LIVE
Tue, 17 September 2024
135 cartons of liquor seized from Bihar govt office
Timeline Refresh
File image
23:59 Ambedkar statue removed from DUSU's entrance, ABVP writes to DU
A day after a statue of Bhim Rao Ambedkar was installed at the Delhi University Students' Union office in North Campus, local authorities removed it from the entrance, a student body alleged on Tuesday.
Outgoing DUSU president Tushar Dedha unveiled the statue of Ambedkar on Monday, the last day of the ABVP-led student union's tenure.
Deputy chairperson of MCD North Zone and Malka Ganj Councilor Rekha Amarnath, who contributed to the project, was present at the event, the students' body had said.
The ABVP-led DUSU has submitted a memorandum to Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, demanding the reinstallation of the statue of Ambedkar and the construction of a Constitution Park on campus.
In a statement, the student union claimed that the removal of Ambedkar's statue outside the DUSU office hurt the sentiments of the student community. -- PTI
File image
23:40 In dry Bihar, 135 cartons of liquor bottles seized from govt office
Over 130 cartons of liquor bottles have been recovered from the premise of a government office in Paru area of Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, officials said on Tuesday.
The sale and consumption of alcohol is banned in Bihar since April 2016.
Seven people, including the husband of a 'mukhiya' (village head) in Chintamanpur panchayat, were arrested in connection with the incident.
"Acting on a tip-off, officials raided the premise of a government building in Phanda village of Paru area, and seized 135 cartons of foreign-made liquor bottles on Monday night. The cartons were covered with gunny bags," said Shivendra Kumar, Inspector of Prohibition and Excise Department.
"The premise was meant for activities related to the panchayat department, and the 'mukhiya' was in charge of the building," Kumar said. -- PTI
File image
23:31 Pitru Paksha Mela begins in Gaya, 15 lakh pilgrims expected
The Pitru Paksha Mela at the Vishnupad temple in Bihar's Gaya began on Tuesday with more than 15 lakh pilgrims from across the country expected to visit it to perform the ritual of 'pind daan'.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha inaugurated it in the presence of ministers Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Prem Kumar and Santosh Kumar Suman, besides the state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal.
Hindus from across the world visit Gaya during the 16-day Pitru Paksha to perform the ritual of 'pind daan' for their ancestors.
It is believed that those who perform these rituals get rid of 'Pitru Dosha', and their ancestors get 'mukti' from the cycle of birth and death and attain salvation.
Tents have been put up at the Gandhi Maidan for the pilgrims by the district administration apart from other arrangements, officials said.
Security has also been tightened given the large number of people visiting the city, they said. -- PTI
An idol of Lord Ganesha being taken for immersion by devotees during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Srinagar/ANI Photo
23:02 Ganapati tableau procession taken out for first time on visarjan in Srinagar
A Ganapati tableau procession was taken out for the first time here on the occasion of Ganapati Visarjan. Devotees of Lord Ganesh took out a procession from Hari Singh High Street with music bands and reached the iconic Clock Tower at Lal Chowk.
The devotees later carried out Ganapati Visarjan in the Jhelum river near Hanuman Mandir.
Wearing colourful clothes, the devotees were seen dancing to the beating of drums and cymbals during the procession.
Manik Chaturdas, a Kolkata resident who participated in the event, said people from Maharashtra and West Bengal who are working here took part in the celebrations.
"We do business here. Today our Marathi brothers organised a Ganpati immersion procession. A large number of people from Maharashtra and West Bengal participated in this procession," he said. -- PTI
Union minister Jitendra Singh/File image
22:33 Statehood to J-K once polls are over: Jitendra Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is waiting for assembly elections to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.
He accused the Congress and the National Conference of trying to take credit for something that has already been assured to the people by the BJP leadership.
The minister challenged the Congress leadership to declare that they will restore Article 370 of the Constitution and said "they will not do this because they know they will be beaten up across the country".
Singh, the minister of state in the Prime Minister's office, said the Congress and the NC are talking about restoration of statehood to J&K in their manifesto for assembly polls despite knowing the fact that the prime minister and Home Minister Amit Shah have already assured the people about its restoration after the assembly elections.
"They are manufacturing a fake narrative to claim credit when the statehood will be restored by saying that they have pressured the government," he told reporters on the sidelines of an election meeting in support of party candidate and former MLA Baldev Raj Sharma, who is fighting from newly created Mata Vaishno Devi assembly segment in Reasi district.
RG Kar ex-principal Dr Sandip Ghosh (left)/ANI Photo
22:29 CBI custody of RG Kar ex-principal, Tala OC extended for 3 days
A Kolkata court on Tuesday extended the CBI custody of ex-principal of RG Kar hospital Dr Sandip Ghosh and Tala police station officer in charge Abhijit Mondal for three days in the medic's rape and murder case.
Since Ghosh and Mondal were not cooperating with CBI officers, an extension of their custody was required, the CBI informed the court.
The agency said that its detectives were yet to get any evidence of gang rape in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case.
The CBI counsel also submitted that its sleuths have not yet found any evidence proving any direct involvement of Ghosh and Mondal in the rape or murder of the postgraduate doctor whose body was found in the hospital's seminar room on August 9.
The counsel of the central agency also said that the arrested duo had spoken to each other several times on the day when the body of the doctor was recovered.
From the call details of both Ghosh and the policeman, the CBI found that they had made several calls to certain numbers on that day, and the sleuths need to know about that.
The court then extended the remand of both of them for another three days till September 20.
The CBI arrested Ghosh and Mondal in connection with the rape and murder case on September 15. -- PTI
Representational image
21:57 Six Army commandos injured in road accident in J-K
Six Army commandos were injured, two of them critically, when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.
The accident took place in the Manjakote area of the border district late this evening, causing extensive damage to the vehicle, the officials said.
They said rescuers, including local villagers, evacuated six injured commandos and the condition of two of them was stated to be critical.
File image
21:31 DGCA probes tail strike incident involving IndiGo plane; derosters flight crew
Aviation watchdog DGCA is probing the incident of tail strike involving an IndiGo aircraft on September 9 and the flight crew has been derostered, a senior official said on Tuesday.
In a statement, IndiGo said its A321 aircraft was grounded in Bangalore due to a tail strike on September 9.
It was operating the flight from Delhi to Bengaluru.
"The aircraft is currently under maintenance and will be back in operation post necessary repairs. The incident is under investigation," the airline said.
According to the senior official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation , the flight crew has been off rostered and the incident is under investigation. -- PTI
Police try to stop protestors during protest against a mosque in Sanjauli, Shimla/ANI Photo
21:16 People demand razing of another Shimla mosque
Residents of Kasumpti in Shimla town on Tuesday demanded demolition of a mosque, which they claimed was unauthorised, in their area and expressed concern over the increase in the inflow of unidentified persons and migrants.
A delegation of the residents led by councillor Ranchana Sharma met Shimla deputy commissioner Amit Kashyap, superintendent of police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi and municipal commissioner Shimla Bhupinder Attri and submitted a memorandum regarding their demands.
Last Wednesday, protestors demanding demolition of a portion of a mosque in Sanjauli area of Shimla had a scuffle with the police and 10 people were injured.
On Friday, the police used water cannon in Mandi on protestors demanding demolition of encroachment by a mosque in the town.
"The unauthorised structure built by a specific community in Kasumpti has been declared illegal by the municipal corporation. This place which was never a mosque or a religious site and is now being used by members of a particular community who are gathering here," alleged Sharma.
She claimed orders to demolish this structure were also issued by the municipal commissioner last year but it has not been pulled down yet. -- PTI
21:03 Journalist Siddique Kappan moves SC seeking relaxation of bail condition
Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the response from Uttar Pradesh government on a plea filed by Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who was granted bail after two years in connection with the Hathras case, for the relaxation of bail conditions.
Kappan sought the relaxation of the bail condition where he was asked to record his presence in the police station every Monday.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan asked the counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh to get instructions from the state and posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.
In September 2022, the apex court had granted bail to Kappan who was booked by the Uttar Pradesh police under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act other charges in the alleged Hathras conspiracy case.
The apex court while granting bail to Kappan had imposed several conditions on him and also observed that every person has right to freedom of speech and expression.
He was arrested in October 2020 while on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh after a Dalit woman from there died following a gang-rape. -- ANI
20:39 Five held for assaulting, robbing truck driver on Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Five persons have been arrested for allegedly assaulting and robbing a truck driver on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Maharashtra's Thane district, the police said on Tuesday.
The police on Monday arrested the accused in connection with the incident that occurred on September 9, an official said.
The accused allegedly attacked a 35-year-old truck driver who had stopped on the side of the road.
They threatened and assaulted him and stole two mobile phones and Rs 23,000 cash, he said.
The accused, Rohan Naik (24), Rohidas Pawar (23), Atish Waghmare (26), Bhanish Waghbhare (35), and Shankar Waghmare (18), were apprehended from the Khopoli area of Raigad district, the official said, adding that three more accused are absconding.
Stolen property worth Rs 48,000, including mobile phones and cash, were recovered from the arrested accused, he said. -- PTI
20:20 Kolkata doctors meet to decide on 'cease work'
Agitating junior doctors in West Bengal held a meeting on Tuesday evening to decide on their ongoing 'cease work' and protests demanding justice for the woman medic, who was raped and murdered at RG Kar hospital last month.
The governing body meeting of the medics, which started around 6.30 pm, is still underway, one of the protesting doctors said.
"We are holding this meeting to decide on whether to continue with our 'cease work', as some of our demands have been fulfilled by the state government," he told PTI.
The decision also depends on the advice of their lawyer Indira Jaising, the medic said.
Senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma was on Tuesday appointed the new Kolkata Police commissioner, replacing Vineet Goyal, a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with the agitating doctors and agreed to their demands, in a bid to resolve the more than a month-long impasse over the RG Kar hospital incident.
Director of Health Services (DHS) Debashis Halder, Director of Medical Education (DME) Kaustav Nayak and Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police's North Division Abhishek Gupta were also removed as promised by Banerjee during the meeting.
The doctors have been on a 'cease work' since August 9, when the body of the woman doctor was recovered with injuries in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital.
They have also been protesting outside the state health department headquarters -- 'Swasthya Bhavan' -- in Salt Lake area. -- PTI
The governing body meeting of the medics, which started around 6.30 pm, is still underway, one of the protesting doctors said.
"We are holding this meeting to decide on whether to continue with our 'cease work', as some of our demands have been fulfilled by the state government," he told PTI.
The decision also depends on the advice of their lawyer Indira Jaising, the medic said.
Senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma was on Tuesday appointed the new Kolkata Police commissioner, replacing Vineet Goyal, a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with the agitating doctors and agreed to their demands, in a bid to resolve the more than a month-long impasse over the RG Kar hospital incident.
Director of Health Services (DHS) Debashis Halder, Director of Medical Education (DME) Kaustav Nayak and Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police's North Division Abhishek Gupta were also removed as promised by Banerjee during the meeting.
The doctors have been on a 'cease work' since August 9, when the body of the woman doctor was recovered with injuries in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital.
They have also been protesting outside the state health department headquarters -- 'Swasthya Bhavan' -- in Salt Lake area. -- PTI
19:53 Court dismisses Kejriwal's pleas against summons
A Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal's two petitions challenging the summons issued to him on complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam.
Special Judge Rakesh Syal dismissed the revision petition filed by Kejriwal, saying there was sufficient ground to proceed against him.
Kejriwal had moved the sessions court against an order passed by a magisterial court directing him to appear before it on the ED's complaint.
The outgoing Delhi chief minister had challenged the summons issued by the magisterial court after taking cognisance of two complaints filed by the ED over avoidance of summons issued to him.
The ED had filed complaints before the magisterial court seeking prosecution of Kejriwal for skipping multiple summonses issued to him in the case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. -- PTI
19:02 Modi to address UNGA's Summit of Future on Sep 23
Just In: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the US from September 21 to 23, the ministry of external affairs announced on Tuesday.
During this visit, Modi will attend the fourth Quad Summit at Wilmington in Delaware, US, on September 21, and address the 'Summit of the Future' at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 23, the MEA said.
In New York, PM Modi will address a gathering of the Indian community on September 22.
Representational image
18:53 Two train engines derail near Ranchi rail yard
Two train engines derailed after hitting a buffer stop at a railway yard near Ranchi on Tuesday morning, officials said.
The incident happened near Suisa railway station in Muri, they said.
After derailing, one of the engines fell on its side, they added.
"No wagon was attached to the engines. No damage was caused due to it," Ranchi railway division's CPRO Nishant Kumar told PTI.
Silli's deputy superintendent of police said no casualty was reported due to the incident.
18:49 BSE Sensex: Top gainers today
Among 30 Sensex firms, Bharti Airtel, NTPC, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Titan, Larsen & Toubro, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever and Reliance Industries were the biggest gainers.
Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, JSW Steel, ITC and Asian Paints were the biggest laggards.
18:48 Sensex closes above 83,000 for 1st time
Benchmark Sensex rose by nearly 91 points to close at a fresh
lifetime high on Tuesday amid firm global trends ahead of the
much-awaited US Fed's decision on interest rates.
Extending
its record-setting spree for the second day, the 30-share BSE Sensex
climbed 90.88 points or 0.11 per cent to settle at a lifetime high of
83,079.66.
The key index settled above the 83,000 level for the first time.
During the day, it rose by 163.63 points or 0.19 per cent to 83,152.41. -- PTI
Pic: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters
18:17 Jio users face network issues; company says all fine
Reliance Jio users complained of connectivity issues early Tuesday with the Downdetector heatmap showing users reporting problems in some parts.
A Reliance Jio spokesperson said while Jio customers in Mumbai faced problems in availing seamless services this morning due to "minor technical issues", the same has been resolved.
"This morning, some Jio customers in Mumbai faced problems in availing seamless services on account of minor technical issues. The same have been resolved, and seamless services of Jio have been fully restored," Reliance Jio spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added: "We regret the inconvenience to our subscribers".
Outage tracking website Downdetector showed Jio users flagging issues, right from absence of signal to patchy internet connectivity, while many subscribers took to social media platforms to share humorous memes.
17:54 Atishi's parents tried to save Afzal Guru: Maliwal
Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Tuesday claimed that Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi, who has been chosen as Delhi's new chief minister, will be a 'dummy' CM.
Reacting to the allegations, AAP leader Dilip Pandey said if Maliwal has a little bit of shame, she should quit the Upper House seat.
The AAP on Tuesday chose Atishi as Delhi's new chief minister replacing Arvind Kejriwal who resigned from the post.
"Today, it is a very sad day for Delhi. A woman is going to be the chief minister of Delhi whose family fought for terrorist Afzal Guru in order to save him from capital punishment.
"Her parents sent mercy petition to the President of India several times that Guru should not be hanged, he is innocent and has become the victim of a political conspiracy," Maliwal alleged.
She further alleged, "Today Atishi will become the chief minister, but we all know that she will be a dummy CM."
Reacting to Maliwal's allegations, Timarpur MLA Dilip Pandey stated that Maliwal is a person who takes ticket from the AAP to go to Rajya Sabha, but takes the script from the BJP to speak.
"I want to say that if she (Maliwal) has a little bit of shame, she should give up her AAP's Rajya Sabha ticket and should resign from the post of member of Parliament. She should ask for ticket from the BJP for the Rajya Sabha if she has a desire to be there," Pandey said.
Kejriwal, who was released from jail on Friday, announced on Sunday that he would resign from the CM post within 48 hours and would only return if people give him a 'certificate of honesty'. -- PTI
Aatishi speaks to media after staking claim
17:16 Aatishi meets Delhi LG, stakes claim to form govt
Just In: In meeting with LG Saxena, chief minister-designate Atishi stakes claim to form new government in Delhi, announced AAP leader Gopal Rai.
We have staked claim to form new government, I will protect the interests of Delhi people, AAP leader Atishi said soon after
16:46 Kejriwal, Atishi arrive at LG's office
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with proposed CM Atishi and other cabinet ministers arrive at the LG secretariat. Kejriwal will tender his resignation as Delhi CM.
AAP leader Atishi Tuesday thanked her "guru" Arvind Kejriwal on being given the "big responsibility" of succeeding him as the chief minister of Delhi and said she would work under his "guidance" to protect people's interests from the BJP's obstructions.
She would be the third woman chief minister of Delhi after Congress' Sheila Dikshit and BJP's Sushma Swaraj.
Hours after being unanimously chosen to become the chief minister of Delhi, she said it was a moment mixed with joy as well as "extreme sadness" as Kejriwal, the popular CM, is going to resign.
16:34 The Raja is on its way to the sea
The immersion of Lord Ganesh idols began in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday morning amid tight security and fanfare as the 10-day festival drew to a close. The 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival, which began on September 7, concludes with 'Anant Chaturdashi' on Tuesday.
Mumbai's most famous and easily the best-loved Lord Ganesha -- the Lalbaugcha Raja -- is accompanied by hundreds of devotees on the final day of Ganeshotsav today.
Tata Motors was among the laggards
16:26 Sensex hits fresh highs on rate cut hopes
Benchmark Sensex rose by nearly 91 points to close at a fresh lifetime high while Nifty settled above the 25,400 level for the first time supported by firm global trends ahead of the much-awaited US Fed's decision on interest rates.
Extending its record-setting spree for the second day, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 90.88 points or 0.11 per cent to settle at a lifetime high of 83,079.66. During the day, it rose by 163.63 points or 0.19 per cent to 83,152.41. The NSE Nifty gained 34.80 points or 0.14 per cent to settle at an all-time peak of 25,418.55.
Among 30 Sensex firms, Bharti Airtel, NTPC, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Titan, Larsen & Toubro, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever and Reliance Industries were the biggest gainers.
Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, JSW Steel, ITC and Asian Paints were the biggest laggards. In Asian markets, Hong Kong settled with gains while Tokyo ended lower. Markets in mainland China and South Korea were closed.
15:54 WB govt announces new police chief, he is...
Manoj Kumar Verma replaces Vineet Goyal as new Kolkata Police commissioner.
Accepting the bulk of the five-point charter of demand placed by the agitating junior doctors, WB CM Mamata Banerjee had on Monday night announced her decision to transfer a section of Kolkata Police and the state health department top brass, including CP Vineet Goyal, from their respective positions.
Banerjee also announced the removal of the Director of Medical Education (DME) and the Director of Health Services (DHS) besides the Deputy Commissioner (North Division) who allegedly offered money to the parents of the RG Kar victim.
The decision to remove Goyal, who was under fire over handling of the rape and murder of the doctor at the RG Kar hospital, was announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday night after her meeting with agitating medics.
Goyal, who was of the 1994 batch, was made the ADG and IGP of West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF). Verma, an officer of the 1998 batch, was the ADG and IGP (Law & Order) in his last assignment. Jawed Shamim, an IPS officer of the 1995 batch, was made the ADG and IGP (Law & Order). PTI
15:48 Can't stop women doctors from night shift: SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the West Bengal Government cannot stop women doctors from working on night shifts.
A bench led by Chief Justice of DY Chandrachud and also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra made these remarks when it was informed about the West Government decision to prevent women on working night shifts and beyond 12 hours.
The court made these remarks when it was hearing on suo motu petition on the rape and murder of a doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.
The court questioned the West Bengal Government notification that barred women for doing night duties and women doctors cannot working beyond a 12-hour-shift.
However Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for WB Govt, said that they will remove it. Senior Advocate Sibal for WB also said that it was temporarily and a part of recent security measures.
The top court said women do not want concessions, but equal opportunities and women doctors are willing to work in all conditions.
The top court also said that it is state duty to provide safety to women doctors.
15:46 Inflation in the last 6 months
Wholesale price index-based inflation fell for the second straight month in August after it hit a high of 3.43 per cent in May. Inflation in July was 2.04 per cent. In August last year, WPI inflation was (-) 0.46 per cent.
ICRA Senior Economist Rahul Agrawal said while Kharif sowing has been healthy so far, the surplus rainfall in the ongoing month can potentially delay the Kharif harvesting and/or impact such yields, even as reasonably healthy reservoir storage at pan-India level is likely to boost the sowing of rabi crops.
15:44 Wholesale inflation at 4-month low
Wholesale inflation fell to a 4-month low of 1.31 per cent in August due to a decline in prices of vegetables and fuel, even though onion and potato prices spiked, according to official data released on Tuesday.
15:42 Bengaluru court extends judicial custody of Darshan
A court in Bengaluru on Tuesday extended till September 30 the judicial custody of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and others, who are accused in the Renukaswamy murder case.
All the 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra, were produced before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court through video conferencing from various prisons across the state, where they are lodged, as their judicial custody ended today.
The police presented some technical evidence related to the case to the court. Police on September 4 submitted to the court a 3,991-page preliminary charge sheet in the case. The 47-year-old actor is currently lodged in Ballari prison.
He was shifted there from the Parappana Agrahara Central jail here by obtaining court permission, after a photograph of him hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, on the lawns of the jail had gone viral, sparking an uproar.
In the picture, the actor is seen in a relaxed mood, sitting on a chair and holding a cigarette and a coffee mug. Also, a purported video of Darshan speaking to a person over a video call from the prison too had surfaced on social media. The court had also permitted shifting of other co-accused in the murder case to various prisons in the state.
15:14 SC halts 'bulldozer justice', against Constitution
Even if there is one instance of illegal demolition, it is against the ethos of our Constitution, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while directing that authorities across the country will not demolish properties of those accused of crime without seeking its leave.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan clarified that its order will not be applicable to unauthorised structures on public roads, footpaths etc. "Even if there is one instance of an illegal demolition it is against the ethos of our Constitution," the bench observed. The top court was hearing petitions alleging properties of those accused of crime were being demolished in several states.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that a "narrative" was being built over demolition of properties. "Rest assured that outside noise is not influencing us," the bench told the senior law officer. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on October 1. PTI
15:05 Schemes for middle class by Modi 3.0 govt: Shah
Metro projects worth Rs 30,700 crore were approved in the first 100 days of the Narendra Modi government to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference on the achievements of the Modi government in its third tenure, Shah said 12 industrial corridors with an investment of Rs 28,600 crore have been approved to give a boost to India's journey of becoming a global manufacturing hub. Shah, flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act has been implemented by the government for transparency in recruitment.
"Metro projects worth Rs 30,700 crore in Pune, Thane and Bengaluru will enhance connectivity and reduce travel time," he said, listing the works initiated for "empowering the middle class". The home minister said the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) was launched at Delhi's IGI Airport to ensure hassle-free travel. Under the FTI-TTP, eligible passengers will be allowed to utilise e-gates and bypass regular immigration queues for a seamless journey. Eligible individuals will need to apply online and submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image) along with other required information as specified in the application form. Shah said the government has made income up to Rs 7 lakh tax-free and started an increased standard deduction from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000, to benefit crores of taxpayers.
"A comprehensive review of the Income-tax Act was initiated to simplify it and make it people-friendly," he said. Talking about the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), the home minister said it will give an assured pension of 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months before superannuation. Revision of the 'one rank, one pension' scheme will ensure the welfare of retired defence personnel and their families," he added.
Shah said 75,000 new medical seats will be available soon and that will reduce reliance on overseas institutions and improve the country's healthcare infrastructure. On the Ayushman Bharat scheme, he said people above the age of 70 years irrespective of income will be given a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per year, benefiting 6 crore senior citizens.
He said one crore houses will be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) with a central government subsidy of Rs 2.30 lakh crore for urban housing development. The home minister said solar systems installed in 3.5 lakh houses under the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' will increase savings for the middle class.
Besides, he said, the MUDRA loan limit has been doubled from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to boost entrepreneurship while customs duty on gold and silver was reduced to 6 per cent and on platinum to 6.4 per cent providing relief to the middle class.
The government will also procure electric buses under the 'PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism' with a support of Rs 3,400 crore for providing environmentally friendly transport system, he said. PTI
14:59 Celebrating a legend
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar shares this image alongside writing on X: "100 years young! We celebrate a legend of the Indian Foreign Service today, former Foreign Secretary MK Rasgotra, who just turned 100. A titan of his times, Foreign Secretary Rasgotra indeed is the #GOAT of IFS. Wish him continued happiness and good health."
14:52 Face changed, not AAP's character: BJP on Atishi
"You can change the face but not the party's character," Delhi BJP president Virender Sachdeva said on Tuesday after the Aam Aadmi Party chose senior leader Atishi as Delhi's new chief minister.
He said the people of Delhi know that Arvind Kejriwal, who proposed her name as his successor, has looted Delhi. "They have indulged in corruption in every department and now the people will give them an answer for that corruption," Sachdeva said.
"Chehara badalane se AAP ka charitra nahi badalega (changing the face does not change AAP's character)... Considering Kejriwal's 10 years of corruption, whoever is the CM will have to tell people how they looted the people of Delhi," Sachdeva alleged.
He added that AAP is engaged in a makeover but that would not erase the blot of corruption. Kejriwal, who was released from jail on Friday, announced on Sunday that he would resign from the post and would only return if people give him a certificate of honesty. PTI
14:12 Atishi's parents asked mercy for Afzal Guru: AAP MP
Launching a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party and Atishi, who is set to succeed as the Delhi Chief Minister, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal alleged that the Delhi Minister's parents had written mercy petitions to cancel the death sentence of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
Calling Atishi a "Dummy CM," the AAP leader said, "May God protect Delhi."
She also shared a purported letter, which she claimed was the mercy petition written by Atishi's parents.
"Today is a very sad day for Delhi. Today, a woman is being made the Chief Minister of Delhi whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from hanging. Her parents wrote mercy petitions to the Honorable President to save terrorist Afzal Guru. According to them, Afzal Guru was innocent and was framed as part of a political conspiracy," Maliwal said in a post on X.
"Although Atishi Marlena is just a 'Dummy CM', still this issue is related to the security of the country. May God protect Delhi!" she added in the post.
Earlier today, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal proposed the name of Atishi to be his successor in a meeting of party MLAs.
She was subsequently elected as leader of the Delhi AAP Legislative Party, as per sources. Addressing a legislature party meeting at his residence in the national capital, Kejriwal made the proposal and the MLAs have supported him, sources said. Kejriwal is expected to tender his resignation to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena today at 4:30 pm, after which Atishi is likely to take oath.
Notably, Swati Maliwal, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Aam Aadmi Party, accused Kejriwal's former aide Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her at the CM residence. Bibhav was arrested by the Delhi Police, but came out on bail recently.
14:03 For Emily in Paris fans (or Lucas Bravo ones)
Streaming service Netflix has given a season five order to the popular romantic comedy series "Emily in Paris".
The renewal comes days after the premiere of the second half of the show's fourth chapter on September 12. "Emily in Paris" stars Lily Collins as Emily Cooper, an American from Chicago with a master's degree in communications, who moves to Paris for a new job opportunity.
Cultures clash as she adjusts to the challenges of life in Paris while juggling her career, new friendships, and active love life.
The fourth season of the series saw the ex-pat spark up a romance with a handsome Italian fashion scion and then move into an Italian apartment to open a Rome office for Agence Grateau. PTI
13:44 Will work to bring Kejriwal back as Delhi CM: Atishi
Atishi thanks 'guru' Arvind Kejriwal after she was named new CM of Delhi.
"This is only possible in AAP and under Kejriwal's leadership that a first-time politician has become CM," Atishi says on being named Delhi CM.
"I will work under Arvind Kejriwal's guidance, protect people of Delhi. I will work for next few months towards the goal of bringing back Kejriwal as Delhi chief minister. Arvind Kejriwal's resignation from CM post is unparalleled in history of country's democracy. Delhi people are sad. I am happy, but also sad that my elder brother Arvind Kejriwal is resigning today," she says.
12:52 Remove RG Kar doc's name: SC to Wikipedia
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the CBI to submit a status report on the probe into alleged financial irregularities at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered last month.
The top court also perused the status report filed by the CBI concerning the rape and murder incident and said disclosing the status will jeopardise further investigation. Refusing to stop streaming live proceedings in the suo motu case related to the incident, the apex court said it was a matter of public interest and the public must know what is transpiring in the courtroom.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra perused the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report and said disclosing the status would jeopardise further investigation.
As the hearing commenced, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, sought the stopping of live proceedings in the case. He alleged that women lawyers of the chamber are facing threats of acid attacks and rapes.
The top court assured Sibal that it would step in if there were any threats to lawyers and others. The Solicitor General, appearing for the CBI, submitted that Wikipedia was still showing the name and photo of the victim. The top court then directed Wikipedia to remove the name of the victim.
"In the interest of maintaining the dignity and privacy of the deceased, the governing principle is that the identity of the victim in a rape and murder case shall not be disclosed. Wikipedia shall take steps to comply with the previous order passed," the bench said.
The top court also said that nobody can say that the CBI destroyed anything related to the crime, scene or the 27 minutes of CCTV camera footage. The West Bengal police told the court nothing related to the crime, including the CCTV footage, remains with them and everything has been handed over to the CBI. The apex court asked the central agency to file a status report on the probe so far on the alleged financial irregularities in medical departments. The hearing is currently underway
12:29 100 days of Modi 3.0: HM's census announcement
Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the government will "very soon" make an announcement for carrying out the census in the country. "We will announce it very soon," Shah said in response to a question on conducting the decadal census of the Indian population which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shah, along with I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, was addressing a press conference to mark the 100 days of the third tenure of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"We will make all the details public when we announce the census," the Union home minister said to questions on the caste census. India has conducted the census every 10 years since 1881. The first phase of this decade's census was expected to begin on April 1, 2020 but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shah's comments on the census comes amid vociferous demands political parties on conducting a caste census.
In the absence of fresh data, the government agencies are still formulating policies and allocating subsidies based on the data of the 2011 census. The house listing phase of the census and the exercise to update the National Population Register (NPR) were scheduled to be carried out across the country from April 1 to September 30, 2020 but it was postponed due to the Covid outbreak.
The entire census and the NPR exercise is likely to cost the government more than Rs 12,000 crore, according to officials. This exercise, whenever it happens, will be the first digital census giving the citizens an opportunity to self-enumerate.
The NPR has been made compulsory for the citizens, who want to exercise the right to fill the census form on their own rather than through government enumerators. For this, the census authority has designed a self-enumeration portal, which is yet to be launched. During self-enumeration, Aadhaar or mobile number will be mandatorily collected.
12:24 I'm not farmhouse CM, no ego to Delhi: Telangana CM
Taking potshots at BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said he is not a "farmhouse Chief Minister" and has no ego to go to the national capital to get the state's due shares from the Centre.
Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag as part of "Telangana Praja Palana Dinotsavam" (celebration of people's governance day), Reddy said the Congress government has taken up setting right the financial situation and implementation of the six poll guarantees as challenges. He further said the state government is working to put in order the state's economy by trying to restructure debts which are pegged at nearly Rs 7 lakh crore and by plugging revenue leakages.
"We are trying hard to get every penny that is due to us from the Centre. In that regard, I have been to Delhi several times and met the union ministers, including the prime minister, and submitted memoranda.
"My Delhi trips are being criticised. I am not a farmhouse chief minister to stay at home doing nothing. I am not going to Delhi for my personal work. Delhi is neither in Pakistan nor Bangladesh. It is the capital of our country," the CM said. He further said there would be several issues between the states and the Centre in the federal system and that he would be going to Delhi to get the state's due share in taxes.
Listing out the state government's initiatives to youth and women, Reddy said Telangana is moving forward with a two-pronged strategy for youth development even as strict measures are being followed to control and eradicate drugs.
Telangana government is going to build 54.50 lakh houses under "Indiramma Housing Scheme" this year by providing financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the construction of each house, he said. According to the CM, the Telangana government has provided 87 crore free bus rides leading to a saving of Rs 2,958 crore for women.
He reiterated that the government has set up the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) to free lakes from those who have illegally occupied them and said there are no political motives behind the creation of the agency, but only a commitment to protect nature.
12:14 Amit Shah: Plan to implement simultaneous polls within...
Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the BJP-led NDA government will implement the 'one nation, one election' within its current tenure. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi to mark the 100 days of the third consecutive term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said, "We plan to implement one nation one poll within the tenure of this government.
Shah was flanked by I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the press conference. In his Independence Day address last month, the prime minister made a strong pitch for 'one nation, one election', contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the country's progress.
"The nation has to come forward for 'one nation, one election'," Modi had said in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort. One nation, one election' is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
A high-level panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind in March this year recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.
12:04 SC refuses to stop live streaming in RG Kar rape-murder case
Update on the SC hearing of the RG Kar doctor's rape-murder.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stop streaming of live proceedings in the suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The top court said it was a matter of public interest and the public must know what is transpiring in the courtroom. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra perused the CBI report and said disclosing the status would jeopardise further investigation.
As the hearing commenced, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, sought the stopping of live proceedings in the case. He alleged that women lawyers of chamber are facing threats of acid attack and rapes.
The top court assured Sibal that it would step in if there were any threats to lawyers and others. The hearing is currently underway.
The medic's body with severe injury marks was found on August 9. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. PTI
11:42 Atishi to be Delhi's new chief minister
Arvind Kejriwal proposes Delhi minister Atishi as his successor. Atishi to be the new chief minister of Delhi, all AAP MLAs unanimously accept Arvind Kejriwal's proposal forwarding her name.
The Delhi Assembly will be convened on September 26 and 27. Kejriwal had announced his decision to resign from the post of chief minister on Sunday. He had said that he will only sit on the CM's chair when people give him a "certificate of honesty".
11:23 RG Kar doc rape-murder: SC begins hearing
The Supreme Court on Tuesday commenced hearing a suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is hearing the matter.
On September 9, the top court had voiced concern over the absence of the "challan", a key document forwarding the body of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for postmortem, from the records presented before it and sought a report from the West Bengal government.
On August 22, the apex court had tore into the Kolkata Police over the delay in registering the unnatural death of the woman doctor, who was raped and killed at the hospital, calling it "extremely disturbing", and questioned the sequence of events and the timing of its procedural formalities.
The top court had earlier constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other health care professionals.
Terming the incident as "horrific", the apex court had excoriated the state government over the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands of people to vandalise the state-run facility.
The rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests. The medic's body with severe injury marks was found on August 9.
A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. PTI
11:14 Suspected monkeypox case reported from Kerala
A suspected case of monkeypox infection has been reported from Malappuram district of Kerala after a man who recently returned from abroad showed symptoms of the disease.
A district health official said that the patient arrived in Kerala a few days ago and, after falling sick, was first admitted to a private hospital.
"From there he was admitted to the Manjeri Medical College. On suspecting that it might be a case of monkeypox, we sent his samples to the Kozhikode Medical College for testing. The results are awaited," the official said.
A new case of monkeypox (Mpox) was reported last week from the national capital after a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar tested positive for the virus and was admitted to Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital.
The Union Health Ministry had termed it an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards and said that it was not part of the current public health emergency reported by WHO which is regarding clade 1 of mpox, it underlined.
The 26-year-old Hisar native tested positive for mpox virus of the West African clade-2, it had said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) last month declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa.
Mpox infections are generally self-limiting, lasting between two and four weeks, and its patients usually recover with supportive medical care and management. It is transmitted through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient. It typically manifests itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
10:55 Going to a 'Salman Khan' concert in US? It's fake...
Superstar Salman Khan has issued a statement warning fans against a fake announcement of his concerts and appearances in the US.
On Monday night, the 58-year-old posted an official notice on his official Instagram page regarding the claims.
"This is to inform that neither Mr Salman Khan nor any of his affiliated companies or teams are organizing any upcoming concerts, appearances in the USA in 2024. Any claims suggesting that Mr Khan will be performing are completely false," the statement read.
"Please do not trust any emails, messages, or advertisements promoting such events. Legal action will be taken against anyone found falsely using Mr Salman Khan's name for fraudulent purposes," it added. Salman, who was last seen in the 2023 spy thriller "Tiger 3", is currently filming for "Sikandar". PTI
File pic
10:36 On PM's birthday, Dhankar says he has aroused...
Greeting Narendra Modi on his 74th birthday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said the prime minister has firmly set the country on a trajectory towards a developed India by 2047.
In a post on X, the vice president said Modi, in governance for over two decades, and as prime minister for over a decade, has aroused the soul of Bharat, stimulated its cultural values, nurtured its civilisational ethos. He said the prime minister has firmly set the country on the "unprecedented developmental trajectory"
"With new insights and resolute will, may you continue to lead Bharat for many years to come! Pray almighty to give you the strength and be blessed with good health," Dhankhar wrote. PTI
10:02 AAP to announce name of Delhi's new CM at noon
The Aam Aadmi Party will announce the name of the leader who will replace Arvind Kejriwal as the Delhi chief minister at 12 pm today after the legislative party meeting, the party said.
Kejriwal had announced his decision to resign from the post of chief minister on Sunday. He had said that he will only sit on the CM's chair when people give him a "certificate of honesty".
"The name of the new CM will be announced at 12 noon today after the legislative party meeting," a party functionary said. PTI
Lalbaugcha Raja
09:56 Ganpati visarjan@Mumbai: 24k cops, 761 lifeguards
Processions for the immersion of Lord Ganesh idols began in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday morning amid tight security and fanfare as the 10-day festival drew to a close.
The 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival, which began on September 7, is concluding with 'Anant Chaturdashi' on Tuesday. In Mumbai's Lalbaug area, famous for celebrating the festival with grandeur, the procession of the idol of Tejukaya mandal started amid the chants of 'Ganapati bappa morya, pudhchya varshi lavkar ya' (come soon next year Lord).
The procession of the famous Lalbaugcha Raja idol, which attracts maximum number of devotees, celebrities and prominent personalities during the festival, is also set to begin. Processions from various parts of Mumbai, including Fort, Mazgaon, Byculla, Dadar, and Chembur, will make their way towards the Arabian Sea and other water bodies for the final immersion, marking the end of this year's festivities. Devotees thronged the streets, especially on the main road leading to the Girgaon beach, in large numbers as they are eager to catch a final glimpse of the elaborately adorned idols of the elephant-headed god when they are taken out of pandals for their journey to immersion sites.
There is also a large gathering of people at Lalbaug's Shroff building to witness 'pushpa vrushti' (showering of flowers) on the Ganesh idols. More than 24,000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai to thwart any untoward incident during processions, officials said.
Thousands of household and 'sarvajanik' (public) Ganesh idols will be immersed at 204 artificial ponds across the city, along with 69 natural water bodies like Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Marve and Aksa beaches.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said it has deployed more than 12,000 officials and staffers, and set up 71 control rooms to manage the processions.
It has posted 761 lifeguards and deployed 48 speed boats at the city beaches as a safety measure and the citizens have been advised to avoid entering the deep sea. It has also cautioned citizens about the presence of marine species such as 'blue button jellyfish' and 'stingrays' along Mumbai's coastline during this season and advised immediate first aid in case of fish stings.
According to the Mumbai police, drone surveillance will be in place at important immersion sites such as Girgaon Chowpatty, Dadar, Bandra, Juhu, Versova, Powai Lake, and Madh Island, along with a network of more than 8,000 CCTVs. Besides the local police deployment, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) platoons, quick response teams (QRT), riots control police (RCP), delta, combat, home guards, and Maharashtra Security Force have also been roped in, the officials said. More than 2,500 traffic police personnel will ensure smooth movement of vehicles across the city during immersion processions.
Entry to some roads will be restricted, and some routes will be made one-ways, while some will have diversions, they said. To coordinate efficiently, 192 control rooms have been established across various administrative divisions, and 66 observation towers erected to monitor key areas. To promote eco-friendly celebrations, the BMC has introduced a QR code system providing information on nearby artificial ponds. Citizens can scan the code or visit https://portal.mcgm.gov.in for directions to these ponds via Google Maps.
Reuters/Giorgio Viera. The FBI at the golf club
09:48 Suspect believed in Biden-Harris rhetoric: Trump
CNN.com: Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, sought to place blame on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, with Trump saying the suspect "believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it."
Trump publicly recounted Sunday's apparent assassination attempt against him in detail for the first time, praising US Secret Service, other law enforcement and the witness who took a photo of the suspect's car that helped lead to his apprehension.
"I was playing golf with some of my friends, it was on a Sunday morning and very peaceful, very beautiful weather, everything was beautiful, it's a nice place to be. And all of a sudden we heard shots being fired in the air, and I guess probably four or five, and it sounded like bullets," Trump said Monday during an X Spaces conversation in which he was expected to launch a new cryptocurrency business.
09:25 Indigo has lion's share of domestic market
The airline with the lowest share of the market is... (see the image alongside).
09:17 Exclusive! The Engineer Rashid Interview
'Aaya Aaya, Kaun Aaya?
'Kashmir Ka Sher Aaya' (Look who has come? The Lion of Kashmir).
These words echoed on the roads of Tral, terrorist Burhan Wani's hometown.
Burhan Wani was the face of Kashmir terrorism until he was killed by the Indian Army in an encounter on July 8, 2016.
This was in the past and now it looks the winds of change are blowing across Tral.
People queue up to watch Rashid Engineer (Sheikh Abdul Rashid), whose Awami Ittehad Party is making waves across Kashmir in the assembly elections. The party, which is yet to be officially registered, has fielded candidates in 35 seats in Kashmir (the Union territory's assembly has 90 seats).
Engineer was elected as a member of Parliament from Baramulla in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, defeating the National Conference's Omar Abdullah while in Tihar jail in a terror funding case.
Imprisoned since August 2019, he is out on interim bail for a month after a National Investigation Agency court allowed him to campaign for his party till October 1.
The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections are significant as this is the first to be held after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Rashid Engineer spoke to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com on the importance of these elections, his views on Article 370 and his plans for Jammu and Kashmir if his party wins a majority. Read more here.
Mamata Banerjee speaks to junior doctors
09:12 RG Kar irregularities: ED raids 6 places in Kolkata
Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers on Tuesday morning started simultaneous raids at six locations in Kolkata, including the residence of a TMC MLA, in connection with their investigation into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, an officer of the agency said.
Search operations were underway at the Sithi residence of TMC's Serampore MLA Sudipto Roy and the house of a medicine dealer, besides four other places, he said.
"These raids are as part of our investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in RG Kar Hospital. We have certain inputs due to which these raids are being conducted," the ED officer told PTI. As a part of their probe into the alleged financial irregularities, CBI has already arrested former principal of the hospital, Sandip Ghosh and three of his associates. These irregularities surfaced after the rape and murder of woman doctor at the hospital. PTI
09:01 Sinister narrative: Puri on Rahul's Sikh freedom
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri who is in Washington DC for discussions with United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on Monday (local time) hit out at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The Union Minister said he sees a more sinister attempt to form a divisive narrative in the comments of the LoP.
"I have worn a turban 62 years of my life. I've worn a kada even longer. I think most children in our families when they're born, the first occasion, you know, they put a kada around. But, I think the more disturbing trend is, you know, to say that this is a statement which was made out of ignorance, he doesn't know what he's talking about. I think that's wrong. I think there is a more systematic sinister, and I'm using this word carefully, attempt to foment a divisive narrative, to create a sense of insecurity and freedom. Now, my brothers and sisters who came to the United States to work here many years ago. Some of them have active contacts with their home country. Some of them just go through social media or whatever they read. Now, if you foment a narrative like this that Sikhs are finding it difficult or insecure to wear turban, some of them may actually believe it, which is not the case," Hardeep Puri said.
The Minister said that it was during the Congress regime in 1984 that one of worst anti-Sikh riots had taken place and Sikhs were targeted for wearing a turban.
"If there has been any time in the history of our post independence existence, when there was an existential threat to the Sikhs or the felt one, I've experienced it myself, it was during 1984, I don't know, use the word riots because it was a one sided pogrom against, you know, innocent people, 3000 of whom were killed in cold blood in India. And if you look at what happened before that in the 80s in the run up to the Asian Games, Sikhs used to be taken out of buses, etc. and because you're a turban Sikh, you go on the side," he said.
Hardeep Puri said that it was Prime Minister Modi who had done many things for the Sikhs including the opening of the Kartarpur corridor, while the LoP had even reffered to Sikhs being second class citizens in the country.
"I'm proud to be a government minister. Before that, I was a civil servant. I was a diplomat for 39 years, but I was a diplomat not because any government appointed me. I appeared in a UPSC examination and qualified and under different governments. Now, I think it's a matter of great pride for somebody like me to say that the Sikhs have never had it so good, all the grievances which were there have actually been addressed by the honorable Prime Minister, whether it is removing names of Sikhs from the blacklist, whether it is addressing the issue of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor or, you know, celebrating the Sahibzada's contribution in terms of Vir Bal Divas, etc. All that is there. What I'm surprised about is that there seems to be a pattern in this. And last year this honourable Leader of Opposition came here and he said Sikhs were second class citizens," he said.
The minister said that by making those remarks Rahul Gandhi was trying to spread insecurities amongst the Sikh community at a time of elections in the US.
"Whilst he's attacking an ideology, he's trying to, you know, build a narrative by turning around and saying you cannot practice your religion. Has anybody in India told him that? Now the people who are supporting up, no, no, there are some grievances. Every community has grievances. Let me assure you the majority community also has grievances that they are made to sometimes feel like a minority community in their own country. There are other minority communities. But the beauty of a democracy, and by the way, we have 960 million registered voters and something like 680 million actually turned out to vote. That is a celebration of democracy. There are differences of opinion in the United States. But, if somebody who should know better, comes out here and at a time when there's an election going on, makes it a point to go to places to place to fret insecurity. In our country, we say that that they are spreading lies and rumours," Puri said.
At a recent interaction in the US, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had claimed that the fight is about whether a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurdwara. "First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. Fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions."
08:43 China, Russia concerned about India-US relationship: Top American diplomat
China and Russia are concerned about the strengthening India-US relationship because it promotes inclusivity, peace, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, along with valuing diverse voices in society, a top US diplomat said Monday.
"Frankly, why do you think China and Russia are so concerned about this partnership? Because we bring a way of life to the rest of the world, that is about inclusivity, about peace, about the peaceful resolution of disputes, about the rule of law, and it's about hearing everyone's voice in a society," Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources said at the prestigious Hudson Institute, in response to a question, after he delivered remarks on India-US relationship.
Verma said the relationship between India and US is "a very different mode" than how some of the adversaries of the latter operate.
The diplomat noted that this uniqueness is why President Joe Biden has described the relationship between both countries as the "defining relationship of this century".
He recalled that nearly 20 years ago, when he stood with then-Senator Biden and staff director Tony Blinken in the Senate, Biden had remarked that if the US and India were the closest friends and partners by 2020, the world would be a safer place.
"Not just because we have two big militaries, not just because we have two big economies, but because we actually stand for something that matters to people in their daily lives across the world, Verma said.
In response to a question on QUAD, Verma said it aims to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity.
"I look at what the Quad has, the kinds of statements and pronouncements it's made on technology, for example technology for good, not to harass, not to surveil, not to misinform, laying out a set of key principles, going even further on some of our work on quantum computing and cybersecurity," he said. -- PTI
08:31 AAP to name new Delhi CM as Kejriwal to resign today
With Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expected to resign later on Tuesday, Aam Aadmi Party MLAs will hold a crucial meeting at 11.30 am at his residence to pick his successor.
Kejriwal is likely to meet Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena at 4.30 pm and tender his resignation.
After being released from Tihar jail on bail in the excise policy case, the AAP national convenor said on Sunday that he would resign within 48 hours and sought early polls in Delhi. He vowed not to sit in the chief minister's chair till people gave him a "certificate of honesty".
On Monday, AAP held a series of meetings as Kejriwal sought feedback from members of the political affairs committee, the party's highest decision-making body, on his successor in one-on-one meetings at his official residence.
He had met senior leaders, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, about the party's choice for chief minister.
Names of Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj are making the rounds as contenders, party insiders said and added that Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also probables.
Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is also the deputy speaker in the assembly, and Kondli legislator Kuldeep Kumar are also potential candidates, they added. -- PTI
MLA Sarita Bhadauriya/Courtesy X
02:34 BJP MLA falls on rail track while flagging off Vande Bharat train in UP
Bharatiya Janata Party's Etawah MLA Sarita Bhadauriya fell onto the railway tracks while vying to wave the green flag for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express in Etawah on Monday.
Purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.
The incident occurred amidst a crowded platform as the train arrived around 6 pm.
The 61-year-old second-term BJP lawmaker was among a host of people holding the green flag as they stood at the platform, the video showed.
Following the virtual inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the train, numbered 20175, was flagged off by the Rail Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu from Agra.
When contacted by PTI, BJP's Etawah unit treasurer Sanjeev Bhadauriya said, "The MLA was helped off the track and she then waited for some time at the platform for the flag-off event."
"Later she consulted doctors and is resting at her home now. She did not suffer any visible physical injuries. If there is any internal injury, it is yet to be confirmed," Bhadauriya said.
The train made stops at Tundla before arriving at Etawah station. Upon its arrival, a commotion ensued on the platform as various political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Jitendra Douwhare, former BJP MP Ram Shankar, and current MLA Sarita Bhadauriya, gathered to participate in the flag-off, the videos showed. -- PTI
A view of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University/Courtesy Facebook
01:37 Protests erupt at IP University after student suicide following expulsion
Protests erupted at the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University on Monday after the suicide of a 25-year-old student who was recently expelled by the university administration.
Gautam Kumar, a first-year MBA student, allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor of his hostel building on Sunday.
He was a native of Vaishali in Bihar and was enrolled at the IP University main campus in Dwarka Sector-16, Southwest Delhi.
He was expelled for allegedly consuming alcohol and narcotic substances in his hostel room along with five other students.
Amid the protests, the university administration has 'relieved' hostel warden Rakesh Kumar of his duties, IP University registrar Kamal Pathak said.
Hundreds of students gathered outside the Vice-Chancellor's office, holding a sit-in to demand justice for the deceased.
They carried posters reading "Justice for Gautam" and "Don't Let the Suicide Note Disappear" and chanted slogans calling for accountability from the university.
Protesters also demanded the resignation of Rakesh Kumar, accusing him of expelling the students without conducting a proper investigation. -- PTI
Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu/ANI Photo
00:59 BJP's Naqvi slams Union minister Bittu for Rahul remarks
A day after Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu's "number one terrorist" remark against Rahul Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party leader MA Naqvi on Monday said the comments were against his party's culture and asserted that such "dirty talk" was in "bad taste".
Attacking Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Gandhi over the statements he made in the US about the condition of Sikhs in India, Bittu on Sunday had said if those "manufacturing bombs" were supporting him, he is the "number one terrorist".
"This is neither the BJP's culture nor that of our country. We can be political rivals and opponents but indulging in such dirty talk and using such a language is in bad taste," Naqvi told PTI when asked about Bittu's remarks targeting Gandhi.
"Those who talk like this, it is injurious to their political health. The BJP's culture of politeness is its USP and must be adhered to by all," he said, without taking anyone's name.
Bittu, the minister of state for railways, made the remark in Bihar's Bhagalpur where he came to attend the flagging-off ceremony of a Vande Bharat Express train to Howrah. Speaking with reporters, Bittu had said Gandhi spends most of his time outside the country and his friends and family are there.
"I think he doesn't love his country much because he goes abroad and says negative things about India. I think he is not a Hindustani," the minister said. -- PTI
00:26 No action against agitating doctors: Mamata
Just In: No punitive action will be taken against protesting doctors, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced after the talks with agitating medics on Monday late night.
Have urged agitating docs to withdraw cease work as three of their five demands have been accepted, she said.
Details soon.
00:13 New Kolkata commissioner on Tuesday: Mamata
New Kolkata commissioner on Tuesday, said Mamata after the meet.
"We have decided to remove director of health services, director of medical education," Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced after meeting agitating medics in Kolkata.
A new commissioner of Kolkata police will be appointed on Tuesday, she added.
Details soon.
00:09 Agreed on some, disagreed on some: Agitating docs
Just In: There have been agreements on few points and disagreements over some others, said agitating junior docs after meeting with Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
42 agitating doctors, chief secretary Manoj Pant signed minutes of meeting, said Banerjee.
Details soon.
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances