Karnataka high court questions government on lathi charge against Lingayat Panchamasali protesters

The Karnataka High Court is reviewing a lathi charge on Lingayat Panchamasali protesters after a petition from Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji and Panchamasali Vakilara Parishat. The petitioners are also seeking cancellation of FIRs against 12 individuals and an apology from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the Belagavi incident.

10 special trains announced for Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Railways has announced 10 special trains to the state to cater to the increased travel demand during Christmas in 2024 alongside 149 special train trips across various Railway Zones for Christmas. Additionally, 416 special train trips have been scheduled to ensure smooth travel for Sabarimala pilgrims. Trains for state Train No.06039/06040 Tambaram-Kanniyakumari-Tambaram weekly superfast special Train No.06043/06044 Dr. MGR Chennai Chennai Central-Kochuveli-Dr.MGR Central Weekly special Train No.06037/06038 Kochuveli-Mangalore weekly unreserved Antyodaya Special Train No.06021/06022 Kochuveli-Gaya-Kochuveli weekly special Train No.06007/06008 Kochuveli-Banaras-Kochuveli weekly specials. The total of 149 Christmas-special train trips across various zones and 416 Sabarimala-specific trips aim to address the surge in travel demand during the festive season while ensuring smooth and convenient travel for passengers. Highlighting the governments commitment to public convenience, Ashwini Vaishnaw approved these special train services as part of the responsive governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Special trains for Christmas 2024: South Western Railway (SWR): 17 trips Central Railway (CR): 48 trips Northern Railway (NR): 22 trips South East Central Railway (SECR): 2 trips Western Railway (WR): 56 trips West Central Railway (WCR): 4 trips Special trains for Sabarimala pilgrimage: South Western Railway (SWR): 42 trips Southern Railway (SR): 138 trips South Central Railway (SCR): 192 trips East Coast Railway (ECOR): 44 trips. The services were sanctioned after George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking better travel options for the public during Christmas and the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

IOCL to set up 4,382cr megayarn unit in Bhadrak district

Congress to hold weeklong campaign seeking Amit Shah's resignation for 'insulting' Ambedkar

NEW DELHI: The Congress will hold protest marches against Union Home Minister Amit Shah for insulting BR Ambedkar and observe a weeklong campaign on the issue, party leaders said on Saturday. As part of the Ambedkar Samman Saptah, Congress workers and leaders will hold marches and press conferences to remember the legacy of B R Ambedkar, they said. The Congress and the BJP are at loggerheads over Shah's remarks on Ambedkar during a debate in Parliament. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said party MPs and leaders will hold press conferences at 150 locations across the country on December 22 and 23 and workers will take out protest marches across the country on December 24. The Congress has also decided to hold a CWC meeting on December 26 in Belagavi, Karnataka to mark 100 years of the 1924 Indian National Congress session, presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. The party will then hold a rally in Belagavi on December 27. Our agitation demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation will continue! We will fight to protect Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar's legacy against the Manusmriti worshippers, Venugopal said in a post on X. The INC will mark the upcoming week as Dr Ambedkar Samman Saptah, he said. On 24 December, all across the country, we will hold Babasaheb Ambedkar Samman Marches and submit a memorandum to the president of India through District Collectors demanding Amit Shah's resignation. All INC workers will garland Babsaheb's statue, hold his giant portrait at the front of the march and carry huge placards with our key demands, the Congress leader said. On 26-27 December, we will hold an extended CWC session and a mega rally in Belagavi where we will reiterate our commitment to Dr.Ambedkar and his ideals. Jai Bhim! Jai Hind! Venugopal said in his post. Our agitation demanding Home Minister Amit Shahs resignation will continue! We will fight to protect Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkars legacy against the Manusmriti worshippers! INC will mark the upcoming week as Dr. Ambedkar Samman Saptah. All INC MPs, Senior Leaders & CWC Members K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) December 21, 2024 Later addressing a press conference, All India Congress Media and Publicity department head Pawan Khera said, The attack (against Ambedkar) came from none other than the home minister of India, the second most powerful man in this country, Mr.Amit Shah. He is unrepentant.The prime minister is unrepentant. We have demanded his resignation and this demand will be reiterated in these 150 press conferences across the country, Khera said. Criticising their continued defence of Shah's comments, Khera said it is a latant insult to Dr.Ambedkar's legacy. On December 24, he said, in every district headquarter, there will be a Babasaheb Ambedkar Samman march that will be carried out by Congress leaders and workers. Again, we will reiterate our demand, we will give a memorandum through the collector to the President of India and we will be garlanding the statues of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji in every district headquarter, he said. He noted that to mark 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi's presidency at the Belagavi Congress Session in 1924, the party will hold an extended CWC meeting on December 26, followed by a large rally on December 27 in Belagavi. Khera emphasised that Mahatma Gandhi ji's leadership transformed the freedom movement by introducing powerful ideas like 'Swaraj' and 'Satyagraha,' which became central to India's independence struggle. Congress demands resignation of Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks During a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Shah had said, Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar Bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have attained heaven for seven lifetimes). On Wednesday, Shah held a press conference in which he accused the Congress of twisting facts and distorting his comments in the Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed constant protests from treasury benches and opposition members over the alleged insult of Ambedkar until both the houses were adjourned sine die on Friday.

In UP's Banda, teenage girl hangs herself after friends death

In a heartbreaking incident in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, two teenage girls, Pushpa and Gayatri, were found dead in their homes on Friday. Gayatri reportedly died by suicide, allegedly distressed over her inability to purchase winter clothing. Upon receiving news of her close friend's death, Pushpa also took her own life.

BSP supremo Mayawati hits out at Amit Shah over comments on Ambedkar

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying that he should apologise for his statement on B R Ambedkar. If this does not happen, the BSP will protest across the country on December 24, she said. In a series of posts on X in Hindi, Mayawati said, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the author of the original book in the form of the super-humanistic and welfare Constitution for the self-respect and human rights of the Dalits, deprived, and other neglected people of the country, is as revered as God. His disrespect by Shri Amit Shah hurts the hearts of the people. 1. , - - . Mayawati (@Mayawati) December 21, 2024 She further mentioned that people from all sections of society in the country are quite angry and agitated by the words spoken by him in Parliament regarding such a great man. Ambedkarite BSP has demanded that he take back his statement and repent, which has not been done till now, she said. The BSP chief also stated that in such a situation, if the demand is not met, the BSP will raise its voice across the country. That is why the party has now decided to hold a nationwide movement on December 24 in support of this demand. On that day, a complete peaceful dharna demonstration will be held at all district headquarters across the country, she said. 3. 24 2024 - Mayawati (@Mayawati) December 21, 2024 During a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Shah had said, Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai... Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar Bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have attained heaven for seven lifetimes). On Wednesday, Shah held a press conference in which he accused the Congress of twisting facts and distorting his comments in the Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed constant protests from treasury benches and opposition members over the alleged insult of Ambedkar until both the houses were adjourned sine die on Friday. Ambedkar row: Opposition MPs hold protest against Amit Shah at Vijay Chowk

Four of family killed in fire at milk parlour-cum-house in MP

Dewas: A couple and their two children were killed in a fire that broke out at a milk parlour-cum-house in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district in the early hours of Saturday, police said. The blaze erupted on the premises in the Nayapura area around 4.45 am, an official said. We received information about a fire in a milk parlour in Nayapura, and a family was living in the same premises, Nahar Darwaja police station in-charge Manju Yadav told PTI. She said the victims, a couple and their two children, died of suffocation and burn injuries. A team from the fire brigade has brought the blaze under control, the official said. According to police, Dinesh Karpentar (35), his wife Gayatri (30), 10-year-old daughter Ishika (10) and seven-year-old son Chirag died in the fire. Superintendent of Police (SP) Puneet Gehlot said Dinesh owned a dairy on the ground floor of the building and lived with his family on the second floor. We are probing into the cause of the fire. The dairy was on the ground floor, and the family was on the second floor while the first floor was vacant, the official told reporters. He said the fire started on the ground floor, and it is suspected that it intensified as some inflammable material was stored there. The SP said the family could not be rescued despite being on the second floor and could not escape. The exact cause for the fire will be known after the forensics team conducts a probe, he said, adding that the fire has been controlled. Gehlot said the incident was serious, and the police are coordinating with the administration and local civic body to prevent such accidents.

Four of family killed in fire at milk parlour-cum-house in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas

DEWAS: A couple and their two children were killed in a fire that broke out at a milk parlour-cum-house in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district in the early hours of Saturday, police said. The blaze erupted on the premises in the Nayapura area around 4.45 am, an official said. We received information about a fire in a milk parlour in Nayapura, and a family was living in the same premises, Nahar Darwaja police station in-charge Manju Yadav told PTI. She said the victims, a couple and their two children, died of suffocation and burn injuries. A team from the fire brigade has brought the blaze under control, the official said. According to police, Dinesh Karpentar (35), his wife Gayatri (30), 10-year-old daughter Ishika (10) and seven-year-old son Chirag died in the fire. Superintendent of Police (SP) Puneet Gehlot said Dinesh owned a dairy on the ground floor of the building and lived with his family on the second floor. We are probing into the cause of the fire. The dairy was on the ground floor, and the family was on the second floor while the first floor was vacant, the official told reporters. He said the fire started on the ground floor, and it is suspected that it intensified as some inflammable material was stored there. The SP said the family could not be rescued despite being on the second floor and could not escape. The exact cause for the fire will be known after the forensics team conducts a probe, he said, adding that the fire has been controlled. Gehlot said the incident was serious, and the police are coordinating with the administration and local civic body to prevent such accidents.

Maruti Suzuki signs MoA with Bihar Govt Transport Dept

5 driving test tracks to be automated at Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Purnia and Saran 2 driving test tracks automated by Maruti Suzuki at Aurangabad and Patna are already operational Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) for Two-wheeler (TW) and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving license testing MSIL to increase the number of Automated Driving Test Tracks to 44 across the country, from the current 27 New Delhi : Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Transport Department, Government of Bihar to automate driving license test tracks at Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Purnia and Saran. The MoA was signed in the presence of Smt. Sheela Kumari, Honble Transport Minister of Bihar and Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal (IAS), Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Bihar. The MoA was signed by Shri Navin Kumar (IAS), State Transport Commissioner, Government of Bihar and Shri Tarun Agarwal, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Maruti Suzuki. With zero human intervention, the Automated Driving Test Tracks are aimed to make license testing more comprehensive, efficient, and transparent. The rigorous and standardized evaluation process is designed to assess candidates according to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). Test results are also automatically generated. Applauding Maruti Suzuki on its road safety efforts, Smt. Sheela Kumari, Honble Transport Minister of Bihar said, I applaud Maruti Suzuki, Indias leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, for their exemplary commitment to road safety through nationwide programs. One of their innovative initiatives, the Automated Driving Test Tracks, ensures that only skilled drivers get a driving license, making our roads safer for everyone. We successfully automated the driving test tracks in Aurangabad and Patna with them and have seen drivers coming better prepared for the license testing. We are glad to partner with Maruti Suzuki once again to develop five more Automated Driving Test Tracks in Bihar. This collaboration will significantly contribute toward reducing road accidents and promoting responsible driving practices in our state of Bihar. Mr. Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, Maruti Suzukis association with the Bihar government goes back to 2018 when we set up the states first Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) to offer driver training in Aurangabad. Since then, we have inaugurated ADTTs at Aurangabad in 2020 and Patna in 2021. We thank the Government of Bihar for further entrusting us with this road safety project. Maruti Suzuki has been steadfast in its commitment to the 5 pillars of road safety - engineering, education, evaluation, enforcement, and emergency care. Automated driving license testing is a vital component of the evaluation process. Equipped with high-definition cameras and an integrated IT system, ADTTs guarantee a comprehensive, efficient, and transparent testing process ensuring that only skilled drivers are awarded licenses. Mr. Bharti added, According to data shared by the Union Road Transport Ministry, 15.3 lakh lives were lost in road accidents in the 10 years between 2014-2023 in India. Road death rate in the country is around 250 per 10,000 km as opposed to 119 in China, 57 in the USA, and 11 in Australia. An important aspect of road safety is drivers skill and knowledge of traffic rules. Automated Driving Test Tracks will ensure that license seekers are better prepared and only skilled drivers are awarded a driving license. This will bring a positive transformation that will go a long way to reduce road accidents caused by human error. Maruti Suzuki Automated Driving Test Tracks across India Over the past years, Maruti Suzuki has systematically automated 27 driving test tracks (across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Haryana). The Company is in the process of setting up 12 additional ADTTs in Uttar Pradesh. With the addition of these 5 test tracks in Bihar, the Company will complete automation of 44 driving test tracks across the country.

SCR to Operate 16 Special Trains for Kumbh Mela Pilgrims

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) announced that it would operate 16 special services to the Kumbh Mela from various stations in the zone such as Kacheguda, Guntur and Moula Ali to Azamgarhm Patna and Gaya. From the city, Train 07707 will leave Moula Ali at 11.55 pm and arrive in Azamgarh at 5.15 pm the next day. Train 07725 will leave Kacheguda at 4.45 pm and reaching Patna by 10.30 am the following day. SCR said the special trains will run on specific dates from January 18 to January 27.

Daaji's Message on World Meditation Day

Since millennia, meditation has been a part of human life, quietly offering its benefits to those who seek it. It has been recognized as a way to bring balancenot just to the mind, but to our entire being. Every culture has understood its value, even if expressed differently. Dhyana in Sanskrit is much deeper than the term meditation. Dhi' refers to the ultimate wisdom or the illumination of higher intelligence in the Gayatri Mantra. 'Yana' means a vehicle. When we combine Dhi with yana, we get the word - Dhyana - the vehicle or the process that leads us toward divine wisdom and to Divinity itself. This is more than just thinking; it is a profound spiritual practice. Reflecting on our meditative journey, we may ask ourselves: Has our practice brought us closer to incremental wisdom? Are we progressing toward the ultimate realization that meditation brings? Daaji had previously proposed to the United Nations and the Prime Ministers Office to designate Basant Panchami as World Meditation Day. This day, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati - the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge - symbolizes the pursuit of learning and enlightenment. Heartfulness Meditation builds on this ancient wisdom, offering a method that is simple yet deeply effective. Meditating in the presence of Pranahuti or Yogic Transmission, we settle more deeply, naturally, reaching deeper states of calm and clarity without force. We often get caught up in chasing success, and thats understandable. Success in life is important but its not enough. When we nurture both our inner and outer worlds, success becomes truly meaningful and fulfilling. The benefits of meditation are not limited to the meditator alone. When one person grows, it impacts others. And when many of us meditate, this collective growth creates ripples that can bring about peace in the world. So, on World Meditation Day, take a moment for yourself. Sit quietly, turn inward, and just experience. Try meditation, see how it feels, and allow yourself to evolve. The smallest step can lead to a profound change, not just for you, but for those around you too. Lets meditate, and lets grow together.

24-Hour Water Supply Interruption in Hyderabad

Water Board loses around Rs 30 crore a month. (Representational image) Water Board loses around Rs 30 crore a month. (Representational image) Hyderabad: The Water Board has said there will be a 24-hour supply interruption in certain areas from 6 am on Sunday, to plug a leak in an 800-mm pipeline at Safdarnagar, which connects Borabanda to Lingampally. The affected areas are: SPR Hills: Jayavanthnagar, Sunilnagar, Vickers Section Borabanda: Mahatmanagar, Vinayaknagar, Habeeb Fatimanagar (Phases 1 and 2), Indranagar, T. Anjiahnagar, Baba Sailaninagar, Bharatnagar. Gayatrinagar: Old Allapur, New Allapur, Central Allapur, Shivabasti, Aziznagar, Meerajnagar, Padmavatinagar, Gayatrinagar, Tulasinagar, Vivekanandanagar, Parvathnagar. Motinagar: Rama Raonagar, Harinagar, Shivajinagar, RK Society, Radha Krishnanagar, KS Nagar, Rana Pratapnagar, Ganeshnagar.

Winter session of Parliament concludes with BJP-INDIA bloc face-off

On the final day of the Winter Session of Parliament, opposition MPs staged a protest at Vijay Chowk on Friday demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's apology and resignation for allegedly insulting BR Ambedkar. They also carried out a protest march from Vijay Chowk to Parliament . The protest comes a day after separate marches by the opposition and ruling party MPs over the alleged insult to Ambedkar led to jostling in Parliament premises, leaving BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput injured. Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that BJP MPs pushed him to the ground , causing a knee injury. After the scuffle in Parliament on Thursday, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak claimed she felt uncomfortable after Rahul Gandhi allegedly shouted at her during a protest at Parliament . Konyak, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, said Gandhi came too close to her, which she found unbecoming of the Leader of Opposition. She also requested protection from Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. What happened in Parliament? Who is MP Pratap Sarangi injured after Rahul Gandhi's alleged push? The protests was triggered by Amit Shah's remarks on Dr B R Ambedkar. While addressing the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the Home Minister had said, Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar.' If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven). The statement has sporadic protests across the country. DMK and allies protest over Shahs remark on Ambedkar, question EPSs silence Meanwhile, following claims of injuries, police complaints were file by both BJP and Congress on Thursday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur and a delegation of BJP MPs filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of assault and incitement. Thakur cited charges under Sections 109, 115, and 117 of the IPC. Separately, Congress filed a complaint alleging misbehaviour with party president Mallikarjun Kharge by BJP leaders. Congress also demanded an investigation in a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. LS Speaker Om Birla warns of action over protests in Parliament premises The Delhi Police later on Thursday registered an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Congress MPs. A senior police officer confirmed that the FIR includes charges under sections 117 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 125 (endangering safety), 131 (use of criminal force), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Parliament Street Police Station. Both houses of Parliament were subsequently adjourned Sine Die amidst continuing protests. Before the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, the House sent the two bills on 'One Nation, One Election' to a Joint Parliamentary Committee comprising 27 Lok Sabha MPs and 12 Rajya Sabha MPs. It may be noted that both Houses had witnessed uproar over the 'One Nation, One Election' legislation, proposing concurrent Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. Earlier, the House saw uproar over the alleged Adani group bribery accusations raised by the Opposition. The BJP targetted the Congress party with claims of Soros-Gandhi nexus. The Winter Session started on November 15. Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of staging Parliament tussle to 'distract' from Adani row, Shah's Ambedkar remarks

INTERVIEW | Life made me a rebel

Thrissur-native Poly Varghese is Keralas own icon in Hindustani music. Yet, he feels the state doesnt recognise his art. A product of Kerala Kalamandalam, 54-year-old Pauly started as a mridangam player and later became a Mohan veena exponent. Poly was among Grammy awardee Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatts first students. He took his music to stages across India and abroad, and forged bonds with global musicians. TNIE caught up with this Chennai-based maverick musician, who recently visited the state for the Swaryagna festival in Thiruvananthapuram. Excerpts from the interaction Lets start with some basics. Could you please tell us a bit about how Mohan veena differs from veena? See, veena basically refers to a string instrument. However, people usually refer to Saraswati veena when they say veena. There are many types Samudra veena, Rudra veena, etc. In Mohan veena, we can play five different string instruments such as sarangi, sarod, santoor, sitar, and Hawaiian guitar. My guru Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatts veena has 19-21 strings. I have added two more to play Dhrupad music. How did your guru develop Mohan Veena? My guru comes from a family with a 600-year legacy. He was a sitar player. Once a foreigner went to him with a guitar. Guruji wondered about the range of possibilities with a sitar-guitar combo. So he used his genius by adding taraf to the guitar. The instrument was later named after him as Mohan Veena. How did you get interested in music, and how did this journey begin? My beginning! My musical journey commenced at the age of eight. I started learning mridangam, and started as a Carnatic musician. I studied mridangam at Kalamandalam. But I often used to listen to Hindustani music, right from an early age. Did your family have any sort of musical legacy? No. This is something that just happened to me. Thrissur Christians are known for their business acumen I do not seem to possess such a knack for money matters. Thats why I am idly roaming around! So, what initially spurred your music journey? There was a Bhagavathar near my home. He was my fathers friend. Whenever I went to his place, I would hear him sing. His house was near the church. Also, at home, there was an old Murphy radio. Film songs would be aired from Thrissur, but they would air Carnatic music from Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram stations. This was a big problem. My sister would want to listen to film songs, and I wanted Carnatic. One day, Ammachi [ mother] was so vexed with our argument that she threw the radio! My whole world was classical music. I cannot enjoy film music even today. My family was settled in the Thriprayar part of the Thrissur district. From there, I went to academies and sabhas where music programmes were held. My father was supportive. I joined Kalamandalam after completing Class 10, without giving a second thought. When I was at Kalamandalam, I used to go to my ashans house where there was a TV. On the national network, at times, Guruji [Vishwa Mohan Bhat], who was not that famous then, would appear. I used to wonder what he played. I wrote letters to Guruji, but never received a reply. After graduating from Kalamandalam, I headed to Shantiniketan, where I met Guruji. I went with him to Rajasthan. From then, my life was at Gurujis house. I gradually stopped playing mridangam. Its been almost 30 years. It is believed that the philosophy of Indian classical music is dictated by the notion that it is from the divine I want to break such notions. I do not see any divinity. You may disagree with me. If this is divine, every occupation is. We, too, are like scavengers. Music, to me, is an art that emerges from a space of mental strife and social conflict. How can you label divinity to it? Are you trying to imply that art or talent is something that anyone can have? This [Mohan veena] was an unfamiliar instrument for me. I constantly practise this instrument. Even for a scavenger or a mason, in the beginning, it would be challenging. The skill is imparted to them by a mentor. The same goes for me; this is something I learned from a guru. This, to me, is more about activism than divinity. Isnt passion what separates art and, say, masonry? There is just a slight difference. Masonry and scavenging are livelihoods, but music isnt a livelihood for me. Doesnt art uphold a certain kind of creativity? A mason building a new structure is akin to me playing an instrument. So, if Poly Varghese decides to be a mason, he could? Poly Varghese cant be a mason, though I have done similar jobs. During my life in Kolkata, I had worked as a painter. But I cannot do it full-time. I am tuned in the way of art, but a mason is not tuned so. I cannot be a full-time construction worker because my taste doesnt work out like that. I am from a conventional Christian family. The songs I listened to while growing up were gospel music, Christian hymns. My relatives are big gold merchants in Thrissur. If I were in Thrissur town, then I too would have been a gold merchant or an entrepreneur. I cannot be a business person; I am not meant for it. Even today, I cannot commercialise my music. How do you people back home know you? When people in Thrissur organise programmes and approach advertisers for it, some businessmen, especially jewellers, wonder if there is an artist named Poly Varghese. They assume it is some keyboard player. I used to be known as Kalamandalam Poly, and that was a big hurdle. So I just removed the Kalamandalam tag. I have received a lot of laurels and honours. I even got it from Thailands Bangkok Universitys Sangeeta Ratnakara. But I do not like to hold on to all that. Some people attach Pandit to my name. I do not want to attach any titles. Are there any issues you faced as a classical musician due to your Christian identity? It affected me in Kerala. How? In Kerala, I only had three or four performances. They do not call me for any sabhas. Why do Stephen Devassys keyboard concerts get sold out? Because it is the keyboard. Let him do a Carnatic kacheri, will it sell as much? Kalamandalam Poly could have been a new brand You need to live in my shoes, and then judge. T M Krishna and I are close friends. I was living in Chennai for a while. When Krishna started getting involved in social causes linked to music, conversations began to erupt. But before Krishna came on board, I was there in Chennai for 17 years. I have played Mohan Veena on the streets and gullies of Chennai. During that time, there was a movement to get rid of LTTE in Sri Lanka. It was a political issue. Linked to that, many of us played musical instruments and were imprisoned. But no discourses happened. Why? Because T M Krishna comes from a background of privilege, and I dont. You mean caste privilege? Krishna is someone who does not hold casteist values. But caste flows as an undercurrent without even his awareness. You know how? [ TM] Krishna was thrown out of the sabha circle. I was also expelled. However, Malayalis have accepted Krishna; he is invited to literature fests and is popular in the socio-political circuit here. If Poly Varghese speaks out, that will not be the case. Even Krishna has told me that my name is a hindrance. During my mridangam days, Devarajan Master once told me that I should be known by a different name, and suggested Prasad Varadhan. I told the Master that I had a strong political stance, and that I could not change my father and mother. Are you a believer? I am not. The word belief itself is dangerous. If you start to believe something, there is something wrong with you. That means you are impeding your search, you are losing yourself to a particular subject. You said there was a problem with the Kalamandalam tag. But there have been revered artists such as Kalamandalam Hyder Ali I know what all Hyder Ali ashan had to endure. When I was studying at Kalamandalam, there was a Kathakali teachers who ridiculed me, asking on my face: What music will be there in a Nasrani (Christian)? I was so upset. Later, Hyder Ali ashan comforted me. He also taught there, but he was not even appointed as a permanent teacher there. There was also one Kalamandalam John, who was not made permanent. Do you believe in guruthwam (reverence to Guru)? It is just a fancy word. Guruthwam means the gurus blessings. They can teach you letters, words, and grammar, but art cannot be taught that easily. Artists are rebels, radical in nature. Are you saying an artist must be a rebel? No, but an artist naturally becomes a rebel due to circumstances. Experimentations in art lead an artist to go against rules. If you want to be a rebel, you must be a breaker of rules naturally or ideologically, like T R Mahalingam or Bismillah Khan. Are you a rebellious artist? Life made me a rebel, thanks to the frictions and denials I have experienced. What segregations or denials did you face as a mridangam artist? I have faced several incidents, including being shut out of stage performances due to my Christian faith. I was once made to leave the stage without performing on a reality show. Once my mridangam was thrown away from the stage at a temple I was not allowed to perform in temples. Is this segregation issue only in Kerala? Yes. I am basically a Malayali musician, but have you seen me perform in any kacheri in Kerala? Maybe four or five times. In north India, however, they were bothered only by the fact that I am a south Indian. However, as I have gained an identity, I no longer face such issues. Keralas cultural activism is superficial What hurdles does a south Indian Hindustani musician face in the north? The north-south divide is stark in my field. The famous vocalist from Karnataka, Bhimsen Joshi, also experienced it. But because of his legendary stature, he could not be avoided by the north Indian groups. Once, I was omitted from the line-up for the Konark festival in Odisha due to uproar from some quarters. Imagine my plight! But now, I do not face much discrimination. I have a Jazz Blues band with members from the US and Australia. Doing so, has opened my musical boundaries beyond Mohan Veena. We always prop up Indian classical music on a pedestal. There is not much to be gained from that in my opinion. We must transcend such musical categorisations. Music is universal. Why do you think you have not got due recognition in Kerala? One, Kerala is a consumer society. Discussions are mostly on gains/losses. Second, I am a south Indian who plays north Indian music. Also, organisations here, even the ruling Left government, are not interested in the arts. The art they know is limited to Stephen Devassy, Rimi Tomy film-oriented. Had Yesudas not sung for films, would we know him? Thats it. You worked on a film I composed for Kala Varkey, which came out in 2003. The film did not do very well. Then came Jeevamshamayi. For that, I came from Bengal. I was very interested in Baul music at that time. They wanted to recreate a similar music for the movie (breaks into a Baul song of Lalon Fakir, an 18th-century Baul/Sufi singer). How did you stumble across Baul music? Growing up, I had been familiar with Rabindra Sangeet. But I came to know of Baul only during my time at Shantiniketan. I saw several performances there and it greatly influenced me. I wanted to learn. Another aspect of Baul music that deeply influenced me was the singers ability to craft spontaneous songs that reflected their rebellious spirit. This experience sparked a desire within me to learn Bengali. I also wanted to read Rabindranath Tagores Gitanjali in its original form. I also had a great passion for playing traditional instruments like the ektara, gomukh, and dotara. What languages are you fluent in? Tamil, Bengali, Hindi, English, Malayalam, Urdu, Odiya, Marathi. I have done a drama in Marathi. Having been exposed to the cultural scenes of many states, how do you perceive the cultural scene of Kerala in comparison? I dont perceive Keralas cultural scene as being particularly profound. The cultural activism in Kerala seems somewhat superficial. Could the relative absence of such groups in Kerala be attributed to the states unique socio-cultural context, making them less relevant? The left wings shift away from cultural norms in Kerala has indeed had a significant impact. It appears that they have abandoned cultural activism. They are focused on electoral politics alone. The term activism appears repeatedly in your conversation. Do you believe it is essential for an artist to be an activist? I believe that art is not something that falls from the sky, nor is it something that is taught by a teacher. Art comes from the way you live your life. If you listen to the songs of the people around you, if you engage with others regularly, if you watch dramas, you will be affected by the problems in society. Even Nadanpattu exists as a response, right? Artists react through their songs. An artist needs people to listen to him when he sings. They receive energy from him, and he receives energy from them. An artist cant live isolated in a palace, do PR work, and move around in a Benz. What about the concept of purity in art? What remains here that is untarnished? Purity is something rooted in the Brahminical context. Does that concept still exist? Caste consciousness exists within you, even if youre unaware of it. You express it in various ways Can a fair-skinned man accept a dark-skinned wife? Even in movies, dont they lighten the complexion of dark-skinned heroines? I am experiencing it even in Australia. Are songs by Black people ever truly celebrated? Are the art forms of Black communities ever discussed on major global platforms? How long has it been since a Black artist won a Grammy Award or Oscar? Its talent that earns one honour, not colour, right? I need social acceptance. I dont think people who come to listen to me are here just for my music. I dont believe there is such an exemplary society here. Havent we moved beyond caste, at least in the realm of culture? Let me ask you a question. If you wanted to get married, would you marry a Dalit? Do you feel love for a Dalit? Love is also influenced by caste. Love is not activism Love is totally a vibrant, rebellious activism. Octavia Paz had said the world changes when two people kiss. Shouldnt an artists activism be more about music, rather than an agitation? To play well is my activism. This is my way of life. The show of culture isnt. But if you mean playing well is sticking to the conventions of purity, you might be disappointed. What is being discussed through my art are the social and political and personal issues. Arent there good artists who arent in activism mode? It is just that they dont speak. T M Krishna is a great artist and a rebel. But equally great is Sanjay Subramaniam, who doesnt show much rebellion Sanjay Subrmaniam was the one who opposed the grant of award for T M Krishna, taking a Hindutva stance. Ranjini-Gayatri, Anuradha Sriram, Trichur Brothers all did so. Ones politics will be revealed in ones music. Kabir Das, too, responded to social aspects, but never denied transcendental quality of art. Kabirs Rama is not the Rama of the masses. Ustad All Rakha, Bismillah Khan, Zakir Hussain none questioned arts divinity. Its my personal choice. I will totally deny arts facets that are not rooted in social activism. Cant music exist for the sake of experience, without activism? Thats unlikely, at least for me. Are you primarily an activist, then? Yes, I see myself as an activist, with art as my tool. Okay, lets end on a melodious note. Which is your favourite raga? Its difficult, but I can play a folk song in Khamas raga (plays his version of Oh Mridule). This is a film song I dont mind playing film songs. By the way, did you guys find me rude? Im a nave fellow (laughs, and plays Bhoopali and Mohanam ragas). TNIE Team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Aparna Nair, Parvana K B, Varsha Somaraj, Vincent Pulickal (photos), Pranav V P (video)

Gayatri Prasad Assumes Charge As BDLs Director (Fin)

Hyderabad: G. Gayatri Prasad has assumed office as director (finance) of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), effective December 18. His extensive financial experience and long-standing association with BDL are expected to shape the organisations financial management in the coming years. A commerce graduate from Nagarjuna University and a member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Prasad joined BDL as a management trainee in 1997. Over a career spanning 27 years, he worked in key roles, including general manager (finance) and chief financial officer, gaining expertise in taxation, budgeting and investment analysis. Known for his ability to evaluate financial proposals and manage resources effectively, Prasad is stepping into the role at a critical time for the defence enterprise. Colleagues acknowledged his contributions to strengthening BDLs financial systems over the years, describing him as a steady hand in times of growth and transition. BDL, a player in Indias defence manufacturing, said it is currently focusing on expanding its operations and financial strategy.

Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of staging Parliament tussle to 'distract' from Ambedkar row

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP, addressing the altercation that took place at the Parliament complex on Thursday. He alleged that the chaos was engineered to divert attention from Union Home Minister Amit Shah's controversial remarks on BR Ambedkar, which had sparked a major row between the opposition and the ruling party. At a press conference, with a copy of the Constitution in front of him, Gandhi accused the BJP of trying to distract from key issues since the start of the Parliament session. He reaffirmed Congress's position, stating that the BJPs ideology is anti-constitutional and anti-Ambedkar and that the ruling party seeks to diminish Ambedkars legacy and contributions. What happened in Parliament? Who is MP Pratap Sarangi injured after Rahul Gandhi's alleged push? Rahul Gandhi stated that the Home Minister had exposed a particular mindset with his remarks, adding that the opposition had called for an apology and resignation, but neither occurred. He further claimed that a new distraction was created on Thursday, with opposition MPs heading to Parliament House from Ambedkar's statue, only to be blocked by BJP MPs standing near the stairs with sticks in their hands, preventing them from entering. Gandhi made these comments in Hindi. The reality is that he has insulted Ambedkar ji. The Home Minister should apologise and resign, he added. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also addressed the press conference, he condemned Amit Shahs remarks on Ambedkar and the mindset they reflected. Kharge accused Shah of refusing to acknowledge any wrongdoing, despite the Congress party demanding his resignation and, failing that, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove him from his position. He stated that when it became clear neither of these actions would take place, Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, protested and raised the issue. Kharge also claimed the BJP was attempting to shift attention away from the matter. The Congress president further alleged that BJP MPs tried to block Congress legislators from entering Parliament and physically attacked them. He said he was also pushed and lost his balance, sitting on the ground. After this, they are accusing us of pushing people and causing injuries, Kharge added. They were sitting and mocking us. Many women MPs were with us as well... We will not tolerate this. The movement against Shahs remarks on Ambedkar will become a nationwide campaign, he concluded. Complaint vs complaint: BJP, Congress turn to police as Parliament 'assault' row escalates The aftermath of the alleged scuffle at the Parliament escalated on Thursday, with both parties filing police complaints accusing each other of assault and misconduct after an alleged scuffle outside Parliament. The altercation stemmed from Amit Shah's remarks in Parliament on Tuesday, where he criticised the Congress for repeatedly invoking B.R. Ambedkar. In his Rajya Sabha speech, Shah said, If they had taken God's name as many times, they would have earned a place in heaven. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah added. Parliament scuffle: 'Felt really uncomfortable when Rahul Gandhi came close,' says BJP MP Phangnon Konyak

Amit Shah would have been 'scrap dealer' if there wasn't Ambedkar's Constitution, claims Siddaramaiah

BELAGAVI: Stepping up the attack against Union Minister Amit Shah for his comments on B R Ambedkar in Parliament, senior Congress leader and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday claimed that Shah would have been a Gujari (scrap dealer) if there wasn't Ambedkar's Constitution. The chief minister further said that if Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar was really functioning under the Constitution, he should have immediately suspended Shah from the House. Reading out a detailed statement in the assembly amid din by both BJP and the Congress MLAs over the issue, Siddaramaiah said the entire country has heard the derogatory words spoken by the Home Minister about Babasaheb Ambedkar. During a debate on the Constitution in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Shah said, Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven). Stating that there is nothing surprising in the words spoken by Shah, Siddaramaiah said what was in the minds of the BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders has come out in the open. First of all, I congratulate you (Amit Shah) for openly and courageously revealing the innermost opinion of the Bharatiya Janata Party about Babasaheb Ambedkar before the country and for finally telling the truth in your lifetime, he said. He said that if there was no Constitution, Shah would have been a scrap dealer in his village and not the Home Minister of the country. Shah on Wednesday accused the Congress of twisting facts and distorting his comments on B R Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha, asserting that its malicious campaign after the discussion on Constitution established the opposition party as being anti-Ambedkar and anti-reservation. The Union minister also accused the Congress of adopting the tactic of misrepresenting and distorting statements. Siddaramaiah also took a dig at Dhankhar for not taking action against Shah, saying if the Rajya Sabha Chairman was really functioning under the Constitution, he should have immediately suspended the Union minister from the House after his remarks. The Karnataka chief minister alleged that the main reason behind BJP and Sangh Parivar's hatred for Ambedkar was the Constitution. Until this written Constitution came into force, the Indian society had the Manusmriti, which made caste and gender discrimination a law. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who hoped for freedom, equality and fraternity, not only gave the Constitution, but he also burned the unwritten Constitution Manusmriti that was in force until then, the CM said. He noted that on December 25, 1927, Ambedkar publicly burned the Manusmriti and 22 years later, he created a new Constitution. Siddaramaiah charged that the hatred of the BJP and the RSS for Ambedkar was not new. According to him, the details of the statements made by RSS leaders, including its founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, his successor Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar and Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar against the Constitution are in the pages of history. Babasaheb Ambedkar dedicated the Constitution to the country on November 30, 1949. Four days later, the RSS mouthpiece ' Organiser ' wrote an editorial against the Constitution, he pointed out. The RSS is defending this editorial even today, the CM alleged. Golwalkar had also opposed Ambedkar and the Constitution in his book, 'Bunch of Thought', which is considered the Constitution of the RSS, he said. Golwalkar wrote that after the Vedas, the most sacred book for the Hindu nation - Manusmriti, which has been the basis of our culture, traditions and customs since time immemorial, Siddaramaiah said. Neither the BJP nor the RSS has so far rejected the RSS editorial that opposed the Constitution and Ambedkar, nor the views of Golwalkar and Savarkar, he said. Siddaramaiah said Ambedkar was not an annoyance, but an eternal memory. As long as we breathe, as long as the Sun and Moon exist on this Earth, the memory of Ambedkar will be there. The more you insult him, the more he will bounce back and rise, and he will light up our path of progress, he underlined. The CM also reiterated that if Ambedkar was not there, he and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge would not have occupied high positions. Instead, he would have had to stay in his village grazing cattle and sheep, he added. The CM said it was on the expected lines that Shah blamed the opposition for twisting his statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too came to the defense of his close friend and made a long statement. All this was expected, Siddaramaiah told the Assembly. The Congress MLAs put out photos of Ambedkar on their tables, while the BJP displayed posters in the assembly, accusing Siddaramaiah of being anti-Hindu. Both sides raised slogans against each other. The commotion led to the adjournment of the House twice by Speaker U T Khader.

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What happened in Parliament? Who is MP Pratap Sarangi injured after Rahul Gandhi's alleged push?

What happened in the Parliament? Home Minister Amit Shahs remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, calling him the fashion, triggered a major uproar in Parliament. Protests by opposition INDIA bloc MPs and the ruling NDA turned violent, leading to a physical altercation that left two BJP MPs, Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Chandra Sarangi, hospitalised. The incident is linked to the controversy sparked by Amit Shah's remarks in Parliament on Tuesday, where he slammed the Congress for repeatedly invoking B.R. Ambedkar. In his Rajya Sabha speech, Shah stated, If they had taken God's name as many times, they would have earned a place in heaven. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said. The opposition vociferously condemned the statement and called it an insult to the Father of our constitution. How did the situation escalate? Opposition MPs, led by Congress, staged protests in Parliament dressed in bluea colour associated with Ambedkarand demanded Amit Shahs resignation. Key figures, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, joined the demonstrations. INDIA bloc MPs gathered at Ambedkars statue, holding placards with slogans like Main Bhi Ambedkar and Amit Shah maafi maango. Meanwhile, BJP MPs countered with their own protests, accusing the opposition of disrespecting Ambedkar and demanding an apology from Congress. The confrontation reached a flashpoint near the Makar Dar of Parliament, where members from both sides clashed, leading to physical scuffles. Opposition, BJP MPs jostle in Parliament premises; BJP claims Rahul pushed aged MP Who was injured? BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi reportedly sustained a deep head injury and significant blood loss. Doctors stitched his wound, and he remains in the ICU for monitoring. Sarangi alleged that he fell after Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, pushed another MP, Mukesh Rajput, who then collided with him. Mr. Gandhi, on the other hand, claimed that BJP MPs obstructed him and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge from entering the Parliament building. In a video shared by Union Minister and BJP MP Bhupender Yadav, Mr. Gandhi is seen approaching Mr. Sarangi after the fall. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey confronts Mr. Gandhi, saying, Aren't you ashamed? Youre behaving like a goon. At one point, the Leader of the Opposition is heard saying, He (Sarangi) has pushed me. As Mr. Gandhi walks away, BJP leaders can be heard responding, He has not pushed you. Look at the arrogance of the Gandhi scion. Instead of aplogising for injuring an aged BJP MP, Shri Pratap Sarangi, Rahul Gandhi walks away with accusations. So much for being mohabbat ki dukan. Such entitlement! Congress continues to be blot on democracy. pic.twitter.com/a2k9rAUbSU Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) December 19, 2024 Another BJP MP Mukesh Rajput Reportedly suffered head injuries and high blood pressure. He is also receiving treatment in the ICU. RML Hospital confirmed that both MPs are undergoing further tests, including CT scans. Parliament adjourned The clashes and ongoing protests forced both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to adjourn. Opposition MPs continue to demand Shahs resignation, while BJP MPs insist on an apology from Congress for allegedly insulting Ambedkar. BJP MPs were pushing me, stopping me from going inside Parliament: Rahul Gandhi Who is Pratap Chandra Sarangi? Pratap Chandra Sarangi is a Member of Parliament from the Balasore constituency in Odisha, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Born on January 4, 1955, in Gopinathpur village. Early life and career Sarangi graduated from Fakir Mohan College in Balasore in 1975. He initially worked as a Head Clerk at Nilgiri College in Odisha before stepping into politics. Sarangi became involved with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and later, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. Political career Sarangi's political journey began at the district level as an RSS volunteer. He was first elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 2004, representing Nilagiri constituency, and was re-elected in 2009 as an independent after being denied a BJP ticket. His national prominence grew when he contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Balasore and won by a margin of 12,956 votes, defeating Biju Janata Dals sitting MP Rabindra Kumar Jena. His victory was seen as a significant achievement, as he defeated well-funded rivals. Following his victory, Sarangi was appointed as the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries in May 2019. He is also known for his role in advancing primary education in rural areas through the Ekal Vidyalaya initiative. Sarangi became a national figure after his 2019 victory, admired by the right wing for his humble origins, austere lifestyle. He was even likened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Odisha, earning the nickname Odishas Modi. Controversies Sarangi has been embroiled in controversy, notably for his alleged involvement in the 1999 murder of Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines. However, he has denied any role in the incident, and it remains a contentious issue. Kharge says BJP MPs 'pushed' him in Parliament premises

Amit Shah has gone mad, should resign, give up politics: RJD chief Lalu Prasad

PATNA: Attacking Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday said he should resign from the cabinet and give up politics. Prasad, a veteran politician, was responding to queries from reporters about the controversy that erupted over Shah's speech in Rajya Sabha earlier this week. Amit Shah has gone mad. He is obviously full of hatred for our revered Babasaheb. I strongly condemn his madness, he said. When Prasad was asked whether he too was in favour of the demand for Shah's resignation, he replied in the affirmative, but with characteristic bluntness. Of course, I want Shah out of the cabinet. He should resign. Not only that, he should give up politics, said the RJD supremo, who has been a staunch opponent of the BJP for decades. Amit Shah's remarks show old mentality of BJP, says B R Ambedkar's grandson During a debate on Constitution in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Shah had said, Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven). He had also said the BJP was happy that the Congress was taking Ambedkar's name but it should also speak about its real sentiments towards him, and went on to narrate incidents where the opposition party had denied the respect due to him. On Wednesday, Shah hit back at the Congress that is leading the opposition's attack on him, alleging the party twisted facts and distorted his comments. AAP protests Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar Kharge slams Amit Shahs remarks on Ambedkar, demands apology and his sacking by midnight

Accor expands its footprint in Goa with new luxury hotel projects

Accor and Dangayach Group are partnering to bring two new luxury hotels to Goa by 2030. Raffles Goa Shiroda will offer 120 villas, while Fairmont Goa will boast 400 rooms. Both properties will feature extensive amenities, including restaurants, spas, and event spaces, adhering to Accor's ESG guidelines.

Amit Shah's remarks show old mentality of BJP, says B R Ambedkar's grandson

PUNE: Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar alleged on Wednesday that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on the father of the Constitution reflected the BJP's same old mentality. Several MPs of the INDIA bloc staged a protest in Parliament premises demanding Shah's apology for his remarks on B R Ambedkar which they claimed were an insult to B R Ambedkar. The Congress also demanded that Shah apologise publicly and in Parliament. Before the BJP came into existence, its forerunners Jan Sangh and RSS had opposed Babasaheb while the Constitution was being adopted, Prakash Ambedkar, who heads Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, told reporters in Pune. He said Shah's statement has brought the same old mentality of the BJP to the fore. There is nothing new in the statement. They are not able to execute their old plans. Not because of Congress, but because of Babasaheb Ambedkar and they will continue to sulk, said Prakash Ambedkar. Kharge slams Amit Shahs remarks on Ambedkar, demands apology and his sacking by midnight Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in Rajya Sabha. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said, taking a swipe at the opposition. - , , , , .. . . BJP RSS . pic.twitter.com/UMvMAq43O8 Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 17, 2024 Prakash Ambedkar, meanwhile, demanded a Rs 1 crore compensation to the kin of Somnath Suryawanshi who allegedly died in judicial custody after he was arrested in connection with violence in Parbhani city over the desecration of the replica of the Constitution. He said Shah's remarks imply that one should revere God and not B R Ambedkar because revering the father of the Constitution means accepting the freedom of speech. Revering God is as good as accepting 'manuwad', he said. He accused MVA leaders of seeking votes in the name of Jyotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and B R Ambedkar but did not bother to visit Parbhani. The violence in Parbhani was an attempt to create a Godhra-like situation, he alleged. The violence was a fallout of a dispute between two Maratha leaders, he claimed and announced the formation of a fact-finding committee to expose perpetrators. He said the passage of bills to introduce the mechanism for simultaneous polls in Lok Sabha would mean the end of political parties. The Congress has only five to six days to take a concrete stand on the bills. The failure to take a stand and the passage of the bills means the end of political parties. Sharad Pawar led NCP's stand will be crucial, Prakash Ambedkar added. The passage of the bill for synchronised polls will pave the way for dictatorship and dismantling the basic structure of parliamentary democracy, he alleged.

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B.R. Patil has asked the Panchamsali Samaj to fight for the values enshrined in the Constitution instead of demanding reservation

Congress distorted my remarks on Ambedkar; I come from a party that can never insult him, even in dreams: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit back at the Congress during a press conference in Delhi, accusing the opposition party of misrepresenting his remarks in Parliament and adopting an anti-Ambedkar stance. In response to the controversy surrounding his comments during the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha, Shah said, My statements were misrepresented. Congress spreads fake news. I can never speak against Ambedkar ji. The way Congress has distorted comments made in Parliament is extremely condemnable, Amit Shah added. The Union Home Minister also emphasised the BJPs efforts to honour Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, stating, Congress governments never built an Ambedkar memorial. It was the BJP that developed several sites associated with him, and it was the Modi government that declared Constitution Day to honour his legacy. While defending his remarks, Amit Shah challenged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, offering his resignation if it makes him happy, but asserting that Congress will remain in opposition for 15 more years. Kharge had demanded Shah's resignation by midnight . VIDEO | Here's what Union Home Minister Amit Shah ( @AmitShah ) said on row over his remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar. They (Congress) distorted my remarks (on Dr BR Ambedkar) and presented them in front of the public. I urge everyone to listen to my entire remark, it will clarify pic.twitter.com/JiAtCRwoGp Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 18, 2024 Shah also accused the Congress of undermining constitutional values, claiming, BJP speakers in Parliament presented facts demonstrating how the BJP has always safeguarded the Constitution when in power. This proves that Congress is anti-Ambedkar, anti-reservation, and anti-Constitution. They also insulted Veer Savarkar and attacked the Constitution by imposing the Emergency. Shah urged the media to show his full comments, He added that his party and ideology can never insult Ambedkars ideas, even in a dream. The controversy comes after Shah took a dig at Congress for repeatedly taking the name of BR Ambedkar, Shah had on Tuesday said in his speech in Rajya Sabha that if they had taken God's name so many times they would have earned a place in heaven. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said. (This is a developing story and will be updated.) TMC files privilege notice against Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

Kharge slams Amit Shahs remarks on Ambedkar, demands apology and his sacking by midnight

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remove him from the Union Cabinet by midnight if he truly respected the Dalit icon. Slamming the Congress for repeatedly taking the name of BR Ambedkar, Shah had on Tuesday said in his speech in Rajya Sabha that if they had taken God's name so many times they would have earned a place in heaven. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said. The opposition vociferously condemned the statement and called it an insult to the Father of our constitution. Protests erupted in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with Congress and other opposition parties alleging Shah's remarks were disrespectful to Ambedkar. The uproar led to adjournments in both Houses. In a press conference on Wednesday, Kharge called for Shahs apology and warned that there would be widespread protests if the Prime Minister failed to take action. Our demand is that Amit Shah should apologise, and if PM Modi truly has faith in Dr. Ambedkar, he must be sacked by midnight. He has no right to remain in the Cabinet. If he is not removed, the people will protest. They are willing to sacrifice their lives for Dr Ambedkar, Kharge said. Kharge accused the BJP, including PM Modi and Amit Shah, of upholding the values of Manusmriti over those of the Constitution. He alleged that the remarks insulted not only Dr Ambedkar but also Dalits and the citizens of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier on Wednesday strongly defended Shah against the Congress allegations of insulting Dr BR Ambedkar . Modi asserted that Shah's remarks had exposed Congress' dark history of disrespecting the architect of the Indian Constitution, leaving the opposition stung and stunned. In a series of posts on X, Modi said, They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics. Sadly, for them, people know the truth. He emphasised that his government's respect and reverence for Ambedkar were absolute. In Parliament, HM @AmitShah Ji exposed the Congress dark history of insulting Dr. Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST Communities. They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics! Sadly, for them, people know the truth! pic.twitter.com/l2csoc0Bvd Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2024 Modi accused the party and its otten ecosystem of trying to hide their malicious lies and decades-long mistreatment of Ambedkar. He highlighted that the Congress had humiliated Ambedkar by orchestrating his electoral defeats, denying him a Bharat Ratna, and failing to give his portrait a prominent place in Parliament's Central Hall. Modi also pointed out that the worst atrocities against SC/ST communities occurred during Congress-led regimes. For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities, he said. The Prime Minister listed his governments initiatives to honour Ambedkars legacy, including developing Panchteerth (five iconic sites associated with Ambedkar), resolving a long-standing issue over land for Chaitya Bhoomi where Ambedkar was cremated, and preserving the sites where Ambedkar lived, including in London and Delhi. TMC files privilege notice against Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

Kharge slams Amit Shahs remarks on Ambedkar, demands apology, resignation by midnight

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shahs remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remove him from the Union Cabinet by midnight if he truly respected the Dalit icon. In a press conference, Kharge called for Shahs apology and warned that there would be widespread protests if the Prime Minister failed to take action. Our demand is that Amit Shah should apologise, and if PM Modi truly has faith in Dr. Ambedkar, he must be sacked by midnight. He has no right to remain in the Cabinet. If he is not removed, the people will protest. They are willing to sacrifice their lives for Dr. Ambedkar, Kharge said. Kharge accused the BJP, including PM Modi and Amit Shah, of upholding the values of Manusmriti over those of the Constitution. He alleged that the remarks insulted not only Dr Ambedkar but also Dalits and the citizens of India. Criticising the Congress for repeatedly taking the name of B R Ambedkar, Shah had said in his remarks that if they taken God's name so many times they could have earned a place in heaven. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said. Shah also said the BJP is happy that the Congress is taking Ambedkar's name but the party should also speak about its real sentiments towards him Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had strongly defended Amit Shah against Congress allegations of insulting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in his Rajya Sabha speech. Modi asserted that Shahs remarks had exposed Congress' dark history of disrespecting the architect of the Indian Constitution, leaving the opposition stung and stunned. In a series of posts on X, Modi said, They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics. Sadly, for them, people know the truth. He emphasised that his government's respect and reverence for Ambedkar were absolute. In Parliament, HM @AmitShah Ji exposed the Congress dark history of insulting Dr. Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST Communities. They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics! Sadly, for them, people know the truth! pic.twitter.com/l2csoc0Bvd Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2024 Modi accused the party and its otten ecosystem of trying to hide their malicious lies and decades-long mistreatment of Ambedkar. He highlighted that the Congress had humiliated Ambedkar by orchestrating his electoral defeats, denying him a Bharat Ratna, and failing to give his portrait a prominent place in Parliament's Central Hall. Modi also pointed out that the worst atrocities against SC/ST communities occurred during Congress-led regimes. For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities, he said. The prime minister listed his governments initiatives to honour Ambedkars legacy, including developing Panchteerth (five iconic sites associated with Ambedkar), resolving a long-standing issue over land for Chaitya Bhoomi where Ambedkar was cremated, and preserving the sites where Ambedkar lived, including in London and Delhi. Protests erupted in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with Congress and other opposition parties alleging Shah's remarks were disrespectful to Ambedkar. The uproar led to adjournments in both Houses. TMC files privilege notice against Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

TMC files privilege notice against Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien on Wednesday submitted a privilege notice against Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on B R Ambedkar, a source said. According to the source, the notice has been filed under Rule 187 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Rajya Sabha. The notice also quoted the statement the home minister made in the Upper House on Tuesday during his reply to a debate on the 75 years of the Constitution. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed protests from the Congress and some other opposition parties over Shah's alleged insult of Ambedkar, resulting in both the Houses being adjourned. 'Display of BJP's casteist, anti-Dalit mindset': Mamata attacks Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks Criticising the Congress for repeatedly taking the name of B R Ambedkar, Shah had said in his remarks that if they taken God's name so many times they could have earned a place in heaven. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said. INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament premises, demand Amit Shah's apology for Ambedkar remarks Shah also said the BJP is happy that the Congress is taking Ambedkar's name but the party should also speak about its real sentiments towards him. Shah pointed out how Ambedkar had to resign from the first Cabinet citing his disagreement with the then Congress-led government's policies including Article 370. The home minister also said most of the memorials of Ambedkar were built when the BJP came to power. How appropriate is it for you to use the name of a person for vote bank politics whom you used to oppose? Shah asked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Meanwhile, TMC chief West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha about BR Ambedkar were a display of the BJP's casteist and anti-Dalit mindset . Banerjee, termed the remarks derogatory, claiming that those were an insult to the millions of people who look up to Ambedkar for guidance and inspiration. The mask has fallen! As Parliament reflects on 75 glorious years of the Constitution, HM @AmitShah chose to TARNISH this occasion with DEROGATORY remarks against Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, that too in the temple of Democracy, she posted on X. Attacking the BJP, Banerjee claimed that what more could have been expected from a party that has internalised HATE and BIGOTRY. HM Amit Shah's remarks are an insult to the millions who look up to Babasaheb for guidance and inspiration. But what else can you expect from a party that has internalised HATE and BIGOTRY? she said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also issued sharp criticism of the BJP and RSS, accusing them of undermining Dr. B.R. Ambedkars contributions to Indias Constitution. In response to comments made by Shah in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge said, The insult that Home Minister Amit Shah has done to Baba Saheb in the House today has once again proved that BJP/RSS were against the Tricolour, opposed the Ashoka Chakra, and wanted to implement Manusmriti instead of the Constitution. Babasaheb did not let that happen, that is why there is so much hatred towards him. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back at the Congress, accusing the party and its otten ecosystem of insulting Ambedkar for years. Addressing the controversy over Shahs remarks, Modi defended the Home Minister, stating that Congress was engaging in heatrics after being stung and stunned by his address during the debate on the Constitution. Amit Shah exposed the Congress's dark history of insulting Dr. Ambedkar... They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics, Modi said. Congress' lies cannot hide its insults to Ambedkar, our reverence for him absolute: PM Modi (With inputs from PTI)

'Display of BJP's casteist, anti-Dalit mindset': Mamata attacks Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

KOLKATA: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha about BR Ambedkar were a display of the BJP's casteist and anti-Dalit mindset. Banerjee, the chief of the Trinamool Congress, termed the remarks derogatory, claiming that those were an insult to the millions of people who look up to Ambedkar for guidance and inspiration. The mask has fallen! As Parliament reflects on 75 glorious years of the Constitution, HM @AmitShah chose to TARNISH this occasion with DEROGATORY remarks against Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, that too in the temple of Democracy, she posted on X. INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament premises, demand Amit Shah's apology for Ambedkar remarks This is a display of BJP's CASTEIST and ANTI-DALIT mindset. If this is how they behave after being reduced to 240 seats, imagine the damage they would've inflicted if their dream of 400 seats had been realised. They'd have rewritten history to entirely erase Dr. Ambedkar's contributions, she alleged. Attacking the BJP, Banerjee claimed that what more could have been expected from a party that has internalised HATE and BIGOTRY. HM Amit Shah's remarks are an insult to the millions who look up to Babasaheb for guidance and inspiration. But what else can you expect from a party that has internalised HATE and BIGOTRY? she said. The mask has fallen! As Parliament reflects on 75 glorious years of the Constitution, HM @AmitShah chose to TARNISH this occasion with DEROGATORY remarks against Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, that too in the temple of Democracy. This is a display of BJPs CASTEIST and ANTI-DALIT Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 18, 2024 The CM reiterated that Ambedkar, the father of the Constitution, deserved to be respected. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is the Father of the Constitution, this outrageous remark is not only an outright attack on him but all members of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, which symbolised India's unity in diversity with members from all castes, creeds, ethnicities, and religions, Banerjee said. Sharing her post, the TMC claimed that Shah's remark wasn't a slip of the tongue but was deliberate. At a time when the Parliament is observing 75 years of the Indian Constitution, HM @AmitShah showed the audacity of insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar in his Rajya Sabha speech, the TMC posted on X. Make no mistake, it wasn't a slip of tongue; it was a deliberate, vile attack rooted in @BJP4India's deep-seated contempt for the Dalit community. This is the true face of a Party that thrives on CASTE SUPREMACY, SOCIAL DIVISION, and HATRED, it alleged. The TMC demanded an unconditional apology from Shah on the floor of Parliament. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the Upper House. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said, taking a swipe at the opposition. Shah was addressing the Rajya Sabha at the conclusion of a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India. Congress' lies cannot hide its insults to Ambedkar, our reverence for him absolute: PM Modi

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Congress demands resignation of Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks in the Rajya Sabha which it claimed were an insult to B R Ambedkar. The opposition party also demanded that Shah should apologise publicly and in Parliament for his remarks. Speaking with reporters in Parliament premises, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, We demand resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for 'insulting' Ambedkar; he should apologise to the nation. Addressing a press conference, Congress MP Neeraj Dangi said his party demands Shah's apology for the remarks. In Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah Ji said that taking the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar Ji has become a fashion. This is a direct insult to the Dalits of the country and Babasaheb, he said. Shah has shown the whole country what kind of thinking BJP leaders have, he said. The deprived and exploited class, which they have insulted, this is the same class which will reduce them from 240 to 40, Dangi said. On behalf of the Congress party, I demand that Amit Shah ji should apologize publicly and in the House. Considering what he has said about Babasaheb Ambedkar, he has lost the right to hold a constitutional post, Dangi said. He should resign from the post of Home Minister, he said. The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him. INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament premises, demand Amit Shah's apology for Ambedkar remarks Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said, taking a swipe at the opposition. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. - , , , , .. . . BJP RSS . pic.twitter.com/UMvMAq43O8 Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 17, 2024 Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states. Parliament adjourned till 2pm amid Opposition protests on various matters

INDIA bloc MPs protest, demand Amit Shah's apology for Ambedkar remarks

New Delhi: Several MPs of the INDIA bloc, including Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament premises on Wednesday demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's apology for his remarks which they claimed were an insult to B R Ambedkar. The MPs lined up in front of the steps of the Makar Dwar of Parliament carrying images of Ambedkar. They raised slogans such as 'Jai Bhim', 'Sangh ka Vidhan nahi chalega', and 'Amit Shah maafi maango'. MPs of the Congress, DMK, RJD, the Left, AAP, among others, participated in the protest. The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said, taking a swipe at the opposition. Congress president Kharge had also lashed out at Shah, saying the insult of Babasaheb by the home minister has once again proven that the BJP-RSS were against the tricolour, their forefathers opposed the Ashok Chakra and the people of the Sangh Parivar wanted to implement Manusmriti instead of the Constitution of India from the very first day. Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar Ji did not allow this to happen, that is why there is so much hatred towards him, Kharge had said. The ministers of the Modi government should understand carefully that for crores of people like me, Babasaheb Ambedkar is no less than God... He is and will always be the messiah of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities, and the poor, Kharge had said in a post in Hindi on X. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states.

INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament premises, demand Amit Shah's apology for Ambedkar remarks

NEW DELHI: Several MPs of the INDIA bloc, including Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament premises on Wednesday demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's apology for his remarks which they claimed were an insult to B R Ambedkar. The MPs lined up in front of the steps of the Makar Dwar of Parliament carrying images of Ambedkar. MPs of the Congress, DMK, RJD, the Left, and AAP, among others, participated in the protest. They raised slogans such as 'Jai Bhim', 'Sangh ka Vidhan nahi chalega' and 'Amit Shah maafi maango'. The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said, taking a swipe at the opposition. Congress president Kharge had also lashed out at Shah, saying the insult of Babasaheb by the home minister has once again proven that the BJP-RSS were against the tricolour, their forefathers opposed the Ashok Chakra and the people of the Sangh Parivar wanted to implement Manusmriti instead of the Constitution of India from the very first day. Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar Ji did not allow this to happen, that is why there is so much hatred towards him, Kharge had said. The ministers of the Modi government should understand carefully that for crores of people like me, Babasaheb Ambedkar is no less than God...He is and will always be the messiah of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities and the poor, Kharge had said in a post in Hindi on X. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states.

Congress demands Amit Shah's apology for 'Ambedkar remark'

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for B R Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him.Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah said, taking a swipe at the opposition. Shah said the BJP is happy that the Congress is taking Ambedkar's name but the party should also speak about its real sentiments towards him. He pointed out how Ambedkar had to resign from the first Cabinet citing his disagreement with the then Congress-led government's policies including Article 370. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at Shah, saying the 'insult' of Babasaheb by the home minister has once again proven that the BJP-RSS were against the tricolour, their forefathers opposed the Ashok Chakra and the people of the Sangh Parivar wanted to implement Manusmriti instead of the Constitution of India from the very first day. Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar Ji did not allow this to happen, that is why there is so much hatred towards him, Kharge said. The ministers of the Modi government should understand carefully that for crores of people like me, Babasaheb Ambedkar is no less than God... He is and will always be the messiah of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities and the poor, Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. In a post on X, Ramesh said, Amit Shah has said something very disgusting. This shows that the BJP and RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The hatred is such that they are annoyed even by his name. These are the same people whose ancestors used to burn the effigies of Baba Saheb, who themselves used to talk about changing the Constitution given by Baba Saheb, the Congress leader said. As the people taught them a lesson, they are now annoyed with those who take Baba Saheb's name, he said. Shameful! Amit Shah should apologise to the country for this, Ramesh asserted. Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal also hit out at Shah over his remarks. HM Amit Shah, in case you didn't know - Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is equivalent to God and the Constitution he drafted is a Holy Book for crores of people across the world. How dare you speak about Dr. Ambedkar with such disdain? he said. The BJP's disgust towards Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was always well known, and the Home Minister's pathetic statements in the Rajya Sabha today further confirm how much they hate and detest Dr. Ambedkar, Venugopal alleged in a post on X. The worshippers of Manusmriti will always have scorn towards Ambedkar, who rejected the horrible ideas espoused by the casteist RSS and their Manusmriti, he said. Those who spoke of changing the Constitution if they won 400+ seats, are now openly mocking our country's reverence for Dr. Ambedkar, Venugopal said. Those who pretended to bow before him could not hide their true feelings for too long, and this dangerous statement from the BJP top brass shows they have lost the right to speak about Ambedkar ever again, he said. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states.

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Girl suicide case: Suspects plea against chargesheet dismissed

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday dismissed the petition filed by the hostel warden accused of abetting the suicide of a 17-year-old girl student in Michealpatti of Thanjavur in 2022. The sole accused in the case, Sister Sagaya Mary, had filed the petition seeking to quash the chargesheet filed by the CBI against her in the Tiruchy court. According to CBI, the deceased, a Class 12 student at a Christian missionary school in Thanjavur died by suicide in January 2022. The CBI told the HC that the girl took the extreme step not due to pressure of religious conversion but due to the pressure exerted by the accused, ordering her to perform several chores in the hostel. However, Mary denied the allegations and claimed in her petition that allegations were vague, unsubstantiated, and appeared to be based solely on vague statements by deceased on some stray incidents. Justice G Ilangovan rejected her contentions, and considering the severity of the allegations, dismissed the petition.

Modi holds talks with Sri Lankan President Disanayaka

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held extensive talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, focusing on further shoring up India-Sri Lankan cooperation in a range of areas, including defence, trade and investment.The Sri Lankan leader arrived in Delhi on Sunday, his first foreign trip after becoming president in September. Ahead of the talks, Disanayaka was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. An extensive agenda encompassing trade, investment, development and security cooperation will be discussed, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X' ahead of the Modi-Disanayaka talks. Fostering strong ties with s closest maritime neighbour. PM @narendramodi warmly received President @anuradisanayake of Sri Lanka at Hyderabad House. An extensive agenda encompassing trade, investment, development and security cooperation will be discussed. pic.twitter.com/fdWJLClirN Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 16, 2024 On Sunday, the Sri Lankan leader held separate meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. The Sri Lankan leader will also meet President Droupadi Murmu. Disanayaka is scheduled to attend a business event in Delhi to promote investment and commercial linkages between India and Sri Lanka. He is also scheduled to visit Bodh Gaya. Sri Lanka is India's closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and holds a central place in Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. The visit of President Disanayaka to India is expected to further strengthen the multi-faceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, it said. Issues relating to maritime security cooperation are likely to figure during Disanayaka's visit, people familiar with the matter said. India has been expanding its overall defence and strategic ties with Sri Lanka amid concerns over China's attempts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean. The docking of the Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang' at Hambantota port in August 2022 had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka. Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port in August last year. India has been supporting various capacity-building measures of Sri Lankan defence forces, including providing indigenously constructed Offshore Patrol Vessels.

Sri Lankan President to visit Bodh Gaya on Dec 17

Does CM Siddaramaiah set Congress on a collision course with Lingayats?

Wittingly or unwittingly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has set the Congress on a collision course with the Lingayat community in Karnataka. The Governments brash handling of the Panchamsali Lingayats agitation and the community seers call for intensifying the movement indicates that it could cause more bad blood. The Panchamsali, a numerically strong sub-sect in the Lingayat community, is in the 3B OBC category with a 5 % reservation in education and employment. They are demanding inclusion into the 2A category which would give them access to 15 % reservation. Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami, head of Kudalasangama Panchamsali Peeta, is heading the movement. Images of protesters bleeding after being caned by the police, who stopped them from entering the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises in Belagavi earlier this week, could haunt the Congress for a long time. As things stand now, it seems highly unlikely that there will be any drastic change in the way its leadership is handling the sensitive issue. Indicating the governments stand on the issue, the CM termed the demand unconstitutional. Home Minister G Parameshwara defended the lathi charge and rejected the demand for a probe and action against police officials. The administration accused the protesters of pelting stones leaving many policemen injured. The issue rocked the ongoing winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi. Members from the Opposition and ruling parties engaged in heated exchanges over the administrations handling of the protest. Congress may have matched or even outdid the BJP during their heated exchanges in the assembly, but its problem is way beyond that. Failure to deftly handle the agitation and the hardline stance subsequently could pit the community against the party. Much of that could have been averted had those in power anticipated the situation and made enough efforts to defuse it before it took a violent turn leaving many protestors and policemen injured. It is obvious that they either failed to read the situation or handle it delicately. The government may have limitations and reasons for not making any commitment to considering the Panchamsalis demand. Also, the challenge is to do justice to one community without causing injustice to others. Members of the Karnataka State Backward Castes Federation have urged the CM not to consider the Panchamsali community request as it would undermine those communities in the 2A category of reservation benefits. The Federation even warned the CM of launching statewide agitation if the government considers Panchamsalis demand. Congress lawmakers from the Lingayat community seem concerned over the stand taken by the government and the community leaders. Senior Congress leader and legislator Laxman Savadis impassioned call for MLAs from ruling and opposition parties to work together to resolve the issue showed their predicament. Savadi, a former Deputy Chief Minister in the BJP government, who joined Congress before the 2023 assembly polls said that all of them including the CM are in favour of providing reservation for the community. He suggests that they should work together to explore the possibility of finding a way to utilize a certain percentage from the 10 % quota for the Economically Weaker Section [EWS]. The senior Congress leader even apologized, on behalf of the government, for the unsavory developments. Savadi comes from the Lingayat-dominated North Karnataka region and is keen on sending a message that they are not against the communitys demand. However, the firm stand taken by the CM and the police action seem to be putting leaders like Savadi in a tight spot. The Congress has been making efforts to woo the Lingayat community and it would be wary of antagonizing them. In the 1989 elections, the Congress won 178 out of 224 seats, but after Veerandra Patils unceremonious removal from the CMs post in 1990, the party suffered a humiliating defeat in 1994, winning only 34 seats. Any misstep in handling the Panchamsali agitation could be a setback for Congresss efforts to win back the communitys full support. The only respite for the party is that there are no major elections now. It may not be a significant issue in the upcoming local body elections, as they are mostly fought on local issues and candidates direct rapport with voters. But, if the movement is sustained, it could have an impact on Congress. The community is firm on continuing the agitation till its demands are fulfilled. The Panchamsali seer is demanding the CM to apologize to the Lingayat community and take action against the police officials. The seer claims that before the assembly polls Siddaramaiah, through his followers, assured them of considering their demands but had changed tack after coming to power. Our agitation will continue till we have a CM who will consider our demands, the seer declared, making it clear that the community is in no mood to budge.

Ktaka quota row: Backward Class forum chief warns Lingayat seer over tinkering with reservations

Ktaka quota row: Backward Class forum chief warns Lingayat seer over tinkering with reservations Bengaluru: The reservation quota row in Karnataka on Saturday took a serious turn with the President of the Backward Classes Awareness Forum warning the Kudalasangama Panchamasali Mutt seer Basava Jayamrutynjaya that if he tries to take away the reservation quota of [] The post Ktaka quota row: Backward Class forum chief warns Lingayat seer over tinkering with reservations appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Vidushi Lalith J. Rao on gayaki, gharanas, and her legacy

The senior Hindustani vocalist, who was conferred the Gurumaa Annapoorna Devi Award recently, shares her experiences learning under three masters and the importance of archiving Agra-Atrauli gharana

Ensure surveillance in Bodh Gaya: DM

Krishna Gana Sabha launches its 68th Margazhi mela with awards to vocalists and dancers

Vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri and danseuse Geeta Chandran presented Choodamani awards

Ensure surveillance in Bodh Gaya, says DM

IHM Bodh Gaya hosts meet of CBSE school principals

Ruckus again in Council over Panchamasali reservation

Discussion on the demand for inclusion of Lingayat Panchamasali community under 2A category results in heated debate, chaos

Treesa-Gayatri bow out of BWF World Tour Finals

HANGZHOU, Dec 13: Indian womens doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand missed out on a semifinal spot at the BWF World Tour Finals after losing to Japans Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida in straight games in their third and final group A match here on Friday. Treesa and Gayatri, who won their maiden BWF Super 300 title at Syed Modi International in Lucknow recently, lost 17-21 13-21 to their world number 4 opponents in 49 minutes. It was [] The post Treesa-Gayatri bow out of BWF World Tour Finals appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

For police action, Congress will face music in polls: Seer

BELAGAVI: Slamming the state government over the police action against the members of the Panchamasali community, who were protesting for 2-A reservation here on Tuesday, Basavajaya Mrityunjaya Swamiji of the Panchamasali Peetha, Kudalasangama said, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has behaved very rudely with Lingayats, who are the main reason for his party coming to power. He has given us the lathicharge as a return gift. The Congress will face the consequences in the coming elections. The seer staged a protest by blocking National Highway-4 near Hirebagewadi toll gate on Thursday to condemn the lathicharge on the agitators during a protest near Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday. The agitators who accompanied the seer were taken into custody and released soon after, for blocking the highway for nearly 30 minutes. Lashing out at the Congress government and the CM, the seer alleged, When the lathicharge was ordered, an MLA from our community requested the CM to stop it. But Siddaramaiah allowed it, claiming that they were trying to threaten him. The MLA has told me in person. One can confirm it by checking the CCTV footage in the Soudha. We had appreciated him when he had announced Lord Basaveshwara as the Cultural Leader of the State. But he has shown his true colours and stand for Lingayats. We will elect the chief minister in 2028, who will respect our community. Siddaramaiahs government should make it clear that they cannot give reservation to our community. We will find our own way. This government should immediately withdraw the cases registered against the agitators, he concluded.

Panchamsalis agitation: Dr G Parameshwara says cops have videos of violence; Yatnal calls lathicharge unwarranted

BELAGAVI: Despite the Opposition demanding stringent action against the top police officers allegedly responsible for the lathicharge on protesters during the Panchamsalis agitation for 2-A reservation in front of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here on Tuesday, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara made it clear in the Legislative Assembly that everything about the violence which took place during the protest is crystal clear and that the government will not investigate the incident or initiate action against any of the said officials in this regard. Responding to a debate on the police lathicharge, Parameshwara said there was no need for an investigation into it since the police have the videos and photos of the violence, and also the identification of those who threw stones during the violence. Everything about the violent incident is in black and white and the police acted responsibly to maintain law and order. At least 25 policemen were injured in stone-throwing, he said. Legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal called the lathicharge unwarranted and said the government had done injustice to the Panchamsalis, who were peacefully staging an agitation. He said some of the top police officials, including an ADGP, acted irresponsibly during the violence and ordered the lathicharge needlessly. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka and Deputy Leader of Opposition Aravind Bellad also demanded stringent action against the police and hit out at the government for defending the police action. Earlier in the Assembly, Congress member Vijayanand Kashappanavar, who is the national president of the Panchamasali Reservation Agitation Committee, expressed concern over the police action, but held the BJP leaders present in the protest responsible for the police action on the protesters. He further charged that Tuesdays protest was BJP-sponsored and some vested interests were misleading the community and members belonging to the RSS were responsible for the violence during the protest. Angered over this remark, the BJP strongly objected to it and demanded the Speaker to expunge the Congress members remark on the RSS by standing on their toes. However, the Congress ministers and members defended what Kashappanavar said. While the House witnessed uproar, the Congress member went on speaking about the flaws in the reservation given for the Lingayats by carving out a 2D category by the Basavaraj Bommai government. He accused that the members of the community were not benefited by this due to an affidavit filed by the BJP government. So the state government was in a helpless situation to take any action on the demand of the Panchamasali members. The same sentiment was echoed by Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. The remark being made by the minister was strongly objected by BJP members, who said the House was discussing the statement made by the home minister, but not the demand of the 2A category reservation. Though BJP member Sunil Kumar raised the point of order, the Speaker did not consider it and allowed Gowda to speak. As the bedlam continued, the speaker adjourned the House for lunch break. While coming out, the BJP members accused the Speaker of being biased and went to register their protest to his chamber. The House witnessed uproar when it resumed post-lunch once again when Yatnal indirectly warned ADGP R Hitendra for ordering a lathicharge on agitating Panchamasali protesters for no reason by saying that the present government might protect him, but the BJP would come to power next time. When the BJP MLA said he would complain about the ADGP to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Congress members countered him vehemently, citing the federal structure and the Constitution. Earlier, Yatnal faced the wrath of the Congress members, when he said Siddaramaiah was anti-Hindu and the latter insisted the Speaker expunge the remark from the record. Yatnal further said that Lingayats and Hindus are not safe in the state.

Failure to handle Panchamasali stir in Karnataka could cost Congress in long run

BENGALURU: The failure to handle the Panchamasali Lingayat communitys stir demanding the 2A tag, that resulted in violence, including stone throwing and police lathicharge on protesters in Belagavi, is likely to have its own ramifications on the ruling Congress government, as part of North Karnataka is engulfed in protests. Rubbing salt on the wound, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday stated that the community seeking the 2A tag is unconstitutional, while Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara defended the mild lathicharge as the protesters had taken the law into their hands. But Panchamasali Lingayat religious head Sri Jayamruthyunjaya Swami, who had led the protest, hit back at Parameshwara, saying he had not violated the law. We felt that Parameshwara, a devotee of Siddaganga Mutt (near Tumakuru) was pro-Lingayat, which was why he won the Koratagere seat with the backing of the community. But Lingayats will now repent and teach him a lesson, he said. Being a Kuruba community icon, Siddaramaiah is unlikely to include Panchamasali Lingayats that will disturb the backward classes. In fact, he had sent a proposal to the Centre to include Kurubas in the ST category. He knew that without constitutional intervention, it is not possible to reallocate quota, observed political analysts. On Wednesday, backward classes federation leaders threw their weight behind Siddaramaiah. They insisted that the 2A tag should not be given to Panchamasali Lingayats as it will affect the prospects of backward classes, including Kurubas, who are also in the 2A quota. The previous Basavaraj Bommai government had scrapped 4 per cent quota for backward Muslims under 2B, and shared 2 per cent each among Vokkaligas (3A) and Lingayats (3B) by creating 2C and 2D. But Muslims moved the Supreme Court, which ordered the government to maintain status quo. Following the order, the Bommai government had filed an affidavit in the SC to this effect. Sources said Siddaramaiah wanted to explain this, and had asked Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar to hold a meeting of stakeholders, including the swamiji, to assuage the protesting community. In 2013, the lathicharge on the SC left community demanding classification of SC quota at Suvarna Vikasa Soudha in Belagavi, was a factor in the BJPs debacle in the assembly polls. A similar situation now could backfire on the Congress in future elections, say analysts. This incident should not have happened, and its now taking a political twist, admitted a Congress leader from the Panchamasali Lingayat community. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah calls Panchamsalis `pressure tactic' for 2-A reservation as unconstitutional

New rain spell threatens rural Puducherry already reeling under floods

PUDUCHERRY: Flood-affected residents of rural Puducherry are grappling with severe challenges as the potential threat of flooding again looms over the region owing to the latest rain spell and subsequent release of excess water from Sathanur and Veedur dams. With their belongings, food stock, and essential appliances destroyed by the flood caused by the previous bout of rain, the residents are already struggling to secure necessities. Renuka, an agricultural labourer from Soriyankuppam, said whatever little rice she had along with all the utensils got washed away in the floods. I can't put food on the table as work is scarce now since most farmlands are inundated. How will I feed my family? Please tell someone to help, she pleaded while speaking to TNIE. Renuka supports her three children and aged mother, who live in a flood-damaged hut. The devastation extends beyond food and shelter. Many families have lost important documents, including educational certificates, Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and revenue certificates. The flooding caught us unawares. There was no time to gather any documents while fleeing to safety, recalled Kuber S, a resident of Kariyamputhur. Farmers, daily-wage labourers, and others in the unorganised sector have been left without work due to the floods. The farmers are waiting for the water to drain out so they can weed out damaged crops and re-sow, but they need financial support for that. Dairy farmers who lost their cattle, and others like painters, masons, and agricultural labourers are also without work due to the rains, Kuber added. For MNREGA workers and elderly pensioners, the situation is equally dire. With no work and lost rice stock from the public distribution system, many are dependent on external help. The elderly, who rely on government pensions and PDS rice, are particularly vulnerable as they have to depend on someone to take them to the bank to withdraw money, said Gayathri Srikanth, Founder-President of Save Pondy. In several homes, cooking is an issue now as they prepare food outside homes using firewood. Though many have gas connections, the paucity of cash has come in the way of them availing a cylinder refill, said Gayathri Health concerns are also mounting as people continue to wade through floodwater. Walking in the water for long hours, handling water-soaked articles, and cleaning flooded homes have led to several people sustaining sore feet and hands. We have distributed sore feet medicine to over 1,000 people, Gayathri explained. Sewage mixed with floodwater entering homes has rendered many clothes unusable for the residents, adding to their struggle. We have visited the affected villages and distributed food, milk powder, mosquito coils, and other essentials like innerwear, she said adding that the residents required more such support.

Why such hatred against Lingayats & Vokkaligas? Yatnal questions Karnataka govt - Deccan Herald

Why such hatred against Lingayats & Vokkaligas? Yatnal questions Karnataka govt Deccan Herald

BJP Slams Karnataka CM for Lathi Charge on Panchamasali Protesters

Belagavi : BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of displaying arrogance and high-handedness in governance, a sentiment echoed by the people of Karnataka. Speaking at a protest organized by the BJP near Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue outside Suvarna Soudha to condemn the police lathi charge on Panchamasali Lingayat activists, Vijayendra criticized the Chief Minister for not visiting the protest site to meet Swamijis and representatives of the farming community. Even while being at Suvarna Soudha, the Chief Minister did not make an effort to meet Jayamruthyunjaya Swamiji. Instead, innocent protesters were subjected to a lathi charge, which is an inexcusable offense in the land of Chennamma, he said. Vijayendra demanded an explanation from the Chief Minister for the lathi charge and insisted on action against the police officers responsible. He asserted that both BJP and JD(S) would raise the issue in both Houses of the Assembly. Leader of the Opposition in Assembly R. Ashoka demanded a judicial inquiry into the lathi charge incident and the suspension of the police officers responsible for the incident. Speaking to reporters, Ashoka said that members of these communities were protesting for reservation, but the police resorted to a violent lathi charge, leaving more than ten people hospitalized. He noted that the incident has provoked widespread anger, leading to protests across the state. We condemned this incident in the Assembly. The state government must immediately order a judicial inquiry and take strict action against the guilty police officers, he said. Ashoka also called on the government to apologize for the attack on the Panchamasalis, whom he described as providers of food to the community. Despite our demand, Congress leaders have refused to apologize. Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara even defended the lathi charge as justified. The government will have to face the consequences of this in the coming days, he warned. Criticizing the mention of the RSS in discussions related to the lathi charge, Ashoka termed it unacceptable and demanded that the reference be expunged from the records. Meanwhile, Panchamasali Lingayats staged protests in various places against the lathi charge on demonstrators demanding 2A reservation outside Suvarna Soudha two days ago. The protests were part of a call by Sri Basava Jayamruthyunjaya Swamiji for demonstrations in villages, taluks, and districts. You came to power with our votes, but instead, our people were caned, Swamiji said, warning that the communitys anger would be reflected in the next election. You should clarify whether Panchamasalis will receive reservation. If not, we will decide our path. All cases should be withdrawn, and the government should apologize. We will continue our peaceful protest, the seer added.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah calls Panchamsalis `pressure tactic' for 2-A reservation as unconstitutional

BELAGAVI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calls the Panchamsali 'pressure tactic' for reservation under 2-A category as totally unconstitutional, and gives an indication that the government is not serious about the demand of Panchamsalis. The CM called the demand of Panchamsalis for reservation as a 'pressure tactic.' Replying to the question of MLC Hanumanth Nirani during the zero hour in the Legislative Council on Thursday, he said that there is a set procedure for adding or deleting any community from the backward class category. He said that as per the Supreme Courts constitutional bench order of 1992, every State government and the Central government must set a permanent backward classes commission for addition or deletion of communities from the category. The commission has to go through various norms before giving recommendations. He said that it was during the tenure of Former Chief Minister, S M Krishna In 2002, the government made categories as Category 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B for giving reservations to the backward communities. At that time there was no demand from the Panchamsali community to include them in 2A category, he said. Claiming that it was Former Minister, Murgesh Nirnai who began raising the issue when he was denied Minister in the previous BJP government, MLC and his brother, Hanumath Nirani took exception to the remark. Nirani said that the agitation has been going on for over three decades and accused the CM of giving false and misleading information. Several other BJP MLCs also joined Nirani and criticized the CM. However, the CM who stood by his word, wondered if the demand has existed for three decades, then why it was never raised in 2002 when categories were made. Moreover, I have been in the assembly for over 4 decades. I have seen several agitations, but this agitation was never seen, he said. Continuing his reply, showing the documents, he claimed that the previous BJP government had given an affidavit in the High Court that it will not alter the reservation given under 2A. Despite that, the BJP government, only for political gains, took away four per cent reservation given to Muslims under 2A and divided them among Panchamasali and Vokkaligas. But the decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, the BJP government told the court that it will not implement its order till the final order of the SC, he said. Interfering in the reply, BJP MLC Ravi Kumar claimed that reservation given for Muslims is unconstitutional as the constitution does not allow religion based reservation. To this, Congress MLC, Dr. Yathindra said that if that was true, then why the BJP does not go to Court to counter it. CM, in his reply, said that the BJP Gujarat government too has already given reservation to Muslims for years. This reply led to heated arguments between the ruling and opposition MLCs. Even before the CM could end his reply, Chairman Basavaraj Horatti adjourned the house for lunch. Panchamsali seer staged protest on NH4 near toll gate to condemn Lathi Charge Chief Minister Siddaramai has behaved rudely with the Lingayat. Lingayats are the main reason for his party to come into government. He has given a return gift as 'Lathi Charge' to us. Congress party will face its consequences in next elections warned Basavajay Mrityunjay swami of Panchamasali Peeth, Kudalasangama. He staged a sitting protest by blocking national highway-4 near Hire Bagewadi toll gate on Thursday to condemn the Lathi Charge on the agitators during a protest near Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) on Tuesday. The agitators accompanied by Swami were taken into custody and released soon after for closing the national highway for nearly half hour. Lashing out Congress government, Chief Minister Siddaramaih, Swami said, 'When 'Lathi Charge' was resorted, one MLA of our community has requested CM to stop this act. But, Siddaramaih told him to let them beat as they are trying to threaten me, and we also have sticks'. The MLA has told me about this matter to him in person. One can confirm it by checking the CCTV camera in SVS' said Mrityunjay swami. We had appreciated him when he had announced Lord Basaveshwar as 'Cultural leader of the state'. But, he has shown his true colors and stands for Lingayats. We will elect the chief minister in 2028, who will respect our community. Siddaramaih's government should make it clear that they cannot give reservation to the Panchamsali community. We will find our own way. This government should immediately withdraw the case registered against the agitators he said.

Lingayat MLAs in Cong have not condemned lathi charge: MLA Bellad

Panchamasali Lingayats intensify stir demanding 2A quota, OBCs oppose

Panchamasali Lingayats in Karnataka are intensifying protests, demanding reclassification to the 2A quota category from their current 2B status. Led by a religious leader, the agitation puts pressure on the ruling Congress ahead of local elections, while the BJP backs the protestors. Other OBC communities oppose the demand, citing potential harm to existing quota beneficiaries.

Ktaka quota stir: Siddaramaiah is anti-Lingayat, says Panchamasali seer

Ktaka quota stir: Siddaramaiah is anti-Lingayat, says Panchamasali seer Belagavi: Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peeth seer Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami leading the protests demanding reservation for the Panchamasali Lingayat sect under the 2A Category, came down heavily on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday and stated that he is anti-Lingayat. Speaking to the media in Belagavi, while staging [] The post Ktaka quota stir: Siddaramaiah is anti-Lingayat, says Panchamasali seer appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

BWF World Tour Finals: Treesa-Gayatri pair wins second match to keep semifinal hopes alive

Hangzhou, Dec 12: The Indian womens doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand defeated the Malaysian combination of Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan in straight games in their second Group A tie to keep alive their semifinal hopes at the BWF World Tour Finals here on Thursday. Treesa and Gayatri, the only Indians to have qualified for the season-ending tournament, beat their opponents 21-19 21-19 in just 46 minutes to stay afloat in the competition. Earlier on Wednesday, the [] The post BWF World Tour Finals: Treesa-Gayatri pair wins second match to keep semifinal hopes alive appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Lingayat Panchamsali community members led by seer stage rasta roko at Hirebagewadi - Deccan Herald

Lingayat Panchamsali community members led by seer stage rasta roko at Hirebagewadi Deccan Herald

Seer accuses government of suppressing Panchamasali protest with lathicharge

BELAGAVI: A day after a massive protest by members of the Panchamasali community turned violent here, with the police needing to lathicharge the protesters, Basavajaya Mrityunjaya Swami of the Panchamasali Peetha, Kudalsangama, alleged that the government resorted to the said action during their agitation in order to exact revenge. If there was no order from the chief minister for a lathicharge, then he should demand resignations from the police officers who ordered the action, the seer said. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the seer said, We have been carrying out our struggle for 2A quota since the past four years in a peaceful manner and have never entertained violence. There was no pressure or harassment with our protest that was held in 12 districts. But there was no response from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Therefore, we had tried to put pressure on the government by holding a tractor rally during the winter session in Belagavi. But as per the courts conditions, we carried out a peaceful protest at a designated place and wanted to meet the CM. However, the government sent three ministers to listen to our demands. The ADGP said that the CM wont come to the protest place, and we decided to move to a place where the CM would be available, Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. When we tried to move, the police started caning us, to exact revenge. They attacked agitators and advocates, he said. None of the previous CMs have made such an attack on agitators. There was no need for the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government to target Lingayats in such a way. We have to take a different path if this government starts targeting our communitys MLAs and refuse to give us reservation. This government has earned a bad name by attacking the community. The attack was planned. The police department has now booked some of our activists, he alleged, appealing to the leaders of the community to register a case against the ADGP and other police officers, who resorted to the lathicharge, instead of trying to speak to the agitators. The seer further called upon community leaders to organise protests to condemn the attack in every district and taluk centres this month. I will stage a dharna at Hirebagewadi and Hattargi Toll Plaza. Our protest will not stop at any cost, and will continue in a legitimate way. It will be intensified from now on. This government is making all-out efforts to suppress the Lingayat movement, he added.

Siddaramaiah is anti-Lingayat, should apologise for lathi-charge: Seer slams Karnataka CM - Deccan Herald

Siddaramaiah is anti-Lingayat, should apologise for lathi-charge: Seer slams Karnataka CM Deccan Herald

Four roads to be renovated in Gaya

A symphony of tradition and talent

CHENNAI: Beneath the watchful gaze of a Ganesha idol in shades of ivory and gold, Shringar 2024 bloomed like a living painting bright marigold garlands lined the edge of the stage, singers dressed in vibrant sarees and golden jewels, the rhythmic beats of the mridangam and the strains of the veena. As students of MOP Vaishnav College for Women ushered in the inaugural ceremony of the event, the air was filled with devotion and celebration. The event, jointly hosted by the Shri Vallabh Cultural Academy and the college, was graced by the presence of Carnatic classical musician, Aruna Sairam, the recipient of the prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi title. The New Indian Express is the print partner of the three-day event. Celebrating art and culture The inauguration ceremony was held at the college auditorium on Monday. Archna Prasad, principal of MOP Vaishnav College, began the evening with a heartfelt welcome. She shared, It is not every day that we come across a woman achiever of your stature brave yet gentle, strong yet graceful, and powerful yet humane. This is exactly what we hope for every young woman passing out of MOP Vaishnav College to become. She continued, I must admit, standing here with maam Aruna Sairam is a fangirl moment for me, and I am sure many others in the audience feel the same way. Your voice has lifted all of us at some point in our lives, but it is your personality your humility and grace that truly inspires. Her words were met with applause, as the audience a mix of faculty, students, and cultural connoisseurs awaited the much-awaited speech by Aruna Sairam. Reflection on musical journey Aruna began her address with characteristic warmth. She said, It is such a pleasure to be here with all the young, beautiful, and self-confident women, who have turned out in your glorious attire. The sari is an elegant part of our culture, and seeing you all in these beautiful garments has truly made my day. She appreciated the musical excellence she had witnessed earlier in the programme, acknowledging the students talent and dedication. Urging the women in the audience to be confident, she said, Women, remember, you are the ones who must awaken to your potential. No one else can do it for you. It is essential to realise your giftedness and strive for it, even if others dont understand. She added, Often, as women, we are conditioned to be nurturers, to put others before ourselves. While this is noble, it can sometimes limit our growth. But remember, you must speak up, voice your desires, and ask for guidance when you need it. There is always someone willing to help you on your journey. A cultural extravaganza The evening proceeded with a classical dance performance by Shivangi Rajesh, a disciple of Kalaimamani Priya Jayaraman. In her closing remarks, Archna Prasad acknowledged the collective efforts that made Shringar 2024 a reality, particularly the contributions of the dean of students, Jaishree S. Shringar has become a symbol of cultural excellence, and each year, we strive to raise the bar. I extend my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly to make this event a success. The second day of the event witnessed a drama performance, Vallamai Thaaraayoh, directed by Kalai Ilamani S Sruuthi and presented by Naatya Naadha Nataka Sangamam. Shringar 2024 concludes today with an exceptional line-up of performances. The final day will feature a soulful vocal concert at 3.00 pm by Krithika Natarajan, a disciple of Vidushis Ranjani-Gayatri, accompanied by Madan Mohan on the violin and Guru Raghavendra on the mridangam. At 4.00 pm, the celebration will continue with a classical dance performance by Priyanka, a disciple of Varsha Radhakrishnan of Bharathi Natya Kendra, Bengaluru.

Focus on solar energy, security to boost tourism in Bodh Gaya

Lingayat quota stir turns violent in Karnataka, 50 hurt

A protest by the Lingayat Panchamasali community in Belagavi, India, demanding increased reservation quotas, turned violent. Police clashed with protesters who attempted to breach barricades, resulting in injuries and arrests. Internal disputes within the BJP surfaced during the demonstration, adding to the chaotic scene.

Panchamsali protest for reservation near SVS turns violent, several injured in lathi charge

BELAGAVI: A massive agitation by Panchamsali Lingayats near Suvarna Vidhana Soudha during the winter session demanding 2-A category reservation turned violent as protesters tried to remove barricades and threw stones while attempting to march towards the building. To control the situation, police resorted to a lathi charge, leaving over 50 protesters and several police personnel injured. The Belagavi police took about 500 agitators including Basavajaya Mrityunjaya Swami of Panchamasali Peeth, Vijaypura MLA Basanagouda Patil- Yatnal, MLA Aravind Bellad and several other noted Panchamsali leaders into custody. Earlier, the cabinet minister's HC Mahadevappa, K Venkatesh and Dr MC Sudhakar visited the protest venue at Konduskoppa village in front of SVS and assured agitators of conveying their message to Chief MInister Siddaramaiah. However, the agitators headed by Basavajaya Mrityunjaya Swami and Vijaypura MLA Basangouda Patil- Yatnal were not convinced by the ministers' response. Mrityunjay Swami said We (protesters) are waiting for the CM to meet us at the protest site. He should have met us in front of all the agitators and made his stand clear about the giving reservation to the Panchamsalis. A delegation of only two to four people cannot meet him as our demand is serious,'' he said and announced that all the protesters should head towards Rani Channamma statue situated in Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises to stage a protest until the CM met the protesters. When the agitators, at least 10,000 of them started moving towards under the leadership of advocates only to be stopped by the police near the national highway, in front of SVS. In an attempt to barge in, the protesters attempted to remove barricades to gain entry into the Soudha. To pacify the agitators, the police resorted to lathi charge which left many protesters bleeding and severely injured. Angry over the police action, several protesters began throwing stones on the police and several of them slept on the national highway and brought the movement of vehicles for a grinding halt for around two hours. To bring the situation under control, the police took more than 500 agitators, including Basavajaya Mrityunjay Swami of Panchamasalli peetha , MLA Basangouda Patil-Yatnal and MLA Aravind Bellad into preventive custody. In the meantime, the CM and his convoy was given a safe passage by the police to move out of SVS and return to his hotel room, neglecting the protesters. The police blocked the national highway and parked a crane and truck on the road to ensure that the CM's vehicle took the Belagavi city route out of SVS.

Lingayats protest demanding 2A reservation

The protest, organized under the banner of Panchamasali Sangharsha Samavesha, was led by Lingayat Panchamasali Seer Basavajaya Mrityunjaya Swamiji and held near the Suvarna Soudha in the morning

Focus on solar energy and enhanced security to boost Bodh Gaya tourism

Karnataka: Protests over Lingayat community's quota demand turn violent - NewsBytes

Karnataka: Protests over Lingayat community's quota demand turn violent NewsBytes

BJP's 'Dictator' Jibe At Karnataka Govt After 'Lathi-Charge' During Reservation Protest

Karnataka Reservation Protests: The BJP attacked Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka over 'lathi charge' by police on Panchamasali Lingayat community members demanding reservation.

Anubhava Mantapa work half done, likely to miss Dec 2025 deadline

BENGALURU: The state governments ambitious project, Anubhava Mantapa , a replica of the worlds first parliament from the 12th century AD in Basavakalyan taluk, Bidar district, is expected to take more time to complete. The project aims to promote the teachings of the social reformer Basavanna. It was proposed in 2016 during Siddaramaiahs first tenure as chief minister and received cabinet approval in 2019. The foundation was laid in January 2021 by the then Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, shortly before bypolls in the Basavakalyan constituency. Six Floors, 770 Pillars Even after four years, the project remains incomplete. As per the plan, the complex will feature six floors and 770 pillars, each representing one of Basavannas 770 followers. The building will be designed in the Chalukyan architectural style. Construction was delayed even after Yediyurappa laid the foundation in 2021, with work commencing only in 2022. According to officials from the Basavakalyan Development Board, as of now, only 50% of the construction is complete. The tentative deadline for completion is December 2025, but the project is expected to extend into 2026. Initially, the cost estimate during Yediyurappas tenure was low, but additional facilities and modifications led to a significant cost escalation. In 2022, administrative approval was granted for a revised estimate of Rs 612 crore, and a work order was issued to a Pune-based company. Of this, Rs 290 crore has been released so far, sources reported. Deadlines have been revised multiple times. In 2021, Yediyurappa set a two-year deadline. Later, in May 2022, Basavaraj Bommai, then chief minister, extended it to three years. Earlier this year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the project would be completed in 2025. However, with only 50% of the work completed, this deadline also appears unlikely to be met. The project is seen as an effort to woo Lingayats, but continued delays may affect its intended impact.

Waqf, Panchamasali quota issues rock Houses

BELAGAVI: Both Houses witnessed heated debates on the Waqf issue and the demand to increase reservations for the Panchamasali Lingayat community on Monday. As soon as the session began, MLAs from the ruling and opposition parties traded accusations and blamed each other over the demand for increasing reservations for Panchamasalis, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader adjourned the House for an hour. The Upper House also witnessed noisy scenes during the debate on the demand for more quotas for Panchamasalis. Chairman Basavaraj Horatti adjourned the House temporarily as his efforts to pacify the irate members failed. Given the first days developments, both Houses are likely to witness heated debates on Tuesday as well. According to sources in the BJP, their legislators are prepared to target the ruling Congress over the Waqf issue when it comes up for discussion, particularly in the Lower House. In the Council, the discussion on the Waqf issue was allowed under Rule 68 after opposition members appealed to Horatti, stating that many landowners, particularly farmers, had been affected by the Waqf Boards notices claiming rights over their lands. Leader of Opposition in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy , claimed that landowners, especially farmers, were living in fear of losing their lands. He alleged that the problem started when the then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru gave unchecked powers to the Waqf Boards. Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad countered this claim, stating that the law was initially framed during British rule in 1913 and came into force in 1923. Dont mislead people by suggesting the Act was formulated by the Congress government, he said. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Priyank Kharge accused BJP legislators of spreading false information on the Waqf issue . Ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao and Kharge, along with other Congress MLCs, presented documents showing that several notices had been issued to farmers and other landowners by the Waqf Board during the BJP's rule. The House descended into chaos when BJP MLC C.T. Ravi alleged that the UPA government had amended the Waqf Act, granting unchecked powers to the Waqf Boards. Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad raised a point of order, objecting to Ravi's statement and asserting that no such amendment was made by the UPA government. Congress MLCs Abdul Jabbar and Nasir Ahmed challenged Ravi, stating they would resign if he proved his claim. If you dont prove it, you should resign, Nasir told Ravi. Deputy Chairperson M.K. Pranesh attempted to restore order but was unsuccessful. Eventually, the House was adjourned for the day.

Siddaramaiah may restore 4% Muslim quota in Karnataka

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah hinted at restoring the 4% Muslim quota scrapped by the BJP, citing the latter's affidavit in court. This sparked a debate in the assembly, with BJP demanding proof. Simultaneously, the government restricted a Panchamasali Lingayat protest for reservation, leading to further clashes.

CM Siddaramaiah to Present SC Order on Panchamasali 2A Quota

Belagavi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today announced that the Supreme Courts order and the affidavit submitted by the previous government regarding the Panchamasali 2A reservation will be tabled in the state assembly. He was speaking during the winter session at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on Monday. The Panchamasali community has long demanded inclusion under the 2A category. After assuming office, I have met their leaders, including Jayamrityunjaya Swamiji, twice and assured my support, he said. The CM explained that Karnataka categorizes backward classes into Category-1, 2A, 3A, and 3B. Currently, the Veerashaiva-Lingayat and Panchamasali communities are under Category-3B. However, moving them to Category-2A requires a report from the states Permanent Backward Classes Commission. He explained that the previous Basavaraj Bommai-led government did not include Panchamasalis in 2A but redistributed the 4 percent reservation allocated to Muslims, dividing it equally between Categories 3A and 3B. This decision was challenged by the Muslim community in the Supreme Court. This decision was challenged in the Supreme Court by Muslim groups, prompting the BJP-led government to file an affidavit maintaining the status quo. The courts subsequent order reinforced this position, leaving no room for changes. I will present the Supreme Courts order in the assembly tomorrow, Siddaramaiah said.

Lingayat Panchamasali Protest Demands 2A Reservation Clarity

Belagavi : Lingayat Panchamasali Seer Basavajaya Mrityunjay Swamiji announced that the protest demanding 2A reservation for the Panchamasali community will be held as scheduled on December 10. We will commence the Panchamasali Sangharsha Samavesha at the venue in front of Suvarna Soudha premises at 10 am, and the program will continue until 1 pm. If the Chief Minister hands us the order copy granting the 2A reservation and the states recommendation to include us in the Central OBC list, we will facilitate him at the event. Otherwise, we will lay siege to Suvarna Soudha, Swamiji told reporters. He expressed disappointment over the restrictions imposed on the protest by senior officials but acknowledged the district administrations assurance to withdraw the earlier order and permit the protest at the preferred venue. I urge community members to participate in the convention with the same enthusiasm as before. Please attend the program peacefully, without any arguments or confrontations with the police, Swamiji appealed. The Lingayat Panchamasali community has been demanding inclusion under the 2A category of reservation and has intensified its agitation to seek government action.

Karnataka Winter Session Opens with Waqf Debate and Lingayat Protests

Belagavi: The winter session of the Karnataka Legislature commenced at Suvarna Soudha, Belagavi, on Monday with debates on the Waqf issue and restrictions imposed on the Panchamasali Lingayat protest. Newly elected MLAs Annapoorna Tukaram (Sandur), CP Yogeshwar (Channapatna), and Pathan Yasir Ahmed Khan (Shiggaon) were sworn in. The session began with a moment of silence to honor former legislators and notable figures, including former minister Manohar Tahasildar, KH Srinivas, industrialist Ratan Tata, and Sufi saint Syed Shah Khusro Hussaini. Speaker UT Khader introduced the newly installed Speaker's chair, modeled after Bengalurus Vidhana Soudha, featuring Karnatakas historical symbols like the Gandabherunda and lion carvings. He was addressing the significance of a painting of Anubhava Mantapa newly installed at the Soudha when Opposition Leader R. Ashoka raised the Waqf issue. Ashoka criticized the government, alleging that temples were being brought under the Waqf Board. You speak of Basavannas values, but Basavannas temples are being taken by the Waqf Board, he said. Supported by BJP leaders Aravind Bellad, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, and others, he argued that neglecting the issue would be unjust to farmers affected by notices. Speaker Khader assured that all issues would be addressed after Question Hour. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda affirmed the government's readiness for discussion. Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil countered the BJP, asserting, Those who oppose Basavannas principles now speak about him. Will the RSS display Basavannas photo in their office? They will not because RSS and BJP stand against his ideals. The debate intensified as BJP MLA Aravind Bellad alleged inaction on Anubhava Mantapa, saying, The (original) Anubhava Mantapa has been turned into a dargah. Why is the government silent? Speaker Khader appealed for order, emphasizing that structured debates would benefit the public. Meanwhile Yatnal and BJP leaders protested restrictions on the Panchamasali Lingayat protest, alleging suppression of democratic rights. Why are democratic protests being suppressed? What emergency exists in Belagavi? Ashoka questioned. When the house met in the afternoon Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that the government respects the right to protest and restrictions were limited to vehicle movements due to anticipated logistical disruptions.

'Congress' Biggest Mistake Was...'

'...to think apna time aa gaya after the 2024 election.'

3-Day Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam Concludes on a Grand Note

Vijayawada: The second edition of the three-day Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam concluded on a grand note in Vijayawada on Sunday. Over 150 artists presented 35 mesmerising musicals enthralling the audience during the three-day music festival organised at three different venues Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, Durga Ghat and Durga Temple. The third and concluding day of the neerajanam commenced with divine fervour at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam Temple atop Indrakeeladri. Renowned artists Malladi Suribbau, Malladi Sriram Prasad, Malladi Ravi Kumar, Malladi Modumudi Sudhakar, Povuri Gowrinath and Povuri Gayathri opened the day with soul-stirring renditions of Devi Krithis, paying homage to the divine Goddess and enriching the festival with a seamless blend of devotion and melody. Kanaka Durga Temple Devasthanam officials and the temple's head priest honoured the participating artists, recognising their contribution to music and spirituality.

Delhi Police Arrests Man from Bihar for Selling SIM Cards to International Cyber Criminals

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested a man from Bihar for allegedly selling sim cards to international cyber frauds, officials said.Police recovered 5,000 SIM cards and 25 mobile phones from Anuj Kumar's possession. Kumar was arrested from Gaya in Bihar for supplying SIM cards to people in countries including China, Cambodia, and other South Asian nations. Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) Ravi Kumar Singh said a complaint was registered by the CA of a company saying that he was defrauded of Rs 20 lakh by a person impersonating himself as one of the directors of the company. Sensing the gravity of the offence, a dedicated team of cyber police station of the southeast district was formed. Through a detailed analysis of mobile numbers and technical surveillance, Anuj was arrested. These SIM cards were used in various cyber fraud schemes, including digital arrest, investment fraud and financial scams. During interrogation it was found that Anuj was a mastermind of the network and is a registered SIM vendor and retailer of Airtel SIM Cards, police said in a statement. Anuj had been leveraging Gaya's status as a major tourist hub for South Asian travellers to orchestrate his operations. Exploiting the high influx of international tourists, particularly from South Asia, the accused set up a distribution network for illegally procured SIM cards, Singh said. SIM registration processes to procure cards in bulk by organising SIM vending camps in rural areas and used to issue four to five SIM cards on a single identity, the officer said. These SIMs were trafficked internationally through Gaya and Nepal to tourists, enabling anonymous and untraceable communications for cyber fraud operations, he added. This sophisticated network provided a steady supply of untraceable SIM cards to cybercriminals operating across borders, police said. The police statement said Anuj has to date supplied more than 1000 illegal SIM cards outside India. There were 3400 SIM cards of Airtel and the rest SIM cards of Vodafone were recovered, the police added. Further investigation is underway, they said.

Protest organised against Yatnal for his remark against Basaveshwara

Lingayat groups demand action against him

Gaya metro rail project: Two corridors to connect pilgrim sites

Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha demands expulsion of Basangouda Patil Yatnal from BJP

AAI chairman instructs agencies to complete Patna airport new terminal building by January 25

PATNA: Chairman of Airport Authority of India (AAI) Vipin Kumar on Friday reviewed, ongoing works of the new terminal building of Jayaprakash Narayan International (JPNI) Airport in Patna and issued instructions to the agencies and engineers at the site to expedite and complete all remaining works to make the airport ready by January next year. He also asked the airport director to ensure seamless coordination with state authorities and regulatory bodies, including DGCA, and BCAS for all mandatory approval required to meet the project's deadlines, prior to the commissioning of the new terminal. The master plan for the expansion of Patna airport is estimated to cost Rs.1216.90 crore which includes the development of new terminal building, multi-level car parking facility and parking Bays. With a built-up area of 65,155 sqm, the new world-class terminal building will cater to 3,000 passengers during peak hours. The AAI chairman said that the expansion of new terminal building will boost the airport's capacity from 3 million to 10 million passengers annually. The construction of new terminal building will include six new additional parking stands, increasing the present five to 11 parking stands.The new terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger facilities, including 54 check-in counters, five-passenger boarding bridges, five conveyor belts and eight in-line XBIS machines which allows for quick transit of passengers inside terminals. The design of this Griha IV-star-rated new terminal building is inspired from the forms of Nalanda ruins and the interiors will be adorned with Madhubani paintings. In September, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had reviewed the ongoing construction of the new terminal. He also urged the officials to expedite the completion of the expansion project at the earliest. At the review meeting, CM Nitish had emphasised the importance of enhanced facilities and better connectivity. In addition, he had offered the state government's support for any additional needs during the construction of the new terminal building. In addition, the Bihar government has also planned the expansion of Gaya and Darbhanga. The state government is also working on establishing new airports in Purnea, Raxaul, Rajgir and Bhagalpur.

Pioneer League of NYAF 2024 Honors India's Creative Young Minds

The National Young Authors Fair (NYAF), the largest book-writing competition for school students globally, has revealed the winners of the Pioneer League in India. This is the first of three prestigious leagues in the 2024-25 India edition, a key event for top schools across the nation. A Platform for Young Creatives and Future Writers NYAF 2024-25 celebrates young talent in India, aiming to nurture creativity, literacy, and innovation. With the book-writing and publishing deadline for the general category set for January 12, 2025, NYAF expects more than 1 million aspiring authors and readers from Indias top 10,000 schools to participate. Honoring the Best of the Pioneer League The Top 10 authors in both the Jury Choice and Best-Seller categories were recently announced. Here's the list of winners: Jury Choice Top 10: Chasing the Impossible by Reanna Sachdeva The Spooky Squad's Halloween by Riya Muthuvel Astrid's Galactic Gamble by Angelina Sharma Harvest of Hope by Challa Sai Saathvika Pikoo's Promise by Ovi Pravin Dongre The Stardust Market by Bhavya Sanjeev The Journey of Johnny by Jonathan Fernandes Combat Misery by Pragayadeep Jain Mystery of the Giant's Cave by Shanaya Modi The Forest of Doom by Prisha Jain Best-Seller Top 10: The Amazing Adventure by Rajveer Mehta Halloween On 34th Street by Avikaa A Malik The Ocean's Warming Secret by Bianca Arun Pandita Book On How To Write A Book by Keya Hatkar Water On Moon by Iniya Pragati If Not Today, When by Mv Eashanth Kumar The Iron Key Fusion & Fact by Ravyanshi The Super Hero by K V Dhiyanesh A Debt Repaid by Aveer Arora Hody Finds His Superpower by Seyon Adhiradhan Words of Inspiration from the Founder Ami Dror, Founder and President of BriBooks and the National Young Authors Fair, praised the success of the Pioneer League. India is a hub of young talent, full of creativity and innovation. These young authors reflect the nation's future in global literature, Dror said. He also expressed excitement about discovering even more exceptional talent in the upcoming leagues. The NYAF team will provide updates on the next stages of the competition, leading to the Grand Jury, Genre, and Pinnacle Leagues starting on January 13, 2025. Top 10 Influential Women of the Year 2024 TCS Wins Best Employer Brand in the Corporate Sector at LinkedIn Talent Awards 2024

Seer Statue Defaced In Bengaluru, Attacker Claims A Jesus Christ Dream

The statue of the revered Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami of Bengaluru's Siddaganga Mutt was vandalised on November 30.

Hyderabad: 23 H-CITI works get govt sanction

Hyderabad : The state government accorded administrative sanction to 23 works under Hyderabad City Innovative and Transformative Infrastructure (H-CITI) Project for an amount of Rs 5,942 crore duly superseding the earlier sanction of Rs 4,305 crore. With the traffic management in the city being a pressing issue and the state government focusing on measures to prevent traffic congestion, the GHMC has taken up a comprehensive traffic study and based on it 23 works were proposed under the H-CITI project. These 23 infrastructure projects will be taken up in all six GHMC zones. Construction of 1st level one way flyover at NFCL junction ( Khiratabad zone), multi level flyover/grade separators at three junctions Khajaguda, IIIT and Wipro junction (Serilingampally zone) and construction of four lane steel bridge on pipeline road across Fox Sagar surplus nala (Kukatpally zone) are some of them. In addition to these projects, four lane uni-directional flyover at Rasoolpura (Secunderabad zone), six lane bi-directional flyover crossing three junctions- TKR College, Gayathri Nagar and Manda Mallamma ( LB Nagar zone) and construction of two Road under Bridges (RuBs) on either side of existing RUB near Aramgarh Junction (Charminar zone) will also be taken up. The works will be taken up in five packages, in addition to these wokrs, road widening works will be executed in all six GHMC zones.

Lingayat organisations up in arms against BJP MLA Yatnal

The former Union Ministers recent comment on 12th century social reformer Basavanna sees a backlash with several organisations asking him to tender an apology

Meet deputy mayor, who is selling vegetables after two years in officedueto...

Deputy Mayor of Gaya Chinta Devi protests alleged disrespect and salary delays by selling vegetables highlighting administrative neglect.

This is the world's largest gigayacht that is being made for a billionaire; who is he? Here are some stunning features of it

In a pretty recent development, it has been known that the worlds largest gigayacht till date is being specially made for Swiss billionaire and it will some extremely stunning features.

Car driver gets seven years RI

A 34-year-old car driver was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) after he was found guilty of culpable homicide leading to death of his wife due to dowry harassment. The court of IXth additional judge of Rangareddy district, LB Nagar, pronounced the judgment after the completion of trial in the case, police said on Tuesday. According to Abdullapurmet police, accused Lingaswamy, a resident of Gayatrinagar, had been arrested in 2018 in culpable homicide (crime number 270 of 2018) and the case was registered against the accused under Section 304 (a). The case was filed against Lingaswamy after his in-laws lodged a complaint with the Abdullapurmet police station. The convict was forwarded to Cherlapally Central Prison by the Abdullapurment police. Additional public prosecutor Shobha Rani was representing the police in the case.