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"Parachute Economist": Raghuram Rajan Under Fire For Remarks On India

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'Parachute Economist': Raghuram Rajan Criticised For Remarks On India's Growth

New Delhi:

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has come under fire for his remarks on India’s growth and saying that there are significant structural problems that need to be fixed. India is making a big mistake believing the “hype” around its strong economic growth and that many years of hard work still remain to make it real, Mr Rajan said in an interview with Bloomberg.

The 61-year-old economist said that India needs to first improve its structural problems, including poor education and skills of the workforce, to meet its true potential. The new government sworn in after the 2024 general elections, as per Raghuram Rajan, must prioritise fixing these pending issues.

Mr Rajan said it is unlikely that India will not be a developed economy by 2047 adding that it would be “nonsense” to talk of that goal “if so many of your kids don’t have a high school education and drop-out rates remain high.”

His remarks have sparked a row with some economists calling his arguments “silly” and not related to the ground reality in India.

“Silly arguments by RR (Raghuram Rajan), school dropout rates are down,college enrolment increased,huge jobs created, Wrong comparison about chil subsidy given over many years,to annual spend on HE,” said Mohandas Pai, Chairperson of Manipal Global Education.

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NITI Ayog member and macroeconomist Arvind Virmani also said that Raghuram Rajan’s comments seemed like those made by global experts who have never been to India.

“During the 1990s BOP crisis, we used to have a word for visiting WB, IMF and other MDB economists: “Parachute economists” . Sad that a former RBI Governor sounds like that to someone who has worked on Indian economy for 1/2 a century,” Mr Virmani said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Mr Rajan, who is a professor of finance at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, had summarised that India needs to put more effort to achieve 8 per cent growth on a sustainable basis. He also criticised the government for its focus on high-profile projects like chip manufacturing instead of doing the work to fix the education system.

India

Sitharaman declines Lok Sabha candidacy due to financial constraints

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“At the Times Now summit, Nirmala Sitharaman revealed that her party had approached her about contesting in the south, specifically in Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh. After considering for some time, she eventually declined the offer.

Published Date – 28 March 2024, 12:30 PM


Sitharaman declines Lok Sabha candidacy due to financial constraints


New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that she would not contest the Lok Sabha election, adding that Bharatiya Janata Party asked her to contest the polls from Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh.

“Party did ask me, after thinking over a week or days, I just went back to say …may be not. Because my party president asked me, would you want to contest somewhere in the south-option is somewhere in South, Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh”, said Nirmala Sitharaman while speaking at the Times Now summit.

“But I don’t have that kind of money to contest, I also have a problem because whether it is Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, there is also going to be a question of various winability criteria that they use, are you from this community or from that religion. I said no I dont think I am going to be able to do it. The party was graceful enough and I am very grateful to accept my argument, and I am not contesting”, the Union Finance Minister said.

When asked why she does not have enough funds to contest elections, Sitharaman said, “My salary, my earnings, and my savings are mine and not the Consolidated Fund of India.”

Nirmala Sitharaman has served as the Union Defence Minister. In 2014, she was elected as Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. She has also served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs and later the Minister for Commerce and Industry with Independent Charge.

As the Defence Minister, Sitharaman is credited with expediting the decision-making process relating to procurement in defence sector. She constituted a Defence Planning Committee to formulate an “action plan” to effectively overcome with various security challenges facing the nation.

Sitharaman joined the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in 2008 and has served as a national spokesperson for the party since 2010.

Sitharaman was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on August 18, 1959. She completed her graduation from Seethalakshmi Ramasamy College, Tiruchirappalli and obtained her M.A. (Economics) from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
On March 2, Bharatiya Janata Party released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi again.

Of 195 candidates, 34 are Ministers from Centre and States, while two are former Chief Ministers who are on the list.
Home Minister Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar, while Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will contest from Porbandar.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar will contest from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contest from Dibrugarh, Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh. Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s daughter Bansuri Swaraj has been fielded from New Delhi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will contest from Lucknow, Smriti Irani will again contest from Amethi. Ajay Mishra Teni,MOS Home will again contest from Khiri. BJP leader Alok Sharma to contest from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh while former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to contest from Vidisha. Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined BJP from Congress in 2020, to contest from Guna in Madhya Pradesh.

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AR Rahman’s motivational song ‘Team India’ from ‘Maidaan’ out now

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At the summit, AR Rahman unveiled the debut song from the sports biopic ‘Maidaan,’ produced by Boney Kapoor. The film, starring Ajay Devgn, chronicles the life of Syed Abdul Rahim, the esteemed coach of India’s national football team.

Updated On – 28 March 2024, 11:21 AM


AR Rahman’s motivational song ‘Team India’ from ‘Maidaan’ out now


Mumbai: Music maestro AR Rahman appeared at the Times Now Summit 2024 in Delhi, where he launched the latest track from the sports biopic ‘Maidaan’, titled ‘Team India,’ inspired by the life of Syed Abdul Rahim, portrayed by Ajay Devgn.

During the summit, AR Rahman introduced the first song from the sports biopic Maidaan, which is produced by Boney Kapoor and centers around the life of Syed Abdul Rahim, the revered coach of the Indian national football team, with Ajay Devgn in the lead role. Rahman described the song ‘Team India’ as a stirring sports anthem evoking feelings of patriotism.

Rahman shared that the movie and its song honoured the essence of football and the character played by Devgn. He mentioned that it took four attempts to finalize the song, unlike the previous ones composed during COVID.

Rahman also added that the film Maidaan, produced by Boney Kapoor, is more than just a sports movie, as it encompasses elements of humanity and romance, featuring Priyamani in a remarkable role as Syed Abdul Rahim’s wife. The long-awaited sports drama will hit theatres on April 10, starring Devgn, Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Rudranil Ghosh. Initially, Keerthi Suresh was set to play opposite Devgn, but Priyamani took over the role of Runa.

Based on a true story, ‘Maidaan’ is directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, and also features Priyamani, and Gajraj Rao along with Bengali actor Rudranil Ghosh in pivotal roles.

The film boasts a musical score by Oscar-winner AR Rahman. In 2020, producer Boney Kapoor had to dismantle the film set due to the lockdown imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic. In May 2021, the set of Maidaan was destroyed by Cyclone Tauktae.

Finally, the movie is all set to be released in theatres in April 2024.

Hyderabad

Elderly carpenter killed as van mows down him in Asifabad

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Jamboju Prabhakar died on the spot when he came under the wheels of the van.

Published Date – 28 March 2024, 12:23 PM


Elderly carpenter killed as van mows down him in Asifabad


Kumram Bheem Asifabad: A 66-year old carpenter was killed on the spot when a cattle-laden van mowed down him while walking on the road in Wankidi mandal centre on Wednesday night.

Wankidi Sub-Inspector Dolakasi Sagar, in a press statement, said that Jamboju Prabhakar of mandal headquarters died on the spot when he came under the wheels of the van. The carpenter was returning from Laxminagar at the time of the mishap. Van, coming from Maharashtra was heading to Hyderabad.

Rash and negligent driving by the driver of the van is suspected to be the cause of the mishap. Satthemma, wife of Prabhakar, lodged a complaint with the police. A case of hit and run was registered against the driver. Investigations were taken up.

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RR vs DC, IPL 2024: Predicted Playing XIs Of Both Teams

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Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ninth match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday, March 28. Led by captain Sanju Samson, the Royals started their IPL 2024 campaign in an emphatic fashion as they defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 20 runs at home on Sunday. With two points on the board, RR are placed second on the IPL 2024 standings.

On the other hand, the Rishabh Pant-led Capitals will look to bounce back after suffering a four-wicket defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday.

Having yet to open their account, DC are currently languishing ninth on the IPL 2024 standings.

Ahead of another enthralling IPL 2024 clash, we look at the predicted XIs of both sides.

RR Predicted XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Flamboyant opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal slammed a quick-fire 12-ball 24 against LSG in their opening fixture. Jaiswal will hope to provide another blitzkrieg start against DC on Thursday.

Jos Buttler

Swashbuckling England batter Jos Buttler is once again expected to open the proceedings for the Royals. Buttler, who was dismissed cheaply against LSG, will aim to score big and provide a perfect start for the inaugural IPL champions.

Sanju Samson (captain/wicketkeeper)

RR captain Sanju Samson played a match-winning knock in their IPL 2024 opener. Batting at number three, Sanju scored an unbeaten 82 off just 52 balls to power RR to 193/4 in their 20 overs. His knock was laced with three fours and six maximums. He will look to continue his scintillating form against DC.

Riyan Parag

Young Riyan Parag was another standout batter for the Royals against LSG. Parag stitched an impressive 93-run stand with skipper Samson for the third wicket. The dashing right-handed batter scored 43 off 29 balls, including one four and three sixes.

Shimron Hetmyer

West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer will retain his place in the Royals’ playing XI despite failing in their opening game. The 27-year-old amassed 300 runs in 14 matches last season at a strike rate of 152.28 while also maintaining an average of 37.50.

Dhruv Jurel

Dhruv Jurel impressed for the Royals against LSG in Jaipur. Batting at number six, Jurel smashed 20 runs off just 12 balls to propel RR to a strong total. He will aim to continue his good form against a star-studded DC bowling line-up.

Ravichandran Ashwin

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was a touch expensive against Lucknow Super Giants. While Ashwin bagged the huge wicket of Marcus Stoinis, he conceded 35 runs in his quota of four overs. However, he will play a key role with a few left-handers in DC’s playing XI.

Sandeep Sharma

Experienced right-arm pacer Sandeep Sharma bowled brilliantly in RR’s opening game. The Patiala-born cricketer picked up the massive wicket of LSG skipper KL Rahul as he finished with figures of 3-0-22-1 on Sunday. He will look to add to his tally against DC.

Avesh Khan

India international Avesh Khan was economical for RR in their IPL 2024 opener. The 27-year-old right-arm fast bowler chipped in with some good overs to finish with figures of 3-0-21-0 on Sunday. He will aim to pick some wickets in their upcoming encounter.

Trent Boult

New Zealand’s star pacer Trent Boult has been RR’s bowling spearhead since 2022. The left-arm fast bowler once again provided early breakthroughs for the Royals as he dismissed LSG’s Quinton de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal in his opening two overs.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal has already bagged 188 IPL wickets in just 146 matches. The right-arm leg-spinner once again began the new season on a good note as he bowled an effective spell against LSG. Chahal got the wicket of Deepak Hooda to finish with figures of 3-0-25-1.

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Nandre Burger/Rovman Powell

DC Predicted XI

David Warner

Australia’s star opening batter David Warner will once again hold the key for DC in the batting department. Warner hammered 29 runs off 21 balls against PBKS in their opening fixture. Interestingly, the southpaw is the all-time leading overseas run-getter, having amassed 6,426 runs in 177 matches.

Mitchell Marsh

For DC, Australia’s T20I captain Mitchell Marsh will open the innings with Warner. In their opening game, Marsh scored a blitzkrieg 12-ball 20 before he fell to Arshdeep Singh. He will look to score big to cement his place in the Capitals’ starting XI.

Shai Hope

West Indies cricketer Shai Hope is expected to retain his place in DC’s starting XI. Batting at number three, Hope scored 33 runs off 25 balls against PBKS. His impressive knock included two fours and as many sixes.

Rishabh Pant (captain/wicketkeeper)

DC captain Rishabh Pant made a quiet comeback to cricket after 453 days. Pant came into bat at number four and scored a 13-ball 18 before he was dismissed by Harshal Patel in the 13th over. In his short stay at the crease, Pant slammed a few scintillating shots. He will look to bat longer against RR on Thursday.

Ricky Bhui

Indian cricketer Ricky Bhui could be given another opportunity after he was dismissed cheaply against PBKS in their IPL 2024 opener. Having faced seven deliveries, Bhui managed just three runs against Punjab in DC’s opening clash. He will be eager to impress if given another chance.

Tristan Stubbs

New recruit Tristan Stubbs was also back in the pavilion for a low score on his DC debut on Saturday. Batting at number six, the South African cricketer could add just five runs off eight balls that he faced. He lost his wicket to PBKS leg-spinner Rahul Chahar. Stubbs will be raring to go against RR in Jaipur.

Axar Patel

Star all-rounder Axar Patel once again contributed with both bat and ball in DC’s opening encounter. Axar came out to bat at No.7 and scored 21 off just 13 balls, laced with two fours and one six to guide his side to a fighting total. He later bowled an economical spell as he finished with figures of 4-0-25-0. Axar will aim to chip in with few scalps against RR.

Sumit Kumar

DC all-rounder Sumit Kumar made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. While Sumit failed to impress on his debut, he could be given another opportunity against the Royals.

Kuldeep Yadav

Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the wrecker-in-chief for DC in their IPL 2024 opener. The 29-year-old bagged the wickets of Prabhsimran Singh and wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma to finish with brilliant figures of 4-0-20-2. Kuldeep could trouble the RR batters in Jaipur.

Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed was the other standout bowler for DC in their previous game. Khaleel was given the new ball and he later ended his spell with important scalps. Despite being a touch expensive, the left-arm pacer removed Sam Curran and Shashank Singh to keep DC in the game. He will look to provide early breakthroughs against RR.

Mukesh Kumar

India international Mukesh Kumar is expected to replace injured Ishant Sharma in DC’s starting XI on Thursday. The right-arm pacer scalped seven wickets in 10 matches last season for the Capitals. Despite his high economy, Mukesh has a knack for picking wickets.

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Abishek Porel/Vicky Ostwal

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World

Canadian PM on Nijjar’s Killing: Aims for constructive engagement with Indian Govt

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Trudeau was questioned about India’s cooperation in the investigation into the assassination of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, amid allegations and expectations for Canada to conclude its own investigation first.

Published Date – 28 March 2024, 12:10 PM


Canadian PM on Nijjar’s Killing: Aims for constructive engagement with Indian Govt


Ottawa: Responding to the update on the investigation regarding the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after taking a long pause, said that they are looking to work constructively with the Indian government to get to the bottom of the matter, according to the Canada-based media channel, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).

Trudeau was asked, “how is India’s cooperation shaping up on the assassination investigations of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar when Canada has credible allegations and India expects Canada to complete its own investigation first?”

The Canadian PM said, “The killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is something that we all should take extremely seriously.”

“The credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved in–that is something that we did not declare lightly, but our responsibility to protect all Canadians from illegal actions by foreign governments is something that, as a country grounded in diversity, we need to take very seriously,” he added.

Further, he said that the Canadian government is ensuring that appropriate investigations are being done, according to a video shared by the CPAC.

“That’s why we’ve been unequivocal about standing up for the rule of law and ensuring that the appropriate investigations are being done in full accordance with our justice system and our police independence,” Canadian PM Trudeau Justin Trudeau said.

Moreover, Trudeau said that they are working constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this.

“At the same time, we are working. We’re looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this, to understand how this could have happened, and to make sure that no Canadians are ever vulnerable again to foreign interference by any international power,” he added.

The apparent targeted killing of the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara ultimately led to accusations from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the government of India had a hand in the killing–a claim that has been denied by India–and has led to the deterioration of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Earlier this month, purported video footage of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar surfaced, showing Nijjar being shot by armed men in what has been described as a ‘contract killing’, Canada-based CBC News reported.

Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023.

The attack is described as being ‘highly coordinated’ and involved six men and two vehicles.

Meanwhile, almost nine months later, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is yet to name suspects or make arrests in relation to Nijjar’s killing.

However, India has rejected the allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated.”

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Canada has not been able to present any evidence to back its claims over the killing.

Middle East

Attacking hospitals in Gaza part of Zionists' tragic genocide

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Nasser Kan’ani wrote in his X account late Wednesday that the Zionist regime has purposefully targeted 33 hospitals in the Gaza Strip, making them unable to provide medical services according to official reports since the beginning of the war against the Gaza Strip.

Zionists acted insanely against the hospitals and medical centers of the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours including continuing the siege of Shafa Hospital, intensifying military operations against it, and burning the surgical building of this hospital last night, he said, adding that the siege and bombing of Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, attacking Nasser Hospital and arresting displaced and injured people in there including the medical staff of this hospital were among Zionist crimes.

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Palestine wrote that the mass of evidence regarding Israel’s international crimes in the Gaza Strip over the past six months may preoccupy the International Criminal Court for the next five decades, Kan’ani pointed out.

Iranian diplomat noted that the most frequent question of the public opinion of the world is whether the international assemblies and institutions have a practical responsibility to create deterrence and stop this open genocide other than declaring political positions, issuing statements, or passing resolutions.

SD/Spox. Channel

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Emmanual Macron-Lula Da Silva's "Bromance" Pics Go Viral On Social Media

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France's Macron, Brazil's Lula's 'Bromance' Pics Go Viral On Social Media

Rio De Janiero:

Wedding photos or a diplomatic visit? The apparent “bromance” between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has set social media fans alight.

During his three-day visit to Brazil, 46-year-old Macron was pictured smiling and warmly embracing Lula, 78, during a trip to the Amazonian rainforest.

Many of the images have since circulated wildly among social media users in Brazil alongside montages and witty comments.

One picture showing the leaders raising their arms underneath a large tree has been edited to show them holding red balloons in the shape of a heart.

Another portrays the pair hand in hand, smiling as they look at the horizon while floating in a boat along the Amazon River.

“They are going to marry in the Amazon and have their honeymoon in Paris,” joked one user on X, while others said pictures from the trip could make up a wedding album.

Macron’s warm relations with Lula mark a departure from the frosty ties between the French leader and Brazil’s former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, who led the country from 2019 to 2022.

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His trip, which will end Thursday in Brasilia when he meets Lula at the presidential palace, saw the two leaders announce a billion-dollar green investment plan for the Amazon.

France, the seventh-largest economy in the world, and Brazil, the ninth-largest, are considered key players in a geopolitical scene marked by rivalry between China and the United States.

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Paris sees Brasilia as a bridge to large emerging economies whose voices Brazil is trying to amplify through its presidency of the G20, and membership of the BRICS+ group.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Sports

IPL 2024: MI skipper Hardik Pandya showers praise on Sunrisers Hyderabad

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Pandya describes Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium wicket as ‘good’ during post-match presentation.

Published Date – 28 March 2024, 11:50 AM


IPL 2024: MI skipper Hardik Pandya showers praise on Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabads Jaydev Unadkat (2L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya (R) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Photo: AFP

Hyderabad: Following his side’s 31-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya heaped praise on Hyderabad and said that they batted well.

While speaking at the post-match presentation, Pandya said that the wicket was ‘good’ at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

He accepted that they have a ‘young bowling attack’ and they will learn from the 31-run loss against the Hyderabad-based franchise.

The MI skipper showered praise on the Proteas pacer Kwena Maphaka and said that he was ‘fantastic’ in the game.

“Not really (thought SRH would score 277 at the toss). Wicket was good, 277 no matter how bad or good you bowl, if the opposition has to score that much, they have batted well. They (the bowlers) were good, it was tough out there, almost 500 runs were scored and the wicket was helping the batters, we could have done a few things here and there, but having said that, we have a young bowling attack and we will learn. If the ball goes this many times into the crowd, you will need time to get the overs done. Everyone (the batters) looked good and it is just a matter of time before we put things right. He (Kwena Maphaka) was fantastic, coming into his first game and getting overwhelmed, he was alright and backed his skillset, just needs some game time,” Pandya said.

Recapping the match, MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and asked the hosts, SRH, to bat first at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Openers Mayank Aggarwal and Travis Head played attacking shots from the start of the inning. They built a partnership of 45 runs in just 4 overs before Mayank was dismissed on the first ball of the inning by Hardik.

Markram came to support Abhishek after Head’s wicket. Both batters played brilliantly and put on a partnership of 48 runs in just 19 balls before Abhishek was dismissed after playing a marvellous inning of 63 runs in just 23 balls with the help of seven maximums and three boundaries.

Following Abhishek’s wicket, Klassen came into the middle to bat along with Markram. Both of them built an unbeaten partnership of 116 runs off just 55 balls. Markram and Klaasen were on the crease and powered Hyderabad to a total of 277/3 after the end of the 20th over.

During the run chase, Rohit Sharma (26 runs from 12 balls) and Ishan Kishan (34 balls from 13 balls) opened for the visitors and gave the Mumbai-based franchise a fiery start. However, two quick dismissals helped Hyderabad to make a comeback in the match. Tilak Varma (64 runs from 34 balls) was the only standout batter for Mumbai. He slammed two fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 188.24 during his time on the crease. Tim David (42 runs from 22 balls) tried to make a partnership with Tilak but still failed to chase the high-scoring target. Jaydev Unadkat and Pat Cummins led the Hyderabad bowling attack as they scalped two wickets each in their respective spells.

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Lawyers Write To Chief Justice, Claim Group Trying To "Pressure" Judiciary

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Lawyers Write To Chief Justice Of India, Claim Group Trying To 'Pressure' Judiciary

Lawyers have written to the CJI alleging a “vested interest group” is trying to pressure the judiciary

New Delhi:

A group of lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, have written to the Chief Justice of India, alleging that a “vested interest group” is trying to pressure the judiciary and defame courts “on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas”.

“Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric,” their letter, dated March 26, addressed to CJI DY Chandrachud said.

The letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by the day and then try to influence judges through the media at night.

This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present, the letter said, claiming that their comments are aimed at influencing courts and embarrassing them for political gains.

The group of lawyers, who are behind the letter titled “Judiciary Under Threat-Safeguarding Judiciary from Political and Professional Pressure”, number around 600 and also include Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swarupama Chaturvedi, the official sources told Press Trust of India.

Though the lawyers behind the letter have mentioned no specific cases, the development comes at a time when courts are dealing with several high-profile criminal cases of corruption involving opposition leaders.

Opposition parties have accused the central government of targeting their leaders as part of its political vendetta, a charge refuted by the ruling BJP. These parties, whose ranks include some noted lawyers, have joined hands against the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Targeting critics, these lawyers have accused them of suggesting that courts in the past were easier to influence. This shakes the public’s trust in courts, they said.

“Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary,” they said in their letter to CJI Chandrachud.

They have also concocted an entire theory of “bench fixing” which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous but an attack on the honour and dignity of courts, the letter said.

“They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices,” it said.

These critics have adopted the “my way or the highway” approach at work as they hail the decisions they agree with, but any decision they disagree with, is trashed, smeared and disregarded, they said.

“This two-faced behaviour is harmful to the respect a common man should have for our legal system,” the letter said and claimed that this cherry picking has been visible in very recent judgments too.

“Some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on them to decide in a particular way,” they alleged in the letter.

Questioning the timing, the lawyers said it is all happening when the country is headed for the elections.

“We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their ‘hit and run’ activities, including fabricating wrong narratives. These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances,” they said.

They urged the Supreme Court to stand strong and take steps to protect courts from these alleged attacks.

“Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm. This is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening since few years and too frequently,” they said, adding that the CJI’s leadership is crucial in these “tough times”.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)