India

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected a plea filed by an advocate against the practice of sticking images and posters of deities on walls in order to prevent public urination, spitting and throwing garbage.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, which had earlier reserved its order on this matter, dismissed it.

The plea was filed in a form of a PIL, moved by advocate Gorang Gupta, alleging that even though people are making use of deities' images as a means to put an end to public urination, it is leading to harming the religious sentiments of people at large.

The PIL also stated that public urination and littering seriously denigrates and disparages the sanctity of sacred deities' images.

The petitioner sought the court's direction to the Delhi government, the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Delhi Cantonment Board, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to put a ban on sticking such posters and images.

"The common practice of affixing the photographs of deities on the walls to prevent open public urination, spitting, and throwing garbage has created a serious menace in the society as these photographs do not guarantee the prevention of these acts rather there is no ounce of shame and people publicly urinate or spit or litter on the 'sacred' images of the deities," the plea read.

In view of the above, the petitioner claimed that this very act is in violation of sections 295, 295A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, as well as Article 25 of the Constitution of India as it is harming the religious sentiments of the general public at large.

--IANS
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Lucknow, Dec 19 (IANS) The Lucknow police have lodged an FIR against a Twitter handle named, 'AzaarSRK', for sharing a snippet of the song 'Besharam Rang' from Pathaan with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's face in place of Deepika Padukone.

An FIR has been registered under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 66 of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

Several BJP leaders and Twitter users found this objectionable and disrespectful and demanded strict action against the accused.

The cyber team of the DGP headquarters is currently investigating the matter.

The song 'Besharam Rang' from Pathaan has courted controversies ever since it was released. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, the song received heavy backlash on social media and from several political leaders.

Madhya Pradesh minister Dr Narottam Mishra fumed over the use of saffron costume in the song. He found several scenes from the song objectionable and obscene.

He even threatened to ban the movie in Madhya Pradesh if those shots are not replaced.

--IANS
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Lucknow, Dec 19 (IANS) A local court in Lucknow has sentenced a 30-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district that took place more than eight years ago.

The court of special judge, POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act), Varun Mohit Nigam also imposed a penalty of Rs 1.5 lakh on the convict.

THe accused would have to serve an extra six months in jail in case of failure to pay the penalty.

The court pronounced the strict punishment due to effective pursuance of the case by police and prosecution officials, a state government spokesman said.

Government counsel, Sant Pratap Singh said the girl was raped when she had gone to answer nature's call near her house in a village under Hardi police station of Bahraich on September 29, 2014.

He added that the police initially lodged a case of molestation and invoked sections of the POCSO Act. Charges were later added on the basis of the girl's statement and medical examination, he said.

He added the convict was present in court when the jail term was pronounced. He was sent back to jail to serve his term.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) With the Aam Aadmi Party attaining national status, the party's National Council met for its 11th meeting here on Sunday, to discuss its growth in the last decade and its plan going forward nationally.

The meeting concluded with the National Council noting the party's achievements over the last decade and passing resolutions against rising inflation and unemployment and Chinese aggression.

Preparing the pitch for 2024 elections, national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said: "I have a vision for the whole country... AAP is only the medium that will help achieve the vision. I envision an India that is a global education hub, where no one sleeps hungry, where underprivileged get top-class education-healthcare and become rich. In our vision for India, there is no scope for caste-religion divides, if the nation can't unite for once and for all, it won't be able to progress."

He said that this has been a successful year for us for several reasons and "I would like to congratulate you all for your hard work and all your efforts".

"In the last one year, we went on to win the state elections in Punjab and form the government over there. We fought the state elections in Goa and have two MLAs in the state. We also fought in the recently-concluded state elections in Gujarat and were successful there as well, so I would like to thank the people of Gujarat for trusting us and giving us such support in our first election in the state," Kejriwal said.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann noted the party's success saying: "Delhi gave us our first government, Punjab gave us our first MPs in the Lok Sabha, Goa opened an account in the west and people from Gujarat made Aam Aadmi Party a national party."

Addressing party members, Kejriwal said: "In a generic sense, there are just three main political parties in the national sphere. There are other political parties as well in the legal sense, but across the country, there is only the BJP, the Congress, and the AAP. And, the AAP stands out among these three with the kind of work that it does. Since we are all meeting today after such a long time, I think it is worth revisiting those aspects that form our ideological base. AAP stands firm on three basic principles in Indian politics - 'kattar deshbhakti, 'kattar imandaari, and (being) corruption free."

He also said that one issue that is bothering the people of this country is the way China has constantly been attacking us and trying to take over the land that belongs to India.

"Over the years, slowly they have tried to take our territory and attack our soldiers at the borders. Meanwhile, our soldiers have displayed bravery and thwarted all the attempts of China. We have even lost some of our soldiers at the borders in these battle," he said.

"In 2020-21, we bought goods worth $65 billion from China - this translates to about Rs 5.25 lakh crore worth of goods. The following year, they continued to attack us and bother our soldiers, but we increased our trade to buy goods worth $95 billion or Rs 7.5 lakh crore from them. What is happening over here? We should have been punishing them or telling them that either you behave yourself or we will stop buying goods from you, but the Centre only seems to reward them more when they are attacking our soldiers at the borders."

"I would also like to urge the BJP-led government to show some courage and stand with our soldiers," he said, adding that the government should not be under any compulsion to buy goods from China.

"This is the 21st Century, and no country can just take over the territory of another country in this day and age. In the modern world, it is all about trade and economics. The day we show some courage and stop this $95 billion import from China, it will come to the terms that India has laid down for it," he added.

--IANS
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Chandigarh, Dec 18 (IANS) In order to further propel industrial growth in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday started his tour to Chennai and Hyderabad to woo the industrial giants for investment.

The Chief Minister reached Chennai where he will be meeting business delegations and prominent companies on Monday to rope in investments and strategic tie ups in key sectors.

Likewise, Mann will be having interactive meeting with captains of industry at Hyderabad on Tuesday. This crucial two-day visit of the Chief Minister is likely to benefit the state in roping in huge investments, technical knowhow, and expertise from big companies.

The Chief Minister will be extending invitation to the industrialists for the Investment Summit being organised by the state government on February 23-24 in Mohali.

Meanwhile, Mann reiterated his commitment to emerge state as an industrial hub, adding the state government will leave no stone unturned for it. He said that every effort is being made to put state on the orbit of high growth trajectory of industrial development.

The Chief Minister envisioned that the tour to big industrial hubs of the country will further accelerate the industrial growth of state on one hand and open new vistas of employment for youth on the other.

Mann said that he will personally showcase Punjab as land of opportunities and growth to the entrepreneurs. He expressed hope that this tour will prove to be a milestone towards giving a major fillip to industrial growth of state.

--IANS
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Bhopal, Dec 18 (IANS) A Congress delegation, led by state Congress chief Kamal Nath on Sunday met Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and sought a committee be formed to probe charges filed against party leaders and workers due to political enmity.

Kamal Nath was accompanied by Leader of Opposition in Assembly Dr Govind Singh and Rajya Sabha MP and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh.

The Congress, which alleged that leaders and workers of the party are being harassed by the police on the behest of ruling BJP also handed over a letter to Chouhan urging him to constitute a probe panel under supervision of Assembly Speaker Girish Gautam in the matter.

In the letter, released to press later, the Congress has alleged that people associated with it are being framed under false charges, especially in Sagar, Datiya and Tikamgarh districts.

"You (referring to Chouhan) know that opposition leaders were never falsely targeted or harassed due to political enmity. You are requested to conduct an independent inquiry in the matter. We believe that false cases imposed against opposition leaders and workers will be removed and those are behind this will be punished," it read.

Digvijaya Singh on Saturday visited Sagar and during a meeting with district party workers, slammed the ruling BJP of falsely implicating people associated with the party in cases.

"In my long political career, I have never seen such political enmity when a large number of people and their family members are harassed on the behest of the ruling party. People are being harassed and are being falsely implicated due to political rivalry. This kind of politics was never played in Madhya Pradesh," Digvijaya Singh said on Sunday.

--IANS
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Agartala, Dec 18 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the budget for the all-round development and welfare of the tribals has been increased to Rs 88,000 crore from the earlier 21,000 crore.

Addressing a rally at the Swami Vivekananda ground in Agartala, Modi said that over 50,000 Van Dhan Kendras is functioning across the country, providing livelihood to 9 lakh tribals.

"As the BJP governments have taken a series of welfare measures for the tribals, their first choice is the BJP. After 27 years, BJP secured a big victory in the recent Assembly elections in Gujarat. Out of 27 tribal reserved seats, BJP won 24 seats," Modi said.

To woo the tribal voters for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tripura, the Prime Minister highlighted many pro-tribal schemes and government's efforts for the welfare of the tribals.

He said that earlier there were only 100 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, and now it has increased to 500 in the county.

Referring to the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the Prime Minister said that over 7,000 Health and Wellness centres were set up in the northeast to provide medical treatments including critical diseases to the people. A Health services are now at the doorsteps of the people, he added.

Modi said that his government has been observing November 15 as aJanjatiya Gaurav Divasa¿ to mark the birth anniversary of the tribal leader and freedom fighter ABirsa Munda and added that 10 tribal museums are being set up across the country.

"Previous NDA government had set up a separate Tribal Affairs Ministry," Referring to the Agartala )-Akhaura (Bangladesh) new railway project, he said that Tripura would be an international gateway and trade and various economic activities would be undertaken with the neighbouring countries.

Appreciating Chief Minister Manik Saha and his government, Modi said that Tripura is a leading state in the country in providing houses to the poor people.

The Prime Minister naugurated multiple projects and laid foundation stones for a few other projects worth over Rs 4,350 crore and he launched the "Grih Pravesh" programme for beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (both urban and rural).These houses, developed at a cost of over Rs 3,400 crore, benefiting over two lakh beneficiaries.

Modi also inaugurated the first state Institute of Hotel Management at Anandnagar on the outskirts of Agartala and the first Agartala Government Dental College in the capital city.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the project for widening of the Agartala bypass (Khayerpur - Amtali) NH-08), which would help ease traffic congestion in Agartala city and laid the foundation stones for 32 roads of more than 230 km length under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and for improvement of 112 roads covering a distance of over 540 Km.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) The RSS-affilated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has invited farmers to reach its 'Kisan Garjana' rally to be held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Monday in large numbers.

In a letter, the BKS said: "Even after 75 years of Independence, farmers are still waiting to see when they will get justice. At least, they get 'remunerative price on cost basis'. That is not available, on top of this, there is GST on all the inputs. Under the law, input credit is available to all producers except farmers."

It said the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, "though a good step", was "an inadequate step in the right direction, yet the farmers welcomed it wholeheartedly".

"But this Kisan Samman Nidhi is of the year 2019 at Rs.6,000. In today's situation per year, it is very little due to price rise in all inputs."

It said that the government gives subsidy on fertilisers, but mostly this is not in the interest of the farmer but in the interest of the companies.

Raising the issue of permission to the GM mustard, the BKS said that on hand, the Prime Minister talks about natural farming, about bio-diversity, about the conservation of Panchmahabhoot, on the other hand, the Ministry of Environment works completely opposite these.

Similarly, it has been announced to connect every area with a river for water, but the ground, nothing is visible and that is why is organising the huge 'Kisan Garjana' rally.

The BKS said that their main demands are farmers should get remunerative price on the basis of cost, there should be an increase in proportion in the Kisan Samman Nidhi, GST on agricultural inputs should be scrapped and permission for GM crops should be withdrawn.

--IANS
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Shillong, Dec 18 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that in the past 8 years, there has been a 74 per cent reduction in insurgency incidents in the northeast region, 60 per cent decrease in incidents of attacks on security forces, and 89 per cent decline in civilian deaths, while about 8,000 militants of various outfits have surrendered and joined the mainstream.

Addressing the North East Council (NEC) meeting, he said that earlier there used to be a demand to remove the AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act) from the northeast, but now the demand does not arise, and rather the Centre is taking steps to remove it.

He said that now 60 per cent area of Assam, seven districts of Nagaland, 15 police stations in six districts of Manipur and Tripura and Meghalaya have become completely AFSPA-free, while in only one district of Arunachal Pradesh is the AFSPA yet to be lifted.

"These are great achievements made possible due to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi because without peace, it is impossible to develop institutions of development, education and health. During the tenure of Modi, the agreement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura in 2019, the Reang (Bru) and Bodo Agreement in 2020, and Karbi Agreement in 2021 were agreed upon," the Home Minister said.

He claimed that Assam-Meghalaya and Assam-Arunachal inter-state border disputes have also almost ended, and due to the restoration of peace, the northeast region has moved on the path of development.

Shah said that earlier funds allocated to the northeast did not reach the bottom most level, but after Modi became the Prime Minister, funds are reaching villages and being utilised for development, and this is a great achievement.

Noting that the Prime Minister has always given priority to the northeast, he said that Modi has visited the region more than 50 times in the last 8 years, while Central ministers have also visited the area more than 400 times.

Due to improved infrastructure, the possibilities of tourism have increased in the northeast, as also many small industries, educational institutions and sports-related institutions have also opened.

Shah also said the Prime Minister has also taken up the project of connecting every capital of the northeastern states by road, train and through air connectivity.

Till eight years ago, the entire northeast was only known for bandhs, strikes, bomb blasts and firing, and the people of the region could not live peacefully due to the activities of different militant groups.

Prime Minister Modi, Governors and Chief Ministers, senior officials of several northeastern states participated in the NEC meeting.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi will jointly address a rally in Rajasthan's Alwar on Monday, where they will raise the issue of Chinese PLA's trangsressions across the LAC.

Party sources said that after being denied from raising the issue in Parliament, the party is likely to raise the issue in the public meeting.

Gandhi on Friday had said that China is constantly preparing for war while theIndian government is asleep.

"Our government is hiding the information on the preparations of China. The Government of India does not work strategically, it works on an event basis. When it comes to geopolitics, events do not work there. Foreign Minister's statements keep coming, but he needs to deepen his understanding," he said at a press conference.

Gandhi also expressed his surprise saying that no one, including the media, is asking questions on China, despite it occupying Indian territory and martyring 20 Indian soldiers.

--IANS
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