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Congress says PM Modi pays lip service to Adivasis cause, govt denies them justice

He accused the Prime Minister of merely paying lip service to Adivasi issues while his government intensified efforts to undermine their justice.

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The Congress on Friday criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government for its blatant efforts to deny justice to Adivasis, labeling the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) as a mockery of the Forest Rights Act, which highlights the government’s hypocrisy.

The Opposition party asserted that DAJGUA, in a “typical Manuvadi fashion,” perceives these communities merely as forest-dwelling ‘vanvasis’ and ‘labhaartis’ (beneficiaries), rather than recognizing them as political and economic entities in their own right.

In a post on X, Congress General Secretary for Communications Jairam Ramesh said that today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of ‘Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda,’ one of India’s greatest figures and a staunch proponent of self-governance and social justice.

He accused the Prime Minister of merely paying lip service to Adivasi issues while his government intensified efforts to undermine their justice.

Ramesh pointed out that although DAJGUA is named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda, it fundamentally undermines the Forest Rights Act and demonstrates governmental hypocrisy.

Ramesh emphasised that the 2006 Forest Rights Act (FRA), enacted by the then-Manmohan Singh government, was a groundbreaking piece of legislation that transferred forest control from the forest department to the gram sabha. This act also designated the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as the nodal authority for its implementation, marking a significant shift in power dynamics.

He stated that the FRA empowered Adivasi communities and ‘Gram Sabhas’ to manage forests, contributing to democratic governance. However, he criticised Modi’s administration for what he termed a “counter-revolution,” contending that DAJGUA essentially reverses the progress made by these historic reforms in forest governance.

Ramesh claimed that DAJGUA undermines the authority of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs by enabling the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to oversee FRA implementation.

Instead of strengthening the statutory bodies established by the FRA—such as the Gram Sabha, sub-divisional committee, district committee, and state monitoring committee—DAJGUA introduces a parallel structure of FRA cells at the district and sub-divisional levels. These cells operate under centralised bureaucratic control without accountability to the statutory bodies of the FRA.

Furthermore, DAJGUA engages technical agencies, domain experts, and corporate NGOs for FRA implementation and community forest rights management activities, as facilitated by the State Tribal Welfare Departments, said Ramesh.

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Neeraj Chopra announces wedding to Himani Mor: A glimpse into her tennis career and life

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Neeraj Chopra and Himani Mor at their wedding ceremony in Himachal Pradesh

In a heartwarming and private ceremony, former Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has revealed his marriage to Himani Mor, a rising tennis star. The announcement came on Sunday via a social media post from Chopra himself, where he shared intimate moments from the wedding, held in Himachal Pradesh with just 40-50 close family and friends in attendance.

Neeraj, a two-time Olympic medallist, shared his gratitude on social media, stating, “Grateful for every blessing that brought us to this moment together. Bound by love, happily ever after.” His fans responded with warm wishes as the couple embarks on their new journey together. Neeraj also asked for support and blessings as they start this new chapter.

Who is Himani Mor?

Himani Mor, 25, hails from Sonipat, Haryana, and has made her name as a dedicated tennis player. She began her tennis journey at a young age and achieved notable success on both national and international stages. One of her major achievements includes winning a gold medal at the World Junior Tennis Championship in Malaysia in 2016. Her school, Little Angels School, laid the foundation for her love for sports.

Currently, Himani is pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Management at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, USA. She has a background in Political Science and Physical Education, having completed her undergraduate degree at Delhi’s prestigious Miranda House.

Her passion for tennis has not gone unnoticed in India. Mor has competed at national events, representing Delhi University, and participated in the 2017 World University Games in Taipei. According to the All India Tennis Association (AITA), her career best national rankings were 42 in singles and 27 in doubles in 2018. Additionally, she is also involved with Amherst College, Massachusetts, where she serves as an assistant coach for the women’s tennis team.

Family and privacy

The couple’s wedding has kept a low profile, with details only coming from Neeraj’s paternal uncle, Bhim Chopra, who lives in Khandra near Panipat. Bhim confirmed that the wedding took place in India, but the specific location was kept under wraps. He further mentioned that Neeraj and Himani are now on their honeymoon, although their travel destinations remain private.

While Neeraj’s sporting achievements have made him a household name globally, this marriage marks a new personal milestone for the Olympic champion. As fans continue to celebrate his success on the field, Neeraj and Himani’s new life together is already beginning to capture hearts.

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Supreme Court grants interim relief to Rahul Gandhi in defamation case over remarks against Amit Shah

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Rahul Gandhi talking to a family of a patient outside AIIMS during a cold night.

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has granted interim relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by staying the defamation proceedings against him in a Jharkhand court. The case, which dates back to 2018, revolves around allegedly derogatory remarks made by Gandhi about Union Minister Amit Shah, who was then serving as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Gandhi seeking to quash the defamation case. The court has issued notices to both the Jharkhand government and Naveen Jha, a BJP worker who had filed the complaint, directing them to submit their responses within four weeks.

In his arguments, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Rahul Gandhi, pointed out previous rulings where it was made clear that only the aggrieved party can file a criminal defamation complaint. Singhvi argued that the complaint, in this case, had been filed by a proxy third party and thus should not be entertained.

The defamation case against Gandhi had been under trial in the MP/MLA court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand. In February of the previous year, the lower court had issued a non-bailable warrant for his appearance after he failed to attend hearings. Despite Gandhi’s request for exemption from physical appearance, the court had refused to provide relief, prompting him to approach the Jharkhand High Court. However, the high court had declined to interfere in the matter, leaving Gandhi with no option but to challenge the case in the Supreme Court.

The top court’s intervention has now provided a temporary reprieve to Gandhi, with the matter scheduled to be taken up for further hearing in six weeks. This development marks an important chapter in the ongoing legal battle involving the Congress leader and the BJP.

As the case progresses, the outcome could have significant implications not only for Rahul Gandhi but also for the broader political landscape in the country, as defamation lawsuits continue to be a contentious issue in Indian politics.

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Sealdah Court prepares for sentencing in R G Kar doctor’s rape-murder case amid heightened tensions

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CBI files chargesheet in RG Kar case, says Sanjay Roy raped, murdered doctor

As the Sealdah court gears up to pronounce the sentence for Sanjay Roy, convicted of the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, security measures have been bolstered to ensure no untoward incidents occur. With nearly 500 policemen deployed and multiple police vehicles escorting the convict, authorities are taking no chances.

At 10:15 AM, Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was escorted out of jail and brought to the court under heavy police protection. Despite the intense security, a sizable crowd gathered outside the courthouse, eager to witness the proceedings. Some even tried to scale the railings to catch a glimpse of the convicted murderer.

The victim’s parents, who arrived at the court in the morning, expressed faith in the judicial process. “We have faith in the judge,” said the father of the deceased doctor, his voice thick with emotion.

However, the victim’s mother had a different sentiment. While the father placed trust in the judicial system, the mother voiced her frustration with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She alleged that the investigation had failed to bring all the culprits to justice. “Only one person has been caught, but the CBI has not managed to apprehend others involved in this heinous crime,” she said. “Such criminals should not be allowed to live if we are serious about stopping future crimes in society.”

The tragic murder of the young doctor, which occurred on August 9 of the previous year, sparked nationwide outrage and triggered widespread protests across the state. Roy was arrested a day after the incident, and the case was subsequently transferred to the CBI for further investigation.

Roy was found guilty of sexually assaulting the doctor and then strangling her to death. He was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which include provisions for rape, causing death, and murder. According to these provisions, Roy faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment for the rape, a minimum of 20 years for causing death, and a potential death sentence or life imprisonment for the murder conviction.

The sentencing will take place at 12:30 PM today, with Judge Anirban Das of the Additional District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, hearing Roy’s statement before announcing the quantum of punishment.

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