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The British censor board had to give in before the public pressure: The Kerala Story producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah after the movie gets clearance in the UK

OpIndia Staff
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The British censor board had to give in before the public pressure: The Kerala Story producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah after the movie gets clearance in the UK

In positive news for the filmmakers of The Kerala Story and overseas audiences, the film which was unexpectedly pulled from theatres in the United Kingdom before its scheduled premiere on May 12, was given the green light to screen by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). Now, it will be screened from  19 May in the country.

In a statement to the media on Wednesday, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah said that the audience’s support is the solution to the alleged discrediting propaganda.

“Britain’s censor certification agency had to give the certificate yesterday. There was a lot of public pressure there. Some political elements were trying to stop the film illegally. Whatever was happening was political. The British censor board had to give in before the public pressure. The film is being screened in the UK today,” he stated.

“We have met thousands of girls ourselves, so there is no point in 32,000 vs. 3 conversions. We have based our film around three girls; that is why the number 3 is being said, and it has nothing to do with what is happening in Kerala. Through these 3 girls, we have brought you the stories of thousands of girls,” the producer responded on the veracity of the statistics.

He remarked, “And we were disappointed when some media people supported them and tried to discredit our film. So many girls’ lives are ruined, but instead of supporting them, they tried to defame the film and prove it wrong.”

“They said 7,000, and very soon we will come up with more statistics and expose everything, including 32,000 girls. We want to request that you please help these girls get justice,” he urged.

He praised the appreciation that the audience had shown for The Kerala Story and asserted that the support is confirmation that the movie is not, as some have claimed, ‘propaganda.’

The press conference of The Kerala Story in Mumbai was attended by the director Sudipto Sen and the lead cast of the movie, Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani.

“The way the journey started and the point it reached, it’s a long one. But the journey is still not over. The audience watched the movie, and I feel they have given answers to all those tags labelled against the movie. Our commitment didn’t end with the making of the movie. We are also committed to the girls, who were trapped in this vicious net,” he noted.

Director Sudipto Sen tweeted ‘You won. Terrorism lost’ after the movie was cleared to screen in the UK.

Last week, all of the scheduled screenings of The Kerala Story were cancelled because the BBFC had not assigned the movie an age rating. However, it has now rated the movie as ’18.’ It has also given detailed content advice to viewers watching the film.

Notably, under the ‘Discrimination’ rating, the BBFC has written, “The film presents a partial and unbalanced view of Islam which focuses on radical Islamist characters and motivations to the exclusion of more moderate and mainstream forms of the faith. There are regular scenes of discrimination on the basis of religion and gender. A woman spits on her dying father for not sharing her faith.”

Amidst all the controversy and objections The Kerala Story has performed phenomenally well at the box office. It has made more than 165 crores in its second week, exceeding all forecasts and will shortly surpass the 200-crore threshold.

Watch the entire press conference below:

It is notable that the topic of the movie The Kerala Story, which is the story of women who ended up becoming ISIS terrorists or wives of ISIS terrorists, is very much relevant to the UK. Several British women went on to become ‘ISIS brides’ in Syria when the terror group ISIS had captured the country, and the UK government has refused their appeal to return to the country. The UK has revoked the citizenship of Shamima Begum, one of the most famous ISIS brides, who is currently staying at the Al-Hawl refugee camp in Northern Syria, and higher court of UK has rejected her appeal against the govt decision.

Supreme Court agrees to hear Muslim Side’s petition against determining age of Gyanvapi Shivling

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court agrees to hear Muslim Side’s petition against determining age of Gyanvapi Shivling

Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition filed by the Gyanvapi mosque Management Committee opposing the Allahabad HC order that directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a scientific survey of the Shivling found inside the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi to determine its age. The plea will be heard on Friday, May 19.

A bench comprising of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala took note of senior attorney Huzefa Ahmadi’s remarks on behalf of the Gyanvapi mosque management committee and consented to list the petition for hearing on Friday.

“The Allahabad High Court has passed an order pending the appeal,” the senior lawyer said.

Notably, the Allahabad Court had on Friday, May 12 issued the order while hearing a revision petition filed by four women Hindu worshippers challenging the Varanasi Court’s October 14 order, that rejected a plea for scientific investigation, including carbon dating, of the structure found in May 2022 during a court-mandated survey of the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

This came after the ASI submitted its report as ordered by the High Court, which rebuked the ASI in April this year for its laxity in submitting its report on the feasibility of carbon dating the Shivling found inside the mosque. 

Shivling found in wuzukhana of the disputed structure at Gyanvapi

The Gyanvapi dispute dates back decades but in August 2021, five women filed a petition in a local court demanding the right of unhindered worship at the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, located inside the complex that houses idols of Hindu Gods. In April 2022, the local court ordered a survey of the complex.

During the survey, a Shivling was found submerged in the wuzukhana, the place where people who offer namaz, the Islamic prayer, clean their hands and feet and gargle water as a cleansing ritual, inside the complex where the disputed structure called ‘Gyanvapi mosque’ is located. The mosque was allegedly constructed after destroying the Hindu temple of Kashi Vishwanath. The centuries-old Nandi inside the new complex right next to the disputed structure also points towards the place where the Shivling was found in the wuzukhana.

Upon discovery of the Shivling, the judge ordered the sealing of the complex and forbade those offering prayer in the masjid from cleaning their feet and hands where the Shivling has been found. However, after the Shivling was found, Islamists and many ‘liberals’ mocked the idol as a ‘fountain’ and other innuendos which have hurt the religious feelings of Hindus.

Uttar Pradesh: Hanuman Temple in Aligarh bans entry to Muslims, issues dress code for Hindu devotees

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Hanuman Temple in Aligarh bans entry to Muslims, issues dress code for Hindu devotees

An ancient Hanuman Temple in Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh has implemented a new policy that restricts entry for Muslim men and women. Additionally, a dress code has been established for both Hindu male and female devotees. The Shri Gilharaj Temple in Aligarh now prohibits individuals from entering while wearing short clothes or torn jeans.

The temple’s priest has issued guidelines emphasizing that Hindu devotees should not worship in the temple while wearing torn jeans or inappropriate attire. The purpose of these guidelines is to prevent any distractions caused by indecent clothing that may divert the attention of worshippers. Pamphlets have also been displayed outside the temple to inform people about these new guidelines.

The priest of the temple, Mahant Yogi Kaushalnath, announced that a decision has been made by the temple committee to prohibit non-Hindus from entering the temple for worship. He also said that this decision was prompted by an incident where a few Muslims reportedly entered the Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik on 13th May 2023. According to him, the reason behind this decision is that Muslims do not visit the temple solely for the purpose of worship, and the investigating agency will determine the intentions behind such visits. He told that the intention behind banning Muslims from entering the temple in Aligarh is to prevent any similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Upon noticing the pamphlets outside the temple, the worshipers expressed their appreciation for the decision made by the temple’s priest. They believe that it is commendable to wear only appropriate attire during worship to ensure the devotee’s focus remains undisturbed.

The devotees further stated that they support the decision to prohibit the entry of Muslims, as they perceive no connection between Muslims and the temple. According to them, these individuals visit the temple solely with the intention of theft. Thus, they warmly welcomed the priest’s decision.

Situated near the Achal Talab in Aligarh, in the vicinity of Gandhi Park Police Station, lies this centuries-old sacred temple of Lord Hanuman. This historically significant temple reveres Lord Hanuman in the form of a squirrel. Devotees from various regions across the country travel to this temple to offer their prayers to the Hindu deity. It is widely believed that any wishes made by the devotees in this temple are granted, adding to its spiritual significance.

Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari had illegally occupied land belonging to Shia Waqf Board, the board appeals to UP CM to get their land back

OpIndia Staff
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Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari had illegally occupied land belonging to Shia Waqf Board, the board appeals to UP CM to get their land back

Alleging that several bighas of land belonging to the Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) have been usurped by deceased gangster Atiq Ahmed and imprisoned don Mukhtar Ansari, the board has written to CM Yogi Adityanath imploring him to intervene in the matter. According to a report by Live Hindustan, the board has written a letter to the UP government urging it to free the large swathes of their land and properties that are in possession of the mafias and their families.

The board, in its letter, has written that the henchmen of deceased gangster Atiq Ahmed are illegally occupying several bighas of land in Prayagraj’s Imambara Ghulam Haidar’s Chhoti Karbala aur Qabristan (graveyard). It further informed the government that the mutawalli (caretaker) of the Allal Aulad Waqf in the Saadatganj area in Uttar Pradesh has complained that out of the 10-12 bighas of Waqf land, several bighas have been illegally encroached upon. The mutawalli was quoted as also saying that Afshan Ansari, the wife of the mafia don Mukhtar Ansari is the director of the firm which got plotting done on these encroached lands through illegal registry.

The Shia Waqf Board officials also alleged that several letters were written to the local administration urging them to take action against those who have illegally grabbed portions of the Chhota Karbala land in Prayagraj but to no avail. This land is under the management committee nominated by the Shia Waqf Board.

Interestingly, Atiq Ahmed and his gang’s role in grabbing several plots belonging to the Sunni and Shia Waqf Board came to the fore following his death. The matter came to light when the Uttar Pradesh police were probing him for illegally-acquired wealth. It brought out some evidence indicating how the slain mafioso-turned-gangster usurped Waqf’s properties for commercial use.

The police had earlier, also filed an FIR against a close aide of Atiq for allegedly grabbing a Waqf property in the Chak locality on Zero Road in Prayagraj in 2016. Locals in Chakia alleged that a portion of the graveyard adjacent to Atiq’s partially demolished office was illegally grabbed by one of his relatives. The land is currently being used for selling construction materials.

Yogi Adityanath government builds houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana on land seized from mafia Atiq Ahmed

It may be recalled that recently, reports emerged indicating that the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh is building houses for the poor on the land seized from the mafia in the state. It has been started with the land in Prayagraj vacated from the possession of the deceased mafia Atiq Ahmed.

Verification of the applicants for 76 flats being built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana on land freed from the possession of mafia Atiq Ahmed in the Lukerganj area of Prayagraj has been completed by the district Urban Development Authorities (DUDA). As many as 6,030 people had applied online for the flats. Of these, 5127 people were found ineligible. 903 applicants are found eligible.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone of this project on December 26, 2021. Flats will be available to the poor here for only three and a half lakh rupees. The construction work on the 1731 square meters of land freed from the possession of mafia Atiq Ahmed in Lukarganj is going on at a fast pace and this building is being prepared with better quality and the best safety standards. It will also provide parking facilities for people, community halls and common areas.

Arjun Ram Meghwal replaces Kiren Rijiju as Union Minister of Law and Justice, Rijiju made the Minister of Earth Sciences

OpIndia Staff
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Arjun Ram Meghwal replaces Kiren Rijiju as Union Minister of Law and Justice, Rijiju made the Minister of Earth Sciences

On Thursday, May 18, Kiren Rijiju was removed from the post of Union Minister for Law and Justice, and Arjun Ram Meghwal has been given the portfolio. A press notice issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said that President Droupadi Murmu replaced Kiren Rijiju with Arjun Ram Meghwal as Union Minister for Law and Justice as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Meghwal has been assigned the independent charge of Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice, in addition to his existing portfolios. He is currently the minister of state for parliamentary affairs and the minister of state for culture.

Press communiqué released by Rashtrapati Bhavan

Kiren Rijiju has been assigned the portfolio of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Till now, Union Minister Jitendra Singh was in charge of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Rijiju was appointed as Law Minister in July 2021, after Ravi Shankar Prasad. As law minister, Rijiju made headlines by repeatedly criticizing the collegium system for judicial appointments. 

In December last year, Kiren Rijiju Kiren informed Rajya Sabha that the nation needed a new system to appoint judges. The law minister also commented on long vacations of the courts, saying that it hampered the delivery of swift justice.

Kiren Rijiju said, “There is a feeling among people of India that the long vacation which the courts obtain is not very convenient for justice-seekers and it is my obligation and duty to convey the message or sense of this House to the judiciary.”

In the first Modi government, Kiren Rijiju was the minister of state for home affairs, then minister of state for minority affairs and after that minister of state for youth affairs and sports with independent charge.

About Arjun Ram Meghwal

Arjun Ram Meghwal is the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs as well as the Minister of State for Culture.

The politician hailing from Bikaner, Rajasthan, was born on December 20, 1953, and possesses a law degree from the Dungar College in Bikaner. In 1977, he earned a law degree (LLB). The BJP leader is also a former IAS officer who was re-elected to the Bikaner Parliamentary constituency for the third time.

Meghwal was the Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs from 2016 to 2017. He was the Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, and Parliamentary Affairs from 2017 to 2019. He had been the Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and Parliamentary Affairs since 2019.

All flights of Go First canceled till May 26, how to get refunds and change flights: Details

Shraddha Pandey
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All flights of Go First canceled till May 26, how to get refunds and change flights: Details

On Wednesday, May 17, crisis-hit Go First Airlines announced that the cancellation of its flight operations has been extended till May 26 due to “operational reasons”. In a notice published on the website of Go First Airlines, it stated that the company has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations adding that it may resume bookings soon. 

“A full refund will be issued to the original mode of payment shortly. As you are aware, the company has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations. We will be able to resume bookings shortly,” the notice read.

Taking to Twitter, Go First Airlines wrote, “Due to operational reasons, Go First flights until 26th May 2023 are canceled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and request customers to visit http://bit.ly/42ab9la for more info. For any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact us.”

Go First to resume flight operations from May 27

As per an Economic Times report, Go First Airlines is planning to resume its flight operations on May 27, 2023 and has also started training classes for its pilots. The report cited an internal memo issued by the airline to its pilots informing them about the resumption of flights and training classes.

“Operations are likely to commence from 27 May. Since there has been a lapse in flying operations, it has been decided to conduct an online ground refresh course,” according to a memo obtained by the Economic Times.

The airline, which is now in insolvency procedures, has had flights canceled since May 3. It has also halted further flight bookings at the request of India’s aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

On May 10, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) accepted the airline’s voluntary plea insolvency resolution proceedings. Three lessors— SMBC Aviation, GY Aviation, and SFV Aircraft Holdings have appealed the NCLT’s ruling to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). NCLAT will pass its order on May 22 on these petitions. 

How to get refunds?

Abhilash Lal has been named Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) to oversee the carrier’s operations. IRP has set up a website for requesting reimbursement after the airline’s operations were halted due to financial challenges.

Claimants seeking refund are required to visit gofirstclaims.in/claims. The claimant must first register on this website and fill out a claim form. The next step is to provide at least one supporting document that confirms the claimant’s claim (for example, a ticket/cancellation copy). After filling out every section of the form, the claimant is required to sign it and upload it. Tickets bought prior to May 26 cannot be rescheduled or transferred to another airline.

Go First blamed “faulty” Pratt & Whitney engines forcing the company to ground 28 planes

The airline blamed the “faulty” Pratt & Whitney engines used on its Airbus A320 flights earlier this month, as half of its fleet was grounded due to engine-related issues. The airline said in a statement that it was facing a financial crunch due to Pratt & Whitney engine non-supply, which has forced the company to ground 28 planes, more than half of its fleet.

Pakistan: Imran Khan’s Zaman Park house surrounded by Police, the PTI chief tweets dramatic ‘last message’ addressing the country

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Imran Khan’s Zaman Park house surrounded by Police, the PTI chief tweets dramatic ‘last message’ addressing the country

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman on Wednesday claimed that the police have surrounded his house and he may be arrested again. “Probably my last tweet before my next arrest. Police have surrounded my house,” he stated on Twitter while addressing the country in a live video message.

He was first arrested from inside the High Court in Islamabad by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the charges of corruption in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust, which he owns alongside his wife, Bushra Bibi.

The Lahore police have reached outside the former cricketer’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore to arrest him and blocked all roads leading to the area.

“I am afraid that Pakistan is on the route to destruction. And I fear that if we don’t use our brains now then we may reach to the point where we wouldn’t be able to collect all the pieces of our nation,” he warned.

He asserted that instability has been in Pakistan for about a year and that an outside force was utilised to stop him because he was the wrong candidate for the position. “Imran Khan shouldn’t be back, even if it means breaching the law, preventing an election, or even disrespecting the Supreme Court,” he alleged.

He presented the survey that demonstrates his party’s superior popularity and added that all political parties are concerned that if he returns, they will all lose the election. “If the election happened then Imran will win and they don’t care whether it is good for the people or not what they care about is that the corruption cases that have been closed during their governance would be out.”

He went on to mention his strong stance for the Pakistan Army. “I have defended my army across the world. I was a known face. Name another Pakistani who defended the army the way I did on international media. And I did it because I am a free man. I never accepted slavery.”

Additionally, he argued that the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government intentionally seeks to inflame tensions between his party and the army. “The cases that are being filed under military laws, it never happened before that without any investigation or independent inquiry. It was suddenly decided that PTI is a terrorist organisation.”

He declared that their party would approach the court to request the creation of a judicial panel to look into the riots that broke out after his incarceration. “The Punjab IG should be called on what happened at Jinnah House (in Lahore). If an inquiry is properly conducted into this, it would be revealed who was behind this conspiracy to ban a political party,” he charged.

Watch his entire address below:

A heavy contingent of Punjab Police was deployed on the roads leading to Zaman Park and barricades were put in place on several roads. Traffic was stopped on Allama Iqbal Road and Dharam Pura Chowk. Police personnel wearing bulletproof jackets were deployed along with mobile vans.

The PTI was given a 24-hour deadline by the Punjab government yesterday to turn over the terrorists who assaulted Army installations after former prime minister Imran Khan was apprehended and now were hiding in Zaman Park.

Punjab Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir said, “30 to 40 terrorists who attacked Army installations including Jinnah House are present in Zaman Park,” addressing a press conference.

He revealed that the agencies were able to confirm the their presence in Zaman Park through geo-fencing. “The intelligence report that has come is very alarming. Handover the terrorists within 24 hours or the law will take its course,” he demanded and added, “PTI is starting to behave like a non-state actor.”

Meanwhile, General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, affirmed that the “planned and orchestrated tragic incidents” of May 9, the day when military sites were targeted following Imran Khan’s arrest, will never be tolerated again at any cost.

“No one will be allowed to disrespect our martyrs and their monuments. They are a source of inspiration and pride for the rank and file of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, Government officials and the people of Pakistan,” he proclaimed.

He further commented,”The martyrs have been promised the highest abode in the life hereafter and shall continue to maintain the highest levels of respect amongst the people of Pakistan.”

“The armed forces will not tolerate any further attempt of violating the sanctity and security of its installations or vandalism and resolved to bring to justice all the planners, abettors, instigators and executors of vandalism on the Black Day of 9th May,” he vowed.

The Pakistan Army has invoked the tough Army Act and the Official Secrets Act against PTI supporters. It is a serious provision in which Imran Khan and his followers could be slapped with charges that can lead to either a death sentence or life imprisonment.

Furthermore, former Pakistan minister and PTI leader Shireen Mazari has been arrested again by the police. She was arrested by women personnel of the Punjab Police under Section 4 of the Maintenance of Public Order.

Imran Khan also posted about the arrest and wrote, “More or less seven and a half thousand (7500) of our workers have been arrested and most of them were not presented in the courts according to the law.” He complained that houses are being illegally raided, ransacked and men and women are being abducted indiscriminately. “And all this is being done to prevent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from forming the next government,” he accused.

In addition to crippling economic conditions and regular terror attacks, Pakistan has been in a political firestorm ever since Imran Khan was ousted from power, only exacerbating the mountain of troubles already plaguing the country.

DK Shivakumar’s brother expresses unhappiness on him settling for deputy CM post in Karnataka, says ‘Not fully happy… but DK had to accept’

OpIndia Staff
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DK Shivakumar’s brother expresses unhappiness on him settling for deputy CM post in Karnataka, says ‘Not fully happy… but DK had to accept’

DK Suresh, the Congress MP from Bangalore Rural and the brother of Karnataka stalwart DK Shivakumar, has said that he is not pleased with Shivakumar’s appointment as Karnataka’s deputy chief minister. This follows the conclusion of the five-day stalemate over the issue as the Congress high command picked Siddaramaiah as the Karnataka chief minister and Shivakumar as the deputy chief minister. Congress returned to power in Karnataka after winning 135 out of 224 seats in the just-concluded elections.

“I am not fully happy but in the interest of Karnataka, we wanted to fulfill our commitment…That is why DK Shivakumar had to accept. In the future we will see, there is a long way to go. I wish it (CM post for DK Shivakumar) but it didn’t happen, we will wait and see,” he said.

According to the reports, DK Shivakumar would lead the state for the second half of the 5-year rule of Congress while Siddaramaiah will serve as chief minister for the first half.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, the Karnataka representative for the All India Congress Committee (AICC), said that Karnataka will have a new government within the next 48 to 72 hours. “Whenever Congress makes a decision we will inform you. In the next 48-72 hours, we will have a new cabinet in Karnataka,” he said while speaking to the reporters on May 18.

“Do not resort to any speculation, whenever a decision is taken by the Congress president, we will be happy to inform you. I am only here to quash multiple rumours and hearsay that are being played on multiple news channels. Please don’t believe in it,” Surjewala said.

His remarks came as the party’s upper echelons had back-to-back meetings in the nation’s capital about the unveiling of the Karnataka chief minister candidates, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. Sidddaramaiah is apparently set to be named the next Karnataka CM. 

DK Shivakumar has not yet accepted the six other ministries that the Congress leadership and Rahul Gandhi had offered him along with the positions of deputy chief minister and PCC. Ahead of the announcement about the Karnataka chief minister, DK Shivakaumar visited the home of the party’s president Mallikarjun Kharge after meeting the party leader Rahul Gandhi.

Supreme Court upholds Tamil Nadu government’s law allowing Jallikattu in State

ANI
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Supreme Court upholds Tamil Nadu government’s law allowing Jallikattu in State

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the Tamil Nadu government’s law allowing the bull-taming sport ‘Jallikattu’ in the State.

Supreme Court, however, said that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, substantially minimises pain and suffering to animals. 

A five-judge Constitution bench of Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar was hearing a batch of petitions challenging Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments’ laws allowing the bull-taming sport ‘Jallikattu’ and bullock cart races.

Supreme Court also allowed the validity of similar laws framed by the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka allowing sports involving animals. The bench noted that Jallikattu has been going on for the last few centuries.

Strictly observing that the law, having received President’s assent can’t be interfered with, the bench dismissed all the pleas challenging the validity of states’ laws allowing bull-taming sport “Jallikattu” and bullock cart races.

Five-judge Constitution bench directed that all laws are strictly implemented and the DM and competent authorities shall be responsible for strict implementation of the amended law.

The Tamil Nadu government had defended the event of “Jallikattu” and told the apex court that sporting events can also be a cultural event and there is no cruelty on the bulls in “Jallikattu”.

Jallikattu is conducted during the Pongal festival as thanksgiving for a good harvest and subsequent festivals are conducted in temples which shows that the event has great cultural and spiritual significance, it had added.

In February 2018, the Supreme Court had referred to the Constitution bench whether the people of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra can conserve Jallikattu and bullock-cart races as their cultural right and demand their protection under Article 29 (1) of the Constitution.

The top court had earlier said that the petitions challenging the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, needed to be decided by a larger bench since they involved substantial questions relating to interpretation of the Constitution.

Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had amended the central law, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and allowed Jallikattu and bullock cart racing, respectively.

The petitions were filed in the top court challenging the State laws.

A batch of petitions, led by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), sought direction to quash the Jallikattu law passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which brought bulls back into the fold of “performing animals”.

PETA had challenged the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Bill 2017 passed by the state assembly on several grounds, including that it circumvented the apex court verdict holding the bull-taming sport as “illegal” in the state.

The top court had earlier dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s plea seeking a review of the 2014 judgement banning the use of bulls for Jallikattu events in the state and bullock cart races across the country. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

‘The Kerala Story’ breaks records, becomes second biggest hit of the year amassing Rs 165.94 crore at the Box Office, soon to enter 200 crore bracket

OpIndia Staff
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‘The Kerala Story’ breaks records, becomes second biggest hit of the year amassing Rs 165.94 crore at the Box Office, soon to enter 200 crore bracket

The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, has become the second-biggest success of the year, exceeding the lifetime receipts of Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, in less than two weeks. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, directed by Luv Ranjan, concluded its lifetime run with a total of Rs 149.05 cr in India.

According to the reports, the Kerala Story recorded single-digit collections for the first time since its opening day of Rs 8.03 crores, but it was still enough for it to easily surpass the Rs 150 crore threshold. According to preliminary estimates, the movie made Rs 9.80 crore on its second Tuesday, bringing its total box office collection to Rs 156.84 crore.

Further according to the early trends report of Sacnilk, ‘The Kerala Story’ has done a business of Rs 9.25 crores on the second Wednesday i.e. on the 13th day of its release, after which the total earning of the film has now gone up to Rs 165.94 crore. With this, ‘The Kerala Story’ is now rushing towards the Rs 200 crores club.

Notably, the movie directed by Director Sudipto Sen had earlier become the fourth Hind film to cross the Rs 100 crores club at the box office this year. The other Bollywood movies which have crossed the Rs 100 crores club this year are Pathaan, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.

Trade estimates now predict that ‘The Kerala Story’ will easily earn more than Rs 200 crore. After Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, which shattered box office records with receipts of more than Rs 500 crore, it will become just the second Hindi movie of the year to cross the 200-crore milestone.

Salman Khan’s Eid release ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, Ajay Devgn’s actioner ‘Bholaa’, Akshay Kumar’s comic drama ‘Selfiee’, and Kartik Aaryan’s ‘Shehzada’ were all major releases backed by star power that have been left behind by ‘The Kerala Story’.

It was earlier reported how ‘The Kerala Story’ actually surpassed even the earnings of ‘Pathaan’ when it comes to return on investment (ROI). Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan which was released in January this year earned a massive Rs 543.22 crore nett at the Indian box office and reaped profits of Rs 293.22 crores. The budget of the film was Rs 250 crores and its ROI stood at 117.28%. In comparison, Kerala Story already had an ROI of 276% within 9 days of its release.

The multilingual project, featuring Adah Sharma and written and directed by Sudipto Sen, has garnered a lot of attention since the makers released its trailer. Liberals and the opposition particularly the Left and the Congress have labeled it as a propaganda piece and demanded a ban on its screening.

The movie revolves around Shalini Unnikrishnan, played by Adah Sharma, an innocent Hindu woman from Kerala, who is brainwashed by her Muslim friend and gets converted to Islam and marries a Muslim man. The lead actress soon realizes that she has been trapped in a huge terrorist web after she is raped, separated from her only child, and then forced to serve as a sex slave.

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