June 2023 - Page 52 of 52 - Lokmarg

Parliamentary Panel Demands Immediate Intervention In Wrestlers’ Issue

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

The Standing Committee members of Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports met on Thursday to discuss the issues of wrestlers and the opposition leaders demanded immediate government intervention in the matter.

Talking to ANI, a member of the committee said, “We have raised the issues before the chairman of the committee and sought immediate intervention from the government.”
According to a member of the committee, the members of the opposition parties in the meeting demanded that the chairman of the committee should write a letter to the government in connection with the forceful removal of protesting wrestlers from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

“The meeting consisting of specific members of the opposition parties have demanded that the chairman of the committee should write a letter to the government in connection with the wrestlers who were forcefully removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi during the inauguration of the new parliament building,” a member told ANI.

On Sunday, India’s Olympic medallist wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia along with Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march to the new Parliament building where they planned to stage a demonstration. FIR has been filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353, Section 3 of the PDPP Act, said Delhi Police.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Vivek Thakur is the chairman of the committee and there are a total of 31 members in the committee from both houses (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).

The standing committee for Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports called a meeting on Thursday to discuss the “Olympic Preparedness and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)”, a review of progress in the construction of National Sports University, Manipur and the up-gradation of sports complexes at Varanasi and Ahmedabad” committee agenda read.

Senior officials of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) also attended the meeting and disposed of the detailed consideration in the meeting on said agenda.

The protesting ace grapplers on Tuesday decided to push back their plan of immersing their medals in the Ganga as a mark of protest against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after farmer leader Naresh Tikait intervened and secured a five-day ultimatum from them.

The wrestlers are pressing for the removal and arrest of the WFI chief over allegations of sexual harassment. (ANI)

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Modi, Dahal Jointly Flag Off Cargo Train From Bathnaha To Nepal

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal’s counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Thursday jointly unveiled the e-plaque of the Kurtha-Bijalpura section of the Railway. Both leaders jointly flag off the Indian Railway cargo train from Bathnaha in Bihar to Nepal Custom yard.

PM Modi and Dahal jointly inaugurated the integrated check posts at Rupaidiha in India and Nepalgunj in Nepal, built with India’s assistance. The two leaders also unveiled the integrated check posts at Sanauli in India and Bhairahawa in Nepal.
PM Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Dahal jointly set into motion the Gorakhpur-New Butwal substation 400 KV cross-border transmission line. The two leaders laid the foundation stone of Phase II of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj Oil Pipeline between India and Nepal.

The exchange of seven agreements took place between India and Nepal in the presence of PM Modi and Dahal on infrastructure development, connectivity and people-to-people ties.

The exchange of MoU took place between the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Nepal, and the Sushma Swaraji Institute for Foreign Service, India. Exchange of MoU between two sides for the development of ICP at Dodra Chandani. An exchange of project development agreement of Lower Arun hydroelectric project.

The two leaders inaugurated the projects after the delegation-level talks. The agenda in the talks included bolstering the ties between India and Nepal in the economy, energy, infrastructure, education and people-to-people contacts.

Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “Delegation level talks led by PM @narendramodi and PM @cmprachanda of Nepal get underway. Agenda includes bolstering our age old ties through enhanced connectivity in areas of economy, energy, infrastructure, education & people to people contacts.”

After PM Modi welcomed ‘Prachanda’ at the Hyderabad House, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “Deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation. PM @narendramodi

greets PM @cmprachanda of Nepal as the latter arrives in Hyderabad House for bilateral talks.”

Earlier in the day, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ laid a wreath at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. He also wrote in the visitor’s book at Raj Ghat. “PM @cmprachanda of Nepal paid solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat,” tweeted Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

Dahal alias Prachanda who assumed office in December last year is on an official visit to India from May 31-June 3. This is his fourth visit to India. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he received a warm welcome from Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi.

Informing about his arrival, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrives in Delhi, receives warm welcome by MoS Lekhi, PM @cmprachanda of Nepal arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assumption of office. Warmly welcomed by MoS @M_Lekhi at the airport. The visit will impart renewed momentum to the close and unique India-Nepal relationship.” (ANI)

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Nepal PM Invites Modi For Official Visit To Himalayan Nation

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for official visit to Himalayan nation. He said that he is looking forward to welcoming PM Modi in Nepal “soon.”

“I have extended a cordial invitation to PM Modi Ji for a visit to visit Nepal. I look forward to welcoming him in Nepal soon,” Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal said during the joint press meet at Hyderabad House in Delhi.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with PM Modi, Dahal said that the ties between India and Nepal are “age-old and multifaceted.” He said that Nepal is happy to see the growth of India’s economy and political landscape under PM Modi’s leadership.

“This is my fourth visit to India as the Prime Minister of Nepal. I fondly recall my previous visit in September 2018 and then twice in September and October in 2016. I bring with me the greetings and good wishes of the government and the people of Nepal. We are happy to see the remarkable transformation of India’s economy and political landscape under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Dahal said.

He also congratulated PM Modi on completing nine years in the office and said that the ties between the two countries stand on the solid foundation built by the rich tradition of civilizational, cultural and socio-economic linkages.

“I congratulate Prime Minister Modiji on completion this week of nine years in government with far-reaching achievements on many fronts. The relationship between India and Nepal are age-old and multifaceted. These relations stand on the solid foundation built on the one hand by the rich tradition of civilizational cultural socio-economic linkage and on the other, by the two countries firm commitment to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation,” Dahal added.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that he and PM Modi made an extensive review of the progress in the India-Nepal ties and appreciated “Neighbourhood First” policy of India. He stated that they discussed on further strengthening cooperation between two nations.

“Today, as Prime Minister Modiji mentioned, we made an extensive review of the progress in our relation and renewed our commitment to further extend this relation and cooperation. I appreciate Prime Minister Modiji’s Neighbourhood First policy. In our meeting today, we discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas including trade, transit, investment, hydropower development, power, trade, irrigation, agriculture, connectivity including air entry routes, railways, bridge, transmission line, expansion of petroleum pipeline, construction of integrated checkposts as well as cultural and people to people contact,” Dahal said.

Dahal said that he and PM Modi discussed the boundary matter. He said that Nepal is happy to join India’s multilateral initiative of the International Solar Alliance.

“Prime Minister Modiji and I discussed the boundary matter. I urged Prime Minister Modiji to resolve the boundary matter through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanism. I commended the role played and initiative taken by Prime Minister Modiji during India’s G20 presidency as well as SCO Chairmanship including for giving voice to the issues of concern to the global south. Nepal is happy to join India’s multilateral initiative of the International Solar Alliance and more recently the International Big Cap Alliance,” he said.

He called India Nepal’s “close neighbour” and important partner” for the development and prosperity. He congratulated India for its achievement as New Delhi celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

“We also discussed about the establishment of fertiliser plant in Nepal in joint venture and we’ll try our best to work together for the successful completion of the project. India is Nepal’s close neighbour and important partner for the development and prosperity. As Nepal moves ahead on the path of graduating from LDC status by 2026, India’s continued support and goodwill remains important for us,” Dahal said. (ANI)

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‘Cheetah Project Has To Continue But Govt Must Rise Above Party Politics’

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

Amit Kundu, a Delhi-based wildlife enthusiast, says six cheetahs dying in a span of two months must shake this government which is playing petty politics over their habitat

The beautiful and majestic cheetahs, with their athletic bodies, and supersonic speed, have been inhabitants in Indian forests since long, until they were tragically declared extinct in 1952, basically due to rampant trophy-hunting, especially by the ruling elite of those times. There are sufficient reasons to believe that they can be successfully rehabilitated, provided ample space is made available to them, since, ideally, each cheetah needs 100 sq km of land as its own, individual territory. Presently, the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has only a space of 750 sq kms, which can ideally accommodate only five to six cheetahs.

As of now, six cheetahs, including three cubs, have unfortunately died. Out of the three adults, one has died of kidney failure, the second due to heart failure and the third due to a fierce fight during mating. The cubs died due to dehydration and heat wave conditions. All these deaths are attributed to natural causes.

There have been reports that officials are now saying that since cheetahs became extinct decades ago in India, they do not really have the expertise to handle them. In that case, wildlife experts have counter-argued that in that case what was the need and hurry to create such a hyperbole about bringing the cheetahs back to India from their natural habitat in Africa!

ALSO READ: ‘Cheetah Will Add To Indian Biodiversity’

However, in my view, the project should definitely continue, and as per forest officials and three Namibian experts in Kuno, more man power is being deployed to monitor their rehabilitation and everyday life in the wild or in confined zones. The authorities are identifying additional territories in Rajasthan as well as in Madhya Pradesh for releasing more cheetahs.

***Kundu (extreme right) is a frequent visitor to wildlife reserves across the country***

The Kuna National Park is now left with 17 adults and one cub born on March 29. Six of them are in the wild while a couple will be released before the monsoon, according to the media reports.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has expressed deep concern about the deaths of the three cheetahs translocated from South Africa and Namibia. A Bench led by Justice BR Gavai stated that the deaths had occurred within two months of their transfer to the national park. The apex court appealed to the Centre to “rise above politics” and consider shifting them to Rajasthan.

“Don’t bring party politics into this issue. Consider all the available habitats, whatever is suitable for them… Six deaths in a short span of two months is a matter of serious concern. There are opinions of experts and articles in the media. It appears that Kuno is not sufficient for so many cheetahs. There is too much concentration of cheetahs at one place. Why don’t you look for a suitable place in Rajasthan? Merely because Rajasthan is ruled by an opposition party does not mean that you will not consider it,” the Bench observed.

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As told to Amit Sengupta

‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ Star Sergio Passes Away At 77

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

Veterana actor Sergio Calderon is no more.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Sergio died on Wednesday. He was 77.
Calderon portrayed a Mexican revolutionary at the turn of the 20th century in Duck, You Sucker! (1971), written and directed by Sergio Leone, and was a murderous Mexican chief of police opposite Albert Finney in John Huston’s Under the Volcano (1984).

He is best known for his role in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’. In ‘At World’s End’, Calderon played one of the film’s Pirate Lords, Captain Eduardo Villanueva of the Adriatic Sea. The actor posted photos to social media of himself and franchise star Johnny Depp as well as rock star Keith Richards, who played the Pirate Lord of Madagascar and Depp’s father in the film.

He guest-starred as the colourful bandit Malavida Valdese on the premiere episode of NBC’s The A-Team in 1983, then returned as the river pirate El Cajon (The Coffin) at the start of the show’s third season a year later.

Calderon played Alfonso, one of the Hondurans, in the Arthur Hiller comedy The In-Laws (1979) — it was the role that got him his SAG card — and fans of the original Men in Black (1997) know him as the “head on a stick” held by an extraterrestrial “illegal alien” attempting to sneak across the U.S.-Mexico border in the Barry Sonnenfeld film.

Later, Calderon was the Spanish pirate lord Capt. Vallenueva in Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End (2007).

Among the three dozen or so films on his resume were The Revengers (1972), The Children of Sanchez (1978), Le Chevre (1981), Old Gringo (1989), The Missing (2003), The Ruins (2008) and Little Fockers (2010). He also showed up on the final season of the FX series Better Things last year.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Dakin; children Patrick Calderon-Dakin and Johanna Calderon-Dakin, son-in-law Raaj; and grandchildren Krishnaavi, Emiliano and Victoria. (ANI)

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Manipur: Strict Action Against Those Violating Law, Says Shah

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Central government has constituted a probe committee to be headed by a retired judge to investigate incidents of violence in Manipur that have led to the loss of lives and damage to properties.

Shah, who concluded a four-day visit to the State today while addressing a press conference here said that a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team will investigate cases of violence in the State.
The Union Minister said, “Central Government has constituted a committee to probe into these incidents headed by a retired judge of the rank of the chief justice of a high court. The Governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society.”

“A probe panel will be set up to look into the reasons for the violence and to identify who was responsible for it,” he said.

The Union minister assured the people of Manipur that the investigations will be carried out without any bias and discrimination and the guilty will be punished.

“Several agencies are working in Manipur to investigate violent incidents. High-level CBI probe in six incidents of violence that hint at a conspiracy. We will make sure that the investigation is fair,” Shah said.

The Union minister said that combing operation in the violence-hit areas in the State will begin tomorrow.

Shah said assured of strict action to be taken against those who violate the SoO agreement (Suspension of Operation). “I urge citizens of Manipur to not pay heed to fake news. Strict actions will be taken against anyone violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. Those carrying weapons must surrender before the police. Combing operations will start from tomorrow and if weapons are found with anyone, strict actions will be taken.”

The Union Home Minister said that education officials will reach the state and will have discussions to provide uninterrupted education facilities to students. Online education and examination will be held as per plan, he said.

The Home Minister highlighted that a rehabilitation package and special provisions will be put in place to ensure that students do not fall back on exams and studies have been chalked out.

“The next of kin of those who lost their lives in the violence will be given Rs 5 lakh by the central government and Rs 5 lakh by the Manipur government as compensation. This amount will be transferred to the victims through DBT. Special medical officers will ensure medical facilities in areas hit by violence,” he said.

The Home Minister expressed his condolences to the families of those died in the recent violence in the State

“On behalf of the Government of India, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to all those who have died in the recent violence. It is natural for all of us to feel sad when a citizen of the country dies,” said Amit Shah.

Shah said that he had visited various parts of the state in three days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and met with representatives of the Meitei and Kuki communities.

“In the last one month, there have been some violent incidents reported in Manipur. I express my condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones in the violence. I have visited several places in Manipur in the last three days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and held meetings with officials to establish peace in the state. I have met CSOs of Meitei and Kuki communities,” he added.

He further added that the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government has done unprecedented work in the State and the last six years were known for peace and prosperity.

Manipur witnessed violence on May 3 during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The march was organised in protest against the demand for inclusion of the state’s Meitei community in the ST category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Dahal 'Prachanda'

Modi And Nepal PM Hold Bilateral Talks At Hyderabad House

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Dahal ‘Prachanda’ held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House on Thursday.

“Deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation. PM @narendramodi greets PM @cmprachanda of Nepal as the latter arrives in Hyderabad House for bilateral talks,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted when PM Modi greeted ‘Prachanda’ at the Hyderabad House.

The engagement between the two Prime Ministers will be an opportunity to discuss the entire gamut of the multifaceted relationship between India and Nepal.

Earlier in the day, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ laid a wreath at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. He also wrote in the visitor’s book at Raj Ghat.

“PM @cmprachanda of Nepal paid solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat,” tweeted Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

Dahal alias Prachanda who assumed office in December last year is on an official visit to India from May 31-June 3. This is his fourth visit to India.

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he received a warm welcome from Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi.

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on his first overseas visit since assuming office met National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday.

In addition to the official engagements, he will also visit Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit.

During the visit, both sides will build on the successes achieved by India and Nepal in the bilateral partnership during previous high-level visits [Prime Minister Deuba to New Delhi (April 2022) and Prime Minister Modi to Lumbini (May 2022)].

During his visit, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka ‘Prachanda’ will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Nepal ambassador to India Shankar P Sharma on Wednesday called Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s trip to India a “goodwill visit” and added that it “will bring Nepal and India’s relations to a good height.” (ANI)

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The United States House of Representatives Debt Ceiling

US House Of Reps Passes Bill To Raise Debt Ceiling

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

The United States House of Representatives passed legislation late Wednesday to implement the debt ceiling agreement negotiated between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, putting Congress on track to approve additional borrowing just days before the government is anticipated to run out of money, Fox News reported.

Majorities in both parties supported the agreement, which also satisfies the GOP demand to reduce nondefense discretionary spending over the next two years, and the package passed by a vote of 314 to 117. Democrats supported the bill 165-46, while Republicans supported it by a vote of 149-71.
Democrats took credit for their role in advancing the bill. 52 Democrats joined with Republicans in an unusual procedural vote earlier in the day to keep the bill alive, Fox News reported.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Wednesday night, “I thank House Democrats for your steady hand, for your unity of purpose, for your efforts to make sure that we push back the extreme mega Republican efforts to jam right wing cuts down the throats of the American people that would have undermined the health, the safety and the economic well-being of everyday Americans.”

He added, “From the very beginning, House Democrats were clear that we will not allow extreme MAGA Republicans to default on our debt, crash the economy or trigger a job killing recession. Under the leadership of President Joe Biden, Democrats kept our promise and we will continue.”

Calling the bill “objectionable,” former House speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “It will avert unprecedented default, which would bring devastation to America’s families.”

McCarthy, a Republic from California, praised the bill’s spending reductions despite the fact that the package fell short of conservatives’ original goal of cutting expenditure by around USD 150 billion from this year to the next.

He said, “Tonight we’re going to do something we haven’t done before,” McCarthy said. “Tonight, we are going to vote for the largest savings in American history – over $2.1 trillion. That’s what we’re voting for. Every great nation that has overextended itself has collapsed”, according to the Fox News report.

The House vote send the bill to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer earlier in the day vowed it would be debated “as soon as possible.” Barring any objections from senators to moving rapidly, that vote is anticipated to happen this week.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has cautioned that if Congress does not increase or suspend the debt ceiling by Monday, June 5, the US government will be unable to cover its ongoing obligations.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell responded to a question about whether a Senate vote by Friday was feasible, saying, “I can tell you what I hope happens… that we can finish this Thursday or Friday and soothe the country and soothe the markets”, reported Fox News.

The final agreement reached over the weekend suspends the debt ceiling without a limitation until January 1, 2025. It also reduces non-defence expenditure to levels similar to fiscal 2022, caps growth at 1 per cent for the following two years, and proposes optional caps for the following four years. Additionally, it recovers some cash intended for the Internal Revenue Service and certain Covid-19 pandemic funds that were not yet spent.

But shortly after the agreement was reached on Saturday night, a number of conservative Republicans voiced their opposition to it.

Republicans who opposed the bill frequently argued that the expenditure reductions were insufficient and many pushed McCarthy to return to the original Limit, Save, Grow Act, which Democrats in the House and Senate panned as the “Default on America Act.”

Others, like Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla, voiced concerns about the slight increase in the Defence budget in the plan, which at little over 3 per cent is less than the rate of inflation.

One of McCarthy’s chief negotiators, Rep Garret Graves, R-La, disputed the claim that the bill did not go far enough to satisfy Republican objectives.

“To say we didn’t push [the White House] to the brink, to say that we didn’t maximise negotiations, it’s just an uninformed position,” he told Fox News. (ANI)

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Could Never Imagine, Disqualification From Parliament: Rahul

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he was the first person to be given a “maximum sentence for defamation” and had never imagined something like him being disqualified from the Lok Sabha, could ever happen when he joined politics two decades ago..

Referring to his disqualification from Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament (MP), Rahul Gandhi who is on a 10-day tour to the US made the remarks at Stanford University in California on Wednesday.
“I don’t think when I joined politics in 2004, I ever imagined what I see going on in our country. It was way outside what I had ever imagined,” Gandhi said.

“I was the first person to be given a criminal sentence for defamation and the maximum sentence to be disqualified from the parliament. I didn’t imagine something like this was possible. But I think it has given me a huge opportunity, probably much bigger than the opportunity I would have gotten sitting in the parliament, that’s just the way politics works,” said Rahul Gandhi.

His remarks come a day after he while addressing the Indian diaspora in San Francisco lashed out at the PM Modi.

Rahul Gandhi in March was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha after a Surat court sentenced him to two years imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his ‘Modi surname’ remark.

The decision came pertaining to his remark made in April 2019, where he had said “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname” at a Lok Sabha election rally at Kolar in Karnataka. The court approved Gandhi’s bail on a surety and stayed the sentence for 30 days to allow him to approach the higher courts.

In his Stanford address, Gandhi said that opposition in India is struggling and the drama started months ago.

“The drama started six months ago. We were struggling….The opposition is struggling in India. A huge financial dominance, institutional capture, struggling to fight the Democratic fight in our country. None of the systems were working,” said Rahul Gandhi.

“Democracy isn’t just about an opposition party. It’s about several institutions that support the opposition. Those institutions were either captured or were not playing the role they were supposed to play,” he added.

On Tuesday, addressing NRI’s in California, Rahul Gandhi took Taking a jibe at PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi said that some groups in India have the “disease” of being under the impression that they know everything.

“In India, we grew up with people of different languages, different religions. And that is what is being attacked. The tradition in India, of people like Gandhi Ji and Guru Nanak Ji, has been that you should not be under the impression of knowing everything. It is a ‘disease’ that some groups of India think that they know everything. Even if they have a conversation with God, they might explain to him,” he said.

Further adding to his remark, the Congress leader said, “And of course, Prime Minister is one of them. If you make him sit with God, he would start explaining to him (God) how the universe works…and God would get confused about what I had created.”

The remarks triggered a backlash from BJP who criticised the Congress leader of using foreign soil to tarnish the image of India.

Rahul Gandhi is on a 10-day visit to the country. He will cover three cities– San Francisco, Washington DC, and New York. (ANI)

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BSF Neutralizes Pak Intruder Near Intl Border In J-K

By LokMarg 1st June 2023

The Border Security Force (BSF) neutralized a Pakistani intruder near the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba area in the early hours of Thursday.

The BSF troops deployed in the Jammu sector neutralized the intruder as he kept advancing towards border fencing despite warnings from the personnel.
“In the early hours of June 1, 2023, the alert BSF troops noticed a suspicious movement of a person who crossed IB from the Pakistan side in the Samba area,” the BSF said in a statement.

He was challenged by the troops but the intruder kept advancing towards border fencing, said the BSF, which is mandated to guard the 3,323 km India-Pakistan border.

“The troops fired on him and shot him dead. Further details are being ascertained,” the BSF added. (ANI)

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