‘Tandav’ runs into trouble in Bengaluru, another complaint filed

Controversy

The complaint alleges that the political web series has hurt the religious sentiments of the complainant who is a social activist.

TNM Staff

Web series Tandav has run into trouble once again with a police complaint filed in Bengaluru against the makers of the political thriller. Kiran Aradhya, a social activist, has filed an FIR (first information report) with the KR Puram police, accusing the makers of hurting Hindu sentiments. The Bengaluru police have reportedly sought legal opinion before proceeding further.  In the complaint, legal action has been sought against Aparna Purohit of Amazon Prime Video,  Tandav director Ali Abbas Zafar, producer Farhan Akhtar along with actors including Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Saif Ali Khan. The complainant has accused the series of insulting Hindu deities as the character ‘portrayed as Shiva’ uses cuss words.The police are reportedly verifying if they can have relevant scenes removed to make it ‘less objectionable’.  Incidentally, a day after issuing an apology, the makers changed at least two scenes from 'Tanasha', the first episode of Tandav. The two scenes that were changed include the play featuring Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, who plays a character named Shiva; and the conversation where the prime minister insults a Dalit leader.  The KR Puram police, in the FIR, has charged the makers under sections 295 A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings), 153 A (wanton vilification or attacks upon the religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc) and 298 (utters any word or makes any sound with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person). Read: ‘Tandav’ controversy: Two scenes changed after makers apologise After several complaints were filed against Tandav, the makers had issued a statement apologising for hurting sentiments. “We have utmost respect for the sentiments of the people of our country. We did not intend to hurt or offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs or insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead,” the statement read. They had also decided to make changes to ensure the ‘objectionable’ parts were removed. After complaints were filed in Uttar Pradesh against Tandav, a team of UP police had travelled to Mumbai to ‘personally’ hand over the notice to the director Ali Abbas Zafar after an FIR was lodged in Lucknow’s Hazratganj Kotwali police station. Apart from this, three cases have been filed against the web series on various grounds--from accusing the series of being insulting to Hindu deities to alleging that the UP police have been portrayed in bad light as well as objections to a certain Prime Minister is depicted. Also read: ‘Tandav’ makers, Amazon Prime Video India head booked for hurting religious sentiments

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Karnataka Public Service Commission exam paper leaked, 6 arrested

Crime

Rs 24 lakh in cash and stolen vehicles were seized from the six accused arrested by Bengaluru police.

IANS

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Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) cancelled competitive examinations for First Division Assistant (FDA) scheduled to be held on Sunday after the police found the question papers were leaked. Six persons have been arrested by the Central Crime Branch of police in Bengaluru in this connection. "We have seized question papers, Rs 24 lakh cash and three stolen vehicles from them," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Bengaluru Sandeep Patil said. 6 accused arrested in connection with FDA question paper leak..exam was scheduled to be held tomorrow.. Rs 24 lakhs cash, question papers seized from accused.. further investigation on.. @CPBlr @BlrCityPolice — Sandeep Patil IPS (@ips_patil) January 23, 2021 A senior police officer from Central Crime Branch (CCB) said a special team conducted raids in Ullal in Jnanabharathi Police Station limits based on a tip off and the accused were arrested.  Two of the accused have been identified as Chandru and Rachappa. The police added that the gang was using the stolen vehicles to circulate the question papers to job aspirants who had approached them a few days ago and paid some money in advance. All of them were taken into custody for questioning to ascertain their network and informed the KPSC. At present the CCB officials are verifying the background of the arrested to ascertain whether they have any connection with Shivakumar, a kingpin of PU question paper leak. He was arrested in 2016 by the Karnataka CID police and in 2018 he was arrested by the CCB police in connection with police constable recruitment question paper leak. As the news broke, the KPSC immediately announced the cancellation of examinations scheduled on Sunday (January 24). The KPSC had conducted this examination for 1,112 vacancies for the post of First Division Assistant, out of which 975 are reserved for Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and 137 for Hyderabad Karnataka Local Cadre (HK) and cumulative about 3.75 lakh job aspirants had applied for these posts across the state.

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Karnataka CM makes U-turn, says illegal mining can be regularised

Environment

After the Shivamogga blast, BS Yediyurappa had promised to stop illegal quarrying.

IANS

File image

In an U-turn within hours, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday went from first declaring that his government will not allow illegal mining and quarrying, only to retract it later, asserting that such activities can be regularised. Yediyurappa was visiting Shivamogga where six persons died in an explosion on Thursday night near an illegal mining site.  "I will not allow illegal mining. Whoever wants to take up mining can do so only after obtaining a licence,” Yediyurappa had told reporters here before leaving for Mysuru and thereafter to Shivamogga, where a massive explosion killed five people late on Thursday night. In Mysuru, Yediyurappa told reporters that mining and quarrying are inevitable for development. "There are road works and highway projects for which mining and quarrying are needed. But illegal mining can't be allowed. It's not good for anyone, including those indulging in it," he said, adding that illegal miners can file an application to regularise the illegal mining and continue their activities. "We will have no objection. If they fail to get their mines regularised, deputy commissioners have been instructed to do a spot inspection and take appropriate action," he said. After visiting the blast site in Shivamogga, Yediyurappa contradicted his own cabinet ministers' statements that the quarry where the massive explosion took place was in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). "How can a quarry or mining be allowed in an eco-sensitive zone," he asked. He reiterated that a comprehensive probe has been ordered to look into the blast incident. "What caused the blast? Who gave permission for such a huge amount of explosives to be transported? All these will be looked into and we will take action against those found guilty," he said. As soon as Yediyurappa's statements were aired on local news channels, they drew sharp reactions from the Leader of the Opposition, Siddaramaiah. "Isn't illegal mining a crime? What's the punishment for that? How can he talk of regularisation being in a responsible position," he asked. Yediyurappa's statement amounted to "cooperation" for illegalities, Siddaramaiah said. "Regularising illegal mining can not be equated to regularising illegal homes or lands. In that case, what's the relevance of the existence of the mines and geology department," he asked. The Congress leader also claimed he has spoken to the Deputy Commissioner of Shivamogga. "Gelatine and dynamite were brought in without licence from Andhra Pradesh. This is the first offence. That they weren't stored safely is the second offence. It's clear that the incident took place due to the negligence of the officials," he said, adding that Yediyurappa and the minister in-charge of Shivamogga, KS Eshwarappa, must take the blame.

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Video: Leopard enters Bengaluru apartment, creates scare

Wildlife

The incident took place at an apartment complex, which is, incidentally, around 5 km away from the Bannerghatta National Park.

TNM Staff

Representational image

A leopard was spotted on the premises of an apartment complex off Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta on early Sunday morning, creating a scare among the residents in nearby areas of Begur and Koppa near the Hulimavu lake. The CCTV camera footage accessed from the apartment showed the big cat crossing a road incident the apartment complex. The video has been doing the rounds on social media platforms, including WhatsApp, since then.   The incident took place at the Prestige Song apartment building, which is, incidentally, around 5 km away from the Bannerghatta National Park. The officials believe that the wild cat strayed and entered the building from the national park. “The leopard was seen entering the apartment complex at 5:20 am and going out by 6 am,” Mahesh, Inspector of Hulimavu Police Station told TNM. “We, along with the fire department and forest department have combed the area thoroughly. We feel the leopard has gone back to the Bannerghatta Forest,” he added.  WATCH: The leopard inside the apartment complex Leopard spotted at an apartment off Bannerghatta road prestige song of South . Bengaluru. Karnataka #leopard #PrestigeSongOfSouth pic.twitter.com/VRXYQQBBTW — ALL IZ WELL(@balasundari11) January 24, 2021 The residents alerted the police, who along with the forest department, swung into action and formed teams to comb the area in a bid to capture the animal and release it back into the wild.  The forest officials also found some pugmarks. They are trying to ensure that the wild animal is out of city limits. However, leopards being spotted in Bengaluru city periphery is not uncommon. With increased deforestation in the city and illegal poaching of wild animals, leopards often find their way to the city in search of prey from nearby forest areas like Bannerghatta and Jarakabande Kaval. In a recent incident in January 2019, a leopard, which was spotted in the ITC factory in Yelahanka, was captured by forest officials and released in the Bannerghatta National Park within 24 hours. In February 2016, a leopard had entered a school in the Whitfield area. A few people were also injured when they were caught unaware by the animal’s presence.

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After Shivamogga blast, Karnataka CM Yediyurappa promises to stop illegal quarrying

A truck meant for carrying explosives to the blasting site inadvertently exploded on Thursday night in Shivamogga district, killing at least six people.

TNM Staff

Two days after the explosion at a stone quarry near Shivamogga led to loss of at least six lives, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday said that illegal quarrying or mining will not be permitted in the state and necessary action will be taken against such activities. "I'm going for spot inspection. Our Deputy Commissioner (of the district), Member of Parliament and Mines Minister have already visited the spot. I will get to know things from them and take necessary action to stop illegal quarrying or mining and find out why the truck was there at the time of the explosion," Yediyurappa said. It was reported that the explosion occurred close to an illegal mining site in Hunasodu village. A truck meant for carrying explosives to the blasting site inadvertently exploded at around 10 pm on Thursday night.  Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the CM said that the reason for the blast will be investigated and necessary action will be taken against those responsible. "I will not allow illegal quarrying or mining for any reason. Those who want to do quarrying or mining should get a licence for it. Doing it illegally will lead to such incidents. I will direct Deputy Commissioners to take strict measures in this direction," he added. At least six people were killed in the explosion at a stone quarry on the outskirts of Shivamogga city on Thursday night. The state government had announced Rs 5 lakh to the families of those deceased and ordered a high-level probe into the incident. The booming sound of the blast initially made local people mistake it for an earthquake and it was heard in nearby areas in neighbouring Davangere, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts as well. In Shivamogga, the effect was severe as some houses developed cracks, while roof tiles and window panes were shattered. With PTI inputs

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Amazon’s offering to help Biden’s vaccine push. There may be a reason why.

Amazon’s bid comes as Biden officials say they're trying to repair the vaccine distribution system they inherited.

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Bengaluru residents miffed as no action taken against illegal glass recycling unit

Pollution

Residents of Hennur had first registered a complaint in November 2020 stating that the glass recycling unit in their locality is extremely hazardous to human health.

TNM Staff

Manoj Cherian

The Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) of Hennur in North Bengaluru sought respite from the allegedly illegal glass recycling factory operating in their neighbourhood; however, no action has been taken against those running the factory since they first registered a complaint in November. The glass recycling factory was set up in an empty plot in the area, allegedly without any clearance from the authorities. Their complaints to the authorities have not yielded any results so far. The residents residing in the vicinity of Hennur Main Road, leading to Kempegowda International Airport, had approached the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) regarding the matter. Glass processing units fall under the ‘red’ category of industries; thus, need clearance from the Pollution Control Board before being set up. “An official from the Yelahanka Pollution Board named Mr Suneel visited us on January 21 and spoke to the labourers too. We were told that we should approach the BBMP (Ward # 25). After several calls to the BBMP staff members, we could finally reach the authority concerned who vaguely said to send them a complaint but did not give any further details,” said Manoj Cherian, one of the residents. When Surendra, the BBMP authority concerned was contacted, he denied receiving any complaint regarding the same. He said, “We haven’t been notified by the residents regarding the said unit. Once we receive a written complaint from them, we will conduct an inspection and initiate appropriate action.” Also Read: Bengaluru residents seek closure of allegedly illegal glass recycling unit The residents had initially approached Hennur Police Station Inspector and the owner of the plot was summoned to the station and received a warning. The owner, with the collusion of law enforcement, has not only gone back on their assurance to stop this activity within a week, but has brazenly gone ahead with more dumping of this hazardous material, Manoj mentioned. They had cited in their complaints to the authorities that the glass recycling unit which cropped up in the locality is extremely hazardous to human health, directly affecting the respiratory system. They also opined that the noise and air pollution caused by the unit’s functioning is proving to be harmful, especially for children and elders in the neighbourhood. Manoj also noted that the children of the labourers are in danger too, owing to the pollution caused by the unit and has approached the Child Welfare Committee as well.

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