Congress moved the Supreme Court to address the legitimacy of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, preserving the 1947 status of religious sites. Exceptions include the Ram Janmabhoomi case. The court restricted fresh disputes and ongoing orders about religious sites pending a decision. Contested petitions challenge the 1947 cut-off date's rationality, questioning its connection to India's independence.
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Flights of major Indian carriers, including Air India Group and IndiGo, will shift from Mumbai’s Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport by this summer. The switch depends on CSMIA’s T2 capacity expansion and T1 demolition plans. Clarity on these details is anticipated soon, as airlines need to inform passengers promptly.
Leading political figures, including President Murmu, PM Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, gathered at Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of his assassination. Tributes highlighted Gandhi's ideals of truth and non-violence. An exhibition at the National Gandhi Museum will be inaugurated by his granddaughter. Various leaders emphasized his enduring impact on India's freedom struggle.
Two Army jawans were killed and one critically injured when an explosive charger attached to a tank exploded during a routine firing exercise in Bikaner on Wednesday. On Dec 15, a havildar lost his life during a similar exercise at the same firing range.
India reports 6,327 river dolphins with Uttar Pradesh showing the highest count, followed by Bihar and West Bengal. This first-ever estimate covered 8,000 km across 28 rivers in eight states. Also, PM Modi announced further wildlife conservation initiatives, including a new dolphin project and lion and cheetah habitat expansion.
WMO secretary-general Celeste Saulo emphasized the grave danger of the global average temperature rising 1.55 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels in 2024, urging decisive climate action in 2025. Attendees including Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed India's meteorological contributions. Pakistan representatives did not attend despite prior confirmation.
Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale strongly criticized Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's remarks on the Murshidabad violence, urging him to address the unrest in his own state. Gokhale cited the Agra incident involving a mob attack on a Rajya Sabha MP's residence.
The parliamentary standing committee on education, women, children, youth, and sports was requested to delay its study tour to Manipur due to the current situation as stated by the state government. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted the issue and noted PM Modi's absence in visiting the distressed region.
BJP won the Ambala Sadar Municipal Council elections with 25 out of 32 seats, including the council president's seat. Minister Anil Vij praised the result as a reward for development efforts in the region. BJP supporters celebrated enthusiastically. The victory shows BJP's growing influence in Haryana and the decline of opposition parties.
The Centre plans to revamp Delhi zoo's entrance with a modern multi-utility plaza featuring a food court, cloakroom, security infrastructure, queue management area, souvenir shop, visitor center, and parking. The development aligns with site needs, accommodating 16,000 sq m multi-level parking and 11,000 sq m for future expansion.
Ranjana Nachiyaar, an actor-turned-politician, resigned from the BJP, citing disagreement with the party's stance on the three-language policy and alleged neglect of Tamil Nadu. She criticized the imposition of the policy, bias against Dravidian ideology, and challenges faced by women in politics. Nachiyaar plans to start her own movement prioritizing women's advancement.