January 2024 - Page 3 of 39 - Lokmarg

Dynastic Politics, Not Democracy Under Threat: BJP Hits Kharge

By LokMarg 30th January 2024

Launching a strong counterattack over Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Tuesday said that the dynastic politics under the garb of democracy now seems towards an eclipse and the true emergence of true democracy is there in the offing.

Kharge on Monday chief claimed that PM Modi will declare a dictatorship after this year’s general elections.

“If Modi comes to power after the Lok Sabha polls, there will be dictatorship, no democracy and no elections,” he said.

Addressing a press conference, BJP’s Trivedi said “Kharge ji, it is true that many things are being discussed in Indian politics. The power of the dynasties ended in 1947, now the power of the democratic dynasties under the garb of democracy is being challenged and they are wondering what their future will be after the upcoming elections.”

“Whatever Mallikarjun Kharge is saying, its real meaning is that those dynastic politics under the garb of democracy which has been discarded by the voter in the last election now seem towards an eclipse and the true emergence of true democracy is there in the offing in which all the youth and all the voters of India are coming together,” he added.

Sudhanshu further mentioned the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and said that the Democracy ended during the Emergency period.

“Those who talk about democracy, then if we talk about Indira Gandhi, the time when democracy actually ended. 3/4th population of India does not know that the tenure of the Lok Sabha was increased from 5 years to 6 years during the Emergency. Fundamental rights were abolished. If someone was put in jail, he could not even apply for the bail,” he said.

The BJP MP also mentioned that if you look from north to south, in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, the enlightened people of the country criticized those who were running a monarchy in the name of democracy based on entitlements. “Be it the Abdullah and Mufti family lost in Kashmir, the Badal family in Punjab, the Hooda family in Haryana, or the biggest leader Rahul Gandhi lost,” Sudhanshu Trivedi said. (ANI)

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Absconding Soren Chairs Meet In Ranchi

By LokMarg 30th January 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren chaired a meeting with ministers of his ruling coalition on Tuesday amid allegations by the BJP that the JMM chief was “absconding” to avoid the Enforcement Directorate’s probe into an alleged land scam case.

The chief of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was seen coming out of his residence in Ranchi today ahead of the meeting.

The Chief Minister’s Office in Jharkhand released pictures of Soren’s meeting with alliance party leaders today.

On Monday, officials from the ED had visited Soren’s residence in Delhi to question him. The central agency seized two cars and Rs 36 lakh but did not find the JMM leader.

Following this, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that the Jharkhand CM was a “bhagoda” (on the run) and that there was a proposal to make Soren’s wife Chief Minister of the state.

In a post on social media platform X, Dubey said, “Hemant Soren ji has called his own, JMM, Congress and allied MLAs to reach Ranchi with their luggage and bags. According to the information, there is a proposal to make Kalpana Soren ji (Hemant Soren’s wife) Chief Minister.”

As per sources, the ED had issued a fresh summons to Soren, asking him to be available for questioning on January 29 or 31, or else the agency itself will go to him for questioning. This is the tenth summons issued to the Jharkhand Chief Minister, by the ED.

Soren, in a letter to the Enforcement Directorate, said he will record his statement before the agency officials at 1 pm on Wednesday, January 31 at his residence in Ranchi.

The Jharkhand chief minister alleged that questioning him at this time was more political and was meant to disrupt the functioning of his government.

Questioning by the ED at a time when the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly is scheduled (February 2- 29) “reeks of malice” and “reveals your political agenda to disrupt the functioning of the State Government and prevent an elected representative of the people from discharging his official duties,” the letter read.

Section 144 CrPc was imposed within a 100-metre radius of CM Soren’s residence, Raj Bhavan and ED office in Ranchi. (ANI)

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Baku-Bound IndiGo Takes Off Without ATC Clearances, Pilot Grounded

By LokMarg 30th January 2024

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulatory body, has grounded a pilot for allegedly taking off the Baku-bound IndiGo plane without Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) clearances.

According to the DGCA, the Baku-bound IndiGo plane took off without ATC clearances.

“The DGCA has begun an investigation where an IndiGo plane from Delhi to Baku has taken off without ATC clearances,” it said.

According to a top DGCA official, “the indigo pilot of 6E-1803 has been off duty till the investigation.”

“The pilots of IndiGo’s January 29, 2024, Delhi-Baku flight (6E 1803) have been removed from flying duty as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) investigates whether they took off without the required air traffic control (ATC) clearance,” it added.

The flight departed at around 7:38 p.m. on January 29.

The Indigo has said that appropriate action will be taken as necessary.

“With reference to reports around IndiGo flight 6E 1803 operating between Delhi and Baku on January 28, 2024, the incident is currently under investigation, and appropriate action will be taken as necessary,” IndiGo said in a statement. (ANI)

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SRK Admits Feeling Nervous On Returning After Four Years

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

2023 has been a great year for all the SRK fans, as the Superstar after a long hiatus of 4 years released three films ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’ and lastly ‘Dunki’ which have all set records at the box office.

On Monday, at a special fan meet and greet event in Mumbai, the ‘Don’ actor expressed gratitude towards his fans for showering the love they have bestowed upon him.

Taking to X, Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club shared a video in which King Khan said, “Because I have been working for 33 years and you take such a big gap. Normally you do feel a little nervous and you feel ki ‘arrey yaar! I hope I have got the film right’.”

“
Usse pehle meri kuch filmein thi jo itni achi nahi gayi to mujhe ye bhi lagne laga tha ki main achi filmein ab bana nahi raha hoon
. But I think, more than my films,
ek pyaar tha logo ka..jo Pathaan ke liye, Jo Jawaan ke liye and jo Dunki ke liye
..This whole country and people outside this country have actually taken me to their heart, more than the films, and have said that
‘arrey yaar, 4 saal ke liye mat jaya karo. 2-4 mahine theek hai.’
So I am very very thankful to all of you, to the audience and the whole world for making me realise
‘jo main karta hu wo theek karta hoon aur mujhe wo baar baar karte rehna chahiye
‘,” he added.

As per a source close to the team of ‘Dunki’, the makers might hold a special screening for the UK government.

“Since Dunki narrates the story of illegal immigrants who take the Donkey route to enter the cross borders, the UK government has found it to be a relevant subject in today’s time. The film has received tremendous love from the UK audience, as not only it talks about an important issue but also highlights the dangerous Dunki route, and hence now the government is also keen to watch the film,” the source-based statement read.

Helmed by Rajkumar Hirani, ‘Dunki’ features Shah Rukh alongside Taapsee Pannu, Boman Irani, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar and Anil Grover.

‘Dunki’ focuses on the issue of immigration. Its title is taken from the term “donkey journey”, which refers to the long-winding, often dangerous routes that people across the world take to reach the places they want to immigrate to.

However, SRK has still not announced his next project. (ANI)

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Munawar Takes ‘Bigg Boss’ Trophy To Dongri

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

Comedian Munawar Faruqui is the man of the moment. He emerged as the winner of the 17th season of ‘Bigg Boss’.

After winning the coveted trophy, he went to his hometown of Dongri, where he received a grand welcome from a sea of fans.

Innumerable fans flocked to meet him. Upon his arrival in his Dongri area, a large group of people mobbed his car and could not contain the excitement to see Munawar holding his trophy.

Munawar defeated actor Abhishek Kumar in the top two to win the finale.

In an interview with ANI, Munawar said he was confident about his win.

“My heart was beating a lot but somewhere it was saying that I will be the winner. My fans always supported me and whenever I was left behind, they pulled me by holding my hand, so I am very grateful.”

The stand up comedian soon after his win took to social media to share a photo with host Salman Khan and captioned, “Bohot Bohot shukriya janta aapke pyaar aur support ke liye aakhir kar trophy Dongri aa hi gayi (Thank you my fans for all the love and support. Finally the trophy is here). Special thanks to bade Bhai @beingsalmankhan sir for all your guidance. Saari ‘Munawar ki janta aur Munawar ke warrior’ ka dil se shukriya (thanks to all of my fans from the bottom of my heart).”

Munawar was one of the most popular contestants of the 17th season of the Colors show. He hogged the limelight ever since he entered the Bigg Boss house. However, his game backfired soon, and he faced several hurdles, mainly when Ayesha Khan entered the show making some serious allegations against him.

Ayesha blamed him for cheating on her, making false promises, and proposing to another girl for marriage. His game hit rock bottom but he managed to stand tall. Before Bigg Boss 17, Munawar gained popularity after winning reality show Lock Upp. (ANI)

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Karachi: Shortage Of Nebulizers Leads To Rise In Respiratory Allergies

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

Amid the chilling winter season, a shortage of nebulizer machines is being reported from the government hospitals in Pakistan’s Karachi leading to serious repercussions for the patients, vernacular media reported.

As per the report by Pakistan-based Express Urdu, the Karachi health department has not purchased nebulizer machines for the last two years.

In the cold weather, the number of patients with various types of allergies, including chest, respiratory, and lung, is rising at an alarming rate in Karachi.

There is no system to collect the data of affected patients at the official level. Medical experts who treat these diseases claim that the number of patients suffering from these diseases has increased by about 20 per cent during the current cold season.

Due to the non-availability of nebulizer machines in government hospitals, the patients of these diseases are turning to private hospitals where the nebulizer charges are 800-1000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) while low-income people are forced to buy this machine personally to maintain their breathing.

Former Head of the Chest Diseases Department of Jinnah Hospital Prof Dr Nadeem Rizvi admitted that the people of Karachi are suffering from chest and respiratory diseases due to air pollution, toxic fumes from vehicles and factories, and burning of items including garbage, Express Urdu reported.

He also said that the number of patients with pneumonia and asthma is constantly increasing.

The health department officials said that it has been revealed that the government hospitals have not purchased nebulizer machines for two years, due to which there are no machines in the government hospitals of Karachi.

Nebulization is being done by applying masks, but this facility is not available in 80 per cent of hospitals in Karachi.

The nebulizer machine is not available in government hospitals established in district and rural areas of Karachi, but in some hospitals, the same nebulizer machine is being used on different patients, the vernacular media reported. (ANI)

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ECI Announces Elections For 56 RS Seats In 15 States

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced elections for 56 Rajya Sabha seats in 15 States, the polls for which will be held on February 27.

The ECI conveyed the information in a Press Note with the subject “Biennial Elections to the Council of States to fill the seats of members retiring in April 2024.”

As per the offical note, the term of office of 56 members of the Council of States elected from 15 states is due to expire on their retirement in April 2024.

The highest number of members, i.e. 10, will be retiring from the state of Uttar Pradesh on April 2, 2024, said the press note.

Both Maharashtra and Bihar have 6 members retiring on April 2, 2024. Meanwhile, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh will each have 5 members retiring on the same date.

Both Karnataka and Gujarat will witness the retirement of 4 members on April 2, 2024.

According to the press note, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Rajasthan, each have three members retiring. While members from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are retiring on April 2, 2024, the members from Odisha and Rajasthan are retiring on April 3, 2024.

Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will each witness the retirement of one member on April 2, 2024. (ANI)

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Ban On Students Islamic Movement Of India For Five More Years Under UAPA

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday extended the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for another five years as an ‘unlawful association’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

MHA made the announcement through a notification informing that it took action by exercising the powers conferred by the provisions of UAPA.

As per the notification, SIMI was banned as an “unlawful association for a further period of five years under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.)”

The Ministry had declared the SIMI as an unlawful association on September 27, 2001, and it later kept on extending the ban on September 26, 2003, February 8, 2006, February 7, 2008, February 5, 2010, February 3, 2012, February 1, 2014, and January 31, 2019.

The fresh action came considering that the SIMI is “continuing to be involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing the peace and communal harmony in the country which are prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India.”

Many criminal cases have been registered against SIMI and its members under various sections of law including the UAPA.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the move is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy.

“Bolstering PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision of zero tolerance against terrorism ‘Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI)’ has been declared as an ‘Unlawful Association’ for a further period of five years under the UAPA. The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat,” Shah posted on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.

As per the fresh notification, SIMI has been indulging in activities, which are “prejudicial to the security of the country and have the potential of disturbing peace and communal harmony and disrupting the secular fabric of the country.”

It further connected SIMI’s role in several cases, including a case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Athar Parvej and Mohd Jalaluddin of Phulawari Sharif, Patna relating to a conspiracy to disrupt the visit of the Prime Minister in July 2022.

The notification further pointed that “if the unlawful activities of the SIMI are not curbed and controlled immediately, it will take the opportunity to continue its subversive activities and re-organize its activists who are still absconding; disrupt the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal disharmony; propagate anti-national sentiments; escalate secessionism by supporting militancy; and undertake activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country.”

Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh have already recommended for declaration of SIMI as an ‘unlawful association’ under the provisions of the UAPA. (ANI)

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They Will Throw You Out: Mamata On BSF Giving Separate ID Card

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that the Border Security Force (BSF) has been providing separate identity card to the people in the border areas and asked people to refrain from taking the card as they could be kicked out of the country under the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Banerjee’s remarks came after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur said on Sunday that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be implemented across the country in a week.

“The BSF is oppressing the people. The BSF wants to give a separate identity card to the people in the border areas. Remember, do not take the separate identity card that the BSF wants to give by entering the border area; say that I have an Aadhaar card or that I have a ration card; say that I will not take your card. If you take that card, you will come under the NRC, and they will throw you out,” Mamata Banerjee said.

“Please enrol your name in the voters’ list. So that Delhi cannot get a chance to throw out you of the state,” said Mamata Banerjee said.

Further, she targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not mentioning Sita and Lord Ram’s mother, Kaushalya, saying, “Mother and sister are the pride of society; they(women) will cook and do everything that is necessary so that the country and society can be protected.”

“You have forgotten Mother Sita. You do not say the name of Mother Sita; you do not say the name of Kaushalya, the mother who gave birth to Lord Rama. How is a child born without a mother? Without a wife, how can a husband move forward? Do you not remember Sita’s ‘Agni Pariksha’, her entry into the Patal lok? Mother and sister are the pride of society; they will cook and do whatever is necessary when needed so that the country and society can be protected,” CM Banerjee said.

The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country. (ANI)

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US Issues Record-High 1.4 MN Visas For Indians

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

The US Consular Team in India processed a record 1.4 million US visas in 2023, which is higher than ever, and has brought down the visitor visa appointment wait times by 75 per cent.

The US Embassy and Consulates in India said that Indians now represent one out of every 10 US visa applicants around the world.

“In 2023, the US Embassy and Consulates in India processed a record-smashing 1.4 million US visas. Demand across all visa classes was unprecedented, with a 60 per cent increase in applications compared to 2022. Indians now represent one out of every ten US visa applicants around the world,” the statement read.

Visitor visas (B1/B2) have rebounded to represent the second-highest number of applications in the US Mission’s history — over 7,00,000.

Process improvements and investments in staffing have brought the appointment wait time for visitor visas down from an average of 1,000 days to only 250 days around the country with minimal wait time in all categories.

The US consular team in India issued over 1,40,000 student visas in 2023 – more than in any other country in the world setting a record for the third year in a row, the statement added.

Among the specific states, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai are the top four student visa processing posts in the world. This has made Indian students the largest group of international graduate students in the United States. They make up more than a quarter of the over one million foreign students studying in the United States.

The US Embassy and Consulates further stated that ’employment visas’ remain a top priority.

Consular Team India consolidated most petition-based visa processing in Chennai and Hyderabad to increase efficiency, leading to the processing of over 3,80,000 employment visas for Indians and their family members in 2023 and allowing the US Mission to maintain a minimal appointment wait time.

In another development, a pilot program this year will allow eligible H1B holders to renew their visas in the United States, further streamlining the process for this group.

It further informed that the Consulate General Mumbai eliminated a queue of over 31,000 immigrant visa cases delayed by the pandemic.

Those who have a pending immigrant visa petition and are ready for scheduling can now obtain an appointment within the standard, pre-pandemic appointment window, it added.

“The US Mission continues to invest in the future of consular services in India and explore ways to provide more efficient and convenient services. These investments have included the opening of a new USD 340 million facility in Hyderabad in March 2023, the announcement of two new consulates in Ahmedabad and Bangalore, continued capital improvements to our facilities around the country, and the permanent assignment of more consular officers to India,” the US Embassy and Consulates said in the statement. (ANI)

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