Vol. 67 No. 195 | THURSDAY | MAY 16, 2024 | 28 Pages | `5 & for Pune `6 only Quality at Value www.freepressjournal.in MEMBER: AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2023 EDITIONS: MUMBAI*, Pune, Nashik, Konkan, Indore, Bhopal, E-paper MANOJ BAJPAYEE’S BHAIYYA JI THE FP BULLETIN WE’LL TAKE POK: SHAH U nion Home Minister Amit Shah while campaigning in West Bengal on Wednesday said that if BJP returns to power, it will take Pakistanoccupied Kashmir as it ‘belongs’ to India. Addressing an election campaign in Serampore, Shah also said that after abrogation of Article 370 ‘peace’ has restored in ‘trouble-torn Kashmir’. “Slogans of Azadi were once heard here, now the same can be heard in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. It is ours and we will take it,’’ Shah said. SLOVAK PM SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES S lovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico was on Wednesday shot multiple times and rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a cabinet meeting, officials said, in an attack condemned by EU chiefs. Fico, a populist leader accused of being Kremlin-friendly, has been prime minister since last year. Fico had made a string of remarks that have soured ties between Slovakia and neighbouring Ukraine. He has notably questioned Ukraine's sovereignty and called for a compromise with Russia. He also sparked mass protests with controversial changes, including a media law that critics say will undermine the impartiality of public television and radio. CONG MINISTER HELD IN J’KHAND T he Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested senior Congress leader and Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam in connection with a money laundering case related to the seizure of over Rs 35 crore in cash from a flat linked to his personal secretary and the latter's house help. ED had interrogated Alam at its zonal office in the state capital for nearly 10 hours on Tuesday. The case against Alam and his aide is related to the alleged Jharkhand tender scam, under which commissions were collected and then distributed. Before Alam’s arrest, ED had arrested Jharkhand chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren in the alleged land scam case on January 31. Soren had resigned as the chief minister just before he was officially arrested. H-1B VISA: RULES TO HELP JOBLESS I n a major relief for immigrants who lost their jobs as part of a latest series of layoffs by companies like Google, Tesla and Walmart, the United States has announced fresh guidelines for those living in the country on an H-1B visa. The H-1B visa allows employers in the United States to hire workers from other countries for speciality jobs. Besides the 60-day grace period for H-1B visa holders who have lost their jobs, the new guidelines issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offer several additional avenues that they can consider before leaving the country. I haven’t done life threatening action like this before EDIT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DIPS TO 6.7% IN MARCH QUARTER Missing Bhinde stays two steps ahead of cops CHABAHAR WIN-WIN DEAL FOR INDIA, IRAN Among males, unemployment rate in urban areas rose to 6.1% in Q4FY24 SC QUASHES ARREST Ghatkopar wipes tears as hordes greet Modi That doom had descended from the sky claiming 14 lives and injuring several others in a freak mishap at Ghatkopar on Monday would have been the farthest thought on the minds of the uninformed witnessing the election extravaganza on display in the same Mumbai suburb, 48 hours later. the ruling Mahayuti in For the state, the show had to go on and so it did, putting up a show of its strength in full blast on Wednesday with , lakhs of people and party workers giving a rousing welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as his roadshow in support of BJP candidate Mihir Kotecha wended its way through the arterial roads of Ghatkopar. Apart from local residents, Fourteen applicants, most of them who had come to India from Pakistan, were on Wednesday physically handed over Citizenship Certificates under the new Citizenship Amendment Act by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The Director of Intelligence Bureau, Tapan Kumar Deka, and Registrar General of India, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, were also present at the event. This is the first set of citizenship certificates to be issued after the notification of Citizenship (Amendment) B illboard Bhinde is still elusive even though a dragnet has been spread for the owner of Ego Media; it was his killer hoarding which caused the death of at least 14 people. The Police had drawn a blank when they swooped down on his home and office locations in Mulund. A lead even took them to Lonavala where Bhavesh has a plush resort but he, it seems, had moved out two hours before the cops checked in. The police suspect he has either escaped to Gujarat or has fled abroad. Despite the petrol pump horror, no lookout notice has been issued for him thus far. The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the arrest and remand of Prabir Purkayastha, the chief editor of online news portal NewsClick, in connection with a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta ordered that Purkayastha be released subject to him furnishing surety and bail bond. The court passed the order after noting that a copy of the remand application was not provided to Purkayastha, SHEFALI PARAB-PANDIT / MUMBAI many more poured in from other suburbs like Mulund, Bhandup, Powai and Vikhroli. Police had a tough time providing bandobast for the elaborate procession. Modi was accompanied in an open vehicle by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and BJP candidates Mihir Kotecha and Ujwal Nikam. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was conspicuous by his absence. meet PS Arora said, possibly in zest. The court disposed of two petitions seeking regulation of pricing of flight tickets and said it would pass a detailed order. The bench added that huge investment is coming in this sector and "let's not make it more regulated". "It is a wellcontrolled sector. Every industry which is doing well need not be tampered with," the bench reasoned. It said stray incidents will not require the court to entertain public interest litigations (PIL) on the issue and bring the entire sector under any new regulation. CONTD. ON NATION S The road show commenced at 7pm near Shreyas cinema on L B S Marg, Ghatkopar west, and made its way via Sarvodaya Hospital Junction, Crime Branch office, Sanghavi Square, Haveli Bridge, M G Road, Ramji Ashar High School and Parshwanath Square at Rajawadi in Ghatkopar east. Stretching out over 2.5km, the election extravaganza ended at 8.10pm. CONTD. ON NATION earch and rescue operations continued on Wednesday more than , 50 hours after the hoarding collapse incident in Ghatkopar east on Monday Though the death toll remains . at 14, this number is likely to go up as the chances of finding survivors are slim, according to a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at the spot. The team had spotted two more bodies stuck under the debris on Tuesday night, but is yet to retrieve these. The 10KG 5K G Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted on Wednesday that the opposition INDIA bloc is sitting pretty after four phases of polling and that the people are ready to bid farewell to Narendra Modi. From this position of strength, he promised that they will provide 10 kg of free ration per month to the poor, if the INDIA bloc forms the government. The Modi government provides 5 kg ration free to poor. Speaking at a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav , Kharge underscored the party's Shah questions ‘special’ interim bail to Kejriwal OUR BUREAU / NEW DELHI Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that he does not see the interim bail given by the apex court to Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal as a routine judgement and stressed that many in the country believe that "special treatment" was given. Kejriwal, who was arrested and lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, was released on May 10 after the Supreme Court approved his interim bail plea. Shah also responded to Kejriwal's statement that he would not need to return to jail if the Opposition INDIA Caste dynamics, not Ram ka naam, at work T he grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 has brought Ayodhya into international spotlight. However, the electoral dynamics in this Lok Sabha constituency extends beyond temple politics, and is deeply entwined with intricate caste equations. This high-profile seat, still known by its old name of Faizabad, presents an intriguing contest among BJP’s Thakur candidate Lallu Singh, SP’s (INDIA bloc) Dalit candidate and sitting MLA Awadhesh Prasad, and BSP’s Brahmin candidate Sachhidanand Pandey . Pandey switched from the BJP to the BSP before the elections to capitalize on the Brahmin vote bank. “ Ayodhya is synonymous with Lord Ram. But when it comes to elections, Ram ‘naam’ is not enough. The ‘jaati’ of the candidates also matters,” said Rajesh N. Bajpyee, a political analyst. He pointed out that despite Ayodhya's association with the BJP due to its long-standing advo- GROUND ZERO: Faizabad/Ayodhya LS seat cacy of Ram Temple, the electoral reality is more complex. "Since 1989, the BJP has won only four out of eight Lok Sabha elections here. Lallu petrol pump had stored fuel in its tank. Apart from this, there is the possibility of fuel spillage from the gas tanks of damaged vehicles; so rescuers are exercising caution in the use of gas cutters and other heat-generating machinery in the course of their operations, said an officer. On Wednesday morning, a small fire broke out at the site; however, fire tenders deployed at the spot immediately doused it. “Heavy machinery has been deployed for lifting the steel structure and girder. We cannot use cutting and drilling machinery since the hoarding BISWAJEET BANERJEE LUCKNOW LAST WORD BISWAJEET BANERJEE FPJ SPECIAL thereby violating principles of natural justice. The court further said that since a chargesheet has been filed in the case, Purkayustha can be released only on fur- nishing surety and bail bond. Otherwise, he could have been released without surety , the court stated. The verdict came on the plea by Purkayastha challenging his arrest and remand by the Delhi Police in the case. The Supreme Court had on April 30 reserved its judgment in the matter. The court had during hearings raised questions on how the remand hearing was conducted without informing Purkayastha's lawyer in advance and, in effect, without giving him an audience. CONTD. ON NATION has collapsed on a petrol pump. Fuel has also leaked from some of the damaged vehicles stuck under the hoarding,” said an NDRF officer. The NDRF team had spotted two bodies stuck under the third girder of the collapsed hoarding but they faced difficulties in reaching the spot. “There are more than five girders at the site. Two girders had been removed until Wednesday evening. We can only know if there are more people trapped at the spot after all the girders have been moved,” said the rescue officer. CONTD. ON NATION Kharge promises 10 kg free ration Rules, 2024. During the event, Bhalla congratulated the applicants and highlighted the salient features of the new Rules, which were notified by the Centre on March 11 this year. He said these Rules envisage manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by District Level Committee (DLC) and scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (EC). In keeping with these Rules, the Centre had received applications from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, CONTD. ON NATION Says ‘auto fare higher than by air’ Observing that airline industry is "very very competitive" and the players are running "huge losses", the Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it would not be appropriate to pass any directions for the capping of airfares across the country . "Market forces will decide the pricing of tickets. The industry is doing very well. You look at any airline, it is a highly competitive industry An . auto rickshaw’s fare is more than that of the airline," a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Man- ONLINE REPORT / NEW DELHI RESCUERS PROCEED WITH CAUTION HC ‘no’ to airfare cap NEW DELHI Sunrise : 06:03 am Sunset : 07:07 pm PLAYING WITH FIRE: Citizenship certificates for 14 CAA applicants GAURAV VIVEK BHATNAGAR / NEW DELHI 0 Court said a copy of the remand application was not provided to the NewsClick chief, thereby violating principles of natural justice AISHWARYA IYER / MUMBAI KALPESH MHAMUNKAR & RUCHA KANOLKAR / MUMBAI 0 35 c. 29 c. Singh and Vinay Katiyar each won twice. Mitrasen Yadav won three times —twice on an SP ticket and once as a CPI candidate. The SP had also won the seat in 2009," Bajpayee explained. Locals attest that Ayodhya has transformed since the consecration of Lord Ram. The city is now bustling with traffic and congested gullies are filled with pilgrims from across the country The once . tranquil 13-km road connecting Ayodhya with Faizabad, rechristened Ram Path, has become a vibrant hub and is likened to Connaught Place in Delhi. “The Ram Path has become the city’s lifeline, with prominent eateries, big merchandise shops, and business CONTD. ON NATION centers. bloc wins majority in Lok Sabha elections on June 4. The Union Home Minister asserted that the AAP chief's statement amounts to contempt of court. "I believe this is clear contempt of the Supreme Court. He is trying to suggest that if someone triumphs in a poll, the Supreme Court will not send them to jail even if they are guilty The . judges who granted him bail have to mull over this -- how their judgment is being used or misused." CONTD. ON NATION commitment to social welfare and specifically mentioned that the Congress had even enacted a legislation to ensure food for the impoverished. "We stand firm on our promises to you. While discussions have often veered around 5 kg of ration which the BJP has promised, this was made possible by the Food Security Act that we have championed. I assure you that if the I.N.D.I.A alliance comes to power, we will enhance the ration allotment to 10 kg. Our track record in Karnataka and Telangana attests to our commitment, and we will replicate it nationwide upon assuming office," affirmed Kharge. Akhilesh Yadav, speaking at the rally echoed Kharge's opti, mism, predicting a sweeping victory for the alliance in Uttar Pradesh. "We will win 79 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh," Yadav proclaimed. Kharge further emphasized that the current election is crucial for safeguarding the Constitution. He questioned Prime Minister Modi's inaction against individuals advocating constitutional changes. "Four rounds of polling have been completed. The INDIA bloc is in a very strong position. I can say with full confidence that the people are prepared to bid farewell to Narendra Modi. CONTD. ON NATION Monsoon has May 31 date with Kerala FPJ NEWS SERVICE / NEW DELHI The Southwest Monsoon is likely to hit Kerala coast around May 31, heralding the four-month rainfall season that is crucial for India’s farm-based economy “This . year, the Southwest Monsoon is likely to set on May 31 with a model error of four days,” the India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday . “This is not early It is close to . the normal date,” according to IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. The date of onset over Kerala has varied widely over the last 150 years. The earliest onset date has been May 11, 1918, while the most delayed date has been June 18, 1972, according to IMD data. Last month, IMD had forecast above-normal rain in the monsoon. Parts of the country battled brutal heat in April, with maximum temperatures shattering records in several states and severely impacting health and livelihoods. The crippling heat, which continues in some parts of the country is straining power , grids and drying up water bodies triggering drought-like conditions. CONTD. ON NATION TAILPIECE JOKE IS ON RANGEELA, NOMINATION REJECTED F inally the joke was on , comedian Shyam Rangeela whose nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat has been rejected. Rangeela’s claim to fame or notoriety – it all depends on one’s perspective – was because of his mimicry skills, especially when it came to lampooning Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rangeela, quite sure that he was not just another ‘also ran,’ had filed his nomination as an independent on May 14 and even posted a video on X. A day later, the Election Commission of India's website showed that the 29-year-old Rangeela's nomination has been rejected. The comedian had previously alleged there were at- tempts to obstruct the filing of nomination. "There were proposers, the form was also filled in, but no one was ready to accept it. We will try again tomorrow," Shyam Rangeela tweeted on May 13. The next day on May 14, he , alleged that the officials were not responding to his calls and he was unable to file his nomination. Hours later, he confirmed that he had managed to file the nomination papers by "fulfilling all the requirements as per the rules". CONTD. ON NATION