High Court allows Mass chanting of Hanuman Chalisa today

Justice R Subhash Reddy of the A P High Court on Friday directed police to permit mass chanting of Hanuman chalisa under the supervision of Tridandi Swamy China Jeeyar Swamiji on Saturday at NTR Stadium in Hyderabad.

The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by B Ramaraju on behalf of the organisers. The petitioner complained that the police, citing incidents of riots in March 2010, the recent Ayodhya judgment by the Allahabad HC and anniversary of Babri masjid demolition on December 6, expressed fear that so many persons chanting Hanuman chalisa and speeches on Ram, Ayodhya and Hanuman may create communal tension.

The judge brushed aside these objections and asked the police to suggest restrictions. The proposed restrictions were submitted by the police.

Permitting the event to be held, the judge made it clear that the function would have to end by 7 pm. Speeches should not be provocative and hurt sentiments of other religion or region. Lathis or weapons would not be allowed in the stadium, the judge said.

30,000 Indian students have left Australia

A spate of attacks, tough visa norms and denial of permanent residency have caused around 30,000 Indian students, mostly based in Melbourne, to leave Australia in the past year, claims the Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA).

The figure is quoted in the latest issue of Indian Student, published from Melbourne, a copy of which is available with IANS. The magazine in its editorial says it appears Australia is no more a favourite destination for Indian students with this huge exodus in a year's time.

The magazine quoting Gautam Gupta, spokesperson of FISA, said race attacks is one of the major reasons behind the exoduse more

Kiran Kumar sworn in as Andhra New CM

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Kiran Kumar Reddy - New CM for AP

Kiran Kumar Reddy will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh today after K Rosaiah resigned on Wednesday citing health reasons.

The two big challenges for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, a rebellious Jagan Mohan Reddy and the Telangana issue, will now be tackled by the new Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy whose name was announced late on Wednesday night as K Rosaiah's replacement.

The change of guard took most by surprise including the new Chief Minister himself. A four-time MLA from Rayalseema region and a YSR loyalist, Kiran Kumar Reddy will be sworn in today. The swearing in ceremony will take place at 12:15 pm. After this, Kiran Kumar Reddy is likely to go to Delhi this evening or tomorrow morning.

K Rosaiah stepped down on Wednesday afternoon citing personal reasons. Senior Congress leaders from Delhi, including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Law Minister Veerappa Moily, who is also the General Secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, met with Congress MLAs in Hyderabad. A resolution was passed asking Sonia Gandhi to select the new leader.

"There are a lot of challenges ahead of me. I think with the cooperation of all the legislators and my party and the officers of the state I think, we can overcome all the problems," said Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Reddy is the speaker of the current assembly, and was the chief whip of the Congress in the previous government of YS Rajashekhar Reddy.

Rosaiah Resign

As senior Congress leaders headed to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister K Rosaiah has announced his resignation.

The party in Andhra Pradesh has faced a public and massive attack from one of its own against the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi.

On Friday, Sakshi TV, owned by Jagan Mohan Reddy, broadcast a program that was scathing in its assessment of both leaders. The channel's management said Jagan Mohan was not aware of the show's contents. Re-runs of the same show did not carry the controversial parts.

Rosaiah has seen massive resistance within his party from supporters of Jagan, whose father, the immensely-popular YSR, died in a helicopter crash last September. Rosaiah was picked to replace him as chief minister - Jagan and his camp have challenged this decision through campaigns like the Odarpu Yatra which saw Jagan touring the state in a show of strength, in open defiance of the party which had ordered him to cut short the road show.

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