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<p>President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected his first mercy petition of a death-row convict who had burned alive seven members of a family, including five children, over a case of buffalo theft.</p>

<p>The case pertains to gruesome killing of Vijendra Mahto and six of his family members by Jagat Rai in Raghopur block of Bihar's Vaishali district in 2006.</p>

<p>Mahto had lodged a case of theft of his buffalo in September 2005 in which Rai, Wazir Rai and Ajay Rai were named as accused.</p>

<p>The accused (now convicts) were pressuring Mahto to withdraw the case.</p>

<p>Rai had set on fire Mahto's house that resulted in the death of latter's wife and five children. Mahto, who had sustained serious burn injuries then, died after few months.</p>

<p>After being convicted of the crime and being awarded the death penalty by the local court, the high court and the Supreme Court in 2013 too gave their nod for the hanging. Rai's mercy plea was then sent to the president's secretariat.</p>

<p>The office of the president had sought the Home Ministry's views which gave its recommendation on July 12 last year.</p>

<p>The mercy petition (of Mahto) was rejected by the president on April 23, 2018, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué.</p>

<p>This is the first mercy plea decided by Kovind after he became the president in July last year.</p>

<p>There is no other mercy petition pending with the president's secretariat.</p>

<p>Under Article 72 of the Constitution, The president shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence where the sentence is a sentence of death.</p>


The accused (now convicts) were pressuring Mahto to withdraw the case.

President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected his first mercy petition of a death-row convict who had burned alive seven members of a family, including five children, over a case of buffalo theft. The case pertains to gruesome killing of Vijendra Mahto and six of his family members by Jagat Rai in Raghopur block of Bihar's Vaishali district in 2006. Mahto had lodged a case of theft of his buffalo in September 2005 in which Rai, Wazir Rai and Ajay Rai were named as accused. The accused (now convicts) were pressuring Mahto to withdraw the case. Rai had set on fire Mahto's house that resulted in the death of latter's wife and five children. Mahto, who had sustained serious burn injuries then, died after few months. After being convicted of the crime and being awarded the death penalty by the local court, the high court and the Supreme Court in 2013 too gave their nod for the hanging. Rai's mercy plea was then sent to the president's secretariat. The office of the president had sought the Home Ministry's views which gave its recommendation on July 12 last year. The mercy petition (of Mahto) was rejected by the president on April 23, 2018, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué. This is the first mercy plea decided by Kovind after he became the president in July last year. There is no other mercy petition pending with the president's secretariat. Under Article 72 of the Constitution, The president shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence where the sentence is a sentence of death.

President rejects first mercy petition: Convict burnt alive 7 of a family

<p>Commanders of the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers met in Jammu and Kashmir Monday evening.&nbsp;The meeting had been requested by Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BSF PRO said the "meeting went off in a conducive atmosphere with prime focus to maintain peace and tranquility on border".</p>

<p>There has been very little peace on the border in recent days with both India and Pakistan reporting ceasefire violations virtually every day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/analysis-ceasefire-agreement-between-india-and-pakistan-is-as-good-as-dead-139471">Ceasefire Agreement between India and Pakistan is as good as dead</a></p>

<p>"Today's meeting is likely to bring firing-free environment, particularly for border area villagers on both sides. Commanders on both side agreed to keep talks on at every level to develop confidence between two border-guarding forces,"&nbsp;the BSF PRO added.</p>

<p>The PRO added that the commanders would next meet on June 21.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A BSF-Pak Rangers Sector Commander level meeting was held at 1730 on today. Meeting went off in a conducive atmosphere with prime focus to maintain peace and tranquility on border. It was further decided to hold next meeting on 21 Jun: PRO BSF (Jammu Frontier) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1003631354360152064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today's meeting is likely to bring firing-free environment, particularly for border area villagers on both sides. Commanders on both side agreed to keep talks on at every level to develop confidence between two border guarding forces: PRO BSF (Jammu Frontier) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1003631356205621248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The ceasefire between India and Pakistan was signed in 2003.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ceasefire held for 10 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Then in January 2013 India alleged that a Pakistani Border Action Team crossed over, ambushed an Indian Army patrol, and killed two soldiers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the two soldiers was beheaded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan denied the claim but the allegation caused massive outrage in India. India promised an "appropriate response".&nbsp;</p>


'Today's meeting is likely to bring firing-free environment, particularly for border area villagers on both sides. Commanders on both sides agreed to keep talks on at every level to develop confidence between two border-guarding forces,' the BSF PRO said

Commanders of the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers met in Jammu and Kashmir Monday evening. The meeting had been requested by Pakistan. The BSF PRO said the "meeting went off in a conducive atmosphere with prime focus to maintain peace and tranquility on border". There has been very little peace on the border in recent days with both India and Pakistan reporting ceasefire violations virtually every day. Also read: Ceasefire Agreement between India and Pakistan is as good as dead "Today's meeting is likely to bring firing-free environment, particularly for border area villagers on both sides. Commanders on both side agreed to keep talks on at every level to develop confidence between two border-guarding forces," the BSF PRO added. The PRO added that the commanders would next meet on June 21. A BSF-Pak Rangers Sector Commander level meeting was held at 1730 on today. Meeting went off in a conducive atmosphere with prime focus to maintain peace and tranquility on border. It was further decided to hold next meeting on 21 Jun: PRO BSF (Jammu Frontier) #JammuAndKashmir — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2018 × Today's meeting is likely to bring firing-free environment, particularly for border area villagers on both sides. Commanders on both side agreed to keep talks on at every level to develop confidence between two border guarding forces: PRO BSF (Jammu Frontier) #JammuAndKashmir — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2018 × The ceasefire between India and Pakistan was signed in 2003. The ceasefire held for 10 years. Then in January 2013 India alleged that a Pakistani Border Action Team crossed over, ambushed an Indian Army patrol, and killed two soldiers. One of the two soldiers was beheaded. Pakistan denied the claim but the allegation caused massive outrage in India. India promised an "appropriate response".

Commanders of BSF, Pakistan Rangers meet, say peace along border 'likely'

<p><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-respite-in-cross-border-firing-will-be-constrained-to-revoke-ceasefire-agreement-mos-hansraj-ahir-142002">No respite in cross-border </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-respite-in-cross-border-firing-will-be-constrained-to-revoke-ceasefire-agreement-mos-hansraj-ahir-142002">firing,</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-respite-in-cross-border-firing-will-be-constrained-to-revoke-ceasefire-agreement-mos-hansraj-ahir-142002"> will be constrained to revoke ceasefire agreement: MoS Home Hansraj Ahir</a></p>

<p>After India and Pakistan DGMS announced a ceasefire agreement last week, minister of state for home affairs(MoS) Hansraj Ahir said the government will be "constrained to revoke the ceasefire agreement" in view of cross-border firing.</p>

<p><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008">France, </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008">UK</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008"> to send ships to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008">South</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008"> China Sea: French minister</a></p>

<p>As US defence secretary Jim Mattis engaged in a war of words with China over the South China Sea, French armed forces minister said French maritime task group along with British ships will visit Singapore and then sail to South China Sea.</p>

<p><a href="http://wionews.com/world/6-people-killed-by-erupting-volcano-in-guatemala-141997">Watch: 6 people killed by erupting volcano in Guatemala</a></p>

<p>Six people are dead or missing and 20 have been injured after Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday sending a river of lava flowing into a village.</p>

<p><a href="http://wionews.com/world/donald-trump-to-hold-ramzan-dinner-after-skipping-it-last-year-142004">Donald Trump to hold Ramzan dinner after skipping it last year</a></p>

<p>President Donald Trump will host an Iftar dinner on Wednesday at the White House, in celebration of Ramzan, an official said.&nbsp</p>

<p><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-not-wrong-in-accepting-rss-invite-congress-leader-142019">Pranab Mukherjee 'not wrong' in accepting RSS invite: Congress leader</a></p>

<p>Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde on Sunday said former President Pranab Mukherjee accepting an invite to attend an RSS event was "not wrong" as he was a secular person and a good thinker.</p>

<p>&nbsp</p>


No respite in cross-border firing, will be constrained to revoke ceasefire agreement: MoS Home Hansraj Ahir After India and Pakistan DGMS announced a ceasefire agreement last week, minister of state for home affairs(MoS) Hansraj Ahir said the government will be "constrained to revoke the ceasefire agreement" in view of cross-border firing. France, UK to send ships to South China Sea: French minister As US defence secretary Jim Mattis engaged in a war of words with China over the South China Sea, French armed forces minister said French maritime task group along with British ships will visit Singapore and then sail to South China Sea. Watch: 6 people killed by erupting volcano in Guatemala Six people are dead or missing and 20 have been injured after Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday sending a river of lava flowing into a village. Donald Trump to hold Ramzan dinner after skipping it last year President Donald Trump will host an Iftar dinner on Wednesday at the White House, in celebration of Ramzan, an official said. Pranab Mukherjee 'not wrong' in accepting RSS invite: Congress leader Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde on Sunday said former President Pranab Mukherjee accepting an invite to attend an RSS event was "not wrong" as he was a secular person and a good thinker.

News brief: Read big stories of the day

<p>Varun, a 28-year-old student from Karnataka, allegedly committed suicide in Delhi after he was denied entry to sit for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or civil services exam.</p>

<p>The UPSC aspirant was not allowed to sit for the exam after he reached late to the examination centre at Paharganj in north Delhi.</p>

<p>The 28-year-old committed suicide by hanging himself inside his rented accommodation at Rajendra Nagar in Delhi.</p>

<p>The police have recovered a suicide note where Varun reportedly apologised to his family and requested them to forget him.</p>

<p>His suicide note read, "The rules are fine but there should be some leniency".</p>

<p>The preliminary exams for the &nbsp;UPSC were conducted on Sunday.</p>

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<p>The police claim that Varun was upset after he was denied entry into the examination hall.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The UPSC aspirant was not allowed to sit for the exam after he reached late to the examination centre at Paharganj in north Delhi

Varun, a 28-year-old student from Karnataka, allegedly committed suicide in Delhi after he was denied entry to sit for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or civil services exam. The UPSC aspirant was not allowed to sit for the exam after he reached late to the examination centre at Paharganj in north Delhi. The 28-year-old committed suicide by hanging himself inside his rented accommodation at Rajendra Nagar in Delhi. The police have recovered a suicide note where Varun reportedly apologised to his family and requested them to forget him. His suicide note read, "The rules are fine but there should be some leniency". The preliminary exams for the UPSC were conducted on Sunday. × The police claim that Varun was upset after he was denied entry into the examination hall.

Denied entry into examination centre, UPSC aspirant kills himself

<p>Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde on Sunday said former President Pranab Mukherjee accepting an invite to attend an RSS event was "not wrong" as he was a secular person and a good thinker.</p>

<p>"Pranab Mukherjee is a secular person. He will always put forth a secular view which he will do there (at the RSS event) as well. He is a very good thinker, and his going there and speaking on that platform is very important," Mr Shinde said.</p>

<p>He said "we would be more than pleased" if the former President's thoughts bring some improvement in the BJP's ideologue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS.</p>

<p>Pranab Mukherjee has been invited to be the chief guest at the valedictory function of the Sangh Shiksha Varg -- a training camp for RSS volunteers -- at its headquarters in Nagpur.</p>

<p>The event will be held on June 7.</p>

<p>Sushil Kumar Shinde was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Nagpur.</p>

<p>On Jammu and Kashmir, the former home minister said that the centre was unable to bring peace in the state. He said the government should be ashamed that stone-throwers were now targeting CRPF vehicles.</p>

<p>"When I was home minister, even if one or two incidents took place, they (BJP) used to say in parliament 'hamara ek jayega to unke 11 hum wahan se layenge' (we will get 11 of theirs for every one of ours)," Mr Shinde said.</p>

<p>"The government is yours, the intelligence is yours. But the incidents of stone-pelting are not stopping," the senior Congress leader said.</p>


Pranab Mukherjee has been invited to be the chief guest at the valedictory function of the Sangh Shiksha Varg at its headquarters in Nagpur.

Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde on Sunday said former President Pranab Mukherjee accepting an invite to attend an RSS event was "not wrong" as he was a secular person and a good thinker. "Pranab Mukherjee is a secular person. He will always put forth a secular view which he will do there (at the RSS event) as well. He is a very good thinker, and his going there and speaking on that platform is very important," Mr Shinde said. He said "we would be more than pleased" if the former President's thoughts bring some improvement in the BJP's ideologue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS. Pranab Mukherjee has been invited to be the chief guest at the valedictory function of the Sangh Shiksha Varg -- a training camp for RSS volunteers -- at its headquarters in Nagpur. The event will be held on June 7. Sushil Kumar Shinde was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Nagpur. On Jammu and Kashmir, the former home minister said that the centre was unable to bring peace in the state. He said the government should be ashamed that stone-throwers were now targeting CRPF vehicles. "When I was home minister, even if one or two incidents took place, they (BJP) used to say in parliament 'hamara ek jayega to unke 11 hum wahan se layenge' (we will get 11 of theirs for every one of ours)," Mr Shinde said. "The government is yours, the intelligence is yours. But the incidents of stone-pelting are not stopping," the senior Congress leader said.

Pranab Mukherjee 'not wrong' in accepting RSS invite: Congress leader

<p>The Enforcement Directorate has issued a notice to former finance minister P Chidambaram asking him to appear for questioning tomorrow in the Aircel-Maxis case, ANI reported sources as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The authorities began looking at the Aircel-Maxis deal after Aircel owner C Sivasankaran lodged a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation alleging he was pressurised to sell his stake to Maxis.</p>

<p>The CBI and the ED are both investigating the case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In February this year, the CBI arrested Chidambaram's son Karti in connection with the case.</p>

<p>In September 2017, the Enforcement Directorate attached assets belonging to Karti worth Rs 1.16 crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In December, the ED searched the homes and offices of Karti's close relatives.</p>

<p>And in January this year, the ED searched Karti's Delhi and Chennai properties.&nbsp;</p>


The ED has summoned the former finance minister for questioning in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case on Tuesday

The Enforcement Directorate has issued a notice to former finance minister P Chidambaram asking him to appear for questioning tomorrow in the Aircel-Maxis case, ANI reported sources as saying. The authorities began looking at the Aircel-Maxis deal after Aircel owner C Sivasankaran lodged a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation alleging he was pressurised to sell his stake to Maxis. The CBI and the ED are both investigating the case. In February this year, the CBI arrested Chidambaram's son Karti in connection with the case. In September 2017, the Enforcement Directorate attached assets belonging to Karti worth Rs 1.16 crore. In December, the ED searched the homes and offices of Karti's close relatives. And in January this year, the ED searched Karti's Delhi and Chennai properties.

ED issues notice summoning Chidambaram for questioning: Sources

<p>Union Minister Arun Jaitley held a meeting with the officials of Finance Ministry on Monday after he returned home post&nbsp;successful&nbsp;kidney transplant surgery.</p>

<p>The meeting which lasted for around half an hour was attended by Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg and Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian.</p>

<p>In the meeting, the officials briefed Jaitley on various issues related to the Ministry.</p>

<p>A senior official told ANI on the condition of anonymity, "The meeting was held today in the evening through Video Conferencing. It was a stock-taking exercise by Arun Jaitley as he was admitted in AIIMS for past three weeks. Currently, he is under the supervision of doctors and is in a controlled environment".</p>

<p>Jaitley, who had undergone a kidney transplant last month, announced his well being on Twitter today.</p>

<p>He took to Twitter to thank the doctors, nurses and paramedics who assisted him during his treatment.</p>

<p>His twitter read, "Delighted to be back at Home. My gratitude to the Doctors, Nursing officers and the paramedics who looked after me for over the past three weeks. I wish to thank all well-wishers, colleagues and friends who were very concerned and continued to wish me for my recovery".</p>

<p>Jaitley underwent a successful kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on May 14.</p>

<p>Before the treatment, the 65-year-old minister was put on a dialysis for one month.</p>

<p>In September 2014, Jaitley underwent a bariatric surgery to treat weight gain because of a long-standing diabetic condition. The surgery was first performed at Max Hospital, but he had to be later shifted to AIIMS because of complications.</p>

<p>Jaitley had a heart surgery several years ago.</p>

<p><br />
<em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>

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Jaitley underwent a successful kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on May 14

Union Minister Arun Jaitley held a meeting with the officials of Finance Ministry on Monday after he returned home post successful kidney transplant surgery. The meeting which lasted for around half an hour was attended by Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg and Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian. In the meeting, the officials briefed Jaitley on various issues related to the Ministry. A senior official told ANI on the condition of anonymity, "The meeting was held today in the evening through Video Conferencing. It was a stock-taking exercise by Arun Jaitley as he was admitted in AIIMS for past three weeks. Currently, he is under the supervision of doctors and is in a controlled environment". Jaitley, who had undergone a kidney transplant last month, announced his well being on Twitter today. He took to Twitter to thank the doctors, nurses and paramedics who assisted him during his treatment. His twitter read, "Delighted to be back at Home. My gratitude to the Doctors, Nursing officers and the paramedics who looked after me for over the past three weeks. I wish to thank all well-wishers, colleagues and friends who were very concerned and continued to wish me for my recovery". Jaitley underwent a successful kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on May 14. Before the treatment, the 65-year-old minister was put on a dialysis for one month. In September 2014, Jaitley underwent a bariatric surgery to treat weight gain because of a long-standing diabetic condition. The surgery was first performed at Max Hospital, but he had to be later shifted to AIIMS because of complications. Jaitley had a heart surgery several years ago. (With inputs from PTI)

Arun Jaitley returns after kidney transplant, holds meeting with Finance Ministry

<p>The Centre has rushed 10 additional companies of paramilitary personnel to Shillong after fresh violence broke out there Sunday night. A top officer said police had to use tear gas to quell a mob.</p>

<p>Shillong has been on edge since Thursday following clashes between residents of the city's Punjabi Line area and Khasi drivers of state-run buses.</p>

<p>A four-member delegation sent by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to the state met Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma in Shillong. ANI reported Sangma as assuring the safety and security of the city's Punjabi Line residents.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Top Union home ministry officials have also been in touch with Meghalaya government officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sangma had earlier said the clashes are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/shillong-clash-not-communal-says-cm-curfew-relaxed-for-7-hours-141984">not communal</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The problem is very much in a particular locality, on a particular issue. It just happened that two particular communities were involved, but it's not a communal thing," Sangma said on Sunday.</p>

<p>The clashes in Shillong, he added, were given a communal colour by vested groups and a section of the media outside the state.</p>

<p>News reports said some 400 protesters targeted a CRPF camp in Shillong on Sunday night.</p>

<p>Normal life continues to be affected in the town. Authorities have imposed curfew in the capital city to curtail any fresh violence.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Meghalaya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Meghalaya</a>: Army conducted flag march in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shillong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shillong</a> in the wake of violence after clashes broke out between two groups following escalation of an argument between a woman & a bus conductor. <a href="https://t.co/MGqCjtbSL6">pic.twitter.com/MGqCjtbSL6</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1003650120586416129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Violence broke out last Thursday after two groups of people in the city's Punjabi Line area clashed after a bus handyman was allegedly beaten up by a group of residents. The clash&nbsp;had been sparked by a fight between the handyman and a woman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 10 people, including policemen, were injured in the violence. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the incident.</p>

<p>Late on Friday night, the Army carried out a flag march in various areas of the town.&nbsp;</p>


News reports said some 400 protesters targeted a CRPF camp in Shillong on Sunday night. Normal life continues to be affected in the town

The Centre has rushed 10 additional companies of paramilitary personnel to Shillong after fresh violence broke out there Sunday night. A top officer said police had to use tear gas to quell a mob. Shillong has been on edge since Thursday following clashes between residents of the city's Punjabi Line area and Khasi drivers of state-run buses. A four-member delegation sent by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to the state met Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma in Shillong. ANI reported Sangma as assuring the safety and security of the city's Punjabi Line residents. Top Union home ministry officials have also been in touch with Meghalaya government officials. Sangma had earlier said the clashes are not communal. "The problem is very much in a particular locality, on a particular issue. It just happened that two particular communities were involved, but it's not a communal thing," Sangma said on Sunday. The clashes in Shillong, he added, were given a communal colour by vested groups and a section of the media outside the state. News reports said some 400 protesters targeted a CRPF camp in Shillong on Sunday night. Normal life continues to be affected in the town. Authorities have imposed curfew in the capital city to curtail any fresh violence. #Meghalaya: Army conducted flag march in #Shillong in the wake of violence after clashes broke out between two groups following escalation of an argument between a woman & a bus conductor. pic.twitter.com/MGqCjtbSL6 — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2018 × Violence broke out last Thursday after two groups of people in the city's Punjabi Line area clashed after a bus handyman was allegedly beaten up by a group of residents. The clash had been sparked by a fight between the handyman and a woman. More than 10 people, including policemen, were injured in the violence. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the incident. Late on Friday night, the Army carried out a flag march in various areas of the town.

After fresh violence, Centre rushes 1,000 paramilitary personnel to Shillong

<p>Concerned about reports of security threats to Sikhs in Shillong, the Amarinder Singh government in Punjab has decided to rush a four-member team headed by Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa to the Meghalayan capital, an official said in Chandigarh on Sunday.</p>

<p>The team will make a ground assessment of the situation in the troubled areas and extend all possible help to the Sikh community there, an official spokesperson said.</p>

<p>The chief minister has directed the team, which has MPs Gurjit Aujla and Ravneet Bittu, and MLA Kuldip Singh Vaid as its members, to leave for Shillong on Monday morning.</p>

<p>Amarinder Singh has sought Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma's cooperation in facilitating the team's visit and ensuring their access to areas from where reports of tension were coming in, said the spokesperson.</p>

<p>The Punjab chief minister also urged Conrad Sangma to provide protection and safety to the Sikh community and their religious institutions in the state, the spokesperson said.</p>

<p>The decision to send a team to Shillong was triggered by reports that, despite the Meghalayan chief minister's assurance, the situation was still not under control and had the potential of escalating further, said the spokesperson.</p>

<p>Amarinder Singh has offered all possible help to the Meghalayan government in ensuring the security of the Dalit Sikhs, whose ancestors were reportedly brought to Shillong during the British era.</p>

<p>The Punjab chief minister said, if necessary, the centre should intervene to defuse communal tensions in which the Sikhs in Shillong were caught.</p>

<p>Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma called up Amarinder Singh to assure him of the safety of the Sikh community.</p>

<p>Mr Sangma had called up the Punjab chief minister on Friday night to apprise him of the situation in the state in the wake of communal violence triggered by a minor incident and to allay any apprehensions of the Sikh community being under attack.</p>


The Punjab chief minister also urged Conrad Sangma to provide protection and safety to the Sikh community and their religious institutions in Shillong.

Concerned about reports of security threats to Sikhs in Shillong, the Amarinder Singh government in Punjab has decided to rush a four-member team headed by Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa to the Meghalayan capital, an official said in Chandigarh on Sunday. The team will make a ground assessment of the situation in the troubled areas and extend all possible help to the Sikh community there, an official spokesperson said. The chief minister has directed the team, which has MPs Gurjit Aujla and Ravneet Bittu, and MLA Kuldip Singh Vaid as its members, to leave for Shillong on Monday morning. Amarinder Singh has sought Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma's cooperation in facilitating the team's visit and ensuring their access to areas from where reports of tension were coming in, said the spokesperson. The Punjab chief minister also urged Conrad Sangma to provide protection and safety to the Sikh community and their religious institutions in the state, the spokesperson said. The decision to send a team to Shillong was triggered by reports that, despite the Meghalayan chief minister's assurance, the situation was still not under control and had the potential of escalating further, said the spokesperson. Amarinder Singh has offered all possible help to the Meghalayan government in ensuring the security of the Dalit Sikhs, whose ancestors were reportedly brought to Shillong during the British era. The Punjab chief minister said, if necessary, the centre should intervene to defuse communal tensions in which the Sikhs in Shillong were caught. Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma called up Amarinder Singh to assure him of the safety of the Sikh community. Mr Sangma had called up the Punjab chief minister on Friday night to apprise him of the situation in the state in the wake of communal violence triggered by a minor incident and to allay any apprehensions of the Sikh community being under attack.

Punjab government to send team amid reports of threats to Shillong Sikhs

<p>India and the United States have pledged to continue their strong bilateral strategic partnership, the Pentagon said after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis.</p>

<p>Mattis met the prime minister on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies' 17th Asia Security Summit — also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue — in Singapore on Saturday.</p>

<p>"The two discussed the importance of the US-India relationship, and the role of both nations in cooperating to uphold international laws and principles, and to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," defence spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said here yesterday.</p>

<p>The two leaders "pledged to continue the strong US-India strategic partnership and affirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region," Davis said in a readout of the meeting.</p>


The two leaders "pledged to continue the strong US-India strategic partnership and affirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region," Davis said in a readout of the meeting.

India and the United States have pledged to continue their strong bilateral strategic partnership, the Pentagon said after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. Mattis met the prime minister on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies' 17th Asia Security Summit — also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue — in Singapore on Saturday. "The two discussed the importance of the US-India relationship, and the role of both nations in cooperating to uphold international laws and principles, and to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," defence spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said here yesterday. The two leaders "pledged to continue the strong US-India strategic partnership and affirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region," Davis said in a readout of the meeting.

PM Modi, Mattis pledge to continue strong US-India strategic partnership

<p>Prakash Raj slammed pro-Kannada groups for calling for a ban on Rajinikanth's new film Kaala. The actor took to Twitter to express his discontentment over the film's ban in the state. Kaala is scheduled to release in theaters this week.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
“There is a deep bond between man and a river. So when we talk of Cauvery we do extremely emotional about it. This is true of people from both states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu where emotions run high when we try to find a solution to share water. But getting emotional does not solve an issue we need to be practical about it too, ” the actor said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.<br />
<br />
“The two respective state governments, the Centre along with specialists who understand the issue of our farmers, water sharing and nature, should sit together and find a solution. Due to political reasons and unseen pressures if they fail to do so, our fight should be towards making them accountable and answerable and not become victims of our own emotions, ” he added.<br />
Sharing Rajinikanth's remark on the Cauvery issue, Prakash Raj stated that the banning of Rajini's film was not the right way to express anger.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What’s film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kaala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kaala</a> got to do with Kaveri issue..?why is film fraternity targeted always..? Will Jds/congress government let fringe elements take law into their hands ...like bjp did with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavat</a> ..or ..will you step in to assure common man ..his right for choice.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justasking?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justasking</a>.. <a href="https://t.co/VtNsXURHLD">pic.twitter.com/VtNsXURHLD</a></p>
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) <a href="https://twitter.com/prakashraaj/status/1003255350819082246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>“A statement made by actor Rajinikanth has hurt us deeply. Yes, I agree. In order to express our dissent, a few organisations have called for a ban on the film. Is that what we Kannadigas want? We don’t know and we will never know. If the film is released and people decide not to see it as a mark of their protest only then will be able to gauge what people really want. But these fringe elements deciding on behalf of the people will not let us know it. Who are these people to decide what most Kannadigas want or don’t want?” asked the 53-year-old actor.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kaala ban..an ACTORS statement has HURT us. Yes.. we need to express it ..BUT HOW?? Is it by hurting people like US who are not responsible for it.. is it by breeding HATRED between two states ..How long will we let FRINGE elements to decide on how WE should protest ..<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justasking?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justasking</a></p>
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) <a href="https://twitter.com/prakashraaj/status/1003620771388723200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Let the film release .. let PEOPLE DECIDE if they want to express their protest by NOT watching the film .. let us get to know if PEOPLE really BELIEVE stopping a film can SOLVE ISSUES .. who are these organisations to BLACKMAIL everyone and decide on our behalf .. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justasking?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justasking</a></p>
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) <a href="https://twitter.com/prakashraaj/status/1003626048146178048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The actor felt it was incorrect to deprive thousands of Rajini fans in the state of Karnataka a chance to watch their star on the big screen.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
“What about the producer’s investment, one who has nothing to do with the statement of this actor? What about the talent and effort of hundreds of technicians, co-artistes and workers who have been employed and associated with the film? What will be the plight of those who make a living out of sticking film posters, running cycle stands, those who run canteens in theatres? What about the distributors, investors and theatre owners and the thousands of those whose lives depend on them? And what about the lakhs and lakhs of cinema lovers because of whom, all these people earn a living? What about the price that a common man has to pay for this strife and chaos? It has led to burn vehicles, damaged property, children unable to attend school, the list never ends. What about the harmony between people which will be disturbed and destroyed by such incidents inciting hatred among one another in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu?” he rued.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A film or any work of art shouldn't be a soft target for people. When you keep a problem alive, naturally fringe elements will try to take law into their hands, govt needs tell them that law&order is our responsibility, you can protest but can't stop a film from releasing: P Raj <a href="https://t.co/2TYAEr7YWf">pic.twitter.com/2TYAEr7YWf</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1003497182433906688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karnataka Film Chamber has said that they have not asked for a ban but the distributors & exhibitors seeing the pressure have voluntarily decided to not create tension by not releasing 'Kaala'.The onus is now on the state & central govt: Prakash Raj on ban on Rajinikant's 'Kaala' <a href="https://t.co/R7lTdsMNYa">pic.twitter.com/R7lTdsMNYa</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1003498075514523648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Slamming protesting organisations, he appealed to the Kumaraswamy led government to not ban the film. The state government is yet to announce its decision on 'Kaala' release.<br />
<br />
Prakash acknowledged that by supporting the release of 'Kaala' he was at the risk of being called anti-Kannadiga. “My #justasking will open avenues for debates, and I will not be surprised if a few end up calling me anti-Kannadiga. We have seen in the recent past that people have called me anti-Hindu and an anti-national as well, because I expressed my opinion. However, that does not stop me from saying what I have to say and rest I leave to your conscience.”<br />
<br />
Prakash reportedly even met the members of the Kannada Film Chambers of Commerce to convince them to withdraw their protest against the release of 'Kaala'.</p>


'What's a film got to do with the Kaveri issue?' asked Prakash Raj in a long post on Twitter.

Prakash Raj slammed pro-Kannada groups for calling for a ban on Rajinikanth's new film Kaala. The actor took to Twitter to express his discontentment over the film's ban in the state. Kaala is scheduled to release in theaters this week. “There is a deep bond between man and a river. So when we talk of Cauvery we do extremely emotional about it. This is true of people from both states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu where emotions run high when we try to find a solution to share water. But getting emotional does not solve an issue we need to be practical about it too, ” the actor said in a statement posted on his Twitter account. “The two respective state governments, the Centre along with specialists who understand the issue of our farmers, water sharing and nature, should sit together and find a solution. Due to political reasons and unseen pressures if they fail to do so, our fight should be towards making them accountable and answerable and not become victims of our own emotions, ” he added. Sharing Rajinikanth's remark on the Cauvery issue, Prakash Raj stated that the banning of Rajini's film was not the right way to express anger. What’s film #kaala got to do with Kaveri issue..?why is film fraternity targeted always..? Will Jds/congress government let fringe elements take law into their hands ...like bjp did with #Padmavat ..or ..will you step in to assure common man ..his right for choice.#justasking.. pic.twitter.com/VtNsXURHLD — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) June 3, 2018 × “A statement made by actor Rajinikanth has hurt us deeply. Yes, I agree. In order to express our dissent, a few organisations have called for a ban on the film. Is that what we Kannadigas want? We don’t know and we will never know. If the film is released and people decide not to see it as a mark of their protest only then will be able to gauge what people really want. But these fringe elements deciding on behalf of the people will not let us know it. Who are these people to decide what most Kannadigas want or don’t want?” asked the 53-year-old actor. Kaala ban..an ACTORS statement has HURT us. Yes.. we need to express it ..BUT HOW?? Is it by hurting people like US who are not responsible for it.. is it by breeding HATRED between two states ..How long will we let FRINGE elements to decide on how WE should protest ..#justasking — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) June 4, 2018 × Let the film release .. let PEOPLE DECIDE if they want to express their protest by NOT watching the film .. let us get to know if PEOPLE really BELIEVE stopping a film can SOLVE ISSUES .. who are these organisations to BLACKMAIL everyone and decide on our behalf .. #justasking — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) June 4, 2018 × The actor felt it was incorrect to deprive thousands of Rajini fans in the state of Karnataka a chance to watch their star on the big screen. “What about the producer’s investment, one who has nothing to do with the statement of this actor? What about the talent and effort of hundreds of technicians, co-artistes and workers who have been employed and associated with the film? What will be the plight of those who make a living out of sticking film posters, running cycle stands, those who run canteens in theatres? What about the distributors, investors and theatre owners and the thousands of those whose lives depend on them? And what about the lakhs and lakhs of cinema lovers because of whom, all these people earn a living? What about the price that a common man has to pay for this strife and chaos? It has led to burn vehicles, damaged property, children unable to attend school, the list never ends. What about the harmony between people which will be disturbed and destroyed by such incidents inciting hatred among one another in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu?” he rued. A film or any work of art shouldn't be a soft target for people. When you keep a problem alive, naturally fringe elements will try to take law into their hands, govt needs tell them that law&order is our responsibility, you can protest but can't stop a film from releasing: P Raj pic.twitter.com/2TYAEr7YWf — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2018 × Karnataka Film Chamber has said that they have not asked for a ban but the distributors & exhibitors seeing the pressure have voluntarily decided to not create tension by not releasing 'Kaala'.The onus is now on the state & central govt: Prakash Raj on ban on Rajinikant's 'Kaala' pic.twitter.com/R7lTdsMNYa — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2018 × Slamming protesting organisations, he appealed to the Kumaraswamy led government to not ban the film. The state government is yet to announce its decision on 'Kaala' release. Prakash acknowledged that by supporting the release of 'Kaala' he was at the risk of being called anti-Kannadiga. “My #justasking will open avenues for debates, and I will not be surprised if a few end up calling me anti-Kannadiga. We have seen in the recent past that people have called me anti-Hindu and an anti-national as well, because I expressed my opinion. However, that does not stop me from saying what I have to say and rest I leave to your conscience.” Prakash reportedly even met the members of the Kannada Film Chambers of Commerce to convince them to withdraw their protest against the release of 'Kaala'.

Prakash Raj bats for release of Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' in Karnataka

<p>The Congress has been out of power in Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years. And it suffers from a dearth of top leadership in the state after Naxalites ambushed and killed a number of their leaders in 2013.</p>

<p>In 2013, the Congress lost the state to the BJP by a margin of 0.73 per cent of votes.</p>

<p>The Congress has given PL Punia, former chairman of the SC/ST Commission, charge of Chhattisgarh.</p>

<p>Punia told WION they are working on seats where smaller parties like the GGP and the BSP are strong. When asked about an alliance, he said, "All options are open. Final decision is yet to be taken.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Punia's full interview to WION follows:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: What are the challenges for the Congress Party in Chhattisgarh?</p>

<p><strong>PL Punia</strong>: Every election is a challenge whether in power or not. This time around the difference is that BJP has amassed lot of wealth and look insurmountable. But despite their financial strength, anti-incumbency exists in Chhattisgarh. Corruption is an issue. There are serious allegations against Chief Minister Raman Singh. We are also working on seats where parties like GGP (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) are strong. Roughly there are 15 seats where smaller parties make a difference in the state. I’m trying to ensure that vote does not get split.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: Is Congress thinking of an alliance with parties like GGP and BSP?</p>

<p><strong>PL Punia</strong>: Not at the moment. We have left the option of alliance open. Rahul Gandhi has already said that alliances in the state would be decided on case to case basis. &nbsp;If required, alliances will be worked out in Chhattisgarh. We are working constituency to constituency basis and strengthening the cadre.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: How big a factor is former CM of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi?</p>

<p><strong>PL Punia:</strong> He is not a factor at all. He is not in the Congress Party anymore that is an advantage to us. He was disliked by a certain section of the society. The traders and businessmen were averse to him. He will cut into the BJP’s vote share more than ours.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: Then why wasn’t he asked to leave?</p>

<p><strong>PL Punia</strong>: Many leaders felt in the party that in his absence we would lose the elections. But in my opinion, he used to backstab the party. He would not let candidates opposed to him as CM face win elections. For this reason, he would support non Congress candidate to defeat official Congress candidate. He was not declared as the Chief Ministerial candidate in previous elections.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: Congress does not have a top leadership in the state. Isn’t that an issue?</p>

<p><strong>PL Punia</strong>: Unfortunately, our leadership was targeted by the Naxalites. It is a fact. But we have collective leadership today. The top gives inspiration but the work is done at the level of booth. We are focused at the level of booth management. We have focused our efforts at the level of the workers and I’m sure it will work in the coming assembly elections.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: What are the issues on which the Congress is contesting elections?</p>

<p><strong>PL Punia</strong>: Corruption is an issue. The state government has tweaked laws and made tribal lands available to non-tribal which is not allowed under the existing provisions. We have gone down to small hamlets and organised training session for our workers. We have asked our workers to tell voters as to what role did Congress Party contributed to freedom struggle and how BJP stayed away from it. Basic development too is an issue. This time tribal and Dalit segments will vote for us.</p>

<p><strong>WION</strong>: Despite your focus on backward politics, BJP still ends up getting good numbers during elections?</p>

<p><strong>PL Punia</strong>: Well, they will not get it in Chhattisgarh. “Kaath ki haandi baar baar nahi charhti hai.”</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Punia said they are working on seats where parties like the GGP (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) are strong, and that a decision on an alliance or alliances will be taken soon

The Congress has been out of power in Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years. And it suffers from a dearth of top leadership in the state after Naxalites ambushed and killed a number of their leaders in 2013. In 2013, the Congress lost the state to the BJP by a margin of 0.73 per cent of votes. The Congress has given PL Punia, former chairman of the SC/ST Commission, charge of Chhattisgarh. Punia told WION they are working on seats where smaller parties like the GGP and the BSP are strong. When asked about an alliance, he said, "All options are open. Final decision is yet to be taken.” Punia's full interview to WION follows: WION: What are the challenges for the Congress Party in Chhattisgarh? PL Punia: Every election is a challenge whether in power or not. This time around the difference is that BJP has amassed lot of wealth and look insurmountable. But despite their financial strength, anti-incumbency exists in Chhattisgarh. Corruption is an issue. There are serious allegations against Chief Minister Raman Singh. We are also working on seats where parties like GGP (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) are strong. Roughly there are 15 seats where smaller parties make a difference in the state. I’m trying to ensure that vote does not get split. WION: Is Congress thinking of an alliance with parties like GGP and BSP? PL Punia: Not at the moment. We have left the option of alliance open. Rahul Gandhi has already said that alliances in the state would be decided on case to case basis. If required, alliances will be worked out in Chhattisgarh. We are working constituency to constituency basis and strengthening the cadre. WION: How big a factor is former CM of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi? PL Punia: He is not a factor at all. He is not in the Congress Party anymore that is an advantage to us. He was disliked by a certain section of the society. The traders and businessmen were averse to him. He will cut into the BJP’s vote share more than ours. WION: Then why wasn’t he asked to leave? PL Punia: Many leaders felt in the party that in his absence we would lose the elections. But in my opinion, he used to backstab the party. He would not let candidates opposed to him as CM face win elections. For this reason, he would support non Congress candidate to defeat official Congress candidate. He was not declared as the Chief Ministerial candidate in previous elections. WION: Congress does not have a top leadership in the state. Isn’t that an issue? PL Punia: Unfortunately, our leadership was targeted by the Naxalites. It is a fact. But we have collective leadership today. The top gives inspiration but the work is done at the level of booth. We are focused at the level of booth management. We have focused our efforts at the level of the workers and I’m sure it will work in the coming assembly elections. WION: What are the issues on which the Congress is contesting elections? PL Punia: Corruption is an issue. The state government has tweaked laws and made tribal lands available to non-tribal which is not allowed under the existing provisions. We have gone down to small hamlets and organised training session for our workers. We have asked our workers to tell voters as to what role did Congress Party contributed to freedom struggle and how BJP stayed away from it. Basic development too is an issue. This time tribal and Dalit segments will vote for us. WION: Despite your focus on backward politics, BJP still ends up getting good numbers during elections? PL Punia: Well, they will not get it in Chhattisgarh. “Kaath ki haandi baar baar nahi charhti hai.”

All options, including alliance, open in Chhattisgarh: Congress' PL Punia to WION

<p>Amid firing along<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/after-cross-border-firing-rajnath-singh-to-visit-jk-to-review-security-142058"> LoC, Pakistan today asked</a> for a sector commander-level meeting reports said.</p>

<p>Two BSF personnel died on Sunday as Pakistan troops opened fire in the Akhnoor, Kanachak and Khour sectors of Jammu district.</p>

<p>Reports said the meeting will be held today at Octroi in Jammu at 5 pm.</p>

<p>Home minister Rajnath Singh is due to visit Jammu and Kashmir this week to review the ceasefire which came into effect last week after DGMOs of India and Pakistan decided to implement the 2003 ceasefire agreement.</p>

<p>However, after Sunday's firing, the government ministers including MoS Home Hansraj Ahir said the government will be "constrained to revoke the ceasefire agreement" in view of cross-border firing.</p>


Two BSF personnel died on Sunday as Pakistan troops opened fire in the Akhnoor, Kanachak and Khour.

Amid firing along LoC, Pakistan today asked for a sector commander-level meeting reports said. Two BSF personnel died on Sunday as Pakistan troops opened fire in the Akhnoor, Kanachak and Khour sectors of Jammu district. Reports said the meeting will be held today at Octroi in Jammu at 5 pm. Home minister Rajnath Singh is due to visit Jammu and Kashmir this week to review the ceasefire which came into effect last week after DGMOs of India and Pakistan decided to implement the 2003 ceasefire agreement. However, after Sunday's firing, the government ministers including MoS Home Hansraj Ahir said the government will be "constrained to revoke the ceasefire agreement" in view of cross-border firing.

After firing along LoC, Pakistan asks for commander-level meeting

<p>Director Rajkumar Hirani on Sunday presented the audience the first song from his upcoming biopic `Sanju`.&nbsp;The song, titled `Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya`, features Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in a happy-go-lucky mood and can be seen grooving to singers Sonu Nigam and Sonu Nigam`s voices.</p>

<p>In the song, Ranbir can be seen lip-syncing to a woman`s voice which is kind of comical. The song has been composed by Rohan-Rohan and written by Puneet.</p>

<p>Sharing the song, Sonam took to Twitter and wrote, "Groove to #Badhiya as #RanbirKapoor and I bring back the 80s` romance!"</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Groove to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badhiya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Badhiya</a> as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RanbirKapoor?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RanbirKapoor</a> and I bring back the 80s' romance! Listen to it here- <a href="https://t.co/W7vvWFrsyE">https://t.co/W7vvWFrsyE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RanbirKapoor?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RanbirKapoor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RajkumarHirani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RajkumarHirani</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajkumarHiraniFilms?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajkumarHiraniFilms</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/foxstarhindi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@foxstarhindi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VVCFilms?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VVCFilms</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TSeries?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TSeries</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PuneetVuneet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PuneetVuneet</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rohanrohanmusic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rohanrohanmusic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sunidhichauhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SunidhiChauhan</a></p>
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonamakapoor/status/1003147102686285826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The song definitely gives us a major throwback of the 80`s romance. Here, check it out.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kZUxD_pEqgg" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The trailer of the film - which showcases the life of Sanjay Dutt has been receiving tremendous appreciation by the viewers. The uncanny resemblance of the `Ae Dil Hai Mushkil` star and Sanjay in the posters and teaser has got fans extremely excited about the film. Penned and directed by Hirani, the movie also stars Anushka Sharma, Paresh Rawal, Dia Mirza, Karishma Tanna, Manisha Koirala, Jim Sarbh, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani in pivotal roles.</p>

<p>The film is set to release on June 29.&nbsp;</p>


In the song, Ranbir can be seen lip-syncing to a woman`s voice which is kind of comical.

Director Rajkumar Hirani on Sunday presented the audience the first song from his upcoming biopic `Sanju`. The song, titled `Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya`, features Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in a happy-go-lucky mood and can be seen grooving to singers Sonu Nigam and Sonu Nigam`s voices. In the song, Ranbir can be seen lip-syncing to a woman`s voice which is kind of comical. The song has been composed by Rohan-Rohan and written by Puneet. Sharing the song, Sonam took to Twitter and wrote, "Groove to #Badhiya as #RanbirKapoor and I bring back the 80s` romance!" Groove to #Badhiya as #RanbirKapoor and I bring back the 80s' romance! Listen to it here- https://t.co/W7vvWFrsyE #RanbirKapoor @RajkumarHirani #RajkumarHiraniFilms @foxstarhindi @VVCFilms @TSeries @PuneetVuneet @rohanrohanmusic @SunidhiChauhan — Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) June 3, 2018 × The song definitely gives us a major throwback of the 80`s romance. Here, check it out. The trailer of the film - which showcases the life of Sanjay Dutt has been receiving tremendous appreciation by the viewers. The uncanny resemblance of the `Ae Dil Hai Mushkil` star and Sanjay in the posters and teaser has got fans extremely excited about the film. Penned and directed by Hirani, the movie also stars Anushka Sharma, Paresh Rawal, Dia Mirza, Karishma Tanna, Manisha Koirala, Jim Sarbh, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani in pivotal roles. The film is set to release on June 29.

'Sanju': 'Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya'  will give you major throwback of 80's romance

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-shared-user-data-with-over-60-device-makers-including-apple-samsung-report-142133">Facebook shared user data with over 60 device makers including Apple, Samsung: Report</a></p>

<p>Facebook has formed data-sharing partnerships with 60 device makers, including Apple and Microsoft, giving them access to information of users and even their friends, a media report has claimed, weeks after the social media faced massive backlash for improperly sharing personal data of up to 87 million people.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-lost-bypolls-because-keshav-prasad-maurya-was-not-made-cm-up-minister-142152">BJP lost </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-lost-bypolls-because-keshav-prasad-maurya-was-not-made-cm-up-minister-142152">bypolls</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-lost-bypolls-because-keshav-prasad-maurya-was-not-made-cm-up-minister-142152"> because Keshav Prasad Maurya was not made CM: UP Minister</a></p>

<p>UP Minister OP Rajbhar has said the BJP lost the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls because Yogi Aditynath, and not Keshav Prasad Maurya, was made chief minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-good-pm-modi-doesnt-take-real-questions-says-rahul-gandhi-142113">Watch: PM Modi 'doesn't take real questions', says Rahul Gandhi</a></p>

<p>In a latest dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi called him out saying that the interviews he gives are pre-scripted.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/denied-entry-into-examination-centre-upsc-aspirant-kills-himself-142134">Denied entry into examination </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/denied-entry-into-examination-centre-upsc-aspirant-kills-himself-142134">centre</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/denied-entry-into-examination-centre-upsc-aspirant-kills-himself-142134">, UPSC aspirant kills himself</a></p>

<p>Varun, a 28-year-old student from Karnataka, allegedly committed suicide in Delhi after he was denied entry to sit for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or civil services exam.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/keys-of-jagannath-temples-treasury-go-missing-odisha-cm-orders-judicial-probe-142148">Keys of Jagannath Temple treasury go missing, Odisha CM orders </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/keys-of-jagannath-temples-treasury-go-missing-odisha-cm-orders-judicial-probe-142148">judicial</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/keys-of-jagannath-temples-treasury-go-missing-odisha-cm-orders-judicial-probe-142148"> probe</a></p>

<p>The keys of the 12th century Jagannath Temple's treasury chamber Ratna Bhandar in Odisha have reportedly gone missing.</p>


Read the five big stories of the day here

Facebook shared user data with over 60 device makers including Apple, Samsung: Report Facebook has formed data-sharing partnerships with 60 device makers, including Apple and Microsoft, giving them access to information of users and even their friends, a media report has claimed, weeks after the social media faced massive backlash for improperly sharing personal data of up to 87 million people. BJP lost bypolls because Keshav Prasad Maurya was not made CM: UP Minister UP Minister OP Rajbhar has said the BJP lost the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls because Yogi Aditynath, and not Keshav Prasad Maurya, was made chief minister. Watch: PM Modi 'doesn't take real questions', says Rahul Gandhi In a latest dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi called him out saying that the interviews he gives are pre-scripted. Denied entry into examination centre, UPSC aspirant kills himself Varun, a 28-year-old student from Karnataka, allegedly committed suicide in Delhi after he was denied entry to sit for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or civil services exam. Keys of Jagannath Temple treasury go missing, Odisha CM orders judicial probe The keys of the 12th century Jagannath Temple's treasury chamber Ratna Bhandar in Odisha have reportedly gone missing.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Over 780 benami asset attachments worth crores of rupees run the risk of being invalidated in the near future as the government has failed to create a designated adjudicating authority for over a year-and-a-half since the stringent law was enforced to deal with black money and corruption.</p>

<p>The Benami Property Transaction Act, enacted in 1988, was revived and enforced by the current government from November 1, 2016, the month that also saw demonetisation of two big currencies of the country by a declaration made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Section 7 of this law, that attracts a rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years and fine up to 25 per cent of the fair market value of the property, requires the government to create an independent 3-member Adjudicating Authority (like the one for PMLA) that will decide on the validity of the attachment of properties made under this legislation by the Income Tax Department (ITD).</p>

<p>In the absence of such an authority for over 1.5 years now, the government has entrusted the task of handling these cases on an ad-hoc basis and as a "transitional" arrangement to the already short-staffed and over-burdened Adjudicating Authority for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), a stringent law enforced by the Enforcement Directorate.</p>

<p>Official records&nbsp;show that while over 860 such cases have been finalised by the tax department and sent to this authority till now, only about 80 could be adjudicated, leaving a pendency of about 780 cases bearing attachments worth crores of rupees and involving some very high-profile individuals, politicians, bureaucrats and others.</p>

<p>Worried that these high-value sensitive cases may get "time-barred" or invalidated as benami attachment orders have to be confirmed within a year of issue by the ITD, the Authority has recently asked the Department of Revenue and the CBDT under the Finance Ministry to not send to it the cases and "hold" them with the IT Department, till the new body is constituted.</p>

<p>The Authority, as per official records, has put the government on notice stating if a new body is not created and existing vacancies of members and staff are not immediately posted to the existing setup, "it will be impossible for it to dispose of benami cases in the prescribed time limit...Considering the speed at which work is pouring under the benami law."</p>

<p>"If benami cases fail to be adjudicated within the prescribed time, it will lead to major litigation and embarrassment for the government as the drive against benami assets has been the most-talked-about action of the government under its flagship anti-black money drive, about which PM Modi has himself spoken at various forums and poll rallies," a senior Finance Ministry official told the news agency.</p>

<p>Records show that the existing Authority is forced to work without a regular Chairman since April 1 as the incumbent retired a day before and has only two working members now.?</p>

<p>It has also beseeched the Finance Ministry to provide it at least 9 junior staff members like court masters-- to take down dictations and write judicial orders-- and peons to serve tea and snacks to members and defence counsels in courts.</p>

<p>The Revenue Department, records show, has till now not been able to fix a date to thrash out these issues even after it was told by the Authority last year that "immediate steps may kindly be taken for notification/creation of the Adjudicating Authority for the benami law so that public interest does not suffer and the purpose for which the Act was created is effectively met and justice is done."</p>

<p>The Authority has also told the government that it "cannot handle the pressure of work under both the PMLA and the Benami Act and do justice with both" and a single authority cannot handle the two Acts due to "huge work being thrown" at it by two departments of the government-- the ITD and the ED-- after demonetisation and the enforcement of the benami law in 2016.</p>

<p>"An early action in the matter will be highly appreciated," the Authority told the Revenue department even as it suggested that for the time being, some staff could be deputed with it on a temporary basis from the IT Department as it is the agency that has been entrusted with enforcing the benami law in the country.</p>

<p>The benami law mandates that every case under adjudication is mandatorily heard and decided by a two-member bench and hence while deciding these cases within the time limit the manpower is diverted here at the cost of PMLA adjudication, the official said.</p>

<p>Members of the benami authority, as per the scheme of the law, can be a person who has been a Commissioner-rank officer in the IT Department or has held the post of Joint Secretary in the Law Ministry and belongs to the Indian Legal Services.</p>

<p>The Authority, records show, already has a pendency of over 230 PMLA cases at present that are sent to it by the ED after attachment of assets of those charged for money laundering.</p>

<p>The ITD has set up 24 benami properties unit (BPU) in its investigation wings across the country to streamline functioning under the new Act and as per data till last year end, the department had attached assets worth more than Rs 2,000 crore for which it issued over 530 notices and made 550 attachments.</p>

<p>Benami properties are those in which the real beneficiary is not the one in whose name the property has been purchased.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Over 780 benami asset attachments worth crores of rupees run the risk of being invalidated in the near future as the government has failed to create a designated adjudicating authority for over a year-and-a-half since the stringent law was enforced to deal with black money and corruption

Over 780 benami asset attachments worth crores of rupees run the risk of being invalidated in the near future as the government has failed to create a designated adjudicating authority for over a year-and-a-half since the stringent law was enforced to deal with black money and corruption. The Benami Property Transaction Act, enacted in 1988, was revived and enforced by the current government from November 1, 2016, the month that also saw demonetisation of two big currencies of the country by a declaration made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Section 7 of this law, that attracts a rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years and fine up to 25 per cent of the fair market value of the property, requires the government to create an independent 3-member Adjudicating Authority (like the one for PMLA) that will decide on the validity of the attachment of properties made under this legislation by the Income Tax Department (ITD). In the absence of such an authority for over 1.5 years now, the government has entrusted the task of handling these cases on an ad-hoc basis and as a "transitional" arrangement to the already short-staffed and over-burdened Adjudicating Authority for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), a stringent law enforced by the Enforcement Directorate. Official records show that while over 860 such cases have been finalised by the tax department and sent to this authority till now, only about 80 could be adjudicated, leaving a pendency of about 780 cases bearing attachments worth crores of rupees and involving some very high-profile individuals, politicians, bureaucrats and others. Worried that these high-value sensitive cases may get "time-barred" or invalidated as benami attachment orders have to be confirmed within a year of issue by the ITD, the Authority has recently asked the Department of Revenue and the CBDT under the Finance Ministry to not send to it the cases and "hold" them with the IT Department, till the new body is constituted. The Authority, as per official records, has put the government on notice stating if a new body is not created and existing vacancies of members and staff are not immediately posted to the existing setup, "it will be impossible for it to dispose of benami cases in the prescribed time limit...Considering the speed at which work is pouring under the benami law." "If benami cases fail to be adjudicated within the prescribed time, it will lead to major litigation and embarrassment for the government as the drive against benami assets has been the most-talked-about action of the government under its flagship anti-black money drive, about which PM Modi has himself spoken at various forums and poll rallies," a senior Finance Ministry official told the news agency. Records show that the existing Authority is forced to work without a regular Chairman since April 1 as the incumbent retired a day before and has only two working members now.? It has also beseeched the Finance Ministry to provide it at least 9 junior staff members like court masters-- to take down dictations and write judicial orders-- and peons to serve tea and snacks to members and defence counsels in courts. The Revenue Department, records show, has till now not been able to fix a date to thrash out these issues even after it was told by the Authority last year that "immediate steps may kindly be taken for notification/creation of the Adjudicating Authority for the benami law so that public interest does not suffer and the purpose for which the Act was created is effectively met and justice is done." The Authority has also told the government that it "cannot handle the pressure of work under both the PMLA and the Benami Act and do justice with both" and a single authority cannot handle the two Acts due to "huge work being thrown" at it by two departments of the government-- the ITD and the ED-- after demonetisation and the enforcement of the benami law in 2016. "An early action in the matter will be highly appreciated," the Authority told the Revenue department even as it suggested that for the time being, some staff could be deputed with it on a temporary basis from the IT Department as it is the agency that has been entrusted with enforcing the benami law in the country. The benami law mandates that every case under adjudication is mandatorily heard and decided by a two-member bench and hence while deciding these cases within the time limit the manpower is diverted here at the cost of PMLA adjudication, the official said. Members of the benami authority, as per the scheme of the law, can be a person who has been a Commissioner-rank officer in the IT Department or has held the post of Joint Secretary in the Law Ministry and belongs to the Indian Legal Services. The Authority, records show, already has a pendency of over 230 PMLA cases at present that are sent to it by the ED after attachment of assets of those charged for money laundering. The ITD has set up 24 benami properties unit (BPU) in its investigation wings across the country to streamline functioning under the new Act and as per data till last year end, the department had attached assets worth more than Rs 2,000 crore for which it issued over 530 notices and made 550 attachments. Benami properties are those in which the real beneficiary is not the one in whose name the property has been purchased.

Benami attachments worth crores may fall flat as no authority for 1.5 years

<p>The JD(U) core committee met&nbspahead of a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance scheduled later this week, after which a senior party leader said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the face of the NDA in Bihar.<br />
Kumar, also the JD(U) national president, held the core committee meeting at his residence.</p>

<p>JD(U) national general secretaries K C Tyagi and Pavan Varma, who arrived from New Delhi, poll strategist Prashant Kishor and a few other state leaders took part in the meeting.</p>

<p>The meeting assumes significance as the BJP-led NDA, which the JD(U) joined in August last year, is scheduled to hold a meeting in Bihar on June 7. During the NDA meeting, to be attended by Kumar, the coalition partners are likely to discuss their strategy in the state for the next Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>Emerging out of the chief minister's residence after the meeting, Varma told reporters that Kumar "is the face of the NDA in Bihar, that is why he is the chief minister. JD(U) is the largest constituent of the coalition".</p>

<p>Varma's remark assumes significance amidst speculation in political circles here that the JD(U), which has only two Lok Sabha members, might press for a seat-sharing arrangement commensurate with its strength in the Bihar assembly where it has about 70 MLAs against nearly 50 of the BJP.</p>

<p>Besides the JD(U) and the BJP, the NDA in Bihar comprises Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party.</p>

<p>The BJP had bagged 22 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2014, when the JD(U) had fought separately.</p>

<p>However, in the wake of the poor show by the BJP in a number of bypolls recently, its allies have started voicing the need for better coordination within the NDA instead of a "big brotherly attitude" displayed by the senior coalition partner.</p>

<p>Asked about Kumar's renewed demand for special status to Bihar, Varma said "the party had never given up the demand. To fight for this legitimate right of the state is the JD(U)'s commitment".</p>

<p>He, however, declined to divulge the details of the consultations held with Kumar.</p>


JD(U) national general secretaries K C Tyagi and Pavan Varma, who arrived from New Delhi, poll strategist Prashant Kishor and a few other state leaders took part in the meeting

The JD(U) core committee met&nbspahead of a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance scheduled later this week, after which a senior party leader said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the face of the NDA in Bihar. Kumar, also the JD(U) national president, held the core committee meeting at his residence. JD(U) national general secretaries K C Tyagi and Pavan Varma, who arrived from New Delhi, poll strategist Prashant Kishor and a few other state leaders took part in the meeting. The meeting assumes significance as the BJP-led NDA, which the JD(U) joined in August last year, is scheduled to hold a meeting in Bihar on June 7. During the NDA meeting, to be attended by Kumar, the coalition partners are likely to discuss their strategy in the state for the next Lok Sabha polls. Emerging out of the chief minister's residence after the meeting, Varma told reporters that Kumar "is the face of the NDA in Bihar, that is why he is the chief minister. JD(U) is the largest constituent of the coalition". Varma's remark assumes significance amidst speculation in political circles here that the JD(U), which has only two Lok Sabha members, might press for a seat-sharing arrangement commensurate with its strength in the Bihar assembly where it has about 70 MLAs against nearly 50 of the BJP. Besides the JD(U) and the BJP, the NDA in Bihar comprises Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party. The BJP had bagged 22 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2014, when the JD(U) had fought separately. However, in the wake of the poor show by the BJP in a number of bypolls recently, its allies have started voicing the need for better coordination within the NDA instead of a "big brotherly attitude" displayed by the senior coalition partner. Asked about Kumar's renewed demand for special status to Bihar, Varma said "the party had never given up the demand. To fight for this legitimate right of the state is the JD(U)'s commitment". He, however, declined to divulge the details of the consultations held with Kumar.

Nitish face of NDA in Bihar, says JD(U) leader after core committee meeting

<p>The Election Commission&nbspordered a probe into allegations of large-scale discrepancies in the voters' list of Madhya Pradesh.</p>

<p>Soon after a Congress delegation approached it on the issue, the poll panel formed two teams to probe the allegations.&nbsp</p>

<p>The teams have to submit a report by June 7.</p>

<p>The Congress claimed there are at least 60 lakh bogus voters in the state, which will go to polls in November.</p>

<p>The party also submitted evidence to the EC to buttress its allegation.&nbsp</p>

<p>We have provided evidence to the Election Commission. There are approximately 60 lakh fake voters registered in the state. These are not merely mistakes. The lists have been deliberately altered at the behest of BJP government in the state,&nbspCongress's Kamal Nath said.</p>

<p>The EC teams will visit the Narela, Bhojpur, Seoni-Malwa and Hoshangabad assembly seats to ascertain how the discrepancies occurred.</p>

<p>After reaching the state tomorrow, the teams would also fix responsibility for multiple and fake entries, EC said.</p>


The poll panel formed two teams to probe the allegations

The Election Commission&nbspordered a probe into allegations of large-scale discrepancies in the voters' list of Madhya Pradesh. Soon after a Congress delegation approached it on the issue, the poll panel formed two teams to probe the allegations. The teams have to submit a report by June 7. The Congress claimed there are at least 60 lakh bogus voters in the state, which will go to polls in November. The party also submitted evidence to the EC to buttress its allegation. We have provided evidence to the Election Commission. There are approximately 60 lakh fake voters registered in the state. These are not merely mistakes. The lists have been deliberately altered at the behest of BJP government in the state,&nbspCongress's Kamal Nath said. The EC teams will visit the Narela, Bhojpur, Seoni-Malwa and Hoshangabad assembly seats to ascertain how the discrepancies occurred. After reaching the state tomorrow, the teams would also fix responsibility for multiple and fake entries, EC said.

Election Commission orders probe into 'anomalies' in Madhya Pradesh voters' list

<p>Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas may <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-is-priyanka-chopra-dating-this-american-pop-singer-see-pics-inside-140816">not have confirmed their relationship </a>yet to the world but the two have been indulging in sly PDA on social media. The two have been constantly liking each other's post on Instagram and Jonas even commented Priyanka's smile in one of the photos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jonas has been liking and commenting on all of Priyanka's recent Instagram posts and the 'Quantico' star has also shown her appreciation on Jonas posts.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="pc1.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/pc1.jpg" width="770" /><br />
<img alt="pc23.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/pc23.jpg" width="770" /></p>

<p><img alt="pc3.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/pc3.jpg" width="770" /></p>

<p><img alt="pc4.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/pc4.jpg" width="770" /></p>

<p><img alt="pc5.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/pc5.jpg" width="770" /></p>

<p>The two fuelled dating rumours during a night out in West Hollywood, California recently where they were spotted cozying up.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A source told etonline.com that the two "cozied up at a table" at Toca Madera restaurant, arriving together at around 8 p.m on Thursday.</p>

<p>Sitting on the garden patio, the rumoured couple enjoyed guacamole, ceviche verde, chicken tacos and the Japanese wagyu beef.</p>

<p>"The pair were very affectionate with one another, with Priyanka running her hands through his hair as they cozied up together at their corner table in the garden patio," the source said.&nbsp;</p>


The two have been commenting and liking each others Instagram posts.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas may not have confirmed their relationship yet to the world but the two have been indulging in sly PDA on social media. The two have been constantly liking each other's post on Instagram and Jonas even commented Priyanka's smile in one of the photos. Jonas has been liking and commenting on all of Priyanka's recent Instagram posts and the 'Quantico' star has also shown her appreciation on Jonas posts. The two fuelled dating rumours during a night out in West Hollywood, California recently where they were spotted cozying up. A source told etonline.com that the two "cozied up at a table" at Toca Madera restaurant, arriving together at around 8 p.m on Thursday. Sitting on the garden patio, the rumoured couple enjoyed guacamole, ceviche verde, chicken tacos and the Japanese wagyu beef. "The pair were very affectionate with one another, with Priyanka running her hands through his hair as they cozied up together at their corner table in the garden patio," the source said.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's PDA on social media add fuel to link-up rumours

<p>The keys of the 12th century Jagannath Temple's treasury chamber Ratna Bhandar in Odisha have reportedly gone missing.</p>

<p>The state chief minister Naveen Patnaik has ordéred a judicial probe into the matter after protests by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, and the Bharatiya Janata Party.</p>

<p>The case of the missing keys of the inner chamber surfaced two months ago on April 4 at the meeting of the Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee.</p>

<p>On the orders&nbsp;of the Orissa High Court, a 16 member team had entered the Ratna Bhandar on April 4 to investigate the physical conditions in tight security.</p>

<p>The court is monitoring the repair works undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India in the shrine since 2016.</p>

<p>The court had ordered the ASI to examine the structural stability and safety of the Ratna Bhandar. The team, however, could not reach the inner chambers of the Bhandar due to unavailability of keys.</p>

<p>The Mahapatra has claimed that neither the temple administration nor the Puri district treasury has the key of the inner treasury.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The case of the missing keys of the inner chamber surface two months ago on April 4 at the meeting of the Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee

The keys of the 12th century Jagannath Temple's treasury chamber Ratna Bhandar in Odisha have reportedly gone missing. The state chief minister Naveen Patnaik has ordéred a judicial probe into the matter after protests by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The case of the missing keys of the inner chamber surfaced two months ago on April 4 at the meeting of the Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee. On the orders of the Orissa High Court, a 16 member team had entered the Ratna Bhandar on April 4 to investigate the physical conditions in tight security. The court is monitoring the repair works undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India in the shrine since 2016. The court had ordered the ASI to examine the structural stability and safety of the Ratna Bhandar. The team, however, could not reach the inner chambers of the Bhandar due to unavailability of keys. The Mahapatra has claimed that neither the temple administration nor the Puri district treasury has the key of the inner treasury.

Keys of Jagannath Temple treasury go missing, Odisha CM orders judicial probe

<p>UP Minister OP Rajbhar has said the BJP lost the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls because Yogi Aditynath, and not Keshav Prasad Maurya, was made chief minister.&nbsp</p>

<p>Rajbhar is a cabinet minister in Adityanath's government, and chief of the &nbspSuheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party.&nbsp</p>

<p>"The BJP contested assembly polls with Keshav Prasad Maurya (an OBC) as its face but later Yogi Adityanath was made chief minister. Backwards supported the BJP in the hope that Maurya will become CM. The result of this anger reflected in the defeat of the BJP in bypolls", PTI quoted Rajbhar as saying.&nbsp</p>

<p>When asked whether Yogi Adityanath was responsible for the BJP's defeat, Rajbhahr said, "Government is responsible. The BJP should introspect about reasons of its defeat. It's up to the BJP whom to make CM. It's up to the party to make Yogi or Keshav as CM."&nbsp</p>

<p>The BJP lost the Kairana and the Noorpur assembly seats in the recent polls.</p>

<p>Tabassum Hasan of the Rashtriya Lok Dal won the Kairana seat by a margin of 44,618 votes, while Naeemul Hasan of the SP bagged the Noorpur Assembly seat by a margin of 5,662 votes.</p>

<p>The winning RLD candidate in Kairana was backed by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and the Bahujan Samaj Party.&nbsp</p>

<p>In Noorpur, the main opposition parties supported the SP nominee.</p>

<p>Against this united opposition, the BJP's all-out efforts to stop a chain of losses in bypolls in the state since 2014 proved futile even though Chief Minister Adityanath led from the front.&nbsp</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp</p>


OP Rajbhar is a cabinet minister in Adityanath's government, and chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party

UP Minister OP Rajbhar has said the BJP lost the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls because Yogi Aditynath, and not Keshav Prasad Maurya, was made chief minister. Rajbhar is a cabinet minister in Adityanath's government, and chief of the &nbspSuheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party. "The BJP contested assembly polls with Keshav Prasad Maurya (an OBC) as its face but later Yogi Adityanath was made chief minister. Backwards supported the BJP in the hope that Maurya will become CM. The result of this anger reflected in the defeat of the BJP in bypolls", PTI quoted Rajbhar as saying. When asked whether Yogi Adityanath was responsible for the BJP's defeat, Rajbhahr said, "Government is responsible. The BJP should introspect about reasons of its defeat. It's up to the BJP whom to make CM. It's up to the party to make Yogi or Keshav as CM." The BJP lost the Kairana and the Noorpur assembly seats in the recent polls. Tabassum Hasan of the Rashtriya Lok Dal won the Kairana seat by a margin of 44,618 votes, while Naeemul Hasan of the SP bagged the Noorpur Assembly seat by a margin of 5,662 votes. The winning RLD candidate in Kairana was backed by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and the Bahujan Samaj Party. In Noorpur, the main opposition parties supported the SP nominee. Against this united opposition, the BJP's all-out efforts to stop a chain of losses in bypolls in the state since 2014 proved futile even though Chief Minister Adityanath led from the front. (With inputs from PTI)

BJP lost bypolls because Keshav Prasad Maurya was not made CM: UP Minister

<p>R Madhavan turned 48 on June 1. The actor celebrated his birthday on the sets of Anand L Rai's 'Zero' along with Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and the filmmaker.&nbsp;<br />
Maddy is playing a cameo in the film and currently shooting for it.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The actor took to Instagram to share photos of the celebration and wrote, " Crazyyy Funnnn Birthdays.. oh man .. Unforgetable...(sic)"&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0 padding:0 4px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjloXg5hBsA/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">Crazyyy Funnnn Birthdays.. oh man .. Unforgetable...</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/actormaddy/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> R. Madhavan</a> (@actormaddy) on <time datetime="2018-06-04T03:39:41+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 3, 2018 at 8:39pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>Maddy is one of the many actors who will play cameos in SRK's ambitious film. The film also has guest appearances from Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and others.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The film will also have Sridevi in one of the songs. The late actress had shot for the film months before her untimely death.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
'Zero' also stars Katrina Kaif and Abhay Deol. It is scheduled to release in theatres in December this year.</p>


The actor took to Instagram to share photos of the celebration

R Madhavan turned 48 on June 1. The actor celebrated his birthday on the sets of Anand L Rai's 'Zero' along with Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and the filmmaker. Maddy is playing a cameo in the film and currently shooting for it. The actor took to Instagram to share photos of the celebration and wrote, " Crazyyy Funnnn Birthdays.. oh man .. Unforgetable...(sic)" Crazyyy Funnnn Birthdays.. oh man .. Unforgetable... A post shared by R. Madhavan (@actormaddy) on Jun 3, 2018 at 8:39pm PDT × Maddy is one of the many actors who will play cameos in SRK's ambitious film. The film also has guest appearances from Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and others. The film will also have Sridevi in one of the songs. The late actress had shot for the film months before her untimely death. 'Zero' also stars Katrina Kaif and Abhay Deol. It is scheduled to release in theatres in December this year.

R Madhavan celebrates birthday on the sets of 'Zero' with Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma

<p>In a latest dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi called him out saying that the interviews he&nbsp;gives are pre-scripted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sharing a video of PM Modi in Singapore, Rahul Gandhi alleged that PM Modi was the first Indian 'PM who ‘took spontaneous questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to’.</p>

<p>He wrote on Twitter: “The first Indian PM who takes "spontaneous" questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to! Good that he doesn't take real questions. Would have been a real embarrassment to us all if he did.” &nbsp;</p>

<p>The video was of an interview PM Modi had given at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) last Friday where he was seen answering a question about the challenges faced by Asia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After PM Modi finished answering in Hindi, his translator then took out a piece of paper and read the same answer in English for the audience which also included facts that PM Modi's answer did not mention.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress has often attacked PM Modi for not holding press conferences and only giving one-on-one interviews and has also said that PM Modi has time and again refused to answer "real questions" posed by opposition leaders and other.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The first Indian PM who takes "spontaneous" questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to!<br />
<br />
Good that he doesn't take real questions. Would have been a real embarrassment to us all if he did. <a href="https://t.co/8Iyfgiaseh">pic.twitter.com/8Iyfgiaseh</a></p>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1003557365646389249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Sharing a video of PM Modi in Singapore, Rahul Gandhi alleged that PM Modi was the first Indian 'PM who takes 'spontaneous' questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to!’

In a latest dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi called him out saying that the interviews he gives are pre-scripted. Sharing a video of PM Modi in Singapore, Rahul Gandhi alleged that PM Modi was the first Indian 'PM who ‘took spontaneous questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to’. He wrote on Twitter: “The first Indian PM who takes "spontaneous" questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to! Good that he doesn't take real questions. Would have been a real embarrassment to us all if he did.” The video was of an interview PM Modi had given at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) last Friday where he was seen answering a question about the challenges faced by Asia. After PM Modi finished answering in Hindi, his translator then took out a piece of paper and read the same answer in English for the audience which also included facts that PM Modi's answer did not mention. The Congress has often attacked PM Modi for not holding press conferences and only giving one-on-one interviews and has also said that PM Modi has time and again refused to answer "real questions" posed by opposition leaders and other. The first Indian PM who takes "spontaneous" questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to! Good that he doesn't take real questions. Would have been a real embarrassment to us all if he did. pic.twitter.com/8Iyfgiaseh — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 4, 2018 ×

Watch: PM Modi 'doesn't take real questions', says Rahul Gandhi

A CRPF jeep had run over a protester in Srinagar on Friday. The protester died from his injuries on Sunday

Kashmir: Locals pelt stones at vehicles of security forces after they kill 5 terrorists

<p>Benchmark Sensex tanked over 215 points to close at 35,011.89 on Monday as cautious investors trimmed their portfolios amid the RBI's monetary policy meeting getting underway.</p>

<p>The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee began its three-day meeting today amid speculation that it may hike the key interest rate on June 6 for the first time in about four-and-half years on account of firming inflation.</p>

<p>The 30-share Sensex opened on a strong footing on across-the-board gains amid positive global leads and hit a high of 35,555.59.</p>

<p>&nbspHowever, it soon slipped into the negative zone on massive selling in several heavyweights. It finally ended at 35,011.89, down 215.37 points or 0.61 per cent.&nbsp</p>

<p>The broader NSE Nifty too ended lower by 67.70 points, or 0.63 per cent, at 10,628.50, after hovering between 10,770.30 and 10,618.35.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) offloaded shares worth a net Rs 202.80 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities to the tune of Rs 337.97 crore on Friday, as per provisional data.&nbsp</p>


Benchmark Sensex tanked over 215 points to close at 35,011.89 on Monday as cautious investors trimmed their portfolios amid the RBI's monetary policy meeting getting underway

Benchmark Sensex tanked over 215 points to close at 35,011.89 on Monday as cautious investors trimmed their portfolios amid the RBI's monetary policy meeting getting underway. The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee began its three-day meeting today amid speculation that it may hike the key interest rate on June 6 for the first time in about four-and-half years on account of firming inflation. The 30-share Sensex opened on a strong footing on across-the-board gains amid positive global leads and hit a high of 35,555.59. &nbspHowever, it soon slipped into the negative zone on massive selling in several heavyweights. It finally ended at 35,011.89, down 215.37 points or 0.61 per cent. The broader NSE Nifty too ended lower by 67.70 points, or 0.63 per cent, at 10,628.50, after hovering between 10,770.30 and 10,618.35. Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) offloaded shares worth a net Rs 202.80 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities to the tune of Rs 337.97 crore on Friday, as per provisional data.

Sensex slumps 215 points; RBI policy meet gets underway

<p>Swara Bhasker is being trolled again. The actress plays a potty mouth, rich brat in her latest 'Veere Di Wedding', who is on a verge of a divorce. One of the scenes has Bhasker masturbating in front of her husband.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scene did not go down well with a certain section on Twitter and the actress was criticised for filming the scene. One user on Twitter wrote to Swara, "Hey @ReallySwara just watched #VeerDiWedding with my grandmother. We got embarrassed when the masturabation scene came on screen. as we came out of the theatre my grandmother said "I'm Hindustan and I am ashamed of #VeerDiWedding (sic)."</p>

<p>The tweet went viral, and Bhasker was tagged in the same tweet by multiple users.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For some inexplicable reason, there seems to be a tremendous demand for Veere Di Wedding among Indian grandmothers, regardless of their alleged, consistent (word-to-word consistent!) opinion after the film. <a href="https://t.co/VCn1wroHlf">pic.twitter.com/VCn1wroHlf</a></p>
— Karthik (@beastoftraal) <a href="https://twitter.com/beastoftraal/status/1002836689419530241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For some weird reasons, people who cant spell “Masturbation” are going to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VeereDiWedding?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VeereDiWedding</a> with their Grandmothers and want answers from <a href="https://twitter.com/ReallySwara?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReallySwara</a> <a href="https://t.co/CAB1ab5b4O">pic.twitter.com/CAB1ab5b4O</a></p>
— Joy (@Joydas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joydas/status/1002842754584494080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>While many noticed the viral tweet and made apt observation about the duplicity of the tweet, Swara herself took to Twitter and reacted, “Looks like a certain IT cell sponsored the tickets- or definitely the tweets !!!!(sic)”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">??????? Looks like a certain IT cell sponsored the tickets- or definitely the tweets !!!! ??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️???? <a href="https://t.co/KIUqMoOLRG">https://t.co/KIUqMoOLRG</a></p>
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReallySwara/status/1002880933895159808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">???????? <a href="https://twitter.com/Joydas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Joydas</a> you bring so much joy to my Twitter timeline.. I wish paid trolls would at the very least re-arrange the sentences and run a spell check before their paid tweet attacks <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PaidTrollsKiPolKhulGayi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PaidTrollsKiPolKhulGayi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SakshiSlays?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SakshiSlays</a> <a href="https://t.co/pxHyjKthXH">https://t.co/pxHyjKthXH</a></p>
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReallySwara/status/1002880157453934594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Some came to Swara's defence with cheeky tweets.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why are so many sanskari people watching <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VeereDiWedding?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VeereDiWedding</a> with their grandmothers?</p>
— Rahul Pandita (@rahulpandita) <a href="https://twitter.com/rahulpandita/status/1002871065524125696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is getting out of hand! (no pun intended) ?<br />
Let me muster up some courage & point out that it's NOT -<br />
1. Musterbation<br />
or<br />
2. Masturabation<br />
or<br />
3. Mastrubation<br />
or<br />
3. Mastabate (thought phonetically correct)<br />
.<br />
Lets all take the night off from outrage and read on Masturbation <a href="https://t.co/PecrqAHmvT">pic.twitter.com/PecrqAHmvT</a></p>
— Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) <a href="https://twitter.com/akashbanerjee/status/1002988060018003968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-veere-di-wedding-review-kareena-and-sonam-kapoors-film-is-outrageous-flawed-and-thoroughly-enjoyable-141563">Here's WION's verdict on 'Veere Di Wedding'.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>The actress also faced criticism from certain celebrities in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-she-is-trolled-swara-bhasker-quips-indo-pak-peace-on-the-horizon-141980">Pakistan for calling the country a "failing state</a>".&nbsp;'Veere Di Wedding' was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/entertainment-veere-di-wedding-banned-in-pakistan-over-vulgar-dialogues-and-obscene-scenes-141141">banned in Pakistan for its 'obscene content'.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>A story of a gang of four girls who come together as one of them is all set to marry, Shashanka Ghosh's 'Veere Di Wedding' has opened to great response and is the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-veere-di-wedding-gets-the-third-highest-opening-of-2018-142035">third highest opener</a> of 2018. The film stars Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Shikha Talsania and Sumeet Vyas along with Swara Bhasker.</p>


Swara Bhasker is being trolled again. The actress plays a potty mouth, rich brat in her latest 'Veere Di Wedding', who is on a verge of a divorce. One of the scenes has Bhasker masturbating in front of her husband. The scene did not go down well with a certain section on Twitter and the actress was criticised for filming the scene. One user on Twitter wrote to Swara, "Hey @ReallySwara just watched #VeerDiWedding with my grandmother. We got embarrassed when the masturabation scene came on screen. as we came out of the theatre my grandmother said "I'm Hindustan and I am ashamed of #VeerDiWedding (sic)." The tweet went viral, and Bhasker was tagged in the same tweet by multiple users. For some inexplicable reason, there seems to be a tremendous demand for Veere Di Wedding among Indian grandmothers, regardless of their alleged, consistent (word-to-word consistent!) opinion after the film. pic.twitter.com/VCn1wroHlf — Karthik (@beastoftraal) June 2, 2018 × For some weird reasons, people who cant spell “Masturbation” are going to watch #VeereDiWedding with their Grandmothers and want answers from @ReallySwara pic.twitter.com/CAB1ab5b4O — Joy (@Joydas) June 2, 2018 × While many noticed the viral tweet and made apt observation about the duplicity of the tweet, Swara herself took to Twitter and reacted, “Looks like a certain IT cell sponsored the tickets- or definitely the tweets !!!!(sic)” ??????? Looks like a certain IT cell sponsored the tickets- or definitely the tweets !!!! ??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️???? https://t.co/KIUqMoOLRG — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 2, 2018 × ???????? @Joydas you bring so much joy to my Twitter timeline.. I wish paid trolls would at the very least re-arrange the sentences and run a spell check before their paid tweet attacks #PaidTrollsKiPolKhulGayi #SakshiSlays https://t.co/pxHyjKthXH — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 2, 2018 × Some came to Swara's defence with cheeky tweets. Why are so many sanskari people watching #VeereDiWedding with their grandmothers? — Rahul Pandita (@rahulpandita) June 2, 2018 × This is getting out of hand! (no pun intended) ? Let me muster up some courage & point out that it's NOT - 1. Musterbation or 2. Masturabation or 3. Mastrubation or 3. Mastabate (thought phonetically correct) . Lets all take the night off from outrage and read on Masturbation pic.twitter.com/PecrqAHmvT — Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) June 2, 2018 × Here's WION's verdict on 'Veere Di Wedding'. The actress also faced criticism from certain celebrities in Pakistan for calling the country a "failing state". 'Veere Di Wedding' was banned in Pakistan for its 'obscene content'. A story of a gang of four girls who come together as one of them is all set to marry, Shashanka Ghosh's 'Veere Di Wedding' has opened to great response and is the third highest opener of 2018. The film stars Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Shikha Talsania and Sumeet Vyas along with Swara Bhasker.

'Veere Di Wedding' masturbation scene: Swara Bhasker shuts trolls up

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