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Sun, 31 December 2017
Mewar royals not happy with CBFC decision to clear Padmavati
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19:32 Mewar royals not happy with CBFC decision to clear Padmavati
Erstwhile Mewar royal family member Vishvaraj Singh on Sunday revealed that he is not happy with the Central Board of Film Certification's decision to certify the movie Padmavati with a few modifications.
"(The) CBFC invited us to be part of the panel and we asked certain questions, then we come to know that some other panel saw movie and certificate were given without our consent", Singh told ANI, adding, "Very unprofessional and irresponsible behaviour by the CBFC".
Commenting on the title change of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film from Padmavati to Padmavat, the member of the royal family said the move will not help anyhow as everyone knows what the movie is all about.
"We doubt that the things screened in the movie can create unrest. What right do they have to use my family name", he said.
Earlier on Saturday, the CBFC suggested few modifications in Padmavati, which include changing the film's title to Padmavat, after which it would be given a UA certificate. -- ANI
"(The) CBFC invited us to be part of the panel and we asked certain questions, then we come to know that some other panel saw movie and certificate were given without our consent", Singh told ANI, adding, "Very unprofessional and irresponsible behaviour by the CBFC".
Commenting on the title change of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film from Padmavati to Padmavat, the member of the royal family said the move will not help anyhow as everyone knows what the movie is all about.
"We doubt that the things screened in the movie can create unrest. What right do they have to use my family name", he said.
Earlier on Saturday, the CBFC suggested few modifications in Padmavati, which include changing the film's title to Padmavat, after which it would be given a UA certificate. -- ANI
18:31 Pulwama attack sign of failure of PM's foreign policy: Congress
The Congress today slammed the government over a terror attack on a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was a sign of failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy.
Party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said that such recurring attacks send a message that anti-national forces do not fear India.
During elections, Modi says India is a strong nation. But the number of casualties in ceasefire violations was going up, Dev said at a press conference.
"It is a sign of failure of prime minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy," she said, adding the Congress wanted him to take strong steps to deter India's external and internal enemies.
Modi had claimed he had a 56-inch chest and that he would teach Pakistan a lesson, Dev said.
"What that lesson could be he should decide. The Congress will support him if he takes any step in the interest of the nation. But he must do something immediately."
Citing a report on a 'secret dialogue' between national security advisers of India and Pakistan, she said the government should inform Parliament about the dialogue it was engaging in concerning defence and foreign policy.
"You have a talk after Christmas and an attack happened today in Pulwama. We are unable to accept these two. We do not oppose dialogue (with Pakistan) but what is the result of this if an attack dampens the image of the country in the world," Dev said.
She said the Congress expected the Modi government to have 'consistency' in its foreign policy.
"We have been repeatedly saying India is coming across as a nation with a wishy washy foreign policy. India is being increasingly taken more and more lightly," she said.
The government, by taking the Opposition along, should give a message to the world at large that 'India cannot be taken lightly', she said and added such incidents put the country in a 'weak light'. -- PTI
IMAGE: Wreath-laying ceremony of the martyred CRPF jawans in Pulwama attack in Srinagar on Sunday. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
Party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said that such recurring attacks send a message that anti-national forces do not fear India.
During elections, Modi says India is a strong nation. But the number of casualties in ceasefire violations was going up, Dev said at a press conference.
"It is a sign of failure of prime minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy," she said, adding the Congress wanted him to take strong steps to deter India's external and internal enemies.
Modi had claimed he had a 56-inch chest and that he would teach Pakistan a lesson, Dev said.
"What that lesson could be he should decide. The Congress will support him if he takes any step in the interest of the nation. But he must do something immediately."
Citing a report on a 'secret dialogue' between national security advisers of India and Pakistan, she said the government should inform Parliament about the dialogue it was engaging in concerning defence and foreign policy.
"You have a talk after Christmas and an attack happened today in Pulwama. We are unable to accept these two. We do not oppose dialogue (with Pakistan) but what is the result of this if an attack dampens the image of the country in the world," Dev said.
She said the Congress expected the Modi government to have 'consistency' in its foreign policy.
"We have been repeatedly saying India is coming across as a nation with a wishy washy foreign policy. India is being increasingly taken more and more lightly," she said.
The government, by taking the Opposition along, should give a message to the world at large that 'India cannot be taken lightly', she said and added such incidents put the country in a 'weak light'. -- PTI
IMAGE: Wreath-laying ceremony of the martyred CRPF jawans in Pulwama attack in Srinagar on Sunday. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
17:30
JUST IN: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel gets finance ministry portfolio. -- ANI
16:51 Kamala Mills fire: Two relatives of pub owners arrested
Police today arrested two persons for allegedly providing shelter to the owners of '1-Above' pub who were booked after a fire at their establishment claimed 14 lives on Friday.
Police had booked the pub owners, Hitesh Sanghvi and Jigar Sanghvi, co-owner Abhijeet Manka and others on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Lookout notices were issued against the Sanghvi brothers yesterday.
Their uncle Rakesh Sanghvi and cousin Aditya Sanghvi were arrested today, senior police inspector, Byculla, Avinash Shingthe said.
A search was on for their another relative, Mahendra Sanghvi, he said, without divulging more details.
The three relatives, all residents of the Mazgaon area in Byculla, were booked under Indian Penal Code section 216 (harbouring an offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered), another police official said.
The accused pub owners were yet to be arrested, another police official said, adding that efforts were underway to trace them.
Meanwhile, the NM Joshi Marg police probing the fire incident recorded the statements of nearly 27 eye-witnesses.
"So far, we have recorded statements of about 27 eye-witnesses. We are searching for more witnesses in connection with the incident," a police official said. -- PTI
Police had booked the pub owners, Hitesh Sanghvi and Jigar Sanghvi, co-owner Abhijeet Manka and others on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Lookout notices were issued against the Sanghvi brothers yesterday.
Their uncle Rakesh Sanghvi and cousin Aditya Sanghvi were arrested today, senior police inspector, Byculla, Avinash Shingthe said.
A search was on for their another relative, Mahendra Sanghvi, he said, without divulging more details.
The three relatives, all residents of the Mazgaon area in Byculla, were booked under Indian Penal Code section 216 (harbouring an offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered), another police official said.
The accused pub owners were yet to be arrested, another police official said, adding that efforts were underway to trace them.
Meanwhile, the NM Joshi Marg police probing the fire incident recorded the statements of nearly 27 eye-witnesses.
"So far, we have recorded statements of about 27 eye-witnesses. We are searching for more witnesses in connection with the incident," a police official said. -- PTI
16:10 Sena MP Gaikwad yet to be questioned in AI assault case
More than nine months after Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad was booked for allegedly assaulting an Air India employee, the lawmaker is yet to be questioned in the case, the police said.
Gaikwad, the Lok Sabha member from Osmanabad in Maharashtra, had hit 60-year-old duty manager R Sukumar '25 times' with a slipper when the official asked him to disembark after the plane landed at the IGI airport in New Delhi from Pune.
The MP was booked on charges of attempting to commit culpable homicide and using criminal force with intent to dishonor a person and the case was handed over to the Delhi Police's Crime Branch.
However, the probe team is yet to 'conclude the probe', said an official.
After a case was registered, a Crime Branch team visited the airport to ascertain how the argument broke out between the MP and the AI manager.
15 AI staffers were questioned, including Sukumar.
"The MP has not been questioned in the case. Both the parties have reached a compromise. We might file a closure report after fulfilling legal formalities," said an official privy to the probe.
The incident had triggered massive outrage with the Air India and other private airlines even banning the MP from flying.
The ban was later revoked after the MP wrote a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju expressing "regret" over the unfortunate incident. -- PTI
Gaikwad, the Lok Sabha member from Osmanabad in Maharashtra, had hit 60-year-old duty manager R Sukumar '25 times' with a slipper when the official asked him to disembark after the plane landed at the IGI airport in New Delhi from Pune.
The MP was booked on charges of attempting to commit culpable homicide and using criminal force with intent to dishonor a person and the case was handed over to the Delhi Police's Crime Branch.
However, the probe team is yet to 'conclude the probe', said an official.
After a case was registered, a Crime Branch team visited the airport to ascertain how the argument broke out between the MP and the AI manager.
15 AI staffers were questioned, including Sukumar.
"The MP has not been questioned in the case. Both the parties have reached a compromise. We might file a closure report after fulfilling legal formalities," said an official privy to the probe.
The incident had triggered massive outrage with the Air India and other private airlines even banning the MP from flying.
The ban was later revoked after the MP wrote a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju expressing "regret" over the unfortunate incident. -- PTI
15:30 Mumbai pub fire: BMC continues crackdown on illegal structures
The Mumbai civic body continued to raze unauthorised structures of restaurants, hotels and other food joints for the third day today, after a fire in an upscale pub claimed 14 lives on Friday.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which initiated the mega demolition drive two days ago, has decided to adopt a strict stand and not heed to requests by pubs and hotel owners to delay the action in view of New Year celebrations.
"We want to remove every unauthorised structure at restaurants, pubs, malls, food joints, other eateries and hotels. We are asking managers or owners of such properties to remove it on their own or else we will bring it down," BMC spokesperson Ram Dotonde said.
He said their teams on the field have the documents of structures which are unauthorised or illegal.
"Hardly any manager or owner is opposing our action as we have proof," Dotonde said.
He said BMC teams will continue with their work of razing illegal structures and a detailed report will be compiled by the evening.
Another BMC official said, "We are using this opportunity to remove maximum unauthorised structures. Some pub and hotel owners used to request us to delay the action, especially during New Year celebrations. But this time the BMC has decided not to listen to such requests, and take action." -- PTI
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which initiated the mega demolition drive two days ago, has decided to adopt a strict stand and not heed to requests by pubs and hotel owners to delay the action in view of New Year celebrations.
"We want to remove every unauthorised structure at restaurants, pubs, malls, food joints, other eateries and hotels. We are asking managers or owners of such properties to remove it on their own or else we will bring it down," BMC spokesperson Ram Dotonde said.
He said their teams on the field have the documents of structures which are unauthorised or illegal.
"Hardly any manager or owner is opposing our action as we have proof," Dotonde said.
He said BMC teams will continue with their work of razing illegal structures and a detailed report will be compiled by the evening.
Another BMC official said, "We are using this opportunity to remove maximum unauthorised structures. Some pub and hotel owners used to request us to delay the action, especially during New Year celebrations. But this time the BMC has decided not to listen to such requests, and take action." -- PTI
14:06 Pulwama encounter continues; 4 jawans, 3 terrorists killed
Pulwama encounter update:
Three more jawans have lost his life, while three terrorists have been killed.
Four jawans have lost their lives till now and three are injured.
The encounter still continues.
More details awaited. -- ANI
Photograph: ANI
Three more jawans have lost his life, while three terrorists have been killed.
Four jawans have lost their lives till now and three are injured.
The encounter still continues.
More details awaited. -- ANI
Photograph: ANI
13:07 'Biggest news of 2017': Stars react to Rajini's political debut
As Rajinikanth today announced his entry into politics, various celebrities including megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan gave their best wishes to the Tamil superstar.
The 67-year-old star will launch his own party.
'My dear friend, my colleague and a humble considerate human, Rajinikanth, announces his decision to enter politics ... My best wishes to him for his success,' Bachchan tweeted.
Haasan posted, 'I welcome brother Rajini's social responsibility and political entry.'
Calling it a biggest news of the year, Anupam Kher wrote, 'On the last day of 2017 comes the biggest news maker of the Year: Rajinikanth joins politics. Jai Ho.'
Riteish Deshmukh said he is sure that the 'nobility of the superstar's intention' will receive much love.
'He gave his heart and soul to his art form and people's love made him superstar Rajinikanth... I am sure the nobility of his intention will receive as much love, as he announces his political entry. I wish you all the very best and super success sir,' he tweeted.
Congress spokesperson and actor Khushboo Sundar tweeted, 'Rajinikanth announces his political plunge... Anybody who thinks can make a difference to the ideas and has an ideology, aspires for harmonious India, feels the pain of losing secularism to communalism and dreams of a democratic India, should come to politics.
'We know that Mr Rajnikanth believes in inclusive democracy and development. We wish him the all the best in his endeavours.' -- PTI
Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Photo
The 67-year-old star will launch his own party.
'My dear friend, my colleague and a humble considerate human, Rajinikanth, announces his decision to enter politics ... My best wishes to him for his success,' Bachchan tweeted.
Haasan posted, 'I welcome brother Rajini's social responsibility and political entry.'
Calling it a biggest news of the year, Anupam Kher wrote, 'On the last day of 2017 comes the biggest news maker of the Year: Rajinikanth joins politics. Jai Ho.'
Riteish Deshmukh said he is sure that the 'nobility of the superstar's intention' will receive much love.
'He gave his heart and soul to his art form and people's love made him superstar Rajinikanth... I am sure the nobility of his intention will receive as much love, as he announces his political entry. I wish you all the very best and super success sir,' he tweeted.
Congress spokesperson and actor Khushboo Sundar tweeted, 'Rajinikanth announces his political plunge... Anybody who thinks can make a difference to the ideas and has an ideology, aspires for harmonious India, feels the pain of losing secularism to communalism and dreams of a democratic India, should come to politics.
'We know that Mr Rajnikanth believes in inclusive democracy and development. We wish him the all the best in his endeavours.' -- PTI
Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Photo
12:26
Sepoy Jagsir Singh who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Nowshera sector, Jammu and Kashmir. -- ANI
11:52 Soldier killed in Nowshera as Pak forces violate ceasefire
An Indian soldier on Sunday lost his life in the ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera sector.
The Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Nowshera sector in the early hours today wherein the Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.
Amidst the firing, Jagsir Singh, 32-years-old, got grievously injured and later on succumbed to his injuries.
Singh belonged to Lohgarh village in Punjab and is survived by his wife Mohinder Pall Kaur, two daughters and one son.
Further details are awaited. -- ANI
Image only for representation.
The Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Nowshera sector in the early hours today wherein the Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.
Amidst the firing, Jagsir Singh, 32-years-old, got grievously injured and later on succumbed to his injuries.
Singh belonged to Lohgarh village in Punjab and is survived by his wife Mohinder Pall Kaur, two daughters and one son.
Further details are awaited. -- ANI
Image only for representation.
11:08 'Muslim women have found way to free themselves from triple talaq'
In his first remarks on the issue of instant triple talaq after a bill banning it was cleared by Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said after
"years of suffering", Muslim women have finally found a way out to "free" themselves from the practice.
He also said in 2018, people should work towards all-round development of the nation even as his government pushes for reforms measures to tackle black money, corruption, benami properties and terrorism.
Calling for 'sabka saath, sabka vikas', Modi said the mantra for the New Year should be "reform, perform, transform."
"Without referring to the Muslim women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill passed by Lok Sabha last week, Modi said Muslim women were facing hardships due to the prevailing practice of instant triple talaq for years. "But now they have found way to free themselves (from the practice)," he said.
-- PTI
11:05 Swamy calls Rajinikanth 'illiterate', mocks his decision of joining politics
The Bharatiya Janata Party's Subramaniam Swamy on Sunday mocked superstar Rajinikanth's announcement on entering politics and dubbed him as illiterate.
The BJP leader said, "One more film star is entering politics, so what is the fuss about? Maybe he has got good media managers. It is just a joke. He said he will announce the party later. He is a film star and he said he can eliminate corruption. Can film stars even eliminate corruption? What will he do for Tamil Nadu? He has no details or documents, he is illiterate".
He added that it is only media hype as people of Tamil Nadu are intelligent enough to understand politics.
"Merely through media these film stars cannot do politics. Once he announces his party and puts anti-corruption issue in front, the truth will come out and he will run away. I don't know if the BJP will support him but I will definitely oppose this," Swamy asserted.
-- ANI
10:55 Ticket prices go up for Trump's 'very glam' New Year's eve bash
US President Donald Trump is set to ring in the new year the same way he has for about two decades - at the lavish party he hosts at his private club in Mar-a-Lago
But this weekend's gala at Mar-a-Lago, his first since becoming president, will be a little different: The security will be tighter. The crowds will probably be bigger. And the tickets will run $750 a guest, a hike from last year, according to members and guests.
Trump supporters said the extra hassle and cost will be worth it.
"It's a very glam night. I think everyone is even more excited this year than last year, because then he was president-elect, he hadn't been sworn in," said Toni Holt Kramer, a member of the club and co-founder of the "Trumpettes USA" group. "Now he's president, and he's accomplished so much already."
Membership applications at Mar-a-Lago surged after Trump was elected, leading the club to double its initiation fee to $200,000 this year. As president, Trump no longer runs his real estate and hotel business, but he continues to own Mar-a-Lago and his other properties.
Critics said the boost in prices for Sunday's party and Trump's regular trips to Trump Organisation properties - this is the president's tenth visit to Mar-a-Lago this year - show how he is using his position to promote his brand.
10:14 'Only one MGR, one Amma': Dinakaran dismisses Rajinikanth 'hype'
Sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran, who recently won a massive mandate in Jayalalithaas constituency RK Nagar, has dismissed actor Rajinikanth's entry into politics.
Dinakaran played down the hype around Rajinikanths announcement, adding that no one can replace Jayalalithaa, who was fondly known as Amma. No new face can win over Ammas loyal voters. There can only be one MGR (MG Ramachandran) and only one Amma. You can compare everyone with MGR and Amma, he said.
Dinakaran made the statement a day before Rajinikanth announced his political plans.
Rajinikanths political entry, along with that of his contemporary and veteran actor Kamal Haasan, comes amid a political vacuum in Tamil Nadu. The ruling AIADMK has been fractured since J Jayalalithaas death between the Dinakaran and the Palaniswami-Panneerselvam factions.
09:57
JUST IN: All flights from and to Delhi are on standby, no operations as of now due to low visibility
09:50 UPDATE: India, Pak NSAs met in Bangkok a day after Christmas
A day after the mother and wife of retired Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav met him in Islamabad in exceptional and controversial circumstances, the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan met for talks in Bangkok. Sources told The Sunday Express that the December 26 meeting between Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Lt General Nasir Khan Janjua (retd) took place at a 'neutral venue' in the Thai capital.
The venue and date of the meeting were not linked to Pakistan's treatment of Jadhav's wife and mother. It had been decided between the two sides earlier this month, and it was, as sources described it, a "pre-scheduled meeting".
Official Indian sources refused to comment on the subject.
Besides the offices of the NSA, sources indicated that the top hierarchy of the foreign ministries of the two countries was also in the loop about the meeting. As Pakistan's NSA is a retired Lt General, Rawalpindi-based General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army was also kept informed of Tuesday's meeting between the two NSAs.
09:32 Rajinikanth to float own party, contest next assembly polls
Breaking the suspense, superstar Rajinikanth has confirmed that he will be joining politics.
Speaking at the Raghavendra marriage hall in Chennai, he first apologised for "taking too much time", says he's still "a child in political experience".
He then said, "My entry into politics is definite. Anyone who runs away from a fight is known as a coward. I have done my Karma to others, now its time to do my bit for the people. I will launch my own party and stand in all 234 Tamil Nadu constituencies in the next assembly elections."
The superstar of Tamil cinema has kept his fans, fellow actors and political commentators on tenterhooks for several months now.
Rajinikanth's announcement caps the six-day meet-and-greet with his fans and supporters, the second such event the actor has held this year. The first one was held in May where the actor, who enjoys cult status in Tamil Nadu, first hinted at a political plunge.
08:52
JUST IN: One jawan has lost life in CRPF training centre attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, encounter continues
08:37 Rajinikanth to end suspense, political announcement today
The suspense and anticipation could well rival that for one of his blockbusters as superstar Rajinikanth prepares for a political announcement on the last day of 2017 in Chennai.
Addressing fans in the Tamil Nadu capital earlier this week at the beginning of a six-day outreach, the 67-year-old gave the strongest indication yet of his plans.
"I am not new to politics. I'm there since 1996. I don't say I am entering politics. I will announce my stand on politics on December 31," he had said. Over the week, he said, he planned to meet some 1,000 fans daily across 18 districts.
Posters have come up in Chennai that say if Rajinikanth takes the political plunge, he will be the next chief minister.
The death of Jayalalithaa in December last year is seen to have left a vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics, especially the ruling AIADMK, and left the field wide open for new faces.
08:01 2 injured after terrorists attack CRPF training camp in Pulwama
Two to three terrorists stormed a CRPF training centre in Awantipora, Pulwama area of south Kashmir in the wee hours of Sunday. They first threw grenades and then began firing so as to enter the centre.
As per reports, two CRPF men got injured during the initial intrusion from J&K Police Commando training area side. The area around the camp has been cordoned.
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