Page 1459 - Politics
Every Indian proud of Wg Cdr Abhinandan: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Friday that every Indian was "proud that the brave" Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was taken captive by Pakistan hails from Tamil Nadu.
PM says over 1.1 crore farmers have got Kisan scheme payout
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday lashed out at the Congress party saying the people did not want 'dynasty' but only 'honesty'. Launching several projects and laying foundation stone for several others here, Modi said "Every Indian is proud of brave pilot Abhinandan." He said over 1.1 crore farmers have already received their first instalment of Rs 2,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana "Over 1.1 crore farmers have already got their first instalment directly in their bank accounts can you imagine a scheme announced on February 1 has become a reality in the same month itself...," he added. In 2014, it was after thirty years his party got a full majority in Parliament, he said. By voting for the BJP, the Prime Minister said, "People wanted honesty, not dynasty. People wanted development, not decay. People wanted progress, not policy paralysis." He said they wanted opportunities, and not obstacles wanted security not stagnation, inclusive growth, not ...
Pak court dismisses plea to stop the release of IAF pilot
The Islamabad High Court on Friday dismissed a Pakistani citizen's plea to stop the imminent release of the captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinanadan Varthaman. Pakistan detained the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot on Wednesday following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was downed. The Pakistan government on Thursday decided to release him as "a first step" to open negotiations with India to de-escalate tension after a terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed left 40 CRPF personnel dead. A Pakistani citizen had filed the petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to stop the imminent release of Varthaman, saying he committed crime against the country and should be put on trial here. The petition in the IHC sought the court's order to stop Prime Minister Imran Khan's government from handing over the Indian Air Force pilot. The petitioner said the Indian pilot had violated the airspace of .
Border tension has no bearing on LS polls, will be held on time: EC
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Friday said the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan will have no bearing on the upcoming general election in April-May.
Pakistan turns down India's request to send IAF pilot by air: Sources
Pakistan has turned down a request by India to send back Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman by aerial route and not through the Attari-Wagah land border, official sources said Friday. They said hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the decision to release Varthaman, India conveyed to Islamabad that he be sent back via the aerial route. However, late in the night, Pakistan conveyed to India that the pilot will be returned through the Attari-Wagah border and India's request could not be heeded to, the sources said. Varthaman was captured by Pakistan after his Mig-21 Bison was shot down by a Pakistani jet during a fierce dogfight on Wednesday. The Indian defence establishment was also mulling sending a special aircraft to Pakistan, the sources said. The IAF pilot's MiG 21 was shot and he bailed out after bringing down one Pakistani F-16 fighter during the dogfight to repel a Pakistani attack on Wednesday morning. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated ..
FS briefs parliamentary panel on Indo-Pak front
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale Friday briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on the Indo-Pak front. The committee headed by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met in Parliament House this afternoon. The briefing was on Indo-Pak relations in the light of the strain in relationship after the Pulwama attack and an air strike by India, officials said. "The parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs will receive a briefing from the MEA on the current situation with Pakistan..." Tharoor tweeted earlier. Tensions between the two countries escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. It came 12 days after the JeM claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers.
NC, PDP mulling moving court against Centre's decision to extend 2 constitutional amendments to J-K
The National Conference and the PDP said Friday that they were mulling moving court against the Centre's decision to extend the 77th and 103rd Amendments of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir in the absence of an elected government in the state. The reactions come after the Union government on Thursday gave its nod to the promulgation of an ordinance for giving reservation benefits to SCs and STs in Jammu and Kashmir by amending a clause of the contentious Article 370, which gives special status to the state. "It will serve the purpose of application of relevant provisions of the Constitution of India, as amended through the Constitution (77th Amendment) Act, 1995 and Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019 for Jammu and Kashmir, by issuing the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Amendment Order, 2019 by the President under clause (1) of Article 370," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said. In a series of tweets, NC leader Omar Abdullah said, "Article 370 .
China welcomes release of IAF pilot; calls for more terrorism cooperation between India, Pak
China on Friday welcomed Pakistan's decision to release the Indian Air Force pilot and encouraged the two countries to engage in more counter terrorism cooperation and dialogue for the regional peace and stability. Pakistan is set to release captured Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as a "first step" to open negotiations with India. Pakistan detained the pilot following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was downed. Asked how China views Pakistan's decision to release the pilot and whether Beijing played any behind-the-scenes role in it, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters: "Well, from the start China has been calling upon the two sides exercise restraint and take measures to ease tensions, engage in dialogue to resolve the differences". "I have taken note of the developments. China welcomes the goodwill signals released by the Pakistani side. De-escalation serves ..
PDP chief condemns Centre's ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Friday condemned the Centre's decision to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was another example of "muscular approach" of the central government to deal with a political issue of the state. "Democracy is a battle of ideas, crackdown followed by banning of Jammat Islami (JK) is condemnable, another example of high handedness and muscular approach of GOI to deal with political issue of J&k," the former chief minister said in a tweet. The Centre Thursday banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it was "in close touch" with militant outfits and is expected to "escalate secessionist movement" in the state. A notification, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs after a high-level meeting on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Schools, colleges near border to remain closed, situation being reviewed: DM Poonch
Poonch District Magistrate Rahul Yadav on Friday informed that schools and colleges near the border areas are closed due to precautionary measures and the situation is being reviewed on a daily basis."A large part of Poonch is along the border and hence as precautionary measures, schools and colleges are closed. For the villages which are near the border, all related departments have been kept in a state of readiness to deal with any situation. Ambulances have also been mobilised towards the border to address any emergency, and hospitals are also in a state of readiness with staff being available for 24 hours."On being asked about any specific timeframe for educational institutions to remain closed, Yadav said that the further decision will be taken as per the situation of shelling from the Pakistani side. "We are reviewing the situation on a day to day basis," he added.He also asserted that the district's preparedness is part of the district disaster management plan and "it is our ...
Banned Jamaat-e-Islami(J-K) key group responsible for separatist ideology in Kashmir: Sources
Jamaat-e-Islami (Jammu and Kashmir), which has been banned by the Central government, is the main organisation responsible for the propagation of separatist and radical ideology in Kashmir valley, informed government sources on Friday.Sources also asserted that the banned organisation has nothing to do with Jamaat-e-Islami.The separatist organisation, Jamaat-e-Islami (J-K) had enacted its own constitution in 1953, added sources.These key details have emerged a day after the central government had declared Jamaat-e- Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, as an 'unlawful association' under Section 3 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.According to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification issued on Friday, "The Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, has been indulging in activities, which are prejudicial to internal security and public order, and have the potential of disrupting the unity and integrity of the country. Hence in regard to the activities of the JeI, it is necessary to declare
Snubbed by OIC over 'invite to India', Pak boycotts conference in protest
Snubbed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan on Friday boycotted its conference being held in Abu Dhabi as a protest against the invitation to India."The Foreign Minister of Pakistan will not participate in the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers," said a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry here.It said Pakistan's "strong objections" to India's participation have been "clearly communicated" to the OIC.The 57-member OIC invited India as the 'guest of honour' for the first time in its 50-year history. Before the conference, Pakistan had conveyed its objections over invitation to India but those were disregarded by the grouping and the host country United Arab Emirates (UAE).The Pakistan Foreign Ministry claimed that "India has no moral or legal grounds to be present at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers."The 46th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers was attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who addressed its plenary session today and spoke
Retreat Ceremony at India-Pakistan border axed for Friday
The Retreat Ceremony at the Attari-Wagah joint checkpost between India and Pakistan was cancelled for Friday by the Border Security Force (BSF) as IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is set to return from Pakistan in the evening.
China courting JeM chief Masood Azhar to protect its economic interests in Pakistan: US Think Tank
China is courting Maulana Masood Azhar, the founder of terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), since that fulfills the aim to protect its economic projects and Chinese workers in Gwadar port city in Balochistan province of Pakistan, says MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute), a U.S.-based research organization.Analyzing the strategy of different states behind protecting terror outfits, the report quoted Roznama Ummat, a Pakistan based Urdu newspaper, which revealed in September 2018 that Iran, Pakistan and the Taliban have evolved a tripartite plan to be implemented following a settlement resulting from the U.S.-Taliban talks.These developments mean that in a post-settlement scenario, the eastern and southern borders of Afghanistan will be managed by the Taliban and Pakistan jointly as part of the likely Iran-Pakistan-Taliban deal."Such a deal or understanding will suit Pakistan and China, which hopes to station half a million Chinese nationals in Gwadar port city in Balochistan
RCEP trade ministers to meet in Cambodia on Saturday
Commerce ministers of RCEP countries including India and china, which are negotiating a mega trade deal, will hold a crucial meeting in Cambodia on Saturday, according to an official statement. The 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) bloc aims to cover among the issues related to goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has reached Siem Reap in Cambodia for the 7th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting to be held on March 2, 2019. The meet will see bilateral sessions and an opening ceremony to be attended by Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen. "In this meeting, developments since the second RCEP summit held on November 14, 2018 in Singapore will be reviewed, particularly the outcomes of the second Special Trade Negotiating Committee meeting held on January 25-26 2019 in Jakarta," the commerce ministry said in a statement. After five years of ..
Happy with release of IAF pilot, but Pak needs to do lot more: V K Singh
Union minister and former Army chief V K Singh on Friday said he was happy that Pakistan was releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, but the neighbouring country needs to do a "lot more". The Centre is taking "appropriate measures" and "such steps are not revealed", the minister of state for External Affairs told reporters on the sidelines of an event in his Lok Sabha constituency. He was asked about the Centre's next step amid the escalating tension between India and Pakistan. "A lot of things are done in line with the Geneva Convention. We are happy that he is being released. If they call it a gesture of peace, we are happy for that too, but they need to do a lot more," he said. Abhinandan, who was captured by Pakistan on Wednesday, is expected to be released on Friday. On Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi not attending a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being hosted by the United Arab Emirates, Singh said, "It's Qureshi's brain, let them .
Imran Khan is a "tape recorder" of Pak military, no point in holding talks with him: Subramanian Swamy
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Friday said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is a "tape recorder" of the military and suggested it will be better for India to hold talks with their Army General than with him."Imran Khan is the tape recorder of the military. He will only say what the military will tell him. There is no point in holding peace discussions with him, rather it would be better to hold talks with their Army General," he said while talking to ANI.On Pakistan's decision to release Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, Swamy said, "Islamabad is not doing it as a goodwill gesture. They are doing it as Saudi Arabia has mounted pressure on them. Our pilot fell on their land with an Indian jet, so in accordance with the United Nation they are supposed to release him."He also said that BJP leaders should ask people to vote for them in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by promising that if given the mandate, the Centre will "teach a lesson" to Pakistan."In ...
Vidya Balan prays for peace between India-Pakistan, expresses joy for Abhinandan
Bollywood actor Vidya Balan is all happy for Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is expected to return to India from Pakistan where he was captured after his plane crashed on the other side of LoC on Wednesday morning. "I am very happy that Captain Abhinandan is going to come back. He is coming back home safe. I can only imagine what his family must have gone through," Vidya said at an event in Mumbai.Expressing hope for peaceful relations between India and Pakistan, the actress invoked Mahatma Gandhi and said , "I just hope and pray that somehow peace prevails, because an eye for an eye will turn the world blind."Raveena Tandon, who was also present at the event, spoke at length about the ongoing tension between the two South Asian neighbours. She said war-like situation is not healthy, especially for the future of the countries that are out on the battlefield."One gets hurt and it feels sad when you hear about war and that is not the scenario you ...
Abhinandan's homecoming: Wing Commander's family receives heart-warming welcome onboard
It is a day of celebration for India as Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was taken into custody by Pakistani rangers; three days ago will be repatriated today.Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan yesterday announced the release of captured Varthaman, calling it a "peace gesture".Varthaman's MiG 21 was shot and he bailed out after bringing down one Pakistani F-16 fighter during an air battle to repel a Pakistani attack on Wednesday.It is worth mentioning that, Abhinandan's father, Retd Air Marshal S Varthaman, and his wife, Dr Shobha Varthama were greeted with loud cheers and salutes by passengers who shared the flight with them from Chennai to Delhi last night.A viral video shows how the proud parents of Abhinandan received a heart-warming welcome on the flight, as passengers applauded and thanked them for giving India, a warrior like Abhinandan. From the common man to Ministers to Bollywood stars, every Indian is celebrating the moment, hailing it as a ...
MP: Cong MLA refuses to sing Vande Mataram citing Sharia law
A Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh has courted controversy by refusing to recite Vand Mataram citing that it violated the tenets of Islamic Sharia law. Bhopal (Central) MLA Arif Masood refused to recite Vande Mataram at a public gathering of the India Mev Mahasabha at Shyampur in the state's Sehore district on Tuesday. The speaker before him at the function, former BJP MLA Ramesh Saxena had started and concluded his speech with Vande Mataram and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" chants. Masood, who took the mike next, however, said he would not chant Vande Mataram as the Sharia did not permit it. "See the books of the Mev community. Several warriors who laid down their lives for the country are mentioned in them. We are laying down our lives for the country today, and will do so tomorrow," Masood said. "But it is regrettable that we have to prove our commitment by raising Vande Mataram slogans," he added by way of his defence. Talking to the media later, Masood said India was ...