Thursday, January 1, 2026

INDIA meet to discuss separate convener for zones for better coordination

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi- With just two days to go for the third crucial meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in Maharashtra’s Mumbai, several important decisions are likely to be taken including that of announcing separate convenors for the four zones.

According to sources, during the two day meeting in Mumbai starting from August 31, which will be attended by several opposition parties, several important decisions will be taken after a detailed brainstorming and discussion.

The source said that discussion of having four separate convenors will be come up for discussion during the meeting and a decision will be taken, if there is a requirement for separate convenors instead of one.

The source said that as there are multiple parties in the INDIA alliance, and a separate set of convenors will help in smooth functioning of the alliance with leaders from the zone having better understanding of the issues and the language.

The source further said a discussion on naming the chairperson of the INDIA will also come up for discussion and there are chances that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge might be nominated for the same.

The source also said that there are chances that there might be more than one convenor in the INDIA alliance.

However, the source said that a decision on all the issues will be taken during the meeting after taking views and suggestions from every opposition party leader.

The first meeting of the INDIA alliance took place in Bihar’s Patna on June 23 while the second meeting of the opposition parties took place in Karnataka’s Bengaluru on JUly 17 and 18.

The opposition parties have come together to take on the ruling BJP ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year.

SGPC initiates legal action against Yaariyan-2 film for anti-Sikh scenes

By
Swinder Singh Bajwa
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The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has initiated strict legal action against the film ‘Yaariyan-2’ for objectionable scenes in its video song ‘Saure Ghare’ which hurt the Sikh sentiments. The SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has ordered the SGPC officials to take legal action in this regard.

When this matter came to light on Wednesday, the SGPC demanded an immediate ban on this film and its video song on the YouTube web platform from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Information Technology and Electronics, and Central Film Board of Certification. The SGPC has objected that a video song from the film released on the YouTube channel of the T-Series on August 27 shows a clean-shaven and non-Sikh actor wearing a Sikh kakaar (Gatra and Kirpan – a symbol of faith). This has hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community living across the globe, said he in a statement issued here today.

The SGPC President Advocate Dhami has taken a strict stand on this matter and issued instructions for legal action. The SGPC secretary Partap Singh has also sent a complaint to the Police Commissioner of Amritsar, for hurting religious sentiments.

Dhami has said that the insult to Sikh kakaars and Sikh principles cannot be tolerated in any film. He said that the producer, director, and actor of the film did not do it right by presenting Sikh Kakaar Kirpan against Sikh principles and maryada (conduct). Moreover, the T-series company has made a mistake by publishing anti-Sikh visuals on its YouTube channel. Appreciating the Sikh sentiments, the SGPC will not allow this film to be released at any cost.

Dhami said that such people deliberately inflame the religious sentiments of Sikhs. He said that despite the fact that everyone knows about the Sikh lifestyle and living in the whole country, Sikhs are deliberately teased by such actions. The SGPC is serious about this film and orders have been issued to take legal action.

Meanwhile, the SGPC spokesman Harbhajan Singh Vakta said that the SGPC had also contacted the T-Series company regarding this matter, which has given information about the matter being considered. He said that an official of T-Series, Rahul Dubey, has spoken to the SGPC, who has been clearly told that this controversial video song should be removed from the YouTube channel immediately. He said that according to Rahul Dubey, T-Series might consider removing scenes that hurt Sikh sentiments from the entire film. 

Article 35A denied key rights to non-residents in J&K: Supreme Court

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Tuesday said that Article 35A of the Constitution had stripped individuals not residing in Jammu and Kashmir of significant constitutional rights. The Chief Justice highlighted that this article had particularly curtailed equality of opportunity, state government employment, and the right to purchase land for non-residents.

Article 35A, which was annulled in August 2019 alongside Article 370, permitted the state’s legislature to define “permanent residents” and grant them special privileges concerning public employment, property ownership, and settlement.

Chief Justice Chandrachud pointed out the direct impact of Article 35A on certain fundamental rights. Article 16(1), which assures citizens of equal opportunity in public employment, had been negated by Article 35A. This infringement remained protected from legal challenges, effectively restricting the power of judicial review. Moreover, Article 19, which guarantees the right to reside and settle in any part of the country, was also compromised.

The rationale for scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, as advocated by the Centre, was to create a level playing field and integrate the region with the rest of the country. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, highlighted that the move had brought Jammu and Kashmir in line with the nation, thereby implementing welfare laws that were previously not applicable to the region.

A notable example mentioned was the introduction of the Right to Education through a constitutional amendment. Before the abrogation of Article 370, amendments to the Indian Constitution did not apply automatically to Jammu and Kashmir. Consequently, the Right to Education had not been enforced in the region until 2019.

Chief Justice Chandrachud drew parallels with Mehta’s example, underscoring that amendments such as those related to secularism and socialism were never adopted in Jammu and Kashmir due to the same legal framework.

Sukhbir Badal urges GOI to review its decision to effectively ban export of rice

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Chandigarh :  Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today urged the union government to immediately review its decision to effectively ban export of rice, saying “every time our farmers stand to profit from an increase in global rice prices, the centre bans its export. This is discriminatory. The ban needs to be revoked immediately”.

 The SAD president was reacting to the ban imposed on basmati rice valued at less than $1, 200 per metric tonne which the government claims is aimed at stopping the export of non-basmati rice by reclassifying the same. This will however have an impact on even export of basmati rice.

Stating that this was another anti-farmer decision on the heels of ban on export of non-basmati rice and levy of 20 per cent duty on export of par-boiled rice, Sukhbir Singh Badal said “instead of such bans the union government should hike the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to aid the food security needs of the country”.Asserting that farmers had been dealt a double whammy by being forced to sell their paddy crop at a lower msp compared to world prices, Badal said “now when they stand to benefit due to high export price of rice, export of this commodity has been banned”.

Sukbir Badal said earlier farmers had been denied the benefits of an increase in wheat prices globally with the central government banning wheat export last year. “Farmers desperately need higher prices to offset the loss due to flooding which has forced many of them to go in for re-transplantation of paddy when the first crop was destroyed. With no fair compensation for their crop losses in sight with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government failing to even complete the girdawari exercise, the ban on export of rice as well as exorbitant duties on par-boiled rice will heighten the farm crisis in the State”.

 The SAD President also asserted that contrary to projections, rice prices only accounted for a slight increase in the consumer price index and should not be decreased forcibly. “Inflation in India is being driven by the high prices of petrol and diesel as well as vegetables and these twin issues which should be addressed immediately” Badal also asserted that a deliberate attempt to reduce paddy prices in the open market in the country was also against the centre’s resolve to double farm income by this year end.

Stating that a fall in demand of rice would have a negative spiral impact on the entire economy, Badal said farmers and farm labourers would be the worst sufferers even though the entire economy would bear the effect of negative growth in the agriculture sector. He said in the case of Punjab, the agriculture sector was already in a state of crisis with rains damaging both the paddy and cotton crops in the region.

India registers 70 new Covid cases

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : India has registered 70 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, taking the caseload to 4,49,97,033, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

According to the Ministry’s data, the death toll rose to 5,31,929 as one more succumbed to the disease.

Also in the same period, 47 people recupercated from the disease, pushing total number of recoveries to 4,44,63,580.

While the recovery rate stands at 98.91 per cent, the active caseload stood at 1,524.

According to the Ministry data, over 220.67 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered so far.

June 2020, Amritsar, Swab samples being collected at a COVID-19 sample collection booth, , Swab samples

Sonia Gandhi takes boat ride in Nigeen lake during personal visit to Kashmir

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Congress leader Sonia Gandhi embarked on a leisurely boat ride on Srinagar’s picturesque Nigeen Lake. Gandhi,joined her son Rahul Gandhi during his personal visit to Srinagar. 

Rahul had recently concluded a week-long tour of Ladakh, which included notable spots like Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Khardungla Top, Lamayuru, and Zanskar.

Sonia Gandhi’s boat ride on Nigeen Lake was captured by onlookers. 

Congress insiders have mentioned that Priyanka Gandhi might also join the family gathering in Kashmir in the near future. 

Upon their arrival in Srinagar on August 26, Sonia Gandhi  was warmly welcomed by senior members of the party, including Vikar Rasool Wani, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC). 

However, it has been confirmed that both Sonia and Rahul will refrain from participating in any political meetings or engagements during their stay in the region.

Rahul Gandhi’s Ladakh tour, which he undertook on a motorcycle, drew attention for its adventurous spirit and the engagement with the local population. After culminating his tour with a public address in Kargil, Rahul made his way to Srinagar, where he was joined by Sonia Gandhi for a personal retreat.

Shocking to see BJP taking credit of AAP’s developmental work

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday that it is shocking to see that the BJP takes credit of the developmental work done by the AAP government.

AAP said that all money on PWD roads was spent by the PWD of Delhi government, and all money on the MCD roads was spent by the MCD.

“The Central government has only spent money on NDMC and NHAI roads. Such level of politics is not going to help the country. We are about to host the G20 summit where India but the only thing BJP cares about is playing dirty politics, ” AAP said.

Nearly 80% small scale industry in Haryana either closed down or facing sickness: Bajrang Garg

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Ambala : Addressing press conference at New Grain Market Ambala City, President of Haryaana State Vyapar Mandal Bajrang Das Garg a former CONFED Chairman accused ruling government policies responsible for decline of small scale and medium industry in Haryana state as a result nearly 80% small scale industry manufacturing consumer and engineering products has either been closed down or facing severe sickness and on the verge of closure causing severely unemployment in the state due to erratic government policies. Garg said that trade and industry owners in the state are extremely upset, annoyed due to complicated GST formalities imposed with effect from 1st July 2017 as well as  money laundering law and ED staff excesses on business community compelling them to leave their profession.

Garg said that small scale industry manufacturing consumer products, food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textile goods engineering consumer products and electrical goods are worst affected in the state. He said, ruling state government in Haryana state had assured that 75% youths in Haryana will be provided jobs in private sectors, but government has failed to provide jobs even to 75 unemployred youths in private sectors in the state in past about four years.  Garg said bringing GST under money laundering  law by the ruling government has proved worst for business community due to severe harassment by the officers of the department. The worst part is that government has failed to implement GST since after it was launched and changes in GST rules have been made by the government itself hundreds times since after it started, clearing indicating that the government itself is unaware of the same. Garg said that ruling government should roll back money laundering law immediately for the survival of trade and industry as well as harassment over businessmen by ED officers.  

PM Modi to distribute over 51K appointment letters under Rozgar Mela

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted recruits in government departments on Monday via video conferencing.

He will also address the appointees on the occasion, the PMO said in a comunique.

The Rozgar Mela will be held at 45 locations across the country. Through this event, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is recruiting personnel in various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) including, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

“The new recruits, selected from across the country, will be joining the various positions such as Constable (General Duty), Sub-Inspector (General Duty) and Non–General Duty Cadre Posts in various organisations under the MHA, ” the PMO said.

The Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfillment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord highest priority to employment generation, the statement said.

It said that this is expected to act as a catalyst in further employment generation and provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and participation in national development.

“The newly inducted appointees are also getting an opportunity to train themselves through Karmayogi Prarambh, an online module on iGOT Karmayogi portal, where more than 673 e-learning courses have been made available for ‘anywhere any device’ learning format, ” the PMO said.

Police busts terror module In Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandiporav

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in collaboration with Army and the CRPF dismantled a terror module operating in the Bandipora district of North Kashmir. 

Acting swiftly on a specific intelligence, Jammu and Kashmir Police established a checkpoint in the Dardgund area of the district on August 25. During this operation, the police apprehended a suspicious individual who attempted to evade capture. The detainee, identified as Shafayat Zubair Rishi from Nesbal Sumbal, was found in possession of incriminating evidence including a pistol, a pistol magazine, eight rounds of ammunition, and other materials, the officials said.

“Pertinently, the accused was in touch with Pak based terror handler Mushtaq Ahmad Mir who exfiltrated to Pak in 1999 and was working on revival of terrorists in the district. He was also involved in the year 2000 Kothibagh IED blast in which 14 people including 12 police personnel were killed and had remained associated with proscribed militant outfit HM and later on with militant outfit Al-badr. Shafayat Zubair Rishi is also involved in burning an Army vehicle in Sumbal in 2009 and is out on bail in the said case,” the police spokesman said.

His interrogation revealed that he was en route to meeting with Munira Begum, the wife of a deceased terrorist and former area commander Yousuf Choupan. The aim was to collect a cache of arms and ammunition. Munira Begum, in turn, led the security personnel to a forested area nearby, where a significant cache of arms and ammunition was concealed. This cache included a Krinkov AK-47 rifle, three magazines, ninety rounds of ammunition, and a pen pistol. Incidentally, Munira Begum had also traveled to Pakistan on two occasions, according to police.

Further revelations from Rishi highlighted his involvement in a plot to receive 47 lakhs for the purpose of reviving terrorist activities in the region. The plan involved disbursing this money as directed by his handler, Mushtaq Mir, to support terrorism.

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