protest. The police have detained AAP workers, including Punjab minister Harjot Bains, Chandigarh mayor Kuldeep Kumar Tita and party leader Somnath Bharti.The National Commission for Women (NCW) Monday wrote to the Election Commission to take strict action against Congress and its leader Supriya Shrinate over her objectionable remarks against Kangana Ranaut, named BJP Lok Sabha candidate for Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Speaking to reporters, NCW chief Rekha Sharma said that it is very unfortunate that a woman is using such derogatory language against another woman. Shrinate, however, has denied any involvement, claiming it was posted by somebody who had access to her accounts.A Delhi court today sent BRS legislator K Kavitha to 14 days of judicial custody until April 9. Earlier, she was in the Enforcement Directorate’s custody for 10 days in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. A member of the Telangana Legislative Council and daughter of former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Kavitha is accused of allegedly paying Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders in return for liquor licences in Delhi. The ED took her into custody from Hyderabad on March 15.Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar today gave the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra one more day to decide on his demands for seats to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. Ambedkar had severed ties with Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and issued a March 26 ultimatum to the MVA to finish seat-sharing talks. Ambedkar has been miffed with Shiv Sena (UBT) for not pushing VBA’s case during MVA meetings.A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a large boat collided with it early this morning, and multiple vehicles fell into the water. According to a video posted on X, A large vessel crashed into the bridge, catching on fire before sinking and causing multiple vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River. As per reports, emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Veteran journalist Neerja Chowdhury discusses how Congress PMs fueled the rise of Hindu nationalism in India. They explore Indira Gandhi's use of Hindu sentiment, airing Ramayan and Mahabharat on TV, Shabano's story, Mandal Report vs. Mandir Movement, and influential men around PMs. A journalist also recounts the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination.

Political strategist Prashant Kishor, along with journalists Anant Goenka and Vandita Mishra, discuss BJP's success, Hindutva's role, and opposition failures. They emphasize the importance of message, messenger, machine, and method for election success. Societal influences on voter behavior, leadership styles in the BJP, and strengthening democracy through voter loyalty are also explored.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 22nd of March and here are the top stories of the week.A 12-member team of the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at his residence in North Delhi’s Civil Lines on Thursday. The ED team reached his residence and began questioning after Delhi HC refused to grant CM Arvind Kejriwal protection from coercive action in excise policy case earlier today. Meanwhile, the Delhi CM moved the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing challenging the Delhi HC order.The Election Commission of India on Thursday published the complete electoral bond data given to it by the State Bank of India on orders of the Supreme Court. This data includes bond numbers that would enable donors to be matched with the political parties they donated to. The two sets of data – 552 pages of details of redemption by political parties and 386 pages of details of donors – covers electoral bonds purchased and redeemed from April 2019 till January 2024 – in line with the apex court’s orders.The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its third list of nine candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. Tamilisai Soundararajan, who resigned as the Governor of Telangana on Monday (March 18) will contest from Chennai South, while Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai has been fielded from Coimbatore. The Congress also released the third list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, consisting of 56 candidates from eight states and Union Territories. Among the key candidates to be fielded are Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Berhampore, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s son-in-law Radhakrishna from Gulbarga and former Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s daughter Praniti Shinde from Solapur.The Supreme Court on Thursday halted the implementation of the Centre's notification concerning the Press Information Bureau's Fact Checking Unit (FCU). This halt will remain in place until the Bombay High Court reaches a final verdict on petitions contesting the 2023 modifications to the Information Technology Rules. The bench highlighted that the Centre had provided assurance to the HC that the FCU would not be activated until the petitions challenging Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2023 (IT Amendment Rules, 2023) are resolved by the HC.Initially stating that Zomato's proposal for a separate delivery fleet for vegetarian food received an "overwhelmingly positive" response, co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal reversed course in less than 11 hours on Wednesday. The company has now abandoned plans to segregate the fleet based on individuals' dietary preferences. Worries regarding the potential for harassment stemming from the division of workers into green and red uniforms have prompted Zomato to retract the green attire.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

A podcast discussing the Badaun killings, where two minors were murdered, followed by a comparison between IPL and Ranji Trophy importance in Indian cricket. The episode also covers Delhi CM Kejriwal's arrest by the ED.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 21st of March and here are today's headlines.The Supreme Court today stayed the operation of the Centre’s March 20 notification regarding the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Checking Unit (FCU). The stay will be in effect until the Bombay High Court takes a final decision on petitions challenging the 2023 amendments to the Information Technology Rules. A three-judge bench noted that the Centre had assured the HC that the FCU will not be notified till the petitions challenging Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2023 (IT Amendment Rules, 2023 are decided by the HC.In other news from the apex court, the SC today dismissed applications challenging the appointment of retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as election commissioners. The bench also declined to stay The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023 which put in place a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union cabinet minister in place of a committee comprising the PM, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India as directed by the Supreme Court.The Election Commission today instructed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to immediately stop sending a letter by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the account “Viksit Bharat Sampark” to WhatsApp users. In a letter to the MeitY Secretary, the EC asked the Ministry to submit a compliance report immediately. The EC told the Ministry that it had received “complaints from various quarters that such messages are still being delivered on citizens’ phones”.The Congress today hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with veteran leader Sonia Gandhi saying that the PM was making “a systematic effort to cripple the Congress financially”. Addressing a press briefing, senior leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge spoke about the freezing of their bank accounts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, saying that the issue was extremely serious with “far-reaching consequences for not just their party but for our country’s democracy.”Two days after the gruesome murder of two minor brothers in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun district, the police today arrested the second accused who had been allegedly absconding after the crime. Officers said Javed, the brother of accused Sajid, surrendered before the Bareilly police late on Wednesday after a reward of Rs. 25,000 was declared on him. Budaun SSP added five teams were formed to arrest Javed, who is around 25 years old.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, Indian Express’ Ritu Sharma talks about the case of five foreign students from Gujarat University who were injured when a group of 20-25 people forcibly entered their hostel and assaulted them for offering namaz during Ramzan inside the hostel building.Next, Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs editor Shubhajit Roy discusses the 'low-risk' outreach undertaken by the new government in Pakistan and its implications amidst the deteriorating ties between the two nations (09:42).And in the end, we go over Zomato rolling back its “Pure Veg” delivery service idea, and anthropologist MA Kalam sheds light on the persistent myth surrounding the belief that most Indians are vegetarians (19:45).(Kamal is a visiting Professor, at Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad)Hosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawat

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 20th of March and here are today's headlines.Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India has emerged as the world’s third largest startup ecosystem with over 1.25 lakh startups and 110 unicorns, and is charting a roadmap for becoming a developed nation with right decisions taken at the right time. Speaking at the Startup Mahakumbh event, Modi said India’s startup ecosystem is not limited to metro cities, it has now become a social culture. The PM vowed that he will make India the world’s third largest economy in his third term, and asserted that startups will play a big role in India’s progress.Days after the Election Commission of India directed the transfer of the home secretaries in six states, including Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand Congress has requested that Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar also be removed from his post, saying that his “closeness to the ruling party is well known”. In a letter to the ECI, the Uttarakhand Congress president Karan Mahara said that the “loyalty of the present DGP of the state to the ruling party” raises questions on the fairness of the elections.From claiming that he has received an “overwhelmingly positive” response to Zomato’s plans of launching a separate delivery fleet for vegetarian food, the company’s co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal has changed track in less than 11 hours. The food delivery service provider has now decided against the segregation of the fleet on the ground basis of people’s dietary choices. Concerns that the segregation of workers into green and red clothes could result in potential harassment on the ground, has now resulted in Zomato rolling back the green uniforms.The World Happiness Report for 2024 was released earlier this week, noting that while the top 10 countries in the list have remained the same since before the Covid-19 pandemic.  Finland topped the list for the seventh year in a row, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. India ranked 126th in the list. The report observed that in India, older age is associated with higher life satisfaction. However, older Indian women reported lower life satisfaction than older men.New Zealand said on Wednesday it will ban disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, and raise financial penalties for those who sell such products to minors. The move comes less than a month after the government repealed a unique law enacted by the previous left-leaning government to phase out tobacco smoking by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.