Top news: Chandrababu Naidu holds day-long hunger strike demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh

Here are the day’s biggest stories:

Bhima Koregaon: Academic Anand Teltumbde gets interim protection from arrest

The Bombay High Court on Monday extended academic Anand Teltumbde’s interim protection from arrest until the next hearing of his plea for anticipatory bail on February 22. Teltumbde is being investigated for his alleged connection with violence that broke out at Bhima Koregaon near Pune in January 2018.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey summoned by parliamentary panel on February 25

The Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology on Monday summoned Twitter Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey and other officials of the social media company on February 25, the panel’s head Anurag Thakur said. The panel, which has sought Dorsey’s opinion on complaints about perceived bias against right-wing handles on the micro-blogging platform, declined to meet Twitter India’s representatives on Monday.

Arnab Goswami vows to fight FIR in Sunanda Pushkar case in court

Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami on Monday said he was proud to have had a part in the investigative journalism that he said has put the Sunanda Pushkar murder case “under scrutiny”. His statement came weeks after a Delhi court ordered the police to register a First Information Report against him following Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s complaint about him.

Centre trying to implicate us in case against Anand Teltumbde, alleges study group at IIT-Madras

The Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, a progressive Dalit organisation at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, on Sunday claimed that the central government has been targetting several of its members in an attempt to include the group in the Bhima Koregaon case.

Lok Sabha polls: BJP’s aim of winning 43 seats in Maharashtra is bereft of reality, says Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Monday called the Bharatiya Janata Party’s plan to win 43 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in the General Elections “far-fetched”. The Sena, in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, asked the BJP how it was confident of winning so many seats while facing several problems in the state.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urges Gujjar protestors to talk to his government

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday urged protestors from the Gujjar community to participate in a dialogue with the government instead of holding demonstrations. Members of the Gujjar community have been asking the state government to implement the 5% reservation it had promised them and four other groups – Raika-Rebari, Gadia Luhar, Banjara and Gadaria – in 2017.

Cows are an important part of India’s tradition and culture, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said cows are an important part of India’s tradition and culture. He was speaking at a gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Vrindavan, where he participated in a event organised by non-governmental organisation Akshaya Patra Foundation.

BJP should run on donations from party workers, not industrialists, says Amit Shah

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Monday urged party workers to donate funds to the organisation in a bid to reduce the dependence on “money bags” given by builders and contractors. Shah said the BJP should run on contributions from its workers, and should set an example for other parties.

Uttar Pradesh: Over 100 cows died in Muzaffarnagar district last week, inquiry ordered

More than 100 cows died in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh last week in a span of two days. Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the deaths. The cows are reportedly suspected to have either eaten poisonous grass or consumed polluted water.

Karnataka: HD Kumaraswamy orders SIT inquiry into audio clips of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday announced an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team into audio clips he had released last week. Kumaraswamy claimed that the clips prove that state Bharatiya Janata Party chief BS Yeddyurappa had offered Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Naganagowda Kandkur’s son Sharangouda Rs 25 lakh, and a ministerial post for his father in an attempt to poach them.

IRCTC scam: Delhi court orders CBI and Enforcement Directorate to provide documents to the accused

A court in New Delhi on Monday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to provide documents to the accused in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation scam on February 14 and February 25.

Sachin Pilot deplores use of National Security Act in alleged cow slaughter case in Madhya Pradesh

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot has said that tackling crimes against humans should be prioritised over the “cow issue”. The Congress leader’s comments came a week after three people in Madhya Pradesh, which also has a Congress government, were charged under the National Security Act for allegedly slaughtering cows.

Cyclone Gaja: Tamil Nadu announces one-time special assistance of Rs 2,000 for 60 lakh families

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced a special, one-time assistance of Rs 2,000 each for 60 lakh families living below the poverty line affected by drought and last year’s Cyclone Gaja. Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami made the announcement in the state Assembly, adding that the proposal was part of his government’s efforts to ensure inclusive growth.

Uttar Pradesh: Priyanka Gandhi attends Congress roadshow in Lucknow

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday participated in a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow. Vadra, who was appointed Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East last month, was accompanied by party President Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh West General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia and state chief Raj Babbar.

Kolkata: BJP seeks police permission for dharna at same spot where CM held protest last week

The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has sought permission from the Kolkata Police to conduct a dharna at the same spot in Kolkata where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee organised a sit-in protest last week. BJP General Secretary Sayantan Basu said on Monday that the party has sent a letter to the police for a dharna from February 21 to 23.

Nitin Gadkari says he will thrash those who discuss caste, Congress calls it a ‘direct attack’ on PM

The Congress on Monday asked Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari when he would thrash those who discuss the caste of Hindu deity Hanuman. On Sunday, Gadkari allegedly told residents in Pimpri Chinchwad, Maharashtra, that he would thrash them if they talk about caste.

India could become second-largest global economy by 2030, says PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India would continue to be the fastest-growing large economy and could become second-largest economy in the world by 2030. Modi was speaking at the inaugural address of Petrotech 2019, the 13th international oil and gas conference and exhibition.

Chandrababu Naidu’s fast: ‘PM stole money from Andhra, gave it to Anil Ambani,’ claims Rahul Gandhi

Several Opposition party leaders met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at the venue of his day-long fast in New Delhi on Monday. Naidu is fasting at the Andhra Bhavan to demand the special category status for his state. Manmohan Singh, who was the prime minister when Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014, said the Centre should fulfil the promises made to the state without any further delay.

Supreme Court rejects BJP plea against West Bengal loudspeaker ban

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition by the Bharatiya Janata Party unit in West Bengal urging the court to cancel a 2013 order by the state pollution control board banning the use of loudspeakers in February and March because of school examinations. The prohibition applies in residential and institutional areas.

Meat exporter Moin Qureshi issued notice by Delhi High Court on CBI plea

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to meat exporter Moin Qureshi, based on a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation to increase the security amount he must pay to travel abroad. The CBI, which is investigating Qureshi in a corruption case, wants the court to increase the amount from Rs 2 crore to Rs 6 crore.

Parliament: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition protests

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Monday till 2 pm as Congress and Telugu Desam Party members protested against various issues. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House after several legislators of the two parties trooped into the Well of the House and continued to protest.

Naz Foundation withdraws curative petition against SC’s 2013 ruling criminalising homosexuality

The Naz Foundation on Monday withdrew its curative petition filed against the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling on Section 377 that criminalised homosexuality. This was in light of a verdict passed by a five-judge Constitution bench last year that unanimously decriminalised homosexual activity between consenting adults.

Passengers aboard Air India Express flight from Muscat to Kozhikode suffer nosebleeds, earache

Four passengers aboard an Air India Express aircraft from Muscat in Oman to Kozhikode in Kerala suffered nosebleeds, and some other had an earache allegedly because of problems with the aeroplane’s cabin pressure soon after takeoff on Sunday. The aircraft, carrying 185 passes, returned to Muscat airport following the incident.

Budget for defence forces in 2019-’20 not enough even for their committed payments: Reports

The money allocated to the Navy and the Air Force in the interim Budget are not enough to even fund the payments the forces have already committed to make in 2019-’20, The Hindu reported on Monday. The shortfall has left defence staff concerned about capability enhancement and modernisation efforts, the newspaper said.

Saradha chit fund case: SC dismisses plea by investors seeking court-monitored probe

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition moved by investors seeking a court-monitored investigation into the Saradha chit fund scam. The scam was worth around Rs 2,000 crore. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said that it was not inclined to set up a monitoring committee.

Ahmedabad: Jignesh Mevani’s invitation to college event cancelled after protests

An Ahmedabad-based college on Sunday cancelled its annual festival after some students protested against an invitation issued to Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani as chief guest. The event at HK Arts College was cancelled after the trust governing the institution refused to provide a hall, allegedly after pressure from some Bharatiya Janata Party student leaders.

Citizenship Bill: Six women injured after protestors clash with police at women’s market in Imphal

At least six women were injured when police fired tear gas shells at a group of people who had gathered to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Manipur’s capital Imphal on Sunday. The protests were organised at the Ima Keithel or Mother’s Market, where all the vendors are women.

Rafale deal: Centre dropped anti-corruption clauses in agreement, says report

The Narendra Modi-led central government waived off critical provisions for anti-corruption penalties and overruled the recommendations from financial advisers for an escrow account for the Prime Minister’s Office days before signing the Rafale jet deal with France, a media report said on Monday.

Unemployment: Former statistical commission chief denies Centre’s claim that report is a ‘draft’

The former acting chairperson of the National Statistical Commission on Sunday denied the Centre’s claim that the unreleased unemployment survey was merely a draft. PC Mohanan said that the report, which showed that unemployment was at 6.1%, its highest level in 45 years, was final once the commission approved it.

Delhi: Chandrababu Naidu begins hunger strike demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu started a day-long strike in Delhi on Monday demanding special status for his state. The “Dharma Porata Deeksha”, or protest for justice, started at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan on Monday morning and is expected to go on till 8 pm. “Andhra Pradesh can survive only if it is given a special status,” Naidu said at the venue of the strike.

Karnataka: BJP’s Yeddyurappa admits voice in audio clip is his, but claims Kumaraswamy doctored it

Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party President BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday admitted that the voice in an audio clip Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy released last week belonged to him. However, Yeddyurappa alleged that Kumaraswamy “doctored” the clip.

First batch of Chinook military helicopters arrives in India

The first four of the 15 Chinook military helicopters arrived at Gujarat’s Mundra port on Sunday. The helicopters, made by American aerospace company Boeing, will be used for transporting troops, fuel, artillery and equipment. The Chinook is also used during humanitarian and disaster relief operations for mass evacuation missions.

Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath sets up SIT to look into deaths caused by drinking spurious liquor

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday set up a five-member Special Investigation Team to look into the deaths caused by consumption of illicit liquor in the state. An official government spokesperson said the team will make a detailed inquiry in the incidents in Saharanpur and Kushinagar that took place last week.

Jharkhand: At least 50 children fall ill after consuming religious offering at school

At least 50 children fell ill in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga district on Sunday after consuming a religious offering. Students of a school in Ita village, aged between six and seven, ate the offering made during Saraswati Puja at the school, and began to vomit, said civil surgeon Dr Vijay Kumar.

Uttar Pradesh: Priyanka Gandhi promises ‘new future’ ahead of first visit as general secretary

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said she hopes to start a “new kind of politics” in Uttar Pradesh in which everyone is a stakeholder and helps to build a new future, PTI reported. Vadra remark’s came a day before her first visit to the state as Congress general secretary for the Uttar Pradesh East region, a post to which she was appointed on January 23.