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Sushma to engage with Pakistan after Modi, Doval

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Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi: India and Pakistan are set to hold the third bilateral engagement at the top level in less than 10 days with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reaching Islamabad on Tuesday for a conference on Afghanistan.

Following an impromptu meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif in Paris on the margins of a global climate change conference on November 30, the national security advisers of the two sides met in Bangkok on December 6 and discussed all major issues, including Kashmir.

Swaraj is expected to take this process forward during her likely meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif and his Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on the margins of what is called the 5th Ministerial Conference on Heart of Asia Istanbul Process.

This is also the first ministerial visit from India to its South Asian neigbbour since the then external affairs minister S.M. Krishna went to Pakistan in 2012.

But the visit is likely to include more.

After the Bangkok meeting between India’s Ajit Doval and Naseer Khan Janjua of Pakistan, along with foreign secretaries S. Jaishanker and Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Swaraj is also expected to take up a host of other issues.

A joint statement issued by the two sides in Bangkok said: “Discussions covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues including tranquility along the LoC (Line of Control that divides the two counties).”

Sushma Swaraj’s visit has evoked keen interest in diplomatic circles and among stakeholders.

“What seemed impossible just weeks ago has turned into a remarkable, almost unprecedented, round of diplomacy at the very highest levels,” the Dawn newspaper said in an editorial ahead of the Indian minister’s visit.

“The meetings must, first and foremost, be welcomed by every right-thinking Indian and Pakistani. Not talking to each other should be an unacceptable state of affairs when it comes to the two South Asian neighbours.”

The main purpose of the visit though is the conference — The Heart of

Asia Istanbul Process — that was established in 2011 at the initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey.

The Fifth Ministerial Conference is expected to adopt a forward looking Islamabad Declaration entitled “Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity in the Heart of Asia Region”.

(IANS)

SDPI to conduct campaign against communal terrorism

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SDPI

by SDPI

Bengaluru: Social Democratic Party of India is conducting a campaign against the communal terrorism patronized either directly or indirectly by the Sangh Parivar. The campaign is intended to draw peoples’ attention to the upsetting socio-political situation prevailing in the country and to bring confidence among them.

Within few months of being in power the NDA government has given up the agenda of development. BJP has repeatedly proved that they are running short of the maturity to lead world’s largest democracy. BJP MPs, Central Ministers, Chief Ministers of BJP ruled states and even governors appointed by the NDA Government are coming forward with controversial statements one after another mostly attacking the secular and progressive democratic thoughts prevailing among the people of our country. The socio-political situation of our country is growing vulnerable day by day. Word intolerance is much discussed in India at present. RSS and BJP leaders including Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi vocally try to establish that India is a country of tolerance. This verbal exercise itself calls out the pitiable social situation prevailing in India. The country passes through lot of changes and turmoil. In just over a year and a half of the NDA government the slogans of development have been replaced by narrative of divisiveness.

The government has failed to show the zeal to contain the radical right groups, which have been causing turbulence throughout the country. Attacks on Muslims owing to communal hatred, now mostly in the name of cow protection, has become a continuous process in different parts of the country. Caste prejudice and atrocities towards Daliths also are on the increase. Approach of leaders and ministers towards such incidents is more reprehensible. Over excited by power, BJP has forgotten decorum and principles of democracy.

Meanwhile, the spectrum of intolerance is widening and it is hunting whistle-blowers, reformists, writers, artists and activists by way of threats and killings. Let us remember assassination of Narendra Dabholkar in Pune, Govind Pansare in Mumbai and M.M. Kalburgi in Gulbarga. Writers, artists, cultural activists, scientists and public intellectuals are now compelled to come out with protest against the government’s failure to protect freedom of expression and contain religious intolerance.

Common mass of the country are frightened of the untoward and unhealthy developments imposed by the fascists and the administration. This is the occasion to spread message of fearlessness and confidence among the oppressed and minorities of our country. SDPI’s campaign includes Public Meetings, Seminars, Corner Meetings, Street Dramas, Posters, Leaflets, Different types of Poetical and Musical Programmes with a message ‘on your feet, not on your knees.’

The campaign will start with an indoor conference in Bangalore on 10th December and will extend up to 31st December 2015. The campaign is marked with a Parliament March scheduled for 21st December, Seminars at Jaipur, Kolkatta, Bangalore, Aligarh, Lucknow, Patna and Mumbai. Several other programmes would be conducted by state committees.

I am not scared of anyone: Sonia Gandhi

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Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: “I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. I am not scared of anyone,” a combative Congress President Sonia Gandhi asserted today, invoking the legacy of the late Prime Minister in the wake of the National Herald case.

“I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. I am not scared of anyone. I am not disturbed.” Gandhi told reporters after a meeting of the strategy committee of Congress party in Parliament.

She was asked about the Delhi High Court rejecting their pleas for quashing the summons by a Delhi court against them in the National Herald case.

Her remarks came as the metropolitan magistrate’s court here earlier in the day allowed her exemption plea as well as that of Rahul Gandhi and others for the day.

The court, however, directed them to appear in person on December 19.

The National Herald case had its echo in Parliament with Congress members staging protest in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over what they described as “political vendetta”.

They, however, did not specifically mention the National Herald case in their protests in either of the House.

(PTI)

Siddaramaiah govt likely to ban telecast of astrology shows

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astrology_shows

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led Congress government in Karnataka is all set to ban astrology-based shows being telecast on regional Kannada TV channels, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah believes that too much of superstition is being spread by the astrologers.

 

“Every TV channel wants to air astrology-based shows in Karnataka. In my home too, the scenario is no different. It is time we banned such shows,” Siddaramaiah said in Bengaluru on Monday. The chief minister was speaking at a programme organised to felicitate a senior leader of the Dalits.

This is not for the first time that the Congress government has proposed imposition of a ban on astrology based shows in Karnataka.

Though not an atheist, Siddaramaiah has been a critic of superstitious practices, including astrology. In Karnataka, all the leading TV channels have astrology based shows, which are aired at prime time. The shows enjoy high TRPs.

(Agencies)

Karnataka Lokayukta resigns over alleged bribery scandal

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Bhaskar-Rao

Bengaluru: Facing the prospect of his removal, controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao has resigned over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman’s office involving his son.

Rao, who had resisted growing calls for stepping down following the allegation, had tendered his resignation on Monday and it was accepted by Governor Vajubhai R Vala today, ending months of uncertainty hanging over the institution.

“Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka is pleased to accept the resignation of Dr. Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, as Lokayukta of Karnataka State with immediate effect,” a Raj Bhavan communique said today.

Rao is on a long leave since July last after his son Ashwin Rao was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case.

A motion moved by BJP and JDS and also supported by the ruling Congress seeking the removal of Rao is pending before the Karnataka Assembly with the Speaker Kagodu Thimappa considering it before referring the issue to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice to take the process forward.

According to the Lokayukta Act, recently amended to simplify rules for removal of the anti-graft ombudsman, on admission of the motion, the presiding officers shall refer the matter to the High Court Chief Justice for investigation into the grounds over which the removal is sought.

If the charges against the Lokayukta are proved by the inquiry, it is then taken up for consideration and adoption of the motion and sent to the Governor for assent.

The investigation for proof of misbehaviour or incapacity of Lokayukta has to be done as provided in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, by a three-member committee, comprising two judges and a jurist.

The scandal surfaced after Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang wrote a letter to the Registrar of Karnataka Lokayukta about the complaint she received from a person who alleged that someone from the Lokayukta office demanded Rs 1 crore in bribe to avoid a raid.

The SIT has arrested 11 persons, including Ashwin Rao, and registered five cases in connection with the alleged racket.

In another development, a motion seeking removal of Upa Lokayukta Subhash Adi, moved by the Congress but not supported by BJP and JDS, is also before the Assembly.

In their petition against Adi, the ruling party members have accused him of “misuse of office, misconduct and inefficiency”. The Opposition maintains there are no specific charges against Adi and the move against him is an attempt to shut down the Lokayukta institution itself.

Former Upa Lokayukta SB Majage had earlier alleged that Adi had closed a case of misconduct against a medical officer from Hubballi, which was a being handled by him. Following that, some Congress leaders had demanded Adi’s resignation.

The Congress leaders had also alleged that the medical officer was a relative of Opposition BJP leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar, during whose Chief Ministership Adi was appointed as the Upa Lokayukta.

Procedure for removal of the Upa Lokayukta is similar to that for a Lokayukta.
The Assembly Speaker has, however, said that he is not convinced with the evidence produced that alleged Adi had shown favouritism and exceeded his jurisdiction.

(Agencies)

Sanjay Dutt to be freed from jail in March

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sanjay_dutt

Pune: Incarcerated Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, whose five-year sentence for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts was confirmed by the Supreme Court in March 2013, will be freed from prison by March 7, 2016, official sources said here on Tuesday.

The sources indicated that barring last-minute glitches, Sanjay would be released by March 7 after completing the remaining 42-month period of his sentence.

Dutt was acquitted of terror charges under the TADA, but found guilty of possessing illegal arms, acquired ostensibly to protect his family during the communal conflagration that engulfed Mumbai after the demolition of the Babri Mosque on December 6, 1992.

Following the apex court orders, his bail was cancelled and he was ordered to surrender within four weeks, which he complied with on May 16, 2013 and was lodged in Arthur Road Central Jail.

A week later, he was shifted to the Yeravada Central Jail, Pune, where he has been lodged since then and has earned the reputation of being a well-behaved inmate.

Of the five-year sentence, the actor had already served 18 months as an undertrial and was required to undergo another 42 months, which is now on the verge of completing.

In between serving time, Dutt was granted either parole or furlough on various grounds, attracting a lot of criticism from various quarters, while some prominent personalities demanded his release from jail.

(Agencies)

National Herald case: HC dismisses Gandhis’ plea against summons

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sonia-rahul

New Delhi: In a setback to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi, the Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed their plea to quash summons issued to them by a trial court on BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s complaint in the National Herald case.

Justice Sunil Gaur dismissed their pleas which means the Gandhis will have to appear before the trial court in the case.

Apart from the Gandhis, the court also dismissed the pleas of Congress treasurer Motilal Vora, family friend Suman Dubey and party leader Oscar Fernandes who had moved the high court for quashing of summons to them by the trial court.

On June 26, the trial court issued summons to the Congress leaders on Swamy’s complaint about “cheating” in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL) by Young India Ltd. (YIL) – “a firm in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each own a 38 percent stake”.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who had appeared for Sonia Gandhi, sought quashing of the proceedings initiated by the lower court against her and the others, saying that the complaint made by Swamy against them were only “allegations without any supporting proof”.

He had said there was no illegality in Young India Ltd. (YIL) taking over Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, as per the Companies Act.

Swamy had claimed that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, as majority shareholders of YIL, benefited from the acquisition of AJL. He alleged that AJL had received an interest-free loan of Rs.90.25 crore from the Congress and that the party transferred the debt to YIL for Rs.50 lakh.

At the time, AJL, which had Vora as its chairman, claimed that it could not repay the loan and agreed to transfer the company and its assets to YIL.

Filing the plea in the high court, the Congress leaders had said Swamy was a political opponent and the present criminal proceedings were initiated only with an intent to secure an oblique political objective.

(IANS)

Insects found in Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali noodles

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Baba-Ramdev-noodles

Haryana: Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Noodles is in trouble again.

First, it was not being able to obtain the mandatory product approval from the Food Safety and Regulatory Authority of India (FSSAI), and now a customer in Haryana has founds bugs inside a packet of Patanjali Noodles.

According to reports, the bugs were spotted inside the sealed pack by a man who purchased it from Swadeshi store in Narwana, in the Jind region of Haryana.

The customer is now reportedly gearing up to file a lawsuit against Patanjali noodles.

Soon after the launch of Patanjali, it had come under the scanner of government where FSSAI had said that Ramdev did not get approval for Patanjali Noodles but packets displayed the license number.

Apparently, FSSAI had given approval for Patanjali’s pasta brand. “We have licence for Pasta in central category from FSSAI. As per FSSAI, noodles come under the ‘pasta’ category. FSSAI has given us licence for relabeling in the pasta category,” Patanjali said in a statement.

(Agencies)

SC declines PIL on uniform civil code

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Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a public interest petition seeking direction to parliament to enact a uniform civil code to put an end to alleged discrimination being faced by Muslim women.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur said that it is for parliament to take a call on the issue and it was not in the realm of the apex court to issue a direction on this.

Chief Justice Thakur, in a disapproving note, told senior counsel Gopal Subramaniam that if such petitions were filed without regard to the law, the court will come down very heavily.

The court asked why none of those who are being allegedly discriminated against have come forward for redressal.

Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay had filed the PIL.

(Agencies)

Three injured in Guwahati blast

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The explosions occurred at 3:18 pm and 3:20 pm. (ANI Twitter account)

The explosions occurred at 3:18 pm and 3:20 pm. (ANI Twitter account)

Guwahati: Three people, including a minor, were injured in a low-intensity explosion at the busy Fancy Bazar area here on Saturday afternoon, police said, adding that witnesses said there were two explosions.

Police suspected the involvement of the anti-talk faction of ULFA militants initially, but it later turned out to be a low-intensity explosion.

“The impact of the explosion does not indicate that it was a grenade or high-powered bomb. Had it been a grenade or bomb, the damage would have been more,” said Guwahati Police Commissioner Mukesh Agarwala.

He said that witnesses said there were two explosions.

“We are investigating the matter and we have called the forensic teams to ascertain the exact nature of the explosives that led to the explosion,” said Agarwala.

(IANS)

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