Page 2366 - Politics
Khan pitches for better Indo-Pak ties but describes Kashmir as only issue, India hits back
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday pitched for "strong and civilised" relationship with India but asserted that they have "one issue, which is Kashmir", receiving a sharp reaction from India which regretted that he used the "pious occasion" of foundation stone-laying for Kartarpur Sahib corridor to make "unwarranted reference" to it's integral and inalienable part. There was a need for "showing strength, will and determination" by the leadership of the two countries to resolve all issues, Khan said after the foundation ceremony and emphasised that both countries are nuclear armed and "only a foolish individual can think one can win a nuclear war". The ceremony was also attended by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. However, Khan didn't mention terrorism in his address at the event, attended by Indian Union ministers -- Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri --Punjab state minister Navjot Singh Sindhu among others. India has always maintained that ...
Yogi gets legal notice for calling Hanuman Dalit
A right-wing group in Rajasthan has sent a legal notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asking him to apologise within three days for allegedly calling Lord Hanuman a Dalit. During a poll rally in Malakheda of Alwar district on Tuesday, Adityanath had said, "Hanuman was a forest dweller, deprived and a Dalit. Bajrang Bali worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to west". "This was his resolve as it was Lord Ram's wish. Just like him, we should also not rest till we fulfil that wish," he added. He also said that the people of the district would vote for 'Ram bhakts' and not 'Ravana'. Rajasthan Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha president Suresh Mishra has now sent a notice to Adityanath, accusing him of dragging Lord Hanuman's caste for political gain for the BJP in the state where assembly polls will be held on December 7. The notice reads, "I am saddened that UP chief minister called Lord Hanuman deprived. His statement has hurt religious ..
Sidhu heaps praise on Imran Khan, says Kartarpur corridor a big possibility
Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday heaped praise on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, referring to him as a "farishta (angel)" at the function to lay foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor. Sidhu said the event offered a big possibility for ending violence that has strained ties between the two countries.
DMK ups ante on Mekedatu project; convenes meet to chalk out
: The DMK Wednesday called a meeting of its allies and friendly parties here Thursday to deliberate on the issue of Central Water Commission (CWC) allowing Karnataka to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of a reservoir at Mekedatu across the Cauvery. A day after DMK president M K Stalin slammed the Centre for the nod, the main opposition party said that the meeting would be held at its party headquarters Thursday, where it is expected to chalk out a political strategy on the issue. The CWC had recently given its go-ahead to Karnataka for preparing a DPR for a proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu. Calling the DMK's initiative a "political drama", Tamil Nadu BJP President Tamilisai Soundararajan said the nod for preparing the DPR did not mean permission for construction of the dam. "The Karnataka government was given permission for preparing the DPR, which is the first step for any project request that a state puts ..
See Kartarpur in isolation, don't link with anything else: Army Chief Bipin Rawat
Army Chief Bipin Rawat said Tuesday the Kartarpur Sahib corridor should be seen in isolation and not be linked to anything else. His statement came amid Prime Minister Imran Khan pitching for better ties with India during the corridor's ground breaking ceremony in Pakistan. "Everyone says give peace a chance, something should happen. What has our government said today. Our government has said this (the Kartarpur Sahib corridor) is to be seen in isolation. "Do not link it to anybody else. This is a one-sided decision and it has no link to any other thing," Rawat told reporters here. Rawat was responding to media queries on Khan's appeal and Khalistani Gopal Chawla being seen with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during the ceremony. Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Hyderabad that there will be no dialogue with Pakistan unless it desists from terrorist activities against India. She also said the Kartarpur corridor initiative -- connecting .
Women's safety: Maha to provide necklaces with panic button
The Maharashtra government will make available "chains" (necklaces) with a panic button for women which can be used to send a distress signal to police in emergency. The announcement was made by Minister of State for Home (Rural) Deepak Kesarkar while replying to a discussion on crimes at Ashramshalas (government-funded residential schools) in the Legislative Council here Wednesday. The minister said the government is finalising a scheme under which "chains" with panic button will be made available at Rs 1,000 or less. Women will be able to wear them around the neck. "Such chains are available in several western countries....In the next one month, the technology will be finalised and we will float a tender," said Kesarkar. Shiv Sena legislator Neelam Gorhe, who raised the issue, said eight girls were sexually harassed at Minai Ashramshala in Walva tehsil of Sangli district in September. A security committee should be set up in every Ashramshala for the security of girl ...
'India-Pakistan conflict cannot be solved with use of force'
With both India and Pakistan being nuclear powers, the answer to the conflict between the two neighbours lies in a political solution and not in use of force, said Lt Gen (retd) Prakash Menon Wednesday. The theory of a limited war to tackle terror attacks on Indian soil by Pakistani elements may not be a good idea in the backdrop of both countries having nuclear power, Menon said at the launch of his book "The strategy trap - India and Pakistan under the nuclear shadow". "The answer does not lie in force as nuclear power is a deterrent to that, it lies in political sagacity," Menon said. He said that a stable sub-continent is in the interest of India since its objective is of development and socio-economic upliftment of its people. "The book throws up ideas which our politicians and generals can go into," he said. The book was launched here by GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt General M M Naravane. Menon said that Pakistan uses terror as a tool for its foreign policy, while .
Pro-Khalistan separatist leader seen shaking hands with Pak Army chief
Eyebrows were raised on Wednesday when a prominent pro-Khalistan separatist leader was present at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor and was also seen shaking hands with Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. When asked, a Pakistani official said, Gopal Singh Chawla is a senior leader of Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (PSGPC), and he was invited to all events involving the Sikh community. Singh is the general secretary of the PSGPC and is known as a pro-Khalistan voice. He was seen shaking hands with the Pakistan Army chief. Several other pro-Khalistan leaders were also present at the event. "Indian media taking a myopic view is selectively showing Mr Gopal Chawla meeting COAS. Army Chief met all guests at the venue irrespective of identity. A peace initiative should not be subjected to propaganda," ISPR DG Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted. Sources said Singh was instrumental in denying access to Indian High Commission officials to two gurudwaras .
Indians, Israelis in US call for Mumbai attack perpetrators to be brought to justice
The Indian and Israeli communities in the US strongly condemned the impunity with which masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack continue to roam free in Pakistan as they called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, 10 years after the assault that killed 166 people. The Consulate General of India in New York in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel and the American India Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) held a memorial service on Monday to pay homage to the victims of the attack on India's financial hub, that included four Israelis and six Americans. The Consul General Of India Sandeep Chakravorty led the memorial service, stressing that India and Israel share a unique relationship and the two nations should join hands with the US to fight terrorism. He also mentioned Haifa Day as the Indian Army commemorates September 23 every year as 'Haifa Day' to pay respects to the three Indian cavalry regiments - Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur Lancers - that helped ...
Putin to discuss Khashoggi with Saudi prince at G20: Kremlin aide
Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, a Kremlin aide said Wednesday. Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy advisor, told a briefing in Moscow that the two men planned to meet in Argentina. "Of course, they will talk about this subject," he said, referring to the journalist's murder. He added, however, that the "main aim" of the meeting will be "the development" of Russian-Saudi relations.
Putin says Russia ditching dollar in sanctions response
President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia had no choice but to cut its dependency on dollars to conduct trade, after becoming the target of increasingly severe US sanctions. "It isn't our goal to desert the dollar," Putin told an investment forum in comments broadcast on national television. "The dollar is deserting us." The dollar is the preeminent currency in international trade. Washington has made it difficult for some targets of its sanctions to use the currency. "Those who are taking such decisions are not shooting themselves in the foot, but a bit higher," Putin said to laughter from the crowd. Worries about the ability to use the dollar will push other countries to seek alternatives, said Putin. Russian authorities have long talked about "de-dolarisation" of its international trade. "We need to do it and I assure you we will do it," said Putin. However, progress on that front has been slow. Oil, Russia's major export, is priced in dollars. Nevertheless, much of ...
UK highlights GDP hit from 'no-deal' Brexit as May courts sceptical lawmakers
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's government stepped up its warnings on Wednesday that a "no-deal" Brexit would hammer the economy, and pressed lawmakers to drop their opposition to Prime Minister Theresa May's plan, which it said would limit the damage.
Exclusive: U.S. senators ask White House to probe ZTE work in Venezuela
CARACAS (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators on Wednesday will ask the Trump administration to investigate whether ZTE Corp, the Chinese telecommunications company, violated U.S. sanctions by helping Venezuela set up a database that monitors the behavior of its citizens.
Sidhu praised Imran Khan more than due, must know it's not a laughter challenge: Prakash Javadekar
Union Minister for Human Resources and Development (HRD) Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday lambasted Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his remarks made in Pakistan claiming that Sidhu praised Imran Khan more than what was due. He further said that Punjab minister should know that this was not a laughter challenge.Mincing no words in his criticism of Sidhu, Javadekar told ANI: "The most objectionable thing in Sidhu's Pakistan trip is that he referred to various domestic issues which are not done in any diplomatic relations. He is going there and breaching all political and diplomatic norms and criticising and raising issues of Indian domestic politics. He praised Imran Khan more than what was due and praised him to the hilt. When Pakistan is indulging in all kinds of terror activities and cross-border terrorism, one needs to be very cautious about it. It was not merely in enthusiasm or a laughter challenge by Sidhu; this is the Congress policy of doublespeak. Even Mani Shankar Aiyar .
Congress leader defends Sidhu's Pak visit, questions MEA
Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa on Wednesday defended Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's visit to Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor, saying that Sidhu visited Pakistan in his personal capacity and the onus of what he says there lies on him alone.Speaking to ANI, Bajwa said: "Navjot Singh Sidhu went there on a personal invitation because he is a friend of Imran Khan. He didn't go there in an official capacity as a Minister. This has also been clarified by the Punjab Chief Minister. The onus of whatever he says there in his personal capacity lies on him alone."Bajwa further said, "Navjot Singh Sidhu went there for the second time in three-four months. Who issued him the visa? Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did. First, you issue him a visa and then you talk about what he did and what he said there. Navjot Singh Sidhu's visit to Pakistan has no link with Punjab government and Congress," Bajwa said.He also expressed delight over the opening
Congress, TRS, AIMIM deleted voters' name from Telangana list: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused the Congress, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) of deleting names of scores of people from Telangana voters' list on grounds of their community.Speaking to the media after meeting senior officials of the Election Commission, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "Genuine voters from a particular community and supporting a specific party have been deleted under planned conspiracy."He also alleged that names of several fake voters and Rohingyas have been illegally included in the voters' list and urged the Election Commission to take action in the matter."Names of several fake voters have been included in the list. Around 700-800 voters have the same address. Names of Rohingyas have also been included in list; they should not be allowed to cast votes. We demanded the Election Commission to look into the loopholes before the election and ...
LJP slams Upendra Kushwaha over seat-sharing
The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Wednesday said all the NDA partners in Bihar would have to compromise on seat allocation for 2019 elections even as it slammed Rashtriya Lok Samaj Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha for going public on the issue and holding talks with opposition leaders.
Top Maoist leader Ganapathy replaced by Basavaraju
General Secretary of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), Ganapathy has been replaced by his second-in-command Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju, a purported statement from the Maoists said. Muppala Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathy, around 71 years of age, has stepped down from his position due to his deteriorating health and age-related issues, a statement dated November 10 issued by the Maoists and circulated on social media, said. He proposed to appoint Basavaraju, currently heading the central military commission, as general secretary, it said. The two-page statement signed by Abhay, spokesperson of the central committee of Maoists also said, "The decision to elevate Basavaraju was approved during the fifth meeting of the central committee". After the CPI (Marxist-Leninist) (People's War) and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) merged to form the CPI (Maoist) in 2004, Ganapathy took charge as its general secretary. He was the general secretary of the CPI ...
CITU slams govt for strategic sale of AIATSL
The government is privatising national carrier Air India piece by piece after its efforts to do so as a whole failed to take off, the CITU alleged Wednesday. In a statement, Left-backed Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) alleged that the government has decided to go for strategic sale of 100 per cent stake in Air India's ground handling subsidiary, Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL) despite it being a profit making body. "The government has embarked on privatising its profit making subsidiary AIATSL after its hell-bent efforts to privatise Air India as a whole failed to get any response", said the trade union body. A ministerial panel Tuesday had cleared a proposal for strategic sale of AIATSL. The government is currently working on ways to revive the fortunes of Air India -- estimated to have debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore --including sale of non-core assets, said officials. The CITU claimed that AIASTL has earned a profit of Rs 334 million in 2016-17 with a ...
In letter to PM, BJP MP raises issues dalits, backward castes representation in higher judiciary
In an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi BJP MP Udit Raj has raised the issues of representation of Dalits and backward castes in the higher judiciary. The North East Delhi Lok Sabha MP has also sought the prime minister's attention over the judiciary's alleged "encroachments" of executive and legislative functions. "The jurisdictions of legislature, executive and the judiciary are specified in the Constitution of Indian. The balance is disturbed when they encroach upon one another's jurisdiction," he said in his letter. Raj who is also chairman of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations said the outfit will hold a rally at the Ramlila Ground here on December 3 to discuss the issues raised by him.