logo
Shelar invokes Pahalgam: ‘Here, Hindus attacked over language'

Shelar invokes Pahalgam: ‘Here, Hindus attacked over language'

Time of Indiaa day ago
Mumbai: Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar said action is being taken against those indulging in physical violence over the three-language policy. In the Mira Road incident, where a local businessman was recently slapped by MNS workers and in the Sushil Kedia case, police were quick to file an FIR and arrest MNS workers accused of physical assault and violence.
CM Fadnavis holds the home portfolio. Shelar, while criticising the Thackeray cousins, linked the
Pahalgam terror attack
to the assault on non-Marathis. He said, "In Pahalgam, people were shot based on their religion—Hindus were targeted. Here, innocent Hindus are being beaten up after being questioned about their language," he said. tnn
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

RS 10 cr bribe for waiving 100 cr loan, alleges Cong
RS 10 cr bribe for waiving 100 cr loan, alleges Cong

Hans India

time22 minutes ago

  • Hans India

RS 10 cr bribe for waiving 100 cr loan, alleges Cong

Vijayawada: Senior Congress leader Chinta Mohan on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government and the current state coalition government, alleging widespread corruption, flawed policies, and the dismantling of crucial welfare programmes. Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada, Mohan touched upon issues ranging from bank loan write-offs and rising fuel prices to the controversial Amaravati project and the alleged weakening of the MGNREGA scheme. He asserted that corruption has escalated tenfold under BJP rule, claiming that 'BJP leaders are swindling thousands of crores of rupees.' He accused the government of writing off lakhs of crores in bank loans, leading to massive illicit gains. 'To get a Rs 100 crore loan waiver, one has to pay Rs 10 crore as bribe,' he alleged, stating that this sentiment is widely prevalent in Delhi, where he recently conducted an extensive ground assessment. The former minister questioned the whereabouts of subsidies on crude oil, stating that India is receiving 60 per cent of its crude oil from Russia at subsidised rates. 'Despite this, petrol pumps are not dispensing fuel for less than Rs 100 per litre,' he observed, demanding an explanation from the central government regarding the utilisation of these subsidies. While clarifying that he is not against Amaravati, Mohan criticised the project's concept as 'a total failure.' He said that the CRDA acquired 30,000 acres, and 'if you dig an inch, you find water,' suggesting unsuitability for a capital. He also questioned the need for another international airport in Amaravati, just 30 km from the existing one in Vijayawada. Mohan strongly condemned the state coalition government for allegedly 'destroying' the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He accused the government of diverting 90 per cent of MGNREGA funds, meant for labourers' wages, towards 'material charges,' leaving only 10 per cent for the workers. Regarding the Talliki Vandanam scheme, Mohan alleged that the government's distributed funds were ending up in 'brandy shops'. He demanded that funds for students' education be directly credited to schools and colleges. He also voiced strong opposition to the state government's reported plans to reduce the number of schools in Andhra Pradesh from 35,000 (established during Rajiv Gandhi's 1987 New Education Policy initiative) to 10,000.

Trump slaps new tariffs on dozen countries as India-US trade deal awaits final nod
Trump slaps new tariffs on dozen countries as India-US trade deal awaits final nod

Mint

time25 minutes ago

  • Mint

Trump slaps new tariffs on dozen countries as India-US trade deal awaits final nod

NEW DELHI : US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping set of new tariffs, effective 1 August, on imports from more than a dozen countries, including key Asian economies such as Thailand, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. India, notably, remains off the list—for now—amid ongoing negotiations over a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which remains unsigned on the President's desk. Tariff breakdown: Asia hit hardest Trump announced the tariffs through letters posted on his social media platform Social Truth. Laos and Myanmar were hit the hardest, facing duties up to 40%. Thailand retained its 36% duty from April, while Cambodia saw a slight reduction to 36% from 49%. Bangladesh's rate dropped to 35% from 37%, and Indonesia held steady at 32%. Malaysia's duty rose by 1% to 25%, while both Japan and South Korea were slapped with new 25% tariffs. Non-Asian countries also affected include Bosnia (30%), Serbia (35%), Tunisia (25%), Kazakhstan (25%), and South Africa (30%). Also read: 'US close to trade deal with India', Donald Trump announces amid new tariffs on 14 countries India holds its ground—for now India, which has offered multiple trade concessions to the US in recent months, was conspicuously absent from the tariff list. This gives the country a pricing edge in labour-intensive sectors like textiles, apparel, electronics, and toys, where its Asian competitors now face stiffer duties. 'As these rival exporters contend with steeper duties, Indian products are likely to gain a pricing edge, offering a strategic opening for Indian manufacturers to expand their footprint in the US and attract greater sourcing attention from American buyers," said Ajay Sahai, director general, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). The tariff hike comes just 48 hours before the 9 July deadline for the 90-day pause on Trump's Reciprocal Tariff Policy expires. While the US Trade Representative (USTR) has cleared the draft India-US trade deal, the final sign-off awaits Trump's approval. Indian officials say the agreement is unlikely to be concluded without top-level political intervention, especially on contentious issues like agriculture, dairy, and genetically modified seeds. The move, detailed through tariff letters signed by Trump and posted on his social media platform, Social Truth, comes just as the much-awaited India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) remains unsigned and pending on the President's desk. 'The deal is ready on paper, but it's now a political call," a government official said. 'If it's not signed in time, some Indian products with strong export interest may be kept out, and the same could apply to US goods. These could be taken up in later phases." Indian negotiators remain cautiously optimistic that if the 9 July deadline is missed, it could be extended to 1 August—buying time for the trade deal. Until then, India is expected to be spared from a direct tariff blow. Also read: Donald Trump announces 25% tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea, warns against retaliation Trump's statement 'Large and persistent US trade deficits pose an extraordinary threat to our national security and economy," Trump said in an executive order. 'The 90-day suspension of additional duties, implemented in April, was based on the sincere intentions of our trading partners. That suspension will now be extended until 1 August 2025." 'Where partners take significant steps to align with the United States on economic and national security matters, I may modify tariffs accordingly," he added. The tariff hikes form part of Trump's broader Reciprocal Tariff Policy targeting countries he accuses of maintaining unfair trade barriers against American goods. With India offering market access in sectors like dairy and medical devices, New Delhi hopes its cooperative stance will spare it from a similar fate. Also read: US trade deal down to the wire as tariff pause nears close

Panel of legal experts being consulted for law against sacrilege: Punjab FM
Panel of legal experts being consulted for law against sacrilege: Punjab FM

The Print

time29 minutes ago

  • The Print

Panel of legal experts being consulted for law against sacrilege: Punjab FM

Asked whether the legislation will be brought in the two-day special session of the Punjab Assembly starting July 10, Cheema said, 'A panel of legal experts are being consulted over framing the law. We will take the opinion of LR (legal remembrancer) and the AG (Advocate General) office.' Cheema said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is serious about the sacrilege issue. The government is not in a hurry and will not bring such a law which will require subsequent amendments, the minister said. Chandigarh, Jul 7 (PTI) A panel of legal experts are being consulted for a law under which harsher punishment would be given for acts of 'sacrilege' against religious scriptures, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said Monday. 'The law will ensure that no person dares to indulge in sacrilege. Our work (on framing the legislation) is not finished yet. When the draft is completely ready, we will share,' he said while speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting here. The council of ministers, led by Chief Minister Mann, held a meeting here. Asked whether the Bill is not ready yet, Cheema said, 'If need be, we will extend it (session) or convene another one after 10 days. We are not in a hurry.' He added that the Bill was under works. 'Earlier, SAD-BJP government framed a wrong bill and then the Congress regime framed the wrong one. We will not bring a law that requires repeated amendments,' he added. The minister said there are several other Bills, including concerning goods and services tax, that will be tabled in the upcoming assembly session. The AAP government was expected to table the law on 'sacrilege' against religious scriptures in the two-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. On June 28, CM Mann had said that his government will bring a law for stricter punishment for sacrilege acts. He had announced the move after holding a meeting with representatives of the 'Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha'. Mann had expressed concern over existing legal loopholes that allow individuals guilty of such unpardonable acts to walk free, calling it completely unwarranted and unacceptable. The CM had highlighted that while the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provides clear provisions regarding religious places, it remains silent on holy 'granths'. Capital punishment could also be part of the law. It is not the first time that a law was being brought for stricter punishment for sacrilege. In 2016, the then SAD-BJP government brought in the IPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and CrPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 recommending life sentence for sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib. The Centre later returned the bill. In 2018, the then Amarinder Singh government had passed two Bills — the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018, and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2018, which stipulated a punishment of up to life imprisonment for injury, damage or sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and the Bible. However, the president did not give assent to these two Bills. PTI CHS SKY SKY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store