English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

BJP has no problem with Kerala consuming beef: newly inducted union minister Alphons

Published

on

Alphons

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]– By Abhishek Kumar

With eyes set on expanding political base in the south, north-east India, is BJP trying for an image makeover as far as food choices are concerned?

Newly inducted Union minister for tourism, Alphons Kannanthanam, has asserted that the BJP “doesn’t have a problem” with consumption of beef in his home state, Kerala.

The former IAS officer, who was a surprise entrant in Team Modi’s cabinet expansion on Sunday when he was roped in as a minister of state with independent charge, rejected all claims of the BJP being against the consumption of beef, hailing the party’s government at the Centre as “very inclusive” and insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to the people is clear – “believe whatever you want, I will protect you”.

“Kerala is a beef-eating state. It is not going to stop eating beef. It will continue to eat beef. BJP doesn’t have a problem,” Alphons told media persons on Monday, while adding that Goa, which is also a BJP-ruled state had also not banned the consumption of beef.

On the face of it, the comments by Alphons would appear as being far from reality. Over the past three years, ever since Narendra Modi led the BJP to a stunning victory in the Lok Sabha polls, the incidents of mob lynchings against those suspected of consuming beef or involved in cow slaughter have seen a sharp rise across India. Add to this are the spiteful and often threatening statements by a string of BJP leaders, including UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, party MPs Sakshi Maharaj, etc, against those who support beef consumption.

But then, can the emphatic assertion by Alphons have a greater meaning?

The former babu, who has an excellent rapport within the politically crucial Syrian Christian community of Kerala and members of the Church in the state where the Christian clergy plays in important role in elections, is the first ever minister in a BJP-led central government to belong to Kerala, a state where the party has been desperate to make inroads in.

Kiren Rijiju

The tourism minister’s comments should be viewed along with similar comments made by another Union minister, Kiren Rijiju, who is the party’s face in Arunachal Pradesh, another beef eating state. Back in 2015 when the BJP was facing sharp criticism from all quarters on its opposition to beef consumption and cow slaughter, Rijiju had publicly declared his love for beef and claimed that no one can stop him from eating the meat.

More recently, the Manohar Parrikar government in Goa refused to ban consumption of beef while Union home minister Rajnath Singh too indicated that the Centre was not for a country-wide beef ban, while he acknowledged India’s diversity, albeit without explicitly mentioning the words beef or cow slaughter.

So, if Alphons’ statement is to be viewed in light of all these comments by other BJP leaders, what does it suggest?

Modi and Shah

As BJP national president Amit Shah continues with his nationwide tour with the intent of expanding the BJP footprint across India in the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, could be BJP be opening up to a dilution of its well-known stand against consumption of beef? Several parts of India – especially Kerala, the north-eastern states, parts of Karnataka (though the BJP is now a major player there), Jammu and Kashmir (where again the BJP is in a shaky coalition albeit with electoral presence only in the Hindu-dominated Jammu) – are known to be major beef consumers. In many of these states and regions, the BJP has been struggling to make political inroads and both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have been on an overdrive to expand the BJP base here.

By showing the party as being open, even if selectively, to people’s choice of what they wish to eat and letting ministers assert this in media interactions, could the BJP be eyeing an image-makeover that will ultimately make it more acceptable in areas where it currently is seen as a political pariah?

The saffron party’s national spokesperson and in charge of Meghalaya unit Nalin Kohli was among the first BJP leaders to publicly declare that the Centre wasn’t making any attempt to bring a country-wide legislation against cow slaughter, asserting that doing so was the express purview of respective state governments.

“Every state government that decides to have a law or not have a law on cow slaughter, does so keeping in mind local food habits… in the north-east too every state government will keep this in account,” Kohli had said.

Of course a large number of states – mostly BJP-ruled, like Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat, UP, etc – have banned cow slaughter. But with elections to be won and its presence to be expanded in beef-consuming states, are Modi and Shah now willing to make selective exemptions in the party’s stand against cow slaughter?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Mohanlal’s Stephen returns in fearsome form in L2: Empuraan Teaser

Published

on

Mohanlal as Stephen Nedumpally in the teaser of L2: Empuraan

The much-anticipated teaser for L2: Empuraan, the second chapter of the planned trilogy directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has been unveiled, offering a glimpse of a darker, more brutal narrative. Starring Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, the film continues the story of Stephen Nedumpally, also known as Khureshi Ab’raam, a character that mesmerized audiences in Lucifer.

The teaser debuted at a grand event attended by the film’s key players, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, and Mammootty, who released the teaser in style. Clocking in at 143 seconds, the preview immediately sets a grim tone, beginning in Qaraqosh, a war-torn town in Iraq. The atmosphere is tense, underscored by the chilling phrase, “Death to the Evil.”

One of the standout moments in the teaser recalls PK Ramdas (Sachin Khedekar) advising Priyadarshini (Manju Warrier) in the first film: “If one day you feel everything is falling apart and I’m not around, the only person you can turn to is Stephen.” This sentiment reverberates through the teaser as it shifts to Stephen’s iconic black Ambassador car, now layered with dust—an ominous sign of his long absence.

The suspense builds as a voice declares, “He leads the most powerful mercenary group in Asia,” introducing audiences to Stephen’s transformation into a figure commanding immense influence and fear. The teaser’s climactic moments highlight Mohanlal’s commanding return as Khureshi Ab’raam, warning of the perils of dealing with the devil.

Star-Studded Cast and Stellar Crew

Joining Mohanlal in this cinematic spectacle are Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, and others reprising their roles from Lucifer. The film also features Saniya Iyappan, Saikumar, Baiju Santhosh, Fazil, and Sachin Khedekar in key roles.

The story, penned by Murali Gopy, is brought to life with the expertise of cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev, editor Akhilesh Mohan, and composer Deepak Dev, whose score amplifies the teaser’s intensity.

As the teaser hints at power struggles, deceit, and vengeance, L2: Empuraan sets the stage for an explosive continuation of this gripping saga, leaving fans eagerly awaiting its release.

Continue Reading

India News

MSBTE Result 2025 declared: Maharashtra diploma winter exam results now available online

Published

on

MSBTE Result 2025 announcement for Winter Diploma exams

The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) has officially announced the results for the Winter 2024 diploma exams. Students who appeared for these exams, held in December 2024, can now access their results on MSBTE’s official website, msbte.org.in.

To check the MSBTE Winter Exam Result 2025, candidates must have their enrollment or seat numbers ready. The results are accessible via a direct link available on the website.

Steps to check MSBTE 2025 results:

  1. Visit the official MSBTE website: msbte.org.in.
  2. Navigate to the “Examination” section and click on “Winter 2024 Exam Result.”
  3. Enter your enrollment number or seat number in the required fields.
  4. Click on the “Show Result” button to view your marksheet.
  5. Download and save the PDF for future reference.

Details mentioned on the MSBTE Winter Diploma results:

The MSBTE Winter Diploma Marksheet 2025 includes the following information:

  • Student’s name
  • Register number
  • Course name
  • Marks obtained in each subject
  • Subject codes and names
  • Total marks
  • Maximum marks
  • Result status (Pass/Fail)

The announcement is crucial for diploma students across Maharashtra as it determines their academic progress and eligibility for future courses or career opportunities.

Students are advised to verify all details on their marksheets and contact the board in case of discrepancies. For further updates, visit the official MSBTE website.

Continue Reading

India News

JPC clears Waqf Amendment Bill with 14 changes, Opposition cries foul

Published

on

By

The Waqf Amendment Bill is poised for a final vote on January 29 in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee had been tasked with reviewing the bill by November 29, which was then extended to February 13, approved 14 changes to the draft. The 44 amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected by its chairman BJP MP Jagadambika Pal.

The Opposition had accused the BJP of bias in several sittings of the committee leading to the suspension of several MPs, including Kalyan Banerjee of Trinamool Congress and Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM, both vocal critics of the Bill.

The Opposition MPs had also written to Speaker Om Birla against Pal, saying he was rushing the Bill to gain political mileage ahead of the Delhi Assembly election due to be held on February 5.

Earlier, reports had said Banerjee had broken a glass during a verbal altercation while in deliberations with BJP MP and former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

The Bill aims to reform Waqf Board administration, mandating the inclusion of non-Muslim and women members. The Central Waqf Council’s composition would also change, incorporating a Union minister, MPs, ex-judges, and individuals of national repute, regardless of religious affiliation. Crucially, the Council’s land acquisition powers would be removed. A controversial clause restricts donations to Muslims practicing their faith for at least five years, prompting concerns about religious freedom.

While proponents claim the bill empowers Muslim women and children, critics, including the Congress and the DMK, allege it infringes upon Articles 15 and 30 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right of minorities to administer educational institutions. The final report is expected by January 31.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com