SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 | LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘RELIGION IS A HUMAN CONSTRUCT’ ‘ADJOURNMENT NOTICES BEING WEAPONISED AS MECHANISM OF DISRUPTION’ P5 SENSEX 79,802.79p759.05 WEATHER SMOG/SHALLOW FOG IS LIKELY IN THE MORNING. MAINLY CLEAR SKY. SMOG/MIST FOG IS LIKELY IN THE EVENING/NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 26 AND 10 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE P6 ` vs $ 84.49 GOLD 79,085.00 Opp spreading lies after being rejected: PM Modi Min: 09.5 °C (0) SUN SETS 17:24 hrs MOON SETS 16:30 hrs THUMBNAILS Fishermen dock boats near the road ahead of 'Cyclone Fengal' in Chennai on Friday.n ANI No request from US govt on Adani: India has not received any request from the USA regarding the service of summons on billionaire Gautam Adani, who has been indicted in a US court on charges of bribery, the government said on Friday. ''This is a legal matter involving private firms and individuals and the US Department of Justice,” an MEA spokesperson said adding that the Indian government is not legally a part of it in any manner. P12 SILVER 1,00,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 73.01p0.71 Sambhal Shahi mosque row: Ensure peace and harmony, SC tells Yogi govt PARMOD KUMAR PM accuses the Opposition of looting the country in the past NEW DELHI, 29 NOVEMBER STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The Supreme Court on Friday asked Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh government to ensure “peace and harmony” in Sambhal and directed the trial court not to proceed in the suit against the Shahi mosque, till the petition to be filed by the Masjid Committee against the survey order is listed for hearing by Allahabad High Court. Stating, “We don’t want anything to happen. Peace and harmony have to be maintained”, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar ordered a pause to the trial court proceedings and directed that the report of the advocate commissioner, if any, who was asked to conduct the survey of the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid, should be kept in a sealed cover and should not be opened in the meantime. The top court said that any further proceedings in the suit before the Sambhal court would be subject to the order passed by the High Court. At the outset of the hearing, the Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna said: “Peace and harmony have to be maintained. We don't want anything to happen... We have to be absolutely, totally Shah opens police chiefs’ conference BHUBANESWAR, 29 NOVEMBER Min. 44 % Max: 26.4 °C (0) SUN RISES 06:57 hrs MOON RISES 06:59 hrs P7 NIFTY 24,131.10p216.95 SHUBMAN GILL ‘LOOKING COMFORTABLE’ IN RETURN TO NETS ENDING IMPUNITY P rime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Opposition parties, accusing them of spreading lies and conspiring against the nation after being repeatedly rejected by the people. Speaking at a public meeting near the airport upon his arrival for the All-India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police scheduled from 30 November to 1 December, the Prime Minister said the recently concluded elections in Maharashtra and Haryana demonstrated the public’s endorsement of the BJP and its governance. “Some people believe being in power is their birthright. They cannot accept the fact that the people have elected someone else, and this makes them angry,” he remarked. He accused the Opposition of having looted the country in the past and being desperate for power to resume their BHUBANESWAR, 29 NOVEMBER corrupt practices. “They have been out of power for a decade and are now spreading falsehoods to mislead the people,” he added. The Prime Minister urged all citizens who value the nation, the Constitution, and democracy to remain vigilant against the malicious campaigns of the Opposition. Reflecting on the BJP’s electoral successes, he claimed that the victory in 2024 had created a global impact, even more so than the landmark wins of 2014 and 2019. "The world is amazed to see a leader re-elected repeatedly in a vast and diverse country like India," he said. He attributed the success to the love and support of the people, the dedication of party workers, and the government's performance. He emphasised that the central government has always ensured equitable development. “Even when Odisha was not governed by the BJP, central funds and schemes were implemented without discrimination. People in the state recognised this and supported us, even when experts doubted BJP’s prospects here,” he stated. Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the All India Conference of Director Generals/ Inspector Generals of Police in the presence of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and MOS Home here on Friday. The conference will be attended by PM Narendra Modi from 30 November to 1 December. The deliberations include critical components of national security, including Counter Terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, Coastal Security, New Criminal Laws, Narcotics among others. The President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service will also be awarded during the conference. SNS Five persons died in clashes between police and locals during a bid by a court-appointed team to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on Sunday. n ANI FILE PHOTO neutral and ensure nothing wrong is done.” As senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the mosque committee, sought to address the bench on the challenge to the Sambhal court’s 19 November order, the top court expressed reservation on the lower court’s order but said that the petitioner committee should approach the High Court or any other appropriate judicial forum, instead of directly approaching the Supreme Court. “We have some reservations against the order, but still you have to approach the appropriate forum,” the bench told senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi while keeping the petition pending with it. “We feel that the petitioner, … must challenge the order dated 19.11.2024 before an appropriate Court/forum as per law, including the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and the Constitution of India”, the bench said. The 19 November 2024 order on the survey of the Shahi mosque was passed by the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal at Chandausi, in Civil Suit No. 166/2024. On Friday, the top court further ordered: “We also observe that, in case any revision petition/ appeal/miscellaneous petition is preferred before the appropriate Court/forum, the same will be listed within a period of three working days after the date of its filing.” India’s economic growth decelerates in July-September to 5.4 per cent Cong to set up internal panels to look into poll performance ‘India has taken serious note of attacks against minorities, shared concerns with Bangladesh’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 29 NOVEMBER NEW DELHI, 29 NOVEMBER India's economic growth decelerated significantly in JulySeptember, reaching 5.4 per cent year-on-year, data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) said on Friday. The estimates are considerably below the analysts’ estimate of 6.5 per cent and the central bank's 7 per cent estimate. For Q2 FY 2023-24, the Real GDP growth was 8.1 per cent.As per the MoSPI, Real GDP in Q2 of 2024-25 is estimated at Rs 44.10 lakh crore, against Rs 41.86 lakh crore in Q2 of 2023-24. Nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices in Q2 of 202425 is estimated at Rs 76.60 lakh crore, against Rs 70.90 lakh crore in Q2 of 2023-24. Urban consumption weakened due to increased food prices. The figure showed a decline from the previous quarter's 6.7 per cent. Economic activity measured by gross value added (GVA) showed 5.6 per cent growth, down from 6.8 per cent in the preceding quarter.Real GVA in Q2 of 2024-25 is estimated at Rs 40.58 lakh crore, against Rs 38.42 lakh crore in Q2 of 202324, showing a growth rate of 5.6 per cent. Nominal GVA in Q2 of 2024-25 is estimated at Rs 69.54 lakh crore, against Rs 64.35 lakh crore in Q2 of 202324, showing a growth rate of 8.1 per cent. The MoSPI data indicated that the Agriculture and Allied sector has bounced back by registering a growth rate of 3.5 per cent in Q2 of FY 202425 after sub-optimal growth rates ranging from 0.4 per cent to 2.0 per cent, observed during previous four quarters. Tertiary sector has observed a growth rate of 7.1 per cent in Q2 of FY 2024-25, as compared to the growth rate of 6.0 per cent in Q2 of the previous financial year, according to the data. In particular, Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting has seen a growth rate of 6.0 per cent in Q2 of FY 2024-25 against the growth rate of 4.5 per cent in Q2, 2023-24, it added. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), on Friday, decided to constitute internal committees to look into the matters related to the party’s electoral performance and organisational matters in the block and the districts, in the wake of the party's dismal show in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The party’s highest decision-making body has also decided to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the presidency of Mahatma Gandhi in 1924, in Belgaum in December. The decision was taken at a meeting of the CWC convened by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at the party headquarters here in the presence of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and The party's highest decision-making body has also decided to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the presidency of Mahatma Gandhi in 1924, in Belgaum in December. senior party leaders. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, party general secretary KC Venugopal said: “CWC met today and had a detailed discussion on the current political situation in the country including the recent Assembly elections. We analysed the performance of the party in the last Assembly election concluded. The CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into the matters related to electoral performance and organisational matters in the block and the districts.” Maha CM suspense continues; Mahayuti meeting cancelled STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE According to a leader of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Sanjay Shirsat, “Saheb is unlikely to be a Deputy Chief Minister. It does not befit the stature of a person who has already served as chief minister of Maharashtra.” MUMBAI, 29 NOVEMBER Even after the top leaders of the BJP-backed Mahayuti, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, returned after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday evening in Delhi, there was no relief from the long suspense about who will be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra as late as Friday evening. Though the name of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra is still under wraps, some sources indicated that the oath-taking ceremony for the Maharashtra government is likely to take place on Tuesday, 5 December at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while others said that it might get delayed further. Meanwhile, rather inexplicably, a meeting of the Mahayuti in Mumbai to iron out details was abruptly cancelled, along with another scheduled meeting of Mr Shinde's Shiv Sena. It was announced that caretaker CM Eknath Shinde is heading to his village in Satara and all meetings would be held only after his return on Saturday. All this has led to a revival of political speculation that Mr Shinde is “unhappy”, especially after he also met a leader of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, before he headed to his village in Satara. However, Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant insisted that “Eknath Shinde is not upset. He had to go to his village and he will be back tomorrow”. Sources claimed that Mr Shinde is not keen on a Deputy Chief Minister role. According to a leader of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Sanjay Shirsat, “Saheb is unlikely to be a Deputy Chief Minister. It does not befit the stature of a person who has already served as chief minister of Maharashtra.” Mr Samant also insisted that Mr Shinde's Shiv Sena wants him to be a part of the Maharashtra government. "If Eknath Shinde wants someone else to be Deputy Chief Minister, then it is his nobility but we think that he should be a part of the Maharashtra government," he said. Sources said that the BJP is likely to keep the home ministry, Ajit Pawar's NCP may get the finance portfolio and Mr Shinde's Sena may get urban development and public works departments. The BJP is likely to get 22 cabinet berths, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena will get 12 portfolios and the NCP will get 9 portfolios respectively, according to sources NEW DELHI, 29 NOVEMBER The Union government has taken serious note of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, and shared its concerns with the interim government in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed Parliament on Friday. He added that protecting the life and liberty of citizens, including the minorities is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government. Responding to BJP MP Arun Kumar Sagar's question on violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, Mr Jaishankar in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said: "Government have seen several reports of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, their homes and business establishments and of attacks on temples/ religious places, including in the month of August 2024, across Bangladesh." “Government have taken a serious note of these incidents and shared its concerns with the Government of Bangladesh. Reports of attacks on temples and puja mandaps also came to light during the recent Durga Puja festival in Bangladesh,” he added. The Foreign Minister said that the reports of attacks on temples and puja mandaps also came to light during the recent Durga Puja festival. Mr Jaishankar added that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is closely monitoring the situation related to the minorities in Bangladesh. “Government had expressed its serious concerns regarding the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and theft at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira during Durga Puja 2024. After the attacks, the Government of Bangladesh had issued instructions for providing special security including deployment of Army and Border Guards Bangladesh to ensure peaceful celebrations of Durga Puja,” the EAM stated in his reply. “The High Commission of India in Dhaka continues to monitor the situation related to the minorities in Bangladesh closely. The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the Government of Bangladesh," he added. 2025 Champions Trophy: ICC board meet adjourned without reaching consensus TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 29 NOVEMBER The impasse over the 2025 Champions Trophy continued as the all-powerful ICC board failed to reach a consensus after meeting virtually for a little over 20 minutes on Friday. The ICC board is likely to meet again over the weekend to find a solution. It has been reliably learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is firm on its stance against hosting the tournament under a Hybrid model, under which the Indian team could play its matches at a neutral venue. The BCCI had already conveyed to the global cricket body about its decision of not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament. The tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Pakistan in February-March next year, is already behind schedule as the fixtures, which were supposed to be released 100 days before the first game, haven't been announced and there is no During FridayÊs meeting, it was decided that the PCB, BCCI and ICC leadership along with some other member boards - would try to find a way forward that is acceptable to all parties. clarity to the broadcasters too about the host nation. During Friday’s meeting, it was decided that the PCB, BCCI and ICC leadership along with some other member boards - would try to find a way forward that is acceptable to all parties. The solution will, in all likelihood, have to be approved by the governments of India and Pakistan. The ICC Board, comprising representatives from all 12 Full Member countries, was expected to take a final call on the Champions Trophy venue based on three options listed on the agenda for Friday's meeting. The options are ~ conducting the tournament under a hybrid mode, in which majority of the matches are in Pakistan but those involving India are played outside Pakistan; the tournament is played entirely outside Pakistan, with the PCB retaining hosting rights, and the entire tournament is played in Pakistan without India’s participation. While the third option looks highly unlikely, it remains to be seen how soon the ICC board arrives at a consensus, in the midst of growing rumours of the global body offering some financial incentive to Pakistan for pushing the hybrid model, although the PCB at this moment, remains steadfast to its original status of hosting all games in Pakistan. The Champions Trophy would be the first major ICC tournament in nearly three decades to be hosted on Pakistani soil.