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Smriti Irani slams unapologetic Sharad Yadav over 'women's colour' remarks

[email protected] (Agencies)
March 16, 2015

New Delhi, Mar 16: Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed sharp exchanges between JD(U) MP Sharad Yadav and human resource development minister Smriti Irani over the former's comments on women's complexion.

Under attack for sexist remarks, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav remained unapologetic for his comments on women's complexion, as he raked it up again saying he was ready for a debate on the issue.

Smriti IraniDuring the debate on the insurance bill in the Rajya Sabha last week, Sharad Yadav spoke on Indian's obsession for fair skin and said: "Your God is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad, but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides."

Today he defended his remarks in Rajya Sabha and said, "What have I said ... 'saanvli' (dark complexioned) women are more in number in India, they are more in number the world over. I am ready to debate with anyone on the struggle of (Ram Manohar) Lohia and others for them."

Human resource development minister Smriti Irani reacted sharply to the remarks and said the member should not comment on the complexion of women in any way.

"I appeal through you (chair) to the gentleman, do not make comments about the colour of any woman's skin. You (Sharad Yadav) are a senior member, a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country," she said.

Yadav responded saying: "I strongly refute the allegation."

"From Gandhi to Lohia, I have all the record of what has been said about women. A lot of struggle has been done for women with dark complexion," he said, to which Irani responded saying: "Please don't do this. Naming Lohia and Gandhi and commenting on women".

Earlier Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad raised the issue in the House and asked the JD(U) leader to withdraw his comments.

Prasad said: "Comments were made on south Indian women, I was also mentioned, I remained quiet. I want to keep myself away from that comment."

"I completely disagree with the comment. Ask the member to withdraw the comment," he urged the chair.

Trying to clarify, Yadav said his comments were misinterpreted: "There are more dusky women in India and in the world... I can discuss the issue with anyone, we are in favour of Indian culture."

Deputy chairman PJ Kurien said he would not allow a discussion on the issue.

"White complexion or dark complexion, it is all the same, I am not allowing a discussion on this," Kurien said.

Leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad opined that the issue should not be discussed as it will get more complicated.

Yadav, however, said he was ready to participate in a discussion.

"There has been a long struggle against discrimination based on colour... I am ready to participate in a debate any time," said Yadav.

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News Network
April 30,2020

Mumbai, Apr 29: Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor is not keeping well and has been admitted to a city hospital here, his elder brother Randhir Kapoor said.

The 67-year-old actor was taken to H N Reliance hospital by his family on Wednesday morning.

"He is in the hospital. He is suffering from cancer and he has some breathing problem, so he has been admitted to the hospital. He is stable now," Randhir told PTI.

The actor returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for cancer in the US for almost a year.

In February, Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues.

He was first admitted to a hospital in Delhi where he was attending a family function. At the time, Kapoor had said that he was suffering from an "infection".

After his return to Mumbai, he was again admitted to a hospital with viral fever. He was discharged soon after.

Kapoor, who has been quite active on social media, hasn't posted anything on his Twitter account since April 2.

The actor recently announced his next project, a remake of Hollywood film "The Intern", also featuring Deepika Padukone.

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News Network
May 15,2020

New Delhi, May 15: In an attempt to constructively use leisure time during the lockdown, actor Bhumi Pednekar has started learning Kathak from her mother, Sumitra Pednekar, who is a trained dancer of this discipline.

Elaborating on her keenness to enhance her knowledge on the dance form, the actor explained about her routine followed for the dance practice and how much she is enjoying it.

"I wanted to learn kathak for a long time as my mother is a trained Kathak dancer! So, for about an hour in the evening this what I and my mom do. She is quite enjoying it and I'm loving learning it from her!" the 30-year-old actor said.

The growing fear of coronavirus has halted many entertainment shootings and productions. The 'Pati Patni Aur Who' actor referring to the current situation opened about the uncertainties of going back to shootings.

"It has put a big question mark on when will we get back to work and how things are going to be. There's a lot of uncertainty. Of course, our dates and schedules have gone haywire and we can't plan anything," she added.

However, the 'Bala' actor is finding a silver lining among the gloom as she says that the time has given her an opportunity to get back to what she used to love as a child - the habit of reading.

"I was a voracious reader but since entering Bollywood I haven't got a chance to read something at a stretch," she said.

"But now, I have got all the time and I'm making full use of the time at hand. I have been watching TED talks and have been reading a lot about climate change because that is something, I am severely passionate about. This time has been very educational for me," she added.

On the professional front, Pednekar will be soon seen as a leading lady in the Akshay Kumar's 'Durgavati' and award-winning director Alankrita Srivastava's 'Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare'.

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Agencies
August 7,2020

Mumbai,  Aug 7: Unless Maharashtra Government consents to CBI investigation in the Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, it would be illegal, affecting the federal structure of the country, said actor Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered and continued the illegality which was perpetrated at the hands of Bihar Police in connection with the case, he added.

"The Bihar Government transferred a case with which it had no jurisdiction to investigate, to CBI instead of the Mumbai Police which is the legal position. The Supreme Court is seized of the issue pursuant to the transfer petition filed by Rhea Chakraborty," said Satish Maneshinde Chakraborty's lawyer.

The Supreme Court has directed all parties to file their replies and Mumbai Police is directed to place the report of investigations, he added.

"Pending the said proceedings the CBI has registered and continued the illegality which was perpetrated at the hands of Bihar Police.

CBI being a premier investigative agency in the country should desist from taking any further steps pending the SC proceedings. Apart from the same unless the Maharashtra Government consents to CBI investigating the case ... it would be totally illegal and beyond any known legal principles, affecting the Federal Structure of the Nation," said Maneshinde.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI that is probing high profile cases of Vijay Mallya and AgustaWestland cases will now investigate the Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

The investigating agency has registered a case against six accused including Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the Rajput's death.

The sources in CBI said that six accused in the case will be summoned soon for questioning and other persons will also be called for examining which was earlier examined by Mumbai police.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier sent a recommendation to the Central Government for CBI investigation in the case filed in Patna based on the complaint of Sushant's father KK Singh against Rhea Chakraborty under sections including abetment of suicide on July 25.

Sushant was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14.

Days after Rajput's death, Rhea Chakraborty said she was the "girlfriend" of the 'Dil Bechara' actor while requesting a CBI inquiry in the case.

Chakraborty has also approached the Supreme Court for transfer of investigation to Mumbai in the FIR registered against her in Patna.

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