'MAKE RAHUL PRESIDENT AGAIN' CHORUS GROWS LOUDER IN CONGRESS

The 'Make Rahul Gandhi All India Congress Committee president again' chorus is growing louder in the Congress with half a dozen state units so far seeking his elevation to the top post, even as uncertainty and suspense persisted over whether he would take on the mantle.

After Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat units of the Congress urged that Gandhi be made the party chief, the Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Bihar units also passed resolutions on Monday.

This comes days after the party said the Pradesh Congress Committee delegates would pass resolutions authorising the incoming Congress president to appoint state chiefs and AICC delegates.

Along with the resolution on appointing state chiefs and AICC delegates, the state units are, one after another, also passing resolutions seeking Gandhi's elevation to the top post.

While some political analysts see the passing of such resolutions as an initiative to reaffirm loyalty to the Gandhi family, others see it as a genuine attempt to convince Rahul Gandhi to take on the party reins. Similar resolutions were passed in 2017 before Rahul Gandhi was elevated as the Congress president. He, however, stepped down in 2019 after the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.

Amid hectic efforts and appeals to convince him again take charge as the party president, Gandhi said earlier in September that he had made his decision on whether he would take up the party presidency but did not divulge his plans. He even asserted that he would give his reasons if he did not contest the upcoming election for the post.

With his cryptic remarks, the suspense over who would be the next president of the grand old party has intensified.

Adding to the buzz over the possibility of his contesting Congress president polls, Tharoor on Monday endorsed a petition by a group of young party members seeking "constructive reforms" and met AICC chief Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. The petition shared by Tharoor on Twitter sought reforms and a pledge by AICC president candidates to implement the Udaipur Declaration in its entirety if elected. The former Union minister said it had been signed by over 650 people so far.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday favoured a consensus for the post of the AICC chief. He asserted that Rahul Gandhi would always have a 'pre-eminent place' in the party irrespective of whether he was the president or not as he was the 'acknowledged leader' of the rank and file.

Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh has also batted for a 'consensus' in selecting the new AICC chief and sought to uphold the 'prominence' of the Nehru-Gandhi family in organisational matters in any sort of emerging situation.

NO INTENT TO HARM INDIA’S SECURITY INTERESTS, SAYS LANKA ENVOY

Sri Lanka on Monday said the episode regarding the docking of a Chinese research ship at Hambantota Port is a lesson on the need for close cooperation and coordination with India.

“Definitely there was no intention of (undermining). India’s security interests are our own security interests… the President made this clear recently.. that understanding is there…. It’s a question of how we implement it… this is a process,” said Sri Lanka High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda.

“Approval for the docking of the Chinese ship was granted at a time when we were in a state of chaos and having granted it there was an issue in withdrawing it… the lesson we learnt is that we need to have very close cooperation and coordination with India,’’ he said while speaking at the Indian Women’s Press Corps. “We are also now planning to change the way these clearances are given. Earlier it was just an administrative clearance,” he added.

The envoy admitted that it is a challenge to balance relations with different countries but “India is the anchor for us for security. When it comes to security, India is the main provider. There is no dispute at all. We also recognise that this is a complex period … We have learned from this experience and we will correct ourselves.”

“Rajapaksa used to always say China is a very very close friend but India is our brother and sister…. Within a family u can have quarrels but finally it is your family,” he observed.

As lots of technologies are dual purpose, Sri Lanka needs to have a better understanding, said the envoy, adding that it was trying to take India’s help to develop a framework.

HURRIYAT FINISHED, MILITANCY IS ON CRUTCHES, SAYS J-K DGP

The separatist Hurriyat Conference is finished in Jammu and Kashmir but attempts are being made to keep it alive from Pakistan, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said on Monday, adding that the militancy in the region is ”on crutches”.

He also said that most of the madrasas (Islamic seminaries) are doing a good job but a tight vigil is being maintained on such institutions whose students have become militants in the past.

”Hurriyat (Conference) is finished in Jammu and Kashmir. To keep it alive, its chapter was opened in Pakistan and they are giving bandh calls from there,” the police chief told reporters on the sidelines of a cricket tournament organised by police for local youths in Kishtwar district.

He said the people gave a ”tight slap” on their face by rejecting their bandh calls, which was evident from the fact that there was no strike on August 5 (the third anniversary of revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two Union territories) and August 15.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace and they have understood the criminal folly of Pakistan which is trying to instigate the youths against their own country. ”Pakistan is misusing social media which is under watch 24x7 and we are frustrating their designs,” Singh said.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / Sep 19

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Sunday 4,850

Active Cases 45,440 (+1,05)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,28,355 (10)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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QUEEN LAID TO REST

Huge crowds gathered in London to watch as the queen's flag-draped coffin, topped with the Imperial State Crown, her orb and sceptre, was carried slowly to a gun carriage from parliament's Westminster Hall where it had lain in state since Wednesday.

To the tune of pipes and drums, the gun carriage -- used at every state funeral since Queen Victoria's in 1901 -- was then drawn by 142 junior enlisted sailors in the Royal Navy to Westminster Abbey.

The thousand-year-old church's tenor bell tolled 96 times at one-minute intervals -- one for every year of her life -- and stopped a minute before the service began at 11:00 am.

"The Queen was buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh," a statement said, referring to her husband of 73 years Prince Philip who died last year.

BIDEN VOWS TO DEFEND TAIWAN; CHINA HITS BACK

US President Joe Biden said US forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, his most explicit statement on the issue, drawing an angry response from China that said it sent the wrong signal to those seeking an independent Taiwan. Asked in CBS interview broadcast on Sunday whether US forces would defend the democratically governed island claimed by China, he replied: “Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack. ”

Asked to clarify if he meant that unlike in Ukraine, US forces — American men and women — would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden replied: “Yes. ”

The interview was just the latest time that Biden has appeared to go beyond long-standing stated US policy on Taiwan, but his statement was clearer than previous ones about committing US troops to the defend the island.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Biden’s comments sent a “seriously wrong signal’ to separatists forces for Taiwan independence. China was “strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed” to Biden’s comments and had lodged a formal complaint over it, she said, warning that China reserves the right to take all necessary measures to counter separatism.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed its thanks to Biden for his reaffirming of “US government’s rock-solid security commitmetn”. Taiwan will continue to strengthen self-defence capabilities, it said.

THE REST

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FORMER PUNJAB CM AMARINDER SINGH JOINS BJP

Former Punjab chief minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, joined BJP on Monday and merged his Punjab Lok Congress, the party he had floated last year before the state Assembly polls, with the saffron party.

Stating that “we have seen the Congress for many years”, Amarinder said on the occasion, “Now it is time to go to a party that is looking after the interests of the country. And that is BJP.”

Amarinder’s wife Preneet Kaur currently represents Patiala as a Congress MP. Asked by the media about Kaur continuing with his old party, he said on a lighter note, “Is it necessary what the husband does the wife is also supposed to do?”

MAMATA 'DOESN'T BELIEVE' PM IS BEHIND MISUSE OF CBI, ED

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she doesn't believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is behind the alleged excesses of central agencies in the state and blamed a section of the BJP leaders for misusing them to serve their interests.

Banerjee, who was speaking on a resolution in the assembly against the 'excesses' of the central probe agencies, urged the prime minister to ensure that the agenda of the union government and the interests of his party do not get mixed up.

The BJP opposed the resolution which was later passed by the assembly.

"The present union government is behaving in a dictatorial way. This resolution is not against anyone in particular, but against the biased functioning of the central agencies," Banerjee said.

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said such a 'resolution against the CBI and ED is against the rules and regulations of the assembly.

PUNJAB OPPN ALLEGES A DRUNK BHAGWANT MANN WAS DEPLANED IN FRANKFURT

Reports that Bhagwant Mann was removed from a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Delhi because he was drunk have triggered a huge outcry with opposition parties saying the Punjab Chief Minister has "shamed Punjabis" across the world.

On Sunday, Bhagwant Mann was to take the 1.40 pm flight from Frankfurt, which was already delayed. The flight finally took off at 4.30 pm. Mr Mann reportedly took a different flight, in the early hours of Monday.

Mr Mann's aides say he delayed his return to Delhi as he was unwell. His party AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) has accused the opposition of "spreading propaganda".

"Disturbing media reports quoting co-passengers say Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was deplaned from a Lufthansa flight as he was too drunk to walk. And it led to a 4-hour flight delay. He missed AAP's national convention. These reports have embarrassed and shamed Punjabis all over the globe," tweeted Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The Congress tweeted the news report that quoted a passenger on the Delhi-bound Lufthansa flight in Frankfurt as saying that the Chief Minister was drunk. Mr Mann "was not steady on his feet as he had imbibed excessive alcohol and had to be supported by his wife and security personnel accompanying him," the passenger was quoted as saying.

The airline's statement said: "Our flight from Frankfurt to Delhi departed later than originally planned due to a delayed inbound flight and an aircraft change. For data protection reasons we do not provide any information regarding individual passengers."

CONG CHIEF IN HIMACHAL SPEAKS HER MIND

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi don’t give importance and time to senior Congress leaders, which is why dissatisfaction is growing within the party, says Himachal Congress president Pratibha Singh, who is supervising the party’s campaign for the state election due in November.

The wife of the late former Himachal chief minister Virbhadra Singh, added that “Rahul Gandhi needs to learn political manoeuvres and how to address the generation gap in the Congress”.

When asked whether Rahul should again take charge of the Congress, Singh said: “It is up to Rahulji whether he wants to devote time to the party, or wants to do other things in life. It is for him to decide. In case he doesn’t want to devote time, there are many leaders and stalwarts in the party who can fill that space.”

HEARING ON HIJAB ROW: BAN PART OF PATTERN TO MARGINALISE MINORITIES, SC TOLD

Muslim appellants who have challenged the Karnataka hijab ban told the Supreme Court on Monday that the “directive” against wearing the apparel in schools is “part of…pattern…to marginalise minority communities”.

“This is not about uniform…by series of acts of commission and acts of omission that have happened, unfortunately…I’m not blaming any individual or anything, but these acts of commission and omission show that there is a pattern to marginalise the minority communities. Part of this pattern is this directive,” senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing some of the appellants, told a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

Dave said what was done is “malice in law”. “You are passing this resolution ostensibly saying uniform. Actually it’s for some other purpose. The whole idea is that how do I tell the minority community that you are not allowed to profess your beliefs, your are not allowed to follow your conscience. You will do what I tell you to do.”

He asked if wearing of hijab threatens the unity and integrity of India.

Justice Dhulia responded, “Nobody is saying that. Even the (High Court) judgment does not (say that).”

The arguments remained inconclusive and will continue Tuesday.

TEMPLE ATTACKED IN UK DAYS AFTER INDIA-PAKISTAN ASIA CUP TIE

A temple was attacked and a flag atop it was taken down and burnt amid clashes between two communities in the eastern England city of Leicester on Sunday.

There have been reports of tension between Hindu and Muslim groups in the city since fans clashed after India won the Asia Cup T20 match against Pakistan on August 28.

The Indian High Commission in London strongly condemned the violence against the Indian community and the vandalisation of the premises and symbols of Hindu religion.

Both communities have their own version of story and called each other the aggressor.

ALL-WOMEN SIT TO PROBE CHANDIGARH UNIVERSITY VIDEO CLIP ROW

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Monday set up a three-member all-women special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations levelled by students of Chandigarh University that a hosteller had recorded objectionable videos of girl students in the common washroom.

“The team will thoroughly probe the case and no person involved will be spared,” Yadav said, adding, “Investigations are going on at full pace.”

Following assurances of a fair and transparent probe by the police, the students ended their protest around 1.30 am on Monday. The university has announced “non-teaching days” till September 24.

GOLD MAKEOVER OF KEDARNATH TEMPLE FACES PRIESTS’ RESISTANCE

The Badri Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) and Uttarakhand government’s decision to replace silver plates covering the walls of Kedarnath’s sanctum sanctorum with gold donated by a “mysterious” Mumbai-based businessman is facing opposition by some local priests.

The decision was taken by the BKTC and approved by the state government after a businessman offered to donated 230 kg gold to the temple, saying it was his “long-time wish” to see the walls of Kedarnath’s sanctum sanctorum covered in gold. A few local priests oppose the move, claiming gold is a symbol of wealth and worldly pleasure and is against the ancient values of the temple, which symbolises detachment from physical world.

Santosh Trivedi, vice-president, Char Dham Tirth Purohit Samaj (a body of Char Dham pilgrimage priests), said , “For centuries, our lord is in the form of stones and ‘praan pratishtha’ is done there. Adding gold plates might be an important renovation for the world but for Lord Shiva it is just like a plastic surgery. Kedarnath is the Moksha Dhaam (place of salvation) and symbolises vairagya (detachment). Lord Shiva left everything to come to Himalayas… there is no need of gold or anything materialistic.”

DEATH PENALTY: CONSTITUTION BENCH TO FRAME RULES ON MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES

Noting that there was a clear conflict of opinion by two sets of three-judge Bench decisions on mitigating circumstances to be considered while imposing death penalty, the Supreme Court on Monday referred the issue to a five-judge Constitution Bench.

“This court is of the opinion that it is necessary to have clarity on the matter to ensure a uniform approach on the question of granting real and meaningful opportunity, as opposed to a formal hearing, to the accused/convict on the issue of sentence,” a three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said.

Writing the judgment for the Bench, Justice Bhat said, “It is also a fact that in all cases where imposition of capital punishment is a choice of sentence, aggravating circumstances would always be on record, and would be part of the prosecution’s evidence, leading to conviction, whereas the accused can scarcely be expected to place mitigating circumstances on record for the reason that the stage for doing so is after conviction. This places the convict at a hopeless disadvantage, tilting the scales heavily against him.”

Earlier, a five-judge Constitution Bench had in Bachan Singh’s case (1980) upheld the constitutionality of death penalty and propounded the “rarest of rare” doctrine for sending murder convicts to the gallows. But there is no statutory definition of “rarest of rare” and it depends upon facts and circumstances of a particular case.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Serving God is doing good to man, but praying is thought an easier service and therefore more generally chosen. - Benjamin Franklin

OFF TRACK

A woman with 14 children, ranging in age from one to fourteen, went to court to sue her husband for divorce on grounds of desertion.

"When did he leave you?" the judge asked.

"Thirteen years ago," the tired mother replied.

The judge was confused, "Well, if he left thirteen years ago, where did all these children come from?"

"Well," said the woman, "he kept coming back to say he was sorry."