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Maharashtra

Claiming ‘misinterpretation’, chastened Ramdev repents slur on women

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 Three days after his sexist comments on women ignited a massive row, Yoga guru, Swami Ramdev tamely expressed regrets and apologised for his remarks, officials said here on Monday.

Ramdev has sent an email to this effect to the Maharashtra State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar, in response to her missive of Friday demanding an explanation for his utterances within 72 hours.

Confirming the development, the MSCW head informed that Ramdev has sent the response to her, expressing both regrets and tendering an apology, but also claiming that his remarks were allegedly twisted out of context.

“We have received his reply to our notice… However, if there are any more objections or complaints, we shall conduct a full-fledged probe and get the full video recording of the programme held last week,” warned Chakankar, while speaking with IANS.

Addressing Patanjali Group’s free Yoga training programme for women in Thane, Ramdev Baba babbled without batting an eyelid before the gathering, largely comprising females: “Women look good in saris, they look great in salwar suits, and in my view, they look good even if they don’t wear anything.”

At that time, Ramdev was flanked by Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena Thane MP Shrikant Shinde, the son of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and singer Amruta Fadnavis – wife of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other prominent personalities.

The blatant statements rocked the state with calls to “slap, kick, tonsure” Ramdev and threats to storm his next programme, from various quarters in Maharashtra and other parts of India, with even Amruta Fadnavis earning the ire of many.

Furious senior leaders of various parties, including Sanjay Raut, Dr. Manisha Kayande, Kishore Tiwari, Mahesh Tapase, farmers, feminists or women activists like Trupti Desai, Aparna Malikar, and others pounced on Ramdev, seeking an unconditional apology, booking him for degrading womenfolk and other demands, even as the MSCW slapped a notice.

In his reply to the MSCW within the deadline period, Ramdev contended he has not flouted any rules of the state panel, and has always campaigned at the global level to help women get dignity and equality in all spheres.

“I have also supported, encouraged various policies of the government like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, and worked with several organisations to strengthen these initiatives. I categorically state that I have not insulted any women nor had any intentions to do so,” Ramdev wrote.

He added that the (Thane) programme was themed for women’s empowerment but video clips of his comments of a few seconds from the hour-long speech were purportedly ‘twisted’ out of context to convey a wrong impression.

“I have the highest regards for Mother and mother-power… The comment on attire was meant for ‘simple clothes’. If it has hurt anybody’s sentiments, I deeply regret the same. I also apologise to them for causing any distress,” said Ramdev.

MSCW officials hinted that it would treat the matter as ‘closed’ but if they received any fresh complaints against the Yoga guru, the women’s panel would not hesitate to launch a full-fledged investigation.

Maharashtra

‘Save the Vote, Save the Nation’: Rahul Gandhi urges people to join INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march

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Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday urged people to join the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march in the national capital, calling for public participation in the protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi appealed to people to gather at Connaught Place and march together towards Ramlila Maidan, where the opposition alliance is organising a major rally.

“Delhi, get ready! Save the Vote, Save the Nation. Come to Connaught Place, let’s march together. Or meet directly at Ramlila Maidan – but you must come. Today | 12 PM,” he posted.

The INDIA bloc has expressed optimism about public participation in the rally, asserting that the protest would witness “historic participation” extending beyond party workers.

Earlier in the day, while speaking to media, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described the gathering as a “mega rally” and said the opposition would continue its agitation until the Chief Election Commissioner stepped down.

“They (the government) may be under the assumption that the agitation has ended, but we won’t let them go until Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” he asserted.

Raut also reiterated Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that people were being stopped from participating in the rally.

The INDIA bloc is organising the large-scale gathering at Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

The opposition alliance expects a major show of strength, as leaders from constituent parties, workers, and student groups have started to gather at the venue. The protest comes amid allegations by opposition parties of irregularities in the voter list revision process being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been put in place across New Delhi and Central Delhi ahead of the rally. Additional personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), along with Delhi Police personnel, have been deployed around Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.

Delhi Police have also tightened security across the national capital. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force across Delhi districts, and gatherings have been prohibited at key locations, including Jantar Mantar and the Election Commission office.

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Bollywood

Tiger Shroff firing case: 12th accused sent to police custody till Nov 6

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A Mumbai court on Saturday sent Amar, the 12th accused arrested from Haryana’s Sonipat in connection with the firing incident on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, to police custody till November 6.

On Thursday, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court had sent 11 other accused arrested in connection with the firing on Shroff’s car to police custody till November 6.

The latest accused was arrested from Rohna village in Sonipat.

Earlier in the day, the Mumbai Police had produced Amar before a court, which sent him to police custody until November 6.

According to officials, Amar is accused of having transferred money, allegedly used in the commission of the crime, online. The funds were reportedly used for various expenses, including the purchase of a motorcycle and booking hotel rooms linked to the case.

According to the preliminary investigation, Amar is a friend and neighbour of Kunal, who was arrested earlier in the case. Police investigations have revealed that Kunal allegedly transferred Rs 40,000 to Amar’s bank account.

Amar subsequently transferred Rs 12,000 to Radha’s bank account, another accused arrested earlier, allegedly on Kunal’s instructions.

The Mumbai Police are investigating these financial transactions to establish the purpose of the transfers and determine the connections between the accused. The money trail is being examined as part of the wider investigation into the firing incident.

Amar, who studied up to Class 10, works at a supplements shop. His parents reportedly earn their livelihood through daily-wage labour.

Meanwhile, Amar’s family has claimed that he is innocent and alleged that he has been falsely implicated in the case.

With nine of the 12 arrested accused reportedly belonging to Sonipat, the district has emerged as a key focus of the Mumbai Police investigation.

The police are examining the financial dealings and personal connections among the accused to establish the sequence of events and identify the roles played by individual suspects.

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Maharashtra

36-year-old absconding accused arrested from Gujarat in Mumbai non-bailable warrant

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed the arrest of a wanted suspect, against whom a non-bailable warrant had been issued by the court in connection with a theft case. The 29-year-old complainant was en route to deliver diamonds, gold jewelry, and cash from his shop when, in front of the main entrance of the Panchratna Building, four unidentified individuals—acting in conspiracy—threatened him with a revolver and a knife. They injured him and forcibly stole the diamonds, jewelry, and cash, valued at approximately 2,048,964 rupees. A case was subsequently registered at the D.B. Marg Police Station. Following further investigation by Crime Branch Unit 2, a charge sheet was filed in court. The 59-year-old suspect involved in this crime had repeatedly failed to appear in court during the proceedings, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him. The Crime Branch carried out this operation to execute the said warrant.

Acting on direct intelligence and technical analysis, the police team tracked down the 59-year-old suspect—who was a wanted individual subject to a non-bailable warrant—and took him into custody on October 30th in Gaonpur, Vadodara district, Gujarat. This operation was conducted under the directives of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, with the involvement of Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Krishna Kant Upadhyay, and DCP Raj Tilak Roshan.

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