Vol. 66 No. 327 | FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 | 20 Pages | `5 & for Pune `6 only Quality at Value www.freepressjournal.in EDITIONS: MUMBAI*, Pune, Nashik, Konkan, Indore, Bhopal, E-paper SAIEE MANJREKAR ON GANESHOTSAV It's of paramount importance to embrace the concept of an ecofriendly Ganesha EDIT BILL RAISES QUESTIONS, NOT ANSWERS TUT-TUT, TRUDEAU FPJ NEWS SERVICE / NEW DELHI In a massive escalation, India on Thursday put on hold visas applications emanating from Canada, even as the MEA spokesperson described the maple leaf country as a ‘safe haven for terror,’ a phrase that has been often used to run down Pakistan. Stating that Canada is a “safe haven for terrorists", Arindam Bagchi, the ministry spokesperson, told reporters, “We want the Canadian government to take action against those who face terror charges or repatriate them to India to face justice. We have sought either extradition or assistance related to that in the case of at least 20-25 individuals over the years, but the response has not been helpful at all." The MEA spokesperson said the larger issue was that of terrorism, terror-funding and safe havens being provided to terrorists abroad. "The issue is SENSEX DOWN 1,600 PTS IN 3 DAYS; INVESTORS LOSE RS 5.50L CRORE the incitement of violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities, creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulates. That's making us temporarily stop the issuance of visas or providing visa services," Bagchi said. The decision to freeze the visa process stems from "security threats being faced by our high commissions and consulates" a Foreign Ministry statement said. CONTD. ON NATION ‘TERROR HAVEN’ VISAS ON HOLD GOD SAVE JUSTIN CANADA TOLD TO DOWNSIZE STAFF: India has asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic presence owing to the "interference of its diplomats in Indian affairs." The Canadian diplomatic presence in India is larger than what India has and accordingly needs to be downsized, foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters. "We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in diplomatic presence. Their numbers are very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction," he said. The spokesperson added that "Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs is a factor". The Canadian High Commission, however, claimed that some of its diplomats have received threats on social media platforms and it has, therefore, decided to temporarily adjust its staff presence. It further reminded New Delhi that in keeping with the Vienna conventions, India should provide for the security of its accredited diplomats and consular officers, ‘‘just as we are providing for theirs." Nonetheless, the Canadian High Commission and all its consulates in India will remain open and continue to serve clients.  ‘NO’ TO THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE, TOO: A Canadian citizen would not be able to apply for an Indian visa even if he/she is living in any other country. "No visas to Canadians applying from other countries too," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. THE FP BULLETIN BID TO STORM POLICE POSTS More than 10 people were injured when Manipur security forces fired tear gas shells on protesters trying to storm police stations and court arrest demanding the unconditional release of five arrested youths on Thursday. Responding to a call by six local clubs demanding the release of the five village volunteers, hundreds of protesters holding placards and shouting slogans tried to enter the three police stations in Imphal West district. However, the police and RAF personnel deployed at strategic positions fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. On September 16, the five persons were arrested for carrying sophisticated weapons and wearing camouflage uniforms. INDIGO RIDER IS ARRESTED A passenger in an IndiGo flight allegedly tried to open the emergency exit door while the plane was still in the air, airport officials in Agartala said. He was arrested after the flight landed. The passenger, Biswajit Debnath, 41, was stopped by other passengers when he tried to force open the emergency exit, officials said. He also allegedly misbehaved with the cabin crew. The flight had come from Guwahati. SC ‘NO’ TO TN ON CAUVERY WATERS The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain an application by the Tamil Nadu government to increase its current share of Cauvery river water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs (cubic feet per second) per day. A 3-judge bench said it was not inclined to interfere with the order passed on this aspect by the  Cauvery Water Management Authority, particularly since this authority was monitoring the situation every 15 days. The Supreme Court was hearing an application by Tamil Nadu seeking fresh directions for release of Cauvery water from Karnataka. The Tamil Nadu government claimed that the neighbouring State had "changed its stand", and had released a reduced quantum of 8,000 cusecs of water, as against the 15,000 cusecs that was agreed upon earlier. EACH PILOT TO COUGH UP RS 21 CR: Akasa Air has filed a suit before the Bombay High Court seeking compensation of Rs 21 crore each from five pilots who resigned from the company and abruptly exited without serving the mandatory 6-month notice period.  It sought an order directing the pilots to pay Rs 18 lakh for breach of contract and Rs 21 crore each for damages to the airline’s reputation. NIJJAR BEHIND BEANT KILLING: Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu claims that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was the “right hand” of those who killed his grandfather, former Punjab CM Beant Singh.  CREDIBLE CHARGES: TRUDEAU C anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday reiterated that there are "credible allegations" on the involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of a Khalistani extremist leader. He said that these allegations should be taken "extremely seriously," even as he urged the government of India to work with his country to allow justice to take its course. "We call upon the government of India to take this matter seriously and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter," he said while responding to questions on the diplomatic row between India and Canada. "We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules based order. That's our focus right now," Trudeau said when asked whether his government will take any retaliatory measures following India's suspension of visa services for Canadians. –PTI Sensex fell 570.60 points, while Nifty declined 159.05 pts on Thursday 0 0 31 c. 26 c. Sunrise : 06:27 am Sunset : 06:36 pm Defining moment: 33% quota gets nod FPJ NEWS SERVICE / NEW DELHI In what PM Modi described as a ‘‘defining moment in our nation's democratic journey’’, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, which reserves 33 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha and the legislative Assemblies for women. More than 215 Rajya Sabha MPs voted in favour of the Bill; there were no abstentions or negative votes. The Bill had been passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with as many as 454 MPs voting in favour. “This Bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country All members . and political parties have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing ‘Nari Shakti’. Let us give the country a strong message,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Rajya Sabha before voting on the Bill. Later, Modi thanked all parties for their support. As in the Lok Sabha, the debate in the Rajya Sabha was over the timeline, since the Bill can only be implemented after census and delimitation, which pushes it back by at least six years. "The amendment of this bill is not difficult... you (the government) can do this now but have postponed it till 2031. What does this mean?" said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. CONTD. ON NATION INDIAN GANGSTER Present tense, future uncertain MONTH’S SUSPENSION FOR AI FLIGHT SAFETY CHIEF IS BUMPED OFF MEGHA CHOWDHURY / MUMBAI The diplomatic tension between India and Canada, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks, has put Indian students in that country and those aspiring to study there on tenterhooks. India had issued an advisory cautioning students travelling to Canada about the security risks it entails; also, Indian nationals living in Canada were asked to register with G angster Sukhdul Singh, alias Sukha Duneke, one of Punjab's most wanted criminals, was killed in the Canadian city of Winnipeg by unidentified people. "It is believed to be the result of intergang rivalry a source said. The ," killing of the Canada-based gangster, who had at least 18 cases against him including those for murder, attempt to murder and robbery took place , on Wednesday night Canada time, the sources said. The development comes at a time when India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. Hailing from Duneke Kalan village in Punjab's Moga district, the gangster fled to Canada in December 2017, official sources said. The dreaded gangster was managing the activities of the gang from foreign soil and was also involved in running an extortion racket. CONTD. ON NATION CHANNELS TOLD NOT TO GIVE PLATFORM T he Centre on Thursday asked television channels not to give a platform to people who are accused of serious crimes, terrorism, or belong to organisations banned by the government. "It has come to the notice of this ministry that a person in a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime, including terrorism, CONTD. ON NATION Bail for tribal activist in Elgar Parishad case URVI MAHAJANI / MUMBAI The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to tribal rights activist Mahesh Raut, an accused in the 2018 Elgar ParishadBhima Koregaon riots case, observing that the “incriminating material” shown by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) does not “prima facie” show that he has indulged in a “terrorist act” as contemplated under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). After taking into consideration the material and evidence on record against Raut, “at the most” it can be said that he is a member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and, therefore, it would attract provisions of Sections 13 (Punishment for unlawful activities) and 38 (Offence relating to membership of a terrorist organisation) of UAPA, ruled a division bench of Justices AS Gadkari and Sharmila Deshmukh. CONTD. ON NATION STUDENTS IN CANADA the consulate, in view of the tense situation. To cap it all, India has put on hold the visa process. ED RAIDS ON CELEB MANAGERS NET RS 2.5CR MAHADEV APP CASE ASHISH SINGH / MUMBAI The Enforcement Directorate recently raided the premises of  Bollywood celebrities’ managers in Mumbai and Delhi in the Mahadev App case and seized cash worth Rs 2.5 crore.  According to ED sources, these celebrity managers TOURIST CAR DRIVER JUMPS OFF SEA LINK VISHAL SINGH / MUMBAI   42-year-old man jumped A from the Bandra-Worli Sea Link early on Thursday . According to police, at 3.45am, the man, identified as  Vinay Kumar Yadav,  drove to the sea link, parked his car and jumped into the sea. A search operation is underway with the help of the , Navy and Coast Guard. Worli Police are investigating the matter.  Yadav lived in Jogeshwari and drove a tourist car, police said. On Thursday he had to come to , south Mumbai to pick up a customer. The owner of the Innova being driven by Yadav lives in Powai.  Police said that in the morning, Yadav came to the sea link from Worli and stopped midway parked , his car and jumped into the sea. A security guard saw Yadav jumping into the sea on CCTV and informed the police. CONTD. ON NATION were  involved in hiring celebrities to perform at the wedding of the promoter of Mahadev App, Saurabh Chandrakar, at Dubai in February 2023 and allegedly received hawala money on behalf of the celebrities. The  investigation has revealed that the celebrity managers received payment in cash from the event CONTD. ON NATION Student who used spy camera to crack MPSC exam booked AMIT SRIVASTAVA / MUMBAI The  Belapur office of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC)  registered a has case against a candidate who cracked the nongazetted Group B and Group C Services joint preliminary examination held on April 30, 2023, for allegedly using a spy camera at the examination centre. Two others were also booked for providing answers to the questions received on the spy camera. Based on the complaint of Supriya Lakde, a senior official of  MPSC, the Belapur police registered a case against three persons, including the student, under the relevant sections of the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University Board and other specified Exami, nations Act, 1982, and the IT Act.   As per the complaint, the student, identified as Akash Bhausing Ghunawat, 27, a resident of Jalna district, had appeared for the examination held on April 30, at the JSPM Jayawantrao Sawant College of Engineering, Pune. CONTD. ON NATION LAST WORD Vivek takes second spot in Prez sweepstakes SHANKAR RAJ / WASHINGTON Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has overtaken Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to take the second slot in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to the latest poll. Ramaswamy is a whisker ahead of another Indian-American and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley but for, mer president Donald Trump still maintains a big lead on Ramaswamy and others, according to a CNN/ University of New Hampshire poll. DeSantis, once considered Trump’s chief rival, is in fifth place behind former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. The Trump campaign cheered the poll results saying “Ron DeSantis has plummeted to the fifth place in the Granite State”. Ramaswamy now is next to Trump with 13 per cent support, closely followed by Haley at 12 per cent and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie at 11 per cent. CONTD. ON NATION There are more than 300,000 Indian students in Canada, which makes it the largest international student contingent. “The escalation in tension has definitely hit us. There are already very few jobs doing the rounds, or housing options for students. Suddenly we have to also con, tend with a trust deficit. Students are also staging rallies, which makes matters worse,” said Anmol Grewal, a student in Canada. CONTD. ON NATION FPJ NEWS SERVICE / NEW DELHI The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended Air India’s flight safety chief Rajeev Gupta for one month for certain lapses. The aviation watchdog found, during a surveillance carried out on July 25 and 26, deficiencies in the accident prevention work carried out by the Tata-group owned air- line, in violation of the approved Flight Safety Manual and the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements. This comes on the back of the DGCA last month taking action against Air India for certain lapses in simulator training. It was also observed that some of the internal audit/spot checks claimed to be carried out by the airline were done CONTD. ON NATION