Saturday, December 27, 2025

Kharge urges PM Modi to remove MP Minister for remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi

Srinagar: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a press conference ahead of Assenbly polls, in Srinagar, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (PTI Photo/S Irfan) (PTI09_11_2024_000280A)

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has criticised Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for making a “highly objectionable” comment about India’s senior and decorated Army officer, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

Kharge, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, addressed the matter on his X handle, stating that the minister had made “deeply offensive” and “inappropriate” comments about Colonel Qureshi.

He wrote that a minister from the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh had made deeply offensive and inappropriate remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a courageous officer who has served the nation with honour. While the terrorists in Pahalgam sought to sow division, the country stood united during ‘Operation Sindoor, ‘ responding firmly and decisively to their threats.

“The BJP-RSS leadership has consistently demonstrated a disregard for women, ” Kharge wrote.

“From social media attacks on the wife of a naval officer martyred in Pahalgam to the harassment of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s daughter, the pattern is troubling. Now, a minister has added to this distressing trend by making disrespectful remarks about Colonel Qureshi, ” he further stated.

He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take immediate action and remove the minister from office.

During an event in Raikunda village, Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), Indore, on Monday, Madhya Pradesh’s Tribal Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah courted controversy after making an offensive remark, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a “sister” of those who had widowed Indian women in the Pahalgam terror attack.

His remark, which referenced the recent Indian military mission Operation Sindoor, drew applause from the audience.

Following the viral spread of a video capturing his speech, Congress demanded action and his resignation from the BJP. His remarks attracted wide criticism from various sections of society.

Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jitu Patwari condemned Shah’s remarks and urged the BJP to clarify its position regarding the controversy. Patwari also shared a video of the minister’s speech on social media, calling for accountability.

Patwari argued that Shah’s statement, which framed military decisions in a communal and gender-based narrative, could exacerbate tensions.

His remarks have sparked concerns about the use of political rhetoric to justify acts of retaliation under the guise of governance, he stated.

Commissioned in 1994 into the Army Signal Corps, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has served in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North-East India.

EAM Jaishankar’s security cover upgraded amid India-Pak tensions

The security detail of External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar has been further strengthened with the deployment of two additional bullet-resistant vehicles to his convoy, official sources confirmed on Wednesday.

The move follows a recent review of his ‘Z’ category protection, undertaken by central Intelligence agencies in light of heightened tensions in the region.

This enhancement comes in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan military escalation and New Delhi’s firm diplomatic response to Islamabad following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people.

Intelligence agencies re-evaluated EAM Jaishankar’s threat perception and recommended bolstering his security convoy.

Seventy-year-old Jaishankar has been at the forefront of India’s international engagement in the aftermath of the crisis.

As the External Affairs Minister, he has led discussions with several global leaders and foreign ministers regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s military response to the Pahalgam attack. His central role in shaping India’s diplomatic strategy amid regional instability has placed him under increased security focus.

This latest upgrade builds on a previous enhancement in October 2024, when Jaishankar’s security cover was raised from the ‘Y’ category to ‘Z’ category, the second-highest tier in the central VIP protection system.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), through its VIP security unit, is tasked with providing armed cover to individuals under this list.

Currently, the CRPF secures around 200 high-profile people, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and prominent Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The VIP security categories under the central list include Z-plus, Z, Y-plus, Y, and X, with Z-plus being the most elite tier.

India Exposes Pakistan’s S-400 Lies with One Picture from Adampur

Pakistan claimed it destroyed India’s premier airbase in Adampur. It also claimed that its China-made JF-17 jets wiped out the Russian-origin S-400 missile defence system stationed there. It claimed it took out fighter jets, radar stations, and killed 60 Indian soldiers.

But one image from this morning has silenced all of it. A photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi standing at Adampur Air Force Station — saluting soldiers with a fully operational S-400 system clearly visible behind him — came as India’s most direct rebuttal to Pakistan’s disinformation campaign.

“This isn’t just a picture. It’s a message. A takedown. A fact check Pakistan wasn’t prepared for,” said sources.

Sources added that Islamabad’s claims were based on morphed satellite imagery. The truth is that Adampur played a key role last week in intercepting waves of missiles and drones fired by Pakistan in retaliation for Operation Sindoor — India’s tri-service strike against terrorist bases across Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“Earlier this morning, I went to Air Force Station Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness,” PM Modi posted on X.

Officials said this is likely the first time India has publicly released a photograph showing its S-400 system, widely regarded as one of the most advanced missile defence platforms in the world.

In last week’s 100-hour escalation, Pakistan targeted multiple military installations across Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. It also launched attacks on civilian areas in Ferozepur, Punjab. Indian forces, however, reported minimal damage.

Meanwhile, India backed its own precision strikes with evidence — satellite visuals confirming hits on at least 11 Pakistani military installations, including the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, just 10 km from Pakistan’s army headquarters.

As for Pakistan’s claims? Government sources had one word: “Lies.” And the image from Adampur — the Prime Minister saluting the soldiers, the S-400 standing tall in the background — says everything else.

CBSE declares class 12, 10 results: Students pass with flying colours

Final Exam Results Test Reading Books Words Concept

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday announced class 12 and 10 exam results as Delhi achieved a pass percentage of 95.18 per cent and 93.66 per cent respectively.

The capital has surpassed the national average of 88.39 per cent. However, Delhi fell in its regional rankings this year, with both the West and East districts dropping from their positions in 2024.

According to the CBSE, 14,96,307 students passed the class 12 exams out of 16,92,794 who appeared. Meanwhile, a total of 22,21,636 students passed in class 10.

According to the records, a total of 23,85,079 students registered for the CBSE Class 10 exams, 23,71,939 students appeared for the exams.

Meanwhile, union minister of education Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the students and said that girls have yet again outshined boys in both class 12 and 10.

“Heartiest congratulations to all my young friends and their parents, who have successfully cleared the CBSE class XII and class X examinations. This is a moment to rejoice and cherish the fruits of hard work, dedication and perseverance. Wishing all the next-gen leaders a happy, healthy and bright future ahead,” he stated.

“As is the trend of the past, girls have yet again outshined boys in both Class XII and Class X by 5.94% and 2.37 per cent respectively. This is a strong reflection of an emerging Bharat where aspirations of young women are turning into accomplishments. Also, pleased that the overall pass percentage in CBSE Class X & XII results stands at 88.39% (XII) and 93.66% (X), registering continued improvement from last year,” he added.

In 2023, Delhi recorded a pass percentage of 92.22 per cent for class 12. In 2022, when the board exams were bifurcated owing to Covid — term one was held in November-December and the term 2 exam in may-June — it recorded a pass percentage of 96.29 per cent.

In 2021, when board exams could not be held due to the pandemic, the pass percentage touched a record high of 99.84 per cent as students were assessed based on their scores in previous exams, practical exams and internal assessments.

In 2024, the results were up by about 2.75 percentage points from last year. In 2020, Delhi’s overall pass percentage was 94.39 per cent while it was 91.87 per cent in 2019.

Spurious liquor claims 15 lives in Punjab

Amritsar: In a tragic incident wherein spurious liquor has claimed lives for 15 people in the Majitha constituency. All the victims were from the BPL (below middle class family).

Confirming the death of 15, police said that the alleged accused who was a master mind of running spurious liquor nexus  was arrested under section 105 of BNS and 61A Excise Act identified as Prabhjit Singh . Those arrested were Kulbir Singh, Sahib Singh Gurjant Singh and female Ninder Kaur.

Police said that incident was reported around 9.30 pm last night that people were dying due to consuming spurious liquor and immediately arrested the main alleged accused.

Police said that yet around six more people who were admitted in the Government Civil hospital Amritsar still described as critical as they had also consumed the spurious liquor.

Police said that most of the affected victims were from the villages of Bhangali, Tangra, Sangha, and Marari Kalan. 

Various police teams have been dispatched to nab the rest of the accused involved in the liquor racket in order to burst the entire nexus. Police and health department teams visited door to door in the entire Majitha constituency to find out the liquor addicts so that anybody found affected could be treated well in time to save the precious human lives. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahwney who visited the spot to take stock of the situation confirmed the death toll of 14 and six critically admitted in the civil hospital in Amritsar. She said that various teams of the health department are also visiting door to door to find out the affected people as sometimes people are scared to come out openly for treatment due to police action but we are here to help them. She urged the people to come out for a free health checkup. She said the main accused have been nabbed and the supply chain is completely broken. In these hours of crisis we stand with victims and their people to help them whatever is required. 

CJI Sanjiv Khanna Retires Today

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna will retire on Tuesday, marking the end of his tenure as the 51st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

He assumed office on November 10, 2024, and retires after serving in the apex position for six months.

Justice Khanna has formally recommended Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. The recommendation was made to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, and once accepted by President Murmu, Justice Gavai will be sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India.

As per judicial tradition, Justice Khanna will sit on a ceremonial bench, alongside his successor.

The Supreme Court Bar Association is set to bid farewell to the outgoing Chief Justice in a formal ceremony, during which Justice Khanna is expected to deliver his farewell address.

Justice Gavai was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

At the age of 64, he is scheduled to hold the top judicial post until November 23, 2025, when he turns 65, the retirement age for Supreme Court judges.

A native of Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai began his legal career on March 16, 1985. He trained under Raja S. Bhonsale, a former Advocate General and High Court judge. After 1990, he focussed his legal practice at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, with special emphasis on Constitutional and Administrative Law.

He has held several key public legal positions, including Assistant Government Pleader, Additional Public Prosecutor, and later Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench.

Justice Gavai’s elevation will mark a significant moment in the judiciary, not just for his experience but also as one of the few Chief Justices from a Scheduled Caste background, reflecting the growing inclusivity within the Indian judiciary.

BJP to launch nationwide campaign highlighting success of ‘Operation Sindoor’

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch a nationwide campaign to showcase the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Indian military strikes carried out in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by BJP National President J.P. Nadda in New Delhi on Monday.

Senior party leaders and office-bearers attended the meeting, where strategies were discussed to communicate the operation’s achievements to the public and counter misinformation being circulated across the country.

As part of the outreach, BJP workers will organise Tiranga Yatras in various parts of the country. These events will see the participation of Union ministers, Members of Parliament, elected representatives, and party functionaries at all levels.

The yatras are aimed at invoking national pride, honouring the armed forces, and reinforcing public support for the government’s decisive actions on national security.

Sources within the party said the campaign will focus on underlining the bravery of the Indian armed forces and the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation.

The BJP also plans to address the “misleading narratives” surrounding the operation and provide factual details about the mission and its objectives.

‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched by the Indian government on May 7, following the brutal massacre of tourists by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22. The operation targeted nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, which were identified based on Intelligence inputs.

The government said the precision strikes led to the elimination of over 100 terrorists. Officials described the mission as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible, ” emphasising that it was carried out in line with India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

Earlier, the Congress party held ‘Jai Hind Tiranga Yatras’ in various cities across India to express solidarity with the armed forces.

Calm returns to Kashmir after India-Pakistan ceasefire holds

Srinagar – Indian Army on Monday reported the first peaceful night along the India-Pakistan border following a surprise ceasefire announced over the weekend. The truce, brokered after four days of intense cross-border violence, appears to be holding despite initial doubts.

The Indian military confirmed that “no incidents have been reported,” and described the night as the first calm period in days across Kashmir and other border areas. The town of Poonch, one of the worst-hit regions during the recent escalation, also experienced a second consecutive night without gunfire or shelling.

Across Srinagar, which witnessed drone and missile strikes during the Indo-Pak clashes, also reported a calm night. On May 10 night, just hours after ceasefire  was brokered, Srinagar saw a volley of drone attacks which were immediately neutralized by the armed forces.   

“We were thinking of evacuating our homes if the war had continued,” said Nisar Ahmad, a resident of Rawalpora, an area close to Srinagar airport. “ But thankfully, the ceasefire happened and we stayed back.”

The war triggered by a deadly April 22 attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, was the worst between the nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999. Border areas along the Line of Control, bore the brunt of Pakistani shelling. But with truce, people have heaved a sigh of relief. 

“One can only hope that the truce lasts. And for that to happen, cross-border terrorism has to stop,” a editorial in a local daily read. “No country can live down the attack like Pahalgam when it is carried out by the attackers from the other country. So, India had no choice but to act.”

Is India’s attack on Pak’s Nuke facility behind a quick ceasefire?

Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the United States of America’s Vice President had told Fox News that the ongoing conflict was “fundamentally none of our business” however, exactly the next day Donald Trump’s government decided to mediate, which resulted in a surprise and a quick ceasefire between both the nations.

On May 9th evening Pakistan attacked India with its drones and missiles which went on all night with India’s befitting response each and every action followed by the blackouts in the various parts of the country.  

The next day, India launched Operation Sindoor – phase 3 with targeting eleven sites of Pakistan with BramMos missile.

Among the targets reportedly hit were 11 Pakistani military bases—Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Sargodha, Bholari, Murid, Chunian, Pasrur, Sukkur, Sialkot, Skardu, and Jacobabad.

Notably, Chaklala Air Base, located within Islamabad and adjacent to the Nur Khan Airbase, was also struck—an operation Indian officials have described as the “turning point.”

According to estimates shared by Air Marshal Bharti, nearly 20 per cent of Pakistan’s Air Force infrastructure was degraded.

This chronology and impact of Indian precision attacks on Pakistani Air bases must have compelled the US government to intervene after denying it.

But, this could not be it. According to an international report, what compelled the Trump government was a strong intelligence that India may have hit and damaged the nuclear facility in Pakistan.

When explosions struck 11 air bases in the country there were also reports of earthquakes between 1.44 am and 3.40 am. India’s precision attacks on the air bases were between 12 am and 4 am.

Among them, Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, a city adjacent to Islamabad. The base is a critical facility, housing Pakistan’s air refuelling operations and serving as a central transport hub for its military. Importantly, it is located near the headquarters of Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, which manages the country’s nuclear arsenal — believed to consist of around 170 warheads.

Thereafter, a specialised US nuclear emergency support aircraft was seen in Pakistan to check the radioactivity over the Sargodha region which was attacked heavily by India.

There is no confirmation from the officials of both the conflicted nations yet. However, some followers of defence activities suggest that it is believed that Boron was delivered to Pakistan hinting towards a possible leak of radiation. An Egyptian aircraft also landed in the country.

Egypt is rich in Boron isotopes 10 which are highly effective at absorbing neutrons. This property is crucial for controlling nuclear reactions in reactors and for shielding against neutron radiation.

A social media account that goes by The Emissary which is also followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra shared a video citing a possible attack on a nuclear weapons storage facility.

“Due to unsafe security, it seems like there is radiation emitting from the site. Boron is being rushed there,” it stated.

These events have raised concerns and speculations, Did India’s strikes come really close to Pakistan’s nuke infrastructure or may have hit it dangerously – and if so, was that intentional?  

There is no official confirmation from any of the nations on the damage to nuclear assets, the fact that US and Egypt have taken high-level actions suggests that the world is looking at the situation with extreme seriousness.  

PM Modi extends Greetings on Buddha Purnima

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended his best wishes to citizens on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, highlighting that the life and teachings of Lord Buddha will always guide the world towards compassion and peace.

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a significant spiritual occasion celebrated by Buddhists globally. It marks the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (death) of Gautama Buddha. Observed on the full moon day of the Vaisakh month in the Hindu calendar, the day is dedicated to meditation, peace, and spiritual reflection.

Sharing a message on X, PM Modi wrote, “Best wishes to all countrymen on Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha’s messages, based on the principles of truth, equality and harmony, have been a guide for humanity. His life dedicated to sacrifice and penance will always inspire the world community towards compassion and peace.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to social media to convey his greetings.

“Happy Buddha Purnima to everyone. The life of Lord Buddha, who gave the message of equality and unity to human society by following the path of knowledge, compassion and non-violence, is the confluence of thoughts, words and deeds. I pray to Lord Buddha for everyone’s happiness and peace,” he said in a post on X.

Union Minister J.P. Nadda also extended his heartfelt wishes, saying, “I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the countrymen on Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha showed the path of religion, compassion, non-violence and peace to human society.”

“His great ascetic life of awakening the ‘self’ and dedicating himself in the service of others and his teachings will continue to inspire all of us forever,” he added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his message on X, wrote, “On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, I bow to Mahatma Buddha who is the symbol of peace, wisdom and compassion. His timeless teachings continue to guide humanity towards harmony, self-realisation and the path of righteousness.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also congratulated citizens on the occasion and urged people to draw inspiration from Lord Buddha’s message.

“Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the citizens of the state on the auspicious occasion of ‘Buddha Purnima’! The life of Lord Buddha inspires self-realisation and selfless service,” he said.

“Let us all pledge to build a harmonious and peaceful society by following the path of meditation, compassion and co-existence of Lord Buddha,” CM Yogi added.

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