New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday highlighted the violation of provisions of promoting electronic cigarettes during a business summit here and asked the media to ensure that it does not happen again.
In a notice to all media organisations, including print, electronic and digital, the Ministry said: “It has been brought to the notice by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that in a recently organised Business Summit in New Delhi by a prominent media house, the forum was apparently used to promote electronic cigarettes.”
“Such an action was in violation of Section 4 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019 which prohibits advertisements that directly or indirectly promote the use of electronic cigarettes,” it said.
It said that the print, electronic, and digital media entities are “accordingly advised to ensure that the aforementioned statute is not contravened either by way of advertisement or any promotion or other campaigns etc”.
New Delhi: On the eve of polling in the crucial Karnataka Assembly polls, the Congress on Tuesday complained to the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In a eight-page complaint to the Commission, Congress General Secretary and state unit in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said: “We write to you with great urgency to bring to your attention the brazen and blatant violation of the MCC as well as the provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1951 by the Prime Minister and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).”
Surjewala said that on Monday, post 11 p.m., Modi addressed the public through a video message, wherein he appealed to the voters of Karnataka on behalf of BJP and all its candidates contesting in the the elections.
“With due respect, neither the Prime Minister nor this Commission can possibly deny the ‘Silence Period’ as contemplated under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 for the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Elections, 2023 had come into effect from Monday 6 p.m.” he said, attaching the video link of the Prime Minister’s address.
The Congress leader, who himself camped in the southern state for over two months, said: “In fact, this Commission’s attention may even be brought to the live interviews of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda, which were aired on news channels after the declaration of the ‘Silence Period’. In these interviews, the said leaders spoke extensively about the Karnataka elections and their respective candidates.”
He also submitted a copy of the video recording of the live interviews being conducted on news channels after declaration of ‘Silence Period’ with the Commission.
The Congress leader, in his complaint, also cited the six complaints it submitted with the poll panel in last few days against the speeches given by Modi, Shah, Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as part of BJP’s election campaign.
Surjewala said that he was still hoipeful that the poll panel may initiate action against the BJP leaders and not be intimidated by the high offices that they hold.
“The COmmission must take immediate note of this and initiate appropriate proceedings against Modi, Shah, Nadda, Yogi Adityanath and the BJP,” he said, adding that it may be mentioned that if convicted under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, these leaders will stand disqualified from their respective membership in the Parliament as well as the Legislative Assembly.
On Monday, the Commission also served a notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asking to provide clarification and take rectification measures over former party chief Sonia Gandhi’s purported ‘Karnataka sovereignty’ remark.
Polling for Karnataka assembly is scheduled on May 10 and counting of votes will take place on May 13.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to cease construction on land adjoining the Lotus Temple and Kalkaji Mandir, observing that it is likely to affect skyline in the area.
Justice Prathiba M. Singh, who was handling a number of pleas against the redevelopment of the Kalkaji temple, perused several photos and stated that large-scale construction is being carried out on the land.
Even though the DDA argued that the work was only temporary, the court said that any development of this kind would impair the vista of the Lotus Temple.
It also said that the land in question is adjoining the Kalkaji Mandir, the redevelopment of which is being considered.
The court was informed that new construction and excavation are taking place in the land adjoining the Kalkaji Mandir and the Lotus Temple.
It was claimed that a third party to whom DDA leased the land is responsible for the construction activity.
Although the DDA has maintained that the area surrounding the Kalkaji Mandir is a green space from its beginning, Justice Singh stated that suddenly the site “seems to have been demarcated by DDA on its own and large-scale construction is being undertaken”.
“Accordingly, subject to further examination, and to ensure that the redevelopment of the Kalkaji Mandir is not adversely affected, it is directed that the DDA or the contractor/licensee on its behalf shall cease construction on this land,” the court ordered.
It directed the DDA to file an affidavit detailing when the land was last utilised for social and religious events and whether the DDA was maintaining it as a green space, within two weeks.
Accordingly, Justice Singh posted the matter for hearing next on May 25.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday was informed by Shahrukh Pathan that there is no role attributed to him and that the “entire case is a farce” in a matter related to rioting and causing injuries to police personnel, including one Rohit Shukla, by an armed mob during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma was hearing Pathan’s bail plea. Simultaneously, Pathan is facing charges in another case in connection with pointing a pistol at a policeman.
A trial court had rejected Pathan’s bail plea in December 2021.
It is to be noted that the charges have already been framed against Pathan in the matter, and he had moved the high court in January last year seeking bail.
Even though there are four more accused in the case, the petitioner is the only one not named in the FIR or identified by anyone and yet he is behind bars whereas others have been released on bail, Pathan’s counsel Khalid Akhtar told the court.
“The bail application and arguments on the charges were heard together. Bail was rejected on the ground that he [Pathan] is accused in another case, that he could be a flight risk and that there were contradictions in his statements which are the subject matter of trial. There are total five accused persons in the FIR. I am the only person who is neither named nor identified while all others were named and identified. Their addresses were also disclosed by the victim and yet all of them have been granted bail and I am the only one behind bars. This entire case is a farce,” Akhtar submitted on behalf of his client.
Akhtar also apprised the court that the bail application has been pending for 15 months now, and that his client is lodged in jail for three years and one month.
“No role is attributed to me. It is not their case that I shot the victim. Examination of the main victim is complete. That is full of contradiction. There is nothing,” he submitted.
Justice Sharma then directed the special public prosecutor for Delhi Police to file a chart indicating the role of the accused persons, including Pathan, and the evidence attributed against them.
The court then listed the matter for further hearing on July 24.
Earlier in February, Pathan had informed the high court that the conclusion of the trial has been delayed for a long and that for more than a year now, only two witnesses have been examined out of 40.
Akhtar had earlier submitted: “There is a huge delay in the conclusion of the trial. Only two witnesses have been examined so far out of about 40. I have been attacked in jail too.”
Patna: A Bihar man, declared dead in a police record nearly six months ago, wrote to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the DGP, SP, Gopalganj and SHO, Deoria police station, claiming that he is alive and living with his newly-wedded wife in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district.
Sonu Kumar Srivastava, 30, son of Manibhuson Srivastava, disappeared 5 months and 25 days ago from Deoria village. His family members claimed that he went to Patna to buy some goods but never returned home. After two days, a dead body with its throat slit was found in a area coming under the Deoria police station.
His father and other family members identified his body and had lodged an FIR of kidnapping cum murder.
As per the letter written by Srivastava to police, he was carrying Rs 50,000 to buy some goods from Patna and took a bus. After reaching Deoria Chowk, he de-boarded from the bus after receiving a call from someone.
“After de-boarding from the bus, he walked for a few metres and then disappeared. We have received a missing complaint from his father and initiated a search operation on the basis of the last phone call location. We had searched the entire area but did not find anything. After a couple of days, a dead body with a slit throat appeared on social media and the family members of Srivastava recognised him as their son. Accordingly, they have registered an FIR under relevant IPC section of kidnapping and murder in our police station,” said Uday Kumar Singh, SHO of Deoria police station.
The youth’s “letter” said that he eloped with a girl named Neelam Kumari of his adjoining village and went to Ghaziabad and are staying there happily. He has also sent the proof of marriage. He further said that the FIR of kidnapping cum murder registered in the police station is wrong.
“Following his confession, we have conveyed the message to his family members. Further investigation is on,” Singh said.
New Delhi: The Maharashtra government on Friday told the Supreme Court that it has already recommended a CBI probe into the alleged lynching of three persons in Palghar district in 2020.
Following the state’s submission, the court disposed of four petitions on the issue.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha took note of the fresh affidavit of the state government that a communication to this effect (regarding the CBI probe) has already been issued by it.
“In view of the decision taken by the state government, no further direction is needed on these petitions at this stage. The petitions are disposed of,” the bench said.
The pleas demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging that the investigation by the state police was being conducted in a biased manner.
Earlier, the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi government had opposed the plea for a CBI probe into the incident. Later, with the change of dispensation, the state government agreed to the demand.
Three people from Kandivali in Mumbai were travelling in a car to attend a funeral in Surat in Gujarat amid the COVID-19-induced nationwide lockdown when their vehicle was stopped and they were attacked and allegedly killed by a mob in Gadchinchile village on the night of April 16, 2020 in the presence of police.
The victims were identified as Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri, 70, Sushil Giri Maharaj, 35, and Nilesh Telgade, 30, who was driving the vehicle.
Three First Information Reports were registered at Kasa police station following the incident, naming a total of 256 persons.
The accused against whom charge sheet was filed included 16 juveniles. A total of 44 accused are still in judicial custody.
Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer on Friday called on the students of Sri Venkateswara Vedic University (SVVU) to decipher the ancient wisdom of the Vedas.
Addressing the seventh convocation of the varsity, the Governor said Vedas were treasures of knowledge from ages ago, whose essence should be propagated for the well-being of humanity.
“India, or Bharat, has been popular as the powerhouse of knowledge ever since the dawn of human civilisation. The uniqueness of Indian knowledge system lies in the quintessential Vedic sources that originated in this sub-continent,” Nazeer said in his speech.
As the Chancellor of the varsity, he appreciated the institution for digitising 3,000 manuscripts thus far and wished that SVVU would reach greater heights in spreading knowledge for the benefit of society, not only in the country but across the world.
As many as 550 students were conferred with graduate and post-graduate degrees. The title of Maha Mahopadhyaya was awarded to Subrahmanya Shastri Salakshana Ghanapati and Dravida Shastry and the title of Vachaspathi was conferred on Ramasomayaji Shastry and Vamsikrishna Ghanapati.
She was Egypt’s last Pharaoh, a legendary leader who according to popular belief ended her life by allowing a deadly cobra to bite her breast.
But more than 2000 years after her death, the woman who had love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony has ignited a modern-day controversy over race and representation.
In Queen Cleopatra, a new four-part drama-documentary made by Netflix, the title role is played by Adele James, an actor of mixed heritage – a move that has enraged Egyptian experts who insist the pharaonic leader had “white skin and Hellenistic characteristics”.
This week, the Egyptian antiquities ministry published a lengthy statement that included opinions from experts that, it said, agree on Cleopatra’s skin colour and facial features.
“Bas-reliefs and statues of Queen Cleopatra are the best proof,” the statement said, embellishing its text with illustrations showing Cleopatra with European traits.
For Mostafa Waziri, head of the Supreme Antiquities Council, depicting the famous queen as black was nothing less than “a falsification of Egyptian history”.
He said there was nothing racist in this view, which is motivated by “defending the history of Queen Cleopatra, an important part of the history of Egypt in antiquity”.
Amid a Twitter storm on the subject, James, who has appeared in the British hospital drama Casualty, said: “If you don’t like the casting, don’t watch the show.”
Tudum, the official companion site to Netflix, earlier this week quoted the producers of the series as saying: “Her ethnicity is not the focus of [the series] Queen Cleopatra, but we did intentionally decide to depict her of mixed ethnicity to reflect theories about Cleopatra’s possible Egyptian ancestry and the multicultural nature of ancient Egypt.”
It had worked with leading historians and experts including Shelley Haley, professor of classics and African studies at Hamilton College in New York, and the Cleopatra scholar Sally-Ann Ashton to “explore Cleopatra’s story as a queen, strategist, ruler of formidable intellect as well as a woman whose heritage is the subject of great debate”, they said.
Cleopatra, who was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 69 BC, succeeded her father, Ptolemy XII, in 51 BC and ruled until her death in 30BC. Afterwards, Egypt fell under Roman domination. She spoke many languages in addition to her native Greek.
The identity of Cleopatra’s mother is not known. Some historians say she could have been an indigenous Egyptian or from elsewhere in Africa. Shakespeare used the word “tawny” to describe the queen in his play Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra was portrayed as dark-skinned in some Renaissance art.
More recently, Cleopatra has been played by white actors including Vivien Leigh, Claudette Colbert and Elizabeth Taylor.
Jada Pinkett Smith, the American actor who was executive producer and narrator on the series, told Tudum: “We don’t often get to see or hear stories about black queens, and that was really important for me … The sad part is that we don’t have ready access to these historical women who were so powerful and were the backbones of African nations.”
Some experts have said the debate reflects contemporary views about race, rather than how race was understood in ancient times.
“To ask whether someone was ‘black’ or ‘white’ is anachronistic and says more about modern political investments than attempting to understand antiquity on its own terms,” Rebecca Futo Kennedy, an associate professor of Classics at Denison University, told Time magazine.
“There is nothing wrong in casting Cleopatra as black,” Kenan Malik wrote in the Observer this week. “The problem lies in the resonances that flow from that. James is no more and no less authentically a Cleopatra than Elizabeth Taylor was. Ancient commentary on Cleopatra reveals little interest in discussing her identity in the way the modern world obsessively does.”
A BBC documentary in 2009 claimed that Cleopatra had African blood, an assertion that passed without incident.
Agence France-Prese contributed to this report
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( With inputs from : www.theguardian.com )
Pope Francis called for open doors and inclusivity during a visit to Hungary on Sunday.
The Hungarian government has long faced criticism over anti-immigration policies and rhetoric that has stoked xenophobia at home. Concerns about Budapest’s treatment of minorities were exacerbated on the eve of the pope’s three-day visit when Hungarian President Katalin Novák unexpectedly pardoned a far-right terrorist.
Speaking to a large crowd in central Budapest on Sunday morning before wrapping up his trip, the pope did not directly address the Hungarian government’s policies but was blunt about the need to embrace outsiders.
“How sad and painful it is to see closed doors,” the pope said at an outdoor mass, pointing to “the closed doors of our indifference towards the underprivileged and those who suffer; the doors we close towards those who are foreign or unlike us, towards migrants or the poor.”
“Please, brothers and sisters, let us open those doors!” he added. “Let us try to be — in our words, deeds and daily activities — like Jesus, an open door: a door that is never shut in anyone’s face, a door that enables everyone to enter and experience the beauty of the Lord’s love and forgiveness.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — who is not Catholic himself but has close political allies who emphasize their Catholic roots — has tried to capitalize on the pope’s visit, tweeting on Friday that “it is a privilege to welcome” the pontiff and that “Hungary has a future if it stays on the Christian path.”
On Sunday, however, Pope Francis underscored that his message is directed at Hungary itself.
“I say this also to our lay brothers and sisters, to catechists and pastoral workers, to those with political and social responsibilities, and to those who simply go about their daily lives, which at times are not easy. Be open doors!” he said.
“Be open and inclusive,” the pope added, “then, and in this way, help Hungary to grow in fraternity, which is the path of peace.”
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( With inputs from : www.politico.eu )
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister and BRS national president K Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday told his party leaders to prepare for the state elections which he said, will be held in October this year.
According to sources, the state cabinet could ask the Governor to dissolve the Assembly, in which case the elections would be held within the time period as stipulated by the Constitution.
KCR talked of the “impending” elections while speaking to office-bearers at the BRS’s general body meeting on the party’s founding day, in Hyderabad.
Addressing the meeting, the Telangana chief minister claimed the strides that the state has made show that anything could be achieved in a “parliamentary system”.
“Now, we are moving ahead with the vision of putting the country on the path to progress with a slogan of ‘Aab Ki Bar Kisan Sarkar’,” he added, underlining the party’s ambition to mark its political and electoral footprints beyond Telangana.
BRS won 63 seats in the first Assembly election since the state was founded. It bettered its performance in the subsequent Assembly polls, bagging 88 seats.
“The BRS will win more than 100 seats in the next (Assembly) elections. Returning to power in Telangana won’t be a challenging task for us but the priority should be to win more Assembly seats than we did the last time,” the CM said.
“We will put out television advertisements and also produce (promotional) films in future to help the party reach out effectively to the masses. If necessary, the party will also launch a TV channel of its own,” the CM said.
He directed BRS leaders to identify “idle” government land in all the districts and inform his office about it so that the plots could be distributed to the poor for building houses.
“In some villages, government plots are lying idle. Submit the details of such land with survey numbers at my office. Suitable land will be distributed to the poor so that they could build houses,” he said.
Earlier, on Thursday, KCR laid floral tributes before the statue of Telangana Talli at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad. Later, the BRS Supremo unveiled the party flag.
The meeting of the party representatives began with an inaugural speech by BRS Secretary General and MP K Keshava Rao.
