Bizarre choices for Nobel Peace Prize made in past century: Cong after Pak, Israel nominate Trump
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday pointed out that Pakistan and Israel have proclaimed that they have nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025, and said that over the past century, there have been some bizarre choices for the coveted award while some omissions have been conspicuous.
The opposition party also recalled the nominations of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the Nobel Prize nominations archive is normally open only after 50 years, which means that, for instance, full information on all those nominated, along with their nominators, for the awards in 2025 will be made public only in 2075.
But nominators are free to make their choices public anytime, he said.
"The prime ministers of Pakistan and Israel have proudly proclaimed that they have nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025," Ramesh said.
In a different era, two prominent Indians had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, he said.
"Mahatma Gandhi was nominated 12 times for the Nobel Peace Prize between 1937 and 1948. Nine of these nominations came from those who were not Indians. Jawaharlal Nehru was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 13 times between 1950 and 1961. Of these, 10 nominations were from people and institutions not from India," Ramesh pointed out.
"Over the past century, there have been some bizarre choices for the Nobel Peace Prize, while some omissions have been conspicuous. Dr. Kissinger's choice in 1973, for instance, was hugely controversial," the Congress leader said.
The Pakistani government, in a surprise move last month, announced that it would nominate Trump for the prestigious award due to his self-proclaimed peacemaking efforts during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
A letter of recommendation, signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, has already been sent to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in Norway.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also reportedly nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in "forging peace".
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Intend to allow feeding of pigeons for 2 hours in morning at Dadar Kabutarkhana: BMC to HC
Mumbai, Aug 13 (PTI): The city civic body on Wednesday told the Bombay High Court it intends to allow controlled feeding of pigeons for two hours each morning at the Dadar Kabutarkhana subject to conditions.
A bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Arif Doctor, however, stated that before granting any such permission, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has to first issue a public notice inviting objections and then take a decision on allowing controlled feeding of the birds at the popular site in Dadar.
Since the BMC's decision to close kabutarkhanas (pigeon feeding spots) in the city and prohibit feeding of pigeons was in larger interest of public health, the sanctity of the same has to be maintained, the court noted, while hearing a bunch of petitions.
Last week, tarpaulin sheets were placed at the Dadar Kabutarkhana, a popular pigeon feeding site, by the BMC to prevent people from offering grains to the birds, a move which had led to protest during which the covers were forcibly removed by agitators.
Pursuant to this, a few individuals submitted an application to the BMC seeking interim arrangements for controlled feeding of the pigeons.
On Wednesday, BMC counsel Ram Apte told the court the civic body intends to permit controlled feeding of the birds from 6 am to 8 am subject to certain conditions.
The bench then questioned if the civic body had first invited objections to the application (seeking nod for controlled pigeon feeding) before taking its decision.
"You (BMC) cannot just allow feeding now once you have already taken a closure decision keeping public health in mind. You will have to take a well considered decision," the HC observed.
Once an application is received, you need to issue a notice and invite objections from people and then take a decision. Once you have taken a decision keeping people's health in mind then you need to maintain that sanctity, the bench affirmed.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday also submitted a list of 11 names to be part of a committee that would carry out a scientific study on the issue of pigeon feeding at public places and its impact on human health.
The court said the government shall notify the committee by August 20.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf, appearing for the state government, said the committee would comprise officials from state public health and town planning departments and medical experts.
The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by people who regularly feed pigeons at kabutarkhanas. The petitioners have challenged the civic body's decision to ban such feedings and close down kabutarkhanas in the metropolis over potential health hazards from the exercise.
The high court had last month refused to grant any interim relief to the petitioners, but had asked the civic authorities not to demolish any heritage kabutarkhanas. The court had also said the BMC could take action as per law against those feeding pigeons at public places.
The Supreme Court had earlier this week refused to intervene in the HC order.
Senior counsel Anil Sakhare, appearing for the petitioners who have sought permission to offer grains to pigeons at the Dadar Kabutarkhana, said once the BMC takes a decision permitting controlled feeding, then they would move the HC seeking modification of the earlier order refusing interim relief.
