Congress leader : BJP makes Hema Malini to Dance for Votes January 28, 2019 14:14
Madhya Pradesh Congress Minister Sajjan singh Verma said that Bharatiya Janata Party is making Hema Malini to dance for votes. Reacting to the comments made on Priyanka Gandhi, who entered active politics when congress made her National general secretary for Uttar pradesh East. Congress minister said that “It is the BJP’s misfortune that it has rough faces disliked by everyone within the party.” “They have made Hema Malini to perform classical dance across the country in an attempt to earn votes. They (BJP) don’t have good-looking faces,” he added. This is in response to the BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya who made comments on her entry into politics said that “The Congress does not have strong leaders to field in the Lok Sabha election and that is why it wants to fight the polls through these chocolatey faces.” Even earlier, Bihar Minister Vinod Narayan Jha said “Votes cannot be won on the basis of beautiful faces.” “Moreover, she is the wife of Robert Vadra, who is accused of involvement in land scam and several corruption cases. She’s very beautiful, but other than that she holds no political achievement,” he added. Even BJP leader Subramanim swamy alleges that Priyanka Gandhi suffers from Bipolar Disorder He said “She beats up people and it does not make her fit to lead a public life. “The people of this country should know when she is likely to lose mental balance,” he further said. -Sai Kumar
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Ayodhya Case: Hearing delayed Again January 28, 2019 10:24
Supreme Court Once again delayed hearing of Ayodhya case as one of judge is not available. The court said in an order. Justice SA Bobde is one among the Five-judge constitution bench. As January 29 was the date fixed for hearing in this and decision on next hearing is not taken yet. Chief justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi had recently reconstiituted the Five-member bench to hear the case. The bench comprises of five judges it will be headed by Chief justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and the other members are Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud,Ashok Bushan and SA Nazeer. Actually the case was delayed earlier as well because Justice Lalit was recused himself from hearing the case. Previous date when hearing was cancelled is January 10. Political debate on the this issue has once again heated Up as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said The Supreme Court should deliver its judgment on the sensitive Ram Mandir dispute soon else the Uttar Pradesh government will solve it in 24 hours, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said “If the court can’t decide, let us take it forward. We will resolve the Ram Temple issue in 24 hours.” -Sai kumar
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Is BJP Leader Varun Gandhi Joining Congress January 25, 2019 19:12
There are speculations that BJP leader and Member of parliament from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Varun Gandhi joining Congress party doing rounds in media and political circle. Responding to this, Rahul Gandhi said that he is not aware of any speculation BJP leader joining his party. Rahul gandhi said, “ I have not heard this speculation” Varun Gandhi, Cousin of Rahul Gandhi, at present he is BJP MP in Uttar Pradesh. And his mother Maneka Gandhi is Union Minister in Modi’s Government at Center. These speculations are on rife two days after Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into Politics and months before Lok Sabha elections. -Saikumar
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CBI Registers Case Against Former ICICI Bank Chief Chanda Kochhar January 24, 2019 18:04
CBI has filed a case against ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar, Videocon head Venugopal Dhoot and others in a case linked to alleged irregularities in loan. Earlier it was reported that Videocon Head, Venugopal Dhoot allegedly invested crores of rupees in Nupower months after the Videocon group got Rs 3,250 crore as loan from the ICICI Bank in 2012. The investigating agency carried out search operations today at various locations including the Videocon headquarters in Mumbai and Aurangabad and also at the offices of Nupower Renewables Pvt Limited which is operated by Deepak Kochhar, and Supreme Energy after registering a case. The CBI also named Nupower Renewables Ltd , Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd , Videocon International Electronics Ltd and Videocon Industries Ltd It has been said that FIR was registered under sections (120-B)- Criminal conspiracy and (420)-Cheating of the Indian Penal Code along with various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The move comes months after the CBI registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Dhoot, Deepak Kochhar and unidentified others in March last year, they said. A PE is filed before the agency lodges an FIR to probe criminal charges on the basis of evidence collected during the enquiry. Today’s FIRs means a complete investigation has been started by the agency after registration of a case. -Sai kumar
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Delhi Police files FIR, Amid EVM Hacking Claims January 23, 2019 19:04
Delhi police files FIR after Election commission of India filed a Complaint regarding allegations of hacking of EVMs by US-Based Cyber Expert who held press conference in London claiming that 2014 elections were rigged, EVMs can be hacked. On Monday, Election commission Of India issued a detailed statement regarding EVM hacking claims said that “It is being separately examined as to what legal action can and should be taken in the matter.” "Based on a complaint filed on Tuesday by the Election Commission, an FIR has been registered under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (intent to cause fear or public mischief) at Parliament Street police station. Action will be taken as per the law," a senior police officer said. The officer said that as Section 505 is non-cognizable, police have sought permission from court to initiate an investigation. He also suggested that the case be investigated by a specialized agency as it requires an in-depth investigation and use of cyber tools. Congress leader Kapil Sibal who was present at the press conference faced criticism from BJP as they accuse the congress of a conspiracy to “defame India and its electoral process.” Meanwhile, Congress said Sibal was present in a personal capacity, the event’s organiser, Ashish Ray of Indian Journalists Association (Europe), on Tuesday said, “Since invitations were sent to concerned party presidents, And I guess Mr Sibal had been sent as an observer to the press conference.” -Sai Kumar
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Priyanka Gandhi Enters Active Politics, Given Key Congress Post January 23, 2019 15:33
It’s Official now, finally Priyanka Gandhi enters active politics named Congress general secretary for UP East. The Congress party on Wednesday appointed Priyanka Gandhi as the party general secretary for UP East. After the appointment, Priyanka will take care of party’s affairs in eastern Uttar Pradesh, One of the crucial part of Uttar pradesh. The appointment comes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "Hon'ble Congress President has appointed Smt Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as AICC General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh East. She will be taking charge with effect on first week of February 2019," a press release issued by the Congress party said. INC COMMUNIQUEAppointment of General Secretaries for All India Congress Committee. pic.twitter.com/zHENwt6Ckh — INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) January 23, 2019 She will be playing important role in crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. Apart from Priyanka, Congress has also appointed KC Venugopal as AICC General Secretary (Organisation), Jyotiraditya Scindia as AICC General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh West and Ghulam Nabi Azad as AICC General Secretary for Haryana. Congress congratulated the new appointees: Many congratulations to Shri K C Venugopal, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Shri @JM_Scindia on their new appointments. We're fired up & ready to go! https://t.co/q7sMB8m6DO — Congress (@INCIndia) January 23, 2019 What draws the attention is Priyanka Gandhi’s appointment months before Lok Sabha elections is seen as master stroke from Congress Party. Priyanka Gandhi, 47, has always limited her role in politics to the constituencies of her brother Rahul and mother Sonia Gandhi, Amethi and Raebareli. Robert Vadra, husband of Priyanka Gandhi, congratulated her for the new responsibility and said that he will always be on her side. "Congratulations P... always by your side in every phase of your life. Give it your best," Robert Vadra wrote in a Facebook post. Taking a jibe at the Congress party for appointing Priyanka Gandhi as general secretary, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the decision once again underlined the fact that the Congress was a party of a family. Sambit Patra, BJP on #PriyankaGandhiVadra appointed Congress General Secretary for East UP: Expected, to promote dynasty is what Congress is all about. They consider family as the party while BJP considers party as the family. Congress has accepted that Rahul Gandhi Ji has failed pic.twitter.com/NlTdF2LmxS — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2019 -SaiKumar
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Sabarimala: Two Women Forced to Return January 19, 2019 12:06
Two Kerala women, who made an attempt to enter Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala on Saturday, were forced to return.The women reached Nilakkal in the early morning and were convinced to return after holding talks with the police. They have been taken to Erumely.This is the second time the two women, Reshma Nishanth and Shanila Sajeesh, have attempted to visit Sabarimala. The duo's attempts to visit the hill shrine on Wednesday were thwarted by devotees. Reshma had then said she would offer prayers at the temple.The women had appeared with a group of men, including Shreyas, a member of the Facebook group Navothana Keralam Sabarimalayileku. He alleged that the police could have taken the women to Sabarimala.He further claimed that more women would attempt to visit the temple on Saturday.Two Kerala women on January 2 entered the temple, three months after the Supreme Court allowed women of all the age groups to enter the shrine.Two women - Kanakadurga and Bindu - had entered the hill shrine in December, despite critical threats from right-wing groups. However, following their entry, the head priest decided to close the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to perform the purification ritual, which used to be carried out during the time of the violation of temple customs.The Kerala government on Friday submitted in the Supreme Court that after the ban was lifted about 51 women in the 10-50 age group had entered the temple.-Sowmya Sangam
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Supreme Court Reinstates Alok Verma as CBI Director January 08, 2019 12:30
The Supreme Court on Tuesday has reinstated Alok Verma as Chief Bureau of Investigation Director overturning the Narendra Modi government's decision to divest Verma of his duties. The court has given judgment setting aside the Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) October 23 order. Verma will now be reinstated after sent on forced leave by the government following his run-in with his number two Rakesh Asthana, but will not take any decisions till a high powered committee, including the Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister, take a call on his transfer. The high powered committee will decide on the matter in a week. The court justified its decision on the ground that the law in the Vineet Narain case was intended to insulate the office from extraneous influences. The apex court reiterated CBI's independence today, a lawyer representing Verma told reporters. The court said that the government should have referred to the Select Committee consisting of the CJI, Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition to initiate Alok Verma's removal. Verma's two-year tenure as CBI director ends this January 31. The judgment was pronounced by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice KM Joseph in the absence of Chief Justice Gogoi who was on leave. The Centre had taken a decision against Verma and CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana after their conflict become public as they made allegations of corruption against each other. Verma had sought to quash of three orders of October 23, 2018 - one by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and two by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), as being without jurisdiction and in violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. CBI's Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre Indian Police Service officer, was given the charge of interim chief of the probe agency. The Centre had justified its decision to divest Verma of his duties and sending him on leave before the apex court saying he and Asthana were fighting like "Kilkenny cats", exposing the country's premier investigating agency to "public ridicule". Attorney General K K Venugopal had told the bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, that the Centre was well "within its right to intervene" and send both officers on leave by divesting them of their powers. Venugopal had told the court that "only the God knows where and how this fight between the two top officers would have ended" if the government would not have taken the action which was aimed at restoring the public faith in the CBI. Challenging the government's decision, Verma's counsel and senior advocate Fali S Nariman had argued that the CBI Director was appointed on February 1, 2017, and "the position of law is that there will be a fixed tenure of two years and this gentleman cannot be even transferred". -Sowmya Sangam
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Central Trade Unions Begin Two-Day Nationwide Strike January 08, 2019 11:23
In protest against the government's alleged anti-worker policies and unilateral labor reforms, the Central Trade Unions on Tuesday began a two-day nationwide strike. "The strike is quite visible in Assam, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Manipur Bihar, Rajasthan, Goa, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana - particularly in the targeted industrial areas and different mines," Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), told PTI. She said that some states' transport departments, taxi drivers and auto-rickshaw drivers have gone on strike for two days while Railway workers are holding gate meeting bearing black badge to express their solidarity. Kaur said that Jawaharlal Nehru University student unions have expressed their solidarity with trade unions, and other educational institutions are expected to support the strike. She also informed that the transport department in Bhopal is closed completely and Haryana Roadways is also participating in the strike. As many as 10 Central Trade Unions (CTUs) have joined hands to go on a two-day nationwide strike from Tuesday and approximately 20 crore workers are expected to join the strike. This is the largest number of workers from formal and informal sectors joining a strike against anti-people and anti-worker policies of the BJP-led central government, she stated. She informed that sectors like telecom, health, education, coal, steel, electricity, banking, insurance, and transport are supporting the strike. In New Delhi, the unions will go on a protest march from Mandi House to Parliament on Wednesday. Similar protests would be done across the country. Kaur had said the CTUs are also opposed to unilateral labor reforms. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) will not take part in the strike. "The government has failed to create jobs and grossly ignored unions' 12-point charter of demands. The Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on labor issues has not called unions for any discussion since September 2, 2015 strike," Kaur had said on Monday. In a joint statement, the CTUs had also alleged that the government undermined tripartism and continued its "aggressive attack with arrogance on the lives and livelihood of the working people." The unions are also opposed to the proposed amendments in Trade Union Act, 1926, saying those are irrational and extremely damaging to the independent functioning of unions. The unions claim that agricultural communities through their associations have also extended support to the strike. -Sowmya Saangam
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Modi Govt. Approves 10% Reservation for Upper Castes January 07, 2019 16:42
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Government's cabinet on Monday approved 10 percent reservation quota for economically backward upper caste for all religious communities in the education and employment sector. The reservation will apply to the people whose annual income is less up to Rs 8 lakhs per annum. The reservation will be applicable over the current set limit of 50 percent by the Supreme Court. With the reservation, the limit has increased to 60 percent. The reservation will be applicable for Brahmins, Rajputs and other economically backward upper caste people across all religions. According to the report, the 10 percent reservation for the economically backward upper caste is perceived as a move to seek the favor of the upper caste voters in the approaching Lok Sabha elections, just months away. As the move overseeds the apex court order, there is a high expectation that the Union government would present an amendment in the current Winter Session of the Parliament. Norms for getting benefited by 10 percent reservation under the economically backward section for all religions: 1.Annual income should be below eight (8) lakhs per annum.2.Agricultural land should be below five (5) hectares.3.The residential area should be below 1,000 square feet.4.The residential plot should be below 109 yards in the notified municipality.5.The residential plot should be below 209 yards in non notified municipality area. -Sowmya Sangam
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Sabarimala Protests: Kerala on Edge After Two Women Enter Temple January 03, 2019 12:40
A day after two women entered the Sabarimala temple, the situation in Kerala is remains tensed up as protests are being held in different parts of the state in dissent to the women's entry and opposition party has slammed the Pinarayi Vijay-led Left front government for the agitation. Ever since the September 2018 verdict on Sabarimala, the state has been the site protests and agitations. The court lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the temple. An activist of the Sabarimala karma Samithi, who was injured in a clash on Wednesday evening died at a hospital in Pandalam late night. The deceased is identified as 55-year-old Chandran Unnithan. He suffered head injuries after being allegedly hit by a stone during a clash between workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Pandalam. Sabarimala Karma Samithi is an umbrella organization of various pro-Hindutva groups, spearheading protests against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict. Police said they have initiated a probe into the case. In the meantime, the Opposition alliance - United Democratic Front (UDF)-is observing a 'black day' in Kerala today in connection with Sabarimala Temple women entry issue. Besides the UDF, various Hindu outfits have also called a dawn-to-dusk 12-hour hartal in protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa. As per initial reports, auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers were plying at the railway station in the state capital and various other places. But in Kozhikode, protesters blocked vehicles and burnt tires in the morning. The hartal, which began at 6 a.m., has been called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP). The BJP is supporting the closedown while the Congress-led UDF is observing a "black day" on Thursday. Various universities, including Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut, and Kannur have postponed their examinations scheduled for Thursday. Kerala Director General of Police Loknath Behera has directed all district police chiefs to take necessary actions and ensure routine life is not affected. He is learned to have instructed the officers to take strict actions against those involved in any kind of violence. The agitation over the Sabarimala temple issue is not limited to Kerala as in neighboring Tamil Nadu, a Kerala government-run hotel was attacked on Wednesday night by unknown persons in suspected backlash over two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple, news agency PTI said in a report. A police officer said that a facility run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation on the arterial Greams Road was attacked by unidentified people. Though the attack was suspected to be a consequence of two women entering the Sabarimala temple in neighboring Kerala, the official said since the probe was at a "very preliminary stage" nothing could be confirmed as of now. -Sowmya Sangam
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Sabarimala Temple Shut for Purification as Two Women Enters Shrine January 02, 2019 12:16
The Sabarimala temple in Kerala has been closed Wednesday for purification rituals after two women below the age of 50 entered the shrine with the help of police in mufti. The women, Kanakadurga and Bindu, started their climb around midnight and reached inside the sanctum sanctorum early morning at 3:45 a.m. Confirming that the women, in their 40s, went inside the temple under security cover, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters, "There were hurdles for women to climb and enter Sabarimala temple. If they have entered the temple today, there must not have been any hurdles. It is true that they have entered. Police had been given instructions to provide protection to any woman who wants to climb." A recording of their entry into the shrine has been doing rounds on WhatsApp. The video footage shows the women taking a different path without climbing the sacred 18 steps used by pilgrims who take the 41-day vow and carry the sacred offering of 'irumudikettu'. The women used a side entrance, used by VIPs and the media, which gets them straight in front of the sopanam and into the sanctum of the temple. They later returned to Pamba. Both residents of Kerala had earlier tried to climb up to Sabarimala earlier this month, however, had been blocked by massive protests. In fear of protests, tight security arrangement has been made at Kanakadurga's house and her family has also been shifted to an off the hook location. Police officials at the base camp in Pampa initially said they were unaware of the two women’s whereabouts. The Travancore Devaswom Board and the priest's family are checking the camera footage to verify the claims. The Supreme Court in its landmark verdict on September 28 lifted the curb and permitted women of all age groups to offer prayers at the temple consequently leading to massive protests. More than a dozen women were blocked by the protesters when they made their way to the shrine. Since the temple first opened after the SC's judgment, violent protests, a state-wide strike and prohibitory orders have dominated Kerala. Earlier, Ayyappa Dharma Sena leader Rahul Easwar, who spearheaded the protests against the supreme court's verdict, told NDTV the chances of the two women making it inside the shrine were "extremely less" and that they would verify the footage and take appropriate action. -Sowmya Sangam
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