Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Govt withdrew DNA Bill to avoid elaborate safeguards recommended by Standing Committee, says Congress

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Congress in Tuesday took a swipe at the BJP government for withdrawing the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 saying that it did not want the elaborate safeguards recommended by the Standing Committee.

“Yesterday the Modi government quietly withdrew the The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019. The Bill had been examined in detail by the S&T Standing Committee which had suggested a number of important amendments to ensure that the provisions in the Bill were not misused or abused. A few members had submitted notes of dissent as well. The Committee’s report was submitted on Feb 3, 2021, ” party general secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

Now, the Modi government says most of the provisions of the Bill have already been made part of the Criminal Procedure(Identification) Act, 2022 and hence the DNA Bill is not required, he added.

“Actually, the real reason is that the Modi government did not want the elaborate safeguards recommended by the Standing Committee and decided to just ignore it after having pressed for early submission of its report. The fears of the critics of the government’s DNA Bill now stand fully justified, ” the veteran leader stated.

His remarks came after Science minister Jitendra Singh withdrew the DNA
Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, on Monday.

Introduced in July 2019 in Lok Sabha, the bill was was referred to a Parliamentary panel on science and technology, environment, Forests and climate change for examination.

Monsoon Session: Congress condemns suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Congress on Monday condemned the suspension of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanajay Singh from rest of Parliament’s monsoon session.

Congress said that it is not for the first time that someone was walked to the well and urged the government to restore Singh’s suspension.

“Sanjay Singh got up to speak. It is not the first time that someone has walked up to the Well (of the House) to protest. Many representatives go in the well to protest. There is freedom of speech in a democracy. If someone comes to Parliament to speak then he or she should get a chance, ” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said while addressing media persons.

He said that the intention of the government is to stifle the voices in one or the other.

“We want discussion as per rule but they are not ready. They must restore Singh’s suspension so that the Manipur issue, which is a major issue, can be discussed. Manipur is not a small issue, ” the Congress President said.

He said that Manipur has witnessed mob-raping and mob-harassment.

“There is need for discussion on Manipur issue. The Prime Minister should say what action government is going to take. Why is he (Modi) not taking any action is beyond one’s understanding, ” he said.

Sanjay Singh was suspended for rest of the monsoon session of Parliament for ‘unruly’ behaviour while raising the issue of Manipur violence.

Central government’s duty to protect states from internal & external threats: Raghav Chadha

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : AAP Leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha attacked the BJP-led central government for its failure to uphold Article 355 and 356 of the Indian constitution. He emphasised that the entire nation demands Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the situation in Manipur and explain why the state is facing unrest. The MP also submitted a Suspension of Business Notice under rule 267 to discuss failures of state & central govt in Manipur.

“According to Article 355 of the constitution, it is the responsibility of the central government to ensure peace in states and protect them from both external aggression and internal disturbances” Raghav Chadha said, highlighting that Manipur is clearly experiencing internal disturbance, and it is the duty of the centre to safeguard the state. “However, the Modi-led BJP government has failed to fulfil this obligation” he added.

Raghav Chadha also reminded the BJP government of Article 356, which states that if the governor reports a breakdown of law and order and constitutional machinery in a state, the centre and President must take action and impose President’s rule in the state. He pointed out that the Manipur governor has been repeatedly raising concerns about the dire situation in the state through various media outlets. Thousands of people have become homeless, and hundreds have lost their lives. Despite this, the central government has not taken any decisive action.

He accused the BJP of prioritising its political interests over the welfare of the people and the state. He questioned whether the centre would have acted differently if the government in Manipur were non-BJP. He expressed shock and concern that President’s rule has not been imposed despite the ongoing catastrophe in Manipur, suggesting that the BJP’s desire to retain power in the state is overshadowing the suffering of the people.

He further stated that he and other opposition leaders have submitted a notice under Rule 267 for the suspension of business in the house to discuss the Manipur issue. They intend to stage a protest to draw the attention of the BJP-led government to the plight of the people of Manipur and urge them to take appropriate action.

Yasin Malik’s appearance in Supreme Court raises concerns

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Yasin Malik, the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail for a terror funding case, appeared in person before the Supreme Court. The court was taken aback as there was no prior order requesting his physical presence.

The Central government also expressed concern over Malik’s appearance in the Supreme Court, questioning the absence of any such order from the top court mandating his presence.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the court that there was no official order directing Yasin Malik to appear before the Supreme Court for the hearing related to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea against a Jammu court order. Moreover, Mehta stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a directive not to bring Yasin Malik out from jail.

Due to the unexpected nature of the situation and the serious security implications it posed, the bench of justices, Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta, recused themselves from hearing the matter. They acknowledged that there was no prior order for Malik’s physical appearance and pointed out that virtual modes of appearance were available.

The court scheduled the matter to be heard by another bench in which Justice Datta would not be a member, listing the case after four weeks.

The Jammu Court had sought Malik’s physical appearance for cross-examination of witnesses in relation to the killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel and the abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, back in 1989. However, during the last hearing, the Supreme Court had stayed the Jammu court’s order, preventing Malik’s physical presence until further notice.

Another batch of 4,675 pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath Yatra

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Jammu: Another batch of 4, 675 pilgrims left Jammu on Friday for Kashmir to perform the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.

Officials said that the Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in an escorted convoy.

“Of these, 1825 are going to Baltal base camp while 2850 are going to the Pahalgam base camp.

“Among today’s Yatris there are 3400 male, 1189 female, 16 children, 55 Sadhus, 12 Sadhvis and three transgenders, ” officials said.

Since it started this year, over 1.95 lakh pilgrims have performed the Amarnath Yatra so far.

Thirty pilgrims have died this year so far, 29 of them because of natural causes while one was killed by a shooting stone.

Yatris approach the Himalayan cave shrine either from the traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route which involves an uphill trek of 43 kilometres from the Pahalgam base camp or from the north Kashmir Baltal base camp which involves 13 Kms uphill trek.

Those using the traditional Pahalgam route take 3-4 days to reach the cave shrine while those using the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after having ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine situated 3888 metres above the sea-level.


Helicopter services are also available for Yatris on both routes.

The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that devotees believe symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

The ice stalagmite structure wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon.

This year’s 62-day long Amarnath Yatra started on July 1 and will end on August 31 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.

To protect the pilgrims from high altitude sickness, authorities have banned all junk food at the free community kitchens called the ‘Langars’ that have been set up along both the routes of the Yatra.

The banned items include all bottled drinks, halwai items, fried foods and tobacco based products.

PM, Rahul, Priyanka greet Kharge as he turns 81

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra extended greetings to grand-old party chief Mallikarjun Kharge as he turned 81 on Friday.

Modi in a tweet said, “Best wishes to Mallikarjun Kharge Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life.”

Even Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to extend his wishes saying that the veteran leader’s hard work and commitment is an inspiration to all. “A very happy birthday to Congress President, Kharge ji. Your hard work and commitment is an inspiration to all of us. Wishing you much love and good health, ” the former Lok Sabha MP said.

Priyanka Gandhi in a tweet said, “Wishing Congress President, Kharge Ji a very very happy birthday, good health and happiness. Your wisdom and experience is a source of strength for all Congressmen and women across the country.”

Even Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also wished the Congress president on his birthday and said, “Birthday greetings to the President of Indian National Congress Party Shri Kharge Ji. May you be blessed with good health and long life.”

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav too greeted Kharge.

In a tweet in Hindi, Yadav said, “Congratulations and best wishes to the National President of Congress Party Mallikarjun Kharge ji on the occasion of his birthday. May God bless you with good health and a happy life.”

Kharge, 81, thanked all the leaders for their wishes on his Twitter handle.

Yamuna water level crosses danger mark in Delhi again

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres yet again on Friday, further delaying rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected low-lying areas.

The Central Water Commission’s (CWC) data showed the water level reached 205.34 metres at 6 pm on Friday and may rise further to 205.45 metres by 11 pm.

There have been marginal fluctuations in the water level over the last two-three days amid rain in the upper catchment areas, primarily in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Punjab CM condemns beastly act of sexual assault on two women in Manipur

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday expressed deep shock and anguish over the beastly act of sexual assault on two women in Manipur and pleaded for exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

In a statement issued on Jyly 20, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that the hapless women became victims of this heinous crime against humanity. Bhagwant Mann said that this barbaric incident is a huge blot on the conscience of the nation adding that this incident needs to be condemned by one and all. He said that this is a dastardly and inhuman act due to which every countrymen is feeling ashamed today.

Batting for exemplary punishment for the culprits, the Chief Minister said that such offenders do not deserve leniency and they should be dealt with as per the law of land by meting out the severest of the severe punishment to them so that it could act as a deterrent for others too. Bhagwant Mann said that the centre and state government should ensure that the accused are brought to book at the earliest so that the justice can be dispensed to the victim’s family, friends and their well wishers. Reiterating his stand to ensure modesty and dignity of women, he said that no stone should be left unturned for this noble cause.

The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister of the country should immediately intervene into the matter and ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits. He said that the situation in Manipur is going out of control and the Prime Minister should also focus on it. Bhagwant Mann unequivocally said that such insane and inhumane acts have no place in any civilized society and the entire country should unanimously condemn it in one voice.

NIA busts Kerala ISIS module plotting to commit terrorist attacks

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has busted a Kerala-based ISIS module with the arrest of a person named Ashif alias Mathilakath Kodayil Ashraf from his hideout near Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu.

“We have averted possible terror attacks on places of worship by busting an ISIS module based out of Kerala, ” the NIA said.

Based on credible inputs and investigation, the NIA conducted a joint operation with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Kerala Police, and searched several locations.

The raids were conducted at three locations in Thrissur and one location in Palakkad that led to the busting of the IS module, which had been conducting reconnaissance missions and conspiring to commit terrorist attacks.

On Tuesday, the NIA arrested Ashif from Sathyamangalam. The next day, searches were conducted in the houses of Ashif, as well as three others, identified as Seyid Nabeel Ahammed, Shiyas T.S., both from Thrissur, and Rayees from Palakkad. Digital devices and incriminating documents were seized during these raids.

“The module was engaged in raising funds for promoting IS activities and carrying out terror attacks by committing dacoities and other criminal activities. They had already conducted a recce of a few prominent places, including places of worship, in the state. They intended to spread terror and trigger communal divide in Kerala, ” said an NIA official.

The NIA had registered the case on July 11 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

NCPCR, NCW take cognizance of horrific incident in Rajasthan: Smriti Irani

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Union Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD) Smriti Irani on Thursday said the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and National Commission for Women (NCW) have taken cognizance of the ghastly incident in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district where in four of a family were killed and bodies later burnt.

“Both NCPCR and NCW have taken cognisance of the horrific incident in Rajasthan, ” the Minister said in response to a tweet referring to the brutal incident.

Four of a same family, including a six-month-old baby were killed and their bodies burnt in Churai village under the district in the early hours on Wednesday.

The BJP slammed the Congress-led government in Rajasthan. “The law and order situation has deteriorated in Rajasthan since the Congress government came to power under the leadership of Ashok Gehlot. We can provide a list to what extent the law and order situation has deteriorated, ” said Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here on Wednesday.

Meghwal, who represents the Bikaner parliamentary constituency, said, “If I analyse as a Law Minister, the reason behind this is Ashok Gehlot himself.

“Today, an incident happened in Jodhpur district. Four of the family members were burnt to death. A woman was gang-raped three days back, ” added the Minister as he questioned the state government on law and order situation. Meghwal also accused Gehlot of doing ‘votebank’ politics.

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