“Hard facts needed first,” Tharoor cautions govt against arbitrary evaluation of demographic change

Mumbai, July 22 (IANS) As the Parliament gears up for a 16-hour debate on the much-talked-about Operation Sindoor next week, Shiv Sena leader Krishna Hegde on Tuesday lauded the move, calling it a “commendable step” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which will expose the opposition’s stance.

Speaking to IANS, Krishna Hegde said, “The decision to hold a 16-hour debate on Operation Sindoor in Parliament is a commendable step by the PM Modi government. It will silence the opposition, who, before, during, and after the Operation Sindoor, spoke in a tone that echoed Pakistan’s narrative and openly questioned our armed forces. That’s not only unfortunate but also shameful for the country.”

He added that the debate will finally reveal where the opposition truly stands.

“When the entire country stood united with the Prime Minister, the Congress party aligned itself with Pakistan’s stance. The success of Operation Sindoor is one of the significant achievements of the PM Modi government, and this debate will draw clear lines between patriotism and political convenience,” Hegde told IANS.

Hegde further responded to the controversy involving Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma, after bundles of burnt currency notes were reportedly found at his residence.

Hegde expressed grave concern, stating, “There have been several instances where large amounts of cash and property have been recovered from the houses of judicial officers. The judiciary holds a sacred position in our democracy. Those serving in such esteemed roles must uphold honesty and integrity. If any judge is found to possess illegal property, strict legal action should follow, including dismissal or disqualification. Such acts, if proven, are deeply unfortunate and harmful to society.”

In reaction to the recent stance by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which ruled that Aadhaar, Voter ID, and ration cards cannot be used as standalone documents for Special Summary Revision (SIR), Hegde highlighted the confusion this has caused among citizens.

He stated, “The ECI mentioned that most forms for the special revision have already been submitted, and voter names dating back to 1990 have been included. However, many individuals rely on documents like Aadhaar and PAN for voter identification. Now, with the ECI deeming Aadhaar and ration cards ineligible, the issue has escalated to the judiciary. The court has asked the ECI to submit all relevant documents by July 21, with a hearing scheduled for July 28. Only after that will the situation become clear.”

Hegde further reacted to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation, which has sparked political speculation.

“The Vice President’s resignation is his personal decision, and it must be respected. He has cited health reasons for stepping down. Dhankhar has served the country in multiple roles – as a senior advocate, governor, and vice president – with distinction. His contribution to public life has been significant, and his tenure in Parliament was exemplary. We wish him a speedy recovery and respect his choice,” he concluded.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, March 5 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP on Wednesday criticised the Congress-led government in the Legislative Assembly over the swift surrender of Naxals.

The BJP further warned the government not to take Naxalism lightly or engage in politics over the matter.

In response, the Congress government maintained that no one was supporting the Naxals and questioned whether the BJP wanted the violence to continue.

BJP MLA and General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar raised the issue while addressing the Governor’s speech to the joint session. He said, “I have to talk about these ‘red rogues’ who pose a threat to national security and democracy. I come from a Naxal-affected region. Over the last 20 years, I have closely witnessed and experienced the impact of Naxal activities on people’s lives.”

“We have lost dozens of party workers in our region, and many have lost their homes and properties due to the violence and torture inflicted by Naxals. The Congress-led government has suddenly facilitated the surrender of Naxals in Karnataka, which has raised several questions,” Sunil Kumar stated.

However, the BJP MLA clarified that he was not opposed to the surrender of Naxals but questioned the process. “How did this surrender take place? The Naxal problem, which has existed for years, cannot be resolved overnight. How did this happen so suddenly?” he asked.

He further questioned, “Who is controlling the administration? CM Siddaramaiah tweets, asking Naxals to surrender and welcomes such a development. Two days later, Naxals come out of the jungles to surrender. The same Naxals who could not be found in the combing operations conducted by the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) suddenly know about the tweet. Who is really running the administration and who is sitting at the CM’s official residence, Krishna, in Bengaluru to inform them?”

“The Naxal ideology seeks to capture power through the barrel of a gun. They believe in ruling through fear and violence. Should we just sit back and watch this surrender process without raising any objections?” Sunil Kumar asked.

“In 2008, I say this with sadness — one day before the Assembly election, two people were shot dead by Naxals at 5 p.m. I reached there by 5:30 p.m. Let the government reveal who killed them for supporting us,” he said.

He warned the government not to take Naxalism lightly or politicise the issue.

Sunil Kumar also recalled the brutal killing of BJP worker Sheshappa Gowda during the previous Congress government. “Gowda was brutally murdered by Naxals. They barged into his house at 9 p.m. while he was having dinner with his wife. His wife pleaded with them to let him finish his meal, but they took him away and killed him.”

“They tied him to a pole outside his house and hacked him to death. When we have witnessed such brutality in Karnataka, how can the government suddenly facilitate the surrender of Naxals overnight?” Sunil Kumar questioned.

He further accused the government of falsely claiming Karnataka is a “Naxal-free state.”

Former Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra also spoke on the issue, stating, “Sheshappa Gowda was a PLD Bank member nominated by the Congress party. Naxals tied him to a pole and hacked him to death in front of his wife. Can you imagine such a situation? And yet, this government facilitates their surrender.”

“When I was the Home Minister, we conducted extensive searches but couldn’t catch them. How is it that they suddenly surrendered just because of a tweet?” Jnanendra questioned.

Sunil Kumar further challenged the government, saying, “Why stop at Naxals? Why not invite terrorists to surrender through a tweet as well?”

Reacting to the BJP’s accusations, Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao responded, “I don’t understand what the BJP leaders are trying to say. None of us are supporting Naxals. The process of Naxal surrenders has taken place in other states and in Karnataka as well.”

“What exactly is your suspicion? Do you not want them to surrender? Do you want the violence to continue? Or do you want Naxalism to end? There have been many instances of Naxals surrendering and later becoming representatives of the people,” Minister Rao stated.

Sunil Kumar clarified that he was not opposing the surrenders but questioning the process. “I am asking how such a major issue can be resolved through a mere tweet. You are comfortably settled in Bengaluru and have no idea about the intensity of the Naxal issue. I have lived through it,” he said.

Rao shot back, saying, “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I am comfortable in Bengaluru? You are also living there comfortably. Shouldn’t we live in Bengaluru? Should R. Ashoka, your leader, not live in Bengaluru?”

On January 8, when some Maoists surrendered, Siddaramaiah welcomed them to the mainstream by offering them roses and copies of the Constitution in Bengaluru.

Earlier, with the six Maoists laying down arms, the Congress-led government had then declared Karnataka as a Left Wing Extremism-free state.

Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri; Vanajakshi from Balehole in Kalasa; Sundari from Kutluru near Mangaluru; Marappa Jayanna Aroli from Raichur; Vasantha T. aka Ramesh from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala surrendered in presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Maoist Katehonda Ravi surrendered before authorities in Karnataka later, on February 1.

Karnataka BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra had termed the surrender of Maoists before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as a “sheer act of drama”.

–IANS

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Jammu, Feb 3 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Jammu and Kashmir for three days beginning Thursday for a comprehensive review of the security situation, launch various developmental projects and interact with political leaders.

“Union Home Minister will reach Jammu in the evening on February 5. He will meet political leaders at the Lok Bhawan the same evening. In the morning on February 6, the Union Home Minister will visit the international border in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district,” said officials here.

During his visit to the international border, the Union Home Minister will inspect the latest equipment installed by the Border Security Force (BSF) to prevent infiltration.

“In the afternoon of February 6, he will chair a high-level security review meeting in Jammu. J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, senior officials of MHA, IB, chiefs of CAPFs, senior officers of J&K’s civil administration, police and intelligence agencies will attend the security review meeting,” the officials said.

On the morning of February 7, he will leave for Srinagar, where he is scheduled to launch various developmental projects. In the afternoon, he will leave from Srinagar for Chhattisgarh, official sources said.

In less than one month, Amit Shah will be reviewing J&K security for the second time at the highest level.

On January 8, he chaired a high-level security review meeting on J&K in New Delhi. His review of the security situation was followed by the visit of the Union Home Secretary, Gobind Mohan, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Tapan Deka, chiefs of CAPFs and other agencies to Jammu on January 14 and 15.

Official sources reveal that the Home Minister is concerned about the presence of foreign terrorists in the upper reaches of the Jammu division, including Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar and Udhampur districts.

“A comprehensive strategy is in place to neutralise the terrorists through joint operations in the entire Jammu and Kashmir,” sources said, adding the high-level meeting is likely to review and fine-tune the strategy further.

Search operations have been going on in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district, besides the upper reaches of Billawar in Kathua and some other districts to eliminate the foreign terrorists.

A paratrooper of the Army was martyred, and seven soldiers were injured in Chatroo (Kishtwar) in an encounter between joint forces and the terrorists on January 18.

A top commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit was killed by the security forces in the upper reaches of Billawar in Kathua district.

In the January 8 security review meeting in New Delhi, HM Shah assured security forces that all resources will be made available to them in achieving the goal of `terror-free Jammu and Kashmir’.

He directed all security agencies to remain alert and continue to work in synergy to ensure that the gains achieved after the abrogation of Article 370 are sustained.

The Union Home Minister directed to ensure zero infiltration on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border in J&K while carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists, their over-ground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers to usher in complete peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

–IANS

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