After five years in a British prison and seven years in self-imposed exile, Julian Assange has returned to his native Australia. While his future plans remain unclear, his release has sparked speculation about his next move, ranging from a return to activism to a possible run for political office.
In Muslim-majority Indonesia, a court sentenced comedian Aulia Rakhman to seven months in prison for blasphemy. Rakhman made a joke about the prevalence of the name ‘Muhammad,’ which is inspired by the Islamic prophet, and its association with misbehavior. The prosecutor’s office claimed his joke spread hatred, citing a law that prohibits statements that conflict with official religions or hinder religious adherence. The law carries a maximum sentence of five years, and prosecutors had requested an eight-month term for Rakhman. His actions were deemed to have disturbed society. This incident adds to a series of blasphemy cases in Indonesia, including the arrest of six individuals in 2022 for a bar promotion involving free alcohol for people named ‘Muhammad.’ Rights groups have criticized the law’s misuse against religious minorities.
Several prominent Bollywood figures have expressed their support for actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut following an incident where she was slapped by a CISF constable at Chandigarh airport. The incident has sparked outrage and debate about the use of violence in response to differing opinions. Many have condemned the attack and urged for a peaceful resolution to such situations.
Former House Speaker and Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi was interrupted by an anti-Israel protester while accepting an award in San Francisco. The protester accused Pelosi of aiding and abetting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Pelosi responded by saying that she respects the protester’s right to have her say. The incident occurred at a dinner event hosted by the Harvard Club of San Francisco for its 150th anniversary.
Ashneer Grover, the controversial judge from Shark Tank India, has come under fire for demanding the removal of an episode from the YouTube show ‘Pretty Good Roast.’ The episode, which featured Grover as a guest, was eventually taken down by the show’s creator, Aashish Solanki, after Grover threatened legal action. The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many criticizing Grover for his ‘dictatorial attitude’ and ‘hypocrisy.’
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recently delivered a speech at Franciscan University of Steubenville, expressing his alarm over the diminishing support for freedom of speech. Justice Alito shared an incident involving his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, who hung an American flag upside down outside their home in response to offensive signage and verbal abuse from a neighbor. The incident highlights the increasing polarization and hostility towards freedom of expression, particularly in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol protests.
Amidst escalating tensions with Canada, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has criticized the Canadian government for providing political space to Khalistani separatist elements. Jaishankar emphasized that freedom of speech does not extend to supporting separatism. He expressed concern over the presence of individuals with dubious backgrounds in Canada, questioning the strength of Canadian law enforcement. The minister’s comments come in response to Canada’s defense of its support for freedom of speech, despite India’s concerns about separatist activities on Canadian soil. India has reiterated that it has not received any evidence to support Canada’s allegations of an Indian agent killing a Canadian on Canadian soil.
Elon Musk criticized a proposed Canadian law aiming to combat online hate speech and enhance online protection, particularly for minors. The bill, known as the Online Harms Act, empowers law enforcement to apprehend individuals who disseminate hate speech. Musk expressed skepticism over the legislation’s provisions, questioning their potential impact on freedom of speech. The bill’s objectives include reducing children’s exposure to harmful online content and protecting individuals from online hate. It proposes increased penalties for hate speech and a reporting mechanism for discriminatory speech, which could result in compensation or fines for perpetrators.
Over 200 protesters were arrested as police moved in to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The raid, which took place on Thursday, saw police wearing helmets and body armor tear down barricades and use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. The police said the arrests were made for allegedly failing to disperse, which is a misdemeanor. The Daily Bruin, UCLA’s independent student-run newspaper, reported that over 50 people contributed to the coverage of the campus protests, attacks on the encampment, and police raid. The editor-in-chief of the Daily Bruin, Isabelle Friedman, described the police raid as “traumatising and distressing” and said that “our reporters were gassed, assaulted and threatened with arrest”. She also said that she and others were forced to leave the building near the encampment despite an assurance from the vice chancellor to cover protests safely.
President Biden has condemned the violent protests that have occurred on college campuses across the U.S. in recent weeks. In a speech, Biden said that such protests are not protected by the First Amendment and that order must prevail. He also said that there is no place for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students on campuses. Biden’s comments come as the country has seen a rise in anti-Israel protests on college campuses. These protests have been accompanied by reports of threats and intimidation against Jewish students. Biden’s speech was met with mixed reactions. Some praised him for his strong stance against violence, while others criticized him for not doing enough to address the underlying causes of the protests.
