Twenty-five people were killed and several others injured after a bus travelling from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal to Pune caught fire in Buldhana on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway.
“25 bodies are extracted from the bus. A total of 32 people were travelling on the bus. 6-8 people are injured. Injured are being shifted to Buldhana Civil Hospital,” said Buldhana Police Deputy SP Baburao Mahamuni.
The bus turned turtle and caught fire, police said. The incident happened around 2 am on Saturday.
Many of the passengers hailed from Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal, the official said.
Amid the ongoing violence, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh is scheduled to meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey and is expected to submit his resignation as the law and order situation in the north eastern state continue to worsen.
Manipur has been witnessing unrest for almost 60 days and as per reports, Biren Singh was given the option of either stepping down from his post or else the Centre would step in and take over.
As per a report by The Sangai Express, Biren Singh is expected to meet Manipur Governor around 1 pm on Friday (30 June) and hand over his resignation.
Meanwhile, a crowd of women congregated outside the Manipur chief minister’s secretariat and Raj Bhavan, urging Biren Singh not to resign.
A report by PTI said, the women asked the CM to take a “firm stand against the troublemakers”.
Manipur Violence
On Thursday, three people were killed in an exchange of fire between security forces and suspected rioters.
Protesters and political parties have been persistently demanding for the Centre’s intervention in Manipur. A month ago, members of Manipur’s Kuki community said they have lost faith in their CM and asked the Central government to bring normalcy in the state.
Earlier this month, as many as nine BJP legislators from Manipur wrote to PM Modi, saying that the people of the state had lost complete faith in Biren Singh-led government.
Clashes in Manipur
Since May 3, around 130 people have been killed in the clash between Meiteis and the Kukis in Manipur. Several houses have been raised to the ground during the violence.
The violence erupted following the organisation of a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre could introduce a bill on implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during the monsoon session of Parliament which is set to begin next month.
A report by India Today quoted sources saying the bill may be sent to parliamentary standing committee which will hear from various stakeholders on the UCC.
As per sources to PTI, the monsoon session is likely to begin in the third week of July.
The development comes within hours after Rajya Sabha Secretariat issued a public notice stating that a parliamentary panel, on July 3, will hear views of the Department of Legal Affairs, the Legislative Department and the Law Commission on UCC.
“Members are reminded that the next meeting of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice will be held at 3 pm on Monday, 3rd July 2023, to hear the views of representatives of the following organisations on public notice issued by the Law Commission of India on the Uniform Civil Code,” the notice read.
Members of the committee have been informed that their input on the UCC will be sought and considered during the July 3 meeting.
The concept of a UCC involves the formulation and implementation of personal laws that would apply to all citizens of India, irrespective of their religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. Currently, personal laws are governed by religious scriptures within various communities.
PM Modi, on Tuesday, emphasised on the need of uniform laws for people across communities, claiming that Muslims are being instigated over the sensitive issue.
The Prime Minister said the Supreme Court too has advocated for a UCC, but those practising vote bank politics are opposing it.
On June 14, the Law Commission of India invited the public and recognised religious organisations to provide their views and ideas on UCC. This highlights the commission’s commitment to examining the issue in a comprehensive manner.
A police officer in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, was sent to police lines after a selfie taken by his children with a significant amount of cash went viral.
The photo featuring the officer’s wife and two children posing on a bed with stacks of Rs 500 notes totaling Rs 14 lakh, prompted a swift response from authorities.
After the photo went viral, a senior police officer promptly initiated an investigation into the matter, leading to the transfer of the station-in-charge, Ramesh Chandra Sahani, to police lines.
Taking cognisance of the matter, Superintendent of Police Siddharth Shankar Meena sent the SHO to the police lines and ordered a probe into the matter.
Ramesh Chandra Sahani defended himself and said that the photo was taken on 14 November, 2021, when he sold a family property.
A senior police officer gave details about the incident, and told India Today, ‘”A photograph of a station-house officer is going viral on social media. It shows the cop’s wife and his children with bundles of notes. We have taken cognizance of the matter and the cop has been transferred to police line. An investigation has been launched.”
Tamil Nadu is witnessing a political row with Governor RN Ravi at the centre of it all. In late night developments, the governor first dismissed minister V Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers and then put the decision on hold.
Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) head and chief minister of the state MK Stalin said the Governor Ravi had “no power” to issue such an order and that his government would weigh legal options. “The Governor has no power to dismiss a minister… we will face this legally,” Stalin said.
Stalin, according to an Indian Express report, met with top DMK leaders and experts late on Thursday night. P Wilson, a senior lawyer and DMK MP, said to the newspaper that Ravi’s order is “null and void…a scrap of paper”. “It has no binding on the CM.”
As the standoff between the Governor and the government continues, we decode what happened on Thursday night and also explore if the Governor, in fact, has the power to dismiss a minister from the Cabinet.
Dismissed or not?
The entire issue began when Governor RN Ravi on Thursday night issued an order, dismissing V Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers, with immediate effect. For the unaware, Balaji was arrested two weeks ago and is in jail amid criminal proceedings in an alleged cash-for-jobs scandal dating back to 2014 when he was the transport minister under the previous AIADMK government.
The arrested minister had undergone a bypass surgery in a private hospital in Chennai on 21 June. This took place after the Enforcement Directorate had opposed shifting him to a private hospital. The Madras High Court allowed him to do so, a decision which was later upheld by the Supreme Court.
Initially, on Thursday night, Raj Bhawan said in an official release that Balaji “is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption, including taking cash for jobs and money laundering. Abusing his position as a minister, he has been influencing the investigation and obstructing the due process of law and justice.”
“There are reasonable apprehensions that continuation of V Senthil Balaji in the Council of Ministers will adversely impact the due process of law, including fair investigation, that may eventually lead to breakdown of Constitutional machinery in the State,” the release said, PTI reported.
“Minister V Senthil Balaji is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption including taking cash for jobs and money laundering…Under these circumstances, Governor has dismissed him from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect,” Tamil Nadu Raj… pic.twitter.com/mKRXNvNnbb
“Under these circumstances, the governor has dismissed Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect,” it added.
The order comes at a time when Chief Minister Stalin decided to retain him as a minister.
The initial dismissal, unsurprisingly, earned the governor the ire of the DMK government, with party members stating that he had no power to do so and additionally they would go to court on the matter.
DMK spokesperson Sarvanan was quoted as telling CNN-News18 the Governor has no legal authority to dismiss any minister. “He is undermining the Constitution, acting beyond authority. The Governor is a rubber stamp with no power,” he said, adding, “Who does the Governor thinks he is. ? Does he have the constitutional authority (to dismiss Senthil Balaji)? The Governor is undermining the Constitution. He is catering to the Sanatan Dharma. The law of the land isn't determined by the Sanatan Dharma. For a Governor, the Constitution should be the Bible, Gita, and Quran. He is acting like a clown, trying to appease his political masters. His order isn't even worth the paper it was drafted on. It must be consigned to the dustbin.”
M Appavu, Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, as per an Indian Express report said individuals occupying constitutional offices must uphold and abide by the constitution’s principles instead of being swayed by external directives. “The issuance of such an order by the Governor is tantamount to self-ridicule,” Appavu said. On the validity of the Governor’s order, he said, “It cannot be deemed constitutional nor is it obliged to be executed.”
Other opposition parties also criticised Governor Ravi – who shares difficult ties with the DMK – saying his action was ‘outrightly unconstitutional’.
Following the outrage and the possibility of legal action, different media reports, citing sources, said that the Governor had taken back his decision and would take a legal opinion from the attorney general on the matter.
According to the reports, Raj Bhawan’s previous order stands suspended till the legal opinion and Balaji will continue to be in the Cabinet. CNN-News18 reported that Governor Ravi’s decision to withdraw his previous order came on the advice from the Centre. Officials said the Governor was advised to take an opinion on the legality and constitutional position to avoid any potential embarrassment at the apex court.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has slammed Governor RN Ravi for his actions, saying his party, the DMK, was mulling legal action against him. File image/PTI
Governor right to sack Balaji?
While the DMK mulls its options and the Opposition attacks the Governor on his actions, the question still remains if Ravi was within his rights as governor to dismiss Balaji.
Article 164 (1) of the Constitution states that the chief minister shall be appointed by the Governor and “the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor”.
However, Supreme Court rulings have interpreted that the power of the Governor primarily flows from the “aid and advice” of the Council of Ministers. For instance, In Shamsher Singh v State of Punjab, a 1974 ruling by a seven-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court said that a Governor must exercise “formal constitutional powers only upon, and in accordance with the aid and advice of their ministers, save in a few well-known exceptional situations”.
Going by this, Governor Ravi’s decision is unconstitutional. As the Deccan Chronicle stated: “It is for Mr Ravi alone to explain which constitutional provision empowers him to question the choice of a member of the council of ministers. As someone who has seen democratic governance in the states and at the Centre from close quarters, Mr Ravi must ask himself if he would agree to the President of India taking a similar stand with respect to the choice of ministers in the Union Council of ministers.”
Former Secretary General of Lok Sabha PDT Achary, who is also a constitutional law expert, said that without the advice of the chief minister, a Governor can neither appoint nor dismiss a minister.
Interestingly, the Supreme Court in February had cautioned against the Governor stepping in to settle political rivalry – in the matter related to the political crisis that had erupted in Mahashtra between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.
The apex court had then said, “He (the Governor) cannot exercise a power that is not conferred on him by the Constitution or a law made under it. “They certainly do not empower the Governor to enter the political arena and play a role (however minute) either in inter-party disputes or intra-party disputes.”
Notably, this incident brings up memories of last year when Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan had written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, asking him to take “constitutionally appropriate action” against state Finance Minister K N Balagopal and cautioned against a possible “withdrawal of pleasure”. In response, Vijayan, at a press conference, said that the Governor‘s powers were “very limited” on the issue.
Rahul Gandhi leaves for Moirang from Imphal, to meet affected people in relief camps
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit the relief camps and meet the affected people in Moirang. Later, he will return to Imphal and meet 10 like-minded parties.
#WATCH | Manipur | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left for Moirang, from Imphal, this morning.
As per Congress' State President Keisham Meghachandra, he will visit the relief camps and meet the affected people there. Later, he will return to Imphal and meet 10 like-minded party… pic.twitter.com/VNMAbnh08B
Three injured as security convoy vehicle hits highway parapet
DSP J&K Police and two others were injured after an Amarnath Security Convoy Vehicle met with an accident near Bali Nallah on Jammu Srinagar NH, Udhampur.
Udhampur | DSP J&K Police and three others were injured after an Amarnath Security Convoy Vehicle met with an accident near Bali Nallah on Jammu Srinagar NH, Udhampur. Injured people have been shifted to District Hospital Udhampur for treatment: SSP Udhampur Dr Vinod Kumar pic.twitter.com/1GUFjVU6o8
First batch of Amarnath pilgrims reaches Kali Mata temple in Tikri
#WATCH | J&K: The first batch of Amarnath pilgrims was received by the district administration at Kali Mata Temple at Tikri in Udhampur district. pic.twitter.com/6cDx9SbzZl
Man wanted for US Capitol Hill attack arrested with weapons near Barack Obama's home
A man armed with explosive materials and weapons, and wanted for crimes related to the 6 January, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was arrested Thursday in the Washington neighborhood where former President Barack Obama lives, law enforcement officials said.
07:22 (IST)
Amarnath Yatra LIVE Updates
Security beefed up in Udhampur's Tikri, ahead of upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Parliamentary panel calls meeting on 3 July to hear views of stakeholders
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on Thursday called a meeting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during which it said it will hear the views of stakeholders.The committee led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi informed all the 31 MPs and members of the committee that their views on UCC would be sought and considered at the meeting on 3 July.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on Thursday called a meeting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during which it said it will hear the views of stakeholders.
The committee led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi informed all the 31 MPs and members of the committee that their views on UCC would be sought and considered at the meeting on 3 July.
The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, sex, gender and sexual orientation.
Currently, the personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.
Also, on June 14, the Law Commission of India solicited the views and ideas of the public and recognised religious organisations to examine the Uniform Civil Code.
Man wanted for US Capitol Hill attack arrested with weapons near Barack Obama's home
A man armed with explosive materials and weapons, and wanted for crimes related to the 6 January, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was arrested Thursday in the Washington neighborhood where former President Barack Obama lives, law enforcement officials said.
07:22 (IST)
Amarnath Yatra LIVE Updates
Security beefed up in Udhampur's Tikri, ahead of upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Parliamentary panel calls meeting on 3 July to hear views of stakeholders
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on Thursday called a meeting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during which it said it will hear the views of stakeholders.The committee led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi informed all the 31 MPs and members of the committee that their views on UCC would be sought and considered at the meeting on 3 July.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on Thursday called a meeting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during which it said it will hear the views of stakeholders.
The committee led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi informed all the 31 MPs and members of the committee that their views on UCC would be sought and considered at the meeting on 3 July.
The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, sex, gender and sexual orientation.
Currently, the personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.
Also, on June 14, the Law Commission of India solicited the views and ideas of the public and recognised religious organisations to examine the Uniform Civil Code.
Parliamentary panel calls meeting on 3 July to hear views of stakeholders
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on Thursday called a meeting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during which it said it will hear the views of stakeholders.The committee led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi informed all the 31 MPs and members of the committee that their views on UCC would be sought and considered at the meeting on 3 July.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on Thursday called a meeting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during which it said it will hear the views of stakeholders.
The committee led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi informed all the 31 MPs and members of the committee that their views on UCC would be sought and considered at the meeting on 3 July.
The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, sex, gender and sexual orientation.
Currently, the personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.
Also, on June 14, the Law Commission of India solicited the views and ideas of the public and recognised religious organisations to examine the Uniform Civil Code.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has withdrawn an order dismissing jailed DMK leader Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers hours after consulting with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to India Today, Ravi wrote a letter to DMK stating that Balaji would continue to hold his post as a minister.
A press release issued by the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan earlier today said, “Minister V Senthil Balaji is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption including taking cash for jobs and money laundering…Under these circumstances, Governor has dismissed him from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect.”
Balaji’s dismissal was met with fierce opposition from various parties with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin threatening to take the matter to court.
Many leaders said that the governor has no right to sack a state minister.
The ED took Balaji into custody after questioning and when he was being taken to Omandurar Government Hospital in Chennai for medical examination, the minister broke down in the car and had to be carried to the hospital.
Raids were carried out at Balaji’s Karur residence and his office at the state secretariat by the ED sleuths in connection to an alleged money laundering case. In addition to this, the premises of his brother and a close aide in Karur were also raided.
V Senthil Balaji, is Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise in the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government.
The response of Canada to the Khalistani issue seems to be driven by vote-bank politics, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, adding that India will respond if the activities affect on its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.
“For us, how Canada has dealt with the Khalistani issue has been a long-standing concern. Because very frankly, they seem to be driven by vote-bank politics,” Jaishankar said, while addressing an event on “9 Years of Modi Government: A Foreign Policy Overview” at the India International Centre in New Delhi.
The India’s foreign minister has again highlighted that the ties between India and Canada have been impacted in many ways in the last few years due to the Khalistani issue.
India has been persistently asking Canada to restrict pro-Khalistani separatist and extremist elements activities on its soil.
‘Canada’s response constrained by vote bank compulsions’
Jaishankar said the responses of Canada have all been, “to the best of my understanding, actually constrained by what they regard as vote bank compulsions”.
#WATCH | Delhi: Dr EAM S Jaishankar on Canada: “They seem driven by vote-bank politics. Their responses have been constrained by what they regard as vote bank compulsions. If there are activities in Canada that impinge on our national security & integrity, then we will have to… pic.twitter.com/knNz7z8e9B
"We (India) made it very clear and I have done so in public, which is that if there are activities that are permitted from Canada that impinge on our sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, then we will have to respond," the EAM said.
India-Canada ties impacted
“It is something which is a continuing conversation with Canada; not always a satisfactory conversation but it is something on which we are very clear. You can see that in many ways in the last few years, it has impacted our ties,” Jaishankar said.
There has been a rise in Khalistan activities in Canada over the recent past.
Earlier this month, a controversial tableau depicting the assassination of India's former prime minister Indira Gandhi was parade in Ontario, which drew strong criticism from New Delhi. Apart from Jaishankar and the High Commissioner of Canada in India, Punjabi diaspora settled in Canada too have condemned the tableau.
In March this year, Khalistan supporters protested outside the Indian Embassy in Canada and raised pro-Khalistan slogans.
The auspicious occasion of Bakra Eid or Eid al-Adha is being celebrated across the world today. On this holy festival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to people and also to leaders and citizens of Kuwait and Bangladesh.
“May this day bring happiness and prosperity to everyone. May it also uphold the spirit of togetherness and harmony in our society,” tweeted PM Modi on Thursday.
Greetings on Eid-ul-Adha. May this day bring happiness and prosperity to everyone. May it also uphold the spirit of togetherness and harmony in our society. Eid Mubarak!
On his own behalf and the people of India, PM Modi through a letter wished Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait; Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; Crown Prince of State of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; Prime Minister of State of Kuwait and to the people of State of Kuwait on the occasion of Bakra Eid.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait said, "In his personal letter, Prime Minister Modi conveyed that the sacred festival of Eid al-Adha is celebrated by millions of Muslims across the length and breadth of India."
"It reminds us of the values of sacrifice, compassion and brotherhood, which are essential in building a peaceful and inclusive world that we all aspire for," the Indian Embassy in Kuwait added.
تقدم معالي رئيس وزراء الهند السيد ناريندرا مودي بتحياته الحارة إلى حضرة صاحب السمو أمير البلاد المفدى ، وسمو ولي العهد ، وسمو رئيس مجلس الوزراء وشعب دولة الكويت الصديقة بمناسبة عيد الأضحى المبارك.
PM Modi also extended Eid al-Adha greetings to his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina and expressed confidence that the "sacred festival" will bring the people of India and Bangladesh "even closer".
"PM @narendramodi conveyed his warmest greetings to PM Sheikh Hasina and to the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the holy festival of Eid al-Adha. In his message, PM expressed confidence that the sacred festival will bring the people of India and Bangladesh even closer. @MEAIndia," the High Commission of India in Bangladesh tweeted.
PM @narendramodi conveyed his warmest greetings to PM Sheikh Hasina and to the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the holy festival of Eid al-Adha. In his message, PM expressed confidence that the sacred festival will bring the people of 🇮🇳 and 🇧🇩 even closer. @MEAIndiapic.twitter.com/8o5hRZLeHn
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the people killed in Tripura’s Ulta Rath Yatra mishap and ₹50,000 for those seriously injured.
“The mishap during the Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat is saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
“Rs. 2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 would be given to those injured in the mishap in Tripura,” he aded.
At least seven people died and 16 others were injured after the ceremonial chariot of Lord Jagannath came in with a high-tension wire in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Wednesday.
The mishap occurred around 4.30 pm in the Kumarghat area during the ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ or return car festival organised by ISKCON. During this festival, the sibling deities – Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhdara and Lord Jagannath – return to their abode in a chariot, a week after Rath Yatra.
Chief Minister Manik Saha also made a visit to personally asses the situation. Expressing grief, he stated that such an unprecedented tragedy has never unfolded in the history.
Six people, including two children, lost their lives due to electrocution in Tripura’s Unakoti district after a Lord Jagannath chariot came in contact with a high-tension wire.
Over 15 others have been left injured. The incident happened around 4.30 pm in the Kumarghat area during the ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ or return car festival organised by ISKCON, police said.
VIDEO | Six dead, 15 injured as chariot comes in contact with high tension wires during Rath Yatra in Tripura. pic.twitter.com/1fOYYL2yO1
Thousands of people participated in the celebration and were pulling the chariot that was made of iron. The rath came in contact with a 133 kv overhead cable. Parts of the Rath immediately caught fire and people fell on the road with their bodies on flame.
Six people died on the spot and 15 others received burn injuries, Assistant Inspector General (Law & Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury told PTI.
The injured people were taken to Kailashahar and Kumarghat hospitals in the district. Seven of them were later sent to the GB Pant Hospital in Agartala owing to their critical conditions.
PM Modi announces ex-gratia for victims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident was saddening.
“The mishap during the Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat is saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted.
Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the mishap.
Chief Minister meets injured people
Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Saha visited the victims in the hospitals.
“Never before has such an incident happened in the history of Tripura. I went to the accident spot and two hospitals. The seriously injured people have been referred to JB Hospital. A total of 7 people died and 16 were injured,” he said.
#WATCH | Tripura CM Manik Saha visits victims injured during the Ulta Rath Yatra tragedy when a chariot caught fire during the procession at Kumarghat in Tripura’s Unokoti district, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/qGMA6Zy1a7
Meanwhile, the state’s Power Minister Ratan Lal has ordered a probe by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation and asked the body to sumbit its report immediately.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for Uniform Civil Code (UCC), senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday said that PM Modi’s comparison between a family and the nation to justify UCC during his address to the BJP workers in Madhya Pradesh was flawed.
Taking to Twitter the senior Congress leader said, “The Hon’ble PM has equated a Nation to a Family while pitching for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). While in an abstract sense his comparison may appear true, the reality is very different.”
The Hon’ble PM has equated a Nation to a Family while pitching for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
While in an abstract sense his comparison may appear true, the reality is very different
A family is knit together by blood relationships. A nation is brought together by a…
He said that a family is knit together by blood relationships and a nation is brought together by a Constitution which is a political-legal document.
“Even in a family there is diversity. The Constitution of India recognised diversity and plurality among the people of India. A UCC is an aspiration. It cannot be forced on the people by an agenda-driven majoritarian government,” the Congress leader added.
Chidambaram said that PM Modi is making it appear that UCC is a simple exercise and advised him to read the report of the last Law Commission that pointed out it was not feasible at this time
“The nation is divided today owing to the words and deeds of the BJP. A UCC imposed on the people will only widen the divisions,” he tweeted.
The senior Congress leader said that PM Modi’s strong pitch for the UCC is intended to divert attention from inflation, unemployment, hate crimes, discrimination and denying States’ rights.
“The people must be vigilant. Having failed in good governance, the BJP is deploying the UCC to polarise the electorate and attempt to win the next elections,” he added.
During the Bhopal event, PM Modi, while making a strong pitch for the UCC, said the Constitution mentions of having equal rights for all citizens.
PM Modi said the BJP has decided it would not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics and alleged that the Opposition is using the issue of UCC to mislead and provoke the Muslim community.
Pasmanda Muslims, who are backward, are not even treated as equal because of the vote bank politics, the Prime Minister said.
‘Pasmanda’, a term for backward classes among Muslims, often finds a mention in Prime Minister Modi’s speeches, at party forum as well as government events, and how the government has worked for the deprived without any discrimination.
During his interaction with the party workers, PM asked if a family cannot run on two different rules, then how a country can run on dual rules.
PM Modi said Muslims are being instigated over the issue of the UCC and those who oppose it are doing vote bank politics.
While the Congress and the Opposition criticised PM Modi’s pitch for the Uniform Civil Code as a diversionary tactic and an instrument of “dog-whistle politics”, the BJP hit out at the Opposition parties, saying it is there in the Constitution as a directive principle of state policy and there is a Supreme Court “decision” also in this regard.
With its vision set on Renewable Energy Goal 2030, the Indian government is reportedly formulating a subsidy scheme, worth billions of dollars, aimed at bolstering the production of electricity grid batteries as part of its planned transition towards clean energy.
This scheme, proposed by the power ministry, seeks to introduce a production-linked incentive subsidy plan that will allocate a substantial sum of $2.63 billion from the current year until 2030. The subsidies will be made available to companies willing to establish battery cell manufacturing facilities within India, as per a Financial Times report.
What Are Grid Batteries?
Electricity grid batteries, often referred to as energy storage systems, play a crucial role in the modern energy landscape. These advanced devices store electrical energy during periods of excess supply and discharge it back into the grid during times of high demand. By doing so, they help to stabilize and balance the power grid, ensuring a consistent and reliable electricity supply.
These batteries are essential components in the transition to clean energy sources, as they facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, into the grid.
By capturing and storing surplus energy during peak generation periods, these batteries ensure a steady supply of electricity even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. They act as a vital buffer, mitigating fluctuations in energy production and enabling a smoother transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
India’s Transition To Clean Energy
The draft proposal for the subsidy scheme recognizes the limitations of expanding coal-based thermal generation due to growing international concerns about climate change and environmental impacts. It emphasizes the necessity of transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives and acknowledges that further reliance on coal is no longer a viable option.
Moreover, apart from driving the energy transition, the proposal also emphasizes the importance of domestic battery cell manufacturing in reducing India’s reliance on battery imports from its rival, China. It highlights the urgency of establishing local manufacturing capabilities for battery energy storage systems to ensure energy security and independence.
Renewable Energy Goal 2030
While the Indian power ministry has not yet provided an official response to questions about the proposal, it is evident that the government is taking proactive steps to accelerate the adoption of electricity grid batteries, encourage domestic manufacturing, and pave the way for a sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant energy sector.
The Indian government has planned to hit a national capacity of 500GW of renewable energy, and meeting 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewables, by 2030. As of 2022, India is the world’s third-largest producer of renewable energy, with 40 per cent of its installed electricity capacity coming from non-fossil fuel sources, as per data provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
A 62-year-old man, who is the father of a police constable stationed in Farrukhabad, went to Kirawali police station in Agra district on Tuesday with blood on his hands.
He claimed that he had killed his daughter-in-law after a heated family argument.
The victim has been identified as Priyanka Singh, a 28-year-old woman from Malikpur village.
The accused, Raghuveer Singh, confessed to the murder. The victim’s husband, Gaurav Singh, who is a police constable, was not present at the time of the incident.
Raghuveer explained to the police that his widowed daughter-in-law, who was living with her in-laws after the death of his elder son, often had arguments with her younger sister-in-law, Priyanka.
The accused man expressed his desire to keep both daughters-in-law together, but their frequent fights caused tension within the family.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Sonam Kumar, stated, “On Monday night, the argument between the two daughters-in-law escalated. When Raghuveer tried to intervene, Priyanka kicked him, causing him to fall. In response, he attacked his daughter-in-law with an axe, resulting in her death.”
Kirawali Station House Officer (SHO), Upendra Kumar Srivastava, added, “The accused’s son, who is a police constable, was on duty in Farrukhabad at the time of the incident.”
Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, an First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Raghuveer and five other family members.
“The victim’s husband, Gaurav, is also named in the FIR. The case has been registered under sections 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code,” SHO Srivastava further explained.
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong push for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) decided to oppose the proposed law.
The Personal Law Board held an emergency online meeting late on Tuesday evening hours after PM Modi advocated for the implementation of the UCC, asking how can the country function with dual laws that govern personal matters, and accused the Opposition of using the UCC issue to “mislead and provoke” the Muslim community.
The online meeting, attended by AIMPLB president Saifullah Rehmani; Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, chairman of the Islamic Centre of India among others, AIMPLB agreed on presenting its views more powerfully in front of the Law Commission, HT reported, adding that at the meeting, the documents to be submitted to the Law Commission were also finalised.
Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing BJP workers in Bhopal in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Modi also launched a stinging attack on the Opposition parties, contending they can only “guarantee” corruption, and accused them of being involved in scams worth “at least Rs 20 lakh crore”. He also termed the mega conclave of Opposition parties in Patna last Friday to stitch an anti-BJP alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as a mere “photo-op”.
The prime minister further said that those supporting ‘triple talaq’ were doing a grave injustice to Muslim daughters and that Pasmanda Muslims, who are backward, are not even treated as equals because of the vote bank politics.
PM Modi also talked about National Education Policy (NEP), saying that children should gain practical knowledge.
“The NEP says that children should gain practical knowledge – less teaching and more learning. The school does what it does, but if the booth workers can make a connection with them (children), it brings a change in the lives of children and the new education policy is itself enforced,” said PM Modi.
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to prohibit sale of meat in the open along the routes fixed for Kanwar Yatra, which will commence from 4 July.
“Respecting the faith of the Kanwar devotees, there should be no sale and purchase of meat in the open anywhere on the Kanwar Yatra route. Cleanliness-sanitization should be maintained on the yatra route,” the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.
Uttar Pradesh | Respecting the faith of the Kanwar devotees, there should be no sale and purchase of meat in the open anywhere on the Kanwar Yatra route. Cleanliness-sanitization should be maintained on the yatra route. In view of scorching heat, arrangements for drinking water…
“In view of scorching heat, arrangements for drinking water should also be made along the route. Wherever food camps are held, the team must check the quality of food items,” the statement added.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took the decision at a review meeting with senior officials, including police commissioners, divisional commissioners, district magistrates and superintendents of police.
Adityanath said that this year due to “Adhimas” (additional month), the month of Shravan is of two months duration. The festivals of Shravani Shivratri, Nagpanchami and Rakshabandhan will be celebrated during this period, he said.
“The traditional Kanwar Yatra will take place in the holy month of Shravan starting from July 4. Before this, Bakri Eid will be celebrated on June 29. It is clear that this time is sensitive from the point of view of law and order. So, we have to be constantly alert and careful.” he said.
“Respecting the belief of devotees, meat should not be allowed to be sold in the open on the Kanwar route. The route should remain clean and sanitised. There should be provision of streetlights. Since the weather is hot, arrangements of drinking water should also be made,” the CM said.
According to the statement, Adityanath asked the officials to install CCTV cameras on the yatra route and also deploy divers. The places for setting up of Kanwar camps should be marked in advance so that traffic is not obstructed, he ordered.
The chief minister also directed for ensuring that the sound of DJ, music, etc to be used during Kanwar procession is as per the prescribed standards.
“Give permission to the organisers of the event. But ensure that everyone follows the rules and regulations,” he said.
Adityanath also directed that there should be no display of weapons in religious processions.
“Some mischievous elements may try to unnecessarily provoke people of other communities, keep an eye on such matters. Additional police force should be deployed in sensitive areas.
The police force must do foot patrolling everyday in the evening. PRV 112 should remain active, and anarchic elements should be strongly dealt with,” he said.
At the meeting, the chief minister also noted that during Ramzan, traffic was not affected due to religious activities.
“This effort has been appreciated across the country. This time, on the occasion of Bakri Eid and Muharram, we will have to implement the same system. A dialogue should be made with the respective religious leaders/intellectuals in this regard by the local administration,” he said.
He added that the place for the sacrifice on Bakri Eid should be marked in advance.
“Sacrifice should not be done anywhere other than the previously marked place. In any case, make sure that no prohibited animal is sacrificed anywhere. There should be an action plan for the systematic disposal of waste after sacrifice in every district,” he said.
Last year during Shravan, about one crore devotees of Lord Shiva offered worship at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, and nearly six lakh people visited the temple every Monday during the holy month.
Adityanath said due to “Adhimas” this year, further increase in the number of devotees, who arrive in the state from all over the country, is possible.
Along with Varanasi, the local administration in Ayodhya and Sitapur should also make a systematic action plan in coordination with the temple administration, the statement said.
The CM also directed the officials on the issue of religious conversion of children through gaming/chatting apps.
“Incidents of illegal religious conversions have come to light in many parts of the country in recent times. We are familiar with the incident of conversion of teenage children through online gaming/chatting apps in Ghaziabad. It is very necessary to control such anti-social and anti-national incidents in time,” Adityanath said.
He further stated that the action of illegal religious conversion is being done by an international syndicate.
“This syndicate keeps an eye on disabled children and youths looking for jobs. Financial temptations are also being given. This entire syndicate of illegal religious conversion needs to be wiped out. Prompt action should be taken against any such activity,” he said.
Adityanath directed that senior officers posted at police station, circle, district, range, zone, and division levels should communicate with religious leaders of their respective areas and other eminent people of society. “Issue a positive message for the people. Have a meeting of the peace committee. Take the cooperation of the media, so that an atmosphere of peace and harmony prevails,” he said.
The CM also said that the ‘Safe City Project’ is proving to be extremely useful in fulfilling the promise of women’s safety, respect and self-reliance.
“Within the next three months, we will have to develop all the 17 municipal corporations and Gautam Budh Nagar district headquarters as safe cities,” he said.
Male cheetah, Agni, injured in fight at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park
An official claimed on Tuesday that a translocated African cheetah was hurt in a battle with other cheetahs at Kuno National Park (KNP) here.
Agni, the male cheetah, was hurt during a fight between two groups of cheetahs in Kuno National Park's open forest region on Monday evening, he said, adding that the injured cheetah was receiving care and his condition was improving.
Notably, six cheetahs have perished since March, including three of the four cubs born in the park, pointing fingers at the KNP's management and administration.
07:49 (IST)
India Monsoons LIVE Updates
Himachal Pradesh set to receive more rain: IMD
The IMD has forecast further rain for Himachal Pradesh for the remainder of the week, with heavy showers possible in certain areas.
Authorities in Himachal Pradesh said at least six people were killed between Monday and Tuesday. The state has borne the brunt of a monsoon that has barreled through the country with renewed vigour in recent days, after cyclone Biparjoy slowed the season's progress two weeks ago.
“There is a possibility of rain for the next five days. Heavy rain alert continues at some places of the state,” said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, IMD scientist, Shimla.
The state government advised tourists and residents to avoid unnecessary travel and not to venture near rivers and landslide-prone areas.
07:20 (IST)
India Monsoons LIVE Updates
Wet spell across India as rains advance, ‘orange’ alert in hills
Rain and storms continued to batter numerous regions of north, northwest and central India on Tuesday, as the southwest monsoon moved farther into the nation, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) authorities, with nighttime rains also keeping Delhi colder than usual.
According to the national weather service, the southwest monsoon has now enveloped most of the country, with just northern Rajasthan and small portions of Haryana and Punjab remaining outside the rainy season's footprint.
The monsoon will have passed across the whole country in the next two days, according to the IMD report.
Meanwhile, the meteorological service issued orange warnings for regions of Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
Rain and storms continued to batter numerous regions of north, northwest and central India on Tuesday, as the southwest monsoon moved farther into the nation, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) authorities, with nighttime rains also keeping Delhi colder than usual.
According to the national weather service, the southwest monsoon has now enveloped most of the country, with just northern Rajasthan and small portions of Haryana and Punjab remaining outside the rainy season’s footprint.
The monsoon will have passed across the whole country in the next two days, according to the IMD report.
Meanwhile, the meteorological service issued orange warnings for regions of Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
An orange warning indicates that disaster management officials should be ready to deal with any rain-related disasters or flooding.
According to weather office statistics, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand all had heavy rain on Tuesday.
A farmer takes extensive measures to safeguard his crops from harm. In a similar scenario, farmers of the Jahan Nagar village in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri donned bear costumes to protect their hard-earned sugarcane crops. According to ANI, around 40-45 monkeys have been meandering in the area and harming crops. Since no action had been taken upon repeated requests to the authorities, the farmers had to jump in to care for their crops themselves.
In general, farmers use various techniques like scarecrows, fences, cannons, sirens, motion lights, predator silhouettes, repellants among others to protect their crops. However, when everything else failed, Uttar Pradesh sugarcane farmers took to themselves. Gajender Singh, a farmer belonging to the same place said: “We appealed to authorities but no attention was paid.” adding, “So, many farmers contributed money and bought this costume for Rs 4,000 to protect the crops.”
Twitter Reactions
ANI shared the news on Twitter. The picture shows black bear-clad farmers seated in the fields. The heavily built mammals with large skulls and strong jaws possessing shaggy hair can certainly shoo monkeys away with their might.
The post has attracted over 13 lakh views. It has also received many comments.
The responses have been shared below. Have a look:
The crucial information reached concerned authorities, leading to a reply from Sanjay Biswal, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Lakhimpur Kheri. He said: “I assure farmers that we will take all measures to stop monkeys from damaging crops.”
Another user commented jokingly: “Monkey fear Bear.”
“Eeb Allay Ooo,” wrote another user in reference to the 2019 drama-comedy movie by the same name. In this movie, a young migrant worker is hired as a monkey repellent after becoming the newest member of the team to be stationed outside government buildings.
Similar incidents
According to a report by TheTimes of India, earlier, a farmer named Bhaskar Reddy from Koheda Mandal in Siddipet came up with the same ingenious way to frighten monkeys away. This was to protect maize, paddy and vegetables in his fields. As a result of the bear, monkeys would rarely venture into his agricultural fields.
A male passenger onboard a Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight was arrested for allegedly urinating, defecating and spitting on the floor of the aircraft.
The passenger, identified as Ram Singh, seated on 17F in Air India flight AIC 866 defecated, urinated and spat in the aircraft on row 9 DEF when it was mid-air, said the flight captain in the FIR filed at Delhi’s IGI Airport police station on 24 June.
The FIR further stated that the misconduct was spotted by the cabin crew and a verbal warning was issued to Singh by the cabin supervisor of the flight. He was secluded from the other passengers in the flight.
Later, the pilot-in-command was informed of the misconduct and a message was immediately sent to Air India office seeking security on arrival to escort the passenger.
“The situation agitated a number of other passengers on board the aircraft,” the FIR stated
On arrival in the Delhi airport, the head of Air India security attended and escorted the passenger to the local police station.
According to a report by ANI, the accused passenger is a cook working in Africa.
“On the complaint of the flight captain, Delhi Police registered a case — u/s 294/510 — at IGI police station and arrested the accused passenger. We produced him before a court which granted him bail. Further investigation is underway,” ANI quoted a senior official of Delhi Police as saying.
A case under sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) was registered, the FIR stated.
The incident comes months after a man, who was in an inebriated condition, on 26 November, 2022, allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger onboard an Air India flight from New York to Delhi.
On 6 December, 2022, merely 10 days after the Air India ‘pee-gate’ case, another episode of a “drunk” male passenger allegedly “urinating” on a blanket of a female passenger was reported on a Paris-New Delhi Air India flight.
A terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday, officials said.
The police further informed that one security personnel was injured in the operation.
#WATCH | One terrorist killed in an encounter in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition recovered. A search operation is underway in the area.
“01 local #terrorist neutralised. Identification and affiliation being ascertained. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition recovered. Search going on. Further details shall follow,” the Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 26, 2023
Earlier this month, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. According to officials, the encounter was reported in Dassal forest area of the district.
