REAL VOTER News Magazine June 2019 by Rakesh Raman

Latest Political News and Views

REAL VOTER

News Magazine on Politics and Governance in India June 2019

Narendra Modi chairing an all party meeting in New Delhi on June 19, 2019. Photo: PIB

An Editorial Initiative of Raman Media Network Editor: Rakesh Raman

Main Stories in This Issue

News and Analysis

Research

Amit Shah Reviews J&K Situation U.S. Report on Religious Freedom in India Sanjiv Bhatt Jailed. Wife Says Justice Denied Lethal Gas Chambers of India Plan and Policy

Troubles

Modi Proposes One Country, One Election Plan to Remove Corruption and Pollution Draft National Education Policy 2019

Polluted Delhi Now Faces Water Shortage India to Overtake China in Population Case Study on Bureaucratic Corruption

For Your Information As India is an underdeveloped country, the politicians hoodwink the voters and win elections by promising basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, and cooking gas which are scarce in the country.

A new U.S. report reveals deteriorating religious freedom conditions in India where the government headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is engaged in politicization of religion.

Delhi has become a virtual hell under chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s government. While lethal pollution is spreading like a pandemic disease in Delhi, corruption and lawlessness are rampant in every street of Delhi.

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Amit Shah Suggests to Strengthen Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau Amit Shah suggested that investments for generating large-scale employment opportunities for the local youth should be facilitated. During his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on June 26, India’s Home Minister Amit Shah took a detailed review of various development schemes and projects in the State.

Amit Shah being received by the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, on his arrival in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on June 26, 2019. Photo: PIB The review meeting in Srinagar was attended by the Governor, Union Home Secretary, all the four Advisors, Chief Secretary, and senior officials of the State and Central Government. Amit Shah suggested that the newly established Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) should be strengthened and cases of rampant corruption by the high-and-mighty should be taken up on priority for fast-track investigations. The development review meeting focused on accelerating development, building infrastructure, good governance, inclusive growth for all communities, and employment generating scheme for the youth. Home Minister asked the State Government to ensure that the poorest of the poor of Jammu and Kashmir should get the benefits of good governance in all spheres. Shah also suggested that investments for generating large-scale employment opportunities for the local youth should be facilitated. He added that he will regularly review the performance achieved in all the development projects.

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Religious Freedom Conditions Worsening in India: New U.S. Report The report says that PM Modi seldom made statements decrying mob violence. A new U.S. report reveals deteriorating religious freedom conditions in India where the government headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi (pictured) is engaged in politicization of religion. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Report, 2019 finds that it is increasingly difficult to separate religion and politics in India - a tactic that is sometimes intentional by those who seek to discriminate against and restrict the rights of certain religious communities. The report adds that Individual Violators Section 212(a)(2)(G) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision added by IRFA (International Religious Freedom Act), makes inadmissible to the United States foreign officials who are responsible for or directly carried out particularly severe religious freedom violations. To date, according to the report, the provision’s only publicly known use was in 2005, when the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi of Gujarat State in India was excluded due to his complicity in 2002 riots in his state that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,100 to 2,000 Muslims. In recent years, the IRF Office has worked to identify non-citizens who would be inadmissible on this basis should they apply for U.S. visas. Although as the PM of India, now Modi enjoys political immunity, the possibility of denying U.S. visa to him cannot be ruled out because of increasing mob violence in India. The report says that in 2018, religious freedom conditions in India continued a downward trend. In 2018, the report adds, approximately one-third of state governments increasingly enforced anti-conversion and/or anti-cow slaughter laws discriminatorily against non-Hindus and Dalits alike. Further, cow-protection mobs engaged in violence predominantly targeting Muslims and Dalits, some of whom have been legally involved in the dairy, leather, or beef trades for generations. Mob violence was also carried out against Christians under accusations of forced or induced religious conversion. In cases involving mobs killing an individual based on false accusations of cow slaughter or forced conversion, police investigations and prosecutions often were not adequately

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pursued. Rules on the registration of foreign-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were discriminatorily implemented against religious minority groups. The report further says that PM Modi seldom made statements decrying mob violence, and certain members of his political party have affiliations with Hindu extremist groups and used inflammatory language about religious minorities publicly. Victims of large-scale attacks in recent years have not been granted justice, and reports of new crimes committed against religious minorities were not adequately accounted for or prosecuted. Based on these concerns, in 2019 USCIRF again places India on its Tier 2 for engaging in or tolerating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the elements of the “systematic, ongoing, egregious” standard for designation as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). While the Indian government repeatedly has denied USCIRF access to India, the Commission says it welcomes the opportunity to openly and candidly engage with the Indian government—including the chance for a USCIRF delegation to visit India—to discuss shared values and interests, including international standards of freedom of religion or belief and related human rights. Among its recommendations to the U.S. government, the USCIRF report expects the Indian government to allow a USCIRF delegation to visit India and meet with stakeholders to evaluate conditions for freedom of religion or belief in India. It also recommends the strengthening of training and capacity of state and central police to prevent and punish cases of religious violence, while also protecting victims, witnesses, and houses of worship and other holy sites. The report suggests the passage of the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to establish national and state human rights commissions and human rights courts, and assisting the Ministry of Law and Justice to work with state prosecutors to increase the rate of prosecutions for hate crimes and online hate speech targeting religious minorities. USCIRF report also suggests to increase the U.S. Embassy’s focus on religious freedom and related human rights through continued visits to regions impacted by religiously motivated violence and dialogue with religious communities, local governmental leaders, and police, and advocate for the Indian central government to ensure that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) is not used discriminatorily to target international missionary and human rights groups. You can click here to download the following research paper. Research Paper: Attack of the Machines on Democracy in India How EVMs Are Manipulated to Win Elections News and Analysis REAL VOTER News Magazine on Politics and Governance in India | June 2019 | Page 5 of 18

Gujarat Riots Whistleblower Sanjiv Bhatt Jailed for Life. Wife Says Justice Denied Sanjiv Bhatt claimed that he had attended a meeting, during which Modi allegedly asked top police officials to let Hindus vent out their anger against the Muslims. Sanjiv Bhatt, a police officer who blamed India’s prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi for Gujarat riots of 2002 – has been sentenced to life imprisonment in an unrelated 30-year-old custodial death case. The Jamnagar Sessions Court on June 20, 2019 sentenced Bhatt (pictured) to life imprisonment under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in connection with a custodial death in 1990. Shweta Sanjiv Bhatt, wife of the police officer, claims that it is a fabricated case against her husband who spoke truth to power. In her Facebook post, Shweta wrote that her husband is being targeted for a crime he did not commit. Bhatt, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Gujarat, had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India against the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi (who is now the PM of India), alleging that the riots were committed at Modi’s behest. Nearly 2000 people – mostly Muslims – were killed in the riots. In his affidavit, Bhatt claimed that he had attended a meeting, during which “Modi allegedly asked top police officials to let Hindus vent out their anger against the Muslims.” However, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court of India concluded that Bhatt did not attend this meeting, and dismissed his allegations. In 2015, Bhatt was removed from the police service, on the ground of "unauthorized absence." In October 2015, the Supreme Court quashed Bhatt's plea for constituting SIT for cases filed against him by the Gujarat Government. The court lifted the stay on his trial and asked him to face prosecution. The court observed that "Bhatt was in active touch with leaders of a rival political party, was being tutored by NGOs, was involved in politics and activism of creating pressure, even upon 3-judge bench of this court, amicus, and many others." In November 2012, Bhatt and six other policemen were charged with murder in the 1990 custodial death case of Prabhudas Madhavji Vaishnani. On 20 June 2019, Bhatt was sentenced to life in relation to this case.

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A couple of days before his sentence in June 2019, the Supreme Court refused to entertain Bhatt’s plea, seeking to examine 11 additional witnesses in the 30-year-old custodial death case. A vacation bench of justices Indira Banerjee and Ajay Rastogi said that a three-judge bench had already passed an order on a similar plea and therefore it cannot entertain the petition. Shweta Bhatt also alleges that the case was based on a false complaint filed by Amrutlal Madjavji Vaishnani who is an active member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), an Indian right-wing Hindu nationalist organization which has close ties with PM Modi’s political outfit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “The complaint filed against Sanjiv Bhatt is a classic case of political vindictiveness,” Shweta Bhatt complained in her Facebook post, adding that the so-called custodial death occurred after 18 days of being out of custody. It is also strange to note that in the past 16 years in Gujarat, 180 custodial deaths occurred, but no police official was punished. Obviously, Sanjiv Bhatt was singled out for deposing against Modi in the Gujarat riots case. According to Bhatt’s Facebook post, the hospital records as well as the forensic postmortem records of Prabhudas Madhavji Vaishnani have noted that there were no internal or external indication of any injury, torture, or any grievance. While Shweta Bhatt plans to approach the higher judicial forums to seek justice for her husband, she said justice has not only been denied, but an innocent man has been persecuted for doing his duty with diligence. Bhatt is an accused in the custodial death case. He was posted as the additional superintendent of police in Gujarat's Jamnagar at that time. According to the prosecution, Bhatt had detained more than 100 people during a communal riot there and one of the detainees had died in hospital after he was released. He was suspended in 2011 on charges of remaining absent from duty without permission and misuse of official vehicles, and later sacked in August 2015. The chattering classes believe that Bhatt is being punished for raising his voice against Modi for his involvement in the Gujarat massacre. It is largely believed that India has become a despotic state under Modi’s rule where Modi’s opponents are either removed from their jobs, jailed, or killed. For example, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) judge B.H. Loya – who was hearing a controversial case of the alleged ‘fake encounter’ killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in 2005 - had died in mysterious circumstances. In this case, the prime accused Amit Shah – who is Modi’s friend and current Home Minister of India - was Gujarat’s Home Minister at the time of Sohrabuddin’s killing. It was alleged

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that Sohrabuddin was killed at the behest of Amit Shah who was the Home Minister when Modi was Gujarat’s Chief Minister. It is largely believed that the Modi government had influenced the investigation to get Amit Shah off the hook and the case was hushed up surreptitiously. Similarly, the Gujarat riots case in which Modi was an accused could not reach any logical conclusion. While about 2,000 Muslims were killed in the Gujarat riots, there were incidents of rape, robbery, and widespread destruction of property affecting Muslims. It was alleged that the killings were executed at the behest of Modi. Although Indian courts had almost exonerated Modi in this case, most Muslims in India still believe that Modi was responsible for Gujarat pogrom. According to Human Rights Watch, the attacks against Muslims in Gujarat were actively supported by state government officials and the police. Police told Muslims, “We don’t have any orders to save you.” It is stated that the 2002 Gujarat riots were premeditated and constituted a form of ethnic cleansing while the state government and law-enforcement agencies were complicit in the violence that occurred. As a result, the U.S. administration had denied visa to Modi in view of the allegations of human rights violations against him in the 2002 incidents of riots and carnage. But now as he has become the PM of India, Modi is visiting the U.S. frequently because now he enjoys political immunity. In defence of her husband, Shweta Bhatt has given facts of the case in a 50-point Facebook post, and appealed to the people of India to support her in this difficult time: “India, it’s time to wake up. Today it is us, tomorrow it can be you.”

PM Modi Proposes One Country, One Election Union Minister for Defence, Rajnath Singh, conducted the meeting. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, chaired a meeting of party presidents of different political parties having representation in Parliament on June 19. According to an official statement, 21 party presidents attended the meeting. Issues that came up for discussion included: ● ● ● ● ●

Ways to improve productivity of parliament One Country, One Election Building a New India in the 75th year of independence Program and commitments to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary Development of aspirational districts

Union Minister for Defence, Rajnath Singh, conducted the meeting. Various party presidents noted with concern, the frequent adjournments and disruptions in the Houses of Parliament.

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They observed that this impacts productivity and denies Members the opportunity to express their views on issues of the day. They emphasized that an atmosphere of discussion and dialogue must prevail in Parliament.

Narendra Modi chairing an all party meeting in New Delhi on June 19, 2019. Photo: PIB On the issue of One Country, One Election, several party presidents supported the proposal for simultaneous conduct of elections. Parties were also of the view that all aspects of this proposal need to be examined carefully. Modi noted that this is not a single party’s agenda, but it is an issue of national importance and the views of all parties would be considered and given due importance. He announced that a committee will be formed to examine the issue of ‘One Country, One Election’.

Polluted Delhi Now Faces Electricity, Water Shortage As India continues to be an underdeveloped country, the politicians hoodwink the voters and win elections by promising basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, and cooking gas which are scarce across the country. While India’s capital New Delhi is already the world’s most polluted capital, now the city is facing an acute shortage of electricity and water supply. Under the leadership of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president and former chief minister (CM) Sheila Dikshit, the Delhi unit of Congress held protests in Delhi on June 18 to highlight the scarcity of basic amenities in the city-state. Congress – which has been almost decimated after its excruciating defeat in the recent Lok Sabha election – has made it an election issue for the upcoming Delhi election. REAL VOTER News Magazine on Politics and Governance in India | June 2019 | Page 9 of 18

Under the hashtag #5_साल_ द ल _बेहाल, Congress organized demonstration in all 70 Assembly constituencies of Delhi complaining against the “unfair fixed charges in electricity bills and water shortage in Delhi.”

Congress held a Matka (earthen water pots) protest on June 13, 2018 to highlight the water scarcity in Delhi. Photo: Congress (file photo) Today, Delhi has become a virtual hell under chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s government. While lethal pollution is spreading like a pandemic disease in Delhi, corruption and lawlessness are rampant in every street of Delhi. Most believe that Delhi has become the crime capital of the world. While Delhi Police is totally corrupt, gangsters operate openly in Delhi. Reports suggest that 220 gunshots were fired on Delhi’s streets over 30 days — between May 17 and June 15. At least 16 people were killed and 22 injured in the shooting incidents.

Underdeveloped Country In today’s increasingly specialized and cut-throat world, a person needs in-depth knowledge and extensive domain expertise to handle a particular department even in a small company. But it is highly unfortunate that people with no qualification or expertise become Presidents, Governors, Prime Ministers, ministers, and bureaucrats in India to manage highly complex domains of governance. That’s why India continues to be a poor, underdeveloped country.

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India Ready to Overtake China in Population: UN Report India is expected to show the highest population increase between now and 2050. By the year 2050, there will be nearly 9.7 billion people living on Earth, says a UN population report released on June 17. However, the overall growth rate will continue to fall, and more countries will have to adapt to the consequences of an ageing population.

Poor Children in India. Photo: Rakesh Raman / RMN News Service “The World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights” estimates that the next 30 years will see the global population add an extra 2 billion people to today’s figure of 7.7 billion, and, by the end of the century, the planet will have to sustain around 11 billion. According to the UN report, India is expected to show the highest population increase between now and 2050, overtaking China as the world’s most populous country, by around 2027. India, along with eight other countries, will make up over half of the estimated population growth between now and 2050. The nine countries expected to show the biggest increase are India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Egypt, and the United States of America. In all, the population of sub-Saharan Africa is expected to practically double by 2050. However, growth in these countries comes against the backdrop of a slowing global fertility rate. In 1990, the average number of births per woman was 3.2. By 2019 this had fallen to 2.5 births per woman and, by 2050, this is projected to decline further to 2.2 births: a fertility level of 2.1 births per woman is necessary to avoid national population decline over the long run (in the absence of immigration). REAL VOTER News Magazine on Politics and Governance in India | June 2019 | Page 11 of 18

The population size of more and more countries is actually falling. Since 2010, 27 countries or areas have seen a drop of at least one per cent, because of persistently low fertility rates. Between now and 2050, that is expected to expand to 55 countries which will see a population decrease of one per cent or more, and almost half of these will experience a drop of at least 10 per cent. In some cases, according to the report, the falling population size is reinforced by high rates of emigration, and migration flows have become a major reason for population change in certain regions. Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines are seeing the largest migratory outflows resulting from the demand for migrant workers; and Myanmar, Syria, and Venezuela are the countries where the largest numbers are leaving because of violence, insecurity, or armed conflict. For those countries where population is falling, immigration is expected to plug the gaps, particularly in Belarus, Estonia, and Germany. By 2050, a quarter of the population in European and Northern America could be 65 or over. The higher proportion and number of older people is expected to put increased financial pressure on countries in the coming decades, with the higher cost of public health, pensions, and social protection systems. Although overall life expectancy will increase (from 64.2 years in 1990 to 77.1 years in 2050), life expectancy in poorer countries will continue to lag behind. Today, the average lifespan of a baby born in one of the least developed countries will be some 7 years shorter than one born in a developed country. The main reasons are high child and maternal mortality rates, violence, and the continuing impact of the HIV epidemic. “The World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights” report is published by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and provides a comprehensive overview of global demographic patterns and prospects.

PM Modi Underlines the Importance of Opposition in Democracy The Prime Minister expressed happiness in the increased number of women Parliamentarians in the 17th Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on June 17 welcomed all the new MPs ahead of the first session of 17th Lok Sabha. In the media statement before the start of session, he said ,“Today marks the start of the first session after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. I welcome all new MPs. With them comes new hopes, new aspirations and new determination to serve.” The Prime Minister expressed happiness in the increased number of women Parliamentarians in the 17th Lok Sabha. He said that the Parliament is able to fulfill the aspirations of people when it functions smoothly. He also underlined the importance of opposition in parliamentary democracy with the hope that the opposition will play an active role and participate in House proceedings. The opposition need not worry about their numbers in the Lok Sabha, the PM said. REAL VOTER News Magazine on Politics and Governance in India | June 2019 | Page 12 of 18

“When we come to Parliament, we should forget Paksh and Vipaksh. We should think about issues with a ‘ Nishpaksh spirit’ and work in the larger interest of the nation,” PM added. Appeal for Donations RMN Foundation is a humanitarian organization that was formed in May 2015 as an educational and public charitable Trust for the benefit of humanity at large. It is registered with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi at New Delhi, India. Currently, all the activities of RMN Foundation are being managed single-handedly (without any support) by RMN Foundation founder Rakesh Raman who had left his job a few years ago to run this charity. As RMN Foundation has embarked upon some major humanitarian projects during the past over 3 years, now it needs a significant amount of funds in the form of donations to expand the scope of its activities. DONATION DETAILS Individual Indian donors can help RMN Foundation with their contributions using the following bank details: Bank Name: ICICI Bank Bank Branch: HL Square, Plot No. 6, Sector 5 (MLU), Dwarka, New Delhi 110 075 Account Number: 025005004368 Account Name: RMN Foundation Type of Account: Current IFSC Code: ICIC0000250 Or you can click here to donate with PayPal, credit card, or bank account.

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PM Modi Plans to Remove Corruption and Pollution from India The Prime Minister said that everyone at this platform has a common goal of achieving a New India by 2022. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on June 15 delivered the opening remarks at the fifth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is an utter failure. Starved cows eating household hazardous waste near a housing colony of New Delhi in India. Scenes like this are common in the national capital. Photo: Rakesh Raman / RMN News Service Welcoming the Governor of J&K, Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and other delegates, the Prime Minister reiterated that NITI Aayog has a key role to play in fulfilling the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas. Recalling the recent General Elections as the world's largest democratic exercise, the Prime Minister said that it is now time for everyone to work for the development of India. He spoke of a collective fight against poverty, unemployment, drought, flood, pollution, corruption, and violence. The Prime Minister said that everyone at this platform has a common goal of achieving a New India by 2022. He described Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and PM Awaas Yojana as illustrations of what the Centre and the States can accomplish together. The Prime Minister said that empowerment, and ease of living, have to be provided to each and every Indian. He said the goals that have been set for the 150th anniversary of

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Mahatma Gandhi, should be accomplished by October 2nd, and work should begin in earnest towards the goals for 2022, the 75th anniversary of independence.

Lethal Gas Chambers of India: Research Report The report highlights the environment, corruption, and lawlessness issues around FAR construction and its adverse impact on the local economy. The new research report: “Lethal Gas Chambers of India: FAR Construction and Poisonous Pollution in Delhi” sheds light on various implications of FAR (floor area ratio) construction and harmful pollution in the occupied cooperative group housing societies (CGHS) of Delhi where hundreds of thousands of people are getting directly affected because of FAR construction and pollution.

Deadly dust and noise pollution is caused by FAR construction in occupied cooperative group housing societies of Delhi. The report also highlights the environment, corruption, and lawlessness issues around FAR construction and its adverse impact on the local economy. You can download and study the research report and help support this environment protection activity so that FAR construction and pollution could be stopped in Delhi.

Case Study on Bureaucratic Corruption in Delhi The bureaucrats try to satisfy the aggrieved complainants by responding with useless letters without punishing the culprits.

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As massive corruption is happening openly in Delhi’s cooperative group housing societies (CGHS) where millions of people live, this case study explains how government officials have legitimized graft and there is no government agency in the city-state that can stop this increasing crime. The Registrar Cooperative Societies (RCS) of Delhi Government and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) - which are among the most corrupt departments of Delhi - are brazenly committing acts of corruption in connivance with the corrupt managing committee (MC) members of housing societies. Together, they are running a government-sponsored corruption r acket in Delhi. While the residents of Delhi have been suffering under extreme bureaucratic corruption, the bureaucrats try to satisfy the aggrieved complainants by responding with useless letters without punishing the culprits. In order to protect the accused, the bureaucrats also delay their decisions in corruption cases. With the help of a recent complaint addressed to the Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), this case highlights the enormity of corruption in a housing society and urges India’s top anti-corruption departments to register an FIR (First Information Report) in this case for starting a thorough inquiry. The current complaint is filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) and other provisions of IPC with the prayer to start criminal proceedings against the RCS officials, DDA officials, and others. You can click here to study the case including the exhibits.

Environmental Terrorists of India The Indian government including bureaucrats and politicians are causing serious environmental damage which is harmful for the entire planet. Therefore, the global community including the UN and the U.S. Department of State and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) must impose strict economic, diplomatic, and trade sanctions on India. The Indian ministers, politicians, and top officials must be punished with travel bans on them and freezing of their assets, and they should be declared as environmental terrorists.

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India Releases Draft National Education Policy 2019 After getting feedback from the general public, and after consulting State Governments, the National Education Policy will be finalized by the Government. The draft National Education Policy document has been submitted to the Ministry of HRD (MHRD) by the Chairman Dr. Kasturirangan and the members of the Policy Committee on May 31. According to MHRD, this is a draft Policy submitted by the Committee and is placed for views of the general public while it is not the Policy announced by the Government. After getting feedback from the general public, and after consulting State Governments, the National Education Policy will be finalized by the Government. According to MHRD, the Government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi is committed for equal development and promotion of all Indian languages. There will be no imposition of any language in educational institutions and no discrimination against any language.

Meet the Editor The editor of Real Voter news magazine Rakesh Raman is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. Besides working at senior editorial positions with leading media companies, he was writing an exclusive edit-page column regularly for The Financial Express (a daily business newspaper of The Indian Express Group). Nowadays, for the past about 8 years, he has been running his own global news services on different subjects. He also has formed a free Education and Career Counselling Center for deserving children at a poor J.J. Colony in Dwarka, New Delhi under his NGO – RMN Foundation. He runs an exclusive community-driven anti-corruption social service “Clean House” to help the suffering residents of Delhi raise their voice against the growing corruption and injustice. He also has formed an environment-protection group called Green Group in Delhi. He creates and distributes a number of digital publications that cover areas such as technology, law, environment, education, politics, corruption and transparency. He has created a comprehensive online information service to educate the Indian voters for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Earlier, he had been associated with the United Nations (UN) through United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as a digital media expert to help businesses use technology for brand marketing and business development. REAL VOTER News Magazine on Politics and Governance in India | June 2019 | Page 17 of 18

Collaboration with Real Voter Project The Real Voter news magazine is being published by RMN Foundation. It is being circulated among different UN agencies, government departments, leading politicians, political organizations, colleges / universities, law-enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, social activists, and others in India and abroad. RMN Foundation is looking for sponsors and collaborators across the world who can join hands with us to expand the content activity around the R eal Voter i nitiative. Contact

Rakesh Raman Founder RMN Foundation 463, DPS Apts., Plot No. 16, Sector 4, Dwarka, Phase I New Delhi 110 078, INDIA Contact by email

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