“51tYLOOHJL._SX322_BO1204203200_”” alt=””51tYLOOHJL. SX322 BO1204203200 “” />South Asia is on the boil with major civil or internal wars having domestic and global consequences. The conflict in Jammu and Kashmir continues to make headlines while those in the Northeast and central India simmers with sudden strikes on the security forces by the insurgents and Maoists. There appears to be no clear resolution of the civil war and occupation in Afghanistan, even as Nepal and Sri Lanka work out their very different post war settlements. In Bangladesh the 1971 liberation war remains a political faultline. This volume demonstrates the importance of South Asia as a region. It has become necessary to deepen the study of civil wars and armed conflicts inevitably opening up questions of sovereignty, citizenship and state contours. This book originated in a workshop on civil war in South Asia held in Delhi University in 2010 which has been edited by Aparna Sundar and Nandini Sundar. While Aparna is Associate Professor, Azim Premji University in Bengaluru, Nandini is Professor of Sociology at the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. The Pakistan-Afghanistan border is often referred to as one of the most dangerous places on earth. Conflicts continue to remain unresolved in Kashmir as well as Northeast India and in Myanmar’s hill regions. Even as Nepal and Sri Lanka work out their very different post-war settlements, the underlying causes of civil war remains unaddressed. The long settled civil wars such as the one resulting in the creation of Bangladesh continues to fester in both Bangladesh and Pakistan. This book has endeavoured to use the lens of the civil wars to focus on larger questions of economic development, state capacity and sovereignty in South Asia. Answers are being sought for the specificity of these processes to explain the civil war and conflict in general terms. Mass displacement has been a major issue. The partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 remains the emblematic moment for more than 12 million displaced people. Citizens continue to flee their homes or forcibly shifted as a consequence of civil war. Partition of India constitutes a foundational civil war in South Asia. Afghanistan has topped the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the last 32 years with 6.2 million refugees in 1990 which is the most massive population flow not only in South Asia but anywere in the world. In 2009 the fierce climax to the three decade long civil war between the militant Liberational Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lankan army led to massive deaths and the displacement of thousands into camps. During the same year in Pakistan two million civilians were displaced during army action in Swat and South Waziristan. In India one lakh civilians were displaced in Chattisgarh between 2005 and 2010 in the wake of the state sponsored vigilante counter insurgency operation against the Naxalites or Maoist guerillas. This has proved to be less strategic than the hamletting practised in Mizoram between 1967 and 1980 which affected 80 per cent of the population and made Mizoram the most urbanised state in India. Similar displacements occured in Nepal during the civil war and have been continuing in the hill regions of Myanmar for several decades. The dominant explanation given for the onset of civil war include greed, grievance, ethnic differences and poverty. The scholars studying civil war “”see no reason why there should be one overarching variable for the onset or termination of civil war; even when they can be fitted into one type, this is often at the risk of ignoring the complexity of factors that make up any such war.”” Greed that best explains the onset of war in Afghanistan is not the local rent seeking by various militias, but the cold war desire to control strategic regions which led to the CIA support for the mujahideen and Osama Bin Laden in the first instance. While poverty and lack of development are widely accepted as correlated to civil war, the nature of the relationship is contested. In the most common formulation it is the lack of development that creates conditions for civil war as low income levels create inadequate opportunity which in turn results in rebellious, unemployed youth readily joining insurgent groups. In post war Sri Lanka the government announced a “”Northern Spring””, ostensibly aimed at bringing growth and development to the North and reintegrating Tamils into the national mainstream. The ground evidence, however, shows that much of the new economic growth in this region is the result of resettlement and home building in areas in this region colonised for the families of Sinhala soldiers who fought in the war or for various military enterprises. Studies reveal Pakistan is not a failed state in the sense of Congo or Rwanda. It is a dysfunctional state and has been so for almost four decades. At the heart of this dysfunction is the domination by the army and every period of military rule has made things worse. This has prevented the emergence of stable political institutions. In central India it is the extension of a corrupt and repressive police force which was one of the grievances that helped fuel support for the Naxalites. On the other hand, parts of India such as the western ganglands of Uttar Pradesh have the highest number of gun wielding civilians with mafia like dons who run their own regimes of instance justice. These are often folded into state structures of authority rather than opposed to them. If the police was used to control populations rather than resolve their problems with crime, the army was used ‘in aid of civil power’. A law like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which gives the army the right to shoot to kill on mere suspicion in “”disturbed areas”” needs to be set against a range of other provisions and laws which give impunity to the police.  In its security policy based on covert warfare through Islamist militants in neighbouring states, Pakistan not only empowered militant clerics in the border region with Afghanistan but made them vital and strategic allies. This in turn has created a genie which has now come to bite as the writ of the Pakistani state in large swathes of FATA has collapsed leading to frequent bomb blasts, suicide attacks and kidnappings of innocent civilians.The changing rules of positive international law are indeed indicative of a new political culture of sovereignty that has shifted from one of impunity to one of responsibility and accountability. The book has ten chapters by scholars which has been classified as (1) wars due to regional, linguistic and ethnic discrimination (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka); (2) wars due to regional ethnic discrimination but also the unfinished business of decolonisation (Kashmir, Northest India, Myanmar); (3) wars for democracy and redistribution (Nepal, central India); and (4) wars intiated or conditioned by the Cold War and the ‘war on terror’ (Afghanistan and Northwest Pakistan). The book casts common light on these diverse cases along with demarcating civil war as a critical field of study in the politics of South Asia.

TR

(T R Ramachandran is a senior journalist and commentator.)
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A celebration of stories and storytellers, the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival now offer a perfect platform to celebrate the tales and narratives of craft, craftsmen and women, in its many-hued avatars – traditional and contemporary. Direct Create (DC), the online and offline platform that enables makers, designers and buyers to collaborate, co-create and sell handcrafted products, is hosting a vibrant crafts marketplace`the Bazaar’ at ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival 2017. For this year’s festival, DC has brought together a community of over 50 individual makers, designers and buyers to curate this marketplace. The unique crafts showcase honors the versatility and skill of traditional crafts, combining it with a new design language. Celebrating 10 years of the Festival, the Bazaar has a distinct identity. Working across mediums and materials, the makers and craftspeople bring a range that speaks of a creative synergy, power of craftsmanship and the skill of generations. The Bazaar at the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival 2017 will include an artisan pavilion at Cox & Kings Charbagh and a special Studio section featuring a larger showcase by select designers and manufacturers at the poolside. It will also host the official festival store featuring products that celebrate its decade long journey. The Bazaar will showcase more than 20,000 exquisite and curated, handcrafted products made by a diverse group of makers coming from more across 15 states of India. Every product is handmade, with great detailing, and a sense of love and affection.

All these inspiring makers are translating years of traditional wisdom and creativity into a product, and in today’s cluttered world where everyone is seeking something meaningful of their own, these products create a sense of belonging. Direct Create will have MateenDijjo of ‘Blossoms of Heaven’ bring his masterpieces in the form of Ikat Pashmina stoles, while Swarang mixes Madhubani art with uber stylish bags and accessories. Saba and Amir from ‘Books Etc.’ celebrate everything about books with their range of stylish and fun accessories line. ‘Coppre’ has stunning copper and kansa wares that speak of both function, beauty and a unique reinterpretation of tradition. Master craftsman Rajesh Singh from Benares makes innovative toys in wood and lacquer. Siraj, an accomplished artist has customized special Khurja vases for Direct Create while ‘Heirloom Naga’, a design firm innovates existing Naga textiles using the help of traditional weavers. This is just a glimpse of the range of craftspeople and their crafts that await festival attendees. DC is the brainchild of Sheela and Rajeev Lunkad who have between them decades of experience understanding this specialized language of craft, craft renewal and creating and engaging with sustainable ecosystems.

According to Rajeev Lunkad, Founder and CEO, Direct Create: “With the Direct Create Bazaar at ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival we are hoping to create an amazing space connecting those who appreciate creative evolution of the arts crafts or literature. We are excited to bring the results of the collaboration and co-creation of our artisans and designer community members to what we feel is one of the best platforms to showcase contemporary handcrafting traditions of India.’’ In India craft continues be a way of life for thousands of families, who have inherited their skills and trade from ancestors and continue to depend on handicrafts for their survival. However, with the rise of mass produced, commoditized goods, the livelihood and knowledge of the artisans is eroding. Direct Create is fostering a community of makers, connecting them to new ways of production and design and empowering them with the best tools available in the market across communication, co-creation, design, project management, e-commerce, finance, marketing, community and a global reach.”

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The group led by U.P. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav “is the Samajwadi Party”, the Election Commission ordered on Monday. His father Mulayam Singh Yadav who had founded the party 25 years ago will have to now look for another symbol to contest the assembly elections in U.P. which goes to seven-phase polls from February 11. 

In its 42-page order, the EC said that Akhilesh Yadav “”enjoys overwhelming majority support both among the legislative and organisational wing of the party.”” The Commission applied the test of majority support approved by the Supreme Court in the case of Sadiq Ali and consistently applied by the EC thereafter in all cases of disputes in recognized political parties.  The Commission also rejected party patriarch Mulayam SIngh Yadav”s claim to the party and the symbol. 

Earlier this month, in a special national convention called by Ramgopal Yadav in Lucknow, Mulayam Singh was removed from the president post appointing Akhilesh in his place. After it, Mualaym Singh Yadav had challenged the Akhilesh Yadav’s elevation, terming the convention as illegal.

The ruling Samajwadi Party in U.P. has been plagued by the Yadav family infighting and differences. While Mulayam Singh Yadav is supported by his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav, his another cousin brother Ramgopal Yadav, a Rajya Sabha member, has backed the young CM Akhilesh Yadav. 

With the symbol issue settled, Akhilesh Yadav will move swiftly to formalise the alliance with the Congress party as he has already hinted that SP-Congress alliance has the potential of winning over 300 seats in assembly. It would face a stiff challenge from the BJP and Mayawati’s BSP who are seeing it as a do or die battle in U.P. to grab power in India’s most crucial State politically. 

For the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav’s wife Dimple, a Lok Sabha member, and Priyanka Vadra from the Congress party are said to be working behind the scene to put together grand alliance in the State.”

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The art and culture hub of Jaipur – Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) — has been committed to promote multiple types of art ever since its inception.

On January 20 the arena of visual arts will witness a breakthrough with the reopening of the Museum Galleries which constitute the erstwhile Museum Alankar and the three art galleries which had been under renovation. Refurbished with concrete flooring, state of the  art lighting systems and walls, the Museum galleries will be ready to receive a spate of thematically curated exhibitions which will continue for a period of 2-4 months each and which will not only enrich the cultural landscape of Jaipur but also give the visitors a dynamic experience.

In the past one year, JKK has been instrumental in bringing to the Pink City high quality performing art and literary programmes with Navras (week long performing arts festival), Bookaroo (Children’s Literature Festival), Raag (an all night classical musical event) and Thirak (Classical Dance Festival) being the major highlights. 

According to Pooja Sood, Director General of JKK, creating a centre of excellence for the arts was the vision of the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ms. Vasundhara Raje who will inaugurate the refurbished galleries Museum gallery. The Museum galleries open with an exhibition of the moving image which will be the first of its kind event in the state.

Entitled ‘तह-सतह: A Very Deep Surface, Mani Kaul and Ranbir Singh Kaleka: Between Film and Video’, the exhibition is curated by eminent film historian and scholar Ashish Rajadhyaksha. The avant garde film maker was from Jaipur and a lot of his work references the landscape and sounds of Rajasthan.

The show is essentially a conversation between India’s leading filmmaker Mani Kaul’s classic celluloid films from the 1970s and 80s and his digital experiments in the 2000s along with several video-on-canvas works by internationally renowned artist Ranbir Singh Kaleka. Consisting of over 10 single and multichannel video installations, a sound installation which includes poetry and music alongside video projections on canvas, the exhibition is an attempt to ask new questions about the moving image in 21st century India.

A series of collateral events will unfold during the 6 week period of the exhibition.  A first full retrospective of Kaul’s films, including his rare final digital works, will be on view at JKK. There will be a series of talks by the artist Ranbir Singh Kaleka and curator Ashish Rajadhyaksha as well as by other A series of collateral events will unfold during the 6 week period of the exhibition.  A first full retrospective of Kaul’s films, including his rare final digital works, will be on view at JKK. There will be a series of talks by the artist Ranbir Singh Kaleka and curator Ashish Rajadhyaksha as well as by other eminent curators, writers and scholars. Daily walkthroughs for visitors by JKK’s curatorial staff will also be available, thus making JKK a center of learning as well as critical discourse, said Ms. Sood.

 A souvenir shop, ‘The Gallery Shop by Play Clan’ will also open simultaneously in the Museum block.”

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The year just gone by was an eventful year for the Indian Space programme with significant successes across all domains whether it was launch vehicle, satellite, applications or space exploration.

2016 saw an unprecedented total of seven launches, which were all successful, placing 34 satellites in their planned orbit safely and securely — eight of Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO], 22 foreign satellites, and four student satellites. The year also witnessed the maiden test flights of a technology demonstrator for a reusable launch Vehicle [[RLV-TD] and another technology demonstrator for Scramjet engine.

The RLV-TD, which was launched May 23, attained a peak altitude of 65 km and glided back to its pre-defined landing spot over Bay Bengal without any mishap. It entered the atmosphere at a speed of around Mach 5 [five times the speed of sound]. During the flight, critical technologies such as autonomous navigation, guidance and control, reusable thermal protection system and re-entry mission management were successfully validated.

India’s first experimental mission on scramjet engine was conducted on August 2. Designed by ISRO, the engine uses Hydrogen as fuel and Oxygen from the atmosphere as the oxidiser. The test was conducted with a hypersonic flight at a speed of Mach 6. ISRO’s advanced technology vehicle, which is an advanced sounding rocket, was the solid rocket booster used for the testing at supersonic conditions. With this test, India has become the fourth country to demonstrate flight testing of scramjet engine. It is an important milestone in the development of engines for ISRO’s future space transport systems.

The year had begun with the completion of the task of setting up of the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System [IRNSS] consisting of a constellation of seven satellites. The agency’s workhorse, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles, placed the fifth, sixth and seventh satellites of the navigational system in three launches, on January 20, March 10 and April 28 in copybook style. With this, the space segment of IRNSS has been fully deployed. Apart from these, ISRO was successful in launching 20 satellites in a single mission.

On June 22, a PSLV launch vehicle soared into the sky with 20 satellites. The payload included two satellites from two academic institutions and 17 satellites of foreign customers from Canada, Germany, Indonesia and USA. The main payload was the fourth satellite in ISRO’s Cartosat 2 series. Weighing 727 kg, the satellite is designed to help further mapping capabilities in the country. ISRO also played a significant role in handling a series of fire incidents in the hill state of Uttarakhand during the last week of April. Satellite based temperature anomalies were used for detection of active fire locations. About 1,600 active forest fire locations were recorded between April 24 and May 4.

(The writer is a Delhi-based freelance journalist.)”

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The Union Cabinet has approved for introduction of the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2017 to repeal another 105 Acts from the law book.

A two-member committee constituted by the PMO, the Law Commission of India and the Legislative Department had identified 1,824 redundant and obsolete Central Acts for repeal.  

After careful examination and consultation with various Ministries and Departments in the Government, four Acts have been enacted to repeal 1175 Central Acts (during the period May, 2014 to August, 2016) by Parliament.

These are:  The Repealing and Amending Act, 2015 (17 of 2015) repealing 35 Acts; The Repealing and Amending (Second) Act, 2015 (19 of 2015) repealing 90 Acts; The Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Act, 2016 (22 of 2016) repealing 756;  Appropriation Acts including Appropriation (Railways) Acts; and the Repealing and Amending Act, 2016 (23 of 2016) repealing 294 Acts.

Of these identified 1,824 Acts, as many as 227 Acts (including Appropriation Acts enacted by Parliament for the States under President’s Rule) are identified to be repealed by State Governments. States have been requested to take necessary action to repeal these.

A list of the remaining 422 Central Acts was circulated among all the Ministries and Departments for their comments on repeal of Acts. As of now, 73 Ministries and Departments including Legislative Department have agreed to repeal 105 Acts and rejected repealing of 139 Acts.”

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Post cold-war years and disintegration of erstwhile USSR have resulted into changed equations between many past friendships and India-Russia relations is one of them. Both have each other but have also found new friends in the region and beyond. The two nations since India’s independence remained on a strong footing, although defence cooperation was the fulcrum of the rapport.  But the friendship covered numerous other vital issues including space, nuclear energy, science and technology, economic, political and anti-terrorism just to name few.

Presently both countries have not only a significant joint venture in BrahMos cruise missile but also has Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, T-90 tanks, Akula-II nuclear submarine, Aircraft Carrier-INS Vikramaditya and many more Russian strike powers on land, sea and air. Besides cooperation on diverse fields Russia constantly supported India on Kashmir, liberation of Goa, as well as at the time of India-Pakistan wars especially in 1971 war when United States sent US Seventh Fleet which was the world’s largest warship to help Pakistan, Russia came for India’s salvage.

After the disintegration of Soviet Union, Russia lost super power status and the cold war era was also over. India which was importing 70 percent of its defence needs from Russia also started importing armaments from different countries especially from United States and Israel.  It irked Russia as it was loosing close ally as well as an assured market.

On one hand the relations between Russia and Western world became tense and on the other hand Indian foreign policy also tilted towards USA and Europe. Hence Russia also became close to China as well as to Pakistan. Both Pakistan and Russia signed a defence cooperation agreement in November 2014 which included several crucial subjects including collaboration in military fields, counter international terrorism, exchange of information, drug trafficking, topography and hydrography etc.

Besides the agreement Russia is also likely to join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is greatly against the interests of India. Russia and China also restrained India from the inclusion of Lashkar-e-Toiba (L-e-T) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M) both Pakistan based Deobandi terrorist organisations in BRICS Declaration which was a direct assistance to Pakistan.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation visited Pakistan and held ‘first-ever’ discussion on regional issues on December 14, 2016. The discussions included important regional and international issues. There are unconfirmed reports that Russian Intelligence chief also visited Gwadar port and ascertained the details about CPEC.

Russian assessment that Islamic State is the bigger danger in Afghanistan than Taliban is analogous to Pakistan’s stand and against the viewpoint of India and Afghanistan, as both these countries consider that Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) supported Pakistan based terrorist outfits are responsible for the terrorist activities in Afghanistan.  In addition to all these events, recent Russia-Pakistan military flirtation was a big jolt to long standing India Russia relations. Russian troops had a two weeks counter-terrorism joint exercise with Pakistani troops from 24 September to 10 October 2016. The joint exercise commenced within a week of Pakistan trained terrorists attack on Indian Army camp in Uri, in which 18 soldiers were martyred and more than 30 sustained injuries. Although India and Russia are conducting joint counter-terrorism exercise at Vladivistok from last eight years but Russia-Pakistan exercise was a new phenomenon in the region.

After disintegration of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) , Russia not only lost the super power status, its financial strength was also considerably abridged because of lowered oil prices and sanctions imposed by the Western world. On the other hand the position of China has considerably strengthened due to its financial clout and its role in BRICS New Development Bank, The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) or CPEC. Now Russia needs China more than the other way round.

China is assisting Pakistan in diverse fields and also using latter to stall India’s economic progress hence as an aftermath of close China Russia relations, the alliance between Russia and Pakistan also improved. The analysts claim that Russia would have obliged India in BRICS-Goa by insertion of L-e-T and J-e-M in declaration but because of Chinese stringent opposition Russia opposed the inclusion.

In view of growing proximity between Russia China and Pakistan India should also try to inculcate cordial relations with all the neighbouring countries as well as regional and world powers.

India should also not be excessively worried about growing Russia Pakistan dealings as the relations between India and Russia are old and time tested, though there is no permanent friend or foe in international relations but the relations between India and Russia are also being strengthened. Indian private sector has invested in Russian company Rosneft; Indian companies are importing diamonds directly from Russia and there is a civil nuclear cooperation between both the countries.

DurIng recent visit of Putin both countries signed defence deals worth Rs.43000 Crores including purchase of S-400 long-range air defence missile system, joint production of four stealth frigates and 200 Kamov helicopters. As two units of Kudankulum nuclear power plant are ready hence the work for Unit 3 and 4 also commenced.

Zamir Kabulov, The Russian President’s special Envoy on Afghanistan rightly commented that “The size of cooperation between Russia and India can’t be compared with Pakistan. It is many hundred times more.”

The proximity between Russia and China is increasing and Russia is sharing technologies with China but there is deep suspicion between both the countries. Russia which was a superpower in yesteryears would not like to act as a junior partner of China. Hence the closeness between China and Russia may not last long. President Putin as a powerful leader would never allow China to occupy the place of superpower which was occupied by erstwhile USSR before. It will also be against the interests of India.

It is good that India is cultivating close relations with Western countries especially USA but these relations should not be at the cost of its relations with Russia. At this juncture both India and US needs each other. India is the biggest importer of arms and US companies want to sell their armaments to India without transferring the cutting edge technology. India must insist to get advance technology from these firms and if feasible it should become part of ‘Make in India’. India would be spending USD 150 billion to modernize its defence forces by 2027 and the leadership must utilize this leverage in getting latest technology.The analysts also forecast that the personal relationship between US President elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin would be cordial while the chances that US China relations may deteriorate as Trump may like to go for two China policy. Once Russia leans towards US the warmth of Russian Pakistan relations would also go down. 

(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based former diplomat and strategic analyst. He was posted in Pakistan, Washington and Dubai. The views are personal. This article first appeared in aviation and defence universe.com and is being reproduced here with the author’s permission.)”

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The British Library and the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival will host a series of events in Jaipur and London during 2017. In January the British Library will be part of the programme in Jaipur that looks at the legacy of Magna Carta, including the loan of a facsimile of the 1215 Magna Carta to be displayed on site during the Festival. In May, the British Library will host the London leg of the Festival for the first time.

The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival travels to London for the fourth time with a creative caravan of writers and thinkers, poets and balladeers brought together by co-directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple. Showcasing South Asia’s unique multilingual literary heritage and the Festival’s global programme and appeal, JLF@London is an intense two-day teaser of the original festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary in January, declared the ‘greatest literary show on earth’.

Inspired by the 70th anniversary of Indian Independence JLF@London  will look at ‘The Idea of India’ with eminent authors from India and the UK and will showcase South Asia’s multilingual literary heritage, oral and performing arts, books and ideas, dialogue and debate, Bollywood and politics in the context of this broader view of India and its relationship to the UK.

The festival’s partnership with the British Library places the legacy of Magna Carta, and its influence on the Indian constitution, at the centre of discussions and debates at ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival. The British Library is loaning a facsimile of the 1215 Magna Carta to be displayed on site at the Diggi Palace during the Festival and Claire Breay, Head of Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts at the British Library joins a panel to discuss justice.

The Magna Carta established the “rule of law” in England in 1215 after 25 barons forced the then King of England King John to agree to follow an agreed form of justice. Now over 800 years old the ancient document is celebrated for establishing the primacy of the “rule of law” in the functioning of a society, and is often cited as the original source of Article 21 of the Constitution of India – “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law”.

ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival will explore the concept of justice and the “rule of law” in relation to India today. Sanjoy K.Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts who organise the Jaipur Literature Festival said: “The Jaipur Literature Festival has developed immeasurably over the past 10 years and established itself as and is delighted to partner with the British Library to give audiences in the UK a taste of what they can experience in Jaipur.  In an important year for UK and India relations, we are looking forward to exploring common foundations in the Magna Carta as well as our many cultural and trade connections both at JLF@London in May and in Jaipur in January.”

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manoj_kumar_gallery_image_250_250Popularly known as “”Bharat Kumar”” for his role as a patriotic Indian in films like “”Purab aur Paschim””, and “”Upkaar””, veteran film actor and director Manoj Kumar will be conferred the 47th Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2015 for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. The Award consists of a Golden Lotus, cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl.”

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Giving him the benefit of doubt, a Jodhpur Court has acquitted actor  Salman Khan of charges under the Arms Act case against him in the alleged poaching of two black bucks.

The decision came as the prosecution failed to provide conclusive evidence against him in the 18-year-old case. The prosecution counsel BS Bhati said they would appeal against the acquittal in the Sessions Court. In the 102-page judgment, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit said that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges under sections 3/25 and 3/27 of the Indian Arms Act.
 A case against the Bollywood actor was registered in October 1998 for his alleged use and possession of arms with an expired license during the alleged poaching of two black bucks in Kankani village.

Salman Khan’s 0.22 rifle and 0.32 revolver had expired licenses and cases were filed under Sections 3/25 and 3/27. The maximum sentence in Section 3/25 is usually three years while Section 3/27 has seven years as the maximum sentence.Salman Khan was present in the court of CJM (Jodhpur), where the verdict was pronounced. He arrived in Jodhpur yesterday with his sister Alvira and his advocates.The defense counsel H M Saraswat said “”the court admitted our arguments that Khan was framed in this case as he had no concrete evidence against him.””According to the prosecution counsel Bhawani Singh Bhati, the arguments in the case were completed on January 9 in the trial court and the order had been reserved by the magistrate to be pronounced today.

Of the four cases against him, Salman Khan has already been acquitted in two cases of poaching by the High Court while a third case of poaching is in its final stage.”