Kerala CM Confirms Another Woman Under 50 Years of Age Prayed at Sabarimala, takes dig at BJP & RSS
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 4: Taking a dig at BJP and the RSS, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Friday asked why they had not called for a hartal after one more woman offered prayers at Sabarimala.
He alleged that the Sangh Parivar forces were trying to destroy the peace and unity in the state to project a picture of Kerala boiling with issues.
"They called for a hartal and unleashed violence when two women entered the shrine. Now one more woman has gone there.
Why have they not called for a hartal?," Vijayan asked adding that more women may enter the shrine and sought to know whether these organisations would call for a hartal every time this occurred.
Vijayan, while speaking after inaugurating a party office near here, also said that some (Sangh Parivar) leaders had claimed that they would commit suicide if a woman enters the shrine.
"We don't want anyone to commit suicide. They are making fun of themselves," Chief Minister said.
Vijayan said that people who want to protect the progressive values in the state are in the majority.
"The state thinks that way. The state wants to move forward in the way of development. Any efforts to drag it back cannot be allowed," he said.
Vijayan also said that people must "isolate" all those forces which try to disrupt the state's peace and unity.
"The Sangh Parivar has been attacking CPI offices across the state.
Be it the CPI, the CPI(M) or the LDF,they all exist to protect secularism and progressive mentality of the state.
They are trying to destroy these values. They are trying to destroy those protectors," Vijayan said.
Kerala was not going to 'tremble' at such threats, especially when the Left organisations have already dealt with them (threats) in the past, the Chief Minister said.
"We faced the worst floods in 100 years. We are trying to rebuild our state. A rejuvenated Kerala...a new Kerala.We need that unity which we showcased during floods," he said.
They (Sangh Parivar) are trying to destroy that. Do not fall for their tricks", he said.
Kerala has been on the boil since Wednesday afternoon after two women of menstrual age entered the hilltop shrine.
Widespread violence marred the state in the hartal called by right-wing groups on Thursday
So far 1,718 people have been arrested in connection with the violence in the last two days and 1,108 cases registered till this evening.
As many as 1,009 people have been taken into preventive custody.
In the violence, 174 people, including 132 police personnel and 10 media persons were injured.
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
