Tag: Ladakh News

Dangerous, misleading, say LGBTQ activists on RSS’s survey on same-sex marriage

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New Delhi: Several LGBTQ rights activists have called the survey on same-sex marriage by an RSS body “dangerous and misleading” and accused the organisation of “spreading disinformation”.
According to the survey by Samwardhini Nyas, an affiliate of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti (a women’s organisation which parallels the RSS), many doctors and allied medical professionals believe that homosexuality is “a disorder” and it will increase further in society if same-sex marriage is legalised.
“Such a study is dangerous and misleading for a society that is unaware. It goes against basic dignity and amounts to defamation. Who are these doctors who have respondents in the survey? Their licences should be cancelled.

“Be it The Yoga Institute which was founded in 1918 or the Indian Psychiatric Society, both have maintained that homosexuality is legitimate and normal, it is natural, inborn and choiceless,” said author and advocate for equal rights, Sharif Rangnekar, who also points out how Hinduism is replete with references to homosexuality.
Activist Harish Iyer said that psychiatric bodies from across the world and India have maintained that homosexuality is not an “aberration but a variation”. It is beyond any reasonable doubt, he said.
“No religion that claims to be a protector of humanity can also support this labelling of LGBTQIA+ individuals as deviants. It is against the ethos of our nation and also against the very grain of the belief of every religion that is based on the principle of love and acceptance.
“If you believe that your God created all of humankind. Then God made me too. And standing up against LGBTQIA+ individuals is akin to working against the intent of your God. God made me this way,” he said.
Iyer also appealed to the government to raise awareness on the issue.

“In keeping with the ruling on Section 377, the government’s responsibility is to create awareness to ensure more acceptance and no misinformation. I would appeal to the government of the day to step in and stand against such blatant disinformation,” he said.
Q Manivannan, a queer scholar and PhD candidate, at the University of St Andrews, to refers to ancient mythology in debunking the results of the survey.
“The RSS forgets, when convenient, that homosexuality is rife in mythology too. Same-sex unions of many kinds, companionships and homoeroticism, much like transgender themes, feature in the Ramayana, in the Mahabharata, and the Upanishads,” he said.
Activist and CPI-M leader Subhashini Ali also attacked the survey. “It was “idiotic unscientific, inhuman,” she tweeted.
The survey has been conducted by the Samwardhini Nyas against the backdrop of a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, hearing arguments on a batch of pleas seeking legal sanction for same-sex marriage.
A senior functionary of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti had said the findings of the survey are based on 318 responses collected across the country covering medical practitioners from eight different paths of treatment from modern science to Ayurveda.
In their response to the survey, according to Samwardhini Nyas, nearly 70 per cent of the doctors and allied medical professionals stated that “homosexuality is a disorder” while 83 per cent of them “confirmed transmission of sexual disease in homosexual relations.”
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#Dangerous #misleading #LGBTQ #activists #RSSs #survey #samesex #marriage
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Will take decisive action on Bajrang Dal if voted to power: Chidambaram

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New Delhi: Amid the raging “Bajrang Dal” row, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said his party’s Karnataka polls manifesto did not state that the outfit will be banned but promised “decisive action” under law as a warning to all organisations that indulge in hate-mongering.
Hitting out at the BJP over its criticism, he also questioned the equating of Bajrang Dal with ‘Bajrangbali’, asking how this “magical transformation” can be explained.
In an interview with PTI ahead of the May 10 Karnataka assembly polls, Chidambaram expressed confidence that the people of the state will choose wisely, asserting that the choice is stark as Karnataka could either become a model of a liberal, democratic, plural, tolerant and progressive state or an inward-looking, majoritarian, intolerant and regressive state.

“For the sake of democracy and the future of Karnataka, we must stop the BJP from winning in Karnataka and using the victory to launch forays into the neighbouring states,” he said.
Asked about the BJP promising implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, the former home minister said both are issues that have the potential to divide society and trigger social conflict.
“We have the experience of what happened in some northern and northeastern states. I think the people of Karnataka have absorbed the lessons and will reject these election proposals or promises of the BJP,” Chidambaram told PTI.
Asked about the BJP making the talk of possible action against organisations such as the Bajrang Dal in the Congress manifesto a poll issue and whether it would impact the elections, Chidambaram said the Congress’ manifesto did not say that “we will ban the Bajrang Dal”.
“Please read the two sentences again.There is a reference to two organisations that use extreme language and indulge in extreme actions. The Congress warned all organisations that indulge in hate-mongering,” Chidambaram said.

“The Congress promised ‘decisive action’ under law. Besides, under the law, banning an organisation is a judicial process. I have wondered how Bajrang Dal became Bajrangbali! Can you please explain the magical transformation?” the former home minister said.
The Congress, in its election manifesto for the Karnataka polls, said it is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste or religion.
“We believe that law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law, including imposing a ban on any such organisations,” the party has said in its manifesto.
Chidambaram, who is a star campaigner of the Congress for the polls, said he can sense the desire for change in the state.
“Since I am not a resident of Karnataka, I am unable to make a micro-analysis and predict the number of seats that the Congress is likely to win. My senior colleagues in the KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) are confident that the Congress will get a clear majority of the seats,” he said when asked about the number of seats the Congress is expected to win.
Asked about Prime Minister Modi raising the issue of abuses hurled at him, Chidambaram said, “What is ‘abuse’ is a matter of perception. Robust political language in an election is not abuse.”
“Besides, shall we play tit-for-tat and count the abuses hurled by BJP leaders against Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Rahul Gandhi? This is a pointless exercise,” he said.
On reports of former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakaumar attempting to outdo each other for the post of CM, Chidambaram said both are senior and responsible leaders of the Congress.
“The media is encouraged by the powers-that-be to sow dissensions in the Congress. I am afraid both the BJP and a section of the media will be disappointed!” he added.
On the message that will be sent out through the Karnataka polls, Chidambaram said, “We believe that a positive result for the Congress in the Karnataka election will herald the arrest of the slide of the nation into majoritarianism, bigotry, illiberalism, crony capitalism and indifferent economic growth.”
“There is a clear and present danger. Sooner the nation wakes up to the danger, the better it will be for the country and the future of the people,” the senior Congress leader said.
Chidambaram has been countering the BJP’s double-engine pitch. On Saturday, he had referred to the violence in Manipur to say that Karnataka voters should beware of the “spurious promise of a double-engine government”.
The elections for the 224-member Karnataka assembly will be held on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.
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#decisive #action #Bajrang #Dal #voted #power #Chidambaram
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Two Palestinian gunmen killed by Israeli forces in Tulkarm

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Two Palestinian gunmen were killed on Saturday by the Israeli occupation forces during the storming of the Nur Shams camp in Tulkarm, in the northern West Bank, Palestinian media reported.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health stated, “Two martyrs, shot by the occupation, arrived at Dr Thabet Governmental Hospital, in addition to a stable injury in the extremities, as a result of the Israeli occupation’s aggression in Tulkarm.”
Hamas announced on Saturday, as reported by Safa News Agency, that the martyrs of Tulkarm in the northern West Bank are members of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the movement’s military wing.

The two Qassami martyrs were identified as Hamza Khrewish and Samer Al-Shafei, both 22 years old.
Al-Shafei was shot in the neck, chest and abdomen, and Khrewish was shot in the chest, abdomen and left foot.
As per a report by AFP, the Israeli army said that the pair were “involved in the shooting attack in Avnei Heftz on May 2, 2023 during which an Israeli civilian was injured”.
The Israeli army had confiscated two M-16 rifles, military vests, and magazines during the storming in Tulkarm.
رائحة المسك فاحت في سمائَك يا طولكرم
الشهيد سامر الشافعي والشهيد حمزة خريوش
طابت الجنة لساكنيها. pic.twitter.com/yfeUs0j9BB
— الرغــ𓂆ـــد (@raghad__rabi) May 6, 2023
مجددًا تستيقظ #فلسطين على جراح أولادها، ودماء شبابها النازفة بفعل ألة القتل والإرهاب الصهيوني وسط صمت عالمي مُريب..
شهيدان برصاص الاحتلال الصهيوني، إضافة إلى إصابة مستقرة في الأطراف، نتيجة عدوان الاحتلال الإسرائيلي مدينة طولكرم pic.twitter.com/UAFdaDGqSp
— أدهم أبو سلمية #غزة 🇵🇸 (@adham922) May 6, 2023
تغطية صحفية: مشاهد من المنزل الذي ارتقى فيه المشتبكان حمزة خريوش وسامر الشافعي بمخيم طولكرم. pic.twitter.com/uJgu2KcjaE
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) May 6, 2023
تغطية صحفية: “شاهد عيان يروي كيفية إعدام الاحتلال للشابين سامر الشافعي وحمزة خريوش بمخيم طولكرم”. pic.twitter.com/BA9q1GLCh2
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) May 6, 2023
For months, the Israeli army has been carrying out operations in the northern West Bank, Nablus, and Jenin under the pretext of pursuing wanted persons.

It is noteworthy that 110 martyrs, including 20 children and two women, have been killed by the Israeli occupation forces and settlers since the start of this year.

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#Palestinian #gunmen #killed #Israeli #forces #Tulkarm
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Israelis protest for 18th week against judicial reform plan

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Tel Aviv: For the eighteenth week in a row, thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judicial system.
Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pause on the controversial reform plan in March, opponents of the judicial reform law have continued to hold protests in the commercial centre and across the nation since January.
Crowds of protesters waved the blue and white Israeli flags that have become a feature of protests over the past three months.

Photo: Reuters
Israeli Channel 12 estimates indicate that 110,000 people protested in Tel Aviv alone, while other demonstrations were held in cities across the country.
כ-110 אלף במחאה בקפלן | גנץ במסר לקואליציה: “בלי התקדמות
בבית הנשיא – נעשה הערכה מחדש”https://t.co/eWrUvJavMD
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) May 6, 2023
The proposed overhaul would allow Parliament to override many judgements and give the government influence over appointing Supreme Court judges.
Israelis continue to hold divergent views on the proposed legislation, which the government claims is required to tame a judiciary that exercises excessive power but which critics claim eliminates an essential check on those in authority.
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#Israelis #protest #18th #week #judicial #reform #plan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Manipur violence: AAI helps stranded passengers at Imphal airport

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New Delhi: Amid unrest in parts of Manipur, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken various measures to help air passengers while airlines have waived rescheduling and cancellation charges for flights to and from the capital city of Imphal.
Curfew was relaxed on Sunday in parts of Manipur which saw ethnic rioting over the last few days.
According to a civil aviation ministry official, the Airports Authority of India is coordinating with the state government to transport stranded passengers from the airport to the city under escort. A help desk has also been set up with effect from May 4.

The help desk counter is provided with an AAI LAN internet facility to print tickets as internet services are unavailable in the state, as per the official.
The official added that there were 10,531 passengers at Imphal airport and the total flight movements handled were 108 till May 6, including 50 defence movements and 6 additional flights.
Air India and IndiGo have waived fees for rescheduling/cancelling all their flights to and from Imphal from May 4 to 7.
In a release on Sunday, Air India said it operated special flights to and from Imphal on May 6 and 7. IndiGo, on Saturday, said it operated two special flights from Imphal to Kolkata.

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#Manipur #violence #AAI #helps #stranded #passengers #Imphal #airport
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
7 Celebrities who own Rolls Royce: SRK to Ajay Devgn

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Mumbai: Bollywood celebrities are well-known for their extravagant lifestyles and fondness for luxury automobiles. These actors own some of the most expensive and powerful cars in the world, ranging from Rolls-Royces to Ferraris. Many Bollywood celebrities favour the Rolls-Royce brand in particular. The luxury car manufacturer from the United Kingdom is known for its exquisite design, high-quality craftsmanship, and powerful engines. These cars, from the Ghost Series II to the Phantom, are symbols of luxury and status. Let us take a closer look at some of the Rolls-Royce vehicles owned by Bollywood celebrities, as well as their impressive features.
1. Hrithik Roshan – Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II
Hrithik Roshan is one of Bollywood’s highest-paid actors, and he owns a Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II.
Price: 7 crores.

2. Ajay Devgn – Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Another Bollywood actor who owns a Rolls-Royce is Ajay Devgn. He owns a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, one of the world’s most expensive SUVs.
Price: Rs. 6.95 crore
3. Priyanka Chopra – Rolls-Royce Ghost
Priyanka Chopra is an internationally recognized actress and cultural icon. Her car is a Rolls-Royce Ghost.
Price: Rs. 5.65 crore
4. Sanjay Dutt – Rolls-Royce Ghost
Sanjay Dutt, another well-known Bollywood actor, owns a Rolls-Royce Ghost, as does Priyanka Chopra.

Price: 7.55- 8.83 crore
5. Badshah – Rolls-Royce Wraith
Badshah is a well-known Indian rapper and record producer. He is the proud owner of a Rolls-Royce Wraith.
Price: 6.4 crore
6. Akshay Kumar – Rolls-Royce Phantom VII
Akshay Kumar is one of Bollywood’s most well-known actors. He is the owner of a Rolls-Royce Phantom VII.
Price: 9.50–11 crores
7. Shah Rukh Khan – Rolls-Royce Phantom
Shah Rukh Khan, also known as the “King of Bollywood,” recently purchased a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Price: 10–12 crores
It’s no surprise that some of India’s most well-known celebrities own some of the world’s most luxurious automobiles. These Rolls-Royce automobiles not only provide comfort and style but also serve as a status symbol for their owners. Each car, from Hrithik Roshan’s Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II to Shah Rukh Khan’s Rolls-Royce Phantom, is unique and customised to the owner’s preferences. These vehicles epitomise luxury and exclusivity and have become an integral part of celebrities’ lifestyles. These cars, with their powerful engines, not only provide a smooth ride but also an adrenaline-pumping experience.

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#Celebrities #Rolls #Royce #SRK #Ajay #Devgn
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Telangana govt owes explanation on ORR leasing: Kishan Reddy

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Hyderabad: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday found fault with the Telangana government for leasing out Outer Ring Road (ORR) to a private party for just Rs 7,380 crore for a period of 30 years, saying this deprived the state of Rs 75,000 crore revenues.
He said the state government owes an explanation to people as awarding of toll collection, operation and maintenance of the ORR to a private agency for 30 years on Toll, Operate and Transfer (TOT) basis would result in a huge loss of revenue to the state.
He told a news conference that the state government selected IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited in the bid in a predetermined manner and in violation of the guidelines of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Kishan Reddy explained that the private agency will collect toll for 30 years on ORR after paying only Rs 7,380 crore to the government.
He pointed out that so far Eagle Infra was collecting Rs 415 crore as toll on ORR for Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) every year.
“If this toll collection increases by 5 per cent per year, HMDA would have earned Rs 30,000 crore for 30 years. Experts and engineers say the 10 per cent increase would mean a revenue of Rs 75,000 crore during the same period. If we assume a 15 per cent increase, the revenue for the government would be over Rs 2.08 lakh crore,” he said.
Stating that Hyderabad is the fastest growing city in the country, the Union Minister said the toll revenue on ORR would only go up.
He wondered why the BRS government which had been opposing privatisation gave ORR on lease for 30 years. Taking a dig at Chief Minister KCR, he asked if this was the qualitative change he wanted to bring.

“The government should tell people for whose benefit this decision was taken,” he said.
He questioned the need for awarding the contract for 30 years when most of the roads are leased for a maximum period of 10 years.
The Union Minister alleged that BRS took the decision as it has realised that it will lose power in Telangana.
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#Telangana #govt #owes #explanation #ORR #leasing #Kishan #Reddy
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Aamir Khan in Kathmandu for meditation

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Kathmandu: Famous Bollywood actor Aamir Khan arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday and left for meditation. He has reportedly gone to a meditation spot in the outskirts of Kathmandu, according to an official who received him at the airport.
He will spend at least 11 days in Nepal Vipassana Centre in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. It is one of the popular meditation centres in Kathmandu located on the outskirts of the city. It offers 10-day long meditation courses, according to the website.
Khan is one of the most popular actors in Bollywood, known for his versatile acting skills and his commitment to quality cinema. His popular movies are Lagaan, 3 Idiots, PK, Dil Chahta Hai, Rang De Basanti, among others.

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#Aamir #Khan #Kathmandu #meditation
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
UAE offer condolences to Prez of Rwanda over flood victims

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Abu Dhabi: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent a message of condolences to Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, over the deadly floods that recently hit the country. He also wished a speedy recovery to all the injured.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, also dispatched similar messages to the Rwandan President.
As per a report by Reuters, floods and landslides caused by heavy rains have killed at least 129 people in the African country.

Source: With inputs from ANI
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#UAE #offer #condolences #Prez #Rwanda #flood #victims
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
I will hang myself if allegations proved: WFI chief Brij Bhushan

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Lucknow: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by women wrestlers, has said that he would “hang himself if even a single allegation against him was proved”.
In a video message released on Sunday, Singh said, “I will hang myself even if a single allegation against me is proved. The matter is with the Delhi Police, so I won’t be able to speak much in detail on the matter. I have been saying this from the first day if these wrestlers have any video evidence against me. You should ask anyone who is associated with wrestling. Is Brij Bhushan Ravana?”
Singh said that he was recording the video message on the way to his home in Gonda from Delhi.

He further said, “Except these wrestlers (who are protesting), ask anyone if I have done anything wrong. I have given 11 years of my life to wrestling, to this country.”
The wrestlers have alleged that there has been a delay from the government in releasing the report of the committee that was formed to look into the allegations against Brij Bhushan Singh.
The protesting wrestlers also want the WFI chief to be stripped of his portfolio.
Two FIRs have been lodged against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at the Connaught Place Police Station. The first FIR pertains to allegations levelled by a minor victim and is registered under the POCSO Act, along with relevant IPC sections concerning outraging of modesty, etc.
The Supreme Court, while hearing an urgent plea on the matter, concluded that filing of FIRs served the purpose of the plea filed by the protesting grapplers. The court also rejected petitioner’s plea for a court-monitored probe.

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#hang #allegations #proved #WFI #chief #Brij #Bhushan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023