TUESDAY 22 JULY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR CM SIDDARAMAIAH SEEKS PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM BJP JD(S) , CONGRESS LEADER SNUBS THAROOR P5 SENSEX 82,200.34 p442.62 WEATHER Generally Cloudy sky with one or two spells of light to moderate rain/ thundershower very likely to occur. RAINFALL: 00.0 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95% P4 NIFTY 25,090.70 p122.30 ` vs $ 86.29 P9 SUN RISES 05:04 hrs MOON RISES 01:05 hrs Will protect Bengalis, defeat BJP in 2026: CM BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 69.06 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns, cites health reasons ‘There will be resistance and you (BJP) will be ousted’, Chief Minister Mamata said Min. 68% Min: 26.6˚C (+0.1) SUN SETS 18:23 hrs MOON SETS 15:16 hrs New Moon on 25 July THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 21 JULY T rinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said the party will not tolerate any attack and harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in the BJP-led states. She also added that her party will get more seats in the Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in 2026. “We will win 2026 Assembly election with more seats in 2026 and then intensify our fight till the BJP is ousted from Delhi. If you hit me, I become as dangerous as a tornado. I am a product of movements and still consider myself to be a faithful worker of the party. The BJP plans to bring a change in Bengal and I will not be surprised that there is a change at the Centre instead,” she said. She was addressing a mammoth rally to observe the Martyr’s Devotees perform abhishekam of Shivalings on the second Monday of Shravan month, in Prayagraj. nANI Air India plane overshoots runway: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) said on Monday that all passengers and crew are safe, after an incoming Air India aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at the airport. All passengers and crew in Flight AI 2744 disembarked safely as CSMIA's emergency response teams were immediately activated following the incident. A CSMIA spokesperson said in a statement that “An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai at 09.27 hours on 21 July 2025”. Day rally at Esplanade this afternoon. The police had gunned down 13 Youth Congress workers, who had taken part in a march to Writer’s Buildings on 21 July, 1993. She was the then president of Youth Congress. She announced that from 26 July, which is observed as Nanoor Divas, the party’s leaders and rank and file will take part in protest rallies and dharna on every Saturday and Sunday till the Assembly elections. “We are not going to tolerate any attack on Bengali-speaking migrant workers and also harassment of others speaking their mother tongue. Try to involve people speaking different languages, coming from different culture,” she maintained, adding, “The BJP has harassed the Bengali workers as the party is mortally scared of Bengal.” Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said: “Some leader had recently come to Bengal and said the migrant workers have left the state as there are no jobs here. He should remember that they are skilled workers and hired ‘World witnessed strength of Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor’ ASHOK TUTEJA NEW DELHI, 21 JULY Describing the current monsoon session of Parliament as a celebration of India’s victories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the world witnessed the strength and capability of Indian armed forces during ''Operation Sindoor'' when they achieved their targeted objectives with 100 per cent success. ''In just 22 minutes, under Operation Sindoor, India’s forces neutralised high-value targets at their own bases (in Pakistan),'' he said addressing the media on the opening day of the Parliament session. The PM mentioned that he had announced this operation at a public event in P12 SILVER `1,14,042 GOLD `1,01,685 TEMPERATURE Max: 32.6˚C (+0.6) INJURIES ROCK INDIA AHEAD OF MANCHESTER TEST ‘WILL STAY IN OFFICE TO TACKLE INFLATION & US TARIFFS’ Bihar, and the armed forces proved their mettle swiftly. Noting the growing global interest in India’s emerging “Made in India” defence capabilities, he said world leaders expressed admiration for India's indigenously developed military equipment during his recent interactions with them. The PM expressed confi- dence that as Parliament unites to celebrate this victory in one voice during the session, it will further energize and encourage India’s military strength. This collective spirit, he said, will also inspire citizens and lend momentum to defence sector research, innovation, and manufacturing, creating new employment opportunities for India’s youth. Recalling the brutal killings in Pahalgam that shocked the world and brought global attention to terrorism and its sponsors, he remarked that in response, representatives from most political parties and states rose above partisan interests and embarked on international outreach in the service of the nation. He highlighted the success of this unified diplomatic campaign, which exposed Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism on the global stage. Mr Modi expressed deep appreciation for the MPs and political parties which carried out this vital national initiative. He stated that their efforts created a positive environment in the country and opened the minds of the international community to India’s perspective on terrorism. He said the current Parliament session is a moment of great pride for the nation for another reason. In this connection, he spoke about the historic moment when the Indian tricolour flag was unfurled at the International Space Station for the first time, calling it a source of immense pride for every Indian citizen. by different companies. Statistics provided by the external affairs ministry showed more than a lakh Indians have left the country and settled abroad. He has also spoken about the abuse on two college students. We have arrested the persons involved within 24 hours. Why he is silent on the attack on a girl, who was set on fire by the miscreants in Odisha? The BJP had given ticket to contest election to a person who had abused a medal-winning wrestler.” She alleged that the BJP and the Election Commission of India are hand-in-glove and the names of 40 lakh voters have been deleted in Bihar where Assembly election is in the offing. The BJP had won Assembly elections in Maharastra and Delhi by manipulating the voters’ list,” she said. She pointed out that the BJP leaders have said that there are 17 lakh Rohingyas in Bengal. “The Rohingyas are from Myanmar and cannot speak Bengali. As the United Nations record show, there are 10 lakh Rohingyas in the world. The BJP leaders often talk garbage of lies and never crosscheck data.” Miss Banerjee said the BJP-led Centre has deprived Bengal by not releasing the funds earmarked for 100 days’ work and to set up houses for the poor. She gave Rs one lakh each to the parents of Bitan Chowdhury, who had been killed by terrorists in Pahalgam and the father of a youth, who was killed in police firing on 21 July 1993. Trinamul’s new slogan is: “Jabda hobe, stobdho hobe, tomader bisarjan.” STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 JULY In a sudden development on Monday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced his resignation citing health reasons. Dhankhar, who is also Chairman of Rajya Sabha, sent his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution," the letter said. "I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency - the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure," it added. The Vice President also expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the the Council of Ministers. Veteran Communist leader & former Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan passes away at 101 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 21 JULY Legendary Communist leader and former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan, who passed away on Monday in Thiruvananthapuram, was a revolutionary who donned the role of a corrective force in Kerala politics. Achuthanandan started his political journey as a trade union activist and joined the Congress in 1938. Like most Congress leaders, he was later attracted by the ideology of communism. He formally joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1940 and was soon elected as the party’s district secretary in Alappuzha. Born on 20 October 1923, in a working-class family in Alappuzha district, VS Achuthanandan lent new meaning to Left politics in Kerala and across the country. Born in poverty and brought up amidst adversity — he lost his mother when he was hardly four years old and his father when he was 11.Orphaned early, he was forced by circumstances to discontinue education in Class 7 and join the tailoring shop managed by his elder brother. “I may have been able to continue my studies without books. But I lacked the stamina to starve in school every day,” he said once when journalists asked about his discontinued education. However, he remained an ardent reader. He had found a place for himself in the long and chequered history of the Left movement in India by being active in the Punnapra-Vayalar peasant uprising Achuthanandan never hesitated to raise his voice whenever he spotted irregularities or breaches of rights. Over the years, he relentlessly pursued corruption cases and went after the mafia that thrived by engaging in illegal businesses involving ganja, sandalwood, and land. "Prime Minister's cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office," he said. Dhankhar said that the warmth, trust, and affection he has received from all the Members of Parliament would ever be cherished at and embedded in his memory. "As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat's global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future," he added. The resignation came on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. Dhankhar, who assumed office in August 2022, was the 14th Vice President of India. Reactions to his resignation have poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge expressing respect for Dhankhar's decision. Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashes into a Dhaka school, kills at least 19 AGENCIES Monsoon session of Parliament kicks off on stormy note over Op Sindoor STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 JULY The Monsoon Session of Parliament got off to a rocky start today, as the Opposition demanded a discussion on Operation Sindoor in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The heated protests led to the Rajya Sabha being adjourned twice and the Lok Sabha being adjourned thrice before being finally adjourned for the day at 4 PM without transacting any constructive business. The Opposition, led by the Congress, insisted on a discussion on Operation Sindoor, India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon initially. Later, they were adjourned again till 2 PM. The Lok Sabha faced yet another adjournment till 4 PM, after which it was finally adjourned for the day. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the Opposition to raise their demands at the Business Advisory Committee meeting. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the Opposition of a discussion on all issues agreed upon by the Speaker. Operation Sindoor refers to India's military response following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Opposition demands Prime Minister Modi address Parliament on this matter. MPs across party lines submit notices in both LS, RS for impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 JULY A total of 145 Lok Sabha members have signed the impeachment motion against High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution and submitted a memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to remove the High Court judge in connection with the cash discovery row. Meanwhile, 63 opposition MPs on Monday gave a parallel notice in the Rajya Sabha to move a motion for the removal of high court judge Yashwant Varma. The notice was handed over to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Lok Sabha MPs from various parties, including Congress, TDP, JD(U), JD(S), Jan Sena Party, AGP, SS (Shinde), LJSP, SKP, and CPM signed the memorandum. Prominent signatories include MPs Anurag Singh Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, LoP Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, PP Chaudhary, Supriya Sule and KC Venugopal. The move comes after the alleged discovery of burnt and half-burnt Rs 500 currency notes at Justice Varma's official residence in the national capital on March 15, 2025. Parliament will now investigate these allegations. Following the cash-discovery episode, which sent shockwaves across the judicial corridors, Justice Varma was repatriated to the Allahabad High Court, and an in-house probe was set up to probe the allegations. The three-member inquiry committee, constituted by then CJI Justice Khanna, found the allegations serious enough to merit impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma. According to sources, the Union government is prepar- ing to initiate removal proceedings against Justice Varma, and an impeachment motion will likely be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. A judicial committee of three High Court judges appointed by then Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna had indicted Justice Varma and referred the matter to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Justice Varma had approached the Supreme Court against the committee's findings. Meanwhile, Justice Varma has filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging his indictment by the three-member in-house com- mittee. As per his petition, the in-house panel acted in a “pre-determined manner” and denied Justice Varma a fair opportunity to defend himself. Earlier, Congress MP K Suresh said that the party extended its full support to the impeachment move against High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, joining hands with the INDIA bloc parties. "The INDIA bloc parties are also supporting this and are also signing the letters to the Speaker," Congress MP K Suresh told a news agency in the national capital after attending an all-party meeting convened by the government ahead of the Parliament Monsoon session. DHAKA, 21 JULY A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school campus in the capital, Dhaka, shortly after takeoff on Monday, killing at least 19 people including the pilot and injuring more than 100, officials said. According to the military and a fire official, the Chinese-made F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College, in the Uttara neighborhood, in the afternoon as students were attending classes. The military said the jet took off at 1:06 p.m. local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately. The cause was not immediately clear. It is the deadliest airplane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. Local media indicated most of the injured were students. Relatives panicked at the scene as rescuers, using tricycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured to local hospitals.