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Conversion row continues in Rajya Sabha

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Conversion Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: The uproar over reported conversions and comments by MPs from the ruling BJP continued to rock the Rajya Sabha for the third consecutive day Wednesday, forcing several adjournments.

The opposition was also upset that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a comment on the issue at a meeting of the BJP’s parliamentary party, but did not come to the house.

“Does the prime minister need a visa to come to this house?” asked Trinamool Congress member Derek O’Brien.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi called the comment “unacceptable”.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, meanwhile, said: “When the prime minister is in parliament, why not accept opposition’s demand and come to the house.”

A discussion on incidents of communal violence was listed in the house. However, opposition members refused to take it up unless the prime minister came to the house.

The upper house saw repeated adjournments, angry exchanges, and charges and counter-charges as both ruling and opposition parties blamed each other for the continuous disruptions.

Chairman M. Hamid Ansari also banished Congress member V. Hanumantha Rao from the house for the day as he trooped near his podium and raised slogans.

The protests started as soon as the house met for the day, with Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agarwal raising a point of order.

“We read in the papers that some policy decisions were made in the parliamentary party meet of thee BJP,” Agarwal said, referring to the prime minister’s warning to party members not to cross the “Lakshman Rekha” (limits) in their statements.

“If his ministers are making some mistake, it is his responsibility to say it in the house,” said Agarwal.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, rejected the charge that any policy decision was taken.

“PM has not made any policy decision in the meet. But I have a point of order. In the name of point of order, can Naresh Agarwal every day raise a point of disorder?” said the finance minister.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari again raised a point of order, on the same issue.

“We are just telling PM your people are creating disharmony in the country. If he is accepting some ministers are crossing Lakshman Rekha… let him tell which Lakshman Rekha is being crossed,” said Tiwari.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury said he wanted to raise a “point of disorder”.

“I want to know if the prime minister will come to this house so that we can have a discussion. Will the prime minister be willing to come? Instead of addressing from outside the house, come and speak in the house and be responsible to the legislators,” said Yechury.

Congress leader Anand Sharma complained that opposition members were not being allowed to speak.

“Ruling party is disrupting the house whenever opposition leaders speak,” said Sharma.
As opposition members raised the pitch demanding the prime minister’s presence, treasury benches members too added to the din.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien adjourned the house till noon.

At noon, once again opposition members refused to allow the question hour to be taken up.

Agarwal urged the chair to accept his notice to suspend the business and take up the discussion. However, Chairman M. Hamid Ansari rejected the notice as “redundant” as a discussion on communal situation in the country is already listed in the upper house.

When Agarwal insisted, an angry chairman said: “Why should all the business of the house be suspended because you want something.”

He also reprimanded members leaving their seats.

With ruckus continuing, the upper house was adjourned twice for 15 minutes during the question hour.

Even as the chairman repeatedly said a discussion is listed, opposition members asked if the prime minister would come.

“Take care of you side, let them take care of their side… Government has collective responsibility,” said Ansari.

The opposition, however, refused to relent, and the house was adjourned till 2 p.m. Similar scenes continued when the house met again, and opposition members refused to take up the debate without the prime minister being present in the house. After nearly 40 minutes which saw angry exchanges from both ruling and opposition benches, the house was adjourned for the day.

The opposition has been protesting in the wake of recent reports of conversion of Muslims to Hinduism, and also BJP parliamentarian Yogi Adityanath’ comment supporting a mass conversion programme.

Adityanath reportedly said there was nothing wrong if people re-convert to Hinduism if they were doing it willingly.

Bharatiya Janata Party sources said Modi Tuesday warned party MPs at the parliamentary board meeting against crossing the “Lakshman Rekha” (limits) by making controversial statements.

(IANS)

Murali Vijay's 144 takes India to 311/4 on day one

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Murali Vijay celebrates after scoring hundred in Brisbane. © AFP

Murali Vijay celebrates after scoring hundred in Brisbane. © AFP

Brisbane: Murali Vijay scored 144 and shared a century stand with Ajinkya Rahane as India’s batsmen dictated terms to an Australian attack that fell short of expectations Wednesday on the opening day of the second Test.

Four days after losing eight wickets in the final session of a 48-run defeat in Adelaide, India dominated on day one in Brisbane to reach 311-4 at stumps.

Australia’s pace attack had been expected to exploit the extra bounce and pace that are characteristic of pitches at the Gabba, where Australia hasn’t lost since 1988, but the new-look bowling lineup didn’t get its length right and the fielding was sub-standard.

Rohit Sharma (not out 26) was batting with Rahane at the close of play.

Boxer Sarita Devi banned for one year

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Sarita Devi

New Delhi: The International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Wednesday banned Indian boxer Sarita Devi for one year for refusing to accept the Asian Games bronze medal.

The world boxing body also handed down a two-year ban on India’s foreign coach B.I. Fernandez, while clearing national coach G.S. Sandhu.

Devi lost in the semifinals of the women’s lightweight competition at Incheon, and tried to give her medal to her opponent at the presentation ceremony.

Boxing India had hinted that Devi may get some sort of punishment from the AIBA but said that it was hoping for her to escape a long-term ban from the international federation so that her career is not affected much and she can compete in 2016 Olympics.

“AIBA has been very firm on violation of rules from the very beginning and it takes serious view of disciplinary code violations.” Boxing India secretary-general Jay Kowli had said.

“Our endeavour has been to soften AIBA and urge for a liberal view taking into account the circumstances and human side of the emotional outburst of Sarita so that her long term career is not affected,” he had said.

AIBA president Ching-Kuo Wu had hinted a strong penalty for the boxer.

“She will be heavily punished, there will be zero tolerance,” the AIBA chief had said. “If you accept being the winner, you have to accept being the loser. If everyone behaved like that, what type of competition will we have?”

Christmas Day conversion: Hindu outfit calls off ceremony

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conversion-Aligarh

Aligarh: Satya Prakash Nauman, district president of the outfit, on Tuesday said over phone,”The proposed ‘ghar wapsi'(conversion ceremony) planned for December 25 has been called off”.

However, he did not elaborate the reason behind the outfit’s u-turn.

A controversy had erupted after the outfits announcement that it will conduct a mass conversion ceremony at a local college here on December 25– Christmas.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were clamped in the city two days ago.

BJP MP Yogi Adityanath had also announced his plans to attend the proposed ceremony, saying there was nothing wrong if people re-convert to Hinduism if they are doing it willingly.

However, BJP had adopted a cautious approach on the potential face-off between the district authorities and the other saffron organisations.

“We are not organising this ceremony but if the organisers including the Bajrang Dal seek our help on this score, we will certainly do whatever we can to help them,” BJP’s district president Devraj Singh had told reporters.

NHRC notice to Andhra Pradesh over assault on labourers

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labourers-Human-Rights

New Delhi: The NHRC has issued notice to the Andhra Pradesh government after some forest officers of the state brutally assaulted labourers from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, an official statement said Tuesday.

According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the victims were extremely poor and were felling trees in a forest situated on the border between the two states in order to earn a livelihood.

“The labourers were unaware that they had been hired by unscrupulous elements to acquire the high-value timber from the forest. The poor villagers were not aware of the legal consequences of their actions,” the NHRC said.

However, the Andhra Pradesh Police brutally assaulted the workers belonging to the border districts of Vellore, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri in northern Tamil Nadu, the commission said, adding that there was a video clip of the entire incident.

“The law enforcement agencies can exercise their powers only in accordance with the provisions of the law. The video clips display a dismal picture of unarmed workers who were made to strip and were brutally attacked by certain persons claiming to be forest officials of Andhra Pradesh,” said the NHRC.

A notice has been issued to the chief secretary and Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh, calling for a report within four weeks.

(IANS)

370 die of drug clinical trials in India in 2 years

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Protesters outside the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre. Photo: Sayeed Farooqui/Mint

Protesters outside the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre. Photo: Sayeed Farooqui/Mint

New Delhi: At least 370 deaths have been reported during drug clinical trials in India since February 2013, while compensation has been paid in only 21 cases, said media Monday.

The Times of India quoted government data as saying of the 370 deaths, 222 or 60 percent cases have been examined so far by a regulatory panel on clinical trials, but only 21 were eligible for compensation as the drug under trial was found to have caused the deaths, said the report.

Pharmaceutical companies are targeting poor rural population for their drug trials, but there is a lack of government regulation to hold them responsible once the trial causes death, said experts.

Om Puri to get lifetime achievement award at IFFP

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Om Puri

New Delhi: Veteran actor Om Puri will be honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the debut edition of International FIlm Festival Of Prayag, Allahabad (IFFP).

‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’ star will be honoured with the award on Februray 28, 2015 at the function. Festival Director Abhishek Arun said it’s an honour for them to welcome Puri for their debut edition. “We are very fortunate to get Om Puri’s support. We will honour him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this event as our respect towards him. I know we are just about to begin our journey and he is a legend, the whole world knows about his contribution to the cinema,” Arun said in a statement.

The founder of the festival Hasan Haider said the 64-year-old actor’s films continue to find relevance.

“Filmmaking professionals and students belonging to the northern region of our country will have a new platform. I am sure it will be a great opportunity for the students and professional filmmakers to get interact with Puriji during this festival,” Haider said.

The Patiala-born actor appeared in many mainstream commercial and independent films besides his appearances in British and American film in a career spanning over three decades.

(PTI)

Modi speaks to Sharif, says India stands firmly with Pakistan

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Pakistani parents react near the site of an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014. At least 130 people were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in northwest Pakistan, officials said. AFP PHOTO/ A MAJEED

Pakistani parents react near the site of an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014. At least 130 people were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in northwest Pakistan, officials said. AFP PHOTO/ A MAJEED

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday evening spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif over phone and offered his deepest condolences for the dastardly terror attack on a school in Peshawar. He said India was ready to provide all assistance during this hour of grief.

The prime minister spoke to Sharif after the latter returned from a visit to the school where around 140 people, mostly children, were slaughtered by Taliban gunmen.

“India stands firmly with Pakistan in fight against terror. Told PM Sharif we are ready to provide all assistance during this hour of grief,” he tweeted.

External affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin in a tweet posted the prime minister’s statement during his talk with Sharif, which said Modi condemned in the strongest terms the brutal terrorist attack in Peshawar.

Modi said the “savage killing of innocent children, who are the epitome of the finest human values, in a temple of learning was not only an attack against Pakistan, but an assault against the entire humanity”.

“At a time when the world is getting disturbingly accustomed to acts of terror, this terrible tragedy has shaken the conscience of the world,” he said.

“He said the people of India shared the heart rending pain and sorrow of the bereaved families and the people of Pakistan and stood with them in solidarity in this hour of immeasurable grief.

“He (Modi) also hoped that the children who had witnessed the horrific attack and loss of their friends would come through this trauma with counselling.”

Modi told Sharif that “this moment of shared pain and mourning is also a call for our two countries and all those who believe in humanity to join hands to decisively and comprehensively defeat terrorism, so that the children in Pakistan, India and elsewhere do not have to face a future darkened by the lengthening shadow of terrorism”.

Earlier in the day, Modi tweeted his condemnation, saying: “It is a senseless act of unspeakable brutality that has claimed lives of the most innocent of human beings – young children in their school. My heart goes out to everyone who lost their loved ones today. We share their pain & offer our deepest condolences,” he said.

(IANS)

IS banned in India, minority youths discouraged from joining: Rajnath

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Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said the Islamic State (IS) terror group has been banned in India, and congratulated the Indian minorities for discouraging their youth from joining the outfit.

“We have banned the ISIS as a first step. I will like to inform (the house) that the group has been banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Act 62,” he told the Lok Sabha, referring to the terror outfit by its earlier name ISIS.

Rajnath Singh said the group has been proscribed under the provisions of the UAPA that relates to organisations listed in the schedule to the UN Prevention and Suppression of Terrorist (Implementation of Security Council Resolutions) Order, 2007 made under section 2 of the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947 and amended from time to time.

The home minister said the government had taken cognizance immediately after the IS activities began to spread in various parts of the world.

“There are only a handful or negligible number of people involved in ISIS activities in India. Their involvement too has not been direct. I congratulate the Indian minorities for discouraging their youth,” he said during question hour in the Lok Sabha.

In many developed countries like Britain and France, minority families were encouraging youth to join the IS, but Indian minorities were discouraging their children, he said.

“I congratulate the minority community for discouraging youth from getting radicalised,” Rajnath Singh said.

Responding to a supplementary question on steps taken by the government to prevent the spread of the IS, he said India has already banned the outfit and was monitoring the cyberspace to stop its propaganda.

“Cyberspace is a very serious issue. To monitor this system, it needs to be strengthened and I have asked for a committee to be constituted to monitor this.”

“We will ensure that it is properly monitored,” he added.

Mehdi Masroor Biswas, a pro-Islamic State (IS) tweeter, was arrested Saturday from Bengaluru after a British news channel Dec 11 unmasked the 24-year-old executive as a supporter of the outfit through social media and Twitter handle @ShamiWitness.

The home minister also assured the Lok Sabha that no innocent person from the minority community would be taken into custody with regard to suspected terror activities. If there were such instances, they could be brought to his notice.

Responding to another query on the IS, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the matter was “very, very sensitive and the details cannot be discussed”.

(IANS)

Petrol, diesel rates cut by Rs 2 per litre

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petrol-price-oil

New Delhi: Petrol and diesel prices were today cut by Rs 2 per litre each as international oil prices slumped to five-year low.

This is the eighth straight reduction in petrol prices since August, and fourth in diesel since October. New rates will be effective midnight tonight, Indian Oil Corp, the nation’s largest fuel retailer, announced here.

In Delhi, petrol will cost Rs 61.33 a litre, the lowest in 44 months, as compared to current price of Rs 63.33. The price has been cut by Rs 2.09 a litre in Mumbai to Rs 68.86.

Rates differ from state to state because of varied rates of local sales tax or VAT.

Diesel will cost Rs 50.51 a litre in Delhi, the lowest since July 2013, as against Rs 52.51 currently. In Mumbai, it will cost Rs 57.91 per litre as compared to Rs 60.11.

The rate cut would have been steeper but for the government deciding to make hay out of the crude oil rate slump to USD 62.37 per barrel by raising excise duty on petrol by Rs 2.25 and by Re 1 a litre on diesel.

Crude oil price in June was USD 115 per barrel. The prices of petrol and diesel were last revised downwards on December 1 by 91 paisa a litre and 84 paisa per litre respectively (including state levies at Delhi) on the back of declining international oil prices.

After today’s reduction, petrol price has been cut by Rs 12.27 per litre cumulatively since August.

Diesel price was cut for the first time in more than five years on October 19 by Rs 3.37 a litre when the government decided to deregulate the fuel. This was followed by a Rs 2.25 a litre reduction on November 1 and 84 paisa per litre on December 1. Cumulatively, diesel prices have been cut by Rs 8.46 a litre in four reductions.

There would have been another reduction on November 15 but the government mopped up, raising excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 a litre each. In the two excise duty hikes, the government has raised its revenue by Rs 10,600 crore this fiscal.

IOC said in a statement: “The prices of petrol and diesel were last revised downwards with effect from December 1 by Rs 0.91 per litre and Rs 0.84 a litre respectively (including state levies at Delhi) on the back of declining international oil prices.

“Since the above price changes, the international prices of both petrol and diesel have continued to be on a downtrend. The Rupee-US Dollar exchange rate has however appreciated since the last price change. The combined impact of both these factors warrant a decrease in retail selling prices of both petrol and diesel.”

The movement of prices in international oil market and Rupee-USD exchange rate shall continue to be closely monitored and developing trends of the market will be reflected in future price changes, it added.

(PTI)

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