In a significant political development, BJP leader and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has strongly condemned the detention of several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher, by the Punjab Police. He accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government of attempting to sabotage ongoing talks between the central government and the farmers.Expressing his shock over the incident, Bittu stated that three Union ministers, who were engaged in discussions with the farmer leaders in Chandigarh, were equally surprised when they learned about the police action. According to him, the Punjab government’s move is a deliberate attempt to
Violence erupted in Nagpur on Monday evening following rumors that the holy book of the Muslim community had been burned during an agitation by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The unrest led to incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and violent clashes between two communities, leaving the city tense. Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal termed the violence as a failure of the state home department, alleging that ministers had been making provocative speeches in recent days to incite unrest. He criticized the government, saying it was deliberately fueling communal tensions to divert public
A blast occurred outside the Thakurdwara temple in Amritsar’s Khandwala area in the early hours of Saturday. The explosion, which damaged a portion of the temple’s wall, caused panic among local residents. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. CCTV footage shows two unidentified men arriving on a motorcycle, one of whom hurled an explosive device toward the temple before fleeing. Police suspect Pakistan’s spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to be behind the attack, allegedly using local youth as foot soldiers.Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that police were alerted around 2 AM by the temple priest, who was inside the
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) engaged in separate discussions with Kuki-Zo and Meitei civil society groups in Manipur on March 11 and 12, amid continued highway blockades by Kuki-Zo groups following the recent violence on March 8. The meetings aimed to address ongoing tensions in the strife-torn state and implement a 13-point action plan to restore normalcy.On March 11, A.K. Mishra, Adviser, MHA (Northeast), along with other officials, met representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), Zomi Council, and the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) in Churachandpur. Delegates from Kangpokpi, Chandel, Pherzawl, and Jiribam also participated in the discussions. The
Renowned Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja made history with the world premiere of his first-ever Western classical symphony, Valiant, at London’s Eventim Apollo Theatre on March 9 at midnight. The performance was further elevated by the participation of the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, making it a landmark moment in his illustrious career. With this achievement, Ilaiyaraaja became the first musician from Indian cinema to present a Western classical symphony in London, reaffirming his status as a musical pioneer.Valiant was recorded alongside the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Ilaiyaraaja recently shared an exclusive behind-the-scenes video showcasing its creation. The maestro revealed that writing
Kristen Fischer, an American woman who moved to India a few years ago, has sparked an online discussion by highlighting eight everyday habits in India that she believes would make most Americans uncomfortable. In a viral video, Fischer shared cultural differences she observed while living in India, from eating with hands to the absence of toilet paper in many households.Key Cultural Differences No Toilet Paper Fischer noted that toilet paper is not widely used in India, with many households relying on jet sprays instead. She explained that Americans, who are accustomed to using toilet paper, might find the alternative hygiene
The Uttar Pradesh government's claim that a boatman earned Rs 30 crore during the Maha Kumbh has sparked political controversy, with opposition parties questioning the figures. However, the state administration insists that boatmen were among the biggest beneficiaries of the 45-day religious event, which significantly boosted the local economy.According to the government's press statement, the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj provided financial relief to many working at the grassroots level. Over 1.5 crore devotees took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam using boats, according to Pappu Lal Nishad, president of the Prayagraj Navik Sangh. More than 4,500 boats operated round
The Supreme Court of India has directed the Centre to develop a regulatory mechanism for social media content while ensuring that it does not infringe on the right to free speech and expression. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh emphasized the need to balance freedom of expression with the necessity to prevent the misuse of digital platforms. The court stressed that any framework should involve consultations with all stakeholders and should be made available for public feedback before legislative or judicial measures are taken.The bench made these observations while hearing a plea from podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia
A 17-year-old girl from Mumbai is battling for her life after a 30-year-old man allegedly set her on fire when her mother warned him to stay away. The shocking incident took place in Marol, Andheri (East), where the accused poured petrol on the victim and set her ablaze. She is currently undergoing treatment for 60% burn injuries at Dr. RN Cooper Municipal General Hospital.According to reports, the accused had lived in the same neighbourhood for over a year and had been acquainted with the girl. Six months ago, the victim’s mother confronted the man after learning about their association and
