February 2023 - Page 8 of 50 - Lokmarg

Indian Forces Witnessed Balloon Over Andamans

By LokMarg 25th February 2023

The Indian defence forces had witnessed, over a year ago, objects similar to the alleged Chinese spy balloon busted by the American Air Force in the skies over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territories.

However, unlike the Americans, no action was taken as the origin and the intent or origin of the balloon-type object were not clear.
“Quite some time back, we had witnessed the balloon-type white object over the Andamans and high-resolution pics of the object were taken by our people from ground,” defence officials told ANI.

However, the intent or the origin of the balloon-type object was not clear. It was also not clear whether it had come from Myanmar or China but it moved away from there after three to four days, they said.

At that time, it was also felt that it could have been a meteorological balloon as many such balloons come over India from the Pakistan side too due to winds, they said.

The officials said that if such an object appears again over the Andamans or any other region, it would be studied carefully and if it is found to be a spying object, it can be brought down.

The Americans spotted many of these balloons over their skies which had come there evading multiple American chains of radars.

The Americans downed one of the balloons using their F-22 Raptor fighter jets. (ANI)

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Yogi Thrashes Samajwadi Party Over Ramcharitmanas Row

By LokMarg 25th February 2023

Retorting to the Ramcharitmanas row in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched attack on the Samajwadi party saying what would have happened if religious scriptures of other religions and faith were insulted.

Yogi accused the party of attempting to “insult” the Hindu community in India and across the world, and also of manufacturing the controversy during the Global Investors Summit which concluded in Lucknow earlier this month.
“The moment Global Investors Summit was about to begin, the Samajwadi Party started the Ramcharitmanas row about Tulsi Das ji. Some people tried to tear Ramcharitmanas. What would have happened if the same thing would have happened with some other religion? Does it mean whoever wants to insult Hindus, can do it? You want to insult the entire (Hindu) community,” he said during his Address in the ongoing Budget Session.

The Chief Minister read out the lines of the Hindu scripture and explained the meaning of the words.

“Shudra means labour class. Ambedkar ji has also said not to call Dalit community shudra. Your behaviour towards Ambedkar is well known to the world. The names of the organisations under his name were changed. Nari means women. Are you not insulting the Hindus living in India and the world by burning the Ramcharitmanas?” he asked.

Yogi’s remarks came after Samajwadi Party leader Swamy Prasad Maurya’s sparked a major controversy as he demanded the deletion of “insulting comments and sarcasm” targeted at particular castes and sects in Ramcharitmanas, a poem based on the epic Ramayana.

Maurya had claimed that in the Ramcharitmanas, which was composed by Tulsidas, there are words hurting the sentiments of the Dalit community.

On January 30, Maurya has also taken a jibe at Mahant Raju Das by stating that he could have just cursed him instead of spending Rs 21 lakh to get him killed.

Maurya had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding an amendment and ban on parts of the epic which he claimed are disrespectful to women and Dalits.

“For revising/banning some of the objectionable parts of some couplets of Ramcharitmanas in which all women, tribals, Dalits and backward people have to be insulted on a daily basis at the social, and religious level and to give respect to the victim class, a letter has been sent to President and Prime Minister,” Maurya had tweeted in Hindi. (ANI)

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No Elections To CWC, AICC Prez Kharge To Nominate Members

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

The Steering Committee of Congress, which met on Friday at the party’s Plenary here, unanimously decided to empower Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to nominate members to Congress Working Committee (CWC) in view of the challenges faced by the party and the proposed amendments to the party’s constitution.

There was some speculation that Congress may opt for elections to CWC, a demand that has been raised from time to time by sections in the party. CWC is the highest-decision making body of the Congress.

“During the Steering Committee meeting today, members gave their opinion and with everyone’s consent the committee decided that the party president should be given the power of selecting CWC members,” party leader Jairam Ramesh said at a press conference.

He said the issue was discussed for about two-and-a-half hours.

“The dominant view, the overwhelming view was that keeping in mind political challenges facing the country, facing the Congress party in its capacity as the main opposition and keeping in mind the far- reaching amendments that we are discuss about tomorrow and day after, keeping in mind both the factors, the unanimous view was that this is the time to empower the Congress president to nominate members to the Congress Woking Committee,” he said.

He said 16 articles and 32 rules are proposed to be amended and an important amendment was to provide 50 per cent reservation in the working committee for SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities and youth below the age of 50.

Asked that no one from Gandhi family was present in the meeting of steering committee and if their concurrence taken, Jairam Ramesh said the discussion was held among those present in the meeting.

The Subjects Committee held discussion on the party resolutions on Friday.

Party Chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will address the session on Saturday.

The plenary will on Saturday also discuss resolutions including political and economic.

Former Party chief Rahul Gandhi will address the plenary on February 26.

He will also address public rally at 3 pm which will also be addressed by Kharge. (ANI)

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Sisodia Will Be Arrested On Sunday: Kejriwal

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday claimed that his sources have confirmed that Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who has been called for questioning by the CBI with regard to the Delhi liquor excise policy case, will be arrested on Sunday by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Speaking at the ABP Network’s second edition of ‘Ideas of India’ Summit, Kejriwal said, “CBI has called Manish Sisodia for questioning. Our sources are saying that he will be arrested on Sunday… It is very sad.”
The Delhi Chief Minister further said that the CBI raided Sisodia’s residence and searched his bank lockers, but nothing was found.

“CBI raided Manish Sisodia, searched his bank accounts, raided his house, searched his lockers, raided his office, raided properties in his village but nothing was found,” said the Delhi CM.

Kejriwal said that Sisodia offered hope of a good future to crores of poor children in the country.

Lauding the Deputy Chief Minister for improving the education system in Delhi, Kejriwal said, “Manish Sisodia is the person, who after 75 years of independence has given hope to the poor people of this country that their children can also have a good future. Today in Delhi, the children of the poor are becoming doctors, engineers and lawyers. Manish Sisodia has given a lot of hope to them.”

He claimed that a conspiracy has been hatched to defame such a person by framing him in a false case.

“If you arrest him and put him in jail in a false case, how will the country make progress? If the king of a country will send to jail those who give education to the children of the poor in that country and will hand over the entire country to two four friends, then how will the country progress?” he added.

Kejriwal also said that he first met Sisodia on December 29, 1999, when he was working in the Income Tax department.

Notably, Sisodia on Monday said that the CBI has called him for questioning on February 26 in connection with the Delhi liquor excise policy case.

Earlier, the CBI had asked Sisodia to appear for questioning on February 19. On last Sunday, Sisodia requested the central agency to defer questioning saying that he is “preparing the budget” at present and can only appear before it towards February-end.

However, Sisodia has not been named an accused in the chargesheet filed in the case. Arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek are among the seven accused named in the chargesheet.

In August last year, the CBI searched Sisodia’s bank locker in connection with the case. The deputy CM claimed the sleuths did not find any incriminating material in his locker.

Several raids were conducted at 21 places in Delhi and the National Capital Region, including Sisodia’s residence, and the premises of four public servants last year, according to a CBI officer, who further said that the raids were conducted across 7 states.

The CBI launched a probe in the matter on the basis of a report forwarded by the Delhi chief secretary to L-G Saxena recommending a probe by the central agency. (ANI)

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SRK To Shoot For Salman’s ‘Tiger 3’

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Salman Khan’s surprise entry in ‘Pathaan’ created mass hysteria among audiences and now Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is all set to begin the shooting for his special cameo in the upcoming action thriller film ‘Tiger 3’.

Shah Rukh Khan will be shooting for ‘Tiger 3’ by the end of April 2023.
A trade source said, “Watch out for Pathaan’s entry in Tiger 3! As the super-spies start crossing over in each other’s films, which are part of the blockbuster YRF Spy Universe, expect twists and surprises that deliver outstanding entertainment value to audiences in theatres!”

Helmed by Maneesh Sharma ‘Tiger 3’ stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles.

The source added, “Shah Rukh will shoot for Tiger 3 by end-April and the shoot is expected to be in Mumbai. Details of this shoot is being kept completely under wraps but expect fireworks when the two super spies meet again in Tiger 3. Salman told SRK in Pathaan that he was going on an important mission so Pathaan will meet Tiger during this mission.”

The film is all set to hit the theatres on the occasion of Diwali 2023.

Prior to Pathaan, SRK and Salman worked together in ‘Karan Arjun’, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ and ‘Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam’.

Meanwhile, SRK will also be seen in director Atlee’s next action thriller ‘Jawan’ and in Rajkumar Hirani’s next ‘Dunki’. (ANI)

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Anushka Heaps Praises On Harmanpreet

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Actor Anushka Sharma heaped praises on India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur after the country lost to Australia in the semifinal of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Taking to Instagram stories, Anushka re-shared an article of Harmanpreet Kaur along with a caption, “Always proud of you and your team captain!”
India’s wait for a world title continued as they succumbed to a heartbreaking five-run loss to Australia in the semifinal of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, where nerves of Aussies prevailed over top knocks from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues.

Harmanpreet Kaur suffered a freak dismissal during the semi-final against Australia at a crucial juncture in the game. The India captain, who made it out into the middle despite suffering from illness, was playing beautifully to reach her half-century and put her side in contention to chase down Australia’s 172/4.

But a bizarre moment sent Kaur back to the dugout when her bat jammed in the wicket as she ran it in, leaving her short of her ground as she was run out for 52.Speaking of Anushka’s upcoming projects, she will be seen in ‘Chakda Xpress’, which is a sports biopic based on the life of former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami, which will stream exclusively on Netflix.

The final release date of the film is still awaited. The ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ actor will be portraying the role of a cricketer for the first time in her career. Anushka’s brother Karnesh Sharma will be producing ‘Chakda Xpress’ with his home production company Clean Slate Filmz. (ANI)

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Election Of MCD Standing Committee Members On Feb 27: Mayor Shelly

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

After the Delhi Municipal Corporation Standing Committee election witnessed chaos on the third day, MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi announced February 27 as the new date for the election on Friday.

“Election of members of the MCD Standing Committee will be held on February 27,” announced Oberoi amid sloganeering at the Civic Centre.
The House has been adjourned till Monday, February 27.

Meanwhile, Oberoi alleged, “Standing committee elections were held as per BJP demands. Still, they created a ruckus & came up on stage to attack me. I thank female Civil Defence personnel for saving me.

“BJP members physically assaulted AAP female members. BJP accept your defeat, she further alleged.

On Friday, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi alleged that the newly elected mayor Oberoi was physically assaulted by a BJP male member in the Civic Centre.

She urged the BJP to stop the “goondaism” in the Civic centre and said that BJP should accept its defeat.

While talking to ANI, Atishi said, “Today BJP showed goondaism in the Civic centre. A standing committee election was going on. When counting started BJP realised they were losing & they created a ruckus. The mayor was attacked & physically assaulted by a BJP male member.”

She further stated, “What behaviour is this? This is shameful and condemnable. The country is seeing this. BJP should accept their defeat. I request BJP to stop their goondaism. Those who have attacked the Mayor will be sent behind bars.”

Meanwhile, Aam Admi Party (AAP) Councillor Ashok Kumar Maanu collapsed at Delhi Civic Centre minutes back and alleged that the ruckus had been caused by the BJP goons.

While talking to ANI, Maanu said, “They are so shameless that they attacked even women and the Mayor. BJP goons did this.”

On the other hand, BJP leader Harish Khurana blamed Aam Admi Party for the ruckus. He said, “Election officers declare the election and say that votes declared invalid by Mayor are valid and three candidates each of AAP and BJP have won. But AAP does hooliganism here as instructed by Kejriwal. We won’t tolerate this goondaism and will approach the Court.”

On Friday, Maanu collapsed at Delhi Civic Centre as clashes broke out here between AAP and BJP councillors.

Ruckus broke out at Delhi Civic Centre once again as AAP and BJP Councillors jostled, manhandled and rained blows on each other.

This is the third day of commotion in the House.

On Friday, amid political slugfest, the voting process to elect six members of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) took place at the Civic Center in the national capital.

Ahead of the election of six members of the MCD Standing Committee, Delhi MCD House witnessed sloganeering by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors.

In a jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party two days after it won the polls for the mayor and deputy mayor in the MCD, Bawana councillor Pawan Sehrawat joined the BJP on Friday.

The switchover happened shortly before the polling to elect members of the MCD’s Standing Committee on Friday.

Earlier, on Thursday, the House was adjourned for the 13th time since it convened post the MCD polls in December 4, last year, after councillors of the ruling AAP and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party came to blows over polling to elect members of the Standing Committee. (ANI)

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Iran To Handover Afghan Embassy In Tehran To Taliban

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

The Iranian Foreign Ministry is set to hand over the Afghan Embassy in Tehran to the Taliban, citing unofficial sources reported Khaama Press.

Iran will officially hand over the embassy to the Taliban in the coming days according to an Afghan diplomat who has been in contact with the officials of the Iranian foreign ministry.
This comes after the Taliban-run foreign ministry stated in a letter that it had appointed Mohammad Afzal Haqqani as designated ambassador to Tehran, reported Khaama Press.

The letter noted that Haqqani, as the first secretary of the embassy, will be in charge of the diplomatic mission in Iran.

Initially, Haqqani had travelled from Tehran to Kabul and then returned with his letter of appointment as head of the Afghan Embassy in Tehran. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry had not accepted Haqqani as the new ambassador to Tehran, reported Khaama Press.

Now, a serious decision has been taken in this regard the Afghan diplomat said.

The Taliban-run administration has neither internal legitimacy nor international recognition. So far, no single country in the world has recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

Iran is the third country to join Pakistan and Russia which handed over the Afghan embassies to the group a few months ago.

Meanwhile, Taliban has called on the international community to recognise the “Islamic Emirate” of Afghanistan, claiming that if recognised, the concerns and complaints of the world community will be addressed in a better way, Afghanistan-based Tolo News reported.

“The Islamic Emirate will be paying more attention to its responsibilities and the complaints we have among ourselves or from other countries will be addressed in a good way. Because one side will feel itself responsible regarding the laws and regulation,” Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said, as quoted by Tolo News.

According to analysts, forming an inclusive government, countering terrorism, not allowing the use of Afghan soil against other countries, and ensuring human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, will pave the ground for recognition of the Islamic Emirate.

“To earn recognition, the Taliban should refer to the people first. They should observe law, politics and governance. They should recognize the rights of the people,” said Sayed Jawad Sijadi, a political analyst, according to Tolo News.

While, the Taliban have prohibited co-education in universities, separating morning classes for girls and afternoon classes for boys. Recently, the group also banned secondary education for female students. Although this decision has been withdrawn, the schools are yet to be reopened. (ANI)

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Kejriwal Tells Officers To Stop Taking Orders From Delhi L-G

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government has instructed state government officers to stop taking direct orders from the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena, informed the government through a release on Friday.

All ministers have written to their department secretaries, directing strict compliance with the Constitution, Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) and Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court.
In a statement, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “The government has warned that any such orders received directly from the LG are a violation of the Constitution and directives of the Supreme Court and that the implementation of orders in violation of SC directives and the Constitution will be viewed seriously.”

The statement reads, “As per the orders of Supreme Court Constitution Bench dated 04.07.18, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has exclusive executive control over all subjects except for three: land, police, and public order. These three subjects are called “reserved” subjects. Those subjects over which GNCTD has executive control are called “transferred” subjects.”

“In the case of transferred subjects, the proviso to Article 239AA(4) provides that the LG may differ with the decision of the Council of Ministers on any of the transferred subjects. However, this difference of opinion must be exercised through a process prescribed in rule 49, 50, 51, and 52 of the Transaction of Business Rules (TBR),” the statement further read.

It further says, “The spirit of these provisions is that the difference of opinion should not be mechanically exercised, and every attempt should be made to resolve those differences before issuing directions under rules 51 and 52.”

“The Supreme Court of India had issued a ruling regarding the governance of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The court has stated that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi must follow the procedure laid out in Rules 49 and 50 in the Transaction of Business of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Rules, 1993 (TBR). These rules dictate the procedure to be followed in case of a difference of opinion between the Lieutenant Governor and a Minister or the Council of Ministers.”

“Rule 49 stipulates that the Lieutenant Governor must try to settle any point of difference by discussion and dialogue with the concerned Minister. If a resolution cannot be reached, the Lieutenant Governor may direct the matter to be referred to the Council. Similarly, Rule 50 provides for a procedure to be followed when there is a difference of opinion between the Lieutenant Governor and the Council of Ministers. The Lieutenant Governor must refer the matter to the Central Government for a decision of the President” reads further.

The statement also says, “The court’s ruling clarifies the meaning of “aid and advise” employed in Article 239-AA(4). The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, and he does not have any independent decision-making power. However, the Lieutenant Governor has the power to refer a matter to the President in exceptional circumstances.”

“The court emphasized the importance of dialogue and harmonious coexistence in resolving differences between the Lieutenant Governor and the Council of Ministers. The Lieutenant Governor must not act in a mechanical manner and should exercise his power under the proviso to clause (4) of Article 239-AA only in exceptional circumstances, keeping in mind the principles of constitutional trust and morality, collaborative federalism, and constitutional balance.”

“The Transaction of Business Rules, 1993 provide a composite and holistic perspective on the modalities that must be followed in case of a difference of opinion between the Lieutenant Governor and the Council of Ministers. The court’s ruling is aimed at ensuring that the representative form of governance, as contemplated by the insertion of Article 239-AA, is sustained. The ruling provides clarity on the governance of the NCT of Delhi and emphasizes the importance of dialogue and collaboration in resolving differences. However, the government’s order notes that in the last few months, the LG has given directions directly under rules 51 and 52 without following the procedure laid down in rules 49 and 50.”

It concludes, “The government has observed that as per rule 57, it is the duty of every Secretary to ensure that the provisions of TBR are properly followed. Thus, the government has directed that if any Secretary receives any directions from the LG under Rules 51/52 and if the procedure prescribed in Rules 49 & 50 has not been followed, in that case, the Secretary should immediately place the matter before Minister-in-charge, who shall bring it to the notice of the CM and the LG.” (ANI)

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Union Minister Asks Nitish To Sack Anti-National Minister

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, on Friday demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sack RJD leader and state minister Surendra Yadav for his ‘objectionable’ remark on Army jawans.

The RJD leader on Thursday said, “Exactly 8.5 yrs from today, our army would be seen as
Hijdon ki Fauj
(an army of ennuchs). This is because our serving jawans will have retired by then and the training of the Agniveers will still be going on. Whoever came up with this idea (of recruiting jawans through the ‘Agnipath’ scheme) should be hanged.”
Hitting back at the Bihar minister over his remark, on Friday, Rai told ANI, “Surendra Yadav’s statement, as a cabinet minister, is highly objectionable. Our Army is renowned for its bravery. It is regrettable and highly objectionable for a sitting minister to say that our Army will be turn into a force of ennuchs.”

“That Surendra Yadav continues to be a minister even after making such a crass and objectionable remark is a direct insult to our Army and jawans by the Nitish Kumar government. It only goes to show the anti-national character of the RJDand JDU (ruling allies in Bihar),” Rai said.

“Nitish-ji and Tejashwi-ji should know that our Army has always been known for its bravery and sacrifice and the country will not tolerate any insult to our armed forces. I want to ask to Nitish-ji if he has any sense of nationalism or patriotism left in him. If yes, he should immediately sack this anti-national minister, who has denigrated the Army with his statement,” Rai added.

“I also want to tell Tejashwi Yadav (RJD chief and Bihar deputy CM) that Surendra Yadav may be a big leader of his party, but he should be expelled for such an objectionable statement against the Army. And if he doesn’t, the RJD’s character will stand exposed before our countrymen as well as our jawans,” he added.

The RJD leader and state minister had further said, “When they (Agniveers) turn 25 26 and receive marriage proposals, what will they say? I am a retired soldier. Who will marry them then?”

“Whoever came up with this scheme, should be hanged. He deserves no lesser punishment,” Yadav added.

Under the Agnipath scheme launched on June 14 last year, the three services will recruit ‘Agniveers’, in the age group of 17.5 and 21 years, for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for a further 15 years.

However, for recruitment of ‘Agnivers’ in 2022, the upper age limit was extended to 23 years. (ANI)

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