Avoid speculation, Raj and Uddhav will never come together

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August 12, 2015

Media reports about reconciliation between the two leaders when it doesn’t have any good story to publish.

There has always been reports in media about Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged brother MNS chief Raj Thackeray coming together. Whenever assembly or municipality elections approach, media start speculating about a patch up between the two cousins. On the other hand, both Raj and Uddhav deny that there has been any meeting between them and claim that the media reports are false. Media always cook up stories about reconciliation between two brothers whenever they meet but many times it turns out to be a personal meeting instead of a political one.

The Shiv Sena is an established political party in Maharashtra on the other hand MNS is yet to gain its foothold in the state. Few years back, the MNS had played spoilsport by winning 13 seats in the 2009 assembly polls and was emerging as a strong opponent of Sena. However voters have given a thumps down to the MNS in the 2014 assembly election as the party could manage to win only one seat prompting Raj Thackeray to rethink his poll strategy. The party now faces a tough task to revive itself in the state. Both leaders have often attacked each other politically. Even though politically the cousins have attacked each other – as a family they remained together. In July 2012, when Uddhav had to undergo angiography and angioplasty, Raj, his wife Sharmila, and other family members were by his side.

According to sources, “Why do media keep on publishing stories about Uddhav and Raj coming together? Has media lost its credibility? Media insiders know that there are slim chances of Raj and Uddhav coming together.”

A political commentator who doesn’t want to be recognised said, “Both Uddhav and Raj have ideological differences and they can’t come together. Raj is keen to have a single party rule in the state and hence he won’t go for an alliance with Shiv Sena.”

A senior journalist said, “Media report about such stories when it doesn’t have any good story to publish. Right now, Shiv Sena is placed in a better position in the state and doesn’t need the support of MNS. On the other hand, MNS will have to work hard to regain its lost ground in the state. People always attend Raj Thackeray’s rallies in large numbers to hear him but those numbers don’t translate into votes.”

A day after a local news channel reported that Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray met secretly, party MP Sanjay Raut termed the reports as “false” and said rumours are being floated to create political stir.

Quoting the Sena President, Raut in a release said, “Rumours are being made that the Sena and the MNS Presidents met for a political discussion last week. False information is being spread to create confusion. No such meeting has taken place between the two leaders.”

“Some people make rumours into news stories when there are no political events happening,” he said.

A private news channel had said that both the leaders had met at a secret place to discuss the upcoming elections of Kalyan-Dombivli and Kolhapur Municipal Corporations.

Raut said the Sena will emerge victorious in the upcoming Municipal elections of Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan-Dombivali. The elections are scheduled in October this year.

….so shall you reap, Mr. Arun Jaitley

By

Vaidehi Taman

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August 12, 2015

Lok Sabha TV aired visuals of the repeated disruptions and demonstrations in the Well of the Lower House for the first time in more than five years on Wednesday. The same type of ruckus was created by the BJP during UPA regime. Don’t think people forgot that, both the parties are anarchists. What can be done when people like this are sitting inside the parliament? During the UPA government and under Mr. Manmohan Singh’s leadership, Arun Jaitley and his party did the same disruption and disturbance and now they are getting the taste of their own medicine. This is the first time “Lok Sabha TV” “streamed live” the happening of the LS – only when the speaker requested it. The people of the country have the right to see and hear what is happening in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well as in state assemblies. A day after some members tore papers and threw them from the Well of the House; barriers were erected on Wednesday in Lok Sabha on both sides of the Secretary General’s chair.

On the other hand, Sushma Swaraj was very aggressive and out of control. Instead of clearing her side and defending against allegations, she was attacking the Congress. She shouted back at the Congress saying it had helped Bofors accused Ottavio Quattrocchi and Bhopal gas leak accused Warren Anderson flee from India. Making a statement in Lok Sabha, she specifically responded to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s charge that she had got money to help Lalit Modi by telling him to ask his “mamma” as to “how much money had taken from Quattrocchi” and “why did ‘daddy’ (Rajiv Gandhi) get released the killer of 15,000 people (in Bhopal gas leak),” an apparent reference to Anderson. Swaraj, who has been battling demands for her resignation over alleged ‘quid pro quo’ in relation to Lalit Modi, said, “this is called quid pro quo… Rahul should ask (his mother), why they did the quid pro quo” with regard to Quattrocchi and Anderson. While she spoke amid slogan-shouting by Congress members, Sonia Gandhi was seen listening to the speech in rapt attention using headphone.

All hell broke loose when a BJP member made certain remark against Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the context of black money when Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge was speaking on the Lalit Modi controversy. In an unusual move, she rushed into the Well and was followed by her party colleagues. Mr. Kharge insisted that nothing short of an apology was acceptable. As the uproar continued, Speaker adjourned the House for about an hour.

Swaraj also targeted former union minister P Chidambaram, saying he had failed to bring back Lalit Modi from United Kingdom as he did not try for his extradition as suggested by the host government and confined his requests to deportation. Swaraj said, there was no wrongdoing on her part saying that she was only helping Modi’s wife who is a cancer patient on humanitarian grounds. In a sign of thaw in the day, the government accepted the Opposition’s demand to discuss an adjournment motion on Swaraj’s alleged role in the Lalit Modi controversy. It was Swaraj, who requested the Speaker to accept a notice of adjournment given by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

As Opposition leader Kharge started to speak during the debate, Satish Kumar Goutam, the BJP MP from Aligarh, interrupted him. A furious Sonia Gandhi rushed down to the Well, raising fingers at the ruling party members. The Congress president asked what prompted the BJP parliamentarian to speak without permission. She was joined by other Congress lawmakers, including her son Rahul. The Trinamool and the Left too joined the protests. In the face of a united opposition, the Speaker adjourned the House till afternoon. Kharge kicked off the debate and held Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government responsible for the disruptions this monsoon session. He said if Parliament had taken up the Lalit Modi issue earlier, so much of time would not have been wasted. Kharge also demanded the PM’s presence in the House.

The principal opposition party has disrupted House business this session, demanding the resignation of foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje for allegedly helping former IPL chief Lalit Modi get UK travel documents. The Congress also wants the ouster of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the multi-crore Vyapam scandal. Kharge questioned why wasn’t an appeal filed against Lalit Modi, who has been issued a blue corner notice. He also said that Swaraj’s families were lawyers in the Lalit Modi case and that is why he was protected. Kharge also attacked finance minister Arun Jaitley, saying he too never initiated an inquiry despite knowing about Lalit Modi’s economic offence.

In Rajya Sabha, where the government desperately wants the Goods and Services Tax bill to pass, the logjam over the Lalit Modi and Vyapam issues continued on the penultimate day of the monsoon session. The House faced several adjournments before the chair called it a day. A section of the opposition asked the government to begin a debate followed by voting over the contentious issues, but no breakthrough could be achieved.

New complaint lodged against ‘godwoman’ Radhe Maa

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Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

A new complaint was on Wednesday filed at the suburban Borivali police station against ‘godwoman’ Radhe Maa alleging her involvement in promoting superstition.

Advocate Ashok Rajput who filed the complaint has demanded that Radhe Maa should be booked under the stringent Anti-Superstition Law not only for spreading superstition but also for practising “indecent behaviour”.

Mumbai Police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni said that the police had received the complaint against Radhe Maa and is looking into it.

“We are going into the merits of the complaint. Any further action would be taken only after enquiry and legal considerations,” Kulkarni said, adding that sections of the Anti-Superstition Act would be invoked only after proper circumstantial evidence is found.

The Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 was promulgated by the Maharashtra government to curb superstitious practices, claiming magical or miraculous remedies or powers.

“It is merely a complaint. An FIR would be registered only after we get substantiated and circumstantial evidences,” Kulkarni clarified, adding that the Act encompasses 12 clauses which criminalise acts involving superstitious activities.

Kulkarni also informed that the Mumbai police has been cracking down on such practises under the stringent and non-bailable act.

In 2013, the Mumbai police registered four cases under this act, but in 2014, the number of such cases registered jumped to 14, the police officer said.

Last week, a 32-year-old woman had filed a complaint of domestic violence and dowry harassment against her in-laws and Radhe Maa. She alleged that the ‘godwoman’ instigated her in-laws, who have been her followers for last several years.

Khadse slams Raj Thackeray for remarks over Yakub Memon’s hanging

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

Slamming MNS chief Raj Thackeray for criticising BJP over the hanging of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon, state Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse on Wednesday said everybody in Maharashtra knows who has the history of making “fiery” and “provocative” speeches.

“Everybody in Maharashtra knows who has been going to what limits to bring a riot-like situation in the state. The BJP has never supported this (provocative speeches) because we are a peace loving party,” said Khadse when asked to comment on Thackeray’s remarks.

“History is proof that none of our leader has ever given a speech that would incite communal violence nor have we ever supported people with such mentality.

“People also know who has a history of giving such fiery and provocative speeches that have high scope of flaring communal sentiments,” he said.

Thackeray, while addressing a gathering in Thane, had recently alleged that the BJP-led Centre and the state government had made Memon’s hanging episode a “drama” and looking at the turn of events preceding and succeeding the execution, it seems that the party wanted a “riot like situation” to break in the country.

He had also alleged that BJP was a “corrupt party” and that there was no difference between it and the previous Congress and the NCP.

Responding to his charge, Khadse challenged the MNS chief to submit proof of corrupt practices in the government and not make “general statements.”

“Like a responsible citizen, he (Thackeray) should declare the names of corrupt people in our government backed with proofs. We are ready to inquire into his charges. But giving general statements won’t help anybody except his party workers who really need a pep talk to boost their morale after losing relevance in the state post their disastrous performance in the state Assembly elections,” he said.

Two months on, FTII impasse continues to defy solution

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Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

The deadlock over the ongoing strike in Film and Television Institute of India showed no signs of a solution on its 62nd day with the students still in no mood to dilute their opposition to the appointment of TV actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman.

A hard posturing by FTII management has led to issuance of notices to 30 hostelites to vacate their rooms for overstaying. The institute’s new Director Prashant Pathrabe has announced to adjudge pending film projects of the 2008 batch students on “as is where is” (existing status of the project) basis.

All this has resulted in building up more tension on the campus.

Pathrabe has also announced termination of services of FTII’s about 80 contract workers, mainly studio assistants, saying their continuation could not be justified as all academic activity on the campus has come to a standstill since June 12, the day students launched their protest.

FTII students association (FSA) representative Ranjit Nair on Wednesday alleged that the management was adopting “desperate measures” to get rid of the students and weaken the strike in keeping with the diktat of the I&B Ministry even though the dean and faculty were sceptical about the assessment method.

Drum beating by students on strike outside the auditorium, in which the incomplete films were being screened for assessment, reportedly forced the management to stop the exercise temporarily in last two days.

“Now a new pro-rata method of assessment based on past performance and record of the students is being proposed to get rid of the students whose projects have remained incomplete due to technical handicaps existing in the institute,” a students’ representative alleged.

Prashant Pathrabe, currently heading the PIB office here, who took additional charge as FTII Director on July 17, remained inaccessible for his comment on the issue.

After failure of talks with the students’ representatives in Delhi on July 3, the I&B Ministry officials have stubbornly refused to hold second round of dialogue with the FSA, cold-shouldering their demand for removal of Chauhan, accused by students of lacking in stature and vision to head the institute.

Maharashtra declares ‘Dahi-handi’ an adventure sport

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Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

The Maharashtra government has decided to accord the status of ‘adventure sport’ to the centuries old traditional ‘Dahi-handi’ celebrations that mark Janmashthami every year, Education Minister Vinod Tawde said on Wednesday.

Minors aged between 12-15 can take part in the celebrations – which entails forming tall human pyramids of six or more levels – only with the written consent of their parents.

“With the status of ‘adventure sports’, we shall form a state-level body to govern ‘Dahi-handi’ with a set of rules and regulations. Any celebrations that do not adhere to this would not be recognised,” Tawde said.

Under the new status, it will be mandatory for all organisers of high-profile ‘Dahi-handi’ celebrations to ensure proper insurance for all participants, provisions of first-aid, ambulances to shift the injured ‘Govindas’ to nearest hospitals.

Additionally, they must organise safety nets, helmets, safety harness, mats and other security requirements to prevent injuries – and possible deaths – after the human pryramids come crashing down.

Tawde said sometime ago, a committee headed by Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar was told to prepare a report on ‘Dahi-handi’ and it has recommended to declare it as an ‘adventure sport’ on the lines of mountaineering, rock-climbing etc, which was accepted by the state government.

The minister said henceforth, ‘Dahi-handi’ would not be restricted during Janmashthami, but will be celebrated round-the-year under the auspices of a state-level governing body.

Janmashthami celebrations in Mumbai have become an annual big business affair with prizes running into crores of rupees, mega-sponsors, intense competition among various groups, mostly backed by politicians and political parties, attracting millions of locals, domestic and foreign tourists.

In the past few years, there have been several casualties, including temporary injuries or permanent handicap and deaths of ‘Govindas’, which led to court cases and questions raised on the safety and security of the participants.

Two women rescued from flesh trade

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

Two women, who were allegedly pushed into flesh trade, were rescued from Mumbra town in the district and three persons, including a woman, were arrested in this connection, city police said.

The Anti Human Trafficking Cell of the Crime Branch of Thane Police had raided a flat in Mumbai two days back.

“During the raid conducted in Mumbra township the police rescued two women aged 22 and 35, both of whom were widows, and went into the profession to support their families,” Senior Inspector of the Cell Shakil Sheikh said.

The police arrested a 34-year-old woman– Rukhsar Karbelkar– who had rented her property for the trade.

During the raid, two customers, one of whom was identified as Abdul Jalaluddin, were also arrested, Sheikh added.

The accused trio has been booked against the accused under sections of IPC and further investigation into the case is on, police said.

HC suggests Railways to install CCTVs in trains for women’s security

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Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

The Bombay High Court mooted a proposal for the Railway authorities to consider installing CCTVs in ladies’ compartments of local trains to prevent incidents of crime against women.

The suggestion came from a bench headed by Justice Naresh Patil which was hearing a petition filed by Help Mumbai Foundation and a suo motu (on its own) petition on strengthening measures to ensure women’s safety.

The petitioners raised the issue in the wake of an incident in which a 22-year-old woman was allegedly molested by an unidentified youth while she was travelling alone in an unguarded ladies compartment of a Churchgate-bound local train on August 7.

The bench also asked the Government Railway Police (GRP) to hold meetings with the Chief Security Commissioners of Central Railway and Western Railway within two weeks to discuss ways and means to strengthen the security system to protect women.

Raising the issue of women’s safety on behalf of the petitioners, Advocates Raju Chavan and Madhav Jamdar said the recent incident was the failure of the Railways to ensure safe passage to women commuters during evening hours.

The lawyers argued that the Railways were not serious in providing security to women during their travel in local trains.

CR to run over 100 special trains for Ganesh Chaturthi

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

The Central Railway (CR) will run over 100 special trains to clear the extra rush of passengers during festival Ganesh Chaturthi.

A total of 118 special trains will be run, according to a CR statement issued here.

As many as 36 special trains will be run to Madgaon (six days a week except on Thursday) from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT).

The special train (train no. 01005) will depart from LTT at 12.55 midnight daily (except Thursday) from September 9 to September 28 and will arrive at Madgaon station at 2:40 PM on the same day, it said.

From Madgaon, (train no. 01006) will depart 3:25 PM daily (except on Thursday) from September 8 to September 28 and reach LTT at 03.55 AM in the wee hours. Forty-two daily special trains to Karmali (Goa) will depart from LTT (train no. 01025) at 05.30 AM from September 8 to September 28 and will arrive at Karmali at 5 PM on the same day.

Train no. 01026 will leave Karmali station at 5.50 AM daily from September 9 to September 29 and reach LTT station at 5.45 PM on the same day.

Central Railway will also run 40 Chiplun Diesel- Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) special trains from Panvel to ferry passengers from Roha, Kolad, Indapur, Mangaon, Goregaon Road, Veer, Sape Wamne, Karanjadi, Vinhere, Diwankhavati, Khed and Anjani stations.

Bookings for train no. 01005 and 01025, on special charges, will open from August 14 and Panvel-Chiplun DEMU specials will run as unreserved specials, the release added.

HC dismisses Hiken Shah’s plea against suspension by BCCI

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 12, 2015

Observing that the allegations of corruption levelled against Mumbai cricketer Hiken Shah were of serious nature, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by him challenging BCCI’s order suspending him for flouting its anti-corruption code.

The cricket body suspended Shah, a batsman who was part of Mumbai Ranji squad, on July 13 after he was found guilty of making “corrupt approach” to a team-mate who was also a member of Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise.

Shah approached the High Court through his lawyer, Som Sinha, claiming that he was not given a hearing before BCCI passed its order and hence the suspension should be set aside.

A division bench of Justices VM Kanade and BP Colabawalla was, however, of the view that the allegations against Shah were serious. The court, while dismissing the petition, said Shah can approach BCCI’s disciplinary committee if he wishes to.

According to BCCI, after Shah approached the Rajasthan Royals player, the franchise informed the cricket body about the incident and BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya asked its anti-corruption unit to conduct an inquiry.

The inquiry commissioner found Shah guilty of “breaching” its anti-corruption code, it said.