MALDIVES SUSPENDS 3 MINISTERS FOR ANTI-MODI BARB

Under fire and grappling with a situation fast turning into a diplomatic row, the Maldives govt of President Mohamed Muizzu, whose party rode to power last year on an ‘India Out’ poll campaign, suspended three ministers Sunday for making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India.

Ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid were suspended with immediate effect, hours after the Maldives govt distanced itself from the remarks made by the ministers and MPs who joined a social media spat over Lakshadweep vs Maldives in the wake of Prime Minister Modi’s photographs from Lakshadweep.

On Sunday, the Indian High Commission in Male raised the matter with the Foreign Office there and expressed concern over comments about the Prime Minister by certain ministers of the Maldives govt. President Muizzu was leaving for China Sunday on a State Visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Maldives govt, in a statement, without naming its ministers or Prime Minister Modi, said: “The Govt of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Govt of Maldives.”

Later in the day, the three ministers were suspended by the govt.

After photographs of Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep gained traction on social media and the Internet, and many promoted the chain of Indian islands over the Maldives as a tourist destination, Zahid Rameez, a Maldivian MP, said, “The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall.”

Besides him, minister Shiuna made derogatory remarks about Modi, calling the Prime Minister a “clown” and a “puppet”. Shiuna, Deputy Minister at the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Art, as well as the spokesperson for the Male City Council, later deleted her disparaging social media posts.

Outrage over the posts mounted not just in India but also within the Maldives. Many in the island nation, including former Presidents, condemned the remarks against a friendly country and its leader.

This row comes at a time when all eyes are on what Muizzu does next. Unlike his predecessors, India has not been his first stop after entering office — he has been to Turkey, UAE, and now China. He has asked India to withdraw its military from Maldives, and decided not to renew a pact for a survey of Maldivian waters. “Public figures must maintain decorum. India is a time-tested friend and an unwavering ally. They have historically been the first to respond in our time of need. Our close relationship has been bound by mutual respect, history, culture and strong people-to-people relations,” he said.

PM: ‘CITIZEN FIRST, DIGNITY FIRST, JUSTICE FIRST’ SPIRIT OF 3 NEW LAWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the enactment of the three new criminal laws was a paradigm shift in the criminal justice system as these had been framed with the spirit of “citizen first, dignity first and justice first”, and instead of working with “danda”, the police force now needed to work with “data”.

Modi stated this during his address at the culmination of the three-day all-India conference of DGPs and IGPs in Jaipur.

He exhorted the top police brass to think imaginatively to convey the emotional spirit behind the newly enacted laws to different sections of society. Modi also laid special focus on sensitising women and girls to their rights and protection provided to them under the new criminal laws.

The Prime Minister urged the police to focus on women safety by ensuring that women could work fearlessly “kabhi bhi aur kahin bhi” (anywhere, anytime).

Modi underscored the need for reinforcing the positive image of the police among citizens. He suggested the use of social media at the police station level for disseminating positive information and messages for the benefit of citizens. He also suggested the use of social media for disseminating advance information on natural calamities and disaster relief. To strengthen the citizen-police connect, the Prime Minister recommended organising sports events between the police force and common citizens.

Highlighting the success of India’s first solar mission Aditya-L1 and the swift rescue of 21 crew members from a hijacked vessel in Arabian Sea by the Indian Navy, he said such achievements showed that India was emerging as a major power in the world. The conference deliberated on critical components of national security, including the newly enacted criminal laws, threats emanating from artificial intelligence and deepfake, counter-terrorism strategies, Left wing extremism, emerging cyber threats and worldwide counter-radicalisation initiatives.

INDIA ALLIANCE CONFUSED, RUNNING OUT OF TIME, SAYS JD(U)

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement on Saturday that the INDIA alliance would meet in “10 to 15 days” to make decisions about key posts has not gone down well with the JD(U) that has been pushing to get its party chief and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar appointed the bloc’s convener.

“The way the Congress chief responded to media questions on Saturday on this (convener question) did not go down well with us. We are running out of time and ideas. We still have time to catch up. But it is Congress that has to show urgency to see a vibrant INDIA bloc,” JD(U) chief national spokesperson K C Tyagi said yesterday.

He added: “At a time the BJP has been able to ensure a great build-up to the Ram Temple inauguration, for the INDIA bloc it is imperative to offer a sound counter-narrative along demand of nationwide caste survey and other national issues. The Congress has embarked on its yatra. Rather, it should have been an INDIA Yatra in which all top alliance leaders could have participated. The Congress did not consult any of its allies before charting its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. We welcome their yatra but it was not a good time to start it. INDIA is still in a confused state. What if Lok Sabha polls are announced soon after the Ram Temple opening? We still do not have clarity on seat-sharing, agenda, and leadership roles. Congress should show its large-heartedness, shedding its big-brotherly attitude…..

…..the way allies are going in different directions is a matter of serious concern”. He added, “While West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary demanded President’s Rule after the ED team was attacked, CPI MP Binoy Viswam questioned the propriety of Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad. The DMK and the Congress have been also sparring in Tamil Nadu. The Congress should take immediate steps to stop the INDIA bloc from drifting away.”

Kharge’s remarks that irked the JD(U) came a week after Nitish took over the reins of the JD(U) in the party’s national executive meeting, where a resolution projecting him as the “sutradhar (facilitator)” of the INDIA bloc was passed while underlining only a few leaders were “as experienced” as him. The JD(U) also praised Nitish for his role in bringing the Opposition parties together and said bigger parties in the bloc had a “larger responsibility” to ensure its success and must “show a big heart”.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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BANGLADESH PM SHEIKH HASINA WINS 5TH TERM AMID OPPOSITION BOYCOTT

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won re-election for a fifth term Sunday, officials said, following a boycott led by an opposition party she branded a "terrorist organisation".

Hasina's ruling Awami League "has won more than 50 percent seats," an Election Commission spokesman told AFP, with counting ongoing.

She has presided over breakneck economic growth in a country once beset by grinding poverty, but her govt has been accused of rampant human rights abuses and a ruthless opposition crackdown.

Her party faced almost no effective rivals in the seats it contested, but it avoided fielding candidates in a few constituencies, an apparent effort to avoid the legislature being branded a one-party institution.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose ranks have been decimated by mass arrests, called a general strike and, along with dozens of others, refused to participate in a "sham election".

Hasina, 76, had called for citizens to show faith in the democratic process -- but election officials said initial reports suggested a meagre turnout of some 40 percent.

"The BNP is a terrorist organisation," she told reporters after casting her vote. "I am trying my best to ensure that democracy should continue in this country."

Media collating results from polling stations said Hasina had won more than two-thirds of seats in parliament with nearly 90 percent of results declared. Of the 264 seats of the total 300 announced, Hasina's Awami League had won 204 and her allied Jatiya Party nine more, according to results collated by Somoy TV, the country's largest private news broadcaster.

BLINKEN MEETS JORDAN, QATAR LEADERS IN NEW PUSH TO END GAZA WAR

On another urgent diplomatic mission to West Asia, US secretary of state Antony Blinken met Sunday with Arab partners to press for their help in tamping down fears that Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza could spread.

In discussions with Qatar’s emir and Jordan’s king, Blinken spoke of the need for Israel to adjust its military operations to reduce civilian casualties and significantly boost the amount of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, while stressing the importance of preparing detailed plans for the post-conflict future of the Palestinian territory. The mission — that will also take him to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt — is Blinken’s fourth to the region since the war began.

Blinken on Sunday met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman before travelling to Doha for talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.In Jordan, Blinken assured the King that US opposes the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the occupied West Bank. At a news conference in Doha, Blinken said Palestinian civilians must be allowed to return home and must not be pressed to leave Gaza. He also said that when he visits Israel this week he will tell Israeli officials that it is imperative they do more to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza.

THE REST

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FOR FIRST TIME, IAF’S C-130J AIRCRAFT CARRIES OUT NIGHT LANDING AT KARGIL

For the first time, the Indian Air Force has carried out night landing of a fixed-wing plane at the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Kargil near the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.

IAF used the maiden flight to practise “insertion” of commando team Garud. As part of drill, fully armed Garuds were “inserted” at the site.

“A C-130J Hercules aircraft carried out the landing,” the IAF said on Sunday. The IAF has 12 such planes which were ordered between 2008 and 2013. “This was the first-ever night landing of a fixed-wing plane at Kargil.”

The plane, sourced from Lockheed Martin US, used its own night landing aids, night vision abilities on board and positioning system to land at the airstrip located at an altitude of 9,600 feet.

The runaway at Kargil is paved, but does not have night landing facility or aids.

Located close to the Line of Control, Kargil is an important runaway that can be used to move troops, ammunition, artillery guns and even tanks besides supplies.

AFTER COMMENTS FROM MALDIVES, INDIAN CELEBS STAND UP TO BE COUNTED

A host of Indian actors and celebrities too took to social media to criticise the derogatory remarks. Actor Akshay Kumar said, “Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists. We are good to our neighbours but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate? I’ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to Explore Indian Islands and support our own tourism.”

Salman Khan, John Abraham, Shradha Kapoor and Sachin Tendulkar also posted photographs from their time in Lakshadweep or other Indian beach destinations.

Salman Khan said, “It is so cool to see our PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain.” Tendulkar, on the other hand, posted photographs from his recent trip to Sindhudurg, saying, “India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine islands. With our “Atithi Devo Bhava” philosophy, we have so much to explore, so many memories waiting to be created.”

“Boycott Maldives” also trended on social media with many users talking about cancelling their hotel bookings and flight tickets to Maldives over “the insult to PM Modi”.

According to statistics of the Maldivian Tourism Ministry, India held the top position as the primary source of tourists for the Maldives, while Russians constituted the second-largest group exploring the island country.

Former Maldivian sports minister Ahmed Maloof, while expressing concern “about the escalating situation regarding the sensitive comments about our closest neighbour”, said in a post on X: “Indians boycotting the Maldives would have a huge impact on our economy. It would be hard for us to recover from such a campaign.”

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy too encouraged Indians to visit Lakshadweep while highlighting the Union Territory’s tourism potential. “There is no need to visit New Zealand or Switzerland. Everything is in Lakshadweep,” he said.

ARREST TMC STRONGMAN, WB GOVERNOR TELLS POLICE

West Bengal’s ruling TMC entered into a war of words with Governor CV Ananda Bose after he expressed apprehensions that party leader Shahjahan Sheikh, the prime accused in the case of assault on ED officials last week, may have “crossed the border”.

“On receipt of a complaint in the Peace Room of Raj Bhavan that Sheikh is supported by some political leaders with the connivance of some police officers, Hon’ble Governor instructed the police chief to arrest the culprit forthwith and report compliance,” added the statement issued by Raj Bhavan late on Saturday night.

The statement from the Governor’s House also claimed it had received a complaint alleging Sheikh might have “crossed the border” and have “liaison with the terrorists” which should, be “enquired into immediately”.

“We don’t know the basis of his remarks. According to the Constitution, the Governor works in consultation with the state govt. He is not here to run a parallel govt,” countered TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. Both the Enforcement Directorate and family of the TMC leader filed police complaints against each other on Saturday.

West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Sunday described the ED as an “idiot” even as he accused the Mamata Banerjee govt of protecting criminals.

Chowdhury, who is also the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said, “Arre ED kya karega? ED khud idiot hain (What will ED do? ED is itself an idiot).”

“The ruling party in Bengal will look after him (Shahjahan). The ruling party in the state works to protect dangerous people in the party who indulge in criminal activities. This is a ‘look after’ govt,” he said. “So, what is the use of a lookout circular against such people?”

ON RAM TEMPLE CONSECRATION DAY, VHP PLANS CELEBRATIONS IN 55 COUNTRIES

Ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony, the VHP has planned celebrations not only in India but also overseas.

The organisation has planned massive congregations in 55 countries where prayers will be conducted in coordination with the January 22 consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

According to VHP Joint General Secretary Swami Vigyananand, who handles the organisation’s international affairs, VHP workers are going around towns among Hindu populations in foreign countries and asking them to gather for the event in the nearest temple.

MCAP CLUB 2023: TATA GROUP REMAINS NO 1; MURUGAPPA, JSW IN TOP 10

Tata Group remained India’s largest business conglomerate in market capitalisation in calendar year 2023 while the Mukesh Ambani camp raced ahead of the Adani businesses to become the second-largest.

The Tata companies ended 2023 with a combined group market capitalisation of Rs 28.68 trillion, up 35 per cent from the Rs 21.2 trillion at the end of December 2022. 

Ambani’s group mcap is Rs 19.42 trillion at the end of CY23, up 10.7 per cent from the Rs 17.6 trillion a year ago.

Adani Group slipped to third rank with Rs 14.2 trillion at the end of December 2023, down 27.8 per cent from the Rs 19.7 trillion a year ago. In calendar year 2022, Adani Group had overtaken the Mukesh Ambani camp to become the country’s second-largest in terms of market capitalisation. 

The numbers suggest the business groups with a major presence in automotive, engineering, capital goods, power, infrastructure and retail outperformed in CY23 while those in commodities, energy, and finance were laggards on a relative basis.

ROHIT SHARMA AND VIRAT KOHLI RETURN TO T20Is

After last playing a T20 international for India over a year ago, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made a comeback in the shorter format for the three-match series against Afghanistan, thus brightening their chances of playing the next T20 World Cup in June. Rohit and Virat had last played in the shortest format in November 2022, their last game being India’s semifinal loss during the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Rohit has been named skipper, a role all-rounder Hardik Pandya had stepped into after the last T20 World Cup. But with Hardik injured the selectors went back to Rohit.

The No.1 ranked T20 batsman, Suryakumar Yadav also missed out because of injury. Top order batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad was also unavailable for selection because of a fractured finger.

T20 World Cup to be played in the United States and West Indies in June. India have not won an ICC trophy since MS Dhoni captained the side to the Champions Trophy title in 2013.

While Rohit and Kohli have earned a call-up, KL Rahul has to wait for now. Rahul has played almost all T20 International games as an opener. But with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kohli and Rohit in the squad, the top order slots are taken. The selectors believe wicketkeepers Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson are better suited as finishers, so Rahul missed out on a slot down the order too. The upcoming IPL will serve as a shoot-out for the two wicket-keeper’s slots for the World Cup.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

What you get by reaching your goals is not nearly as important as what you become by reaching them. - Zig Ziglar

OFF TRACK

The drunken passenger staggered from deck to stateroom, sat down and peered through the porthole the entire afternoon. Finally he got up, turned his back, and mumbled, “What a lousy television show.”