Manmohan Singh Was Part Of Lateral Entry: Minister Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his claim that the government was trying to bypass the reservation system through lateral entry, reminding the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha that former prime minister Manmohan Singh was made the finance secretary in 1976 through the lateral entry route.

The minister also dismissed as "baseless" Rahul Gandhi's allegation that RSS people will be hired as public servants through this mode and pointed out that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who made the system of lateral entry methodical by giving the mandate to UPSC for framing rules. Earlier, he pointed out, there was no formal system in place for such entry into governance.

"Whatever appointments or recruitments or selections are to be done, UPSC will do it. Where is the issue of BJP, RSS in this? Baseless allegations are being made," Arjun Meghwal told PTI Videos in Bikaner.

He said that RSS is an organisation that promotes cultural nationalism.

The minister alleged that Rahul Gandhi was trying to mislead people and tarnish the image of institutions like UPSC by "spreading lies".

"The efforts of Rahul Gandhi, who is making such false allegations, are never going to succeed," he said, adding that despite being the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, which is a constitutional post, Rahul Gandhi was making irresponsible statements.

"Dr Manmohn Singh was also part of the lateral entry. How did you directly make him the finance secretary in 1976?" the minister said.

He said that the then Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia entered service through the lateral entry route. He said CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi was made head of the National Advisory Council. "The prime minister's is a constitutional post. But is NAC a constitutional body," he quipped adding Sonia Gandhi was placed above the prime minister.

He alleged the then prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru had opposed reservation in 1961 and as the leader of opposition, Rajiv Gandhi opposed OBC reservation on the floor of Lok Sabha.

"You started lateral entry. Prime Minister Modi made it methodical," he said.

The minister noted that these are contractual posts. "Suppose an environment expert becomes a deputy secretary, what is the problem... person has to be an expert in a particular field," he said.

He said the lateral entry is open to all. "Persons of SC, ST and OBC categories also apply. IAS vacancies are different. They claim we are ending reservations. What were you doing when you were recruiting? Suddenly their love for OBCs has come out. They are trying to mislead SC, ST, OBC students," he said.

Condemning the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, he said that the whole country is ashamed.

"After the incident, efforts were made to destroy the evidence. It is a very shameful incident and we condemn it in very strong words," he said.

Later, Arjun Meghwal, who is an MP from Bikaner, reached a BSF outpost in Khanuwali on the Indo-Pakistan border and celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan with women BSF personnel.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"They Were Men": Trump Again Slams Olympic Gold Medalists Amid Gender Row

Former US President Donald Trump once again sparked controversy by criticising two Olympic gold medalist female boxers, labelling them as men during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump's remarks, made in the context of his pledge to "keep men out of women's sports," have reignited debates over gender and sports.

Referring to the athletes at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, Trump stated, "They were men. They transitioned to women, and they were in the boxing," adding that it is "so demeaning to women."

Trump's comments follow a pattern of his rallies where he has frequently targeted transgender athletes.

The two Olympic gold medalist athletes in question, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria have been at the centre of global scrutiny due to misconceptions about their gender.

Both athletes were disqualified from last year's Women's World Championships by the now-banned International Boxing Association (IBA) over alleged failures in gender eligibility tests, despite both being born and raised as women.

Khelif and Lin, who were cleared to compete in women's boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, had been disqualified from the Women's World Championships in India due to elevated testosterone levels, according to the IBA.

The IBA's decision, which stripped both boxers of their medals and barred them from women's competition, was widely criticised for its lack of transparency and fairness.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is overseeing the boxing events in Paris, cleared both Lin and Khelif to compete in the Olympics, basing their eligibility on the athletes' passport gender.

The IOC condemned the harassment faced by Khelif, who has been subjected to online abuse and threats following the ruling by the IBA. Khelif spoke out against the bullying, warning of its potential to ruin lives.

Trump's repeated criticism of Khelif, including referring to her as a man, has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters. His remarks come amidst ongoing debates about the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports, an issue that has polarised opinions across the globe.

The situation has highlighted the broader challenges faced by athletes like Khelif and Lin, who are caught in the crossfire of debates over gender, fairness, and the intersection of sports and identity.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Aamir Khan Breaks Down On Rhea Chakraborty's Show, Praises Her Courage

Rhea Chakraborty started afresh with her talk show Chapter 2. After Sushmita Sen, Aamir Khan will be the guest on Rhea's show. The promo of the show was released on Sunday and it has been trending. On the show, Aamir Khan and Rhea talked about stardom, films, therapy and how to deal with grief. The promo begins with Rhea showering praise on the superstar for his good looks. Aamir Khan says, "Hrithik is handsome, Salman is handsome, Shah Rukh is really handsome but me..." Rhea quips in and says, "You are also handsome. I think, the whole country will agree with me for once (pun intended)." Aamir Khan then complaints, "People make fun of my fashion choices." Rhea asserts, "I never said you're stylish."

At one point, Aamir Khan breaks down on the show. He can be seen shedding tears and taking a pause before saying something. He can be heard saying, "From there my chapter 2 began..." Aamir Khan praised Rhea's spirit on the show as well. "You've shown remarkable courage, Rhea," says Aamir Khan. The superstar also revealed that he wanted to move away from films. Sharing the promo, Rhea wrote in the caption, "I'm thrilled to welcome Aamir Khan, a true star and a genuine friend. Stay tuned for a deep dive about his experience with stardom, parenthood, grief, and more." Take a look:

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A post shared by Rhea Chakraborty (@rhea_chakraborty)

Rhea Chakraborty came under heavy media scrutiny following the death of her (then) boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput. In September 2020, Rhea Chakraborty was arrested and sent to Mumbai's Byculla Jail on drug charges related to the Sushant Singh Rajput case. She was accused of procuring and supplying drugs to the late actor. The actress was granted bail after 28 days. Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra apartment, in Mumbai, in June 2020.

Rhea Chakraborty participated in reality shows like TVS Scooty Teen Diva, Pepsi MTV Wassup, Gone in 60 Seconds. She acted in films like Tuneega Tuneega, Half Girlfriend, Jalebi. She was last seen in Chehre alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi.

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Dawood's Daughter's Gown And A Kidnapping: A Fresh Look At MP Underworld

A new book by a retired IPS officer claims to reveal the chilling connection between the bridal gown of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's daughter and a high-profile kidnapping case in Indore in 2005. The book by Dr Shailendra Srivastava, titled "Shackle The Storm", threads together the details of how the seemingly unrelated events are linked, shedding light on a dark chapter of Madhya Pradesh's criminal history.

The story begins with the bridal gown worn by Dawood's daughter, Mahrukh, during her wedding in Mecca in July 2005. The gown was crafted by a tailor named Ismail Khan, a resident of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh.

Barely a month later, on August 17, 2005, Nitesh Nagori, the 20-year-old son of a prominent cement manufacturer in Indore, was kidnapped. A ransom of Rs 4 crore was sought for him. The police caught some of the accused and managed to release him before the ransom was paid.

Investigation indicated that Ismail Khan was involved in the abduction.

Ismail Khan was closely associated with Aftab Alam, one of Dawood Ibrahim's trusted lieutenants. Dawood Ibrahim was to get a share of the ransom.

The police believe that Ismail, who had fled after the kidnapping, was promised a lucrative commission and a job in Dubai for his role in the crime, along with Rs 1 crore for stitching the gown.

Ismail and Aftab have both been on the run since the incident, evading capture for nearly two decades.

In September 2005, the police arrested Nitesh Nagori's friend Dhruv, and another associate, Gaurav, for allegedly assisting Ismail in the kidnapping.
 
During interrogation, Dhruv identified Ismail as the mastermind, leading the police to unravel the connection between Ismail and the infamous underworld network.

The investigation also revealed that Aftab Alam, who had escaped Mumbai in 1997, was operating from the Gulf during the kidnapping.

Aftab's involvement complicated the case. The Interpol was alerted and warrants issued for the arrest of Ismail, Aftab, and other suspects, including Randhawa and Ibrahim, who are on the run.

Dr Srivastava's book goes beyond the kidnapping case to delve into the underworld's operations in Madhya Pradesh, particularly the covert activities of Dawood Ibrahim and his notorious rival, Chhota Rajan.

The narrative reveals a previously untold story of Vicky Malhotra, a key member of Chhota Rajan gang, who was arrested after inadvertently alerting the Mumbai Police by using a phone number linked to a previous ransom threat in Indore.

Malhotra, whose real name is Vijay Kumar Yadav, provided an in-depth account of his life in the underworld, including his involvement in multiple assassination attempts on Dawood Ibrahim. The book uncovers chilling details, such as a failed attempt to target Dawood during his daughter's burial in Karachi and another botched plan in Dubai.

One of the most intriguing stories in the book is the transformation of Vijay Yadav into Vicky Malhotra, a feared don in Chhota Rajan's gang.

Dr. Srivastava explores how this petty thief from Murshidabad rose to prominence in the underworld and came close to assassinating Dawood Ibrahim on three occasions.

Shackle The Storm is more than just a crime thriller; it is a compilation of 14 gripping stories that traverse the murky world of crime, justice, and the underworld in Madhya Pradesh.

The book also recounts Dr Srivastava's experience as the IG of Indore Range during the 2006 Bhojshala riots, where he played a crucial role in managing communal tensions and exposing the activities of the banned terrorist organization SIMI.

As Dr Srivastava reveals, these stories are not just about crime but also about the courage of those who stand against it, offering readers a glimpse into the untold tales of Madhya Pradesh's fight against terrorism and the underworld.

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Thar, Scorpio SUVs Inside Restricted Zone In Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Seized

Fourteen SUVs believed to be on an off-roading experience trip from five states were caught in Zone 8 - an area not open to public access via vehicles - of Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur, forest department officers said.

The vehicles came from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the officers said.

The forest department has suspended two rangers for the lapse.

On August 15, at least 12 Mahindra Thar and two Scorpio SUVs managed to sneak into the ecologically fragile tiger reserve for a private safari led by a tour organiser called Adventure Tours.

When visuals of the SUVs inside the zone where personal vehicles were not allowed went viral on social media, the forest department swung into action. It was suspected some forest rangers had illegally allowed the private vehicles into the park.

"It is a matter of illegal entry. We have seized the vehicles. We are further investigating the matter," divisional forest officer Ramamnand Bhakkar told NDTV.

During monsoon, the wildlife park is shut for all safaris, which makes it all the more surprising that private vehicles were found inside the park, sources said.

A video of the vehicles inside the park also shows the visitors walking around in Zone 8. It appeared one of the vehicles got stuck. This video was taken by a local. It exposed the illegal entry of private SUVs inside the tiger reserve.

Off-roader and rally driver Rattan Dhillon also posted visuals of the incident on X.

Over 10 vehicles were seized after an adventure drive organized by the official Mahindra team in Tiger Zone 8 of Ranthambore.

The forest department is now pursuing legal action against Mahindra Adventure officials.

It's alarming that such an event could occur under the watch... pic.twitter.com/f24Kki1vl3

— Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) August 17, 2024

Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 violators could be fined up to Rs 1 lakh.

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Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests

Amid nationwide protests and outrage over a trainee doctor's rape and murder in a Kolkata hospital during her duty hours, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a diktat to all states asking them to submit reports on law and order situation every two hours.

As per the notification, the Home Ministry has directed all state police forces of the country to send reports every two hours via mail, fax or even WhatsApp.

"Regarding two hourly law and order situation reports. The competent authority has desired to monitor the law and order situation report of your state/UT against the murder of a trainee woman doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. Henceforth, a continuous two-hourly law and order situation report in this regard may kindly be sent to the MHA control room by fax/e-mail/WhatsApp from 4 pm today (16/08/24), the MHA reportedly stated.

NDTV has learnt that states have started sending reports, starting August 16.

"This will ensure that reports concerning crucial issues reach in time," disclosed a senior official.

He said in the Kolkata rape case, several lacunae were noticed. "In such crucial cases, action needs to be taken swiftly," he added.

The 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found brutally murdered at the seminar hall of the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

The incident highlighted several serious flaws and lack of support from concerned officials and this issue acted as a trigger for the protests. After a mass anger over no significant progress by the local police, the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI.

"This crucial step has been taken to keep a vigil on the security situations in all the states and the UTs," stated a senior MHA functionary.

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Assam Teacher Shows Porn To Girl Students, Protesters Set School On Fire

Locals set a school on fire in Assam's Karimganj district after a teacher was found allegedly showing porn to girl students.

A case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been filed against the teacher, the police said.

The locals, too, face a police case for burning the school.

The 37-year-old teacher is on the run, the police said, adding they are investigating the case.

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