Amravati (Maharashtra), Jan 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Yashomati Thakur defended her statement that touching cows drives away negativity. She said, "All farmers pet their cows and bulls lovingly. There's nothing superstitious about it. I don't understand why it is being taken otherwise. I belong to Congress and believe in 'sarvdharm'. I am a Hindu but I also go to 'dargah'." Earlier on January 11, Thakur had claimed that touching cows drives away the negativity in us. She had added that it has been taught in our culture but we often forget.
Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Jan 13 (ANI): People of Tamil Nadu's Madurai are gearing up to celebrate the traditional bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu'. Health check-up was held for bull catchers in Madurai on January 13. Tamers are very excited to participate in the sport. Jallikattu is the world famous cultural competition of Tamil Nadu which is celebrated on Pongal. This year over 500 bull tamers have enrolled themselves in the competition in Madurai. The Supreme Court (SC) in 2014 banned 'Jallikattu' after a plea was filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) but the state government insisted Jallikattu was a crucial part of its culture and identity. The ban was later lifted in January 2017 with an amendment to the law after massive protests along the Marina beach in Chennai.
Kanakapura (Karnataka)/Bengaluru, Jan 13 (ANI): Right wing organizations led by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) held massive protest against construction of Jesus Christ statue in Karnataka's Kanakapura on Jan 13. Protesters alleged that the statue is being built on the land which was acquired through scam. While speaking to ANI, on protest against construction of 114-ft tall statue, Congress MLA DK Shivakumar said, "It is not my decision but that of villagers of Christian community, being MLA I have to help. Land was given for it, everything is legal,"said DK Shivakumar.
New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): While speaking to ANI in the national capital on January 13, the Minister of State (MoS) for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Sanjeev Balyan spoke on opposition meeting over Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). He said, "The meeting can be held but they won't be able to unite. If you will look in Uttar Pradesh over there Congress General Secretary in UP Priyanka Gandhi and former UP CM and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav are running in two different directions. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) is also moving in different direction." "They all are doing politics of Muslim vote bank and want their share in the same," MoS Balyan added.
Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 13 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Subhashini Ali condemned the remark of BJP West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh on protesters 'being shot' in Uttar Pradesh. Subhashini Ali said, "Today the most shocking statement has been given by Dilip Ghosh that government should come down strictly against those who are protesting the CAA. He has said that BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has 'shot protesters down like dogs'. It gives the lie to the statement being made so far by the UP government. Now after this statement, I hope that the Allahabad High Court will take cognizance." Dilip Ghosh on December 12 said that CM Mamata Banerjee's police didn't take action against people who vandalised public properties. He further added that 'our govt' in UP, Assam and Karnataka has 'shot these people like dogs'.
Patna (Bihar), Jan 13 (ANI): Opposition parties led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar staged protest outside Vidhan Sabha on Jan 13. They demonstrated against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC. CAA came into effect from January 11 amid unrest.
Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 13 (ANI): Two died after a bus rolled over on Agra-Lucknow Expressway due to low visibility near Fatehabad on January 13. Injured were taken to hospital. Speaking on the incident, District Magistrate (DM) of Agra Prabhu Narain Singh told, "Bus was going towards Lucknow. In order to save a truck, the bus rolled over on the highway. Unfortunately, two people died on the spot. Police reached at the spot and injured were sent to hospital. No one is seriously injured as of now. We are monitoring the status."
New Delhi, Jan 13(ANI): A 'weak' lava fountain accompanied by thunder and flashes of lighting erupted from the active Taal Volcano on Jan13.This signifies that lava has reached the surface of the volcano. Taal is the second most active volcano in Philippines. Meanwhile, 286 flights were cancelled.About 8,000 residents were evacuated from the region and Government has ordered the suspension of all work and school classes in the capital.
New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): Group of students staged protest outside office of Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar. Students raised slogans and held posters in their hands. The students seek rescheduling of exam dates, registration of FIR against Police and ensuring of safety of students. Students of Jamia have vehemently protested against CAA, NRC.
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 13 (ANI): YSR Congress Party leaders and supporters held rally in support of three-capital proposal by State Government. YSRCP supporters held posters favouring decentralisation of power. Several protesters were detained by police. Andhra Pradesh has seen acute unrest in last few days over the three-capital proposal by Jagan Mohan Reddy Government. Opposition TDP is vehemently opposing the proposal.
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 13 (ANI): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath informed that Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved proposal to setup police commissioner system in Lucknow and Noida. Speaking on it, Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police, OP Singh said, "It was a very historic moment when state government took decision of setting UP police commissioner system in Lucknow and Noida. UP cabinet has approved it today. I am so happy that this long-awaited demand of police officials and other professional bodies has now fulfilled. It was very important to set up such system here. I believe after introduction of police commissioner system, the law and order system and crime control in the state will be improved. It would be expected from this system to improve public grievances and law system." He further said, "We would appoint a women police officer to improve women security like Delhi Police. I feel it was important to setup police commissioner system in these two places."
Guwahati (Assam), Jan 13 (ANI): Former chief minister of Assam and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi spoke to ANI on his reported statement 'new political party a necessity in Assam'. He said, "I have not said that I will form a new party, some organisations said they are thinking of forming a political party, I said they are welcome to do so. All of us should work together to oppose CAA and defeat BJP."
Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh), Jan 13 (ANI): In a question paper of Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) examination, Bhil tribe was described as 'criminal-minded' and 'immoral'. Several BJP leaders staged protest against State Government. Speaking on it, BJP MLA from Pandhana, Ram Dangore said, "What is the Congress Government trying to do? Action should be taken against the person who has set this paper."
New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): EAM S Jaishankar received Secretary General Shanghai Cooperation Organization Vladimir Norov on January 13. EAM also tweeted the information of their discussion. Vladimir Norov is on 4-day visit to attend Raisina Dialogue 2020.
New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): While speaking to ANI, after top 208 VCs and academicians wrote to prime minister against the violence in academic institution, RJD leader Manoj Jha said that no need of Delhi Police, give responsibility to these 208 people. "It's a long list, they did the enquiry? No need of Delhi Police, give responsibility to these 208 people. Leftist loosed election if there is a rage in the campus then listen to their voice. Blaming leftist organisation for university violence will not serve the purpose. People are fighting with a copy of Constitution in their hand, either in Shaheen Bagh or anywhere in the country," said Manoj Jha.
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 13 (ANI): A proposal is being discussed to arrange 'sparsh darshan' at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 'proper' dress code. Deepak Agrawal, Commissioner, Varanasi said that we have discussed proposal to allow people for 'sparsh darshan' in proper outfit. He said, "In present, 'sparsh darshan' is only available after morning prayers, otherwise devotees can only have sight from distance. But devotees want to visit for a longer time. We are dwelling on the proposal to allow people for 'sparsh darshan' in proper dress code. Nothing has been decided yet."
Guwahati (Assam), Jan 13 (ANI): MLAs and leaders of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) staged protest outside Assam assembly against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Jan 13. A special session of the assembly has been called today for extension of SC/ST reservation.
Bhopal (MP), Jan 13 (ANI): Locals thronged markets to purchase their favourite kites in MP's Bhopal. Markets in Bhopal are flooded with varieties of kites ahead of the festival of Makar Sankranti. Nation celebrates beginning season of harvest on Makar Sankranti. It also marks the culmination of winters. Speaking to ANI, a local said, "We should all celebrate this festival and be considerate about the environment as well."
New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): The road safety stakeholders meet was organised in Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari met the stake holders. General VK Singh was also present at the meet. The agenda of the meet was to ensure road safety and to take preventive measures to avoid road accidents.
New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): Equity benchmark indices traded with a positive note during early hours on Jan 13. The BSE S-P Sensex was up by 215points to 41,814 while the nifty 50 ticked up by 55 points at 12,312. Except for nifty auto, all sectoral indices were in the positive zones. Nifty IT gained by 1.36%, pharma by 0.87% and FMGC by 0.77%.