Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / Archives for News & Politics / India

Karnataka government orders CID probe into M M Kalburgi’s assassination

by

M M Kalburgi

Bengaluru: A CID probe was today announced by the Karnataka Chief Minister into the murder of progressive Kannada thinker and scholar M M Kalburgi at his residence at Dharwad in north Karnataka.

“We have decided to hand over the case to CID…. This incident should not have happened. It is highly condemnable,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters here, a day after Kalaburgi was shot dead at point-blank range by two unidentified men.

77-year-old Kalburgi was an associate of rationalist Govind Pansare of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, who also fell victim in similar circumstances in February, and had drawn the ire of some right-wing Hindu outfits like VHP and Bajrang Dal with his remarks about idol worship by Hindus.

He had often spoken against superstitions and courted controversies with his outspoken stand.

At Dharwad this morning, hundreds of admirers of Kalburgi paid last respects to him. The funeral will take place later in the day today.

Yesterday, the attackers had knocked at the door of Kalburgi’s house claiming to be his students and as it was opened, they pumped bullets into his forehead and chest and fled. He died in a hospital.

“Whoever is behind this, we will catch them and punish according to law,” said the Chief Minister, who visited Dharwad to pay last respects to Kalburgi yesterday.

Asked if the sleuths have got any clues, Home Minister K J George said the probe was being started. “It will be investigated from all angles.”

The Hubli-Dharwad police had announced a special team to probe the murder that has shaken the Kannada literary world.

Kalburgi had raised the hackles of right-wing outfits when he made certain remarks about idol worship by Hindus that were considered “derogatory” and “blasphemous” and also led to protests by them.

A winner of central and state “Sahitya Akademi” awards, he had also suggested the need for a better state anthem.

Part of his works on “Vachana”(verses)” literature had also come under criticism of the state’s majority “veerashaiva” (Lingayat) community, a liberal Shaivism founded by 12th century philosopher, poet and social reformer Basaveshwara.

(Agencies)

Bajrang Dal activist defends killing of MM Kalburgi, says Prof. Bhagawan is next target

by

bajrang-dal

Mangaluru: A few Sangh Parivar activists in the coastal Karnataka have openly justified the killing of thinker Prof. MM Kalburgi and warned that a similar fate was awaited for those who “mock” Hinduism.

Bhuvith Shetty, who claims to be the co-convener of Bajrang Dal in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kananda district, tweeted on Sunday morning from his twitter handle @GarudaPurana that Prof. KS Bhagwan, a well known critic, would be the next target.

He tweeted at 10:41 a.m.: “Then it was UR Anantamoorty and now its MM Kalburgi. Mock Hinduism and die a dogs death. And dear KS Bhagwan you are next”(sic). The same person had tweeted on July 15: “You should know that I myself chopped off one Muslim’s hand for smuggling cows in Kalladka” (sic)

Both the tweets were retweeted by many tiwtterati on Sunday triggering a heated debated on social media. Some right wing social media activists even defended his provocative comments. When the matter was brought to the notice of authorities, the man deleted his tweets. However, the screenshots of his tweets continued to go viral on social media.

Prof. Kalburugi, the former vice chancellor of Hampi University, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman at the former’s residence in Dharwad in the morning. Hindutva activists had warned him of dire consequences after he raised his voice against blind beliefs in Hindu society and criticised idol worship.

It is worth mentioning here that Sangh Parivar activists in Karnataka had organised celebrations and burst crackers on hearing the news of the death of Jnanpith award winner UR Ananthamoorthy one year ago.

ABL organizes a workshop on ‘Rain Water Harvesting’

by

ABL ROOTS Blowers

Bengaluru: ABL Roots Blowers Private Limited had organized a two-day workshop on “Rain Water Harvesting”. The workshop was conducted to promote mass awareness among the young youth about the water issues, difficulties, facts and the solutions. A large number of participants were seen from farming and students communities.

Mr. Maninder Singh, Water Treatment Consultant was the key speaker and he said, “Water is an important natural resource and is the very basis of our life. Since ABL is into water treatment business and India strongly needs innovative water management systems, it was exciting to deliver informative lectures on Water Harvesting System & Techniques.”

Mr. Rahul Singh, Senior Manager – Projects, ABL Roots Blowers Private Limited said, “As per the existing CSR rules & regulations, we do not have any compulsion for planning and budgeting CSR activities for ABL. We did it voluntarily. Although the CSR provisions are not applicable on the company but we understand that as a business we have some moral or ethical responsibilities towards the society. Social welfare is always appreciated.”

ABL team shared the demo and case study of rain water harvesting in respective area and future plans for the implementation.

It is exciting to see the young companies glowing & growing well and coming ahead voluntarily to disseminate the much needed social messages for the country’s development.

ABL Roots Blowers Private Limited is a leading manufacturer of high-performance and energy efficient Roots Blowers using state-of-the-art latest technologies in the industry. The company offers a complete range of reliable Twin Lobe Rotary Air Blowers. ABL offices are situated in New Delhi, Haryana, Bangalore, Pune, Kerala and Chennai.

Annual journal of Mahfil-e-Nisa ‘Meraas’ released

by

‘Meraas’ the annual magazine released at the event.

‘Meraas’ the annual magazine released at the event.

Bengaluru: Mahfil-e-Nisa, the all women’s movement  to ‘learn Urdu and teach Urdu’, celebrated its third annual function here at the Hasanath women college.

Prof. Ali Ahmed Fatmi, Head, Dept of Urdu, Allahabad University was the chief guest. He lamented the current state of Urdu in the country and praised the efforts of organisations like Mahfil-e-Nisa to promote the cause of Urdu.

DSCN3718

Chief Editor of Nasheman Urdu Weekly Mr. Rizwan Asad, commended the work of Mahfil-e-Nisa, and called for more such organisations to be formed.

The annual magazine ‘Meraas’ was released by the guests.

Dr. Fouzia Chowdhary, chairperson, Karnataka Urdu Academy, Dr. Syed Sha Madar Aqeel, Former Head, Dept of Urdu, Kuvempu University, Shimoga, Dr. Shaista Yusuf, President, Mahfil-e-Nisa, Convenor, Azeezulla Baig, were also present.

Nationwide truck strike from October 1: AIMTC

by

AIMTC

New Delhi: The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) on Friday announced it will go on a nationwide indefinite strike from October 1 after the government did not respond to their demand to revoke TDS and toll charges.

“We had a meeting with Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari Thursday who refused to talk on the issues (including removal of toll charges),” Bhim Wadhwa, the president of the apex transporters’ body, told IANS.

He said the transporters body, representing over 80 lakh vehicles across the country, had given a deadline of August 25 to the Centre to address their issues. But the demand appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

“Eventually, there is no option left, except going on an indefinite nationwide strike from October 1,” Wadhwa said.

Wadhwa said the government would lose about Rs.1,700 crore per day on account of the countrywide strike, but clarified that the transporters’ body was not against the government revenues raised through toll.

He urged the government to work out alternate toll collection methods that would not only contain “illegal collection” but also save diesel worth thousands of crores of rupees.

He said the apex body’s demand for a barrier free India would save public money to the tune of Rs.87,000 crore per year.

“The transport fraternity cannot sustain operations in light of burgeoning corruption, harassment and time delays at the toll plazas and check post barriers. They have decided not to pay toll on road and want that the revenue may be collected as indirect tax and therefore proclaim ‘barrier free India’ and removal of toll plazas across the country,” Wadhwa said.

He said that toll charge constitutes about 20 percent of total operating cost and fuel (diesel) around 45-50 percent.

In addition, Wadhwa also demanded revocation of TDS imposed on the transport sector from July 1.

“The levy of TDS on the transport sector has unleashed utter confusion and other practical difficulties like cash flow constriction, difficulties in keeping records, collecting TDS certificates, reconciling and taking refund of TDS, on deposit of TDS by the consignor are obvious,” he said.

“It is now time for the government to wake up and take note of the wave of disappointment and resentment among the fraternity at the utter callousness of the government towards this sector,” Wadhwa said.

(IANS)

OROP remains stuck, protest continues

by

orop

New Delhi: As another round of parleys on the ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) failed to break the logjam, ex-servicemen on Friday said the government did not intend to implement the scheme.

On the same day, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was directly handling the issue, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh also assured the veterans during a meet.

“Now the small gaps are being filled. Give it some time for completion. In principle, the prime minister on August 15 (in his Independence Day speech) has given an approval. Now, the PMO is directly involved… then by saying that ‘do it in these many days’ will not help,” Parrikar told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Friday.

The home minister was, meanwhile, reminded by the veterans of his promise of OROP when he was the BJP president.

“The minister said he will do his best in sorting out the issue,” spokesperson of the ex-servicemen front Col. Anil Kaul (retd) told IANS.

At Jantar Mantar, the ex-servicemen refused to give up the protest and questioned the government’s intentions.

“The government does not intend to implement OROP,” Major General (retd) Satbir Singh, chairman of the United Forum of Ex-Servicemen, told his protesting colleagues.

He also said some people in the government were making the OROP issue a difficult one.

Satbir Singh said talks met a dead end as the government did not agree to budge from its position on revising pensions every five years.

He said that initially, the government said pensions would be revised every 10 years, and the veterans pressed for a revision every two years.

The defence force retirees also wanted an annual increment of three percent.

However, when representatives of the ex-servicemen, including Maj. Gen. (retd) Singh, went for a scheduled meeting, Nripendra Misra, principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, did not meet them on Thursday evening.

“However, a message was sent through a joint secretary that the revision in pensions will be done only after five years. We refused to compromise,” said the veteran.

“The first proposal the government came out with did not pertain to OROP and we rejected it. On the second day, the talks proceeded positively, and we thought a breakthrough can be reached.

“A point of contention between the government and the ex-servicement is the date of implementation of the OROP. While veterans want it to be implemented from April 2014, the government wants it to come into force from April 2015. If implemented from April 2014, around Rs.12,000 crore in arrears would have to be paid to the ex-servicemen.

The veterans agreed to give up two months of arrears but the government asked the date of implementation to be fixed at September 2014. This was also rejected.

“They want us to take the OROP from 2015, at the 2011 scale, which is not possible,” Satbir Singh said.

The veterans also rejected the offer that the pensions be revised under the 7th Pay Commission.

“We are now not ready to compromise any more. We are also taking back the offers of compromise we made. The agitation will continue,” he said.

Meanwhile, the protest by ex-servicemen continued for the 75th day on Friday. While four protesters are in hospital, six are on indefinite fast.

Col. Pushpender Singh (retd), Hav. Ashok Chauhan (retd), Maj. Piar Chand Rana and Hav. Sahib Singh were also stable. All four continue to be on fast.

Hav. Major Singh, who began his fast last Monday, is still at the Jantar Mantar despite deteriorating condition.

Also on an indefinite fast at the Jantar Mantar are Naik Udai Singh Rawat, Sawal Ram Yadav, father of martyr Lance Naik Sunil Kumar Yadav, Cdr. A.K. Sharma, Subedar Vijay Singh Yadav and Subedar Keshaw Singh, all retired soldiers.

On Friday, many of the veterans said they would boycott the government’s commemoration of the 1965 India-Pakistan war and felicitated war veterans separately, offering flowers to them as well as some families of the martyrs.

There are around 24 lakh ex-servicemen in India and around 6.5 lakh widows who will benefit if OROP is implemented.

(IANS)

Hardik Patel is Gujarat hero, says Shiv Sena

by

hardik-patel

Mumbai: The mass appeal of Hardik Patel in Gujarat “does not augur well for the BJP”, the Shiv Sena said on Friday, calling him “a hero” who had punctured claims that Gujarat was a peaceful state.

“Until now, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi was considered the only political ‘neta’ who could pull crowds,” a hard-hitting editorial in the party’s mouthpiece “Saamana” said.

“Now, Hardik Patel has become the ‘king of crowds’ which does not augur well for the BJP,” the Sena said, referring to the Patel community leader who has taken on the Gujarat government over job reservations.

“Hardik Patel is a hero of Gujarat… His rallies attract four-five lakh people… With his super-mammoth rally in Ahmedabad last Tuesday, he has thrown the gauntlet at the state government,” the Sena said.

Until now, Modi used the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, now this had been usurped by Hardik Patel, it said sarcastically.

“The state government committed the misadventure of detaining Hardik Patel after Tuesday’s rally and it paid for the blunder… Violence erupted all over the state, even ministers had to bear the brunt of Patidars’ ire,” the Sena said.

Now, Hardik Patel has threatened that if the Patidars were also not given job reservations, “then the lotus (BJP party symbol) will not bloom in 2017”.

“The manner in which the Gujarat youths have responded has created waves in Gujarat political circles,” the editorial said.

It thumbed a nose at Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who had invited Maharashtra businesses to her state, saying Gujarat was “peaceful, stable and well-administered”.

“Now, what?” the Sena asked. “A person who has yet to grow a moustache has proved her claims as bogus… and revealed the true face of Gujarat,” it said about the young Hardik Patel.

The Shiv Sena, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the centre and in Maharashtra, urged Gujarat politicians to refrain from stoking political fires in the state “as it would be sheer stupidity”.

But the Sena questioned the legitimacy of the Patidars’ demands for inclusion in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, saying the Patels enjoyed the same social-political status in Gujarat as ‘Marathas’ in Maharashtra.

The Patels were in the forefront in various sectors like diamonds, realty and big business and also formed a huge chunk of the Gujarat NRIs, trading and commerce, it said.

“They are leading in politics with Chief Minister Anandiben Patel hailing from the community; earlier, Chimanbhai Patel, Keshubhai Patel and Babubhai Patel ruled the state…

“Yet the community wants to become ‘backward’ and takes to the streets.”

The ‘Marathas’ were also powerful similarly in Maharashtra and making various demands but they never resorted to violence or rioting which can’t be condoned at any cost, the Sena said.

(IANS)

Sheena murder: Sanjeev Khanna confesses, Mikhail submits evidence

by

Indrani Mukerjea’s former husband Sanjeev Khanna (in mask) in police custody. Photo: IE

Indrani Mukerjea’s former husband Sanjeev Khanna (in mask) in police custody. Photo: IE

Mumbai: As investigators waddled through an intriguing web of lies and deceit in the Sheena Bora murder case, Mumbai Police on Friday took Sanjeev Khanna, a prime accused and former husband of co-accused Indrani Mukherjea, to the spot where the young woman was killed three years ago. Khanna later cracked and confessed to his role in the crime.

Police, acting on a court order, permitted Indrani to meet her lawyers while in custody, and officers again questioned former media baron Peter Mukherjea — Indrani’s husband — and the victim’s brother Mikhail, who, after flying into Mumbai from Guwahati, vowed to get justice for his murdered sister.

The probe picked up pace when Khanna, nabbed in Kolkata, was brought here and sent to police custody till August 31.

In a major breakthrough in the murder case, Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria told media persons late on Friday that Khanna has cracked and confessed to his role in the crime.

“(Indrani’s son) Mikhail Bora has submitted some evidence to us. We are in the process of verifying it,” Maria added.

Indrani was arrested on August 25 on charges of killing Sheena on April 24, 2012 along with her driver Shyam Rai and Khanna. She as well as Khanna have denied the charge.

Public Prosecutor Laxman Rathod said police needed to know how Sheena was killed, the vehicle in which she was allegedly murdered before her body was burnt and dumped in the forests near Pen in Raigad district, adjacent to Mumbai.

Seeking custodial interrogation, Rathod said police wanted to take the accused to where Indrani, her driver Shyam Rai and Khanna allegedly poured petrol on Sheena’s body and set it on fire. They also needed to know if more people were involved in the killing.

Khanna has been charged with murder, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, destroying evidence and more. His mobile phone, laptop and passport have been seized but he has denied the police charges.

Rathod told the media that Khanna played “an active role in the case along with the other two accused”.

According to police, the macabre deed was allegedly executed by Indrani with help from Khanna and driver Rai.

Police are also browsing the details of incriminating telephone call records of Khanna and Indrani, email exchanges, birth certificates, school records and other documents that have emerged during the investigation.

Rakesh Maria is personally conducting the interrogation of various players including Indrani, Khanna, Rai, Peter Mukherjea, his son Rahul, who admits to having had a relationship with Sheena, and Mikhail for the past three days.

Late on Thursday night, Maria said investigators have a fair idea of the motives behind Sheena’s killing.

After interrogation, Maria confirmed that Sheena was indeed the daughter of Indrani, contrary to earlier perceptions that they were siblings.

On Friday afternoon, Khanna was taken to the crime scene near Pen in Raigad district, around 95 km south of Mumbai, to recreate the crime scene.

Maria said skeletal remains of Sheena were recovered from the murder scene and they were being sent for forensic and DNA tests.

Mikhail, who arrived here from Guwahati on Friday, provided certain evidence pertaining to his sister’s killing which was now being verified.

During the investigation, it also came to light that Indrani’s claim of Sheena “studying in the US” was false.

Police have also recovered Sheena’s passport from Dehradun.

Meanwhile, the Sir J.J. Hospital handed over to police the bones, nails and other evidences of Sheena which was deposited by Raigad police after her body was found three years back.

Suggesting a pre-planned conspiracy, police have said Indrani had recceed Pen area with her driver to pick the exact spot to dispose of her body a day before the actual killing.

Mikhail Bora has said he knows the real reason his sister was murdered and that he will reveal it all at the appropriate time.

There are still more angles that need probing, including who was the unknown caller who tipped off Mumbai Police some time ago about the Sheena murder.

Then, there is the mystery of why, after Sheena’s death, letters on her behalf were sent to Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd. – where she worked – and her landlord.

(IANS)

WTO ruling against India’s solar push threatens climate, clean energy

by

“The U.S. should be applauding India’s efforts to scale up solar energy—not turning to the WTO to strike the program down.”

India's ambitious solar program was rebuked by the WTO in a decision that climate advocates say shows the potential damage of deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Photo: Knut-Erik Helle/flickr/cc)

India’s ambitious solar program was rebuked by the WTO in a decision that climate advocates say shows the potential damage of deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Photo: Knut-Erik Helle/flickr/cc)

by Nadia Prupis, Common Dreams

The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday ruled against India over its national solar energy program in a case brought by the U.S. government, sparking outrage from labor and environmental advocates.

As power demands grow in India, the country’s government put forth a plan to create 100,000 megawatts of energy from solar cells and modules, and included incentives to domestic manufacturers to use locally-developed equipment.

According to Indian news outlets, the WTO ruled that India had discriminated against American manufacturers by providing such incentives, which violates global trade rules, and struck down those policies—siding with the U.S. government in a case that the Sierra Club said demonstrates the environmentally and economically destructive power of pro-corporate deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“Today, we have more evidence of how free trade rules threaten the clean energy economy and undermine action to tackle the climate crisis,” Ilana Solomon, director of the Sierra Club’s Responsible Trade Program, said on Thursday. “The U.S. should be applauding India’s efforts to scale up solar energy—not turning to the WTO to strike the program down.”

According to Indian media outlet Livemint, the U.S. government

has resorted to similar measures, specifying local content requirements and offering a range of subsidies for promoting its renewable energy sector at the federal, state, regional and local levels.

India spoke repeatedly against the US at WTO’s committee on subsidies and countervailing measures, stating that American subsidy schemes relating to local or domestic content requirements for its solar companies are inconsistent with its global trade obligations.

In addition, Livemint reports, the ruling “goes against the spirit of an agreement signed early this year…. [in which] the two sides agreed to promote clean energy and expand solar energy initiatives.”

Regardless, Solomon said, the WTO “needs to get out of the business of hampering climate action in countries around the globe. The outdated trade rules on the books now and under negotiation in trade pacts including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership encourage trade in fossil fuels and discourage countries from developing local clean energy capacity.”

“These rules simply do not reflect the urgency of solving the climate crisis and stand in the way of clean energy growth,” Solomon said.

The Indian government will appeal the decision to the WTO’s highest court, the appellate body. It is the second time that the WTO has ruled against India in a case with the U.S., which first brought legal action against the country’s food security program in 2014.

The WTO ruled on that case in June, when it decided that the Indian ban on certain foods from the U.S. was “inconsistent with the global norms.”

Proposal to make Hampi, Machu Picchu sister heritage sites

by

Hampi

Bengaluru: An initiative taken by Karnataka’s Tourism Department might soon witness the iconic ruins of Hampi in Ballari and Machu Picchu in Peru become sister heritage sites.

The dream might come true if the submitted proposal was accepted.

The plan has been taken up by Tourism Minister RV Deshpande. He recently led a delegation to the South American nation which included a free entry at Hampi for those tourists who had visited Machu Picchu.

Deshpande said that the proposal was made after reviewing the similarities between the two sites. These historical sites have the Unesco heritage tag, they were built around the 14th-15th century, also both were famous for their Sun temples.

“Peru’s tourism minister has assured that he would discuss the plan with the President of Peru. The regional administration of Cuzco, where Machu Picchu is located has also agreed to display facts about Hampi on its website,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee said that the ticket for Machu Picchu would contain a counterfoil for Hampi. Tourists have to return the counterfoil and enter Hampi within two years, he said.

He noted that it was the first time that a proposal was made to merge two heritage sites instead of cities.

(Agencies)

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives