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Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has officially declared Wednesday, April 10, as the first day of Eid Al Fitr, following the non-sighting of the crescent moon on Monday evening. This announcement signifies that the holy month of Ramadan will extend for 30 days this year in the Kingdom.
Previously, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had urged Muslims across the nation to watch for the crescent moon on the 29th day of Ramadan, corresponding to Monday, April 8, 2024, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Panna (MP): In a jolt to the opposition’s INDIA bloc in Madhya Pradesh, nomination of the Samajwadi Party’s (SP) candidate from Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency, Meera Yadav, was on Friday rejected by the returning officer.
The development left the SP fuming with its chief Akhilesh Yadav terming it a “blatant murder” of democracy and demanding judicial probe.
Meera Yadav would challenge the rejection in the High Court, her husband Deep Narayan Yadav said
Congress, the main opposition party in the BJP-ruled state, had left the Khajuraho seat for SP as per the seat-sharing arrangement within the INDIA bloc. Polling will be held for the seat in the second phase, on April 26.
The Panna district collector, who is also the election returning officer, rejected Meera Yadav’s nomination as she had not signed the `B form’ and also failed to attach a certified copy of the 2023 Assembly elections voters’ list, a senior official said.
The BJP has fielded its state unit president and sitting MP Vishnu Dutt Sharma who is seeking a second term from Khajuraho.
Yadav’s husband Deep Narayan told reporters that they would move the high court against the returning officer’s order.
“The form was verified yesterday after scrutiny. There is a rule that if there is any discrepancy, it is the duty of the returning officer to get it rectified even if the candidate is illiterate,” he said.
“Yesterday, the form was found to be alright. Today, two shortcomings were pointed out. First, the voters’ list attached with the form is not certified or it is old. Signature was supposed to be made at two places, but it was made only in one place,” he added.
Yadav also claimed that they did not get a certified copy of voters’ list till April 3, and hence attached a copy that was available.
“We requested him (collector) that we still had time as we had come before (the deadline of) 3 pm, and it could be rectified. He should have told us yesterday about it and we could have done it by now,” Yadav added.
To a question, he said there were 15 other candidates in the fray, and “we will support one of them after consulting our senior leaders.” The election will be contested under any circumstances, he added.
Taking to X , SP chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted,|” The rejection of INDIA bloc’s SP candidate from Khajuraho seat was a blatant murder of democracy.
“It is being said that it (nomination form) was not signed. Why the officer looking after |(such things) accepted the form. This is all just excuses and frustration of the defeated BJP,” he stated.
There should be a judicial probe as the rejection of a candidate’s nomination is a crime in democracy, Yadav wrote.
Notably, the SP had announced on March 30 that Manoj Yadav, who belongs to Shikohabad in Uttar Pradesh, would be given ticket from Khajuraho. But two days later, it replaced him with Meera Yadav, a local face, to take on V D Sharma who had won Khajuraho seat by more than 4.5 lakh votes in 2019.
Meera Yadav had won from Niwari assembly seat, part of Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency, as SP candidate in 2008. Her husband Deep Narayan was the SP MLA in 2007 and 2012 from Garautha in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, which shares a border with MP’s Niwari district. He has also been the SP’s Madhya Pradesh unit chief.
The BJP has been winning the Khajuraho seat since 2004.
Hyderabad: Chennai Super Kings fluffed their lines during their batting innings and then were struck by a tornado named Abhishek Sharma whose 37 off 12 balls put Sunrisers Hyderabad on course of their comfortable six wicket victory against the defending champions in an IPL match here on Friday.
The SRH bowlers were very disciplined while restricting CSK to 165 for 5 in 20 overs with only 37 being scored off last five overs.
If 37 off last five was a poor effort from CSK, young southpaw Abhishek, who is having a great tournament, also scored 37 but off only 12 deliveries with four sixes to lay the platform.
Aiden Markram then anchored a run chase with a 36-ball 50 as SRH knocked off the runs in just 18.1 overs.
His 60-run stand with opener Travis Head (31 off 24 balls) for the second wicket in seven overs after Abhishek pummeled a listless Mukesh Chaudhary, playing his first game, for 27 runs. The match as a contest ended then and there as CSK lost two away matches on trot while SRH have now won both their home games.
CSK had a chance first up but Moeen Ali dropped Head off the second delivery bowled by Deepak Chahar.
After that it was mayhem as 23-year-old Abhishek hit two fours and three sixes off Mukesh, who was forced selection in absence of Mustafizur Rahaman, who has taken a one-match break to go home and submit his US visa application.
Playing his first competitive game after 16 months, Mukesh was all over the place in his only over and will again warm the benches from next game when Mustafizue comes back.
There was no let up from the Abhishek as he also hammered ‘IPL specialist’ Chahar for a boundary and a six in the third over but his pyrotechnics ended there as his lofted shot was taken by a diving Jadeja.
Head and Markram consolidated the innings without taking too many risks, reaching 78 for 1 after six overs. SRH brought up their 100 runs in the ninth over with Markram hitting a massive six off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja in the ninth over.
Head, the Impact Sub for T Natarajan, was out in the 10th over off Maheesh Theekshana but not before he added 60 runs with Markram. Pressure had eased out by then as SRH needed just 59 runs from the final 10 overs with eight wickets in hand.
Markram made his first fifty of the season in the 14th over as CSK bowlers toiled to get the wickets. But the South African batter who captained SRH last season got out in the same over bowled by compatriot Moeen Ali (2/23) who won an LBW review taken by SRH.
The Hyderabad-based side did not need to press panic button as they needed just 34 runs from the last five overs. Moeen got his second wicket in the form of Shahbaz Ahmed (18) but Heinrich Klaasen (10 not out) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (14 not out) took SRH home.
Earlier, CSK batters failed to capitalise on their starts as they were restricted to a below-par 165 for 5.
In-form Shivam Dube top-scored with a 24-ball 45 while veteran Ajinkya Rahane contributed a sedate 35 off 30 balls after CSK were asked to bat on a pitch that didn’t seem like a proverbial belter. The duo’s 65-run partnership for the third wicket from just 6.3 overs was the only highlight of the CSK innings.
CSK added only 37 runs in the last five overs and that could be the turning point in the match.
But credit must be given to CSK’s all-season’s man Ravindra Jadeja, whose unbeaten 31 off 23 balls was the added fillip that the defending champions needed at the end.
Kaithal (Hry): The AAP has alleged that its application seeking permission for two poll programmes from the authorities concerned were denied with abusive language in the reply.
Taking strong cognisance of the matter, Brahm Prakash, the sub-divisional magistrate-cum-assistant returning officer in Haryana’s Kaithal, ordered the suspension of five computer operators and directed police to conduct a thorough probe.
Sushil Gupta, the Haryana unit chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who is contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election from the Kurukshetra constituency, said the party had sought permission for two poll programmes on April 7.
Kaithal is located within the Kurukshetra parliamentary constituency.
“In the reply we received, in one case, it was mentioned in writing that the permission has been rejected. In another, abuses were mentioned in the column where reasons for either approval or rejection have to be given,” Gupta said.
Nothing can be more shameful than the use of such objectionable language, he said while requesting the Election Commission for strict action in the matter
AAP leaders said they had applied for the permission for the April 7 programmes on the designated portal.
When contacted, Prakash said five computer operators were suspended and police directed to investigate the matter.
He did not rule out the possibility that the portal might have been hacked.
The Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be held in seven phases starting April 19 and the counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. Haryana goes to polls on May 25.
Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi : The Congress on Friday said if it comes to power at the Centre, after wide consultations, it will bring a law to recognise civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community.
In its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the opposition party also said it will encourage reforms of personal laws but asserted that such reforms must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned.
The assertion by the Congress on reforms of personal laws but with the consent of the communities concerned comes amid a push by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to bring in a Uniform Civil Code.
The Congress also said it will respect and uphold the fundamental right to practise one’s faith and the rights guaranteed to religious minorities under articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 of the Constitution.
“After wide consultation, Congress will bring a law to recognise civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community,” the manifesto said.
LGBTQIA stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual. The additional “+” stands for all of the other identities not encompassed in the short acronym
“We will also respect and uphold the rights of linguistic minorities guaranteed under Articles 15, 16, 29 and 30 of the Constitution,” the Congress said.
The party also promised to encourage and assist students and youngsters belonging to the minority communities to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in education, employment, business, services, sports, arts and other fields.
“We will restore the Maulana Azad Scholarships for study abroad and increase the number of scholarships,” the manifesto said.
Noting that the economic empowerment of the minorities is a necessary step for India to realise its full potential, the Congress said it will ensure that banks provide institutional credit to minorities without discrimination.
“We will ensure that the minorities receive their fair share of opportunities in education, healthcare, public employment, public work contracts, skill development, sports and cultural activities without discrimination,” the party said.
The Congress promised to meet the long-standing demands for the inclusion of more languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.
The manifesto, focusing on five “pillars of justice” and 25 guarantees under those, was released at the AICC headquarters on Friday in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
The Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be held in seven phases starting April 19 and the counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.
Bengaluru : On Friday, the High Court raised questions to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the prolonged investigation in the disproportionate assets case against Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) DK Shivakumar. The court inquired whether there is a legal provision for such lengthy investigations and if there is no time limit under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The case stems from petitions filed by the CBI and the BJP challenging the state government’s decision to revoke permission for the investigation. Special Public Prosecutor for CBI, Prasanna Kumar, argued that the government did not provide reasons for withdrawing the permission.
He highlighted that Shivakumar’s alleged illegal assets between 2013 and 2018 amount to Rs. 74.93 crore. Shivakumar had applied for the cancellation of the CBI investigation, and permission was withdrawn while the appeal was pending.
The court is deliberating on whether the government has the authority to revoke CBI investigation permissions under the General Clauses Act. The CBI advocates informed the court that the investigation is still ongoing. The High Court has adjourned the hearing to a later date.
Bengaluru: As many as 47 students from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) here have been hospitalised after they complained of loose stools and dehydration, officials said on Saturday.
According to Ramesh Krishna, Dean and Director of BMCRI, 47 students from the Institute’s girls hostel were admitted to Victoria Hospital on Friday.
Out of these, 28 are in Trauma Care Centre, 13 are in H Block and three are in ICU for observation. All of them suffered from loose stools and dehydration. They have been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis.
“Investigations have been sent and antibiotics & IV fluids are being administered. We are awaiting the reports,” he stated. A doctor from Victoria Hospital said, “All students are stable now. They have been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. Though there is a suspicion of cholera, we are waiting for reports for clarity. Reports are expected soon.”
Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department had on Friday said six confirmed cases of cholera have been reported in the state so far this year of which five were reported in March. Amid reports that extreme heat compounded with the water crisis has led to a scare of a cholera outbreak, the department however clarified that all these cases are “sporadic” and that there was no outbreak.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has emphasized that the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are a crucial battle to safeguard the essence of Indian democracy.
Stalin likened the current political climate to a second struggle for freedom, aimed at preserving the core values of India, including democracy, secularism, and pluralism.
In an interview with the Indian Express at his residence in Chennai, DMK chief Stalin expressed confidence in the opposition’s unity against the BJP, highlighting the presence of leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee, and Tejashwi Yadav. He also praised Rahul Gandhi as a dynamic leader poised to challenge Modi’s image and the RSS narrative.
Stalin criticized the Modi government for its focus on past grievances, such as the recent withdrawal of cases against AAP leaders who switched to the BJP. He accused the BJP of using the RTI Act selectively to attack opposition leaders, expressing concerns about the erosion of public trust in Modi’s statements.
Stalin reiterated the DMK’s commitment to social justice and inclusivity, contrasting it with the BJP’s divisive politics based on the RSS ideology. He criticized the BJP’s claims of upholding democracy and federalism, suggesting that these principles were not being upheld in practice.
Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa, who is contesting as a rebel candidate against BJP’s B Y Raghavendra from Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat, on Thursday claimed Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not meet him as he found it difficult to respond to questions raised by him.
Eshwarappa, a senior BJP leader, said he went to Delhi as Shah had summoned him but the meeting could not happen.
“I went to Delhi as I was summoned. If I had not gone there then they would have called me arrogant. I could not meet Amit Shah. I think the meeting did not happen because I had asked him certain questions, which he found difficult to answer,” the former BJP state president claimed.
Eshwarappa has entered the electoral fray in Shivamogga constituency as an independent, against Raghavendra, son of BJP veteran B S Yediyurappa.
Explaining, he alleged Shah did not allow the meeting to happen.
“I went to his office where I was told not to meet him. It is good for me. What would I have done if he had asked me to withdraw even after narrating the story of injustices?” Eshwarappa wondered.
The veteran BJP leader said Shah must have thought that whatever he was doing was justified as he was fighting for justice.
“He only had called me to Delhi and did not meet me,” he claimed. Further, the 75-year old leader alleged, “in Karnataka, Congress culture has crept into BJP where Yediyurappa’s family politics is prevailing.”
Sources close to Eshwarappa said he wanted a ticket for his son K E Kantesh from Haveri constituency, which did not happen.
This upset him and he blamed Yediyurappa for the same. Hence, he decided to fight the election against Yediyurappa’s elder son Raghavendra.
Ahmedabad: A cracking unbeaten half-century by all-rounder Shashank Singh and his fruitful 43-run partnership with an equally aggressive Ashutosh Sharma helped Punjab Kings defeat Gujarat Titans by three wickets in an Indian Premier League match here on Thursday.
Shashank smashed an unbeaten 61 off 29 deliveries, while Ashutosh slammed a 17-ball 31 as PBKS chased down the 200-run target with one ball to spare after the team from Punjab had an inauspicious start, losing skipper Shikhar Dhawan for just one run.
GT skipper Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 89 off just 48 deliveries in the team’s total of 199 for 4 went in vain.
Gill was in sublime form as he took GT to an imposing total, hitting six boundaries and four maximums. He was assisted by Sai Sudarshan, who slammed a 19-ball 33 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Gill and Sudarshan also shared a 53-run stand for the third wicket.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans: 199 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 89, Kane Williamson 26, Sai Sudharsan 33; Kagiso Rabada 2/44).
Punjab Kings: 200 for 7 in 19.5 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 35, Shashank Singh 61 not out, Ashutosh Sharma 31; Noor Ahmad 2/32) by three wickets.