We want India with both Krishna and Kanhaiya Kumar: Shashi Tharoor

March 21, 2016

New Delhi, Mar 21: Taking a dig at ruling BJP over its stand on the JNU row, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said that nationalism is now decided by whether one can say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' or not.

ShashiHe said people should have the right to choose what they believe is correct and still be tolerant of others' ideas in a democracy.

"Today, nationalism is decided by whether or not one can say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. I am happy to say it, but should I also oblige everyone to say it?

"Our Constitution gives people the right not to say it just as it gives people the right to say it as well. I will choose when to say it and that's democracy," Tharoor said addressing students at JNU on Sunday night.

Tharoor said our country is not just 'Hindi, Hindu and Hindustan' and called for an India 'more accepting of diversity' which he said has been the tradition throughout history.

"India is not just Hindi, Hindu and Hindustan. We want an India with both Krishna and Kanhaiya Kumar. We want in India people from every corner of this vast land an equal stake in our future.

"If we understand that the Indian civilisation allows many religions, celebrates range of opinions and is today sustained by constitutional democracy which stands for certain values that all of us claim as our own, if this is the Indian legacy we can live, then we can all stand under that flag and celebrate," he said.

Tharoor was speaking on 'JNU and Nationalism' outside the administrative hall of the varsity which has been the centre of protests ever since sedition charges were slapped on three students over an event held where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.

Tharoor appreciated the students for stirring a debate on vital issues in India, saying student days are the days "to expand one's consciousness".

"You may have come here for education but you are also educating the nation. What is happening here has given the whole nation an education in the vital issues of dissent and democracy, sedition and of course of 'azaadi' (freedom)," he said.

Tharoor's nearly 40-minute long speech was dotted with historical anecdotes and personal experiences and he repeatedly quoted personalities like Jawaharlal Nehru and Everlyn Beatrice Hall to drive home the idea of tolerance and diversity and their importance in India.

Comments

Rikaz
 - 
Monday, 21 Mar 2016

vote bank politics of BJP.....why this kind of problems happening around.....people are happy with or without saying the slogan...let them decide when to say and when not to say....cant be imposed upon them....are busy with their livelihood....don't disturb them...this is not an issue at all....don't give a damn in to it....it does not mean that we don't love India....we love India million times more than chuddies....India is great and Allah bless India....

Naren kotian
 - 
Monday, 21 Mar 2016

Haha jakhas mastan Anthe ....let me explain u bastard ...yaava magane adru ..yaarge mosa madidru ...hetta taayi ge back stab madlikke saadyane illa ...we treat where we are born as bhoomi taayi ..that's why nationalist Indians say Bharath mata ki jai to instill patriotism...no Hindus Christians Sikhs Jain's and Buddhists never back stab India .u madrasa rank student ...my question to u ..on what basis u will say 72 virgins guaranteed for jihadists and ur prophet is the last one ? On what basis u say 72 virgin males are not guaranteed for Muslim assholes ..the way you cannot prove ...same thing there are many unanswered questions artha aitha ...back stabbers don't understand why we say ...haha ...Muslims captured throne everywhere by back stabbing ...it is bitter truth ...now our mossad is banging them like hell from all corner ..soon our thaliava trump will join the bandwagon ...jai ho Israel ...jai Shri Shri modi ...jai sangh parivar.

saif
 - 
Monday, 21 Mar 2016

BHARAT AMMI KI JAI.....New Slogan starts soon....

Riyaz
 - 
Monday, 21 Mar 2016

What a jhakaas answer by masthan bhai.

MASTHAN
 - 
Monday, 21 Mar 2016

NAME BHARAT CAME FROM BHARAT THE EMPEROR. HE WAS THE SON OF SHAKUNTALA.

I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE OF INDIA CALL BHARAT MATA. AND NOT BHARAT PITHA.

MASTHAN
 - 
Monday, 21 Mar 2016

MAA KE LEG KE NEECHE JANNAT HAI BUT STILL
MUSLIMS DONT TOUCH THE FEET OF THEIR OWN MOTHER. THAT DOESENT MEAN THAT THEY DONT LOVE THEIR MOTHER.
IF SOME MUSLIMS DONT CALL BHARAT MATA KI JAI. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY DONT LOVE INDIA.

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News Network
February 14,2020

Mangaluru, Feb 14: Police have submitted over 50 videos in a pen drive to Udupi Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha as evidence to violent protests that led to police firing on December 19 in which Jaleel and Nausheen died.

ACP and police nodal officer Belliyappa submitted a pen drive consisting over 50 video clips including CCTV footage. 

The police earlier had submitted 20 digital video recorder (DVR) before the court and an acknowledgement of the same was produced before the Magistrate.

Hearing on video evidence will be held at High Court on February 24.

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News Network
April 4,2020

Mangaluru, Apr 4: Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC) Sindhu B Rupesh in an official reminder has ordered milk unions to disburse about 5,000 litres of milk to residents of notified and non-notified slums, construction labourers and migrant labourers and their families in shelters in the district.

A decision regarding the free distribution of milk to such needy families was taken in a meeting by the chief minister on April 1.

The DC has ordered cooperative milk unions in the district to distribute milk to such families from April 4 till April 14.

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News Network
May 12,2020

Dubai, May 12: Free tickets are being offered by philanthropists and businessmen based in the UAE for deserving Indians who want to fly home.

Repatriation ticket prices have been set at around Dh700 to Dh750 per person depending on the destination. But there are many in UAE who cannot afford it, especially people who have lost their jobs or have medical concerns.

Malayalam Communications Ltd and its Malayalam stations (Kairali TV & Kairali News) are giving away 1,000 tickets free. Those who wish to apply can submit their application to [email protected].

Indian businessman Dhananjay Datar, chairman & managing director of Al Adil Trading Company, is also giving away 300 tickets. He is liasing with the Consulate General of India (CGI) for the names. “This is the time we need to rise as a community,” he said.

Besides taking care of airfares, Datar will also bear the cost of COVID-19 testing fees for Indians from the UAE.

“The repatriation efforts undertaken by the government of India is one of the largest initiatives. I am just doing a small bit to help the community. There are many people who are not in a position to meet the airfare and COVID testing costs as they have lost jobs. I will be coordinating with authorised entities handing this to lend my support,” he said.

Pravasi India Forum, a welfare organisation in UAE, is giving away 100 tickets. The NGO on Monday, May 11, uploaded a registration form where people can provide their details. “Tickets will be given to those approved by CGI and for those who are in financial distress,” said Abulaise, president of Pravasi Welfare Forum.

Punnakan Mohammed Ali, general secretary Incas UAE committee, said it is also ready to give away hundreds of free tickets but only to genuine candidates. “We will evaluate each individual and only if they are approved by the consulate, we will give the tickets. But we are ready to help.”

Those who want to register can get more details on www.pravasiwelfareforum.com.They can also call 055-1025611.

Need for more flights

The gesture notwithstanding, many Indians are still waiting to get news on their repatration.

Social worker Shukoorali Kallangal, President, Abu Dhabi Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), urged the government of India to add more flights to accommodate more passengers.

“Emergency repatriation services are the need of the hour. There are several expats with medical, financial distress. For those who came with the hope of a job – that too is a thing of the past now. Right now all they want is to go home and start something afresh there.”

Kallangal said: “Take the case of pregnant women. In many cases, their husbands have lost jobs or have been asked to go on unpaid leave. They are living hand to mouth and cannot afford medical costs. Due consideration should be given to them.”

Sreedharan Prasad, another social worker based in Ras Al Khaimah, said he is currently dealing with several emergency medical cases.

Consul General of India Vipul said plans are afoot to add more flights in the next phase of Indian repatriation. “The number of flights are being decided by India in consultation with state governments. This is not a normal situation we all are in. We are in the middle of a pandemic situation.”

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