Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Trinamool drops seven sitting MPs, including Mimi and Nusrat Jahan

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Kolkata : As many as seven sitting Lok Sabha members were dropped by the Trinamool Congress as it released its list of candidates from West Bengal for the forthcoming polls on Sunday.

These include Sisir Adhikari from the Kanthi constituency and Dibyendu Adhikari from the Tamluk constituency, as they are the father and younger brother, respectively, of the current Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

The other five dropped MPs are Arjun Singh from Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas, Nusrat Jahan from Basirhat in the same district, Afrin Ali aka Aparupa Poddar from Arambagh in Hooghly district, Mimi Chakraborty from Jadavpur in the South 24 Parganas district, and Chowdhury Mohan Jatua from Mathurapur, also in the same district.

Arjun Singh had been elected on a BJP ticket from Barrackpore in 2019 after quitting the Trinamool before the Lok Sabha polls. However, he joined the ruling party again in 2022. The Trinamool has fielded state Irrigation Minister Partha Bhowmik from Barrackpore this time.

Actress-turned-politician Mimi Chakraborty announced recently that she wants to quit politics to concentrate on her acting career. Jatua, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer had been ailing for quite some time and his movement is restricted.

Although there were speculations that two more sitting MPs, namely Saugata Roy from Dum Dum in North Parganas and Sudip Bandyopadhyay from Kolkata (North) in Kolkata might be replaced this time, they were re-nominated.

President Murmu, PM Modi extend wishes on International Women’s Day

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended their greetings on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide every year on March 8, to highlight women’s accomplishments, rights, equity, empowerment, and other issues.

“My greetings to all on Women’s Day! It is an occasion to celebrate Nari Shakti. A society’s progress is measured by the progress made by its women, ” the President wrote in a post on X.

“India’s daughters have been excelling in all walks of life, from sports to science, and making the nation proud. Let us work together to remove the remaining hurdles from the path of young women, and give them wings, for they will shape tomorrow’s India, ” she added.

The theme of Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate Progress’.

“Greetings on International Women’s Day! We salute the strength, courage, and resilience of our Nari Shakti and laud their accomplishments across various fields, ” PM Modi wrote on X.

“Our government is committed to empowering women through initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology and more. This is also reflected in our accomplishments in the last decade, ” he added.

Supreme Court upholds Kashmir professor’ right to protest repeal of Article 370

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Striking a blow for citizens’ freedom of expression, the Supreme Court Thursday overturned a criminal case against Professor Javed Ahmad Hajam. The professor, hailing from Baramulla in Kashmir and working in Maharashtra, faced legal action for terming the day of the withdrawal  of Article 370’s as a “black day” for Jammu and Kashmir in his WhatsApp status messages.

The Bench, comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, asserted that labeling August 5 as a black day for J&K was an expression of the petitioner’s individual perspective. 

“It does not reflect any intention to do something which is prohibited under Section 153A. At best, it is a protest, which is a part of his freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a),” the Bench said.

The Supreme Court criticized the Bombay High Court’s decision not to quash the FIR, contending that it overestimated the potential for stirring emotions among citizens. Instead, the Court highlighted the significance of democratic values prevailing over fear of dissent.

In a related development, the Court defended Professor Hajam’s right to extend goodwill to Pakistan on its Independence Day, asserting that such gestures promote international harmony without necessarily inciting hatred. The Bench ruled that motives cannot be attributed based solely on an individual’s religious affiliation.

“If a citizen of India extends good wishes to the citizens of Pakistan on 14th August, which is their independence day, there is nothing wrong with it. It is a gesture of goodwill,” the Bench said.

“In such a case, it cannot be said that such acts will tend to create disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between different religious groups. Motives cannot be attributed to the appellant only because he belongs to a particular religion,” the Bench ruled.

Moreover, the Supreme Court called for enhanced education within the police force on the concept of freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution. It emphasized the need for police officers to comprehend and respect democratic values, recognizing the reasonable extent of restraint on individuals’ freedom of expression.

Importance of International Women’s Day

By
Mahie
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International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 th March every year, In 1975 United Nations announced its global celebration.

The origin of this day is the struggle of women for their rights, freedom and gender equality.

The first celebration of Women’s Day took place on February 28, 1909.

The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of “the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.

15,000 women protested for shorter hours of work, voting rights.

This day is celebrated as a national holiday across the globe. The day is celebrated by giving gifts, flowers to women.

This day was made to honour women and to praise women in every field. Women’s are the most powerful creation of God. The most fearless ones and the Achievers.

They are Multi Tasker. Along with household chores they look after the children, and office work. Women can do anything, both office and household work which men can’t manage.

In 2001, the internationalwomensday.com platform was launched to reignite attention for the day, celebrate women’s achievements and continue to call for gender parity.

In  2011, sitting US President Barack Obama called for March to be known as Women’s History Month. He said: “History shows that when women and girls have access to opportunity, societies are more just, economies are more likely to prosper, and governments are more likely to serve the needs of all their people.”

Nowadays Women are excelling in every field whether it is sports, education, art, science and are making the country proud.

Purple, green and white are the colors of International Women’s Day. Purple signifies justice and dignity, and being loyal to the cause. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. The colors originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.

Some of the remarkable women achievers of all time are Lakshmi Bai, Mother Teresa, PV Sindhu, Sarojini Naidu, Saina Nehwal, Priyanka Chopra, Indira Gandhi, Bachendri Pal.

Congress misled nation on Article 370, PM Modi says in Srinagar

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Srinagar on Thursday, accused the Congress of misleading the nation on the now-abrogated Article 370.  

Addressing a public rally in Srinagar, the PM asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing new heights of development as it breathes freely.

Referring to J&K as the “head of India,” the Prime Minister emphasized that the path to development in the region will emerge from tourism opportunities and the empowerment of farmers. He highlighted the significance of a developed Jammu and Kashmir for a developed India.

As part of his visit, PM Modi unveiled development projects worth over Rs 6,400 crore, focusing on the tourism sector under the “Swadesh Darshan” and “PRASHAD” schemes. The projects also include initiatives for the integrated development of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.

The Prime Minister said that the dedicated development projects will significantly boost the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Delhi court issues summons to CM Kejriwal over ED’s 2nd complaint

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi :  A Delhi court on Thursday issued fresh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on ED’s complaint.

This is ED’s second complaint over non-compliance with the agency’s summons issued to him in connection with a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra of Rouse Avenue Court put up the matter for hearing on March 16, when she is set to hear the ED’s first complaint over the same matter as well.

The ACMM on February 17 granted a day’s exemption from physical appearance to CM Kejriwal in connection with the first complaint filed by the ED over the same issue.

The fresh complaint pertains to “Kejriwal not abiding by the summons number 4 to 8”, a source said.

The AAP convenor had requested the financial probe agency for a date after March 12 for questioning on the excise policy matter.

His response came after the ED issued summons to CM Kejriwal for the eighth time on February 27 and asked him to appear before it on March 4.

ACMM Malhotra had taken cognisance of the first complaint on February 7.” The judge had then said, “.. summons are being issued to him to appear on February 17”.

The ED, on January 31, issued summons to CM Kejriwal for the fifth time, and he was told to appear before it on February 2. The financial probe agency’s complaint alleged that the CM intentionally did not want to obey the summons and kept on giving “lame excuses”.

“If a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would set a wrong example for the common man, ” the agency had said.

The ED had issued summons for the fourth time to CM Kejriwal on January 13, asking him to appear before it on January 18. On February 2, AAP said that CM Kejriwal did not appear before the ED for questioning, and also targeted the Central government. “Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will not appear before ED today either. The party calls the summons ‘unlawful’. We will comply with the lawful summons, ” AAP had said.

Holi in Mathura to be grander, bigger this year

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Lucknow : A grand ‘Rangotsav’ will mark Holi this year in the Braj region in Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP) and culture department have started preparations for the event in Mathura.

According to the minister of culture and tourism, Jaiveer Singh: “Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan is a lively celebration, deeply woven into the fabric of the region’s cultural and religious history. Rooted in the tales of Lord Krishna’s early life spent in Vrindavan, the festivities here are a kaleidoscope of unique rituals and joyous gatherings that attract people from around the globe.”

He said that the state government has established basic facilities in Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana to attract domestic and international tourists. The aim is to draw maximum tourists from across the world to watch Holi celebrations in Mathura-Vrindavan and Barsana.

The festival spans 40 days, but the true enthusiasm builds up a week before Holi. The festivities begin with Barsana’s Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi where women beat men with sticks.

The minister said that the Holi of Braj had special significance as it was associated with Lord Krishna. The Braj region, including Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Gokul, Nandgaon and Barsana, was known for its unique Holi celebrations which would be showcased by the department to attract tourism.

He said a large number of foreign tourists visit the region to witness colourful Holi celebrations. “We will make sure that they get a once-in-a-lifetime experience which will make them want to come back year after year, ” he added.

PM Modi is set for his Kashmir visit on Thursday

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Prime minister Narendra Modi is set for his Kashmir visit on, his first since the abrogation of Article 370 that granted J&K a special position within the Indian constitution.

More than one lakh people are expected to attend the PM’s rally at Bakshi Stadium in the heart of Srinagar.

PM’s visit is expected to be a significant moment for the developmental journey of Jammu and Kashmir, as outlined in a press release from the Prime Minister’s office. 

The primary focus of the visit is the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ event, which is more than just a gathering.  The event at Bakshi Stadium is expected to highlight various projects and initiatives aimed at catalyzing development in the Union Territory, demonstrating the government’s dedication to the overall growth and well-being of the people in the region.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif raises Kashmir issue in inaugural speech

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks at the national assembly, in Islamabad, Pakistan April 11, 2022. Photo: Reuters

In his inaugural address after securing a second term as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif addressed the National Assembly, emphasizing the need for a resolution to the longstanding issues faced by the people of Kashmir and Palestine. Despite expectations that his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, would play a key role in government decisions, Shehbaz Sharif wasted no time bringing the Kashmir dispute to the forefront.

“Let’s all come together and the National Assembly should pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians,” he said in his speech on Sunday.

“We will keep ties with neighbours on the basis of equality,” Shehbaz said as he easily won the election in the National Assembly to become Pakistan’s prime minister for a second time.

Currently, junior foreign service officials from Pakistan are serving as charge d’affaires at Pakistan High Commission in India, a status maintained since 2019 following Pakistan’s decision to recall its high commissioner after the abrogation of Article 370.

Shehbaz also talked about Pakistan’s weak economy, saying it was the main cause of its problems. He said that the nation was dealing with a fiscal deficit exceeding one trillion rupees at the beginning of his term.

“How we will pay the salaries for armed forces and how to pay the civil servants,” he wondered and added that reforming the economy was the biggest challenge faced by the country.

Earthquake of 3.6 magnitude hits Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Jammu and Kashmir experienced an earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter Scale on Monday night,  according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The seismic activity occurred at 9:17 pm (IST) with the epicenter located in Doda.

The NCS reported, “Earthquake of Magnitude: 3.6, Occurred on 04-03-2024, 21:17:27 IST, Lat: 33.04 & Long: 75.83, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Doda, Jammu and Kashmir.”

There have been no reported injuries thus far due to the tremors. The quake marks the latest in a series of seismic events in the region. Last month, Ladakh experienced a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Kargil on February 19.

“Earthquake of Magnitude: 5.2, Occurred on 19-02-2024, 21:35:17 IST, Lat: 35.45 & Long: 74.93, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 148km NW of Kargil, Ladakh, India,” announced the NCS in a previous post.

Earlier on February 16, parts of Jammu and Kashmir felt tremors from a 4.6 magnitude earthquake in China’s Southern Xinjiang region.

The NCS reported, “Earthquake of Magnitude: 4.6, Occurred on 16-02-2024, 21:08:35 IST, Lat: 35.69 & Long: 77.40, Depth: 180 Km, Region: Southern Xinjiang, China.”

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