The Rajasthan High Court granted bail to Mohammed Javed on Thursday, one of the accused in the 2022 murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal.

Javed was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 22, 2022, in Udaipur.

On June 28 of that year, Kanhaiya Lal was beheaded in his shop by Riyaz Attari and Ghous Mohammed for supporting BJP leader Nupur Sharma’s remarks on Prophet Mohammed. The assailants filmed the murder, posed with the weapons used, and issued threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They were arrested within hours.

Javed’s involvement, as per the NIA, included conducting reconnaissance and informing the killers of Kanhaiya Lal’s presence before the attack.

The murder conspiracy, reportedly planned eight days prior, involved a group meeting, though some attendees deny the discussions. Ghous Mohammed admitted he volunteered to carry out the beheading, with others agreeing to support the murderers’ families post-crime.

i’m Investigations also uncovered an international link to the Karachi-based Dawat-e-Islami. Ghous Mohammed visited Pakistan in 2014, staying for 40 days, and had previously traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah in 2013 and 2019.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath, on Thursday, underscored the pressing need for advanced cybersecurity tools as India’s space capabilities expand, while also reflecting on ISRO’s technological innovation journey.

During his keynote speech at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the SISA Cyber Nalanda, Somanath highlighted the importance of leadership, collaboration, and mentorship in shaping a world-class organization.

He discussed the increasing importance of cybersecurity, emphasizing that as ISRO ventures into new technological frontiers, the threat landscape has evolved. “As applications grow, so do the threats. The need for robust cybersecurity tools is clear,” he said, stressing that ISRO is keenly aware of the need to safeguard its data and assets, especially in critical areas like space and satellite operations. “While we are pleased with the progress, the situation demands vigilance,” he cautioned, referring to the high magnitude of emerging threats.

Somanath also spoke about ISRO’s in-house capabilities in software development, citing the success of tools like FEAST (Finite Element Analysis of Structures), which are now widely used across industries such as aerospace and architecture. “Most of our software for rockets, satellites, and structural design is self-developed,” he said, highlighting ISRO’s self-reliance in space technology.

He praised ISRO’s Collision Possibilities Analysis tool, which assesses the risk of satellite collisions, as “one of the best globally.” Additionally, Somanath emphasized ISRO’s commitment to frugality and cost-effectiveness.

Somanath also mentioned ISRO’s achievements in software development for space exploration, including the in-house creation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. “In just a year, we developed one of the best software programs used by ISRO, and we’re working to make it commercially available,” he added. He further elaborated on ISRO’s research into areas such as thermal design, orbital mechanics, and the long-term evolution of space objects.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court criticized Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, stating that “this is not a feudal era where a chief minister can act like a king.” The court was addressing Dhami’s decision to appoint an Indian Forest Officer (IFS) under departmental investigation for unauthorized construction and tree felling at Corbett as the Director of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

A bench led by Justice BR Gavai remarked, “We are not in a feudal era. There is a concept of public trust. State heads cannot behave like kings. When there is a specific note advising against appointing this officer as Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, you cannot override it just because you are the Chief Minister.”

However, the court did not pursue the matter further after the Uttarakhand government informed them that the appointment of the officer had been rescinded. The court noted, “Since the appointment of IFS officer Rahul (who goes by one name) as Field Director, Rajaji, has been withdrawn and he has been reassigned as Chief Conservator of Forests (Monitoring, Evaluation, IT, and Modernisation), no further orders are required.”

The controversy dates back to April 2022, when the Uttarakhand High Court ordered the state government to take action against officials involved in illegal activities at Corbett Tiger Reserve. Subsequently, Rahul was removed as the reserve’s director and reassigned to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest’s office in Dehradun.

In response to the court proceedings, Rahul stated: “I requested to be relieved of the responsibility of Director, Rajaji Tiger Reserve. While my transfer order is lawful and can withstand judicial scrutiny, the process could be lengthy and tiresome. I fear that it might affect my ability to focus on my current duties, which require my full attention.”

The Supreme Court’s criticism of Dhami was based on a report submitted by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), an expert body assisting the court on environmental matters. The report flagged the August 9 decision to appoint Rahul as the Director of Rajaji, a decision that overruled objections from various state officials, including the section officer, Deputy Secretary, Principal Secretary, and the Forest Minister, all of whom recommended reconsidering the appointment due to the pending departmental proceedings against Rahul.

The bench, which also included Justices PK Mishra and KV Viswanathan, remarked, “Unless he is exonerated in the departmental proceedings, you cannot give him a clean record.” Highlighting the objections that the Chief Minister bypassed, the bench added, “When all subordinate authorities advise against the posting, the Chief Minister cannot simply say no without providing reasons.”

Senior advocate ANS Nadkarni, representing the state, argued that there is no requirement for the Chief Minister to provide reasons. He offered to submit an affidavit stating that the Chief Minister had investigated the matter and found no incriminating evidence against Rahul in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) ongoing inquiry into illegal construction at Corbett. Rahul was one of the individuals charge-sheeted for his alleged role in tree felling and unauthorized construction for the Pakhro tiger safari within Corbett’s critical tiger habitat.

The Supreme Court had previously ordered a CBI investigation into the tiger safari at Corbett in March and directed the Uttarakhand government to complete its departmental proceedings against officials, including Rahul, within six months.

Senior advocate K Parmeshwar, serving as amicus curiae, pointed out that the state government had yet to conclude its inquiry and had requested an additional three months. He further emphasized that the CBI investigation was still ongoing, and posting the officer in another critical tiger habitat like Rajaji was unjustifiable at this stage.

Abhijay Negi, counsel for Dehradun-based petitioner Anu Pant, who has been pursuing the case concerning illegal tree felling and construction in Corbett, said: “After Rahul’s appointment as Director of Rajaji on August 9, Anu Pant filed a complaint with the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on August 30. On September 2, the CEC referred the matter to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing.”

In his defense, Rahul asserted: “The matter of illegal construction and alleged tree felling has been investigated by nearly a dozen agencies. None of the reports available to the public have made any adverse findings against me as Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve. In fact, many have commended my role as a supervisory officer.”

Addressing media reports on the controversy, Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal issued a statement clarifying: “Contrary to reports, the Chief Minister did not ignore the Minister, Chief Secretary, or anyone else in appointing the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The decision was unanimous and made with the consent of both the Chief Minister and myself.”

New Delhi: Despite a record level of pulse sowing during the kharif season, experts believe that India is unlikely to achieve its goal of self-sufficiency in pulses by 2027.

The current yield is insufficient to meet the growing demand, and concerns are rising that excessive rainfall in September may damage crops and impact pulse production estimates, according to Bimal Kothari, chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).

While the El Niño phenomenon has ended, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that the La Niña effect, characterized by the cooling of the central Pacific Ocean, will become more prominent in September. The IMD has forecasted an unusually wet September, particularly in northern India.

Kothari pointed out that India’s pulse yield is around one tonne per hectare, significantly lower than Canada’s yield of four tonnes per hectare, a key masur-importing nation.

Rise in Pulse Imports

Data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs shows a sharp increase in pulse imports, which surged by 44% in 2023 to 2.99 million tonnes (mt). As of July this year, imports stood at 201,908 mt.

The government aims to eliminate its dependence on imported pulses by 2027, a target highlighted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Union Budget speech. She emphasized the need to boost the production, storage, and marketing of pulses and oilseeds to achieve self-sufficiency.

India imports tur from Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, and Myanmar; urad from Myanmar and Brazil; and masur from Canada, Australia, Russia, and Turkey.

“Excessive rainfall could harm standing crops. If the IMD’s predictions hold true, it will likely reduce pulse yields,” said Siraj Hussain, former agriculture secretary.

The Directorate of Pulses Development indicates that the major kharif pulse-producing states are Rajasthan (20% of total production), Maharashtra (18%), Madhya Pradesh (16%), and Karnataka (15%). Uttar Pradesh contributes 7% to India’s total kharif pulse production, followed by Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Telangana, each with 5% or less.

Increasing Demand for Pulses

“By 2030, India will need 40 million tonnes of pulses due to its growing population, but our production is lagging, dropping to 24 million tonnes last year. The government must implement corrective measures, such as promoting crop diversification from rainfed to irrigated areas and increasing subsidies for pulse farmers,” Kothari said.

India’s annual pulse consumption is estimated at 22 to 25 million tonnes, highlighting their cultural and dietary significance in dishes like dal, sambar, and curries.

However, K.G. Ramesh, former DG of IMD, disagreed with other experts, stating, “September rains will not negatively impact pulses. Production is expected to exceed last year’s figures, and we anticipate a good harvest.”

The government’s initiative to procure all pulses at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is motivating farmers, as reflected in the increased sowing trends. This year, pulse sowing has risen by 8.47%, reaching 12.51 million hectares compared to 11.66 million hectares last year.

Sowing Trends

As of August 30, the area sown with tur has grown by 5% to 4.5 million hectares, up from 4 million hectares last year. Moong sowing has also increased by 4% to 3.4 million hectares, compared to 3 million hectares last year.

However, the area under monsoon urad has decreased by 2% to 2.9 million hectares, down from 3.1 million hectares last year.

Inquiries sent to the ministries of agriculture and consumer affairs remained unanswered at the time of publication.

The Border Security Force (BSF) will soon initiate a flag-lowering ceremony along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, similar to the daily ceremony at the Wagah border in Amritsar, Punjab, an official announced on Wednesday. An amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 1,000 is currently being built at the Tanot Rai Mata Temple complex for this purpose.

BSF Deputy Inspector General (Jaisalmer) Yogendra Singh Rathore stated that BSF personnel will lower the Indian flag every evening, accompanied by a camel show and other events. Unlike Wagah, there will be no corresponding ceremony on the Pakistani side.

In 2021, the Babliyan border post near Tanot was initially developed for a retreat ceremony as part of the government’s border tourism initiative. By 2022, a stadium, watchtower, selfie points, and other amenities were constructed before Tanot was selected as the site for the ceremony.

Last year, the Union Tourism Ministry approved ₹17.67 crore for the development of the Tanot complex under the border tourism initiative. The BSF has completed 70% of the construction so far. The 4.57-acre complex will include a 434-square-metre cafeteria, a 183-square-metre VIP block, a souvenir shop, and a toilet block, with the amphitheatre as the focal point.

Officials noted that Tanot features a variety of attractions, including a museum and a weapons gallery that showcase military history. Mural walls dedicated to fallen soldiers are also present. The complex will include areas for families and children, a food court, a surveillance system, and solar-powered LED street lighting.

Rathore emphasized that Tanot is poised to offer a ceremony with the grandeur of the Wagah border. “We are making rapid progress. The amphitheatre is under construction, and we expect the entire Tanot complex to be completed by the end of the year,” Rathore said. He added that Tanot is anticipated to become a major tourist attraction.

To facilitate border tourism in Jaisalmer, the BSF has introduced an online e-pass system for easier access.