Opposition members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill on Monday met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with a complaint against panel chairman Jagadambika Pal, accusing him of bulldozing the proceedings on the crucial matter. In a memorandum to the Speaker, the opposition members also sought an extension of the tenure of the Joint Committee of Parliament by a "reasonable time" to allow substantive deliberations on the expansive legislation. "We submitted to the Speaker that the due processes are not followed by the chairman. He is hurrying up, bulldozing the proceedings," DMK member A Raja told reporters after meeting the Speaker. Raja said Pal was not following the due process of the Joint Committee of Parliament and had announced suo-motu that the report has to be presented to Parliament on November 29. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 November,2024 07:53 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Supreme Court on Monday refused to relax the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR and said unless it was satisfied that there was consistent decrease in AQI levels, it cannot order curbs below GRAP-III or GRAP-II. Noting that several sections of society, especially labourers and daily wagers, were adversely affected due to GRAP-IV, the bench directed the state governments, where construction has been banned, to use funds collected as labour cess for subsistence to them. The top court, however, asked the Commission for Air Quality Management to consider restarting physical classes. Air quality improved under NCAP: Env min Ninety-seven of the 130 cities targeted under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have shown improvement in air quality as compared to 2017-18, with 55 recording more than 20 per cent reduction, the Environment Ministry said on Monday. Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said the NCAP aims to reduce particulate matter (PM10) pollution by up to 40 per cent or achieving national air quality standards by 2025-26. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 November,2024 07:45 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe police have booked seven people in connection with the violence over a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal, naming Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood's son Sohail Iqbal as accused, officials said on Monday. Four people have so far been reported killed in violent clashes that erupted on Sunday. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said seven FIRs have been lodged in connection with the violence. Six people, including Barq and Iqbal, were named and 2,750 others have been mentioned as unidentified, he said. "Due to Barq's statement earlier, the situation worsened. He was given a notice earlier for this," he added. The official said that Barq's "Jama Masjid ki hifazat" (protection of Jama Masjid) remark mobilised the mob. The officer informed that 25 people have been arrested so far in the case and attempts are on to identify others involved in the violence. Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the Jama Masjid was first surveyed on a court's orders following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site. The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders into Sambhal till November 30. Internet services are suspended in Sambhal tehsil and Monday was declared a holiday for all schools. A magisterial probe has also been ordered into the violence. On Monday, the management committee of Sambhal’s Jama Masjid blamed the local authorities and police for the violence in the area that took four lives. Zafar Ali, the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid management committee, made the allegations at a press conference and was detained by police as soon as the meeting ended. VHP demands NSA against perpetrators The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday condemned the violence in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh and demanded those involved in the case be booked under the National Security Act (NSA). VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain also demanded that the culprits be made to compensate for the damage caused in the violence. “The way Muslim fundamentalists pelted stones on police, fired bullets and committed arson in Sambhal is highly condemnable. The way Muslim leaders, maulanas and many leaders of the Samajwadi party and the Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, have supported this violence is also worrisome,” Jain said. He alleged that the violence was carried out “at the behest of maulanas” and accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders of making “provocative statements.” SC should take cognisance: Congress The Congress on Monday accused the BJP of creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims and urged the SC to intervene in the matter as soon as possible. “The biased and hasty attitude of the state government on the recent dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely unfortunate. I express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the violence and firing,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 November,2024 07:38 AM IST | Sambhal | AgenciesAn IT professional and his partner have been arrested for the alleged murder of a 55-year-old woman, the police in Kerala said on Monday, adding that the crime was meticulously planned. According to news agency PTI, the accused have been identified as Gireesh Babu and Kadeeja, both aged 42. The duo, who was arrested on Sunday, committed the crime owing to their financial struggles and the greed for money and gold, the Kerala Police said. Jayesy Abraham, a native of Chundikuzhi in Perumbavoor, was found dead in the bathroom of her rented apartment at Koonamthai near Kalamassery on November 17. The victim had been living alone, PTI reported. Babu is a resident of Thrikkakara while Kadeeja hails from Tripunithura. The duo had accrued debts from loan apps and credit cards. Believing that Jayesy, a real estate agent, might have significant cash and gold in her apartment, they plotted a robbery, the police said. According to the investigation, the two, who shared a friendship with Jayesy, began planning the crime two months ago. Babu, an MCA graduate of an IT company, meticulously avoided CCTV cameras while executing the plan, reported PTI. On November 17, he carefully timed the crime, ensuring no one else was expected at the flat. According to the police, Babu took two autorickshaws to reach the apartment and wore a helmet throughout the journey to avoid being captured on CCTV cameras. At 10.20 pm, he reached Jayesy's house with liquor and a dumbbell. After sharing drinks with Jayesy, Babu allegedly attacked her while she was in an inebriated state, striking her multiple times on the head with the dumbbell. When she attempted to scream, he smothered her with a pillow, the police said. After confirming her death, Babu dragged her body to the bathroom to stage it as an accidental fall and then stole two gold bangles and two mobile phones before locking the flat and leaving, the police added. The accused monitored the area for several days after the murder to check for police activity, an officer said. However, a special investigation team led by DCP KS Sudarshan, under the supervision of Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya, arrested Babu and Kadeeja within a week of the incident. (With PTI inputs)
25 November,2024 05:02 PM IST | Kochi | mid-day online correspondentThe Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday reminded Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde about his statement that he would leave politics if any of the MLAs who sided with him in the rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray faced defeat in the assembly polls. In an article in mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led party reminded Shinde that five of the 40 MLAs who were with him in Guwahati in 2022 had lost in the recent assembly polls, results of which were declared on November 23. It said Sada Sarvankar had lost from Mahim, Yamini Jadhav from Byculla, Shahaji Bapu Patil from Sangola, Sanjay Raymulkar from Mehkar and Dnyanraj Chowgule from Umarga. In June 2022, Shinde, then a minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, rebelled along with 40 MLAs against Thackeray. The rebels first went to Surat in Gujarat and then flew to Guwahati in Assam. The rebellion brought down the Thackeray government, after which Shinde became CM with the support of the BJP. In the November 20 assembly polls, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena won 57 of the 87 seats it contested, notching a strike rate of 70.37 per cent. The Mahayuti swept the polls to the 288-member assembly, with Shiv Sena allies BJP bagging 132 seats and 41 going into the kitty of the NCP. The opposition Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) of Sharad Pawar managed to win just 16, 20 and 10 seats, respectively. The BJP had the highest strike rate of 88.59 per cent after winning 132 of the 149 seats it contested. Ajit Pawar-led NCP won 41 out of 59 seats with a strike rate of 69.49 per cent. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 November,2024 04:52 PM IST | Pune | PTISamajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, of orchestrating a “riot” in Sambhal, reported news agency PTI. Reports indicate that the police have registered seven FIRs connected to the violence and named SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and the son of local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, Sohail Iqbal as accused. Tragically, four individuals have lost their lives due to the clashes, sparking outrage and demands for accountability. Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the government's actions were a deliberate distraction from alleged electoral malpractice during recent bypolls in Uttar Pradesh. He said that the administration engaged in vote manipulation and that the recent violence was a facade to cover up these malpractices. "Some people say that after watching 'The Sabarmati Report' movie, some BJP leaders thought that they also want to become a big leader and have gotten this done (in Sambhal)," he stated, drawing a controversial parallel to the film based on the Godhra incident. "The incident that has happened is unfortunate. When our MP Zia-ur-Rehman was not even in Sambhal, why has an FIR been filed against him," he said after after meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla along with MPs of his party. Yadav emphasized the unfortunate loss of young lives, stating, "It is sad that such young people have lost their lives. Information was being hidden... then I had said Naeem had lost his life due to shooting by the police. You have all the videos. This riot has been orchestrated by the government." "The officials without reading the order reached there for the survey. Masjid's committee, ulemas, peoples representatives, all cooperated. The survey was completed that day...who gave the orders for a second survey. The masjid committee and others again cooperated. When people gathered outside the mosque and asked why the survey was needed, the circle officer abused them," Yadav claimed. Yadav called for the suspension of police and administrative officials involved in the incident, urging that murder charges be filed against them. "Some people pelted stones, to which police opened fire... Those responsible for vitiating Sambhal's environment and filing this petition along with the police and administration be held responsible, they should be suspended and murder cases be filed so that people can get justice," Yadav said. Further, he expressed concerns over the fairness of the electoral process, alleging that Muslims were obstructed from voting and that the Election Commission's responses were inadequate. "Muslims were stopped from voting. When we complained to the Election Commission, just as an eyewash they took action against a few officials. They should be asked why action was taken. Our MP was in Bengaluru," said the SP chief. In light of the violence, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders in Sambhal, restricted the entry of outsiders till Saturday, suspended internet services in the tehsil, and declared a holiday for schools for Monday. Three of the four killed in the violence were all aged above 25 and identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman and scores of others, including security personnel and administration officials, injured on Sunday as protesters opposing the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid clashed with police. A fourth injured person died on Monday, stated PTI. The unrest in Sambhal erupted on Tuesday after a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque, following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site. District officials stated that the survey could not be completed on Tuesday and was scheduled for Sunday to avoid interference with afternoon prayers. (With inputs from PTI)
25 November,2024 04:22 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCongress MP and General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said on Monday that the "Modani" issue rocked both the houses of Parliament, reported the ANI. The Modani issue rocked both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today. INDIA parties called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the Modani scam - the case for which has been reinforced by the recent indictments of Adani's bribery and supression of information from… — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 25, 2024 "The Modani issue rocked both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today. INDIA parties called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the Modani scam - the case for which has been reinforced by the recent indictments of Adani's bribery and suppression of information from Indian and American regulators," said Jairam Ramesh in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Earlier on Monday, INDIA bloc leaders held a meeting before the commencement of the parliament session. The leaders demanded to hold discussions on the Adani indictment, stated ANI. As the Parliament session begins, the first step the government should take is to have a detailed discussion on the Adani saga which has the potential of tarnishing India’s image at the global stage. This is what the INDIA bloc parties demand today, for the hard earned… pic.twitter.com/f1EW71KfId — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 25, 2024 "We do not need monopolies and cartels to run this country. We need healthy market-driven competition in the private sector, which facilitates equal opportunities, employment and equitable distribution of wealth, catering to the inherent entrepreneurial spirit of India," Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sessions were adjourned for the day amid demands for a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding the Adani Group. Both houses will be meeting on Wednesday. In response to the opposition's actions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned their tactics, labeling them as "hooliganism" aimed at disrupting parliamentary proceedings for political gain. He remarked on the repeated electoral rejections faced by certain opposition members and expressed that their behavior undermines the democratic process. "Unfortunately, some people, who have been rejected by the public, are constantly trying to control the parliament for their own political interests through the hooliganism of the people. The public counts all their activities and punishes them when the time comes," PM Modi said. "In the democratic tradition, the job of every member is to prepare the next members, but those who have been rejected by the people 80-90 times, do not allow any discussion in the Parliament, do not respect the sentiments of democracy, do not understand the importance of people's expectations," the PM added. (With inputs from ANI)
25 November,2024 02:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThousands of women went against curfew orders and held a rally in Manipur's Imphal East district on Monday, demanding the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 to be repealed from the state, PTI reported. As per PTI, the rally organised by local clubs and Meira Paibis in the district raised slogans and placards demanding the "removal of AFSPA from the state" and to "stop imposition of the draconian law" and "stop killing of women and children" in the northeastern state. The rally started from Konga Bazaar but was halted after 3 km by a huge contingent of security forces at Konung Mamang, just one kilometre away from the Chief Minister's Secretariat. The protestors later returned to Kongba for a public meeting. Babina Maibam, a Meira Paibi, told PTI, "We are demonstrating against the continued suppression of indigenous people... We cannot return to those injustices and brutalities of the past. There are fake encounter cases pending in the Supreme Court. The recent reimposition of AFSPA in areas under six police stations shows that the Centre only wants to amplify the sufferings of the people." The AFSPA gives armed forces who are operating in disturbed areas the authority to search, arrest, and open fire if they find it necessary for the "maintenance of public order." The Centre has recently reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in six police station areas in Manipur, including the violence-hit Jiribam. The Union Home Ministry said in a statement that the decision was made because of the continued ethnic violence and the resulting unstable situation, PTI cited. The police station areas where AFSPA has been reimposed are Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Jiribam in Jiribam district, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi, and Moirang in Bishnupur district. 7 more arrested in connection to arson and property damage cases; 32 arrested so far Manipur Police on Friday arrested seven more individuals related to the arson and property damage incidents involving elected members on November 16, bringing the total number of arrests to 32, reported the ANI. Police officials stated that the new arrests were made on Wednesday and Thursday. “In connection with cases related to arson/damage of properties of elected members on 16.11.2024, Manipur Police arrested 07 (seven) more persons on 20.11.2024 and 21.11.2024 in addition to the 25 (twenty-five) persons arrested on earlier days," Manipur police officials said on a post on X (formerly Twitter). Those arrested have been identified as Wahengbam Jyotikumar Singh (26), Khundrakpam Bikram Singh (41), Monish Nepram (31), and Aribam Mirachandra Sharma (41). Elangbam Harison Singh alias Dada (34), Lourembam Norojit Singh alias Nonni Singh (40), and Laimayum Kedarnath Sharma (37), stated ANI. Manipur Police also mentioned that further investigation in the case is ongoing. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
25 November,2024 02:49 PM IST | Imphal | mid-day online correspondentThree people died when their car fell into the Ramganga river from a partially constructed bridge in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, the police said, adding that they suspect the driver was allegedly misled after a GPS navigation error led to taking the unsafe route, reported the PTI. The fatal accident occurred around 10 am on the Khalpur-Dataganj road in Uttar Pradesh. The primary investigations revealed that the victims were travelling from Bareilly to Dataganj in the Badaun district, they said. "Earlier this year, floods had caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse into the river, but this change had allegedly not been updated in the system," Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said, as per the PTI. According to the news agency, the driver was allegedly using a navigation system and did not realise that the bridge was unsafe, driving the car off the damaged section, the police said. There were no safety barriers or warning signs on the approach to the damaged bridge, leading to the fatal accident, Shivam said. Upon receiving information, police teams from Faridpur, Bareilly and Dataganj police station rushed to the spot. They recovered the vehicle and the bodies from the river, Shivam added. The circle officer said that the bodies had been sent for post-mortem and further investigation into the matter is underway. Uttar Pradesh: Car rams into stationary tractor in Raebareli; 3 killed, 8 injured Meanwhile in an another incident, at least three persons were killed, and eight others injured when an SUV rammed into a tractor-trolley parked on the road near a village on Saturday evening, police said, according to the PTI. Police reached the spot in Sultanpur village and took the injured to a community health centre where they were given first-aid. Those with serious injuries in the accident were taken to the district hospital and later to a trauma centre in Lucknow, SHO of Bachhrawan police station Om Prakash Tiwari said. Dhunnilal (40), Nirmala (40) and Ramesh (48), all residents of Rae Bareli district, died in the accident. All the deceased and the injured were in the car, according to the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
25 November,2024 12:25 PM IST | Bareilly (UP) | mid-day online correspondentAmong the sixteen bills for the winter session of Parliament beginning on Monday, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is one of government's agenda, but the people of Kochi have raised their concerns through a protest against the Act, ANI reported. As per ANI, the people protesting claim that the Munambam community is facing hardships due to the Waqf Act. One of the protestors said that they have been protesting for the last 33 days, following a non-violent approach. Despite buying the property between the years 1988 and 1993 and residing there for more than 150 years, the Waqf Board has now taken ownership. The community has requested the government to review the Waqf Act and facilitate the return of their property. "We are on the 33rd day of our protest and this is a fasting protest following the method of non-violence. Today, we brought an effigy of the Waqf Act. We are not against any particular religion, we are only against the Waqf Act which has to be amended... We need to amend the laws because we have to address certain issues which are deeply rooted in today's India," he told ANI. "The Munambam people here are suffering due to this Act. In 1995, the act enabled the Waqf Board to claim this property. These fishermen have been living in this place for the last 150 years. They bought this property in 1988-1993. After 35 years of possessing this property, today they are asked to leave because the Waqf Board has entered this property into their registration. We expect that the Government will notice all these things and make the necessary changes to change the Waqf Act and enable us to reclaim this property," he added, ANI cited. Meanwhile, the Waf (Amendment) Bill, which is listed for consideration and passing, is under examination by a joint committee of both House of Parliament. The panel will submit its report during the winter session. Opposition members are hoping for an extension of time for the panel to provide its report. The winter session is scheduled to begin on November 25 and will go on till December 20, with 19 sittings, ANI reported. Since August 22 of this year, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has held five meetings regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The JPC has reviewed the work of six ministries and has heard from around 123 stakeholders, which includes representatives from six Indian states, eight Waqf boards and four minority commissions. Notably, the Waqf Act 1995, which was formed to regulate waqf properties, has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments, ANI cited. According to ANI, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is holding a series of meetings to collect inputs from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members and community representatives from various states and Union Territories, in order to form the most comprehensive reform possible, ANI cited. (With inputs from ANI)
25 November,2024 10:20 AM IST | Kochi | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the commencement of the winter session of Parliament, Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Manickam Tagore has announced that he intends to move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to raise the issue of the indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani. In a letter addressed to the Secretary General of Lok Sabha, Tagore, who also serves as the whip for the Congress party in the lower house, gave formal notice of his intention to seek permission for an adjournment motion. He requested that the business of the house be suspended in order to discuss the urgent matter concerning the charges levelled against the Adani Group. The letter highlighted the indictment of Adani by United States authorities over allegations of "bribery, securities fraud, and wire fraud". According to the notice, the charges against the Adani Group include a scheme involving more than $265 million in bribes to secure lucrative solar power contracts and defrauding global investors. Tagore emphasised the gravity of the allegations, stating that the issue requires immediate attention in Parliament. In his communication, Tagore also criticised the Narendra Modi-led government for its silence on the matter, asserting that the lack of response undermines India's integrity, economy, and global standing. He called for accountability, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ties with Adani and demanding that he answer queries related to their relationship. As per ANI reports, the winter session of Parliament is set to begin today with several important issues on the agenda. In addition to the Adani matter, discussions are expected on the Waqf Act (Amendment) Bill. Other bills that are scheduled for introduction, consideration, and passing include the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, and the Railways (Amendment) Bill, among others. The session is set to run until December 20, with no sittings scheduled for November 26 in observance of Constitution Day. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has affirmed that the Union Government is ready to engage in discussions on any topic during the session, urging for a peaceful and constructive debate. Following an all-party meeting held in Delhi, Rijiju confirmed that multiple issues had been raised for discussion in Parliament, with the Adani issue likely to be one of the key points of contention. As per ANI, the Congress party is keen to address this matter in Parliament, as it believes the charges against Adani hold significant implications for the country’s political and economic landscape. (With inputs from ANI)
25 November,2024 09:29 AM IST | New DelhiADVERTISEMENT
