Remembrance
When Vajpayee was first one to reach out to Indira Gandhi after her sons death
Born on 25 December 1924, former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a statesman in true sense.
Loved and respected beyond party lines, he was a fine orator and poet, who served three terms (1996, 98-99 and 99-2004) as the Prime Minister of India.
On the other side of the picture, we had former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi, who was first and only woman Prime Minister of India till date.
BJP’s Vajpayee and Congress Gandhi were known as two of the most influential PMs India had.
On Vajpayees 96th birthday today, let us have a look at the not-so-political? relationship that the two shared.
In 1971, the Pakistani army surrendered and India emerged victorious in 1971 Indo-Pak war. Leader of Opposition and Jan Sangh leader Vajpayee, united entire Opposition to back Indira and led the famous standing-ovation? given to Gandhi after she had addressed the Lok Sabha on India’s victory against Pakistan.
India saw a leader in Vajpayee, who although being in Opposition stood at the frontline to support his Prime Minister.
We might have different opinions on political matters but we come from the same country; when it comes to India, we are One, said Vajpayee backing Gandhi’s decision of going on war against Pakistan.
The days to glory for India did not last long and the country witnessed the darkest hour in Indian democracy, when Gandhi declared Emergency on June 25, 1975.
Senior leaders in the Opposition, along with Vajpayee, were arrested at midnight without a warrant and were locked up for more than 20 months.
Even after taking away the right to live? from Vajpayee during Emergency, he was the first to reach out to Gandhi when he discovered that her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi, had passed away in a plane crash at Delhi flying club in 1982.
It is said that Vajpayee had offered his support to Gandhi in her bad times and was quoted saying, I did not go to meet her as the PM; I met her as a mother, who had lost her son.
Vajpayee never spared Gandhi in parliament debates on matters of governance and national security but always supported her as he believed, We want India to achieve height; government must be criticized and supported at the same time.
Congress Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi was on Friday disqualified as Lok Sabha MP, a day after a Surat Court convicted him in a defamation case. The notification disqualifying the Wayanad MP was issued hours after Gandhi attended the morning session of Lok Sabha.
What does the notification read?
“Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Surat… Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency in Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction… in terms of the provisions of Article 102(!)(e) of the Constitution read with Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” the notification read.
Gandhi barred from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
As per law and legal experts, Gandhi’s disqualification came into ‘immediate and automatic’ effect upon his conviction and sentencing despite the grant of bail.
Former Congress leader and Union law minister Kapil Sibal told NDTV that Rahul stands automatically disqualified as an MP with his two-year jail sentence. He said, “If it (the court) only suspends the sentence that’s not enough. There has to be a suspension or stay of conviction. He (Rahul Gandhi) can stay on as a member of parliament only if there is a stay on the conviction.”
Sibal added, “For a statement made in respect of certain individuals, for him to be convicted for two years — it is totally bizarre.”
What does the law say?
The Representation of the People Act, 1951, (RPA) directs immediate disqualification of any lawmaker who is ‘convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years.’ The law also states that if one is convicted in any offence for two years then the seat will be vacant immediately.
Lawyer and senior BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani told NDTV, “By the operation of the law, he (Gandhi) stands disqualified, but the decision has to be communicated to the Speaker. But as of today, he stands disqualified.”
How can Gandhi avoid disqualification?
Gandhi will have to secure an order from a higher court suspending the conviction. The RPA states, “A person convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years [other than any offence referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2)] shall be disqualified from the date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release.”
It means, that apart from his jail term, Gandhi will not be able to contest polls for subsequent six more years.
Why the disqualification?
Surat Court, on Thursday, awarded two-year jail term to Gandhi in a defamation case for his ‘all thieves have Modi surname’ remark. The case was filed against Gandhi for his alleged ‘how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?’ remarks on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi.
The Court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 after finding him guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (dealing with defamation). However, he secured a bail in the same case.
Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Verma heard the final arguments regarding Gandhi’s 2019 remark, “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi have Modi in their names.” Gandhi’s counsel Kirit Panwala said, “We will today send a message to Rahul Gandhi to remain present on March 23 in Surat district court. Most probably, he would be present in the court. We will get confirmation on Saturday.”
Gandhi made the alleged remarks while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi sentenced to 2 years in jail in Modi surname defamation case
Pradeep Sarkar
Renowned filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar, best known for films like Parineeta, Mardaani, etc., passed away at the age of 67 on Friday morning in Mumbai. Sharing the news, director Hansal Mehta wrote, “Pradeep Sarkar. Dada. RIP.” Sarkar had been unwell for a while and was undergoing dialysis. His potassium levels had dropped drastically so had to be rushed to a hospital at 3 am on Friday.
Actor Ajay Devgn, on his Twitter, wrote, “The news of Pradeep Sarkar’s demise, ‘Dada’ to some of us is still hard to digest. My deepest condolences. My prayers are with the departed and his family. RIP Dada.”
Actor Manoj Bajpayee retweeted Hansal Mehta’s tweet and he wrote, “Ohh! That’s so shocking! Rest in peace Dada.” Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, in his tribute, wrote, “Sad to know that well known brilliant filmmaker of our country Pradeep Sarkar ji passes away. A great loss to the film industry. Heartfelt condolences to his family and near ones.”
Sarkar, who first worked as an editor on Munna Bhai MBBS, had directed several evergreen music videos that went on to define excellence in visual appeal and storytelling in the 90’s including Euphoria’s ‘Dhoom Pichak Dhoom,’ ‘Maaeri’ and Sultan Khan’s ‘Piya Basanti’ and Bhupen Hazarika’s ‘Ganga.’
Sarkar’s funeral will take place at 4 pm at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium in Mumbai. “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Pradeep Sarkar has departed for his heavenly abode. Please join us at 4pm for his funeral at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium to say goodbye to him,” read an official statement.
Also read: 900 accidents, 31 deaths in 100 days: Samruddhi Mahamarg still a road to prosperity?
Rahul Gandhi
Surat Court, on Thursday, awarded two-year jail term to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case for his ‘all thieves have Modi surname’ remark. The case was filed against Gandhi for his alleged ‘how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?’ remarks on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi.
The Court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 after finding him guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (dealing with defamation). However, he secured a bail in the same case.
Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Verma heard the final arguments regarding Gandhi’s 2019 remark, “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi have Modi in their names.” Gandhi’s counsel Kirit Panwala said, “We will today send a message to Rahul Gandhi to remain present on March 23 in Surat district court. Most probably, he would be present in the court. We will get confirmation on Saturday.”
Gandhi made the alleged remarks while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
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Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP bars him from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
‘Parineeta,’ ‘Mardaani’ director Pradeep Sarkar passes away at 67
Rahul Gandhi sentenced to 2 years in jail in Modi surname defamation case
BREAKING: Surat Court convicts Rahul Gandhi on Modi surname remark
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