Meeting between Ramdev's aide and Hafiz Saeed sparks row

July 14, 2014

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New Delhi, Jul 14: A meeting between Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and a journalist close to yoga teacher Ramdev has provoked a controversy in India.

There was uproar in the Rajya Sabha Monday over the meeting of an aide of yoga guru Ramdev with Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, disrupting the question hour.

A picture of the yoga guru's close aide Ved Pratap Vaidik with Hafiz Saeed was circulated on social media, stirring a raging controversy.

As soon as the upper house met, the uproar on the issue forced a 15-minute adjournment.

The Congress questioned if Vaidik was sent as an emissary, and why were the proper channels not followed.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said he was surprised Vaidik, who is also a senior journalist, claimed to be an emissary.

"It is most surprising Vaidik claims to be intermediary. Who sent him on the mission?" he questioned.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said: "It is not a small issue. He is not just a journalist. This person claims to be an emissary. Such meeting cannot take place without officials being informed."

"The Ministry of External Affairs will have to give a statement," he said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley clarified that Vaidik was not sent as a government representative.

"As far as government is concerned, Hafiz Saeed is a terrorist. Government of India has nothing to do with any journalist in his individual capacity meeting him," said Jaitley.

Chairman M. Hamid Ansari tried to calm down the members, saying law will take its course if Vaidik has done anything illegal. However, opposition members refused to relent and created a din over the issue.

Amid the uproar, the upper house was adjourned till noon.

Vaidik has said he met Hafiz Saeed July 2 in Lahore and had an hour long chat with him. He has said that he met the 26/11 mastermind in his capacity as a journalist.

Ved Pratap Vaidik, a freelance journalist, met Saeed in Lahore on July 2, while touring Pakistan as part of a delegation invited by a peace research institute. A photograph of that meeting has triggered a storm on social media with the Congress raising Mr Vaidik's reported proximity to the ruling BJP.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted, "Ved Pratap Vedik meets Hafiz Sayeed. Any reaction on Social Media? Did he go as an Envoy of NDA Govt or as a personal Envoy of PM?"

New Delhi accuses Hafiz Saeed of plotting a series of strikes in India including the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 166 people were killed.

The BJP condemned Mr Vaidik's meeting with Saeed and distanced itself from the journalist. "Why he met him and what was his intention, he should tell this himself," said the party's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Mr Vaidik, 69, says he met Saeed as "a journalist must meet all kinds of people." He added, "I wanted to prove him wrong and influence his thinking."

He says to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Pakistan, Saeed told him he is "welcome".

Saeed reportedly also told Mr Vaidik that he hadn't done anything wrong. "He told me former home minister of Pakistan Rehman Malik conspired against him because America wanted him," the veteran journalist said.

Ramdev, a strong supporter of the BJP and Mr Modi, is also facing questions over the meeting.

The yoga teacher has reportedly said he believed Mr Vaidik only wanted to influence Saeed.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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