KOLLAM l thursday l fEBRUARY 26, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION slew of demands messes up BSNL director’s visit to Prayagraj BSNL director Vivek Banzal is in the line of fire for making ‘absurd’ demands linked to his proposed Prayagraj trip. He now faces a show-cause notice Wanted snan kits for a dip at the sangam unacceptable in new India, says Scindia Banzal sought six male and two female snan kits for a dip at the Sangam, including towels, undergarments, slippers, combs, mirrors, soap, shampoo, oil along with a bed sheet for general use at the ghat. Hotel and Circuit House arrangements included toiletries, shaving kits, dry fruits, fruit bowls, towels. He also wanted a boat ride and visits to a few temples ■ ■ The visit scheduled for February 25-26 was cancelled pending a full inquiry. Banzal (pic) is due to superannuate by September-end Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said an order like this is ‘unacceptable’ in new India, adding it flouts all rules and traditions and is ‘beyond absurd’. Banzal became BSNL director in October 2018 50 Personnel had to be assigned to fully manage Banzal’s trip CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI SC takes suo motu Terror anywhere threatens peace note of NCERT’s everywhere, Modi tells Knesset ‘judicial graft’ text Says India’s connection to Israel is written in blood and sacrifice; calls for diplomacy, peace E x p r ess ne w s se r v i c e @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognizance of the controversial chapter on ‘judicial corruption’ in NCERT’s Class 8 social science book. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi listed the matter for Thursday after senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi mentioned the matter for urgent consideration. “NCERT is teaching students about judicial corruption. This is a matter of grave concern. We are here for the bar,” Sibal said. “The selectivity my lord. The selectivity It is there in other ... areas also but judicial corruption?” Singhvi submitted. Thanking the lawyers for raising the issue, the CJI said: “This seems to be a very calculated and deep-rooted measure... I don’t want to say much.” Taking strong objection to the chapter on judicial corruption, the CJI added: “I will not Solar cells to face 126% anti-subsidy duty in US P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi THE US has imposed a countervailing duty of 126% on imports of solar cells and modules from India, alleging that Indian manufacturers benefit from significant government subsidies. Similar duties have been levied on Indonesia and Laos. Countervailing duties, also known as anti-subsidy duties, are tariffs imposed to offset the harmful effects of foreign government subsidies on imported goods. The decision follows an investigation by the US International Trade Commission, which found that subsidised imports were causing material injury to domestic producers. In parallel, the US Department of Commerce is conducting anti-dumping duty investigations into solar cell imports. In 2025, India exported solar panels worth $1.2 billion to the US. allow anyone on earth to taint the integrity of the institution and defame the institution. At any cost, I will not permit it. Howsoever high it may be, the law will take its course. I know how to deal with it.” Following the SC’s strong remarks, the NCERT held a highlevel meeting. “The sections pertaining to corruption in the judiciary may be removed. An official statement will be released after the meeting,” said an official. The book was removed from sales from Tuesday by the Publications Division of NCERT. The controversy is over a section in the textbook on ‘corruption in the judiciary’ in a chapter titled The role of the judiciary in our society. While explaining the concept of judicial accountability, it notes that judges are bound by a code of conduct that requires them to remain fair and maintain integrity in their professional and personal lives. When these standards are not upheld, the chapter says the judiciary has internal mechanisms to ensure account ability . Jayanth Ja c o b @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated India’s strategic partnership with Israel in an address to the Knesset and said “India’s connection to Israel is written in blood and sacrifice” and “nothing can justify terrorism.” Becoming the first Indian PM to address the Israeli parliament, Modi framed India-Israel ties through the lens of shared security challenges and historical bonds. Recalling that more than 4,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in the region during World War I, he said the relationship was rooted in “blood and sacrifice”, not merely diplomacy . In a direct reference to the October 7 Hamas assault and the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Modi drew parallels between the two nations’ experiences. “We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly , with full conviction, in this moment and beyond,” he said. “No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism,” Modi asserted, underlining India’s “consistent ‘Ambitious’ FTA talks on: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, before addressing Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem on Wednesday | AP/PTI and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards.” He warned that terrorism seeks “to destabilise societies, block development and erode trust,” adding that “countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action, because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere.” Even as he struck a hard line on terror, Modi balanced his remarks with a call for diplomacy . “The road to peace is not always Veena injured in KSU protest; CM terms it ‘heinous politics’ E x p r ess N e w s S e r v i c e @ Kannur/T’Puram Health Minister Veena George suffered injuries during a protest staged by KSU activists at the Kannur railway station on Wednesday igniting , widespread agitation by CPM workers across the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned “the attack on the minister”, describing it as “heinous politics” by the Congress. However, Congress leaders refuted the charges, stating that the KSU activists were protesting in a “democratic manner”. The incident occurred when the minister arrived at the railway station to return to Thiruvananthapuram after attending various inaugurations, including the International Ayurveda Research Centre in Kannur’s Kalliad. Five KSU workers barged into the railway station, waving black flags and shouting slogans demanding the minister’s resignation. Veena suffered an injury to her neck in the scuffle that followed. Police personnel present at the scene swiftly intervened and took the protesters into custody. Veena was then taken to Kannur District Hospital, where she was admitted to the ICU. The CM and CPM district leaders later visited Veena at the hospital. As per the Medical Board’s decision, an expert team appointed by the superintendent of Pariyaram Medical College examined the neck injury and recommended that the minister should undergo detailed tests, including an MRI scan. She was later shifted to the Pariyaram MCH. Police have registered a case against five KSU workers for ‘attempting to murder’ the min● More on P4 ister.  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visiting Veena George at the Kannur District Hospital | Express They (Cong leadership) should not think that by unleashing their followers, they can disrupt law and order or create chaos in the state. This is an attack against women Pinarayi Vijayan, CM K ar n a t aka v s J & K Cricket caught at silly point: Headbutting makes headline in Ranji Trophy final F i r o z M i r z a @ Chennai Headbutting is relatively unknown in cricket. An act immortalised by one of the geniuses of world football — Zinedine Zidane, found its way on to the cricket ground in Hubballi. Karnataka’s batter KV Aneesh was born in 2001, the same year when domestic veteran Paras Dogra made his first-class debut. Almost 25 years later, the two crossed paths at the grandest stage of the domestic cricket — Ranji Trophy final — with the 41-year-old Dog ra headbutting Aneesh on Day 2 with his team, Jammu and Kashmir posting 527/6. The incident took place during the 101st over of the innings when Dogra awkwardly fended off a rising delivery from India pacer Prasidh Krish- TV grab of the headbutting incident involving Paras Dogra and KV Aneesh during the Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and J&K on Wednesday | X na. Soon after it, he rushed towards Aneesh, who was stationed in as a close in fielder and headbutted him though gently Aneesh was also wear. ing a helmet. Karnataka’s experi- enced batter Mayank Agarwal also got involved with Dogra. Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkal deciding to talk to the umpires. Apparently, Aneesh was commenting on veteran’s batting despite him scoring more than 10,000 runs in his career. The J&K skipper tried to downplay the incident saying it wasn’t a big thing after the day’s play while the on-field drama brought back memories of the past to team’s head coach Ajay Sharma. “It was just in the little heat of the moment. Not a big thing. Yeah, it is all settled now. That’s (a hot day) a different thing and it was momentary. We started talking and chatting after that so it’s all well,” Dogra told reporters. He is set to be penalised by BCCI. easy but India joins you and the , world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region,” he said, expressing support for efforts that could lead to a durable peace, including in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the visit as historic, calling the partnership “an enormous multiplier of our individual powers”. Terming Modi as “a great friend to Israel,” he said their deep personal rapport reflected the strength of bilateral ties. Modi outlined plans to broaden the economic pillar of the partnership, including talks on an “ambitious” FTA. “We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infra development.” Referring to the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year, he said it would “provide confidence, predictability to our businesses” Elevated to a strategic partnership in 2017, India–Israel relations have expanded significantly in defence, technology, cybersecurity and innovation. Modi’s visit — his second as PM — comes amid heightened regional tensions, reinforcing converging geopolitical interests and deepening security cooperation between the two countries. The Knesset conferred the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal”, its highest honour, on Modi. EXPRESS READ Don’t release film till pleas are decided: HC Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday orally observed that the producers of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond should not release the movie until petitions challenging its release are finally heard and decided by the court. The matter has been posted to Thursday for final hearing. P5 Today’s Match 7pm: India vs Zimbabwe (Chennai)