Page 284 - Bjp

Attempt to conduct Ram temple ceremony to hurt PM Modi: Mani Shankar Aiyar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempt to personally conduct the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya will prove costly given the disapproval of the four shankaracharyas who have refused to attend the ceremony, said Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar. The former Union minister said it is beginning to show who is the "real Hindu" -- one who knows the difference between 'Hinduism' and 'Hindutva'. "Modi's attempt at being personally present and personally conducting the religious ceremony has received such strong disapproval from the four accepted seers of the Hindu religion, who constitute what you may call the pontiffs of the Hindu religion, that it is all going to turn back on him. It will bite back," said Aiyar at the ongoing seventh edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) on Friday. Uttarakhand's Jyotir Mutt head Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has said that none of the four shankaracharyas will attend the event in Ayodhya as the consecration ceremony will take

BJP wins 25 seats in North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in Assam

The BJP has retained power in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in Assam's Dima Hasao district after the saffron party won 25 seats in the 30-member council election

ED raids residences of Bengal minister, TMC leaders; police dispatched

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday searched the residences of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, TMC MLA Tapas Roy, and another TMC leader in connection with the alleged irregularities in civic body recruitments. This was the first ED raid since the assault on its officers during a previous search operation at the residence of a TMC leader at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district in the ration distribution scam last week. In a departure from the previous ED raids, a substantial contingent of central police personnel cordoned off Bose's residence and prevented any gathering of party supporters near it. The central forces were equipped with additional protective gear, including helmets and automatic guns. The central agency's sleuths conducted searches at two residences of Bose in the Lake Town area of North 24 Parganas district, as well as Roy's BB Ganguly Street residence in central Kolkata and Subodh Chakraborty's residence in Birati, North 24

Youth Congress workers must fight fearlessly against injustice: Rahul

Every worker of the Indian Youth Congress will have to fight "fearlessly against the injustice" happening across the country, party leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday. Addressing the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers at their national executive meeting, he alleged that the BJP and RSS are "diverting" people's attention from the real issues. "Youth Congress workers will have to fight against the injustice happening across the country and keep in mind, 'saho mat, daro mat' (don't tolerate, don't be afraid). The BJP and the RSS are diverting people's attention from the real issues and deceiving the citizens," Gandhi alleged. The Congress leader said the youth has been "suffering under the burden of unemployment". "The youth is suffering under the burden of unemployment and inflation, but the government is celebrating by calling it 'Amrit Kaal'," he alleged. Gandhi also launched an initiative called 'Rozgaar Do, Nyay Do' (Give employment, give justice) at the IYC national executive

SC grants Union Minister Pramanik protection in attempt-to-murder case

BJP legislator and MoS for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik has been granted protection from arrest in an attempt-to-murder case in West Bengal

Participate in elections to reduce influence of dynasts: Modi to youth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described India's present-day youth as the most fortunate generation of the 21st century, poised to take the country to greater heights during 'Amrit Kaal', and urged them to participate in the electoral process to "reduce" the influence of dynastic politics. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 27th National Youth Festival here, Modi said dynastic politics has caused immense harm to the country and urged the youth to get themselves enrolled as voters as soon as possible. He also asked young people to stay away from drugs. India is the mother of democracy. If youth express their political views by casting their votes, the future of the country will be good. Better participation of youth in the democratic process will ensure a better future for the country, he said. First-time voters can bring new energy and power to India's democracy, he said. If you participate in active politics (and electoral process), you will be able to reduce th

BJP calls for 'dry day' in Jharkhand on Jan 22 ahead of Ram temple event

The BJP on Friday urged the Jharkhand government to declare a "dry day" on January 22 for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash urged for a ban on the sale of liquor and meat on that day in view of "Pran Pratishtha" at the Ram temple. "A grand ceremony is scheduled in Ayodhya on January 22 for 'Ram Lala Pran Pratishtha'. Lord Ram is known as 'Maryada Purushottam' and an ideal man due to his conduct, qualities and acts... He was in exile for 14 years... We remember Lord Ram whenever there are talks of culture and good conduct," said Prakash, the former BJP president of Jharkhand. "I request you to ban the sale of liquor and meat in Jharkhand on January 22," he added. Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Assam have already declared January 22 as a "dry day".

BJP's plea against BJD for using symbol to promote welfare schemes declined

The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to entertain a plea by BJP leader Jatin Mohanty seeking action against the Biju Janta Dal government in Odisha for using its party symbol of conch' while promoting the government's welfare schemes in advertisements. The court questioned the petitioner for approaching it instead of going to the Orissa High Court when the advertisements were being issued there. Why are you here? Go to Odisha and raise it before the appropriate court, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora said. It said it is not unique to one state and it is the story of every state now. As the bench was not inclined to entertain the plea, Mohanty's counsel sought liberty to withdraw the petition and file it before a court having jurisdiction over the issue which was allowed. The petitioner alleged there was arbitrary use and misuse of public funds by the BJD which was indulging in advertising various state government schemes, using the 'Conch' .

PM Modi holds roadshow in Nashik, offers prayers at Ramkund, Kalaram Mandir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Maharashtra's Nashik, where he offered prayers at Ramkund and performed pooja at Shree Kalaram Mandir. He is scheduled to inaugurate the National Youth Festival here. During his roadshow, which started from Hotel Mirchi Chowk, PM Modi was accompanied by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and many BJP leaders. Thousands of people thronged the roadshow route to welcome the PM. Various artists and special groups like the ones with the famous Nashik Dhol' and tribals held performances during the event. The nearly 35-minute-long roadshow concluded at Sant Janardan Swami Maharaj Chowk after covering more than 2 kilometres. After the roadshow, Modi reached Ramkund, located on the bank of Godavari river, where he was offered a traditional pagdi' (turban) by the Nashik Purohit Sangh president Satish Shukla. The PM performed Jal Pujan' and aarti' there. He also met Annasaheb More, chief of Akhil Bharatiya

BJP-led central government wants to demolish all slums in Delhi: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday alleged the BJP-led central government wants to demolish all slums in Delhi. Addressing a press conference, Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj said slums in the national capital are being demolished "in an inhuman manner" without rehabilitating the affected slum dwellers. Atishi alleged that in a meeting on January 9, the Centre directed land-owning agencies like the Delhi Development Authority and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to clear all slum clusters in the city. In November, a slum cluster between Sundar Nursery and Delhi Public School inhabited by about 1,000 to 1,500 people, most of whom worked as ragpickers, street hawkers, maids and labourers, was demolished following a court's order. The slum dwellers had claimed that they were asked to vacate their houses in two days with no offer from the government for relocation.

CM Mamata Banerjee asks Centre to change West Bengal's name to 'Bangla'

Trinamool Congress government has been pressing for the renaming of West Bengal since 2011. Paschim Banga, Paschim Bango, Bongo, and Bangla were among some of the suggestions

Ram Temple consecration: PM Modi begins religious exercise for 11 days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began a special 11-day religious exercise ahead of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. In a message, he said it is his good fortune that he will be a witness to this auspicious occasion. He said God has chosen him as an instrument to represent all Indians during the 'Pran Pratishtha' exercise and that he is undertaking the special religious exercise keeping this in mind. "I seek blessing from people," he said on X. The prime minister posted an audio message, noting that it is difficult to articulate one's sentiments at this time but he is making an attempt. "I am emotional. First time in life, I am experiencing such feelings," he said. Officials said Modi will be following the arduous guidelines detailed in scriptures related to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

SC sets aside NGT's order on Shimla Development Plan; BJP hails verdict

As the Supreme Court set aside the NGT curbs on Thursday, Bhardwaj said the people of Shimla were desperately counting on the apex court to rule in favour of sustainable development of the city

LIVE: Andhra CM Reddy disburses Rs 431 crore under Jagananna Thodu scheme

Catch all the latest LIVE updates from across the globe here

'TMC not to hold meet with Cong alliance panel for seat-sharing in Bengal'

The Trinamool Congress will not send its representatives for any meeting with the Congress' national alliance committee on seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections as it has already conveyed its position to the grand old party, TMC sources said on Thursday. The Congress panel has been holding seat-sharing talks with Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) partners from different states. TMC sources said the Congress contacted party leaders for such a meeting and has been conveyed that they are not keen on sending any representative for talks. They said the Trinamool Congress has offered two seats to the Congress -- the ones it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal has 42 parliamentary constituencies. The Congress has said the offer is too low and difficult to accept. Any change in the offer can only be made by Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, they said. The TMC is also looking at fighting from one seat in Meghal

Ram temple invite: Cong's north, south units divided; BJP hits out

The Kerala unit of the Congress on Thursday said BJP's Lord Ram is a "political creation" and backed the party leadership in declining the invite

WATCH: Bull spotted in UP SBI branch; wants Rs 15 lakh, says Akhilesh Yadav

As the video of the bull being spotted in the State Bank of India branch in UP went viral, social media users turned the incident into a meme fest, in which former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav also took part

Don't mislead farmers over neem-coated urea price: Mandaviya to Akhilesh

Fertiliser Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday made it clear that neem-coated urea is currently sold at Rs 266.5 per 45 kg bag and the same rates will continue, while hitting back at Samajwadi Party (SP) National President Akhilesh Yadav for misleading farmers over the issue. Responding to Samajwadi Party President's January 7th post on X, Mandaviya wrote on the social media platform, "First of all, I want to make it clear to you that neem-coated urea was available at Rs 266.5 per 45 kg bag, is available now, and will continue to be available." The research has led to development of new sulfur-coated 'Urea Gold' in the interest of farmers, he said and added that its new quantity and price have been decided. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the SP leader had raised questions on the vaccine made in the country. The entire country and scientists have not been able to forget, he wrote on X. "Today again you have made fun of the same scientists. I hope that you will not mislead the

SC to hear union minister Pramanik's anticipatory bail plea on Friday

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear on January 12 a plea of union minister of state for home affairs Nisith Pramanik seeking anticipatory bail in an attempt-to-murder case lodged against him in 2018. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal issued notice to the West Bengal government and asked senior advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for Pramanik, to serve the copy of the petition on the counsel for the state. It listed his plea for hearing on Friday. Pramanik has moved the apex court challenging the January 4 order of the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court by which it had refused to grant him anticipatory bail in the case. During the brief hearing, Patwalia said, "I am a Member of Parliament. The High Court has refused to grant me protection from arrest. I was earlier with the Trinamool Congress and now I am with BJP. Situation in West Bengal is very volatile, I may be arrested in this case, kindly grant me protection." The bench said his plea

Unfortunate, painful: BJP tears into Cong for declining Ayodhya invite

Reacting to the issue, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony of Lord Ram is a matter of joy for the whole nation