Heavy traffic was seen in central Delhi on Thursday due to the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade, causing inconvenience to commuters, PTI reported. The major affected areas were near India Gate and ITO. A commuter said to PTI, that the traffic was heavy on Ring Road near the ITO loop and IP Extension. "I was going to ITO when I found that the Ring Road was packed with vehicles. The traffic on Vikas Marg was also very heavy. We had to take a U-turn near the IP Extension metro station," he said. Vehicles were also seen moving at a crawling pace near Shivaji Stadium metro station, close to central Delhi's Connaught Place. Sneha Rai, a resident of Noida, mentioned that due to security checks at the Delhi-Noida border, there was heavy traffic congestion in that section. "Apart from the Delhi-Noida border, traffic was also heavy at Ashram Chowk and on Ring Road. The roads were closed near C-Hexagon at India Gate, leading to diversions for vehicles, which resulted in long queues," she said, PTI cited. On Wednesday, the Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory regarding the restrictions and diversions on vehicular movement at and around India Gate. Republic Day 2025: Curbs on flight operations at Delhi airport till Jan 26 In view of the upcoming Republic Day 2025 celebrations, flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will be temporarily restricted. Delhi airport operator DIAL on Saturday said there will be no flight arrivals and departures between 10.20 am and 12.45 pm for the next eight days till January 26 in view of the Republic Day week. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is the country's busiest airport and handles around 1,300 flight movements daily. "As per the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued for Republic Day week from 19th to 26th Jan 2025, no flights would be arriving or departing from Delhi Airport between 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM IST," DIAL said in a post on X. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) also advised passengers to check with the airlines concerned for the updated flight information. The DIAL has also stepped up security for Republic Day 2025. In a post on X, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said, "Keeping your safety in mind, enhanced security measures are in place at Delhi airport. Please plan your time well to ensure a smooth journey. We appreciate your cooperation with our security staff to maintain a safe environment for all. Thank you for your understanding." (With inputs from PTI)
24 January,2025 09:54 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal hit back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's criticism of the Delhi government over the law and order situation, and said the law and order of the national capital comes under the Union Home Ministry and the former should guide Home Minister Amit Shah regarding how to mend it. Speaking on the law and order situation in the national capital, the former Delhi CM said that "11 gangsters" have captured the entire Delhi. Attacking Amit Shah, further, Kejriwal said the Home Minister is busy "toppling governments" and "poaching MLAs". Speaking to the media, Kejriwal said, "Yogi ji came to Delhi today. He too raised questions on the law and order in Delhi. He said that he mended the law and order in UP. I agree with Yogi ji that Delhi's law and order is very bad.11 gangsters have captured the entire Delhi. Yogi Ji said that he wiped out gangsters in UP. But in Delhi, gangsters are roaming around freely. Firing is taking place on streets. Women can't step out of their houses." "I would like to tell Yogi ji that the law and order in Delhi come under Amit Shah. He should sit down with Amit Shah and guide him, explain to him how law and order has to be mended. Amit Shah is busy toppling governments and poaching MLAs," he added. Kejriwal's remark came after CM Yogi slammed the AAP government in Delhi on the issue of illegal migrants and more. Addressing a public gathering in the Janakpuri Assembly constituency on Thursday, CM Yogi accused Kejriwal's AAP government of 'instigating riots' in 2020 in the national capital with the help of 'Bangladeshi infiltrators'. "With the help of Bangladeshi infiltrators, their (AAP) councillors and officials together instigated riots in 2020. They created chaos and hooliganism in Shaheen Bagh. Today if you look at the states where the double-engine government of the Bharatiya Janata Party is in power, you will find a clean environment there. Form a double-engine government in Delhi and get basic amenities and move towards making Delhi Indraprastha again," CM Yogi said. The Delhi Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on February 5, and the counting of votes is set for February 8. A total of 699 candidates are competing for the 70 assembly seats in Delhi. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seats. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections by winning 67 and 62 seats, respectively, out of a total of 70 seats, while the BJP got only three and eight seats in these elections. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 January,2025 08:51 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIMajor Radhika Sen, who is part of the mechanised forces that will be marching on the Kartavya Path on the Republic Day Parade, highlighted the crucial role of women in the Armed forces. She said that she would be standing on Nandighosh which is a quick reaction force vehicle indigenously made by Bharat Forge. Speaking to ANI, Major Radhika Sen said, "I am a part of the mechanised forces who are marching on the Kartavya path. I will be standing on Nandighosh which is a quick reaction force vehicle." "It is an endeavour by our own companies to put forward our step into defence manufacturing. This vehicle is a mine-protected armoured personnel carrier which can carry 8 personnel with a full load as well as a driver and a co-driver," she added. "This vehicle is proving its worth in the CI/CT (counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism) operations, as well as in the hilly terrains. Now these vehicles are also being introduced in the United Nations missions where we are proving ourselves in the global forum in defence manufacturing," she further said. She recalled her childhood when she would get up in the morning to watch the parade on television. "This time I would be marching. It is a very happy and pleasant feeling. I am sure my parents would be proud of me," Major Sen added. Major Radhika Sen, an Indian woman peacekeeper who served with the UN mission in Congo received the prestigious 'United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year' award for the year 2023. Captain Ritika Khareta would be leading the Corps of Signals contingent in the Republic Day parade. "Corps of Signals is a combat support arm and we are responsible for army network, cyber warfare, and EW (electronic warfare). The contingent I lead consists of dedicated soldiers who are technically qualified. I would like to thank my contingent for marching on my word of command and believing that I can lead them," she said. On 26th January 2025, the Republic Day Parade will start in the morning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The President will arrive at Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy and take the salute during a ceremonial march past, which will include units from the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, NCC, and NSS. The parade will begin with a unique cultural performance, where 300 cultural artists will play musical instruments from different parts of the country. This will be followed by the march past the contingents of the Indian Armed Forces and the Indonesian contingent. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 January,2025 08:49 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIConsumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday that the Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to cab aggregators Ola and Uber for alleged differential pricing for identical rides based on the user’s mobile operating system—Android or iOS. “As a follow-up to the earlier observation of apparent #DifferentialPricing based on the different models of mobiles (#iPhones/#Android) being used, Department of Consumer Affairs through the CCPA has issued notices to major cab aggregators #Ola and #Uber, seeking their responses,” Joshi said in a social media post. Last month, Joshi had emphasised “zero tolerance for consumer exploitation” and asked CCPA to conduct a thorough enquiry. He had described this practice as a “prima facie unfair trade practice”. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 January,2025 08:27 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) held a sector commander-level coordination meeting on Wednesday at the Sonamasjid border outpost in Bangladesh. The meeting aimed to ensure peace and cooperation along the Indo-Bangladesh border, according to the BSF South Bengal Frontier. The meeting was led by BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Malda Sector Tarun Kumar Gautam, and Commander of the BGB Rajshahi Sector Colonel Mohammad Imran Ibne Rouf. Battalion commanders and staff officers from both forces also participated. According to the BSF South Bengal Frontier, the meeting focused on key issues related to border management, including enhancing cooperation, addressing illegal activities, and preventing unauthorised movement near the border. Both sides agreed on the importance of resolving border-related issues through dialogue and consensus and expressed concern about the spreading of rumours and exaggeration of border disputes in some sections of the media and committed to addressing these matters. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 January,2025 08:27 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesIndia has always been open to legitimate return of undocumented Indians to their country, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday, noting that New Delhi is still in the process of verifying those from the US who can be deported to India and the number of such individuals cannot be determined yet. “As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and Indian skills to have the maximum opportunity at the global level. At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration,” Jaishankar told a group of Indian reporters here. “Because you also know that when something illegal happens, many other illegal activities get joined onto it, which is not desirable. It is certainly not good reputationally. So, with every country, and the US is no exception, we have always maintained that if any of our citizens are there illegally, and if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India,” Jaishankar said. The minister was responding to a query on news reports that India is working with the Trump administration for the deportation of some 1,80,000 Indians in the US who are either undocumented, or have overstayed their visas. “This position is not unique to the United States. I do understand that right now there is a certain debate going on, and a resulting sensitivity which is there, but we have been consistent, we have been very principled about it and that remains our position. I conveyed that clearly to Secretary (of State, Marco) Rubio,” Jaishankar said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 January,2025 08:27 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesWith voting in Delhi Assembly elections less than two weeks away, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday vowed to eliminate unemployment in the national capital within the next five years. “My top priority will be to provide employment to our youths. Our team is drafting a detailed plan to address the issue of unemployment,” Kejriwal said. Highlighting his government’s track record, Kejriwal claimed the AAP government in Punjab provided 48,000 government jobs in less than two years and facilitated over three lakh private-sector jobs for youths. “We know how to create employment and our intentions are honest. With people’s support, we will eliminate unemployment from Delhi in the next five years,” he asserted. The polling in Delhi assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with results to be declared on February 8. The AAP is in pursuit of a third consecutive term in the city, but it faces a tight contest from the BJP. BJP leaders join AAP AAP Jangpura candidate Manish Sisodia welcomed “many BJP leaders and workers” from the constituency who joined the party in power. The new members include BJP leaders Vijaypal Singh, a former councillor and chairman of the City Zone, and Mohit Chaudhary, BJP’s block vice president from Jangpura. From Jangpura, the BJP has fielded Tarvinder Singh Marwah, while the Congress has nominated former municipal leader Farhad Suri. Delhi wants real development: Rahul Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Delhi now wants the “real development model” of former CM Sheila Dikshit and not the “false propaganda and PR model” of Narendra Modi and Kejriwal. Gandhi shared a video highlighting issues such as inflation, unemployment, pollution and corruption. “Bad construction, dirt, inflation, unemployment, pollution and corruption - the truth of Delhi is in front of the public,” he said in his Facebook post in Hindi. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 January,2025 08:27 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) Thursday said it has attached fresh properties worth Rs 1.26 crore of Tamil Nadu minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan in a money laundering probe against him linked to alleged possession of disproportionate assets. A provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach these immovable assets located in Thoothukudi, Madurai and Chennai, the federal agency said in a statement. The minister could not be contacted immediately for a response. Earlier, assets of the minister worth about Rs 1 crore were attached by the agency in 2022. Radhakrishnan, 73, is a DMK MLA from the Tiruchendur assembly seat in Thoothukudi and the fisheries and animal husbandry minister. The money laundering case stems from an FIR filed by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against Radhakrishnan for "acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income in the name of his family members." The DVAC, according to the ED, has also filed charge sheet alleging the minister "acquired" assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of Rs 2.07 crore between the check period from 14.05.2001 to 31.03.2006. The agency claimed its probe found that Radhakrishnan and his family members were "still in possession and enjoyment" of the proceeds of crime. A part of these proceeds of crime were also found invested in various firms and laundered by layering in the form of cash deposits and by obtaining loan, it claimed. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2025 07:08 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIn the cradle of one of the world’s oldest civilisations, where ‘dharma’ was once the heartbeat of society, why do we falter when asked to pass the ultimate judgment? This is the land of the Mahabharata and Ramayana—stories that didn’t just entertain, but taught us the essence of justice, fairness, and the courage to stand by what’s right. Once upon a time, our rulers held themselves accountable to the highest moral standards. Justice wasn’t just a word; it was a duty etched into the soul of this nation. And yet today, when the gravest of crimes shock our collective conscience, we hesitate. We fumble. We turn away from the harsh decisions that justice sometimes demands. Yes, this is about the Kolkata rape-murder case that shook the country’s conscience. On August 9, a bright 31-year-old postgraduate trainee practising at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital had just finished her duty at and taken a break at the seminar hall. A civic volunteer working for Kolkata Police enters the hall, brutally rapes her and murders her after the sexual assault. Less than six months after the brutal crime – which triggered a number of protests, especially by the medical fraternity, in Kolkata and across the country – the court found Sanjoy Roy guilty and handed him life in jail till death. This decision has sparked a wave of debate, with many questioning the integrity of our judicial system, which failed to deliver the ultimate form of justice. Is the ‘rarest of rare’ clause a hindrance? The Supreme Court’s doctrine of "rarest of the rare" cases, formulated after the Bachan Singh case in 1980, was meant to create a clear boundary for when the death penalty should be applied. The case ruled that the death penalty is constitutional in India but should only be given in the "rarest of rare" cases, with careful consideration of all factors. The reasoning behind it was simple: death must be reserved for those crimes that are not just shocking, but beyond redemption. What is the “rarest of the rare” clause? And who is empowered to determine what falls into this exclusive category? We’re left to wonder if justice is becoming a lottery, with every heinous crime being filtered through the hazy lens of judicial interpretation. Does a brutal terrorist attack qualify? A child’s brutal murder? Or is it just another statistic in a long line of violent acts that fail to pass the illusory threshold set by the courts? Capital punishment is not just another law—it is the final, irreversible act of the state. Every time a sentence of death is passed, it sends shockwaves through the system, but also through society, begging the question: why is it so hard for our courts to call a spade a spade? Advocate TrivanKumar Karnani explains that the hesitation in imposing the death penalty, even in extreme cases, is rooted in the discretionary powers of judges who apply their judicial conscience after presiding over a trial, reviewing the evidence, and considering societal implications. "The decision to impose life imprisonment over the death penalty in cases such as the RG Kar Medical College case reflects the careful balance judges must strike," he says. "Courts in India must evaluate numerous factors, including the criminal antecedents of the accused, the gravity of the offense, the circumstances under which the crime was committed, and the possibility of rehabilitation. The 'rarest of the rare' doctrine requires careful consideration of these elements," he explains further. According to Karnani, India’s legal framework, particularly regarding crimes against women, has evolved significantly, but it still upholds the principle that sentencing should not be merely about retribution or vengeance, but should include a focus on reformation and rehabilitation. “The judiciary is keenly aware of the need to safeguard against miscarriages of justice,” he says. The hesitation to execute the death penalty has become a disturbing pattern. Whether it is a horrific terrorist act, the brutal rape and murder of an innocent woman, or a senseless mass killing: many of these criminals escape the ultimate punishment. The courts, citing the “rarest of the rare” criteria, fail to deliver closure to families who live every day in the shadows of their loved ones' brutal deaths. ‘Capital punishment needed but how do we trust system’s integrity?’ Clinical psychologist Shreshtha Dutta offers a powerful psychological perspective on this issue, particularly in relation to Roy’s case. Dutta feels that the punishment for Roy’s crime is insufficient. From a societal perspective, she believes the justice system should be based on logic and science, and there's a need to assess the environment in which an individual is raised. In Roy's case, she mentions that his lack of character and basic civic sense may stem from a flawed upbringing or personality formation, which could involve childhood issues and a distorted psyche. However, she points out that society is not investing enough resources in rehabilitating such individuals, and the environment is crucial for personal growth. “Without providing proper rehabilitation opportunities, life imprisonment is meaningless because it doesn’t offer the chance for change,” Dutta stresses. She also brings up the nature versus nurture debate, highlighting how even individuals with good backgrounds and upbringing can commit heinous crimes, as their personality formation could be influenced by various unknown variables. She points out that trauma, lack of moral obligation, or psychopathological issues could drive someone to commit such crimes. “Trauma or psychological disturbances can lead to such heinous acts. We cannot ignore that mental health plays a significant role in how these individuals develop,” she adds. While she leans towards capital punishment in extreme cases, Dutta is concerned about the system’s integrity. She stresses that capital punishment must be carefully considered, ensuring that it is only applied to the right person. "The risks of innocent people being wrongly sentenced are significant, and we must approach this with utmost caution," she adds, emphasising the need for a serious, unbiased approach in decision-making, especially when the stakes are as high as life and death. ‘High-ranking individuals escape accountability’ Women’s rights activist Dr Lata Pratibha Madhukar, who has had a first-hand experience of the failures of the legal system, offers a critical analysis of India’s approach to justice in the cases of rape. Drawing on significant legal battles, Madhukar references the landmark Mathura custodial rape case, wherein In 1972, a tribal girl, was allegedly raped by two policemen at a Maharashtra police station. Their acquittal by the Supreme Court sparked protests, leading to the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983 and ignited the women’s movement in India. "The movement, led by individuals such as Upendra Bakshi and Lotika Sarkar, demanded progressive judgments, particularly the shift in the onus of proof in custodial rape cases," she explains. The case brought forth the essential idea that the onus of proof in custodial rape cases should fall on the witness, not the accused. Madhukar sharply criticises the judiciary's tendency to release rapists, highlighting cases like that of Bhauri Devi, where high-ranking individuals escaped accountability. A civilisational dilemma India, with all its philosophies on karma, reincarnation, and the concept of ‘ahimsa (non-violence),’ finds itself in a deep moral struggle when it comes to punishment. While we revere the teachings of Buddha, who advocated for mercy, we hold sacred the principles of justice as seen in the epic tales of our civilisation. Our judicial system’s struggle with capital punishment reflects this civilisational tug-of-war—a struggle between compassion and justice, between the need for fairness and the reality of moral outrage. But what happens when the scales of justice tip too far in favour of mercy? What happens when the law's hesitation creates more pain, more chaos, and more despair for those left behind? Can a society that is reluctant to impose capital punishment truly be fair to the victims? Can we claim to uphold justice when murderers and rapists, whose crimes have torn apart innocent lives, are left to live on, in the name of "human rights"? Advocate Karnani adds, "A more comprehensive approach, including preventive measures, education, empowerment of women, and speedy trials leading to timely justice, is necessary to truly deter such crimes in the long term. The law must address not only the crime but also the social and systemic factors that perpetuate such violence." This brings us to the most pertinent question: who truly deserves to live in a society that has suffered the agony of violent crime? Should we turn a blind eye to the suffering of families who have been robbed of their loved ones? The death penalty is not just a punishment; it is a statement, a statement that certain crimes are so vile, so inhumane, that they warrant the severest of consequences. The real travesty lies not in the cases where the death penalty is imposed, but in the cases where justice is delayed, diluted, or denied altogether. The question remains: can we afford to be so hesitant when so much is at stake?
23 January,2025 06:54 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaThe Congress on Thursday said the "ever-increasing" unemployment and inflation due to "wrong policies" of the Modi government have made life extremely difficult for lower and middle class families, and asserted that the country now needs a budget that provides relief from rising prices, reported news agency PTI. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge communications shared a report on X which claimed that "back-breaking inflation in the last 10 years has emptied the pockets of the common people." मोडानी सरकार ने पिछले दस सालों में केवल अपने अमीर मित्रों का ध्यान रखा है।सरकार की गलत नीतियों के कारण लगातार बढ़ रही बेरोज़गारी और महंगाई ने निम्न और मध्यमवर्गीय परिवारों के लिए जीवन बेहद मुश्किल बना दिया है।🛑 दूध, आटा, दाल, पेट्रोल, डीजल और सब्जियों की कीमतें आसमान छू रही… pic.twitter.com/7EDEJkHQnR — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 23, 2025 "The Modani government has only taken care of its rich friends in the last ten years. Ever-increasing unemployment and inflation due to wrong policies of the government have made life extremely difficult for lower and middle class families," Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter). The prices of milk, flour, pulses, petrol, diesel and vegetables are "skyrocketing", he said. "The burden of EMIs and daily needs is increasing on every household. The country now needs a budget that provides relief from inflation!" he said. Ramesh asked if the government would take any concrete steps after listening to the problems of the people. The Congress on Wednesday claimed that it is becoming clear that the "disappointing" Quarter 2 GDP growth numbers are not a blip but a clear slowdown in the economy and the post-pandemic bump is not broad-based enough to power long-term growth, reported PTI. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday also hit out at the Modi government over its economic policies and asserted that real development is when everyone progresses, there is a fair environment for business, a fair tax system and the income of workers increases. आज मोदी सरकार ने ग़रीब और मेहनतकश वर्ग से अपना मुंह मोड़ लिया है और उन्हें पूरी तरह से उनके हाल पर छोड़ दिया है। सरकार का पूरा ध्यान सिर्फ़ गिने चुने पूंजीपतियों को ही और समृद्ध करने पर है। इस वजह से असमानता लगातार बढ़ती जा रही है और खून-पसीने से देश को सींचने वाले श्रमिकों की… pic.twitter.com/RNMcOuAfYF — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 19, 2025 Gandhi on Sunday announced the launch of a 'White T-shirt Movement', championing the rights of the masses. He had accused the Narendra Modi government of turning its back on the poor. The Congress leader had announced the launch in a post on X and urged people to be a part of it. The Congress has been attacking the government over its handling of the economy, claiming the issues of rising prices, decreasing private investments and stagnating wages are hitting the common people hard, PTI stated. (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2025 06:43 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said "almost all" pending ideological tasks including the abrogation of Article 370 have been completed by the Narendra Modi government, and it will continue on the same path in its third tenure, reported news agency PTI. The senior BJP leader was speaking after inaugurating the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair, also known as 'Hindu Adhyatmik Seva Mela', at the Gujarat University grounds in Ahmedabad. Shah claimed that there was a time when Hindus hesitated to disclose their identity in their own country. "In ten years, the situation has changed. Now, almost all the pending works as per our ideology have been completed, be it the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abolition of triple talaq and implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC)," he said. Notably, while the UCC has not been implemented at the national level, BJP-ruled Uttarakhand has introduced it and Shah had told the Rajya Sabha last month that it would be implemented in all the states, PTI stated. Shah further said that while the Modi government completed these unfinished works in ten years, previous governments had not touched them for 70 years. He added that the Modi government will continue in the same direction in its third tenure. He also noted that it was a matter of pride that "170 countries accepted Yoga." "During the G20 Summit, leaders from across the world came here and offered their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, which is also a matter of pride for us. The government was successful in bringing back nearly 350 stolen idols of our deities from across the world," the Union minister said. Talking about the Hindu Adhyatmik Seva Mela, Shah said Hindu temples and organisations served society in various ways including educating tribals or providing healthcare to lakhs of poor citizens, but never publicized their work, reported PTI. Shah thanked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for bringing all such service-oriented Hindu organisations under one roof through this event so the public can understand the contribution of these institutions. According to PTI, the Seva Mela has some 200 stalls of Hindu organisations working for the betterment of society, including one dedicated to Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th century ruler of Indore state who restored nearly 200 temples including Somnath which were destroyed by Muslim invaders, he noted. (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2025 04:53 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
