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Fri, 16 November 2018
Govt wants greater involvement in decision making of RBI: Sources

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23:15   Govt wants greater involvement in decision making of RBI: Sources
The government wants greater involvement in the Reserve Bank of India's decision making as it feels the current practice leaves it out on many critical issues like single-day default turning a loan into an NPA, sources said ahead of the crucial board meeting of the central bank.
 
The government feels that as the representative of the people, it should be involved in critical policy decisions made by the Reserve Bank of India, they added.
To buttress its point, sources said the government cites that quorum for some of the sub-committees is completed by the presence of the governor and four deputy governors and not requiring any other directors to be present.
However, the central board of the RBI is headed by the governor and includes two government nominee directors and 11 independent directors. Currently, the central board has 18 members, with the provision of it going up to 21.
 
The board is scheduled to meet on Monday where the government is expected to push for easing of norms for lending to the MSME sector, relaxing the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework for weak banks and appropriate size of reserve to be maintained by the central bank, among others.
Sources also said the government and the Reserve Bank seem to be veering around to reach an agreeable solution, particulary with respect to relaxation of PCA framework and easing of lending norms for the micro, small and medium enterprises.
If not in this board meeting, the issue of relaxation of PCA framework which the finance ministry has been pitching for would be reached in the next few weeks, sources added.
 
As a result of the relaxation, some banks may come out of the PCA framework by the end of the current fiscal.
 
Of the 21 state-owned banks, 11 are under the PCA framework. These are Allahabad Bank, United Bank of India, Corporation Bank, IDBI Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Dena Bank and Bank of Maharashtra.
 
The PCA framework kicks in when banks breach any of the three key regulatory trigger points -- namely capital to risk weighted assets ratio, net non-performing assets (NPA) and return on assets (RoA).
 
The RBI is also likely to agree to easing of lending norms for MSMEs, including strict rating criteria, to improve credit flow to this sector, sources said.
 Besides, the central bank is expected to consider special dispensation for the MSME sector and non-banking financial companies which have been facing liquidity issues. -- PTI
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22:35   US judge orders White House to restore CNN scribe's press pass
A federal judge on Friday ordered the White House to reinstate the press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, whose pass was revoked after a heated exchange with United States President Donald Trump.

In a victory for the American emdia, judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order that requires the White House to restore Acosta's access until a full hearing is held.
CNN and other media groups, including Trump-endorsed Fox News, backed the lawsuit which claimed the revoking of Acosta's pass violated constitutional guarantees of a free press.  
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22:22   Modi to attend swearing-in of new Maldives president on Saturday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inauguration ceremony of Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday.
 
This will be Modi's first visit to the Maldives as prime minister. 
"I will convey to the new Maldivian Government of Mr. Solih the desire of the Indian Government to work closely for realisation of their developmental priorities, especially in areas of infrastructure, health care, connectivity & human resource development," Modi said in a series of tweets.
He said the recent elections in the Maldives represent the collective aspirations of the people for democracy, rule of law and a prosperous future.
"We in India strongly desire to see a stable, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Republic of Maldives," the prime minister said.
He also congratulated Solih on his victory in the recent elections and wished him "the very best for his tenure".
Modi had recently accepted the invitation extended by Solih to attend his swearing-in ceremony. -- PTI  
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21:57   No post-poll tie-up with BJP or Cong in Chhattisgarh: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Friday ruled out the possibility of tying up with the Bharatiya Janata Party or the Congress to form the government in Chhattisgarh, asserting that her alliance with Ajit Jogi's party would get absolute majority.
   
"When our alliance is fully confident of getting an absolute majority (in the 90-member House), where does the question of a post-poll tie-up with the BJP or the Congress arise?" the Dalit leader said when asked about which way her party would go in such a scenario.
 
"This is a mischievous question. The question does not arise. The second phase of the polling is yet to take place," the BSP supremo told a news channel.
 
Dismissing the suggestion as hypothetical, Mayawati said the alliance -- with Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh -- would prefer to sit in the Opposition if it could not form the government on its own. "At present the question of extending or taking support from any party does not arise," she told NDTV.
 
Describing the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress as "saap nath" and "naag nath" (snakes), the 62-year-old leader said there was no question of having any truck with either of the two. "The BJP and the Congress are anti-poor, anti-farmer, anti-Dalit, anti-downtrodden, and anti-weaker sections."
 
To a question as to why her party could not forge an alliance with the Congress, Mayawati said she had already spoken in detail about it in the past.
 
In a snub to the Congress, the BSP had announced its decision to contest the state election in alliance with the JCC, declaring Jogi as the chief ministerial face of the coalition.
 
The JCC is contesting 55 seats, while the BSP is in the fray in the rest. In the outgoing House, the BSP has only one seat.
 
While 18 assembly constituencies in the state went to polls in the first phase on Monday, voting will take place in the remaining 72 seats next Tuesday.
 
The results will be on December 11. -- PTI  
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21:40   After Naidu, Mamata withdraws consent to CBI to probe cases in Bengal
The West Bengal government has withdrawn the "general consent" accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation to exercise its authority in the state, news agency PTI reported quoting official sources. 

The move comes after Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu did the same in his state.

Earlier, TMC president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her support to Naidu.

"What the Chandrababu Naidu government has done is absolutely right. We will also look into the rules under which it was done," Banerjee said.
"Earlier, we didn't need to use such provisions but we need to do it now as BJP is using CBI and other agencies to pursue its own political interests and vendetta," she said.
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21:03   Women activists should visit villages instead of Sabarimala: Taslima Nasreen
Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen wondered why women activists were so eager to enter the Sabarimala shrine, which opened for a two-month long pilgrimage season Friday, and said instead they should visit villages where women face several issues.
      
"I do not understand why women activists are so eager to enter Sabarimala. Better they should enter the villages where women suffer from domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, hate, where girls have no access to education, health care, and no freedom to take a job or get equal pay," the writer tweeted.
The author has been living in exile in India and Europe after having incurred the wrath of fundamentalists back home over a novel written by her in 1994.
Activist Trupti Desai, who arrived in Kochi en route to the hill shrine early Friday, gave up her plans following protests by devotees and others including the BJP, outside the Kochi airport.
She was not allowed to come out of the airport with protesters vowing not to let her proceed to the Lord Ayyappa temple.
        
The activist and her colleagues later announced that they would leave Kochi. -- PTI
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20:54   Modi likely to address about 25 rallies in poll-bound states
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address about 25 rallies in five poll-bound states with the largest ones, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, set to host most of them, BJP sources said Friday.
 
They added that the number of his public meetings remains tentative and will be finalised in the coming days.
The campaign by the prime minister, who is his party's biggest draw, has in the past resulted in a late swing of votes in the favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party, party sources asserted, citing the Gujarat and Karnataka polls as examples.
The single-phase polls are due in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram on November 28, and in Rajasthan and Telangana on December 7.
In Chhattisgarh, first phase of polls were held on 18 seats on November 12 while the second phase is scheduled for November 20 for remainder 78 constituencies.
The BJP's stakes are highest in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, where it is in power and locked in a direct contest with the Congress. -- PTI
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20:48   A leader who doesn't take timely U-turns is not a real leader: PM Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said a leader who does not take timely "U-turns" is not a "real leader".
 
During an interaction with journalists at the PM House, Khan cited an example from his cricket days when he led Pakistan's national team said, "We used to make a strategy and then step out into the field but if the opponent team formed a strategy against ours then we would have to change it."
To buttress his point, the 66-year-old cricketer-turned-politician also referred to Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte, Geo News reported. 
"Hitler and Napoleon suffered huge defeats and caused losses as they did not take U-turns," it quoted Khan as saying.
"If you are walking and there is a wall in front of you, then you will have to change and find another way," the Geo News journalist quoted Imran as explaining.  
"A leader who does not take U-turns as per the requirements of the situation is not a real leader," The News quoted Khan as saying.
Khan also attacked former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, saying what he told an accountability court on Friday was not a U-turn but a "lie".
"What Nawaz Sharif did in court was not a U-turn but a lie," Khan said, apparently referring to the Pakistan Muslim League supremo telling the court that he had never had any transaction with Qatari Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani.
 
Sharif is currently facing trial in three corruption cases filed against him and his family by the National Accountability Bureau on a directive from the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers scandal.
Khan said his government will uphold the decisions taken by the Supreme Court. -- PTI  
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20:41   Pak shall be 'punished' for activities detrimental to India: Army
The Army's Northern Command chief, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, said Friday Pakistan shall be "punished" if it carries out activities detrimental to India and asserted that befitting replies were given to the neighbouring nation for violating ceasefire.
The Army commander's comments come in the wake of fatalities in sniping incidents along the Line of Control in the Jammu region in the last few days.
"The message is very clear for the troops on the ground that should Pakistan not stop from carrying out activities, which are detrimental to our national interest along the LoC, they (Pakistan) shall be punished accordingly," Lt Gen Singh told PTI on the sidelines of a function here to felicitate teachers of Army Goodwill schools.
Three Army soldiers and a porter were killed and four others were injured in sniping incidents along the LoC in Jammu's Rajouri and Poonch district last week.
"There has been regular sniping incidents from an area along the LoC and we have regularly (lodged) protests with our Pakistani counterparts on their sniping activities. If they have carried out any ceasefire violation, we have given them a befitting reply," Singh said. 
The lieutenant general also said that "as far as infiltration attempts from across the LoC are concerned, Pakistan has continued with its efforts to give impetus to infiltration."
The Indian Army is deployed all along the LoC and "we have been able to thwart all attempts by Pakistan to push in militants toward our side", he said, adding the security situation in the state's hinterland is stable, but remains fragile. -- PTI
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20:09   Technology doesn't permit press censorship, no danger to free speech: FM
With multiple media platforms now available, nobody can seriously complain of their free speech being in danger, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Friday, asserting that if the Emergency was ever to be reimposed it would collapse as technology does not permit press censorship.
 
Addressing the gathering at the National Press Day celebrations in New Delhi, Jaitley said the "greatest challenge" to the media in a free society is how does it retain its own credibility so that it continues to become a maker of public opinion. 
Media's credibility will be its own maker and if misused, it can also be its own breaker, he said.
At the event, Jaitley gave away the National Awards for Excellence in Journalism, presented by the Press Council of India.
Veteran journalist and Hindu publishing group chairman N Ram was presented with the prestigious Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award for his outstanding contribution to journalism. Awards in other categories were also presented.
In his address, Jaitley said every political viewpoint is able to find space in some section of the media or the other.
"With multiple (media) forums now available, nobody can seriously complain my speech is in danger. Neither the viewer or the reader, nor the one who wants to convey. You have alternatives available," he said.
He, however, cautioned that the alternatives are sometimes grossly abused, for personalised grounds, collateral purposes, political purposes, or for lobbying.
"I think the worst that can happen to free speech is that if a doubt in the mind of a reader or a viewer is created with regard to the integrity of the news or the opinion that he is seeing," the finance minister.
In his remarks, Jaitley also recalled that in the 1950s an amendment was brought in by the Jawaharlal Nehru Government restricting free speech if it adversely affected the country's relations with a foreign country.
He claimed that it was brought in because Nehru-Liaquat Ali pact became a subject matter of political debate and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee decided to lead a campaign against it.
"We have grown out of that 1950-1952 phase... I don't think that is capable of happening today," he said.
"If the Emergency was ever to be reimposed, because it is fashionable to say it is another Emergency. If the Emergency was ever to be reimposed, it would collapse for the simple reason that one of the strengths of the Emergency was press censorship. And technology does not permit press censorship.
"You suddenly get access to information through various instruments that technology has provided," Jaitley said. -- PTI
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19:57   Relative decline in trend of youth joining militancy in Kashmir: Army
The Army's northern command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Friday said there is a relative decline in the number of youths joining militancy in Kashmir for the past some time.
 
However, he said there have been a large number of reports of radicalisation of youths in the Valley.
"As far as recruitment is concerned, it is a matter of satisfaction that for the past some time there has been a relative decline in the number of youths joining militancy," Singh told reporters here.
He did not specify the time period.
The trend should continue for some time, he said, replying to a question posed by PTI about the current trend of youths joining militancy.
"There have been a large number of reports of radicalisation of youths," he added.
Singh said the Army's Goodwill Schools were helping check the radicalisation.
There have been no reports of any student of these schools being radicalised, he added.
The Goodwill Schools are a part of the Army's civil action programme 'Operation Sadhbhavana' to connect with the local population.
Responding to a question about increasing incidents of militancy in Jammu region, Singh said there have been some reports of terrorist activities south of Pir Panchal but they are isolated incidents.
The Army has taken stock of the situation. In most of the cases there are ample leads to follow and arrest terrorist movements in south of Pir Panchal, he added. -- PTI
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19:42   Fake degree is in BJP's DNA: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday alleged that under the Modi government "fast entry gates" of ministries "open for those who possess fake degrees". 
 
Gandhi also attacked the RSS alleging that its "farjical (fake) strike" continues on educational institutes of the Delhi University.
Taking to Twitter, he launched a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying," Shri chappan aur unke mantriyon ne chatron ko dikhaya hai ki BJP mai mantrimandal ka shighra dwar farzi degree dikha kar khulta hai. ('Mr 56' and his ministers have shown students that under the BJP fast entry gates of ministries open for those who possess fake degrees)." 
There was no immediate comment from the Prime Minister's Office or the BJP. 
"The RSS' has an old tradition of attacking educational institutions and helping those with fake degrees attain power.
"That is why the 'farjical strikes' of RSS continue on Delhi University," he tweeted in Hindi.
The Congress chief also tweeted a picture of Modi, Union minister Smriti Irani and ABVP's Delhi University president Ankiv Baisoya, alleging "Fake degree is in BJP's DNA".
Baisoya has stepped down from his post after reports of him possessing a fake degree.
The ABVP said Thursday DUSU president Baisoya has resigned from his post after it asked him to do so, and has also been suspended from the students outfit till an inquiry into allegations that he gained admission to the Delhi University on the basis of a fake degree.
While the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said the decision was taken to maintain the "genuineness" of the Delhi University Students Union, the move drew criticism from the NSUI and AISA, which claimed it was done under pressure ahead of the high court hearing on November 20.
In a Facebook post, Baisoya said he was resigning form the post of DUSU president because he respects the mandate of Delhi University students, who voted for him. -- PTI  
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18:45   Trupti Desai to return to Pune without taking darshan at Sabarimala
After over a 12-hour stand-off with devotees and others, including Bharatiya Janata Party workers, at the airport in Kochi vowing not to let her proceed to the Sabarimala shrine, activist Trupti Desai will return to her hometown in Maharashtra's Pune tonight.
        
The activist, who reached Kochi around 4.40 am along with six young women en route to the hill temple, has been unable to come out of the airport, with the protesters saying her group would not be allowed to proceed to the Sabarimala temple.
         
Desai said police officers held a meeting with her.
         
"Police have requested me to return to Pune," she told reporters.
          
Protesters alleged that Desai and her team came here to violate the centuries-old custom of the temple that prevented entry of women and girls in the age group of 10 and 50.
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18:20   Asked to return by police, says Trupti Desai
Activist Trupti Desai, who is in Kochi enroute to Sabarimala, said that she has been asked by police to return to Pune from the Kochi airport.

Desai has been confined to the Kochi airport since her arrival early this morning following protest by devotees and others opposing the entry of menstrual age women into the Lord Ayyappa temple.
      
Tension prevailed at the airport at Nedumbassery, about 50 km from Kochi, as the devotees and others, including BJP workes, remained firm that Desai and six other young women who accompanied her would not be allowed proceed to the Sabarimala temple which opens this evening.
      
Pune-based Desai, who landed at aaround 4.40 am, said there was no question of her going back without having darshan at the temple, which opens for the third time after the Supreme Court order on September 28 allowing all women to enter the famous shrine.
     
Police, who were present in large numbers, later in the day registered a case against around 200 devotees who can be identified for preventing the free movement of the activists, but did not make any attempt to remove them so far.
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17:40   No takeover proposal made to Jet, says Tata Sons
Just In: Tata Sons says no proposal has been made to Jet Airways for a possible takeover; talks at preliminary level only. 
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17:38  
The Travacore Devaswom Board, managing the Ayyappa temple, decides to move the  Supreme Court seeking more time to implement its verdict on entry of women in the 10-50 age group.
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17:28   Defamation plea against Tharoor for remark against PM comes up in court
A Delhi court Friday took cognisance of a criminal defamation complaint filed against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for his alleged "scorpion" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal fixed December 22 for recording the statement of the complainant, Delhi BJP leader Rajeev Babbar.


The complaint alleged that Tharoor, with "mala fide intention, made the statement which is not only abuse of the Hindu deity but also defamatory". In his complaint, Babbar said being a vice-president of the BJP's Delhi unit, he was "identified as a worker/supporter of Narendra Modi and BJP" and that Tharoor's statement hurt his religious sentiment. The complaint termed the statement "intolerable abuse" and "absolute vilification" of the faith of the people.


Tharoor stoked a controversy last month while speaking at the Bangalore Literature Festival, claiming that an unnamed RSS leader had compared Modi to "a scorpion sitting on a Shivling". The complaint has been filed under sections 499 and 500 of IPC relating to defamation. If convicted, Tharoor may face a maximum punishment of two years in jail. -- PTI
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17:16   Sabarimala opens its doors for two months
The Sabarimala shrine opens its doors to pilgrims amid heavy security. The temple will be open for two months or precisely 62 days for the Mandala Pooja-Magaravilaku annual pilgrimage season. At least 15,000 security personnel, including the Kerala police and commandos have been posted at the shrine.


High drama was witnessed at the city airport today as activist Trupti Desai remained confined to the airport terminal since arrival early this morning enroute to Sabarimala following protests by devotees and others opposing the entry of menstrual age women into the Lord Ayyappa temple.
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16:20   Sensex, Nifty end higher for 2nd session on strong fund inflow, firm rupee
The BSE Sensex Friday continued its rising streak for the second day to end at near a four-week high of 35,436.33, fuelled by gains in Reliance Industries and other blue-chips amid continued foreign fund inflows and strengthening rupee. A higher opening in European shares too influenced sentiments here. Both benchmark indices - Sensex and Nifty - recorded their third straight weekly gains by rising 298.61 points and 97 points, respectively.
-- PTI
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16:14   When genes matter
Omar Abdullah @OmarAbdullah You had me on your side until you slipped in the snide remark about the genes.


Deepika Singh Rajawat @DeepikaSRajawat I was there with them when no one was. Now since  the rainy days have passed, they are winding up with me just because I could not regularly attend the trial which is taken care of by senior criminal lawyers. I don't blame them. it is the human tendency which travels in genes.


Rajawat who was the lawyer for the family of the 8-year-old Kathua gang rape and murder victim was removed as their attorney after she failed to make appearances during court proceedings in the case.

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16:08   Kerala HC rejects anticipatory bail plea of Sabarimala activist Rehana Fathima
The Kerala High Court Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of activist Rehana Fathima, who had made an attempt to enter into Sabarimala when the temple was opened for monthly puja in October after the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in the age group of 10 and 50 into the Lord Ayyappa shrine.


The activist was booked by the police in Pathanamthitta on the basis of a complaint filed by Radhakrishna Menon alleging some of her Facebook posts hurt religious sentiments. She was booked under Section 295A of IPC (outraging religious feelings).


Anticipating arrest, she moved the high court seeking anticipatory bail. Dismissing the bail plea, the court directed that the police can take appropriate steps in the case.


Fathima, a model and activist who was part of "Kiss of Love" movement in Kochi in 2014 against alleged moral policing, was among the two women who had reached the hilltop on October 19 but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum following massive protests by Ayyappa devotees. Fathima and Hyderabad-based journalist Kavitha were taken to the hills with heavy police protection. -- PTI
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15:15   Cyclone Gaja: Rajnath promises help to TN
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami over the current situation in the state after it was hit by cyclone Gaja.


Singh tweeted, "Spoke to CM EK Palaniswami regarding the situation in the cyclone-affected areas of Tamil Nadu. Assured all possible assistance from the Centre in mitigating the situation arising due to cyclone. Asked the Home Secretary to monitor the situation and provide all help to the state administration."


On Thursday, two people lost their lives and one suffered serious injuries owing to cyclonic storm that made a landfall in the state.


Disaster Management incharge Gagandeep Singh Bedi told ANI that they have sent more than 2500 officers with mechanical equipment in the state to remove the fallen trees and other disruptions.


Cyclone Gaja crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam on Thursday evening and unleashed mayhem in several districts of the state including Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur.In the wake of the situation, a red alert has been issued in some parts of the state. -- ANI


Image: In Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, a fallen coconut tree damages a house in the aftermath of cyclone Gaja. Over 80,000 people were evacuated from the low-lying areas. PTI Photo
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15:06   Demo notes turn up in Gujarat
Two years after the economy-crippling demonetisation, in Navsari, Gujarat, police has seized illegal currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 with the face value of Rs 69,07,500.
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14:38   Mamata backs Naidu
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's decision to bar the CBI from carrying out probes in his state.

Banerjee said, "BJP is history changer, name changer, note changer, institution changer but not game changer. The country is in danger. They (BJP) project as if they have given birth to the nation but they were nowhere during independence. Chandrababu Naidu has done the right thing in saying that he won't allow Central Bureau of Investigation in his state."
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14:04   TM Krishna concert at Garden of Five Senses, Delhi, tomorrow
For all TM Krishna fans: The Carnatic singer who will be hosted by the Delhi government, will be singing in the national capital tomorrow.  "The Delhi Govt is hosting the concert which is going to held in Garden of Five Senses near Saket at 6:30 pm. I invite everyone," he told ANI.  
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13:59   Demonetisation biggest scam in independent India: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday termed demonetisation as the biggest scam in the history of independent India, adding it would be proved that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "robbed the poor of their hard-earned money and given it away to a few rich".


Addressing a campaign rally for the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, Gandhi said Modi does not talk about being a "chowkidar (watchman) of the country and of tackling corruption.


"If Modi says he is a chowkidar, people will respond that chowkidar chor hai," he said, addressing a rally at Deori in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.


Gandhi claimed that Modi "cancelled the Rafale deal of 126 fighter aircraft with Dassault Aviation and HAL at a price of Rs 526 crore per plane" without informing the Indian Air Force and the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar.


"The then French president Francois Hollande has said the Indian government had asked for Anil Ambani to be taken on board for the deal," the Congress chief said. "Modi gave Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani in this deal. This is the chowkidari he has done," Gandhi said. -- PTI
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13:54   Reliance pips TCS to become most-valued firm
Shares of Reliance Industries Friday rose over 2 per cent helping the oil-to-telecom major pip Tata Consultancy Services to become the most-valued company in terms of market capitalisation.


In afternoon trade on BSE, RIL's market capitalisation was Rs 7,14,573.46 crore, while India's largest IT firm by revenue TCS slipped to the second spot with a valuation of Rs 7,03,891.09 crore.


Shares of RIL opened at Rs 1,096.10, then gained further ground and touched an intra-day high of Rs 1,128.50, up 2.88 per cent over its previous closing price.


The stock is currently trading 2.56 per cent higher at Rs 1,125. The stock of TCS opened at 1,889.90 and touched an intra-day high and low of Rs 1,898.55 and 1,868, respectively, in trade so far. At 1330 hours, the scrip is trading at Rs 1,876.75, up 0.6 per cent from the previous close.


On August 31, this year, TCS had regained its status as the country's most valued firm by market valuation surpassing RIL. -- PTI
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13:46   Won't come back till I enter Sabarimala: Trupti Desai
Trupti Desai, who successfully entered the Shani Shingnapur temple and the Haji Ali dargah in Maharashtra, has been holding court, perforce, at the Kochi international airport, after she was not allowed to leave the premises to go to the Sabarimala shrine. 


Last night, she spoke to Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf and said, "I am ready to sacrifice my life for this cause."

Read the interview here.
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13:31   Anti-Sikh riots: Witness identifies Cong leader Sajjan Kumar
1984 anti-Sikh riots case: A witness Cham Kaur today identified Congress leader Sajjan Kumar during her statement before Delhi's Patiala House Court. The case will be next heard on December 20.
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13:24   Cyclone Gaja claims 11 lives in TN, says CM
Severe cyclonic storm 'Gaja', which crossed Tamil Nadu's coast early Friday, has claimed 11 lives, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said. 'Gaja' crossed the coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam, bringing with it heavy rain, and causing severe damage to communication and power infrastructure, mainly in Nagapattinam district.


Speaking to reporters in Salem, Palaniswami said relief work will be taken up on a war-footing and that the work was already underway. "The government has received information that so far 11 persons have died," he said without divulging further information.


He said the families of the deceased will be provided a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund. Those with severe injuries will be provided with Rs 1 lakh each while people who had sustained simple injuries will get Rs 25,000 as relief, he added.


The damage caused by Gaja, including to the fishing sector, was being assessed, he said.


Over 80,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas as severe cyclonic storm 'Gaja' crossed the coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam early Friday, bringing with it heavy rains in coastal regions. Gusty winds due to the cyclonic storm resulted in hundreds of trees and electricity poles being uprooted in Nagapattinam and Karaikal districts. Other districts like Cuddalore and Puthukottai also bore the brunt of the cyclone. -- PTI
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13:12   Naidu bars CBI from carrying out probes in Andhra Pradesh
The N Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh has issued an order withdrawing the 'general consent' granted to the Central Bureau of Investigation to exercise its jurisdiction within the state.   

The order withdraws the 'general consent' given to all members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise powers and jurisdiction in Andhra Pradesh. The Central Bureau of Investigation was set up under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.   

Thus what the order, issued by A R Anuradha, principal secretary to the state government, means is that the CBI will not be able to probe any case in Andhra Pradesh.   

The order comes in the wake of the running battle between Chief Minister Naidu and the central government. Naidu has accused the latter of using central probe agencies like the CBI to target him and his ministers.   

Naidu has also been key in the Opposition unity efforts to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the order to withdraw CBI's jurisdiction in the state is to be seen against this light.
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12:49   CVC report on CBI director has 'very uncomplimentary' findings: SC
The Supreme Court Friday said the CVC's "exhaustive" preliminary report on allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma has concluded that some findings are "complimentary" and some "very uncomplimentary", needing further investigation by the panel.


A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi ordered that the confidential Central Vigilance Commission report be given to Verma in a sealed cover and asked him to respond to it by Monday, also in a sealed cover. It will take up the matter on Tuesday.


The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, said the CVC inquiry, which was being supervised by former apex court judge Justice A K Patnaik, has given an exhaustive report on the various charges against Verma.


The top court said the CVC report should also be given to Attorney General K K Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The court turned down Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana's request that the CVC report be provided to him as well. The confidentiality of the CVC report is needed to protect public confidence in CBI and sanctity of the institution, it said. The court said it will consider the matter pertaining to decisions taken by acting CBI director M Nageswara Rao from October 23-26 on the next date of hearing. -- PTI
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12:31   Google doodle celebrates humanity's first message to aliens
Google on Friday celebrated humankind's first attempt 44 years ago to communicate with intelligent life beyond our own planet with an animated doodle.


In 1974, a group of scientists gathered at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico to send the most powerful broadcast ever deliberately beamed into space, called the Arecibo Message.


Their three-minute radio message was aimed at a cluster of stars in the constellation Hercules, 25,000 light years away from Earth, Google said in a statement.


This historic transmission was intended to demonstrate the capabilities of Arecibo's recently upgraded radio telescope, whose 1000-foot-diameter dish made it the largest and most powerful in the world at the time, it said. "It was strictly a symbolic event, to show that we could do it," said Donald Campbell, a Cornell University professor of astronomy, who was a research associate at the Arecibo Observatory at the time.

The message itself was devised by a team of researchers from Cornell University led by Frank Drake. "What could we do that would be spectacular? We could send a message!" Drake said.


Written with the assistance of Carl Sagan (remember the spectacular TV series, Cosmos), the message itself could be arranged to form a pictograph representing some fundamental facts of mathematics, human DNA, planet Earth's place in the solar system, and a picture of a human-like figure and an image of the telescope itself.


Since the Arecibo Message will take roughly 25,000 years to reach its intended destination -- a group of 300,000 stars known as M13 -- humankind will have to wait a long time for an answer, Google said.


In the 44 years since it was first transmitted, the message has travelled only 259 trillion miles, only a tiny fraction of the distance to its final destination, it said. -- PTI
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12:22   CBI Director Alok Verma should be given CVC report in sealed cover: SC
The Supreme Court on Friday said CBI Director Alok Verma should be given the CVC report on the allegations against him in a sealed cover and asked him to file his response by Monday.


A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the Central Vigilance Commission report should also be given to Attorney General K K Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.


The top court observed during the hearing that the CVC report is "very uncomplimentary" on some charges against Verma and said a further probe was needed on some aspects.


The apex court said Verma should file his response in a sealed cover by Monday. It will take up the matter on Tuesday. The court turned down Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana's request that the CVC report be provided to him as well. -- PTI
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12:05   US Senator seeks political asylum for Asia Bibi
A top Republican Senator has urged US President Donald Trump to grant asylum and refugee status to Pakistani national Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently freed from prison after her blasphemy conviction was overturned.


Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was released from Multan jail earlier this month after the Supreme Court in its landmark decision acquitted her of blasphemy charges.


Senator Rand Paul said that he was worried that Bibi won't survive and he personally took up the matter with President Trump last week.


"I've been fighting for them to free Asia Bibi. I've talked to the President about granting her asylum and refugee status here," Paul told CNN in an interview.


A senior member from an American think-tank has also suggested that Bibi should request asylum. "President Trump should invite Ms Bibi to come to America and request asylum. To do so would be just, moral and wise," Clifford D May, president of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, said in an op-ed in The Washington Times this week. -- PTI
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11:31   Manoj Tiwari mocked
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha member Manoj Tiwari was campaigning in poll-bound Chhattisgarh on Thursday. He was scheduled to address a couple of rallies in Nawagarh, which will go to polls on January 20.


In the afternoon, an upset Tiwari uploaded a video on social media complaining he had to wait at the Raipur airport because the district administration hadn't given him permission to land.


A little later, Tiwari tweeted that the Nawagarh administration had finally permitted him to land, and alleged a Congress conspiracy behind the episode.


Tiwari was ridiculed on social media with users pointing out that both the Centre and Chhattisgarh were ruled by the BJP. But it seemed the party still believed it was in the Opposition.

-- Business Standard
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11:29   Lucky charm
The returning officer at the Narela assembly seat in Bhopal was on the horns of a trilemma. Three candidates contesting from the seat had been asking for the same election symbol: an auto rickshaw.


One of these candidates is contesting with a Savarn Samaj Party ticket while the other two are independents. The officer tried to convince them to choose other symbols but none of them was willing to budge, claiming the auto rickshaw was a lucky charm. As a last resort, lots were drawn and one of the independent candidates proved lucky.

-- Business Standard
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11:28   Million dollar question
As campaigning for poll-bound Madhya Pradesh gathers momentum, the million dollar question being asked in many quarters is, if the Congress were to win, who will become chief minister.


The Congress has not announced its chief ministerial candidate yet and there are at least two strong contenders for the coveted post. There is state Congress president Kamal Nath and election campaign committee chairperson Jyotiraditya Scindia.


Kamal Nath, 71, is the longest serving Lok Sabha MP, having won nine elections. Scindia is just 47 years old and is close to party president Rahul Gandhi.


The joke in the party is that the person who has been taking care of election-related spending in the state would be the obvious choice. And if that is true, then Scindia might not be in the race because he is known to be parsimonious and "spending" is not really his forte.

-- Business Standard
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11:23   Maha: Winter session from Monday, drought, Maratha quota to dominate
The State Backward Class Commission report on Maratha reservations and the drought in 151 talukas are expected to dominate the two-week long winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature set to begin Monday. The winter session, being held in Mumbai after 57 years, will have only eight working days and will end on November 30. A decision on whether proceedings of the House would be held on Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 23 will be decided later. - PTI
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11:22  
Gaja Cyclone: Two dead and one injured in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district. 
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11:19   Attention all ye Cumberbatch fans...
The World Premiere of Netflix's Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, will be held in Mumbai on November 25th, with director and star Andy Serkis joined by Christian Bale, Freida Pinto, Louis Ashbourne Serkis and newcomer Rohan Chand who plays Mowgli in the film.


The star-studded cast will walk the red-carpet and attend the world premiere screening.


This reimagining of Rudyard Kipling's classic, one of India's most beloved stories, will be available to Netflix members worldwide starting December 7th, 2018.


The cast includes Christian Bale as Bagheera, Cate Blanchett as Kaa, Andy Serkis as Baloo, Naomie Harris as Nisha, Peter Mullan as Akela, Louis Ashbourne Serkis as Bhoot and Benedict Cumberbatch as Sher Khan with Matthew Rhys and Freida Pinto playing key characters from the local village and Rohan Chand in the title role of Mowgli.


OK, so Cumberbatch won't cross the seas and come to India, but at least you can watch Sher Khan roar in his timbre.
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11:09   Won't return until we have Sabarimala darshan: Trupti Desai
Trupti Desai on the detente at Kochi airport: She tells ANI, "We reached the airport at 4:30 am. Protests were being held outside. We booked a taxi 2-3 times, but drivers have been threatened that their vehicle will be vandalised if they offer us a drive.


"Police have said that we can't go outside now. Police tried to evacuate us from another gate but protesters were there as well.


"Does this mean protesters are scared that we'll reach Sabarimala once we reach Nilakkal, or, are they trying to scare us? We won't return until we have 'darshan'. "


Tension prevailed at the airport as protesters announced that Desai and her colleagues, who reached Kochi at around 4.40 am from Pune, would not be allowed to go out of the airport.


Desai added, "I have not asked for VIP security, I have been calling Cochin Inspector General but he is not responding. I messaged him too but he is not responding to that as well. It is the duty of the government to provide security as it is a Supreme Court order now."

The temple opens Friday evening, for the third time since the apex court verdict on September 28 allowed women of all age group to offer prayers at the hilltop Lord Ayyappa temple though none could do so following stiff resistance from devotees and activists, opposing any change in the temple traditions.


Protesting local BJP leaders at the airport said the devotees would not let Desai and her colleagues, reportedly total six in numbers, to come out of the airport and proceed to Sabarimala temple.     


They alleged that Desai and her team came here to violate the centuries--old custom of the temple that prevents entry of women and girls in the age group of 10 and 50.


"She (Desai) came here not for darshan but for disturbing a peaceful Sabarimala  pilgrim season beginning Saturday," they said.


The Ayyappa devotees comprising women and BJP workers, assembled in large numbers outside the airport, continued their protest chanting Ayyappa mantra. -- PTI
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10:52   Delhi govt invites TM Krishna for concert tomorrow
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Friday announced the Delhi government's invitation to Carnatic music vocalist TM Krishna, whose concert in the city was scrapped by the Airport Authority of India, will perform in Delhi on November 17. He said no artist should be denied an opportunity to perform.


After Krishna's November 17 concert to be held at Nehru Park was cancelled by AAI, the AAP government had on Thursday stepped in to organise another performance by Krishna, who often finds himself in the cross-hairs of controversy over his outspoken views.


Sisodia said he has invited Krishna to perform in Delhi on November 17. "No artist should ever be denied an opportunity to perform. I have invited @tmkrishna to perform on November 17 for the people of Delhi It's important to maintain the dignity of the Art and Artists," he said.


Krishna's concert organised by the AAI was allegedly cancelled following a troll campaign against it for hosting the vocalist, a Magsaysay award winner who has been called an "urban Naxal" and "a converted bigot" among other epithets. Krishna had said he was in touch with the Delhi government for a performance in the city.-- PTI


Image: Karnatak music vocalist TM Krishna. Pic: PTI
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10:36   Julian Assange charged in US
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been charged under seal, prosecutors inadvertently revealed in a recently unsealed court filing -- a development that could significantly advance the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and have major implications for those who publish government secrets, the Washington Post reports.
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10:26   Sensex jumps over 150 pts on funds inflow, global cues
Domestic equities opened on a firm note Friday as the benchmark BSE Sensex surged over 150 points on the back of continued foreign fund inflow and appreciating rupee.


Positive leads from the US markets on optimism that the US and China may resolve their trade dispute, and a mixed trend at other Asian bourses too influenced sentiments here. The 30-share index spurted 159.17 points, or 0.45 per cent, to 35,419.71 points with sectoral indices, led by healthcare, auto, FMCG, capital goods and banking, rising up to 1.03 per cent.


The barometer had gained 118.55 points Thursday. The NSE Nifty was trading 41 points, or 0.39 per cent, higher at 10,657.70. -- PTI
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10:14   Standoff at Kochi airport: Trupti Desai fortifies herself for Sabarimala battle
Meanwhile in Kochi, Trupti Desai, founder of the Bhumata Brigade, is having breakfast at Kochi International Airport as she hasn't been able to leave the airport yet due to protests being carried out against her attempted visit to Sabarimala Temple in Kerala.


A large number of protesters gathered outside Kochi airport when Trupti Desai landed at 4:30 this morning in a bid to travel to enter the Sabarimala temple. The temple shrine opens to devotees this evening.


The protesters say they won't allow her and her colleagues to step out of the airport. Taxi drivers at the airport said they will not take her and her colleagues to their destination.


The Pune-based activist had written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state police chief about her plans to visit the shrine, seeking police protection during her visit to the state.


The protesters comprising devotees and BJP workers assembled early today outside the airport and stated shouting slogans. The police reached there in large numbers to control the situation. Desai said she won't return without visiting the temple.


Image: Trupti Desai has breakfast at Kochi International Airport after being unable to leave the yet due to protests being carried out against her attempted visit to the Sabarimala shrine.
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10:05   Cyclone Gaja: Trees uprooted, houses damaged in TN's Nagapattinam
In Tamil Nadu, trees uprooted and houses damaged in Nagapattinam in overnight rainfall and strong winds which hit the town due to the Gaja cyclone.


The cyclonic storm crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam on Thursday evening and unleashed mayhem in Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts as well.In the wake of the situation, a red alert was issued for the administration in parts of Tamil Nadu to keep the government authorities ready to mobilise resources to meet any eventuality.


The government undertook several preventive measures, which included deploying National Disaster Response Force and Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force  evacuating around 20,000 people living along the coastal line and moving them to relief camps.


The Indian Navy has also been put on alert for relief efforts.Apart from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh was also impacted by the cyclonic storm which is likely to bring heavy downpour and strong winds to several parts of the region for the next couple of days. -- ANI
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09:41   Tharoor tears into BJP over Sabrimala, says it practises politics of polarisation
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor accused Bharatiya Janata Party  of indulging in politics of polarisation. He also claimed that the BJP will be fighting the 2019 general elections on communal lines.

"BJP has got a nationwide strategy of polarisation. They are going to fight the next elections on communal lines. On Sabarimala, they could have easily found a solution through the national parliament or an ordinance or whatever but they want trouble on street. The Congress is trying to walk a middle course, we are with the believers but we want to follow legal course," Tharoor said.

Talking about the Sabarimala row and the all-party meeting called by Kerala chief minister on Thursday, Tharoor lambasted the state government for rushing too fast to implement the decision and calling this meeting too late.

-- ANI
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09:15   Number of missing in California wildfires jumps to 631
The number of people reported missing in California's deadly wildfires has jumped to 631, as 65 victims are confirmed dead.

The revised official list of the 631 individuals whose whereabouts and fate remain unknown is more than double the 297 recorded earlier in the day by the Butte County Sheriff's Office.

"I want you to understand that the chaos we were dealing with was extraordinary," Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told journalists as he explained the staggering new figure.

Authorities have attributed the high number of fatalities in part to the staggering speed with which the wind-driven flames raced through Paradise, a town of 27,000 residents.

It comes as the White House said Donald Trump will visit California on Saturday and meet people caught up in the disaster.

The US president initially blamed the blazes on state officials and threatened to withhold federal payments.

Rescue workers have been combing through the charred ruins of the town of Paradise a week after it burned to the ground in the Camp Fire in northern California, the worst in the state's history.
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08:41   Ranveer Singh's Mumbai house decked up to welcome newlyweds
With Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh completing their two-day nuptials in picturesque Lake Como in Italy, Ranveer's Mumbai residence has been decked up with lights and flowers to welcome the newlyweds.

While the entrance of the house was covered in a string of golden lights, branches of trees in the area were also seen lit up to celebrate the occasion.

The power couple tied the knot in a traditional Konkani ceremony on November 14, while a Sindhi wedding was organised on November 15, both of which were attended by close-knit relatives of the two actors.

The couple had announced their wedding dates on October 21 on social media after dating for over 6 years.

The couple, who is expected to return to India later this week, will reportedly host two grand receptions for their relatives and friends -- one in Bengaluru and the other in Mumbai.

-- ANI
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08:27   Amnesty India calls for end to ED's 'smear campaign'
Amnesty India has alleged that a deliberate attempt has been made by the government to tarnish the reputation of the human rights organisation by leaking a dossier, supposedly made by the Enforcement Directorate to the media without giving it access to any such information.

Amnesty India called for an immediate end to this smear campaign and an independent inquiry into the selective leaks of information that are fueling this campaign.

"In the three weeks since we were raided by the Enforcement Directorate, no formal charges have been filed against us. So, it is really shocking to see media coverage of what is alleged to be documented from the investigation. If the authorities believe that Amnesty India has committed an offence, they must prove it in a court of law. However, the Enforcement Directorate seems to be leaking selective information and conducting a media trial," Amnesty India's Chief Executive Director Aakar Patel said.

"It is alarming to see authorities resort to such low measures to discredit the work of an organisation committed to upholding human rights. The latest action of leaking documents related to an ongoing investigation into a media house to tarnish Amnesty India's reputation is deplorable. Such actions highlight a pattern of demonising and criminalising human rights defenders and organisations. The government seems afraid and viscerally opposed to anyone who is critical of its actions or policies," Patel added.

On November 14, a prominent news channel ran two hour-long special shows on the ED's raids on the Amnesty India. The anchors claimed to have accessed the entire dossier of investigations done by the investigating agency. They also allegedly showed visuals of the documents, including the investigation report, testimonies and bank documents that are a part of the investigations.

It is important to note that Amnesty India has still not been given access to the dossier and has repeatedly been denied access to such information by the agency.

According to Amnesty India, the ED officials have allegedly refused to provide a copy of said statement to Patel, when it was requested during the search and again on October 31 in the Enforcement Directorate's office. They refused on the grounds that the copy is confidential and can only be shared after the charges are framed.

"Isn't this a gross violation of natural justice where the person accused of a crime is not given full details? We have always respected the rule of law and have extended our full cooperation to the agency's investigations. However, it seems like the government thinks it can abuse its power and run smear campaigns to fulfil its agenda of silencing anyone who questions power. The authorities should initiate an independent probe and bring to justice those who are responsible for this leak," Patel stated.

On 25 October 2018, Amnesty India endured a 10-hour-long raid as a group of officers from the ED, a financial investigation agency under the Ministry of Finance, entered the premises and locked the gates behind them. Some of the staff were ordered to not leave, shut their laptops and not use their mobile phones. Most of the documents asked for during the search were available in the public domain or were already filed with the relevant government authorities.

Following the raid, the accounts of Amnesty India were frozen, while the ministry of Hhome affairs initiated investigations into the funds received by Amnesty India. 

-- ANI

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08:06   Activist Trupti Desai reaches Kerala, unable to exit airport as protesters swell
Activist Trupti Desai has reached Kochi International Airport in the early hours of Friday to visit the Sabarimala temple but she could not come out of the domestic terminal following protest by devotees opposing the entry of menstrual women into the Lord Ayyappa temple.
  
Tension prevailed at the airport as protesters announced that Desai and her colleagues, who reached here around 4.40 am from Pune, would not be allowed to go out of the airport.

The temple opens Friday evening, for the third time since the apex court verdict on September 28 allowed women of all age group to offer prayers at the hilltop Lord Ayyappa temple though none could do so following stiff resistance from devotees and activists, opposing any change in the temple traditions.

Protesting local BJP leaders at the airport said the devotees would not let Desai and her colleagues, reportedly total six in numbers, to come out of the airport and proceed to Sabarimala temple.  

They alleged that Desai and her team came here to violate the centuries--old custom of the temple that prevents entry of women and girls in the age group of 10 and 50.

"She (Desai) came here not for darshan but for disturbing a peaceful Sabarimala  pilgrim season beginning Saturday," they said.

The Ayyappa devotees comprising women and BJP workers, assembled in large numbers outside the airport, continued their protest chanting Ayyappa mantra.

Talking to media over phone, Desai said she would not go back to Maharashtra without a darshan at the Lord Ayyappa temple.

Taxi drivers at the airport said they would not take Desai and her colleagues outside the airport.

Police in large numbers were present in the domestic terminal of the airport to deal with the situation.

Desai, who spearheaded the campaign for women to be allowed into various religious places, including Shani Shingnapur temple, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalakshmi Temple and the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, had sent an email to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking security as she fears an attack on her life during her visit to the hill shrine.
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00:09   Merely crying out 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' not patriotism: VP
Merely crying out "Bharat Mata ki Jai" does not represent patriotism, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said Thursday, adding real nationalism is to work towards the upliftment of "all 130 crore Indians".
He was speaking at the annual Jamnalal Bajaj Awards presentations ceremony, where awardees were feted for their outstanding contribution to society.
"Patriotism does not mean crying out 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' or crying out 'Jai Hind' after watching a movie," Naidu said, after referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's definition of patriotism where everybody does his/her work dutifully.
Naidu said 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' means the upliftment of all the 130 crore Indians. "This is the meaning of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, that is "deshbhakti", that is patriotism, that is nationalism. That sort of attitude has to be there," he said.
Making a strong pitch for things "Swadeshi", Naidu said even in the era of an interconnected world and liberal foreign direct investment, we have to support local enterprises as recommended by Mahatma Gandhi.
He also hit out against growing "materialism" and "selfishness" in society and underlined the need for taking a wider view of things.
The vice president said the nuclearisation of families from the earlier joint family system may be resulting in some of the degradation in society.
Lamenting that "we are sans morals and only behind science", he pitched for a need to "overhaul the education system to restore the value systems".
The colonial English mindset was akin to a "disease" which has continued even after the British left India, Naidu said.
"We need more of culture than religion in our discourse," Naidu said, adding "Google cannot replace the guru's place in our society". -- PTI

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