Important News - 2025-04-25
25 April 2025
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Heritage (2)
BJP Leaders Seek District Monitoring for Brahmamgari Gurupooja Aradhana
The Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy Gurupooja Aradhana Utsavam, a significant religious event at the Brahmamgari Matham, is scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 9, 2024. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including former district President Puppala Srinatha Reddy and district Secretary Gadhamsetty Lakshman Rao, met with District Collector Sridhar Cherukuri on Friday, April 26, 2024. They submitted a formal request for the district administration to monitor the event, citing allegations of past irregularities and fund misappropriation. The BJP leaders accused the Matham in-charge of charging devotees ₹100 for darshan, ₹200 for tonsuring, and ₹50 for toilet usage while failing to provide basic facilities. They also claimed that chariot decorations were made using garlands brought by devotees. The leaders urged the Collector to oversee the event to ensure transparency and protect donations made to the Endowments department.
Kathakali Maddalam Legend Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair Passes Away
Renowned Kathakali maddalam artist Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair passed away on Friday at Amala Hospital in Thrissur, Kerala. He had been suffering from age-related illnesses in recent years. A disciple of the legendary Kalamandalam Appukutti Poduval, Narayanan Nair was celebrated for his disciplined and unique style of percussion, which distinguished him from his peers. His final performance took place during a recent festival at the Kottakkal Vishwambhara Temple. Over his illustrious career, he received numerous accolades, including the Kerala Kalamandalam Award and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award. Narayanan Nair performed in over 50 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and various European nations. He was also a dedicated teacher at Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam in Irinjalakuda and Kerala Kalamandalam. Along with his late wife, Ottan Thullal artist Kalamandalam Devaki, he co-founded the Sree Dhanwanthari Kalakshetram in Nelluvai, a cultural institution that nurtured countless students.
Schemes (3)
Year-Long RTI Campaign for Human Rights Protection Launches in Thrissur
A year-long campaign titled ‘Right to Information Act for Protecting Human Rights’ will commence on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in Thrissur, Kerala. The campaign, inaugurated by State Information Commissioner A. Abdul Hakkim, aims to raise awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act and its role in safeguarding human rights. The inaugural event will be held at the Holy Family Church Hall, Chalakudy, at 10:30 a.m. Ernakulam Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission president D.B. Binu will deliver a seminar on the RTI Act, while former chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission P. Mohanadas will discuss the Act’s potential applications in human rights protection. Organized by the State Human Rights Protection Centre in collaboration with socio-cultural organizations, the campaign includes exhibitions, seminars, lectures, and felicitations to mark the 25th anniversary of the Centre.
Kerala Government Amends Liquor Rules to Allow Alcohol Sales in State-Owned IT Parks
On Friday, November 10, 2023, the Kerala government amended its liquor rules to allow the sale of legal alcohol in State-owned IT parks, including Technopark, Infopark, and Cyberpark. This decision aims to address the long-standing concern of the software and start-up sectors, which have criticized Kerala for lacking vibrant socializing venues, making it less attractive to tech professionals. The amended rules permit only 'Developers of Information Technology Parks' to obtain liquor licenses, with an annual fee of ₹10 lakh. The licensed bars will function like exclusive private members' clubs, accessible only to IT park employees and their official guests. The government has mandated that bars must be located in separate areas away from office buildings, with distinct entrances and exits. Liquor can only be purchased from Bevco warehouses, and consumption is restricted to permit rooms, with parcels and possession outside these rooms prohibited. The government has also warned against anti-social behavior and gambling in these bars, requiring daily transaction and stock registers to be maintained. Additionally, IT park bars will observe government-sanctioned dry days.
State Government Opens Sandbar at Muthalapozhy Ahead of ₹177-Crore Harbour Development Project
Amid protests over the slow progress in removing accumulated sand from the mouth of the Muthalapozhy harbour channel, the State government has successfully cut open the sandbar. This action allows water trapped behind the bar to flow into the sea, with water from five neighbouring panchayats expected to drain within two days. The accumulation of sand has been a significant issue for local fishers, as it trapped fishing vessels inside the harbour. To address this, four excavators, dredgers, and tippers were deployed, with additional equipment brought in from Kannur. The decision to urgently remove the sandbar was made during a meeting of Ministers following protests by fishers and Opposition groups. This step is crucial as the State government prepares to implement a ₹177-crore project for the development of the Muthalapozhy fishing harbour, which has been approved by the Union government. The State has already initiated tender procedures for the project.
World Affairs (1)
Telangana Begins Deportation of 33 Pakistani Nationals Following MHA Directives
The Telangana police have initiated the deportation of 33 Pakistani nationals residing in the state, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued on April 24, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror strike. On April 25, 2025, Telangana Director General of Police Jitender issued an advisory to implement the Centre’s order, which mandates the cancellation of all regular visas issued to Pakistani citizens from April 27, 2025. However, medical visas remain valid until April 29, and Long-Term Visas (LTVs), diplomatic, and official visas are exempt from this suspension. According to official data, 232 Pakistani nationals are currently in Telangana, with 33 on regular visas required to leave the country. The remaining 199, who hold LTVs, are unaffected. 'Leave India' notices, issued under the Foreigners Act, 1946, will be served to those whose visas are being cancelled. The Attari border in Punjab has been designated as the primary land route for their exit, with the deadline set for April 30, 2025. Those opting to return by air must depart from Delhi or Mumbai via foreign carriers to Pakistan, as Hyderabad is not recognized as a port of exit for Pakistani nationals. The Telangana police have also sought clarification from the MHA on special cases, including that of an Indian woman who returned to India with her child following her divorce from a Pakistani national. The child, a Pakistani national, must be repatriated, while the mother is permitted to stay. The Telangana police have confirmed that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure the deportations proceed smoothly, with continuous surveillance until each individual has exited the country.
Politics (2)
Karnataka High Court Allows Retrospective Challenge to Arrest Legality Based on Non-Service of Written Grounds
The Karnataka High Court, in a significant ruling, has declared that all accused individuals in judicial custody, except habitual offenders, are entitled to question the legality of their arrest if the police failed to provide written grounds or reasons for their arrest, even if the arrest occurred before May 15, 2024. This decision builds on the Supreme Court's judgment in the case of Prabir Purkayastha vs. State (NCT) of Delhi, delivered on May 15, 2024, which emphasized the constitutional right under Article 22(1) for arrested persons to be informed of the grounds of their arrest. The Karnataka High Court ruled that this principle applies retrospectively, ensuring that the constitutional safeguards are upheld. Justice Hemant Chandangoudar, while ordering the release of Hemanth Datta, a 20-year-old arrested in 2023 for murder, reiterated that any violation of Article 22(1) and Section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code constitutes a breach of constitutional rights. The court also directed trial courts to consider bail applications from those affected by non-service of arrest grounds, though it clarified that this benefit does not extend to arrests under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
CPI (Maoist) Calls for Ceasefire and Peace Talks Amid Operation Kagar
The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has reiterated its offer for peace talks and called for an immediate halt to 'Operation Kagar,' an ongoing offensive by security forces along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. The North-West Sub-Zonal Bureau of the banned outfit stated that the operation, described as a 'surround and destroy' campaign, is hindering the possibility of peaceful dialogue. Rupesh, a representative of the CPI (Maoist), issued a statement urging the government to suspend the operation for one month to create a conducive environment for negotiations. He emphasized that the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee has already expressed readiness for peace talks, but accused the government of preferring repression and force over dialogue. The statement also highlighted the escalation of military actions on the Bijapur-Telangana border and demanded the withdrawal of security forces to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
Economy (1)
COFEPOSA Act Invoked Against Ranya Rao for Gold Smuggling
The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) has invoked the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974 against actor Ranya Rao, who was allegedly caught smuggling 14.2 kg of gold at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3, 2025. The order, issued by Anupam Prakash, Joint Secretary of the COFEPOSA Wing, CEIB, on April 22, 2025, aims to prevent Rao from engaging in future smuggling activities. The COFEPOSA Act allows for preventive detention without bail for up to one year. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which arrested Rao, is the sponsoring agency for invoking the Act. The case will be reviewed by the advisory board of the High Court of Karnataka within three months, and the board must approve the detention. During the investigation, the DRI also arrested Sahil Sakariya Jain, a gold trader from Ballari, for allegedly aiding Rao in smuggling 49.6 kg of gold worth ₹40.13 crore and transferring ₹38.39 crore to Dubai through hawala transactions. Rao made 23 trips to Dubai between 2023 and March 2025, and her other transactions are under investigation.
Miscellaneous (1)
Dr. K. Kasturirangan: A Legacy of Leadership in India's Space Sector
Dr. K. Kasturirangan, a prominent figure in the Indian space sector, began his career in 1963 as a research scholar at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. Over nearly four decades, he held key positions, including Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the 1990s. During his tenure, he mentored numerous future leaders in the space sector, contributing significantly to ISRO's success with 29 successful missions, including the launch of four commercial/foreign satellites through Antrix. Post-retirement, he served as a Rajya Sabha member, Planning Commission member, and headed crucial committees like those on the Western Ghats and the National Education Policy. Dr. Kasturirangan also held international roles, such as vice-president of the International Academy of Astronautics and chairman of the COSPAR Panel on Space Research in Developing Countries. He authored 257 papers and edited nine books, leaving a lasting impact on the space community and the nation.
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