Latest news with #P.Prasad
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI(ML) New Democracy criticises Union government for not handing over the bodies of Maoist leaders to their families
CPI (ML) New Democracy's State official spokesperson and Indian Federation of Trade Unions State president P. Prasad on Saturday accused the Union government of violating Constitution norms and basic human rights by refusing to hand over the bodies of Maoist leaders who were killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh and other places. The party organised a condolence meeting in Srikakulam and recalled the services of Maoist top leaders Nambala Keshava Rao, Sudhakar and others who were killed recently in Operation Kagar launched by the Union government. Speaking on the occasion, he said that completion of last rites was the wish of every family but it was denied by the Union government. He said that the Maoist leaders dedicated their lives for the people's rights while ignoring their own families for many decades. Mr. Prasad said that the government cannot kill the ideology of Maoism with its special operations like Kagar and others. CPI (ML) New Democracy Srikakulam district secretary Tandra Prakash and the party assistant secretary Vankala Madhavarao alleged that the government not handed over Keshavarao's body to his family members in spite of the Andhra Pradesh High Court's order. Several leaders, including Tirupati Rao (CPI), Rao (CPIM) and Tandra Aruna (CPI-ML), offered tributes to the portrait of Keshavarao.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
No official version of Bharat Mata portrait, says Prasad
Ministers in the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala on Friday made it clear that they were not in agreement with the use of the Bharat Mata portrait at the World Environment Day event at Raj Bhavan here as the picture was not authorised as the official version by the Constitution or the Indian government. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, who boycotted the event at Raj Bhavan a day ago over the use of the portrait, said that those in constitutional offices cannot convert government programmes into political events. A similar view was expressed by General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, who said Raj Bhavan and the Governor were above politics and said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should withdraw from the stand taken by him. The Governor had on Thursday asserted that there would be no compromise on Bharat Mata. No Indian flag Mr. Prasad, while talking to a TV channel, said no Bharat Mata portrait has ever been acknowledged as the official or authorised version by the Constitution or any of the governments in power since independence. The portrait was not carrying the Indian flag, but that of a political organisation, and, therefore, it could not be honoured during a government event. The Governor was free to pay homage to the portrait at private events, but it cannot be done in State government programmes. 'We all have a political view, but those in constitutional positions have restrictions on how they express it,' he said adding that the government view was that such a stand ought not to have been taken by a constitutional establishment. He expressed the hope that it will be corrected by the persons concerned. 'It actually should not be repeated in our country. We cannot accept it in Kerala,' he added. The Minister questioned why the Governor was 'rigid' on the issue when none of the earlier Governors and not even the Presidents of the country have carried out such a practice in the past.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Saffron flag-holding Bharath Matha motif at an official function emerges as a sore point between government and Raj Bhavan
Partisan politics appeared to have crept into the Kerala government's World Environment Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, with Agriculture Minister P. Prasad controversially skipping the event at the last minute, citing constitutional and political reasons. The picture of a saffron flag-holding Bharat Matha astride a lion at Raj Bhavan's central hall, where the event was scheduled to be held, emerged as a sore point between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and the Governor's office at the eleventh hour. Mr. Prasad justified his decision by stating that the picture, unlike the tri-colour, was not a national symbol. 'It is a motif used by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to promote its Hindu deification of the secular Mother India concept inspired by the Independence movement. The LDF could not constitutionally abide by Raj Bhavan's insistence that the administration hold the event against the backdrop of the RSS's political device,' he said. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar took strong exception to the government's stance. 'We cannot do away with a national symbol we are living for,' he said later at a private function. Mr. Arlerkar observed the day by planting a fruit tree on the grounds of Raj Bhavan. The LDF administration shifted the function to the historic Durbar Hall in the government Secretariat. Mr. Prasad marked the occasion by planting a sapling. CPI(M)] State secretary M.V. Govindan stated that Raj Bhavan was constitutionally bound to remain overtly apolitical. 'The picture of the Bharath Matha adorning the Raj Bhavan's central hall projects the RSS's narrow Hindu majoritarian and communally sectarian view of the country. It has no place in a constitutional office or at a government function as in the case of other political symbols,' he added. CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam said the Bharath Matha symbol projected a discomfiting and anti-constitutional notion of Hindu nationalism, which aspired to relegate people of other faiths and religious traditions as subaltern citizens. 'Nevertheless, the incumbent Governor is starkly different from his predecessor. The LDF has no quarrel with him,' Mr. Viswam said. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan accused the LDF of genuflecting to the Governor. He dared Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to call a spade a spade and criticise the Governor for allegedly attempting to transform Raj Bhavan into the RSS's bully pulpit. Last month, Raj Bhavan courted controversy by hosting columnist S. Gurumoorthy, whom the government and Opposition portrayed as an RSS ideologue. Meanwhile, former BJP State president Kummanam Rajasekharan accused the ruling front and the Opposition of perceiving nationalism with a jaundiced eye. 'Both the Congress and the CPI(M) view nationalism through the prism of religion,' he said.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Alappuzha on alert after ship containers wash ashore
Coastal areas in Alappuzha are on alert after containers from the capsized ship MSC ELSA 3 started washing ashore. On Monday, two containers washed up at Tharayilkadavu near Arattupuzha. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, District Collector Alex Varghese and other officials visited the area and reviewed the situation. Mr. Prasad said the materials in the two containers had been identified as cotton. 'The inspection by Customs officials has confirmed the containers contain non-hazardous materials. Steps have been taken to remove the containers and their contents quickly. Machinery and vehicles required for the removal are being brought in. There is no cause for concern. The containers will be shifted to the Kollam yard,' Mr. Prasad said. The State government has issued a high alert as some of the containers on the ship reportedly contain hazardous cargo. The Minister said the alert was issued to ensure that the public does not come into contact with any dangerous materials. 'There are no hazardous materials in the containers that have washed ashore so far. But we should remain vigilant, as more containers are floating in the sea and could wash ashore,' Mr. Prasad said. The Pollution Control Board has initiated measures to handle any oil spills from the ship that might reach the coast. 'Due to concerns about an oil spill in the sea, an emergency meeting was convened on Sunday. An advisory has been issued to coastal grama panchayats in the district. Officials from the Revenue, Fisheries, and Local-Self Government departments will jointly oversee the response. Public announcements using loudspeakers are also being made to alert coastal residents,' the Minister said. Mr. Prasad said that steps had been taken to prevent the oil slick from spreading to other waterbodies through estuaries. 'Water samples have been collected and the Pollution Control Board is conducting tests,' he added.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Round table meet condemns ‘encounter killings'
The participants at a round table meeting on 'encounter killings' demanded that cases be booked against police personnel, who are involved in 'killing of Maoists', and a comprehensive probe under the purview of the Supreme Court, apart from holding of 'peace talks' by the Central government with the Maoist party. The meeting, organised by the Left parties at the CPI-M office at Jagadamba junction here on Sunday, witnessed the participation of leaders of civil rights organisations, people's organisations, human rights and women's organisations. The speakers demanded probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court into the 'encounter killings' in the name of 'Operation Kagar'. They call for a ceasefire and handing over of bodies of Namballa Kesava Rao and 27 others, who were killed in the alleged encounter with the police, to their family members. CPI-ML (New Democracy) official representative P. Prasad said that the Centre should order a ceasefire and call the Maoists, who are ready, for peace talks. He said that it was wrong to indulge in 'one-sided' encounters while adding that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure safety of the tribal people. He alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was carrying out Operation Kagar to evict the tribal people along with Maoists, and hand over the lands to corporate groups. CPI-ML New Democracy Area Committee secretary M. Venkateswarlu presided over the meeting and the speakers included, POW State president M. Lakshmi, CPI-M leader P. Mani, Bharata Nastika Samajam, State president T. Srirama Murthy, HRF convener for AP and TS V.S. Krishna, Mahila Chetana secretary K. Padma, Chaitanya Mahila Samakhya secretary D. Lalitha, CPI district assistant secretary Chandrasekhar, and CPI-ML (Liberation) leader Ramachandra Rao. POW State secretary Padma, Abhyudaya Rachayathula Sangham (Arasam) leader Kshetrapal, and advocate Ch. Ganapathi were among those who attended.
