Tag: Ladakh News

Saudi hints at welcoming LGBTQA+ tourists in updated website

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The website of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), in its updated Q&A section, when asked,“Are LGBT visitors welcome to visit Saudi Arabia?” stated that everybody is welcome to the kingdom.
According to a report by the CNN, the response to one of the FAQs was, “Everyone is welcome to visit Saudi, provided that they follow and respect our culture, traditions and laws, as you would when you visit any other country in the world. Like other governments, we do not ask visitors personal questions and we respect the right to privacy.”
Details of the update are still not clear. CNN reported that the older version of the website till March 14 neither had the question nor the answer.

However, only time can say if members of the LGBTQA+ community are willing to travel to the Arabian country where homosexual activities can cost them their lives, as per government rules.
“Research shows they spend more money in a destination than heterosexual couples, and tend to travel more times a year,” according to Darren Burn, CEO of Out Of Office, a luxury travel planning service for the LGBTQA+ community was quoted by CNN.
“But my concern is what the reality is like in the destination. Are they saying that a same-sex couple can check into a hotel and get a double bed without any issues? My hunch would be that that’s not the reality,” Burn further added.
A look at the Saudi Arabia website indicates that the country is aiming to expand its tourism sector. According to human rights researcher Nora Noralla, Saudi is trying to ape Dubai and Qatar in a bid to generate revenue.
“In Dubai, there are a lot of gay influencers, and as long as you understand the context of the area you’re in and respect the traditional culture and not show your queerness in any way, you’re OK,” she told CNN.

Burn said that opening the doors to the LGBTQA+ community would help change mindsets that have been ruled by million years of religious traditionalistic values.
“Without travel and tourists coming to the destinations, mindsets would never change – as long as they can do so safely, LGBTQ+ travelers can break down barriers,” he said.
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#Saudi #hints #welcoming #LGBTQA #tourists #updated #website
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
EC should ban PM Modi from campaigning in Karnataka: Rajasthan CM Gehlot

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Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday urged the Election Commission to ban Prime Minister Narendra Modi from campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka. Speaking at a press conference here, he alleged that Modi was seeking votes on the basis of religion in the southern state.
“Modi is seeking votes on the basis of religion in violation of the Election Commission guidelines. He should be barred from poll campaigning,” Gehlot said. “Read the law… if someone talks in the name of religion, on religious grounds in the election campaign, ban should be imposed. His (Modi) election stands rejected, ” he added. The Karnataka Assembly election is scheduled for May 10 and counting of votes will take place on May 13. Asked if the Bajrang Dal will be banned in Rajasthan, Gehlot said, “Whatever may be the name of an organisation… the real question is what is the role of that organisation.” He was reacting to the controversy surrounding the Congress manifesto talking about taking decisive action as per law, including imposing a ban on organisations such as the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Bajrang Dal.
In its poll manifesto for the Karnataka polls, the Congress said it was committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India “spreading hatred” among communities on grounds of caste and religion.

The action will include a “ban” against such organisations, the party has promised.
Gehlot added that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to polarise Karnataka, and that inflation and unemployment are the real issues for the people.
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#ban #Modi #campaigning #Karnataka #Rajasthan #Gehlot

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
Nitish Kumar to travel to Odisha, meet Naveen Patnaik on May 9

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will meet his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar on May 9, amid talks of regional parties coming together ahead of the 2024 general elections, officials said.
Kumar will meet Patnaik at Naveen Niwas’ here around 12 pm, they said.
The Bihar CM and JD(U) leader had recently announced that he would travel across the country to unite opposition parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.

He has already met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, and Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja.
Patnaik, the BJD supremo, had also met Banerjee in March.
In December last year, Patnaik had invited both Banerjee and Kumar to witness the hockey world cup in Odisha.
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#Nitish #Kumar #travel #Odisha #meet #Naveen #Patnaik
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
Punjab guv sends forensic report on minister’s ‘objectionable’ video to CM Mann

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Chandigarh: Governor Banwarilal Purohit has forwarded a forensic report of an “objectionable” video of a Punjab minister to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, said official sources on Saturday.
According to the report, the video was not morphed, said the sources.
The governor had sent the video to the Chandigarh Director General of Police to check its authenticity after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira submitted it to him.

On May 1, Khaira handed over the “highly objectionable video of gross misconduct” of the minister to the governor for forensic verification.
Khaira also demanded that the minister be dropped from the Cabinet if the video was found genuine.
However, Khaira did not name the minister while submitting the video to the governor.
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday claimed that one of Mann government’s ministers had tendered his resignation as his “obscene video” had been submitted to the Punjab governor.
Chief Minister Mann, however, said he had not received any resignation nor any such video.

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#Punjab #guv #sends #forensic #report #ministers #objectionable #video #Mann
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
EC notice to Karnataka Cong on ‘rate card’ ads against BJP, seeks ’empirical’ evidence

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New Delhi: The Election Commission has issued a notice to the Karnataka Congress over its “corruption rate card” advertisements published in newspapers targeting the BJP, and sought “empirical evidence” to prove its allegations by Sunday evening.
The notice was issued on Saturday following a complaint lodged by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Citing provisions of the model code of conduct (MCC), Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the panel said it appears “prima facie” that the Congress has “violated” provision of the model code by publishing the advertisement.

Ahead of the May 10 assembly polls in Karnataka, the Congress released a set of posters and advertisements listing “corruption rates” in the state, between 2019 and 2023, while terming the BJP government a “trouble engine”.
“It is a fair assumption that INC possesses the material/empirical/verifiable evidence based on which these specific/explicit ‘facts’ have been published, an action which can fairly be assessed to embed knowledge, motive and intent to do so by the author,” the Election Commission (EC) notice read.
It asked the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president to “convey the empirical evidence of the same, for example, the evidences for rates for kinds of appointments and transfers, kinds of jobs and kinds of commission mentioned in the advertisement given by you along with if any explanation, by 19.00 hrs on 7th May 2023, and also put that in public domain”.
It said if the party fails to share the evidence, it has to show reasons as to “why action should not be initiated against you for violating the model code of conduct and relevant legal provisions under the Representation of the People Act and IPC, by 7 pm on May 7”.
The poll panel further said that the criticism of the policy and governance of opponent parties is a right guaranteed under the Constitution as well as an essential function of various political actors under the Indian electoral process.

“However, while exercising this right and performing this essential function, various political parties are expected to uphold high standards of public discourse and adhere to various provisions of MCC and relevant laws,” it said.
While general references and allusions to the alleged lack of achievement, misdeeds, not ensuring corruption-free governance of political opponents, do float in political campaigns, specific accusations and charges need to be segregated as the same must be backed by verifiable facts, it observed.
“Making specific charges, without any factual basis, is an action proscribed by the penal statues… without any corresponding informational verification vitiates the electoral process by disturbing level playing field by potentially misleading the elector, marring the exercise of making informed choices,” the poll watchdog said.
The allegations and imputations made in the advertisement were not general, the EC said.
“The advertisement, in its very content and format, makes very specific charges, accusing all levels of government machinery (political and bureaucratic) of being, compromised and saleable. This brings into disrepute the entire administration, which has the potential of fomenting a feeling of distrust and undermining the legitimacy of the governance system at large, which otherwise, inter-alia, is vital for the smooth conduct of the poll itself,” it pointed out.
The high-decibel campaign for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly election will end Monday evening and votes will be counted on May 13.
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#notice #Karnataka #Cong #rate #card #ads #BJP #seeks #empirical #evidence
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
UAE hints at welcoming LGBTQA+ tourists in updated website

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The website of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), in its updated Q&A section, when asked,“Are LGBT visitors welcome to visit Saudi Arabia?” stated that everybody is welcome to the Emirates.
According to a report by the CNN, the response to one of the FAQs was, “Everyone is welcome to visit Saudi, provided that they follow and respect our culture, traditions and laws, as you would when you visit any other country in the world. Like other governments, we do not ask visitors personal questions and we respect the right to privacy.”
Details of the update are still not clear. CNN reported that the older version of the website till March 14 neither had the question nor the answer.

However, only time can say if members of the LGBTQA+ community are willing to travel to the Arabian country where homosexual activities can cost them their lives, as per government rules.
“Research shows they spend more money in a destination than heterosexual couples, and tend to travel more times a year,” according to Darren Burn, CEO of Out Of Office, a luxury travel planning service for the LGBTQA+ community was quoted by CNN.
“But my concern is what the reality is like in the destination. Are they saying that a same-sex couple can check into a hotel and get a double bed without any issues? My hunch would be that that’s not the reality,” Burn further added.
A look at the UAE website indicates that the country is aiming to expand its tourism sector. According to human rights researcher Nora Noralla, UAE is trying to ape Dubai and Qatar in a bid to generate revenue.
“In Dubai, there are a lot of gay influencers, and as long as you understand the context of the area you’re in and respect the traditional culture and not show your queerness in any way, you’re OK,” she told CNN.

Burn said that opening the doors to the LGBTQA+ community would help change mindsets that have been ruled by million years of religious traditionalistic values.
“Without travel and tourists coming to the destinations, mindsets would never change – as long as they can do so safely, LGBTQ+ travelers can break down barriers,” he said.
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#UAE #hints #welcoming #LGBTQA #tourists #updated #website
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
BJP taking country on path of progress: Yogi Adityanath in poll-bound Karnataka

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Mangaluru: Raising the pitch for the BJP’s election campaign in south Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday held massive roadshows at Puttur and Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district and Karkala in Udupi.
Adityanath, who first arrived in Puttur, where party candidate Asha Thimmappa Gowda is pitted against Ashok Kumar Rai of Congress and a BJP rebel Arun Kumar Puthila, said the BJP is taking the country on path of progress.
Addressing the gathering from the campaign vehicle after the end of his roadshow, Adityanath said the Congress has always been trying to put hurdles on the path of progress.

Though the Congress tried to prevent the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, the BJP successfully fought the issue in court and the temple will turn into a reality in the near future, he said.
The Congress is now after Bajrang Dal as the party is against patriotic people and try out to demoralise those who uphold nationalist policies, he said.
Adityanath said the people of Karnataka should vote for a Team India’ to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the BJP has fielded the best candidate in Puttur and asked voters to support Asha Thimmappa Gowda.
Adityanath later campaigned for State Energy Minister V Sunil Kumar at Karkala in Udupi, where also the BJP is facing an unlikely rebel in the form of Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik. Congress has fielded Muniyalu Uday Shetty, a confidante of former Chief Minister Veerappa Moily in the seat.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister held a grand roadshow in Karkala and spoke to the gathering in a few words exhorting them to vote for a “double engine” government for sustained progress.

At the final roadshow of the day at B C Road in Bantwal, where BJP’s young leader and incumbent MLA Rajesh Naik is facing former Minister B Ramanath Rai of Congress, Adityanath was given a rousing welcome by enthusiastic party workers.
Addressing the huge gathering, Adityanath called upon the people of Karnataka to stop the Congress from coming to power as the party has declared intention to ban patriotic organisations like the Bajrang Dal. “Congress is always blocking the path to progress initiated by the BJP government under Narendra Modi,” he said.
In a passionate speech, he also invited the people of Karnataka to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh when the Ram temple will be inaugurated in January next year, to the loud cheers from the public.
In all the three meetings, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and leaders including candidates in the respective segments accompanied Adityanath.
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#BJP #country #path #progress #Yogi #Adityanath #pollbound #Karnataka
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
Man beaten to death in Faridabad

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Faridabad: Four people have been arrested for beating a man to death in Faridabad Sector 12, police said on Saturday.
They said a brawl broke out between the four accused and two men late Friday night near the Edelco mall in the area. Pappu, Shiv, Raju and Babulal beat up Sahil and Arman and fled from the spot, police added.
The injured duo were taken to a hospital by their family members where doctors declared Sahil brought dead and Arman is undergoing treatment, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Central, Satyapal Singh said.

An FIR was registered at the Central police station and the four accused were arrested, he said, adding, “We are questioning them and further action will be taken as per the law.” PTI COR
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#Man #beaten #death #Faridabad
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
Raj Thackeray urges to protect pre-historic Petroglyphs, opposes refinery plan

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Ratnagiri: Adopting a significant stance, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray on Saturday batted for tourism while opposing the proposed Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPCL) project coming up in this picturesque region where prehistoric Petroglyphs were discovered.
Addressing a public meeting here, Raj Thackeray said the Petroglyphs found here are still being studied and analysed and as per international norms, no development activities can be carried out in its vicinity.
The astounding Petroglyphs in and around Barsu were discovered in 2012 and have already made it to the Unesco’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites and locals now fear that if the RRPCL comes up here, this pre-historic site would be lost forever, he said as a caution to the Central and state governments.

Interestingly, former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray went around the Petroglyphs site along with the Barsu villagers who are opposing the refinery project.
“When the RRPCL project was announced for Barsu, I was very upset. Why can’t such big projects go to Goa or Kerala? The beautiful Konkan is intended only for tourism. Only Konkan tourism is sufficient to support the entire (economy) of Maharashtra,” Raj Thackeray said.
He warned the people of Konkan against selling off their valuable land at cheap rates “to politicians and businessmen who are aware of big projects coming up all around and then make huge profits from your land”.
The MNS chief strongly advised Konkanis that henceforth, if anybody wants to buy out their beautiful and fertile lands, “first ask them what’s the purpose” before parting with it, otherwise “you will have nothing but regrets”.
Raj’s unexpected stance — which could be music to the locals and the Shiv Sena (UBT) — may prove to be jarring for the ruling Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party which has been hoping for a partnership with the MNS.

Ironically, during the day, former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, visited Barsu where he threw his full lot with the people opposing the refinery project, even as the BJP launched a sharp attack on him.
Referring to the proposed sea-memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj off the Mumbai coast, the MNS chief — estranged cousin of Uddhav Thackeray — also questioned the need to spend over Rs 10,000 crore on the monument planned for the great Maratha warrior-king in the Arabian Sea.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj constructed several sea-forts dotting the Konkan coast. Why can’t the memorial funds be diverted for their upkeep and renovation? That’s our real legacy. Will you leave statues for the future generations to view?” Raj Thackeray demanded.
He also expressed his ire over the long delays for the upcoming Mumbai-Goa highway which has been pending proper completion since 2007 and is a road traveller’s nightmare.
“Why such a long delay? Have you ever questioned your elected representatives? What’s taking so many years for the project to come up? Today, someone told me that the contractors for one of the sections has abandoned it,” Raj Thackerary said in an incredulous tone.
The MNS leader also took potshots at his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, asking why there are differences in his party – Shiv Sena (UBT) – with some opposing and others supporting the refinery plans.
He also accused Uddhav Thackeray of allegedly ‘usurping’ the sprawling former Mayor Bungalow at Dadar west (Mumbai) in the name of the late Balasaheb Thackeray Memorial, and asked whom he had asked for it.
This was Raj Thackeray’s first foray into the Konkan region in several years and he conceded that he “was keen since long to come and discuss the problems of the people here”.
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#Raj #Thackeray #urges #protect #prehistoric #Petroglyphs #opposes #refinery #plan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
Samyukta Kisan Morcha to hold nationwide protests in support of wrestlers

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New Delhi:The Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Saturday announced that it will hold nationwide protests in support of grapplers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The outfit also demanded the immediate arrest of Singh.
On May 7, several senior leaders of SKM from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, with hundreds of farmers, shall once again visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend support to the protesting wrestlers, the outfit said in a statement.

SKM leaders shall also lead deputations to important administrative officers such as the commissioner of police, Delhi, as well as Union home and sports ministers, it said.
From May 11-18, an all-India agitation shall be held in all state capitals, district headquarters, and talukas. Public meetings and protest marches shall be held and effigy of Singh and the BJP-led central government shall be burnt, the SKM said.
The SKM had spearheaded the year-long agitation against the now-repealed farm laws of the Centre.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), a breakaway group of SKM, on Friday said a large number of farmers will gather at the Jantar Mantar here on May 8 in support of wrestlers protesting against the WFI president.
The wrestlers have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23. They have levelled allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI chief, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Uttar Pradesh.

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#Samyukta #Kisan #Morcha #hold #nationwide #protests #support #wrestlers
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023