The 96-year-old leader is in a private ward under the care of the Urology Department, sources said.
Updated On – 27 June 2024, 03:07 PM
New Delhi:Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani was admitted to the AIIMS here late on Wednesday night, sources said, adding that the condition of the former Deputy Prime Minister is stable.
The 96-year-old leader has been kept in a private ward under the supervision of doctors of the Urology Department, the sources said.
He served as the Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 and was recently conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, by President Droupadi Murmu. He also served as BJP President three times.
Call actor’s fans ‘celebrities’, urges them to stay calm and focus on doing good deeds
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 09:27 AM
Actor Darshan being taken to a Bengaluru court in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, in Bengaluru. — Photo:ANI
Bengaluru: The wife of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who has been arrested in a murder case, has urged his fans to stay calm and focus on doing good deeds.
Vijayalakshmi shared a fan art on her Instagram account along with a message in which she called her husband’s fans “celebrities” and said that the actor was “touched” by the support he was getting.
“Call for all our celebrities. You all know how much Darshan loves you. It is sad that we are in this situation today and that we have to stay at a distance from him. I have spoken to him in detail about the situation outside and it has touched his heart,” Vijayalakshmi said.
Darshan has urged all his celebrities to stay calm and focus on doing good deeds. He is sure that he will be a part of your prayers, she said.
“We have immense faith in the judicial system of our nation and am sure there will be brighter days ahead. I firmly believe that those attempting to harm Darshan through words/action during his absence will be taken care of by Mother Chamundeshwari,” she said.
Vijayalakshmi urged the actor’s fans to keep supporting him in these hard times, saying, “Your being calm will be our biggest strength. This too shall pass. Truth will Triumph.” A total of 17 people, including Darshan and his friend Pavithra Gowda, are accused in the alleged killing of Renukaswamy.
According to police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June 9. Darshan and the other accused are currently in judicial custody.
The findings come a few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term in office
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 09:41 AM
Representational Image
Washington: The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an organisation India has strongly criticised in the past, has again raised ‘concerns’ over religious freedoms, citing the alleged rise in ‘hate speech‘, demolitions and anti-conversion laws.
The report annually surveys religious freedoms around the world and aims to provide a “fact-based, comprehensive view of the state of religious freedom” in nearly 200 countries and territories.
The findings come a few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term in office and India and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in high technology areas during a visit by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan to New Delhi.
“In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at an event in Washington on Monday.
The US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain also expressed concerns about the situation in India. “In India, Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges,” he said.
Earlier in May, India rejected a similar report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “reinforcing discriminatory nationalist policies” and termed the organisation “biased” with “political agenda.”
“The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is known as a biased organization with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as part of an annual report,” MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing.
“We really have no expectation that USCIRF will even seek to understand India’s diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos. Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed,” he added.
The USCIRF had then alleged that the Indian government “failed to address” communal violence disproportionately affecting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Jews, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples) in 2023.
Among its key findings, the report calls out several countries including India, China, Russia, and Iran for violations of explicitly targeting members from certain faith communities. A detailed section of the report also mentioned the alleged “targeted attacks against religious minorities in India.”
The report expresses several concerns over India’s religious freedom. It claims religious conversion is “legally prohibited” in multiple States, religious minorities are “attacked on a regular basis”, and alleges that Muslims face systemic discrimination.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also noted that in the United States, hate crimes against both Muslims and Jews “have gone up dramatically.” The US also raised concerns about Pakistan, where Blinken condemned blasphemy laws that “help foster a climate of intolerance and hatred that can lead to vigilantism and mob violence.”
Secretary Blinken also mentioned the imprisonment and exile of Muslim Uyghurs in China, as well as the repression of Tibetan Buddhists, Christians and Falun Gong practitioners.
Clad in black shirts, the MLAs, who have been suspended from ongoing Assembly session for disrupting proceedings, begin fast at Rajarathinam stadium
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 10:02 AM
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with party MLAs, wearing black shirts protest against the Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy, at the State Assembly in Chennai. Photo: ANI
Chennai: Led by party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, AIADMK MLAs and party workers commenced their hunger strike here on Thursday to seek a CBI investigation into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.
Clad in black shirts, the AIADMK legislators, who have been suspended from the ongoing Assembly session for disrupting proceedings, began their fast here by 9 am at the Rajarathinam stadium.
The fast is also to condemn the ‘denial of permission’ to raise the issue in the State Assembly, according to the main opposition party.
Palaniswami had said on Wednesday that ‘denying a honest debate’ over the hooch tragedy, that has reportedly left over 60 dead, and evicting and suspending AIADMK MLAs was against democracy.
The former Chief Minister condemned what he described as ‘diversionary politics’ of the DMK government rather than taking action over hooch deaths. The hunger strike is likely to end by 5 pm on Thursday.
Expresses displeasure that keeping people behind bars “without trial” has continued in the country since the British rule
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 10:09 AM
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen
Kolkata: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has asserted the recent Lok Sabha poll results point to the fact that India is not a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.
He also expressed displeasure that keeping people behind bars “without trial” has continued in the country since the British rule and it is more in practice under the BJP government in comparison to the Congress regime.
“That India is not a Hindu Rashtra only has been reflected in the election results,” Sen told a Bengali news channel at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here.
The 90-year-old economist arrived in Kolkata from the US on Wednesday evening. “We always hope to see a change after every election. Some of what happened earlier (during the BJP-led central government) like putting people behind bars without trial, and widening the gap between the rich and poor, are still continuing. That must stop,” he said.
The eminent economist said there is a need to be politically open-minded, especially when India is a secular country with a secular Constitution. “I do not think the idea of turning India into a Hindu Rashtra is appropriate,” Sen said. He was also of the opinion that the new Union Cabinet is “a copy of the earlier one”.
“The Ministers continue to hold similar portfolios. Despite a slight reshuffle, the politically powerful are still powerful,” he said. Sen recalled that during his childhood when India was under the British rule, people were jailed without any trial.
“When I was young, many of my uncles and cousins were put in jail without trial. We had hoped that India would be free from this. Congress is also to blame for the fact that this did not stop. They didn’t change it… But, this is more in practice under the present government,” the Nobel laureate said.
On the BJP losing the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat despite building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Sen said attempts were made to overshadow the country’s true identity.
“… Building the Ram Temple spending so much money… to portray India as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ should not have happened in the country of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It shows an attempt to neglect India’s true identity, and it must change,” he said.
Sen also said that unemployment was on the rise in India, and sectors like primary education and primary healthcare were being neglected.
Party leader Sandeep Pathak says President and Constitution are supreme, important to raise voices when dictatorship is done in the name of justice
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 10:19 AM
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal being produced before the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with a money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy, in New Delhi. Photo: PTI
New Delhi: After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to three days’ CBI remand by the Rouse Avenue Court in the Delhi excise policy case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced that its MPs would boycott President Droupadi Murmu‘s address to the joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday.
This will be the first presidential address after the formation of the third National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Following the President’s address, a Motion of Thanks will be moved in both Houses of Parliament, which will be discussed by the members.
AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said the President and the Constitution are supreme and when dictatorship is done in the name of justice, it is important to raise voices.
“Today (Thursday), we will protest in the Rajya Sabha against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and we will boycott the President’s address. The President and the Constitution are supreme and when dictatorship is done in the name of justice, it is important to raise our voices,” he said.
When asked whether other parties of the I.N.D.I.A bloc will also protest in Rajya Sabha, Pathak said, “We did not have a discussion with the remaining parties of the I.N.D.I.A alliance regarding this but our party will boycott the President’s address”.
Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Wednesday sent Kejriwal to three days CBI remand in connection with the excise policy case.
Vacation Judge Amitabh Rawat, after taking note of all the submissions of both sides, allowed Kejriwal to be on CBI remand till June 29.
During the remand period, the court allowed Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to meet him for 30 minutes and his lawyer to meet him every day for 30 minutes. The court has also allowed him to carry his prescribed medicines during the remand period.
During the hearing, Kejriwal himself addressed the court and said, “CBI is claiming that I have made a statement against Manish Sisodia, which is completely false. Manish Sisodia Nirdosh hai, Aam Aadmi Party Nirdosh hai. Main bhi nirdosh hun. Iss Tarah ke statements hamme media me badnam Karne ke liye diye ja rahe hai (Manish Sisodia is innocent, Aam Aadmi Party is innocent. I am also innocent. statements are being given in the media to defame us.)”
He also added “CBI sources ke hawale se media me hamme badnam kar rahe rahe hai. Inka plan hai ki media front page ye chala de ki Kejriwal ne sara thikra Manish Sisodia pe daal diya. (They are tarnishing our image in the media by using unnamed sources. They plan to make it headline news that Kejriwal has shifted all the blame to Manish Sisodia.)”
However, the Court said,” I have read your statement… you have not said this.”
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail order passed by the trial court, saying that the trial court should have at least recorded its satisfaction with the fulfilment of twin conditions of Section 45 of the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before passing the impugned order.
AAP MP says President and Constitution are supreme and when dictatorship is done in the name of justice, it is important to raise voices
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 11:21 AM
AAP leader Sanjay Singh along with other party leaders protests against the Central Government over the alleged misuse of CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the Parliament House complex, in New Delhi. — Photo:PTI
The party MPs were seen holding placards that read, “Stop misusing ED and CBI“, and “Dictatorship will not work”. AAP leader Sandeep Pathak also said that the party MPs would boycott the President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament.
This will be the first Presidential address after the formation of the third National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Following the President’s address, a motion of thanks will be moved in both Houses of Parliament, which will be discussed by the members.
Pathak said that the President and the Constitution are supreme and when dictatorship is done in the name of justice, it is important to raise voices. “Today we will protest in the Rajya Sabha against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and we will boycott the President’s address. The President and the Constitution are supreme and when dictatorship is done in the name of justice, it is important to raise our voices,” he said.
When asked whether other parties of the I.N.D.I.A bloc will also protest in the Rajya Sabha, Pathak said, “We did not have a discussion with the remaining parties of the I.N.D.I.A alliance regarding this but our party will boycott the President’s address”.
Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Wednesday sent Kejriwal to three days CBI remand in connection with the Excise policy case. Vacation Judge Amitabh Rawat after taking note of all the submissions of both sides, allowed Arvind Kejriwal to be on CBI remand till June 29, 2024.
During the remand period, the court allowed Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to meet him for 30 minutes and his lawyer to meet him every day for 30 minutes. The court has also allowed him to carry his prescribed medicines during the remand period.
During the hearing, Arvind Kejriwal himself addressed the court and said, “CBI is claiming that I have made a statement against Manish Sisodia, which is completely false. Manish Sisodia Nirdosh hai, Aam Aadmi Party Nirdosh hai. Main bhi nirdosh hun. Iss Tarah ke statements hamme media me badnam Karne ke liye diye ja rahe hai (Manish Sisodia is innocent, Aam Aadmi Party is innocent. I am also innocent. statements are being given in the media to defame us.)”
Park authorities put vehicular speed sensor cameras on the National Highway – 37 to control the vehicles speed
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 11:33 AM
Kaziranga National Park — File picture
Guwahati: The authority of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam is fully prepared to tackle any kind of situation during the flood and to ensure the safety and security of the animals of the national park.
The park authorities have put vehicular speed sensor cameras on the National Highway – 37 to control the vehicles speed which is passed through the national park and the park authorities have used various technologies.
Along with the male frontline staff around 150 women frontline staff are also engaged in Kaziranga National Park to protect wild animals. Sonali Ghosh, field director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve said that, “The park authorities have made all preparedness to ensure safety and security of wild animals of the park during flood season.”
“In Kaziranga, the flood is a very important aspect because a good flood is also helpful for Kaziranga landscape. But at the same time, the migration of wild animals has also happened from Kaziranga to higher grounds in Karbi Anglong. For this year also, we are prepared. There are nine designated corridors from where the animals are regularly crossing,” Sonali Ghosh said.
“We have put additional frontline staff there. We have used technologies including vehicular speed sensor cameras on the National Highway – 37 so that we can minimize road accidents with wild animals. Our frontline staff are continuously engaged in anti-poaching activities and doing their duties round the clock. We have provided them country boats, life jackets, raincoats and whatever is required,” Sonali Ghosh added.
She further said that, on June 15, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma came to Kaziranga and he held an inter-departmental review meeting on flood preparedness and he had given a lot many directions.
Launches scathing attack against the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over her husband’s arrest
Updated On – 27 June 2024, 11:50 AM
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s wife Sunita Kejriwal on Thursday launched a scathing attack against the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over her husband’s arrest by CBI saying that she has started praying that the dictators must be destroyed.
Taking to the social media platform X, she said, “Till now the prayer has always been that God should give wisdom to everyone. But now the prayer will be that the dictator should be destroyed.”
अभी तक हमेशा यही प्रार्थना रही है कि ईश्वर सबको सदबुद्धि दे। लेकिन अब प्रार्थना रहेगी कि तानाशाह का विनाश हो।
Meanwhile, the Aam Admi Party is boycotting the address of the President to both houses of Parliament alleging a conspiracy behind the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the CBI.
Earlier, the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Wednesday sent Kejriwal to three days CBI remand in connection with the Excise policy case. Vacation Judge Amitabh Rawat after taking note of all the submissions of both sides, allowed Arvind Kejriwal to be on CBI remand till June 29, 2024.
During the remand period, the court allowed Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to meet him for 30 minutes and his lawyer to meet him every day for 30 minutes. The court has also allowed him to carry his prescribed medicines during the remand period.
During the hearing, Arvind Kejriwal himself addressed the court and said, “CBI is claiming that I have made a statement against Manish Sisodia, which is completely false. Manish Sisodia Nirdosh hai, Aam Aadmi Party Nirdosh hai. Main bhi nirdosh hun. Iss Tarah ke statements hamme media me badnam Karne ke liye diye ja rahe hai (Manish Sisodia is innocent, Aam Aadmi Party is innocent. I am also innocent. statements are being given in the media to defame us.)”
He also added “CBI sources ke hawale se media me hamme badnam kar rahe rahe hai. Inka plan hai ki media front page ye chala de ki Kejriwal ne sara thikra Manish Sisodia pe daal diya. (They are tarnishing our image in the media by using unnamed sources. They plan to make it headline news that Kejriwal has shifted all the blame to Manish Sisodia.)”
However, the court said, “I have read your statement… you have not said this.” The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail order passed by the trial court, saying that the trial court should have at least recorded its satisfaction with the fulfilment of twin conditions of Section 45 of the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before passing the impugned order.
Says the Budget that will be presented by the government in the next Parliament session will be a document of its futuristic vision
Published Date – 27 June 2024, 12:03 PM
President Droupadi Murmu addresses the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, in New Delhi, Thursday.
New Delhi: Many historic steps and major economic decisions will be taken in the upcoming Budget, President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday as she addressed a joint sitting of Parliament.
The Budget that will be presented by the government in the next Parliament session will be a document of its futuristic vision, the President said in her first address to the joint sitting of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha.
“The Budget will have major economic and social decisions and many historic steps will be taken. The speed of reforms will be increased to fulfil the aspirations of people,” she said.
She said her government believes there should be healthy competition between states for investment. “This is in the spirit of competitive-cooperative federalism,” she added.
Murmu further said, “India has become the world’s fifth-largest economy. There has been an average 8 per cent growth in the last 10 years, even though these were not normal times.”
“This growth rate has been achieved despite a global pandemic and conflicts in different parts of the world. This is the result of the reforms of the last 10 years. India alone is contributing 15 per cent to global growth. My government is working to make India the world’s third-largest economy,” she said.
