LIVE! Sitharaman: Respect Rajiv as 'martyr', but...

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Thu, 09 May 2019

Sitharaman: Respect Rajiv as 'martyr', but...

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23:03 Sitharaman: Respect Rajiv Gandhi as 'martyr', but...

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday described Rajiv Gandhi a martyr and said though the Bharatiya Janata Party respects him, that doesn't mean it won't talk about the 'misrule and corruption' of his government.

She was backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his claim that the Gandhi family used the Navy's iconic aircraft carrier INS Viraat as its 'personal taxi' when Rajiv Gandhi headed the Congress government in 1980s, to which the grand old party has raised strong objection.

Sitharaman claimed the issue related to the alleged misuse of INS Viraat by the Gandhi family had been in public domain for long and maintained that two leading national news magazines had written about it at length in 2013.

"The details regarding INS Viraat is in public domain. All know about it," the defence minister told reporters.

Sitharaman was replying to a query on Modi's claim that the Navy was made to host the Gandhi family and Rajiv Gandhi's in-laws, and a helicopter was also deployed in their service.

"INS Viraat was insulted by using it as a personal taxi. This happened when Rajiv Gandhi and his family was out for a 10-day vacation.

"INS Viraat was deployed for securing our maritime boundary. But it was diverted to take the Gandhi family which was out for a vacation," Modi had said at a poll rally in Delhi on Wednesday.

Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister from 1984 to 1989.

"INS Viraat crew members have also accepted that Rajiv Gandhi, his family and his wife's family were ferried in the warship," Sitharaman claimed.

The defence minister alleged that the Congress had in the past misused the Army, Navy and the Air Force, and is now accusing the BJP of politicising the defence forces.

Asserting that Rajiv Gandhi was a prime minister who later became a martyr, Sitharaman said, "We respect him fully, but this does not mean we won't talk about his government's misrule, corruption and policies."

"Whenever we talk about the escape of (Union Carbide CEO) Warren Anderson, the prime accused in the Bhopal gas tragedy, the mention of the Rajiv Gandhi government is bound to be made.

"What is wrong in it?" she posed in reply to a question.

Sitharaman said some of Modi's recent statements were a reaction to repeated attacks on him by the Congress and other opposition parties.

"The way the opposition parties and their leaders were hurling abuses at the prime minister, he, after collecting (relevant information), was paying them back," she said.

The Congress doesn't have any issue and hence it is using abusive language against Modi, Sitharaman claimed, adding Rahul Gandhi was making baseless allegations regarding the Rafale jet deal to sully Modi's image.

The Congress president has repeatedly hurled 'chowkidar chor hai' (the watchman is a thief) jibe at Modi to target him over the Rafale deal.

Asserting that the multi-crore fighter aircraft deal is in the country's interest, Sitharaman claimed that the CAG, the Supreme Court and other agencies have established no wrongdoing in the mega defence contract with France.

She said Rahul Gandhi was in a catch-22 situation after raising the Rafale deal issue and alleged that he was now speaking 'lies' knowingly and out of compulsion to keep the issue alive.

Asked about claims of surgical strikes under the United Progressive Alliance government, the defence minister said, "I won't comment on surgical strike claims of the pre-Modi government."

"If surgical strikes took place earlier, why the then government did not reveal it? Now, when we have carried out the surgical strike why are they indulging in me too?" she asked.

She said the people of India had given the BJP a clear mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and Modi laid a strong foundation on it to take the country forward.

Respect for India has grown in the comity of nations in the last five years, Sitharaman said.

"The Modi government has adopted a zero tolerance policy on terrorism.

"We are thriving on the strong foundation and every Indian has faith in Modi. People are feeling absolutely secure under the Modi government," she added. -- PTI

Former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah on Thursday dismissed the claims of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Rajiv Gandhi used INS Viraat as a 'personal taxi' for a holiday with his friends and family and said the aircraft carrier was stationed in Lakshwadeep for security reasons.

Habibullah, who was administrator of Lakshwadeep from August 1987, recalled that the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had come to Kavaratti to attend a meeting of the Island Development Authority where the Island Development Council was to be inaugurated and no family member was present with him except his wife Sonia Gandhi.

After the inauguration, the Council had to meet members of the Union Cabinet in connection with setting up of panchayati raj institutions in the islands, Habibullah told PTI.

"Two things have been confused. There was a meeting of Island Development Authority in Kavaratti, which is the headquarters of Lakshwadeep.

"Second, after the official program, there was a holiday of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, his family and friends in Bangaram which is a separate island," he said.

The controversy erupted after Prime Minister Modi, at a rally here on Wednesday, accused the Gandhi family of using warship INS Viraat as its 'personal taxi' for a holiday when Rajiv Gandhi was at the helm.

Habibullah said former Navy Chief Admiral Ramdas (Retd.) has also issued a statement that only Gandhi and his wife embarked onboard INS Viraat off Thiruvananthapuram en route to Lakshwadeep.

Habibullah said only Gandhi and his wife had come to Kavaratti on a military helicopter.

"My wife and I received him at the helipad. No other family member or friend of the Prime Minister were aboard that helicopter. I have photographs of the visit to substantiate that. While I was with the Prime Minister, my wife was giving company to Sonia Gandhi," he said.

He said members of the Union Cabinet had come to Kavaratti to attend the meeting with the newly-inaugurated Council and many ministers like Arjun Singh had brought their spouses along.

Habibullah said after the two-day-long official function, Rajiv Gandhi along with Sonia Gandhi left for Bangaram for holiday and joined his family and friends who were already waiting there.

He said the friends and family members had used the services of Pawan Hans helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram to Bangaram.

"INS Viraat or any other naval ship had nothing to do with that but naval presence was there because of security reasons as the prime minister was present. Whether it was INS Viraat or any other ship, I cannot remember," he said.

When asked about the recent comments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, Habibullah said, "He (Modi) should check facts before making such a statement."

At the rally on Wednesday, Modi had said, "Ever imagined that a premier warship of the Indian armed forces could be used as a taxi for a personal holiday? One dynasty did it."

The Navy was made to host the Gandhi family and Rajiv Gandhi's in-laws, and a helicopter was also deployed in their service, he claimed, adding that when a family becomes supreme, the country's security is at stake.

"INS Viraat was insulted by using it as a personal taxi. This happened when Rajiv Gandhi and his family was out for a 10-day vacation. INS Viraat was deployed for securing our maritime boundary.

"But it was diverted to take the Gandhi family which was out for a vacation," Modi had said. -- PTI

22:14

A Navjot Singh Sidhu XI vs Jyotiraditya Scindia XI cricket match was held in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, earlier today. -- ANI

22:01 Zakir Naik ready to return on this condition

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has said he is ready to return to India if the Supreme Court gives an assurance that he would not be arrested till his conviction.

Naik is living in Malaysia after fleeing from India in 2016. He has been given permanent resident status by the Malaysian government.

In an interview to The Week magazine, the preacher said he has faith in the judicial system, but it was better before than it is now, he added.

"Before the BJP government came, you could speak against the government, and at least 80 per cent of the times you would get justice. Today, the chances are 10-20 per cent.

"Moreover, if we see the history, more than 90 per cent Muslims who faced terror charges have been let free after 10-15 years. So if I look at an average, I will be behind bars for about 10 years, and my entire mission would get disrupted. Why should I be a fool," he said.

The preacher said the National Investigation Agency can question him in Malaysia, if they want.

When asked whether he will return to India if he has an assurance of justice, Naik said, "If there is an assurance from the Supreme Court of India, that if Dr Zakir Naik comes, they will not arrest me till I am convicted, I will come."

The preacher was booked by the NIA after his name cropped up during the probe of a terror attack on Gulshan's Holey Artisan Bakery (cafe) in Dhaka's posh diplomatic area, claimed by the Islamic State terror group.

20 people, mostly foreigners, were killed in the brutal late-night attack on July 1, 2016 after the attackers took diners and restaurant staff hostage.

The NIA had registered a case against him and his organisation Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) under anti-terror laws and for allegedly promoting enmity between groups on the basis of religion and race.

Naik said he has never told anyone to resort to terrorism.

"Have they [the arrested persons] said that I told them to do the bombing? The answer is no. I challenge anyone to say that he was inspired [by me] to kill innocent people. If he is saying that then he is lying," he said when asked about the attackers in Dhaka, Sri Lanka and now a Kerala youth, arrested for planning terror attack, taking his name.

On the allegations of money laundering by the Enforcement Directorate, Naik said he has one bank account.

"I have several companies and I am actually doing business. Is there a restriction in Indian law that a person cannot own companies? People have 50 companies and sometimes there are no transactions in some," he said.

Naik said they are also alleging that he sent money into his personal account.

"Now all that money I sent into my account was Rs 49 crore in seven years. I told you my earning is more than a crore a month and I have got a lot of businesses in real estate and other ventures.

"It will be a crime if I use some of the money for drugs or terrorism. They said Harmony Media is a factory of terrorism. If it is promoting terrorism then how come the US allowed my channel for so many years," he asked. -- PTI

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it may consider releasing illegal foreigners detained in Assam detention centres' provided they are available whenever required for legal proceedings.

The top court said it may impose such conditions on the detenues to be released, that they can be traced and made available at the appropriate time before the court or the authorities concerned.

It asked the Assam government to work on the modalities of setting up around 1,000 foreigners tribunals for speedy disposal of cases related to illegal immigrants.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna asked advocate Prashant Bhushan, assisting the court as amicus curiae, to inform it by Friday about suitable conditions which could be imposed on the detenues upon their release.

Bhushan said that upon their release detenues could be asked to report to police station every month and their guarantors could be asked to ensure their presence when necessary.

The bench said that if the guarantors fail to ensure the presence of the detenue then what action could be taken besides forfeiting the bond amount furnished by the guarantors.

Bhushan said that they can be sent to jail.

The bench then questioned that under what provision they can be sent to jail.

"We can't create law by our orders and send them to jail," the bench said and asked Bhushan to apprise it by Friday the appropriate conditions which could be imposed on the detenuees upon release.

The bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Assam government to file an affidavit on the availability of a pool of retired judicial officers, bureaucrats and advocates with certain years of experience, who could function as presiding officers in foreigners tribunal.

Mehta informed the court that there are at present 100 foreigners tribunals functioning and consultations are on at the highest level with the Gauhati high court to increase that 200 to begin with.

He said that they were expecting rise in number of cases with claims of citizenship after the Assam NRC is published on July 31 and therefore more foreigners tribunals will be needed.

"You have framed the eligibility criteria in such a manner that no person would like to join. An advocate with seven years of experience and eligible for post of district judge, why would he apply for a tenure post," the bench said. -- PTI

20:44 Rahul gets time till Fri to reply to EC notice

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been given time till Friday evening by the Election Commission to respond to a show-cause notice issued to him over his remark that the Narendra Modi government had enacted a new law that allowed tribals to be shot at.

On Tuesday, Gandhi had sought time till the weekend to respond to the notice.

Last Friday, the Congress chief had sought time till May 7 to respond to the notice, following which the EC had granted him an extension.

Citing his speech in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh on April 23, the poll panel had, on May 1, issued the show-cause notice to Gandhi, highlighting a provision of the Model Code of Conduct that barred 'unverified' allegations against political opponents. -- PTI

Congress' social media strategist Divya Spandana on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly taking Canadian citizen Akshay Kumar with him onboard Indian Navy warship Sumitra.

Her attack on Modi came a day after he accused late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi of using warship INS Viraat as a 'personal taxi' for a family holiday.

'Yeh teek tha? @narendramodi you took a Canadian citizen @akshaykumar with you on-board INS Sumitra,' Spandana tweeted with the hashtag 'sabse bada jhoota Modi (biggest liar Modi)'.

Setting to rest speculation about his citizenship, actor Akshay Kumar had earlier this month said he holds a Canadian passport.

Spandana also tagged a link to an article which raised questions as to why Bollywood was roped in for International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam in 2016.

"Kumar even sailed in the presidential yacht INS Sumitra along with naval chiefs and other VVIPs," the report said.

Spandana also asked Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan to clear his stand on the INS Viraat issue, citing a report which quoted former Lakshadweep administrator Wajahat Habibullah denying the PM's claim and saying check with Bachchan in case of doubt.

Prime Minister Modi, at a rally here on Wednesday, accused the Gandhi family of using warship INS Viraat as its 'personal taxi' for a holiday when Rajiv Gandhi was at the helm, launching a fresh attack on the late Congress leader days after throwing the 'bhrashtachari no 1' barb at him.

"Ever imagined that a premier warship of the Indian armed forces could be used as a taxi for a personal holiday? One dynasty did it," Modi had said.

The Navy was made to host the Gandhi family and Rajiv Gandhi's in-laws, and a helicopter was also deployed in their service, Modi had claimed, adding that when a family becomes supreme, the country's security is at stake.

"INS Viraat was insulted by using it as a personal taxi. This happened when Rajiv Gandhi and his family was out for a 10-day vacation.

"INS Viraat was deployed for securing our maritime boundary. But, it was diverted to take the Gandhi family which was out for a vacation," Modi had said.

Congress leaders, including its president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have hit out at Modi for his barb at their father, who was India's prime minister between 1984-89. -- PTI

19:19 SC to hear Ayodhya land dispute case on Friday

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday the issues relating to the Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.

A notice in this regard was put up on the apex court website which said that the matter will be hard by a five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer.

The matter will come for the first time on Friday since March 8 order by which the top court had referred the decades-old politically sensitive case for mediation by a panel headed by former apex court judge F M I Kalifulla for exploring the possibility of an amicable settlement.

Spiritual guru and founder of Art of Living foundation Sri Sri Ravishankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu, a renowned mediator, are the other two members of the panel of mediators.

The panel was asked by the apex court to hold an in-camera proceedings and complete it within eight weeks. -- PTI

The fifth accused in the Alwar gangrape case has been arrested from Mathura, police said on Thursday, even as opposition parties held protests against the Rajasthan government for allegedly covering up the matter due to the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

A judicial magistrate recorded the victim's statement on Thursday under Code of Criminal Procedure Section 164, DSP (Alwar Rural) Jagmohan Sharma said.

The accused, Hansraj Gurjar, was arrested on Wednesday night, while search for the prime accused, Chhote Lal Gurjar, is still on, the DSP said.Four other accused --Indra Raj Gurjar, Ashok Gurjar, Mahesh Gurjar and Mukesh Gurjar -- have been arrested so far, the police officer said.

The gang-rape evoked sharp criticism from all sections of the society, with political parties protests holding protests in various parts of the state, including Ajmer, Alwar, Swai Madhopur and Churu.

They cornered the Rajasthan government for allegedly covering up the matter due to Lok Sabha elections in the state.

BJP leaders said went to the Collectorate Circle on Thursday to present a memorandum to the district collector, but he was not available.

"We had taken prior permission and time in written from district collector to present the memorandum but he was not available. It is a serious issue. People want to know who had given the order to cover up the matter during elections," BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said.

BJP state president Madan Lal Saini termed it a 'gruesome crime' and a 'blot' on the state.

"Why was timely action not taken in the matter? The case was covered up considering the loss in the Lok Sabha election. Those Congress leaders who gave the order to cover up the case are equal criminals," he claimed.

On April 26, the woman was going to a place from her village on a motorcycle with her husband when the accused, who were on two bikes, stopped them on Thanagazi-Alwar bypass and took them to an isolated place off the road.

They beat the husband and raped her in front of him, threatening them of dire consequences.Mukesh Gurjar filmed the incident in his mobile phone.

The victims went to the police when the accused demanded money for not circulating the video on social media, but the FIR was lodged on May 2. -- PTI

18:02 Shazia Ilmi: Don't use woman card, Atishi

BJP's Shazia Ilmi @shaziailmi reacts to the allegations by AAP's Atishi that Gautam Gambhir had circulated an obscene pamphlet about her. Ilmi who was formerly with the AAP said, "AAP's Dirty tricks Dept at work.The same kind of filth was written about me by their trolls! Gautam Gambhir is a decent person. After using the caste card pl don't use the woman card! Atishi we can see through your tricks. Known you and your backstabbing a long time. @BJP4India"

Aam Aadmi Party candidate from East Delhi parliamentary constituency Atishi Marlena on Thursday broke down at a press conference in New Delhi accusing BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against her.

Gambhir, who is contesting against Atishi in the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat rubbished the allegation saying if it is proved he would quit from the election.

"They have shown how low they can stoop. Pamphlet states that 'she is a very good example of a mixed breed'," Atishi said at the press conference in which was accompanied by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Sisodia accused the cricketer-turned-politician of distributing pamphlets in an attempt to defame Atishi.

17:49 FIR against BJP MLC in Leh bribery case

A first information report was registered against Bharatiya Janata Party leader and MLC Vikram Randhawa for allegedly trying to bribe journalists in Leh, officials said on Thursday.

However, Randhawa termed the allegations as baseless and said the Congress was trying to malign the image of the BJP.

District Election Officer (DEO) and Deputy Commissioner of Leh Avny Lavasa told PTI that only Randhawa was named in the FIR.

The case was registered under Section 171E (Punishment for bribery) and 171F (Punishment for undue influence or personation at an election) of the Ranbir Panel Code (RPC) warranting investigation, she said.

The FIR was registered after the chief judicial magistrate of Leh directed police on Wednesday to launch a probe into the matter.

Randhawa, who is the BJP's Ladakh in-charge, said, "All allegations of Leh journalists are baseless and misleading. It was supported by anti-BJP elements in Kashmir and the Congress to malign the image of the party."

On Saturday, the Press Club Leh had accused the BJP of trying to bribe its members by offering 'envelopes filled with money' after a press conference.

A two-page letter signed by several members of the Press Club was circulating on social media. A CCTV footage of the alleged incident also came to light.

Randhawa, however, claimed that the envelopes contained invitations for reporters for the coverage of Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Leh on May 4.

The MLC said some media persons opened the envelopes and returned them, saying they don't need special invitations as they were already covering the minister's visit.

BJP's state unit chief Ravinder Raina supported a probe into the matter but also questioned the claim of journalists asking why was the money not shown in the CCTV footage.

"They should have shown the notes after opening the packets. They had camera too. The press conference was held on May 2 and they could have shown it on the same day. Only on May 4 it came out in social media as a planned conspiracy to defame the BJP," Raina said. -- PTI

17:43 Lanka's Catholic schools to reopen next week

Sri Lanka's Catholic Church on Thursday announced that all the Catholic schools will reopen next week while mass services would resume from Sunday depending on the country's security situation after the Easter bombings that killed 258 people.

The schools were shutdown and public mass services were suspended following fears of a repeat of the April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo.

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malclom Ranjith in a press conference said that that Catholic private schools might be opened on May 14.

However, he said these schools would be closed till Vesak Holidays, if there are fresh threats, the Daily Mirror reported.

"We cannot allow even a single child to suffer. Therefore, we intend to watch the situation closely and carefully," Cardinal Ranjith said following a meeting between the country's 12 bishops and President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo on Thursday.

Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world and this year it was expected to be observed from May 17 to 21.

However, the Sri Lankan government has restricted the five-day national Vesak festival celebrations to just two days citing the prevailing security situation in the country following the massive Easter Sunday bombings.

Ranjith also said regular Sunday services would resume at all Catholic churches in Colombo from Sunday while a special service will be held at Negombo, north of the capital, where over 100 people were killed in the attack. -- PTI

IMAGES: Members of Zion Church, which was bombed on Easter Sunday, pray at a community hall in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

"I have never seen a prime minister more coward and weak than PM Modi," Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Thursday.

Addressing an election rally in Pratapgarh in support of Congress candidate Ratna Singh, she slammed PM Modi and said, "I have never seen a prime minister more coward and weak than PM Modi. Political power neither comes from campaigning nor does it come from boasting on the television."

Amidst chants of 'chowkidar chor hai', she asserted that job creation for youths, farmers' progress and safety of women are among the key challenges India is facing today.

"He (Modi) promised to put Rs 15 lakh into your account, employment will be given to 2 crore youth, income will be double, but so far nothing has been done. You are slipping into debt while the debts of the big lobbyist are being waived off. They never show any sympathy for you."

In tune with the party's promise in the election manifesto, she said: "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has been diluted by the Bharatiya Janata Party. If our party is voted to power, we will increase the number of days a person can work under MNREGA from 100 days to 150 days."

Among other things, she reiterated Congress' promise of depositing Rs 72,000 annually into the accounts of the 20 per cent of the poor people of the country.

"The biggest plan under our manifesto is -- NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana). Under this scheme, the poorest families of the country will get Rs 72,000 yearly if the Congress comes to power at the Centre," she said.

Five of the seven phases of the general elections have concluded, while two phases are scheduled to be held on May 12 and May 19.

Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Polling in Uttar Pradesh is being held in all seven phases. -- ANI

Television actor Karan Oberoi, arrested on charges of raping and blackmailing a woman in suburban Oshiwara, was on Thursday remanded in 14-day judicial custody by a Mumbai court.

Oberoi, 40, who acted in some television serials and appeared in commercials, was arrested on Sunday after the woman, who was in a relationship with him since 2016, complained to the Oshiwara police that he allegedly raped her on the pretext of marrying her.

The woman also alleged that he shot some objectionable videos of her and demanded money from her while threatening to release the clips, a police official earlier said.

Oberoi was on Thursday produced before the court of metropolitan magistrate Imran Marchiya in suburban Andheri which remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.

His lawyer Dinesh Tiwari said the allegations levelled by the woman were "false" and that they will file a bail application before the court on Friday.

Following the woman's complaint, Oberoi was booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape) and 384 (extortion).

He has acted in some popular television serials like Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and i, and appeared in various advertisements of cars, bikes and apparel. He was also a member of an Indipop musical group, 'A Band of Boys'.

16:59 BBC sacks presenter over tweet on royal baby

British broadcaster Danny Baker was fired on Thursday by the BBC over his "stupid unthinking gag" on Twitter about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's newborn son, Archie.

The now deleted tweet, which has been circulated on social media, showed a black and white photo of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee dressed in clothes with the caption: "Royal Baby leaves hospital".

The 61-year-old presenter was accused of mocking the Duchess of Sussex's racial heritage.

A BBC spokesperson said: "This was a serious error of judgment." The corporation added that Baker's tweet "goes against the values we as a station aim to embody. "Danny's a brilliant broadcaster but will no longer be presenting a weekly show with us," the spokesperson said.

Harry and Meghan, whose mother Doria Ragland is African American, revealed on Wednesday their new son was named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

After an initial backlash on social media, Baker said: "Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased.

"Soon as those good enough to point out its possible connotations got in touch, down it came. And that's it."

Baker presented a weekend show on 5Live. Earlier, Baker told his half a million followers on Twitter that he has been doorstepped by reporters at his home, saying he was asked: "Do you think black people look like monkeys?" His tweet added: "No mate. Gag pic. Posh baby chimp. Alerted to circs. Appalled. Deleted. Apologised."

In a following tweet, he added: "Would have used same stupid pic for any other Royal birth or Boris Johnson kid or even one of my own. It's a funny image. (Though not of course in that context.) Enormous mistake, for sure. Grotesque.

"Anyway, here's to ya Archie, Sorry mate," Baker said.

BJP's Gautam Gambhir reacts to Atishi Marlena's presser on the pamphlet allegedly released by his party. Gambhir who is pitted against AAP's Marlena in East Delhi said he was ashamed to have a CM like Arvind Kejriwal.

He then challenges Kejriwal and Atishi saying, "I declare that if its proven that I did it, I will withdraw my candidature right now. If not, will you quit politics? I abhor your act of outraging a woman's modesty @ArvindKejriwal and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? U r filth Mr CM and someone needs ur very own jhadu to clean ur dirty mind."

Atishi broke down today while reading a pamphlet containing "obscene and derogatory" remarks against her that she claimed has been distributed in the constituency by her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir.

No immediate reaction was received from Gambhir. Atishi, who was accompanied by Deputy Delhi Chief Minister Manish Sisodia during a press conference, broke down as she read out the pamplet in front of reporters.

She said she had welcomed Gambhir, a former cricketer, when he entered politics but now the BJP has stooped to an unexpected level.

15:37 Atishi breaks down over obscene pamphlets

East Delhi AAP candidate Atishi on Thursday broke down while reading a pamphlet containing "obscene and derogatory" remarks against her that she claimed has been distributed in the constituency by her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir.

No immediate reaction was received from Gambhir.

Atishi, who was accompanied by Deputy Delhi Chief Minister Manish Sisodia during a press conference, broke down as she read out the pamplet in front of reporters.

She said she had welcomed Gambhir, a former cricketer, when he entered politics but now the BJP has stooped to an unexpected level. -- PTI

Image: AAP joint secretary Akshay Marathe tweeted this image of the pamphlet allegedly distributed by Gautam Gambhir.

15:16 'PM is lying about INS Viraat incident'

Check with Bachchan in case of doubt, says Wajahat Habibullah, a retired bureaucrat who was the administrator of Lakshwadeep in 1987-88 and remembers the visit of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi clearly. Read the report here.

15:06 Slap of democracy means people's mandate: Didi

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee clarifies the 'slap of democracy' statement that has pitched the battle between the BJP and the TMC to epic proportions. "I have never said I will slap the PM. I had said slap of democracy, try to understand the language. Slap of democracy means peoples' mandate. Why should I be slapping the PM? says Mamata.

ON Tuesday, the furious Trinamool Congress supremo had said that Narendra Modi should get a tight slap of democracy, as she hit back at the prime minister for alleging repeatedly saying that her government is run by extortionist syndicates.

Narendra Modi today hit back at the West Bengal Chief Minister saying her "slap" will be a blessing for him. "I have been told that Didi has said that she wants to slap Modi. Mamata Didi I call you 'Didi', respect you. Your slap will become a blessing for me. I am ready to take that," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally here.

"But I will also say that you won't feel scared if you would have dared to slap those who, in the name of chit fund, looted the money of poor people," he added.

From highlighting the poll manifesto to attacking opponents, social media is being used widely by candidates from all three major political parties in the fray in election as much as to achieve greater connect with voters.

It is seemingly a triangular contest on all seven seats in Delhi and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms are coming as handy tools by party candidates to project their agenda.

The BJP, Congress and the AAP, all three major parties are going all-out on the social media with polling round the corner on May 12. From veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit to new entrants like Gautam Gambhir and boxer Vijender Singh, almost everyone in the reckoning is trying to harness maximum political advantage out of the digital platform.

Olympian pugilist Vijender, who is making his political debut with this election, has been fielded by Congress from South Delhi up against sitting BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri and AAP's Raghav Chadha.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi held an impressive roadshow for Singh on Wednesday evening which was streamed live on his official Facebook account.

He also shared pictures of the crowd taking selfies with Gandhi or himself, seeking to appeal to the youth voters, who are likely to play a crucial role in the polls.

On his Facebook and Twitter accounts, the 33-year-old from the cradle of Indian boxing -- Bhiwani in Haryana, also regularly puts up videos and pictures to broaden engagement with voters online, often using tagline 'Haath ka sath', reference to his party symbol - hand.

Cricketer-turned-politician Gambhir fighting polls from East Delhi on a BJP ticket also shares videos and photos regularly to keep a connect with voters, more so the youth who consume a lot of news on politics through social media.

On his social media account, Gambhir had earlier shared a news report in which he had told a national daily that he had joined politics to "go beyond tweeting".

A poster shared recently on his Facebook account, carries his image and the message -- "Not here for picnic. Will show how work is done". Both debutant politicians share their canvassing schedule on Facebook and Twitter seeking maximum traction out of the medium.

Vijender Singh, who still uses an image of him in his sporting avatar as a Facebook profile picture, has said that, "sports has taught me to fight, and I am here to win this fight".

Candidates are also using social media to highlight achievements of their respective parties as much as to hit out at opponents for maximum electoral gain. AAP's Atishi contesting from East Delhi has shared accomplishments of the AAP government in Delhi in the education sector as well as images of star campaigner Swara Bhaskar, who is rooting for the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.

Raghav had also shared images of Bollywood actor Gul Panag campaigning for him in South Delhi by riding a motorcycle. Seen in a turban with folded hands, in his Twitter avatar, Chadha in a tweet on Thursday said, "Anticipating the BJP's low politics, we have set up surveillance teams of top volunteers.

Armed with spy cams, mobile apps & the grit to ensure free & fair elections, they're keeping a close eye on the BJP's nefarious activities. We're watching your every move, you watch the law." -- PTI

Image: AAP's Raghav Chadha.

Senior advocate HS Phoolka on Thursday claimed that instructions to "kill" during the anti-Sikh riots that took place in Delhi in 1984 had come directly from the Prime Minister's Office.

"There is enough evidence on record to show that in 1984 when the Sikhs were being killed, the instructions were coming directly from the Prime Minister's Office and the Army was not called in... We have placed our evidence on record before the Nanavati Commission as well as Mishra Commission," Phoolka told ANI.

"Shanti Bhushan was Law Minister during Morarji Desai government. Shanti Bhushanji has given his own affidavit before the Nanavati Commission. He says on November 1 morning he went to Narasimha Rao, who was Union Home Minister at that time and he asked Narasimha Rao to immediately call the Army as innocent citizens are being killed... Narasimha Rao agreed with him," Phoolka explained.

"Narasimha Rao called on the RAX phone, which is a direct phone between the ministers. And he says Narasimha Rao tried to convince the other person on the line to call the Army," he added.

Phoolka went on to add, "After some time, Narasimha Rao put down the phone and sat quietly. Shanti Bhushanji says he was there for about two-three minutes, Narasimha Rao didn't say a word. So, Shanti Bhushanji said he got up and went away."

Phoolka said the then Prime Minister Charan Singh along with Devi Lal, Sharad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan asked the President to immediately call the Army.

"So, the President wanted to call the Army, Home Minister wanted to call the Army, who is the one who can veto them? It's the Prime Minister's Office. We have placed evidence on record that the Intelligence Bureau officers were even monitoring it," Phoolka said.

Image: Victims of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984

13:22 Your slap a blessing: Modi checkmates Mamata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit back at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that her "slap" will be a blessing for him.

"I have been told that Didi has said that she wants to slap Modi. Mamata Didi I call you 'Didi', respect you. Your slap will become a blessing for me. I am ready to take that," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally here.

"But I will also say that you won't feel scared if you would have dared to slap those who, in the name of chit fund, looted the money of poor people," he added.

Mamata Banerjee had on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Modi of lying and said when he attacked her party of being a "tolabaaz" (toll collector), she wanted to give him a "tight slap of democracy."

Speaking at the rally on Thursday, Modi gave an assurance that the "infiltrators that 'Didi' and TMC have made their cadres will be identified. Those who trouble our daughters and the cultured Bengalis here, they will be identified. Not enough days are left for those, who have turned 'Gantantra' (republic) into 'Gundatantra' in West Bengal," he said. -- ANI

13:01 Fire on train, Delhi-Howrah route affected

In Mirzapur, UP, fire breaks out in an engine and generator room of the Kamakhya Express in Kailahat. The driver has separated the generator room and the parcel coach from the train. No injuries reported. However, the Delhi-Howrah route has been affected. More details awaited.

A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a defamation case filed by NSA Ajit Doval's son Vivek against him and Caravan magazine for an article published in January.

The complaint was filed against Caravan and the author of the article, besides Ramesh.

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal framed defamation charges against all the three accused after they pleaded not guilty in the case.

In his complaint, Vivek Doval had said the magazine and Ramesh, who had held a press conference repeating the allegations levelled by the magazine, had attempted to "deliberately malign and defame" him to "settle scores with his father".

The Supreme Court Thursday dismissed a plea seeking direction to the Centre and the Election Commission to debar Congress President Rahul Gandhi from contesting Lok Sabha elections till the issue of his citizenship is decided.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi rejected the contention of the petitioners, who said that in a form along with the annual data of a UK-based company in 2005-06, it was allegedly mentioned that Rahul Gandhi is a British citizen.

"If some company in some form mentions his nationality as British, does he become a British citizen," the bench also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna told the petitioners.

-- PTI

The Supreme Court Collegium has rejected the government's objections and reiterated its recommendation to elevate Justices Aniruddha Bose and AS Bopanna to the apex court, observing nothing adverse has been found regarding their competence, conduct or integrity.

The collegium has also recommended names of Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant for elevation to the apex court. The two resolutions of the Collegium were made public on the apex court's website on Thursday.

According to the website a five-member Collegium headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had met on Wednesday and deliberated on the issue of elevation of the four high court judges.

"In view of the above, on due consideration of all aspects mentioned in the file, the Collegium resolves to reiterate the aforementioned recommendation dated 12th April, 2019, especially since nothing adverse regarding competence, conduct or integrity of Justices Aniruddha Bose, and A S Bopanna, has been pointed out," the Collegium said in its May 8 resolution.

Justice Bose is the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court whereas Justice Bopanna is the Gauhati High Court Chief Justice.

Justice Gavai is presently a judge of the Bombay High Court and Justice Kant is the incumbent Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Against the sanctioned strength of 31 judges, the apex court is presently functioning with 27 judges. -- PTI

12:11 SC rejects dismissed BSF jawan's plea

The Supreme Court has dismissed the plea of former BSF constable and SP candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav against the rejection of his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. A bench headed by CJI Gogoi dismissing the plea said, "We don't find any merit to entertain this petition."

12:03 SC rejects plea on Rahul's citizenship

The Supreme Court dismisses a petition seeking to direct the Election Commission of India to debar Congress President Rahul Gandhi from contesting the Lok Sabha polls after he had "voluntarily acquired British nationality.' The SC also rejected a plea seeking a probe into Rahul's citizenship. "We dismiss the petition. There is no merit in the petition," said CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

On 1 May, the home ministry sent Rahul a notice seeking a response to charges that he held British citizenship.

The Ministry of Home Affairs sought Rahul's response over a complaint filed by BJP's Subramanian Swamy in 2017.

Swamy had originally alleged that Rahul's nationality was registered as British in the annual returns of a firm registered in the United Kingdom.

When the allegations had first been made, the Congress had made public the firm's certificate of incorporation, which registered Rahul's nationality as Indian.

Swamy's complaint was made on the basis of an entry made while filing annual tax returns. It was clarified that the British reference was an inadvertent error.

The Supreme Court Thursday dismissed pleas of families of those killed along with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, objecting to the Tamil Nadu government's 2014 decision to release seven convicts in the case.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, "All aspects were covered in the earlier constitution bench verdict in the case and therefore nothing survives in the case".

In 2014, the then J Jayalalithaa-led government had decided to release seven convicts in the case. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991. -- PTI

The northern part of India continues to remain under the grip of an intense heat wave, with Jammu recording the highest temperature of the season at over 40 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department.

Known as the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu for the first time touched 40 degrees Celsius in this summer season.

However, thunderstorm and lightning accompanied by gusty winds (40 kmph-50 kmph) at isolated places are likely over Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days.

In the national capital of Delhi, the minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to hover around 27 degree Celsius and 41 degree Celsius with strong surface winds of 8 km per hour during the day time, said Indian Meteorological Department.

Dust or thunderstorms are expected to hit Delhi tomorrow and bring a very slight dip in the city's temperature that is predicted to be at 40 degree Celsius.

Delhiites may get relief from the sweltering heat as the partly cloudy sky with light rain is predicted for May 12 and May 13 in the city. -- ANI

11:21 Rahul promises NYAY to UP's Sunaina Rawat

Congress president Rahul Gandhi takes note of NDTV's story on a young girl from UP, Sunaina Rawat, who hopes to be a doctor some day, despite the grinding poverty and the circumstance bereft of hope she and her family find themselves in.

@RahulGandhi tweeted: Modiji please look at what your policies have done to Sunaina.

NYAY is a tribute to her courage and equanimity.

NYAY will break the shackles of poverty.

NYAY will transform the lives of Sunaina & millions like her.

Watch NDTV's story on Sunaina Rawat here.

Image: Rahul Gandhi interacts with children at a village during his visit to Dwarka in 2017.

The Supreme Court collegium, or panel of five senior most judges, reiterated its April 12 decision to recommend Justices Aniruddha Bose and AS Bopanna for the top court.

"Merit should be given predominant consideration," the collegium said.

"We have carefully considered the observations made by the Department of Justice while referring back to the Collegium."

Aniruddha Bose is the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand high court and AS Bopanna is Chief Justice, Gauhati high court.

"The Collegium is of the view that, as laid down by the Supreme Court, though inter-se seniority amongst Judges in their High Courts and their combined seniority on all-India basis should be given due weightage, merit should be the predominant consideration. The Collegium accordingly kept in mind these parameters while recommending the above two names," the judges said.

10:28 Woman detained for throwing slipper at Sidhu

A woman was detained for allegedly attempting to throw her footwear at Congress leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu during a public meeting.

In a short video of the incident, the woman is seen telling police personnel that she threw the slipper because "Sidhu spoke against Modi".

Navjot Singh Sidhu has been very critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has often slammed him publicly referring to him as "chowkidar chor hai", following the example of party president Rahul Gandhi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for wrongly attributing his "chowkidar chor hai" remark to the apex court and sought closure of the contempt proceedings against him.

In April, a shoe was hurled at BJP's national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao while he was addressing a media briefing. He, however, had a narrow escape as the shoe did not hit him.

At the time of the incident, the BJP spokesperson was talking about fielding Sadhvi Pragya from Bhopal constituency and was criticising Congress for allegedly defaming Hindus.

-- ANI

10:09 SC to hear plea on Rahul Gandhi's citizenship

The Supreme Court will today hear a plea to debar Congress president Rahul Gandhi from contesting Lok Sabha polls on account of his alleged British nationality.

On May 1, the home ministry sent Rahul Gandhi a notice seeking a response to charges that he held British citizenship.

The ministry of home affairs sought Gandhi's response over a complaint filed by BJP's Subramanian Swamy in 2017.

When the issue cropped up, Rahul's sister Priyanka said, "The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?"

A Pakistani national was arrested by the Border Security Force near Samba sector on Wednesday, officials said.

The person has been identified as Mohammad Afzal, a resident of Narowal in Nihar district of Pakistan.

"The alleged intruder was apprehended by the patrol party near Samba sector. He has been identified as Mohammad Afzal son of Liyakat Ali and a resident of Narowal in Nihar district of Pakistan," BSF said.

It is yet to be revealed if anything suspicious was recovered from him.

Further investigation in the matter is underway.

-- ANI

A Karnataka BJP leader said that even though he respected Narendra Modi, he did not agree with the PMs recent remarks targeting Rajiv Gandhi.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam planned and assassinated Rajiv Gandhi, former Union minister Srinivasa Prasad was quoted as saying. He did not die due to corruption allegations. Nobody believes that, even I don't believe it. I have a lot of respect for Modi ji, but it was not necessary for him to speak against Rajiv Gandhi.

Earlier this week at a rally, Modi targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale issue and said, Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'bhrashtachari No 1' (corrupt number 1).

The comment was criticised by the Congress and several Opposition ministers who said the statement lowered the dignity of the office of the prime minister. Over 200 Delhi University teachers also issued a public statement condemning the "derogatory and untrue" remarks about the former PM, who is no longer alive.

Rajiv Gandhi took bigger responsibilities at a young age, Prasad said. Tallest personalities in politics, like (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji have spoken many good things about Rajiv Gandhi.

However, Modi doubled down on his comments and has challenged the Congress to seek votes in the name of the late prime minister. At a rally in Delhi on Wednesday, Modi levelled another charge against Rajiv Gandhi, accusing his family of using warship INS Viraat as its "personal taxi" during his term in office.

Five labourers were killed in a massive fire that broke out this morning at a cloth godown in a village near Pune.

The labourers were asleep in a room when the fire broke out at the cloth godown in Uruli Devachi village in the early hours.

Four fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire has been controlled the injured have been rushed to hospital.

The cause of fire has not yet been confirmed.

Up to 170 Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were killed in the airstrike conducted by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan's Balakot, a foreign journalist has reported.

The pre-dawn airstrike was carried out by the Indian Air Force on February 26, days after the Pulwama terror attack. According to a report by Italian journalist Francesca Marino, the airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot led to the death of 130-170 JeM recruits.

The journalist accused Pakistan of lying as the country has maintained that the Indian Air Force airstrike did not lead to any damage or casualties.

"Despite Pakistan's efforts to deceive the world on the Indian airstrikes on the Jaish-e-Muhammad camp, small details of what happened in Balakot in the wee hours of February 26 and thereafter have kept trickling in from my source," Italian journalist Francesca Marino wrote in her report.

Marino further wrote that a Pakistani army unit from Shinkiari base camp arrived at the location of the strike on February 26 around 6 am, just two-and-a-half hours after IAF successfully bombed the terror camp.

Quoting sources, Marino wrote that a unit of the Pakistani army arrived at the spot and transported the injured to the Harkar-ul-Mujahideen camp, located in Shinkiari, where Pakistan army doctors treated them.

Marino wrote that her sources indicated that around 45 individuals injured in the strike are still undergoing treatment at the military camp while 20 have succumbed during treatment.

And, the terrorists who have recovered are in custody of the Pakistan army, according to her report.

Marino said that the inputs are based on information gathered over the last few weeks through reliable sources in the region.

00:04 US not looking to go to war with Iran: WH

The United States is not looking to go to war with Iran, the White House said Wednesday even as it cautioned that President Donald Trump will remain "firm" in his position.

The US stoked fears that it was headed to a war with Iran after that it announced that America will deploy an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force in the Middle East to send a "clear and unmistakable" message to Iran that any attack on American interests or its allies will be met with "unrelenting force".

Asked if the US was headed to war with Iran, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, "I certainly hope not".

"But the president is going to remain firm on our position and I don't think anybody is looking for any type of war with anybody," she said.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Sunday the decision to deploy the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the US Central Command region in the Middle East was in response to a number of "troubling and escalatory indications and warnings" from Iran.

The deployment move had come after Trump last month refused to give waivers to countries like India from buying oil from Iran, in an attempt to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero.

After coming to power, Trump withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal last year and has imposed stringent sanctions against what he describes as the "authoritarian" Iranian regime.

The US is seeking to ramp up pressure on Iran to counter what the White House perceives to be a potential threat.

Last month, the US designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard a foreign terrorist organisation, the first time the designation has been applied to a government entity. -- PTI

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