21 Aug - Indian Updates - DC Powers For Citizenship, Sajjan Kumar Demise & Diplomatic Standoff - Pritam Singh Rupal

In this episode of Indian Updates on Radio Haanji, host Ranjodh Singh and analyst Pritam Singh Rupal dissect critical current affairs from India and South Asia. The discussion covers the Ministry of Home Affairs empowering Deputy Commissioners across six states to grant citizenship certificates to non-Muslim minority migrants, the demolition of temporary structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, the custodial death of 1984 riot convict Sajjan Kumar at Safdarjung Hospital, the Supreme Court-appointed five-member committee investigating police action during NEET student protests, and the commemoration of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal's 41st death anniversary in Punjab.

• Citizenship Powers Delegated to Deputy Commissioners: The Central Government authorized DCs across six states—including Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and West Bengal—to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minority migrants (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians) from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

• Tensions Involving Diplomatic Missions: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) demolished temporary waiting structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, following Pakistan’s removal of parking poles outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

• Death of 1984 Riots Convict Sajjan Kumar: Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died at Safdarjung Hospital due to health complications while his parole application was pending before the Supreme Court.

• Supreme Court Inquiry on NEET Protests: A five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice R. Subhash Reddy—including former CBI and police officials—was constituted to investigate alleged police excessive force and pellet gun usage during student protests in Delhi.

• Commemoration of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal: The 41st death anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was observed by various political and religious factions in Longowal.