Archives for 2024

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday condemned the Doordarshan’s decision to telecast “The Kerala Story” and asked the public broadcaster to withdraw from screening the controversial movie, saying it would only “exacerbate communal tensions” ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

He also asked the national broadcaster not to become a “propaganda machine” for the BJP and the RSS.

“The decision by @DDNational to broadcast the film ‘Kerala Story’, which incites polarisation, is highly condemnable. The national news broadcaster should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine and withdraw from screening a film that only seeks to exacerbate communal tensions ahead of the general elections.

“Kerala will remain steadfast in opposing such malicious attempts to sow hatred,” Vijayan said in a post on X.

Doordarshan has announced that the movie will be broadcast on April 5.

In a statement, the ruling CPI(M) also asked the public broadcaster to withdraw its decision to telecast the movie.

The party asked it not to stand with the “BJP’s attempt to polarise” the secular Kerala society.

The state secretariat of the CPI(M) alleged that the BJP decided to screen the controversial movie as the general elections are nearing, hoping to advance their political agenda since the saffron party was unable to make inroads in Kerala society.

“This amounts to challenging Kerala. Kerala had witnessed strong protests when it was released. The censor board itself had removed 10 scenes from the movie,” CPI(M) said.

A public sector broadcast service should not stand with the “BJP’s attempt to polarise” the secular Kerala society, it said.

The Kerala High Court had last year refused to stay the release of the film, stating that the movie trailer does not contain anything offensive to any particular community as a whole.

The court had said that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has examined the movie and found that it is suitable for public exhibition.

The movie’s trailer was severely criticised and challenged before the court for “falsely” claiming that 32,000 women from Kerala got converted and radicalised and were deployed in terror missions both in India and the world.

The BJP had alleged that there was an unofficial ban on the movie in the theatres of the state.

Strong protest was held by the CPI(M) and the Congress against the movie when it was released in 2023.

Imphal: Amidst the lingering aftermath of ethnic conflicts, the women traders at Manipur’s iconic ‘Ima market’ – the only market in the world run entirely by women – have expressed a deafening lack of enthusiasm towards the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Questioning the relevance of the electoral process amidst the ongoing turmoil, the women traders from various market associations, are contemplating a boycott of the polls with their major grievance being — “the nation forgot Manipur”.

Nema Devi, a seasoned fish vendor at the market, reflects the sentiment shared by many, emphasising the absence of tangible change despite months of unrest.

“Even 11 months after the violence, there has not been a resolution and no restoration of peace. We continue to live by the rule of taking one day at a time. Living in continuous fear and going ahead with our usual lives.

“What will change with the elections? The nation, the government, everybody forgot Manipur,” 52-year-old Devi, who has been running the shop in the market for over a decade, told PTI.

Debjani, a fruits and vegetables vendor, succinctly said, “Elections nai chahiye” (elections not needed)”, echoing the prevailing scepticism.

At first glance, the 500-year-old “Ima Keithel” is much like any other popular market. Lines of vendors selling everything from fresh fruit to fish and fabrics from dusk until dawn.

But after walking through its long lanes with more than 4,500 stalls spread across three multi-story buildings and a sea of surrounding tin shacks, one unique aspect becomes hard to ignore: every single trader, without exception, is a woman, a fact they take pride in.

The famous market was also the theme of the state’s Republic Day tableau this year.

Priya Kharaibam, a third-generation pottery trader, questioned the purpose of elections if the status quo remains unchanged.

“If everything has to go on the way it is going on, why do we need elections? What will change?” she asked.

Against this backdrop, a traders’ group in the market called Manipur Keithel Phambi Apunba Lup, has opted to abstain from engaging in election-related activities, citing governmental disregard for the populace’s well-being.

“The decision to hold the elections shows that the government has no concern for the life and property of the common people. The people of the state have been witnessing a cycle of violence arising out of conflict between two communities for the last 11 months.

“We have been facing immense hardship due to the protracted violence,” said Yumnam Ibeyaima, General Secretary of the traders’ body.

The unfolding crisis stemming from clashes between the Meitei and tribal Kuki communities has claimed over 200 lives, with thousands displaced and living in camps.

Asem Nirmala, General Secretary of another traders’ body in the market called Lukmaisellup, lamented the lack of governmental responsiveness to the prolonged crisis, emphasising the urgent need for solutions over elections.

“This is the time for solutions. This is not the time for elections. These polls are being enforced at the very wrong time.

“We are contemplating whether we should either not vote or vote in unison against the government in power and give other parties a chance and see if there is restoration of peace. I am trying to counsel the women in the market but they are not keen on voting,” she told PTI.

Some traders find themselves at a crossroads, contemplating whether to vote collectively against the incumbent government in pursuit of peace restoration.

As many as 75 ‘Imas’ or ‘mothers’ (elderly women traders) from the famed market had visited Delhi in June last year and staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding a solution and opposing any territorial division of the state on ethnic lines.

Expressing disillusionment with the electoral process, Kunjang Phema, a fabric vendor, highlights the failure of elected representatives to address their grievances effectively.

“Why do we choose a representative? So our voices are heard and acted upon. If that has not happened in such a critical situation when will it happen? Why should we vote? We are still contemplating whether to vote or not but if you ask us if we have faith in elections? No,” says Phema, who was part of the group.

The elections for two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur will be held in two phases on April 19 and 26.

While Inner Manipur and some segments of Outer Manipur will vote in the first phase on April 19, the remaining segments of Outer Manipur will vote in Phase 2 on April 26.

The Election Commission has announced that the displaced population will have the opportunity to cast their votes from relief camps.

The effort to facilitate voting for the displaced offers a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing despair, as the state grapples with deep-seated unrest and a yearning for lasting peace.

Amidst the prevailing unrest and feelings of abandonment, the traders’ voices echo a profound sense of disillusionment with the government’s response to Manipur’s plight.

“The government cannot see that Manipur is burning, it feels like it is some state outside India and hence peace here is not on their agenda. Why should we impose our faith in such a system which has abandoned us at this crucial time? Despite the huge deployment of forces, we do not feel safe in our own homeland,” said K Dhaneshori.

The scorching summer heat has descended upon the state, leaving its residents reeling under its oppressive grip. The onset of heatwaves has particularly impacted manual laborers, drivers, and unprotected commuters, subjecting them to the relentless rays of the sun. With temperatures soaring 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal in North Interior, South Interior, and Coastal regions, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an alarm, forecasting a prolonged period of heightened temperatures from April through May.

In the capital city of Bengaluru, where extreme temperatures have persisted over the last three days, the public finds itself drained and fatigued by the unyielding heat. Reluctance to venture outdoors prevails as the absence of rainfall exacerbates the situation. According to data released by the IMD, this year’s temperatures mark a five-year high, with April 3rd recording a staggering 37°C, the highest in recent memory.

Amidst the sweltering conditions, the climate forecast paints a grim picture, predicting heatwaves lasting anywhere from 2 to 14 days across the state. Recognizing the imminent threat posed to human and animal welfare, the Revenue Department has issued crucial guidelines aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the extreme heat. This move comes in the wake of 223 taluks being declared drought-hit, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

The guidelines advocate for prudent measures to combat the heat, including avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours (12 PM to 3 PM), ensuring adequate hydration through regular water intake, and donning light-colored clothing, sunglasses, and headgear when venturing outside. Additionally, the public is advised to refrain from consuming dehydrating beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks, opting instead for hot foods to maintain hydration levels.

To safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly children and pets, from the dangers of overheating, strict precautions are advised. Never leaving them unattended in parked vehicles, providing ample shade and hydration, and seeking immediate medical attention in case of fainting or illness are emphasized in the guidelines.

For those already succumbing to the heat’s onslaught, the guidelines prescribe prompt action, including relocating the individual to a shaded area, administering rehydrating solutions like ORS or lemonade, and seeking medical assistance if symptoms persist or worsen.

In a concerted effort to preemptively address the challenges posed by heatwaves, the guidelines underscore the importance of infrastructure and community support. This includes ensuring access to drinking water in heat-prone areas, erecting shades in public spaces, stocking essential veterinary medicines, and disseminating information to tourists and religious devotees about the extreme temperatures.

Moreover, contingency plans, such as water supply through tankers and borewells, are already in place and ready to be implemented as needed. Regulatory measures, such as weekly meetings of the District Disaster Management Authority and taluk-level task force committees, aim to facilitate coordinated responses to the evolving situation.

In addition to individual preparedness, the guidelines stress the importance of institutional readiness, with hospitals, industries, and public spaces undergoing rigorous fire safety audits and emergency response training to mitigate potential risks.

As the state braces itself for the relentless onslaught of summer heat, adherence to these guidelines becomes imperative to safeguard lives and livelihoods alike. With proactive measures and community resilience, the hope remains to weather this heatwave season with minimal casualties and maximum preparedness.

New Delhi: A day after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Delhi excise case, AAP MP Sanjay Singh walked out of Tihar jail on Wednesday and said it was not the time to celebrate but struggle hoping that other jailed party leaders will also come out soon.

After his release, Singh left for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence where he met his wife Sunita Kejriwal.

In a video shared by the Aam Aadmi Party, Singh is seen touching the feet of Sunita Kejriwal when he met her.

Singh had been lodged in the high-security prison here since October 13, 2023. He came out at 8.11 pm through the gate number three.

Jail officials said he was released after the completion of bail procedure.

A large number of AAP supporters assembled outside the jail and raised the slogans of “dekho dekho kaun aaya, sher aaya, sher aaya” and “Sanjay Singh zinadabad”.

Wearing white kurta-pajama with brown-colour jacket, the Rajya Sabha member walked out of the jail and was garlanded amidst sloganeering by AAP workers. The rose petals were also showered on him by party workers.

There was a heavy security presence outside the jail in view of his release. Singh climbed atop his vehicle as supporters jostled to greet him.

“Arvind Kejriwal and our leaders have been put behind bars and I am fully confident that ‘ye jail ke taale tutenge hamare sare neta chutenge (The locks of jail will break and all our leaders will come out).

“I want to say that this is not the time to celebrate, but struggle,” Singh said while addressing party supporters outside the jail.

Delhi cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak were also present outside the jail.

Bharadwaj said that the party will continue to struggle.

“Sanjay Singh’s words that the time is for struggle not celebrations because leaders of the party including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain are still in jail. Our three leaders are in jail so the party will continue to struggle,” he told reporters.

Soon after Singh was released, the AAP in a post in Hindi said, “The lion broke the chains of the dictator and came out.”

Later, speaking to reporters, AAP leader Atishi said, “This is the victory of truth. The investigation into the fake excise case has been going on for the last two years. ED and CBI have put hundreds of their officers on the job to find something in this case and conducted raids, but they have not found a single penny of corruption from any leader of the Aam Aadmi Party.”

She said that with the release of Sanjay Singh from Tihar jail, the AAP’s honesty has come out before the entire country.

The Supreme Court had asked the ED again and again where is the money trail, but the agency did not have any reply that’s why it did not oppose Singh’s bail plea, the AAP leader said.

Earlier, Singh was admitted to the ILBS Hospital in Vasant Kunj. Around 1.30 pm, after being discharged from the hospital, he was taken back to Tihar jail for completing the bail formalities.

On Tuesday, Singh had gone to ILBS for a regular checkup but got admitted. He got the news of his bail when he was in the hospital.

His wife Anita Singh has said that they will not celebrate his release as other leaders of the AAP, including Kejriwal, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and former minister Satyendar Jain, are still in jail.

New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday expelled Maharashtra leader Sanjay Nirupam from the party for six years for indiscipline and making anti-party statements.

The action against him came after the Maharashtra unit of the Congress initiated disciplinary action for his recent remarks targeting party ally and Maha Vikas Aghadi member Shiv Sena (UBT) in the state.

“Taking note of complaints of indiscipline and anti-party statements, Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) has approved the expulsion of Sanjay Nirupam from the party for six years with immediate effect,” an official communication from the party said.

The Congress has dropped the name of Nirupam, a former MP, as a star campaigner.

The demand for action against Nirupam grew after he castigated the state leadership for “ceding” constituencies in Mumbai to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena during seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha elections.

“The Congress has dropped Nirupam’s name from the list of star campaigners and disciplinary action has been initiated against him for his utterances against the party and the state unit leadership,” state party president Nana Patole told reporters after attending a meeting of the party’s campaign committee in Mumbai.

Making light of the party’s action, Nirupam raised the “serious financial crisis” in the Congress, apparently alluding to the Income Tax Department’s action for tax demand.

“It (Congress) should utilise its energy to save itself, as the party is experiencing a serious financial crisis. The time-frame I had given to the party ends today. I will spell out my next course of action tomorrow,” he said in a post on X.

The former MP from Mumbai North, Nirupam, had hit out at the state leadership of the Congress after the Shiv Sena (UBT) declared its candidates for four out of six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, including the Mumbai North West seat, which Nirupam was believed to be eyeing.

He had also said the Congress leadership shouldn’t allow itself to be arm-twisted by the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Accepting the Shiv Sena (UBT’s) decision to unilaterally field candidates in Mumbai amounted to allowing the destruction of the Congress, the former Mumbai Congress president had claimed.

Nirupam had quit the Shiv Sena in 2005.

Mumbai: Former MP Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday took a swipe at the Congress leadership over his expulsion, claiming it was done after he sent his resignation letter to the party.

Taking note of complaints of indiscipline and anti-party statements, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge late Wednesday evening approved Nirupam’s expulsion from the party for six years with immediate effect.

On Thursday morning, former Mumbai Congress chief Nirupam in a post on X said, “Looks like, immediately after the party received my resignation letter last night, they decided to issue my expulsion. Good to see such promptness.”

In the letter to Kharge, Nirupam said, “I have finally decided to fulfil your much awaited desire and hereby announce that I chose to resign from the primary membership of the All India Congress Committee.”

Nirupam, who was eyeing the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency, was miffed with the party for allowing the Shiv Sena (UBT) to take the seat for the upcoming parliamentary polls.

The demand for action against Nirupam grew after he castigated the Maharashtra Congress leadership for “ceding” constituencies in Mumbai to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party during seat-sharing talks of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance for Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress dropped Nirupam’s name as a star campaigner, indicating the crisis was escalating.

Nirupam then launched a sharp attack, saying as the party was experiencing a “serious financial crisis”, it should utilise the stationery and energy to save itself, apparently alluding to the Income Tax Department’s action for tax demand.

The former MP from Mumbai North had also said the Congress leadership should not allow itself to be arm-twisted by the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Accepting the Shiv Sena (UBT’s) decision to unilaterally field candidates in Mumbai amounted to allowing the destruction of Congress, he had claimed.

A former Shiv Sainik, Nirupam quit Shiv Sena in 2005.

He took up the cause of north Indian hawkers and subsequently made his way into the Congress. In 2009, he successfully contested from Mumbai North seat.

Nirupam lost the 2014 elections from the same constituency against BJP’s Gopal Shetty.

New Delhi: Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh resigned from all posts and membership of the party on Thursday, saying that neither can he raise anti-Sanatan slogans nor abuse ‘wealth creators’ day in and day out.

Vallabh shared his resignation letter written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on social media platform X.

He said he was not feeling comfortable with the directionless way in which the party was moving forward.

Vallabh said, “I can neither raise anti-Sanatan slogans nor abuse wealth creators day in and day out. Therefore, I resign from all posts and primary membership of the party.” He had not been attending television programs on behalf of the party for several months and had not held any press conference for a long time.

In his resignation letter, Vallabh said, “When I joined Congress, I believed that Congress is the oldest party in the country which respects youth and intellectual people and their ideas. But for some time, I felt that the party was not able to adjust with the youth having new ideas.”

Vallabh claimed the Congress is completely cut off from the ground and is unable to understand the aspirations of a new India, due to which the party is neither coming to power nor is able to play the role of a strong opposition.

He also said that he was upset with the stance taken by the party of staying away from the Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ programme in Ayodhya.