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Bengal committee to take call on alliance with Congress: Sitaram Yechury

There is intense speculation in political circles over the likelihood of an alliance coming up between the CPI-M and the Congress, both are in a state of disarray, in the state ahead of the election to oust the TMC in power. The CPI-M today ended its five-day plenum which it held after a gap of 37 years to revamp the party organisation. More than 400 leaders, including politburo and central committee members, attended the plenum.

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Come January 1, eatables in Parliament canteen to get costlier <!– /.block –>
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Animal Welfare Board advises Centre not to allow jallikattu, claims PETA

“We want to respect that but also ensure that there should be no cruelty. Therefore, we will give you good news in the next couple of days. We will give you good news so that the cultural practice can be followed as well as cruelty should not happen to animals. We have found out some ways and will announce by January 1. The government is positive on the issue,” he had said.

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UP CM Akhilesh Yadav attends ‘Saifai Mahotsav’ <!– /.block –>
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Also ReadIndiaEminent writer Mahasweta Devi hospitalisedIndiaAnimal Welfare Board advises Centre not to allow jallikattu, claims PETAIndiaUP CM Akhilesh Yadav attends ‘Saifai Mahotsav’IndiaOdd-Even Rule: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal asks his ministers to lead by example IndiaAfter Modi’s barbs, Congress accuses him of ‘confrontational mindset’IndiaUttar Pradesh: Beat rape accused with shoes, panchayat tells victim <!– /.block –>

<!– /#sidebar-second –>New York Police Department foils suspected Islamic State backed attack on New Year’s eve<!– /.block –>UP CM Akhilesh Yadav attends ‘Saifai Mahotsav'<!– /.block –> <!– /#content_bottom –>
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Jammu & Kashmir: Security forces gun down two terrorists in Pulwama

Two AK47 rifles, four magazines of AK 47 and other war-like stores were recovered from the site of the encounter.

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Salman Khan may be sued over shopping portal name <!– /.block –>
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Also ReadIndiaAmritsar: Nine killed, 15 injured in accident as bus hits motorised cartIndiaNarrow escape for 171 passengers of AI flight as dog strays on runwayIndiaNoida jinx will keep Akhilesh Yadav away from meeting PMIndiaMaharashtra: Sales tax on kidney-related medicines waived offIndiaDelhi govt suspends two officers; 200 colleagues threaten to go on mass leaveIndiaUP girl students barred from hockey, cricket, football <!– /.block –>

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Noida jinx will keep Akhilesh Yadav away from meeting PM

With palace intrigues already at play within the ruling Yadav clan itself, Akhilesh seems to be unwilling to take any chances.

Deepak Gidwani

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State seeks corporate help for Swachh abhiyan <!– /.block –>
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Maharashtra: Sales tax on kidney-related medicines waived off

Close to 600 patients are registered with the ZTCC to receive a kidney. The number of patients waiting is up to 10 times more than those who end up receiving one.Dr Rajesh Kumar, nephorlogist at Dr LH Hiranandani hospital, said: “It is a good decision and will help end-stage kidney patients get good health care. Unlike other states, Maharashtra had VAT as well as Octroi. For buying a single dialysis, we spent Rs60-70,000 only on taxes. For a single filter which is used in the dialysis, we paid Rs100 on taxes.”

dna Correspondent

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AIU seizes gold, goods worth Rs60 lakh from a couple <!– /.block –>
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RSS pracharaks as BJP’s state unit chiefs – exceptions or new trend?

A party leader said earlier RSS pracharaks came to the BJP generally as organisational secretaries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first pracharaks to hold a government post as chief minister and Kushabhau Thakre, also a pracharak, was party president. From 2004, more pracharaks entered the party fold. Once a pracharak joins the party, he has to give up the “veya patra” or statement of expenditure, as advance money is given to pracharaks for monthly expenditures.

Amita Shah

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Coastal road clears major hurdle, Fadnavis thanks PM Modi <!– /.block –>
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Gujarat: Patanjali products sent for testing

“The samples have been collected following instruction given by the state (Gujarat) health department after some of the products failed in lab testing,” the official said, adding that these samples have been sent to a Vadodara-based lab. <!– /11440465/Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>

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West Bengal hands over land for AIIMS-like hospital to Centre for free

“Tender for construction of boundary wall has already been floated by Centre. After completion of all formalities, we expect the work of the boundary wall to start in January or February. The DPR for the facility is also under process.” he added.

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Respect for Indians grew after PM Modi’s foreign visits, says Sushma Swaraj

RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya too participated in the six-day camp which started yesterday where around 700 representatives from 45 countries are participating.

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Congress dubs Centre’s Smart City project as ‘unconstitutional’

“This money will be used by the government for various purposes like waiving off school fees of children and payment of electricity bills of farmers. The government anyway has to do all these works when it declares drought,” he said. The former chief minister also said BJP’s ally Shiv Sena is “aware that Fadnavis is only a man of words and not action”, but cannot do much about it due to the “compromise” it has done with the BJP on several issues. “This has now reduced the Sena into a party that needs to compromise on issues to stay afloat. It has no relation with ‘Hindutva’ and ‘Marathi manoos’ anymore,” he said.

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<!– /#sidebar-second –>Government stares at Rs 50,000 crore shortfall in disinvestment proceeds<!– /.block –>Odd-even formula: Delhi govt tells agencies to allow date-wise parking<!– /.block –> <!– /#content_bottom –>
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Haryana polls: Election Commission issues educational qualification verification rules

“So far, the Haryana Power DISCOMs have recovered Rs 30.60 crore as dues from these candidates before issuing them no dues certificate that was outstanding towards their rural domestic connections. Out of which UHBVN recovered power dues to the tune of Rs 14.18 crore and DHBVN Rs 16.42 crore, respectively,” he said.

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Gurgaon to install household solid waste treatment plants <!– /.block –>
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<!– /#sidebar-second –>La Liga 2015: Ronaldo turns Real’s hero even after missing a penalty against Sociedad<!– /.block –>Gurgaon to install household solid waste treatment plants<!– /.block –> <!– /#content_bottom –>
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DMDK Chief Vijayakanth hits back at Jayalalithaa for criticising his party workers

Meanwhile, BJP leaders Muralidhar Rao and Pon Radhakrishnan met Vijayakanth today, in a meeting the party described as a “courtesy call”.

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High time India, Pakistan set aside hostilities, says Nawaz Sharif <!– /.block –>
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High time India, Pakistan set aside hostilities, says Nawaz Sharif

The Pakistan premier’s comments came a day after his Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet in Islamabad on January 14-15 to prepare a schedule of meeting for the comprehensive dialogue covering Jammu and Kashmir and other issues. Sharif also expressed optimism that India-Pakistan ties would improve in the days ahead and the “spirit of goodwill generated with Modi’s visit will continue to prevail”.

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New sanitation survey under ‘Swachh Bharat’ to be undertaken between Jan 5-20

In the earlier survey of 476 cities, in which Mumbai was ranked 147th, solid waste management had a weightage of only 13 per cent, as against 60 per cent in the new survey. Household and community toilets have a weightage of 30 per cent and city level sanitation plans and ‘Information, Behaviour Change Communication’ 10 per cent. The results of the survey will be announced on the MyGov website on January 25, he added.

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Separatist leader Asiya Andrabi dismisses allegations of any IS link <!– /.block –>
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Fragile Western Ghats paying price of development

On Friday, dna had reported that Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat and Kerala have recommended that only 19,702.85 sqkm of eco-sensitive area (ESA) should be retained as against the 56,825 sqkm that was identified by the K Kasturirangan-led committee, opening up the rest for development and commercial activities. The state governments were unhappy with the Kasturirangan report and thus the central Government had allowed them to physically verify their ESAs.

Nikhil M Ghanekar

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Also ReadIndiaArticle 370 can’t be abrogated, repealed or amended, rules Jammu and Kashmir HCIndiaGood news from Tadoba reserve: Tiger numbers risingIndiaSulking Akhilesh Yadav skips Sefai fest, strains show in Yadav clanHealthHPV vaccine in universal immunisation could bring up old fearsIndiaMumbai: Minor boy held for demanding Rs 5 lakh from actressIndiaMiffed at delays in warship building, Parliamentary Panel asks for single point accountability <!– /.block –>

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AAP government plans aggressive publicity campaigns to make odd-even formula a success

Prasar Bharati sources confirmed receiving the Delhi government’s request and said they are in the process of taking a decision on it. The odd/even car rule was declared by the Delhi government as an emergency action to reduce air pollution levels in Delhi. The government has exempted women drivers, CNG vehicles, two-wheelers, emergency vehicles and a long list of VIPs from the scheme.

Amrita Nayak Dutta

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Also ReadIndiaArticle 370 can’t be abrogated, repealed or amended, rules Jammu and Kashmir HCIndiaGood news from Tadoba reserve: Tiger numbers risingIndiaSulking Akhilesh Yadav skips Sefai fest, strains show in Yadav clanHealthHPV vaccine in universal immunisation could bring up old fearsIndiaMumbai: Minor boy held for demanding Rs 5 lakh from actressIndiaMiffed at delays in warship building, Parliamentary Panel asks for single point accountability <!– /.block –>

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Mumbai – CCTV cameras bring down crime rate: Survey

Not only in the premises, many working parents have installed CCTV cameras in their drawing rooms, to keep an eye on their baby-sitters. They can access the live footage on their smartphones, so that they can ensure the infant is safe while they are out. Besides, several breakthroughs in police investigations have happened only due to the footage captured by CCTV cameras. For example, the case of abduction, rape and murder of young techie S Esther Anuhya of Andhra Pradesh.

dna Correspondent

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<!– /.block –>Mumbai: Rich tributes paid to RTI warrior Narayan Verma <!– /.block –>
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Also ReadIndiaGood news from Tadoba reserve: Tiger numbers risingIndiaWhy 2016 could be a watershed year in Indo-Pak tiesIndiaSulking Akhilesh Yadav skips Sefai fest, strains show in Yadav clanHealthHPV vaccine in universal immunisation could bring up old fearsIndiaMumbai: Minor boy held for demanding Rs 5 lakh from actressIndiaMiffed at delays in warship building, Parliamentary Panel asks for single point accountability <!– /.block –>

<!– /#sidebar-second –>Now, MADness to extend to Borivli, Khar Road rly stations<!– /.block –> <!– /#content_bottom –>
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Nawaz Sharif dons pink turban gifted to him by Modi at granddaughter’s wedding

Though all the wedding ceremonies are being kept a close family affair away from the public eye, selected footage is released to the media like during the marriage of Sharif’s elder son Husain back in the 1990s. The locals as well as British tailors have reportedly been hired to prepare dresses of the bride and her relatives.

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West Bengal: Youth shot dead by TMC leader, arrested

Later, the family members of the deceased filed an FIR with the police. Immediately, the police arrested Rai and he is likely to be produced before the court on Monday.

Pooja Mehta

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UP to set up college, hospital in memory of Delhi gang-rape victim

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UP CM Akhilesh Yadav declared this here on Thursday after meeting the victim’s parents.

Akhilesh Yadav
File Photo

The UP government will establish an inter college and a hospital in memory of the December 16, 2012 gang-rape victim. UP CM Akhilesh Yadav declared this here on Thursday after meeting the victim’s parents. The projects will be set up in their native village in Ballia district of east UP. Akhilesh said the government would also consider giving a job to a member of their family. In a related development, Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger ‘bahu’ (daughter in law) Aparna organised a “Black Day” here on Thursday to protest the freedom granted to the juvenile rapist in the Delhi gang rape case. Thousands of black balloons were released in the air as a mark of protest.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>

Ayodhya Ram Temple row: UP CM meets top officials, reviews situation

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Taking note of media reports in this regard, Yadav summoned top officials of Home and Police departments and directed them to take effective measures to maintain law and order in the state

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday held a meeting with top officials and reviewed the law and order situation in the backdrop of two stone-laden trucks arriving in Ayodhya on Sunday.Taking note of media reports in this regard, Yadav summoned top officials of Home and Police departments and directed them to take effective measures to maintain law and order in the state. “No one should be allowed to vitiate the law and order situation in the state. The matter of Ayodhya dispute is pending in the Supreme Court. The state government will follow the SC order in letter in spirit. No nuisance will be tolerated by anyone in the state,” Yadav said.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”You (Police) should keep an eye on rumour mongers and anti-social elements and remain alert,” the Chief Minister said. He also directed to keep social media platforms under careful observation to prevent posting of “objectionable” content.The state government had on Monday sought a “confidential” report from Intelligence Department on two stone-laden trucks arriving in Ayodhya six months after the VHP announced a nationwide drive to collect stones for construction of Ram temple.

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, wife stuck in lift for 24 minutes

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The officials waited with bated breath for an agonizing 24 minutes as Akhilesh and Dimple got stuck when the lift doors did not open automatically on reaching the ground floor. The power couple was finally rescued after cutting through the lift door.

Officials in the security of UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav went into a tizzy on Friday afternoon as the CM and his wife and MP Dimple Yadav got stuck in a lift in the UP Legislature building.The officials waited with bated breath for an agonizing 24 minutes as Akhilesh and Dimple got stuck when the lift doors did not open automatically on reaching the ground floor. The power couple was finally rescued after cutting through the lift door.Three engineers who were supposed to on duty were all found absent, and have been suspended. A high-level inquiry has been set up to nail those responsible for the maintenance of lifts in the UP Legislature complex. An FIR has been lodged against the lift manufacturer, too.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The incident has exposed chinks in the CM’s security. Akhilesh has an elaborate NSG cover as he is a Z-plus protectee, and his route is checked twice before he goes anywhere. Still, the CM and his wife were caught unawares, clearly due to negligence of the officials responsible for ensuring his safe passage.”The incident is shocking. Though it was a technical glitch, it has necessitated a complete assessment of the CM’s security afresh,” said Lucknow SSP Rajesh Pande, answering reporters’ queries regarding the incident.

Delhi court dismisses charge against AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi

Earlier on November 26, Akhilesh Tripathi was held in a 2013 case of rioting and criminal intimidation and sent to judicial custody

Akhilesh Tripathi

A lower court in Delhi on Saturday acquitted AAP Akhilesh Tripathi of a two year old rioting case, reports Janta Ka Reporter. In an embarrassment for the police, the Rohini Court also rapped them for bringing such charges against the Model Town MLA. Earlier, on November 26, Akhilesh Tripathi was held in a 2013 case of rioting and criminal intimidation and sent to judicial custody for a day, the fifth lawmaker of the ruling party to be arrested.In 2013, an FIR was registered against Tripathi, Rahul Kumar, Vikas Mandal, Inder Vikram Singh and Kanhaiya Kumar Jha for alleged offences under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 323 (causing simple hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. <!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Speaking to Janta Ka Reporter, Tripathi said that this verdict should come as a lesson to the Delhi Police. He said that he will ask Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to control the police forces. Tripathi also accused Delhi Police of malicious action.

People of Uttar Pradesh have made those speaking on love jehad silent: Akhilesh Yadav

Terming as baseless the objections raised by Centre for the land made available by the state government for setting up AIIMS in Gorakhpur, Yadav said their argument is that the approach road there is narrow.

Akhilesh Yadav

Amid an ongoing debate on intolerance in the country, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said those speaking on issues like love jehad and cow slaughter have become silent as they have been given a befitting reply by the people of Uttar Pradesh.”Several parties which were talking on cow, love jehad and other religious issues are silent now as they have been given a befitting reply in the state,” Yadav said at a function at Madan Mohan Malviya Technical University here.The chief minister also exhorted people not to get embroiled in religious issues.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Terming as baseless the objections raised by Centre for the land made available by the state government for setting up AIIMS in Gorakhpur, Yadav said their argument is that the approach road there is narrow.”If the Centre so wants, the state government is ready to make this apporach road four lane,” he said. Referring to the central government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, he said that this dream cannot be realised without taking Uttar Pradesh along.

No written exam for recruitment of police constables in UP: CM Akhilesh Yadav

Pointing out that there is shortage of constables in the Uttar Pradesh Police, Yadav said that adequate arrangements would be done to train the applicants.
File Photo
dna Research & Archives
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that there would be no written examination for recruitment to the post of police constable, adding that it would be done on the basis of physical test and the marks obtained by the applicants in high school.”Recruitment will be done very soon of thirty five constables. And the (Uttar Pradesh) Cabinet has taken the decision that examination will not be held. The recruitment will be done on the basis of marks obtained in Class 10th and 12th along with physical test,” said Yadav.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Pointing out that there is shortage of constables in the Uttar Pradesh Police, Yadav said that adequate arrangements would be done to train the applicants.

Shashi Tharoor calls death penalty an ‘aberration’ in democracy, call for its abolition again

“We should abolish death penalty to uphold the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi,” he said

Contending that death penalty has mostly affected the marginalised people, the Congress leader said the state should not become killer.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday demanded abolition of death penalty, describing it as an “aberration in a healthy democracy”. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, he said hanging people does not deter crime and there is a lot of subjectivity in application of death penalty. “It (death penalty) is an aberration in a healthy democracy,” Tharoor said, adding that instead preventive and reformative measures should be strengthened to prevent crimes.Contending that death penalty has mostly affected the marginalised people, the Congress leader said the state should not become killer. “We should abolish death penalty to uphold the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.According to him, around 70 per cent of the UN member nations have abolished death penalty. M B Rajesh (CPI-M) urged the government to review the hike in cancellation charges for railway tickets saying it is creating great difficulties for the passengers. The “exhorbitant hike” in cancellation charges is exploitation of passengers and the Railway Minister should have a re-look at the matter as well as restore the old charges, he said. <!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Cong) claimed that over 200 tea workers have died in the last two months in West Bengal and alleged that the workers are not given the minimum wages. He voiced concern over the deaths and said the Centre and state government should work together to address the situation. Chowdhury said since Prime Minister Narendra Modi “boasts” of being a tea-seller in his childhood, he should help in giving a fair deal to the tea plantation workers. Keshav Prasad Maurya (BJP) alleged that law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has deteriorated and demanded the dismissal of the Akhilesh Yadav government. He said many BJP workers have been killed in the state but action has not been taken by the state government. Dushyant Chautala (INLD) sought amendment to MPLADS rules as he alleged that officials are delaying implementation of programmes that are funded with money from it.The rules need to be amended to ensure that programmes under it are implemented at the earliest, he said. He was supported by members cutting across party lines. AIADMK leader P Venugopal said many people have been affected by heavy rainfall and floods in Tamil Nadu and the central government should immediately release more funds for relief works in the state. His party colleague V Sathyabama urged the Centre to establish a knitswear board in Tamil Nadu at Tirupur, which has a big knitswear industry. Sumedhanand Saraswati (BJP) said the Centre should look at setting up a sports university in Rajasthan.

Court says AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi misused liberty of bail

The court had on November 23 issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Tripathi, the fifth lawmaker of the ruling party to be arrested, for his non-appearance and he was sent to jail till November 28.

Akhilesh Tripathi

AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi misused the liberty of bail and has no respect for court orders, a Delhi court today said while sending him to judicial custody in a 2013 case of rioting and criminal intimidation.The court ordered that the legislator from Model Town constituency be taken into custody so that his appearance could be secured and the case be tried expeditiously as per the Supreme Court’s directions as it relates to a sitting MLA. “The conduct of accused Akhilesh Tripathi made it clear that he wants to delay the present case and same was mentioned in the last date of hearing also in the order sheet. The conduct of Tripathi makes it clear that he has no concern or respect to the orders of this court and has no respect for the directions of Supreme Court and is not prepare to cooperate with the court. Due to his non appearance, a public witness has been discharged twice by this court,” Metropolitan Magistrate Kapil Kumar said.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”In these circumstances, there is no option for this court but to take accused Akhilesh Tripathi in the judicial custody till next date of hearing so that his appearance could be secured and the present case be tried as per the directions of the Supreme Court,” the court said. The court had on November 23 issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Tripathi, the fifth lawmaker of the ruling party to be arrested, for his non-appearance and he was sent to jail till November 28.The court said the record revealed that Tripathi misused the liberty given to him by virtue of bail several times and earlier also NBWs were issued against him on October 9. He was arrested by police but was released on bail afresh by the court considering that he is a sitting MLA and he undertook that he will appear on every date of hearing. It also noted that the legislator had moved several exemption applications, including he wanted to go to Bihar to attend oath ceremony of chief minister, which were allowed.”It is within the knowledge of Tripathi and other accused persons that directions have been received to this court to expedite the present case as the matter is related to sitting MLA. These directions are of Supreme Court and the same were communicated to this court vide circular… “Many times warnings have been given to Tripathi not to send exemptions and to appear on time, but the conduct of Tripathi makes it clear that warnings of this court have no effect on him,” the magistrate said.In 2013, an FIR was registered against Tripathi, Rahul Kumar, Vikas Mandal, Inder Vikram Singh and Kanhaiya Kumar Jha for alleged offences under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 323 (causing simple hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.According to police, a case was lodged against Tripathi and four other accused on March 9, 2013 following allegations that on March 8, 2013, they along with other AAP supporters had gathered at G T Karnal Road near Lal Bagh Azadpur and entered into a quarrel with complainant Bittu Jha. The FIR registered at Adarsh Nagar Police Station in north west Delhi said that during the altercation, the accused allegedly assaulted the complainant in which he sustained injuries.

AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi arrested in 2013 rioting case

In pursuance of non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Tripathi by the court earlier for his non-appearance, he was brought by police to the court which sent him to jail till November 28.

Akhilesh Tripathi

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Akhilesh Tripathi was on Thursday held in a 2013 case of rioting and criminal intimidation and sent to judicial custody for two days by a Delhi court, the fifth lawmaker of the ruling party to be arrested.In pursuance of non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Tripathi by the court earlier for his non-appearance, he was brought by police to the court which sent him to jail till November 28. Metropolitan Magistrate Kapil Kumar ordered that the MLA, an accused in the 2013 rioting case, be taken into custody while noting his conduct of not complying with court’s order directing him to appear. The court had earlier issued NBW against theModel Town MLA for his non-appearance before it in the case.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>In 2013, an FIR was registered against Tripathi, Rahul Kumar, Vikas Mandal, Inder Vikram Singh and Kanhaiya Kumar Jha for alleged offences under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 323 (causing simple hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Deputy Commissioner of Police (north west) Vijay Singh said the MLA “has been arrested and taken into custody in pursuance to court order.”Tripathi is the fifth MLA of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party to be arrested. Surinder Singh, AAP MLA from Delhi Cantonment, was arrested in August for allegedly assaulting an NDMC employee and was later granted bail. Former Delhi Law Minister Jitendra Singh Tomar was held in a fake educational degree case in June and Kondli legislator Manoj Kumar was apprehended in July in connection with a land fraud case.AAP MLA Somnath Bharti was arrested in September after he surrendered in connection with the attempt to murder and domestic violence case filed by his wife.Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had early this month complained against Delhi Police to Union Home Ministry accusing it of trying to “hound” ruling AAP MLAs by reopening old cases and creating new ones against them.According to police, a case was lodged against Tripathi and four other accused on March 9, 2013 following allegations that on March 8, 2013, they along with other AAP supporters had gathered at G T Karnal Road near Lal Bagh Azadpur and entered into a quarrel with complainant Bittu Jha.The FIR registered at Adarsh Nagar Police Station in north west Delhi said that during the altercation, the accused allegedly assaulted the complainant in which he sustained injuries.

Mulayam’s 3-day birthday bash: AR Rahman performs, Lalu absent as 76 kg cake is ordered

Saifai: Master composer-singer AR Rahman on Saturday night performed on the second day of the three-day bash to celebrate the 76th birthday of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav but RJD chief Lalu Yadav was conspicuous by his absence.

With rumour doing the rounds that Lalu skipped Saturday’s programme in the wake of Yadav not attending the swearing-in ceremony of the Nitish Kumar cabinet on Friday, SP leaders including MP and Yadav’s daughter-in-law Dimple played down the issue.

Mulayam Singh Yadav. PTI

Mulayam Singh Yadav. PTI

Singer Hariharan also joined Rahman later on.

Besides Mulayam’s family, others who attended the event included Amar Singh.

A 76-kg cake has been ordered to mark the occasion on Sunday while mouth-watering Italian, Chinese and Thai dishes will be prepared by renowned chefs from Delhi and Mumbai to treat around one lakh guests from a wide spectrum of the society.

The guest list includes almost everybody who is somebody — from former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda to Lalu, and from Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan to business tycoons.

It was not immediately known whether Lalu will attend the fucntion on Sunday.

The three-day bash got off to a colourful start yesterday at Saifai, around 200km from state capital Lucknow.

“Lalu Prasad was supposed to come, but he didn’t turn up,” said a party leader.

The indoor athletic stadium, where the main function will be held, has been decked out in the SP colours of green and red while hundreds of welcome gates and huge hoardings have come up on all the roads leading to Saifai.

Around 3,000 staff have been tasked with ensuring cleanliness while an equal number of security personnel from 15 districts have been deployed in and around the venue.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan had last year organised a two-day celebration in Rampur to mark Mulayam’s 75th birthday.

Mulayam had ridden on an imported Victorian-style ‘buggy’ for the Rampur bash, which had seen around 40 ministers gathering to take part in the costly festivities, fuelling criticism that was met with a caustic barb from Khan that Taliban and Dawood Ibrahim had provided funds for the event.

Meanwhile, the SP chief thanked the people for “the honour given to us here today.” He called on party workers to work for the public.

Yadav said that to succeed in public life three things are important– Will power, resolve and courage.

“If you adopt these things, then youth of the country will take inspiration from you,” Yadav said.

The Samajwadi Party leader asked the party cadres to stick to socialist ideology.

He also praised the work done by his chief minister son Akhilesh Yadav.

PTI

Grand Alliance tie-up possible for UP polls, says Akhilesh Yadav

Sant Kabir Nagar (UP): Taking a cue from the massive victory of the Grand Alliance against BJP in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said such a tie-up was possible in the state where Assembly elections are due in early 2017.

“A Grand Alliance is possible in the state,” Yadav told reporters when asked about possibility of such a coalition materialising in UP to take on BJP in 2017 assembly polls.

Akhilesh Yadav. PTIAkhilesh Yadav. PTI

Akhilesh Yadav. PTI

The Chief Minister, however, did not elaborate.

His remarks came a day after an Uttar Pradesh minister suggested a Grand Alliance involving ruling Samajwadi Party and Mayawati-led BSP for the upcoming assembly polls in the state similar to the one in Bihar where rivals RJD chief Lalu Prasad and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar came together and decimated BJP.

Like Bihar, BJP had swept Uttar Pradesh also in Lok Sabha election last year and the party is hoping that it will return to power in the politically crucial state after nearly 15 years.

The Chief Minster, who was here on a private visit, said people in Bihar had given their decision in favour of development. In UP panchyat polls, they have favoured Samajwadi Party’s development plank, Akhilesh Yadav said.

“We will contest the 2017 assembly polls on the plank of development as we have ensured progess in every nook and corner of the state,” he said.

The grand secular alliance in Bihar comprising RJD, JD-U and Congress secured over two-third majority in the 243-member Bihar House, winning 178 seats in the just-concluded assembly polls in the state. RJD got 80 seats, JD-U 71 and Congress 27.

BJP-led NDA managed just 58 seats. BJP itself won 53 while its three allies LJP, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party and Hindustani Awam Morcha together secured only 5.

In Barananki, UP minister Fareed Mahfooz Kidwai had suggested that his party SP and BSP form a ‘grand alliance’ for 2017 Assembly polls to defeat BJP.

“God willing, a grand alliance will come into being here also (like in Bihar) and we will definitely defeat BJP and form our government,” he had said.

To a question if SP and BSP, which are arch rivals in UP politics, can come together on the lines of Bihar, Kidwai had said, “It is my wish”.

The assembly poll victory in Bihar dealt a blow to BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had played the role of a peacemaker between the two backward class heavyweights – RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his friend-turned-foe JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar– and they decided to contest the 2015 Bihar polls together.

However, Samajwadi Party had later pulled out of the Grand Alliance.

PTI

Akhilesh Yadav writes to PM Modi to revise expenditure under PMGSY

Akhilesh said that as against works of Rs 1,134.54 crore approved in the financial year 2013-14 under the second phase of PMGSY, no fund has been received from the Centre so far.

Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revise the fixed expenditure under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) to Rs 2,600 crore for the fiscal 2015-16.In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Yadav said the fixed expenditure under PMGSY for the fiscal 2015-16 has been partially revised by the Centre from Rs 670 crore to Rs 737 crore on the request of the state government, an official spokesman said in Lucknow on Wednesday.He said that works of Rs 2,600 crore of previous years approved under the scheme, which could not be completed timely due to limited funding from the Centre in the last three years, were to be completed in the current fiscal.Akhilesh said that as compared to Rs 638 crore received from the Centre in the last fiscal, the state government provided Rs 200 crore from its own resources and got works worth Rs 943 crore completed, which had been adjusted from instalments from the Central assistance in the current financial year.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The CM said that as against works of Rs 1,134.54 crore approved in the financial year 2013-14 under the second phase of PMGSY, no fund has been received from the Centre so far. Yadav also requested Modi to release an instalments of Rs 200 crore for works under PMGSY-2 at the earliest, the official spokesman added.

The Bihar rub-off: Mulayam faces isolation as new secular axis emerges

Lucknow: The ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, already grappling with anti-incumbency sentiment among the people, has received another jolt with the election result in neighbouring Bihar. The party’s alliance not only failed miserably in the battle for Patna, its leader Mulayam Singh Yadav now faces isolation for having quit the Janata Dal(U)-Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance shortly before the elections.

Leaders of the JD(U) and the RJD are not even invoking his name to credit him with the initiative to bring estranged leaders Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav together in the first place. “Mulayam cannot hope to head a national anti-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance now, since the lead has already been taken by Lalu and he announced it in Patna in so many words,” said a Congress leader in Lucknow. Mulayam had broken away from the alliance in September apparently to show his dislike for the inclusion of the Congress in it, and to show his displeasure at the party being given more seats than the SP for the Bihar election.

Mulayam Singh Yadav. PTI

Mulayam Singh Yadav. PTI

“If Mulayam had remained in the Bihar grand alliance, today he would have been sitting in Patna and making the announcement of government-formation in Bihar, but the error of judgment has isolated him among non-BJP parties,” said a UP Congress leader.

While Mulayam’s move has had its impact on the equations he enjoyed in the past with Nitish and Lalu, the SP is set to rethink its strategy for the 2017 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. According to sources, the party might soon announce some populist measures as well as schemes for minorities’ welfare. Already, the induction of former Akali Dal leader Balwant Ramuwalia and a few Muslim politicians into the Akhilesh Yadav ministry has set the trend.

At the same time, the SP’s bitter rival Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has acquired the significance as a strong would-be challenger to the SP in the 2017 Assembly election in UP as the rout of the BJP in Bihar has a rub-off in UP. “The people now perceive the SP to be indirectly helping the BJP, and when they want to choose an alternative to the SP government, the BSP is the only option,” reasoned Raj Kumar Singh, a political commentator in Lucknow.

In fact, with the electoral success of the once-bitter rivals, the JD(U) and RJD combine tasting success in Bihar has led to the exciting but near-impossible speculation about whether the SP and BSP could also come together to stop the BJP in the 2017 election.

In August last year, when Mulayam’s efforts to bring together the constituents of the erstwhile Janata ‘parivar’ had been at their peak, he had responded positively to a suggestion by Lalu that the SP and Bahujan Samaj Party should join hands to strengthen non-BJP forces. Mulayam had also said that Lalu could explore means to do so.

However, the BSP was quick to put an end to any such discussion by saying that the SP was a “covert partner” of the BJP and the party would fight the 2017 UP Assembly elections alone. SP and BSP had jointly contested the 1993 Assembly election and had formed a government as well, but the alliance did not last, with the SP chief later calling it a political mistake.

The SP and the BSP represent two different and rival castes, and the two have traditionally been at loggerheads. While Mulayam has the backing of other backward castes and his party is dominated by the Yadavs, Mayawati represents Dalits and of late has attracted the attention of other MBCs and Muslims, as has been evident in the recent Panchayat election results. Also, the OBCs are big land owners in rural UP and also control a majority of agro-industries such as dairy and sugarcane farming. As a caste group, they often face allegations of suppressing Dalits.

UPCC president Nirmal Khatri, however, said that the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party had “tried every trick” to ensure the victory of the BJP in Bihar. “The people of Bihar have struck a resounding blow to these tricks and the people of Uttar Pradesh will give a befitting reply to the two parties in the 2017 election,” he added.

“The Bihar result has also shown the faith of the people in good governance measures by the erstwhile Nitish government. In UP, the SP government faces growing anti-incumbency feelings. The Akhilesh government is seen as being lax on crime control and law and order enforcement,” says Athar Husain, a social scientist heading the Centre for Objective Research and Development (CORD). “On the other hand people still remember how the BSP government headed by Mayawati had kept the crime situation under control during her tenure,” he said.

“The BJP in UP suffers from almost the same weaknesses that hurt it in Bihar, and it does not appear to be prepared to strengthen itself in the next few months for the battle of 2017,” said Singh. In that event, the ruling SP has to prepare itself for a bitter political battle with an aggressive BSP in the coming days.

Rajasthan: Five-year-old girl raped in Sikar

The matter came to light when she reached her school in an injured state. She was rushed to a local hospital in a critical condition and doctors there referred her to Jaipur.

A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped in the district on Saturday when she was on her way to school.According to police, the girl, a student of Class I at a private school in the Neem Ka Thana area here, was raped by unidentified accused who caught her when she was on her way to school.The matter came to light when she reached her school in an injured state. She was rushed to a local hospital in a critical condition and doctors there referred her to Jaipur.Sikar SP Akhilesh Kumar said that “efforts are on to identify and trace the accused”.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Meanwhile, following the alleged rape, locals staged a road-block in the area demanding immediate arrest of the accused.The roadblock was removed after the irate crowd was assured by senior officials of speedy action in the matter.It is the second such incident in the district in recent days after a minor girl who was sleeping with her mother on the footpath was abducted and raped by a man.

Senior SAD leader Ramoowalia quits party to become minister in UP govt

In a setback to ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), its senior leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia quit the party and took oath as a Cabinet Minister in Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh today.

Former SAD leader Balwant Singh Raamowalia (right)

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In a setback to ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), its senior leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia quit the party and took oath as a Cabinet Minister in Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh today.The sudden decision of the 74-year-old Ramoowalia, who has had stint with different parties during his long political career, took the Akalis by surprise. Ramoowalia, who is a former Union Minister, told PTI that he has resigned from the SAD and forwarded his resignation to the party chief.However, SAD’s senior leader Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal said that “we are yet to receive resignation” of Ramoowalia, who was party’s senior Vice-President. He said that he has great respect for SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and could not say no when the latter himself rang him up yesterday and made the offer to him.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Related Read: Akhilesh Yadav inducts 12 new faces in his cabinet”I have great respect for Mulayam Singh ji. He rang me up yesterday morning and told me that the SP party wants my services. I could not say no. When I became Minister in the Union Cabinet in 1996, I was not even an MP then, at that time too it was possible because of Mulayam ji,” Ramoowalia, who was SAD’s Senior Vice-President, told PTI over phone.Ramoowalia said that even UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had urged him to make the switch. To a question, the elader said that he did not have any grudge against the Akali Dal.”I just decided to make the move. I have submitted my resignation from the party. To all my colleagues in Akali Dal, I will say that I will always have great respect for them,” he said. SAD’s General Secretary and MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said that Ramoowalia’s decision to leave the party will not affect the Akali Dal.”Ramoowalia did not have long innings in our party. Our party is like a sea. The Akali Dal is not dependent on any one individual,” Chandumajra told PTI. Ramoowalia was Labour Minister in the United Front government at the Centre headed by HD Deve Gowda. He was today sworn in along with 19 other ministers by UP Governor Ram Naik at Raj Bhawan in Lucknow following revamp of Akhilesh Yadav Ministry.Ramoowalia started his political career way back in 1963 as a student leader and was also twice MP from Faridkot and Sangrur. Over a decade back, he also floated his own party and named it as Lok Bhalai Party, but merged it with Akali Dal which he had joined four years back. He lost during the 2015 assembly elections from Punjab when he contested from Mohali as an SAD candidate.Ramoowalia also used to actively take up the cases of the women who were cheated and deserted by their NRI husbands.

Akhilesh Yadav inducts 12 new faces in his cabinet

In all, 21 ministers, including those who have been promoted, took oath of office at the Raj Bhavan here.

he move is being seen as a major effort to refurbish the government’s image before the state goes to polls in 2017.

File Photo
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday inducted 12 new faces in his cabinet. In all, 21 ministers, including those who have been promoted, took oath of office at the Raj Bhavan here. The state government had earlier sacked eight ministers – five cabinet ministers and three ministers of state (MoS) – and stripped nine others of their portfolios.Prominent sacked ministers included Raja Aridaman Singh and Shiv Kumar Beria. The move is being seen as a major effort to refurbish the government’s image before the state goes to polls in 2017.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Also read – Cabinet reshuffle: Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav sacks 8 ministers

Akhilesh Yadav govt in UP to go for massive administrative changes after cabinet reshuffle

While many were expecting changes after the Bihar election results, the SP high command has decided to go ahead with cleaning house.

Akhilesh Yadav

After the Akhilesh Yadav government reshuffled several ministries in the UP cabinet, a massive shake up in the state bureaucracy and party machinery is likely, reports Hindustan Times. The exercise will be carried out at the behest of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and with an eye on the 2017 state elections. It is said that the reshuffle was pending since the SP won just 5 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.While many were expecting changes after the Bihar election results, the SP high command has decided to go ahead with cleaning house.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The move has also denied the BJP from going on a poaching spree. According to HT, many of its leaders were in touch with SP ministers and were planning to poach them after winning the Bihar elections. But the SP feels that the Nitish Kumar-led grand alliance has the upper hand in Bihar elections.The SP’s logic is the following. One, voters are more amenable to the party with a declared chief ministerial nominee. Second, the caste card works better if combined with a leader’s personal image. Holding the grand alliance in good stead so far has been Nitish’s image of probity and performance along with RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s Yadav vote bank.Mulayam knows that while the BJP lacks a credible face in the state — Narendra Modi’s popularity eventually may not help in the state elections — Mayawati’s image of an able administrator is still keeping the BSP in the reckoning apart from the voters’ strong desire for change every five years. UP has seen the SP and BSP control power alternatively for two decades.Mulayam Singh believes that while he was the face of the party in the 2012 assembly elections, it is his son, Akhilesh, who will be pitted against Mayawati or Modi in 2017. There have been persistent allegations that while Akhilesh is the CM, real power lies in Mulayam’s hands. Mulayam Singh has to change this perception if Akhilesh is to cultivate the image of a strong and independent leader, said the HT report.

UP Assembly Elections 2017: It is not time to talk on Third Front, says CM Akhilesh Yadav

Akhilesh Yadav said his father and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav wants to make SP a national party.
File Photo
dna Research & Archives
Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said this is not the time to talk about the Third Front.”There are no elections now. Why talk about the Third Front?” Akhilesh said while replying to a question about the Third Front.Earlier, after meeting Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday, Akhilesh had said they did not talk on Third Front. He said his father and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav wants to make SP a national party.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>On Odisha, the UP chief minister said, “Here I find more bi-cycles than motor-cycles on the streets. You know, bi-cycle is our election symbol.””We will field candidates in about 50 Assembly seats and four Lok Sabha seats in Odisha in the next elections,” a senior Samajwadi Party leader said after Akhilesh held a meeting with leaders in the state party unit.

Akhilesh Yadav explains rationale behind massive rejig in UP cabinet

8 ministers sacked by UP CM.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who has sacked eight ministers, on Thursday said certain changes were made in his 43-month-old ministry in order to give opportunity to those who want to do “more good work for the people”.”Some people have done good work by remaining in the government. And, there are people who want to do more good work for the people of Uttar Pradesh,” Yadav told reporters here while replying to a question on the reason behind the sacking of the ministers and stripping of nine others of portfolios.Asked whether he sacked the eight ministers, including five of cabinet rank, in order to infuse young blood into the ministry with an eye on the 2017 assembly elections, Yadav said, “This decision cannot be taken now.” Yadav, who met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after reaching here on a two-day visit to the state, denied that the meeting was the first step towards the proposed Third Front mooted by his father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”No, no, we did not talk about that,” he said. Later, he left for Puri for a darshan of Lord Jagannath.

Samajwadi Party going soft on ‘communal’ Azam Khan, ‘corrupt’ Gayatri Prajapati, alleges BJP

He also demanded immediate dismissal of the mining minister from the portfolio.

Akhilesh today sacked five Cabinet ministers and three Ministers of State (MoS), while withdrawing portfolios of nine MoS as part of a major rejig of the government ahead of a possible reshuffle.

In light of Akhilesh Yadav dispensation taking action against its several ministers, BJP on Thursday accused the SP-ruled UP government of “going soft” on Cabinet ministers Azam Khan and Gayatri Prajapati. “It is the privilege of the government to reshuffle the cabinet, but I will question why they are soft on the issue of (Mining Minister) Gayatri Prajapati,” BJP state president Laxmi Kant Bajpai told the reporters here. Bajpai alleged that Prajapati was sheltering illegal mining and involved in corrupt practices.He also demanded immediate dismissal of the mining minister from the portfolio. The state BJP chief said that SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav were “soft” on Urban Development Minister Mohd Azam Khan, who he alleged was “vitiating” the communal atmosphere in the state.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”When the present government is about to be removed by the public, why they are committing the sin of dropping ministers,” he said. “Why don’t the government is not considering the issue of Khan, who is vitiating the communal atmosphere with his statements,” Bajpai said. Akhilesh today sacked five Cabinet ministers and three Ministers of State (MoS), while withdrawing portfolios of nine MoS as part of a major rejig of the government ahead of a possible reshuffle. Citing example of Sonbhadra district, he demanded a CBI inquiry into illegal mining in the state. “The SP supremo Mulayam had been continuously warning, but the illegal mining continues unabated,” he claimed.The BJP president also cornered the government on law and order situation. Bajpai said that he had apprised the chief minister about illegal mining in the state through a letter. “I will send similar letters to the respective departments and raise the issue in the state Assembly as well,” he said.

PM Modi must rein in those engaged in incidents of intolerance in his govt: Farooq Abdullah

He said that some elements are trying to break India instead of uniting.
File Photo
dna Research & Archives
Former chief minister and National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah on Monday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to rein in those engaged in increasing incidents of intolerance, saying that such acts were a threat to the unity and integrity of the country.”They (some elements) are trying to break India. Instead of uniting India, they are doing such acts. It is threat to unity and integrity of India,” he told reporters.On the increasing incidents of “intolerance”, he said, “I want to request Modi that he should give stern warning to the people sitting with him or he should throw them out of the government because India cannot tolerate it.”<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”Such acts can defame our country. Does he think that Shiv Sena is greater than India? He should tell Sena not to do such acts defame India. I also urge Sena leadership not to do such acts, which will bring disrepute the country,” he said. On protests by Shiv Sena workers at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai over proposed talks for resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan, he said, “Do not defame the country by such acts. What will happen by holding a meeting? We have not taken any decision with Pakistan. Pakistan is our neighbour. Sports is different from politics. Do not connect the two.”Referring to the statement made by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that friends can be changed but not neighbours, he said, “We can either choose to live with our neighbours on friendly terms and progress, or stop our movement of progress by severing ties with our neighbours”.On trucker Zahid’s death, Farooq said, “This government must take stern actions against those behind the attack. Slapping Public Safety Act (PSA) is not going to help. They should be slapped with more serious charges and punished….Second, this government should help the family of Zahid in the same manner just the way UP chief minister Akhilesh Kumar helped the kin of man lynched in Dadri.”

Police restrain Congress leaders, workers from entering Dadri

“This is unfortunate; we don?t know why we have been refrained from entering the village. The Congress Party has no such history of instigating riots. In fact we were going after the situation in the village has returned to normalcy,” Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry told ANI.

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday stopped a Congress Party delegation from entering Dadri to express their solidarity with deceased Akhlaq’s family.The delegation was headed by Congress leaders R.P.N Singh, Rita Bahuguna and Madhusudan Mistry.”This is unfortunate; we don’t know why we have been refrained from entering the village. The Congress Party has no such history of instigating riots. In fact we were going after the situation in the village has returned to normalcy,” Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry told ANI.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”The Akhilesh Government should have supported us, in fact they could have joined us in appealing people to peace but unfortunately they have stopped us,” he added.The delegation also staged a protest near the Delhi-Noida border after being stopped by the police.

Chalu BJP wants to poison people’s minds, disturb UP atmosphere: Akhilesh

Lucknow: In a direct attack on BJP in the aftermath of Dadri killing, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday alleged the ‘chalu‘ (cunning) party was bent on disturbing atmosphere in the state with an eye on polls and suggested countering them “intelligently”.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. AFP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. AFP

“They bring a new topic every six months. First, it was Make in India, then it was Swachh Bharat and now it’s Digital India,” he said.

Akhilesh said, “While this is happening on one hand, different issues are being raised in UP every six months. The objective is only one – who forms the government in days to come.”

Referring to Badaun incident in which two cousins were allegedly raped and found hanging from a tree, the chief minister said, “I had no inkling as to how far the matter would have its echo. We had to give explanation everywhere. Big organisations raised the issue before the United Nations, but at last reality came out…”

The CBI had found no evidence of murder or sexual assault in its probe into the death of two teenage cousins, whose bodies were found hanging from a tree in the district in May lat year.

The chief minister said that his party was taking the state on the path of progress.

“Some persons want to distract the attention of the people from the efforts of Samajwadis, who are taking the state on the path of progress and prosperity,” he said while addressing a function in Lucknow.

Pointing out some of the projects of the Samajwadi Party government, Yadav said his government was constructing metro and Lucknow-Agra Expressway, and has also distributed ‘Samajwadi’ pension and laptops among students.

After enumerating the achievements, the chief minister said, “BJP and other communal forces feel that they should distract the attention of the people from these schemes and poison their minds.”

The CM said, “Who is disturbing the atmosphere in UP? I have already said that they are ‘chalu‘ (cunning) persons and we have to counter them intelligently.”

“This is up to the people to decide. While on one hand there are progress loving people, secular Samajwadis, on the other there are persons who want to bring issues which have nothing to do with the development.”

Yadav was speaking at a prize distribution function here to honour high school and intermediate students, who got highest marks in Urdu.

PTI

Dadri lynching incident was a ‘well planned conspiracy’ of BJP, says SP’s Shivpal Yadav

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party on Tuesday alleged that the Dadri lynching incident was a well-planned conspiracy of the BJP for political gains and said its government was keeping a strict watch on hate mongers trying to orchestrate riots in the state.

The Akhilesh Yadav government also said it did not stop anyone from visiting Dadri, where a man was lynched following rumours of alleged beef consumption, so that people could know the “truth”.

“The incident of Dadri lynching is a well planned conspiracy of BJP for political gains. Despite much hue and cry, we did not stop anyone from visiting the village so that they could know the truth and ground reality,” senior SP leader and cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav said.

Shivpal Yadav. File photo. Image courtesy: ibnliveShivpal Yadav. File photo. Image courtesy: ibnlive

Shivpal Yadav. File photo. Image courtesy: ibnlive

When asked why no one from SP visited the village, Yadav said, “This is to avoid allegations that the SP is managing things there.”

“The family members of the victim met us in Lucknow and they were given all possible help including Rs 45 lakh, security and assistance in getting their new house. We believe in action not playing politics on such sensitive issue,” he said.

“We are keeping an eye on hate mongers. They have orchestrated riots in Muzaffarnagar and trying the same in other parts of the state. Stern directives have been given to district level officers. Now action will also be taken against them if they were found lax,” Yadav, who is SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav‘s brother, said.

“We want to ensure communal harmony, and any attempt against it will be dealt with an iron hand,” he said.

About the opposition’s claim of poor law and order in the state, Yadav said it was a baseless and politically motivated allegation.

“It’s a baseless and politically motivated allegation. Not only investors, the number of tourists visiting the state has also increased. Had there been problem in law and order, this would not have happened,” Yadav said.

On the BSP’s allegation that SP and BJP are hand-in-glove in creating communal divide, Yadav said, “It’s laughable that a party which itself formed the government twice with the help of BJP is making such an allegation”.

“BSP has lost its base in UP. No one is discussing it and it could not prove itself to be a strong opposition. It has only allegations left for others,” Yadav said.

PTI

Dadri lynching: The story of silence and selective outrage

PM’s reassurance and appeal for communal harmony can act as a soothing balm for the aggrieved, as a red-alert to the mischief makers and rumour mongers, as an emboldening message for the law enforcement bodies

BJP MLA Sangeet Som addresses residents of the Dadri village.

PTI
It has been more than a week since the horrific Dadri lynching incident shook our collective conscience. For those who believe that idea of India is pluralistic with multiple strands of thought process and beliefs living peacefully with a common pledge to the Constitution, the belief has been dealt a deadly blow by this brutal incidence of mob violence with gross communal overtones.The already vitiated situation in Bisara village in Dadri has been further poisoned by provocative speeches given by politicians. Beyond the thin veneer of condemnation, a section of politicians, especially those from BJP, have tried to tone down the gruesomeness of the murder with Union Minister Mahesh Sharma even terming it as an accident. BJP MLA Sangeet Som says he will try to get bail for the accused (8 out of 11 related to a BJP leader) whom he has already declared as innocent. MP Sakshi Maharaj says that his supporters and he are willing to get killed and kill for cows. Others like MP Tarun Vijay have written about how beef festivals and ‘provocative butchering of cows’ are to blamed for such ‘aberrations’.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>On the other end of the spectrum, the likes of Azam Khan are trying to score cheap political points by pledging to raise the issue at the UN when the state government is run by his own party, SP. The Dadri incident like the infamous Nirbhaya rape case has hit international headlines and is likely to further tarnish the image of a country aspiring to be a global superpower, something even PM Modi with his high-flying foreign trips may find difficult to undo immediately.This begs the question: Why is PM Modi keeping a stoic silence about the incident? There are many who believe that this incident is about the degrading law and order issue of UP , and that it is the responsibility of the state. Hence, they reason, the PM is not compelled to say anything about an issue not directly under his purview. They miss a vital point. The larger question is whether Narendra Modi’s dream of Swachh Bharat should be about clean roads or clean minds too. As senior journalist Ravish Kumar writes poignantly in his column, there was not a trace of remorse in Bisara village, as if nothing had happened. In fact, according to Ravish, in Mohammed Akhlaq’s village of Bisara the youth are more hostile and radicalised than the older generation, exhibiting strong orthodoxy and completely messing up the concepts of rights and freedom of expression.Read: Mohamad Akhlaq’s family remembers the man they knewThus the malice is deep rooted with a sense of victimisation on one side and persecution o the other. In this volatile situation, isn’t it the job of the Prime Minister to act as the conscience keeper of the nation, to act as a moral compass, guardian for the 125 crore ‘deshbasis’, he proudly mentions in his foreign trip? He promptly intervened when his home state was burning post the Patel agitation. PM’s reassurance and appeal for communal harmony can act as a soothing balm for the aggrieved, as a red-alert to the mischief makers and rumour mongers, as an emboldening message for the law enforcement bodies. BJP ultimately wants to replace Congress as the natural party for governance in India. But for it to truly become so, it needs to get itself wrapped in the secular ethos that binds our nation, not merely as lip service but via tangible action. The PM condemned Giriraj Singh during the elections for his ‘go to Pakistan, if you don’t support Modi’ comment. The condemnation came after much uproar but once the dust settled down, we saw Giriraj being part of the cabinet. Sanjeev Baliyan whose name cropped up in the Muzaffarnagar riots case is also part of the Modi government. All these instances embolden the so called ‘fringe’ to become mainstream because they believe they will soon get legitimacy and perhaps even a reward or two. It is for BJP to decide whether it wants to be a modern right wing party with a developmental agenda or a regressive outfit where development is only used as a smokescreen.Now moving over to the issue of selective outrage, while the BJP, and the Hindu-right so to speak, has rightly been criticised, there has been very little indignation shown towards the Akhilesh government which rules Uttar Pradesh. The broadly Left-liberal ecosystem which dominates the intellectual class of our country seems to have taken an extreme lenient view of the SP government, which is fundamentally responsible for maintaining peace and order. Is this because they somehow feel morally compelled not to criticise a government run by a ‘secular’ party? If so, then that is problematic because not only are they being intellectually dishonest, they are also giving free hand to a party under whose rule the state has witnessed instances of communal violence consistently.Also read: Marred by fear and polarisation, Bisara awaits for peace to returnAccording to the Home Ministry, in 2014 there were 133 riots in UP, 26 people were killed and 374 were wounded. In 2013, the Muzaffarnagar riots further deepened the fault lines in the UP cauldron. This year, based on all-India figures, instances of communal violence have increased by around 30% in the first six months and here again UP cuts a sorry figure. Clearly the Akhilesh Yadav government has some serious answering to do. UP is a massive state to govern with population of excess of 20 crore, but has the Akhilesh government even shown the will to establish a rule of law there? Like in the case of Muzaffarnagar riots, the response time is usually slow, and often there have been accusations of police investigation being driven by political interests. According to reports, the Sahai Commission enquiry on Muzaffarnagar riots also blamed SP leaders apart from BJP leaders for fomenting communal tension. Thus, it is not enough for Akhilesh Yadav to merely pass the buck onto BJP. He needs to get his act together, with just a few years to go for state elections. Low intensity riots may increase further to ensure polarisation and the duty of the state government should be to crackdown on all without pandering to its perceived vote-bank.Dadri will probably not be the last incident to test the secular fabric of the country. It is up to the politicians and opinion makers to truly demonstrate great responsibility commensurate to their great power and try to sensitise the population and speak out against evil without caring for labels, ideology or narrow gains. Till then, we will merely outrage and move on.

Dadri lynching: Conspiracy by communal forces to defame my government, says UP CM Akhilesh Yadav

“Today when the world is marching ahead on the path of progress, some forces doing politics on communal lines want to take the country and the state towards backwardness,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister AKhilesh Yadav, along with Family members of Akhlaq, who was lynched in Dadri addresses media at 5 Kalidas Marg in Lucknow on Sunday.

PTI
Amid outcry over lynching of a man in Dadri over rumours of consuming beef, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that some forces doing politics on communal lines were conspiring to defame his government and stall development in the state.”Some forces are conspiring to spread communalism and we have to remain alert from them,” Akhilesh said while addressing representatives of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME).”Today when the world is marching ahead on the path of progress, some forces doing politics on communal lines want to take the country and the state towards backwardness,” he said.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>He alleged that these forces want to defame the state government.Dadri lynching: Marred by fear and polarisation, Bisara awaits for peace to return”They are raising issues and debates which harm all sections of the society,” he said.The CM said that conspiracies of such forces need to be foiled to take the state ahead on the path of development.He said that the people of the state have lived together with brotherhood and harmony since ages.Akhilesh expressed confidence that peace loving people of the state would not allow forces creating differences to succeed in their designs.His remarks come in the backdrop of the Dari killing a week ago which has sparked outrage in the country. 50-year-old Iqlakh was dragged out of his home by a 200-strong mob and beaten to death after a public announcement from the local temple that the family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat in Bishada village.

Dadri lynching incident was a ‘well planned conspiracy’ of BJP, says SP

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party on Tuesday alleged that the Dadri lynching incident was a well-planned conspiracy of the BJP for political gains and said its government was keeping a strict watch on hate mongers trying to orchestrate riots in the state.

The Akhilesh Yadav government also said it did not stop anyone from visiting Dadri, where a man was lynched following rumours of alleged beef consumption, so that people could know the “truth”.

“The incident of Dadri lynching is a well planned conspiracy of BJP for political gains. Despite much hue and cry, we did not stop anyone from visiting the village so that they could know the truth and ground reality,” senior SP leader and cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav said.

Shivpal Yadav. File photo. Image courtesy: ibnliveShivpal Yadav. File photo. Image courtesy: ibnlive

Shivpal Yadav. File photo. Image courtesy: ibnlive

When asked why no one from SP visited the village, Yadav said, “This is to avoid allegations that the SP is managing things there.”

“The family members of the victim met us in Lucknow and they were given all possible help including Rs 45 lakh, security and assistance in getting their new house. We believe in action not playing politics on such sensitive issue,” he said.

“We are keeping an eye on hate mongers. They have orchestrated riots in Muzaffarnagar and trying the same in other parts of the state. Stern directives have been given to district level officers. Now action will also be taken against them if they were found lax,” Yadav, who is SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav‘s brother, said.

“We want to ensure communal harmony, and any attempt against it will be dealt with an iron hand,” he said.

About the opposition’s claim of poor law and order in the state, Yadav said it was a baseless and politically motivated allegation.

“It’s a baseless and politically motivated allegation. Not only investors, the number of tourists visiting the state has also increased. Had there been problem in law and order, this would not have happened,” Yadav said.

On the BSP’s allegation that SP and BJP are hand-in-glove in creating communal divide, Yadav said, “It’s laughable that a party which itself formed the government twice with the help of BJP is making such an allegation”.

“BSP has lost its base in UP. No one is discussing it and it could not prove itself to be a strong opposition. It has only allegations left for others,” Yadav said.

PTI

Dadri lynching: Mohamad Akhlaq’s family remembers the man they knew

Akhalaq’s elder brother Jameel, has been busy all week talking to the police, media and politicians who showed up to offer their condolences.

Family members of Akhlaq address media at Akhilesh Yadav’s official residence in Lucknow on October 4.

PTI
Before becoming the man who was killed by an angry mob on suspicions of him having beef, Mohamad Akhlaq wore many hats – a son, a husband and a father. These are the names that his family members would like to remember him and not as only Mohamad Akhlaq, who on the fateful night was brutally murdered while his family begged for his life.Akhlaq’s 80-year-old mother, Asgara Begum, had four sons. Her year is divided in four parts and Asgara was supposed to spend three months with each one of her child. But she would always end up staying back more than her allotted three months at Akhlaq’s home in Bisara village.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”Every mother in this world will tell you that she loves all her children alike. I had four sons and I love all of them but I would be lying if I told you that Akhlaq did not hold a special place in my heart. My other sons always used to joke about how I loved Akhlaq more and I used to tell them that it was not the case. But now with him gone, I don’t think they will complain anymore,” said Asgara. On the night when a mob dragged her son onto the road, Asgara had tried to intervene only to be punched and hit in her face.Akhalaq’s elder brother Jameel, has been busy all week talking to the police, media and politicians who showed up to offer their condolences. Amid the commotion at his brother’s residence, Jameel remembers the last conversation he had with Akhlaq. “When Akhlaq was little I had already started to work as so that I could provide for the family. I used to come back home late, at around 5-6 pm, and Akhlaq would wait for me to so that we could have lunch together. That day too I was supposed to come to his home in the afternoon but couldn’t make. He told me he would wait for me to come, like always,” Jameel said. Akhalaq’s children, told dna that he had a fond relationship with his wife. Shaista, his daughter along and his wife, both used to stitch clothes by machines gifted to them by Akhlaq. “He had gifted the machines to my mother and when I grew old I used to help with the household,” said Shaista. Akhlaq, had humble beginnings and spent most of his life struggling to make ends meet. This is where his wife had supported him all along lately the family had just begin to do well even though they owe money to their relatives that Akhlaq had borrowed for his children’s education.His elder son Sartaj is a technician in the Indian Air Force while his younger son Danish, who now is battling for survival, was an IAF aspirant. Shaista couldn’t continue with her studies due to the ‘unsafe environment’, the family said adding that Akhlaq always regretted being unable to let his daughter pursue further education. Sartaj meanwhile topped 11th, 12th grade and even passed the entrance examination to pursue engineering before choosing to work in order to support his family. There is one story however which he said will remember always. ” I remember I had failed in 10th grade. That night I was scared to get a beating from my father. But we had dinner together and then he told me to sit on the charpoy with him. He kept his hand on my shoulder and explained why I needed to study and work hard. He told me the struggles he had to endure and that how he did not want his children to go through the same things. I cried and he kept on telling me not to cry. But when I saw his eyes that night, he had tears in them too,” Sartaj said, as he waited for his brother to recover. “He was the best man I knew,” he added.Also read: Political conspiracy angle in Mohamad Akhlaq’s killing to be probed, says police

From ‘soul shaking’ to ‘communal colour’: Here’s what politicians said about the Dadri lynching case

The tragic case of a Muslim family being targeted on the rumour of consuming and storing beef in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most disturbing incidents of intolerance in recent times, especially in a country assured of secularism and freedom of speech. But the political reactions to the killing seem to make it even more disturbing, if that is at all possible.

Union Minister Mahesh Sharma meets the Dadri victim's family. PTIUnion Minister Mahesh Sharma meets the Dadri victim's family. PTI

Union Minister Mahesh Sharma meets the Dadri victim’s family. PTI

A 50-year old man Mohammad Iqlakh was beaten to death and his 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured by a mob of 200 that barged into their house in Dadri on Monday night following rumours that the family had consumed beef.

From the ‘soul shaking’ over cow slaughter to ‘adding communal colour’, several politicians have used this opportunity to make a strong statement about the issue. The nature of these statements have been such that they almost shift focus from the case and reveal how any incident can be turned into a political mud-slinging match.

Here’s what various politicians had to say about the Dadri lynching incident:

Akhilesh Yadav

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister met the victim’s family in Lucknow and offered them financial assistance soon after the incident, assuring them that they will get justice. “I could not go to the village (Dadri) and so I felt it would be appropriate if I meet them here (Lucknow)… The family is in a state of shock. Nothing can make up for their loss. We can share their grief, but cannot erase the scene they witnessed. Though we cannot bring back what has been snatched from the family, I assured them that in this hour of grief and even in future, the government will stand by their side,” Yadav said.

Mahesh Shrama

Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who is also the elected representative of the constituency under which Dadri falls, had the most controversial things to say about the incident. Initially, he said that whole thing should be considered as an ‘accident’ which triggered massive protests.

On Sunday, in an interview with The Indian Express, he went on to elaborate about cow slaughter and how the victim’s 17-year-old daughter was left unharmed — which came across as a defence of the mob’s apparently virtuous nature.

” It (the murder) took place as a reaction to that incident (cow slaughter). You must also consider that there was also a 17-year-old daughter in that home. Kisi ne usey ungli nahin lagaayi,” he is quoted as saying. Gaay ke maans par hum logon ka… andar se aatma hilne lagti hai (On beef… our soul starts shaking). You can kill other animals, mutton, and people don’t (react)… (but) when you name cow… We have linked the cow with our mother.”

Sharma also cited his medical experience adding that the victim’s son, Danish, who was also attacked, is survived. “Whenever a person faces an attack by lathis, he thrusts his hands forward, and five to seven of his fingers are inevitably broken. I have 30 years’ experience as a doctor. He received at least 10-15 fractures in his body and fingers. Danish is admitted in my hospital. He does not have a single fracture in his entire body except a head injury that was caused when he was hit by a lathi. Maar diya hoga kisi shaitaan ne. But it means that the intention was not to lynch.”

Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the killing as an ‘unfortunate incident’ but emphasised that it should not be taken as being more than that. “The incident should not be politicised, it is not proper to give communal colour to it,” he said at a function in New Delhi

Siddharth Nath Singh 

The BJP secretary added to the party’s line of not turning the incident into a communal clash and counter-attacked the Uttar Pradesh government. In a statement reported by The Times of India he is quoted as saying, “Rather than shedding crocodile tears, Akhilesh Yadav should answer as to why his police wanted to do forensic test of meat sample when the issue should have been arresting the culprits of the most unfortunate and barbaric killing in Dadri. Was not his administration trying to give it a communal slant by ordering forensic test? What action does he propose to take against his minister Azam Khan who ranted on communal lines from day one of the incident?”

Sangeet Som

BJP MLA Sangeet Som, infamous for making controversial speeches during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, made another uncalled for statement over the Dadri killing. According to a report by The Indian Express, Som declared, “Agar nirdoshon ke khilaf karyawahi ki gayi, to munh-tod jawab hamne pehle bhi diya hai aur abh bhi dena jante hain (If action is taken against innocent, we have given a befitting reply earlier and can do so again). We can give a reply whenever we want.” He made this statements at a temple on the outskirts of Bisara, near where the incident occurred.

He also attacked the Uttar Pradesh government and accused the victim’s family of the crime of cow slaughter. “They (the Akhlaq family) were taken by the Uttar Pradesh government (to Lucknow) in an airplane. How they treated the accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots, they are treating those who have slaughtered a cow the same way,” he was quoted as saying.

Manish Tewari

Congress termed the case as ‘politico-ideological murder’, attacking the BJP government. “This is a politico-ideological murder. There are some people who are trying to change the narrative of the country. They want that the minority should be second grade citizens. The government wants to dictate as to what people should eat, what people should wear, how people should talk. So this is an issue on which all progressive, liberal and right thinking need to stand together,” Manish Tewari said.

Sharad Yadav

JD(U) also hit out at the BJP with Sharad Yadav issuing a statement saying, “Since the present government came to power, the incidents of communal riots are increasing due to their ideology which is not in consonance with the Constitution that provides a secular society. The lynching of Mohammad Ikhlaq in Dadri over rumour that he ate beef was horrible and deplorable.”

Asaduddin Owaisi

Muslim right wing All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), leader Asaduddin Owaisi visited the family and attacked the Samajwadi Party government of communal motivations. “This wasn’t an attack over meat. He has been killed in the name of religion. This is a pre-planned, cold-blooded killing. It cannot be an accident. This is the thought which is against secularism, it is against the brotherhood of India. It sees Muslims with an eye of suspicion,” he said

Mayawati

BSP chief Mayawati blamed the Uttar Pradesh government for the Dadri lynching. “More than the anarchic and criminal elements in BJP-RSS, it is the Akhilesh Yadav government which is to be blamed… not just in Dadri, but at other places too. People are out to spoil the atmosphere yet the government is not taking action against them. The state government is neither taking action on its own nor letting the local police do the same…the main reason for this is they believe that they can survive only in such an atmosphere,” she said in a press statement.

With inputs from agencies

Dadri lynching: UP homeguard who allegedly incited beef rumours detained by police

Reports suggest that Vinay forced the temple priest to make the announcement about a Muslim family storing and consuming beef.

Uttar Pradesh Police have detained a Homeguards constable, who is alleged to be the key conspirator behind the brutal mob attack in Dadri, in which Mohammad Akhlaq was beaten to death over suspicion of possessing beef at his residence.According to reports, the homeguard has been identified as Vinay, a resident of Bisara who was posted at the Jarcha police station.Reports suggest that Vinay who was in uniform at that time forced the temple priest to make the announcement about the Muslim family storing and consuming beef. Vinay was initially named as an eyewitness but police soon became suspicious when he tried to link Akhlaq with cow smugglers. Police is investigating the angle of personal feud which may had prompted Vinay to spread rumours. <!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Meanwhile, the family members of Mohammad Akhlaq met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday. Yadav had earlier announced a compensation of Rs. 20 lakh to the kin of 50-year-old Akhlaq. The Chief Minister had also assured justice to the family of Akhlaq and said those responsible would be severely punished.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Samajwadi Party of politicising the incident and said that it exposed the failure of the state administration.”The Samajwadi Party and in particular Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan’s response in this case had been one lacking sensitivity. They tried to politicise this from the word go. This is a clear case of failure of Uttar Pradesh administration, they are unable to really control the law and order situation in the state,” BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimharao said.”They must ensure that law and order is properly controlled and they must stop politicising incidents like the one that happened in Dadri,” he added.

Dadri killing: Victim’s family meet UP CM Akhilesh Yadav

Yadav had earlier announced a compensation of Rs. 20 lakh to the kin of 50-year-old Akhlaq.

The family members of Mohammad Akhlaq, who was killed by a mob over reports of possessing beef at his residence, met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav here on Sunday.Yadav had earlier announced a compensation of Rs. 20 lakh to the kin of 50-year-old Akhlaq. The Chief Minister had also assured justice to the family of Akhlaq and said those responsible would be severely punished.”The government and law and administration will do its work. The accused won’t be able to get rid of the law. Justice will be done in this case and the culprits will be severely punished,” he said. Meanwhile, two main accused in the lynching case, Shivam and Vishal, were arrested by the police on Saturday, raising the total number of accused in the case to eight. <!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>

Dadri killing: Victim’s family reaches Lucknow, to meet CM Akhilesh Yadav tomorrow

Akhilesh Yadav raised the ex-gratia given to the Dadri lynching victim’s family to Rs 20 lakh.

The victim’s 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment.

The family of the Dadri killing’s victim Mohammed Akhlaqh, who was murdered for allegedly consuming beef, has reached Lucknow on Saturday. The family will meet Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav tomorrow.Akhilesh Yadav raised the ex-gratia given to the Dadri lynching victim’s family to Rs 20 lakh. “The CM has decided to hike the amount of financial assistance being extended to the kin of the victim from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh,” an official spokesman said here.The Chief Minister, during a review meeting, directed the concerned officials to take all necessary measures to bring the culprits to book and also prevent the occurrence of such an incident. He said that stern action will be taken against the accused and those attempting to spread rumours.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was bludgeoned to death by a 200-strong mob in a village in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh on Delhi’s outskirts earlier this week, following rumours that he and his family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat as a “pre-planned murder” because of the victim’s religious persuasion. The victim’s 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment.Akhlaqh’s other son, Sartaj, who serves in the Indian Air Force, has demanded strict punishment for the murderers of his father. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The incident also drew sharp reaction from various political parties.

Sadhvi Prachi justifies Dadri murder, says beef-eaters deserve such treatment

“Those who consume beef deserve such actions against them,” she said.

File Photo
Controversial VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi on Saturday said made yet another shocking statement justifying the murder of Mohammed Akhlakh in Dadri who was attacked by a mob for allegedly consuming beef. “Those who consume beef deserve such actions against them,” she said. The two main accused in the Dadri lynching case Shivam and Vishal, were arrested on Saturday, raising the total of the number of accused in the case to eight.Dadri lynching case: Akhilesh Yadav announces Rs 20 lakh compensation for victim’s family<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>According to reports, Vishal is the son of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary Sanjay Rana. Six people were arrested earlier after public outrage over the killing of a man by a mob in Uttar Pradesh’s Dadri, allegedly over rumours that he had consumed beef.Dadri lynching: Farhan Akhtar takes a strong stance against ‘kangaroo justice’

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav targets PM Modi, dares him to ban beef exports

“They want to rake up such issues. These forces talked about pink revolution. We will say today – you are in government now, so ban beef exports. You should build support for banning their export,” Yadav said in an apparent reference to Modi, who had in the run-up to last Lok Sabha elections attacked the then UPA government over meat exports, saying it was encouraging “pink revolution”.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said those who spoke against “pink revolution” should ban beef exports as they were now in power and alleged that they wanted to disturb the “secular” ethos of the country by raising such issues.Amid the outrage over lynching of a man in the state’s Dadri town after villagers accused him and his family of consuming beef, the Chief Minister today broke his silence saying that “our religion and our country” allow people to live the way they want and respect their rights.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”A rumour does not have anything in it but a lot can happen because of it. Our Constitution is based on secularism.Our schemes are all based on this principle but some forces want to vitiate the atmosphere.”They want to rake up such issues. These forces talked about pink revolution. We will say today – you are in government now, so ban beef exports. You should build support for banning their export,” Yadav said in an apparent reference to Modi, who had in the run-up to last Lok Sabha elections attacked the then UPA government over meat exports, saying it was encouraging “pink revolution”.Without naming Modi, Yadav said that those who are marketing the country abroad should consider what kind of food is eaten by the people there.”The world where you are roaming, marketing and promoting your country, just think once what kind of food they eat from dawn to dusk. That’s why we should not interfere in each other’s way of life,” he said at a function here.A blame game has erupted between BJP and ruling SP in the state over the killing of the 50-year-old man following rumours that he and his family had eaten beef.Iqlakh was beaten to death and his 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured by a 200-strong mob which barged into their house on Monday night following rumours that the family had consumed beef. Cow slaughter is banned in Uttar Pradesh.Samajwadi Party has accused BJP of deliberately inciting violence ahead of 2017 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh as part of efforts to polarise people while BJP has termed it a failure of the state government to maintain law and order.

BJP MP calls Dadri killing over beef ‘accident’, while victim’s family plans to leave village

New Delhi: Union Minister Mahesh Sharma on Thursday described the killing of a 50-year-old man in Dadri by a mob, allegedly over consumption of beef, as an “accident” and said that no “communal colour” should be given to it, even as the family of the victim is planning to move out of the village fearing that it may happen again.

“This (incident) should be considered as an accident without giving any communal colour to it,” Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism and BJP MP from Noida, said.

The victim's family. PTIThe victim's family. PTI

The victim’s family. PTI

“Two other families live with the affected family in the middle of the village and their walls adjoin with others. About 10-12 houses of other community are in the outlying part of the village but no incident concerning them has happened,” he said.

“I feel this incident occurred due to some misunderstanding and the law should truthfully act against whoever is responsible for it,” he said.

Iqlakh was beaten to death and his 22-year-old son Danish son was critically injured by a mob which barged into their house following rumours that the family had consumed beef, on Monday night.

Iqlakh’s other son, Sartaj, who serves in the Indian Army, demanded punishment for the murderers of his father.

“Those arrested murdered my father. I want to know the reason for which they did this to him. They should be punished so that none from the village would dare to such deed in future,” he said. Expressing apprehension over danger to the life of his remaining family members, Sartaj said that he is planning to move out of the village as the incident could repeat again.

“Our lives are in danger. I’m planning to move from here. We will move from here because this can happen again anytime. Who will ensure us that this won’t happen again?” he asked.

Sartaj denied any knowledge about any tension, saying that he had talked to his “ailing” father about half an hour before the incident and everything was “fine”.

“As far as I know, there wasn’t any tension. Everything was normal. I spoke to my father an hour before the incident and asked about his well being, he was suffering from typhoid and his BP was below normal. Rest everything was fine till then. 25 minutes after the incident I came to know my father was beaten to death. He was dragged outside the house, obviously neighbours were involved,” he said.

The incident drew sharp condemnation from political parties. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the victim.

PTI

After mob lynches man for ‘eating beef’, National Minorities Commission seeks report from DM

Taking a strong note of the Dadri incident, National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Wednesday sought a report from the district administration, after which it would take up the matter with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Representational Image

dna Research & Archives
Taking a strong note of the Dadri incident, National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Wednesday sought a report from the district administration, after which it would take up the matter with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.Responding to concerns expressed by lawyer-activist Shehzad Poonawalla, the Commission stated it was monitoring the measures being taken by the district administration to bring the perpetrators of the “ghastly” crime to justice.”The NCM strongly condemns this cowardly and reprehensible attack on an innocent Muslim which also resulted in severe injury to his 23-year-old son.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”The Chairman, NCM has already spoken to DM, Dadri and asked him to send a report on the incident to the NCM at the earliest. After receipt of the report, we will be taking up the matter with both the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister. It will also be discussed in the next weekly meeting of NCM,” Commission member Praveen Davar said.Batting for stringent punishment to the guilty, Davar said the incident shown communalism “in its ugliest manifestation” and “cannot, and must not, go unpunished in a secular nation”. Earlier, in his petition to the NCM, the Centre and the state government, Poonawalla had sought “immediate” action against the perpetrators.He demanded that the Commission issue direction for registration of an FIR against the perpetrators and their arrest. The lawyer-activist, also a founder-member of think-tank Policy Samvad, demanded the Commission to ensure that probe into the matter is carried out in a free, fair and impartial manner.”The Ministry of Home Affairs must take cognisance of such communal incidents being done by certain elements to create social disharmony in the county to ensure that ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ doesn’t become a mere slogan,” he said.Fifty-year-old Mohammad Iqlakh was allegedly beaten to death and his son, Danish, left severely injured by a mob on Monday night following rumours that his family consumed beef in a village in Dadri town of Uttar Pradesh. Danish (22) is undergoing treatment at a hospital. An FIR has been filed against 10 people for attacking the family, six of whom were arrested, police said.

At least 90 children in Agra fall ill after consuming milk under mid-day meal programme

Agra: At least 90 children were taken ill on Wednesday allegedly after consuming milk under mid-day meal programme at a primary school of Kheragarh town in Agra, police said.

Representational image. Agencies

Representational image. Agencies

Condition of 15 school children of Untgir village is serious, they said.

All of them were rushed to the nearby public health centre(PHC), some to Agra district hospital and the critical ones to the emergency ward of the SN Medical College, police said.

PHC’s doctor incharge Dr Sanjay Solanki said there was something wrong with the milk and therefore the children became victims of food poisoning.

District magistrate Pankaj Kumar has ordered Khairagarh SDM to hold an inquiry.

Senior officials including the SSP Parminder Singh, Basic Shiksha Adhikari and some political leaders reached the school to console parents.

The person who supplied the milk is absconding, they said.

Milk samples have been sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis, they added.

While villagers accused the Gram Pradhan Holi Ram of supplying spurious milk for the mid-day meal and playing with the lives of the children, Ram said he took utmost care.

PTI

13-year-old meets UP CM after photo of him studying by roadside goes viral on social media

A passerby posted young Harendra’s picture on social media and his dedication to study inspired everyone including UP CM Akhilesh Yadav.

Team iamin
“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse,” quoted American author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn once. Thirteen years old Harendra Singh Chauhan from Noida has become a befitting example of this saying.Two days back, a passerby saw Harendra sitting on a pavement and finishing his homework under streetlight outside Noida City Centre Metro Station. Next to him, laid a weighing scale and a cloth on which he had kept the money that he earned by offering people services to check their weight.A class 9 student of Sri Krishna Inter College in Noida’s Sector 122, the boy was trying to earn some money to pay for his school and support his family. Touched by his determination to study, the passerby had put up a post on Twitter and Facebook sharing his story, along with his picture. Within no time, the post went viral on social media as people drew inspiration from Harendra’s dedication.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Two days later, on Sunday, Harendra was on a plane to meet the UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.This was Harendra’s reactionWhen iamin visited Harendra at his 8×7 square feet one-room home in Hoshiarpur Village in Sector-51 on Saturday, he had already received the news that the UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is willing to meet him in Lucknow. He was excited and scared. “This would be the first time that I would be travelling by plane,” he said smiling.
Harendra who wants to become an Army officer someday is quite concerned about continuing his studies. He goes to school at 7 am and after completing his tuitions, he sits outside the Noida City Centre metro station from 7pm to 9pm, with school bag in front and a portable weighing machine beside him.The boy has a heartening story to share as he recounts why he started sitting outside the metro station. Harendra’s father had lost a job in June last year. He needed some money as he had to buy colours, sheets and a file to finish his holiday homework. “I saw my father’s weighing machine. I decided that this was a feasible way to earn money and fund the school project,” he confides.Harendra earns anywhere between Rs 60-70 on good days. However, there are times, when he hardly gets anything. “I realised I wouldn’t be able to devote proper time to studies if I simply sat outside the metro station with the weighing machine. I then thought of taking my books along and study and finish my homework while waiting for customers,” he adds.Ram Gopal, who is pleased with his son’s determination to study, is undoubtedly a proud father. However, he is suffering from polio which has made it difficult to get him a job. Sharing that he always wanted his children to study, Ram Gopal says, “I tried getting them enrolled in a private school but he had to move to a government school as we couldn’t afford enough the fees. It is difficult for me to get a job as I can’t stand for long hours.” However, another passerby who saw the teen studying has promised his father a job. The young lad has two siblings Vivek (17) and Himanshu (7).Harendra knows that money would always be a hurdle between him and his ultimate goal yet he sums up his resolve to reach by saying, “I am happy with what I have and somewhere the things would fall in place for me. I am not going to stop studying and give up my dream.” This article was first published on iamin.in. For more such hyperlocal stories, visit their website.

Big politics behind PM Modi’s praise for Mulayam Singh Yadav: CM Akhilesh Yadav

Modi had praised SP supremo Mulayam Singh at a public rally in Saroorpur village on September 11.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public praise for Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav as “big politics” and said that there is a need to remain “alert” on the matter.”As per my personal view, I think there is big politics into it. There is a need to remain alert,” Yadav said.Modi had praised SP supremo Mulayam Singh at a public rally in Saroorpur village on September 11.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”Mulayam Singh is in the Opposition. He criticises us. Yet, for protecting the democracy, he made every effort so that Parliament be allowed to function.”Akhilesh was speaking at the conclave summit ‘Transformation of the largest state – priorities and challenges” organised by Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd. Akhilesh said that since the Prime Minister of the country has praised Mulayam Singh Yadav, it has to be good, but made it clear that “issues and politics should not be taken as one.””On certain issues we can have same views, but our ideologies will be different…things are often presented differently in the public. That is why I have asked people to remain vigilant on this issue,” he said.”On other issues, Opposition has to be taken along in national interest…like in the Upper House where we do not have majority and so we need coordination of opposition…issues should not be taken same as politics,” he said.When asked about being publicly reprimanded by the party chief, Yadav said that Mulayam Singh was also his father and there is no one who has not been scolded by their father.”Despite all this, we are still working together,” Yadav said. The chief minister also dismissed reports that the state is being run by over four chief ministers, saying that forming an opinion on the basis of the newspapers would not be appropriate.When asked as to why SP and BSP could not shake hands to fight BJP, Yadav said his government has worked in all the areas and when the time comes, people will compare the works of all the three governments – two of the state (SP and BSP) and the BJP government at the Centre. When asked about reservation issue, Yadav said some “dishonest” people wanted to defame those asking for quota so that they forget about it.On the perception that the visit of the chief minister to NOIDA was ‘jinxed’ as those visiting the place in the past have not returned to power, Yadav recalled that for him it had been lucky as he had started his “cycle yatra” from there and led his party to victory in the last elections.”On returning to power, I will break this jinx in the very first year,” Yadav said, adding his visit there might be linked to suspended NOIDA chief engineer Yadav Singh.Claiming that his government had been working for the development of all sections of the society, Yadav said massive infrastructural development works have been started.

Demand quota in jobs with etiquette: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav tells youth

Jaipur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday called upon youth to demand “quota” in jobs with etiquette so that no one can raise a finger.

Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav. AP

Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav. AP

“Every one says there should be reservation, there should be a debate on it, some wants that there should be too much discussion and debate on it so that no one left for quota demand and they get defame”, Akhilesh said, while addressing a national convention of All India Yuva Yadav Maha Sabha in Jaipur.

“Hence you (yadav community) have to keep a vigil on it and if you want quota in jobs then demand it with etiquette so that no one can raise finger against you”, the UP CM said.

“It is not only you (Yadav) demanding reservation, there would such more on streets or doing agitation some where else…So my appeal is to knit people, have your heart big so that people could unite with you”, he said.

Referring to his Friday’s entry into Birla Auditorium when media men stopped him to raise certain questions, Yadav said, “There was a question that RSS has raised Quota issue recently. I told them I do not know about RSS.”

Kaun si baat mere se nikal jai, kis raste pe ye media wale meri baat ko le chalein….breaking news ke naam par (I don’t know how the media will interpret what I’m saying for breaking news)”, he rapped media.

“If any clash or any adverse thing happen in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, then there would a news only. And if such thing happen in Uttar Pradesh, there would be two pictures; one of incident, another of CM running in breaking news…I tell you media is doing free publicity of UP government,” he quipped.

PTI

NRHM scam: Mayawati accuses Centre of misusing CBI, suspects ‘casteist officers’ behind it

But at the same time she said the decision of the agency could be the handiwork of some “casteist officers” who look down upon Dalits and backwards.

Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati on Tuesday targeted the BJP-led government over the CBI’s decision to question her on the multi-crore NRHM scam, claiming she had no connection with it and that the Centre was misusing the agency ahead of Bihar elections for political gains.Questioning the timing of the CBI investigation against her, she said the move against her was an attempt to “demoralise” her party and divert attention from the “failure” of the government to fulfil its promises made to the people.”I have no connection to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam. BJP, which is trying to use CBI, should give up such tactics as such attempt have cost them dearly earlier,” she told reporters here.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>But at the same time she said the decision of the agency could be the handiwork of some “casteist officers” who look down upon Dalits and backwards.”It is possible that the high command of the BJP is not aware of the move of these officers…it has to be probed,” she said.The BSP supremo claimed that the decision to question her four years after the scam came to light only reeks of political vendetta.”It is like serving absolute majority in UP elections to the BSP. We have no problems with it…during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, cases were lodged against me in Taj corridor case as well as a case of disproportionate assets was filed but I was given clean chit by the High Court as well as the Supreme Court,” she said.She said before a CBI officer called me, the news that “I could be questioned in the NRHM scam was leaked to the media in a bid to demoralise my party workers and me ahead of Bihar assembly elections”.Mayawati said such tactics of misleading the people will not help the BJP in any way.”I do not succumb to pressure, I do not bend,” she said. Explaining her stand on the issue, Mayawati said the decision was taken by her cabinet and subsequent decisions on appointing two chief medical officers in every district was taken by the concerned minister Babulal Kushwaha.”I warn BJP to give up such deeds. Congress had also tried such tricks to divert attention from its failures of governance,” she said.Indicating a possible understanding between BJP and SP, she said the Uttar Pradesh government’s “failures” especially on the law and order front are being deliberately ignored by the Centre for political gains.She also attacked the Akhilesh Yadav government for holding the first phase of panchayat elections on October 9 which is the death anniversary of Kanshi Ram.She said people, who will vote in the elections, won’t be able to come to Lucknow to pay their homage to the BSP leader.