TDP says BJP means 'Break Janata Promise', quits NDA; top 10 developments

Congress will support the no-confidence motion moved against the Centre by Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party and the Jaganmohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party

N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday formally decided to exit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), days after two of its ministers quit the Narendra Modi government protesting the denial of a special-category status to Andhra Pradesh. Further, the TDP moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over what it sees as injustice meted out to Andhra Pradesh.

The decision to pull out of the NDA was taken after Chandrababu Naidu's teleconference with TDP members. TDP's politburo unanimously took the decision to exit the alliance. The Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party also issued the notice to move a no-trust motion on Friday.

TDP's pullout comes on a day when its rival in the state, the Y S Jagnamohan Reddy-led Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSR Congress), moved a motion of no-confidence against the council of ministers in the Lok Sabha.

On March 8, after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, the TDP's Union ministers -- P Ashok Gajapati Raju and Y S Chowdary -- had quit the Cabinet. Raju had held the Union civil aviation ministry while Chowdary was the Minister of State for Science and Technology.

With the decision made, the TDP will write to BJP President Amit Shah and the other constituents of the NDA, informing them of its decision and the reasons for it, a TDP communique added. The decision comes against the backdrop of the Centre not only refusing to grant a special-category status to Andhra Pradesh, but Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley going on to categorically rule out any such possibility.

Here are the top 10 developments in the TDP's exit from the NDA:

1) In unanimous decision, TDP walks out of NDA: Andhra Pradesh's TDP on Friday pulled out of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, a party leader said. TDP Rajya Sabha MP Y S Chowdary told news agencies: "Yes, our party (TDP) has pulled out of the alliance with the NDA."

The TDP politburo unanimously took the decision to walk out of the alliance during a teleconference with party supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday morning. While the party politburo meeting to decide about snapping ties with the NDA was planned for Friday evening, the formality was completed during the daily teleconference Chandrababu holds with party leaders in the morning.

ALSO READ: TDP pulling out of Modi govt harks back to permafrost problem of coalitions

2) TDP moves no-confidence motion against Modi govt: The TDP on Friday moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over what it sees as injustice meted out to Andhra Pradesh over the special-status category demand.

Naidu directed TDP MP Thota Narasimham to submit a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretariat in this regard, informed sources said. "This House expresses No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers," Narsimhan later said in a letter to the Lok Sabha Secretary Snehlata Shrivastava. He also wrote: "Under Rule 198 (B) of Chapter XVII of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I hereby give notice to move the following motion in the House on today dated March 16."

Click here to read → Chandrababu Naidu

No deadline for linking Aadhaar card to services says SC: Top developments

The government cannot insist for mandatory Aadhaar even for issuance of Tatkal passport,' the Supreme Court said

Supreme Court judgement on Aadhaar card: The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the March 31 deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes run by the government till its constitution bench delivered its verdict on the validity of the 12-digit biometric number and its enabling law.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra extended the deadline after the Centre said it had already submitted that they were ready to extend the March 31 deadline for linking of the national biometric identifier with all services and welfare schemes.

"We direct that the March 31, 2018, deadline for linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes stand extended till the matter is heard and judgement is pronounced by the constitution bench," the bench also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan said.

The extension of deadline would also apply on the mandatory linking of Aadhaar with the bank accounts and mobile phone numbers.
The constitution bench is hearing a batch of petitions which have challenged the constitutional validity of Aadhaar and its enabling Act.

Also read : Aadhaar Must For Tatkal Passport, No Linking Deadline: Top 10 Developments

On March 6, Attorney General K K Venugopal had indicated to the bench that the Centre was willing to extend the March 31 deadline in the wake of prolonged hearing of the matter.

On December 15 last year, the apex court had extended till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes.

If you haven't linked your Aadhaar to your mobile number or bank account yet, this might come as a relief.
The Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, hearing a bunch of petitions against the Aadhaar law, was informed by Attorney General K K Venugopal that the Centre had extended the deadline in the past, too, and that it could do so again.

"If required, we can do it again," Venugopal said, after petitioners challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme sought an extension of the deadline to link the 12-digit unique identity number with various government schemes and services.

The petitioners, for their part, said that the deadline was approaching and the case was unlikely to be decided by March 31.

On December 15, 2017, the apex court had directed that the deadline for the linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts and mobile phones be extended until March 31.

The Constitution Bench is hearing challenges to the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme on the touchstone of the fundamental right to privacy on a bunch of petitions by former Karnataka High Court Judge K S Puttuswamy, Magsaysay awardee Shanta Sinha, feminist researcher Kalyani Sen Menon, and others.

The UIDAI, however, has said the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts or applying for Tatkal passports will continue, while the deadline for linking it to existing bank accounts and PAN has been extended by the Supreme Court.

"As per the Supreme Court's order dated 13th March 2018, the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts and applying for Tatkal passports under the relevant laws continues," the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

UP, Bihar bypolls: Gorakhpur loss start of BJP's worry? Top 10 developments

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said over-confidence and inability to understand the understanding between SP and BSP were the prime reasons for the BJP's shocking loss

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received a severe setback in the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Lok Sabha and Assembly by-elections, losing four of the five seats in the bypolls, including the all-important Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats in Uttar Pradesh. Especially worrisome for the BJP was the fact that it was trounced by the BSP-backed Samajwadi Party in the high-stakes Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls which could boost the chances of a 'mahagathbandhan' of anti-BJP parties before the 2019 general elections.

After sweeping the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections last year, the BJP faced a last-minute alliance stitched by the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the bypolls. BSP supremo Mayawati had announced her party's backing for SP candidates in both Gorakhpur and Phulpur in return for the SP's support for her party's candidate in the Rajya Sabha biennial elections.

The BJP lost the Gorakhpur seat to the SP by a margin of 21,961 votes. SP candidate Pravin Kumar Nishad got 456,437 more votes than his nearest rival, BJP's Upendra Dutt Shukla, who secured 434,476 votes. In the Phulpur constituency, SP candidate Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel defeated BJP candidate Kaushalendra Singh by a margin of 59,613 votes. The winner polled 342,796 votes, while the BJP candidate secured 283,183.

Significantly, Gorakhpur was earlier held by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had held the Phulpur seat.

Meanwhile, in Bihar, the BJP also lost the Araria Lok Sabha constituency and the Jehanabad Assembly seat while scoring a consolation win in the Bhabua Assembly seat. The results in both the states triggered calls for a Grand Alliance -- a la Bihar -- all across India to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. |Phulpur bypolls results

Once the outcome of the Uttar Pradesh 2018 bypolls was known, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that "over-confidence and the inability to understand the understanding between SP and BSP" were the prime reasons for the BJP's defeat.

Here are the top 10 developments in the shock defeat for BJP in UP and Bihar bypolls:
1) SP victory boosts chances of an anti-BJP coalition in UP: With the tacit understanding between the Samajwadi Party and the BSP in the Lok Sabha bye-elections for two seats paying off, chances of a 'mahagathbandhan' of anti-BJP parties before the 2019 general elections got a boost in Uttar Pradesh. These results are the beginning of the formation of a broadest possible alliance of Opposition forces before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, senior political analyst and retired head of the political science department of the Lucknow University Ramesh Dixit said.

"The Congress will also be forced to come into this fold with all the major players," Dixit said, adding that all these parties were working to oust the BJP. "This showing has come as a silver lining for all the other parties and, notwithstanding their inner contradictions, their major concern of maintaining their political relevance, which is under challenge, will guide them to fall in line," Dixit said.

 

Click here to read → Gorakhpur bypoll results

Aadhaar must for tatkal passport, no linking deadline: Top 10 developments

The Aadhaar linking deadline has been extended till the apex court delivers its judgment on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the biometric identification scheme

 

 

Link your Aadhaar to your mobile phone number and bank account as soon as possible. If these persistent messages from telecom service providers and banks have been bothering you, you can safely ignore them -- at least for some more time. The Supreme Court has indefinitely extended the March 31 deadline for linking Aadhaar with existing bank accounts, PAN, mobile phone numbers, and various other services. However, the relief was not absolute as, according to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), your Aadhaar would still be required for opening new bank accounts or applying for Tatkal passports.

The apex court also ruled that the government could continue to seek beneficiaries' Aadhaar, the 12-digit national biometric identifier number, for the transfer of benefits under schemes funded from the consolidated fund of India. "We direct that the interim order passed on December 15, 2017, shall stand extended till the matter is finally heard and the judgment is pronounced," a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, said. The judgment provided relief to hundreds or thousands of people who have not yet linked their bank accounts or mobile phones with Aadhaar.

The Aadhaar linking deadline has been extended till the apex court delivers its judgment on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the biometric identification scheme. The current deadline for linking Aadhaar with bank accounts, mobile phone numbers, and other services was March 31, after it had been extended by the apex court on December 15 last year.

As Chief Justice Deepak Misra said their interim order stood extended, the Attorney General told the court that the government was prepared to extend the deadline in the last week of March because arguments in the matter would have concluded by then. "We were prepared for extension in last week of March," he told the court in a bid to stall the extension.

The Constitution Bench, which also includes Justice A K Sikri, Justice A M Khanwilkar, Justice D Y Chandrachud, and Justice Ashok Bhushan, had on March 7 ruled that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would not insist on Aadhaar-only identification for NEET and other all-India examinations.

Here are the new rules regarding Aadhaar linking with mobile phone numbers, bank accounts, and services, and the top 10 developments regarding the Aadhaar biometric identification scheme:
1) COAI lauds order on Aadhaar linking deadline: The Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) lauded the Supreme Court's decision to extend the deadline for linking various services, including mobile phone numbers, with Aadhaar. The COAI said that the move would provide customers and telecom service providers (TSPs) enough time to carry out Aadhaar linking.
"We welcome the Supreme Court's order on extending the timeline for linking mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar numbers, till the pronouncement of the judgment on the matter. This will provide adequate time to both the customers and TSPs to conduct the exercise in an orderly manner," COAI Director General Rajan Mathews said in a statement. "We will await further instructions from the Department of Telecom in this regard," he added.

2) Aadhaar must for opening bank accounts: The requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts will continue, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said on Tuesday.
The UIDAI, however, added that "for those who do not have Aadhaar, they are required to apply for Aadhaar and provide the Aadhaar application number while applying for availing the aforesaid services".

UP, Bihar bypoll results 2018 LIVE: SP leading in Adityanath's Gorakhpur and Phulpur

Lok Sabha by-elections 2018 in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Bihar's Araria being viewed as yet another test for BJP ahead of 2019 general elections

 

The Samajwadi Party was leading in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur by-polls late in the morning. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha by-election 2018 for the two Assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh — Gorakhpur and Phulpur — and Bihar's Jahanabad and Bhabua, besides the Araria Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, commenced on Wednesday amid tight security arrangements. The results are expected to be declared by Thursday afternoon, according to an Election Commission official.
Meanwhile, the initial counting of votes today showed that the BJP-led NDA was leading in the Araria Lok Sabha and Jahanabad and Bhabua Assembly by-elections in Bihar. The candidates of the Grand Alliance of RJD, Congress and HAM were trailing in all three seats.

Uttar Pradesh by-elections 2018
The voter turnout was 47.45 per cent in Gorakhpur and 37.39 per cent in Phulpur in Sunday's polling. Ten candidates were in the fray from Gorakhpur, while 22 candidates contested from Phulpur. According to the Election Commission, there are 1.96 million (19.61 lakh) voters in Phulpur parliamentary constituency, while the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat has a 1.95 million (19.49 lakh) electorate.

Uttar Pradesh by-polls 2018 were necessitated after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya vacated the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, respectively, following their election to the state legislative council.

Bihar by-elections 2018
Fifty-seven per cent polling was registered in Araria, Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer Ajay V Nayak said. In the Bhabua and Jehanabad Assembly constituencies in Bihar, where by-polls were also held, the voter turnout was 54.03 per cent and 50.06 per cent respectively, he said.

Bihar by-polls 2018 for the Araria seat was necessitated by the death of RJD MP Mohd Taslimuddin.

Click here to read → Phulpur by poll results

INX Media case: ED opposes relief to Karti Chidambaram; top 10 developments

Delhi High Court's Justice Indermeet Kaur recused herself from hearing Karti Chidambaram's bail plea in the INX Media corruption case

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court order that granted relief to Karti Chidambaram, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the INX Media corruption case, in the money laundering case registered against him.

The Delhi High Court on March 10 had restrained the central probe agency from arresting Karti Chidambaram till March 20.

Meanwhile, Delhi High Court Justice Indermeet Kaur recused from hearing Karti Chidambaram's bail plea. The matter has now been referred to another Bench.

Karti Chidambaram, businessman and son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, has moved the Delhi High Court seeking bail in connection with the INX media case. The high court will hear his petition on March 13. Currently, Karti has been sent to judicial custody till March 25 in the INX Media Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance case.

On Monday it was reported that the court refused Karti's plea for a separate cell in the jail in view of threat perception, as during his father's tenure as Union Home Minister, several terrorists were kept in Tihar jail. The court said that while the social status of the Chidambaram family could not be ignored, Karti could not be treated differently from the other accused persons.

"However, only keeping in view the fact of social status of accused and his father, he cannot be treated differently from other accused persons and cannot be allowed to be kept in separate prison. However, lock up in-charge and jail superintendent are directed to provide and ensure proper security and safety to accused during judicial custody, as per rules," the court said.

Karti was arrested by the CBI on his return from the United Kingdom in connection with an FIR lodged on May 15 last year. The probe agency alleged irregularities in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to a media house, INX Media, for receiving funds of about Rs 3.05 billion (Rs 305 crore) from overseas in 2007 when his father was the Union finance minister.
Initially, the CBI had alleged that Karti Chidambaram received Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakh) as a bribe for facilitating the FIPB clearance to INX Media. It, however, later revised the figure to $1 million (about Rs 6.50 crore at the current exchange rate and Rs 4.50 crore in 2007). The fresh evidence in the case, which triggered Karti's arrest, was based on a statement by Indrani Mukerjea, former director of INX Media (P) Ltd, who recorded it under Section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate on February 17.

Here are the top 10 developments around the Karti Chidambaram INX Media corruption case:
1) ED moves SC against HC order giving relief to Karti: The Supreme Court will hear the ED's plea against the Delhi High Court order on Karti Chidambaram in the money laundering case arising out of the INX Media matter on March 15.

On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate approached the apex court against the Delhi High Court order, which had granted relief to Karti Chidambaram.

Click here to read → INX Media case

Nepal plane crash: Airport blames US-Bangla pilot; top 10 developments

Expressing shock over the US-Bangla Airlines crash in Kathmandu that killed 49, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli tweeted that his government would 'investigate the incident immediately'

A passenger plane of the US-Bangla Airlines, flying to Kathmandu from Dhaka, crash-landed and exploded into a ball of flame on Monday at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, authorities said. Of the 71 people on board, as many as 49 were killed and 22 injured in the crash.

The death toll in the crash was confirmed by Nepal Police spokesperson Manoj Neupane. The aircraft caught fire after it skidded off the runway at TIA while landing.

Subsequently, the plane crashed in a field, apparently due to technical glitches. The crash is being described as Nepal's worst aviation disaster in over 25 years.

Condoling the bereaved families, Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli tweeted that his government would "investigate the incident immediately".

Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Sanjiv Gautam, said that the plane lost control when it attempted to land on the runway. "The aircraft was permitted to land from the southern side of the runway flying over Koteshwor but it landed from the northern side," said Gautam. He added that the aircraft might have sustained technical glitches. "We are yet to ascertain the reason behind the unusual landing," he said.

On Monday, India condoled the loss of lives in the Nepal airplane crash and offered any assistance required. The US, too, offered its sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who were killed in the plane crash at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport.

Also Read : Nepal Plane Crash: 50 Dead On US-Bangla Flight; Oli Assures Probe; Updates

The victims of the Kathmandu plane crash were citizens of Nepal, Bangladesh, China, and the Maldives, according to a TIA spokesperson.

After the crash, all flights in and out of the Tribhuvan International Airport were cancelled. The airport was reopened later.

Here are the top 10 developments around the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport plane crash, which is Nepal's worst aviation disaster in over 25 years:

1) Death toll confirmed: According to updated figures, 49 people were killed and 22 injured when the US-Bangla Airlines passenger plane crash-landed and exploded at Nepal's main airport on Monday. Nepal Police spokesperson Manoj Neupane confirmed the death toll.
According to Neupane's statement, 31 bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the crashed plane while 18 others died in hospitals.

2) Nationalities of the deceased: The 78-seater Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, which caught fire after it skidded off the runway at the Tribhuvan International Airport, was carrying 71 people.

 Click here to read → Nepal Plane crash

Maharashtra farmers call off protest after Fadnavis bows to their demands

Govt agrees to waive loans, issue ration cards to tillers in tribal areas

The farmers’ agitation in Maharashtra was called off on Monday evening after the state government conceded most for their demands and agreed to implement the conditions agreed upon in the next six months.

A 12-member delegation representing farmers met a ministers’ committee in the afternoon. It was given a letter, signed by the chief secretary, in which the government agreed to address complaints and appeals under the Forest Act, 2006, in the next two months and relax some of the conditions for loan-waiver eligibility.

The government also agreed to issue ration cards to farmers in tribal areas immediately to help them prove their land claims. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the farmers that he will take up with the Centre the matter of minimum support price (MSP) at one-and-a-half times the cost of production as suggested by the Swaminathan committee. On Monday, over 35,000 farmers from across Maharashtra converged on Azad Maidan in Mumbai. They had started from Nashik on March 6 and travelled over 180 km on foot. Their plan was to gherao the Assembly.

Some of the other main demands were an unconditional farm loan waiver, as some of them failed to qualify for any financial relief under the Maharashtra government’s initiative last year, and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers who have been tilling it for years.

The protest march was orchestrated by the All-India Kisan Sabha, which is affiliated to the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Besides Opposition parties, Shiv Sena, a partner in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led ruling coalition, also supported the agitation.

CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechuri with farmers take part in 'Kisan long march' organised by All Indian Kisan Sabha (AIKS) at Azad Maidan in Mumbai Photo: PTI

In the Union Budget for 2018-19, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has proposed implementing the Swaminathan committee’s recommendations.

But, there is uncertainty over the cost to determine the MSP.

Click here to read → Kisan Long March

 

Theni forest fire: Kerala bans trekking, TN orders probe; top developments

Four helicopters of the Indian Air Force and their 10 commandos are involved in the rescue operation in Kurangani forest fire

A massive forest fire, which started on Saturday in Tamil Nadu's Theni, has claimed nine lives so far and seriously injured another 11 of the 36 trekkers that had gone mountain trekking in Kurangani hills in Bodi foothills. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday ordered a probe into the incident. Speaking of stepped up rescue operations, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said an advanced light helicopter had been sent to save those trapped in the forest fire.
Twenty-seven people have been rescued so far by the fire and forest departments, along with Indian Air Force’s (IAF's) aid — 11 of them is admitted to hospitals in Madurai and Erode after suffering serious burns. The defence ministry swung into full force by fielding 16 commandos of the Garud Commando Force and four choppers from the Indian Air Force to fasten the rescue operation of those stuck in Kurangani forest fire in Theni district.

Here are the top 10 developments of Kurangani forest fire in Tamil Nadu:

1. Defence force swings into action: An advanced light helicopter (ALH) will be put into service to rescue those still trapped in Tamil Nadu forest fire. Citing the difficult terrain as a major hindrance in conducting operations seamlessly, Sitharaman said, "We are also bringing in an ALH, which is a light helicopter so that the maneuverability will be better because this cliff is almost a vertical hillock, which goes up very sharply and there is not much not of a level ground where they can land."
Earlier during the day, 16 commandos of the Garud Commando Force and four choppers from the IAF, with one of them at standby, arrived at Theni today morning to commence the search and rescue operation.
"At the moment, the report is that the garuds are trying to lift the bodies of the dead to a higher plain, from where you can have the helicopters go and carry them down. So there are two helicopters waiting to do this particular activity," Sitharaman said.
One helicopter has spent a lot of time from early dawn to contain the fire. It has also has doused the fire in that area, from where the garuds have moved the bodies, she added.
District Collector Pallavi Baldev said the operations were continuing and the trekkers were being brought down by the rescue team members.

2. Nine trekkers dead: The reserved forest fire in the Western Ghats near Bodinayakanur in Theni, about 40 kilometres from Tamil Nadu claimed nine lives and injured another 27 out of the 32 people that had gone for a mountain expedition on Saturday. Among the dead, six were from Chennai and three from Erode. They were camped in an estate and were returning when the fire broke out in the forest.
"Nine persons are dead, while 17 of the rescued have been hospitalised and 10 did not require hospitalisation," Commissioner of Revenue Administration K Sathyagopal said, according to news agency PTI. The bodies have been sent for identification and they would be handed over to the relatives after autopsy.

3. Kerala bans trekking in forest: The Kerala government has issued directions that trekking to the hills should be stopped until all fire lines get cleared, said Kerala Principal Chief Conservator P K Kesavan.
Authorities on Sunday rushed a police team to help in rescue operations of over a dozen students caught up in a fire in Theni forest area in Tamil Nadu bordering Idukki district, Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra said.
Behra said instructions have been issued to Idukki district police chief to give all assistance in the rescue operation. "Medicines and food also have been sent to the spot. Behra spoke to his Tamil Nadu counterpart and assured of all help. He also asked Kerala State Fire and Rescue chief for all possible assistance," a media statement from Behra's office late Sunday night said.
Theni borders the famed Thekkady tourist destination in Kerala.

Click here to read → Theni forest fire

Maharashtra farmers' long march: 50,000 at Azad Maidan; top 10 developments

The protesters, joined by tribals, had halted at the KJ Somaiya Ground before marching towards Azad Maidan on Monday morning

 

 

After an arduous journey of almost 170 km that started on March 5, a swarm farmers participating in 'kisan long march' to voice their demands to the Maharashtra government, finally reached Mumbai on Sunday. The numbers heavily increased along the way from 30,000 agitatators to about 50,000, according to the organisers.

Enduring the scorching heat in a march that started from Maharashtra's Nashik district six days ago, the farmers moved slowly across the length of Mumbai and finally reached Azad Maidan on Monday at 5 in the morning. The protesters, joined by tribals, had halted at the KJ Somaiya Ground before making their way to Azad Maidan.

ALSO READ: Crop crisis: Over 30,000 farmers to protest outside Maharashtra Assembly

The farmers in the rally are demanding a complete waiver on loans and electricity bills, ensuring remunerative prices for crops, and implementing the Forest Rights Act for the benefit of scheduled tribes, among other things.

Last year, the Maharashtra government had announced a loan waiver of Rs 40 billion under the first phase of the farm loan waiver scheme. Today, the farmers plan to lay siege to the Maharasthra Assembly in Mumbai where the state Budget session is underway.

"We will gherao the Vidhan Bhavan on Monday to demand a complete loan waiver, fair price for farm produce, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, compensation for hailstorm-affected farmers among other things," Kisan Gujar, President of the state council of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) told PTI.

Here are the top 10 developments around the Maharashtra farmers' protest at Azad Maidan:
1. Food distributed among farmers halted at Azad Maidan; several suffering from dehydration: According to media reports, food is being distributed among farmers camped at Azad Maidan before they embark on to their march towards State Assembly later in the day.

Several farmers in the process are reportedly dehydrated after marching for more than 30 km on Sunday in Mumbai. There is also medical dispensary set up at Azad Maidan. Doctors who spoke to CNN-News18, said farmers were suffering from blood pressure and diarrhea.

2. Shiv Sena plans to disrupt the State Assembly functioning: According to media reports, the Shiv Sena said they are not going to let the state Assembly function on Monday until the farmers' demands are met.

3. Protesters reach Azad Maidan: The farmers arrived at Azad Maidan in Mumbai today around 5 am and plan to proceed to state assembly later in the day. Maharashta CM Devendra Fadnavis will address the Union around noon, according to media reports.
The government had earlier reached out to farmers, promising to meet their demands, but the protestors still press on voicing their demands in the Vidhan Bhavan, State Legislative Assmebly.

4. No roads closure or diversion yet: Speakinng to ANI, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar, said that no road closure or diversions has been implemented due to the ongoing farmer's protest.
Contrary to the worries of the people of a possible traffic chaos, the Mumbai Police also tweeted that the traffic movements will remain normal just "like any other day" during the long march.

 

Click here to read → Farmers March to Mumbai

India, Pakistan 'stalk, harass' each other's diplomats: Top 10 developments

India and Pakistan have accused each other of stalking, harassing and intimidating their diplomats in Islamabad and New Delhi, respectively

 While the relations between India and Pakistan hang in the balance, especially after the recent barbs exchanged at the UNHCR, they seemed to have hit a new low with both countries accusing each other of “harassing” their diplomats and their families. India and Pakistan threatened to withdraw their diplomats from Islamabad and New Delhi, respectively, if the so-called “intimidation” did not come to a halt.

The issue was brought to the attention of Foreign Secretary of India Vijay Keshav Gokhale by Pakistan High Commsioner Sohail Mohammed and Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, who had met Pakistan Foreign Secretary on February 16 and made a strong case against multiple acts of hooliganism against Indian personnel and their properties. India’s residential complex was not only illegally raided by Pakistani agencies, but power and water supply were also cut off for over two weeks, according to sources.

"The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has been facing tremendous harassment for long, particularly in the last year," the source said.

Pakistan, on the hand, lodged four harassment charges, known as note verbale, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), alleging incidents of harassment and intimidation of its diplomats. Highlighting one of the recent episodes, Pakistan High Commission said two cars carrying Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner’s children to a school in New Delhi were followed and obstructed on Tuesday. The driver was also, apparently, threatened later. A note verbale is unsigned and prepared in third person, therefore making it less formal in nature.

This comes close on the heels of frequent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.

 

Here are the top 10 developments of the Indian-Pakistan diplomatic spat so far.

 

1. ISI raids Indian residential complex, power and water supply cut off: The Indian residential complex in Islamabad, which is currently under construction, was allegedly raided by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) that expelled all service providers, and later disconnected power and water supply, according to sources. Further, the Pakistan government delayed providing clearance for the complex, forcing Indian diplomats to compromise on their safety and security, the sources added.
"Despite the Foreign Secretary's assurance, the power supply was not restored for over two weeks. The Pakistan High Commission faces no such disruptions (in India)," sources said, according to news agency PTI. Indian diplomats have often complained about unauthorised entry into their premises.

2. ‘Harassment the new normal’: Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, who had gone to Karachi for a literature festival, said his car was interrupted in the middle of the road to prevent him from attending a lunch hosted by Bohra community. "Harassment is the new normal for Indian High Commission personnel in Islamabad. The High Commissioner's car was recently stopped by Pakistani agencies in the middle of a busy road to prevent him from attending an event," a source said, according to PTI.
This is not the sole incident of Indian diplomats’ car being intercepted. Another diplomat said his car was suddenly interrupted and vigourously searched while he was on his way home, reported The Times of India. | Readmore...

Sri Lanka emergency: Buddhist mob torches Muslim shop, curfew in Kandy

The Sri Lankan govt imposed a 10-day emergency to quell the spread of communal riots on Tuesday. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa slammed Maithripala Sirisena's United National Party for inaction

A Buddhist mob set ablaze a Muslim man's shop and attacked a Mosque in Ampara, as violence continues unabated in Sri Lanka despite an emergency. United Nations under-secretary-general Jeffery Feltman will visit Sri Lanka to take stock of the situation in the island country after the president, Maithripala Sirisena declared an emergency. He will meet religious leaders there this week, a UN spokesperson said.

Sri Lankan parliament's Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake has hit out at the government, saying that the emergency is a tactic to divert people's attention from more pressing issues and to suppress people's fight for their rights.

However, the presidential decree hasn't been able to stop all violence as a mosque and a Muslim shop have been burnt.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa rejected suggestions that the clashes could be a result of some political conspiracy and rested the blame for the situation entirely on the United National Party's (UNP) 'inaction'.

Here are the top 10 highlights surrounding the emergency and the violence in Sri Lanka:

1. State of emergency:
Following the imposition of the emergency, the police and tri-forces have been given extraordinary powers. The force can arrest anyone who creates violence or disturbs communal harmony and sentence them to 20 years of imprisonment or even life imprisonment.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka declares emergency, Buddhists burn Muslim shops: 10 highlights

2. President Sirisena's response
The Sri Lankan government has said that it would not hesitate to take strict measures in order to quell the communal tensions. President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday said that the countrymen are well aware of the value of peace after suffering a brutal civil war that lasted for over three decades. The civil war, that ended in 2009 with the death of LTTE chief Prabhakaran, started as a rebellion by the minority Tamil community against what they believed to be the tyrannies of the majority Sinhalese community.

3. Kandy, the epicentre of the riots:
More than two dozen arrests have been made so far, following the violence against the minority Muslim community in Kandy district which claimed two lives. Members of the Buddhist community held protests outside a police station in Kandy demanding the release of its people who were arrested in the riots. The police have said that the special security arrangements put in place in the areas will continue and the country's Special Task Force (STF) has been deployed to maintain peace.

4. Mosque, shop burnt:
At around 11:30 PM on Wednesday, hours after President Sirisena declared an emergency, a mosque and a shop were burnt down in Central Sri Lanka according to news website Al Jazeera. A local news website called Groundview shared photos of a shattered glass door, broken chairs and an audio clip from a man who said he was inside the mosque when the attack happened.

Click here to read → Sri Lanka declares emergency

Tripura violence continues, another Lenin statue razed: Top 10 developments

Two statues of communist icon Vladimir Lenin were brought down in South Tripura as the CPI(M) and its arch-rival in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress, blamed the BJP for the incidents

Tripura continued to see post-poll violence for a fourth straight day, even as the Northeast Assembly elections result 2018 sank in. Communist icon and leader Vladimir Lenin became the symbolic casualty, with at least two of his statues in the state being razed or pulled down. The Left was defeated in the Tripura Assembly polls 2018 by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), which together won a two-thirds majority in the House in a state where the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) had been in power for 25 years.

Both the BJP and the CPI(M) have urged everyone to maintain peace. Chief Minister-designate Biplab Kumar Deb repeatedly urged Tripura's people not to disturb the peace and abstain from attacking the rival party's members. He said that anybody indulging in violence would be punished.

On Tuesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to state Governor Tathagata Roy and the director general of police and asked them to ensure peace till a new government was installed.

Meanwhile, according to reports, at least two statues of communist leader Lenin were brought down in South Tripura. Along with the CPI(M), Opposition parties, including the Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress, condemned the razing of these statues.

Here are the top 10 developments surrounding the post-poll violence in Tripura and the razing of Lenin's statues:

1) Two Lenin statues brought down in Tripura: BJP activists razed two statues of Vladimir Lenin in Tripura, CPI(M) leaders said. On Tuesday night, Tripura CPI(M) State Secretary Bijan Dhar said: "A statue of Vladimir Lenin was knocked down by BJP activists on Monday night at Sabroom in southern Tripura." He added, "The statue was set up a few years ago."

Sabroom is 135 km south of the state capital.

On Monday evening, BJP activists brought down an 11.5-feet fibre statue of Vladimir Lenin with a bulldozer in Belonia, according to an earlier report.

Speaking to the media earlier on Tuesday, CPI(M) leader Haripada Das said: "The BJP supporters, chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', knocked down the statue of Lenin near a government college in Belonia." Das added that the statue was set up a year ago in Belonia, South Tripura's district headquarters, around 90 km from Agartala.

The state police corroborated the fact that the communist icon's statues had been razed. On Tuesday, the police said that two statues of Vladimir Lenin were brought down in South Tripura. The statues were pulled down just days after the Left was defeated in the 2018 Assembly polls by the BJP and its ally IPFT.

Click here to read → Tripura violence

Karti Chidambaram in ED dock now, shouts slogans outside court: 10 points

UPA-era finance ministry bureaucrats are reportedly in the Enforcement Directorate's dock over the alleged INX Media money-laundering case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant an interim relief to Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram, in the so-called INX Media kickback and money-laundering case and listed the matter to be heard again on 8 March.

Karti was seen raising his hands and shouting slogans while entering the Patiala House Court on Tuesday, according to Times Now.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal and senior lawyer appearing for Karti had pleaded to the top court for interim relief in the case.

"We are willing to co-operate in every way and we also did so. I am worried about my arrest," Sibal told the Top Court

CBI said that it had been able to gather some important information during the custodial interrogation so far, even as the accused had remained evasive while answering routine questions.

The premier investigating agency said that it needed to confront the accused and co-accused and unearth the larger conspiracy involved in the INX Media money-laundering case.

Seeking the extension of Karti Chidambaram's custody, the CBI said that his presence was needed in order to serve 'some important & specific purposes connected with the completion of investigation' in the INX Media case.

Simply put, the apex court has now refused to prevent Karti's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), even as his custody with the CBI ends on Tuesday. The CBI, however, told SC that it would seek an extension of Karti Chidambaram's custody before the trial court in the corruption case.

Karti had been arrested last week for allegedly influencing the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) decisions to favour certain companies during his father P Chidambaram's tenure as the finance minister. The FIPB has since been scrapped by the Narendra Modi-led present Union government.

During its time, it used to be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs with representatives from a host of other ministries.

"More skeletons in the United Progressive Alliance governments' closet" might tumble out as finance ministry officials are reportedly in the Enforcement Directorate's (ED's) dock over the INX Media money-laundering case.

Karti is being held up for facilitating Foreign Investment Promotion Board go-ahead of a Rs 3 billion-project for INX Media, including monetary in favour of the company's directors Peter and Indrani Mukerjea. |Readmore...

Thane: Man shot dead, friend gang raped by unidentified persons

A man was shot dead and his friend allegedly gang-raped by unidentified persons in Maharashtra's Titwala town after the victims refused to give them money.

The incident took place in Thane's Nalimbi village yesterday.

The deceased has been identified as Ganesh Dinkar who with the female friend had gone to a hillock when few men approached them and demanded money.

"When the couple was returning back at around 7:30 pm, the unidentified men chased them on bike and demanded money.

After the victim resisted the men shot and allegedly raped his friend by dragging her to a solitary place," Police Officer Titvala, Yogesh Gurav told ANI.

"The accused are on the run and investigations are on," Gurav added.

A case has been registered in this matter. | Thane Gang rape

Rajinikanth political speech highlights: Thalaivaa on MGR, Karuna & rivals

Rajinikanth's first political speech after the announcement of his entry into Tamil Nadu politics didn't drop any hints about the launch of a political party

"I have a duty towards the people and that's why I have come to politics,'' Tamil superstar Rajinikanth said on Monday during his maiden political speech after announcing his entry into Tamil Nadu politics. The 'Thalaivaa' rebutted his political opponents and entertained the crowd with his famous dialogues during his 35-minute speech.

The 'superstar' showered lofty praises on the reign of AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran. However, he didn't drop any hints about the launch of his political party. Rajinikanth had announced his much-awaited entry into the political arena amid a lot of fanfare in December last year. He had said that he would join politics, and field candidates in all 234 Assembly segments in the upcoming general elections in 2019.

The 'Thalaivaa's' maiden political speech came at the unveiling of a statue of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in the presence of a huge crowd in Chennai. He also advised students to work hard for four years so that they could reap the benefits for the next 40 years. Rajinikanth's speech also sparked an outrage among Chennai residents as his supporters erected banners and 'illegal posters' that disrupted traffic in the southern metropolis. Kamal Haasan took a dig at the superstar for the same.

Here are the top 10 highlights of Rajinikanth's first political speech:

1. Spiritual Politics
Rajinikanth said that his political philosophy would be that of 'spiritual politics', explaining that honest and casteless politics meant spiritual politics. This is not the first time that he spoke of 'spiritual politics'. When he had announced his entry on the plank of a new brand of politics in December, DMK leader M K Stalin had said Tamil Nadu was the cradle of the Dravidian movement, where there was no place for 'spiritual politics' as enunciated by the superstar.

ALSO READ: You'll be witnessing spiritual governance: Rajinikanth on political entry

2. 'Learnt about politics from Karunanidhi, Moopanar'
"With my close relationship with M Karunanidhi, G K Moopanar and others, I learnt a lot about politics," Rajnikanth said. Politics is a way where there are snakes, thorns and difficulties. The superstar also said that he planned to use technology and talented people to deliver good governance. Announcing his political debut on December 31 last year, Rajinikanth had said he would bat for honesty in politics and good governance.

3. The Rajini-Style
Rajinikanth's speech was peppered with punchlines from his films and offered a point-by-point rebuttal of the criticism hurled at him. Wearing a white shirt and dhoti, he exhibited a mix of softness and aggression during his 35-minute speech. Sporting a grey moustache, beard and a black spectacle, the actor was at his best when he gave his trademark laughter as an answer while anticipating a political repartee to his adulation of MGR.

Click here to read → Rajnikanth Politics

BJP set to form Meghalaya govt; Himanta calls Rahul's decisions immature

NPP President Conrad K Sangma on Sunday submitted to Governor Ganga Prasad a letter of support from 34 legislators and staked claim to form the next government in Meghalaya

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National People's Party (NPP) set to form the next government together in Meghalaya, despite the Congress winning the largest number of seats, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He claimed that Rahul Gandhi's decision to send his party's top leadership to Meghalaya lacked calculation and showed immaturity.

"I think top Congress leaders were sent to Meghalaya as they were told that they were the single largest party. However, they had no support from regional parties -- the latter are supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I feel that Rahul Gandhi sent four senior leaders of the party to Shillong without any calculation.

It shows his lack of maturity," Sarma told ANI.
After the counting of votes on Saturday, Meghalaya threw up a hung Assembly, with the Congress winning 21 seats and NPP bagging 19.

NPP president Conrad K Sangma on Sunday submitted to Governor Governor Ganga Prasad a letter of support from 34 legislators in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, and staked claim to form the next state government.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya saves Congress the blushes, may spell trouble for BJP in Manipur

The 34 legislators include 19 from NPP, six from United Democratic Party (UDP), four from People's Democratic Front (PDF), two each from Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), besides one Independent MLA Samuel Sangma.

According to news agency IANS, the regional parties -- UDP, HSPDP and PDF -- extended support to the NPP on the condition that Conrad Sangma, the youngest son of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, would be made the chief minister.

The alliance will now wait for an invitation from the Governor to form the next government.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma tendered his resignation to Governor Ganga Prasad after his party, Congress, failed to secure a majority.

"Since the whole election process is over, the chief minister has to submit his resignation, so I did. Further course of action will follow according to convention," the outgoing chief minister told PTI.

ALSO READ: NDA bags Meghalaya too: NPP's Conrad Sangma stakes claim to form govt

Congress made all attempts to get the support of regional parties. The outgoing Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma, even came up with a proposal of sharing power -- two-and-a-half years each -- with the UDP, the main regional party in the state.

"He (Mukul Sangma) came and met me seeking our support to form the government with the proposal of sharing power for two-and-a-half years each," UDP chief Dr Donkupar Roy said.

Roy said that his party did not approve the idea of working with the Congress for the sake of stability.

Ambani scion Akash to marry diamantaire Russel Mehta's daughter Shloka?

Akash, 27, is Mukesh Ambani's elder son and twin of sister Isha, and older brother of Anant, 22

Wedding bells may soon be ringing in the country's premier business family.

According to reliable sources, Mukesh Ambani's eldest son Akash may soon be betrothed to Shloka, the youngest daughter of Russell Mehta, Managing Director, Rosy Blue India, one of the country's leading diamond companies. | Today's Paper

Though both families are keeping the news under wraps for the present, sources in the know indicate a formal engagement ceremony soon, with the probability of a wedding come December.

Akash, 27, is Mukesh Ambani's elder son and twin of sister Isha, and older brother of Anant, 22.

Shloka is the daughter of Russell Mehta, head of Rosy Blue Diamonds, formerly known as B.

Arunkumar & Co., which is now ranked among the top half dozen diamond companies of India. The family lives in south Mumbai.

Russel is the son of Arunkumar Ramniklal M., one of the co-founders of B Arunkumar & Co., way back in 1960 in Opera House, Mumbai's hub of diamond business.

The duo is described as among "the most respected diamond business families of India and around the world" by a close family friend.

"Shloka is a very charming girl, extremely cultured and its difficult to say which of the two families is lucky with this upcoming marriage," said the family friend, requesting anonymity.

Many in close business and family circles have already been unofficially "congratulating" them, but they have been waving them off and asking them "to wait for everything to finalise before we give you a party".

Coincidentally, Akash and Shloka are alumni of the famed Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS), in the Bandra Kurla Complex here.

After schooling at DAIS, Akash studied at Brown University, a private Ivy League institution based in Rhode Island, and among the most prestigious in the US.

On her part, post-schooling at DAIS in 2009, Shloka left for the US to study anthropology at Princeton University and later completed her Masters in Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

While Akash is on the board of Reliance Jio, Shloka is a Director with Rosy Blue Foundation and is a co-founder of ConnectFor, an organisation that helps NGOs get volunteers for various causes.

When contacted, sources from both families declined to comment on the upcoming engagement ceremony or the subsequent wedding, the dates or the venue.

Shloka is the youngest of three siblings of Russell Mehta and Mona, who is a close relative of the controversial diamantaire Nirav Modi.

 

 

From Mamata to Owaisi, KCR's call for non-Cong, non-BJP front gains support

The TRS chief said he would talk with all like-minded parties and leaders for creating an agenda for the country's growth

Within days of proposing a "non-Congress, non-BJP front, Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR)has received support from several political parties including the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Hyderabad lawmaker Asaduddin Owaisi were the other leaders who have extended their support to the TRS chief.

The chief minister, on Saturday, had expressed his wish to join national politics to effect a "qualitative change", while accusing successive governments ruled by the Congress and the BJP at the Centre of having "miserably failed" to ensure development.

"Since morning, I have been receiving many calls from various places in India. Today afternoon, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called me and said that I have taken the right decision and she will be supporting me," Chief Minister Rao said while addressing a huge crowd at his official residence, Pragati Bhavan in Hyderabad.

"Farmers, Dalits, most backward classes are neglected. This situation should be changed. How long do they need to face problems. This has to change and this is not possible from these two parties. Hence, a non-Congress, non-BJP front should be formed in the country," Rao said.

JMM leader Hemant Soren and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi have also expressed their solidarity.
"Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren also called, telling me that he is standing behind me. Soren also told me that he is trying to speak with many other people in India and will meet up soon and speak on the issue," said Rao.

He was addressing a gathering of prominent TRS leaders, ministers and elected representatives of the party at Pragathi Bhavan, his official residence in Hyderabad.

The TRS chief further said he would talk with all like-minded parties and leaders for creating an agenda for the country's growth. | Readmore...

Sridevi is dead, and so is the self-regulation promise of Indian media

Outrage is not enough; it has to be understood and dealt with, and to some extent, accepted as an inevitable part of a quarter-baked media in a half-baked democracy.

Today's Paper : Media channels have been condemned for their 'ghastly'coverage of the death of Bollywood superstar Sridevi as the nation continues to mourn her passing. Television channels have covered the 54-year-old actress' death relentlessly since she passed away unexpectedly Saturday night in Dubai. This author decodes the "third degree" journalism in India given the TV channels' tendency to behave like power-drunk interrogators.

It is time to face a simple truth after the outrage over Indian media coverage of the death of Bollywood's first female superstar, Sridevi: that outrage is not enough; it has to be understood and dealt with, and to some extent, accepted as an inevitable part of a quarter-baked media in a half-baked democracy. | Business Standard

In case you have not watched the prurient TV channels that made a macabre masquerade out of a solemn event (I confess even I did not watch much), the news in brief, elaborately tracked on the Web is this: they conjectured that the death was more than unnatural, hinted towards crimes and/or misdismeanours, and created scenarios and digital constructions that included a wine glass near a bathtub, a reporter crouching inside a bathtub, and detailed forensic measurements that would have been better off in a fictional channel specialising in crime.

But there are those who are outraged by the outrage over the media coverage, which has resulted in predictable and understandable articles that deride the fall of balance, ethics and responsibility in journalism. It is necessary to look beyond this outrage, at least to focus on the belief of the channels and their viewers who think they were indeed doing the right thing in "investigating" the death by drowning in a bathtub in a Dubai hotel.

Typically, celebrity death stories have three angles that editors would like to highlight:

 

one is the news of the death itself, second is the manner of the death, and the third would be on obituary references, which in the case of achievers like Sridevi are phenomenal. Ideally, the news of the death would be reported in solemn tones, obituary references in laudatory tones and the manner of death in proportion to the detail.

It is in the last that TV channels have triggered outrage, as they virtually abandoned the first two angles and used recent events like her dancing in a wedding the previous week and her cinematic persona to create a construction that smacks of what they call yellow journalism. We could call it "third degree" journalism, given the channels' tendency to behave like power-drunk interrogators.

Here is the problem: in the eyes of those who did it, obviously with television rating points (TRPs) in mind, what they were doing is an investigative journalism of sorts, given its forensic trappings. However, a culturally forensic look at this forensic journalism reveals a bias for presumption of some crime, a bias towards judging the morality of a woman who may have sipped alcohol, and a bias towards examining choices including marriage to a previously married man, a plastic surgery or eating habits. | Readmore

 

Boney Kapoor letter: Sridevi, my love, was axis around which our family ran

The funeral, marking the final journey of Sridevi, was one of the largest in Mumbai city in recent times

Sridevi, whose last rites were performed on Wednesday, lived her life with "dignity", her family said in a statement, while requesting the media to give the family the space to grieve her untimely death. | Today's Paper

The Bollywood icon's husband, film producer Boney Kapoor, also released a statement on Wednesday saying the loss was "inexplicable in words". "To the world she was their Chandni ...their Sridevi... but to me she was my love," the filmmaker wrote in a post that he shared from his wife's Twitter handle.

On the lines of the statement released by the family, Kapoor also urged media to respect the family's need to grieve privately.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sridevi was cremated in Vile Parle crematorium with full state honours. Hundreds of thousands of people, including Bollywood celebrities, joined the film star's family to bid adieu to the first lady superstar of India.

The last rites were performed by the actress' daughters Janhvi and Khushi before the body was consigned to flames in the electric crematorium with husband Boney Kapoor standing by.

"The past few days have been trying times for us as a family. Today, particularly, has been one of the hardest. We laid to rest a beautiful soul who has gone too soon," read the statement by the Kapoors, Ayyappan and Marwah families.

The funeral, marking the final journey of Sridevi, was one of the largest in Mumbai city in recent times.

Sridevi's funeral, in terms of sheer numbers, is estimated to have attracted the highest number of people, ranking on par with the previous biggest funeral processions -- of the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi and India's first superstar Rajesh Khanna.

Sridevi's mortal remains were flown in a private jet to Mumbai from Dubai where she passed away on Saturday following an accidental drowning in a bathtub in her hotel room.

Maharashtra government accorded full state honours for the funeral of Padma Shri Sridevi -- that included draping her body in the national tricolour, elaborate arrangements by the Mumbai Police and a gun salute before the cremation.

Here are the top 10 developments since the death of the legendary actor:
1. Boney's emotional letter: Hours after Sridevi was cremated, Boney Kapoor shared a post from her Twitter account where he remembered her as the love of his life. "Losing a friend, wife and mother of your two daughters is a loss inexplicable in words... I am blessed to have the support and love of Arjun and Anshula, who have been such pillars of strength for myself, Khushi and Janhvi. Together, as a family we have tried to face this unbearable loss," he wrote.

Click here to read → Boney Kapoor letter

 

Sridevi funeral: State honour for actor, celebs pay respect, & more updates

The actor passed away late Saturday night in Dubai, where she had gone along with her family for the wedding of her nephew Mohit Marwah

Veteran actor Sridevi will be cremated with state honours. The Maharashtra government has made arrangements for the elaborate event and the Mumbai Police band has already reached Celebration Sports Club. The actor will be honoured with a gun salute and the body will be draped in the national flag.  | Today's Paper

Earlier, Bollywood celebrities lined up to pay their final respect to Sridevi at Mumbai's Celebration Sports Club, where her mortal remains had been kept for condoling fans and celebs to pay their final tributes to the veteran actor. Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, Karan Johar were among the celebs to who paid their last respect.

Her mortal remains arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday night and the funeral will take place today at 3.30 pm. Her family announced that Sridevi's body would be kept at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala for people to pay their last respect before it is taken for cremation.

"On behalf of Khushi, Jahnvi, Boney Kapoor, the entire Kapoor and Ayyappan families, a sincere thanks to the media for your continued sensitivity and support during this emotional moment," a statement released by the Kapoor family said.

The actor passed away late Saturday night in Dubai, where she had gone along with her family for the wedding of her nephew Mohit Marwah.

Dubai officials handed over the body to her family yesterday after completion of all formalities, which took three days. The Indian embassy in Dubai had worked closely with UAE officials to ensure the process was completed in the least possible time.

The actor's autopsy report had led to speculations over her death as the report stated that she died due to accidental drowning and not cardiac arrest as reported earlier. However, Dubai police has now closed the case as no foul play was apparently suspected by the investigators.

Here are the top 10 developments since the death of the legendary actor:

1. State honour for Sridevi: Maharashtra government has made arrangements to cremate the actor with state honours.

 2. Celebs pay their last respect to Sridevi: Filmmakers and actors were among the people who arrived at Mumbai's Celebration Sports Club to pay their respect to the veteran actor. Among the first to arrive at the club were actors Arbaz Khan and Urvashi Rautela. Actors Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen and Sonal Kapoor also arrived at the club on Wednesday.

 

3. Funeral today: Sridevi's funeral will take place at the Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium & Hindu Cemetery at around 3:30 pm. According to the arrangements, the media would not be allowed either inside the club or the crematorium.

 

4. Fans allowed to pay their last respect: The body will be kept for three hours at the Celebration Sports Club, Andheri (West) from 9.30 am onwards to enable people and her fans to pay their last respect, according to a statement released by her family.

 

Click here to read → Sridevifuneral

INX Media case: CBI arrests Karti Chidambaram

The CBI today arrested Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, in connection with its probe in the INX media case, officials here said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation official said that he was arrested from the Chennai airport after he returned from London. He will be brought to Delhi later in the day.

Meanwhile Congress leader, Randeep Surjewala, lashed out at the Modi government for pursuing vendetta politics. He also said that the Congress will continue to fight for truth.

An FIR filed by the CBI on May 15 last year had alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister. It is alleged Karti had received funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case, they said.

The FIR does not mention Chidambaram senior, though it said he cleared the FIPB approval for Rs 4.62 crore Foreign Direct Investment in the firm at an FIPB meeting on May 18, 2007.

The agency is investigating the junior Chidambaram's role in facilitating the FIPB clearance for INX Media when his father was the Finance Minister.

Karti Chidambaram is alleged to have received Rs 3.5 crore from the Mumbai-based INX Media, now 9X Media, for helping it get the clearance. It was then run by Peter Mukerjea and Indrani Mukerjea.

The ED has also registered a money laundering case.

The CBI is also probing the alleged irregularities in grant of the FIPB clearance to the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006.  | Business standard

Sridevi funeral today, Urvashi, Karan pay last respect: Top 10 developments

The actor passed away late Saturday night in Dubai, where she had gone along with her family for the wedding of her nephew Mohit Marwah

Bollywood icon Sridevi's mortal remains have been kept at Mumbai's Celebration Sports Club, where celebs and fans can pay their last respect to the actor. Actors Arbaaz Khan, Urvashi Rautela and Karan Johar were among the people who paid their last respect to the veteran actor at the club. | Today's Paper

Her mortal remains arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday night and the funeral will take place today at 3.30 pm. Her family announced that Sridevi's body would be kept at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala for people to pay their last respect before it is taken for cremation."On behalf of Khushi, Jahnvi, Boney Kapoor, the entire Kapoor and Ayyappan families, a sincere thanks to the media for your continued sensitivity and support during this emotional moment," a statement released by the Kapoor family said.The actor passed away late Saturday night in Dubai, where she had gone along with her family for the wedding of her nephew Mohit Marwah.Dubai officials handed over the body to her family yesterday after completion of all formalities, which took three days. The Indian embassy in Dubai had worked closely with UAE officials to ensure the process was completed in the least possible time.The actor's autopsy report had led to speculations over her death as the report stated that she died due to accidental drowning and not cardiac arrest as reported earlier. However, Dubai police has now closed the case as no foul play was apparently suspected by the investigators. | Business Standard

Here are the top 10 developments since the death of the legendary actor:

1. Celebs pay their last respect to Sridevi: Filmmakers and actors were among the people who arrived at Mumbai's Celebration Sports Club to pay their respect to the veteran actor. Among the first to arrive at the club were actors Arbaz Khan and Urvashi Rautela. Film producer Karan Johar also arrived at the club on Wednesday morning.

2. Funeral today: Sridevi's funeral will take place at the Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium & Hindu Cemetery at around 3:30 pm. According to the arrangements, the media would not be allowed either inside the club or the crematorium.

3. Fans allowed to pay their last respect: The body will be kept for three hours at the Celebration Sports Club, Andheri (West) from 9.30 am onwards to enable people and her fans to pay their last respect, according to a statement released by her family.

4. Fans jostle for a glimpse: As the ambulance carrying the mortal remains of the actor entered her residence, a number of fans jostled for a glimpse of their favourite actor. Visuals from the site showed fans lining up on both sides of the road leading up to the residence with some even climbing the trees to have a clear view.

5. No foul play: Dubai prosecutor's office said on Tuesday that it was closing the case following the completion of investigations. The agency put to rest all speculations on her death by stating that she had died from "accidental drowning" in her bathtub, after losing consciousness. "The case had been closed," the prosecutor's office said.

Click here to read → Sridevi Funeral  Updates

 

Sridevi funeral: Body released; Arjun Kapoor in Dubai; top 10 developments

Sridevi's death case took a new twist on Monday as her autopsy report revealed that she died due to accidental drowning and not cardiac arrest

 

Sridevi's mortal remains are finally set to get embalmed after the Dubai Police on Tuesday handed over letters for the release of the Bollywood actor's body to the Indian consulate and her family members. | Today's Paper

 

Meanwhile, her stepson Arjun Kapoor landed in Dubai on Tuesday to help his father Boney Kapoor wrap up the formalities and take the body back to Mumbai. "Arjun has gone to Dubai this morning to be with his father at the hotel while the formalities are being wrapped up and to oversee the return journey," said an official statement from the family in Mumbai.

Indian Envoy to UAE Navdeep Suri assured that the Indian embassy was trying hard to send Sridevi's body to India at the earliest.

"Our embassy and consulate are working closely with local authorities to expedite the return of Sridevi's mortal remains and also keeping Kapoor family apprised. It is our endeavour to send mortal remains of Sridevi to India at the earliest, " Suri told ANI.

Sridevi's death took a new twist on Monday as her autopsy report revealed that she died due to accidental drowning and not cardiac arrest as reported earlier. The autopsy report has also revealed that there were traces of alcohol in her blood.

Today, her body will be moved to the AL Muhaisana embalming unit and will be repatriated to Mumbai once all the paperwork and investigation has been completed.

ALSO READ: Sridevi died due to 'accidental drowning' in bathtub: Top 10 developments

There have been conflicting reports on the questioning of Boney Kapoor. According to several media reports, Boney Kapoor was summoned by the Dubai police for questioning. However, Dubai-based Khaleej Times reported that Kapoor was not summoned by the police. Kapoor was questioned only at the time of the discovery of Sridevi's body at the hotel room, the report further said.

Here are the top 10 developments since the death of the legendary actor:
1. Body proceeds for embalming: Dubai Police has handed over the letters for the release of Sridevi's mortal remains to the Indian consulate and her family members, news agencies reported, citing information from the Khaleej Times. The body can now proceed for embalming.

2. Arjun Kapoor in Dubai: Sridevi's family released a statement on Tuesday stating that the actor's stepson had gone to Mumbai to be with his father at the hotel while the formalities were being wrapped up and to oversee the return journey.

 

Click here to read → Sridevi Death Twist

Meghalaya, Nagaland polls see 22% and 17% voting: Top 10 developments

Voting underway in Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly elections 2018; BJP and Congress slug it out for the Northeast

Voting in the crucial Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly elections began on Tuesday at 7 am amid tight security, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress slugging it out to see who would emerge as the more dominant party in the Northeast. Despite security being beefed up, one person was injured in a bomb blast at a polling station in Mon District's Tizit in Nagaland. | Today's Paper

According to the Election Commission, 22 per cent voting was recorded in Meghalaya till 9:30 am. While 17 per cent voting was recorded in Nagaland till 9 am.

Nagaland CM TR Zeliang has said that he will move towards a Naga political solution after the state polls are concluded.

The two states have a 60-member House each. However, voting will be held only for 59 constituencies in each. Voting for the 60-member Assemblies will commence from 7 am and conclude by 4 pm, except at some polling stations in Nagaland's interior districts where the process is scheduled to be completed at 3 pm.

The results of the polls in the two states, along with that of Tripura, will be declared on Saturday, March 3. The high-octane Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly elections campaign, during which barbs flew thick and fast among parties, ended on Sunday.

Here are the top 10 developments in the crucial Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly polls:

1) Naga political solution after polls: Speaking to news agencies, Nagaland CM TR Zeliang said, "We expect that polling will finish smoothly and we will get absolute majority according to the voice of the people. We hope peace will prevail in the state and we will move for Naga political solution."

2) Bomb blast at Nagaland polling station: One person was injured in a bomb blast at a polling station in Mon District's Tizit, in Nagaland.

According to reports, the bomb was handmade and was hurled at the polling station in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. However, the polling processes are continuing at the station. | Business Standard

3) Voting underway in both states: Citing the Election Commission, Firstpost reported that 22 per cent voting was recorded in Meghalaya till 9:30 am. While 17 per cent voting was recorded in Nagaland till 9 am.

Amid tight security, voting for the Meghalaya Assembly elections 2018 began on Tuesday, an official said. "Men and women in large numbers queued up in front of many polling stations well before polling opened at 7 am in the entire state. Polling ends at 4 pm," Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor said.

According to agency reports, women voters, in their colourful tribal attire, were seen queueing up at polling stations across the state since morning and shops in the vicinity did brisk business.

Click here to read → Nagaland Election 2018

Sridevi funeral: Actor drowned; body still in Dubai; top 10 developments

Sridevi's death case took a new twist on Monday as her autopsy report revealed that she died due to accidental drowning and not cardiac arrest

Veteran actor Sridevi's mortal remains are still in Dubai, pending paperwork. After receiving the Autopsy report, the Dubai police has started examining the circumstances of the actor's death. According to media reports, police are trying to recreate the sequence of events leading up to her death and have questioned those accompanying her, including her husband. | Today's Paper
Meanwhile, Indian Envoy to UAE Navdeep Suri assured that the Indian embassy was trying hard to send Sridevi's body to India at the earliest.

"Our embassy and consulate are working closely with local authorities to expedite the return of Sridevi's mortal remains and also keeping Kapoor family apprised. It is our endeavour to send mortal remains of Sridevi to India at the earliest, " Suri told ANI.

Sridevi's death took a new twist on Monday as her autopsy report revealed that she died due to accidental drowning and not cardiac arrest as reported earlier. The autopsy report has also revealed that there were traces of alcohol in her blood.

Today, her body will be moved to the AL Muhaisana embalming unit and will be repatriated to Mumbai once all the paperwork and investigation has been completed.

There have been conflicting reports on the questioning of Boney Kapoor. According to several media reports, Boney Kapoor was summoned by the Dubai police for questioning. However, Dubai-based Khaleej Times reported that Kapoor was not summoned by the police. Kapoor was questioned only at the time of the discovery of Sridevi's body at the hotel room, the report further said.

Also Read : Sridevi's body to be brought back from Dubai in Anil Ambani's aircraft

Here are the top 10 developments since the death of the legendary actor:
1. Police record Boney Kapoor's statement: Police recorded the statement of Sridevi's husband and noted film producer Boney kapoor, the Gulf News reported on late Monday night.
According to media reports, Kapoor was summoned by the Dubai police to Bur Dubai police station for investigation.

However, a Khaleej Times report denies that Kapoor was summoned by the Dubai police. The report says the police had a conversation with Kapoor when Sridevi's body was discovered at the hotel room on the night of death. Citing sources in the Dubai police, the report further says that Kapoor was not called by the police for any further interrogation.

2. Sridevi's body remains in Dubai: Sridevi's body was expected to reach India on Monday but it did't, pending paperwork. " Our experience in similar cases tells us that it does take 2-3 days to complete processes," India's Ambassador to UAE, Navdeep Suri said. He further said that the Indian embassy was trying hard to send her mortal remains to India at the earliest.

Dubai police sources, told the Times of India that clearance for the body to be taken to India would be given only after questioning has been completed on Tuesday.

3. Autopsy report: The forensic report by UAE's health ministry on Monday revealed that the cause of the actress' death was 'accidental drowning'. According to UAE's Gulf News, Sridevi was under the influence of alcohol in her hotel room when she lost her balance, fell into the bathtub and drowned. She was immediately rushed to Rashid Hospital in Dubai.

4. Celebs at Anil Kapoor's house: Bollywoood celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, were spotted outside Anil Kapoors residence. South Indian superstars Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth were also among the visitors at Anil Kapoor's residence.

Click here to read → Sridevi's Death Case