Congress Alleges Tenders in BJP-ruled States Favor Adani Group 2
The Congress on Monday alleged that electricity tenders in Rajasthan and Maharashtra are structured to benefit the Adani Group, accusing the BJP-led governments in these states of reducing competition and funneling taxpayer money to “the Prime Minister’s close friends.”
In a statement posted on X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the pace of decisions in BJP-ruled states to enrich the Prime Minister’s friends is accelerating. He pointed to two large electricity tenders that have been designed to limit the number of eligible bidders, favoring larger players like Adani.
The tempo of decisions in BJP-ruled states aimed at enriching the Prime Minister’s close friends is picking up. Two large electricity tenders in Rajasthan and Maharashtra have been designed entirely to reduce the number of bidders and to funnel yet more taxpayer revenues to…
Ramesh claimed that tenders for power procurement in Rajasthan and Maharashtra combine both thermal and solar energy sources, which gives an advantage to companies operating in both sectors, like Adani. He suggested splitting the procurement into separate tenders to allow smaller players, particularly in renewable energy, to compete.
“This combined procurement approach fits perfectly with Adani’s planned investments,” Ramesh said, further alleging that the tenders align with Adani Group’s solar projects in Rajasthan and other planned investments in Maharashtra.
Ramesh warned that this system would stifle competition, foster oligopolies, and lead to higher long-term costs for consumers and taxpayers. He described it as “cronyism” that benefits large corporations at the public’s expense.
The Congress Party has been consistently vocal about its concerns regarding financial irregularities related to the Adani Group and has criticized the government for allegedly favoring the conglomerate. These accusations have resurfaced since the Hindenburg Research report earlier this year, which alleged fraudulent practices by the Adani Group, claims that the company has repeatedly denied.
Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies' Makes The Cut As India's Oscars 2025 Entry 4
India has officially selected ‘Laapataa Ladies’ as its entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, the film stands out for its focus on important social themes like gender equality and women’s empowerment in rural India.
The announcement was made by Kiran Rao’s team, confirming the selection of this impactful film, which tells the story of two brides who are mistakenly switched during a train journey in 2001. The film stars Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goel in leading roles, creating a blend of engaging storytelling and social commentary.
‘Laapataa Ladies’ recently gained attention during a special screening at the Supreme Court of India, where Kiran Rao expressed her gratitude to the Chief Justice for showcasing the film. The screening helped broaden its audience, emphasizing the film’s importance in addressing rural social issues.
The film also features Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma, contributing to a strong, diverse cast. Released in March, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has garnered critical acclaim for its compelling narrative and performances.
The submission deadline for the 96th Academy Awards is November 14, 2024. The shortlist for Best International Feature will be announced on December 17, with the final nominations revealed on January 17, 2025. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025.
Mayawati Urges Dalit Leaders to Break Ties with Congress Before Haryana Elections 6
Ahead of the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has urged Dalit leaders to break away from the Congress and other “casteist parties.” In a statement on Monday, Mayawati encouraged Dalit leaders to follow the path of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and distance themselves from parties that marginalize them.
Mayawati’s comments come as the BSP and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) are positioning themselves as a pro-Dalit alternative in Haryana. In a series of posts on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister accused the Congress and other parties of using Dalit leaders only in difficult times, only to push them aside once their agenda is fulfilled.
1. देश में अभी तक के हुए राजनीतिक घटनाक्रमों से यह साबित होता है कि खासकर कांग्रेस व अन्य जातिवादी पार्टियों को अपने बुरे दिनों में तो कुछ समय के लिए इनको दलितों को मुख्यमंत्री व संगठन आदि के प्रमुख स्थानों पर रखने की जरूर याद आती है। 1/6
3. जबकि ऐसे अपमानित हो रहे दलित नेताओं को अपने मसीहा बाबा साहेब डा. भीमराव अम्बेडकर से प्रेरणा लेकर इन्हें खुद ही ऐसी पार्टियों से अलग हो जाना चाहिए तथा अपने समाज को फिर ऐसी पार्टियों से दूर रखने के लिए उन्हें आगे भी आना चाहिए। 3/6
She stated, “The Congress and other casteist parties remember Dalits during their bad days and appoint them to key positions temporarily. But when things improve, these leaders are sidelined, as is being witnessed in Haryana.”
4. क्योंकि परमपूज्य बाबा साहेब डा. भीमराव अम्बेडकर ने देश के कमजोर वर्गों के आत्म-सम्मान व स्वाभिमान की वजह से अपने केन्द्रीय कानून मन्त्री पद से इस्तीफा भी दे दिया था। 4/6
6. इसके इलावा, कांग्रेस व अन्य जातिवादी पार्टियाँ शुरू से ही इनके आरक्षण के भी विरूद्ध रही हैं। श्री राहुल गाँधी ने तो विदेश में जाकर इसको खत्म करने का ही एलान कर दिया है। ऐसी संविधान, आरक्षण व SC, ST, OBC विरोधी पार्टियों से ये लोग जरूर सचेत रहें। 6/6
Mayawati urged Dalit leaders to take inspiration from Dr. Ambedkar, calling on them to cut ties with such parties. She drew parallels to her own resignation from the Rajya Sabha in 2017, highlighting her stand against violence towards Dalits in Saharanpur.
She also targeted the Congress, accusing the party of being historically opposed to reservations for Dalits and backward communities. Mayawati referenced Rahul Gandhi’s alleged remarks about abolishing reservations during his visit abroad, warning voters to be cautious of “anti-reservation” and “anti-SC, ST, OBC” parties.
Haryana’s 90-member Assembly elections are set for October 5, with results expected on October 8.
'Watching and Downloading Child Pornography A Crime': SC's Landmark Verdict Urges Parliament To Amend POCSO 8
In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday held that watching and downloading child pornography are offences under the POCSO Act and the information technology law.
The apex court suggested Parliament consider amending the term ‘child pornography’ with “child sexually abusive and exploitative material” by bringing changes in law, and asked the courts not to use the term ‘child pornography’.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud set aside the Madras High Court ruling that had said mere downloading and watching child pornography was not an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Information Technology (IT) Act.
The bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, also laid down certain guidelines on child pornography and its legal consequences.
“We have said about lingering impact of child pornography on victimisation and abuse of children and on role to report an offence, including role of society and stakeholders,” the bench said.
“We have suggested to Parliament to bring an amendment to POCSO… so that definition of child pornography can be referred to as ‘child sexually abusive and exploitative material’. We have suggested an Ordinance can be brought in,” it said.
The top court delivered its verdict on a plea challenging the Madras High Court order.
On January 11, the high court had quashed the criminal proceedings against a 28-year-old man charged with downloading pornographic content involving children on his mobile phone.
While pronouncing the verdict, the apex court restored the criminal proceedings in the case saying the high court had erred in quashing it. The bench said the sessions court will now deal with the case afresh.
Terming the high court ruling atrocious, the apex court had earlier agreed to hear the plea challenging the high court ruling that had said mere downloading and watching child pornography was not an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Information Technology (IT) Act.
The high court had also said that children these days were grappling with the serious issue of watching pornography and instead of punishing them, the society must be “mature enough” to educate them.
The Supreme Court had taken note of the submissions made in the matter by senior advocate H S Phoolka, who represented two petitioner organisations, that the high court verdict was contrary to the laws in this regard.
The senior lawyer appeared in the court on behalf of NGOs Just Rights for Children Alliance, based in Faridabad, and the New Delhi-based Bachpan Bachao Andolan. The organisations work for the welfare of children.
The high court had quashed the criminal case against S Harish under the POCSO Act, 2012 and IT Act, 2000.
In order to constitute an offence under section 67B of the IT Act, an accused must have published, transmitted or created material depicting children in a sexually-explicit act or conduct, it had said.
“A careful reading of this provision does not make watching child pornography, per se, an offence under section 67B of the Information Technology Act, 2000,” the high court had added.
Even though the said section of the IT Act has been widely worded, it does not cover a case where a person has merely downloaded child pornography in an electronic gadget and watched the same, without doing anything more, it had said.
Admittedly, two videos involving boys were downloaded and were available on the petitioner’s mobile phone, and those were neither published nor transmitted to others and were within the petitioner’s private domain, it had said.
The Madras High Court had, however, expressed concern over children watching pornography.
Viewing pornography can have negative consequences on teenagers down the line, affecting both their psychological and physical well-being, it had said.
The high court had advised the petitioner to attend counselling if he was still afflicted with the addiction of watching pornography.
PM Modi Meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Expresses Concern Over Gaza Crisis 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New York on Sunday during the UN General Assembly. In their bilateral talks, PM Modi expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and reiterated India’s continued support for the Palestinian people.
The meeting was highlighted by Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, in a post on X, where he reaffirmed India’s commitment to a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today.
PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed 🇮🇳’s continued support to the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/6SvSBBds0x
PM Modi had earlier condemned the terror attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7 but continues to voice concerns over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza. India has also extended humanitarian aid to the region, releasing $2.5 million in 2024-25 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.
During his visit to New York, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, focusing on strengthening ties and fostering further cooperation.
Earlier, PM Modi met top tech CEOs at a roundtable hosted by MIT School of Engineering, emphasizing India’s potential for growth and collaboration in various sectors. The Prime Minister will also address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly.
Basit Ali Applauds India's Bowling Prowess, Calls for Mayank Yadav's Test Debut 12
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has praised India’s impressive bowling attack and expressed his wish to see young pacer Mayank Yadav make his Test debut, particularly against Australia. India’s commanding victory over Bangladesh in Chennai, where they won with more than a day’s play remaining, showcased the strength of their bowling unit.
In the first innings, Jasprit Bumrah (4/50), Mohammed Siraj (2/30), and Akash Deep (2/19) effectively dismantled the Bangladesh lineup, bowling them out for just 149 runs. Bumrah’s control earned him four wickets, while Akash’s early breakthroughs and Siraj’s relentless pressure restricted Bangladesh.
Drawing comparisons between India’s current bowling attack and Pakistan’s legendary trio of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis, Basit Ali emphasized how strong India’s pace attack is, even in the absence of Mohammed Shami. He also highlighted his excitement for Mayank Yadav, a rising star who made waves in the 2024 IPL by delivering the fastest ball of the season at 156.7 kph.
“Mayank Yadav is a very dangerous bowler. His bouncer is precise. I would love to see him in a Test match in Australia,” said Basit.
Mayank Yadav is expected to be included in India’s squad for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in November. Before that, India has several Test assignments, including the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur and a series against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
Congress Suspends Rebel Leader Chitra Sarwara Ahead of Haryana Elections 14
In the lead-up to the Haryana Assembly elections, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has suspended rebel leader Chitra Sarwara for six years over accusations of engaging in anti-party activities. Sarwara’s decision to run as an independent candidate from the Ambala Cantonment constituency is being cited as the main reason for her suspension.
According to Congress officials, Sarwara’s decision to contest independently against the party’s official candidate, Parvinder Pal Pari, is a violation of party policies. The AICC, in an official statement, mentioned that several reports from party workers indicated that Sarwara’s actions were harming the Congress’s interests.
After reviewing the evidence, the AICC decided to suspend Sarwara, stressing the importance of maintaining party discipline. The Haryana Assembly elections are set to take place on October 5, with results expected on October 8, coinciding with the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party in Haryana, winning 40 seats, while the Congress secured 30 seats. The Congress is currently focusing on increasing voter turnout through various outreach efforts.
Sri Lanka's New President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Aims to Strengthen Ties with India 16
Sri Lanka’s President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for his congratulatory message following his election victory. In a social media post, Dissanayake highlighted the importance of strengthening relations between India and Sri Lanka, pledging to enhance cooperation.
“Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for your kind words and support. I share your commitment to strengthening the ties between our nations. Together, we can work towards enhancing cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the entire region,” Dissanayake stated. Prime Minister Modi had extended his congratulations after Dissanayake’s victory in the presidential election on Sunday.
Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for your kind words and support. I share your commitment to strengthening the ties between our nations. Together, we can work towards enhancing cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the entire region. https://t.co/rtQEXyiFUI
PM Modi’s message emphasized Sri Lanka’s importance in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which promotes regional security and stability. “Congratulations, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on your victory. Sri Lanka holds a special place in our policies, and I look forward to strengthening our multifaceted cooperation,” Modi said.
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, also congratulated Dissanayake, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations for mutual prosperity. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party, was officially declared the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka after the country’s first-ever presidential election run-off.
The election commission confirmed his victory after a historic second vote count. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was eliminated in the initial round, marking his third unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
In a significant escalation, Israeli troops raided the offices of the Al Jazeera satellite news network in the West Bank early Sunday. The troops ordered the bureau’s immediate closure for 45 days, intensifying Israel’s ongoing campaign against the Qatar-funded broadcaster amid its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.
Al Jazeera aired live footage of the raid on its Arabic-language channel, showing Israeli troops shutting down the office and ordering staff to evacuate. This follows a similar raid in East Jerusalem in May, where Israeli police confiscated Al Jazeera’s equipment, blocking broadcasts and restricting access to its websites within Israel.
This marks the first instance of Israel closing a foreign news outlet within its territory. Despite the shutdown, Al Jazeera continues its operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the action, which Al Jazeera has condemned, while continuing its broadcasts from Jordan.
Akhilesh Yadav Criticizes Yogi Government and BJP's 'One Nation, One Election' Proposal 20
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the Yogi Adityanath-led government, accusing them of being indifferent to his repeated pleas regarding the condition of Kannauj Medical College. The former Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the media during his visit to Kannauj.
“This is not the first time I am discussing Kannauj Medical College. Every time I visit Kannauj, I bring it up. I believe the government and BJP members have gone deaf; they hear nothing. They’ve also turned a blind eye. It’s not Samajwadi Party members who go for treatment, it’s common people. The government has failed to provide any services and has stalled the development of Kannauj out of sheer enmity towards this place,” Yadav stated.
Kannauj is a well-known stronghold of the Samajwadi Party, and Yadav currently represents this Lok Sabha constituency. Reacting to the Union Cabinet’s approval of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, Yadav accused the BJP of trying to undermine the Election Commission. “One day, BJP will say that elections should be held every five years, questioning the need for an Election Commission altogether. The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal is a major conspiracy to dismantle democracy and destroy the Election Commission,” he asserted.
