LIVE

Mon, 23 September 2024

Cong demands TN guv's sacking over secularism remark

Timeline Refresh

23:57 Cong demands TN guv's sacking over secularism remark

The Congress Monday slammed as "outrageous and unacceptable" Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi's remark that "secularism is a European concept" and demanded his immediate sacking.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that Ravi is "only a trial balloon floater" and is echoing what Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to get done.

Ramesh's remarks came after Ravi said secularism is a European concept that evolved after a conflict between the church and the king whereas Bharat is a dharma-centric nation and therefore, it was not part of the Constitution but added during Emergency by "one insecure prime minister".

The Tamil Nadu governor, while addressing an event in the Kanyakumari district on Sunday, said a lot of frauds have been committed against the people of the country and one of those was a wrong interpretation of secularism.

Reacting to the remarks, Ramesh said, "This man, who has taken an oath on the Constitution and who -- inspite of his drumbeating -- remains a Constitutional functionary, should be sacked forthwith. He is a disgrace."

"This is not the first outrageous and unacceptable statement he has made. But he is only a trial balloon floater. He is echoing what the non-biological PM wants to get done," the Congress leader said.

Ravi had also said, "What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, secularism is not a Bharatiya concept."

Decades later, during Emergency (1975-77), "one insecure prime minister," introduced secularism in the Constitution in order to appease some sections of people, the Governor alleged.

Indira Gandhi was the prime minister during Emergency. -- PTI

Accused Akshay Shinde

23:45 Encounter by police, claim Badlapur accused's family

The mother and uncle of Badlapur sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde, who was shot dead by police on Monday evening, termed the incident as an "encounter" and sought justice.

Shinde was killed near Mumbra Bypass around 6:15pm when he allegedly snatched the gun of a policeman while he was being ferried in a police vehicle as part of a probe into a case registered on the complaint of his former wife.

After he shot and injured an API, another personnel from the escort team fired at him, and he was declared dead by doctors at Kalwa civil hospital.

Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, his kin alleged it was a conspiracy by the police and management of the Badlapur school.

Shinde had told kin he was being beaten up police in custody and he had also sent a chit seeking money, they claimed.

Shinde's mother and uncle questioned the police version and asserted he could not have snatched the weapon of a policeman.

He was not depressed, they added.

"The police have killed our child. The school management must also be probed. The police got him to write something but we don't know what it is," the kin further alleged. -- PTI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said police shot dead Badlapur school sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde in self-defence.

Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually abusing two minor girls in the school where he worked as an attendant, was being taken to Badlapur from Taloja jail for investigation when he snatched a policeman's gun and fired at an assistant inspector when the police vehicle reached Mumbra bypass.

He was killed in retaliatory firing by a police officer who was part of the escort team.

"Akshay Shinde's ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence and the police was taking him for a probe regarding these allegations. He snatched the gun of a police personnel opened fire. Police fired back in self-defence," CM Shinde told reporters.

However, the incident drew condemnation from the opposition parties who questioned the chain of events and also asked if it was a move to destroy evidence in a case that had triggered national outrage.

"Is it an attempt to destroy evidence? Were Akshay Shinde's hands not tied by the police during the transit? How could he reach for the gun, and how come the police were so careless? We demand a judicial probe in this matter," Leader of Opposition in the assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said.

There is no action against the "BJP-linked" school management but an arrested accused is shot dead in suspicious circumstances, he said, adding "we have no trust in Badlapur police".

Shiv Sena-UBT spokesperson Sushma Andhare equated the incident with the gunning down of four rape accused in Telangana in 2019.

"There too the police claimed it was done in self-defence. However, due to the deaths, the truth never came out. The same will be the case with the Badlapur sexual assault. Was Akshay Shinde killed as he was hiding something more sinister? Why is the school management still on the run," she said.

How come Akshay Shinde managed to snatch a gun despite being handcuffed and how did he know to operate the firearm, Andhare further questioned.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, must throw some light on these questions, she said, adding "it shows the state home minister's inability to handle critical cases".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the United Nations Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York and called for reforms in the global institutions and termed reforms the "key to relevance."

He also called the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member in the G20 an "important step" in this direction.

"For ensuring global peace and development, reforms are necessary in the global institutions. Reform is the key to relevance. Permanent membership of African Union to the G20 at the New Delhi Summit was an important step in this direction," he added.

The prime minister, also spoke on technology in the current era and affirmed that "balance regulation is needed."

"For safe and responsible use of technology, balance regulation is needed. We want such global digital governance in which sovereignty and integrity remain intact," he said.

At the UN Summit of the Future, World leaders adopted a Pact for the Future that included a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The pact covers a broad range of themes including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged terrorism and "new theatres of conflict" in areas like cyber, maritime and space at the UN on Monday, saying global action on these issues must match global ambition.

His address at the UN's landmark Summit of the Future comes against the backdrop of conflicts across the world, including the Israel-Hamas war and the Ukraine crisis.

Modi said terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security. He added that areas such as cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new theatres of conflict.

"On all these issues, I will stress that Global Action must match Global Ambition!" he said.

"Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield," Modi told the UN event.

On the first day of the summit that opened Sunday, world leaders adopted by consensus the Pact of the Future, with annexes - Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations that lays the path forward for the UN and the international community as the world organisation turns 80 next year.

A Maharashtra labour department official on Monday inspected the office of Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune on the directions of the central government over the death of a woman chartered accountant.

Anna Sebastian Perayil (26) allegedly died due to work stress four months into joining the firm in Pune. Following her death, Sebastian's mother wrote to EY India chairman Rajiv Memani alleging that the workload and extended working hours took a toll on her daughter. The firm, however, denied the allegations.

The woman , who passed her CA exams in 2023, died in July.

Additional labour commissioner Shailendra Pol said, "As per the directions from the central government, an inspection was conducted today to assess the working conditions and factual situation at the EY Pune office."

A government labour officer visited the office for the inspection, he said.

"We requested details about the company's policies regarding office operations, employee welfare, and handling of extra working hours, including compensation to employees. The company has to furnish this information within seven days," Pol said.

"We reviewed the victim's appointment letter, including its terms and conditions. From the appointment letter, it was determined that she (her job profile) does not fall under the legal definition of 'labour'," he said.

However, since Sebastian was an employee, the matter must be addressed from the perspective of employee welfare and well-being, the official said.

"Once the firm furnishes the details requested, a report will be sent to the central authorities, who will then determine the next course of action," he said.

Union Minister for Labour Mansukh Mandaviya had recently said that the matter is being probed.

In the wake of Tirupati Laddu adulteration allegations, the FSSAI has issued a show cause notice to a Tamil Nadu-based firm for supplying substandard ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, official sources said on Monday.

In the notice, the food regulator asked A R Diary Food Private Ltd why its central licence should not be suspended for contravention of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011.

According to the notice, FSSAI said it received information from The Director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh), that A R Diary Food Private Ltd in Dindigul was one of the suppliers of Ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) since last four years.

Further as per the information, the ghee procurement committee of TTD has sent all the samples supplied to TTD for testing to NDDB CALF Lab at Anand, Gujarat.

"After analysis, the sample from your firm M/s. A R Diary Food Private Ltd (FSSAI Central License number 10014042001610) has failed to meet the parameters and your firm has been blacklisted by EO, TTD," the notice said.

"By virtue of the above non-conformance of the product "Ghee" manufactured by your firm which is not meeting the standards, you have contravened the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations made there under.

"In view of all the above you are hereby directed to show cause as to why your central licence shall not be suspended for contravention of the above said provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011," the notice said.

The regulator asked the firm to send its reply by September 23 failing which it said suitable action will be initiated as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Regulations. -- PTI

Three railway employees were arrested in Gujarat's Surat district on Monday for alleged track tampering and then alerting authorities about a "sabotage attempt" to take credit for averting a possible tragedy, a police official said.

The three, identified as Subhash Poddar (39), Manish Mistry (28) and Shubham Jaiswal (26), are trackmen in the railways' maintenance department, Superintendent of Police Hotesh Joysar said.

Poddar and others, while on inspection between Kosamba and Kim stations, had alerted the railway administration at 5:30am on Saturday about "miscreants" removing elastic clips and two fishplates from one set of tracks and placing them on another to derail a train.

"A probe began after a case for criminal conspiracy was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Kim police station against unidentified persons. We found that the trio, while on night patrol, had sent a video of the compromised track to their seniors in order to alert them. Railway officials told us a train passed on the route just before the trio noticed the tampering," the SP said.

"The time interval of the tampering being discovered and the passing of the train was too less and it was not possible to remove the clips and plates in such a short time. We checked the mobile phones of the trio and found videos of tampered tracks shot at different intervals starting from 2:56 am to 4:57 am. Mistry had also deleted photos he had taken," he said.

This established that the photos and videos were taken much before they called the officials at around 5:30 am to report about sabotage, Joysar said, adding the three confessed to the act after intense questioning. -- PTI

A 23-year-old woman slipped into a coma after she was seriously injured when the scooter driven by her husband on which she was riding pillion crashed into a big pothole on an Indore road, a police official said on Monday.

Following the accident on the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) road on the night of September 14, police registered a case against the husband of the woman, Shanu Gaur, for rash driving.

After questions were raised on the action against the woman's husband, police said they will write to the city municipal corporation asking which agency is responsible for the maintenance of the BRTS road where the accident took place.

Shanu Gaur suffered a head injury after the scooter on which she was riding pillion fell into a big pothole in the city's MIG area. Her husband Ravi Gaur was riding the two-wheeler at the time of the accident, the official said.

The seriously injured woman was admitted to a hospital where she later slipped into a coma, he said.

Ravi Gaur was subsequently booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 281 (rash driving), he said.

Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Neelabh Shukla termed the registration of the case against the husband of the injured woman as an "unjust step" by the police and demanded departmental action against cops who committed this alleged lapse.

Asked about the rash driving case, Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhinay Vishwakarma said, "We will write to the municipal corporation asking which agency is responsible for the maintenance of the BRTS road. Appropriate steps will be taken after their reply." -- PTI

Amid controversy over "adulteration" in Tirupati laddus, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav has alleged that shops in Mathura are selling adulterated 'khoya' and demanded an inquiry.

Talking to reporters during an event here on Sunday, Yadav said adulteration in Tirupati Laddu prasad is a "very serious" matter and it has hurt the religious sentiments of people.

"Due to the failure of the food department, adulterated food and oil are causing very serious illness to people. Food department is negligent and silent over it," she said.

"There are reports there that 'khoya' being sold in Mathura is also adulterated. The BJP government should institute enquiry in both the cases," she said without mentioning the source of the reports.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has collected 13 samples of 'prasadam' from prominent temples in Mathura for testing.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's claim that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in the southern state has triggered a massive political row.

The YSR Congress Party has accused Naidu of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gains and the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state circulating a laboratory report to back its claim.

Terming "One Nation One Election" as farce, she said BJP is "killing" democracy. Elections are being held in Haryana while by-elections in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have not been announced yet.

"All these elections could have been done altogether," she said, adding that BJP never implemented what it said but went ahead with whatever suits them. -- PTI

A man arrested for sexually abusing two girls at a school in Badlapur town of Maharashtra's Thane district fired at a policeman and was injured in retaliatory firing, police said on Monday.

An official said Akshay Shinde, who worked as a cleaner at the school, was being taken to Badlapur from Taloja jail for investigation.

When the police vehicle reached Mumbra bypass, Shinde snatched a policeman's gun and fired at an assistant police inspector. Shinde was injured in retaliatory firing, the official said.

The two minors were allegedly abused in the school toilet on August 12. The accused was arrested on August 17. -- PTI

Eight persons, including five boys, were killed in a lightning strike near a village in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district on Monday amid heavy rains, police said.

The incident, in which a man was also injured, took place at around 2 pm near Joratarai village under the Somni police station area where the victims had taken shelter under a structure on the roadside, Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg told PTI.

As per preliminary information, after heavy showers started, a group of persons, including some minors, rushed to save themselves from rains and took shelter under the structure where a lightning struck them, he said.

"Eight persons died in the lightning strike of which four were students of Classes XI and XII at a government school in nearby Mudhipar village. They were returning home on bicycles after appearing in quarterly exams.

The fifth boy among the deceased had come to pick one of the schoolchildren when the tragedy struck," Garg informed.

After being alerted about the incident, senior administration and police officials rushed to the spot.

The bodies were shifted to a government hospital in Rajnandgaon for post-mortem examination, while the injured man was admitted to the medical facility for treatment, the police officer said.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the tragedy, while the district administration announced a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. -- PTI

19:04 Brahmin youth's sacred thread cut in TN

A 24-year-old man's sacred thread was cut and thrown away here by three motorcycle-borne men and they mocked at him for wearing it and a case has been registered, the police said on Monday.

The incident occurred at Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli on the evening of September 21, while Akilesh was walking towards the local Astika Samaj run by Brahmins to take part in a bhajan, they said.

While he was on his way to the event, wearing a veshti and without a shirt, the three men on the motorcycle stopped him and cut and threw away his sacred thread (called poonool in Tamil) and after mocking at him, and told him to not sport the poonool again.

Astika Samaj functionaries alongwith Hindu Munnani (an RSS affiliated outfit) office-bearers lodged a complaint with the Perumalpuram police (Palayamkottai) on the night of September 21.

A case was registered and a probe is on to nab the yet to be identified men, they said, adding that CCTV recordings in the vicinity of the incident are being screened.

Caption: Photograph of a Tamil Brahmin couple used only for representational purpose. Pic courtesy, N Narayanan

18:45 Over 100 killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon killed over 100, according to the Lebanese health ministry, in the deadliest attack since war erupted in Gaza on October 7 when the Palestinian group Hamas carried out the worst-ever attack on Israel.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

The Israeli military announced that it hit some 300 targets Monday, saying it was going after Hezbollah weapons sites.

Some strikes hit in residential areas of towns in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One strike hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos in central Lebanon, more than 80 miles from the border north of Beirut.

Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Monday claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are systematically working to oust Ajit Pawar-led NCP from the Mahayuti alliance ahead of the assembly elections.

Mahayuti allies BJP and NCP rejected Raut's claims and accused the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of "spreading rumours" out of insecurity over winnability prospects at the hustings.

"The BJP is adopting the use and throw strategy. The BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena are systematically taking steps to oust Ajit Pawar-led NCP," Raut told reporters.

He claimed chief minister Eknath Shinde should keep in mind that the BJP's next target might be Shiv Sena led by him.

NCP state unit president Sunil Tatkare refuted Raut's claims, saying the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP will face elections as a united alliance.

"These rumours should not be taken seriously. The BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP are together and will continue to contest the elections as one alliance," Tatkare said.

He said the Opposition is making such statements realising that they stand no chance to return to power after elections.

Senior MLA Ashish Shelar also scotched "rumours" about the Bharatiya Janata Party contemplating to part ways with the NCP, indicating that the Opposition MVA was spreading such speculations.

In a counterattack, Shelar, who heads the Mumbai BJP unit, claimed the Congress and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) have discussed contesting the assembly elections without taking help from Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT.

"The talks that BJP would part ways with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are merely rumours. The opposition MVA has lost the ground to challenge us, they have lost the steam to put up a fight. The sand is slipping from under their feet given the growing support of people to the Mahayuti government," Shelar told reporters. -- PTI

A bag containing Rs 20 lakh cash was found abandoned in a coach of a local train in Mumbai, police said on Monday.

Some passengers spotted a bag lying unattended in a second-class compartment of the Asangaon-CSMT local train at 10 PM on Sunday, an official said.

"A woman member of a group of passengers travelling on the train told others to inform the railway police while alighting at Kalyan station, following which the bag was handed over to police at Kalyan GRP station," he said.

Police officials followed standard protocol to investigate the contents of the bag. They were stunned to find seven bundles of Rs 500 currency notes inside the bag, besides a box of sweets, and medicines, he said.

Police have launched a search to trace the rightful owner of the bag. -- PTI

Representational image

18:04 Pune airport named after Sant Tukaram

The Maharashtra government on Monday approved a proposal to name to name Pune airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Pune International Airport.

The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting, an official said, adding the proposal will be sent to the Centre.

The state cabinet approved the proposal by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who hails from Pune, for renaming the airport.

Taking to X, Mohol thanked the ruling Mahayuti alliance government of the BJP, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.

"Thank you, Mahayuti government! Thank you, Devendraji! The first step towards naming of the international airport in Pune as 'Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport' has been taken today and the proposal given by me has been approved at a cabinet meeting. It will now be sent to the central government for further processing, Mohol posted on X.

Sant Tukaram was a prominent saint and spiritual poet during the Bhakti movement. He was born in Pune district.

India has reported the first case of the Mpox strain, which led to the WHO declaring it a public health emergency last month, in a patient from Kerala who had tested positive last week, official sources said on Monday.

They said Clade 1b strain has been detected in the 38-year-old man from Malappuram district who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates.

The patient is stable, the sources said, adding "this was the first case of the current strain that led to the World Health Organization declaring Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time".

The earlier case of Mpox that emerged in the national capital was a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar who has tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month.

Since the 2022 declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO, 30 cases were reported in India. -- PTI

Investors' wealth climbed Rs 8.30 lakh crore in three days of record-breaking market rally amid continued optimism over the US Fed rate cut. Rallying for the third day running on Monday, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 384.30 points or 0.45 per cent to settle at an all-time high of 84,928.61.

During the day, it soared 436.22 points or 0.51 per cent to hit a fresh lifetime intra-day peak of 84,980.53. In three days, the benchmark has jumped 1,980.38 points or 2.38 per cent. The market capitalisation of BSE-

The Chief of the General Staff approves strikes on Hezbollah targets. Pic: @IDF

17:24 At least 50 people killed, over 300 injured in Lebanon by Israeli attacks

At least 50 people were killed and more than 300 others were injured in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since this morning, Al Jazeera reported, citing Lebanon's Health Ministry.

It further said that children, women and paramedics were among those who were killed in the attacks, according to Al Jazeera report.

Earlier, the Israeli army announced it struck about 300 targets across Lebanon today. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday announced that it launched "widespread" waves of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

It warned people to swiftly move away from homes used by the Iran-backed terror group to store weapons, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF said it had identified Hezbollah operatives who were preparing to conduct attacks on Israel.

17:20 Did not victim shame EY employee: Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi's "victim shaming" allegation over her remarks on the death of a 26-year-old woman Chartered Accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who died due to alleged extreme work pressure at Ernst & Young (EY).

In a post on X, Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji, Anna had inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture and long work hours that took away her life, which needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and atleast try to be a little sensitive, am sure god will be the guide if you seek."

Replying to this, Union Minister Sitharaman said that she only highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children and that in no way victim shaming was done.

"Had referred to this matter in a talk delivered in Tamil at a deemed university on the outskirts of Chennai. Had specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable. No names were taken, neither of the lady nor of the firm. The University has set up a Meditation Hall and a place of worship for all its students and faculty. It is in this context that I spoke on how it is necessary to build inner strength for students," she said on X.

"With a sense of grief over the tragic loss, I highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children, and in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely," Sitharaman added.

She also mentioned that the Union Labour Ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment related to the tragic demise.

The father of EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil, Sibi Joseph, said on the incident that she had to work late at night, and even after reaching her PG, she had to do additional work.

"She joined there on March 18... After one week, she started the regular auditing. There are 6 audit teams in EY Pune, and she was included in the 6th team. The assistant manager allotted and the Audit Manager reviewed the work... She had to work late into the night... After reaching back to her PG also, she had to do additional work which was not concerned with her work... She was not getting time to sleep and eat. She was stressed and she had work pressure. The manager did not review the work on time, he did it on his schedule... He is a cricket fan, and he changed his schedule according to the match schedule. And because of that, she had to sit late to complete the work assigned to her," Joseph said.

The father also pointed out that Anna used to cry on the phone that she could not work with so much tension and stress.

"We asked her to resign and come back... She decided to continue because she said that she was getting more exposure in EY. Unfortunately, on July 21, she collapsed in her room and died before reaching the hospital."

Kumari Selja with Rahul Gandhi. File pic

16:53 Is Cong's Kumari Selja joining BJP? She says...

Rejecting speculations that she is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), AICC general secretary and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Monday said that she owes the Congress for whatever she is today and that she will soon join the campaign for the party for the October 5 Haryana Assembly elections.

The Lok Sabha MP took a dig at the BJP saying that the party has no soft corner for the leaders of the Congress.

"...It's election time and hence they are doing this, otherwise BJP has no soft corner for leaders of Congress, but these things have no meaning. Whatever I am today is because of Congress and I have served it all my life. I'll join the campaign in two to three days and will form Congress government," Kumari Selja told ANI.

"For years, the party had no organisation but party workers kept working on the ground, people like me just give speeches but it's party workers who work on the ground and hence they have expectations. When they don't get space, they go to other places in search of it as they (party workers) have felt certain things but I will say that we are in Congress and will work for the party...Congress will form the government and we together will form that..." Selja said.

Meanwhile, addressing a public rally in Haryana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Congress party has always been disrespectful to the Dalit leaders like Kumari Shelja.

"Congress has always disrespected Dalit leaders, be it Dr Ashok Tanwar or Kumari Selja. Dr BR Ambedkar wasn't given Bharat Ratna till Congress was in power. BJP has established Panchtirtha to respect BR Ambedkar and declared Samvidhan Diwas...," he said.

16:49 Who scored today?

From the 30 Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Unilever, Kotak Mahindra Bank, UltraTech Cement, Adani Ports, and Tata Steel were the biggest gainers. ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services, and Larsen & Toubro were among the laggards.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised to be the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament, reiterating the Congress party's commitment to put pressure on the BJP-ruled Centre to restore J-K's statehood.

"Whenever you need me, you just have to give me an order and I will be present before you. I will raise your issues in Parliament. You know the special relationship I have with you. I do not have to even mention it," Gandhi told an election rally in the Zainakote area on the city's outskirts.

"I will be your voice in parliament," he told the gathering. Gandhi said the biggest issue for the people of J-K is the restoration of the statehood.

"We guarantee that it will be restored. If the BJP does not give it you (after elections), we will ensure that it is restored."

The Congress leader said downgrading J-K into a Union Territory was an injustice done to the people of J-K.

"Your democratic right has been snatched by downgrading the state into a UT," he said.

Referring to the now defunct HMT watch factory, located at the stone's throw from the venue of the rally, Gandhi said the BJP has closed many such factories across the country. He accused the Modi-led government of benefitting only 25 businessmen of the country, while ignoring the common people. "For 25 people, he waived Rs 16 lakh crore loan. They do not waive off loans of poor, farmers, labourers, students, and women."

"They brought a flawed GST, and effected demonestisation and forced the closure of small and medium businesses. The result has been that the youths of the country including J-K are not getting jobs. They may have college and university degrees, but they are not getting jobs. This is the gift of Narendra Modi. This is his politics," he said.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio show 'Mann ki Baat', Gandhi said Modi makes long and "meaningless" speeches, but is not willing to address the issues of the country.

"He only talks about his Mann Ki baat and not Kaam ki baat. Kaam ki baat is to give jobs and vision to the youth, reduce and restore statehood to J-K. No one is listening to your Mann ki Baat (anymore)," Gandhi said at the rally. PTI

Domestic equity indices Sensex and Nifty scaled their new record closing high levels on Monday, helped by strong foreign fund inflows and a largely firm trend in Asian markets.

Rallying for the third day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 384.30 points, or 0.45 per cent, to settle at an all-time high of 84,928.61. During the day, it soared 436.22 points, or 0.51 per cent, to hit a fresh lifetime intra-day peak of 84,980.53.

The NSE Nifty rose 148.10 points, or 0.57 per cent, to close at a record peak of 25,939.05. During the day, it zoomed 165.05 points, or 0.63 per cent, to reach a new intra-day all-time high of 25,956.

From the 30 Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Unilever, Kotak Mahindra Bank, UltraTech Cement, Adani Ports, and Tata Steel were the biggest gainers.

ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services, and Larsen & Toubro were among the laggards. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 14,064.05 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

A Sikh student was thrashed and his turban forcibly removed by some students during a clash with another group at a college here, triggering criticism as the video went viral on social media.

The incident occurred at Sri Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College under Delhi University on Saturday, days ahead of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections scheduled for September 27.

The purported video of the incident shows a red-turbaned student being dragged, kicked and assaulted until his turban fell to the ground during the scuffle.

An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Maurice Nagar police station in the matter, police said.

According to police, Pavit Singh Gujral, a second-year student said that he was attacked during the nomination process for DUSU elections.

"They forcibly removed my turban, beat me and pulled my kesh (hair). I was attacked by the group and I am not feeling safe in the college. I feel that my life is at risk," Singh said in the FIR.

A senior police officer said that teams have been formed to nab the accused. Meanwhile, the college is yet to issue a statement regarding the matter. PTI

Growth-oriented investors will get the best long term return in India, highlighted a report by Jeffries.The report emphasized that Indian equities remain attractive in the long term, both on a five-year and ten-year investment horizon.

"This remains the best long-term opportunity for growth-oriented equity investors globally, both on a five-year view and a ten-year view," the report stated.

However, the report pointed out the high valuations in the Indian market but noted the remarkable resilience displayed in the face of recent capital gains tax hike announced in the union budget.

The market's ability to withstand these challenges, according to the report, demonstrated the strong long-term outlook and investor confidence.

"While valuations remain an issue in the small-cap and mid-cap space, the remarkable resilience of the stock market in the context of the recent hikes in the capital gains tax is proof of the extent to which Indian households now believe in the long-term equity story also," said the report. -- ANI

In a sarcastic remark, the Calcutta High Court on Monday said the West Bengal government may consider giving Rs 10 lakh as dole to each Durga Puja committee, maintaining that the current Rs 85,000 appears to be meagre.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently announced that the dole for Durga Puja organisers, which was Rs 75,000 in 2023, would be raised to Rs 85,000 this year.

Hearing a petition seeking a stop to the disbursal of dole to Durga Puja organisers by the state, the court directed the state government to file an affidavit on the petitioner's prayer for an audited report of the CAG on disbursal of funds to clubs and NGOs and utilisation of the money by these organisations.

Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam told Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the West Bengal government, that the state should consider giving Rs 10 lakh to each organiser as that would be commensurate to conducting the puja, saying that Rs 85,000 is nothing compared to the expenditure required to celebrate the Durga puja.

The Chief Justice said that he visited several Durga Puja pandals in the two previous years and felt that Rs 85,000 is nothing compared to the expenditure made in organising it, and those are probably utilised for the expenses of the organisers.

The court noted that the West Bengal government gives a paltry Rs 1,000 to a person suffering from disability owing to muscular dystrophy.

The Chief Justice said that there are more pressing issues like the plight of the contract workers, daily wage earners and badli (replacement) workers. He also said that PWD workers deputed to the high court were not being paid minimum wages.

File pic

14:34 Ajit and I together at home: Sharad Pawar

Former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Monday said that he and nephew Ajit Pawar are together as a family, but made it clear that the latter was heading a different political party. "Gharat tari ekatrach ahet (we are together at home least)," the veteran politician said at a press conference at Chiplun in coastal Konkan region.

He was responding to a query about the demand from various quarters in the state that the uncle-nephew duo should come together once again.

In July last year, Ajit Pawar broke away from his uncle to join the Eknath Shinde-led government in the state as deputy chief minister. Of late, there has been speculation over his continuation in the ruling alliance.

Asked about Ajit Pawar's recent remarks the decision to make his wife Sunetra Pawar contest the Lok Sabha polls against Supriya Sule in Baramati was a mistake, the veteran politician said, "He is in a different party. Why should we comment on decisions taken by another party?"

Asked if the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) had decided its chef ministerial face, Pawar said, "I don't think that it is an urgent issue at the moment. When elections were held after the Emergency, Morarji Desai's name as PM candidate was not disclosed before polling," he added.

"Our (MVA) attempt is to give a progressive alternative in Maharashtra with help of other parties like Samajwadi Party and Peasants and Workers Party," he said. "Our observation is that the people of Maharashtra have made up their mind to give us (MVA) a chance in the ensuing elections," he said.

Asked about Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu's claim that sub-standard ghee with 'animal fat' was used to make prasad laddoos at Tirupati temple during Jaganmohan Reddy's tenure as CM, Pawar said, "If anything was mixed, it is very wrong and action should be taken against those involved." PTI

14:32 Grave dug up, skull missing in UP

An 85-year-old man's grave was dug up and the skull taken away from Bijnor in UP, with police launching a probe on Monday into the suspected "black magic" case.

The incident came to light when locals came to the cemetery in Khari village of Haldaur to offer 'fatiha' (Islamic prayer), Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sanjeev Bajpai said.

They noticed that the grave was dug open and the head was missing following which they informed police, Bajpai said.

The deceased was identified as Kari Saifurrahman who was buried on July 25, he said. According to police, the locals said that items associated with "black magic" rituals were also found near the grave.

"We are investigating all angles, including the possibility of black magic and the culprits will be arrested soon," the ASP added. PTI

13:57 Man who chopped woman into 30 parts identified

National Commission for Women has directed the Karnataka police to expedite the arrest of all involved in the gruesome murder of a woman whose body parts were found chopped up and stuffed into a refrigerator.

"NCW has come across a media post titled 'Woman's Body Chopped Into 30 Pieces Found Inside Fridge In Bengaluru' involving the gruesome death of a 26-year-old woman in Vyalikaval," NCW said in a post on X.

"The Commission has directed the state police to expedite the arrest of all involved and ensure a thorough, time-bound investigation. A detailed report is expected within 3 days."

Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda on Monday said that the police have identified the prime suspect in the case.

"It is being investigated from all angles. The prime suspect has been identified and efforts are underway to arrest him," Commissioner Dayananda said while addressing a press conference in Bengaluru. "He's an outsider. We can't give more information as of now as it may help the accused," he said.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the police have collected a lot of information regarding the woman's death. The minister said that the police suspect a man reportedly from West Bengal to be behind the murder but added that more evidence is needed to confirm his role.

"The police have collected a lot of information, a lot of clues. One individual is also been...kind of they say he is the one. Unless we collect more information we can't really say. He is from West Bengal they say," Parameshwara told reporters.

Reacting to the question regarding the government's measures to enhance the safety of women, the minister said, "We have already taken a lot of precautions for women's safety in Bengaluru. We are very careful about it. We have installed CCTV where lot of women go. These kinds of steps we have taken."

In a shocking incident, dismembered body of a woman was found stuffed in the fridge of the house she was living in at Vinayaka Nagar in Vyalikaval in Bengaluru on September 21.

The woman identified as Mahalakshmi was living alone in the rented house for the last five months, Shekar H Tekkannavar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Bengaluru.

The body parts were found highly decomposed with worms were found in them raising suspicion that the murder could have taken place a fortnight ago.

On Sunday, the state unit of the BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government over the incident stating that the Kannadigas are no longer safe in this 'Hitler-led Siddaramaiah'.

"Under @INCKarnataka rule, appeasement policies have led to a complete collapse of law and order. The brutal murder of Mahalakshmi by Ashraf is a clear reminder that Kannadigas are no longer safe in this Hitler-led @siddaramaiah government," the official handle of BJP Karnataka posted on X.

13:32 Smriti meets a mammoth

Former BJP MP Smriti Irani is on vacay doing a culture stop. She posts this on X, writing, "Just hanging out with my new friend @smithsonian. We both agree : leadership requires thick skin and a huge presence #elephantintheroom #leadershipgoals #smithsonianadventures."

13:10 India's entry for Oscars this year is...

Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies has been picked as India's official entry for Oscars 2025, the Film Federation of India announced in Chennai on Monday.

The Hindi film, a light-hearted satire on patriarchy, was chosen from a list of 29 films, including Bollywood hit Animal, Malayalam National Award winner Aattam and Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light.

The 13-member select committee headed by Assamese director Jahnu Barua unanimously decided on Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan and Rao, for reckoning in the best international film category at the Academy Awards.

Tamil film Maharaja, Telugu titles Kalki 2898 AD and Hanu-Man, as well as the Hindi films Swatantraya Veer Savarkar and Article 370 were also in the list.

Malayalam superhit 2018: Everyone is a Hero was sent last year. -- PTI

12:56 Bridge #19 collapses in Bihar, JD-U says...

A section between two pillars of connecting path of under-construction Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur Bridge reportedly collapsed near Nandani Lagunia Railway Station in Samastipur, triggering a row.

Manager Mohan Singh said that the incident that took place on Sunday was not a collapse but a dismantling process.

He said that span did not collapse but a girder was dismantled during a process of replacement.

The incident sparked political reactions, with RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari condemning the government's handling of infrastructure safety.

"Crime in Bihar is on the rise. The trend of bridges collapsing in Bihar is continuing. The government is exposed. They were trying to put back the debris into a JCB. This is the case with almost all bridges in Bihar. Corruption is at its peak," Tiwari said.

In response, JDU leader Neeraj Kumar defended the administration, highlighting the ongoing construction efforts under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"In the tenure of CM Nitish Kumar, bridges are being built on the Ganga approximately every 40 km. Did the Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur span collapse? When the span casting was not done, how can it collapse? It was a six-year-old beam that had corroded," Kumar said.

Earlier, in July, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Bihar government on a petition seeking to issue directions to the state government to conduct the highest level of structural audit of all existing and under-construction bridges in the state and to demolish or retrofit weak structures depending on feasibility in the wake of the collapse of bridges in the State.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the Bihar government and other concerned respondents to file a reply to the petition.

The court was hearing the petition filed by the petitioner and advocate, Brajesh Singh, who has urged the top court to issue directions to the Bihar government to conduct the highest level of structural audit of all existing bridges and under construction bridges in the state and to demolish or retrofit weak structures depending of feasibility.

12:39 Vivad Se Vishwas rules are now notified

1. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 88 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024 (15 of 2024), the Central Government has appointed the 1st day of October, 2024 as the date on which the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, 2024 shall come into force.

2. Keeping in view the success of the previous Vivaad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 and the mounting pendency of appeals at CIT(A) level, introduction of a Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Scheme, 2024 is proposed with the objective of providing a mechanism of settlement of disputed issues, thereby reducing litigation without much cost to the exchequer.

3. The scheme allows taxpayers to settle appeals, writ petitions, and special leave petitions pending as of this cut-off date before the Supreme Court, High Courts, ITAT, Commissioner (Appeals), and Joint Commissioner (Appeals). The scheme also covers cases with objections filed before the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) where no final assessment order has been issued and pending revision applications before the Commissioner.

4. Settling disputes under VSV 2.0 waives penalties and interest and ensures no prosecution will be initiated. However, appeals involving search cases, prosecution cases, undisclosed foreign income or assets are excluded from VSV 2.0.5.

-- Courtesy: CMA Rajni Chawla

AAP leader Atishi takes charge as the eighth chief minister of Delhi.

"I will work as CM of Delhi for four months like Bharat did by placing Lord Ram's 'khadaun' on throne. Kejriwal has set example of dignity and morality in politics, BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image," she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, along with five cabinet ministers, took the oath of office on Saturday and requested people to ensure that her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal, returns to the top post again.

Atish sat on a different chair as used by Kejriwal. Saurabh Bharadwaj has eight departments under him, the highest after Atishi, including those of health, tourism, art and culture.

12:21 A message in support

Waseem, a biryani outlet in Bangalore lends support to the doctors strike in Bengal after the RG Kar horror. @WazBLR posts on X: "Our Biryani is ready to be distributed."

11:59 Unusual flower

This column is about those whose name is Kamala. Many readers may groan and exclaim: has the man no sense of priorities? Absurd, they would say. But the human mind is notorious for being absurd, writes Gopalkrishna Gandhi. Read the column here.

A log was found on a rail track last week

11:50 Iron rods found on rail tracks in Punjab's Bathinda

Another day, another attempted mass murder:

Nine iron rods were found on the tracks in Punjab's Bathinda district, disrupting railway traffic for a brief period, officials said on Monday. The rods were found on Sunday near Bangi Nagar on the Delhi-Bathinda route. A Government Railway Police (GRP) official said a goods train loco pilot spotted the rods.

"We recovered nine iron rods from the spot," said the official.

The loco pilot of the goods train travelling from Bathinda to BWL Kori spotted the rods, which were removed by the pointsman and the assistant station master.

The train was held up for 40 minutes, a railway official said. Later, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and GRP officials visited the spot and searched the area. CCTV cameras in and around the location are being scouted for clues. The Punjab GRP is probing into the case, the official added.

Asked if some miscreants placed the rods on the tracks, the GRP official said they might be behind it but an investigation was underway. An FIR against unidentified persons was lodged in the matter, he added.

Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay said, "An investigation is going on and very soon we are hoping to take some action." PTI

Representational image

11:31 Downloading child porn is now an offence: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside a Madras High Court ruling that had said that mere downloading and watching child pornography was not an offence under the POCSO Act and the information technology law.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said watching and downloading child pornography are offences under the POCSO Act and the information technology law.

The bench also laid down certain guidelines on child pornography and its legal consequences. The top court delivered its verdict on a plea challenging the Madras High Court order.

The apex court had earlier agreed to hear the plea challenging the high court ruling that had said mere downloading and watching child pornography was not an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Information Technology (IT) Act.

On January 11, the high court had quashed the criminal proceedings against a 28-year-old man charged with downloading pornographic content involving children on his mobile phone.

The high court had also said children these days were grappling with the serious issue of watching pornography and instead of punishing them, the society must be "mature enough" to educate them.

The Supreme Court had taken note of the submissions made in the matter by senior advocate H S Phoolka, who represented two petitioner organisations, that the high court verdict was contrary to the laws in this regard.

The senior lawyer appeared in the court on behalf of NGOs Just Rights for Children Alliance, based in Faridabad, and the New Delhi-based Bachpan Bachao Andolan. The organisations work for the welfare of children. -- PTI

11:27 Raj meets Shinde

MNS chief Raj Thackeray called on Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde at Varsha Bungalow, the CM's official residence, in Mumbai today. The dates for the Maharashtra polls are yet to be announced.

The 18th season of the popular reality show "Bigg Boss", hosted by Salman Khan, is slated to premiere on October 6. The show will air on Colors TV and will also be available to stream on JioCinema.

The channel announced the premiere date on Sunday night on its official Instagram handle. The post featured a promo video with Salman explaining the concept of the upcoming season which has "Time ka Tandav" as the theme.

In the ongoing war of words between Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, the latter's spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has criticized the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for likening himself to Lakshman and the former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kerjiwal to Lord Shri Ram.

"It is unfortunate that a person who indulged in the liquor scam compares himself to Prabhu Shri Ram, Lakshman and Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Arvind Kejriwal promised that he would never join hands with the Congress, but what happened later on? The greed for power was so much so that the AAP was even eager to contest the Haryana elections together with the Congress. Such a person who can't stand by his words should not be compared to Shri Ram," Poonawalla said while speaking to ANI.

Sisodia on Sunday intensified his criticism of the BJP, accusing them of attempting to create a rift between him and Arvind Kejriwal.

If MVA wins, will Uddhav be CM?

10:36 Talks on CM post after Maha polls: Cong

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Monday asserted that the discussion for the Chief Minister's post among the coalition partners in Maharashtra will held after the elections, and added that their only aim is to remove the 'corrupt' government from power.

Speaking to media persons, Chennithala said, "We will hold discussions on the Chief Minister's post after the assembly elections." "Our only target is to form the government now. We aim to remove the corrupt BJP government from power," Chennithala added.

Hitting out at the ruling BJP government over simultaneous elections in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, he said that the government talks about one nation, one election but didn't announce elections in Maharashtra along with Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.

"People who talk about one nation, one election, why didn't they announce elections in Maharashtra along with Haryana and J&K? The elections should be announced as soon as possible as the public has made up their mind to remove the state government from power," the Congress leader said.

This remark came in the backdrop of the Union Cabinet's nod to the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. On being asked about Tirupati Laddu Prasadam row, he said that it is a very serious matter.

"It is a very serious matter. People from across the country offer prayers at the Tirupati Temple. The news is sad. The government should tell the public about the truth," Chennithala said.

File pic

10:21 Anura Kumar Dissanayake sworn in as Lankan prez

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth president on Monday, amid hopes that he will bolster the country's economy and eliminate corruption.

Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat. Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party's broader front National People's Power, defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya in Saturday's election. PTI

Representational image

10:16 Premature baby found dead near lake in Thane

The body of a premature baby has been found lying near the banks of a lake in Thane city of Maharashtra, police said on Monday. Some passersby spotted the body of the male child near the Siddheswhar Talao on Saturday and alerted the police.

After receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and sent the body to a government hospital for postmortem, an official from Naupada police station said. The child was apparently stillborn prematurely in the eighth month of pregnancy, he said.

An FIR was registered on Sunday against an unidentified person under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 94 (concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body), the official said. The police were checking hospitals in the area to trace the baby's parents, he added. PTI

10:04 Sri Lankan PM Gunawardena resigns

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned from his post on Monday as part of a power transition in the country following the presidential election won by Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The resignation came ahead of the swearing ceremony of Dissanayake. Gunawardena, 75, was prime minister since July 2022. PTI

09:58 Monday cues: Sensex hits fresh all-time highs

Domestic equity indices Sensex and Nifty scaled their new record high levels in early trade on Monday, helped by strong foreign fund inflows and rally in Asian markets.

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 318.58 points to hit an all-time high of 84,862.89. The NSE Nifty surged 120.75 points to reach a new record high of 25,911.70.

From the 30 Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bharti Airtel, NTPC, State Bank of India, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Adani Ports, Tata Steel and Tata Motors were the biggest gainers. ICICI Bank, HCL Technologies, JSW Steel and ITC were among the laggards. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 14,064.05 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

A four-hour Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana (ritualistic sanitisation) to undo the alleged desecrations that occurred during the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party regime at Tirumala temple is underway now, temple sources said on Monday.

A Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) source confirmed to PTI that the ritual began at 6 am and will last till 10 am, aimed at propitiating Lord Venkateswara Swamy from the alleged sacrilegious practices such as mixing animal fats in making Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweet) and others.

TTD executive officer J Shyamala Rao on Sunday said these rituals will ward off the ill effects and restore the sanctity of laddu prasadams (consecrated food) along with the well-being of Srivari devotees. -- PTI

The local administration in Jakhnidhar Tehsil of Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district has announced that nine schools in Dwarikhal would be shut on September 23 and 24 in view of a tiger scare.

According to the order issued by Pauri District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan, the decision was taken on a request made by the sub-district magistrate of Jakhnidhar and the block education officer of Dwarikhal to ensure the safety of the students.

Both officers had written a letter to the district magistrate informing him that a student was attacked and injured by a tiger in Thangar village in the Dwarikhal area at 7 am on Saturday and the big cat was spotted near the government primary school in Thangar.

The district magistrate, in his order, said that in view of the safety of students, there will be a holiday on September 23 and 24 in nine schools and all Anganwadi centres in the Dwarikhal area. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas here and expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza, reaffirming India's support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Modi is in New York on the second leg of his three-day US visit and met the leader on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session on Sunday.

'Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India's support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine,' Modi said in a post on X.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

Modi 'expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the people of Palestine', the post added.

PM Modi arrived in New York on Saturday after attending the Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where he also had bilateral discussions with US President Joe Biden.

Modi addressed thousands of members of the Indian-American community at the 'Modi&US' mega community event in Long Island Sunday afternoon.

He also interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the US in a roundtable conference.

Later in the day, he held bilateral discussions with world leaders.

India has underscored its commitment towards a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue and reiterated that only a two-state solution achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides will lead to enduring peace.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), citing Ministry of Health in Gaza estimates, has said that between October 7, 2023 and September 16 this year, at least 41,226 Palestinians have been killed and 95,413 injured.

According to the Israeli military and official Israeli sources cited in the media, more than 1,542 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed during this period, the majority on October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel. -- PTI

Cong demands TN guv's sacking over secularism remark

Timeline Refresh

TOP STORIES