BJP brazenly justifies its two ministers who defended temple rapists

coastaldigest.com web desk
April 14, 2018

Srinagar, Apr 14: Even though the two BJP ministers of Jammu and Kashmir government who had taken part in a protest to defend the temple gang rapists, submitted their resignations on Friday, the saffron party has brazenly justified them.

Forest and Environment Minister Lal Singh and Commerce and Industries Minister Chander Parkash Ganga had addressed the rally of the Hindu Ekta Manch, a group campaigning for handing over the case to the CBI, on March 4 and defended those arrested in the rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl.

“The two leaders have submitted their resignations on Friday. The final call on them will be taken at the meeting of the BJP legislators,” said BJP spokesman Ashok Kaul.

Shockingly, Kaul denied that the resignations indicated any wrongdoing. “They have not done anything wrong. They are resigning because a situation has been created around them,” he said.

The resignation of ministers assumes significance in the wake of public annoyance expressed by the BJP’s coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties in J&K, including National Conference (NC). 

Senior PDP Minister Naeem Akhtar has said “the party’s rank and file was finding it difficult to work in an atmosphere where such crass communalism is being practised by the Ministers,” while referring to the two BJP leaders.

J&K government sources said Ms. Mufti had raised the issue with the BJP top brass and demanded the removal of the Ministers or “decide to go one way or the other.” Government sources said Ms. Mufti had also spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue and sought his intervention.

In a major climbdown, senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh expressed satisfaction over the investigation of the Crime Branch in the rape and murder case.

“We had entered into the alliance by taking a bold and courageous step. We had come together to solve the Kashmir issue and relieve the State of its pain. As it’s looking now we are far from that,” Mr. Akhtar, who is also the J&K government spokesman, said.

Meanwhile, National Conference working president Omar Abdullah sought action against the Jammu Bar Association president B.S. Salthaia for threatening the lawyer of the victim family.

National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah chaired a meeting of the party’s core group in Srinagar and threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement against the State government if it failed to act against the Ministers.

The little girl from the nomadic Muslim Bakerwal community was abducted and then gang-raped inside as well as outside the temple before she was murdered. Seven persons accused in the case have been charged with crimes under Sections 302, 376, 201 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code. They include Sanji Ram’s son Vishal Jangotra, a special police officer (SPO), another SPO, Deepak Khajuria, Head Constable Tilak Raj, Sub-Inspector Anand Dutta, and Parvesh Kumar.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
December 6,2025

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New Delhi: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faced major operational turbulence this week after failing to prepare for new pilot-fatigue regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The stricter rules—designed to improve flight safety—took effect in phases through 2024, with the latest implementation on November 1. IndiGo has acknowledged that inadequate roster planning led to widespread cancellations and delays.

Below are the key DGCA rules that affected IndiGo’s operations:

1. Longer Mandatory Weekly Rest

Weekly rest for pilots has been increased from 36 hours to 48 hours.

The government says the extended break is essential to curb cumulative fatigue. This rule remains in force despite the current crisis.

2. Cap on Night Landings

Pilots can now perform only two night landings per week—a steep reduction from the earlier limit of six.

Night hours, defined as midnight to early morning, are considered the least alert period for pilots.

Given the disruptions, this rule has been temporarily relaxed for IndiGo until February 10.

3. Reduced Maximum Night Flight Duty

Flight duty that stretches into the night is now capped at 10 hours.

This measure has also been kept on hold for IndiGo until February 10 to stabilize operations.

4. Weekly Rest Cannot Be Replaced With Personal Leave

Airlines can no longer count a pilot’s personal leave as part of the mandatory 48-hour rest.

Pilots say this closes a loophole that previously reduced actual rest time.

Currently, all airlines are exempt from this rule to normalise travel.

5. Mandatory Fatigue Monitoring

Airlines must submit quarterly fatigue reports along with corrective actions to DGCA.

This system aims to create a transparent fatigue-tracking framework across the industry.

The DGCA has stressed that these rules were crafted to strengthen flight safety and align India with global fatigue-management standards. The temporary relaxations are expected to remain until February 2025, giving IndiGo time to stabilise its schedules and restore normal air travel.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Since 1946, the United States has attempted 93 coups or “regime change” operations across the world — including two in Iran, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has admitted.

Speaking to the UAE-based IMI Media Group, in remarks published by The National, Barrack said Washington tried twice to overthrow the Iranian government but failed both times. 

“For (Trump) then to be imputed with regime change — we had two regime changes in Iran already. Neither one worked. So I think wisely leave it to the region to solve,” said Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey.

His comments come six months after the US joined Israel in airstrikes against Iran during ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

On June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed at least 1,064 people and hit civilian infrastructure. Days later, the United States targeted three nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in what Iran called a clear violation of international law. Iranian retaliation eventually forced a halt to the assault on June 24.

Barrack further claimed that US President Donald Trump and Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio are “not into regime change” and prefer a regional approach driven by Middle Eastern countries themselves. According to him, regional dialogue and non-interference by outside powers offer a more durable path forward.

He added that Washington is still open to an agreement with Tehran if Iranian authorities show “seriousness” and willingness to engage constructively.

However, Iran maintains the US has not shown readiness for meaningful talks. In an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations could advance only if Washington acknowledges Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and lifts unilateral sanctions.

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