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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress councillors protest, seek removal of acting mayor
Jaipur: Congress councillors staged a protest at Jaipur Municipal Corporation Heritage (JMC-H) Thursday demanding the removal of acting mayor Kusum Yadav and health deputy commissioner Devanand Sharma over an alleged land scam involving illegal lease allotments on govt land in Nehru Nagar Panipech. The councillors alleged that repeated appointments of acting mayors undermine democratic values and demanded immediate elections for the mayoral post. They criticised the BJP-led state govt for extending Yadav's tenure instead of taking strict action against her, despite recent developments in the case. Congress councillor Dashrath Singh Shekhawat said that lease deeds worth over Rs 100 crore were allegedly issued fraudulently. "Four officials were already suspended, including Kusum Yadav's OSD, Hansa Meena. This clearly indicates the mayor's involvement, yet the govt failed to act," he said. Shekhawat said this is the third time the govt appointed an acting mayor, even though the Congress holds a majority in JMC-H. "We demand that elections be held immediately so that a democratically elected representative can lead the civic body," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo Councillor Arvind Amethi accused BJP-backed officials of institutionalised corruption, claiming that officers are extorting money while political leaders protect them. "Today's peaceful rally was a warning. If our demands are not met, the Congress will launch a larger agitation in the coming days," he said. The councillors warned the govt that any further delay would lead to intensified protests for which the ruling party would be solely responsible.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong, BJD student wings to be blamed for girl's suicide: BJP
1 2 Bhubaneswar: BJP on Thursday claimed offensive contents posted on social media by the student wings of BJD and Congress had caused the 20-year-old Balasore student significant psychological distress, forcing her to set herself ablaze. "The BJD and Congress student members harassed and instigated the female student, forcing her to end her life. They spread lies and created an atmosphere of hatred against her," BJP women's wing state president Aiswarya Biswal said, adding that the deceased's brother had lodged a police complaint on Wednesday against those people. Her allegation was endorsed by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). "The girl had been an active member of the ABVP for the last four years. She had been raising her voice over various issues. Members of the student wings of BJD and Congress, who had been harassing her, should be arrested immediately," ABVP state secretary (east), Diptimayee Pratihari, said. National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of Congress, denied the accusations. "BJP is playing the blame game to save its own govt, whose neglect and apathy resulted in the student's death. The girl had lodged a complaint of sexual harassment against her department head. She had drawn the attention of several authorities through a social media post. But none addressed her grievance. To shield the govt's failure, the BJP is now framing us in the case," NSUI state president Udit Narayan Pradhan said. Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), BJD's student wing, also denied the alleged involvement of its members in her death. "The BJP, which is on the back foot, is dragging us into the controversy. To cover up their own fault, they are levelling false allegations against us," BCJD member and BJD's Banki MLA Devi Ranjan Tripathy said. BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo said the traumatised student ended her life because of BJP's internal conflict. "Even though she was a member of the BJP-backed student wing, the party leaders did not address her grievance because of internal differences," Sahoo alleged. State crime branch's crime against women and children wing (CAW&CW), which took over the investigation from Balasore police on Wednesday, said the role of every suspect is being verified. "We are analysing the social media content linked to the victim. The suspects will be interrogated," a crime branch official said.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala University Registrar 'defies' V-C's direction on use of official vehicle
Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar has defied Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal's explicit instructions not to use the official vehicle. In his order, the Vice-Chancellor had barred Dr. Kumar from using official resources, including the university's vehicle. He also instructed Director (Planning and Development) Mini Dejo Kappen, who has been given the additional charge of Registrar, to take custody of the car keys and to ensure that the vehicle remains in the university garage. However, Dr. Kumar arrived at the university headquarters in the same car on Wednesday, claiming that he had no personal vehicle and that the university car was the only one available to him. The security officer has reportedly submitted a report to the Vice-Chancellor, stating that the Registrar has maintained that this suspension was overturned by the university Syndicate and that he is entitled to use the official car by way of his position as the Registrar. Meanwhile, BJP-backed Syndicate members accused Left-aligned Syndicate members and various organisations of preventing the Vice-Chancellor's entry to the university campus. Syndicate member P.S. Gopakumar said this was not just an administrative issue, but a serious one involving intimidation. Online meeting Despite the chaos, the Vice-Chancellor chaired an online meeting of the Centre for Global Academics (CGA), which oversees international student affairs at the university. The meeting reportedly decided to grant admission to 93 foreign students across various affiliated colleges. As many as 2,620 candidates had applied for various programmes this year. The selected students, mostly from Arab countries, Africa and Sri Lanka, will be admitted to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including BA, BCom and MA. While the meeting was held in Dr. Kumar's absence, Dr. Kappen and CGA Director Sabu Joseph participated in the meeting.
India Gazette
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
An Institutional Murder: NSUI demands justice for Balasore self-immolation victim
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has demanded justice for Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, who self-immolated herself in protest over sexual harassment by her Head of the Department. According to an official press release, 'The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is devastated, enraged, and deeply shaken by the tragic death of Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of FM College, Balasore, who set herself ablaze after months of unbearable trauma and institutional silence.' The NSUI has alleged institutional silence and apathy from the college administration and the Odisha Government, and has called for immediate action against the accused and those who failed to protect Soumyashree. 'Soumyashree was a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of a faculty member. She cried out for help, pleaded for justice, but was met with indifference and apathy. The Odisha Government, the college administration, and a system controlled by BJP-backed appointees failed her at every step. From the Chief Minister's chair to the district administration, not a single authority acted to protect her.', the release stated. The NSUI has alleged that Soumyashree's pleas for help were met with indifference and apathy by the authorities, including the college administration and the district administration, which are claimed to be controlled by BJP-backed appointees. 'Adding to the disgrace is the silence of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the very student organization Soumyashree was a part of. ABVP failed its own member. Not only did they ignore her cries for justice, but they are now shamelessly attempting to spread false narratives and deflect blame. Their silence when she needed them most, and their lies now, are acts of betrayal. 'Let it be stated unequivocally No NSUI office bearer is involved in this case. These baseless accusations are not just false they are an insult to Soumyashree's memory and a vile attempt to shield the real perpetrators,' the release read. According to the release, NSUI alleged, 'This is not just a tragedy. This is institutional murder. NSUI stands firmly with Soumyashree and her family. We demand immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused faculty member, an independent judicial probe into the role of college authorities and administrative cover-up, suspension of officials and staff who ignored Soumyashree's repeated complaints and accountability from the Odisha Government and BJP-backed machinery that allowed this injustice. NSUI will fight for justice for Soumyashree.' Meanwhile, the Odisha State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das has called for a statewide 'bandh' on July 17 in protest against the death of the student. Das demanded the resignation of the State Education Minister, local MLA and MP over the death of the Balasore student. 'Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP--all three--should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it,' Das told ANI. The Odisha Congress Chief noted that the victim, even after complaining at multiple forums, did not get justice. 'The student knocked on every door for justice and even got an FIR registered... but she did not get justice... She even went to the MLA. The MLA could have ensured justice for her, but he did not do so... The MP also did not take this matter seriously... Was it not their responsibility to take this matter seriously? ... If even a little action had been taken, the situation would not have come to the point where that student had to take her own life... The government did not even realise that this is their responsibility,' he added. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI)
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Breaking tradition of corruption, mismanagement": Delhi CM Rekha Gupta reviews Kanwar Yatra preparations
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): The Delhi Government on Saturday held a review meeting for the preparations in view of the Kanwar Yatra. According to CM Rekha Gupta all the preparations for the event have been made and electricity up to 1200 units in the Kanwar camp have been made free. The Delhi CM said that her government has broken the traditions, corruption, and mismanagement of the previous regime. CM Gupta stated that the work done by the Delhi government was 'unprecedented' in itself. 'Breaking the tradition of corruption of the previous governments, breaking their tradition of mismanagement, breaking the tradition of troubling the public, the work done by the Delhi government regarding the Kanwar Yatra this time was unprecedented in the preparations have been done. All the arrangements for the toilets, which we are going to provide in the Kanwar camps, have been done. We have made electricity up to 1200 units free for the Kanwar camps', Rekha Gupta told reporters. Furthermore, the Delhi CM noted that the people in the national capital are very 'happy' and 'welcome' gates have been put up at all the entries of Delhi to welcome the Kanwar Yatris. Rekha Gupta informed that the government had called the people of the Ramlila Sangh and addressed their problems. 'The people are very happy today. Similarly, all the traffic and police arrangements have been made. Welcome gates are being installed at all the entries of Delhi and the government is fully prepared to welcome the devotees of the same way, we have called all the people of Ramlila, Ramlila Sangh, who are associated with the Ramlilas and have listened to their problems today and in the same way, the Delhi government will do all the work for Ramlilas', she said. AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday criticised the BJP-led Delhi administration for politicising the sacred Kanwar Yatra by defunding long-standing community-run camps and redirecting funds to BJP-backed and affiliated organisations. Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader and Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said, 'Every year, we supported all Kanwar camps--irrespective of their political affiliations--by arranging tents, lights, sound systems, furniture, fans, coolers, music systems, and stages. The Kanwar committees only had to focus on 'seva' and managing the prasad distribution. This model ran smoothly for years. I can say with full responsibility that it never mattered whether a Kanwar committee was aligned with Congress, BJP, or AAP--our government helped everyone equally.' (ANI)
