CONG LEADER PAWAN KHERA DEPLANED, ARRESTED, GETS BAILS FROM SUPREME COURT

Hours after his dramatic removal from a flight and arrest at the Delhi airport yesterday, Congress leader Pawan Khera was released on bail in a case involving his alleged insult to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I was asked to deplane as if I was a terrorist. It can happen to anyone tomorrow," Pawan Khera said after being freed from police lock-up.

Nearly 50 Congress leaders launched a rare protest on the Delhi airport tarmac Thursday morning after Khera was asked to get off a flight to Raipur. Khera and his party colleagues were heading to the Chhattisgarh capital for a two-day Congress meeting.

A police team came all the way from BJP-ruled Assam to arrest Khera, armed with an FIR that accused him of remarks "made intentionally" to provoke BJP workers, "causing breach of public peace, with intent to incite violence and disturb peace and tranquility in the society."

Granting Mr Khera reprieve, the Supreme Court agreed to the Congress's request to club cases registered against Khera in Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

At a recent press conference, Mr Khera flubbed PM Modi's name while demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the Adani-Hindenburg row. "If Narasimha Rao could form a JPC, if Atal Bihari Vajpayee could form a JPC, then what problem does Narendra Gautam Das...sorry Damodardas...Modi have?" the Congress spokesperson had said.

The FIR said the remarks were "not just insulting, defamatory and derogatory to PM Modi and his deceased father".

The Congress, which approached the Supreme Court, argued that it was a "slip of tongue" and that Khera had apologised.

The prosecution insisted that Khera's fumble was deliberate. "Our lordships may see the facial expressions and the laughs all around. This is the PM of the country," said Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.

After dictating the order, the CJI, apparently displeased with Khera’s remarks, told senior advocate AM Singhvi, who was representing , "We have protected you (Khera) but there has to be some level of discourse." In its order, the bench said it is inclined to entertain the plea on the limited issue of whether the FIRs should be clubbed or not.

Earlier, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had posted a strong tweet after Khera first made the comments. "Make no mistake- pathetic remarks by courtier Pawan Khera on PM’s father have blessings of the top levels of Congress, which is full of entitlement and disdain against a person of humble origins being PM. India will not forget or forgive these horrible remarks of Congressmen," read his tweet.

KEEN ON RESOLVING BORDER STANDOFF AT EARLIEST, SAYS CHINA

In a move that could herald forward movement on the border dispute, China has spoken about the need to “speed up to deal with the relevant issues” on the western section of the China-India boundary.

The impression has been that at the last disengagement at PP15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area in September, China had been stalling progress in other standoff areas in Demchok and Depsang regions.

In a more detailed readout than that of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Chinese Foreign Office also said the first in-person meeting of an inter-ministerial group since the Galwan valley clash reviewed the “positive progress” of the previous management and control along the China-India border areas.

The Chinese side made four points about the 26th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs in Beijing.

It said a consensus was reached to “actively implement” further stabilisation of the border situation. Second, the two sides agreed to avoid recurrence of the situation on the ground, and work jointly to safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Third, the two sides agreed to speed up to deal with the relevant issues on the western section “so as to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date”. And, fourth, the two sides agreed to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels, and hold the 18th round of Corps Commanders-level meeting at an early date.

‘HANDS-OFF POLICY WITH CASH-STARVED PAK TO CONTINUE’

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday virtually dismissed the idea of helping Pakistan to come out of its economic mess, indicating that India would continue with the “hands-off” policy because of the prevailing sentiment in the country on the back of Islamabad’s support to terrorism.

“Just as a country has to fix its economic issues, a country has to fix its political and social issues too. No country is ever going to come out of a difficult situation and become a prosperous power if its basic industry is terrorism… As someone in politics, if I were to look at any big decision I’m making, I would also look at what is the public sentiment,” he said during an interaction in Pune. "No country is ever going to come out of a difficult situation and become a prosperous power if its basic industry is terrorism,” he added.

“It’s in nobody’s interest that any country — least of all a neighbouring country — should get into severe economic difficulties. But it’s an equal fact that when any country gets into a serious economic problem, that country has to make policy choices and governance decisions to get itself out of the crisis,” he added.

CONGRESS ASSERTS ITS ROLE AS CORE OF ANY ANTI-BJP ALLIANCE

Raising voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies would be the basic requirement for parties seeking to forge an anti-BJP coalition ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress said yesterday, on the eve of the party’s 85th plenary session which will start in Raipur today

“We know our role. A strong and empowered Congress would be at the centre of an anti-BJP alliance,” said Jairam Ramesh, a Congress general secretary, laying down the contours for the plenary discussions which would focus on strategy for Opposition unity, strengthening the Congress organisation and building on the “success of Bharat Jodo Yatra”.

Ramesh’s comment came close on the heels of party leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Shillong on Wednesday that the TMC led by Mamata Banerjee fielded candidates in Goa to help the BJP and it was contesting polls in Meghalaya with the same objective.

The TMC hit back asking whether the Congress, too, was helping the BJP by fighting 92 seats in the 2021 Bengal polls.

The Congress plenary begins at a time when the TMC, K Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS and AAP remain reluctant to accept Congress’ head-ship of any anti-BJP front.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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INDIA ABSTAINS IN UNGA ON RESOLUTION UNDERSCORING NEED FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE

India abstained in the UN General Assembly on Thursday on a resolution that underscored the need to reach as soon as possible a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace" in Ukraine in line with the principles of the UN Charter.

The 193-member General Assembly adopted the draft resolution, put forward by Ukraine and its supporters, titled Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine'.

The resolution, which got 141 votes in favour and 7 against, underscores the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

India was among the 32 countries that abstained.

The resolution called upon member states and international organisations to redouble support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, consistent with the Charter.

PUTIN TALKS UP N-ARSENAL ON WAR ANNIVERSARY EVE

After a series of strident speeches in the runup to the anniversary of his invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans on Thursday to deploy new Sarmat multiwarhead intercontinental ballistic missiles this year. Earlier this week he suspended Russia’s participation in the START

military said early on Thursday.

Russia would “pay increased attention to strengthening the nuclear triad,” Putin said in remarks released by the Kremlin, referring to nuclear missiles based on land, sea and in the air.

The last weeks have seen Russia mount infantry assaults across frozen ground in battles described by both sides as the bloodiest of the war.

Ukrainian forces repelled 90 Russian attacks in the northeast and east over the past 24 hours, the anticipation that Moscow might launch long-range missile attacks to mark the date.

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PUNJAB GOVT GIVES IN TO RADICAL LEADER, HIS AIDE BEING FREED AFTER CLASH

Hundreds of supporters of radical leader Amritpal Singh, including several carrying swords and guns, clashed with police and stormed the Ajnala police station near Amritsar Thursday.

They camped there until police “assured” Amritpal and his supporters that his associate Lovepreet Singh Tufan, arrested on charges that included kidnapping, would be released Friday.

Amritpal, the 29-year-old who is a Khalistan sympathiser, returned from Dubai last year and became head of the outfit Waris Punjab De following the death of its founder, the actor-activist Deep Sidhu. Amritpal was also an accused in the same case along with 25 others. The case was registered on the complaint of one Varinder Singh who alleged he was kidnapped and beaten soon after he uploaded a video accusing Amritpal and his followers of spreading false propaganda.

At the police station, Amritpal told reporters he had issued an “ultimatum” for Lovepreet’s release. “Some papers wrote Amritpal is desperate, he is isolated… see how the devout have supported me,” he said.

Earlier, after Amritpal’s supporters broke through barricades and clashed with police – at least six police personnel including an officer were injured – top officers including Amritsar Police Commissioner Jaskarn Singh and SSP (Rural) Satinder Singh reached the police station and held direct negotiations with Amritpal.

Police later announced Lovepreet would be discharged from the case and legal steps would be taken for his release.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said the Ajnala incident was more than a law and order collapse. “Particularly when Pakistan is there to encourage and exploit such a situation,” he said, as he questioned the competence of the state govt in dealing with such a situation.

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring too condemned the incident in Ajnala. “Nip the evil in the bud,” Warring said in a statement.

MAYAWATI BACKS CASTE CENSUS DEMAND, ALSO QUESTIONS AKHILESH YADAV

BSP president Mayawati on Thursday said that her party was a strong supporter of a nation-wide caste census and the central govt should come forward to initiate the exercise.

Flaying the Samajwadi Party for its repeated demands for caste census in Uttar Pradesh, the former chief minister in a press statement said the party should have got the exercise done its own regime in the past.

Her remarks on caste census came after the SP aggressively raised the demand during the ongoing budget session of the UP Assembly.

EL NINO RISK FOR INFLATION, FARM OUTPUT IN INDIA: FINANCE MINISTRY

The finance ministry on Thursday raised concerns over the possible impact of El Niño conditions on India this year, saying if recent forecasts came true, the country could see lower agricultural output and higher inflation.

“Some meteorological agencies predict the return of El Niño conditions in India this year. If these predictions are accurate, then monsoon rains could be deficient, leading to lower agricultural output and higher prices,” the ministry said in its monthly economic review.

Madan Sabnavis, chief economist of Bank of Baroda, said his assumption of 6-6.5 per cent growth for FY24 was premised on steady agricultural growth of 3-3.5 per cent. “This means the monsoon needs to be normal once more. The emergence of El Niño is not good news as it can push back output, which will come in the way of not just production but also push up inflation, affecting farm income and, hence, rural spending,” he said.

Sabnavis said the rising heat in February-March was already a worry as it could affect wheat harvest. “Even a drop of 1 million tonnes (mt) can have a ratcheting effect on inflation. Therefore, this (El Niño) can be a worry, considering that we have had good harvests for several years now, which provided a cushion,” he said.

IN SEATTLE, NOW CASTE FIGURES IN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS

On 21 February, the city of Seattle voted to add the category of Caste to its anti-discrimination laws in a historic step that will have far-reaching significance in the fight against caste discrimination.

The significance couldn’t be more immense, it may be the first-ever bill passed by any govt body in the world after Ambedkar introduced Article 15 — prohibition of discrimination on grounds of caste — in the Indian Constitution, and the Nepal govt passed a law banning caste-based discrimination in 2011.

As the passage was announced, the city hall erupted into ecstatic shouts of “Jai Bhim” as activists, some with Ambedkar’s photo, hugged each other in celebration.

While discrimination based on caste may not be as prevalent and violent as back in south Asia, recent studies have shown that it is significant. According to a 2016 survey by Equality Labs, a US-based Dalit civil rights organisation, 60 per cent of Dalits report experiencing caste-based derogatory jokes or comments, one in three Dalit Students report being discriminated against during their education and 20 per cent of Dalit respondents report feeling discriminated against at a place of business.

AJAY BANGA NOMINATED TO THE WORLD BANK CHIEF POST

Indian-American Ajay Banga, the former CEO of Mastercard, was on Thursday nominated by US President Joe Biden to lead the World Bank.

In a statement, Biden said the business leader is uniquely equipped to lead the global institution at “this critical moment in history”. “He has spent more than three decades building and managing successful, global companies that create jobs and bring investment to developing economies, and guiding organisations through periods of fundamental change,” the US President said.

Ajay Banga, if confirmed by the World Bank Board of Directors, would be the first-ever Indian-American to head either of the two top international financial institutions – the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

He is currently the Vice Chairman at General Atlantic. Previously, he was President and CEO of Mastercard, leading the company through a strategic, technological and cultural transformation.

He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian govt in 2016.

Born in Pune, Banga is an economics graduate from Delhi’s prestigious St Stephen’s University.

He earned his MBA degree from IIM, Ahmedabad, one of India’s premier B-schools.

VALUE OF LIC HOLDING IN ADANI COMPANIES DROPS BELOW PURCHASE PRICE

The market value of state-owned LIC’s shareholding in Adani Group’s five big companies has for the first time dipped below its purchase value.

On Thursday, the market value of LIC holding in Adani Group companies (excluding Ambuja Cements and ACC) stood at Rs 26,861.9 crore, almost 11 per cent lower than its purchase value of Rs 30,127 crore.

LIC is the largest domestic institutional shareholder in Adani Group companies and held 9.14 per cent in Adani Ports, 5.96 per cent in Adani Total Gas, 4.23 per cent in Adani Enterprises, 3.65 per cent in Adani Transmission, and 1.28 per cent in Adani Green Energy, in the quarter-ending December 2022.

The market capitalisation of nine listed Adani Group companies was Rs 19.18 lakh crore on January 24, a day before the report was released, and is down 61 per cent at Rs 7.37 lakh crore Thursday.

As the political Opposition expressed concern about LIC investments and bank exposure to Adani Group after the Hindenburg Research report, LIC said its exposure in Adani Group was less than 1 per cent of its portfolio. For a govt insurer, holding public money, and listed in the stock market, its bet on the Group at a time when most mutual funds shied away, will now come under greater scrutiny.

WOMEN'S T20 WC: AUSTRALIA KNOCK OUT INDIA IN THRILLER

India wilted under pressure in yet another knock-out game after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's freak run out as defending champions Australia entered their seventh successive Women's T20 World Cup final with a five-run win in Cape Town on Thursday. 

India's shoddy fielding and catching allowed Australia to post a challenging 172 for four after they won the toss.

At 28 for three, India were down and out but Harmanpreet (52 off 34) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24) produced a counter-attacking 69-run stand off just 41 balls to bring the team back in the game.

India needed a very gettable 39 off last 30 balls with five wickets in hand but as it has been the case in the past, the team came up short to finish at 167 for eight.

Harmanpreet got to her fifty with back-to-back fours before a freak run out brought the big twist in the game. It was a comfortable double but on way to completing the second run, Harmanpreet's bat got stuck in the ground and Alyssa Healy was quick to take the bails off with the Indian out of the crease.

Since the 2020 T20 World Cup final at the MCG, India has played Australia 11 times, winning one and losing nine whereas one was washed out. The head-to-head stats might suggest that Australia have had the wood over India but most of the matches have been closely contested. Just like Thursday’s T20 World Cup semifinal, those matches have been missed opportunities for India.

INDICATORS

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you. - Eric Hoffer

OFF TRACK

Two deaf men were talking on their coffee break about being out late the night before.

The first man signed to his friend, "My wife was asleep when I got home, so I was able to sneak into bed, and not get into trouble."

The second deaf man signed back, "Boy, you're lucky. My wife was wide awake, waiting for me in bed, and she started swearing at me and giving me heck for being out so late."

The first deaf man asked, "So, what did you do?"

The second deaf man signed, "I turned out the light!"