- 2 days ago
The Lok Sabha has passed the Vande Mataram bill, introduced by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, granting the national song equal status to the national anthem.
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00:01Hello and welcome. Good evening. You're watching Super 6 here on India Today. I'm Akshita Nanda
00:05Gopal. This evening, over the next 60 minutes, I'll get you around top of all the big headlines
00:10of the day. And on the show, this evening, two big stories coming your way. First,
00:15about the Vande Matram Bill that's cleared the Parliament test. Passed in the looks about today,
00:21you did see quite a bit of ruckus. Why? Because the DMK came out in strong protest against the
00:27bill. And I'll break down for you exactly why. We'll have DMK MP A. Raja joining me exclusively
00:32to speak about the bill and what his contention, his objection is to the Vande Matram Bill.
00:37Also coming up on the show, we'll focus on what's happening in Karnataka. Because over 50 days and
00:42counting since the D.K. Shiv Kumar government was formed, there's been no cabinet expansion. D.K.
00:47Shiv Kumar has been camping in Delhi, waiting for time with the high command. But with all that's
00:52happening, the protests, parliament, etc. Clearly, Karnataka is the last priority for the high
00:57commander. Without the high command, nothing really moves. And so, D.K. Shiv Kumar has been
01:01camping in the national capital. So far, meeting after meeting, there's been no expansion whatsoever.
01:06It looks like finally we could see movement on the front. I'll break that down for you as well.
01:11But we begin with that big update that I promised from parliament on the Vande Matram Bill.
01:16That's been passed in the Lok Sabha today. There was ruckus, but there was the MOS home,
01:22not Amit Shah, MOS home, Nityanand Rai, who tabled the bill in the Lok Sabha. And immediately,
01:28you had opposition MPs up in arms. The D.K. has claimed that this bill is unconstitutional.
01:33They've also spoken about moving the Supreme Court against this particular bill. And they've
01:38got a number of contentions against it, including suggesting that this will affect how the state
01:44song is promoted in states. Because the national song has been given the same standing as the
01:49national anthem now, based on this new bill. It's, of course, going to be sent to the president
01:54now for her ascent. But essentially, it's been cleared in both houses. There could be a legal
01:58test as well. Let me get you highlights of the debate before we get in. A. Raja of the G
02:03.N.K.
02:04I want to mention that in 1871, while the state in 1971, there has been a command of the
02:24population, which has gained. There is a command of the people whose power is given to be given,
02:33the 1950s when Dr. Rajan Prasadji
02:37has given his thoughts in the future.
02:43He said to me that I can see the people of this country.
02:53But one time, this country will be the people of this country.
03:05We have to debate this. This is not the way to pass a bill. This is against the state's rights.
03:14And the song goes against the secularism of this country. The greatest leaders, the tall leaders of this country,
03:22the founding fathers had the wisdom to stop only with two stanzas. Today you are trying to polarise this country
03:32by making it compulsory and making it a criminal offence if we don't sing all six paragraphs.
03:42And in Tamil Nadu we have a state song for over five decades. We've been giving that the first place.
03:49You are disrespecting the Tamil people but by bringing this bill. This goes against.
03:57This is an insult to Tamil Nadu and many states which have its own song. Why are you dividing this
04:04country?
04:05You are calling anybody who opposes you as anti-national. This government is anti-national.
04:11It is dividing this country. Imposing this song on the people of this nation.
04:16Now we are trying to say that, when we read, what we read in the mind of the system?
04:26What is the state that forms a country that we are reading?
04:29When we read in the mind of the country, we have read the joy of our eyes.
04:34me Pooja เคเฅ เคฌเคพเคค เคนเฅ เคเคธเคฎเฅเค เคเคฐ เคฎเฅเค เคเคน เคฐเคนเคพ เคนเฅเค เคเคฟ 1950 เคฎเฅเค เคฐเคพเคเคเคฆเคฐ เคชเฅเคฐเคธเคพเคฆ เคฎเฅเค เคฌเคนเฅเคค
04:40เคฌเคกเคผเฅ เคเคฒเคคเฅ เคเฅ เคฌเคเค resolution เคเฅ เคเคจเฅเคนเฅเคเคจเฅ เคเคน เคฆเคฟเคฏเคพ เคเคฟ national song เคนเฅ เคเคฌ
04:45resolution เคฒเฅเคจเคพ เคเคพเคนเคฟเค เคฅเคพ เคเคจเคเฅ เคคเฅ เคเคฐ เคเคนเฅเค เคชเคฐ เคญเฅ national song เคเคพ
04:50definition เคจเคนเฅเค เคนเฅ เคคเฅ เคเคช เคเคธเคเฅ เคเคธ เคคเคฐเคน เคธเฅ เคฎเฅเคธเคฒเคค เคเคฐ เคฐเคนเฅ เคนเฅเค เคฆเฅเคถ เคเฅ
04:56เคเคฒเคค เคนเฅ เคฌเคฟเคฒเคเฅเคฒ เคเคเคฟเคเคฒ 25 in fruit of religion
04:59is
05:05joining us here on India today this evening is mr. Raja member of parliament to the look sabah from the
05:10Jaraa one needed Kargham mr. Raja Vanakkam good evening thank you for joining us here in India today
05:16sir the mondey matram bill has been passed we're calling it that of course on television the one
05:20day matram bill has been passed in the Rajasaba now passed in the looks about where you sit
05:25What's your objection, sir, to the bill?
05:31No, it has not been passed in a democratic manner.
05:34I moved an amendment.
05:37You may be aware about the bill.
05:39In the bill, the reasons and objects that have been set out by the government,
05:43it says, on 24th January 1950,
05:48Constitution Assembly, headed by its president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad,
05:53approved the Mandiyamadhanam song, composed by, the word composed by,
05:59Bakkingam Chatterjee.
06:01This is not correct.
06:03On 24th January 1950, the song was given the equal status to the Janakana Mana,
06:10whereas in 1940 and 1945 itself, it was decided the full stanza,
06:16four stanza cannot be sung in a public, in a government function,
06:20since the sentiments are against the Muslims.
06:23Only two stanzas were approved by the Congress.
06:27That time, Congress and the government is one and the same,
06:29and the transit period of the power.
06:31So, the Congress, after a careful discussion with Nehru,
06:36with Tagur, with Subha Chandraswevas, and Vallabai Patel,
06:39the entire matter was discussed,
06:41and ultimately it was placed before the Gandhi.
06:43I spoke in the Estuil bill in the parliament,
06:47when the Mandiyamadhanam bill was brought.
06:49It was unanimously decided, after the scrutiny,
06:52that two stanzas are against the Muslims,
06:55though only positive two stanzas can be sung or played.
06:59The Conscious Decision was taken in the Congress.
07:02Then it was converted into the Constitution Assembly on 24th January.
07:07Of course, the end of the Constitution Assembly session,
07:10the end of the Constitution Assembly session on 24th January,
07:13the last song which was sung by the pundit Lakshmi Ghat Maitra
07:19and others in the members of the Conscious Assembly
07:21is the Vandiyamadhanam.
07:23That Vandiyamadhanam which was sung in the Consciousness Assembly
07:26is only two stanzas.
07:27It is available.
07:28Now, even you can see the B.I.B. press.
07:33B.I.B. is still the Government of India B.I.B.
07:35Today I downloaded only two sentences.
07:38B.I.B. is saying all six stanzas we will play.
07:43B.I.B. is saying all six stanzas we will play.
07:45B.I.B. is clearly mentioned now.
07:46B.I.B. only two stanzas.
07:50B.I.B. No, no.
07:51B.I.B. they are telling the full stanzas will be sunk.
07:52B.I.B. as composed by B.I.B. Chatterncy.
07:55B.I.B. what does it mean?
07:57B.I.B. what does it mean?
07:58B.I.B. is a foul play.
08:00B.I.B. the reason set out in the bill itself is
08:03B.I.B. grass lie, fraud, foul play.
08:06B.I.B. it is not in the council of the assembly.
08:09B.I.B. whereas the bill claims the constitution assembly on 24th January 1950
08:13B.I.B. headed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad approved the national song.
08:17B.I.B. that is not correct.
08:19B.I.B. that is not composed by B.I.B. it was what was sunk earlier that is.
08:23B.I.B. composed is something different.
08:25B.I.B. of course both songs are composed.
08:26B.I.B. two songs are composed.
08:28B.I.B. so brilliantly they put the vocabulary.
08:30B.I.B. brilliantly they put the vocabulary under impression that nobody will find out.
08:34B.I.B. the poem composed by B.I.B.
08:37B.I.B. as composed by Buckingham Chatterjee.
08:39B.I.B. no that was not the Mahindeya Madharam.
08:41B.I.B. that was not the national song.
08:42B.I.B. the national song was part of the song which was composed by B.I.B. B.I
08:50.B.
08:50B.I.B. Chatterjee.
08:50B.I.B. not remaining two censors.
08:52B.I.B. so the two censors is as was not at all discussed and deliberated and decided in the
08:59constitution assembly.
09:00B.I.B. since it was not decided in the constitution assembly it cannot be a constitutional measure in the
09:05parliament.
09:06B.I.B. tomorrow suppose somebody is filing a case before the supreme court on the basis of the constitutional
09:11issues this will not stand before the supreme court.
09:14B.I.B. that is my argument.
09:14B.I.B. so that I moved the amendment.
09:16B.I.B. my amendment was to until down.
09:18B.I.B. complete cures in the parliament.
09:19B.I.B. nobody was permitted to speak.
09:21B.I.B. I was not allowed to speak.
09:23B.I.B. Okay.
09:23B.I.B. so you have an objection to the additional stanzas that have been brought in and the manner
09:27in which it has been mentioned to the birth.
09:28B.I.B. but overall sir on this particular legislation.
09:32B.I.B. I am.
09:32B.I.B. No.
09:33B.I.B. In the way it has been framed.
09:34B.I.B. Do you have a problem with the way it has been framed?
09:36B.I.B. I am rising a legal and constitutional issues.
09:44B.I.B. The constitution assembly.
09:45B.I.B. Sure.
09:47B.I.B. Sure.
09:47B.I.B. Am I correct?
09:49B.I.B. Sure sir.
09:50B.I.B. The constitution came from the constitution assembly.
09:52B.I.B. Okay.
09:52B.I.B. Constitution assembly.
09:53B.I.B. When the constitution assembly itself did not approve these two stanzas.
09:58B.I.B. Which were sung in the last day.
09:59B.I.B. In the assembly.
10:00B.I.B. Then how can you give the constitution status through the parliament.
10:03B.I.B. That it will be national song. National song.
10:06B.I.B. Okay.
10:06B.I.B. Not at all.
10:07B.I.B. No sir.
10:07B.I.B. You have highlighted the technical fault that you believe there is in this current
10:13bill.
10:13B.I.B. Which is what you are raising.
10:15B.I.B. And you have said you were shot down in the Lok Sabha over.
10:17B.I.B. But the overall picture here on this bill sir.
10:20B.I.B. Are you for this particular bill or not?
10:25B.I.B. Are you for Vande Mataram getting the same status as the natural anthem?
10:31B.I.B. Are you okay with that?
10:47B.I.B. No.
10:50B.I.B. Legally nobody can be expected to sing full song.
10:54B.I.B. If anybody violates they may say as per the present bill it is violating the law.
11:00It will be a crime
11:01But somebody is going to challenge it before the Supreme Court
11:04No but sir, the bill doesn't say you have to sing it
11:07Then the fact will be different
11:07But the bill doesn't say you have to sing it
11:09The bill says you have to respect it
11:10Which means you have to stand
11:12It doesn't say you have to sing it
11:13So even in that particular contention
11:15Even in the particular contention that it's a religious song sir
11:18And that it's offensive for Muslims to sing it
11:20They don't need to
11:21They have to stand and respect
11:25No, no
11:27Tomorrow it can be challenging
11:28Tomorrow after tomorrow
11:29No, who can
11:31It can be
11:32Before getting the assent of the president
11:35Anybody can challenge it
11:36Even I can challenge it
11:37With permission of my leader
11:38No, I agree
11:39I agree you can challenge it
11:40And that's not something I can question sir
11:42That's the legal provisions that are there right now
11:44For you to be able to question this particular bill
11:47And take it up in the Supreme Court
11:48The question I'm asking is
11:50Whether your party, the DMK
11:52Has an objection
11:53Right now to the Vande Mataram
11:55Getting the same standing as the National Anthem
12:02Same
12:03The same standing
12:04The same stature
12:05Same position sir
12:06As the National Anthem
12:13Not getting
12:15Mr. Raja
12:16The question I'm asking you
12:17Is what the bill actually stands for
12:19The bill says
12:21That Vande Mataram
12:22Will be given the same standing
12:23As the National Anthem
12:24It stands
12:25It stands
12:26Are you okay with that?
12:28No, that is not a problem
12:29That is not a problem
12:30It is
12:31No, no, it is already in the constitution
12:32We have to accept it
12:33It is already in the constitution
12:35On 24th January 1950
12:37There was an announcement by the president
12:39Dr. Rajendra Prasad
12:41That the Vande Mataram song
12:43Will be given the equal status
12:44Along with the Janakana Manang
12:45The National Anthem
12:46That is clear
12:46We are having no problem
12:48The only thing is
12:49Which was
12:50What was approved on 24th January
12:52As a National Anthem
12:53Is not the full censor
12:54As composed by
12:55Bucking Chatterjee
12:57Only part of the song
12:58Was approved as a National Anthem
13:00If you are going for
13:01First two censors
13:02No problem at all
13:03That is my amendment
13:03That is my amendment
13:05Go two censors
13:06No problem
13:06If you are going for
13:07Four censors
13:08It can be struck down
13:09Because there have been
13:10You are not accepting
13:10There have been other members
13:11There have been other members
13:13Of the DMK
13:14Who also called this bill
13:16Unfair
13:18Will trample on the state's rights
13:19That state's song
13:20Like the Tamil Taewalti
13:21In Tamil Nadu
13:23Will not be given importance
13:24Because Vande Mataram
13:25Is given this importance
13:29No no no
13:31Whether it is
13:32Attached to the importance
13:33Or significance
13:34I will talk about the difference
13:35We are having
13:35We are standing
13:36Not at all in the way
13:37To claim it as a national song
13:39To sing
13:40No problem at all
13:41The only thing is
13:43Even the congress committee
13:44Working committee
13:44Before the independence
13:46Taken a conscious
13:47Decision
13:48After consultation
13:49With Nehru
13:50Patel
13:51Even Shama Prasad
13:53Then the Chagur
13:54The matter was placed
13:55Before the
13:55With materials and credentials
13:57Before the Mahatma Gandhi
13:58Mahatma Gandhi
13:59Took a conscious decision
14:00It cannot be sing
14:01In full
14:02As it is
14:03So first two censors
14:05Approved
14:05In the congress
14:06Yes
14:06Then it was later
14:07Transported into
14:08Consul's assembly
14:09Assembly approved it
14:10Then it was sunk
14:11Last day
14:13Of the Consul's assembly
14:1424th January
14:16That day
14:17Pundit Lachmigath
14:18Maitra
14:19And other members
14:20Of the parliament
14:21Were directed
14:21To sing the song
14:23Only two censors
14:24It is available
14:25Your website
14:26Even today
14:27Your website says
14:28Only two censors
14:29B.I.B.
14:30Yeah
14:30Then how can you
14:32Enact a law
14:32In parliament
14:34For the
14:35Other portions
14:36Which are not
14:36Accepted by
14:37Consul's assembly
14:39Are you going to be
14:40Now approaching
14:41The supreme court
14:41Over this sir
14:42Will you be moving
14:43The supreme court
14:45No no
14:46We will discuss
14:46We will discuss
14:48Our party
14:48And leader
14:50Then we will decide
14:51But somebody
14:51Will go to court
14:52Because
14:52Now
14:53First time
14:54It has been disclosed
14:54By me
14:55In the parliament
14:56It is not
14:56In accordance
14:57With the
14:57Consul's assembly
14:59I only found it
15:01Last night
15:01And highlighted
15:02By way of
15:02My amendment
15:03I see my amendment
15:04Please see my amendment
15:05Yes sir
15:06Yes your amendment
15:07Though has been
15:07Rejected in the house
15:08Which you say
15:09Also has happened
15:10Because it was
15:10Bulldozed through
15:11In the Lok Sabha
15:12Yes
15:12But that is
15:14That is the real
15:15That is the
15:16That is the
15:16Thank you
15:18Thank you
15:18Thank you sir
15:19Thank you Mr. Raja
15:20For joining us
15:27Okay let's cut across
15:28To breaking news
15:29That's coming in
15:30Right now
15:30Endless delays
15:31As far as the
15:32Karnataka cabinet
15:33Expansion is concerned
15:34And finally
15:35The meeting
15:36Is underway
15:37In Delhi
15:37D.K. Shiv Kumar
15:38Has been camping
15:39In the national capital
15:40Waiting for time
15:42With the congress
15:43High command
15:43We can confirm
15:44For you
15:45The meeting right now
15:46Is underway
15:46At Kargej residence
15:47In attendance
15:48You've got
15:49D.K. Shiv Kumar
15:50You've got
15:50B.K. Hari Prasad
15:51Who is now
15:52The Karnataka
15:52Congress Chief
15:53Malik Arjun Karge
15:54Is there
15:54As is Rahul Gandhi
15:56As well
15:57So the leadership
15:57KC Venugopal
15:58Is there
15:59The leadership
15:59All coming together
16:00Finally
16:01To get into
16:02Their huddle
16:02Figure out
16:03Who will be
16:03A part of
16:04The Karnataka
16:04Cabinet
16:05It's been over
16:0550 days
16:06Since D.K. Shiv Kumar
16:07Was sworn in
16:07As the Chief Minister
16:08Of Karnataka
16:09And there are
16:10Several portfolios
16:11That remain
16:13Unallocated
16:13Last week
16:14Was when the
16:14Cabinet expansion
16:15Was expected
16:16D.K. Shiv Kumar
16:17Was in Delhi
16:17He didn't get time
16:18For the high command
16:19This week
16:20For the last
16:20Three, four days
16:21He's been based
16:22In Delhi
16:23Again waiting
16:24For a meeting
16:24To happen
16:25Didn't happen
16:26Right up
16:27Until now
16:27What we're picking
16:28Up from our sources
16:29Is that now
16:30That the meeting
16:31Is underway
16:32There will be
16:33A final decision
16:34Discussion
16:34By the high command
16:35They'll take a call
16:36On the names
16:37Who will be a part
16:37Of the Karnataka
16:38Cabinet
16:39And the swearing in
16:40Could happen
16:41As early as
16:42Monday
16:43Next week
16:44Monday
16:44We're hearing
16:45Is when the
16:45Swearing in ceremony
16:46Will take place
16:47So it looks like
16:48Finally the suspense
16:49Will come to an end
16:50And for D.K. Shiv Kumar
16:52Who's been waiting
16:53For the last many weeks
16:54And camping in Delhi
16:56Hoping for a little time
16:57With the high command
16:58It all comes to an end
17:00And now
17:00He's been
17:01In fact
17:02In that meeting
17:03Currently
17:03He is meeting
17:04With the high command
17:05So he's been given
17:06That time finally
17:07By Rahul Gandhi
17:08By Malik Arjun Kargid
17:09Let me bring in
17:10Rahul Gautam
17:11For more details
17:11On this
17:12Rahul finally
17:13D.K. Shiv Kumar
17:15Getting time
17:16With the high command
17:16He's been waiting
17:17For so many days now
17:18Whether it was
17:19Last week
17:20Whether it was
17:21This week
17:21Camping in Delhi
17:22Hoping for some time
17:23With the Congress
17:24Leadership
17:25Now the meeting
17:26Is underway
17:31Well Akshita
17:32He was camping here
17:33In the national capital
17:34For past three days
17:35In fact
17:37He was supposed to meet
17:38High command
17:38Last evening
17:39But given the fact
17:40That Rahul Gandhi
17:41Had to address
17:43A press conference
17:43And therefore
17:44Everything was deferred
17:45For the next day
17:46And now
17:47As we speak
17:48A high level meeting
17:49Is underway
17:50At Ten Rajaji Mark
17:51The residence of
17:52Malik Arjun Kargid
17:53Which is being attended
17:54By D.K. Shiv Kumar
17:55Former Chief Minister
17:56Mr. Sidra Ramayya
17:57B.K. Hari Prasad
17:59K.C. Benu Gopal
18:00Rahul Gandhi
18:01And obviously
18:02Randeep Singh Surajawala
18:03So we've been informed
18:05That around 16 to 18 names
18:07May get a clearance
18:09Today in this important meeting
18:11And if everything goes well
18:12On Monday
18:13There might be
18:14The second phase
18:16Of expansion
18:17As far as Karnataka
18:18Cabinet is concerned
18:19We all know
18:20That how
18:21You know
18:22There are many people
18:23You know
18:24Who've been
18:26Working along with
18:27D.K. Shiv Kumar
18:28Who are
18:29Again
18:29This time
18:30Eyeing
18:30Cabinet burst
18:32It is going to be
18:33An extremely
18:34Extremely difficult task
18:35For the high command
18:36To strike a balance
18:37Between the two factions
18:38Two groups
18:39I can say
18:39That's
18:40One is D.K. Shiv Kumar
18:41And the other is
18:42You know
18:43All those senior leaders
18:44Who've been loyal
18:45To Mr. Sidra Ramaiya
18:48So
18:48We've been informed
18:50That around 16 to 18 names
18:51Might get clearance
18:52Okay
18:53And obviously
18:54This time around
18:55The Congress
18:56Would be eyeing
18:57You know
18:58A special focus
18:59On Ahinda
19:00And obviously
19:01On Lingayat
19:02A lot of combinations
19:03You know
19:04Whether it's on caste
19:04Whether it's on
19:06Young faces
19:06Being brought into the cabinet
19:08All of that
19:08Will be looked into
19:09But finally
19:1020 of the 34 ministries
19:13The cabinet birds
19:14Will now
19:15See faces
19:16Being allocated
19:17Because right now
19:18It remains unallocated
19:19For over 50 days
19:21The new government
19:22Has not had
19:23Any of these ministries
19:24Allocated
19:25And even after that
19:26Despite that
19:27There's been delay
19:27After delay
19:28As Rahul Gautam
19:29Pointed out
19:29Press conference
19:30By Rahul Gandhi
19:31Delayed it
19:31The protests
19:32Last week
19:33At the PM's
19:34Residence
19:34Delayed it
19:35So it's been
19:35Event after event
19:36That's led to
19:37D.K. Shiv Kumar
19:37Just waiting in Delhi
19:38Waiting for this meeting
19:39To happen
19:40With the high command
19:41But let me get
19:42Your details also
19:43Of the big political
19:44Fight that's broken out
19:45Over this
19:45Because the BGP
19:46Has also questioned
19:47Whether for the Congress
19:49Karnataka is the last priority
19:51And there's also
19:52Questioned how
19:53The state is functioning
19:54If the chief minister
19:55Has been based
19:56At the national capital
19:57Waiting for this
19:58Cabinet expansion to happen
19:59Let's get you
20:00All the political reactions
20:0658 days
20:07Since chief minister
20:08D.K.S. took oath
20:09And 20 cabinet birds
20:11Still wakened
20:16If you thought
20:17The Karnataka cabinet
20:18Drama
20:18Was over
20:19You got it all wrong
20:20For three years
20:22D.K. Shiv Kumar
20:23Had his chief minister
20:24Dream
20:25With one
20:26His own team
20:26In place
20:27His efforts
20:28Paid off
20:29But his dream team
20:30Is still nowhere
20:31In sight
20:33In just two weeks
20:35D.K.S. has travelled
20:36To Delhi twice
20:37To finalise his cabinet
20:38The first trip
20:40Ended with him
20:40Protesting outside
20:41The prime minister's
20:42Residence
20:44And for the past
20:45Four days
20:45While waiting
20:46For Rahul Gandhi's
20:47Not all that he has done
20:49Is watching parliament
20:50Proceedings
20:51Back home
20:52Preparations
20:53For the cabinet's
20:54Wedding in
20:55Were underway
20:55But without the names
20:57And without a final date
20:59But while the full cabinet
21:01Is yet to be seen
21:02Karnataka is seeing
21:03Serious governance
21:04Lapses
21:05With deficient rainfall
21:06Drought-like conditions
21:08Have worsened the situation
21:09For farmers
21:10In Kolar region
21:12Adding to the D.K.S.
21:14Troubles
21:14Is the escalating
21:16Kawhi water dispute
21:17With Tamil Nadu
21:18The KPSC recruitment
21:20Scam is another headache
21:21For the D.K.S.
21:22Yet
21:23D.K.S.
21:25And his loyalists
21:25Remain in Delhi
21:26Awaiting the
21:27High Command's
21:28Nod
21:28For the cabinet
21:29Expansion
21:31The Karnataka BGP
21:33Has mocked the D.K.S.
21:34Government
21:34With a three idiots
21:36Analogy
21:36Calling Rahul Gandhi's
21:38Waiting game
21:38As an insult
21:39To Karnataka's voters
21:42Thank you
22:00But D.K.'s government is in defensive mode.
22:11How long before the state gets a full-fledged cabinet?
22:15With Sagai Raj, Bureau Report, India Today.
22:30That dispute, again, threatening to deepen the divide between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
22:35On Monday, we're going to see a meeting between Chief Minister Vijay and Chief Minister D.K. Shriv Kumar,
22:39which is a welcome move because, hopefully, dialogue will help resolve this issue.
22:44Look at those images on your screens.
22:45This is from Mandia, where, in fact, outside the theatre, the poster of Jananayagin was put up
22:50with an image, of course, of Chief Minister Vijay.
22:52It was ripped apart by groups who were protesting there.
22:55So, tensions are clearly running high, both in Karnataka and in Tamil Nadu.
23:01Reservoirs currently are bone dry.
23:03Let's give you a sense of the version of both states here
23:07to give you a full 360-degree view on what's happening right now.
23:13Madharkaviri is a lifeline for many districts on Kaviri Delta region.
23:18Districts including Mysore, Mandia, Ramnagra and a few parts of Chamrajnagra and Bengaluru.
23:25Farmers in this Delta region depend upon Kaviri for their cultivation,
23:31including sugarcane, paddy and ragi.
23:34And Kaviri is also one of the main sources of drinking water for Bengaluru.
23:40There are two rains, southwestern rains and northeast rain,
23:44which fills the reservoirs of Kaviri.
23:48The two main reservoirs are Kabini and Kairas.
23:51And due to the rain deficit, there is a huge crisis in the Kaviri Delta region.
23:57The inflow has reduced.
23:59And the farmers are crying foul, stating that they are not getting enough water for their cultivation.
24:06Even the farmers in Karnataka are protesting against the Karnataka government for not releasing the water.
24:12And the Karnataka government is helping that whatever the available water which has been preserved in the reservoir
24:18will be used only for drinking purpose.
24:21And even Karnataka government argued that if at all the project of Mekedatu is implemented in Karnataka,
24:29it is going to help the drinking water shortage as well as irrigation.
24:33And even the water which has been released from Tamil Nadu will be provided if the Mekedatu reservoir has been
24:40built.
24:41The Delta region of Tamil Nadu comprises of five districts which are entirely dependent on Kaviri
24:47for the cultivation of Kuruvai Sagupadi, which is a long-term cultivation which flows for close to seven months.
24:54And up to this seven months, the Kaviri water that is Tamil Nadu supposed to get comes up to 177
25:00TMC
25:01of which Tamil Nadu has not even received totally three TMC so far.
25:06That is the shocking part.
25:07Apart from this, 28 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu also is dependent on Kaviri water for drinking purposes.
25:13That is why it is a huge crisis in the state of Tamil Nadu.
25:17Political parties in the state of Tamil Nadu very clearly say that Karnataka's chance cannot be in such a manner
25:21claiming that water will be released only during surplus period and not during distress period
25:26because politicians in Tamil Nadu claim that there are formulas to maintain for surplus period
25:32and also for during distress period to actually allocate water for the state of Tamil Nadu.
25:37And even after CMWA, that is the Kaviri Water Management Authority, stating that water should be released,
25:43why is it the Karnataka government releasing the water is the biggest question that is being put forward
25:48by the people, the farmers, especially from the Delta region of Tamil Nadu.
25:54So my colleagues on ground have given you a sense of what each state's version is
25:58in light of what's playing out between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
26:00Let's get you the political view.
26:02Starting with Tamil Nadu, joining us on this broadcast is Praveen Chakravarti of the Congress,
26:07the Tamil Nadu Congress and Member of Parliament in the Rajasabha.
26:10Mr. Chakravarti, thank you for your time.
26:12Thank you for joining us.
26:13You know, Karnataka right now is saying there's no need to consult Tamil Nadu for the construction of the Mekidato
26:18Dam.
26:18And they're citing a reply that's coming from the central government to suggest that,
26:23according to the Supreme Court order, Karnataka doesn't need to consult a downstream state.
26:31No, I think there is some, obviously, a misleading response by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti
26:41in response to a Rajasabha question, or a question of the Rajasabha by a Member of Parliament.
26:46I think if you actually look back to August 5th, 2021,
26:53the then Union Jal Shakti Minister, Mr. Gajendra Singh Shikharwath,
26:58was very categorical in his response that the Supreme Court order of 2018
27:03said that any construction will be conditional on the orders passed by the Kaveri tribunals and the committees.
27:17And it will have to be with the consent of the lower riparian states, which include Tamil Nadu.
27:24No, but beyond that, Mr. Chakravati, you know, nobody can deny the fact that we've seen a very weak deficit
27:31monsoon
27:32in parts of the south. And Karnataka is constantly saying we have no water to give Tamil Nadu.
27:37So, you know, there's no question of us addressing some of the demands or needs right now,
27:42because we don't have water ourselves. Everything's bone dry,
27:44if you look at the images that are coming in of these reservoirs.
27:49We understand. We understand that there could be difficult situations because of the monsoons.
27:56Unfortunately, there are farmers in the Kaveri delta on the Tamil Nadu side
28:03that are very heavily dependent on this, on water coming in from Karnataka.
28:09So, it is our duty to insist on what is an arrangement and an order by the Kaveri Water Committee,
28:18which was as recently as yesterday, it very categorically said that Karnataka has to release
28:25four TMC feet of water to Tamil Nadu.
28:30Sir, I'll briefly touch upon the politics also, what we've been seeing over this in Tamil Nadu.
28:34The DMK and MPs staged a protest in Parliament, where, you know, they were wearing these green shawls,
28:42demanded a discussion on Mekedatu, and they've constantly questioned why the Tamil Nadu Congress
28:47hasn't taken a stand. That is because of the Congress government in Karnataka.
28:52What's your response to that? Has the Congress, the Tamil Nadu Congress,
28:55failed to really bring up this issue in Parliament?
29:00I think, first, the Tamil Nadu Congress is very categorical. We have actually said clearly that
29:10we are with the government in Tamil Nadu, and we oppose construction of the dam. But before that,
29:18let's not even get into the construction. We demand our fair share of water to be released right now.
29:23I don't think we've been, I mean, we've been completely unambiguous about it.
29:29Now, as far as some token protests in Parliament that the DMK may have undertaken, please remember,
29:35there was the Congress Party as a whole, along with the other opposition parties,
29:40were very actively involved in supporting the student movement and the student protests all of last week.
29:46But we have had, in fact, just yesterday, we had a meeting of all the Tamil Nadu members of Parliament
29:54in Lok Sabha yesterday. We met yesterday on the Cauvery issue, and we were all very, very unanimous about it.
30:02The DMK may not have joined that meeting, but all the other members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu
30:07were, joined this meeting, and we were absolutely very clear that we're going to oppose this.
30:12Okay, my final question to you, Mr. Praveen Chakravarti, is that Chief Minister Vijay has reached out
30:18to D.K. Shiv Kumar, to the Karnataka Chief Minister, and after decades, we're going to see a conversation,
30:23dialogue between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
30:27Do you think that that's the only way forward right now, at a time when we've seen this deadlock go
30:32on for far too long?
30:36Certainly. And I mean, this actually goes to the point that you had raised earlier.
30:41It so happens that for the first time in 60 years, that a national party such as the Congress is
30:47part of the ruling government in Tamil Nadu.
30:50It so happens at this point in time, the government in Karnataka is also a Congress government.
30:57So, why not give dialogue a chance?
31:00Who's, I mean, and the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is very clear that he wants,
31:05that he's very sincere in his effort in trying to find a solution for this decades-long dispute.
31:12And I think the logical first step is to let's start and let's try and meet and see if there
31:20is a resolution that we can reach,
31:22at least as far as the water release is concerned immediately.
31:27And so, there's absolutely nothing wrong.
31:29It's all done in good earnest.
31:31And I think we must give this a chance.
31:35Well, I agree.
31:36You know, as far as talks go, there is a sense of hope that maybe dialogue will help in finding
31:42some sort of constructive solution.
31:44The only question is whether optics-wise and whether messaging-wise,
31:49one state will exploit the other and send out a message on Kaveri.
31:53Let's hope not.
31:54Thank you very much, Mr. Praveen Chakravati, for joining us.
31:56We've given you a voice from Tamil Nadu.
31:57Let's get you a voice now from Karnataka.
31:59Former Chief Minister, Member of Parliament, Jagdish Shetar, is joining us on this broadcast.
32:05Mr. Shetar, namaskar.
32:07Tamil Nadu is saying, sir, that they must be consulted if there is any kind of construction activity on Mekedatu.
32:14We've heard from Tamil Nadu, from the Tamil Nadu leaders, from Mr. Praveen Chakravati.
32:17What's your say, sir?
32:20No, construction of the Mekedatu project,
32:24it will not harm or it will not anything right we have to get from the Tamil Nadu.
32:32It is our right.
32:34And in our land only we are constructing.
32:37And it is Mekedatu for drinking water purpose of the Bengaluru.
32:42And if we collect the water in that, even at the time of distress also,
32:48we are in a position to supply to the Tamil Nadu also.
32:55So, it will not harm or to the interests of the Tamil Nadu.
32:58They should understand.
33:00And unnecessarily, like these issues,
33:03these inter-river linkings and inter-river disputes,
33:08unnecessarily make the emotional issue.
33:11It should not be there.
33:13Practically, what is a factual, what is their right, our right,
33:18it has to be discussed.
33:19And this dispute has to be solved consciously.
33:24No, I agree, sir, emotions run high.
33:26But there's also, because there's a lot of concern about Tamil Nadu,
33:29that they're not getting their fair share of water.
33:32You've got the tribunal already saying that water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu
33:37must be increased, that there is a pending demand right now which hasn't been met.
34:11Whenever the heavy rain is there, there is no problem at all.
34:13It is a problem is there.
34:14But when we are not in a position to get drinking water, propose water,
34:19and how to give the water to the Tamil Nadu, this is a question.
34:24And it has to be decided by the tribunal and even honorable prime minister
34:29or even the Supreme Court has to decide this thing.
34:33No, sir, what do you think?
34:35How do we solve this crisis?
34:36As you said, you've governed Karnataka, you've been a chief minister.
34:40Do you think there should be dialogue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka?
34:44We're seeing movement on that.
34:45Do you think that's the right step?
34:49Definitely, always, there must be a dialogue in between two states.
34:54Then these problems will be solved.
34:57There must be some consensus in between both states.
35:01Then the problem will be solved.
35:04If the problem is not solved, we have to approach the courts, tribunals and courts.
35:09Yes, sir, that is the last resort.
35:12But consensus, Tamil Nadu has to see what are the factual position of the Karnataka,
35:19what are the collection of the water, what are the dams position is concerned,
35:24whether looking into the rain position is concerned.
35:27They have to study and we have to come to some conscious decision.
35:33Dialogue is the last resort.
35:35Okay, sir, thank you very much for joining us here on India Today.
35:38We've tried to give you a holistic view of the dispute that's currently underway
35:42between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, whether it's by my colleagues who are explaining it on the ground
35:46or through political voices.
35:47What ultimately comes across is that everyone wants dialogue
35:52because maybe that will actually help in resolving the situation.
35:55Look, you can't blame either state here.
35:57It's been a very bad monsoon and both are desperate right now for water.
36:01But I want you to take a look at this detailed explainer
36:04on exactly what the Meke Dhatu dispute is all about,
36:07what the Kaveri dispute is all about.
36:10We go back in time to decode all of this for you.
36:13Take a look.
36:15There's been a flare-up once again of tensions between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
36:20over the Kaveri waters.
36:21And the spotlight, therefore, is once again on the Meke Dhatu project.
36:25At its core, the disagreement is not about who owns the river,
36:29but about whether Karnataka can build a new reservoir on its share of the Kaveri
36:34without affecting Tamil Nadu's downstream water supply.
36:37First, let me show you the flow of the Kaveri.
36:41The Kaveri is an interstate river flowing from Karnataka through Karnataka into Tamil Nadu,
36:49also in Kerala and Puducherry.
36:50As you can see, it flows, like I said, from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu.
36:55So Karnataka decides essentially the flow since it's the upstream state.
36:59Now, before I tell you about the Meke Dhatu project,
37:01it's important to understand the context of the Kaveri water wars.
37:05So let's go back in time to 1924.
37:08The 1924 agreement allowed Mysore, erstwhile Karnataka,
37:12to build the Krishna Rajasagar Dam, KRS Dam,
37:15while Madras, erstwhile Tamil Nadu, built the Mehtur Dam.
37:19The agreement was to last 50 years.
37:22When the agreement expired in 1974,
37:25Karnataka argued it was no longer bound by its restrictions.
37:28Tamil Nadu argued that downstream rights remained protected
37:31and this became the beginning of the modern dispute.
37:35Now, there's an endless back and forth between the two states
37:38and finally Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court,
37:40triggering a long legal battle.
37:42Tamil Nadu repeatedly sought a legal settlement after negotiations failed.
37:48In 1990, the Supreme Court directed the centre
37:51to establish the Kaveri Water Disputes Tribunal
37:54under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act.
37:57The next year, 1991, this tribunal ordered Karnataka
38:01to release 205 TMC feet annually to Tamil Nadu.
38:06Karnataka wasn't happy.
38:07It challenged that order and even passed an ordinance to protect its water.
38:11But the Supreme Court struck it down,
38:13reinforcing that tribunal orders must be respected.
38:17And then it went on, dragged on.
38:20Let's take you to the next date, 2007,
38:23where the Kaveri Tribunal's final allocation of water
38:26was 419 TMC for Tamil Nadu, 270 TMC for Karnataka.
38:33That was followed by the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment,
38:36which changed the 2007 tribunal distribution.
38:39Tamil Nadu's allocation reduced to 404.25 TMC.
38:45Karnataka's increased to 284.75 TMC.
38:49You look at those numbers, yes, there was a change from 2007
38:52where Karnataka benefited, Tamil Nadu didn't.
38:54But overall, Tamil Nadu, yes, receives a larger overall allocation
38:59because it's historically irrigated a much larger command area
39:02and is the downstream state.
39:04Karnataka's share was increased from 2007
39:08in the 2018 Supreme Court judgment
39:10to recognize Bengaluru's growing drinking water needs
39:13and increased urbanization.
39:15So we've explained to you the Kaveri water problem.
39:18Let's talk about Mekedatu.
39:20Mekedatu, which means literally,
39:22goat's leap in Kannada,
39:23is a narrow gorge on the Kaveri River in Karnataka,
39:27hence the name.
39:28It's about 100 kilometers south of Bengaluru,
39:31upstream of the Tamil Nadu border.
39:33Karnataka proposes to build a balancing reservoir there
39:37with two stated objectives.
39:39Supply drinking water to the Bengaluru metropolitan region
39:42and second, to generate hydroelectric power.
39:45The proposed reservoir would store around 67 TMC of water
39:50and the dam plan took shape in the early 2010s.
39:56Even if prior consent from Tamil Nadu
39:58is not explicitly mandated by the Supreme Court judgment,
40:01the project still requires multiple statutory approvals
40:04before construction.
40:05These approvals remain the subject of legal and political contention
40:09and that's why there's been no movement on the project.
40:12Karnataka has contended that Bengaluru faces
40:15an increasing drinking water demand.
40:17Mekedatu is primarily a drinking water and hydropower project.
40:22The reservoir will regulate flows.
40:24According to Karnataka,
40:25they say this won't reduce Tamil Nadu's allocated share,
40:28but will only use Karnataka's own allocated water.
40:32Tamil Nadu, however, believes that upstream storage
40:35gives Karnataka greater control over releases
40:37and that during drought years,
40:39downstream farmers could receive less
40:41or receive water later than required.
40:46Now, why has this issue been reignited now?
40:49Well, for starters,
40:51the lack of rainfall in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
40:53has led to woefully less water
40:55and that's meant that both states are suffering.
40:59And then the central government and parliament has said
41:01there's no need for Karnataka to consult other states
41:04to build a dam as per the Supreme Court order.
41:07That's led to Chief Minister Vijay
41:09writing a letter to Prime Minister Modi as well.
41:12This water war has been going on for decades
41:14and while there have been attempts to resolve the same through dialogue,
41:18the latest flashpoint has triggered a big interstate fight.
41:22The state that started midday meals is now redefining the rules
41:26and setting an example for the rest of the country to follow yet again.
41:30The Vijay government is now mulling to start serving chicken biryani
41:33once a week for students in the midday meals.
41:36It's a proposal right now,
41:38but if implemented, no doubt will be a game changer
41:41for obvious reasons.
41:42It will substantially boost student attendance in government schools,
41:45also provide nutrition.
41:47And this goes beyond just one party or one government.
41:51If there's one remarkable continuity in Tamil Nadu's politics,
41:55it's the commitment to children's education and nutrition.
41:59Remember, this is the state that started midday meals.
42:02K. Kamaraj laid the foundation with that program.
42:04It's been later adopted across much of India.
42:07MGR transformed it into the nutritious meal program.
42:10Jailalita expanded its nutritional value by adding more eggs.
42:13Stalin introduced the breakfast scheme for government school students.
42:17And now, if Chief Minister Vijay follows through
42:20on expanding the menu with a weekly chicken biryani meal,
42:23it would be the next step in a long tradition
42:26of strengthening student nutrition welfare.
42:29And it's interesting to note that governments have changed,
42:32leaders have changed,
42:33but the underlying idea has remained the same.
42:35To invested children,
42:37and the returns come back to society many times over.
42:39And that's perhaps why Tamil Nadu has consistently stayed ahead of the curve
42:44and why it continues to set the benchmark for the rest of the country.
42:52When a superstar becomes the Chief Minister of a state,
42:56what does it look like?
42:57Well, every routine inspection becomes a headliner.
43:01Take a look at what happened in Chennai on Wednesday.
43:04The Chief Minister stepped out for a metro ride
43:07and an inspection at Kathipara flyover.
43:09If you know Chennai, you know that this is in the heart of the city.
43:12Guess what happened?
43:14Hundreds of people thronged the metro station,
43:17all with their phones out,
43:18all going crazy,
43:20to catch one glimpse of Chief Minister Vijay in action.
43:23Look at the videos on your screen.
43:24Inside the metro,
43:26a lady started hugging the Chief Minister,
43:28refused to let go.
43:29Outside on a parallel staircase,
43:31people fell over each other to take a picture
43:34and all through was screaming talapati.
43:37And then even at a busy junction in the city,
43:41all around people gathered,
43:42once again just to catch a glimpse of Chief Minister Vijay.
43:44I cannot imagine honestly what the traffic was like there
43:47because this is in the heart of the city, like I said.
43:50And we've seen all these photo ops before.
43:52We've seen photo ops of plenty, of course,
43:54of netas taking metro rides,
43:56inspection drives, etc.
43:58So even for the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to do this,
44:01you'd think it's common practice.
44:03But it creates a frenzy,
44:05quite like nothing else in Tamil Nadu now,
44:08every time Vijay steps out.
44:10And guess what?
44:11This is the new normal.
44:13That this is what routine activity looks like
44:18and it becomes extraordinary
44:19because it's truly rewriting the rules of politics.
44:22We're seeing right before our eyes
44:24the definition of larger-than-life politicians.
44:27You hear that term very often,
44:29larger-than-life politicians.
44:31That definition right now is being rewritten
44:34with these kind of images that are coming in
44:37so often from Tamil Nadu.
44:40Superstar Allo Arjun finds himself
44:42in the midst of a controversy.
44:44His remark at a fan meet has gone viral,
44:47drawing both sharp backlash as well as strong support,
44:50reigniting that debate over humour and responsibility.
44:54What am I talking about?
44:55Here's the report.
45:06He wanted fans to stop chasing trolls.
45:14Instead, it's his own words
45:16that are now being chased across the internet.
45:28Allo Arjun is under fire
45:30after a comment made during his annual fan meet in Hyderabad
45:33went viral for all the wrong reasons.
45:42While urging fans to stop indulging in online trolling,
45:46the actor jokingly suggested
45:48they should instead wait outside the house of the girl you like.
45:51Use your battery for things you don't like.
45:54Please don't waste it for negativity.
45:55Please don't use it for hating.
45:57Use it for things you love.
46:00He also had a message for his anti-fans and haters,
46:04asking them not to waste time
46:06spreading negativity online.
46:08Slice.
46:11Not that competence.
46:14He only takes some good quality
46:16not to waste time people.
46:18Not toใ.
46:19$1.
46:21$1.
46:23$2.
46:24$3.
46:25$9.
46:26$1.
46:27$1.
46:34$2.
46:38Within minutes, clips of the remark flooded social media, triggering sharp criticism from
46:44a section of netizens who accused the actor of making light of stalking and harassment.
46:53Many users argued that public figures carry immense influence, especially among young
46:59fans, and that even jokes can send the wrong message.
47:03Several posts questioned whether such comments, even if made in jest, end up normalising
47:09behaviour that women describe as intimidating and unsafe.
47:16However the internet wasn't unanimous.
47:22A large section of fans rushed to Al-Luarjun's defence, insisting the actor's statement was
47:27clearly a joke and was being taken out of context.
47:34Supporters pointed out that the core of his speech was actually about discouraging online
47:38hate, fan wars and toxic trolling, not promoting inappropriate behaviour.
47:47As the clip continues to get millions of views, the controversy has once again revived the
47:52age-old debate.
47:54Where should celebrities draw the line between humour and accountability?
48:02Meanwhile on the work front, Al-Luarjun is currently shooting for Raqqa, directed by Atli, with
48:07Deepika Padukone as his co-star.
48:12He also has a film with Lokesh Kanagaraj, tentatively titled, AA-23 in the pipeline.
48:30Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
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