'Hamas starving hostages as Nazis starved Jews': Netanyahu responds to Hamas, PIJ hostage videos
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Bangladesh struggles with reform and stability a year after Sheikh Hasina's exit
One year after the removal of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus continues to face political deadlock, religious polarization, and criticism over stalled reforms and delayed elections, as the country navigates an uncertain democratic transition. read more Protesters celebrate at the Parliament House premise after news of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. File image/AP Bangladesh appeared poised for change last year when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from office following a student-led protest movement, ending her 15-year rule and prompting her to flee to India. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of an interim government, pledging to restore calm, implement electoral and constitutional reforms, and conduct credible elections after weeks of unrest beginning on July 15, 2024, left hundreds dead. One year later, the interim government continues to face political instability, religious polarization, and ongoing challenges in maintaining law and order. Hasina is currently on trial for crimes against humanity in absentia while in exile in India. Despite significant upheaval, efforts to build a Bangladesh founded on liberal democracy, political tolerance, and communal harmony have yet to succeed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The hope of the thousands who braved lethal violence a year ago when they opposed Sheikh Hasina's abusive rule to build a rights-respecting democracy remains unfulfilled,' said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, a New York-based human rights organization. Change remains limited The anti-government movement resulted in significant casualties. Hundreds, including many students, were killed in demonstrations marked by violent clashes. Protesters set fire to police stations and government offices, while confrontations between rival political groups turned deadly. Abdur Rahman Tarif and his sister Meherunnesa joined the protests after the death of a cousin allegedly shot by security forces. He recalled being on the phone with Meherunnesa when the line went dead. Upon returning home through conflict-hit areas in Dhaka, he learned that she had been struck by a stray bullet while standing near a window. She later died at the hospital. Following the transition, the Yunus administration established 11 reform commissions, including one focused on building national consensus with political parties to guide governance and electoral reforms. Progress, however, has been slow. Political disputes have delayed agreement on an election timetable. Mob violence, attacks on political groups, and increased hostility toward women and minorities have been reported. While rights groups note that enforced disappearances appear to have ended, they allege the government has used arbitrary detention to target perceived opponents, particularly Hasina's supporters, some of whom are reportedly in hiding. The Awami League, currently banned, claims over two dozen members have died in custody over the past year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The interim administration has declared August 5 a public holiday to mark Hasina's ouster. In a statement on July 30, Human Rights Watch said the interim government 'is falling short in implementing its challenging human rights agenda,' adding that abuses against ethnic and minority groups continue in some regions. 'The interim government appears stuck, juggling an unreformed security sector, sometimes violent religious hardliners, and political groups that seem more focused on extracting vengeance on Hasina's supporters than protecting Bangladeshis' rights,' said Ganguly. Yunus' office has denied these allegations. Elections expected in April The timeline for returning to democratic elections remains uncertain. Disagreements between the interim administration and the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have added to the uncertainty. The BNP has demanded elections be held by February, while Yunus has proposed April. Islamist groups previously restricted under Hasina's rule have gained space under the interim government. Meanwhile, student leaders from the protests have formed a new political party, calling for sweeping reforms and warning they will oppose any election held without them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some Islamist leaders have either been released or escaped custody. Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamist party, has reentered the political scene and recently organized a large rally in Dhaka. The group has criticized both the BNP and Awami League, prompting concern among some analysts about rising polarization. 'Any rise of Islamists demonstrates a future Bangladesh where radicalization could get a shape where so-called disciplined Islamist forces could work as a catalyst against liberal and moderate forces,' said political analyst Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah. Others have questioned whether the interim government can deliver the reforms it promised. 'People's expectation was (that) Yunus government will be focused and solely geared towards reforming the electoral process. But now it's a missed opportunity for them,' Kalimullah added. Ongoing frustration For many, the events of the past year have not translated into meaningful change. Mosharraf Hossain, father of protester Meherunnesa, said the movement reflected deeper discontent. 'We want a new Bangladesh … It's been 54 years since independence, yet freedom was not achieved,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tarif echoed the sentiment. 'I want to see the new Bangladesh as a place where I feel secure, where the law enforcement agencies will perform their duties properly, and no government will resort to enforced disappearances or killings like before. I want to have the right to speak freely,' he said.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Bombay High Court says ‘No' to contempt proceedings against CPI(M)
The Bombay High Court on Monday (August 4, 2025) refused to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for publicly criticising the court's recent observations while rejecting its plea to hold a protest in support of Gaza. On July 25, 2025, a Division Bench comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad dismissed a petition filed by the CPI(M) challenging the Mumbai Police's decision to deny permission for a protest at Azad Maidan against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The court observed that the Indian political organisations should prioritise domestic issues over international conflicts. The Bench pulled up the petitioners for focusing on matters outside the country and said, 'Our country has enough issues to deal with. We do not want anything like this. I am sorry to say that you are short-sighted. You are looking at Gaza and Palestine while neglecting what is happening here. Why don't you do something for your own country? Look at your own country. Be patriots. People say they are patriots, but this is not patriotism. Show patriotism for the citizens of our own country first,' the Bench remarked sharply during the hearing. Senior advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for the CPI(M), told the Bench that on June 13, 2025, his client sought permission from the Azad Maidan police to hold a peaceful protest in solidarity with Gaza, calling for a ceasefire. However, on June 17, the police denied the request, citing powers under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 68 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Mr. Desai argued that political parties had historically raised important issues and organised health and education camps. The court noted that the CPI(M), being a registered political party, should ideally be engaging with local civic concerns. 'You are a registered party in India. Your party could have taken up issues such as garbage dumping, pollution, drainage, or flooding. Why are you not protesting on these issues? We are only giving examples. Instead, you want to protest over something happening thousands of miles away and showing concern for Palestine and Gaza,' the Bench observed. Following the court's observation, the CPI(M) released a press note on July 25, condemning the High Court's 'anti-constitutional' observations. It said, 'The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the observations of the Bombay High Court Bench while rejecting an application by the party to challenge the Mumbai Police's refusal to allow a protest action against the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.' The note further said, 'While doing so, the court went to the extent of calling into question the patriotism of the party. Ironically, the Bench appears to be unaware of either the provisions of the Constitution which enshrines the rights of a political party, or the history of our country and our people's solidarity with the Palestinians and their legitimate right to homeland. The observations smack of distinct political bias in line with the Central government.' On Monday (August 4, 2025), senior advocate S.M. Gorwadkar urged the court to take suo motu cognisance of the CPI(M)'s press note as criminal contempt. He argued that the language used by the party was an attempt to attribute motive to the judges and could erode public confidence in the judiciary. He cited previous cases, including the one involving advocate Prashant Bhushan, to support his argument and requested that notice be issued to the Advocate General. Justice Ghuge dismissed the suggestion and noted that the Bench chooses to ignore the press note and that the party has been saying that they have the right to criticise and condemn the court's order, calling it unconstitutional, 'that is their opinion', so let them do that.
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First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
We still have the hostages. Why Hamas is releasing videos now
Hamas has expressed willingness to work with the Red Cross to deliver aid to Israeli hostages in Gaza—if Israel permanently halts bombings and opens humanitarian corridors. The statement follows the release of a disturbing video showing a visibly emaciated captive, sparking global condemnation and prompting a UN Security Council session. read more Palestinians carry aid supplies which they received from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in the central Gaza Strip. File image/ Reuters Hamas said on Sunday it was willing to work with the Red Cross to send supplies to captives it keeps in Gaza if Israel meets specific conditions, after a video it shared showing an emaciated detainee that drew severe criticism from Western powers. Hamas stated that any cooperation with the Red Cross is reliant on Israel permanently establishing humanitarian corridors and ceasing bombing during relief distribution. According to Israeli sources, 50 captives remain in Gaza, with just 20 thought to be alive. So far, Hamas has denied humanitarian organisations access to the hostages, and relatives know little or nothing about their plight. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Saturday, Hamas released their second video in two days featuring Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In it, David, skeletally thin, is shown digging a hole for his own grave, as he claims in the video. The arm of the person holding the camera, which can be seen in the photo, is of regular width. The footage of David sparked outrage among Israelis and Western nations alike. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States have all expressed their displeasure, and Israel's foreign ministry has declared that the UN Security Council will conduct a special session on Tuesday morning to discuss the hostage situation in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had asked the Red Cross to give humanitarian assistance to the hostages during a conversation with the head of the Swiss-based ICRC's local delegation. A statement from The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of those being held in Gaza, said Hamas' comments about the hostages cannot hide that it 'has been holding innocent people in impossible conditions for over 660 days,' and demanded their immediate release. 'Until their release,' said the statement, 'Hamas has the obligation to provide them with everything they need. Hamas kidnapped them and they must care for them. Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas's hands.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Six more people died of starvation or malnutrition in Gaza over the past 24 hours, its health ministry said on Sunday as Israel said it allowed a delivery of fuel to the enclave, in the throes of a humanitarian disaster after almost two years of war. The new deaths raised the toll of those dying from what international humanitarian agencies say may be an unfolding famine to 175, including 93 children, since the war began, the ministry said. Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said two trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel were set to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely restricted aid access to the enclave before easing it somewhat as starvation began to spread. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said later in the day that four tankers of UN fuel had entered to help in operations of hospitals, bakeries, public kitchens and other essential services. There was no immediate confirmation whether the two diesel fuel trucks had entered Gaza from Egypt. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gaza's health ministry has said fuel shortages have severely impaired hospital services, forcing doctors to focus on treating only critically ill or injured patients. Fuel shipments have been rare since March, when Israel restricted the flow of aid into the enclave in what it said was pressure on Hamas militants to free the remaining hostages they took in their October 2023 attack on Israel. Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but, in response to a rising international uproar, it announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys. UN agencies say airdrops are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the territory to prevent starvation among its 2.2 million people, most of whom are displaced amidst vast swathes of rubble. COGAT said that during the past week over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks had entered Gaza but that hundreds of the trucks had yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs by UN and other international organisations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Belgium's air force dropped the first in a series of its aid packages into Gaza on Sunday in a joint operation with Jordan, the Belgian defence ministry said. France on Friday started to air-drop 40 tons of humanitarian aid. Looted aid trucks The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on Sunday that nearly 1,600 aid trucks had arrived since Israel eased restrictions late in July. However, witnesses and Hamas sources said many of those trucks have been looted by desperate displaced people and armed gangs. More than 700 trucks of fuel entered the Gaza Strip in January and February during a ceasefire before Israel broke it in March in a dispute over terms for extending it and resumed its major offensive. Palestinian local health authorities said at least 80 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the coastal enclave on Sunday. Deaths included persons trying to make their way to aid distribution points in southern and central areas of Gaza, Palestinian medics said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Among those killed was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said an Israeli strike at its headquarters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ignited a fire on the first floor of the building. The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's air and ground war in densely populated Gaza has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to enclave health officials.
