Congress explains Gandhi family's absence during immersion of Manmohan Singh’s ashes
New Delhi: The Congress party has addressed BJP’s criticism over the absence of top party leaders during the immersion of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ashes. In a statement released on Monday, AICC media and publicity chairperson Pawan Khera explained that the decision was made out of respect for the family’s privacy during the emotional ceremony.
"Senior Congress leaders did not accompany the family to gather and immerse the ashes of Manmohan Singh ji out of our deference to the privacy of the family," the statement read. It further noted that Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had met Singh’s family after his cremation and agreed to provide them privacy for the rituals, particularly as some family members had not been able to attend the cremation.
The ashes were immersed in the Yamuna River near Majnu ka Tila Gurdwara on Sunday in accordance with Sikh rituals. Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaur, and daughters, Upinder, Daman, and Amrit Singh, along with other family members, were present for the ceremony.
The BJP criticised the Gandhi family’s absence. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya called it "truly shameful" and accused Congress leaders of being present only for media attention. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also expressed disappointment, stating, "Manmohan Singh is highly respected, but today, when there were no cameras, no one from Congress or the Gandhi family was present."
Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s 13th Prime Minister, passed away on December 26 at AIIMS Delhi at the age of 92 due to age-related complications. His cremation was held at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi, attended by senior political leaders and dignitaries.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
