The Evening Wrap: Must defend democratic principles and institutions, says Kamal Harris

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Kamala Harris had bilateral talks on September 23, 2021. Modi was received at the 150-year-old Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which houses the Vice President’s ceremonial office. The meeting started with comments at the top, with the press in the room. Harris spoke first, and Modi next, with interpreters translating between English and Hindi. During her opening remarks, Harris said it was “imperative” for India and the U.S. to strengthen democracy within their respective countries, defend democratic principles and institutions. “Finally, as democracies around the world are under threat, it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries and around the world and that we maintain what we must do to strengthen democracies at home,” Harris said. “And it is incumbent on our nations to, of course, protect democracies in the best interest of the people of our countries,” she said making a reference to her own family’s experience. “I know from personal experience and from my family of the commitment of the Indian people to democracy and to freedom and to the work that may be done and can be done to imagine and then actually achieve our vision for democratic principles and institutions,” Harris said. After their meeting, Modi and Harris could be seen talking briefly on the balcony, while the delegates waited inside. A small group of protestors had gathered earlier in front of the White House on Lafayette Square. Some of the protestors, part of a group called ‘Coalition to Stop Genocide in India’, waived the Indian flag and carried banners with #HumansAgainstHindutva written on it. At the Willard hotel, where Modi was staying, another handful of people – this time supporters – could be seen in the public areas, some of them in formal wear, asking how they could catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. Media access to the Prime Minister has been a challenge. While The Hindu managed to access the remarks at the start of the Modi-Harris bilateral, it was told it did not have a place and only state run media (and at least one specific private media agency) were given spots from the Indian side. In his remarks, Modi spoke about the warmth of Harris’s message in a phone call earlier this year when India was facing its second pandemic wave. “Excellency, some months ago, we had an opportunity to talk to each other on the phone. We had a detailed discussion at that time. And the way you spoke to me so warmly and so naturally, I will always remember that. Thank you so much,” Modi said, calling Harris a “true friend” and acknowledging the help of the U.S. government, its private sector, and the Indian diaspora. Gunmen dressed as lawyers kill gangster inside Delhi Rohini court, 2 attackers dead in police action Delhi gangster Jitendra Gogi was shot dead on Friday in broad daylight shootout in Delhi’s Rohini court today. The assailants came dressed as lawyers and shot the gangster along with 3 others, PTI reported. “Two assailants in the uniform of advocates fired upon Gogi in court, following which police also opened fire,” said Rohini DCP Pranav Tayal. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana informed that the killers belonged to the ‘Tillu Gang’ and were “neutralized” by the Delhi Police. He, however, denied the instance being that of a gang war. Jitendra Gogi was arrested earlier back in April under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) by Delhi Police’s Special Cell. There are 19 cases of murder and attempted murder, besides dozens of extortions, dacoities, car jackings and robberies against him. The war between Jitender Alipuria, who goes by the name Gogi, and Sunil Tajpuria alias Tillu is a long-standing one which has resulted in murders of multiple members of both the gangs. The police is still verifying the names of the shooters. Gujarat drug seizure case likely to go to NIA The Central government may enlist the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for undertaking a comprehensive probe into the country’s largest drug seizure by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mundra Port in Gujarat. The DRI recently seized almost 3,000 kg of heroin that was originally shipped from Afghanistan and its market value is pegged at around ₹21,000 crore. After the seizure, the probe was widened to Andhra Pradesh, as one Vijaywada-based couple had imported the consignment; Tamil Nadu; Gujarat and other places. The seizure is said to be one of the largest seizures in the world. Now, The Hindu has reliably learnt that the Centre is contemplating roping in the NIA to probe the case, as terror forces from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are involved in the smuggling of banned substances in the country. “It will probably go to the NIA,” a senior official told The Hindu, adding that only a federal agency could probe the case since it involved multiple States and also stakeholders. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it would also join the probe and lodge a case of money-laundering in the matter. Both the DRI and the ED are the Finance Ministry wings, while the NIA functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Gujarat’s Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS), which has been actively busting the drug mafias who try to smuggle in the drugs via the sea route off Gujarat coast, has also begun collecting details of the seizure at the Mundra Port and people involved in its import and arranging its logistics. Meanwhile, when contacted, officials at Adani Group, which operates the Mundra Port, stated that their role was limited to port operations and they were not empowered to inspect or check the cargo that was shipped or arrive at the port terminal. Secondly, the terminal where the cargo landed at the port was also not operated by the Adani Group, which has leased out terminals to other private players. “The law empowers the Government of India’s competent authorities such as the Customs and the DRI to open, examine and seize unlawful cargo. No port operator across the country can examine a container. Their role is limited to running the port,” the group said in a statement. In the last few years, the Gujarat coast has emerged as the preferred route for drug-smuggling as the ATS and Indian Coast Guard have intercepted Pakistani and Iranian boats loaded with contraband drugs. Shubham Kumar tops, 761 candidates clear civil services exam, says UPSC A total of 761 candidates have cleared the coveted civil services examination 2020, with engineering graduates Shubham Kumar and Jagrati Awasthi bagging the first and second ranks respectively. The Union Public Service Commission on Friday declared the results of the examination, conducted annually to select IAS, IFS and IPS officers, among other civil servants. Kumar, a Bachelor of Technology (civil engineering) graduate from IIT Bombay, has qualified the examination with anthropology as his optional subject. Awasthi is the topper among women candidates, according to a statement issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Awasthi qualified the examination with sociology as her optional subject. She completed B.Tech (electrical engineering) from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. Ankita Jain has achieved the third rank in the prestigious test. A total of 761 candidates — 545 men and 216 women — have cleared the examination and been recommended for various civil services by the Commission. The civil services examination is conducted by the UPSC in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination, 2020 was conducted on October 4 last year. As many as 10,40,060 candidates applied for the examination, out of whom 4,82,770 appeared in it, the statement said. A total of 10,564 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (main) examination which was held in January, 2021. Of them, 2,053 candidates qualified for the personality test (interview), it said. The 761 recommended candidates include 25 persons with benchmark disability — seven orthopedically handicapped, four visually challenged, 10 hearing impaired and four multiple disabilities. Of the successful candidates, 263 are of general category, 86 from economic weaker section (EWS), 220 of Other Backward Class (OBC), 122 Scheduled Castes (SC) and 61 belong to Scheduled Tribes category. The UPSC said that the top 25 candidates comprise 13 men and 12 women. The educational qualifications of top 25 successful candidates range from graduation in engineering, humanities, commerce and medical science from premier institutions of the country such as IIT, NIT, BITS, NSUT, DTU, JIPMER, University of Mumbai and Delhi University, the statement said. A total of 150 candidates have been put in the reserve list. The examination was conducted to fill 836 posts of different civil services. BJP stand on caste census puts JD(U) in tight spot The Narendra Modi government’s submission in the Supreme Court (SC) on the caste census not being feasible has put key NDA ally Janata Dal (United) in a difficult position. This is the first time that the Narendra Modi government has spoken on their stand on the caste census. “We are sad and angry that the government has decided to take a stand in the Supreme Court without consulting the allies,” JD(U) Secretary General K C Tyagi said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a strident advocate of caste census, has argued that enumeration of the backward castes is key for effective implementation of welfare programmes. He has so far maintained studied silence on government’s affidavit in SC. The JD(U) has been leading the march, but the baton could easily slip from their hands to the opposition parties. On July 31, the party’s national executive passed a resolution in favour of the caste census and on August 23, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led a delegation of all floor leaders in Bihar assembly to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their political opponent in Bihar, the RJD, sources said, will use the government affidavit to corner both the BJP and the JD(U). The government’s stand also gives a window to the Samajwadi Party, who are desperately looking to make inroads into the OBC vote bank ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls. Senior RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj K Jha said the government’s affidavit clearly exposes the government’s reluctance to respect the sentiments of people. “This affidavit from the government is based on a false narrative. A narrative that is brazenly denying the people’s right to know the critical reality in terms of the socio-economic data. It is not a political question. People of the country must know in the 75th year of our independence how many of us are genuinely free,” Jha said. A more belligerent stand by the JD(U) on the subject could cast a shadow on their ties with the BJP. Tyagi, however, pointed out that BJP leaders themselves have spoken in favour of the caste census, including BJP MP from Badaun, Sanghamitra Maurya, who spoke in support of the backward headcount in Parliament during the Monsoon Session. The Congress also criticised the government’s affidavit, saying that it exposes the Modi-government’s insensitivity towards the backward classes. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,36,18,742 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 4,46,624. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-led COVID-19 National Task Force (NTF) has dropped the usage of Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drugs in the revised “clinical guidance for management of adult COVID-19 patients”. The revised guidelines also suggests the use of drugs — Remdesivir and Tocilizumab -- in specific circumstances. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 24 SEPTEMBER 2021 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Must defend democratic principles and institutions, says Kamal Harris on occasion of first in-person meeting with PM Modi Prime Minister [Narendra Modi and Vice President Kamala Harris had bilateral talks]( on September 23, 2021. Modi was received at the 150-year-old Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which houses the Vice President’s ceremonial office. The meeting started with comments at the top, with the press in the room. Harris spoke first, and Modi next, with interpreters translating between English and Hindi. During her opening remarks, Harris said it was “imperative” for India and the U.S. to strengthen democracy within their respective countries, defend democratic principles and institutions. [Vice President Kamala Harris, right, walks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting on September 23, 2021, in Harris' ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington.]  “Finally, as democracies around the world are under threat, it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries and around the world and that we maintain what we must do to strengthen democracies at home,” Harris said. “And it is incumbent on our nations to, of course, protect democracies in the best interest of the people of our countries,” she said making a reference to her own family’s experience. “I know from personal experience and from my family of the commitment of the Indian people to democracy and to freedom and to the work that may be done and can be done to imagine and then actually achieve our vision for democratic principles and institutions,” Harris said. After their meeting, Modi and Harris could be seen talking briefly on the balcony, while the delegates waited inside. A small group of protestors had gathered earlier in front of the White House on Lafayette Square. Some of the protestors, part of a group called ‘Coalition to Stop Genocide in India’, waived the Indian flag and carried banners with #HumansAgainstHindutva written on it. At the Willard hotel, where Modi was staying, another handful of people – this time supporters – could be seen in the public areas , some of them in formal wear, asking how they could catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. Media access to the Prime Minister has been a challenge. While The Hindu managed to access the remarks at the start of the Modi-Harris bilateral, it was told it did not have a place and only state run media (and at least one specific private media agency) were given spots from the Indian side. In his remarks, Modi spoke about the warmth of Harris’s message in a phone call earlier this year when India was facing its second pandemic wave. “Excellency, some months ago, we had an opportunity to talk to each other on the phone. We had a detailed discussion at that time. And the way you spoke to me so warmly and so naturally, I will always remember that. Thank you so much,” Modi said, calling Harris a “true friend” and acknowledging the help of the U.S. government, its private sector, and the Indian diaspora. [underlineimg] Gunmen dressed as lawyers kill gangster inside Delhi Rohini court, 2 attackers dead in police action Delhi [gangster Jitendra Gogi was shot dead]( on Friday in broad daylight shootout in Delhi’s Rohini court today. The assailants came dressed as lawyers and shot the gangster along with 3 others, PTI reported. “Two assailants in the uniform of advocates fired upon Gogi in court, following which police also opened fire,” said Rohini DCP Pranav Tayal. [Gunshots were heard inside the courtroom of Rohini District Court in New Delhi. ]  Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana informed that the killers belonged to the ‘Tillu Gang’ and were “neutralized” by the Delhi Police. He, however, denied the instance being that of a gang war. Jitendra Gogi was arrested earlier back in April under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) by Delhi Police’s Special Cell. There are 19 cases of murder and attempted murder, besides dozens of extortions, dacoities, car jackings and robberies against him. The war between Jitender Alipuria, who goes by the name Gogi, and Sunil Tajpuria alias Tillu is a long-standing one which has resulted in murders of multiple members of both the gangs. The police is still verifying the names of the shooters. [underlineimg] Gujarat drug seizure case likely to go to NIA The Central government may enlist the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for undertaking a comprehensive [probe into the country’s largest drug seizure by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mundra Port]( in Gujarat. The DRI recently seized almost 3,000 kg of heroin that was originally shipped from Afghanistan and its market value is pegged at around ₹21,000 crore. After the seizure, the probe was widened to Andhra Pradesh, as one Vijaywada-based couple had imported the consignment; Tamil Nadu; Gujarat and other places. The seizure is said to be one of the largest seizures in the world. Now, The Hindu has reliably learnt that the Centre is contemplating roping in the NIA to probe the case, as terror forces from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are involved in the smuggling of banned substances in the country. “It will probably go to the NIA,” a senior official told The Hindu, adding that only a federal agency could probe the case since it involved multiple States and also stakeholders. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it would also join the probe and lodge a case of money-laundering in the matter. Both the DRI and the ED are the Finance Ministry wings, while the NIA functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Gujarat’s Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS), which has been actively busting the drug mafias who try to smuggle in the drugs via the sea route off Gujarat coast, has also begun collecting details of the seizure at the Mundra Port and people involved in its import and arranging its logistics. Meanwhile, when contacted, officials at Adani Group, which operates the Mundra Port, stated that their role was limited to port operations and they were not empowered to inspect or check the cargo that was shipped or arrive at the port terminal. Secondly, the terminal where the cargo landed at the port was also not operated by the Adani Group, which has leased out terminals to other private players. “The law empowers the Government of India’s competent authorities such as the Customs and the DRI to open, examine and seize unlawful cargo. No port operator across the country can examine a container. Their role is limited to running the port,” the group said in a statement. In the last few years, the Gujarat coast has emerged as the preferred route for drug-smuggling as the ATS and Indian Coast Guard have intercepted Pakistani and Iranian boats loaded with contraband drugs. [underlineimg] Shubham Kumar tops, 761 candidates clear civil services exam, says UPSC A total of 761 candidates have cleared the coveted civil services examination 2020, with engineering graduates Shubham Kumar and Jagrati Awasthi bagging the first and second ranks respectively. The Union Public Service Commission on Friday [declared the results]( of the examination, conducted annually to select IAS, IFS and IPS officers, among other civil servants. Kumar, a Bachelor of Technology (civil engineering) graduate from IIT Bombay, has qualified the examination with anthropology as his optional subject. Awasthi is the topper among women candidates, according to a statement issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Awasthi qualified the examination with sociology as her optional subject. She completed B.Tech (electrical engineering) from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. Ankita Jain has achieved the third rank in the prestigious test. A total of 761 candidates — 545 men and 216 women — have cleared the examination and been recommended for various civil services by the Commission. The civil services examination is conducted by the UPSC in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination, 2020 was conducted on October 4 last year. As many as 10,40,060 candidates applied for the examination, out of whom 4,82,770 appeared in it, the statement said. A total of 10,564 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (main) examination which was held in January, 2021. Of them, 2,053 candidates qualified for the personality test (interview), it said. The 761 recommended candidates include 25 persons with benchmark disability — seven orthopedically handicapped, four visually challenged, 10 hearing impaired and four multiple disabilities. Of the successful candidates, 263 are of general category, 86 from economic weaker section (EWS), 220 of Other Backward Class (OBC), 122 Scheduled Castes (SC) and 61 belong to Scheduled Tribes category. The UPSC said that the top 25 candidates comprise 13 men and 12 women. The educational qualifications of top 25 successful candidates range from graduation in engineering, humanities, commerce and medical science from premier institutions of the country such as IIT, NIT, BITS, NSUT, DTU, JIPMER, University of Mumbai and Delhi University, the statement said. A total of 150 candidates have been put in the reserve list. The examination was conducted to fill 836 posts of different civil services. [underlineimg] BJP stand on caste census puts JD(U) in tight spot The Narendra Modi government’s submission in the Supreme Court (SC) on the caste census not being feasible has [put key NDA ally Janata Dal (United) in a difficult position](. This is the first time that the Narendra Modi government has spoken on their stand on the caste census. “We are sad and angry that the government has decided to take a stand in the Supreme Court without consulting the allies,” JD(U) Secretary General K C Tyagi said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a strident advocate of caste census, has argued that enumeration of the backward castes is key for effective implementation of welfare programmes. He has so far maintained studied silence on government’s affidavit in SC. The JD(U) has been leading the march, but the baton could easily slip from their hands to the opposition parties. On July 31, the party’s national executive passed a resolution in favour of the caste census and on August 23, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led a delegation of all floor leaders in Bihar assembly to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their political opponent in Bihar, the RJD, sources said, will use the government affidavit to corner both the BJP and the JD(U). The government’s stand also gives a window to the Samajwadi Party, who are desperately looking to make inroads into the OBC vote bank ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls. Senior RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj K Jha said the government’s affidavit clearly exposes the government’s reluctance to respect the sentiments of people.  “This affidavit from the government is based on a false narrative. A narrative that is brazenly denying the people’s right to know the critical reality in terms of the socio-economic data. It is not a political question. People of the country must know in the 75th year of our independence how many of us are genuinely free,” Jha said. A more belligerent stand by the JD(U) on the subject could cast a shadow on their ties with the BJP. Tyagi, however, pointed out that BJP leaders themselves have spoken in favour of the caste census, including BJP MP from Badaun, Sanghamitra Maurya, who spoke in support of the backward headcount in Parliament during the Monsoon Session. The Congress also criticised the government’s affidavit, saying that it exposes the Modi-government’s insensitivity towards the backward classes. [underlineimg] Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The [number of reported coronavirus cases from India]( stood at 3,36,18,742 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 4,46,624.  The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-led COVID-19 National Task Force (NTF) has dropped the usage of Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drugs in the revised “clinical guidance for management of adult COVID-19 patients”. The revised guidelines also suggests the use of drugs — Remdesivir and Tocilizumab -- in specific circumstances. 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