Poster banning celebration with colours at Shantiniketan sparks quarrel between TMC, BJP
Kolkata: A social media post of a photo of a poster banning celebration with colours at Rabindranath Tagore’s residence, Shantiniketan, has given rise to a battle of words between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the backdrop of Holi.
The poster, which in Bengali, states, “Reserved forest area: Playing with colours, car parking, videography and drone camera usage are prohibited.”
While the BJP has expressed ire, stating the TMC has banned celebrations at Sonajhuri Haat, the government has insisted that it only aims at preserving greenery, reports NDTV.
Leader of the Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has accused the government of attempting to appease certain communities repeatedly while stopping Hindus from celebrating their festivals. Pointing out that Holi was being celebrated in the month of Ramadan, which was special for one community, and that the festival occurred on a Friday, he said that, for the first time, meetings were held this year at every police station for Holi. In addition, the BJP leader accused the police of declaring openly that Holi should not be celebrated and colours should not be used, adding that the police had threatened to arrest people who violated the instructions.
The State Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda, however, has denied the charges of the BJP, and clarified that there are no restrictions on playing Holi at Sonajhuri.
Further, she accused the BJP of trying to politicize the matter, stating that the government was requesting the people to preserve nature. “There is no restriction and if anyone wants to play Holi, they can. The BJP is doing this as it has no other issue but to do politics,” the minister stated.
Hansda said that he had sought a report from the District Forest Officer and that an enquiry on the matter underway.
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Former Aussie spinner MacGill convicted in cocaine case
Sydney, Mar 13 (PTI): Former Australian spinner Stuart MacGill was found guilty of involvement in a cocaine deal on Thursday, but cleared of participating in large-scale drug supply.
A Sydney District Court jury acquitted the 54-year-old leg-spinner of facilitating a one-kg cocaine deal worth AUD 330,000 in April 2021.
However, he was convicted of the charge of taking part in drug supply.
MacGill, who played 44 Tests for Australia, "showed little emotion" as the verdict was read, according to a reports in Australian media.
Hearing of his sentence was adjourned for eight weeks.
The court heard that MacGill introduced his regular drug dealer to his brother-in-law, Marino Sotiropoulos, at a meeting under his restaurant on Sydney’s north shore.
While he denied knowledge of the transaction, prosecutors argued the deal could not have taken place without his involvement.
