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Congress leaders meet Karnataka Governor seeking Minister Eshwarappa’s dismissal

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Congress leaders meet Karnataka Governor seeking Minister Eshwarappa's dismissal

Bengaluru: A delegation of Congress leaders on Tuesday met Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum seeking the dismissal of Minister K S Eshwarappa and that he be booked for sedition over a statement on the national flag.

Congress leaders and legislators led by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council B K Hariprasad, marched from Vidhana Soudha to the Raj Bhavan to submit their memorandum to the Governor.

“For five days we have staged a protest in the assembly, today the house has been adjourned, so we met the Governor and submitted him a memorandum. We hope that the Governor will dismiss him (Eshwarappa). If he is not dismissed, we will go to the people’s court and explain to the people of the state, his shameless act of insulting the national flag,” Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, the Governor told us he will look into the matter and will take necessary action.

Congress legislators had been staging ‘day-and-night’ protests, whereby they spent the night inside the Assembly, and staged demonstrations from the well of the House during the day, thereby disrupting the proceedings, demanding Eshwarappa’s resignation from Thursday.

Recently, Eshwarappa had claimed ‘Bhagwa dhwaj’ (saffron flag) may become the national flag some time in the future and the same may be hoisted on the Red Fort then.

He however, had said the tricolour is the national flag now, and it should be respected by everyone.

Terming Eshwarappa’s statement as deliberate, Siddaramaiah said it is an insult to the national flag and an “unpardonable offence”.

“He is a senior Minister, he has been in the cabinet since 2006, such a person with mal-intention has insulted the national flag which is the pride and identity of the country,” he said.

Noting that the Congress had moved an adjournment motion in both houses of the legislature seeking legal action by booking a criminal case against Eshwarappa and that he should be dismissed from the Ministry, the Congress Legislature Party Leader said, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai did not do both, but defended him.

“Both Eshwarappa and the Chief Minister’s conduct is an act of treason,” he said.

Claiming that BJP National President J P Nadda has in an interview has termed Eshwarappa’s statement as wrong, Siddaramaiah said, “according to me Bommai after seeing it at least should have dismissed him (Eshwarappa). RSS, BJP never respect national flag and constitution, they want to change them.”

He further said, “There is a flag code of India, also there is also Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the section 2 of this- states that whoever disrespect the national flag shall be imprisoned for the term extending up to three years, or fine or both. It amounts to sedition also.”

767 new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, 29 deaths

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Bengaluru: Karnataka on Tuesday reported 767 fresh cases of coronavirus and 29 fatalities, taking the aggregate to 39,38,032 and the toll to 39,845.

There were 1,692 discharges, pushing the total number of recoveries to 38,87,744, a Health bulletin said.

Of the new cases, 552 were from Bengaluru Urban that saw 916 people being discharged and 14 virus-related deaths.

The total number of active cases across the state is now 10,406.

While the positivity rate for the day stood at 1.31 per cent, the case fatality rate (CFR) was 3.78 per cent.

Of the 29 deaths, 14 were from Bengaluru Urban; Dakshina Kannada (3), Dharwad, Tumakuru and Udupi (2), followed by others.

After Bengaluru Urban, Mysuru recorded the second highest number of cases at 23, followed by Belagavi (22), Tumakuru (21), Dakshina Kannada (20) and others.

Bengaluru Urban district now has a total of 17,76,725 cases, Mysuru 2,29,157 and Tumakuru 1,59,663.

Cumulatively, a total of 6,41,40,430 samples have been tested, of which 58,459 were on Tuesday alone.

Court seeks govt’s reply on plea for restoration of Hindu Jain deities inside Qutub Minar complex

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New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday sought response from the Centre and the Archeological Survey of India on a plea seeking restoration of Hindu and Jain deities and right to worship within the Qutub Minar complex, the lawyer said.

The court issued notice to the Union of India, through the Ministry of Culture, Director General of Archaeological Survey of India and Superintending Archeological Delhi Circle, ASI on an appeal filed against a magisterial court’s order that has dismissed the civil suit in December 2021, advocate Vishnu Jain, appearing for the applicant, said.

Additional District Judge Pooja Talwar directed the authorities concerned to file their replies by May 11, when the court will further hear the matter.

The judge passed the order while admitting the appeal filed by Jain claiming that 27 temples were partly demolished by Qutubdin Aibak, a general in the army of Mohamad Gauri, and Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque was raised inside the complex by reusing the material.

Rejecting the suit on December 9, civil Judge Neha Sharma had said, India had a culturally rich history. It has been ruled over by numerous dynasties. During arguments, the counsel for the plaintiff has vehemently argued on the point of national shame. However, nobody has denied that wrongs were committed in the past, but such wrongs cannot be the basis for disturbing the peace of our present and future.

The suit had sought a declaration that principal deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and principal deity Lord Vishnu, along with Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, Goddess Gauri, God Sun, Lord Hanuman including presiding deities of 27 temples, have the right to be restored and worshipped with rites and rituals, the performance of regular pooja within the alleged temple complex situated in the area.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Jain deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, further sought the issuance of mandatory injunction directing the central government to create a trust, according to Trust Act 1882, and to hand over the management and administration of the temple complex situated within the area of Qutub complex.

The civil judge had said that once a structure has been declared to be a protected monument and is owned by the government, then the plaintiffs cannot insist that the place of worship must actually and actively be used for religious services.

The lawsuit had averred that Delhi was ruled by celebrated Hindu kings up to 1192 when Mohammed Gauri invaded and defeated king Prithviraj Chauhan in the battle in 1192 AD.

Thereafter, Qutubdin Aibak a commander of Mohammed Gauri destroyed Shree Vishnu Hari temple and 27 Jain and Hindu temples and raised inner constructions within the temple complex. The temple complex was renamed as ‘Quwwat Ul Islam Mosque, in the Arabic language which means ‘Might of Islam’, the plea claimed.

7 unvaccinated India U-19 players were denied entry into Caribbean and told to “go back” during WC

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7 unvaccinated India U-19 players were denied entry into Caribbean and told to "go back" during WC

New Delhi: The COVID-19 outbreak in its camp was not the only off-field challenge the Indian team overcame on its way to the U-19 World Cup triumph.

India’s problems began on arrival in the Caribbean islands, with as many as seven unvaccinated members of the side detained at the airport for more than 24 hours, requiring the government to step in and resolve the issue.

This was after a long flight from Dubai to Port-of-Spain via Amsterdam.

Left-arm pacer Ravi Kumar, who played a huge role in the team’s unprecedented fifth World Cup triumph, and opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi were among the players who were told to “go back to India” as they were not jabbed.

Team manager Lobzang G. Tenzing, who came to their rescue with the help of the ICC and colleagues in the BCCI, narrated the “harrowing experience” of the players. The India and Trinidad government, too, had to step in to resolve the situation.

“After we landed at Port-of-Spain, we had to take a charter flight to Guyana but seven of our boys were stopped as they were not vaccinated. We tried to explain to the immigration officials that India had not started their vaccination yet but they instructed us to take the next flight out of the country,” Tenzing, who heads the Sikkim Cricket Association

“We were surrounded by security guys of the airlines as if we would run away from there. And as the argument was on with airline and immigration officials, the only Lufthansa flight available had departed and the next one was after three days. That gave us time to negotiate with local authorities.

“I decided to stay with the boys and we had to stay in a shady hotel near the airport for the night. It was only after the intervention of ICC and local government the matter could be resolved. It was quite a harrowing experience for the boys,” he recalled.

This happened in the first week of January when India started the vaccination drive for the 15-18 age group.

KL Rahul donates Rs 31 lakh for budding cricketer’s treatment

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KL Rahul donates Rs 31 lakh for budding cricketer's treatment
India opener KL Rahul

New Delhi: India opener KL Rahul has come to the rescue of an 11-year-old budding cricketer in need of an urgent Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), donating Rs 31 lakh for the treatment of a rare blood disorder.

In December, Varad Nalawade’s father Sachin, an insurance agent, and mother Swapna Jha, started a campaign to raise Rs 35 lakh they needed to pay for their son’s treatment.

Rahul’s team got in touch with the organisation associated with the campaign as soon as they came to know about Varad.

Since last September, the fifth standard schoolboy had been under the care of haematologists in Mumbai’s Jaslok Hospital after he was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare blood disorder.

Varad’s blood platelet levels were very low, making his immune system extremely susceptible to infections. Even a normal fever was taking months to be cured. A BMT was the only permanent cure for Varad’s condition.

Thanks to Rahul, Varad was operated upon and is now recuperating.

Speaking about the donation, Rahul said, “When I came to know about Varad’s condition, my team got in touch with GiveIndia so that we can help him in any way we could.

“I am glad that the surgery was successful, and he is doing well. I hope Varad gets back on his feet at the earliest and goes on to achieve his dreams. I hope my contribution inspires more and more people to come forward and help those in need.”

Pak PM Imran Khan says he would like to have TV debate with PM Modi to resolve differences

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Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he would like to have a TV debate with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to resolve differences between the two neighbouring countries.

Khan made the remarks during an interview with Russia’s state-run television network RT on the eve of his maiden two-day visit to Moscow – the first by a Pakistani premier in over two decades during which he will hold talks with President Vladimir Putin and review exchange views on major regional and international issues.

“I would love to debate with Narendra Modi on TV,” Khan said in response to a question.

He added that it would be so good for over a billion people of the subcontinent if differences between Pakistan and India could be resolved through a debate.

Responding to a question, Khan said when his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf came into power in 2018 he immediately reached out to India and asked the Indian leadership to sit down at the table and resolve the Kashmir issue.

“I told them our only issue is Kashmir. Let’s sit down at [the] table and resolve it, Imran said, adding that he knew India better than most people . He also cited his contacts in India due to playing cricket for Pakistan.

He, however, regretted that India did not respond positively to his overtures.

Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on an Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship.

The relationship dipped further after India’s war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

The relations deteriorated after India announced withdrawing the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories in August, 2019.

India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and shall forever” remain an integral part of the country. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.

India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

Prime Minister Khan also expressed hope for a “peaceful solution” to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as he emphasised that military conflicts could never solve problems.

“I am not a believer in military conflicts. I believe the civilised societies resolve the difference through dialogues and countries that rely on military conflicts have not studied history properly,” Khan said during the interview.

Khan said he was sure that people in Ukraine and Russia were aware of the consequences of an impending conflict. He maintained that Ukraine and Russia supply wheat to the world, “imagine if there’s conflict what will happen to the poorer countries” already reeling from the impact of the Covid-19.

President Putin on Monday signed decrees to recognise Ukraine’s regions of Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as independent , escalating the tension in the region and increasing fears of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. He also ordered Russian troops into eastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin called a “peacekeeping” mission in the Moscow-backed regions.

The US-led West has warned Russia that it would face severe consequences for its actions in Ukraine.

Khan said Pakistan will not play camp politics as it wanted to have trade relations with all countries to lift its populace out of poverty.

Speaking about the Cold War that ravaged the world from the 1950s to the 90s, Khan said Pakistan initially had joined a camp because it needed money after the influx of millions of refugees in the aftermath of partition.

“But the country should have left the US camp after a decade or so and pursued an independent policy,” he said, calling reliance on foreign aid a curse .

“Such aid stops a country from evolving and developing and becoming self-reliant, he said, adding that the reliance on hand-outs stops a country from becoming independent.

Khan said Pakistan wanted trade ties with all countries, including its neighbours. Speaking about the past, he said it was not possible to trade with India because of its hostile attitude.

Six arrested for Bajrang Dal activist’s murder in Shivamogga

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Shivamogga: Six people have been arrested in connection with Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case here while some are at large, a senior police officer said on Tuesday, as stray incidents of arson and violence were reported in the city this morning.

The 28 year-old Harsha was stabbed to death on Sunday night here leading to clamping of prohibitory order even as the city witnessed arson, violence and stone pelting.

“We have arrested Mohammed Kashif, Syed Nadeem, Ashifullah Khan, Rehan Khan, Nehal and Abdul Afnan in connection with the case. All are aged between 20 to 22 years, except Kashif who is 32. They are all residents of Shivamogga,” Superintendent of Police B M Lakshmi Prasad told reporters.

He said these people were earlier staying together but were now living separately. Kashif has some criminal cases against him.

According to Prasad, a few more are involved in the case and a manhunt has been launched to track them.

The police officer said 12 more people were detained and questioned but their role did not come to light.

Following Harsha’s killing, the city witnessed violence, arson, stone-pelting and damage to the properties during the funeral procession on Monday that left at least three persons, including a photo journalist and a policewoman, injured. Several two-wheelers were either damaged or torched.

Police personnel have been deployed at every nook and corner of the city. The district authorities have appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm.

Additional Director General of Police C Pratap Reddy said a few vehicles were burnt in Tunganagar on Tuesday morning, despite prohibitory orders which have been clamped under section 144 of the CrPC.

“Following the murder of Harsha, there was a very tense situation in the city and certain surrounding areas. Additional forces were rushed to Shivamogga and lot of arrangements were made by the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police to ensure that the fallout of the murder does not spread further,” Reddy said.

The official said 14 different incidents of arson and violence took place in the city (after the murder), which would require filing of FIRs.

In three cases FIRs have been registered, he said, adding, the police were trying to trace those who lost their motorbikes and properties in the arson and violence.

Earlier, a few BJP leaders including Karnataka Minister K S Eshwarappa and Union Minister of state Shobha Karandlaje claimed a conspiracy behind Harsha’s murder, and demanded NIA probe into it.

Eshwarappa, who is from the district, alleged “Musalman goondas” were behind the activist’s murder.

Harish Rawat says confident of winning 45-48 seats, forming government in Uttarakhand

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DEHRADUN: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat on Monday claimed his Congress party will win 45-48 seats in the assembly polls this time owing to a strong anti-incumbency wave.

“If we compare the 2002 assembly polls with the 2022 assembly polls we are in a better position this time. In 2002 we won the polls on the strength of our positivity while the anti-incumbency against the BJP government at that time was not as strong as this time,” Rawat said.

“In comparison to 2002 there is more positivity in Congress in 2022 and so is the anti-incumbency against the BJP. So we are confident of winning 45-48 seats and forming the government,” he said.

The Congress general secretary said in 2002 everyone was in doubt about the party’s victory but he personally was sure it would win at least 40 seats.

In 2002, the Congress had formed the government winning 36 out of a total of 70 seats.

Rawat was the party’s state unit president at that time and the election was fought under his leadership.

Rawat said when Congress president Sonia Gandhi saw the impressive turnout at her rallies in Bageshwar she had agreed with him that the party was going to form the government in the state.

The 2002 assembly poll results in Uttarakhand had even surprised the then deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani, he said.

Rawat said Advani had invited him to tea to explain how he managed to win the polls.

In the 30-member interim assembly before the year 2002, the BJP had 23 seats and the Congress two.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the Congress formed the government again but with the help of independents as it was four seats short of the magic figure.

Yashpal Arya was the party’s state unit chief at the time of 2012 assembly polls.

BCCI will ask Wriddhiman about his tweet and whether he was bullied: Treasurer Arun Dhumal

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MUMBAI: The BCCI will ask out-of-favour senior keeper-batter, Wriddhiman Saha, about the context of his tweet which alleged that a journalist had threatened him for not agreeing to give an interview.

After his tweet, former head coach Ravi Shastri, and former stars like Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Sigh came out in his support and asked him to reveal the name of the journalist.

“Yes, we will ask Wriddhiman about his tweet and what is the real incident that has happened. We need to know if he was threatened and also the background and context of his tweet. I can’t say anything more. The secretary (Jay Shah) will certainly speak to Wriddhiman,” BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal told PTI on Monday.

Saha, who has played 40 Tests for the country, was told by head coach Rahul Dravid after the tour of South Africa that the team would moving on from him and he could take a decision on his career.

Saha had revealed the dressing room conversations with Dravid but the head coach said that “he was not hurt” as he respects the cricketer and just wanted to give him a clear picture on his position with honesty and clarity.

Saha had also claimed that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had texted him to assure that he would never be dropped from the team till he was at the helm of affairs.

Hijab not essential religious practice: State to Karnataka HC

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BENGALURU: In the ongoing hearing on petitions related to the hijab issue before the Karnataka High Court, Advocate General Prabhuling K Navadagi on Monday argued that student-petitioners have not been able to substantiate their claim that wearing hijab is an essential religious practice as they have not placed any material to support their argument. Citing several Supreme Court judgements, starting from Shirur Mutt to Sabarimala case, Navadagi said that wearing hijab is not an essential religious practice under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Navadagi argued that the contention that triple talaq was part of a religious practice was rejected by the apex court. If wearing hijab is an essential religious practice, it should not come in conflict with the public order, he added. 

Not only that, it has to pass the ‘essential test’ on certain principles, otherwise the question of declaring a religious practice essential does not arise, he claimed. The principles raised by Navadagi are that wearing hijab must be a practice fundamental to that religion. If that practice is not observed or not followed or discontinued, it would result in change of the religion itself. 

‘Govt doesn’t interfere in uniforms’

The practice must precede the birth of the religion and that practice should not be evolved after the birth of the religion. The practice should be the cornerstone or foundation stone of the religion. If the practice is optional and not essential, then it is not binding. If it is compulsive and can be disobeyed, it ceases to be a part of the religion, he stated.

He submitted that the state government does not interfere in the matter of uniform and hence the issue of deciding whether hijab to be permitted or not is left to the CDC. Navadagi submitted that he has communicated the grievances brought to his notice by one of the petitioners’ advocate, Mohammed Tahir, to the chief secretary to convene a meeting of all concerned to address them and take remedial measures.

Officials of the education department informed that no such untoward incidents as claimed by the advocate have been reported, he pleaded. Navadagi will continue his arguments at 2.30 pm on Tuesday.

Sec 144 around B’luru colleges
Bengaluru: Following protests over the hijab row at educational institutions across the state, the Bengaluru city police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting gathering or protesting within a radius of 200 metres around schools and colleges, for two more weeks. Karnataka has witnessed several demonstrations over the last week on the issue, which had forced the State Government to declare a holiday for high schools and colleges till Friday. As a preventive step, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant issued prohibitory orders on Monday, banning all types of demonstrations near educational institutions in the city till March 8. 

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