News updates: Iran's supreme leader's comments on Indian Muslims are 'unacceptable', says govt

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10:26 PM

Iran's supreme leader's comments on Indian Muslims are 'unacceptable', says govt

India has said Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments on Indian Muslims are "unacceptable". Posting on X on the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, Khamenei had clubbed Indian Muslims with those in Gaza, talking about the sufferings in Myanmar, Gaza or India. "We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran," the foreign ministry has said in a statement.

 

7:27 PM

Imran Khan claims constitutional changes an attempt to keep him in jail

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday rejected the anticipated constitutional changes, claiming that it was an effort to keep him in prison by controlling the judiciary.

 

The 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician made the remarks during an informal conversation with journalists at the Adiala Jail, where he has been lodged since August last year.

7:26 PM

Karnataka Women's Commission gives Kannada film industry 15 days to come up with POSH plan

The Karnataka State Women's Commission on Monday asked a Kannada film chamber to come up with an action plan for putting together a committee against sexual harassment or give reasons why it is not possible to do that.

 

Director of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) N M Suresh and filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh, who attended a meeting in this connection, confirmed the commission's direction to the chamber.

 

In the meeting convened by KFCC with women artistes, as directed by the state Women's Commission a few days ago, the former was given 15 days to come up with an action plan for putting together a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace) committee or give reasons why it is not possible to do that.

 

"It is a small step in the battle for justice to women in the film industry. And today it really felt like we were in a battle even for this small gain," said Lankesh president of Film Industry for Rights & Equality (FIRE). She was present in the meeting.

 

Incidentally, FIRE set the ball rolling in the Kannada film industry when on September 4, it managed to get 153 artistes to undersign a petition to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, demanding a committee on the lines of the Justice K Hema Committee, whose report revealed instances of abuse and harassment of women professionals in Malayalam cinema, leading to outcry.

7:26 PM

53 roads closed in Himachal as rain continues, Met issues 'yellow' alert in 6 districts

A total of 53 roads were closed in Himachal Pradesh following heavy rainfall and five power supply schemes were disrupted, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said on Monday.

 

The local meteorological centre has issued a 'yellow' alert for thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of six districts of the state on Wednesday.

 

A massive landslide in the afternoon closed National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet road) connecting Chandigarh and Shimla near Kumarhatti in Solan district for some time.

 

According to the officials, there were no casualties, as no vehicles were passing through the affected area during the landslide. A video of the retaining walls coming down at Kumarhatti also went viral on social media.

 

Mild snowfall was reported in the higher reaches of Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti districts, signalling the onset of winter. Khushal, a local resident of Mari in Kullu, said temperatures have dropped after the snowfall.

6:42 PM

If Cong comes to power in J-K, landless farmers to get monthly support of Rs 4,000: Party leader Pawan Khera

6:42 PM

Cong to form minority commission in Jammu and Kashmir within 100 days of coming to power: Pawan Khera

Cong promises Rs 72/kg MSP for apple, 100 per cent insurance for all crops in Jammu and Kashmir, says Party leader Pawan Khera in Srinagar.

 

 

5:31 PM

Some people filled with negativity targeting India's unity and integrity: PM Modi in Ahmedabad

"Those filled with hate are not leaving any chance to defame India and Gujarat," says PM Modi in Ahmedabad.

4:55 PM

In first 100 days of my third term, they (opposition) made fun of me and insulted me: PM Modi

I decided not to respond to any insult but to ensure completing the govt's agenda for 100 days, PM Modi said today in Ahmedabad.

 

4:54 PM

Willing to join if minutes of meeting allowed to be recorded by both parties: Doctors to Bengal govt

Arrest of Kolkata Police officer by CBI in RG Kar case enhances need for meeting's transparency, the doctors stated today.

4:46 PM

Heavy rainfall causes inundation in few areas of coastal districts in South Bengal

Incessant rain in West Bengal's coastal districts and other areas, caused by a deep depression and persistent rain over the past two days, has inundated low-lying areas in various parts of the region, officials said.There are no predictions of further heavy rainfall. The rainfall affected normal life in several districts, including Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Kolkata. In Paschim Medinipur district, water level of Shilabati River is flowing above danger level, an official said.

4:41 PM

Women in Cinema Collective accuses TV channel of invading privacy; writes to Kerala CM

The Women in Cinema Collective, an outfit of women professionals working in the Malayalam film industry, on Monday wrote an open letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking his intervention to protect the privacy of women who have deposed in front of the Justice K Hema Committee. In the letter posted on its official FB page, the outfit alleged that a private Malayalam television channel is telecasting reports based on the purported statements given by the women film professionals before the government-appointed panel. The WCC said they were now witnessing a situation in which those statements were being dragged to an "irresponsible media trial' by the television channel.

4:31 PM

Delhi L-G to meet Kejriwal at 4:30 pm on Sep 17

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Lt Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, during which he is likely to tender his resignation. Saxena has given Kejriwal appointment for a meeting at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, official sources said on Monday.

4:28 PM

Cong leader seeks action against CM Shinde, Fadnavis for 'communal' Karnataka statements

A Maharashtra Congress functionary on Monday submitted a complaint to Mumbai police seeking action against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis for allegedly making communal statements.

Maharashtra Congress legal cell head advocate Raviprakash Jadhav, in his complaint to Colaba police station, alleged Shinde and Fadnavis, in a bid to inflame passions, had claimed police in Congress-ruled Karnataka had seized a Ganesh idol.

Jadhav claimed Bengaluru police had taken the idol during a Vishva Hindu Parishad protest on September 13 for safekeeping and to ensure they don't get damaged in the melee. The police later immersed the idol after completing all the rituals and many fact-checking organisations have revealed this, he said.

 

4:12 PM

''Vested political interests are now dictating protests': WB minister hits out at junior doctors

Senior West Bengal Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury on Monday criticised the ongoing 'cease work' by junior doctors, labeling it as "drama" and a "politicised event" intended to malign the TMC government in the state. Meanwhile, the agitating doctors continued their sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan, the headquarters of the health department, for the eighth day and their 'cease work' for the 36th day. "The junior doctors should now stop this drama. It has been going on for quite some time and has clearly crossed its limits. It is apparent that vested political interests are now dictating the agitation," he told reporters.

3:58 PM

CM Kejriwal seeks time from L-G for meeting on Tuesday; likely to tender resignation, says AAP

The AAP chief stated he would become chief minister and Manish Sisodia deputy CM "only when people say we are honest".

3:55 PM

DU students' union unveils Ambedkar's statue in north campus on final day of tenure

The outgoing Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president Tushar Dedha on Monday unveiled a statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar outside the student union office in north campus. The unveiling, aimed at honouring the Constitution maker and Bharat Ratna awardee, took place on the last day of the ABVP-led student union's tenure, an official statement said. Deputy Chairperson of MCD North Zone and Malka Ganj Councilor, Rekha Amarnath, who contributed to the completion of the project, was present at the event. A sapling was also planted during the ceremony.

3:40 PM

Kolkata case LIVE updates: Teachers take out rally demanding justice for murdered RG Kar doctor

As rallies continue to sweep the city streets demanding justice for the raped-murdered woman medic of RG Kar hospital, hundreds of school teachers joined the protests on Monday. The teachers marched from College Square to Shyambazar calling for the arrest of all those involved in the incident and a speedy trial.

Teacher Angshuman Nag said, "She (the deceased) is like our daughter. We call for the strictest punishment, condemn efforts to hide evidence and are appalled that the investigating agencies are yet to identify all those responsible for this heinous crime."

3:33 PM

Taliban has suspended polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan, says UN

News of the suspension was relayed to UN agencies right before the September immunization campaign was due to start. No reason was given for the suspension, and no one from the Taliban-controlled government was immediately available for comment.

2:55 PM

Kejriwal's decision to resign driven by compulsion, not principle: BJP's Delhi chief

The BJP's Delhi president Virender Sachdeva on Monday said AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's decision to resign as chief minister was borne out of "compulsion" and not driven by "principle". Sachdeva also alleged that none of the Delhi government departments was free of corruption under Kejriwal's rule. Days after being released from Tihar jail on bail in the excise policy case, the AAP national convenor said on Sunday that he would resign within 48 hours and sought early polls in Delhi. He vowed not to sit in the chief minister's chair till people gave him a "certificate of honesty".

2:37 PM

Assam: Probe ordered into policewoman's 'search' of pvt parts of examinee

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday directed the DGP to investigate the allegation of a job aspirant that a woman constable searched her private parts before she entered an examination hall in Nalbari during the test for filling up Group III posts. He also said the director general of police informed him of another incident in North Lakhimpur, where "cheating material" was recovered from a woman candidate during the exam.

2:13 PM

Goods train derails in UP's Sonbhadra

A goods train derailed here on Monday after debris from a nearby hill fell on it but no casualty has been reported yet, an official said. A wagon and the engine derailed when the goods train was travelling from Churk to Chopan. Railway staff have arrived at the site of the incident and efforts are underway to clear the debris and restore the track. 

2:12 PM

Maharashtra Dy Speaker Zirwal questions need for inclusion of Dhangars in ST category

Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal on Monday questioned the need to include the Dhangar community, classified as Nomadic Tribes, in the Scheduled Tribe category, a day after the government announced a panel to resolve the issue. Dhangars, a shepherd community from western Maharashtra and the Marathwada region, have been demanding inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The community claims it has been deprived of the quota as the Centre's database has no mention of 'Dhangar' but instead identifies 'Dhangad' as part of STs. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde chaired a meeting with representatives of the community on Sunday, following which the government announced that it would form a panel comprising three IAS officers to establish that ‘Dhangar' and ‘Dhangad' are different names of the same community.

1:54 PM

'India preps for next 1000 years, building sustainable energy path': PM Modi

Addressing the inaugural day of the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor's Meet (RE-INVEST) 2024, PM Modi said that today's India is preparing a base for the next 1000 years. "Our aim is not to reach the top but to remain on top. Today, not only Indians but the entire world feels that India is the best bet of the 21st century. Global Fintech Fest was organised earlier this month, after which people from all over the world participated in the first solar international festival. Then people from every corner of the world came to the Global Semiconductor Summit and now today we are gathered here to discuss the future of Green Energy," PM Modi said

1:48 PM

Sri Lanka's Leftist party vows to cancel Adani energy project if elected

The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on Monday vowed to cancel the Adani Group's wind power project in Sri Lanka if it gets elected in the presidential election scheduled for the weekend. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the presidential candidate from the broader front National People's Power (NPP), told a political chat show here that they would annul the project. The JVP, which led a bloody anti-India rebellion in the island nation between 1987 and 1990 following India's direct intervention in the Lankan civil war through the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord, is believed to be leading in the unofficial polls ahead of the September 21 election.

1:42 PM

Ball in BJP's court to hold early polls in Delhi, no decision yet on next CM: AAP

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Monday said it has put the ball in BJP's court by demanding early elections in Delhi in November, and now it is up to the opposition party to decide whether it was prepared to face CM Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal will tender his resignation as chief minister on Tuesday and the process to choose his replacement will start after that, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, adding that there has been no discussion on who the next chief minister will be.

1:31 PM

Kolkata case update: Bengal govt again invites junior doctors for meeting at Mamata's residence

The West Bengal government on Monday again invited agitating junior doctors to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence here at 5 pm to hold a meeting to resolve the RG Kar impasse. In a mail, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said representatives of the junior doctors have been invited to the meeting.

1:16 PM

21-day quarantine, tests: Bengaluru airport sets up Mpox testing stations

Bengaluru airport has opened four Mpox sscreening stations, where authorities are checking all the international travellers for elevated temperature and other symptoms. Those who test positive will be required to undergo a 21-day mandatory quarantine, similar to the protocols implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read here for more details.

1:10 PM

Congress gets chairs for 3 committees in Lok Sabha, 1 in Rajya Sabha

The Congress has been alloted chairs for three committees in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha, The Indian Express reported today.

12:48 PM

Nine of family hit by pickup truck in UP's Sambhal; 4 dead, 5 injured

Four members of a family were killed and five were injured when a speeding pickup truck ran over them here on Monday morning, officials said. The injured, two of them in serious condition, were sent to Aligarh for treatment, while the driver of the vehicle was detained, they said. The driver of the pickup truck also received injuries in the accident. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said around 6 am, some people from Bhopatpur village were sitting on the side of the road when an oncoming vehicle from Gawa hit them at high speed, due to which four people died on the spot.

12:41 PM

RG Kar Medical College's ex-principal gave 'deceptive' answers during polygraph, claims CBI

RG Kar Medical College's former principal Sandip Ghosh was found to be "deceptive" while answering important questions on the rape and murder of a trainee woman postgraduate doctor during his polygraph test and layered voice analysis, officials said. The CBI, probing the case, arrested Ghosh on September 2 in connection with financial irregularities at the hospital. The federal probe agency later added charges of evidence tampering against him.

During the investigation, Ghosh was subjected to layered voice analysis and polygraph test.