Page 2741 - Politics
On 13th anniversary of RTI Act, Rahul says Modi trying to dilute it
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to dilute the Right to Information Act, and said his party would resist any attempt to weaken the legislation. On the 13th anniversary of the commencement of the Act, Gandhi took to social media to claim that the current BJP government at the Centre has been systematically derailing the legislation since coming to power in 2014. "PM Modi is seeking to dilute the RTI Act, bringing citizens out onto the street to protest. The Congress party will resist any attempt to dilute the RTI Act and lends its support to all those organisations and individuals who are standing shoulder to shoulder in protest," he said in a Facebook post. He said the RTI Act is a "path breaking legislation" brought in by the Congress-led UPA government in 2005. "In the UPA years, the RTI was a powerful instrument in the hands of citizens, forcing the government to be transparent in its decision-making," he said. "Unfortunately, ...
Ministers meeting Parrikar in Delhi a 'political drama': Cong
The Congress in Goa Friday said state Cabinet ministers meeting ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in a Delhi hospital was nothing but a "political drama" enacted to show the BJP-led government exists and is functioning. Parrikar (62), undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment in New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), held meetings Friday with party leaders as well as coalition allies to discuss ways to ensure his government functions normally. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar said the CM meeting his ministers in New Delhi was an attempt to prove that "the government is functioning". Besides meeting ministers from allies, Parrikar also held parleys with members of the Goa BJP Core Committee. "The Parrikar-led government is facing criticism from all the quarters, including their own partymen, for failing to deliver. "The continued presence of CM in Delhi has crippled the state administration without alternate ..
Bodo organisations take out rally in support of their demands
Different ethnic Bodo organisations Friday took out a rally here in support of their long standing demands including the creation of a separate state of 'Bodoland'. Addressing the gathering, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Pramud Bodo alleged that the government was "intentionally depriving the Bodo people from their legitimate rights". The rally was organised by different organizations of the Bodos, including the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Peoples Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM) and overground militant outfit NDFB (Progressive). "BJP got vote from the Bodo people in both parliamentary elections in 2014 and in the last assembly election in Assam for their pre-election promises of solving the Bodoland issue, but it has not been materialized till date", the ABSU president said. Welcoming the talks between the Bodo organisations and the Central government, the ABSU leader said, "simply TALK in the name of TALK is not acceptable, we want .
Prayer for slain terrorist: Aligarh BJP MP writes to AMU VC, seeks probe
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Aligarh, Satish Kumar Gautam on Friday wrote a letter to the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) after some students of the university allegedly offered prayers mourning the death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Manan Wani.In his letter to the VC he stated, "The university seems to be out of control. I advise you to empty all hostels and check details of all students, especially of those who belong to Kashmir."However, the Member-in-charge, PRO Department of the university has denied the allegations and said, "Show cause notice has been issued to nine people and an inquiry committee has been set up. Disciplinary action has also been initiated."The Human Resource Development Ministry has also urged the University to file a report in this regard.An encounter broke out on Thursday morning between security forces and terrorists in Shartgund Bala area of Qalamabad. Hizbul Mujahideen's top commander Manan Waniand ..
Turkey court frees US pastor after two years detention
A Turkish court on Friday freed an American pastor held for the last two years in Turkey, in a case that sparked a crisis in ties with the United States. The court in the western town of Aliaga convicted Andrew Brunson on terror-related charges and sentenced him to three years, one month and 15 days in jail, an AFP correspondent said. However, he was freed taking into account time served and his good conduct during the trial, with the court lifting his house arrest and overseas travel ban, the correspondent said. "This is the day our family has been praying for -- I am delighted to be on my way home to the United States," Brunson said in a statement. The American Center for Law and Justice, a group that works on Christian legal cases and which represented Brunson, said he was set to return but had not yet left Turkey. "It's been an extremely difficult time for our family and we want to express our appreciation to the millions of people around the world who have faithfully prayed for ..
Beti Bachao campaign has helped raise female ratio: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign has been a success and has helped the gender ratio in several states including Haryana and Rajasthan to improve. Highlighting the legislation on triple talaq and increasing the period of maternity leave from 12 to 36 weeks, Modi said through law the government has ensured rights of the citizens and has taken steps to strengthen them. "I can say with pride that with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, there has been a rise in the number of girls (female ratio) in Haryana, Rajasthan and many other states. Many innocents have got rights. The meaning of life is not only to live, but live with dignity," he said. Modi was speaking at the silver jubilee foundation day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign was started by the Modi government to curb female infanticide and promote education of girl child. Modi said he was hopeful that the triple talaq bill gets passed by .
Gujarat Governor okays MLAs' salary hike
Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli on Friday gave his nod to the salary hike bill passed unanimously in the state Assembly during its two-day monsoon session, allowing the legislators a hike of about 65 per cent in their salaries.
Congress slams Goa cabinet meeting at AIIMS
The Congress has condemned Friday's Goa cabinet meeting at AIIMS in Delhi, where an ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has been admitted since last month, saying the meeting was a political spectacle called to portray that the coalition government was still functioning.
Trump says freed US pastor will be 'back home soon'
US President Donald Trump said Friday an American pastor freed by Turkey after two years in detention would be returned "soon" to the United States. "PASTOR BRUNSON JUST RELEASED. WILL BE HOME SOON!" Trump tweeted, after a Turkish court sentenced Andrew Brunson to just over three years in jail but released him after taking into account time served and good conduct. Brunson's detention since 2016 caused one of the worst diplomatic rows of recent times between NATO allies Turkey and the US, and a crash in the Turkish lira that exposed the country's economic fragility. Turkish judicial authorities had repeatedly rejected requests for the release of Brunson, who was moved from prison to house arrest in the city of Izmir in July. When the verdict was read out, Brunson wept and hugged his wife Norine. "My thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Brunson, and we hope to have him safely back home soon!" Trump had tweeted earlier, shortly after posting that he was "working very hard" on the ...
Jawan among three injured in mine blast along LoC
An army jawan was among three persons injured in a mine blast along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Friday, a senior army official said. "There was an explosion in a mine, which was part of the anti infiltration obstacle system along LoC, during some work," he said. In the explosion, one jawan and army porters sustained minor injuries, he said adding that they were admitted to hospital.
Ousted Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker barred from by-election
An ousted Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker was Friday barred from trying to win back her seat because of her support for self-determination, in the latest blow to the city's democrats. Lau Siu Lai - who was unseated from the legislative council in 2016 for failing to properly take her oath in protest at Beijing - was barred by electoral authorities from running in a by-election scheduled for November 25. A document of reasoning submitted by the returning officer said that Lau's advocacy of self-determination for Hong Kong entirely rejected Chinese rule over the semi-autonomous city. Lau said she was not given the chance to make a representation or defend herself, and said the returning office had used "institutional violence" to distort her views. "Running in an election is our right, how can a government deprive us of it?" Lau told reporters late Friday. A group of pro-democracy lawmakers at the press conference chanted "Shame on political censorship, shame on political persecution" .
Soldier, two porters injured in mine blast near LoC
A soldier and two porters were injured on Friday in a landmine explosion on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, a defence officer said.
Modi Lord Vishnu's incarnation: Maharashtra BJP spokesperson
A Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Friday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "11th incarnation" of Lord Vishnu, prompting ridicule by the Opposition, with the Congress calling it an "insult" to the gods. "Hon PM @narendramodi ji is the 11th #Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu (sic)," state BJP spokesperson Avadhut Wagh said on Twitter. Talking to a Marathi news channel, he said, "The country is fortunate that we have got a god-like leader in Modi." Attacking Wagh, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said it was an "insult" to the gods. "This is also an attempt to find lost political ground (by Wagh). I do not think this (comment) needs to be given much importance," he added. The remark was reflective of the "low level of culture" within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Londhe said. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jitendra Awhad also took a dig at Wagh. "Wagh is an engineering graduate from VJTI. There is a need now to check if his certificate (degree) is ...
HC dismisses pleas against Telangana Assembly dissolution
The Hyderabad High Court on Friday dismissed pleas challenging the dissolution of Telangana Assembly nine months ahead of the completion of its term.
Border clashes between India, Pakistan unfortunate: Sirisena
Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday said border clashes between India and Pakistan are unfortunate as he addressed a special session of the country's parliament to mark the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi. President Sirisena who does not usually attend parliament made a special visit to the House to make an address as the parliament was convened on an adjournment debate to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Recalling Gandhi's biography and references made in it on the creation of Pakistan, Sirisena said, "He (Gandhi) told Mohamed Ali Jinnah please do not break away to create Pakistan as a separate state. He told him to become the leader of India along with the rest of the leaders of the great Indian independence movement." "He broke down in tears when Pakistan was created," Sirisena. The president said border clashes between India and Pakistan are unfortunate. "Both countries are suffering due to this border clashes and are spending billions to ...
Cong hits back at BJP's 'serial liar' barb, says India wants answers, not adjectives
The Congress on Friday hit back at the BJP over its "serial liar" barb at Rahul Gandhi, saying it should give factual answers to questions asked about the Rafale deal and then the country will decide who is lying and who is not. The Congress and the BJP have been involved in a war of words over the Rs 58-000 crore deal to purchase 36 Rafale fighter aircraft from France, with claims and counter-claims flowing thick and fast. Union minister Piyush Goyal Friday alleged the Congress president was a "serial liar" and "manufacturer of fake news" and his repeated lies cannot substitute the truth of the deal. Responding to Goyal's attack, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "Our questions are based on facts, your answers should also be based on facts". "The country needs factual answers, we don't need your adjectives for Rahul Gandhi. The country will decide who is lying and who is not lying," Khera said. "The entire government looks like a villain today," he said. He reiterated the Congress's .
Delhi ministers ignored for ITO skywalk inauguration
The Centre and Delhi government stood wide apart yet again, this time over ITO's skywalk inauguration on October 15: the inivite for October 15 event skips Delhi ministers, with the ruling AAP saying the occasion does not demand credit-taking.
Macron says disappearance of Saudi journalist 'very serious'
French President Emmanuel Macron said the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "very serious", calling for an investigation to yield "complete clarity" on what happened to him. "What has been described is serious, very serious," Macron told French broadcasters France 24 and RFI in his first comments on the case. "I await the truth and complete clarity being established." Macron said that he had not spoken to Saudi King Salman or his son Crown Prince Mohammed about Khashoggi, who has not been seen since he walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Some commentators in France have criticised the lack of response by the government, which like other Western allies of Saudi Arabia have recently embraced Crown Prince Mohammed as a reformer of his kingdom. Media reports have suggested Khashoggi was killed and dismembered after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a hit squad which arrived from Riyadh -- claims denied by the Saudi government. Macron, ...
SC rejects Congress' plea on electoral rolls
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Congress leader Kamal Nath's plea for soft copies of the draft electoral rolls in text mode format for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections in November to avoid foul play.
Missing journalist case: Saudi delegation arrives in Turkey
A Saudi delegation arrived in Turkey on Friday for discussions on the case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who disappeared last week at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.