Union minister slams writers for raising voice against Kulburgi killing, Dadri lynching

October 14, 2015

New Delhi, Oct 14: Union Minsiter Ravi Shankar Prasad today questioned eminent writers for returning awards to protest against Kannada author Kalburgi's murder and Dadri lynching, telling them that such voices were "not heard" after incidents like Emergency and Muzaffarnagar riots.ravi shankar prasad

"...One thing does pain me sometimes. A number of big incidents happened in the country earlier, also but at that time people did not return (awards).

"During Emergency, democratic rights including press freedom were violated on such a large scale. But these kinds of voices were not heard then. Such a massive riot happened in Muzaffarangar one and half years back and the way the (state) government (of Samajwadi Party) worked there was in an enitrely discriminatory manner. At that time also such protest was not seen," Prasad told reporters at the Cabinet briefing.

He however asserted that "we honour the scholars but will like to tell them very politely that if they get award, they have got it on the basis of their ability and knowledge on which everyone takes pride."

The Union Minister, however, refused to take further quesions syaing he does not intend to enter into a debate on the issue at this podium.

"I would not like to say anything on it. Cutlure Minister (Mahesh Sharma) has already spoken on it," he said.

Asked about the Opposition criticism of the government on Dadri incident, Prasad sid that both the Prime Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah have spoken over the issue.

"Even after that some people do not desist from criticism. What can we do? The primary responsibility for Dadri incident was on Uttar Pradesh government. Their initial response was also not good.

"They should have taken action. We condemn it. Action should be taken against those involved in it," he said.

Prasad's remarks comes after eminent author Shashi Deshpande said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment on the Dadri lynching incident was "far too weak."

The eminent author, who had resigned from the general council of the Sahitya Akademi expressing "disappointment" over PM's silence on Kannada author Kalburgi's murder, said that Modi has used a very weak word, "unfortunate", to term the lynching incident.

At least 27 writers, poets, playwrights and translators have so far returned their Sahitya Akademi award with Punjabi writer Dalip Kaur Tiwana handing over her Padma Shri award against the "rising intolerance" in the country.

Prasad did not take any questions on Shiv Sena's paint attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni. Responding to questions on the Prime Minister hosting the family members of Subhas Chandra Bose at his residence today, the Union Minister said that members of Netaji's family had expressed concern over the facts related to the death of the leader and hence the PM is meeting them.

"Our government honestly accepts it that irrespective of whichever ideology one belonged, all those who fought for the nation should be respected. That is why we are also planning to celebrate Sardar Patel's birth anniversary on October 31 in a big way."

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Agencies
June 5,2020

Malappuram, Jun 5: A lawyer has filed a complaint with Superintendent of Police, Malappuram against BJP leader Maneka Gandhi and others for allegedly indulging in a hate campaign against Malappuram district and its residents.

Advocate Subhash Chandran, who hails from Malappuram, on Thursday filed a complaint seeking registration of FIR against former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and others for allegedly indulging in a hate campaign against Malappuram and the residents of the district.

The complainant alleged that the campaign against the district was very derogatory and with a malafide intent.

The complaint stated that the unfortunate death of an elephant in Mannarkkad, Palakkad District dominated social media conversations in the last two days but a group of people deliberately added communal colour into it only to spread hatred against Malappuram, which is a Muslim majority district in Kerala.

It also stated that the elephant in question died on May 29, 2020, in Palakkad not in Malappuram as claimed by a section in social media users. Prominent news outlets operating from the South also reported that the elephant died after consuming explosive-laden pineapple in Palakkad.

The complaint also named political commentator, Tarek Fatah, for allegedly starting a hate campaign against the district and the minority community.

It alleged that Union Minister Maneka Gandhi made false and frivolous allegations against the district of Malappuram and its residents.

Chandran, through the complaint, prayed to the district police chief to register an FIR against Maneka Gandhi and others under Section 153A, 120B etc. of Indian Penal Code.

An elephant had died after she ate the pineapple stuffed with crackers and forest officials said that it died standing in river Velliyar after it suffered an injury in its lower jaw.

The elephant was seen standing in the river with her mouth and trunk in the water for some relief from the pain after the explosive-filled fruit exploded in her mouth.

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Agencies
May 30,2020

New Delhi, May 30: The Congress on Friday described the first year of the Modi government as a "year of disappointment, disastrous management and diabolical pain".

Congress leader K C Venugopal said the six years of the Modi dispensation have seen fraying of bonds of empathy, fraternity and brotherhood with increase in acts of communal and sectarian violence.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that at the end of six years, it appears the Modi government is at war with its people and is inflicting wounds on them, instead of healing them.

"It is inflicting wounds on Mother India," he said.

"This government is trying to fill coffers of the select rich and is inflicting pain on the poor," Surjewala said.

On the BJP's charge of the Congress playing politics over the COVID-19 crisis, Venugopal said the opposition party did not indulge in any politics and gave suggestions instead.

"Being a responsible opposition, it is our duty to raise the problems faced by the common people. As opposition, we highlighted the failures of the government," he said.

Venugopal said the government "is totally insensitive" to the plight of migrant labourers and farmers.

Surjewala also demanded that a virtual session of Parliament be convened immediately to discuss pressing issues and the due process be set in motion for holding of meetings of various parliamentary committees.

Modi and his cabinet had taken oath on this day last year for a second term in office.

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News Network
April 4,2020

Srinagar, Apr 4: Two militants were reportedly killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said.

The security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in Hardmand Guri village in Kulgam, a police spokesperson said.

"This operation based on a credible police input was launched this morning. Two terrorists have been reportedly killed so far," the spokesperson said, adding that the exchange of fire was going on.

Earlier, the police tweeted on its official handle that three militants had been trapped in the cordon. "Same group of #terrorists trapped who killed 3 civilians recently," the police said.

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