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Mon, 30 January 2023
Ayodhya seer declares Rs 21L bounty on SP leader
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Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya
23:44 Ayodhya seer declares Rs 21L bounty on SP leader
The mahant of Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya on Monday announced a bounty of Rs 21 lakh to anyone who "beheads" Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, who has been in headlines since his comments on Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas.
The mahant, Raju Das, said that burning of pages from the Ramcharitmanas by the Akhil Bharatiya OBC Mahasabha in Lucknow on Sunday too was Maurya' work.
Maurya, a prominent OBC leader in Uttar Pradesh, had on January 22 remarked that certain verses of the Ramcharitmanas "insult" a large section of society on the basis of caste and demanded that these be "banned".
Maurya, a cabinet minister in the previous BJP government in the state, had resigned and joined the SP before the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.
He had contested from the Fazilnagar assembly seat in Kushinagar district but lost.
He was later sent to the legislative council by Akhilesh Yadav. -- PTI
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy/ANI
23:17 Delhi-bound aircraft carrying Jagan Reddy returns due to technical snag
An aircraft, which took off from Gannavaram Airport near here with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and others onboard on Monday, had to return and land at the aerodrome after the pilot noticed a technical snag in mid-air.
An official release said Jagan was to go to the national capital and participate in a preparatory meeting of the Global Investors Summit to be held in Visakhapatnam in March.
"The pilot noticed a problem of pressurisation due to leakage in the AC valve. The pilot identified the problem and diverted the plane back to the Gannavaram airport," it said.
The flight took off at 5.03 pm on Monday and landed back on 5.27 pm, it said.
The officials are making alternative arrangements for the Chief Minister to go to Delhi on Tuesday, the release added. -- PTI
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22:46 Dishes made of millets now on Parliament canteens' menu
From jowar vegetable upma to ragi dosa, bajre ki tikki to bajra khichdi -- these food items made of millets will now be part of the menu of Parliament House canteens.
As the government is promoting the use of millets, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has made arrangements for serving the dishes made primarily with ragi, jowar, bajra, rajgira and kangni to MPs, staff and visitors during the budget session starting January 31.
Dishes from across the country have found a place on the menu of Parliament canteens after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the benefits of millets during his 'Mann ki Baat' programme.
Last month, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar organised a lunch made of only millets for parliamentarians during the winter session.
The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, after the government of India brought forward a proposal in this regard and was endorsed by members of FAO Governing Bodies, as well as by the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly.
In Parliament canteens, health-conscious people can now have oats milk or soya milk, besides bajre ke raab (from Rajasthan) and ragi matar ka shorba (soup), bajra onion ki muthiya (Gujarat), ragi rava idli with sambhar, shahi bajre ki tikki (Madhya Pradesh) and jowar vegetable upma (Gujarat) as starters.
Besides, Kerala's ragi dosa with peanut chutney, Rajasthan's rajgira poori with aloo ki sabzi and bajre/ragi ki roti and Gujarat's bajre ki khichdi would be served in Parliament canteens, apart from the normal menu. -- PTI
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22:23 African swine fever detected in 2 Kerala farms
African swine fever was confirmed at two private farms in Uzhavoor panchayat near Kottayam in Kerala, district officials said on Monday.
The administration has begun culling of 66 pigs in one kilometer locality.
District collector PK Jayasree said pigs in the farms were culled and the carcasses were burned following due protocol.
"We have begun the culling which is expected to be completed by tonight. The farms and adjacent areas will be sanitised," the collector said in a statement.
The animal husbandry department said steps are taken to prevent the disease from being spread.
The authorities have banned the transportation of pigs, its food and other related matter from the region. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, African Swine Fever is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease of domestic pigs.
It was first discovered in Kenya, East Africa, in 1921, and soon afterwards in South Africa and Angola, as a disease that killed settlers' pigs.
Contact with warthogs was proven to be important in transmission of the virus. -- ANI
File image/Reuters
22:00 Taj Mahal, Agra Fort to be closed for some hours on Feb 12
Due to a proposed visit of the delegates of the G20 nations in Agra, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort may be closed for four or more hours on February 12, officials said on Monday.
"Arrangements are being made in full swing to welcome delegates for a G20 meet proposed to be organised in Agra in the month of February," district magistrate Navneet Singh Chahal said.
However, according to the schedule made known by the ministry of external affairs so far, no G20 meeting is scheduled in Agra.
But G20 working group meetings will be held in Indore, Bangalore and Lucknow around this time, and the delegates could visit Agra.
"On February 12, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort may be closed for visitors for three to four hours or a certain time period during the visit of the foreign delegates in the monument premises. Instructions in regard to the closing of the monuments will be issued in advance for the convenience of the visitors," he added.
Recently, the principal secretary of Uttar Pradesh Amrit Abhijat also visited Agra and inspected the airport, and selfie point and reviewed the development work being carried out on Fatehabad road and others. -- PTI
People with flag of Morocco/Reuters
21:32 Morocco opens consulate in Bengaluru
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in India on Monday said the honorary consulate in Bengaluru has become operational and started its services.
It also announced the appointment of Dr Pratap Madhukar Kamath as the honorary consul of the Kingdom of Morocco to Karnataka.
The opening of the consulate here with jurisdiction over Karnataka, in addition to those already operational in Mumbai and Kolkata, reflects the importance that the Kingdom attaches to the development of its relations with India both at the Central and State levels, it said in a statement.
"The choice of Karnataka reflects the importance that the State plays economically in India and also its growing role in many domains of interest," it said. -- PTI
File image/ANI/Twitter
21:18 IAF begins air drill in Northeast amid China tension
The Indian Air Force has kick-started a mega exercise covering the Northeastern region to check its combat readiness amid a fresh spike in tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.
The IAF's frontline fighter jets including the Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft, and other assets deployed in the region are engaged in the exercise named 'Poorvi Aakash'.
"Eastern Air Command has commenced its annual Command level exercise Ex- POORVI AKASH today. Conducted after a gap of two years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ex will involve activation of the Command's assets for routine practice of aerial drills, including joint exercises," the IAF's Eastern Air Command tweeted.
The Shillong-headquartered Eastern Air Command is carrying out the exercise.
There has been a fresh spike in tension between India and China after troops from the two sides engaged in the clash along the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament on December 13 that the Chinese troops tried to "unilaterally" change the status quo in the Yangtse area but the Indian Army compelled them to retreat by its firm and resolute response. -- PTI
File image/Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
21:00 Deposit Rs 1L as pre-condition to hear PIL on Devanagari signboards at Mumbai airport: HC to petitioner
The Bombay high court on Monday directed a trust to deposit Rs 1 lakh as a pre-condition to hear its public interest litigation seeking that signboards and banners with Devanagari text on par with the English language be put up at the city airport.
The petition filed by the 'Gujarati Vichar Manch' sought implementation of two circulars issued by the Union home ministry, department of official language in 2008 directing the use of Hindi and regional language at par with English on signage boards and indicators at public places.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Marne on Monday said the petitioner trust would have to first deposit Rs 1 lakh to prove its bona fide.
The court said if the deposit is made then the petition would be taken up for hearing.
The PIL alleged the respondent authorities had time and again failed to implement the circulars despite repeated reminders and requests by the petitioner trust.
"The petitioner merely seeks recognition towards the official and regional language of the state of Maharashtra as language is a highly emotional issue for the citizens of any nation. It has a great unifying force and is a powerful instrument for national integration," the petition said.
The petitioner claimed prominent display of English language on signage boards etc at the airport in Mumbai is nothing but an act to foist the language on the indigenous people. -- PTI
Sonam Wangchuk/Twitter
20:41 Hundreds join Sonam Wangchuk on final day of his 5-day hunger strike
Hundreds of people on Monday joined education reformist Sonam Wangchuk on the final day of his five-day hunger strike here in support of the demand for various safeguards for Ladakh, including extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the Union territory.
Prominent among those who joined Wangchuk, an engineer whose life inspired a character in Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, were leaders of the Leh Apex Body of Peoples Movement for Sixth Schedule and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.
The apex body and KDA, a separate amalgam of socio-religious, political and youth organisations, are jointly spearheading a campaign to press for their four-point demands which include full statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule to the region.
"Today (Monday) is the last day of my symbolic carbon neutral climatic fast and I am thankful to the people for joining me. The fast was an attempt to invite the attention of Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) so that our leaders can brief him about their concerns and demands," Wangchuk told reporters at Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh campus.
Wangchuk said safeguarding the Himalayas, including its glaciers, should be more important than making some "corporators happy" as it is having a direct bearing on the people of the sub-continent.
"The government needs to have a futuristic plan for safeguarding the environment of the Himalayas. It should also keep its promise of extending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh," he said.
Wangchuk threatened to intensify his protest in case there was no response from the government.
"This was just a symbolic protest and if there was no response, I will go on a hunger strike for 10 days, later 15 days and so on till my last breath." -- PTI
Representational image/ANI
20:30 Child marriage in Kerala's Idukki: CWC directs police to rescue minor girl
With a child marriage being reported from the district, the Child Welfare Committee in Idukki on Monday directed the police to rescue the minor girl and produce her before it.
Idukki CWC chairperson Jayaseelan Paul said that Munnar Childline received a complaint last week that a child marriage had taken place in Edamalakkudy, a remote tribal village in the district.
Following the complaint, the CWC sought a report regarding the same from the child development project officer of the area.
The CDPO's report, placed before the committee, said the marriage took place a month ago between a 15-year-old girl and a 47-year-old man, both belonging to the Muthuvan tribe.
The wedding took place with the knowledge and consent of the girl's parents -- her mother and stepfather -- and she was living with the 47-year-old man, according to the report.
"Based on that, the CWC directed Munnar police to rescue the girl and produce her before the committee after carrying out the necessary legal procedures like her medical check-up, recording her statement under Section 164 CrPC and lodging a case under the relevant provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012," Jayaseelan said. -- PTI
Gopal Krishna Das/ANI
20:04 Odisha cop who shot state health minister, sacked
Assistant sub-inspector Gopal Krishna Das, who allegedly killed Odisha health minister Naba Das on Sunday, has been dismissed from service on Monday, said Rahul Jain, superintendent of police Jharsuguda.
The accused is under the police custody now and will be forwarded to the court for further police remand, said crime branch officials.
"The investigation of the case is continuing,' it said.
The state crime branch team also seized one 9mm pistol and 3 rounds of live ammunition and a mobile handset of Gopal Krushna Das.
The firearm, and ammunitions will be sent for ballistic examination and opinion, said crime branch. -- ANI
Ramachandra Guha/Twitter
19:26 'India After Gandhi': Third edition of Ramachandra Guha's seminal work released
With a new chapter on demonetisation and important events of the years that followed, the third edition of historian Ramachandra Guha's seminal work India After Gandhi released on Monday, said publishing house Pan Macmillan India.
The book, first released in 2007, is touted to be a magisterial account of the pains, struggles, humiliations and glories of the world's largest democracy, and brings the narrative up to the present.
"The new chapter that I have added for this edition (Chapter 31) begins with this experiment of 'demonetization' in November 2016, and carries on to analyse, as dispassionately as one can, the important events and controversies of the years that followed," writes Guha in the book.
"I have also written a fresh epilogue to the book, presenting a synoptic view of the exciting and tumultuous journey of the nation since its birth," writes Guha in the book.
The release of the revised edition coincides with the 75th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse at Gandhi Smriti in the Birla House during his evening prayers on January 30, 1948.
Notably, the last major event covered in the second edition of "India after Gandhi" were the fresh troubles in Kashmir after the September 2016 attack in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. -- PTI
Delhi University/Twitter
19:05 Now DU's Mughal Garden renamed after Buddha
Mughal Garden in Delhi University's North Campus has been renamed as 'Gautam Buddha Centenary' Garden, an official said on Monday.
The garden does not have a Mughal design, was the rationale given by the university behind the rechristening, which was done on January 27.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan too had on Saturday changed the name of its famed Mughal Gardens to 'Amrit Udyan.'
A university official, who did not wish to be named, said that the coinciding of the name change was a matter of chance, and that the varsity had come to the decision after a prolonged discussion with its Garden Committee.
"The competent authority of the University of Delhi has approved the name of the garden (opposite the Vice Regal Lodge) with the statue of Gautam Buddha in its centre as Gautam Buddha Centenary Garden," said registrar Vikas Gupta, in a notification dated January 27.
The Gautam Buddha statue has been standing in the garden for at least 15 years.
The official said the garden was neither built by the Mughals nor has it a Mughal garden design.
A typical Mughal garden -- based on Persian architectural design -- features canals and pools along the axes, as well as fountains and waterfalls, and over time also came to incorporate such features as terraces, and water channels lined with concrete or blue tiles.
"The Mughal gardens have specific designs with a pond, running water, and two cones of fountains on either side. Mughal gardens have fruit and flower trees. You can see at the Taj Mahal and other places that the Mughal garden has fruit trees, especially of peach and litchi. None of these features are in this garden," the official said. -- PTI
Manu Kumar Jain/Facebook
18:41 Xiaomi Global VP Manu Jain quits company
Chinese smart device maker Xiaomi's global vice president and former head of its Indian arm Manu Kumar Jain announced his resignation on Monday after about nine years stint at the company.
The development comes amidst the ongoing legal tussle between Enforcement Directorate and Xiaomi over alleged Foreign Exchange Management Act violation by the company.
"Change is the only constant in life! Last 9 years, I'm lucky to have received so much love that it makes this goodbye so difficult. Thank you all."
"The end of a journey also marks the beginning of a new one, full of exciting opportunities. Hello to a new adventure!" Jain said in a tweet.
Jain had spearheaded the launch of Xiaomi in India in 2014.
"After nine years, I am moving on from the Xiaomi Group. I feel confident that now is the right time, as we have strong leadership teams across the world. I wish the Xiaomi teams globally all the best and hope they achieve even greater success," Jain said. -- PTI
Harmanpreet Kaur/Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
18:27 Women's cricket captain Harmanpreet joins Puma India as brand ambassador
Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been roped in by sports brand PUMA India as its latest brand ambassador.
As part of the partnership terms, Harmanpreet will endorse the brand's footwear, apparel and accessories through multiple activities and campaigns throughout the year.
"Not many know that I hit my first ODI century in 2013 in a pair of PUMA boots that I received as a token of support in my early years by the brand," Harmanpreet said.
"Exactly a decade now and I have been roped in as the face of PUMA. I am thrilled to join the biggest sports brand in the country with a star-studded roster."
Harmanpreet thus joins PUMA's illustrious roster, which includes batting legend Virat Kohli, champion sprinter Usain Bolt, football stars Neymar Jr and Sunil Chhetri, celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom, cricketer Harleen Deol and para-shooter Avani Lekhara.
"This is just the beginning and I am sure this association will encourage a lot of women who dream to make a career in cricket. I look forward to an exciting journey ahead," Harmanpreet said.
The 33-year-old batter from Punjab has the record of fourth fastest women's T20I hundred in the world to her name and she is also India's only centurion in the women's T20I. -- PTI
18:14 Asaram Bapu convicted in disciple rape case
A court in Gujarat's Gandhinagar on Monday convicted self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in a woman disciple rape case registered against him in 2013.
Sessions court judge DK Soni reserved its order on the quantum of sentence for Tuesday (January 31).
The court acquitted six other accused, including Asaram's wife, due to lack of evidence.
As per the FIR lodged at Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad, Asaram Bapu allegedly raped the woman on several occasions from 2001 to 2006 when she was living at his ashram on the outskirts of the city.
"The court has accepted the prosecution case and convicted Asaram under sections 376 2(C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offences) and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code for illegal detention, among others," special public prosecutor RC Kodekar said on Monday.
The controversial godman is currently lodged in jail in Jodhpur in another rape case. A Surat-based woman had filed a case of rape and illegal confinement against Asaram Bapu and seven others, one of whom died during the pendency of the trial, in October 2013.
A chargesheet was filed in July 2014.
Bikram Singh Majithia/ANI Photo
18:04 SC judge recuses himself from hearing Punjab plea against bail to SAD leader Majithia
Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant on Monday recused himself from hearing an appeal filed by the Punjab government against the high court order granting bail to former minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a drug case.
As soon as a bench of Justices Surya Kant and J K Maheshwari took up the appeal of the Punjab government, Justice Kant said he was part of the high court bench which had directed the setting up of a special task force to probe the case.
"Let the matter be listed before a bench in which one of us (Justice Surya Kant) is not a member," the top court ordered.
Senior advocate Shyam Divan appeared for the Punjab government, which had challenged the order of the Punjab and Haryana high court dated August 10, 2022.
On August 10, 2022, Majithia had walked out of the Patiala jail after the high court had granted him bail, saying that there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that he is not guilty.
It had, however, said the observation is only for the purpose of adjudicating his bail application and the trial court should proceed independently of the observations made by it.
Majithia was released after spending more than five months in the Patiala jail in the drug case.
The Akali leader came out of the jail around 6.30 pm on August 10 last year and a large number of party leaders and workers assembled outside the prison to welcome him and showered petals over his vehicle. -- PTI
Amartya Sen/ANI Photo
17:31 Mamata hands over land docu to Amartya Sen
Amid allegations of "unauthorized occupation" against Nobel laureate Amartya Sen by Visva-Bharati, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday handed over land-related documents to him, asserting that "no one can question him" in future.
Banerjee, who reached Bolpur in second half of the day, visited Sen at his residence and dubbed the accusations made against him as "baseless".
The CM also announced that the Nobel laureate would be accorded 'Z+ category' security in future.
"Allegations of land grabbing against him (Amartya Sen) are baseless. It is an attempt to malign his reputation. No one has the right to insult him. We won't tolerate it," Banerjee said as the economist sat next to her.
"I respect Visva-Bharati, but condemn the attempts being made to saffronise the hallowed institution," she said.
Visva-Bharati, in a missive last week, asked Sen to immediately hand over parts of a plot he was allegedly occupying in an "unauthorised manner" at Santiniketan. -- PTI
Kiren Rijiju/Twitter
17:23 This is how they waste precious time of SC: Rijiju on those moving court against blocking of BBC docu
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday hit out at those moving the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's decision to block a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying this is how they "waste" precious time of the top court.
Responding on Twitter to news reports that veteran journalist N Ram, activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan and others have moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's decision to block the documentary India: The Modi Question on social media, Rijiju said that "this is how they waste the precious time of Hon'ble Supreme Court where thousands of common citizens are waiting and seeking dates for justice".
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Monday took note of the submissions of lawyer M L Sharma and senior advocate C U Singh, appearing for N Ram and Bhushan, seeking urgent listing of their separate PILs on the issue.
On January 21, the Centre issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary. -- PTI
17:13 Gainers and losers in Sensex pack
On Monday the 30-share Sensex recovered 169.51 points or 0.29 per cent to settle at 59,500.41.
During the day, it rose by 313.34 points or 0.52 per cent to 59,644.24.
The broader NSE Nifty gained 44.60 points or 0.25 per cent to end at 17,648.95 as 29 of its stocks advanced.
From the Sensex pack, Bajaj Finance, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv, HCL Technologies, NTPC, Asian Paints, Infosys, Wipro, Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Consultancy Services were among the major winners.
Power Grid, IndusInd Bank, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Steel, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Motors, State Bank of India and HDFC were among the laggards.
17:03 Mamata to leave for 3-day tour to WB districts
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will leave for a three-day tour of Birbhum, Malda and Purba Bardhaman districts on Monday to review the administrative works there, an official said.
She will also speak to Trinamool Congress workers during her tour, he said. Banerjee will inaugurate the 46th Kolkata International Book Fair on Monday and then fly to Bolpur in a chopper.
On Tuesday Banerjee will visit Malda, where she is scheduled to hold a public distribution meeting, he said.
"The services provided under the duare sarkar (government at the doorstep) scheme are supposed to be distributed by Banerjee in Malda. There is also a bicycle distribution programme for students scheduled there. After that the CM will be returning to Bolpur," the official said.
On Wednesday, Banerjee is likely to be present at another programme of the state government at Bolpur's Dakbangla Maidan, he said.
She will be staying at Bolpur in Birbhum district in all the three days of her tour.
Sources said that Banerjee is likely to meet Nobel laureate Amartya Sen at his Bolpur residence and is likely to return to the city on Wednesday evening. -- PTI
16:39 Rahul dares 'scared' BJP leaders to walk in J-K
A day after daring Union Home Minister Amit Shah to walk from Jammu to Srinagar's Lal Chowk, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed that no Bharatiya Janata Party leader can take a walk on the streets of Kashmir not because the people would not allow them to do so, but because they are scared.
Gandhi had on Sunday dared Amit Shah and other BJP leaders to take a walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk if the situation is so good in the Union Territory.
"Target killing and bomb blasts are happening in Jammu and Kashmir and if the security situation has improved then the conversation the security personnel are having with me should not have been required. If the situation is so good why don't the BJP people walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk? Why doesn't Amit Shah walk from Jammu to Kashmir if the situation is so secure? I don't think that argument holds," Congress MP had said.
Reiterating his remark during the closing ceremony of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar where the party hoisted the Tricolour at its office, Rahul Gandhi alleged that leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah cannot understand pain.
"PM Modi, Amit Shah, and RSS have not seen violence. We walked here for four days. I can guarantee you that no BJP leader can walk like this here, not because the people of J-K will not let them walk, but because they are scared," Rahul Gandhi said.
"Those who do violence like PM Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval, and RSS, cannot understand pain, but we can. We should stand against the ideology which tries to demolish the base of India," he said.
He also claimed that the security personnel suggested him to go to Kashmir in a vehicle and not on foot during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and said that Mahatma Gandhi taught him to live fearlessly and hence walked on foot.
"Security people had told me to go to Kashmir in a vehicle and not on foot. 3-4 days back, the administration told me that if I go on foot, a grenade would be hurled at me. I thought to give an opportunity to those who hate me, to change the colour of my white t-shirt to red," Gandhi said.
"My family taught me, and Gandhi ji taught me to live fearlessly, otherwise, that is not living. But it happened just as I expected, the people of J-K didn't give me a grenade but only love," he said.
Congress had earlier claimed a security lapse in the Bharat Jodo Yatra which had entered Kashmir last week.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the police personnel who were supposed to manage the crowd during the Yatra were nowhere to be seen. -- ANI
16:23 Flight carrying Shinde, Fadnavis returns to Mumbai
A flight carrying Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis returned to Mumbai on Monday after it encountered bad weather, an official from the CM's office said.
Shinde and Fadnavis were headed to Jamner in Jalgaon district to attend an event.
The flight took off from Mumbai, but had to return due to "bad weather," the official said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi
15:55 Can't discuss Chinese intrusion in Parl: Govt
The government on Monday said that matters regarding Chinese intrusions can't be discussed in Parliament as it concerns the security of the country.
According to the sources, in the all-party meeting held on Monday, the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party raised the issue of Chinese intrusions and asked for a discussion in Parliament.
"To this, the government responded by saying that some matters can't be discussed on the floor of the house as it concerns security," the source said.
However, while talking to reporters, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government is ready to discuss all the issues.
"37 leaders from 27 parties participated in the all-party meeting today. Today's meeting went well. I seek the cooperation of the opposition to run the House well. We are ready to discuss all issues," he added.
-- ANI
15:42 Slain Odisha minister's portfolios reallocated
A day after the death of Odisha's health minister Naba Kishore Das, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday allocated his portfolio to cabinet member Niranjan Pujari.
With the approval of Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, the CM asked Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Niranjan Pujari to additionally take charge of the health and family welfare department, said an official statement issued by the chief minister's office.
Das, 60, was shot at Brajrajnagar town on Sunday by an assistant sub-inspector of Police, who is believed to be suffering from a mental disorder.
The minister was holding the health portfolio since May 2019.
The number of members in the council of state ministers now comes down to 21 after the demise of Das.
15:23 17 killed, 95 hurt in blast in Pakistan mosque
A powerful suicide blast ripped through a mosque during afternoon prayers on Monday in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar, killing 17 people and wounding 95 others, mostly policemen, security and health officials said.
The blast occurred near the Police Lines area around 1.40 pm when a suicide attacker blew himself up during the zuhr (afternoon) prayers.
A police official said that a portion of the building collapsed and several people were believed to be under it.
According to hospital officials, 17 people were killed and 95 others injured in the blast. There were mostly policemen among the injured, said the eyewitness.
The injured are being shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, the officials said.
Hospital sources said 13 of those injured were in a critical condition.
An emergency has been declared in the hospitals of Peshawar.
The hospital has appealed citizens to donate blood for the victims.
-- PTI
Pic: MI KHan
15:19 Ladakh today was better off as part of J-K: Sonam Wangchuk
Innovator Sonam Wangchuk, whose life inspired a character in Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, has claimed that he has been placed under house arrest at his institute in Leh, a charge denied by the police which said he was only prevented from observing a five-day-long fast at Khardung La top.
The Ladakh-based innovator had announced a five-day long hunger strike at 18,380 feet high Khardung La from January 26 to invite attention of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre to the demands of the people of Ladakh, including extension of sixth schedule of the Constitution and environmental protection form unchecked industrial and commercial expansion, reports PTI.
In a video posted on Twitter, Wangchuk revealed shocking details from the bond the UT's administration wanted him to sign, and said that as of today Ladakh was better off when it was part of Jammu and Kashmir, but he said, he had no doubts that it will have a golden tomorrow.
14:34 Fire breaks out in another Mumbai highrise
A fire broke out in a flat in a 19-storey residential building in Mumbai on Monday, a fire official said. There was no report of any casualty, he said.
The fire brigade received a call at around 12.30 pm about the blaze in a flat on the seventh floor of Om Shiv Shakti housing society on M A Road in Sion Koliwada area in central Mumbai, the official said.
Four fire engines, a water tanker and other assistance were rushed to the spot and the blaze was put out by around 1.30 pm, he said.
It was a "level-1" (minor) fire, the official said, adding that no casualty was reported in the incident.
14:32 Amul doffs hat to Sania Mirza
Amul pays tribute to tennis icon Sania Mirza in its inimitable way.
Pic: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
14:27 In Srinagar Rahul narrates why he did not wear a sweater
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday narrated a story of four children he met during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and said that they were beggars who did not wear sweaters and were shivering in the winter, which inspired him not to wear a sweater during the yatra.
Gandhi's remarks came while addressing the concluding function of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, marking the end of the yatra.
"...Four children came to me. They were beggars and had no clothes on... I hugged them... They were cold and shivering. Maybe they didn't have food. I thought that if they're not wearing jackets or sweaters, I too shouldn't wear the same...," Gandhi said.
The Congress leader further narrated a story of a young girl who he met during the yatra and said that she gave him a note to read which talked about his "hurting" knees.
"I learned a lot. One day, I was in a lot of pain. I thought I've to walk for 6-7 hrs more & it'll be difficult. But a young girl came running to me and said that she has written something for me. She hugged me and ran away. I started reading it," Gandhi said.
"She wrote, "I can see your knee is hurting because when you put pressure on that leg, it shows on your face. I can't walk with you but I'm walking beside you from my heart because I know you're walking for me and my future. Right at that moment, my pain vanished," he added.
Earlier today, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the national flag in Srinagar at the party office in Srinagar. The tricolour was hoisted in the presence of party MP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
Srinagar had received heavy rain and snowfall on Sunday night and photographs from this morning showed the Gandhi siblings playing with snow at the Congress party headquarters.
Earlier Rahul Gandhi had also unfurled the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar as the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered its last leg in the Union territory on Sunday.
-- ANI
14:07 Congress no-show at govt's all-party meeting
An all-party meeting called by the government ahead of the Budget session of Parliament commenced on Monday morning.
Deputy Leader of the House, Rajnath Singh, Parliament Affairs minister, Pralhad Joshi, Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal, MoS, Parliamentary Affairs, Arjuna, Ram Meghwal, and V Muraleedharan were among those present for the meeting held at the Parliament house complex.
All top leaders from the opposition parties including DMK's TR Baalu, TMC leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, BRS leaders K Keshava Rao and Nama Nageswara Rao were in attendance.
Other party leaders who were present include Vijayasai Reddy from YSR Congress, Farooq Abdullah from the National Conference, Professor Manoj Jha from the RJD and Ram Nath Thakur of JDU. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) was represented by Priyanka Chaturvedi.
However, according to government sources, both Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were held up due to the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra that culminated in Srinagar today.
The all-party meeting customarily takes place ahead of every session of Parliament. During the meeting the government seeks cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament during the session.
Shankar Mishra
13:30 Peeing case: Court reserves order on Mishra's bail plea
A Delhi court on Monday reserved for January 31 its order on the bail application of Shankar Mishra, accused of urinating on a woman on board an Air India flight New York to New Delhi.
The police have opposed the bail application, saying India has been defamed internationally because of the incident.
"It may be disgusting but that is another matter, let's not get into that. Let's go into how the law deals with it," the judge said.
The judge also observed that the witnesses named by the prosecution "are not deposing in your (police) favour".
The police have also alleged that the accused threatened the complainant.
Mishra had sought bail, saying initially, the bail had been declined by a magisterial court because the investigation was pending.
"Now that's done and they have examined other crew members and witnesses. Also, they asked for reimbursement of the ticket and sought no action against me," the counsel said.
12:59 Will die rather than join hands with BJP: Nitish
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday ruled out the possibility of a realignment with the BJP, asserting that he will "rather die than join hands" with his former ally.
The Janata Dal-Uunited leader also reminded the saffron party that while in alliance it used to get votes of all his supporters, including Muslims who have always been "wary" of the BJP's Hindutva ideology.
He also scoffed at the BJP's claim that it would win 36 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state next year.
Kumar reiterated that his return to the NDA in 2017, following "baseless" corruption cases against his deputy Tejashwi Yadav and the latter's father Lalu Prasad, was a "mistake".
12:38 Rahul unfurls flag at Bharat Jodo Yatra campsite
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday hoisted the national flag at the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' camp site in Srinagar and followed it with a fun snowball fight with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Donning a white T-shirt and a sleeveless jacket, the former Congress chief hoisted the flag at the camp site in Panthachowk to the tunes of the national anthem played to mark the culmination of the yatra, amid a fresh snowfall in Srinagar.
In a brief address to the 'Bharat Yatris', Gandhi thanked them for their love, affection and support through the 136-day foot march, which began in Kanyakumari on September 7 last year.
The Gandhi siblings later joined Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and scores of other party leaders at the Pradesh Congress Committee office on the Maulana Azad Road where another flag hoisting ceremony was held.
The national anthem was playing after this.
The local administration had made stringent security arrangements for the programme as Lal Chowk was off limits for vehicular traffic for the second consecutive day.
Thousands of office goers had to foot the distance of around a kilometre or more to reach their work places in Lal Chowk and the adjoining areas.
Gandhi had on Sunday unfurled the national flag at the iconic clock tower in Lal Chowk to mark the end of the foot march of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. -- PTI
IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is covered in a Kashmiri pheran, a change from his T-shirt clad image, at the tricolour-hoisting ceremony at the party office Srinagar today. To his right is Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and behind them is Priyanka Gandhi. Photo: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
12:11 ASI who shot Odisha minister mentally ill: Wife
The wife of Gopal Das, the assistant sub-inpsector who shot Odisha Health Minister Naba Das, said that her husband suffered from mental disorder for the last eight years.
She also said that her husband was on medication and was doing fine.
The ASI's wife made the claims while speaking to the media on Sunday, and said that she was not aware about the reason behind her husband firing at the minister.
"My name is Jayanti Das. I heard the news, then what I will say. How can I say why did he take this step? I haven't spoken to him since morning. He spoke to my daughter on a video call at around 11 am today, but he disconnected suddenly. His mental condition was not good and he was taking medicines for the same. He was on medication for the last 8 years. He was behaving well after taking medicines," she claimed.
Health Minister Naba Das was shot at in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district and succumbed to his bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital on Sunday. -- ANI
11:40 SC to hear plea against blocking BBC's Modi docu
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear pleas challenging the Centre's decision to block a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala took note of the submissions of lawyer M L Sharma and senior advocate C U Singh seeking urgent listing of their separate PILs on the issue.
At the outset of the proceedings, lawyer Sharma, who has filed a PIL in his personal capacity, mentioned the plea, saying that people were being arrested.
"It will be listed on Monday," the CJI said.
Senior advocate C U Singh mentioned a separate plea on the issue filed by veteran journalist N Ram and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan.
He mentioned how the tweets by Ram and Bhushan were deleted allegedly by using emergency powers.
He also said that students in Ajmer were rusticated for streaming the BBC documentary.
"We will list," the CJI said.
Lawyer Sharma filed the PIL against the Centre's decision to block the documentary, alleging it was "mala fide, arbitrary and unconstitutional".
The PIL also urged the apex court to call and examine the BBC documentary -- both parts I and II -- and sought action against persons who were responsible and involved directly and indirectly with the 2002 Gujarat riots.
On January 21, the Centre issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary India: The Modi Question, according to sources.
-- PTI
Naba Kishore Das
10:50 Odisha govt to accord state honour to deceased minister
The Odisha government said state honour would be accorded to Naba Kishore Das, the health and family welfare minister who died in hospital hours after being shot by a policeman.
A government release said on Sunday evening there will be no official entertainment for three days from January 29-31 throughout the state.
'It has been decided by the Government of Odisha that as a mark of respect, state honour would be accorded to the departed dignitary. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of death in the state capital and on the day of funeral at the place where it takes place,' the release said.
The minister, 60, was shot at Brajrajnagar town around 1 pm by Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das, who is believed to be suffering from mental disorder.
A team of doctors at Apollo Hospital operated on the minister after he was airlifted from Jharsugada to Bhubaneshwar, but he eventually succumbed to injuries. -- PTI
10:24 Adani stocks witness mixed trends in early trade
Shares of Adani group companies witnessed mixed trends in early trade on Monday, with flagship Adani Enterprises surging 10 per cent even as most of the group firms fell, a day after it released a 413-page response to allegations of wrongdoing brought by a United States-based short seller Hindenburg Research.
Four of the Adani group companies were in the positive territory, while at least five others were in the red amid a positive trend in the broader market.
Adani Total Gas, Adani Transmission and Adani Green Energy fell up to 17 per cent in morning trade on the bourses.
On the BSE, Adani Enterprises climbed 10 per cent to Rs 3,038.35 apiece and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone also surged 10 per cent to Rs 658.45.
However, five other Adani group firms were trading in the negative territory.
Adani Power declined 5 per cent to Rs 235.65, Adani Transmission tumbled 13 per cent to Rs 1,746.70 and Adani Green Energy dropped 11 per cent to Rs 1,320.
Adani Total Gas fell 17 per cent to Rs 2,425 and Adani Wilmar shed nearly 5 per cent to Rs 491.45.
Shares of ACC Ltd jumped 9 per cent to Rs 2,055.10 and that of Ambuja Cements soared 10 per cent to Rs 419.25.
On Friday, the Adani group stocks fell up to 20 per cent and lost more than Rs 4.17 lakh crore from the combined market valuation of listed firms after Hindenburg Research made damaging allegations.
Meanwhile, equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, climbed in early trade on Monday, bouncing back from a two-day sharp fall in the market.
The 30-share BSE benchmark climbed 98.89 points to 59,429.79.
The broader NSE Nifty gained 46.35 points to 17,650.70. -- PTI
10:11 Brief emergency declared at Cochin airport
A full emergency was declared briefly at the Cochin International Airport here Sunday evening as an Air India Express flight from Sharjah experienced suspected hydraulic failure during landing, a CIAL spokesperson said.
All 183 passengers and six crew members onboard flight IX 412 were safe, an Air India Express spokesperson said.
A full emergency was declared at the international airport at 8.04 pm, the CIAL said, but added no runway was blocked or flights were diverted.
The emergency was withdrawn at 8.36 PM and air operations were declared normal, the CIAL added.
An Air India Express spokesperson said later in a statement that it was a normal landing at the scheduled arrival time (8.34 pm) and no urgency or emergency call was made by the pilot to the Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The spokesperson also clarified the Sharjah-Kochi route, did not make an emergency landing.
The pilot had noticed a fluctuation in the Hydraulic Pressure System and informed the ATC as a precautionary measure, he said.
The Air India Express spokesperson also said that following a normal landing in Kochi, the flight system was also checked and no anomalies were detected. -- PTI
09:27 Hindenburg to Adani: Can't obfuscate fraud by nationalism
Hindenburg Research has hit back at Adani group, saying 'fraud cannot be obfuscated by nationalism or bloated response that ignores every key allegation'.
Hindenburg's statement comes in response to Gautam Adani's group likenening the damning allegations made by the short-seller to a 'calculated attack' on India, its institutions and growth story.
The Adani Group called Hindenburg's allegations 'nothing but a lie'.
In a 413-page response, the Adani Group said the report was driven by 'an ulterior motive' to 'create a false market' to allow the United States firm to make financial gains. -- PTI
In a 413-page response, the Adani Group said the report was driven by 'an ulterior motive' to 'create a false market' to allow the United States firm to make financial gains. -- PTI
Chandrakant Patil
09:14 BJP leader compares Maha minister with Jyotiba Phule
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chitra Wagh has compared Maharashtra cabinet minister and her senior party colleague Chandrakant Patil with social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
Wagh, who heads the state BJP women's wing, made the comments on Sunday at a programme organised in Pune by local party leader Hemant Rasne which was also attended by Patil.
"We can see Savitribai (wife of Phule and pioneer of women's education in Maharashtra in the 19th century) in households, but a search is on for a Jyotiba (Phule) like Chandrakant Patil and BJP leader Hemant Rasne," she said.
Notably, state Higher and Technical Education Minister Patil, who is an MLA from Pune, had kicked up a row by commenting that B R Ambedkar and Jyotiba Phule did not seek government grants for running educational institutions, but they begged people to gather funds for starting schools and colleges.
The use of the word begged had stirred up a controversy, resulting in an ink attack on Patil.
Meanwhile, Wagh, who had filed a complaint against social media influencer Uorfi Javed for dressing 'improperly' in public, said the latter should be praised as she has started wearing full clothes.
"I never had any problem with that woman or with any religion. I had a problem with abnormality but now I think we should praise her because she is seen in full clothes now. I have received multiple photographs of her and I can see she's wearing good clothes," Wagh said responding to a query from reporters. -- PTI
08:28 Hindenburg allegations attack on India: Adani
Gautam Adani's group on Sunday likened the damning allegations made by short seller Hindenburg Research to a 'calculated attack' on India, its institutions and growth story, saying the allegations are 'nothing but a lie'.
In a 413-page response, Adani Group said the report was driven by 'an ulterior motive' to 'create a false market' to allow the United States firm to make financial gains.
'This is not merely an unwarranted attack on any specific company but a calculated attack on India, the independence, integrity and quality of Indian institutions, and the growth story and ambition of India,' it said.
Stating that the allegations in Hindenburg Research's January 24 report are 'nothing but a lie', it said the document is 'a malicious combination of selective misinformation and concealed facts relating to baseless and discredited allegations to drive an ulterior motive'.
'This is rife with conflict of interest and intended only to create a false market in securities to enable Hindenburg, an admitted short seller, to book massive financial gain through wrongful means at the cost of countless investors,' it said.
It went on to question the credibility and ethics of Hindenburg, and said the mala fide intention underlying the report were apparent given its timing when Adani Enterprises Limited is undertaking one of the largest ever further public offering of equity shares in India.
'Hindenburg has not published this report for any altruistic reasons but purely out of selfish motives and in flagrant breach of applicable securities and foreign exchange laws,' it said.
'The report is neither 'independent' nor 'objective' nor 'well researched'.'
Activist short seller Hindenburg Research, the firm which caught global attention with takedowns of electric-vehicle makers Nikola and Lordstown Motors, alleged in a report on Wednesday that its two-year investigation found the Adani Group 'engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades'.
The report by the tiny New York firm that specialises in short selling has led to Adani group losing more than $50 billion in market value in just two trading sessions and Adani himself losing in excess of $20 billion, or about one-fifth of his total fortune.
Hindenburg called out the conglomerate's 'substantial debt', which includes pledging shares for loans; that Adani's brother Vinod 'manages a vast labyrinth of offshore shell entities' that move billions into group companies without required disclosure; and that its auditor 'hardly seems capable of complex audit work'.
Of the 88 questions raised by Hindenburg, 65 of them relate to matters that have been duly disclosed by Adani portfolio companies, Adani Group said.
'Of the balance 23 questions, 18 relate to public shareholders and third parties (and not the Adani portfolio companies), while the balance 5 are baseless allegations based on imaginary fact patterns.'
It listed questions from the report and dismissed them as 'false suggestions based on malicious misrepresentation of governance practices' or 'manipulated narrative around unrelated third party entities' or 'biased and unsubstantiated rhetoric'.
'We reaffirm that we are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We are committed to the highest levels of governance to protect the interests of all our stakeholders,' it said.
'The Adani Portfolio also has very strong internal controls and audit controls. All the listed companies of Adani Portfolio have a robust governance framework.'
The focus of the Adani portfolio and the Adani verticals is to contribute to nation building and take India to the world, it said.
'We will exercise our rights to pursue remedies to safeguard our stakeholders before all appropriate authorities and we reserve our rights to respond further to any of the allegations or contents of the Hindenburg report or to supplement this statement,' it added. -- PTI
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