India

Lucknow, May 12 (IANS) UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday watched a special show of 'The Kerala Story' film along with his cabinet ministers at the Lok Bhawan in Lucknow.

After watching the film, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya told reporters that the Congress party was playing appeasement politics. He stated that it is because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India is getting an opportunity to watch movies like 'The Kerala Story', and 'Kashmir Files'.

Maurya said, "This movie must be shown in all parts of the country."

"The ban on 'The Kerala Story' in West Bengal must be revoked and, in the future, the truth regarding West Bengal will also come out," he said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had met the team of the recently released film 'The Kerala Story' in Lucknow.

On May 9, the chief minister had declared the film tax-free in the state. "The Kerala Story to be made tax-free in Uttar Pradesh," he had tweeted.

Previously, Madhya Pradesh had made the movie tax-free in the state on May 6.

'The Kerala Story' is based on the 'mass conversion' of young Hindu women in Kerala and their involvement in terrorist activities.

--IANS
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Lucknow, May 12 (IANS) As the controversy over 'The Kerala Story' intensifies, a BJP state secretary has put up hoardings in Lucknow saying that opposition leaders are denouncing the film because they take orders from terrorists.

The hoardings, put up by BJP leader Abhijat Mishra, describe fictional conversations in Hindi between a man in a mask holding a gun and opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Asaduddin Owasi.

A speech bubble next to the man holding a gun in his hand says, "Somehow get this film banned."

The speech bubble next to West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee says, "Master, I have banned the movie in Bengal."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's speech bubble says, "Yes, sir, I am trying my best."

The speech bubble beside Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav says, "I am opposing, but I am afraid of bulldozers."

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President, Asaduddin Owasi, shown in the hoarding, says, "Master, neither the government nor the court is listening."

At the bottom of the hoarding, the caption says, "Jago Bharat Jago".

Abhijat Mishra, the BJP leader who put up the hoardings, began his career as a student leader from the Lucknow University. He has worked for the youth wing of the BJP and for several Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh functionaries in the past. He was recently appointed the state secretary of the saffron party.

--IANS
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May 10 (IANS) An FIR was registered against a man in South Goa for allegedly circulating voice clip abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Churchill Alemao over the Manipur violence issue, police said

A police officer told IANS that Wayne Coutinho from Benaulim Salcete in South Goa had lodged a complaint in this regard.

"After primary investigation we registered an FIR against accused, Jose Afonso, resident of Varca Salcete. He circulated a voice audio clip of himself on Whatsapp groups and other social media platforms promoting enmity between Hindu and Catholics.

"The audio clip is about Manipur violence. Accused person has abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Churchill Alemao in it. We are further investigating this case. Accused person has moved court seeking anticipatory bail," the police officer said.

The offense was registered under Section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the IPC.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesday slammed the government over the alleged links of DRDO director P. M. Kurulkar with the RSS, arrested in an espionage case, and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on how it happened under his nose.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera released a video of Kurulkar speaking at a RSS event and also his interview where he accepted his ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He had also attended a programme with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Khera said, "Kurulkar, a director of DRDO, who was arrested on espionage charge by the Maharashtra ATS has association with the RSS for four generations. Maharashtra ATS arrested P.M. Kurulkar for providing secret information to Pakistan through a woman. It is being said that he was honey trapped."

Highlighting his association with the RSS, the Congress leader said, "He (Kurulkar) used to play saxophone in RSS shakha for 14 years. Even his father was associated with the RSS."

Khera also reminded the BJP of Dhruv Saxena and RSS pracharak Yashwant Shinde's connections with Pakistan's ISI and other organisations. Targeting the BJP, Khera said, "A man in DRDO was giving information to Pakistan. Since October 2022 he was giving information. In February his laptop was submitted with the ATS. And he was arrested about a week ago on espionage charges."

Hitting out at the Prime Minister, Khera said, "DRDO works under the Prime Minister. This happened under the nose of PM Modi from a man (Kurulkar), who has been associated with the RSS.

Taking a pot shot at the RSS for denying that Kurulkar was associated with it, he said, "How can RSS deny the fact that Kurulkar was associated with them. He himself said that he played the saxophone for 14 years with them and also shared the stage with Mohan Bhagwat."

"We want to ask from the Prime Minister, how secret information of India was being shared with Pakistan. How is this happening under him," he added.

The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad last Thursday arrested the highly decorated senior scientist of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Kurulkar, for allegedly sharing sensitive defence related information with agents of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). On Tuesday, Kurulkar was produced before the additional sessions judge (Special Court) in Pune and remanded to further custody until May 15.

--IANS
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Kochi, May 10 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Wednesday slammed the government and the police at a special sitting after hearing the news of the gruesome murder of a 22-year-old woman house surgeon while on duty.

Angered by the murder of Vandana Das when she was stabbed to death by a patient, who was brought to a hospital in Kottarakara around 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the court asked the police chief to appear online before the court on Thursday morning with a full report.

The incident occurred when a 42-year-old suspended school teacher and alleged drug addict Sandeep was brought to the hospital around 4 a.m. by the police after he created a ruckus in his house.

A medical official said Sandeep picked up a surgical blade and attacked Vandana Das multiple times when she was attending to him.

"She was given emergency treatment and shifted to a premier hospital in the capital city. Despite the best efforts, her life could not be saved," said a senior Indian Medical Association office-bearer.

Soon after the incident the medical professionals in both the private and government sectors called for a 24 hour strike and only attended to emergency services.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) In a bizarre turn of events, social media platforms were set abuzz after the arrest of former Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan. Amongst the flurry of messages flooding the digital realm, one Twitter user managed to capture everyone's attention with a rather unconventional plea for justice.

Twitter user Sehar Shinwari, a self-proclaimed social activist from Karachi in Pakistan, took to the platform to share her 'grievances'. In a tweet that gained rapid attention, she wrote, "Anyone knows the online link of Delhi Police? I have to file a complaint against the Indian PM & Indian Intelligence Agency RAW who are spreading chaos and terrorism in my country Pakistan. If the Indian courts are free (As they claim), then I am sure the Indian Supreme Court will provide me justice."

As the tweet circulated, netizens eagerly awaited a response from the Delhi Police to see how they would handle such an unusual request.

Without missing a beat, the Delhi Police's social media team decided to play along, delivering a witty response that left everyone in stitches. "We are afraid we still do not have jurisdiction in Pakistan. But would like to know how come you are tweeting when the internet has been shut down in your country!," they quipped, tagging Sehar's tweet.

Sehar, caught off guard by the Delhi Police's response, found herself in a predicament - and the butt of humour.

Amidst the waves of laughter that resonated across the online community, Sehar's tweet became an instant sensation. Memes and jokes flooded social media platforms, with users gleefully sharing the Delhi Police's response, relishing in the hilarity of the situation.

Mobile broadband services in Pakistan had been suspended nationwide upon the directive of the interior ministry amid violent protests against former Prime Minister Imran Khan's arrest.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a panel to investigate and establish facts about claims made in a petition that the Public Works Department (PWD) violated environmental norms during construction activities carried out at the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and adjacent properties.

The petition filed with the NGT alleged that permanent and semi-permanent structures were erected, and more than 20 trees were felled during the development of 6, Flag Staff Road (the CM's residence) and 45-47 Rajpur Road (properties adjacent to it).

Recognising the importance of adhering to environmental regulations regarding tree cutting and the necessity of maintaining green spaces in the congested and polluted city of Delhi, the bench led by Chairperson Justice A.K. Goel (retd) and also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A. Senthil Vel, deemed it necessary to establish the truth by constituting a joint committee.

"In view of above averments and significance of requirement of compliance for cutting trees and providing a green belt as a condition for constructions in congested and polluted city of Delhi, we consider it necessary to ascertain the factual position by constituting a joint Committee comprising Chief Secretary, Delhi, Principal Secretary, Environment & Forest, Delhi, nominee of the Delhi Urban Art Commission and District Magistrate of the area (District Magistrate, North)," the bench said in its order.

"Meeting of the Committee may be held within one week and the report may be furnished within three weeks from today. The Committee will be free to interact with any other Department or Authority and undertake a visit to the site. It may meet online or offline as may be found viable. If any violations are found, the Committee may take remedial action in coordination with the concerned statutory authorities, in accordance with law," it directed.

The bench listed the matter for further consideration on May 31.

According to the petition, Section 12 of the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) Act, 1973 provides that without approval of the DUAC, approval to development proposals could not be granted by the Municipal Corporation concerned.

"Thus, construction was raised illegally, ignoring the observations of the DUAC for increasing the green area which ipso facto is violation of Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 requiring valid approval for construction. Such violations are to the detriment of environment," the petition read.

The petition alleged that the permissions for tree cutting were taken by manipulation and circumvention of the NGT order dated February 10, 2009.

"Instead of disclosing that 28 trees were to be cut in which permission of higher authority was required, permissions were taken in installments of less than 10 trees," the petition added.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out searches in Jammu and Kashmir at the premises of alleged terrorists and over ground workers (OGWs) linked to the newly-formed terror outfits which are being run by Pak-backed handlers.

The raids were conducted in Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, Shopian, Kulgam and Baramulla districts in the Valley, as well as in Poonch, Rajouri and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu region.

The NIA has been investigating the activities of newly-floated terrorist groups, such as the The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (UL J&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and others. These outfits are affiliated to Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, etc.

"Tuesday's raids, conducted at a total of 16 locations (12 in the Kashmir Valley and four in Jammu division), were part of NIA's investigation into the activities of OGWs and cadres in support of these new terror outfits," an NIA official said.

The official said that these cadres and workers were found involved in collection and distribution of sticky bombs, magnetic bombs, IEDs, cash, drugs and small weapons, as well as in spreading activities relating to terror, violence and subversion in J&K.

Investigation has established that Pak-based operatives are using drones to deliver weapons, bombs, drugs etc. to their operatives and cadres in the Valley.

On May 2, the NIA had conducted raids at 12 locations in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the seizure of incriminating materials and digital devices, in a terror conspiracy case it had registered suo motu on June 21, 2022.

The case related to the hatching of a conspiracy, both physical and at the cyber space, and plans by the proscribed terrorist organisations to unleash violent attacks in J&K with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms.

The plans were part of a larger conspiracy by these terrorist outfits to commit acts of terror and violence, in association with local youth/over ground workers, to disturb peace and communal harmony in J&K.

--IANS
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Kolkata, May 9 (IANS) The National Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Narendra Modi-led Union government was inspired by the thoughts and philosophy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday.

"Our Prime Minister was inspired by the life of Gurudev while introducing the National Education Policy. In the policy, emphasis had been laid on imparting education in mother tongue," Shah said while addressing a cultural programme to mark the birth anniversary of Tagore, here on Tuesday.

The Home Minister's observation came in the backdrop of the constant opposition by the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government to the implementation of the National Education Policy.

"The educationists should now understand that the spirit of the National Education Policy was inspired by the thoughts and philosophy of Gurudev, who always used to say the aim of the country's education system should not be confined to just making propaganda about foreign universities and overseas education systems," Shah said.

Referring to the Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan that was founded by Tagore, Shah said: "I have been to Santiniketan twice. But I have studied a lot about it. The education experiments at Santiniketan can show the entire world a new way. The Indian education system can set an example for the entire world."

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear, on May 15, a plea against the Kerala High Court's refusal to stay the film "The Kerala Story" - the fourth time when the apex court would consider the plea related to the movie.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha, agreed to examine the matter on Monday after a plea for urgent hearing was mentioned before the bench by senior advocate Kapil Sibal on behalf of the petitioners.

The plea challenged the May 5 order passed by the high court declining any relief, saying there was nothing offensive against Islam or Muslims in the film.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that producers of the movie have moved a petition in the apex court challenging the ban on film by the West Bengal government and also the decision not to release the film in theatres in Tamil Nadu. The plea has claimed that it is against artistic freedom. They are likely to mention the matter on Wednesday for urgent hearing.

On the day of the release of the film, the Kerala High Court, while hearing petitions seeking the ban of the film, categorically, in the midst of the hearing, pointed out that in a secular state like Kerala, nothing is going to happen.

"Nothing is going to happen if the film is screened in Kerala. On examining the teaser and the preview of the film, there is nothing which is against any religion and Islam is not portrayed in poor light. There is a reference to IS and, in the country, there have been several films which refer to IS," said the court.

"Fail to understand how this film would be against society as even the Censor Board has given the certification. The premise of the film is fictional in nature and when fictional themes have been cleared in the past, how can one prevent the screening of this film," it asked.

The apex court had, as many as three times, rejected a plea to stop the release of the film, saying that it must also be considered that a filmmaker invests a lot of money and time in making a film and actors also put in a lot of work.

The film, produced by Sunshine Pictures Private Ltd and directed by Sudipto Sen, was released on Friday across the country.

--IANS
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