Those Indulging in Politics in My Apology Over Ethnic Strife Seeking Unrest in Manipur: CM Singh 2
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday claimed that those who are indulging in politics in his apology to the people over the 20-month-long ethnic conflict are seeking unrest in the northeastern state and said his government’s priority is to restore peace.
Claiming that “past is past,” he appealed to communities to sit together and find a permanent solution to the conflict that has plagued the northeastern state since May 2023.
“Those who are indulging in politics in my statement are seeking unrest. The opposition has no ideology. What I said was an expression of sadness and grief…My apology was to those who have been suffering and have lost their loved ones. Why should I say sorry to terrorists? I am saying sorry to the innocent people and those who were displaced from their homes,” Singh said.
The chief minister had on Tuesday apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state, which claimed more than 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless and appealed to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and start afresh.
“I convey my peace message to the community members residing in the state. Again, let us forgive and forget. Past is past. We should sit together and bring a permanent solution. Priority should be the restoration of peace,” he added.
PM Modi Likens AAP to 'Aapda' for Delhi, Calls for Its Defeat in Polls 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the AAP as an “aapda” for Delhi, saying this “aapda” has taken the national capital in its grip in the past 10 years.
Addressing people after launching a slew of infra projects in the national capital, including in housing and education sectors, he hit out at the city government led by AAP and said the situation in the national capital would worsen if its reign continued.
On the one hand, the Centre is making a lot of efforts; on the other, the Union Territory government stands for brazen lies, he said, accusing the AAP government of committing corruption in a host of sectors ranging from school education to fighting pollution and liquor trade.
With the assembly elections set to be held in the city next month, the prime minister said Delhi had launched a war on this “aapda (disaster)” and decided to get rid of it.
“This year will usher in a new politics of nation-building and people’s welfare. Therefore, ‘aapda’ has to be removed and the BJP brought in,” he said.
Due to the city government not allowing the Centre’s signature health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, and other programmes in the national capital, Modi said he was unable to the people living here fully despite his efforts.
If highways are being built in the capital and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been able to make houses for the poor, it is because “aapda” does not have much role in these sectors, he added.
Taking a swipe at former Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Modi said he could also have built a “sheesh mahal” for himself but his dream was to ensure homes for everyone in the country.
“These people commit corruption and then glorify it,” he said, accusing AAP of shamelessness and making false promises.
The BJP has been targeting Kejriwal for allegedly spending a huge amount of money on his official residence when he was chief minister, and described his erstwhile home as “sheesh mahal”.
Supporters of independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav on Friday held a rail blockade at a station here to press their demand for cancellation of the recent Bihar PSC exam, police said.
They gathered at the Sachiwalay Halt Railway Station and squatted on the tracks for a brief period, which caused a delay in the movement of trains, an official said.
“Protesters stopped the Buxar-Fatuha passenger train at Sachivalaya Halt Station around 9 am on Friday. The train was stopped for 20 minutes and after that, it left the station,” East Central Railway chief public relation officer Sarswati Chandra told PTI.
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has been on fast unto death since Thursday to press the demand for the cancellation of the 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on December 13.
Kishor’s protest site was barely a couple of kilometres from Gardani Bagh where civil service aspirants have been holding a round-the-clock sit-in for nearly two weeks.
The administration said the fast unto death at Gandhi Maidan is “illegal as it is not the designated site for holding protests”, an official said.
The district police on Thursday registered an FIR against Kishor and others for the demonstration at the restricted site.
“My primary demand, of course, is the cancellation of the exam held on December 13 and conducting a fresh test. I have also heard of allegations that posts to be filled by the exam were virtually put on sale. Such corrupt officials must be identified and brought to justice,” Kishor said on Thursday, who was accompanied by many supporters.
The CPI(ML) Liberation also announced that its students’ wing AISA, along with like-minded organisations, would stage a demonstration in front of the CM’s residence during the day “to compel Nitish Kumar to break his silence” on the issue.
Notably, more than five lakh candidates had appeared for the December 13 exam.
Hundreds of candidates at Bapu Pariksha Parisar centre here boycotted the test, alleging that the question paper was leaked.
The BPSC termed the allegation as a conspiracy, though a fresh test was ordered for more than 10,000 candidates who had appeared for the exam at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar centre.
These candidates have been asked to appear on January 4 at 22 newly designated centres across the city.
Puneet Khurana Suicide: Police to Grill Family and In-Laws Amid Harassment Allegations 8
Delhi Police is set to question the family members and in-laws of Puneet Khurana, a café owner who died by suicide in the Model Town area of northwest Delhi. Sources confirmed on Friday that investigators will also meet Khurana’s friends to uncover the circumstances leading to his tragic death.
Khurana, who hanged himself at his residence on Tuesday, reportedly left a 54-minute video on his mobile phone before ending his life. A two-and-a-half-minute excerpt from the video, circulating widely on social media reveals that he was battling depression and details the alleged causes of his mental distress.
Multiple videos from Khurana’s phone have surfaced online, intensifying public and media scrutiny. “We are verifying all the facts. Several teams have been deployed to probe the matter and will interrogate his wife, in-laws, and friends,” said a police source.
Khurana’s family has alleged that he faced harassment from his wife and in-laws, which they claim drove him to take this extreme step. The police are investigating these claims while piecing together evidence from his recorded messages and interviews with close associates.
Bogus Beneficiaries Under Scanner: Maharashtra Government Tightens Grip on Ladki Bahin Scheme 10
The Maharashtra government has launched an investigation into complaints about fraudulent beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship welfare scheme that provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to eligible women. The scrutiny follows allegations of ineligible individuals exploiting the scheme through false documentation.
Announcing the move on Thursday, Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare clarified that the government is addressing only verified complaints. “We are not conducting a blanket scrutiny of all beneficiaries or altering any policies. The investigation is based solely on complaints received by local government offices,” she said.
Introduced by the Eknath Shinde-led government in August last year, the scheme was pivotal to the ruling Mahayuti coalition’s success in the November 2024 elections. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had signaled a review of beneficiaries amid mounting concerns.
Tatkare revealed that data has been sought from the Income Tax and Transport Departments to verify reported cases. Complaints include beneficiaries surpassing the annual income threshold of ₹2.5 lakh or owning four-wheelers, both of which disqualify them. Other issues include duplicate applications, Aadhaar mismatches, and domicile discrepancies, with some beneficiaries relocating outside Maharashtra post-marriage.
The minister also addressed concerns about beneficiaries receiving support from multiple government schemes. “If a woman benefits from another scheme, she will receive only the remaining balance under the Ladki Bahin scheme. For instance, if ₹1,000 is provided by another initiative, she will receive ₹500 instead of the full ₹1,500,” Tatkare explained.
Complaints have been reported from districts such as Palghar, Yavatmal, Wardha, and Phaltan, prompting the ministry to initiate cross-verification. Some beneficiaries have voluntarily opted out of the scheme after securing government jobs, she added.
While the extent of fraudulent beneficiaries remains unclear, Tatkare stated that time is needed to assess the magnitude. “We are committed to ensuring that only eligible women benefit from this program,” she affirmed.
Prashant Kishor Starts Fast Unto Death to Press Demand for BPSC Exam Cancellation 12
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday announced that he was commencing a fast unto death to press the demand for cancellation of the recently held Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam.
Kishor made the announcement at the historic Gandhi Maidan, a couple of kilometres from the spot where several aggrieved candidates have been on a round-the-clock protest for nearly two weeks.
“My demands include cancellation of the exam and holding of fresh tests. I also seek action against corrupt officials who had allegedly put posts, to be filled by the exams, on sale,” Kishor told reporters.
On Monday, shortly after a delegation of protesters met Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, Kishor had said he would wait for “48 hours” and intensify the stir if the Nitish Kumar government failed to take any action on the alleged paper leak for the Combined Competitive Exams held on December 13 last year.
Mamata Accuses BSF of Allowing Infiltration to Destabilize Bengal; BJP Counters 14
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Border Security Force of facilitating infiltration from Bangladesh as part of a central government “blueprint” to destabilize the state, a charge the BSF denied, asserting it diligently guards the country’s boundary.
Speaking at an administrative review meeting at the state secretariat, Banerjee alleged that the BSF was allowing infiltrators to enter through areas like Islampur, Sitai, and Chopra.
“We have information that the BSF is letting infiltrators enter India through various border areas. This is a deliberate attempt to destabilize the state. There is a deep-rooted conspiracy involving the central government,” she said.
Banerjee said she could sense a “blueprint of the Centre” behind this attitude of the BSF.
“Goons are entering India. I want peace on both sides of the border. We have a good relationship with neighbouring Bangladesh,” she said.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo further alleged that women were being tortured by the BSF.
“They (BSF) torture women, but why haven’t you protested?” she asked officials present at the meeting.
Banerjee emphasized that border security was not the responsibility of the state.
“The guarding of borders is not in our hands. It’s the BSF’s duty. The Trinamool Congress doesn’t guard the border. When people enter, where are they going? The DMs have information on where they are going,” she said.
A senior BSF official in the eastern region dismissed the allegations, emphasizing that the border guarding force was performing its duties with utmost sincerity.
“The BSF has maintained a 24/7 vigil along the border. We are diligently performing our responsibilities to ensure the safety and security of the borders,” the official told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Accusing the Centre of blaming the TMC unfairly for the infiltration issue, Banerjee said, “If someone thinks to destabilize the state and blame it on the Trinamool Congress, I will say it is not the TMC’s fault, as border areas are controlled by the BSF. Some media channels are spreading this misinformation for TRPs.” The CM also raised concerns about the cessation of information sharing related to international arrivals.
“Granting visas is not in the state’s jurisdiction; it is handled by the central government. We used to get the list of people taking flights to come here, but now that has been stopped. So, we don’t know who is entering Bengal through international arrivals,” she stated.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar called Banerjee’s claims baseless and accused her of attempting to shield her party’s shortcomings.
“The chief minister has reached the height of delusion. Despite not providing land for border outposts, she blames the BSF and even her own administration’s officials for infiltration. Her accusations are aimed at deflecting from her party’s failures,” Majumdar said in a post on X.
Banerjee directed Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar to investigate where infiltrators were staying after entering the state.
“I have told the Centre several times that we will follow their decisions. But if I see that someone is helping terrorism to disturb my state, then we will protest. That’s why I will send a strong protest letter to the Centre,” she added.
Referring to a recent bust of a fake passport racket by West Bengal Police, Banerjee said the arrests highlighted how the porous borders were being exploited.
“The passports were issued to people who illegally entered India from Bangladesh. This is another indication of the need for better coordination,” she said.
Highlighting the cultural and linguistic ties with Bangladesh, Banerjee stressed her desire for peace.
“We have a good relationship with Bangladesh. People can come here for treatment, but we must be informed. I want peace on both sides of the border,” she said.
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-km border of which 2,217 KM is with West Bengal, much of which is porous. The issue has gained prominence amid heightened tension following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from power in Dhaka and an influx of refugees into India.
Banerjee concluded by reiterating her commitment to opposing any attempt to destabilize the state.
“If anyone supports terror to disturb my state, we will protest strongly,” she said.
Bangladesh Court Denies Bail to Hindu Monk Amid Rising Tensions; ISKCON Expresses Outrage 16
ISKCON Kolkata has expressed deep disappointment over a Bangladesh court’s decision to deny bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu spiritual leader facing sedition charges. The development, which took place on Thursday, highlights growing concerns over the safety and rights of the Hindu minority in the neighbouring country.
Radharamn Das, ISKCON Kolkata’s spokesperson, described the denial of bail as “sad,” though he acknowledged a minor positive outcome: the monk was finally represented by legal counsel, a right previously denied in earlier hearings. “We were hoping he would be freed in the new year,” Das remarked.
The court proceedings occurred virtually, as Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON leader, was not physically present. He has been in custody since his arrest at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25, with reports suggesting his health has significantly deteriorated during his 40-day detention.
ISKCON has raised concerns over threats made by certain advocates against lawyers willing to represent the monk. Das emphasized the need for the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, to ensure adequate security for legal representatives both inside and outside the court. “We hope the higher court will grant him justice, especially given his health condition and prolonged detention,” he said.
The case against Chinmoy Krishna Das unfolds amidst heightened tensions for Bangladesh’s Hindu community. Following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 by a student-led protest, the interim government has faced criticism for its handling of communal violence. Attacks on Hindu community members and their places of worship have reportedly surged, exacerbating fears of persecution under the current regime.
As ISKCON contemplates an appeal to a higher court, global attention remains fixed on the plight of Bangladesh’s minority communities, with many calling for immediate action to safeguard their rights and security.
Congress Leader's 'Smaller Fish vs. Big Fish' Jibe Sparks Controversy in Beed Sarpanch Murder Case 18
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar stirred controversy on Thursday by suggesting that “smaller fish” might be killed in an encounter to protect the “big fish” in the Beed sarpanch murder case. His remarks, made during a press interaction in Nagpur, come days after Walmik Karad, an associate of Maharashtra NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, surrendered to the police.
Karad, wanted in connection with an extortion case tied to the brutal December 9 murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, was remanded to 14-day police custody after surrendering in Pune. Deshmukh was allegedly abducted and murdered for opposing extortion demands made to a windmill company.
Wadettiwar, without elaborating, claimed, “According to reliable sources, smaller fish could be killed in an encounter to save the big fish.” He also questioned whether beds were being taken to a police station for Karad, demanding an inquiry into alleged preferential treatment.
The Maharashtra government, facing mounting criticism, announced a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sarpanch’s murder. The case has brought fresh scrutiny on the administration in Beed and the alleged connections between political figures and criminal activities.
Wadettiwar also took aim at the ruling Mahayuti government ahead of a cabinet meeting, urging them to deliver on promises made during the elections. He highlighted demands for increasing the monthly stipend under the Ladki Bahin scheme for women from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100 and granting a complete waiver of farmers’ loans.
The Ladki Bahin scheme, credited for the BJP-led coalition’s sweeping victory in the November 2024 assembly polls, remains a focal point of public interest. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently reiterated his commitment to the scheme and its proposed enhancements, seeking to honor pre-poll promises to voters.
As the SIT begins its investigation, Wadettiwar’s pointed remarks have intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, with opposition leaders keeping the government under close scrutiny over the unfolding scandal.
PM Modi and Diljit Dosanjh Share Spotlight in a Candid Cultural Exchange 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on Wednesday, praising his journey from humble beginnings to achieving international fame.
“A very memorable interaction,” Modi remarked on Instagram, sharing a brief clip of their meeting. On X, he posted, “A great interaction with Diljit Dosanjh! He’s truly multifaceted, blending talent and tradition. We connected over music, culture, and more.”
The meeting comes amidst recent criticism of Dosanjh by some right-wing groups over various issues. However, the singer-actor struck a positive note post-meeting, tweeting, “A fantastic start to 2025. A very memorable meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We talked about a lot of things, including music, of course!”
