PM Modi lauds Guru Teg Bahadur’s sacrifice, says he stood like a rock against a cruel religious fanatic like Aurangzeb

Prime Minister Narendra Modi 400. Appreciated the supreme sacrifice of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur in
^th Prakash Parv said that the wave of religious bigotry of a cruel ruler like Aurangzeb posed a threat to the identity of India but he stood like a rock against it and protected the country.

Recalling the Mughal rule of Aurangzeb four centuries ago, Prime Minister Modi said, “At that time, a wave of religious fanaticism ran in the country. India, which considers religion to be a matter of philosophy, science and soul-searching, encountered people who crossed all limits of violence and tyranny in the name of religion.

Under those circumstances, a great hope emerged of saving India’s identity as Guru Tegh Bahadur. Modi said, “Against the brutal views of Aurangzeb at that time, Guru Tegh Bahadur stood like a rock, a “Hind ki Chadar”.

The Prime Minister said that the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur has inspired many generations to fight, live and die to protect the cultural ethos of the country.

“Many big storms subsided and governance was lost but the nation today is eternal and moving towards progress,” Modi said.

Since the Punjab elections a few months back, the Modi-led BJP government has firmly reached out to the Sikhs. With the BJP collapsing with the Shiromani Akali Dal and the partnership with Captain Amarinder Singh to no avail, the saffron party is now aggressively wooing the Sikh community on its own. Modi had received a delegation of Sikhs a few weeks back where 400. had a plan
^th The festival of light was promoted on such a large scale.

In his speech on Thursday, Modi mentioned that his government has declared 26 December as Veer Bal Diwas to mark the sacrifice by the Sahebzade of Guru Gobind Singh, who was given a living wall by the Mughal rulers. The PM said that a pilgrimage circuit is being made for the Sikhs. Other measures include construction of a ropeway near Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand.

Modi said Sikhs trapped in Afghanistan were safely brought to India and they can get citizenship here. He also emphasized that the Guru Granth Sahib was respectfully brought to India from Afghanistan to prevent any sacrilege (after the Taliban came to power).

Modi appreciated the sacrifice of our freedom fighters including Sikhs and said that we are in this position today because of their efforts.

The Prime Minister also released a coin of Rs 400 and a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion.

Originally published at Pen 18

Warner Bros News: Warner Bros shutting down CNN+ streaming service: report

Warner Bros. Discovery is shutting down its CNN+ streaming news service, Variety reported Thursday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

Warner Bros. Discovery, whose shares fell 5.6% on the news, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

CNN launched CNN+ late last month to capitalize on the growing popularity of streaming video at major news organizations and the growth of digital subscriptions.

The streaming service offers a combination of live, on-demand and interactive programming, with an emphasis on original content.

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Originally published at Pen 18

oneweb satellite: Oneweb gets licence to provide satellite services in India

Bharti Group-backed OneWeb has received a license from the government to provide satellite services in the country, an official source said on Thursday.

UK-based OneWeb plans to provide connectivity in the country via OneWeb satellite from mid-2022.

“The Department of Telecommunications has issued Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license to OneWeb,” an official source told PTI.

An e-mail query sent to OneWeb remained unanswered.

With the license, which allows OneWeb to provide satellite communication services in India, the Bharti Group will have an edge in connecting its mobile towers via satellite services.

In 2020, OneWeb was acquired by the UK government and the Bharti Group.

The UK government and Bharti Global invested USD 500 million in the company in 2020.

SoftBank, Hughes and Eutelsat also invested in the company in 2021.

Meanwhile, OneWeb and New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, have entered into an agreement that will help ensure that OneWeb completes its satellite launch programme.

The first launch with NSIL is expected in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

Satellite industry body Indian Space Association (ISPA) said the partnership between OneWeb and NSIL is a historic development and will certainly pave the way for greater participation of private space players, which will result in boosting the Indian space economy.

Originally published at Pen 18

hemant soren: EC to scrutinise Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren under disqualification clauses; inquiries begin

The Election Commission’s reference to Jharkhand Governor granting mining lease to Chief Minister Hemant Soren is to be probed under the relevant corruption provisions of the Representation of the People Act which, if found correct, could lead to Soren’s possible disqualification as an MLA. . ,

The controversy has sparked animated political conversations in Jharkhand for some time, but the Election Commission’s reference to the Raj Bhavan has escalated it to a more serious level.

“The reference to us is made under Article 192 of the Constitution which authorizes the Governor to take a decision on the disqualification of an elected member on the basis of the opinion of the Election Commission. We will take up the issue keeping in view the various provisions of the law. Will look at it as a whole.” An official said on condition of anonymity.

The matter pertains to the stone quarry mining lease (letter of intent) given to Hemant Soren in June 2021 by the District Mining Department for 0.88 acres of land in Angara block of Ranchi district.

Section 9 and Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 provide for the disqualification of an elected representative on account of corrupt practices and government contracts and supplies while in office.

The election panel will also look into the issue under the provisions of the Constitution which details disqualifications to hold office of profit.

The Election Commission this week has written to the state government to ascertain all the facts relating to the reference on the allotment of mining leases by Governor Ramesh Bais to the Chief Minister last year.

BJP leaders, including former chief minister Raghubar Das, had made representations on the matter to the governor, who in turn sent a reference to the ECI under Article 192 of the Constitution. This provision authorizes the Governor to take a decision on the disqualification of the elected member on the basis of the opinion of the voting panel.

In a letter sent to the state chief secretary, the Election Commission has sought details of the terms and conditions of the lease besides verification of documents related to mining licenses to ascertain whether an arm’s length was maintained in the process. was or not.

Originally published at Pen 18

jahangirpuri violence: Delhi: Municipal Corporation overlooks SC, demolishes Jahangirpuri ‘encroachments’

The BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation on Wednesday demolished several buildings in Jahangirpuri, where communal violence broke out a few days ago, despite the Supreme Court’s order. After immediate arguments, the SC had ordered a stay on the demolition till it examines the validity of the NDMC’s claim that the structures were illegal encroachments. However, the NDMC continued for over an hour following the court’s order.

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave told a bench led by CJI NV Ramana that the demolition drive was extended from the scheduled time of 2 pm to morning, and began without any notice. He said the law requires that a notice of 5-15 days be given to those affected to allow them to appeal to a superior authority against any adverse decision. “It is completely unconstitutional,” he said.

The CJI immediately directed the status quo to be maintained and listed a petition against such summary demolition for hearing on Thursday. A similar petition in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh was also mentioned by senior advocate Kapil Sibal. “It has implications across India,” Sibal said. The bench said that it will also hear the petition on Thursday.

The residents of Jahangirpuri alleged that the NDMC carried on the demolition drive well when electronic media technically circulated the SC order that the demolitionists had not received formal intimation. Dave and advocate Prashant Bhushan had to take up the issue again in the Supreme Court later in the day. Dave said it was sad that the campaign continued despite the Supreme Court order.

The CJI then directed the Secretary General of the Supreme Court to ensure that the order is formally conveyed to the authorities. By the time the operation was halted, several shops, which were alleged to have been encroached upon, were demolished.

BJP-ruled UP and Madhya Pradesh have launched demolition drives against those who protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act on the charge. The BJP had made bulldozers one of its themes during the UP elections, claiming that the state government has a policy of ‘zero tolerance towards law breakers’. However, civil rights campaigners have criticized the demolition on the grounds that the state cannot act as judge, jury and executioner. He has alleged that the procedures established under the law on demolition have been ignored.

Clashes erupted after a Shoba Yatra by the VHP around a mosque on Hanuman Jayanti in Jahangirpuri last Saturday. Four days after the struggle, a demolition drive was launched against the encroachment. The Delhi Police, which reports to the Union Home Ministry, had over 400 personnel to oversee the corporation’s “anti-encroachment operation”. The Delhi Police later said that the post-demolition situation was under control and peaceful. Special CP Deepender Pathak said, “We are here to provide support and security to the civic agency.” He said that NDMC called 400 personnel from Delhi Police to maintain law and order during the operation. NDMC Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh claimed that the operation was stopped as soon as the order was received. “We will abide by the order of the Supreme Court. We have stopped the operation. The civic machinery there is now only removing garbage and other things from the roads,” Singh said. A case pending before a court usually prompts the authorities to wait for a court order before commencing the demolition. Police said they have arrested 25 suspects so far and have imposed stringent sections under the National Security Act against the five accused in the aftermath of Saturday’s violence. Eight policemen and a local resident were injured in the clashes.

Originally published at Pen 18

bjp: BJP, AAP engage in war of words over bulldozer drive

A war of words broke out between the BJP and the AAP over the ‘encroachment’ of a bulldozer in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Jahangirpuri. The AAP alleged that the “order was issued” to harass a community in the name of encroachment, while the BJP alleged that the AAP was giving the campaign a religious colour.

The AAP alleged that the BJP had recently hatched a “conspiracies for quarrels” in different parts of the country. AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha accused the BJP of “promoting riots, violence and hooliganism all over India. If you want to end the riots in this country forever, the BJP headquarters should be shut down immediately.” ” Chadha challenged the BJP to act on ‘bulldozer justice’ and demolished the houses of BJP leaders who had “taken bribes to encroach”.

After the Jahangirpuri demolition, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta wrote to Corporation Mayor Iqbal Singh to ‘identify and demolish illegal constructions and encroachments by those arrested for the violence’. Delhi BJP spokesperson Aditya Jha told news agencies that this is the “beginning of the cleanliness drive”. “This will continue till Delhi is freed from illegal occupants and foreign nationals residing illegally,” Jha said.

BJP leader Kapil Mishra said that a ‘bulldozer of law, justice and constitution’ will roll in Jahangirpuri. “Bulldozers are the only solution when Bangladeshi infiltrators open fire on police. Betting, smack, ganja and illegal parking are all Ansar’s businesses. This campaign is just the beginning of making Delhi pollution-free,” he claimed.

The AAP hit back alleging that the BJP had “illegally settled Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in different parts of the country in the last eight years”. AAP’s Atishi said in a video message, “BJP is engineering hooliganism, violence and riots not just in Delhi, but across the country.” He alleged that Shah and the BJP were behind all the incidents of recent communal violence in different parts of the country. He said, ‘Bulldozers should be run at the BJP headquarters and Amit Shah’s residence. After this there will be no riots in the country. Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia alleged that BJP is doing engineering violence as it has nothing to talk about in education, healthcare and other sectors.

Originally published at Pen 18

NDA: Opposition explores candidate against NDA presidential nominee

Opposition parties have begun discussions on fielding a common candidate to challenge the BJP-led Nationalist Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate for the July presidential election.

The opposition, which came together earlier this week to speak out against incidents of communal violence across India, has begun talks to field a consensus presidential candidate. The parties are expected to hold a meeting in early May on the presidential election and the alleged misuse of central agencies by the Centre.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has deputed party leaders to join forces with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to garner support for the opposition’s candidate. BJD has been giving issue-based support to the Modi government. The BJD had voted in 2019 in favor of important laws including the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill and triple talaq in Parliament. However, the opposition feels that it can convince BJD president Naveen Patnaik. A senior opposition leader told ET, “The TRS chief has started talks. This is just the beginning and we have to keep talking to each other.

agencies

At the same time, the Left parties have also started talks on a common candidate for the post of President. CPI leader D Raja met Tejashwi Yadav of RJD on Tuesday to discuss the presidential election. Speaking to ET, Raja said, “Left parties have always been in favor of pitting the opposition candidate against the NDA candidate. This time will be no different. We have started talks and we will try to build a consensus. In the 2017 presidential elections, opposition parties came together to support former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress veteran Meira Kumar against NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind. However, Kovind won with 65.65% of the votes. With the Congress rapidly diminishing in stature due to electoral defeat, the opposition camp is relying on regional players to build a consensus on the presidential candidate.

The 2022 presidential election is crucial for opposition unity. Opposition parties are looking for an opportunity to give a tough fight to BJP. From the 2017 presidential elections till now, the BJP has lost allies including Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). It will be a numbers game that will test opposition unity.

Originally published at Pen 18