New Delhi:&nbsp;Gearing up for the next year's assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress is trying to widen its appeal among masses by planning to celebrate the upcoming 'Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti' and has asked its cadres to recite Sundarkand (a part of Ramayana) and Hanuman Chalisa.The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has ridiculed the move as 'hypocrisy' saying Congress leaders had termed Lord Ram as an imaginary character.A letter, issued on behalf of MP Congress president Kamal Nath, directed the party leaders and workers to hold religious programmes on April 10 and April 16 to mark Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti, respectively. "On both these auspicious religious festivals, recitation of Lord Ram Katha, programmes of Ramlila and worship of Lord Ram should be organised. Besides, the recitation of Sundarkand and Hanuman Chalisa should be organised on Hanuman Jayanti," stated the letter issued by Chandraprabhash Shekhar, a vice-president in-charge of the organisation. Nath will issue a message on Ramnavmi and hold a religious programme on Hanuman&nbsp;Jayanti at Chhindwara, his home turf, it said. Queried about the Congress' move, MP Congress general secretary and media in-charge K K Mishra told PTI that this is not the first time that such directives were issued. "PCC president Kamal Nath is a devotee of Lord Hanuman and has been holding such programmes in Chhindwara for the past several years. Congress leaders had organised similar programmes last year," he said. BJP spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi said the letter has exposed the hypocrisy of Congress."The Congress plays the politics of appeasement. Congress leaders had termed Lord Ram and Ramsetu imaginary. They opposed the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. A Congress leader equated Hindus with terror organisations like ISIS and Boko Haram. The people know their hypocrisy and can't be misled," he alleged.In the 2018 polls, Congress came to power in MP with the support of Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party, but the Kamal Nath-led government lasted in power for only 15 months following the rebellion by a section of MLAs who quit the party along with Jyotiraditya Scindia and subsequently joined BJP.Later, BJP formed the government under Shivraj Singh Chouhan for another term. The next elections in MP are due in November 2023.

Gearing up for the next year's assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress is trying to widen its appeal among masses by planning to celebrate the upcoming 'Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti' and has asked its cadres to recite Sundarkand (a part of Ramayana) and Hanuman Chalisa.

 Recite Ram Katha, Hanuman Chalisa: Congress To Workers

Mumbai: Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday. Shiv Sena workers, who have strongly objected to the politician couple's plan, have been camping outside 'Matoshree' since Friday morning. Taking an aggressive stand, the party leaders and workers have said they will not let the couple go back without 'prasad' "if they dared to turn up"."Around 8.45 am, angry Shiv Sena supporters broke through the barricades placed at a distance of around 50 meters from the apartment where the Ranas own a flat in suburban Khar. They tried to enter the apartment premises. Shiv Sena supporters raised slogans in support of Thackeray and dared the couple to step out of the residence," the police official said.However, the police personnel deployed at the spot brought the situation under control and dissuaded the party workers from indulging in anything that would create a law and order problem, he said.On Friday, Mumbai police had served a notice to Amaravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband, Badnera MLA Ravi Rana, asking them not to disturb the law and order situation in the city.Navneet Rana has been provided Y category security by the central government. Ravi Rana had earlier told reporters in Mumbai that he had demanded the chief minister read Hanuman Chalisa on Hanuman Jayanti "to rid Maharashtra of crises and attain peace for the state," but Thackeray had "refused" to do so.The city police have stepped up security outside 'Matoshree'. Barricades have been placed on the road leading to the Thackeray residence to avoid crowding, the official said."In order to maintain law and order situation, the police have increased security and deployed large number of personnel outside 'Matoshree'," the official said.Early this morning, senior police officers, including zonal DCP Manjunath Singe, visited the place and took stock of security deployment, he said.Besides 'Matoshree', the police have also increased security at 'Varsha', the official residence of CM Thackeray in south Mumbai.A Shiv Sena supporter camping outside 'Matoshree' said, "We have accepted the challenge of the Rana couple. Let them come, we are ready to welcome them and give them 'prasad'."Talking to reporters, Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai said, "'Matoshree' is a temple for Shiv Sainiks. Hindutva is in Shiv Sena's blood, nobody should teach us Hindutva. People are aware of the work done during the pandemic by CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government."—PTI&nbsp;

 Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.  However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday

Hanuman Chalisa Row:  Sena Protest Against MP Rana

 Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.

However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday


 

New Delhi: The Mumbai police on Friday told a special court that while on the face of it the plan of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai may look innocent, but it was in fact a 'big plot' to challenge the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.The police also claimed that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the political opponents of Thackeray were trying to create an atmosphere to project him as anti-Hindu and not sponsoring the cause of Hinduism, and that in the present regime it was difficult for Hindus to practise their religion freely and thus the feeling of hate would increase against the Muslim religion causing a rift. The police made these claims in an affidavit filed through special public prosecutor Pradip Gharat opposing the bail pleas of the Rana couple, who were arrested on April 23 on sedition and other charges.Special judge R N Rokade said he would hear the bail pleas on Saturday.The couple is presently in judicial custody. The police said if released on bail the accused, who are influential persons, would tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses.The police further said that since the accused are not permanent residents of Mumbai, if granted bail they may not be available for the probe and trial.The police in their affidavit claimed that the BJP, which is the opposition party in Maharashtra, has been strongly opposing the administrative policies of the present government and criticising the ruling Shiv Sena for its stand on Hindutva.They claimed that the BJP was doing so as it was deprived of power after the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the NCP and the Congress to form a government.'The opposite parties and political opponents of Shiv Sena have clashes on the point of religion. Some political parties and independent political leaders are raising issues and alleging that the chief minister of Maharashtra is against Hindutva and also alleging that the government is sponsoring the cause of other religions,' the police said. The police in their affidavit also rubbished the claims of the Ranas that they only wanted to chant Hanuman Chalisa, which is an act of prayer, and hence it cannot be construed as an offence.'However innocent these pleadings may seem like, the respondent (police) says that these submissions are the most hypocrite as the plan to read Hanuman Chalisa at 'Matoshree', the private residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, is a big plot to create a challenge to the law and order situation,' the affidavit said.They added that the plan was intended to cause a collapse of the law and order situation and then seek for dissolution of the present government by the Governor of Maharashtra. 'The investigation has revealed that the accused persons who are strong political opponents of the present government have now taken a very smart move to make use of the sacred 'stotra' (religious book),' the police said. 'By creating a law and order situation of this nature, the accused persons are trying to show that the present state government is not sponsoring the cause of Hinduism and the chief minister is against Hindus,' it added.The police further claimed that criticism, even though strongly worded, should be done within reasonable limits. 'However, when the use of words has the pernicious tendency or intention of creating public disorder or disturbance of law and order then the provisions of sedition are attracted,' the police said in its affidavit.They added that when words are spoken with an intention to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the government and Constitution of India, or to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of citizens, then the provision of sedition is made out.The police further said that the Ranas did not pay heed to the notice issued to them on April 22, requesting them to not go to the chief minister's residence. The accused created feelings of hatred, enmity and rivalry amongst the public and the serious offence of sedition was made out against them, it added. While Navneet Rana is lodged in Byculla women's prison, her husband, who is MLA from Badnera in eastern Maharashtra, is in Taloja jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai.—PTI

The Mumbai police on Friday told a special court that while on the face of it the plan of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai may look innocent, but it was in fact a 'big plot' to challenge the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Hanuman Chalisa Row BJP Plot Against Uddhav: Police

The Mumbai police on Friday told a special court that while on the face of it the plan of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai may look innocent, but it was in fact a 'big plot' to challenge the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.




Aurangabad: Terming loudspeakers on mosques as "a social and not a religious issue", Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray demanded that the Maha Vikas Aghadi must bring down all loudspeakers by his stipulated deadline of May 3. "It's now or never.... All loudspeakers must be removed after May 3. After (Ramzan) Eid.... From May 4, I will not listen to anybody. All Hindus will blare out Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques at double volume," Raj thundered, at a well-attended rally in the tourist centre of Aurangabad late on Sunday. Taking the demand on a bigger scale, he urged that loudspeakers must be taken off from all religious places all over the country, even from temples, but only after they are removed from the mosques. Raj further warned that "if the government fails to heed his ultimatum by May 3", then he would not be responsible for the consequences, adding that he was neither interested nor keen to have disturbances in the state. Reiterating that loudspeakers were a "social" and not a "religious" matter, he made it clear that if Muslims try to make it a 'religious' issue, then Hindus would also reply to it with religion. "I request the police personnel here.... Go and start removing those loudspeakers right now.... This is not a new issue, it was always there, but I am giving the solutions.... It's now or never," he declared amid intermittent rounds of applause. Claiming that all loudspeakers in the state are illegal, he asked if Uttar Pradesh could bring them down, then why not Maharashtra. He again slammed Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar for starting casteist politics in Maharashtra which has done huge harm and has now percolated even to educational institutions where students first think of their caste before making friends. "Pawar regularly invoked Shahu-Ambedkar-Phule, but never Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.... After I raised the issue, he started doing it and speaks of the Maratha King.... He is an atheist as per his own daughter (Baramati MP Supriya Sule)'s statement in the parliament.... After I pointed it out, photos of the family doing prayers are now going viral," Raj claimed. The MNS chief said he held just two rallies in Mumbai and Thane last month and "look how they are blabbering", and announced that in the coming days, he would hold rallies in each of the (36) districts in the state.—IANS

Terming loudspeakers on mosques as "a social and not a religious issue", Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray demanded that the Maha Vikas Aghadi must bring down all loudspeakers by his stipulated deadline of May 3.

Now or never - yank off mosques' loudspeakers by Wednesday: Raj Thackeray

Terming loudspeakers on mosques as "a social and not a religious issue", Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray demanded that the Maha Vikas Aghadi must bring down all loudspeakers by his stipulated deadline of May 3.





Mumbai : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers played Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker near a mosque in Charkop area of Mumbai on Wednesday morning, a day after their party chief Raj Thackeray gave a call to recite the religious hymn to protest against loudspeakers blaring 'azaan'.In the background, the 'azaan' could be heard from a loudspeaker of a nearby mosque.In neighbouring Thane city, some MNS activists played the Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker at a spot in Indira Nagar area. No mosque was located in the vicinity.Undeterred by the registration of a case against him, MNS president Raj Thackeray had on Tuesday urged people to play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers on Wednesday wherever they hear loudspeakers "blaring azaan (Islamic prayer call)".In an open letter, Thackeray had asked people to lodge complaints with police by dialling 100 if they are disturbed by the sound of 'azaan'."I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeaker blaring with azaan; in those places, play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. That's when they will realise the hindrance of these loudspeakers," the MNS leader had said.Police have already beefed up security in Mumbai and several other parts of the state, especially where the MNS has a sizeable presence—PTI

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers played Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker near a mosque in Charkop area of Mumbai on Wednesday morning, a day after their party chief Raj Thackeray gave a call to recite the religious hymn to protest against loudspeakers blaring 'azaan'.

MNS workers play Hanuman Chalisa near mosque in Mumbai

Mumbai: A Mumbai Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana, who were arrested in the 'Hanuman Chalisa' recital case.The couple was arrested from their home after giving a call for reciting Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private residence.According to their lawyer Rizwan Merchant, the duo shall be released on a bail of Rs 50,000 each, ordered not to speak to the media pertaining to the case under investigations and refrain from tampering with evidence, etc.&nbsp;The Rana duo was booked and arrested by Khar Police Station on April 23 and slapped with several charges, including sedition, breach of public peace, making inciting statements, and other sections for their plans to chant 'Hanuman Chalisa' outside the Thackeray's personal home, 'Matoshri' in Bandra east.The Special Public Prosecutor Pradip Gharat argued that chanting of Hanuman Chalisa could incite religious passions, which was strongly opposed by the Ranas' lawyers.—IANS

 A Mumbai Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana, who were arrested in the 'Hanuman Chalisa' recital case. The couple was arrested from their home after giving a call for reciting Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private residence.

After 12 Days In Jail, Rana Couple Granted Bail By Mumbai Court

BENGALURU :&nbsp;Karnataka Police is on high alert after Hindu activists launched chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa against Azaan across the state on Monday.Sri Ram Sena founder Pramod Muthalik inaugurated the programme at a temple in Mysuru district at 5 a.m. He claimed that the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa and 'Suprabhata' (morning) prayers were performed at more than 1,000 temples against Azaan in mosques.The police have taken activists into custody who were all set to launch the Hanuman Chalisa chanting at a temple in Bengaluru.It has beefed up the security throughout the state as the issue could trigger communal clashes.Muthalik has announced that activists will intensify their prayer campaign at temples in coming days.He had questioned the "government's helplessness to take action against Azaan, which is against the constitution and law"."Patients, students are troubled by the Azaan offered early in the morning. Congress has made Muslims to feel that they are above the law. Congress has also created fear of Muslims. Law must be upheld and no one is above law," he claimed.Activists started devotional prayers and raised slogans of 'Jai Sri Ram', 'Jai Hanuman' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. They started their prayers at 5 a.m. across the state and completed at 6 a.m.Situation in Karnataka, which was slowly coming out of the social unrest after a series of incidents following the hijab crisis, Bajrang Dal activists' murder and Hubballi communal violence, is again getting tensed—IANS

Karnataka Police is on high alert after Hindu activists launched chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa against Azaan across the state on Monday.

‘Hanuman Chalisa vs Azaan’: K’taka police on high alert

Mumbai : Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi on Monday said they will approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise the issue of their alleged ill-treatment by Maharashtra authorities when the couple was in jail recently.Talking to reporters, Navneet Rana said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, “who back-stabbed the BJP”, should not talk and teach the Ranas about principles.The Ranas also dismissed the allegation that they committed contempt of court by speaking to the media.On May 4, a special court here while granting bail to the couple said the duo shall not commit a similar offence while on bail, and not address the press on any subject related to the case.The couple was arrested on April 23 by the Mumbai police after they announced that they would recite 'Hanuman Chalisa' outside Chief Minister Thackeray's private residence 'Matoshree' here, which had angered workers of the Shiv Sena, Thackeray's party, leading to tension.They walked out of jail on May 5 following which Navneet Rana was admitted to a private hospital here. Her lawyer had then said she had complaints of high blood pressure, body-ache and spondylitis.She was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.“We are going to Delhi today and meet all the leaders who respect women. I am going to meet the prime minister, (Union) home minister and Lok Sabha Speaker and tell them how we were ill-treated from a lockup to jail. I am going to complain about it," said Navneet Rana, who was flanked by her husband.Describing Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut as a “parrot”, Navneet Rana alleged that he had talked about "burying the couple".“We had filed a complaint against it here, but no action was taken. So, I am going to Delhi to raise the issue,” she said.The Ranas also categorically denied having committed any contempt of court by speaking to the press.“We did not talk about the offence, how it was registered against us, reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa' and Matoshree. We spoke about how I was ill-treated from the lockup to jail and how my health issues were avoided (ignored),” she said.The Lok Sabha member from Amravati wondered would be the fate of common people if a public representative like her could be treated “in such a manner” in Maharashtra.“So, it was important for me to speak up and the Constitution has given me the right as a public representative. Nobody should snatch my rights from me,” she said.She said CM Thackeray should learn how to run the state from his predecessor and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.“Devendra Fadnavis ji also ran the government for five years, but he was not this shrewd. Thackeray should learn from Devendra sahab how to run Maharashtra (government) and with what sentiments,” she said.She further said that Thackeray, “who back-stabbed the BJP”, should not talk and teach the Ranas about principles.Ravi Rana, the MLA from Badnera in Amravati, also hit out at CM Thackeray over the Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation issuing a notice to the housing society where they live in suburban Khar here following a complaint of illegal construction."Thackeray should inspect our flat online since he worked only through the online platform for the past two-and-half years," he quipped.“You (the CM) can send Raut and (another Shiv Sena leader and state minister) Anil Parab, your right and left (hands), who are sitting idle. You can send them to take the measurements (of the house) if there is any problem. We will welcome them,” the MLA said.To a question, Ravi Rana said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar should take information on how the couple was allegedly ill-treated when they were in the lockup and jail.“We were treated worse than a criminal,” he alleged, while responding to Pawar's reported remark that the duo was served tea when taken to Khar police station before their arrest—PTI

Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi on Monday said they will approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise the issue of their alleged ill-treatment by Maharashtra authorities when the couple was in jail recently.

Will approach PM against our "Ill-Treatment": Maharashtra MP-MLA couple

Puducherry: The Opposition DMK in Puducherry on Monday staged a protest against the alleged imposition of Hindi in the centrally-administered JIPMER, prompting Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to hold discussions with officials, before insisting there was no such imposition and that the regional language Tamil was being accorded due priority.DMK leaders led by the party convenor in the union territory and Leader of Opposition, R Siva, were arrested when they staged a protest against the recent circular of the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research directing use of Hindi in records and communication by the institute.Slogans 'condemning' the communication issued by the premier institute on the use of Hindi in circulars and records were raised by the protestors including some local youth. Siva alleged JIPMER was already denying job opportunities for the local youths and the present circular directing use of Hindi was another blow on the locals. ''The circular should be withdrawn unconditionally,'' he said, addressing the participants. Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader and member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, T Velmurugan, also opposed the move and dubbed it as ''brazen imposition of Hindi.'' Soundararajan, who visited JIPMER and held discussions with the Director Rakesh Aggarwal, said ''there is no imposition of Hindi in any manner in the institute and Tamil, the local language is given priority''.She told reporters that there were four circulars and a couple of them were being propagated as imposing Hindi.''There is a specific circular that Tamil should be given priority particularly in all communications relating to the patients and services to the people in the institute,'' she said.''There is no imposition of Hindi in any manner,'' she asserted.JIPMER was a prestigious institute and ''one should not interfere in its functioning by making allegations''. She said all internal matters relating to staff knowing only Hindi were having the option regarding the language.''There is no imposition of Hindi and patients approaching the institute were getting the benefit of communications in Tamil'', she added.''Let there be no politicisation as services of JIPMER should never suffer any interference. I assure that Tamil is given priority in JIPMER,'' she said.Tamil was being used in display boards on top of other languages. ''JIPMER is functioning without any discrimination and all protests were uncalled for'', she added—PTI

The Opposition DMK in Puducherry on Monday staged a protest against the alleged imposition of Hindi in the centrally-administered JIPMER, prompting Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to hold discussions with officials, before insisting there was no such imposition and that the regional language Tamil was being accorded due priority.

'Hindi imposition' in JIPMER: Tamilisai asserts Tamil given priority

Puducherry:&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday said the Department of GST (goods and services tax) of Central Excise in Puducherry has earned Rs 600 crore this year and this was the first time such revenue has been made in the Union Territory.Flagging off a cycle rally by staff and employees of the Central Excise here highlighting the celebration of the 75th Independence Day, the Lt Governor said over 8,000 enterprises contributed to the GST which, she said, was laudable.She said Puducherry was marching ahead in every field of developmental activity now and praised the department of GST for its unprecedented collection of revenue. Later, addressing reporters, Soundarararajan said no section of people should launch agitations at hospitals, including JIPMER.The Lt Governor said she had clarified there was no imposition of Hindi in JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education &amp; Research) as was being alleged by some political parties."JIPMER has performed well during the COVID-19 situation. It serves patients of the Union Territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. There was unnecessary propaganda that Hindi was being imposed on JIPMER," she said.—PTI

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday said the Department of GST (goods and services tax) of Central Excise in Puducherry has earned Rs 600 crore this year and this was the first time such revenue has been made in the Union Territory.

GST yielded Rs 600 crore in Pondy: Lt Governor

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday said the Department of GST (goods and services tax) of Central Excise in Puducherry has earned Rs 600 crore this year and this was the first time such revenue has been made in the Union Territory.



New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on the issue of criminalisation of marital rape and granted leave to the parties to file an appeal before the Supreme Court.While Justice Rajiv Shakdher, who headed the division bench, favoured striking down the marital rape exception, Justice C Hari Shankar said the exception under the IPC is not unconstitutional and was based on an intelligible differentia.The petitioners had challenged the constitutionality of the marital rape exception under Section 375 IPC (rape) on the ground that it discriminated against married women who are sexually assaulted by their husbands.Under the exception given in Section 375 of the IPC, sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his wife, the wife not being minor, is not rape—PTI

 The Delhi High Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on the issue of criminalisation of marital rape and granted leave to the parties to file an appeal before the Supreme Court.

Delhi HC delivers split verdict on criminalisation of marital rape

Mumbai: Independent MP Navneet Rana, who has alleged she was illegally arrested and inhumanly treated at a police station in Mumbai, appeared before a parliamentary privileges committee on Monday to present her case and seek "justice". Navneet had recently moved the Lok Sabha privileges committee with her complaint and the panel had called her to appear before it."I presented my case before the committee and shared all the details with them...and how I was mistreated and casteist remarks were hurled against me. I have taken names of all -- from the Maharashtra chief minister to the Mumbai police commissioner," she told reporters after the meeting. "I have sought justice from the committee" she added.Sources said now the committee may call top Mumbai police officials over the complaint.Navneet, the MP from Amravati in Maharashtra, and her MLA-husband Ravi Rana were arrested on April 23 by the Mumbai Police after the couple announced they would recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai, which had angered Shiv Sena workers, Thackeray's party, leading to tension.The couple was granted bail on May 4 by a special Mumbai court. They walked out of jail on May 5.—PTI

Independent MP Navneet Rana, who has alleged she was illegally arrested and inhumanly treated at a police station in Mumbai, appeared before a parliamentary privileges committee on Monday to present her case and seek "justice".

Hanuman Chalisa: Navneet names Uddhav before LS privileges panel

Bhupender Yadav*The India of Amrit Kaal that PM Narendra Modi has envisioned and the work on which is underway honours its ‘wealth creators’ and works tirelessly for its ‘Shram Yogis’ because the welfare and prosperity of the two are intrinsically linked. And together their welfare lays the foundation of a New India. The PM’s 2021 Independence Day speech made lowering regulatory cholesterol a policy priority. He said, “We want such an India where the government doesn’t interfere with the lives of citizens. Every rule, every process that has stood before the people of the country as a hindrance, as a burden, we have to remove it.”The new labour laws are thus designed in a way to ensure that interests of both businesses and people who work for the businesses are protected. The new laws are in tune with the changing labour market trends and at the same time accommodate the minimum wage requirement and welfare needs of the unorganised sector workers, including the self-employed and migrant workers. Labour reforms have been completed by subsuming multiple laws into four Labour Codes which have addressed existing central labour laws, encompassing a plethora of authorities, burdensome compliances, registrations, inspections, licenses, and registers/forms. The reforms will strengthen workers’ social security in both the organised and unorganised sectors. Transformative and game-changing aspects of the Labour Codes include freeing India’s entrepreneurs from the burden of unnecessary and excessive compliances and imprisonment provisions under old labour laws. Consider some of the clauses in the old regulatory laws: Imprisonment between 3 months and 1 year for not maintaining records of colour washing, varnishing/painting of canteens under Factories Act and related rules Imprisonment between 1 and 3 years for not furnishing annual return of holidays to Inspector, under Factories Act and related Rules Imprisonment between 3 months and 1 year for not-displaying Notice showing date of payment of wages under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and similarly for several other minor omissions which emanate from various laws framed in the past 100 years. Considering the old laws to be a hindrance in India’s growth story, Parliament passed the four Codes in 2020 viz, the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. In doing so, the government addressed the issues of excessive criminal provisions in labour laws. The root cause of such excessive regulatory cholesterol of criminalisingminor offences stems from a particular section in almost all Acts and referred to as ‘General Penalty for Offences’. For instance, the Factories Act provides in section 92, under General Penalty for Offences: “if in, or in respect of, any factory there is any contravention of any of the provision of this Act or any rules made thereunder or of any order in writing giving thereunder, the occupier and the manager of the factory shall each be guilty of an offence and punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 2 years or with fine which may extend to 1 lakh rupee or with both….” Similar ‘General Penalty’ clauses exist in most Acts in the country including Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Inter-State Migrant Workmener Act. Imprisonment provisions under such General Penalty Clauses have been removed under the new the new Labour Codes. At the same time, to ensure that an employer has a functioning and well-oiled internal organisational and operational mechanism to check non-compliance, monetary fines have been increased multifold. The reason why this has been done is that imprisonment is too severe a consequence for economic offences that do not involve mala fide intent. These reforms will significantly contribute to India’s ease of doing business index. On the other hand, there were concerns that the Labour Codes would not adequately provide for the prosecution of employers, and it may be lenient towards employers committing offences. However, appropriate safeguards have been incorporated in all the Labour Codes to ensure that there is no leniency in dealing with the malafide intent of employers where ever it exists. It is relevant to note that prosecution for certain offences such as insurance and provident fund contributions which have been deducted by the employer but not paid are construed as intentional and willful default and have been strictly dealt with under the law. The Codes do not allow employers&amp;#39; grave and intentional contraventions to go unpunished. The grounds for prosecutions have however been restructured to ensure that an unintentionally errant employer or a one- time offence committed by an employer does not lead to unnecessary and undue harsh consequences.A statutory provision has also been introduced in the Labour Codes which states that an inspector may give an “Improvement Notice” to an establishment or to a delinquent employer to amend mistakes and make good the losses suffered by the worker or improve the situation/default which the inspector/assessing officer has noticed. Such an approach not only promotes principles of natural justice but also strengthens the relationship between an employer and the worker as the aim and objective of the improvement notice is to redress the grievance of the workers, be it non-payment of wages or not providing certain information to the Government, rather than invoking the prosecution procedure. It also unburdens courts from the pressure of handling minor issues. For the first time, compounding of offences, except for offences grievous innature, has also been introduced in all Labour Codes. If punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, crimes committed for the first time can be compounded by an authorised officer. Compounding of repeat offences is also possible after a 3-5 years gap. Procedures for compounding the crimes have been made simple. Money collected from the composition of violations shall be credited to the social security fund maintained by State Governments and Central governments. Such funds can be utilised for the welfare of the unorganised workers.Labour being on the Concurrent List, decriminalisation of offences in Central labour laws will automatically apply to the areas falling within the jurisdiction of the State Governments and Central governments. The four Labour Codes have reduced the number of sections from 1,228 to 480, a 61% cut. On the initial assessment of imprisonment, there will be only 22 Sections in Labour Codes which will contain imprisonment as a penalty for a first-time offence. The Government has demonstrated its seriousness in reducing criminalisation for non-serious offences and allowed it to focus on universalising various benefits such as minimum wages and social security forall the country&amp;#39;s workers. Criminal penalties, especially the risk of imprisonment for minor and often unintentional offences, are a significant deterrent for today’s youngentrepreneurs. The decriminalisation of certain unintentional corporate crimes is desirable as far as possible because they deter both domestic and international investors. It is expected that decriminalisation of labour laws to will remove the fear of criminal prosecution from the minds of entrepreneurs, which would unleash the entrepreneurial spirits of our youth and will encourage them to set up more businesses; paving the way for a generation of employment which is the top-most priority of the Government. A trust-based approach towards employers will encourage them to align their business practices with Labour Codes and incentivise companies to ensure better compliance with our laws while promoting better human resource practices. Once in force, the Labour Codes will ensure that India moves confidently towards Atmanibharta as envisioned by PM Modi, by removing all obstacles from its way.—The Hawk*Union Minister of Labour &amp; Employment

The India of Amrit Kaal that PM Narendra Modi has envisioned and the work on which is underway honours its ‘wealth creators’ and works tirelessly for its ‘Shram Yogis’ because the welfare and prosperity of the two are intrinsically linked.

Decriminalisation of existing Labour Laws, securing Shram Yogis

Hyderabad: Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Sunday ordered the Chief Secretary and the DGP to submit a report within two days in connection with the alleged gangrape of a teenage girl in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills last week. "Deeply anguished over this heinous incident, the Governor has gone through various media reports on the alleged gang rape case of a 17-year-old girl at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad. She has ordered the submission of a detailed report within two days on the issue from Chief Secretary and DGP," an official statement by Raj Bhavan said on Sunday. Four accused were arrested in the gang-rape case so far, out of which, three are juveniles. Inspector Jubilee Hills S Rajashekhar Reddy said, "Police arrested fourth accused in the matter. One more accused has been taken into custody, and now a total of four accused have been arrested." The fifth accused is still absconding.A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped when she was returning home after a party in the Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad on May 28. Following the incident, the minor girl's father submitted a complaint to the police regarding the incident. Following the complaint, a case was registered against five accused involved in the case under sections 354 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 9 read with 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The security footage which is viral on social media purportedly showed the girl standing with the suspected attackers outside the pub where she had met them. The boys had offered to drop her home. Instead, she was assaulted inside a parked car in the city. Her attackers took turns to rape her while others stood guard outside the car. Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali has promised that no leniency is being adopted in the Hyderabad gangrape case while also clarifying that the state police department works without pressure and does not spare the culprits.—ANI

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Sunday ordered the Chief Secretary and the DGP to submit a report within two days in connection with the alleged gangrape of a teenage girl in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills last week. "Deeply anguished over this heinous incident, the Governor has gone through various media reports on the alleged gang rape case of a 17-year-old girl at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.

Telangana Guv calls for report in Hyderabad gangrape case within 2 days

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Minister for&nbsp;Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Lt. Governor of Puducherry Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Chief Minister Shri N. Rangasamy and Director-General of&nbsp;the Indian Council of Medical Research Shri Balram Bhargav took part in the ceremony for laying the foundation stone for the establishment of the International Centre of Excellence for training in Medical Entomology at the ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre today in Puducherry.Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for&nbsp;&nbsp;Health and Family Welfare&nbsp;Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya&nbsp;said&nbsp;any country that is keen in the path of growth and improvisation, should concentrate on research and development.Stating that no other nation had the pride of vaccinating nearly two billion doses, the Minister&nbsp;lauded and extended his gratitude to the scientists who developed the vaccine during pandemic.Later, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the International School of Public Health at JIPMER.&nbsp; The Minister said, “I am happy to be among young students and doctors. Today is an important day not only for JIPMER, but for the entire world. The Central Government&nbsp;has allotted Rs. 65 crores for the establishment of this unique centre.” The Central Government&nbsp;under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi saved the lives of common people through the mighty public health infrastructures, he added.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Lt. Governor of Puducherry Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Chief Minister Shri N. Rangasamy and Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research Shri Balram Bhargav took part in the ceremony for laying the foundation stone for the establishment of the International Centre of Excellence for training in Medical Entomology at the ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre today in Puducherry.

Any Country That Is Keen In The Path Of Growth & Improvisation, Should Concentrate On R&D: Dr Mandaviya 

New Delhi : Sports minister Anurag Thakur reviewed India’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2022 at a Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting on Thursday. A total of 215 athletes will be representing India at the upcoming CWG. Present at the MOC meeting were former long jumper Anju Bobby George, former hockey player Viren Rasquinha, former Table Tennis player Monalisa Baruah, former Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and former Badminton player Trupti Murgunde.“The preparation of the athletes is going on in full swing. I am happy that the momentum of training and competition has been enhanced post Olympics and we can hope for continued success post Olympic and Paralympic,” Thakur said while reviewing the preparations .During the review various aspects of India’s preparation came to the fore. Post the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the athletes have gone back to full-fledged training including training at national camps and multiple international exposures in training and competition. As of now, the Government of India has helped facilitate 111 exposure trips in disciplines that India will compete in Birmingham 2022. The National Sports Federations (NSFs) are also working in tandem to organize national camps.Several elite athletes have been training abroad post-Olympics at government cost, as per their training plan. Since return to training after Olympic Games, Javelin Thrower Neeraj Chopra has been based in Chula Vista (US), Antalya (Turkey) and Finland, Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu spent time in St Louis (US), training with specialist coach Dr Aaron Horschig, Steeplechaser Avinash Sable has been based in Colorado Springs (US) with coach Scott Simons since April 2022 and Cycling team has been based in Slovenia and Portugal for three months. Recently, exposure trips in Portugal and Republic of Ireland for the Table Tennis and Boxing contingents have also been sanctioned ahead of the CWG 2022. -- IANS

Sports minister Anurag Thakur reviewed India’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2022 at a Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting on Thursday. A total of 215 athletes will be representing India at the upcoming CWG. Present at the MOC meeting were former long jumper Anju Bobby George, former hockey player Viren Rasquinha, former Table Tennis player Monalisa Baruah, former Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and former Badminton player Trupti Murgunde.

 Anurag Thakur reviews India's preparedness for CWG 2022, says momentum of training, competition enhanced post Olympics

New Delhi:&nbsp;The Ministry of Power has asked states to formulate time-bound plans to ensure the utilisation of biomass for co-firing in thermal power plants ahead of the Kharif harvest season to reduce stubble burning and air pollution.To address the issue of air pollution and to reduce the carbon footprint of thermal power generation, the Ministry of Power issued a revised policy in October last year for the use of agro residue-based biomass and mandated the use of five to seven per cent of biomass co-fired along with the coal for all thermal power plants.Farm stubble burning plays a major role in air pollution across the country.A senior official told PTI that the power ministry had written a letter to all states and union territories to draft time-bound implementation plans to ensure the utilization of biomass to co-fire it with coal in their thermal power plants and in IPPs (independent power plants) from where power is being procured by states.In the letter, the ministry further urged all states/UTs to take up the matter with their SERCs (state electricity regulatory commissions) for inclusion of biomass utilization in respective Tariff Regulations.This assumes significance because the air pollution level rises after the Kharif harvest season in autumn and winters. The stubble burning by farmers contributes to pollution to a great extent.In the letter, the ministry has highlighted that in the current context of the supply of coal to power plants, the significance of co-firing of biomass has increased considerably.It has underlined the economic perspective added to biomass (available at a lower price) owing to the rising prices of imported coal.It has emphasized that co-firing of biomass pellets is not only environment-friendly but also an economical option for power utilities as compared to the blending of imported coal.The ministry has said that full policy and regulatory support needs to be provided to this initiative.Ministry of Power (MOP) set up a National Mission on the use of Biomass in thermal power plants in July last year named as SAMARTH Mission.Biomass co-firing along with coal presents a viable solution to the stubble burning problem while affording multiple benefits like additional income for farmers, power generation, and reduction of dependence on coal.The ministry has reiterated that this initiative and the efforts of the Mission Directorate (SAMARTH) have made encouraging progress, which needs to be accelerated.The CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission) has provided specific provisions in its Tariff Regulations 2019 for co- firing of biomass in coal-based plants. These provisions which have encouraged central sector Gencos in co-firing biomass in their thermal power plants provide for capital expenditure on account of biomass handling equipment and facilities for co- firing in new projects.These are provided that in the case of blending biomass with coal, the landed cost of biomass fuel shall be worked out based on the delivered cost of biomass at the unloading point of the generating station, inclusive of taxes and duties as applicable.The energy charge rate of the blended fuel shall be worked out considering consumption of biomass based on blending ratio as specified by Authority or actual consumption of biomass, whichever is lower, it provided.In September 2019, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had clarified that power generated from co-firing of biomass in thermal power plants is renewable energy and is eligible for meeting non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).—IANS

The Ministry of Power has asked states to formulate time-bound plans to ensure the utilisation of biomass for co-firing in thermal power plants ahead of the Kharif harvest season to reduce stubble burning and air pollution.

Power Min asks states to formulate plans for biomass co-firing in power plants

Paris:&nbsp;French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has activated an inter-ministerial crisis team, saying on Friday that her country was experiencing the worst drought ever recorded."The current exceptional drought is depriving many communities of water and is a tragedy for our farmers, our ecosystems and biodiversity," Borne wrote in a statement.The lack of rain is being aggravated by successive heat waves, Borne continued, which on the one hand increase evaporation, but also the demand for water, dpa news agency reported. The situation could continue over the next two weeks and even become more worrying, she added.In France, large parts of the mainland are now suffering from drought.Depending on the severity, different restrictions on water apply, including on irrigation.According to local media, some municipalities were temporarily without water supply.Borne called on the population to use water sparingly.—IANS

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has activated an inter-ministerial crisis team, saying on Friday that her country was experiencing the worst drought ever recorded.

 France experiencing worst drought ever: PM

New Delhi (The Hawk): In conformity with the Government's policy of facilitating Ease of Doing Business and decriminalisation of offences, CBDT has taken steps in this direction and issued revised Guidelines for Compounding of offences under the Income-tax Act, 1961(the 'Act') dated 16.09.2022 with reference to various offences covered under the prosecution provisions of the Act.
Some of the major changes made for the benefit of taxpayers include making offence punishable under Section 276 of the Act as compoundable. Further, the scope of eligibility for compounding of cases has been relaxed whereby case of an applicant who has been convicted with imprisonment for less than 2 years being previously non-compoundable, has now been made compoundable.The discretion available with the competent authority has also been suitably restricted. The time limit for acceptance of compounding applications has been relaxed from the earlier limit of 24 months to 36 months now, from the date of filing of complaint. Procedural complexities have also been reduced/simplified.
Specific upper limits have been introduced for the compounding fee covering defaults across several provisions of the Act. Additional compounding charges in the nature of penal interest @ 2% per month up to 3 months and 3% per month beyond 3 months have been reduced to 1% and 2% respectively.

In conformity with the Government's policy of facilitating Ease of Doing Business and decriminalisation of offences, CBDT has taken steps in this direction and issued revised Guidelines for Compounding of offences under the Income-tax Act, 1961(the 'Act') dated 16.09.2022 with reference to various offences covered under the prosecution provisions of the Act.

CBDT Issues Revised Guidelines For Compounding Of Offences Under The Income-tax Act, 1961

Los Angeles (The Hawk): Chris Evans' mother is a well-known actress. Lisa believes it is "about time" that her son gets named Sexiest Man Alive.
The 41-year-old actor was announced as the winner of People magazine's annual award earlier this week, and his mother Lisa has stated that she will inform "everyone" about his triumph, according to femalefirst.co.uk.
She told the Boston-based WHDH TV 7NEWS news channel: "'Of course, it's about time!' was my reaction. I gloat when he's potty trained and when he's walking, but this is something that everyone will know about. It makes me very pleased."
While Lisa was not startled by the 'Avengers: Endgame' actor's victory, she did disclose that her son was.
"He's always amazed at his own success, and he's always amazed at what people think of him," she said.
And, while she is pleased of Chris' new status, she believes his pals will use it to mock him.
"(His pals) will undoubtedly give him trouble about it, but - they're quite amusing," she remarked.
When his victory was revealed, Evans stated that his mother would be "overjoyed."
He stated: "My mother will be overjoyed. She is proud of everything I do, but this is something she is especially pleased of."
The 'Knives Out' star stated earlier this week that now that he is in his 40s, he needs to take better care of himself.
He stated: "I used to be able to eat anything I wanted and perform a couple of workouts per week and be fine.
"That is no longer the case. I wear it if I've had two beers. I haven't had to play a Captain America role in a long time, so things like diet and fitness routine haven't been on my mind. But as you become older, things click and hurt, it's harder to wake up, you have less energy...
"You know what it is, don't you? It was the fact that it happened so swiftly. I wasn't thinking about any of this a year ago. I was fortunate enough to not think much of it in my 30s, and then I turned 40 and it all came at once."
(Inputs from Agencies)

Chris Evans' mother is a well-known actress. Lisa believes it is "about time" that her son gets named Sexiest Man Alive.

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