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[] | 2016-08-26T13:15:58 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | Though the prime minister did not make any direct mention of these issues, he noted that nationalism has been the party's identity, sources said. | Modi reminds BJP cadre: Nationalism is our identity | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmodi-reminds-bjp-cadre-nationalism-is-our-identity%2F20160823.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/23modi1.jpg | en | null | Modi reminds BJP cadre: Nationalism is our identity | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 23, 2016 22:22 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that nationalism is the identity of Bharatiya Janata Party.
Addressing core groups of state BJP units, Modi said the week-long 'tiranga yatra' by Union ministers and party leaders to mark the 70th Independence Day had made a good impact across the country.
He also asserted that the 'yatra' played an important role in spreading the spirit of national unity, integrity and harmony at a time when forces against them are at work, according to Union minister Ananth Kumar.
The saffron party has harped on nationalism against the backdrop of ongoing Kashmir unrest, the row over an Amnesty event in Bengaluru in which a case of sedition was registered over alleged raising of 'pro-azadi' slogans by some Kashmiris and the JNU controversy.
Though the prime minister did not make any direct mention of these issues, he noted that nationalism has been the party's identity, sources said.
"We are continuously working for development but there are some elements who do not like it. They are trying to divert our and people's attention. We will have to inform the common man that our sole aim is nation building," a BJP statement later quoted him as saying.
Modi also asked party leaders to make conscious efforts to identify with and work for all sections of the society and asserted that his government was dedicated to the welfare of the poor.
Noting that the birth centenary year of Deendayal Upadhyay, a party ideologue, starts from September 25, he said his government would continue to come out with pro-poor schemes to realise his motto of 'antyodaya' (uplift of the last man).
The sources said Modi also asked BJP leaders to work constructively, noting that the way they worked when the party was in the opposition would have to change when it is in power.
Earlier, party chief Amit Shah stressed on the need of discipline and unity in his speech and said it has to expand geographically and across different sections of society.
Besides the core groups of state party units, top Union ministers were also present.
Modi said the party should work to connect with the poorest sections of the society and asked the core leadership of the states to pay attention to it.
He said BJP practised its politics on the strength of its organisation and it should strive to become a social power and not merely political power.
This is the first time the party has held a workshop of core groups of all its state units with Shah noting that the groups are the foundation stone of the organisation's working.
"We have to keep growing. It is necessary for this that the government and the party work in coordination, their work is reviewed with time and appropriate changes are made. The constitution of core groups in all states and their regular meeting can play an important role," the party president said.
They have to ensure that in the states where the party is in power, have corruption-free governments which also remain committed to its ideology, he said.
Nationalism did not bring you to power: Congress
The Congress party, in its reaction to the prime minister's remarks, said he has shifted the goal post as he was elected not because of nationalism but for the promises made to people that he never fulfilled.
The party also accused BJP of making no sacrifice for the country and said it "can never be trusted as a propogator or champion of nationalism".
"Narendra Modi's statement at the BJP core groups' meeting is one more act of political deception by a PM whose promise of 'acche din' and characteristic 'jumla style' (gimmickery) stands exposed before the nation.
"We want to remind Modiji that it was not nationalism that brought you to power. It was development, jobs, growth, good governance, promise of alleviating poor from poverty, eradication of inflation and bringing 'acche din' for all. The PM has conveniently forgetten these but people of India can see through his statement," Randeep Surjewala, AICC incharge of communication department, said.
He said those who had no sacrifice, participation and intent in creating the Indian nation "can never be trusted as propogators or champions of nationalism. The Modi establishment has converted India into a nation-state where liberal traditions are under serious assault and mockery of law is rampant".
Surjewala said after two years of Modi coming to power, inflation remains high, internal security compromised, foreign affairs directionless, unemployment rising manifold, economic growth stagnant and 15 lakhs in every account a "forgotten jumla".
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah addressing core groups of state BJP units in New Delhi. Photographs: BJP | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/modi-reminds-bjp-cadre-nationalism-is-our-identity/20160823.htm | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/dcbc8fb1b8907fcdee86f3eadf338f3e2a4d5fa3e49eb6f5a21fde3d5fe4b6a3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:03 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Czech police arrested a man after he attempted to drive his black Mercedes into the motorcade of visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Prague. | Assassination attempt on German chancellor foiled | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fassassination-attempt-on-german-chancellor-foiled%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2011/may/30slid1.jpg | en | null | Assassination attempt on German chancellor foiled | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 13:02 IST
An assassination attempt on German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reportedly been foiled in Prague.
Czech police arrested a man after he attempted to drive his black Mercedes into the motorcade of visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Prague.
The police said the suspect was in custody and that Merkel was not in danger.
Local reports claim that officers found a baton, a canister of tear gas, cement blocks, and handcuffs in the man’s black 4x4 Mercedes.
The chancellor was in Prague to meet Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.
She was travelling from the airport to the city when the suspicious vehicle appeared on the outskirts of the city,
The Mercedes driver is reported to have refused to obey orders coming from police cars accompanying the German chancellor.
He is alleged to have carried on trying to enter the motorcade and cut off a police vehicle that was trying to stop him.
The driver reportedly only stopped and got out of the vehicle after police warned him that they were going to shoot.
Merkel is meeting 15 other heads of state this week to create a new agenda after Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.
A series of demonstrations have greeted her in Prague, while demonstrators held posters saying “Merkel is killing Europe.” | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/assassination-attempt-on-german-chancellor-foiled/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ad95448b0f51ad7f0f1b9e9fb63c5ff9648771d8cf51e52d0f233c7b0cdf680d.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T06:51:36 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Iconic rights activist Irom Sharmila on the highs and lows of her long fast, why she gave it up and her plans. | 'I have become more fearless' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fthe-irom-sharmila-interview-i-have-become-more-fearless%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/15irom-sharmila4.jpg | en | null | 'I have become more fearless' | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 29, 2016 11:05 IST
'I will continue my fight against AFSPA, while seeking more interaction and engagement with the people of Manipur.'
'Those who agree with me can join me.'
'Those who do not agree with me, just release me.'
Iconic rights activist Irom Sharmila on the highs and lows of her long fast, why she gave it up and her future plans.
IMAGE: Irom Sharmila in her room at the special ward at the government-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Imphal. Photograph: Chitra Ahanthem.
On August 9, Irom Chanu Sharmila broke her nearly 16-year-old fast demanding the lifting of the Armed Forces (Special Provisions) Act in Manipur.
In the days that followed, the 44-year-old iconic rights activist, who also writes poetry, spoke to Rediff.com contributor and journalist Chitra Ahanthem, in her room at the special ward of the government-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Imphal.
They conversed in Manipuri, in between meetings with visitors, says Chitra "taking up from where we left (off)" after each interruption.
This is the hospital where Sharmila was first a prisoner and is now a patient. She has been shifted between to five different rooms at JNIMS during the intervening 16 years. Just prior to her fast Sharmila became vegan and does not even have milk.
Apart from fasting, there were several other symbolic acts she observed through these years. She didn’t look into a mirror and requested for the mirrors around her to be taken away. She would not comb her hair, except with her fingers at times. Or cut her nails.
Sharmila had stopped writing when she announced the end of her fast. But after her most recent court appearance August 23 she started to write again. While getting ready for this last appearance -- next is the argument phase run by her lawyers and only her presence is required -- she told Chitra she wanted to do a headstand and promptly went to the nurses’ station to do so, since her room had visitors.
Over the weekend the activist left the hospital and has moved to a yoga retreat center. When she has fully recovered she plans to travel around Manipur
In her interview to Rediff.com she spoke about the highs and lows of her long fast, why she gave it up and her plans.
What were the high points of your fast which began in November 2000?
(Smiles) During all these years, I have been grateful for the high points as they gave me the strength and inspiration to continue on my path.
The first: The Kangla protest by the 12 imas (mothers), the protests in Manipur and the media attention on Manipur led, soon after, to the handing back of Kangla to the people of Manipur by the then prime minister (Dr Manmohan Singh). That was very significant for the people of Manipur who had for long, been asking for the removal of the armed forces occupying our sacred space.
The second high point was a letter, written in barely discernible handwriting. It was dated October 2, 2009. I received it some time in November. I had no idea then that the person who wrote that letter would come to mean so much to me (smiles again).
I did not even know if the writer was a man or woman. But there was something deeply philosophical and hopeful about the letter that enveloped me with warmth.
What were the low points of your nearly 16-year-long fast?
When I read about the protest at Kangla (Manipur’s ancient capital in Imphal) by 12 of our imas following the brutal torture and death of Thangjam Manorama by personnel of the Assam Riffles, it deeply affected me.
The sight of their disrobed bodies standing against the might of the armed forces, who had till then been occupying Kangla, our symbol of political administration, sacred rites and rituals, moved me beyond words.
How could a democratic country reduce its women to being the prey of its soldiers, (so much so) that it led its women to dare them with their bodies?
How could they just pick up a woman (Thangjam Manorama) they alleged was the member of an armed outfit, in the dead of the night, and resort to their methods of torture?
How could they be judge and jury and deem Manorama as deserving of the fate they handed to her?
The Kangla protest shocked me and I felt immense respect for the 12 imas.
IMAGE: In 2009, Irom Sharmila being escorted by representatives of various Manipur civil society groups during her annual release. Photograph: Chitra Ahanthem.
What do you feel about the Manipuri people's expectations and how they did not want you to break your fast? You have sort of become a victim of your own image, because you are considered the face of the protest?
When I started my fast, in 2000, it was my sole decision. I had not even informed even my mother (Shakhi Devi). I just told her I needed to get her blessings for something important I wanted to do.
The expectations that a section of the (Manipuri) public has -- that I should continue my fast -- is flawed. They made me the only face of the fight against AFSPA.
They put me on a pedestal.
Made me an icon.
They forgot that I was human. That I had expectations.
All these years I waited for a mass movement, where people would join me in the fight against AFSPA. I did get solidarity messages and public (acknowledgement) every time I was released on an annual basis. but the momentum was not there. The solidarity was not enough.
The iconhood was thrust on me. It was never of my own making.
The decision to break my fast was partly influenced by my discomfort and discontent over this mantle that had been put on me.
I am human and have every right to take my own decisions. That's exactly what I have done
What did you miss most during your fast?
(Thinks for a while and then her eyes light up, a smile breaks out on her face) I missed my long solo cycle rides. I would go to the outskirts of Imphal, beyond the urban clutter. The sight of nature would enchant me. In fact, I often cycled to school, from the time I was 12 or 13 years old. Though at times I also walked with my siblings (she had nine) to school.
After I dropped out of school -- you see, I was really bad at studies (laughs) -- I knew I had to learn some skill to be self-reliant and not just depend on my mother. I ended up doing short-term courses in various fields... Be it journalism, tailoring, shorthand, speaking English; even an ayurvedic course. For all these courses I went on my own on my cycle.
I would attend public functions and discussions happening around Imphal, to learn and observe what was happening. I volunteered for various organisations.
IMAGE: Irom Sharmila in 2011 arriving at the chief judicial magistrate's court in Imphal, where she was produced every fortnight. Photograph: Chitra Ahanthem.
What do your remember about the days leading up to your fast?
November 2, 2000, I cycled from my home to Ghari (a village in Patsoi tehsil, Imphal West, 9 km away) for a meeting. It was attended by representatives of various civil society groups and youth organisations and was about organising a peace rally, that was to be held on November 11.
I was assigned the responsibility of meeting with other volunteers who would take part in the rally. That was when I heard the news about the Malom incident, in which 10 civilians were gunned down in firing by the armed forces (On November 2, 2000, in Malom, Imphal, an Assam Rifles team was marching on Tiddim Road, which connects Imphal with Myanmar, when a bomb exploded in front of them. In return, according to eyewitness accounts, the paramilitary troopers killed 10 people who were standing at a bus stop).
It struck me then that all our cries for peace were going unheeded.
The next day a students group announced a public curfew to protest the Malom firing. On November 4 I went to Khwairambandh market (the main market in Imphal) on my cycle to see how things were turning out. I only saw security personnel milling around.
I then went and made a round of visits to meet various people to co-ordinate the rally.
Even as I was doing this, I realised that there was a need to look at an alternative way of protest. Taking a stand for peace was important but not the usual rallies and protests.
I went home and bought two packets of local-made buns for Rs 10.
I decided they would be my last meal.
No one at home knew about my decision. I took part in the household chores as I normally did every other day.
November 5 I was again on my bicycle. I visited everyone with whom I was associated in my capacity as an intern or volunteer. I did not tell any of them I was going on a fast.
Finally at the meeting to discuss the rally, I announced I would be taking on a fast to call for the repeal of AFSPA. The meeting ended that very moment.
I was told I would have to announce the fast publicly as it was for the cause of the (people of) Manipur.
I was also told to seek the blessings of my mother (Shakhi Devi).
I ended up cycling back to my house. Then I went to Tera (Imphal West), where it was suggested that Malom would be a suitable venue for starting my fast. I sat below the rented premises of an office-bearer of an organisation for which I volunteered. The owner got angry. There was no one sitting near me and I was left alone. That night, the wife of the office-bearer gave me shelter.
The next morning, I went back to that venue to continue my fast.
By then people nearby had heard about the fast. Hundreds of people turned up to look at me curiously. They sneered at me. And commented that I was delusional. Eventually I turned my back and faced the wall.
The police then took me from there. I was taken to jail, where they put me on a saline drip. Because I refused to be force fed, they inserted a nasal tube. But I was fighting them off. In the scuffle, my nose and mouth started to bleed.
One month later, two married women also took up a fast against AFSPA. I was soon told by the jail authorities, and others, that their families would suffer if they continued. I was told that if I asked them to stop their fasts, that would be (an exercise) in face-saving for them and give them a way to pull out of the fast.
What do you feel your fast has achieved?
There have been many protests in Manipur and elsewhere against the imposition of AFSPA.
When I undertook my fast it was just one more person who had joined in the stream of protests. I had no idea that I would end up becoming the face of the AFSPA protest. I did not seek that for myself.
I did feel that my fast could lead to something tangible on the ground. That was not to be. The only small achievement (in connection) with my fast was that AFSPA was lifted from the Imphal municipality areas.
It is me who ended up as the one who benefitted from the fast... The long years have broadened my horizons.
I have become more fearless about my principles and steadfast in my decisions. All the long years have led me to adopt this change in my strategy in my fight against AFSPA.
What do you feel is next for you and how will you go about it?
I continue to be supported by friends and well-wishers on my road to physical recovery, while young people and other liberal sections of Manipur have come to meet and engage with me on what can and must be done for Manipur. I was only associated with the protest against AFSPA. But there are issues of justice, corruption and inequality that I feel we must all take a stand against.
I have decided to connect with people in Manipur, cutting across any distinctions of communities and religion.
What kind of political role are you exactly seeking?
My next step is to take part in the realisation of the full and true meaning of the democratic process.
We all say democracy is: of the people, for the people and by the people. In Manipur, the election landscape is such that only money power brings in the votes. That means in accepting cash for a vote, everyone has lost the right to register any complaint with the very government they have voted in.
I will be contesting as an independent candidate (elections to Manipur legislative assembly are likely to be held in early 2017). If there are others willing to join me in contesting elections, we can even start the process of forming a political party.
My interactions with first-time voters, students and other liberal individuals give me hope that we may well be starting off something that can bring about a positive change in the political landscape of Manipur.
Let us see how many people are willing for the change.
What does the young Indian need to know about Manipur?
The young Indians need to know Manipur was a sovereign kingdom and had to become a part of India.
The discussion on whether the people of Manipur consider themselves as part of India -- or not -- is a grey area. People here and indeed in the entire Northeastern region, continue to be hounded by security forces in their own homes, while they face racial discrimination and intense alienation when they go outside.
But the fact of the matter is that we are included in the entity called India. This means every person in Manipur needs to be accorded the status of citizenship, (in the manner) it is accorded to everyone in the rest of the country.
India cannot continue to tag us with ‘India’ and then treat us lesser than it treats other Indians.
What does the young Indian need to know about AFSPA?
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur and other Northeastern states, and indeed Jammu and Kashmir, gives total impunity to the central armed forces.
Under this act, anyone can be picked up, detained, interrogated (often with brutal torture), and executed extra-judicially. There is no accountability, no reasoning when the Act is imposed.
It has led to thousands being killed and their families coping with their loss without any semblance of justice. It has led to women being raped and sexually exploited, while the perpetrators go scot free.
I want every Indian, young and old to realise that the imposition of AFSPA is a mockery of the Indian Constitution that guarantees the right to life as a fundamental right.
What of your personal relationships, with your family, marriage and the future?
Over the years I was made the face of the protest against AFSPA. I ended up ceasing to be just a member of a family.
Also, the physical isolation I lived under, and the nature of life where everyone is busy with their own lives, meant that my family would only read about me.
More than this, I would say that all that has to be said about my family is already out there and I will not dwell on it further. For now, I want to focus on what lies ahead of me.
With regard to my personal life and marriage, I would like to keep them out of the public domain now. We will cross that bridge when we come to it (smiles).
IMAGE: Irom Sharmila meets well wishers at her hospital ward temporary home recently. Photograph: Chitra Ahanthem.
While you were on your long fast what did you do to pass time?
I found ways to keep myself busy. I read newspapers, I wrote poems and I would walk up and down the corridor even in the middle of the night.
Later when I started receiving books, I would read them. And also do puzzles. I got a 1,000-piece puzzle and it took me nine days to set up the final picture.
I also did yoga asanas which I learnt from a poster much before I started my fast. I would water the plants in my room and outside the special ward where I was kept.
(Points to the money plant kept on the space for ventilation along ceiling of her room) See that plant there? I water them by standing on a plastic chair on the plastic table there. Once the chair gave way. I was left hanging on the ventilation ledge above. I had to find a foothold somehow and escaped unhurt. When I told the medical staff, they told the security people. They scolded me like a naughty child (laughs) and said I would make them lose their jobs!
Is there anything that you would like to add about your current situation and the stand you have taken?
I want to say: Change is possible when we believe that we can.
A change in a good governance of equality, justice and transparency is possible when and if we are willing to be a part of it. I have extended my hands to reach out to people who are willing to work towards the change they desire.
In the nearly 16 years of the journey that I was earlier on, I faced extreme pressure, brought on by the expectations of people. I have somehow found the strength to take this stand.
I will continue my fight against AFSPA, while seeking more interaction and engagement with the people of Manipur.
Those who agree with me can join me.
Those who do not agree with me, just release me. | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/the-irom-sharmila-interview-i-have-become-more-fearless/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a6167c7bf8d08b8f44ff9786e9dea6b02ffab47134e5c724b8bf1a756a561e4d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:15:43 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | With Bihar battling floods despite receiving less than normal rains, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the Centre's intervention as he insisted that desilting the river Ganga is the only solution to avoid the almost annual occurrence of floods.
| Feel like 'crying' at Ganga's condition in Bihar, Nitish tells PM | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ffeel-like-crying-at-ganga-condition-in-bihar-nitish-tells-pm%2F20160823.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/23lead1.jpg | en | null | Feel like 'crying' at Ganga's condition in Bihar, Nitish tells PM | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 23, 2016 16:15 IST
With Bihar battling floods despite receiving less than normal rains, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the Centre's intervention as he insisted that desilting the river Ganga is the only solution to avoid the almost annual occurrence of floods.
Modi offered assurance to him, saying immediate and positive action will be taken on his demands, including formulating a national silt management policy, Kumar told media persons after meeting the Prime Minister.
He also linked the Modi government's ambitious Namami Gange project with better silt management in Bihar, saying if attention is not paid to the situation, then it will also put a question mark on the programme's success as he feels like "crying" at the condition of Ganga in the state.
"The very serious condition that we see today never occurred earlier. The only way to get rid of this is desiltation. There is a need for national silt management policy," he said.
He urged Modi to send a team of experts to assess the "unprecedented" situation in the eastern state while noting that it is the best time to evaluate the conditions there.
"The prime minister assured me that experts will be sent and a decision on this subject should be taken soon. Immediate and positive action will have to be taken," he said.
The chief minister expressed concern that the situation can only worsen if it is not dealt with effectively and the state will have to face more severe consequences in the coming years.
Though Bihar has received 14 per cent less rains than normal during the monsoons, large parts of the state have been flooded due to high rain fall in Nepal besides states like Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, leading to huge discharge of water into rivers passing through it.
Kumar also appeared to blame Farakka barrage for the situation. He has earlier held it responsible for increasing siltage in the Ganga river basin.
Due to silt, Ganga could not store the amount of water it used to earlier, leading to flood-like condition despite not receiving proportionate amount of rain fall, he said.
IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspecting flood affected areas by a helicopter. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/feel-like-crying-at-ganga-condition-in-bihar-nitish-tells-pm/20160823.htm | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e8c5f9e5d9e5c1d7091d080e27eefe4b9e7d2cb604c3cb8f695173ba5cc98f2c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:14:37 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | The leaked documents include details of submarine's underwater sensors, above-water sensors, combat management system, torpedo launch system and specifications, communications system and navigation systems. | Secret data on India's Scorpene submarines LEAKED! | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsecret-data-about-indias-scorpene-submarines-leaked%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/24scorpene1.jpg | en | null | Secret data on India's Scorpene submarines LEAKED! | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 24, 2016 21:58 IST
More than 22,000 pages of top secret data on the capabilities of six highly advanced submarines being built for the Indian Navy in Mumbai in collaboration with a French company have been leaked, ringing alarm bells on Wednesday in the security establishment.
IMAGE: Employees stand around the Indian Navy’s first Scorpene submarine before being undocked from Mazagon Docks Ltd, a naval vessel ship building yard, in Mumbai April 6, 2015. Photograph: Reuters
The combat capability of the Scorpene submarines being built at Mazagon dock at a cost of $3.5 billion (over Rs 23,495 core) by French shipbuilder DCNS, went public when an Australian newspaper, "The Australian", put the details on the website.
Reacting with alacrity to the development, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who learnt about the leak at midnight, ordered Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lamba to go into the 'entire issue". A detailed report is also being sought by the Indian government from DCNS.
"What I understand is there is a hacking. So we will find out all this," Parrikar told media persons in Delhi.
The details leaked included what frequencies the submarines gather intelligence at, what levels of noise they make at various speeds and their diving depths, range and endurance — all sensitive information that is highly classified, the Australian said.
It said that 'Marked "Restricted Scorpene India", the DCNS documentsdetail the most sensitive combat capabilities of India’s submarine fleet and would provide an intelligence bonanza if obtained by India’s strategic rivals, such as Pakistan or China.'
Navy sources said the leak of data "was a matter of serious concern" but added that the document was dated and the Indian submarine had undergone "many changes" from the initial design the details of which have been leaked.
Terming the leak of classified documents as a "serious matter", DCNS, a French defence major, said in a statement that the issue is being thoroughly investigated by the French national authorities for defence security.
"This investigation will determine the exact nature of the leaked documents, the potential damages to DCNS customers as well as the responsibilities for this leakage," a statement by DCNS headquarters in Paris said.
DCNS had earlier implied that the leak might have occurred at India's end, rather than from France.
"Multiple and independent controls exist within DCNS to prevent unauthorised access to data and all data movements are encrypted and recorded. In the case of India, where a DCNS design is built by a local company, DCNS is the provider and not the controller of technical data," the company said.
The Australian has been told that the data on the Scorpene was written in France for India in 2011 and is suspected of being removed from France in that same year by a former French Navy officer who was at that time a DCNS subcontractor.
"The data is then believed to have been taken to a company in Southeast Asia, possibly to assist in a commercial venture for a regional navy. It was subsequently passed by a third party to a second company in the region before being sent on a data disk by regular mail to a company in Australia.
"It is unclear how widely the data has been shared in Asia or whether it has been obtained by foreign intelligence agencies," it said.
Defence analyst Commodore Uday Bhaskar (Retd), Director of Society of Policy Studies, said if the veracity of the documents is proved then it definitely compromises the Indian platform. "This is so because the leakage of so much technical details compromises the submarines capability to stay undetected."
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
France says it will cooperate with India
France said it has taken "very seriously" the issue of leak of sensitive documents and would work with India very closely with transparency.
As the Scorpene data leak report broke out shaking the Indian defence establishment, French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler said here French authorities were trying to assess the extent, nature and sensitivity of information that may have been leaked.
"Well, I have seen the report in the press. What can I tell you is that the French authorities are taking the matter very very seriously and working very seriously with DCNS, the French ship building company," he told reporters at an event organised at Alliance Francaise in New Delhi.
"We (French authorities) are trying to asses the extent; the nature; the sensitivity of information that may have been leaked, and we will do work in this... in very very close cooperation (and) with full transparency with Indian authorities," Ziegler said.
The data tells the submarine crew where on the boat they can speak safely to avoid detection by the enemy. It also discloses magnetic, electromagnetic and infra-red data as well as the specifications of the submarine’s torpedo launch system and the combat system, it said.
It details the speed and conditions needed for using the periscope, the noise specifications of the propeller and the radiated noise levels that occur when the submarine surfaces.
The data, accessed by the paper, includes 4457 pages on the submarine's underwater sensors, 4209 pages on its above-water sensors, 4301 pages on its combat management system, 493 pages on its torpedo launch system and specifications, 6841 pages on the sub's communications system and 2138 on its navigation systems.
Indian Navy's Scorpene submarine INS Kalvari is escorted by tugboats as it arrives at Mazagon Docks Ltd, a naval vessel ship building yard, in Mumbai, India. Photograph: Reuters
Scorpene submarine project leak "scandalous": Congress
Terming as "scandalous" the Scorpene submarine project leak, Congress demanded a complete security audit of the defence ministry by a sitting Supreme Court judge even as it accused Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar of launching an "operation cover-up".
The audit could be in the form of a commission of inquiry and should fix responsibility of the political executive, including that of the Defence Minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters.
Insisting that the inquiry should probe the defence minister and the defence ministry to see whether they had abdicated their responsibility, he said the leak has put a question mark on India's maritime security.
Dubbing it as the "biggest defence disaster" of recent time, he said it has jeopardised the sole initiative to build six Scorpene submarines in collaboration with French company DCNS by government-owned Mazagaon Dock Ship Builders Ltd at Mumbai.
"Despite the 'Himalayan blunder' that has deeply hurt India's defence preparedness, the Modi government/Defence Minister are indulging in 'operation cover-up' instead of fixing responsibility," he alleged.
Surjewala claimed that all concerned, including the defence minister and Indian Navy, are speaking in contradictory voices.
While Parrikar continues to describe the leaks as "hacking", the navy states that the "source of leaks is overseas and not in India", he said.
French Company DCNS has clearly hinted that leak may have taken place in India, he said.
With a coastline of 7517 kilometres to defend with merely 13 submarines and one nuclear submarine, the government appears to be living in denial, he said.
"It is in fact intriguing as to how 'clean chits' are being meted out without conducting a proper inquiry. For such an inquiry to be fair, it has to be headed by an independent neutral authority of the level of a sitting Supreme Court judge with officials from the armed forces, naval and Military Intelligence, IB or other specialised agencies as its
members," he said.
Surjewala contended that this is an "alarming" situation that requires a complete 'security audit' of Mazagaon Dock Ship Builders Limited as also of the Defence Ministry. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/secret-data-about-indias-scorpene-submarines-leaked/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bdb16cbc3245a56929d05978193a5690c9677c996e46bfc4785beb8e33e867a4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:06:37 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Srinagar like any other part of Kashmir is witnessing the longest spell of curfew since July 8 when unrest broke out in the Valley. | In Kashmir, it's easier to go past security than youngsters with sticks and Molotovs | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fin-kashmir-its-easier-to-go-past-security-than-youngsters-with-sticks-and-molotovs%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26curfew02.jpg | en | null | In Kashmir, it's easier to go past security than youngsters with sticks and Molotovs | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 18:01 IST
"Bhago yahan se" (go away from here)--a voice suddenly booms from a dark corner of a street in curfew-bound Srinagar as dusk falls.
This is the voice of a para-military personnel behind a concertina wire who tries to prevent movement of people on the main road in Srinagar and is unwilling to listen to anyone even if one is carrying a curfew pass or has some emergency.
IMAGE: A security jawan checks identity card of a scooterist during curfew in Srinagar. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI
Srinagar like any other part of Kashmir is witnessing the longest spell of curfew since July 8 when unrest broke out in the Valley.
"This has become a daily routine. To walk just across the chowk, which is only 500 metres away, I have to take a detour of nearly two kilometres through narrow lanes and by-lanes to reach my aunt's place," says Mushtaq Mir, a resident of Rainawari locality in downtown city.
Mir is carrying some medicines for his aunt who has been suffering from age-related ailments.
Changing his path, Mir, accompanied by his wife, finally chose another route to reach his destination but not before a group of young boys try to block his way as he was sneaking from by-lanes.
Armed with 'lathis', stones and bottles filled with petrol and kerosene, youngsters will soon inquire every single detail from you and verify everything before letting you go, he said.
IMAGE: Security jawans guard a deserted road in Srinagar. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI
"The security forces at least give you a chance to retreat while with youngsters that option is also not available and you are allowed to cross only after every detail has been verified," says his wife.
This broadly is the experience of an average Kashmiri in the Valley today who is caught between security forces and agitating youths with no end to this misery in sight.
Many such harrowing experiences of anguished residents were shared with a PTI correspondent on a quick round of the city.
"We are not inhuman but we have to act tough as a preventive measure. In case of a medical emergency, we take care and ensure that the patient reaches the hospital," says a middle-rung paramilitary officer deployed at Rainawari chowk, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The officer reasoned out that in case his men showed leniency "we will see the crowd swelling within no time resulting in clashes and at times in injuries or death. So what's the harm in taking precautions?"
While life has come to a standstill on the main roads, there is activity in narrow lanes and by-lanes. People are seen busy discussing politics at corner meetings and watching every stranger with suspicion.
IMAGE: A security jawan stands guard during curfew in Srinagar. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI
In Nowpora, a stranger to the locality was being questioned by a group of youth. The man, whose face had turned red due to 'civil interrogation', was frantically looking for his identity card and hospital papers.
His father was admitted to a private hospital in the adjacent Khayam chowk and he had to rush there because of medical emergency.
After proving his identity and the urgency, the bunch of youths, who had virtually seized his scooty for a fun ride, took him to a place from where the deployment of security forces was visible.
"I had to hurl stones at the Central Reserve Police Force camp after which I was allowed to go," he said.
"But are there any takers in the state or central government," asks Inam-ul-haq, a resident of Nowhatta area, who believes that very soon his savings will end.
"I don't know what to do thereafter. My business will also not pick up immediately even if the situation starts getting better," Haq, who runs a travel agency, said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/in-kashmir-its-easier-to-go-past-security-than-youngsters-with-sticks-and-molotovs/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4ddf4813c6a406c35feab08c5379e8113de709b66114760b977017048034b9d1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:36 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | 'It was a formal courtesy call, nothing else,' an official said. | Rajnath meets Pak PM, just exchanges pleasantries: Officials | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frajnath-meets-pak-pm%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04saarc02.jpg | en | null | Rajnath meets Pak PM, just exchanges pleasantries: Officials | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 04, 2016 13:46 IST
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is in Islamabad to participate in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ministerial conference, on Thursday along with his counterparts from the member countries called on Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Singh was part of the joint delegation of the Interior/Home Ministers of SAARC nations when they called on the Pakistani prime minister at his office.
"It was a formal courtesy call, nothing else," an official said.
The Interior/Home Ministers' of SAARC nations were with Sharif for about 20 minutes during which only pleasantries were exchanged, the official said, adding nothing formal was discussed.
Sharif's meeting with a senior Indian functionary came amidst the ongoing strain in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan following the killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen 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.
The decision of Singh joining the Interior/Home Ministers in the courtesy call of Sharif was taken after several rounds of consultations among top officials of ministries of home, external affairs and prime minister's office on Wednesday.
The eight-member SAARC grouping comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Image: Rajnath Singh with his counterparts from SAARC nations called on Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad. Photograph: @pmln_org/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rajnath-meets-pak-pm/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/60c8ae7432bcc846d27a4e676ae5c0f729d0a07cc0ca47d9df24fd634ea7fedf.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:34:38 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | Raising the Kashmir issue at the SAARC meeting, Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday alleged that the violence being committed in Kashmir is 'open terrorism'. | Pak at SAARC: Violence in Kashmir is open terrorism | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpak-provokes-india-at-saarc-says-violence-in-kashmir-is-open-terrorism%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04lead8.jpg | en | null | Pak at SAARC: Violence in Kashmir is open terrorism | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 04, 2016 22:34 IST
Raising the Kashmir issue at the SAARC meeting, Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday alleged that the violence being committed in Kashmir is "open terrorism".
Addressing the one-day Interior/Home Ministers Conference of SAARC countries in Islamabad, Khan equated the use of force by Indian security forces with "terrorism".
There is a difference between fighting for freedom and terrorism, he was quoted as saying by local media.
"The violence being committed against the innocent people" of Kashmir is "open terrorism", he said, speaking extempore.
Local media reports said that it seemed Khan decided to ignore the written notes in order to respond to the speech of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who without naming Pakistan lambasted it for supporting terrorism.
The Express News reported that Khan left his seat of the speaker to address all issues point by point raised by the home ministers of the member countries.
"We have always wished to work in close cooperation with all our neighbours and we believe all pending issues can be addressed through dialogue," he said.
Khan said Pakistan suffered heavy losses in the fight against terrorism and the country condemned every single incident of terror which claimed innocent lives.
The SAARC group includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Later, while addressing a media briefing, Khan said he responded to Singh's speech at the SAARC conference to "put the record straight" on the issue of terrorism.
"I had to respond, though I would have avoided after elected as chairman to run the proceedings," Khan said.
"When someone tries to cast aspersions on Pakistan, then it becomes necessary to clarify our stance and position," he said.
Khan said Rajnath had not named Pakistan but his intentions and target was clear.
"I said that not only terrorist attacks in Dhaka, Mumbai and Pathankot should be condemned but also those committed in Peshawar, Karachi and Lahore," he said.
"I also said that there is blatant foreign intervention in Pakistan across from the borders but we do not raise a storm," he said.
Khan said he offered that instead of blaming each other, it was better to sit together for talks over differences and other issues.
He also said that the meeting of SAARC ministers was successful and all agenda items were discussed. Khan said the next meeting would be held in Sri Lanka in 2017.
A statement issued by Pakistan's Interior Ministry said, "Khan called on regional countries to differentiate between terrorism and freedom movements sanctified by the UN Security Council."
"The Interior Minister highlighted that Pakistan itself has been the biggest victim of terrorism and instead of engaging in a blame game and taking swipes at each other we should take time out to reflect and sit down together and try to work out the problems and reservations which we might have towards each other," the statement said.
"He (Khan) maintained that Pakistan is ready to engage in any dialogue process based on mutual respect and dignity. It is for those who put conditions and sub conditions for initiating dialogue to reconsider and realign their positions. He said, that unlike mentioned by India, terrorist activities are not only restricted to India, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh. Scores of terror incidents taking place in Pakistan are equally condemnable if not more," it said.
Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pak-provokes-india-at-saarc-says-violence-in-kashmir-is-open-terrorism/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/2f5ae326ef7bffa9d86cd5b6710315f79468355eb607b5254f98df8910cdc40a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:23 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | Following passage of the Constitution Bill, 2014, Dass and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who introduced it in the House, exchanged sweets. | Assam becomes 1st state to ratify GST bill | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fassam-becomes-1st-state-to-ratify-gst-bill%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/may/19sonowal.jpg | en | null | Assam becomes 1st state to ratify GST bill | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 12, 2016 15:13 IST
The Assam assembly unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on Goods and Services Tax on Friday, becoming the first state to ratify the crucial tax reform legislation.
"I declare the bill, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament, to be ratified unanimously by Assam Assembly," Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass announced in the House.
Although the Congress party and the All India United Democratic Front MLAs supported the bill, they had earlier sought a discussion in the assembly to evaluate its impact on Assam and the people. But they were turned down by the Speaker.
Following passage of the Constitution Bill, 2014, Dass and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who introduced it in the House, exchanged sweets.
Sarma said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal wanted that Assam becomes the first state to pass the amendment as this would send a positive signal to the industry.
"We have always lagged behind, but want to be the first in passing this bill. This is a historic proposal. I thank the Speaker for allowing us to introduce it today after we informed him just last night," said Sarma, who introduced the bill on behalf of the chief minister.
Sarma said after Brazil and Canada, India will be the third country in the world to collect GST by both centre and state through a new body -- the GST council.
The GST Bill, seen as single biggest tax reform in a long time, needs to be ratified by at least 15 state legislatures before the President can notify the GST Council which will decide the new tax rate and other issues.
The government has set a deadline of April, 2017 for its rollout.
Sarma said in the House that "of the central GST portion, 42 per cent tax will be given back to the state again."
The GST will also have a special concession option for NE and Himalayan states if they request reduction of taxes for any reason, he claimed.
"Besides, we can also collect special tax during natural calamities like flood if we feel the need to generate more revenue. But everything will have to be approved by the GSTC," he added. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/assam-becomes-1st-state-to-ratify-gst-bill/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/51823561560d3eb01ad7d4e40517ea64275fd3bbb812157122ee40504b90efe9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:29 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | 'Consider this image of today's youth in Bihar -- armed with a bike, a smartphone and possibly some illegal arms too, imbibing incessant stream of images from the Internet and television.'
'Some of them would turn into gau bhakts, some would listen with interest the exploits of Salafism, dig deep into the Internet to come out with images which cry vociferously that their respective religions are in danger.'
| The scary messages from the Saran riots | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Fthe-scary-messages-from-the-saran-riots%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16saran-violence.jpg | en | null | The scary messages from the Saran riots | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 13:10 IST
IMAGE: A shop set on fire in Chhapra, Bihar, in the violence.
'Consider this image of today's youth in Bihar -- armed with a bike, a smartphone and possibly some illegal arms too, imbibing incessant stream of images from the Internet and television.'
'Some of them would turn into gau bhakts, some would listen with interest the exploits of Salafism, dig deep into the Internet to come out with images which cry vociferously that their respective religions are in danger,' says Mohammad Sajjad.
On the afternoon of August 5, reports started coming in that Bajrang Dal activists had looted and burnt shops owned by Muslims in Chhapra, the district headquarters of Saran in north Bihar. One of the shops was owned by Balaghul Mobin of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, a part of the dominant ruling alliance in the state.
When the local police was unable to control the violence, the state administration brought in its more competent and credible officer, Kundan Krishnan.
The immediate provocation for the communal violence was this: A young Muslim, Mohammed Mubarak, of village Maker (20 km north of Chhapra, and bordering on the Saraiya thana area of Muzaffarpur), allegedly circulated an objectionable video on WhatsApp.
Though Mubarak was eventually arrested by the police from Kalyan in Maharashtra, the local police delayed taking action against him on August 5 even after villagers informed them about the video.
The allegations of police complicity with the rioters in Chhapra are based on the fact that when Muslim-owned shops were being looted and burnt, the police remained a mute spectator.
The police station is less than 50 metres away from where the violence took place. There were reports that Bajrang Dal activists came out on the streets and announced a bandh in the town. Police vehicles were damaged and Krishnan was attacked. Following which the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Rapid Action Force were deployed.
IMAGE: Election Day, 2009. Chhapra.
Saran district has been known for Yadav electoral dominance even before Lalu Yadav emerged as a political hegemon in 1990. The late Ram Jaipal Singh Yadav used to be a minister in the early 1970s and was elected several times from Sonepur in the 1960s and 1970s.
Another Yadav, Darogha Rai, was Bihar's chief minister (February to December 1970). His son Chandrika Yadav represents Parsa, one of the Saran assembly seats. This dominance is aptly reflected in naming of the long bridge on the Rewa Ghat of the Gandak after Darogha Rai.
Since Independence, Muslims in the assembly segments of Saran district used to be mere voters with almost no assertion for political power. Till 1946, the Muslims of Chhapra town had considerable presence in education, employment and trade.
In recent times, Salim Parvez has emerged as an important Janata Dal-United leader in the district and was pitted against Rabri Devi in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014.
The Saran division (comprising the districts of Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj) borders Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh. The Bajrang Dal's current chief, Rajesh Pandey, belongs to Deoria. Pandey was earlier the media manager for Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow during the elections.
IMAGE: Mohammad Shahabuddin, the dreaded gangster and former Siwan MP, right, with Laloo Yadav, left
In the midst of the competitive communalism of the 1980s (Shah Bano versus Ram Janambhoomi) and the emergence of the gangster-legislator Mohammed Shahabuddin in the 1990s, came the rise of Lalu Yadav in the 1990s. The last two developments escalated the aspiration levels of a section of Muslim youth.
The story is not much different with other social groups. Munna Shukla has his sway across Muzaffarpur and Vaishali, and he is a role model of sorts for a section of Bhumihar youth.
The same goes with Suraj Bhan and Anant Singh in the Mokama-Barh belt of central Bihar. Anand Mohan Singh is similarly lionised by Rajput youth. Pappu Yadav is another icon for the youth of his community.
That is how the people of Bihar and eastern UP have been living under the shadows of gangsters-cum-legislators-cum caste heroes for many decades.
The process of the criminal turned caste/community hero attained greater salience in the 1980s. An astute observer of Bihar, Arvind N Das (1948 to 2000) had this to say in his seminal The Republic of Bihar:
'The state has been carved out into zones of influence of local 'leaders,' mostly with daunting criminal records. Many of them are MLAs; some are ministers. From Mohammed Sulaiman's territory in Kishanganj through Pappu Yadav's domain in Purnea-Madhepura, one can cross Bihar by passing through Anand Mohan Singh's area and then into the realm of Raghunath Pandey (Muzaffarpur), and 'Samrat' Ashok and further into the Gopalganj belt of Salaluddin and the wild west of Champaran. Alternatively, one can go through, Makhi Paswan's Khagaria, Kailu Yadav's region, into the Dularchand tal and then through Dilip Singh's land and on to the lawless Kaimur ranges crossing the realm of Surendra Yadav.'
IMAGE: Arson in Chhapra, August 6, 2016. Photograph: PTI Photo
As an insider, I have observed that at the local level, these ambitious, criminally oriented youth of various castes and communities operate as syndicates and cooperatives, and as suppliers and traffickers of illegal arms.
They are frequent visitors to the police thanas and block development offices. They act as fixers and brokers in such establishments. No state functionary knows them better than the local police and the deputy collectors of the Bihar administrative services serving as BDOs.
Even then the higher state functionaries in the police and the administration either remain woefully ignorant (or feign to be so) about these characters. Their crimes often remain unreported. These characters also act as huge resource persons for the bigger gangsters turned legislators. They act as informers and as henchmen, besides indulging in vehicle-snatching and kidnapping for ransom.
The investigative media and the police should look more closely at the instance if Bihar and its society really want to prepare an effective mechanism of combating this deadly cocktail of crime and communalism, all for political gains.
The police and media need to similarly expose the social base of the Bajrang Dal as to which kind of unemployed youth form the backbone of such organisations. In the case of Saran, there are some indications that new rural elites, specifically Yadavs, have joined the Bajrang Dal in good numbers.
It is clear from the police version that Mubarak had criminal antecedents and he was operating as part a group and not as a solo performer. The hand that seems to have guided Mubarak ought to be identified.
A friend who served in the rural administration in Bihar commented on the Saran violence in the following words:
"What bothers me is the utter lumpenisation of the grassroots. A riot or communal tension here or a caste wrangle there could well be the result of failed political ambitions at the level of the panchayat elections," the friend said.
"Their desirability apart, they invariably manage to churn elemental passions which float in the atmosphere after the elections are over," he added.
"Add to this a disturbingly typical image of today's youth in Bihar -- armed with a bike, a smartphone and possibly some illegal arms too, most probably unemployed or semi-employed, imbibing incessant stream of images from the Internet and television, at the edge of the urban economy, averse to do what his parents are unable to find/provide -- a job in the metropolis that could support this daydreams; he would remain split between his desired self-image and his run-down existence."
"This split would find manifestations in his attempts to contrive a meaning for his largely meaningless life. Some of them would turn into gau bhakts, some would listen with interest the exploits of Salafism, dig deep into the subterrannean recesses of the Internet to come out with images which cry vociferously that their respective religions are in danger."
"They decide that some excitement is long overdue. The rest is done by the Internet. Mayhem, murder massacre follow.'
IMAGE: A 2014 scene from Chhapra, whose MP is the Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajiv Pratap Rudy, India's minister of state for skill development.
Bihar society is undergoing a disturbing flux. These hoodlums, on being elected to panchayats, make money and have luxury houses in the towns, without the scanner of the income tax department.
Some others would raise funds for constructing/renovating masjids and mandirs and in order to assert their respective identities they will go for the tallest possible minars, and the costliest possible marble in the masjids, besides eventually becoming Hajis.
Quite often they are the brick manufacturers as well. This is how these panchayat functionaries raise money, as they would frankly admit, to purchase, symbols of winning political parties at the time of assembly elections, and eventually aspiring to enter Parliament.
Saran does not have any noticeable industries nor does it have rich agriculture, as no effective irrigation system has there been in place despite the Gandak river. Lalu Yadav's promise of a rail coach factory is a recent development, growing into a reality, rather too reluctantly.
Maker is close to the historic village of Vaishali which is yet to figure on the rail map despite its promises of a tourism economy. The low-lying water logged lands (chaur) offer little hope for farmers.
The Hindu upper caste landed elites (more particularly the Rajputs and the Bhumihars) secured public employment by opening up degree colleges in the early decades of Independence, which were subsequently taken over by the government.
The district may have poor literacy, but even its rural areas have many government degree colleges, including one at Amnour, the ancestral village of Rajiv Pratap Rudy, close to the village of Maker.
Rudy, the Union minister for skill development, is Chhapra's incumbent MP.
While assessing his ministry's accomplishments would be too early, it can perhaps be metaphorically said that sections of people from his constituency have been developing the skills of crime and violence.
The MP has preferred to remain silent on the latest violence in his constituency.
IMAGE: The rail wheel factory is a project initiated when Lalu Yadav was railway minister. Production is yet to commence.
Highly placed officers, overburdened with administrative tasks, may not have much time to look into the history of the region they serve. Probably because of this, Kundan Krishnan, said that Saran is known for communal harmony.
One of the first major communal riots was the Basantpur, Siwan, riots of 1893. Anand A Yang, who has studied Saran's history, demonstrates how the cow vigilantes, using the communication networks of the people's gatherings of weekly markets (haats) mobilised the majority community to chastise putative beef eaters. Large scale killings were carried out in Basantpur.
Again, in October 1946, Saran found itself in the fire of communal violence on a very big scale, when 'anti-Noakhali Day' was observed on October 25, 1946. Incidentally, the violence on August 6, 2016 started from the same Karimchak mohalla of Chhapra, from where the October 1946 riots had started.
In my book Contesting Colonialism and Separatism (2014), I have cited evidence to narrate how villages after villages of Saran (such as Khodaibagh, Rasulpur, Jalalpur, Olhanpur, Nagra, Katendar, Paighambarpur) had to be vacated by the Muslims. Even the then collector of Chhapra was accused of having abetted the riots, along leaders of the local Congress and of the Muslim League on different sides.
After Independence, in some of these villages, graves of the victims came to be declared as 'worshippable' ones. Hindus of these villages still continue to revere some such Muslim graves. Is it because of the contrition and remorse about the 'collective guilt' committed in 1946? This is a question awaiting academic exploration in rural Saran suggests a friend who taught political science in a Chhapra college.
Subsequent to the October 1946 riots, when Mahatma Gandhi visited the affected areas in March 1947, Pyarelal, in his Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase, reports that many Congressmen came and confessed before Gandhi their involvement in the killings. But that was Gandhi.
We now live in an age when adoring Nathuram Godse, Gandhi's murderer, is becoming the dominant political ideology.
IMAGE: A 2014 scene from Chhapra, whose MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy has been silent on the recent riots.
If we wish to ensure sustainable peace, the criminal justice system needs to become much effective. Sadly, this is an aspect on which Indian democracy has almost wilfully failed quite miserably.
Even the Lalu-Rabri regime (1990 to 2005), which earns so many laurels on the count of having controlled communal riots rather firmly was found equally disappointing in terms of bringing the rioters of Bhagalpur (1989), Sitamarhi-Riga (1992) to book.
Besides, the economic factors of growing social tension need to be addressed. This deadly cocktail of crime and communalisation needs serious comprehensive attention. A massive police crackdown on the mohalla hoodlums is the urgent need.
In the recent riots in Saran and Tirhut, there is a pattern wherein the immediate flashpoint has been some misdeeds of the hoodlums provoking communal violence wherein the hoodlums have resorted to looting and arson, arriving in large numbers on motorbikes which demonstrate that these riots have been pre-planned.
Yet, the local police and intelligence claimed to have been caught unawares. These hoodlums have been reported to be getting political patronage. This possibility may not be ruled out even in the case of the recent Saran violence as well.
Mohammad Sajjad is Associate Professor, Centre of Advanced Study in History, Aligarh Muslim University. | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-scary-messages-from-the-saran-riots/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ee079e0ab7aef78244f1394a8670bd87926897d3824efba28121de2030eef146.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:13 | null | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | Swarup also asserted that there was 'full coordination' between home ministry and the ministry of external affairs on Rajnath's Islamabad visit. | India's views on terror successfully put across at SAARC meet, says Swarup | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Findias-views-on-terror-successfully-put-across-at-saarc-meet%2F20160805.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/29lead7.jpg | en | null | India's views on terror successfully put across at SAARC meet, says Swarup | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 05, 2016 22:55 IST
India was "successful" in putting across its views on terrorism and drug trafficking at the SAARC ministerial meet in Islamabad yesterday which was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the external affairs ministry said on Friday.
Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup also hit out at Pakistan, saying its "restrictive approach" of not issuing visas to journalists to cover Rajnath's visit is not helpful in promoting close ties between SAARC countries.
Asked if India thinks home minister's visit to Islamabad was successful given the chill in Indo-Pak ties, Swarup said this was a multilateral event during which there are important issues to discuss and deliberate upon including cross border terrorism, drug trafficking and fake currency notes.
"Our side was definitely successful in putting across our views on all these important matters and how it is important for SAARC to have a united approach," he asserted while referring to Rajnath's speech.
Rajnath had said mere condemnation of terrorism and terrorists was not enough and that there were "no good terrorists or bad terrorists", in an apparent attack on Pakistan.
Swarup also contradicted reports of a 'blackout' of Rajnath's speech, saying as per SAARC protocol, the opening statement by the host country is public and open to the media while the rest of the proceedings are in camera, which allows for a full and frank discussion of issues.
"The point at issue is that the media that accompanied hon'ble home minister was not in the room and a number of you who had applied for visas did not get visas. Naturally this restrictive approach by Pakistan even for a multilateral event is not helpful in promoting close ties between SAARC countries," Swarup said.
Swarup also said there is no contradiction between what was said by the home minister in Parliament on Friday and what is the general understanding of SAARC practices on the live coverage of SAARC meetings.
He also asserted that there was "full coordination" between home ministry and the ministry of external affairs on Rajnath's Islamabad visit.
Asked about incidents of beating of Indian prisoner Hamid Nehal Ansari in Peshawar jail, the Spokesperson said, there has been a petition filed in a court there.
Apart from seeking consular access to him, the government has also approached Pakistan asking it to allow Ansari to speak to his family.
According to Ansari's lawyer, the 31-year-old Indian prisoner, sentenced by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card, was attacked at least thrice by inmates in recent months in a Peshawar jail. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/indias-views-on-terror-successfully-put-across-at-saarc-meet/20160805.htm | en | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/369955c994f997774b9c632a33eb7940ad8a6ebec487a2923092c16a03af7b87.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:25 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | The Diwali stamp is being issued as a 'Forever' stamp, the US Postal Service said in a statement. | US postal service to issue 'forever' stamp for Diwali | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fus-postal-service-to-issue-stamp-for-diwali%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/getahead/2010/nov/04diwali2.jpg | en | null | US postal service to issue 'forever' stamp for Diwali | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 02:47 IST
The US Postal Service on Tuesday said it will issue a Diwali postage stamp, meeting one of the long pending demands of Indian-American community in Washington.
The Diwali stamp is being issued as a "Forever" stamp, the US Postal Service said in a statement.
The stamp design, unveiled by the US Postal Service, is a photograph featuring a traditional diya oil lamp lit in a sparkling gold background.
Sally Andersen-Bruce of New Milford, Connecticut, photographed the diya.
Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, Virginia, designed the stamp and William J Gicker from Washington postal service was the project's art director, a statement said.
The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony will take place at the Indian Consulate in New York City on October 5, the USPS said.
Hinduism was the only major world religion, for which the USPS had not issued a postage stamp.
"This is a dream come true," said New York-based Ranju Batra chair, Diwali Stamp Project, who had led campaign to send thousands of letters to the US Postal Service in the past and had campaigned before the US Congress.
"It has taken seven years for me, thanks to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney," she said.
Over the past several decades, a large number of individuals, organisations and Congressmen had campaigned for the issuing of a postage stamp commemorating the festival of lights.
Several resolutions were introduced in the Congress too. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/us-postal-service-to-issue-stamp-for-diwali/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/212308680ddfa3e092484fbf312022e03d7d14c3c9fe898869033d43cfe100ef.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:14 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | While ruling out the possibility of a military takeover, observers warned that the 'military may move in if there is a major public disorder in the country'. | Pak military attempting coup unlikely, says observers | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpak-military-attempting-coup-unlikely-says-observers%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2012/jan/12sli5.jpg | en | null | Pak military attempting coup unlikely, says observers | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 17, 2016 19:41 IST
Pakistan's powerful military is not prepared to bring down the civilian government but would maintain its 'dominating influence', prominent US scholars have said amid efforts to find a successor to army chief General Raheel Sharif.
The chances of a sudden change of government in Pakistan are remote as the military is not prepared to bring down the civilian set-up, according to Ambassador Robin Raphel.
The former US assistant secretary of state for South Asia was among half a dozen American scholars who analysed the current political situation in Pakistan at a recent seminar in Washington, Dawn newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The speakers highlighted different weaknesses and strengths in the current political set-up and its relations with Pakistan's powerful military establishment. All agreed that the military would retain its 'dominating influence' over the civilian set-up but would not bring it down.
"The military does not want snap elections," said Raphel, a respected Pakistan sympathiser in Washington who recently faced an FBI investigation for her alleged friendly relations with Pakistani diplomats. In June, she was cleared of charges.
Raphel thinks that if elections are held now, "likely beneficiary will be Imran Khan" but the elections will take place as scheduled, in 2018.
While ruling out the possibility of a military takeover, Raphel warned that the "military may move in if there is a major public disorder in the country".
The chances of a takeover, however, were remote, she added. "Like the military, the public too has changed and may resist any abrupt move."
Military dictators have ruled Pakistan for more than half its 70-year history, and the armed forces are widely seen as controlling the country's foreign and defence policies.
But she underlined "some erosion in public support for democracy", which she said was worrying and might lead to a situation where the people might be forced to welcome an abrupt change, as they did in 1999.
"If it happens, the United States will weigh its options and will take a decision that is compatible with US interests in the region," she said.
Marvin Weinbaum of the Middle East Institute, said that the transfer of power in 2013 from the PPP to the PML-N was a game-changer, which greatly reduced the chances of an abrupt government change in Pakistan.
"The transfer happened because the two parties did not make the mistake of derailing democracy as Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto did in the 1990s," he said.
"The transfer also happened because Nawaz Sharif was willing to wait for the next election, which he did not in the 90s."
The experts agreed that despite some serious institutional problems, Pakistan would continue (its journey) on the road to democracy.
Raphel noted that democracy survived the dharna led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's dharna, which caused echoes of coup, but ultimately, "those echoes subsided and the government emerged stronger than before."
Prime Minister Sharif is poised to select a successor to Gen Raheel, 60, soon as the army chief is scheduled to retire in November this year.
IMAGE: A school boy waves Pakistan's national flag. Photographs: Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pak-military-attempting-coup-unlikely-says-observers/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/318f64ac97320ff9b34386d9e8cd14c2ed6a2a783c5ce61fc9deed814e9ef96d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:14 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | The 66-metre-long INS Kalvari is part of an over $3.5 billion contract signed by the defence ministry with French firm DCNS in October 2005 to jointly develop six submarines. | INS Kalvari to hit waters for final trial in September | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fins-kalvari-to-hit-waters-for-final-trial-in-september%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/may/02sub2.jpg | en | null | INS Kalvari to hit waters for final trial in September | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 20:57 IST
Kalvari, Indian Navy's first indigenous Scorpene-class stealth submarine, will hit the waters again in September for its final phase of sea trials ahead of its planned induction by the end of this year.
The 66-metre-long INS Kalvari is part of an over $3.5 billion contract signed by the defence ministry with French firm DCNS in October 2005 to jointly develop six submarines.
Under Project 75 of the Indian Navy, the submarines are being built at the MDL dockyard in Mumbai under license from DCNS.
While the first four are conventional submarines, the last two are to be equipped with the Air Independent Propulsion system, which will enable the vessel to stay underwater for longer.
However, sources indicate that the AIP technology might be delayed.
Interestingly, the submarines still do not have its main weapon -- the heavy weight torpedos.
The original torpedo selected for the submarine was the one manufactured by one of the subsidiaries of scam-tainted firm Finmeccanica.
The government has decided to withdraw the tender for the heavy weight torpedos and go in for an alternative.
Once INS Kalvari is handed over to the Navy, the plan is to have other five inducted every nine months.
Construction of the first submarine started on 23 May 2009. The project is running four years behind schedule. The government plans to go in for a follow-on order of three more Scorpene class submarines.
PHOTOGRAPH: @SpokespersonMoD/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ins-kalvari-to-hit-waters-for-final-trial-in-september/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6b65e8b4a0a39dbe9fc428f7e69ad59664b40d561bedb5cc912301bebe8374e3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:17:44 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Floods have ravaged 12 of the 37 districts in the state -- the worst-affected being Patna, Vaishali, Bhojpur, Khagaria and Samastipur districts. | Bihar's worst flood in 41 years claims 14 lives, 5 lakh hit | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbihar-worst-flood-in-41-years-since-1975%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/23bihar1.jpg | en | null | Bihar's worst flood in 41 years claims 14 lives, 5 lakh hit | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 23, 2016 08:33 IST
At least 14 people have been reported killed in Bihar and over 5 lakh have been affected in one of the worst floods in Patna since 1975, triggered by a sudden discharge of 11.67 lakh cusecs (cubic foot per second) of water into Sone river from Indrapuri barrage in Rohtas district.
IMAGE: Villagers walk through flood waters at a village in Patna district of Bihar. Photograph: PTI Photo
The enormous discharge of water in Bihar marooned nearly 50,000 people in Patna alone and 10,000 had to rescued as water from Ganga rose above the danger mark and entered homes, residential colonies and buildings situated on the riverbank.
The flood situation in Bihar remains grim, Bihar Disaster Management department officials said on Monday, adding that thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes and take shelter on higher grounds, including relief camps set up by the state government.
Floods have ravaged 12 of the 37 districts in the state -- the worst-affected being Patna, Vaishali, Bhojpur, Khagaria and Samastipur districts.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday spoke to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is believed to have briefed the former on the flood situation and the steps taken for rescue and relief of the marooned people.
Rajnath has assured all central help in dealing with the disaster.
IMAGE: Villagers shifting to a safer place from a flooded village in Patna district of Bihar. Photograph: PTI Photo
Meanwhile, National and State Disaster Response Force have already been deployed in the affected districts.
Kumar said that apart from taking help of big boats meant to ferry sand to evacuate people and animals, the government has made all preparations to airlift the people if needed.
Besides, Army has been put on alert to help the people out from the flood affected areas, Kumar added.
"We want to assure the people that we are alert... People should not get panicky and should tackle the situation bravely," Kumar said adding that government is taking every necessary step to provide relief to the people as "victims of disaster have the first right on state's coffers."
A disaster management department statement said altogether 1,326 boats are being plied by the government to evacuate the affected people to safer places.
IMAGE: A woman waiting for help and relief in a flooded locality in Nakta Diyara, Patna . Photograph: PTI Photo
The statement said several other rivers, apart from Ganga, were too flowing above danger mark and they were Sone at Koilwar (Bhojpur) and Maner (Patna), Punpun Sripalpur (in Patna), Ghaghra at Gangpur-Siswan in Siwan and Saran districts, Gandak in Hajipur, Kosi at Baltara and Kursela in Katihar district and Burhi Gandak in Khagaria.
The chief minister has already cancelled the leaves of all the officers to facilitate their deployment in flood-affected areas.
All the DMs and SPs of flood affected districts would keep moving in order to assess the ground realities, he said, adding that DMs would carry out aerial survey of their respective districts.
'Farakka Dam' responsible for Patna flooding?
The chief minister held Farakka dam responsible for slow discharge of water from Ganga which has become shallow due to heavy siltation. This causes flood water to spread to other areas.
IMAGE: Transport vehicles moving at submerged national highway 31 near Fatuha in Patna district of Bihar. Photograph: PTI Photo
He asked the Centre to remove the dam or come out with a 'Silt Management Policy'.
If the central government has any other option (other than removing the dam), then it should start working on it, he said.
IMAGE: A child wades through knee-high water in Chhapra. Photograph: PTI Photo
In his Independence day address too, Kumar had raised the issue saying that the depth of river Ganga had reduced following the silt deposition in the river due to construction of dam at Farakka.
Stressing that Ganga has become shallow due to siltation, Kumar said "I have consistently been raising this issue for the past 10 years. I had raised the issue when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister and now I am raising it before the Narendra Modi government."
IMAGE: Volunteers help a child to get down from the roof of a submerged house to shift him to safety near Danpur in Patna district of Bihar. Photograph: PTI Photo
Due to siltation in the river, the depth of Ganga river has reduced and water spreads to the adjoining areas in the event of rise in the water level, he said.
"I appeal to the Government of India to prepare a policy on silt management. The central government should consider it after taking stock of the situation...It should come out with the mechanism or way out to prevent silt getting deposited in the river Ganga, otherwise it could prove to be a terrible situation in years to come," Kumar said.
Additional Reportage: PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bihar-worst-flood-in-41-years-since-1975/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6614154976e54b8a12c19f711c5bcbf77dae4a4fbdfaa6c2fe4ec4530a01bbcf.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:22 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | Normal life remained disrupted for the 24th consecutive day due to the strike call given by separatists against civilian deaths during the protests. | On day 24, curfew, protest shutdown continue in Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fon-day-24-curfew-protest-shutdown-continue-in-kashmir%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/20valley1.jpg | en | null | On day 24, curfew, protest shutdown continue in Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 13:02 IST
Normal life remained paralysed in Kashmir for the 24th consecutive day on Monday as curfew continued in some parts while restrictions were in effect in rest of the Valley to maintain law and order.
Curfew remained in force in five police station areas of the city and Anantnag town. Restrictions on assembly of four or more persons continued in entire Kashmir, a police official said.
“Curfew is in place only in five police station areas of Srinagar city -- Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal and Maharajgunj,” he said.
Normal life remained disrupted for the 24th consecutive day due to the strike call given by separatists against civilian deaths during the protests which erupted after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
Shops, schools, colleges, business establishments and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads in the Valley which is reeling under
the violence that has left 49 persons dead and over 5,600 persons injured.
Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the post-paid mobile telephony services have been restored across all networks. The incoming facility on prepaid connections was also restored, but the outgoing calls are barred on such numbers.
The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 5, calling for a march to Hazratbal shrine on Friday. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/on-day-24-curfew-protest-shutdown-continue-in-kashmir/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/654c35a0e6da5e1ca4daf470ded8cc5f25447ebea043a05e5217004e12e6de64.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:39 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | Satyender Jain, whose department has had confrontations with the LG over a range of issues, said Jung doesn't have 'faith' in democracy. | Jung acting like Churchill; has no faith in democracy, says Delhi home minister | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjung-has-no-faith-in-democracy-says-delhi-home-minister%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/jun/02jungiwal.jpg | en | null | Jung acting like Churchill; has no faith in democracy, says Delhi home minister | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 09, 2016 14:37 IST
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is using the language of Winston Churchill who as British prime minister had strongly opposed granting Independence to India, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain said, a day after the LG ordered review of all decisions by the Aam Aadmi Party government which were not cleared by him.
Jain, whose department has had confrontations with the LG over a range of issues, said Jung doesn't have "faith" in democracy and that he has been using language of former British viceroys and Churchill.
The home minister also criticised Jung's directive yesterday to heads of all departments to "review" orders and "identify" files for which his approval was required but not taken by the AAP government, saying he cannot directly communicate with the bureaucrats and must route the directions through ministers.
The bitter war of words between the AAP government and LG continued, days after the Delhi high court ruled that the national capital is a union territory despite having an elected government and LG is the administrative head of the city. The AAP government is challenging the order in the Supreme Court.
"LG sahab doesn't have faith in democracy. He has never contested an election and (is) holding the top position without peoples' mandate. British viceroys used to say that India doesn't need independence. Churchill said that India cannot be given independence as the people cannot govern themselves.
"He (Jung) is using the language of former Viceroys and Churchill," the Delhi home minister told reporters.
"Let him (Jung) review all our files and decisions. But instead of directing officers, he should have communicated it to the ministers concerned. LG has the right to seek any file, but it should be done through proper channels," he added.
The minister said that the Delhi government will obey the high court order holding that the LG is the "administrative head" of the capital.
An order issued by Vijay Kumar, Secretary to LG had said, "The secretaries, principal secretaries and heads of all the departments, autonomous bodies, boards, corporations and institutions concerned should immediately review all such orders and identify by August 17 those cases where prior approval of the LG was required but not taken.
"All such cases may immediately be placed with appropriate proposal before the LG through proper channel and with the opinion of the Law department, wherever required," the order said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/jung-has-no-faith-in-democracy-says-delhi-home-minister/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e230b39e13c636460bece6e32003f042d57cab559e1ed0a0736c06a445393870.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:03 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | The British-era bridge across Savitri river, whose collapse claimed 26 lives, was to be dismantled in December this year as part of Mumbai-Goa highway expansion project. | Ill-fated Mahad bridge was to be razed in December | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fill-fated-mahad-bridge-was-to-be-razed-in-december%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03bridge01.JPG | en | null | Ill-fated Mahad bridge was to be razed in December | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 02:15 IST
The ill-fated British-era bridge across Savitri river, whose collapse claimed 26 lives, was to be dismantled in December this year as part of Mumbai-Goa highway expansion project, the Maharashtra Government on Wednesday said as search continued for people who went missing after the crash.
"The bridge was to be dismantled in December 2016 as part of Mumbai-Goa highway widening project. However, it unfortunately got washed away due to heavy rainfall in upper regions of Mahabaleshwar (from where the river originates)," Public Works Department Minister Chandrakant Patil told reporters.
The structure at Mahad, about 170km from Mumbai in adjoining Raigad district, crashed on the night of August 2.
Two state transport buses and a few private vehicles using the bridge on the busy highway fell into the flooded Savitri river. So far, 26 bodies have been recovered, while nearly 14 are still missing and feared dead.
Rescuers continued their efforts, braving high water current and crocodile hotbeds in the river, to trace the missing, even as anxious relatives expressed anger over the pace of the search operation, which entered eight day on Wednesday.
"Search operation is on like before with same positioning and deployment of security forces. The crew of NDRF, Navy, Coast Guard and local divers are at work," said Raigad Resident Deputy Collector Satish Bagal.
Patil said there are about 2,300 bridges in the state, of which 100-odd are from the British era and from the time of 17th century warrior-king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
"All these bridges will be inspected twice every year. A three-member committee of experts from Indian Institute of Technology has commenced its study about the collapsed bridge and the report is expected by the next Cabinet meeting due on August 23," he said.
The process of launching judicial inquiry into the crash is also underway, Patil said. "A workshop will be conducted for the PWD engineers for methodology to be used for inspection of the bridges."
Patil said it will have to be decided whether dilapidated bridges should be repaired or reconstructed. "A bridge division will be created in each administrative division of the state to take care of the bridges."
On solatium to the deceased, he said the state Cabinet, in this particular case, has reduced the waiting period for granting compensation to next to the kin to two months (from seven years as per existing rules), he said.
If the missing people are not traced within two months, the state will declare them dead and award solatium.
He said Maharashtra State Road Development Corp has given a compensation of Rs 14 lakh each to the kin of deceased travelling in the ST buses and Rs 10 lakh each to the family of deceased in other vehicles involved in the tragedy. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ill-fated-mahad-bridge-was-to-be-razed-in-december/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3673fc85e5ba0253e5cbe12980f6d77098023bb5dd60ec388c44567b2c629527.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:18:20 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | A proposal for new Air Force Aerospace Museum was cleared by defence ministry and a final financial sanction on the Detailed Project Report is awaited. | Coming soon: A new IAF museum spread over 43 acres in Delhi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcoming-soon-a-new-iaf-museum-spread-over-43-acres-in-delhi%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22lead7.jpg | en | null | Coming soon: A new IAF museum spread over 43 acres in Delhi | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 22, 2016 22:26 IST
The Indian Air Force will build a sprawling new Aerospace Museum in the national capital, focusing on the nation's rich aviation history.
The new Aerospace Museum will be close to the international airport. Spread over 43 acres, it would have extensive indoor and outdoor displays including huge aircraft parked and hanging in flying attitude with mural depicting the golden era of the Indian Air Force.
A proposal for new Air Force Aerospace Museum was cleared by defence ministry and a final financial sanction on the Detailed Project Report is awaited. After the approval, the new museum would be ready for the tourists within 3-5 years.
The museum is not only meant to preserve the glorious tradition of the IAF, but also to create awareness in general public about India's rich Aerospace heritage.
The IAF believes that the museum would be a popular tourist attraction and a landmark in country's capital city.
A dedicated children's area would be part of the museum where children could enter cockpits of displayed aircraft and get the feel of flying controls.
A video arcade would also be created. As per the plan, the internal displays would have a history section in which all IAF Squadrons' history would be displayed along with aviation legends, major campaigns and wars fought by the IAF.
Along with this history, major humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations undertaken by the IAF would also be highlighted.
The IAF presently has a museum near the technical area of Air Force Station Palam, which was established in 1967. The museum has an average footfall of 500 tourists daily and exhibits details about combat operations undertaken by the IAF depicting IAF's rich history since its formation in 1932 to present date, along with the display of various aircraft and equipment on the IAF's inventory, since its inception.
IMAGE: An IAF Mig-25 on display at the Air Force Museum at Palam Delhi. Photograph: Himmat Rathore/Wikimedia Commons | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/coming-soon-a-new-iaf-museum-spread-over-43-acres-in-delhi/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ed481fd83afb9dfa89776ea3ac69d8bdf450346533ee1998bc95a0dbf940877d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:16 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has declared a state of emergency. | Italy earthquake: Death toll climbs to 267 as hopes for more survivors fade | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fitaly-earthquake-death-toll-climbs-as-hopes-for-more-survivors-fade%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26italy03.jpg | en | null | Italy earthquake: Death toll climbs to 267 as hopes for more survivors fade | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 15:19 IST
The death toll from Italy's devastating earthquake rose to 267 on Friday as aftershocks rattled rescuers racing to find survivors.
Releasing the new count, Immacolata Postiglione, head of the Civil Protection agency's emergency unit, indicated there had been no survivors found overnight in any of the remote mountain villages of Amatrice devastated by Wednesday's powerful pre-dawn quake.
IMAGE: A body is carried away by rescuers following an earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy. Photograph: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has declared a state of emergency for the regions affected by Wednesday's quake, which occurred in an area that straddles Umbria, Lazio and Marche.
Renzi also released an initial tranche of 50 million euros ($ 56 million) in emergency aid.
At least 367 people have been hospitalised with injuries but no one has been pulled alive from the piles of collapsed masonry since Wednesday evening.
IMAGE: Rescuers walk with dogs following the earthquake in Amatrice. Photograph: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
More than 900 aftershocks have rattled the region since Wednesday's 6.0-6.2 magnitude first one triggered the collapse of hundreds of ill-prepared old buildings across dozens of tiny communities playing host to far more people than usual because of the summer holidays.
Many of the survivors camping out in the tents were carrying plastic bags containing the handful of possessions -- clothes, ID documents, phones and wallets -- they had been able to grab before fleeing their homes in terror.
Over a dinner provided by an emergency cell of an Italian chefs' organisation on Wednesday evening, one survivor told how close she had come to being trapped in a house in the tiny hamlet of Illica.
IMAGE: People are seen preparing to spend the night in a gym. Photograph: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
"I managed to get out alive because I found a hole in the wall and managed to make it bigger and I made it out onto a roof and walked across until I got to a terrace and managed to get down from there," said Elisa.
"We shared clothes, there were people going around with one slipper on, those who were basically naked until 11:00 am.
"When dawn came it was devastating because then we really understood what the damage was, and that there were people who couldn't be found, who were missing, who were dead."
IMAGE: A man walks along a makeshift camp in Arquata. Photograph: Remo Casilli/Reuters
Quake experts have estimated the cost of the short-term rescue effort and mid to longer-term reconstruction could exceed a billion euros.
There are also fears of a negative impact of an already stagnating Italian economy.
At least eight foreigners were among the dead, according to media reports and updates from foreign ministries. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/italy-earthquake-death-toll-climbs-as-hopes-for-more-survivors-fade/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f2b64d10e4a61570202a98ac53e3d8723d66aafb497c60257e24674e1c9ca155.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:57 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Buried in a Kolkata cemetery is an Englishman who served India well during her struggle for freedom.
Charles Freer Andrews was a benevolent force that neither the Indians, nor the British could ignore. | The Englishman who was more Indian than Indians | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fspecial%2Fthe-englishman-who-was-more-indian-than-indians%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11india-andrews-lead2.jpg | en | null | The Englishman who was more Indian than Indians | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 11, 2016 12:47 IST
Buried in a Kolkata cemetery is an Englishman who served India well during her struggle for freedom.
A close friend of both Gandhi and Tagore, Charles Freer Andrews was more Indian than many Indians of his time.
Rediff.com's Indrani Roy rediscovers the priest-teacher who was a benevolent force that neither Indians nor the British could ignore.
EARLIER IN THE SERIES: The American who fought for India's freedom
IMAGE: A bust of Charles Freer Andrews at the Lower Circular Road Cemetery, Kolkata. Photograph: Abhiroop Dey Sarkar
It is a wet morning.
We are on our way to the Lower Circular Road Cemetery in central Kolkata to look for Charles Freer Andrews' grave.
A priest from Cambridge, C F Andrews came to India to teach philosophy at St Stephen's College and diligently supported India's struggle for freedom.
To Kolkatans, the Lower Circular Road Cemetery is mostly known for the graves of the poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt and his wife Henrietta Sophia White.
"Very few in this city are aware that it also has the grave of C F Andrews," Ashim Kumar Biswas, the cemetery secretary, says as he leads the way.
"While Michael Madhusudan Dutt's grave draws the maximum number of visitors, not many visit Andrews's grave," Biswas adds.
"In my long career here, I haven't seen much activity around this one," he says, pointing to Andrews' tomb that has the the inscription: The friend of the poor.
Many Englishmen understandably came to India during the British Raj. Some fell in love with this country and stayed back. History remembers only a few of them, says Professor Susanto Das, former head of Rabindra Bharati University's history department.
Of them, C F Andrews, a priest from the Church of England, an educator and social reformer, shines brightest.
In 1904, Andrews joined the Cambridge Mission to Delhi and arrived there to teach at St Stephen's College. Some years before my visit to the cemetry, St Stephen's alumni installed his bust by his grave.
Andrews taught at St Stephen's for ten years and became friends with many of his Indian colleagues and students.
Touched by the social and cultural injustice inflicted upon the Indians by the British, he became a part of the social and political movements of the day, and championed the causes of the labourers, railway workers and other downtrodden.
With his connections among influential people in England, he tried to arouse public opinion against the atrocities inflicted upon the colonised people in India, Fiji, South Africa and other parts of the British empire.
His love and compassion for the poor earned him the affectionate title, Dinabandhu, friend of the poor.
IMAGE: With Mahatma Gandhi and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in Shantiniketan, 1925. Photograph: Kind Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons
Andrews first met Gandhi in Durban in January 1914, an encounter encouraged by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, one of the greatest leaders of his time.
Both men developed a strong bond. Andrews was deeply influenced by the Gandhian doctrine of ahimsa, says Gandhian Sailesh Kumar Bandyopadhyay.
Andrews was a key force at Gandhi's ashram in Natal and help the publication of the magazine, The Indian Opinion.
He also convinced Gandhi to return to India from South Africa and initiate a movement against British oppression in his mother country.
He then took upon himself the task of interpreting Gandhi to the West. He kept open the possibility of a dialogue between the Indian leaders and the British government, says Bandyopadhyay.
In a lecture delivered at the National Army Museum, London, on September 18, 2006, lawyer and columnist T Sher Singh said: 'In my readings on C F Andrews, I repeatedly came across people -- in India, in England, in different parts of the world -- who amazingly, over and over again, compared him to St Francis of Assisi.'
'My favorite quote on Andrews,' Sher Singh added, 'is from Sir Gordon Guggisberg, who served as the British governor of the Gold Coast (present day Ghana), and later of British Guyana.'
'Sir Gordon met with him, had discussions with him on various thorny issues, they had lunch together, and then, Sir Gordon saw him off at the door.'
'As the taxi drove away carrying Andrews -- an eyewitness describes this graphically -- Sir Gordon gazed after it with bowed head and fixed eyes... he breathed deeply (and said): "I feel as though I had been honoured to give lunch to Our Lord".'
Andrews decided to be a part of Tagore's Visva Bharati, an educational institution that was Gurudev's brainchild, after he met the poet in London in 1912.
Andrews was floored by Tagore's poetry when he heard them for the first time at William Rothenstein's house in London, the poems read no less by the acclaimed poet, William Butler Yeats.
Tagore's poetry had such a profound influence on Andrews that he roamed around the streets of London reciting On the sea shore of the world like a man possessed, the late writer Pramathanath Bishi wrote in his book, Purano Sei Diner Katha.
After Tagore won the Nobel Prize in 1913, Visva Bharati saw the arrivals of many foreigners, but of them Andrews stood out for the uniqueness of his character, Bishi noted.
In Santiniketan, Andrews was everyone's darling, Bishi, who had the privilege of working with the clergyman, wrote.
His presence at Shantiniketan will be written in gold forever, says Sabujkoli Sen, a senior professor at Visva Bharati. "When he and Tagore met for the first time in London in 1912, it was love at first sight for both," she told Rediff.com
After he arrived at Visva Bharati in 1914 with his friend W W Pearson, Andrews worked closely with Tagore in the making of Visva Bharati and travelled widely with the poet in India and abroad. He also translated many of Tagore's works into English.
Andrews was a soul besotted with the cause of the poor, Bishi wrote. He would give away money, food, even his clothes for charity. His heart wept for the downtrodden.
When Andrews wrote his life story, What I Owe To Christ, he earned a lot of money. 'He soon got rid of that wealth by providing for the education of one of our associates at Oxford University,' Bishi recalled.
Andrews was Tagore's constant companion -- he would read out newspapers to Gurudev or ferry him around Santiniketan in a rickshaw.
In the initial years at Visva Bharati, many parents did not pay the education fees on time and Andrews was entrusted with the task of collecting money from them.
On hearing that a sahib would be coming to ask for the dues, many parents would get scared. But in came Andrews, clad in a dhoti and kurta, with kind eyes and a golden heart.
The defaulting parents saw in him a friend, and not a collector.
The dues, therefore, hardly got cleared, Bishi wrote.
Andrews worked in tandem with Tagore when he initiated the Brati Balak Sangha, an indigenous form of the Scout Movement, health cooperative, movement to uplift the condition of the tribals, especially Santhals, in and around Visva Bharati.
Ian Charleson played C F Andrews in the film Gandhi .
He was 'Charlie' to both Gandhi and Tagore.
The unifying force that brought Gandhi and Tagore together on a common platform, the duo's ideological and political differences notwithstanding.
In Gandhi, Andrews saw a leader with enormous potential to free India from the clutches of British rule, whereas in Tagore, he saw unparalleled creativity that could make age-old conventions stand on their head.
"What fascinates me most about Andrews is that though he arrived in India with an aim to propagate Christianity, he fell in love with this country and its people," historian Chittabrata Palit tells Rediff.com
Both Gandhi and Tagore had a huge influence on him and they expedited the process of his 'Indianisation,' Professor Palit adds.
Andrews arrived in India at a time when the people were desperate for freedom from British rule, adds Professor Susanto Das.
One of the few Englishmen who courted arrest for taking part in the non-cooperation movement, many Indians believe Tagore gave him the title Dinabandhu. "He was named thus by the indentured labourers of Fiji whose cause he fought for," clarifies Professor Sabujkoli Sen.
In India, he divided his time between Tagore's Visva Bharati and Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram. Dwijendranath Tagore, Tagore's eldest brother, called Andrews the 'essential hyphen' that linked Rabindranath and Gandhi, Professor Sen adds.
IMAGE: C F Andrews died in Calcutta in 1940. Alumni at St Stephen's College, New Delhi, where he once taught philosophy, installed this bust. Photograph: Abhiroop Dey Sarkar
In 1925 and 1927, he was elected president of the Trade Union Congress. As a crusader against untouchability, he also worked with Dr B R Ambedkar in formulating the Harijan (Dalits) demands in 1933.
After taking an active role in India's fight for freedom, Andrews returned to England in 1935.
On his next visit to Calcutta in 1940, he was taken ill and passed away on April 5 that year. In those final days at a Calcutta hospital, C F Andrews refused to receive special treatment. He wanted to die among the common people, says Professor Sabujkoli Sen, those whom he worked for all his life.
A few days after Andrews' death, Tagore paid tribute in a song:
Prem eshechilo nisshobdo chorine/Prem eshechilo/Tai swapno mone holo tare/Dei ni tahare ashon
Loosely translated, it reads:
Love came to my life/Walking softly, silently/
Love came to my life/I mistook him for a dream/Didn't care to greet him
On the day Andrews died, Gandhi declared: 'I have not known a better man or a better Christian than C F Andrews.' | http://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-englishman-who-was-more-indian-than-indians/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f1ee9b24bebd05e723f82266abafd8152c8bb39c1d049ac2ca5d48a4acd3b5e2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:02 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Kumar was promoted as CO of the battalion on July 12, a day before his daughter's seventh birthday.
| Final goodbye to CRPF officer killed in Srinagar attack on Independence Day | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ffinal-goodbye-to-crpf-officer-killed-in-srinagar-attack-on-independance-day%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16crpf01.jpg | en | null | Final goodbye to CRPF officer killed in Srinagar attack on Independence Day | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 00:06 IST
Last rites of martyred CRPF Commandant Pramod Kumar were performed with full state honour at Barni Ghat on the banks of the Ajay River in Bihar. Kumar died after sustaining a bullet injury to his neck in the terrorist attack in Srinagars Nowhatta area on Monday.
IMAGE: Last rites of Commandant Pramod Kumar, martyred in the line of duty at Srinagar on 15 August was performed at his village in Mihijam, Dist Jamtara today with full state honours. Photograph: CRPF/Twitter
44-year-old Kumar, Commanding Officer of the 49th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force deployed in the Kashmir valley, hoisted the flag between 8.30-8.40 am and made a speech saying with India clocking 70 years of its freedom, the responsibility on security forces has "increased" and they have to effectively tackle militants and incidents of stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir.
"It is a very important day," these were the last words of CRPF Commandant Pramod Kumar after he unfurled the tricolour at the forces' base in Srinagar, minutes before he fell to militants' bullets in the Nowhatta area of the Jammu and Kashmir capital.
He was promoted as CO of the battalion on July 12, a day before his daughter's seventh birthday.
The officer who joined the paramilitary in 1998 also read out the names of those personnel of the force who were awarded gallantry medals on the eve of the Independence Day and congratulated them.
Soon after, officials said, the wireless set in the CRPF control room crackled informing it about militants hurling grenades and firing on security forces at four places in downtown Srinagar like Nowhatta Chowk, Gojwara Chowk, Bata Gali and Khaniyar Chowk, as they sought reinforcements.
Kumar, along with a small team of his personal security team, dashed out in a bullet proof vehicle and soon after landed at the incident spot.
"The militants were still firing. Kumar led from the front and was shot grievously on the upper part of his neck," they said.
He was rushed to the 92 Base Hospital of the army in Srinagar where he succumbed to his injuries.
A senior CRPF officer who had served with Kumar in the counter-insurgency grid in the north-east earlier said the officer was very "cool but daring."
"We will never know why he said yesterday that it was an important day. May be he had some premonition of the events that unfolded in quick time yesterday," he said.
While Kumar and his men eliminated the two militants, nine other personnel including a state police official were injured in the attack.
Kumar was posted to Srinagar in April 2014 and was recently promoted as a Commandant. He hailed from Patna in Bihar but was living at present in neighbouring Jharkhand's Jamtara district.
He is survived by his wife Neha Tripathi and 7-year-old daughter Aarna.
Kumar had been thrice decorated with the CRPF Director General's commendation in 2015, 2014 and 2011. He has earlier served in the Special Protection Group for 3 years.
His last rites were today performed with military honours in his native village Mihijam in Jamtara. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/final-goodbye-to-crpf-officer-killed-in-srinagar-attack-on-independance-day/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a9d87db6860bf01838b2b78527981e4b1c5f795d645857226d9952f5bac17553.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:20:51 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said bilateral ties with China faced 'some challenges' in the recent past. | Ties with China a 'mixed picture': Foreign secy | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fties-with-china-a-mixed-picture-india%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/17jai.jpg | en | null | Ties with China a 'mixed picture': Foreign secy | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 23:02 IST
Terming India's relationship with China a 'mixed picture', Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Wednesday said bilateral ties faced 'some challenges' in the recent past, including when it blocked New Delhi's Nuclear Suppliers Group membership bid and United Nations sanctions against Pakistani terrorist Masood Azhar.
Addressing reporters, Jaishankar also maintained that India has been largely able to address two big 'constraints' -- opportunities for China to invest in India and easier travel regime for Chinese nationals.
The foreign secretary, who was briefing the media on India's relationship with neighbours as well as with other countries, said ties with China presented a 'mixed picture'.
"We have faced some challenges in the relationship recently. During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, we revisited some of these issues," he said.
A well known terrorist, who has admitted to having committed crimes against India, and his being sanctioned by the UN is 'not a small issue', Jaishankar said, in an obvious reference to China blocking sanctions against Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed and alleged 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind.
He also made a veiled reference to China scuttling India's NSG bid, saying New Delhi needed to get greater access to nuclear energy, especially given its commitment at the IDC climate forum.
IMAGE: Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar addresses a press conference in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI_News/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ties-with-china-a-mixed-picture-india/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6e849e1ac00df2178295f21e992f3351533fbf1f4c48f14a0b514529f8e2d9c5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:38 | null | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | In the blast, 11 people were injured, one of them critically, he said. While 7 of the injured are locals, 4 others are outsiders. | Grenade blast in Poonch in J&K: At least 11 injured | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgrenade-blast-in-poonch-in-jk%2F20160813.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/14poonch01.jpg | en | null | Grenade blast in Poonch in J&K: At least 11 injured | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 14, 2016 00:44 IST
Suspected militants hurled a grenade on Saturday evening in a market in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, leaving 11 people injured, one of them critical.
IMAGE: Ambulances rushed to the spot in the city market place where a grenade exploded. Photograph: ANI/Twitter
A grenade was thrown in market place in the Poonch city on Saturday evening, Divisional Commissioner (Jammu zone) Pawan Kotwal said.
In the blast, 11 people were injured, one of them critically, he said. While 7 of the injured are locals, 4 others are outsiders.
IMAGE: 11 people were injured in the attack. Photograph: ANI/Twitter
Police and other security forces, who were on alert due to the Buddha Amarnath yatra in the border district, have cordoned off the area and launched search operation.
Further details are awaited, he said.
The incident has taken place close of Dashnami Akhara in the city. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/grenade-blast-in-poonch-in-jk/20160813.htm | en | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5f962719b4bf1f0aef40231bbf870549eb08c441a1cc83f0b6774d6b5ccaed7f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:11 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | The bench said the AAP contention that the LG is bound to act on the aid and advice of Council of Ministers was 'without substance and cannot be accepted'.
| HC tells CM Kejriwal that Najeeb Jung is the boss in Delhi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkejriwal-loses-jung-lg-is-boss-in-delhi-rules-hc%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04lead5.jpg | en | null | HC tells CM Kejriwal that Najeeb Jung is the boss in Delhi | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 04, 2016 18:35 IST
Delhi continues to remain a Union Territory under the Constitution with the Lieutenant Governor as its administrative head, Delhi High Court ruled on Thursday, dealing a body blow to the Arvind Kejriwal government, which has been on warpath with the Centre over powers.
The special constitutional provision Article 239AA dealing with Delhi does not "dilute" the effect of Article 239 which relates to the union territory and hence, concurrence of the LG in administrative issues is "mandatory", the bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini said.
The bench, also comprising Justice Jayant Nath, did not accept AAP government's contention that the LG is bound to act only on the aid and advice of Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers with regard to making laws by the Legislative Assembly under the Article 239AA and termed it as "without substance".
"On a reading of Article 239 and Article 239AA of the Constitution together with the provisions of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and Transaction of Business of the Government of NCT of Delhi Rules, 1993, it becomes manifest that Delhi continues to be a Union Territory even after the Constitution (69th Amendment) Act, 1991 inserting Article 239AA making special provisions with respect to Delhi," the bench said in its 194-page verdict.
Giving primacy to the concurrence of LG in transaction of Legislative business, the bench said, "It is mandatory under the constitutional scheme to communicate the decision of the Council of Ministers to the LG even in relation to the matters in respect of which power to make laws has been conferred on the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi under clause (3)(a) of Article 239AA of the Constitution and an order thereon can be issued only where the LG does not take a different view".
The court held that the AAP government's order for constituting a Commission of Inquiry to go into the alleged irregularities in the functioning of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and CNG fitness scam was "illegal" as the orders were issued "without seeking the views/ concurrence" of the LG.
The court, which rejected almost all the contentions of Delhi government, however, agreed with its submission that the LG will have to act on its aid and advice in appointment of special public prosecutors.
The persistent claim of Delhi government that Centre has been creating roadblocks in functioning of its Anti-Corruption Branch by coming out with a notification which excludes Central Government employees did not find favour with the court.
It held that service matters fall outside the purview of legislative assembly and Centre's May 21, 2015 notification barring the ACB from proceeding against central government employees was "neither illegal nor unconstitutional".
"The direction in the impugned notification as reiterated in the notification dated May 21, 2015 that ACB police station shall not take any cognizance of offences against officers, employees and functionaries of the central government is in
accordance with the constitutional scheme and warrants no interference," the bench said.
The verdict came on a batch of petitions, including those filed by the BJP-led Centre and Delhi government, on the issues relating to exercise of legislative powers and executive control in the administration of National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The court did not approve of the AAP government's decision to appoint its nominees as directors on the boards of private discoms on the ground that there was "huge" corruption in their functioning.
"The appointment of nominee directors of Government of NCT of Delhi on Board of BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd by the Delhi Power Company Ltd on the basis of the recommendations of the chief minister of Delhi without communicating the decision of chief minister to the LG for his views is illegal," it said.
It also termed as "illegal and unconstitutional" the policy decision of the city government empowering the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission to impose fine on discoms in the event of disruption of power supply on the ground that the LG was not on board.
The AAP government's decision to revise stamp duty rates for sale and transfer of agriculture land was also struck down.
"The notification dated August 4, 2015 issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi, Revenue Department revising the minimum rates for the purpose of chargeability of stamp duty on the instruments related to sale/transfer of agriculture land is illegal since the said notification was issued without seeking the views/concurrence of the LG as required under the constitutional scheme," it said.
The Delhi government had earlier moved the Supreme Court for a direction to restrain the high court from delivering the verdict as it lacked jurisdiction, but the apex court refused. It was contended that a dispute between a state and the Centre exclusively falls within the domain of the Supreme court.
The high court, in its judgement, rejected the contention of the Delhi government saying, "We are unable to agree with the contention of the applicant/GNCTD that the proceedings in the present batch of petitions shall remain stayed till Original Suit filed by the applicant under Article 131 of Constitution is adjudicated by the Supreme Court".
The court said, "On a conjoint reading of Article 239AA and the above noticed provisions of Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991 and the Rules made thereunder, it becomes manifest that Delhi continues to be a Union Territory".
The court, in its verdict, dealt with and compared the constitutional schemes dealing with powers of the Governor and the LG of Delhi and held that the latter has wider discretion in his functioning.
"However, the discretion of the Governor of a State under Article 163(1) is confined only to the Constitutional provisions, whereas under Article 239AA(4), the LG may act in his discretion with regard to all the matters in respect of which he is required to act in his discretion 'by or under any law'," the bench said.
"Further, the proviso to Article 239AA(4) enables the LG in case of difference of opinion to refer the matter to the President for decision and act according to the decision given thereon by the President. Pending such decision of the President, the LG is empowered to take such action or to give such direction if in his opinion the matter is so urgent that it is necessary for him to take immediate action," it said.
It also referred to the recent Supreme Court's decision in the Arunachal Pradesh case to make a distinction between the constitutional powers of a Governor and the LG.
"It is clear from the analysis made by the Constitution Bench in Nabam Rebia and Bamang Felix vs Deputy Speaker that even though Governor is authorized to exercise some functions under different provisions of the Constitution, the same are required to be exercised only on the basis of the aid and advice tendered by him under Article 163 unless the Governor has been expressly authorized by or under a Constitutional provision to discharge the concerned function in his own discretion," it noted.
The bench said, "In view of this fundamental difference in the powers conferred upon a Governor of State and the LG of NCT of Delhi, it is not possible to hold that the LG is bound to act only on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers."
Referring to the Delhi's transaction of business rules, the bench said it is always open to the LG to "differ with the decision of the Council of Ministers, in which event, he has to follow the procedure as prescribed" under the rules.
Holding that Delhi being the national Capital has "special features", the court said the objective to bring Article 239AA by 69th amendment in the Constitution was "to preserve the ultimate responsibility of administration on the President".
It also rejected the contentions of AAP government that the dispute be referred to a larger bench.
The bench agreed to the Centre's submissions that the LG, acting through the Central Government, "alone is competent to appoint a Commission of Inquiry in relation to administration of Delhi which continues to be a Union Territory even after insertion of Article 239AA to the Constitution."
The bench said that the courts usually do not exercise the power of judicial review in policy matters.
"It is no doubt true that normally the courts would decline to exercise the power of judicial review in relation to policy matters. However, having regard to the fact that the policy directions impugned in the case on hand are ex facie illegal and unconstitutional, the same are liable to be set aside," it said.
"In the light of the clear and unambiguous definitions of the Central Government and State Government under Section 3(8) and Section 3(60) respectively of the General Clauses Act, 1897, we are of the view that the expression 'appropriate Government' in respect of Union Territories shall be the Central Government only," the bench said.
It noted that since there is no separate service cadre of any union territory, the services of all union territories including NCT of Delhi, were services of the Union.
Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kejriwal-loses-jung-lg-is-boss-in-delhi-rules-hc/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4d1e55a2d44f5e4ec8a24ae1a20600a7e24b128ffb2a2db807e33c083c31ffc9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T16:49:29 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The French Council of the Muslim Faith hailed the ruling as a 'victory for common sense'.
| Highest French court suspends burkini ban amidst global outrage | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fhighest-french-court-suspends-burkini-ban%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26burkini.jpg | en | null | Highest French court suspends burkini ban amidst global outrage | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 21:45 IST
France's highest administrative court on Friday suspended a controversial ban on the burkini by a French Riviera town after it was challenged by rights groups.
In a judgement expected to set a precedent, the State Council ruled that local authorities could only restrict individual liberties if wearing the Islamic swimsuit was a "proven risk" to public order.
The judges said there was no such risk in the case before the court concerning Villeneuve-Loubet, one of around 30 towns to have introduced the bans.
The French Council of the Muslim Faith hailed the ruling as a "victory for common sense".
Police have fined Muslim women for wearing burkinis on beaches in several towns, including in the popular tourist resorts of Nice and Cannes, sparking controversy in France and abroad.
The burkini bans have triggered a fierce debate about women's rights and the French state's strictly-guarded secularism.
Amnesty International welcomed the ruling.
"By overturning a discriminatory ban that is fuelled by and is fuelling prejudice and intolerance, today's decision has drawn an important line in the sand," Amnesty's Europe director John Dalhuisen said.
"French authorities must now drop the pretence that these measures do anything to protect the rights of women," he said.
The CFCM's secretary general Abdallah Zekri said: "This victory for common sense will help to take the tension out of a situation which has become very tense for our Muslim compatriots, especially women."
The State Council heard arguments from the Human Rights League and an anti-Islamophobia group.
A court in Nice had upheld the Villeneuve-Loubet ban this week.
President Francois Hollande said on Thursday that life in France "supposes that everyone sticks to the rules and that there is neither provocation nor stigmatisation".
Anger over the issue was further inflamed this week when photographs in the British media showed police surrounding a woman in a headscarf on a beach in Nice as she removed a long-sleeved top.
The office of Nice's mayor denied that the woman had been forced to remove clothing, telling AFP she was showing police the swimsuit she was wearing under her top, over a pair of leggings, when the picture was taken.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Thursday condemned any "stigmatisation" of Muslims, but maintained that the burkini was "a political sign of religious proselytising".
But in a sign of the divisions within the Socialist government on the issue, Education Minister Najat Vallaud- Belkacem said the "proliferation" of burkini bans "was not a welcome development".
Vallaud-Belkacem, who is of Moroccan origin, took issue with the wording of the ban in Nice which linked the measure to the jihadist truck attack in the resort last month in which 86 people were killed. "In my opinion, there is nothing to prove that there is a link between the terrorism of Daesh and what a woman wears on a beach," she said, using another term for Islamic State.
IMAGE: Protesters demonstrate against France's ban of the burkini, outside the French Embassy in London, Britain. Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/highest-french-court-suspends-burkini-ban/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d7794c2cde5c94c126bc08c4e99553f12267e42a46eb27743a7bc2b86e8ffecc.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:42 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | Curfew in many parts and separatist-sponsored strike disrupted normal life for the 30th straight day on Sunday in Kashmir Valley where violence has so far left 54 persons dead and more than 6000 others injured. | Curfew, separatist shutdown cripple Kashmir for 30th day | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcurfew-separatist-shutdown-cripple-kashmir%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/07valley.jpg | en | null | Curfew, separatist shutdown cripple Kashmir for 30th day | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 07, 2016 13:37 IST
Curfew in many parts and separatist-sponsored strike disrupted normal life for the 30th straight day on Sunday in Kashmir Valley where violence has so far left 54 persons dead and more than 6000 others injured.
The violence in the Valley began on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
Curfew remains in force in six police station areas of Srinagar -- Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj and Batamaloo today as precautionary measure to maintain law and order, a police official said.
He said curfew was also in force in two towns of Budgam district Chadoora and Khansahib, two towns of Kupwara Handwara and Langate and Anantnag town.
The official however, said restrictions will remain in force in other areas of the Valley.
Restrictions on the assembly of four or more people continue to remain in effect in rest of the Valley, he said.
Normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 30th consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and separatist sponsored strike against the killing of civilians in the security forces action during clashes which erupted in the wake of Wani's killing.
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 August 12 and has asked the people to organize sanitation drive in their localities and hospitals.
Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/curfew-separatist-shutdown-cripple-kashmir/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4e575ea1d3f615bdf4ddd12300bc0db927b4df0a4a56815f650260810b3871ec.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:41 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | Scores of opposition workers were taken into custody by police in several areas across the state. | Stir for special status hits normal life in Andhra | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fstir-for-special-status-hits-normal-life-in-andhra%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02tdp.jpg | en | null | Stir for special status hits normal life in Andhra | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 12:44 IST
The state-wide bandh, called by main opposition Yuvajana, Shramika, Rythu Congress demanding that the Centre grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh, affected normal life with business activity coming to a standstill and educational institutions remaining shut.
The Congress and Left parties extended support to the day-long shutdown.
Scores of opposition workers were taken into custody by police in several areas across the state as they tried to organise protests and prevent plying of state-run transport corporation buses.
State Road Transport Corporation suspended its services as a precautionary measure to prevent any damage.
While educational institutions declared a holiday, banks and other commercial establishments did not open their shutters.
In Vijayawada, YSRC workers were taken into custody when they staged a protest outside the bus station and prevented movement of buses.
Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party MLA from Ponnuru in Guntur district sat on a day-long deeksha at the statue of Acharya N G Ranga in the town demanding that the Bharatiya Janata Party government honour its promise and grant special status to AP.
“It is the responsibility of the Centre to support the state by all means as it suffered heavily because of the irrational bifurcation,” Narendra said.
IMAGE: TDP members protest to demand special status for Andhra Pradesh at Parliament House during the ongoing monsoon session. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/stir-for-special-status-hits-normal-life-in-andhra/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/0cb6e192f9428367578a6e164701880a061acc76e9371a5a854bc6327c045e16.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:30 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | India's 70th Independence Day at the UN will feature A R Rahman, only the second Indian artist after M S Subbulakshmi to perform at the UN. | Kashmir unrest: Oppn forces Centre's hand; issue to be discussed in RS | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fopposition-forces-centre-to-discuss-kashmir-unrest-in-rajya-sabha%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/10srinagar2.jpg | en | null | Kashmir unrest: Oppn forces Centre's hand; issue to be discussed in RS | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 09, 2016 14:42 IST
Following persistent demand by a united Opposition, the government on Tuesday agreed to have a debate on the prevailing Kashmir situation in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking support from all sections to resolve the "complicated" issue.
Opposition leaders, including those of the Congress party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal-United, also expressed serious concern over the continuance of curfew for over a month in the Kashmir valley.
IMAGE: The unrest in Kashmir has forced the government's hand into agreeing for a debate with the Opposition. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
They sought a stop to the use of pellet guns on protestors, sending of a parliamentary delegation there to talk to all sections of people and an all-party meeting.
As they raised the issue during the Zero Hour, Home Minister Rajnath Singh walked in to the House and promptly concurred with Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad for a discussion on the Kashmir situation on Wednesday
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said there was no problem as both sides have agreed to discuss the matter.
Singh also admitted that the situation was "serious" and sought the support of all sides in resolving the "complicated problem".
Earlier, Azad referred to the situation and said "curfew has entered 31st day in Kashmir on Tuesday. We don't want to accuse the government on the situation; rather we are ready to help control the situation there. Innocent women and children are dying. Your security forces are dying. Why are you shying away from debate?"
"Why are we witnessing a tamasha," he said and added that no doubt there was bad situation in Kashmir in 2008 and 2010 when he and Omar Abdullah headed the government there.
"Convene an all party meet in Delhi in a day or two and send a delegation to Kashmir" as the whole nation is watching, Azad said.
CPI-M secretary general Sitaram Yechury asked "why are you not sending a delegation to Kashmir...Send it on August 12 itself and for heaven's sake, make an announcement to stop the use of pellet guns."
He also stressed the need for "starting a political process" to end the turmoil in Kashmir.
JD-U leader Sharad Yadav sought to know the government's strategy on Kashmir saying whole country was concerned. He also demanded immediate stopping of the use of pellet guns.
Ram Gopal Yadav of SP said the "people can question us as to what we did. We want a delegation to be sent to Kashmir as a part of the country is burning and it is impacting the entire nation."
Bahujan Samaj Party Supremo Mayawati also demanded an immediate debate on it and attacked the prime minister for his statement on Dalits as "mischievious" and "driven by politics".
Mayawati said "there have been atrocities on Dalits for the last two years. When Parliament session was on, the prime minister gave his comments on the issue outside the House. It would have been better if he says this in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. He did not make his statement in the house and the statement outside shows that his Dalit policy is mischievous and driven by politics."
She also demanded a debate on Kashmir in the House in presence of the prime minister.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (Trinamool) said the situation in Kashmir has worsened due to mismanagement by the government and it is still alarming.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, however, said we have asked the home minister and debate can be held on Wednesday as the government too wants to bring Kashmir developments to the mainstream.
Kurien said, "I concede that it is a very important issue ...I am directing Naqvi to contact the home minister and convey his availability today or tomorrow", to which Naqvi said that home minister has already consented for Wednesday.
Naresh Agarwal of SP also sought to know as to why it was not taken up despite the government agreeing to it on Monday.
Amid the din, Yechury said every day's delay on Kashmir was resulting in loss of lives of innocent youths there.
When CPI-M member T K Rangarajan said the debate could be initiated in the presence of other ministers, the deputy chairman said he too wanted a debate on the issue but felt that home minister should be present. "What is the point in Defence Minister or Civil Aviation minister giving a reply on the issue," he asked.
At this juncture, Azad agreed that there would many things which only the prime minister and home minister would be privy to.
The "follow-up" action after the discussion would also have to be taken by the home minister, Azad said and suggested that rather than have the Zero Hour and Question Hour, the Kashmir situation should be discussed from 11 am onwards.
The home minister also said that he believed that the J&K situation is "serious" and said that he would not claimed that he can resolve this "complex problem" alone.
"We will resolve it through everyone's cooperation," he told the Upper House.
Earlier, Azad complimented various parties raising the issue, for sharing the pain which Kashmir was going through. "Why is the government scared of a debate," he asked.
When Congress member Satyavrat Chaturvedi said that Kurein himself had said the debate would take place today, the Deputy Chairman said it was a miscommunication. "This is what happens when people like me speak Hindi," Kurien said.
Peoples Democratic Party MP Mir Mohammed Fayaz however raised questions about the utility of sending a parliamentary delegation to Kashmir.
"Who will meet them," he asked. He said there is a roadmap for development of Kashmir and if that is discussed, he would welcome it.
As some Congress members interrupted him, he said "it is because of you that people of the state are suffering." | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/opposition-forces-centre-to-discuss-kashmir-unrest-in-rajya-sabha/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a6aaceab28ee52eaa439297e8b6a8d6d6142fa6d8ac84b8fb2cd60413298e772.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:18 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Irom Sharmila's decision to end her 16-year-old fast against the AFSPA continues to be hotly debated and contested in Imphal. | Fast ends, but Sharmila's fight continues | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ffast-ends-but-sharmilas-fight-continues%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/15irom-sharmila.jpg | en | null | Fast ends, but Sharmila's fight continues | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 16, 2016 09:35 IST
Irom Sharmila's decision to end her 16-year-old fast against AFSPA continues to be hotly debated and contested in Manipur.
Chitra Ahanthem reports from Imphal for Rediff.com
IMAGE: 'I have decided to stay on the path to my political future': Irom Sharmila signs her first press release since breaking her fast on August 9. Photographs: Chitra Ahanthem for Rediff.com
Has Irom Sharmila been rejected by the people of Manipur, as was projected by the media on August 9 when she broke her 16-year-old fast against the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act?
In terms of the socio-political scenario, Manipur is much like any other part of the country where liberals prefer to stay silent in the face of the organised vehemence of a few people.
Many will be quick to point out that she had no one to offer her the first drop of liquid to end her fast, that there was no voice of support, that she was turned down by the residents of an area that she had gone to reside in.
They will point out that not many people are talking kindly of Sharmila in public.
The interactions on social media have had its fair share of many who are sticking their necks out and calling out to the abusers who have spouted online vitriol against Sharmila's recent stand.
At a special ward in the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Imphal where Sharmila continues to resides, a steady stream of visitors who come individually or representing organisations slowly arrive every day even though visiting time is still being restricted.
Elsewhere in Imphal, groups of people conduct offline meetings and interactions on how best to be a support system for Sharmila while in the online world, there is now an active discussion on the nature of the public response towards her.
IMAGE: The 28 Assam Rifles camp inside the Manipur University campus.
Sharmila's decision continues to be hotly debated and contested in informal groups at Manipur University, which may arguably be the only varsity to have an army camp on its campus.
"Manipur has a history where the impulsive or emotional action of a few people are often portrayed as the only response to a particular issue while the rational or logical aspect rarely comes out," says a student who did not wish to be named. "It is wrong to say that the response of certain women groups to Sharmila's decision to end her fast, take up politics and look at a future with a non local is the only response."
"She has every right to end her fast and be with the man of her choice," says Reena Kshetrimayum, who is pursuing a master's in political science. "I support her change in strategy of deciding to contest elections, but would prefer that she contests a Parliament seat and not for MLA. She will be a voice to reckon with in Parliament."
At Malom, where Sharmila first started her lonely fast following the incident in which 10 civilians were killed 16 years ago, Sinam Ongbi Chandragini, 64 -- who lost two of her sons and her elder sister in the firing -- says: "I, as a mother who has lost two of her sons in the Malom firing, cannot keep off food for more than 16 years. What she has done is unique and it is her decision to decide how to continue her resolve of the fight against AFSPA."
In a related development, Arambam Robita, who runs an NGO working for women's rights in Imphal, announced that she would take over from where Sharmila left off by taking on a fast, but was dissuaded by various civil society groups.
Robita, nevertheless, undertook her fast and when disrupted by groups on the ground that her two small children would suffer due to her decision, left Imphal to continue her fast in Ukhrul.
Robita's NGO colleagues have now taken her back to Imphal from where angry family members have taken her home. It is still unclear if the fast is on or not.
IMAGE: Sharmila being handed a T-shirt from the Narmada Bachao Andolan by a dam activist based in Imphal.
In her first media statement, Sharmila said: 'In continuation of my fight against the imposition of AFSPA in Manipur and following the change of my strategy by breaking my fast and instead taking up politics, I am now looking forward to a journey of understanding, justice, peace and love. I will henceforth be connecting with people in Manipur and elsewhere, cutting across the barriers of region, community, religion to work towards the repeal of AFSPA once my health permits me and after my trial proceedings on August 23.'
'I have received gracious invitations from the Manipur chapter of the International Red Cross Society, the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights in Ukhrul as well as a children's home in Senapati and am hopeful that there will be others as well in the future. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the organisations and individuals who have been visiting me at JNIMS to express their solidarity, love and concern, all of which are helping me to strengthen my resolve and inspire me towards our common goal of the fight against AFSPA,' she added.
In other words, Sharmila has clearly stated that her campaign against the draconian AFSPA will not take a back seat.
She also received a letter of support in her struggle to repeal AFSPA from the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Signed by Medha Patkar, the letter invited Sharmila to Rajghat in Madhya Pradesh's Badwani to the Narmada satyagraha.
The invitations from Manipur's hill districts and the recent rallies there protesting the imposition of AFSPA are deeply significant given that the earliest victims of the Act was in these areas.
Days earlier, the former senior health department official at whose home Sharmila had planned to take shelter once the procedure for her release was completed, met her to say that there were now voices emerging in his locality who were beginning to support her. It was this same locality where women residents had turned her away on August 9.
IMAGE: Sharmila's diet has now been expanded to include a semi-solid mix of rice and vegetables with minimal salt.
Sitting on a plastic chair in the room that was earlier her prison and is now her recuperating room, Sharmila says, "I have decided not to take up the offer of refuge by the Manipur chapter of the International Red Cross Society since it comes along with the condition that I cannot engage in any political activity as I have decided to stay on the path to my political future."
Asked what her reaction would be if she loses the election she is keen to contest, Sharmila says, "It will not be my defeat, but the defeat of the people. It will be the real litmus test."
For now though, the foremost concern for friends and well wishers gathered around Sharmila is to monitor her health and cheer every small change. The earlier diet of fortified liquids has now been expanded to include a semi-solid mix of rice and vegetables with minimal salt.
Asked about the fast announced by Arambam Robita and the opposition to it by various civil society groups, Sharmila smiles and says, "A few days ago, some of the groups wanted me to continue my fast and now a majority of civil society groups are against Robita. In the first year of my fast against the imposition of AFSPA, two married women had started a fast in support, but I was told to step in and tell the women that their children and families would suffer if they continued further. There can be a strong movement around AFSPA only when more and more people join a mass fast till its repeal."
What is now slowly coming to the fore is that Manipur's civil society groups need to strategise on how to keep their fight going against AFSPA and not confine themselves to react for or against people who are also in the same fight, but to look at common ground. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/fast-ends-but-sharmilas-fight-continues/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c3a1269725d22f88641a76d7671060e6698c4f8651c45e7e08f3f2efea9c01af.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:05 | null | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | Normal life remained paralysed for the 37th consecutive day due to curfew, restrictions and separatist sponsored strike. | Kashmir remains paralysed and unreachable! | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkashmir-remains-paralysed-and-unreachable%2F20160814.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/14kashmir1.jpg | en | null | Kashmir remains paralysed and unreachable! | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 14, 2016 13:17 IST
Curfew was on Sunday extended to several places in Kashmir in view of the separatists’ call for a march to the heart of the city even as restrictions on the movement of people were in force in rest of the Valley.
“Curfew remained in force in entire Srinagar district and Anantnag town but was extended to several other places as a precautionary measure in view of the call for march to Lal Chowk by certain elements,” a police official said.
He said curfew was imposed in Ganderbal town, Awantipora, Tral, Pampore, Baramulla town, Sopore town, Bandipora town, Kaloosa, Papchan and Ajar areas of the Valley.
“Curfew was also imposed in Wargam area of Beerwah in Budgam district following yesterday’s sectarian clashes,” he added.
Despite curfew, separatists elements managed to hoist Pakistan flags in many localities across Kashmir to mark the Independence Day of the neighbouring country, he said adding security forces pulled down the flags as soon as they were noticed.
Authorities suspended Internet and mobile services across the Valley on Saturday as part of the security drill ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on Monday.
While broadband services were snapped on Saturday evening, the mobile telephony was suspended late Saturday night, the official said.
“Only BSNL postpaid mobiles are working while broadband services are available only at Lal Chowk, Sonawar and Bemina telephone exchanges,” he added.
Normal life remained paralysed for the 37th consecutive day due to curfew, restrictions and separatist sponsored strike following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
The separatist camp, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, had asked the people to hold a “referendum” march at Lal Chowk on Saturday and Sunday.
As many as 56 persons including two policemen have been killed and several thousand others have been injured in the clashes that began on July 9. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmir-remains-paralysed-and-unreachable/20160814.htm | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/18b7507b537853acc9a546441fe11be4b945948beccc6a87204e6f1d87958412.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T18:50:26 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | With the Centre grappling to bring peace in restive Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, the slain militant's father Muzaffar Wani met Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at his ashram in Bengaluru. | Away from chaotic Kashmir, Burhan Wani's father spends time at Sri Sri's ashram | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Faway-from-chaotic-kashmir-burhan-wanis-father-spends-time-at-sri-sris-ashram%2F20160827.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/27lead3.jpg | en | null | Away from chaotic Kashmir, Burhan Wani's father spends time at Sri Sri's ashram | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 27, 2016 23:55 IST
With the Centre grappling to bring peace in restive Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, the slain militant's father Muzaffar Wani met Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at his ashram in Bengaluru.
The spiritual guru said this on social networking site Twitter on Saturday night, saying Muzaffar Wani was in his ashram for two days and that they discussed "several issues".
"Muzaffar Wani, the father of Burhan Wani was in the ashram for the last 2 days. We discussed several issues," Ravi Shankar tweeted, without elaborating. The tweet was accompanied by a picture of the two together.
Ravi Shankar referred to the meeting with Muzaffar Wani on a day Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti presented a "three-pronged action plan" that includes a dialogue with all stakeholders during talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring lasting peace in the troubled Valley.
After an hour-long meeting, her first with Modi since the unrest broke out on July 8 in the wake of protests over the death of Burhan Wani, Mehbooba told reporters that the Prime Minister was "very concerned" about the situation and has asked for steps to end this "bloodshed" so that peace returns.
Mehbooba outlined a "three-pronged action plan" before the Prime Minister for resolution of the Kashmir problem which includes involvement of separatists and Pakistan in substantive dialogue to work out a solution to the problem in light of the contemporary geo-political realities.
Sources said the plan also includes facilitating the visit of an All Party delegation to the Valley, a possible change in Governor and appointing interlocutors to hold talks with all stakeholders in the state.
Photograph: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/away-from-chaotic-kashmir-burhan-wanis-father-spends-time-at-sri-sris-ashram/20160827.htm | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1acfeef3acbb6036ca0ac5309b8207c259b6fc7351a3112a0936da08a9e6476a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:08 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | Trump also reiterated his stand and said he does not regret having criticised the parents of a slain American Muslim soldier Humayun Khan. | Trump hits back: Obama worst president in American history | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fobama-worst-president-in-us-history-says-trump%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03donald.jpg | en | null | Trump hits back: Obama worst president in American history | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 03, 2016 14:32 IST
Donald Trump has hit back at President Barack Obama for terming him unfit for presidency, saying the "terrible president" would go down as the worst in American history.
"Well he's a terrible president. He'll probably go down as the worst president in the history of our country, he's been a total disaster," Trump told Sinclair Broadcast group in an interview on Tuesday.
IMAGE: Republican US Presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign event at Briar Woods High School in Ashburn, Virginia, US. Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters
"You look at what happens in the Middle East, in Syria and his line in the sand. I think it just means he's concerned I'm going to win," he claimed.
"Don't forget last time he said I would never get the nomination, now he is saying I wouldn't get the election now all of a sudden he said the other day maybe I can win the election, no I guess he probably has to say that kind of thing," Trump said when asked about Obama's statement.
"I think the Republican nominee is unfit to serve as president. I said so last week and he keeps on proving it," Obama told reporters at a joint news conference with the Singapore prime minister on Tuesday.
Trump reiterated his stand and said he does not regret having criticised the parents of a slain Pakistani-origin American Muslim soldier Humayun Khan who was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004.
"I don't regret anything. I said nice things about the son and I feel that very strongly but of course I was hit very hard from the stage and you know it's just one of those things but no I don't regret anything," he said.
Trump's own party leaders have come out openly against the Republican presidential nominee for being critical of family members of the soldier.
He also did not regret calling his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as the devil.
"No, I don't think so; I think it is what it is. She's a very deceitful person, she lies, she cheats, no I don't think that's too far at all," he said.
He maintained his belief that the upcoming presidential election is rigged.
"I'm talking about at the voter booth. I mean we've seen a lot of things over the years and now without the voter ID's and all the things going on and some bad court cases have come down," Trump said.
"I just hear things and I just feel it and I felt it having to do with the primaries. I looked at Bernie sanders I said 'he isn’t going to win. I thought this whole thing was rigged and I think the general election is gonna be, we're gonna have a lot of problems we have to be very careful," Trump said.
During the interview Trump refused to entertain the challenge posed to him by Warren Buffet on revealing his tax returns, saying he does not know Warren Buffet and has never met him.
Meanwhile, Trump has pitched for good relationships with China and Russia, stating that it would be nice for the US to get along with the two nations, as he slammed Hillary Clinton for having bad relationship with Vladimir Putin.
"As far as I'm concerned, I want to get along with China. Wouldn't it be great if we got along with Russia? Wouldn't that be great?" Trump said at an election rally in Ashburn, Virginia, a suburb of WashingtonDC on Tuesday.
Seeing a potential partner in Russia in wiping out the Islamic State terror group, Trump said, "If we actually had a relationship with Russia, instead of all the fighting and the problems, we could get Russia and others to partner up against ISIS."
Having not seen any good done by the existing set of experts in the current global situation, Trump said he won't take advice from anyone.
"Hillary Clinton will be worse. She has bad relationships with people like Putin. I'll give you an example. She has terrible relationships with Putin. This is a nuclear country we're talking about. Russia, strong nuclear country," he said.
He further said that he wants tough people and Clinton is not tough.
"I know tough people, she's not tough. I mean she's doing the handlers, they push her from place to place that's all it is."
"She wants to play the role of the tough guy against Putin She should be tough on trade. Because right now we are being ripped off on trade like nobody has ever ripped us off in history. You look at our trade deficits with China," he said.
On Barack Obama supporting Clinton for the Presidential race, Trump reminded people of the things Obama said about Clinton said years ago.
"Eight years ago Barack Obama said things about her that were so bad, and today I just said, do me a favor look them up because I remember how bad. Now all of a sudden he's supporting her," he said.
The 70-year-old White House hopeful warned the people about Clinton's plans to keep Obamacare, which he said will lead to "people pouring into our country".
"Look it's a hope, because she's going to keep Obamacare, She's going to let the Syrian refugees come in and we don't know if they're ISIS, we have no idea," he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/obama-worst-president-in-us-history-says-trump/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/30c8017b38adbeea9beeb7501394cb23d3bfda4a98681b1c8c76f8417e91447c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:34 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Justice S C Sharma passed the order on August 17 while hearing the petitions filed by Surjeet Singh (67) and Sharan Singh (68). | 3 decades after Sikh massacre, 2 victims to get compensation | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdecades-after-sikh-massacre-2-victims-to-get-compensation%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/nov/01sikh.jpg | en | null | 3 decades after Sikh massacre, 2 victims to get compensation | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 04:29 IST
The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court has directed the district ministration to pay compensation with interest to two victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Justice S C Sharma passed the order on August 17 while hearing the petitions filed by Surjeet Singh (67) and Sharan Singh (68).
Advocate Himanshu Joshi, the petitioners' lawyer, told reporters on Thursday that Surjeet Singh's timber shop was burnt down and Sharan Singh's liquor shop was looted during the anti-Sikh riots in the city in 1984 following the killing of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
The district administration had denied them compensation because their names were not on the official list of victims.
On the basis of records submitted by the petitioners, the high court declared both as riot-affected persons and directed the district Collector to give them compensation for the loss of property with 8.5 per cent annual interest from 1984.
The HC also imposed a total cost of Rs 50,000 on the state government, to be paid to the petitioners, and asked the Collector to file a compliance report within 90 days. If the order was not complied with, the court will initiate contempt proceedings, the judge said. PTI HWP MAS LAL KRK | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/decades-after-sikh-massacre-2-victims-to-get-compensation/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/0f8fccd568105583062fc7b718ec00a3a26e4431d3923fdd4618a6c3b2e0f079.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:32:04 | null | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | Abdulla Haris, 21, a native of Adhur, had been missing for the last six months. | Another youth missing from Kerala, no terror links confirmed yet | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fanother-youth-missing-from-kerala%2F20160808.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/dec/22lead4.jpg | en | null | Another youth missing from Kerala, no terror links confirmed yet | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 08, 2016 15:42 IST
Amidst concerns over disappearance of 21 youths from Kerala who are suspected to have joined terror outfit Islamic State, another young man from the district has gone missing under mysterious circumstances.
Abdulla Haris, 21, a native of Adhur, had been missing for the last six months and his relatives lodged a police complaint in this regard on Sunday.
However, police said they have no evidence so far to connect his disappearance with other missing persons.
A Class XII-drop out, Abdulla had joined an institution in Trikaripur in the district for religious studies a year ago and later went to Kochi for working in a mobile shop.
“As per the complaint by his relatives, Abdulla did not complete his religious studies in Trikaripur. He did not come back home either after discontinuing his studies there,” Adur Inspector of Police Sibi Thomas said.
Later, the youth called his parents and said he was in Kochi and working in a mobile shop.
He came home in December but there was no contact from him for the last six months, Thomas said.
“We have already begun investigation to trace the missing youth. But we have got nothing to connect his missing with the disappearance of some other youths from the district, who were alleged to have joined the IS,” he said, adding they would probe whether Abdulla had any links with them.
The police said of the 21 youths who have gone missing from the state, 17 were from Kasaragod and four from Palakkad. They include four women and three children. Their disappearance came to the fore last month after the families approached local officials. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/another-youth-missing-from-kerala/20160808.htm | en | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/12424469ccb9470496a50a85a51e5f6fd638bf920898e8fb1ed55dca8b85bec9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:20 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Besides Nair, others named in the charge sheet include the then K R Sridhar Murthy, Ramachandra Vishwanathan and M G Chandrasekhar. | Antrix-Devas deal: Ex-ISRO chief Madhavan Nair booked by CBI | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fantrix-devas-deal-ex-isro-chief-madhavan-nair-booked-by-cbi%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/27isro.jpg | en | null | Antrix-Devas deal: Ex-ISRO chief Madhavan Nair booked by CBI | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 11, 2016 21:49 IST
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday filed a charge sheet in the Antrix-Devas deal case naming ex-ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair and other senior officials who have been accused of facilitating "wrongful" gain of Rs 578 crore to private multi-media company Devas by Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO.
Besides Nair, others named in the charge sheet include the then Executive Director of Antrix K R Sridhar Murthy, former Managing Director of Forge Advisors and CEO of Devas Ramachandra Vishwanathan and the then Director of Devas M G Chandrasekhar.
The charge sheet filed at the designated court in New Delhi also named former Additional Secretary in the Department of Space Veena S Rao, the then Director in ISRO A Bhaskar Narayana Rao and two directors of Devas Multi media D Venugopal and M Umesh.
The CBI accused them of having committed offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating and certain provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly being party to a criminal conspiracy with an intent to cause undue gain to themselves or others by abusing their official positions.
It has been alleged that the government officials abused their position to favour Devas by giving them rights for delivery of videos, multimedia content and information services to mobile phones using S-Band through GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A satellites and terrestrial systems in India.
The accused officials "thus caused wrongful gain of Rs 578 crore" to the private firm and its owners, CBI alleged.
The agency said a deal between Antrix and Devas was fixed in principle in January 2005 for lease of S-Band transponders. However, the then Executive Director of Antrix signed it on six months later only after ensuring that Chandrashekhar and Vishwanathan became majority stakeholders in Devas. They continued in that position till 2009.
The change in the board, where a US company represented by Chandrashekhar and Vishwanathan had majority stakes, was never verified by Antrix as the agreement had been in violation of Shankara Committee recommendations which said execution of any such agreement should be entered into with an Indian company alone, it was contended.
Money had been transferred to the US company from the accounts of a Bangalore-based private company, the CBI alleged.
Further investigation is continuing regarding issues of demand of S-Band frequency by other users including Ministry of Defence for strategic purpose and Department of Telecom, the CBI said.
Nair had been questioned by the CBI in May this year during which he was asked about the details of the contract signed between Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia Private Limited on January 28, 2005. He was the chairman of ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space.
The charge sheet comes a month after India lost its arbitration case in an international tribunal over Antrix scrapping a deal with Devas and is liable to pay compensation which could run into millions of dollars.
The Hague-based permanent court of arbitration ruled that the Indian government had acted "unfairly" and "inequitably" in nullifying the contract.
The Antrix-Devas deal had seen early exit of Nair as ISRO boss as he was the chairman of the governing council of Antrix when the deal was finalised.
The CBI has alleged that when a proposal seeking budgetary support of Rs 269 crore for approving design, manufacture and launch of GSAT-6/INSAT-4E (PS1) was placed at the 104th meeting of the Space Commission on May 26, 2005, it was not informed that the agreement had already taken place with Devas Multimedia for leasing out the S-Band.
"The approval of Space Commission was obtained by keeping it in dark," CBI has said.
It alleged that on November 17, 2005 a note for the Cabinet was submitted for building the GSAT-6 satellite as earlier approved by the Space Commission.
"Information regarding the agreement between Antrix Corporation Limited and Devas Multimedia Limited was suppressed from the Cabinet and the wrong information regarding utilisation of satellite capacity was given to the Cabinet with respect to multiple expressions of interest though the agreement was signed with Devas Multimedia without any multiple expressions of interest. The proposal was approved by the Cabinet in December 2005," it said.
The CBI said in its FIR that after alleged omissions and commissions on the part of accused persons surfaced, the agreement dated January 28, 2005 was annulled by Antrix Corporation in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The CBI claimed that Devas, with the intention of siphon off the amount from its bank accounts in India, got a subsidiary named Devas USA incorporated in America and a substantial part of the "wrongful" gain was remitted to the offshore company on the pretext of services, salaries etc.
Meanwhile, Nair said he failed to understand on what basis the case has been filed.
“Actually I do not know on what basis the case been filed and the specific charges on the issue that has come up,” he said.
He said earlier, two committees--B K Charturvedi and Pratyush Sinha-- inquired into the matter and came to the conclusion that ‘there is no loss to the government or any spectrum sale has taken place’.
But, in spite of that, punishment was given to four scientists at that time, Nair said.
“Now, after four years, on the same issue, how the case has been again brought in the court is not understandable,” he said.
It was also a fact that Devas deal was challenged in an international tribunal which came to the conclusion that the government was misled at that time and action taken was totally illegal, he said.
It had also slapped nearly $1 billion (Rs 6,700 crore) on Antrix, he added. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/antrix-devas-deal-ex-isro-chief-madhavan-nair-booked-by-cbi/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/652feef687cb7bcd7b53982cc30d64f36eb54df6f7f1ea6633d7b195ae9afe61.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:01 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | 'Raza exemplified a sense of warmth and a connectedness to his roots and to Indian earth.' | Why S H Raza is one of India's greatest painters | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fwhy-s-h-raza-is-one-of-indias-greatest-painters%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/05raza01.jpg | en | null | Why S H Raza is one of India's greatest painters | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 09:53 IST
'Raza exemplified a sense of warmth and a connectedness to his roots and to Indian earth.'
Hugo Weihe, CEO, Saffronart and former international director of Asian Art at Christie's, believes that S H Raza, the legendary painter who passed into the ages last month, is one of India' art heroes, someone who helped Indian modernism find a wider audience.
In the concluding part his fascinating interview with Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel, Weihe discusses Raza, his art and the late painter's philosophical inclinations.
You said in an interview that Raza is one of the most prominent modernists of India. But is he really a modernist?
His Bindu series symbolised so much culture. Modernism would be just a title for a huge amount of depth?
You are right. How do we define modernism? Geeta Kapur wrote a very important book -- When was Modernism in Indian Art? -- precisely to ask this question. It is not an exact definition. It really means something that has already become something classic.
We are already looking back in Western art. We look at the period of the early 20th century Picasso, and others, as defining modernism. And there is post-war art, after that, right.
For India, it is not post-war, it is post-Independence and that becomes the golden era now of modernism. But modernism starts with (Rabindranath) Tagore, it starts with (Raja) Ravi Varma.
Again it is a progression.
Yes. Raza looked at Indian culture and history and symbolism, as every artist is always conscious of everything. So, the Bindu refers to far deeper philosophical principles, which are thousands of years old.
Actually, the book that Ajit Mookerjee published in 1966 on tantra (Tantra Art) was a key moment.
That was also what released the thinking for Raza and a whole hippy generation in the West was drawn to India by this.
Anyway, modernism is something we look back now to the beginnings in the early 50s, and that's 50 years ago or more -- it is now modern as opposed to contemporary.
You told The Hindustan Times some years ago: 'Having studied the art of several cultures, especially of Asia, I find Indian art to be extremely human and emotionally expressive; it is easy to relate to. I appreciate the deep roots in philosophy, parallel concepts of iconic and aniconic representation.'
Would you say that about Raza too?
100 percent! What I meant with the iconic and aniconic (not portrayed in a form or image), which also relates to Raza -- Shiva as an anthropomorphic form and as a Shivaling. That is a fascinating concept really, that they co-exist.
With Raza too it is the tantric imagery versus the realist, which is also still behind it. But these things co-exist. That is an extraordinary thing that Indian art does. It doesn't exist quite the same way really in any other art form.
And then, yes, the deep humanity is there and Raza exemplified that.
In what way?
As a human being! In his sense of warmth, and his sense a connectedness to his roots and to Indian earth.
One of his key topics is La Terre, the earth, which is one of the (important) works. You will see the title re-appear, many times. He is fascinated by the roots; that's in a sense in my quote.
IMAGE: S H Raza's La Terre painting. Painted in 1986, this masterpiece sold for Rs 18.6 crore (Rs 186 million).
Do you own some Razas? When you look at one of his Bindu series, for instance, what do you feel?
He actually gave me, very kindly, a drawing (laughs) and dedicated it.
During that visit to Gorbio?
Yes. That's for me a much cherished memory.
I look at a work of art on an emotional level, instinctive level. But I also understand/appreciate the person behind it, the master behind it, and I appreciate the journey that he took to get there.
So, a painting is almost just a moment in time too, but it reflects a whole journey. I view it, always, as something much bigger and holistically.
Also for you especially that one, is a memory?
Absolutely...
IMAGE: Hugo Weihe inspects a painting before an auction.
How very saleable was his work in the international context? At the Mumbai Gateway Dialogue conference in June you spoke about how the work of an artist grows in esteem. What led to the growth in esteem towards Raza's work?
International recognition and validation is important. That happens through exhibitions, through the support of galleries, through the publication of books, notably the first catalogue resume of any Indian artist. That has appeared.
The Vadehra Art Gallery (with help from) and (Ann Macklin of) Grosvenor (Gallery) published the first volume of his works from the 50s. Raza (from) the very beginning had a system of recording numbers, serial numbers so to speak, for his paintings. They had those records and were able to establish which paintings that matches up with.
A catalogue resume means you are recording every single work an artist did in his lifetime. That's the first step, and it's the first time it's happened for an Indian artist; it was happening when he was still alive. So, that is a beautiful thing...
We need to look at the recognition now, over time. There is a legacy now. A complete body of work. We look to assess it and assess it further. It will lead, obviously, to more exhibitions. International recognition will grow.
It is not a straightforward answer to say the prices will immediately go up -- that's never quite black and white. Sometimes yes. Certainly over time. With (M F) Husain it didn't happen straightaway.
What happens really, I find, is a general assessment of the entire body of work, which is now finite. Then you see, with greater clarity, the sort of milestones as I described before, the highlights, and that whole journey as a complete journey. So it is a moment of assessment now.
Let's say you appreciate a certain writer. When you look at how he wrote when he was younger, you realize there are certain emotions associated with that period. Then, of course, the craft gets better and better as the writer gets older.
If you apply that to art, the Bindu phase was what happened later to Raza as a more sophisticated, experienced artist.
When you look at it from an emotional view point, how does his work earlier to the Bindu phase measure up?
That a very good question. For me it is the journey of the artist.
There is a raw talent in Raza right from the very beginning, which (the legendary photographer) Henri Cartier Bresson spotted in this late teenager, barely 20 years old. 'I can see you are going to be a great artist. You should come to France. That will be a big step for you.'
If you look at Picasso, we look at his Blue Phase, where he is barely 20 years old, as maybe one of his greatest achievements -- think about it.
Your argument is correct, you could argue well it is not a fully-formed or fully-polished artist yet, but the funny thing is over time (laughs) we see that actually those maybe (were Raza's) biggest steps and there you see what's going to happen later.
It doesn't mean that the latest work is the best one by your definition. Probably it isn't. Maybe that early one is. Maybe that one in the middle. The point is the whole view is what matters.
IMAGE: A sketch of S H Raza by Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com alongside one of his inimitable Bindu paintings.
Raza had a historical role in the Indian art community, as one of the founders of that early art chapter, Bombay Progressive Artists Group and more. Do you feel that added to his legend?
I think it is an incredibly important thing that happened. That there were like-mind artists -- (F N) Souza, Husain, Raza, (K H) Ara -- at the core of it and they felt: 'We need to go in a different direction.'
They all chose a different path. Raza (after earning a degree at JJ School of Art, Mumbai), he went to France. Souza went to London. Husain stayed home. And Ara too. What joined them together is (that they thought and discussed then) the new way forward and each of them plays an important role.
Raza's role was a very pre-eminent one. He defined a new artistic modernism for India. And it is a great achievement.
And you said M F Husain stayed home. Did Husain lose out by staying at home?
Not at all...
Or maybe Raza lost out by not staying home?
Yes... fair enough. Husain said the power of Indian culture lies in the villages. 'I must stay here. I must travel around and must see all that.' That was his source of energy and artistic inspiration. Later, he also travelled the world.
For Raza it was something else. It was absorbing all the art, he could, of the world, in the museums of Paris and then taking in that beautiful light of southern France, that in some ways matches up with the light of India and the colours, but in an interesting contrast.
He was very susceptible to exactly that sort of equilibrium. Or that tension in between. That was his artistic inspiration. There is no one way, right. Both of them benefitted, in their own way, from their sources of inspiration.
When you went to meet him, or in the earlier meetings that you had with him, what was something you always wanted to ask him about his work or his oeuvre?
Actually I didn't ask him any questions specifically because I felt I understood, just sitting there with him. | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/why-s-h-raza-is-one-of-indias-greatest-painters/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6adce5a119f613b4afd6739f6c71ebf327f5ea75e1e1216123c0d2382f5078e7.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:51:48 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | She said Modi has the mandate to take bold decisions on the lines of Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the resolution of the problems in and around Jammu and Kashmir. | Centre must apply balm on wounds of Kashmiris: Mehbooba | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcentre-must-apply-balm-on-wounds-of-kashmiris-mehbooba%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/feb/01lead1.jpg | en | null | Centre must apply balm on wounds of Kashmiris: Mehbooba | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 23:11 IST
She said Modi has the mandate to take bold decisions on the lines of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Kashmir.
The central leadership will have to take ‘one or more steps’ than Pakistan to ‘apply balm on the wounds’ of Kashmiris, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Monday and hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will use his mandate to save the lives and future of children of Kashmir.
“I met Prime Minister recently. I have full hope that the mandate and power he has, he (PM) will use that power to save the lives and future of children of Kashmir,” she said in Nagrota, Jammu while speaking at inauguration of building of Food Craft Institute.
“May be we (Government of India) have to take one or more steps than our neighbouring country (Pakistan) as Jammu and Kashmir is our state and we have to apply balm on wounds of the people,” she added.
“To apply balm on the wounds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, not only the prime minister or the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government but the entire leadership of the country, the Congress, the CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist), the JD-U (Janata Dal-United) etc should come forward and support the peace building initiative,” Mehbooba said.
We have to ensure that a credible mechanism for dialogue, reconciliation and resolution is put in place and it should not be like the half-hearted efforts made in similar situations after 2008 and 2010 unrest.
She said Modi has the mandate to take bold decisions on the lines of Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the resolution of the problems in and around Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have to ensure that a credible mechanism for dialogue, reconciliation and resolution is put in place and it should not be like the half-hearted efforts made in similar situations after 2008 and 2010 unrest,” she said and called for creating conducive atmosphere for dialogue.
“We are facing difficult situation in the state.... We hope that we will come out of this situation. We pray to god that such a situation is not repeated again in future,” Mehbooba said.
“But I am happy that people of Jammu have ensured peace and communal harmony. Situation in Kashmir is bad. There was violence and bloodshed. But the people of Jammu ensured communal harmony and brotherhood,” she noted.
The chief minister said whosoever wants the Kashmir problem to be addressed should understand that solution is not going to come through violence.
She said violence has changed nothing on political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir over the years and has only brought mayhem, miseries, economic disaster, academic breakdown and social disorder to the state.
Maintaining that violence will not help resolve issues, the chief minister said that peace and dialogue is the only way forward towards addressing the Kashmir imbroglio.
“Threads need to be picked up from where these were left by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2005, when a serious effort was made both on external and internal fronts to resolve the Kashmir issue through a credible and meaningful dialogue and confidence building process,” she said.
She asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party-People’s Democratic Party entered into alliance to carry forward the agenda of Vajpayee and former chief minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed and not for power or government.
“We entered into alliance (between the PDP and the BJP) in difficult circumstances. We did not enter into coalition for the power and the government,” she said.
The chief minister said the coalition was formed to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir is brought out from the nearly 70-year-old turmoil and misfortune.
“There was unrest in 2008 and it was followed by 2010 and now in 2016 there is again this violent unrest. We are yet to come out of these misfortunes,” she said.
Vajpayee had made a beginning to win hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, she said, adding he had also impressed upon Pakistan that ‘war, conspiracies and infiltration is no solution to Kashmir problem, but we should sit and hold talks’.
Hailing the step taken by Modi of going to Lahore which was followed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Islamabad, Mehbooba said, “I hope that Pakistan will understand sooner or later and will realise that targeting each other or leveling allegations will not solve any issue. Both countries should hold the hand of each other and carry forward the step taken by PM Modi.”
She said if Pathankot terror attack had not happened, ‘the situation (between India and Pakistan) would have been better’.
She went on to add, ‘Whatever has happened has happened’ and said the two countries should Vajpayee’s initiative.
Mehbooba recalled that Vajpayee had undertaken a bus ride to Lahore after which then Pakistan Army chief Gen Pervez Musharraf had engineered Kargil aggression.
However, Musharraf was later forced to come to India on an invitation of Vajpayee, she added.
“Again Parliament attack took place which took us close to the war. Even after these incidents, Vajpayee ji open heartedly extended hand of friendship to Pakistan from Kashmir soil for bringing the much-needed peace and normalcy and progress for people of J&K,” she said.
Mehbooba said ‘there were results after that. Musharraf said that he will not allow the Pakistani soil to be used for the terrorism in J&K. There was downfall in militancy in J&K and there was betterment in the situation and level of alienation came down. LoC roads were opened and process of dialogue began’.
“But unfortunately, Mufti Sayeed government changed in J&K and later in Delhi, there was change of the government led Atal ji and the result was that healing touch policy with good governance was stopped and today we are here again,” she said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/centre-must-apply-balm-on-wounds-of-kashmiris-mehbooba/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/85d30eac49a68daffebf3117942019d5fb07a380b46a833c4d33a6b4f145dfa6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:20:09 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | Activation of this advanced landing ground would not only improve the response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of the air operations in the eastern frontier. | Air Force fighter jets get a base near China | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fair-force-fighter-jets-get-a-base-near-china%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19lead6.jpg | en | null | Air Force fighter jets get a base near China | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 15:13 IST
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday dedicated to the nation the Pasighat advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh which will allow fighter aircraft like Su 30 MKI to land and take off, in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with China.
Terming it a red letter day in the history of the state, Rijiju said with the formal inauguration of the ALG that is capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters after Tezpur and Chabua, development process has started in the state which was lagging behind even after 70 years of independence.
Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command, who was present on the occasion said, "The ALG would enhance air support capability for the Army, paramilitary forces and the civil administration and would facilitate air connectivity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of the country."
Pasighat ALG is a strategic asset and would be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters, Easterm Air Command spokesperson said.
Activation of this ALG would not only improve the response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of the air operations in the eastern frontier.
The Union Minister of State for Home said, "The Northeast region abundant with rich natural resources is lagging behind in terms of development due to various reasons and the NDA government at the Centre is committed for its development on par with other parts of the country."
"The Northeast, a jewel in the country's crown was known to the rest of the country only after the 1962 Chinese aggression," he said.
Rijiju added that the commitment of the Centre was proved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed all the ministers to personally visit the region along with departmental officers to oversee the requirements.
Stating that there would be no dearth of development fund for the state, the Union minister asked the state government to judiciously utilise all the Central funds without compromising on the quality of work and time line.
"There should be a close coordination between the Centre and the state government to remove the 'under-developed' tag of Arunachal," Rijiju said.
A flypast by three Sukhoi-30 MKI Air Dominance Fighters, which took off from Chabua airbase in Tinsukia district of Assam, was the major attraction of the function.
Out of the three Sukhois, one piloted by Group Captain Satbir Singh and co-piloted by Mustaq Ahmed, landed at the ALG for the first time bringing cheers among the people of the centurion town in East Siang district.
The ALG at Pasighat was earlier partly paved and partly grassy, and smaller in size.
To bolster the operational capability in the eastern part of the state, IAF took over the ALG in February 2010 and started the aviation infrastructure development.
The ALG was earlier utilised for air maintenance sorties and casualty evacuation by the IAF.
Commercial helicopter operations were also undertaken from the helipads that existed earlier at the ALG.
The new runway surface and other infrastructure built were similar to the other upgraded ALGs that have been inaugurated in recent months.
Equipped with facilities such as aprons for ground manouevering, Air Traffic Control Tower, perimeter road and a security wall, the ALG would facilitate operations of fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters of both civil and military operators.
The Arunachal Pradesh government had in June 2009 inked an MoU with the defence ministry and accordingly IAF had embarked on an ambitious construction plan to upgrade eight ALGs in the state, including infrastructure development at an overall outlay of over Rs 1,000 crore.
The ALGs at Walong, Ziro, Along, Mechuka and Pasighat have since been upgraded and are operational now.
Two other ALGs at Tuting and Tawang are expected to be ready by the year end while the one at Vijaynagar would be undertaken for reconstruction as soon as the road connectivity between Miao and Vijaynagar is restored, Easterm Air Command spokesperson said.
The runways of all the ALGs in the state are between 3,500 to 4,200 feet.
Pasighat is the oldest town in the state founded in 1911 by the British for the administration of the far-flung areas of the greater Abor Hills and other places which were inaccessible and bereft of basic facilities and communication.
The town which has come a long way now is the only town from the state selected for development as a smart city.
IMAGE: An IAF Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet parked at the Pasighat advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh. Photograph: Ministry of Defence | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/air-force-fighter-jets-get-a-base-near-china/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f126d6ca3728d555aa6ec00e57189842ad6271c53fd7b850a76610ed58c6ef15.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:27 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | The GST will replace more than a dozen levies central and state levies, including central excise duty, service tax and central sales tax as well as VAT on sale of goods and entry tax, to make movement of goods seamless across 1.3 billion market. | GST bill passed in Rajya Sabha; truly historic, says PM | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgst-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04gst3.jpg | en | null | GST bill passed in Rajya Sabha; truly historic, says PM | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 03, 2016 23:54 IST
In the biggest tax reform since Independence, the national sales tax or GST Bill was on Wednesday approved by the Rajya Sabha to replace a raft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into world's biggest single market.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley cuts a cake after passage of GST Constitutional Amendment Bill passed in Rajya Sabha. Photograph: ANI Photo
The 66-year-old Constitution, which gives power to Centre to levy taxes like excise, and empowers states to collect retail sales taxes, was amended though the 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the GST will "also be the best example of cooperative federalism" and "Together we will take India to new heights of progress".
The legislation was approved by the Upper House with 203 votes in favour and none against, after a seven-hour debate during which a rare bonhomie was witnessed among the ruling and the opposition parties.
Replying to the debate, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the GST rate will be kept "as low as possible" but did not commit to a specific rate despite opposition benches pressing for it.
"We will also try and keep the rate as low as possible, certainly much lower than what the present situation is. And as compliance increases, the possibility of that rate coming down further would be there," he said.
The tax rate, he said, would be decided by the GST Council comprising of Union finance minister and representatives of all 29 states.
"We must trust the sense of responsibility of the states who belong to the same political parties as us. Who in their last meeting said that our guiding principle is going to be -- one we will lower the burden of tax," he said.
The finance minister said presently 80 per cent of goods attract 12.5 per cent of Central excise duty while at the state level 55 per cent of items are charged with 14.5 per cent VAT or sales tax.
Combination photo shows Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP members looking at the vote counting panel during the voting on the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
The weighted average of the two in 65 per cent of the items comes to 27 per cent. Adding cess, octroi and entry tax takes the figure to 30 per cent, he said.
In deciding the GST rate, "we are guided by two factors -- 27 per cent is too high, it is inflationary, it costs the people, so it should come down... the second they said we will collect what is essential for our present revenue requirement," he said.
Jaitley said members will have an opportunity to speak on subjects when the supporting GST Bill comes up in November.
The GST, he said, will make the system more efficient, increase tax compliance and tax avoidance will become more difficult as it will be detected at some stage or the other.
Also, there will be no cascading effect of tax on tax, he said adding there are certain items which will either attract lower rate of tax or no tax at all.
Ruling out GST impacting inflation, Jaitley said 54 per cent of goods in the basket used to calculate consumer price inflation are tax exempt and another 32 per cent attract low rate of tax. Only 15 per cent are taxed at standard rate.
The Goods and Service Tax, which was first proposed a decade back, is seen as potentially transformative for India's economy, adding as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP while also improving the ease of doing business and encourage investment in manufacturing.
It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues.
The GST will replace more than a dozen levies central and state levies, including central excise duty, service tax and central sales tax as well as VAT on sale of goods and entry tax, to make movement of goods seamless across 1.3 billion market. Instead of the good being taxed multiple times at different rates, under the new GST regime goods would be taxed at point of consumption.
The Bill passed on Wednesday will create a GST Council comprising Union Finance Minister and his counterparts from the states. This body will determine the final rate.
"As we stand today, the political objective is very clear. The rate has to come down, the rate must be reasonable. We will try for this for the most reasonable rate," the finance minister said.
He was responding to the major demand by most of the parties for capping the tax rate at 18 per cent.
Jaitley said the Chief Economic Advisor, who was quoted by Chidambaram and others, had suggested a rate of between 16.9 and 18.9 per cent which was not acceptable to the state finance ministers.
As a follow up to Wednesday's development, the CGST and IGST bills, which will be drafted by the Empowered Committee of state Finance Ministers, will be introduced in Parliament during the Winter Session.
Before the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill, Congress insisted on an assurance by the government that the CSGT and IGST would be treated as Finance bill and not money bill.
Responding to this, Jaitley said, "We have absolutely no intention, in any way, to bypass the Constitutional provisions as far as requirements of the bill are concerned. We will fully comply with the Constitution and precedence."
He added that it would be "unreasonable" to give an assurance since he was not aware of the content of those bills, neither had the GST Council discussed the issue and nor was there any such precedence.
The finance minister, however, said the matter will be discussed with the opposition parties before moving ahead, an assurance which satisfied the Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram earlier said the government is not obliged to bring those bills as money bills and in the interest of the country "you should give an assurance to the House".
On the additional one per cent manufacturing tax, he said experts were divided on the issue and many felt that it would have a cascading affect.
The proposal of imposing one per cent additional tax however, has been dropped.
The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of Goods and Services Tax regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addressing a press conference at Parliament House after the Goods and Services Tax bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Wednesday evening. Photograph: Shirish Shete/PTI Photo
These included one on scrapping of the proposed tax of up to 1 per cent on inter-state transactions to compensate manufacturing states and another one promising to compensate states for any revenue loss in first five years of GST implementation.
The other amendments pertained to a new formulation on a dispute-resolution mechanism and an endorsement of the resolution by the empowered committee of state finance ministers on a revenue-neutral rate to bring down the incidence of tax on the common man while protecting revenues of states.
During the debate former finance minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram reiterated party's demand to keep GST rate below 18 per cent and asked government to specify its stand on the issue while including the rate in the subsequent GST bill. He also asked the Government not to convert the subsequent GST laws into money bills to bypass Rajya Sabha.
Money bills do not require approval of the Upper House and their mere passage in the Lok Sabha, where the ruling NDA has absolute majority, is enough for converting it into a law.
His twin demands found favour with other opposition leaders including Sitaram Yechury (CPIM), Naresh Agarwal (SP).
AIADMK was the only party which opposed the GST in totality.
This is a truly historic occasion: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill on GST by Rajya Sabha as a "truly historic occasion" and thanked leaders and members of all parties for their support.
He said the GST will "also be the best example of cooperative federalism" and "Together we will take India to new heights of progress".
Soon after the passage of the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 to facilitate rollout of GST, Modi tweeted, "On this truly historic occasion of the passage of the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha, I thank the leaders and members of all parties."
He added, "Our MPs must be congratulated for their path-breaking decision to give India an indirect tax system for the 21st century."
This reform, the prime minister said, will promote 'Make in India', help exports and thus boost employment while providing enhanced revenue.
"We continue to work with all parties & states to introduce a system that benefits all Indians & promotes a vibrant & unified national market," he added. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gst-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7df8338b3d1be1bd6fd39c2d20859d987fb4b002e5ac6b6846cdaecb01d04dd8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:07 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | Saeed said Pakistan government has added insult to the wounds of Kashmiris by welcoming Singh.
| JuD supporters try to cross into Kashmir with aid for protesters, blocked | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjud-supporters-try-to-cross-into-kashmir-with-aid-for-protesters%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03jamaat.jpg | en | null | JuD supporters try to cross into Kashmir with aid for protesters, blocked | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 03, 2016 23:20 IST
Hundreds of Pakistani supporters of a militant-linked charity tried to cross into the Indian part of the divided Kashmir region on Wednesday to deliver aid after weeks of violent protests in Islamabad.
But the activists from the Jamaat-ud-Dawah, a front for the anti-India Lashkar-e-Tayiba militant group, did not have permission from either the Pakistani or Indian authorities to cross the contested border and were stopped in a village on the Pakistani side where they staged a protest.
"We will continue the sit-in until these essential food supplies are sent across the divide into the curfew ridden Kashmir valley," Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a senior official of the charity, told Reuters.
Thousands of activists of various religious and jihadi outfits led by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on Wednesday protested across different Pakistani cities against the visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing him for the unrest in Kashmir.
Activists of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Hizbul Mujahideen, United Jihad Council and other such group protested to denounce Singh's trip, who arrived in Islamabad earlier on Wednesday to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ministerial conference being hosted by Pakistan.
Saeed led the rally in Lahore's Mall Road and vent out his anger over the government's decision to 'welcome' Singh despite his alleged "role in the killings of innocent Kashmiris".
Saeed said Pakistan government has added insult to the wounds of Kashmiris by welcoming Singh.
"We were not expecting that the Pakistani rulers would welcome Singh who is responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris," he said, adding the rulers should have refused to receive the Indian home minister to lodge its protest over Kashmir atrocities.
The United States designated the group a "foreign terrorist organisation" in 2010. The group denies any militant activity.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir has been divided since shortly after India and Pakistan gained independence from Britain in 1947.
The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars over it and the border between them in the region is an old ceasefire line known as the Line of Control.
The United Nations still monitors the well-fortified positions on both sides of the tense divide.
Forty-six people have been killed and more 5,000 wounded, including Indian security forces, since protests erupted there after the killing of a militant commander on July 8.
Most of the violence has been in the Kashmir valley, the most populous part of Indian Kashmir, which includes the main city of Srinagar.
The JuD activists, chanting "annihilation of India", tried to approach the LoC but were kept well back by steel barricades erected by Pakistani security forces in the village of Chakothi.
The protest came hours before Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) talks, according to footage broadcast on the Pakistani television news channel Geo.
A Kashmiri militant commander led a protest in Islamabad against Singh's visit earlier on Wednesday. About 300 people attended.
The militant leader, Syed Salahuddin, said Singh was "a killer of Kashmiris" and Pakistan should cut diplomatic ties with India over the violence in Indian Kashmir.
A Jamaat-ud-Dawah rally marching towards the Line of Control at Chakothi, Pakistan on Tuesday. PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/jud-supporters-try-to-cross-into-kashmir-with-aid-for-protesters/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/39bbfd1712244f0b9fe1fbc4c2eff3007d802c153407d829b1f1adedb4b45c43.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:49 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | Saeed accused Rajnath Singh of being 'responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris'. | If Rajnath comes to Islamabad, will hold protest: Hafiz Saeed | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fif-rajnath-comes-to-islamabad-will-hold-protest-hafiz-saeed-%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01hafeez.jpg | en | null | If Rajnath comes to Islamabad, will hold protest: Hafiz Saeed | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 10:46 IST
Accusing Rajnath Singh of being "responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris", Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed has warned of a countrywide protest in Pakistan by his outfit if the home minister arrives in Islamabad to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ministerial conference.
"I want to ask the Pakistani government will it add insult to injury to the wounds of Kashmiris by welcoming Rajnath who is responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris," he said in a statement.
"It will be ironical as on the one hand the whole Pakistani nation is protesting against the Indian atrocities in Kashmir and on the other hand the Pakistani rulers will be garlanding Singh," said the statement issued on Monday.
The mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack said "if Singh comes to Islamabad on August 3, the JuD would hold countrywide protest to tell the world that the Pakistani rulers might have compulsions to receive Kashmiris' killers but the people of Pakistan are siding with oppressed Kashmiris".
He added that protest demonstrations will be held and rallies taken out in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Faisalabad, Muzaffarabad and other cities of the country on August 3.
Saeed, who is carrying a $10 million US bounty on his head, warned the government that Singh's presence in Islamabad may create "unrest" among Kashmiris as well as Pakistanis in the face of scores of killings of Kashmiris "at the hands of Indian forces".
The people of Kashmir had refused to meet Singh during his Srinagar visit, he said adding the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government "must also refuse to receive the Bharatiya Janata Party leader on the excuse that it may hurt and incite feelings of Kashmiris and Pakistanis."
Meanwhile, Hizbul Mujahideen supreme commander Syed Salahuddin asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to immediately recall its ambassador from New Delhi and "suspend trade and diplomatic ties" with India in the wake of ongoing unrest in the Valley that have left 49 people dead following Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's killing.
The Pakistani government should not have invited Singh to the SAARC conference, he said.
"Ailing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should at least recall Pakistan's ambassador from New Delhi and suspend trade and diplomatic ties with India. The rulers should give up hypocrisy and the Pakistan government should either plead the case of Kashmiris or make friends with India," Salahuddin said while addressing the 'Azadi Kashmir March' on Sunday.
He said curfew had been clamped in Kashmir for the past 23 days and the Valley had turned into a 'volcano for India that could explode any time'.
"It would have been better if the Pakistani government had not the Indian home minister in SAARC conference as it would give a wrong message to the Kashmiris," he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/if-rajnath-comes-to-islamabad-will-hold-protest-hafiz-saeed-/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ffa49e35b4b7082193b8befe1d28d7fad64af4265d5d25f2d749e04e5043a917.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:34:25 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | India on Thursday sought strengthening of SAARC monitoring desks on terrorism and drugs, underlining that illicit funds generated from narcotics and fake currency networks are being fed into supporting terror activities | Terrorism, drugs, good governance: Rajnath says it all at SAARC | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fterrorism-drugs-good-governance-rajnath-says-it-all-at-saarc%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04rajsaarc.jpg | en | null | Terrorism, drugs, good governance: Rajnath says it all at SAARC | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 20:40 IST
India on Thursday sought strengthening of SAARC monitoring desks on terrorism and drugs, underlining that illicit funds generated from narcotics and fake currency networks are being fed into supporting terror activities.
Terming drug abuse a grave challenge, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the SAARC Interior Ministers that it is a problem which is connected with all types of organised crime.
"Today, drug business generates the highest illegal fund flows. Trafficking of drugs, coupled with the problem of increasing circulation of fake currency, feeds into supporting terrorism and can create economic de-stabilisation in our region," Singh said at the seventh SAARC Interior Ministers' conference in Islamabad.
He said that towards implementation of the regional convention on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, India has offered its full support and cooperation by way of capacity building and training programmes.
"There is also a felt need to achieve the full potential of the SAARC terrorist offences monitoring desk and the SAARC drug offences monitoring desk," he said.
The SAARC terrorist offences monitoring desk, established in Colombo in 1995, collates, analyses and disseminates information about such crimes, tactics of terror groups, their strategies and methods. SAARC drug offences monitoring desk is a similar desk established in Colombo in 1992 focussing on activities of narcotics traffickers.
Singh also highlighted signature schemes of the Modi government like 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' asking the SAARC countries to give due priority to safety and security of women and children.
"Safety and security of women and children will determine the well-being and strength of our nations. It is timely and relevant that SAARC has accorded due priority to this area of cooperation, since new threats are emerging with increasing access to information technology and the changing nature of global economy," Singh said.
The home minister said that in India, number of new initiatives such as the 'Track Child' national portal and 'Operation Smile' have been taken to rescue children.
"We shared our experience at the ministerial meeting of the south Asia initiative to end violence against children, which we were privileged to host recently. Our prime minister had launched the flagship 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' programme," Singh said.
He said the scheme has rapidly expanded and has started contributing to ensuring the survival, protection, education and empowerment of the girl child.
"Since this August forum also discusses our cooperation against corruption, I would like to mention that achieving greater transparency and good governance is a cornerstone of our policy," the minister said.
He said that through financial inclusion scheme 'Jan Dhan Yoyana' that leverages world's largest biometric Unique ID system Aadhar, and Direct Benefit Transfers, India has been able to transform services delivery to ensure that benefits of public schemes reach the grass-root levels.
Stressing for greater regional prosperity and cooperation between South Asian countries, Singh, however, said that mounting threats and terror incidents endanger region’s peace and stability.
"Terrorism remains the biggest challenge and threat to our peace. South Asia continues to be deeply affected by this malady, as witnessed most recently in cowardly terrorist attacks in Pathankot, Dhaka, Kabul and other places," Singh said after listening to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan.
"Merely strong condemnation of such terrorist attacks is not enough. We must harden our resolve to eradicate this menace and also take serious steps to this end," he said without mincing words.
The home minister also touched upon the issue of countries providing safe haven to terrorists and other criminals.
Singh said the will and the mandate of international community against proscribed and wanted terrorists and their outfits must also be respected and implemented.
"If we are to rid ourselves of terrorism, we will have to genuinely believe that attempts to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' terrorists are misleading," he said, adding no type of terrorism or support to it can be justified on any grounds whatsoever.
Advocating an immediate and effective action against all those who support or encourage international terrorism in any way, whether they are state actors or non-state, he said "only then justice will be ensured for the victims of terrorist attacks such as in Mumbai and Pathankot. We must have the approach of 'zero tolerance' against any type of terrorism."
Singh called for implementation of SAARC regional convention on suppression of terrorism and its additional protocol, saying that it was "crucial" in common fight against terrorism.
The convention includes ensuring effective measures so that those committing terrorist acts do not escape prosecution and punishment, and are extradited or prosecuted.
Singh also touched upon misuse of social and digital media, a modern-day tool used by terror groups.
"In our effort to tackle terrorism, we should look into all possible avenues of cyber-crime, its linkages with the terrorist world, and how these could be dealt with.
"Attention and efforts need to be devoted to ensure that social media and other modern technology is not misused for misleading especially the youth or promoting terrorism in any way."
He drew the attention of the participants to ratification of the SAARC convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters.
"We have not been able to benefit from the convention, as some member states are yet to ratify it. I would urge remaining member states to consider ratifying the convention at the earliest," he said.
He also thanked the participants for extending support to India's proposal for being the host of second meeting of the high level group of eminent experts to strengthen the SAARC anti-terrorism mechanism in Delhi from September 22 to September 23.
Image: Rajnath Singh along with the Indian delegation at the SAARC Home Ministers' Conference in Islamabad. Photograph: PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/terrorism-drugs-good-governance-rajnath-says-it-all-at-saarc/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/2dc8d1b231c81ad737d36a11a91d64e8558bda79ce205632724f13032a0ddfc9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:27 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | The skirmish took place in the wee hours in the restive Dabba-Kunna hills when the joint team of the CRPF and STF was out on an anti-Maoist operation. | 2 'commander-rank' cadres among 4 Naxals killed in Dantewada | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ffour-naxals-killed-in-encounter-in-chhattisgarhs-dantewada-district%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/apr/11naxal.jpg | en | null | 2 'commander-rank' cadres among 4 Naxals killed in Dantewada | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 15:49 IST
Four Naxals, including a 'commander-rank' woman cadre and another wanted in the deadly JiramValley attack, were on Wednesday gunned down while a jawan was injured in a fierce encounter between security personnel and the ultras in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.
The encounter took place in wee hours in the restive Dabba-Kunna hills when the joint team of CRPF, District Reserve Group and STF was out on an anti-Maoist operation, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Kamlochan Kashyap told PTI.
"While four cadres, including two Maoist commanders, were killed, a jawan was also injured in the face-off," he said.
Based on specific inputs, the operation was launched by security forces on Tuesday night to flush out the ultras hiding in the forests near Dabba and Kunna villages, the SP said.
The two villages are located on top of a hill which lies along the Dantewada and Sukma districts border, about 500 km from the state capital Raipur.
A group of armed Naxals opened indiscriminate fire at the security personnel close to Dabba village following which an encounter broke out between the two sides.
"In the face-off, four ultras, one of them a woman, who were clad in 'uniform' and armed with weapons and explosives," were killed, the SP said.
The woman cadre was identified as Madkami Deve, commander of 26th Platoon of the outlawed CPI (Maoist). Besides, another deceased rebel Maasa was commander of Katekalyan area committee. He was wanted in connection with the Jiram valley attack in which Congress leaders were killed in 2013, Kashyap said.
The identity of the two others was being ascertained.
Besides, a District Reserve Group jawan sustained injuries in the incident. He was later airlifted to Jagdalpur for treatment, he said.
27 people were killed in the JiramValley attack, including former state minister Mahendra Karma, the then Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and senior party leader Vidya Charan Shukla.
During search, besides the bodies of the Maoists, at least eight weapons, including three .303, 12 bore and 315 bore rifles, 30 Naxal bags (used to carry ammunition and daily use things) and a huge cache of Naxal-related items were recovered from the spot, Kashyap said.
Reinforcement was rushed to the spot and efforts are on to retrieve the bodies of cadres from the forest, he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/four-naxals-killed-in-encounter-in-chhattisgarhs-dantewada-district/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/2a560f7767ea31e6f13dd3ea990433286d2dba9aaa75418c1af677eb7194320c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:16 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | The bill was passed by LS last year and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha. | GST bill to be taken up by Lok Sabha on Monday, PM likely to intervene | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgst-bill-to-be-taken-up-by-lok-sabha-on-monday-pm-likely-to-intervene%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/mar/01live7.jpg | en | null | GST bill to be taken up by Lok Sabha on Monday, PM likely to intervene | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 07, 2016 15:47 IST
Major tax reform -- goods and services tax bill -- will be taken up by Lok Sabha on Monday, with virtually all political parties backing this legislation.
GST, the biggest economic reform since 1991, is likely to sail through smoothly in the Lower House. It will replace a raft of different state and local taxes with a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into world's biggest single market.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to intervene during the debate on the bill in Lok Sabha.
The bill was passed by Lok Sabha last year and now it has to go back to the Lower House for incorporating the amendments approved by Rajya Sabha.
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said the party will support GST Constitutional Amendment Bill and has issued whip to all its MPs to be present in the House tomorrow where it is scheduled to be taken up for passage.
Aiming for early implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, senior Union ministers have spoken to chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to ensure that the constitutional amendment is ratified by state assemblies at the earliest.
The chief ministers have assured that, if required, they will call a special session for the passage of the bill in their state assemblies.
The GST bill has to be ratified by at least 16 states in 30 days after it is passed by Parliament.
After facing fierce opposition over the Bill for almost a year, the government succeeded in bringing all major opposition parties, including the Congress, on board and it was passed in the Upper House with an overwhelming majority on August 3.
The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of GST regime, was passed by the opposition-dominated Upper House after the government moved four amendments.
Once implemented, GST will subsume various taxes, including excise, services tax, octroi and other levies, and the proceeds will be shared between the Centre and the states.
Under the new GST regime goods would be taxed at the point of consumption, instead of the goods being taxed multiple times at different rates.
The GST, which was first proposed a decade back, is seen as potentially transformative for India's economy, adding as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP while also improving the ease of doing business and encourage investment in manufacturing.
It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gst-bill-to-be-taken-up-by-lok-sabha-on-monday-pm-likely-to-intervene/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/46f24c929189544e1749fc841b1fdf235200bb484513fd7496dc89c04d6f4931.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T16:51:19 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Mehbooba assured Insha's parents that the state government would ensure best possible treatment, within or even outside the country, for their daughter. | Mehbooba 'horrified' after meeting 14-yr-old blinded by pellets | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmehbooba-horrified-after-meeting-14-yr-old-blinded-by-pellets%2F20160828.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/28mehbooba.jpg | en | null | Mehbooba 'horrified' after meeting 14-yr-old blinded by pellets | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 28, 2016 21:24 IST
Reaching out to 14-year-old girl Insha Malik who has been blinded by pellet gun firing, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday visited her in the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi and promised to do everything to restore her eyesight, including eye transplant.
The chief minister later said that she was ‘horrified’ after seeing the girl. “I thought what wrong has my Govt done that within 3 months such a situation arose post an encounter where a young girl, who wanted to become a doctor, became a victim,” she said.
Mehbooba assured Insha’s parents that the state government would ensure best possible treatment, within or even outside the country, for their daughter.
The chief minister visited the Eye Centre at Safdarjung Hospital and enquired about the welfare of Insha, who is undergoing treatment for pellet injuries.
While interacting with the doctors, Mehbooba requested them to make all possible efforts to restore the eyesight of the Kashmiri girl, according to a statement issued by her office.
“Even if she requires an eye transplant to make her see the world around again, the state government would provide full support for the same,” she told the doctors.
Insha, a Class IX student, has lost vision, after suffering pellet gun injuries during a clash between stone-pelters and security forces in Shopian several days back.
The chief minister also enquired about the welfare of a policeman, who was grievously injured during ongoing unrest and is undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visits 14-year-old Insha Malik, who was blinded by pellet gun firing, at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: J&K Information Department | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mehbooba-horrified-after-meeting-14-yr-old-blinded-by-pellets/20160828.htm | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d5f6ad3b732fcf4a675dbcf1bd0f5125dc1ced961abd4bda713ff0af6d864920.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:47 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Murmurs have begun with the Congress polity about the possibility of having a strong leader who can back Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 general elections. | With Sonia ill and Rahul not up to the task, Cong may have to look outside | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwith-sonia-ill-and-rahul-not-up-to-the-task-cong-may-have-to-look-outside%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/may/19cwc1.jpg | en | null | With Sonia ill and Rahul not up to the task, Cong may have to look outside | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 15:57 IST
Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s health concerns have hit the party’s ambitions, at least for the near future. Poor trust in Rahul Gandhi’s political acumen could force the party to bring in someone outside of the first family to help run things smoothly. R Rajagopalan reports from New Delhi.
IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi does not take after his mother, a weakness now finding acknowledgment by many within the party who feel a third person may be required to help with the running of the party.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s illness during the Varanasi road show and her subsequent hospitalisation have revived an old fear within the party: Who will follow suit?
Although Sonia Gandhi is out of the hospital, her recovery period is estimated at around three months. This means the onus of the party’s operations and its successes will now fall on the shoulders of party Vice President Rahul Gandhi.
After interacting with at least six Congress working committee members who are MPs and also with two close confidants of the Gandhi family, this correspondent has learnt that the imperative for the party is to ensure that the transition of power from Sonia to Rahul be smooth.
Nevertheless, a growing opinion within the party suggests that any fighting chance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will require the party to depend on someone outside of the first family to supplement the poll campaign.
Since, apparently, Rahul and Priyanka cannot take up the political workload on their own, a third choice may be imminent in the near future.
For the party, the first major test is the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections due next year, especially given the Congress's upsurge in civic elections in a few northern states. But even if that were to be managed, the biggest challenge before the party is to prepare for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but who will lead it into battle?
Rahul Gandhi does not take after his mother, something that is now acknowledged by many within the party. His tenure as the party’s VP and his 13 years as a member of Parliament do not seem to have taught him the fine art of politics; this is a major concern for those who wish to see him as a viable alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For the Congress party it is imperative to project Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate in the 2019 elections but his inability to cope with his mother’s pace could lead to a potential derailment of his elevation to the top slot as party president.
With her health in disarray and advancing age, it seems unlikely that Sonia Gandhi, who will be over 70 years old at the time of the 2019 general elections, will be able take on the burden of touring the nation.
In other words, a few years hence, the party will be deprived of the certitude of control that the family has exerted on it, with some brief interruptions, for five decades. A Congress leader, recalling how Rajiv Gandhi’s sudden demise in 1991 created a political vacuum which Sonia was able to bridge, wondered if Rahul will be able to manage a similar feat.
Hence, murmurs have begun within the Congress about the possibility of having a strong leader who can back Rahul Gandhi in 2019.
One of the ideas now being floated to counter such a situation is to have two vice presidents for the party: Rahul Gandhi being the obvious first, with Ghulam Nabi Azad or Digvijaya Singh being a potential second. Party insiders have ruled out the possibility of P Chidambaram as he has many pending legal cases against him, which could boomerang on the party.
R Rajagopalan is a veteran political analyst and a Congress watcher for more than 30 years. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/with-sonia-ill-and-rahul-not-up-to-the-task-cong-may-have-to-look-outside/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/05f01895d19bc1c9da92d3a252fa3d833a68a241591ecc02198b54fcd4a8ddd0.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T02:52:08 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Here's a recap of the events from the past 24 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/30rewind4.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 08:06 IST
Here’s a recap of the events from the past 24 hours.
A huge traffic jam at ring road towards ISBT after lash of heavy rain in New Delhi. Photographs: PTI Photo
Protesters throw stones on security forces during a clash in Srinagar. Fresh clashes erupted in the Valley after curfew was lifted. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visits a flood relief camp in Katihar.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti giving appointment documents under SRO-43 to next kin of the employees of Jammu division in Jammu.
Wreckage of a bus which toppled down at Jawalapur area in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and his wife Daw Su Su Lwin pay tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI
Members of the Jain community shout slogans and hold placards to protest against Vishal Dadlani’s tweet which insulted Saint Tarun Sagar in front of Delhi CM’s house, in New Delhi.
A delegation of Ayodhya sadhus led by Janmejaisharan Maharaj, right, president Ramjanm Bhomi Mandir Nirman and Swami Atmanand Sarswati presenting Quran and Gita to Parlliamentary Affair Minister Azam Khan, centre, at Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow. Photograph: Nand Kumar/ PTI Photo
Women scuffle with the police officials after death of two persons in a fire due to alleged negligence of the fire service department at Dharmanagar Halflong area.
Vehicles make their way through floodwaters on a street after heavy rainfall in New Delhi. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9b7058e2b6674bd2bb646a4475f6a8d71e7a34536a621f6d35ed871f2f1a878a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:26 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | The reported test came amid escalating cross-border tensions, with the North threatening retaliation over the start of South Korea-US military exercises condemned by Pyongyang. | North Korea test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fnorth-korea-test-fires-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/feb/12ss1.jpg | en | null | North Korea test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 04:10 IST
North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast, South Korea's military said on Wednesday, the latest in a string of missile launches by the isolated country in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.
According to Yonhap, the reported test came amid escalating cross-border tensions, with the North threatening retaliation over the start of South Korea-US military exercises condemned by Pyongyang as a rehearsal for a nuclear attack and invasion.
North Korea test-fired the missile at around 5.30 am (2.30 am IST) near the coastal city of Sinpo, where satellite imagery shows a submarine base to be located, an official at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns as a preparation for invasion, and has threatened retaliation.
North Korea has become further isolated after a January nuclear test, its fourth, and the launch of a long-range rocket in February brought tightened UN sanctions.
With inputs from Agencies. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/north-korea-test-fires-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7c95d8a2010009322686da777d753e2b4c378769ff26dc395e66ae6e4b24f57b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:27 | null | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | Muslim community members came in large numbers to support the Dalit community in their campaign. | Rohith Vemula's mother hoists Tricolour in Una as Dalits vow to intensify stir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frohith-vemulas-mother-hoists-tricolour-in-una%2F20160815.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/15dalit11.jpg | en | null | Rohith Vemula's mother hoists Tricolour in Una as Dalits vow to intensify stir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 15, 2016 18:23 IST
IMAGE: Dalit scholar Rohit Vemula's mother Rashika salutes the National during a Dalit solidarity rally on the Independence Day in Una on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Vowing to intensify their agitation at a protest rally on Independence day, the Dalit community in Gujarat on Monday said they will launch a mega rail roko stir if their demand for granting five acres of land for each family is not met by Gujarat government within one month.
As thousands of Dalits gathered in Una on the occasion of the country’s 70th Independence Day where Prime Minister Narendra Modi also came under fire, their leaders sought freedom from atrocities and discrimination, amid chants of ‘Jai Bhim’.
The tricolor was jointly unfurled by Radhika Vemula, mother of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula who had committed suicide in Hyderabad and Balu Sarvaiya, father of one of the victims of Una dalit flogging incident, in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar.
The week-long rally which started from Ahmedabad by Una Dalit Atachiyar Ladat Samiti, culminated in Una, the place where some Dalits were brutally beaten by cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow last month sparking outrage.
“You take cow's tail, give us land," Jignesh Mavani, a lawyer-turned politician who established the UDALS and led the march, told the huge gathering.
“We have presented our demand before the state government. If you do not accept our demand of giving five acres land to each dalit family in next one month, we will launch a rail roko agitation,” Mevani said.
He also made those who were present there to take a pledge not to be in the business of skinning of cows.
Targeting Modi, Mevani said, "The sheer scale of protests had forced him to speak out on the issue. Modi did not speak a word when three youths were killed in police firing in Thangadh town in 2012, another incident of Dalit atrocity.”
IMAGE: JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar along with Dalit community members during a solidarity rally in Una on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Kanhaiya said the hype of Gujarat Model of development has been punctured by Dalits of the state.
"We want freedom from castesim. We will not tolerate any more atrocities on Dalits anywhere in the country. Everybody has to come together to fight against such atrocities,” he said.
Radhika Vemula in her address said, “I have not got justice for my son. He had to commit suicide just because he was Dalit.
“But it is good to see that Dalit movement in Gujarat has forced the chief minister Anandiben Patel to resign. I have come here so that no other Dalit children face what my son had to suffer.”
Muslim community members came in large numbers to support the Dalit community in their campaign. Slogans like ‘Dalits-Muslims bhai bhai’ were heard at the gathering.
As many as seven members of Dalit community from Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluk in Gir Somnath district were on July 11 brutally assaulted by some cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow.
Among others who attended the flag hoisting event at Una were documentary film-maker Anand Patwardhan.
The other demands of Dalits included banishment of each of the accused arrested in the Una atrocity incident under Prevention of Anti-Social Activity Act and arrest of others who were seen in the videos participating in the beating of Dalits in the Una incident.
They also demanded alternative employment options from government to Dalits who have pledged to not dispose of carcasses of dead animals, which they said should be first discussed in the coming session of the state assembly.
They also demanded revocation of ‘frivolous cases’ filed against Dalit agitators during demonstrations in the aftermath of the Una incident.
The agitators also demanded arrest of absconding accused in the September 2012 Thangadh incident in which three Dalit youths were killed. They also asked for reopening of the case and trial be conducted in special designated case. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rohith-vemulas-mother-hoists-tricolour-in-una/20160815.htm | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/add0c23bf4bf2d3588acf669fc6a9ab6eeddf5df23f449f8525a91eadda86e2d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:32:23 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | The three presidential debates scheduled this time are September 26 (Hempstead, New York), October 9 (St Louis) and October 19 in Las Vegas. | Trump says 'I want to debate very badly.' But he has conditions | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ftrump-says-i-want-to-debate-very-badly-but-he-has-conditions%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/10trump1.jpg | en | null | Trump says 'I want to debate very badly.' But he has conditions | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 10, 2016 10:03 IST
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he wants to “debate very badly” with his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton but will first see terms and conditions of the three presidential debates scheduled for September and October.
“I will absolutely do three debates. I want to debate very badly. But I have to see the conditions,” Trump told The Time magazine.
The debate is considered the most significant part of the US presidential elections, which very often decides the fate of a candidate.
The three presidential debates scheduled this time are September 26 (Hempstead, New York), October 9 (St Louis) and October 19 in Las Vegas.
The one vice-presidential debate is scheduled for October 4 in Farmville, Virginia.
The non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which conducts the debate, had last September announced the dates, venue and terms and conditions for the debate. The format of each 90-minute debate has already been set.
Trump said that he had haggled with television networks over the terms of debates held during the Grand Old Party primary and might do so again.
“I renegotiated the debates in the primaries, remember? They were making a fortune on them and they had us in for three-and-a-half hours and I said that’s ridiculous.
“I am sure they’ll be open to any suggestions I have, because I think they’ll be very fair suggestions. But I haven’t (seen the conditions) yet. They’re actually presented to me tonight,” he said.
Trump also said he reserved the right to object to the commission’s choice of moderators, which have not yet been announced.
“I’ll have to see who the moderators are. Yeah, I would say that certain moderators would be unacceptable, absolutely. I did very well in the debates on the primaries. According to the polls, I won all of them. So I look forward to the debates. But, yeah, I want to have fair moderators. I will demand fair moderators,” he said.
Meanwhile, Politico reported that the Commission is preparing for a third seat on the podium of the debate in case any of the third party candidates get more than 15 per cent in recent national polls.
Did Trump threaten Hillary?
Meanwhile, Trump has come under severe criticism for his controversial “Second Amendment” remark which many in the media have interpreted as a threat of violence against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
At an election rally in Wilmington, North Carolina on Tuesday, Trump said the “Second Amendment people” – gun owners or those backing gun rights -- could stop Clinton from winning the White House and picking new US Supreme Court justices.
“This is simple -- what Trump is saying is dangerous. A person seeking to be the President of the United States should not suggest violence in any way,” said Robby Mook, Hillary for America Campaign Manager.
Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia, who is the running mate of Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential nominee, said that he could not believe the comments made by Trump, while a former spymaster said that but for the Republican nominee such a remark would have landed him behind bars.
In the American political system, there has been an unwritten protocol and zero tolerance to any statements that could be even interpreted as inciting violence.
“If Trump were not a major-party presidential nominee, his comment yesterday might have earned him a stern visit from the Secret Service. Instead, it will simply be added to the ever-growing list of Trump’s disqualifiers -- and to the ever-growing burden of Republican leaders who continue to insist that their candidate is suitable to serve,” The Washington Post said in an editorial.
“As is often the case, Trump was incoherent enough to permit more than one plausible interpretation of his words. If he had not so often celebrated violence and wielded dark innuendo against political opponents, minority groups, journalists and others, it would be easier to give him the benefit of the doubt in this case,” it said.
Seldom, if ever, have Americans been exposed to a candidate so willing to descend to the depths of bigotry and intolerance as Trump, ‘The New York Times’ said in a lead editorial.
“That he would make yesterday’s comment amid sinking poll numbers and a wave of Republican defections suggests that when bathed in the adulation of a crowd, Trump is unable to control himself,” it said.
Image: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds babies at a campaign rally in Colorado Springs. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/trump-says-i-want-to-debate-very-badly-but-he-has-conditions/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ef08bd6b426e3e83005f56839c8a06162065b486d253f692858203b99e71f3d2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:39:27 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | According to a three-year-old article published in Lokmat, the bridge was in a terrible condition and the National Highways Authority who were aware of the condition did nothing to fix it. | Mumbai-Goa highway bridge too old: Britain had warned state in 2013 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmumbai-goa-highway-bridge-too-old-britain-had-warned-state-in-2013%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/04bridge1.jpg | en | null | Mumbai-Goa highway bridge too old: Britain had warned state in 2013 | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 09:05 IST
Even as search operations continue as 22 people are missing after two buses were swept away in the 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, questions about the safety of the bridge are being asked.
According to a three-year-old article published in Lokmat, the bridge was in a terrible condition and the National Highways Authority who were aware of the condition did nothing to fix it.
The 100-year-old bridge, inaugurated in 1927, had been in use for almost 10 years before its formal inauguration.
Public Works Department officials and National Highways Authority of India officials said that the British government warns its Indian counterpart when bridges built on highways and railway lines during the colonial rule near the end of their expected lifespan and recommend their closure or demolition.
A railway official confirmed such a practice among the British authorities.
“We are regularly informed about aged bridges and structures.”
A senior PWD official said, “I’m told that the British had informed us about the Savitri bridge as well.”
Officials said that British-era bridges are made of stone and have arches and the problem with this type of construction is that whenever any joint in the bridge collapses, the entire structure can fall down.
In case of the Mumbai-Goa Highway bridge, peepal trees had started growing in the cracks between the stones, which weakened the bridge further. The condition would be worst during rains as trees would grow further.
Image: The remaining portion of the Mahad-Poladpur bridge which was washed away in flood water of Savitri river on the Mumbai-Goa highway in Raigad district on Wednesda. Photograph: PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mumbai-goa-highway-bridge-too-old-britain-had-warned-state-in-2013/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7e4bc2af41ed335e9738d51872fe5d9ab1d6250a79cd989feab6338f946c9c1f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:37 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | A case has been registered in Hyderabad against Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Raja Singh for his remarks which allegedly defended the attacks on Dalits in Gujarat's Una and supported the cow vigilantes involved. | Telangana BJP MLA booked for supporting Una Dalit attack | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ftelangana-bjp-mla-booked-for-supporting-una-dalit-attack%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01raja.jpg | en | null | Telangana BJP MLA booked for supporting Una Dalit attack | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 18:57 IST
A case has been registered in Hyderabad against Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Raja Singh for his remarks which allegedly defended the attacks on Dalits in Gujarat's Una and supported the cow vigilantes involved.
Mala Sankshema Sangam president B Ramprasad lodged a complaint with Mangalhat Police here accusing Singh of delivering hate speech through his statements.
Following the complaint, a case was registered on August 2 under IPC section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) against the BJP MLA, Mangalhat Police Station Sub-Inspector Sekhar said.
"The matter is under investigation," Assistant Commissioner of Police (Goshamahal Division) K Ram Bhupal Rao told PTI.
In a two-and-half minute video posted on Facebook on July 30, Singh had defended the cow vigilantes, saying those who consume cow meat are bringing "disgrace" to the entire community and should be "taught a lesson".
"I am asking those Dalits (who kill cows). Is it necessary to murder cow and eat its meat? This is absolutely wrong. It is because of such 'galeez' (dirty or disgusting) Dalits, that the image of whole Dalit community, which is patriotic, follows dharma, and worships cows, is tarnished.
"I support the beating (up) of Dalits who slaughter cows to consume its meat. It is apt. I also support those who taught them a lesson," Singh had said in the video.
He had said there are so many Dalits in Telangana who take part in 'Gau Raksha' along with him.
Telangana AAP workers, led by their leader Somnath Bharati, had on August 2 held a demonstration near Hyderabad Police Commissionerate demanding registration of an FIR against Singh and his arrest.
On July 11, four Dalit youth were beaten up by cow vigilantes at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka of Gir-Somnath district when they were skinning a dead cow.
Though the youth pleaded they are from the skinning community, the vigilantes thrashed them alleging they were involved in cow slaughter, sparking an outrage. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/telangana-bjp-mla-booked-for-supporting-una-dalit-attack/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3c91536135ace27350764ec8b9b9f59075e185447c0c0aa4a2f77c7f314c2d95.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:50:08 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | In a shocking incident, two minor sisters, who were forced to live in a dark, locked room devoid of ventilation in outer Delhi's Samaypur Badli area after being deserted by their drunkard father, were rescued with deep wounds due to maggot infection, police said on Friday. | Deserted by parents, two minor girls rescued from locked room in Delhi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdeserted-by-parents-two-minor-girls-rescued-from-locked-room-in-delhi%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26girls.jpg | en | null | Deserted by parents, two minor girls rescued from locked room in Delhi | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 20:04 IST
In a shocking incident, two minor sisters, who were forced to live in a dark, locked room devoid of ventilation in outer Delhi's Samaypur Badli area after being deserted by their drunkard father, were rescued with
deep wounds due to maggot infection, police said on Friday.
The two girls, aged eight and three years, were left alone in their rented house at Radha Vihar of Nepali Colony, allegedly by their drunkard father on August 17, they said.
After a foul smell started emanating from the house, neighbours made a PCR call on August 19 and the two girls were rescued from the house. They were infected with maggots and had skin infection, the police said.
The room had no ventilation and it was a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The girls had also not eaten for days and were on the verge of death when they were rescued, a police official said.
They were admitted to Baba Saheb Ambedkar hospital and are currently out of danger, police said.
Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal met the girls and said the women's panel will take care of them.
"Met 2 little girls abandoned by parents. Hv deep wounds infested with maggot, were stinking. Such a shame. Parents shud b punished for this. DCW to ensure there upkeep. DCW counselors attending to girl. Spoke to @SandeepKumar ji n he has assured admission in residential school," she said in a series of tweets.
"The police have registered a case under sections 317 IPC (abandonment of child under 12 years by parents or guardian) and 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. Once the girls are in better condition, we will produce them before CWC," said DCP (Outer) Vikramjeet Singh.
Police teams have been formed to trace the parents.
The girls' father, Bunty, from Uttar Pradesh, used to work as a labourer and spend all his earnings on alcohol. His is currently unemployed.
Locals told police that Bunty had married Jyoti who left him for another man a couple of months ago and took their five-year-old son with her. There were fights between the couple frequently and Bunty would often beat his wife. He used to scold the two girls after Jyoti left.
Bunty had deserted his mother who currently works as a maid in houses around Tis Hazari Subzi Mandi and stays at a night shelter. When the police contacted her and asked to take responsibility of the two girls, she cited her inability to do so.
Monetary help has been pouring in for the two girls. However, the police is currently looking after the girls on its own.
Photograph: ANI News/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/deserted-by-parents-two-minor-girls-rescued-from-locked-room-in-delhi/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/97825200614ffdef8a069619fdd134c7a56d6fc03885fd246d9f646fee29b987.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:10 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Here's a recap of the events from the past 24 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25rewind01.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 09:14 IST
Here’s a recap of the events from the past 24 hours.
A man, dressed as Vasudev carries a child dressed as Lord Krishna, as he enacts a scene from Krishna’s life during Janmashtami festival in Agra. Photograph: PTI
A police man throws a tear gas shell towards protesters to disperse them during clashes in Srinagar. Photograph: PTI
Journalists hold placards during a protest outside the Gandhi Ashram against Journalist Kishore Dave’s murder in Ahmedabad. Photograph: PTI
Villagers burn five motor bikes of the thieves who were stealing fish at Mattavara near Chikmagalur in Karnataka. Photograph: PTI
School children walk on bamboo bridge over Sukri river that was costructed by the villagers near Jaram village in Latehar. Photograph: PTI
Pakistan occupied Kashmir refugees shout slogans during a protest for their various demands in Jammu. Photograph: PTI
UP BJP President Keshav Prasad Maurya and other party workers face police water cannons during a protest in front of Vidhan Bhawan in Lucknow. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7f370f935f65bfe6ae33e77b6591c12db60751a52cc01fba587577eb4c7d87a8.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T08:51:47 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The delegation is expected to meet a cross section of people, individuals and organisations in its efforts to bring peace in the Valley. | Rajnath to lead all-party team to troubled Kashmir on September 4 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frajnath-to-lead-all-party-team-to-troubled-kashmir-on-september-4%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/29rajnath01.jpg | en | null | Rajnath to lead all-party team to troubled Kashmir on September 4 | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 13:18 IST
An all-party delegation led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir on September 4 and is expected to interact with a cross section of people as part of efforts to bring peace in the Valley which has been witnessing unrest.
The delegation will visit Jammu and Kashmir on September 4 and the home minister will lead it, a home ministry spokesperson said.
The delegation is expected to meet a cross section of people, individuals and organisations in its efforts to bring peace in KashmirValley which has been witnessing unrest after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
The home minister on Sunday had a hour-long meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh and discussed with them the modalities of the all-party delegation.
Sources said the meeting discussed the possible individuals and groups with whom the delegation may interact during its tour of the troubled state.
The government has sounded out different political parties to convey the names of their functionaries who will be part of the team.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about the Kashmir situation in his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme.
"Ekta (unity) and Mamata (affection) was the crux of all interactions I had recently on Kashmir situation," he had said.
Modi said those pushing youth towards stone pelting in Kashmir will some day have to answer them. He also said that all political parties spoke in one voice on Kashmir, sending out a strong message to the world as well as separatists.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had met the prime minister on Saturday.
IMAGE: Rajnath Singh and Mehbooba Mufti address a press conference, in Srinagar on August 25, 2016. Photograph: PIB | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rajnath-to-lead-all-party-team-to-troubled-kashmir-on-september-4/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f4f4c076b240b9c8831abd232ee31deee3871cd241137aef32f49729c284ecbe.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:17 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | This is Gandhi's first visit to Varanasi after Modi became prime minister.
| Sonia Gandhi complains of high fever, Varanasi road show halted | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-sonia-gandhi-takes-on-pm-modi-on-home-turf-varanasi%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02sonia01.jpg | en | null | Sonia Gandhi complains of high fever, Varanasi road show halted | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 02, 2016 21:19 IST
Congress President Sonia Gandhi's roadshow in Varanasi on Tuesday comes to a screeching halt. Gandhi had to cut short the roadshow towards the fag end of the eight-km march route after she fell ill as it wound through the streets of the temple town for nearly three hours.
Gandhi was running a high fever and headed back to Delhi. However, reports indicated that she had to put on drip at Varanasi airport.
Kicking off the party's campaign for the 2017 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi on Tuesday led a massive roadshow in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's turf.
Sources said despite suffering from viral fever she had decided to go ahead with the roadshow as she was not inclined to cancel it at the last minute.
"Saddened that due to my ill health, I had to cut my visit to Varanasi. Couldn't visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple either," Gandhi said later.
PM Modi prayed for Gandhi's quick recovery and good health.
"Heard about Sonia ji’s ill health during her Varanasi visit today. I pray for her quick recovery and good health," he tweeted.
The roadshow, which continued for about three hours, was halted for sometime at the Lohurabir roundabout near the fag end of the roadwhow from the Circuit House to Englishiya Line. The roadshow later proceeded without Gandhi.
The sources said Gandhi complained of uneasiness and after taking rest for sometime, she left the area. Thousands of Congress supporters and workers took part in the roadshow.
It was Gandhi's first visit to Varanasi after Modi became prime minister in May 2014.
The march began with Gandhi garlanding the statue of B R Ambedkar at the Circuit House and the marchers criss-crossed lanes and bylanes of the temple town.
Gandhi, who was initially travelling in a car and later moved to a vehicle with open sunroof, waved at the crowd which cheered and raised slogans against the Modi government.
She came out of her vehicle several times to accept the greetings of the cheering supporters, including groups of Muslim women. As the road show passed through several localities, rose petals were showered on Gandhi and her cavalcade from adjoining buildings.
Dozens of mini trucks prominently displayed posters with '27 Saal, UP Behaal' (27 years of UP's distress) written on them. Placards carried by hundreds of workers also had the same slogan written on them.
Besides the party's chief ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit, AICC General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, state party chief Raj Babbar and senior leaders Pramod Tiwari and Sanjay Singh accompanied Gandhi. Babbar expressed the hope there will be a "miracle" in favour of his party in the elections.
Earlier, Gandhi flew in Varanasi for a day-long programme in Modi's constituency and was led by hundreds of bikers, waving party flags from the airport to the heart of the city.
The Congress has launched a campaign "dard-e-Banaras" to highlight lack of development in Varanasi, which Modi is representing for over two years in the Lok Sabha.
The Congress has been out of power for 27 years in Uttar Pradesh and is projecting that the state has gone from bad to worse in these years through a campaign, called '27 Saal, UP Behaal'.
Babbar later said that Gandhi had come to Varanasi while she was running fever and insisted that she will go ahead with the visit.
During the roadshow, Gandhi felt exhausted and was told by doctors not to continue with her programme, he said.
The Congress President also wanted to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple before returning to Delhi but was told not to do so, he added.
IMAGES: Roadshow of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. Photographs: @INCIndia/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-sonia-gandhi-takes-on-pm-modi-on-home-turf-varanasi/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c9c6eb77ef05645a424267609fee5d997d75f04a6d4b7078314120195334d13c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:18:26 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Do you follow the news? Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here... | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/18mahesh1.jpg | en | null | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 22, 2016 09:48 IST
Do you follow the news? Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here... | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c09819ef04eaa8cd1bb806a5c3d1dbe04b3633255c13d54a4cac3d887095eea7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:52 | null | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | A panel discussion on Saturday had turned chaotic as some 'pro-freedom' Kashmiris, most of whom were youngsters and students, entered into heated arguments with a Kashmiri Pandit leader for hailing the Indian Army. | Amnesty International India booked for sedition, rioting over 'pro-azadi' event | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Famnesty-international-india-booked-for-sedition%2F20160815.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/feb/13jnu1.jpg | en | null | Amnesty International India booked for sedition, rioting over 'pro-azadi' event | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 15, 2016 23:15 IST
Bengaluru police registered a first information report against Amnesty International India on Monday under various Indian Penal Code sections, including sedition, in connection with alleged raising of ‘independence’ slogans by ‘pro-freedom’ Kashmiris who entered into heated arguments with a Kashmiri Pandit leader for hailing the Indian Army.
A police official involved in the investigation said that an FIR has been registered and investigations will proceed.
The FIR has been registered under IPC Sections 142 (being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), he said.
A panel discussion on Saturday had turned chaotic as some ‘pro-freedom’ Kashmiris, most of whom were youngsters and students, entered into heated arguments with a Kashmiri Pandit leader for hailing the Indian Army.
The event was organised by Amnesty International India at United Theological College in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had on Sunday said the intention and background of those involved will be investigated.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists, who staged a protest on Sunday against the event calling it ‘anti-national’, had also filed a complaint with the police along with a CD containing video recording of the event.
Holding that it had organised the event as part of a campaign to seek justice for a ‘victims of human rights violations’ in Jammu and Kashmir, Amnesty International India in a statement had said towards the end of the event, some of those who attended raised slogans, some of which referred to calls for azadi (freedom).
Noting that as a matter of policy it does not take any position in favour of or against demands for self-determination, Amnesty had said it, however, considers that the right to freedom of expression under international human rights law protects the right to peacefully advocate political solutions that do not involve incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.
Image used for representation only. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/amnesty-international-india-booked-for-sedition/20160815.htm | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/345a034544a472ef740be1bdab2b59ca087a09e0a662a29ff5b3df16782b6271.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:39:50 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | 'Thirteen years of Modi rule, not two years of Anandiben are responsible for Gujarat burning. Sacrificing the scapegoat won't save the BJP,' Gandhi said on his official Twitter handle. | Making Anandiben 'scapegoat' won't save BJP in Gujarat: Rahul | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmaking-anandiben-scapegoat-wont-save-bjp-in-gujarat-rahul%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/may/23anandi.jpg | en | null | Making Anandiben 'scapegoat' won't save BJP in Gujarat: Rahul | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 09:53 IST
A day after Anandiben Patel decided to step down as chief minister, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said making her a “scapegoat” would not save the Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat as the 13-year Narendra Modi rule in the state was responsible for its “burning”.
“Thirteen years of Modi rule, not two years of Anandiben are responsible for Gujarat burning. Sacrificing the scapegoat won’t save the BJP,” Gandhi said on his official Twitter handle.
The Gujarat chief minister on Monday decided to step down, saying it was time for new the leadership to take over as she is soon going to turn 75.
Assembly elections in Gujarat are scheduled by the end of next year and Congress is upbeat as it had put up a good showing in the rural areas in the western state’s panchayat elections.
The party has been out of power in the Gujarat for over two decades.
The state has been witnessing an agitation by the Patidar community to fulfil their quota demand while Dalits are up in arms after seven persons from their community were flogged by a group at Una for skinning a dead cow.
Terming Patel’s resignation as “overdue”, Congress had on Monday accused the BJP leadership of trying to protect her in spite of “growing unrest” among Dalits and the Patidar community over her handling of issues related to them.
All India Congress Committee general secretary, in-charge of Gujarat, Gurudas Kamat also said if she is made a governor of any state or accommodated into the Union cabinet, then it will amount to rubbing salt on the wounds of Dalits and the Patidar community. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/making-anandiben-scapegoat-wont-save-bjp-in-gujarat-rahul/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/b7b805b285b448c0523461e38be59a24f3168af9ffa165c1d9855128cc102443.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:40 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | The separatist camp have called for an 'Aazadi march' to district headquarters on Saturday as part of their protest schedule. | Curfew continues; normal life hit for 43rd day in Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcurfew-continues-normal-life-hit-for-43rd-day-in-kashmir%2F20160820.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/20kashmir1.jpg | en | null | Curfew continues; normal life hit for 43rd day in Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 20, 2016 12:38 IST
Curfew remained in force in Srinagar district and two south Kashmir towns even as normal life in the Valley was paralysed for the 43rd day on Saturday due to unrest in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
“Curfew is in force in entire Srinagar district, Anantnag town and Pampore town as a precautionary measure,” a police official said.
The separatist camp have called for an ‘Aazadi march’ to district headquarters on Saturday as part of their protest schedule.
The official said restrictions on the movement of the people were in force in rest of the Valley.
Normal life remained paralysed for the 43rd consecutive day due to curfew, restrictions and separatist-sponsored strike following Wani’s killing in an encounter with security forces.
Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads. The attendance in government offices was thin.
Mobile Internet and telephony services also remained suspended.
The separatist camp, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, has extended the agitation till August 25.
As many as 64 persons including two cops have been killed in the clashes that began on July 9.
Image: Streets of Srinagar wore a deserted look owing to the curfew imposed. Photograph: Umar Gani/Rediff.com | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/curfew-continues-normal-life-hit-for-43rd-day-in-kashmir/20160820.htm | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5519b8099ba98f7ad388683f8bf76429f0dbf175d6c7a9dabb2ed12773e67207.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:26 | null | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel added.
| Indian prisoner attacked thrice in Pakistani jail | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Findian-prisoner-attacked-thrice-in-pakistani-jail%2F20160805.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/mar/04jail.jpg | en | null | Indian prisoner attacked thrice in Pakistani jail | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 05, 2016 16:19 IST
A 31-year-old Indian prisoner, sentenced by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card, was attacked at least thrice by inmates in recent months in a Peshawar jail, his lawyer told a court.
Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.
His lawyer Qazi Mohammad Anwar told a Peshawar high court bench on Thursday that his client had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.
Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel added.
He said even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.
Anwar said that Ansari lodged a complaint about this with the superintendent.
Superintendent of the prison Masoodur Rehman confirmed the incidents but insisted they’re of minor nature and that such incidents did happen in prisons, the Dawn reported.
Rehman also told the bench that Ansari, who was serving three years jail term, had been kept in the death cell.
“He (Ansari) can’t be kept in a normal barrack along with other prisoners for the sake of his security,” he said.
The superintendent also pointed out that the facility had a capacity for 350 inmates, but was housing 3,000.
Ansari’s lawyer said the superintendent should give an undertaking to the court that attacks won’t happen against his client in future. The jailer, however, said he couldn’t give a written guarantee in this regard, the paper said.
The counsel requested the bench to order the superintendent to shift Ansari to a safer part of the jail where there were no threats to his life.
After hearing the arguments, the court asked authorities to provide protection to Ansari and asked the superintendent to sit down with social activist Rakhshanda Naz and Ansari himself to come up with steps for the inmate’s protection.
“It is your duty to maintain law and order. As a jailer, you are responsible for protecting the lives and property of inmates,” the bench told the superintendent.
The bench also ordered Ansari to decide himself over steps for his protection, the Express Tribune reported. A copy of the recommendations is to be submitted before the court.
Ansari had gone missing after he was taken into custody by intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat in 2012 and finally in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, Fauzia Ansari, the high court was informed on January 13 that he was in custody of the Pakistan Army and was being tried by a military court.
He was convicted by the military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card and sentenced to three years imprisonment. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/indian-prisoner-attacked-thrice-in-pakistani-jail/20160805.htm | en | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a521c15e14d6f9b21c0890bfa9b930077818be744cfc27db79854853e1f62fe7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:55 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | One person was killed in a clash between a mob and security forces in downtown Srinagar on Sunday evening, shattering the peace that was by and large witnessed in Kashmir through the day with curfew in force in the capital and two other towns. | Peace again gets stoned to death in Kashmir; toll rises to 65 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpeace-again-gets-stoned-to-death-in-kashmir-toll-rises-to-65%2F20160821.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/21lead8.jpg | en | null | Peace again gets stoned to death in Kashmir; toll rises to 65 | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 21, 2016 21:20 IST
One person was killed in a clash between a mob and security forces in downtown Srinagar on Sunday evening, shattering the peace that was by and large witnessed in Kashmir through the day with curfew in force in the capital and two other towns.
Irfan Ahmed was injured in a clash between stone pelters and security forces in Fateh Kadal area and he succumbed to his injuries in SMHS hospital later, a police official said.
With this, the toll during the 44-day unrest has gone up to 65, including two policemen.
Earlier, the situation was largely under control through the day with incidents of stone pelting reported only from three places -- Kangan in Ganderbal and Trumgund and Behrampora in Sopore.
The miscreants assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security forces, police spokesman said.
Apart from these incidents, "the situation remained under control across the valley till the filing of this report", he said.
Curfew was in force in the entire Srinagar district as well as in Anantnag and Pampore towns as a precautionary measure, a police official said.
He said restrictions on the movement of the people were also in force in rest of the Valley.
Shops, private offices and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport continued to be off the roads.
Mobile internet also continued to remain suspended in the entire Valley, while postpaid mobile services and incoming facility on prepaid mobiles were resumed on Saturday.
However, outgoing facility on prepaid services remained barred.
The separatist camp, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, has extended the agitation till August 25.
Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/peace-again-gets-stoned-to-death-in-kashmir-toll-rises-to-65/20160821.htm | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/870a26afad71a503246c2d5712ea90bc617a0454d482cc9833555f5c1cb43c59.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:13 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | 'Doctor' Santosh Pol, arrested for murdering at least six persons between 2003 and 2016, sent a hand-written note addressed to Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil. | 'Dr Death' praises cops who nabbed him | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdr-death-praises-cops-who-nabbed-him%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19pol.jpg | en | null | 'Dr Death' praises cops who nabbed him | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 11:31 IST
The police in Satara district of Maharashtra were in for a surprise on Thursday when they received a congratulatory note on cracking a serial killing case -- from the alleged killer himself.
‘Doctor’ Santosh Pol, arrested for murdering at least six persons between 2003 and 2016, sent a hand-written note addressed to Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil.
Pol, whose academic qualification is dubious but worked as a doctor, hailed Patil for catching him and said, “If you ask me why I am doing all this, then the question should be asked to the corrupt officials from the (police) department and the dormant society between 2003 and 2016.”
It was a police inspector from the local crime branch and the in-charge officer of Wai police station who cracked the case last month, Pol claimed.
Patil said that Pol apparently wanted to say that the murders remained unsolved until now because the concerned officers during this period were corrupt.
“It shows how he is trying to be over-smart and how deceitful he is,” said the SP.
Pol has been dubbed as ‘Dr Death’ by the local media. He confessed to the killings during the interrogation, according to the police.
Pol was earlier known for setting up the police officials and getting them caught in anti-corruption bureau’s traps as well as resorting to blackmailing.
Police officers would stay away from him because of his reputation of being a nuisance, an official said.
As per the police, Pol killed Surekha Chikane on May 20, 2003. On August 12, 2006, he killed Vanita Gaikwad; on August 13, 2010, he killed Jagabai Pol.
Nathamal Bhandari, a jeweller, was killed on December 7, 2015.
On January 17, 2016, he murdered Salma Shaikh, and on June 16 he killed Mangala Jedhe. It was Jedhe’s disappearance which led the police to him.
The murders were committed for looting the victims, or to eliminate those who could spill the beans on previous murders, police added. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/dr-death-praises-cops-who-nabbed-him/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f019e4e8457cde5f4892914c8238bb06c0dbd86e9de15acd0144bd7ef3b46cf2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:11 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | A bus plunges into a canal in Khammam district while a car met with an accident in Chittoor on Monday. | 13 killed in two accidents in Andhra and Telangana | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fthirteen-killed-in-two-accidents-in-andhra-and-telangana%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22bus.jpg | en | null | 13 killed in two accidents in Andhra and Telangana | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 22, 2016 14:39 IST
Ten passengers, including two women, were killed and 18 others injured when a private bus they were travelling in fell into a canal at Nayakangudem in Telangana's Khammam district in wee hours on Monday, police said.
Besides, in another accident, three persons died in Andhra Pradesh when their car met with an accident in Chittoor district on Monday morning when they were returning from the Krishna Pushkaram festival, they said.
The bus accident occurred at around 3 am when the vehicle, proceeding to Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh from Hyderabad, hit a road railing of a bridge and fell into the canal under Kusumanchi Mandal of Khammam district resulting in the death of 10 passengers and injuries to 18 others, a senior police officer said.
"Around 30 passengers, besides two drivers and two attendants, were travelling in the ill-fated bus when the mishap occurred. After the accident, both the drivers and the attendants are not to be seen," DIG (Warangal Range) T Prabhakar Rao told PTI over phone.
As per preliminary information, the bus was on high speed and the driver seems to have lost control over the wheels resulting in the accident, the DIG said.
The injured were rushed to Government General Hospital in Khammam, he said adding that police were in the process of registering a case.
Earlier, Khammam collector Lokesh Kumar and senior police officials visited the spot and monitored the rescue operation.
The Andhra Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the kin of the 10 deceased.
Some of the victims belonged to East Godavari and some were from West Godavari district of the AP.
Meanwhile, three persons were killed in a separate road accident in the AP's Chittoor district.
The car they were travelling in rammed into a stationary lorry on the highway at Srimallavaram village, killing three persons belonging to Madanapalle.
The victims were returning to their town after taking part in the Krishna Pushkaram.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the accidents and spoke to the collectors of East Godavari and Chittoor districts over phone to enquire about the incidents, a communication from the CMO said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/thirteen-killed-in-two-accidents-in-andhra-and-telangana/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a07951e2d4afa04d07969ff74dca376f5e291d82a67ca6b90de586d2653f7d4a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:24 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has expressed grave concern over the Gopalganj tragedy has said that culprits would be dealt under the stringent new liquor law. | Gopalganj hooch tragedy: 25 cops suspended, 7 arrested | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgopalganj-hooch-tragedy-25-cops-suspended-7-arrested%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19lead4.jpg | en | null | Gopalganj hooch tragedy: 25 cops suspended, 7 arrested | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 14:09 IST
At least 25 Bihar police personnel have been suspended in connection with the suspected hooch tragedy in Gopalganj district which has claimed the lives of 17 people.
15 personnel of the Town police station and 10 from the Nargav police station in Gopalganj have been suspended for dereliction of duty.
"The 15 policemen, including the Officer In-charge of Town police station under which the tragedy took place in Khajurbanni locality, were suspended on charge of dereliction of duty," Superintendent of Police Raviranjan Kumar said.
The tragedy was the first major incident after Bihar was declared a total dry state in April this year.
Santosh Kumar has been made the new OC of the police station, the SP who ordered suspension of the errant policemen, said.
Meanwhile, with the death of one more victim at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) yesterday, the toll has climbed to 17, District Magistrate Rahul Kumar said.
Four others are still admitted in PMCH, Principal of PMCH S N Sinha said on Friday.
Asked about media reports suggesting that all the four have lost their vision in the tragedy, Sinha said eye surgeons have been directed to examine their eyes.
The DM said that viscera and blood samples of the deceased were handed over to a Muzaffarpur Forensic Science Laboratory team on Thursday evening.
With post-mortem report remaining inconclusive, all eyes are now set on the FSL report to unravel whether the Gopalganj tragedy was linked to consumption of spurious liquor or not.
One more person has been arrested in connection with Gopalganj incident taking the total number of those arrested to seven, the DM said.
The SP said that seven more accused are at large and hectic search was on for them.
Principal Secretary of Excise and Prohibition K K Pathak is visiting Gopalganj today in connection with the incident.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has expressed grave concern over the Gopalganj tragedy has said that culprits would be dealt under the stringent new liquor law.
Image: Policemen recoverd poisonous liquor in a field at Harkhua Khajurbari Village in Gopalganj district of Bihar on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI
Additional Inputs: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gopalganj-hooch-tragedy-25-cops-suspended-7-arrested/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8f0dcc644b546720956a70a13db0715a12662c17e47f8617849de8a2fe9de0d6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:03:36 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | The young politician seems unfazed about the complaint and tells Subhash K Jha that she would return to the neighbouring country to foster peace. | 'I won't apologise, come what may' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fi-wont-apologise-come-what-may-ramya%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25ramya.jpg | en | null | 'I won't apologise, come what may' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 14:14 IST
‘If I keep quiet just because it’s convenient then I negate all that my parents stand for.’
‘If I allow these voices to smother me I’ll be doing disservice to other fearless voices in politics.’
IMAGE: The case against Ramya will be heard on Saturday. Photograph: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for IRC
On Tuesday, Kannada actress-turned-politician Ramya was in the eye of a storm after a lawyer filed a complaint in a court seeking action on sedition and other charges against her for “insulting” Indian patriots by her remark that “Pakistan is not hell”.
Two days later, the young politician seems unfazed about the complaint and tells Subhash K Jha that she would return to the neighbouring country to foster peace.
You have been accused of sedition for saying Pakistan is not hell’. Aren’t we displaying new levels of intolerance?
Yes, all ‘hell’ has broken loose (laughs). A lawyer has filed a complaint and he cited Section 124 A which is the section that deals with sedition. It remains to be seen if the court accepts his complaint. But yes, you are right this is a new level of intolerance. This is a gross misuse of an old outdated law that is completely not required in a democratic country.
Do you think this case should be a cause to look at sedition laws?
I think we seriously need to look at the sedition law. Either we should seriously modify it or do away with it. Otherwise I won’t be the last person to be harassed in this way, let me tell you that.
Do you think there is a political conspiracy behind this?
It seems so, because a copy of the complaint went to the media first. How did that happen? The lawyer wanted the media to know about how anti-national I am (laughs). The Bharatiya Janata Party has been up in arms against all those who are opposed to their ideology.
Right-wing extremists are the only section supporting the sedition allegation against me. By and large, people -- online and offline -- have supported me. Even individuals from the BJP have supported me.
But the good thing is, this is what democracy is about…discussion, dissension… Hopefully there will be an amendment in some of the archaic laws that allow individuals to slap outrageous charges. That is the positive takeaway from this controversy.
But it can’t be so positive for you and your family?
I was coming to that. For the person at the receiving end, there is no positive takeaway. This is the price of freedom in a country like India. I think we should be just happy that we have the freedom to say anything about anybody and get away with it.
Our national leaders fought to get us freedom and this is how we are misusing it. This is not how you uphold the principles that our founding fathers laid their lives for.
Luckily most people have been very supportive.
And the media?
The local Karnataka television channels have been unnecessarily sensationalising the issue and putting out headlines like ‘Ramya Supports Pakistan’. We can’t blame them. There are 20 competitive news channels in Karnataka. I am better off than Kanhaiya Kumar. They put out an entire morphed video against him to prove he was seditious.
Do you think celebrities are targeted for being celebrities?
I think so. Earlier, film actors were not supposed to be taken seriously. And they never spoke out, let alone take a stance on political issues. Now when actors like us do participate in politics some people can’t handle it. We’ve very politically active actors.
So many female actors like Jayalalithaa, Nagma, Khushboo, Radhika from the south have made a mark in politics. And I love Jaya Bachchan. She is so vocal and passionate in Parliament.
To digress a bit, what got you interested in politics?
I was always interested in working for the betterment of our country.
But most politicians are not interested in the betterment of our country?
(Laughs) Then maybe I am not a politician. We should look for another way to describe people like me and my mother (Congress member Ranjitha).
My father (entrepreneur R T Narayan) was not a part of politics but he had friends from every political party. I saw politicians and politics from close quarters. My dad would make me read newspaper articles on the welfare of the nation when I was a child. I grew up caring about out country. I do care. Is it okay to do that?
Today in 2016, we have Dalits being oppressed, people getting killed for eating beef. Even a girl drinking beer in a pub is reason for violence. Homosexuals are illegal in our country. There is a so much that needs to change. If I keep quiet just because it’s convenient then I negate all that my parents stand for.
How did you join the Congress?
I never asked for a party position. The Congress asked me to join them. I remain a happy and faithful soldier of the party.
Even when the Congress is at its lowest ebb? Are you not tempted to join other parties?
Not at all! The only party that brings the country together is the pluralistic and inclusive ideology of the Congress. After the low, will come the high. This is not the end. People in India are emotional but intelligent. They will bring the Congress back.
Our defence minister saying Pakistan is akin to hell.
Is this a responsible statement to make for a man appointed to protect and defend our country at a time when hostility with our neighbours is at an all-time high?
What took you to Pakistan?
The SAARC young parliamentarians’ conference was held in Islamabad. And that’s when I found Pakistanis are just like us. We look like siblings.
Are we supposed to say all Pakistanis are monsters?
It seems like it. But I won’t. And I won’t apologise, come what may. I’ve the freedom to talk peace with our neighbours. I don’t think I should allow myself to be bullied into submission. The ranters probably think it’s easy to bully me since I am a woman. But I won’t succumb. If I allow these voices to smother me I’ll be doing disservice to other fearless voices in politics.
But sedition?
It takes courage to not be shouted down. It’s just so much easier to say what people want to hear. That’s what politicians do during elections. And they continue to do it for five years. In a subverted way it is a compliment to be called seditious if you talk of cross-border peace. (Mahatma) Gandhiji, (Jawaharlal) Nehruji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak they were all slapped with sedition. So I am in august company.
Are you still single?
Yes, and I am so happy. And before you ask, I am not doing any films right now. I’ve a release coming up in September which I completed two years ago.
Will you go back to Pakistan?
To foster peace and engaged in dialogues? Yes. Definitely. | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/i-wont-apologise-come-what-may-ramya/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/82b654373cb012f27abf110d60f1724f036323bcb48be0aa4f86de77ce664ace.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:47 | null | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale was called to hand over a letter of invitation for talks. | Pak invites India for talks on Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpak-invites-india-for-talks-on-kashmir%2F20160815.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/15wagah.jpg | en | null | Pak invites India for talks on Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 15, 2016 18:54 IST
Pakistan on Monday invited India for talks on Kashmir, saying it is the ‘international obligation’ of both the countries to resolve the issue, notwithstanding India’s insistence that it would talk on ‘contemporary and relevant’ issues in Indo-Pak relations.
Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale was called to hand over a letter of invitation for talks.
‘The Foreign Secretary called in the Indian High Commissioner this afternoon (Monday) and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir dispute that has been the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan,’ Zakaria said.
The invitation was extended amid tension in bilateral ties due to the war of words between the two nations over the issue.
‘The letter highlights the international obligation of both the countries, India and Pakistan, to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,’ the statement said.
Pakistan's advisor on foreign affairs said last week that a conference of envoys of Pakistan earlier this month had agreed that Pakistan seek talks with India.
The invite came days after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh addressed Parliament on the Kashmir issue and said that India was willing to discuss only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with Pakistan, and that the question of discussing Jammu and Kashmir with Islamabad just does not arise.
India also virtually turned down Pakistan's proposal that it would invite India for a dialogue on J&K and made it clear that it would talk on ‘contemporary and relevant’ issues in Indo-Pak relations.
IMAGE: Border Security Force personnel offer sweets to Pakistan Rangers on the occasion of India's Independence Day at the Attari-Wagah border on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pak-invites-india-for-talks-on-kashmir/20160815.htm | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/dcdcd202c278d7d0ec4981a76ae8eb2793dabcf9402eb3ff25810002cca9fb2b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:00 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | He said time has come for freedom of PoK and it would be part of India soon.
| PoK will soon be part of India: Yogi Adityanath | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpok-will-soon-be-part-of-india-yogi-adityanath%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/may/08yogi.jpg | en | null | PoK will soon be part of India: Yogi Adityanath | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 15:11 IST
Lashing out at Pakistan, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Yogi Adityanath has said if the neighbouring country dares to fight with India, its existence would be in danger and that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir would soon be a part of India.
The BJP lawmaker from Gorakhpur, who was in Ballia to attend a function in Rasra area, said on Thursday night that India should take a stand on the issue of Balochistan.
On senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s comments referring to Kashmir as “India-occupied Kashmir”, Yogi said Singh’s reaction reflected the values of his party.
Holding the Congress responsible for Kashmir problem, he said if Sardar Patel would have got the responsibility in place of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the issue would have not arisen.
He said time has come for freedom of PoK and it would be part of India soon.
On Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s appeal to Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, to send troops to Kashmir to “obey” the pending order of M A Jinnah, Yogi said the neighbouring country has suffered four crushing defeats.
Addressing a rally held under the banner of ‘Defence Council of Pakistan’ in Karachi on Sunday, Saeed had claimed, “Kashmiris had announced before the partition that they wanted to remain with Pakistan. But after the partition, India forcibly sent army to Jammu and Kashmir.
“On this, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah ordered his commander-in-chief to respond by sending troops but he refused (to obey his orders). Now, I ask General Raheel Sharif to send troops in Jammu and Kashmir as Quaid-e-Azam’s order is pending,” Saeed had said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pok-will-soon-be-part-of-india-yogi-adityanath/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7774eb5d069a4d6b583488636760d8dad94f715e7ceaca42e8c70b825da614c6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:12 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Three journalists of China's state-run news agency Xinhua, who were denied extension of visa, have departed India, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. | Chinese journalists have left upon expiry of extended visa: Government | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fchinese-journalists-have-left-upon-expiry-of-extended-visa-government%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/dec/23loksabha.jpg | en | null | Chinese journalists have left upon expiry of extended visa: Government | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 03:50 IST
Three journalists of China's state-run news agency Xinhua, who were denied extension of visa, have departed India, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
"The visa of the Xinhua Bureau Chief in New Delhi had expired on December 31, 2015 while visas of the two Xinhua correspondents in Mumbai had expired in March, 2016.
"Short term extensions were given to them to facilitate smooth transition. As per information available, the journalists have departed India upon expiry of their extended visa," Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said, replying to a question.
Last month, the external affairs ministry had said the journalists were denied visa extension as there were issues relating to their "conduct not being in conformity" with the provisions of the visa rules.
Replying to a separate question, Singh said senior functionaries of the Pakistan government had apparently wrote to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, President of UN Security Council and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights seeking intervention in addressing the alleged human rights violations during protests in Kashmir in wake of death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.
"The government has completely and unequivocally rejected in entirety all such actions and statements by Pakistan," he said adding Pakistan has been asked to stop interfering in India's internal affairs and attempting to destablise the situation in South Asia through support to terrorism.
To a question relating Pakistan expressing concern to the the UN over a bill in Indian Parliament over the map of Kashmir, he said government has made it clear once again that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India and any legislation regarding the state is an internal matter where no external power has any locus standi. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/chinese-journalists-have-left-upon-expiry-of-extended-visa-government/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8decf240aec31bc80949b36a9e13fd5e986c7ddc75e623d2559292b6825aa92b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:37 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | He just wanted to meet Donald Trump. | Daredevil scales 20 floors of Trump Tower to meet him! | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-man-scales-20-floors-of-trump-tower%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11trump1.jpg | en | null | Daredevil scales 20 floors of Trump Tower to meet him! | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 11, 2016 11:42 IST
He just wanted to meet Donald Trump...
The real estate mogul was not in the building at the time of the climb, but on the campaign trail. All photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
A 20-year-old man from Virginia created an hours-long media spectacle when he climbed up 21 floors of the TrumpTower in Midtown Manhattan using suction cups and straps allegedly to get a “personal” meeting with Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The man, whose identity was not revealed, was safely pulled in the building by the police personnel after nearly three-hours on Wednesday evening.
The stunt was witnessed by hundreds of passerby and live on television as the news and visuals of his escapade circulated widely on social media.
Police broke windows, raised a ladder and cut through a vent in attempts to talk to the climber.
Police said the man’s motive was to climb to the top of the tower and get a personal meeting with Trump, whose name is on the priciest real estate in Manhattan.
Trump was on his presidential campaign tour in Virginia. Security is tight around the tower, which is the site of Trump’s campaign launch and is also his residence.
The Republican presidential candidate responded through Twitter saying, “Great job today by the New York Police Department in protecting the people and saving the climber.”
Trump Tower is Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's highest-profile property, and where his campaign is headquartered.
Personnel from the NYPD had to undertake elaborate safety measures as well as some extreme steps like breaking some windows in the tower to pull the man inside the building.
They raised a ladder in an effort to stop him, but had to close it as he moved higher. Apart from breaking windows to reach him, police also placed inflated giant cushions below him in case he tumbled off the 58-storey Trump headquarters.
The man was eventually pulled inside moments after he ascended to a tight spot near a large window removed by police.
Police later said the man had told them that he had posted a YouTube video on Tuesday titled “Message to Mr Trump (why I climbed your tower).”
In the message a hooded man claimed he was an “independent researcher.”
“Believe me, if my purpose was not significant, I would not risk my life pursuing it,” the man said in the video.
“The reason I climbed your tower was to get your attention”.
IMAGE: Pedestrians gather to watch as officers from the NYPD monitor a man as he climbs the outside of Trump Tower in New York.
At the end of the entire episode, emergency responders brought the man out of the building on a stretcher and placed him in an ambulance. The man was then taken to a city hospital for mental evaluation.
Police said after being discharged from the hospital, he would be arrested and could be charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
The entire spectacle was watched by thousands online as passersby recorded videos of the climb and posted it on social media platforms.
Commander of NYPD emergency services Chief Vincent Giordano told reporters outside the TrumpTower that they were informed about the man about 3:30 pm (local time) and thought they were responding to a case of a jumper.
Police personnel said they had warned him that the suction cups could cause the windows of the building to crack as he tried to continue the ascent. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-man-scales-20-floors-of-trump-tower/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/dde6d4ae253b3e45d21bc002270bd393c3f90ca166b12ed77bf74a5ad70ebd44.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T06:50:09 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | This will be Carter's sixth meeting with Parrikar, and comes just weeks after India was designated a major defence partner of the United States. | Carter, Parrikar to meet at Pentagon on Monday, may sign deal on logistics exchange | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcarter-parrikar-to-meet-at-pentagon-on-monday%2F20160827.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/dec/11parrikar7.jpg | en | null | Carter, Parrikar to meet at Pentagon on Monday, may sign deal on logistics exchange | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 27, 2016 10:48 IST
Defence Secretary Ashton Carter would host his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar at the Pentagon on Monday, weeks after India was designated as a major defence partner by the United States.
The Pentagon on Friday said Carter will host an enhanced honour cordon to welcome Parrikar to the US Defence Department headquarters. Following the arrival ceremony there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.
After the ceremony there will be a bilateral meeting followed by a joint press conference at the Pentagon, a statement said.
“This will be Carter’s sixth meeting with Parrikar, and comes just weeks after India was designated a major defence partner of the United States during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June visit to Washington,” the Pentagon said.
Carter had met Parrikar during a visit to India in April.
The India-US Defence partnership has been the most ambitious one over the past several years, a senior State Department official told a group of South Asian reporters on Friday.
“During the prime minister’s last visit we were able to announce that the logistic agreements have been finalised, so we look forward to being able to sign that in the near future whether or not if that is going to be part of ministers visit or not,” the official said.
“We are certainly welcoming and hopeful for continuing to move forward on that and continuing to move forward on the fact that we have designated India as a major defence partner into and continue to progress in that direction,” the official added. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/carter-parrikar-to-meet-at-pentagon-on-monday/20160827.htm | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a7df8f823465c1bed26da14d058359e2cff9ca6566c9d74c75f69255fa28adf8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:14:35 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Do you follow the news? Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here... | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz-click-here%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/movies/2013/aug/30dahi-handi1.jpg | en | null | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 09:39 IST
Do you follow the news? Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here... | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz-click-here/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6c5fd38782cf3c88c91ec7f03ed27b3cecee5b70a26a020e80da9ea550faedfd.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:18 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Police have arrested 22 people in connection with the attack on Dalits returning to Bhavnagar after attending a protest rally in Una town in which cops were also targeted. | Gujarat: 22 people arrested for attack on Dalits | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgujarat-22-people-arrested-for-attack-on-dalits--%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16rally.jpg | en | null | Gujarat: 22 people arrested for attack on Dalits | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 20:50 IST
Police have arrested 22 people in connection with the attack on Dalits returning to Bhavnagar after attending a protest rally in Una town in which cops were also targeted.
The attack took place on Monday at Samter village near Una, about 350km from Ahmedabad. The policemen came under attack when they tried to control the violent mob that targeted the Dalits. The attackers were residents of Samter, around 11km from Una town in Gir-Somnath district.
"After the rally, anti-social elements blocked the road near Samter when Dalits were returning. They attacked a group of Dalits. We lobbed 46 teargas shells, fired six rounds in the air and used batons to disperse the mob," Gir-Somnath Superintendent of Police H R Chaudhary said on Tuesday.
"We have arrested 22 people for the attack," he said.
According to Una Police Inspector H G Vaghela, those arrested have been booked on charges of rioting and assaulting Dalits as well as policemen.
Some of them have also been booked for attempt to murder, said Vaghela, who was injured while trying to control the mob.
At least 12 Dalits were injured and around eight of them suffered severe wounds.
The victims claimed that the residents of Samter attacked them to avenge the arrest of 12 people of the village in connection with last month's Una Dalit flogging case.
They said of the 30-odd people arrested till date in the Dalit thrashing case, 12 hail from Samter, located near Mota Samadhiyala, where cow vigilantes assaulted a group of Dalits for allegedly skinning a dead cow.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela said the incident shows there is a breakdown of law and order in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled State.
"Yesterday's attack on Dalits proves there is complete lawlessness in Gujarat. Law and order does not exist in Gujarat. Not just Dalits, members of Patel community, women as well as tribals are targeted regularly in Gujarat," Vaghela told reporters.
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel hit back, saying the main Opposition party is raising such issues for political mileage and with an eye on the 2017 assembly election.
"People very well know this government has taken stringent action in the Dalit flogging case. But, the Congress is trying to gain political mileage in the wake of 2017 polls by raising even small and insignificant issues. Such acts are tarnishing Gujarat's image," said Patel. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gujarat-22-people-arrested-for-attack-on-dalits--/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3e0f56af02a22568c163a1efb38c126ce9c2ac34fb18ae09cc5c9e5c2d94034a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:17:15 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | He regretted that whatever measures governments in the state and Centre should be taking for normalisation of situation were being taken by the opposition parties. | Opposition meets President, press for political solution in Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fomar-meets-president-over-situation-in-violent-valley%2F20160820.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/20omar1.jpg | en | null | Opposition meets President, press for political solution in Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 20, 2016 23:51 IST
As the unrest in Kashmir entered 43rd day, leaders of opposition parties from Jammu and Kashmir led by Omar Abdullah on Saturday knocked at the doors of President Pranab Mukherjee, requesting him to urge the Centre in finding a solution "politically".
With no signs of peace returning to the Valley, Omar, working President of National Conference and former chief minister, hit out at the Modi government for its "failure" to acknowledge that the issue in Kashmir is largely of a political nature.
The opposition delegation while seeking the President's intervention also submitted a memorandum and apprised him of the "worsening" situation in the state.
Omar said the delegation also requested the President to use his "influence" on the state as well as the Centre "to stop the use of lethal force against civilians in the Valley".
"The failure of the central government to acknowledge that the issue in Kashmir is largely of a political nature has worsened the already volatile situation," Omar told reporters after an hour-long meeting with the President.
"We have requested the President to impress upon the central government to initiate a credible and meaningful process of political dialogue without any further delay involving all stakeholders to address the political issue in the state," the NC leader said.
The 46-year-old former chief minister, who had held a meeting of all opposition parties in Srinagar earlier this week, said the situation cannot be handled administratively or by creating a humanitarian crisis.
"You see, we are having curfew for last 43 days. Now sale of petrol has been stopped which means it will also affect movement of ambulances. With stringent curfew measures being enforced, more and more people are being driven out onto the streets and the problem is getting worse," Omar said, adding having further restrictions placed on them only increases their misery.
The delegation, which also comprised Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA M Y Tarigami, Congress MLAs led by its Pradesh Congress Committee Chief G A Mir and independent MLA Hakeem Yaseen, has also sought time from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation.
It would also be meeting leaders of other political parties including Vice President of Congress Rahul Gandhi and CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.
Omar said the continued refusal of the Centre to deal with the situation through a political approach "is disappointing and can have serious long term implications on peace and stability in the state".
"I wonder when would they wake up as the situation is grave," he said, alleging that the state and central governments were trying to "crush the agitation by using administrative measures".
Blaming Mehbooba Mufti-headed PDP-BJP government for having failed on all fronts to normalise the situation, Omar said the Chief Minister was directly responsible for the deteriorating situation.
The former chief minister, who was also accompanied by senior leaders of NC including provincial Presidents of his party Nasir Wani and Davinder Rana, Ali Mohammed Sagar and A R Rather, said, "The fire that has been raging in Kashmir Valley has already started spreading across Peer Panjal and Chenab Valley in Jammu region and Kargil area."
Omar said the meeting with the President, which cuts across party lines, symbolised the deep concerns about the prevailing situation and also their disappointment at the way the matter has sought to be handled, both by the Centre as well as the state government.
"This is the first time in our memory that we have found that initiatives that should have been taken by the government are actually being taken by the opposition. Whether it is at the central level, where if any discussion was initiated in the Parliament, was initiated because of the opposition.
"Similarly, if any moves have been made in the state government, it only followed from opposition pressure and not as an initiative of the government," he said.
Omar warned that a "continued delay to engage with the people of the state through a comprehensive and sustained political initiative will further deepen the sense of alienation in the Valley and cast a shadow of uncertainty on its future generation".
He said the delegation also requested the President to use his "influence" on the state as well as the Centre "to stop the use of lethal force against civilians in the Valley".
Omar, however, made it clear that there was no demand for imposition of Governor's rule. "We have not come here to overthrow the government, even though the Mehbooba Mufti government is responsible for the deteriorating state.
"Her administrative capabilities have continuously failed and so has her ability to deal with the situation. It's administrative anarchy in the state. One ruling is announced in the morning and by evening, another," he said.
Asked whether blaming Pakistan for the current crisis in the state was correct, Omar said, "look what happened immediately after killing of Burhan Wani (Hizbul Mujahideen militant on July 8) had nothing to do with Pakistan which stepped in later only to pour more petrol in the fire that was raging in the Valley."
To a question about the Centre's assertion to bring back areas of Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan, he said, "if they can, let them. I am not here to comment on the foreign policy of the government.
"I am here because my house (Kashmir Valley) is on fire and I need immediate attention before this fire spreads."
Flagging the issue of use of pellet guns that resulted in grievous injuries to people, he said problem was that the guns were being given to people who did not know how to use it.
"I'm stunned that 1.3 million pellets were used against our people. If such power and force had been used in any other state in our country, would people remain silent? When such things happen in Jammu and Kashmir, people don't seem to care.
"Not only is the problem with the use of the pellet guns, the problem is that those guns are being handed over to those people who are not adequately trained in the use of weapons," he said, adding "it is not just the use of the weapon. Any weapon is a lethal weapon. It depends on how you use it."
Tarigami told the President that there was an uprising in the Kashmir Valley and if it was not handled with care, it will not only engulf the entire country, but the entire subcontinent.
Photograph: @RashtrapatiBhavn/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/omar-meets-president-over-situation-in-violent-valley/20160820.htm | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/cb118302b15ca2f8b6ec3c59fb6702283cc9dd31fcaafd6437f26dba2fc226f6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:35:20 | null | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | The Union minister also alleged that many people were creating an atmosphere of hatred against the BJP and have sympathy for anti-social elements. | Parrikar stands his ground on jibe at Aamir Khan | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fparrikar-stands-his-ground-on-jibe-at-aamir-khan%2F20160806.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/nov/10parrikar1.jpg | en | null | Parrikar stands his ground on jibe at Aamir Khan | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 06, 2016 23:08 IST
Even though his apparent jibe at actor Aamir Khan over the intolerance issue created a flutter, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday stuck to his guns and claimed that many people told him what he had stated was right.
The Union minister also alleged that many people were creating an atmosphere of hatred against the Bharatiya Janata Party and have sympathy for anti-social elements.
“I don’t want to repeat whatever I said in Pune. If someone wants they can see it on YouTube. Till date, not a single person has said that whatever I have said is wrong. In fact, they said that whatever I have said is right,” Parrikar said, addressing the party’s convention of Scheduled Tribes community.
Speaking at a function in Pune last week, Parrikar had said, “One actor had said that his wife wants to live out of India. It was an arrogant statement. If I am poor and my house is small, but I have to love my house and always dream to make a bungalow out of it.” He had also said those who speak against the nation need to be taught a lesson by the people.
Parrikar’s remarks created a controversy with Congress mounting a fierce attack on him. “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Parrikarji want to teach everyone a lesson. Here’s a lesson for you: hate is the preserve of the coward and it never wins,” Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had said on Twitter.
Aamir Khan had late last year spoken about a “sense of insecurity” resulting from increasing intolerance in the country, and mentioned his wife Kiran Rao’s apprehensions about the future of their child in India.
While speaking at the convention on Saturday, Parrikar said, “They can’t digest the fact that BJP is taking people from all strata into its fold. That is why people are trying to create misunderstanding.”
“So many people are working towards creating hatred towards BJP. That is why they have sympathy even towards some anti-social elements,” he added.
According to the former Goa chief minister, some people have “wrong thinking” towards the government.
“The BJP government under Modi is showing the world how to govern. Because of this, some political parties which are opposing it will disappear with time,” he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/parrikar-stands-his-ground-on-jibe-at-aamir-khan/20160806.htm | en | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c5c836fa56d63f9470348ddde43a1fc3a1e47a7c8d7d582e4d58db86b5630e88.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:39 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | 'The problem in Kashmir is not about pellets, bullets or tear gas.'
'It is the government's policy and intention to criminalise the protest.' | 'Delhi has to engage Kashmiris politically' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fdelhi-has-to-engage-kashmiris-politically%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08curfew1.jpg | en | null | 'Delhi has to engage Kashmiris politically' | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 11, 2016 08:52 IST
'The problem in Kashmir is not about pellets, bullets or tear gas.'
'It is the government's policy and intention to criminalise the protest.'
IMAGE: A policeman fires tear gas shells at fleeing agitationists during a protest on the outskirts of Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters
If you recently went online, you may have encountered a social media campaign called #KashmirBlindSpot.
Khurram Parvez of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, the man behind the campaign, hopes this social media outreach will highlight the damage pellet shotguns used by the security forces in Kashmir cause.
The campaign's Web site mentions that the indiscriminate use of pellet shotguns has resulted in an estimated 105 civilians being partially or totally blinded since protests broke out in the Kashmir valley last month over Burhan Wani's death.
In an interview with Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf, Khurram, a human rights activist, addresses the Kashmir issue and what he thinks needs to be done.
Why did you launch this campaign against pellet guns?
This campaign is a creative one, and we are asking for a ban on pellet guns.
The situation in Kashmir is not getting enough attention and therefore, we want to create awareness. The message is through Braille.
Through this campaign, we are saying that we are being attacked in the eyes, but why is the world losing its sight?
Why can't people see? They are attacking our eyes, but the people of the world are not able to see our situation.
This is a very sarcastic way to garner attention.
The Jammu and Kashmir high court has told the government that the State must not use pellet guns. Why is your campaign still on?
Jammu & Kashmir high court on pellet guns 'A pellet is a round ball loaded with lead. If it penetrates the eye, which is a water ball, the damage is done. Can't you use other methods like water, tear gas?'
'These are your people. They have anger. They are protesting. That does not mean you should render them disabled. You have to protect them.' Hope it (the use of pellet guns) is reviewed.'
-- What the Jammu and Kashmir high court recently observed about the use of pellet guns in Kashmir.
They have only passed an observation, not an order. They have the power to pass an order, which they did not do, but said it is for the government to decide.
How many people in Jammu and Kashmir have lost their eyesight in pellet gun firing?
The number is more than 300. According to doctors, these people will have some amount of loss of vision (for life).
Another 100 people unfortunately will be blinded.
What is the history behind the use of pellet guns in Kashmir?
I would like to correct you, it is not a pellet gun, but a pellet shotgun. It is live ammunition used to kill people.
The pellet shotgun must be immediately banned. It is used only in Kashmir and not in any other conflict area.
The pellet shotgun has a cartridge and hundreds of pellets and we have seen that some people have even lost their lives. This is no more non-lethal.
The pellet shotgun has been used since 2010 as the government said it cannot use tear gas or open fire as that was causing deaths.
To avoid further casualties, the government started using pellet shotguns.
Many people have lost their vision (but the government does not seem interested in giving up the use of pellet shotguns.
Probably, they think they do not have any other means to control the people who come onto the streets, but the issue is: Why does the government not allow people to come onto the streets?
It is the democratic right of the people to express disgust against something. Why would they (the government) not allow that?
Protests take place across India, but it is only in Kashmir that people start throwing stones and mobs turns violent.
That is not true. If Indian journalists want to believe this lie, they can.
People only throw stones when the pellet shotgun is used or live ammunition is used on peaceful demonstrations.
In 2008, more than a million people came out onto the streets and there were huge demonstrations. No one was injured then because the police chose not to fire.
If the police opts not to fire, then there will be no violence.
Violence will go on in Kashmir till they stop criminalising the protest.
It is the State which has to stop the violence.
IMAGE: A boy stands next to a wall painted with graffiti as a policeman stands guard during a protest in Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters
As a human right activist you can always seek a meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to discuss the pellet shotgun issue. Have you ever meet the government?
We have always been trying to persuade and petition the government. Today it is Mehbooba, earlier it was Omar Abdullah. We have always petitioned them and reminded them about this problem.
The problem in Kashmir is not about pellets, bullets or tear gas. It is the policy and intention of the government to criminalise the protest.
To use violence as a political means is the problem.
The Government of India has to stop the violence and engage the people of Jammu and Kashmir politically, which it refuses to do.
We see protesters in Kashmir waving Pakistani flags on television. It is provocative and anti-national. Don't you think it is wrong to do so?
That is okay, Kashmir is disputed territory. Kashmir is not (like) any other territory of India.
Why does the Government of India talk to Pakistan? From 1947 till date, they have held several talks with the Pakistani government. There are so many bilateral declarations and statements -- in 1966, 1972, 1998, the Agra Declaration -- where the Government of India with Pakistan says they will resolve Kashmir.
You don't say that about Bihar or Gujarat. You only say that about Kashmir, so what does that mean?
There is a United Nations resolution on this and if this is a disputed territory, then there are aspirations of the Kashmiri people who would want to be independent.
Some would be want to be a part of India and some would want to be a part of Pakistan.
Therefore, a referendum is a must to know what Kashmiris want. And if you want to criminalise the waving of Pakistani flags, then do so, but they have been doing it since 1947.
Why are you critical of the Indian media?
A section of the Indian electronic media has been inciting violence.
The Indian media says Kashmir is an integral part (of India), how come?
They are campaigning for the Indian State. It is a lie.
If Kashmir is an integral part, then why do we have Article 370 and why has India been talking to Pakistan every now and then?
Whether it was the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) or the UPA (United Progressive Alliance), why were you talking to Pakistan that you will have a peaceful resolution of Kashmir?
There can be peaceful dharnas, fasts unto death through which people have successfully put across their point, but why violence?
We are not going to take lessons from Delhi on how to hold protests.
The burden of peace-building should not be on the people of Kashmir, it should be on the Government of India because they hold the territory.
Many believe Burhan Wani was a terrorist, hence, it was right to kill him in an encounter. So why are Kashmiris protesting a terrorist's death?
The Indian people can have any opinion on Burhan Wani and they are free to have an opinion. At the same time, the Kashmiri people are also free to have their opinion.
The Kashmiri people feel Burhan Wani was a hero.
Don't impose your understanding on the people of Kashmir. The people of Kashmir do not think of Burhan Wani as a terrorist. They think of him as a hero, therefore they participated in his funeral.
The people are not saying why did you kill him? No one is saying you should not have killed him. People are saying they have the right to participate in his funeral.
Why are young Kashmiris ready to die for the cause of 'azaadi,' which they know they will never achieve?
The people of Kashmir do not want to surrender whatsoever. How many ever people the Government of India kills or maims, the people of Kashmir are not going to surrender.
Don't young Kashmiris feel they have a future in booming India compared to a failed State like Pakistan?
Pakistan as a failed State is the dream of the Indian people. This is a dream more than analysis.
Come on, Pakistan is a failed State!
Listen to me. That can be your opinion. Kashmiris feel India is a failed State. You have 30 per cent of the population below the poverty line. You have half of the people who don't have homes to live.
Every day people die of hunger in India. Kashmir has not seen any hunger death in the last so many decades.
I don't think India's prosperity appeals to Kashmiris.
We have seen 400,000 to 500,000 Indians come to Kashmir every year as labourers. They work in Kashmir as migrants.
They are from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh. They get their livelihood here. I don't think India's economy is rosy. It might be rosy for the upper middle class and rich people like the Birlas, Tatas, Ambanis.
But you cannot deny that Pakistan is a failed State.
Don't compare India to Pakistan. You are using Pakistan's image against the people of Kashmir.
The people of Kashmir have nothing to do with Pakistan's image. Why should I be defending Pakistan's image? Why should you be raising this question of Pakistan against Kashmiris?
Because Kashmiris raise Pakistani flags.
Pakistani flags are shown to irritate Indians and you are getting irritated. That is the success of the Pakistani flags here.
IMAGE: Khurram Parvez, human rights activist. Photograph: Kind courtesy Khurram Parvez's Facebook page
How do Kashmiris see Mehbooba Mufti as chief minister?
It is not about any personality, whether it is Mehbooba or Omar Abdullah or anyone else. People in Jammu and Kashmir feel they are powerless and they are part of the facade which has been created by the Indian government.
These elected people are seen by the people of Jammu and Kashmir as representatives of India. They are not seen as the people's representatives.
That is why on the ground you will not see Mehbooba or Omar Abdullah's party workers or their MLAs.
Are they somewhere on the scene? Where are they? Are they to be seen (in this crisis)? No. They can't come out.
They have moved out of their own homes. They feel threatened by the same people who voted for them.
The message is clear. People who voted in the past voted for their small little interest. They voted because of their vulnerability, because development has been held hostage by the Government of India to votes.
People have to vote, otherwise they will not get roads in their villages. People will have to vote or they will not get jobs, irrigation and electricity in their villages.
This vote was used by the Government of India for propaganda that it is a vote for India.
People don't vote for India, people don't vote for their political ambitions. People vote for their daily needs.
It is not only in Kashmir. It is so even in Bihar or Uttar Pradesh. So that vote is not for political aspirations. If you want to find out what people want to vote for, then a referendum is the best way to ascertain whether the people of Kashmir want to live with India.
So the people of Kashmir want roads, electricity and development from India, yet they hurl stones at Indian policemen and soldiers!
Are you serious about this question?
Yes, I am asking you this question.
The people of Kashmir pay taxes as well and pay for electricity. Nothing comes free, all this money comes from our own taxes.
Don't tell me this is coming as an act of benevolence from the Government of India.
The view is that India subsidises Kashmiris.
That is a very problematic view.
The view in India is also that Mehbooba Mufti is a pseudo-separatist, she is supporting pro-freedom groups in a clandestine manner by ensuring the supply of rations. What does it mean?
They are saying it should all be choked. They should have an economic blockade. Aap inka khaana bandh kar dijiye, aap inka ration bandh kar dijiye, yeh log bheek maangengey (Stop the supply of food to the Kashmiris, they will beg). This is fascism. Extreme fascism.
IMAGE: People look out during a curfew in Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters
Many Indians feel terrorism is imported from Pakistan and is not native to Kashmir.
I am not a politician and I speak in a very straightforward manner. The Indian argument that militancy in Kashmir is a problem because Pakistan sponsors terrorism, then you can say this is propaganda. You will start believing your own lie.
But India has captured Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir.
Don't jump the gun. In 1998, Parliament passed a resolution that the other part of Kashmir (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) is an integral part of India. By that logic, they are also a part of India.
What is the population in that part of Kashmir? 35 lakh (3.5 million). What is the number of Kashmiris who migrated from here to that part of Pakistan in 1947, particularly Jammu? The number was 5 lakh (500,000) then.
Their number has swelled up today to 20 lakh (2 million). So the number of people in that part of Kashmir which would be around 50 lakh (5 million), why do you think they will not get involved in the struggle?
They are involved. Most of the people who are getting arrested or killed here are from there.
I won't deny that Pakistanis have not participated in Kashmir's militancy. They have.
These people (the terrorists) are either from Pakistan administered Kashmir or Pakistan. Their number is not more than 3,000.
That is a lot of terrorists. When 3,000 people come from a different country to spread terrorism in India, don't you think that is wrong?
We are not talking about right or wrong. We are talking of what is happening.
According to the Government of India 21,000 militants have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Out of 21,000, 3,000 people came from outside. I understand you saying it is managed from outside, but there is a huge number of Kashmiris killed and that number is 18,000 people.
28,000 local Kashmiri militants have been arrested and therefore this cannot be the fringe.
Pakistan cannot mislead Kashmiris.
Can you say that all Kashmiris who are participating in the freedom movement are controlled and sponsored by Pakistan? Of course, not.
This is a mass movement and this cannot be sponsored.
Do you think Kashmir has become like the Israel-Palestine problem, which has no solution and that the killings will go on?
India is no Israel, so please don't compare India to Israel, and Kashmir is not Palestine either.
A lot of Indians compare Kashmir to the Israel-Palestine conflict which has no solution.
Kashmir has a solution and India cannot afford to linger on this problem by trying to pose that it is like Israel.
REDIFF RECOMMENDS | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/delhi-has-to-engage-kashmiris-politically/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c2408ebe638e02b32a1c43ad48a2e825ab281d4681963296c0749af182b39415.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:50:04 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Pakistan on Friday 'regretted' India's virtual rejection of its proposal for talks on Kashmir even as it briefed the ambassadors of the P-5 and European Union countries about the situation there in yet another attempt to
internationalise the issue. | Pakistan regrets India rejection of holding talks on Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpakistan-regrets-india-rejection-of-holding-talks-on-kashmir%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/aug/22sartaz.jpg | en | null | Pakistan regrets India rejection of holding talks on Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 19:47 IST
Pakistan on Friday "regretted" India's virtual rejection of its proposal for talks on Kashmir even as it briefed the ambassadors of the P-5 and European Union countries about the situation there in yet another attempt to internationalise the issue.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz briefed the ambassadors of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- China, France, Russia, the UK and the US -- and the European Union -- in Islamabad about the alleged "killings and serious human rights violations" being committed in Kashmir, a Foreign Office statement said.
While regretting "the refusal from the Indian side" to hold talks on Kashmir, Aziz also briefed the ambassadors over the exchange of letters between Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.
Pakistan's move came after India hardened its stance further and once again virtually rejected Pakistan's latest invitation for talks on Kashmir, saying it is willing to discuss cross-border terrorism which was its "core concern".
Replying to his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry's fresh invitation of August 19 to visit Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss Kashmir dispute, Jaishankar had said in a letter he was willing to discuss terrorism emanating from Pakistan's territory which was India's core concern.
At his meeting with the ambassadors, Aziz "deplored the lethal use of force by the Indian forces against the innocent Kashmiri people and conveyed serious concerns over the bloodshed" in Kashmir which has taken a "toll of more than 80 innocent Kasmiris since July 8, 2016, and inflicted injuries on more than 7,000 people," the Foreign Office statement said.
Aziz stated that the international community, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the European Union have an important role to uphold the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law. He urged them to fulfil their commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir under the UN Security Council resolutions.
"The Adviser said that Pakistan welcomes the UN Secretary General's offer and would be ready to engage in a dialogue to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," the statement said.
"The P-5 and EU Ambassadors stressed the need to resolve the issue peacefully. They also acknowledged the importance of dialogue to address this long standing issue and the prevailing grave situation," it said.
The war of words between the two nations comes amid a strain in bilateral ties over the continuing unrest in Kashmir with Islamabad issuing provoking statements on the turmoil following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month.
Wani was hailed as a martyr by Pakistan, which also tried to internationalise the Kashmir issue with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the country's foreign office writing to a host of countries besides the United Nations, while India has been maintaining that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the Valley is the root cause of the turbulence. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pakistan-regrets-india-rejection-of-holding-talks-on-kashmir/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f9b542141d89d536ce4ada4a8edaf028f2fb00c050bd6e9b9efb3e90c3513161.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:03:12 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Jawaharlal Nehru University student Anmol Ratan, accused of raping a 28-year-old fellow student in the university hostel, was on Thursday remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a Delhi court. | JNU student accused of rape sent to 14 days judicial custody | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjnu-student-leader-accused-of-rape-surrenders-before-police%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25ratan.jpg | en | null | JNU student accused of rape sent to 14 days judicial custody | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 25, 2016 18:26 IST
Jawaharlal Nehru University student Anmol Ratan, accused of raping a 28-year-old fellow student in the university hostel, was on Thursday remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a Delhi court.
A magisterial court at Patiala House courts complex sent Ratan to jail after Delhi Police decided not to seek his custody.
The court also directed jail authorities to provide him proper medical facilities after he submitted that he was suffering from heart ailment.
Ratan, accused of raping a first-year Ph.D student on August 20, had surrendered before the police on Wednesday night, hours after the victim recorded her statement before a magistrate.
The victim in her complaint at Vasant Kunj (North) police station had said she had posted on her Facebook that she wanted to watch a movie and had asked if anyone had its CD.
Ratan apparently messaged her saying he had a copy. Later, he picked her up on August 20 on the pretext of giving her the CD and took her to Brahamputra hostel, where he stayed. There he allegedly offered her a spiked drink and raped her.
Ratan, an activist of Left wing students' organisation All India Students Association, was expelled from the association after being accused of rape. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/jnu-student-leader-accused-of-rape-surrenders-before-police/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a4df053a8842fcc106c361d2bdbd49487857bf0b56399d4e4e88021cef7aed56.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:39:40 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | Gujarat BJP in-charge Dinesh Sharma and national joint general secretary (organisation) V Satish, are scheduled to arrive in Ahmedabad to hold talks with local leaders | BJP to kickstart process of finding next Gujarat CM today | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbjp-to-kickstart-process-of-finding-next-gujarat-cm-today%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03lead1.jpg | en | null | BJP to kickstart process of finding next Gujarat CM today | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 03, 2016 01:01 IST
As speculations on successor of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel reached a fever pitch, BJP central leaders will arrive in Ahmedabad on Wednesday to assess the ground situation and to find the successor of Patel.
In Delhi, BJP Parliamentary Board is meeting on Wednesday when it is likely to accept Patel's offer to resign and begin the process of picking up her successor.
Gujarat BJP in-charge Dinesh Sharma and national joint general secretary (organisation) V Satish, are scheduled to arrive in Ahmedabad to hold talks with local leaders in the wake of Patel, the first woman Chief Minister of Gujarat, announcing her decision to step down on Monday.
It is believed that Sharma and Satish will prepare a detailed report after taking into account the views of local leaders before finalising name of next CM.
Though the decision is to be taken at the "highest level" of the BJP leadership, the names doing the rounds as potential successor to Patel include the "number two" in the cabinet and Health minister Nitin Patel, state BJP chief Vijay Rupani, Union minister Purshottam Rupala and Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava, a tribal leader.
According to sources, BJP workers are inclined to see party president Amit Shah taking the reigns from Patel to revive BJP's falling stock.
Under Patel, the saffron party had suffered a humiliated setback in civic polls. The BJP also antagonised its loyal vote bank of Patidars who have been demanding OBC quota and staged violent protests last year.
Of late, the flogging of Dalits at Una also caused a massive unrest, denting further the party's image.
Meanwhile, Nitin Patel said the central leadership will take the decision on Patel's successor which will be acceptable to everyone.
Rupani said he was ready to carry out whatever responsibility his party assigns him to.
Patel on Monday took to Facebook to request the BJP leadership to relieve her of the job, saying it was time for new leaders to take over as she is soon turning 75.
Gleeing at BJP's discomfiture, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that "making Patel a scapegoat would not save the BJP in Gujarat as the 13-year Narendra Modi rule in the state was responsible for its burning."
Senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela said Modi and Shah did a "political encounter" of Patel by "forcing" her to quit.
AAP leader Ashutosh said that replacing a "puppet" with another will not make a difference unless the "mastermind" is removed. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bjp-to-kickstart-process-of-finding-next-gujarat-cm-today/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bc65dba5140dacb5506615e4953bfb00cdb33e462de4e54645b8b349d7d32a45.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:55 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | Here's a recap of the events from the past 24 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16rewind1.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 17, 2016 08:13 IST
Here’s a recap of the events from the past 24 hours.
A school girl rides a bicycle across a road during rains in Allahabad. More than half-a-dozen low-lying areas of the city have been inundated due to rise in the water level of Ganga and Yamuna. Photograph: Jitendra Prakash/Reuters
An artisan makes an idol of Lord Ganesh at a workshop ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations, in Chandigarh. The festival starts on September 5. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters
Relatives and family members of Central Reserve Police Force commandant Pramod Kumar mourn upon receiving his body at Jamtara district. Pramod Kumar was killed in a gun-battle with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Photograph: PTI Photo
Police stops the students and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists who organised a rally from R C college to City Police commissioner office in Bengaluru, demanding the ban on Amnesty International India which had organised an event related to Kashmir at a city college where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. Photograph: PTI Photo
Women tie Rakhis on the wrists of policemen to mark Rakshabandhan festival in Ahmedabad. Photograph: PTI Photo
Villagers walk through a flooded road in Haldi Chhapra village in Patna, Bihar. Photograph: PTI Photo
M J Akbar, minister of state for external affairs, India’s consul general Riva Ganguly Das along with Indian Community leaders at the Closing Bell ceremony at NASDAQ in New York Photograph: PTI Photo
Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Azam Khan being garlanded by his supporters during the Jashn-e-Azadi Mushayara organised on his birthday in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/ PTI Photo
Security personnel patrol on a deserted street during curfew for the 39th day in Srinagar. Photograph: PTI Photo
An injured Dalit being treated at a hospital in Bhavnagar. Several Dalits returning from Dalit pride march in Una were beaten up by people of other communities in two villages near the city in Gir Somnath district of Saurashtra region in Gujarat. Photograph: PTI Photo
Congress workers stop a train during Odisha Bandh called by them on Mahanadi water controversy in Bhubaneswar. Photograph: PTI Photo
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrives to pay homage to Pramukh Swamiji Mahraj, the spiritual head of the Swaminarayan sect, at Sarangpur in Gujarat. Photograph: PTI Photo
People shout slogans during a funeral procession of four civilians at Aripanthan Beerwah in central Kashmir. Four civilians were killed and over a dozen injured in security forces firing during clashes. Photograph: S Irfan/ PTI Photo
Devotees offer prayers at the inundated Bade Hanuman Temple at the bank of River Ganga in Allahabad on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Activists of Shiv Sena and Dogra Front burn the national flag of Pakistan during a protest in support of demands of the Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir people in Jammu. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/55e389bc0a9c714e501a73c16bf0e08a11c2f53f7099ddd3aa036f28ea995dab.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:37 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Rajnath says incidents of atrocities against Dalits have come down since the Modi government took over. | Centre asks states to act tough in cases of atrocities against Dalits | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdalit-issue-debate-ls-centre-states%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11dalits.jpg | en | null | Centre asks states to act tough in cases of atrocities against Dalits | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 22:30 IST
Rajnath says incidents of atrocities against Dalits have come down since the Modi government took over.
Under attack over atrocities against Dalits, government on Thursday said the states should take strict action against anti-social elements indulging in activities like cow protection as it pitched for a united fight against the ‘perverted mindset’.
“Some anti-social elements are indulging in nefarious activities in the name of cow protection...I appeal to all state governments to take strict possible action against them,” Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha, while replying to a discussion on atrocities on Dalits.
“To deal with vikrut manasikta (perverted mindset) of those who resort to such atrocities is a big challenge,” he said.
The discussion was marred by acrimony and walkout by Congress and the Left members who alleged that the incidents of atrocities against Dalits have increased since the National Democratic Alliance came to power two years ago.
Singh insisted that the incidents against Dalits have come down since the Modi government took over and reeled out statistics to buttress the point.
He said the number of registered cases of atrocities against Dalits was 39,346 in 2013, they went up to 40,300 in 2014 and thereafter came down to 38,564 in 2015.
“We have to accept the truth that the atrocities against Dalits are going on. We have to stop it and this is a challenge for all of us,” the home minister said, while regretting that the House had to discuss the issue even 70 years after Independence.
Countering the opposition charge of not doing enough for the Dalits, he said ‘what you could not do in 55 years, our government did in last two years’.
To questions as to why Modi did not speak on the Dalit atrocities for so long, he asked the opposition to spell out if earlier prime ministers since 1947 used to speak on each and every issue.
“The prime minister may speak or may not speak, but his aura should be such that action is taken against the perpetrators,” Singh said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan also intervened in the debate which lasted for six hours.
“You did everything possible to humiliate B R Ambedkar, the messiah of Dalits,” Paswan, a dalit leader, told Congress MPs who protested vociferously.
Rajnath Singh said the Centre has issued advisories to states asking them to take stringent action against people resorting to such atrocities in the name of cow protection.
He said it was unfortunate that Parliament has to discuss the issue of atrocities on Dalits 70 years after Independence.
The home minister said that laws have been made to protect Dalits, but much is desired to be done.
“Our government is trying to check atrocities on Dalits. For their socio-economic upliftment, new laws have been made,” he said, adding there was need to deliberate on how to stop such incidents.
“There is an illusion that since our government came to power, atrocities against Dalits have gone up,” he said, condemning the Una incident in Gujarat that triggered nationwide protests.
He praised the work of Sangh parivar affilates Sewa Bharti and Vanvasi Kalyan ashram for working for the cause of Dalits and adivasis.
Suggesting that Ambedkar and Keshav Baliram Hedgewar were contemporaries, he said while the Dalit icon fought for the socially deprived sections, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founder worked for national renaissance.
Noting that government is totally committed for the development of Dalits, he said no one could accuse them of being anti-national and they have never demanded creation of a separate country.
He said the issue should not be politicised and all efforts should be made to put an end to the discrimination againt dalits.
Paswan said dalits are being discriminated even after they become Christians, Muslims and Budhhists.
“Hindu religion is the most flexible religion. You continue to be Hindu even if you worship Lord Rama or you do not worship him,” he said.
Pointing towards Congress, he said, “You criticise RSS and Modi ji....if Modi ji says take action against so-called cow vigilantes, taking action against them is the duty of the state government.”
His remarks that Samajwadi Party came in the way of ensuring reservation for Dalits and promotion evoked sharp response from Dharmendra Yadav (SP) who said the same facility is extended to people belonging to backward classes and Muslims.
Paswan appreciated Modi’s remarks in which he said, ‘If you have to attack, attack me but stop attacking my Dalit brethren’.
Jyotiraditya Scindia (Congress) said such a statement by the prime minister reflects his helplessness.
Scindia said the atmosphere of the country has deteriorated after the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power.
Taking a dig at Paswan, he said, “If you were so much unhappy with the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) why did you not leave the government... We need to work for principles.”
He said the government's campaign for Swachh Bharat will not go anywhere until and unless ‘we clean our heart and mind’.
He wanted to know why the prime minister did not speak about the Dalit and Kashmir issues in the House when Parliament is in session.
IMAGE: Members of the Dalit community shout slogans at a protest rally in Ahmedabad against the recent attack on Dalits in Una. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/dalit-issue-debate-ls-centre-states/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/aa4844c1604ca4487c779f460f6ec5ed35d05f2f05685c763270880f5b7b3857.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:05 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | She also sought confidence building measures to be undertaken on the lines of those initiated in 2002.
| We need to reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir: Mehbooba | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkashmir-unrest-mehbooba-interacts-with-civil-society-discusses-security-concerns%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01mehbooba.jpg | en | null | We need to reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir: Mehbooba | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 21:51 IST
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday underscored the need for adopting a policy towards the state which is based on "humane values" and not security considerations alone, saying it deserved a "special place in the hearts and minds of people of the whole country".
She also sought confidence building measures to be undertaken on the lines of those initiated in 2002.
The chief minister, who was interacting with civil society members in Baramulla in North Kashmir, said, "We need to reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir to address their concerns and aspirations and win their hearts and minds." she said.
She said the country's policy on Jammu and Kashmir should not be based on strategic and security considerations alone but on ideological and humane values.
"If we were to base our J&K policy on the ideological values of democracy, rule of law and tolerance, which have been the defining strength of India, we will expand the constituency of peace at the micro level of individuals as well as institutions," she said.
She called for confidence building measures like the ones undertaken in 2002 when her PDP had formed a coalition government with the Congress party. The PDP-Congress alliance government had started road connectivity between Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir and dialogue was initiated with the separatists and Pakistan when an NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee was at the Centre.
Denouncing violence in all its forms and manifestations, Mehbooba said resorting to violent means to achieve political objectives "is not only ineffective, but meaningless and destructive".
Mehbooba said people must understand that by taking to violence, they are working against their own interests. "Besides loss of precious human lives, violence destroys the very socio-economic fabric of a society, which is unfortunately happening in Kashmir," she said in her address.
She said that while the separatists may be having their own ideologies, the present law and order situation seems to have been "exacerbated by some vested interests....having their own interests to take care of by perpetuating violence."
The chief minister called for a collective effort to reach out to the people of state, especially the youth, to expand and consolidate the constituency of peace.
She claimed that there was a "larger design behind orchestrated eruptions to push Kashmiris into perpetual educational and economic deprivation and social disorder".
"We have to mull over that how long it is going to be like this for the hapless people here," she said.
Mehbooba, who has been struggling to restore law and order in the state which was plunged into turmoil following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, said the issues can be resolved only through dialogue and not violence.
"Violence has been rejected globally as a means to achieve political objectives," she said.
Calling for introspection, the chief minister said the people have to ponder over how the educational, economic and social structure of Kashmir is being systematically ruined because of the prevailing law and order situation.
"We have to see why such awful situations are being always triggered in Kashmir when the economic activity starts picking up as had happened this summer with encouraging tourist arrivals," she said.
The proponents of violent protests in Kashmir must also engage in dialogue to resolve the issues instead of causing death and destruction to their own people, she said.
To achieve sustainable peace in the state and the region, "we have to unshackle the political thinking from the legacies of the past and have confidence in ourselves, our institutions and above all our people," she said.
IMAGE: Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti along with party MLAs discussing ongoing Kashmir situation with civil socities members during a meeting, at Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmir-unrest-mehbooba-interacts-with-civil-society-discusses-security-concerns/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/dff6628706bccc4791e3666a8dd658da9610cc3c4d245ea8989b17f7e6ec1fa5.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T06:51:38 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament and Dalit leader Udit Raj raised a few eyebrows on Monday with a tweet which suggested that champion Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt went on to win nine Olympics gold despite being born in poverty after his trainer advised him to eat beef twice a day. | BJP MP's cryptic tweet: Bolt ate beef to win 9 Olympics gold | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbjp-mp-cryptic-tweet-bolt-ate-beef-to-win-9-olympics-gold%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/sports/2015/oct/13bolt.jpg | en | null | BJP MP's cryptic tweet: Bolt ate beef to win 9 Olympics gold | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 10:38 IST
Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament and Dalit leader Udit Raj raised a few eyebrows on Monday with a tweet which suggested that champion Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt went on to win nine Olympics gold despite being born in poverty after his trainer advised him to eat beef twice a day.
"Usain Bolt of Jamaica was poor and trainer advised him to eat beef both the times and he scored 9 gold medals in Olympics," the Lok Sabha member from North West Delhi tweeted.
Beef is a emotive issue for BJP whose governments in various states have come out with tough law banning its trade.
Udit Raj, however, tried to play down any controversy saying that he merely repeated what Bolt's trainer had said and all he meant was the athletes can find a way to excel despite adversities and they should not blame circumstances for their failures.
"All I wanted to say that giving excuses that we don't have infrastructure or there is corruption should be done away with and lesson, dedication should be learnt from Usain Bolt... What I wanted to say is our players should find ways and means as he found ways and means," he said, adding there is no lack of facilities for sports persons in the country.
Government spends a huge money on them compared to nations like Jamiaca or Kenya, he said, steering clear of any mention of beef. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bjp-mp-cryptic-tweet-bolt-ate-beef-to-win-9-olympics-gold/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/24c71b484b18a0eda7439fb97dbf146940a44268877692c5eb350c3a00c89f94.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:34:00 | null | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | Nearly 800 people commenced the 380-km-long journey from Vejalpur area of city on Friday morning. | Una incident: Dalits begin 10-day pride march in Gujarat to demand justice | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdalits-begin-10-day-pride-march-in-gujarat-to-protest-una-flogging-incident%2F20160805.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/05dalitmarch01.jpg | en | null | Una incident: Dalits begin 10-day pride march in Gujarat to demand justice | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 05, 2016 15:25 IST
Demanding justice for their community following the Una flogging incident, hundreds of Dalits and members of various civil rights organisations on Friday began the 'Dalit Asmita Yatra', a foot march from Ahmedabad to Una town of Gir Somnath district.
Nearly 800 people commenced the 380-km-long journey from Vejalpur area of city on Friday morning.
The foot march participants will converge at Una town on August 15 where the Dalits will hoist the tricolour on the occasion of Independence Day.
"The foot march is the first step towards liberating Dalits across India from the age old traditions. On our way to Una, we will request Dalits to give up their ancestral work of disposing of dead animals to give a strong message to the government," said Jignesh Mevani, one of the organisers of the foot march.
During this ten-day of foot march, the Dalit leaders will address several small gatherings on their way to Una to educate the community members about their rights.
"This padyatra is mainly aimed at giving a message to government that Dalits will not tolerate any atrocities on them. We will circulate the videos of this entire journey on social media platforms, so that the Dalit movement spreads across the nation. We want to bring all the Dalits under one roof," Mevani said.
During the journey, leaders will try to raise a strong pitch for the allotment of agriculture land to Dalits, for which forms will be distributed to them on way.
"Since Dalits don't want to continue the work of disposing of cattle and cleaning sewer lines, we want the government to provide us agriculture land, so that we can live a respectable life. We will collect these forms and submit it to the government after the yatra," said Mevani.
On July 11, four Dalit youths were beaten up by cow vigilantes at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka of Gir Somnath district when they were allegedly skinning a dead cow.
Though the youths pleaded that they were from the skinner community, the gau-rakshaks' thrashed them alleging that they were involved in cow slaughter.
The idea of foot march from Ahmedabad to Una was floated by former IPS officer Rahul Sharma at a mass gathering of Dalits held in the city on July 31.
"We received support of many other civil rights organisations and people like Sharma, who will remain with us till we reach Una. The foot march is the beginning of a nationwide mass movement for the Dalit rights," Mevani said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/dalits-begin-10-day-pride-march-in-gujarat-to-protest-una-flogging-incident/20160805.htm | en | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/9e373f1ff6c1715bdf749765ea72188022339df5cfe7eea160842439b0891c72.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:20 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here... | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? Click HERE | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz-click-here%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/09modi1.jpg | en | null | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? Click HERE | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 10, 2016 09:49 IST
Do you follow the news? Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here... | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz-click-here/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/eb358ea874f6dcc881316680801af4dc94a8e85889dd21f70c64e4c95a4cf0c4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:27 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | Chinese President Xi Jinping has bestowed special honours on a PLA battalion posted in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh for its 'outstanding performance in safeguarding borders'. | China's Xi honours troops posted near India border | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fchina-xi-honours-troops-posted-near-india-border%2F20160821.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/21lead6.jpg | en | null | China's Xi honours troops posted near India border | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 21, 2016 20:46 IST
Chinese President Xi Jinping has bestowed special honours on a PLA battalion posted in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh for its "outstanding performance in safeguarding borders".
Xi, who heads the Central Military Commission which is the overall command authority of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), signed orders to give honorary titles, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
"Troop 77656 is now titled as a "model plateau battalion" for its outstanding performance in safeguarding borders, ensuring stability and helping disaster relief," the report quoted a statement as saying.
While the news report has not identified the battalion, Indian defence officials and strategic think-tanks have said it is Gangba 2nd Independent Battalion.
It is based in Shigatse City, Gangba County in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh and is one of the six battalions functioning under the Tibet Military Area Command, official sources here told PTI.
The Line of Actual Control (LAC) covers 3488-km border.
While China says that the boundary dispute is confined to 2,000 kms, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the whole of the LAC including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 war.
Both sides formed a number of mechanisms both at the levels of field commanders and at the level of headquarters to defuse tensions arising out of the aggressive patrolling of the disputed border.
India and China have held 19 rounds of Special Representatives talks to resolve the border dispute.
Xi also honoured Submarine 372 whose crew saved it from a major disaster while on a patrol mission in 2014.
According to Chinese official media reports, Submarine 372 was caught in an underwater trench thousands of metres deep and started plunging down.
The vessel had encountered a sudden change in water conditions, leading it to sink uncontrollably fast, according to a December, 2014 report by state-run China Daily.
The crew quickly seized the little time they had by opening all the emergency air flasks within 10 seconds to fill the tanks and managed to close more than 100 valves and related equipment in less than a minute.
In two minutes, all the cabins were sealed.
The team's swift, coordinated reaction saved everyone, the report said.
The whole armed forces were urged to learn from both examples, according to the Xinhua report.
In a separate statement, Xi signed orders to award merit citations to four military units and 15 persons for outstanding services.
Troop 66114 was given a first-class merit citation for its outstanding contribution to completing tasks, and units 91515, 94669 and 96261 were given second-class merit citations for their outstanding performance in strengthening fighting capacity.
Chen Deming, a researcher from unit 63620, was awarded a first-class merit citation.
Chen was quoted last month by the official media about China's ballistic missile interception system tests.
"The Ballistic missile defence system is a critical link in our strategic defence, and is also an important chip in the contest between big powers. It makes a world of difference whether you have it or not," Chen said.
Footage of the original test has been released on the heels of the US and South Korea agreeing to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system before the end of next year.
While the US insists the system is to defend South Korea from possible attacks from North Korea, Chinese officials have condemned its planned deployment, saying it threatens China's security.
Two others were given posthumous first-class merit citations by Xi.
Twelve individuals, including research fellows, engineers and medical staff, were honoured with third-class merit citation, the Xinhua report said.
Representative Image: Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/china-xi-honours-troops-posted-near-india-border/20160821.htm | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1036745aaab8de444df04bac3082c3b94c9c990186baca84247b1c329d6bb3a0.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T06:51:42 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Restrictions under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code or CrPC, however, remain enforced which prohibits unlawful assembly of 10 or more people. | After 51 days, curfew relaxed in Kashmir Valley | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fafter-51-days-curfew-relaxed-in-kashmir-valley%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/29lead3.jpg | en | null | After 51 days, curfew relaxed in Kashmir Valley | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 29, 2016 11:20 IST
Life in Srinagar city on Monday started limping towards normalcy as authorities lifted curfew from entire Kashmir Valley except three police station areas after 51 days of continous curfew following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
"Curfew has been lifted from Kashmir except from Pulwama town and the areas in Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction of police stations M R Gunj and Nowhatta," a police official said.
He said the curbs were lifted following improvement in the situation.
"However, the security forces will remain deployed in strength in sensitive areas of the Valley to maintain law and order," the official said.
Curfew was clamped in entire Valley on July 9 following violence in the aftermath of Wani's killing in an encounter in south Kashmir's Anantnag district a day earlier.
The violence has left 68 people, including two cops, dead and several thousand injured.
While public transport continued to be off roads, there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaws on the roads here this morning, the official said.
Minor traffic jams were seen along the Rambagh-Jawahar Nagar-Rajbagh axis leading to commercial hub of Lal Chowk due to the increased movement of private vehicles.
The attendance in government offices also showed upward trend with majority of employees reporting for work.
The banks were also open and witnessed massive rush of customers as soon as they opened.
However, schools, colleges and other educational institutions and shops remained closed due to the strike called by separatists groups who have asked people to lockdown all government offices, except essential services today.
"Except for essential services, lock down all government offices and don't allow movement of any employee towards these offices for joining," the separatists said in their weekly protest programme.
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 personnel patrolling a deserted street during restrictions at Khaniyar in Srinagar. Photograph: Umar Ganie | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/after-51-days-curfew-relaxed-in-kashmir-valley/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3196c3de0d0494a214137e5fb0b835ac467102ef607f4d27904d125d9f5d003d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:18:28 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | A squad from the Jammu and Kashmir Resident Commissioner's office broke the outer gate of the bungalow and were taking out her belongings. | Eviction of Omar Abdullah's estranged wife Payal from Delhi bungalow begins | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Feviction-of-omar-abdullahs-estranged-wife-payal-from-delhi-bungalow-begins%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22lead6.jpg | en | null | Eviction of Omar Abdullah's estranged wife Payal from Delhi bungalow begins | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 22, 2016 21:34 IST
Action to evict Payal Abdullah, estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, from the Jammu and Kashmir government bungalow in New Delhi was initiated on Monday evening by the state authorities.
A squad from the Jammu and Kashmir Resident Commissioner's office broke the outer gate of the bungalow and were taking out her belongings.
The action followed a Delhi High Court order on August 19.
After asking her orally to "gracefully" vacate the official bungalow, the court had said Payal and the estranged couple's two sons staying with her are "liable to be evicted forthwith", terming their entitlement to retain it as "wholly illegal".
Payal, who has been residing at the bungalow since 1999, had approached the High Court after the trial court on August 16 had asked her to move out of the house in Lutyen's zone in the national capital.
The high court was hearing Payal's plea seeking that she and her children be not evicted from 7, Akbar Road (type VIII) bungalow or an alternative accommodation be provided in view of their security status and threat to their lives.
The Jammu and Kashmir government opposed Payal's stay in the bungalow, saying it was faced with an extremely piquant situation as it does not have an appropriate accommodation to house the chief minister in Delhi befitting her position and security imperatives.
The Centre, through its counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, appearing for Ministry of Home Affairs, submitted that there is no substantial reduction in the security given to Payal since she started living in the present bungalow.
"Delhi Police will take care of the security personnel who will be deployed at the residence where she will move," the MHA counsel said.
The Centre told the court that government accommodation, on security grounds, is given only to SPG protectees. It said that a "general threat to them is perceived from Kashmiri militants for being the family member of Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, and in Delhi their threat quotient is assessed to be not as high as in Kashmir".
The Centre also said there is "no input with it indicating any specific or imminent threat to Payal Abdullah".
Photograph: ANI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/eviction-of-omar-abdullahs-estranged-wife-payal-from-delhi-bungalow-begins/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4383365dd40a5c8d1eea991a8bac1b9f74ac1d85c30e41f8a30bf25d4d366957.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T10:51:45 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Jihadists are rooting for a Trump presidency because they believe that he will lead the US on a path to self-destruction. | Islamic State wants Trump as US president! | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fislamic-state-wants-trump-as-us-president%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/feb/10us1.jpg | en | null | Islamic State wants Trump as US president! | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 15:46 IST
Islamic State jihadists are rooting for Donald Trump to win the United States presidential polls as they believe that he will lead America on a path of self-destruction and his presidency would be a powerful recruiting tool, according to a media report.
Even though the Republican presidential candidate has promised to “knock the hell out of” IS, the terror group is rooting for him to win the upcoming general election because they believe it will boost their ranks, the Foreign Affairs magazine (external link) reported, citing interviews with IS supporters, recent defectors and social media analysis.
Earlier this month, an IS spokesman wrote on the IS-affiliated Telegram channel, Nashir, “I ask Allah to deliver America to Trump.”
An IS supporter posted on one of the numerous jihadist “channels” hosted by the Telegram messaging application, “The ‘facilitation’ of Trump’s arrival in the White House must be a priority for jihadists at any cost!!!”
Trump has been campaigning on a promise to eradicate the Islamic State. The 70-year-old business tycoon regularly makes belligerent statements such as , “I would bomb” them and “We have to knock the hell out of them”.
He has said that he would send up to 30,000 more US troops to fight IS and refuses to rule out the possibility of using nuclear weapons against the group.
However, jihadists are rooting for a Trump presidency because they believe that he will lead the US on a path to self-destruction, the magazine said in its report.
Analysis of IS chatter on social media and conversations with 12 current and former supporters of the group do indicate that IS strongly prefers Trump over the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, it said.
Trump is “the perfect enemy”, Tarek, a former IS fighter who recently switched sides to one of its Salafi rivals, Ahrar al-Sham, was quoted as saying.
Another IS defector, Samer, said when he was fighting for the group in Deir ez-Zor, “we were happy when Trump said bad things about Muslims because he makes it very clear that there are two teams in this battle: the Islamic team and the anti-Islamic team.”
When asked why Clinton has not yet been shown in an IS video, a recent defector, Adel, was quoted as saying that it is because “she never says anything bad about Muslims”.
Indeed, it is far more difficult for IS to vilify Clinton, who routinely insists that “Islam is not our adversary” and “Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people”.
IS supporters believe that Trump would be an unstable and irrational leader whose impulsive decision-making would weaken the United States, the report said.
Some IS supporters believe that Trump would lead the US and its Western allies into the apocalyptic clash they have been waiting for, it said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/islamic-state-wants-trump-as-us-president/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/0dd3239fdde9dae1cd324d0ab58bd108a5f57817ae0416176059600553b671db.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T20:51:52 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | This is the first time Chinese official media referred to Modi's remarks about PoK and Balochistan. | 'Modi lost patience': Chinese media on PM's Balochistan remark | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fchinese-media-on-pms-balochistan-remark%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/money/2014/dec/15modi.jpg | en | null | 'Modi lost patience': Chinese media on PM's Balochistan remark | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 01:24 IST
A state-run Chinese daily on Monday cried foul over India’s move to extend enhanced compensation for victims of terror to people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ‘lost patience and switched to the expected hardline tone of hostility’.
Referring to Modi’s comments on Balochistan for the first time, an article in the state-run Global Times website said he is raising it to divert attention from the tense situation prevailing in Kashmir.
‘After reluctant attempts to revitalise Indo-Pak relations, Narendra Modi, now in his third year as Indian prime minister, has lost patience and switched to the expected hardline tone of hostility,’ it said.
Describing the extension of Rs 5 lakh compensation to the victims of terrorism to people in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, as a ‘provocation’, the article said ‘more importantly, Kashmiris on the Pakistani side of the border can claim this compensation, too’.
‘This is not the only provocation. Another was his Independence Day address on August 15,’ it said, referring to Modi’s remarks that people of Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK were thanking him for raising human rights violations there.
This is the first time Chinese official media referred to Modi’s remarks about PoK and Balochistan, where China is building $46-billion (Rs 3 lakh crore) Economic Corridor, which was objected to by India as it goes through the disputed territory.
‘Analysts see the political push as coming from a small team filled by influential ministers and people who are the veterans of the ‘cold war’ with Pakistan. Some are members of the National Executive of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh),’ it said.
‘This risky gesture is not supported by everyone in the Indian government. Outstanding reservations come from his intelligence chiefs and the external affairs ministry,’ said the article Modi’s provocations raise risks for India.
‘Why would Modi choose to publicly reference Balochistan when his country kept denying an Indian role there? Even on Kashmir, why would he be so provocative when the Pakistani response will inevitably draw world attention at a time his government is trying to prevent the issue being internationalised?,’ it said.
‘Not surprisingly, there are speculations that Modi is just trying to divert global attention from what’s going on in the Valley,’ it said.
‘This may only make it even trickier for India to find a resolution by deliberately expanding the range of bilateral conflicts,’ the article said.
‘Another concern for Modi is the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, which will be held in Pakistan this year. Modi is scheduled to visit Islamabad for the SAARC summit in November, but the impatient prime minister has decided to break up the Indo-Pak impasse to see what can be fished from the troubled waters,’ it said.
‘But the long-term cost will be the moral blow to India when it tries to manage its own insurgencies and secessionist movements, which tends to invite international attention and intervention,’ it said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/chinese-media-on-pms-balochistan-remark/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ba799581b1c72cc905d3801ad4101185fe1cac38794c7e722ce88ecfc5298ce4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:38 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | Payal, who has been residing at 7, Akbar Road bungalow since 1999, however, refused to move out and urged the court to pass an order. | HC asks Payal Abdullah to 'gracefully' vacate govt bungalow | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fhc-asks-payal-abdullah-to-gracefully-vacate-govt-bungalow%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19payal.jpg | en | null | HC asks Payal Abdullah to 'gracefully' vacate govt bungalow | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 13:49 IST
The Delhi high court on Friday directed Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to “gracefully” vacate the government accommodation she has been residing in with her two sons.
Payal, who has been residing at 7, Akbar Road bungalow since 1999, however, refused to move out and urged the court to pass an order.
The court then said a detailed order will be passed with regard to the time within which she and her children will have to vacate the bungalow.
“Will you gracefully evict or I should pass an order?” Justice Indermeet Kaur asked Payal’s counsel, who categorically stated that the court should pass the order.
The judge also orally observed that every person who retires from the office has to move out.
The judge also noted that Delhi Police will provide security to Payal and her children, who are ‘Z’ and ‘Z plus’ security protectees, during their stay in the capital.
On August 16, a trial court too, had asked Payal to move out of the house in Lutyen’s zone in Delhi.
The high court was hearing Payal’s plea seeking that she and her children be not evicted from 7, Akbar Road (type VIII) bungalow here or an alternative accommodation be provided in view of their security status and threat to their lives.
The Centre, however, opposed her contention to retain the accommodation on the ground of security threat and said it is for Delhi Police to ensure her safety for her stay here.
The Centre, through its counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, appearing for ministry of home affairs, submitted that there is no substantial reduction in the security given to Payal since she started living in the present bungalow.
“Delhi Police will take care of the security personnel who will be deployed at the residence where she will move,” the MHA counsel said.
The Centre told the court that government accommodation, on security grounds, is given only to SPG protectees.
It said that a “general threat to them is perceived from Kashmiri militants for being the family member of Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, and in Delhi their threat quotient is assessed to be not as high as in Kashmir”.
The Centre also said there is “no input with it indicating any specific or imminent threat to Payal Abdullah”. The high court had on July 12 given protection to them against eviction.
The Jammu and Kashmir government opposed Payal’s stay in the bungalow, saying it was faced with an extremely piquant situation as it does not have an appropriate accommodation to house the chief minister in Delhi befitting her position and security imperatives.
Meanwhile, Payal has filed an application seeking perjury proceedings against a Central government official for filing a false affidavit before the court that she and her children are not central government protectees.
In their plea, Payal and her children have claimed that the Centre, through a letter dated September 9, 2015, allotted the bungalow to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as the chief minister’s residence with retrospective effect from August 11, 2009, without following the due process of law which was thus illegal.
They contended that the website of the department of hospitality and protocol of government of Jammu and Kashmir shows that the residence of chief minister of the state was 5, Prithviraj Road.
Their petition filed through advocate Amit Khemka, claimed that they moved high court as Omar Abdullah in his response to the estate officer’s show cause notice had said he was no longer in occupation of the premises and, hence the authority was free to take over the premises.
The petitioners, including the couple’s two children, have sought parity with Priyanka Gandhi, Subramanian Swamy and several others who have been granted government accommodation on security grounds.
The petitioners have contended that the eviction order was passed without allowing them to lead evidence and without granting any personal hearing to them.
As per the eviction order, the petitioners were given 15 days to vacate the premises.
Payal, in her plea, said she has a flat in the city, but it would be “totally insufficient for making elaborate security arrangements for their protection” as there were other flats in the same building. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/hc-asks-payal-abdullah-to-gracefully-vacate-govt-bungalow/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/373ecf7624472b4aed6eaf8a9f54b3fd02227394a7fc7ef49e540d59293d4c75.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:32 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | PAVA shells'are a chilli-based ammunition, which is less lethal and immobilises the target temporarily. | Chilli-filled 'PAVA shells' likely to replace pellet guns in Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fchilli-filled-pava-shells-likely-to-replace-pellet-guns-in-kashmir%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19kashmir2.jpg | en | null | Chilli-filled 'PAVA shells' likely to replace pellet guns in Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 08:15 IST
An expert panel constituted by the home ministry to find an alternative to pellet guns for crowd control following uproar against its use in Kashmir has zeroed in on ‘PAVA shells’, a chilli-based ammunition, which is less lethal and immobilises the target temporarily.
The committee held a demonstration of the newly developed shells at a test field earlier this week and gave the thumbs up for use by security forces for crowd control and during protests like those being witnessed in the Kashmir Valley in place of the pellet guns which have caused grievous injuries and large-scale blinding.
The ‘PAVA shells’, were under trial for over a year at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research laboratory in Lucknow, and its full development has come at a time when Kashmir is on the boil.
Sources close to the committee said it has favoured ‘PAVA shells’ as an alternative to pellet guns and has recommended that the Tear Smoke Unit of the Border Security Force in Gwalior should be tasked with bulk production of the shells “immediately”, with the first lot not of less than 50,000 rounds.
The name ‘PAVA’ stands for Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide, also called Nonivamide, and is a organic compound found characteristically in natural chilli pepper.
On the Scoville scale (the degree to measure the power of chilli), PAVA is categorised as “above peak” meaning it will severely irritate and paralyse humans, but temporarily. It is also used as a food additive to add pungency, flavouring and spicy effect to food.
The committee, the blueprint said, found that ‘PAVA’ can be categorised in the less-lethal munition category. Once fired, the shells burst and temporarily stun, immobilise and paralyse the target (protesters) in a more effective way than a tear gas shell or pepper sprays.
The panel noted that PAVA is “biosafe, better than chilli grenade or tear smoke shell and can also be used in combination with stun and tear shells” by security forces while tackling unruly protesters.
The committee also analysed and is understood to have recommended the supply of few other non-lethal/less-lethal munition to security forces personnel deployed for crowd control in the KashmirValley and other similar situations elsewhere. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/chilli-filled-pava-shells-likely-to-replace-pellet-guns-in-kashmir/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5ff9fe905ba7b8b275efafa07eaab456296740384e1b7aacd28f9bc56c7826f6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:15:35 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | 'Those who do not return by 25th September will have to make their own arrangements for boarding, lodging and return journey,' Swaraj said in a tweet. | Return by Sep 25 or make own arrangements: Sushma to laid-off Indian workers in Saudi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Freturn-by-sep-25-or-make-own-arrangements-sushma-to-laid-off-indian-workers-in-saudi%2F20160823.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/23swaraj-1.jpg | en | null | Return by Sep 25 or make own arrangements: Sushma to laid-off Indian workers in Saudi | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 23, 2016 19:31 IST
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday appealed to the Indian workers, who have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia, to return to India by September 25 failing which they have to make their own arrangements for boarding, lodging and return journey.
"@Gen_VKSingh visited Saudi Arabia twice to resolve the problems of Indian workers rendered unemployed due to closure of companies there.
"My advice to all such Indian workers is that they should file their claims and return home by 25th September 2016. We will bring them back free of charge.
"Those who do not return by 25th September will have to make their own arrangements for boarding, lodging and return journey," Swaraj said in a series of tweets.
This is the minister's second appeal to Indian workers. Earlier on Sunday, she had said when Saudi government settles with the companies which have closed down, the dues of the workers will also be paid, asserting 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 had rushed to Saudi Arabia after large number of Indian workers sought 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 slowdown in Saudi economy, triggered by low oil prices and cut in spending by the government. The three worst affected companies are Saud Oger, Saudi Bin Laden and Saad group.
The Indian government had requested the Saudi authorities to give the unemployed Indian workers exit visas without no-objection certificate 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 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-by-sep-25-or-make-own-arrangements-sushma-to-laid-off-indian-workers-in-saudi/20160823.htm | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6fc12be3467f0a10085b4e9ec1d1b59252e858b4b0e5863d4216227e948b3ef5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:12 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Prathmesh Kher/Rediff.com recalls how a planetary mission became interstellar in scope with the addition of a simple gold-plated disk. | Message in a bottle: How one golden disk carries human history into the cosmos | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmessage-in-a-bottle-how-one-golden-disk-carries-human-history-into-the-cosmos%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25voyager01.jpg | en | null | Message in a bottle: How one golden disk carries human history into the cosmos | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 26, 2016 16:45 IST
This week marks the 4th anniversary of the Voyager 1 spacecraft crossing over from our solar system into interstellar space.
Prathmesh Kher/Rediff.com recalls how a planetary mission became interstellar in scope with the addition of a simple gold-plated disk.
IMAGE: The planet Proxima b orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Solar System, is seen in an undated artist's impression released by the European Southern Observatory. Photograph: Kornmesser/ESO/Reuters
Remember the old story of Goldilocks and the three bears? Sure you do! The ‘just right’ quality of the chairs, the porridge and the beds rings true to date. Well, astronomers have found a planet near Proxima Centauri, the star nearest to the sun, which falls in the astro-biological ‘Goldilocks zone’.
A ‘Goldilocks zone’ is that ‘just right’ principle being applied to planets instead of porridge. Its more commonplace sounding variant is the ‘habitable zone’, meaning that planet is at a distance from its star that allows temperatures mild enough for liquid water (aka the stuff of life) to pool on its surface.
However, this has not been a quick find. Astronomers have been hunting intensively for planets around Proxima Centauri for more than 15 years.
Interestingly, Thursday also marked the fourth anniversary of the Voyager 1 spacecraft crossing heliopause and entering interstellar space (it only took 35 years to do so).
This makes the Voyager 1 probe the farthest manmade object from earth. That would be awesome enough but its gets even better. Before it was launched, NASA placed an ambitious message aboard Voyager 1 and 2, a gold-plated phonograph record intended as a sort of time capsule.
The 12-inch gold-tinted copper disk contained images and audio clips intended to reflect the diversity of life and culture on earth in case the spacecraft was ever intercepted by aliens.
IMAGE: The front face of the gold-plated disk . Photograph: NASA
The contents of the record were selected for NASA by a committee helmed by the imaginative Carl Sagan. The team agreed upon 115 images (external link) and a potpourri of sounds (external link), including those made by surf on the beach, a moving locomotive, an exploding volcano and animal sounds including those of birds, whales, and elephants.
This was backed up with an eclectic selection of music (including Indian singer Kesar Bai Kerkar's rendition of Jaat Kahan Ho) chosen to reflect different cultures and eras, and 55 greetings spoken (external link) by earthmen and women in different languages, including one in English by Sagan’s son Nick. Among the languages represented on the disk were India’s Hindi, Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu and Odiya.
IMAGE: An image of the earth's surface sent as part of the 115 image selection on the golden record. Photograph: NASA
At the time Carl Sagan had noted: "The spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced space-faring civilizations in interstellar space. But the launching of this bottle into the cosmic ocean says something very hopeful about life on this planet."
The disk also includes a cosmic map, imprinted on its skin, which would allow any extra-terrestrial species to find their way back to Earth. The pulsar map, as it is called, shows the location of our solar system with respect to 14 pulsars, a neutron star that emits regular pulses (hence pulsar) of polarised radiation, whose precise periods are given.
While all this might seem like navel-gazing (or star-gazing, to use a more appropriate term), it is in fact not. Looking at the night sky happens to be our most ancient ritual.
IMAGE: The pulsar map, positioning Earth at its distance from 14 different pulsars, is printed on the disk and is intended to allow extra-terrestrials to come back to mankind. Photograph: NASA
Humanity is naturally wedded to the stars. It is in our nature. Whether it is Aboriginal rock art to Van Gogh’s The Starry Night to the more recent Star Wars craze, people love to look up at the night sky. Children, long before they are told to look down while walking, are fascinated by the high above.
Perhaps the future of Proxima b might also include a disk.
Carl Sagan once said: "If we receive a message, it can’t be from anybody less capable than we, because anybody less capable can’t communicate at all.”
Well, here’s hoping that someone out there sees us just as we saw Proxima b. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/message-in-a-bottle-how-one-golden-disk-carries-human-history-into-the-cosmos/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/1a9066f1296fe469d9d5ebcb4924e74e07de4d02bc685b11f8a5ea6514628e57.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:02 | null | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | The 70-year-old reality TV star has strongly refuted reports of any relationship with Putin and has said he has never met the Russian president. | Clinton video questions Trump's ties to Putin | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fclinton-video-questions-trumps-ties-to-putin%2F20160806.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/06lead1.jpg | en | null | Clinton video questions Trump's ties to Putin | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 06, 2016 04:26 IST
Questioning the foreign policy credentials of Donald Trump, the Hillary Clinton campaign have launched a new video asking the relationship the Republican presidential nominee has with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Trump's fascination with Putin and his cadre of Kremlin-linked advisors are backed up by a policy agenda that tracks with Putin's top policy priorities," the Clinton campaign said in a statement as it released the video.
The 70-year-old reality TV star has strongly refuted reports of any relationship with Putin and has said he has never met the Russian president.
The Clinton campaign said Trump has "rattled American national security experts and allies alike with his rebukes of NATO, his "America First" nationalism, his stoking of disunity in Europe, his comfort with ceding Crimea to Russia, and of course, his encouragement of Russian espionage to help him win the election".
"We still don't know the extent of his financial ties to Russia – namely because Trump won't release his tax returns," it said, a day after a bipartisan group of 37 former top US officials released a letter expressing serious concerns about these policies.
The letter had said: "Donald Trump's recent statements casting doubt on whether he would honour that commitment should one of our allies be attacked compels us to respond. Just last week, Trump said he would consider recognising the Russian annexation of Crimea and lifting sanctions on Moscow."
"He also encouraged the Russian government to hack into Secretary Clinton's emails. These are disgraceful statements that betray our longstanding values and national interests embraced by Presidents of both parties," said the letter, which among others have been signed by the former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and the former Defence Secretary Leon Panetta.
On Friday, former acting director and deputy director of the CIA, Michael Morell, who served 33 years in the agency under three Democratic and three Republican presidents, wrote that "Mr Putin had recruited Mr Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation."
Trump, however hit back at Morell by labelling him as "Obama-Clinton pawn".
Meanwhile, the Hillary campaign also released a new television ad, "Unfit," which features a litany of Republican voices expressing concern over the notion of Donald Trump becoming commander in chief.
Among them, former CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden says, "If he governs consistent with some of the things he's said as a candidate, I would be very frightened."
Additionally, conservative writer Charles Krauthammer cautions, "You have to ask yourself, do I want a person of that temperament in control of the nuclear codes? And as of now, I'd have to say no."
The ad will air on national cable television as part of the campaign's existing ad buy.
Photograph: Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/clinton-video-questions-trumps-ties-to-putin/20160806.htm | en | 2016-08-06T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8574edaa2ef8effc89e590a455866922f3f95db3934f2a75c85dfc0ba4e2b8a7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:06 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | The roadshow will begin from Kachahari at 12 noon after party leaders garland the statue of BR Ambedkar and will cover a distance of around eight kilometers in three hours. | Sonia Gandhi to launch Congress UP campaign with Varanasi roadshow | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsonia-gandhi-to-launch-congress-up-campaign-with-varanasi-roadshow%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2010/dec/17cong10.jpg | en | null | Sonia Gandhi to launch Congress UP campaign with Varanasi roadshow | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 22:33 IST
Congress president Sonia Gandhi will offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple after leading a roadshow organised by the party in Varanasi on Tuesday.
The party's chief ministerial candidate for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Sheila Dikshit, said this at a press conference in Varanasi on Monday, adding that UP Congress chief Raj Babbar and senior leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad, Salman Khurshid, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Pramod Tiwari, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Zafar Ali, Sanjay Singh, Rana Goswami, Rajesh Mishra, Ajay Rai, Rajeshpati Tripathi etc. will take part in it.
The roadshow will begin from Kachahari at 12 noon after party leaders garland the statue of BR Ambedkar and will cover a distance of around eight kilometers in three hours.
It will conclude at Englishiyaline where Sonia is expected to deliver a short speech and garland the statue of former Union minister and Uttar Pradesh chief minister late Kamlapati Tripathi.
Maintaining that the roadshow is a part of the party's '27 saal, UP Behaal' campaign, Dikshit launched an attack on the ruling Samajwadi Party in the state for the recent Bulandshahr gang rape incident.
"Law and order in the state under the SP has worsened and the recent incident of Bulandshahr was highly condemnable," she said, adding that the Congress wants to rid the state of "the SP, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party misrule of the last 27 years" and put it on the path towards development.
Replying to a query, Dikshit, who claimed herself to be a "UP wallah", said her age was not an issue till the time she had the "will to work in public interest".
"I became the Delhi chief minister at the age of 60. Even then, people used to talk about my age but I served for almost 15 years.
"I will be fortunate to get a chance to serve my own state, Uttar Pradesh. I will put in my best efforts for its betterment. I am 78 but my age is not an issue till the time I am willing to work," she said.
Dikshit claimed the development of Uttar Pradesh was visible 27 years ago when the Congress was in power in the state but subsequent governments led by the SP, BSP and BJP "misruled by playing out religion and caste-based politics".
Lamenting the lack of job opportunities for the youth in the state, she claimed that her party would change the scenario by setting up industries if voted to power.
Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Babbar claimed the party was confident of forming the government in the state in 2017.
Defending Dikshit's selection as the party's chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh, he attacked the BJP saying, "The Congress gives respect to its elder members, unlike another party that sidelines them." | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sonia-gandhi-to-launch-congress-up-campaign-with-varanasi-roadshow/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a616fa3460f49e75499283cf4bbd073a45218eba5a5837101d1c95ba7f631d87.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:27:55 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | Khan said he was to perform at the Royal festival Hall in London next month. | UK denies visa to Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsarod-maestro-amjad-ali-khan-uk-visa%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/movies/2010/jan/05sli1.jpg | en | null | UK denies visa to Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 12, 2016 19:32 IST
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s visa application was rejected by the United Kingdom High Commission on Friday.
The 70-year-old artist, who was to perform at the Royal Festival Hall next month, said he is ‘shocked and appalled’ at the rejection of his visa application.
Asked about the reason for the rejection of visa application, a UK High Commission spokesperson merely said that the mission does not comment on individual cases.
Tagging Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in his tweet, Khan wrote, ‘My UK visa rejected. Extremely sad for artists who are spreading the message of love & peace @HCI_London @MEAIndia @UKinIndia @SushmaSwaraj (sic).’
‘Shocked & 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 UK denial, Amjad’s son Amaan Ali said, “This has never happened before. In our country this is not cool.”
“It is very sad that it has happened to him. He is someone who has worked all his life for the country and peace. The government should take interest why they (the UK) are doing this,” he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sarod-maestro-amjad-ali-khan-uk-visa/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3d2d9d298455f07bc3c4c036a2cc5402c4806fed514e8f049747c85c1ed8009f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:37:52 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | The gang had brutally gangraped a woman and her 13-year-old daughter at gunpoint on Friday night last week after dragging them out of a car in Bulandshahr on NH-91. | Bulandshahr gang rape: Victims get security, cops says there are 6-7 more accused | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbulandshahr-gang-rape-victims-get-security%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/feb/08lead3.jpg | en | null | Bulandshahr gang rape: Victims get security, cops says there are 6-7 more accused | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 18:54 IST
District magistrate Pushpa Singh, who met the family members of the Bulandshahr gang rape victims on Tuesday in Kalan area, said directives have been issued to the police to provide security to the family.
"As demanded by the family, they have been assured of arms licence at the earliest," she said.
This came on the heels of Bulandshahr SSP Anees Ansari’s declaration that there are 6-7 more accused in the incident.
Besides Lohiya Awas and old-age pension, the grandfather of the victim will also get monetary help through the Rani Laxmibai Samman, Singh said, adding the locality of their native house will also be electrified.
She said all necessary help will be provided to the family by the administration.
The gang had brutally gang raped a woman and her 13-year-old daughter at gunpoint on Friday night last week after dragging them out of a car in Bulandshahr on NH-91 when they were travelling with their family from Noida to Shahjahanpur.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh of "protecting and appeasing" criminals ahead of the assembly polls. The BJP asked Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to transfer the Bulandshahr rape case to the CBI if he has any "shame" left.
The saffron party also alleged that the SP first "appeased" Muslims to get votes and was now looking at criminals through the prism of castes and religions and "appeasing" them.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma also hit out at the state government over its minister Azam Khan's reported comments that the Bulandshahr rape was an outcome of political conspiracy against it. It shows how low the ruling party can stoop to for votes, he said.
He also reeled out the state's crime figures between March, 2012 and March, 2016 to claim that criminals are emboldened under the SP rule while people, especially women, live in fear.
UP tops the list in crime against women, he said, adding that 2,920 cases of rape were reported during these four years, besides 12,198 murders and 6,015 robberies.
"Azam Khan has politicised a horrible incident like this. It shows how low this governments and its leaders can stoop to get votes. If Akhilesh Yadav has any morality and shame left, then he should order a CBI probe so that the victims can get justice," he said.
He shared details of cases in which Dalit women were sexually assaulted and questioned if these were also a political conspiracy.
Sharma cited comments of a number of SP leaders, including its president Mulayam Singh Yadav, as he accused them of repeatedly making insensitive remarks against women.
The SP chief had defended some rape accused, claiming that boys commit small mistakes at times and they cannot be hanged for that, he said.
Taking a dig at those who returned their awards over the issue of intolerance, Sharma said they should break their silence over the rape of a woman and her daughter in Bulandshahr.
"Their silence is shameful. Why are they keeping quiet? They should speak over such a horrific crime," he said.
Police have as yet arrested three persons in connection with the case; Raheesudeen of Sutari village in Bulandshahr, Shahwaiz of Hapur district and Jabar Singh of Gautam Budh Nagar district.
Shahwaiz and Jabar Singh have previous cases of looting against them, police said. Sutari village is around 7 km from Dostpur, where the incident took place. Police have detained two others for questioning Babloo belonging to Faridabad and Naresh of Bathinda. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bulandshahr-gang-rape-victims-get-security/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8ba17a8ea79d675789136672c1e70f818196493ac29d678bf0b77eb167ce95e1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:10 | null | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | The 36-year-old havildar displayed raw courage, unflinching grit during his encounter with the terrorists in which he was fatally injured. | Ashok Chakra for soldier who died battling 4 terrorists in Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fashok-chakra-for-soldier-who-died-battling-4-terrorists-in-kashmir%2F20160814.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/14havildar.jpg | en | null | Ashok Chakra for soldier who died battling 4 terrorists in Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 14, 2016 20:45 IST
The 36-year-old havildar displayed raw courage, unflinching grit during his encounter with the terrorists in which he was fatally injured.
Havildar Hangpan Dada, who killed four intruding terrorists before laying down his life at a height of 13,000 feet in the harsh and icy Himalayan range of North Kashmir, has been bestowed with Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peace-time army award.
Dada 36, was honoured posthumously with the government announcing the award on Sunday on the eve of 70th Independence Day.
Dada, who laid down his life for the country on May 27 this year, valiantly fought at the treacherous Shamsabari range in North Kashmir eliminating four heavily-armed terrorists who had infiltrated into North Kashmir from Pak-occupied-Kashmir.
Hailing from Boduria village in far-flung Arunachal Pradesh, the havildar, who was popularly known as ‘Dada’ among his team, was posted at the high mountain range since late last year.
Enrolled in the Assam Regiment of the Army in 1997, Dada was posted with the 35 Rashtriya Rifles, a force carved out for counter-insurgency operations.
In the last week of May, he along with his team spotted the movement of terrorists in the area and lost no time in engaging them in a fierce encounter that went on for over 24 hours.
Taking the enemy head-on, Dada charged at the spot where terrorists were holed up and killed two terrorists on the spot and later the third one after a hand-to-hand scuffle as they slid down the hill towards the Line of Control. A fourth terrorist was also killed by him.
Dada was badly injured in the encounter as the terrorists who crossed over from PoK had a slight height advantage.
He displayed raw courage, unflinching grit, presence of mind and with utter disregard to his personal safety and despite bleeding profusely, discharged his duties and made supreme sacrifice for the nation.
The presence of mind of Dada, who is survived by his wife Chasen Lowang, 10-year-old daughter Roukhin and six-year-old son Senwang, saved the lives of his team members who came under heavy fire from the terrorists. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ashok-chakra-for-soldier-who-died-battling-4-terrorists-in-kashmir/20160814.htm | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4feaf9f610c98ce6e8c11c48d9ee3a93be4cd13a9a6efcf6979f611cfb67c545.json |
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