Page 36 - Kerala

Kerala CM seeks govt's help for return of 3 from cargo ship seized by Iran

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday sought the intervention of the external affairs ministry seeking the safe return of Indian nationals including three from the state who are onboard a seized Israel-linked cargo ship in the gulf region. Vijayan wrote a letter to Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today sharing the concerns of the Kerala government over the welfare and safety of the crew members of the ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guards near the Strait of Hormuz. As per reports, three among the crew, namely Sumesh, P V Dhanesh and Syamnath have been confirmed to be natives of Kerala. "As you are aware, the ship's seizure has caused great concern, especially for the families and loved ones of the crew members. Our collective objective at this point of time is the safe repatriation of all our nationals including those from Kerala, back to India without any delay. "Given the geopolitical situation surrounding this incident, I urge

Lok Sabha polls: Rahul to attend election rallies, meetings in Kerala

The Congress leader kicked off the poll campaign in his constituency Wayanad early this month by filing his nomination papers and holding a massive roadshow

Kerala Govt initiates legal action over fake narrative against state

The Kerala government on Thursday initiated legal action against an allegedly fake communal narrative on social media against the state. The General Education Department in Kerala on Thursday said that it has filed a complaint against a social media handle on X identified as 'Mr. Sinha'. The department contended that a page of a book was posted on that handle falsely claiming that its communal contents were taught in Kerala schools and that was "how commies (communists) brainwash the little kids". General Education Minister V Sivankutty said a complaint has been filed with the state police chief regarding the "dissemination of false propaganda" aimed at the Kerala Government. "This book is not published by the Kerala Govt's Education Department. Merely another endeavor to incite animosity towards the state. Those acquainted with us understand the camaraderie & unity among the people of the state. No room for hatred - precisely why communal agenda fails to take root here," ...

Lok Sabha elections: Party over family? AK Antony wants son Anil to lose

Anil Antony is contesting as a BJP candidate from the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, after switching sides earlier this week

Final list of LS candidates in Kerala ready; 194 contestants for 20 seats

The final list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala has been prepared, with 194 contestants competing to win the 20 constituencies in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said here on Monday. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations expired on Monday, with 10 candidates withdrawing their papers statewide. Kottayam constituency boasts the highest number of candidates at 14, while Alathur has the fewest at five. Other notable figures are 13 candidates in Kozhikode, and 12 each in Kollam and Kannur, according to an official release. Of the total 194 candidates, 169 are men and 25 are women. Vadakara constituency stands out with the highest number of female candidates, at four. Nominations were withdrawn in Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikara, Idukki, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Vadakara constituencies. Following the finalisation of the candidate list, the Election Commission began allotting symbols to the candidates. Constituency-w

Media freedom has disappeared under BJP regime, says Kerala CM Vijayan

Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting those outlets that do not sing praises for the regime, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged on Monday. He was reacting to news reports that the BBC's Indian newsroom has ceased operations. The UK-based BBC had recently restructured its operations in India to comply with the country's foreign investment rules. Addressing the media here , Vijayan said reports claimed that BBC was compelled to make this decision due to persistent vindictive actions by the Income Tax Department. "Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting media outlets that do not sing praises for the regime. The BBC's ordeal serves as a stark reminder that this election is an opportunity to address and resolve such issues," Vijayan said. He further said authoritarian regimes always try to control the media and the reminiscent symptoms of India's Emergency era a

LS polls: cVIGIL receives over 100,000 MCC violation complaints in Kerala

The Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said that action was taken on 1,05,356 complaints which was found to be valid, while action is in progress for 183 complaints

Rahul Gandhi's wealth rises more than 28% in past five years on market bets

Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad in the southern Indian state of Kerala, didn't hold any stocks directly in 2019, according to an affidavit filed at that time

Lok Sabha polls: Rahul Gandhi declares Rs 1 crore income, Rs 20 cr assets

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Elections in the Kerala's Wayanad seat will take place on April 26, will see three-cornered contest

WATCH: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha seat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday filed his nomination papers from Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. Rahul, accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi and other senior party leaders

No relief to Kerala; SC refers plea on borrowing to Constitution bench

Supreme court referred the plea filed by the State against the Centre over interference with the State's power to borrow and regulate its own finance to a Constitution bench

Lok Sabha polls: SDPI extends support to Congress-led UDF in Kerala

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political arm of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), on Monday extended its support to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan told the media that the UDF has not reached any understanding with the SDPI. SDPI state President Muvattupuzha Ashraf Moulavi, who met the media here, said after considering all factors, the party has decided to support a secular front -- the UDF. "In Kerala, we have decided to support the Congress-led UDF which is spearheading the anti-BJP bloc," Moulavi told the media The SDPI leader said the party has not fielded any candidates in Kerala but has 18 candidates in various parts of the country. "Our Constitution is being challenged. The BJP is bringing in laws to provide citizenship on the basis of religion. Uniform Civil Code is planned, which will affect the diversity of the country

Ceiling on net borrowing: SC refers Kerala govt's suit to five-judge bench

The Supreme Court on Monday referred to a five-judge Constitution bench the suit filed by the Kerala government raising the issue of ceiling on net borrowing. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan passed the order on the state's suit, accusing the Centre of interfering in the exercise of its "exclusive, autonomous and plenary powers" to regulate the state's finances by imposing a cap on borrowing. The bench referred to Article 293 of the Constitution, which deals with borrowing by states, and said this provision has not been so far subject to any authoritative interpretation by the apex court. In an original suit filed under Article 131 of the Constitution, the Kerala government has said the Constitution bestows fiscal autonomy upon states to regulate their finances under various articles, and the borrowing limits or the extent of such borrowings are regulated by state legislation. Article 131 of the Constitution deals with the original jurisdiction of the apex court i

Huge public participation in INDIA bloc rally, a warning to BJP: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the huge participation of people in the INDIA bloc rally held in New Delhi a day ago was a strong warning for the BJP. Addressing the media here, Vijayan also attacked the Congress party and said it was the steps taken by the grand old party which led the Enforcement Directorate to probe the Delhi liquor excise policy case. AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested recently by the ED in the liquor policy case. Aam Aadmi Party is part of the INDI Alliance. "The huge participation of people in the INDIA bloc rally held in Delhi on Sunday gives a strong warning for the BJP," Vijayan said. A day after 18 anti-BJP parties came together in New Delhi to protest against the arrest of Kejriwal, he said that the Congress should also learn a lesson from the rally. The grand old party should introspect on their stand when it comes to attacking non-Congress parties across the country, he said. "Steps taken by Congres

PM interacts with BJP workers in Kerala; claims LDF, UDF acting as enemies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with the BJP's booth level 'karyakartas' or workers in Kerala through the Namo App and asked them to inform voters that both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF in the state were the two sides of the same coin. The prime minister claimed that both fronts, who are part of the INDIA bloc, were only acting as enemies in Kerala and outside it, they were working together to defeat the BJP and Modi and asked the party workers to inform voters in their respective booths about this political scenario in the state. "They both are working to hide each other's faults and wrongdoings. This is the game they are playing in Kerala. People of Kerala are educated, they should be informed about this," he said. A booth-level president from Palakkad constituency, where NDA has fielded C Krishnakumar, told the PM that it was an ongoing joke that both the LDF and UDF were fighting each other there, but just over the Walayar border, in neighbouring Tam

Violence against Christians raised in 'Good Friday' prayers in Kerala

Violence against Christians in Manipur and other parts of India was raised during the special prayers on the occasion of 'Good Friday' at the St Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral here by Latin Catholic metropolitan Archbishop Thomas J Netto. Netto said that Christians in various parts of the country, especially in Manipur and north India, were being subjected to "cruelty and violence by dark forces" and alleged that there was no effective intervention against it by the authorities. "So, there is a need to take steps against such evil powers," he said. Auxiliary Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry under the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, as part of his prayers on the occasion, said fear weakens man and it is easier to subjugate a person who is scared. He said that if even one person in a country lives in fear, it should be seen as a failure of the nation. The Christian community in Kerala observed 'Good Friday' in accordance with traditional customs and bel

Will take action on those involved in bank irregularities: PM to Sarasu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the BJP candidate in Kerala's Alathur Lok Sabha constituency, Prof T N Sarasu, on Tuesday and assured her that strict action would be taken against those involved in the alleged irregularities in the cooperative banks in the southern state. Party leaders said Modi, who called Professor Sarasu, inquired about her campaign progress in the Alathur seat. The seat is reserved for the Scheduled Castes, and the candidature of Sarasu, a retired college principal, was announced on Sunday. During her conversation with the prime minister over the phone, Sarasu raised the issue of irregularities reported from certain cooperative banks in Kerala and sought his intervention to punish the guilty. Responding to this, Modi said, "I am happy that, as the candidate, you are taking the issue of the people and common man's problems. It is a good thing for any public servant. I am happy to hear that you are raising the issue." He said he had heard about it and had

Best of BS Opinion: Equity markets not enough, political crossovers, more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

17% more flights in Thiruvananthapuram airport summer roster than in winter

The International Airport here has announced its summer schedule with 17 per cent more weekly flight operations than the winter schedule. The summer schedule is effective from March 31 to October 24, 2024. A total of 716 weekly ATMs (Air Traffic Movements) is the highlight of this schedule against 612 in the winter schedule, an airport statement said here Monday. New destinations like Hanimaadhoo in the Maldives will be added, the statement said adding that additional services to Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad in the domestic sector and Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur in international destinations are also listed in the new schedule. In the international sector, air traffic movements will increase by 21 per cent from the current level of 268 weekly ATMs to 324 for summer, it said. In the domestic sector, the ATMs will increase by 14 per cent from the current level of 344 weekly ATMs to 392 for summer, the statement said, adding that the number of daily services to Bengalur

Kerala Oppn urges action to bring back youth forced into Russia-Ukraine war

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan sent a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday seeking immediate intervention of the central government to ensure the safe return of youths recruited by private agencies to the Russian army. In the letter, the Congress leader demanded measures for the safe return of the three youths from Kerala trapped in the war zone and an investigation against the recruitment agencies that are a part of the human trafficking network. "I urge your good self to make every effort to bring back all of those who are stuck in the combat zone and to initiate a comprehensive investigation against these recruitment agencies that form part of a large illegal trafficking network," he said in the letter. Satheesan termed as shocking the "revelation" that some private recruitment companies in Kerala have been recruiting young people to go to war-battered Ukraine after tempting them with the prospect of lucrative employment in ...