Activists criticise government for diplomat’s exit
The Saudi Arabian diplomat accused of sexually assaulting two Nepali women has left India, the Union External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday. The departure of MH Ashoor came days after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval intervened in the matter. Former Foreign Secretary MK Rasgotra said that the diplomat’s departure was a sign of the sensitive issues involved in the case. He added that Ashoor’s exit appeared to be a part of a “solution arrived at through mutual consultation” by both countries. However, activist groups criticised the move, saying that India had deserted the two women by failing to pursue the case.
Congress flays discontinuation of stamps
The Congress on Wednesday criticised the Narendra Modi-led Central government for discontinuing postal stamps featuring former Indian Prime Ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the discontinuation of the stamps was an “insult to history” as both former heads of state had “sacrificed a lot for the nation”. However, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government was being more inclusive by featuring several other personalities on the postal stamps.
Prime accused in Jhabua explosion arrested
Reports have said that the prime accused in an explosion in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradhesh was arrested by police on Wednesday. The reports said that Rajendra Kaswa, who was arrested from Maharashtra, was charged by police for illegally storing the explosives that triggered the blast last week in the town of Petlawad in the district. Kaswa’s arrest came a day after two of his brothers were taken into custody by police. The blast killed at least 89 people and injured over 100 more.
Centre bans NSCN(K) for five years
The Central government on Wednesday banned the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) for five years. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the decision to ban the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was taken during a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Khaplang faction of the NSCN abrogated its ceasefire agreement with the Centre in March this year. Eighteen soldiers were killed in Manipur during an ambush carried out by the group in June. In August, the government signed a peace treaty with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), a separate faction of the NSCN.
RSS criticises Hardik Patel
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has criticised Patidar community leader Hardik Patel for the aggression with which he has demanded Other Backward Class status for Patels, which RSS national spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya said threatened to “divide society”. In an interview given to Sadha, Vaidya said that while “every person” had a right to press for their demands, Patel’s remarks would not help the community’s cause. Vaidya’s remarks have come a day after Patel met with Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel in an effort to resolve the agitation for reservations.
The Saudi Arabian diplomat accused of sexually assaulting two Nepali women has left India, the Union External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday. The departure of MH Ashoor came days after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval intervened in the matter. Former Foreign Secretary MK Rasgotra said that the diplomat’s departure was a sign of the sensitive issues involved in the case. He added that Ashoor’s exit appeared to be a part of a “solution arrived at through mutual consultation” by both countries. However, activist groups criticised the move, saying that India had deserted the two women by failing to pursue the case.
Congress flays discontinuation of stamps
The Congress on Wednesday criticised the Narendra Modi-led Central government for discontinuing postal stamps featuring former Indian Prime Ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the discontinuation of the stamps was an “insult to history” as both former heads of state had “sacrificed a lot for the nation”. However, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government was being more inclusive by featuring several other personalities on the postal stamps.
Prime accused in Jhabua explosion arrested
Reports have said that the prime accused in an explosion in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradhesh was arrested by police on Wednesday. The reports said that Rajendra Kaswa, who was arrested from Maharashtra, was charged by police for illegally storing the explosives that triggered the blast last week in the town of Petlawad in the district. Kaswa’s arrest came a day after two of his brothers were taken into custody by police. The blast killed at least 89 people and injured over 100 more.
Centre bans NSCN(K) for five years
The Central government on Wednesday banned the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) for five years. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the decision to ban the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was taken during a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Khaplang faction of the NSCN abrogated its ceasefire agreement with the Centre in March this year. Eighteen soldiers were killed in Manipur during an ambush carried out by the group in June. In August, the government signed a peace treaty with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), a separate faction of the NSCN.
RSS criticises Hardik Patel
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has criticised Patidar community leader Hardik Patel for the aggression with which he has demanded Other Backward Class status for Patels, which RSS national spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya said threatened to “divide society”. In an interview given to Sadha, Vaidya said that while “every person” had a right to press for their demands, Patel’s remarks would not help the community’s cause. Vaidya’s remarks have come a day after Patel met with Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel in an effort to resolve the agitation for reservations.
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