SATURDAY 03 JUNE 2023 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC www.thestatesman.com KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR THREE SEPARATE PROGRAMMES ON T’GANA FORMATION DAY ‘INTENSITY OF CYCLONES IS INCREASING’ P7 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 37 AND 22 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 88% TEMPERATURE Max: 34.5°C (-5) SUN RISES 05:24 hrs MOON RISES 18:39 hrs P4 P10 Law Commission backs Sedition law Says being 'colonial-era' provision not valid ground for repeal Min. 41% SNS & AGENCIES Min: 20.8°C (-6) SUN SETS 19:15 hrs MOON SETS 05:08 hrs THUMBNAILS People walk under an umbrella on a hot summer day at Kartavya Path near India Gate on Friday.  ANI Manipur govt puts clashes toll at 98: At least 98 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur that broke out a month ago, the government said in a statement on Friday. A total of 37,450 people are in 272 relief camps at present, said the statement, issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). In all, 4,014 cases of arson have been reported since the violence broke out in the state on May 3, it said. Over the last one month, the state police has registered 3,734 cases and arrested 65 people for their involvement in the violence, the statement said. (P9) NEW DELHI, 2 JUNE B acking the continuation of the Sedition law in Indian legal system, the Law Commission of India has said that Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) needs to be retained due to “internal security threats” and to prevent offences against the state; however, certain amendments may be introduced in the provisions. The 22nd Law Commission in its report to the Law Ministry, stated that threats exist to India's internal security, and that the freedom of citizens can be ensured only when the security of the state is ensured. It further that social media has a ‘proliferating’ role in propagating radicalisation against India and bringing the Government into hatred, many a time at the "initiation and facilitation of foreign powers”. This all the more requires that Section 124A remain in place. Calling Sedition “reasonable restriction” under Article 19 (2), the Law Commission pointed out that the Supreme Court while dealing with the constitutionality of Section 124A held that the law was “constitutional” as the restriction it sought to impose was a reasonable restriction. “Laws like the UAPA and NSA are special laws that seek to prevent the commission of offences targeted towards the State. The law of sedition seeks fact that a legal provision is colonial in its origin does not ipso facto validate the case for its repeal," it stated. It added that every country has to grapple with its "own set of realities" and the sedition law "should not be repealed" tain recommendations regarding amendments in the provision, including mandatory preliminary investigation, procedural safeguards and revision in punishment. “Implementation of the Supreme Court Kedar Nath judgment to bring LEGAL OPINION The Law Commission says the Sedition law should be retained because  Threats exist to the unity and integrity of India  The law is a reasonable restriction to the Fundamental Right to free speech Sedition law being a Colonial Legacy is not by itself a valid ground for its repeal  to prevent the violent, illegal and unconstitutional overthrow of a democratically elected government established by law. Other laws contain much more stringent provisions,” it stated. The Commission also said that just because the law is from 'colonial' times, it is not a "valid ground" for its repeal. “If sedition is considered to be a colonial-era law, then by that virtue, the entire framework of the Indian legal system is a colonial legacy. The mere ‘SHAMI CAN TROUBLE AUSTRALIAN BATTERS IN WTC FINAL’ ‘NO UKRAINE CEASEFIRE WITHOUT A PEACE DEAL’ IT RECOMMENDS Mandatory investigation before registra- tion of an FIR under the Sedition law and other procedural safeguards  Amendment of the law to include that there has to be a tendency to incite violence or public disorder to attract the provision  Revision of the punishment provision to allow for greater room for courts in accordance with the scale and gravity of the act merely because other countries have done so. The Law Commission in its report, also made cer- about more clarity in the interpretation, understanding and usage of the sedition law. P12 Hundreds injured, many feared dead after Coromandel Express derails in Odisha STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BALASORE, 2 JUNE Hundreds of passengers were injured, and multiple fatalities feared in a major rail mishap when the Coromandel Express Train derailed near Bahanaga railway station in Balasore district at 7 p.m. on Friday, following which the derailed bogies were hit by another train coming on the opposite track. Local people who engaged in rescue operations after hearing the loud sound feared that many casualties may take place. There was no official report on the number of casualties at the time of filing this report. Till the latest report received here, at least 47 injured persons are undergoing treatment at Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital. The health condition of all of them is stated to be critical. In what is being described as one of the worst rail accidents in the state, many are reported injured with most of them trapped inside the derailed bogies. As the bogies are badly twisted, the majority of injured persons are trapped inside the coaches. “At around 7 pm, 10-12 coaches of the ShalimarChennai Coromandel Express derailed near Baleswar and fell on the opposite track. After some time, another train from Yeswanthpur to Howrah dashed into those derailed coaches resulting in the derail- ment of its 3-4 coaches,” Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma said. Railway authorities in Bhubaneswar are yet to make an official announcement on the number of injured persons or other casualties and said they are waiting for details from Kharagpur Division. Doctors from Balasore Medical College Hospital have rushed to the site. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has deputed the revenue minister Pramila Mallik to go to the accident site at the earliest to oversee the rescue operation.“Heart wrenching scenes were witnessed at the accident site. We heard a big bang. People trapped in the coaches were heard screaming for help. It was a tragedy of the worst form. We tried to rescue the people. But it was not possible on our part to extricate the injured from the twisted coaches,” said an eyewitness. Relief and rescue operation were affected because of the darkness. Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner has directed the ODRAF Team at Balasore to proceed to the spot for search and rescue immediately. Collector Balasore has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and intimate the SRC if any additional help is required from the State level. Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services and medical teams from Balasore, Bhadrak districts have been sent to the spot. At least 50 ambulances have been pressed into service and all hospitals in the two districts as well as SCB , Cuttack have been alerted. The railways issued help line numbers for Howrah ( 03326382217), Kharagpur (8972073925, 9332392339), Balasore (8249591559, 7978418322). Chief ministerPatnaik directed the revenue minister, special relief commissioner and fire services chief to reach the spot. Shivaji Maharaj upheld unity of India: PM Arrest WFI chief by 9 June: Mahapanchayat STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 2 JUNE Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message marking the 350th year of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Coronation Day, on Friday said that Shivaji Maharaj always gave paramount importance to upholding the unity and integrity of India.In a video message, the Prime Minister said the reflection of the thoughts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj can today be seen in the vision of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. He noted that a grand event has been organised in the courtyard of Raigarh Fort at the first capital of Swarajya and the coronation day is fondly celebrated as a festival all over Maharashtra. He said the day has brought along new consciousness and new energy for everyone in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The coronation was a special chapter of the historic Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addresses the nation on the 350th coronation anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in New Delhi on Friday.  ANI period 350 years ago and great tales of self-rule, good governance and prosperity from those times inspire everyone even today. “National welfare and public welfare have been the basic elements of Shivaji Maharaj’s governance,” he said. Underling the responsibility of leaders in keeping the citizens motivated and confident, the Prime Minister remarked that one can imagine the confidence levels of the country at the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Hundreds of years of slavery after invasions and exploitation by invaders brought the level of confidence of the citizens at the lowest level. “An attempt was made to break the morale of the people by attacking our cultural centres,” the Prime Minister said. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj not only fought the invaders but also instilled belief in the public that self-rule could be regained. “Shivaji Maharaj inspired people for nation-building by discarding the mentality of slavery,” Mr Modi said. The Prime Minister said that various aspects of Shivaji Maharaj's personality have impact today also. He said his expansion of the Navy and his management skills are inspiration for everyone even today. The forts built by him are still standing proudly in the middle of the ocean, despite bearing the brunt of strong waves and tides. The Prime Minister said Shivaji Maharaj built forts from the seashores to the mountains. His arrangements related to water management during that period put the experts in awe, he added. SNS & AGENCIES CHANDIGARH, 2 JUNE Farmers and representative of Khap panchayats, expressing solidarity with the protesting wrestlers in Delhi, on Friday gave the BJP government in the Centre an ultimatum to arrest Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually harassing female grapplers, by 9 June or prepare for a larger protest. A collective and unanimous decision in this regard was taken at the ;mahapanchayat' held in Haryana's Kurukshetra town on the future strategy of wrestlers' protest. A day earlier, a ‘mahapanchayat’ was held in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar where it was decided that a delegation would meet President Droupadi Murmu to seek justice for the wrestlers.In Kurukshetra, khap panchayats (community courts) of Rajasthan, Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait speaks to the media about the Khap panchayat members’ decision on the wrestlers' protest, in Kurukshetra on Friday.  ANI Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi gathered to discuss the issue. Addressing a huge gathering, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait warned the Central government that if no action is taken against Brij Bhushan by June 9, they will hold a larger protest along with wrestlers. “We have taken a decision that the government must address the grievances of wrestlers and he should be arrested otherwise we will go with wrestlers to Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on June 9 and will hold panchayats across the nation," he said. At the same time, Mr Tikait warned the Central government that if they aren't allowed to protest at Jantar Mantar on 9 June, "there will be an announcement of agitation". The farmer leader also demanded that cases against the wrestlers, who were manhandled and detained during their march towards the new Parliament building, should be withdrawn. “We will not compromise on anything less than the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. If this does not happen, we will go to Jantar Mantar on June 9 and hold panchayats across the nation. Cases against wrestlers should be withdrawn and the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh must happen," Mr Tikait, the leader behind the year-long farmers' protests and forcing the Centre to repeal them, added. Meanwhile, Union Information and Broadcasting and Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur on Friday said that justice will be done as police will soon file a charge sheet and the governing body now has no authority in managing the daily affairs of the sport. Scam: SC declines an early listing of State plea against probe by CBI, ED BRICS foreign ministers fail to 2024 LS polls will surprise everyone: Rahul take clear stand on Ukraine war NEW DELHI, 2 JUNE NEW DELHI, 2 JUNE The Supreme Court on Friday declined an early listing of the West Bengal government’s plea against Calcutta High Court’s order allowing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Directorate of Enforcement to investigate allegations of irregularities and wrong doings in the recruitment of the teachers in schools in the state. Declining the listing of the matter early next week, a Vacation Bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice K V Viswanathan ordered the listing of the West Bengal government’s petition on 3 July, after the opening of the court after its ongoing summer vacation. In the meantime, the Bench asked advocate Sunil Fernandes, appearing for the West Bengal government, to take an adjournment of the hearing of the matter before (Pg3) the High Court.SNS The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) foreign ministers concluded their meeting at Cape Town in South Africa without taking a clear stand on the Ukraine conflict even as they strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers, who included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, reiterated their known positions on Ukraine and “noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.” They called for the full and effective implementation of both the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and the Secretariat of STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 2 JUNE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE the United Nations on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets and stressed the importance of allowing grains and fertilizers to continue to reach those most in need. They recognised the threat emanating from terrorism, extremism conducive to terrorism and radicalisation and committed themselves to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens. They reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to contribute further to the global efforts of preventing and countering the threat of terrorism. They said they looked forward to further deepening counter-terrorism cooperation. The five ministers reiterated their commitment to strengthening multilateralism and upholding international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN) as its indispensable cornerstone, and the central role of the UN in an international system in which sovereign states cooperate to maintain peace and security, advance sustainable development, ensure the promotion and protection of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, and promoting cooperation based on the spirit of solidarity, mutual respect, justice and equality. Asserting that the Opposition in India was “pretty well united”, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has claimed that the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will “surprise” everyone as there is a hidden undercurrent building within the country. In an interaction with the media at the National Press Club in Washington DC on Thursday, the former Lok Sabha MP, asked whether, given the strength of the BJP, the Congress will be open to to forming a coalition government if it does not lead in next year's general elections, said: “These are the questions that need to be asked to Congress President.” “But I think Congress will do very well in the next election and it will surprise everyone. There is a hidden undercurrent building and I think we will surprise people,” the Congress leader added. Mr Gandhi said that he is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a discussion with the members of the National Press Club, in Washington DC. not entirely convinced about this idea that Narendra Modi will win the elections. It is not simple as people make out, he said. “If you do the math, the Opposition will defeat the BJP without any electoral math," he added. Putting forth his point of view on a range of issues during the interaction, the Congress leader said the Congress was in touch with fellow Opposition parties. Responding to a news agency's question on Opposition unity, Mr Gandhi said his party was holding regular dialogue with all the Opposition parties, adding that "quite a lot of good work is happening" in that regard. “The Opposition is pretty well united, and it's getting more and more united. We are having conversations with all the Opposition (parties). I think quite a lot of good work is happening there. It's a complicated discussion because there are spaces where we are competing with the Opposition. So a bit of give and take is required. But I am confident that it (a grand Opposition alliance against the BJP at the Centre) will happen,” the Congress leader said. To another question about the clean chit to China on intrusion on Indian land, the Congress leader said: “The fact of the matter is that China has occupied our territory and it is a fact that 1,500 sq. km has been occupied by them. It is unacceptable and the Prime Minister thinks otherwise. Maybe he knows something we don't know.” Rahul Gandhi also added that Muslim League is completely a secular party and there is nothing non-secular about it. He made the remarks while responding to a question on the Congress' alliance with Muslim League in Kerala. To another question if India will act as a centre between Russia and the USA, he said: “India has to do what is in its interest. And that's what will guide us... So, I am not entirely convinced about the sort of autocratic vision that is being promoted. I think that it's very important that democracy is protected on the planet. So, India has a role there. India, of course, has its view on things, and I think that that view should be put on the table, but I don't think one should think about these things as the centre of things. I think that's, that would be arrogant,” he said.