NEW DELHI 15 DECEMBER 2024 SUNDAY `12 PAGES 24  facebook/TheMorningStandard  X.com/TheMornStandard The First Couple of Dance https://epaper.morningstandard.in PLUS: 12 PAGES ONE STEP AT A TIME TO HEALING MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE VOICES Pushpesh Pant Ravi Shankar Devdutt Pattanaik Sibichen K Mathew SOUTHERN TERRORS The Many Sides of Boris Johnson Anuja Chandramouli Prabhu Chawla Shankkar Aiyar Anuradha Goyal Coffee, Coorg and Avocado Law and Behold a Wonderous Life SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA SPEAKS ‘I Wouldn’t want to be Doing Just This’ Roots of Insufficiency PM: Cong tasted blood, wounded Constitution Accuses previous govts of amending statute 75 times in six decades RAHUL’S SAVARKAR POKE AT BJP-RSS P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi IN a no holds barred attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the grand old party having , ‘tasted blood’, repeatedly tampered with the Constitution, adding that the party can’t wipe off the taint. In his reply to the two-day debate commemorating 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, Modi accused the previous Congress governments of amending the Constitution 75 times in the last six decades. “The seed was planted by the first PM, was followed by another PM Indira Gandhi. Disregarding the Supreme Court’s decision of 1971, she amended the Constitution to clip the wings of our judiciary to give complete power to the Parliament,” he said. “Whenever democracy is discussed in the world, this sin of the Congress will never be forgiven... The Constitution was torn apart when it was celebrating 25th anniversary he added. ,” Recalling the dark days of Emergency Modi said that the , country was turned into a prison, citizens’ rights were snatched and press freedom curtailed. “When Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha was turned down, she imposed Emergency to save her position in 1975. She also ensured that Justice Khanna, who gave the order against her election, was Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a broadside against the BJPRSS, saying Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar considered Manusmriti superior to the Constitution. He quoted Savarkar as saying that there was “nothing Indian about our Constitution.” Ridiculing the BJP, he said, “when you speak about defending the Constitution, you are defaming Savarkar.” | P7 not made the CJI,” Modi said. Continuing his attack, he said former PM Rajiv Gandhi disregarded Supreme Court’s order in favour of Shah Bano, and pursued vote-bank politics. Their next generation is also into the same game, he said in a swipe at the Leader of Opposition in the House Rahul Gandhi and his sister and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. In a veiled reference to Rahul, the PM said an ‘arrogant’ person tore the decision of the Cabinet when the Congress-led UPA government headed by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh was in power. The National Advisory Council, which was headed by Sonia Gandhi, was put above the Cabi- net during the UPA rule, he pointed out. Referring to the Uniform Civil Code, he said it was a topic debated by the Constituent Assembly and they decided that the decision should be taken by subsequent governments. “Today we are committed to bring about a secular code in the country Modi said. ,” While the makers of the Constitution took a considered decision to disallow reservation on the basis of religion and faith in the interest of the country’s unity and integrity, the Congress in its ‘greed for power’ and to ‘appease its vote bank’ pushed for it in violation of the constitutional spirit, the P7 prime minister charged. Jumla is a favourite word of the Congress. The biggest jumla in country’s history was Indira Gandhi’s slogan of garibi hatao, which was used by their four generations RARE FIRST WHEN ANAND NOTICED GUKESH Strict measures: Centre revises GRAP norms to combat winter pollution P R A B H AT S H U K L A @ New Delhi THE Centre’s air quality panel has issued a revised plan to combat winter pollution in Delhi-NCR, implementing stricter measures and mandating hybrid learning during severe pollution days in schools. The updated guidelines are part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which categorizes air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor, AQI 201–300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301–400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401–450), and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450). These changes aim to address the prolonged poor air quality that persists from November to January, exacerbated by unfavourable weather conditions. A significant change under the revised plan is the restric- tion on buses from NCR states entering Delhi under Stage II unless CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electricity power them. Previously, this restriction was enforced under Stage III. Diesel M e d i u m G o o d s Ve h i c l e s (MGVs) with BS-IV or older standards will now be banned in Delhi under Stage III, with exemptions for those carrying essential goods. Additionally, non-essential diesel Light Commercial Vehicles of BS-IV or older standards registered outside Delhi will no longer be permitted to enter the capital, expanding restrictions previously applicable to BS-III vehicles. Schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar must adopt hybrid learning for students up to Class V under Stage III, offering both Five-time world champion V Anand posted a TNIE page grab dated 18.03.2017 on X with the title: Can you spot Two World Champions? Going by Anand’s tweet, this was the first time he noticed D Gukesh (2nd from L) during a workshop. R Praggnanandhaa participated. Here’s a clearer picture | D SAMPATHKUMAR CHANGE IN MEASURE 1 Inter-state buses from NCR states, except EVs and those running on CNG or BS-VI diesel, will be banned from entering Delhi during Stage II; This restriction previously applied only under Stage III 2 Educational institutes must adopt hybrid learning for students up to Class V under Stage III; In Stage IV, the mandate will extend to Classes VI to IX and XI 3 To address open burning, RWAs are now required to provide electric heaters for staff involved in services such as sanitation, gardening, and security 4 Staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies under Stage III online and offline options. During Stage IV this mandate will , extend to Classes VI to IX, and XI. These steps are designed to minimise students’ exposure to harmful air pollutants during severe pollution episodes. To address open burning, Resident Welfare Associations are required to provide electric heaters for staff involved in sanitation, gardening, and security services. The plan includes staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies under Stage III, with the Centre considering similar steps for its offices in Delhi-NCR. PRESSINTAKE Maha cabinet expansion today, oath ceremony in Nagpur | P8 Punjabi singer warned over concert conduct in Gurugram | P3 Italy sings viva cricket OPENAI 17 farmers hurt, rail roko in Punjab on Dec 18 ahead of 2026 T20 WC WHISTLEBLOWER FOUND DEAD H A R P R E E T BA J WA @ Chandigarh G O M E S H S @ Brisbane ITALY, known for its footballing pedigree, is slowly turning its attention towards another game — cricket. It is encouraging talents from other countries, especially Australia, to move to Italy and help them qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Remember Joe Burns? The hard-hitting Queenslander who made his Test debut along with KL Rahul during the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia ten years ago? He is now leading Italy The country . may lack proper cricket ground and practice in the middle of tomato field, yet Burns and his teammates are going all out to help qualify Though many are . from Australia, there a few from the sub-continent too. Burns’ grandparents were born and brought up in Italy before migrating to Australia after the World War II. Burns is an Australian cricketer with dual passport. T hough he had been longing to play for Italy in 2008-09, Burns made the decision this year. His brother, Dominic, had passed away in February and Bur ns took on his jersey number (85), while making a commitment to honour his Italian heritage. He made his debut for the Italy in the T20 World Cup European Regional Qualifier, and ensured Italy’s qualification for the Europe Regional final with a century against Romania in the final. “My story is very similar to a lot of Italians my age,” Burns tells this daily . “It was always on the radar. But now I just feel like with my experience and at my age, there’s a lot that I can give Italian cricket.” Burns is not harbouring this longing alone. Since the time he joined, Italian Cricket Federation has received a flurry of requests from Australian cricketers with Italian heritage. The person who’s co-ordinating it, Peter di Venuto, assistant coach of the national team. Brother of Michael, assistant coach with Australian men’s team, Peter also has Italian heritage. He, Burns and the Italy federation have one thing in mind: qualify for the 2026 P11 T20 WC. EXPRESS READ Advani admitted in 6 schools get threat ICU, condition stable mails; boy detained Veteran BJP leader and former deputy PM L K Advani has been admitted in the ICU of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi. “LK Advani is currently stable,” a hospital statement said.The hospital, however, did not disclose any information on the reason for his hospitalisation. A source said that the 96-year-old was brought to the hospital two days ago. A wave of bomb threats to schools in the city sent cops into tizzy on Saturday, marking the third such incident in a week. At least six schools received identical threat emails in the early hours. Upon checking, no suspicious items were found at any of the schools, police said, adding that a 12-year-old student has been detained for sending a similar hoax email. P3 Suchir Balaji, 26-year-old Indian-origin former employee of the artificial intelligence giant OpenAI has died by suicide in San Francisco. Balaji was known for whistleblowing the firm facing a swell of lawsuits over its business model. P9 AT least 17 farmers were injured when the Haryana Police fired teargas shells and used water cannon in an attempt to stop them from heading to Delhi at the Shambhu border on Saturday In protest, the farm. ers announced a tractor march on December 16 and rail roko in Punjab on December 18. The farmers have been protesting for various demands, including a legal guarantee to minimum support price for crops, debt waiver, pension, no hike in power tariff and withdrawal of police cases. Soon after walking for a few metres from their protest site at the Shambhu border, their ‘jatha’ was stopped by the Haryana Police and paramilitary forces. The injured farmers were taken to hospital in ambulances stationed at the protest site. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha decided to suspend their march in the wake of injuries to 17. Pandher alleged that Haryana cops used water mixed with chemical to disperse the farmers at the border. “On December 16, a tractor march will be organised outside Punjab, and we have called Tractor march on Dec 16 Farmers have called for a tractor march on December 16 and ‘Rail Roko’ in Punjab on December 18. They have been demanding a legal guarantee to MSP for crops, debt waiver, pension and no hike in power tariff. rail roko in Punjab on December 18. We appeal to all to particip a t e i n r a i l r o ko in large numbers,” said Pandher. Farmer leader Manjit Singh Rai alleged that rubber bullets were also used by security personnel. Ambala Cantonment DSP Rajat Gulia, however, denied the charges. This was the third attempt by the protesting farmers to march towards the national capital. Farmers had made two attempts on December 6 and 8, but were not allowed to proceed. They have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta and Ambala SP S S Bhoria spoke to protesting farmers for half an hour to break the deadlock. Bhoria told farmers that they should take permission from the authorities concerned if they intend to protest in Delhi. Allu Arjun released from Once arrested for espionage, sedition, jail, lawyer slams ‘delay’ UP man set to join judicial service HIGH COURT CHITHALURI REVANTH @ Hyderabad N A M I TA BA J PA I @ Lucknow JUSTICE could be delayed but certainly not denied in case of Pradeep Kumar. The Allahabad High Court has directed the state government to appoint Kumar to UP Higher Judicial Services (HJS) cadre, nearly seven years after his selection which was held up due to allegations of espionage and spying for Pakistan. Kumar, who had been arrested after being charged with spying for Pakistan by sharing incriminating infor mation about Army installations to his alleged handlers across the border in lieu of money in 2002, was absolved of all charges by a Kanpur court in 2014 after over a decadelong legal battle. At the time of his alleged role in anti-national activities, Kumar, then 24, was an unemployed lawyer. After getting exonerated by the Kanpur court, Kumar appeared in examination of PCS (J) (UP Judicial Services) and got selected in 2016. However, the state authorities withheld his appointment. Kumar had faced two criminal trials over espionage charges, sedition, criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Official , Secrets Act — one in 2004 and another in 2007 — both of which resulted in acquittals. Despite these judgments, the authorities refused to follow the order citing concerns over his character, primarily based on the espionage allegations. The HC bench, comprising Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Donadi Ramesh, noted in their order that there was no substantial material linking Kumar to espionage for any foreign intelligence agency The HC said his acquit. tal in the criminal trial should have cleared him of any stigma and allowed him to move forward with his career. The HC criticised the state’s reliance on outdated and irrelevant materials from the trial, declaring that “neither suspicion nor simple belief ” without objective material could guide the state’s decision to withhold the appointment. The HC said that Kumar’s acquittal in espionage-related criminal trials must be viewed with fairness, especially in light of his “honourable acquittal”. “To be suspected of an offence is not an offence or a scar on a citizen’s character,” the HC said, emphasising that Kumar was on the radar of intelligence agencies was inconsequential in the absence of any factual evidence. ACTOR Allu Arjun was released from the Chanchalguda jail early on Saturday. He was forced to spend the night in the Manjeera Barrack after authorities cited technicalities for not releasing him on Friday itself, despite orders from the Telangana High Court. A dvo c at e A s h o k Reddy, representing Arjun, said the actor’s team would take legal steps against the prison department for delaying the release despite receiving the HC order copy on Friday itself. “Despite the order being copied, they (jail authorities) did not release Arjun. You (media) should question the government why they (jail authorities) did not release him. The HC order was very specific that the moment the jail officials received the order, they had to re- lease him,” he said. However, a prisons department official said that bail orders are accepted till 8 pm and the orders pertaining to Arjun were received very late. When asked about the actor’s night in the prison, Reddy said that they had moved an application as per prison rules, seeking special category treatment. After his release, Arjun said, “... I would like to say that I am a law-abiding citizen. I respect the law and I will cooperate (with the investigation).” Arjun again said Revathi’s death at the Sandhya Theatre was unfortunate. “I would like to offer my condolences to that family It was very very unfor. tunate that we went to watch a film and an accident occurred. We are sorry for whatever happened. The incident was purely out of my control,” he said.