New Delhi: The Supreme Court today clarified that the audience need not stand when the National Anthem is played as a part of the storyline of a film, newsreel or documentary.

A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R. Banumathi made this clear after one of the petitioners said the apex court should clarify if people are expected to stand when the National Anthem is played in a film, newsreel or documentary.

“It is clarified that when the National Anthem is played as part of the storyline of a film, newsreel or a documentary the audience need not stand,” the bench said.

The bench, which said the issue raised by petitioners needs to be debated, has fixed the matter for further hearing on April 18.

The apex court had on November 30 last year ordered cinema halls across the nation to mandatorily play the National Anthem before screening of a movie and the audience must stand and show respect.

This order had come on the PIL filed by one Shyam Narayan Chouksey seeking directions that National Anthem should be played in cinema halls across the country before a film begins and proper norms and protocol be fixed regarding its playing and singing at official functions and programmes where those holding constitutional office are present.

The apex court, while passing a slew of directions, had also observed that “time has come when citizens must realise they live in a nation and are duty-bound to show respect to National Anthem, which is a symbol of constitutional patriotism and inherent national quality.”

It had said that “love and respect for the motherland is reflected when one shows respect to the National Anthem as well as to the National Flag”.

The court had barred printing of the anthem or part of it on any object and displaying it in such a manner at places which may be “disgraceful to its status and tantamount to disrespect”. It had also barred playing or displaying an “abridged version” of the anthem.

Various other petitioners have also approached the apex court, which has tagged them with and the bench has tagged with the main petition.

(PTI)

Chennai: In fast paced developments, Sasikala loyalist Edappady K Palaniswami was today elected as Legislature Party Leader following the conviction of the AIADMK general secretary, who sacked rebel leader O Panneerselvam from the party’s primary membership. “We have sent a letter staking claim to form Amma’s government,” said Palaniswami.

His election came at an emergency meeting called by Sasikala at a resort here within hours of the Supreme Court upholding a Bengaluru trial court order convicting her in the disproportionate assets case, dealing a body blow to her hopes of becoming the Chief Minister. Palaniswami, a known Sasikala loyalist and a five-time MLA, is the party’s strongman from Salem district and currently holds the portfolios of Highways, Public Works and Minor Ports.

He was Minister in the previous Jayalalithaa-led cabinet also and continued with the same portfolios. He was retained in 2016, both by Jayalalithaa and later by her successor Panneerselvam, who has since raised a banner of revolt against Sasikala for allegedly forcing him to step down from chief ministership. Minutes after after the apex court delivered the verdict, Sasikala went into a huddle with her MLAs to decide on the future course of action.

Security has been strengthened across the state after the verdict. Police presence has been stepped up at the resort here, about 80 kms from Chennai, where MLAs supporting her are housed since the past few days. Sasikala herself stayed overnight at the resort. The apex court today quashed the Karnataka High Court verdict that had acquitted Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case and asked her to surrender herself forthwith.

Sasikala was elected AIADMK Legislature Party Leader on February 5, paving the way for her becoming Chief Minister. Two days later, Pannerselvam rebelled against her. Sasikala today sacked Panneerselvam, who has been continuing as caretaker Chief Minister, from the AIADMK’s primary membership.

Additional police personnel have been deployed in and around the resort amid expectations that Sasikala will leave for Bengaluru to surrender in the trial court as per the apex court order.

(Agencies)

Chennai: The Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted AIADMK general secretary Sasikala in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case.

The apex court also sentenced Sasikala to a prison term of 4 years.

Now, the AIADMK general secretary cannot become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, or contest elections for 10 years – which includes 4 years of prison term.

Sasikala has also been asked by the Supreme Court to surrender immediately.

A Bench of Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitav Roy, who had reserved the verdict on June 7, 2016, gave the verdict in the case on Tuesday.

The Karnataka High Court had last year acquitted the AIADMK general secretary in the case, in which late Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa was also an accused.

Sasikala has been involved in a long and protracted power struggle with acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam for the CM’s post, following Jayalalithaa’s death.

Meanwhile, the numbers in Panneerselvam’s camp continue to boost, with Mettur MLA Semmalai backing the CM. OPS now has 9 MLAs in his camp.

Sasikala still holds the majority, with 125 of 134 MLAs still in her camp. She has moved a number of MLAs to Koovathur resort near Chennai, where they have been staying for several days. Sasikala on Monday stayed overnight at the resort.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru: China will participate for the first time in the Aero India, the biennial International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, officials said Monday.

A delegation of 5-6 members from People’s Liberation Army Air Force will participate, but there will be no aircraft from China in the air show, an Defence Ministry official said.

Aero India will be held from February 14 to 18 at Yelahanka in Bengaluru.

Around 30 countries and 72 aircraft will be participating in the 11th edition of Aero India. Over 500 companies and over two lakh business visitors are expected to attend the show.

(Agencies)

Chennai: Support grew for Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, locked in a bruising feud with AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, with six more MPs crossing over to his camp on Sunday.

However, all eyes will be on the Tamil Nadu Police, which is expected to submit an affidavit to the Madras High Court on Monday with regard to the AIADMK MLAs who were lodged in a resort.

Following habeas corpus petitions charging that the MLAs were detained forcibly, the cases pertaining to the legislators’ condition will come up for hearing on Monday.
A police team went to the resort on Saturday to find out whether the MLAs were being held captive, police sources said.

Though there was no official communication from the police, sources said the authorities met all the MLAs and inquired about their status since the petitions charged that the legislators were not only detained forcibly, but also restrained from using phones to contact their families.

With no information from the Raj Bhavan about its decision on the fate of the ruling party, Sasikala, who visited the resort for the second consecutive day, said her party MLAs will extend support any time.

On the purported delay by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao in inviting her to form the government and the MPs crossing over to the Panneerselvam camp, she said, “You very well know the reason.”

“They (MLAs) were also aware that some people were trying to divide the party,” she added. An emotional Sasikala, who extended greetings to the governor on his 75th birthday, claimed she is ready to sacrifice her life to save AIADMK.

Meanwhile, five more AIADMK Lok Sabha MPs from Tuticorin, Perambalur, Vellore, Villupuram and Theni switched their allegiance to the Panneerselvam camp, taking the number to 11. Rajya Sabha MP R Lakshmanan also extended support.

The chief minister is confident he will have the support of more MLAs very soon. “We will prove our strength in the Assembly,” he said.

Sasikala displayed a copy of a fake letter reportedly sent by her to the governor, threatening to commit suicide if she was not allowed to form the government.

“A fake letter in my name is doing the rounds in social media, and a friend brought it to my notice. You (media) should also see it. It is very difficult for a woman to be in politics. Have seen that during Purathchi Thalaivi’s (revolutionary leader, a term fondly used by Jayalalithaa’s supporters to address her) times also, but she overcame it,” Sasikala said.

Tension prevailed for several hours when journalists who went to cover the events at the resort were attacked.

They staged a protest, demanding action against the attackers.

(PTI)

Mumbai: In a vitriolic attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his jibe at Manmohan Singh, bickering ally Shiv Sena today asked him to stop peeping in others’ bathrooms, maintain the dignity of his office and concentrate on governance instead of threatening opposition parties by flagging their horoscopes.

“Modi, while campaigning in UP, threatened that he has the horoscope of opposition parties while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav retorted by saying horoscopes of all are freely available on internet. This is an example of how low the level of campaign has plummeted,” the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

“At least the PM and the CM should not be a part of such mudslinging. The Chair has immense integrity and the person occupying it should make sure its dignity is upheld,” it said.

“What has to happen in UP polls will happen. But the PM should concentrate on Delhi and the CMs on their states. One should not peep into others’ bathrooms. This should be avoided,” it said, alluding to Modi’s ‘raincoat’ remark targeting former PM Manmohan Singh and the subsequent retort to it by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

The Sena said the use of government machinery by those holding constitutional posts to threaten opposition parties amounts to “political corruption.” “But all these are taking place openly. The PM and the CM, while campaigning, threaten, challenge, make announcements and promises. Under which rule of law could they do this,” it questioned.

“You have the Opposition’s horoscopes because you are in power. By removing their ‘kundalis’ (horoscopes), you are in a way abusing your power. You are not elected to power to do this. Your horoscope too will be available to your successors once you step down from power,” the editorial said.

On Modi’s jibe at Akhilesh Yadav, the Sena said if law and order problems persist in UP and women are unsafe, what are the BJP MPs elected from the state doing about the issue.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru: Karnataka assembly on Monday passed a bill to facilitate the conduct of “Kambala”, a traditional annual buffalo race in marshy fields, held in the coastal districts of the state.

The clamour for Kambala was spurred by the success of the stir in Tamil Nadu for allowing Jallikattu ( taming of bull), which led to the state government bringing a similar amendment to the Central act.

Kambala committees and various Kannada organisations had held protests at several places against the ban.

Kambla in its traditional form is non-competitive with buffalo pairs made to race one after another in paddy fields, which is considered a thanksgiving to the Gods for protecting the animals from diseases.

Over the years, it has however become an organised sport with animal rights activists claiming that the buffaloes run in the race due to fear of being beaten, which the organisers dismiss, saying no violence is involved and that several modifications had been made to ensure that it is an animal friendly event.

Considering the significant role played by the traditional sports events “Kambala” and “Bulls race or Bullock cart race” in preserving and promoting traditions and culture among the people in the state and their vital role in ensuring survival and continuance of native breeds of cattle, the government has decided to exempt their conduct, the bill said.

The bullock cart races are held in North Karnataka and Kambala in the coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (Central Act 59 of 1960) was enacted to prevent the infliction of unnecessary cruelty and suffering on animals.

It recognises the need to exempt the application of its provisions in certain circumstances.

The amendment bill states that there was no extra expenditure involved in the proposed legislative measure.

Amid growing protests for lifting the court stay on Kambala, Karnataka Cabinet on January 28 had decided to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to pave the way for the traditional sport.

A Karnataka high court division Bench, headed by Chief Justice S K Mukherjee, had in November last year stayed holding of Kambala on a petition by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) challenging it in view of orders passed by the Supreme Court on Jallikattu.

On January 30, 2017, the high court had said it would await the Supreme Court verdict on Jallikattu case.

(Agencies)