Tag: opposes

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
NIA Opposes Separatist Leader’s Bail Plea In Terror Funding Case

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SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has opposed the bail plea of separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan in a case related to alleged terror funding under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) before the Delhi High Court.
Khan has been in judicial custody since August 14, 2017, and has been accused by the NIA of “creating unrest” in the Kashmir valley. He was arrested on July 24, 2017, and charges for various offences under the Indian Penal Code, including sedition and UAPA, were framed against him by a special NIA court on March 16 last year.
The NIA has submitted that evidence collected in the case clearly establishes a prima facie case against Khan and that he was involved in terrorist and funding activities. Certain letters were found during search and seizure from Khan’s residence showing that he was getting students admitted for MBBS courses in Pakistan, according to the agency.
The NIA has alleged that this shows Khan’s involvement in terror funding out of commission earned from getting students admitted to MBBS courses in Pakistan. Various videos have also been relied upon by the NIA to allege that Khan is seen leading a “pro-ISIS rally” and “visiting areas where terrorists were killed.” The NIA has stated that the videos have conversations by Khan about funding from Hizbul Mujahideen.
The matter will be heard on May 03 by a division bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Talwant Singh. The case alleges that there was a larger criminal conspiracy for causing disruption in the Kashmir valley by way of “pelting stones on the security forces, systematically burning of schools, damage to public property, and for waging war against India.” The case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the UAPA.
While denying him bail, the special NIA judge had noted that a detailed scrutiny of evidence and statements of various witnesses was done at the time of framing of charges and it was concluded that there is sufficient evidence available raising “grave suspicion” regarding Khan’s involvement. (LiveLaw)

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#NIA #Opposes #Separatist #Leaders #Bail #Plea #Terror #Funding #Case

( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

April 30, 2023
China opposes Amit Shah’s visit days after renaming 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh

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Beijing: China on Monday criticised Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, stating that it violated Chinese sovereignty over the area, a claim outrightly dismissed by India.
Home Minister Shah on Monday launched Vibrant Villages Programme’ from Kibithoo, the border village of Arunachal Pradesh and India’s easternmost place.
“Zangnan, (the Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh) is China’s territory,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing here while answering a question on Shah’s visit to the area.

“Indian officials’ activities in this area violate China’s sovereignty and (are) not conducive to peace and tranquility in the border regions. We firmly oppose it,” he said.
India last week outrightly rejected China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of India and assigning “invented” names does not alter this reality.
India’s reaction came in response to Beijing announcing Chinese names for 11 more places in Arunachal Pradesh which the neighbouring country claims as Southern Tibet.
“We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi.
“Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality,” he said.

It was the third batch of standardised geographical names for Arunachal Pradesh issued by China’s civil affairs ministry.
The first batch of the standardised names of six places in Arunachal Pradesh was released in 2017 while the second batch of 15 places was issued in 2021.
China’s renaming of the places in Arunachal Pradesh came in the midst of the lingering eastern Ladakh border standoff that began in May 2020.
Following the standoff, India bolstered its overall military preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Arunachal Pradesh sector as well.
Last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh remained “very fragile” and is “quite dangerous” in military assessment because of close deployments of troops of both sides in some pockets though “substantial” progress has been made in the disengagement process in many areas.
The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a nearly three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement of troops from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.
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#China #opposes #Amit #Shahs #visit #days #renaming #places #Arunachal #Pradesh
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 10, 2023
BJP opposes SC status for Dalit Christians, says ‘real’ Dalits will lose out

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Andhra Pradesh BJP president Somu Veerraju chastised the YSRCP-led state administration for passing a motion in the state Legislature requesting the Centre to modify the Constitution to grant Schedule Caste status to SCs who converted to Christianity.
Veerraju urged that the YSRC administration rescind the resolution, claiming that it was nothing more than ‘encouraging religious conversions’ in a secular society. The State BJP chairman stated that he will send a memorandum to the Governor in this respect on March 27.
Addressing reporters in Visakhapatnam, BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao said the party will reject the YSRC government’s plan to include Dalit Christians on the SC list.
He recalled how they objected to such a step during the TDP’s reign. “We will develop an action plan in response to the ruling soon,” he added.
GVL said that such inclusion would jeopardise the interests of ‘real’ Dalits, who would lose a portion of their reservation. “That would be a huge disservice to Dalits. As a result, the YSRC government should rescind the resolution. It’s all part of the ruling YSRC’s vote bank tactics,” he explained.
The MP further said that the court decision in the Rahul Gandhi issue was being misconstrued. He said that the Congress, which had stifled democracy during the Emergency, was now talking about democracy.
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#BJP #opposes #status #Dalit #Christians #real #Dalits #lose
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 26, 2023
AIADMK opposes Tamil Nadu CM’s remark on ‘honour killing’ accused

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Chennai: The main opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, AIADMK, on Thursday strongly objected to a point made by Chief Minister M K Stalin while explaining the police action following the murder of a young man, in a case of alleged honour killing.
After Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami raised the issue of the murder that took place in Krishnagiri District and sought action, Stalin, quoting the police report, told the Assembly that Sankar, a person accused in the murder, was a local AIADMK functionary (branch secretary).
AIADMK MLAs objected to the remark and said the man was not a party office-bearer. It led to an uproar.
Speaker Appavu wondered if the Chief Minister did not have the right to mention what was reported by the police. Leader of the House Duraimurugan stated that the CM only referred to the police report and if fresh police inputs emerged later, that point — indicating to the AIADMK reference — may be changed.
Stalin said both the police and district administration had been taking all steps, including commencing initiatives to spread awareness, to prevent such crimes.
On March 21, 2023, a 28-year old man, Jagan, a construction worker, was hacked to death on a highway in Krishnagiri district allegedly by three men including Sankar, who is the father of Jagan’s wife.
Sankar is now lodged in Salem Central Prison.
Jagan had recently married Sankar’s daughter, a second-year college student, against the wishes of her family, police said. Enraged by this, Sankar and two others allegedly committed the murder.

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#AIADMK #opposes #Tamil #Nadu #CMs #remark #honour #killing #accused
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 23, 2023
Gujarat univ cancels seminar after ABVP opposes participation by Jamia prof

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Vadodara: The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) here on Wednesday cancelled a seminar after members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) objected to the participation by a professor from Jamia Millia Islamia university.
Zubair Meenai, the professor, is “a communist and known for making anti-India comments,” claimed a leader of the ABVP, a student organization affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
MSU’s Faculty of Social Work had organized the seminar on ‘Respecting diversity through joint social action’ on its campus on Wednesday afternoon.
As per the invitation, one of the invited speakers was Prof Meenai of the Department of Social Work, Jamia Millia Islamia university, New Delhi.
But soon after the event started, ABVP members reached the spot and started shouting the slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, compelling the organisers to cancel the event.
In a video which went viral, ABVP members can be seen confronting the Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, Dr Bhavna Mehta.
When one of the ABVP members asked why they invited Meenai `who is known for making anti-India comments,’ Mehta said he was invited as an academician.
ABVP members then asked Mehta not to invite such people in the future.
Mehta was not available for comments.

“Meenai is a communist and known for making anti-India comments. He even made such comments against (late RSS ideologue) Nanaji Deshmukh. How come the Faculty did not find a worthy academician in Gujarat to speak on the subject that they had to invite him? ABVP will never tolerate such persons who have the anti-India mindset,” said Dhruv Parekh, the ABVP’s MSU unit president.
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#Gujarat #univ #cancels #seminar #ABVP #opposes #participation #Jamia #prof
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 15, 2023
Centre opposes same-sex marriage, says, ‘Can’t be compared to Indian family concept..’

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The Central government on Sunday opposed pleas in the Supreme Court over the recognition of same-sex marriage.
In a counter affidavit over the pleas, the Centre stated that decriminalising Section 377 IPC “cannot give rise to a claim to seek recognition for same-sex marriage”.
One petition, among the batch seeking the right to marry a person of one’s choice to be extended to LGBTQIA+ citizens, was filed by two gay men living in Hyderabad Supriyo Chakraborty and Abhay Dang.
It countered that living together of persons in same-sex relationships “cannot be compared to the Indian family concept of a husband, a wife and children born out of the union.”
The Centre added that the statutory recognition of marriage is limited to heterosexual in nature and is the norm throughout history and is foundational to both the existence and continuance of the State.
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#Centre #opposes #samesex #marriage #compared #Indian #family #concept.

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 12, 2023
China slams Quad meeting held in New Delhi; opposes ‘exclusionary blocs’

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Beijing: China on Friday renewed its criticism of the Quad grouping comprising the US, India, Australia and Japan, saying that state-to-state cooperation should be consistent with the trend of peace and development, rather than putting up “exclusionary blocs.”
The Quad foreign ministers carried out a comprehensive review of the situation in the Indo-Pacific at a meeting in New Delhi on Friday. Presided over by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi and Australian foreign minister Penny Wong.
The meeting came against the backdrop of growing global concerns over increasing Chinese assertiveness in the strategically-vital region.
A joint statement issued after the meeting reaffirmed the four-nation grouping’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and said it strongly supports the principles of rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity and peaceful settlement of disputes.
Responding to the Quad statement at a media briefing here, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China has stated its position on QUAD on multiple occasions.
“We believe that state-to-state cooperation needs to be consistent with the trend of peace and development, rather than be about putting up exclusionary blocs,” she said.
“We hope certain countries can do more things that contribute to security and mutual trust between regional countries and that help to maintain regional peace and stability,” Mao said, reaffirming Beijing’s oft-repeated opposition to the Quad that it is an exclusive bloc aimed at containing China’s rise.
In November 2017, India, Japan, the US, and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

US President Joe Biden hosted the first-ever summit of the Quad leaders in the virtual format in March 2021 that vowed to strive for an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, inclusive, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion, sending a subtle message to China.
Beijing claims almost all of the 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
On China’s reluctance, along with Russia, to endorse a joint statement on the Ukraine war at the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, spokesperson Mao said G20 is a premier forum for international economic cooperation.
The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi was unable to come out with a joint communique due to a bitterly increasing rift between the US-led Western powers and Russia over the Ukraine conflict despite consistent efforts by host India to bridge the differences.
“The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. Leaders of member states made it clear in the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration last year that the G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues,” Mao said.
China believes that the G20 should work to follow through on the leaders’ consensus, focus on its mandate and main function, and contribute to promoting stable, inclusive and sustainable economic recovery, she added.
“We also noted that G20 members have varying views on the Ukraine issue. We hope that G20 members will respect each other’s concerns and send a message of solidarity and cooperation instead of division and mutual recrimination,” she added.
About China’s views on the outcome of the New Delhi meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers, she said: It was an important event, especially considering the uncertainties and challenges facing today’s world.
“China hopes that the G20 will demonstrate its sense of responsibility and contribute to global development and prosperity,” she added.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang took part in the meeting.
The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.
The members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
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#China #slams #Quad #meeting #held #Delhi #opposes #exclusionary #blocs
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 3, 2023
MP: Congress opposes move to go digital in Assembly; returns iPads

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Bhopal: The opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday opposed the introduction of a digitalised system in the Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session with all legislators being provided iPads, citing various reasons.
Senior Congress leaders including the party’s Madhya Pradesh unit chief Kamal Nath and Leader of Opposition Govind Singh have returned their iPads to the Speaker Girish Gautam.
This led to an exchange of barbs between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress during the session.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said the decision to distribute iPads to MLAs was against the tradition of Madhya Pradesh Assembly, adding he would not require an iPad, while stating that “these iPads are assembled in China”.
Govind Singh has accused the ruling BJP of using a ‘China-made’ iPad.
“Several Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in Galwan Valley. These iPads given to MLAs are China-made… and therefore, we are opposing it,” Singh said, accusing the BJP of being double-standard in the name of nationalism.
The Congress leader also said the use of a China-assembled iPad may pave the way for ‘data stealing’.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who is also the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, defended the government’s decision.

“These iPads are not China-made, and assembling means that products are assembled in many places,” he said.
In response, LoP Govind Singh demanded open voting in the Assembly, claiming that many BJP leaders would also return these iPads.
On March 1, the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government tabled its first paperless annual budget for 2023-2024, and each MLA was also provided an iPad.
The process of introducing digital systems in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly started nearly one and a half years ago, and for this purpose, a team led by Speaker Girish Gautam visited nearly six states where digital systems were already introduced.
After taking cues from different states, the Speaker had sent a recommendation to the Madhya Pradesh government for allocation of the budget to purchase iPads.
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#Congress #opposes #move #digital #Assembly #returns #iPads
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 2, 2023
NIA accuses Navlakha of links with ISI agent in US, opposes bail plea

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Mumbai: Activist Gautam Navlakha, arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, had connections with a Pakistani ISI agent arrested in the US, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told the Bombay High Court while opposing his bail application.
The agency, in its affidavit filed in response to Navlakha’s plea, also claimed that he had “committed acts that had a direct impact on the national security, unity and sovereignty.”
NIA lawyer Sandesh Patil on Monday informed a division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and P D Naik that it had filed its reply opposing Navlakha’s bail plea.
The bench said it would hear arguments on the application on February 27.
The NIA in its affidavit claimed that Navlakha had visited the United States thrice to speak at the Kashmiri American Council Conference organised by Ghulam Nabi Fai with whom Navlakha was in touch regularly.
“Ghulam Nabi Fai was arrested by the (US agency) FBI in July 2011 for accepting funds from the ISI and Pakistan government….Navlakha had written a letter to the judge of the US court trying Ghulam Nabi Fai’s case for clemency,” the NIA said.
“Gautam Navlakha was introduced to a Pakistani ISI General for his recruitment by Ghulam Nabi Fai on the direction of the ISI, showing his nexus and complicity with Ghulam Nabi Fai and Pakistani ISI,” the agency further claimed.
Navlakha is presently under house arrest, instead of being in jail, as permitted by the Supreme Court on health grounds.

The agency also stated that Navlakha has “deep links with CPI (Maoist) and he espouses Maoist ideology and anti-government utterances through his various lectures and videos.”
The objective of these activities was to overthrow the government, it said.
Navlakha was assigned tasks such as uniting intellectuals against government forces and recruitment of cadres for “guerrilla activities of CPI (Maoist)”, the NIA alleged.
He was not merely supporting a banned terror organisation but “had an active role in furthering CPI (Maoist) activities,” it claimed.
The Elgar case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district.
Police had also claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. Later the probe in the case, where more than a dozen activists and academicians have been named as accused, was transferred to the NIA.
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#NIA #accuses #Navlakha #links #ISI #agent #opposes #bail #plea
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 21, 2023