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SC Notice to Punjab Govt on Contempt Plea Over Non-Compliance With Order on Medical Aid to Dallewal

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SC Notice to Punjab Govt on Contempt Plea Over Non-Compliance With Order on Medical Aid to Dallewal 2

The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the life and safety of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, and directed the Punjab government to take all measures to ensure that he was given medical aid.

A vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia issued a notice to the Punjab government on a contempt petition against its chief secretary for non-compliance with a top court order regarding medical aid to Dallewal.

“If there is a law and order situation, you have to deal with it with iron hands. Somebody’s life is at stake. You need to take it seriously. Medical aid has to be given and the impression is that you are not following it,” the bench said.

The apex court directed the state government to file a compliance report by Saturday, when it would again hear the matter.

Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border point since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops.

Pakistan-Based LeT’s Deputy Leader Abdul Rehman Makki Dies

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Pakistan-Based LeT's Deputy Leader Abdul Rehman Makki Dies 4

Mumbai attacks alleged mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s brother-in-law and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa deputy chief Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, who died of a heart attack on Friday.

According to the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Prof. Abdul Rahman Makki had been ill for the past few days and was undergoing treatment following high diabetes at a private hospital in Lahore.

“Makki suffered a cardiac arrest early this morning and he breathed his last in the hospital,” a JuD official told PTI.

Makki, the brother-in-law of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, was handed down six months imprisonment in terror financing in 2020 by an anti-terrorism court.

Makki, deputy chief of JuD, had been keeping a low profile after being sentenced in terror financing.

The Pakistan Mutahida Muslim League (PMML), in a statement, said that Makki was an advocate of Pakistani ideology.

In 2023, Makki was designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations, subjecting him to an asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.

Congress’ Belagavi Convention Cancelled Due to Manmohan Singh’s Demise

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Congress' Belagavi Convention Cancelled Due to Manmohan Singh's Demise 6

The Congress convention here in Belagavi has been cancelled following the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Thursday.

The convention was organised to commemorate the centenary of the lone Congress convention in Belagavi, which was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in December 26 and 27 in 1924.

“We are cancelling for now the grand convention here titled ‘Jai Gandhi, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’,” Shivakumar, who is also the Congress Karnataka unit chief, told reporters here.

There will be a condolence meeting on Friday at the venue, he added.

Shivakumar said the government has already announced a holiday on Friday and seven days’ mourning in the state.

Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms, died in New Delhi on Thursday night. He was 92.

Singh’s death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, where he was admitted in the Emergency ward around 8.30 PM in a critical condition.

Student Sexual Assault Case: Annamalai Self-Whips Demanding Justice

annamalai, chennai, sexual assault, protest, bjp leader
Student Sexual Assault Case: Annamalai Self-Whips Demanding Justice 8

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai staged a unique agitation here on Friday when he flogged himself, condemning the ruling DMK and the state police over the handling of the case of sexual assault on a Chennai college student on Christmas eve.

Clad in green dhoti, a bare-chested Annamalai took a whip from his party worker and whipped himself repeatedly in front of his residence here as the BJP members stood around him, displaying placards condemning the police for the alleged leak of FIR pertaining to the woman’s complaint.

On Thursday, Annamalai dramatically removed his shoes at a press conference here and announced that he would not wear footwear till the ruling DMK government is dislodged.

The former IPS officer had accused the state police of deliberately disclosing the identity of the girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident that happened inside the state’s premier technical varsity, Anna University.

India Bids Farewell to Visionary Leader Manmohan Singh: PM Modi Expresses Condolences

narendra modi, pm modi, manmohan singh, former prime minister, ex pm
India Bids Farewell to Visionary Leader Manmohan Singh: PM Modi Expresses Condolences 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to his predecessor, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. Remembering him as one of India’s most distinguished leaders, Modi highlighted Singh’s wisdom, humility, and immense contributions to the nation.

Singh, revered as the architect of India’s economic reforms, rose from humble beginnings to become a respected economist and statesman. Reflecting on his legacy, Modi noted that Singh’s tenure as finance minister left an indelible mark on India’s economic policies.

In a post on X, Modi said, “His interventions in Parliament were always insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives.”

Recounting their interactions during his time as Gujarat’s chief minister while Singh served as the country’s prime minister, Modi recalled engaging in meaningful deliberations on governance and policy.

“His wisdom and humility were always visible,” Modi remarked, adding, “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends, and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”

India mourns the loss of a visionary leader whose contributions to the nation’s progress will be remembered for generations.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92: AIIMS Delhi

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Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92: AIIMS Delhi 12

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has passed away, AIIMS Delhi announced on Thursday night.

The 92-year-old statesman was brought to the hospital’s emergency department earlier in the evening in critical condition following a “sudden loss of consciousness,” according to the hospital authorities.

Valentina Gomez’s Controversial Rhetoric and Call for Violence: A Dangerous Path

valentina gomez, controversy, immigrants, us, valentina, new york subway, ny subway
Valentina Gomez's Controversial Rhetoric and Call for Violence: A Dangerous Path 14

After the shocking NYC subway burning incident on December 22, 2024, Valentina Gomez stirred further outrage with a highly controversial and disturbing video she posted on X. In the video, Gomez, a Colombian-born American political activist, called for the public execution of undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes against Americans. She shockingly simulated the killing of a migrant, presenting it as a form of “proof” of her defiance against the political establishment. This dangerous message quickly went viral, igniting a firestorm of backlash from across social media platforms.

Gomez’s Disturbing Call for Execution

The video was an appalling display of violent rhetoric. In it, Gomez endorsed the gruesome idea of executing immigrants accused of violent crimes, simulating the act as if it were a bold political statement. “This is my defiance of the establishment,” she claimed, as if promoting such extreme violence against a group of people was justified by her own political beliefs. The video’s release quickly gained attention, with many social media users condemning her for inciting hatred and division while also calling attention to the disturbing, unhinged tone of her messaging.

Gomez’s video was nothing short of inflammatory. She framed her message as a rejection of what she perceives to be a “weak” political establishment. However, rather than addressing the complexities of the immigration debate, she chose to spread harmful, oversimplified, and dangerous ideas. The outrage was swift and widespread. Social media users quickly took to their platforms to condemn her, pointing out the fatal flaws in her argument and the sheer recklessness of her message.

One user commented, “Instead of dividing people by labels of colour, nationality, or origin, why can’t we unite in the simple truth of good vs. evil? Who is keeping humans divided? I wonder…” The comment highlighted the central issue with Gomez’s rhetoric: her attempt to oversimplify complex societal problems and weaponize division. Another user remarked, “Okay, we’re not gonna start executing people and become the same evil. This is not the way, even if we are at our ends.” This response reflected the growing alarm over her call to violence, emphasizing that such actions only perpetuate the same kind of evil they claim to fight.

A Brief Overview of Valentina Gomez’s Background

Valentina Gomez, born on May 8, 1999, in Medellín, Colombia, moved to the United States in 2009, settling in Jersey City, New Jersey, with her family. Over the years, she has made a name for herself as a real estate investor, financier, and political activist. Her professional career includes roles in the financial sector, notably with Nestlé, where she focused on financial optimization and strategic planning. She has also gained recognition as a real estate strategist, handling multimillion-dollar investments.

Despite these professional achievements, it is Gomez’s increasingly controversial political activism that has captured the public’s attention. Beyond her corporate endeavours, Gomez co-founded Fundación Flor de Mayo, a nonprofit organisation that provides over 1,200 children in Colombia with access to education, sports, and cultural activities. However, her recent political endeavours have been marked by provocative and inflammatory actions that have earned her both support and condemnation.

The Political Campaign: Provocative and Controversial Stunts

In 2024, Gomez entered the political arena by launching her campaign for Missouri Secretary of State. Her campaign quickly became a spectacle of controversy, largely due to her inflammatory rhetoric and provocative actions. One of the most shocking moments of her campaign came when she posted a video in which she urged voters not to be “weak and gay” while running through a historically LGBTQ+ neighbourhood in St. Louis. This crude and insensitive gesture was meant to attack what she sees as the “liberal establishment,” but instead, it drew widespread outrage for its homophobic overtones.

Gomez also posted videos of herself burning LGBTQ+ books with a flamethrower, vowing to ban such books if elected. This act of destruction was seen as not only reckless but also as a direct attack on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals. The videos sparked widespread condemnation and further fuelled the perception of Gomez as a far-right extremist.

Despite the media attention these actions garnered, Gomez’s campaign ended in failure. She secured only 7.4% of the vote in the Republican primary, finishing sixth out of eight candidates. Her political career, at least for the time being, was cut short. Nevertheless, Gomez’s notoriety did not fade. She remains a polarising figure, continuing to use social media to express her controversial views and promote her far-right ideologies.

The NYC Subway Incident and Its Aftermath

On December 22, 2024, the horrific NYC subway burning incident took place at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, New York. A woman was tragically set on fire while sitting on a stationary F train. The assailant, identified as 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen Sebastian Zapeta, allegedly approached the victim, who appeared to be dozing, and set her clothes ablaze using a lighter. Despite immediate attempts by nearby police officers and subway workers to extinguish the flames, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance footage captured the chilling moments of the attack, showing Zapeta calmly setting the woman on fire before sitting on a bench and seemingly watching her burn. The brutal and senseless nature of this crime sparked outrage across the city and beyond. Public officials, including Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and NYC Mayor Eric Adams, condemned the attack as a horrific and senseless act of violence, pledging to ensure justice for the victim.

The incident has further fueled concerns about public safety, particularly within the New York City transit system, which has been plagued by rising violence in recent years. Advocacy groups have called for stronger security measures and increased police presence to protect commuters. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has pledged to review safety protocols and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

Gomez’s Dangerous Influence and Divisive Messaging

In light of the NYC subway burning incident, Gomez’s video calling for executions and advocating for such extreme measures has sparked outrage for all the wrong reasons. Her rhetoric, filled with hate and violence, presents a dangerous precedent. Instead of addressing the root causes of crime, immigration issues, and public safety with thoughtful and responsible dialogue, Gomez chooses to advocate for brutal, inhumane solutions that only serve to further divide society.

Gomez’s extreme far-right views have already caused significant harm to political discourse, and her recent video has only deepened the divide. While she continues to promote these divisive, toxic messages on social media, it is clear that her controversial actions and inflammatory rhetoric have crossed a dangerous line. Her call for public executions and the simulation of migrant killings are not only morally reprehensible but also a direct incitement to violence.

Conclusion: A Dangerous Path Forward

Valentina Gomez’s controversial rhetoric and actions have revealed a deeply troubling trend in political discourse. Through inflammatory language, provocative stunts, and dangerous calls for violence, Gomez has shown that she is willing to do whatever it takes to capture attention, even if it means inciting hatred and division. The tragic NYC subway incident and her subsequent video are just the latest examples of the growing influence of extremist voices in politics. If such rhetoric continues unchecked, the consequences could be dire, leading to further polarization and violence in an already fractured society.

Gomez’s brand of far-right politics may have garnered her a degree of notoriety, but it has also exposed the dangers of promoting violence as a political tool. Her calls for execution and her divisive messaging are not only irresponsible but also put lives at risk. It is crucial that we confront this toxic rhetoric and work toward healing the divides in our society, rather than exacerbating them with dangerous ideologies.

16-Year-Old Girl Gang-Raped in UP’s Ballia, Both Accused Arrested

crime, rape, harassment, women, ballia, uttar pradesh
16-Year-Old Girl Gang-Raped in UP's Ballia, Both Accused Arrested 16

A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district, police said.

According to police, the incident occurred late on Tuesday night when the victim left home in an autorickshaw after a dispute in the family.

Mantu Yadav (19) and Amit Prajapati (22) allegedly lured the girl and raped her.

Based on a complaint filed by the girl’s father, a case was registered against the accused under relevant sections of the BNS and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Station House Officer (SHO) of the police station Rakesh Singh confirmed the incident and said, “Both accused, Mantu Yadav and Amit Prajapati, were arrested on Wednesday. Further investigation is underway.”

Employment Grows 10%; Unincorporated Establishments Rise 12.28%: Govt Survey

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Employment Grows 10%; Unincorporated Establishments Rise 12.28%: Govt Survey 18

Unincorporated sector enterprises witnessed a 10.01 per cent increase in employment to over 12 crore during the year ended September 2024, while the number of establishments rose 12.28 per cent to 7.34 crore, according to a government survey.

The survey, which covers unincorporated non-agriculture sector enterprises, showed gross value added (GVA) grew 16.52 per cent during the October 2023–September 2024 period.

These findings form part of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for 2023-24 for the reference period—October 2023–September 2024—referred to as ASUSE 2023-24, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Tuesday.

The sector employed more than 12 crore workers between October 2023 and September 2024, marking an increase of more than one crore workers from 2022–23 and reflecting robust labour market growth.

The total number of workers employed increased to 12,05,99,800 in ASUSE 2023-24 from 10,96,26,000 in ASUSE 2022-23.

Among the broad activities, the “Other Services” sector showed the highest annual growth of 17.86 per cent, followed by 10.03 per cent by the manufacturing sector.

The percentage of female-owned proprietary establishments has increased from 22.9 per cent in 2022–23 to 26.2 per cent in ASUSE 2023-24.

This trend indicates a positive shift in the participation of women in business ownership, highlighting an increase in female entrepreneurship over the given period, it stated.

In ASUSE 2023-24, data were collected from a total of 4,98,024 establishments (2,73,085 in rural and 2,24,939 in urban) from 16,842 surveyed FSUs (8,523 in rural and 8,319 in urban).

ASUSE 2023-24 has been conducted based on area frame and establishments have been listed in the selected FSUs of both rural and urban sectors.

Mostly, data were collected from the selected establishments through oral enquiry pertaining to the ‘monthly’ reference period, barring a few big establishments, which had provided annual data from their audited Books of Accounts.

The data for the survey were collected in Tablet using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI).

The percentage of establishments using the internet has also grown significantly from 21.1 per cent in 2022–23 to 26.7 per cent in ASUSE 2023–24.

This substantial growth reflects a strong trend toward digital adoption among establishments, highlighting the increasing reliance on the Internet for business operations.

The average emolument per hired worker also increased by 13 per cent in 2023-24 compared to the previous year 2022-23, signalling improvements in wage levels.

This wage growth serves as a catalyst, strengthening the labour market, enhancing productivity, and fuelling broader economic demand.

The highest increase in this metric was observed in the manufacturing sector with a growth of little more than 16 per cent.

The total number of establishments in the sector increased substantially from 6.50 crore in 2022–23 to 7.34 crore in 2023–24, representing a healthy 12.84 per cent growth.

Among the broad sectors covered, the number of establishments in the “Other Services” sector recorded a growth of 23.55 per cent, followed by a 13 per cent increase witnessed by the manufacturing sector.

This significant increase highlights consistent sectoral expansion and reinforces the sector’s critical role in driving the overall growth of the unincorporated sector, the report stated.

During the same period, the Gross Value Added (GVA), a key indicator of economic performance, rose 16.52 per cent, driven by a 26.17 per cent growth in the other services sector.

Gross Value Added (GVA) per worker, a measure of labour productivity of the sector, increased to Rs 1,49,742 in 2023-24 from Rs 1,41,769 in 2022-23 in current prices, showing a 5.62 per cent increase.

During the same period, the Gross Value of Output (GVO) per establishment also increased from Rs 4,63,389 to Rs 4,91,862 in current prices.

The unincorporated non-agricultural sector plays an important role in the Indian economy, contributing significantly to employment, gross domestic product, and the overall socio-economic landscape.

This sector not only sustains livelihoods for millions but also acts as a backbone for the incorporated sector by supplying goods and services, reinforcing its role in the domestic value chain.

ASUSE is carried out with the primary objective of measuring various economic and operational characteristics of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments in manufacturing, trade and other service sectors (excluding construction).

The survey collects data on various economic characteristics of this sector, including the number of workers, GVA, emoluments paid, fixed assets owned, and outstanding loans; besides, different types of operational characteristics, such as type of ownership, nature of operation, registration status, use of ICT, etc.

The data serves as a key input for policy-making, supporting National Accounts Statistics, fulfilling the requirements of ministries, such as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME), Textiles, Labour & Employment, and empowering stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions.

The survey has been conducted following a multi-stage stratified sampling scheme, where first-stage units (FSUs) are census villages in rural areas (except for rural Kerala, where Panchayat wards have been taken as FSUs) and UFS (Urban Frame Survey) blocks in urban areas.

The ultimate stage units (USUs) are establishments for both sectors. In the case of large FSUs, one intermediate stage of sampling has been done in the form of hamlet groups in rural and sub-blocks in urban.

Delhi Govt Departments Distance Themselves From AAP’s Promised Schemes, Ask People Not to Share Personal Details

arvind kejriwal, kejriwal, aap, aam aadmi party, atishi, delhi scheme, delhi govt
Delhi Govt Departments Distance Themselves From AAP's Promised Schemes, Ask People Not to Share Personal Details 20

The Delhi government’s Women and Child Development and Health departments issued public notices on Wednesday distancing themselves from the ruling AAP’s promised schemes of providing Rs 2,100 to women and free treatment for the elderly, triggering a fresh row ahead of assembly polls.

The two departments also cautioned the people against providing personal details to anyone on the pretext of registration for “non-existent” schemes, saying any private individual or political party collecting such physical forms or information is “fraudulent and without any authority”.

The development, which came days after AAP leaders launched the exercise of registering people for the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana with much fanfare, left the AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal furious.

Kejriwal, who is leading the registration drive, alleged that the BJP was rattled by the two schemes and claimed that Chief Minister Atishi could be arrested in a “fake” case in the coming days.

“They are completely rattled with Mahila Samman Yojna and Sanjeevani Yojna. They have hatched a plan to come up with a fake case and arrest Chief Minister Atishi in the next few days,” he said on X.

He also claimed that before Atishi’s arrest, raids would be conducted against senior AAP leaders.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj had on Tuesday claimed that she spoke to the health secretary of the Delhi government and was informed that there was no “Sanjeevani Yojna” in existence.

Both the schemes were announced by Kejriwal ahead of Assembly polls in February next year and AAP had started registrations for the schemes in campaign mode. Its leaders are confident that the measure will help woo voters as many believe that such schemes were a factor in the ruling parties retaining power in several state elections.

“It has been brought to the notice of the Department of Women and Child Development, through media reports and social media posts, that a political party is claiming to disburse Rs 2100 per month under Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana to women in Delhi.

“It is clarified that no such scheme has been notified by the Government of Delhi,” said the public notice by the department.

If and when the scheme begins, the department will launch a digital portal for eligible individuals to submit their applications online as per the approved guidelines, it said.

Since no such scheme exists, the question of physical forms for registration under this non-existent scheme does not arise, read the notice.

“Any private individual/ political party collecting such physical forms/applications or collecting information from applicants under the name of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana is fraudulent and without any authority,” it said.

The notice cautioned the people that providing personal details and sensitive information like PAN account numbers, phone numbers or Voter ID, in the name of the scheme may lead to crime including cyber and banking frauds.

It advised people not to entertain the “misleading” promise of non- non-existent scheme and to exercise caution and asked them not to provide personal details to unauthorised persons.

The Mahila Samman Yojna was announced by the AAP government in the budget 2024-25 to provide Rs 1000 per month to all eligible women aged above 18 in Delhi. Kejriwal recently promised to raise the amount to Rs 2100 per woman if AAP returned to power.

The Health and Family Department public notice similarly cautioned the people about “Sanjeevani Yojna” announced by the AAP supremo for free treatment of senior citizens above 60 years at government and private hospitals.

It has also come to the notice of the department that a registration drive to get enrolled under this scheme by filling up physical forms has also been started by some political functionaries and volunteers who are visiting door to door to collect information from elderly citizens and handing over to them some sort of “Health/Sanjeevani Scheme Card”.

The notice said details of senior citizens like phone numbers, addresses, Aadhar and bank accounts were being sought for the registration and many of the elderly people have started visiting government hospitals and government offices to enquire about the scheme.

The notice said the Health and Family department does not have any supposed “Sanjeevani Scheme” in existence till date.

“Any private individual/political party collecting such physical forms/ applications or collecting information of applicants under the name of “Sanjeevani Yojna” is fraudulent and without any authority,” read the notice clarifying the department has not authorised any health officials to collect personal details of the elderly.