Page 13 - Kerala

When Waqf land claims turned lives upside down in Kerala and Karnataka

For decades, families in Kerala's Munambam and Karnataka's Vijayapura have fought legal battles over land they have lived on for generations - land now claimed as Waqf property

Government rejects Opposition's offshore mining allegations in Kerala

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday rejected the Opposition's allegations that offshore mining is impacting the fishermen community of Kerala, saying the mining activity is yet to begin. Moreover, he said that out of 13 offshore blocks, only three are in Kerala and that too, they are beyond 12 nautical miles, which comes under the exclusive economic zones. He said when the mining has not yet started, "How you are saying that it is impacting the fishermen". Replying to a Calling Attention Motion on hardships faced by the fishermen community, the minister said the government has taken a series of measures for the welfare of the fishermen. He accused the previous Congress government of framing a law on offshore mining. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the cancellation of tenders permitting offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman a

Congress MP Hibi Eden moves adjournment motion over 'L2: Empuraan' row

Hibi Eden said that Empuraan 'is a world-class Malayalam movie' that has seen success at the box office, but the Sangh Parivar is attempting to suppress the movie

What is the controversy over film 'Empuraan' for which Mohanlal apologised?

Empuraan, second part of the 'Lucifer' franchise, has become a topic of hot debate over its critique of right-wing politics and the covert mention of the 2002 Gujarat riots

Thomas John Muthoot elected CII South chairman, Ravichandran as VC

The Chairman of Kerala-based diversified conglomerate Muthoot Pappachan Group, Thomas John Muthoot, has been elected as the Chairman of Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII), Southern Region for the year 2025-26. The President of Danfoss India Region, Ravichandran Purushothaman, has been elected Vice Chairman, CII said. Danfoss India, a subsidiary of Denmark-based Danfoss, is a leader in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and compressors. Muthoot heads the Muthoot Pappachan Group, which has a presence in various sectors, including financial services, hospitality, real estate, automotive and power generation, the CII said in a release on Saturday. He is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Muthoot Fincorp, which has a wide network of 3,800 branches, serving over 1.25 lakh customers. Muthoot has been instrumental in driving digital transformation within the group, integrating financial technology solutions, among others. Meanwhile, CII Southern Region Vice-Chairman ..

BJP leader urges Kerala govt to enforce new law against illegal migration

Senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan on Saturday called on the Kerala government to strictly enforce the newly passed legislation aimed at curbing the influx of illegal migrants in the state. Addressing reporters here, he said a large number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh are arriving in Kerala under the guise of guest workers, and stressed that the law should be implemented in the state without fail. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, with Home Minister Amit Shah asserting that those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action. Muraleedharan also claimed that these illegal immigrants, posing as guest workers, are involved in the spread of narcotics in the state. "So, it is essential to implement the new law for the peaceful life and safety of ordinary people here," he said. Criticising the Congress-led UDF over the matter, the former uni

BJP's boatman in Kerala: Can Chandrasekhar steer the party to success?

Mr Chandrasekhar calls himself a fauji brat who was born in Ahmedabad and grew up in cantonments all over India: Ladakh, Jorhat, and Delhi

Sacrifices of martyrs protect freedom we take for granted: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Friday that the sacrifices of martyrs protect the freedom that we take for granted today. Speaking at the inauguration of 'Smriti Mandapam' built at Edavaka panchayat in this hill district, in memory of 'Veer Jawan' Thalachira Janeesh, an army man who lost his life during an anti-terrorist operation in Kashmir. The Wayanad MP on the second day of her three-day visit to her constituency, added that when a family member is martyred that sadness stays with the family members for the rest of their life. "But you get comfort from the support of the community, you get love from the people around you, and from those who care to remember him," she said. Thalachira Janeesh, who joined the army at the age of 20 was martyred in 2003 during an anti-terrorist operation in Rajouri district of Kashmir and he was awarded the Sena Medal posthumously in 2004. "Even 22 years later, his mother has still tears in her eyes because we can never gi

Communists may enter 21st century, but only in 22nd: Tharoor mocks LDF

In a stinging jibe at Kerala's LDF government, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said the Communist parties will one day finally enter the 21st century, but it may only be in the 22nd. His remarks came after the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, which marks a break from the CPI(M)-led government's long-standing opposition to the privatisation of education. Tharoor said, "So Kerala's LDF government has finally done the right thing, by permitting private universities to open in the state. As usual, the decision comes about 15 to 20 years late, which is usually the case with those anchored in a 19th century ideology." Never forget that when computers first came to India, Communist goons entered public sector offices to smash them, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said in his post on X. The only parties to object to the introduction of mobile telephones in India were also the communist ones, Tharoo

Kerala visa fraud: Hundreds duped into UK, Canada, Australia jobs yearly

Kerala police said they are receiving multiple complaints every day from people who say they have lost money to fraudsters promising jobs abroad

Govt rejects allegations of bias in MGNREGA fund release amid Oppn protest

The government on Tuesday said it has never discriminated against any state in the release of MGNREGA funds amid a protest by opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha against the alleged delay in payment to some states for the rural employment scheme. As the issue was raised during the Question Hour, the Lok Sabha witnessed protests with DMK and Trinamool Congress MPs entering the well of the House. Speaker Om Birla urged them to return to their seats, but they did not budge. Following this, the House was adjourned till 12 pm. Birla urged the Opposition not to "politicise" the questions raised during the Question Hour. Congress MP from Kerala Adoor Prakash highlighted a decline in the MGNREGA workforce in his state and attributed it to delayed payments and low wages. "Workers in Kerala have not received their wages for the past three months, and Rs 811 crore is due under the scheme. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has recommended linking MGNREGA wages to inflation

Kerala govt to urge Centre to regulate airfares for Haj pilgrims, expats

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that the state government would continue to pressurise the union government to regulate the exorbitant ticket charges imposed by airline companies on Haj pilgrims and expatriates. Airline companies are charging huge amounts as ticket fare from Haj pilgrims and expatriate Keralites who come to the home state during festival seasons and on vacation, the CM said while replying to a submission in the state Assembly. A letter has already been sent to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation seeking the intervention of the Centre in this regard, he said. The issue was also discussed during the recent meeting of Members of Parliament ahead of the monsoon session of the Parliament, he said. The Centre, however, adopted a stand that airlines are responsible for setting and revising airfares and, that the government does not interfere in their commercial and marketing activities, Vijayan further said. By removing the restrictions on fixing

Emerging technology hub will be set up at Rs 350 crore, says Kerala CM

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday announced the launch of an Emerging Technology Hub in the state capital by the Kerala Startup Mission. The hub, being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore will focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) across key sectors including agriculture, healthcare, defence, and renewable energy. Responding to a calling attention motion by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) legislator Manjalamkuzhi Ali in the Assembly, he added that this hub, being set up on a three-acre site in Technocity, Thiruvananthapuram. Vijayan added that the state government is formulating a draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to include AI-driven software development, database creation, innovation centres, skill development initiatives, and support for AI startups. "In the recent state budget, the government announced key initiatives to support startups in the AI sector," he said. As part of this effort, a deep-tech ecosystem will be developed, including the

Ex-Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is new president of Kerala BJP

Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar was elected as the new president of Kerala state unit of the BJP on Monday. The party's central observer Prahlad Joshi made the announcement during the BJP's state council meeting held here. Chandrasekhar was the sole nominee for the top post and the leader filed two sets of nomination papers for the position at the BJP headquarters here on Sunday. During the time of the announcement, all prominent state leaders of the BJP including outgoing president K Surendran and state in charge Prakash Javadekar, were present. Surendran handed over the party flag to Chandrasekhar on the stage. During his address, Surendran said the BJP has witnessed unprecedented growth in Kerala in the past 10 years. Stating that Chandrasekhar was elected to the top post by all party leaders unanimously, he said the leader's experience and expertise in various sectors would accelerate the growth of the BJP in the state. The former president also rejected criticism

Rajeev Chandrasekhar likely to become Kerala BJP president unopposed

BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is likely to become the state president of the saffron party, as he is the sole nominee for the post, party sources said. A formal announcement will be made following the party's state council meeting on Monday. BJP's central observer Prahlad Joshi is expected to officially declare his appointment on Monday, sources added. On Sunday, Chandrasekhar filed two sets of nomination papers for the position at the BJP headquarters in the state capital. Present on the occasion were state president K Surendran and senior BJP leaders Kummanam Rajasekharan, V Muraleedharan, PK Krishnadas, MT Ramesh, along with Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian. At 60, Chandrasekhar brings two decades of political experience to the role. He has served as a Union Minister of State for the departments of Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti. He served as Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka for three terms and a

Kerala Governor warns against politicisation of educational institutions

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday got irked by a banner against Savarkar at Calicut university here and said that such "politicisation of educational institutions" should not be tolerated. Arlekar, who arrived at the university for a Senate meeting, also told the Vice Chancellor that he should take care of "all such things". "This politicisation of the educational system, educational institution, should not be tolerated," the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of universities in the state, said. Arlekar said that he saw a banner which said 'We need a Chancellor and not a Savarkar' and asked, "I don't know what thinking is this? What sort of thinking is this? Was Savarkar an enemy of this country?" "What we need, we do not understand. The Chancellor is here with you, you do now whatever you want to do with the Chancellor. But, what bad thing Savarkar has done? "If you go through his educational thinking, you will understand what he has given to this society.

Kerala fishermen express concerns over Centre's deep-sea mining proposal

"They can bring in the navy or even the army, but we will not allow sea mining off our shore. This is a matter of life and death for us, and we will not let anyone take away our livelihood," Robin said passionately about their stance on the Union government's proposed deep-sea sand mining. The fishermen in Kerala have already launched several protests against the proposed plan to open up the sea to private mining companies as part of the Union Government's 'Blue Economy' initiative. All the fishermen's associations stand united in their protests against this proposal, alleging that it would bring an end to the fisheries sector in the country, not only in the Arabian Sea but also in the Bay of Bengal. "The mining, according to the scientific report we have, can disturb the seabed and completely destroy fish spawning habitats. It can also release poisonous gases trapped on the deep-sea floor, causing severe environmental issues," Kerala Minister for Fisheries, Saji Cherian, told PTI.

Mohanlal's Empuraan makes history in pre-sales, gears up for grand opening

Mohanlal's 'L2: Empuraan' trailer has already been released, and advance bookings are set to open from today, March 21, 2025, at 9:00 am. The official release date of Mohanlal's film is March 27

Kerala becomes first Indian state to establish senior citizens commission

Kerala has become the first state in India to pass a law creating a commission for senior citizens, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday. Hailing the law enacted on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said this new commission would focus on protecting the rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of the elderly. "The LDF government is implementing policies that wholeheartedly embrace senior citizens. Kerala, which ranks first in the country in elderly welfare, is setting another example in this field. "To strengthen the initiatives launched for senior citizens since the previous government's tenure, the state is now establishing the country's first-ever Senior Citizens Commission. As a step towards this, the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill yesterday (Wednesday)," Vijayan said in a Facebook post. He said that with the establishment of this commission, "we will be able to ensure the rehabilitation, security, and welfare" of senior .

ASHA workers begin indefinite hunger strike outside Kerala Secretariat

A section of ASHA workers, protesting outside the Secretariat here for 39 days, on Thursday intensified their agitation with three of their members starting an indefinite hunger strike as part of their demands for post retirement benefits and increased honorarium. The indefinite hunger strike was kicked off amidst slogans against the ruling Left government with the protesting Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers accusing it of "corruption" and being "cruel" towards them. Prior to the start of the hunger strike, Congress leader and former state Health Minister V M Sudheeran met the protesting ASHA workers and extended his support to them. Thereafter, speaking to reporters here, he accused the ruling CPI(M) of adopting a "neo-fascist" stand against the protestors. "They appear to be attracted by neo-fascism," he said. When reporters told him that state Health Minister Veena George went to Delhi earlier in the day to raise the issue of the ASHA workers, he termed it as ...