Month: August 2021

In order to contain the COVID outbreak, the Karnataka government on Thursday issued an order banning all Muharram processions till August 20.

“All kinds of processions have been banned from August 12 to August 20. Alam/panja and tajiyath can be viewed from a distance without touching them. Wearing a mask is mandatory in prayer halls. All prayers are to be held in mosques in strict compliance with COVID norms. Except for masjid, mass prayer gathering is not allowed in community halls, open ground, shadi mahal etc on the occasion of Muharram,” read the state government order.
No programs should be organized in Kabristan. Persons aged below 10 years and above 60 years to offer prayers at their homes,” it read.

Similar restrictions are imposed for Ganesh Chaturthi also. The state government barred set up pandals for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

“No pandals to be set up for Ganesh Chaturthi. It has to be celebrated in a simple manner. Procession/entertainment program should be organised while bringing and submerging time of Ganesha idol. Ganesha Gowri idols should be submerged in designated places only. Temples that are observing the Ganesh Chaturthi festival should be properly sanitised everyday. Devotees should be allowed after using sanitiser and temple administration should arrange thermal checking,” added the order. (ANI)

Himachal Pradesh High Court on Thursday asked the State government to reconsider its decision of holding ‘Maa Chintpurni Sawan Mela’ in Una district, keeping in view the precarious situation, as devotees may visit the fair in large numbers which could lead to an increase of COVID-19 cases.

The Court directed the State Government to consider the decision as early as possible, preferably before August 13.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal passed these orders on public interest litigation and other petitions highlighting the inadequate facilities and infrastructure in the State to deal with the corona pandemic.

During the course of the hearing, the Amicus Curiae said that as the schools have been closed by the State by reviewing its earlier decision, the “Maa Chintpurni Sawan Mela” on August 16, should also be suspended for the timebeing as lakhs of devotees would visit the temple and it may lead to increase in Covid cases.

The Senior Additional Advocate informed that the Deputy Commissioner of Una has taken a conscious decision and the devotees are permitted only to visit the temple and all other activities have been suspended.

During the course of the hearing, the Court also observed that the suggestions made by the District Monitoring Committees, are still in the reports and it does not find any material to indicate whether the suggestions have been considered positively or not, by the State. To this, the Senior Additional Advocate General submitted that all the reports and suggestions made should be considered by the State.

The Court also directed the State to submit information regarding the implementation of Apex Court’s Orders, for constitution of an expert team of doctors and other experts for inspection, supervision, etc., for proper treatment of Covid-19 patients and dignified handling of dead bodies in hospitals. (ANI)

Despite Opposition members alleging an attack by Rajya Sabha security personnel on Wednesday, CCTV footage of the ruckus emerged on Thursday showing Opposition MPs can be seen jostling with marshals in the Upper House.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament concluded prematurely on Wednesday after security personnel were called in Rajya Sabha after the Opposition created a ruckus during the passage of the insurance amendment bill that seeks to privatise general insurance companies.
In the CCTV visuals from the Upper House, Opposition MPs can be seen jostling with marshals in Parliament. In the video footage, marshals can be seen forming a human shield to block Opposition MPs from going towards the Chairman’s podium.

Earlier today, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said a delegation of Opposition leaders met Vice President and submitted a memorandum condemning the incident in the Upper House.

They also briefed him about the incidents that took place in the House.

The Opposition also condemned the incident in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and said, “What happened in Rajya Sabha yesterday was shocking, unprecedented, sad and an insult to the very dignity of the House and humiliation of the members of the august House.”

The statement issued by 10 Opposition parties said that without any provocation from the Opposition, “outsiders who were not part of Parliament security” were brought in to “manhandle” the Opposition leaders and members, including women Parliamentarians who were only protesting against the Government’s conduct, “highhandedness and muzzling of the voice.”

“The Opposition strongly condemns the authoritarian attitude and undemocratic actions of the Government. We remain committed to continue our struggle against the assault on Parliamentary democracy and agitate the issues of national importance and people’s concern,” it added.

During the recently-concluded monsoon session of Parliament, the Opposition forced adjournments in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over their twin demands including repeal of three farm laws and probe into allegations of surveillance using Pegasus spyware. (ANI)

The Centre on Thursday lashed out at the Opposition parties for protesting on road in the national capital and alleged that ‘anarchy’ has always been the Opposition’s agenda.

Taking a jibe at the protest march conducted by the Opposition leaders today from the Parliament to the Vijay Chowk, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the opposition must apologise to the nation instead of shedding crocodile tears.
“People wait for their issues to be raised in Parliament. Anarchy remained the Opposition’s agenda. They did not care about people and taxpayers’ money. What happened was condemnable. Instead of shedding crocodile tears, they must apologise to the nation,” Thakur said while addressing a press conference here.

Slamming the Opposition MPs, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “The day before yesterday, some MPs climbed on top of the tables (in Parliament). They were feeling proud of themselves. They thought they have done something great. They tweeted after shooting its video. Video shooting is not allowed.”

Joshi said that the government has demanded the Rajya Sabha Chairman to take strict action against the Opposition MPs creating a ruckus during the passage of the insurance amendment bill.

“Rahul Gandhi said that it was the murder of democracy. The nation can see what they did in Parliament. If they have a sense of responsibility, they should apologise to the country. We also demand from Chairman that there should be strict action and this should not be repeated,” he added.

Earlier in the day, CCTV footage of the ruckus emerged showing Opposition MPs can be seen jostling with marshals in the Upper House.

In the CCTV visuals from the Upper House, Opposition MPs can be seen jostling with marshals in Parliament. In the video footage, marshals can be seen forming a human shield to block Opposition MPs from going towards the Chairman’s podium.

Opposition parties on Thursday held a protest in New Delhi. The Opposition MPs were seen carrying the placards saying ‘black farm laws’.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that for the first time in the history of our country, members of the Rajya Sabha were manhandled and physically beaten. He also termed this as the murder of democracy.

During the recently-concluded monsoon session of Parliament, the Opposition forced adjournments in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over their demands including repeal of three farm laws and probe into allegations of surveillance using Pegasus spyware. (ANI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the Central government alleging that the Opposition was not allowed to speak in the Parliament during the recently-concluded monsoon session and termed it as “murder of democracy”.

He said the voice of 60 per cent of the people in the country was “crushed and humiliated”.

Speaking to reporters at the Vijay Chowk during a protest by the Opposition over the demand to repeal the three farm laws, the Wayanad MP said, “Today, we had to come out here to speak to you (media) as we (Opposition) are not allowed to speak in the Parliament. This is the murder of democracy.”

“The Parliament session is over. As far as 60 per cent of the country is concerned there has been no Parliament session. The voice of 60 per cent of the country has been crushed, humiliated and yesterday in the Rajya Sabha physically beaten,” he said.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that the Opposition did not get a chance to present their views in the Parliament and added that the alleged attack on women MPs in Rajya Sabha was against democracy.

“The opposition did not get a chance to present their views in Parliament. Yesterday’s incident against women MPs was against democracy. It felt like we were standing at the Pakistan border,” Raut said.

Hitting out at the Central government, RJP leader Manoj Jha said that the Insurance Bill was passed by the ‘Martial law’, and not the Parliament.

“We had heard about the Martial law in our neighbouring country but we witnessed the situation like Martial law in the Parliament yesterday. The Insurance Bill was not passed by the Parliament, but was passed by the Martial law,” Jha said.

“We wanted to discuss the farmers’ agitation, Pegasus report, unemployment, and other issues in the Parliament but we were not given the chance to do so. The people will break the ego of the government,” he said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the Centre does not want to run the Parliament proceedings properly. “The government is passing laws without discussions. There should be a discussion on COVID-19 vaccination, current economic situation, unemployment, farm laws but the government is running away,” he said.

Opposition parties on Thursday held a protest march against the Central government’s decision to adjourn the Parliament sine die on Wednesday, two days before the scheduled conclusion. They also demanded to repeal the three farm laws. The protest march began from Parliament and concluded at Vijay Chowk.

The Opposition MPs were seen carrying the placards saying ‘black farm laws’.

Ahead of the protest march, Opposition leaders also held a meeting at the office of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the alleged manhandling of women members in the Upper House yesterday.

During the recently-concluded monsoon session of Parliament, the Opposition forced adjournments in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over their twin demands including repeal of three farm laws and probe into allegations of surveillance using Pegasus spyware. (ANI)

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi will meet leaders and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states on 20 August.

While speaking to the media, the Shiv Sena leader said, “The Opposition is united. On August 20, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will speak to CMs of Congress-ruled states. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray will also take part in this meeting.”
Speaking about security marshals being called in yesterday during the passage of the insurance amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha, Raut said, “Do you want to scare us? Today we will be meeting in Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber and decide what to do.”

Earlier today, Raut in a tweet said, “Is this our parliamentary Democracy? Marshall law in Temple of Democracy.”

On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had alleged that opposition members “manhandled marshals” in the Rajya Sabha and said their behaviour during the session was a “black spot in the history of Indian democracy”.
The Union Minister also appealed to the Chairman to release the CCTV footage in the public domain.
Both the Houses – Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned sine die on Wednesday, two days before the scheduled conclusion.

During the monsoon session, the opposition continuously protested and forced adjournments for their other demands including a probe into allegations of surveillance through Pegasus spyware and the repeal of new farm laws. (ANI)

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi seeking his early intervention in order to resolve the Assam-Mizoram border issue.

“Today I have met Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Sonai MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya regarding the recent Assam-Mizoram border conflict. We submitted a memorandum explaining the historical background of the Assam-Mizoram border from the British era and how there has been a clearly demarcated boundary line till the Mizo people with active support from the Mizoram administration invaded the area of Assam,” said Ajmal.
“We have demanded an early intervention of Union Home Ministry for the peaceful retreat of Mizo administration to maintain peace and tranquillity of inter-state border and to assure that there will not be any violent attack from the Mizo side the way it has been done recently in which six Assam Police personnel were killed,” he added.

On Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital to discuss the Assam-Mizoram border issue, days after the dispute between the two states resulted in a violent clash killing six Assam police personnel and one civilian in a fierce gun battle on July 26. (ANI)

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials informed that the number of corpses recovered from the landslide site of Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur has climbed to 13.

“We have located the remnants of the bus and one body has been recovered from the site,” Deputy Commandant of ITBP Dharmender Thakur told the media personnel here.
Thakur also said that the rescue operation was halted last night because of another landslide hit in the area and resumed at 3:30 in the early morning on Thursday and it is underway.

A 30-seater Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, a truck and four cars were among the vehicles that came under the rubble, as the landslide hit the Reckong Peo-Shimla Highway around 12 noon on Wednesday.

The HRTC bus, which was moving from Murang to Haridwar was believed to have fallen into the Sutlej river after rescue officials could not locate it under the debris. As per ITBP spokesperson Vivek Pandey, over 30 people were said to be travelling in the bus.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who were killed and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the tragedy.

President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed his anguish at the deaths in the landslide. “It is sad to hear that many people have died and others are in danger due to landslides in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and pray for full success in the relief and rescue work.”

Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both spoke to chief minister Jairam Thakur and assured of all possible help in the rescue and search operations. (ANI)

India reported 41,195 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload to 3,87,987, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.

Less than 50,000 daily new cases have been reported for 46 consecutive days.
With 39,069 recoveries during the last 24 hours, the country also registered the highest ever recovery rate of 97.45 per cent since the start of the pandemic.

As per official data, a total of 3,12,60,050 people across the country have recovered from the disease so far.
The daily positivity rate remains less than 3 per cent for the last 17 days and is presently at 1.94 per cent.
A total of 48.73 crore COVID-19 tests have been conducted across India.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the total number of samples tested up to August 11 was 48,73,70,196, including 21,24,953 samples tested yesterday.

The ministry also informed that 52.36 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive. 44,19,627 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. (ANI)