Centre’s claim is baseless; we haven’t sought ban on PFI: Kerala CM

Agencies
February 15, 2018

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 15: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today termed as factually wrong the statement of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju that the state had sought a ban on the Popular Front of India, a Muslim organisation.

Vijayan was reacting to Rijiju's reported statement that Kerala had pressed for a ban on the PFI at the annual DGP conference held at Madhya Pradesh last month and Centre was considering it.

A statement from the Chief Minister's office, quoting Vijayan, said the state has not asked for a ban on PFI at the meet or on any other occasion.

It was not the government's policy to seek ban on communal organisations or extremist outfits, Vijayan said.

RSS would be the first outfit to be declared as outlawed if an organisation has to be banned on the basis of triggering communal divide and riots, he said.

"It is not possible to face these organisations through banning them," he said, adding, past experience has proven it.

"It is the same attitude in the case of PFI also," the chief minister said.

"The ideology of communal and extremist outfits and their threat will not cease to exist just by banning," he said.

Extremism has to be faced through stringent legal proceedings and mobilising people against it, Vijayan said.

He said the state government had initiated strong steps against communal and extremist forces, result of which was evident on the law and order front.

A total of 104 cases were registered against 'NDF-PFI' workers for triggering religious tension between 2005 and 2011, he said.

Only 14 cases were registered during 2013 and 2017, Vijayan said.

Facts prove that Kerala is at the forefront in safeguarding securalism, Vijayan said and pointed out that the National Crime Record Bureau documents collaborated this.

Meanwhile, the state police clarified that there was a presentation on the topic 'Radicalization-PFI' at the DGP meet but there was neither a suggestion nor any recommendation to impose ban on the PFI.

The presentation was prepared by a DGPs of a few states and presented by the Kerala DGP,a statement issued by the Police Information Centre said.

"Kerala police has not proposed nor written for imposing such a ban on PFI till date," the statement added.

Also Read: Kerala’s Pinarayi govt demands immediate ban on PFI; Modi govt yet to decide

Comments

Wellwisher
 - 
Friday, 16 Feb 2018

Central Govt means 100% bunch of liers and the whole bjp leaders are the rss  sainik. They want to change our nation as brahman rastra. So these two tung comments always we the patriot Indian'  always expect. Why they not ban  other criminal groups like rss;bajeans dal;rama sena;vhp;karni sena and other rss affliated criminal outfit. Ban all criminal out fits.For our nations unity and development all criminal groups need to vanish I/o looking at one PFI. 

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News Network
December 3,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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