Breaking News Updates: Republic confronts Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar over rape comment

Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister RL Jalappa died at a hospital in Kolar. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai paid last respects to RL Jalappa. 

"There is a lack of access to education. We need to invest in that sector more, you will see a drastic drop in child marriages in the coming years", Abhishek Sudhir, Advocate & Political Analyst on marriage age for women.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Goa Police Pink Force. "If anyone dials 112 or 110, this force will reach the area within 5 mins. Pink Force will also patrol beach areas & provide medical aid in case a woman complains of abuse or accident", DGP ID Shukla informed. 

"Women are still commodities for these politicians, they look down on them. Every Party is responsible, they could have sacked them", Sreejith Panickar, Political Analyst.

"The speaker should have thrown Ramesh Kumar out of the house and punished him, instead they all enjoyed the comment. This is the mindset", Ranjana Kumari- Director, Centre for Social Research

Eight more people have tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Maharashtra on Friday, taking total cases in the state to 40, which is the highest in the country. Of the total cases, 25 individuals have been discharged following a negative RT-PCR test, the state health department said.

"As per the report given by National Institute of Virology today, eight more patients were found to be infected with Omicron in the state," said Maharashtra Health Department. Of the eight cases, six patients are from Pune, one from Mumbai and one from Kalyan and Dombivali.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the emergency use of Serum Institute of India’s (SII) COVID-19 vaccine Covovax.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with leading private equity/venture capital firms. According to PMO, the discussion revolved around seeking suggestions to further ease of doing business in India, attracting more capital & taking forward the reform process. 

"Preliminary data suggest that vaccines may likely have reduced effectiveness against infections by Omicron variant. It will take a few more weeks before there is enough evidence to fully assess vaccines' performance against Omicron", Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO South-East Asia, informed.

Delhi government informed that all schools to resume physical classes for class 6 onwards from December 18. Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) allowed phased re-opening schools, colleges, and educational institutions in NCR. "Physical classes for students up to V standard can begin from 27th December", the Commission said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned Ramesh Kumar's 'rape' comment and said, "It is inexplicable how anyone can ever utter such words, they are indefensible".

22 Patiala corporators and Patiala Congress leaders today joined the Punjab Lok Congress at a party event today. The event was presided over by Biba Jai Inder Kaur, daughter of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

"Modi govt has decided to increase the age of marriage for women to 21. This is typical paternalism that we have come to expect from the govt. 18 year old men & women can sign contracts, start businesses, choose Prime Ministers & elect MPs & MLAs but not marry?. This comes after India's Union Cabinet approved a proposal to raise the legal of marriage for women from 18 to 21. 

"After 7 rounds of talks, today I confirm that BJP & Punjab Lok Congress are going to fight the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections together. Topics like seat share will be discussed later", Union Minister & Punjab BJP in-charge Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

"Our alliance criteria for Punjab elections 2022 is winnability", Captain Amarinder Singh.

Punjab Lok Congress leader and former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh met Union minister and BJP Punjab in-charge Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. 

"Lots of people go around championing women's empowerment. Why can't those who do so from his party take a stand?" Lalitha Kumaramangalam, former NCW Chairperson on Karnataka Congress MLA KR Ramesh Kumar's 'rape' remark.

BJP leader Kushboo Sundar slammed Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar's heinous 'enjoy rape' comment made in the Karnataka assembly. She further demanded Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's apology over the party member's statement.  

"New daily cases were recorded below 10,000 for the past 20 days. The case positivity for the last 1 week was 0.65%. Currently, Kerala contributes 40.31% to the total number of active cases in the country" Lav Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, informed. 

"India is administering COVID19 vaccine doses at the highest rate in the world and the daily rate of doses administered is 4.8 times the rate of doses administered in the USA and 12.5 times the rate of doses administered in the UK", Health Ministry added.

"These are the people who are there to make better laws for the people but they were laughing at that insensitive remark. I wonder how they will be working for the betterment of people", NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma told ANI.

"On one side they are making laws, strengthing laws, and on another side, they are promoting rape. The party should not give tickets to such persons & public also shouldn't vote for such people", she added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly hold annual Defence Dialogue in Delhi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Nishad Party on the Ramabai Ambedkar ground in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow.  He said, "SP, BSP, Congress ruled the country and Uttar Pradesh for many years, but neither cooking gas nor toilets reached the houses of the poor".

Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain informed that French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. 

"In a world of growing instability, France sees India as major power & partner to build a multipolar order, defend the rule of law and tackle global challenges", French envoy Lenain said. 

Resident doctors of LNJP Hospital protest in Delhi due to delay in NEET-PG counselling. "They always give verbal assurance of expediting counselling; it's been delayed 3-4 times already. We repeatedly demand the counselling schedule", Gen Secy-Resident Doctors Assn, Dr Prateek Goyal, told ANI.

Following tendering an apology over his controversial remarks on rape, Congress MP Kumar snubbed reporters who questioned him over the episode. In the video, he is seen pushing the media persons and seemingly oblivious to the speculations over him. 

Addressing the inauguration of the All India Mayors' Conference, CM Adityanath said, "People in Kashi are proud that the most visionary and popular leader of the world represents the constituency in Parliament. In the last 7 years, Kashi has established new parameters of development. While preserving its ancient culture, it's present before the world in a new form". The Conference is being held in Varanasi by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Urban Development. This event will be held from December 17 to 19, to highlight the significant achievements of the Central government and the State government of Uttar Pradesh in the field of urban development.

Via video conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Puri were also present at the event.

Notably, PM Modi surpassed several world leaders and celebrities to retain the 8th position of YouGov’s World's Most Admired Men for the year 2021. According to the international survey, Narendra Modi is the 8th most admired man in the world, ranked above world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Joe Biden, China's business tycoon Jack Ma, Pope Francis, and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan among several others.

Former US President Barack Obama has retained the top position on the chart as the world’s most admired man in 2021 for the second year in a row. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Lucknow ahead of his rally. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed HM Shah to the city.

Republic confronts Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar over his outrageous remark on rapes in Karnataka Assembly, refuses to explain the statement.

Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization speaks exclusively to Republic, welcomes Centre's move to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years.

Taking to Twitter on Friday, Congress communications in-charge and general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala revealed that his party disapproved of this distasteful comment. Equally pinning the blame on Karnataka Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Surjewala condemned their "highly objectionable" remarks and urged them to desist from such "unacceptable" behaviour. 

Speaking exclusively to Republic TV, senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi opined, "I strongly condemn this statement. Particularly when any politician- MLA, MP speaks like this, it is very shameful. Because he was speaking in the Assembly, you can't take him to the court of law. I am sure that the party will take action against him."

Justifying the silence of the senior Congress leaders, he added, "It is not necessary in any organization that the president of the party or senior leaders will comment on every issue. It is not important at all that Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi should condemn it".

Addressing the 94th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Home Minister said, "Ho sakta hai faisle galat ho, lekin niyat galat nahi thi" (there could have been wrong decisions but our intent was never wrong)

Congress MLAs refused to attend a meeting of UPA legislators invited by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday at the CM's residence. The Congress, which is a member of the ruling coalition led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, is dissatisfied with the administration on a number of topics, reported news agency ANI. The Rashtriya Janata Dal is the coalition's third member.

Meanwhile, MLAs from Congress attended a separate meeting at the residence of state minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Alamgir Alam. Pradeep Yadav, deputy leader of the CLP in the Assembly, told ANI, "CLP called a meeting of Congress legislators yesterday, but only a few members attended. A meeting was conducted once again, and this time it lasted quite a while. I'm not allowed to say anything else at this time."

Read more about Congress' disappointment with the Soren government. 

Slamming the Centre for increasing the minimum legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years, Muslim cleric Sufiyan Nizami demanded the reason and objective for the move. In a video message, Nizami said that if this is done to prevent child marriage, then Muslims have never followed such a tradition.

"In other communities, there have been several complaints of child marriage but Muslims don't follow it. What is the reason behind the increased marriage age? We will not welcome this action until proper reason is known. We should accept and execute the existing laws," added Sufiyan Nizami. 

In a significant step towards gender equality, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday tabled a Bill to push the legal marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years, like that of men. 

In response to the horrific 'enjoy rape' remark by Karnataka Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra defended his wife's 'Lad Sakti Hu' slogan for Uttar Pradesh.

Slamming senior Congress leader Ramesh Kumar over his insensitive rape remark in the Karnataka assembly, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal demanded his arrest and further said that his VIP security should be snatched away. Anguished on the statement made by Kumar on Thursday, Maliwal in a video can be seen shaming the Congress leader for saying that it should be enjoyed when someone is being raped. 

Read full story here

Ahead of the 2022 General Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 17 held a meeting with nearly 40 Uttar Pradesh MPs over breakfast at his 7 LKM residence in New Delhi. Sources have confirmed that the session was a non-political one wherein PM Modi declared that he would 'not discuss politics today'. In the meeting with the MPs, the Prime Minister discussed the sports and interests of MPs and the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrating 75 years of India's Independence. 

Read full story here

Minister for the Armed Forces of France, Florence Parly on Friday, December 16 stated that France is "fully committed to the Make-in-India initiative" and will do further integration of Indian manufacturers into France's global supply chains, according to ANI. "Make-in-India has been a reality for the French industry for several years particularly for defence equipment such as submarines," French minister said. She will hold a dialogue with the Indian government about a range of issues relating to maritime security.

Read full story here

When questioned about a scheme during a news briefing on Friday, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Navjot Singh Sidhu was caught using filthy language. 

BJP's Gaurav Bhatia on Friday hit out at Karnataka Congress MLA's outrageous remark on rape. Speaking to Republic TV, Bhatia said "Every Indian’s head would hang in shame because of this statement.”

“It happened inside the assembly, which is the temple of democracy and that makes it even more shameful. It reflects the sick mindset of the Congress MLA that he can make such a derogatory remark without even realising what his responsibility towards society is. Such people have no place in the democratic structure, be it the parliament or assembly, such MLAs should be sacked and they shouldn’t be allowed to demean and derogate the values that matter to the democracy,” Bhatia added.

“Sonia Gandhiji is a woman. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is campaigning everywhere claiming women power, but have they taken any action against this MLA? That is the question,” asked Bhatia addressing the issue. Furthermore, he cleared that everyone including the speaker who laughed off the remark was at fault. He said that nobody should laugh and trivialize an issue such as rape.

Delhi based NGO files complaint against Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar over 'rape' remark.

The complaint further stated, "This offensive, outrageous, and disgusting alleged remark by the MLA reflects his pessimistic outlook towards women. It is ignominy for a progressive and empowered society like ours that such kind of statement has been used in Assembly by MLA's in a very insensitive manner.

It is therefore requested to you to give direction to take strict legal action against KR Ramesh, Congress MLA and further disqualify him as member of Karnataka Assembly for his insensitive and offensive remark against women which is against our constitution as his comment hampers the right to live with dignity of women," it concluded

"The GDP of July-September stood at 8.4%. I am very sure that India will emerge as the fastest-growing economy in the world in 2021-22 and I won't be surprised if we cross double-digit growth."

"People had started losing faith in democracy when Modi Govt took over the reins. The country was wondering if our multi-party democratic system was failing. Biggest achievement of our Govt is that PM Modi strengthened public faith in our multi-party democratic system."

"Even critics would agree that the country has seen a lot of changes in the last 7 years. No allegation of corruption has surfaced against our govt. There could have been some wrong decisions but no one can say that our intention was wrong."

'Saudi Arabia's ‘King Abdulaziz Sash’ award in 2016

Only two years after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister of India, he was honoured with the highest honour of Saudi Arabia to non-muslim dignitaries- King Abdulaziz Sash Award. The award is named on the name of the founder of the modern Saudi state "Abdulaziz Al Saud". 

'Amir Abdulla Khan' Award of Afghanistan in 2016

Later, in June he was respected with the Amir Amanullah Khan Award of Afghanistan. The award is named after the Afghan national hero, Amanullah Khan (Ghazi), who is the proponent of Afghanistan’s freedom. 

'Grand Collar of the State' of Palestine in 2018

This is the highest recognition of Palestine awarded to foreign dignitaries. The Grand Collar of the State of Palestine is the highest order given to foreign dignitaries, kings, heads of state or government and persons of similar rank by the State of Palestine. 

‘Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle’ of Russia in 2019

On April 12, 2019m Russia had awarded its highest state honour 'Order of St Andrew the Apostle' to PM Narendra Modi for promoting bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership.

'Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen' by Maldives in 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Maldives' highest honour "Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen" in June 2019 for strengthening relations between two nations. He was conferred with the award by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during a ceremony.

Order of Zayed, UAE in 2019

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 24, 2019, conferred the Order of Zayed, its highest civilian award on Indian PM Narendra Modi in recognition of his "pivotal role" in strengthening ties between the two nations. The award was announced on April 4, 2019. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan tweeted saying, "In appreciation of PM Modi's efforts, the UAE President grants him the Zayed Medal.”

'King Hamad Order of the Renaissance' of Bahrain in 2019

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on August 25, 2019, honoured PM Modi with the Bahrain Order-First Class, also known as ‘King Hamad Order of the Renaissance’, for strengthening bilateral relations of India with the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Prime Minister received the honour during his official visit to the Kingdom. 

'Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo' by Bhutan in 2021

PM Modi was accorded the highest civilian decoration of Bhutan with the country's highest civilian award - Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo. Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering took to social media to announce the big news.

Assuring absolute support to the Make-In-India initiative, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said that France is 'ready to answer any additional needs or requests that could be made by India."

And we are fully committed to the  Make-In-India initiative as well as to do further integration of Indian manufacturers into our global supply chains," she said at an event amid her visit to India. 

During a press conference in Chandigarh, Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu answers a question on the distribution of Labour Cards by the State Government; uses a cuss word while speaking.

"Shameful behaviour, shameful action. The party must deal with them & take very strict action so that it's an example for others not to even think of such things, forget talking about it in the House."

"If you have people with such a mindset sitting in Assembly or Parliament, how can things change? We have to create an example by giving them the strictest punishment so that nobody ever dares speak like this. This is disgusting, I'm shocked."

Suspended MPs and other Members of the Parliament protest outside on the Parliament premises, against privatisation and merger plans of Public Sector Banks.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Left MPs were protesting in solidarity with the national strike of bank employees.

Union Minister Smriti Irani remarked, "Sir, as I stand today to answer through you the honourable member's query, I am blocked by certain gentlemen who have placards in their hands. If they truly believe in servicing the needs of poor women and children in our country, my request to them is to ensure that I speak for the women and the children of this country to hear how dedicated Members of Parliament wish to discuss issues pertaining to them.

And those gentlemen who belong specially to a particular party, one of their representatives yesterday said and made remarks about women which need to be condemned by every public representative in Karnataka." 

"If you truly believe in the cause of women, first stand here and denounce that legislator who says that if you are raped as a woman in this country, you should enjoy it. Those men who stand in this Well today- go back to your political organization and first bring justice to such a man. And then we will see who speaks for women and children in this country," she added.

Meanwhile, former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa affirmed that he will demand action on the floor. 

"Never expected such a statement, shameful attitude, condemn statement must apolitical in the house," he said. 

While hearing the plea challenging the Enquiry Commission constituted by the West Bengal government, the SC bench headed by CJI NV Ramana stayed the proceedings and issued notice to 'all parties' basis the enquiry. 

The Society for Securing Justice, NGO through its vice president Vineet Jindal, a lawyer, on Friday filed a complaint with Thaver Chand Gahelot, Governor of Karnataka against Congress MLA Ramesh for allegedly making disgraceful and derogatory remarks against women.

The Congress MLA had stoked controversy in the Assembly on Thursday by saying "when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it."

The complaint further states that, "this offensive, outrageous, and disgusting alleged remark by the MLA reflects his pessimistic outlook towards women. It is ignominy for a progressive and empowered society like ours that such kind of statement has been used in Assembly by MLA's in a very insensitive manner."
 

"The MLA of Karnataka laughed and said that when rape is happening, then enjoy the lateness! A person with such lousy and rapist thinking has no right to sit in the Legislative Assembly. I appeal to the Karnataka government to arrest this man by registering an FIR, sack him from the Legislative Assembly & snatch his VIP security!" Swati Maliwal stated. 

"Mere apology is not enough. This man thinks like a rapist and should be behind bars. He has no business of being in the Vidhan Sabha. I hope Karnataka Government will take strict action!" she added. 

"The House shall apologise to entire womanhood, every mother, sister & daughter of this nation for such an obnoxious & shameless behaviour" she tweeted. 

Delhi has logged an additional 10 cases of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 as of Friday. The latest addition has pushed the national territories' count to 20.

At the All India Mayors' conference, PM Modi emphasises inclusive civic transport facilities and ingraining inclusion and accessibility with regards to infrastructure. 

"Tourists from all over the world come to the Ganga Ghat of Kashi. We need to take a sensitive approach towards the rivers in our cities," PM Modi added. 

In a shocking incident, snatchers in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh dragged a woman on the road for almost 200 meters in an attempt to steal her mobile phone. The snatchers who came on a motorcycle, dragged the woman as she held on to them after their attempt. The incident that took place on Thursday was caught on a CCTV camera.

The CCTV footage from a shop in the area shows two men on a bike crossing over to the wrong side of the road, while a woman held on to the person in the back. The video shows the female victim being dragged on the road for almost 200 metres. The woman, who tried to retrieve her phone from the snatchers by holding onto one of them, was dragged by the bikers until she fell off their grip. According to Delhi Police, a case has been filed under robbery and an investigation is underway.

Appointed as the Wing Commander, who was accorded the Shaurya Chakra in 2021, Group Captain Varun Singh had averted a mid-air crash of Tejas Aircraft in 2020. He succumbed to grave burn injuries in Command Hospital in Bengaluru after being treated briefly at Wellington following the horrific IAF helicopter crash in Coonoor on December 8 that took 14 lives, including CDS Rawat. 

Slamming the Congress party over the recent insensitive remark made by senior party MLA K R Ramesh Kumar in the Karnataka assembly, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the party is a 'bunch of people involved in every kind of anti-national activity' further calling it a "Naya Congress". 

Taking to Twitter, Chandrashekhar shared the video of Ramesh Kumar while passing the statement and said that the Congress MLA thinks it is ok to make jokes about rape. 

"This party is officially a bunch of people that are either hugging terrorist Pakistan generals, joking about rape, denigrating real heroes, or are going in and out of jail for scams", he tweeted. 

Further taking a jibe at Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, he said that Priyanka Gandhi is waxing eloquent about "misogyny". "Don't use phrase only in the context of your family, understand and use it in context of all women, especially those who have to suffer Congress MLAs like them joking about rape", he added. 

A formal complaint against Congress MLA's statement over rape crime has been lodged by an advocate based out of Karnataka. 

"It is therefore requested to you to give direction to take strict legal action against KR Ramesh, Congress MLA and further disqualify him as member of Karnataka Assembly for his insensitive and offensive remark against women which is against our constitution as his comment hampers the right to live with dignity of women," the complaint read. 

Centre filed an affidavit before the Delhi High Court that the right to privacy also includes the "right to be forgotten". This came on a plea filed by two businessmen who sought a direction for the removal of online news articles, case details and judgment regarding a criminal case. While they were booked and arrested in an alleged conspiracy and forgery case for using forged documents for illegal clearance of cargo planes, they were discharged by the court in the case in December 2016. They contended that the online material is hampering their career growth. 

The Union government, via the affidavit, affirmed, "The Government of India understanding the need to protect its citizens and their privacy has brought out the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019. This Bill contains provisions related to the doctrine of 'right to be forgotten". Referring to the verdicts delivered by the Orrisa High Court and Karnataka High Court, it mentioned that the courts have also accepted that the right to be forgotten is an essential component of the right to privacy.

Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi hits out at Congress MLA's outrageous remark trivialising and mocking rape. "Due to these leaders, girls are getting threats and crimes are increasing."

Taking to Facebook, the Prime Minister of Bhutan's office shared, "Overjoyed to hear His Majesty pronounce Your Excellency Modiji’s Narendra Modi name for the highest civilian decoration, Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo. PMO India

HM highlighted all the unconditional friendship and support Modiji extended over the years and particularly during the pandemic. Much deserving! Congratulations from the people of Bhutan. In all interactions, seen Your Excellency as a great, spiritual human being. Looking forward to celebrating the honour in person."

Terrorist groups targeting India continued to operate from Pakistan and Islamabad did not take action against other known terrorists, including JeM founder and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar and the 2008 Mumbai attack project manager Sajid Mir, who are free in that country, according to the latest report on terrorism by the US State Department.

Groups targeting Afghanistan  including the Afghan Taliban and affiliated Haqqani network (HQN), as well as groups targeting India, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliated front organisations, and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)  continued to operate from Pakistani territory, according to the report.

Earlier, PM Modi had held a meeting with the MPs of northeastern and southern states.

"No person has died due to lack of oxygen during the second wave of COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh," State Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh told Legislative Council in response to a question by Congress MLC Deepak Singh. 

In a setback for Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra Teni, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday said that his behaviour had pained everyone. Reacting to the controversial incident where the MoS was seen losing his temper and hurling abuses at a journalist, Soren said that it unpleasant to watch. 

Speaking to the media after the first day of the winter session of Jharkhand’s Assembly, Soren said, “The minister should be asked what is his morality. Even the Prime Minister should be asked in such a situation who should take the decision. Ministers are saying that the matter is ‘sub judice’, then they should also clarify if the suspension of the union minister for such behaviour should also be decided by a court or the government. His behaviour is well-known.”

Furthermore, Soren said that the ultimate decision would be of the BJP. “We all are pained by the behaviour of the minister. But ultimately a decision on his continuing in the chair would have to be taken by the BJP,” said Soren.

Farmers restart cultivation on the land between India's border fencing and zero line of the Int'l border after 20 yrs We had to stop cultivation under the terror of Pakistan firing. Govt encouraged us to cultivate fields under BSF security: Rajinder Mathur, a Jammu and Kashmir local said to ANI. 

"We arrested a gang of five men that were allegedly involved in impersonating candidates and appearing in their places for different govt recruitment examinations. Mobile phones & 70 admit cards recovered," Ranvijay Singh, ADCP, Noida told ANI. 

"Each candidate was charged around Rs 6 to 7 lakh by the gang with a promise that they would clear the exams on behalf of them. The mastermind of the gang is still on the run," he added. 

"...There's a saying- When rape is inevitable, lie down & enjoy," ex Karnataka Assembly Speaker & Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar said to Speaker Kageri, in response to MLAs request for extending question hour, he said that he couldn't extend the duration & legislators should 'enjoy the situation'.

Watch the video: 

Ratlam Police on Thursday lodged an FIR against a person for allegedly making objectionable remarks over the death of late CDS Gen Rawat under IPC sections 153 (B) (imputations prejudicial to national integration) & 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace).

"I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone for the indifferent and negligent comment I made in today’s assembly about “Rape!” My intention was not to trivialise or make light of the heinous crime, but an off the cuff remark! I will choose my words carefully henceforth!"

"A video surfaced on social media in which 3 boys accused of molestation by a woman were tied to a tree and beaten up by the villagers for hours. Two separate cases of molestation and assault registered by the woman and the boys respectively: Akhilesh Bhadauria, SP City, Moradabad"

Punjab government-appointed Sidharth Chattopadhyaya as director-general of police replacing IPS Iqbal Preet Sahota.

Outrage over Congress MLA KR Ramesh Kumar's shocking remark on rape grows, NCW Chief Rekha Sharma says "it is extremely sad that we still have public representatives with horrible mindset towards women."

"It's really disgusting. If they sit in assemblies and speak like this how they must be behaving with women in their lives?" she added. 

Kolkata civic polls: BJP to approach division bench of Calcutta HC seeking deployment of Central forces.

Continuing the war of words ahead of Punjab Polls, Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu called Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal a 'big fraud'. Speaking from the Raikot constituency of Ludhiana on Thursday, Sidhu also targeted the opposition and added it does not have any agenda. Attacking Arvind Kejriwal, Navjot Sidhu also added that he only knows how to make false promises but doesn't know how to implement them. 

Sidhu's attack on Arvind Kejriwal:

“Kejriwal is a liar, a fraud. He is promising an airport to people but we have already started work on Halwara airport in Ludhiana. In the last election in 2017, AAP was singing ‘Kejriwal Kejriwal saara Punjab tere naal..' they created hype as if they will win more than a hundred seats and then the jhaadu (broom) scattered with merely 20 seats.” added Navjot Sidhu. 

At least fourteen Republican members of Congress have written to the newly appointed Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal congratulating him on becoming new head of the social media giant and urging him not to allow Twitter to turn to a conduit for the Chinese “malign propaganda,” US Foreign Affairs Committee stated in a press release on Dec. 16. Twitter, they asserted, is an unparalleled platform to share ideas, spread information, and give everyone a voice. But sometimes, it can also mislead and amplify the adversaries’ propaganda. 

It then alleged that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been using Twitter—a platform that is blocked in the People’s Republic of China, for pushing anti-democracy agenda, and for suppression of human rights and freedom of speech. 

In a joint letter to the social media giant, the members of the Congress wrote: “Today, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using Twitter - a platform that is blocked in China - to spread its disinformation on the peaceful pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, the origins of COVID, the ongoing genocide in Xinjiang, and disappearance of athletes, around the world.” 

Kerala Police have reportedly begun an extensive investigation in the murder case of RSS worker Sanjith in Palakkad. The probe team on Thursday raided 5 SDPl/Popular Front offices in the Palakkad district. The police raided SDPl-Popular Front offices in Nenmara, Cherpulassery, Shornur, Puthunagaram and Athikkode region.

Sanjith, RSS Thenari constituency Pramukh was slain by a group of men of which three have been arrested. The accused have active links with SDPI offices in the region where the raids were held. The police team took into custody various books and pamphlets kept in the offices. So far, the police have arrested only three accused in the Sajith murder case. Abdul Salam, a resident of Nenmara, Jafar, a resident of Kozhinjampara, who was directly involved in the murder, and Nisar, a resident of Ottapalam, who helped the accused to escape, was arrested. Five people are yet to be found, including three who were directly involved in the crime. 

In a major revelation of Pakistan's intention and its dual policy on terrorism, a new US report said Islamabad has failed to take adequate steps to counter-terrorism and prosecute terrorists. According to the analysis report published by the US Department of State, several UN- and US-designated terrorist groups that focus on attacks outside the country continued to operate from Pakistani soil. The report highlighted Islamabad proffered safe heaven for major terror outfits including, the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The US analysis report noted that the Pakistan government and military did not act consistently to dismantle certain terrorist groups. The government also failed to prosecute terrorists including, masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) founder Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) Sajid Mir.

US Department of State has outlined the report and findings on terrorism in 2020 here. 

Former Karnataka Assembly Speaker and senior Congress leader KR Ramesh Kumar passed a sexist comment in the Assembly on Wednesday, saying that "when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it." The distasteful comment by the Congress leader came when MLAs began to demand time from Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri to discuss farmers' issues in the Assembly. 

In response to the demand, Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri asked how he could run the Session if time was allotted to everyone. Telling members to decide on their own, he looked at former speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and said, "I feel that let's enjoy the situation, I can't keep this under control and take it forward in a systematic way."

Replying to the Speaker, the Congress leader stood up and said, "There is a saying, when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it."

In a written reply to a question in the Upper House, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the government assigns high priority to smooth travel abroad of Indian nationals and noted that quarantine stipulations, as well as entry conditions of other nations, have emerged as obstacles in that regard.

"Recognising the necessity of facilitating travel especially of workers, professionals, students, business people, tourists and those with families abroad has been a focal point of our diplomacy in recent months," he said.

A significant aspect of that pertains to vaccination status and recognition, he added.

As of December 13, 2021, a total of 113 countries accept India’s vaccination certificate, the minister said.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath remarked, "The biggest superstition of this century is socialism and it has many imposter brands. This includes dynastic socialism, mafia socialism, socialism that fuels unrest, socialism that fuels riots and socialism that fuels terrorism. The people of the state have also begun to understand from these imposter brands that socialism is a red alert."

He added, "We have said from the beginning- this country neither needs communism nor socialism. This country only wants Ram Rajya. Ram Rajya implies the one which is everlasting, universal and eternal. We have implemented what we had promised. Our work shows whether we are against the poor or for their interests. Why didn't 45 lakh houses for the poor were not constructed during the Samajwadi Party tenure?"

Months ahead of the Assembly election, PM Modi will meet nearly 40 MPs from Uttar Pradesh over breakfast at his official residence in the national capital on Friday. This comes after his key visit to Varanasi where he inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Dham and chaired a conclave of Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states. Sources mentioned that this shall be his 4th such meeting during the ongoing Winter session of Parliament having already met parliamentarians from all north-eastern states, southern states and Madhya Pradesh.

Sources indicated that these meetings have been informal where the PM urged party MPs to increase their engagement with people beyond political activities and shun VIP culture. He is likely to meet the remaining BJP parliamentarians from the state in another meeting. In the last few weeks, PM Modi has regularly visited the state for inaugurating or laying the foundation stone for multiple projects and highlighted the achievements of the Centre as well as the Yogi Adityanath-led government. 

The tri-services inquiry set up by the Defence Ministry to probe the reasons behind the chopper crash, wherein Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and 13 others lost their lives, is expected to complete its proceedings within the next two weeks, sources informed Republic on Thursday. As part of the said inquiry headed by Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, statements of witnesses, which include the on-ground people near the crash site in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district, are being recorded.

The tri-services inquiry is taking into consideration all aspects, including possible human error. The black box, comprising the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the ill-fated Mi-17V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force, which was recovered from the crash site, is also being checked. 

To mark the 10th death anniversary of Kim Jong-II, North Korea has barred citizens from showing any signs of happiness for the coming 11 days. Beginning from December 17, citizens have been ordered not to engage in alcohol consumption, laughing or workout to commemorate the late leader's death. Particularly on Friday, North Koreans have also been directed not to venture for grocery shopping, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported.

Speaking to the US-run outlet under conditions of anonymity, a resident from North Korea northeastern border city of Sinuiju told RFA that during the national mourning period citizens "must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities." Additionally, North Korean authorities have also tasked a special squad of police officers to ensure citizens comply with the somber rules sufficiently. The stringent rules come as North Korea will observe 10 days of national mourning for the passing away of Kim Jong-II.

Revealing the current situation of Pakistan, former chairman of Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue Shabbar Zaidi on Wednesday acknowledged that the country is bankrupt and asked the countrymen to accept the reality. While addressing a seminar at Hamdard University in Karachi, Zaidi highlighted the current situation of Pakistan and said, "It is better to recognise the reality than living in an illusion." 

Zaidi, who made the country and the whole world familiar with the current situation, was chairman of the apex tax authority from 10th May 2019 to 6th January 2020. During his speech, Zaidi said that he had not yet fully understood the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and demanded transparency in the most touted project.