Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
05 September 2024 | 11:16 a.m. SAST
2-minute read

• Indian rice farmers call for the government to ease export restrictions over fears of losing their export market share in a good harvest season.
• A bill was passed by the West Bengal Assembly that mandates life in prison or the death penalty for rape convictions after the rape and murder of a doctor in a state hospital in Kolkata.
• In Bangladesh, ministers and security personnel who are closely connected to former PM Sheikh Hasina attempt to flee the country, fearing capture

Traders in the sub-continent have asked the government to reduce the minimum export price of US$950 per tonne on premium basmati rice to US$750 per tonne or dispense with it altogether.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, political analyst and Research Associate Sanusha Naidu said that conflict between the farmers and government in India have resulted in market instability.

“Farmers are saying, there’s an export market there that we feel is becoming more competitive and doesn’t enable us to export more because of competitors, but also because of legislation,” Naidu said.

India currently only allows exports of basmati and parboiled varieties, subject to a 20 per cent export tax that was introduced last year to prevent shortages in the domestic market due to poor weather conditions, a report in the South China Morning Post said.

The export curbs were imposed ahead of the national elections that were held earlier this year and were thus seen as a politically linked measure to curb inflation.

However, traders have called for a removal of the measure because of high rice stocks and the risk of losing some export market share to rival Pakistan.

The rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College has sparked global outrage and has led to a unanimous decision by the West Bengal Assembly to pass a bill ordering life imprisonment for convicted rapists.

Protestors brought to attention the mild way that authorities in India dealt with the case and exposed the limitations of the law in India, which inadequately protects the rights of women.

Naidu expressed hope that the bill finds traction and is implemented at the institutional level in India.

In Bangladesh, many officials closely linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fear persecution from Bangladeshi citizens and are trying to flee.

Reports indicate that AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Mannik, a former Supreme Court judge was apprehended by Bangladesh border guards and arrested on charges of attempted illegal border crossing. He was jailed on 24 August, and was later attacked by a mob, leaving him wounded at the hospital.

Several others fled the country or went underground soon after Hasina’s downfall after photos and videos of them attacking protestors were circulated on social media.

Some of Hasina’s supporters were caught and lynched, while others were handed over to authorities and arrested.

Listen to the Asia-Pacific Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.