Filmmaker Ali Akbar was ‘sexually abused in Kerala madrasa’, says nobody speaks out of fear

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November 30, 2015

Days after a Kerala-based journalist spoke about the sexual exploitation of her classmates in a madrasa, Malayalam film director Ali Akbar on Monday claimed that he too was sexually abused by an ustad (teacher) during his younger days.

Akbar further revealed that he was sexually abused by his ustad as he visited a madrasa during his youth.

The filmmaker maintained that the incidents of sexual exploitation happen a lot in Kerala madrasas, but no one would speak against them because of their fear of religion.

Akbar, while making the sensational claim, alleged that the religious leaders would kill people who dared to speak about such instances in public.

He further said that no action would be taken against the culprits as they are a vote bank.

While speaking out his heart on the issue, Akbar said there is so much of agitation on the beef row, but there’s not a single strike on cases related to sexual harassment in madrassas.

Akbar’s sensational statements came days after VP Rajeena, a Kozhikode-based senior journalist associated with a prominent Malayalam newspaper, claimed to have witnessed the alleged immoral conduct of madrasa instructors.

The journalist came under a fierce attack on social media and even her profile was deactivated by Facebook.

SP leader Azam Khan stirs fresh controversy, says RSS leaders are homosexuals

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan has triggered a fresh controversy with his remarks on homosexuality.

The loudmouth SP leader, while commenting on the contentious issue of homosexuality, said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members are like that (homosexuals).

Driving his point home, Khan maintained “this is the reason why the RSS people don’t marry.”

The RSS has, however, taken a strong objection to Azam Khan’s statement and said that the SP leader has lost his mental balance.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also objected to his remarks.

Khan’s comments came after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, last Saturday, said that the “judgment on gay sex should be reconsidered” by the Supreme Court.

“Supreme Court’s 2014 verdict banning gay sex is not in accordance with evolving legal jurisprudence and court needs to reconsider it,” Jaitley said while speaking at Times LitFest.

Jaitley said that after independence, the judicial system in the country was “weak” as it was “overpowered” by the governments. But there were many landmark rulings that “resisted” the government’s authority, he added.

Parliament deadlock resolved, Md Salim’s ‘Hindu ruler’ remark against Rajnath expunged

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

With the Narendra Modi government reaching out to the Opposition to ensure the smooth passage of several crucial bills like GST, the Parliament took up a debate on the “situation arising out of incidents of intolerance” in the country under rule 193 on Monday.

For the first time since the Winter Session began last Thursday, there were repeated adjournments in the Lok Sabha. The debate resumed only after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said Mr Salim’s remarks would be removed from the proceedings.

Rajnath Singh strongly denied ever saying that India had the “first Hindu ruler after 800 years” after Narendra Modi came to power at the head of a BJP government last year.

Mr. Salim, initiating the debate on “intolerance” in the Lok Sabha, had said: “How did fringe elements get the courage? I want to question the home minister. When Modi came to power, he said “800 saal baad koi hindu phir se is desh ka shaasak bana hai (After 800 years, this country has a Hindu ruler once again.) Is this democracy? Is this secularism? Is it a part of the Constitution?”

CPI-M MP Md Salim refuses to withdraw statement, saying saying it was ‘ridiculous’ on the part of the government to ask him to withdraw his statement. “You are in power, order a probe and investigate. As a reader (of the magazine) I have quoted what I said. I bought the magazine,” Salim said.

“I will not abide by any other ruling except that of the Chair,” he added.

As the House reconvened at 2.05 pm, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy urged CPI-M MP Salim to withdraw his statement till the quote attributed to Rajnath Singh is proved.

Debate on intolerance unwarranted

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Mahendra Singh

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November 30, 2015

Few days back India celebrated the Constitution day. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that secularism is the most misused term in the country. He said that leaders should stop misusing the word as it has been the source of much tension and misinterpretation. Shiv Sena backed Rajnath Singh and criticized the Congress for amending the constitution to suit its dirty politics. Former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said that the day we drop secularism, we will be destroying the very foundation of Indian republic. Show me one leader who spoke about directive principles?

None of us including the MPs realize that they cannot change the constitution simply because the ruling combination does not possess the required numbers in the Rajya Sabha. Despite this, they talk about changing the constitution or redefining certain words. Don’t you think that all of them are wasting time and money?

Presently there is an urgent need to control the population and instilling discipline among citizens. Look at the irresponsible comments posted by people on social networking sites like facebook and twitter. Netizens are misusing these medium to spread hate and enmity which must be stopped.

The entire nation is involved in a needless debate on religious intolerance. Intolerance is something that was always prevalent in the society. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu spoke about ISIS and RSS in parliament without realizing that both are unregistered entities. I will urge the RSS to concentrate on citizen development. Let them impart training to youth so that they can become employable and sustain themselves.

Parliament must discuss about steps to be taken for curtailing rising food prices, progress on electric power generation, provision of safe drinking water to citizens. These are basic issues which needs to be addressed first when we talk about development. Progress does not mean bricks, mortar, cement and steel, it primarily means augmenting food production and reducing poverty. Did you hear any leader speaking about this topic in parliament? Prime Minister Narendra Modi must listen and give importance to other leaders also. He must become a father figure and lead from the front. He must appeal citizens to join national service voluntarily for a short span and can even make it applicable to those who intend to serve the state civil services and join IAS.

Deepika Padukone keen to try her hand at film production

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Unperturbed by box office profits and losses, actress Deepika Padukone says she wants to venture into film production in near future because she likes to organise things.

The 29-year-old star, whose latest on-screen outing ‘Tamasha’ opposite Ranbir Kapoor is doing good at the box office, said her motive of trying her luck in production is not to mint money.

“I want to venture into production and be a producer or line producer some day because I feel I have that kind of personality. I like to organise, put things together and make things happen. I don’t want to be a producer because I want to make money,” said Deepika.

The actress said though she still does not have much understanding of the technical aspect of filmmaking but by becoming a producer she wants to bring out films, which audience can enjoy.

“I just don’t want to get involved in any kind of business in context of cinema. Profit, loss, box office none of that,” she added.

When asked if given a chance, what all films of hers she would like to produce, Deepika said, “It would be ‘Piku’, ‘Love Aajkal’, ‘Cocktail’ and ‘Tamasha’ because these films are very close to my heart and they are special for me.”

Not getting married for a year at least: Preity Zinta

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Actress Preity Zinta has denied her marriage reports, saying she has no plans of tying the knot for a year.

The “Veer-Zaara” star, 40, who is dating Gene Goodenough, was reported to be getting hitched with her American boyfriend in January next year.

“Also It’s getting a bit weird telling people that I’m not getting married in January. I don’t want to hear this word or have this discussion for another year at least… Plssssss,” she posted on Twitter.

Jim Carrey turns beardy for ‘True Crime’

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Jim Carrey has started shooting for his new flick ‘True Crime’ and he looks very serious.

The 53-year-old actor was snapped in Krakow with a serious look on his face and a bushy beard during the filming of Alexandros Avranas’ new thriller.

‘ True Crime’ is based on Polish criminal history and also features Polish stars, including Agata Kulesza, Maja Ostaszewska, and Robert Wieckiewiscz.

The last time Carrey played a serious role was in the psychological thriller ‘The Number 23’ in 2007.

Kendall Jenner poses naked with horse

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Model Kendall Jenner has stripped naked for a photoshoot that shows her lying on her back on a horse.

The 20-year-old posted the image on Instagram. The reality star can be seen leaning back with her legs hanging lose and the silhouette of her curvy derriere is visible.

Kendall is seen lifting her arms and placing her hands just in front of her breast to cover up her modesty.

Kourtney lays down rules for Scott Disick

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian has warned her former lover Scott Disick that she will pay heed to his pleas for a reconciliation only if he abides by some rules that she has set.

The “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star, who has children Mason, 5, Penelope, 3, and Reign, 11 months, wants to be sure that Disick has changed his partying ways.

“There are ground rules he has to abide by, cutting off all club appearances, staying sober, being a father who’s there more and being a part of the family,” Disick’s friend and manager David Weintraub told a leading magazine.

Kourtney also wants Disick to avoid contact with his ex-lovers and find new ways to make money.

“He has to show Kourtney he can handle this and not revert back to his old ways,” Weintraub said.

Since their split earlier this year, the 36-year-old has been showing off her slender and toned figure on social media. This was “hurtful” to Disick.

“If you see your ex looking beautiful and you realise you’ve made some poor decisions, it’s hurtful. I think it makes him want to win her back even more,” added Weintraub.

Will farmers’ suicide stop now?

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Afternoon Voice

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November 29, 2015

Will the Chief Minister’s relief fund be effectively used to provide relief to the drought hit farmers?

As per the RTI application filed by activist Anil Galgali it has been revealed that the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has grown by Rs 253 crore in the last one year and its current balance stood at over Rs 188 crore. Farmers’ suicide have been reported in the drought hit areas of Maharashtra due to poor monsoon and crop failure. Will the Chief Minister’s relief fund be effectively used to provide relief to the drought hit farmers? Can we expect that henceforth there will be a drastic reduction in the number of farmers committing suicide? Will the state government provide loan waiver to farmers and resolve the issues faced by them? Since several villages in the state have been reeling under drought citizens, NGOs and actors had come forward to donate money to debt ridden farmers.

The onus now lies on the state government to effectively disburse the money to farmers.

RTI activist Anil Galgali said, “If 253 crore is distributed among 25,300 farmers with each one of them receiving Rs 1 lakh then we can avert farmer suicides. It depends upon the CM to give priority to offer financial assistance to farmers who are worst affected by drought. Due to bureaucratic hurdles the farmers are yet to receive the aid from government. The government is least bothered about the problems faced by farmers.”

When AV spoke to Avadhut Wagh, BJP spokesperson he said, “This is one of the ways to help farmers. The government of Maharashtra is not leaving a single stone unturned to reach out to farmers to help them.”

“No, such kind of step won’t solve the farmer’s issue permanently as only 40 per cent of funds will reach them. The state should come out with a long term solution to address this issue. Steps must be taken to bring more area under irrigation to resolve the water scarcity problem” said Nitesh Rajhans Singh, youth leader and son of ex-MLA and former opposition leader in BMC Rajhans Singh.

“I think this initiative won’t solve the problem faced by farmers. We need the Chief Minister, Prime Minister and Indian government to remain committed towards the plight of our farmers. Unfortunately our farmers are neglected and left to die by the government. Pre-election promises remain unfulfilled as farmer suicides have not stopped,” said Ramesh Solanki, member of Shiv Sena IT cell.

“BJP government can spend more than 1000 crores on their election campaign and at the same time only allocate a minimal amount for farmers who are the backbone of our country,” said Parmeshwar Upadhyay, ex-nation delegate NSUI, youth congress leader.

Data with the agriculture department shows that in 2015, two-thirds of the 1.37crore farmers in the state of Maharashtra have been affected by the drought mainly in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. That is nearly 90 lakh farmers in Maharashtra alone.

According to the state’s revenue department figures, the farmer suicide count in the six-month span from January to June this year stood at 1,300 cases.