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Subhas Chandra Bose's family demands judicial probe into snooping

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Subhas_Chandra_Bose

Kolkata: Expressing shock over reported revelations that successive Congress governments had snooped on family members of revolutionary leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose for 20 years after independence, a prominent member of the clan on Friday demanded a judicial probe on the issue.

Another family member and MP said the act amounted to showing disrespect to freedom fighters.

Family spokesperson Chandra Kumar Bose demanded that the Narendra Modi government declassify the secret files related to Netaji and the clan.

“It is shocking. It is not an issue involving merely the family, but the entire nation, because several members of the family from Sarat Chandra Bose to Amiya Nath Bose as also Sisir Kumar Bose were prominent freedom fighters,” Netaji’s grand-nephew Chandra Kumar Bose told IANS.

Sugato Bose, another grand-nephew of the leader and Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member, said a “great wrong” has been done by snooping on the family. “This act amounts to insulting the freedom fighters. But I only hope nobody now tries to do politics over the issue.”

Chandra Kumar Bose said while it was understandable that the British government would snoop on the family because of its fight against imperialism, “that the central government in post-independence India could do it, that is too shocking”.

“It is an attack on democracy, personal liberty and the spirit of the freedom movement, a betrayal of the nation,” he said.

“A judicial inquiry commission should be constituted, and a special investigative team should be formed under the commission. The commission should report to a sitting judge of the Supreme Court,” he said.

He said the probe should cover the entire sequence of events from circumstances leading to Netaji’s disappearance to the spying on the family members after independence.

He said the Modi government has been talking of transparency all along. “If they are sincere to what they claim, then they should order declassification of over 160 files still kept secret.”

Media reports have claimed that recently declassified files of the union home ministry have revealed that the family of Netaji was placed under intensive surveillance from 1948 to 1968 by the central government.

The country had three Congress prime ministers during these 20 years – Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi.

(IANS)

No plans to ban beef in state: Siddaramaiah

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Photo: The New Indian Express

Photo: The New Indian Express

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has made it clear that there will not be any ban on beef in the state.

When he was asked a question by scribes on the beef ban in light of a protest held in Bengaluru on Thursday April 9 against the beef ban in Maharashtra, Siddaramaiah said “Let the people decide what they want to eat. We do not have the right to question their choices”

“Pork, chicken, mutton and let them eat what they want. Who am I to tell them? “Siddaramaiah added.

The protestors on Thursday at town hall premises had cooked beef biryani on the spot and had eaten it in public to register their opposition to the ban in Maharashtra.

Some prominent faces were also seen in the protest including writers Girish Karnad and K Marulusiddappa. The protest was organized by the activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

BJP unhappy

Meanwhile BJP has strongly criticized the participation of Girish Karnad and K Marulusiddappa in the protest by terming the act as ‘A shameful act which a civilised society cannot accept.’

Leader of the opposition in the legislative council K S Eshwarappa has demanded apologies from both the writers for participating in the protest.

“I know they are famous. Whatever they say will get some publicity. But they should have used their popularity for good causes. They should not use their talents for anti social propaganda. If they do not know to promote good causes, they should shut up. Hindus have been watching them patiently. But nobody knows when their anger will explode.” Eshwarappa said.

No knowledge of law?

Veteran freedom fighter H S Doreswamy has said that Girish Karnad and K Marulusiddappa should have had the basic knowledge of prevailing laws which prohibit the slaughter of cows.

He said that even Jammu and Kashmir where the Muslims are in majority has some laws against the killing of cows. He asked not to compare cow to other animals.

Girish Karnad had said during the protest, “The act of banning beef eating is provocative. I may or may not eat beef but I will stand by the right of others for whom the meat is a crucial source of affordable nutrition. It is about people’s right to food and their right to life.”

(Agencies)

India to buy 36 French Rafale fighter jets

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Rafal-Fighters

Paris: Marking a breakthrough in the protracted talks in the French Rafale jet deal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that India will purchase 36 of these fighter planes that are ready to fly, citing critical operational requirement of the IAF.

The announcement was made by Modi at a joint news conference with French President Francois Hollande after their summit talks at Elysee palace.

India and France were locked in negotiations for three years over the purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets valued at $12 billion, but has been bogged down over cost and Dassault Aviation’s reluctance to stand guarantee for 108 planes to be made by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

“Keeping in mind critical operational necessity of fighter jets in India, I have talked to him (Hollande) and requested 36 Rafale jets in fly-away condition as quickly as possible under a government-to-government deal,” said Modi.

An agreement on proceeding on the stalled nuclear project in Jaitapur in Maharashtra was among the 17 pacts signed after the talks between Modi and Hollande.

The Jaitapur project, where French company Areva is to set up six nuclear reactors with total power generation capacity of about 10,000 MW, is stuck for long because of differences over the cost of electricity to be generated. The agreement between Areva and India’s Larsen and Toubro is aimed at cost reduction by increasing localisation, to improve financial viability of the Jaitapur project.

Another pact related to pre-engineering agreements between NPCIL and Areva in connection with studies intended to bring clarity on all technical aspects of the plant so all parties—Areva, Alstom and NPCIL—can firm up their price and optimise all provisions for risks still included at this stage in the costs of the project.

It will also enable transfer of technology and development of indigenous nuclear energy industry in India. France also informed India of its decision to implement a scheme for expedited 48-hour visa issuance for Indian tourists.

“There is no sphere where India and France are not cooperating. France is among India’s most valued friends,” said Modi. France also announced an investment of €2 billion (about $2.12 billion) in India as Modi invited French companies to pump in money in technology in the fastest growing economy. Inviting French investors, Modi said, “There is no bigger market than India. It is also the fastest growing economy since the last six months. Various rating agencies like World Bank and Moody’s have said in one voice that India is the fastest-growing nation.

“It is rare to find a country with a market, with the government determined on development and demographic dividend,” he said.

(PTI)

No petrol, diesel supply on Saturday April 11

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petrol-price-oil

Bengaluru: Petrol bunk owners have decided to stop supply of petrol and diesel from April 11 Saturday 6pm to Sunday 6am. The decision not to sell fuel comes after their demands were not met by the concerned authorities.

Akhila Karnataka Petroleum Traders Association and Bangalore Petroleum Dealers president B R Ravindranath said the fuel bundh has been decided to compel government to meet thier demands. The bundh will be carried across the country and state too has supported the move, he said.

As many as 1800 bunks all over the state, including 450 petrol bunks in Bangalore will stop supply of fuel.

The strike will be held to meet various demands including 5% profit must be given to Diesel and petrol retailers.

(Agencies)

French ASN reveal EPR’s vulnerability as Modi visits France to advance nuclear purchase – Statement by CNDP

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by French Sports minister Thierry Braillard upon his arrival at the Paris Orly International airport in France on Friday. Photo: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by French Sports minister Thierry Braillard upon his arrival at the Paris Orly International airport in France on Friday. Photo: PTI

by Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP)

The French nuclear safety regulator ASN has reported extremely serious defects in the European Pressurized Reactor being built at Flamanville (France) by the French nuclear company Areva.

The detected defects have to do with substandard material used in crucial components, the bottom and the lid of the EPR pressure vessel, the very heart of the reactor. These components cannot be repaired once the reactor goes critical.

The revelation vindicates long-standing safety concerns of independent nuclear experts and citizens’ groups especially in Finland and India where Areva is constructing or planning to build EPRs.

This revelation coincides with Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France, during which he is expected to finalize a nuclear agreement with Areva. It should force the Indian government to rethink its nuclear expansion plans.

The EPR’s design and construction have run into unending problems both in France and Finland, where the first such reactor has been under construction since 2005. Its completion has been delayed from 2009 at least till 2018, and its costs have nearly tripled.

France, once the nuclear industry’s poster-boy, has itself decided to scale down nuclear power generation by 25% and make an “energy transition” to renewable sources.

Next week (18th April) marks the fourth anniversary of the killing in a police firing of Tabrez Sayekar, from Sakhri Nate near Jaitapur in Maharashtra. Jaitapur is where Areva is planning to construct the world’s largest nuclear plant, in the teeth of strong public protests. Over the last four years, Areva has gone almost bankrupt.

Vulnerabilities of the EPR design have been repeatedly revealed; and an earthquake fault-line discovered running through the proposed Jaitapur site.

After Fukushima (2011), which revealed the inherent problems of nuclear safety, a number of countries have abandoned nuclear power.

We urge the Indian government to give up its nuclear obsession and immediately declare a moratorium on all nuclear negotiations and under-construction projects. It must respect the views of citizens and local communities, including farmers and fisherfolk, who oppose nuclear power because it threatens their lives and livelihoods.

We also ask the French government to respect human life in India and terminate the nuclear negotiations in the wake of the new revelations about the EPR.

For CNDP

Praful Bidwai, Achin Vanaik, Lalita Ramdas, Abey George, Kumar Sundaram.

Subramanian Swamy launches Hindutva outfit – Virat Hindustan Sangam

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Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

New Delhi: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday announced the formation of an organisation that would push for Hindutva issues like securing the disputed Ram Mandir area for building a temple by persuading Muslims to accept an alternative site.

The outfit Virat Hindustan Sangam will empower the youth to articulate the “values” of Hindutva, like scrapping of Article 370, Uniform Civil Code, Ram temple and beef ban, he told a press conference.

Indicating that the new body will also act as a pressure group on the ruling BJP, he said it would provide a list of candidates to the party for consideration and work closely with the Sangh parivar.

Asked what will be his priority issue, he said it would be construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

“We will take up from January 1, 2016 the Ram temple issue. I will want the government to follow the Saudi Arabian example of offering the Waqf Board a site across the Saryu river for building a mosque…And leave the Ram temple premises completely for temple.

“We hope to complete it by the end of 2016 because of our activism both in courts and in terms of pushing the government,” he said, adding that he would have finished most of his legal work in the Supreme Court by then.

He also batted for scrapping of Article 370, an issue put on the back burner, saying it is in the party’s manifesto and it would have to do it by 2019 when next Lok Sabha election is scheduled.

His organisation, he said, will be open to Hindus or those Muslims and other Indians who acknowledge their Hindu ancestry.

(PTI)

Will facilitate complete reintegration of Kashmiri Pandits in Valley: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed

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Mufti Mohammad Sayeed

Jammu: Describing Kashmir as an epitome of secularism and brotherhood that has withstood the test of time, the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the Government is committed to create a favourable environment for return of Kashmiri Pandit community to their homes, so that the void created by their absence in the cultural milieu of Kashmir is removed.

The Chief Minister said his Government is determined to facilitate the return of Kashmiri Pandits as part of the Kashmiri society and not as an isolated community.

Mufti Sayeed was speaking during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly today when certain members raised the issue of return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.

He said the Pandit community provides diversity to the multi-religious ethos of Kashmiri society and the focus of the Government will be to bring them back to their homes.

Describing as misconstrued the impression being created by certain quarters regarding establishment of exclusive habitations, Mufti Sayeed stated that the Government has not acquired any land for setting up any exclusive enclaves. He further said the Government does not favour any clusterization for return of Kashmiri Pandits but their complete reintegration as part of the Kashmiri society. “Some Pandit organizations have also stated that a majority of the migrated community will feel vulnerable if they return to the Valley and live in exclusive zones,” he added.

Urging all political parties to cooperate in facilitating return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Mufti Sayeed said they are part and parcel of the multi-religious society of Kashmir and their migration over two decades ago was a huge tragedy. “Our emphasis will be on taking all confidence-building measures for their dignified return. We are only taking forward a process which was initiated by the previous Governments,” he said.

Describing Kashmir as a garden with flowers of all hues, the Chief Minister said it is the responsibility of all political parties to play a constructive role in facilitating the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. “J&K has a history of cultural integration where Gandhiji found a ray of hope when the entire country was burning in communal frenzy in 1947,” he added.

(KNS)

Akshardham Attack: 11 years of torture, then acquittal, now book

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Mufti Abdul Qayyum was acquitted last year by the Supreme Court in the Akshardham attack case.

Mufti Abdul Qayyum was acquitted last year by the Supreme Court in the Akshardham attack case.

Ahmedabad: After spending 11 years of his life in prison for a crime he never committed, Mufti Abdul Qayyum, who was acquitted by the Supreme Court in the Akshardham terror attack case, has written a 200-page book recounting the pain of injustice inflicted on him by the state police and other investigating agencies.

In his book, titled ‘Gyarah Saal Salakhon Ke Peeche (11 years behind bars),’ the Mufti provides a detailed account of what he calls is a life branded as a terrorist without evidence. “I have mentioned in the book why I was booked by the Gujarat police in the Akshardham attack case. I have described the kinds of torture I was subjected to by the investigating agencies to make me sign false confessional statements,” said Mufti.

“This book is not just for the Muslims, it is for the most oppressed class of the country. If through my book, even one person is spared from state sponsored excesses then I will be happy that I have achieved something.”

Mufti Qayyum was arrested by former IPS officer D G Vanzara who was himself arrested later for involvement in a number of fake police encounters.

He was 29 at the time of arrest in 2003 – a year after the attack on the Akshardham temple. The police had accused him of writing a letter that was recovered from the possession of two alleged terrorists, who were killed in the attack.

A lower court in Gujarat later convicted him and two others, sentencing them to death. But on May 17 last year, the top court acquitted him of all the charges.

Since his release, the 40-year old Madrassa teacher has been trying to piece together his fragmented life. At the time of his arrest, 12 years ago, his now grown up son was barely ten months old. His wife Sujiya, not only struggled to bring up their children, but also had to live with the stigma of being called a ‘terrorist’s wife.’

“As my son grew older, his only constant question was about his father. Every day before going to school he would always ask; when will father come home. Every moment was filled with pain,” says Mr Qayyum’s wife.

The book, for Mr Qayyum, is a sad testimony of all that transpired in his life behind jail. Ironically, for him writing the book was easy, but he hasn’t been able to gather courage to read it again.

(Agencies)

Telangana must investigate alleged extrajudicial executions of five undertrials: Amnesty India

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Vikaruddin Ahmed

New Delhi: Amnesty International India  has asked the Telangana government ‘to order an independent criminal investigation into the killing of five undertrials by Telangana police on 7 April. ‘ according to its web site amnesty.org.in.

The Telangana police say the five undertrials – Viqaruddin, Amjad Ali, Mohammed Hanif, Zakir Ali and Izhar Khan – were being taken in a van by 17 policemen from the Warangal central prison to a court in Hyderabad. The police say that the undertrials attempted to overpower the policemen and snatch their assault rifles, and claim they opened fire in self-defense.

Video footage given to Amnesty International India by a journalist appears to show the five undertrials inside the police van after they were killed. All five appear to be handcuffed.

“Impunity for extrajudicial executions is a serious issue in India,” said Abhirr V P, Senior Campaigner at Amnesty International India.“Authorities in Telangana need to urgently conduct an independent criminal investigation into the case to determine if it involved extrajudicial executions disguised as ‘encounter’ killings.”

The five undertrials had been arrested on suspicion of killing two police officials and a state paramilitary official in different incidents between 2007 and 2010, and other offences.

On 1 April, two suspected members of a banned group allegedly shot dead two policemen in Nalgonda, Telangana. The police say that the suspects were killed three days later in an armed exchange with the police, in which another policeman was also killed.

According to guidelines issued by the National Human Rights Commission in 2010, alleged ‘fake encounters’ must be investigated by an independent agency. In September 2014, the Supreme Court stated in the PUCL versus State of Maharashtra case that killings in police encounters require independent investigations.

The UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions require that “[t]here shall be thorough, prompt and impartial investigation of all suspected cases of extra-legal, arbitrary and summary executions, including cases where…reliable reports suggest unnatural death in the above circumstances.”

Girish Karnad turns up for Bengaluru beef fest, but cops take away food

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Girish Karnad (sitting, second from right) expressing solidarity with Left activists protesting the beef ban in Maharashtra. (HT Photo)

Girish Karnad (sitting, second from right) expressing solidarity with activists protesting the beef ban in Maharashtra. (HT Photo)

Bengaluru: Calling ban on beef as an act that was against the diverse food culture of our society, Left wing body Democratic Youth Federation of India and Dalit outfits today held a beef eating programme here that was attended by Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad.

The event was organised in protest against the ban on beef in different parts of the country and also supported and attended another famous Kannada writer Dr K Marulasiddappa.

Protesters criticised the beef ban as an attempt to encroach upon the choice of food and against the diverse food culture of Indian society.

Both Karnad and Marulasiddappa did not eat beef,but said they support the event and stand against such ban.

“I don’t want people to say that because I eat beef therefore I opposed the law. No, everyone has the right to practice….” Karnad said.

To a question he said “Who said large part our population doesn’t eat beef? This nonsense is created by Brahmins;this is created by Hindutva protagonists. Vokkaligas, Muslims, Christians, Dalits and many other communities eat….then how is it against the practice of large population of this
country?”

Marulasiddappa said “I have not eaten beef here because I don’t follow that food habit, I have that right, but at the same time I don’t have right to scorn at those who eat it. I have respect towards them.”

Anticipating trouble as the event had invited a lot of opposition, police intervened and took away the eatables made of beef from the organisers.

Criticising the police action as undemocratic, organisers said, “this is against the law, we criticise this act by the police, ours was a peaceful programme, we have in no way affected the law and order situation.”

(PTI)

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