Amid high drama, AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan was today suspended from Maharashtra Assembly for refusing to say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ after it adopted a unanimous resolution, escalating the row over chanting this slogan triggered by his party boss.
Taking a cue from his party chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who said he won’t chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ even if a knife was put to his throat, Pathan said, “We will say ‘Jai Hind’ but not ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and there cannot be any compulsion.” Owaisi had made the remark while rejecting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s suggestion for chanting the slogan to infuse patriotism.
Actor Anupam Kher also waded into the row, saying, “The only definition of NATIONALISM for Bharatwasis should be “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. Rest all are escape routes.:)”.
Pathan, who represents Byculla seat in South Mumbai, will not be allowed to attend the proceedings of the House till the end of ongoing Budget session.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat said, “Pathan was suspended from Assembly for showing disrespect to national heroes and refusal to say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai'”.
The drama unfolded began when All India Majlis-e- Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA from Aurangabad, Imtiaz Jaleel was speaking on the debate on the Governor’s address in the Assembly.
Jaleel said the government should not spend taxpayers’ money on building memorials of ‘great personalities’.
A Shiv Sena MLA interjected, saying Jaleel’s party leader Asaduddin Owaisi had recently stated that he will not chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ (hail mother India).
To this, Pathan said, “We will say ‘Jai Hind’ but not Bharat Mata Ki Jai. There cannot be compulsion on saying ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. The Constitution does not say this”.
Immediately after his remarks, the legislators from ruling BJP and Shiv Sena and other opposition parties including Congress and NCP began making demand for the suspension of AIMIM legislators from the House.
Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said the AIMIM MLAs should apologise but his suggestion was shot down by angry members of the House, who, setting aside political differences, sought their suspension.
Bapat said he will table a resolution seeking the approval of the House for suspension of AIMIM MLAs, after which the House was adjourned for 10 minutes It was again adjourned three more times amid noisy scenes.
When the proceedings resumed, Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil tabled the resolution, seeking suspension of Pathan, which was approved unanimously.
“Pathan has misused freedom of speech, violated Parliamentary traditions and insulted ‘Bharat Mata (Mother India),” the minister said, adding the resolution was tabled keeping with the sentiments of the House.
“During his suspension period, Pathan won’t be able to attend House proceedings and won’t be allowed near Vidhan Bhawan premises,” Patil said.
Speaker Haribhau Bagade informed the House that the resolution was adopted unanimously.
Later talking to reporters, Pathan sought justice, saying,” I have not disrespected my country”.
“I am proud of having been born in this country and god willing will be buried in the very earth here. I have not disrespected my country. And I cannot think of doing so. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat. Jai Maharashtra.PTI
The much-awaited superhero film “Captain America: Civil War” has a running time of two hours and 27 minutes, making it the longest film from Marvel Studios till date.
It’s four minutes longer than the previous title holder, 2012’s “The Avengers”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Captain America: Civil War” is likely to need the expanded length.
In addition to pitting two teams of superheroes against each other and tying up the Winter Soldier plot left dangling in the previous movie, the feature will also introduce two new players to the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland).
While it may be the longest Marvel movie to date, it’s far from the longest superhero movie released. This month’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” runs 151 minutes, while 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises” ran an impressive 165 minutes.
“Captain America: Civil War” opens in US theatres May 5.
The White House said that President Barack Obama has not yet picked his nominee to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
“The process of reviewing information about potential nominees continues,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest, amid speculation that the appointment may come soon.
Obama’s candidate would tilt the balance of the nine-member court currently evenly split between eight liberal and eight conservative justices.
But that has prompted Republicans to say the appointment should be made by the next president.
The Republican-controlled Senate must approve any nominee before he or she can take up the post.
Earnest said the announcement would “not necessarily” be made before Obama leaves for landmark trip to Cuba just over a week from now.
The White House has busied itself galvanizing Democratic support and turning up the heat on individual Republican Senators to allow a hearings.
The issue is sure to energize the base of both parties as the country heads to a presidential election in November.
Traveling to Texas on Friday, the White House zeroed in on home state Senator John Cornyn and his pledge to treat Obama’s nominee like a “pinata.”
“The president hasn’t even decided on a nominee yet. It sounds like Republicans are prepared to follow through on their threat… (and) attempt to tear that person down,” Earnest said.
“It’s clear that Republicans vow to treat the president’s nominee like a pinata is not motivated by some sort of principle, but rather is motivated by party politics.
PTI.
A 27-member Pakistan cricket contingent left for India to take part in the Twenty20 World Cup, finally ending days of uncertainty over their participation in the mega event.
The team will be reaching Kolkata via Abu Dhabi.
The Pakistan squad including 15 players, 12 officials and support staff reached the Allama Iqbal international airport amidst tight security and boarded a flight hours after the Pakistan government finally gave the PCB the green signal to fly to India to take part in the ICC event.
Due to a long stay in Abu Dhabi the squad will reach Kolkata later this evening.
Head coach Waqar Younis, before departing for India, left a message on his Twitter account calling for unity in the team.
“Come on together we can do it,” he tweeted a message aimed at motivating the players.
He told the media that though the departure of the team for India had been hit by uncertainty and security issues, the focus of the players now would only be on cricket and doing well in the world event.
“We know that in India we will get a lot of hospitality because many of the players and officials have been to India before and they have seen this,” he said.
Waqar said that he had told the players to only focus on cricket an leave security issues to the boards and experts.
“We will take one match at a time and we are not thinking right now about the match against India on March 19. First we have to play Bangladesh and get past them. They are a very improved side now and have been hard to beat at home,” he said.
The Pakistan contingent includes manager Intikhab Alam, the experienced former Test captain and a high profile security manager.PTI
High altitude areas including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg today experienced fresh snowfall while steady rains lashed Srinagar, resulting in a considerable drop in temperatures.
Gulmarg recorded about three inches of snow – much to the delight of tourists who are enjoying their holiday in the famous hill resort, officials said.
They said about five inches of snow was recorded in the peripheral areas of the hill station including Kongdoori and Aferwath.
Gulmarg, which is still covered by a thick layer of snow, is attracting tourists in good numbers and the fresh snowfall is expected to further boost footfall.
Reports of moderate snowfall were also received from Z-Gali in Kupwara district, Sonamarg and Zojilla pass along Srinagar-Leh National highway in Ganderbal district, Peer Ki Gali along Mughal road in Shopian district, Amarnath cave shrine and adjoining hills in Anantnag district and upper reaches of Yousmarg in Budgam district, officials said.
While the Srinagar-Leh road and the Mughal road, which is being developed as alternate road link between Srinagar and rest of the country, remained closed for vehicular traffic owing to ongoing snow clearance operation, the all-weather Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained open despite rains all along 125-km Srinagar-Banihal stretch, they said.
Officials said the fresh snowfall might delay the early opening of 434-km strategic Srinagar-Leh highway which usually remains closed during winter.
The road normally opens by April-end but because of low snowfall this season, it was expected that the highway would be thrown open later this month.
Meanwhile, steady rains lashed the plains including Srinagar since early morning, but the water level in Jhelum and other water bodies remained unchanged so far.
Srinagar recorded rain of 7 mm till 2:30 pm while Kupwara district recorded highest rainfall of 15 mm, the MET office said.
The weather office has predicted more rainfall for the next three days.PTI
The fifth edition of half Marathon here will kick off tomorrow from the Sports Authority of Goa ground, Campal, organised by the El Shaddai Charitable Trust in association with the Goa Athletic Association, Council of the City of Panjim and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
It will attract more than 5,000 marathoners from across the country.
Similar to previous years, the marathon features four races the 21-km Half Marathon, 10-km Run, 5-km Dream Run and the School Run for children under 14 and 16 years of age.
The 10-km run and the School run continues to be large crowd pullers.
The half marathon has attracted runners from all over India and overseas with the international runners who will be giving stiff competition to the Indians both in the men and women’s open category.
The 21-km will be flagged off at 6:00 AM from the Campal Ground with runners progressing across the streets as they experience the rustic charm of Old Goa, turning around at St Peter’s Church and back to the start point.
The 10-km run is seeing locals from Goa participating in large numbers. The run will be flagged off at 6:15 AM from the Campal Ground and will progress along the banks of the scenic Mandovi River moving towards Raibandar and back to the start point.
The Dream Run (5-km) have several groups participating from the corporate sector.
The participants include companies like Novotel, Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort, BresMed Health Solutions Pvt Ltd, Teva Pharma and Diebold Systems Pvt Ltd.
The Marathon is also drawing in participation from runners groups all across the country including the Susegaddo Runners Group, Aamhi Antruz Runners, Fitness Freaks from Goa, Goa Toastmasters group and many other small groups too.
With its reputation of having one of the most scenic marathon routes, the event continues to draw the participation of several professional distance runners and locals.
Sponsors of the marathon include Central Bank of India, Dziners, Real Drinks, Carasid, Oakleaf and Quality Foods.
Funds raised through the event will be used to repair and re-build homes for families in need of decent housing and to alleviate the suffering of the homeless and street children.
Matthew Kurian, Founder Trustee El Shaddai Charitable Trust said, “the Goa Marathon is mainly organised to create awareness about health in Goa and encourage more people to run as a habit. Apart from this we are also seeking to create awareness and raise funds for the work of our organisation of addressing the needs of the poor in society.PTI
In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan today repatriated nearly 86 fishermen and a person from Jammu and Kashmir.
All the prisoners crossed over to India through the land transit route of Attari Wagah border on the basis of Emergency Travel Certificate issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, officials said here.
The moment the group of the fishermen, mostly from Gujarat and neighbouring states, crossed over to India, they kissed Indian soil.
After the repatriation, the medical examination of all prisoners was conducted by the team of Indian doctors, they said.
All the Indian nationals were freed from the Landhi Jail in Karachi earlier.
The fishermen had strayed into Pakistan while fishing in the Arabian Sea and were held captive by the Pakistani coast guards for “illegal” fishing.
The fishermen said it was difficult to differentiate the territorial waters and they slipped into Pakistani territory.
The Supreme Court today referred to the Chief Justice pleas raising the question as to when lawmakers facing criminal trial would stand disqualified for setting up a constitution bench, saying such issues needed to be decided by larger benches.
A three-bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the petitions be sent to Chief Justice T S Thakur for constituting a five-judge bench to deal with the matter.
The court said the larger bench would deal with the question as to when can a legislator be disqualified.
“Can a legislator facing criminal trial be disqualified at conviction or at the framing of charges in the case?” the bench asked.
The court was hearing a petition filed by NGO Public Interest Foundation on the issue.
BJP leader and advocate Ashwani Kumar Updhaya has also filed a plea seeking a direction to the the Centre and others “to bring in electoral reform and to make rules… and Code of Conduct for de-criminalization and de-communalization of politics and for eradication of corruption, casteism and nepotism from electoral system.”
Earlier, the apex court had set a deadline of one year for lower courts to complete trial in criminal cases involving sitting MPs and MLAs.
It had also said that all such proceedings involving lawmakers must be conducted on a day-to-day basis.
In order to expedite proceedings against lawmakers who continue to enjoy membership of a legislative body during the pendency of case, the court had also said that lower courts will have to give explanation to the Chief Justice of the respective high court if the trial is not completed within a year.
The Law Commisison had recommended that such trials be concluded in one year.
“We direct in cases of sitting MPs and MLAs who have been charged for offences under Sections 8(1), 8(2), 8(3)of Representation of People Act, the trial is to be conducted as expeditiously as possible but not later than one year from the date of framing of charges,” it had said.PTI
Pakistan today confirmed that it had shared intelligence with India on possible terror strikes in Gujarat ahead of Maha Shivratri festival.
“Sharing of intelligence among various nations of the world is a routine practice and this happens around the world.
However, this time it was somehow leaked to media. But this showed Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism,” Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said in response to a question on whether Pakistan had provided intelligence to India on impending terror strikes.
According to Indian media reports, Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Lieutenant-General Naseer Khan Janjua passed on the intelligence warning to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Saturday following which NSG special forces were deployed to Gujarat to back up state police.
Intelligence inputs from Pakistan of a possible 26/11-style fidayeen attack on religious sites and processions in Gujarat during Maha Shivratri celebrations yesterday and today prompted authorities to order a massive mobilisation of state police personnel and National Security Guard (NSG).PTI
Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Sunday said that JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was an “aberration” and not a hero, while asserting that the Left parties were taking refuge in universities, media and NGOs.
“Left parties have disintegrated in most parts of the world. They have no place in the political scene and as such are moving to the media, universities and NGOs,” Rudy said at a press conference.
“It is through these that they are trying to influence the minds of the people,” he said.
“Kanhaiya is an aberration,” the Union minister of state for skill development and parliamentary affairs said when asked whether Kanhaiya had become a hero with the Left parties planning to make him campaign for their candidates in the coming Assembly polls in West Bengal.
He said that no right-thinking person who believed in nationalism would tolerate the acts and speeches of the JNUSU leader.
Asked if the NDA government at the Centre was mulling any change in laws pertaining to sedition, he said, “There are already enough laws in the country and the final interpretation of these are with the judiciary.”
Referring to the JNU issue, where some student leaders, including Kanhaiya Kumar, were arrested for allegedly raising anti-national slogans at a meeting in JNU campus, the minister said, “The question of tolerance should not be mixed up with anti-national acts, there cannot be any compromise when actions are seditious.”
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