The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the plea of self-styled godman Daati Maharaj against the Delhi High Court order of transferring the rape case against him to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Last week, Daati Maharaj had moved the Supreme Court arguing that he was not heard before passing the order to transfer the case to the CBI.
The High Court on October 3 allowed the alleged victim’s plea seeking transfer of the case to the CBI, saying that the manner in which the Delhi Police carried out the probe “casts a shadow on the investigation.”
Previously, the probe was being helmed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch.
Daati Maharaj is accused of raping a disciple two years ago and was booked under Sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural sex), 354 (molestation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, he has maintained that he is being framed in a false case.
The 25-year-old complainant had alleged that she was raped at Gurukul Ashwasan in Rajasthan’s Bal Gram, adding that she did not file a complaint earlier as she felt intimidated by the self-styled godman.
On June 7, a complaint was filed against Daati Madan Lal alias Daati Maharaj and on June 11 an FIR was registered.
75th anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was celebrated in an unprecedented manner by the present Central Government, while earlier Congress-UPA government-led by the members of Nehru-Gandhi family deliberately diluted great contributions of so many others whose contribution for freedom struggle was undoubtedly much-much greater and effective than even of politically worshipped Gandhiji.
Central government should ensure installing of a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at a long-emptied canopy of India Gate at New Delhi on his coming birthday on January 23 which should also be traditionally marked as the start of Republic Day celebrations when gallantry awards should be announced. However, National Honours should be continued to be announced on the eve of Republic Day.
Since it is not in the public interest to increase the number of public holidays, therefore, instead of announcing January 23 as a national holiday, the government holidays of October 2 and April 14 on the birth anniversaries of Gandhi and Ambedkar should be abolished to put Netaji at least on par with Gandhi and Ambedkar, and declaring all such birth anniversaries as extra work day and increasing work hours by half or an hour as real tribute to these leaders.
The monopoly of Gandhi photo on currency notes should be broken by putting pictures of different pre-independence freedom fighters on various denominations of currency notes.
– Subhash Chandra Agrawal
2) Targeting media houses is undemocratic!
Taxes make a nation and everybody should pay their taxes honestly and contribute to our country’s development as well as progress. However, raids on media houses which don’t blindly follow government’s agenda, at a time when Parliamentary elections are near, is undemocratic. Income Tax raids on media baron Raghav Bahl and his company The Quint raises a lot of questions in today’s environment of rumour-mongering when political thoughts and acquisition are hitting the headlines. The Quint has been struggling with TV licences and now the special treatment from tax authorities comes as a surprise.
Media is a watchdog of the society and contributes in protecting the democracy. Every profession has a black sheep and the government should let the media function independently. Yes, those breaking laws should be targeted but not harassed for what they report. Media houses too should restrain from the controversial issues that divide the nation but try to unite people in the interest of the nation whenever the situation demands.
– S.N.Kabra
3) Train driver not to be blamed for accident
I agree with the Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha that “the incident was not the railway’s fault. There was no lapse on our part and no action against the driver be initiated.” Though it was a heartbreaking disaster, but the Railway Ministry or driver is not responsible for this horrific incident rather the local authorities are responsible for this. Usually, this kind of events are conducted with the permission of local administration so they must have informed concerning railway department to make them aware of this situation on the track, but there was no information for railway officers. It is also impossible for a driver to stop the train abruptly, because it may lead to a bigger disaster for the passengers and train itself. So the driver should not be blamed and trialled in this regard. The local administration must be asked that why did he not inform to railway authorities about this events.
– MF Qasmi
4) It is just hypocrisy
Once again stirring the Ram Mandir pot, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath exhorted his supporters to start preparing for the construction of RamvTemple in Ayodhya. It looks an irresponsible statement from a Chief Minister of a state which spread violence and poisonous atmosphere all over the country. Why the BJP leaders and Hindu organisations are in so hurry to construct Ram Temple? Why can’t they wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court? Why always they remember Ram just before elections? It has become quite clear that they are playing their political game using the religious sentiments and emotions of common people. It is just hypocrisy and myth to talk about Ram Temple just before the elections and keep silent otherwise.
– Mohd Rahmani
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The landmark judgement by the Supreme Court has rightly decriminalised adultery after striking down a 158-year-old British-era law, saying it was unconstitutional, dented the individuality of women and treated them as “chattel of husbands”. Slowly we are realising the ideals which are enshrined in our Constitution, equality and dignity of individuals. Marriage does not mean ceding autonomy of one to the other. Ability to make sexual choices is essential to human liberty. Marriage is undoubtedly the happiest occasion a human being can ever experience, provided it is an ideal one. It is a new era in the life of a youth, for one will be burned with responsibilities and duties. That is why; it is said, “One year of Joy, another of comfort and the rest of contest or wish.” The fatal blow to any marriage is an adulterous affair where one or both spouses think they finally found the person they were meant to be with. Once convinced that he or she married the wrong person, the idea of divorce can take root and destroy your marriage.
Loss of moral commitment in a marriage creates a dent in the relationship, but it is left to each individual to deal with the problem — some may forgive while others may seek a divorce. The judiciary’s analysis of Sec 497 is good enough, duly taking into consideration the prevailing situation in the Society. It is upto the human being to take the right path after distinguishing the right and wrong. Even if Sec 497 is scrapped, the public can still lead a concerted, disciplined family life with the bondage of love among the family members.
The Centre says that Sec 497 was enacted to safeguard the sanctity of a marriage and diluting it would be detrimental to matrimonial bond. Sec 497 of the Indian Penal Code is a clear violation of the fundamental rights granted in the Constitution and there is no justification for the continuation of the provision.
For the simple offence that the poor bride’s father begot a daughter, he is to feed and dress excellently well, and to abide by the essential conditions of “The Great Matrimonial Charter”. Nuptial marriage is another source to squeeze the blood in the form of money of the father-in-law. Sumptuous dishes must be served. After all the matches are not pleasing.
I would like to point out that staying married cannot be a boring exercise unless the partners make sacrifices for each other so as to enjoy the fruits of marital enjoyment. One would find that in our Indian society, a woman plays a key role in making adjustments and stabilising the relationship. Every marriage has its inconveniences, minor rows and major spats. As the mind is the biggest sex organ, the couple should understand the importance of the mind in the art of lovemaking. Lovemaking is a tonic to a happy marital life. Further cheating within a marriage is a breach of trust and a fraud committed on emotional values. The institution of marriage stands weakened by just the stroke of the pen.
A Golden rule for a marriage is to make each other the top priority. If this is taken into consideration then marriage is a golden moment of life steeped in the air of romance. It is rightly said, “Blessed are they who are loved”, but twice blessed are they who have the ability to love and give.” Marriage is one such contract with its own key to success.
No doubt, the first year of marriage is supposed to be the boredom one as each partner has to adjust to the other’s tastes and temper, ideals and interests. It is found that jealousy is also another emotion, which kills the marriage life. Each partner should think in terms of “We” and not “I”. Minor issues must not be given importance.
Lastly, I would like to point out that the relationships acquired by marriage are equally important, if not more, and hence, have to be carefully cultivated. Marriage is one such contract with its own key to success. Both mates can begin to make little adjustments, little allowances and compromises to make life easier.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
A Congress worker was allegedly stabbed to death, reportedly over a post on social media, in suburban Ghatkopar here in the wee hours on Monday.
Manoj Dubey (45) was stabbed by two or three unidentified assailants near Asalpha Metro Station around 1.30 AM, a police official said.
A police team took him to hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, the official added.
Asked about some media reports which said a political post he had written on social media could have led to the killing, the official stated that the exact reason for the attack was yet to be ascertained.
Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was a key witness in the rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was found dead in Punjab’s Jalandhar on Monday.
“Father Kattuthara used to stay in a church in Dasuya. He was 62. The Father was taken to a hospital where he was later declared dead. I have been told that there were no marks on his body and he vomited on bed. They have also found a blood pressure tablet. He was not provided security. Now we will do post-mortem,” AR Sharma, DSP, Dasuya told agencies.
Bishop Mulakkal, who recently came out on bail from a Kerala jail, is facing allegations of repeatedly raping a nun of his own congregation, a charge that he denies.
The allegations against the senior catholic priest whipped up a storm, polarising the church hierarchy with several priests speaking against Bishop Mulakkal.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) booking its own Special Director Rakesh Asthana in an alleged bribery case. Gandhi said that the investigative agency has become a weapon of “political vendetta” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“The PM’s blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre officer, of Godra SIT fame, infiltrated as No. 2 into the CBI, has now been caught taking bribes. Under this PM, the CBI is a weapon of political vendetta. An institution in terminal decline that’s at war with itself,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
An FIR has been registered against Asthana, number 2 in CBI, for allegedly demanding and taking a bribe from a businessman related to controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi. Asthana was heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was probing Qureshi’s case.
The CBI has also registered a case against others, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police in its SIT, under sections pertaining to Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Supreme Court on Monday said it would decide tomorrow as to when the petitions, seeking review of its Sabarimala verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the temple, will be listed for hearing.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul considered the submissions of lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that his petition seeking review of the constitutional bench judgment be listed for urgent hearing.
“We know that there are 19 review petitions pending. By tomorrow we will decide,” the bench said.
Nedumpara was mentioning the petition filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association.
A five-judge constitution bench by a ratio of 4:1 had held that women of all age groups should be allowed entry in Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at Red Fort to mark the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of Azad Hind Sarkar by freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Modi lauded the contribution of Netaji towards India’s freedom struggle. He hailed Bose’s spirit of nationalism. Modi attacked the Congress party for sidelining the contribution of leaders like Netaji, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B R Ambedkar.
Veteran Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan said, “Modi is fascinated with the idea of making any occasion into an event. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was an important leader of the Indian freedom struggle. The problem with RSS Parivar is that none of them contributed towards India’s freedom struggle nor they had been imprisoned for a day for the sake of independence.”
“Instead of listing his achievements, Modi always tries to compare his four years’ reign with the 60 years of Congress. Modi just wants to absorb the heritage of freedom struggle which was fought under the leadership of Congress,” he added.
The question which arises here is that why is PM Modi speaking highly about Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s contribution towards Indian freedom movement? Since Netaji is a popular leader in West Bengal, BJP is trying to gain a foothold in the state by using his name. The Modi government is also keen to oust the Trinamool Congress which is in power in the state. It had declassified several files pertaining to Netaji in January 2015.
BJP spokesperson Madhu Chavan said, “Honouring and praising a notable leader like Subhash Chandra Bose can never be a political strategy especially the BJP doesn’t believe in politicising by using the name of such freedom fighters as the electoral agenda.” When asked about the necessity for Modi to attack the Nehru-Gandhi family in his speech at Hind Azad Government’s anniversary, he refused to comment anything regarding the PM.
Both BJP and TMC have been at the loggerheads with each other over various issues in Bengal. BJP president Amit Shah has been holding rallies in the state. The party is aiming to win at least 22 seats out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Shah is personally planning to visit every district of the state prior to polls. BJP leadership has also decided to aggressively campaign for the passage of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in Bengal.
Former judge of Bombay High Court Justice B.G Kolse-Patil said, “It would have been acceptable if Modi had just praised the great leader Subhash Chandra Bose but the motive was to defame the Congress, Nehru-Gandhi family and also the independence movement which was not necessary at all. BJP has only one agenda left with them and that is to win the elections. Now the BJP is using Sardar Patel’s name but the truth is that earlier, he had warned about the party calling the Sangathan as a dangerous one.”
Even the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been trying to cash in on Netaji’s name to connect with voters. She stated that people have a right to know what happened to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose after the Taihoku air crash in 1945. Three years ago, her government had declassified the files related to Netaji. “On this day in 2015 our government declassified the #NetajiFiles. What happened to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose after the air crash at Taihoku? People deserve to know the truth,” she posted in a tweet. Netaji’s family has been demanding for the declassification of the secret files as they expect that it will help in answering questions related to his mysterious disappearance in 1945.
BJP spokesperson Shivray Kulkarni said, “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a great freedom fighter and his name is being honoured for years now, not just by one party but all the parties. It is unfortunate that in our country even praising the name of such eminent leaders are considered as the political strategy.”
When asked about Modi’s attack on Nehru-Gandhi family in his speech, he replied, “The clan is our opposition so why should we praise them? Today’s generation of Nehru-Gandhi family is taking advantage of the contribution of the party’s previous generation’s towards freedom struggle. It was shameful that until now, Subhash Chandra Bose was not honoured considering his contribution towards our nation’s independence movement.”
Meanwhile, PM Modi announced that police personnel doing outstanding work will be honoured with the national award in the name of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. After hoisting the national flag, PM Modi also unveiled the plaque to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Azad Hind government. The plaque will be placed at barrack number three at Red Fort where members of the Azad Hind Fauj faced trial.
Recently, India has been taken by a storm on the social media by the movement #metoo. It has put many big names from the media, politics, and entertainment industry into the dock. But the way things are developing and the kind of responses we’ve seen from many eminent people or supporters of this campaign, it has definitely exposed the two-faced campaign and its campaigners. Let’s discuss few such cases:
The campaign has just resulted into the resignation of MoS for External Affairs, MJ Akbar. It was Priya Ramani who first went ahead and made statements about the minister’s inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment on social media when he was in journalism. Later on, many more journalists and former journalists came forward and shared their experience about MJ Akbar’s predatory behaviour. We know that when the allegations were levelled, Akbar was travelling abroad on an official tour. In his absence, few ministers expressed their opinion covertly that he should resign. But later on, there was a gagging order by the BJP leadership to prevent all its leaders, ministers, and spokespersons speaking on the issue. It was assumed that Akbar will step down or will be told to do so once he’s back as the BJP which always raised the slogan “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” was not supposed to tolerate such allegations. But surprisingly, Akbar neither resigned nor faced the media when he returned but issued a statement denying all the allegations as false and filed a defamation case against Priya Ramani. However, it was not Priya Ramani alone who made statements about Akbar, but there were more than 15 ladies. What stopped Akbar from taking this legal step against all other accusers? It seems on feeling the heat, the BJP leadership was later forced to take a U-turn and asked MJ Akbar to step down. Now, there is the other face of the case. Priya Ramani who took the leadership in campaign against Akbar is a well-known personality in media. Her husband is also a prominent personality of media and a big name that’s known fearless in journalism. In fact, they both are considered to be the bigwigs of power corridors of the Media. What stopped her to open her mouth all these years? In her case, it can’t be said that all these years she was working under MJ Akbar or some kind of threat was preventing her to do so. Her husband who is making tall claims on social media showing solidarity with his wife, what stopped him for all those years? Also, we did see some so-called prominent female journalists writing many articles, social media posts, doing TV debates in the support of Priya Ramani and demanding MJ Akbar’s resignation. A few of them are Barkha Dutt, Pallavi Ghosh, Nidhi Razdan, Sagarika Ghose, Saba Naqvi, etc. It was really shocking that all these journalists were actually campaigning in a political way but not feminists or journalists. None of them said or suggested that Priya Ramani should take the legal course and bring MJ Akbar to justice. The only thing they were asking was for Minister’s resignation for allegedly what wrong he did many years ago as a journalist. When MJ Akbar filed the defamation suit, these entire so-called journalists started raising hue and cry that he was trying to suppress the victims. These journalists are so double-faced that they want to do mob justice to the so-called accused. Just because MJ Akbar is accused of something, does it take away his right to defend himself? Also, these journalists are such liars that when MJ Akbar filed the case they peddled the lie that he has hired 92 lawyers to sue Priya Ramani by posting the “Vakalatnama”. They are not that naive to not know whether if you hire a law firm, all the lawyers of the firm sign a “Vakalatnama” so that any of them can attend the case on any given date. It doesn’t mean that all of them are going to appear on each date. Also, what MJ Akbar allegedly did as a journalist many years ago, same charges has been made against Vinod Dua who is still a journalist. We were astonished to see that none of these feminist and self-proclaimed honest journalists raised their voice against him. Why? In our opinion, they should have gone after Dua first as he still shares their profession. But sadly, it doesn’t suit their agenda and the so-called victims of Dua are less important females than Priya Ramani in their view.
Let’s take the case of Vinod Dua now. It is well-known that Dua is the father of comedian Mallika Dua. She is well-known for her abusive tweets, statements, and stand-ups. When #metoo campaign struck film actor Alok Nath, she posted abusive tweets addressing Nath and endorsing the campaign showing her solidarity with all the victims. Surprisingly, when some so-called #metoo victims of her father Dua came ahead and shared their story that how Dua hounded them, molested them, and sexually exploited them, this same lady posted her solidarity with Dua, but not with the victims. Also, Dua, about whom the victims have come ahead and narrated their horrific experiences, happens to be a journalist on a leading position with “The Wire”. The same “The Wire” has done many stories against all the #metoo campaign accused but when it came to Dua, no action was taken against him. Rather, they issued a statement saying that all the allegations are of the time when Dua was not working with them. Does this make Dua less criminal if at all the allegations are true? And most shocking part came two days back when Dua was seen brazenly mocking and talking about the allegation levelled against him in a story video of “The Wire”. “The Wire” has not even protected and defended Dua but also gave its platform to the man to mock the movement and his victims. And sadly no Barkha Dutt, Pallavi Ghosh, Nidhi Razdan, Sagarika Ghose, Saba Naqvi are talking about it.
Nandita Das, the known actress, and director is a well-known rationalist, feminist, known for her views and was also very vocal about the #metoo campaign. Recently, a few so-called victims of her father Jatin Das came forward and exposed him. After that, we have not heard much from this rationalist/feminist actress except one post showing solidarity with her father. So much for feminism? Again sadly no Barkha Dutt, Pallavi Ghosh, Nidhi Razdan, Sagarika Ghose, Saba Naqvi is talking about it.
Last but not the least, recently, there was a murmuring on a social circuit that one hardcore right-winger female has her story too on #metoo when she was molested in a BJP MP’s office by her senior and this “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” party MP did nothing about it but tried saving the accused. And now we are witnessing many defensive and denial statements from this MP’s office which is proved to be false and getting exposed by the victim herself on social media. Yes, we are talking about Sonam Mahajan, a well-known right-winger lady known for her fearless social media posts, statements, and views. She was hired on a one year contract by BJP MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar in Bangalore as a strategist in October 2017 on the payrolls of Namma Bengaluru foundation run by the MP. However, she was reporting to Abhinav Khare who’s the COO of Asianet, one of the MP’s media companies. A month after her joining, Mahajan filed a sexual harassment case with the HR against Khare. The investigation got completed in June 2018 which was supposed to get completed within 90 days as per the company laws. However, the report vindicated Mahajan’s complaint and recommended punitive measures against Khare which actually never happened. Rather Mahajan was relieved from her duties and the lawyer from the same firm took a gagging order from the court for Mahajan to not speak openly in public about the issue. She kept silent because of the court directions but has now been forced to open up as Khare and Rajeev Chandrashekhar, both have been issuing statements to the media on this issue. It was expected that since Sonam Mahajan is a staunch right-wing asset, there will be voices coming out from BJP and right-wing feminist and media in support of her. But here we are! Not a single BJP leader or a female leader has spoken yet on the matter. Rajeev Chandrashekhar has issued a statement denying that Sonam Mahajan was a core member of her team but Mahajan has demolished his claims by posting counter proofs on the social media. Madhu Kishwar, who initially supported Mahajan, has also turned her back and is now actually criticising her and questioning for her credentials. OpIndia, a supposed BJP, and right-leaning media website, did a story on the issue and tried defending the accused MP and tried putting Mahajan under question too. It is to be noted that OpIndia is led by another staunch right-wing lady and feminist named Nupur. So much for Rights and Beti?
There are many other cases where we’ve seen the double face of media, accused, and the accusers. Moreover, it could have been a campaign of women’s benefit if at all the so-called self-proclaimed feminists which they are not, self-proclaimed honest journalists which they are not, self-proclaimed torchbearers of “Beti Bachao” which they could have either stayed away or have been involved honestly and truly. Things could have been different!
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday called Chief Minister Nitish Kumar greedy for power, over the rising crime graph the state. Yadav questioned the Chief Minister’s silence on important issues including special status for Bihar.
Yadav, was in Patna, at an event to pay homage to the first Chief Minister of Bihar, Krishna Singh.
Speaking at the event, Yadav said, “Nitish Kumar has become so helpless that he is unable to take action against culprits. He has become so greedy that he doesn’t see anything beyond his CM post. Now wherever he goes he is welcomed with shoes and he says that we are doing it”
Continuing his tirade against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the RJD leader criticised the state government over the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case and also stated that Bihar’s crime rate has been highest ever since Nitish Kumar came in power and sided with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“The two engine government of Bihar has failed in providing better facilities and development to the people of Bihar. The whole nation was ashamed of what happened in Muzaffarpur, with the corruption and how criminals are roaming free.”
Tejashwi Yadav also accused the centre and state government of misusing their power to suppress and punish people who speak the truth.
Yadav also criticised the Chief Minister for his silence on crucial issues. “The Chief Minister is silent on issues like Special status for Bihar, inflation, rate of crime in the state. Bihar was supposed to get a special package of Rs. 1.25 lakh, what about that? The Chief Minister speaks only according to his comfort,” he added.
Comparing the 10-year rule of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) with that of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in two terms, Yadav said that under the UPA’s rule, Bihar got Rs 1.44 lakh crore.
The RJD leader, who embarked on the second leg of ‘Samvidhan Bachao Nyaya Yatra’ on Sunday from Chhapra, said that he will cover several districts in the campaign.
“The second phase of ‘Samvidhan Bachao Nyaya Yatra’ will start from Chhapra and we will cover at least 11 districts, to reach out to people. Under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA, our constitution and our reservation are in danger. They want to destroy our constitution and impose their agenda and ideology. We will address these issues.”
He concluded saying that the time has come for people to work collectively for the development of the state.
