Archives for 2024

Ballia (UP :After a video went viral on social media in which a transgender person was being forced to lick slipper after spitting on it, police has registered an FIR against five persons of the same community, officials on Wednesday said.

The video also showed tonsuring of the heads of two trangenders by the accused, they said.

An FIR has been registered at Ubhaon police station against five transgender on the complaint of one Puja (transgender), a resident of Bibipur village, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohd Faheem Qureishi said.

In the FIR, Puja alleged that they were performing dance in Bahorwa village on March 10 when some persons took Naina and Payal — both transgenders — forcibly on a vehicle.

A video went viral on social media on Wednesday in which a trangender is being made to lick a slipper by spitting on it. Along with this, hair tonsuring of two transgenders was also seen in the video.

The Deputy SP said that the incident was the fallout of a dispute over jurisdiction between two groups of transgenders.

The police is investigating the case, he added.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday dismissed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as ‘divisive and bereft of any use’ and asserted that it will not be implemented in the state.

Hitting out at the BJP regime at the Centre for notifying the rules for implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) ‘in a haste’ when the Lok Sabha polls are round the corner, Stalin said the CAA and its rules went against the basic structure of the Constitution.

Explaining the background to the opposition to CAA and hinting at related matters pending in the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister said this prompted a view if the rules have been notified now to “escape from censure of the apex court and with an intention to divert people and for electoral politics.”

There is not going to be any use or benefits due to the CAA, which only paves the way for creating ‘divisions’ among the Indian people. “The stand of the government is that this law is completely unwarranted; it is one that must be repealed.”

Hence, “the Tamil Nadu government will not give any opportunity in any manner to implement the CAA in Tamil Nadu,” he asserted in an official release.

Also, the state government will never provide room for any legislation that shall ‘impinge on India’s unity.’

Stalin, also president of the ruling DMK, reiterated that the CAA went against pluralism, secularism, minority communities and the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.

Considering all such aspects, soon after assuming power, his DMK government had on September 8, 2021 adopted a resolution in the Assembly, seeking the withdrawal of the CAA and forwarded it to the Union government. Like Tamil Nadu, several states have opposed the CAA.

Only under such circumstances, the Centre has notified the rules on March 11 for implementing the CAA. The Chief Minister said this has led to a question, if this has been implemented now for “electoral politics; to divert people and to escape from strictures of the Supreme Court.”

Bhatkal: Bibi Sara, a pregnant woman from Bhatkal, has made serious allegations against an airline regarding mistreatment during a prolonged flight delay by Air India Express on March 6. Sara’s claims have rapidly circulated on social media platforms, drawing attention to her experience at Dammam International Airport.

The incident occurred amidst a 24-hour delay of an Air India Express flight bound for Mangaluru. Despite presenting a medical certificate detailing complications from previous pregnancies, Sara alleged that airline staff ignored her needs.

Bibi Sara, who was scheduled to board Air India Express flight no: IX886 from King Fahad International Airport Damam at 10:20 pm (KSA timing) destined for Mangalore Airport, shared her ordeal through a viral message. According to Sara, the flight faced extensive delays due to an emergency landing in Mumbai. Despite her husband being present at the airport, the flight was initially rescheduled for 2:00 am, but eventually, it was canceled for the night and rescheduled for the following morning at 11:25 am on March 7th.

Sara, who is pregnant and was advised by her doctor to travel early due to previous pregnancy complications, faced challenges during the ordeal, especially with walking long distances. She mentioned that despite requesting wheelchair assistance, she experienced further delays and mistreatment. Despite patiently waiting, the flight was delayed multiple times, adding to the frustration of the passengers.

Upon reaching near the boarding gate after completing the check-in process, the displayed flight timing was 11:00 am, but it was later announced that further delays were due to technical issues. Eventually, at 2:40 pm, passengers were escorted to the airport bus for boarding, but Sara’s wheelchair was taken away, and the bus remained stationary. Subsequently, at 3:20 pm, passengers were instructed to disembark due to another technical issue.

Expressing her exhaustion and frustration, Sara mentioned seeking solace in reciting a comforting verse. She emphasized feeling mistreated and expressed disappointment at the lack of proper assistance, stating that the repeated setbacks tested the patience of passengers immensely.

In her message, Sara recounted her efforts to address the situation by gathering fellow passengers to voice their concerns. She mentioned that passengers reached out to higher authorities and describes instances where she was asked to speak to airport management and the airline manager. Sara expresses frustration as these attempts to communicate were met with unresponsiveness, with one call abruptly ended while she was speaking.

She highlights the diverse group of passengers, including pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and elderly individuals, who endured the delay without proper meals or accommodations. Sara emphasizes the lack of assistance from the airline, citing the absence of hotel accommodations, food provisions, or clear communication about the departure time. Despite some last-minute efforts to provide a meager lunch box and water bottles, Sara criticizes the airline for failing to take responsibility or apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Sara questioned why Air India Express fails to provide passengers with the necessary facilities during flight delays, unlike other airlines. She expressed frustration at the suffering passengers endure when traveling with Air India Express, echoing sentiments she has heard about it being the “worst flight ever,” sentiments she now shares after experiencing it firsthand.

She emphasized the plight of mothers traveling with young children, highlighting the frustration and exhaustion they must endure. Sara reflected on her own situation as the only passenger from her hometown, Bhatkal, with her family already en route to Mangalore Airport to pick her up. Despite boarding, the flight’s timing kept changing, leaving her unsure whether to tell her family to return home and come back again. She lamented the distress and exhaustion her families and others must have experienced while awaiting her arrival.

Sara described how her families’ excitement to welcome her turned into disappointment, characterizing the situation as mental torture inflicted not only on passengers but also on their families.

In her message, Sara recounts the toll the prolonged flight delay took on her health, resulting in severe stomach cramps and fear for her unborn child’s safety. She expresses frustration at the lack of accountability for the potential consequences of the stressful journey.

Despite the ordeal, Sara expressed gratitude for the care she received from an air hostess who provided her with assistance and comfort. She also acknowledged the kindness of fellow passengers, particularly Haider Shareef from Mangalore and a woman from Kasarkod, who offered support and assistance during the flight.

Sara extended heartfelt thanks to all those who showed compassion and support during the difficult journey.

Sara emphasized that her intention in sharing her experience is not to seek fame but to raise awareness and prevent other pregnant women and passengers from enduring similar hardships in the future. She requested that the higher authorities and management members of Air India Express take better care of passengers during flight delays and ensure that basic needs are provided.

Still deeply affected by the incident, Sara expresses gratitude to Allah for their safe landing despite the challenges they faced during the flight. Sara’s family is also demanding compensation from the airline for the traumatic experience she endured during the prolonged flight delay.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Union minister Nitin Gadkari

Yavatmal: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday once again asked Union minister Nitin Gadkari to leave the BJP if he was being “insulted”, saying that the opposition in Maharashtra would ensure his victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking at a rally at Pusad in eastern Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, Thackeray said people like (former Congress leader) Kripashankar Singh, whom the BJP once targeted (over alleged corruption), figured in the saffron party’s first list of candidates along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but Gadkari’s name was missing.

“I had told Gadkari this two days ago, and I am repeating it again. If you are being insulted, leave the BJP and join the Maha Vikas Aghadi (alliance of Sena(UBT), NCP (SP) and Congress). We will ensure your victory. We will make you a minister when our government comes to power, and it will be a post with powers,” he said.

Last week, responding to Thackeray’s offer to Gadkari to contest as a candidate of the opposition, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had mocked the Sena (UBT) chief, saying it was like a man in the street offering someone to make US president.

Gadkari was a prominent leader of the BJP, but the first list did not have names from Maharashtra as seat-sharing discussions between the BJP and its allies were not complete, Fadnavis had said.

Thackeray, meanwhile, termed the notification of the rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as an “election jumla (slogan).”

Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and others coming to India (from neighbouring countries) are welcome but the timing of the notification was suspect as elections would be soon announced, Thackeray said.

It had been more than four years since the abrogation of Article 370, but no elections have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir and Kashmiri Pandits have not yet returned to their homes in Kashmir, he said.

The BJP should first bring Kashmiri pandits back to Kashmir and then implement the CAA, Thackeray said.

In the coming elections, there is the BJP which is creating enmity between religions and wants to change the Constitution, and on the other hand there is the INDIA bloc which is an alliance of patriots, he said, adding, “This election will be between `desh-bhakt’ (those who love their country) and `dvesh bhakt’ (those who preach hatred).”

Prime minister Modi had not yet found time to visit the restive Manipur, he said.