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8-year-old allegedly sexually harassed in Bengaluru school, accused thrashed

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Bengaluru: Angry parents clashed with the police, set vehicles on fire and pelted stones after an eight-year-old girl complained of sexual harassment by a physical education teacher in a school in Bengaluru. The accused Krishna has been taken into custody.

TV reports said she was allegedly also told to remove her hijab.

Angry parents and local residents in Bangalore burned school property and vehicles today and thrashed a teacher who was accused of molesting an 8-year-old.

The man, a physical education instructor at the private school located in West Bangalore, has been taken into police custody.

According to eyewitnesses, angry protestors set vehicles on fire when the police resisted and ransacked the school.

The situation is now under control and the area has been cordoned off, the report stated. Media channels quoted Police Commissioner M N Reddi, who rushed to the spot, as saying that “there should be no instant justice”, and that the “courts would decide on the punishment for the accused”.

“We have taken the accused into custody. We will take stringent action in the incident,” the Police Commissioner said. Reddi said “if anything unlawful takes place across the city, action will be taken.”

This is the second time this week that these areas have witnessed mass street violence.

A tense situation also prevailed during the Eid Milad celebrations over animal carcasses that were found near a place of worship. It wasn’t long before Wednesday’s episode — which started as a protest by the parents of the minor — degenerated into a riot with communal overtones.

The issue began to take on a communal colour because the alleged perpetrator and the victim are from different religious communities.

Naming of Modi’s loyalist as chief of top Urdu university angers community leaders & activists

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by Mahesh Trivedi, Khaleej Times

Ahmedabad: The appointment of a Gujarat-based businessman who is seen as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face of ‘Muslim’ support as Chancellor of the prestigious Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad, has drawn sharp reactions from community leaders and activists.

Reacting to the announcement by the federal Ministry of Human Resource Development naming Zafar Sareshwala, CEO & MD of Parsoli Corporation Ltd. to the plum post, the Gujarat chapter of the All India Milli Council said that the decision was a mockery of the Urdu language as the new incumbent was not an Urdu scholar and had no notable educational background.

Abdul Hafiz Lakhani, council leader and editor of the first national Muslim Gujarati fortnightly, also said that the HRD ministry was out to saffronise education in the country and Sareshwala might now be used in the top minority university to achieve this goal of the Modi government.

Vadodara-based social activist J.S. Bandukwala, a retired physics professor of the famed M.S. University whose home was attacked by Hindu rioters in 2002, said that the appointment of a diploma holder in mechanical engineering to the hallowed post was made at the behest of the Modi government but the political appointee was a square peg in a round hole.

Pratik Sinha, who runs human rights organisations like the Truth of Gujarat and Jan Sangharsh Manch and has taken up the cudgels for the Muslim riot survivors, said Modi had rewarded a sycophant like Sareshwala for spreading lies in the country on his behalf during the Lok Sabha poll campaigns.

Gujarat High Court advocate Iqbal Masud Khan said he was surprised how a businessman with practically no background in education could be named the chancellor of a public-funded university.

“Such persons will not only spell the doom for the beautiful Urdu language but will also make the younger generation forget the contribution of Maulana Azad to the country’s freedom struggle and framing of a secular education policy as the federal education minister,” said Khan, who has fought the authorities to preserve heritage in the historical city of Ahmedabad.

Khan, a former newspaper journalist, also pointed out that Sareshwala was a staunch Tabligh Jamat member which, he said, had hidden sympathies with the notorious ISIS.

Shabnam Hashmi, managing trustee of the Act Now for Harmony and Democracy, described the appointment as ‘horrendous’ and said it was high time “the future generation was saved”.

Sareshwala, 51, had played a critical role in Modi’s attempt to reach out to the minorities, from organising conclaves for Muslim business leaders to facilitating kite-flying with actor Salman Khan during election campaigns.

Many say his credentials in business itself are dubious as his company Parsoli Group had faced the ire of the Securities and Exchange Board of India on several occasions.

But admits Sareshwala: “I don’t know much about MANUU. But I know that empowerment of a community is not possible without proper education.”

Australia in command as India trail by 501 runs

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Sydney: An all-round performance by Australia saw them end the second day’s play with a first innings lead of 501 runs as India finished at 71 for one at stumps in the fourth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Wednesday.

Resuming at 348 for two, Australian batsmen hammered the flat Indian bowling attack to declare at 572 for seven with David Warner (101) and captain Steven Smith (117) scoring centuries. In reply, India lost in-form Murali Vijay for a duck on the third ball of the innings.

However, opener Lokesh Rahul (31 not out), playing his second Test and Rohit Sharma (40 not out) stabilised the innings for India and stayed at the crease till the close of the play.

Australia started the day slowly but steadily as Smith scored his fourth century of the series with Shane Watson (81) providing him strong support from the other end.

Though the Indian bowlers slowed down the run rate, Smith and Watson gradually extended their third wicket partnership to 196 runs. The enterprise finally came to an end when Watson pulled a short Mohammed Shami delivery, only to be caught by Ashwin at deep mid-wicket.

Smith, who resumed the day at 82 not out, too fell shortly after but not before playing a brilliant innings which turned out to be his eighth Test ton. The 25-year-old also caressed 15 boundaries in his 208-ball knock.

Indian bowlers lacked venom in their attack which helped the home side build another 114-run partnership between left-handed Shaun Marsh (73) and Joe Burns (58).

The duo helped their side reach a strong total with a partnership of 114 runs. Unlike the addition of a mere 72 runs from 30 overs in the morning session, Marsh and Burns, who also scored his first Test half-century, helped pile on 118 more runs in 29 overs in the post-lunch session.

While Marsh scored a fluent 73, which included nine fours and one six, he was ably supported by Burns.

The two also perished in quick succession but some last minute slogging from Ryan Harris (25 runs from 9 balls) guided Australia to reach an imposing total of 572 for seven when Smith decided to declare.

Indian bowlers, who bled runs throughout Tuesday, showed some rare discipline in the morning session. Unlike the first day when runs came at will, the pitch got slower which helped off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (1/142) to tighten the run flow.

But pacer Shami (five for 122) was the pick of the bowlers as he clinched his second five-wicket haul in Tests and first outside India.

(IANS)

Puttur Congress leader seeks high command’s nod for Bharatiya Hindu Parishad to counter BJP's Hindutva agenda

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Mangaluru: Even as the former union minister B Janardhana Poojary has warned against forming a Hindu outfit to strengthen the Congress party, a party activist from Dakshina Kannada has now sought high command’s nod for the Bharatiya Hindu Parishat (BHP).

Hemanath Shetty, the Puttur block Congress president, who has floated the BHP, as an alternative to the Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP), has expressed hope that party the party leaders in Delhi would consider his request.

Mr Shetty, who met KPCC leaders in Bengaluru on Tuesday, told reporters that he would soon meet senior Congress leaders in Delhi to get their support for the BHP.

“I will make an effort to convince them as to why the Congress should make an effort to create an impression that it is not against Hindus and BJP/VHP does not own Hindus,” he said.

Meanwhile, B Ramanath Rai, the district in-charge minister for Dakshina Kannada said that he had nothing to do with BHP. “Even the Congress party has nothing to do with it,” he added.

Mr Shetty said that the BJP and VHP had been successful projecting themselves as pro-Hindu outfits.

“But, all Hindus do not identify themselves with these two organisations. Hence, there is a need for the Congress to show that it is also with people of all religions including Hindus,” he said.

The activities of BHP would be spread to Udupi and Kodagu after Dakshina Kannada. Vishnu Sahasra yaga would be conducted as part of the launch and Yedaneeru Mutt Keshavananda Bharati Swamiji has been invited for the programme, he said.

Nothing wrong in 'PK', says Delhi HC, dismisses plea

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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Wednesday dismissed a PIL filed against Raj Kumar Hirani directed and Aamir Khan starrer film “PK”, saying “the film was not offensive”.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw refused to entertain the plea which sought ban on the film for alleged derogatory remarks against Hindu gods, Hindu beliefs, faith and worship in the movie.

The bench said: “What was wrong in the movie? We don’t find anything offensive in it. We don’t find any substance in the plea.”

The court said it will pass a detailed order on the plea later.

The PIL, filed by Gautam, argued that the film made mockery of Hindu god and Lord Shiva was shown in bad light.

“The Hindu way of worship has also been criticised in a most unwarranted manner,” he alleged.

Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain appearing for the Centre opposed the plea, saying similar matter came before the Supreme Court which had rejected it.

Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma starrer “PK” may have impressed critics and audiences but the portrayal of Hindu sentiments in the film has drawn the ire of right-wing organisations which say the movie disrespects Hindu religion.

(IANS)

World Cup 2015 team India: No place for Yuvraj, Jadeja included

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Cricket World Cup 2015

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met in Mumbai on Tuesday and picked up the 15 probables for the World Cup starting February 14. As expected there was no surprise in the selection with Yuvraj Singh and Murali Vijay ignored.

The selectors didn’t feel of going in with an extra opener in Vijay, who is in great form in the Test series against Australia. Moreover, Yuvraj was not preffered as an injured Ravindra Jadeja was included expecting him to recover on time for India’s first match on February 15 against Pakistan.

India have gone with an extra allrounder in Stuart Binny apart from Jadeja and have picked up four pacers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami.

Stuart Binny’s father Roger Binny is an Indian former cricket all-rounder who is best known for his impressive bowling performance in the 1983 Cricket World Cup where he was the highest wicket-taker (18 wickets), and in the 1985 World Series Cricket Championship in Australia where he repeated this feat (17 wickets).

India World Cup team: MS Dhoni (Captain), Virat Kohli (V Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Md. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

India’s bride markets grow, while trafficking convictions decline

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The shortage of brides in some states with skewed sex ratio has made human trafficking a lucrative trade.

india-brides

by Devyani Shetty, IndiaSpend.com

The Indian penchant for aborting or killing female children appears to have created a clear market for trafficked brides, a new report has said.

The market is divided into supply states and buyer states, said the report published by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The eastern states of Assam, Odisha and West Bengal continue to be supply states, as they always were, while buyer states include Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The key reason for bride trafficking is, as economist Amartya Sen once put it, “missing women”, the Indian phenomenon of preferring boys to girls. He estimated that more than 100 million women were “missing”.

The skewed sex ratio in a few major Indian states has given rise to intense demand for brides from organised trafficking agencies. People in these states say there aren’t enough women in their caste/community, and therefore they buy brides from poorer states.

Let us now look at states with the lowest sex ratios (number of females per 1,000 males):

The UN report said “organised bride trafficking rings” are increasingly operating in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. “The concept of “marriageable age” is significant in states like Punjab and Haryana, as decades of unchecked sex- selective abortions have led to a significant shortage of marriageable-age women.

This shortage has given rise to human trafficking as a lucrative trade, which has expanded not only to organised trafficking rackets but also to local villagers acting as brokers.

A study (involving more than 10,000 households) on the impact of declining sex ratios on the pattern of marriages in Haryana revealed that more than 9,000 married women were bought from other states. The study also revealed that most people now accepted the concept of purchasing a bride but denied having bought a bride themselves.

According to Empower People, a New Delhi-based organisation which focuses on issues pertaining to women trafficking, low sex ratios are spurring the kidnap of young, unmarried women.

This table highlights, by state, the number of women kidnapped:

These states are also the “supply states”, from where women are trafficked for marriage, says the UN report. Most of the women and girls are trafficked from poor families. They are either lured by fake matrimonial dreams or lucrative jobs in booming Indian cities.

“These ‘matrimonial transactions’ are often projected as voluntary,” the report said. “However, the ‘purchased brides’ are often exploited, denied basic rights, substituted as maids or are often resold and abandoned after a few years of matrimony.”

Government’s responses

An inter-ministerial group has been constituted to consider and recommend proposals to amend the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956.

An anti-trafficking cell has been created by the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen enforcement. The ministry set up 225 anti-human trafficking units across India (as of August 2012), which led to an increase in registration of cases and stronger prosecution.

The government of India has strengthened the application and enforcement of the Emigration Act, 1983, to regulate recruiting agencies (agencies making fraudulent job offers overseas, fake recruitments for non-existing employers or for foreign employers who never authorised the agents, thus rendering the workers without jobs.)

Despite these actions, the reality appears unchanged.

These tables show the registered trafficking cases and convictions in such cases in the supply states:

The conviction rate in India for trafficking cases was 44% in 2009, but dropped to 17% in 2013. This is alarming. In a big state like West Bengal, the conviction rate was 5.6% in 2009, declining to 2.5% in 2013. These dipping numbers highlight the gap between government policies and implementation.

This post originally appeared on IndiaSpend.com, a data-driven and public-interest journalism non-profit.

Australia batsmen hammer India on day one

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David Warner and Chris Rogers put on 200 for the first wicket in quick time © Getty Images

David Warner and Chris Rogers put on 200 for the first wicket in quick time © Getty Images

Sydney: A 200-run opening wicket partnership between David Warner and Chris Rogers helped Australia post a solid 348/2 at the end of the first day’s play of the fourth and final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Tuesday.

It was a day to remember for the Australian batsmen as Warner (101) scored his 12th Test hundred while his partner Rogers (95) fell five short of what would have been his fifth century. Skipper Steven Smith (82 not out) and Shane Watson (61 batting) also scored half-centuries with the both of them unbeaten at stumps.

Indian bowlers were clueless on halting the run flow and taking wickets on what proved to be a classic batting track. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar hardly managed to find his rhythm and swing the ball while Umesh Yadav remained wayward and expensive for most of his spells.

Mohammed Shami had pace and Ravichandran Ashwin looked dangerous a few times in the day but the Australian batsmen were totally in their groove.

Having already lost the series 0-2, India went in to the final Test making four changes to the squad. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar came in to replace the retired Mahendra Singh Dhoni, opener Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and pacer Ishant Sharma.

However, the changes bore no fruit as all three sessions were dominated by the home side.

Warner looked in a feisty mood from the word go and hammered the Indian bowlers for 16 boundaries all over the ground. Rogers played the anchor role to prefection and provided strong support from the other end.

Rogers caressed 13 boundaries to score his fifth consecutive half-century in Tests. However, he was in trouble as early as the eighth over, while batting on 19, when he edged a seaming Shami delivery.

However, young Lokesh Rahul at second slip dropped a sitter and Rogers went on to add 76 more runs to the Australian tally.

India finally found success in the middle of the second session when Warner edged a turning Ashwin delivery and was caught at slip. Immediately in the next over, Rogers lost concentration and played on Shami only to shatter his stumps.

However, the two quick wickets did not help India further as Smith and Watson held the innings together and guided Australia to build a platform for a strong total. Unless Indian bowlers create some magic at the start of Day 2, the home side is well on course to post a massive first innings total.

India had one last chance to take a wicket when Watson edged the penultimate delivery of the day but the ball went through Ashwin’s fingers at the slips.

There was an emotional moment towards the end of the first session when Warner reached 63 not out. He bent down and kissed the turf as a tribute to late cricketer Phillip Hughes, who on this very ground was struck by a bouncer Nov 25 which eventually led to his tragic death two days later.

Warner’s gesture was appreciated by the crowd which rose and applauded and looked towards a specific stand where Hughes’ family sat.

Hughes was also batting on 63 not out in the first class match when the bouncer hit the back of his head.

(IANS)

Sunanda Pushkar was murdered: Delhi Police

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Sunanda Pushkar

Mumbai: Delhi police commissioner B S Bassi today confirmed that Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, was murdered.

The medical board has said the death was unnatural and due to poisoning, media reports said.

The police has filed a murder case in connection with the death.

Pushkar’s post-mortem report, leaked in October 2014, had stated “poisoning” to be the cause of her death.

ANI quoted Bassi as saying, “Medical report says she was poisoned, oral or injected we do not know, it is being investigated.”

“We have to investigate whether she poisoned herself or whether she was forcefully given poison,” Bassi told the media.

“We are taking all necessary measures in the case. It is clear that Sunanda Pushkar’s death was not natural,” Bassi said and added, “The Post-mortem report does not say whether poison was taken or injected. Need to send samples abroad for further tests.”

The police also said that Shashi Tharoor will be questioned.

Pushkar, 52, was found dead in mysterious circumstances in her room at a five-star hotel in Delhi on January 17, 2014. Her body was found by her husband Shashi Tharoor.

Poojary lambasts speaker; says, Congress never formed Hindu outfit in Karnataka

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Mangaluru: Expressing his ire towards Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa for his criticism of the Congress-led state government, veteran Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary questioned the authority of the former to criticise the government which is the job of the opposition in the legislative assembly.

Addressing media persons at a press conference here on Monday, the former union minister said that it was the duty of a Speaker of the Assembly to perform his duties without any discrimination. “To point out the shortcomings of the government, there exists the opposition in the Legislative Assembly. Those who served as Assembly Speakers have upheld the respect and dignity of the post. Have you forgotten that there are rules of procedure during sessions in the assembly?” he questioned Mr Thimmappa.

He also questioned the latter why he had not set things right in the health ministry when he had been the state health minister earlier. People are of the opinion that he is criticising the government since he was not given the portfolio of health ministry, said Mr Poojary.

He also reproached Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent when certain ministers from his Cabinet made communally-inflammatory remarks. Soon, the country which is being run by Modi will be run not from New Delhi, but from Nagpur, he said, urging the union government to concentrate on developmental schemes instead of their Hindutva agenda.

When asked about the Hindutva organisation reportedly floated by the Congress in Puttur taluk, Mr Poojary said that the Congress district president Ramanath Rai had already clarified that there were no such developments by the party. “If the organisation was to be launched as part of Congress, have they taken permission from the AICC?” he demanded.

“If such a thing occurs, we will all have to commit suicide,” he jested.

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