Amidst chances of contest for Deputy Chairman's post, government nominates four to Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, July 14 : Ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, the government on Saturday nominated four personalities including classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha, to the Rajya Sabha.
The other two are eminent sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra and Dalit activist and former MP Ram Shakal.
Rakesh Sinha, who represents the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) point of view in TV debates, is the Founder and Director of the Delhi-based think-tank ‘India Policy Foundation'. He is an Associate Professor in Motilal Nehru College, Delhi University. Sinha is also currently a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research.
Mansingh is among India's foremost exponents of the Bharat Natyam and Odissi dance forms. She is also a well-known choreographer, teacher, orator and social activist.
Mohapatra is an internationally renowned authority on stone carving. He has contributed to the preservation of traditional sculpture and ancient monuments, and has worked on the beautification of the Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri.
His famous works include a six feet high statue of the Sun God carved in grey sandstone in the Central Hall of Parliament; and the Wooden Buddha, Buddha Temple, Paris.
Shakal, a three-time MP and farmer leader from Uttar Pradesh, is known widely respected for championing the cause of labourers, migrants and the Dalit community.
The Rajya Sabha is set to elect its Deputy Chairman in the coming session and there are chances of a contest between the opposition and government candidates. The post fell vacant vacant after the retirement of P.J. Kurien on July 1.
While on the one hand the government has been trying to avoid a contest, it is also making behind the curtain preparations for a possible contest.
The vacancies for the Rajya Sabha seats arose following the retirement of actress Rekha and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar among others.
Under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution provides that the President can nominate to the Rajya Sabha 12 persons with special knowledge, or practical experience in respect of literature, science, art and social service. There were currently eight nominated members in the Rajya Sabha.
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Stop atrocities on Hindus immediately, release ISKCON monk from jail: RSS to Bangladesh interim govt
New Delhi (PTI): The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday appealed to the Bangladesh interim government to ensure the atrocities on the Hindus are stopped and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das is released from jail immediately.
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in a statement also appealed to the Indian government to continue its efforts to stop the atrocities on the Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and take necessary steps to build global opinion in its support "as soon as possible".
"The attacks, murders, looting, arson as well as inhuman atrocities by Islamic fundamentalists on Hindus, women and all other minorities in Bangladesh are extremely worrying and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh condemns this," he said.
Instead of stopping this, the present Bangladesh government and other agencies are only silent spectators, Hosabale said.
"Out of helplessness, a new phase of injustice and atrocities seems to be emerging against the Hindus of Bangladesh to suppress the voice raised by them in a democratic way for self-defense," the RSS general secretary said.
"It is unjust for the Bangladesh government to send ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is leading the Hindus in such peaceful demonstrations, to jail," he added
Bangladesh Police earlier on Monday arrested International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka while he was travelling to Chittagong.
"The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh appeals to the Bangladesh government to ensure that the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh stop immediately and release Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das from imprisonment," Hosabale said.
"The RSS also appeals to the Indian government to continue its efforts to stop the atrocities on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and take necessary steps as soon as possible to build global opinion in its support," he added.
At this crucial time, the RSS general secretary said, India and the global community and institutions should stand with the victims of Bangladesh and express their support, and demand that their respective governments make every possible effort to ensure that atrocities on the Hindus and other minorities are stopped in Bangladesh immediately.
This is necessary for world peace and brotherhood, he added.
