Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claims he has been under house arrest, preventing him from offering prayers at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid for the fourth consecutive week. He states that authorities blocked his access and informed him verbally, while he condemns this act of authoritarianism and remains patient in his faith.
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Home minister Amit Shah will launch the Bharatpol portal to streamline international assistance in criminal matters. Developed by CBI, Bharatpol will facilitate real-time information sharing, speeding up responses for Red and color-coded notices against fugitives. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency in combating transnational crimes and aid law enforcement agencies across India.
A police report states that the majority of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh since August 2024 were politically motivated. With 1,769 incidents reported, police confirmed 1,234 as political, 20 as communal, and 161 as false. Over 100 individuals have been arrested and the government pledges zero tolerance towards communal violence.
American billionaire and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs visited the ashram of her guru, Swami Kailashnand Giri, in Prayagraj to participate in the Maha Kumbh mela. Accompanied by her 40-member team, she will stay until January 15 before returning to the US.
Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha critiqued the Union Budget, highlighting reduced allocations for minority welfare schemes and overlooking farmers, SC, and ST needs. They accused the government of neglecting the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' promise. MPs called for addressing inflation, unemployment, and the budget's insufficient support for marginalized communities and farmers.
Opposition and NC legislators in J&K assembly called for an inquiry into the mysterious deaths of two Gujjar brothers in Kulgam, alleging a pattern of unexplained deaths within the community. There were also accusations of police brutality against mourners demanding a fair investigation.
Karnataka minister Eshwara Khandre defended the installation of recliners in the assembly lounge, emphasizing that 80% of legislators are over 60 and work under significant pressure. He accused the BJP of unnecessary criticism. Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also supported the decision, stating it was made with good intentions to help MLAs rest without leaving the assembly premises.
Earlier in the day, Indian Railways gave an ex-gratia of rupees 10 lakh to the kin of all the 18 deceased. An amount of rupees 2.5 lakh to grievously injured passengers and a compensation of rupees 1 lakh for passengers with minor injury were distributed to the 15 injured during the day.
Maharashtra agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate and his brother Sunil Kokate have been sentenced to two years in prison for a 1995 forgery case. They were found guilty of forging documents to fraudulently obtain housing under a government scheme and were fined Rs 50,000 each.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted India's challenge of textile waste, citing a study where the nation ranks third globally. He praised cities like Panipat, Bengaluru, and Tirupur for their innovative approaches in textile recycling, tech solutions, and waste management. Efforts by startups and groups empowering ragpickers were also acknowledged.
Maldives' speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, leading a delegation, visited India's Parliament, where Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar welcomed them. Abdulla praised India's use of AI and digitization and sought technological support for Maldives' Parliament archives. Birla assured assistance and highlighted India's strong cultural and economic ties with Maldives. The visit reinforces India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, with ongoing cooperation through a... Expand