Hillary Clinton launches new political action group

Washington, May 16 (PTI) Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has launched a new political action organisation to fight against US President Donald Trump's agenda and raise funds for five prominent progressive groups.

"I believe more fiercely than ever that citizen engagement at every level is central to a strong and vibrant democracy," Clinton said announcing the launch of her group 'Onward Together'.

"More than ever, I believe citizen engagement is vital to our democracy. I'm so inspired by everyone stepping up to organise and lead," the former Secretary of State, said to her supporters as she urged them to contribute to the "remarkable" spirit of political activism.

The announcement comes as Clinton, 69, works to find a new role in an evolving political landscape.

The new group's website said it aimed to advance progressive values and reminded visitors that Clinton had won nearly 66 million votes in November's showdown with Trump.

"Onward Together will work to build a brighter future for generations to come by supporting groups that encourage people to organise and run for office," wrote the former Secretary of State.

Clinton becomes the latest high-profile Democrat to launch an independent group. Former President Barack Obama, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and 2004 Democratic nominee Howard Dean all helped create political organisations.

As of now, the new political action organisation would support five progressive groups: Swing Left, which targets vulnerable House Republican incumbents; Emerge America, which will train Democratic women to run for office; Colour of Change, which fights for criminal justice reform and racial justice; Indivisible, a group that's mobilising a "resistance" against Trump; and Run for Something, which helps potential candidates find tools to guide their bids.

"This year hasn't been what I envisioned, but I know what I'm still fighting for: a kinder, big-hearted, inclusive America. Onward!," Clinton said in one of the series of tweets she wrote yesterday.

Day of reckoning has come: FM on raids on Chidambaram, Lalu

New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today defended searches at the homes of his predecessor P Chidambaram and his son as also RJD chief Lalu Prasad, saying the day of reckoning has come for many and they will be held accountable for their misdeeds.

Jaitley said the tax department or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) do not act unless there is a "substantial basis and a reason to suspect" that there is a tax evasion or a crime has been committed.

"Now people in high positions acquiring assets through shell companies is not a small matter and I think the day of reckoning has come for many, they will all be held accountable," the finance minister told reporters here.

He was asked about the opposition charge against the government of using CBI and I-T department to go after opposition leaders.

"Unless there is a substantial basis and a reason to suspect that either there is evasion or a crime has been committed, these departments don't act. Because ultimately whatever action that is taken has to bear some results," he said.

The CBI today searched the homes of Chidambaram and his son Karti in a probe into alleged criminal misconduct in giving approval in 2007 for the sale of stakes in INX Media Pvt Ltd to offshore entities.

Separately, the income tax department conducted raids and surveys on at least 22 locations in Delhi and adjoining areas on charges of alleged benami deals worth Rs 1,000 crore linked to RJD chief Lalu Prasad and others.

Will bring new law, if triple talaq struck down: Centre to SC

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) A new law to regulate marriage and divorce among the Muslim community would be brought, if all forms of divorce including triple talaq are struck down, the government today told the Supreme Court.

The Centre, which also sought that the issues of polygamy and 'nikah halala' should not be excluded from the ongoing deliberations, got an assurance from the apex court that these aspects were open and would be dealt with later.

The government termed all the three forms of divorce among the Muslim community - talaq-e-biddat, talaq hasan and talaq ahsan, as "unilateral" and "extra-judicial".

The apex court bench said the government has to first pass the test of "essentiality" and prove that 'triple talaq' is not an essential part of Islam, as this will amount to "tinkering" with religion.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said "we are not only the guardian of the Constitution but also the guardian of minority rights" and will have to see if triple talaq formed a fundamental part of religion and pass the test of "essentiality" under Article 25.

The bench, also comprising Justices Kurian Joseph, R F Nariman, U U Lalit and Abdul Nazeer, asked if the court struck down all forms of talaq, then what options would a Muslim man be left with to come out of a marriage.

"The government will not leave the people high and dry once the instant form of divorce (triple talaq) or all forms of talaq are struck down. We will come out with a law to regulate the marriage and divorce among Muslim community," the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Centre, said.

He said the issues of Muslim marriage and divorce were separated from religion in Shariat Act of 1937 itself and have been codified as personal law under Section 2 of the Act.

The apex court has to test them on the touch-stone of the fundamental rights of gender equality, justice, dignity, gender discrimination and human rights under constitutional provisions, including Articles 14, 15, 21 and 51A.

"All personal laws must be in confirmity with the Constitution. Rights of marriage, divorce, property and succession has to be treated in the same class and has to be in conformity with the Constitution," Rohatgi said.

The Attorney General also said what kind of religious practices are essential to a particular religion or faith was difficult to define for the court. But once such practices of marriage and divorce are separated from religion, there cannot be any immunity under Article 25 (freedom to practice any religion).

He said if the practice of talaq was out of Article 25, then it has to be constitutionally moral, which means it has to be secular and non-discriminatory.

"One half of a community in the country has to suffer inequality from their male counterpart. What may be permissible for society may not be constitutionally moral," he said.

To this, the bench observed if the government wanted social welfare and reforms, why can't it bring laws to correct the wrong.

"Yes, we can bring law. There is no law for past 60 years. It has not been done. But the court should first strike down these practices which are not in confirmity with the Constitution," he said.

Rohatgi said when half the population of a particular community is not empowered, no equal opportunity is given, they are devoid of gender equality, then it does not pass the test of constitutional morality.

He said even if triple talaq is considered as an essential part of religion and falls under Article 25, the practice still has to be constitutionally moral.

"Even if talaq is considered under Article 25, it has to be related to the fundamental rights and should abide by the principles of gender equality, non-discrimination and justice," the AG said.

Text of PM's address at Closing Ceremony of 'Namami Narmade - Narmada Sewa Yatra' in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing at the concluding ceremony of the Narmada Sewa Yatra & launching of Narmada Sewa Mission, in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh on May 15, 2017.

विशाल संख्‍या में पधारे हुए मेरे प्‍यारे भाइयो और बहनों, 

हमारे शास्‍त्रों में एक मान्‍यता बनी हुई है कि अगर हम यात्रा कर नहीं सकते हैं, लेकिन किसी यात्री को अगर प्रणाम कर लें तो यात्रा का पुण्‍य प्राप्‍त होता है। तो मैं भी आप सभी यात्रियों को प्रणाम करके, जो पुण्‍य आपने कमाया है; वो आपसे कुछ हिस्‍सा मांग रहा हूं। लेकिन वो हिस्‍सा मैं मेरे लिए नहीं मांग रहा हूँ, आपकी ये यात्रा से कमाया हुआ पुण्‍य मां भारती के काम आए, सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासियों के काम आए, इस देश के गरीब से गरीबी की जिंदगी के बदलाव लाने में काम आए। 

और मुझे विश्‍वास है नर्मदा यात्रा ही है वो यात्रा जिसको नर्मदा परिक्रमा से जोड़ा गया है। और मैं इस शास्‍त्र से भली-भांति परिचित हूं, मैंने उस दुनिया को जीने का कभी प्रयास किया था, और उसमें मुझे पता है कि जब नर्मदा परिक्रमा करते हैं, तब अहंकार कैसे चूर-चूर हो जाता है; अहंकार कैसे मिट्टी में मिल जाता है। और परिक्रमा करने वाले व्‍यक्ति को मां नर्मदा जमीन पर लाकर खड़ा कर देती है। सारे बंधनों से मुक्‍त करा देती है। सारे पद-उपाधियों से अभिभूषित हो, उससे भी परिक्रमा के दौरान मुक्ति मिल जाती है। मां नर्मदा और नर्मदा के सेवक के बीच कोई द्ववैत नहीं बचता है, एक अद्वैत की अनुभूति होती है। आपने भी आज जब मां नर्मदा की इस महान सेवा करने का संकल्‍प किया है। 

जब वक्‍त बदलता है, तो कहां से कहां पहुंचा देता है। और जब अतिकार भाव प्रबल हो जाता है, कर्तव्‍य भाव क्षीण हो जाता है, तब ये समस्याएं पैदा होती हैं; जो आज हमें नर्मदा सेवा के लिए निकलना पड़ा। यही तो मां नर्मदा हैं जिसने हजारों साल से हमें बचाया है, हमें जीवन दिया है, हमारे पूर्वजों की रक्षा की है, लेकिन हमने अपना अधिकार मान लिया, हम कर्तव्‍य से विमुख हो गए, और मां नर्मदा से जितना लूट सकते थे लूटते रहे। अपने स्‍वार्थवश अपनी आवश्‍यकता के अनुसार मां नर्मदा की तो परवाह नहीं की, हमने अपनी परवाह जरूरी की। मन में वो अधिकार भाव था कि मैं मां नर्मदा पर तो मेरा अधिकार है, मैं उसको जैसे चाहूं वैसे उसका उपभोग कर सकता हूं, और उसी का परिणाम हुआ कि जिस मां नर्मदा ने हमें बचाया था, आज हमें उस मां नर्मदा को बचाने के लिए पसीना बहाने की नौबत आई है। अगर कर्तव्‍य भाव से हम विमुख न हुए होते, मां के प्रति हमारे कर्तव्‍यों को हमने निभाया होता तो मां नर्मदा, उसको बचाने की नौबत मनुष्‍य के जिम्‍मे नहीं आती। और इसलिए समय से रहते मध्‍य प्रदेश के मुख्‍यमंत्री, मध्‍य प्रदेश की जनता, वो सजग हो गई। 

हिन्‍दुस्‍तान में कई नदियां हैं, नक्‍शे पर निशान है, पानी का नामो‍-निशान नहीं। कई नदियां इतिहास के गर्त में खत्‍म हो चुकी हैं। हमारे देश में केरल में एक नदी है, शायद एक ही नदी है जिसका नाम भारत पर है; भारत पूजा। उस केरल की नदी बचेगी कि नहीं बचेगी, ये चिंता का विषय है। ऐसा तो नहीं था कि पानी के उपयोग के कारण नदी खत्‍म हुई है। नदी की रक्षा के लिए जिन तत्‍वों के साथ उस रक्षा का दायित्‍व होता है, वो अगर हम नहीं निभाएंगे तो मानव जाति को कितना बड़ा नुकसान होगा। 

हम भली-भांति जानते हैं कि मां नर्मदा बर्फीली पहाड़ियों से नहीं आती, बर्फ के चट्टानों से पिघल कर नहीं आती है। मां नर्मदा एक-एक पौधे के प्रसाद से प्रकट होती है और जो हम लोगों को जी हमारे जीवन को पुलकित करती है। और इसलिए मध्‍य प्रदेश सरकार ने मां नर्मदा के उज्‍ज्‍वल भविष्‍य के लिए, मां नर्मदा की गारंटी के लिए, सबसे प्रमुख काम हाथ में लिया है, वो है पेड़ लगाने का; वृक्षारोपण। हम जब पेड़ लगाएंगे तब हमें भी अंदाज नहीं होगा कि हम आने वाली पीढ़ियों की कितनी बड़ी सेवा कर रहे हैं। हमारे पूर्वजों ने जो तप किया, साधना की, सेवा की, उसी का परिणाम है कि‍ आज हम नर्मदा मैया का लाभ रहे रहे हैं। आज हम जो पुरुषार्थ करेंगे, आने वाली अनेक पीढ़ियां हमें याद करेंगी कि कोई एक वक्‍त था, जब मां नर्मदा को बचाने के लिए पेड़-पौधों की मदद ले करके फिर एक बार मां नर्मदा को पुनर्जीवन दिया गया था। 

करीब-करीब डेढ़ सौ दिन यात्रा ये असंभव कार्य है, लेकिन हमारे देश का दुर्भाग्‍य है कि जहां कहीं सरकार जुड़ जाए, जहां कहीं राजनेता जुड़ जाएं, तो सके महात्‍मय को खंडित करने का ही प्रयास होता है। वरना ये ऐसी घटना है, और मैं मध्‍य प्रदेश की जनता को नर्मदा यात्रा से जुड़े हुए, इस सेवा यात्रा से जुड़े हुए, लक्षावधि लोगों को, नर्मदा तट पर बसे हुए हर नागरिक को हृदय से बधाई देता हूं। ये ऐसी घटना है कि दुनिया के किसी देश में नदी की रक्षा के लिए डेढ़ सौ दिन तक इतनी तपस्‍या की गई होती, तो पूरे विश्‍व में उस की चर्चा हुई होती, पूरे विश्‍व में उसका जयकारा बोला गया होता, दुनिया के बड़े-बड़े टीवी चैनल इस घटना को अंकित करने के लिए दौड़ पड़ते। लेकिन ये हमारे देश का दुर्भाग्‍य है कि हम हमारी अपनी इन प्रयासों का वैश्विक सामर्थ्‍य क्‍या है, न उसको जान पाते हैं न समझ पाते हैं, और मौके गंवा देते हैं। 

आज कहीं एक Solar park लग जाए तो भी दुनिया में चर्चा होती है कि उस देश के उस इलाके में Solar park लगा है मानवता की रक्षा के लिए। ये नदी बचाने का इतना बड़ा काम हुआ है, पर्यावरण की रक्षा का इतना बड़ा काम हुआ है, 25 लाख से ज्‍यादा लोगों ने संकल्‍प लिए हैं, कोटि-कोटि जन उससे जुड़े हैं, शरीर को कष्‍ट दिया है, कठिनाइयों से गुजारे हैं दिन, स्‍वयं परिश्रम करके; पैदल चलके, मां पृथ्‍वी की रक्षा के लिए, नदी की रक्षा के लिए, पर्यावरण की रक्षा के लिए, मानवता की रक्षा के लिए, इतना बड़ा अहम कदम उठाया है। और इसका नेतृत्‍व करने के लिए मैं शिवराज जी को, उनकी पूरी टीम को, और मध्‍य प्रदेश की जनता को बधाई देता हूं। 

मेरा जन्‍म गुजरात में हुआ। नर्मदा की एक-एक बूंद पानी का मूल्‍य क्‍या है, वो गुजरात के लोग भली-भांति जानते हैं। और आज आपने जब नर्मदा के भविष्‍य के लिए इतना बड़ा अभियान उठाया है, तो मैं गुजरात के गांव की, किसानों की तरफ से, वहां के नागरिकों की तरफ से; राजस्‍थान के गाव की तरफ से, किसानों की तरफ से, वहां के नागरिकों की तरफ से; महाराष्‍ट्र के गांव की तरफ से, महाराष्‍ट्र के किसानों की तरफ से, महाराष्‍ट्र के नागरिकों की तरफ से, मध्‍य प्रदेश की जनता का, मध्‍य प्रदेश की सरकार का, मध्‍य प्रदेश के मुख्‍यमंत्री का अनेक-अनेक अभिनंदन करता हूं, उनका धन्‍यवाद करता हूं। 

इन दिनों देश में स्‍वच्‍छता अभियान, उसको अब एक ढांचागत व्‍यवस्‍था मिली है। लगातार Third party के द्वारा, हिन्‍दुस्‍तान में Evaluation हो रहा है। कौन सा राज्‍य में स्‍वच्‍छता का क्‍या चल रहा है, कौन सा शहर स्‍वच्‍छ है। जन-भागीदारी, लोकतंत्र की सबसे बड़ी ताकत होती है। और अगर हम जन-सामर्थ्‍य, जन-शक्ति, जन-भागीदारी, इसकी उपेक्षा करेंगे तो सरकारें कुछ भी करने में समर्थ नहीं होती हैं। कितने ही अच्‍छे विचार क्‍यों न हों, कितना ही अच्‍छा नेतृत्‍व क्‍यों न हो, कितनी ही अच्‍छी व्‍यवस्‍था क्‍यों न हो, लेकिन जन-समर्थन के बिना कभी भी कोई चीज सफल नहीं होती है। और जन-समर्थन से कैसे सफल होती है, इसका उत्‍तम उदाहरण मध्‍य प्रदेश ने प्रस्‍तुत किया है। 

पिछली बार जब सर्वेक्षण हुआ तब स्‍वच्‍छता की दिशा में मध्‍य प्रदेश का नाम बदनामी की सीमा में आ गया था, लेकिन मध्‍य प्रदेश ने मन में ठान ली, ये कलंक मिटाने का संकल्‍प किया, जन-जागरण किया, जन-भागीदारी बढ़ाई, जन-जन को जोड़ा, और आज मैं मध्‍य प्रदेश को बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं। देश में जो hundred city सफाई के लिए आकलन किया गया, उन hundred में, 100 में 22 मध्‍य प्रदेश के हैं। ये बहुत बड़ी सिद्धि है। हिन्‍दुस्‍तान के और राज्‍यों को भी प्रेरणा देने वाला काम, स्‍वच्‍छता की दिशा में मध्‍य प्रदेश ने जन-भागीदारी से करके दिखाया। इंदौर और भोपाल हिन्‍दुस्‍तान के Top पर पहले और दूसरे नंबर पर आये। 

100 में से 22 शहर स्‍वच्‍छता के अंदर अग्रिम पंक्ति में आ जायें, इसका मतलब ये हुआ कि पूरे राज्‍य में प्रशासन ने, शासन ने, जनता-जनार्दन ने इसे अपना काम माना। और उसी का परिणाम हुआ है ये नर्मदा योजना सेवा यात्रा की सफलता। ये सफलता भी सरकार की ताकत के भरोसे नहीं हुआ है, ये जनता-जनार्दन की ताकत के भरोसे हुआ है। और जनता की ताकत जब जुड़ती है तो कितने बड़े परिणाम आते हैं; शिवराज जी ने 6 करोड़ का लक्ष्‍य रखा है, 2 जुलाई को पेड़ लगाने का। और उन्‍होंने ये 6 करोड़ पेड़ की व्‍यवस्‍था के लिए भी पिछले डेढ़ साल से लगातार काम कर रहे हैं; ये जो ये अचानक नहीं हो रही है। उसके लिए नर्सरी के अंदर सारी व्‍यवस्‍थाएं करी, की जाती हैं तब जा करके होती है। लेकिन हम जैसे परिवार में एक संतान की देखभाल करते हैं, वैसे ही इन नए हम बोने वाले पेड़-पौधों की माहवजत करेंगे, चिंता करेंगे, तब जा करके वो वटवृक्ष तैयार होगा। 

हमारे यहां शास्‍त्रों में कहा जाता है जो एक साल का सोचता है वो आनाज बोता है, लेकिन जो आगे का, भविष्य का सोचता है, वो फलदार वृक्ष बोता है। ये फलदार वृक्ष बोने का काम, ये आने वाले दिनों में अनेक परिवारों को एक आर्थिक गारंटी का भी कारण बनने वाला है। मुझे विश्‍वास है कि मध्‍यप्रदेश सरकार ने जो बीड़ा उठाया है और जो उन्‍होंने कार्य योजना बनाई है उस कार्य योजना की किताब मुझे उन्‍होंने पहले पहुंचाई थी, मैंने उसका अध्‍ययन किया; हर किसी के लिए उसमें काम है, हर जगह के लिए काम है; कब करना, कैसे करना, उसका विधि-विधान है; कौन किस काम को देखेगा इसका पूरा प्रारूप है; एक प्रकार से perfect document हैं future vision का। मैं देश के अन्‍य राज्‍यों से भी आग्रह करूंगा और शिवराज जी से भी आग्रह करूंगा कि हिन्‍दुस्‍तान के सभी राज्‍यों को एक किताब भेजें और प्राकृतिक संसाधनों की रक्षा का तरीका क्‍या होता है; मध्‍य प्रदेश को एक नमूना के रूप में, एक उदाहरण के तौर पर, उसे ले करके सब अपनी-अपनी योजना बनाएं। 

जल ही जीवन है, ये तो हम कहते हैं; नदी माता, ये हम कहते हैं; लेकिन हमारी पूरी अर्थव्‍यवस्‍था उसी पर आधारित है। उसके बिना अर्थव्‍यवस्‍था खोखली हो जाती है। अगर आज मध्‍य प्रदेश में कृषि विकास 20 प्रतिशत पहुंचा तो उसमें सबसे बड़ा योगदान माता नर्मदा का है। ये ताकत है, किसान की जिंदगी बदलने की ताकत, ये माता नर्मदा में है। 

2022 तक हिन्‍दुस्‍तान के किसान की आय दोगुना करने का संकल्‍प ले करके पूरे देश में काम चल रहा है, मध्‍य प्रदेश ने उसकी पूरी योजना तैयार कर दी है। और उसका लाभ किसानों के सहयोग से हिंदुस्तान के हर गांव को मिलेगा, ये मेरा विश्‍वास है। 

भाइयो, बहनों! 2022, आजादी के 75 साल हो रहे हैं। क्‍या हिन्‍दुस्‍तान के सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासी हर पल 2022 का स्‍मरण नहीं कर सकते हैं? हर पल आजादी के 75 साल की याद नहीं कर सकते हैं? जिन महापुरुषों ने देश के लिए बलिदान दिया, जीवन लगा दिया, जवानी जेलों में खपा दी, कुछ फांसी के तख्‍ते पर चढ़ गए, जिन्‍होंने अपने जीवन के परिवार के परिवार तबाह कर दिए; मां भारती की आजादी के लिए क्‍या उनके सपनों को याद करते हुए हम संकल्‍प नहीं कर सकते कि 2022 तक, व्‍यक्ति के नाते मैं देश के लिए इतना करूंगा, परिवार के नाते इतना करूंगा, समाज के नाते इतना करूंगा। हम गांव के लोग मिलके ये करेंगे; हम नगर के लोग मिल करके ये करेंगे; हम संस्‍था के नाते ये काम करेंगे, हम समाज के नाते ये काम करेंगे, हम राज्‍य के नाते, देश के नाते ये संकल्‍प करेंगे। 

2022, ‘नया भारत’ बनाने का सपना ले करके चलना है। हर हिन्‍दुस्‍तानी को जोड़ना है। आजादी के आंदोलन में जैसे देश जुड़ गया था; देश को नई ऊंचाइयों पर ले जाने के लिए, ‘नया भारत’ बनाने के लिए हर देशवासी को जोड़ना है। और इसलिए मैं आग्रह करूंगा, देशवासियों से आग्रह करूंगा, मैं मध्‍य प्रदेश के सभी संगठनों से आग्रह करूंगा; आप भी मिल-बैठ करके तय करिए कि 2022 तक देश के लिए आपकी संस्‍था, आपका परिवार, आपका समाज, आपका संगठन, आपका दल क्‍या करेगा; आप लोग तय कीजिए। एक बार देश में माहौल बने, अभी हमारे पांच साल हैं। पांच साल में हम देश को कहां से कहां पहुंचा सकते हैं। मुझे विश्‍वास है अगर सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासी एक कदम देश के लिए आगे चल पड़ेंगे तो देश पांच साल के भीतर-भीतर सवा सौ करोड़़ कदम आगे निकल जाएगा। और इसलिए हम इस संकल्‍प को ले करके चलें। 

मैं आज पूज्‍य अवधेशानंद जी का विशेष आभारी हूं, जो आाशीर्वचन उन्‍होंने मेरे लिए कहे हैं, जो भाव उन्‍होंने प्रकट किए हैं; मैं ईश्‍वर से यही प्रार्थना करूंगा कि हम सब में वो क्षमता आएं, वो अच्‍छाइयां आएं, वो समर्पण का भाव आए; ताकि देश की सही सेवा करने के लिए हम अपने-आप को योग्‍य पाएं, योग्‍य बना पाएं। मैं उनके इस आशीर्वाद वचन के लिए हृदय से बहुत-बहुत आभार प्रकट करता हूं और उनको प्रणाम करता हूं। 

मैं आप सबको भी हृदय से बधाई देता हूं, और जैसा शिवराज जी ने कहा, यात्रा का यहां विराम है; लेकिन अब यात्रा में जो भी सोचा, जो भी देखा, जो भी किया, इसको चरितार्थ करने का यज्ञ शुरू हो रहा है। ये सेवा का यज्ञ शुरू हो रहा है। यात्रा समाप्‍त हुई, यज्ञ आरंभ हुआ। यज्ञ में आहुति देनी पड़ती है, समय देना पड़ता है, अपनी सारी इच्‍छा- आकांक्षाओं को समाज के लिए अहुत करनी पड़ती है। मुझे विश्‍वास है ये नर्मदा के उज्‍ज्‍वल भविष्‍य का यज्ञ आप सबके सफल प्रयत्‍नों से और अवश्‍य नई ऊंचाइयों को प्राप्‍त करेगा। इसी एक भावना के साथ आप सब मेरे साथ बोलेंगे- दोनों मुट्ठी बंद करके, हाथ ऊपर करके बोलेंगे- मैं कहूंगा नर्मदे, आप कहेंगे सर्वदे। 

नर्मदे – सर्वदे 

आवाज मां नर्मदा के उस किनारे तक पहुंचनी चाहिए, खम्‍बात की खाडी तक। 

नर्मदे – सर्वदे 

नर्मदे – सर्वदे 

बहुत-बहुत धन्‍यवाद। 

India, Pak face-off at ICJ over Jadhav

The Hague, May 15 (PTI) India and Pakistan today crossed swords at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over Kulbhushan Jadhav's case with New Delhi demanding the immediate suspension of his death sentence and Islamabad accusing it of using the world body as a stage for "political theatre" through a "misconceived" plea.

The two neighbours -- who last faced off at the ICJ 18 years ago when Islamabad sought its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft -- India took the Jadhav case to the world court, accusing Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention and conducting a "farcical trial" for convicting Jadhav without a "shred of evidence".

After hearing the arguments of the two sides, the court said it will issue its order on India's request for provisional measures "as soon as possible".

"The date on which this order will be delivered at a public sitting will be duly communicated to the parties," the court said.

India demanded the immediate suspension of Jadhav's death sentence, expressing fears that Pakistan could execute him even before the hearing at the ICJ was over.

India made a forceful submission as the ICJ began hearing the case of the 46-year-old former Navy officer who was arrested on March 3 last year and sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities.

"Jadhav has not got the right to get proper legal assistance and the right to consular access. There is an immediate threat to him to be executed even before a decision is passed," joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Deepak Mittal told the court in his opening remarks.

Representing India, lead attorney Harish Salve said, "The execution of the death sentence cannot be done while this court is hearing the appeal. Else, it will be a violation of the Vienna Convention." 

Following India's arguments, Pakistan, in its submission before the the UN's highest judicial body, said India's application on Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities, was "unnecessary and misconceived" and must be dismissed.

India has seen it fit to use the International Court of Justice as a stage for "political theatre" but "we will not respond in kind", Mohammad Faisal of the Pakistan Foreign Office said in his opening remarks in response to India's submissions earlier in the day.

The ICJ also denied permission to Pakistan to play a purported "confessional" video of Jadhav at the public hearing here.

Representing Pakistan, lawyer Khawar Qureshi said India has sought to persuade this court that Pakistan intends to execute Jadhav within days.

"Simply by referring to the clemency process available as a right to commander Jadhav. A period of 150 days is provided for in this regard which even if started on April 10, 2017, which is the date of conviction at first instance, could extend to well beyond August 2017.

"There is also of course the potential for the writ petition of the High Court to be invoked as we believe India must be well aware," he said.

Earlier, Salve said Pakistan had denied India its 16 requests for consular 

"The graver the charges, the greater the need for continued adherence of the Vienna Convention. Jadhav has been in judicial custody without any communication with his family," he said.

The rights of Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations are sacrosanct, Salve said, citing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) that recognises that no one can be arbitrarily deprived of their lives.

India had not been given the copy of the charges filed against Jadhav, Salve said.

"The need for a wholesome compliance is greater when charges are serious. We want appropriate legal representation for Kulbhushan Jadhav," he said.

Not just had all requests for consular access fallen on "deaf ears", the trial was conducted without providing Jadhav his rights. Pakistan did not even respond to Jadhav's mother's pleas to see her son.

Human rights treated as "basics" all over had been thrown to the wind by Pakistan and the trial had been vitiated, India argued.

Though Pakistan says Jadhav has the right to appeal, two-star generals will hear his mercy plea, Salve stressed, questioning the impartiality of the process.

India asserted that it wants the ICJ to annul Jadhav's death sentence and for Pakistan to ensure that no action is taken that may prejudice the rights of India or of Jadhav.

On India invoking the Vienna Convention, Qureshi said, "The Vienna convention article 36 which adopted to set up standards of conduct particularly concerning communications and contact with nationals of the sending state which would contribute to the development of the friendly relations among nations...the observation we made immediately is this is unlikely to apply in the context of a spy, terrorist send by a state to engage in acts of terror." 

Jadhav, the latest flashpoint in the tensions between Pakistan and India, was sentenced last month. On May 8, India moved the ICJ against the death penalty, alleging violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. On May 9, the highest court in the UN gave Jadhav a lease of life.

India, in its appeal to the ICJ, had asserted that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business activities after retiring from the Indian Navy. However, it denies that he has any connection with the government.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from its restive Balochistan province.

India boycotts China's B&R meet, mounts diplomatic pressure against CPEC

Beijing, May 14 (PTI) India today boycotted China's high-profile Belt and Road Forum, taking its protest over a controversial economic corridor traversing through Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) to a new level despite Beijing's overtures to ensure New Delhi's participation.

Following India's boycott, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, taking a veiled swipe at New Delhi's move, said the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was an economic project open to all the nations in the region and it "must not be politicised".

No Indian official of any level was present at the elaborate opening ceremony attended by 29 heads of state and government along with top officials of the world bodies like the UN, the World Bank and the IMF.

India skipped the meeting due to its sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC, which passes through PoK.

Sharif, Sri Lankan Premier Ranil Wickramasinge, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the world leaders who attended the meeting inaugurated by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The US sent a delegation led by Matt Pottinger, special assistant to the President and senior director for Asia at the National Security Council.

China apparently saw India's boycott coming as no seat was allotted to it at the high-tech Convention Centre during the opening ceremony telecast live.

The event, however, was attended by a few Indian scholars representing think tanks, which took part in the group discussions.

Skirting any references to India's absence at the meeting, Xi, in his address after inaugurating the Summit, said all countries should respect sovereignty.

"All countries should respect each other's sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, each other's development paths and social systems, and each other's core interests and major concerns," the 63-year-old leader said.

Xi said the Belt and Road initiative is "a project of the century" that will benefit people across the world.

Dismissing assertions that the initiative was aimed at forming a "small group" of nations taking part in the One Belt and One Road (OBOR) venture, Xi said China plans to build it as a road to peace and link his country to much of Asia, Europe and Africa.

"Pursuing the Belt and Road initiative, China has no intention to form a small group detrimental to stability," as the pursuit of the initiative requires a peaceful and stable environment, Xi said.

Xi, in his address, pledged to pump in a whopping USD 124 billion for projects that are part of the ambitious venture.

In the run-up to the forum, China had sought to allay India's concerns over the CPEC, saying that the project has no bearing on its stand on the Kashmir issue which should be resolved between India and Pakistan through dialogue.

In another bid to allay India's concerns, Chinese ambassador to New Delhi Luo Zhaohui, during an address at a think tank in New Delhi, had offered to rename the CPEC, insisting that it was an economic cooperation and connectivity enhancement project devoid of "sovereignty issues".

However, China had later removed the remarks of its envoy from the transcript of his speech posted on the Chinese Embassy website.

While the absence of India was a talking point among the 4,000 Chinese and foreign media registered to cover the event, there was no official comment from China on New Delhi giving the forum a miss.

Sharif, at the Summit, also avoided direct references to India's boycott and its objections to the CPEC but said the initiative should not be politicised.

He asserted that the project is open for the regional countries to join.

"Let me make it very clear that CPEC is an economic undertaking open to all countries in the region. It has no geographical boundaries. It must not be politicised," Sharif said in his speech at the inaugural session.

"It is time we transcend our differences, resolve conflicts through diplomacy and leave legacy of peace for future generations," Sharif said, without directly referring to India.

Stating that the CPEC has emerged as the core and flagship project of China's OBOR, he said, "OBOR signifies that geo-economics must take precedence over geo-politics and that the centre of gravity should shift from conflict to cooperation. We see it as a path for overcoming terrorism and extremism." 

The conference will end tomorrow with a joint declaration.

The Belt and Road initiative includes a maze of roads and port projects. While CPEC is highlighted as "flagship project", the B&R includes the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, New Eurasian Land Bridge, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

Bajrang gives India first gold; women's team finishes second

New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) Bajrang Punia gave India its first gold medal as he registered a come-from-behind victory over Seungchul Lee of Korea in men's 65kg freestyle on the penultimate day of the Asian Wrestling Championship here on Saturday.

Sarita, meanwhile, bagged a silver medal in women's 58kg category.

After registering a fabulous 6-2 win, Bajrang celebrated by taking a victory lap with the tri-colour on his shoulders.

In his gold medal bout, the 23-year-old Indian conceded two points in the opening half to lag behind 0-2 at the break.

However, Bajrang made a strong comeback in the second half, not allowing his rival from Korea to earn any more points.

He first pushed his opponent out of the mat to take a point and then took the Korean down for two more to lead 3-2.

From there on, Bajrang displayed an attacking game and never let his rival come back into the contest. He subsequently added three more points to his credit to wrap up the bout in style.

"My strength is my stamina and I played accordingly. I was told by my coaches and mentor to attack more and I followed the strategies well to come out as a winner," said Bajrang after the medal ceremony.

"A gold is a gold and it cannot be compared to either silver or bronze. This is my first gold medal in a major international tournament and very happy to have achieved it," he added.

London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt was present on the sidelines to witness his prodigy win the gold medal.

"I asked him (Bajrang) to attack all the time and not to be defensive and that paid dividends. Winning a gold medal in the Asian Championship is a really big thing," Dutt said.

Bajrang earlier made the final of his weight division with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Kukgwang Kim in the semifinal round.

Putting up a brilliant show on his way to the gold medal round, Bajrang got the better of last edition's Asian Championship gold-medallist Meisam Nassiri of Iran 7-5 in the quarterfinal after beating Uzbek wrestler Sirojiddin Hasanov 4-3 in the qualification round.

In fact, Bajrang had lost to Iran's Nassiri in the World Cup and on Saturday he managed to avenge his defeat.

However, gold medal eluded Indian women wrestlers even as this was their best ever performance at the Asian Championship with six medals, including four silver and two bronze. In the 2003 edition, India had won a total of five medals that included two silver and three bronze.

The Indian women's team finished second in the championship after Japan, who clinched the top position.

Sarita lost 0-6 to Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan in the final of women's 58kg to settle for a silver.

Having climbed down two kilograms to 58kg from 60kg after Sakshi Malik and she interchanged their respective weight categories, Sarita came up with a fine performance before going down tamely in her gold medal bout.

"Coming down two kilograms is not a big deal. It is natural for us to jump up and down 2-3 kilograms and right now my original weight is 58kg, so I was comfortable fighting in this category. I want to continue the good show and prepare to qualify for the World Championship in August," said Sarita.

She failed to put up a fight and was completely outplayed by the Kyrgyzstan wrestler. Sarita was lagging behind from the very beginning as her rival clinched two points twice in the first half by taking her down to lead 4-0 at the break. In the second half also, the wrestler from Kyrgyzstan continued to dominate and earned two more points to seal the match in her favour.

Sarita's journey to the final was a cake walk as she thrashed Uzbekistan's Asem Seydametova 10-0 in the quarters before defeating Thi Huong Dao of Vietnam 12-0 to make the gold medal bout.

In men's 97kg category, Satywart Kadian, Sakshi Malik's husband, went down in his repechage bout to lose out on a place in the bronze medal play-off. He lost to Batzul Ulziisaikhan of Mongolia 5-8 in a closely-fought contest.

In the qualification round, Satywart lost to Magomed Ibragimov 2-2, but since the Uzbek grappler made the gold medal round, the Indian got a chance to fight in repechage.

Meanwhile, Olympian Sandeep Tomar suffered a knee injury to bow out of the tournament early in men's 57kg. Tomar was in a winning position when he sustained the injury and that resulted in him losing 5-6 to Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov of Kyrgyzstan.

In the men's 74kg, Jitender crashed out of the tournament after losing to Tsubasa Asai of Japan in the quarterfinal round 7-8.

Triple talaq is 'worst form' of marriage dissolution: SC

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) Triple talaq is the "worst" and "not a desirable" form of dissolution of marriage among the Muslims, even though there were schools of thought which called it "legal", the Supreme Court observed today.

The second day of the day-long hearing on the matter also saw two veterans, jurist Ram Jethmalani and former Union Minister and Islamic scholar Arif Mohammad Khan, coming out all guns blazing against the practice of triple talaq.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said there are "school of thoughts (which) say that triple talaq is legal, but it is the worst and not a desirable form for dissolution of marriages among Muslims." 

The remark was made by the bench when senior lawyer Salman Khurshid referred to the various schools of thought and the stand of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that triple talaq was "abhorrent", yet valid.

While Jethmalani attacked the practice on various constitutional grounds including the right to equality and termed it "abhorrent", Khan said it was akin to the pre- Islamic era practice of burying a female child alive in the Arabian region.

Khan, who had quit Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet over differences in handling the Shah Bano case, was at his best while representing All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board.

He said the whole Shariat law has been distorted as "Shariat is the Holy Quran and not the opinion of these people (clerics). The Holy Quran considers the importance of family and it provides four steps before pronouncement of divorce." 

"Triple talaq is far from being fundamental and very far from being sacramental to Islam. It violates every good thing which Islam prescribes. What we are seeing in the form of triple talaq is similar to the pre-Islamic era practice where female infants were buried alive," Khan told the bench which also comprised Justices Kurian Joseph, R F Nariman, U U Lalit and Abdul Nazeer.

Marriage is the only aspect which is extensively dealt in holy Quran that lays down the procedure for divorce, and various schools of thought have distorted the tenets of the holy book "to their liking", he said.

"Everything you need is in the Quran. If you need more, then look at the life of the Prophet and if you still need more, then use your own good sense," he said.

"We can change the law, but not the habits of the society. Untouchability was banished by the Constitution, but it stays with us," Khan said.

Jethmalani said "the right of triple talaq is available only to the husband and not to the wife and it breaches the Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution." 

"There is no saving grace for this method of granting divorce. One-sided termination of marriage is abhorrent and avoidable," he said, adding that Article 15 of the Constitution prohibited discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

It is a settled proposition that a law can be made to improve the situation of women and not to deprive them of their rights, he said.

The bench intervened and said it was not dealing with the state laws, but rather discussing personal law.

Jethmalani said triple talaq was a discrimination on the ground of sex and this practice was abhorrent to the tenets of holy Quran and no amount of advocacy can save this "sinful" practice which is contrary to constitutional tenets.

How can a woman be allowed to become ex-wife only because her husband wants and this is "the highest kind of unconstitutional behaviour", the noted jurist said.

He said that all laws have to be in conformity of the constitutional provisions and the pre-Independece era Act on Muslim marriage has to be made applicable to all Muslims, irrespective of sects.

The bench then said that the law cannot be made applicable to all sects of Muslims and observed: "Can Hanafi law be made applicable to Shias. The answer is 'no'".

Jethmalani then referred to the constitutional provisions, saying the state shall endeavour to make the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the present issue should be considered in that light.

He said there were political differences in achieving UCC but while dealing with the issue of husband and wife, the court should keep the constitutional scheme in mind.

Tejas successfully test fires beyond visual range missile

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) Light combat aircraft Tejas today "successfully" test fired an air-to-air missile, paving the way for powering the indigenously-built aircraft with missiles having beyond visual range capabilities (BVR).

The test-firing was conducted on a manoeuvrable aerial target at the interim test range in Chandipur in Odisha.

The defence ministry said the objective of the test was to assess integration of the Derby BVR missile with avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and missile weapon delivery system of Tejas.

"The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete destruction of it.

"The test firing achieved all its planned objectives. The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on light combat aircraft for FOC (final operational clearance)," it said in a statement.

The sensors at the interim test range tracked the target and the missile.

"The missile launch was performed in lock on after launch mode for a BVR target in the look down mode and the target was destroyed," the statement by the ministry said.

Justice Karnan moves SC seeking recall of conviction order

New Delhi, May 11 (PTI) Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karnan today moved the Supreme Court seeking a recall of an order holding him guilty of contempt of court.

The apex court had ordered his arrest and sentenced him to a six-month jail term.

A petition about the recall was mentioned before a five- judge bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, which agreed to look into it.

Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, who mentioned the plea on behalf of Justice Karnan, was asked to show papers that authorised him to represent the judge.

The advocate showed the notorised papers of authorisation for filing the plea on behalf of the judge to the bench.

When the Chief Justice of India asked about the whereabouts of Justice Karnan, the advocate said he was "very much in Chennai".

Nedumpara also said 12 advocates on record had refused to represent Justice Karnan.

The plea on behalf of the judge was mentioned before the bench which had just concluded the day's hearing on the issue of triple talaq.

The seven-judge bench of apex court had on May 9 passed the order sentencing Karnan to jail by holding him guilty of contempt of court and ordering the West Bengal police to take him into custody.

However, before the pronouncement of the apex court order, Justice Karnan had left Kolkata and was reported to be staying in Chennai.

The West Bengal police is yet to arrest the judge.