Modi Among Most Influential on Internet; Outcry Grows over Nuclear Reactors Near Karachi; Kidnapped Afghan Official Found Dead

India

Modi among most influential on Internet

TIME magazine named Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the 30 most influential people on the Internet in a list that also included U.S. President Barack Obama, British author J. K. Rowling, and singer Beyonce, according to news reports on Friday (TIME, Economic Times). The magazine said that Modi has approximately 38 million followers on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, which places him ahead of all other world leaders except Obama. The magazine further said: “Unlike many of his contemporaries, Modi recognizes that social media can be invaluable when trying to reach India’s 200 million-plus online population directly” (NDTV). The unranked list was compiled by analyzing social media followings, the ability to drive news, and site traffic.

Mob lynches alleged rapist outside Indian prison

A large mob broke into a prison in the town of Dimapur, located in the northeastern state of Nagaland, and stripped ​naked suspected rapist Farid Khan and dragged him through the town’s ​streets before hanging him, according to news reports on Friday (Livemint, BBC). As the angry crowd of more than a 1,000 people lynched Khan and set several shops on fire, the police opened fire to stop the mob. The police claim that Khan was a Bangladeshi trader who was arrested for allegedly raping a young college student. The state government appealed to the media ​to not share visuals of the lynching in an effort to prevent further violence. Their appeal stated: “Many ugly, objectionable pictures are already on social media, but the traditional media, which is available more widely, has been requested to be more sensitive and apply self censorship to help mitigate the possible ramifications” (Indian Express).

Indian court asks jail to install cable tv for cricket matches

A court in the city of Guwahati, located in the northeastern state of Assam, ruled that a local jail had to install cable connections so that prisoners could watch the ongoing Cricket World Cup, according to news reports on Thursday (Hindustan Times). A group of seven inmates petitioned for the move, arguing that it was their “fundamental right.” Their petition read: “Watching television for news, sports and entertainment is a fundamental right within the purview of the Constitution of India” (NDTV). Justice Arup Kumar Goswami ruled for the inmates, and said: “Prisoners need recreation for a healthy mind” (BBC). Cricket is the most popular sport in the nation and the Indian team is the defending champion in the World Cup.

Pakistan

Outcry grows over new nuclear reactors near Karachi

Some Pakistanis are publicly challenging the government over the addition of two large nuclear reactors being built just outside of Karachi (Post). The plants, which utilize a brand new design not found anywhere else in the world, are being supplied by China. Each reactor will supply 1,100 megawatts to Pakistan’s national energy grid. While some observers, such as U.S. diplomatic officials, have expressed concern about China’s role in providing the technology to Pakistan, others are worried about the placement of the reactors: less than 20 miles from downtown Karachi.

The city is home to around 20 million residents. The U.S. Nuclear regulatory Commission says a new reactor should be situated somewhere with fewer than 500 people per square mile within a 20-mile radius. The zone around the power plants holds 6,450 people per square mile. The threat of terrorism and earthquakes in the port city are also a concern. But political leaders have defended the move, citing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s prioritization of addressing the energy shortfall in the country.

Upper house election results in victory for PML-N

Pakistani lawmakers voted for new senators in the country’s upper house of parliament on Thursday (Reuters, ET). Although the Pakistan People’s Party currently holds a majority in the Senate, Prime Minister Sharif’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) won equal representation in the election. The incoming senators will replace 52 lawmakers who are retiring on March 11, after completing their six-year terms.

Afghanistan

Kidnapped official found dead

Sayedabad District Executive Director Azatullah, who — like many Afghans — goes by one name, was killed by unknown gunmen Friday in Wardak province (Pahjwok, TOLO). Azatullah, 26, was kidnapped by Taliban militants a few days ago as he was commuting home from his office, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesman. The Taliban have not yet commented on the incident or claimed responsibility for the killing. Azatullah had been the district’s executive director for the last three years.

Men don burqas in protest march

A group of Afghan men marched through Kabul wearing burqas on Thursday as part of a demonstration to bring attention to women’s rights in Afghanistan (Reuters, RFE/RL). The dozens of men then gathered at the offices of Afghanistan’s Independent Human Rights Commission in Kabul, where they continued their protest by chanting: “We say ‘no to all forms of violence” and “Don’t tell women what to wear, keep your eyes away.” Although burqa-clad women are still a common sighting in the country, the garb is considered a symbol of Taliban oppression to some and many activists worry that the hard-fought gains made in the past decade will be lost after international forces leave Afghanistan at the end of this year. Bonus Read: “A Step Forward for Afghan Women?” Elizabeth Weingarten, Leila Hilal (South Asia)

— Emily Schneider and Neeli Shah

Edited by Peter Bergen

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