The Delhi court sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody until April 15 in a liquor graft case on Monday, less than three weeks before the country begins voting in national elections.
Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal sent to judicial custody until April 15 in graft case
Prez confers Bharat Ratna on ex-PMs Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, 2 others posthumously
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday conferred Bharat Ratna on former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan and two-time former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, posthumously at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The country’s highest civilian honour to Rao, Singh, Swaminathan and Thakur were received by their kin at a ceremony attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.
”As the ninth prime minister of India, P V Narasimha Rao led far-reaching economic reforms. Earlier, in his youth, he had taken an active part in the freedom struggle, especially against the misrule and oppression in the Nizam-ruled Hyderabad. He was known for his command over several languages and literature,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X.
On behalf of Rao, Bharat Ratna was received by P V Prabhakar Rao, his son, it added.
P V Narasimha Rao was prime minister from 1991 to 1996. Often referred to as the Chanakya of Indian politics, he is known for initiating far-reaching economic reforms and for his skilful political manoeuvring.
He was the first prime minister from the south, the first Congress leader from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family to complete a full five-year term and the man who steered India through the turbulent early 1990s.
Born in an agrarian family at Karimnagar (now in Telangana), on June 28, 1921, Rao had the distinction of holding important non-economic portfolios at the Centre — External Affairs, Defence and Home — at different times in the 1980s. He died on December 23, 2004, at the age of 83.
In another post, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, ”Chaudhary Charan Singh was an ardent patriot. He was imprisoned many times during the freedom struggle. His contribution to zamindari abolition and land reforms, and his deep understanding of the economy, especially rural and agricultural economy are respectfully remembered. His connect with farmers was legendary.” On behalf of Chaudhary Charan Singh, Bharat Ratna was received by Jayant Chaudhary, his grandson, it added.
Chaudhary Charan Singh, a Jat leader from western Uttar Pradesh, was prime minister between July 28, 1979 and January 14, 1980. He died in 1987. Born on December 23, 1902, at Noorpur in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh in a middle-class family, Singh shifted to Meerut in 1929 and later joined the Congress.
President Murmu conferred Bharat Ratna upon M S Swaminathan posthumously, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
”Swaminathan played a major role in making India self-sufficient in food production. He is known as the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution’. With his exceptional insight into the entire agricultural value chain, he guided several initiatives for research, education, and development of new varieties and methods,” it said.
Swaminathan dedicated his entire life to the goal of food and nutrition security for all.
”He was working on promoting sustainable agriculture with his vision of ‘evergreen revolution’,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
Swaminathan’s daughter Nitya Rao received the award.
Swaminathan, who died on September 28, 2023, at the age of 98, is most widely known for transforming India from a drought-stricken country dependent on the United States for foodgrain imports in the 1960s to being declared self-sufficient in food production in 1971.
Fondly addressed as MS by his friends and colleagues, Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, in his long career, demonstrated what he advocated — developing new varieties for food security — and ensured bumper crops by working side by side with farmers.
Born in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu on August 7, 1925, to Dr M K Sambasivan and Parvati Thangammai, Swaminathan played a significant role in changing the trajectory of the agriculture sector when farmers were dependent on archaic farming techniques.
A former Rajya Sabha member (2007-13), Swaminathan received 84 honorary doctorate degrees from universities around the world.
About Thakur, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. ”Shri Karpoori Thakur was a freedom fighter and a champion of equality and inclusive development. He was known for his simple living and selfless actions. On behalf of the late Shri Karpoori Thakur, Bharat Ratna was received by Shri Ramnath Thakur, his son.” Working tirelessly to improve the lives of the disadvantaged people, Karpoori Thakur commanded high regard and had earned the honorific, ‘Jan-Nayak’ (people’s leader), it said. Socialist icon Thakur served as Bihar chief minister from December 1970 to June 1971 and from December 1977 to April 1979. He was a key figure in the struggle against social discrimination and inequality.
A fountainhead of OBC politics in Bihar, Thakur was born on January 24, 1924, in one of the most backward sections of society- the Nai Samaj (barber community). His political journey was marked by his unwavering commitment to the marginalised sections of society.
His tenure as the chief minister is best remembered for the implementation of the Mungeri Lal Commission recommendations, whereby quotas for backward classes were introduced in the state. He died on February 17, 1988.
This year, the government announced five Bharat Ratna awards, including one to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart and former deputy prime minister L K Advani.
Congress shouldn’t allow itself to be arm-twisted by Sena (UBT): Nirupam on LS seats in Mumbai
In the wake of the Shiv Sena (UBT) announcing 17 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Saturday said his party should not allow itself to be arm-twisted by the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit for the seats in Mumbai. He claimed that the Sena (UBT) was not in a position to win any seat without Congress’ support. Earlier this week, the Sena (UBT) brought out a list of 17 candidates, and said it would contest a total of 22 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra.
These seats included four in Mumbai. Nirupam himself is eyeing to contest the Mumbai North-West seat from where he lost in 2019, However, the Thackeray-led party’s move triggered unease among the other two Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies – Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) – as the three parties are yet to finalise the seat-sharing deal for the Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in five phases in Maharashtra starting April 19.
Talking to PTI, Nirupam said, ”The Congress should not come under the threat of Shiv Sena (UBT) as the Uddhav Thackeray-led party is not capable of winning any seat without Congress support.” ”Shiv Sena (UBT) arm-twisted the Congress to take five of the six seats in Mumbai. But the Congress should not allow itself to be arm-twisted like this. This action is against the Congress and it’s a ploy to finish off the party in the city,” the former Mumbai Congress chief alleged.
He said if the Congress is considering friendly fights in the disputed constituencies, he was ready for it. He was responding to Congress leader Naseem Khan’s statement that the party’s state unit has sent a proposal to its central leadership seeking permission to have friendly fights in the six seats in Mumbai. ”Congress should go for friendly fights in Sangli, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai South-Central and Bhiwandi,” Nirupam said.
He reiterated his stand of giving a week’s time to his party’s leadership, following which he will take a decision on his future course of action (on contesting the Mumbai North-West seat). Earlier this week, Nirupam slammed his party leadership for allowing Sena (UBT) to grab most of the Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, and said ”all options were open” before him.
ED wants AAP’s LS poll strategy details from Kejriwal’s phone: Atishi
The Enforcement Directorate is working as BJP’s political weapon and it wants to get details of AAP’s Lok Sabha election strategy by accessing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s phone, senior AAP leader Atishi alleged on Friday.
Kejriwal, who is the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested by the central probe agency on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and is in its custody till April 1. The insistence of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to look into Kejriwal’s mobile-phone, which is a few months old and did not exist when the policy was formed and implemented, proves that the agency is working as a “political weapon” of the BJP, Atishi alleged at a press conference.
The AAP leader, who is a minister in the Kejriwal government, said that “actually it is the BJP and not the ED that wants to know what is there on Kejriwal’s phone”.
The excise policy was implemented in 2021-22 and the chief minister’s current phone is just a few months old, she claimed.
The ED has said that Kejriwal’s phone of that period is not available, and now, it wants the password of his new phone, Atishi said.
“They want it because they will find in it details of AAP’s Lok Sabha poll strategy, campaign plans, talks with INDIA bloc leaders and information regarding media and social media strategy,” she said.
The bloc has been formed by some opposition parties, including the AAP, the TMC, the Congress, the DMK and the SP, to counter the BJP in the parliamentary polls.
The 2021-22 policy was scrapped following allegations corruption.
Biden administration approves USD 60mn in aid after Baltimore bridge disaster
United States President Joe Biden’s administration has approved USD 60 million in emergency funds to support cleanup and reconstruction efforts in the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster in Maryland’s Baltimore, Al Jazeera reported on Friday. The Federal Highway Administration said on Thursday it provided the “quick release” funds to rebuild the collapsed bridge within hours of receiving a request from the Maryland Department of Transportation.
The swift disbursement of the funds came after Biden earlier this week said he had directed the government to “move heaven and earth” to quickly rebuild the bridge, which collapsed on Tuesday after being struck by a cargo ship. “No one will ever forget the shocking images of a container vessel striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and the tragic loss of six people,” US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
“The federal emergency funds we’re releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress. President Biden has been clear: The federal government will do everything it takes to help rebuild the bridge and get the Port of Baltimore back open.” The announcements of the funds came as Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned of a “very long road ahead” to recover from the disaster as experts considered how to remove the Singapore-flagged Dali from the mangled wreckage of the bridge.
“The Dali is almost as long as the Eiffel Tower, and the Dali has the Key Bridge on top of it. We’re talking 3,000 or 4,000 tonnes of steel that’s sitting on top of that ship,” Moore said. Authorities have said they need clear wreckage from the ocean floor to reach the bodies of four missing workers believed to be trapped in their vehicles in a “superstructure” of concrete and other debris.
Divers on Wednesday, divers recovered the bodies of two workers from a pick-up truck near the bridge’s middle span. Federal officials have told Maryland lawmakers the final cost of reconstructing the bridge could reach USD 2 billion, Roll Call reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.
Moreover, three days after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasised that the rebuilding of the bridge would not take days or weeks, adding that “we have a very long road ahead of us.” Maryland Governor Wes Moore assured that they would take care of people, and emphasised the need to rebuild the bridge.
“One of the things we were taught is, that you always take care of your people. We are going to make sure that in this moment we take care of our people, and fourth, we need to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge…I want to be clear. This work will not take hours. This work will not take days. This work will not just take weeks. We have a very long road ahead of us. We understand that, and we’re preparing,” he said while addressing a Maryland Transportation Authority briefing. Governor Moore further highlighted that this is about the nation’s economy and not just about Maryland.
He added that the port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in America.”… I have said it before, I will say it again and I will keep on saying it. This is not just about Maryland. This is about the nation’s economy. The port handles more cars and farm equipment than any other port in America and at least 8,000 workers on the docks have jobs that have been directly affected by this collapse,” he said.
Indians should support Sonam Wangchuk
Wangchuk came into the limelight in 2009, when his story inspired Aamir Khan’s character Phunsukh Wangdu in the film 3 Idiots directed by Rajkumar Hirani. He has been referred as “The real life Phunsukh Wangdu”. Wangchuk is a Climate activist and he was on fast in Leh, all these while he took water and salt for the last 21 days. Wangchuk, who has been seeking protections for the fragile ecology and the indigenous culture of Ladakh had lot of expectations form central government. Wangchuk had been joined by hundreds in Leh as he slept outdoors over the last three weeks. He also urged people to “use their ballot power very carefully this time, in the interest of the nation”.
J&K and Ladakh were declared two separate UTs following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Soon after the euphoria of having an identity separate from J&K had died, Ladakhi people realised that creation of a UT left them without a legislature, depriving them of autonomy in governance. There are also concerns of adequate representation in govt jobs and land rights. In addition, Kargil, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim, was unhappy to be lumped with Buddhist- dominated Leh.
A profounder panic has set in at the blistering pace of ‘development’ projects that have been announced in the last two years. The Centre has cleared seven hydro-electric projects in the Indus basin and its tributaries while also commissioning ONGC to set up a geothermal energy power plant at Puga Valley and a hydrogen unit by NTPC. This has raised concerns among locals of large-scale clearance of forest land. Ladakhis believe their interests will only be protected if they have full statehood. They have also demanded tribal area status under the Sixth Schedule of Article 244 of the Constitution that will provide for establishing autonomous district councils (ADC) in Ladakh and Kargil. ADCs will have the power to impose taxes and make laws in areas such as village government and forest management, while staving off industrial and mining giants in this ecologically-sensitive region.
Ladakh has witnessed several protests over the last four years since it was carved out as a Union Territory, separating it from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. A high-powered committee with members from both Leh and Kargil regions was formed last year to hold deliberations with the Ministry of Home Affairs over their concerns regarding statehood, protections included in the sixth schedule of the Constitution, as well as issues of political representation. However, these talks reached an impasse over these two key issues on March 4 and Wangchuk began his fast on March 6.
In 2013, on the requests from students’ community of Ladakh, Wangchuk helped launch the New Ladakh Movement (NLM), a social campaign and Ladakh’s version of Green Party with the aim of working for sustainable education, environment and economy. It also aimed at uniting all local political leaders under one banner for the growth and development of Ladakh. Eventually, the members decided to make it into a non-political social movement.
In June 2020, in response to the India-China border skirmishes, Sonam Wangchuk appealed to Indians to use “wallet power” and boycott Chinese products. This appeal was covered by major media houses and supported by various celebrities. Following the Galwan Valley clash on 15 June 2020, there were calls across India to boycott Chinese goods.
On 26 January 2023, to highlight the effects of climate change on the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh and to demand its protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Wangchuk attempted to go on a fast at the Khardungla pass. However, the authorities prevented him from going to Khardungla by putting him under house arrest, restricting his movement, as well as restricting people from visiting him. The police denied the charges, stating that he had not been given permission to enter Khardung La pass, citing temperatures being unsuitable for the fast, at less than -40°C. They also detained a few of his students supporting him from the HIAL campus. Wangchuk continued to voice his protest and fasting from the HIAL campus.
In March 2024, he started a fast-unto-death to press for his demand for constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory and protection of Ladakh from industrial and mining lobbies. He also began a 21-day Climate Fast hunger strike for giving statehood to Union Territory Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. Wangchuk’s fast has been supported by various socio-political bodies in Ladakh, including the Kargil Democratic Alliance. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast in Leh because the government gave him assurance to fulfil his demands.
Kyle Richards recalls “amazing” advice she got from Rihanna
American actor Kyle Richards talked about the special advice she got from the pop queen Rihanna. She told Richards on how to deal with other women invading her privacy and demanding to know all the “intimacies” of her marriage, reported People. The 55-year-old ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star separated from husband Mauricio Umansky last summer after nearly three decades of marriage, and she met the 36-year-old Fenty founder on vacation in Aspen, Colorado, in December, when she made her way into a closed store and found the singer upstairs.
According to People, she revealed on the latest episode of SiriusXM’s ‘Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa’ that the singer, 36, gave her “amazing” advice after meeting in Aspen, Colorado, in December. “So, she was in Kemo Sabi when I was in Aspen,” explained Richards. “It was actually closed, Kemo Sabi, and I was heading home and I saw there was a light on and I was like, ‘Oh, I need to get something from there,’ and I knew they would open the door for me. So I knocked and they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s Kyle,’ and I saw them like saying something like, ‘What do we do,’ and I was like, What’s going on?'”
She said that after being let inside, the western clothing store’s workers informed her that Rihanna was upstairs. Richards then urged them to notify the ‘We Found Love’ singer that she was present and that she was aware Rihanna is “a fan of the show.”
“She stopped my daughter once and tapped my daughter on the shoulder when she was with a group of her friends, and my daughter turned around,” recalled Richards, noting that the singer told her daughter that she was “obsessed” with her family. After being invited upstairs, Richards said Rihanna was “so sweet” and gave her “all kinds of amazing advice about my marriage, the women, and how we’re handling things.”
“I haven’t told anybody this, but she said something that was so amazing to me and I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ She said, ‘Next time one of these women want to know all the details of the intimacies of your marriage, tell them ‘Why do I need to give you the blueprint to my home when I’m already renovated?'” said Richards. The television personality stated that she is unsure if it is “bad” to be outspoken about the advice the artist offered her.
“I was like, ‘This woman is so smart. She’s such a woman’s woman.’ She was so incredibly supportive and sweet and just such a beautiful person just inside and out,” said Richards. Elsewhere on the podcast, Richards said that she has not begun seeing other people since news broke of their separation from Mauricio Umansky last July. “I mean that day will come regardless because we are separated and we’re allowed to do what we want to do right now. That’s the way it is,” she said, reported People.
Ex-Army chief VK Singh sabotaged revocation of AFSPA in J-K, alleges Omar Abdullah
National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah Thursday accused BJP leader Gen (retd) V K Singh of sabotaging the revocation of AFSPA during the UPA-2 government when he was the Army chief.
”The home minister remembers AFSPA now. I fought for it (revocation of AFSPA) since 2011 when I was the chief minister. Where from did its opposition come from? It was Gen V K Singh, who was his ministerial colleague, and who was the chief of armed staff when I was the chief minister.
”Shah sahab, ask him (Singh) why did he stop the process to revoke AFSPA. Why did he sabotage it then? Why did he say that the Army will not accept it? Today, you are befooling the people that you will revoke AFSPA,” Abdullah said, addressing the party workers here in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The NC leader said the Union home minister should first ease the public movement on Srinagar-Jammu national highway.
”We will see about the AFSPA later, but at least ease the movement of people on highway and we will be grateful to you for that. As for now, stop the armymen from stopping our vehicles, harassing us on the highway when convoys passes through. Then we will accept that you can revoke AFSPA,” he added.
The former chief minister also said the Union home minister should start by releasing prisoners from J-K who are languishing in different jails across the country.
”Many of our youth are in jails outside the state. Release them first. They have started a new process now of forcing the children and grandchildren of separatists to publish advertisements in newspapers. You are repeating the era of which we have faced the brunt when our and Congress workers were forced to quit politics by announcing in newspapers,” he said.
Abdullah was referring to the public notices published in the newspapers recently in which Ruwa Shah, granddaughter of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and Sama Shabir, the elder daughter of Shabir Shah, owed an allegiance to the sovereignty of the country.
Later, speaking to reporters, Abdullah said it was regretful that the Union home minister remembered about AFSPA now.
”We have apprehensions that the way the people of Ladakh were befooled on Sixth Schedule, the same will happen with us. When the parliamentary polls conclude and the BJP loses all the five seats, they will forget about AFSPA,” he said.
TMC moves ECI against BJP’s Dilip Ghosh for controversial remarks against Mamata Banerjee
The Trinamool Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dilip Ghosh for allegedly making controversial remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Trinamool Congress said that BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has violated the Model Code of Conduct by making personal remarks.
Earlier, while addressing reporters in Durgapur, BJP MP Dilip Ghosh said that wherever Mamata Banerjee goes, she calls herself the daughter of that state, and “she must identify her own father”. “When Didi (CM Mamata Banerjee) goes to Goa, she calls herself the daughter of Goa. When she goes to Tripura, she says that she is the daughter of Tripura. She should first identify her own father…” Dilip Ghosh said.
Citing the clause under the poll code, which states that “no political party or candidate should indulge in any activities or make any statements that would amount to an attack on the personal life of any person or statements that may be malicious or offend decency and morality”, the ruling Bengal party urged the Election Commission to immediately take action against BJP MP Dilip Ghosh. “Mr Ghosh’s comments not only cross the boundaries of decency but also perpetuate a culture of misogyny and disrespect towards women in positions of power,” the letter to the poll body read.
The remarks by the BJP leader have drawn sharp criticism from the TMC leaders. “Such mentality of BJP leaders humiliates Nari Shakti. He earlier made derogatory remarks against Maa Durga. He should be arrested under the POCSO Act for what he said about Mamata Banerjee…” TMC leader Kirti Azad said.
West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja said that BJP leader Dilip Ghosh is such a petty man and such people should be defeated in the upcoming elections. “We are all the daughters of India. Wherever we go, we will be the daughters of India. Whichever state we visit, we will be its daughters. Dilip Ghosh is such a petty man. He is contesting elections and he thinks that he will win and become a public representative. Will such a man be the public representative?”
“The BJP’s DNA and its character are so bad that they are attacking women and Mamata Didi. They want to suppress and weaken women if they grow powerful. If this is the mindset of politicians, what will be the mindset of workers? What impact will it have on the ground level? If you insult women, atrocities against them will increase. Such people should be defeated. The Election Commission should take action. They are so greedy for power that they can stoop to any level. It is their frustration that is in action,” she added.
A London court will rule on whether WikiLeaks founder Assange can challenge extradition to the US
A London court is scheduled Tuesday to rule whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gets one final appeal in England to challenge extradition to the United States on espionage charges.
Two judges are due to issue a judgment in the High Court that could put an end to Assange’s long legal saga — or further extend it.
If he fails in winning the right to appeal, his legal team fears he could be swiftly sent to the US to face charges, though they’re likely to ask the European Court of Human Rights to block any transfer.
Assange, 52, has been indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over his website’s publication of a trove of classified US documents almost 15 years ago. American prosecutors allege that Assange encouraged and helped US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks published.
During a two-day hearing last month, Assange’s lawyers argued that he was a secrecy-busting journalist who exposed US military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sending him to the United States, they said, would expose him to a politically motivated prosecution and risk a “flagrant denial of justice.” The US government said that Assange’s actions went way beyond those of a journalist gathering information and put lives at risk in his bid to solicit, steal and indiscriminately publish classified government documents.
The Australian computer expert has been held in a British high-security prison for the past five years.
Assange’s family and supporters say his physical and mental health have suffered during more than a decade of legal battles, including taking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London from 2012 until 2019.
“Julian is a political prisoner and he has to be released,” said Stella Assange, who married the WikiLeaks founder in prison in 2022.
Assange’s lawyers say that he could face up to 175 years in prison if convicted, though American authorities have said the sentence is likely to be much shorter.