Kamla Beniwal Sacked As Governor, Government Cites 'Serious Allegations'

August 7, 2014

Gujarat GovernorNew Delhi, Aug 7: The government today justified sacking Mizoram governor Kamla Beniwal - just two months before her tenure ends - as it confronted opposition allegations of "vendetta politics".

Ms Beniwal, who had sharp differences with Narendra Modi when he was Gujarat Chief Minister, had been shifted from Gujarat to Mizoram exactly a month ago.

"Action was taken within rules, as per Constitution. There are serious allegations. The government has taken serious note of her conduct," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, denying any politics behind the move.

Sources say Ms Beniwal's sacking is linked to her alleged involvement in a land scam four years ago, in her home state Rajasthan. She is accused of claiming plots of land after stating in false affidavits that she had tilled the land for 14 to 16 hours a day for 50 years, even when she was a minister in the state's Congress government.

Opposition parties, however, allege that the 87-year-old was punished for taking on Mr Modi in Gujarat, the state he ruled for 13 years before taking charge as Prime Minister in May.

Congress leader Manish Tewari said, "Governors are constitutional authorities. They cannot be trampled upon like this."

It is "clear political vendetta", added Congress ally Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, citing a 2010 Supreme Court ruling that a "change in government at the Centre is not a ground for removal of Governors to make way for others favoured by the new government."

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal concurred, saying, "Political vendetta around the constitutional high office isn't good for the country."

As Gujarat governor, Ms Beniwal had challenged the Modi government on the appointment of a Lokayukta, or anti-corruption ombudsman. Recently, it was revealed that she spent Rs. 8.5 crore on frequent air travel at taxpayers' expense.

The ruling BJP moved to replace governors appointed by the previous Congress-led UPA regime days after coming to power. Six governors resigned and some refused to budge. Veteran Congressman Virendra Kataria was removed as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry recently.

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Agencies
July 8,2020

The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has urged Muslims to take precautions during Eid ul-Adha (Bakrid), to be celebrated in the last week of July, and has issued guidelines on offering prayers and sacrifices.

"The namaz should be offered by adhering to the social distancing norms at eidgahs and mosques. Muslims should offer the Eid prayer at home in the same manner as they had done during Eid ul-Fitr in areas where restrictions have been imposed due to COVID-19," it said.

For the sacrifice of animals, a part of the festival, the JIH said "precautionary" measures should be taken due to the pandemic.

"Don't offer qurbani on roads, footpaths and pathways. Ensure the highest level of cleanliness and hygiene. Ensure that you bury the blood and entrails of the animal after qurbani or deliver it at the designated spot of garbage collection," the JIH said in a statement.

The JIH said it would be appropriate to form a committee few days before the Eid ul-Adha, which would keep an eye on the situation, remain in touch with the local administration and offer cooperation towards maintaining the law and order in the area.

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News Network
March 3,2020

Daman, Mar 3: A BJP councillor was shot dead on Monday in the Union Territory of Daman, police said.

Salim Memon was sitting in his motorcycle showroom when three to four unidentified persons shot four to five bullets after asking a visitor there to move out, an official said quoting eye-witnesses.

While fleeing, they also shot two rounds close to this visitor who was standing outside, he said.

"Memon was rushed to a hospital in Marwad area but was declared dead on arrival. CCTV footage is being scanned to nab the culprits," said Daman Superintendent of Police Vikramjit Singh.

Memon was elected to Daman municipality as a Congress candidate but then switched over to the BJP.

Sources said Memon, who also has a land brokerage business, had come out of jail a few months back in connection with a case of rivalry.

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Agencies
June 26,2020

New Delhi, Jun 26: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday said the central government cannot shirk its responsibility of securing our borders with China and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the nation into confidence on the situation in Ladakh.

In a video message put out as part of the Congress party's campaign to honour the Army personnel who sacrificed their lives in Ladakh, she asked why the country's soldiers were martyred when China has not captured any Indian territory, as claimed by the Prime Minister.

"Today when there is a crisis-like situation at the India-China border, the central government cannot shirk its responsibility (of securing them)," she said in a video message as part of 'SpeakUpForOurJawans' campaign.

"The country wants to know if China has not captured our land in Ladakh, as claimed by the Prime Minister, then why were our 20 soldiers martyred," she asked.

She said while the Prime Minister says there is no intrusion into Indian territory, experts after seeing satellite images talk of the presence of Chinese troops in our territory confirming the intrusions.

"When and how will the Modi government take back from China our land in Ladakh? Is our territorial integrity being violated by China in Ladakh? Will the Prime Minister take the nation in confidence on the situation at the border?" Gandhi asked.

She said the government should give full support and strength to the Army, saying "this will be true patriotism".

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