News Analysis India

Tag: Uttar Pradesh

  • He was symbol of ‘trust’: PM Modi pays tributes to ex-Uttar Pradesh CM Kalyan Singh in Lucknow

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes here to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, calling the BJP veteran a capable leader who became a “symbol of trust” for the common people.

    The prime minister said that Singh made public welfare the main aim of his life. Singh died at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow on Saturday night. He was 89.

    “The country has lost a valuable personality and a capable leader. To fulfill the void left by him, we should do maximum hard work for his ideals, his promises and leave no effort in achieving his dreams,” Modi told reporters after paying his last respects to the BJP leader.

    He said that Singh lived true to his name given to him by his parents. “He lived his entire life for public welfare. He made ‘jan kalyan’ as the mantra of his life, and dedicated his life for the BJP, Bharatiya Jana Sangh family, for an ideology and for the bright future of the country,” Modi said.

    He hailed Singh as a committed decision maker who symbolised “trust” across the country. “For the most part of his life, he made efforts for public welfare. Whatever responsibility he had got, be it as an MLA, any post in the government, or as a governor, he had been a centre of inspiration for everyone. He became a symbol of trust for the public,” Modi added.

    “I pray to Bhagvan Prabhu Shriram to give Kalyan Singh ji a space at his feet. May Prabhu Ram give strength to his family in the hour of sadness to bear the loss. May Prabhu Ram give consolation to people in the country who believe in his values, ideals, culture and traditions,” the prime minister said.

    Kalyan Singh Ji…a leader who always worked for Jan Kalyan and will always be admired across India. pic.twitter.com/nqVIwilT7r
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2021
    Modi, after reaching the residence of Singh here, paid tributes to him and placed a wreath at his body. He was accompanied by BJP chief JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, CM Yogi Adityanath, deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to the former UP chief minister.

    Speaking to reporters, Rajnath Singh said, “We used to tell him (Kalyan) that we are ‘bhootpoorv’ (former) chief minister, you are ‘abhootpoorv’ (unprecedented) chief minister, on which he used to laugh. I have seen him as an elder brother.”

    BSP chief Mayawati also paid homage to the departed leader. Singh’s body was taken to Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Bhavan from his residence in the afternoon. From there, it was taken to the office of the state BJP, party leaders said.

    On Sunday evening, the body is scheduled to be taken to Aligarh, where it will be kept in a stadium. On Monday morning, it will be taken to Atrauli — his “karmabhoomi” and “janmabhoomi”, Adityanath had said on Saturday.

    The last rites will be performed with full state honours in Narora town, around 60 kilometres from Aligarh, on Monday afternoon, he had said. Uttar Pradesh has announced three-day mourning and a holiday on Monday.

    Singh, who also served as the Rajasthan governor, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the SGPGI in a critical condition on July 4. He died due to sepsis and multi-organ failure, the hospital said. Singh was the Uttar Pradesh chief minister when the Babri mosque was demolished by a mob of “karsevaks” in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.

    Along with BJP veterans LK Advani and MM Joshi, he was among the 32 people acquitted in the demolition case in September last year. A Lodhi leader, he was instrumental in the rise of the BJP to power in Uttar Pradesh in the 1990s.

    He is survived by his wife Ramvati Devi, son Rajveer Singh, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Etah, and grandson Sandeep Singh, who is the minister of state for finance, technical education and medical education in Uttar Pradesh.

    Rajveer Singh said his father was born for “Jai Shri Ram”, a slogan that reverberated outside the veteran BJP leader’s home on Sunday as people gathered there to pay their last respects.

    Apna Dal (Sonelal) leader and Lok Sabha MP from Mirzapur Anupriya Patel said the death of Singh marks the end of an era in politics and he was like a father to her. She was at the BJP office to pay tributes to the leader.

    Speaker UP Legislative Assembly Hriday Narayan Dixit said the death of Singh is a loss to nationalist politics. “Under his leadership, nationalism reached outside UP to different parts of India. He was a big face of nationalism, and our mentor and guide,” he said.

    Dixit said Singh took the Ram Temple movement towards a “conclusion” and “prepared an army which worked to awaken nationalism”. He took strict measures against unfair practices during examinations in the state, the speaker said.

  • Stopped by police from going to Gorakhpur citing threat to life: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: Former Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, who was given premature retirement, on Saturday claimed that he was stopped by police from going to Gorakhpur, citing a threat to his life.

    Thakur was given compulsory retirement on March 23 in “public interest” as he was found “unfit” for the remaining tenure of his service. Earlier, Thakur’s family had announced that he would be contesting the next year’s state Assembly polls against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, terming it a fight for principles.

    The Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat was represented by Adityanath before becoming the chief minister of the state.

    In a video statement, Thakur said when he was about to leave for Gorakhpur in the morning with one of his friends, huge police force along with the Gomtinagar circle officer arrived there, saying he cannot go there. “When I asked them to explain the reason for this, I was told that there is a threat to my life,” he said.

    “In that case (UP CM) Yogi Adityanath should not go anywhere because it is said that he faces a threat to life from the ISI and a number of other people. But he goes along with the security arrangement. I should also be given security and not stopped in the name of a threat. I was told that I am facing the anger of women from a specific community,” Thakur said.

    He added that this shows that Yogi Adityanath is afraid of a “small person” like him. “This is laughable, shows the reality and is a murder of democracy,” Thakur said.

    On August 14, Thakur’s family had announced that he would be contesting the next year’s state Assembly polls against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In a statement issued here, Thakur’s wife Nutan said it is a fight for principles for him.

    “Shri Adityanath undertook many undemocratic, improper, suppressive and discriminatory steps during his tenure as the chief minister. Hence, Amitabh shall be contesting the elections against Shri Adityanath from any place he contests,” she alleged.

    Following a decision taken by the Union Home Ministry, Thakur was given compulsory retirement on March 23 in “public interest”. He was “not found fit to be retained for the remaining tenure of his service”, an order from the Union Home Ministry had said of Thakur, who would have completed his service in 2028.

    In 2017, Thakur had urged the Centre to change his cadre state. The officer was suspended on July 13, 2015, days after he had accused Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh of threatening him. A vigilance enquiry was also initiated against him.

    However, the Lucknow Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal stayed his suspension in April 2016 and ordered his reinstatement with full salary with effect from October 11, 2015.

  • Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launches third phase of ‘Mission Shakti’ in Uttar Pradesh

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: When a woman gets encouragement and opportunity, she does not feel shy, and once she becomes a part of a task, she gives her best, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday during the launch of the third phase of ‘Mission Shakti’ here.

    “And, this is the speciality of women,” she said at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow after the launch of the campaign. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present on the occasion.

    The Union minister said the Centre was promoting women-led development, and the Uttar Pradesh government is taking all those programmes with the same vigour. UP government’s ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign focuses on ensuring safety and dignity of women and girls.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Union finance minister said, “When I was the defence minister, a small beginning was made to admit girls in the UP Sainik School in Lucknow. This opened up the possibility of getting admission to the National Defence Academy, and subsequently becoming a directly commissioned officer in the Army, Navy, Air Force or the Coast Guard.”

    Referring to the recent reshuffling of the Union Council of Ministers, Sitharaman said, “More and more women are being inducted as ministers. There are 11 women ministers in the council of ministers.”

    Speaking about the nationwide vaccination drive, she said, “There are six vaccines available in India, and we are making it in India, while in many developed countries, there are no vaccines. The vaccine which got permission yesterday (Friday) is for children in the age group of 12 and above.”

    Addressing women self-help groups, the Union minister said, “The central government gives money for storage facilities in villages. I would request all women SHGs to utilise this opportunity and build a storage facility in villages so that things produced locally can be stored there.”

    Showering praises on Chief Minister Adityanath for his “energy” and “capacity to work”, Sitharaman said, “In five years, he would have visited each district of the state at least 10 times. I congratulate him for making women feel safe in the state, for the overall development, and for law and order.”

    “In the coming days, UP will move with such speed that the role of women will be clearly visible. Your future is bright, and the coming days are absolutely promising and bright with such a chief minister,” she added.

    The Union minister said UP is the only state where women have been made ‘bank mitra’ and they are posted in every village to render banking services. “This will take the progressive idea ahead,” she said.

    Addressing the event, Adityanath said ‘Mission Shakti’ will make the state and the country more capable. “No society, state or country can become capable by ignoring half of its population. This campaign of women empowerment is a part of making the state and the country capable. Today (Saturday) ‘Mission Shakti’ programme was held in all 75 districts of the state, in which 75 women were honoured,” he said.

    Referring to the recent panchayat elections in the state, Adityanath said women have become village pradhans and block pramukhs at many places. He also extended ‘Rakshabandhan’ greetings to all women.

  • Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly adjourned with no appointed date of resumption

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die on Thursday ahead of its scheduled conclusion on August 24. The House, whose first sitting was held on August 17, functioned only for three days.

    Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit adjourned the Assembly sine die after the House passed the supplementary budget for 2021-22. The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday had presented a supplementary budget of Rs 7,301.52 crore to meet additional expenditure.

    Replying to a debate over the supplementary budget, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the budget has been dedicated to the coronavirus warriors and the youth of the state. “Our government has decided that a fund worth Rs 3,000 crore will be formed for the youth,” he said.

    “One crore youth who are pursuing diploma, technical education, graduation and post-graduation courses will be given tablets and smartphones, and as per need, efforts will also be made to provide them with free digital access,” the CM said.

    He also told the Assembly that his government is mulling over giving an allowance to the youth for appearing for at least three competitive examinations. The youth of the state will now say with pride that they hail from UP, he claimed.

    “This did not happen during the SP rule and the youth would rather say that he is from Delhi. Earlier, there were no investment in the state, false cases were registered against the youth but today UP is a riot-free state,” Adityanath claimed.

    Hitting out at the opposition, the UP chief minister said, “We like to light a bulb in the house of a poor while you like darkness (in their houses) and have done that work.”

    “Some people like to build a memorial of their own while others love to build a memorial to eminent personalities of the country. We have done work to build memorials to eminent personalities, warriors and beautify places of historic and spiritual interest. We have beautified the Vindhyavasini Dhaam,” the CM said.

  • Sedition case against Samajwadi Party MP, two others over pro-Taliban remarks

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The Sambhal police have registered a case on charges of sedition against local Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq for equating the Taliban with India’s freedom fighters. 

    Confirming that a case was lodged against the SP MP, Sambhal Superintendent of Police, Chakresh Mishra said that he had received a complaint against the MP for drawing a parallel between Indian freedom fighters and Taliban. “Such statements qualify as sedition. So an FIR has been registered against the MP under Sections 124A (sedition), 153A, 295 IPC. Two other persons – Faizan Chaudhary and Mohammad Mukeem — had made similar statements in a Face Book video, they have also been booked,” added the Sambhal SP.

    The complaint against the MP and others two was given by a local BJP leader Rajesh Singhal, said the police sources.

    Meanwhile, reacting to the case lodged against him, Barq denied making any such statement. “My statement has been misinterpreted. I am a citizen of India and not of Afghanistan. So I have no business with what is happening there. I support my government policies,’ said the Samajwadi Party MP.

    However, earlier defending the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Barq had endorsed their action and had equated it with Indian struggle for freedom. He had said that like India fought for her freedom from British, Taliban also wanted to free their country and run it. Calling it an internal matter of Afghanistan, the SP MP had claimed that Taliban was a force which did not allow even strong countries like Russia and America to settle their feet in Afghanistan.

    Barq’s observation had drawn sharp reaction from UP CM Yogi Adityanath. He took the opportunity in the state legislative council to slam the opposition MP over the issue. “He was shamelessly supporting the Taliban. It means supporting their barbaric act.”

    “We are a parliamentary democracy. Where are we heading? We are supporting people who are a blot on humanity,” the CM added.

    Earlier, on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya compared Barq’s comments with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks after Kabul fell to the Taliban. “Anything can happen in the Samajwadi Party. There are people who cannot sing the Jana Gana Mana, someone might support the Taliban, others could level allegations on police after terrorists are caught. This is appeasement,” Maurya said outside the state Assembly.

  • Demand to rename Aligarh as Harigarh, Mainpuri as Mayan Nagar, Firozabad as Chandra Nagar

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The renaming spree has no end in UP. Now the newly-elected Zila panchayats are proposing to change the nameS of their respective districts — Aligarh, Mainpuri, and Firozabad.

    Passing a resolution to this effect, Aligarh Zila Panchayat sought to rename Aligarh as Harigarh at a panchayat meeting on Monday. The Zila Panchayat members claimed that it was a long pending demand of the people of Aligarh. The proposal was passed in the first meeting of the panchayat without any opposition with 50 out of 72 members in attendance.

    “It was a long pending demand to rename Aligarh as Harigarh. The Zila panchayat approved the proposal unopposed. It would now be forwarded to the state government for approval,” stated Vijay Singh, Zila panchayat chairman for Aligarh.

    A proposal was also passed to name the airport of Aligarh after BJP leader Kalyan Singh, informed the Zila panchayat chairman. Kalyan Singh, former UP CM and ex-Governor of Rajasthan hailed from the ‘city of locks.’ Aligarh division comprises Hathras, Etah, and Kasganj districts.

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    Similarly, the Zila panchayat of Mainpuri passed the resolution seeking to rename Mainpuri as Mayan Nagar. According to Zila panchayat members, Mayan Nagar is proposed to be named after sage Mayan who founded the present-day Mainpuri.

    “One of the Zila panchayat members had moved the proposal for renaming Mainpuri as Mayan Nagar and the proposal was passed with 23 members supporting the motion and two opposing it,” said Archana Bhadoria, Zila panchayat chairperson of Mainpuri.

    It was the first meeting of Mainpuri Zila panchayat after its constitution. Located near Isan river, Mainpuri is believed to be a bastion of Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has represented it five times in Lok Sabha.

    Earlier this month, the Firozabad district panchayat had also passed a resolution demanding that Firozabad be renamed as Chandra Nagar. Locals believed that King Chandrasen lived in Firozabad and because of this it was earlier known as Chandravar Nagar till about 1560 AD.

    As per the locals, the city of bangles and glass was renamed Firozabad from Chandravar Nagar when Firoz Shah, an emissary of emperor Akbar, visited the area and the place was renamed after him.

    The Firozabad Zila Panchayat members claimed that to rename Firozabad back as Chandra Nagar was being raised time and again.

  • Newborn kept on warmer charred to death in UP hospital, family accuses ‘negligent’ staff of being busy with phones

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: A newborn was burnt alive while he was kept on the warmer at the Sick New Born Care Unit (SNCU) of Kaushambi district hospital on Sunday. The family has accused the hospital of medical negligence and murder.

    As per the sources, the staff was reportedly busy on their cellphones and noticed the baby when smoke started emanating from the warmer. The chest, back and abdomen of the infant were left charred on the heating pad of the warmer. 

    By the time the staff alerted the doctors including the Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Deepak Seth, who rushed to the SNCU ward, the child had died, said the sources.

    As per the sources close to the family, the staff of NSCU ward did not pay attention after keeping the child on warmer and got busy on their mobile phones.

    After the death of the newborn, the agitated family created a ruckus in the hospital. Cops from Manjhanpur police station were called in to placate the family. The family has submitted a complaint against the CMS of the district hospital.

    Inspector Manjhanpur police station Manish Pandey confirmed that Junaid, the father of the infant, had given a complaint against the hospital staff and the legal proceedings were initiated.

    Junaid Ahmad, a native of Harishchandrapur in Fatehpur district got his pregnant wife Mahelika admitted to district hospital of Kushambi on Friday evening. Mahelika gave birth to a baby boy on Saturday evening at 6:15 pm.After examining the baby, the doctors shifted him to SNCU ward saying that the baby was not fully healthy. The family was not allowed to see the baby the whole night. On Sunday morning, the newborn’s maternal grandmother Shabana visited the SNCU. She noticed that the infant had turned blue and smoke was emanating from his body.

    When the family questioned the doctors, they apologised and went away and could not be seen again, said Junaid.

    As per the family sources, after birth, the baby was not taking milk so was shifted to SNCU.

    As per Junaid’s elder brother Javed, when he tried to visit the child early Sunday morning, he saw the staff busy on mobile phone and that no one was responding to them.

    CMS Dr Deepak Seth said that a probe would be conducted into the unfortunate incident and strictest action would be taken against the guilty.

  • Police arrest UP man from Chennai held for spreading misinformation on Covid on social media

    By Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday arrested a man hailing from Jaunpur in the state from Chennai on the charges of spreading misinformation on Covid through videos on social media.

    He was produced in Jaunpur court by the district police on Monday and was given in two days’ judicial custody. The police lodged the FIR against the person taking cognizance of the viral videos.

    A UP police team had gone to Chennai to arrest the person booked on charges of releasing videos with alleged unscientific information to create panic among people during the second wave of Covid.

    The accused, Manmohan Mishra, originally belonged to Jaunpur and had shifted to Chennai about 35 years ago.

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    Jaunpur SP Ajay Sahani on Monday said:  “Accused  Manmohan Mishra, 60, was arrested in Chennai n Saturday. After securing a transit remand, he was brought here and produced at a court. This man had made videos viral on social media with unscientific information and comments on the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing the possibility of creating panic among people.”

    “Taking note of Mishra’s video clips on social media, the Kotwali cops had lodged an FIR against him under sections 505 (statements relating to public mischief) of IPC, IT Act, and Epidemic Act. After lodging a case about a week ago, police found his location in Chennai after which a police team was sent there to arrest him.”

    Making false claims on Covid-19, Mishra had also made objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, said Jaunpur police. During the police investigation, it came to light that Mishra of Jaunpur, who had moved to Chennai about 35 years ago and was currently living at Madhavaram in Chennai suburbs with his family, said the police sources.

    Mishra worked as an agent to arrange PAN, Aadhaar, and other government Mishra documents for people, especially from north India in Chennai to earn a livelihood.

  • People protesting farm laws attack BJP MLA Umesh Malik in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar

    By PTI

    MUZAFFARNAGAR: People protesting the Centre’s farm laws allegedly attacked BJP’s Budhana MLA Umesh Malik, pelting his car with stones and smearing it with black ink at Sisauli village here on Saturday.

    A video of the incident has surfaced on social media.

    In another purported video, the MLA is seen telling that the attackers had affiliation to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU).

    Incidentally, Sisauli is the village of BKU leader Rakesh Tikait and the headquarter of the farmers’ body.

    Police said the incident took place when the MLA reached the village for a programme.

    Police rescued the MLA, they said.

    After the incident, BJP supporters gathered at the local police station, demanding action against the culprits.

    Union minister Sanjeev Balyan also reached the police station after the incident.

    Farmers have been protesting against the Centre’s farm laws for the past over eight months.

    A large number of them are protesting at Delhi borders, demanding the repeal of the laws, which have been dubbed as pro-farmer by the Union government.

  • UP bans processions on Muharram in view of COVID pandemic, security concerns

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has asked district authorities to not allow any religious processions to be taken out on the occasion of Muharram in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and security concerns.

    ‘Tazias’ will not be installed publicly.

    However, they can be set up at homes, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said in directions issued to district magistrates, senior superintendents of police, and other senior officials.

    “Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, no permission should be granted to take out any processions/’Tazias’,” the order said.

    It also directed officials to talk to religious leaders to ensure strict compliance of the order.

    Adequate police force will be deployed in sensitive areas and containment zones, it added.

    The order also asked officials to remain vigilant about anti-social elements who may try to disturb communal amity and the possibility of terrorists targeting common citizens.

    “Special attention should be paid to anti-social elements and those spreading rumours. Checking should be conducted at public places like railway stations, bus stations and religious places.

    “Social media should be routinely monitored and appropriate action should be taken in case an objectionable post is found. The post must be blocked. Special alertness must be maintained as the possibility of increased sensitivity due to Muharram occurring in the month of Shravan cannot be ruled out,” it said.