Friday, March 29, 2024

Diaspora

Indian-American artist joins California's anti-Covid campaign

IANS | June 04, 2021 09:58 PM

SAN FRANCISCO: Indian-American artist Sunroop Kaur has joined California's "Your Actions Save Lives" campaign aimed at providing information about how to curb the spread of Covid-19, the media reported.

The program which was launched in April features 14 original artworks which are currently displayed via various mediums in public places across the US state, The American Bazaar reported on Thursday.

Kaur's 20 feet tall and 75 feet wide mural titled "Basant" (which means spring in Hindi), is located in the corner of Stockton city's East Main Street and Grant Street.

Speaking about the campaign to the Sacramento-based FOX40 news channel, Kaur said: "I wanted the colours to be inviting, welcoming, just uplifting overall.

"Sort of the blooming after a long winter which is sort of what Covid has been like."

The mural features a masked man and woman separated by a Mughal miniature-inspired floral border and arches.

"I wanted to capture the moment, that sort of universal longing that we felt for our loved ones where, you know, we want to be close to them. We want to be near them but we can't because, in fact, we want to keep them safe.

"The arches act as a window to the outside world. These �windows' symbolise the light we are all working toward by continuing to wear masks and watching our distance in public to help stop the spread of Covid-19. There is hope, " the American Bazaar quoted the artist as further saying.

The campaign also features Latino, Black/African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American/Indigenous and LGBTQ artists.

'If in room, man requests, woman complies': SC on not axing pre-arrest bail in rape case
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday observed what can be said if a man and woman are in a room, and the man makes a request and the woman complies with it, as it refused to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to a Mumbai-based TV anchor, accused in a rape case.

During the hearing of the case registered in Delhi in February, a bench comprising Justices Navin Sinha and Ajay Rastogi askked the victim's counsel: "Our question is, purely for purpose of bail only, a question of normal human conduct and understanding.

"If a man and woman are in a room, and man makes a request and woman complies with it, do we need to say anything more at this stage?"

The rape victim had moved the top court against the anticipatory bail granted by Delhi High Court to Mumbai-based TV journalist Varun Hiremath. The counsel submitted the court virtually granted the benefit of doubt based on selective reading of the Section 164 (of the CrPC) statement of the victim. The counsel added that the accused evaded arrest for 50 days.

The victim's counsel also contended that IPC states that to each act, there has to be clear consent. "Let us assume a situation, where a woman disrobes herself and there is a particular activity the man wants to do, and the woman says no to the penetrative act. But the man does it, then it becomes an offence, " counsel argued.

The bench replied that is a larger question, which can be decided later and clearly told the counsel that the matter under consideration is for cancellation of bail only.

The counsel contended that the penetrative act was without the consent of the victim, and added, even after disrobing, before the penetration, victim had pushed him away and said "no" many times and also vomited over him, but he insisted.

The counsel added, if there is a particular act, the man wants to indulge in, and there is no consent, then it's an offence, and insisted that there was no continued consent.

After hearing arguments, the bench said there is no ground made out to interfere with the Delhi High Court order. "We find no reason to interfere in the matter. The Special Leave Petition is dismissed. Pending application (s) shall also stand disposed of, " said the top court in its order.

The High Court order was passed on May 13, granting interim protection to Hiremath on the condition that he shall join the investigation whenever required. The petitioner argued the High Court erroneously granted anticipatory bail in such heinous offences as rape and assault.

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