Suratkal: A rare and visually appealing fish known as the 'Spotted Moray Eels' was discovered dead near Suratkal Beach. Scientifically named Gymnothorax moringa, it is locally referred to as the Aroli fish. With its distinctive black spots, this fish resembles a mirrored snake and is considered highly attractive.

The Spotted Moray Eels typically exhibit a red coloration. However, the presence of this spotted variation is uncommon in the local area. These fish are usually found in habitats such as coral reefs near islands.

Rajesh KM, a scientist from the Mangalore Regional Center of the Mangalore Marine Fisheries Research Institute, suggested that the fish may have washed ashore due to the turbulent sea waves.

Typically, this species of fish can grow up to 60cm in length and weigh a maximum of 2.51 kg. Spotted Moray Eels are known to live solitary lives and inhabit tropical waters, often migrating to lay their eggs.

In the Tulu language, this fish is known as Marancha fish. It is seldom caught in rocky areas and possesses sharp teeth. Local fishermen have stated that the fish is not commonly consumed by locals.

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Mumbai, Apr 4 (PTI): Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Friday said Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was a sign of his helplessness for power and shows the hypocrisy of his politics.

He also said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's ploy to intimidate the Muslim community and seize thousands of acres of land.

The contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament. The bill aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar supported the bill in Parliament.

"Ajit Pawar's support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a sign of his helplessness for power. His secular mask has been exposed and he has betrayed the Muslim community," Sapkal told reporters.

Despite joining the government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ajit Pawar and his NCP claimed they had not abandoned the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. However, their true face has now been exposed, he alleged.

By supporting the BJP-led government's Waqf Bill, Ajit Pawar has completely surrendered to the BJP for the sake of power. He not only betrayed his uncle, Sharad Pawar, by taking the party's name and symbol with the BJP's help, but also aligned himself with communal forces for power, the Congress leader hit out at the deputy CM.

"Ajit Pawar continues to claim that his participation in the Mahayuti government is for the sake of development and that he has not abandoned the progressive ideals. However, his actions tell a different story," he said.

"At an Iftar party, he made bold declarations that those harassing the Muslim community would not be spared or forgiven. But within a few days, his NCP faction supported the Waqf Bill, thereby betraying the Muslim community," he said.

The bill is nothing more than a ploy by the BJP government to intimidate the Muslim community and seize thousands of acres of land, he said.

The BJP government has already set a course to hand over key properties, including those in Dharavi, to a particular industrialist. After acquiring Waqf lands, this government will hand them over to their favoured business tycoons. Ajit Pawar, a senior leader, is fully aware of this, yet he is unable to stay away from power. He has bowed before the BJP and supported the bill, Sapkal alleged.

"Ajit Pawar's actions reveal the hypocrisy of his politics. What he preaches and what he practices is entirely different. People must recognise this deception and stay alert," he warned.