Monkeygate controversy

The story so far: In October 2020, Indonesia passed the ‘Job Creation Bill’ intending to boost the country’s Covid-battered economy and improve its investment ecosystem. The ‘omnibus’ law — legislation that includes diverse and unrelated issues — sparked massive protests with thousands taking to the streets in various parts of the country. Protesters complained that the law was pro-business, undermined labour rights and was harmful to the environment. Around two years later, Indonesia’s parliament is set to revisit the contentious law as it opens a fresh debate in compliance with a court order that ruled that the legislation was passed improperly. The latest development comes amid renewed pressure from unions and environmental groups to overturn the legislation. Led by Labour Party, thousands protested outside the House of Representatives in Jakarta on June 15, alleging attempts by the Government to re-introduce the controversial Act. Understanding the Job Creation law Also … [Read more...] about Explained | Indonesia’s controversial jobs law and fresh debate over it

The story so far: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said on Tuesday, May 17, that a sculpture of a lion , which possibly dates back to the Ganga dynasty, was found during excavation for the controversial heritage corridor project around the 12th century Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. This is the third such lion sculpture found during the excavation work. The East Ganga dynasty had ruled Kalinga, as Odisha was called in ancient times, from the early fifth century to the early 15th century. The Odisha government’s ambitious temple corridor project in Puri has become a subject of political controversy between Chief Minister Naveen Pattanaik’s Biju Janata Dal government and the opposition BJP and Congress. Three court proceedings are currently underway in the matter. On May 9, the ASI noted in a report submitted to the Orissa High Court that there was every possibility of archaeological remains at the heritage site being destroyed due to the excavation work for the … [Read more...] about Explained | What is the controversy around Odisha’s Jagannath temple Heritage Corridor Project?

Chalachitra Academy chairman and director Ranjith has courted controversy over a statement at a meeting of the organising committee of the Women’s Film Festival. The statement caused protests on social media with the demand for Ranjith to withdraw the statement. Ranjith commented at a meeting attended by theatre owners. During the meeting, Ranjith jokingly mentioned that there was a need to hold a regional festival in Kozhikode as well as in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. “Sir, do you want to make milk sauce and serve it in the columbine?” Ranjith said, insulting the theatres in Kozhikode. He said that Kozhikode does not have good theatres like Thiruvananthapuram. Participants of the event said that the statement was insulting to the people of Kozhikode. The Kairali-Sree theatre will screen 24 films by women directors on July 16, 17, and 18. The organising committee meeting of the 3rd International Women’s Film festival was organised by the State Film Academy as part of the … [Read more...] about Director Ranjith’s Controversial Statement on Kozhikode Theatres Sparks Criticism

Normani has been shown saying she can "change" Chris Brown's life in a video that has resurfaced since the release of her new track with the controversial R&B star. On Tuesday, the official video for the singers' "WE (Warm Embrace)" was unveiled, prompting a number of fans to publicly express their disappointment in Normani, full name Normani Kordei Hamilton, for working with Brown, given his past. Brown has been the subject of contentious debate between fans and detractors over the years, not least because of the numerous incidents of violence involving women he has been associated with in the past, including an altercation with then-girlfriend Rihanna back in 2009. In June 2017, Brown's ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran got a five-year restraining order against him over accusations that he was aggressive towards her and demanded the return of money and jewels he gave her during their relationship. As a debate raged on Twitter as to why Normani would have chosen to work … [Read more...] about Clip of Normani praising Chris Brown resurfaces amid collab controversy

The story so far: A textbook revision committee headed by Rohith Chakrathirtha was set up in Karnataka following a memorandum submitted by the Karnataka Brahmin Mahasabha to the Primary and Secondary Education Minister B.C. Nagesh. The memorandum demanded revision of Class 6 Social Science textbooks on the ground that they “hurt the sentiments of the Brahmin community.” The Karnataka textbook revision committee was initially set up to revise Social Science textbooks from Classes 6 to 8. However, it was eventually given the responsibility to revise all textbooks from Classes 1 to 10. The committee submitted its report in March 2022 and as per the report, Social Science textbooks of Classes 6 to 10 in all mediums, Classes 1 to 10 Kannada first language (except Class 3) textbooks, Kannada second language textbooks of Classes 6, 7, and 9, and third language textbooks of all mediums of Classes 7, 8, and 9 were revised. The revised textbooks have triggered opposition from various groups. … [Read more...] about The textbook controversy in Karnataka

Manchester United defender Brandon Williams was transferred to Norwich City this season on loan in order to get more game time. The target might well have been achieved but overall Norwich’s performance has been simply dreadful. IPL 2022 – FULL COVERAGE | SCHEDULE | RESULTS | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAP | POINTS TABLE And to make matters worse, Brandon now finds himself in a precarious situation. As per a report by The Athletic, it is understood that Brandon is being investigated by Norwich after the 21-year-old defender’s controversial story on Instagram was deleted. Brandon had initially posted a photo with his middle finger showing and he wrote, “What a beautiful day. Easy up Norwich City,” in the caption. Brandon Williams on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/m6zKZcLbC4 — That’s Football! (@ThatsFootballTV) May 8, 2022 The weird Instagram story was deleted soon and Brandon replaced it with a couple of slides about his two dogs. The first story was a video of … [Read more...] about Brandon Williams in the Soup Over Controversial Instagram Story on Norwich City

The recent controversy over the comments on the Prophet of Islam is unlikely to cast a shadow on the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United Arab Emirates, said a senior official here on Friday. Addressing a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that there is no need to discuss the matter anymore. "As far as Prophet controversy is concerned, almost all Gulf countries have an understanding of India's position. We have communicated our stand on various platforms. I don't think that will be taken forward anymore," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United Arab Emirates on June 28 while returning from Germany where he will represent India at the G7 summit during June 26-27. Mr. Kwatra informed that Mr. Modi's visit to the UAE is aimed at conveying condolences on the passing away of President of UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The long-term ruler passed away on May 13. The UAE … [Read more...] about Gulf countries understand India’s position on Prophet controversy: Foreign Secretary Kwatra

A controversy has erupted among the Islamic scholars in the State over the recent Haj pilgrimage on foot by a man hailing from here. Although Shihab Chottur began his 8,600-km journey from Malappuram in the first week of this month, he had hardly reached the State border when scholars began fighting over the righteousness of his deed. The dispute began when Mujahid Balussery, a Salafi scholar in the State, said during a speech that Shihab was going for Haj in violation of Prophet’s Sunnah as it was not good to walk when vehicle facilities were available. Mr. Balussery exhorted Shihab to stop his journey and come back home, saying that pilgrimage on foot was not Islamic in modern age. “Please come back, Shihab. And that’s better for you,” said Mr. Balussery. However, some scholars of the traditional Sunni groups criticised Mr. Balussery saying that Islam did not proscribe pilgrimage on foot. “True that it is better to travel by vehicle. But when a person decides to go on foot, there … [Read more...] about Controversy over man’s Haj pilgrimage on foot

Chicago Women's March organizers announced in a social media post last month that they would not be holding a Women's March in January 2019 because they had already invested "so much time, money, energy and effort" into a "March to the Polls" event ahead of November's midterm elections. "It's a Herculean effort to host a march. It would've been literally impossible to hold two marches that close together," Harlene Ellin, a Women's March Chicago organizer, told Newsweek . The local Chicago group's decision was unrelated to any national group issues. But the timing of the non-event brought the spotlight back onto the controversy swirling around organizers of the national initiative, which was first launched two years ago in response to President Donald Trump's election victory. The Chicago branch of the Women's March has worked to clarify its independence from the national initiative, criticizing the national group leaders' ties to the Nation of Islam, a religious group that has … [Read more...] about Chicago Women’s March leaders clarified their independence from ‘anti-Semitic’ Nation of Islam controversy

The Assam government on Thursday announced that it will withdraw the controversial clause in the evaluation formulae for Class 10 and 12 examinations, which says pupils willing to become teachers or join government jobs later will have to sit for the same examination when Covid-19 situation improves. Buckling under huge protests following notification of the formulae last week, the decision to cancel the clause was made at a meeting between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and organisations such as the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP). The state government had said that as the exams were cancelled in 2021, a “special” test is required to make this year’s examinees on a par with past and future students who had written and will write the examinations, and to avoid litigation in future. “After detailed discussion, a consensus was reached regarding the alternative evaluation method. As per the … [Read more...] about Assam Withdraws Controversial Clause in Class 10, 12 Exam Evaluation Scheme