“If they think so then definitely it must be true”.Rajnikanth

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The actor clarified on Tuesday after confusion erupted over his comments on Rajiv case convicts release and about the anti-BJP front.

A day after seemingly endorsing that BJP is a “dangerous party”, actor Rajinikanth on Tuesday hints that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is powerful than the opposition.

On Monday, a journalist had cited the opposition’s alliance against the BJP and asked if the party was such a dangerous political entity. To this, Mr Rajinikanth, who is nurturing political ambitions, said, “If they think so then definitely it must be true”.

However, addressing journalists outside his Poes Garden bungalow in Chennai on Tuesday, the actor clarified his stand thus: “The question (put to me) was about opposition parties considering the BJP as a dangerous party. When opposition parties think that BJP is a dangerous party, then BJP is a dangerous party for them only no? Whether BJP is a dangerous party or not will be decided by the people.”

Going beyond, he posed: “If 10 people join to fight one person (Modi), then who is more powerful…is it those 10 persons or that one person? You decide for yourself.”

Asked whether he considered Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be powerful, he said “I cannot say this more clearly,” and reiterated his point on the analogy of the 10 versus one.

Asked about his stand on the BJP, he said he cannot reveal it now, as he has not come into “full time politics” as of now.

‘Release on humanitarian grounds’

The actor also clarified that his response to a question on the proposal for premature release of the seven convicts in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case was being misconstrued. Some people were trying to create an impression that he did not know anything on the issue.

Mr Rajinikanth said the question posed to him on Monday was “about the seven people” without identifying them. “So I asked which seven people? The question was not clear,” he said adding that he was not such a fool to be ignorant of the seven life convicts.

“They (the seven convicts) have undergone punishment for the past 28 years. Enough. It is my opinion that they should be released on humanitarian grounds,” he said.

Mr. Rajinikanth said that he had spoken to one of the convicts Perarivalan over the phone for 10 minutes when he was out on parole. “See…If I know something, I will say ‘I know’. When I don’t know, I will say ‘I don’t know’. There’s nothing to be ashamed about (not knowing something),” the actor said.

Gaja Cyclone to intensify into severe cyclonic storm by November 12

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Coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu would experience moderate rainfall and heavy rainfall in isolated places from the night of November 14, the Met office said.

A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to cross the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Sriharikota on November 15, regional weather office in Chennai said on November 11.

The cyclone, named Gaja, which lay around 860 km northeast of Chennai and moving at a speed of 12 kmph is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours, a bulletin issued at 4 p.m. said.

Gales reaching 80-90 km per hour was likely over Tamil Nadu, Pudducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to reporters, Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director S. Balachandran said coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu would experience moderate rainfall and heavy rainfall in isolated places from the night of November 14. “On November 15, many places will receive moderate rainfall and isolated places will get heavy rainfall.”

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from November 12 and those already in deep sea have been asked to return.

The India Meteorological Department however said the storm is likely to weaken gradually while crossing towards North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts as a cyclonic storm during forenoon of November 15.

Listing out measures taken to face the cyclone, Revenue Administration Commissioner K. Satyagopal told reporters in Tirunelveli that medical teams were on stand by in all districts.

Sri Lanka Oppn. to challenge dissolution of Parliament

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High stakes legal battle in offing as parties will move Supreme Court next week

A day after Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena controversially dissolved Parliament, parties opposed to the decision are preparing for a high stakes legal battle.

Major parties on Saturday decided to move the Supreme Court early next week, challenging Mr. Sirisena’s decision that, they said, violated the Constitution.

The United National Party (UNP) of the deposed Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and its coalition partners will mount a legal challenge, according to their members.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), which is part of the UNP-led front, is contemplating court action independent of the coalition as well, a senior member said.

The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) is also preparing to petition the Supreme Court on Monday. “This is not because we fear elections, but because we think the President’s actions are completely unconstitutional and against democratic values,” ACMC leader Rishad Bathiudeen told The Hindu.

Further, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which were part of the Opposition in the House that was dissolved, are readying to file petitions in the Supreme Court on Monday.

‘Statute contravened’

The TNA will seek an interim order suspending the President’s proclamation on the dissolution of Parliament and calling for general election, party sources said.

Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, Leader of the Opposition and TNA veteran R. Sampanthan said the action taken by the executive on Friday “contravened” the Constitution.

“I don’t think it can be constitutionally supported,” Mr. Sampanthan said.

“It was a follow-up action to the executive’s earlier actions — removing the prime minister, appointing a new prime minister and proroguing parliament. None of those can be constitutionally backed,” Mr. Sampanthan said.

The President’s move to dissolve Parliament, he said, was to do with “the inability” of the “purported new Prime Minister” to show majority in the House. “It was meant to serve a collateral and ulterior purpose,” he added.

Even as President Sirisena’s decision is being legally disputed, newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his supporters have welcomed early polls that will establish “the will of the people”.

JVP’s national organiser and parliamentarian Bimal Rathnayake told The Hinduthat while the party had been gearing up for elections since last year, “what we need is not just any election. We need a free and fair election. In the current circumstances, that is ruled out.”

Pointing to President Sirisena “violating the Constitution in broad daylight”, he said the Sirisena-Rajapaksa camp was keen on going to polls “only to legitimise all its illegal moves and recent appointments to the new cabinet.” The TNA also said it recognised the democratic spirit of elections but questioned the validity of polls being held in the wake of “unconstitutional” moves.

“Say they conduct elections and get an outcome they don’t like. How can we be sure they won’t dissolve Parliament again?” asked TNA legislator and senior lawyer M.A. Sumanthiran.

Role of poll panel

All eyes were on the Election Commission on Saturday, to see if the poll watchdog would independently seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on the matter. Following a meeting of its three commissioners, sources told The Hindu that one of them was of the view that “there was no vacancy in Parliament” and hence the question of holding polls did not arise.

The remaining two, however, had underscored the need to follow the President’s gazette notification and had reportedly asked the Commissioner General to begin preparatory work for the scheduled polls. On seeking the court’s opinion, a source familiar with the discussion said: “The Commission will give its input if it is named as a party [by any other petitioner].

Two offices of NSS, an organisation representing the upper-class Nair community, was attacked in Kerala on Wednesday

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Nair Service Society (NSS) taluk union had conducted a rath yatra two days back in protest against women entry in Sabarimala.

Two offices of Nair Service Society (NSS), an organisation representing the upper-class Nair community, was attacked in Kerala on Wednesday for taking a stand against the Supreme Court’s verdict on Sabarimala.

Miscreants threw stones at NSS Karayogam building at Paravur in Kollam damaging the glass panes.

NSS taluk union had conducted a rath yatra two days back in protest against women entry in Sabarimala. NSS local leaders say this could be the cause of the attack. Police have registered a case and started investigation into the incident.

In another act of vandalism, NSS Karayogam office at Kudassanadu in Alappuzha was attacked and black flags were hoisted at the office there and a school run by NSS on Wednesday early morning.

A wreath was also laid offering condolence to NSS general secretary R Sukumaran Nair. The NSS leadership claims that the attacks were carried out as a vengeance.

India moves up to 77th rank in Ease of Doing Business Index

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It was ranked 100 last year and 130 in 2016 and 2015. When Modi government took over in 2014, it was ranked 142 among 190 nations.

Curtsy “The Hindu”

India jumped 23 ranks in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2018 to 77. It ranked 100 in the 2017 report.

The Index ranks 190 countries across 10 indicators ranged across the life cycle of a business from ‘starting a business’ to ‘resolving insolvency’.

“India’s strong reform agenda to improve the business climate for small and medium enterprises is bearing fruit. It is also reflected in the government’s strong commitment to broaden the business reforms agenda at the state and now even at the district level,” said Junaid Ahmad, World Bank Country Director in India in a press release. “Going forward, a continuation of this effort will help India maintain its goal of strong and sustained economic growth and we look forward to recording these successes in the years ahead.”

Source: Indian Govt

“The improvement in rankings is excellent news for India, and good news for the business community,” Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said at a press conference. “I’m sure we will continue to improve it more and more.”

Mr. Prabhu said that there were several initiatives by the government in the works that would further ease doing business, such as enabling export and import using only a mobile phone.

“The government will get out of business and allow people to conduct their business,” the Commerce Minister added.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley pointed out that, since the World Bank sets May 1 as the deadline for measurement, there are several initiatives taken by the government that will only reflect in next year’s rankings including the effects of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the full effect of the Goods and Services Tax.

He noted that, despite the sharp improvement India has made in several of the categories in the Index, there were others such as registering a property, starting a business, taxation, insolvency, and enforcing a contract where a lot of work still needs to be done.

Photo: Twitter/@wb_research

“During the past year, India made Starting a Business easier by fully integrating multiple application forms into a general incorporation form,” the World Bank said in a release. “India also replaced the value added tax with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for which the registration process is faster in both Delhi and Mumbai, the two cities measured by the Doing Business report. In addition, Mumbai abolished the practice of site inspections for registering companies under the Shops and Establishments Act. As a result, the time to start a business has been halved to 16 days, from 30 days.”

India moved from rank 184 in 2014 to 52 in 2018 in the construction permits category, 137 to 24 in getting electricity, 126 to 80 in trading across borders, 156 to 121 in paying taxes, 137 to 108 in resolving Insolvency, 186 to 163 in enforcing contracts, 158 to 137 in starting a business, and 36 to 22 in getting credit.

“The upward movement in India’s ranking is as expected,” Vishwas Udgirkar, Partner, Deloitte India said in a note. “This has been on back of overall reforms driven by the government, and to a large extent, use of digital and technology leading to process improvement. The country is on the right track in adopting technology and innovations in business processes. Government efforts to this end are laudable. Government’s thrust on infrastructure development to promote trade and business, especially logistics and supply chain centred initiatives, as also overall fiscal reforms including bankruptcy code, are showing results.”

Modi is the “favourite” prime ministerial candidate of Muslims for 2019

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi

On the Ram temple issue, Mr. Hussain said for the BJP, it was a matter of faith and not a poll plank.

Narendra Modi is the “favourite” prime ministerial candidate of Muslims for next year’s Lok Sabha polls as he has dispelled the “fear” that several parties instilled in the community using his name, senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said on Sunday.

He said the faith in Mr. Modi among Muslims had increased, especially among the women.

“The favourite prime ministerial candidate for Muslims in the 2019 polls is Narendra Modi, because he sees all 132 crore people of the country just as Indians. Other parties have seen them as a vote bank,” Mr. Hussain said.

Muslims account for around 14 per cent of India’s 130 crore population and the community plays a key role in the electoral outcome in a sizeable number of Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir.

Blames Congress for poverty

Mr. Hussain blamed the Congress for the poverty and backwardness of the Muslims in the country, saying the party had done injustice to the community and Modi had given them justice.

“Some people in 2014 used to scare others using Narendra Modi’s name. Today, a large number of people from the Muslim community also feel that he is a man who works day and night. Narendra Modi treats all 132 crore Indians alike,” he said.

Other parties used to take votes from Muslims by spreading the “fear” of Mr. Modi and the BJP and the prime minister had taken out that fear, Mr. Hussain said.

Now they see that Mr. Modi is in power but there is no problem, the BJP leader added.

‘Muslims have full faith’

Not a single statement was made by Mr. Modi against Muslims, he said, adding that the prime minister’s “shamshan-kabristan” statement in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls last year was “wrongly interpreted” as he had advocated taking care of both.

“In our party, some people may be making (certain) statements, but Muslims have full faith on the statements made by BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the former Union Minister said.

“Our party president and our prime minister have never given any statement that would hurt Muslims,” he claimed, asserting that the community would back the saffron party big time in the 2019 general election.

Name change

Mr. Hussain also said Allahabad’s name was changed to Prayagraj as “injustice” was done in the past” and now, “justice” had been restored.

“The earlier name was Prayagraj that was changed. To correct that mistake, is it wrong?

“Earlier also, Bangalore’s name was changed to Bengaluru, Madras was changed to Chennai. So, how does history come into this,” he said, rebutting the Congress’s charge that the Modi government was trying to rewrite history.

On the Ram temple issue, Mr. Hussain said for the BJP, it was a matter of faith and not a poll plank.

“From October 29, there will be day-to-day hearing (in the Supreme Court). We are hopeful that this issue will be resolved soon and it will be acceptable to all the people in the country.

“Some people are also demanding that a law be made (for the construction of the temple). Everybody has a right to demand, how can anybody stop that? The government has the right to decide and it has not taken any decision in this regard,” he said.

Upcoming Assembly elections

Talking about the upcoming Assembly elections in five states, the BJP spokesperson exuded confidence that his party would win in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

“In Mizoram, the government will not be formed without our support and in Telangana, we will emerge as a big party,” he claimed.

Asked if the state polls will be an indicator for the 2019 general election, he said all elections are different, but in state polls also people will not let Prime Minister Modi get weakened.

“When Modi enters the electoral field, people back him,” the 49-year-old leader said.

Mr. Hussain also slammed the Congress for linking the divesting of powers of CBI Director Alok Verma with the Rafale issue, saying two officials are making allegations against each other where does Rafale come into this.

United Lok Sabha fight

He also asserted that the BJP, the Janata Dal (United), the Lok Janshakti Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party will fight the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar together.

He said the alliance with the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) had boosted the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) prospects in Bihar and the coalition was focussed on “Mission 40” — to win all the Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Asked if anti-incumbency would be a factor in Bihar, Mr. Hussain said, “I had lost from Bhagalpur by 8,000 votes and Nitish Kumarji’s candidate was third, getting 1,60,000 votes. Now those votes will be added to the BJP’s kitty…we will fight together and this time, it is Mission 40 — that we win all the 40 seats.”

He also claimed that issues such as rising petrol and diesel prices will not hamper the BJP’s poll prospects, saying the people were aware that the fuel problem was a global one.

The Modi government will come to power with a bigger mandate in 2019, Mr. Hussain asserted.

‘अयप्पा भक्तों’ के साथ भाजपा अडिग चट्टान की तरह खड़ी है: अमित शाह

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शाह ने कहा कि केरल की लेफ्ट सरकार सबरीमाला के श्रद्धालुओं का दमन कर रही है

केरल के कन्नौर जिले में स्थित बीजेपी के नए दफ्तर का उद्धघाटन करने पहुंचे पार्टी के अध्यक्ष अमित शाह ने वहां मौजूद अपने समर्थकों को संबोधित करते हुए सबरीमाला विवाद पर आयप्पा भक्तों की भावनाओं को नज़र में रखते हुए कहा कि केरल की लेफ्ट सरकार सबरीमाला के श्रद्धालुओं का दमन कर रही है.

सबरीमाला मंदिर में महिलाओं के प्रवेश को लेकर आए सुप्रीम कोर्ट के फैसले के बाद यह पहली बार है जब पार्टी ने खुलकर श्रद्धालुओं को अपना समर्थन दिया है.

शाह ने कहा कि कोर्ट को ऐसा फैसला ही नहीं देना चाहिए, जिसे लागू ना किया जा सके. कार्यक्रम में अपने समर्थकों को संबोधित करते हुए शाह ने कहा, ‘आज केरल में धार्मिक विश्वास और राज्य सरकार की क्रूरता के बीच संघर्ष चल रहा है. सरकार ने 2000 से ज्यादा श्रद्धालुओं, और बीजेपी, आरएसएस के कार्यकर्ताओं को जेल में ठूंस दिया है. बीजेपी भगवान अयप्पा के भक्तों के साथ चट्टान की तरह खड़ी है, लेफ्ट सरकार सचेत रहे.’

शाह यहां पार्टी के नए कार्यालय का उद्धघाटन करने के बाद कई कार्यक्रमों में शिरकत करेंगे. इसके अलावा वह ‘बलिदान स्मृति कार्यक्रम’ का भी उद्धघाटन करेंगे.

राहुल गांधी महागठबंधन के पीएम उम्मीदवार नहीं

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पूर्व केंद्रीय वित्‍त मंत्री पी चिदंबरम ने कहा कि पिछले दो दशकों में राष्‍ट्रीय पार्टियों के वोट बैंक में सेंधमारी कर क्षेत्रीय पार्टियों की स्थिति मजबूत हुई है

2019 लोकसभा चुनाव को लेकर पूर्व केंद्रीय वित्‍त मंत्री पी चिदंबरम ने एक बड़ा खुलासा किया है. आम चुनावों को लेकर बयान देते हुए पी चिदंबरम ने कहा कि 2019 लोकसभा चुनाव में कांग्रेस पार्टी राहुल गांधी को प्रधानमंत्री पद के उम्‍मीदवार के तौर पर घोषित नहीं करेगी. पूर्व केंद्रीय वित्‍त मंत्री पी चिदंबरम ने यह बात मिडियाकर्मियों से कही. उन्‍होंने कहा कि राहुल ही नहीं कांग्रेस अन्‍य किसी भी व्‍यक्ति की दावेदारी की घोषणा नहीं करेगी.

पूर्व केंद्रीय वित्‍त मंत्री पी चिदंबरम ने कहा कि पिछले दो दशकों में राष्‍ट्रीय पार्टियों के वोट बैंक में सेंधमारी कर क्षेत्रीय पार्टियों की स्थिति मजबूत हुई है. बीजेपी और कांग्रेस दोनों ही पार्टियों का संयुक्‍त वोट शेयर भी 50 फीसदी से कम है. उन्होंने कहा कि केंद्र में बीजेपी सरकार यह देखने के लिए पुरजोर कोशिशें कर रही है कि क्षेत्रीय पार्टियां कांग्रेस से हाथ न मिला लें. स्थिति बदल जाएगी और कांग्रेस राज्‍य स्‍तर पर जबरदस्त गठबंधन बनाएगी.

पी चिदंबरम ने कहा- हम बीजेपी को बाहर देखना चाहते हैं और उसकी जगह पर एक ऐसी सरकार बनाना चाहते हैं जो कि प्रगतिशील हो, लोगों की स्वतंत्रता का सम्मान करती हो, भारी टैक्स से लोगों में तनाव न पैदा करती हो, महिलाओं और बच्चों को सुरक्षा दे सके और किसानों की स्थिति में सुधार कर सके. उन्होंने कहा हम गठबंधन चाहते हैं और उसके बाद ही मिलजुल कर पीएम उम्मीदवार का नाम तय किया जाएगी. आपको बता दें कि इसी बीच पार्टी अध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी एक दिवसीय दौरे पर आज रायपुर पहुंचेंगे. वह साइंस कॉलेज में एक सभा को संबोधित करेंगे. इसके बाद शाम को सामाजिक संगठनों के प्रतिनिधियों से चर्चा भी करेंगे.

Father Kuriakose, who testified against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, found dead in church room in Punjab

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ather Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was found dead on Monday.

He had alleged that he was constantly threatened by church officials for supporting the nun, who had alleged that she was raped by the bishop.

Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who testified against Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the case of alleged rape of a nun in Kerala, died under mysterious circumstances on Monday morning.

According to his relatives, he was found dead in a room attached to a church at Dasuya in Punjab.

“The 62-year-old Father Kuriakose used to live at St. Paul’s Church in Dasuya and he was found unconscious today (Monday) morning in his room. Later, he was taken to hospital where he was declared dead,” said Daljit Singh Khakh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur.

Mr. Khakh added that ”no injuries have been found on the body, he had vomited on bed and tablet of blood pressure were found near him. A panel of doctors will conduct the postmortem examination, following which the cause of death could be ascertained.”

The relatives have filed a complaint with Alappuzha District police chief. S. Surendran, demanding a detailed probe into the death of the 67-year-old priest, who hailed from Pallippuram near Cherthala in Alappuzha..

Fr. Kattuthara had alleged that he was constantly threatened by church officials for supporting the nun belonging to the Missionaries of Jesus under the Jalandhar diocese.

Bishop Mulakkal was arrested on September 21on a case registered by the Kuravilangad police in Kottayam district. He was granted bail by the Kerala High Court on October 15 under stringent conditions.

The nun had alleged that she had been raped by the bishop from May 5, 2014 to May 6, 2016 on 14 occasions in a room attached to the St. Francis Mission Home, Kuruvilangad.

There should be no interference in temple traditions, says Rajinikanth

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On #MeToo movement, he says it is “beneficial” for women, but cautions that “it should not be misused and should [be] used properly.”

Actor Rajinikanth on Saturday said there should be no “interference” in temple traditions that were being followed for a long time.

This his first response to the recent Supreme Court order allowing entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala and the subsequent protests.

Mr. Rajinikanth, however, said there was no second opinion on equality for women in every sphere.

“But when you talk about a temple, every temple has its time honoured rituals, besides traditions being followed for a long time. My humble opinion is that no one should interfere in that,” he told reporters in Chennai.

While noting that the top court verdict should be “respected”, the 67-year-old actor indicated that caution should be exercised when it came to matters of religion and related rituals.

Kerala has been witnessing protests against the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple since the government said it would abide by the ruling of the apex court.

The agitation has intensified since the shrine was opened for the five-day monthly pooja on October 17.

On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, lifted the centuries-old practice of not allowing women of menstrual age into the shrine.

On the #MeToo movement that has seen several women levelling sexual harassment charges against men including celebrities and political personalities, Mr. Rajinikanth said it was “beneficial” for women.

However, “it should not be misused and should [be] used properly,” he cautioned.

Chinmayi’s charge against Vairamuthu

On national award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu being accused of sexual harassment, the actor said the poet had denied the charges made by singer Chinmayi Sripaada.

Former Union Minister MJ Akbar, film personalities like Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Rajat Kapoor and Vairamuthu have been accused of sexual harassment by a number of women under the #MeToo movement.

To a question on the launch of his proposed party, Mr. Rajinikanth said 90 per cent of the work was over and that he would make an announcement at the right time.