Fake astrologer nabbed by Delhi Police for cheating woman of Rs 3 lakh in name of ‘spiritual remedies’

Bhubaneswar, March 26 (IANS) Odisha Assembly Speaker, Surama Padhy, on Wednesday, condemned the unruly behaviour by the opposition parties in the Assembly, emphasising the need to maintain the order and decorum in the House.

While briefing on the unprecedented chaos that unfolded both inside and outside the Assembly following the suspension of 12 Congress legislators on Tuesday, Speaker Padhy said that since opposition members resorted to various forms of protests, including displaying placards, posters, and banners during the second phase of the Assembly session since March 7.

From March 20, the Opposition MLAs intensified their protests by wearing black badges and attire, blowing whistles, and creating disturbances with horns and flutes, thereby disrupting the functioning of the House.

Out of 12 scheduled working days, Question Hour was conducted on only two days.

As of March 25, the House could operate for only 39 hours and 2 minutes instead of the scheduled time.

She said that all-party meetings were convened on March 10, 13, 24, and 25 to resolve the deadlock.

However, despite these efforts, unruly behaviour by Opposition members persisted.

On March 21, the Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi issued the ruling directing members to refrain from disruptive conduct.

Yet, the disturbances in the Assembly continued, prompting the suspension of 12 Congress MLAs on Tuesday.

Speaker Padhy also added that even after their suspension, the suspended MLAs refused to leave the House and declared that they would hold a sit-in protest throughout Wednesday night.

Following this, the Assembly Secretariat was instructed to ensure proper security and make necessary arrangements.

Speaker Padhy claimed that at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Congress MLAs, accompanied by some political workers, attacked Marshals and security personnel in the Assembly’s corridor, injuring several staff members who are currently undergoing treatment.

Later, at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, some Congress MLAs were escorted out of the Assembly through the Marshal Gate, while others left respectfully.

On the other hand, the main Opposition Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday termed the Speaker’s statement as incomplete and partisan.

“We have demanded the Speaker to make a statement on the unfortunate incident that has taken place in the House since yesterday. The Speaker today made a statement in the House on the issue. However, we feel the statement mentions half-truths only. It was incomplete and partisan. The statement didn’t contain all the details regarding the whole incident. We also brought it to the notice of the Speaker,” said senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya.

–IANS

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Patna, June 16 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Secretary Rituraj Sinha has launched a sharp political attack on Leader of Opposition and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, accusing him of politicising the issue of domicile-based job reservation in Bihar and misleading the youth for electoral gains.

In a press statement on Sunday, Sinha termed Tejashwi’s recent promise of implementing a 100 per cent domicile law in government jobs as “a sign of political immaturity” and “a deceptive strategy to grab votes at the cost of Bihar’s long-term interests”.

The BJP leader said, “Tejashwi looks at every serious issue only through an electoral lens. On one hand, the RJD talks about inviting industries to Bihar, while on the other hand, it wants to keep outsiders out of jobs. This is a clear case of policy confusion.”

He added, “This mindset reflects not the vision of Bihar, but the regressive thinking of the Lalu family’s brand of politics.”

Sinha raised a crucial concern over the possible domino effect of Bihar’s proposed domicile law on Bihari workers in other states.

“More than 7.454 crore Biharis are working in other states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka. If Bihar implements a restrictive domicile policy, won’t other states retaliate with similar laws?” he asked.

He asked whether Tejashwi had considered the broader implications of such a political move, saying, “Will this not jeopardise the livelihood of lakhs of Biharis who are thriving outside their native state?”

The BJP leader accused Tejashwi of being unaware of constitutional limitations.

“Reservation based solely on domicile violates Article 16(2) of the Constitution, which bars discrimination in public employment based on the place of birth or residence,” Sinha said.

He cited legal precedents, including the Supreme Court’s rejection of Haryana’s 75 per cent local quota and striking down of Postgraduation medical seat reservation based on domicile.

“Those who keep invoking the Constitution should at least take time to read it,” he said, while advising Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD.

Sinha also offered a data-based rebuttal, saying that less than five per cent of candidates in recent state recruitment exams were from outside Bihar.

“Does Tejashwi want to risk the futures of lakhs of Biharis just to target this small percentage?” he asked.

He referred to past recruitment drives, especially for school teachers, where restricting non-Bihari candidates led to a shortage of qualified applicants, especially in critical subjects like Mathematics and Science.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday extended his heartfelt greetings to the nation on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day, marking 75 years of India’s adoption of its Constitution.

“This year, we complete 75 years of adopting the conscience keeper and soul of the Indian Republic — the Constitution of India,” Kharge said in his message.

Remembering the makers of the Constitution, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu, and others who contributed to shaping India’s republic.

He saluted the Armed Forces, paramilitary personnel, and security forces for their sacrifices in upholding the nation’s integrity and sovereignty. He also expressed gratitude to the scientists, teachers, and farmers for their unparalleled contributions to nation-building, recognising their role in making India a knowledge powerhouse and ensuring food security.

Kharge acknowledged the efforts of daily wage workers, labourers, gig workers, artists, writers, and sportspersons, emphasising their role in building the nation and preserving India’s cultural diversity.

However, Kharge’s message was not without criticism. He used the occasion to express concerns over the state of democracy and governance in the country, accusing the ruling government of degrading institutions and curtailing federalism.

“Political interference in autonomous institutions has become a norm. Exercising control over their independence is being seen as virtue of power. Federalism is being trampled on a daily basis, and the rights of Opposition governed states are being curtailed. The functioning of Parliament has seen tremendous backsliding due to the tyrannical tendency of the ruling government,” Kharge claimed.

“Universities and self-governing institutions are witnessing constant intrusion. A large part of the media has been converted as a propaganda tool for the ruling party. Strangulating dissent by witch-hunting Opposition leaders has become the only policy of those in power,” he said.

“In the past decade, a vicious, hateful agenda immersed in religious fundamentalism has sought to divide our society. Minorities are being targeted, and those who are secular are being tarnished by the paint of Goebbelsian propaganda. The weaker sections – SCs, STs, OBCs, poor and minorities are being treated as second-class citizens,” he said.

He highlighted the ongoing crisis in Manipur, saying it has been “burning for 21 months, but there is no accountability at the topmost echelons of power.”

Kharge concluded by calling for the protection of the Constitution’s core values — justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

“Every sacred tenet of the Constitution is being shredded into pieces by an authoritarian regime. It is high time we preserve and protect the ideas and ideals of our Constitution. Be ready to make every sacrifice to protect the Constitution. This will be the true tribute to our ancestors,” he said.

The Congress chief ended his message with the words: “Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhaan. Jai Hind.”

–IANS

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