Rajnath Singh and other NDA functionaries arrive for the floor leaders meet at Parliament House on Sunday (Photo credit: ANI)

NEW DELHI: The prospect of disruption looms over an already truncated winter session of Parliament as a united opposition on Sunday pressed for a discussion on SIR, an issue that had all but washed out the previous session, as govt remained non-committal to its demand.At an all-party meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, Congress and a host of other opposition parties also sought debate on several other issues, including national security following the Delhi blast, and rising air pollution, but the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls emerged as their rallying point.Ram Gopal Yadav of SP, whose contingent of 37 Lok Sabha members is the second largest in the opposition, sent out an ominous message as the 19-day session covering 15 sitting begins Monday. “We will not allow Parliament to function if a discussion is not held on SIR,” he said, alleging the review of rolls is marred by irregularities and that some booth-level officers ended their lives due to stress. Many SP lawmakers, including him, have been put on “C category” (requiring more documentation), as a targeted segment of voters is being deleted from rolls, he claimed.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told the opposition that he would get back to them on their demand after consulting key govt functionaries, but gave no assurance. Rijiju had in the last session cited a ruling by then LS Speaker Balram Jakhar in 1988, when Congress was in office, that the House could not debate decisions and functioning of Election Commission to reject opposition’s demand for a discussion on SIR.The opposition’s protest had washed out LS and Rajya Sabha proceedings, except for a discussion on Operation Sindoor, in that session.At Sunday’s meeting, BJP ally and JDU working president Sanjay Jha made light of the opposition’s case against SIR by highlighting that its strident stand cut little ice with people in Bihar, the first state where it was carried out, and no voter or political party came forward with any official complaint.In the meeting attended by 50 representatives from 36 parties, govt shared 14 items, including 13 bills, of its tentative agenda and sought the opposition’s support. Rijiju conveyed govt’s keenness on a discussion of Vande Mataram, the national song whose 150th anniversary was observed with much fervour recently by BJP-led NDA.Congress later held a strategy meet of its key leaders with sources saying the party was veering to the stand that the demand for a SIR discussion was non-negotiable.In business advisory meetings of LS and RS, in which govt and opposition functionaries work out Parliament’s agenda, the deadlock remained. Some opposition members, including CPM’s John Brittas, suggested a short-duration discussion on electoral reforms to get around govt’s unwillingness to discuss SIR as the issue can also cover the ongoing exercise in 12 states and UTs.

Operators DIAL and MIAL have challenged a TDSAT verdict striking down their hypothetical regulatory asset base (HRAB) claim, which refers to the capital value of the assets used to calculate the costs of the regulated services, for the first two years of these airports during PPP era, which started about 20 years ago

NEW DELHI: As a Rs 50,000-crore sword hangs over air travellers at Delhi and Mumbai airports, the Centre has decided to back passengers in an old legal battle between airport operators and the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), which has now reachedSupreme Court, where the matter will be heard on Dec 3.The case relates to “hypothetical regulatory asset base (HRAB)”, the capital value of the assets used to calculate the costs of the regulated services, for the first two years of these airports during the PPP era, which started about 20 years ago.

After a protracted legal battle followed by the recent Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) judgment, the case has now reached SC, where the two operators of the Delhi and Mumbai airports, DIAL and MIAL, have challenged the tribunal’s order striking down theirRs 50,000-crore HRAB claim.“Aviation ministry is going to back AERA in this case as the implications of fares on air travellers are immense. If the private operators of Delhi and Mumbai airports win the case, we are looking at about Rs 50,000 crore getting due to these two operators, which could mean a manifold hike in both user development fees (UDF) paid directly by passengers, and airline landing and parking charges that air carriers factor in while calculating airfares. Overall, the burden for passengers could increase majorly. So, govt has decided to back AERA completely,” officials said, adding UDF alone could rise by about nine times in Delhi and 21 times in Mumbai.Civil aviation ministry estimates domestic UDF at Delhi could rise from Rs 129 by almost 10 times to Rs 1,261, and at Mumbai from Rs 175 by 22 times to Rs 3,856.In early 2006, Delhi and Mumbai airports were handed over to private players for being developed in PPP (public private partnership) mode. Until then, the state-run Airports Authority of India used to have common charges for all its airports.AERA, which determines tariffs for major airports, came into being in mid-2009. “The dispute essentially is for the period between the airports being handed over to GMR Group in Delhi and the then GVK Group in Mumbai, and the time when AERA started deciding aeronautical tariffs. If this amount of Rs 50,000 crore becomes due to the developers, the same will be recovered through passengers paying more, and this has to be fought tooth and nail legally. Aviation ministry will do just that,” said sources.“DIAL and MIAL want a much higher value of assets they got in 2006. What were the assets that time at the two ariports? Run-down terminals barely worth a few hundred crores. They want value of non-aero assets to be added in the regulatory asset base. If that happens and value of non-aero development like hotels, malls and other commercial development is added, the entire model of brownfield airport development will go for a toss as it will come too expensive for users,” officials said.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah (File photo)

SRINAGAR: J&K chief minister’s Omar Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) has foregrounded a recently adopted resolution for restoration of special status, seeking to blunt claims that the party has jettisoned a core issue and is cosying up to BJP.Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar stressed the resolution, passed on Nov 28 at NC’s working committee — its highest decision-making body –was a message to all that the party’s ideological position remains unchanged.“In the working committee meeting, party legislators stressed that we must not be seen as giving up on our political agenda of restoring the special status under Article 370. The resolution reaffirms our commitment to special status. It reflects the dominant sentiment within the party,” Dar told TOI.The resolution states that “the working committee unanimously reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the restoration of J&K’s special status”, adding the issue is central to aspirations and dignity of the people and must be addressed without further delay. “The party will continue its principled fight for its full restoration.”NC also urged the Centre to immediately restore full statehood to J&K, as “promised on the floor of Parliament, repeatedly affirmed in public domain, and noted by Supreme Court”.NC’s manifesto for the 2024 polls had vowed to strive for restoration of “Article 370 and statehood as prior to Aug 5, 2019” — when the Centre abrogated the special status and turned J&K into a Union territory.On Nov 6 last year, weeks after NC was voted to office, J&K assembly passed a resolution seeking special status. Later, NC was accused by one of its own MPs, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, and opposition PDP of giving up on Article 370 and concentrating on “restoration of statehood”.Dar said several legislators in the working committee meeting pushed for protests in Delhi to press for statehood, citing difficulties they face at the ground level in getting developmental work executed. But the leadership decided to wait at this stage. “The party expects the Centre to restore statehood as promised in Supreme Court and Parliament,” Dar said.Another NC functionary, Salman Sagar, underscored concerns about attempts to link the party with BJP and the need to counter such narratives firmly.“Central govt and BJP are two different things. As a border state, maintaining a working and cordial relationship with Centre is necessary. But that does not mean we are aligned with BJP. CM (Omar) has made it clear we will never partner with BJP. He reiterated this in the working committee meeting, too. We have decided to challenge any narrative that seeks to portray NC as BJP-friendly. We will fight this narrative war,” Sagar said.

India sends approx 10 tons of disaster response supplies to Sri Lanka (@DrSJaishankar)

NEW DELHI: The Death toll caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka is now confirmed at at least 334, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported on Sunday. Nearly 400 people remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of the disaster.As appeal for assistance from international agencies to help manage the crisis and support affected populations continues, external affairs minister S Jaishankar noted another 10 tons of disaster response aid being supplied to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu.“Another @IAF_MCC C130J carrying approx 10 tons of disaster response supplies, BHISHM Cubes and a medical team for on-site training & support has landed in Colombo,” he wrote.Although rainfall has eased following a week of heavy downpours, many low-lying areas in the capital, Colombo, remain inundated. More than a million people have been affected by the flooding, according to authorities.Rescue and relief operations are ongoing as officials work to reach stranded communities and provide essential aid. The government has warned that the situation remains critical in areas where floodwaters have not yet receded.The cyclone, which brought unprecedented rainfall to the region, has caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, prompting concerns about public health and access to clean water.The disaster has also sparked a medical crisis. Blood supplies have dropped to critically low levels, with blood bank chief Lakshman Edirisinghe reporting only 236 units collected on Saturday, well below the daily requirement of 1,500.“Due to the floods and heavy rainfall, we were unable to carry out our mobile blood donation campaigns,” he said, urging people to donate at hospitals and blood banks, news agency ANI reported, quoting Al JazeeraAuthorities are also cautioning that saturated mountain slopes could lead to additional landslides in the coming days.

NEW DELHI: The southern part of India is on high alert after Cyclone Ditwah killed at least 159 in Sri Lanka. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a yellow alert for multiple districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including Chennai, cautioning that light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning may occur.The IMD informed that the cyclone is expected to move almost directly north, running parallel to the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline over the next 24 hours.“It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during next 24 hours. While moving northwards the cyclonic storm will be centered over southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance of 70 km and 30 km from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by noon and evening of today, the 30th November respectively,” it said in a post on X.

Emergency services on alert

Five teams from the National Disaster Response Force’s (NDRF) 6th Battalion were airlifted from Vadodara to Chennai on Sunday to boost emergency readiness as Cyclone Ditwah intensifies over the Bay of Bengal, affecting the eastern coastal areas, especially Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.The NDRF stated that these teams are equipped with Flood Water Rescue (FWR) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) gear to enhance preparedness in Tamil Nadu, where heavy rain and strong winds caused by the cyclone continue to create critical conditions.

Cyclone wrecks havoc in Sri Lanka

The death toll in Sri Lanka due to the cyclone rose to 159, AFP reported citing Disaster Management Centre (DMC). President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency in response to the cyclone’s aftermath and called for international assistance.According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), northern Colombo was experiencing severe flooding as water levels in the Kelani River continued to surge.“Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains upstream are now flooding low-lying areas along the banks of the Kelani River,” AFP quoted a DMC official saying.The severe weather has damaged over 20,000 homes and forced 1,22,000 people into government-run temporary shelters. An additional 8,33,000 people have been displaced by flooding and are in need of support. Authorities say roughly one-third of the country is still without electricity or running water because of downed power lines and flooded water treatment plants, while internet services have also been affected.

Op Sagar Bandhu: India becomes first responder

India initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu, deploying relief and support to the island nation with the help of the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy, and 80 NDRF personnel working continuously to protect lives and provide timely assistance. So far, India has transported 27 tonnes of relief supplies to Colombo. According to details shared by the Indian Air Force and external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Mi-17 V5 helicopters have been stationed in Colombo for rapid humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.Additionally, a C-130 transport aircraft and an Ilyushin IL-76 from Hindan Air Base flew in on Friday night, carrying 21 tonnes of relief material, more than 80 NDRF personnel, and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo.Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant carried out search and rescue sorties in the island nation.

NEW DELHI: Maulana Mahmood Madani has sparked fresh controversy with his remarks on the Supreme Court’s handling of the Babri Masjid and triple talaq cases, as well as his comments on ‘jihad’ and ‘ghar wapsi’. His statements have sharply divided the political landscape, drawing criticism from the BJP and even differing views from within the Muslim community, including the All India Muslim Jamaat.

Maulana Mahmood Madani is the current National President of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH), one of the country’s oldest Muslim organisations. Born in 1964, he is the grandson of Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani, a leading theologian and an important figure in India’s freedom movement. His father, Maulana As’ad Madani, was a significant force in the JUH and served in the Rajya Sabha for nearly 17 years. After completing his studies in Islamic theology at Darul Uloom Deoband in 1992, Mahmood Madani began working with the JUH, eventually becoming its General Secretary in 2001 and later a Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2012.He has organised anti-terrorism conferences, facilitated interfaith dialogue through numerous “Sadhbhavana Sansad” events, and overseen educational reforms within madrasas. His humanitarian work includes relief and rehabilitation efforts during riots, natural disasters, and international crises, according to a profile of him on Jamait’s website.

Madani, on Saturday, alleged that the apex court of the country was functioning under pressure from the BJP-led central government. He cited verdicts like Babri Masjid and triple talaq.“After the verdict into Babri Masjid, triple talaq and several other matters, it seems that courts are functioning under Government’s pressure for a few years now…We have several instances before that have raised questions on the character of courts…Supreme Court is eligible to be called supreme only when it follows the Constitution and when it upholds the law. If it doesn’t do that, it doesn’t deserve to be called ‘Supreme’,” he said.Moreover, he criticised the vilification of the term “jihad”, citing the increased use of terms like “love jihad, land jihad, ‘Taleem’ jihad, ‘thook’ jihad”. He said that the term was used in the Islamic Holy book of Quran “in the sense of finishing off oppression and violence.”“Enemies of Islam and Muslims have made ‘jihad’ a synonym of abuse, conflict and violence. Terms like Love jihad, Land jihad, ‘Taleem’ Jihad, ‘Thook’ Jihad are used to insult the faith of Muslims. It is unfortunate that responsible people in goverment and media feel no shame in using such terms…In Islam, ‘jihad’ has been used in the Quran in several respects. It has been used in the sense of one’s duties, and the welfare of society and humanity. When it has been used for war, it has been used in the sense of finishing off oppression and violence. Isliye jab jab zulm hoga tab tab jihad hoga,” he said.He further took on the conversion law, saying that it was against the fundamental right to freedom of religion. Contrasting the same with “ghar wapsi”, a term widely used to refer to a program of religious conversion to Hinduism, he said that those “converting people into a particular religion have a free hand.”“Constitution of the country has provided us with Right to Freedom of Religion. But through the Conversion Law, this fundamental right is being finished off. This law is being used in a manner in which practising a religion becomes liable to fear and punishment. On the other hand, in the name of ‘Ghar Wapasi’, those converting people into a particular religion have a free hand. They are not questioned, and no legal action is taken against them,” he said.All India Muslim Jamaat chief, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, advised Madani to steer away from making comments on Supreme Court, Parliament and government as “crores of Muslims trust” these institutions.“Not just me, but crores of Muslims in India do not agree with his statement. Maulana Mahmood Madani is a religious man. He should speak from a religious point of view. He should not provoke or instigate Muslims. Crores of Muslims trust the Supreme Court, Parliament and Government,” ANI quoted him saying.BJP MP Manoj Tiwari criticised his statements saying: “If there is any place in the world where our brothers and sisters of the Muslim community are safest and facilitated, it is India.”Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal also condemned the statement saying: “If a leader like Maulana Madani, who is considered ideal by the Muslim community, calls all Muslims ‘jihadi’, calls all Muslims a community which is a victim of atrocities and calls upon all Muslims to do ‘jihad’, who calls all non-Muslims ‘murda’ – I would like to ask him (Madani) if all freedom fighters and army jawans are ‘murda kaum’. He has questioned the Supreme Court, too. He has said that the Supreme Court should be supreme and should also do supreme work. Will he give them a certificate for the same? This is the height of ‘jihad’.”Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan, however, agreed with the ‘jihad’ statement saying: “As long as oppression exists, jihad will exist. It is very difficult for me to disagree with that. Oppression or injustice—according to the Quranic idea—does not mean only the oppression you face. If any weak or poor person is being oppressed, it becomes your responsibility to raise your voice for them and help them. If there is oppression, then it is necessary to speak out against it, and that is what is called jihad... Madani’s public statement about ‘jihad’ contradicts what is in texts followed in an institution he’s associated with.”