1. People Will Defeat BJP-RSS Agenda To Change Constitution: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar
NCP president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said the agenda of BJP and its political mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is to “change the Indian Constitution, but the people of the country will not allow it to happen”. He was speaking at the party’s “Save Democracy Meet” in Mumbai.
Stressing that the Indian Constitution will not be allowed to change, Pawar said, “The NCP has taken the lead in saving the Constitution and would oppose all those forces who are trying to tamper with it.”
Former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi’s leadership and upliftment of the poor gave India a global identity, yet her decision to impose Emergency went against the public sentiments. The people of this country taught her a lesson. Along with the Congress government, Indira Gandhi lost the elections, Pawar said.
(Source: Indian Express)
2. 20-Year-Old Mumbai Woman Wants To Terminate ‘Unwanted’ Pregnancy, HC Does Not Entertain Her Plea
The Bombay High court on Tuesday did not entertain the plea of a 22-week pregnant woman to terminate her ‘unwanted’ pregnancy.
The 20-year-old woman from the central suburbs, who has suffered domestic violence, learnt about her pregnancy during an ultrasound recommended by a neurologist for her epilepsy treatment, said her advocate.
“Her husband refused to use protection and she could not take oral contraceptives as it would have interfered with her antiepileptic drugs,” the advocate said.
The advocate said that while the woman found out about her pregnancy during the 17th week, her husband did not allow her to terminate the pregnancy.
“She has come back to her maternal household, but has crossed the deadline,” the advocate said.
The judges said that the case does not fall under the exemptions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
3. 29-Year-Old Tattoo Artist Rapes 14-Year-Old In Mumbai, Held
A 29-year-old tattoo artist was arrested on Wednesday for kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl in Shahunagar.
According to the police, the accused took the minor to a shed, he had rented for making tattoos, and raped her. He claims he was under the influence of drugs. The minor, in her statement to the police, allegedly said on Monday night, her parents asked her to return from her neighbour’s house
On her way, the accused approached her. “He threatened her to join him, and forcefully made her sit on his bike,” said an officer of Shahunagar police station. He then took her to a shed and raped her. “The girl claims she fled in the morning when he was asleep,” said the officer.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
4. AAI Chairman To Enquire Into Staffer’s Plaint
Hours after Mirror reported a transwoman’s legal fight to obtain a passport so she can travel abroad for surgery, the chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI) said he would look into her complaint and sought her employment records.
Myra Grace Bandikalla works as an air traffic control manager with the AAI in Mumbai. The 33-year-old, who was earlier called Swaroop, does not identify with the assigned birth sex of male and wants to undergo a sex reassignment operation in Bangkok.
Because she is a government employee, she needs a no-objection certificate from her department, i.e. AAI, to apply for a passport. All her other government documents, including PAN and Aadhaar cards, bear her new name. AAI officials have failed to change Swaroop to Myra in their records, saying an employee’s name and gender can be modified only after the person undergoes a sex change surgery, submits a medical certificate and completes other legal formalities.
Myra has moved the Bombay High Court against the airports authority, alleging gender discrimination. The case also includes claims that she has been repeatedly bullied by her colleagues and is not allowed to use the women’s washroom.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
5. Cheating Case Registered Against Farhan Azmi In Mumbai
The Bandra police have registered a case of cheating against Farhan Azmi, son of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi, and one more person.
According to sources, the complainant, Kashif Khan, has accused the duo of taking ₹13.5 lakh for running an eatery in the city, but not using it for the cause. Reacting to the FIR, Farhan Azmi, a restauranter, said, “I have been fighting several cases against him.
This particular case which I got to know from Hindustan Times is also sub-judiced in Bombay high court. I have not been contacted by the police yet. I am getting to know about the case now.”
Police sources said Khan has alleged in his complaint that he had a deal of running an eatery in Mumbai with the accused, for which, he transferred the money to the other accused’s account. However, the work was not done with the money.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
6. Schools Told To Contact Patanjali For Session
The education department has asked city schools to “contact Patanjali Yogpeeth to celebrate international yoga day” to be celebrated in campuses today.
Patanjali Yogpeeth is an institute founded by yoga guru Ramdev. “Pantanjali has offered its support to schools in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai on the occasion of yoga day on June 21. Please note that schools and junior colleges in your jurisdiction can contact Patanjali to celebrate international yoga day,” reads a letter issued on June 5 by Rajendra Ahire, deputy director of education, Mumbai, to education inspectors in the city.
When contacted, Ahire said Patanjali was only one of the NGOs involved in conducting yoga day at schools.
“The state government has given us a list of NGOs for schools to contact. We are only following orders,” he told Mirror. However, he couldn’t recall the number of such NGOs listed by the government or whether his office issued similar instructions with respect to other NGOs.
Following his directions, education inspectors issued letters to schools asking them to contact Patanjali representatives.
“Most schools have teachers for sports, but not all are trained in yoga. We have recommended Patanjali which will organise talks on the importance of yoga in campuses,” Anil Sable, education inspector, Mumbai west, told Mirror. The letter issued by Sable to schools mentions the name and contact details of a representative from Patanjali.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
7. Demand For Record FSI To Rebuild MLA Hostel To Get CM Nod
A meeting was held in Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday, attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with presiding officers, opposition leaders and other senior officers, in which the demand for more FSI was made. When asked about the demand, Fadnavis told Mumbai Mirror, “The Development Control Rules provide for giving extra FSI to government buildings. The proposal has not yet come. Appropriate action will be taken when the proposal is received.”
The Manora MLA hostel is a complex of four towers, of 14 storeys each, built between 1990 and 1994 with around 303 rooms. However, the buildings are in a dilapidated condition. Last year, a ceiling slab had collapsed in the hostel, which hastened the redevelopment plan.
Architect Atul Prabhu of Shashi Prabhu Architects, the firm given the task of developing the new Manora hostel, said, “At present, we are planning to construct 8.38 lakh sq feet with an FSI of 5.38, which is permissible for government buildings. We are asking for an FSI of 6.85, which can allow us to construct nearly 10 lakh sq feet. It will be the highest FSI ever given, but the government has powers to grant higher FSI for government buildings.”
Prabhu said that the current plans have been drawn keeping in mind an FSI of 5.38. “We are first planning towers of 30 storeys and then, if permission for higher FSI is granted, a tower of 47 storeys would be constructed in the second phase,” he said. Tower D of the hostel was the first one to be declared dilapidated. Last year, the government took the decision to demolish and construct a new hostel complex. Since the MLAs did not trust the job done by the Public Works Department (PWD), they decided to get the work done through the central government owned National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC).
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
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