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10:55 PM

Heavy passenger congestion at New Delhi Railway Station led to chaos situation

Heavy passenger congestion at the New Delhi Railway Station led to a "near-stampede" situation at platform numbers 12 and 13 due to delays in the departure of multiple trains on Sunday, an official said.

According to the police, no injury was reported. However, there was an extra rush at the railway station due to delay of a few trains.

Passengers were seen scaling the barricades and jumping queue.

Now, a few trains have left and the situation is under control, they said.

The situation escalated into a near-stampede scenario as multiple trains got delayed. The Delhi Police has implemented crowd management measures to prevent any untoward incident, they said.

10:22 PM

Discussions held to fast-track peace restoration in Manipur: Union Law Minister in Imphal

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Sunday that during the recent National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) programme attended by five Supreme Court judges in Manipur's Imphal, discussions were held on ways to fast-track peace restoration in the violence-hit state.

 

The Minister, who was in Manipur's Imphal, also highlighted the efforts of the BJP-led Central government to restore normalcy in Manipur, adding that the issue was also taken up for discussion in Parliament.

 

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme on the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the Manipur High Court, Meghwal said, "Five Supreme Court judges attended the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) programme in Manipur. I was there, too. We spoke at the event about how we are going to fast-track peace restoration (in Manipur). We discussed Manipur in the Parliament too... The Home Minister said that the proposal for Manipur after the President's Rule will be discussed in detail in the Parliament."

8:10 PM

Encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, officials said.

The encounter started when security forces launched a search operation in Sanyal village near the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector following information about the presence of suspected terrorists in the area, the officials said.

They said reinforcements have been rushed to the spot and further details are awaited.

6:53 PM

Situation completely peaceful in Nagpur, curfew lifted: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Curfew has been lifted in Nagpur as the situation in the city is completely peaceful, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday.

 

The CM was speaking to the media in the Pimpri Chinchwad area of Pune where he attended an event organised by the non-profit Paani Foundation.

 

The situation in Nagpur is completely peaceful. There is no tension anywhere. People of all religions are living together peacefully. Hence, the curfew has been lifted, said Fadnavis, who is a legislator from the city.

6:43 PM

Kejriwal accuses BJP of removing Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar photos after coming in power

BJP removed photos of Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar from government offices within 48 hours of coming to power in Delhi: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

AAP came to politics to work on ideals of Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Ambedkar, not for power: Arvind Kejriwal at party event

We need to continue our struggle, history will tell that only AAP fought against cruel rulers: Party chief Arvind Kejriwal

5:47 PM

Punjab: Narco-terror module busted; father-son among 4 arrested with 4 kg heroin

The Punjab Police Sunday said it has busted a narco-terror module with the arrest of four people including a father-son duo and recovered 4 kg of heroin from them.

 

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused were in direct contact with Pakistan-based drug smugglers.

 

An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, he said.

 

"In an intelligence-led operation, Counter Intelligence (CI), Amritsar, busts a narco-terror module and apprehends four persons and recovers 4 kg of heroin from their possession," the DGP posted on X.

 

Those arrested have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh and his son Navjot Singh, both residents of Tarn Taran road in Amritsar; Aniket, a resident of Chheharta in Amritsar; and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, a resident of village Sheron in Tarn Taran.

5:32 PM

Akhilesh defends SP MP's remarks on Rana Sanga; BJP alleges 'anti-Hindu mindset'

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday defended his party's Rajya Sabha MP Ramjilal Suman over his controversial remarks in Parliament on Mewar ruler Rana Sanga, saying that if BJP leaders can revisit history to discuss Aurangzeb then he has also just mentioned a page from history.

 

Suman sparked a controversy in the Rajya Sabha on March 21 by calling Rana Sanga a "traitor" and saying that Hindus are his descendants.

 

The BJP slammed Yadav for supporting Suman's remarks, saying it was an insult to the entire Hindu community. The ruling party accused Yadav of indulging in appeasement and said his remarks reflect the "anti-Hindu" mindset of the Samajwadi Party (SP).

 

During his speech in Parliament, Suman had said, Indian Muslims do not consider Babur as their idol. They follow Prophet Muhammad and the Sufi tradition. But I want to ask, who brought Babur here? It was Rana Sanga who invited Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi.

 

"So, if Muslims are called the descendants of Babur, then Hindus must be the descendants of traitor Rana Sanga. We criticise Babur, but why don't we criticise Rana Sanga?

 

Rana Sanga from the Sisodia clan of Suryavanshi Rajputs was the ruler of Mewar from 1508 to 1528.

 

Everyone is flipping through the pages of history. Ask BJP leaders which pages they are turning. What are they debating? They want to talk about Aurangzeb, Yadav told reporters while replying to queries on the uproar over Suman's remarks.

 

4:55 PM

'Religion-based reservation violates Constitution': RSS General Secy Dattatreya Hosabale

Amid the ongoing debate over the Karnataka government's decision to provide a four per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday asserted that the Constitution does not allow religion-based quota.

 

He also said such reservations go against the architect of our Constitution, B R Ambedkar. Addressing reporters here on the concluding day of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Hosabale said, "Religion-based reservation is not accepted in the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Anybody doing it is going against the wishes of the architect of our Constitution."

 

He also pointed out that previous attempts by erstwhile Undivided Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to introduce religion-based reservations for Muslims were set aside by the High Courts and Supreme Court.

 

Hosabale emphasised that the courts have rejected provisions for such quota. Responding to a query about the controversy over 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's grave in Maharashtra, Hosabale remarked that Aurangzeb was made an icon and not his brother Dara Shikoh, who believed in social harmony. People who went against the ethos of India were made icons, he said.

4:47 PM

Premium liquor manufacturers seek level-playing field in Delhi, sees hope in new govt

Domestic manufacturers of premium liquor, competing against imported brands in Delhi, hope that the new government will provide a level-playing field, opening gates to the availability of the choicest of local spirits in the capital.

 

With a new government in place in Delhi, liquor connoisseurs are hoping that they will once again be able to taste finest Indian alcoholic beverages like domestically-produced single-malt whiskies, wines and gins among others, liquor industry experts said.

 

Under the current excise policy, the high brand-licence fee has forced Indian alcoholic beverage makers to stay out of the Delhi market, they claimed.

 

"The Delhi excise policy favours imported alcoholic beverage brands. Today, it is prohibitively expensive and impractical to introduce domestic brands in Delhi, especially the premium Indian ones, which have low sales volumes," said Anant Iyer, director general of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies.

4:19 PM

Palestinian death toll since start of Israel-Hamas war tops 50,000

Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war. The ministry says more than 113,000 have been wounded.

 

The latest toll announced on Sunday includes 673 people killed since Israel ended the ceasefire last week with a surprise wave of airstrikes.

 

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its records.

3:40 PM

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta targets AAP for questioning her govt's commitment to patriotism

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday unveiled a new statue of Bhagat Singh at a park in Malviya Nagar on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas and criticized the opposition for questioning the BJP government's commitment to patriotism.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, she recalled how they had earlier raised a furore over Bhagat Singh's picture after her government took office.

"They asked questions, but when Bhagat Singh's statue was broken earlier, they never spoke about its repair. Where was their patriotism then? Today on Shaheed Diwas, we have installed a new statue because we truly honour our national heroes," she said addressing the gathering on the occasion.

The chief minister said "it is a very special occasion for me as two important people in my life" -- Malviya Nagar MLA Satish Upadhyaya and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj -- "are present here".

3:27 PM

Meerut murder: Jail officials claim Muskan, Sahil experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms

In judicial custody for allegedly murdering Saurabh Rajput, his wife and her lover are having a hard time adjusting to life in jail, with prison officials claiming that the duo were experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms.

 

Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla have been lodged in Chaudhary Charan Singh district jail here since last Wednesday after a court here sent the duo to judicial custody for 14 days.

 

Jail sources said the duo have been showing signs of extreme distress. "Muskan and Sahil are not able to sleep properly. They are also refusing to eat and drink," a source said.

 

While some speculate that this might be due to remorse, jail officials attribute it to drug withdrawal.

3:11 PM

'Don't doubt his ability, even at this age': Sunil Gavaskar on Dhoni's retirement

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar brushed off speculations regarding Indian legend MS Dhoni's retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), and said every time people raise this question, the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain proves them wrong.

 

Lauding Dhoni, he said age is just a number for him, and he still has the ability to hit the ball into the stands

 

"Why should we even ask that question? Why put pressure on him? Every time people question MS Dhoni, he proves them wrong. Don't doubt his ability. Even at this age, he's hitting sixes not just past the boundary but into the stands during practice. Age is just a number when it comes to Dhoni," Gavaskar, who is a Jio Star expert said on Jio Hotstar.

1:35 PM

1,243 forest fire incidents reported in J-K in 2024-25 fiscal: Minister Rana to Assembly

As many as 1,243 forest fires were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the 2024-25 financial year, more than double than the previous fiscal but almost identical compared to 2022-23, Forest Minister Javed Ahmad Rana has said.

 

However, most of the incidents are ground fires where only grass and bushes get burnt and tall trees are not affected, he said in a written reply to an unstarred question by the BJP's Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Legislative Assembly here on Saturday.

 

The minister said a total of 1553 incidents of forest fire were reported, covering an area of 2774.213 hectares, in the 2022-23 financial year but the number dropped to 607 over an area of 987.24 hectares in 2023-24.

 

In the current financial year till March 19, the number of forest fires was 1,243 over an area of 3,503.70 hectares, Rana said.

1:35 PM

Religion-based reservation violates Constitution: RSS

1:34 PM

Delimitation meeting by DMK a "big drama" to hide its 'incompetencies': AIADMK

1:34 PM

Gujarat achieves 95% of NITI Aayog's TB elimination target, emerged as best-performing State

Gujarat has made remarkable progress in 2024 toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of eliminating tuberculosis in India by 2025.

 

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the State government has achieved 95 per cent of the target set by NITI Aayog for TB registration and treatment success, with a 91 per cent treatment completion rate, according to an official release.

 

Gujarat was given a target of identifying and registering 1,45,000 TB patients in 2024. Against this, 1,37,929 TB patients were successfully identified and registered. Additionally, 1,24,581 patients successfully completed their treatment, recording a 90.52 per cent treatment completion rate. Furthermore, 1,31,501 registered TB patients have been provided with treatment facilities.

 

To ensure that TB patients remain motivated for their regular treatment and do not face any difficulties due to a lack of funds, the Gujarat government is providing Rs 500 per TB patient under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana to cover medication expenses, the release stated.

1:16 PM

Pakistan can build itself despite internal, external conspiracies: President Zardari

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday that his country will continue to build itself despite internal and external conspiracies.

 

Addressing the Pakistan Day military parade at Aiwan-e-Sadr (President's House), Zardari congratulated the nation and said that the objective of Pakistan was to set up a welfare state where the rule of law should be supreme.

 

Pakistan was achieved after many sacrifices and we would not hesitate from any sacrifice to keep it safe, he said.

 

He said that Pakistan, being a strong and determined nation, has the ability to face challenges and we will continue to build Pakistan despite internal and external conspiracies.

 

He alleged that India had always tried to cast an evil eye on Pakistan while militants through the fitna-e-Khawarj (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) also posed a threat to the country.

1:00 PM

PM Modi's Lex Fridman podcast now available in more than 10 languages

12:45 PM

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami flags off Fit India Run program in Dehradun

12:42 PM

Kerala CM warns against attempts by 'regressive forces' to appropriate legacy of freedom fighters

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday cautioned against "regressive forces" attempting to exploit the legacy of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, for cheap political gains.

Without naming anyone, the Left veteran stressed the need to uphold their ideals and strive for a just, equal, and democratic India.

Their sacrifices continue to inspire generations, Vijayan posted on his X handle on the martyrdom day of the great leaders.

"On the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, we remember their fearless fight for freedom and equality. Their sacrifices continue to inspire generations.

12:42 PM

After land subsidence in Howrah, residents left without water, power; restoration work underway

Authorities on Sunday said restoration work was being carried out on a war-footing even as residents were left without water or electricity as critical infrastructure was damaged due to a land subsidence in Howrah city of West Bengal.

 

A significant land subsidence took place in Belgachia area of Howrah city in the morning of March 21, damaging critical infrastructure, including a 1-km-long water pipeline.

 

The rupture led to an acute water shortage in several wards of Howrah Municipal Corporation, affecting thousands of residents, sources said.

 

Locals claimed that dozens of houses have been damaged or partially damaged due to the subsidence.

 

To mitigate the water crisis, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and nearby civic bodies have deployed water tankers and were distributing water pouches among the affected people.

 

Residents, however, complained that there were long queues and inadequate supply.

 

"KMC has already begun work to restore the pipeline, and water supply will be restored by Monday at the latest," an official of the civic body of adjoining Kolkata said.

 

Power supply has also been affected as several electricity poles have either collapsed or are at risk of falling due to the subsidence.

 

The administration has relocated 350 residents from 18 severely damaged houses to a local school for temporary shelter, officials said.

12:41 PM

India's traditional beverage Goli Soda sees strong demand in US, Europe, Gulf

India's traditional beverage Goli Soda is witnessing strong consumer response in key international markets, including the US, UK, Europe, and the Gulf, driven by strategic expansion and innovative reinvention, an official statement said on Sunday.

 

Under a strategic partnership with Fair Exports, India has ensured steady deliveries of Goli Soda, rebranded as Goli Pop Soda, to Lulu Hypermarket, one of the largest retail chains in the Gulf region, the commerce ministry's arm Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said.

 

"This iconic beverage, once a household staple, is making a remarkable comeback on the global stage, driven by its innovative reinvention and strategic international expansion," it said, adding the product has already made strong inroads in global markets, with successful trial shipments to the USA, UK, Europe, and Gulf countries.

 

The revival of this beverage, which had nearly disappeared due to the dominance of multinational beverage companies, marks a significant milestone in India's efforts to promote and export authentic, homegrown food and beverage products in the global markets, it said.

12:41 PM

KCBC flays Kerala govt's liquor policy

The Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC), the apex body of Catholic Church in the state, has criticised the Left government's liquor policy, accusing it of attempting to "drown the state in alcohol".

 

In its latest circular, the Temperance Commission of the Church body expressed concern over the government's decision to permit a new brewery unit in Elappully hamlet of Palakkad and the allocation of pubs and bars in IT parks, warning that the move would worsen alcohol consumption in the state.

 

KCBC constituted the Temperance Commission in 1998 with the slogan Alcohol free Church and Society'.

 

The governments, which come to power in consecutive terms, consider the production and distribution of alcohol as an easy means to enhance their revenue, the circular pointed out.

 

The circular was read in many churches here on Sunday in connection with the observance of an anti-liquor and anti-drug day, church sources said.

 

Claiming that Kerala is under the dangerous grip of synthetic drugs and liquor, it said the number of those who become its victims is steadily increasing.

12:40 PM

Shani Dev idol vandalised in UP'd Etah, sparks tension in village

An idol of Lord Shani Dev was vandalised by some unidentified people in the Mirhachi area of this district, the second such incident in a week that sparked tension in the locality, police said on Sunday.

 

According to officials, the incident took place on Saturday evening in Datei village. The idol's head, hands and mace were damaged.

 

Village head Pankaj Singh lodged a complaint against unknown persons and demanded swift action in the matter even as police officials urged villagers to maintain peace.

 

Circle Officer Sanjay Singh, along with Station House Officer (SHO) Neeta Maheshwari and a large police force, inspected the site. "This is a serious incident. We are investigating the matter from all angles and will arrest the culprits soon," Singh said.

 

The SHO appealed to locals to remain calm and assured them that police personnel had been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.

12:40 PM

Security forces bust two Maoist dumps in Chhattisgarh; seize firearms, explosives

Security forces have recovered a cache of firearms and explosives from two Maoist hideouts in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said on Sunday.

 

Acting on a tip-off, separate teams of security forces unearthed Maoist dumps on a forested hill of Markanguda village near Duled security camp and in a forest near a new camp at Mettaguda village on Saturday, an official said.

 

He said the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) and the district force were involved in these actions.

 

The official said they recovered six single-barrel muzzle-loading rifles, two 12-bore rifles, a country-made rifle, 20 live shells of barrel grenade launcher (BGL), 12 detonators, splinters, cordex wires, safety fuses, ammunition, gun powder, on country made bomb, 80 pieces of iron angles, equipment used in making BGL shells, a Maoist uniform and several other items.

 

The materials were hidden in forests as a part of Maoists' plan to launch attacks on security forces during patrolling in the areas, he added.

11:59 AM

Waqf Bill assault on Constitution, part of BJP's strategy to damage harmony: Cong

11:47 AM

Pak confirms second case of mpox in 2025

Pakistan confirmed the second case of mpox this year when a 29-year-old man tested positive for the contagious viral infection in Karachi, according to a media report.

 

The patient, a resident of Shah Latif town in Malir district, is currently under treatment at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), reported Dawn.

 

The patient arrived at the hospital two days ago with skin lesions, JPMC deputy director Dr Yahya Tunio said, adding that the patient is stable and being looked after in the isolation ward.

 

According to Tunio, the patient's wife, who recently travelled to Saudi Arabia, had similar lesions. He told us that her lesions later healed, the official said, adding the patient is also hepatitis C positive.

 

Sources said officials had started contact tracing following confirmation of the case while screening efforts had been intensified at airports and border entry points.

 

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant. This is the first case of mpox in Sindh.

 

According to officials, this year's first case was reported in January when a passenger arriving from a Gulf country in Peshawar tested positive for the infection.

11:33 AM

Election Commission 'dysfunctional', 'failed institution': Kapil Sibal

Terming the Election Commission "dysfunctional" and a "failed" institution, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has claimed that a large section of the people do not have faith in the poll body as it has not discharged its functions in accordance with its constitutional responsibilities.

 

In an interview with PTI, Sibal said the quicker the issue of lack of faith in the Election Commission is dealt with, the greater is the chance of saving democracy.

 

"The Election Commission is a dysfunctional body. The Election Commission has not discharged its functions in accordance with its responsibilities which are expected of it under the Constitution," he said when asked about the Congress' and TMC's allegations about voters list irregularities.

 

The Election Commission as it stands today is a "failed institution" and there is no confidence in the Election Commission among a large section of the people of this country, the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said.

11:31 AM

Trump says efforts to contain war in Ukraine ‘under control’

US President Donald Trump said efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine from escalating further are “under control”, reports Bloomberg.
 

Trump cited his “good” relationships with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as key to negotiating an end to the war. He was speaking in an interview with Outkick, a website that combines sports talk with conservative politics and which is owned by Fox Corp.

 

“It would be a great thing to be able to stop it,” Trump said in the interview aboard Air Force One on Saturday. “I will say this, nobody else would have been able to. Nobody. Zero.”