SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00 |LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘PAKISTAN-OCCUPIED CONGRESS IS A THREAT TO INDIA’ REVANTH REDDY TO ATTEND NITI AAYOG MEET P6 SENSEX 81,721.08 p769.09 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Light rain & thundershower likely to occur in some areas. RAINFALL: 00.0 mm P5 NIFTY 24,853.15 p243.45 ` vs $ 85.28 TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BARS ISSF JR WC: RAIZA DHILLON WINS HARVARD FROM ENROLLING SILVER IN WOMEN'S FOREIGN STUDENTS SKEET P11 P16 SILVER `1,00,000 GOLD `98,255 Rahul criticises government’s foreign policy; BJP hits back BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 63.70 All-party delegation: CM urges Centre to convene special parliament session BJP’s spokesman Gaurav Bhatia accused Gandhi of echoing Pakistani propaganda RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95% Min. 61% TEMPERATURE Max: 31.8˚C (-3.6) Min: 28.0 ˚C (+1.1) SUN RISES 04:54 hrs MOON RISES 01:39 hrs SUN SETS 18:13 hrs MOON SETS 14:14 hrs New Moon on 27 May THUMBNAILS An anti-smog gun on a multi-purpose vehicle sprays water droplets to curb air pollution, at South Block on Raisina Hills in New Delhi on Friday. nANI India extends airspace curbs for Pak flights by a month: India on Friday extended the airspace restrictions for Pakistan-registered aircrafts, including military flights, for a month, till June 23. As per the latest NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), Indian airspace remains unavailable to any aircraft registered in Pakistan, or those operated, owned, or leased by Pakistani airlines or operators, including military flights. This restriction applies across all Flight Information Regions — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and covers all altitudes. The directive is effective immediately from May 23rd and will remain in force until further notice, subject to extension beyond June 23, the NOTAM added. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 MAY O pposition leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a fierce broadside against the Modi administration, claiming India’s foreign policy has “collapsed” and allowed Pakistan to seize the diplomatic initiative. In a flurry of posts on X, the Congress MP taunted External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, whom he dubbed “JJ”, and demanded to know why India had been “hyphenated with Pakistan”, why no state supported New Delhi’s bid to censure Islamabad, and who invited then US President Donald Trump to “medi- ate” on Kashmir. Mr Gandhi revived a longrunning allegation that the Minister tipped off Islamabad before India’s 2019 Balakot air strike, compromising the mission and costing aircraft. Circulating a video in which Dr Jaishankar tells a Dutch interviewer that Delhi had warned Pakistan its action targeted only “terrorist infrastructure”, Gandhi thundered: “This was not a lapse. It was a crime – and the nation deserves the truth.” The government rejected the claim as “misleading”. Dr Jaishankar said ceasefire messages were exchanged only after the strike and stressed that Delhi had told Washington and Gulf capitals that responsibility for de-escalation lay with Pakistan. He recalled telephone calls from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President J. D. Vance, “who were talking to both sides”. Undeterred, Gandhi branded the Minister a “new-age Jaichand” – the medieval ruler synonymous with treachery – and pressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “Why did you believe Pakistan on terrorism? Why did you bow to Trump? Why does your blood boil only before cameras?” Campaigning in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on Thursday, the Prime Minister retorted that terror camps were “destroyed within 22 minutes” after Balakot and that the armed forces had been given a free hand. “Modi’s veins flow with sindoor, not blood,” he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party accused Gandhi of echoing Pakistani propaganda. Spokesman Gaurav Bhatia asked whether the Congress leader wanted the “Nishan-e-Pakistan” rather than the post of Leader of the Opposition. Citing the 26/11 attacks and the 2020 Galwan clash, Bhatia said Gandhi had “repeatedly undermined” the military and noted that even the forces had urged silence on operational details. Displaying a photograph that purportedly showed Gandhi at a social event soon after the Mumbai carnage, the BJP representative argued the former Congress president’s interventions were “deliberate, not childish”, and would be judged at the ballot box. He also contended that the latest IMF tranche to Pakistan was released only after India secured 11 stringent conditions. The exchange underscores hardening battle lines between the ruling party and a resurgent opposition as the country heads into a crucial political season. SHAHID K ABBAS NEW DELHI, 23 MAY West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress party chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday urged the government to convene a special session of Parliament upon the return of the multi-party delegation. "I urge the Union government to convene a special session of Parliament upon the safe return of the delegation, as I believe the people of this great nation have the foremost right to be informed about the recent conflict and the evolving developments - BEFORE ANYONE ELSE," Ms Banerjee said in her WhatsApp channel. The Union government is in the middle of dispatching seven multi-party delegations of Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum to major world capitals, including members of the UN Security Council Russia stands in solidarity with India for North-East emerging as elimination of terrorism in all its forms organic farming hub: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 MAY Strongly condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Russia said on Friday that it stands in solidarity with India for elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Moscow's position was conveyed to the all-party delegation from India led by DMK MP Kanimozhi. The DMK MP met with senior members of the Russian Federation Council, including Andrey Denisov, First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs in the Russian capital to reaffirm the united stand against terrorism. The delegation's visit to Russia comes under India's unprecedented diplomatic campaign to expose Pakistan's sustained role in cross-border terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam attack. In a post on X, the Embassy of India in Russia said, "The All-Party Delegation led by Hon’ble MP @KanimozhiDMK in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation met with First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs H.E. Bangladesh’s chief adviser Yunus mulling resignation over rising protests UNITED NEWS OF INDIA DHAKA, 23 MAY The Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's Interim Government, Muhammad Yunus, is considering quitting from his position, reported Bangladeshi media. National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam, talking to BBC Bangla, said the chief advisor was weighing resignation. The Daily Star reported that Yunus expressed his desire to resign at an advisory council meeting in his office on Thursday and also shared his worries over rising questions about his government’s performance and duties. Amidst rising speculation on social media, Information Advisor Mahfuj Alam, Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, and National Citizen Party Nahid Islam convenor met Yunus on Thursday evening at his official residence. The NCP chief stated that Yunus expressed his discomfort over the rising protests over conflicting demands. "I cannot work like this if you, all the political parties, cannot reach a common ground," the NCP chief quoted Yunus, talking to BBC Bangla. Nahid urged Yunus not to take such a decision in haste. He expressed his hope that Yunus would ensure unity among the parties, and everyone would cooperate with him. Mr. Andrey Denisov and other senators. The Russian side condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and stated that Russia stands in solidarity with India for elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations! Russia and India have shared a position in the fight against terrorism." "Together in the fight against terrorism!" the post added. The Kanimozhi-led delegation includes Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta (Retd.); RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, and former Ambassador of India to the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg and Nepal; Former Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri. Earlier in the day, the delegation was briefed by Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar on various aspects of bilateral relations ahead of their commencement of official engagements highlighting India's strong resolve in fighting terrorism in all its forms under the global outreach campaign of Operation Sindoor. “Ambassador Vinay Kumar briefs MPs Kanimozhi, Rajeev Rai, Brijesh Chowta, Prem Chand Gupta, Ashok Kumar Mittal and Ambassador Manjeev Puri on various aspects of India-Russia relations, before they start the official engagements,” the Embassy of India in Russia posted on X. NEW DELHI, 23 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Oil Palm Mission initiative offers a strong income opportunity for farmers in the Northeast as it reduces India's dependency on edible oil imports. Asserting that palm oil farming presents a major opportunity for industries, encouraging stakeholders to tap into the region’s agricultural potential, the Prime Minister noted that Northeast’s soil and climate was “highly suitable for palm oil cultivation.” Addressing the audience after inaugurating the ‘Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today, the Prime Minister said, “Rising Northeast is more than just an investors’ summit, it is a movement and a call to action.” Emphasising that India’s future will reach new heights through the Northeast’s progress and prosperity, the Prime Minister urged business leaders to unite in driving growth. “Northeast is emerging as a key destination for two strategic sectors—energy and semiconductors,” the Prime Minister asserted, highlighting “government's extensive investments in hydropower and solar power across all Northeastern states, with several thousand crore worth of projects already approved.” He noted that beyond investment opportunities in plants and infrastructure, there is significant potential in manufacturing, including solar modules, cells, storage solutions, and research. He also underscored the importance of maximizing investment in the manufacturing sector as greater selfsufficiency today will reduce dependence on foreign imports in the future. ‘A judge should not hesitate to offend anyone in upholding the Constitution’ PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 23 MAY On his final working day at the Supreme Court, Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka delivered a powerful parting message, affirming that a judge’s duty lies not in garnering popularity but in fearlessly upholding liberty and the constitutional values, even if it means offending others. Sitting on the ceremonial Bench alongside Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, Justice Oka reflected on his judicial journey, expressing gratitude while reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution and the stream of liberty running through it. “It was my honest endeavour to uphold the Constitu- tion. In that honest endeavour, I may have offended a few lawyers. But I always believe that a judge has to be very firm, strict, and that a judge should not hesitate to offend anyone [while pursuing the cause of justice],” said Justice Oka. Despite the personal loss of his mother in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, Justice Oka flew to Mumbai for the last rites and was back in the Supreme Court Friday morn- ing, where he delivered a record 11 judgments on his final day on the Bench. Recalling the advice of a senior judge, he said, “A great judge once told me, ‘You are not becoming a judge to become popular’. I followed that advice to the hilt. I was harsh only for one reason—to uphold the Constitution.” “I believe this (Supreme Court) is one court which can uphold constitutional liberties. That was my humble endeavour. I am sure this court will continue to uphold liberty, because that was the dream of the framers of the Constitution,” he said in his farewell remarks at the ceremonial bench. Justice Oka—a known non-believer—had in the past voiced his reservations about judges participating in ceremonial lamp-lighting rituals and making public their religious affiliations, reinforcing his commitment to secularism and judicial neutrality. Speaking at the end of what became the longest ceremonial Bench farewell in recent memory, lasting more than an hour and a half, Justice Oka was visibly moved by the tributes paid to his judicial career. “I am truly speechless. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. I will only cherish the memories made in this court,” he said with emotion. Those who addressed the ceremonial Bench included Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitors General SV Raju and Aishwarya Bhati, SCBA President Vikas Singh, his immediate predecessor Kapil Sibal, and senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Huzefa Ahmadi, and Madhavi Divan, among others. With a judicial life rooted in integrity, Justice Oka, who demits office officially on May 24, was born on May 25, 1960. A graduate in law from Bombay University, he enrolled as an advocate in June 1983. He began his legal career at Thane District Court in the chamber of his father, Shreeniwas W Oka, and later trained under VP Tipnis, a former judge of the Bombay High Court. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on August 29, 2003, and became a Permanent Judge on November 12, 2005. He served as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court from May 10, 2019, before being elevated to the Supreme Court of India on August 31, 2021. for a diplomatic outreach to expose Pakistan's hand in the recent Pahalgam terror attack and to mobilise global support against cross-border terrorism. Of the seven delegations, three have already started reaching their respective destinations. "I am glad to see allparty delegation visiting various countries as part of India’s global outreach against terrorism. As I have consistently maintained, the TMC stands firmly behind any step the Union takes in the national interest and in defence of our sovereignty," the chief minister asserted. The Congress party has also been demanding the government to convene a special session of Parliament to hold a detailed discussion on the Pahalgam incident, Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire agreement reached between India and Pakistan to stop all military operations on both fronts. PM to chair 10th annual Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog on 24 May: Reports STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to chair the 10th annual Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog on May 24, reports said on Friday. The meet will bring together Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors, and Administrators from across the country to deliberate on the roadmap for achieving 'Viksit Rajya, Viksit Bharat @2047' – a developed India by 2047, it added. Going on further, it said that the key focus of the meeting will be to outline an outcomeoriented roadmap aimed at building a 'Viksit Rajya' for a 'Viksit Bharat', a developed state contributing to a developed India. The high-level meeting is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam with the Prime Minister expected to emphasise how state-level progress will be instrumental in realising the vision of a developed India. Reports have further suggested that a significant portion of the deliberations will focus on "Promoting Entrepreneurship, Employment and Skilling – Leveraging the Demographic Dividend." Discussions are expected to centre on three key areas like Manufacturing and Services Ecosystem, MSME and Informal Employment, and Green Economy Opportunities. Leaders will explore strategies for creating enabling environments beyond metropolitan centres, with particular emphasis on developing Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as new growth engines highlighting the need for infrastructure development, skill training, and policy support to attract investments to these emerging urban centres.