6 Transport Deptt officials suspended, all dead bodies shifted to UP in train

Pilgrims bus accident at Akhnoor *CS visits GMC to meet victims Gopal Sharma JAMMU, May 31: All the 22 dead bodies of those killed in Akhnoor bus accident yesterday, were sent to their respective homes in Aligarh area of Uttar Pradesh in a train today, while six J&K Transport Department officials at Lakhanpur in Kathua were suspended for alleged dereliction of duty in this connection. Click here to watch video A tragic incident took place on Thursday, when the bus [] The post 6 Transport Deptt officials suspended, all dead bodies shifted to UP in train appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Tragic Jammu Bus Accident: Six Transport Officials Suspended

Jammu: In the aftermath of a devastating bus accident in Jammu district that claimed the lives of 22 people and left 64 others injured, six transport department officials in Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. The tragic incident occurred when a bus carrying 86 devotees from Haryana's Kurukshetra to the Shiv Khori shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district skidded off the Jammu-Poonch highway and plunged into a 150-foot gorge. District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya confirmed the casualties, stating, Twenty-two persons have died in this mishap. Presently, 57 injured are under treatment at the Government Medical College, Jammu, and at the SDH (Sub District Hospital), Akhnoor. The accident occurred on Thursday afternoon when the bus lost control at a blind curve at the Tungi morh in the Chowki Chora area. Transport department Secretary Niraj Kumar ordered the suspensions and initiated a probe after a high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary of the Home department Chandraker Bharti. Pending enquiry into the conduct and dereliction of duties, officials posted in the Regional Transport Office in Kathua (Lakhanpur) are placed under suspension with immediate effect and are attached in the office of Transport Commissioner, Jammu, Kumar said in an order. The suspended officials include Ranjeev Bhasin (motor vehicle inspector), Sumit Magotra (junior assistant), and multi-tasking staff (MTS) members Ashwani Kumar, Aman Kumar, Keshav Singh, and Rakesh Kumar. Additional Secretary (Technical) Paramvir Singh will lead the inquiry into their conduct and performance, with a report expected within a week. Meanwhile, District Magistrate Sachin Kumar has initiated a magisterial inquiry into the incident, with the report expected within seven days. The district administration is closely monitoring the treatment of the injured, who are receiving medical care at the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital. The administration has set up a 24-hour helpline to assist relatives of the victims and is in contact with authorities in the passengers' home regions of Hathras and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured. The accident has been described as the deadliest in the region since November 15, 2023, when a similar incident in Doda district killed 39 people and injured 19 after a bus skidded off the road and fell into a 300-foot gorge. Jammu-Kashmir News: 15 Dead, Several Injured as Pilgrims' Bus Plunges into Gorge Breaking! How Man Dies After Falling Into Running Aircraft Engine at Amsterdam Airport Fatal Car Accident on National Highway in Andhra Pradesh Claims 4 Lives Four Dead and Four Injured as Bus Crashes into Roadside Hutments in Goa

Six transport officials suspended day after 22 killed in Jammu bus accident

JAMMU: Six transport department officials in Jammu and Kashmir were suspended for alleged dereliction of duty on Friday, a day after 22 people were killed and 64 injured in a bus accident in Jammu district. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, when the bus carrying 86 devotees from Haryana's Kurukshetra and heading towards the Shiv Khori shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district skidded off the Jammu-Poonch highway and plunged into a 150-foot gorge. The driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a blind curve at the Tungi morh in the Chowki Chora area. 21 killed, more than 40 injured in Jammu & Kashmir bus accident Transport department Secretary Niraj Kumar ordered the suspensions and a probe after a high-level meeting was chaired by Principal Secretary of the Home department Chandraker Bharti. Pending enquiry into the conduct and dereliction of duties, officials posted in the Regional Transport Office in Kathua (Lakhanpur) are placed under suspension with immediate effect and are attached in the office of Transport Commissioner, Jammu, Kumar said in an order. The suspended officials are Ranjeev Bhasin (motor vehicle inspector), Sumit Magotra (junior assistant) and multi-tasking staff (MTS) members Ashwani Kumar, Aman Kumar, Keshav Singh and Rakesh Kumar. An inquiry into the conduct and performance of the suspended officials will be led by Additional Secretary (Technical) Paramvir Singh, who will submit a report with recommendations within a week, Kumar said. The officials have been attached to the transport commissioner's office in Jammu, pending the outcome of the enquiry. The Jammu district magistrate has already initiated a magisterial inquiry into the incident and the report is expected within seven days. The district administration is closely monitoring the treatment of those injured in the accident, besides communicating with authorities in the passengers' home regions of Hathras and Aligarh and in Uttar Pradesh. Deputy Commissioner of Jammu Sachin Kumar said the treatment of the injured is going on at the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital. The Jammu administration announced on Thursday that it has set up a 24-hour helpline to provide information and assistance to the relatives of the victims. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured. According to some injured passengers, the accident occurred when the driver was negotiating a blind curve and a speeding car was approaching from the opposite direction. However, some passengers have blamed the driver for overloading the vehicle. The accident is the deadliest in the region since a similar one on November 15, 2023 in Doda district, where a bus skidded off the road and fell into a 300-foot gorge, killing 39 people and injuring 19. 37 peoplekilled, 19 injured as bus falls into gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda

No wave, no anger: It could work both ways for NDA and INDIA in UP

As most parts of India, especially northern states, are wilting under a relentless heatwave, the 80-day campaign for the Lok Sabha election came to an end on May 30 with the last round of polling scheduled for June 1. Uttar Pradesh is among the three states (besides Bihar and West Bengal) where polling took place in all seven rounds that started on April 19 and stretched over 43 days. With everyone waiting for the results on June 4, some significant takeaways and trends have emerged that may help in decoding what lies ahead in terms of the number of seats for the major parties. UP has 80 seats, and in 2019, the BJP had won 62, its ally Apna Dal (S) won 2, Bahujan Samaj Party 10, Samajwadi Party 5, and Congress 1. In this election, the SP, Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) contested as part of the INDI Alliance, fighting on 62, 17 and 1 of the 80 seats, respectively. The BJP-led NDA has the NISHAD party, Apna Dal (S), Rashtriya Lok Dal and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) as partners, collectively fighting in all 80 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goel, Anurag Thakur and others, BJP president JP Nadda, and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and many of his ministerial colleagues and state BJP functionaries addressed hundreds of rallies and meetings across the state. Rs 700 per vote: Inside India's record-breaking election! Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, meanwhile, were the main campaigners for the Congress while Sonia Gandhi made a single brief appearance in Rae Bareli to seek votes for her son. The burden of the Samajwadi Party's campaigning was borne mainly by Akhilesh Yadav. Leaders like Shivpal Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav and Dimple Yadav were visible only for short periods in limited areas while Jaya Bachchan stayed away. For the Bahujan Samaj Party, Mayawati addressed a limited number of rallies (as compared to those by Congress and BJP) and she pressed her nephew Akash Anand into the campaign. However, his overzealous attack on the BJP made a nervous Mayawati hastily withdraw him from electioneering, further impacting the party's campaign. While the BJP aims at a good performance in UP with 60-plus seats to help it in the national tally, the INDI-Alliance claims to have limited the BJP to below 50. While one has to wait for a few more days for the results, the entire campaign has thrown up some interesting trends as mentioned below: Polarisation among the people along political lines has got deeper and more apparent. Political discussions right from drawing rooms to wayside shops to religious gatherings to academic deliberations inevitably ended in participants taking clear sides and without any consensus. Those with committed views have voted for their favoured party - not the candidate. This may ensure that there is no one-sided result. Those who did not have such clear-cut opinions have voted along caste lines, especially in rural areas . This is unlike the scenario in 2014 and 2019. For this section of voters, if the party and person were not strong enough attractions this time, then they chose a candidate of their own creed regardless of party. This may mean a reduced victory margin in some seats. There is no discernible anger against the present Modi government, but questions have indeed arisen over what the BJP government could do if it gets another term. Allegations by opposition parties that the next BJP government could tamper with the Constitution and the reservation matrix have found resonance with people. Yogi Adityanath as Chief Minister continues to enjoy the trust of the people, therefore he will be the main contributor to the BJP's tally at least in Uttar Pradesh. His utterances reflected his approach in dealing with organised crime gangs and the ulldozer tactics have earned him a huge fan following. Akhilesh Yadav tried too hard and fervently to display a chemistry with Rahul Gandhi and the effort showed whenever the two shared the stage. However, Rahul overshadowed him throughout. This was not lost on SP supporters. The Dalit community is by and large disappointed in Mayawati, but the sections loyal to her have nonetheless voted for the BSP candidates. The party has carefully chosen its candidates in several constituencies so as to damage the prospects of both the BJP and Samajwadi Party. This might impact the SP's chances in Amroha, Rampur, Sambhal, Moradabad, Pilibhit, Aonla, Saharanpur and Basti, and pose a challenge to BJP in Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Baghpat, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Mathura, Aligarh and Ghaziabad. Regardless of the urgency of issues like stray cattle menace, erratic delivery of government services and high-handedness of government functionaries at the district and village level, the farmers and rural workers did not show their anger, and the low turnout also suggests this. Muslim voters may have overwhelmingly voted for the Samajwadi Party since this party positioned itself as the main rival to the BJP. In some places, including Lucknow and Varanasi, women of the community may have voted out of their own volition. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is an accepted part of the country's cultural and religious space as much as any other place of pilgrimage; therefore, it is no longer an election issue. It was widely believed by BJP supporters and critics alike that had the election been announced immediately after the temple's consecration, the BJP would have received the benefit of the positive fallout from the issue. The repeated mention of matters related to faith does not appear to have gone down well with the people. Every election ends with a huge pile of socio-political learning for the people. Uttar Pradesh has been a laboratory of sorts for political experiments especially related to caste, community, faith and religion. This time too, regardless of results, a few takeaways will be remembered for a long time. Summer of discontent in the Hindi heartland

Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Sharjeel Imam in 2020 Riots Case

Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Sharjeel Imam in 2020 Riots Case More than four years after he was arrested, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to student activist Sharjeel Imam in connection with a 2020 communal riots case involving allegations of sedition and unlawful activities. Imam had assailed a trial court order refusing to release him even though he had undergone more than half of the maximum sentence that could be awarded to him, if convicted. He claimed he was entitled to bail under the criminal statute. ''Appeal is allowed,'' a bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain said after hearing the counsel for Imam and the Delhi Police. He will, however, stay behind bars as he has not been granted relief in the case involving alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 North East Delhi riots which left more than 50 people dead and hundreds of others injured. According to the prosecution, Imam made speeches at Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13, 2019 and at the Aligarh Muslim University on December 16, 2019 where he threatened to cut off Assam and the rest of the North East from the country. In 2022, the trial court had framed charges against him under Sections 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity), l53B (Imputations prejudicial to national integration), 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief) of IPC and Section 13 (Punishment for Unlawful Activities) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an anti-terror law. Delhi Police counsel opposed the appeal and said Imam's case was not covered by the law on grant of bail to undertrials who have served more than half of the maximum sentence. He claimed the delay in conclusion of the trial was attributable to Imam himself. The activist's lawyer contended material witnesses were yet to be examined in the case and the trial in the FIR cannot be concluded in view of the Supreme Court direction keeping in abeyance the operation of section 124A (sedition). Imam was booked in the case registered by Delhi Police's Special Branch, which was initially registered for the offence of sedition and Section 13 of UAPA was invoked later. He has been in custody in the case since January 28, 2020. Imam had claimed before the trial court that he has been in custody for the last four years and the maximum sentence for the offence under section 13 (punishment for unlawful activities) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is 7 years. As per Section 436-A CrPC, a person can be released from custody if he has spent more than half of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offence. The trial court, while refusing to grant him bail on February 17, had ruled that the accused's custody could be extended for a further period in ''exceptional circumstances'' after hearing the prosecution's case. It had said Imam delivered various speeches in Delhi, Aligarh, Asansol and Chakband that incited people and ultimately triggered the communal riots in different parts of Delhi. The trial court had also stated that although Imam did not ask anybody to pick a weapon and kill people, his speeches and activities mobilised the public which disrupted the city and might have been the main reason for the outbreak of the riots. It added that while it cannot take into consideration section 124A IPC, if the acts and actions of the applicant are considered, they can be termed as seditious in a normal dictionary meaning. On May 11, 2022, the Supreme Court had stayed till further orders the registration of FIRs, probes, and coercive measures for the offence of sedition across the country until an appropriate forum of the government re-examines the colonial-era penal law. Imam is an accused in several cases arising from the communal riots of 2020, including the case involving alleged larger conspiracy behind the violence. He is in judicial custody in the conspiracy case as well.

Delhi High Court grants statutory bail to Sharjeel Imam in UAPA, sedition case

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Wednesday granted statutory bail to Sharjeel Imam in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sedition case related to his alleged inflammatory speeches at Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia area against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Despite this, Imam will remain in jail due to his involvement in the []

Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Activist Sharjeel Imam in 2020 Riots Case

Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Activist Sharjeel Imam in 2020 Riots Case The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to student activist Sharjeel Imam in connection with a 2020 communal riots case involving allegations of sedition and unlawful activities. Imam assailed a trial court order refusing to grant him bail even though he has undergone more than half of the maximum sentence that can be awarded to him in case of a conviction. ''Appeal is allowed,'' a bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain said after hearing the counsel for Imam and the Delhi Police. According to the prosecution, Imam allegedly made speeches at Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13, 2019 and at the Aligarh Muslim University on December 16, 2019 where he threatened to cut off Assam and the rest of the North East from the country. Imam was booked in the case registered by Delhi Police's Special Branch, which was initially registered for the offence of sedition and Section 13 of UAPA was invoked later. He has been in custody since January 28, 2020 in the matter. Imam had claimed before the trial court that he has been in custody for the last four years and the maximum sentence for the offence under section 13 (punishment for unlawful activities) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is 7 years, if convicted. As per Section 436-A CrPC, a person can be released from custody if he has spent more than half of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offence. The trial court, while refusing to grant him bail on February 17, had ruled that the accused's custody could be extended for a further period in ''exceptional circumstances'' after hearing the prosecution's case. Imam is an accused in several cases arising from the communal riots of 2020, including the case concerning alleged larger conspiracy behind the violence. He is in judicial custody in the conspiracy case as well.

UoH among top 12% global universities for international students: Report

Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has been ranked among the top 12 per cent universities in Asia for international students by the worlds best value university rankings for international students, conducted by Study Abroad Aide. Study Abroad Aide assessed over 8,000 institutions in 69 countries, including 3,349 in Asia. The rankings are based on two primary metrics: affordability and academic reputation. Professor B.J. Rao, Vice Chancellor of UoH, said that affordability and quality of education had been positive outcomes for the university. We will strive to become the first choice for international students in India, he told the media. Other Indian institutions that made it to the list include the IITs at Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee and Guwahati, University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University (Aligarh), Anna University (Chennai), Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi), and Savitribai Phule Pune University (Pune).

The law of dreams

Two recent news pieces have Sanchita Ain, 37, advocate-on-record of the Supreme Court, in common. In one, she finds mention as a mentor of a deaf lawyer for whom she got a sign language interpreter for proceedings before the Supreme Court. In the second, she is the one vulnerable, writing a fairytale about an Old Delhi girl who aspires to be flying Supergirl even though she has a prosthetic legvery much the spirit with which Ain lives her life, even though this is not quite her story. Ain is one of the 13 writers in the fairy tales anthology And They Lived ... Ever After, which was put together by the non-profit Rising Flame, and which HarperCollins published this March. My character Maryam has a prosthetic leg. One of the important scenes in the story is when she is told by her teacher that she cant go for a school outing as her going complicates everything. Through Maryam, I tried to show what being excluded looks like, she says. Ain did her graduation in law from Aligarh Muslim University, her LLM in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex, and has been practising at the apex court for more than 10 years. She deals with dystonia, a rare neurological disorder that is hard to diagnose, and whose symptoms include involuntary muscle contractions that result in repetitive movements, cramps, an involuntary pulling of the neck, and cramping of the muscles of the head, face, neck, torso and the limbs; in her case, the symptoms became pronounced when she was 12. Despite the medical struggles, Ain sees herself as a bridge for the community, and is known to draw on her experiential learnings during hearings; intervenes to make disability an issue to be faced and included among the legal fraternity; and tries to further empower her tribe. Ain organised a coffee chat at the Delhi High Court in April; Shikha Uma Agarwal (right)who will join Ains team at the event. Empowering the tribe Ain is a mentor to Sarah Sunny, who made headlines this April when she appeared before the Supreme Court with an interpretershe had earlier made elaborate submissions before the Karnataka High Courtwith a hearing impairment. This was made possible when Ain got an interpreter for Sunny for a hearing and, thereafter, filed an application before the Supreme Court registry requesting a court-appointed Indian Sign Language interpreter for subsequent hearings to assist her so that she could argue her own cases. Sunny works with Ain on cases from Bengaluru that the latter takes up. There has to be more of us, says Ain. In 2021, she took it upon herself to intervene in a crucial petition, seeing it as a chance to lay down the law on rights of persons with disabilities in detail; this became a landmark case on disability rights. The petition was filed by a doctor with dysgraphia (writers cramp) who required a scribe to write the UPSC exams. The existing guidelines were that a scribe was only for persons with benchmark disabilities (more than 40% disability). The judges were initially hesitant to allow the right of reasonable accommodation in such cases as they felt if once allowed, it may be abused and it would be an advantage given for a condition if it was not major. Before a bench, which included Justice DY Chandrachud, as he was back then, Ain argued how reasonable accommodations are integral to maintaining the dignity of a person living with a disability. The case of Vikash Kumar vs Union Public Service Commission is now helping students get extensions in assignments in colleges and various kinds of accommodations. People are not yet cognisant of what it means to accommodate and how it is a matter of right and not of charity. The case is helping persons with disabilities to lead a dignified life both in education and employment. Ain proactively recruits from the community keeping this in mind. Fateh Whig, who has a locomotor disability and Saudamini Pethe, who is deaf, were part of her team. Shikha Uma Agarwal, with locomotor disability, is joining her Delhi team from July. Pethe, who hails from Faridabad, needed a sign language interpreter assistance like Sunny. She couldnt get a lawyer in Faridabad to work with. Sarah was never sent to court by her previous office. Im ready to do this because I have seen what workplaces, if they are integrating, can do. Ain has had enabling work environments under senior advocate Salman Khurshid. In 2014, back from the UK, she practised at the Supreme Court with Shadan Farasat, now additional advocate-general of Punjab, who encouraged her to talk about her requirements in office. Work, social challenges Integration she admits is not easy. To the question whether a disabled lawyer can work on par with the non-disabled and assist a senior lawyer, she says: We have our own strengths. For example, Sarah can draft really well. My strong point, when I was a junior, was research. Even a non-disabled fresher can have their concepts all wrong. Last month, she organised a coffee chat at the Delhi High Court; it was attended by eight litigation lawyers with disabilities and several law students with disabilities. It was an opportunity to be seen and heard. Ideas came up from the non-disabled lawyers as well like having a reserved post in the Bar Association and Justice Shakdher immediately recommended having lawyers with disabilities in pro bono panels for the time being, and soon persons with disabilities as a separate category could be seen in the cause lists of Delhi High Court. While moderating the event, I also said when you see a fellow lawyer with a disability, you can go and talk to them, they can become a part of your social network, too, if you invite them, she recalls. Ains life outside work is as busy as she wants it to be. In Delhi, my social life is determined by the work Im doing, at times I love Delhi, sometimes Delhi feels like a trap. But she does manage to catch a film or a dastangoi performance when she can. If Ain has a bit of a bee in her bonnet about disability it is due to her experiences. It is prompted by a refusal of the world to engage with difference. On a trek, for instance, she found she had to explain herself. When I went for a trek for the first time in 2014, people started to ask what are you trying to prove. It could be because of their lack of familiarity with dystonia, as most people have, at best, heard of Parkinsons among neurological diseases. So, I started thinking about what unfamiliarity does in all spaces, she says. Ain became a lawyer, she says, so as to be able to give a purposive interpretation to the law. Laws evolve because of the way a lawyer argues. The way she sees it, there is a thin line between laws and dreams new laws have come about because people have asked for more. Pushing for others dreams Being a dream seller is a wonderful experience, she says, as we wind up the conversation, to talk of a time when she was diagnosed with dystonia the same week she was applying for LLM at Essex. She wrote to filmmaker Onir on an impulse the day after they became Facebook friends. I wrote to him because I didnt want to bother people close to me. I wasnt sure if I should apply for the course. He told me take each day as it comes, she says. I held those words as tight as I could. I went to Essex. I got a distinction. I always say Onir sold me my own dream. It taught me the significance of holding someones dream for them, even when, or rather particularly when, their hands are shaky, even when they are strangers, even when they didnt even tell you what their dream was. It taught me to live peoples dreams with them because it gives you reasons to be happy more often.

Assam to Establish 10 Compressed Biogas Plants in Green Initiative by OIL and NRL

Assam is set to welcome the installation of eight to ten compressed biogas plants, a project spearheaded by Oil India Limited (OIL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL).

OIL and NRL to set up compressed bio-gas plants across Northeast

GUWAHATI: Oil India Limited (OIL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) are launching an ambitious initiative to set up 8 to 10 compressed bio-gas (CBG) plants across various districts in Assam and other Northeast states. This green project aims to transform waste into wealth while tackling the growing waste management issues in the regions urban areas. [] The post OIL and NRL to set up compressed bio-gas plants across Northeast appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Pavan Varma | A PMs poll speeches, sense and sensibility

I think everybody even among his most trenchant critics will concede that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is an orator par excellence. Words, phrases, the apt quote, evocative vocabulary often enriched by local flavour is a gift he is born with. Some people say that he uses a teleprompter, but even if he does for certain occasions, the number of speeches he gives in one day itself, is proof enough that his talents as an orator transcend the aid of a teleprompter. Earlier, the star speaker in the BJP, who could mesmerise audiences with his use of humour, irony, facts, poetry, and turn of phrase, was Atal Behari Vajpayee. I recall when he came to Cyprus as PM in 2002, where I was the high commissioner, his first programme was a speech to the Indian diaspora, numbering thousands of young professionals in the IT sector. Vajpayee was in frail health. To come down from the Prime Ministerial plane, a hydraulic lift had to be used, since his knees were giving trouble. When we reached his suite, I reminded him that in the convention hall of the hotel, the Indian diaspora was waiting for him. I still remember his asking me: Kya mujhe kuch bolna bhi padega? Will I be expected to address them? I replied that they had been waiting for hours just for that. He was visibly tired, but as we approached the venue, we could hear rousing slogans of Atal Behari zindabad , and Atal ji visibly perked up. He received an uproarious welcome, and then, notwithstanding his fatigue, spoke for 40 minutes, keeping the audience spell bound, and often in splits of laughter. It was quite a feat. Narendra Modi has similar qualities of vak shakti, the power of speech. That is why I wonder why he has never in the 10 years that he has been PM, ever given an open press conference, where the questions have not been provided in advance, or the interlocutor(s) is not someone chosen by his media team. It appears to be a transparently choreographed interaction, very different from the normal and spontaneous media questioning in a democracy. I have seen most of the PMs interviews, both in print and on TV. He speaks well, but those who are interviewing him, are far too deferential, though they may appear to be asking tough questions. What happens in such staged interviews, with pre-selected anchors, is that the PM is more or less assured that no uncomfortable or acrimonious situation will arise, and certainly no hostile question will be asked. Frankly, I believe this is detrimental to the PMs image. He should be far more open to public and genuinely democratic questioning. A monologue, where only he is talking, or an interaction with chosen interrogators diminishes his credibility. All previous PMs in our country like executive heads in other democracies have faced their critics in open media debates. In fact, Atal ji once reprimanded a very popular journalist for not asking him the really tough questions. He said this was a violation of the essential credo of a free and fearless press. Equally, some of Mr Modis recent public speeches have unfortunately derogated from the image of a statesman that he cherishes. Unfounded allegations, personalised attacks, rampantly communal statements, even sometimes bafflingly incoherent remarks, have tarnished him and the post of the PM. Here are some examples of his utterances. On April 21, he said in Banswara in Rajasthan, that the Congress planned to seize and redistribute wealth to infiltrators and those who have more children. This was transparently a reference to Muslims. To call a sizeable section of Indian citizens infiltrators, was not only reprehensible, but also a direct violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which explicitly prohibits any statements that may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes, communities, religious or linguistic. The very next day in Aligarh, UP, while addressing a rally, he said: I want to warn my countrymen. Congress and INDIA alliance have their eyes on your earnings and property Our mothers and sisters have gold. It is streedhan , it is considered sacred; the law also protects it. Now these peoples eyes are on the mangalsutra of women. Their intention is to steal the gold of mothers and sisters. On April 23, at a public meeting in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, he made the claim that if you have a box in your home in which you store bajra grain that would be subjected to an X-ray (by the Congress). If you have two houses, and they spot that in their X-ray, one would be taken away by the government. To my mind, this is an untruth since the Congress manifesto says nothing of this sort and unbecoming caricature. On May 8, at a rally in Telangana, the PM said: Ever since elections have been announced, these people (Congress) have stopped abusing Ambani and Adani. I want to askhow much has been lifted from Ambani-Adani? Has tempo loads of notes reached the Congress? Such a statement is startling, both because it is untrue Rahul Gandhi has continued his diatribe against the Ambani-Adani duo and also because the PM admits that black money, far from being eradicated, as he has claimed, is available to be sent in tempos. I am told, that as a result of this accusation by none less than the PM, international investors very sensitive to such allegations have ordered a forensic audit of the Adani-Ambani groups. And, finally, on May 22, Mr Modi actually said in an interview to News18, that he does not believe he was biologically born, but is a divine presence! These are truly inexplicable statements. Once again, the comparison with Atal ji comes to mind. Anyone who has followed his speeches, will find it difficult to point out an undignified statement. His speech in Parliament in 1998, when he lost the mandate by one vote, should be mandatory reading for all aspiring politicians. If the BJP comes back to power, as seems likely given the weakness of the Opposition, Modi ji would do well to remember the vital difference between a successful political leader and a statesman.

Uttar Pradesh: Three people killed after blast in scrap factory at Aligarh

The News Mill

INTERVIEW| 'It will be 2004 moment' on June 4; 'hugely impressive' turnaround in UP: Jairam Ramesh

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said a 2004 moment will be witnessed on June 4 with the INDIA bloc getting a clear mandate in the Lok Sabha polls and asserted that a primary factor in the alliance's strong performance would be a hugely impressive turnaround in Uttar Pradesh. In an interview with PTI , Ramesh also used cricketing terminology to claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was nurturing a communal pitch, but his party had refused to play on it and had also successfully navigated his googlies and bouncers. The Congress general secretary exuded confidence that the June 4 results day would be reliving of the 2004 moment when the saffron party was unseated from power despite its 'shining India' campaign. This is a 2004 moment, you will see. People keep asking me who will be the prime minister, I must remind you that the results of the 2004 election came out on May 13, 2004. By May 17, it was clear that Manmohan Singh was going to be the prime minister. This time it may be even quicker, and in any case, elections in India are not a beauty contest, not a 'kaun banega PM', it is about which coalition will get a mandate, Ramesh told PTI. We are a party-centred democracy. We are not like the American system, it is not a beauty contest between individuals, it is a choice between parties. This is a 2004 moment. In 1962, a film was released based on the Sherlock Holmes mystery -- 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' -- 'Bees saal Baad' starring Waheeda Rehman and Biswajeet...what happened in 2004, 'bees saal baad', you will see that repeating, he said. Ramesh also expressed confidence that there would be a dramatic turnaround in Uttar Pradesh. Noting that the road to Delhi is through Lucknow because Uttar Pradesh has 80 seats, Ramesh pointed out that the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra had gotten a tremendous response in places such as Prayagraj, Varanasi, Pratapgarh, Lucknow, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Aligarh, Moradabad, Amroha and Sambhal. In Uttar Pradesh, youth, women, SCs, STs, and OBCs came out in support of the yatra, he said. I think there has been complete disenchantment and disillusionment with the PM because the people are fed up with him. He (Modi) is tired, he is jaded and he is faded. One of the primary contributing factors in our strong performance on June 4, when the results come out, would be a hugely impressive turnaround in UP, Ramesh said. In the 2019 polls, the BJP had won 62 seats, NDA ally Apna Dal got 2 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan (SP, BSP, RLD) had won 15 seats and the Congress got one. PM will never tell you this...: Jairam Ramesh INDIA bloc confident of stopping BJP from getting majority: Kharge 'Hindu-Muslim rhetoric and no Viksit Bharat' Ramesh alleged that Modi had been indulging in polarisation throughout the election and preparing a communal pitch, but the Congress refused to play on that and pursued its 'paach nyay' agenda. Ramesh's attack came over Modi's remarks in an interview with PTI in which he had said that he has never uttered a word against minorities and the BJP has ot just today but never acted against them. I don't want to use the cricketing language too much. There is a pitch which he nurtures every day, and we still have nine days more. The campaigning ends on May 30. What new things he will bring on the communal pitch, only he knows, because he is the 3D masterthe master of distortion, diversion and defamation, Ramesh said. He (PM Modi) is trying to bowl googlies, he is trying to bowl bouncers; he is doing 'bodyline' but we have successfully navigated his googlies and bouncers. We've bowled a few googlies and bouncers back at him, which he has tried to avoid but has not been able to avoid, Ramesh said in a lighter vein. Ramesh claimed that Modi's entire campaign from April 19 has been based on communalisation with Hindu-Muslim rhetoric throughout and o talk of Viksit Bharat, Modi ki guarantee, or issues of the farmers, youth, women, workers, SCs, STs and OBCs. Asked about the remarks, Ramesh told PTI , What nonsense is he talking about? This prime minister is fast losing his memory. He has never had any adherence to the truth. He is 'jhoothjeevi' , but now what he says today, he forgets tomorrow and says he never said it. Of course he has been attacking the Congress party and has been talking of Hindu-Muslim, he said. Ramesh said the PM had raised the issue of the 'Muslim League' imprint on the Congress manifesto, the mangalsutra remarks and the allegation that the Congress will give reservations on the basis of religion, which were all ogus statements. This is the prime minister who, when asked some years ago whether he had any remorse at the killings during the Gujarat riots, said even when a small puppy comes under a car, one feels bad. This is the language that he has used, Ramesh said. Speak on inflation, jobs, not mangalsutra, Priyanka dares Modi Meanwhile, Ramesh said that the combined effort of the 'paanch nyay pachchees guarantee' programme, the campaigning by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who have campaigned so magnificently, that has worked in the party's favour. Ultimately, it is the people who want to vote for us. It is 'people versus Modi', not just the INDIA 'janbandhan' versus Modi; it is the farmers versus Modi, women versus Modi; it is labour versus Modi; it is youth versus Modi; it is the social engeneering, the SCs, STs, and OBCs against Modi, the Congress general secretary said. This is an election when people are rising up very quietly and sending a message to this jaded and faded prime minister. You are the outgoing PM and on June 4, you will be going out, Ramesh said. Elections have been held on 428 seats, but just after two phases, it was clear that the INDIA bloc will get a decisive mandate and the BJP will be 'saaf' in the South and half in the North, West, and East, he said, adding that his assessment is based on the feedback from workers and social organisations. After April 19, PM Modi's language has changed. He did not talk about viksit bharat but started his Hindu-Muslim rhetoric, mangalsutra, religion-based reservations, buffaloes, what all he has not said... he is preparing a communal pitch but we are not leaving our pitch of 'paanch nyay pachchees guarantees', he said. I think the PM is rattled. He used to talk about 400 paar and Modi ki guarantee, but has forgotten about that. He is the outgoing Prime Minister and INDIA bloc will get a clear and decisive mandate on June 4, Ramesh said. After the fifth phase on Monday, voting has been completed in 428 constituencies out of 543 in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Two more phaseson May 25 and June 1are remaining now. The counting of votes is on June 4. Interview | BJP to score big in South, NDA will cross 400, says PM Modi Why is Modi 'silent' on caste census? On Prime Minister Modi's remarks in the interview, asserting that even if one assumes he acts out of self-interest, his own welfare lies in the welfare of the Constitution, Ramesh said that on November 26, 1949, the Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly and BR Ambedkar made a speech a day before in which he said that without the Congress, the Constitution would not have been made possible. Four days after the Constitution was adopted, the Organiser, which is an RSS publication, says there is nothing Indian about the Constitution because there are no 'manuvadi values'. Subsequently, MS Golwalkar, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Mohan Bhagwat, Bibek Debroy, so many spokespersons have been attacking this Constitution, saying the time for this Constitution is over, Ramesh alleged. The Congress leader said the Constitution is a flexible document that can be amended, but to do away with the document altogether lock, stock and barrel is another thing. Ramesh claimed that when Atal Bihari Vajapayee became the prime minister, LK Advani and company wanted a committee to review the basic structure of the Constitution. They appointed Justice JMNR Venkatachaliah, a very distinguished former chief justice, to head the panel but he said I am not going to be a party to doing away with the basic structure of this Constitution, he said. Subsequently, the BJP-led dispensation had to change the nature of the committee to one that would review the workings of the Constitution, he said. We (the Congress) of course boycotted that commission. So this has always been the objective of the BJP and the RSS. They are deeply uncomfortable and hostile to the idea of BR Ambedkar's Constitution because one of the pillars of this Constitution is social justice and the road to social justice is through reservation, he said. Ramesh asked why Prime Minister Modi is silent on the issue of the caste census. He also asked the prime minister to clarify his stance as to whether he will remove the 50 percent cap on reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs. Why has the PM not said a word on this? He is going around spreading an epidemic of lies that the Congress is giving reservations based on religion. Where have we given reservations based on religion? The 1994 reservations in Karnataka, which he keeps referring to, were given to minoritiesMuslims, Christians, Jains, and Buddhistsbased on socio-economic criteria, and that is how they were introduced in the reservation law, he said. Subsequently, the PM, in an interview to a TV channel had said he himself given reservation to Muslims by adding them to the OBC list. If the PM does it, it is not a religion-based reservation; if the Congress does it, even though it is based on socio-economic criteria, it is religion-based, Ramesh said. Asked about the prime minister's remark that his Adani-Ambani comments were validated by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's comments, Ramesh said he does not know what the context of Chowdhury's remarks was but Modi should be asked why action has not been taken against the two businessmen. Congress provided quotas to minorities but not on basis of religion: Jairam Ramesh

Uttar Pradesh: Aligarh police arrest three for harassing Hindu girl, forcibly trying to convert her to Islam

The victim had gone to Chharra town to write her B.ED examination. While she was returning home, the accused his friends began following her.

UP Education Community Stands United: Principals and Teachers Protest

UP Education Community Stands United: Principals and Teachers Protest Principals and teachers of Uttar Pradesh launched an indefinite protest on Monday at the Hiralaal Barseni Inter College here demanding the arrest of the accused allegedly involved in the assault of a principal and few other staff members of a private college. According to a complaint by female principal of the Hiralaal Barseni Inter College Archana Varshney, the incident occurred on Saturday when the school staff asked some outsiders playing in the assembly ground to leave the premises. The accused allegedly assaulted the principal. Members of UP Pradhanacharya Parishad (UPPP) and UP Shiksha Sangh on Monday started an indefinite dharna protest at the Hiralaal Barseni Inter College to protest against the delay in arresting the persons involved in Saturday's incident. Patron of the Aligarh unit of UPPP, Dipak Paliwal said that the assault of the lady principal is an unprecedented and serious issue and the teaching community has decided that if the guilty persons are not arrested promptly then they would intensify their stir and hold protests all over the state. An FIR was lodged against eight persons in connection with the incident that took place on the premises of a school in the Gandhi Park police station area. A purported video of the incident is also doing the rounds on social media platforms. Based on the principal's complaint, police lodged an FIR under sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing harm) and 504 (intentional insult) of the Indian Penal Code against three named and five unidentified persons. Police said a probe is on in the matter and those involved will be arrested soon.

Summer of discontent in the Hindi heartland

If there is one striking difference between the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, its the lack of a wave - be it a Modi wave, NDA wave, INDIA wave or even a Mandir wave. With the hyper-nationalist fervour in 2019 after the Pulwama blasts and Balakot air strikes, several voters clearly stated that the BJP candidate didn't matter and that their vote for the party was essentially one for Modi. This time, in the absence of a national narrative, local candidates and local issues are playing a role in determining voter choices in Uttar Pradesh. The 'Modi factor' isnt strong enough for them to vote for a disapproving candidate. So far, the team and I have travelled to 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh that have voted in the first four phases - from west UP's Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bijnor, Nagina, Saharanpur, Kairana and Muzaffarnagar towards Etawah, Kheri, Dhaurahra, Kannauj, Badayun, Mainpuri and Hathras. We identified influential communities in each constituency and visited villages and townships where these communities have a strong presence to understand how voters are thinking, the issues determining their votes and if and why their voting preferences have changed since 2019. On average, we covered at least two Vidhan Sabha areas in each of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies. One of the most prominent issues across castes was the agrarian crisis. Even those of the Brahmin community who praised Modi as 'king' and were supporting BJP consistently spoke about their struggles as farmers. One of the specific issues all farmers faced was the menace of the stray cattle that destroyed crops in the fields. With the Yogi government's increased restrictions on slaughterhouses and the fear of cow vigilantes, many farmers are left in a lurch. They are clueless about how to deal with their male cattle, essentially an economic burden on farmers who are anyway dealing with growing financial distress. These policies have robbed farmers of an additional source of income, and they are now forced to abandon their male cattle and older cows and buffalos who can no longer produce milk. The state government has unsuccessfully attempted to build cow sheds to address the issue. The stray cattle run over crops, graze on them and destroy them. The losses thus incurred are substantially higher than the quarterly cash transfer of Rs 500 a month from the central government as part of the much-hyped Kisan Samman Nidhi. Will UP's rural voters spring a surprise in this election? Add to this the shrinkflation in ureathe sacks have become smaller while the price has remained constant. Meanwhile, the state-mandated price for sugarcane has grown by only about Rs 45 a quintal in the last seven years, lower than under previous regimes. This has resulted in the drifting away of several non-Yadav, non-Jat agrarian Other Backward Classes from the BJP in west UP. This includes castes like Lodhi Rajputs, Kurmis, Kushwahas and Sainis, who are mostly marginal farmers. The exact percentage of this shift is hard to determine, but a significant breaking away is evident. When asked about a possible alliance with the BJP during the 2022 UP assembly elections, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary had said, I am not a chavanni (25-paise coin) that can be flipped. Two years later, this March 2, the RLD that has a significant Jat following in West UP, joined the NDA. It was in the hope of consolidating Jat voters for the BJP-led alliance. But in many seats like Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh and Agra, Jat voters haven't shifted to the NDA to the extent hoped for. The ripples from the historic thirteen-month-long farmers' movement of 2020-21 continue to impact the Jat voters of the region and they remain suspicious of the new alliance. In many of these constituencies, the lower turnout is a result of core BJP communities voting in fewer numbers. Another factor that could hurt the BJP in the first three phases is the massive Rajput panchayats held in Meerut, Kairana and Muzaffarnagar against the party. This was in response to a couple of speeches made allegedly against the community by BJP leaders. On March 22, Parshottan Rupala, a BJP candidate from Rajkot, said, Even kings and royals bowed down to the British but not Rukhi samaj (a Dalit community). He was seen to praise Dalits at the expense of Rajputs and Kshatriyas, whom he accused of entering into roti-beti relations with the British (breaking bread and entering into marital relations). Many also accused the BJP of 'keeping silent' when the caste name Gurjar was inscribed on the statue of Mihir Bhoj who they claim is a Rajput. While there is a level of disillusionment with the ruling party, the opposition INDIA bloc has not been able to win over these communities. As a result, voter enthusiasm has been minimal and many have chosen not to vote. What is also evident is a simmering anger against the ruling dispensation among large sections of the rural and semi-urban poor and even middle classes. Issues of inflation and unemployment are soaring and oft-repeated by voters. In Meerut, many voters talked about how BJPs key campaign points like the scrapping of Article 370 in Kashmir have no impact on their lives. One of them said, We are not buying land there! The anger among the youth was further fuelled when the Uttar Pradesh Constable Recruitment and Promotion 2024 examination was cancelled. The exam was held on February 17 and 18 this year and over 48 lakh aspirants vied for 60,244 posts. It was later revealed that the examination papers had leaked. The state government announced that the exam would be held again after the Lok Sabha elections. Repeated incidents of paper leaks under the Yogi government have increased the despondency among young voters who eye government jobs. Young people from across rural western UP have always eyed a job in the army. The recently unveiled Agniveer scheme has proven to be yet another wet blanket. Apart from the anger on unemployment and inflation that's evident among Dalits across UP, there is another concern. This March 25, BJP MP Anant Kumar Hegde from Karnataka called for 'rewriting' the Indian Constitution, which would not be possible without winning 400 of the 543 seats. At least three other BJP candidates have openly stated the same intention. The videos of their statements have gone viral. So the BJP's slogan of ' Abki baar , 400 paar' has caused a growing insecurity among Scheduled Caste voters about reservation. This includes non-Jatav SC communities, large sections of which have in the past few years been voting for the BJP. Another factor that could have worked in BJP's favour but is proving to be a dampener is that the BSP and SP couldn't ally. In 2019, because of the SP-BSP alliance, on many seats which didn't have a BSP candidate, there was a shift of a substantial number of Dalit votes to BJP. This time, in constituencies like Meerut, Saharanpur, Nagina, Kairana, Etawah, Lakhimpur Kheri and Mainpuri, there is a visible shift of such voters from the BSP to the INDIA bloc, essentially looking to vote for the strongest candidate against the BJP. It must be noted that a substantial share has also been retained by the BSP. In some places, even Muslims are looking to consolidate in favour of not just the strongest candidate against the BJP but also voting beyond traditional patterns. For example, in the Nagina constituency, there is a strong consolidation of both Muslims and Dalits in favour of Chandrashekhar Azad from the Azad Samaj Party. This is because Muslims were looking for an alternative owing to the SP's silence on many issues related to the Muslim community. As one moves further away from west UP, it seems Akhilesh Yadav's PDA slogan - with P for pichhde or backward classes, D for Dalits, and A for alpsankhyak or minorities - has rung a bell. Many voters are also calling it 'Pandit harao abhiyan ' (Defeat the Brahmins campaign). The importance of being Akhilesh Yadav in this Lok Sabha election Women voters in rural areas are particularly upset with the lack of allocation of houses under the PM Awaas Yojana. Village after village, they were keen to show their abysmal living conditions. Many who got gas cylinders for the first time because of the government's much-touted Ujjwala Yojana are back to using clay stoves since they can't afford to refill their cylinders with the skyrocketing prices. Yet, despite the growing discontent among various communities, it would be wrong to underestimate the BJP. Numerically significant castes like Brahmins and Baniyas have consolidated behind the BJP across UP. Also, unlike west UP, the Rajput anger doesn't seem to have much of an impact in central and eastern UP. The BJP still has a strong cadre base across castes. As one voter in Kairana said, The voters are silent and that could mean anything. Nakul Singh Sawhney is an independent documentary filmmaker and founder of Chalchitra Abhiyaan. (Views are personal) Amethi: A tryst with destiny that wasnt to be

3 get life term for murder on boys testimony

A court in UP's Aligarh district sentenced three men, including the husband, to life imprisonment for killing 34-year-old Dr Aastha Aggarwal on October 13, 2021. The victim's son testified against his father, mentioning the TV volume increase, his mother's cries for help, and being dropped at his uncle's place by his father.

AMU's 'Operation Clean-Up': Campus Ho

AMU's 'Operation Clean-Up': Campus Ho The Aligarh Muslim University will launch a ''clean-up drive'' in all its hostels to remove ''illegal occupants'' who have been living on the campus without permission since the Covid pandemic, varsity Protor M Wasim Ali said on Thursday. The Proctor told reporters that from June 16 onwards, when the university closes for the summer vacation, all residents would have to remove all their personal belongings from their rooms and, in case there are some belongings which cannot be carried back home, the hostel authorities would provide a common facility of storage from which all bona fide students would be able to retrieve such belongings once they obtain fresh allotment orders. He said the drive will be key in removing from hostels the illegitimate occupants, some of whom have reportedly been indulging in illegal activities. Asked about similar drives not working out in the past, the Proctor said, ''This time we are planning an iron-clad mechanism and we are hopeful that such rogue elements, who unnecessarily bring a bad name to the campus, are no longer able to misuse residential facilities.'' AMU is primarily a residential university and there are about more than 15,000 students living in about 20 halls of residence. Over the past couple of years, a series of violent clashes have been reported from different halls of residence. Police investigations have invariably revealed that ''almost all incidents of violence, including shooting incidents,'' involved outside elements, who somehow managed to take refuge in the varsity hostels. Wasim Ali asserted that the varsity will go for a revamp and will under no circumstances allow any element with a dubious past to occupy the residential space. He said it will ''not hesitate at all to take the help of the police and the district authorities in this operation clean-up,'' the impact of which would become visible when the university reopens in August.

Life term for 7 of UP family for burning alive daughter-in-law

Seven family members sentenced to life for burning daughter-in-law in Aligarh 13 years ago. Incident in Makdoom Nagar led to victim's death in hospital. Trial involved presentation of eight witnesses.

CBSE Result 2024: Lakshay Bhardwaj Shines with 99.2% in 12th, Sets a New Benchmark in Aligarh

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the much-awaited results for Classes 10 and 12, stirring excitement and anticipation among students and parents alike. Here's a detailed overview of the latest updates and top achievers from the CBSE Board Exams 2024.

Three killed as car crashes into tanker while trying to save a monkey in UP

Three people died when a tanker collided with a car on the Moradabad-Aligarh National Highway in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, reports said. The victims have been identified as Axis Bank manager Saurabh Srivastava, cashier Divyanshu and one Amit Rana. According to a report, Saurabh Srivastava and his co-workers were heading towards Chandausi in a car when he swerved the car to save a monkey which suddenly appeared on the road. As a result, the car crashed into a tanker coming in the opposite direction. The tanker driver fled the spot soon after the accident. Police retrieved the bodies crushed inside the mangled remains of the car and sent them for post-mortem. Further investigations are on.

Mentally unstable man clubs 2 to death, lynched

LUCKNOW: A mentally unstable man (29) allegedly clubbed two men in their 50s to death after which he was lynched in Noorpur village in Aligarh district on Wednesday. As per the district police sources, adequate police force was deployed in the area to ensure peace in the village. According to Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjeev Suman, a mentally unstable man, Afzal, a Dalit Muslim, was a resident of Mehndipur village in Gautam Budh Nagar district. He hit Lalaram Kumhar with a stick on his head and repeated blows till the victim fell unconscious. Afzal then removed his own clothes, put them on Kumhar, and set the clothes on fire which charred the body. Then he attacked Iqbal with a stick. Both Lalaram and Afzal were declared brought dead at the hospital, said the SPP. The villagers said that Afzal also attacked women who screamed after they saw him putting Lalaram on fire. Afzal had been in an asylum for three years and was undergoing treatment for his mental condition at a hospital in New Delhi. He had an appointment with the doctor on Wednesday but he fled his home on Tuesday and killed two persons before being killed by the mob. The police sources claimed that Afzal was under the influence of dry intoxication at the time of the incident. Legal action will be taken once our probe is completed. We have deployed a police force in the village to maintain peace, said the SSP. Asylum for three years Afzal was in an asylum for 3 years and was undergoing treatment for his mental condition at a hospital in New Delhi. He had an appointment with the doctor on Wednesday.

Mentally unstable man lynched after killing two in Aligarh

LUCKNOW: In a bizarre incident, a 29-year-old mentally unstable man allegedly clubbed two men in their 50s to death after which he was lynched by a violent crowd in Noorpur village in Aligarh district on Wednesday. As per the district police sources, adequate police force was deployed in the area to ensure peace in the village after three deaths. According to Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjeev Suman, a mentally unstable man, Afzal, a Dalit Muslim, who was a resident of nearby Mehndipur village in Gautam Budh Nagar district, hit Lalaram Kumhar with a stick on his head and then delivered repeated blows till the victim fell unconscious. Afzal then removed his own clothes, put them on the unconscious Kumhar, and set the clothes on fire which charred the body to a large extent. After Lalaram, Afzal shifted his focus to Jafar Iqbal who was working in the adjacent agriculture field. He attacked Iqbal with the stick. Both Lalaram and Afzal were declared brought dead at the hospital, said the SPP. Witnesses informed the police that Afzal also assaulted a group of women who screamed upon witnessing him setting Lalaram on fire. Subsequently, in a state of undress, Afzal chased after the women. Later, some villagers chased Afzal and lynched him before informing the local Tappal police station in the Aligarh district. As per police sources, Afzal had been in an asylum for three years and was undergoing treatment for his mental condition at a hospital in New Delhi and had an appointment scheduled with his doctor on Wednesday. However he fled his home on Tuesday night committing the two murders before being killed by the mob the following morning. Authorities reported that Afzal was under the influence of dry intoxication when he carried out the attacks on the victims and the women. The district police authorities, meanwhile, initiated an inquiry into the incident. Legal action will be taken once our probe is completed. We have deployed a police force in the village to maintain peace, said the SSP.

Mumbai girl, 15, who lost right arm after an electric shock, scores 92% in ICSE

Almost two years ago, Mumbai girl Anamta Ahmed - then 13 years old - suffered a massive shock and extensive burn injuries after she touched an 11KV cable while playing with her cousins on a visit to Aligarh. Her right arm had to be amputated and the left one was left only about 20% functional. She was bedridden for over 50 days and underwent extreme trauma. Eventually, she recovered and picked up the pieces of her life.

The new dawn needs to redeem deemed

During a casual conversation with a foreign university partner in North America, the Dean of its engineering school quizzed: When will deemed universities become universities? I was uncomfortably explaining the policy trajectory of deemed universities which is still undergoing a bumpy ride ever since its conceptual inception. After my explanation, he felt he was better off not asking the question. Here is why. The First Education Commission report of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1948-49) recommended that the government should evolve a method of creating university charters similar to many countries, where universities are set up not through acts of legislature but through charters granted by the head of the state. This course may also be adopted in our country, at any rate, with regard to the new universities, which are established by the conversion of existing institutions. Thus was born the concept of deemed university under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The deemed university avatar had reincarnations midwifed by various policies all of them failing to put to rest the deeming fiction which should have been phased out by now as envisaged by the Radhakrishnan Commission report. The Sankalp Patra of PM Modi which is a political gnanis social GYAN (Garib, Yuva, Annadata and Nari) is a good start for early relief to the deemed universities conundrum which has enough legal ammunition to trigger the policy solution. A Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in Azeez Basha vs Union of India (1968) in an issue concerning Aligarh Muslim University defined the word established in so far as universities are concerned along with the need to establish university under a central/state law. A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court in Premchand Jain vs RK Chabra (1984) rightly left it to the central government to interpret or amend, if necessary Section 23 of the UGC Act that can allow deemed universities to use the word university. Armed with this SC order, the union government in its best wisdom constituted a committee and permitted deemed universities to use the word university in the year 2006. Unfortunately, a two-judge bench of the SC in Orissa Lift Irrigation Corp. Ltd. vs Sri Rabi Sankar Patro (2017), while considering a completely different issue concerning four deemed universities, ordered that all 120 deemed universities to not use the word university resulting to this present terminological confusion. The interpreter of law allows the interpreter to inquire not into the subjective intent of the author, but rather the intent the author would have had, had he or she acted reasonably. This spirit of purposive construction highlighted by Aharon Barak in Purposive Interpretation in Law, (2007) was appreciated by the Supreme Court in New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs Nusli Neville Wadia, (2008). The principles of Casus Omissus was appreciated by SC in UCO Bank vs Rajinder Lal Capoor (2008), which as per GP Singhs Interpretation of Statutes, is an application of the general principle that a matter which should have been, but has not been provided for in a statute cannot be supplied by courts, as doing so will be legislation and not construction. Reading the above two along with the SCs 1968 interpretation of the word established along with Section 22 and 23 of the UGC Act, it is by harmonious construct that an institution which once was not empowered to award degrees is empowered to do so by the central government under a central Act (UGC Act, in the case of deemed universities), its degrees are recognised for all practical purposes and should be treated as a regular university only. It is in this operational spirit that many progressive deemed universities built an ecosystem garnering academic repute and excellence. Private deemed universities continuously dominate the NIRF university rankings every year with almost 33 per cent in the top 100 of the recent NIRF 2023, marching ahead of many central and state universities. This being the case, the comity of deemed universities eagerly awaits redistribution and inheritance of a different type. The much-needed autonomy that still seems to be the exclusive privilege of the central and state universities needs to be redistributed bountifully to all deemed universities who are capable of inheriting best practices of not only better-ranked central/state university peers, but also reputed foreign universities. The autonomy provided to private un-aided institution by the Supreme Court in TMA Pai Foundation Case still holds the ground and the new dawns Sankalp Patra hopefully shall redeem the deemed. S Vaidhyasubramaniam Vice-Chancellor, SASTRA Deemed University vaidhya@sastra.edu

Amazon of Aligarh: Google Doodle pays tribute to Indias first woman wrestler Hamida Banu

NEW DELHI, May 4: It was on this day in 1954 when Hamida Banu defeated famed wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just one minute and 34 seconds. While Baba Pahalwan deemed it fit to retire from professional wrestling, Banus career expanded to international arenas and her victories reported across the globe. Commemorating Banus victory and to []

AMU allays fears over 'removal' of Indo-Islamic history topics from Class 11 admission test syllabus

The Aligarh Muslim University on Saturday allayed concerns over the emoval of certain topics on Indo-Islamic history from the syllabus for admission tests to Class 11. The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in an official note, also described as otally baseless the allegations of deliberate tampering of the syllabus with the object of diluting the character of the institution.

Hamida Banu: All About The Incredible Life of India's First Woman Wrestler

Hamida Banu, widely considered India's first professional woman wrestler, was born in the early 1900s near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Google Doodle pays tribute to Hamida Banu, India's first woman wrestler

The name Hamida Banu is probably unheard of to folks like you and I but in the world of sports, she stands out as the first woman wrestler in India. On Saturday, Google paid tribute to her through a doodle illustrated by Bangalore-based artist Divya Negi. The artist depicts the wrestler in a pink, polka-dotted ensemble, holding her hands in a fighting position and surrounded by flora and fauna. Diving more into the date's significance, it was on this day in 1954 when Hamida Banu defeated famed wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just one minute and 34 seconds. Additionally, this also serves as a reminder of a female's entry into a sport that was dominated by males in the 1940s and 50s. Also known as the 'Amazon of Aligarh,' Hamida Banu was born into a family of wrestlers near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh in the 1900s. Despite the consistent discouragement of womens participation in athletics, she fearlessly pursued her passion for wrestling. She challenged male wrestlers openly, even wagering her hand in marriage to the first to defeat her. Banus triumphs echoed across newspapers wherein her feats, physical stature and dietary habits were reported widely. Her career even extended into the international arena, where she won against a Russian woman wrestler Vera Chistilin in less than two minutes. Hamida Banu was a trailblazer of her time, and her fearlessness is remembered throughout India and across the world. Outside of her sporting accomplishments, she will always be celebrated for staying true to herself, read Google's note. Banu passed away in 1986. Reports say that faced poverty in her later years, resorting to selling milk, dairy products, and homemade cookies to support herself.

Google pays tribute to Hamida Banu, Indias 1st female wrestler, who won over 300 matches and ate 2 plates of biryani daily!

Dubbed the Amazon Of Aligarh, Hamida Banu holds the distinction of being recognized as Indias inaugural female professional wrestler. Hailing from a lineage of wrestlers in Uttar Pradesh, she encountered familial resistance to her wrestling aspirations. Undeterred, she journeyed from her native Mirzapur to Aligarh, where she received training under the tutelage of Salam Pahalwan.

Google Pays Tribute to Hamida Banu via Doodle; Know about the Amazon of Aligarh

Google Doodle today, 4 May 2024: Know about Hamida Banu, India's first female wrestler, here.

Google Doodle Honors Hamida Banu, Pioneer of Women's Wrestling in India

Google Doodle Honors Hamida Banu, Pioneer of Women's Wrestling in India It was on this day in 1954 when Hamida Banu defeated famed wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just one minute and 34 seconds. While Baba Pahalwan deemed it fit to retire from professional wrestling, Banu's career expanded to international arenas and her victories reported across the globe. Commemorating Banu's victory and to pay tribute to her as ''India's first woman wrestler,'' Google on Saturday put up a colourful doodle on its homepage. Born into a family of wrestlers in the early 1900s near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Banu grew up wrestling, winning over 300 competitions throughout her career that spanned the 1940s and 1950s at a time when women's participation in athletics was strongly discouraged. Banu, however, competed with men anyway, and issued an open challenge to all male wrestlers, wagering her hand in marriage to whoever defeats her, Google wrote in a post. Banu's success in international matches gained her further acclaim. One of these matches was the one against Russian woman wrestler Vera Chistilin, who she defeated in under two minutes. Having made newspaper headlines for years, Banu came to be known as the ''Amazon of Aligarh''. The bouts she won, her diet, and her training regimen were widely covered. According to a BBC report, she weighed 108kg and was 5ft 3in tall. ''Her daily diet included 5.6 litres of milk, 2.8 litres of soup, 1.8 litres of fruit juice, a fowl, nearly 1kg of mutton and almonds, half a kilo of butter, 6 eggs, two big loaves of bread, and two plates of biryani,'' the British media outlet reported. Reuters noted that she slept for nine hours and trained for six. A ''trailblazer of her time,'' Banu not only fought fellow wrestlers but the norms of her times. ''Hamida Banu was a trailblazer of her time, and her fearlessness is remembered throughout India and across the world. Outside of her sporting accomplishments, she will always be celebrated for staying true to herself,'' Google's note read.

Amazon Of Aligarh: Google Doodle Celebrates Hamida Banu, India's First Woman Wrestler

Today, Google is celebrating India's first professional woman wrestler Hamida Banu. The doodle, illustrated by Bangalore-based artist Divya Negi, depicts Ms Banu surrounded by local flora and fauna.

Hamida Banu: Google Doodle Honors Indias First Professional Woman Wrestler

Hamida Banu: Google Doodle Honors Indias First Professional Woman Wrestler Today's Google Doodle pays tribute to Hamida Banu, a pioneering figure in Indian sports, recognized as the first professional woman wrestler in India. The Doodle, crafted by Bangalore-based artist Divya Negi, captures Banu amidst the rich local flora and fauna, celebrating her remarkable legacy in the wrestling world. Born in the early 1900s near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, into a family of wrestlers, Hamida Banu defied the stringent social norms of her time which discouraged women's participation in athletics. She began her wrestling career in the 1940s, competing predominantly against men. Over her illustrious career, she amassed more than 300 victories, a testament to her skill and determination. Banu first captured international attention on this day in 1954, when she defeated the celebrated wrestler Baba Pahalwan in a match that lasted only 1 minute and 34 seconds. This victory was so decisive that it led to Pahalwan's retirement from professional wrestling. Her prowess was not confined to national boundaries; she also triumphed in international bouts, notably winning against the Russian woman wrestler Vera Chistilin in under two minutes. Her challenges were not just on the mat but also against societal expectations. Banu was known for her bold declaration where she issued an open challenge to all male wrestlers, promising her hand in marriage to any who could defeat hera challenge that remained unmet. Hamida Banu's name became synonymous with strength and perseverance, earning her the nickname Amazon of Aligarh. Her diet, training regimen, and the bouts she won received extensive coverage in newspapers, inspiring a generation of athletes, particularly women, to pursue sports professionally. Her impact extends beyond her victories in the ring. Hamida Banu is celebrated for her unwavering commitment to her sport and her courage in challenging and changing the gender norms of her time. Her legacy continues to inspire not only wrestlers but all athletes across India and the world, making her a fitting subject for today's Google Doodle. The celebration of Hamida Banu through today's Google Doodle highlights her significant contributions to sports and her role as a trailblazer for women in professional athletics. As we remember her fearless spirit and groundbreaking achievements, Hamida Banu's story remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere. Also Read: Google Doodle Celebrates Indonesia's Traditional Tari Rangkuk Alu Dance

Exclusion of Rinku Singh proved toughest, he has done nothing wrong: Agarkar

Exclusion of Rinku Singh proved toughest, he has done nothing wrong: Agarkar Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar on Thursday described the omission of Rinku Singh from India's T20 World Cup squad as the ''toughest'' call, saying the in-from swashbuckler has ''done nothing wrong'' and it all came down to combinations. Rinku, Kolkata Knight Riders' big-hitting finisher from Aligarh, could not find a place in the 15-member squad as the think-tank preferred Chennai Super Kings' Shivam Dube over him. The exclusion of Rinku, who has scored 356 runs at an average of 89 and strike rate of 176.24 in T20Is for India, became a major talking point since the Indian team's announcement two days ago and has caused a massive furore on social media. ''It (not picking Rinku) is probably the toughest thing we have had to discuss. He has done nothing wrong, not even Shubman Gill for that matter. It is not his fault that he missed out. It's about combinations,'' Agarkar said during a press conference here. ''A couple of wrist spinners were included to give Rohit (Sharma) more options. There are two keepers, we needed an extra bowler. It's just unfortunate. He's in the reserves, so that tells you how close he came into being in the 15. But at the end of the day, you can only pick 15 players in the squad,'' Agarkar added. Rinku, who is not having a great IPL season as he is not getting to face enough balls, though made it to the list of reserves. Rinku had been fast-tracked into the Indian T20I team after a fantastic run in the IPL last year but this season, he has managed just 123 runs in nine matches with a strike rate of 150.00, whereas Gill, captaining Gujarat Titans this time, has aggregated 320 runs from 10 matches at a strike rate of 140.97. The left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal has been preferred over Gill. Meanwhile Abhishek Nayar, the head of KKR Academy and assistant coach of the franchise, did not feel Rinku was out of form and whatever runs he has scored this IPL season for KKR have been crucial for the team. Nayar played a key role in shaping Rinku's career, especially when the batter was suffering from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament injury), and the former Mumbai cricketer also worked on his hitting skills. ''I would not agree (that it is about) IPL form. I think he has not played enough balls barring one-odd game wherein he has not got runs. He has got runs in every game which have been critical runs for us. The form has never been in question,'' Nayar backed his ward. ''When you look at any cricketer in world cricket or even in T20 cricket, sometimes the role you play doesn't justify what numbers you have at the end of the day. ''Just in terms of the role he plays for us and for any team, which is a finisher's role, you tend to play 8-10 balls and you look at how well he does in 8-10 balls and not how many runs he scored.'' Over the last few years, Nayar has established himself as a prominent coach in domestic and franchise cricket. ''If you go back and look at his stats and his strike rate in comparison to the balls he has played, I think you will get your answer right there. It's not a form problem at all,'' Nayar said of Rinku. Later on, after his press conference, India captain Rohit joined the Mumbai Indians squad for their pre-match training ahead of the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. Rohit was involved in a group discussion which included Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat and even Gautam Gambhir when he spotted Rinku coming towards him. Rohit moved away from the group and spoke with Rinku for a while.

What are UP's Muslim voters up to in this Lok Sabha election?

Till about a decade ago, the voting behaviour of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh used to be a decisive factor in about two dozen Lok Sabha seats. The main political parties in those elections, such as the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress, whether in alliance or separately, used to bank heavily on the support of Muslims. This used to be the norm from the 1970s till the general election of 2014, when the Narendra Modi wave made all such factors redundant. Riding high on it, the Bharatiya Janata Party got the majority community to vote in such numbers so as to make the Muslim vote bank irrelevant. However, ten years of BJP rule at the Centre has taken away much of the wind from beneath that wave. With two phases of polling having already been completed in the state, the significance of the electoral heft of Muslim voters has once again come into play with both the SP-Congress alliance and the BSP renewing their efforts to wrest Muslim support. UP's Muslims have over the last few years and till this election been caught in a dilemma as they have not been able to consider any one party in the state their benefactor. Earlier, from the heydays of Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party used to be their go-to party since the late former CM had made the welfare of Muslims nothing short of a sacred political pledge for himself and his party. But as Akhilesh Yadav inherited the party in 2017, he very quietly shelved the pro-Muslim policy and started pursuing a brand of ambivalent-- often so-called soft -- Hindutva. In the recent past, Akhilesh vociferously backed the construction of a statue of Parashuram, the deity revered by Brahmins, proposed the construction of a huge Krishna temple in Vrindavan, inaugurated a Lord Krishna statue in Saifai, and generally avoided having Muslim leaders in his core team of Samajwadi Party after the jailing and subsequent sidelining of Azam Khan. All this changed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In order to counter the charge of ignoring Muslims, Akhilesh skipped the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, visited the family residence of late Mukhtar Ansari in Ghazipur to pay condolences (albeit belatedly) and risked disaffection in the party by ignoring upper caste-Hindus for key bye-elections. The importance of being Akhilesh Yadav in this Lok Sabha election Mayawati, meanwhile, had appeared to be softer towards the BJP in the beginning, but her Bahujan Samaj Party has still stuck to fielding Muslims in key elections in the past few years, and the trend is highly visible in this year's list as well. The party's candidates for 54 seats so far includes 14 Muslims. Then there is the AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who had declared his intention to fight from all seats in collaboration with Apna Dal (K) and some smaller parties with much fanfare, but the initiative seems to have lost steam. The Muslim vote in UP According to several estimates, Muslims account for 19% to 23% of the state's population. Based on figures from various organisations and development programmes, the districts with high Muslim population (above 25%) are: Rampur 50.57%, Moradabad 47.12%, Bijnor 43.04%, Saharanpur 41.95%, Muzaffarnagar 41.30%, Amroha 40.78%, Balrampur 37.51%, Bareilly 34.54%, Meerut 34.43%, Bahraich 33.53%, Shrawasti 30.79%, Baghpat 27.98%, Ghaziabad 25.35%, and Siddharthnagar 29.23%. Polling was completed in the first phase on April 19 in eight constituencies -- Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit. The eight constituencies where voting took place on April 26 were Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Aligarh, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Mathura. Of these 16 constituencies, at least 11 constituencies have a Muslim population above 20%. There are indications that in these two phases, Muslim voters may have resorted to voting to bring about a change, and the candidate's faith may not be a factor. This has been often referred to as actical voting where the sole aim is to ensure the defeat of a candidate whose party is considered to be apathetic to Muslims interests. Advantage INDIA bloc? In this case, voting to ensure the BJP's candidates defeat could have led Muslim voters to support either the SP-Congress INDIA bloc, or the BSP. It appears that the community could have preferred the former in most places, while the BSP could be preferred only in places where the INDIA combine is thought to be weaker. This is endorsed by Professor Hilal Ahmad, a veteran political analyst and social scholar. He says that Muslim voters appear to be in favour of the INDIA bloc, regardless of the result. In many districts, there have been reports of voters, including women, having voted in favour of the SP-Congress combine, he said, but added emphatically that the Muslim voter is totally silent with no proclamations from community leaders whatsoever. This, however, does not mean that the results will be follow the same pattern in all the Muslim-dominated seats. For the record, the 2014 Lok Sabha election saw the BJP winning at least eight such seats, including Amroha, Bijnor, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Rampur, Saharanpur and Sambhal. But in 2019, the SP-BSP fighting in alliance, won 15 seats including in Muslim-dominated Amroha, Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur and Sambhal. Another fact to be remembered is that despite general perception that Muslims were voting against the BJP, the party succeeded in getting a percentage of the Muslim votes in the 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. This came out in a post-election survey by CSDS-Lokniti which suggested that least eight per cent of the Muslim votes went to the BJP. Also, the BJP has gone into the 2024 election in alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal which has been favoured by Muslim voters in its stronghold areas. Even during the campaign for the first phase, BJP leaders accompanied RLD leaders in Muslim-dominated areas. UP battle shifts from Jat land to Yadav stronghold All this could mean on the one hand that Muslims are disillusioned that no party has shown faith in them, but rather than abstaining, they will vote for the candidate considered to be the BJP's strongest rival. On the other hand, they could also accept the BJP candidate for the simple fact that the state has a BJP government headed by Yogi Adityanath and no purpose may be served in getting identified as a non-BJP voter till 2027 (when the next Assembly election is scheduled). According to Anshuman Shukla, a veteran political analyst and columnist, although Muslims have increasingly voted in a unified way, political and social mobilization has highlighted divisions along sub-identities like caste and sect among them. This explains the BJP's outreach -- and success -- with Pasmanda Muslims, a term that includes backwards, Dalits and tribal Muslims. According to many researchers, the held belief of Muslims voting en bloc may not be completely true, an idea also suggested in a study Mapping Muslim Voter Behaviour in India by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Even some Muslim scholars agree that Muslims are increasingly getting divided along caste and sectarian lines, an example of which is the lukewarm response to Asaduddin Owaisi after he announced his decision to contest in UP with the Apna Dal (K). Anshuman Shukla says that even though figures show that Muslims could play a crucial role in deciding the result in more than 25 seats in UP, the results will show a different picture. Kashi: A date with the present

Agarkar: Exclusion of Rinku Singh a Difficult Decision Despite His Solid Performances

Agarkar: Exclusion of Rinku Singh a Difficult Decision Despite His Solid Performances Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar on Thursday described the omission of Rinku Singh from India's T20 World Cup squad as the ''toughest'' call, saying the in-from swashbuckler has ''done nothing wrong'' and it all came down to combinations. Rinku, Kolkata Knight Riders' big-hitting finisher from Aligarh, could not find a place in the 15-member squad as the think-tank preferred Chennai Super Kings' Shivam Dube over him. His exclusion became a major talking point as Rinku has scored 356 runs at an average of 89 and strike rate of 176.24 in T20Is for India. ''It (not picking Rinku) is probably the toughest thing we have had to discuss. He has done nothing wrong, not even Shubman Gill for that matter. It is not his fault that he missed out. It's about combinations,'' Agarkar said during a press conference here. ''A couple of wrist spinners were included to give Rohit (Sharma) more options. There are two keepers, we needed an extra bowler. It's just unfortunate. He's in the reserves, so that tells you how close he came into being in the 15. But at the end of the day, you can only pick 15 players in the squad,'' Agarkar added. Rinku, who is not having a great IPL season as he is not getting to face enough balls, though made it to the list of reserves. Rinku had been fast-tracked into the Indian T20I team after a fantastic run in the IPL last year but this season, he has managed just 123 runs in nine matches with a strike rate of 150.00. Whereas Gill, captaining Gujarat Titans this time, has aggregated 320 runs from 10 matches at a strike rate of 140.97. The left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal has been preferred over Gill.

Delhi High Court Adjourns Sharjeel Imam's Appeal Sine Die

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court adjourned sine die the appeal of Sharjeel Imam challenging the framing of charges in connection with a 2020 communal riots case involving allegations of sedition. The Supreme Court heard a matter related to sedition, and all the matters emanating from the section of sedition (124A IPC) had been kept in abeyance in May 2022. A division bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait adjourned the matter sine die. It was informed that matters related to the law of sedition are pending before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the bail plea hearing has been adjourned till May 16 as the ASG SV Raju was not available to argue the matter. On March 15, 2022, Delhi's Karkardooma court framed sedition and other charges against Sharjeel Imam for alleged inflammatory speeches delivered by him at Jamia area in Delhi in December 2019 and at Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, in January 2020 during the anti-CAA protest. He has pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. Additional sessions judge Amitabh Rawat had framed charges against Sharjeel Imam under Sections 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, etc.), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The accused is one of the organizers of the Shaheen Bagh protest of December 2019. Sharjeel Imam was arrested in January 2020 by Delhi Police from Jahanabad, Bihar. It is a case of allegedly delivering inflammatory speech at Jamia Millia Islamia which allegedly led to violence outside the university in December 2019. The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against him in the present case, alleging that he gave speeches inciting hatred, contempt, and disaffection towards the Government of India. The Delhi Police had mentioned in the charge sheet against Sharjeel, He is accused of delivering seditious speeches and inciting a particular section of the community to indulge in unlawful activities detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The matter is at the stage of recording evidence before the trial court. Arvind Kejriwal's Health is Fine, Says Bhagwant Mann After Meeting Jalandhar Police Seizes Gold Worth 60 Lakhs in Phillor Area Tragic Suicide: NEET Aspirant Found Dead in Kota

Salman Khurshid's Niece Maria Alam Khan Appeals for Vote Jihad

Farrukhabad: Seeking votes for the INDIA bloc candidate from Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat, Samajwadi Party leader Maria Alam made an appeal for vote jehad, terming it as necessary in the current situation for the minority community to drive away the BJP government. Alam, who is also the niece of senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, while addressing an election meeting on Monday in the presence of senior Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid, made an appeal for vote jehad, saying in the current situation, 'vote jehad' is necessary for the minority community. Speaking in Kaimganj in support of INDIA bloc candidate Naval Kishore Shakya, Alam said, Together do vote jehad -- with intelligence, without being sentimental and with silence. As we can only do vote jehad to drive away this Sanghi government. Stressing that it was time to join hands, she said otherwise this Sanghi government will succeed in wiping out our existence. People say that Constitution and democracy are under threat. But I say that insaniyat (humanity) is under threat. Now there is an attack on 'insaniyat'. If you want to save the country, its beauty and 'ganga-jamuni' (composite) culture, then vote very intelligently without getting influenced by anyone, she stressed. In the public meeting, Khurshid took part as the chief guest. The video of Alam's statement has also gone viral on social media. Asked to comment on the statement of his niece, Khurshid said generally he avoids using such words because its literal meaning is misinterpreted. Jehad means to fight against a situation. Her intention must have been to carry out vote jihad to protect the Constitution, he said. On his candidature from INDIA bloc from the Farrukhabad seat, Khurshid said he was offered Congress ticket from Aligarh from the Congress. But he politely declined clearly saying that I am Salman Khurshid from Farrukhabad and I stay that only. This was the first public meeting of the INDIA bloc in Farrukhabad with most of the senior leaders of the Congress and the SP present together on the dias.

Delhi HC adjourns sine die Sharjeel Imam's plea challenging framing of charges

Delhi HC adjourns sine die Sharjeel Imam's plea challenging framing of charges The Delhi High Court on Tuesday adjourned sine die the appeal of Sharjeel Imam challenging the framing of charges in connection with a 2020 communal riots case involving allegations of sedition. The Supreme Court heard a matter related to sedition and all the matters emanating from the section of sedition (124 A IPC) had been kept in abeyance in May 2022. The division bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait adjourned the matter sine die. It was informed that matters related to the law of sedition are pending before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the bail plea hearing has been adjourned till May 16 as the ASG SV Raju was not available to argue the matter. On March 15, 2022, Delhi's Karkardooma court framed sedition and other charges against Sharjeel Imam for alleged inflammatory speeches delivered by him at Jamia area in Delhi in December 2019 and at Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh in January 2020 during the anti-CAA protest. He has pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. Additional sessions judge Amitabh Rawat had framed charges against Sharjeel Imam under Sections 124A ( sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, etc.), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 13 of Unlawful Activities ( Prevention) Act (UAPA). The accused is one of the organisers of the Shaheen Bagh protest of December 2019. Sharjeel Imam was arrested in January 2020 by Delhi Police from Jahanabad, Bihar. It is a case of allegedly delivering inflammatory speech at Jamia Millia Islamia which allegedly led to violence outside the university in December 2019. The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against him in the present case. It was alleged that he gave speeches inciting hatred, contempt, and disaffection towards the Government of India. Delhi Police had mentioned in the charge sheet against Sharjeel, ''He is accused of delivering seditious speeches and inciting a particular section of the community to indulge in unlawful activities, detrimental to sovereignty and integrity of the nation.'. The matter is at the stage of recording evidence before the trial court. (ANI)

Who is Naima Khatoon, first woman V-C of Aligarh Muslim University?

Who is Naima Khatoon first woman VC of Aligarh Muslim University

Limited Women Representation: Only 8% Female Candidates in First Two Phases of Lok Sabha Elections

Limited Women Representation: Only 8% Female Candidates in First Two Phases of Lok Sabha Elections Women constituted only eight per cent of the total 2,823 candidates in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections, with political activists saying it reflects a deeper issue of gender bias and that talk of women's empowerment rings hollow. There were 135 women candidates in the first phase of the elections and 100 in the second phase, bringing the combined total for the first two phases to 235. In the first phase of the elections on April 19, there total number of candidates in the fray was 1,625. In the second phase held on April 26, 1,198 candidates contested the elections. Of the 135 women candidates in the first phase, Tamil Nadu had the highest share at 76. However, that figure accounted for just 8 per cent of the total candidates in the state. Kerala had the maximum number of women candidates at 24 in the second phase. Partywise, the Congress fielded 44 women in the two phases and the BJP 69. This significant gender imbalance has sparked criticism from political analysts and activists, who asked why parties are waiting for the Women Reservation Act to be implemented instead of proactively fielding women. Dr Sushila Ramaswamy, an associate professor at Delhi University's Jesus and Mary College, said political parties should take concrete steps to promote women's candidacy. ''Political parties should have been more proactive and fielded more women candidates,'' she underscored, citing the effectiveness of seat reservations for women within party structures, as seen in the UK's Labour Party. With women constituting nearly half of India's electorate, their under representation in the candidate pool raises broader questions about the barriers hindering women's full participation in the political sphere, said Dr Iftekhar Ahmad Ansari, an associate professor at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Beyond the symbolic gestures and promises, he stressed the importance of structural reforms to ensure equal opportunities for women in politics. He also highlighted the critical role of party leadership in promoting gender diversity. ''Political parties must prioritise gender inclusion in candidate selection and provide adequate support to women aspirants,'' he emphasised. Farhat Jahan, a retired faculty member at AMU's Abdullah Women's College, said the issue of women's political representation extends beyond numerical quotas to encompass systemic changes in party dynamics and electoral processes. She also emphasised the need for gender-sensitive policies that address challenges faced by women in politics. ''The upcoming phases of the elections present an opportunity for political parties to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality through concrete actions. Initiatives such as mentorship programmes, capacity-building workshops and awareness campaigns can empower women to actively participate in the electoral process and pursue leadership roles,'' she added. Prof Mohammad Aftab Alam from the political science department at AMU pointed out the challenges women often face in forming independent political opinions amid societal influences. ''Even the ones elected are often relegated to symbolic roles,'' he remarked, highlighting broader issues of token representation. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is the only party that, as a policy, provides 33 per cent tickets to women. Meera Parida, state vice-president of the BJD's Biju Mahila Dal, stressed the need for substantive action in women's empowerment and praised her party's initiative of reserving 33 per cent of seats for women. ''Reserving seats alone is not enough. We need a cultural shift where women are seen as leaders and decision-makers,'' she emphasised, advocating for comprehensive reforms. Both major parties -- the BJP and the Congress -- have listed women-centric initiatives in their manifestos. The BJP's manifesto promises to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women' Reservation Act) to honour and empower women, integrate women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into the service sector to enhance their economic participation and expand health services. The Congress has pledged legislative reforms for women's empowerment, including the immediate enactment of the Women's Reservation Act. However, these commitments are yet to translate into substantial numbers of women contesting the elections. Alka Lamba, chief of the Congress' women's wing, highlighted the party's commitment to gender equality across sectors. ''The Congress has extended political, economic and social rights to women,'' Lamba asserted, outlining ambitious targets for women's representation in leadership roles. As the Lok Sabha elections progress, the spotlight is on political parties to address these concerns and demonstrate tangible commitment towards fostering women's participation and representation in governance. The upcoming poll phases will be closely monitored to assess whether there is a meaningful shift towards greater gender inclusivity in the political landscape especially after the hype over passage of the Women's Reservation Act, Aftab said. Ramaswamy noted, ''While parties are vocal about empowering women, the lack of women candidates reflects a deeper issue of gender bias within political systems.'' The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven phases beginning from April 19 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4. The second phase was held on April 26 while the other phases are scheduled for May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.

Many Samajwadi Party Leaders Join BJP amidst Lok Sabha Polls

Lucknow: In a blow to the opposition ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, several Samajwadi Party leaders switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Lucknow on Sunday. Former Samajwadi Party MLA Jai Choubey, along with several other leaders including Balram Yadav and Jagat Jaiswal, joined the BJP in a ceremony attended by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. Welcoming the new members, Deputy Chief Minister Pathak said, Former MLA and several district presidents have joined our party today. Welcome and congratulations to all of you. Those working at the block level are also joining us. They have a significant responsibility ahead of them.Addressing the gathering, Pathak emphasized, You all have decided to join the BJP... Under PM Modi's leadership, the BJP has connected with the masses. With PM Modi's guidance, we have committed to building a 'Developed India,' and I trust that all of you will contribute to this vision. Uttar Pradesh, the state with the highest number of parliamentary constituencies at 80, is undergoing polling in all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections.The first phase of voting was conducted on April 19 in eight parliamentary constituencies, followed by the second phase on April 26 in another eight constituencies.During the second phase, constituencies including Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Mathura, and Bulandshahr cast their votes. The state is scheduled for further polling in phases three and four on May 7 and May 13 respectively, and in phases five, six, and seven on May 20, May 23, and June 1. Vote counting is set for June 4. Controversy Surrounding Congress Manifesto and Allegations of Appeasement PM Modi Criticizes Rahul Gandhi for Double Standards on Historical Atrocities DK Shivakumar Slams Centre for Inadequate Relief Funds

Only 8 per cent of women candidates in first two phases of Lok Sabha polls

NEW DELHI: Women constituted only eight per cent of the total 1,618 candidates in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls, with political activists saying it reflects a deeper issue of gender bias and that the talk of empowering them rings hollow. In the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, there were 135 women candidates while in the second phase, there were 100 women candidates, bringing the combined total for the first two phases to 235 women candidates. Of the 135 women candidates in phase 1, Tamil Nadu had the highest share at 76, but they account for just 8 per cent of the candidates in the state, while Kerala has the maximum women candidates at 24 in phase 2. Party-wise, the Congress has fielded 44 women till now while 69 women have been fielded by the BJP in the first two phases. This significant gender imbalance has sparked criticism from political analysts and activists, who ask why parties are waiting for the Women's Reservation Bill to be implemented instead of proactively issuing tickets to women. Dr Sushila Ramaswamy, Associate Professor at Delhi University's Jesus and Mary College, said political parties should take concrete steps to promote women's candidacy. Political parties should have been more proactive and fielded more women candidates, she underscored, citing the effectiveness of seat reservations for women within party structures, as seen in the Britain's Labour Party. With women constituting nearly half of India's electorate, their under representation in the candidate pool raises broader questions about the barriers hindering women's full participation in the political sphere, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad Ansari, Associate Professor at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), said. Beyond the symbolic gestures and promises, he stressed the importance of structural reforms to ensure equal opportunities for women in politics. He highlighted the critical role of party leadership in promoting gender diversity. The issue of women's political representation extends beyond numerical quotas to encompass systemic changes in party dynamics and electoral processes, Farhat Jahan, a retired faculty member at the Abdullah Women's College at the AMU said while emphasising the need for gender-sensitive policies that address challenges faced by women in politics. Political parties must prioritise gender inclusion in candidate selection and provide adequate support to women aspirants, she emphasised. The upcoming phases of the elections present an opportunity for political parties to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality through concrete actions. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, capacity-building workshops, and awareness campaigns can empower women to actively participate in the electoral process and pursue leadership roles, she added. Prof.Mohammad Aftab Alam from the political science department at the AMU pointed out the challenges women often face in forming independent political opinions amidst societal influences. Even the ones elected are often relegated to symbolic roles, he remarked, highlighting broader issues of token representation. The BJD is the only party, which as a policy, gives 33 per cent tickets to female candidates. Meera Parida, state vice president of the Biju Mahila Dal of the BJD, stressed the need for substantive action in women's empowerment and praised her party's initiative of reserving 33 per cent of seats for women. Reserving seats alone is not enough. We need a cultural shift where women are seen as leaders and decision-makers, she emphasised, advocating for comprehensive reforms. Both major parties -- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress-- have listed women-centric initiatives in their manifestoes. The BJP's manifesto promises to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to honour and empower women, integrate women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into the service sector to enhance their economic participation and expand health services. The Congress has pledged legislative reforms for women's empowerment, including the immediate enactment of the Women's Reservation Bill. However, these commitments are yet to translate into substantial numbers of women contesting elections. Alka Lamba, Chief of Congress Women's Wing, highlighted the Congress's commitment to gender equality across sectors. The Congress has extended political, economic, and social rights to women, Lamba affirmed, outlining ambitious targets for women's representation in leadership roles. As the Lok Sabha elections progress, the spotlight is on political parties to address these concerns and demonstrate tangible commitments towards fostering women's participation and representation in governance. The upcoming poll phases will be closely monitored to assess whether there is a meaningful shift towards greater gender inclusivity in the political landscape especially after the hype over passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, Aftab said. While parties are vocal about empowering women, the lack of women candidates reflects a deeper issue of gender bias within political systems, noted Dr.Ramaswamy. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven phases beginning from April 19 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4 for the world's biggest election exercise. The second phase was held on April 26 while other phases are scheduled for May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.

Women Candidates Remain Underrepresented in Lok Sabha Polls

Women Candidates Remain Underrepresented in Lok Sabha Polls Women constituted only eight per cent of the total 1,618 candidates in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls, with political activists saying it reflects a deeper issue of gender bias and that the talk of empowering them rings hollow. In the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, there were 135 women candidates while in the second phase, there were 100 women candidates, bringing the combined total for the first two phases to 235 women candidates. Of the 135 women candidates in phase 1, Tamil Nadu had the highest share at 76, but they account for just 8 per cent of the candidates in the state, while Kerala has the maximum women candidates at 24 in phase 2. Party-wise, the Congress has fielded 44 women till now while 69 women have been fielded by the BJP in the first two phases. This significant gender imbalance has sparked criticism from political analysts and activists, who ask why parties are waiting for the Women's Reservation Bill to be implemented instead of proactively issuing tickets to women. Dr Sushila Ramaswamy, Associate Professor at Delhi University's Jesus and Mary College, said political parties should take concrete steps to promote women's candidacy. ''Political parties should have been more proactive and fielded more women candidates,'' she underscored, citing the effectiveness of seat reservations for women within party structures, as seen in the Britain's Labour Party. With women constituting nearly half of India's electorate, their under representation in the candidate pool raises broader questions about the barriers hindering women's full participation in the political sphere, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad Ansari, Associate Professor at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), said. Beyond the symbolic gestures and promises, he stressed the importance of structural reforms to ensure equal opportunities for women in politics. He highlighted the critical role of party leadership in promoting gender diversity. ''Political parties must prioritise gender inclusion in candidate selection and provide adequate support to women aspirants,'' she emphasised. The issue of women's political representation extends beyond numerical quotas to encompass systemic changes in party dynamics and electoral processes, Farhat Jahan, a retired faculty member at the Abdullah Women's College at the AMU said while emphasising the need for gender-sensitive policies that address challenges faced by women in politics. ''The upcoming phases of the elections present an opportunity for political parties to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality through concrete actions. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, capacity-building workshops, and awareness campaigns can empower women to actively participate in the electoral process and pursue leadership roles,'' she added. Prof. Mohammad Aftab Alam from the political science department at the AMU pointed out the challenges women often face in forming independent political opinions amidst societal influences. ''Even the ones elected are often relegated to symbolic roles,'' he remarked, highlighting broader issues of token representation. The BJD is the only party, which as a policy, gives 33 per cent tickets to female candidates. Meera Parida, state vice president of the Biju Mahila Dal of the BJD, stressed the need for substantive action in women's empowerment and praised her party's initiative of reserving 33 per cent of seats for women. ''Reserving seats alone is not enough. We need a cultural shift where women are seen as leaders and decision-makers,'' she emphasised, advocating for comprehensive reforms. Both major parties -- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress-- have listed women-centric initiatives in their manifestoes. The BJP's manifesto promises to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to honour and empower women, integrate women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into the service sector to enhance their economic participation and expand health services. The Congress has pledged legislative reforms for women's empowerment, including the immediate enactment of the Women's Reservation Bill. However, these commitments are yet to translate into substantial numbers of women contesting elections. Alka Lamba, Chief of Congress Women's Wing, highlighted the Congress's commitment to gender equality across sectors. ''The Congress has extended political, economic, and social rights to women,'' Lamba affirmed, outlining ambitious targets for women's representation in leadership roles. As the Lok Sabha elections progress, the spotlight is on political parties to address these concerns and demonstrate tangible commitments towards fostering women's participation and representation in governance. The upcoming poll phases will be closely monitored to assess whether there is a meaningful shift towards greater gender inclusivity in the political landscape especially after the hype over passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, Aftab said. ''While parties are vocal about empowering women, the lack of women candidates reflects a deeper issue of gender bias within political systems,'' noted Dr. Ramaswamy. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven phases beginning from April 19 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4 for the world's biggest election exercise. The second phase was held on April 26 while other phases are scheduled for May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.

Blog: Blog | Lok Sabha Elections: Hopes, Aspirations And Rivalries In Aligarh

While Banias remain firmly with the BJP, Brahmins are divided between the two candidates from their community.

GST emerge as major poll issues for lock industry traders

Aligarh: High GST rates, pandemic effect and Chinese locks the triple whammy undercutting the livelihoods of thousands of workers and traders in Uttar Pradesh's famed 'Tala Nagri' has emerged as a major concern this election and voters are looking for a candidate who will pull the lock industry out of the slump. The Rs 4,000 crore industry of Aligarh, where lock making is likened to an art dating back to the Mughals, is not so robust anymore with shifting global market dynamics taking their toll. With Lok Sabha elections just two days away, the clamour for decisive action that will save the livelihood of the estimated one lakh people dependent on the lock industry is growing. And at the centre of the problems, say industry insiders, are high GST rates, which in turn have led to a surge in Chinese lock imports. The steep GST rates have made it increasingly challenging for us to compete with Chinese locks flooding the market at significantly lower prices, said Omvir Singh, owner of a cottage lock factory. Traditionally a BJP supporter, Singh said he would however like to give another chance to the ruling government in the upcoming elections. I was hopeful that the incumbent MP would be replaced because he did nothing for us in the past 10 years despite relying on our votes as we are his core-voter base but for Modi and Hindutva, I will give this government a last chance, he said. Several smaller manufacturers indicated that they have been compelled to cease operations due to their inability to withstand the competition, coupled with the burden of high taxes and the adverse effects of pandemic-induced lockdowns on their businesses. What they need, said several stakeholders, is a candidate capable of addressing their grievances and rejuvenating the industry's prospects. Aligarh votes on April 26 in the second phase of the elections. In the fray are incumbent BJP MP Satish Kumar Gautam, Samajwadi Party's Birendra Singh and Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Bunty Upadhyay. Many in this western Uttar Pradesh town, once synonymous with the craft of lock making, were wary of being identified. The workforce, estimated a lock unit owner, has dwindled to nearly half. He highlighted the disparity in tax rates and production costs, which leads to a stark difference in prices that renders locally produced locks less competitive compared to the Chinese ones. He also stressed the necessity for policies that bolster 'Make in India' initiatives, reduce GST rates, and address import challenges from China. He pushed for a government that could lower GST rates and invest in automation technology to enhance competitiveness. We would want someone who could drive change in our dying industry and bring more innovations because the competition is fierce, he said. The transition to GST at 18 per cent, replacing the former 5 per cent VAT, has triggered a cascade of issues, affecting even the workers whose wages have been cut. Anita, a worker in 'Tala Nagri', said she and her colleagues work longer hours for less money. Machines remain idle, demand is low, and wages have not kept pace with rising living costs, she said. Anita earns Rs 200 a day for nine hours of work in a windowless, cramped room. Her daily wage has increased by just Rs 50 since 2019, while inflation continues to soar. With a family of seven to support, most of my salary goes towards purchasing food, but even affording vegetables is a challenge now, she said. Despite her hardships, Anita expressed her intent to vote for the 'kamal' (BJP's party symbol) due to a perceived lack of alternative options. Her story finds resonance across the lock industry. While some like Anita continue to throw their support behind the BJP, there are also those seeking change. Anita's colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, is one of them. Bahut ho gaya ab (Enough is enough), she said, feeding steel sheets into a roller, preparing them for the intricate lock production process. She wants an alternative that prioritises wage increases. Against the backdrop of the elections, she reflected on the challenges confronting artisans like herself. The steadily rising costs of raw materials and overheads have impacted our trade, she said, emphasising the need for governmental support to safeguard traditional industries like lock manufacturing.

Uttar Pradesh: RLD onboard, BJP looks for dominance

LUCKNOW: Having acquired more political muscle through Jat support by taking Jayant Chaudhury-led RLD onboard, the BJP is aiming for a dominance on the eight seats Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura set to vote on April 26, while the Opposition bloc is ready to put a stiff fight. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP, while facing the challenge from SP-BSP-RLD grand alliance, won seven of these seats. Only Amroha was won by the alliance. In 2024, the BJP has reworked its strategy by allying with the RLD and allotting the Baghpat seat to the party that has Jats as its core support base. To regain lost ground, the SP has tied up with the Congress. The BSP is going it alone. In this phase, both SP and Congress are contesting on four seats each as per their seat-sharing arrangement. While the SP has fielded candidates in Meerut, Baghpat, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Aligarh, Congress will contest in Ghaziabad, Mathura, Amroha and Bulandshahr. The fate of former Union minister Mahesh Sharma, who is seeking a third term on the BJP ticket from Gautam Budh Nagar, Ramayan fame actor Arun Govil in Meerut and actress Hema Malini, who is seeking a hat-trick from Mathura, will be decided in this phase. Former Mumbai Police commissioner Satya Pal Singh is not in the fray this time. He had defeated RLD chief Ajit Singh in Baghpat in 2014 and Jayant Chaudhary in 2019. BJP has allotted Baghpat to the RLD and Dr Rajkumar Sangwan has been fielded as NDA candidate. Amroha is set to witness a contest among Congresss Danish Ali, BJPs Kanwar Singh Tanwar, and BSPs Dr Mujahid Hussain. The BSP suspended Ali, who was its MP from Amroha, last year for anti-party activities and he joined the Congress. The BJP stronghold Meerut will witness a three-way fight among BJPs Arun Govil, SPs Sunita Verma and BSPs Devvrat Kumar Tyagi. In Meerut, the S P has fielded dalit candidate Sunita Verma replacing OBC aspirant Atul Pradhan. The BJP won the seat in 1996, losing it to Congress in 1999 and BSP in 2004. BJPs Rajendra Agrawal, who has been denied the ticket this time, won the Meerut seat in 2009, 2014 and 2019. The BJP has replaced Agarwal with Govil. Baghpat, an RLD bastion, is in for a three-cornered contest among RLDs Rajkumar Sangwan, SPs Amarpal Sharma and BSPs Praveen Baisala. Former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh had won the seat thrice in 1977, 1980 and 1984. His son Ajit Singh won it in 1989, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2009. However, BJP candidate Sompal won the seat in 1998. A BJP bastion since it came into existence in 2008, the Ghaziabad seat is set for a fight between BJPs Atul Garg, Congresss Dolly Sharma and BSPs Nandkishor Pundhir. The BJP is banking on the popularity of Garg to retain the seat, while BSP plans to cash in on anger among Rajputs in rural areas over denial of ticket to two-time BJP MP and Union minister General (retd) VK Singh. The Congress is working on the Brahmin-Muslim formula. In Gautam Budhh Nagar, Mahesh Sharma, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019, is seeking a third term as the BJP candidate. He is facing the SPs Rahul Awana, a Gujjar leader, and BSPs Rajendra Singh Solanki, a Rajput. The Bulandshahr reserved seat is all set for a contest among BJPs Bhola Singh, who won the seat in 2014 and 2019, BSPs Girish Chandra, MP from Nagina, and Congresss Shiv Ram Valmiki. In Aligarh, BJPs Satish Gautam (Brahmin), who won the seat in 2014 and 2019, is in the fray for a third term. The BSP has fielded a Brahmin candidate, Hitendra Kumar aka Bunty Upadhyay, a former BJP leader. The SP has nominated Bijendra Singh. In Mathura, two-time BJP MP Hema Malini is seeking a third term. She is pitted against Mukesh Dhangar of Congress and Suresh Singh of BSP. The Congress was earlier planning to field boxer Vijendra Singh in Mathura but he joined BJP.

LS Polls: UP govt to provide medical kits for polling personnel in 2nd phase to combat hot conditions

LS Polls: UP govt to provide medical kits for polling personnel in 2nd phase to combat hot conditions In view of the soaring temperatures in Uttar Pradesh, medical kits to address health conditions such as heatstroke, will be provided to the polling personnel for the voting scheduled on April 26 across 8 constituencies in the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Directions have also been issued to ensure all necessary facilities for polling personnel and voters at polling stations. The polling parties will depart for polling stations on April 25 (Thursday) to ensure fair and peaceful elections in the state. The eight constituencies of UP that are going to polls in the second phase include Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura. These 8 Lok Sabha seats fall under 9 districts of the state, namely, Amroha, Hapur, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura. State Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said that instructions have been given to all the District Election Officers to send polling parties on time for the second phase of voting in 8 Lok Sabha constituencies scheduled for April 26. He mentioned that directions have been issued to all the concerned District Election Officers to ensure necessary facilities for voters and polling personnel at polling centres and polling booths. Before the departure of polling parties, the polling personnel will be provided with medical kits to address health conditions such as heatstroke. Because of the heat, tents, sheds, drinking water arrangements and other necessary facilities will be installed as per the guidelines issued earlier. In compliance with the directives of the Election Commission of India, continuous operations are being carried out across Uttar Pradesh by the Police, Income Tax, Excise, Narcotics, and other departments. For thorough inspection, 480 interstate check posts and 1836 check posts within the state are operational. From March 16 to April 23, 2024, the Police department seized 495 licensed weapons from criminals whereas licenses for 4553 weapons were revoked and deposited. Notices have been issued under the CrPC to 2,532,068 individuals over concerns of peace disruption, of which 2,061,166 have already been restricted. Additionally, the Police department seized 7650 unlicensed weapons, 7753 cartridges, 2900.32 kilograms of explosives, and 411 bombs. Besides, raids were conducted on 3153 illegal weapon manufacturing centres, while 148 were busted. On April 23, licenses for 249 weapons owned by criminals were revoked and deposited by the Police department. Under the CrPC, 36,978 individuals were restricted as a preventive measure. Additionally, 105 unlicensed weapons and 171 cartridges were seized. Raids were conducted on 96 illegal weapon manufacturing centres by the police. (ANI)

BJP MP From Hathras Rajvir Diler, 65, Dies After Prolonged Illness

BJP MP from Hathras, Rajvir Diler, (65) passed away at a hospital in Aligarh following a prolonged illness on Wednesday, party leaders said.

MP Rajvir Singh passes away after prolonged illness

MP Rajvir Singh passes away after prolonged illness BJP MP from Hathras, Rajvir Diler (65), passed away at a hospital in Aligarh following a prolonged illness on Wednesday, party leaders said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences on Diler's demise. ''The untimely demise of Shri Rajvir Singh Diler Ji, MP from Hathras Lok Sabha constituency is extremely sad and an irreparable loss for the BJP family. My condolences are with the bereaved family,'' Adityanath said on X in Hindi. ''I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family and their supporters to bear this immense loss,'' he added in his post. Diler was elected on the Hathras seat on a BJP ticket in 2019. For 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP denied him a ticket and has named Anoop Balmiki as its candidate from the seat.

Lock Industry In Aligarh Grapples With High GST Rates And Chinese Imports Ahead Of Polls

The Rs 4,000 crore industry of Aligarh, where lock making is likened to an art dating back to the Mughals, is not so robust anymore with shifting global market dynamics taking their toll.

Campaigning on eight LS seats for second phase in UP ends today

Lucknow: Campaigning for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in eight seats of western will conclude on Wednesday evening. The eight seats where polls will be held in the second phase are Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura. Polling for the second phase will be held on April 26. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

PM Modi doesn't do politics on religion basis: Rajnath Singh

Noida: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never done politics on the basis of religion or by dividing the society and stressed that his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh had in 2006 talked about extending reservation for the Muslims.The defence minister made the remarks at an election rally in Greater Noida in support of BJP's Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha candidate Mahesh Sharma. Prime Minister Modi on Sunday suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to the Muslims and cited Dr Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources. Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, Modi also alleged the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to infiltrators and hose who have more children. Addressing a gathering at Bisahda village in Greater Noida, the defence minister attacked the opposition for creating a ruckus at this time and trying to put a question mark on Prime Minister Modi. Sisters and brothers, it's not that I know the prime minister from today. We have had very good relations for a long time. He has never done politics of Hindu, Muslim and Christian. Our prime minister never thought of doing politics by dividing the society, Singh said. He (Modi) said at one place that Congress has said in its manifesto that we will get the properties surveyed. If it is said in the manifesto then why should people have any objection to it. What do you want to do by getting the properties surveyed? Do you want to distribute the country's resources equally? What do you want to do? he asked. The veteran BJP leader also asked the Congress to clear its position on the matter. Dr Manmohan Singh ji was the prime minister of India. I respect Dr Manmohan Singh ji even today, I have respect for him, brothers and sisters. Dr Manmohan Singh himself in the meeting of the National Defence Council at the Vigyan Bhawan on December 9, 2006, had said that if anyone has the first right on the property of this country, it is the minority and especially he had said that it belongs to the Muslims, Singh said. Sisters and brothers, whatever property and whatever resources there are in this country, everyone should have equal rights, he had said this, we did not say this. Now when the prime minister said this, these people created an uproar over it, he added. Singh said the Congress-led government had in the past formed several commissions, which had recommended in their report that out of the 27 per cent reservation for the OBCs, 6 per cent should be for the Muslims and 2 per cent should be for the minorities. We did not make this commission, he added. Escalating his attack on the Congress, Singh said, It did not stop at this. If someone from the Scheduled Caste converts, he should be given reservation despite the change of religion. Not only this, they (Congress) also ended the reservation of SC-ST in Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. These people have formed the government by dividing the country equally on the basis of Hindu and Muslim, he alleged. The senior BJP leader stressed that his party does not want to make the country by dividing it on the basis of caste, creed, religion, Hindu, Muslim or Christian, but wants to make India a great country of the world by keeping everyone together. Singh also slammed the opposition parties for their critical comments over the victory of a BJP Lok Sabha candidate in Surat, Gujarat, after he was elected unopposed. One of our candidates has won unopposed in Surat, Gujarat, the process of BJP's victory has started. But people of Congress and other political parties are saying that this is a threat to democracy. I want to ask this, I want to say to the friends of the Congress, I want to say to the people of the other party -- do not do politics by throwing dust in the eyes of the public, do politics by looking the public in the eye if you have the courage, Singh said. You also had your governments. Many times the MPs were elected unopposed. If your MP wins unopposed, democracy becomes stronger and if one of our MPs wins, democracy becomes weaker, he added. The BJP leader reminded that Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav had won unopposed in the by-election in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, in 2012. At that the time the Congress or the BSP did not see democracy in danger. Where do these people want to take the country? Singh asked. I say this often that don't do politics by misleading the public, instead look them in the eyes and do politics. They have made a 'tamasha' of everything. They want to seek public support by misleading them, he said. Also I urge the friends from the press, if I say something wrong, print it in newspapers and run it in on the television. I am someone who would acknowledge if I make a mistake. I am saying this because I have never engaged in politics by deceiving the public, he added.

Modi tarnished dignity of PMs post: Namrta

Mahila Cong resents PMs remarks Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 23: J&K Congress has not only termed the statement given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aligarh on Monday, targeting the Congress, pointing towards the Mangalsutra of women, completely irresponsible but has also termed it as a cruel joke along with the dignity of the post of Prime Minister. Partys general secretary and woman leader Namrta Sharma flanked by senior leader Kanta Bhan, general secretary PCC Santosh Majotra, secretary Jyoti Vaid, [] The post Modi tarnished dignity of PMs post: Namrta appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

My mom sacrificed her mangalsutra for this nation: Priyanka Gandhi

The day following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in Aligarh, reiterating that Congress would not hesitate to seize even the mangalsutras of our mothers and sisters, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra highlighted instances of sacrifice within her family. She mentioned that her mother, Sonia Gandhi, had sacrificed her mangalsutra for the country, while her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had donated gold to support the nation during times of war.

LS polls: Riding on development, welfare; BJP eyes retaining Aligarh against challenge of anti-incumbency, INDIA bloc

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PM Modi Escalates Political Attacks On Congress Over The 'Redistribution Of Wealth' | N18V | News18

PM Modi Escalates Political Attacks On Congress Over The 'Redistribution Of Wealth' | N18V | News18PM Modi doubles down on 'asset redistribution' charge in Aligarh, skips Muslim reference. Continuing from his previous remarks in Banswara, Rajasthan, PM Modi criticized the Congress for advocating the Maoist plan aimed at wealth redistribution.

Lot of work has to be done in next five years...: BJP candidate Hema Malini

Lot of work has to be done in next five years...: BJP candidate Hema Malini Bhartiya Janta Party Lok Sabha Candidate and two-term Member of Parliament from Mathura, Hema Malini, said on Tuesday that many developmental works have been completed and a lot of work has to be done in the next five years in Mathura with the support of the party. Hema Malini told ANI, I feel proud that I have done a lot of work and I have to do a lot of work in the next five years with the support of Prime Minister Modi Ji, Amit Shah Ji, Nadda ji and Yogi Ji. A lot of good development work has been done here, including the 84 Kos Parikrama, the purification of Yamuna, centres for girls education, and theatres as centres for cultural activities. Along with the darshan of the temple, you will get to see various cultural activities here. Responding to the question of how many seats the BJP will win this time, Hema Malini said that they will win 80 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Our party is saying that we will win from Mathura by a margin of more than 5 lakh votes. We will win by more votes than before. I appeal to all the people to vote when voting takes place on April 26th. Everyone should participate in it. I also appeal to the people of India that everyone should go and vote; each of your votes is very important, she said. Further, speaking on the Srikrishna Janambhoomi dispute, the BJP candidate from Mathura said that the issue is in the court and the court will decide but we are planning to make corridor for Banke Bihari Ji very beautiful, which is very congested and very soon work will start. Challenge is a challenge. You should not take it lightly. So, we will work hard, we have the capability to win. We have our work to show. Who will vote for someone who has not done anything? What has the INDIA bloc done till date? We will definitely cross 400, she added. The seats which will go to polls in the second phase on April 26 included-- Amroha, Meerut, Mathura, Baghpat, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahar. (ANI)

Meet Naima Khatoon, Aligarh University's First Woman Vice-Chancellor In 100 Years

Professor Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The Ministry of Education appointed Ms Khatoon after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the Visitor of the university.

Naima Khatoon becomes first woman Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University

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Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's incumbent MP Mahesh Sharma to face SP, BSP candidates in Gautam Buddha Nagar in Phase 2

The Gautam Buddha Nagar constituency will go to polls in the second phase on April 26 along with Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Mathura and Bulandshahr seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Naima Ist woman VC of AMU in 100 years

NEW DELHI, Apr 22: Naima Khatoon has been appointed as Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday. Khatoon was appointed after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is Visitor to the University, they said. Permission from the Election Commission of India (ECI) was also sought in view of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in place, they said. Naima Khatoon, [] The post Naima Ist woman VC of AMU in 100 years appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

PM Modi doubles down on 'asset redistribution' charge in Aligarh

Continuing from his previous remarks in Banswara, Rajasthan, PM Modi criticized the Congress for advocating the Maoist plan aimed at wealth redistribution. However, he refrained from explicitly suggesting that Muslims might be the primary beneficiaries of such a scheme. The fresh attack coincided with Congresss claim that PM had lied about their manifesto. Modi, however, stuck to his guns referring to the manifesto and Rahuls speeches.

PM Modi renews 'snatch, redistribute wealth' attack on Congress; tries to woo Muslims in Aligarh speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to address the concerns of Muslims a day after accusing the Congress party of attempting to seize people's wealth and redistribute it to Muslims. Speaking at an election rally in Aligarh on Monday, Modi emphasized the initiation of discussions on the issues faced by Pasmanda Muslims, the enactment of laws to abolish instant triple talaq, and the increase in the Haj quota.

PM Modi's redistribution of wealth remarks: What does Congress manifesto actually say?

NEW DELHI: A huge political row has erupted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech that the Congress manifesto promised that the party will redistribute wealth among infiltrators, if it comes to power. While the opposition parties are up in arms about the PM's speech and had approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking action, the controversy has turned the spotlight on the Congress election manifesto , which was released on April 5. I want to warn the countrymen. Congress and the INDI alliance have their eyes on your earnings and your property. The 'Shehzada' of Congress says that if their government comes to power, they will investigate who earns how much, who has how many properties...Our mothers and sisters have gold. It is 'stree dhan', it is considered sacred, and the law also protects it. Now these people's eyes are on the 'Mangalsutra' of women. Their intention is to steal the gold of mothers and sisters.If you have an old ancestor's home in your village and you also purchased a small flat in your city for the future of your children. Then they will take away one of the two, said Prime Minister Modi during an election rally in Aligarh. PM's remark against Muslims and Congress atrocious; silence of EC even more so: CPM On Sunday, Modi made similar claims during a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara. To buttress his claims, Modi also referred to former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's assets. The Congress, which has contested the PMs claims that the party says so in its manifesto, has said it will approach the Election Commission demanding action against Modi. It has also said that its chiefMallikarjun Khargehassought an appointment with Modi to educate him on the Congress manifesto. This is not the first time that Modi is attacking Congress for its promises made in the manifesto. Just a day after the Congress released the manifesto, the PM attacked it saying that the manifesto completely bears the imprint of the Muslim League. Congress issued a bundle of lies in its manifesto every page reeks of attempts to tear India apart. It reflects the thoughts the Muslim League had before independence, the PM had said during a rally in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur. PM Modi has resorted to lies: Congress on his 'redistribution of wealth' remarks On Wealth distribution Recalibrating its strategies for the 2024 elections, the Congress manifesto hinges prominently on the themes of social justice and equity. In the manifesto, the party has promised to conduct a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. If the Opposition alliance comes to power, the party also pledged to pass a constitutional amendment to remove the Supreme Court-mandated 50 percent cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The Congresss poll strategy in the recent assembly elections also revolved around the plank of caste census and social justice, though it did not resonate with the electorate. We will first conduct a nationwide caste census to determine how many people belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and minorities. After that, we will conduct a financial and institutional survey in a historic step to ascertain the distribution of wealth, Rahul Gandhi had said during the release of the manifesto in Telangana. Gandhis renewed call to expand caste quotas and surveys for wealth redistribution has sparked debate with many seeking clarity on his proposal. However, Praveen Chakravarty, a key member of the manifesto committee dismissed such arguments as ludicrous. Sharing a video message in X, Chakravarty said that Gandhi was referring to a more philosophical idea 'Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq' (rights proportional to population). The Congress has nowhere in the 48-page manifesto mentioned that we will take away someones wealth and give it to someone else. Its bizarre to even say that. We do not want to get into anyones house. It is the BJP who has been doing it, he said Rahul Gandhis question was shouldnt we aspire for a society that is representative in the rewards and the benefits as per identity?. Now we can have a legitimate debate on that. Is it utopian or not utopian or is it too idealistic or pragmatic. Mr Gandhi believes it can be aspired for. It does not mean barging into someones house and taking their wealth away, said Chakravarty. On BJPs Muslim League imprint claim While PM Modi and the BJP have been attacking the Congress over the Muslim League imprint in the manifesto, the Congress leaders challenge the BJP to find a single reference to Hindu or Muslim in the document. The manifesto is also silent on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act ( CAA),a dominant political issue in the 2024 general elections. 2024 LS polls: PM Modi claims Congress manifesto 'bears imprint of Muslim League' BJP defends Modi's remarks on Congress redistributing money to Muslims On minorities, the manifesto said, We will encourage reform of personal laws. Such reform must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned. The party also promises not to interfere with personal choices of food and dress, to love and marry, and to travel and reside in any part of India. It adds that all existing laws and rules which interfere unreasonably with personal freedoms will be repealed. On the upliftment of minorities, it said, the economic empowerment of minorities is a necessary step for India to realise its full potential and promises to ensure that banks will provide institutional credit to minorities without discrimination. we will ensure that the minorities receive their fair share of opportunities in education, healthcare, public employment, public works contracts, skill development, sports and cultural activities without discrimination. Responding to the Muslim League barbs, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had responded everyone knows how Syama Prasad Mookerjee formed his governments in Bengal, Sindh, and NWFP (North West Frontier Province) in the 1940s in coalition with the Muslim League.Modi-Shah's political and ideological ancestors supported the British and Muslim League against the Indians in the freedom struggle. Congress hits back at PM Modi's 'Muslim League' jibe, says BJP practicing 'politics of divisiveness'

Aligarh Muslim University Gets 1st Woman Vice-Chancellor

Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday.

First woman in 100 years, Naima Khatoon appointed as AMU V-C

New Delhi: Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday. Khatoon was appointed after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is Visitor to the University, they said. Also ReadAligarh Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Naima Khatoon Appointed As Vice Chancellor Of Aligarh University: Report

Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday.

Congress will snatch away people's wealth, says Modi

New Delhi/Aligarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated that the Congress would snatch away the property of Indians if it came to power at the centre. Asserting that the grand old party believed in the politics of appeasement, the Prime Minister claimed this was the mindset of Naxals and Communists. Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh, a Muslim-dominated constituency, the Prime Minister accused the Congress and its I.N.D.I.A. bloc ally Samajwadi Party of doing politics of appeasement. Parties like the Congress-SP always practiced appeasement politics and never did anything for the political-social-economic upliftment of Muslims, he said. On Sunday, while addressing a rally in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister had triggered a row by claiming that the Congress believed that Muslims have the first right to the wealth of the nation. In Aligarh, however, the Prime Minister changed tack and spoke of his governments contribution by coming to the aid of Muslims, be it triple talaq, increasing the Haj quota and making visa rules easier for Muslims to visit Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. Slamming the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, the Prime Minister said, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc members are hopeless, unwilling to look towards the future. They question why I speak of a developed India or making us the third-largest economic power. All they care about is their family and power greed. Warning the people of Aligarh against the Congress-SP, Modi said, they (Opposition) plan to confiscate property and money as they see fit, based on a survey they conduct. This is akin to Communist ideology, which has ruined many countries. Now, they want to implement this policy in India These family-oriented politicians have amassed vast fortunes by looting the people and have never shared their wealth with the poor, he said. The Prime Minister noted that Congress leaders have openly declared that if they come to power, they will investigate everyones earnings and property, even down to how much gold women possess, how many FDs employees have, and how much land farmers own. Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, he said: When I first came to Aligarh, I asked you to lock away the factories of nepotism, corruption and appeasement. You locked them so tight that even the two shehzaades cant find the key. Talking about several development initiatives aimed at the uplift of various sections of society, the Prime Minister noted that he had requested the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to increase the Haj quota. Today, not only has Indias Haj quota increased but visa rules have also been made easier. The government has also allowed women to go for Haj without Mehram, he said. Asserting that under the BJP-rule peace reigns in Aligarh, Modi said, Curfews were a daily ordeal in Aligarh, but not anymore. Under the SP government, riots, murders, and gang wars plagued us. Today, under Yogijis governance, peace reigns, and our sisters and daughters walk freely, without fear, he said.

Congress will snatch mangalsutra of mothers and sisters: Modi

At an election rally in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, PM says he has done much for Pasmanda Muslims and women

Modi Rekindles 'Wealth Redistribution' Allegations Against Congress

Modi Rekindles 'Wealth Redistribution' Allegations Against Congress Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress again of planning to redistribute peoples property if it is voted to power, but stopped short of saying that the wealth would go to Muslims. Addressing an election rally in western Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh, a constituency with a sizeable Muslim population, Modi accused the opposition Congress and the Samajwadi Party of following a policy of appeasement and yet doing nothing to uplift the socio-economic condition of the community. In contrast, he cited the enactment of a law against instant triple talaq and an increase in the Haj quota as moves during the BJP governments term to help the community. On Sunday, the prime minister had triggered a political row by claiming that the Congress manifesto promised redistribution of wealth after conducting a survey. Citing former prime minister Manmohan Singhs 2006 remark on Muslims having the first claim on the countrys resources, Modi said in Rajasthans Banswara that the Congress was set to hand over the wealth of others to infiltrators and those who have more children''. In Aligarh Monday, Modi repeated the point about redistribution of wealth, saying he wanted to alert people about the intentions of the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc. ''The Congress shahzade (prince) says if his government comes, they will investigate who earns how much and how much property they have. Not only this, he further says the government will take over the property and redistribute it. This is what their election manifesto is saying,'' he claimed, referring to Rahul Gandhi. ''Just think, our mothers and daughters have gold. This is stridhan (womens property). It is considered sacred, even the law protects it. But now they are eyeing a change in law and snatching the property of our mothers and sisters, he said. These people have their eyes on their manglasutras, Modi added, accusing the opposition of trying to steal the gold women possessed. He claimed that the opposition planned to conduct a survey of the property owned by salaried people. If you own two homes, it will snatch one the Congress will go that far, he said. ''This is Maoist thinking... this is communist thinking. By doing this they have ruined so many countries. Now the Congress and the INDI Alliance want to implement the same policy in India, the prime minister said. But, unlike in the Rajasthan speech that triggered the opposition charge of hate speech, Modi stopped short of saying that the wealth will be distributed among Muslims. He also did not refer to Manmohan Singhs statement made nearly two decade back. He said the Congress and the SP followed a policy of appeasement without doing anything for the social and economic progress of Muslims, and also referred to the Pasmanda Muslims the backward sections among the community. The lives of a number of daughters were ruined due to triple talaq. We made a law against it and made the future of the daughters secure,'' he said. Attacking the opposition, he said the 'parivarwadi' people have created empires by looting people and not giving anything to the poor from their immense wealth. Now their eyes have fallen on the property of people of the country. The Congress considers it as their birthright to loot people's wealth,'' he charged. The PM said the people of Aligarh had put a lock on dynastic politics, corruption and the appeasement practised by the two shahzade. The reference was to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who are fighting the Lok Sabha elections as allies. He referred to law and order in Uttar Pradesh and the security situation on the country's borders earlier when our brave sons were martyred every day. Today all this has stopped. Earlier, terrorists used to explode bombs, serial blasts took place. Even Ayodhya and Kashi were not spared. Bomb blasts used to happen every day in big cities, now there has been a full stop on serial bomb attacks,'' he said. ''What we did in 10 years is just a trailer, we have to do a lot of work, he said. The prime minister said he will work constantly for the country. Modi is born for 'mehnat' (hard work), not 'mauj' (enjoyment). Aligarh will vote on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. UP has 80 parliamentary constituencies, the highest number among all states.

PM Doubles Down Amid Row: Congress Will Take Away Your Homes, Jewels

New Delhi, Apr 22: Amid the massive row over his remarks at Rajasthan's Banswara, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today doubled down on his property redistribution charge at the Congress, alleging that the Opposition party is eyeing the property of citizens and wants to loot it. Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, he said members [] The post PM Doubles Down Amid Row: Congress Will Take Away Your Homes, Jewels appeared first on Northlines .

Pavna Industries Signs Agreement With OLA Electric To Provide Auto Components

As part of the pact, it will provide auto components like ignition switches and latches to OLA Electric across its manufacturing plants in India from its manufacturing unit at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Pavna Industries said in a statement.

Congress, SP hate it when I talk about Pasmanda Muslims, because their appeasement only helped the rich and powerful: PM Modi in Aligarh

Prime Minister said that Congress and SP have always been involved in appeasement politics and that it was the BJP that secured the lives of Muslim women by bringing legislation against triple talaq.

Put Aligarh lock on fate of SP, BSP: CM Yogi Adityanath asks voters

Adityanath urges 'Aligarh lock' in polls, supports candidates. Criticizes neglect by opposition, manipulation of faith. PM Modi's contributions garner BJP support. Mention of Aligarh University, defence corridor, Surya Tilak ceremony, and UP ministers.

Pavna Industries Expands into EV Market with Strategic Partnership with OLA Electric

Pavna Industries Expands into EV Market with Strategic Partnership with OLA Electric Steel and automotive player Pavna Industries on Monday said it has signed an agreement with EV player OLA Electric to supply auto components, marking an entry into the domestic EV sector. As part of the pact, it will provide auto components like ignition switches and latches to OLA Electric across its manufacturing plants in India from its manufacturing unit at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Pavna Industries said in a statement. ''With this partnership, we are foraying into the two-wheeler electric vehicle segment,'' Pavna Industries Managing Director Swapnil Jain said. Shares of the UP-based Pavna Group closed at Rs 561.40 apiece, up 4.99 per cent from its previous close on the BSE.

'You have put a lock to the factories of nepotism, corruption and appeasement of SP and Congress': PM Modi

PM Modi criticizes opposition, praises BJP initiatives, and condemns dynastic politics in Aligarh rally. Mentions strong lock legacy, financial survey criticism, and Triple talaq law support. Addresses Muslim appeasement issue and Yogi Adityanath's governance in UP.

`They Are Eyeing Your Property...`: PM Modi `Warns` Aligarh Against Congress

PM Modi alleged that the Congress party is embracing Maoist and communist ideologies, with intentions to seize the possessions and valuables of the common people.

UP : Put Aligarhi lock on the fate of Cong, SP, BSP: Yogi

Aligarh (UP): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress neglected the development of Aligarh, manipulated faith, tried to breach security and said that now is the chance to put Aligarh lock on their fate and entrust the countrys leadership to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for []

UP:Congress, SP have done nothing for economic upliftment of Muslims: PM Modi

Aligarh: Slamming Congress and Samajwadi Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that these political parties have always done politics of appeasement and have never done anything for the social and economic upliftment of Muslims. Addressing an election rally for the Lok Sabha Elections at Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh Prime Minister Modi said The people at the []

Congress, Oppn have eyes on peoples properties, planning to redistribute: PM Modi at Aligarh rally

When I discuss plight of Pasmanda Muslims...: PM Modi slams Congress, SP in Aligarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticized Congress and Samajwadi Party for their appeasement politics and lack of action towards the upliftment of Pasmanda Muslims. He cited the BJP's legislation against triple talaq as a significant step towards securing the lives of Muslim women. Modi also praised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his efforts in making the state a hub of self-reliance and promoting industrial development.

When I discuss plight of Pasmanda Muslims: PM Modi slams Congress, SP in Aligarh

The News Mill

PM Modi Briefs Public Rally In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | English News

PM Modi Briefs Public Rally In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | English News Riots, murders, gang wars, extortion etc were the trademarks of the SP government, this was their identity and their politics was also run by this. But now in Yogi Ji's government: PM Modi briefs public meeting in

PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Aligarh

PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Aligarh

LS polls: PM Modi to campaign in UP today

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh at 2 p.m. on Monday. Prime Minister Modi will campaign for the BJP candidate from Aligarh Lok Sabha seat, Satish Gautam. Also ReadNearly 66K Indians officially became American citizens in 2022: CRS report Home Minister Amit Shah will address a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Samajwadi Party struggling to save its Mainpuri, Kannauj bastions: UP minister

Samajwadi Party struggling to save its Mainpuri, Kannauj bastions: UP minister The Samajwadi Party is struggling to save its bastions of Mainpuri and Kannauj in the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said on Sunday and claimed that there is no impact of its alliance with the Congress. The Congress virtually has no public support in the state. As a result, there is no impact of its alliance with the Samajwadi Party, he claimed. Chaudhary, the minister for sugarcane development, said, ''The Samajwadi Party is struggling to save its Mainpuri and Kannauj seats and it will be extremely difficult for the party to save those.'' In Mainpuri, the BJP has fielded UP Minister Jaiveer Singh against Dimple Yadav, the incumbent MP and the wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Mainpuri goes to the polls in the third phase on May 7. In Kannauj, which goes to the polls in the fourth phase on May 13, the BJP has fielded sitting MP Subrat Pathak. The Samajwadi Party is yet to announce its candidate from the seat. Chaudhary further claimed that the BJP's alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) will prevent the division of about 20 per cent Jat votes as more than 70 per cent people from the community have so far been voting for the saffron party. The minister also asserted that the BJP will sweep western Uttar Pradesh, like it did in previous elections. ''In Mathura, Hema Malini will set a record for victory margin in the state,'' he said. The BJP's Hema Malini is eyeing a third term in the Lok Sabha from Mathura. Owing to the welfare programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the administration of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the BJP will register convincing victories in all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Chaudhary admitted that while the poll battle will not be a cakewalk for the party in a few areas due to the caste factor, the BJP will ultimately win the elections on the back of the government's welfare programmes. The minister also lashed out at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, saying, ''Her latest trick to give tickets to Muslims is not going to work. I have visited three constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh but did not find any support for the BSP.'' Chaudhary claimed the BJP will also get votes from Muslims after the Centre introduced a law criminalising triple talaq and other welfare programmes. Mathura will vote in the second phase of polling on April 26, alongside Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr and Aligarh.

Aligarh Muslim voters deem LS polls crucial for protecting communitys rights

Aligarh: Campaigning in Aligarh is subdued with major parties focusing on their core support bases. In the Muslim community, views on this Lok Sabha election seem to vary, with some seeing it as crucial for Indias pluralism while others feel neglected by political parties. Muslims are a sizeable community in the Aligarh parliamentary constituency. According Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .