Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court that approximately 67 FIRs have been registered statewide against Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj, a Hindu religious leader, because of his alleged derogatory remarks against Islam and Prophet Mohammed at an event in Nashik. They added that the objectionable material containing the alleged derogatory remarks, which was shared online, is being taken down by the cyber crime police.

According to Maharashtra Advocate General Dr Birendra Saraf made this submission while opposing a petition which sought registration of an FIR against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for sharing a stage with Ramgiri Maharaj after FIRs were filed against him.

The petition, filed by advocate Mohammad Wasi Sayed and others, alleges a significant increase in communal incidents since 2014, claiming that “systematic Islamophobic customs are protected by the state and Union governments,” leading to mob lynchings, riots, and the ostracism of Muslims.

Advocate Ejaz Naqvi, representing the petitioners, argued that instead of taking action against Ramgiri Maharaj, Shinde chose to share a platform with him, asserting that saints would be protected in the state.

However, Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan noted that petitions regarding the removal of the seer’s videos and the registration of FIRs for alleged hate speech are already being heard.

Regarding hate speech, the bench remarked that while they cannot prevent individuals from giving speeches, the police are taking necessary action and registering FIRs.

“Just because they (Eknath Shinde and Ramgiri) are sharing a stage, it does not mean that FIR should be registered. You have to show malafides. If there is a breach, there are FIRs being registered. You (Naqvi) are making the issue political. When you digress from the core issue, then this is what happens. Your core issue is to take down videos,” the bench added, as mentioned by the publication.

Saraf opposed the plea, emphasising that FIRs against Ramgiri Maharaj had already been registered, stating that as of September 19, 67 FIRs were filed. He argued that proceedings cannot be initiated in this manner and urged for the removal of CM’s name from the list of respondents in the petition. The bench agreed and warned of imposing costs on the petitioners.

The bench further directed Naqvi to modify his prayers and delete all the respondents except cyber police and local police officials. “Police have a mechanism. They will deal with this,” the bench stated.

The bench will further hear the petition on October 17.

Malavalli: A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the in-charge headmaster (HM) of a local school, following allegations of sexual harassment by students.

The Block Education Officer (BEO), V. E. Uma, lodged the complaint after students reported incidents of harassment involving the headmaster, who had been serving in the school for the past 13 years. Upon receiving the complaint, Uma, along with members of the district children’s protection committee, visited the school to gather information from students and parents. The investigation is on going.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

New Delhi: The Hindu newspaper has expressed regret over the controversial remarks in the interview of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The publication clarified that the reference to Malappuram was inserted by a PR agency and was not part of the interview conducted by its journalist, Shobhana Nair.

According to the statement issued by The Hindu, a PR agency named Kaizen had approached them, offering the opportunity to interview the Chief Minister. However, the remarks in question, including references to gold smuggling and claims that the money was used for anti-national activities, were not stated by the Chief Minister but were written by the agency.

The newspaper’s clarification follows an investigation conducted after the interview stirred controversy and drew criticism from various quarters. In its explanation, The Hindu admitted to a lapse in editorial oversight and offered an unconditional apology.

The clarification was prompted by a letter from the Chief Minister’s office to the editor of The Hindu, seeking a correction and explanation for the erroneous report. The Chief Minister’s office had stressed that no region or specific words like ‘anti-national’ were mentioned during the interview. The office expressed concerns that the published report misrepresented the Chief Minister’s statements, causing unnecessary controversy and misinterpretation.

Thane: As many as 38 children fell ill and were hospitalised on Tuesday for suspected food poisoning after they ate a mid-day meal at a private school near Thane city in Maharashtra, officials said.

The children, aged between 8 and 11 years, were admitted to the civic hospital in Kalwa town after they complained of giddiness, nausea, headache and pain in the abdomen after lunch, according to medical officials at the hospital.

All the children are out of danger and responding to the medical treatment, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Additional Commissioner Sandeep Malvi told PTI.

He confirmed that the children had eaten a mid-day meal at the private school.

Another medical official said the students were served rice and moth bean (matki) curry as the meal.

“Samples of food served to students have been collected by FDA officials. It was immediately not known if matki was stale,” officials said.

According to officials, initially, five students complained of uneasiness and their number swelled gradually.

“Ambulances were summoned by the school administration and the students were rushed to the hospital,” they added.

The parents of the children are also present at the hospital.

Baramulla Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday extended the interim bail of Baramulla Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, till October 12, his lawyer said.

The 57-year-old will have to surrender the next day, Vikhyat Oberoi told PTI here.

Rashid’s counsel had moved an application seeking extension of the interim bail.

Rashid, who faces terror funding charges, was granted interim bail on September 10 and he walked out of the Tihar Jail on September 11.

The judge had on September 10 granted interim bail to Rashid till October 2.

He campaigned in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

Nawaf Ismail

Belthangady: A boy died as he was run over by a reversing car before his house at Mallige Majal in Kokkada on Tuesday.

The victim is identified as Nawaf Ismail (10), son of Abdul Hameed, a resident of Mallige Majal. He was studying in 4th standard at a nearby school.

The incident happened when the car parked in the courtyard was being taken out. Unseen by the driver, the boy had come behind the car and was accidentally run over. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Dharmasthala police have visited the spot and a case has been registered in this regard.