Month: September 2021

India reported 18,870 new COVID-19 infections and 378 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

Out of 18,870 cases across India, 11,196 were reported in Kerala.
India’s active caseload stands at 2,82,520, which is the lowest in the last 194 days.

The active cases account for less than 1 per cent of total cases, currently at 0.84 per cent, the lowest since March 2020.

With 378 deaths, the total death count has gone up to 4,47,751.

According to the health ministry, the recovery of 28,178 patients in the last 24 hours has taken the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic to 3,29,86,180.

India’s recovery rate presently stands at 97.83 per cent, the highest since March 2020.

As many as 15,04,713 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the total cumulative tests so far in the country to 56,74,50,185.

The country has also administered 87.66 crore vaccine doses so far under nationwide vaccination drive.

The cumulative number of COVID vaccine doses administered in the country so far has reached 87,66,63,490 out of which 54,13,332 were administered in the last 24 hours. This has been achieved through 85,33,076 sessions. (ANI)

Senior leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Unit of the Congress.

“The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress,” Sidhu said in his letter after resigning.

Sidhu was appointed as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) on July 23.

This comes just before former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s visit to the national capital, who was visiting Delhi after he resigned on September 18.

He has submitted his resignation to the Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi.

The tussle in Punjab Congress escalated in August, the party’s central leadership has sought to bury the hatchet by appointing Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Congress chief apparently against the desire of the Chief Minister. (ANI)

Soon after Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from the post of Punjab Congress President, former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that Sidhu is unstable and unfit for the state of Punjab.

“I told you so…he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab,” said Captain Amarinder Singh in a tweet.

The former Punjab Chief Minister and senior Congress leader’s remarks came as Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Unit of the Congress.

“The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress,” Sidhu said in his letter after resigning.

Sidhu was appointed as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) on July 23.

Earlier too Captain Amarinder Singh had targetted Sidhu and had said that he will oppose any move to make the latter the chief ministerial face of the party in the state. Soon after resigning from the post of Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh had said that Sidhu is going to be a disaster and that he has a connection with the Pakistan establishment.

Capt Amarinder Singh told ANI in an exclusive interview that he will oppose any move to make Sidhu chief ministerial face for reasons of national security.

He also termed Sidhu as “incompetent”.

“Navjot Singh Sidhu is an incompetent man, he is going to be a disaster. I will oppose his name for the next CM face. He has a connection with Pakistan. It will be a threat to national security…: Amarinder Singh told ANI

Sidhu’s resignation comes just before former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s visit to the national capital, who was visiting Delhi after he resigned on September 18.

The tussle in Punjab Congress escalated in August, the party’s central leadership has sought to bury the hatchet by appointing Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Congress chief apparently against the desire of the Chief Minister. (ANI)

Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani on Tuesday clarified that he could not join the Congress due to some “technical” reasons.

Giving clarification further in a press conference at AICC headquarters here, Mewani said he is an independent MLA and if he joins a party, he may not continue as an MLA.
However, extending his support to Congress, Mewani said that ideologically he is with the party. He announced he shall contest the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls from Congress.

Addressing a joint press conference along with former CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar who joined the Congress today, Mewani said, “I could not join Congress formally due to technical reasons. I am an independent MLA, if I join a party, I may not continue as an MLA… I am part of the Congress ideologically, will fight the upcoming Gujarat polls from Congress symbol.”

Mevani had won from the reserved Vadgam Assembly seat in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly polls. Congress did not field its candidate against Mevani in the Vadgam constituency.

He stated that he chose to be with the party because Congress led the Independence struggle and ousted the Britishers from the country.

“To save democracy and the idea of India, I have to be with a party that lead the Independence struggle and dragged the British out of the country. This is why I am here with the Congress today,” he added.

Earlier in the day, former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Kanhaiya Kumar joined Congress in the presence of party leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

Kanhaiya Kumar was a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) national executive, a top decision-making body of the party.

He had also contested against Union Minister Giriraj Singh in Bihar’s Begusarai Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections. However, he lost the election. (ANI)

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday said that farmers’ protest is an important issue and the Centre should take it seriously adding the state should not be made into another Jammu and Kashmir.

“This (protest against three farm laws) is a serious issue, the Central government should take it seriously. Punjab is a border state and should not be made into another Jammu and Kashmir,” said the Chief Minister while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh today.
His remarks come a day after several farmer unions’ observed a ‘Bharat Bandh’ to mark the first anniversary of the enactment of the three farm laws.

Channi also said that the condition of the farmers is deteriorating with time, alleging that the Centre is unaffected. He also urged the Centre to scrap the three farm laws that came into existence last year.

“The condition of the farmers is getting worse day by day but the Centre is unaffected. I, as Punjab Chief Minister, want to appeal to the Centre to repeal the three farm laws,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that the Centre has brought in a system to “make the farmers poor”.

Farmers have been protesting at different sites since November 26 last year against the enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Farmer leaders and the Centre have held several rounds of talks but the impasse remains. (ANI)

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi On Tuesday said that he has full confidence and faith in Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as state Congress chief a few hours ago.

“I have full confidence and faith in (Navjot Singh) Sidhu Sahab,” Channi said while addressing a press conference here today.
Sidhu in his resignation letter to party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi said, “The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress.”

Meanwhile, Channi, who addressed the media after Sidhu stepped down from his post said that he had “no information” over the matter.

“It will be settled if he is upset…though he is not upset with me,” he said when asked if Sidhu is upset over bureaucratic setup and his commands not being followed after cabinet expansion in Punjab.

Sidhu was appointed as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) on July 23 following months of turmoil in the state Congress unit.

His resignation comes just before former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s visit to the national capital after he resigned on September 18.

Commenting over Amarinder Singh’s Delhi visit, Channi said: “Koi gal nahi,” Captain Sahab has been our CM, no problem… He must have gone there (Delhi) to discuss Punjab issues.”

The tussle in Punjab Congress escalated in August, the party’s central leadership has sought to bury the hatchet by appointing Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Congress chief apparently against the desire of the Chief Minister. (ANI)

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani joined Congress in the presence of party leader Rahul Gandhi at AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Kanhaiya and Jignesh Mewani met Rahul Gandhi earlier today at Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Park, ITO, Delhi on the 114th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
Kanhaiya Kumar was a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) national executive, a top decision-making body of the party, while Mevani is an independent MLA from the Vadgam constituency in Gujarat and convener of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch (RDAM).

The former JNU student leader also contested against Union Minister Giriraj Singh in Bihar’s Begusarai Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections. Since then he has maintained a low profile.

On the other hand, Mevani had won from the reserved Vadgam Assembly seat in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly polls. Congress did not field its candidate against Mevani in the Vadgam constituency.

Earlier Congress sources had said that some more young leaders would join the party in the coming days. They said that Kumar and Mevani could be part of a campaign to connect with the youth against the BJP-led government.

Earlier this year, Jitin Prasad and Sushmita Dev resigned from the primary membership of Congress. Prasad joined the BJP and is now a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government while Dev became a part of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and has been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. (ANI)

Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja hit out at Kanhaiya Kumar for leaving the party and joining Congress on Tuesday saying that he has no faith in the communist ideology.

“Kanhaiya has expelled himself from the party. CPI is a party fighting for a casteless and classless society. If he has expelled himself, it means, he must have personal ambitions and aspirations. It shows he has no faith in communist ideology and no faith in working-class ideology,” Raja told ANI.

D Raja further reiterated that the party in future will work and succeed even after his ‘self-expulsion.’

“As far as CPI is concerned, our party will work and succeed. That is what I want to underline. The party will not end with him leaving. CPI was there and after him as well, the party will be there,” said the party’s General Secretary.

Laying emphasis on the ideals of CPI, Raja said that that the party is known for “selfless struggles” and “sacrifices.”

“Those who come to our party, they must be prepared to lead such a selfless life, making supreme sacrifices in the interest of the nation and the working people of the nation,” Raja noted.

He further alleged that Kanhaiya was not “straight forward truthful” to the party and the leadership.

“He was not straight forward truthful to the party and to the leadership. That’s why there was speculation. He did not come forward to explain,” he said.

When asked whether CPI persuaded Kanhaiya to not leave party, Raja responded, “Every party will do that but finally it is for the individual to decide. It depends on their commitment and what commitment they have for the party’s ideology. Their commitment to the service of the nation and what commitment they have for the working-class people of this country. However, as far as the party is concerned, we will move forward. This party does not promote personality, cult or any individual.”

Kanhaiya Kumar, former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader joined Congress in the presence of party leader Rahul Gandhi at AICC headquarters in New Delhi today.

Kanhaiya Kumar was a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) national executive, a top decision-making body of the party. (ANI)

One Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist was neutralised while another surrendered during an operation in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, said the Indian Army on Tuesday.

According to Major General Virendra Vats, General officer commanding (GOC), 19 Infantry Division, the terrorist was killed on Sunday. “After he was neutralised, another terrorist, identified as Ali Babar Patra (19), pleaded for his life and later surrendered,” he said.
The eliminated terrorist has been identified as Atiq ur Rehman alias Qari Anas (33).

The operation was carried out over nine days along the Line of Control (LoC) border near Salamabad nallah in the Uri sector.

“On September 18, when the patrolling team detected the infiltration movement by a group of six people along the LoC, an encounter took place. During the encounter, two infiltrators crossed the border and sneaked into the Indian side, while the four others–Tayyab (24), Abu Bakkar Salfi (22), Abu Khitab (35), and Usman alias Abu Slaria (27)– remained on the Pakistan side,” said Major General Vats.

He further said, “After the firefight, the four terrorists, who were on the other side of the LoC fence, retreated back to Pakistan, taking the advantage of dense foliage and darkness,” adding that additional forces were mobilised to cordon off the area in order to trace the two terrorists, who sneaked into the Indian side.

“On September 25, we traced down the two terrorists at Salamabad nallah. Of the two, one was neutralised on September 26 morning. Once this terrorist was killed, his accomplices, Ali Babar Patra, pleaded for his life. The surrendered terrorist is a resident of Okara district in Punjab, Pakistan.” he added.

The terrorist, who is a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) member, revealed that he underwent three-week training in Muzaffarabad. Salamabad Nallah is the same area that had a history of infiltration in 2016, the Army officer said.

“This infiltration group was supported by Pakistan side by three porters who had come till LoC along with supplies,” said Vats.

He also stated that the movement of such a large group cannot take without the complicity of the Pakistan army deployed on the other side. “There have been movements at launch pads across LoC. In last seven days, seven terrorists neutralised, one terrorist apprehended,” the Major General said.

The Indian army has recovered seven AK series weapons, nine pistols and revolvers and over 80 grenades and Indian and Pakistan currency in the Uri operation since 18. (ANI)

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has lashed out at the Imran Khan government and asked “why 30,000 jobs allocated for minorities are vacant” in the country.

Enquiring about job quota for the minorities, during the hearing of a suo motu case on the attack on Rahim Yar Khan’s Bhong temple, the top court got to know that there are just five per cent quota for them in the country, Samaa Tv reported.
“Nearly 30,000 jobs allocated for minorities are vacant. Why?” Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked at a hearing Tuesday in Karachi.

Responding to court, Shoaib Suddle, the chairman of the Minority Commission said that Pakistan has set a 5 per cent job quota for minorities. “It doesn’t specify whether Hindus, Sikhs, or Christians should be hired,” he said.

According to Samaa Tv, the chief justice summoned a report on government jobs for minorities and instructed the federal government and chief secretaries to cooperate with the commission.

The court remarked that the Bhong temple has been completely renovated.

“We recently found out that people in Bhong are fighting over a water tap,” the chief justice pointed out. Why are people attacking each other for water? We need to bring moral reforms in society,” he said.

Last month, a mob had attacked the Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan district. Pakistani lawmaker and Hindu community leader Ramesh Kumar Vankwani shared videos of the incident. In one of the videos, the mob can be seen destroying the infrastructure of the temple.

In recent years, there has been a surge in attacks on the place of worship of religious minorities in Pakistan. The country has been repeatedly slammed by the international community for not safeguarding the interest of its minorities.

Last year in December, a mob of over a hundred people led by local Muslim clerics had destroyed and set on fire the temple in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A video clip that went viral on social media showed a violent mob destroying the walls and roof of the temple.

Pakistan has been discriminating against its religious minorities, which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes and forced conversion to Islam, making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region. (ANI)