Row over Amit Shah's landing at yet-to-be-opened Kannur airport

Agencies

October 29, 2018

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29: A controversy has erupted over BJP president Amit Shahlanding at the yet to be opened Kannur airport, with a Kerala minister slamming him Sunday for threatening to oust the LDF government despite it allowing him to arrive there as part of state's 'tradition of hospitality.'

State finance minister TM Thomas Isaac tweeted that though the state had shown the 'tradition of hospitality' by permitting Shah to land at the airport, which had not been formally inaugurated, the BJP leader had threatened to oust the left ruled Kerala government.

The official inauguration of the Kannur airport, the fourth in the state, is scheduled to be held on December 9.

But, by arriving in a special flight there yesterday to inaugurate the BJP's new district committee office, Shah has unofficially become the first passenger to land at the airport at Mattanur in Kannur.

Isaac said Shah's "empty threats" were out of frustration as the saffron party is yet to get more members in the state assembly.

Former Union minister, O Rajagopal, is the lone MLA of the BJP in the house.

"Amit Shah permitted to land in Kannur airport which is yet to be opened. That is our tradition of hospitality. But he is threatening to oust Kerala government. Such empty threats do not frighten us. Try to win few seats in Assembly. Your frustration is understandable," Isaac tweeted.

Hundreds of party workers had gathered Saturday at the airport to welcome Shah who was in Kerala on a day's visit.

After inaugurating the party office located at Thalikkavu, he had made a scathing attack on the CPM-led LDF government in the state over the issue of entry of women in Sabarimala temple and pledged BJP's support for it.

Main opposition Congress took on the LDF government for allowing the BJP chief to use the airport.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Mullappally Ramachandran alleged that Shah landed at the airport following an 'understanding' between him and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"At a time when the Kannur airport is scheduled to be inaugurated on December 9, it was specially opened for Amit Shah. Usually, it is done so during emergency situations," he said in a statement.

Amit Shah had arrived in Kannur Saturday on a day's visit to Kerala to attend a party function in that city and the 90th Mahasamadhi observance of saint social reformer Sree Narayana Guru at Varkala near Thiruvananthapuram.

Later, in a hard-hitting speech, Shah had warned chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan that he would have to pay a "heavy price" if the (attack on Ayyappa devotees) continues, as BJP workers "would not hesitate to pull down the government."

Comments

This hate monger and trouble maker should not be allowed in peace loving kerala state. He is arriving only to create trouble and give hate speech. He is famous to igniting communal voilence in many places. Many criminal cases are on him, but shame that he is free. Suspected innocents are in jails for no reasons and real trouble makers are in the Govt and enjoying tax payers money. In case this trouble maker visits Kerala, his visits should be monitored and recorded.

AYYAPPA POLITICS.

These shameless goons will not hesistate to do any dirty politics even at the cost of worshippers.

Oh Malayalese, Kerala is the safest state in India.

Do not allow these BJP (Bharath Jeopardizing party) to mess around in Kerala the land of the God.

Quick out these criminals from Kerala, who think they will be success in kerala as they did in Gurjarat and other parts of the country.

Never allow them nor give any hospitality. The State can prevent him from entering as the law allowes to take any such action in the interest of the state.

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Over 10K Hajj pilgrims from Kerala await Saudi govt to lift travel restrictions amid coronavirus fears

Agencies

February 29,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 29: With Saudi Arabia indefinitely suspending visas for visit to Islam's holiest site for the Umrah pilgrimage in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, more than 10,000 people in the state who are awaiting their turn this year for the annual Hajj pilgrimage are a worried lot.

"This year more than 10,000 people in Kerala have been cleared by the Hajj committee," said C Muhammed Faizy, chairman, Kerala State Hajj Committee.

"There is no cause of worry. We hope that during the time of the pilgrimage, the travel restriction by Saudi Arabia will be lifted," he said.

Umrah is a pilgrimage to the holy site that can be undertaken at any time of the year, while the annual Hajj pilgrimage has specific months according to the lunar calendar.

"The move by the Saudi Arabian Government to impose travel restriction was due to the outbreak of coronavirus. It is a preventive step to contain it. In such large gatherings, if one person is affected, it will spread to others. So we fully understand the concerns of the Saudi Government," Muhammed Faizy added.

He said that the Hajj Committee only processes the requests of annual Hajj visit pilgrims and not Umrah.

"This year we expect the Hajj pilgrimage season to be from June to August after Ramzan. But it may vary according to the Ramzan date. We are yet to get any official correspondence from the Saudi Government regarding travel restrictions," he added.

The Saudi Arabian Government suspended visas for tourists from countries affected by the coronavirus, with many having to cancel their Umrah pilgrimage at the last minute.

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India would not discriminate among religions, we are not a theocratic country like Pakistan: Rajnath Singh

News Network

January 22,2020

New Delhi, Jan 22: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said Indian values consider all religions equal, and that is why the country is secular and never became a theocratic state like Pakistan.

Speaking at the NCC Republic Day Camp in Delhi, Singh said: "We (India) said we would not discriminate among religions. Why did we do that? Our neighbouring country has declared that their state has a religion. They have declared themselves a theocratic state. We didn't declare so."

"Even America is a theocratic country. India is not a theocratic country. Why? Because our saints and seers did not just consider the people living within our borders as part of the family, but called everyone living in the world as one family," the minister said.

Singh underlined that India had never declared its religion would be Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist and people of all religions could live here.

"They gave the slogan of 'Vasudev Kutumbakam' -- the whole world is one family. This message has gone to the whole world from here only," he added.

Comments

Very thoughtful and eye-catching statement by Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh.

Sir, I kindly request you to convey this beautiful message to your Party’s comrades, who are deprived of this dosage for long times and are badly need of this.

Also, for those from your Party, who are, time and again, spitting the venomous rhetoric against Dalits, Muslims, Christians and others alike.

Yashwant Sinhaji is now doing a wonderful job in this regard.

You will also follow his suit for sure in the days to come; that’s what your honest statement indicates.

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Prisoners to be employed in petrol pumps in Kerala

Agencies

July 31,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 31: In Kerala, the prisoners will now work as employees in petrol pumps and take home a salary, as the Kerala government has rolled out Petrol Pumps from jail premises in association with Indian Oil Corporation.

Speaking to news agency, Rishiraj Singh, Jail DGP said that initiative to employ jail inmates in petrol pumps was taken as in Kerala there are many projects of which prisoners are a part of and are being employed.

"In petrol pumps, 15 jail inmates will be employed at each pump. The outlets of Thiruvananthapuram, Viyyur and Cheemeni jails have been started to function from today.

Many express doubt whether the prisoners will try to escape. But my experience working with them prove otherwise. They are managing five cafeterias in the state and selling food prepared by them. We pay them Rs 220 per day for their work and the jail inmates are running it successfully particularly at COVID-19 times," he said.

The Indian Oil Corporation is investing around Rs 9.5 crore to set up four petrol pumps at the jail premises. The share of the jail department is Rs 30 lakh for setting up petroleum outlet. Other than the three presently, it will also be started in Kannur jail.

"The land has been leased to the Indian Oil Corporation for 30 years. The prisoners are employed here and for that, they underwent a training in petrol pump of IOC and the uniform will also be supplied by them, " said Rishiraj Singh About 25 cents in Thiruvananthapuram, 39 cents in Kannur, 25 cents in Viyur and 25 cents in Cheemeni open jail have been allotted.

Through this, the government will get Rs 5.9 lakh per month in rent.

It also plans to expand the project in the future by setting up a CNG and electrical charging station.

The petrol pumps will be also accompanied by public comfort stations.

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