Rohith Vemula’s mother hospitalized due to chest pain January 25, 2016 15:38
V. Radhika, Rohith Vemula’s mother, was hospitalized due to chest pain complaint. She was sent to Continental hospital on Sunday evening. Earlier, she visited the University of Hyderabad (UoH) Health Centre. There an ECG test was done to her. According to a medical officer from the varsity, Radhika is diabetic and was sent to a private hospital for evaluation with Cardiologist. On Saturday, Radhika was on campus along with daughter and son, Neelima and Raja. They have gone to meet the seven students on the fourth day of their fast at the protest venue of the university. The 49-year-old questioned why son’s suicide draws his caste under question. This comes amid claims that Rohith was not a Dalit. Radhika asked, “When a girl named Nirbhaya was brutally raped and killed, did anyone question her caste? Then why is Rohith’s caste under question here?” Refusing eight lakh rupees offered by the University of Hyderabad as ex-gratia, Rohith’s sister Neelima said, “We do not need your money. Not Rs 8 lakh, even if you give Rs 8 crore, we do not need it.” As a clarification to the caste issue, Radhika said that she is from the SC Mala community, while her husband was an OBC, “From the age of five, I grew up in a Vaddera family (Vadderas are OBCs), with whom my SC Mala family left me. Since I was raised by a Vaddera family, they married me to a Vaddera man in 1985. After three children, my husband and I divorced and I brought up the kids on my own. Since I am from the Mala community, I brought them up like that. We used to live in a lane in Guntur where, even today, only SC families live. My children are as much Dalit as I am.” -Sumana
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Modi declassifies Netaji’s files on 119th birth anniversary January 23, 2016 16:07
PM Narendra Modi has released the digital copies of 100 files concerning Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the National Archives of India (NAI) today i.e. his 119th birth anniversary. A total of 33 out of the 100 files, are from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Remaining are communications between the Government of India and the Russia and Japan governments. The digitized files have been uploaded on the website of the NAI. It was revealed from the first look of the files that a monthly of Rs. 6,000 was sent by the Congress to Bose’s wife and daughter. It was stopped in 1966, after Anita Bose Pfaff, Bose’s daughter, got married. Ardhenu, Bose’s nephew, asked to Government to seek more information from Russia, related to his visit. Also, DNA test on Bose’s ashes are demanded by the family, which according to medical experts would remain futile. Earlier, the PM paid rich tributes to Bose. The PM said that generations of Indians remember him for his bravery and patriotism. “Remembering Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary. His bravery and patriotism endears him to several Indians across generations,” the PM tweeted. “Today is a special day for all Indians. Declassification of Netaji files starts today.” -Sumana
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National Investigation Agency detains 4 for suspected Islamic State links January 22, 2016 18:10
The National Investigation Agency has detained four men for suspected links with Islamic State (IS). A chemical engineering dropout was also one of them. On the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, the detections happed in Bengaluru, Tumkuru district and Mangaluru. Najmul Huda, 25, was one among those detained. He, a resident of Bajpe in Mangaluru city, was picked up by police for questioning late on the night of Thursday. He is still in the custody. He is said to be a former chemical engineering student of an engineering college off Mysore Road. The second person to be picked up was Syed Hussain. Around 4:30 am, police detained him from his house located in Gummi Circle Tumkuru. Later two other persons were detained in Jakkasandra area located in southeast Bengaluru, according to sources in city police. All the detentions were confirmed by a senior state police officer, who said that the arrest formalities were yet to be completed by NIA in the case. He said that the details of the case would be shared later. -Sumana
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Top developments of Bacha Khan University attack in Pakistan January 20, 2016 15:08
Armed assault on the Bacha Khan University killed at least 21 people. The university is located in Charsadda in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. According to witnesses, two large explosions were reported approached through dense fog to halt the bloodshed. So far, four gunmen were killed. Pak media reveals that nearly 60 to 70 students were shot dead in the head. Nearly 90% buildings were cleared in the university campus. Geo TV, report says that one chemistry professor was shot dead after taking a bullet in the head. Currently, the campus is being evacuated. Terrorists made an entry from the back-gate due to high security at the front-gate. In the process two guards were injured. Extensive firing is going on in the area with the deployment of heavy contingents of elite force, including aerial support from Army choppers. On 20 January 1988, Pashtun independence activist Bacha Khan Baba died and today is his death anniversary. Parents struck with panic have gathered outside the University for their children. Five people injured in the attack were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, Charsadda. Army contingents are at the scene as firing continues. -Sumana
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Rahul Gandhi demands UOH VC to quit over Dalit student death January 19, 2016 17:47
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi reached the University of Hyderabad campus on Tuesday morning. For the second consecutive day, students from different universities have staged a protest at Ambedkar statue in Hyderabad. They demand justice aftermath the suicide of dalit scholar Rohith Vemula. Even Mr. Gandhi demanded for the step down of Hyderabad University VC over death of Dalit student. With the news of Rahul Gandhi arriving on the campus, protests began around 9.30 a.m. Activists and students from campuses like OU and English and Foreign Languages University were stopped at the main gate for more than an hour. The pressure from the students of UoH helped them gain entry into the campus. Police barricaded the main gate of the campus. Students demanded for the presence of the university Vice-Chancellor at the scene, but university administration is yet to address the protestors. Speaking at the spot, Congress leaders said party and its leadership would bring justice to Rohith Vemula. Congress MP Hanumantha Rao was on campus. He said, "The plight of Dalit students on campuses should not be ignored. Rights of Dalits should be secured." Slogans raised repeatedly by students are shaheed’ and ‘veerudu’, referring to the deceased research scholar Rohith Vemula. -Sumana
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ISIS threatens to kill Modi and Manohar Parrikar January 19, 2016 17:42
An anonymous letter signed by terrorist outfit ISIS says that they would kill PM Narendra Modi as well as Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for the ban of beef in India. Investigations concerning the letter are being carried out by the Goa police. Referring to Modi and Parrikar, the postcard said that, "Since you are not allowing to eat beef, you will be taken care of." Threatening PM Modi and Parrikar, the letter was sent to home as well as general administrative departments. IGP V Renganathan told TOI that an inquiry into the matter was initiated. He said that it eat was stated in the letter that ‘since you have banned cow killing, we will see you (Modi and Parrikar)’. It was confirmed by Renganathan that the probe is by the anti-terror squad. It was added by him that the postcard was posted locally. Policae alos made arrangement to increase security for Parrikar in the state. -Sumana
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Blast in Jalalabad, near Indian consulate in Afghanistan January 13, 2016 13:44
A suicide bomber blew himself up, killing three policemen and wounding two, near the Pakistan consulate in Jalalabad, Afghanistan on Wednesday officials said. Eventually, fire was exchanged between Afghan security forces as well as the gunmen who barricaded in a house near the Pakistan consulate. According to witnesses, series of explosions were heard and residents and children have been evacuated from a nearby school. The Indian consulate was just 200 meters away from the place where the explosions happened. All Indians are reportedly safe. This marks the third attack in last 10 days near an Indian mission in Afghanistan. Pajhwok Afghan News reports say, "Unconfirmed reports said a few attackers are hiding in a house on the same street where Pakistan and Indian consulates are located." According to the Balkh province police chief, Sayed Kamal Sadat, "We saw with our own eyes and I can say 99 per cent that those attackers were from Pakistani military and used special tactics while conducting their operation.” Tolo News quoted Sadat as saying that, "The attackers were military personnel. They were educated and well prepared and had intelligence. They fought us and only by Allah's grace were we able to control them and eliminate them." -Sumana
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"Beti ko Salam, Desh ke naam", theme for Republic Day 2016 January 12, 2016 17:33
Republic Day 2016 is days away. Government is in all plans to celebrate R-day in a grand scale, including state governments. The Gujarat government has decided to celebrate the forthcoming Republic Day in a unique way, by giving a chance to hoist the national flag at each government school of the village to the most educated girl. Already circulars were sent to government schools to follow the order. Also, District Primary Education officers (DPEOs) of private schools were also informed about the order. Not just this, even the parents of daughters born in 2016 would also be honored by the government. Government will give Rs 300 for each government school in the state for holding the program. The school programs are to be held on Republic Day with the theme "Beti ko Salam, Desh ke naam". -Sumana
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BJP MPs turned away from violence-hit Kaliachak in Malda January 11, 2016 15:38
District authorities have prevented a ‘fact-finding’ team, belonging to BJP, from entering into violence-hit Kaliachak in Malda district. MPs Ram Vilas Vedanti, Bhupendra Yadav and the lone BJP MP from West Bengal, S.S. Ahluwalia, disembarked at Malda Town station at approximately 6 AM. The police as well as district administration have reportedly asked the MPs to turn away due to because of prohibitory orders being promulgated in Kaliachak. Mr. Yadav said, “This act of West Bengal government is condemnable.” The MPs stayed in the station in the VIP lounge for approximately three long hours, discussing the issue with senior district officials. The MPs were forced by the officials to return by Howrah-bound Shatabdi Express. Mr. Ahluwalia said, “The purpose of the visit was to console the people, to restore their confidence that something like this will not happen in future. Due to pressure from the State Government, the district administration said that we cannot go there as Section 144 CrPC has been imposed. We are not here to incite or instigate anyone. We are law-abiding citizens and senior MPs but the officials said that that we are public figures and our appearance will create problems....the normalcy they have achieved will break down.” On 6 January 2016, Shamik Bhattacharya-led BJP delegation was even stopped from visiting Kaliachak village. Mr Bhattacharya is the lone MLA in West Bengal Assembly. Saying that there is no communal tension in the area, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as a fallout of an issue between the local people as well as the BSF. Several policemen have been transferred from Kaliachak police station following the incident. -Sumana
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US wants Pak to ‘walk the talk’ January 09, 2016 18:41
The US has opined that it is the time for Pakistan to walk the talk as per the promises it made in both private as well as public conversions. Promises indicated that there would not be any discrimination in its action against terrorist networks. Pakistan is expected to bring the Pathankot attack perpetrators to get to justice. Indian intelligence reports revealed that groups and people within Pakistan has planned and executed the Pathankot airbase strike. According to a senior state department official, Pakistan should not give lame excuses, shielding them like that of the Mumbai terrorist attack. The official said that, "They (Pakistan) have said publicly that they are going to investigate. They have said publicly that they are not going to discriminate between terrorist groups. We look to see actions to back up those words." The state department official said on anonymity that, "They said that they (Pakistan) would investigate it and we need to let that process go forward. But obviously we want to see that the perpetrators be brought to account (as soon as possible)." -Sumana
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Arvind Kejriwal should get ready to go to jail, says BJP January 09, 2016 18:29
BJP accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for taking one unconstitutional step after another and asked him to get ready to go to jail in the defamation case filed by Arun Jaitley, the Finance Minister. This comes as a response to his attack on the Modi government. The party alleged that the Kejriwal government has been a "complete failure". Also the party alleged that the politically motivated charges were being leveled by the chief minister against BJP leaders to "hide" its own failures besides trying to "protect" his principal secretary who is facing corruption charges. BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said, "Kejriwal and his associates should be prepared to go to jail. His government has taken a number of unconstitutional decisions to hide its failures and corruption." He alleged that the APP government was making "motivated" attacks to scare the central government and other institutions. Modi said, "It is a government led by a person (Modi) born in a poor family who is determined to root out corruption. Kejriwal is notorious for levelling baseless charges." "Its publicity budget is many times more than the previous governments," Sharma claimed. -Sumana
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Bus accident in Tirunelveli, 10 dead, 28 injured January 08, 2016 15:13
A speeding omni bus had overturned near Valliyoor in Tirunelveli district on Friday at around 5.30 a.m., killing ten people and injuring 28 people badly. Eight people died on the spot. According to police, the speeding Multi-Axle Volvo bus was heading to Thiruvananthapuram from Karaikal. After hitting the concrete median, it overturned while crossing Pilaakottaipaarai near Valliyoor. The injured were rescued. Passengers were rushed to several hospitals including Kanyakumari Medical College Hospital at Aasaaripallam in Nagercoil. A family from Gujarat lost two of its members including a boy and girl. They are in their mid-twenties. But their identification could not be ascertained immediately. The family boarded the bus at Velankanni. District Collector M. Karunakaran, Superintendent of Police V. Vikraman, and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range, T.S. Anbu rushed to the spot to speed up rescue operations. Dr. Karunakaran said, “The exhausted and sleepy bus driver, who lost control over the speeding vehicle, is the reason behind the mishap as per preliminary investigations.”Several persons among dead are feared to be mostly from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said that the focus of the government is now on the provision of the special medical care to the injured, and to the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College. Neyyattinkara, the Deputy Superintendent of Police-led team, close to the Tamil Nadu even left for Tirunelveli, according to the minister. -Sumana
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