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[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:53 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | Announcing his tax reforms Trump said his policies would benefit working families. | Donald Trump unveils his economic policy, offers tax sops | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdonald-trump-unveils-his-economic-policy%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08trump.jpg | en | null | Donald Trump unveils his economic policy, offers tax sops | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 09, 2016 04:34 IST
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Monday sought to give a boost to his flagging campaign by unveiling his economic policy which he claimed would spur faster growth and benefit every American. Trump offered major tax sops across the board.
IMAGE: Republican US presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks to the Detroit Economic Club at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters
"Today we begin a great national conversation about economic renewal for America -- it's a conversation about how to Make America Great Again for everyone, and especially those who have the very least," Trump said as he unveiled his economic policies in Detroit.
"The other party has reached backwards into the past to choose a nominee from yesterday -- who offers only the rhetoric of yesterday, and the policies of yesterday. We are going to look boldly into the future, and with new leadership -- and new solutions we will get new results," he said.
Announcing his tax reforms Trump said his policies would benefit working families while ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share, dramatically cut taxes for everyone and streamline deductions, presenting the biggest tax reform since Reagan.
He announced to exclude childcare expenses from taxation, limit taxation of business income to 15 per cent for every business, from freelancers to the Fortune 500; make corporate tax globally competitive and the United States the most attractive place to invest in the world and end the death tax.
Reiterating that he would renegotiate North American Free Trade Agreement, or walk away if the US has to and stop the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, Trump said he would bring trade relief cases to the World Trade Organization, label China a currency manipulator, apply tariffs and duties to countries that cheat.
IMAGE: A protester is led out as Trump speaks to the Detroit Economic Club. Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters
At least a dozen women protested Trump's speech by jumping up and shouting in a coordinated effort to disrupt the Republican presidential nominee's remarks.
One at a time, women seated throughout the audience stood up and yelled "Mr Trump," but their continued shouts were quickly drowned out by boos as security led them from the room. An organization called the Michigan People's Campaign is claiming responsibility.
It was hard to hear the women, but the group says they were yelling at Trump about jobs and his comments on women.
"It's all very well planned out," Trump said after security had led several protesters out.
One man also stood up toward the end of the event and yelled that Trump has "tiny hands." That's apparently a reference to a sexually tinged comment by primary rival Marco Rubio, the Florida senator.
Protesters occasionally disrupt Trump's larger rallies, where members of the public can enter. But this is the first time he's faced such sustained resistance at a policy speech delivered to a private group.
Trump said he would issue an executive order to impose a regulatory moratorium on new agency regulations and require each federal agency to prepare a list of all of the regulations they impose on American business, and rank them from most critical to health and safety to least critical.
Trump announced to rescind all the "job-destroying" executive actions of President Barack Obama including the Climate Action Plan, save the coal industry and other industries threatened by Hillary Clinton's "extremist" agenda.
He said he would cancel the Paris Climate Agreement and stop payments of US tax dollars to UN global warming schemes.
He announced to lift restrictions on American energy, which will increase GDP annually by $100 billion, create 500,000 new jobs and increase wages by over $30 billion over the next seven years.
"We are going to look boldly into the future. We will build the next generation of roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, sea ports and airports that our country deserves. American cars will travel the roads, American planes will connect our cities, and American ships will patrol the seas," he said.
"American steel will send new skyscrapers soaring. We will put new American metal into the spine of this nation. It will be American hands that rebuild this country, and it will be American energy -- mined from American sources -- that powers this country. It will be American workers who are hired to do the job. Americanism, not globalism, will be our new credo," he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/donald-trump-unveils-his-economic-policy/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bbdbd6b889fbae8e73f68316beb91cd5933fc60b2805ea3370e6d73acb0eb3f3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:09 | null | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | With this, the death count in the August 2 night tragedy has gone up to 28, while 12 people are still missing. | Mahad tragedy: SUV found with 2 bodies; death toll rises to 28 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmahad-tragedy-missing-suv-found%2F20160814.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/14mahad1.jpg | en | null | Mahad tragedy: SUV found with 2 bodies; death toll rises to 28 | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 14, 2016 19:50 IST
Navy divers on Sunday, the 11th day of search operation found the wreckage of a washed away SUV and recovered two bodies trapped inside it, taking the death toll in the Mahad bridge collapse to 28 even as 12 people are still missing.
The sport utility vehicle was found around 300 metres away from the accident site in Mahad on the Mumbai-Goa Highway in adjoining Raigad district.
An official from Maharashtra Government’s Disaster Management Cell said, “A missing Tavera has been found around 300 metres from the collapsed bridge. Bodies of two males were found trapped inside the mangled car.”
With this, the death count in the August 2 night tragedy has gone up to 28, while 12 people are still missing.
Suhas Diwase, Director of Disaster Management Cell, said the number of missing persons now stood at 12 and the search, jointly conducted by the National Disaster Response Force, navy and locals, will be intensified in the coming days.
Naval divers on Saturday located the wreckage of the second state transport bus, which was washed away in the turbulent Savitri river near Mahad after the British-era bridge collapsed. Two buses of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and a few private vehicles were washed away after the bridge crashed amid heavy rains.
The decades-old structure on Savitri river was to be dismantled in December this year as part of the Mumbai-Goa Highway expansion project.
On Thursday, the wreckage of a Rajapur-Borivali (Mumbai) MSRTC bus was retrieved about 170-200 metres from the accident spot.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 14 lakh each to the kin of deceased travelling in the MSRTC buses and Rs 10 lakh each to the family of the deceased in other vehicles involved in the tragedy.
Image: Naval divers on the lookout for the missing wreckage after the Mahad bridge collapsed. Photograph: @SpokespersonMoD/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mahad-tragedy-missing-suv-found/20160814.htm | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6738fd2b33a915290cba9fc8c0d352482c7846e28a90965caebcc0bcf53aad32.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:50:08 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The court noted that there was no ground not to grant them the relief. | Sedition case: Kanhaiya Kumar, two others granted bail | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkanhaiya-kumar-granted-bail-in-sedition-case%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/mar/15kanhaiya1.jpg | en | null | Sedition case: Kanhaiya Kumar, two others granted bail | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 26, 2016 22:29 IST
Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar and two other varsity students were on Friday granted regular bail in a sedition case relating to alleged anti-India slogan-shouting at JNU campus in February by a Delhi court which noted that there was no ground not to grant them the relief.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police told the court that Kanhaiya and two other students -- Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya -- did not misuse interim bail conditions and cooperated with the probe in the case.
"In view of the fact that these three accused persons are on interim bail and have joined the investigation as and when called, I admit all these accused persons Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya to regular bail on the same terms and conditions on which they were granted interim bail.
"Bail bonds and surety bonds have already been furnished by these accused persons at the time of availing interim bail. The same bond shall remain in force till further orders," Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh said in his order.
Special Public Prosecutor Rajiv Mohan, appearing for the special cell of Delhi Police, told the court that "the accused persons have joined the investigation as and when called during the period of their interim bail", and that they did not misuse the liberty granted to them.
Kanhaiya, Khalid and Bhattacharya, who are out on interim bail, had moved the court for regular bail.
Kanhaiya's move came after the Delhi High Court on August 17 had refused his application for regular bail and asked him to approach the sessions court for the purpose. He was granted interim bail by the high court on March 2 for six months which is scheduled to expire on September 1.
While granting interim bail to Khalid and Bhattacharya on March 18, the trial court had observed that the role attributed to Kanhaiya does not appear to be different from the allegations levelled against the other two accused.
The court had granted the relief to Khalid and Bhattacharya on furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the like amount, which was complied with by them. After that, they were ordered to be released till September 19.
It had also directed Umar and Anirban not to leave Delhi without permission during the period of interim bail and make themselves available before the investigating officer as and when required for the probe.
The high court had earlier granted interim conditional bail for six months to Kanhaiya, asking him not participate actively or passively in any activity which could be termed anti-national.
Kanhaiya was arrested on February 12 on sedition charge in connection with an event on the campus on February 8 where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. Umar and Anirban were arrested later. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kanhaiya-kumar-granted-bail-in-sedition-case/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8b853bddf4d891c37eba0d3ab7a720c39182f675ab7eadbed26dac11211f1e33.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:30 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | The RSS does not mind playing politics with religion-based census data despite knowing well that it is completely flawed, says Syed Firduas Ashraf.
| Why Bhagwat is wrong about falling Hindu numbers | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Fwhy-bhagwat-is-wrong-about-falling-hindu-numbers%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22hindu.jpg | en | null | Why Bhagwat is wrong about falling Hindu numbers | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 26, 2016 11:03 IST
The RSS does not mind playing politics with religion-based census data despite knowing well that it is completely flawed, says Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
‘Hindus are dying,’ wrote Punjab Hindu Sabha leader U N Mukherjee in 1909.
Mukherjee’s argument was that Muslims were polygamous and hence produce more children and breed faster than the Hindu community.
Mukherjee was living in pre-Partition India where he felt Hindus would soon become a minority.
More than 100 years later, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat was blowing the same trumpet when he said in Agra, “Which law says the population of Hindus should not rise? What is stopping them when the population of others is rising?”
Note: Do I need to identify the "others" he is referring to? He was harping on his pet bogey, the Muslims.
But is what he said -- that "the population of others is rising" -- a fact?
Bhagwat’s statement was based, no doubt, on the census figures. In 1951 it put the Hindus at 84.1 per cent of India's population, which dropped to 79.80 per cent in the 2011 census.
In the same period, the Muslim population rose from 9.8 per cent to 14.23 per cent.
If the two communities keep up this rate of decline/growth, then in another 345 years for Muslim population will stand at 49.23 per cent while Hindus will be 44.23 pc.
But this scenario will be achieved only if the Hindu population drops by 4.30 per cent every 60 years and the Muslim population grows by 4.43 per cent every 60 years.
However, there is a catch here which many people seem to have missed out on.
In the last decade, both Hindu and Muslim populations stopped growing as fast: while the Muslim population grew by 0.8 per cent, the Hindu population declined by 2.15 pc during 2001-11.
Now if you go by this trend, then it will take the year 2461 for Muslims to grow to 50.23 per cent of India's population, that is another 445 years.
However, you can argue that if the Hindu population decreases by 2.15 per cent every decade, then it will only take 135 years for them to fall below the 50 per cent mark. In 2151 India will have 48.25 pc of Hindus.
In this period, if the Muslim population grows by the same percentage as in the last decade, 0.8 pc, then in the year 2151 the Muslim population will only be at 25.43 per cent of India’s population. Together, the two communities will only add up to 73.68 per cent of the population.
So who will then constitute the rest of the population, amounting to 26.32 pc? After all, according to the same census figures, the population of Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi communities were all falling by some percentage points.
So what is the truth behind the population bogey?
The answer is, India has a flawed way of compiling population statistics.
The truth about Hindu and Muslim populations in the future can only be analysed by statisticians who will have to calculate various aspects like birth/death rates of Hindus vis a vis birth/death rates of Muslims and extrapolate all the available data.
But then, who is interested in finding out the truth at a time when myth is fact and fact is myth?
Nobody wants to seek out honest answers, and people only go by perceptions rather than leaving such things to the experts.
The history of census data has always created a controversy. The British knew this when they first introduced India's population census in 1871.
By providing religion-wise statistics, the British put the fear of the Hindu majority in Muslim minds and thus was sown the seeds of Partition.
In the 1871 census, the Hindu population was 73 per cent and that of Muslims was 21 per cent. More here. (external link).
Muslims were only 21 per cent of the total population in 1871 in spite of Bhagwat’s supporters believing that 800 years of Muslim saw saw mass conversions to Islam.
The British cleverly utilised the census data for their divide-and-rule policy. Not only did they put out religion-wise breakup, subsequently they started releasing the breakup of Hindus according to caste.
They knew very well that caste divided Indians more than anything else. No wonder, after the last official caste data was released by the British government in 1931, independent India has not released this data.
But the data has been available with successive governments, including the present one, all of who realise its explosive potential.
However, the RSS does not mind playing politics with religion-based census data despite knowing well that it is completely flawed.
But, then, its aim is not statistical accuracy but to spread Muslim phobia in the Hindu voter's mind.
Image: Devotees take a dip in the Godavari river during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik on September 13 last year. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters. | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/why-bhagwat-is-wrong-about-falling-hindu-numbers/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/630a40aeb803aa8905f96101c49e3eab5b305d27de70d250c18ddecf09303af3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:25 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | The iconic activist has said that she won't go home till the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is repealed. | Even after 16 years, Irom Sharmila keeps her mother waiting | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Feven-after-16-years-irom-sharmila-keeps-her-mother-waiting%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/10irom3.jpg | en | null | Even after 16 years, Irom Sharmila keeps her mother waiting | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 10, 2016 20:54 IST
The iconic activist has said that she won’t go home till the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is repealed.
Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ Irom Sharmila, who broke her 16-year-long fast on Tuesday and decided to enter electoral politics, was on Wednesday placed under tight security after some groups opposed her decision even as she asserted that she has been misunderstood.
Sharmila, 44, meanwhile, has been put on special liquid diet and is now under supervision of doctors of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.
Armed police personnel were posted in the hospital compound in the wake of security threat to the iconic rights activist with some groups opposing her decision to end the fast, a police officer said.
Sharmila also sought to clarify her stand on her move to enter electoral politics.
After ending the fast, Sharmila said she wants to become the chief minister of Manipur so that she could repeal the contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. She undertook the hunger strike in protest against the AFSPA.
“They have misunderstood me, about my real being,” Sharmila said reacting to criticism in some quarters. “They have been seeing me from their own point of view without connecting with what is in my heart,” she added.
Sharmila insisted that her intention was to enter politics to ensure that the AFSPA is repealed.
A senior JNIMS doctor said that Sharmila was under the supervision of their doctors since she had been on a fast for so many years and was not in a position to shift to solid food immediately.
She was being administered liquid diet and perhaps would have to stay in the hospital room for some more days for medical back-up support until she was in a situation to take solid food and recover physically, the doctor said.
Outside the government hospital, a room of which was turned into a jail for her, the activist had turned emotional on Tuesday when she tasted honey to end the fast.
Even after breaking her hunger strike, Sharmila is maintaining her resolve not to clip her nails, comb her hair, go to her house and meet her mother till the AFSPA is repealed.
Despite breaking her fast, the ‘satyagrahi’ made it clear that she would not go home till AFSPA is repealed and preferred to stay in an ashram till then.
Her associates said to avoid any emotional outbursts, Sharmila had not been meeting her mother during the fasting period.
Elder brother Singhajit said their mother is waiting for the moment of her victory which will come only when AFSPA is repealed.
On November 5, 2000, when she took a vow to start an indefinite hunger strike till the government repeals AFSPA, which gives armed forces immunity against prosecution for their actions, her protest had multiple dimensions which went beyond not taking food and water.
The toughest one was not to go home and meet her 84-year-old mother Shakhi Devi till achieving her goal of getting the AFSPA revoked.
Sharmila has not visited her house at Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, on the edge of Imphal city, even once all these years. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/even-after-16-years-irom-sharmila-keeps-her-mother-waiting/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bfa29fa2103f95fea95406501e2b9e76c0e90aa5a9e390d1d81f82fce0a3ac63.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T08:52:15 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Curfew was on Monday lifted from the entire Valley except three police station areas 51 days after it was clamped to maintain law and order. | Kashmir curfew ends, but separatists' shutdown continues | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkashmir-curfew-ends-but-separatists-shutdown-continues%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/30curfew.jpg | en | null | Kashmir curfew ends, but separatists' shutdown continues | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 12:15 IST
Curfew was on Tuesday lifted from the restive Pulwama town following gradual improvement in the situation across Kashmir, leaving the city’s M R Gunj and Nowhatta police stations as the only areas of the Valley under curbs, even as normal life remained affected for 53rd day due to separatists-sponsored strike call.
“Only two police station areas in Srinagar city -- M R Gunj and Nowhatta -- are under curfew today,” a police officer said, adding that no other area in Valley was under curfew which was put in place in the wake of violence following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
Curfew has been lifted from Pulwama town where prohibitory orders were in force till Monday, the officer said.
He said the decision to lift curbs was taken following improvement in the situation.
There were minor stone-pelting incidents at a few places on Monday, but the overall situation remained peaceful and under control throughout the Valley, he said.
Curfew was on Monday lifted from the entire Valley except three police station areas 51 days after it was clamped to maintain law and order.
The officer, however, said security forces have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas of the Valley to maintain law and order.
Life in Srinagar city has started limping towards normalcy since Monday as there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaws on the roads.
Tuesday morning also, there was increased traffic in and around the commercial hub of Lal Chowk. However, public transport continued to be off the roads due to the strike called by separatist groups who have asked women to assemble and occupy local chowks and centres from ‘Zuhr’ (afternoon prayer) to ‘Asr’ (late afternoon prayer) in the vicinity of towns, villages and localities.
Even as schools, colleges and other educational institutions and shops remained closed due to the strike, the attendance in government offices and work in banks have
improved since Monday, the officer said.
Curfew was clamped in entire Valley on July 9 following violence in the aftermath of killing of Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district a day earlier.
The violence has left 68 people, including two policemen, dead and several thousand injured.
Meanwhile, mobile internet continued to remain suspended in the entire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobiles remained barred.
The separatist camp, which is spearheading the agitation in the Valley over the civilian killings during the protests against Wani’s killing, has extended the strike call in the Valley till September 1.
Image: Security forces were still deployed in the Valley after minor incidents of stone pelting were reported. Photograph: PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmir-curfew-ends-but-separatists-shutdown-continues/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/858228e7ba75a617a92949bb04ee87c7de966f9a2f3dbbe82e7edaa24c691407.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:39:21 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | The number of such incidents stood at 25 in 2015, 31 in 2014 and 23 in 2013. | Perilous skies: 17 air misses reported in India till July | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fperilous-skies-17-air-misses-reported-in-india-till-july%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04lead6.jpg | en | null | Perilous skies: 17 air misses reported in India till July | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 18:46 IST
As many as 17 incidents where two or more aircraft came close to each other while mid-air have been reported this year till July 10.
On August 2, private carrier IndiGo airline's two aircraft came perilously close to each other in the Dhaka airspace and a mid-air disaster was averted after one of the flight's pilot steered away his aircraft to a safer distance.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha on Thursday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said 17 incidents of air miss have been reported till July 10 this year.
The number of such incidents stood at 25 in 2015, 31 in 2014 and 23 in 2013, he added.
'Air miss' refers to a situation when two or more planes on different routes are closer than the stipulated safe distance between them.
All such incidents are probed by Airprox Investigation Board set up by aviation regulator DGCA.
To a query on whether the government has formed a commission to suggest measures for air safety, Sinha replied in the negative.
"However, safety recommendations emanating from investigations of aircraft serious incidents are followed up for implementation with the concerned agencies by DGCA so as to prevent recurrence of similar serious incident," he said.
In a separate written reply, Sinha said the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) envisages steps for ease of doing business and provide incentives to the Maintenance, Overhaul and Repair (MRO) sector.
Among others, foreign MRO and Original Equipment Manufacturer experts would be provided visas promptly and policy for issuing airport entry passes for MRO employees has been revised to facilitate the work, he added.
Representative Photograph: Courtesy Airbus | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/perilous-skies-17-air-misses-reported-in-india-till-july/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/aefb10b36cdf9fcd95e2717867989b825d462a85ee0544f99260af36112b0044.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:18 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | 'Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here?' Omar wrote on Twitter. | When will PM 'wake up to crisis' in Kashmir: Omar | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwhen-will-pm-wake-up-to-crisis-in-kashmir-omar%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/15kashmir3.jpg | en | null | When will PM 'wake up to crisis' in Kashmir: Omar | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 07, 2016 00:37 IST
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” on the situation in the Valley which he termed as “heart breaking” and “worrying”.
“Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here?” Omar wrote on Twitter.
He was reacting to the death of three persons in security forces action after violent protests on Friday.
The opposition National Conference working president had on Friday hit out at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving.
“One more unfortunate death, countless injuries today and the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that ‘things are improving’. Wow!” Omar wrote.
In another tweet, Omar said it was only the ruling coalition partners – Peoples Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata Party -- who agreed with this stand.
“Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven’t met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree!” he said.
The Centre told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in KashmirValley has improved considerably since the outbreak of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
It said the violent protests having gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3.
With Friday’s three deaths, the toll in the violence in the Valley has now reached 54.
Omar expressed complete “disappointment” at the lack of “political measures” taken by the Centre since Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Valley last month.
“To blame Pakistan for the unrest or to delude ourselves into thinking this is a law and order situation is criminal. There is an extreme sense of resentment and disenchantment among the youths of the Valley and that is the basis of this unrest,” Omar said in a statement.
He said every appeal to New Delhi to engage with Pakistan and the people of Kashmir to resolve the issue has falling on deaf ears.
“There is no sense of concern and empathy from the central government,” the former chief minister said.
He said the sense of “bereavement, injustice and hopelessness” in Kashmir is “widespread and deep”.
“New Delhi’s continued arrogance in refusing to acknowledge this to presumably save its government in the state with PDP goes against not only all tenets of justice and humanity but also against the interests of the country and its people against the very fabric of the country’s constitution,” he said.
“Kashmir is a political issue and nothing short of a comprehensive, sustained political dialogue with all stakeholders in the Valley as well as Pakistan can serve as an acceptable alternative on the policy level,” Omar said.
Attacking Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, he said, “Mehbooba is solely and primarily interested in her ridiculous self-marketing exercises by going to the extent of playing out video footage of board meetings and administrative meetings on Doordarshan to apparently pretend she has a bone of empathy and humanity in her and that she is still around.
“Nothing could be more insensitive to the suffering and bereaved families at this juncture...” he said.
“We had asked for an immediate ban on pellet guns and that security forces as well as the police should be held accountable for any excessive use of force,” he said.
The recent killing of Reyaz Ahmed from Chattabal in Srinagar has demolished every possible argument that defends the use of lethal force in the Valley, he said.
“Has New Delhi declared a war on the people in Kashmir? Hundreds of young boys and girls have potentially life-changing injuries, most of them caused by pellet guns.”
He said despite nearly 300 youths being shot in their eyes with pellet guns, the state and the central governments seem to be “encouraging” the use of pellet guns through their “inaction and silence” rather than banning their use.
“It is evident that their sole concern is political survival based on a quid-pro-quo arrangement where PDP has sold out to the BJP and BJP’s central government in New Delhi has in turn quite apparently extended its unconditional protection and patronage to an inefficient, insensitive and inept state government in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Expressing disappointment at the central government’s apathy towards the “grave” situation in Kashmir, Omar said the Centre had “misled the Supreme Court by saying the situation in the Valley was improving and under control”.
Expressing grief and anguish, Omar extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for recovery of thousands who are battling serious injuries in hospitals. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/when-will-pm-wake-up-to-crisis-in-kashmir-omar/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/29f8f23f468baaefee461bb29d086e4f19ad39b8f5b0518af59526ad5add473a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:43 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | The bunker opens with a 20-ft tall gate and a ramp on the western side. There are long passages and small to medium rooms on either side. | REVEALED: British-era bunker under Maharashtra governor's residence | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-british-era-bunker-below-raj-bhavan-mumbai%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/17maha.jpg | en | null | REVEALED: British-era bunker under Maharashtra governor's residence | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 11:46 IST
A 150-metre long underground British-era bunker, which had been closed for several decades, was discovered by Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao inside the Raj Bhavan complex at Malabar Hill in Mumbai.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the bunker on Tuesday, a Raj Bhavan official said.
Rao, accompanied by his wife Vinodha, visited the bunker on Tuesday, after which the governor expressed his intention to consult experts from various fields to preserve it.
‘Amazing Discovery! Hon Governor of Maharashtra discovers a very big, well built tunnel beneath Raj Bhavan in Mumbai (sic),’ Fadnavis tweeted.
The governor had directed to get the bunker opened after he was informed by old-timers three months ago about the presence of a tunnel inside the Raj Bhavan.
On August 12, the staff of the Public Works Department at Raj Bhavan broke open a temporary wall that closed the entrance to the bunker on the eastern side, the official said in a statement.
Instead of an underground tunnel, an entire barrack with 13 rooms of different sizes was found.
‘Tunnel has several spaces created on its both sides to store arms & ammunition. It also has rooms for people to live (sic),’ Fadnavis said in another tweet.
The bunker opens with a 20-ft tall gate and a ramp on the western side. There are long passages and small to medium rooms on either side, the Raj Bhavan official said.
The bunker spread over an area of over 5,000 square feet has rooms bearing the name Shell Store, Gun Shell, Cartridge Store, Shell Lift, Pump, Workshop etc. There are also scores of Lamp Recesses in the gangway.
Even though the bunker was apparently closed after independence, it was found to be surprisingly intact.
‘Experts are being called to demystify the history of tunnel. Hon Governor has spoken to Hon President about this (sic),’ Fadnavis tweeted.
Interestingly the entire underground bunker has a drainage system and inlets for fresh air and light, the official said.
According to the history of Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra, Raj Bhavan, formerly known as ‘Government House’, served as the residence of British governors since 1885, when Lord Reay turned it into a permanent residence.
Prior to 1885, the Malabar Hill residence served as the Summer Residence of the British governors. The Government House at Parel served as the governor’s residence before 1885.
IMAGES: Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other officials visit a British-era tunnel found under Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Photographs: @Dev_Fadnavis/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-british-era-bunker-below-raj-bhavan-mumbai/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/0a3035281b99b0bfcb5ff7269430e23355d9b5d3c666992667f9c045210bbfc0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:33 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu also suggested that couples may be allowed to seek police protection from the registrar where marriage is to be performed under the Special Marriage Act. | Fear honour killing? Declare in marriage forms: CIC to lovers | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ffear-honour-killing-declare-in-marriage-forms-cic-to-lovers%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11wed.jpg | en | null | Fear honour killing? Declare in marriage forms: CIC to lovers | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 15:48 IST
Concerned over honour killings, the Central Information Commission has suggested to the central and states governments to include a declaration by the couple who intend to have a court marriage if they apprehend a threat to their life and liberty.
Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu also suggested that couples may be allowed to seek police protection from the registrar where marriage is to be performed under the Special Marriage Act.
He said such requests should be sent to the station house officer who can inquire into the matter and if, prima facie, the SHO finds the threat to be real, take adequate measures to offer protection to the couple.
However, the commission also directed SDMs or marriage officers to ensure that the 30-day notice of the marriage under Special Marriage Act should be widely circulated which mandatory under Section 4(1)(d) of the Right to Information Act to facilitate the interested persons (including parents or guardians) to know and raise objections, if any, to safeguard the interests of the partners to the proposed marriage.
Under the Special Marriage Act, marriage can be solemnised after a copy of the notice in this regard is pasted on the office notice board by the SDM.
“Any person may within 30 days of issue of notice, can file objection to the intended marriages. In such a case, the SDM shall not solemnise the marriage until he has decided the objection, within 30 days of its receipt,” the Information Commissioner noted.
He said if the SDM refuses to solemnise the marriage, any of the parties may file an appeal within 30 days to the district court. If no one filed an objection, the SDM solemnises the marriage after 30 days of the notice.
“Generally notice is an essential aspect of procedure for marriage under this Act. Under law, registration serves both the purposes -- as a notice to the society in general about proposed marriage and then as a proof of marriage -- without necessitating parties to procure evidence of ceremonies of marriage to prove it in court of law,” he said.
He said generally notice is required to prevent marriage between persons within degrees of prohibited relationship, bigamous marriages, ie, while a spouse is living without obtaining valid divorce, marriages without valid consent (not having age of giving valid consent), with person of insanity, or persons not attaining prescribed marriageable age etc.
“However, there is a negative angle to this. Violent social consequences of inter-caste and interreligious love marriages cannot be ignored. The khap panchayats and their mandates coupled with honour killings are shocking developments emanating from the exercise of freedom of choice of life partner,” Acharyulu said.
Justifying his recommendation to include the threat of life to couples, the Information Commissioner said if right of parents to (information) have notice of marriage of their children is honoured, it might result in deprivation of their life or liberty, in gross violation of Article 21.
“The 1954 law does not have any provision to save the fiancées from different castes or religions against will of their parents. The ‘notice’ meant for good cannot be fatal for groom or bride,” he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/fear-honour-killing-declare-in-marriage-forms-cic-to-lovers/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/b28ef8fb5c261b0d7c112d3c28b200f6f74f889546f043f7b465285fc9324cfe.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:39 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | Catch all the live action from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. | WATCH LIVE! All the action from Parliament | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwatch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/mar/06yechury.jpg | en | null | WATCH LIVE! All the action from Parliament | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 03, 2016 19:51 IST
The Rajya Sabha discusses Goods and Services Tax Bill.
Catch all the live action from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/watch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/2a666eca8cc8eaedda1ba8a158f67782adb9bbde3f8caa6f6929963c4783d7b3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:05 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | Some 2,000 mourners packed the soaring Gothic sanctuary, with hundreds more watching the ceremony, which began minutes after a heavy rainstorm, on a giant screen outside. | Hundreds gather to mourn murdered priest Father Jacques Hamel | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fhundreds-gather-to-mourn-murdered-priest-father-jacques-hamel%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02hamel.jpg | en | null | Hundreds gather to mourn murdered priest Father Jacques Hamel | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 22:34 IST
France paid its last respects on Tuesday to Father Jacques Hamel, the 85-year-old priest murdered by jihadists last week, at an emotional funeral held under tight security at Rouen cathedral in northern France.
"As brutal and unfair and horrible as Jacques' death was, we have to look deep into our hearts to find the light," said Rouen Archbishop Dominique Lebrun.
Some 2,000 mourners packed the soaring Gothic sanctuary, with hundreds more watching the ceremony, which began minutes after a heavy rainstorm, on a giant screen outside.
A section of pews in the 11th-century cathedral was filled by residents of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, the nearby industrial town where the two jihadists, both 19, slit Hamel's throat as he celebrated mass in an attack that shocked the country as well as the Catholic Church.
A red stole, symbolising Christ's martyrdom, was draped over a giant cross beside the altar, with the Rouen diocese explaining that "Father Hamel's death was similar to that of Christ, unjustly convicted and put to death."
Another red stole was set atop a white priest's vestment lying over Hamel's coffin.
In a show of inter-faith solidarity, Muslims and Jews were among the mourners.
"It was a duty," Hassan Houays, a Muslim maths teacher from Saint-Etienne, said. "We are here so that we can get along together."
Reconciliation was an overarching theme of the mass, which recalled Jesus urging his followers to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Hamel's sister Roselyne told the congregation: "Let us learn to live together. The world has so much need for hope."
IMAGE: People attend a funeral service to slain French parish priest Father Jacques Hamel at the Cathedral in Rouen, France. Father Jacques Hamel was killed last week in an attack on a church at Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray near Rouen that was carried out by assailants linked to Islamic State. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/hundreds-gather-to-mourn-murdered-priest-father-jacques-hamel/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e66d1643815bcc3b20d73b78250bdc196e9b18a40f7af0ca1e53e2c9cdf62253.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:28 | null | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | Catch all the latest action from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. | WATCH LIVE: All the action from Parliament | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwatch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament%2F20160805.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/aug/24lead1.jpg | en | null | WATCH LIVE: All the action from Parliament | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 05, 2016 11:23 IST
On Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh will address the Parliament about his Islamabad visit. On Thursday, in Pakistan, the home minister had issued a terse message of 'no good terrorists or bad terrorists' during the SAARC Home Ministers meet.
Catch all the latest action from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/watch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament/20160805.htm | en | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d150b85aa47952e4072cdcebc2fd74dbed441da35064ad099ba2c3df4877400f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:22 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | A French man stabbed a 21-year-old British woman to death and wounded two others in a backpackers' hostel in northeast Australia, police said on Wednesday. | British woman killed, 2 injured in knife attack in Australia | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbritish-woman-killed-2-injured-in-knife-attack-in-australia%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/nov/16dagger.jpg | en | null | British woman killed, 2 injured in knife attack in Australia | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 16:24 IST
A French man stabbed a 21-year-old British woman to death and wounded two others in a backpackers' hostel in northeast Australia, police said on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Frenchman, who was living with the victims at the hostel and had been in Australia on a temporary visa for about a year, is accused of carrying out the knife attack in Queensland.
The suspect did not have any known links to the dreaded Islamic State group and appeared to have acted alone, Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said, adding that police were trying to determine whether the man had been motivated by extremism.
Mia Ayliffe-Chung was killed in the attack that took place in front of a crowd at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill, South of Townsville, after 11 pm on Tuesday night. A dog from the hostel was also killed.
Two men who suffered injuries include a 30-year-old Briton, who is said to be in a critical condition.
The suspect is in custody in a hospital and is yet to be charged over the knife attack in Queensland, media reported.
"Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drug misuse factors are involved in this incident," he said.
Gollschewski said the accused used the Arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar" both during the attack and his arrest.
"While this information will be factored into the investigation we are not ruling out any motivations at this stage, whether they be political or criminal," he said.
"We're working closely with our partner agencies to make sure if there is any indication that it has an extremist slant, or this person had been radicalised, we can discover that," he said.
The police were treating the attack as a homicide, rather than a terrorism-related incident, Gollschewski said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/british-woman-killed-2-injured-in-knife-attack-in-australia/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/594bd6ed986b7a1202b5b5796aa9ec522d477fda0ba056a7704ec8e9d8cae52a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:34:06 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | Refusing to back down, the AAP government said it will challenge the order in the Supreme Court, asserting it has been targeted for trying to contain corruption. It also questioned why the Constitution was amended to have a legislative assembly if the city was to be run by the LG. | 'Jung' resumes in Delhi post HC verdict on who's boss | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjung-resumes-in-delhi-post-hc-verdict-on-whos-boss%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/jun/02jungiwal.jpg | en | null | 'Jung' resumes in Delhi post HC verdict on who's boss | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 22:27 IST
The Delhi High Court verdict that the Lt Governor is the city administration's boss triggered a fresh war of words on Thursday between the Aam Aadmi Party government and incumbent Najeeb Jung, who said he felt sorry for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and that his interpretation of the Constitution is "laughable".
Refusing to back down, the AAP government said it will challenge the order in the Supreme Court, asserting it has been targeted for trying to contain corruption. It also questioned why the Constitution was amended to have a legislative assembly if the city was to be run by the LG.
Jung said that all the issues raised by AAP government have been declared wrong by the Court, suggesting that approaching the apex court on the matter will be futile.
"I feel sorry for him (Kejriwal). Because he shows a paranoia which is really of concern. He should mature," Jung said, calling handling of certain issues by the Chief Minister "childish" and his interpretation of certain provisions of the Constitution "laughable".
Jung also said the Delhi government will have to take corrective measures after the verdict.
"We respectfully disagree with the High Court verdict," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, adding there was a "big difference" between any other Union Territory and the national capital and alleged that on the "pretext of rules", various decisions aimed at curbing corruption have been stalled.
Jung, addressing a rare press conference, said a number of decisions including Delhi Government's directions to power regulator DERC, appointment of government representatives to BSES board and certain orders relating to tax will have to be "corrected" as they did not have his concurrence.
At the same time, he said the Court's ruling that he is the "administrative head" of Delhi was neither a victory for him nor a defeat for Kejriwal, noting fulcrum of the verdict was to protect the sanctity of Constitution.
The BJP and Congress attacked the AAP government asking it to respect Constitutional provisions.
Arguing that AAP government has been targeted for trying to contain corruption, Sisodia said "The High Court says Delhi is merely an Union Territory. If as per Constitution Delhi is only an UT, then why was it amended to make Delhi an UT with legislature.
"If Delhi was to be run by the Lt Governor, then why was the Constitution amended to have state assembly. Why provision was made to have an elected government. We were targeted as we tried to rid the city of corruption," he told reporters.
Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain said city government will move the Supreme Court against the HC verdict.
"Several acts of the Parliament relating to Delhi have defined both the Lt Governor and the Government of NCT as different entities. So, if Constitution had considered Delhi a mere UT, the city would have functioned like Chandigarh, Lakshadweep and Andamans. But it is not so," Sisodia said.
In a huge setback to the Kejriwal government, the High Court held that the LG is the administrative head of the National Capital Territory and the AAP government's contention that he is bound to act on the advice of Council of Ministers was "without substance".
The Lt Governor, who had a long running battle with the AAP government on a host of jurisdictional issues, said he always wanted to protect the provisions of the Constitution and did not agree to AAP government's decisions when he found they were at variance with the laid down norms.
"It is not a victory of anyone. It is not a win for Najeeb Jung and loss for Arvind Kejriwal. The court order is a kind of clarification that incorrect things will have to be corrected," he said.
On Kejriwal's attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jung said stature of a PM is far bigger than that of a chief minister of a Union Territory.
Asked about the language used by Kejriwal to criticise him, Jung said a Chief Minister should not use such language. "I have stopped reacting."
"I have not differed from the Constitutional line even to a comma. So, what has been stopped has been violative of the Constitution."
On the Commission of Inquiry ordered by Kejriwal into alleged irregularities in DDCA, he said it was done with a "malafide" intention.
Sisodia said people of Delhi had brought AAP to power with a historic mandate hoping that that corruption will "end" in all spheres of governance and when AAP started to fulfil people's aspirations, the efforts to curtail "rights of a democratically elected government" had started.
Targeting Jung, Sisodia said Kejriwal government was consistently prevented by the LG and Centre from taking any action against corruption since it was formed.
"They wanted a government in Delhi which cannot take action in cases of corruption, compensate farmers, transfer officials.
"This decision of the High Court should be seen in this background. The government had approached the court after it was stopped from doing all these works," he said.
A Delhi government spokesperson said that the verdict shows it has "undermined powers of council of ministers mentioned in the Constitution".
Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha said "a democratically elected government cannot be undermined. This isn't a fight for supremacy, but democracy".
Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/jung-resumes-in-delhi-post-hc-verdict-on-whos-boss/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/165fa1d1827d050137dab98512f8fbc6d1df7b2aaa4296ac5f47801a957865ad.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:14 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | The townhall to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi will be preceded by a series of panel discussions and sessions in keeping with the 'Do, Discuss and Disseminate' theme of MyGov and will culminate in the first ever townhall address by the Prime Minister. | PM Modi's first-ever townhall meet on August 6 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpm-modi-first-ever-townhall-meet-on-august-6%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/sep/30modi-roundup11.jpg | en | null | PM Modi's first-ever townhall meet on August 6 | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 21:05 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to reach out to citizens through his first-ever 'townhall' style event on August 6.
A new PMO app to enable mobile users to connect with the Prime Minister's website will also be launched at the mega event, which is being organised by MyGov -- the government's citizen engagement platform -- to mark its second anniversary.
The townhall to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi will be preceded by a series of panel discussions and sessions in keeping with the 'Do, Discuss and Disseminate' theme of MyGov and will culminate in the first ever townhall address by the Prime Minister.
"The prime minister will talk about the concept of citizen engagement, MyGov, the response to this participative governance initiative and how he sees the platform evolving," MyGov Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gaurav Dwivedi said.
He said a process is already on to short-list those who will get to interact with Modi. "They would be selected from among the regular users of MyGov, based on their ideas, level of engagement, questions and suggestions," he added.
The townhall address will also see launch of new MyGov initiatives and distribution of awards to winners of MyGov contests -- Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Duties of a Citizen, Governance Quiz and India Africa Quiz.
The event is expected to see participation of various ministers and senior government officials, which will be inaugurated by IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and will have four sessions.
The first session 'Do' will cover contests on design innovation, eGreetings as also volunteering, poll and survey functionalities of MyGov while the second one 'Discuss' will see officials and MyGov contributors in an interactive discussion on brainstorming ideas and sharing experiences.
The third session will invite fresh ideas for improving user experience, introducing new features for the platform and the panel for this includes social media representatives, MyGov users, Members of Parliament who have contributed to MyGov, and senior officials of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, and NIC.
The fourth session will cover the 'Disseminate' theme and focus on #TransformingIndia website, eSampark portal and MyGov live events as the channel of government communication with citizens.
Photograph: Paresh Gandhi/Rediff.com | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pm-modi-first-ever-townhall-meet-on-august-6/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1f1e4c301d8d8c7be31f54fbab413f3d85908d41f9902bfb3059d9bf485e75ac.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:39 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister who has set his eyes on the western state, said it was the 'triumph' of AAP's fight against corruption in Gujarat. | Kejriwal gloats, claims AAP popularity led to Anandiben's resignation | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkejriwal-gloats-claims-aap-popularity-led-to-anandibens-resignation%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2012/oct/02kejriwal3.jpg | en | null | Kejriwal gloats, claims AAP popularity led to Anandiben's resignation | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 22:18 IST
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday claimed the credit for Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's offer to resign, saying the party's "soaring popularity" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state was the reason behind her move to "relinquish" the post.
Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister who has set his eyes on the western state, said it was the "triumph" of AAP's fight against corruption in Gujarat.
AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said Patel's offer to resign was a mere drama and that she was actually being "sacked".
"Anandiben's resignation is the outcome of AAP's soaring popularity in Gujarat. Bharatiya Janata Party is badly scared in Gujarat. Her resignation is also the triumph of AAP's fight against corruption in Gujarat," Kejriwal said in a series of tweets.
The AAP national convenor has visited Gujarat twice in the recent past. He had met the dalit men who were flogged for skinning a dead cow.
In another tweet, he took a swipe at the prime minister, saying people were dying to hear him on a host of contentious issues. "Sir, pl speak on dalit atrocities, gau rakshks, kashmir, akhlak, farmer suicides, daal price. Ppl dying to hear u on these (sic)."
Ashutosh said BJP was forced to change Patel as chief minister and that it was looking for a new leader as a "scared" Modi knows he is "losing in his home turf".
"Anandi Ben is not resigning. It is drama. She is being sacked," Ashutosh said. He also put out a series of tweets saying Modi is rewarding Patel "with governorship".
"BJP has to answer why Hardik (Patel) was in jail for treason? Why thousands of Patel women/kids were beaten in homes? BJP has to answer why dalits were beaten in Una, Rajula so brutally? Why Gau Rakshak Dal is roaming free? Why false cases against dalits?" he said in a series of tweets.
Patel has offered to resign requesting the BJP leadership to relieve her from the post as she is soon going to be 75.
The BJP for the first time is facing a tough challenge from opponents in Gujarat since Narendra Modi moved to the Centre. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kejriwal-gloats-claims-aap-popularity-led-to-anandibens-resignation/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/0d27f8e5f4aae10c0a9a16e430363fef25fed2dedf6af2e5299b8a6cc9e998b1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:15 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Gandhi underwent a surgery on her left shoulder on August 3 and doctors said she almost recovered from the injury.
| Sonia Gandhi running fever, hospital stay extended | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsonia-gandhi-running-fever-hospital-stay-extended%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03lead2.jpg | en | null | Sonia Gandhi running fever, hospital stay extended | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 20:28 IST
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, undergoing treatment at a private hospital for the last nine days after after taking ill during a roadshow in Varanasi, is running fever and doctors have advised her to extend her stay by a few days.
Doctors at Sir Ganga Ram hospital, where she was admitted on August 3 with fever, dehydration and a shoulder injury, said 69-year-old Gandhi still has mild fever which delayed her discharge.
"Today morning, a team of doctors has examined Mrs Gandhi. They have advised her to remain in hospital on account of fever due to infection in the body. She is on antibiotics and is showing signs of improvement from the infection," said Dr DS Rana, Chairman of Board of Management of the hospital.
Gandhi was admitted under the care of Dr Arup Basu, Senior Consultant at Department of Pulmonology and Chest Medicine of the hospital.
She underwent a surgery on her left shoulder on August 3 and doctors said she almost recovered from the injury.
Gandhi was shifted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital from the Army Research and Referral Hospital, where she was rushed soon after her arrival from Varanasi around midnight of August 2.
The Congress president had to cut short her roadshow in Varanasi after she was taken ill. She had fractured her left shoulder during the roadshow. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sonia-gandhi-running-fever-hospital-stay-extended/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1022fdfecad07e85b89a0c0e84ff17b0c41f19f5ff671c97d30868fddc8614c7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:25 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | 36-year-old Sunil Yadav, who works as a garbage collector for the civic body in Mumbai is an inspiration. He chronicles the arduous journey he took to secure his MPhil degree and why he refuses to give up his job despite his education. | Sweeping success: Meet the PhD student who's a garbage collector | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fspecial%2Fsweeping-success-meet-the-phd-student-whos-a-garbage-collector%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16phd1.jpg | en | null | Sweeping success: Meet the PhD student who's a garbage collector | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 17, 2016 10:01 IST
‘Equality, fundamental rights guaranteed in the Indian Constitution are not meant for us.’
‘One Sunil Yadav studying is pointless. I want every other Dalit to do so.’
At a time when Dalit oppression is grabbing headlines all over, 36-year-old Sunil Yadav, who works as a garbage collector for the civic body in Mumbai, is an inspiration. Speaking to Swarupa Dutt/Rediff.com, he chronicles his arduous journey to secure his MPhil degree, and explains why he refuses to give up his job despite his education.
IMAGE: Sunil Yadav has completed his MPhil degree from Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai and plans to do a post doctoral on human scavengers and sweepers across the world. Photograph: Swarupa Dutt/Rediff.com
The first two words in English which Sunil Yadav, 36, found remarkably easy to remember when he was grappling with the language were ‘Discrimination’ and ‘Oppression’.
They were sentiments he was familiar with. “I’m a garbage loader with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (Mumbai’s civic body) and a Dalit and I honestly don’t think there has been a single moment in my life when I haven’t been discriminated against. Or felt oppressed. But it’s not just me, every Dalit feels the same,” shrugs Yadav.
“Dalits are in the news every day. Rape, flogging, somebody hacked to death for Rs 15... but I don’t know if crimes against us are rising or are we simply emboldened enough to file a police complaint? But I can tell you this, education has changed our lives,” he says.
Clearly, Sunil knows what he’s talking about.
An MPhil degree (with thesis in 'Lives of human scavengers') from Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, a Master’s degree (specialising in globalisation and labour), a diploma in social work from TISS, a degree in journalism and a BCom. He is now pursuing his PhD, and has plans to do a post doctoral on human scavengers and sweepers across the world.
Education, he says, earned him respect and dignity, denied to Dalits for thousands of years. “We moved to this chawl in Chembur recently. Nobody knew I am a Dalit or a ‘safai karmachari’ and I was treated just like anyone else. Now they know, since I have been giving interviews, but there is no discrimination. Do you know why? It’s only because I am educated.”
His wife Sanjana pops her head out from the kitchen of the one-room-kitchen home -- their older daughter has to be readied for school and she asks her husband to mind the younger girl who has been stuck to her like a limpet.
Their daughter (who waves a frantic goodbye to her father) goes to an English medium school. “There was no way we were going to send her to a Marathi medium school. I have seen how difficult it is for Sunil to cope with in English. Now my daughter even corrects him when he makes spelling errors,” Sanjana beams.
“Nobody, no leader, no God will come and help you. The only thing that will is education.”
Sunil says he would have probably remained an undergrad had it not been for his sister. She was reporteldy burnt for dowry and died six days later. “She had been forced to give a dying declaration that it was an accident,” he says. The statement was given in her husband’s presence. Sunil alleges the man had threatened to do the same thing to their three children.
He says he wanted to file an FIR, but the cops threw him out of the police station. “Hamara koi sunnewala nahin, hamare saath itna atyachar hota hai (there is nobody to listen to our problems, we face so much oppression). I realised I have to become strong from within. I filed a case, but lawyers are also liars, and I lost the case.”
Sunil was doing his BCom then. “My exams were held 15 days after my sister’s death. I appeared but failed. In October 2008, I finally finished my graduation. Armed with my degree I approached the BMC clerk and asked him if I could get a promotion. He threw the certificate on the floor and said it was useless. ‘Jhadu pakad ke rakh (hold the broom)’, he told me.” Conversely, it only strengthened Sunil's desire to study more.
Sunil, who had landed the ‘safai karmachari’s’ job with the BMC on compassionate grounds after his father, a sweeper with the civic body, had a paralytic stroke, says initially he was just happy to land the job since it took him four years to get the BMC to move his file. “They demanded a Rs 2,000 bribe and we didn’t have the money,” he says.
“On my first day at work I was sent to clean a house gully -- a narrow alley between two buildings. The garbage from the buildings is thrown directly into the gully which is cleaned at the most once a month. The garbage is always knee-deep and has everything from rotting food and dead rats to excreta from overflowing septic tanks. “Mera atma roya tha us waqt (my soul wept),” says Yadav, who tied plastic bags to his hands and got to work since temporary workers are not even given protective gear. “I came home that night and thought, ‘this was the job I had fought to get for four years!’”
His father, grandparents, uncle were all sweepers with the BMC and Sunil says he was aware of what the job entailed, but he was still unprepared for the reality.
IMAGE: Sunil's wife Sanjana passed her graduation exam after being coaxed by him to study. Now, she wishes to become a lawyer for her husband. Photograph: Swarupa Dutt/Rediff.com
Eleven years on, Sunil is a permanent employee with the BMC and the job profile has improved -- up from house gullies to a loader in a truck carrying garbage. He now earns Rs 23,000 per month.
“I did not choose to do this work. I have been forced to do it since I am born into the Valmiki caste. In fact, 99 per cent of ‘safai karmacharis’ in the BMC are Dalits. Even if you want to find other work, it’s difficult. The system has kept us down, daba ke rakha hai,” he grimaces.
Take study leave, for instance. The BMC allows all employees up to two years of study leave during their employment. When Sunil asked for leave while he was doing his MPhil, the then BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte refused to grant it. “I was told, you are a ‘safai karmachari’. If I give you leave, we will have to give it to everyone. Then who will do your work?”
“Equality, fundamental rights guaranteed in the Indian Constitution are not meant for us. Hum toh langde ghode hain (we are handicapped horses). If we are given a chance, we can compete with you. Tagde ghode ke saath race nahin laga saktein. Those safai karmacharis who are educated should be given a promotion, made a peon or a clerk. But this is not happening,” he says.
Sunil has now filed a petition in the Bombay high court demanding that the BMC grant him study leave for his PhD. “I have been fighting for study leave ever since my masters. My professor was aware I was doing a night shift and studying in the morning, so he approached the Indian Express, which did a story on me. The story was read by the Prime Minister’s Office and a National Scheduled Caste Commission team came to Mumbai and held a hearing with the BMC commissioner and assistant municipal commissioner and I was granted leave in just seven days. My question is, why does it take a commission to do something that is mandated by the BMC?”
According to reports, Sunil is the only safai karmachari in the history of the BMC to apply for study leave.
In 2014, there was a vacancy for a Labour Welfare Officer in the BMC. Sunil says he qualified and applied for the job. The officer, he says, asked him incredulously, ‘How can a ‘safai karmachari’ get such a big post?’"
“What is this if not discrimination?” Sunil asks.
He says has no plans to change jobs. “House, car, a better job... these are really not important anymore. If I give my National Eligibility Test exam I can become a professor. In fact, I have an offer from Tata Power for a labour officer. But one Sunil Yadav studying is pointless. I want every other Dalit to do so. If I take up another job, the link with the BMC will be broken. I will be working for the Tata Power labourers, not for safai karmacharis,” he says.
Sunil says all the safai karmacharis in the BMC are class-IV employees and are never promoted. They retire as safai karmacharis. They never get an opportunity to educate themselves and better their careers. “I want to be at their service, I want to push them to study,” he says. “I have told my wife that we have to give back to society.”
Says Sanjana, “I agree with his thinking. I realised that without education nobody bothers to even hear you out. ‘Anpadh hai, isko kya pata (he’s uneducated, what would he know)’... is what people think. In fact, immediately after marriage, he told me, ‘Sanjana, tu padh, tujhe padhna hi hoga (Sanjana, you have to study). We used to live with our in-laws in Mahalaxmi then. My father-in-law was paralysed, I had a sister-in-law who had to be married, it was just not possible,” she says.
Sanjana was just a Class XII pass when she got married. She’s now a graduate and has given her entrance exam for law. “I will be lawyer, I will do it for him,” she says smiling at her husband.
Sunil says he has helped at least 25 to 30 people -- all safai karmacharis -- graduate, apart from his family. His brother, who had dropped out of school, has finished his Class XII and has done a diploma from an Industrial Training Institute. A cousin, who is a manual scavenger with the Thane Municipal Corporation, is now a graduate.
“Nobody, no leader, no God will come and help you. The only thing that will is education,” he says with resolve. | http://www.rediff.com/news/special/sweeping-success-meet-the-phd-student-whos-a-garbage-collector/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3bc42db38ccfadb2595bd8910d0338526fcaa196f2b4794f9522a96d793a874d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:41 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | A pandal, just outside the local church, that once had thousands of protesters flocking there and shouting slogans, is strangely silent. | 5 years later, India's longest anti-nuke agitation may have fizzled out | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Findias-longest-anti-nuke-agitation-may-have-fizzled-out%2F20160816.htm.json | http://www.rediff.com/news/2012/mar/28knpp1.jpg | en | null | 5 years later, India's longest anti-nuke agitation may have fizzled out | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 09:40 IST
IMAGE: In an earlier photograph, the protestors, mostly women, in Idinthakarai at the height of the protests. Photograph: A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com
Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar visits Idinthakarai, the epicentre of the protests against the Koodangulam Nuclear Power Plant, a day after it was dedicated to the nation.
Idinthakarai, in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, literally means demolished shore and it suits the mood of the village on Thursday, August 11, a day after the Koodangulam Nuclear Plant's Unit 1 was dedicated to the nation.
A pandal, just outside the local church, that once had thousands of protesters flocking there and shouting slogans, is strangely silent.
There are three people in the pandal. One of them, Leela, is writing on a board. She writes '1822' -- the number of days of the struggle against the nuclear plant.
In 40 days it will be five years since they took on the might of the State.
The Idinthakarai agitation succeeded in putting a spoke into the nuclear plant's plans, but the agitation lost steam once Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa returned to power.
In Opposition, Jayalalithaa was said to have supported the agitation. In office, the chief minister turned against the agitation. Many protestors had innumerable cases filed against them. Most of their time was spent attending the Valliyoor court.
"How many days are people going to leave work and come here?" asks Leon, an activist present at the pandal. "They can't afford to do that. What did we get out of losing money by not going fishing? Nothing! So men have stopped coming to the pandal."
"They have given up hope of ever stopping the nuclear plant," Leon adds.
"We still come here in the afternoon," says Celine, another activist present. "The men have stopped coming, but we are hopeful this plant will shut down."
Cases were filed against most of the villagers, says Leon, but adds that the state government is not following up on the cases. The villagers know if the anti-nuclear agitation ever recommences with its old fervour, the government would probably revive the cases.
"The villagers of Koodangulam joined our agitation in the beginning," says Leela. "Now only one old man comes once a week to enquire what is going on. They too have lost interest."
"In the future," says another activist, "there are going to be six reactors here. Any one of them could explode. We will be vaporised, you won't even find our bodies."
"The agitation lost steam once S P Udaykumar, who led the agitation, left," says a shopkeeper in the area. "There is no agitation now, just a board and a resting place for the old women in the village."
"He did a lot for us," says Leela, speaking of Udaykumar, "and we are thankful, but we don't understand why he contested elections."
"When he was here," Leela adds, "he used to say politicians belong in the gutter. We are very disappointed with him."
The local church and its priest Father F Jaikumar are said to have supported the agitation. Several cases including one for sedition were filed against Father Jaikumar, who has been transferred from the area. The new priest has apparently been told to stay away from the agitation. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/indias-longest-anti-nuke-agitation-may-have-fizzled-out/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c02fdf568e9cce806e238f31c40c9045362df86e9668bb15aa49667800578d0d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:31 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | 'Terrorism has no place in our religion, society or in our daily lives.'
| 'Muslim youth must understand the dangers of joining IS' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fmuslim-youth-must-understand-the-dangers-of-joining-is%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02isis-1.jpg | en | null | 'Muslim youth must understand the dangers of joining IS' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 03, 2016 08:52 IST
'Terrorism has no place in our religion, society or in our daily lives.'
As security agencies grapple with the rising trend of young men coming under the influence of Islamic State, a seminar and interactive session is being organised in Hyderabad this week to discuss ways to wean away people from IS' violent and ultra conservative ideology.
State Minorities Commission for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chairman Abid Rasool Khan, below, left, who has organised a seminar to explain to Muslims the dangers of Islamic State, speaks with Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore about the seminar and discusses the report on the welfare of minorities that he submitted to Governor E S L Narasimhan last week.
What is the purpose of this seminar you have organised in Hyderabad on August 6?
We had witnessed some instances of Islamic State activity and recruitment (for IS) in Hyderabad recently. The National Investigating Agency arrested 10 to 11 youth from the city on this charge.
When these youth were arrested, interrogated and subsequently let off, some of the parents of these youth came with a petition to me as the chairman of the commission that their children were innocent.
It was only after their arrests and discussion with them, these parents came to know that their children had visited websites of such (Islamic State) organisations.
In their petitions these parents requested me to help them out. So we have taken this initiative to explain to the community the serious repercussions of such actions or involvement with such terrorist organisations.
How these terrorists are inducing the youth through social media and how dangerous is the path which they should not tread on.
This seminar will be addressed by researchers and authors who have studied and written books on Islamic State. One very eminent speaker from Hyderabad, Mirza Yawar Baig, has written a book, ISIS Isn't: The Faulty Logic of Opportunism -- on the modus operandi of the terrorist group in alluring young Muslims.
A scholar from Kolkata, Aslam, who is doing research on radicalisation of Muslim youth, will also be speaking along with police officers from the IT cell of Telangana who are monitoring these activities, college heads, institution heads and vice-chancellors of various universities who have a following among the youth here.
We will be sending out a very strong message (to the Muslim youth) that this (IS) is a very strong and cruel terrorist organisation. It is the responsibility of the parents, mentors, teachers to give a strong message to the youth that they should not get involved with it in any which way.
We have also invited the head of the NIA, Hyderabad. There will be 10 speakers -- religious leaders and imams of mosques who give sermons on Fridays, researchers, legal luminaries, police officers -- who will address more than a thousand Muslim youth from colleges and universities about what are the perils of getting attracted to IS.
You have also invited representatives from Google and Facebook. What role will they play in this seminar?
We have the (Indian) headquarters of Google and Facebook in Hyderabad and since most of this radicalisation takes place online, these representatives will explain to the youth how social media works, how terrorist organisations are using it to recruit and spread terror activities. We will be appealing them to block such sites.
We want the (Muslim) community to understand the serious implications (of getting attracted to IS) and then respond positively against the spread of such terrorist organisation as one unit.
We also want the government (state as well as central) to block such sites and Google and Facebook being major players on social media, they should also help us by identifying, blocking such sites and by educating the youth.
The three annual reports you submitted to Governor Narasimhan as the chairman of the state minorities commission for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has highlighted how since 2013 the attacks on churches and on Muslim women have increased. What reason does your report assign for this trend?
This is the scene (trend) throughout the country... attacks on churches and on isolated Muslims, especially rapes of Muslim women (have been on the rise). The major reason is the communalisation and polarisation which is happening throughout the country.
Any data to back your findings?
There were 11 cases of rape of Muslim women in the last one year in Telangana. Most of these girls were raped when they were coming back from colleges or schools in rural areas. In a lot of cases victims died too.
Were the accused in all these cases from the majority community?
Yes, they were from the majority community.
And as per your assessment, these rapes are happening because some people want to communalise the atmosphere in Telangana?
It (the increase in trhe rapes of Muslim women) could be because the Muslim girls are taking advantage of the opportunities and going out to study, which was not the case before. They were very conservative earlier and would not travel distances to study. Hence, they have become easy targets now.
We have submitted our report along with our recommendations to the state government. We have given our suggestions and asked for trials of such cases to take place in fast track courts.
We want such cases to be tried within six months and a strong message should go to people who indulge in these acts that the law is not going to spare them.
Has your assessment reached a conclusion that only Muslim women are being singled out or is there an increase in the overall cases of rapes in Telangana, which include women from the majority or any other communities as well?
I cannot comment on that because as the chairman of the state minorities commission, my job is confined to the welfare of minority communities in the state. I am not working on the data of other communities that faced similar crimes in the state.
So, one cannot draw a conclusion that Muslim women are being singled out?
Yes, it's not that... I cannot say that. But there is definitely an increase in the rapes of Muslim women and that is what we are worried about. We also want the state government to address this issue.
I, personally, and members of my commission, feel that this increase could partly be attributed to an increase in number of Muslim girls travelling to faraway schools and colleges that make them vulnerable targets for such attacks when they return home late in the evening.
Three to four cases happened when these girls were coming back from their colleges. And this worries us if these rapes are related to the communal happenings or if these cases are just a coincidence.
What has your report recommended to end such cases?
Like I said, we have asked for setting up of fast track courts to get these cases tried within six months and quick convictions of the guilty.
The second recommendation is setting up of more schools and colleges near mandal (taluka) headquarters so that these girls don't need to travel long distances.
Third, we have asked for more police patrolling on the routes that these girls take to reach their schools or colleges.
Fourth, there should be quick rehabilitation of the girls who suffer such trauma. So that they can live normal lives again.
Fortunately, the government of Telangana has responded very positively on all these recommendations and one can see their effective implementation on the ground.
In the last four, five cases of rape the accused were arrested immediately, the fast track courts were set up in the districts.
But no convictions have happened yet.
Convictions haven't happened because these cases took place in the last one to six months.
You also stated in your report that funds allocated for the minorities have not been fully spent. Why has that happened?
Fifty per cent of the total annual allocation goes unspent. The survey we did to find out the reasons behind this, made us realise that the infrastructure required to disperse this money does not really exist at the taluka level, but only on paper.
So, we recommended that the government strengthen taluka level offices that look after disbursement of funds to the minorities, then at the district level and then at the state level.
Vacancies are unfilled in these offices. So, we have asked the government to fill these positions on a war footing.
You also requested the governor and the state government in your report for more powers to the state minorities commission. Do you think the powers that the commission wields are not enough to satisfy its mandate?
We have powers to study, but when it comes to take action we only hold recommendatory powers. We have requested the government to give us powers to pass orders.
Basically, the commission is given the powers of a civil court up to the trial stage till the time we call for reports. But we can't give final orders which are binding because we are just a recommendatory body. This limits our scope to discharge our duties mandated by the Commission properly.
We have requested the Telangana government to give the commission powers that are binding in nature.
As the chairman of the commission, what message would like to give to the Muslim youth of India? | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/muslim-youth-must-understand-the-dangers-of-joining-is/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6ad382cda48496ee3bd0f16630ee81642dc6510382eec393c056031067a87f01.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:58 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Lt Gen Dua called on Governor Vohra and briefed him about the security situation and the Army's preparedness to deal with any arising exigency. | Army's Kashmir Corps commander briefs Governor on situation in the Valley | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Farmys-kashmir-corps-commander-briefs-governor-on-situation-in-the-valley%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16dua.jpg | en | null | Army's Kashmir Corps commander briefs Governor on situation in the Valley | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 19:27 IST
Amid the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, Commander of the Army's Srinagar-based Corps Lt Gen S K Dua on Tuesday met Governor N N Vohra in Srinagar and briefed him about the situation in the valley.
Lt Gen Dua called on Vohra at Raj Bhavan and briefed him about the internal and external security situation and the Army's preparedness to deal with any arising exigency, an official spokesman said.
Kashmir valley is on the boil since July 9 in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces. So far 65 people, including two policemen, have died and several thousand others have been injured in the unrest.
The meeting comes a day after Army foiled a major infiltration bid in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, killing five militants.
The meeting also assumes significance as militants carried out a deadly attack in Nowhatta locality on Monday, after over a decade in downtown Srinagar, which left a CRPF officer and two militants dead, while 11 CRPF and policemen were injured.
CRPF Inspector General Atul Karwal also called on the Governor and briefed him about the obtaining internal security situation in the state.
The Governor conveyed to Karwal his grief on the loss of Commandant of 49th Battalion Promod Kumar in Monday's terrorist attack at Nowhatta, the spokesman said.
He said the Governor wished speedy recovery to the CRPF personnel who have been injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its affiliated associations on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest march in Srinagar against the civilian killings and pressed for resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Carrying black banners and placards, the march led by KCCI president Mushtaq Ahmad Wani was taken out from KCCI office at Residency Road and culminated at Press Enclave, a distance of about two kms.
Some of the participants chanted pro-freedom slogans.
Members of Kashmir Economic Alliance, All Kashmir Chemists and Druggists Association and Kashmir Transport Welfare Association participated in the march and staged a peaceful sit-in at Press Enclave before dispersing peacefully.
"We organised this march to protest the killing of innocent civilians and press our demand for early resolution of Kashmir issue," a spokesman of the KCCI said.
The separatists, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, had asked the traders to stage a sit-in from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm at all market places on Tuesday.
IMAGE: Lt General S K Dua spoke at length with Governor Vohra about the situation in Kashmir. Photograph: ANI/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/armys-kashmir-corps-commander-briefs-governor-on-situation-in-the-valley/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/19e827202074599b238e6bf5dc542495124a7e24e7feb5355a428b0a1ef6e498.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:17:25 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Ballot papers were posted out as voting opened on Monday to decide if veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn will remain the head of UK's Opposition Labour party, amid deep divisions within the 116-year-old organisation over the leadership challenge triggered by the 'Brexit' vote in June. | UK: Voting begins in bitter Labour leader contest | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fuk-voting-begins-in-bitter-labour-leader-contest%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22lead5.jpg | en | null | UK: Voting begins in bitter Labour leader contest | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 22, 2016 19:41 IST
Ballot papers were posted out as voting opened on Monday to decide if veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn will remain the head of UK's Opposition Labour party, amid deep divisions within the 116-year-old organisation over the leadership challenge triggered by the 'Brexit' vote in June.
Nearly 650,000 Labour members are eligible to vote in the election, which has pitted current leader Corbyn against challenger Owen Smith after Corbyn lost a no-confidence vote moved by his party's MPs in June.
The deadline for the ballot papers to be returned is September 21 and the winner of the battle will be declared on September 24 at special conference in Liverpool.
The Labour party said its voters are made up of around 350,000 members, 129,000 people who paid 25 pounds each to be registered supporters, and 168,000 from unions and other organisations.
Britain's vote on June 23 to leave the EU provided the catalyst for the leadership challenge, with a series of Corbyn's shadow cabinet team resigning in criticism of his failure to convince Labour supporters to vote against Brexit.
Corbyn, however, remains the favourite as the 67-year-old retains the backing of most trade unions and many grassroots supporters who signed up last year to ensure his victory.
He has released a list of four key pledges, including replacing the House of Lords with an elected upper chamber of Parliament and introducing mandatory collective bargaining for companies with over 250 employees.
"Labour under my leadership will listen to ideas from the bottom up - and take radical action to transform and rebuild our country so that no-one and no community is left behind," Corbyn said in a statement.
His challenger Smith, a 46-year-old former member of Corbyn's shadow cabinet, is also targeting voters to the left of the party.
"Not some misty-eyed, romantic notion of a revolution where we are going to overthrow capitalism and return to a socialist nirvana... but a cold-eyed, practical socialist revolution where we build a better Britain," he said in a speech recently.
The campaign so far has thrown up deep divisions within the party, with London mayor Sadiq Khan becoming the latest high-profile Labour leader to come out in support of Smith.
"Jeremy's personal ratings are the worst of any Opposition leader on record and the Labour Party is suffering badly as a result. He has lost the confidence of more than 80 per cent of Labour MPs in Parliament and I am afraid we simply cannot afford to go on like this," Khan wrote in an article in The Observer on Sunday.
"With the Tories wreaking havoc on our country, the first and last consideration must be which of the candidates is most likely to lead the next Labour government that will invest in our public services and give everyone a fair chance in life," the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Kezia Dugdale worte in the Daily Record.
A spokesperson for Corbyn said a "majority" of Scottish Labour members would be backing him in the ballot.
IMAGE: Labour Party leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn: Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/uk-voting-begins-in-bitter-labour-leader-contest/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ed799c24d1141d49bec33ce6bba8735fda0489728759ee819fabe13c7883ca23.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:06:21 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | An official said that there were stringent norms at MDL on data security. | No leak from our side, say makers of Scorpene subs in India | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fno-leak-from-our-side-says-mdl-scorpene%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25sub.jpg | en | null | No leak from our side, say makers of Scorpene subs in India | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 13:35 IST
The Mazagon Dock Limited, where the Scorpene submarines are being built, said on Friday that the data leak did not take place from its end and that it was assisting the Navy in the probe.
A day after the data leak on the capabilities of six highly-advanced submarines being built for the Indian Navy in Mumbai -- in collaboration with a French company -- came to light, an MDL official said there were stringent norms at MDL on data security.
“It needs to be verified if the leaked documents are authentic,” the official said, reacting to reports of the massive data leak.
MDL head Rear Admiral Rahul Shrawat was not available for comments.
French shipbuilder DCNS has provided technology for the Rs 23,562-crore project.
The MDL is scheduled to deliver the first of the six submarines to the Indian Navy early next year and the remaining are likely to be delivered by 2020.
According to media reports, the documents running into 22,400 pages detail the combat capabilities of French-designed Scorpene-class submarines.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had on Wednesday ordered the Navy Chief to go into the ‘entire issue’. A report is also being sought from DCNS.
“What I understand is there is a hacking. So we will find out all this,” Parrikar had said.
IMAGE: Indian Navy's Scorpene submarine INS Kalvari being escorted by tugboats as it arrives at Mazagon Docks Ltd in Mumbai. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/no-leak-from-our-side-says-mdl-scorpene/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3463f08d4ca33923a89e19865bac3385491c6ecf0498af6083e052aabdc321cf.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:22 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | The Jaldoot train supplying water from Miraj town to Latur in Marathwada on Monday made its 111th and last trip. | After delivering 2.79cr litres of water to parched Latur, 'Jaldoot' runs for the last time | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwater-train-completes-last-run-to-latur%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08jaldoot.jpg | en | null | After delivering 2.79cr litres of water to parched Latur, 'Jaldoot' runs for the last time | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 09, 2016 04:14 IST
The Jaldoot train supplying water from Miraj town to Latur in Marathwada on Monday made its 111th and last trip.
Since its first run in April to then parched Latur, the train has delivered 2.79 crore litre water to the drought-affected town, an official said.
The train, run jointly by Indian Railways and state government, filled up 50 wagons with water from Miraj junction and carried it 340-km away to Latur city on its last trip.
There, the water is collected in a farmer's well located near railway tracks, to be carried further into the city.
On August 1, the Latur Municipal Corporation re-activated its regular water supply system following good amount of rains.
The civic body had stopped water supply through taps in February 2016, after its reservoirs ran dry.
Latur Collector Pandurang Pole said, "I received an official communication from Latur Municipal Corporation to stop the water supply through the train. The two weirs--Sai and Nagzari--that supply water to Latur city are filled to capacity. It would be sufficient for six months at least. Hence, we communicated to the state government that the water train should be discontinued."
The officer wrote to the government and the Central Railways to discontinue the water train services.
Latur has been reeling under severe drought for three consecutive years. Residents were getting drinking water through tankers. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/water-train-completes-last-run-to-latur/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e8f42e7fc95c15ffc74227f790490b2d09651139b53d3b18e03ea513ce9608b8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:39 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Asserting that it was a matter of concern that Prime Minister Modi was comparing the Kashmir issue with Balochistan, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said the former should not take up two issues together. | Does PM want to sacrifice Kashmir for Balochistan, asks Congress | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdoes-pm-want-to-sacrifice-kashmir-for-balochistan-asks-congress%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16modi.jpg | en | null | Does PM want to sacrifice Kashmir for Balochistan, asks Congress | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 09:42 IST
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making a reference of Balochistan in his Independence Day speech, the Congress on Tuesday said it seems that the Centre is ready to sacrifice Kashmir for Balochistan.
Asserting that it was a matter of concern that Prime Minister Modi was comparing the Kashmir issue with Balochistan, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said the former should not take up two issues together.
“The way our prime minister is bringing in the Balochistan issue every time he speaks of Kashmir, it is a grave matter of concern, it is indeed frightening. If he talks about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, I can understand as it’s a part of Kashmir,” said Nirupam.
“To compare the Kashmir issue with Balochistan is not correct. So, does it mean that the prime minister is willing to sacrifice Kashmir for Balochistan’s freedom? He should never rake Kashmir and Balochistan issue together,” he added.
On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an oblique reference to the human rights situation in Pakistan’s Balochistan province besides Gilgit and other areas of Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort.“People of Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK have thanked me a lot in past few days, I am grateful to them,” Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the nation on the occasion of 70th Independence Day.“This is the example of our humanitarian approach, but there are some countries who glorify terrorists. To the youth who have taken up guns, I urge them to return to their parents and shun violence,” he added.Gilgit-Baltistan has witnessed massive protests that erupted against a crackdown by Pakistan’s security forces in recent weeks and resource rich Balochistan province has seen a crackdown by the Pakistani authorities who say they are quelling an insurgency in the region.In the past, Pakistan has accused India of supporting the Baloch insurgency. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/does-pm-want-to-sacrifice-kashmir-for-balochistan-asks-congress/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/69c2ee7fceed8d160d8749b217622a8531529ac0445244f67bae2d64f299f6d9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:49:58 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Union Health Minister J P Nadda also dismissed criticism that government was trying to impose moral values on citizens, saying it is about 'righteousness' and the technological advancements in this area have to be used in the 'right perspective'. | 'Non-negotiable!' Govt stands its ground on surrogacy bill | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fnon-negotiable-govt-stands-its-ground-on-surrogacy-bill%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26lead5.jpg | en | null | 'Non-negotiable!' Govt stands its ground on surrogacy bill | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 20:09 IST
Facing criticism over its draft surrogacy bill, the government today said it is open to incorporating suggestions but insisted that some of its key provisions, including putting a stop to abandonment of children and exploitation of women, are "non-negotiable".
Union Health Minister J P Nadda also dismissed criticism that government was trying to impose moral values on citizens, saying it is about "righteousness" and the technological advancements in this area have to be used in the "right perspective".
"This (bill) is an attempt to stop commercial surrogacy. It has been approved by the Cabinet. It will now go to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. Interactions will take place and suggestions will come to the government. We will take note of them. Then it will go to the Parliament.
"Discussions will take place there. So open to idea is inthe sense... this is the direction we have taken. It is our
responsibility to save the mothers by stopping exploitation. To take it to its ultimate end, whatever good idea or suggestions will come, we are open to it," Nadda told media persons.
The Union Cabinet recently gave its nod to the introduction of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 in Parliament, which seeks a complete ban on commercial surrogacy and allowing only legally-wedded Indian couples to opt for children through it.
"Non-negotiable is exploitation of women should not happen, abandonment of children should not take place," Nadda said. The proposed bill also proposes a bar on unmarried couples, single parents, live-in partners and homosexuals from opting for surrogacy.
"It's not a question of imposing moral values, its a question of righteousness. Technological advancement has to be used in the right perspective.
"Proven exploitation (of women) has been there, children have been abandoned and there was no regulation. We have tried to come out in that direction," Nadda said when asked whether the government is trying to impose moral values.
On the proposed provision that only "close relatives" of couples will be allowed to be surrogate mothers, Nadda said, "This bill has got the basic framework of what we accept and what we do not. Under this, opting for a family friend does not come. We will deliberate while framing rules, how far we can go (on widening the ambit).
Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/non-negotiable-govt-stands-its-ground-on-surrogacy-bill/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a26f8cf4480e2d346cf9cf5087514f706f5d7b96dd4e7edca466c675a020bca4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:15:01 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | Legislators from Bahujan Samaj Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Apna Dal jumped into the Well of the House with placards and banners even before the assembly proceedings started. | Pandemonium in UP assembly, opposition MLAs marshalled out | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpandemonium-in-up-assembly-opposition-mlas-marshalled-out%2F20160823.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/23up.jpg | en | null | Pandemonium in UP assembly, opposition MLAs marshalled out | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 23, 2016 14:20 IST
Pandemonium on Tuesday prevailed in the Uttar Pradesh assembly as opposition parties sought to corner the Akhilesh Yadav government over several issues, prompting the speaker to order the eviction of the protesting legislators.
Legislators from Bahujan Samaj Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Apna Dal jumped into the Well of the House with placards and banners even before the assembly proceedings started.
BSP members donning caps with slogans “Daliton par atyachar nahi chalega” (atrocities on Dalits will not be tolerated) and banners highlighting the issue of cane dues protested against the government.
BJP members raised the issues of law and order, electricity, women security etc.
RLD members also pitched in raising the issue of non-payment of cane dues while Peace Party member Ayub was seen with the banner “Adityanath ke goondon ko giraftar karo” (arrest goons of Adityanath).
Amidst the din, Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey tried to pacify the members to return to their seats for Question Hour, but his attempt went in vain.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohd Azam Khan said strict action should be taken against the legislators, whom he accused of committing contempt of the House by jumping into the Well even before the start of the proceedings and arrival of the Speaker.
“They are trying to communalise things and vitiate the atmosphere of the state. BSP men are doing all this for cheap media publicity. Instead of pointing banners to us, they are showing it to media, which showed their intentions,” he said.
On his demand, a resolution was passed with voice vote to remove the agitating legislators from the House following which the Speaker asked the marshals to evict them.
BJP, Congress and BSP MLAs jostled with other legislators and continued to raise slogans while marshals tried to remove them. While some resisted the marshals, others voluntarily went outside the House.
Some BSP MLAs were seen using force while resisting the marshals.
“It has never happened in the House. Some legislators used force with marshals,” Khan charged.
The Speaker said he was forced to take strict action.
“It was a strict decision but necessary. The action (of MLAs) against marshals should be condemned. Both BSP and BJP are competing with each other in creating nuisance for cheap publicity,” Khan said.
The agitated MLAs after being removed from the House sat on dharna in the gallery outside.
Later, Speaker continued Question Hour but as opposition leaders were not present he started agenda of Zero hour.
Image: Opposition protest outside UP assembly over law and order situation in the state. Photograph: ANI/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pandemonium-in-up-assembly-opposition-mlas-marshalled-out/20160823.htm | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6625c012a9f1c299c138c8682984ab82b7044bf50fa479e2defe909c3cf26304.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:29 | null | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | With its refusal to accept the modern social values, the Indian Muslim community is going down the slope of progress, says Najid Hussain. | The Indian Muslim must back a Uniform Civil Code | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Fthe-indian-muslim-must-back-a-uniform-civil-code%2F20160808.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01muslim.jpg | en | null | The Indian Muslim must back a Uniform Civil Code | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 10, 2016 14:49 IST
With its refusal to accept the modern social values, which progressive communities around the world have accepted, the Indian Muslim community is virtually going down the slope of progress, says Najid Hussain.
The Rajinder Sachar Committee, in its damning report submitted to the government of India in 2006, put the status of the Indian Muslim "below the conditions of Schedule Castes and Tribes".
In education, employment, income level, representation in the government, and a range of other social and economic indicators, Muslims lag behind all other social groups in the country.
Despite seven decades since Independence, and six decades of Congress party in power -- a party that wants to be seen not just as a secular entity, but also as a friend and supporter of the minorities -- Muslim status in the country has continued to decline.
How does one explain this? And who should be responsible for such declining fortunes of a community that has, not in too distant past, ruled the country for over 200 years?
The new generation Muslim, educated and angry, blames the Congress.
He also blames Sangh Parivar, but not as much, because that body is well known to be anti-Muslim since its inception, and Muslims had little expectations of receiving any positive help from them.
Young Muslim anger is now reaching a point where Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru are also not spared from the blame.
The objective of this essay, however, is not to play the political blame game. That has been played far too long and did not change anything -- either for improving the stocks of Indian Muslims, or keeping the fortunes of political parties garnering Muslim support during elections.
The objective is to do a little introspection -- something that is not very popular among a majority of my fellow Muslims -- and see what other factors under our own controls may be contributing to the pathetic state of this community.
Having grown up in a traditional Muslim family, and having learnt the elements of faith, traditions, and culture first hand, obscurantism plaguing our belief system readily comes to mind.
It is said that the purpose of education is not to fill up a pail, but to light a fire.
In the light of that fire, when I see my faith, and scrutinise beliefs, I find that on a range of issues we have failed to bring our religious discourses to reality.
Dependence on medieval values and archaic conventions, continue to dominate our intellectual bandwidth on a range of topics governing customs, traditions, and personal laws.
There is a widespread belief in the community that the period of the Prophet was the perfect period in Islamic history, and we need to go back to that period.
Take for example the issues of Uniform Civil Code and triple talaq, which are currently the hot topics, once again, under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led rule.
It is no brainer that the laws that cover matters of marriage, divorce, property inheritance, and guardianship of children, must be a modern goal of a nation-state, and should therefore be uniform for all citizens.
Developed nations around the world have civil laws that are religion-blind and gender just.
Even among Muslim countries that follow Sharia laws, 21 of them, including Pakistan, have banned triple talaq.
But Muslims of India generally oppose both (Uniform Civil Code and a ban on triple talaq) based on their interpretation of the Quran and/or belief in Sharia, which, in the words of London-based scholar Ziauddin Sardar 'is a set of ninth century customs and rules, which may or may not have served that society very well,' and is irrelevant in present times.
Not to ignore, there is some justifiable fear among Indian Muslims that through a Uniform Civil Code, the Hindu right is trying to take away Muslim rights.
Such fears increase when the BJP fans the flames of communal hatred, goes about erasing the Muslim history of India, and acts to reduce the status of the Muslims to second class citizens in their own country.
But it is also undeniable that a major factor behind Muslim opposition to the Uniform Civil Code is our clergy's inability to replace medievalism with modernity, or to strike a balance between the past and the present.
Critical thinking is very much needed among Muslims -- not just in defending Quranic edicts with modern science, but to accept the fact that some of the edicts had applicability for the Bedouins of Saudi Arabia and have no relevance to contemporary societies.
In their resistance to modernity, Muslim hardliners enjoy a significant support from numerous well-meaning liberal and highly qualified non-Muslim friends and NGOs, advancing the cause of secularism in India. That is astounding.
Frustrating too.
Whether such support is to underscore their secular credentials, or to record opposition to the BJP/Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology, or foster their business interests, a 'no strings attached' backing from 'friends', given to wrong causes, results in deepening the widespread impression that Muslims are a regressive community steeped in feudal values.
This further increases the community's isolation, sharpens communal hostilities, and adds to its social woes.
It is said a true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.
With its refusal to accept modern social values, which progressive communities around the world have accepted, the Indian Muslim community is virtually going down the slope of progress.
We need the help of our friends, more than ever, to stop that slide. Showing favours out of fear, or self-interest, is not help.
So 'friends,' begin by ending your support to our medieval laws. Your valuable, sincere and honest guidance -- without pandering, or provoking -- is all that we seek.
That alone will help us join the rest of our non-communal and deeply secular fellow citizens on board the progress train.
Najid Hussain is a marine scientist, who works at the University of Delaware. He is the son-in-law of former Member of Parliament Ahsan Jafri, who was murdered by a mob in Ahmedabad during the 2002 riots.
Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-indian-muslim-must-back-a-uniform-civil-code/20160808.htm | en | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/fce7d0091b7e8aeb85994ced428a04df0cbb8112d24f5d84544958515f8efac9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:33 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | The Nationalist Congress Party MLA was caught on camera allegedly slapping Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kargutkar, reportedly after a disagreement over compensation to farmers for land acquisition. | After video goes viral, NCP MLA denies slapping deputy collector | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcaught-on-camera-ncp-mla-slaps-deputy-collector%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/17lead4.jpg | en | null | After video goes viral, NCP MLA denies slapping deputy collector | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 11:55 IST
A video purportedly showing Nationalist Congress Party legislator from Karjat, Suresh Lad allegedly slapping a deputy collector in Maharashtra's Raigad district has gone viral on social media, even as the legislator denied having assaulted the official.
The Nationalist Congress Party MLA was caught on camera allegedly slapping Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kargutkar, reportedly after a disagreement over compensation to farmers for land acquisition.
The incident took place last Thursday during a meeting called by Kargutkar to settle disputes about land acquisition for an oil pipeline.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that the MLA has denied slapping the official.
"Why is the official silent? Why hasn't he lodged any police complaint, if he was indeed assaulted," Malik said.
The location where the alleged incident took place was not a government office but the premises of a leading corporate house, another NCP leader said.
"Maybe that's why the official, who was acting as an agent of that corporate, is keeping mum," he said.
Meanwhile, an official said that Kargutkar has lodged a complaint with Palghar District Collector over the alleged assault by NCP MLA.
In a letter to the Collector, Kargutkar has said he was assaulted by Lad.
Video Grab Courtesy: ANI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/caught-on-camera-ncp-mla-slaps-deputy-collector/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/fd43e234355dbe53b6b273f907de8e3dc99909e798613da10ce7e1dec02e368f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:50 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | 'Despite living in a free nation for so many years, if atrocities like rapes, public flogging, social boycotts are faced by Dalits, then conversion is the only option.' | 'We'll convert as we are treated like dirt and shit' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fwell-convert-as-we-are-treated-like-dirt-and-shit%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/31dalits2.jpg | en | null | 'We'll convert as we are treated like dirt and shit' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 14:13 IST
'Despite living in a free nation for so many years, if atrocities like rapes, public flogging, social boycotts are faced by Dalits, then conversion is the only option.'
Banaskantha Dalit Sanghatan President Jayantibhai Makwana speaks to Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore about the deplorable state of Dalits in Gujarat and why they plan to convert to Buddhism soon.
Why do you want the Dalits of Gujarat to convert to Buddhism? What purpose will it solve?
The Dalits of Gujarat have been subjected to extreme injustice in the recent past.
The most recent incident is which some Dalits, who were skinning a dead cow, were beaten black and blue by Shiv Sena goons in the name of gau raksha (cow protection).
31 people assaulted these 4 Dalits who were doing a job that these gau rakshaks will never ever think about doing even in their dreams.
This recent attack has gone viral but four years ago, the police fired upon unarmed Dalits who were protesting in Thangadh (a village in Surendranagar district that witnessed firing upon Dalits when they went to the local police station to file a complaint against the upper castes) with AK-47 assault rifles. Three Dalits lost their lives in that attack.
You are saying three Dalits were killed by police armed with AK-47 rifles?
Yes, the police fired upon them with AK-47s. The incident took place in (September 22-23) 2012 but till now, not even a chargesheet has been filed against the accused police officers.
No government has yet filled the backlog in reserved category of government jobs in Class I, II, III and IV in the state. And the state government is converting these reserved category posts into open category, lying to us that the Dalit quota has been filled as per the law.
Is the state government doing this openly? Why didn't the Dalits raise this issue earlier? Why now?
We did raise our voices, filed petitions with the state government, held demonstrations and protests across the state, but all our efforts to get the Gujarat government take cognisance of our demands bore no fruits.
The state government said the backlog since 1976 had been filled, but today, since the population of Dalits has increased compared to the 1970s, the Dalits think that the backlog has not been filled.
In response, the Banaskantha Dalit Sanghatan filed 49 petitions against the government in the Gujarat high court and the latter ordered that the former's position was not borne by facts and the Dalits should get government jobs based on the backlog since the 1970s.
The government responded by saying 'the backlog quota has been completely filled.'
A backlog of more than 6,000 jobs that were reserved for Dalits is yet to be filled by the state. The Constitution of India guarantees us seven per cent jobs in the state government, but we don't get it.
Look how small the number of Dalit IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service) officers deputed by the central government is compared to the seven per cent of their total population in India.
Only three per cent of cases filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, get justice and in the rest, the accused get acquitted for want of proof or other reasons, ably supported by the state government's official machinery.
You will just find one case where an accused of a crime against a Dalit was awarded a sentence of more than seven years, that too in a case under Section 302 (of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with murder). This was a case in a village in Vav town in Banaskantha district.
You will not find a single case filed under the SC/ST Act where an accused has been sentenced for seven years. Only three per cent of the accused get sentenced, that too under *Summary B and not under *Summary C that invites severe punishment.
Also, you will not find a single special court in Gujarat to try cases of atrocities against Dalits that has been guaranteed by our Constitution.
When policemen or government employees violate the SC/ST Act, no case is filed against them.
When Dalits try to file a case against any cop or government employee under the act, the police never entertains them and refuses to file a first information report.
The Una incident is the best example. Not a single policeman has been booked under the Act despite there being witnesses saying the police watched from a distance as Shiv Sena goons bashed up the Dalits. Those policemen are only suspended, but not charged under the Act.
The Act clearly states that not just the attackers but those who support them tacitly or openly should also be booked.
There is also an Act of the state government that calls for allocation of land to landless labourers, taking away land from those landlords/farmers who own more than 54 acres in any particular block.
According to the Gujarat Zameen Toch Maryada Dhara Act, 1960, the government, after getting possession of land in excess of 54 acres from farmers/landlords holding it, should allocate it to the landless labourers.
Does the Act mandate allocation of land in excess of 54 acres to landless labourers or Dalit landless labourers?
Landless labourers, but most Dalits in Gujarat or India don't own land.
The state government is in possession of more than 700 acres of land in Banaskantha district under this Act, but not a single plot has been given to any landless Dalit.
While the government claims that land has been transferred in the name of Dalits, there has not been a single instance where government employees have gone to the farm along with the Dalit allotee to the place, stood there, mapped the boundary of the land that is to be officially allocated to Dalits, in the absence of which the Dalits do not have the strength to fight the farmer whose land the government has allotted to him.
These are some of the most pressing issues that make us feel disenfranchised and powerless and so Dalits will convert to Buddhism in protest against such atrocities.
Do you think the situation will change once the Dalits in Banaskantha change their religion?
I don't know if converting to Buddhism will solve the atrocities and injustices faced by the Dalits, but at least we will feel emancipated emotionally from the clutches of a system that treats Dalits as dirt and shit.
We want equality before the law and I am sure Buddhism will help us feel equal to other citizens of India.
We have the right to convert, as per the Constitution framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and we will be making use of that freedom guaranteed to us by the Constitution. He too converted to Buddhism to escape the inhuman treatment meted out to the Dalits by Hindus.
Converting to Buddhism will be a befitting reply to manuwadi (casteist) attitudes that have only been getting bolder and bolder in recent times and openly slogging the Dalits.
How many Dalits are planning to convert?
As of now, we have got forms of over 1,000 Dalits who say they want to convert and given it to the district collector (of Banaskantha).
As per the Constitution, conversion is our right and we have to just give it in writing to the district collector that we want to convert. We do not need the permission of the collector to do so.
We have told the collector that we do not want to be a part of this religion (Hinduism) and we want to convert (to Buddhism).
When are you planning to bring these conversions into effect?
Till now we have submitted only 1,000 forms. The day we get 10,000 to 15,000 forms, we will hold a mass conversion to Buddhism.
We will undertake this conversion on some important day like Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, or Buddha Jayanti, or the birth anniversary of great reformers like Shahu Maharaj, Savitribai Phule, or Mahatma Phule.
Were you also part of the Dalit Mahasammelan that was called out in Ahmedabad on July 31?
Yes, because we believe that to seek justice and equal rights for Dalits is not the job of one person or leader. Unless we organise ourselves in large numbers across the state, across India, there will be no change in the condition of Dalits.
So, we have to come together under one platform. And that is what was disseminated at the Dalit Mahasammelan that took place in Ahmedabad on Sunday (July 31).
At the Mahasammelan we have pledged with our Dalit brothers and sisters not to skin dead animals or enter drainage lines to clean the gutters and filth.
After doing such menial work, if we are still going to face such grave injustices and atrocities, then why should Dalits do these dirty jobs?
Don't you think the presence of many Muslim leaders and Rahul Sharma, the former IPS officer who has been at loggerheads with BJP leaders in Gujarat, will give your movement a communal or political twist?
We have made it very clear at the outset that whoever wants to support our movement should be an apolitical person. We don't want our movement to take a political turn at all.
We have kept away people from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), the Congress, the Janata Dal or the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) and carry forward our revolution for the betterment and upliftment of Dalits. That is our biggest and most important goal.
Despite being living in a free nation for so many years, if atrocities like rapes, public flogging, social boycotts are faced by the Dalits and the government keeps quiet then conversion is the only option left to us to gain respect and equality.
After being in power for more than 20 years now if the BJP is feigning ignorance about our plight and are only giving platitudes to Dalits, then what else can we do?
Are you blaming only the BJP for the condition of Dalits in Gujarat?
Every government that was in power ever since Gujarat became a state is responsible for our pitiable condition.
No government fought for the rights of Dalits and that has emboldened these gau rakshaks to treat us like animals.
Narendra Modi was chief minister when the Thangadh killings took place. No chargesheet has been filed till now against the police officers who killed the three Dalits then.
If he really believed in sab ka vikas (development for all), then we wouldn't have been driven to this situation.
IMAGE: Dalits attend the Mahasammelan in Ahmedabad, July 31, 2016, in the wake of the recent Una incident. Photograph: PTI Photo
*Note: According to indiankanoon.org, there are three kinds of summary which can be asked for by the investigating officer when s/he is of the opinion that there is no sufficient evidence to justify the forwarding of the accused to the magistrate.
A request for 'A' Summary is to be made when the officer investigating the case is of the view that the offence is true but undetected and where there is no clue whatever about the culprits or property or where the accused is known but there is no evidence to justify his being sent up for trial.
A request for 'B' Summary is to be asked for when the complaint is maliciously false and 'C' Summary when the complaint is neither true nor false, that is, due to mistake of facts or is of a civil nature. | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/well-convert-as-we-are-treated-like-dirt-and-shit/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9fab2a1b3b1b7317c299fe0a8deaca932b2450fb089158c67b59938845640ddc.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:00 | null | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | The decision, set to be implemented from August 1, had met with fierce opposition from pump owners. | Maha to reconsider 'no helmet, no fuel' decision | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmaha-to-reconsider-no-helmet-no-fuel-decision%2F20160805.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/jul/01petro1.jpg | en | null | Maha to reconsider 'no helmet, no fuel' decision | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 05, 2016 18:46 IST
The Maharashtra government has decided to reconsider the ‘No helmet, no fuel’ rule, Transport Minister Diwakar Raote informed the state assembly on Friday.
However, petrol pump owners will be asked to intimate vehicle numbers of two-wheelers where the rider was without helmet, to transport authorities, the minister said.
The decision, set to be implemented from August 1, had met with fierce opposition from pump owners.
Giving into the resistance from two-wheeler riders and petrol pump owners, the government decided to assess the feasibility of its implementation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said recently.
Speaking in the assembly on Thursday, Fadnavis had said the state government decided to implement strict road safety-related rules to reduce the casualties in road accidents.
Raote had announced last month that from August 1, no two-wheeler riders will be sold petrol at pumping stations if they are not wearing helmets.
These rules put the onus on petrol pump owners who had threatened to go on strike.
The Opposition had raised the issue in the Lower House, saying it was against public sentiments.
Former deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said though the government’s intention was sincere, the policy was not practical. “Groups in Pune are preparing to make helmets available outside petrol pumps for Re 1, just for refuelling purposes. This will defeat the original purpose,” he had said.
“Besides making helmets compulsory, we wanted to tap ways to get riders to wear them, and hence announced the compulsion of helmet-for-fuel. Our intention was positive as the percentage of two-wheeler riders who don't wear helmets and meet with fatal accidents is high,” Fadnavis had said.
The government will look into measures to increase awareness among riders, he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/maha-to-reconsider-no-helmet-no-fuel-decision/20160805.htm | en | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3c356f100a218f80f9b26ea33e8ea9d60c045fb90ff0b7886b01ee22131ed139.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:53 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | 'Not a single person I spoke to there believes that the Kundalkulam plant is safe.' | 'Would you feel safe if a nuclear power plant was near your house?' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fwould-you-feel-safe-if-a-nuclear-plant-was-near-your-house%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11kudankulam-nuclear.jpg | en | null | 'Would you feel safe if a nuclear power plant was near your house?' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 12, 2016 12:34 IST
'Not a single person I spoke to there believes that the Kundalkulam plant is safe.'
'There is a huge trust deficit between the people and the government.'
'The government has failed to convince the people about the safety of Kundalkulam.'
IMAGE: Demonstrators form a human pyramid in the waters of the Bay of Bengal as they protest against the Kudankulam nuclear power project, seen in the background, in 2012. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
When journalist Minnie Vaid decided to write a book on the protest against the nuclear power plant at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, she had no idea she would form a lifelong bond with the indomitable women she met there.
"They welcomed me into their homes, their lives and their struggle with open arms and full hearts. Their motivation, commitment and focus made me -- a veteran journalist who had covered many such stories in the past three decades -- pause and reflect much after the interviews would get over," Vaid tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar.
Despite the constant opposition to the plant from local villagers who believe it is not safe, the plant was dedicated to the nation on August 10 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
Vaid's book, The Ant In The Ear Of The Elephant, explains why the villagers oppose the plant and why these brave women will not give up on their protest anytime soon.
What made you write a book about the struggle against the nuclear plant in Kudankulam?
After completing my second book on rights activist Irom Sharmila, I was thinking about my next project and discussed several options with my publisher.
In the past too, in my documentary films as well as in my journalism, the one common running thread I would say is injustice. Most of my work revolves around injustice done to the marginalised.
I had read about the confrontation that took place between the police and the anti-nuclear protesters at Kudankulam in September 2012.
At the time (May 2013), I only had some sketchy details about the agitation, so I told my publisher that I would like to go to the villages and talk to the people before coming to a decision. She agreed.
I then read up extensively on the agitation. I also spoke to veteran journalist Kalpana Sharma who had spent time in Kudankulam and written about what was happening there.
My first visit lasted 10 days. I was hooked. There was certainly a story there and I wanted to do it. And so I began triangular conversations with the villagers, predominantly the women of Idinthakarai and the nearby villages, with the help of my Tamil translator, Amal Raj Leon.
IMAGE: Minnie Vaid, centre, invited two of the Kundakulam protesters, Sundari and Milret, to the lauch of her book, The Ant In The Ear Of The Elephant. The book was lauched by actress-activist Nandita Das. Photograph: Kind courtesy Minnie Vaid
What was your interaction with the villagers of Idinthakarai like?
It was humbling; it was inspiring; it was fabulous.
They (principally, the women of Idinthakarai) welcomed me into their homes, their lives and their struggle with open arms and full hearts.
Their motivation, commitment and focus made me -- a veteran journalist who had covered many such stories in the past three decades -- pause and reflect much after the interviews would get over.
The overwhelming quality that impressed me was that they just did not -- and still do not -- give up.
Even after the plant went critical, they did not give up because they believed in their cause. That they were fighting for the future generations who would have to live with the spectre of a nuclear accident right at their doorstep.
The outcome of their struggle, fighting against impossible odds, battling against a vengeful State, the Kundalkulam plant starting up eventually -- did not bother them too much.
That, for me, was an eye-opener... the fact that you take up a struggle and continue to fight undeterred by the odds of your successful outcome. They would repeatedly and smilingly tell me, 'God is on our side, what do we have to fear?'
They were very hospitable. They would teach me Tamil and I would teach them English words. Today, I consider some of them my friends.
I invited two of the women leaders, Sundari and Milret, to Mumbai for my book launch. They addressed the audience with the help of a translator and got a standing ovation from the entirely urban audience!
They came home. I took them sight seeing. It was a wonderful experience.
Is your book targeted at activists?
Activists already know about events that took place in Kudankulam and the struggle of the protesters. The book is for the ordinary person who has no idea where Kudankulam is or what the people's protest against the nuclear power plant there is all about.
It is meant for students, housewives, corporate people, decision makers in the government, for anybody really.
It is a record of the testimonies of the Project Affected People whose lives are affected by the Kundalkulam plant, yet who are never consulted by the State.
In this book, their voices are recorded for people to know how they feel about a nuclear plant in their back yard.
IMAGE: The protesters, who take turns at the venue, mark time with a game of Thaiyyam, a local version of checkers. Photograph: Kind courtesy Minnie Vaid
Though most of the cases (against the protesters) have been withdrawn after a direction from the Supreme Court, many are still pending. Do you think a vengeful government could take action against these people in the future?
It is certainly a tool that the government has in its hand and can be used any time against them.
The villagers have told me several stories of harassment. Their children could not go abroad to study or work as their passports were not issued or were delayed.
Unit two of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has started functioning, which means the struggle was a failure. Yet they continue to protest. What do you think is their inspiration now?
I would strongly dispute the statement that the struggle was a failure. It brought safety issues to the fore which is good for the plant and for people living near the plant and the workers.
New power plants elsewhere in the country are likely to follow safety measures on a more stringent basis because of this agitation.
The fact that the women of Idinthakarai are still sitting there on protest makes it special. It is, I believe, the longest civil rights struggle in Tamil Nadu.
What is your opinion about S P Udaykumar (convenor, People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy, who spearheaded the protest against the Kundalkulam plant)?
He is a charismatic, yet sober, leader.
In Tamil Nadu, they make gods of leaders and he had become a god for this movement. But he has not let it go to this head. He always gave a balanced view point and was fully in control of the movement.
Even now, though he is no longer physically present in Idinthakarai, he still opposes nuclear energy in all of the activities he pursues.
IMAGE: The protest at Kundalkulam. Photograph: Kind courtesy Minnie Vaid
Are you personally against nuclear energy?
When I went there, I was not pro or anti, though I feel any humane person would be against nuclear energy. But my personal opinions had and have no place in what I reported in the book.
I have written what I saw and observed after talking to many villagers in and around Kudankulam and Idinthakarai, which is the Ground Zero for the agitation.
Not a single person I spoke to there believes that the Kundalkulam plant is safe.
There is a huge trust deficit between the people and the government. The government has failed to convince them (about the safety of Kundalkulam) in 24 years.
It has failed to convince them about what to do in case of a disaster; the emergency preparedness plans or drills remain largely on paper.
When six workers were injured in May 2014, there was no medical facility to treat them adequately; some of them had to be taken to Apollo (Hospital) in Chennai, 700 kms away.
I have written about what I saw and heard; what I believe in is of no importance.
Tamil Nadu had electricity problems till Kudankulam came along; today, it has a surplus of power. Under the circumstances, do you believe the protest against nuclear energy should continue?
Would you feel safe if a nuclear power plant was near your house?
The villagers protesting against the Kundalkulam plant also complain that the plant benefits big business, and not the common man, in terms of electricity.
If the protesters want to continue their agitation because they perceive a threat to their safety and future livelihood and their future generations, it is entirely their decision and should be respected.
Sitting far away in Mumbai, I cannot balance equations of Tamil Nadu's surplus electricity versus protestors' fears, whether people deem them valid or not.
IMAGE: Women sell fish outside their homes in Idinthakarai. Photograph: Kind courtesy Minnie Vaid
The agitation was based on a presumption that there could be an accident. No plant in the world can guarantee that there will be no accident.
I would say the agitation was based on a lot more than only the possibility of an accident.
The people were asking for adequate safety measures, a foolproof disaster management plan, information addressing their health concerns and many other such issues.
The government did not ensure any of this; villagers told me that nobody came to address their issues or 'allay their fears' as the popular phrase goes.
The Fukushima accident was caused by natural causes, yet it was used excessively to agitate the people at Koodankulam.
People criticised Uday kumar saying he is creating apprehensions where none exist. But the protesters are the ones living next to the plant and they have every right to protest if they are scared.
The government has to make them believe the plant is safe. If it does not do so, it has failed in its duty.
Uday Kumar has been accused of receiving foreign funds to fuel his protest. He declared assets of Rs 7 crores (Rs 70 million) when he stood for the national elections. Your book does not mention this.
I did mention the issue of foreign funding in the book since it is one of the routine and main allegations against the People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy and Uday Kumar in particular.
As far as the worth of his personal assets is concerned, the declaration was a later development (post my visits and interviews in Idinthakarai) and not worthy of mention as an epilogue in the book.
All the churches on the seashore were accused of foreign funding and their bank accounts were frozen. Did you speak to the priests at these churches?
No. I did not. My focus was the people's struggle and their issues. | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/would-you-feel-safe-if-a-nuclear-plant-was-near-your-house/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9d25a5440614f7fdf913ba22d7f7af08305b55b98052de0e92eaf03764e0f7de.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:47 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying said China-Pakistan cooperation is in accordance with the 48-member nuclear club, which supervises global nuclear commerce. | Supply of nuclear reactors to Pakistan under NSG norms: China | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsupply-of-nuclear-reactors-to-pakistan-under-nsg-norms-china%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/apr/20xi-pak1.jpg | en | null | Supply of nuclear reactors to Pakistan under NSG norms: China | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 12:25 IST
Defending its nuclear cooperation with its close ally Pakistan, China on Thursday said its supply of reactors to Islamabad were in accordance with the principles of National Security Guard and under the supervision of United Nations nuclear watchdog.
Refuting a US think tank report which said that China’s nuclear cooperation with Pakistan was in contravention with the Nuclear Suppliers Group principles, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying said China-Pakistan cooperation is in accordance with the 48-member nuclear club, which supervises global nuclear commerce.
“China has stated on many occasions that the cooperation between China and Pakistan in the civil nuclear energy sector is completely for peaceful purpose,” Hua said.
“Such cooperation is subject to the safeguards and supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and in accordance with the NSG’s principles and the international obligations assumed by the two countries,” Hua said.
The Arms Control Association has expressed concern over export of nuclear materials by China to Pakistan saying that it is in violation of international norms and established procedures.
“China has taken significant steps over the past several years to strengthen its export controls. However, Beijing’s decision to continue selling nuclear reactors to Pakistan in contravention of NSG and its sales of missile technologies to countries of concern earns China a failing grade,” the ACA report said.
In its updated report card 2013-2016 ‘Assessing Progress on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament’, ACA gave China a failing “F Grade” on nuclear weapons related export control.
China had joined the NSG in 2004 and its national export controls include provisions related to export licensing, control lists, end-user controls, and import controls.
At the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference in 2015, China had said it carried out “stringent reviews” on its export controls and adjusts its trigger lists according to technical progress.
In March 2016, Beijing said it started to implement the Nuclear Export Control List that was updated in January 2016.
“Despite progress on its export controls China continues to supply Pakistan with nuclear power reactors, despite objections that the sale of the reactors did not receive a consensus exemption from the NSG,” the report said.
“Pakistan, which is neither an Non-Proliferation Treaty member nor under full-scope IAEA safeguards, is therefore ineligible to receive such assistance under NSG rules,” it argued.
ACA observations about the consensus and NPT were significant as China blocked India’s application to join NSG in the recent NSG Plenary meeting in Seoul despite the support of majority of its members, saying that it lacked the mandatory requirement of consensus among the group.
China also said India was not a signatory to NPT, yet another obligatory requirement to join the NSG.
In defence of its continued supply of nuclear reactors to Pakistan, China argues that they were part of the decision reached before it joined the NSG.
“China has argued that the reactor transfer was based on a contract negotiated with Pakistan in 2003, one year before Beijing joined the NSG, and grandfathered in when China joined the regime,” the ACA report said.
“However, the 2003 exemption was widely understood to apply solely to the two nuclear power reactors whose sale was completed before China’s acceptance into the NSG in 2004,” the report said.
In February 2015, Wang Xiaotao, vice-minister of the China’s planning body the National Development and Reforms Commission said China had assisted Pakistan to build six nuclear reactors with a total installed capacity of 3.4 million kws amid Beijing’s plans to build two 1100 mw reactors in Karachi with $6.5 billion assistance.
It was the first detailed disclosure by a Chinese official about China’s supply of reactors to Pakistan which remained under wraps for long.
China had built two 300 mw reactors at Chasma in Punjab followed by two 320 mw units at the same place.
It is currently building two 1100 mw reactors in Karachi at a cost of $6.5 billion, saying they are aimed at easing power problems in Pakistan.
India and the US have expressed concerns over it and said the reactors were being built without the sanction of the NSG.
While India has secured the NSG waiver after the India-US civil nuclear deal in 2008 to get more nuclear reactors and fuel, Pakistan has not got any such exemption.
China which is rapidly expanding its nuclear reactors domestically to reduce dependence on coal is now aggressively marketing its newly acquired nuclear technology to build 1100 mw reactors abroad.
Besides Pakistan, China signed an agreement to build a pressurised water reactor nuclear power plant in Argentina.
“It did not take long for us from introducing this (nuclear) technology to exporting it,” Wang said.
According to a report released last year, China had 27 nuclear power generating units in operation as of the end of October 2015, with a total installed capacity of 25.5 gigawatts, while another 25 units with a total installed capacity of 27.51 GW under construction.
The world’s second largest economy plans to raise its installed nuclear power capacity to 58 GW with an additional 30 GW under construction by 2020 and build itself into a strong nuclear power country by 2030. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/supply-of-nuclear-reactors-to-pakistan-under-nsg-norms-china/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/55b622c254ba9eb7801833ddb8d58ead45be6167732de08f33a9ed82d8cfa0af.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:31 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | 'If you want to shoot, shoot me,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, as he called for stopping the attacks on Dalits and the politics over it. | Shoot me, but stop attacking Dalits, says PM Modi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fshoot-me-but-stop-attacking-dalits-says-pm-modi%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/07pmm.jpg | en | null | Shoot me, but stop attacking Dalits, says PM Modi | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 07, 2016 22:14 IST
"If you want to shoot, shoot me," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, as he called for stopping the attacks on Dalits and the politics over it.
Making an emotional appeal, he asked people to protect and respect Dalits who have for long been neglected by the society.
"I would like to tell these people that if you have any problem, if you have attack, attack me. Stop attacking my Dalit brethren. If you have to shoot, shoot me, but not my Dalit brothers. This game should stop," he said addressing Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Hyderabad.
The prime minister said if the country has to progress it cannot ignore key mantras of peace, unity and harmony.
"Country's unity is the main source of country's development," he said.
His comments come at a time when the National Democratic Alliance government is facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Modi said at times some incidents come to notice which give us "unbearable pain". "It should be our responsibility to save and respect them (Dalits)," he said without referring to any particular incident.
Modi asked what right the perpetrators had to exploit Dalits and said the unity in society should be our priority.
"I know this problem is social. It is a result of sins which have crept into the society... But we need to take extra care and save society from such danger (of social strife)," he said. Modi said the society should not be allowed to be divided on the basis of caste, religion and social status.
Deprecating those who try to make political currency out of such issues, the prime minister said attempts to politicize those would only aggravate the problem.
"Those who want to solve this social problem, I request them to leave politics that divides the society. Divisive politics will not do any good to the country," he said.
IMAGE: Prime Minister Modi addresses the crowd during a BJP rally in Hyderabad. Photograph: PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/shoot-me-but-stop-attacking-dalits-says-pm-modi/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3898a8f8662cee54afaa59a7cd3608b6a86c5b7d0f49c90159bd81d085c9a9d1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:22 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Facing threat of terror attacks, the home ministry has ordered security audit of nearly 100 civil airports and decided to bring all such facilities under the Central Industrial Security Force cover gradually. | MHA orders security audit of airports, luggage check on entry | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmha-orders-security-audit-of-airports-luggage-check-on-entry%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/aug/17lead11.jpg | en | null | MHA orders security audit of airports, luggage check on entry | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 20:07 IST
Facing threat of terror attacks, the home ministry has ordered security audit of nearly 100 civil airports and decided to bring all such facilities under the Central Industrial Security Force cover gradually.
It has also planned random checking of incoming air travellers at the entrance of airports.
Standard operating procedures for random checking of incoming vehicles of air travellers in city side approach, thorough checking of cargo and detection of flying objects and drones are also being drawn.
A civil aviation ministry's proposal to raise a separate force for aviation security has been turned down and all airports will be brought under the security cover of the CISF gradually, official sources said.
The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting attended by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and top officials of ministries of home and civil aviation in New Delhi on August 5.
The move came after the terror attack on Brussels' Zaventem airport where terrorists blew explosives inside the airport terminal, much before the 'security hold' area, where passengers and luggage are checked.
"We are going to completely overhaul the security apparatus of all airports. A dedicated plan is being worked out. Security audit of all airports have been ordered and based on the report, their security will be upgraded," Rijiju told reporters.
The meeting decided that 98 civil airports in the country will be be brought under the security cover of the CISF, the specialised force for airport security.
Out of the total 98 functional airports in the country, 59 are under CISF cover, leaving out 39.
Among 98 airports, 26 airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, are considered hyper-sensitive. Of these hyper-sensitive airports, 18 are under CISF cover while six like Srinagar and Imphal, are being guarded by CRPF, the state police or by other paramilitary forces.
Under the sensitive category, there are 56 airports out of which only 37 have CISF cover and amongst 16 other airports, only four have CISF security.
The report of the security audit being conducted by a team of experts from ministry of home affairs, intelligence bureau, CISF and bureau of civil aviation security will be submitted within 20 days.
The proposal to raise an Aviation Security Force, on the lines of Railway Protection Force, was rejected as security is the domain of the home ministry and the civil aviation ministry or the BCAS do not have the necessary expertise in it.
NSA Doval doubted the competence of BCAS in raising such a force saying the MHA has competence, expertise and experience.
There was also a suggestion that airport security be funded by the MHA to reduce the burden on airport operators, who pass on the cost to passengers.
MoS Civil Aviation Sinha suggested the meeting to focus on 4-5 "low hanging fruits" like fool-proof security at the terminals and in the periphery through doable steps.
Calling for a realistic assessment of all airports, NSA Doval said each vulnerable facility needed to be identified and the gaps in security apparatus plugged.
Director General of CISF Surender Singh expressed apprehension of "direct bold attack" from city side approach as well as assaults in cargo areas. He suggested frequent and effective patrolling by security and law enforcement agencies to thwart such attempts.
Singh said since cargo areas were vulnerable to terror attacks, high-tech luggage checking machines should be installed there. He also recommended presence of armoured vehicles at airports.
The meeting felt that there was a need for both short-term and long-term steps to reduce vulnerability of airports of high value.
The meeting also discussed the threat emanating from high rise buildings located on the periphery of the airports and suggested that the Union Home Secretary should consult each state about the local police providing peripheral security.
Secretary, Civil Aviation, Rajiv Nayan Choubey suggested behaviour monitoring mechanism and profiling of travellers at the airports.
The meeting decided that SoPs for detection of drones and other flying objects will be circulated to all airports for proper implementation. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mha-orders-security-audit-of-airports-luggage-check-on-entry/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ea533430e2680cd9adc15dc5cfbd1786bbfb561c6c5fd884e94249e8638317e8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:48 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | While two of the men raped her at gunpoint, the third clicked photographs of the act. | Another gang rape on UP highway, teacher raped in moving van | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fup-teacher-raped-in-moving-van-on-highway%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/jan/04crime6.jpg | en | null | Another gang rape on UP highway, teacher raped in moving van | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 03, 2016 08:36 IST
While two of the men raped her at gunpoint, the third clicked photographs of the act.
Barely three days after a brutal gang rape shocked Uttar Pradesh, a school teacher was allegedly gang-raped by three men in a moving van in Bareilly on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place at around 7 am when the victim was going to a school where she teaches.
As per reports, three masked men pulled the schoolteacher into a white Maruti van near NH-24 and drove to a deserted sugarcane field.
While two of the men raped her at gunpoint, the third clicked photographs of the act.
“She was going to the school in the morning. The three men, who had their faces covered, pulled her inside the van and gang-raped her. They also filmed the whole incident,” victim’s relative told reporters.
Senior police officers, including Inspector General Vijay Singh Meena, and others reached the crime scene to investigate.
“Today at around 5:30 pm, the victim came to the police station and said that three men came in a Maruti van and kidnapped her. They then gang-raped her and also filmed the incident,” Meena told the media.
“The police got the information in the evening and registered an FIR (first information report). All senior officers had visited the site of crime,” he added.
The incident comes three days after five to six people had allegedly gang-raped a woman and her teenage daughter for three hours after dragging them out of their car in Bulandshahr on Friday night. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/up-teacher-raped-in-moving-van-on-highway/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/853157e7342b0f450e8969e29638be026eb157dd6780e94475f14b95e39e4825.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:26 | null | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | Failure to take timely action against those accused of posting the video resulted in communal tension. | Saran tense after circulation of controversial video | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsaran-tense-after-circulation-of-controversial-video%2F20160808.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08communal.jpg | en | null | Saran tense after circulation of controversial video | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 08, 2016 20:47 IST
Failure to take timely action against those accused of posting the video resulted in communal tension.
M I Khan reports.
Bihar's Saran district remained tense over a controversial WhatsApp video showing desecration of idols -- which was also posted on Facebook -- for the fourth day on Monday, August 8, with all government and private schools remaining closed and more security forces deployed in the area.
A high alert has also been sounded in Saran's neighbouring districts, Siwan, Gopalganj and Vaishali. Internet services remained suspended in all these districts and all cyber cafes remained shut following a government order.
"The police is keeping a watch on sensitive pockets in these districts following tension," an official at the police headquarters in Patna said.
Saran District Magistrate Dipak Anand told Rediff.com that the situation is fully under control, but some areas are still tense.
"I have canelled the leave of all administrative officials and ordered closure of all government and private schools as a precautionary measure," the DM said.
Another district official, speaking on condition that he would not be identified by name for this report, said an administrative mistake on part of the local police and officials provoked the communal trouble in Saran.
"It all started last Friday (August 5) when some youth of Balha village under the Parsa police station and other youth from Maker village blocked roads to protest the police failure to take action against the persons accused of posting the objectionable video clip on social networking sites, despite a complaint lodged by them," the official said.
Timely action by the local police and officials could have prevented a communal flare-up, he felt.
Trouble spread with an angry mob attacking the houses and shops of people belonging to the minority community on Friday.
"Some youngsters set ablaze the home of the prime accused. Communal tension spread quickly," the official said.
Later, on Friday, violent clashes took places between the two communities and shops and houses were targeted at several places.
Sensing more trouble, the district administration issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and suspended Internet services for three days to curb further circulation of the video.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal called a day-long bandh on Saturday that forced all schools, colleges and shops to remain shut. Violent clashes between the two communities were reported in which over a dozen people, including policemen, were injured.
"Vehicles were damaged and the mob attacked police teams, torched shops and tried to set ablaze houses on Saturday," officials said.
Another district police officer alleged that some VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders spread rumours to target the minority community. "Rumours spread by them triggered communal tension," the officer said.
According to the police, Sunday was more or less peaceful, except stray incidents of brick-batting in some pockets in the rural areas.
Saran Superintendent of Police Pankaj Raj said there have been no reports of violent clashes or any untoward incident since Sunday. "We have made heavy security arrangements to ensure peace and check and control anti-social elements," Raj said.
A police team was sent to Bengaluru on Monday to arrest the prime accused in the case.
"A team was sent to Bengaluru after an arrest warrant was issued by the civil court in Chapra, district headquarters of Saran, against the prime accused in the case who allegedly posted that video clip on social networking sites," a district official said.
Earlier, the police arrested two other accused, who allegedly circulated the objectionable video clip among local residents. A local court has remanded both the accused to judicial custody till August 20.
"We are identifying troublemakers and those involved in torching and ransacking shops and damaging public property on the basis of CCTV footage and have appealed to people not to heed rumours," District Magistrate Anand said.
The administration has suspended the Station House Officer at the Maker police station for failing to control clashes last week.
So far, 25 people have been arrested and 15 first information reports have been lodged at different police stations in connection with the communal tension.
IMAGE: Shops torched after clashes between two communities in Saran, Bihar. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/saran-tense-after-circulation-of-controversial-video/20160808.htm | en | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9f0115105031adfa27ad4fe918d3bacb37c84c5db0aa15f375fff4a25914b6ce.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:16 | null | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | Pakistan PM called on the international community to ask India to provide access for treatment of victims. | Sharif vows to provide medical aid to those injured in Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsharif-vows-to-provide-medical-aid-to-those-injured-in-kashmir%2F20160806.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/06kashmir.jpg | en | null | Sharif vows to provide medical aid to those injured in Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 06, 2016 20:27 IST
In yet another bid to highlight the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to provide medical help to those injured in violence there and called on the international community to ask India to provide access for treatment of victims.
Two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the SAARC meeting in Islamabad asked countries to stop glorifying terrorists as martyrs, Sharif described the Kashmir situation as an “ongoing humanitarian crisis”.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon the international community to immediately help arrange medical treatment for the victims” in Kashmir, especially for treatment of eye injuries resulting from use of pellet guns by the Indian forces, a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.
“The prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s unequivocal support in arranging best available medical facilities to these injured people, anywhere in the world,” it said.
Sharif also called upon the international community to exercise its influence over India for “ending bloodshed” in Kashmir and providing access for provision of treatment to the victims in the wake of the “ongoing humanitarian crisis”.
“The humanitarian crisis, which is of huge magnitude, has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for treating the victims of brutal state oppression,” the statement quoted Sharif as saying.
“Even more gruesome is that healthcare providers” in Kashmir have not been allowed to treat innocent victims, Sharif alleged.
He claimed that “the Indian forces have also been targeting the hospitals and ambulances providing healthcare to the peaceful, defenceless and innocent protesters”.
Sharif said that being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families.
“Nevertheless, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realisation of their right to self-determination. The world should realise this,” he said.
Pakistan shall continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically, the prime minister said.
Sharif’s call came a day after his advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz wrote a letter to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) to help Kashmiris.
The latest statement by Sharif is yet another effort by Pakistan to highlight the issue of Kashmir at the international level. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sharif-vows-to-provide-medical-aid-to-those-injured-in-kashmir/20160806.htm | en | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9083b352d931a555039867688d36469f66694fa66389b55df72f76b0f3e4e27c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:17:31 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | She said that settlement of claims will take time and that there was no point in waiting in Saudi Arabia indefinitely. | Return home: Sushma appeals to laid-off Indian workers in Saudi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Freturn-home-sushma-appeals-to-laid-off-indian-workers-in-saudi%2F20160822.htm.json | http://www.rediff.com/news/2011/dec/14lokpal2.jpg | en | null | Return home: Sushma appeals to laid-off Indian workers in Saudi | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 22, 2016 09:13 IST
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj appealed to the Indian workers, who have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia, to file their claims for unpaid dues with their employers and come back home soon and said the government will bear the cost of their return.
“Indian workers in Saudi Arabia - please file your claims and return home. We will bring you back free of charge.
“When Saudi government settles with the companies which have closed down, your dues will also be paid,” Swaraj said in a series of tweets.
She said that settlement of claims will take time and that there was no point in waiting in Saudi Arabia indefinitely.
Earlier this month Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh Singh had rushed to Saudi Arabia after large number of Indian workers sought the Indian government’s intervention in taking up their difficulties with the Saudi authorities.
He had also gone to Saudi Arabia last week to resolve the matter.
The Saudi government, then, had agreed to swiftly resolve plight of the laid-off Indian workers including providing them free passage to return to India and clearing their unpaid dues.
Thousands of Indian workers have lost their jobs due to the slowdown in Saudi economy, triggered by low oil prices and cut in spending by the government.
The Indian government had requested the Saudi authorities to give the unemployed Indian workers exit visas without No-Objection Certificates from employers and also urged it to clear the dues of workers who have not been paid for months, whenever they settle the accounts with the companies concerned.
As per rules, no foreign employee can leave the country without an NoC by the employers.
The Saudi government also agreed to allow transfer of Indian employees, who have lost their jobs, to any other company within Saudi Arabia.
As per rules, foreign employees cannot change jobs with permission of the company where they were employed. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/return-home-sushma-appeals-to-laid-off-indian-workers-in-saudi/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bb49c60d4809bbb3ecfba63e8e552bdde9006a4a85782c47c32c87cdd9bddf82.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:21 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | '... and all of the symbolism, history, the colours of his motherland, the earth, the sky, all of that is there and it always remains with him.' | 'Raza carried India in his heart' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fraza-carried-india-in-his-heart%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02raza01.jpg | en | null | 'Raza carried India in his heart' | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 11, 2016 10:03 IST
'... and all of the symbolism, history, the colours of his motherland, the earth, the sky, all of that is there and it always remains with him.'
IMAGE: S H Raza's interest in the form and subtext that dictated much of his later work did not wane with age. Photograph: Sheela Bhatt
It was Hugo Weihe who triumphantly slammed down the auctioneer hammer June 10, 2010, in Christie's South Kensington auction house, London, declaring Syed Haider Raza's Saurashtra sold for a whopping Rs 16.42 crore (then $3,486,965)!
That made it the most precious Indian painting to have been be sold by the firm in the British capital, in the nearly 300 years it had been in business since the French Revolution.
Weihe's triumph should have been all the more sweet, then, because a visit to Gorbio, southern France, just a few years earlier, had already shown to this Christie's expert on Indian and southeast Asian art that the work of S H Raza had a rare sincerity and vitality that would capture global attention.
Six years later, as Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel sat down to discuss Raza's legacy at Saffronart's central Mumbai showroom, where Weihe is now the chief executive, it feels like the artist is very much in the room.
By a strange coincidence, one of his works, a 15.75 in x 11.75 in acrylic on canvas titled Naga and Bindu -- which goes on to sell a few hours later for $31,800 (around Rs 21 lakh/Rs 2.1 million) -- hangs in the gallery, its 'primordial symbol of energy, the still centre, or the seed (Raza's words)' reminding us that life renews and reinvents itself eternally.
Weihe, in the colourful, passionate manner in which he describes the Babaria, Madhya Pradesh-born master, virtually invites Raza into our presence, so little is the distance perhaps between imagination and augmented reality.
The visit to the Cote d'Azur village, a skip-hop-and-jump from Italy, was not the first time Weihe met Raza. The two had met "many, many times" before, Weihe thinks once in Paris and once in India, at least, for sure.
Gorbio though was easily the most memorable meeting where Weihe had an opportunity to view the artist at work in his vast, breezy studio, the sunny outdoors of the French Riviera, even as the simple, cherished colours of his native Mandla roamed perpetually in his mind's eye.
Weihe, who trained in art under his artist grandfather, but decided to make a career in "appreciating it" instead, going on to do a PhD in art history from the University of Zurich, writing, researching, advising on Asian art before becoming the head of South Asian art at Christie's, vigorously believes that the Padma Vibushan and Legion d'Honneur-awarded Raza is one of India's most significant art heroes and the man who helped Indian modernism reach a wider recognition, worldwide.
He says Raza is an icon, not just for his work, but for his pioneering role.
Certainly like the ancient Gupta scholar who gave mathematical birth to the dot-decimal, Raza, living some 2,500 years later, has loaded an immeasurable artistic significance and invested life onto the same dot Bindu, which he affectionately referred to as his 'lodestar,' making certain that whenever you see a full stop-bindu-dot-period you remember the gentle world soul from the forests of central India.
A two-part interview.
IMAGE: Hugo Weihe with one of Raza's abstract helical works. Photograph: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com
Raza said in a 2011 interview to the seniors magazine Harmony India (external link): 'What we leave behind of ourselves through work is most important.'
What do you think he has left behind? What is his legacy?
It has been an extraordinary journey for him, starting out with his colleagues forming the Progressive Group. It was for him an extraordinary situation to meet Henri Cartier Bresson, the great French photographer, who was in India in the 1940s, who encouraged him to study French. (He said) 'Come to France. That will an enormous step for you.'
Raza embraced that: He studied French (laughs), passed the exam, and was given the grant by the government of France. From the 1950s onwards it was a huge eye-opener for him to be in Paris, study all the Western art, and absorb all of that (Raza studied at the E'cole nationale superieure des Beaux-Arts).
After (Indian) Independence it was a new beginning, artistically for everyone. All the artists -- and he was one of the leaders then -- to absorb all the possibilities, to find a new modernism, a new path forward for Indian art.
He did it by going to what he deemed was the most important centre then, Paris still, representing Western art. He was able to see everything. Then he met Janine (Monggillat, fellow art student and later well-known sculptor, who he married and who died in 2002) who was very, very important to him. He always felt that she was certainly on equal footing with him as an artist.
They had the house there in the south of France. It was her house in Gorbio, in which I visited him. It was an extraordinary place -- with the beautiful azure blue of the Mediterranean and the rocks, the colour of the stone there. He was sitting outside his house.
(I visited him around) the time when the museum opened there and showed a retrospective of his work. There was a former castle or a church, an old fortification, in which they gave him the space to show a little retrospective there.
(When I met him) he was sitting outside of his house, the canvas leaning against the stone wall of his house and painting with the colours that were inspired (in him) by the south of France, just as much as Madhya Pradesh, in a sense. He blended the two together. It was very, very moving -- an impressive moment for me.
He expanded his thoughts... It is very interesting (that he) pursued the path from the realist paintings in the 40s, through the abstract landscapes of the 50s and 60s and then moved towards the Bindu and symbolism behind all of that.
It is a logical trajectory for him. Once he had achieved it; that was the final achievement. I find the journey he took the most remarkable and rewarding to examine.
Then, of course, he wanted to come back to India at some point. That was kind of inevitable.
While he carried India in his heart -- and all of the symbolism, history, the colours of his motherland, the earth, the sky, all of that is there and it always remains with him -- it was inevitable that he would return to India. That closed the loop.
What else do you remember of that meeting? What was memorable? Why were you there?
I wanted to visit.
It was a natural rapport that one immediately felt with him. Always. He was very warm. And very open.
I have always appreciated talking to artists and he was one of those who were extraordinarily gracious and extraordinarily open. And you felt right (away) that you connected on that level and could understand what he is doing, what he (was) looking to do and it was just immediately clear.
You were working at Christie's then and running their department of South Asian art. Is that why you sought him out?
We were looking at all of the Indian modernist and contemporary (work). I made it a point to meet all the artists. Of course, you want to have a bigger understanding.
Above all, I always appreciated -- and that's the great thing with any contemporary artist situation -- the work is there, but the master is there too.
You can connect the two, compare the two and have the privilege to talk to the person who created the work, which is not the case with an antiquity. Or for something (work of an artist) that is further back, where the work, over time, must stand for itself. And speak for itself.
I find it a fascinating thing to have the chance to speak to the artist and see how it all matches up.
We are here because S H Raza has died at the age of 90 on July 23. But in a sense an artist never dies. Death is just an event in the trajectory of his art. And art doesn't die at all.
Beautifully put. Yes, art never dies. And it is forever young.
It is there. And therefore he is also there?
That's what he left behind. And it is totally pure of thought, of conception and of execution. And it is something that is amazing. It is clear: That will never go away.
Every artist then also stands for a whole culture behind him. That's what we remember. That's the achievement of the time.
IMAGE: S H Raza's studio is a poignant reminder of the artist's passion for the abstract. Photograph: Sheela Bhatt
Do you remember when you first saw a painting of his? What impact did it make on you?
I was really struck by his large canvases of the late 50s. The first one was Saurashtra that set a world record for Indian modernism and it stood for many, many years.
I had the privilege of auctioneering that. I won't forget that moment and the stir it created. It was very clear to all of us that that painting was an extraordinary achievement; the whole physicality, the size of it, the impact it had, it was clearly an icon of Indian modernism.
Raza was the one who had created it. We were very happy and gratified to see that it achieved that sort of level.
It is now in a very important Indian institution (the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi) and one of their key works.
I was connected to those milestones (of his). We had late 50s big works, there was one famous one in the Rockefeller Collection of that type, which I also thought was very, very powerful, the way you can see again -- back to my earlier point -- how his work evolves, how there is a natural progression.
Those were powerful moments too in the 50s that he achieved -- with thick oil and pastel and bright colors looking at the landscape of southern France, with the churches, the sea behind the rocks, the rocky cliffs.
It's very compelling. I think every step along the way he changed his style
So, he had a proper artistic journey?
He had a proper journey. And every time he succeeded in achieving a milestone. | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/raza-carried-india-in-his-heart/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9515ee1c0015729b585812256c8babf8166990e3fd4ca17bd429783a4fc9ad89.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:49 | null | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | The officers were injured in the attack in the city of Charleroi, with one of them suffering significant 'wounds to the face', according to reports. | Belgian police officers injured in machete attack | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbelgian-police-officers-injured-in-machete-attack%2F20160806.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/06belgium1.jpg | en | null | Belgian police officers injured in machete attack | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 06, 2016 23:52 IST
A man wielding a machete and shouting 'Allahu Akbar' attacked two police officers outside a Belgian police station on Saturday.
The officers were injured in the attack in the city of Charleroi, with one of them suffering significant 'wounds to the face', according to reports.
Local police said a third officer then shot and wounded the perpetrator.
The force then tweeted: “Two police officers injured by machete in front of police by someone shouting Allah Akhkbar. Individual was shot but is alive.” He later died in hospital.
The area around Boulevard Pierre Mainz, where the attack happened, has been sealed off.
Jan Jambon, minister for the interior and security, described the attack as a “vile act.”
Belgium has been on high security alert for months since suicide bombers struck Brussels airport and a subway station near the European Union's institutions on March 22, killing 32 people.
The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, which controls large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria and has claimed numerous terror attacks in
Europe in the last year.
Charleroi has often been associated with extremist gangs, especially as a place where weapons are kept.
Image: Belgian police officers stand guard outside the main police station after a machete-wielding man injured two female police officers before being shot in Charleroi, Belgium. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/belgian-police-officers-injured-in-machete-attack/20160806.htm | en | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a93db9e802f9f7731dbcf5c34203a0843e9f06671c779413b40896895214eb72.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:33 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | The NDA government has approved additional facilities for members of minority communities living in India on long-term visa | Purchase of property, issuance of driving licence: Here's the list of sops for refugees from Pak, B'desh, Afghanistan | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpurchase-of-property-issuance-of-driving-licence-heres-the-list-of-sops-for-refugees-from-pak-bdesh%2F20160820.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2012/sep/07ss1.jpg | en | null | Purchase of property, issuance of driving licence: Here's the list of sops for refugees from Pak, B'desh, Afghanistan | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 20, 2016 21:20 IST
Keeping its promise to provide succour to refugees from neighbouring countries, the National Democratic Alliance government has approved additional facilities for members of minority communities living in India on long-term visa that include opening bank account and power to purchase properties.
The home ministry in a statement on Saturday said that the central government has extended certain facilities in last two years to persons from minority community of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians staying on Long Term Visa in India are allowed to submit affidavit in place of renunciation certificate, granted LTV for five years instead of two years and facilities for education and employment.
In order to provide them fair opportunities for a more comfortable living and hassle-free movement and pursuit of economic activities within the territory of India, government has decided to extend additional facilities to this class of LTV holders.
The additional facilities include permission to open bank account, permission for purchase of property for self occupation and suitable accommodation for carrying out self–employment, permission to take self-employment, issuance of driving licence, PAN card and Aadhar number.
Allowing free movement within the State/UT where they are staying, transfer of LTV papers from one state to other, reduction of penalty amount to Rs 100, Rs 200 and Rs 500 instead of existing amount of $30, $130, $230 on non–extension of short-term Visa/LTV.
The refugees are also allowed to apply for LTV from the place of present residence when the applicants have changed place without permission.
Ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power, several concessions have been offered to the persecuted Hindus and Sikhs of the neighbouring countries.
Besides, the home ministry also organised special camps at district level in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and NCT of Delhi for granting LTV and citizenships.
Children of refugees on LTV are allowed to take admission in schools/ colleges/ universities/ technical and professional institutions under foreigner quota without permission from the state government/UT administration.
State governments/ UT administration are empowered to grant permission to such people to engage themselves in employment of purely private nature.
PM Modi had, during the Lok Sabha poll campaigning in 2014, made a distinction between Hindu and Muslim refugees from Bangladesh arguing that the former should be accommodated.
"We have a responsibility towards Hindus who are harassed and suffer in other countries. India is the only place for them. We will have to accommodate them here," he had said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/purchase-of-property-issuance-of-driving-licence-heres-the-list-of-sops-for-refugees-from-pak-bdesh/20160820.htm | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5c53919cf634b65cf0a4049e73fce87cd939b442dc56cc320a69a8d6713194c0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:15 | null | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | The 70-year-old artiste, who was to perform at the Royal Festival Hall next month, had said that he was 'shocked and appalled' at the rejection of his visa application. | Visa denial: UK mission to speak to Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fvisa-denial-uk-mission-to-speak-to-sarod-maestro-amjad-ali-khan%2F20160813.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/movies/2010/jan/05sli1.jpg | en | null | Visa denial: UK mission to speak to Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 13, 2016 23:44 IST
The UK High Commission on Saturday said it will speak to Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, a day after his visa application was rejected apparently due to incomplete information.
"We don't comment on the detail of individual cases, but can confirm we will offer to speak to Mr Khan about how he should apply for the correct type of visa to do what he wishes to do in the UK," a British High Commission spokesperson said on the refusal of visa to the internationally renowned musician.
The UK Home Office, in London, without giving specific details, said visas are declined due to incomplete information.
"All visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits and applicants must provide evidence to show they meet the requirements of the immigration rules," a Home Office statement said.
The 70-year-old artiste, who was to perform at the Royal Festival Hall on September 17, had said that he was "shocked and appalled" at the rejection of his visa application.
Tagging Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in his tweet, Khan had written, "My UK visa rejected. Extremely sad for artists who are spreading the message of love & peace @HCI_London @MEAIndia @UKinIndia @SushmaSwaraj."
"Shocked and appalled. #UK visa rejected. Scheduled to perform at the #RoyalFestivalHall in Sep @HCI_London @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj @UKinIndia," he further wrote.
"Performing almost every year in #UK since the early 70s. Upset to have my visa rejected @HCI_London @MEAIndia @UKinIndia @SushmaSwaraj," he added.
Expressing disappointment over the denial of the travel document, Amjad's son Amaan Ali said, "This has never happened before...He is someone who has worked all his life for the country and peace. The government should take interest why they (UK) are doing this."
Meanwhile, the longest serving Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz sought an explanation from the UK Home Office over reports of refusal of visa to Khan, saying the decision would "severely damage" Indo-UK relations.
"I am astonished at this news. Amjad Ali Khan is one of India's greatest living artists and I cannot believe that his visa has been refused. I have today written to the Home Office and asked for an explanation and for a reversal of the decision," said Vaz.
"Relations between the UK and India can be severely damaged by this kind of action," he said in his statement.
"Listen as legendary sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan reflects on his 50-year career. His wife Subhalakshmi Khan joins him for this candid conversation," reads the programme for the centre's 'Classical Season 2016-17' as part of the annual Darbar Festival.
A Southbank Centre statement said, "It is extremely unfortunate that Amjad Ali Khan has been refused a short-term visa to come and perform at Southbank Centre, which we understand is due to a recent change in the visa's guidelines.
"We are working closely to try to rectify this situation and are hopeful that he will be able to perform on September 17 at the Royal Festival Hall as planned," it said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/visa-denial-uk-mission-to-speak-to-sarod-maestro-amjad-ali-khan/20160813.htm | en | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f80ba98f32342c3c3b66bbba08b6eb6fe0803f0c1dc0f0931ab0198c19f8b258.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:45 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who was taken ill during a roadshow in Varanasi and forced to return to the national capital, was 'stable'. | Sonia Gandhi stable, under observation at hospital: Congress | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsonia-gandhi-stable-under-observation-at-hospital-congress-%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03soniag.jpg | en | null | Sonia Gandhi stable, under observation at hospital: Congress | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 03, 2016 14:51 IST
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who was taken ill during a roadshow in Varanasi and forced to return to the national capital, was "stable" and has been shifted to Ganga Ram Hospital in west Delhi on Wednesday.
Gandhi was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi on Tuesday night due to high fever.
The 69-year-old Congress chief returned by a chartered flight close to midnight after she had to abandon the 8-km roadshow in Varanasi midway due to illness.
Gandhi has been shifted to Ganga Ram Hospital as she had earlier also undergone treatment there, sources said.
Earlier in the day, All India Congress Committee media cell in-charge Randeep Surjewala had said that she is stable and is recovering under medical supervision.
"Yesterday (Tuesday) itself, she had said that she would return to Varanasi to meet the people and to have 'darshan of the historical temple of Kashi Vishwanath Ji'. On return, she was admitted to hospital in Delhi, is stable and is recovering under medical supervision", he had said in a statement.
The Congress president is overwhelmed by the concern and affection of fellow countrymen and crores of Congressmen and has thanked everyone for their good wishes, he had said.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were by her side. Her son-in-law Robert Vadra also visited her.
Senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that her condition was "stable" after she suffered a bout of "dehydration, vomited and had fever" in Varanasi.
Image: Sonia Gandhi greets supporters during the roadshow in Varanasi. Photograph: @INCIndia/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sonia-gandhi-stable-under-observation-at-hospital-congress-/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8840d574b104bf9cc8e5b85f6dbe1d2094e917edac1c29334992e0dd43b0384b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:20:41 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | The foreign secretary said almost all major initiatives of India in SAARC did not fructify due to hurdles posed by Islamabad. | India's friendly steps towards Pak face this 'unique challenge' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjaishankar-on-india-pak-relations-terror-diplomacy%2F20160818.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/apr/25live-secy.jpg | en | null | India's friendly steps towards Pak face this 'unique challenge' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 18, 2016 01:37 IST
India’s efforts to have ‘closer and broader’ cooperation in South Asia often faced roadblocks due to ‘unique challenge’ from Pakistan which tends to use terrorism as an instrument of policy of diplomacy, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said on Wednesday night.
In strong criticism of Pakistan, he said almost all major initiatives of India in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation -- be it enhancing connectivity or having deeper engagement in some other key areas -- did not fructify due to hurdles posed by Islamabad, adding terrorism is central to the problem.
The foreign secretary described Pakistan as a country which not only has a ‘different view of the region but also has an attitude towards use of terrorism as an instrument of policy of diplomacy which makes it a difficult partner for all of us’.
The foreign secretary was interacting with journalists at Foreign Correspondents’ Club in New Delhi during which he touched upon a wide range of issues including challenges on foreign policy front and India’s engagement with major powers like the United States, Russia and China.
Talking about government’s neighbourhood first policy, he said though India has been sincere in ensuring development of the region, its politics often come into play.
“While we all agree that we should move forward, it does not always go smoothly as domestic politics of our neighbours pose challenges. We have learnt to be patient and the mix of diplomacy and patience did see through difficult situations,” said Jaishankar.
“The neighbourhood clearly faces unique challenge with respect of one country which is Pakistan,” he said, adding the centrality of the problem is ‘terrorism’.
Referring to Indo-Pak ties, he said India made every effort in the last two years to improve relationship with Pakistan.
“What you have seen in the last two years is a great effort on our part to reach out to Pakistan and find common ground on many issues that face the relationship.
“The last time this was done in December when the foreign minister went for the Heart of Asia conference and we agreed to have comprehensive bilateral dialogue which we hoped would begin in January this year,” he said, adding then Pathankot terror attack took place.
He said the problem is that the ‘terrorism issue has become so central that it makes it very difficult for the relationship as a whole to progress’.
The foreign secretary also talked about lack of progress in Pathankot terror attack probe and continuous cross-border infiltrations and attacks.
The foreign secretary spoke about India’s ties with the US, Russia and China as well as with various multilateral forums, adding there has been a marked shift in New Delhi’s external engagements in the last two years.
He cited completion of the Indo-Afghanistan Friendship Dam and Parliament building constructed by India in Kabul as reflection of changing approach of the government in implementing major projects abroad.
The foreign secretary said ties with the US, Japan, Russia and China have improved significantly, while there was speedy progress in ramping up cooperation with Africa.
“I would also accept that we have faced some challenges in the relationship recently. The visit of the Chinese foreign minister gave us an opportunity to revisit some of those issues.
“I think certainly, speaking from our perspective, whether a well known terrorist who actually proudly accepts that he has undertaken actions against this country is sanctioned by a UN (United Nations) committee or not. This is not a small issue,” he said.
Earlier this year, China had blocked India’s effort to ban Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar by the UN.
He also made a veiled reference to China scuttling India’s NSG membership bid, saying New Delhi needed to get greater access to nuclear energy, especially given its commitment at the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions climate forum.
China had scuttled India's bid for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group at the plenary meeting of the 48-nation grouping in June on the grounds that it was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, evoking a strong reaction from India. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/jaishankar-on-india-pak-relations-terror-diplomacy/20160818.htm | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d32575d6dec9a5f0fc89f7f771b4bffbc3f09b1e91a675d18092116114f9cb1e.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T06:50:08 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Jahangir Khan landed himself in jail after he boasted to the media that he was going to send Peshawari sandals made from deer's skin to Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan. | Pakistani shoemaker jailed over deer skin sandals for Shahrukh Khan | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpakistani-shoemaker-jailed-over-deer-skin-sandals-for-shahrukh-khan%2F20160827.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/movies/2016/jul/07eid-shahrukh.jpg | en | null | Pakistani shoemaker jailed over deer skin sandals for Shahrukh Khan | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 27, 2016 10:20 IST
A Pakistani shoemaker has landed himself in jail after he boasted to the media that he was going to send Peshawari sandals made from deer’s skin to Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan.
According to reports, a cousin of Shahrukh who lives in Peshawar went to shoemaker Jahangir Khan last Friday and asked him to make two pairs of Peshawari sandals for the actor.
“Apparently Jahangir Khan is a big fan of Shahrukh and decided to send the Bollywood star a special gift, Peshawari sandals made out of deer skin, from his side,” a local police official said.
“Soon after the news spread, the wildlife department officials contacted us and filed a complaint. We had to go and pick up Jahangir who is now behind bars,” he said.
A wildlife official in Peshawar said that the probe is on to confirm whether deer skin was used by Jahangir in making sandals.
“If he has used deer skin than he will face a fine and prosecution as under wildlife laws,” the official said.
Shahrukh Khan is hugely popular in Pakistan. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pakistani-shoemaker-jailed-over-deer-skin-sandals-for-shahrukh-khan/20160827.htm | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/81e219021a3814eb3f1144d4382433f7cd422042f508df50a80234b625e07d98.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:20 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | Nicholas Young, 36, facing a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, was employed as an officer as Metro Transit Police Department since 2003. | Washington transit police officer arrested for aiding Islamic State | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwashington-cop-arrested-for-aiding-islamic-state%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03transitcop.jpg | en | null | Washington transit police officer arrested for aiding Islamic State | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 03, 2016 22:36 IST
A US police officer was arrested on Wednesday on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State, becoming the first law enforcement officer in the country accused of aiding the terrorist organisation.
IMAGE: This is the first time a law enforcement official in the US has been arrested for helping ISIS. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
Nicholas Young, 36, facing a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, was employed as an officer as Metro Transit Police Department since 2003.
Young was working with Metro Transit Police Department.
This is for the first time that a law enforcement official has been arrested for helping ISIS.
The Department of Justice said law enforcement first interviewed Young in September 2010 in connection with his acquaintance, Zachary Chesser, who had been arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Over the next several years, Young allegedly had numerous interactions with undercover law enforcement personnel and an FBI confidential human source regarding his knowledge of and interest in terrorism-related activity.
"Many of these interactions were recorded. Law enforcement also interviewed Young's family and co-workers," it said.
In 2011, Young met with an undercover law enforcement officer, and several of these meetings included another of Young's acquaintances, Amine El Khalifi, who later pleaded guilty to charges relating to his plan to conduct a suicide bombing at the US Capitol Building in 2012, federal prosecutors charged.
In 2011, Young traveled to Libya once and attempted to travel there a second time, federal prosecutors said.
Young told FBI agents that he had been with rebels attempting to overthrow the Muammar Qaddafi regime.
Baggage searches revealed that Young travelled with body armour, a kevlar helmet and several other military-style items, according to the allegations.
As late as July 18, 2016, Young allegedly communicated with a person who he believed to be the CHS regarding purchasing gift cards for mobile-messaging accounts that ISIL purportedly uses in recruiting others to join the terrorist organization.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on July 28, 2016, Young sent 22 gift card codes to the FBI undercover officer posing as the confidential human resource with a message that stated: "Respond to verify receipt...may not answer depending on when as this device will be destroyed after all are sent to prevent the data being possibly seen on this end in the case of something unfortunate."
The codes were ultimately redeemed by the FBI for USD 245, according to court documents. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/washington-cop-arrested-for-aiding-islamic-state/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e2d090903b406fcd16bee764f1a68711d39c17014fffea2f71cdb905354613a8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:39:32 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | The conference was attended by envoys of Pakistan posted at Washington, Beijing, New Delhi, Afghanistan, UN New York, UN Geneva, Vienna, Brussels and Moscow among others. | Kashmir witnessing 'new wave of freedom movement', says Pak PM Sharif | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkashmir-witnessing-new-wave-of-freedom-movement-says-pak-pm%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/jun/05nawaz2.jpg | en | null | Kashmir witnessing 'new wave of freedom movement', says Pak PM Sharif | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 03, 2016 19:24 IST
Upping the ante, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Kashmir was witnessing a "new wave of freedom movement" and asked the diplomats to appraise the world that Kashmir was "not an internal matter" of India.
Addressing the concluding session of the three-day Envoys Conference organised by foreign ministry in Islamabad, Sharif said, "Resolution of the lingering dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people is the corner stone of Pakistan's foreign policy."
"Today Kashmir is witnessing a new wave of freedom movement," Sharif said, needling India on a day when Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Islamabad to attend the SAARC Interior Ministers' Conference.
"This movement is running into the bloods of third generation of Kashmiri people and the world has itself seen its intensity in the wake of July 8," Sharif said, referring to the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in Kashmir.
"The Kashmiri youth are writing new chapters of sacrifices to get the right to self determination," he said.
"They have lost eyesight due to bullets but the desire for freedom is guiding them to the destination," he added.
He asked Pakistani envoys to apprise the world that "the Kashmir was not an internal matter of India".
"The ambassador should make the world feel that Kashmir is not the internal problem of India, as India already accepted it as dispute territory and the UN also declared it as a dispute between India and Pakistan," he said.
The conference was attended by envoys of Pakistan posted at Washington, Beijing, New Delhi, Afghanistan, UN New York, UN Geneva, Vienna, Brussels and Moscow among others.
Sharing his vision with the envoys, Sharif said that all bilateral issues with other regional countries should be solved though talks in a peaceful way.
"We cannot afford a conflict. If we became part of any conflict, then our progress in the social and economic fields would be affected," he said.
He said Pakistan wants peace in the world on the basis of honour, dignity and equality. "But our desire for friendly ties should not be considered as weakness. We believe in mutual interests, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the affairs of others," Kashmir said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister's advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz told the concluding session that it was wrong to portray that Pakistan was facing isolation.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Maleeha Lodhi said the conference acquired special importance in view of the Prime Minister's directives to take stock of the current situation.
She said, "Kashmir remained top agenda of the conference in view of the indigenous Kashmir uprising in the backdrop".
Lodhi said that in line with the Prime Minister’s directive, she would step-up diplomatic campaign to highlight alleged human rights violations in Kashmir at the UN. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmir-witnessing-new-wave-of-freedom-movement-says-pak-pm/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/156da1a2d8c6630efe491a84a18fe40400db01644ad1215774b661f78246f041.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:27 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | Catch all the live debates and discussions from both the houses of Parliament. | WATCH LIVE! All the action from Parliament | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwatch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/aug/24lead1.jpg | en | null | WATCH LIVE! All the action from Parliament | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 10:59 IST
The government will introduce the GST Bill this week for passage. It is yet to be seen if the long-standing bill can be passed or not. Parties are likely to discuss the flood situation in Parliament today.
Catch all the live action from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/watch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5d8f1d32a033614952a095f6192b56c4e9bf9f5d9cc491a824ea00f28f211b24.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:24 | null | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | The National Disaster Response Force, Navy and Coast Guard officials have so far been able to locate only a signboard of one of the missing ST buses . | Mahad bridge collapse: 26 bodies recovered, search on for more | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmahad-bridge-collapse-toll-rescue-ops-update%2F20160808.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08mahad.jpg | en | null | Mahad bridge collapse: 26 bodies recovered, search on for more | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 08, 2016 15:11 IST
The search operation to find bodies and remains of the vehicles following collapse of a bridge on Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad in Raigad district continued for the sixth day on Monday in the turbulent Savitri river.
So far, 26 bodies have been recovered.
“We are not going to call off our operation and will continue to fish out the remains and bodies,” Raigad’s Residential Deputy Collector Satish Bagal said.
On Sunday, two more bodies were recovered during the search and rescue operation launched a day after two State Transport buses and some other vehicles fell into the swollen river after bridge collapse on the night of August 2.
“Now there are chances that the bodies which have not been recovered so far, might have got stuck in the washed away vehicles. When the personnel succeed in tracing those vehicles, the bodies would also be recovered,” Bagal said.
To a question, he said, “So far all the bodies recovered have been identified and handed over to relatives.”
The National Disaster Response Force, Navy and Coast Guard officials have so far been able to locate only a signboard of one of the missing ST buses bearing the word ‘reserved’ on it.
NDRF’s 5th battalion commandant Anupam Srivastava said that they are using various advance techniques, including electronic sensors, fish finders (sonar devices), and massive magnets to trace the remains of the swept away vehicles.
“We have fitted six eco-sound sensors at the bottom of the boats which send acoustic sound waves down side the water and while it returns, it generates a picture of the surface on our hand held monitor,” he said.
“We are using this technique in our search operation and hope to have a breakthrough very soon,” Srivastava said, adding NDRF personnel have so far searched an area spanning 30 km from the collapsed bridge.
IMAGE: NDRF personnel in the Savitri river after their boat trumbled during their rescue work following the collapse of Mahad-Poladpur bridge on the Mumbai-Goa highway, near Mahad in Raigad district. Photogrph: Santosh Hirlekar/PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mahad-bridge-collapse-toll-rescue-ops-update/20160808.htm | en | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/956ac842efc9930fce2ac8ca89a785167a55c0a154502225b495fd93efa7f664.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:39 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | There are 18 judges per 10 lakh people as compared to 50 judges recommended by the Law Commission in its 1987 report | India has just 18 judges per 10 lakh people! | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Findia-has-just-18-judges-per-10-lakh-people%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/sep/07sd3.jpg | en | null | India has just 18 judges per 10 lakh people! | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 18:39 IST
There are 18 judges per 10 lakh people as compared to 50 judges recommended by the Law Commission in its 1987 report which the Chief Justice of India had recently cited seeking an increase in the judges strength.
According to the data put out by the law ministry in public domain, the judge to population ratio in India stands at 17.86 judges per 10 lakh people.
Mizoram has the highest judge to population ratio which stands at 57.74. In Delhi, it stands at 47.33, while in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of the country, the ratio is 10.54 judges per 10 lakh people.
West Bengal has the lowest judge to population ratio at 10.45 judges per 10 lakh people.
The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court today stands at 31 judges, including the CJI as compared to 25 in 2009.
The apex court faces a shortage of 3 judges. Four new judges were recently appointed to the apex court.
The sanctioned strength of the high courts till 2014 was 906 judges and it was increased to 1,079 in June this year.
There are 24 high courts in the country.
But despite the increase in the sanctioned strength, the high court, as in July this year, faced a shortage of 477 judges.
The subordinate courts in the country, the backbone of justice delivery system, have a sanctioned strength of 20,502.
But there are only 16,070 judicial officers serving in the courts and the shortage stood at 4,432 as on December 31, 2015.
Addressing the inaugural session of Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts in New Delhi in April, CJI T S Thakur had said since 1987, when the Law Commission had recommended an increase in the number of judges from then 10 judges per 10 lakh people to 50, "nothing has moved".
Justice Thakur had said following the Law Commission's recommendation, the Supreme Court in 2002 had also supported increasing the strength of the judiciary. A Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committee on Law, then headed by Pranab Mukherjee, had also recommended taking the ratio to 50 from 10.
On July 28, the government had informed the Lok Sabha that the Law Commission has reviewed the criteria of judge-population ratio for determining the number of judges needed which the Chief Justice of India had cited to say that India needed 50 judges per million people.
Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary had said in a written response that the criteria of the judge-population ratio for determining the adequacy of the judge strength in the country has been reviewed by the Law Commission in its 245th report (submitted in 2014) prepared on the directions of the Supreme Court.
The apex court had asked the law panel to evolve a method for scientific assessment of the number of additional courts to clear the backlog of cases.
"In the 245th report, the Law Commission has observed that filing of cases per capita varies substantially across geographic units as filings are associated with economic and social conditions of population. As such, the Commission did not consider the judge-population ratio to be a scientific criterion for determining the adequacy of the judge strength in the country," the minister said.
The Commission had found that in the absence of complete and scientific approach to data collection across various high courts, the 'rate of disposal' method to calculate the number of additional judges required to clear the backlog as well as to ensure that the new backlog is not created, is more pragmatic and useful, Chaudhary had said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/india-has-just-18-judges-per-10-lakh-people/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7a130d89d7ad7dc7cd10572da6d9a2b4b903da3b12364151f1c7b0eba14e9a5b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:56 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | Scotland Yard said the incident is being treated as possible terror offence. | London knife attack leaves 1 dead, 5 hurt | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-london-knife-attack-leaves-1-dead-%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04london1.jpg | en | null | London knife attack leaves 1 dead, 5 hurt | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 04, 2016 19:09 IST
An elderly American woman was on Thursday stabbed to death and five others including foreigners were injured when a suspected mentally ill teen went on a rampage with a knife in central London, in an attack police said could be linked to terror.
A 19-year-old Norwegian national of Somali origin was arrested using a Taser gun on suspicion of carrying out the "random" mass knife attack at Russell Square near the popular British Museum in central London at 10.39 pm (local time yesterday), Scotland Yard said.
An American woman, in her 60s, was killed in the attack that also injured two other women and as many men, police said but there was "no evidence of radicalisation" in the assault. The victims include Australian, American, Israeli and British citizens.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for "calm and vigilance" the people, whose safety he said "is my number one priority" as Londoners woke up this morning to notice an increased presence on the streets of officers following the attack that comes days after a public warning against Islamic State-inspired assaults.
The attack also came on a day Scotland Yard announced that 600 additional armed officers will be deployed around London's major sites, including British Museum, as part of anti-terror plans in the wake of ISIS attacks in Europe, and days after Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said a terror attack in the United Kingdom was a case of "when, not if."
However, Metropolitan police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley in a statement outside Scotland Yard headquarters in London said that "at this point we believe this is a spontaneous attack and the victims were selected at random".
The police were called following reports of a man armed with a knife was attacking people and "armed officers attended the scene within approximately five minutes of receiving the first call".
An eye witness who saw the events unfold from her hotel window told BBC she saw a black man running down the street. Other witnesses said that when the "large man" stabbed the people he did not shout or scream anything.
"A Taser was discharged during the arrest of the suspect, a 19-year-old man. No shots were fired. After receiving treatment at hospital he currently remains in custody at south London police station," a Scotland Yard statement said.
Two victims remain in hospital but are not suffering from life-threatening injuries while the others have been discharged, police said, adding early indications suggested that "mental health was a factor in this horrific attack."
While Metropolitan police earlier said "terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage" in the wake of a string of recent attacks in Europe, the latest from the force is that "we continue to focus our lines of inquiry on mental health while retaining an open mind regarding the motive".
Khan said his "heart goes out to the victims of the incident and their loved ones" and appealed to the public to report anything suspicious to the police.
Rowley, in charge of the force's specialist operations, said: "So far we have found no evidence of radicalization or anything that would suggest the man in our custody was motivated by terrorism."
The Metropolitan Police Service's Homicide and Major Crime Command is leading the investigation, supported by officers from the Counter Terrorism Command.
The eyewitness, who saw a black man running down the street, saw: "I could hear the policeman screaming 'stop, don't move, don't go any further, just stay where you are', and he turned round and continued running."
Hogan-Howe praised the force's "swift response" that "undoubtedly helped to prevent more people from getting injured".
He added: "Our investigation is moving very quickly and our detectives have been working hard throughout the night. As we have already made clear, mental health remains a substantial focus for our investigation.
"We will protect our capital and those who live, work and visit our city."
Ambulances and police vans were seen stationed outside Imperial Hotel, near the Russell Square Underground station. The suspect himself was taken to hospital after being immobilised with a Taser electroshock gun.
Khan said: "We all have a vital role to play as eyes and ears for our police and security services and in helping to ensure London is protected. Our police officers are doing an incredibly difficult job on our behalf and they have my full support.
Thursday's mass stab attack came two days after a mentally unwell 30-year-old paranoid schizophrenic man was jailed for life for trying to behead a commuter in an Islamic State inspired knife attack at a London tube station last December.
Since August 2014, the terror threat level in Britain has been "severe" -- the second highest level, meaning an attack is "highly likely".
In the July 7, 2005 terror attacks in London, one of the suicide bombs which hit the city's public transport system was detonated on the London Underground between Russell Square and King's Cross. While 7/7, which killed 52 people, was the last large- scale terrorist attack in Britain, there have been a string of smaller incidents since. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-london-knife-attack-leaves-1-dead-/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/28423e4e33d33a79c423b921087973ba47a55027b06ca8f78c91c4fb3eb91d58.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:55 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | China which rejected the verdict initiated by the Philippines petition has stepped up air and naval patrols to assert its controls over the region. | Beijing-run media slams Vietnam for militarising disputed South China Sea | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fchinese-media-slams-vietnam-for-militarising-disputed-south-china-sea%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/12lead4.jpg | en | null | Beijing-run media slams Vietnam for militarising disputed South China Sea | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 11, 2016 16:54 IST
With China mulling its options to counter Vietnam's reported plan to send mobile rocket launchers to the disputed South China Sea, Chinese media on Thursday termed the move a "terrible mistake" and asked Hanoi to "draw lessons" from the war in 1979 between the two countries.
"If Vietnam's latest deployment is targeting China, that would be a terrible mistake. We hope Vietnam will remember and draw some lessons from history," an article in the state-run Global Times said.
While the Vietnamese foreign ministry reportedly termed the media report as "inaccurate", the discreet deployment appeared to have caught China by surprise specially in the backdrop of Beijing's efforts to reinforce its control over the South China Sea after the international tribunal struck down China's claims over almost all of the South China Sea.
China which rejected the verdict initiated by the Philippines petition has stepped up air and naval patrols to assert its controls over the region. China also enhanced its satellite monitoring of the area.
Besides Vietnam and the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the South China Sea.
The launchers deployed by Vietnam are said to be capable of striking China's runways and important trade routes in the region with missiles and experts believe the move by Hanoi will likely raise tensions in the region, the article said.
"As the waves created by the controversial South China Sea arbitration initiated by the Philippines have barely subsided, the reported new deployment by Vietnam will add to the difficulty of solving the South China Sea disputes peacefully," it said.
Chinese officials say Vietnam has "illegally occupied" 29 of about 50 islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
It has conducted construction and reclamation work on over 20 of them since the 1980s, and the scale of the reclamation has increased in the past two years.
It also has built infrastructure, including runways and barracks, on the islands and reefs, another state-run newspaper China Daily said in its report.
China itself has developed islands with runways and military facilities in several islands.
Jia Duqiang, a senior researcher on Southeast Asian studies at the ChineseAcademy of Social Sciences, said it is Hanoi's latest effort to tighten its hold on islands in the South China Sea.
Xu Liping, another Southeast Asian studies researcher with CASS, said Hanoi is trying to emphasise its determination to strengthen its illegal occupation of the islands.
For its part, the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated its claim of the South China Sea specially over Spratly islands, which Beijing calls as Nansha islands also claimed by Vietnam.
"China has indisputable sovereignty over the NanshaIslands and their surrounding waters. China has always firmly opposed the illegal occupation of parts of China's Nansha Islands and reefs by certain countries and their illegal construction and military deployments on these islands," the report quoted a Chinese foreign ministry statement as saying. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/chinese-media-slams-vietnam-for-militarising-disputed-south-china-sea/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/76642b5d0e2668e8f6b2a099156fbadda96c87dbee9807641aaba3024a98e1aa.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:03 | null | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | Curfew and restrictions continued in Kashmir for the 29th day after fresh clashes erupted in the Valley killing three men on Friday. | Curfew continues in Kashmir for 29th day | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcurfew-continues-in-kashmir-for-29th-day%2F20160806.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/06kashmir03.jpg | en | null | Curfew continues in Kashmir for 29th day | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 06, 2016 11:58 IST
Curfew continued on Saturday in many parts of Kashmir, a day after fresh violence left three persons dead and 150 injured, while normal life remained paralysed for the 29th consecutive day.
IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard on the 29th day of curfew in Srinagar on Saturday. Photograph: Umar Ganie
"Curfew remains in force in six police station areas of Srinagar -- Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj and Batamaloo -- as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order," a police official said.
He said curfew was also in force in four towns of Budgam district -- Chadoora, Khansahib, Magam and Budgam , Anantnag town and Khanpora area of Baramulla district.
"Restrictions on assembly of four or more people continue to remain in effect in rest of the Valley," the official said.
IMAGE: An elderly man walks on a deserted street during the 29th day of curfew in Srinagar on Saturday. Photograph: Umar Ganie
He said the curbs on movement of people had to be extended on Saturday in view of fresh violence in some parts of the Valley yesterday which left three persons dead and over 150 others injured.
54 people have died and more than 6,000 injured in clashes between protesters and security forces following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8.
Normal life remained disrupted due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike.
IMAGE: Normal life remained disrupted due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike. Photograph: Umar Ganie
Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps banks and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads.
The attendance in government offices was also thin, the official said.
Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is barred.
The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 12. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/curfew-continues-in-kashmir-for-29th-day/20160806.htm | en | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7fdd00a5e12c65267353f6a4235f7b20a92ce971dd7995f8547060a715a4c39b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:20 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | A pillar had encroached on a storm water drain at Doddabommassandra near Vidyaranyapura and officials had marked the portion for demolition. | Portion of Pathankot martyr Lt Col Niranjan's house up for demolition | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fportion-of-pathankot-martyr-lt-col-niranjans-house-demolished%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11raze1.jpg | en | null | Portion of Pathankot martyr Lt Col Niranjan's house up for demolition | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 11, 2016 11:38 IST
A portion of the residence of National Security Guard commando Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar, who was martyred in the Pathankot terror attack in January, is set to be demolished in an anti-encroachment drive in Karnataka capital Bengaluru on Thursday.
"The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) officials had marked for demolition one of the three pillars on which my (late) son Lt Col Niranjan Kumar's house is standing," the martyred NSG commando's father, Shivarajan said from Palakkad in Kerala.
A pillar had encroached on a storm water drain at Doddabommassandra near Vidyaranyapura and officials had marked the portion for demolition.
Niranjan's brother Shashank asserted that it is definitely not a good thing and a shame to the country to see a national hero's house being demolished.
"It is very hard for us to digest this because we have lost our brother in Pathankot attack and now we are seeing the house is being demolished. And it is not a good thing to see our national hero's house being demolished. I would request to stop this demolition for good purpose because Niranjan has died for the country and if is going to happen this way then it is a shame for the country," Shashank told ANI.
Shivrajan said his wife Radha and another son (Shashank) had sought time from the BBMP to make their own arrangement "to remove the marked pillar."
"My wife and son had sought time for removing one of the three pillars on which the house is standing. My family is bit worried about the BBMP officials using JCB (earth mover) to pull down the structure as it may cause considerable damage to the house itself," he said.
Shivarajan is in Palakkad making arrangements for organising a function on August 15 in memory of his martyred son. He was killed while sanitising a terrorist's booby-trapped body.
Meanwhile, the BBMP continued with its encroachment clearance drive and marked many more buildings for demolition in Vidyaranyapura. On Tuesday, it had identified and marked properties at Yelahanka, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bommanahalli, Mahadevapura and Yeshwantpur.
The residents of these areas have strongly criticised the BBMP officials for asking them to make alternative arrangements.
On Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ordered action against 20 government officials for their involvement in encroachment of storm water drains in the city.
Photographs: ANI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/portion-of-pathankot-martyr-lt-col-niranjans-house-demolished/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/19e66b19824820750d86f40e603fdbfc5ce6428e0aa1811f320877b96a264038.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:25 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | Disputes over a temple has torn a Tamil Nadu village apart. | Dalits in this village want to convert to Islam | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdalits-in-this-village-want-to-convert-to-islam%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/17temple.jpg | en | null | Dalits in this village want to convert to Islam | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 17, 2016 20:48 IST
Disputes over a temple has torn a Tamil Nadu village apart.
Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar reports.
IMAGE: The temple in Malaykovilur village in Tamil Nadu's Karur district, which has become the cause for discord between different communities. Photograph: A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com
Dalits in Malaykovilur in Tamil Nadu's Karur district threaten they will convert to Islam. Other villagers threaten self-immolation. All this because of a conflict over the local temple.
Several castes live in the village. The clash concerns a temple they built together seven years ago.
Before this temple was built, the village had a temple which belonged to the dominant Gounder caste. The Gounders allowed the other villagers, including the Dalits, to pray from outside the temple. They were not allowed inside nor given prasad after prayers.
Fed up of the discrimination, the non-Gounder villagers decided to build their own temple.
They collected money across caste lines and received a grant of Rs 25,000 from the Tamil Nadu government. A committee was formned to oversee the temple's construction.
The committee was headed by Pichumuthu, a teacher who belonged to the scheduled castes. After the Samuthuva Mahasakhti Mariamman temple was built, the committee conducted the annual temple festival with all the villagers involved in the festivities.
This bon homie dissolved after Pichumuthu died. The villagers selected another head of the temple committee and the annual temple festival continued as before.
But the Dalits felt neglected and discontent soon raised its head in the village. Acrimony surfaced over minor disputes concerning the temple festival. In 2015, despite several such flashpoints, the temple festival went on as planned.
In April this year, the Dalits conducted their own temple festival and did not invite the other villagers. They formed a trust and dropped Samuthuva -- which means inclusive -- from the temple's name.
The Dalits wanted the temple for themselves and named Pichumuthu's son Vetrivel as their leader.
Earlier this month, the other villagers decided to conduct their own temple festival, but the Dalits did not permit them to do so.
The other villagers then approached the district administration and secured permission to conduct the festival for three days under police protection.
Thereafter, an extra door on one side of the templ, which the Dalits had constructed was demolished by villagers from the other communities. Furious, a Dalit tried to uproot the trishul (trident) installed outside the temple by the other communities.
In the melee, the Dalit was allegedly assaulted by the man who had donated the trishul to the temple. Both men are now in hospital.
The Dalits in the village now threaten to convert to Islam if the temple is not given to them.
The temple is locked, the keys are with the priest and he has been told not to open the temple till the dispute is resolved.
"The temple belongs to all the villagers as we built it together. We prayed together for six years," Panchayat President Palaniamma tells Rediff.com. "Last year they (the Dalits) have been fighting about who should lead the prayer committee."
A villager, who works for the state government, speaking on condition that he would not be identified by name for this report, feels, "It all happened because of Pichumuthu's death. When he died, his son Vetrivel thought they would make him head of the temple committee. When this did not happen, he started instigating the Dalits to oppose the others."
"They (the other castes) are in a majority in the village," says Geeta, the daughter of the new trust's treasurer, who is at the forefront of the Dalits' agitation. "So, they are trying to take the temple away from us. It is our temple. The government gave us money to build it from the SC fund."
The other villagers dispute this and insist that the money was not released from the state government's SC fund. They say they have the support of over 82 families of Udayars, Devars, Nadars, Ambalathar, Agamudiyars and also 12 Dalit families.
Only 15 Dalit families in the village, they say, want the temple for themselves.
Disputing this, Verivel says, "We are 45 families. Our relatives who belong to this village work in the cities. That doesn't make them outsiders."
"We are the original inhabitants of this village," claims Geeta. "The rest are outsiders. Many of them came from Sri Lanka to work in the mill (which was shut down in 2003) and a few came from other parts of this district. How can outsiders say it is their temple? How can the temple belong to them?"
"We will convert to Islam if we cannot pray in our own temple," she declares, not seeing the irony of her statement.
"One person from each of our 82 families will commit self-immolation in front of the temple if we are not allowed to pray there," warns the villager who works with the state government.
"We conducted a peace meeting and the temple festival went off peacefully. Now, there is no law and order problem," district revenue officer Balasubramaniam tells Rediff.com, "We will interfere only if the police tells us. In the meanwhile, we have told the villagers that the ownership of the temple can only be decided by the courts." | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/dalits-in-this-village-want-to-convert-to-islam/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/579da3f47e6381531eda3a3ba2de1a057750f87e66e8357d0b3bdd9f4fff8df9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:37 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Officials say many politicians and retired bureaucrats make every effort to stay in these government bungalows. | 7 reasons why netas don't want to leave Lutyens' bungalows | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwhy-netas-dont-want-to-leave-lutyens-bungalows%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/may/17akbar.jpg | en | null | 7 reasons why netas don't want to leave Lutyens' bungalows | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 09:44 IST
Officials say many politicians and retired bureaucrats make every effort to stay in these government bungalows despite having completed their terms, reports Sahil Makkar
Earlier this week, authorities had to evict the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah from the 7 Akbar Road bungalow, allotted to the family 17 years ago. Since no family member is a Union minister or chief minister, an eviction notice was served.
Officials say many politicians and retired bureaucrats make every effort to stay in these government bungalows despite having completed their terms for the following reasons:
>> The rent of the biggest bungalow for politicians, bureaucrats and judges is less than Rs 4,000 a month
>> These bungalows sprawl over 2-3 acres, with huge lawns
>> Rent for a similar private bungalow ranges from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh a month
>> Bungalows on Prithviraj Road, Amrita Shergill Road & Aurangzeb Road command premium rent
>> The value of one bungalow is at least Rs 100 crore. Sale of a 2.4 acre plot in March 2015 had fetched Rs 304 cr
>> Lutyens Bungalow Zone covers approximately 3,000 acres or 1.5 per cent of the landmass of Delhi and is close to the prime minister’s house, ministries, India Gate
>> The population density is 10-15 people per acre -- the lowest in Delhi or perhaps in the country
Image: Several of the government bungalows are located on Akbar Road, which enjoys a low population density. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/why-netas-dont-want-to-leave-lutyens-bungalows/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3b287e0071870c61f6d44e4662bf4cddc97abe36f0a31d340ea843286cf6b750.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:33 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | The cause of the blast is being investigated.
| 2 injured as low intensity blast rocks court premises in Mysuru | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ftwo-injured-as-low-intensity-blast-rocks-court-premises-in-mysuru%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/apr/19lead4.jpg | en | null | 2 injured as low intensity blast rocks court premises in Mysuru | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 20:30 IST
A low intensity explosion rocked a court premises in Mysuru on Monday causing panic among lawyers and litigants and leaving at least two persons injured.
The explosion with "bomb blast-like" sound occurred in the toilet located behind the court building, eyewitnesses said.
Windowpanes were shattered due to the intensity of the explosion, police said, adding the two persons received minor injuries.
Senior police officials who rushed to the court cordoned off the area and pressed dog and bomb detection squads into service.
They said the cause of the blast is being investigated.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara, who was in Mysuru on Monday to pay last respects to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son Rakesh who died in Belgium on Sunday, visited the spot with DGP Omprakash.
"I have seen the place, it has happened in the toilet. Due to the impact, wall and doors have been damaged. No injuries have happened, samples are being collected. FSL (Forensics Sciences Lab) team is here and are collecting samples. After that investigation will happen," he said.
Asked if there were any similarities to earlier explosions or any kind of suspicion, he said, "Nothing can be said now itself; let the investigation happen and let them find out about the materials used and the purpose."
The minister said though it was a low intensity blast, its impact was big because walls, doors and windowpanes have been damaged.
To a question about any intentions behind the blast as a large number of people and prominent personalities were in Mysuru to pay last respects to Rakesh Siddaramaiah, he said
"I can't say anything; I don't want to speculate."
He said police would be taking all required preventive and security measures.
Image for representation only. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/two-injured-as-low-intensity-blast-rocks-court-premises-in-mysuru/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/39a0bbe516db9fe97663a028d641f72a0eedd5a5862e891b3d3f487c6cb94418.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:14:04 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | The former UK Independence Party leader, who was behind UK's Brexit, shook hands with the Republican candidate before telling a cheering audience how he 'wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if she paid me'. | Policies of Obama, Clinton sacrificed American safety: Trump | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Flook-who-joined-donald-trump%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25trump-farage.jpg | en | null | Policies of Obama, Clinton sacrificed American safety: Trump | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 08:48 IST
The former UK Independence Party leader, who was behind UK’s Brexit, shook hands with the Republican candidate before telling a cheering audience how he ‘wouldn’t vote for Hillary Clinton if she paid me’.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump alleged that the eight years of Obama-Clinton policies have sacrificed American safety and undermined its freedom and independence.
“Eight years of Obama-Clinton policies have sacrificed our safety and undermined our freedom and independence,” he said at an election rally in Jackson, Mississippi on Wednesday.
“Our jobs have moved overseas, Islamic terrorism has spread within our shores and an open border has crushed low-income workers and threatened our security.
“The issues we face here in America are similar to the issues faced in Britain during their referendum on membership in the European Union. This is the movement known as Brexit,” Trump, 70, said as he continued to lash out at the policies of outgoing US President Barack Obama and his Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton, 68.
Trump alleged that Clinton has been on the wrong side of history in every major decision she has ever made and got this one wrong too.
“Now, Hillary wants to surrender America to globalism. She wants a country without borders. She wants trade deals written for the benefit of foreign corporations. She wants a government that ignores the will of the people.
“She wants to sell out American security to the Clinton Foundation for a pile of cash. It is hard to tell where the Clinton Foundation ends and the State Department begins.
According to the AP, more than half the meetings she took as Secretary of State from outside government were with Foundation Donors. Hillary Clinton doesn’t believe in America First. She believes in Donors First,” Trump alleged.
Trump said that Clinton would rather give a job to a refugee from overseas than to an unemployed American Veteran.
“The job of a public official is to serve and protect the citizens of the United States. Not illegal immigrants, not foreign nationals seeking entry, but the people living here lawfully today – including millions of African-American and Hispanic citizens,” he said.
Trump said his focus will always be on the well-being of the more than 300 million American citizens who call this country home.
“I will fight for their security, I will fight for their jobs, I will fight for their families. One American Nation. Hillary Clinton has betrayed her duty to the people. November 8th is our chance to re-declare American Independence,” he said.
Trump introduced Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party on the state.
“I could not possibly tell you how you should vote in this election... I will say this. If I was an American citizen, I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if you paid me. In fact, I wouldn’t vote for Hillary Clinton if she paid me,” Farage told Trump supporters.
In his speech, he drew comparisons between Brexit and the US presidential election.
He urged people to defeat pollsters, the media and the Washington establishment.
“I think you have a fantastic opportunity here with this campaign. I come to you from the UK with a message of hope and a message of optimism. It's a message that says if the little people, if the real people, if the ordinary, decent people are prepared to stand up and fight for what they believe in, we can overcome the big banks,” Farage added.
“It’s time for America to recapture its destiny. Our government, our leaders, and our media have lost touch with the people. You need no better evidence of that than the fact that the media ignores the plight of Americans who have lost their children to illegal immigrants, but spends day after day pushing for amnesty for those here in violation of the law,” Trump said.
Trump alleged that “the Obama-Clinton foreign policy has unleashed Islamic State, destabilised the Middle East and put the nation of Iran -- which chants Death to America -- in a dominant position of regional power and, in fact, aspiring to be a dominant world power”.
“This is the legacy of Hillary Clinton: death, destruction, terrorism and weakness. But Hillary Clinton’s legacy doesn’t have to be America’s legacy.
“We are going to end the era of nation-building and create a new foreign policy – joined by our partners in the Middle East -- that is focused on destroying IS. We will extend the hand of friendship to any nation that will work with us in good faith on this vital mission,” Trump said.
“I have a message for the terrorists trying to kill our citizens: we will find you, we will destroy you, and we will win. This is not only a military fight, but we will also require cyberwarfare and financial warfare. It is also an ideological fight. We will confront directly the hateful ideology of Radical Islam -- and promote American values, and American culture, and America’s system of government,” Trump added.
Image: Nigel Farage joining Donald Trump is one of the rarest occasion when a foreign political leader has addressed a public election rally in the US canvassing for one of the presidential candidates. Photograph: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/look-who-joined-donald-trump/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/55892c8f88284149ca5f01259f709338bf9566f2195ea280e37b20e3babf9dad.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:06:54 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Prayers were held across the Missionaries of Charity centres and churches all over the state to mark the late Roman Catholic nun's birth anniversary and to also commemorate her journey to sainthood on September 4. | Mother Teresa's birth anniversary becomes special as sainthood approaches | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-celebrating-mother-teresas-life-and-work%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26mother2.jpg | en | null | Mother Teresa's birth anniversary becomes special as sainthood approaches | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 16:19 IST
Special thanksgiving prayers were organised to celebrate Mother Teresa’s 106th birth anniversary on Friday, coming just a few days ahead of her proposed canonisation in Vatican on September 4.
Prayers were held across the Missionaries of Charity centres and churches all over the state to mark the late Roman Catholic nun’s birth anniversary and to also commemorate her journey to sainthood on September 4.
IMAGE: A nun garlands Mother Teresa's statue on the occasion of her 106th birth anniversary, in Kolkata. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI
The Missionaries have put up a special prayer card for faithfuls which says, “We thank you (Lord Jesus) for the gift of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who will be canonised in this Jubilee Year of Mercy”.
At the state-run Nandan multiplex, the Mother Teresa International Film Festival was inaugurated.
For four days a selection of 23 best foreign and Indian films ever made on or inspired by Teresa are being screened.
In a message, Sister Prema, superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, said with great joy we are looking forward to the celebrations of the Mother’s sainthood.
IMAGE: A foreigner prays in front of Mother Teresa’s statue. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI
“It will be a moment when gathered around Mother we shall have an experience of universal family of the children of the one Heavenly Father. The difference of caste, creed, colour, rich, poor will not prevent us from rejoicing together in the honour bestowed on Mother,” said Prema who is already in Vatican.
“Mother is with God and as she promised us she continues to light the light of hope and peace in everyone’s heart,” she said, adding the sainthood of Mother inspires the people in Kolkata and all over the world to follow her example of untiring and humble services given to everyone.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also paid her homage by tweeting, “My deepest respect on the birth anniversary of Mother Teresa.”
IMAGE: A Catholic nun from the Missionaries of Charity kisses Mother Teresa’s tomb on Teresa's 106th birth anniversary in Kolkata. Photograph; Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters
Besides her, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and a host of other dignitaries from India are scheduled to attend the canonisation ceremony where Pope Francis will declare Mother Teresa a saint.
The theme of the canonisation in Vatican is “Carrier of God’s Tender and Merciful Love”. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-celebrating-mother-teresas-life-and-work/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7c88889c55b28da5be87ab304cee5bd0be7dfdfb2238318f7ba2d168412c49d5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:16 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | A day after the constitution amendment bill that enabled mega reform Goods and Services Tax Bill or GST was unanimously passed, action continues in Monsoon session of Parliament. | WATCH LIVE! All the action from Parliament | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwatch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/aug/24lead1.jpg | en | null | WATCH LIVE! All the action from Parliament | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 09, 2016 11:02 IST
The Lok Sabha on Monday unanimously passed the constitution amendment bill that enabled mega reform Goods and Services Tax Bill or GST. The bill will now be sent to state assemblies for ratification.
A day later, action continues in the Monsoon session of Parliament.
Watch it LIVE on Rediff.com | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/watch-live-all-the-action-from-parliament/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1459dd3ee793bc2df270dfec1b3e6c88b696acb6d64a10ca9abadaa605603566.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:27 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Haryana government's 'Gau Sewa Ayog' said the step will prevent unscrupulous elements from extorting money and harassing people in the name of cow protection. | Days after PM called them 'fake', Haryana to issue ID cards to gau rakshaks | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fharyana-to-issue-id-cards-to-gau-rakshaks%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/27cows10.jpg | en | null | Days after PM called them 'fake', Haryana to issue ID cards to gau rakshaks | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 20:43 IST
Amid an uproar over cow vigilantism, the Haryana government has decided to carry out police verification of all members of the ‘gau raksha dals’ (cow protection groups) in the state and is considering issuing them identity cards.
Haryana government’s ‘Gau Sewa Ayog’, which carries out activities for protection of cows, said the step will prevent unscrupulous elements from extorting money and harassing people in the name of cow protection.
“We have decided to get the police verification done of all the gau raksha dals working in the state. Once the verification is done, we may issue them i-cards which will be their identity,” Ayog’s chairman Bhani Ram Mangla said.
“This step is aimed at stopping any fake cow protectors from extracting money from people and thrashing innocents in the name of cow protection and it will also help in exposing those unscrupulous people who operate as gau raksha dals,” Mangla said.
“Gau raksha dals will only inform the police once they come to know about cow smuggling or cattle being taken for slaughter. They will not take law into their hands. It is for the police to take action against cow smugglers,” said Mangla.
The Haryana government’s move came two days after the Union home ministry issued an advisory asking all states to take prompt action against anyone sidestepping taking in the name of protecting cows.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had denounced cow vigilantes and asked people to beware of the ‘fake’ protectors trying to divide society. He has asked states to punish the self-styled cow-protectors.
Last month, Dalit men were brutally thrashed by cow vigilantes in Gujarat’s Una town for skinning a dead cow. Later, it was found the cow was killed by a lion.
Mangla claimed that Haryana has not seen any violent incident in the name of cow protection and said there could be 5-6 gau rakasha dals in every district.
“We have received a list of 100 such groups whose police verification will be done,” he said.
Notably, the Haryana government had already entrusted senior Indian Police Service officer Bharti Arora with the task to supervise and monitor the functioning of teams constituted in all districts to effectively check slaughter and smuggling of cows.
Mangla said a toll-free helpline will also be set up in Gurgaon. Among other initiatives, Haryana Gau Sewa Ayog has planned to provide financial helps to cow shelters.
“We have plans to set up a bio-gas plant in a village whereby power generated from the unit will be supplied to the village. Pesticides, disinfectants and manure will also be made from cow urine,” he said.
In Haryana, there are 3.20 lakh cows in Gaushalas and 1.17 lakh are stray cows, he said.
Haryana Gau Sewa Ayog has already proposed that the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state levy ‘cow cess’ to generate funds for welfare of the cows.
For protection of cows, the Haryana assembly had in March 2015 passed a bill for a complete ban on cow slaughter and provides for a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to 10 years for killing the animal.
Image used for representation only. Photograph: Getty Images | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/haryana-to-issue-id-cards-to-gau-rakshaks/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/98de994476b884a6887d0f7f60f4810904282e11ad9d1f22ea608d1e0c085f9a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:01 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | Jet airways crew member Chaphekar recalled her experience of how she survived the horrible attack and her determination and courage not to give up when things were falling apart. | Loud boom and a fireball towards me: Brussels airport blast victim recounts the horror | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fi-felt-as-if-i-was-dead-brussels-airport-blast-victim-recounts-the-horror%2F20160820.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/mar/22brussels3.jpg | en | null | Loud boom and a fireball towards me: Brussels airport blast victim recounts the horror | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 20, 2016 10:54 IST
Brussels airport blast survivor Nidhi Chaphekar recalled her experience of how she survived the horrible attack and her determination and courage not to give up when things were falling apart.
“I heard a loud ‘boom’ and felt as if I was dead,” recounted Jet airways crew member Chaphekar, a survivor of the March 22 Brussels airport twin blasts that claimed lives of more than 30 people.
Recollecting the incident, Chaphekar said, “When I reached level two and went a little further, my colleague Amit and I heard a loud sound and it seemed as if somebody had burst a big cracker. There was smoke in the air and it seemed as if things were flying from beneath like feathers. But, actually, they were clothes of people, which we realised later.”
She said in another 40-45 seconds, they heard another loud sound, after which they tried to run.
“When I turned left and took some steps forward, I saw a fireball. It threw me away. I don’t remember where I had fallen, maybe somewhere at the end,” she added.
Chaphekar recalled when she was almost fainting, in her subconscious mind she was thinking about her kids.
She said she was unable to breathe and could only hear an echo.
“I was asking for God’s help, I closed my eyes and asked God to send somebody for help and when I saw nobody is coming, I thought I have to get out of this place, and tried to drag myself, but I never lost my courage,” she added.
Giving details about her injuries, she said, “In my left foot, a metal plate and a mirror piece had pierced due to which I was unable to walk. The only priority was to stop the blood loss.”
She said she asked a lady to help her lie down while she kept her legs on a bench at a height so that the blood flows towards her heart.
“There was a policeman, Alen, who kept me engaged in a conversation by asking questions about my work and family so that I do not sleep, because if someone sleeps in such a condition then everything slows down. I was feeling so cold that I was shivering, as my stretcher was lying on the floor and the temperature was 3-4 degree and there were strong winds as well,” she said.
When she was taken to the hospital, she was shattered to know that her face was burnt and she didn’t want to live.
“I thought from now on, I won’t be able to work and how would my kids and society accept me? Doctors consoled me. They asked me for the contact number of my family. I gave them my husband’s number. I had no clue if somebody would come from the Jet Airways. But the only thing I knew that I work with Jet and there was my brother Shabeer, who will definitely come to see,” she concluded.
On March 22, as many as 30 people were killed in two suicide bombings as bombs ripped through check-in counters at Brussels Airport. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. A subsequent explosion at a Brussels subway station killed 16 more people.
On March 7 this year, a bomb exploded in a piece of luggage at an airport in a central Somali town, wounding three people. Somalia’s Islamic extremist rebels, al-Shabab, claimed responsibility for the blast. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/i-felt-as-if-i-was-dead-brussels-airport-blast-victim-recounts-the-horror/20160820.htm | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/db5f4812f9a2370c8119e2218418fbebf781474e8c12b95c21d4e36cb3dd159d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:53 | null | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the president's historic speech. | Japan remembers Hiroshima on 71st anniversary of atomic bombing | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjapan-remembers-hiroshima-on-71st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing%2F20160806.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/06hiroshima02.jpg | en | null | Japan remembers Hiroshima on 71st anniversary of atomic bombing | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 06, 2016 11:43 IST
Japan on Saturday marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons.
IMAGE: People pray in front of the cenotaph for the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan. Photograph: Kyodo/Reuters
The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the western Japanese city, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb. American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", on Hiroshima at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945.
Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands.
About 50,000 participants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of more than 90 countries and regions, observed a minute's silence at the exact time the atrocity occurred some seven decades ago.
During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the president's historic speech.
"(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima's strong wish not to tolerate the 'absolute evil' was shared by President Obama," he said.
The mayor urged the world to take action towards the abolition of "the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion".
Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his visit to the city and the HiroshimaPeaceMemorial Park.
"71 years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed," he said of the bomb, adding it "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself".
Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman.
But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese.
Abe, after lying a wreath of flowers, reiterated Saturday that Tokyo will continue working to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
"I am convinced (Obama's visit) brought a great hope for people in Japan, in the world and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who believe in a world without nuclear arms," he said.
The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.
A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/japan-remembers-hiroshima-on-71st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing/20160806.htm | en | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/25192a5a9d4d74b5f5e878cf94b6dd8e664ba5c349d45622a6f5d6ad72b387d0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:16 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | The Congress emphasised that there can be no talks with Pakistan at the 'moment' when it is 'waging a war of words'.
| Will support Centre in 'healing wounds of Kashmir': Congress | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwill-support-centre-in-healing-wounds-of-kashmir-congress%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/12congress.jpg | en | null | Will support Centre in 'healing wounds of Kashmir': Congress | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 12, 2016 20:00 IST
Making a strong pitch for ‘healing the wounds’ of Kashmir, the Congress on Friday pitched for talks with mainstream and non-mainstream parties and ‘other stakeholders’ to defuse the ‘extremely tense and tragic’ situation.
After an all party meeting on the issue chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “We assure the government that for any positive step to resolve the issue in Kashmir, they will have our full co-operation.”
Significantly, the Congress leader emphasised that there can be no talks with Pakistan at the ‘moment’ when it is ‘waging a war of words’.
Senior Congress leader and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the meeting that the ‘most important thing’ at the moment was to defuse the present situation, Azad said at a press conference.
What is important is to ‘heal the wounds and not to close the doors of dialogue. Win the hearts and minds of people in general and youth in particular’, Azad said.
This, he said, should be done by ‘cajoling,.... (through) love and affection as we cannot win over by confrontation’.
The Congress pushed for dialogue with mainstream and non-mainstream parties and ‘other stakeholders’, Azad said.
Responding to questions, he, however, did not specify who the mainstream, non mainstream parties and ‘other stakeholders’ are, saying, “This has to be decided by the Centre and the state government.”
Manmohan Singh, who was the first speaker at the meeting, said it is for the government of India to come up with a roadmap for defusing the situation.
He said during 10 years of United Progressive Alliance rule, efforts were made to find ‘practical and pragmatic’ solution to these issues.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and the assurances from the government, Azad remarked, “I will be satisfied once we succeed in retrieving the situation.”
He said the meeting saw all political parties making it clear that there cannot be any compromise on unity and integrity of the country.
“Pakistan is waging a war of words. You cannot talk to them at this moment,” he said in reply to a question.
IMAGE: Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad after an all party meeting on Kashmir in Parliament on Friday. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/will-support-centre-in-healing-wounds-of-kashmir-congress/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/cee5ddf65f09ae2beb1d15024880d18f33a8f8caee008656062f9ecf46a713da.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:14 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | Senior lawyers H S Phoolka and Himmat Singh Shergill figure in the first list of 19 candidates released by the AAP on Thursday for Punjab assembly elections. | Punjab polls: AAP releases first list of candidates | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpunjab-polls-aap-releases-first-list-of-candidates%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04punjab.jpg | en | null | Punjab polls: AAP releases first list of candidates | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 04, 2016 15:16 IST
Senior lawyers H S Phoolka and Himmat Singh Shergill figure in the first list of 19 candidates released by the Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday for Punjab assembly elections scheduled early next year.
Former Bahujan Samaj Party MP Mohan Singh, a Dalit face, who had joined the AAP in June, will contest from Ferozepur rural.
Poolkha, who had unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha polls from Ludhiana on an AAP ticket, will be party candidate from Dakha.
The senior lawyer had led a campaign to get justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims and could be a strong contender for being projected as the party's chief ministerial face.
Shergill will contest from SAS Nagar Mohali. He had also unsuccessfully contested on AAP ticket from Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency.
Interestingly, the list was announced in the absence of Kejriwal, who is on a vipassana sojourn. AAP's Punjab co-convenor Durgesh Pathak is also away, attending a vipassana course.
The party intends to replicate the Delhi story in Punjab.
When it contested its maiden election in the national capital in 2013, the AAP had declared candidates way before the polling schedules were announced. According to a party leader, this gives the party an edge over others in terms of campaigning.
Here is the full list: | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/punjab-polls-aap-releases-first-list-of-candidates/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/036498b8078ec1c611a428ef37b463cb5ff98c5a75c3b0d77ade00b5dd42ebb9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:17 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | Breaking his silence on the over-a-month-long unrest which has claimed more than 55 lives, Modi said it was painfully to see innocent youngsters, who should be holding laptops, book and cricket bats, have been given stones | PM Modi appeals to Kashmiris for 'insaniyat' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpm-modi-appeals-to-kashmiris-for-insaniyat%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/09lead5.jpg | en | null | PM Modi appeals to Kashmiris for 'insaniyat' | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 09, 2016 22:13 IST
Breaking his silence on the 32-day turmoil in Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday advocated a path of ‘democracy and dialogue’ to restore peace in the spirit of ‘insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat’.
Reaching out to the people of the turbulent Valley which has witnessed the death of over 55 people in clashes and a record-breaking curfew in large parts, Modi said it was painful to see innocent youngsters, who should be holding laptops, books and cricket bats, ‘handed’ stones and appealed to them for maintaining peace and harmony in the ‘heaven on earth’.
Obviously alluding to the voices favouring azadi (freedom) for the state, he said people of Jammu and Kashmir had the same freedoms as enjoyed by every Indian.
These were Modi’s first comments on the continuing unrest in the valley in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8.
Modi, who was addressing a public rally in Bhabra, Madhya Pradesh, also asserted that the Mehbooba Mufti government and the Centre are working together to solve the state’s difficulties but some people, who are unable to digest it, are clinging onto the path to destruction.
“When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister he had adopted the path of insaniyat, jamhuriyat and Kashmiriyat and we walk the same road. I want to tell the brothers and sisters of Kashmir from this great birthplace of Chandra Shekhar Azad that Kashmir has the same strength that has been given to (other parts of) India by our freedom fighters. Kashmir has the same freedom that every Indian feels.
“Today, one feels pained to see that innocent youths have been handed stones. Politics of some people is clicking but what will happen to these gullible and simple youths. Humanity and Kashmiriyat will not be allowed to be hit. The path of democracy and dialogue is there,” he said.
Asserting that the state government, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party is a partner, along with the Centre, is working towards the state’s development, he said his government would do everything in this regard and will help lawyers, doctors, those depending on tourism and apple growers in their endeavours.
“Our Kashmir is heaven for the countrymen. Every Indian has a dream to travel to Kashmir some day. But we can see that a handful of people in Kashmir, which is loved by India so much....a few misled people are harming this great tradition,” he said before invoking Vajpayee’s ‘insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat’ mantra.
“The common man in Kashmir wants peace,” he said.
His government wants to take Kashmir to new heights of development, empower its panchayats and give job opportunities to its youths, he said.
The prime minister complimented Mehbooba Mufti for ensuring that the Amarnath yatra continues despite the ‘malicious intentions’ of a few people.
“Peace, unity and harmony in Kashmir... And I will especially call upon the youngsters of Kashmir that my friends let’s see to it that Kashmir remains heaven on earth. Let’s move forward with this dream,” he said.
The prime minister hailed other political parties, especially the Congress, for speaking in one voice on the Kashmir issue, calling it the strength of India. “We would like to move forward with this strength,” he said.
“Governments of India and Jammu & Kashmir, besides 125 crore Indians, wish you well. They want your development. Whatever India has to give for your development, we are ready to give,” he said.
In Kashmir, there has been no dearth of people willing to die for the country, he said, asking the masses to join hands for nation-building.
Referring to world-famous Kashmiri apples, Modi said the season was about to begin in a few days and the entire country was eagerly waiting to taste them. The people of Kashmir should ensure their efforts in growing them do not go waste, he said.
“The efforts you have made, you must be paid for that,” he said while promising all necessary support from the Centre.
Modi also used the occasion to make an appeal to Maoists and militants to lay down their arms, asking them to reflect if violence has given them anything even though they lost so much. “Pick up plough and give up guns to turn the soil from red to green,” he said.
Modi was here to kick off a 15-day exercise—‘70 Saal Azadi-Zara Yaad Karo Kurbani’-- a BJP initiative to commemorate the Independence Day.
Speaking on the day Mahatma Gandhi had given the call for the British to ‘Quit India’ in 1942, the prime minister asked the countrymen to take up the cause of nation building and live up to the ideals of freedom fighters.
Speaking about BJP’s ‘Tiranga Yatra’ between August 15 and 22, Modi said the exercise will unite people and inspire them to change the country's destiny for better. “We do not have to die for the country but confidence will be built that we have to do something for the country.”
At the public meeting to mark the launch of celebrations of the 70th year of freedom, he said it was their responsibility to remember those who laid down their lives take a pledge to live by the ideals for which they fought the British rule.
Modi recalled his government's ongoing work to reach power to un-electrified villages, a promise he had made during his last Independence Day speech, and said half of such 18,000 villages have been electrified.
Photograph: Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pm-modi-appeals-to-kashmiris-for-insaniyat/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/16904f71d4dc02ff2e6a0d4116becb5ac4082fbff78abafe9d719a90209a0780.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:43 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | A 32-year-old Muslim woman has accused a United States department store of discrimination after she was asked to leave the retail outlet for wearing the traditional Islamic veil or the 'niqab'. | Muslim woman forced to leave US store for wearing veil | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmuslim-woman-forced-to-leave-us-store-for-wearing-veil%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2011/apr/15slid8.jpg | en | null | Muslim woman forced to leave US store for wearing veil | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 16:28 IST
A 32-year-old Muslim woman has accused a United States department store of discrimination after she was asked to leave the retail outlet for wearing the traditional Islamic veil or the 'niqab'.
Sarah Safi, from Gary, Indiana, was wearing a niqab, a veil that covers the face, leaving only the area around the eyes clear, when she entered a Family Dollar store.
The incident, which was captured on cell phone video and took place in front of Safi's children, began when she stopped at the store on Monday to purchase charcoal for a family barbecue.
"I might have made it 10 steps into the store and I hear the lady behind the counter say, 'Ma'am, you need to take that off your face or you need to leave my store,'" Safi told WLS-TV.
At that point, Safi began to record the exchange on her cell phone.
She told the clerk that she wears a niqab and hijab for religious purposes but the clerk, who identified herself as the manager, insisted that Safi should leave.
"I understand, but you have to understand too this is a high crime area and we get robbed a lot. You need to remove that from your face or remove yourself from the store," the clerk said.
"I told her this country is a country of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and I have a right to wear whatever I want," Safi said.
While her children waited in the car, the store employee told Safi if she did not leave she would call the police.
"Do I wait for the police to come and let my children see this, or do I go head and just go and let Allah handle it how he sees fit?" Safi said recounting what she thought back then.
Safi then decided to leave.
The worker also had parting words for her as she was on her way out.
"Have a blessed day," the employee says, according to the video.
"I'm really saddened. I was born here, raised here all my life and I've never been to an establishment and been treated like this," Safi said.
She said she had been covering her face in public for years, and the only thing she wants is for the store employee to apologise.
"I would like to sit with her and speak to her about what I believe in, because maybe if she heard and really listened to what I believe it I would open her heart," Safi said.
"It's not just a blatant violation of the civil rights laws of this country, but it's also a violation of the basic laws of decency and morality that you don't treat customers this way just because they have a different cultural background or a different religion," said Council on American–Islamic Relations' Ahmed Rehab in a statement.
Representative image | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/muslim-woman-forced-to-leave-us-store-for-wearing-veil/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5c6c4c1a824cf8842bf8dc1e9cceeb8ef03c7d929b53bfebb55d803af9aaf923.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:38 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | The court observed that 10 per cent reservation for poor among the unreserved category takes the total quota beyond 50 per cent, which is not permitted as per the SC's earlier decision.
| Gujarat HC quashes 10 pc EBC quota ordinance | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgujarat-hc-quashes-10-pc-ebc-quota-ordinance%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2012/jan/26law3.jpg | en | null | Gujarat HC quashes 10 pc EBC quota ordinance | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 04, 2016 16:36 IST
In a setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Gujarat ahead of the leadership change, the Gujarat high court on Thursday quashed the ordinance providing 10 per cent quota for the economically backward among the unreserved category, promulgated to pacify the agitating Patel community.
The state government said it will challenge the high court decision. The HC stayed the order for two weeks on the request of the state government pleader so that they can approach the Supreme Court.
Terming the ordinance issued on May 1 as "inappropriate and unconstitutional", a division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi rejected the state's argument that it is a classification under the general category and not the reserved category and held that it will breach the 50 per cent quota cap set up by the Supreme Court.
Significantly, the high court order has come when the BJP government is all set to have a new chief minister after the resignation of Anandiben Patel as the ruling party grapples with multiple challenges, including Patidar quota stir, ahead of next year's assembly polls.
Sticking to its stand on the EBS quota, the BJP government said it will move the Supreme Court against high court decision to scrap the ordinance which was announced by Anandiben to pacify the agitating Patidars who were demanding quota in jobs and educational institutions under OBC quota.
However, Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel welcomed the order and said their agitation for quota under OBC category will continue.
The court observed that 10 per cent reservation for poor among the unreserved category takes the total quota beyond 50 per cent, which is not permitted as per the Supreme Court's earlier decision.
The high court also said that the government took the decision without any study or scientific data.
Petitioners Dayaram Verma, Ravjibhai Manani, Dulari Basarge and Gujarat Parents' Association had separately challenged the ordinance announcing reservation of 10 per cent seats to candidates belonging to the unreserved category with family income cap of Rs 6 lakh annually in government jobs and educational institutions.
Their petitions were heard together.
The Patel quota stir, spearheaded by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samity led by Hardik Patel, is seen to be a key factor that led to the leadership change in the state, where assembly polls are due in a little over an year.
The BJP had suffered heavy losses in the rural local bodies polls, which were blamed on the quota stir of the numerically and socially strong Patel community.
Reacting to the order, Health minister Nitin Patel, considered to be a front runner for the chief minister's post, said the government will stick to the provision of EBC quota and challenge the HC order in the apex court as soon as possible.
The government pleader had told the court that the reservation is actually "a further classification in the general, open, unreserved category" and does not violate either Supreme Court order or Constitutional provisions.
The state government, in its affidavit, said the ordinance does not violate provisions of the Constitution nor does it go against the Supreme Court orders.
"The ordinance should be read with Article 46 of Constitution (which states that social justice is required for weaker sections of society) and not with reference to backward class quota," the affidavit said.
The petitioners submitted before the court that the reservation violates the Supreme Court's order providing 50 per cent ceiling for quota in the Indra Sawhney vs Union of India case.
They said that additional 10 per cent reservation reduced the number of seats in educational institutions for candidates from unreserved category with annual family income of more than Rs 6 lakh.
On May 1, the state had issued the ordinance providing 10 per cent reservation to persons from economically weaker sections from unreserved category, other than the SC, ST and OBC, for admissions in educational institutions and government jobs.
The reservation is applicable to persons with annual family income cap of Rs 6 lakh.
"When we announced the 10 per cent EBC reservation, our government had clearly stated that we will stick to this provision of EBC quota in any situation. Thus, we will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against Thursday's order by high Court, which rejected this quota," Nitin Patel said.
Hailing the order, Hardik Patel said, "The court had clearly said that EBC quota was unconstitutional.
"We welcome the order, as we always wanted reservation as per the Constitution. Thus, our agitation for reservation under OBC quota will continue till we get justice" Patel said through a video message from Udaipur, Rajasthan. He was directed to stay out of Gujarat for six months by the high court while being granted bail in a sedition case related to the agitation last month. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gujarat-hc-quashes-10-pc-ebc-quota-ordinance/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6e4b09cbef79ce3b9bfaeef59f9e2762125fe1e8d4431d4a16d9a45cd4337c11.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T10:50:13 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Virendra Singh said he went to the embassy on Wednesday for the purpose of visa and was asked to remove his pagdi. | BJP MP refuses US visa after being asked to remove pagdi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbjp-mp-refuses-us-visa-after-being-asked-to-remove-pagdi%2F20160827.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/27visa1.jpg | en | null | BJP MP refuses US visa after being asked to remove pagdi | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 27, 2016 14:11 IST
A Bharatiya Janata Party member of the Lok Sabha refused a United States visa after he was asked to remove his pagdi at the US embassy for security reasons, asserting that his turban was a matter of his “traditional honour” which he cannot remove.
Virendra Singh, a three-time Lok Sabha MP and presently representing Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, said the US embassy had first interviewed him over farming issues and later invited him to visit to their country.
Singh said he went to the embassy on Wednesday for the purpose of visa and was asked to remove his pagdi. “I cannot do it. I am a farmer and the pagdi is a matter of honour for me. It is also a matter of the country’s honour to me. How can I remove my pagdi for the sake of security? I can never do it. It is they (US embassy) who had invited me to visit their country. I refused the visa. I said I am not interested,” he said.
He was scheduled to leave for the US on Saturday, Singh said.
Singh is invariably seen in Parliament in pagdi and often speaks on the issues of rural concerns, including farming.
When asked a ministry of external affairs spokesperson said the issue was not officially raised with the ministry and, when and if, it is done the matter will be taken up with the US officials.
Peeved over the issue, Virendra Singh said he is contemplating taking up the matter with the ministry of external affairs. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bjp-mp-refuses-us-visa-after-being-asked-to-remove-pagdi/20160827.htm | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/55ae2afd04f98438c978ac852852f188be2f99f19f444a3ea3ff28e94fa31f0c.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T06:52:10 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Sanaya Dalal on feminism, France and the burqa | The burkini is just a bathing suit! | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Fthe-burkini-is-just-a-bathing-suit%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/29burkini.jpg | en | null | The burkini is just a bathing suit! | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 30, 2016 12:19 IST
If you’re against an entire people on the grounds of the faith they follow, you may as well rally against an entire gender on the basis of physiological differences, says Sanaya Dalal.
IMAGE: A woman wearing a burkini walks into the waters at a beach in Marseille, France, a day after the country's highest administrative court suspended a ban on full-body burkini swimsuits at beaches on August 26. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters.
Can of worms, check.
Can opener, check.
Here we go.
'When, as happened recently in France, an attempt is made to coerce women out of the burqa rather than creating a situation in which a woman can choose what she wishes to do, it’s not about liberating her but about unclothing her. It becomes an act of humiliation and cultural imperialism. Coercing a woman out of her burqa is as bad as coercing her into one. It’s not about the burqa. It’s about the coercion.'
That's Arundhati Roy talking. It's a quote that has resurfaced in light of the worldwide furore created by the French police, who allegedly forced a Muslim woman to remove her burkini on a beach in Nice a few days ago.
I disagree with what Arundhati Roy has to say most of the time. Separatism, Kashmir, Naxalites... the woman sure knows how to stick her head in an oven. And this quote of hers may sit right with plenty of people, but it got me thinking.
See, Roy is a hardcore feminist. So am I. For all you wimps out there who toss that term around without having a half-assed clue as to its actual definition, I’ll spell it out for you -- ‘feminist’ does not refer to man-hating bra burners who believe in making 21st century men pay for 16th century patriarchy.
A feminist is an individual, of either gender, who recognises the struggles and oppression that women have faced for thousands of years and believes in equality of the sexes.
So why not use the word ‘equalist’, you ask? Because the latter fails to adequately touch upon the baggage that drags on the heels of every woman ever born. Essentially, a lot of right-thinking people are feminists; they just don’t know it. And since feminism has become a dirty word, that most are wary of identifying with, misrepresentations continue to reign supreme.
Feel free to gasp here, but a feminist can actually be a stay-at-home mom who goes on the school run, lays out breakfast for her husband and does the dishes. It’s not about housework, for god's sake, it’s about what you believe in. And I believe that the burqa has justifiably come to be construed as a symbol of oppression.
Sure, you can accuse me of cultural imperialism right at the onset, but here’s my problem with what Roy has said. ‘Coercing a woman out of her burqa is as bad as coercing her into one.’
True.
It is, however, the obligation of a democratic society to do away with oppression. So if a slave was to say, ‘I’m happier in my shackles, they’re part of my culture’, does that actually translate into freedom of choice, or is a deeply-ingrained form of fascism at work, where an individual succumbs to a patriarchy-driven practice spanning centuries?
Take the whole Shani Shingnapur fracas that took place in our own backyard. Equal rights activists decided that women were no longer to be denied entry into the temple’s male-only inner sanctorum, a restriction that dates back 400 years. They had the government on their side, the Constitution on their side and the Bombay high court on their side.
But when they marched into the shrine after their legal victory, there were hundreds of local villagers at hand to try and thwart their attempted visit by force. Half of those villagers were women.
So you have women fighting women. Trying to get their own kind to buckle beneath the blows of patriarchy.
Why?
‘Religion’. ‘Tradition’. ‘Culture’. ‘Heritage’. ‘The majority’.
It’s so easy to take these words and turn them into the battering ram that is threatening our very existence today. And by that same logic, if you’re telling me that the burqa is just another traditional garment associated with a particular culture, as innocuous as a native African headwrap, forgive me for blanching.
By that same reasoning, the swastika is just another ancient spiritual symbol which we here in India associate with all things auspicious, so let’s conveniently forget that a representation of it was at the helm of the greatest recorded genocide in history.
Oh, I know all about how the burqa came into existence, harsh desert climes and all that, and yes, when liberated Muslim women today claim to wear it as a matter of personal choice there’s really no arguing with them. But the fact remains that while some of these women are empowered, they are in the minority; most across the world are coerced into wearing the garment, simply because it’s deemed un-Islamic not to.
The Quran does not specify that women have to wear a burqa. Or the niqab, which even conceals the face. Or a burkini at the beach. Its verses regarding women and moderate dressing are open to a wide number of interpretations, polarising moderate and fanatic Muslims.
Saudi Arabia has interpreted modest dressing as complete head-to-toe coverage, and now France has interpreted secularism and national security as no burqa. Saudi Arabia says to put it on, and France is saying take it off. The argument is, essentially, that if I’m a vegetarian, I have no business frequenting a steakhouse and then complaining that I’m revolted by the food. If a particular way of life and its societal norms are not to your taste, leave.
Yet, smack in the middle of this black and white divide lies a distinctly grey area. I’ve tried hard to get it to resolve itself with the rest of my opinions on this subject and permit clean lines to prevail, but I can’t in good conscience.
Because here’s the thing. The burkini is not a burqa, and it doesn’t carry the latter’s weighty connotations despite the similar-sounding terminology; it’s just a bathing suit.
The French police making that poor woman divest herself of it in Nice seemed discriminatory, cruel and completely unnecessary. In all fairness, she chose a form of swimwear that covered her up from head to toe just like a wetsuit.
The burkini is not just for Muslims; the designer who created and christened it has gone on record to state that 40 percent of her clientele are non-Muslims. Some are men. And some -- feel free to gasp again -- some of them are actually Orthodox Jews.
But in today’s terror-swayed world, wear a burkini and you’re marked prey (unless you’re Nigella Lawson). Heck, a floral headscarf can lead to racial profiling.
That’s not secularism and that’s not feminism, it’s out and out Islamophobia. And if you’re against an entire people on the grounds of the faith they follow, you may as well rally against an entire gender on the basis of physiological differences.
The burqa may have no place in modern European society. If you ask my opinion, any potential instrument of communal or gender oppression has no place in any society.
But we have to learn to tell the difference between a reasonable assertion of beliefs and marginalising a people. Thank heaven the highest administrative court in France already has -- in a landmark ruling, they’ve overturned burkini bans across the French Riviera, and rightly so.
Like I said before, it’s just another swimsuit. It resembles a pant and tunic. So what?
Sexism masquerades as religion. Sexism masquerades as tradition. Sexism masquerades as divine instruction. Sexism is the perpetration of a misguided belief that a golden cage affords you a better life than the world can offer.
Haven’t we fallen for it long enough?
Sanaya Dalal was formerly the assistant managing editor, rediff.com. | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-burkini-is-just-a-bathing-suit/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9039187734ae218d928fb8f2f052aa9d8a4402c35b4d6f5dd6448155d558fed2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:33 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Amidst allegations of anti-India slogans being raised at an Amnesty event in Bengaluru, the home ministry has launched a probe into the funding of the NGO, its expenses and 'possible' violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act by it. | After sedition charges, Amnesty to face MHA probe for 'possible' FCRA violation | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fafter-sedition-charges-amnesty-to-face-mha-probe-for-possible-fcra-violation%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16amnesty.jpg | en | null | After sedition charges, Amnesty to face MHA probe for 'possible' FCRA violation | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 22:36 IST
Amidst allegations of anti-India slogans being raised at an Amnesty event in Bengaluru, the home ministry has launched a probe into the funding of the NGO, its expenses and "possible" violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act by it.
The probe is being carried out under the provisions of the FCRA to find whether there was any violation of the laws by the India chapter of Amnesty International, a home ministry official said on Tuesday.
The NGO has not been registered under the FCRA and its application for registration under the FCRA is now under serious scrutiny following the Bengaluru event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised during a discussion on Kashmir on Saturday.
The probe will see whether the India chapter of Amnesty International has received foreign funds and if so under what laws, other sources of funding, it expenses and patterns of expenses, the official said.
Amnesty International, on its part, has rejected as "without substance" the allegations made by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student outfit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and claimed that none of its employees shouted any anti-India slogans at any point.
The NGO was booked under IPC sections, including sedition, by Bengaluru Police. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/after-sedition-charges-amnesty-to-face-mha-probe-for-possible-fcra-violation/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/962b1a22de5509ad8d4c43371cb6ef4bbe984eb58628375d3cbc70c604abef21.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T08:52:20 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Could the Haji Ali dargah verdict be the beginning of the end of all social discrimination -- against women, against Dalits, the low castes and the caste-less, asks Durba Dhyani. | Only those denied access know how it rankles | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Fonly-those-denied-access-know-how-it-rankles%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/29women.jpg | en | null | Only those denied access know how it rankles | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 12:17 IST
Could the Haji Ali dargah verdict be the beginning of the end of all social discrimination -- against women, against Dalits, the low castes and the caste-less, asks Durba Dhyani.
As a child, the word puja (Durga Puja celebrated in Bengal) held the promise of wonderful things -- holidays, new dresses, meeting cousins and friends -- for me.
My parents sent me and and my brother to dadurbari (grandpa’s home) during the puja vacations. There, we climbed trees, plucked mangoes and ran wild among the corn and mustard fields. Since, throughout the rest of the year, we were cooped up either in our little flat or dismal classroom, those holidays were the only time when we learnt how carefree could childhood actually be.
Grandma would host a Lokkhipujo (prayers to goddess Lakshmi) every year, meticulously smearing cow dung on the compound, arranging fruits and fresh flowers, and placing the humble betel leaf and nut before the photograph of goddess Lakshmi. Once the diya (earthen lamp) was lit, everything looked very beautiful, indeed.
Once I was invited to a friend’s home for Saraswati Puja. As I handed over a few books to be blessed by the goddess of learning and wisdom during the ceremony, the purutmoshai (priest) asked, ‘What is your gotra (clan)?’ I stared blankly. My friend’s family whispered among themselves, wondering what my caste might be. That was perhaps the first instance when I felt being there but left out -- a feeling one gets when allowed into a temple but not inside the sanctum sanctorum.
I came home and enquired about my gotra and caste. My father explained that though we followed Hinduism, we actually belonged to an ancient Tibeto-Chinese tribe and our traditional god was Bathow, symbolised by a cactus plant called Bwrai Bathow.
It was not a comforting explanation. It meant I had no jaati (caste) and no gotra. And why had no one heard of Bathow? Was he, somehow, a lesser god?
I continued to celebrate Durga Puja, but gradually began to look at things from an outsider’s perspective. I still loved Ma Durga and felt saddened when she took leave of us all on Dashami (tenth and the last day of puja), but a small part of me stayed detached -- especially during pushpanjali (culmination of puja) on the eighth day, I felt as an imposter who didn’t really have the right to be there.
But my friends did not know this and continued to invite me to their homes on auspicious occasions.
Once, during Diwali, I helped a friend light diyas, participated in their family prayers and then joined in bursting firecrackers on the street. It was a lovely evening and we were all caught up in joyous celebrations. I noticed, though, that one of our cousins, who had come down from Delhi, was missing in all of the festivities. ‘She’s having her…you know…’ my friend explained.
When realisation dawned, I froze in horror. It was ‘that time’ of the month for me too, and I shouldn’t have been there. Overcome by guilt, shame and fear, I quietly left as soon as I could.
I lay awake late into the night, agonising over what I’d done; the immensity of the paap (sin) I’d committed and the curse I might have unwittingly brought on myself as well as on my friend’s family. I blamed god for not creating everyone equal. Why didn’t my other friends have to worry about caste? Why did only girls menstruate and have to be left out of holy places?
As the years passed, I understood that faith was greater than hollow rituals. It was man that had divided people into the high-born, the low caste, the untouchable and the unclean. I decided to stay away from organised religion and never visited a temple again.
And now, decades later, in a landmark judgment, the Bombay high court has ruled that preventing women from entering the Haji Ali dargah is unconstitutional -- in effect, saying that women are not impure or unclean.
I am more jubilant about this victory today, than of our girls’ achievements in the Olympics. Those were glorious, but individual achievements. This judgment, I truly believe, is a victory for all of mankind. Could this be the beginning of the end of all social discrimination -- against women, against Dalits, the low castes and the caste-less?
Perhaps it is time for me to visit a temple again. And I would love to go the Haji Ali Dargah too -- I’ve heard it’s beautiful.
As it happened with the Shani Shingnapur verdict, reactions to the Haji Ali ruling have ranged from ‘this is a non-issue’ to ‘vested interests are at work.’ Well, there may be vested interests that I am unaware of, but a ‘non-issue’ it is not. Only those denied access, know how it rankles. And it should bother everyone, because in the eyes of the Constitution, we are all equal.
I now eagerly await a similar verdict in case of the Sabarimala temple and hope that it will strike yet another blow to patriarchy and discrimination. A male saint, or a male deity, their vows of celibacy notwithstanding, cannot be an excuse to keep out women from the inner sanctum. Neither can quoting religious scriptures justify such practices.
It maybe a centuries-old tradition to refuse women of child-bearing age entry into temples, but now is the time to question why. What is wrong with reproduction -- isn’t that how every ‘high-born’ priest too came bawling into this world, a mass of flesh and bones and blood?
Some women profess that they don’t mind such customs and love to follow the tradition. It is willingly done and there is no question of discrimination. To them I would say, not everything you love may be wholesome or good. The safety of women is not the responsibility of the police or the government alone. It is our duty to change mindsets and weed out deep-seated prejudices that exist in the garb of religious rituals.
I’m glad that the youth of today have the courage to challenge the regressive practices that we have followed unquestioningly for hundreds of years.
Let the doors of every church, mosque and temple, including those leading to the inner sanctum, stay wide open for everyone. Until then, those of us who are left out will continue to knock and demand entry. It is our constitutional right.
IMAGE: Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan members celebrate after the Bombay high court ruled that women can enter the inner sanctum of the Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai. Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI Photo. | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/only-those-denied-access-know-how-it-rankles/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ddf120bb9b22bd8a2b0762c8d7cbd06034af08ea180c33cef09792d4bf718650.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:20:20 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | An army official said they were collecting details about the incident and will soon issue a statement. | Lecturer's death while resisiting Army search op could detonate a volatile Valley | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Flecturer-death-while-resisiting-army-search-op-could-detonate-a-volatile-valley%2F20160818.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/18lead2.jpg | en | null | Lecturer's death while resisiting Army search op could detonate a volatile Valley | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 18, 2016 10:49 IST
A lecturer was killed and 18 others were injured in clashes between security forces and protesters who were opposing a search operation in Khrew area of Pulwama district in Kashmir where curfew and restrictions remained in force for the 41st day on Thursday.
Shabir Ahmad Monga, a contractual lecturer, died when he and several others were beaten up at Khrew late Wednesday night, a police official said.
He said 18 other persons, mostly youths, have been admitted to a hospital in Srinagar.
According to the locals, the army conducted house to house searches for the youths who were leading protests in the area late Wednesday night which was resisted by the residents of Khrew.
In the ensuing clash, 30-year-old Monga died.
An army official said they were collecting details about the incident and will soon issue a statement.
Curfew remained in force in entire Srinagar district, Anantnag town and Pampore police station, which includes Khrew area, while restrictions continued on the movement of the people in rest of the Valley.
Normal life has been paralysed in the Valley due to street protests since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
Heavy deployment of security forces has been carried out in Srinagar city with all roads leading to the local office of United Nations Military Observers Group at Sonawar sealed.
The authorities strictly imposed night curfew in the city in view of the separatists' call for march to the UN office over a 72-hour period beginning on Wednesday.
Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads due to the strike called by the separatists. The attendance in government offices was thin.
Mobile Internet and mobile telephony services across the valley remained suspended. However, broadband services were restored early Thursday morning after five days.
Broadband services and mobile telephone services were snapped Saturday evening.
As many as 64 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand injured in the clashes that began on July 9.
Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/lecturer-death-while-resisiting-army-search-op-could-detonate-a-volatile-valley/20160818.htm | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a5efe39d920a63bda9f48172f4a76eda75a2d08afd0d9a8ca2d5284d0c205863.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:18:32 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah has said that nationalism was being questioned in the name of freedom of expression and 'propaganda' against nationalism could not be considered as freedom of speech. | It has become a fashion for some to question nationalism: Shah | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fit-has-become-a-fashion-for-some-to-question-nationalism-shah%2F20160821.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/21lead7.jpg | en | null | It has become a fashion for some to question nationalism: Shah | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 21, 2016 20:53 IST
Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah has said that nationalism was being questioned in the name of freedom of expression and "propaganda" against nationalism could not be considered as freedom of speech.
"It has become a fashion for some people nowadays to question nationalism. This is being done in different places and new theories are being planted. Nationalism is being questioned in the name of freedom of expression," he said, addressing a gathering at Mangalore University auditorium as part of BJP's 'Tiranga Yatra' and 'Balidana Smarane' (honouring martyrs) campaign in Mangaluru.
Shah said, "Some people were also campaigning on social media on whether nationalism was necessary or not" and that he would like to tell them that independence would not have taken place if there was no love for the national and patriotism.
"The propaganda against nationalism could not be considered as freedom of speech," he said.
"The entire nation should unite to uphold patriotism. Freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and many more sacrificed their lives for the country," he said.
Shah appealed to the youth to read the history of the country and understand how many people sacrificed their lives for it.
The programmes were being organised to pay tribute to the freedom fighters, to inspire the youth to follow in their path and to remind the youth that the independence the country achieved was because of the sacrifice of lakhs of people, he said.
"This should be an inspiration to the youth to live their life for the country. To live for the nation was the message of this Yatra," he said.
Shah also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his foreign policy has emphasised on trade along with culture. The economy of the nation was moving in the right direction, he added.
Image: BJP National President Amit Shah addressing a public program "Azaadi 70-Yaad Karo Qurbani" in Mangaluru. Photograph: BJP | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/it-has-become-a-fashion-for-some-to-question-nationalism-shah/20160821.htm | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6fd64d1c23b6979dba6ccec714c11737446e707c7375dff444e17ec26226970d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:06 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | The RSS chief recalled how Vajpayee 'had almost solved the Kashmir issue but later governments did not follow up on Vajpayee's efforts'. | Kashmir issue was on verge of resolution under Vajpayee: Bhagwat | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkashmir-issue-was-on-verge-of-resolution-under-vajpayee-bhagwat%2F20160823.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/jan/06bhagwat1.jpg | en | null | Kashmir issue was on verge of resolution under Vajpayee: Bhagwat | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 23, 2016 09:04 IST
The Kashmir issue was on the verge of resolution under the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said but lamented that the later governments did not follow up on Vajpayee’s efforts.
“Kashimiri people do not want to live with Pakistan. We should develop nationalistic feelings among the people in Kashmir,” the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader said on the unrest in the Valley while addressing an event.
Bhagwat recalled how Vajpayee “had almost solved the Kashmir issue but later governments did not follow up on Vajpayee’s efforts”.
Addressing about 2,000 young couples in Agra, the RSS chief answered a volley of questions from his audience on Kashmir issue, cow protection, missionary schools, uniform civil code among others.
On the issue of cow vigilantism, he said cow protection work should be done within the legal framework.
The RSS chief batted for strong value systems, especially among the younger generations.
“Western influences are affecting society. We have to move ahead following the guidelines and codes given to us by our ancestors. If the nation has to move ahead confidently, we will need to teach ‘sanskar’ (values) to our young ones. Young couples have to imbibe these values. Our identity should be from the country,” he said.
Invoking Shivaji, he said the Maratha warrior king derived strength and inspiration from his family that stood for values.
“Civilisations change with times but cultures do not. It is the responsibility of the family to inculcate values in children who must learn how to live for others,” he added. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmir-issue-was-on-verge-of-resolution-under-vajpayee-bhagwat/20160823.htm | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7092297b3b2767cb61422584e05ea2d239a023961c88ab0f072558a4948122f9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:20:33 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | It's Donald Trump like he's never been seen before.
| Naked Trump becomes the butt of jokes | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-naked-trump-becomes-the-butt-of-jokes%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19naked1.jpg | en | null | Naked Trump becomes the butt of jokes | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 19, 2016 11:05 IST
It’s Donald Trump like he’s never been seen before.
The illegally placed statue drew hundreds of curious onlookers, who took selfie picture with the statue, which was signed 'Ginger.' Photograph: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Residents of five major American cities woke up on Thursday to find large naked statues of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump standing in public places.
According to the The Washington Post, the project -- called “The Emperor Has No B---s” -- was put on by a group called INDECLINE. The statues were placed in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Seattle.
According to the INDECLINE spokesperson, the statues all went up without a hitch using "insult teams with hard hats and neon construction vests." Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A spokesman for the group said the naked Trumps were inspired in part by the Hans Christian Anderson story about an overly self-assured leader who fails to realise his new suit is in fact his birthday suit. The intent was to create a mocking tribute to the “modern day Emperor of Fascism and Bigotry.”
“When the guys approached me, it was all because of my monster-making abilities,” the artist who goes by the nickname Ginger told The Washington Post.
“Trump is just yet another monster, so it was absolutely in my wheelhouse to be able to create these monstrosities.”
According to the Post, he spent 25 hours weekly since receiving the commission in April.
A passerby takes a selfie with a statue depicting republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the nude on August 18, 2016 in San Francisco, United States. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The artist told the Daily Beast that the process of creating the sculpture consisted of two stages.
The first was sculpting the original, 317 kg model in specialty clay using a six-foot-two “hired model with similar proportions” to Trump. After the prototype was complete, Ginger made a giant silicone mould so that he could create identical replicas.
In all, the project required 136 kg of Monster Makers Oil Clay, 181 kg concrete and rebar, 181 kg Walter E Disney Clay (for the mould), 3.78 litres of smooth cast 300 (liquid resin), and 37 litres of Foam It, costing around $6,000 (Rs 4,01,498).
Park authorities haul away a statue of a naked GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump that appeared in Union Square Park on Thursday morning on August 18, 2016 in New York City. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
According to the INDECLINE spokesperson, the statues all went up without a hitch using “insult teams with hard hats and neon construction vests.”
A report in NBC News quoted a statement by the group as saying that the hope behind putting up the statues is that Trump “is never installed in the most powerful political and military position in the world”.
“It is through these sculptures that we leave behind the physical and metaphorical embodiment of the ghastly soul of one of America’s most infamous and reviled politicians,” the group said in a statement.
The spokesperson also told The Daily Beast that the New York City piece, which was erected in Union Square, was taken down “about half an hour after The Washington Post went up because the article was “making them look bad and feel like they should go do their job.”
In all, the project cost around $6,000 (Rs 4,01,498). Photograph: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
The New York City Parks Department told the report, “NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small”.
Amused and surprised passers-by flocked to take pictures with the statue showing a stern-faced Trump with trademark flock of bright yellow hair and hands folded over a bulging belly.
Trump’s campaign declined to comment on the statues.
-- With inputs from PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-naked-trump-becomes-the-butt-of-jokes/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/16aa5609719409749f0e8b077192412e94ea27025745d5787fa0a88c4cd160df.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:11 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | The particular matter with Nalini pertains to the legal fee paid to her by the Saradha group. | Saradha scam: ED summons Nalini Chidambaram | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsaradha-scam-ed-summons-nalini-chidambaram%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/sep/21nalini.jpg | en | null | Saradha scam: ED summons Nalini Chidambaram | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 11:52 IST
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Nalini Chidambaram, wife of former finance minister P Chidamabram, in connection with its money laundering probe in the Saradha chit fund scam case.
Officials said Nalini has been asked to appear before the investigating officer of the case early next month in Kolkata where her statement is expected to be recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The particular matter with Nalini, a Supreme Court lawyer, pertains to the legal fee paid to her by the Saradha group, official sources said.
The amount in question is Rs 1.26 crore, sources said, and the Enforcement Directorate wants to understand the exact flow of funds to her from Saradha company accounts and the contract made therein.
She had earlier been questioned by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation in this regard but sources claimed she has been summoned on the ‘light of new evidence’.
Saradha Chairman Sudipta Sen, at present in jail, had mentioned about hiring Nalini as a lawyer at the request of Manoranjana Sinh, estranged wife of Congress leader Mantang Sinh.
Nalini represented Manoranjana and, therefore, was asked to offer her professional advice in her negotiations with Sen in connection with plans by the group to acquire a TV channel in the northeast.
The lawyer is believed to have advised her client against the Rs 42-crore investment by the group to acquire the TV channel.
The ED has filed a charge sheet in this case in a special PMLA court in Kolkata early this year and it is working to file more similar complaints in the future. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/saradha-scam-ed-summons-nalini-chidambaram/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/29787e81048ac18c49072914785453daa9ef96acdd2e772e84bf5199e7be4e25.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T06:52:12 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Alleging that forces across the border are fomenting trouble in violence-hit Kashmir, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that 'a small percentage' of people in the Valley are holding the majority to ransom. | Parrikar attacks Pak in US, says small percentage is holding majority to ransom in Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fparrikar-attacks-pak-in-us-says-small-percentage-is-holding-majority-to-ransom-in-kashmir-%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/30parrikar-1.jpg | en | null | Parrikar attacks Pak in US, says small percentage is holding majority to ransom in Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 10:48 IST
Alleging that forces across the border are fomenting trouble in violence-hit Kashmir, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that "a small percentage" of people in the Valley are holding the majority to ransom.
He said the government is working "proactively" in handling the violence in the state.
"As far as Kashmir is concerned, the Indian government has been very proactive in handling the violence which comes from across the border" Parrikar told Pentagon reporters on Monday at a joint news conference with United States Defence Secretary, Ashton Carter.
"A few small percentage is holding the majority to ransom," he added.
Asked about the current situation in Kashmir, he said curfew has already been lifted and an all-party delegation is also heading to the Valley.
"Kashmir is actually having a government which is a democratically elected. And the chief minister belongs to the Valley," he said.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/parrikar-attacks-pak-in-us-says-small-percentage-is-holding-majority-to-ransom-in-kashmir-/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1c5566059eab63e53579a8121991a6b240479e949034571882bdab60d669a9ce.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:49:51 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | It said that the identity of the unnamed whistleblower is already known to The Australian newspaper. | Scorpene leaks: Whistleblower to hand over data to Australian government | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fscorpene-leaks-whistleblower-to-hand-over-data-to-australian-government%2F20160827.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/24scorpene2.jpg | en | null | Scorpene leaks: Whistleblower to hand over data to Australian government | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 27, 2016 00:17 IST
The 'whistleblower' behind the Scorpene document leak will hand over the disk containing thousands of pages of data detailing the Indian submarine's stealth and warfare capabilities, to the Australian government on Monday, The Australian newspaper on Friday said.
It said that the identity of the unnamed whistleblower is already known to The Australian authorities.
IMAGE: A DCNS worker looks at the propeller of a Scorpene submarine at a facility of the shipbuilder near Nantes, France, in April. Photograph: Reuters
The weekend edition of the newspaper said that neither France nor India knew about the leak till Monday afternoon when it sought a comment from French firm DCNS.
The paper said whistleblower wants Australia to know that its future submarine partner, France has already lost control over secret data on India's new submarines.
His hope is that this will spur the Turnbull government and DCNS to step up security to ensure Australia's 50 billion dollar submarine project does not suffer the same fate, it said.
"He has not broken any law and the authorities know who he is. He plans to surrender the disk to the government on Monday," the newspaper said.
The newspaper said the story behind this leak may be more of incompetence than espionage, more Austin Powers than James Bond.
The Weekend Australian has been told by sources that the data was removed from DCNS in Paris in 2011 by a former French Navy officer who quit the service in the early 1970s and worked for French defence companies for more than 30 years before becoming a subcontractor to DCNS.
Sources say they believe this subcontractor somehow copied the sensitive data from DCNS in France and, along with a French colleague, took it to a Southeast Asian country.
If so, he broke the law and may face prosecution, the paper said.
The two men worked in that Southeast Asian country carrying out unclassified naval defence work.
The speculation is that the data on Scorpene was removed to serve as a reference guide for the former naval officer's new job, but it is unclear why anyone would risk breaking the law by taking classified data for such a purpose.
The two men are then said to have the fallen out with their employer, a private company run by a Western businessman.
They were sacked and refused re-entry to their building. At least one of the men asked to retrieve the data on Scorpene but they were refused and the company -- possibly not knowing the significance of the data -- held on to it, the newspaper said.
The secret data was then sent to the company's head office in Singapore, where the company's IT chief -- again probably not knowing its significance -- tried to load it on an internet server for the person in Sydney who was slated to replace the two sacked French workers.
The data was placed on a server on April 18, 2013, and it was then that it was dangerously vulnerable to hacking or interception by a foreign intelligence service.
It is not known whether the data stayed on this server for a few days or for a year. It is not known if any foreign intelligence service obtained it during this time, the paper said.
Unable to send such a large file over the net and not knowing the significance of the data, the Singapore company sent it on a data disk by regular post to Sydney.
When the recipient, who was experienced in defence issues, opened the file on his home computer he was stunned.
He was expecting to read notes on a low-level naval programme, but before him lay the secret capabilities of the new Indian submarine fleet, the report said.
The data was not encrypted so he transferred it to an encrypted disk. That evening the man wiped the old disk with special software, grabbed a hammer and smashed it to pieces in his backyard.
He placed the new encrypted disk in a locked filing cabinet in his office and there it remained for more than two years, before he decided to show it to the The Australian, the report said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/scorpene-leaks-whistleblower-to-hand-over-data-to-australian-government/20160827.htm | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1113d19456d732785369ba173f674a9e25fa74a759d48c05a3e008ea146fa86f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:39:44 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | Curfew remained in force in six police station areas of the city, Anantnag town, Kokernag and Khanpora in Baramulla district as restrictions on assembly of four or more people continued in entire Kashmir. | Valley continues to bleed in protest; 50 dead | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fafter-brief-relaxation-curfew-restrictions-back-in-kashmir-%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02lead2.jpg | en | null | Valley continues to bleed in protest; 50 dead | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 02, 2016 23:08 IST
One person was killed and another injured in fresh violence in Kashmir, even as normal life remained disrupted for the 25th consecutive day on Tuesday due to the strike called by separatists and curfew imposed by the authorities in some parts of the Valley.
With this the death toll has gone up to 50.
One person was killed and another injured when the personal security guard of a senior government official opened fire to ward off a mob which was trying to set ablaze the vehicle of the official, police said.
The incident took place at Lethpora area of Pulwama district on Srinagar-Jammu national Highway at around 8.30 pm, the police official said.
He said the government official, identified as Baburam, was stopped by a mob when he was on his way to Ramban in Jammu division and asked to alight from the vehicle.
As soon as the official and his personal security guard got off the vehicle, the mob tried to set it ablaze prompting the security personnel to open fire.
In another incident, a group of protesters pelted stones on a police station in Trehgam area of Kupwara district. The police personnel retaliated by firing tear-gas shells, resulting in injuries to three persons.
One of the injured was referred to a hospital in Srinagar and his condition was stated to be critical.
Many shops and business establishments had opened after sundown Monday as the separatists had announced a relaxation in the agitation programme to allow people to buy essentials in view of the prolonged shut down since July 9 in the Valley.
However, all markets remained closed on Tuesday and public transport was off the roads in view of the strike call given by the separatists.
Curfew remained in force in six police station areas of the city, Anantnag town, Kokernag and Khanpora in Baramulla district as restrictions on assembly of four or more people continued in entire Kashmir, a police official said.
"Curfew is in place only in six police station areas of Srinagar city -- Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Batamaloo and Maharajgunj," he said.
The separatist groups have been spearheading the agitation to protest the civilian killings during the protests following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
Protests broke out across Kashmir Valley on July 9, leading to clashes with security forces in which 50 people have been killed and over 5600 persons injured.
Mobile Internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the postpaid mobile telephony services have been restored across all networks.
Image: A demonstrator throws stones amid tear gas smoke fired by police during a protest. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/after-brief-relaxation-curfew-restrictions-back-in-kashmir-/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ae277e350d7bf23c65dc1eb033593fe2cdc6aa60fd7d401ab7c00dad1c694e80.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:20 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | The hapless woman, Siluvamma, a resident of the coastal belt, was attacked by a large number of stray dogs at Pulluvila beach, according to her family. | Kerala: 65-year-old woman mauled by 50 stray dogs, another injured | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkerala-65-year-old-woman-mauled-by-50-stray-dogs-another-injured%2F20160820.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/20dog.jpg | en | null | Kerala: 65-year-old woman mauled by 50 stray dogs, another injured | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 20, 2016 13:38 IST
The stray dog menace in Kerala continues unabated with a 65-year-old woman being mauled to death by a large pack on a suburban beach at nearby Kanjiramkulam in the state capital.
The hapless woman, Siluvamma, a resident of the coastal belt, was attacked by a large number of stray dogs at Pulluvila beach, according to her family.
She suffered dog bites all over her body and succumbed to injuries while on her way to hospital.
The dogs also attacked the local people who tried to rescue the woman by chasing them away.
Siluvamma’s son Selvan, who was also attacked by the dogs while trying to rescue his mother, escaped by jumping into the sea.
“My mother went to the beach in the night. As she did not return, I went out searching for her. What I saw was shocking. She was being attacked by over 100 stray dogs. She was bleeding all over the body,” Selvan told reporters later.
Maximum dog bite cases: >> Thiruvananthapuram -- 5,948
>> Palakkad -- 4,916
>> Kollam -- 3,670
>> Pathanamthitta -- 2,892
>> Alappuzha – 2,967
>> Ernakulam – 2,050
>> Thrissur – 2,044
>> Kottayam – 1,614
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, another native of Pulluvila, Daisy, was also attacked and severely injured by stray dogs on Friday night.
The 52-year-old woman said she was attacked by a pack of dogs when she went out of the house around 11.30 pm.
She was rushed to the government medical college and given a shot of anti-rabies vaccination
Medical college hospital sources said though she had injuries on her hands and legs, her condition was stable. She was shifted to Pulluvila primary healthcare centre for further treatment in the morning, they added.
Stray dogs have been posing a great threat to people, especially women, children and the elderly in coastal stretches in Kerala, including Pulluvila, for some time.
The issue has been a point of debate in Kerala for the last few years after increase in incidents of stray dog attacks and was also raised in the assembly earlier this year.
According to a report submitted in the Supreme Court recently in a connected case, more than one lakh people in Kerala have been bitten by dogs in 2015-16.
The report was submitted by a committee appointed by the apex court to look into the aspect of treatment of people bitten by stray dogs and claims of compensation in the state.
The report also said Kerala is estimated to have stray dog population of 2.5 lakh, which feed lavishly on the waste and garbage dumps across cities and towns.
Photograph is used for representative purposes only
Photograph: Getty Images | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kerala-65-year-old-woman-mauled-by-50-stray-dogs-another-injured/20160820.htm | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ba6bc8179c0e09a8915900509cfd5f1ca735a13039c617ec7e7992705b67dfbd.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:01 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | A mob of 'gau rakshaks' allegedly beat up two Dalits in East Godavari district. | Despite PM's stern message, gau rakshaks assault two Dalits in Andhra | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgau-rakshaks-assault-two-dalits-in-andhra%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/feb/15lead3.jpg | en | null | Despite PM's stern message, gau rakshaks assault two Dalits in Andhra | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 10, 2016 00:59 IST
A mob of "gau rakshaks" allegedly beat up two Dalits in East Godavari district after they skinned a cow which had died due to electrocution, police said on Tuesday.
The incident took place at Janakipeta in Amalapuram town of the district in Andhra Pradesh.
According to police, after the cow died following electrocution, its owner, a farmer, engaged the two Dalits, who were brothers, for skinning the animal before it was buried.
On getting to know of the skinning, the "gau rakshaks" (cow vigilantes) went to the place and beat up the duo, identified as Mokati Elisha and Lazer, suspecting that they had killed the animal.
The two were admitted to a hospital in Amalapuram for treatment and Elisha's condition was said to be serious.
"We have registered a case under SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against some persons, who are yet to be identified. We are investigating the case and gathering clues about the suspects," a police official said over phone from Amalapuram.
The incident has taken place when the flogging of a Dalit family at Una in Gujarat last month created a countrywide uproar over cow vigilantism.
Three days back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first public denouncement of cow vigilantes, had said that he felt enraged at such "anti-social elements", who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.
A day later in Telangana, Modi had asked people to beware of "fake" cow protectors as they were trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and said that "if you have to attack, attack me" but stop attacking my Dalit bretheren". | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gau-rakshaks-assault-two-dalits-in-andhra/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4946e9d6e583f235fcd051ccc4aba3084bffb12fce0d9032b8219a15b11cf41e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:46 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | The commuters started protesting after a level-crossing gate signal caused a delay in suburban services of Central Railway by over 20 minutes early this morning. | Tired of daily train delays, irate Mumbai commuters stage 'rail roko' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcommuters-stage-rail-roko-at-badlapur-to-protest-irregular-train-services%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/12live-train.jpg | en | null | Tired of daily train delays, irate Mumbai commuters stage 'rail roko' | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 12, 2016 12:26 IST
Suburban rail services were disrupted after irate commuters protesting over train delay blocked tracks at Badlapur station in neighbouring Thane district on Friday morning.
IMAGE: Commuters came out on the tracks to protests constant delays in train timings. Photo Credit: @thakur_shivangi
The commuters started protesting after a level-crossing gate signal caused a delay in suburban services of Central Railway by over 20 minutes early Friday morning.
The enraged commuters barged into the station master's office and demanded immediate action to resolve the issue.
Later, they jumped on tracks at Badlapur, stalling the movement of trains on the Central Line, which runs between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Khopoli.
"The Karjat-CST local was late by 20 minutes due to level-crossing gate signal. Passengers at Badlapur stopped the CST-bound Karjat local and Karjat-bound Thane local from 5.55 am," a Central Railway spokesperson said.
The protest also led to bunching of trains, which made a serpentine queue on tracks on the suburban route.
However, the security personnel at the railway station calmed down the agitated passengers and brought the situation under control.
Following the protest, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu directed senior railway officers to look into the matter and also appealed to passengers not to agitate.
"GM, DRM, Officers directed early morning to help passengers in #Badlapur, sort out their problems. Requesting all not to agitate, all steps taken," Prabhu tweeted following the incident.
The incident resulted in disruption of local services and trains were running late by about half-an-hour. A few Express trains of Central Railway were also rescheduled and diverted.
A statement issued by CR said that the 11301 CST-KSR Bengaluru Udyan Express, scheduled to depart at 08.05 am on Friday, has been rescheduled at 2.20 am on Friday due to public agitation at Badlapur. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/commuters-stage-rail-roko-at-badlapur-to-protest-irregular-train-services/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/2a7643ef5624af5dec4e01aa23890b8106d9aabe81dc04789236fb05a8c710f9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:14 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | The Enforcement Directorate, probing money laundering charges against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his family members, on Tuesday recorded the statement of his wife Pratibha Singh | Money laundering case: ED questions Himachal CM's wife | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmoney-laundering-case-ed-questions-himachal-cms-wife--%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/10vir.jpg | en | null | Money laundering case: ED questions Himachal CM's wife | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 10, 2016 03:25 IST
The Enforcement Directorate, probing money laundering charges against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his family members, on Tuesday recorded the statement of his wife Pratibha Singh, who is also an accused in the case.
Official sources said the investigating officer recorded her statement in New Delhi under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act during the questioning which lasted over four hours.
They said she was also confronted with the statements made by other accused in the case, including LIC agent Anand Chauhan, who was arrested by the agency last month.
The agency had earlier issued summons to her to appear before the investigating officer.
Pratibha, who is an accused in the case, had twice sought exemption from appearing before the agency citing personal reasons even as she moved the Delhi high court seeking protection from arrest till the next hearing of the case on August 24.
The ED had on Monday told the HC that it has no intention as of now to arrest Pratibha.
Sources had earlier said the questioning of the CM's wife was "essential" to thoroughly probe the case after some "revelations" were claimed to have been made by Chauhan.
The agency had attached assets worth about Rs 8 crore of the chief minister earlier this year. Singh has denied allegations of any wrongdoing by him and his family.
The ED had filed a case under criminal provisions of the anti-money laundering law after taking cognisance of a complaint filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in this regard in September last year.
It had also conducted searches in this case last year in Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal.
The agency is probing allegations against Singh and his family members of having amassed wealth of Rs 6.1 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income between 2009 and 2011 when he was the Union minister of steel.
The CBI's first information report had named Singh, Pratibha, Chauhan and his brother C L Chauhan, who were all accused of violating the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI FIR said that during 2009-11, Singh bought life insurance policies worth Rs 6.1 crore in his and his family members' names through Chauhan claiming it came from his income from agriculture. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/money-laundering-case-ed-questions-himachal-cms-wife--/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e386c42352a67a8bafb7f23c92c70998fbcc3f62c20830ab2cdc3613faea8b7b.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T04:52:07 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Tubes gone, Irom Sharmila the brand is dead. As long as she was trying to kill herself, she had value to the cynics trying to build their careers over her fast, says Shekhar Gupta. | Everyone needed Irom Shamila with tubes | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Feveryone-needed-irom-shamila-with-tubes%2F20160830.htm.json | http://www.rediff.com/news/2011/dec/15sharmila3.jpg | en | null | Everyone needed Irom Shamila with tubes | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 08:16 IST
Tubes gone, Irom Sharmila the brand is dead. As long as she was trying to kill herself, she had value to the cynics trying to build their careers over her fast, says Shekhar Gupta.
Why would the turn in the Irom Sharmila story remind us of late Dev Anand’s defining film of the 'sixties, Guide. By the way, I am using ‘defining’ rather than the more convenient ‘iconic’ as I banned that much-abused metaphor in my newsroom after I found it used for the Ajmer Sharif dargah.
Sharmila’s story should remind some of us of Guide, precisely because we are the children of the 'sixties. It was the decade of much trouble, but also one marked by politics of fast-unto-death -- Punjabi Suba’s Sant Fateh Singh being the most prominent usual suspect.
The film, based on R K Narayan’s book by the same name, has Dev Anand, just out of jail for forgery, take refuge in a rural temple, in a drought year. The villagers see him as a younger sadhu who the divine has sent to bring them rain.
But only if he fasts until the rain gods melt. Exactly as they had heard in their folklore. Dev Anand, or Raju, the guide, argues desperately that he’s no divine gift but a convict. He is suckered in, as nobody’s willing to listen.
A lot of the most poignant concluding scenes of that film, are of a delirious, dying Raju talking to himself. He wants to live, even tries to steal the prasad kept in front of him, knows the futility of what he’s doing, but yet can’t escape.
In one of those brilliant conversations with himself, he asks, “Why would the clouds be bothered with my desperate hunger?” But escaping would break hearts so he stays the course, and dies -- as a hero because rains come, perfectly timed, reaffirming the folklore.
It was half-a-century ago, and it was a movie. Times have changed. Well-meaning people, sometimes victims of circumstances, ego, social pressures, lure of stardom, still get tricked into putting their lives on the line, using this most suicidal form of democratic protest called fast-unto-death, indefinite fast or simply, in Anna Hazare-speak, anshan.
But nobody is willing to die any more. Not for you and your cause, no matter how much you hail them as a hero. They love fame and glory but, it seems, they’d settle for a lesser prize, say a Maha Vir Chakra alive than a Param Vir Chakra posthumously. Jaan hai, toh jahan hai (if I live, the world is mine).
IMAGE: While those around Anna Hazare's fast have attained high political office, the Gandhian is a forgotten man today.
This is precisely the thought that came to Sharmila’s mind. With frazzled hair, tubes in her nostrils and a contorted face she became the mascot of a cause, a worthy one, but more a cause for those who built entire careers out of it: Activists, civil rights NGOs, full-time, one-issue television talking heads, even for media companies and television channels that cynically invited her for their gala events to confer on her their many awards, but won’t send a reporter to Manipur to tell the rest of the country of its continuing tragedy.
They all needed the Irom Sharmila with the tubes, the archetype. A ‘normal’ face doesn’t work for any of them and for different reasons. For career activists, because she can now speak for herself, denying them the benefit of being her cause’s spokespeople. And for the media, simply because, as any brand manager worth her annual bonus will tell you, brands live and die by their archetypes.
Tubes gone, Irom Sharmila the brand is dead. As long as she was trying to kill herself, she had value.
Now she wants to contest elections, become chief minister, win her cause by removing Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur. How boring. Is she so stupid as to not know that the state government has no power to lift AFSPA? Or maybe she is smarter than you think, and reads newspapers and knows that in the neighbouring Tripura, a brilliant chief minister (Manik Sarkar) has worked with the Centre to lift AFSPA, police station by police station in his insurgency-hit state.
If all her fans and admirers, even family, have dumped Sharmila, she should take comfort in the fact she isn’t the only one. Ever since fasting emerged as a weapon of democratic mass coercion, gullible but courageous people have been exploited by cleverer vested interests, from usual political power-seekers to more exotic causerati.
This reflects in that popular Hindi heartland slogan: 'So-and-so, tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain (you put your life on the line, I’m with you)'. And meanwhile, please order me a pizza from Domino’s, extra cheese and pepperoni and Diet Coke.
Let’s take two recent, and more familiar examples. Anna Hazare’s famous 12-day anshan at Ramlila Maidan left him so frail that he went straight to NCR’s finest private hospital from the venue and then to recuperate at Jindal Naturecure Institute, the most popular fat-farm of the rich elites in India, though that is incidental.
But, while he fasted, his own people said that one of his key lieutenants, Swami Agnivesh, was ‘collaborating’ with the government. Hazare had begun to see the light, but his ego was still there, so he sat on another fast a year later at Jantar Mantar but insisted that other key followers -- Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai -- join him. This lasted 10 days, and was broken by our 24th army chief, recently retired then.
Not much later we saw an ugly spat between the former army chief and Rai on live television at Hazare’s Ralegan Siddhi Ashram. The third fast, in Mumbai, was even shorter. Very few people came to attend it, and since he had by now realised that his ‘followers’ saw no loss, and much gain in him making the ‘supreme sacrifice’, Hazare happily accepted the chief minister’s intervention and returned to his pavilion, and oblivion.
Check out television clips of debates on that period. All activists were unhappy he had broken his fast, although only Medha Patkar had the honesty to say so unhesitatingly. So, Anna tum sangharsh karo…
Hazare survived, yet managed to do plenty for his followers. They are now in high government positions, one has built a corporate empire to rival Nestlé, another is a minister with the Bharatiya Janata Party. The holy accountant to the nation who provided fuel for his campaign, liberally loaded with his notional ‘zeroes’ in losses, now is a national hero and has a couple of post-retirement assignments from this government.
But no one bothers to even make a routine visit to Hazare, not even on the fifth anniversary of his great fast, which just passed us by. Nobody even thanks him for bringing them to power, or even promise to fight for his Jan Lokpal. Hazare only has the satisfaction of having realised in time, jaan hai toh jahaan hai…
Our last example is an ongoing one: Activist Medha Patkar. I have failed to keep count of the number of times she has threatened to go on a fast, or actually sat on one. Even Google and Wiki are fixed. But each one has ended well before it could do her any damage, never mind that no big cause she fought for has been achieved.
First signs of the monsoon, and you will expect her name to pop up from somewhere on the banks of the Narmada, in Madhya Pradesh usually because Gujarat wasn’t so welcoming. There will be fasts, jal-samadhis (drowning in waters filling the dams) and then press conferences.
At least she seems to know well, what Sharmila took 16 years realising and Hazare took about a month (cumulatively, over three fasts) and something that foul-mouthed General Patton famously said, at least in the movie: “No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making some other poor dumb bastard die for his country.”
So message from Sharmila, as from Hazare and Patkar lately, is the same: You love your cause, you die for it.
Postscript: Since we started with Dev Anand’s Guide: In Narayanan’s book, the fasting guide dies but there is no rain. In the movie, Dev Anand told me, he was forced by financiers to ensure rain actually came. Who’d accept Dev Anand starving to death for nothing.
Also read:
'I have become more fearless'
The tragedy of being Irom Sharmila | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/everyone-needed-irom-shamila-with-tubes/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8132501a682dedf7a01a84475f478e7bd81dc4d5088d1c10b18eda37cada737d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:01 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday visited the Friday attack site in Kokrajhar and said strong action would be taken against the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Sonbijit outfit and 'none would be spared' for the killing of 14 people. | Sonowal visits Kokrajhar attack site, pledges action against NDFB-S | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsonowal-visits-kokrajhar-attack-site-pledges-action-against-ndfb-s%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/07assam.jpg | en | null | Sonowal visits Kokrajhar attack site, pledges action against NDFB-S | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 07, 2016 14:46 IST
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday visited the Friday attack site in Kokrajhar and said strong action would be taken against the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Sonbijit outfit and "none would be spared" for the killing of 14 people.
"No matter how strong the militant group is, our government will take strong action against it. All those connected with the killing will be hunted out and brought to book," Sonowal told reporters after visiting the weekly Balajan Tiniali market where the massacre took place.
"Whatever evidence has been collected so far show that NDFB(Songbijit) is behind the killings", he said.
"All the security forces are coordinating the search operations and none will be spared," the chief minister said.
"It is the prime duty of the government to protect the people and their property. All will be given protection, I assure," Sonowal said.
After visiting Balajan, the chief minister went to Kokrajhar town and held a high level law and order review meeting of the Unified Command Structure's Strategic Group of civil officials, army, police and paramilitary forces.
Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said the slain NDFB-S militant, whose body was recovered, would be identified by DNA test as his parents were unable to recognise his body as they had not seen him for the past 8-9 years.
Meanwhile, Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Madhu Prasad Sarma said that the killers were believed to have come from Pakriguri on the Indian side, about 10 km from Bhutan border. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sonowal-visits-kokrajhar-attack-site-pledges-action-against-ndfb-s/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1d3d9979c378542c3c62e64babb2a5528bd7ea1c306eeb84018a21831401051c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:48 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | She came for removal of her stitches from the surgery, a hospital source said. | 2 days after discharge, Sonia Gandhi back in hospital | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsonia-gandhi-visits-hospital-again%2F20160818.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/dec/07live-soniarahul.jpg | en | null | 2 days after discharge, Sonia Gandhi back in hospital | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 18, 2016 14:46 IST
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital again for a medical check-up, two days after she was discharged following treatment for illness and a shoulder injury.
She had visited the hospital on Wednesday for removal of her stitches from the surgery. Sources, however, on Thursday said she was admitted again last evening, for "routine" medical check-up.
"At the time of her discharge from the hospital last week, doctors had said that she was likely to revisit the hospital for further evaluation of her condition. So, she is here for that," a hospital source said.
"She is likely to stay at the hospital for a couple of days," the source said. Party sources also said she has been admitted again, and will be there for couple of days for a medical check-up.
The 69-year-old leader was admitted to the hospital on August 3 after being taken ill during a roadshow in Varanasi. She was discharged on August 14 and doctors treating her at the hospital had then said she had recovered from her illness and injury to the left shoulder and was stable.
"Mrs Gandhi is likely to visit the hospital for further evaluation of her condition in the coming week," D S Rana, Chairman of Board of Management of the hospital, had said the day she was discharged.
Gandhi was admitted under the care of Arup Basu, senior consultant, Department of Pulmonology and Chest Medicine and his team.
She was operated upon for a shoulder injury by Prateek Gupta, senior consultant and his team from Department of Orthopaedics and Sanjay Desai from Mumbai.
The Congress chief was shifted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital from the Army Research and Referral Hospital, where she was rushed soon after her arrival from Varanasi around midnight of August 2. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sonia-gandhi-visits-hospital-again/20160818.htm | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/39208fb6a6ca604df85d336b3445a98d6dbd4a17fabfe024e0961185d35e9eba.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:44 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | Pakistan added that it is necessary to establish 'veracity of the Indian claim'. | Pakistan 'strongly rejects' India's charge of cross-border infiltration | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpakistan-strongly-rejects-indias-charge-of-cross-border-infiltration%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jan/17border.jpg | en | null | Pakistan 'strongly rejects' India's charge of cross-border infiltration | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 10, 2016 11:45 IST
Pakistan has rejected India's charge of infiltration in Kashmir, after its envoy Abdul Basit was summoned and handed over a "strong demarche" over Pakistan's continued support to cross-border terrorism.
"We strongly reject Indian claim of any cross-LOC infiltration. Pakistan remains committed to the policy of not allowing its territory for any terrorist activity against anyone," the foreign office said in statement last night when asked about India summoning the Pakistani high commissioner.
It said that it is necessary to establish "veracity of the Indian claim".
"Details in this regard will be gathered," it said.
Amid growing strain in ties, India on Tuesday summoned Basit and handed him a "strong demarche" over Pakistan's continued support to cross-border terrorism by pushing in trained terrorists to carry out attacks, particularly in Kashmir.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar called Basit to his South Block office and lodged a strong protest over the issue as he made a specific reference to LeT terrorist and Pakistani national Bahadur Ali, who was captured recently in North Kashmir during an encounter.
Ali, born in the Zia Bagga village of Lahore, was arrested by Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on July 25 with weapons (AK 47 rifle, live rounds, grenades, grenade launcher etc) as also sophisticated communication equipment and other material of Pakistani/ international origin, according to the demarche issued to Basit.
The ties between India and Pakistan have seen growing bitterness after Pakistan and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made provocative statements on the Kashmir situation in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces on July 8. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pakistan-strongly-rejects-indias-charge-of-cross-border-infiltration/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7f774ab7822eb850bd081fad380c3592499abd79a402c991984a7467d87b3284.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:38 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | More than 2,000 activists of various religious and jihadi outfits in Pakistan on Wednesday protested against the visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing him for the unrest in Kashmir. | Rajnath arrives in Pakistan amid protest; will raise Dawood and terrorism issues | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frajnath-singh-in-pakistan%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03lead9.jpg | en | null | Rajnath arrives in Pakistan amid protest; will raise Dawood and terrorism issues | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 03, 2016 23:57 IST
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday arrived in Islamabad to attend the SAARC Interior Ministers' conference being held tomorrow during which he is expected to raise the issue of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, designated as global terrorist, and cross border terrorism.
Singh, who arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday evening on his maiden visit to Pakistan, has been accorded tight security amid threats from Lashker-e-Tayiba and Hizbul Mujahideen terror groups against his visit.
The home minister was flown in a helicopter to the Serena hotel located in posh Islamabad locality. It is also the venue of Thursday's meeting where Singh will be underlining the need for meaningful cooperation among South Asian countries.
Roads leading to the hotel have been heavily barricaded by the police and para-military forces to ward off any threat from terror groups. In the past, there have been instances when terrorists rammed explosive-laden trucks into the hotels.
Despite tight security, around 100 people gathered outside the hotel shouting anti-India slogans and protested against Singh's visit.
LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin had warned of a nationwide protest if Singh arrives in Islamabad to attend the SAARC ministerial conference which would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Before leaving for Islamabad to attend the day-long SAARC Home Ministers' Conference, Singh said he was "looking forward to underscore the imperative of meaningful cooperation within the region against terrorism and organised crime."
"This conference provides a platform to discuss issues pertaining to security," said Singh, who is expected to tell Pakistan to stop sponsoring terror in India and rein in groups like Lashker-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
India has been demanding handing over of Dawood, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the anti-terror body of the United Nations, for running an organised crime syndicate from Pakistan.
Thursday's meeting is preceded by the 7th Meeting of the SAARC Interior/Home Secretaries which was held on Wednesday. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, who is leading the Indian delegation, arrived on Tuesday.
There is little possibility of Singh having a bilateral meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the wake of strain in Indo-Pak relations after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in Jammu and Kashmir on July 8.
Not only did Prime Minister Sharif praise Wani but he also remarked that "Kashmir will one day become Pakistan", a comment which evoked a sharp reaction from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who said his dream of the state becoming a part of his country "will not be realised even at the end of eternity". MORE PTI ACB SKL ZH AKJOn the eve of the conference, Sharif said that Kashmir was witnessing a "new wave of freedom movement" and asked Pakistani diplomats to apprise the world that Kashmir was "not an internal matter" of India.
"Today Kashmir is witnessing a new wave of freedom movement," Sharif said, needling India.
Apart from terrorism, other key issues to be discussed include liberalisation of visa, illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and how to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat such menace.
The three-tier meeting began at the joint secretary-level and then moves on to Secretary and Home Minister-level meetings.
The focus of the meeting will also be on strengthening networking among police forces of SAARC member-countries and also enhance information-sharing among law enforcement agencies.Ahead of the conference, the Interior Secretaries from the member states met Islamabad today to review the progress made so far on agreed areas of cooperation and to finalise recommendations and proposals suggesting way forward for further strengthening of mutual cooperation through sharing of knowledge, experiences and expertise to overcome challenges facing the region.
These suggestions would be placed before the Interior Ministers for their consideration and decisions.
As per the SAARC practice, the meeting elected Interior Secretary of Pakistan Arif Ahmed Khan as the chairman of the 7th meeting of SAARC Interior Secretaries.
Khan said that it was a matter of pride that the SAARC countries represent a region that shares common borders and cultural similarities.
The secretary said that we are not only tied by geographical proximities but also with historical linkages.
"Our shared challenges demand collective response and SAARC provides the member states an exceptional platform to share and benefit from the wisdom and experience of each other," he said.
The Interior Secretary observed that the mandate of the SAARC Interior/Home Secretaries meeting covers a range of important issues related to terrorism, corruption, narcotics and psychotropic substances, maritime piracy and other similar issues.
He said that the meeting will also be discussing the Conventions on Suppression of Terrorism and the Additional Protocol and Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
Stressing upon the need for greater cooperation the Interior Secretary noted that although significant progress has been made in the related areas since the 6th Meeting of the SAARC Interior/Home Secretaries that was held in September 2014 in Kathmandu, a sizeable amount of work is still to be done by this forum.
He expressed the hope that result oriented recommendations of Interior Secretaries would help Interior/Home Ministers of the SAARC countries to take decisions in the greater interest of the region and the people of the member states.
The Secretary also commended the Immigration Authorities from the SAARC Member States for their valuable input and said that their recommendations will add an impetus to the ongoing process of forging greater cooperation among the SAARC member states. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rajnath-singh-in-pakistan/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8613b6c9a7e6974566262c2ae4fbb58c132ee3efe1486185a59842be19a5b7a5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:18:58 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | The incident took place on Friday in suburban Andheri when the victim, who identified himself as Barun Kashyap, was commuting to his workplace in an autorickshaw, whose driver started raising suspicion over his bag. | Gau rakshaks bully Mumbai man over 'cow' leather bag | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgau-rakshaks-bully-mumbai-man-over-cow-leather-bag%2F20160821.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/21lead1.jpg | en | null | Gau rakshaks bully Mumbai man over 'cow' leather bag | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 21, 2016 14:19 IST
A 24-year-old man was allegedly heckled by a group of people for carrying a leather bag as they suspected it to be made of cow hide, police said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Friday in suburban Andheri when the victim, who identified himself as Barun Kashyap, was commuting to his workplace in an autorickshaw, whose driver started raising suspicion over his bag.
"I started off from my home to work in an auto. The auto driver was quite curious and intrigued by my long hair and nose piercing right from the beginning and asked me about my native place. He stopped at a traffic signal and started looking at my leather bag," Kashyap, who works as a creative director in a private firm, claimed in his Facebook post.
Kashyap, who hails from Assam, further said the auto driver then touched his bag and concluded that it was made of cow hide, a charge which he denied.
The youngster then clarified that the bag was made of camel leather, which he had bought from Pushkar.
"Not satisfied with the reply, the auto-driver moved forward and stopped the auto near a small temple on the way to my office. Before I could say anything, I saw the driver signalling at three men sitting in front of a temple, smoking," he said.
"The three men then approached the auto and started conversing in Marathi, which I could not decipher. They asked me to step out of the auto which I refused. When I was busy protesting, one of the men came to the other side of auto and started checking my bag."
"One of them asked my full name. He looked at the other two and said something in Marathi out of which I could only understand the word 'Brahmin'. Maybe hearing Kashyap, they thought I am a Brahmin and left the spot," he said.
Kashyap said he got off the three-wheeler at the next traffic signal and noted the auto number. He said he also asked the driver his phone number, "which he (driver) proudly gave to me saying 'aaj toh bach gaye'."
Kashyap said he then approached D N Nagar Police Station on Saturday and filed a complaint against the suspected cow vigilantes (driver and three others).
A senior police official of D N Nagar Police Station said, "Since no physical harm was done to the complainant, we have registered a non cognisable offence. Further investigations into the matter are on."
Image Courtesy: Barun Kashyap/Facebook | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gau-rakshaks-bully-mumbai-man-over-cow-leather-bag/20160821.htm | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3a56722a544c8d9f4fab23bdcb74a8f9f0fab3d88dd059e6c1a6a553e148b33f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:57 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | The Coast Guard has deployed a Chetak Helicopter to carry out search operation for missing vehicles.
| Bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway washed away, 2 dead, 22 missing | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmumbai-goa-highway-bridge-collapse%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03bridge1.jpg | en | null | Bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway washed away, 2 dead, 22 missing | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 03, 2016 23:40 IST
Teams of NDRF, Navy, Coast Guard, IAF and Konkan Railway carry out rescue operations, reports Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com
IMAGE: A part of a bridge on Savitri river at Mahad in Raigad district of Maharashtra collapsed on Wednesday. Photograph: Chief PRO, Defence
At least two persons drowned and 22 others are missing as two buses swept away in swollen Savitri River after a British-era bridge collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad in Maharashtra’s Raigad district late on Tuesday night.
Rescuers fished out bodies of two men from the river and an intense search is on to trace those missing, Raigad district collector Sheetal Teli Ugale said.
Four teams of National Disaster Response Force with 40 deep-divers joined the rescue operations and also scanned the banks of river Savitri between Mahad and Poladpur to search for more bodies.
Pandit Ithape, deputy commandant of NDRF, who is on the spot told Rediff.com over the phone the NDRF divers are also searching for the buses.
”The river flow is very high and we are waiting for it to slow down a bit before the divers begin search operations,” Ithape said. According to locals, who Ithape spoke to, the depth of the Savitri river in spate where the bridge collapsed could be about 20 feet.
IMAGE: Bystanders look on as repair work continued on the collapsed bridge. Photograph: Arun Patil
As per a press note issued by the chief public relations officer-defence after receiving a report on Wednesday morning that a bridge on Savitri had collapsed at about midnight in Mahad, Raigad district an immediate search operation was launched.
The Coast Guard had deployed a Chetak helicopter at about 8:15 am for carrying out search for missing people. An Mi 17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force had also undertaken search down the river.
Indian Navy Seaking 42C, an all weather aircraft with diving team has been deployed by the Navy to carry out search operations. The Diving team has been positioned there and awaiting inputs on location of the vehicles.
Cdr Rahul Sinha, chief PRO, Defence told Rediff.com that the river current being very strong at the moment the divers will be asked to begin a search operation only if there is a positive identification of the vehicles.
IMAGE: There were two parallel bridges, the older one collapsed, said Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Photograph: Chief PRO, Defence
An NDRF official, who is monitoring the rescue operations, said, "As soon we got information about the tragic incident, we dispatched two teams from Pune and two teams from Mumbai who are searching for missing persons in the swollen river,” an NDRF official, who was monitoring the rescue operations, said.
“Also, we have kept two teams in Mumbai and two teams in Pune in stand-by mode, and they would be roped in as and when needed,” he said.
“Our team of special divers is equipped enough to handle the situation as with the help of oxygen masks, they can go deep up to 10 metres down and can stay there for long,” the official added.
He added the teams have covered 100 to 200 metres from bridge and would expand the search area.
IMAGE: Indian Navy's all weather helicopter was deployed to carry out search operations. Photograph: Chief PRO, Defence
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the spot in the evening. Earlier, he had said he is monitoring the situation.
‘Spoke to Raigad SP and collector about bridge collapse on Mumbai-Goa Highway. Administration has rushed to spot for rescue and immediate measures,’ Fadnavis had tweeted.
‘There were two parallel bridges; one is a new bridge and one constructed during the British era. The old one collapsed.
'The primary reason seems to be the high pressure caused due to flooding of river Savitri due to heavy rains in catchment of Mahabaleshwar.
'Traffic on highway is stopped. Administration is ascertaining strength and stability of new bridge. There is no confirmed assessment about casualties,’ he had said in series of tweets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Fadnavis and was briefed about the bridge collapse.
‘The PM offered all help in rescue and relief operations,’ Fadnavis said.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has also asked Konkan Railway to render necessary assistance to the state government in the rescue operations.
Konkan Railway’s Chief PRO Siddheshwar Telugu said a rescue team has been rushed to assist the personnel present on the spot.
“Konkan Railway is providing men and material inclusive of self-propelled accident relief medical van, accident relief train, doctor and medical team, mechanical rescue team and engineering rescue team,” said Telugu.
IMAGE: CM Devendra Fadnavis takes an overhead survey of the crash. Photograph: PTI
Speaking to Rediff.com, Maharashtra housing minister Prakash Mehta, who was rushing to the spot, said, “We have pressed helicopters fitted with magnetic plates that are hovering over the river so that presence of any iron bodies under the water could be ascertained. Specialised speed boats too are scanning the river banks in search of people.”
Mehta said he spoke with Raigad district collector Sheetal Teli Ugale, who was monitoring operations of the state administration since 4 am. Local authorities, in fact, reached the spot within 30 minutes of the bridge collapse (likely at 12.30 am) but were handicapped by the strong river currents as well as darkness.
According to officials at the control room Raigad district, two state transport buses -- MH20 DL 1538, with drivr by S S Kamble and conductor V K Desai, from Jaigadh; and MH40 N 9739, with driver G S Munde and conductor P B Shirke, from Rajapur -- left Chiplun in Ratnagiri district at 9.30 pm on August 2.
IMAGE: Search parties are still looking for the missing persons from the bridge collapse. Photograph: Arun Patil
Both buses have still not reached their destination: Borivali in Mumbai. They are likely to have been washed away or submerged in river Savitri.
Both buses were carrying nine passengers each and the family members of these passengers have been informed.
Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has expressed grief over the loss of life caused due to the bridge collapse.
The governor has also expressed concern over the fate of the missing persons who boarded the State Transport buses and other vehicles that have gone missing in the flood.
‘My heart goes out to the persons who were on board the two buses and other vehicles that have gone missing in the Savitri river in Mahad. I offer my condolences to the kin of those who lost their lives and pray for the safe rescue of those who are missing,’ he said in a message.
With inputs from PTI. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mumbai-goa-highway-bridge-collapse/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/816875196247eddd1690e32a51e5b99ded162744b959510d6ecb754ff590b035.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:14:44 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | The ruling allies rejected the amendment demanded by Congress and Samajwadi Party to make yoga optional for schools. | BMC okays proposal to make yoga mandatory in Mumbai civic schools | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbmc-okays-proposal-to-make-yoga-mandatory-in-mumbai-civic-schools%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/mar/24yoga.jpg | en | null | BMC okays proposal to make yoga mandatory in Mumbai civic schools | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 21:25 IST
The Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has approved a proposal making yoga and Surya Namaskar mandatory in all civic schools in Mumbai, drawing ire of opposition parties which on Wednesday dubbed the move as a ploy to "promote Hindutva" and "saffronise" education.
The BMC's general body cleared the proposal tabled by BJP corporator Samita Kamble on Tuesday with an aim to improve overall health of students by incorporating the ancient exercise regime into their daily routine.
The ruling allies rejected the amendment demanded by Congress and Samajwadi Party to make yoga optional for schools.
They also struck down the SP's demand for removal of 'Surya Namaskar' (sun salutation) from the proposal terming it as a "form of Hindu worship".
"Making Surya Namaskar compulsory in schools is a way to promote Hindutva as the origin of Surya Namaskar lies in Hindu God Surya (Sun)," Samajwadi corporator Rais Sheikh alleged.
Sheikh said Muslim parents would stop sending their wards to school if BMC goes ahead with the proposal.
Former minister and state unit Congress vice-president Naseem Khan said the move is "unconstitutional" and will be opposed tooth and nail.
"This is another case of saffronisation of our education system and it is in complete contravention of fundamental rights prescribed in Constitution which allows every citizen to live and educate themselves as per their own religious thoughts," he said.
Questioning the timing of the proposal, Khan said, "Since BMC elections are near and sensing their defeat, they (Sena and BJP) have now played this saffronisation card for political gains, which could have very unwarranted consequences. Why didn't Sena and BJP combine, which has been ruling the BMC for last 20 years, bring the proposal earlier?"
A number of Muslim bodies and their representatives, including Mohammad Saeed Noorie, the founder of Raza Academy and Noorie Mehfil, met Khan separately and apprised him about the reaction in the community against the move.
"Muslims, Jain, Christians, Dalits..all are dismayed by this act of imposing Surya Namaskars and chief minister should take a serious note of it and undo it," Khan demanded.
BMC runs 1,188 primary and 49 secondary schools in Mumbai. This includes nearly 400 Urdu-medium schools. About 4.85 lakh students study in primary schools while another 55,000 study in secondary schools.
The proposal passed by the House of the civic body, will now be sent to Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta who will take a final call on the issue.
Defending the move, BJP corporator Dilip Patel said, "Now yoga has been internationally accepted as the best form of exercise. Bringing yoga into the religious ambit is a political tactic by opposition parties".
Another BJP corporator said that "Surya Namaskar is a form of meditation, and if practised regularly, it will help children progress, both mentally and physically". | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bmc-okays-proposal-to-make-yoga-mandatory-in-mumbai-civic-schools/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c2cb9fa083fcd5bee63720ce3eca39749e083a372b7bd8d8372f9d10f494dd0e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:18 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | The weather office cautioned the fishermen not to venture into sea in the Odisha Coast. | IMD warns of very heavy rainfall in Odisha; sea to turn 'very rough' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fimd-warns-of-very-heavy-rainfall-in-odisha%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/oct/13storm3.jpg | en | null | IMD warns of very heavy rainfall in Odisha; sea to turn 'very rough' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 16:36 IST
With the deep depression over Bangladesh and West Bengal moving northwestwards and laying centered at about 280 km from Balasore, the Indian Metrological Department said on Thursday that the sea would turn rough to very rough in Odisha coast and heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in one or two places in the state.
‘Sea condition would be rough to very rough in Odisha coast. Sea wave height may increase up to 3 to 4 meters along Odisha coast,’ an IMD bulletin said adding that the gusty surface wind from westerly direction with speed reaching 45 kmph to 50 kmph gusting 60 kmph may prevail along and off Odisha coast.
The weather office cautioned the fishermen not to venture into sea in the Odisha Coast.
Stating that the system was centered over Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand near latitude 24.00 N and longitude 87.40 E at 8.30 am on Thursday, the IMD said that the system is very likely to move west-northwestwards and weaken into a depression during the next 24 hours and further into a well marked low pressure area in the subsequent 24 hours.
Under its impact, Odisha is likely to experience rain or thunder shower at most places over north Odisha and many places over south Odisha during the next 24 hours.
“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over north Odisha and heavy rainfall at one or two places over districts of south Odisha during the next 24 hours,” it said.
Meanwhile, data available from the met office said that rainfall has occurred at most places over north Odisha and at many places over south Odisha.
Rainfall of 5 cm each were recorded at Boudhgarh (Boudh), Nawana (Mayurbhanj), Junagarh (Kalahandi), Rairakhol (Sambalpur) and Khariar (Nawapara). | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/imd-warns-of-very-heavy-rainfall-in-odisha/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/0f64d0d67c6371ef9918b1e0e44e290c20c488e0feebb9ce39a8a0fddf87dd7d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:08 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | An official said restrictions on assembly of four or more people also continued to remain force in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. | 34 days on, Kashmir remains caught between curfew and restrictions | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fthirty-four-days-on-kashmir-remains-caught-between-curfew-and-restrictions%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11kashmir3.jpg | en | null | 34 days on, Kashmir remains caught between curfew and restrictions | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 12:23 IST
Curfew in some parts and restrictions on the assembly of people continued for the 34th day on Thursday in KashmirValley where normal life remained disrupted.
Curfew continued to remain in force in parts of the summer capital Srinagar and Anantnag town, a police official said here.
“Curfew is in force in five police stations in downtown (interior) area of Srinagar city and Anantnag town in south Kashmir,” the official said.
He said curfew was also clamped in the town of Pampore on Thursday in view of the death anniversary of former chairman of Jammu and Kashmir People’s League Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who hailed from the Saffron-town.
The official said restrictions on assembly of four or more people also continued to remain force in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
Even as the official said the situation across Kashmir has showed signs of improvement since the beginning of this week, normal life remained affected in the Valley for the 34th consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and separatist sponsored strike.
Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads.
The attendance in government offices and banks was also thin, the official said.
However, most of the shops open after 6 pm on alternate days as the separatist groups have announced relaxation in their protest programme to allow people to buy essentials.
Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is also barred.
The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till Friday and as part of the protest programme had asked the people to march to the martyrs graveyard on Thursday to hold congregational prayers on the death anniversary of Aziz who was killed in 2008.
Violent protests have rocked Kashmir after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
As many as 55 persons, including two cops, were killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces.
Image: Police stand guard on the 34th day of curfew in Srinagar. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/thirty-four-days-on-kashmir-remains-caught-between-curfew-and-restrictions/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6b3b150e0d4f4ac2bb19cfc82782285d1bbcd265da441e9f17351cc87c19b4bb.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:30 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, said that the appointment of judges would go ahead irrespective of whether new Memorandum of Procedure was in place or not.
| CJI not happy with PM skipping issues of judiciary in I-Day speech | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcji-not-happy-with-pm-skipping-issues-of-judiciary-in-i-day-speech%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/nov/09modi-thakur.jpg | en | null | CJI not happy with PM skipping issues of judiciary in I-Day speech | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 00:23 IST
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur on Monday expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi not mentioning the problems faced by the judiciary in his speech on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, and said he was expecting some words about the judges' appointments.
“I think I have reached the peak of my career, so I don’t hesitate in saying what I feel. So, I should speak the truth which touches your hearts... We heard speeches by the popular prime minister, the Law Minister and was expecting something about justice and judges' appointments.
“Cases used to get decided within 10 years under British rule but even that is not happening now. The number of cases and people's expectation have risen so substantially that it is becoming difficult to achieve the objective now. That is why I have time and again requested the prime minister to pay attention towards this aspect," the CJI, who had recently made an emotional appeal to the PM in this regard at a function, said.
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, said that the appointment of judges would go ahead irrespective of whether new Memorandum of Procedure was in place or not.
Prasad said the absence of MoP would not come in the way of the appointment of judges to higher judiciary.
The Centre and the judiciary have been at loggerheads in recent times on finalisation of the Memorandum of Procedure which deals with the appointment of judges in high courts and the Supreme Court.
The collegium had questioned the Centre's right to reject its recommendation on grounds of national interest and had asked it to change certain other clauses.
The clause on the right to reject a recommendation on national interest is contrary to the current practice where the government is bound to accept a recommendation by the collegium, comprising the CJI and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, if it reiterates the same.
Recently, an apex-court bench headed by the CJI had given a stern message to the Centre over non-execution of the collegium's decision to transfer and appoint Chief Justices and judges in high courts and said that it would not tolerate ‘logjam in judges' appointment’ and would intervene to ‘fasten accountability’ as justice delivery system was ‘collapsing’.
In a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association on 70th Independence Day, the CJI said unemployment is a major challenge today and ‘freedom in real sense is freedom from unemployment and exploitation’.
“When we pay homage to our martyrs who lost lives for the sake of the country we should introspect and examine how much we have lived up to their ideals,” he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/cji-not-happy-with-pm-skipping-issues-of-judiciary-in-i-day-speech/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c69bdc544bcdff66b606f3d83e1d1a9958f7e5359c420b26cca6091ad698a81a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:04 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | The United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority, which is probing the incident, said the work was underway to recover the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, also known as 'black boxes', that will be analysed at its facility in Abu Dhabi. | Emirates flight crash landing remains a mystery | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Femirates-flight-crash-landing-remains-a-mystery%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04lead9.jpg | en | null | Emirates flight crash landing remains a mystery | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 22:41 IST
The cause of the crash landing of the Emirates' Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai flight on Wednesday with 300 people on board remains a mystery with no authentic word available even as reports suggested that the plane touched down without its landing gear out.
The United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority, which is probing the incident, said the work was underway to recover the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, also known as "black boxes", that will be analysed at its facility in Abu Dhabi.
It is expected that once the black boxes are recovered, the cause of the crash landing will become clearer.
According to reports, the Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300 which took off from Thiruvananthapuram was on final approach to Dubai's runway but attempted to go around from low height.
"The aircraft, however, did not climb, but after retracting the gear touched down on the runway and burst into flames... The aircraft burned down completely. A firefighter attending to the aircraft lost his life," the Aviation Herald reported.
However, the airline refused for a second day to provide details on what caused the crash and what the circumstances were immediately before it hit the ground.
They also declined to confirm whether the landing gear had been successfully deployed.
Meanwhile, the operations at the Dubai International Airport remained disrupted with delays and flight cancellations persisting. As many as 237 flights are reportedly cancelled due to the disruption.
"DXB (Dubai International's code) continues to operate with one runway with higher priority for arriving flights and wide-bodied aircraft to maximise the utilisation of available capacity and ease congestion inside the terminals," Dubai Airports said in a statement.
It expected operations to return to normal in two days.
"The airport is expected to be on recovery mode for the next 48 hours with efforts in full swing to clear the backlogged flights," it said.
The Dubai airport is the world's largest air hub in terms of international passengers, and is the base for Emirates, which serves more than 153 destinations.
Meanwhile, Emirates, in a statement on Thursday, said out of the 282 passengers on the flight EK521, 157 disembarked in Dubai and left the airport on Thursday afternoon.
Another 107 passengers opted to continue on their journeys and remained airside where they were provided with refreshments, rest areas, and other necessities, while Emirates rebooks them on the next possible flights, it said.
According to the airline, 13 passengers opted to stay a few days in Dubai before continuing on their journeys and Emirates has provided them with hotel accommodation and dedicated support.
Five 5 passengers were brought to local hospitals with minor injuries, it said adding that, "we have dedicated a staff liaison supporting their requirements. We will continue to extend all possible care to our affected customers."
Besides, Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has met with the crew members of the flight, who are all safe and accounted for, the airline said.
"One cabin crew member was hospitalised yesterday, but is in good condition and will be discharged from a local hospital today," the statement said.
According to Emirates, both the captain and the First Officer of the flight have over 7,000 hours of flying experience each.
"Emirates is fully collaborating with local authorities to determine the cause of the incident," it said.
"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our affected passengers, and ask for their continued understanding and patience as our teams work to restore operations back to normal," it said.
The statement also said that passengers holding tickets purchased on or before August 3, can rebook or cancel their bookings without any fee.
Photograph: Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/emirates-flight-crash-landing-remains-a-mystery/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/cd0af4fbad1c081e3a08b1f44290482f43186de24825749d633ec9ffc725ce05.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:34:14 | null | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | One militant was neutralised by the security forces. | 14 killed as Bodo militants attack Assam market | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fassam-kokrajhar-market-attack-civilians-killed%2F20160805.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/05kokrajhar1.jpg | en | null | 14 killed as Bodo militants attack Assam market | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 05, 2016 19:23 IST
IMAGE: Security personnel in action after terrorists armed with assault rifles and grenades attacked a market at Kokrajhar in Assam on Friday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Terror struck Assam on Friday when a group of heavily-armed militants, dressed in army fatigues and suspected of belonging to a Bodo separatist outfit, opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades at a crowded weekly market killing 14 people.
One of the attackers, who were believed to be about five in number, was killed in retaliatory action by security forces, police said.
The police said that a group of heavily-armed militants, wearing army fatigues, came to the crowded weekly Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 km from Kokrajhar, in a van around noon and fired indiscriminately killing 12 persons on the spot and injuring more than 20 others.
Two other persons succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital, it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack and said the Union Home Ministry is in touch with the Assam government.
‘Saddened by the attack in Kokrajhar. We strongly condemn it. Thoughts & prayers with the bereaved families & those injured,’ he tweeted.
‘The Home Ministry is in touch with the Assam Government & is monitoring the situation closely,’ Modi added.
The dead included a woman who was yet to be identified while six others have been identified as Mazhar Ali, Salam Ali, Danda Basumatary, Moniram Basumatary, Parmeswar Basumatary and Tapan Chakraborty.
Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songobjit and the operation was still continuing in the area. AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from the spot.
Manik Debnath, a 30-year-old shop-keeper who was a witness to the mayhem, said that about five militants, wearing army uniforms and covering their faces arrived in a van and fired continuously, which continued for 15 to 20 minutes.
“A grenade was also lobbed by the militants which set on fire eight shops and screaming people began to run helter-skelter in a bid to escape,” he said.
IMAGE: Security personnel carry out extensive area domination operations after the attack. Photograph: ANI
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal denounced the attack and said the militants would be dealt with ‘very sternly’.
Sonowal, who is in Delhi, said the militants would be dealt with ‘very sternly’, a statement from the Chief Minister Office said.
“We will not tolerate any threat from any group. The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups,” he said, adding all deputy commissioners and superintendents of police across the state have been directed to be on high-alert following the attack and in view of the Independence Day.
He announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the dead, Rs one lakh to the seriously injured and Rs 20,000 to those who sustained minor injuries in the attack.
Describing the incident as ‘very unfortunate’, Union minister of state for Home Kiren Rijiju said in New Delhi, “We have to ascertain who are exactly behind this dastardly act”.
He said, “Peace had returned to the Bodoland area and this incident has given us shock. We will ensure that the victims families are taken care of”.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed about the attack by National Security Advisor A K Doval.
Additional Director General of Police L R Bishnoi told reporters that a preliminary probe established that the attack was carried out by the NDFB-S.
“The mobile phone recovered from the slain militant, who is yet to be identified, contains the numbers of many top NDFB-S leaders and it establishes the outfit’s involvement in the attack though the investigation is on,” he said.
Bishnoi said the NDFB-S could have acted out of frustration as the security forces had stepped up their operation against the organisation recently.
“The Unified Command had also launched an operation in areas where senior leaders are suspected to be hiding and the attack may have been launched to divert the attention of the security forces,” he added.
The security forces recovered an AK-56 rifle, two magazines, a Chinese hand grenade, 49 rounds of ammunition, three bags and a mobile phone with two SIM cards from the spot.
He said 16 people were injured in the attack, which include two women and two children.
The chief minister said, “Ensuring protection to life and property of the people is the first and foremost duty of the government.”
He appealed to the people of the state to exercise restraint, and maintain peace and harmony.
Sonowal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh discussed the incident with him and have conveyed their deepest condolences to the family members of those killed in the attack.
Dipali Brahma, a housewife who had gone to the market to buy provisions, said there was chaos all around and it took them some time before they realised what was happening.
“The Army and the police reached the spot around 15 minutes later and both sides exchanged fire. We were terrified and tried to take shelter behind some shops,” she said.
Three fire-tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire and it took more than one hour to bring it under control.
Tension prevailed in the entire Kokrajhar district with all shops and business establishments closing their shutters and vehicles remaining off the road.
State Finance, Education and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that he was shocked at the barbaric violence and death of innocents. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/assam-kokrajhar-market-attack-civilians-killed/20160805.htm | en | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bec35d6372ded9c97fb09b5576588138b27d3753756882c710597c715ca6d6bf.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:53 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Pakistan to attend 7th conference of Internal Ministers of SAARC countries immediately on his return from Islamabad. | Rajnath briefs PM Modi on his Pakistan visit | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frajnath-briefs-pm-modi-on-his-pakistan-visit%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/mar/10rajnath3.jpg | en | null | Rajnath briefs PM Modi on his Pakistan visit | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 19:46 IST
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Pakistan to attend 7th conference of Internal Ministers of SAARC countries immediately on his return from Islamabad.
fficial sources said Singh rushed to meet Modi straight from the airport to "debrief" him about the events during his visit to Pakistan.
They said Singh informed the PM about the speech he made at the conference, his interactions on the sidelines with the leaders, and deliberations during the official sessions.
Singh arrived in New Delhi by a Border Security Force plane at around 4.30 pm and cancelled his scheduled press briefing at the airport to meet Modi, they said.
In Islamabad, Singh had delivered a stern speech asking Pakistan to stop encouraging terror groups and "glorification" of terrorists and also called for "strongest action" against nations supporting terrorism and their isolation.
Without mincing any words amid the strain in Indo-Pak relations, Singh said mere condemnation of terrorism and terrorists is not enough and that there are "no good terrorists or bad terrorists".
Singh's comments came against the backdrop of Sharif's praise of Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir on July 8 and his description of Hizbul Mujahideen commander as a martyr, much to India's ire. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rajnath-briefs-pm-modi-on-his-pakistan-visit/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/2c32d901f178d1768887b0f0ce666bdc8393ea548da389a9b473a41b3d1b7f4d.json |
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