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Archives for January 2018

BJP-RSS fuelling violence against Dalits, PM should clarify stand: Congress

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New Delhi: The Congress today accused the BJP and the RSS of fuelling violence against Dalits and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in Parliament clarifying his stand on the Bhima-Koregaon incident in Maharashtra.

The party also demanded the formation of a commission of inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge on the clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district that had left a man dead on January 1.

The leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-RSS of “conspiring to divide people” on caste and religious lines, and asked the prime minister to make a statement on the issue in Parliament.

“The BJP and the RSS are fuelling and instigating violence against Dalits across the country. They conspire to divide people and society and create an atmosphere of
illusion that only they are nationalists.

“We demand that the prime minister, who shows sympathy for Dalits during polls, should clarify his position inside Parliament on violence against Dalits,” he told reporters outside Parliament.

Kharge also accused the BJP government in Maharashtra of having “failed” to control violence as it did not make proper arrangements in Bhima-Koregaon.

“We have demanded that a sitting judge of the Supreme Court should carry out a probe into the incident for an impartial probe. A commission should be set up to ascertain who was behind the violence and who instigated it,” he said.

The Congress leader said the BJP government in Maharashtra has failed to make proper arrangements in Bhima- Koregaon that led to violence.

The leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad dubbed the BJP and the RSS as “anti-Dalit”.

He also accused the government of “suppressing” the voice of the opposition in Parliament as live proceedings of both Houses were not telecast and stopped.

“We had given adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha for taking up the issue of violence against Dalits in Maharashtra but our voice was suppressed and live telecast was stopped,” he told reporters.

A Maharashtra bandh called to protest the violence post an event to mark the 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, turned violent today even as rail and road traffic was disrupted in the city.

Yesterday, several towns and cities of Maharashtra were on the edge as Dalit protests against the violence in Pune spilt over to Mumbai, with agitators damaging buses and disrupting road and rail traffic.

(PTI)

Iran death toll rises as protests continue

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by Al Jazeera

A number of Iranians have died amid ongoing nationwide anti-government protests that began last week in various cities across Iran.

Nine Iranians were killed in Isfahan province alone during anti-government protests on Monday night.

State TV said on Tuesday that six people were killed in Isfahan’s central town Qahderijan – during a raid on a police station – and one more in Khomeinishahr.

According to state media, the rioters were attempting to break into the station to obtain weapons.

An 11-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were among those killed in Khomeinishahr.

In addition, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency said a member of Basij militia and a police officer were killed in Najafabad, 350km south of the capital Tehran, on Monday.

According to reports, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) soldier was shot by an assailant using a hunting rifle in Najafabad.

Al Jazeera could not independently verify whether the IRGC member was the same police officer who was reported as being shot.

Overall, at least 21 people have died in Iran during six days of protests, according to state media.

In the same period, at least 20 people have been killed and about 450 people n arrested, with the Tehran governor’s deputy giving the following breakdown: 200 on Saturday; 150 on Sunday; and 100 on Monday.

The detention figures for other Iranian cities were not available.

On Tuesday, Iran’s top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accused “enemies” of the state of stirring unrest in the country.

He said that “enemies” of Iran have allied and used the various means they have available including “money, weapons, politics, and intelligence services” to stir unrest as nationwide anti-government rallies continue.

“The dignity, security, and progress of the Iranian nation is owed to the self-sacrifice of the martyrs. What prevents enemies from exerting their atrocities is the spirit of courage, sacrifice, and faith within the nation,” he said in a statement posted on his official website.

“I have something to say on these events, and I will speak to the dear people when the time is right.

“The Iranian nation will forever owe the dear martyrs, who left behind their homes and families, to stand against the wicked enemies.”

Despite threats by the IRGC to put down the demonstrations, protesters have continued taking to the streets in various parts of Iran, in what has been described as the biggest show of dissent in the country since huge rallies took place in 2009.

The rallies began on December 28 in the second-largest city of Mashhad, prompted by anger over rising cost of living and the state of the economy.

“We cannot predict a time when the protests will come to an end,” said Sadegh Zibakalam, an author and academic.

“But the protests will shake the people in power who must give priority to the people’s demands and needs.”

On Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iranians have the right to protest but not violently.

“People are free to express their criticism and to protest,” he said in televised remarks, his first since the rallies began.

“However, we need to pay attention to the manner of that criticism and protest. It should be in such a way that it will lead to the improvement of the people and state,” he added.

“People have the right to protest, but those demonstrations should not make the public feel concerned about their lives and security.”

In May 2017, Rouhani, who belongs to the reformist bloc of Iran’s political spectrum, decisively won re-election after garnering 57 percent of the vote in the country’s presidential election.

That poll was the first since Rouhani negotiated a historic deal with world powers in 2015 to curb Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Many in Iran hoped that the deal, by lifting many international sanctions, would ease the country’s financial struggles. Yet, the benefits do not seem to have trickled down.

Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group who worked with all sides during the negotiations for the nuclear deal, said the fact that the nuclear deal did not quite deliver the results people expected played a key part in what is happening currently in Iran.

“The government inflated public expectations a lot,” Vaez told Al Jazeera, noting that factors such as falling oil prices and doubts over the US commitment to the deal were also adversely affecting the Iranian economy.

“The reality is, however, that President Rouhani failed to pave the ground for the potential the nuclear deal created, and that has led to a lot of frustration in Iran,” he said.

“President Rouhani over-promised and under-delivered.”

Mohammad Ali Shabani, an Iranian political analyst and scholar, agreed.

“The issue is elevated expectations, that’s where the danger comes in,” he told Al Jazeera.

“People have been expecting better lives, partly as a result of Rouhani’s promises in connection with the nuclear deal.

“It’s not a matter of absolute poverty driving people into the streets.

“It’s mostly about people thinking that ‘We need more than this, we were actually promised more than what’s happening, and we don’t have the jobs that we were anticipating’.”

With additional reporting by Saeed Jalili

Kerala doctors observe strike against Centres’ bill

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Thiruvananthapuram: Doctors in Kerala today went on a strike to protest the Centre’s proposed National Medical Commission Bill, causing immense hardship to those visiting hospitals across the state. While doctors in government and medical college hospitals boycotted out-patient services for one hour in the morning, the strike was being observed from 6 AM to 6 PM in private hospitals.

Medicos, however, have decided to attend emergency cases and those admitted in hospitals. The strike call was given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The bill has provisions that would adversely affect the health sector and medical education in the country, the association alleged.

The National Medical Commission Bill to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, to ensure transparency, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 29, amid protest from Congress members.

According to the Bill, the commission will have government-nominated chairman and members and board members will be selected by a search committee under the Cabinet Secretary. There will be five elected and 12 ex-officio members in the panel. Introducing the Bill, Health Minister J P Nadda had said it incorporates suggestions made by a standing committee.

The Bill provides for constitution of four autonomous boards for undergraduate and post-graduate education, assessment and accreditation of medical institutions and registration of practitioners under the National Medical Commission.

It is aimed at bringing reform in the medical education sector which has been under scrutiny for corruption and unethical practices, government sources said. It also proposes a common entrance exam and licentiate exams which all medical graduates will have to clear to get practicing licences.

No permission would be needed to add new seats or to start post-graduate courses, it said.

(PTI)

Trading in Bitcoin, Ethereum illegal: Jaitley

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New Delhi: Bitcoins or such crypto-currencies are not legal tender and those indulging in such transactions are doing it at their own risk, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today as MPs expressed concern over trading on these platforms.

During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, DMK member Kanimozhi sought to know whether the government was considering regulating crypto-currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as India “accounts for more than 11 per cent” of such trade globally.

Jaitley emphasised that the Centre’s consistent position was that such currencies were not legal tender.

“The government is examining the matter. A committee under the chairmanship of secretary, department of economic affairs, is deliberating over all issues related to cryptocurrencies to propose specific actions to be taken,” he said.

While a repeated message was being given that such currencies were not legal tender, more detailed steps would be taken once the report of the committee is submitted, he said.

Independent member Amar Singh wanted to know what action was being taken in regard to the names which have figured in the Panama papers and Paradise papers, even as trading in bitcoins was also going on.

Jaitley said that the government was acting as per the law in these matters.

(Agencies)

Congress seeks PM’s intervention for drinking water supply in Karnataka

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Bengaluru: Congress in the Lok Sabha today sought the immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in resolving the drinking water problem in Karnataka.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, S P Muddahanumegowda said people in the state, particularly in the northern region, were facing a severe water crisis.

Karnataka is seeking water from Mahadayi river for meeting drinking water requirements in its northern parts, where it has become an emotive political issue.

“Prime Minister’s intervention is required to resolve this issue. I request the Prime Minister to immediately intervene and see that this water dispute is resolved,” he said.

Responding to the matter, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has already written a letter to former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa for outside negotiations to resolve the matter.

At this, Congress members started noisy scenes asking why the letter was written to a former chief minister.

Parrikar, in a letter to Yeddyurappa on December 21 last year, had said, in principle, Goa would not oppose the “reasonable” and “justified” quantum of water to be used for drinking purposes while pointing out that the matter was pending before the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal.

Karnataka is seeking the release of 7.56 tmcft water by Goa from the river for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, being undertaken to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag in the state’s northern region.

The project involves building barrages across Kalasa and Banduri, tributaries of Mahadayi river, to divert water to the Malaprabha to meet the drinking water needs of the region.

Goa had earlier expressed opposition to an out-of-court settlement of the dispute and had not responded positively to the proposed meeting of chief ministers on the issue.

Shrikant Shinde (SS) raised an issue relating to the Mumbai central railway, saying the Railways should not discriminate and equal facilities should be extended to it as compared to that of western railways.

Rama Devi (BJP) demanded an extension of benefits of seventh pay commission to gramin dak sevaks.

Dinesh Trivedi (Trinamool Congress) demanded formulation of a special mechanism to provide Aadhaar cards to people who are not able to give their biometric details due to diseases like leprosy. “Such people should automatically get Aadhaar cards,” he said.

Dushyant Chautala (Indian National Lok Dal) raised the issue of Sainik Schools for girls.

Raising concern over National Medical Commission Bill, C Mahendran (AIADMK) said that key stakeholders have not been consulted on the measure and demanded that the bill be referred to the select committee.

(PTI)

“Dr. Nowhera Shaikh should be the first woman CM of Karnataka”

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(From L-R: Dr. Nowhera Shaikh, Mrs Husna Rizwan, Mr. Rizwan Asad)

by Rizwan Asad & Husna Rizwan

Bengaluru: All India Mahila Empowerment Party’s (MEP) leader Dr. Nowhera Shaikh said that in Karnataka, education, power and water issues have not been addressed from the past 60-70 years.

Dr. Shaikh, who spoke to Nasheman’s editors said that if MEP is elected to power, it will give importance to these issues immediately. “Govt schools will become model schools, which will compete with the best convent schools”.

She said that MEP is for the upliftment of women and the downtrodden, irrespective of religion caste and creed.

“Because of the lack of response from present govts, people are fed up, which we have come across during our interactions with the public,” Dr. Shaikh stated.

“From December 24th onwards MEP has been holding meetings with people and there has been a good response. People from all walks of life, have attended MEP meetings”.

Dr. Shaikh said that leaders and workers of major parties like Congress, JDS, SDPI and others are fed up with their parties and policies, and flocking to MEP in rows. “Thousands have registered as party workers in the past 8-10 days”.

The party has received 1700 applications from the incumbent for the ensuing Karnataka elections for MEP ticket. Dr. Shaikh said that a committee has been formed, who will take further decision. She added that preference will be given to people of downtrodden and backward groups.

Explaining the objectives of her party, Dr. Shaikh said that MEP is for safeguarding the rights of women, and promised jobs for women who are graduates.

When asked about people’s allegations that her party will divide votes, Dr. Shaikh gave a witty reply that, all the other parties should support her and her party, instead of spreading false allegations against her.

On the upcoming elections, Dr. Shaikh said that MEP will fight in all the 224 constituencies, and said that people who have approached her so far have expressed their desire that she is elected as the “first woman CM of Karnataka”.

Bhima Koregaon violence: Ambedkar calls for Maharashtra bandh tomorrow

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Mumbai: Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar has called for Maharashtra bandh tomorrow to protest the state government’s “failure” to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district yesterday.

Ambedkar alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi was responsible for the violence.

He said Maharashtra Democratic Front, Maharashtra Left Front, besides 250 organisations, have supported tomorrow’s shutdown.

Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, has appealed for peace during the bandh period.

Referring to the caste clashes in Bhima Koregaon, Ambedkar ruled out any conflict between Marathas and Dalits.

“If there was any tension, the 200th-anniversary commemoration of the Bhima Koregaon battle would not have taken place. Yesterday’s programme was organised by Sambhaji Brigade (a Maratha organisation),” he said while addressing a press conference here.

He alleged the trouble occurred because of Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan, headed by Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, respectively.

“Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Sabha (ABHS), Peshwa heirs, had opposed the event. We held talks with ABHS after which they decided against opposing,” he said.

The event to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa’s army, was marred by incidents of violence yesterday, with at least one person was killed.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community — then considered untouchable — were part of the East India Company’s forces.

Ambedkar alleged that villagers were provoked by the Shivraj Pratisthan while the Hindu Ekta Agadhi hurled stones at people going towards the Koregaon war memorial.

He demanded that various types of grants and subsidies being given by the government to villages along Koregaon, Shiroor and Chakan, be stopped.

Ambedkar said a judicial probe ordered by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis into the violence should be headed by the chief justice of high court and not by a sitting judge.

Yesterday’s violence sparked off protests in various parts of Maharashtra today, including in Mumbai where protesters staged a rail roko in suburban Chembur.

(PTI)

THE 1ST LOOK Of BUMBLEBEE Is Out Now

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The 1st ever look of Bumblebee was out recently. On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle – scarred & broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.

Bumbliebee has been produced by Transformers franchise veterans Lorenzo Di Bonaventura & Michael Bay, along with executive producers Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner & Mark Vahradian. Chris Brigham (Argo & Inception) will also executive produce. The screenplay is written by Christina Hodson (Unforgettable).

Directed by Travis Knight (Kubo And The Two Strings & Coraline), the film stars Hailee Steinfeld (Edge Of Seventeen), Pamela Adlon (Better Things & Louie), John Cena (Daddy’s Home 2 & Trainwreck), Stephen Schneider (Comedy Central’s Broad City), Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Spider – Man: Homecoming), Jason Drucker (Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul), Kenneth Choi (American Crime Story), Ricardo Hoyos (Degrassi: Next Class), Abby Quinn (Landline & The Sisterhood Of The Night), Rachel Crow (Deidra & Laney Rob A Train) & above all Grace Dzienny (Zoo).

Mumbai Festival To Be Held From 19th Jan 2018 To 21st Jan 2018

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The upcoming mega event Mumbai Fest will be unique. This festival is going to be the mother of all the festivals with the huge foot fall and lots of celebrities both from Bollywood as well as art faculty (not only from Mumbai but across the Globe) performing at the fest in 7 different islands of Mumbai concept created to celebrate its richness.

This mega Mumbai Fest is not only about the entertainment, but will be also about the spirit of Mumbai, people, humanity, culture, heritage & richness of this place.

The Mumbai Fest is a 1st ever of its kind fiesta to celebrate the soul of Mumbai. Amidst all its delights, delicacies, dismissals & drenching rains the city wraps us in its unconditional “ONE LOVE”. There is a plethora of events which celebrate varied facets of the city but none that promote the undying spirit of Mumbai, which time & again proves to be the Urbs Prima in India.

The Mumbai Festival Trust is promoted by patrons from varied walks of life. The Mumbai Fest strives to capture the essence of Mumbai as a cauldron of cultures. The dynamic blend of the city’s Art, Cuisine, Cinema, Fashion, Heritage & Wellness will be re – explored on the magnum opus creation of 7 thematic islands spread across the MMRDA grounds.

Timeless celebrities, socialites, multi – religious leaders, motivators & budding artists will enlighten & entertain a diverse, monumental footfall.

The melting pot of Mumbai is all geared up for a carnival as colossal & dynamic as the city itself. This 3 day extravaganza will express love for the city, by the city. This “ONE LOVE” that will take Mumbai out of the map and into the hearts of the world!

The Mumbai Fest will be the most Prestigious & Grand Event of Mumbai. The Mumbai Fest will be the 1st ever festival to host the making of a “Guinness World Record. The Mumbai Fest will also be the 1st ever festival to host the “World Peace Summit”. The Mumbai Fest will also be the 1st ever festival to have 7 extravagant sets created by the best art directors.

The Mumbai Fest was officially launched recently which was done in the presence of His Highness Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, Swamy Indradyumna, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Kiku Sharda & Ankit Tiwari.

Patanjali has also joined hands with the upcoming Mumbai Fest to promote this Mega Event and the noble cause attached to this mega fest. Vinod Hasal – President, Krishna Kumar Singh – Vice President, Pranav Jayaram – Trustee, Amarnath Sharda – Promoter, Harjeet Anand – Treasurer, Avinash Singh – Promoter are the main organisers of the fest. The Mumbai Fest will be erected on a 4 Lakh square feet area at MMRDA Grounds Bandra (E) Mumbai. The Mumbai Fest will be held on 19th Jan 2018, 20th Jan 2018 & 21st Jan 2018.

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