Harassed by teachers and friends, Class 10 girl jumps to death from school building

Udupi, May 24: As many as 23 people tested positive for coronavirus in Udupi in past 24 hours, according to the latest bulletin released by the health and family welfare department.

While 18 were tested positive till noon, five more tested postive by evening.

With this the total number of covid-19 cases in the district rose to 76 including a death. Three have recovered. There 72 active cases.

Among 23 fresh cases, many had reportedly come from Maharashtra. A 44-year-old woman had returned from UAE. A 26-year-old man returned from Telangana.

Bengaluru, Jul 15: Karnataka Congress Chief D K Shivakumar on Wednesday urged the Ministers in the state to visit Covid-19 designated hospitals and instil confidence among patients, doctors and medical staff there.

Noting that doctors, nurses and others were doing a great job, Shivakumar said the government has to stand with them and instil confidence in them. Speaking to reporters after visiting Victoria hospital, a major dedicated Covid hospital in the city, he said, "All the Ministers have to go to hospitals and instil confidence in the staff, patients.... they have to remove fear and tell them we will have to live with this (virus), and cannot escape from it."

Shivakumar said he believes that by instilling confidence most part of the diseases can be cured. He lauded doctors, paramedical and other staff working at the Hospital for the sake of patients, putting their own life at risk and appreciated facilities provided there.

During the visit, the state Congress President interacted with patients undergoing treatment for Covid-19, also medical staff and doctors. He said at Victoria hospital patients were allowed to use mobile phones, so that they can speak to family members, which has to an extent instilled confidence among them, and the same has to be replicated across the state.

Not wishing to comment on complaints about the quality of facility and PPE kits provided at the hospital, also alleged misappropriation on part of the government in the purchase of equipment for Covid treatment, Shivakumar said, "....let's see that at Vidhana Soudha (seat of state's legislature)." He said, "this is not the time to talk about corruption and other things, this is not the time for it....instilling confidence among patients, doctors and paramedical staff is important now."

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs of Government of India today clarified to the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the so called “Love Jihad” is not defined under the extant laws and no such cases have been reported by any central agency.

It was ministry’s formal response to questions about whether the central government is aware of the observation of Kerala High Court that there is no case of Love Jihad in Kerala.

“The term ‘Love Jihad’ is not defined under the extant laws. No such case of ‘Love Jihad’ has been reported by any of the central agencies. However, two cases from Kerala involving interfaith marriages have been investigated by the NIA,” said the reply.

Communal and anti-Muslim political outfits backed by a section of media often use the term “Love Jihad” to accuse Muslims of marrying Hindu and Christian girls and then forcing them to change religion. Dr Hadiya’s conversion was also termed ‘love jihad’ by the BJP and media. The Supreme Court finally ruled that it wasn’t.

In January 2020, an influential Catholic Church in Kerala had said that “love jihad is a reality” and alleged that scores of women from Christian community from the southern state were being lured into the trap of Islamic State and used in terror activities.

The Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had welcomed the Church statement and called for a united fight against ‘Love Jihad’ in Kerala Society.

The response comes weeks after the MHA, responding to an RTI query, said it has "no information" concerning the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' -- a term that has been used a number of times by PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to attack opponents.

The RTI application was filed by activist Saket Gokhle on December 26 last year. In his RTI application, Saket Gokhle said Home Minister "Amit Shah addressed a public event in New Delhi, and in his address said, 'The Tukde Tukde Gang of Delhi needs to be taught a lesson and punished'." Gokhle's RTI asked for details of the 'Tukde Tukde Gang'.

The home ministry, in its reply to Saket Gokhle's RTI application, said, "Ministry of Home Affairs has no information concerning tukde-tukde gang."