A Thai court dismisses a politician; the partys future is yet unknown.

Despite avoiding disqualification from politics, a political leader in Thailand who guided his party to an unexpected electoral victory amid concerns of upending the nation's strong conservative establishment is still in doubt about his own and his party's political future.   On Wednesday, Pita Limjaroenrat, 43, was found not guilty of violating election laws by running for office while owning stock in a media company, the now-defunct broadcaster iTV, according to a case dismissed by Thailand's Constitutional Court.Parliamentarians are not permitted to own stock in media companies under Thai law. Pita was granted a majority decision by eight of the nine judges on the panel, stating that he had not broken the constitution because iTV had not been in operation since 2007, prior to his application for the party-list candidacy. This decision is one of two much awaited rulings against Pita and the progressive Move Forward Party that may lead to the dissolution of Thailand's most successful party in the most recent election, as well as the imposition of bans and criminal charges against its leaders.   Pita told reporters outside the courtroom following Wednesday's verdict that he will keep working for the people and that he hopes to return to his parliamentary duties "as soon as possible." I'll be there whenever I'm permitted entry," he declared.   Cheering "PM Pita," a reference to his candidacy for prime minister, supporters outside the court declared that justice had been served. While some carried signs that said, "We will always support the party," others made fun of the Election Commission for bringing the matter before the judge. Bangkok resident Supravee Sansuk, 63, said she is once again confident in the Thai legal system as a result of the outcome.   "I was concerned that the decision would go the other way. I was therefore ecstatic to hear the good news. Pita was innocent from the start, and the court shouldn't have been notified of this case,

I Don Need To Start A Poll Campaign, People Take Care Of It: PM Modi In Uttar Pradesh

Bulandshahr/Rewari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, that he only sounds the poll bugle; the people are the ones who sound the development bugle. He made this claim while launching a number of projects in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking to a crowd in Bulandshahr following the official opening and foundation-laying of development projects valued at over ₹ 19,100 crore, he stated that discrimination and corruption would be eliminated once the government has reached all program participants. PM Modi continued, "This is true social justice and secularism.""Because of the honest service that Modi is providing you with, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty under our government, and those who remain have hope for their future. Since you are my family and your dream is what drives me, I will invest in your strength and that of other ordinary families," he remarked.Speaking of the "Modi ki guarantee," which aims to achieve saturation of social programs, the prime minister declared, "Our government acts on what it says." Our goal is to make sure that everyone who is eligible for government programs receives their benefits. Modi is offering a 100 percent (saturation of schemes) guarantee of saturation." "Once all beneficiaries are reached by the government, then there.The prime minister went on to say that his goal was to swiftly and impartially assist everyone in need. "For a long time after Independence, someone gave a slogan of 'Garibi Hatao', someone kept lying about social justice but the poor people of the country saw that only a few families got rich and their politics flourished," he stated in an apparent attack on the Congress.   Additionally, PM Modi mentioned that he saw some channels claiming that he would announce the results of this program.Modi will sound the election bugle in Bulandshahr, according to what I've seen in the media. Modi sounds both the development bugle and the welfare bugle for the last person in line. Modi doesn't need to sound the poll bugle right now, nor did he need to do so in the past. He said, "People never stop doing it for him.   "When people sound the bugle for him, Modi does not need to spend time in it, he spends time in serving the people," the prime minister stated.He added that a large portion of the nation was left impoverished for decades following Independence because development was restricted to a small number of areas.   According to PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh was disregarded for many years following independence because the people in charge of the governments acted like tyrants and kept the populace in poverty.   According to PM Modi, "such people saw the path of dividing society as an easy route to attain power," and he claimed that Uttar Pradesh's development had accelerated because of the BJP's double-engine government.He continued, "Building a developed India is not possible without Uttar Pradesh's rapid development." The prime minister added that his government was building a "suraksha kavach (protective shield)" around farmers' families because farmers' interests were its first priority.   In Bulandshahr, Prime Minister Modi stated, "This region gave us Kalyan Singh, who dedicated his life to 'Ram Kaaj' and 'Rashtra Kaaj'."   "In Ayodhya, I said 'pran pratishtha' has been completed, now it is time to take 'rashtra pratishtha' to new heights," he stated.Earlier in the day, the prime minister used a video conference to flag off goods trains from New Khurja and New Rewari, marking the beginning of a 173-kilometer double-line electrified section on the dedicated freight corridor (DFC). Additionally, he opened a train line that connected the Chipiyana Buzurg-Dadri and Mathura-Palwal sections. The national capital's rail connection to eastern and southern-western India will be enhanced by these new lines.   PM Modi unveiled several initiatives for road development. Additionally, he opened the Tundla-Gawaria pipeline for Indian Oil. This 255-kilometer pipeline project, which was built for approximately ₹ 700 crore, was finished far ahead of schedule.

Supreme Court Provides Relief to Samajwadi Party Leader Regarding Ramcharitmanas Remark

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed criminal proceedings against Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Swami Prasad Maurya in the case where he has been accused of having made "objectionable" remarks about 'Ramcharit Manas', a sacred text in the Awadhi language based on the epic Ramayana. In addition, the Supreme Court sent notice and requested a response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding Mr. Maurya's appeal against an Allahabad High Court ruling that had denied his petition to have the proceedings in a state Pratapgarh court quashed."Why must you always be so sensitive? It's up for interpretation. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta questioned the Uttar Pradesh representative, "How is it an offence?"   The bench said, "Notice... Stay of proceedings." Days had passed since the idol of 'Ram Lalla,' the baby Lord Ram, the ruling deity of the recently constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya, was dedicated. Mr. Maurya challenged the charge sheet against him and the lower court's summons order, which required him to appear before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, in his petition.On October 31, 2023, the high court rejected his plea.   An FIR was lodged in Pratapgarh district last year against Maurya and others on a resident Santosh Kumar Mishra's complaint.   A lower court received a charge sheet from the police against Maurya and other individuals, and summonses were sent to them.According to Mr. Maurya, there is insufficient evidence to support the accusation that he denigrated the Hindu scriptures.   

Despite not being on the ballot, Joe Biden wins the Democratic primary in New Hampshire.

Washington: Despite not even being on the ballot, President Joe Biden emerged victorious in Tuesday's unofficial Democratic primary in New Hampshire. South Carolina Democrats will formally hold the first vote on February 3, as Biden and the Democratic Party decided to renounce New Hampshire's role as the traditional site of the first-in-the-nation primary, which takes place after the Iowa caucuses.    Notwithstanding the national party's directive, New Hampshire—whose catchphrase is "Live Free or Die"—opted to proceed with its pollConsequently, the vote will not yield any delegates, so it will only have symbolic value in the overall nomination process.   Nevertheless, Biden backers launched a last-minute write-in campaign to stop two potential opponents from swooping in unopposed to claim an embarrassing but meaningless victory.   Despite their best efforts, the two relatively insignificant candidates, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson, have very little chance of unseating Biden because, in the contemporary political era, no primary opponent has ever won the nomination from an incumbent president.Biden has lived in New Hampshire before. In 2020, he ran a disastrous campaign for the Democratic nomination in this predominately white state; only the formidable backing of African Americans in the South Carolina primary kept him afloat. After winning, he essentially overthrew both Iowa and New Hampshire, telling the party hierarchy to rank South Carolina above both states. Although Democrats in New Hampshire, where holding the title of first in the nation is deeply ingrained in the state, were incensed by Iowa's quiet capitulation.Despite his four separate criminal indictments, New Hampshire was seen by Republicans as a crucial litmus test for whether Donald Trump would be able to hold onto his hold on the Republican Party.    With a resounding victory, he swept the northeast state, eliminating his lone credible Republican opponent, South Carolina governor and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who vowed to keep the race "far from over."    

Big Win For Donald Trump In Presidential Run-Up, Setback For Nikki Haley

Manchester, United States: On Tuesday, Donald Trump emerged victorious in the crucial New Hampshire primary, putting him one step closer to securing the Republican presidential nomination and setting up an incredible rematch with Joe Biden in the White House.Manchester, United States: On Tuesday, Donald Trump emerged victorious in the crucial New Hampshire primary, putting him one step closer to securing the Republican presidential nomination and setting up an incredible rematch with Joe Biden in the White House. The former UN ambassador during Trump's often turbulent presidency stated in a speech after the vote that the race was "far from over" and that Democrats "want" to run against her former employer.They are aware that Trump is the only Republican in the nation that Joe Biden can defeat," the 52-year-old Haley cautioned.   Haley had anticipated a significant upset given the northeastern state's high voter turnout. But as soon as the initial tallies were in, US broadcasters swiftly predicted her defeat.   Despite being the subject of four criminal trials since leaving office and having been impeached twice while president, Donald Trump was already the clear front-runner in national Republican polling. Even though Haley questioned the 77-year-old's mental state on several occasions and warned that another Trump presidency would result in "chaos," polls show that her efforts in New Hampshire were merely a speed bump.   Keith Nahigian, a former member of Trump's transition team and veteran of six presidential campaigns, told AFP that he believed Biden and Trump were the only contenders left in the race.   New Hampshire was markedly more Haley-friendly than states she will subsequently face, should she stay in the race, and continuing into February will be a tough sell without a win or at least a narrow loss.   Her next must-win stop will be her home state South Carolina.

Rahul vs Himanta in Assam: CM alleges Gandhi of ‘Naxalite tactics’; Congress MP says BJP actions helping Yatra. 5 points

Rahul vs Himanta in Assam: From facing restrictions in the state capital to being stopped from entering the temple, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is vehement opposition in Assam. Meanwhile, the Wayanad MP continued to lash out at the Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP at public addresses during the foot march. Recently, Rahul Gandhi reiterated that the Assam government is one of the most corrupt state governments in the country, and said that BJP's attempts to thwart Bharat Jodo Yatra are helping the foot march to gain publicity. His comments have come after the Assam CM asked the DGP to register a case against the Congress leader for "provoking the crowd" to break barricades in the state. Earlier in the day, the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was stopped from entering Guwahati on Tuesday, triggering protests from Congress workers who broke barricades and raised slogans. Amid the high-voltage drama unfolding in Assam due to the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, here are all the updates on the Rahul Gandhi-led foot march. Whatever the Assam CM is doing against the Yatra, it benefits the Yatra. The publicity that we might have not got, by doing this the Assam CM & Union Home Minister Amit Shah are helping us.   Now, the main issue in Assam is the Yatra. It is their intimidation tactics, our message of Nyay is reaching the people," said Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday while commenting on the restrictions imposed on his foot march in Assam. Touching important issues like unemployment, corruption, and inflation in Assam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called CM Himanta Biswa Sarma one of the most corrupt chief ministers in the country.Earlier in the day, Assam CM instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) to file a case against former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for "provoking the crowd" to break barricades, and called their actions "Naxalite tactics". Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was stopped from entering Guwahati. Heavy police force and barricades were placed in the main areas of the city. The restriction triggered massive protests from Congress workers who broke barricades and raised slogans. “We have broken barricades, but will not break the law," said Rahul Gandhi while addressing his party supporters on the outskirts of the city. A student interaction with Rahul Gandhi at the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, (USTM) located in Meghalaya's Ri Bhoi district, bordering Assam, was stopped on the instructions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claimed the Congress leader. 

India’s Republic Day invite to Afghanistan Taliban envoy Badruddin Haqqani is ‘routine’: Report

The Indian Embassy in the UAE has invited Taliban envoy Badruddin Haqqani for Republic Day celebrations. He represents Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. This gesture sparked significant debate. Critics argue that it indicates India's acceptance of the Taliban. However, Indian officials label it as a standard diplomatic procedure, as per The Hindu.Badruddin Haqqani, previously associated with the Haqqani network, is a contentious figure. This network orchestrated attacks on Indian missions in Afghanistan. The most notable was the 2008 Kabul Embassy bombing. It claimed 58 lives, including Indian diplomats and security personnel. The invitation for “His Excellency Badruddin Haqqani" has caused a stir in diplomatic circles.  Afghanistan's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashraf Haidari, expressed disappointment. “This is utterly against Afghans’ basic expectation of India as an emerging democratic power to protect and defend Afghans’ human rights and to support their growing resistance against the same terrorists who bombed the Indian Embassy in Kabul and killed and wounded many Indian citizens," The Hindu quoted Haidari as saying.Afghanistan's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashraf Haidari, expressed disappointment. “This is utterly against Afghans’ basic expectation of India as an emerging democratic power to protect and defend Afghans’ human rights and to support their growing resistance against the same terrorists who bombed the Indian Embassy in Kabul and killed and wounded many Indian citizens," The Hindu quoted Haidari as saying. Globally, no country officially recognises the Taliban regime. However, several nations, including Russia, China and Central Asian states, have accredited Taliban representatives. In December 2023, China even accepted a Taliban-appointed ambassador, a first among nations. The Taliban's appointment of Badruddin Haqqani as envoy was seen as a significant development by their Acting Foreign Ministry. This appointment indicates expectations of strengthened ties between the UAE and the Taliban. The UAE recognised the Taliban during its initial rule from 1996 to 2001. While India has not officially reacted, The Hindu cited official sources to report that it was a “routine" invitation. The invite was extended to all diplomatic missions in the UAE, barring Pakistan, as per the sources. Sources have also revealed to the publication that the Afghan Embassy in Abu Dhabi still displays the Republic's tricolour. This contrasts with the Taliban's black and white flag. The Indian Embassy in New Delhi, reopened by Afghan Consuls linked with the Taliban, also retains the flag of the “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan", the publication added.  

Modi shifts political agenda, failed to protect borders from China: Tharoor

Congress Working Committee member and MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shifting the political agenda every election year and alleged that the BJP-government at the Centre was unable to protect the nation's borders from Chinese encroachment.The hard hitting accusations from the MP from Thiruvananthapuram came on the eve of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony at Ayodhya on Monday. Tharoor said that Modi contested and won in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in the name of development and in 2019 in the name of national security by ordering surgical strikes on Pakistan.But now he cannot talk of development, following the problems caused to the public due to demonetisation nor can he raise the issue of national security as the government was unable to take back territory occupied by China, Tharoor claimed."So this time round, the only thing they have is their original cause -- Hindu Hriday Samrat. There is no doubt that would be their propaganda," he said. He further contended that the BJP's agenda was always politics."On January 22 the PM will officiate the ceremony at Ayodhya, then in February he will inaugurate a temple in Abu Dhabi and then elections will be announced. That is what I believe and I have said so earlier too," he told reporters.Tharoor said that the Congress plans to point out to the people the problems they are facing daily like scarcity of jobs, price rise and will ask them whether they have benefitted from the development claimed by the Central government. On being asked by reporters about the Congress leadership declining the invite to attend the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya, Tharoor said that the party felt it was a political programme.The MP from Thiruvananthapuram said that the party has always shown respect for religious beliefs of every individual."Each of us have our own religious beliefs and act accordingly. As a party, the stand is very clear. The Prime Minister is officiating what has become a very political exercise and we do not believe that is a good thing," he said.Asked whether he plans to offer prayers at a temple tomorrow on the occasion of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, Tharoor said, "I go to the temple to pray and not to play politics." He said people's faith and religious beliefs were a personal issue and he does not find fault with that. The Congress MP also found fault with the Central government closing the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on January 22 till 2.30 pm saying it would affect the large number of patients always waiting outside it for getting admitted or those requiring urgent medical aid."The government should withdraw the order. No hospital should be closed down. If people want to pray or watch the event on TV, that option is always available to them," he said.Meanwhile, AIIMS in Delhi has decided to remain open on Monday, reversing its earlier decision to shut OPD services till 2:30 pm on the occasion of the consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram temple.The Ram temple complex, built in the traditional Nagara style, will be 380 feet in length (east-west direction), 250 feet in width and 161 feet in height.  

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Live Updates: Ram Temple lit up on eve of Pran Pratishtha; Aarti performed at Saryu Ghat

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reached Dhanushkodi. He visited Arichalmunai, which is said to be the place from where the Ram Setu was built. The PM also performed pooja at Sri Kothandarama Swamy temple. 'Kothandarama' means Rama with the bow. According to popular belief, it was at this place that Ravana's brother Vibhishana first met Lord Ram and sought refuge. According to legends and ancient scriptures, this is also the place where Lord Ram conducted the coronation of Vibhishana. The PM will later wind up his 3-day tour of Tamil Nadu, during which he inaugurated the Khelo India Games 2023 in Chennai on Friday. On Saturday, he visited the Sri Ranganathaswamy and Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temples in Srirangam and Rameswaram, respectively. Stay with TOI for all live updates. On the eve of pranpratishtha ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Temple, the words 'Jai Sri Ram' illuminates a parade ground in Dehradun. Jewellers come up with new collections to commemorate Ram temple consecrationSeveral jewellery retailers have joined the bandwagon of the Ram Temple consecration, unveiling new collections with temple-style motifs and imagery of Lord Ram.Senco Gold & Diamonds has launched its 'SiyaRam' collection, while Kalyan Jewellers introduced 'Nimah', a heritage jewellery line-up, company officials said. "The atmosphere of devotion to Lord Ram is palpable everywhere in anticipation of the Ram Mandir inauguration,” said Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO of Senco Gold & Diamonds.TTD chairman hands over laddus to Ram temple representative in AyodhyaTirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman B Karunakara Reddy, who is currently in Ayodhya to participate in the consecration of the Lord Ram temple, handed over laddus from the temple body to a representative of the Ram Mandir Trust on Sunday.The TTD, the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, agreed to supply one lakh laddus for the Ayodhya Ram temple's consecration on Monday.Weighing 25 grams each, the laddus are meant for distribution among visitors during the consecration. They were dispatched in 350 boxes on a cargo plane to Ayodhya from Tirupati Airport recently.Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman reacted strongly on Sunday to a report in a Tamil newspaper that the Tamil Nadu government had banned special poojas in temples in the state managed by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments department during the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Monday. HR and CE minister P K Sekar Babu, who is attending the DMK youth conference in Salem, told TOI, “There is no such action.”Actors Kangana Ranaut, Shefali Shah, Pawan Kalyan, and Randeep Hooda were among the Indian cinema personalities who arrived in Ayodhya ahead of the grand Ram temple consecration ceremony.Veteran star Rajinikanth and music composer Shankar Mahadevan, who are also part of the event's guest list, were spotted at the Lucknow airport on Sunday as they left for the temple town. While about 8,000 people are in the long list of invitees for Monday's ceremony, the select list features 506 A-listers, including prominent politicians, leading industrialists, top film stars, sportspersons, diplomats, judges and high priests.Indian community in Taiwan celebrates the pranpratishtha of Ram temple in Ayodhya that will be held tomorrow, 22nd January 2024. Two events were organized on the eve of the occasion - one by the Indian diaspora in Taiwan and another by Isckon Taiwan.Actor Randeep Hooda along with his wife Lin Laishram arrives at the Lucknow airport to attend the Ram temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya tomorrowHe says, "We are very excited and looking forward to being present there and getting the blessings of Lord Ram. It is not just a religious event, it is also a cultural and heritage event..."Two Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHM, revolutionary mobile hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technology, have been deployed in Ayodhya to bolster medical readiness and response capabilities during the upcoming 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. This cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care. The Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies. It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.    

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Today in Politics: PM Modi to inaugurate Boeing campus in Bengaluru, caste census to begin in Andhra Pradesh

Plus, Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy will unveil a 125-foot Ambedkar statue in Vijayawada, and Karnataka Congress’s Lok Sabha election committee to meet in Bengaluru.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set for a whirlwind tour of three states on Friday. Making his second visit to Maharashtra in as many weeks, the PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Solapur around 10.45 am. In this week’s State Watch column, Shubhangi Khapre attempts to decipher the political signals from the PM’s Maharashtra focus. The PM will then travel to Bengaluru, where at around 2.45 am he will inaugurate a new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) campus. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the 43-acre campus has been built for Rs. 1,600 crore and is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the US. Modi will also launch the Boeing Sukanya Programme that aims to support the entry of more girl children into the country’s growing aviation sector. The programme will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers, according to the PMO. The government said at the time that it had committed to allocating Rs 15,000 crore annually for the welfare of the backward classes and would be able to direct resources to communities that need them the most if the population of each backward class group was known. In context: Last April, Jagan Mohan Reddy forwarded to the Central government an Assembly resolution asking it to simultaneously conduct caste census and population census but learnt that it would not happen anytime soon. The state government then decided to go ahead with the BC caste census to comprehensively enumerate backward classes region-wise, profession-wise, and under other parameters such as socio-economic status. Meanwhile, on Friday evening Jagan Reddy will unveil a 125-foot statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in Vijayawada. The statue, constructed for an estimated Rs 404 crore, stands on an 81-foot pedestal, making it a 206-foot monument. At a time when some of the major players in the INDIA alliance of Opposition parties are pushing for a nationwide caste census in an attempt to find an ideological counter-narrative to the BJP’s Hindutva politics, the Andhra Pradesh government led by YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is all set to begin a comprehensive caste census on Friday to enumerate all castes in the state.Initially, the scope of the exercise was limited to enumerating the 139 Backward Class (BC) communities but now it has been expanded to cover all castes in the state. To conduct the exercise, the government will extensively deploy the village secretariat system along with the volunteer system. The PM will then travel to Bengaluru, where at around 2.45 am he will inaugurate a new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) campus. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the 43-acre campus has been built for Rs. 1,600 crore and is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the US. Modi will also launch the Boeing Sukanya Programme that aims to support the entry of more girl children into the country’s growing aviation sector. The programme will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers, according to the PMO. Deputy CM and state Congress president D K Shivakumar has said former BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi who joined the party from the BJP before last year’s Assembly elections have also been invited to the meeting. Ministers in charge of districts have collected opinions from the areas under their jurisdiction and all that will be discussed at the meeting, according to Shivakumar.  

In Karnataka, Congress govt fights shy of Dalit sub-quota poll pledge, puts ball in Centre’s court

Siddaramaiah Cabinet decides to urge the Centre to amend the Constitution by inserting a provision under Article 341 – Article 341(3) – to allow states to provide internal reservations Despite promising in its manifesto that it would implement the Justice A J Sadashiva Commission report to provide for internal reservations for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka, the Congress dispensation in the state has now put the ball over the issue in the court of the BJP-ruled Centre.This was decided by the Congress Cabinet led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a meeting here on Thursday, following which the government said that the implementation of the Dalit sub-quotas would be only possible if the Central government ensures the amendment of Article 341 of the Constitution. “Parliament is the only authority (on the SC internal reservation issue). State government has no role – it is only a recommendatory body,” Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa said. The state government will compile a list of all recommendations made regarding Dalit sub-quotas and submit them to the Centre, he said.The Congress had made a pledge ahead of the May 2023 Assembly polls that it would accept the Sadashiva panel report soon after coming to power. However, the Minister claimed Thursday that it could not be done as the erstwhile Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government had rejected the panel’s report. “After the Congress announced (that it would accept the Sadashiva panel’s report), the BJP government, in a hurry, formed a Cabinet sub-committee under Law Minister and recommended SC internal reservations to the Centre. They (also) said that the Sadashiva Commission was irrelevant and closed,” Mahadevappa said.The Bommai government had announced the SC internal reservations in March 2023, days before the Election Commission’s model code of conduct came into force for the polls. The BJP government had then proposed sub-quotas in the 17% SC reservation in the state by splitting it into 6% for the most backward SC (Left) group, 5.5% for the less backward SC (Right), and 4.5% for the SC (touchable) group, with other SC communities getting the remaining 1%. This had triggered protests across the state, especially from the SC (touchable) groups such as Bhovis and Banjaras, who, in the past, were accused of cornering a lion’s share of the Dalit quota.  The SC sub-quotas announced by the BJP government was based on Justice Nagamohan Das Commission’s report, Mahadevappa said. “They announced it without applying any legal mind.”The Nagamohan Das panel was constituted by the then BJP government in October 2019 to look into the demand of hiking SC/ST reservation.The Sadashiva panel was set up in 2005 by the then Congress-JD(S) government to look into the demand for the SC internal reservations, which submitted its report in 2012 to the then BJP government. However, it has not been tabled by the successive governments led by all the three major players – the Congress, BJP and JD(S).  

FIR against Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra for route deviation in Assam

An FIR has been lodged against the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' and its chief organizer KB Byju for reportedly straying from the approved route within Jorhat town, Assam, on Thursday, PTI reported citing police sources. According to an official statement, the march took an unauthorized direction in the town, deviating from the permitted KB Road route, causing a "chaotic situation" in the area. Some people fell due to the sudden rush of people and a stampede-like situation was created. A suo motu FIR has been registered at Jorhat Sadar Police Station against the Yatra and its chief organiser," he added. As per the official, the FIR states that the Yatra failed to adhere to the norms set by the district administration and violated road safety regulations. In response, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia informed PTI that the FIR is a strategic move aimed at generating unwarranted obstacles for the Yatra. “There was no police manning the traffic diversion at the PWD point. The assigned route was too small and we had a huge gathering. So, we took a detour for just a few metres. Himanta Biswa Sarma is scared of the Yatra's success on the first day (in Assam) and now wants to derail it," he added. Furthermore, Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra reached Assam's Majuli. Party leader Jairam Ramesh said, “No rules have been broken. Assam Chief Minister is making all attempts to stop people from joining the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. No one can stop this yatra. We are in Assam for the next 7 years. Let them arrest us, we accept the challenge." Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi in a post on X said, “The Chief Minister of Assam is the most corrupt Chief Minister of India, whose only work is to loot public money under the guise of hatred." The Assam segment of the march is scheduled to persist until January 25, covering a distance of 833 km across 17 districts. The Yatra, under the leadership of the Congress MP, began its journey from Manipur on January 14 and is slated to conclude on March 20 in Mumbai. The overall plan envisions the Yatra traversing a total of 6,713 km over 67 days, encompassing 110 districts in 15 states.  

The history of pre-Independence violence at the Ram Janmabhoomi site

In 1855, when a great rapture took place between the Hindus and Muhammadans, the former occupied Hanuman Garhi in force, while the Musalmans took possession of the Janmasthan.On February 8, 1855, Major General G B Outram of the Awadh Frontier Police wrote to Wajid Ali Shah, the Nawab of Awadh, that there was a strong possibility of a Hindu-Muslim clash in Ayodhya. His fears came true five months later, when a bloody clash on July 28 left 75 members of the Muslim community dead.  In his recent book Tryst With Ayodhya, journalist-turned-BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Punj quotes Outram’s letter: “It appears that Shah Ghulam Hussein has assembled a large force of Musalmans at the Kotuahain neighbourhood of Faizabad and is intent upon committing some dreadful breach of peace and is determined to destroy and ruin Hanuman Garhi, which is inhabited by Hindus. His Lieut. (asst.) called the Maulvee Sahib is even more diabolically inclined and ready for strife; hence the mendicants and devotees, who are there at the Hanuman Garhi (temple) in defence of their lives, have been obliged to arm themselves. Therefore, the Resident feeling exceedingly anxious on this subject, entreats His Majesty to dispatch a very swift camel messenger with all possible speed, most peremptory orders to cause the immediate apprehension of Ghulam Hussein and his coadjutors.” In its November 2019 judgment granting the Ayodhya title suit to the Hindu side, the Supreme Court too referred to the clash. “The Janmasthan is within a few hundred paces of Hanuman Garhi. In 1855, when a great rapture took place between the Hindus and Muhammadans, the former occupied Hanuman Garhi in force, while the Musalmans took possession of the Janmasthan. The Muhammadans on that occasion actually charged up the steps of the Hanuman Garhi, but were driven back with considerable force. The Hindus then followed up this success, and at the third attempt, took the Janmasthan, at the gate of which 75 Muhammadans are buried in the martyrs’ grave (ganj-e-shahid). Several of the King’s Regiment were looking on all the time, but their orders were not to interfere.” The judgment added: “It is said that up to that time, the Hindus and Muhammadans alike used to worship in the mosque-temple. Since British Rule, a railing has been put up to prevent disputes, within which is the mosque (where) the Muhammadans pray, while outside the fence, the Hindus have raised a platform on which they make their offerings.” Punj argues in his book that even as early as 1751, when the Marathas were on the ascendant, they had appealed to the Nawab of Awadh – whom they had helped vanquish Pathan forces in the Doab region – to transfer control of Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura to them. In 1756, too, when Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula sought their help against an imminent Afghan invasion, the Marathas requested that the three sites be transferred to them. Punj later writes about another unsuccessful attempt to capture Hanuman Garhi made by one Amir Ali Amethawi, who was killed by British troops.This sparked from an FIR filed by a Mohammad Salim on November 30, 1958, against some Nihang Sikhs, who had installed the Nishan Sahib and performed a havan inside the Babri Masjid, also writing ‘Ram’, says Punj.All this happened against the backdrop of the events of 1857-58, variously called the Sepoy Mutiny or India’s First War of Independence.   

On way to Ayodhya, Ram is omnipresent, jostled by other concerns

There is Ram on flags, stoles, stickers and diyas as west UP gets ready to celebrate consecration; Muslims hold on to "peace", say Babri has nothing to do with them. IT IS almost noon and the winter fog has just begun to lift. From a distance, one can spot an array of saffron flags featuring Lord Ram fluttering at the shop of Joginder Singh. Located in Meerut on the Delhi-Meerut-Baghpat road, the shop also has on sale Diwali diyas, and piles of stickers and stoles with Ayodhya’s Ram Temple as the theme. A solitary Tricolour jostles for space.“Republic Day is coming, but there is greater enthusiasm for the Ram Temple inauguration. A lot of Shri Ram and Rudra Hanuman flags are being bought,” says Singh, 30. He usually sells baby diapers for a living. “But seeing the enthusiasm around Ram Temple, I have started selling these.” An Armyman, posted in Sikkim and at the shop bargaining for a flag, says, “it is all thanks to Baba (Yogi Adityanath)”. “Now we will celebrate January 22 (the day of the consecration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya) like Diwali.”Across these western UP districts on the way from Delhi to Ayodhya, which have a significant Muslim population and history of communal tension, the excitement over the Ram Temple is palpable but uneven – tempered by caste, by religion, often, just daily pressures. The Indian Express interacted mostly with those born after the Babri Masjid demolition of 1992, unburdened by the weight of that history, their worldview shaped by the new temple narrative. Across the street, Sumit Sharma, a cigarette shop owner, and Sunny — both 30 – are discussing holding a drive to collect money from shopkeepers to decorate the market with lights on January 22. The talk moves on to how “(Prime Minister) Modi has put Muslims in their place”. Have Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan or Aamir Khan donated for the temple, they ask. “After three decades, the sacrifice of Hindus is bearing fruition. People are euphoric,” beams Sharma. A Brahmin who loves watching YouTube videos, particularly those of his favourite “Khan sir”, Sharma adds: “Once this market was dominated by Muslims. But after the 1987 riots, they retreated to the main city.” Sunny, who is a Kumhar (an OBC caste), says there are more changes ahead. “You will soon see crowds at Mathura Vrindavan falling by half. Krishna’s time is over, Ram is rising.”Outside the gates of the Meerut Institute of Technology, where students are waiting in biting cold to appear for their exams, this euphoria is more nuanced. “I am not interested in politics,” says Jai Dwivedi, when asked about the Ram Temple. “Though it is okay, there should be more focus on education and healthcare. There is not one good government hospital one can go to. People sell their land to get their loved ones treated.”   

Lost in his esoteric world of thesaurus...: Scindia takes aim at Shashi Tharoor in airport chaos spat

Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia responded to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's criticism of the Delhi Airport's handling during the winter fog season. In a series of posts, Scindia provided a detailed rebuttal, highlighting the government's proactive measures and the technical complexities in aviation operations. Tharoor had criticised the aviation ministry in his posts, using various media reports to emphasise the airport chaos.Scindia, taking a dig at Tharoor, remarked, "it is for someone who is lost in his esoteric world of thesaurus that data mining of selective press articles from the internet qualifies as research." He addressed Tharoor's concerns about the recent chaos at Delhi Airport, emphasising the critical importance of runway maintenance for passenger safety. Here are some actual facts for arm-chair critic Shashi Tharoor and the Cong IT Cell that might help tackle their lack of depth in understanding of technical sectors like civil aviation,” Scindia added.Scindia acknowledged that unforeseen pollution incidents and the enforcement of GRAP-IV in Delhi led to a delay in runway recarpeting, pushing its commissioning by a month.Responding to Tharoor's portrayal of the recent chaos as a "Modi govt-made disaster," Scindia clarified that runway maintenance work is a critical safety element, and any compromise with runway conditions directly jeopardises passenger safety. He explained that the maintenance was prioritised to be completed by December 15 before the onset of the fog season. However, due to pollution incidents and GRAP-IV enforcement, the recarpeting got delayed, and the revamped runway is set to become operatio this week. Tharoor had questioned the timing of runway repair, and Scindia clarified that maintenance work was essential for safety and was scheduled with priority. He addressed Tharoor's concern about a crane blocking CAT III-B operation, stating that it was used for another project and would now operate only on non-fog days. Scindia refuted Tharoor's claim about insufficiently trained pilots, presenting data that showed a significant increase in trained pilots over the years.The aviation minister concluded by mentioning that the DGCA mandates airlines to deploy CAT IIIB compliant aircraft only with qualified crews during the winter season. Any violations are strictly dealt with by the regulator, with show cause notices issued to SpiceJet and Air India.    

After Gurpatwant Singh Pannuns threat, Bhagwant Mann says won let anti-Punjab forces succeed

A day after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated terrorist by India, issued a veiled threat to him and the Punjab police chief, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said he is the custodian of peace and prosperity of the state and such intimidation tactics cannot stop him from this task. Speaking on the sidelines of a function to hand over job letters to youths, the chief minister said such threats are a natural outcome of the zero-tolerance policy adopted by his government against anti-Punjab forces and efforts are on to bring back criminals involved in anti-national activities from safe havens abroad to punish them.These people are trying to disturb the hard-earned peace of the state but his government will not allow these forces to succeed in their evil designs, he asserted."The masterminds of such anti-Punjab stances have taken shelter in countries abroad but we are trying to bring them back and punish them for their sins," he said.Mann said that being a border state, there are challenges both from within and outside the state but they will face them valiantly by not succumbing to such threats. The countries that are safe haven to such dreaded criminals should also send these hardcore criminals back to the state in the larger interest of world peace, said Mann.The countries that are safe haven to such dreaded criminals should also send these hardcore criminals back to the state in the larger interest of world peace, said Mann.The Indian government should also take steps to bring such dreaded anti-national criminals back to the country and punish them as per the law of the land, said the CM.Khalistani terrorist Pannun had asked gangsters in the state to join the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice and stop top political leaders from attending the Republic Day parade.Pannun was designated as terrorist by the Union home ministry under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Sikh for Justice banned in 2020.CM Mann also took a swipe at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for targeting his government over the state debt issue.Mann dubbed the former cricketer as a "fugitive" saying he ran away from discharging his duty when he was offered the charge of Power minister."When he (Sidhu) was the minister, he did not do anything and when he was given the power department, he did not take it," said Mann.    

Karnataka: DK Shivakumar backs Yathindra in attempt to quell rumours of internal rift

The statement had added fresh sparks in the ever-present leadership tensions in the state’s Congress regime. “The polls will be held under the leadership of Siddaramaiah. In that election too, if we win the maximum number of seats, we will get moral support… By showing your support in the Lok Sabha polls, you should strengthen his hand,” the former MLA had said.Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that there was no need to twist chief minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra’s words, in a bid to smooth things over, a day after the latter claimed that a good show by the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections would ensure his father remained in office for a full term.Refuting rumours of a rift, the deputy CM backed Yathindra, calling him a responsible leader, and claimed Yathindra’s words were about seeking strength and power from the people. “Our government will be strong for five years. Siddaramaiah is our Chief Minister now and I am the President of the State Congress, both of us will fight the upcoming elections together,” he said. The BJP, he added, should fix its own internal power struggles before fixating on other parties.Rumours about the leadership tussle between the CM and his deputy have abounded ever since the Congress won the assembly polls in May last year. There were speculations that Siddaramaiah was not going to complete a full term in office and was going to cede his chair to Shivakumar after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. While the Congress party has not officially said so, the rumours have persisted well past the government’s half-year mark.Step into a realm of unmatched home appliance excellence with this comprehensive guide to the branded deals during the Amazon Great Republic Day Sale! Dive into a world of exclusive discounts on premium TVs, washing machines, ACs, and refrigerators from industry leaders such as Sony, Samsung, LG, Haier, IFB, and Godrej. Unveil an immersive home entertainment experience with the Redmi (32) F Series, priced at just Rs 10,999 at the Amazon Sale. This HD Ready TV offers a 60Hz refresh rate, 178-degree viewing angle, and a metal bezel-less screen for captivating visuals. Its connectivity features include Dual Band Wi-Fi, 2 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth 5.0, and more. With 20 Watts Output, Dolby Audio, and DTS Virtual: X, you can enjoy a powerful audio experience. This smart TV integrates Fire TV, supports popular apps, and features a voice remote with Alexa. Overall, this is one of the best deals at the Amazon Sale.    

Airlines May Consider Canceling Flights In Advance: DGCA Issues SOP Amid Fog-Induced Delays

In response to the increasing number of flight delays and cancellations due to fog-related disruptions at airports, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) onMonday issued a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Monday. The aviation watchdog has instructed airlines to provide accurate real-time information regarding delays and enhance the sensitization of staff at airports to communicate effectively with passengers, news agency PTI reported. The DGCA emphasised the importance of airlines publishing timely information about flight delays and ensuring that staff at airports continuously guide and inform passengers facing disruptions. The SOPs also recommend that, in anticipation of significant delays due to prevalent fog season and adverse weather conditions, airlines may consider canceling flights in advance to prevent airport congestion and alleviate passenger inconvenience, PTI's report mentioned.These Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were issued by the regulator late Monday evening. Earlier in the day, following massive delays and chaos at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the government had directed the airport to expedite the operationalisation of a CAT-III-compliant runway that has been closed for repair since September last year. While appealing to travellers “to bear with us during this difficult period”, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Monday in a post on X added that the DGCA will be issuing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for airlines on better communication and facilitation of passengers “to minimise discomfort in view of flight cancellations & delays due to adverse weather”. In the SOP sent to all airlines, the DGCA said, “in view of the fog-induced disruptions and adverse weather conditions at various airports including Delhi Airport causing delays, cancellations and inconvenience to passengers, the…Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are mandated in public interest”.Airlines, it said, will be required to publish accurate real-time information regarding delays of their flights on their websites as well as give advance information to affected passengers by SMS/WhatsApp and email. “Appropriate sensitization of the airline staff at the airports to suitably communicate with and continuously guide and inform the passengers about flight delays,” it said.It added that airlines may also cancel such flights that are anticipated to be delayed for more than hours. “…airlines may cancel, sufficiently in advance, such flights that are anticipated to be delayed or consequentially delayed on account of such conditions beyond a period of 3 hours with a view to obviate congestion at the airport and mitigate passenger inconvenience. ”“All airlines shall mandatorily adhere to the above SOP with immediate effect,” it said.Meanwhile, in his post, Scindia had said that all stakeholders are trying their best to minimise passenger inconvenience. “Incidences of unruly behaviour amidst this are unacceptable, and will be dealt with strongly in line with the existing legal provision