Archives for May 2022

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers played Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker near a mosque in Charkop area of Mumbai on Wednesday morning, a day after their party chief Raj Thackeray gave a call to recite the religious hymn to protest against loudspeakers blaring ‘azaan’.

In the background, the ‘azaan’ could be heard from a loudspeaker of a nearby mosque.

In neighbouring Thane city, some MNS activists played the Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker at a spot in Indira Nagar area.

No mosque was located in the vicinity.

Undeterred by the registration of a case against him, MNS president Raj Thackeray had on Tuesday urged people to play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers on Wednesday wherever they hear loudspeakers “blaring azaan (Islamic prayer call)”.

In an open letter, Thackeray had asked people to lodge complaints with police by dialling 100 if they are disturbed by the sound of ‘azaan’.

“I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeaker blaring with azaan; in those places, play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. That’s when they will realise the hindrance of these loudspeakers,” the MNS leader had said.

Police have already beefed up security in Mumbai and several other parts of the state, especially where the MNS has a sizeable presence.

Heavy security was deployed at several places in Mumbai and adjoining cities on Wednesday, a day after MNS chief Raj Thackeray urged people to play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers wherever they hear loudspeakers “blaring ‘azaan’.

The morning prayers were offered peacefully at many mosques, an official said.

All senior police officials, including Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey, were out to take stock of the security deployment, he said.

Police were also deployed outside mosques at some places.

There was nakabandi’ (blockade) at various locations and vehicles were being checked since the early hours to avoid any untoward incident, the official said.

As a precautionary measure, the city police have already issued more than 1,600 notices under various sections of the Criminal Procedure Code, including 149 (for preventing cognisable offences), to MNS workers and others.

The police had also conducted meetings with maulvis and trustees of various mosques and asked them to follow the Supreme Court guidelines and rules related to noise pollution.

Heavy security was also deployed at many places in neighbouring in Thane and Palghar districts.

There was elaborate police bandobast near the Jumma Masjid in Mumbra township of Thane.

Some MNS workers had plans to play the Hanuman Chalisa near there, but they left after the ‘azaan’ was not heard outside the religious premises.

Mumbra police station’s senior inspector Ashok Kadlag said the situation was under control and there was no report of any untoward incident so far.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone II, Bhiwandi, Yogesh Chavan also said the powerloom town in Thane was peaceful.

MUMBAI: A special court here on Wednesday granted bail to Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi Rana, who were arrested following a row over the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa.

They were booked under various provisions of the IPC, including charges of sedition and promoting enmity.

On Wednesday, special judge R N Rokade allowed their bail plea.

The court said the applicants shall not commit a similar offence while on bail, and not address the press on any subject related to the case.

The couple had in their bail plea, filed through advocates Rizwan Merchant and Abad Ponda, claimed that the call to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside ‘Matoshree’, the CM’s private residence, cannot be said to be an act to promote feelings of enmity or hatred and the charge under IPC section 153(A) cannot be sustained.

They also submitted that by no stretch of the imagination, can the acts of the applicants be stated to constitute the offence of sedition.

The police, represented by special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat, had opposed the bail plea, saying while on the face of it the couple’s plan looked innocent, but it was, in fact, a big plot to challenge the ruling government.

The police claimed that the opposition BJP in the state and political opponents of Thackeray were trying to create an atmosphere to show that the chief minister was against Hindus and not sponsoring the cause of Hinduism.

Wayanad (Kerala): Another incident of suspected food poisoning was reported in Kerala, one of several in the past few days in the state, with 18 members of a tourist group suffering health problems after eating food from three separate restaurants here.

An officer from Kambalakkad police station, where one of the eateries in question is located, said the tourist group comprising 23 people had come from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad and taken food from three different places in the district on Monday.

Therefore, it cannot be said right now as to what food from which restaurant was the cause of the suspected food poisoning, he said.

It was after having dinner from an eatery at Kalpetta on Monday night that they started experiencing problems and discomfort, the officer said and added that teams of police and health officials have gone to inspect all three establishments.

Police also said the health of all 18 persons was stable.

The latest incident comes just a couple of days after a 16-year-old girl died and 18 others were hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning after they ate ‘shawarma’ from an eatery in Kasaragod.

Shawarma is thinly sliced pieces of marinated meat, like lamb, chicken or beef rolled into a flat bread.

Thereafter, incidents of suspected food poisoning were also reported from Malappuram and Kollam on Monday, though in both incidents none were seriously affected, according to police.

The suspected food poisoning incident in Kasaragod also prompted the health department to issue directions to ensure the Levantine dish was prepared in a manner that was safe for consumption.

State Health Minister Veena George on Monday had said directions have been issued to the Food Safety Commissioner to ensure neat and clean preparation of the dish for the customers.

She had also said the state government will provide free medical treatment for all those who were affected after eating the dish from the eatery in question, at government hospitals.

Devananda, the 16-year-old girl from Karivallor near Kasaragod, died at the Kanhangad district hospital on Sunday, while undergoing treatment for food poisoning.

Eighteen others, who were admitted to the district hospital after they fell sick, are undergoing treatment.

Bengaluru: Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here, and said he would join the BJP soon.

He is likely to be the BJP’s candidate for the upcoming MLC polls from West Teachers’ constituency.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, Minister Kota Shrinivas Poojari, who is also the leader of the House in the legislative council, were present during the meeting.

“I will be resigning soon as Chairman of the Legislative Council. After that, a date will be fixed (for joining BJP) and I will be contesting the upcoming polls from BJP. Shah expressed happiness about my decision to join the party and said with people like me joining, it will benefit the party,” Horatti said after meeting Shah.

Speaking to reporters, the senior politician said there are some technical issues for him to resign immediately as the Deputy Chairman post remains vacant, and after clearing them, he will resign as Chairman and join the BJP soon.

With this, Horatti, who was elected as MLC seven successive times from 1980, has ended his long association with the JD(S).

Asked about the reason for him to join the BJP by quitting JD(S), Horatti said, “It is nothing but politics…I still have the same affection and good opinion towards the JD(S), but as the voters’ preferences and system changes, we too have to take certain decisions suddenly and I have taken it. I had been in JD(S) for a long period…”

To a question on ideological differences in both parties, he said, “Please don’t ask about ideology in politics.”

Considered to be among the senior-most MLCs, 76-year-old Horatti was seen as a prominent Lingayat face of the JD(S) from north Karnataka.

He had been education minister in the state, and was elected as the Chairman of the Legislative Council in February 2021.

The MLC polls from graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies are expected in June or July this year.

New Delhi: Hindu and Muslim communities together celebrated Eid on Tuesday at Jahangirpuri’s Kushal Chowk by exchanging sweets and hugs, giving a message of peace and harmony in the area that witnessed communal violence last month.

The locals also treated the security personnel deployed there by distributing sweets.

“Last month was quite tough for the people of Jahangirpuri. Today, on the occasion of Eid, we gathered at Kushal Chowk. We exchanged sweets and hugged each other and sent a message of harmony and peace. This shows people in Jahangirpuri live in harmony and respect each other’s religions,” a representative from the Muslim community Tabrez Khan said.

Khan expressed hope that full normalcy will return in the area soon.

“The situation is improving. Normalcy has returned to a large extent and we are expecting complete normalcy in the coming days,” he said.

Police said they have ensured adequate security arrangements on the occasion of Eid.

Usha Rangnani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) said, “We have adequate security and law arrangements put in place across the district. Aman Committee meetings have been conducted as always to maintain peace and tranquillity in all the areas.”

Meanwhile, shops in and around Kushal Chowk–except for the main lane in Block C where a mosque is located— have reopened.

Hawkers and customers have also returned for business.

Indramani Tiwari, the president of the Residents’ Welfare Association, who represented the Hindu community, said Eid is being celebrated in a peaceful manner.

“We are celebrating Eid together and expecting this harmony to remain among the people. There is peace in the area and we expect complete normalcy soon,” Tiwari said.

Clashes broke out between the two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri, in which eight police personnel and a local resident were injured.

A week after the violence, Hindus and Muslims had together taken out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Jahangirpuri’s C block – the epicentre of the April 16 clashes – giving a message of peace and harmony.

Washington: Around the world, Muslims are being targeted with violence, US President Joe Biden said on Monday asserting that Muslims make America stronger every single day even as they still face real challenges and threats in the society that they live in.

At a White House reception to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, Biden said he has appointed the first Muslim to serve as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

“It’s especially important because today, around the world, we’re seeing so many Muslims being targeted with violence. No one, no one should discriminate against the oppressed or be oppressed for their religious beliefs,” he said to applause from the select gathering at the White House.

Arooj Aftab, a Pakistani vocalist and composer, was one of the speakers at the event along with First Lady Jill Biden and Dr. Talib M. Shareef, Imam of Masjid Muhammad, known as The Nation’s Mosque’ in Washington, DC.

“Today, we also remember all those who are not able to celebrate this holy day, including Uyghurs and Rohingyas and all those who are facing famine, violence, conflict, and disease,” Biden said.

“And honour the signs of hope and progress toward the world we want to see, including the ceasefire, which allowed the people in Yemen to honour Ramadan and celebrate Eid in peace for the first time in six years,” he added.

But at the same time, we have to acknowledge that an awful lot of work remains to be done abroad and here at home. Muslims make our nation stronger every single day, even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society, including targeted violence and Islamophobia that exists, he said.

Biden said, making the US more equitable, more inclusive for Muslim Americans is an essential part of the enduring work to form the more perfect union.

We’re the only nation in all the history of the world that’s been organised not based on a religion, race, ethnicity, geography, but on an idea. Think about that. An idea, he said.

In a tweet after the event, Biden said, Jill and I were honoured to host an Eid al-Fitr reception at the White House tonight, and we send our warmest greetings to everyone celebrating across the world. Eid Mubarak!

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris also wished people on the occasion.

Doug and I send our warmest wishes to all who are celebrating Eid al-Fitr. Muslims in the US and around the world celebrate after a month of deep reflection, helping those in need, and connecting with community. From our family to yours, Eid Mubarak! she said in a tweet.

New Delhi: Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that if the US-based EV maker Tesla manufactures its electric vehicles in India then the company will also get benefits.

Addressing an event here, Gadkari said days are not very far when the prices of all electric vehicles will be less than the cost of petrol vehicles in the country.

“Agar Tesla India me electric car manufacture karega toh unka bhi fayda hoga (If Tesla manufactures its electric vehicles in India then they will also get benefits),” he said.

Earlier on April 26, Gadkari had said, if Tesla is ready to manufacture its EVs in India then there is ‘no problem’, but the company must not import cars from China.

“If Elon Musk (Tesla CEO) is ready to manufacture in India then there is no problem … Come to India, start manufacturing, India is a large market, they can export from India,” he had said at an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue.

Last year, the heavy industries ministry had also asked Tesla to first start manufacturing its iconic electric vehicles in India before any tax concessions can be considered.

At present, cars imported as Completely Built Units (CBUs) attract customs duty ranging from 60-100 per cent, depending on engine size and Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value less or above USD 40,000.

Last year, in a letter to the road ministry, the US firm had stated that the effective import tariff of 110 per cent on vehicles with customs value above USD 40,000 is “prohibitive” to zero-emission vehicles.

It had requested the government to standardise the tariff on electric cars to 40 per cent, irrespective of the customs value, and withdraw the social welfare surcharge of 10 per cent on electric cars.

It had stated that these changes would boost the development of the Indian EV ecosystem and the company will make significant direct investments in sales, service, and charging infrastructure; and significantly increase procurement from India for its global operations.

The company had argued that these proposals would not have any negative impact on the Indian automotive market as no Indian original equipment manufacturer currently produces a car (EV or Internal Combustion Engine) with ex-factory price above USD 40,000 (around Rs 30.6 lakh), and only 1-2 per cent of cars sold in India (EV or ICE) have ex-factory/customs value above USD 40,000.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the people on Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday.

The festival will be celebrated in the country on Tuesday following the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.

“Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious occasion enhance the spirit of togetherness and brotherhood in our society. May everyone be blessed with good health and prosperity,” the prime minister tweeted.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said those who are in trouble due to the professional investigation into various issues are criticising the ‘impartial and fearless’ police.

The statement came a day after the Congress accused Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and Higher Education Minister Ashwath Narayan of allegedly shielding some accused in the police sub-inspector recruitment scam, which was unearthed recently. Narayan dismissed the allegation as baseless.

“Today the police is doing a good job. It is functioning fearlessly and impartially. They are investigating every scam in a professional manner, due to which some people are in trouble. Those in problem are talking ill of the police. They are scared,” Bommai said at the inauguration of the Nrupathunga University and the groundbreaking of its new academic block.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, Jnanendra, Ashwath Narayan and the Director General of the Police Praveen Sood were present on the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Bommai said, “We are not against any individual but we are only against crime. No one should give shelter to the criminals. Those who are in trouble speak in a different tone.”

Several officials were accused of being involved in the irregularities in the recruitment exam held in October last year for filling up 545 PSI posts.

The Bommai government annulled the examination following alleged large-scale irregularities to fill the posts.

So far more than 30 people have been arrested in connection with the case while 10 are absconding. It is alleged that the candidates paid Rs 75 lakh to Rs 80 lakh to get selected.

Hailing the new National Education Policy, which has been introduced by the Union government, Bommai said it will bring a revolutionary changes in the education sector.

He said the NEP addresses three core areas-Education, Employment and Empowerment.

The Chief Minister said the Nrupathunga University is the symbol of the change in the education system.

Seoni (MP): Two tribal men died after they were allegedly assaulted by a group of 15-20 people over suspicion of cow slaughter in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni district, police said on Tuesday.

Another person was injured in the incident, they said. The complainant in the case and the opposition Congress in the BJP-ruled state have alleged the attackers belong to the Bajrang Dal.

Some 20 people have been booked in connection with the incident, which took place at Simaria under Kurai police station limits between 2:30 am and 3 am on Monday, including six on charges of murder, an official said.

After the incident, a group led by Congress legislator Arjun Singh Kakodia started a protest on the Jabalpur-Nagpur highway. The Seoni Superintendent of Police and other officials visited the protest site.

“Two tribal men have died. It was alleged a group of 15-20 people went to the victims’ house, accused them of killing a cow and assaulted them. The two men died while being taken to hospital and another sustained minor injuries. A postmortem is yet to be conducted,” Additional Superintendent of Police SK Maravi told PTI.

“A case of murder has been registered at the Kuarai police station and police teams are searching for the accused. Some of the accused are named (in the complaint) and others are unidentified. We have taken 2-3 suspects into custody. Some 12 kilograms of meat has been found in the victims’ house,” Maravi said.

The complainant Brajesh Batti, who was injured in the incident, said the mob was hitting Sampat Batti, a resident of Sagar, and Simaria resident Dhansa with sticks when he arrived at the spot, and he, too, was assaulted.

Congress MLA Kakodia, who has been sitting on a ‘dharna’ to protest the incident, claimed the attackers comprised Bajrang Dal members and called for a ban on the right-wing outfit.

He said the kin of the victims should be given Rs 1 crore each as well as government jobs. Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident and swift action against the culprits.

MP Congress president Kamal Nath tweeted, “I demand from the government that strict action be taken against the culprits by announcing a high-level inquiry into this incident. All possible help should be given to the families of the victims and arrangements for treatment of the injured man at government expense.”

Nath said the kin of the deceased and local residents have claimed the Bajrang Dal was involved in the incident.

The former CM said NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data showed MP was number one among states in crimes against tribals.