MONDAY 21 JULY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR YOUTH IN BIHAR WANT JOB, NOT SPEECHES: RAHUL GANDHI A FIRM STAND P6 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers likely. Maximum and Minimum Temperature likely to be around 33˚C and 27˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 8.9 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 97% TEMPERATURE Max: 32.0˚C (0.0) SUN RISES 05:03 hrs MOON SETS 15:16 hrs Min. 71% JAPAN VOTES IN KEY ARSHDEEP SINGH ELECTION AS PM ISHIBA SUFFERS INJURY FACES POSSIBLE LOSS P5 P13 ‘Govt ready to discuss Op Stage set for Trinamul’s Sindoor in Parliament’ flagship Martyrs’ Day rally Monsoon Session expected to be stormy affair with Oppn seeking to put govt on the spot on Op Sindoor, Bihar SIR, Trump’s claims STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min: 26.7 ˚C (+0.2) SUN SETS 18:22 hrs MOON RISES 02:03 hrs New Moon on 25 July THUMBNAILS Passengers in large numbers wait to board a train as Police Constable Recruitment Exam aspirants return after their examination, at a railway station in Patna on Sunday. n ANI Odisha burn victim airlifted to AIIMS-Delhi: The 15-year-old girl from a village in Puri district, who suffered 75 per cent burn injuries after allegedly being set ablaze by unidentified miscreants near Bayabar village on Saturday, was airlifted to AIIMS-Delhi on Sunday. NEW DELHI, 20 JULY T he Monsoon Session of Parliament, kicking off Monday, by all expectations, would be a turbulent affair with stormy confrontations between the BJP-led government and the Opposition parties expected to dominate the proceedings. With the Opposition seeking debate on various sensitive topics ~ like Operation Sindoor, US President Donald Trump's claim of mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire, and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision in Bihar ~ the atmosphere can be expected to be surcharged. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said after an all-party meeting on Sunday that the government is prepared to hold discussions on all key issues, including Operation Sindoor, during the Monsoon session. “We are very much open to discussing important issues like Operation Sindoor in Parliament,” Mr Rijiju said, as he urged coordination between government and the Opposition in running Parliament smoothly. On the Opposition's plans to raise the controversy surrounding US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Mr Rijiju said the government would address the matter on the floor of the House. “Government will respond appropriately in Parliament,” he said. As regards the Justice Yaswant Varma case, he said that the government plans to move an impeachment motion with over 100 MPs signing it. “In the Justice Varma case, the process will be undertaken together by all parties. This is not the move by the government alone," Mr Rijiju said. The session that begins Monday will conclude on 21 August, with 21 sittings scheduled across both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The government is planning to introduce eight new bills during the session. On the other side, the Opposition is gearing up to put the government on the spot on several key issues. They are expected to seek answers on the government's handling of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. They will also seek clarity, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the US President's repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. They are also expected to raise questions about the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The demand for restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is also expected to be raised, along with the still unresolved conflict in Manipur. Seeking presence of PM in House at all times is unfair: Rijiju STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 20 JULY Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday slammed the Opposition parties’ attempt to create an unnecessary row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence during proceedings of Parliament, saying that seeking the presence of the Prime Minister in the House at all times, that too against the conventions, is unfair. Mr Rijiju said the Prime Minister makes it a point to attend proceedings unless he is visiting a state to attend an important event or is abroad. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister asserted that PM Modi is one among those who have registered the highest attendance in Parliament. Addressing mediapersons after chairing an all-party meeting on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said: “Seeking the presence of PM Modi in the House at all times, that too against the conventions, is unfair,” he said, hitting out an attempt to target the Prime Minister while ignoring the established system for proceedings. Mr Rijiju said: “Whenever there are questions taken up during Question Hour related to PM Modi’s ministry, he is there. He has not missed the proceedings even once.” “In the House, the Cabinet functions on the basis of collective responsibility. The Cabinet minister concerned is always present in the House during Question Hour,” he said. As per the convention, the Minister related to the department on which a question is asked remains present in the House, and in addition to that, at least one Cabinet Minister and two Ministers of State are always present in Parliament, he said. Meanwhile, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has expressed hope that the Prime Minister will address critical issues in Parliament, particularly regarding defence, foreign policy, and electoral structure. Mr Gogoi emphasised the importance of PM Modi's presence in Parliament to provide clarity on the Pahalgam terror attack, responding to US President Donald Trump's claims about mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and the Election Commission's functioning, particularly about the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and its potential extension to other states. At the all-party meeting, a day before the monsoon session of Parliament, Mr Gogoi said that the government will have to put forth its point on the security lapse in the ghastly 22 April terror attack. PM Modi to leave 23 July on trip to UK, the Maldives Naidu slams Western media for speculative coverage of AI-171 probe STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Sunday hit out at the Western media for their speculative coverage of the probe into the 12 June Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives, saying that making any comments until the final report comes is not a good exercise for anyone. The minister said that the Union government would wait for the final report on the investigation into the tragic Air India Boeing crash before making any comments. He reiterated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had made an appeal to all, especially Western media houses who may have vested interest, referring to some misleading articles being published in relation to the unfortunate AI171 plane crash. “I believe in AAIB. They have done a wonderful job in decoding the whole black box and getting the data out in India itself,” the minister said. “It was a huge success for us because in previous incidents, whenever the black box was seen to be damaged, it was always sent abroad to get the data out. But this is the first time that AAIB has successfully NEW DELHI, 20 JULY Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a visit to the UK and Maldives from 23 to 26 July, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday. PM Modi will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, frp, 23 to 24 July 2025, the MEA said in its statement. During the visit to the UK, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Starmer on the entire gamut of IndiaUK bilateral relations as well as on issues of regional and global importance. Both sides will review progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership focusing on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate, health, education and people-to-people ties. PM Modi is also expected to call on King Charles III. In the second leg of his trip, PM Modi will undertake a state visit to the Maldives from 25 to 26 July on the P12 invitation of the President of the Republic of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu. This will be Prime Minister Modi's third visit to the Maldives, and the first visit by a Head of State or Government to the island nation during the Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu. PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Maldivian Independence on 26 July. He will also meet Mr Muizzu and hold discussions on issues of mutual interest. The two leaders will also take stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a ‘Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,’ adopted during the state visit of Mr Muizzu to India in October 2024. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 20 JULY decoded everything. The preliminary report has also been prepared,” Mr Naidu said. The minister said making any comments until the final report comes is not a good exercise for anyone. The government is being very cautious and studying the report thoroughly, and whatever necessary steps are required in terms of safety would be implemented, he added. “Regarding the incident and investigation, we have to wait for the final report before we say anything,” the minister said. "Making any comments until the final report comes out is not a good exercise... There is no point in jumping to conclusions at this point,” he told reporters after launching IndiGo's flight operations from Hindon Airport. “AAIB has made an appeal to all, especially Western media houses, which may have a vested interest in the kind of articles they are trying to pub- lish," he said. Earlier this week, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India issued a strong appeal to the public and media, raising concerns about "selective and unverified reporting" by certain international outlets in the aftermath of the illfated crash that took the lives of 260 people. The caution came amid heightened global scrutiny following reports in international media. A Wall Street Journal report, cited by Reuters, suggests that cockpit voice recordings indicate the captain may have turned off the fuel control switches shortly after takeoff, which prompted confusion and panic in the cockpit. The AAIB cautioned against drawing premature conclusions or circulating unverified information, particularly by sections of the international media, which they said risked undermining the integrity of the investigation. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 20 JULY The stage is set for the Trinamul Congress’ Martyrs’ Day programme scheduled to be held on Monday. TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee will be the key speaker at the programme. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will also address the gathering. On 21 July 1993, Miss Banerjee, who was then the state Youth Congress president organised a march to Writers’ Buildings, the state administrative headquarters, demanding introduction of identity cards for voters during elections. The slogan was ‘No card, No vote’. The police opened fire and killed 13 Youth Congress supporters. In January 1998, Miss Banerjee floated the Trinamul Congress and the party has been observing 21 July as Martyrs' Day since. With Assembly elections in the state scheduled to be held in 2026, Miss Banerjee is expected to make some important announcements and outline the party’s roadmap to the elections. Key issues that she is expected to raise at tomorrow's meeting are the harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states and deprivation of Bengal by the Centre in releasing funds. In the past month Bengali-speaking migrant workers have been facing harassment from the authorities in many BJP-ruled states like Delhi, Maharastra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam. Miss Banerjee had led a protest rally on 16 July and criticised the BJP for its divisive and discriminatory policies. Financial deprivation of Bengal by the Centre by not releasing funds for the workers engaged under the MGNREGA will be a key issue at tomorrow's meeting. The state government has cleared the dues of the workers from its own coffers. The Centre also has not released funds for Centrally-sponsored housing schemes, again compelling the state to step in. The Trinamul leadership expects a record number of attendees tomorrow. Party workers from outstation have arrived in the city and are being put up in various places like Milan Mela Prangan, Gitanjali stadium, Netaji Indoor stadium and other places. Seven rallies from different places will converge at the venue opposite Victoria House. Miss Banerjee visited the venue of the event in the evening today and inspected the final preparations. Following a high court order, arrangements have been made to ensure normal traffic flow between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Karnataka govt sets up probe team to look into Dharmasthala mass murder allegations AGENCIES BENGALURU, 20 JULY The Siddaramaiah-led government in Karnataka has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising four senior IPS officers to probe the allegations of sexual assault and murders of several women in Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada district. The formation of the SIT was demanded by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice V. Gopala Gowda and several activists after a complaint was lodged at Dharmasthala police station earlier this month by an individual who, alleged that he was forced to cremate bodies and was threatened against approach- ing the police. According to the complaint, the victims were women and had signs of sexual assault and rape. The Karnataka government issued the order on Sunday. The SIT will be led by senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty, DGP of the Internal Security Department. (Details on Page 4)