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Tharoor raps BJP, says Section 377 about freedom, not sex

Agencies
July 11, 2018

Thiruvananthapuram, July 11: Congress leader Shashi Thraoor on Wednesday said that by not taking a 'clear stand' on scarring of section 377, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 'betrayed Hindu values, as the issue is about freedom and not sex.

"This is an issue which I keep explaining to people. It's not about sex, it's about freedom. Our constitution grants every citizen of India certain rights of equality, liberty, dignity, the right to freedom of expression, their own right to their autonomy over their own bodies. All of these rights are in the Constitution," Tharoor told ANI.

"Last August, the Supreme Court also passed a right to privacy, which specifically said that since the right to privacy is embedded in all of us, we also have the right to private intimate behaviour in our own personal lives," he added.

Taking on similar lines, Tharoor said that he tried to bring a private member's Bill twice in the Parliament in this reagrd, but was opposed by the BJP.

"Section 377 is overdue for removal. I tried to bring a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha not just once, but twice. And the BJP MPs shouted it down and voted against me. The only hope for seeing a progressive hope in this area would be through the judicial process. I am very glad. some 35 petitions have come forward in Section 377. I am very confident that the court will do the right thing. The Government of India unfortunately has not taken a clear enough stand. The BJP is divided (on this issue)," Tharoor said.

"The irony is they are the party of Hindutva and Hindu tradition has actually been extremely accommodative of various kinds of alternative forms of sexuality. Our ancient texts are full of references. Temple sculptures show various kinds of sexuality. It's ironic that the party of Hindutva is betraying Hindu values in order to uphold a colonial era moral code of the Victorian period enforced on us by the British. It's so savagely ironic," he added.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is representing the Centre before the five-judge constitution bench of the top court, as it is hearing the pleas on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

In 2009, the Delhi High Court had decriminalised Section 377, but the order was later set aside by a Supreme-Court bench.

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Agencies
August 2,2020

New Delhi, Aug 2: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday issued fresh guidelines for international passengers coming to India amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The new guidelines will be implemented from 12:01 am on August 8.

The ministry has also asked all passengers to submit a self-declaration form online at least 72 hours before travel.

"All travellers should submit self-declaration form on the on the online portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) at least 72hours before the scheduled travel," the guidelines said.

It also said that those coming to India must give an undertaking that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days as prescribed by the government. "They should also give an undertaking on the portal that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days i.e. 7 days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health," it added.

Giving exemptions in some cases, the guidelines mentioned, "Only for compelling reasons/cases of human distress such as pregnancy, death in the family. Serious illness and parent (s) with children of 10 years or below, home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days."

"If they wish to seek such exemption, they shall apply to the online portal at least 72 hours before boarding. The decision taken by the government as communicated on the online portal will be final," it said further.

The guidelines further said that travellers could request for exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report on arrival.

"This test should have been conducted within 96 hours prior to undertaking the journey. The test report should be uploaded on the portal for consideration," it added.

Passengers have also been asked to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.

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News Network
February 21,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21: Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, witnessed heavy rush on Friday as devotees celebrated Maha Shivratri festival with traditional zeal and religious fervour across Kerala.

Cutting across age barriers, devotees, including women and children, thronged small and big shrines since early morning to offer prayers and take part in special poojas and rituals on the occasion.

Devotees used to mark the auspicious occasion by observing 'orikkal' (fasting), dedicating the leaves of Koovalam plant, which is considered holy according to Hindu tradition, to the Lord and by abandoning their sleep chanting 'Om Nama Shivaya' mantras.

Ardent devotees even remain awake throughout the night and spend their whole day in temples.

The Sreekandeswaram Mahadeva Temple here, Vadakkunnathan temple in Thrissur and Maha Deva temple in Vaikom were among the major shrines which witnessed heavy rush since early morning.

Temple authorities, especially Devaswom Boards which manage many major shrines in the state, have made elaborate arrangements in Shiva temples to ensure smooth darshan for devotees.

All arrangements have been put in place on the banks of River Periyar in Aluva in Ernakulam for 'Balitharppanam', a ritual in which people pay obeisance to their ancestors.

Performing the ritual on the midnight of Shivratri is considered auspicious by devotees.

Hundreds of 'bali taras' (specially erected platforms) have been set up on the banks of the river to perform the ritual and a large number of priests have been deployed to assist devotees.

Thousands of police personnel were deployed in view of the large turnout of devotees.

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News Network
May 13,2020

Lucknow , May 13: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over announcing Rs 20 lakh crore special economic package to boost the economy saying that the Centre is again making "false promises to 133 crore Indians".

"Earlier, you promised Rs 15 lakh and now Rs 20 lakh crore. You have made false promises 133 times with 133 crore Indians. How can someone trust you this time? People now are not asking how many zeroes there are but how many false promises have been made," he tweeted (translated from Hindi).

Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a Rs 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package for the country fighting COVID-19, stating that it will give a new impetus and a new direction to the self-reliant India campaign.

The Prime Minister had also announced that the fourth phase of lockdown will be completely redesigned with new rules and will commence from May 18.

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