‘Jai Palestine’ slogan: Complaints demand President to disqualify Owaisi

New Delhi, June 26 2024-

Several complaints have been filed before President Droupadi Murmu seeking immediate disqualification of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi who raised a slogan in favour of Palestine during his swearing-in as the Lok Sabha MP on Tuesday.

One of the complaints filed by Supreme Court lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava said that by publicly raising the pro-Palestine slogan ‘Jai Palestine’, that too in the Indian Parliament, Owaisi has clearly acknowledged his deep-rooted allegiance and adherence to a foreign country.

It added that Owaisi is liable to be forthwith disqualified from being a Member of Parliament, as per Article 102 (d) of the Constitution of India, which provides for disqualification for membership if a person is under “any acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State.”

“This is not the first time when Mr Owaisi has displayed his unequivocal loyalty, support and allegiance to the said foreign country ‘Palestine’. Rather, it is a matter of record that Mr. Owaisi has been exhibiting his consistent support, allegiance and adherence to the said foreign state for the last many years,” the complaint read.

Further, it said that if the action is not taken against Owaisi, then it will become a precedent and will have disastrous consequences for our nation and the Hyderabad lawmaker be disqualified in the interest of the integrity and unity of Bharat.

The AIMIM chief sparked a major controversy in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday by chanting ‘Jai Palestine’ in the House. Soon after taking oath as MP in the 18th Lok Sabha, Owaisi said: “Jai Bhim, Jai Mim, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine, Takbeer Allahu Akbar.” (Agency)

Rapper Naezy reveals ‘Gully Boy’ did not do him much good

Mumbai, June 26 2024-

Rapper and hip-hop musician Naezy, whose real name is Naved Shaikh, revealed why the 2019 movie “Gully Boy,” starring Ranveer Singh, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Alia Bhatt, did “worse” to him than good.

Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the coming-of-age story, which is inspired by the lives of Indian street rappers Divine and Naezy, is about aspiring street rapper Murad from the slums of Mumbai.

“Zoya Ma’am heard my first song ‘Aafat’ and discovered me through that. She loved the song and the genre. The film was a work of fiction and was based on the entire community,” shared the rapper, who is currently seen as a contestant in ‘Bigg Boss OTT 3’.

Speaking about the impact of Gully Boy on his life, he shared: “I became famous through the film. Though my debut song was a hit, this film got me recognition amongst mainstream audiences.”

He reveals the reason why the film did not do good for him.

“However, the film did worse to me than good. Despite the makers clarifying that it is a work of fiction, a large section of the viewers continued to think of it as my story. People started seeing me in a negative light, comparing my journey to the character of the film,” said Naezy.

Sharing about his bond with Ranveer, he shares: “We became very close during the filming. He met my family and friends, and we took pictures together. He even made me meet Deepika ma’am. She told me that he used to talk a lot about me.”

About his presence in Bollywood, he said: “People know me in the industry. I have also met Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) Ji. He once had to lip-sync on my rap, during which he appreciated my work.”

‘Bigg Boss OTT 3’ is streaming on JioCinema Premium. (Agency)

MVA hails Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as LS LoP

Mumbai, June 26 2024-

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders heartily welcomed the appointment of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as the new Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, here on Wednesday.

Rahul Gandhi’s name was announced by AICC General Secretary K. C. Venugopal after a meeting of the Congress’s top leadership in New Delhi.

MVA allies – Congress’ Balasaheb Thorat, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut, and Nationalist Congress Party (SP)’s Clyde Crasto – congratulated Rahul Gandhi and warmly lauded the development terming it as a step forward to uphold the Constitution and protect democratic values.

“Under your leadership, the united Opposition will continue to uphold the Constitution and protect the democratic values. The voices of Dalits, backward classes, women, students, farmers and the common man will be amplified in the Parliament,” said Thorat, the state legislative party leader.

“Our Rahul Gandhi is now Leader of Opposition. By accepting this Constitutional position, you have taken another step forward to protect the country’s democracy. We shall unitedly fight and win. Thank You!,” said Sanjay Raut, MP and Chief Spokesperson of his party.

“Congratulations to Rahul Gandhi on becoming the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Jai Hind! Jai Constitution!”, said Clyde Crasto, the party’s National Spokesperson.

K.C. Venugopal said that the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had written to the Pro-Tem Speaker on the decision, and expressed confidence that as LoP, Rahul Gandhi would be a bold voice for the common people of India and ensure that the NDA government is firmly held accountable at all times. (Agency)

Kejriwal withdraws plea filed before SC against interim stay on bail

New Delhi, June 26 2024-

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday withdrew his plea filed before the Supreme Court challenging the interim stay ordered by the Delhi High Court on his release on bail in a money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam.

A vacation bench presided over by Justice Manoj Misra took note of the submission that a fresh plea would be moved before the apex court in view of the latest decision of the Delhi High Court staying the trial court order granting bail to CM Kejriwal.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing CM Kejriwal, submitted, “I seek your lordships’ permission to withdraw the present special leave petition with an express liberty to file a fresh petition challenging both the 21st and 25th orders passed by the Delhi High Court.”

Granting liberty to file a fresh petition, the Bench, also comprising Justice SVN Bhatti dismissed the petition as withdrawn.

In its final verdict pronounced on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that the trial court vacation bench did not apply its mind to the entire material and it ought to give equal opportunity to the ED to argue bail application.

On Monday, the top court refused to pass any immediate direction against the stay ordered by the Delhi High Court on CM Kejriwal’s release on bail.

Without passing any interim relief in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo, the SC adjourned the proceedings saying that it will take up the matter for hearing on Wednesday as the Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce its decision on ED’s plea for interim stay in a day or two.

Earlier on June 21, the Delhi High Court in an interim direction stayed the release of CM Kejriwal on the ED’s plea challenging the trial court’s bail order.

Halting CM Kejriwal’s release, a vacation bench of Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja of the high court directed that the bail order should not be enforced until the matter is heard in full. Later that day, the Delhi High Court reserved its order on ED’s plea for interim stay and said that it would pass its order in two to three days.

The ED had requested the trial court on June 20 for a 48-hour deferral in signing the bail bond following the pronouncement of the order. However, the trial court firmly denied the ED’s plea for a stay on its order granting bail. (Agency)

BJP MP Om Birla re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker

New Delhi, June 26 2024-

Om Birla, BJP MP from Kota-Bundi, was on Wednesday elected by voice vote as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second consecutive time.

With this win, Birla became the first BJP leader to serve the coveted position for the second consecutive time.

Protem Speaker of the House Bhartruhari Mahtab announced the election of Om Birla as Lok Sabha Speaker.

PM Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition in Lower House Rahul Gandhi took him to the chair and congratulated him after Birla assumed the post.

Before the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah, along with other NDA leaders, proposed to elect Om Birla for the post.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the Opposition alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Arvind Sawant proposed K. Suresh’s name for the Speaker’s post.

The majority was, however, in the NDA’s favour, with 297 MPs voting for Om Birla, while the Opposition got 232.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Birla was picked as the NDA’s candidate for the Speaker’s post. Union Minister Rajnath Singh and some senior leaders also tried to reach out to the leaders of opposition parties to reach a consensus on Birla’s name.

Rahul Gandhi had said that the Opposition would support the NDA candidate, but at the last moment, it announced Congress MP K. Suresh as its candidate.

Notably, Om Birla made several significant decisions as Speaker during Modi 2.0’s tenure. (Agency)

J&K: Encounter starts between security forces & terrorists in Doda

Jammu, June 26 2024-

An encounter started on Wednesday between the security forces and the terrorists in J&K’s Doda district.

“An encounter has started between the security forces and the terrorists in the Gandoh area of Doda district. CASO (Cordon & Search Operation) was launched by police and the army in the Gandoh area today,” an official said.

He said that as the security forces came closer, hiding terrorists fired at the forces triggering an encounter.

“Firing exchanges are now going on in the area,” the officials said.

Today’s operation in the Doda district is part of the larger strategy worked out by the security forces and the intelligence agencies to eradicate terrorism from the Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar and Reasi districts of Jammu region where a group of around 70 foreign terrorists are reportedly active. (Agency)

17 Chinese nationals feared dead in South Korea battery plant blaze

Seoul, June 25 2024-

South Korean fire department officials have said that around 17 Chinese nationals were killed in the massive fire at a battery plant in Hwaseong, city south of Seoul, but the exact figures still need to be further confirmed.

South Korean officials, including Gyeonggi Province Second Vice Governor Oh Who-seok, Hwaseong City Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun, and officials from the fire department, briefed Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, Xing Haiming, late on Monday on the accident and the progress of the search and rescue efforts at the scene.

South Korean officials said the accident has killed 22 people, 17 of them presumably to be Chinese nationals. Eight other people were injured, including one Chinese who was slightly wounded, and all the injured have been properly treated. Firemen are still searching for the missing, Xinhua news agency reported.

The South Korean side deeply mourns the tragic death of Chinese citizens in the accident and will assist China in doing its utmost to rescue and deal with the aftermath.

Xing urged the South Korean side to find out the cause of the accident as soon as possible, properly deal with the aftermath, and provide all necessary support for the families of the Chinese victims.

Xing told media at the scene that the Chinese embassy is working with the South Korean side to do its best to deal with the accident’s aftermath. It is hoped that South Korean businesses will learn a painful lesson, refrain from similar incidents in the future and earnestly safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens in South Korea. (Agency)

Wikileaks founder freed from UK prison after deal with US authorities

London, June 25 2024-

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has left the UK reportedly after reaching a deal with US authorities that will see him plead guilty to criminal charges.

Assange, who was charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information, would spend no time in US custody as per the conditions finalised in a tentative deal with the US Justice Department.

“Julian Assange is free. He left Belmarsh maximum security prison (London) on the morning of 24 June, after having spent 1901 days there. He was granted bail by the High Court in London and was released at Stansted airport during the afternoon, where he boarded a plane and departed the UK,” Wikileaks said in a post on social media platform X.

“After more than five years in a 2×3 metre cell, isolated 23 hours a day, he will soon reunite with his wife Stella Assange, and their children, who have only known their father from behind bars,” the post added.

“As he returns to Australia, we thank all who stood by us, fought for us, and remained utterly committed in the fight for his freedom,” it added.

Reacting to the development, his wife Stella Assange said, “Throughout the years of Julian’s imprisonment and persecution, an incredible movement has been formed. People from all walks of life from around the world who support not just Julian… but what Julian stands for: truth and justice.” (Agency)

Punjab Govt Sanctions Rs 34 Crore to 6786 Beneficiaries under Ashirwad Scheme: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Chandigarh, June 24 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections.

Today, Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minority Affairs, announced at a press conference in Chandigarh the approval of Rs 34 crore for 6786 beneficiaries under the state’s Ashirwad scheme.

Giving more information in this regard, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that for the fiscal year 2023-24, an amount of Rs.2732.07 lakh has been sanctioned for 5357 beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes.

She added that the state government has sanctioned Rs.728.79 lakh for 1429 beneficiaries from Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections for the year 2023-24. This amount will be disbursed directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

The Minister explained that Ashirwad scheme provides financial assistance for the marriage or remarriage of girls belonging to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections in Punjab, with eligibility extending to two girls per family.

Applicants are required to submit their applications either before or within 30 days of the marriage date. To enhance transparency, the Punjab Government launched the Ashirwad portal in April 2023 for online application submissions.

She further added that eligibility criteria for the Ashirwad scheme require applicants to be permanent residents of Punjab, belong to the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or Economically Weaker Sections, have an annual family income of less than Rs. 32,790 and fall below the poverty line. Financial assistance is available for up to two daughters per eligible family.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that directions has been given to departmental officials to expedite the processing of pending cases to ensure timely disbursement to beneficiaries.

Answering the question of Journalist during the press conference, Dr. Baljit Kaur confirmed that stringent measures are being implemented to identify and penalize fraudulent beneficiaries under the Ashirwad scheme.

She emphasized that the Punjab Government remains committed to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections, with all financial assistance being directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Two party Presidents — Kharge & Nadda — get leading roles in Upper House

New Delhi, June 24 2024-

Two members of the Upper House heading different political camps got leading roles in the Rajya Sabha with BJP President J.P. Nadda being named the Leader of the House, and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also leading the Opposition in the Upper House — in a coincidence that’s one of the firsts in recent times.

This ‘coincidence’, however, would not last long as the term of J.P. Nadda, also the Union Health Minister, as BJP President will end this month.

According to sources, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get a new chief this time. If that happens, J.P. Nadda will just be the Leader of the Upper House but not the President of his party.

In the first-ever Parliamentary session after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government, J.P. Nadda, as the President of the BJP, is also expected to tackle the opposition’s onslaught that would be led by his Congress counterpart Kharge.

In the capacity of party President, J.P. Nadda will also list and present the achievements of the government in the House in the presence of the Opposition.

The Congress, meanwhile, has congratulated J.P. Nadda on being named the Rajya Sabha leader.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X: “Congratulations to J.P. Nadda on being nominated as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. As Venkaiah Naidu (former Vice President and the ex-Chairman of the Upper House) said – if the leaders of the House can accommodate, the opposition can cooperate.”

J.P. Nadda has replaced his party colleague and Union Minister Piyush Goyal in the Rajya Sabha as the leader of the House.

In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Piyush Goyal emerged victorious from the Mumbai North Parliamentary constituency.

While J.P. Nadda’s term as BJP President will end on June 30, the proceedings in Rajya Sabha begin three days earlier — on June 27. (Agency)