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Rahul claims Modi not an OBC, BJP calls it utterly baseless

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JHARSUGUDA/AHMEDABAD: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that PM Narendra Modi was not an OBC (Other Backward Classes) by birth and had been lying to the people all the time. Soon after Rahul’s comment, the BJP came down heavily on the Congress leader, calling his allegation as “utterly baseless”.

At a public at Belpahar in Jharsuguda district of Odisha during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul said that Modi was born in a general caste but his community was given OBC status after the BJP came to power.

“PM Modi often questions the need for reservation to OBC and claims he is an OBC himself. But let me tell you, Modi was never born to OBC category. All of you are being fooled. Modi was born to Teli community in Gujarat. But his community was categorized as OBC by the BJP government in 2000. Your PM was born to general caste. He was not an OBC. He has been lying everywhere that he was born to OBC category,” Rahul said.

In response, Narhari Amin, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former Congress member, said that it was the Congress-led Gujarat government which notified Modi’s caste as OBC in July 1994. Subsequently, the Central government, on the recommendations of the Gujarat government, officially recognized it as OBC on October 27, 1999, before Modi became Gujarat CM.

Amin also demanded an apology from Rahul and asserted that the decision to classify PM Modi’s caste as OBC and its subsequent notification by the Central government occurred before Modi held any significant political office.

“Government of Gujarat, led by the Congress, notified Modi-Ghanchi as OBC in July 1994. The Central Government, following the recommendations of GoG, notified it as OBC on October 27, 1999, a full 2 years before PM Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat,” said Amin, adding that Rahul’s baseless allegations are disrespectful to the OBC communities.

BJP leader Purnesh Modi accused Rahul of spreading misinformation on PM Modi’s caste, suggesting it stemmed from the Congress leader’s frustration. Purnesh Modi vehemently opposed Rahul’s remarks, asserting unity behind PM Modi’s inclusive vision.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Backward Classes said that it had suggested inclusion of Modh-Ghanchi caste in the ‘Central List’ of OBCs for Gujarat in an advice to the Union government dated November 15, 1997. Subsequently, a Gazette Notification to this effect was issued on October 27, 1999. The notification to include ‘Modh-Ghanchi’ in the OBC list was released by the Gujarat government on July 25, 1994.

Uttarakhand violence: Four killed, over 100 cops injured after madrasa mosque demolished in Haldwani

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HALDWANI: Four people are reported to be dead in the over the demolition of an allegedly “illegal” madrasa and an adjoining mosque in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani.

At least 250 are injured, according to media reports.

A curfew was imposed after local residents set vehicles and a police station on fire and hurled stones, over the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa and an adjoining mosque in Malik ka Bagicha in the city’s Banbhoolpura area, officials said.

A high alert has been issued in the entire state with Internet services being suspended in Banbhoolpura. Additionally, shoot-at-sight orders against the rioters have been issued.

A high alert was also sounded in Uttar Pradesh, while strict checking of vehicles was ordered. Authorities have also been also asked to monitor social media activities.

Most of the people hospitalised after the violence were police personnel. ADGP Law and Order AP Anshuman told ANI that four people died in the violence-hit Banbhoolpura and over 100 cops were injured.

The remaining injured were municipal workers involved in the demolition of the local madrasa and a mosque in its complex. The injured also included Haldwani SDM.

In state capital Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with senior officials on Thursday, including Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and DGP Abhinav Kumar to review the situation in Haldwani, according to an official statement.

Besides imposition of curfew in entire Haldwani, shoot-at-sight orders against rioters were also issued in the city, the statement said.

As the violence escalated, all the shops in Haldwani were closed. After the imposition of curfew, all schools from Classes 1-12 in and around the city have also been closed

Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena said the madrasa and the mosque stood on an illegally encroached government land and the demolitions were carried out in the heavy presence of police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel in compliance with a court order.

Angry residents, including women, in large numbers descended on the streets to protest the action as the demolition of the two structures began.

They were seen breaking barricades and arguing with the police personnel engaged in the demolition exercise.

As a bulldozer razed the madrasa and the mosque, mobs hurled stones at the police personnel, municipal corporation workers and journalists, officials said.

The police tried to disperse the irate mob by resorting to a mild lathi charge and bursting of teargas shells.

However, tension escalated with the mob setting fire to several vehicles, including a police patrol car, they said.

By late evening, tension mounted further and the Banbhoolpura Police Station was also set on fire, leading to imposition of curfew in the town, they added.

Meanwhile, a hearing was held by the Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday on a PIL seeking to stop the demolition of the mosque and madrasa in Haldwani.

Filed by Malik colony resident Safia Malik and others, the petition challenged the notice given by the Haldwani Municipal Corporation to the petitioners.

However, no relief was granted in the matter by the vacation bench of Justice Pankaj Purohit, following which the demolition exercise began.

After his meeting with senior officials, Dhami said, “A team of the administration had gone to the Banbhoolpura area to remove encroachments in compliance with a court order. Anarchic elements clashed with the police and indugled in arson. Curfew has been imposed and additional companies of police and central para-miltary forces are being rushed to Haldwani to maintain order.”

“Everyone has been asked to maintain peace. Stern action will be taken against the rioters who indulged in arson,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Anyone violating the curfew orders will be punished under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, the curfew order said.

Earlier, the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani had made news in December 2022 when its residents held protests against the imminent removal of encroachments from around 29 acres of railway land there in compliance with a high court order.

The protesters had subsequently got relief from the Supreme Court in the matter.

Lakshadweep: Islanders worried over opaque proceedings for Agatti airport expansion

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AGATTI/KAVARATTI (Lakshadweep): The sides of a sleepy road, leading to a non-descript airport, the only one in the Lakshadweep islands, are filled with coconut trees, with white and red painted upto a quarter of their heights.

A comparatively active ocean on the Eastern side and a calm, bluish ocean on the Western side gives the road an out of the world charm.

The people on this tranquil stretch are either sitting idle or carrying on with their chores, but in a very relaxed manner that is so typical of an islander.

If the proposed airport expansion, not the limited expansion that has been on the cards for nearly a decade, but the massive one that popped up only after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier last month, materialises, then this tranquil corner of Agatti Island will become a hub of hectic activity.

The islanders, with their usual friendly demeanour, welcome the airport expansion plan and are jubilant at the prospects of development attached to it.

But behind their friendly, welcoming faces, there lies a concern of them losing their lands without proper compensation.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the airport expansion and bringing in new tourism projects. But till date nobody has given us a clear picture. A team that had come here to study about it told us we will have to part with our lands, without saying how and when and what would be given as compensation,” Husnl Jamhar, who owns a private resort near Agatti airport

He said all those who have property on both sides of the airport are more than willing to part with their property for the expansion but they should get good compensation.

“They do not communicate anything. There was no public hearing. They have cut a lot of our coconut trees, without any notice and just pay us peanuts as compensation. Such an attitude does not work when it comes to taking our land,” Jamhar said.

Sheemabi, a woman who has been living in the area, the closest to the present airport, for the last 32 years, echoes the same sentiments as Jamhar.

“This is the only land I have and it was given to me by my father. Me and my family live from the revenue I get from the coconuts from my land and if I lose that land for nothing, then we will have to starve,” she said.

Abdul Rasheed, who runs a petty shop by the sides of the airport road, too welcomes the tourism projects and airport expansion.

“Airport expansion is very crucial for the development of our islands. If connectivity is better, more people will come, bringing more jobs and more revenue. But they will have to rehabilitate us to some other area. If we are not given a proper compensation and are not rehabilitated then the project will be a doom for us,” he said.

Agatti is one of the islands in Lakshadweep which has a sizeable area of ‘Bhandara Bhoomi’ (lands given on lease to islanders on lease prior to independence).

There was a controversy earlier under the present administration alleging that the administration tried to take the land from the possession of the islanders and tried to give it on lease to some companies for tourism operations.

The islanders approached the Kerala High Court against this and the case is still under the consideration of the Court.

“The administration wants to take our land for free and to give it for development works. These lands belong to us for over a century and those lands belong to us only,” Jamhar said.

He said if that is the kind of development envisaged by the administration, then there will be a legal battle against such projects.

Though the senior officials in the Lakshadweep administration confirmed, off the record, that the proposal for the airport expansion is almost agreed upon, the Airport administration refused to say anything concrete.

A senior Airport Authority of India official at Agatti airport, who refused to comment on camera, however, said the AAI has no information regarding the proposed expansion plans.

He said that even the commissioning of new flights has not been finalised.

“It is true that some airlines have expressed their interests and talks are on. But we don’t have a date of commencement of these services. We also do not have any information regarding the proposed mega expansion,” he added.

According to the Lakshadweep administration officials, the Rs 4,500 crore airport expansion plan has been finalised and L&T will be carrying out the works.

They said a good area of the sea bed on both sides, with more area on the Eastern side, will be reclaimed and the adjacent private lands will be acquired for this expansion.

The runway will be extended to 2,800 meters to facilitate operation of Boeing A320 aircraft.

Another greenfield airport is also proposed in Minicoy.

India signs multi-billion dollar deal to extend LNG imports from Qatar for 20 years

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NEW DELHI: India signed a multi-billion dollar deal to extend LNG imports from Qatar till 2048 at rates that are lower than current prices on Tuesday, sources said.

The country will supply 7.5 MMTPA (million metric tons per annum) of LNG to India for the next twenty years.

The deal is an extension of an existing agreement supplying around 7.5 MMTPA of LNG from Qatar to India until 2028.

Petronet, in a press note, said LNG supplies will be made on a delivered (DES) basis from 2028 to 2048. Similar to the earlier 1999 agreement, GAIL (India) Limited (60%), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (30%), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (10%) will off-take the LNG volumes after regasification, primarily from Dahej Terminal of PLL, on a substantially back-to-back basis.

“The existing long-term agreement between Petronet LNG and Qatar Energy currently accounts for around 35% of India’s LNG imports and is of national importance. The renewal of this agreement is a step towards achieving the vision of the Honorable Prime Minister of India to make India a gas-based economy and increase the share of natural gas in India’s primary energy basket to 15% by 2030,” said Akshay Kumar Singh, MD and CEO of Petronet LNG Limited.

Meanwhile, GAIL said it will off-take about 4.5 MMTPA of LNG from Petronet.

“According to the government, the agreement will provide energy security, ensure a stable and reliable supply of clean energy, and help India in its stride towards greater economic development,” Singh added.

He further added that the long-term LNG purchase agreement with Qatar Energy will strengthen the existing relationship between the two companies.

The deal will ensure the energy security of India and assure continued supplies of regasified LNG to major consuming sectors like fertilizers, CGD, refineries, petrochemicals, power, and other industries. India aims to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s energy basket from 6% to 15% by 2030.

Jesuits in US bolster outreach initiative aimed at encouraging LGBTQ+ Catholics

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NEW YORK: Even as Catholic dogma continues to repudiate same-sex marriage and gender transition, one of the most prominent religious orders in the United States — the Jesuits — is strengthening a unique outreach program for LGBTQ+ Catholics.

The initiative — fittingly called Outreach — was founded two years ago by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit who is one of the country’s most prominent advocates for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church.

Outreach, a ministry of the Jesuit magazine America, sponsored conferences in New York City in 2022 and 2023, and last year launched a multifaceted website with news, essays and information about Catholic LGBTQ+ resources and events.

On Tuesday, there was another milestone for Outreach — the appointment of journalist and author Michael O’Loughlin as its first executive director.

O’Loughlin, a former staff writer at online newspaper Crux, has been the national correspondent at America. He is the author of a book recounting the varied ways that Catholics in the US responded to the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ‘90s — “Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear.”

O’Loughlin told The Associated Press he’s excited by his new job, viewing it as a chance to expand the range of Outreach’s programs and the national scope of its community.

“It’s an opportunity to highlight the ways LGBT people can be Catholic and active in parishes, ministries and charities,” he said. “There’s a lot of fear about to being too public about it. … I want them to realize they’re not alone.”

O’Loughlin says his current outlook evolved as he traveled to scores of places around the US to promote his book, talking to groups of LGBTQ+ Catholics, and their families and friends, about how to make the church more welcoming to them.

Those conversations made O’Loughlin increasingly comfortable publicly identifying as a gay Catholic after years of wondering whether he should remain in the church. Its doctrine still condemns any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as “intrinsically disordered.”

The latest expansion of Outreach occurs amid a time of division within the global Catholic Church as it grapples with LGBTQ+ issues.

Pope Francis, a Jesuit who has met with Martin and sent letters of support to Outreach, has made clear he favors a more welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ people. At his direction, the Vatican recently gave priests greater leeway to bless same-sex couples and asserted that transgender people, in some circumstances, can be baptized.

However, there has been some resistance to the pope’s approach. Many conservative bishops in Africa, Europe and elsewhere said they would not implement the new policy regarding blessings. In the U.S., some bishops have issued directives effectively ordering diocesan personnel not to recognize transgender people’s gender identity.

Amid those conflicting developments, Martin and other Jesuit leaders are proud of Outreach’s accomplishments and optimistic about its future.

“Pope Francis has been very encouraging, allowing himself to be interviewed by Outreach and sending personal greetings to our conference last year,” Martin added. “Perhaps the most surprising support has been from several bishops who have written for our website, as well as some top-notch Catholic theologians who see the need for serious theological reflection on LGBTQ topics.”

Martin will remain engaged in Outreach’s oversight, holding the title of founder.

The Rev. Brian Paulson, president of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, evoked both Jesus and the pope when asked why his order had embraced the mission of Outreach.

“Pope Francis has repeatedly called leaders in the Catholic church to emulate the way Jesus spent his ministry on the peripheries, accompanying those who had experienced exclusion,” Paulson said email. “I think the work of Outreach is a response to this invitation.”

Paulson also said he was impressed by Martin’s “grace and patience” in responding to the often harsh criticism directed at him by some conservative Catholics.

There was ample evidence of Outreach’s stature at its conference last June at a branch of Fordham University in New York City. The event was preceded by a handwritten letter of support sent to Martin by Pope Francis, extending “prayers and good wishes” to the participants.

“It’s a special grace for LGBTQ Catholics to know that the pope is praying for them,” Martin said.

Another welcoming letter came from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

“It is the sacred duty of the Church and Her ministers to reach out to those on the periphery,” he wrote to the conference attendees.

The keynote speakers included Fordham’s president, Tania Tetlow, and the closing Mass was celebrated by Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

New Zealand beats under-strength South Africa by 281 runs in test cricket series opener

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Jamieson, Santner inspire New Zealand to 281-run victory over South Africa in 1st Test

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand beat an under-strength South Africa lineup by 281 runs on the fourth day of the first cricket test Wednesday to take an early lead in the two-match series.

Captain Tim Southee declared New Zealand’s second innings overnight at 179-4, with an overall lead of 528. New Zealand bowled out South Africa in the fourth innings for 247.

New Zealand posted 511 batting first and dismissed South Africa for 162 for a 349-run first innings lead. Southee chose not to enforce the follow-on and Kane Williamson completed his second century of the match, the 31st of his career, before the declaration.

“I think it was pretty good on a good (pitch) for the batters to set it up and the bowlers to take 20 wickets,” Southee said. “We knew the South Africa side would be a strong one. You look at them in all sports, they compete, they’re a very proud nation so we knew they were going to come out and fight.”

South Africa was in trouble early Wednesday, losing the wickets of openers Neil Brand and Edward Moore within the first four overs.

Zubayr Hamza and Raynard van Tonder batted more than 100 minutes to carry South Africa to lunch without further loss. But both were out to undisciplined shots immediately after the break, hastening the end.

David Bedingham lifted South Africa’s hopes after lunch with a career-best 87 from 96 balls in a partnership of 105 for the fifth wicket with Keegan Petersen (16).

The partnership occupied most of the middle session and while Bedingham and Petersen were together New Zealand was faced with the prospect that the test might continue into the fifth day.

Bedingham had benefited from New Zealand’s short-pitched bowling, hitting 13 fours and a six. But he chased a short ball once too often and fell to Kyle Jamieson not long after the tea interval.

Jamieson removed both partners as South Africa slumped from 178-4 to 181-6. Bedingham tried to pull a ball which reached him sooner than he expected and his miscued shot flew to Mitchell Santner at deep midwicket.

Petersen attempted to hook a ball which bounced to chest height, tucked him up and his pull shot was taken by Rachin Ravindra at fine leg.

With such a big lead, New Zealand was able to work on plans to dismiss the key South Africa batters and, while it was expensive, the short-pitch policy eventually yielded the wicket of Bedingham.

Clyde Fortuin’s dismissal was indicative of the bad luck South Africa has had throughout the test. He pushed a rank short ball from part-time spinner Glenn Phillips which hit the knee of Tom Latham as he ducked at short leg and flew up to be caught by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.

Duanne Olivier was caught by Daryl Mitchell at first slip from Santner’s bowling as he pushed forward outside off. Santner found a lot of turn earlier in the day and was unlucky not to enjoy more success.

The end finally came 40 minutes before scheduled stumps when Dane Paterson holed out to Williamson from Santner’s bowling.

New Zealand’s win was set up on the first day when Williamson and Ravindra made centuries in a partnership eventually worth 232. Williamson was out early on the second day for 118 but Ravindra turned his maiden test century into a double century before he was out for 240.

Ravindra also took his first two wickets in tests in the first innings as New Zealand control of the match.

South Africa selected six new caps in its lineup for the test, stripped of most of its leading players who stayed home to play in a domestic T20 series. Inevitably, there were signs of inexperience: notably that batsmen who had made a start got out after a break in play.

But there were promising signs from South Africa’s middle order batters. Brand opened in both innings and made 4 and 3 with the bat. But he excelled with the ball, taking eight wickets with his part-time spinners.

“We were completely outplayed by a very good New Zealand team,” Brand said. “I think our patience was tested on this wicket. Guys got in then got themselves out. Back to the drawing board and I hope we can compete more in the second test.”

Karnataka: Feb 17 deadline for High-Security Registration Plates likely to be extended

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Karnataka: Feb 17 deadline for High-Security Registration Plates likely to be extended

BENGALURU: With just 10 days left for the deadline to affix High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), only 10 lakh vehicles have complied with the rule. A total of 2 crore vehicles were registered before April 1, 2019. Many vehicle owners are not aware that they have to get the HSRP before February 17.

In August 2023, the state government had issued a notification to fix HSRP before November 17, and extended it by three months to February 17, giving people time to comply.

As crores of vehicles are yet to fall in line and the state transport department has not taken up wide publicity and awareness camps about the installation of HSRP, it looks like the government has no option but to extend the deadline once again, revealed transport department sources.

“We don’t have the exact number of vehicles that were registered before April 2019. Our estimation is that more than 1.5 crore vehicles have to get HSRP,” said Transport Commissioner Yogeesh.

We have started publicity drives asking people to get HSRP, he said, and added that nearly 10 lakh vehicles have got them and more are likely to do so in the coming days.

“I got my vehicle registered in 2018. Only recently I got to know that I have to get HSRP for my bike. I logged into ‘bookmyhsrp’ website, fed all the details it asked for and booked the registration plate. However, it will take some days for the number plate to be manufactured with the hologram, and I doubt I can get this done before the current deadline of February 17, to avoid any penalties,” said Venkatesh M, a video editor.

While there is no official confirmation if the deadline for HSRP will be extended, sources from the transport department said it is inevitable to extend it again.

Applicants to get voter IDs by Feb-end by India Speed Post: BBMP special commissioner

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BENGALURU: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Special Commissioner (elections) Ramachandran R said voter IDs are being dispatched in batches and most applicants will get their cards by the end of February, through the India Speed Post.

With many people inquiring about their voter IDs, officials said work on verification is going on. “It takes a long time for verification. People do not understand this. We have to call up each contact number listed to verify the details. Unless there is a response, the application cannot be processed, it cannot be accepted or rejected. This takes a long time,” said a BBMP official posted on election duty.

Ramachandran R added that there are 28 electoral registration offices in Bengaluru and additions and deletions are a continuous process. There are technical issues in printing the cards, and it is being done in batches in a systematic manner, hence there could be some delays, he said.

“All those who applied for the voter IDs and have received an acknowledgement will get their cards. For tracking and checking the record details, citizens can access the voter helpline.”

Join Feb 7 protest against Centre’s discrimination CM Siddaramaiah writes to MPs of all parties

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BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to MPs from all political parties in the state to take part in Karnataka government’s protest in New Delhi on Wednesday against the Centre’s “discrimination” against the state in giving grants and depriving it of its share of tax money.

The CM has written to Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje and all MPs, including DV Sadananda Gowda and HD Deve Gowda, requesting them to participate in the protest.

“The state is neither getting funds from the Centre nor permission to take up development projects. As responsible elected representatives, I request you to take part in the dharna and support the state’s cause the CM stated in his letter

The CM along with his cabinet ministers, and Congress legislators and MPs from the state will hold the protest near Jantar Mantar.

In a series of social media posts, the CM also urged people to participate in the protest in large numbers. “Rallying against the Centre’s economic disparities, we call for unity in ‘Chalo Delhi’ on Wednesday at 11 am, Jantar Mantar. We stand against the unfair treatment in tax devolution and grants for Kannadigas. This movement is for Karnataka’s rights, not against any individual. Join us in this crucial protest, transcending party lines, for our collective future,” one of his posts stated

The Union government gets funds through taxes that come from the states. Under the 14th Finance Commission, Karnataka’s share was 4.71%. This came down to 3.64% in the 15th Finance Commission. Because of this, the state received Rs 45,000 crore less in the last four years.

“Our estimation is that the amount would be Rs 62,098 crore in five years,” Siddaramaiah said.

He said the Union government promised to release Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra Project in its previous budget. But, it did not release even a single rupee. The Centre has not given its clearance for Mahadayi and Mekedatu projects.

Although the state is facing a severe drought, the Centre has not released funds for the distressed farmers, he alleged.

India sees single-day rise of 157 Covid cases

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NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 157 COVID-19 infections while the number of active cases was recorded at 1,496, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday.

Two new deaths — one each from Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh — have been reported in a span of 24 hours, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.

The number of daily cases had dropped to double digits till December 5 but it began to increase after the emergence of a new variant, JN.1, and amid cold weather conditions.

After December 5, the highest single-day rise of 841 cases was reported on December 31, 2023, which is 0.2 per cent of the peak cases reported in May 2021, official sources said.

Of the 1,496 active cases, a large majority (around 92 per cent) are recovering in home isolation.

“The currently available data suggests that the JN.1 variant is neither leading to an exponential rise in the new cases nor a surge in the hospitalisation and mortality,” an official source stated.

India has witnessed three waves of COVID-19 in the past with the peak incidence of daily cases and deaths being reported during the Delta wave in April-June 2021.

At its peak, 4,14,188 new cases and 3,915 deaths were reported on May 7, 2021.

Since the pandemic began in early 2020, more than 4.5 crore people have been infected and over 5.3 lakh have died across the country.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease stands at over 4.4 crore with a national recovery rate of 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry website.

According to the website, 220.67 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the country so far.

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