By: Rizwan Asad

 The Reel Life Actor Turns A Real Life Politician  Prakash Raj needs no special introduction, as he is a very popular multilinguistic actor, producer & director having worked not only in all the South Indian languages namely Kannada, Malyalam, Tamil & Telugu but also in varied other languages like Hindi, Marathi, Bhojpuri, English et al! And now at this age & stage he has said a final good bye to the Indian Cinema industry forever to step into the Political arena to contest for the forthcoming Loksabha elections as an independent candidate. Tune in for his political nuggets in his Garden house on off MG Road. 

*So Prakashji you are now all set to contest the forthcoming Loksabha elections as an independent candidate. So what brings you back to Bangalore? *But what made you to take the decision to come back to Bangalore only & contest for the elections?  *Sir I was never away from Bangalore as Bangalore is where my real roots are. So you see there is no coming back syndrome as far as Bangalore is concerned! To that my answer once again is that I don’t come, I have been brought & it is always the situation that brings me here. This time I came to observe the political scenario & also to see where our country & its politicians are headed and as compared to that where our voters are  headed and whether together they all are forming the correct political scenario or not?      

 *But why only Bangalore? You could have contested the forthcoming elections from anywhere?  *You see I belong to Bangalore & today whatever I am or whatever qualities I have is because of my upbringing & my roots in Bangalore. I have learned my craft here & I have started my career on stage & films as an actor in Kannada films from Bangalore. Actually speaking Bangalore has empowered me, whatever I have achieved today & whatever qualities I have acquired is because of my deeply enmeshed roots in Bangalore. So Bangalore has given me so much that I thought it was payback time. I want to do something for my Bangalorean people.  Hence I decided to restart my independent political journey from Bangalore all over again. I also realized that I should be the voice of the Bangaloreans in particular & of the entire India in general & this way I can take their demands to the parliament on a State & National level too. Now it remains to be seen if I can succeed in my mission & if the people of Bangalore will accept me as their independent leader. 

 *So what do you think of the current political scenario? * I feel that the current political scenario is more in a denial mode. Nobody, I mean none of the parties are showing the correct picture of Bangalore’s varied culture, its varied languages thereby it effects the current & the correct representation in the constitution. So my advice to them is to get their act together, one which would help them to make the proper inclusion of the massaes vote bank in order to have their right representation in the constitution.       

*Don’t you think today’s politics constitutes more of a disordered chaos!!!
*Yes! You are right we find a lot of chaos everywhere & especially in all the corners of the political arena. What we need today is that people should strive to keep alive the spirit of humanity by understanding the right nuances of politics as befitting to the human spirit, those politicians who do not follow these rules needless to say that they end up in a clueless chaos. 

 *I am sure many political parties may have invited you to contest the elections. Yet you decided to go independent. Why?  *Yeah many political parties which are on the verge of decline dangle baits in your way and most of them just strive to hang on to the invited people to survive in the cesspool of politics but thankfully I am not one of those who will bite the bait. So I thought it is better to contest the election as an independent candidate. 

*How different is today’s politics as compared to the earlier times?    *Of course there is a vast difference in today’s politics as earlier they were committed to their cause of the betterment of the country & its people but today everyone knows what’s going on so the less spoken about the current situation the better.

*So where have all those committed politician gone?
*No one knows. So what do you want me to do should I go & find them?

*Most of the politicians & even the voters are illiterate so do you think that something should be done in this regard?
*You tell me what can be done in this regard? The system definitely has to be changed. But who will bell the cat?   

*Do you think that the voters can be blamed as most of them, especially the hi-fi people do not step out of their apartments or bungalows & do not even come out to exercise their power of vote?
*Nothing can be done as long as the so called hi-fi voters themselves realize their follies & understand what change they can bring about with their power of vote. They should realize about their duties towards their country. Nowadays the illiterate people in distant villagers are also becoming conscious about their duties & even making their brethren realize about their duties & responsibilities towards their country. 

*Lastly how do you think the system can be changed for a better leader who can at least think of everyone’s well-being?
*Simple! Let the voter’s analyze the situation & and choose the right candidate mind you not the party. Don’t get tempted by dangling baits & false promises.   

Formed in 2000, Jaish-e-Muhammad (Army of Muhammad) is a Pakistan-based armed group that aims to undermine and overthrow Indian control over Indian-administered Kashmir through attacks on security and government targets.

The group was founded by Masood Azhar, who previously fought under the banner of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and has been linked to al-Qaeda.

Azhar founded JeM after he was released from Indian custody in 1999, in exchange for more than 150 hostages held on an Indian Airlines flight that had been hijacked and diverted to Kandahar in Afghanistan.

Azhar is said to have formed JeM with the support of then al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the Afghan Taliban, according to the United Nations.

The group is said to have actively supported the Afghan Taliban’s fight against US-led NATO forces since 2001.

JeM has carried out several high-profile suicide and other attacks against Indian targets since its formation.

Notably, in 2001 it was implicated in attacks on the legislative assembly building in Indian-administered Kashmir and on the Indian parliament in New Delhi, killing at least 39 people.

Azhar was arrested by Pakistani authorities for his alleged involvement in the parliament attack, but was released a year later after a court ruled authorities had presented inadequate evidence against him.

Pakistan outlawed the JeM as a “terrorist organisation” in 2002, prompting the group to target Pakistan, twice unsuccessfully attempting to assassinate then Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in 2003.

In 2016, Pakistan once again detained Azhar, after India alleged JeM was responsible for an attack on an Indian airbase in the town of Pathankot, killing at least six people.

Later that year, JeM was linked to an attack on an Indian security forces base at Uri, killing 19 people.

On Thursday, JeM claimed responsibility for a suicide attack that killed at least 42 Indian soldiers in the Indian-administered Kashmir town of Pulwama, the worst such attack on Kashmiri soil.

Azhar’s current whereabouts remain unknown, having not been formally charged by Pakistan with a crime nor making public appearances since his detention.

China, a key Pakistani ally, continues to block his listing on a United Nations sanctions list, a long-standing Indian request.

Agencies

Nasheman News :Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday strongly condemned Thursday’s terror attack by the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of at least 45 CRPF personnel and said that the perpetrators behind the act should be “duly punished”.

In a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin said: “Please accept the most sincere condolences in connection with the loss of Indian law enforcement officers in the terrorist act in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We strongly condemn this brutal crime. The perpetrators and sponsors of this attack, undoubtedly, should be duly punished.”

Putin reiterated Russia’s “readiness for further strengthening counter-terrorist cooperation with Indian partners”.

“In Russia, we share the grief of friendly people of India and hope for speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.

In the worst ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy erupted in 1989, a suicide bomber rammed his SUV packed with explosives into a CRPF bus on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district, killing at least 45 troopers and leaving the security establishment stunned.

JeM claimed responsibility for the horror and released a video clip of the suicide bomber, a ‘commander’ identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, which it claimed was shot before the young man carried out the strike in Lethpora.

Putin’s message on Friday came separately after the Russian Embassy here issued a statement on Thursday saying it “condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack”.

“We denounce terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterate the need to combat these inhuman acts with decisive and collective response without any double standards,” the Embassy statement said.

Nasheman News : Former army chief, Gen. Shankar Roychowdhury (retd) on Thursday blamed intelligence failure for the Pulwama terror attack and suggested some non-governmental Indian agency raise a “fidayeen” (suicide squad) against Pakistan to avenge such incidents.

“Obviously, there was an intelligence failure. They (the Indian military authorities) should not have sent such a big convoy of 70 trucks. They should not have done so many things.

“But now, they have to get this gang, or group, find out those who have perpetrated it, and eliminate them. That is what is to be done,” Roychowdhury, who headed the Indian Army 1994-97, said.

He said like terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad is also an old outfit, and intelligence agencies have lot of information about them.

“The terrorists have to be tracked down, for which the intelligence agencies have to start working. It may be difficult to eliminate them at one go. They have to be hunted down one by one and killed,” he said.

However, he said there might be complications if the terrorists have infiltrated from Pakistan.

“But I think, the perpetrators must have gone to some local hideouts,” he said.

Asked whether he saw a Pakistan hand in the militant strike, he said: “I have always maintained that Pakistan has a role (in such incidents).. They have to be punished.”

Roychowdhury said he has for long been advocating that India must raise a fidayeen squad.

“I have been saying we must also have our own fidayeen. But the government or the army can’t do it. That’s not their job. We have to devise some other way…

“We need a third party… a third group… some non-governmental agency which can take up the job. Unless we retaliate, respond in kind for every person we lose, these things will go on and on.

He said there were problems both in Kashmir and across the border. “So many groups can’t come from across the border. Where did they make the weapons and bombs and transported them to the spot?”

But he discounted the theory that terrorism and talks cannot go together. “That is wrong. Terrorism and talks can go together. But for that, first we need to respond in kind, and then carry on the talks.”

In the worst ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy erupted in 1989, a suicide bomber on Thursday rammed his SUV packed with explosives into a CRPF bus on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district, killing at least 43 troopers and leaving the security established stunned.

Nasheman News : Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday announced that the “Most Favoured Nation” status which was granted to Pakistan stands withdrawn.

The decision was taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held a day after the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy erupted in 1989, when a suicide bomber on Thursday rammed his SUV packed with explosives into a Central Reserve Police Force bus on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district, killing at least 45 troopers, injuring 38 and leaving the security establishment stunned.

B

[Nasheman news] Shimla Facing the challenge of retaining all the four Lok Sabha seats, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur says he is not being dictated to by the RSS and that he enjoys a free hand to lead the party in the coming elections.

For him, development work and no witch hunting is the mantra.

“This accusation (of RSS remote controlling him) does not have an iota of truth. “Our central leadership has reposed full faith in me and has given a free hand to run the affairs in the state. The RSS is an apolitical nationalist organisation, which has nothing to do with state affairs,” Thakur told IANS in an interview, dismissing rumours in political circles that he is being dictated by BJP ideologue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and party’s senior leaders.

Five-time legislator Thakur (54) was elevated after the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal, suffered an abject defeat in the 2017 assembly polls. Several names were doing the rounds at the time, including that of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, whom the party did not relieve from national politics.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong in seeking the advice of Dhumal and Nadda, on any regarding matter related to the development of the state,” Thakur stated categorically.

On getting free hand from the high command to lead the party in the elections, Thakur, who has won his fifth consecutive assembly election, said: “The elections are fought with collective efforts and with collective strategy. Being head of the state I would have greater responsibility to motivate the rank and file to ensure the party’s victory.”

“I am fully confident that the BJP will retain all the four Lok Sabha seats (from the state) in the General Elections,” Thakur added.

Carrying out development on the debris of decades of vendetta politics, Thakur said the BJP has brought a generational change in the state politics.

“This change has brought new ideas of governance. Shunning the politics of revenge and counter accusations, we have put forth development as our guiding principle in reforms. We have taken several new people-centric initiatives in 13 months,” the plain-speaking Thakur said.

The first-time Chief Minister, who has 11 ministers — half of them first-timers, believes the biggest achievement of his government has been winning over the confidence of the people.

“The government from the day one started working with a sole aim of development and welfare of the people. My government is working without any vendetta and vengeance towards our political opponents.”

The state, he said, has implemented several decisions and schemes which are bound to transform the economy and the people.

“The Jan Manch (public meeting in every district headquarters on first Sunday of a month) programme launched by us has been appreciated even by our political opponents.

“Till date, over 33,966 grievances of the public have been redressed in 106 Jan Manchs. Similarly, the very first decision of the government to lower the age limit of senior citizens for availing old-age pension without any income criteria from 80 to 70 years have benefitted over 1.60 lakh people,” he said.

Thakur, who rose through the ranks, believes establishing direct contact with the common masses will definitely help his party retaining four Lok Sabha seats in the ensuing General Elections.

On the central leadership reposing faith in him and his first-time cabinet colleagues and bringing generation change in the state politics, he said: “Yes, I agree that the Vidhan Sabha elections results of 2017 brought in a generation change in the state politics. Since all my cabinet colleagues are young and have a new vision and new vigour, this would definitely help progress and development of the state.”

“I did not face any challenge as such during the last one year. But still the major concern before me has been to bring back the derailed economy of the state back on track and understand the developmental aspirations of the people. For this, I toured 65 (of the 68) assembly constituencies during this one year to understand the developmental needs.

“I am sure that after a year in office now I am more clear and precise about the expectations of the people,” he said.

The Himalayan state, whose hydropower generation as well as horticulture and tourism are major contributors to the economic development, is facing one of its worst financial crises – with its loan liability at nearly Rs 50,000 crore.

“We have inherited a loan burden of over Rs 46,500 crore from the previous government due to their financial mismanagement and unmindful expenditure. Therefore, the biggest challenge before us was to bring back the derailed economy back on the track.”

“It is true that due to limited financial resources of its own the state has to heavily depend on financial assistance and loans from the Centre and external funding agencies. Still soon after assuming the office in the state, the government took some concrete steps to stop wasteful and unproductive expenditure, besides striving hard to create its own resources for income generation.”

[Nasheman news] New DelhiA two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a split verdict on the issue of transfer and posting of Delhi government officers.

While Justice A.K. Sikri said transfers and postings of Joint Secretaries and officers above will be in the domain of Lieutenant Governor; for those below them, the recommendation will be routed through the Council of Ministers of the elected government in Delhi.

However, Justice Ashok Bhushan differed saying that the Delhi government has no control over appointments. Transfer and appointment of “higher” officers will rest with the Centre, he added.

[Nasheman news] Chandigarh The Punjab Police has arrested two men who had allegedly gang-raped a 21-year-old woman in Ludhiana district.

Police officials said on Wednesday that raids were being conducted at various places by different police teams to nab the remaining accused.

Those arrested so far include Jagroop Singh and Sadik Ali, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Ranbir Singh Khatra said. Both accused are residents of Ludhiana district.

Khatra said police investigations have revealed that six men were involved in the gang rape of the young woman on February 9 night when she was driving along a canal in a car with her male friend.

The victim had alleged that she was gang raped by at least 10 men after she and her friend were attacked and abducted.

Both were taken in their car to an isolated plot in the Issewal area of Ludhiana district and the woman was gang raped while her friend was held captive.

Police officials said that raids are being conducted to arrest the four other accused. These include Ajay Kumar, Syed Ali, Surma and another one (not yet identified but relative of Surma).

All the suspects are in the 25-30 age group, police officials said.

The police registered a case of rape and under other sections of the Indian Penal Code against the accused.

Khatra had earlier admitted that there were lapses by the local police in dealing with the matter due to which the gruesome crime took place.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Vijay Rattan was suspended for dereliction of duty as he had failed to investigate the matter seriously and did not inform his seniors about it after receiving a complaint about the incident.

The accused had called up a friend of the rape victim’s friend and demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh. The friend approached the police following the call but the police did not take immediate action.

The couple were set free on Sunday following which they complained to the police.