Akhilesh Yadav's government bans VHP yatra; Ayodhya braces for a showdown

August 22, 2013
Lucknow/Mumbai, Aug 22: The Uttar Pradesh government today stuck to its decision to ban VHP's proposed yatra from Ayodhya from Sunday while the saffron oufit warned of dire consequences if it was stopped, putting the two sides on a collision course. akhilesh_yadav

As the war of words involving the SP, BSP and the Congress over the yatra from Sunday escalated, heavy police force is being deployed in Faizabad-Ayodhya district.

"Besides PAC and RAF, two SPs, 16 Additional SPs, 32 Deputy SPs, 80 inspectors, 240 sub-inspectors have been deployed in the Faizabad district to maintain law and order in wake of the yatra", IG (law and order) R K Vishwakarma told reporters in Lucknow.

Alleging that BJP, RSS and VHP were using saints as their tools to fulfill their political ambitions ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Samajwadi Party(SP) said that it would not allow them to communalise the atmosphere through their proposed yatra.

"BJP, RSS and VHP are using saints as their tools to fulfill their political ambitions ahead of Lok Sabha polls as they have no public issues left. SP government will not allow them to communalise atmosphere of the state through their proposed 84-kosi yatra", SP spokesman and cabinet minister Rajendra Chowdhury told reporters in Lucknow.

The Akhilesh Yadav government would not allow any activity that could vitiate communal atmosphere by starting a new tradition, he said, adding that his party would not allow BJP to make a "Gujarat in UP".

The VHP on its part said the 84th 'kosi parikrama yatra' from Ayodhya would take place as per schedule from August 24 to Septmber 13 and the UP government would have to face dire consequences if it tried to obstruct it.

"If anybody tries to obstruct it, they will face dire consequences. If the UP government tries to stop the yatra, then it will have to suffer for it," VHP leader Venkatesh Abdeo said in Mumbai. The yatra will cover six districts-- Faizabad, Basti, Barabanki, Gonda, Bahraich and Ambedkar Nagar.

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News Network
May 23,2020

New Delhi, May 23: On the occasion of Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the ongoing holy month of Ramzan, a select group of people offered namaz at Delhi's Jama Masjid ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, while adhering to social distancing following relaxations in the fourth phase of the COVID-19 lockdown.

"A large number of people wanted to offer prayers today but we told them they should do so from their homes. Only the staff of the mosque and a few members of the family offered prayers here," Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid said.

The coronavirus pandemic has also marred the excitement of Eid for the vegetable and fruit vendors in neighbouring Daryaganj.

The fourth phase of nation-wide lockdown extended till May 31, began from Monday in which markets and shops were allowed to open. However, due to persisting fear of COVID-19, the sale of products is yet to pick pace.

Unlike each year, the market lacks the sheen this Eid with no bustle and people cautious about venturing out.

Salim, who has been selling cheese and curd in the market for the last 35 years, told ANI, "I have never seen such an Eid. There is an atmosphere of fear in the minds of people."

Another fruit seller Haseen Malik said that "During the month of Ramadan, most people relish fruits such as musk melon, sweet lemon and watermelon so there is some demand for it. But there is no excitement for Eid this year. The sale has been at an all-time low because of the lockdown."

In the wake of the festival and to ensure social distancing, Delhi Police has made elaborate security arrangements. 

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News Network
June 1,2020

Jun 1: Gold prices rose on Monday as riots in major U.S. cities rattled investors already reeling from strained Sino-U.S. relations and boosted demand for the safe-haven metal, with a weaker dollar lending further support.

Spot gold gained 0.8% to $1,739.75 per ounce by 0242 GMT. U.S. gold futures ticked up 0.1% to $1,752.60.

"Concerns about the unrest in the United States at the moment appear to be weighing on market sentiment," said Michael McCarthy, chief strategist at CMC Markets, adding that rising tensions between the world's top two economies provided further support to gold.

Protesters have flooded the streets in the United States over the death of George Floyd in police custody, in a wave of outrage sweeping a politically and racially divided nation.

The closely packed crowds and demonstrators not wearing masks have sparked fears of a resurgence of COVID-19, which has killed more than 101,000 Americans.

In Asia, China's state media and the government of Hong Kong lashed out on Sunday at U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to end Hong Kong's special status if Beijing imposes new national security laws on the city.

Gold is often used as a safe store of value during times of political and financial uncertainty.

Indicative of sentiment, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.3% to 1,123.14 tonnes on Friday, a fresh seven-year high.

Further supporting gold's appeal, the dollar index fell 0.4% against its rivals.

Elsewhere, silver jumped 2% to $18.20 per ounce, its highest since Feb. 26, before retreating slightly to trade 1.8% higher at $18.16.

Speculators cut their bullish positions in COMEX gold and increased them in silver contracts in the week to May 26, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday.

Palladium rose 0.7% to $1,958.25 per ounce, while platinum declined 0.3% to $835.56.

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Agencies
February 26,2020

Kochi, Feb 26: Kerala High Court on Wednesday imposed a ban on strikes in schools and colleges that impact the functioning of the campuses.

''The functioning of campuses should not be hampered by the strikes. The colleges are for study, not for strikes. There should not be any march or gherao on campuses. Do not incite anyone for a strike," a bench of Justice PB Suresh Kumar said in its order.

"The order applies to schools and colleges. Do not harm the rights of others. The college can be a venue for peaceful discussions or thoughts. If actions are contrary to the orders of the court, the authorities can take action. They can call the police and restore peace," the order reads.

The Kerala High Court issued the order while hearing a petition filed by 20 educational institutions against campus politics.

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