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<p>Terming demonetisation a disaster, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N&nbsp;Chandrababu Naidu demanded the abolition of Rs. 2000 currency note.</p>

<p>Addressing a party workshop on Wednesday, Naidu said that he had suggested that making digital currency is much cost effective than physical currency but the government could not properly implement it.</p>

<p>He also shared the update of capital city Amaravati's development and also blamed the Central Government for not giving funds and creating hurdles.</p>

<p>"Construction of capital city Amaravati is going on at a fast pace. High court buildings will be ready by the end of this December. Amaravati bonds received an overwhelming response. The central government is not giving the money. When we try to generate funds on our own, they are making unnecessary allegations. The Central Government is not cooperating by not giving us the special status or the funds. In the last parliament session, our MPs fought well. We are fighting with the centre. The Centre is trying to create hurdles at every step. But we will not yield," he stated.</p>

<p>Detailing about the key development initiatives of his government, Naidu said, "We introduced many projects. We built 10 lakh farm ponds. We started interlinking of Godavari and Krishna rivers. With Pattiseema project, Godavari water is supplementing the needs of farmers in Krishna river region. We are working on the Polavaram project. It is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh and works are going on a fast pace. However, the centre is not cooperating properly. 10 irrigation projects are complete, 10-16 projects are under the pipeline. This time, despite less rainfall we could manage with tanks completely filled. Our focus is on developing agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture."</p>

<p>He also announced to launch an unemployment scheme on October 2.</p>

<p>Naidu urged party leaders and workers to keep the welfare of all communities in mind and said that it is everyone's responsibility to assure all communities feel comfortable in his rule.&nbsp;</p>


Naidu also announced to launch an unemployment scheme on October 2.

Terming demonetisation a disaster, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu demanded the abolition of Rs. 2000 currency note. Addressing a party workshop on Wednesday, Naidu said that he had suggested that making digital currency is much cost effective than physical currency but the government could not properly implement it. He also shared the update of capital city Amaravati's development and also blamed the Central Government for not giving funds and creating hurdles. "Construction of capital city Amaravati is going on at a fast pace. High court buildings will be ready by the end of this December. Amaravati bonds received an overwhelming response. The central government is not giving the money. When we try to generate funds on our own, they are making unnecessary allegations. The Central Government is not cooperating by not giving us the special status or the funds. In the last parliament session, our MPs fought well. We are fighting with the centre. The Centre is trying to create hurdles at every step. But we will not yield," he stated. Detailing about the key development initiatives of his government, Naidu said, "We introduced many projects. We built 10 lakh farm ponds. We started interlinking of Godavari and Krishna rivers. With Pattiseema project, Godavari water is supplementing the needs of farmers in Krishna river region. We are working on the Polavaram project. It is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh and works are going on a fast pace. However, the centre is not cooperating properly. 10 irrigation projects are complete, 10-16 projects are under the pipeline. This time, despite less rainfall we could manage with tanks completely filled. Our focus is on developing agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture." He also announced to launch an unemployment scheme on October 2. Naidu urged party leaders and workers to keep the welfare of all communities in mind and said that it is everyone's responsibility to assure all communities feel comfortable in his rule.

Demonetisation a disaster, discard Rs 2,000 notes: Chandrababu Naidu

<p>Congress leaders on Thursday said that the party to organise a nationwide strike on September 10 to protest the rising fuel price. Party leaders have urged the other Opposition parties and civil society groups to join the&nbsp;protest against the government. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The common man was bearing the brunt of the escalating prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said.</p>

<p>"The Congress party has decided that we will be giving a call for Bharat Bandh on September 10, Monday, in order to highlight the Rs 11 lakh crore fuel loot and to demand an immediate reduction in central excise duty as also excessive VAT in the state," he told.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Surjewala said the Congress will demand petrol and diesel be brought within the ambit of the GST so that the "common man whose budget has gone haywire is provided requisite relief".</p>

<p>"We also call upon other societal groups, NGOs... To join this people's movement," he was quoted as saying.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A protest will be called on September 10 against this fuel loot by the Central Govt: Randeep Surjewala,Congress <a href="https://t.co/6pyHpuwQ2q">pic.twitter.com/6pyHpuwQ2q</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037681341834379264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The common man was bearing the brunt of the escalating prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said

Congress leaders on Thursday said that the party to organise a nationwide strike on September 10 to protest the rising fuel price. Party leaders have urged the other Opposition parties and civil society groups to join the protest against the government. The common man was bearing the brunt of the escalating prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said. "The Congress party has decided that we will be giving a call for Bharat Bandh on September 10, Monday, in order to highlight the Rs 11 lakh crore fuel loot and to demand an immediate reduction in central excise duty as also excessive VAT in the state," he told. Surjewala said the Congress will demand petrol and diesel be brought within the ambit of the GST so that the "common man whose budget has gone haywire is provided requisite relief". "We also call upon other societal groups, NGOs... To join this people's movement," he was quoted as saying. A protest will be called on September 10 against this fuel loot by the Central Govt: Randeep Surjewala,Congress pic.twitter.com/6pyHpuwQ2q — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 ×

Congress to organise Bharat Bandh against fuel prices on September 10

<p>Income Tax department sleuths Thursday conducted a raid at the residence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi's cousin in connection with the multi-crore Srijan scam, news agency PTI said quoting official sources.</p>

<p>Police personnel accompanied the IT sleuths during the raid at Rekha Modi's S P Verma Road house today afternoon.</p>

<p>Raids were also conducted at some places in Bhagalpur, where crores of rupees were fraudulently withdrawn from the treasury and transferred to the account of Srijan NGO, PTI report further said quoting sources.</p>

<p>CBI is investigating the scam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Opposition parties in the state have been alleging that Rekha Modi, a social activist, was involved in the scam.</p>

<p>Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra and RJD MLA Bhai Virendra have termed the action as delayed and demanded that the deputy chief minister resigns from his post, the report added.</p>

<p>Their contention is that he himself is in the habit of demanding resignations whenever the name of someone even remotely related to a political opponent crops up in a scandal.&nbsp;</p>


Police personnel accompanied the IT sleuths during the raid at Rekha Modi's S P Verma Road house today afternoon

Income Tax department sleuths Thursday conducted a raid at the residence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi's cousin in connection with the multi-crore Srijan scam, news agency PTI said quoting official sources. Police personnel accompanied the IT sleuths during the raid at Rekha Modi's S P Verma Road house today afternoon. Raids were also conducted at some places in Bhagalpur, where crores of rupees were fraudulently withdrawn from the treasury and transferred to the account of Srijan NGO, PTI report further said quoting sources. CBI is investigating the scam. Opposition parties in the state have been alleging that Rekha Modi, a social activist, was involved in the scam. Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra and RJD MLA Bhai Virendra have termed the action as delayed and demanded that the deputy chief minister resigns from his post, the report added. Their contention is that he himself is in the habit of demanding resignations whenever the name of someone even remotely related to a political opponent crops up in a scandal.

Srijan scam: I-T raids Sushil Modi cousin's residence

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-effort-is-not-to-penalise-great-strategic-partner-like-india-says-pompeo-on-india-buying-russian-s400-defence-system-164013">Our effort not to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-effort-is-not-to-penalise-great-strategic-partner-like-india-says-pompeo-on-india-buying-russian-s400-defence-system-164013">penalise</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-effort-is-not-to-penalise-great-strategic-partner-like-india-says-pompeo-on-india-buying-russian-s400-defence-system-164013"> great strategic partner like India, says Pompeo on India buying Russian S400 missile</a></p>

<p>As India and the US concluded their&nbspmuch awaited 2+2 dialogue&nbspin New Delhi, the US gave India elbow room to manoeuvre through the contentious Russian S400&nbspmissile defence&nbspsystem.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979">British Navy warship sails near </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979">South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979"> China Sea islands, angers China</a></p>

<p>Beijing expressed anger on Thursday (September 6) after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea late last month, saying Britain was engaged in "provocation" and that it had lodged a strong complaint.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-launches-new-attack-on-british-thai-cave-rescuer-calls-him-child-rapist--163986">Musk launches </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-launches-new-attack-on-british-thai-cave-rescuer-calls-him-child-rapist--163986">new</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-launches-new-attack-on-british-thai-cave-rescuer-calls-him-child-rapist--163986"> attack on British Thai cave rescuer, calls him 'child rapist'</a></p>

<p>Tesla Chief Elon Musk has launched another scathing attack on the British diver who helped rescue the 12 boys from a cave in Thailand, calling him a child rapist.&nbsp</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hours-after-dissolving-assembly-kcr-announces-list-of-105-candidates--163984">Hours after dissolving </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hours-after-dissolving-assembly-kcr-announces-list-of-105-candidates--163984">assembly</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hours-after-dissolving-assembly-kcr-announces-list-of-105-candidates--163984">, KCR announces </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hours-after-dissolving-assembly-kcr-announces-list-of-105-candidates--163984">list</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hours-after-dissolving-assembly-kcr-announces-list-of-105-candidates--163984"> of 105 candidates</a></p>

<p>Hours after dissolving the assembly, Telangana chief minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party chief &nbspK Chandrashekhar Rao announcing a list of 105 candidates for the assembly elections today.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/harbhajan-singh-slams-indian-selectors-says-different-rules-for-different-people-163958">Harbhajan Singh slams Indian selectors, says 'different rules for different people'</a></p>

<p>Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh slammed the Indian selectors for being biased. Singh expressed surprise at the selectors' decision to not include Mayank Agarwal for the upcoming Asia Cup 2018.</p>


Read top five stories of the evening here

Our effort not to penalise great strategic partner like India, says Pompeo on India buying Russian S400 missile As India and the US concluded their&nbspmuch awaited 2+2 dialogue&nbspin New Delhi, the US gave India elbow room to manoeuvre through the contentious Russian S400&nbspmissile defence&nbspsystem. British Navy warship sails near South China Sea islands, angers China Beijing expressed anger on Thursday (September 6) after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea late last month, saying Britain was engaged in "provocation" and that it had lodged a strong complaint. Musk launches new attack on British Thai cave rescuer, calls him 'child rapist' Tesla Chief Elon Musk has launched another scathing attack on the British diver who helped rescue the 12 boys from a cave in Thailand, calling him a child rapist. Hours after dissolving assembly, KCR announces list of 105 candidates Hours after dissolving the assembly, Telangana chief minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party chief &nbspK Chandrashekhar Rao announcing a list of 105 candidates for the assembly elections today. Harbhajan Singh slams Indian selectors, says 'different rules for different people' Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh slammed the Indian selectors for being biased. Singh expressed surprise at the selectors' decision to not include Mayank Agarwal for the upcoming Asia Cup 2018.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday hoped that the next government will move a 7 judge bench to set aside today's 5 judge bench order on Section 377, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp</p>

<p>''It is the American game','' Swamy said and added that soon there will be gay bars in India where homosexuals can go and HIV will spread,'' ANI reported quoting Swamy.&nbsp</p>

<p>After looking at the consequences I hope the next Govt will move a 7 judge bench to set aside this 5 judge bench order,'' he said.&nbsp</p>

<p>''Of course what happens in someone's private life should not be of anyone's concern, neither they should be punished. It is basically a genetic disorder, like someone having six fingers,'' Swamy said and added medical research must be done to rectify it.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is the American game. Soon there will be gay bars here where homosexuals can go. HIV will spread. So, after looking at the consequences I hope the next Govt will move a 7 judge bench to set aside this 5 judge bench order: Subramanian Swamy,BJP MP on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> <a href="https://t.co/htFxVXUlXz">pic.twitter.com/htFxVXUlXz</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037678686546341888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp</p>


''Of course what happens in someone's private life should not be of anyone's concern, neither they should be punished. It is basically a genetic disorder, like someone having six fingers,'' Swamy said

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday hoped that the next government will move a 7 judge bench to set aside today's 5 judge bench order on Section 377, reported news agency ANI. ''It is the American game','' Swamy said and added that soon there will be gay bars in India where homosexuals can go and HIV will spread,'' ANI reported quoting Swamy. After looking at the consequences I hope the next Govt will move a 7 judge bench to set aside this 5 judge bench order,'' he said. ''Of course what happens in someone's private life should not be of anyone's concern, neither they should be punished. It is basically a genetic disorder, like someone having six fingers,'' Swamy said and added medical research must be done to rectify it. It is the American game. Soon there will be gay bars here where homosexuals can go. HIV will spread. So, after looking at the consequences I hope the next Govt will move a 7 judge bench to set aside this 5 judge bench order: Subramanian Swamy,BJP MP on #Section377 pic.twitter.com/htFxVXUlXz — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 ×

Soon there will be gay bars, HIV will spread, says Subramanian Swamy on Section 377 verdict

<p>Days after a customer allegedly found a caterpillar in the food served, IKEA India Wednesday suspended selling vegetable biryani and samosa in its 1,000 seater restaurant located at its store in Hyderabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/ikea-apologises-after-customer-reports-caterpillar-in-his-food-163426">Also Read: IKEA apologises after customer reports caterpillar in his food</a></p>

<p>In an embarrassment for the recently opened IKEA store, a man allegedly found the worm in the vegetable biryani served to him, prompting the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to issue a notice to the firm on August 31.</p>

<p>"IKEA India has voluntarily<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/caterpillar-found-in-newly-opened-ikeas-food-fined-rs-11500-firm-issues-apology-163332"> stopped sales</a> of two of its most appreciated products - vegetarian biryani and samosa, sourced locally in India.&nbsp;IKEA follows strong internal processes to secure quality and takes full responsibility for its supply chain. IKEA India has initiated an internal review in order to take any corrective actions as needed," the company said in a statement.</p>

<p>The Swedish furniture maker said it takes food safety and quality very seriously and customer health is always a priority, according to a PTI report.</p>

<p>During the first month of operation, IKEA India has received a very positive response from customers for the food at the IKEA store, the statement added.</p>

<p>IKEA India will resume sales of the two products after it has secured the review process, the company said.&nbsp;</p>


In an embarrassment for the recently opened IKEA store, a man allegedly found the worm in the vegetable biryani served to him, prompting the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to issue a notice to the firm on August 31.

Days after a customer allegedly found a caterpillar in the food served, IKEA India Wednesday suspended selling vegetable biryani and samosa in its 1,000 seater restaurant located at its store in Hyderabad. Also Read: IKEA apologises after customer reports caterpillar in his food In an embarrassment for the recently opened IKEA store, a man allegedly found the worm in the vegetable biryani served to him, prompting the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to issue a notice to the firm on August 31. "IKEA India has voluntarily stopped sales of two of its most appreciated products - vegetarian biryani and samosa, sourced locally in India. IKEA follows strong internal processes to secure quality and takes full responsibility for its supply chain. IKEA India has initiated an internal review in order to take any corrective actions as needed," the company said in a statement. The Swedish furniture maker said it takes food safety and quality very seriously and customer health is always a priority, according to a PTI report. During the first month of operation, IKEA India has received a very positive response from customers for the food at the IKEA store, the statement added. IKEA India will resume sales of the two products after it has secured the review process, the company said.

After caterpillar in food, IKEA Hyderabad suspends sale of veg biryani, samosa

<p>Tilak Raj Bathla`s tiny weaving factory is one of the few still humming on a once busy road in Panipat, known as the country`s "textile city".</p>

<p>Nearby, more than two dozen other workshops are locked from the outside, while dogs and cows roam through other abandoned factories. Scrap dealers enquire about idle powerlooms.</p>

<p>India launched the Goods and Services Tax (GST) just over a year ago, its biggest ever tax reform, aiming to replace more than a dozen federal and state levies and unify the sprawling economy.</p>

<p>The move improved economic efficiency but critics say the complexities of the new regime have driven many small enterprises out of business and forced hundreds of thousands out of jobs.</p>

<p>For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the drawbacks of the GST, especially the job losses, could prove costly in major state elections later this year and a general election in mid-2019.</p>

<p>Bathla says his neighbours, most of them unschooled, could not comply with monthly online filings required under the GST regime. Some of his customers and suppliers could not afford to hire accountants to navigate a system which has been amended more than 200 times already, while others struggled to cope with delays in tax returns caused by glitches in the centralised software.</p>

<p>"I have a GST registration, but I can`t work as my vendors and buyers are unable to comply with a complex tax structure," the 50-year-old said, adding his monthly sales had fallen to about 250,000 rupees($3,511) from about one million rupees before the GST. Only two of his 10 powerlooms are currently being used.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The government has said it is simplifying the tax measure to make it accessible to everyone. Finance Ministry spokesman D.S. Malik said requests from small businesses have been considered "from time to time." But he declined to comment on job losses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nevertheless, India`s economy gathered pace in the April-June quarter, expanding 8.2 per cent compared to 5.6 per cent in the same period a year earlier. Economists said the number was coming off a low base as companies held off production in the year-ago period ahead of the implementation of the tax measure in July last year.</p>

<p><strong>SMALL FIRMS HURTING</strong></p>

<p>But while big firms have since shaken off the effects of the change and are set to gain from a uniform tax regime, small businesses across the country are still hurting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A survey by the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in July found that a fifth of India`s 63 million small businesses – contributing 32 per cent to the economy and employing 111 million people - faced a 20 per cent fall in profits since the GST rollout, and had to sack hundreds of thousands of workers.</p>

<p>Readymade garments, gems and jewellery, leather, handicraft and basic machinery manufacturing are hit the most, industry bodies from across the country say.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to estimates by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, a Mumbai-based consultancy, nearly five million workers lost their jobs over the past year. But it was not clear how many were from small enterprises.</p>

<p>India`s unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent in August from 4.1 percent in July last year despite an additional 17 million people joining the workforce.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But it did not give data on how many people were laid off or from which industries.</p>

<p>India`s labour ministry releases jobs data once in five years, last reporting unemployment at 5 percent in 2015/16 (April-March).&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 50 workers and factory owners in Panipat, about 90 km (55 miles) north of New Delhi, said over a third of the city`s 10,000 weaving units had closed or curbed production.</p>

<p>Chand Multani, president of the Panipat Handloom Owners` Association, pointed to the tax headaches behind a bedsheet that costs barely $2 dollar as an example.</p>

<p>The weaving of the sheet, its dyeing, ironing, embroidering and packaging are all done by separate businesses. Under the new system, each business has to pay GST at each stage of production which the businesses can claim back provided they have registered with tax authorities and have a GST number.</p>

<p>For a lot of small businessmen this is way too much work. "How can all these different operations comply with tax rules?" asked Multani, waving the sheet in the air.</p>

<p><strong>OPPOSITION SEIZES ON GST</strong></p>

<p>The GST replaced several federal and local taxes and tore down tariff barriers between India`s 29 states, but critics say that has been to the benefit mainly of large, nationwide businesses.</p>

<p>For Panasonic Appliances, India`s leading electric goods maker, GST has meant cutting costs by 4-5 percentage points, for example. India`s consumer goods stock index has risen 26 per cent in the past year, outpacing the broader Mumbai market.</p>

<p>"GST ... has improved the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector," Panasonic India CEO Manish Sharma said.</p>

<p>Modi, in an Independence Day speech on Aug 15, said the businesses that faced "teething difficulties in adopting GST had accepted the challenge and the country is now moving ahead."</p>

<p>But Rahul Gandhi, his main challenger in next year`s election, has zeroed in on the job losses and shuttered businesses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This GST is a way of removing money from the pockets of the poor," he said last month. "This is not GST, this is Gabbar Singh Tax," he said, referring to the villain in one of Indian cinema`s most popular movies.</p>

<p>Modi`s popularity fell below 50 per cent in July from 53 per cent in January, while Gandhi`s rose to 27 percent, up from 22 percent, according to a survey by India Today magazine. Eighteen months ago, the score was 65 percent to 10.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To address grievances, the GST Council, which administers the tax measure, has approved more than 200 amendments since the law came into force.</p>

<p>M.S. Mani, senior partner at Deloitte, said too many changes to rules and rates were damaging, particularly for small businesses.</p>

<p>The Federation of Indian Export Organisations estimates that nearly $2 billion of tax credits, mainly of small exporters, were yet to be refunded, mainly because of software glitches in the system and the difficulties in matching the hundreds of thousands of invoices.</p>

<p>About 230,000 small businesses have closed down due to compliance and cash flow problems, leading to large-scale job losses, said Amarjit Kaur, national secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"GST has proved a death warrant for us," Ravinder Kashyap, 22, who lost his job as a powerloom operator earlier this year, said in a small rented room in Panipat that he shares with four friends.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said his employer had lost sales orders because of the mess caused by the tax and so had let him off along with scores of others. "If this carries on for one or two years, we`ll have to commit suicide."</p>


"GST has proved a death warrant for us," Ravinder Kashyap, 22, who lost his job as a powerloom operator earlier this year, said in a small rented room in Panipat that he shares with four friends

Tilak Raj Bathla`s tiny weaving factory is one of the few still humming on a once busy road in Panipat, known as the country`s "textile city". Nearby, more than two dozen other workshops are locked from the outside, while dogs and cows roam through other abandoned factories. Scrap dealers enquire about idle powerlooms. India launched the Goods and Services Tax (GST) just over a year ago, its biggest ever tax reform, aiming to replace more than a dozen federal and state levies and unify the sprawling economy. The move improved economic efficiency but critics say the complexities of the new regime have driven many small enterprises out of business and forced hundreds of thousands out of jobs. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the drawbacks of the GST, especially the job losses, could prove costly in major state elections later this year and a general election in mid-2019. Bathla says his neighbours, most of them unschooled, could not comply with monthly online filings required under the GST regime. Some of his customers and suppliers could not afford to hire accountants to navigate a system which has been amended more than 200 times already, while others struggled to cope with delays in tax returns caused by glitches in the centralised software. "I have a GST registration, but I can`t work as my vendors and buyers are unable to comply with a complex tax structure," the 50-year-old said, adding his monthly sales had fallen to about 250,000 rupees($3,511) from about one million rupees before the GST. Only two of his 10 powerlooms are currently being used. The government has said it is simplifying the tax measure to make it accessible to everyone. Finance Ministry spokesman D.S. Malik said requests from small businesses have been considered "from time to time." But he declined to comment on job losses. Nevertheless, India`s economy gathered pace in the April-June quarter, expanding 8.2 per cent compared to 5.6 per cent in the same period a year earlier. Economists said the number was coming off a low base as companies held off production in the year-ago period ahead of the implementation of the tax measure in July last year. SMALL FIRMS HURTING But while big firms have since shaken off the effects of the change and are set to gain from a uniform tax regime, small businesses across the country are still hurting. A survey by the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in July found that a fifth of India`s 63 million small businesses – contributing 32 per cent to the economy and employing 111 million people - faced a 20 per cent fall in profits since the GST rollout, and had to sack hundreds of thousands of workers. Readymade garments, gems and jewellery, leather, handicraft and basic machinery manufacturing are hit the most, industry bodies from across the country say. According to estimates by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, a Mumbai-based consultancy, nearly five million workers lost their jobs over the past year. But it was not clear how many were from small enterprises. India`s unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent in August from 4.1 percent in July last year despite an additional 17 million people joining the workforce. But it did not give data on how many people were laid off or from which industries. India`s labour ministry releases jobs data once in five years, last reporting unemployment at 5 percent in 2015/16 (April-March). More than 50 workers and factory owners in Panipat, about 90 km (55 miles) north of New Delhi, said over a third of the city`s 10,000 weaving units had closed or curbed production. Chand Multani, president of the Panipat Handloom Owners` Association, pointed to the tax headaches behind a bedsheet that costs barely $2 dollar as an example. The weaving of the sheet, its dyeing, ironing, embroidering and packaging are all done by separate businesses. Under the new system, each business has to pay GST at each stage of production which the businesses can claim back provided they have registered with tax authorities and have a GST number. For a lot of small businessmen this is way too much work. "How can all these different operations comply with tax rules?" asked Multani, waving the sheet in the air. OPPOSITION SEIZES ON GST The GST replaced several federal and local taxes and tore down tariff barriers between India`s 29 states, but critics say that has been to the benefit mainly of large, nationwide businesses. For Panasonic Appliances, India`s leading electric goods maker, GST has meant cutting costs by 4-5 percentage points, for example. India`s consumer goods stock index has risen 26 per cent in the past year, outpacing the broader Mumbai market. "GST ... has improved the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector," Panasonic India CEO Manish Sharma said. Modi, in an Independence Day speech on Aug 15, said the businesses that faced "teething difficulties in adopting GST had accepted the challenge and the country is now moving ahead." But Rahul Gandhi, his main challenger in next year`s election, has zeroed in on the job losses and shuttered businesses. "This GST is a way of removing money from the pockets of the poor," he said last month. "This is not GST, this is Gabbar Singh Tax," he said, referring to the villain in one of Indian cinema`s most popular movies. Modi`s popularity fell below 50 per cent in July from 53 per cent in January, while Gandhi`s rose to 27 percent, up from 22 percent, according to a survey by India Today magazine. Eighteen months ago, the score was 65 percent to 10. To address grievances, the GST Council, which administers the tax measure, has approved more than 200 amendments since the law came into force. M.S. Mani, senior partner at Deloitte, said too many changes to rules and rates were damaging, particularly for small businesses. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations estimates that nearly $2 billion of tax credits, mainly of small exporters, were yet to be refunded, mainly because of software glitches in the system and the difficulties in matching the hundreds of thousands of invoices. About 230,000 small businesses have closed down due to compliance and cash flow problems, leading to large-scale job losses, said Amarjit Kaur, national secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress. "GST has proved a death warrant for us," Ravinder Kashyap, 22, who lost his job as a powerloom operator earlier this year, said in a small rented room in Panipat that he shares with four friends. He said his employer had lost sales orders because of the mess caused by the tax and so had let him off along with scores of others. "If this carries on for one or two years, we`ll have to commit suicide."

GST effect: Hundreds of thousands laid off despite growth

<p>Telangana caretaker Chief Minister and TRS President K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday described Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the "biggest buffoon" in the country.</p>

<p>"The whole country has seen how he went and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament and winked," KCR told a news conference.</p>

<p>When asked about Gandhi`s plans to extensively campaign in Telangana, the TRS chief said: "The more he comes, it will be easier for us (to win elections)."</p>

<p>KCR said Rahul Gandhi inherited the legacy of the Congress Delhi empire and hence he was appealing to the people of Telangana not to become slaves to Delhi. "The decisions of Telangana should be taken in Telangana," he said.</p>

<p>KCR also ruled out any truck with BJP.</p>

<p>''TRS is a 100 per cent secular party. How can we join hands with BJP?'' he said.&nbsp</p>


"The whole country has seen how he went and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament and winked," KCR said in a news conference.

Telangana caretaker Chief Minister and TRS President K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday described Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the "biggest buffoon" in the country. "The whole country has seen how he went and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament and winked," KCR told a news conference. When asked about Gandhi`s plans to extensively campaign in Telangana, the TRS chief said: "The more he comes, it will be easier for us (to win elections)." KCR said Rahul Gandhi inherited the legacy of the Congress Delhi empire and hence he was appealing to the people of Telangana not to become slaves to Delhi. "The decisions of Telangana should be taken in Telangana," he said. KCR also ruled out any truck with BJP. ''TRS is a 100 per cent secular party. How can we join hands with BJP?'' he said.

KCR calls Rahul Gandhi 'biggest buffoon'; rules out alliance with BJP

<p>Hours after dissolving the assembly, Telangana chief minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party chief &nbsp;K Chandrashekhar Rao announcing a list of 105 candidates for the assembly elections today.</p>

<p>''We are announcing a list of 105 candidates today,'' said&nbsp;KCR after the state cabinet decided&nbsp;to dissolve assembly in order to hold early polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Telangana CM in a press conference at Telangana Bhavan shortly after meeting the governor said that polling for Telangana assembly might happen in November and results can be expected in the first week of December.</p>

<p>''I say with authority, we fulfilled our manifesto promises and 76 other programmes&nbsp;not mentioned in manifesto were also implemented,'' KCR said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Describing Congress as villain number one for Telangana, KCR said there was not even a single incident of communal violence in the last four-and-a-half years. Telangana is peaceful, he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>KCR also said that they had sacrificed 5-6 months of tenure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier Governor ESL Narasimhan approved the dissolution of the assembly as recommended by CM KCR and has asked him to continue as caretaker CM till the new government is formed.</p>


The Telangana CM in a press conference at Telangana Bhavan shortly after meeting the governor said that polling for Telangana assembly might happen in November and results can be expected in the first week of December.

Hours after dissolving the assembly, Telangana chief minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party chief K Chandrashekhar Rao announcing a list of 105 candidates for the assembly elections today. ''We are announcing a list of 105 candidates today,'' said KCR after the state cabinet decided to dissolve assembly in order to hold early polls. The Telangana CM in a press conference at Telangana Bhavan shortly after meeting the governor said that polling for Telangana assembly might happen in November and results can be expected in the first week of December. ''I say with authority, we fulfilled our manifesto promises and 76 other programmes not mentioned in manifesto were also implemented,'' KCR said. Describing Congress as villain number one for Telangana, KCR said there was not even a single incident of communal violence in the last four-and-a-half years. Telangana is peaceful, he added. KCR also said that they had sacrificed 5-6 months of tenure. Earlier Governor ESL Narasimhan approved the dissolution of the assembly as recommended by CM KCR and has asked him to continue as caretaker CM till the new government is formed.

Hours after dissolving assembly, KCR announces list of 105 candidates

<p>Top officials of India and US began the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/22-dialogue-pompeo-calls-for-peaceful-resolutions-of-maritime-disputes-163946">2+2 dialogue in New Delhi </a>today as the Trump administration sought to deepen trade and defence ties with India.</p>

<p>The Indian side led by foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had candid discussion with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defence secretary James Mattis.</p>

<p>In the joint statement, Sushma Swaraj said the 2+2 dialogue marks the beginning of a new phase in US-India ties.</p>

<p>The Indian foreign minister informed that the two countries discussed multiple issues including trade and defence.</p>

<p>"There should be unhindered flow of people and tech," Sushma Swaraj said as she read out the joint statement in the presence of the secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The Indian foreign minister said the two sides seek&nbsp;to work for mutually beneficial trade terms.</p>

<p>"Discussion took place on India's entry into the NSG," the Indian foreign minister informed reporters.</p>

<p>Secretary of state Pompeo said India and the US decided to deepen security ties and several international issues were discussed during the meeting.</p>

<p>"India plays a vital role in the global economy," Pompeo said.</p>

<p>India, US have signed the COMCASA agreement, India's defence minister &nbsp; Nirmala Sitharaman informed.</p>

<p>The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) allows both countries to share&nbsp;encrypted technology for the defence sector.</p>

<p>India can now access highly classified information in US helicopters and aircraft for its purpose allowing greater interoperability between the two countries.</p>

<p>"It was one of the most productive talks between the two countries," Sitharaman added. India also raised the issue of H-1B visa, the defence minister said during the joint statement.</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VfgB5b66q28" width="560"></iframe></p>


Secretary of state Pompeo said India and the US decided to deepen security ties

Top officials of India and US began the 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi today as the Trump administration sought to deepen trade and defence ties with India. The Indian side led by foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had candid discussion with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defence secretary James Mattis. In the joint statement, Sushma Swaraj said the 2+2 dialogue marks the beginning of a new phase in US-India ties. The Indian foreign minister informed that the two countries discussed multiple issues including trade and defence. "There should be unhindered flow of people and tech," Sushma Swaraj said as she read out the joint statement in the presence of the secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The Indian foreign minister said the two sides seek to work for mutually beneficial trade terms. "Discussion took place on India's entry into the NSG," the Indian foreign minister informed reporters. Secretary of state Pompeo said India and the US decided to deepen security ties and several international issues were discussed during the meeting. "India plays a vital role in the global economy," Pompeo said. India, US have signed the COMCASA agreement, India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) allows both countries to share encrypted technology for the defence sector. India can now access highly classified information in US helicopters and aircraft for its purpose allowing greater interoperability between the two countries. "It was one of the most productive talks between the two countries," Sitharaman added. India also raised the issue of H-1B visa, the defence minister said during the joint statement.

2+2 dialogue: India, US sign COMCASA agreement to deepen defence ties

In a landmark judgement, after months of deliberations, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which criminalized homosexuality.

Homosexuality not a crime, says CJI Dipak Misra as SC ends Section 377

MP Shashi Tharoor shares his view on Supreme Court's verdict for Section 377 and says how this verdict is about the individual's right to equality.

MP Shashi Tharoor Speaks On SC's Verdict On Section 377

'Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible,' Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said

Supreme Court decriminalises homosexuality, 5-judge bench passes order unanimously

<p>Telangana cabinet met today to take a call on Assembly dissolution. According to reports, the cabinet-led by Chief Minister KC Rao decided to dissolve the assembly.</p>

<p>CM Rao is expected to address the press later today and has met with Governor&nbsp;ESL Narasimhan to communicate his cabinet's decision.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Governor ESL Narasimhan approved the dissolution as recommended by CM KC Rao and has asked CM Rao to continue as caretaker Telangana CM till the new government is formed.</p>

<p>Amid speculations of early polls in Telangana, the state cabinet held a meeting on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chief secretary SK Joshi refused to give more details on the meeting or the press conference that is to be addressed by the Telangana Chief Minister at around 2.30pm today.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Telangana CM KC Rao meets Governor, informs him about Cabinet's decision to dissolve the state Assembly. <a href="https://t.co/XLJj85rwI7">pic.twitter.com/XLJj85rwI7</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037614738291580930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>CM Rao is expected to address the press conference shortly after he concludes his meeting with Governor ESL Narasimhan over his Assembly's dissolution.</p>

<p>The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) would have completed its term next year but has dissolved the assembly and has called for fresh polls.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Governor ESL Narasimhan approves assembly dissolution as recommended by CM KC Rao. Governor has asked Rao to continue as caretaker Telangana CM till the new government is formed. <a href="https://t.co/iIzIv75S1w">https://t.co/iIzIv75S1w</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037621037578510336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Speculation about the dissolution and early polls in Telangana were rife for over a fortnight now.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Governor ESL Narasimhan approves assembly dissolution as recommended by CM KC Rao. Governor has asked Rao to continue as caretaker Telangana CM till the new government is formed. <a href="https://t.co/dflBjTx1U8">pic.twitter.com/dflBjTx1U8</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037621678396899329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Legislative Assembly polls in the state were scheduled to be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections next year, but the ruling TRS reportedly sees political benefit in delinking the two polls.</p>


Amid speculations of early polls in Telangana, the state cabinet held a meeting on Thursday.

Telangana cabinet met today to take a call on Assembly dissolution. According to reports, the cabinet-led by Chief Minister KC Rao decided to dissolve the assembly. CM Rao is expected to address the press later today and has met with Governor ESL Narasimhan to communicate his cabinet's decision. Governor ESL Narasimhan approved the dissolution as recommended by CM KC Rao and has asked CM Rao to continue as caretaker Telangana CM till the new government is formed. Amid speculations of early polls in Telangana, the state cabinet held a meeting on Thursday. Chief secretary SK Joshi refused to give more details on the meeting or the press conference that is to be addressed by the Telangana Chief Minister at around 2.30pm today. Telangana CM KC Rao meets Governor, informs him about Cabinet's decision to dissolve the state Assembly. pic.twitter.com/XLJj85rwI7 — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × CM Rao is expected to address the press conference shortly after he concludes his meeting with Governor ESL Narasimhan over his Assembly's dissolution. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) would have completed its term next year but has dissolved the assembly and has called for fresh polls. Governor ESL Narasimhan approves assembly dissolution as recommended by CM KC Rao. Governor has asked Rao to continue as caretaker Telangana CM till the new government is formed. https://t.co/iIzIv75S1w — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × Speculation about the dissolution and early polls in Telangana were rife for over a fortnight now. Governor ESL Narasimhan approves assembly dissolution as recommended by CM KC Rao. Governor has asked Rao to continue as caretaker Telangana CM till the new government is formed. pic.twitter.com/dflBjTx1U8 — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × Legislative Assembly polls in the state were scheduled to be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections next year, but the ruling TRS reportedly sees political benefit in delinking the two polls.

Telangana cabinet dissolves Assembly, CM KC Rao meets Governor

<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday, in&nbsp;its landmark&nbsp;judgement, decriminalised homosexuality in the country. The top court heard pleas challenging Section 377 and give its verdict on the same.</p>

<p>The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGTB) community and activists were elated with the outcome. Following the historic verdict, here's taking a quick look at the timeline of the events tied to Section 377, leading to the landmark judgement pronounced by the apex&nbsp;court today.&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>The bid to decriminalise section 377 was initiated by an NGO, Naz Foundation. The petitioners from the NGO approached the Delhi High Court in 2001.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>The plea filed by Naz Foundation was dismissed in 2004 by the Delhi High Court, a review petition was also rejected until the NGO moved the Supreme Court in 2006.</li>
	<li>The Supreme Court in 2006 directed the Delhi High Court to hear the case.</li>
	<li>In 2008, a Delhi High Court bench reserved its verdict on the case.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Delhi High Court pronounced a landmark judgement by decriminalising homosexual act between two consenting adults in 2009.</li>
	<li>The verdict was challenged in the top court which quashed the Delhi court's order and criminalised homosexuality again describing it as "legally unsustainable".&nbsp;</li>
	<li>In 2014, a review petition was filed in the Supreme Court which was rejected in 2015.</li>
	<li>The Naz Foundation again filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court, the case was forwarded to a constitutional bench in 2016.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>The final hearing on the case began in July this year.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>The LGBT community activists had expressed their optimism as the hearing of petitions against Section 377 in the Supreme Court went underway on Thursday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> in Supreme Court: Sustenance of identity is the pyramid of life, observes Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra</p>
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<p>The homosexuality law, commonly known as Section 377, prohibited&nbsp;"carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal".</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/crying-tears-of-joy-karan-johar-sonam-kapoor-and-others-hail-judgement-as-sc-decriminalises-homosexuality-163950">Also see:&nbsp;'Crying tears of joy': Bollywood celebrates as SC decriminalises homosexuality</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> in Supreme Court: CJI Dipak Misra observes, "No one can escape from their individualism. Society is now better for individualism. In the present case, our deliberations will be on various spectrums."</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037583541414944768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The law made the offence punishable with life imprisonment, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, with a fine.</p>


The homosexuality law, commonly known as Section 377, prohibited 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal'.

The Supreme Court on Thursday, in its landmark judgement, decriminalised homosexuality in the country. The top court heard pleas challenging Section 377 and give its verdict on the same. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGTB) community and activists were elated with the outcome. Following the historic verdict, here's taking a quick look at the timeline of the events tied to Section 377, leading to the landmark judgement pronounced by the apex court today. The bid to decriminalise section 377 was initiated by an NGO, Naz Foundation. The petitioners from the NGO approached the Delhi High Court in 2001. The plea filed by Naz Foundation was dismissed in 2004 by the Delhi High Court, a review petition was also rejected until the NGO moved the Supreme Court in 2006. The Supreme Court in 2006 directed the Delhi High Court to hear the case. In 2008, a Delhi High Court bench reserved its verdict on the case. Delhi High Court pronounced a landmark judgement by decriminalising homosexual act between two consenting adults in 2009. The verdict was challenged in the top court which quashed the Delhi court's order and criminalised homosexuality again describing it as "legally unsustainable". In 2014, a review petition was filed in the Supreme Court which was rejected in 2015. The Naz Foundation again filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court, the case was forwarded to a constitutional bench in 2016. The final hearing on the case began in July this year. The LGBT community activists had expressed their optimism as the hearing of petitions against Section 377 in the Supreme Court went underway on Thursday. #Section377 in Supreme Court: Sustenance of identity is the pyramid of life, observes Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × The homosexuality law, commonly known as Section 377, prohibited "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal". Also see: 'Crying tears of joy': Bollywood celebrates as SC decriminalises homosexuality #Section377 in Supreme Court: CJI Dipak Misra observes, "No one can escape from their individualism. Society is now better for individualism. In the present case, our deliberations will be on various spectrums." — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × The law made the offence punishable with life imprisonment, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, with a fine.

Historic feat: India decriminalises homosexuality -- a timeline of events

<p>The United Nations on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/criminalising-gay-sex-irrational-indefensible-says-cji-as-supreme-court-decriminalises-homosexuality-163933">verdict of decriminalising homosexuality in India</a>. The UN statement noted "that sexual orientation and gender expression form an integral part of an individual's identity".</p>

<p>"Welcome today’s landmark ruling by SC. Violence, stigma and discrimination based on these attributes constitute an egregious violation of human rights," the UN noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme Court of India today decriminalised homosexuality stating that it is not a crime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Respect for individual choice is the essence of liberty," Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said while delivering the historic order.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible," Misra said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Welcome today’s landmark ruling by SC. Sexual orientation & gender expression form integral part of individual’s identity the world over & violence, stigma & discrimination based on these attributes constitute an egregious violation of human rights: United Nations on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> <a href="https://t.co/7101VIDb9h">pic.twitter.com/7101VIDb9h</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037607618674610177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He added that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community has the same rights as any other citizen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The homosexuality law, commonly known as Section 377, prohibited "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal".</p>

<p>The law made the offence punishable with life imprisonment, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, with a fine.</p>


The Supreme Court of India on Thursday decriminalised homosexuality stating that it is not a crime.

The United Nations on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict of decriminalising homosexuality in India. The UN statement noted "that sexual orientation and gender expression form an integral part of an individual's identity". "Welcome today’s landmark ruling by SC. Violence, stigma and discrimination based on these attributes constitute an egregious violation of human rights," the UN noted. The Supreme Court of India today decriminalised homosexuality stating that it is not a crime. "Respect for individual choice is the essence of liberty," Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said while delivering the historic order. "Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible," Misra said. Welcome today’s landmark ruling by SC. Sexual orientation & gender expression form integral part of individual’s identity the world over & violence, stigma & discrimination based on these attributes constitute an egregious violation of human rights: United Nations on #Section377 pic.twitter.com/7101VIDb9h — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × He added that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community has the same rights as any other citizen. The homosexuality law, commonly known as Section 377, prohibited "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal". The law made the offence punishable with life imprisonment, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, with a fine.

Welcome today’s landmark ruling by SC, sexual orientation form integral part of identity: UN 

<p>The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the house arrest of the five activists arrested in the Bhima-Koregaon case till September 12 and also criticised the Maharashtra Police for casting aspersions on the court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The apex court told the police that the had no right telling the court what to do or interfere in matters, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During its last hearing on August 29, the Supreme Court had halted Pune police's bid for the activists' immediate custody. Instead, the court had ordered that the activists be kept under house arrest.</p>

<p>The Maharashtra government claimed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the five rights activists were not arrested for their dissenting views but due to the cogent evidence linking them with the banned CPI(Maoist).</p>

<p>The apex court while ordering the house arrest of the five activists on August 29 till Thursday had categorically said that “dissent is the safety valve of democracy”.</p>

<p>The counter affidavit, filed by the Maharashtra police on a plea of historian Romila Thapar and others challenging the arrest of these activists in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence case, alleged that they were planning to carry out violence in the country and ambush the security forces.</p>

<p>On August 28, the Maharashtra Police had raided the homes of the prominent Left-wing activists in several states and arrested at least five of them for suspected Maoist links, sparking a chorus of outraged protests from human rights defenders.</p>

<p>Moreover, around 250 Twitter handles were created to spread misinformation about the Koregaon-Bhima violence and to mobilse support for allegedly holding demonstrations abroad to defame the Modi government, Maharashtra Police said Wednesday.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


The apex court while ordering the house arrest of the five activists on August 29 till Thursday had categorically said that 'dissent is the safety valve of democracy.'

The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the house arrest of the five activists arrested in the Bhima-Koregaon case till September 12 and also criticised the Maharashtra Police for casting aspersions on the court. The apex court told the police that the had no right telling the court what to do or interfere in matters, reports said. During its last hearing on August 29, the Supreme Court had halted Pune police's bid for the activists' immediate custody. Instead, the court had ordered that the activists be kept under house arrest. The Maharashtra government claimed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the five rights activists were not arrested for their dissenting views but due to the cogent evidence linking them with the banned CPI(Maoist). The apex court while ordering the house arrest of the five activists on August 29 till Thursday had categorically said that “dissent is the safety valve of democracy”. The counter affidavit, filed by the Maharashtra police on a plea of historian Romila Thapar and others challenging the arrest of these activists in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence case, alleged that they were planning to carry out violence in the country and ambush the security forces. On August 28, the Maharashtra Police had raided the homes of the prominent Left-wing activists in several states and arrested at least five of them for suspected Maoist links, sparking a chorus of outraged protests from human rights defenders. Moreover, around 250 Twitter handles were created to spread misinformation about the Koregaon-Bhima violence and to mobilse support for allegedly holding demonstrations abroad to defame the Modi government, Maharashtra Police said Wednesday. (With inputs from PTI)

Bhima Koregaon case: SC extends house arrest of five arrested activists till September 12

<p>Pakistan's focus for decades has been to undermine India's territorial integrity through the "explicit use of terrorism" as a state policy, New Delhi said in a stern response after Islamabad raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN.</p>

<p>Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi yet again raised the issue of Kashmir while addressing the High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace in the UN General Assembly Wednesday.</p>

<p>She said, "foreign occupation and the denial of fundamental rights including the right to self-determination exacerbate the sense of injustice among the occupied and the oppressed".</p>

<p>"Nowhere is this more apparent than in the pain and suffering" of the people in Kashmir and Palestine, she said, citing the recent report on Kashmir issued by former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.</p>

<p>Minister in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Srinivas Prasad said that a culture of peace is not just an abstract value or principle to be discussed and extolled in conferences, but needs to be actively built into global relationships between and among nation-states.</p>

<p>"It rests on good neighbourliness and a respect for the territory and the governing systems and principles of other states," he said.</p>

<p>In a stern response, Prasad said it is ironic that Pakistan, "whose focus over the decades has been the undermining of India's territorial integrity through the explicit use of terrorism as a state policy has chosen to use this platform to yet again claim</p>

<p>Indian territory under the guise of a supposed concern for 'justice and self-determination' by quoting a report that not a single member state had asked for or has supported".</p>

<p>He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is and will remain an integral part of India.</p>

<p>"As a democracy, India has always abided by the choices of the people and will not allow this freedom to be undermined by terrorism and extremism," he said.</p>

<p>Prasad further said that one of India's enduring principles has been "Vasudheva Kutumbakam''&nbspor the concept that the ''world is one family''.&nbsp</p>

<p>Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said a "non-violent revolution is not a programme of seizure of power. It is a programme of transformation of relationships".</p>

<p>"From the Vedic age in the distant past to the great teachers Mahavira and Buddha to Gandhiji, India's message has always been about the need of a Culture of Peace. It is may be due to this heritage of a Culture of Peace that has made India, home to the harmonious blending of different cultures and religions," Prasad said.</p>

<p>He said that India is the birthplace of Lord Buddha as well as home to the second largest Muslim community in the world.</p>

<p>"We are deeply conscious and proud of this heritage and our commitment therefore, to a Culture of Peace is natural and automatic," Prasad added.</p>


Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi yet again raised the issue of Kashmir while addressing the High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace in the UN General Assembly Wednesday.

Pakistan's focus for decades has been to undermine India's territorial integrity through the "explicit use of terrorism" as a state policy, New Delhi said in a stern response after Islamabad raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN. Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi yet again raised the issue of Kashmir while addressing the High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace in the UN General Assembly Wednesday. She said, "foreign occupation and the denial of fundamental rights including the right to self-determination exacerbate the sense of injustice among the occupied and the oppressed". "Nowhere is this more apparent than in the pain and suffering" of the people in Kashmir and Palestine, she said, citing the recent report on Kashmir issued by former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein. Minister in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Srinivas Prasad said that a culture of peace is not just an abstract value or principle to be discussed and extolled in conferences, but needs to be actively built into global relationships between and among nation-states. "It rests on good neighbourliness and a respect for the territory and the governing systems and principles of other states," he said. In a stern response, Prasad said it is ironic that Pakistan, "whose focus over the decades has been the undermining of India's territorial integrity through the explicit use of terrorism as a state policy has chosen to use this platform to yet again claim Indian territory under the guise of a supposed concern for 'justice and self-determination' by quoting a report that not a single member state had asked for or has supported". He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is and will remain an integral part of India. "As a democracy, India has always abided by the choices of the people and will not allow this freedom to be undermined by terrorism and extremism," he said. Prasad further said that one of India's enduring principles has been "Vasudheva Kutumbakam''&nbspor the concept that the ''world is one family''. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said a "non-violent revolution is not a programme of seizure of power. It is a programme of transformation of relationships". "From the Vedic age in the distant past to the great teachers Mahavira and Buddha to Gandhiji, India's message has always been about the need of a Culture of Peace. It is may be due to this heritage of a Culture of Peace that has made India, home to the harmonious blending of different cultures and religions," Prasad said. He said that India is the birthplace of Lord Buddha as well as home to the second largest Muslim community in the world. "We are deeply conscious and proud of this heritage and our commitment therefore, to a Culture of Peace is natural and automatic," Prasad added.

Pakistan focussed to undermine India's territorial integrity through terrorism: India at UN

<p>The Supreme Court of India said Thursday that homosexuality is not a crime, while decriminalising the parts of <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/sc-decriminalises-homosexuality-after-the-verdict-the-joy-163948">Section 377</a> that deal with consensual sex between adults.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Respect for individual choice is the essence of liberty," Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said while delivering the historic order.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible," Misra said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community has the same rights as any other citizen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Respect for each others rights, and others, is supreme humanity, the bench observed, adding that the right to live with dignity is a right. The order was passed — unanimously — by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and comprising Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Five-judge Supreme Court bench by unanimous decision decriminalises <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> <a href="https://t.co/IQSJYDk94X">pic.twitter.com/IQSJYDk94X</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> in Supreme Court: LGBT Community has same rights as of any ordinary citizen. Respect for each others rights, and others are supreme humanity. Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible, observes CJI Dipak Misra. <a href="https://t.co/05ADSuh5cv">https://t.co/05ADSuh5cv</a></p>
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<p>The 158-year-old colonial-era Section 377 referred to 'unnatural offences' and said whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to pay a fine.</p>

<p>The court had earlier reserved its verdict on July 17 after hearing various stakeholders for four days, including gay rights activists.</p>

<p>The country's top court had asserted that courts cannot wait for a "majoritarian government" to decide on enacting, amending or striking down a law if it violates fundamental rights.</p>

<p>It had made clear that it may not strike down the law completely and deal with it to the extent it relates to consensual sex between two adults.</p>

<p>"If Section 377 of the IPC goes away entirely, there will be anarchy. We are solely on consensual acts between man-man, man-woman. Consent is the fulcrum here. You cannot impose your sexual orientation on others without their consent," the top court had said while allaying apprehensions of those opposed to the decriminalisation of the penal provision.</p>

<p>"We would not wait for the majoritarian government to enact, amend or not to enact any law to deal with violations of fundamental rights," the bench had said while reserving its verdict.</p>

<p>The Centre, which had initially sought adjournment for filing its response to the petitions, had later left to the wisdom of the court the issue of legality of the penal provision on the aspects of criminalising consensual unnatural sex between two consenting adults.</p>

<p>It had said that the other aspects of the penal provision dealing with minors and animals should be allowed to remain in the statute book.</p>

<p>The apex court heard the writ petitions filed by dancer Navtej Jauhar, journalist Sunil Mehra, chef Ritu Dalmia, hoteliers Aman Nath and Keshav Suri and business executive Ayesha Kapur and 20 former and current students of the IITs. They have sought decriminalisation of consensual sex between two consenting adults of the same sex by declaring section 377 of IPC as illegal and unconstitutional.</p>

<p>The issue was first raised by NGO Naaz Foundation, which had in 2001 approached the Delhi High Court which had in 2009 decriminalised sex between consenting adults of the same gender by holding the penal provision as "illegal".</p>

<p>This high court judgement was overturned in 2013 by the apex court which also dismissed the review plea against which the curative petitions were filed which are pending.</p>

<p>The top court had commenced hearing on the fresh writ petitions challenging re-criminalisation of consensual gay sex between two adults, rejecting the Centre's plea seeking postponement of the proceedings by four weeks.</p>

<p>At the outset of the hearing, the five-judge bench on July 10 had made it clear that it was not going into the curative petitions and would adjudicate on the fresh writ petitions in the matter.</p>

<p>The writ petitions were opposed by Apostolic Alliance of Churches and Utkal Christian Association and some other NGOs and individuals including Suresh Kumar Kaushal.</p>

<p>Kaushal had also challenged the 2009 verdict of the high court in the apex court which had restored section 377 of IPC.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


The order was passed — unanimously — by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and comprising Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra.

The Supreme Court of India said Thursday that homosexuality is not a crime, while decriminalising the parts of Section 377 that deal with consensual sex between adults. "Respect for individual choice is the essence of liberty," Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said while delivering the historic order. "Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible," Misra said. He added that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community has the same rights as any other citizen. Respect for each others rights, and others, is supreme humanity, the bench observed, adding that the right to live with dignity is a right. The order was passed — unanimously — by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and comprising Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra. Five-judge Supreme Court bench by unanimous decision decriminalises #Section377 pic.twitter.com/IQSJYDk94X — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × #Section377 in Supreme Court: LGBT Community has same rights as of any ordinary citizen. Respect for each others rights, and others are supreme humanity. Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible, observes CJI Dipak Misra. https://t.co/05ADSuh5cv — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × The 158-year-old colonial-era Section 377 referred to 'unnatural offences' and said whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to pay a fine. The court had earlier reserved its verdict on July 17 after hearing various stakeholders for four days, including gay rights activists. The country's top court had asserted that courts cannot wait for a "majoritarian government" to decide on enacting, amending or striking down a law if it violates fundamental rights. It had made clear that it may not strike down the law completely and deal with it to the extent it relates to consensual sex between two adults. "If Section 377 of the IPC goes away entirely, there will be anarchy. We are solely on consensual acts between man-man, man-woman. Consent is the fulcrum here. You cannot impose your sexual orientation on others without their consent," the top court had said while allaying apprehensions of those opposed to the decriminalisation of the penal provision. "We would not wait for the majoritarian government to enact, amend or not to enact any law to deal with violations of fundamental rights," the bench had said while reserving its verdict. The Centre, which had initially sought adjournment for filing its response to the petitions, had later left to the wisdom of the court the issue of legality of the penal provision on the aspects of criminalising consensual unnatural sex between two consenting adults. It had said that the other aspects of the penal provision dealing with minors and animals should be allowed to remain in the statute book. The apex court heard the writ petitions filed by dancer Navtej Jauhar, journalist Sunil Mehra, chef Ritu Dalmia, hoteliers Aman Nath and Keshav Suri and business executive Ayesha Kapur and 20 former and current students of the IITs. They have sought decriminalisation of consensual sex between two consenting adults of the same sex by declaring section 377 of IPC as illegal and unconstitutional. The issue was first raised by NGO Naaz Foundation, which had in 2001 approached the Delhi High Court which had in 2009 decriminalised sex between consenting adults of the same gender by holding the penal provision as "illegal". This high court judgement was overturned in 2013 by the apex court which also dismissed the review plea against which the curative petitions were filed which are pending. The top court had commenced hearing on the fresh writ petitions challenging re-criminalisation of consensual gay sex between two adults, rejecting the Centre's plea seeking postponement of the proceedings by four weeks. At the outset of the hearing, the five-judge bench on July 10 had made it clear that it was not going into the curative petitions and would adjudicate on the fresh writ petitions in the matter. The writ petitions were opposed by Apostolic Alliance of Churches and Utkal Christian Association and some other NGOs and individuals including Suresh Kumar Kaushal. Kaushal had also challenged the 2009 verdict of the high court in the apex court which had restored section 377 of IPC. (With inputs from PTI)

'Criminalising gay sex irrational, indefensible,' says CJI as Supreme Court decriminalises homosexuality

<p>The country's LGBTQ community, and others, broke out in rapturous joy after the historic Supreme Court verdict decriminalising homosexuality on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible," Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had said while delivering the order.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community has the same rights as any other citizen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The celebrations broke out minutes later.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have finally got justice. We are finally azaad in azaad Hind," said the LGBT rights activist Ashok Row Kavi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Lalit Hotel in Delhi put on a song and dance show. (Keshav Suri, executive director of the Lalit Group of Hotels, is also an LGBT activist.)&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Celebrations at Delhi's The Lalit hotel after Supreme Court legalises homosexuality. Keshav Suri, the executive director of Lalit Group of hotels is a prominent LGBT activist. <a href="https://t.co/yCa04FexFE">pic.twitter.com/yCa04FexFE</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All the lawyers & judges who have worked on this are the people to be interviewed and thanked. I am a nobody but they are the people to be thanked. It is massive time to celebrate: Keshav Suri, Executive Director of Lalit Group of hotels & petitioner in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> case. <a href="https://t.co/ZdqJWQiEa2">pic.twitter.com/ZdqJWQiEa2</a></p>
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<p>While video of celebrations in Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and further afield streamed in:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> People in Mumbai celebrate after Supreme Court decriminalises <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> and legalises homosexuality <a href="https://t.co/ztI67QwfsT">pic.twitter.com/ztI67QwfsT</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Celebrations in Chennai after Supreme Court in a unanimous decision decriminalises <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> and legalises homosexuality <a href="https://t.co/0dRCLDiBYy">pic.twitter.com/0dRCLDiBYy</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Celebrations in Karnataka's Bengaluru after Supreme Court legalises homosexuality. <a href="https://t.co/vQHms5C0Yd">pic.twitter.com/vQHms5C0Yd</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a>: People in Mumbai celebrate after Supreme Court decriminalises <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Section377?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Section377</a> <a href="https://t.co/YDabnsP9aO">pic.twitter.com/YDabnsP9aO</a></p>
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<p>The Delhi High court had struck down Section 377 in 2009, but the ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2013.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme Court had at the time said it was the government's job to make, and strike down laws, not the courts'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Thursday, it changed its mind emphatically. The order decriminalising homosexuality Thursday was passed unanimously by a five-judge bench.&nbsp;</p>


'Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible,' Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had said while delivering the order.

The country's LGBTQ community, and others, broke out in rapturous joy after the historic Supreme Court verdict decriminalising homosexuality on Thursday. "Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible," Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had said while delivering the order. He added that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community has the same rights as any other citizen. The celebrations broke out minutes later. "We have finally got justice. We are finally azaad in azaad Hind," said the LGBT rights activist Ashok Row Kavi. The Lalit Hotel in Delhi put on a song and dance show. (Keshav Suri, executive director of the Lalit Group of Hotels, is also an LGBT activist.) #WATCH Celebrations at Delhi's The Lalit hotel after Supreme Court legalises homosexuality. Keshav Suri, the executive director of Lalit Group of hotels is a prominent LGBT activist. pic.twitter.com/yCa04FexFE — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × All the lawyers & judges who have worked on this are the people to be interviewed and thanked. I am a nobody but they are the people to be thanked. It is massive time to celebrate: Keshav Suri, Executive Director of Lalit Group of hotels & petitioner in #Section377 case. pic.twitter.com/ZdqJWQiEa2 — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × While video of celebrations in Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and further afield streamed in: #WATCH People in Mumbai celebrate after Supreme Court decriminalises #Section377 and legalises homosexuality pic.twitter.com/ztI67QwfsT — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × #WATCH Celebrations in Chennai after Supreme Court in a unanimous decision decriminalises #Section377 and legalises homosexuality pic.twitter.com/0dRCLDiBYy — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × #WATCH Celebrations in Karnataka's Bengaluru after Supreme Court legalises homosexuality. pic.twitter.com/vQHms5C0Yd — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × #Maharashtra: People in Mumbai celebrate after Supreme Court decriminalises #Section377 pic.twitter.com/YDabnsP9aO — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × The Delhi High court had struck down Section 377 in 2009, but the ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2013. The Supreme Court had at the time said it was the government's job to make, and strike down laws, not the courts'. On Thursday, it changed its mind emphatically. The order decriminalising homosexuality Thursday was passed unanimously by a five-judge bench.

SC decriminalises homosexuality: After the verdict, the joy

<p>The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken Amol Kale, the prime accused in journalist Gauri Lankesh murder case, in its custody in connection with its probe in rationalist Narendra Dabholkar's murder case, an official said Thursday.</p>

<p>The CBI suspects that Kale is also the mastermind of Dabholkar's killing, he said.</p>

<p>Kale, who was arrested in May this year by the Karnataka Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with Lankesh's killing. will be produced before a court in Maharashtra's Pune district Thursday, he said.</p>

<p>Dabholkar was killed in Pune on August 20, 2013, while Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence at Bengaluru in Karnataka on September 5, 2017.</p>

<p>The official claimed that during Kale's interrogation, his alleged role in Dabholkar's killing also came to light.</p>

<p>Kale and Sachin Andure, the alleged main shooter in Dabholkar's killing, had met in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district and also stayed there in a lodge, he said.</p>

<p>During his stay in Aurangabad, Kale gave a pistol to Andure and it was passed to the latter's brother-in-law Shubham Surale, the official said.</p>

<p>The pistol was found last month at Surale's friend Rohit Rege's residence in Aurangabad during raids by the CBI and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).</p>

<p>The seized pistol was sent to a forensic science lab for analysis and the ballistic report is yet to be known, he said.</p>

<p>The CBI wants to interrogate Kale to find out about his alleged role in the Dabholkar case and in this connection, the probe agency Wednesday took his custody from a prison in Bengaluru, he said.</p>

<p>During the course of the investigation, the CBI is likely to confront Sharad Kalaskar, the other alleged shooter in the Dabholkar case, with Kale, and two others arrested in Lankesh's murder case -- Amit Digvekar and Rajesh Bangera, another official said.</p>

<p>The agency had claimed earlier that Digvekar and Bangera were also involved in the Dabholkar murder conspiracy. It had arrested the duo in the Dabholkar case last week.</p>

<p>Kalaskar was arrested last month by the Maharashtra ATS in connection with an alleged conspiracy to carry out blasts in the state.</p>

<p>The ATS had claimed that during interrogation, Kalaskar revealed that he and Sachin Andure were involved in the Dabholkar murder, following which it tipped off the CBI which then arrested Andure.</p>


Dabholkar was killed in Pune on August 20, 2013, while Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence at Bengaluru in Karnataka on September 5, 2017.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken Amol Kale, the prime accused in journalist Gauri Lankesh murder case, in its custody in connection with its probe in rationalist Narendra Dabholkar's murder case, an official said Thursday. The CBI suspects that Kale is also the mastermind of Dabholkar's killing, he said. Kale, who was arrested in May this year by the Karnataka Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with Lankesh's killing. will be produced before a court in Maharashtra's Pune district Thursday, he said. Dabholkar was killed in Pune on August 20, 2013, while Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence at Bengaluru in Karnataka on September 5, 2017. The official claimed that during Kale's interrogation, his alleged role in Dabholkar's killing also came to light. Kale and Sachin Andure, the alleged main shooter in Dabholkar's killing, had met in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district and also stayed there in a lodge, he said. During his stay in Aurangabad, Kale gave a pistol to Andure and it was passed to the latter's brother-in-law Shubham Surale, the official said. The pistol was found last month at Surale's friend Rohit Rege's residence in Aurangabad during raids by the CBI and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The seized pistol was sent to a forensic science lab for analysis and the ballistic report is yet to be known, he said. The CBI wants to interrogate Kale to find out about his alleged role in the Dabholkar case and in this connection, the probe agency Wednesday took his custody from a prison in Bengaluru, he said. During the course of the investigation, the CBI is likely to confront Sharad Kalaskar, the other alleged shooter in the Dabholkar case, with Kale, and two others arrested in Lankesh's murder case -- Amit Digvekar and Rajesh Bangera, another official said. The agency had claimed earlier that Digvekar and Bangera were also involved in the Dabholkar murder conspiracy. It had arrested the duo in the Dabholkar case last week. Kalaskar was arrested last month by the Maharashtra ATS in connection with an alleged conspiracy to carry out blasts in the state. The ATS had claimed that during interrogation, Kalaskar revealed that he and Sachin Andure were involved in the Dabholkar murder, following which it tipped off the CBI which then arrested Andure.

Dabholkar murder: CBI takes custody of Lankesh murder accused

<p>Foreign and Defence Ministers of India and the United States kicked-off the 2+2 Dialogue today with an aim to boost bilateral ties, military relations and strategic cooperation between both the countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ahead of the talks, bilateral meetings took place between Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her American counterpart Jim Mattis and between Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the talks, Mike Pompeo stated that both the countries are "united by shared values of democracy, respect for individual rights and a shared commitment to freedom".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our two nations are united by shared values of democracy, respect for individual rights and a shared commitment to freedom. Given those values India and the United States have a natural starting point: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during '2+2' talks <a href="https://t.co/NazqEdUaw5">pic.twitter.com/NazqEdUaw5</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037581905611448321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Given those values, India and the United States have a natural starting point," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We should continue to ensure freedom of the seas, skies, uphold the peaceful resolutions of the maritime disputes, promote market based economics and good governance and prevent external economic coercion: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during '2+2' talks <a href="https://t.co/wRGWtZOTj6">pic.twitter.com/wRGWtZOTj6</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037582770053242881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We should continue to ensure freedom of the seas, skies, uphold the peaceful resolutions of the maritime disputes, promote market-based economics and good governance and prevent external economic coercion," Pompeo added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj expressed confidence that the dialogue will "help unleash the untapped potential of our relationship and further elevate the level of our partnership".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am confident that our discussions & decisions that we'll take today will help unleash the untapped potential of our relation & further elevate the level of our partnership: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during '2+2' talks in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/HKVNQwUCVp">pic.twitter.com/HKVNQwUCVp</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037582720077971456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>India and the United States kicked-off high-level talks in New Delhi on Thursday. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the national capital on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both the countries are eyeing to finalise defence pacts that could bring India and the US closer in terms of their military camaraderie and prowess amid looming concerns of China's expanding influence across Asia.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The commencement of first ever ministry of 2+2 between India & US is a concrete manifestation of the work vision of our leaders PM Modi & US President Donald Trump to take India-US relationship to even higher trajectory: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during '2+2' talks <a href="https://t.co/d4eHWZRX5D">pic.twitter.com/d4eHWZRX5D</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037584958414626816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to reports, India is likely to give its approval to a landmark military communications agreement with the United States today, Indian government defence sources told Reuters.</p>

<p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Sushma Swaraj expressed confidence that the dialogue will 'help unleash the untapped potential of our relationship and further elevate the level of our partnership'.

Foreign and Defence Ministers of India and the United States kicked-off the 2+2 Dialogue today with an aim to boost bilateral ties, military relations and strategic cooperation between both the countries. Ahead of the talks, bilateral meetings took place between Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her American counterpart Jim Mattis and between Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. During the talks, Mike Pompeo stated that both the countries are "united by shared values of democracy, respect for individual rights and a shared commitment to freedom". Our two nations are united by shared values of democracy, respect for individual rights and a shared commitment to freedom. Given those values India and the United States have a natural starting point: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during '2+2' talks pic.twitter.com/NazqEdUaw5 — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × "Given those values, India and the United States have a natural starting point," he added. We should continue to ensure freedom of the seas, skies, uphold the peaceful resolutions of the maritime disputes, promote market based economics and good governance and prevent external economic coercion: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during '2+2' talks pic.twitter.com/wRGWtZOTj6 — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × "We should continue to ensure freedom of the seas, skies, uphold the peaceful resolutions of the maritime disputes, promote market-based economics and good governance and prevent external economic coercion," Pompeo added. Sushma Swaraj expressed confidence that the dialogue will "help unleash the untapped potential of our relationship and further elevate the level of our partnership". I am confident that our discussions & decisions that we'll take today will help unleash the untapped potential of our relation & further elevate the level of our partnership: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during '2+2' talks in Delhi pic.twitter.com/HKVNQwUCVp — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × India and the United States kicked-off high-level talks in New Delhi on Thursday. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the national capital on Wednesday. Both the countries are eyeing to finalise defence pacts that could bring India and the US closer in terms of their military camaraderie and prowess amid looming concerns of China's expanding influence across Asia. The commencement of first ever ministry of 2+2 between India & US is a concrete manifestation of the work vision of our leaders PM Modi & US President Donald Trump to take India-US relationship to even higher trajectory: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during '2+2' talks pic.twitter.com/d4eHWZRX5D — ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018 × According to reports, India is likely to give its approval to a landmark military communications agreement with the United States today, Indian government defence sources told Reuters.

2+2 Dialogue: Pompeo calls for peaceful resolutions of maritime disputes

<p>The CBI on Wednesday carried out searches at around 40 locations in Tamil Nadu, including at the residences of state's health minister and the director general of police, in connection with the Gutka scam, officials said.</p>

<p>They said the searches are spread across the state but did not reveal exact locations at this stage, saying it may hamper the ongoing operations.</p>

<p>The residences of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and DGP TK Rajendran, besides that of a former senior police official, among others are being searched, they said.</p>

<p>The scam came to light on July 8, 2017, when income tax sleuths raided the godown, offices and residences of a pan masala and gutka (a concoction of tobacco and pan masala) manufacturer in Tamil Nadu, who had been facing charges of tax evasion to the tune of Rs 250 crore.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>The manufacture, storage and sale of the chewable forms of tobacco, including gutka and pan masala were banned by the Tamil Nadu government in 2013.</p>

<p>During the raids, the department had seized a diary containing names of those who had been allegedly paid by the gutka manufacturers.</p>

<p>The case was sent to the CBI by the Madras High Court in April this year on the plea of a DMK leader.</p>

<p>The agency had registered an FIR against unidentified officials of the Tamil Nadu government, Central Excise Department and the Food Safety Department in May.</p>


The scam came to light on July 8, 2017, when income tax sleuths raided the godown, offices and residences of a pan masala and gutka (a concoction of tobacco and pan masala) manufacturer in Tamil Nadu, who had been facing charges of tax evasion to the tune of Rs 250 crore.

The CBI on Wednesday carried out searches at around 40 locations in Tamil Nadu, including at the residences of state's health minister and the director general of police, in connection with the Gutka scam, officials said. They said the searches are spread across the state but did not reveal exact locations at this stage, saying it may hamper the ongoing operations. The residences of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and DGP TK Rajendran, besides that of a former senior police official, among others are being searched, they said. The scam came to light on July 8, 2017, when income tax sleuths raided the godown, offices and residences of a pan masala and gutka (a concoction of tobacco and pan masala) manufacturer in Tamil Nadu, who had been facing charges of tax evasion to the tune of Rs 250 crore. The manufacture, storage and sale of the chewable forms of tobacco, including gutka and pan masala were banned by the Tamil Nadu government in 2013. During the raids, the department had seized a diary containing names of those who had been allegedly paid by the gutka manufacturers. The case was sent to the CBI by the Madras High Court in April this year on the plea of a DMK leader. The agency had registered an FIR against unidentified officials of the Tamil Nadu government, Central Excise Department and the Food Safety Department in May.

Gutka scam: CBI raids homes of Tamil Nadu health minister, DGP

<p>Maharashtra Police has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying the five arrested activists were planning to create "chaos" in society.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The police added that the activists had not been arrested for their dissent or for their differences of opinion with the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police said credible evidence existed against the accused, and that they should be remanded in their custody.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The five activists were arrested by Pune Police on August 28. They included lawyer and trade union activist Sudha Bharadwaj from Faridabad in Haryana, activist-poet Varavara Rao from Hyderabad, the activists Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves from Mumbai, and civil liberties activist Gautam Navlakha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later, hearing a petition against their arrests,&nbsp;the Supreme Court said the activists were to only be kept under house arrest and were not be transferred to Maharashtra.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court will hear the case again on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the arrest of the activists, Maharashtra Police had held a press conference at which they said the activists had been in touch with Naxals and had been trying to procure arms and ammunition for them or help them financially.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They released a letter as proof, and said they had "thousands"&nbsp;of other similar&nbsp;documents and letters as proof.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The activists have&nbsp;in turn said the police is lying and that their letters(s) of proof have been forged.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Bombay High Court meanwhile pulled up Maharashtra Police for its press conference, and asked it why it was revealing details about a matter that was sub judice.&nbsp;</p>


Maharashtra Police filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court today in which they said the activists had not been arrested for their dissent or for their differences of opinion with the government.

Maharashtra Police has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying the five arrested activists were planning to create "chaos" in society. The police added that the activists had not been arrested for their dissent or for their differences of opinion with the government. Police said credible evidence existed against the accused, and that they should be remanded in their custody. The five activists were arrested by Pune Police on August 28. They included lawyer and trade union activist Sudha Bharadwaj from Faridabad in Haryana, activist-poet Varavara Rao from Hyderabad, the activists Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves from Mumbai, and civil liberties activist Gautam Navlakha. Later, hearing a petition against their arrests, the Supreme Court said the activists were to only be kept under house arrest and were not be transferred to Maharashtra. The court will hear the case again on Thursday. After the arrest of the activists, Maharashtra Police had held a press conference at which they said the activists had been in touch with Naxals and had been trying to procure arms and ammunition for them or help them financially. They released a letter as proof, and said they had "thousands" of other similar documents and letters as proof. The activists have in turn said the police is lying and that their letters(s) of proof have been forged. The Bombay High Court meanwhile pulled up Maharashtra Police for its press conference, and asked it why it was revealing details about a matter that was sub judice.

Maharashtra Police file affidavit in SC, say arrested activists were planning to create 'chaos' in society

<p>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that he and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis would not be discussing India buying oil from Iran or missile defence systems from Russia during the 2+2 Dialogue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pompeo said that although the issues were crucial to India-US ties, they would not be discussed during the meet, which will be held between Pompeo, Mattis, and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Sushma Swaraj.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Don’t see us resolving those or have an intention to resolve those during this set of meetings of the strategic dialogue," Pompeo told media en route to Ireland</p>

<p>"They'll certainly come up, but I don’t think they’ll be the primary focus of what it is we’re trying to accomplish here," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Those decisions(Russian missile defence systems&Iran oil export to India)are imp to relationship but don’t see us resolving those or having even–have intention to resolve those during this set of meetings of Strategic Dialogue:Pompeo remarks to travelling press enroute to Ireland</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1037169999591481346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ahead of the strategic dialogue with India, that will commence in New Delhi on September 6, Pompeo is expected to press Pakistan to target all terror groups on its soil and play a positive role in war-torn Afghanistan.</p>

<p>He is set to <a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/ahead-of-maiden-22-dialogue-with-india-pompeo-to-visit-pakistan-to-discuss-terror-groups-163672">meet Pakistan's new leadership</a> headed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in Islamabad today in a bid to reset the strained bilateral ties, news agency PTI reported.</p>

<p>Pompeo's visit will mark the first-ever high-level dialogue between the Trump administration and Khan-led Pakistan's regime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US delegation will "make very clear what we have to do, all of our nations, in meeting our common foe, the terrorists," Defence Secretary James Mattis said last week in Washington.</p>


'Don’t see us resolving those or have an intention to resolve those during this set of meetings of the strategic dialogue,' Pompeo told media en route to Ireland.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that he and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis would not be discussing India buying oil from Iran or missile defence systems from Russia during the 2+2 Dialogue. Pompeo said that although the issues were crucial to India-US ties, they would not be discussed during the meet, which will be held between Pompeo, Mattis, and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Sushma Swaraj. "Don’t see us resolving those or have an intention to resolve those during this set of meetings of the strategic dialogue," Pompeo told media en route to Ireland "They'll certainly come up, but I don’t think they’ll be the primary focus of what it is we’re trying to accomplish here," he added. Those decisions(Russian missile defence systems&Iran oil export to India)are imp to relationship but don’t see us resolving those or having even–have intention to resolve those during this set of meetings of Strategic Dialogue:Pompeo remarks to travelling press enroute to Ireland — ANI (@ANI) September 5, 2018 × Ahead of the strategic dialogue with India, that will commence in New Delhi on September 6, Pompeo is expected to press Pakistan to target all terror groups on its soil and play a positive role in war-torn Afghanistan. He is set to meet Pakistan's new leadership headed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in Islamabad today in a bid to reset the strained bilateral ties, news agency PTI reported. Pompeo's visit will mark the first-ever high-level dialogue between the Trump administration and Khan-led Pakistan's regime. The US delegation will "make very clear what we have to do, all of our nations, in meeting our common foe, the terrorists," Defence Secretary James Mattis said last week in Washington.

2+2 Dialogue: Will not discuss India buying oil from Iran, says US' Pompeo 

<p>The armed forces and the Defence Ministry are steadfastly behind all officers who have conducted operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the north east, Army Chief Bipin Rawat said Tuesday.</p>

<p>His comments come against the backdrop of nearly 700 Army officers and soldiers approaching the Supreme Court against the alleged dilution of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, also known as AFSPA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sources said if the officials lose the case, it will be a major embarrassment.</p>

<p>They said the Army chief, during an interaction with officers last week, had disapproved of the Army personnel approaching the apex court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When asked about this, Rawat declined to comment, saying the matter was sub judice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This case is sub-judice and I would not like to speak on that," he told reporters in response to a question.</p>

<p>"The armed forces and the government, the Defence Ministry and everybody are steadfast behind all the officers who have conducted operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the north east or anywhere we are countering terrorism or insurgency," he said.</p>

<p>Rawat said the Army will support them in whatever way it can.&nbsp;</p>


The Army chief's comments come against the backdrop of nearly 700 officers and soldiers approaching the Supreme Court against the alleged dilution of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

The armed forces and the Defence Ministry are steadfastly behind all officers who have conducted operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the north east, Army Chief Bipin Rawat said Tuesday. His comments come against the backdrop of nearly 700 Army officers and soldiers approaching the Supreme Court against the alleged dilution of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, also known as AFSPA. Sources said if the officials lose the case, it will be a major embarrassment. They said the Army chief, during an interaction with officers last week, had disapproved of the Army personnel approaching the apex court. When asked about this, Rawat declined to comment, saying the matter was sub judice. "This case is sub-judice and I would not like to speak on that," he told reporters in response to a question. "The armed forces and the government, the Defence Ministry and everybody are steadfast behind all the officers who have conducted operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the north east or anywhere we are countering terrorism or insurgency," he said. Rawat said the Army will support them in whatever way it can.

Army steadfast behind officers who have conducted operations in J&K, Northeast: Bipin Rawat

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