India Roundup: Missile launch, citizenship law, protests
Missile launch
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India's accomplishment in successfully testing the Agni-5 Missile, developed domestically, as a major milestone for the country. He commended DRDO scientists for their contributions to "Mission Divyastra," highlighting the test's integration of Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) Technology. This technology will ensure that a single missile can deploy multiple warheads at different locations, reports Times of India.
Citizenship law
Just ahead of the upcoming general elections, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Rules, in 2024. The CAA which could not be implemented in 2019 extends Indian nationality to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians who fled religious persecution in Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before December 31, 2014, media agency The Hindu reports. However, rights and Muslim groups express concerns that the law could potentially discriminate against India's 200 million Muslims, the world's third-largest Muslim population.
Mass protests
The notification of the rules for implementing the Citizenship Amendment (CAA) Act by the Centre has reignited tensions in the Indian state of Assam with opposition parties and regional groups calling for peaceful mass protests. Bamboo barricades have been erected in Guwahati city in preparation for demonstrations. Security measures have been heightened around key government buildings, including the Legislative Assembly and Janata Bhawan. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of the Asom Jatiya Parishad, described it as a "black day" for Assam and urged protests across the state, Indian Express reported.
New beginning for women
Addressing a 'Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat' programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in his government's ability to continue in power during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, stating that his third term will mark a new beginning for women. Taking a swipe at previous administrations, he highlighted the lack of attention given to women's issues and hardships, contrasting it with the BJP's initiatives aimed at supporting women at every stage of life. Modi noted his role as the first prime minister to address various issues affecting women, such as sanitation, access to sanitary pads, clean cooking fuels, and financial inclusion, local media Daily Pioneer reported.
Railway projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Freight Corridor's (DFC) Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad on March 12 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for a series of railway projects collectively valued at over Rs 85,000 crore (about $10.2 million), reports local media NDA. According to an official release from the Prime Minister's Office, the projects include the foundation stone laying for Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, as well as the Phaltan-Baramati New line and Electric Traction System upgradation work.
