<p>Six RSS activists were arrested today for allegedly threatening a noted Malayalam poet, who had reportedly attacked Hindutva forces over a &quot;caste wall&quot; on public land in Kochi even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned that such incidents would not be tolerated.</p>

<p>The incident took place at Kotttukkal near Kollam when Kureepuzha Sreekumar was returning after addressing a function last night, police said.</p>

<p>He was stopped by a group of RSS activists as he was getting into his car and allegedly threatened, they said.</p>

<p>Sreekumar, while addressing the function, had reportedly attacked Hindutva forces over their stand regarding the controversy over construction of the &quot;caste wall&quot; at Vadayampady near Kochi.</p>

<p>Tension had been prevailing in the area since the past 10 months over the alleged wall constructed by the Nair Service Society (NSS) on land adjacent to a local Temple.</p>

<p>While local NSS leadership has claimed that the wall was constructed on temple land, dalit organisations have challenged the claim.</p>

<p>Dalit outfits said they have been protesting against the alleged &quot;caste wall&quot; adjacent to the Bhajana Madom Devi temple.</p>

<p>On the basis of the poet&#39;s complaint, a case was registered against the RSS workers.</p>

<p><strong>BJP files complaint against Poet</strong></p>

<p>However, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said neither RSS nor BJP workers were responsible for the incident.</p>

<p>The BJP has also filed a complaint with police demanding legal action against the poet for allegedly attempting to trigger communal violence &quot;by destroying the peaceful atmosphere in the area.&quot;</p>

<p>In the complaint, BJP said Sreekumar in his speech had made &quot;provocative comments&quot; about sangh parivar outfits, portrayed Hindu gods in a bad light and tried to harm the communal equilibrium in the society.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Well-planned attack, says Poet</strong></p>

<p>Reacting to the incident, the poet today said the attack against him was &quot;well planned&quot; and Kerala was going back to the dark ages.</p>

<p>&quot;The upsurge of extreme communal terror, prevailing in parts of north India, has come to Kerala also...It is horrifying. Otherwise they would not have hurled abusive comments at me,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Kollam Rural Superintendent of Police B Asokan said that a case was registered against 15 RSS workers, of whom six were arrested.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan&#39;s office has directed the police to take stringent action and launch a thorough probe into the incident.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the issue also cropped up in the state assembly with the chief minister stating that a group of 15 RSS/BJP workers led by a panchayat member, Dipu were behind the incident.</p>

<p>A case has been registered against 15 persons and six persons have been arrested so far, he said.</p>

<p>There has been an increase in attacks on the freedom of expression in the country since the past few years, Vijayan said, adding that M M Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and Gauri Lankesh had lost their lives due to such intolerance.</p>

<p>In Kerala also renowned writer M T Vasudevan Nair and filmmaker Kamal were among those who had been threatened. Such incidents would be dealt with sternly and will not be allowed to be repeated, he said.</p>

<p>The government will provide necessary protection to ensure that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, Vijayan said.</p>

<p>Kerala stands out as an island of hope when attacks on freedom of expression are taking place elsewhere in the country, the chief minister added.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Malayalam poet, had reportedly attacked Hindutva forces over a 'caste wall' on public land in Kochi even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned that such incidents would not be tolerated

Six RSS activists were arrested today for allegedly threatening a noted Malayalam poet, who had reportedly attacked Hindutva forces over a "caste wall" on public land in Kochi even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned that such incidents would not be tolerated. The incident took place at Kotttukkal near Kollam when Kureepuzha Sreekumar was returning after addressing a function last night, police said. He was stopped by a group of RSS activists as he was getting into his car and allegedly threatened, they said. Sreekumar, while addressing the function, had reportedly attacked Hindutva forces over their stand regarding the controversy over construction of the "caste wall" at Vadayampady near Kochi. Tension had been prevailing in the area since the past 10 months over the alleged wall constructed by the Nair Service Society (NSS) on land adjacent to a local Temple. While local NSS leadership has claimed that the wall was constructed on temple land, dalit organisations have challenged the claim. Dalit outfits said they have been protesting against the alleged "caste wall" adjacent to the Bhajana Madom Devi temple. On the basis of the poet's complaint, a case was registered against the RSS workers. BJP files complaint against Poet However, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said neither RSS nor BJP workers were responsible for the incident. The BJP has also filed a complaint with police demanding legal action against the poet for allegedly attempting to trigger communal violence "by destroying the peaceful atmosphere in the area." In the complaint, BJP said Sreekumar in his speech had made "provocative comments" about sangh parivar outfits, portrayed Hindu gods in a bad light and tried to harm the communal equilibrium in the society. Well-planned attack, says Poet Reacting to the incident, the poet today said the attack against him was "well planned" and Kerala was going back to the dark ages. "The upsurge of extreme communal terror, prevailing in parts of north India, has come to Kerala also...It is horrifying. Otherwise they would not have hurled abusive comments at me," he said. Kollam Rural Superintendent of Police B Asokan said that a case was registered against 15 RSS workers, of whom six were arrested. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office has directed the police to take stringent action and launch a thorough probe into the incident. Meanwhile, the issue also cropped up in the state assembly with the chief minister stating that a group of 15 RSS/BJP workers led by a panchayat member, Dipu were behind the incident. A case has been registered against 15 persons and six persons have been arrested so far, he said. There has been an increase in attacks on the freedom of expression in the country since the past few years, Vijayan said, adding that M M Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and Gauri Lankesh had lost their lives due to such intolerance. In Kerala also renowned writer M T Vasudevan Nair and filmmaker Kamal were among those who had been threatened. Such incidents would be dealt with sternly and will not be allowed to be repeated, he said. The government will provide necessary protection to ensure that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, Vijayan said. Kerala stands out as an island of hope when attacks on freedom of expression are taking place elsewhere in the country, the chief minister added.

Kerala: Six arrested for threatening poet

<p>The Kerala government is thinking of formulating a new law to protect people who lend a helping hand to road accident victims, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today.</p>

<p>Strict instructions have been given to police asking them to ensure that those helping the victims are not put to any difficulty, Vijayan told the state assembly.</p>

<p>Instructions have also been given to investigators against enlisting them as witnesses to be examined if they are not eye-witnesses to the accident, he said.</p>

<p>Fear of litigation and legal consequences often prevent people from helping accident victims, he said.</p>

<p>The chief minister was replying to a submission raised by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on increasing road accidents and the plight of &#39;good samaritans&#39; who rush to help victims but later find themselves entangled in legal issues.</p>

<p>&quot;As per the 2016 Supreme Court verdict in this regard, those who extend help to road accident victims will not have to face any legal liabilities,&quot; Vijayan said.</p>

<p>&quot;In this backdrop, the government will consider framing necessary laws to protect those who engage in life-saving activities and trauma care during the time of accidents and check any kind of difficulties caused to them from the side of authorities,&quot; Vijayan said.</p>

<p>The LDF government has already made arrangements to provide free treatment to accident victims during the first 48 hours in both public and private hospitals in the state, he said.</p>

<p>The government would also set up an e-network of ambulances to ensure immediate trauma care for road accident victims.</p>

<p>&quot;The state police is setting up a group of voluntary activists under the title SOFT (Save Our Fellow Travellers) to provide immediate medical assistance for accident victims,&quot; the chief minister added.&nbsp;</p>


The Kerala government is thinking of formulating a new law to protect people who lend a helping hand to road accident victims, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said

The Kerala government is thinking of formulating a new law to protect people who lend a helping hand to road accident victims, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today. Strict instructions have been given to police asking them to ensure that those helping the victims are not put to any difficulty, Vijayan told the state assembly. Instructions have also been given to investigators against enlisting them as witnesses to be examined if they are not eye-witnesses to the accident, he said. Fear of litigation and legal consequences often prevent people from helping accident victims, he said. The chief minister was replying to a submission raised by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on increasing road accidents and the plight of 'good samaritans' who rush to help victims but later find themselves entangled in legal issues. "As per the 2016 Supreme Court verdict in this regard, those who extend help to road accident victims will not have to face any legal liabilities," Vijayan said. "In this backdrop, the government will consider framing necessary laws to protect those who engage in life-saving activities and trauma care during the time of accidents and check any kind of difficulties caused to them from the side of authorities," Vijayan said. The LDF government has already made arrangements to provide free treatment to accident victims during the first 48 hours in both public and private hospitals in the state, he said. The government would also set up an e-network of ambulances to ensure immediate trauma care for road accident victims. "The state police is setting up a group of voluntary activists under the title SOFT (Save Our Fellow Travellers) to provide immediate medical assistance for accident victims," the chief minister added.

Kerala to protect 'good samaritans' helping accident victims

<p>Acclaimed Ottamthullal dance artist Kalamandalam Geethanandan died on Sunday while he was performing on stage in Thrissur, Kerala.</p>

<p>58-year-old, Geethanandan was performing at Avittathur Mahavishnu temple in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, when he collapsed on stage, though he was rushed to the hospital immediately but he could not be saved.</p>

<p>A video circulating on social media shows Geethanandan performing and later collapsing on stage.</p>

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<p>Geethanandan had&nbsp;retired as head of Thullal Department of Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture. He had been&nbsp;performing the dance form since the age of nine.</p>

<p>He had also performed over&nbsp;5,000 stages across the country.&nbsp;Geethanandan was also the first artist to perform Ottamthullal at Paris.</p>

<p>He debuted with Kamaladalam, Geethanandan and went on to act&nbsp;in several Malayalam films, like Thooval Kottaram, Manasinakkare, Narendran Magan Jayakanthan Vaga, Irattakuttikalude Achan among others.</p>

<p>Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences at the sudden death of the veteran artist.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolence over the demise of the Ottanthullal maestro Kalamandalam Geethanandan. <a href="https://t.co/0jbjoXijP0">pic.twitter.com/0jbjoXijP0</a></p>
&mdash; CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOKerala/status/957867569146310656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Social media reacted almost immediately to his death.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Acclaimed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ottamthullal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ottamthullal</a> artist Kalamandalam Geethanandan is no more. While his death is an irreparable loss, he attained the highest form of Nirvana, passing away on stage performing the art that he so devoted his life to at Avittathur Mahavishnu Temple in Thrissur, Kerala. ???????? <a href="https://t.co/Ao0UDbkcNc">pic.twitter.com/Ao0UDbkcNc</a></p>
&mdash; Ravin Ramachandran N (@aguyindcity) <a href="https://twitter.com/aguyindcity/status/957830728498135040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saddened, shocked at the untimely demise of Ottanthullal artist Kalamandalam Geethanandan.He died while performing at Avittathoor Maha Vishnu Temple, Thrissur.<br />
Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Pranaams. <a href="https://t.co/okVbd3tMkx">pic.twitter.com/okVbd3tMkx</a></p>
&mdash; KummanamRajasekharan (@Kummanam) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kummanam/status/957821933294256128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The legendary Ottanthullal artiste Shri Kalamandalam Geethanandan passes away on stage, right in the middle of his performance in Avitatthur temple in Kerala! What a dream death for any performing artiste! Prayers and condolences! Atma Shanti! ???????????? <a href="https://t.co/PCLnP760Xf">pic.twitter.com/PCLnP760Xf</a></p>
&mdash; मङ्गलम् (@veejaysai) <a href="https://twitter.com/veejaysai/status/957640631672803330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Homage to Kalamandalam <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Geethanandan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Geethanandan</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottamthullal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ottamthullal</a> maestro who passed away on stage during his performance at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Avittathur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Avittathur</a> temple!<br />
<br />
A video of his past performance: <a href="https://t.co/TZfdD585Pa">https://t.co/TZfdD585Pa</a> <a href="https://t.co/FMVcWvEuL1">pic.twitter.com/FMVcWvEuL1</a></p>
&mdash; Kerala Temple History (@templefable) <a href="https://twitter.com/templefable/status/957672569481478144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Geethanandan was rushed to the hospital immediately but could not be saved.

Acclaimed Ottamthullal dance artist Kalamandalam Geethanandan died on Sunday while he was performing on stage in Thrissur, Kerala. 58-year-old, Geethanandan was performing at Avittathur Mahavishnu temple in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, when he collapsed on stage, though he was rushed to the hospital immediately but he could not be saved. A video circulating on social media shows Geethanandan performing and later collapsing on stage. × Geethanandan had retired as head of Thullal Department of Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture. He had been performing the dance form since the age of nine. He had also performed over 5,000 stages across the country. Geethanandan was also the first artist to perform Ottamthullal at Paris. He debuted with Kamaladalam, Geethanandan and went on to act in several Malayalam films, like Thooval Kottaram, Manasinakkare, Narendran Magan Jayakanthan Vaga, Irattakuttikalude Achan among others. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences at the sudden death of the veteran artist. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolence over the demise of the Ottanthullal maestro Kalamandalam Geethanandan. pic.twitter.com/0jbjoXijP0 — CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) January 29, 2018 × Social media reacted almost immediately to his death. Acclaimed #Ottamthullal artist Kalamandalam Geethanandan is no more. While his death is an irreparable loss, he attained the highest form of Nirvana, passing away on stage performing the art that he so devoted his life to at Avittathur Mahavishnu Temple in Thrissur, Kerala. ???????? pic.twitter.com/Ao0UDbkcNc — Ravin Ramachandran N (@aguyindcity) January 29, 2018 × Saddened, shocked at the untimely demise of Ottanthullal artist Kalamandalam Geethanandan.He died while performing at Avittathoor Maha Vishnu Temple, Thrissur. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Pranaams. pic.twitter.com/okVbd3tMkx — KummanamRajasekharan (@Kummanam) January 29, 2018 × The legendary Ottanthullal artiste Shri Kalamandalam Geethanandan passes away on stage, right in the middle of his performance in Avitatthur temple in Kerala! What a dream death for any performing artiste! Prayers and condolences! Atma Shanti! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/PCLnP760Xf — मङ्गलम् (@veejaysai) January 28, 2018 × Homage to Kalamandalam #Geethanandan, #ottamthullal maestro who passed away on stage during his performance at #Avittathur temple! A video of his past performance: https://t.co/TZfdD585Pa pic.twitter.com/FMVcWvEuL1 — Kerala Temple History (@templefable) January 28, 2018 ×

Video: Ottamthullal dancer Geethanandan collapses on stage, dies

<p>Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday praised North Korea for its tough anti-US agenda.</p>

<p>News agency ANI quoted as the CM saying that North Korea refused to bow to pressure imposed on it by the US.</p>

<p>The Kerala CM was speaking at the CPM Kozhikode&#39;s district committee meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;North Korea has been following tough anti-USA agenda. North Korea has successfully defended the pressure imposed by the US&quot; said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at CPM Kozhikode district committee meeting&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&quot;North Korea has been following tough anti USA agenda. North Korea has successfully defended the pressure imposed by US&quot; said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at CPM Kozhikode district committee meeting (02.01.18) <a href="https://t.co/6sj47sEefF">pic.twitter.com/6sj47sEefF</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948791638888931328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The US and North Korea share a turbulent relationship since Donald Trump became the president of the US. Despite several threats from Washington, Pyongyang refused to back down from nuclear weapons programme. Despite Washington&#39;s opposition, North Korea has conducted more than 20 missile launches since US President Donald Trump came to power in January last year.</p>

<p>On several occasions, North Korea has reacted strongly to Trump&#39;s pressure tactics and refused to bow to Trump&#39;s pressure tactics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week, Kim in his annual New Year&#39;s Day address had warned Washington that his nuclear launch button was &quot;always on my table&quot;.</p>

<p>In his response to North Korean leader&#39;s statement, Trump said that he to have a nuclear button - much bigger and more powerful.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the &ldquo;Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.&rdquo; Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger &amp; more powerful one than his, and my Button works!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/948355557022420992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
&#39;&#39;Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the &ldquo;Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.&rdquo; Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger &amp; more powerful one than his, and my Button works,&#39;&#39; Trump tweeted.&nbsp;</p>


On several occasions, North Korea has reacted strongly to Trump's pressure tactics and refused to bow to Trump's pressure tactics.?

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday praised North Korea for its tough anti-US agenda. News agency ANI quoted as the CM saying that North Korea refused to bow to pressure imposed on it by the US. The Kerala CM was speaking at the CPM Kozhikode's district committee meeting. "North Korea has been following tough anti-USA agenda. North Korea has successfully defended the pressure imposed by the US" said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at CPM Kozhikode district committee meeting "North Korea has been following tough anti USA agenda. North Korea has successfully defended the pressure imposed by US" said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at CPM Kozhikode district committee meeting (02.01.18) pic.twitter.com/6sj47sEefF — ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2018 × The US and North Korea share a turbulent relationship since Donald Trump became the president of the US. Despite several threats from Washington, Pyongyang refused to back down from nuclear weapons programme. Despite Washington's opposition, North Korea has conducted more than 20 missile launches since US President Donald Trump came to power in January last year. On several occasions, North Korea has reacted strongly to Trump's pressure tactics and refused to bow to Trump's pressure tactics. Last week, Kim in his annual New Year's Day address had warned Washington that his nuclear launch button was "always on my table". In his response to North Korean leader's statement, Trump said that he to have a nuclear button - much bigger and more powerful. North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 × ''Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works,'' Trump tweeted.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan lauds North Korea's 'tough' anti-US stance

<p>The BJP had called for a hartal in Kerala a day after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-worker-hacked-to-death-in-guruvayur-24045" target="_blank">murder of an RSS worker</a>, Anandan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several shops and business establishments were closed in Guruvayur and Manaloor towns in Thrissur district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Roads were also seen empty.</p>

<p>Anandan, 23-year-old RSS worker was murdered on Sunday.</p>

<p>BJP has blamed the CPI(M) for his alleged killing.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) on the other hand has denied playing any role in the killing of the RSS worker.</p>

<p>The victim was attacked when he was riding a motorcycle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was an accused of the murder of a CPI(M) worker.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 120 BJP workers have been killed in the state since 2001, BJP claims.</p>


Several shops and business establishments were closed in Guruvayur and Manaloor towns in Thrissur district

The BJP had called for a hartal in Kerala a day after the murder of an RSS worker, Anandan. Several shops and business establishments were closed in Guruvayur and Manaloor towns in Thrissur district. Roads were also seen empty. Anandan, 23-year-old RSS worker was murdered on Sunday. BJP has blamed the CPI(M) for his alleged killing. The CPI(M) on the other hand has denied playing any role in the killing of the RSS worker. The victim was attacked when he was riding a motorcycle. He was an accused of the murder of a CPI(M) worker. As many as 120 BJP workers have been killed in the state since 2001, BJP claims.

After RSS worker's murder, BJP protests in Kerala

<p>Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar today met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to invite him for the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament. Tendulkar co-owns Kerala Blasters, a franchise in ISL.</p>

<p>&quot;I was here to brief him about the progress of Kerala Blasters and invited him for its first match in the ISL on 17th,&quot; Tendulkar said after the meeting. Tendulkar&#39;s wife Anjali accompanied him for the meeting.</p>

<p>Vijayan posted the photo of the meeting on his official&nbsp;Facebook page.</p>

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<p>ISL, the franchise-based league, kicks off on November 17. While the final of the fourth edition of ISL will be held in Kolkata, the inaugural game has been shifted to Kochi.</p>

<p>The decision to host the final in Kolkata has been taken after its grand success in hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup final recently.</p>


Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar today met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to invite him for the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar today met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to invite him for the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament. Tendulkar co-owns Kerala Blasters, a franchise in ISL. "I was here to brief him about the progress of Kerala Blasters and invited him for its first match in the ISL on 17th," Tendulkar said after the meeting. Tendulkar's wife Anjali accompanied him for the meeting. Vijayan posted the photo of the meeting on his official Facebook page. × ISL, the franchise-based league, kicks off on November 17. While the final of the fourth edition of ISL will be held in Kolkata, the inaugural game has been shifted to Kochi. The decision to host the final in Kolkata has been taken after its grand success in hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup final recently.

Sachin Tendulkar meets Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, invites him for ISL match

<p>In his strongest-ever hint that he would be joining politics, actor Kamal Hassan said on Thursday that he was seeking Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan&#39;s advice and would meet more politicians before deciding on a career in politics.</p>

<p>Kamal Haasan met Pinarayi Vijayan over lunch at his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram.</p>

<p>Asked by reporters if they had discussed politics, Kamal Haasan replied, &quot;For sure&quot;.</p>

<p>On his political plans, Kamal Haasan said, &quot;Have been talking to the Kerala chief minister about it, taking advice, will meet more politicians before I take my call.&quot;</p>

<p>Asked whether he would join the Left, Kamal Haasan, 62, said he did not want to lean on any side.</p>

<p>Asked whether he would join the Left, he said, &quot;My colour is obviously seen over the 40 years I have been working in cinema, definitely it&#39;s not saffron.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;I want to be in the middle of things, not leaning to any side,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The chief minister&#39;s office termed the visit as a &quot;friendly&quot; one.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Kamal Haasan met Pinarayi Vijayan over lunch at his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram

In his strongest-ever hint that he would be joining politics, actor Kamal Hassan said on Thursday that he was seeking Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's advice and would meet more politicians before deciding on a career in politics. Kamal Haasan met Pinarayi Vijayan over lunch at his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Asked by reporters if they had discussed politics, Kamal Haasan replied, "For sure". On his political plans, Kamal Haasan said, "Have been talking to the Kerala chief minister about it, taking advice, will meet more politicians before I take my call." Asked whether he would join the Left, Kamal Haasan, 62, said he did not want to lean on any side. Asked whether he would join the Left, he said, "My colour is obviously seen over the 40 years I have been working in cinema, definitely it's not saffron." "I want to be in the middle of things, not leaning to any side," he added. The chief minister's office termed the visit as a "friendly" one.

Taking advice from Kerala chief minister: Kamal Haasan on joining politics

<p>Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the state government is ready to hand over the case of the murder of an RSS worker to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if necessary, according to an ANI report.</p>

<p>Speaking in the state assembly, the chief minister cited intelligence reports saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was planning to carry out attacks in some parts of the state to divert attention from the medical college scam in which some of its leaders were allegedly involved.</p>

<p>&quot;The government had Intelligence reports that the BJP might carry out attacks in some parts of the state to divert the attention from BJP&#39;s medical college scam,&quot; Vijayan said in the Kerala Assembly here.</p>

<p>On Sunday, union finance minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/arun-jaitley-visits-family-of-slain-rss-worker-in-kerala-says-such-incidents-wont-suppress-partys-ideology-18648" target="_blank">Arun Jaitley visited the family members of the slain RSS worker</a> Rajesh Edavakode who was killed during a political clash allegedly by CPM workers in Kozhikode.</p>

<p>Jaitley slammed the ruling LDF government in Kerala for failing to control political violence.</p>

<p>He asked the state government to discharge its constitutional responsibility and take swift action to prevent recurrence of such incidents.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


On Sunday, union finance minister Arun Jaitley visited the family members of the slain RSS worker Rajesh Edavakode who was killed in allegedly by CPM workers in Kozhikode

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the state government is ready to hand over the case of the murder of an RSS worker to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if necessary, according to an ANI report. Speaking in the state assembly, the chief minister cited intelligence reports saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was planning to carry out attacks in some parts of the state to divert attention from the medical college scam in which some of its leaders were allegedly involved. "The government had Intelligence reports that the BJP might carry out attacks in some parts of the state to divert the attention from BJP's medical college scam," Vijayan said in the Kerala Assembly here. On Sunday, union finance minister Arun Jaitley visited the family members of the slain RSS worker Rajesh Edavakode who was killed during a political clash allegedly by CPM workers in Kozhikode. Jaitley slammed the ruling LDF government in Kerala for failing to control political violence. He asked the state government to discharge its constitutional responsibility and take swift action to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Kerala CM Vijayan says ready for CBI probe in RSS worker murder case

<p>Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, today, slammed the ruling LDF government in Kerala for the rise in political violence in the state.</p>

<p>Jaitley, who met the family members of slain RSS worker Rajesh Edavakode who was killed allegedly by CPI-M workers, said that awards would have been returned and campaigns started had such an attack happened in a BJP-ruled state. &nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Let&#39;s assume if the kind of political violence in Kerala had taken place in BJP or NDA ruled state, what would&#39;ve happened?: FM Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/qbAb358bDq">pic.twitter.com/qbAb358bDq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/894152388482695168">August 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Awards would&#39;ve been returned,parl wouldn&#39;t have been allowed to function&amp;campaigns would&#39;ve been carried out within&amp;outside country:Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/eVBQVmmByp">pic.twitter.com/eVBQVmmByp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/894152558842830848">August 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Calling the attack on RSS worker barbaric, he said that even enemies won&#39;t inflict such brutality as those who are involved in the murder. He also added that such incidents will not suppress the party&#39;s ideology in Kerala.</p>

<p>&quot;Even enemies would not be as brutal as those who are involved in the murder.I visited the family of our deceased karyakarta, who was slaughtered in the most barbaric manner...he was an ideal karyakarta..This kind of violence will neither suppress ideology in Kerala nor it will be able to scare our workers. It will only increase their determination to work harder against those who are perpetuating this operation,&quot; Jaitley said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This kind of violence will neither suppress ideology in Kerala nor it will be able to scare our workers: Arun Jaitley in Thiruvananthapuram <a href="https://t.co/8Xm1QThBkQ">pic.twitter.com/8Xm1QThBkQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/894102914611924992">August 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The union minister asked the state government to take swift action against recurrence of such incidents, ANI reported.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I pray that this environment doesn&#39;t continue for long, hope state Govt takes action against recurrence of any such incident:Jaitley <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash">#Kerala</a> <a href="https://t.co/CgyARcdN4v">pic.twitter.com/CgyARcdN4v</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/894150181091917824">August 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kerala has been rocked by political clashes between CPI-M and BJP-RSS workers over the last one month in which 34-year old Rajesh lost his life.</p>

<p>Both RSS and BJP have asked for strict action against the perpetrators.</p>

<p>RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said that the Centre must intervene in the matter.</p>

<p>Union home minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kerala-bjp-calls-for-statewide-strike-after-rss-worker-hacked-to-death-18388" target="_blank">Rajnath Singh had urged Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to curb the political violence</a> in the state.</p>


He said that even enemies won't inflict such brutality and such incidents won't deter party's workers

Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, today, slammed the ruling LDF government in Kerala for the rise in political violence in the state. Jaitley, who met the family members of slain RSS worker Rajesh Edavakode who was killed allegedly by CPI-M workers, said that awards would have been returned and campaigns started had such an attack happened in a BJP-ruled state. Let's assume if the kind of political violence in Kerala had taken place in BJP or NDA ruled state, what would've happened?: FM Jaitley pic.twitter.com/qbAb358bDq — ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2017 × Awards would've been returned,parl wouldn't have been allowed to function&campaigns would've been carried out within&outside country:Jaitley pic.twitter.com/eVBQVmmByp — ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2017 × Calling the attack on RSS worker barbaric, he said that even enemies won't inflict such brutality as those who are involved in the murder. He also added that such incidents will not suppress the party's ideology in Kerala. "Even enemies would not be as brutal as those who are involved in the murder.I visited the family of our deceased karyakarta, who was slaughtered in the most barbaric manner...he was an ideal karyakarta..This kind of violence will neither suppress ideology in Kerala nor it will be able to scare our workers. It will only increase their determination to work harder against those who are perpetuating this operation," Jaitley said. This kind of violence will neither suppress ideology in Kerala nor it will be able to scare our workers: Arun Jaitley in Thiruvananthapuram pic.twitter.com/8Xm1QThBkQ — ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2017 × The union minister asked the state government to take swift action against recurrence of such incidents, ANI reported. I pray that this environment doesn't continue for long, hope state Govt takes action against recurrence of any such incident:Jaitley #Kerala pic.twitter.com/CgyARcdN4v — ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2017 × Kerala has been rocked by political clashes between CPI-M and BJP-RSS workers over the last one month in which 34-year old Rajesh lost his life. Both RSS and BJP have asked for strict action against the perpetrators. RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said that the Centre must intervene in the matter. Union home minister Rajnath Singh had urged Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to curb the political violence in the state.

Arun Jaitley slams LDF government in Kerala for failing to curb political violence

<p>The Kerala government has decided to give two lakh rupees each to the families of four persons, who died because of exhaustion from standing in extremely long queues at the ATMs and banks to exchange the demonetised notes.</p>

<p>The state government took this decision at a Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.</p>

<p>A number of people lost their lives while standing in the long queues after the Central government announced to scrap the currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 on November 8.</p>

<p>The Centre&#39;s decision to demonetise the currency notes had drawn huge flak from the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(ANI)&nbsp;</p>


The four victims had died of exhaustion from standing in long ATM queues

The Kerala government has decided to give two lakh rupees each to the families of four persons, who died because of exhaustion from standing in extremely long queues at the ATMs and banks to exchange the demonetised notes. The state government took this decision at a Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. A number of people lost their lives while standing in the long queues after the Central government announced to scrap the currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 on November 8. The Centre's decision to demonetise the currency notes had drawn huge flak from the opposition. (ANI)

Demonetisation deaths: Kerala to compensate victims' families