Video shows BJP MLA kicking woman, says it was self defense
AHMEDABAD: A video of Naroda BJP MLA Balram Thawani kicking a woman — a ward-in-charge of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — after she had fallen on the ground went viral on Sunday. Thawani and his aides are seen beating the woman, Nitu Tejwani, during a scuffle. Apparently, the woman had gone to Thawani’s office in Kubernagar area and threatened to sit on dharna outside his office if two days time was not given to some affected residences and offices before their water supply line was cut. The local BJP councillor, Balaram’s brother Kishor Thawani had last week gone to supervise the disconnection of an allegedly illegal water connection near Maya Cinema, from where the dispute had started. Allegedly, Kishor had heckled a person who was shooting a video of his actions.
Thawani did not deny that the incident had taken place. “I had not intended to do so, but I was heckled by a group and while defending myself, I kicked her by mistake,” Thawani said. The video shows Thawani in an orange kurta kicking the woman. Another person in a white kurta, besides Thawani is seen slapping the woman. Allegedly Nitu’s husband, Rajesh Tejwani was also heckled by Thawani’s men.
On Sunday, Nitu had gone to meet Thawani and had decided to sit on a dharna outside his office. “I had gone there to seek two days’ time from the MLA before the water supply line was cut,” said Nitu. “But soon Thawani and his men resorted to force to evict us. We were slapped , some even came with hockey sticks. I felt humiliated,” she said.
गुजरात के विद्यायक महिला को लाते मारते हुए :
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) June 2, 2019
अहमदाबाद के नरोडा ईलाके में पानी की किल्लत की शिकायत करने गई एक महिला को गुजरात भाजपा के 'माननीय' विधायक बलराम थावानी ने खुलेआम बेरहमी के साथ पिटा ! @dgpgujarat, @AhmedabadPolice आप तुरंत गिरफ्तारी कीजिए! यह हरगिज नहीं चलेगा! pic.twitter.com/6mV7EmC6KV
DCP Zone 4 Neeraj Badgujar told TOI, “I have seen the video on a news channel and I am yet to receive a formal a complaint in this issue.”
Thawani, however, said that he had already requested the Meghaninagar police inspector for intervention as the woman and 25 others had planned to sit on a dharna outside his office. “I had already informed Meghaninagar PI regarding the protest,” Thawani said.
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SSLC exam begins in Kerala; Education Minister wishes students success
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The SSLC (Class X) examination commenced in schools across Kerala on Thursday.
Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty wished students appearing for the SSLC examinations success and urged them to approach the tests with confidence.
Apart from the SSLC examination, the Plus One examination also commenced on Thursday, while the Plus Two examination will begin on Friday.
As many as 4,17,497 students are appearing for the SSLC examination, which is being held at 3,047 centres.
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A total of 633 students have registered for the SSLC examination from the Lakshadweep region.
Similarly, 633 students have registered for the SSLC examination in the Gulf region, where the examination has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The examination will conclude on March 30.
According to the Education Department, valuation camps for the exam papers will be held from April 7 to April 28, and the results are expected to be declared in May.
Sivankutty, in a Facebook post, said examinations should not be viewed with anxiety but as an opportunity to express the knowledge students have acquired.
Noting that students are appearing for the exams after completing their studies with revised textbooks based on the New Curriculum Framework 2023, introduced after a gap of 11 years, the minister said the new evaluation system aims to assess 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, analytical ability and creativity.
He also assured students that there are no changes in the examination structure this year and cautioned them against attempts by some people to deliberately spread fear in connection with the exams, urging them to reject such messages with discretion.
He reminded students that the Class 10 examination is only a qualifying test for higher studies and that the government has ensured Plus One seats for all students in Kerala.
The minister further urged students to prioritise their physical and mental health during the exam period by maintaining proper sleep and food habits.
“This is not the last examination in life. A world of opportunities lies ahead of you. Enter the examination hall with a calm mind,” he said, wishing all students success.
As many as 4,11,025 students have registered for the Higher Secondary (Plus One) examination and 4,52,437 students for the Higher Secondary (Plus Two) examination, which will conclude on March 28.
