Ranchi: The Jharkhand Assembly Tuesday passed a bill to prevent mob violence and lynching in the state notorious for vigilante justice, with the proposed law providing for punishment ranging from three years in jail to life imprisonment.
The Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill, 2021, was passed by a voice vote despite opposition by the BJP.
Jharkhand became the third state in the country after West Bengal and Rajasthan to pass such a legislation.
The Bill envisages imprisonment for those pronounced guilty of mob violence and lynching for periods ranging from three years to life term, besides fine and attachment of property. Those held responsible for sharing information in an irresponsible manner will also be punished.
It provides for fine and imprisonment of up to three years for those creating a “hostile environment”, the definition of which includes threatening or coercing the victims, their family members and witnesses or any person providing assistance to them. It also envisages financial compensation to the victim’s family and free medical treatment of victims of mob violence and mob lynching.
The Bill will be now be sent to the governor for his assent.
Tabling the Bill in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Alamgir Alam said its main objective is to provide “effective security” to people, protect their constitutional rights and prevent mob violence.
During the debate on the Bill, the main opposition BJP introduced several amendments which were rejected by voice vote.
BJP leader C P Singh accused the state government of bringing the legislation “in a hurry to appease the minorities”.
The state has seen many incidents of mob violence, but the lynching of 24-year-old Tabrez Ansari in 2019 triggered a nation-wide outrage after videos showed him tied to an electric pole as a crazed crowed beat him up in Seraikela Kharsawan district on suspicion of theft on June 17. He kept begging for his life in vain. Ansari died five days later in a Jamshedpur hospital.
There have also been innumerable incidents of mob lynching of those suspected of practising witchcraft in the tribal state.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren had denounced incidents of mob violence and promised to bring a legislation against it ahead of the 2019 state Assembly election.
Earlier this year, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government had decided to set up district-level committees to deal with cases of mob violence and lyching after being rebuked by the high court.
There are holy cows from Varanasi to Vadipatti, dare not poke fun at them, says Madras HC
Madurai (TN): India has “holy cows” grazing from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Vadipatti in Tamil Nadu and one dare not poke fun at them, the Madras High Court has held and said the Constitution would probably do with an amendment for “duty to laugh.”
All over the country, national security happens to be the “ultimate holy cow,” the Madras High Court Bench observed.
The court’s observation came while quashing a police FIR filed against a person for a Facebook post of photos with an accompanying caption “Trip to Sirumalai for shooting practice,” apparently written in a lighter vein.
Justice G R Swaminathan invoked well-known satirists, cartoonists and journalists and said had they authored the judgement, “they would have proposed a momentous amendment to the Constitution of India to incorporate sub-clause (l) in Article 51-A,” which deals with duty related to abiding by the Constitution and uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India among others.
“To this, the hypothetical author would have added one more fundamental duty- duty to laugh. The correlative right to be funny can be mined in Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India (the use of crypto vocabulary to be forgiven),” the judge said in his recent order.
Being funny is one thing and poking fun at another is different altogether, he added.
“Laugh at what? is a serious question. This is because we have holy cows grazing all over from Varanasi to Vadipatty. One dare not poke fun at them. There is however no single catalogue of holy cows. It varies from person to person and from region to region.”
“A real cow, even if terribly underfed and emaciated, shall be holy in Yogi’s terrain. In West Bengal, Tagore is such an iconic figure that Khushwant Singh learnt the lesson at some cost. Coming to my own Tamil Desh, the all-time iconoclast Periyar Shri E V Ramasamy is a super-holy cow. In today’s Kerala, Marx and Lenin are beyond the bounds of criticism or satire. Chhatrapati Shivaji and Veer Savarkar enjoy a similar immunity in Maharashtra. But all over India, there is one ultimate holy cow and that is national security, the judge said.
Petitioner Mathivanan, an office-bearer of CPI (ML), had sought quashing the FIR registered by Vadipatti police in Madurai over his Facebook post that carried his pictures of a visit to Siruamalai with the caption in Tamil– “Thuppakki Payirchikaga Sirumalai Payanam,” translating to “Trip to Sirumalai for shooting practice.”
“The petitioner herein is an important office-bearer of a not-so-important political party. CPI (ML) is now an over-ground organization which contests elections also. Paper warriors are also entitled to fantasise that they are swadeshi Che Guevaras,” the judge said.
“Revolutionaries, whether real or phoney, are not usually credited with any sense of humour (or at least this is the stereotype). For a change, the petitioner tried to be funny. Perhaps it was his maiden attempt at humour,” the judge said.
But the police did not “find it to be a joke” and booked him under different sections of IPC, including collecting arms with intention of waging war against the Government of India and criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication (IPC 507), the judge pointed out.
He said invoking IPC Section 507 “makes me laugh.”
“Section 507 IPC can be invoked only if the person sending the communication had concealed his identity. The communication must be anonymous. In this case, the petitioner had posted the photographs along with the caption in his Facebook page. He has not concealed his identity. There is nothing anonymous about the act in question,” he said.
In fact, none of the ingredients set out in the sections under which he was booked were present in the case, the court said.
“The very registration of the impugned FIR is absurd and an abuse of legal process. It stands quashed,” the judge ruled.
Japan stun India 5-3 to set up title clash against Korea in ACT hockey
Dhaka: Defending champions and Olympic bronze medallist India suffered a stunning 3-5 defeat against Japan in the second semifinal of the Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament here on Tuesday.
India were the overwhelming favourites before the start of the match after having thrashed the same opponents 6-0 in their last round robin match and also on head-to-head record, but the Japanese had other plans.
The Japanese looked a completely different side on Tuesday as they toyed with the defence of the Manpreet Singh-led side from the beginning.
Japan scored through Shota Yamada (1st minute, penalty), Raiki Fujishima (2nd minute), Yoshiki Kirishita (14th), Kosei Kawabe (35th) and Ryoma Ooka (41st).
India’s goals were scored by Hardik Singh (17th, 58th minute) and vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh (43rd).
India and Japan had met 18 times before with the hosts winning 16 games, while Japan emerged victorious on one occasion and one ended in a draw.
Japan will now take on South Korea in the summit clash, while India will be once again up against Pakistan in the bronze medal clash on Wednesday.
The tournament ended in a anti-climax for India as after having topped the round robin stages with an unbeaten record.
In the other semifinal of the day, South Korea beat Pakistan 6-5 in a thrilling contest.
Instagram accounts of my children too have been hacked: Priyanka Gandhi
Lucknow: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday alleged that her children’s Instagram accounts have been hacked.
“Leave phone tapping Instagram account of my children have also been hacked, Priyanka told reporters when asked about allegations of phone tapping of opposition leaders by the government.
Does the government have no other work?” she asked.
The Congress leader made the allegation two days after Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav accused Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of getting his telephones tapped and listening to the recordings of his conversations every evening.
Gandhi also claimed that her ‘Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon’ (I’m a girl and can fight) campaign has forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a women’s meeting in Prayagraj.
“Due to ‘Ladki hoon, Lad sakti hoon’ campaign of Congress, PM has to work for women. PM has bowed before the women power. This is a victory of women of Uttar Pradesh,” she said.
Karnataka police to recruit transgenders for the post of special reserve Sub-Inspector
Bengaluru, Dec 21: In an initiative to promote gender equality, the Karnataka police has for the first time invited applications from transgenders for the posts of ‘Special Reserve Sub-Inpsector’.
The notification for the Karnataka state police recruitment-2021, said ‘men, women and transgenders’, including “inservice of residual and Kalyana Karnataka (Local) – 2021-22”, can apply to fill 70 posts.
Applicants must be a graduate or equivalent from a UGC recognised university and will have to get a cerfiticate from the district magistrate about their gender status, without which the application will not be entertained. Online applications commenced from December 20 and the last date for the exercise is January 18, 2022, it said.
Nisha Gullur of “Sangama”, a Non Government Organisation, told PTI that she had moved the Karnataka High Court with a plea to allow transgenders to secure government jobs.
“We moved the court in June 2020 and the judgment came in our favour this year. It is a welcome decision that the Karnataka police is going to hire us,” Nisha said.
According to her, there are over a lakh transgenders across Karnataka, of which about 13,000 are affiliated to her organisation.
Nisha said the next challenge will be to create a conducive atmosphere for transgenders in the offices where they work.
No parties, mass gatherings from Dec 30 to Jan 2 due to COVID-19, rising Omicron cases in Karnataka
Belagavi: Keeping in view the COVID-19 situation and the rising number of cases of Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, the Karnataka government on Tuesday said that no parties or mass gatherings would be permitted in the state from December 30 to January 2.
“We had a meeting with experts through video conference regarding the new year celebrations, keeping in mind the COVID-19 and Omicron related cases,” Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters.
On their recommendation, the government decided to prohibit mass gatherings in the city and other public places in the state.
“We are banning mass gatherings at open places. This is across the state from December 30 to January 2,” Bommai said.
He said no parties or events like having Disc Jockeys at clubs and restaurants would be allowed.
“The clubs and restaurants will be allowed to have only 50 per cent of the capacity, but there is a ban on organising parties and Disc Jockeys,” Bommai said.
Similarly in apartments too, there will be no parties or DJs and residents’ associations will have to ensure that the rules are not violated.
As many as 19 cases of Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus have been reported so far in the state.
14-year-old boy in UP says “Hamara bass chale toh Akhilesh ko goli marwa dunga”
Lucknow: In a video that is doing rounds across social media platforms, a 14-year-old boy is seen claiming during a news channel interview had it been in his control, he would’ve gotten Akhilesh Yadav shot.
In the video, a news reporter is interviewing a group of people in Uttar Pradesh, while interviewing a young boy, who identifies himself as a 14-year-old boy, goes on to say that he would’ve gotten Akhilesh Yadav shot if it was in his control.
He further adds that he is a “Pandit” and says “Yogi ji ki Sarkar hai kya ukhad lenge hamara” (What will they do? It’s Yogi Adityanath’s government in the state).
Fact-checker and founder of Alt News, Mohammed Zubair shared the 58-sec video clip from his Twitter handle following which the video went viral.
Court discharges former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Senger in 2019 accident case of Unnao rape survivor
New Delhi: A Delhi court has discharged former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Senger and five others in the 2019 accident case of Unnao rape survivor, saying that prima facie no charges are made out against him.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey discharged the accused observing that prima facie there is no evidence against the accused persons — Senger, Komal Singh, Arun Singh, Gyanendra Singh, Rinku Singh and , Awdesh Singh.
The court however ordered framing of charges against four other accused –Ashish Kumar Pal, Vinod Mishra, Haripal Singh and Naveen Singh — as there was prima facie sufficient evidence against them.
In its order passed on Monday, the court noted that the charge sheet did not find mention of any record or evidence regarding the criminal conspiracy between the accused persons ordered to be put on trial with the accused Sengar.
“Accused Ashish Kumar Pal is directed to be charged for offence punishable under section 304-A (causing death by negligence), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 279 (rash driving on a public way) of IPC and accused Vinod Mishra, Haripal Singh and Naveen Singh are directed to be separately charged for offence punishable under section 506(ii) (threat to cause death) of IPC, read with Section 34 (common intention) of IPC, the court said.
According to the prosecution, a truck rammed into the vehicle in which the Unnao rape victim was travelling to Rae Bareli with her two aunts and lawyer in July 2019.
While her aunts succumbed to their injuries, the rape survivor and her lawyer were grievously injured.
The order also noted that Sengar was in judicial custody during the period when the alleged threat was extended to the victim or her family members.
Admittedly the case of prosecution was that he conspired with the other accused to extend the threat to the victim or her family members and he himself not extended any threat, the court said.
On August 1, 2019 the Supreme Court transferred the case to Delhi from a trial court in Uttar Pradesh.
Besides, on December 20, 2019, Sengar was sentenced to jail for the remainder of his natural biological life in a separate case for raping the minor in 2017.
On March 4, 2020, Sengar, his brother, and five others were also convicted for the death of the rape survivor’s father in judicial custody and were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
TMC storms back to power in KMC, pockets 89 seats, leads in 44 others
Kolkata:he Trinamool Congress Tuesday stormed back to power in the 144-member strong Kolkata Municipal Corporation for the third consecutive time, bagging 89 seats and leading in 44 wards, a senior State Election Commission official said.
The BJP has emerged victorious in one ward so far and is leading in three others, he said.
“The TMC has won the KMC board as it has already crossed the majority mark. The party has thus far won 89 seats and is leading in 44 wards. The TMC in total is either leading or has won 133 seats,” the official said.
The Congress won two seats, but the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which is leading in two wards, is yet to open its account.
Word ‘lynching’ practically unheard of before 2014, says Rahul Gandhi in dig at PM Modi
New Delhi, Dec 21: The word lynching was practically unheard of before 2014 when the BJP came to power, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter on Tuesday and went on to taunt the prime minister with a “Thank you Modiji”.
Asked about the lynching jibe at a media briefing later in the day, the former Congress president said, “Sarkar ki dalali mat karo (Don’t do mediation for the BJP).”
Gandhi, who appeared to lose his cool, responded after reporters asked him about the BJP’s attack on his tweet.
“Before 2014, the word ‘lynching’ was practically unheard of. #ThankYouModiJi,” Gandhi’s tweet said.
The attack comes in the wake of lynchings in Amritsar and Kapurthala in Punjab where the Congress is in power.
The BJP hit back at the Congress, saying Rahul Gandhi is the son of Rajiv Gandhi who had justified the anti-Sikh riots.
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