QWrap: Bharat Bandh Turns Violent; FM Accepts Kejriwal’s Apology

Here’s a quick look at the top stories of the day.

Bharat Bandh protests took place across the country against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act. 

(Photo: PTI)

1. Bharat Bandh: At Least 6 Dead in MP, UP Amid Violent Dalit Stir

At least six people were killed in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan as protests over the SC/ST Atrocities Act turned violent. Curfew was imposed in at least three towns in the state, including Morena, Bhind and Gwalior.

The agitation led by Dalits across the country on Monday, 2 April, saw the state police intervening at several places, including Meerut, Ranchi, Agra, Barmer, Yamunanagar, and Bhind.

In Punjab, schools and colleges remained shut, with internet services suspended from 5 pm on Sunday to 11 pm on Monday.

The Centre, however, filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s judgment on Monday.

Catch all the live updates here.

2. CBSE Paper Leak: SC to Hear Re-examination Pleas on 4 April

The Supreme Court will hear pleas related to the CBSE re-examination on 4 April. The Delhi High Court has also agreed to hear a plea seeking a court-monitored probe into the CBSE paper leak.

A CBSE official, identified as KS Rana, was suspended on 1 April after being found lax in supervising an examination centre.

The CBSE Class 12 re-examination for Economics will be held on 25 April. The board is also mulling over a Class 10 Mathematics re-test. If confirmed, the re-test will be held in July – only for Delhi and Haryana, where the papers are said to have been leaked.

Catch all the live updates here.

3. Mortal Remains of 38 Indians Killed in Iraq Reach Amritsar

A special aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 38 Indian workers from Iraq landed in Amritsar late afternoon on Monday, 2 April. In March, the Ministry of External Affairs had announced that the 39 Indian workers who went missing from Mosul in 2014 were killed thereafter. One body is not being brought back for now as DNA testing had only provided a 70 percent match; the ones being brought back had more than a 95 percent match.

Of the 39 who died, 27 are from Punjab, four from Himachal Pradesh, two from West Bengal and six from Bihar.

Congress Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has announced compensation for 27 of the 39 Indians killed.

Catch all the live updates here.

4. Defamation Case: Arun Jaitley Accepts Arvind Kejriwal’s Apology

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has accepted Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s apology in a defamation case filed by the former, ANI reported.

The written apology, along with Kejriwal, was tendered by Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh and Raghav Chaddha.

However, the defamation suit filed by Jaitley has not been withdrawn yet, the ANI report added.

These allegations made by me were based on information and papers furnished to me by certain individuals who represented to have first-hand insight into the affairs of Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA). However, I have recently discovered that the information and the imputations contained therein are unfounded and unwarranted and I was clearly misinformed into making these allegations.

Kejriwal’s letter stated

Read more here.

5. Autism Awareness: How Do You Explain It to Your Kids?

2nd April is marked as Autism Awareness Day worldwide.

For some parents, the day is a rude reminder of a life that could have been. While for others, it’s just a day that says be grateful, for it could have been much worse.

Nevertheless, both sets of parents wish on this day for a world that understands and accepts their children as they are. To embrace them with their differences, understand their limitations and include them in their lives.

Life wouldn’t be this tough if there were so many questions people asked constantly about Autism.

And that process can start when children get to learn about the differences in each other from the very beginning. When they start to appreciate and empathize with those who are not like them. When they make space in their worlds for children in the autism spectrum.

Read the full story here.