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Nov 06, 2024
Myind Staff

2024 US Presidential Elections: Donald Trump Makes a Historic Comeback

In a highly polarised and fiercely contested election, former President Donald Trump has secured a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, crossing the 270-vote threshold in the Electoral College to reclaim the White House. Trump clinched major electoral victories in key states, including Texas, Florida and battlegrounds such as North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Harris held onto strongholds like New York, California, and Virginia. With projections from crucial swing states like Alaska and Wisconsin pushing his total to 279 electoral votes, Trump surpassed the required 270, leaving Harris trailing with 223 votes. Trump’s victory was confirmed in his speech delivered to a jubilant crowd in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president once again. “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president, and your 45th president… I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve,” he said, promising a renewed focus on security, prosperity, and strength for the nation. Trump's victory represents a significant comeback for the Republican Party and makes him the first former president in recent history to reclaim the presidency after a previous term, ushering in a new chapter in American politics. His path to the White House is solidified by wins in key swing states like North Carolina, alongside strong leads in several others. However, Vice President Kamala Harris still holds a potential route to victory if she manages to secure exactly 270 electoral votes. Key wins in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania could allow her to narrowly surpass Trump, setting the stage for a tense finish. In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump has secured victories in several crucial swing states with varying margins. In Georgia, Trump leads with 52% of the vote compared to Kamala Harris's 47%, giving him a 5% margin with 77% of the votes counted. North Carolina saw a narrow win for Trump, with 51% to Harris's 49%, resulting in a 2% margin. Trump has also gained ground in Pennsylvania, where he now holds a 5% lead at 51%, while Harris has 46%. Wisconsin remains tight, with Trump trailing Harris by just 2%—48% to 50%. In Michigan, Harris leads with a more substantial 8% margin, holding 53% of the vote to Trump’s 45%. Arizona shows Trump slightly ahead at 51%, while Harris has 49%, indicating a 2% margin, while Nevada, with results still being counted, currently places Trump at 53.5% compared to Harris's 46.1%, reflecting a potential 7.4% margin. Beyond the presidential race, this election saw voters making critical decisions on a variety of pressing issues, including abortion rights, congressional races, marijuana legalisation and key voting referendums, all of which will shape the future political landscape of the nation.

Nov 06, 2024
Souptik Mukherjee

Army, Police brutality against Bangladeshi Hindus in Hazari Gali, Chittagong

Hazari Gali, a predominantly Hindu area in Chittagong, is known for its business activities involving Hindu merchants. Recently, a Muslim businessman named Osman Ali sparked tensions by posting provocative content on Facebook. He was previously warned for his offensive remarks against Hinduism; however, this didn’t stop him from making insinuating comments. On November 4th, he called ISKCON a "terrorist organisation" in a Facebook post, which further fuelled unrest. In response, the Hindu community in Hazari Gali gathered to protest Osman Ali’s comments by surrounding his shop. Instead of addressing the issue peacefully, the Bangladesh Army intervened, providing protection to Osman Ali and forcibly dispersing the Hindu protesters with sticks. The situation initially calmed down, but tensions remained high. At approximately 10 PM on November 5th, the situation escalated further. The Bangladesh Army and police launched a brutal crackdown on the Hindu community in Hazari Gali. Many Hindus are reportedly trapped in the area, and attacks on them continue. The authorities are allegedly using tactics such as breaking CCTV cameras and preventing any kind of recording of the event that can serve as evidence of their actions. Armed forces have been seen destroying Hindu-owned shops, particularly those with valuable items such as gold. There are reports of gunfire and violent assaults on businesses and individuals. Local reports indicate that two army vehicles abducted Hindus from the area near Laldighir Pond. Five Hindus were killed in this brutal crackdown by the law enforcement agencies. Seven people are missing and over 200 Hindus were arrested. A sense of hopelessness has down descended on the Bangladeshi Hindus who are at the receiving end of the violent crackdown with some voicing the sentiment, "The incidents of March 25, 1971, repeats itself in Chittagong on November 6, 2024”. Osman Ali is associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party with a history of controversial actions. His inflammatory posts and the subsequent violence have raised concerns about the growing religious intolerance in the region. There are claims that many members of the army deployed in the operation have links to extremist groups, contributing to the severity of the crackdown. The joint operation between the army and police has been described as a coordinated effort to suppress the local Hindu population. The situation in Hazari Gali is seen as part of a broader campaign by extremist groups to target and eliminate Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous communities in Bangladesh. Reports suggest that these groups are specifically focused on areas like Hazari Gali, which is home to a significant Hindu business community. The Hindu community in Hazari Gali faces ongoing danger, and human rights organisations are calling for urgent intervention to protect them from further violence. The actions of the army and police in this situation raise serious concerns about state complicity in religious persecution, and there is a growing demand for accountability and justice for the victims. The situation in Hazari Gali is a clear example of escalating religious violence, with authorities reportedly siding with the aggressors rather than protecting the vulnerable. The ongoing brutality underscores the urgent need for national and international attention to ensure the safety of the Hindu population and prevent further escalation of religious intolerance in Bangladesh. Image provided by the author.