Month: January 2025

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the BJP of orchestrating violence during his public meeting in Hari Nagar, claiming that the police allowed opposition supporters to disrupt the event and even attacked his car.

In a post on X, Kejriwal attributed the incident to alleged orders from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of turning the Delhi Police into a “personal army” for the BJP.

“Today in Hari Nagar, the police allowed the opposition candidate’s men to enter my public meeting and then attacked my car. All this is happening on the orders of Amit Shah. Amit Shah has made the Delhi Police the personal army of the BJP,” he said.

“Big questions are being raised on the Election Commission that the national president of a national party and its leaders are being constantly attacked and the Election Commission is unable to take any effective action,” the AAP Chief alleged further.

This came after AAP MLA from Hari Nagar, Rajkumari Dhillon who is contesting the Delhi Election as an Independent candidate after being denied the ticket from the party, crossed paths with Arvind Kejriwal during his campaigning in the Harinagar constituency today.

Kejriwal was campaigning for Surinder Setia, who replaced Dhillon from the seat.

On Wednesday also, Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged ‘harassment’ of AAP workers by the police and said that while he might have been done “hooliganism” in Gujarat, Delhi will not accept such behaviour.

In a post on X, Kejriwal said, “Amit Shah ji has completely lost his temper. Amit ji, you may have committed hooliganism in Gujarat, but Delhi will not tolerate your hooliganism.”

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh also alleged that the BJP, “fearing defeat”, is harassing AAP workers in Delhi using police.

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 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. (ANI)

An Akhand Path was held in memory of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain at Amritsar’s Golden Temple on Thursday morning.

The ceremony was organized by the late tabla maestro’s younger brother, Fazal Qureshi, who expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to honour his brother at such a sacred site.

Speaking to ANI, Fazal Qureshi shared, “Today, I feel incredibly grateful that an Akhand Path has been performed at the Golden Temple. It has been a long-held wish of mine to arrange for this tribute in Zakir Bhai’s name, and I am deeply thankful for the chance to do so here.”

He added, “We are also from Punjab, and our Gharana is rooted here, which makes this occasion even more special. I have also been given the hukumnama, which I will take to my institute and keep it there, where anyone can come and seek blessings.”

The Akhand Path, a continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, was held behind the Shri Akal Takht Sahib, where kirtan was performed to honour the memory of Zakir Hussain.

Bhai Gurdev Singh from the Golden Temple also spoke about the occasion. “Today, we remember Ustad Zakir Hussain, a name that became synonymous with the tabla. His contribution to music and the people is immeasurable. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on,” he said.

Singh noted the deep reverence shown by Hussain’s family despite their different religious backgrounds, emphasizing the universal nature of love and respect.

“Fazal Qureshi, who comes from a Muslim background, has shown tremendous love for the Guru Granth Sahib. His respect for Sikhism and his participation in this ceremony demonstrates the unity of faiths and the power of love,” he said.

The world lost the iconic tabla player on December 15, 2024, when Zakir Hussain passed away in San Francisco at the age of 73 due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and debilitating lung disease.

His passing marked the end of an era in Indian classical music, but his musical legacy continues to inspire fans globally.

Born into a musical family, Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary tabla virtuoso Alla Rakha. He seamlessly blended traditional Indian rhythms with global influences, creating timeless masterpieces that resonated across cultures.

His final rites were held in San Francisco, where family, friends, and fellow musicians gathered to bid farewell to a man whose music transcended borders and languages.

Zakir Hussain’s family confirmed that he succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that leads to the progressive scarring of the lungs, making breathing increasingly difficult. (ANI)

Delhi Police has registered a total of 504 cases for violation of the Model Code of Conduct. These cases have been registered between the period of January 7 to January 22.

The 70-seated assembly of Delhi will go to the polls in a single-phase voting on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8.

Additionally, the Delhi Police have seized 270 unlicensed arms and 372 cartridges along with the seizure of 44,256 litres liquor, worth more than Rs 1.3 crores.

The police have also seized 110.53 kilograms of drugs and more than 1200 injections valued at more than Rs 20 crores.

Since the enforcement of the MCC, the police also seized around Rs 4.5 crores (Rs 4,56,03,745) in the form of cash and around 0.850 kilograms of Gold metal and 37.39 kilograms of Silver metal.

A total of 17,879 persons have been arrested by the Delhi Police under provisions of preventive actions and other acts from January 7 to January 19.

The Delhi Police has been busting several criminals and seizing cash, illicit liquor and firearms as the assembly elections in the national capital are inching closer.

Earlier on January 20, Delhi Police busted an interstate gang of illegal firearm suppliers with the arrest of its three members and recovery of several firearms.

The operation was carried out by the team of Special Staff of Delhi Police of North district. The recovered items included five semi-automatic pistols, six country-made pistols (desi kata) and 28 live cartridges.

According to the Delhi Police, the accused were also involved in supplying firearms to criminals involved in the infamous Pragati Maidan Tunnel Robbery case of 2023.

Among the three accused, two of them have been involved in the supplying of illegal firearms for the past 20 years.

On January 19, Delhi Police nabbed a liquor supplier for smuggling and transporting illicit liquor across the Haryana-Delhi border ahead of Republic Day and the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The incident occurred at around 7.15 am on January 19. (ANI)

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, announced on Thursday that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to major cab aggregators, Ola and Uber, over alleged differential pricing based on the type of smartphone being used by consumers.

Taking to social media, the minister stated, “As a follow-up to the earlier observation of apparent differential pricing based on the different models of mobiles (iPhones/Android) being used, the Department of Consumer Affairs, through the CCPA, has issued notices to major cab aggregators Ola and Uber, seeking their responses.”

The issue came to light after several consumers complained about fare discrepancies for the same destination when checked on different smartphones. It was observed that higher fares were displayed on certain models of phones, while lower fares were shown on others.

The move by the CCPA aims to address consumer grievances and ensure fair practices by the cab aggregators. The companies are now required to provide clarifications on the pricing mechanism and the factors influencing these fare variations.

This is not the first time the department has intervened in consumer-related matters involving technology companies.

Earlier, the CCPA had issued a notice to Apple regarding complaints received on the National Consumer Helpline. Consumers reported performance issues with iPhones after updating to iOS 18 or later versions. The department examined these grievances and sought a response from Apple to address the concerns.

In a post minister stated, “After receiving complaints on the National Consumer Helpline regarding performance issues in #iPhones following the iOS 18+ software update, the department, after examining these grievances, has issued a notice to #Apple through the CCPA, seeking a response on the matter”.

The notices to Ola, Uber, and Apple reflect a larger push towards ensuring companies adopt fair practices that do not exploit consumers. The CCPA’s actions are expected to bring clarity and resolution to these issues while reinforcing consumer trust in digital platforms and technology services. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 virtually on Thursday at 10:15 PM IST.

The summit, underway in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24, serves as a platform to deliberate on pressing global challenges, economic transformations, and sustainability goals.

The WEF Annual Meeting 2025 began with grandeur at the Davos Congress Center, drawing a distinguished gathering of global leaders, industrialists, and policymakers.

Known for his economic policies and staunch “America First” stance, Trump’s address is eagerly anticipated as he shares insights on the current global economic landscape and offers perspectives on navigating the challenges of 2025.

During his presidency, Trump’s economic policies significantly reshaped the global narrative. His administration focused on deregulation, tax cuts, and promoting domestic industries to bolster the US economy. Tax cuts and reduced corporate tax rates incentivised business investments. However, Trump’s policies were not without controversy.

His trade war with China, characterized by tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods, created uncertainty in global markets but also brought attention to long-standing trade imbalances.

Trump’s emphasis on energy independence through expanding oil and gas production raised questions about environmental impacts while reducing reliance on foreign energy sources.

As the world grapples with economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and climate challenges, Trump’s address is expected to highlight his perspectives on resilience, economic growth, and the evolving geopolitical landscape.

The WEF summit continues to be a platform for dialogue and collaboration among global stakeholders. Trump’s speech is expected to spark robust discussions, shaping the trajectory of economic policymaking and international relations in the coming year.

The tariffs, part of Trump’s strategy to rectify trade imbalances and protect domestic industries, sparked significant global debate. While these measures strengthened certain US industries, particularly steel and aluminum manufacturing, they also led to retaliatory tariffs, increased consumer prices, and strained international relations. (ANI)

Voting began for Uttarakhand civic body polls in 13 districts on Thursday and saw a voter turnout of 25.70 per cent till 12.00 pm.

As per the officials, Almora recorded 25.5 per cent, Chamoli 28.85 per cent, Dehradun 21.39 per cent, Haridwar 27.77 per cent, Rudraprayag 25.8 per cent, and Uttarkashi 24.03 per cent.

People in different parts of Uttarakhand have lined up outside polling booths on Thursday as voting for the Uttarakhand local body elections is underway.

Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the people of Uttarakhand to help make all the BJP candidates win in the state’s civic body polls.

Referring to the BJP government at the centre and state, he asked voters to help form a triple-engine government.

“I appeal to all the people of Uttarakhand. You have always stood by the BJP and formed a double-engine government. You made PM Modi the Prime Minister again. I appeal to all of you to please make all the BJP candidates win in the state municipal corporation election and help form a triple-engine government,” CM Pushkar Singh Dhami told ANI.

Dhami stated that the BJP has fulfilled all its promises, adding that the government is working continuously to make Uttarakhand the best state in India.

“We have fulfilled all the promises and are taking forward our vision. We are working continuously to make Uttarakhand the best state in India, under the leadership of PM Modi,” Dhami added.

Saurabh Thapliyal, BJP’s mayoral candidate from Dehradun, said, “I want to appeal to all citizens of Dehradun to cast their votes. This is a festival of democracy. No matter whom they vote for, everyone should vote.”

Earlier, Chief Minister Dhami appealed to the people to vote in favour of BJP’s Dehradun Municipal Corporation mayor candidate Saurabh Thapliyal and all BJP councillor candidates in the upcoming civic polls.

These elections are being held for 11 municipal corporations, 43 municipal councils, and 46 Nagar Panchayats across the state. (ANI)

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi wrote a letter to the Election Officer of Delhi, alleging that Delhi Police is trying to close the complaint against BJP workers who allegedly intimidated AAP volunteers on January 21 and 22 and sought transfers of accused police officials.

CM Atishi has written that AAP workers are being pressured to sign false statements by police that mention that no violence or intimidation took place.

“I had made a complaint regarding intimidation of AAP volunteers by BJP workers yesterday (21.01.2025) and today (22.012025). Both complaints are enclosed. On 21.012025. I received a notice u/s 94 BNSS from SHO Govindpuri regarding the complaint made on 21.012025 (enclosed),”

“However instead of Investigating the complaints, I have come to know that our volunteers who had received threats from the BJP workers are now getting calls from the Police on the pretext of taking statements. The area SHO Dharamveer, Inspector Sushi! Sharma and Constable Jai Bhagwan are approaching our volunteers. They are trying to convince our volunteers to file false statements and are persuading them to close the case,” read the letter further.

“The Investigating Officer — Sh Jai Bhagwan and Sh. Sushil Shama — met Vijeta, Rekha Bassi, and Deepa Deol –who are volunteers of Aam Aadmi Party and dictated statements to them where it was stated that no violence or intimidation took place. They then pressurized the aforementioned persons to sign those statements,” mentioned the letter.

“My volunteers are ready to give written statements in the presence of their advocate. However, the Police seem to be in a hurry to close the case and are forcing the volunteers to sign incomplete and false statements. When our volunteers objected strongly to this, the statements were torn by these police officers,” the letter reads.

“Since there are deep concerns regarding the collusion of both the local SHO and IO. I have the following requests: SHO Dharamveer should be immediately transferred from AC 51 and Inspector Sushi Sharma and Constable Jai Bhagwan transferred out of AC 51.”

Earlier this week, in a letter to an election official, Atishi called for the deployment of paramilitary forces in Kalkaji to ensure the safety of voters and party workers.

This comes as the assembly elections in Delhi nears its commencement date and the chaos between AAP and BJP keeps intensifying over various issues. The national capital will go to the polls on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. (ANI)

In view of the ‘unidentified illness’ in Rajouri’s Badhal village, the village has been declared a containment zone, and the affected families’ homes sealed; a few patients brought to Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri on Thursday.

Principal GMC Rajouri. Amarjeet Singh Bhatia assured government efforts to stop the rising death toll, citing no evidence of viral infection as healthcare workers remain unaffected after 1.5 months.

“The steps that we are taking which include containment, people being shifted to medical college, this shows that our govt, administration, MLA are sincerely putting efforts to stop the Death toll from rising further…there is no proof to say that this a virus as health care workers are staying there for 1.5 months but no one has fallen ill…evidence suggests that we don’t have to be scared but since we are fighting an invisible enemy, we need to take all the steps…this is not a quarantine, we are just shifting patients to a different place..,” he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has launched an investigation into the unexplained deaths, with the assistance of health institutions across the country. The Rapid Response Teams have been deployed and also water sources have been tested.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh also stated that initial tests conducted by a toxicology laboratory in Lucknow under CSIR indicated the absence of any infection, virus, or bacteria.

Earlier, JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Rajouri’s Badhal and assured citizens affected by the disease.

CM Abdullah told reporters, “The day when we got the information, the health department along with other departments have been working to understand the causes behind such incidents… Tests were done, and we concluded that there were no bacteria or viruses that caused those deaths.”

“Later, we found that all those deaths happened in three families,” he added. He said that the authorities are yet to ascertain the cause behind these deaths.

“But, we are yet to find the reason behind 17 deaths… Since it’s not a disease, police are also involved in it and they have formed a team to investigate the matter. Central govt team is also there and we together will look into the incidents to find the reason behind all these deaths….” CM Omar Abdullah added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial team led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to investigate the causes of unexplained deaths in three incidents reported over the past six weeks. (ANI)

The death toll in the Jalgaon train accident has risen to 13, said the District Magistrate of Jalgaon, Ayush Prasad on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped outside their coaches due to a suspected fire on the train while the Karnataka Express was passing through the adjacent track, and several people were hit by the moving train.

The injured individuals have been admitted to the Civil Hospital Jalgaon and are undergoing treatment.

Earlier, the Railway Ministry announced ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident.

“Ex gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each has been announced for the kins of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident, Rs 50,000 to the people who are seriously injured and Rs 5,000 to the people who have sustained minor injuries,” the Office of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a statement.

On Wednesday, speaking to ANI, SP Jalgaon, Maheswar Reddy said, “12 people have died in the Jalgaon train accident. 10 people are injured. The injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospital Jalgaon for treatment. We will take further action after the Railway will submit the report.”

Jalgaon District Magistrate (DM) Ayush Prasad told ANI, “We received the info of the accident after which the administration immediately came into action and sent the ambulance and other help to the site. The hospitals were activated. The injured have been admitted to the hospital and are under treatment. Post-mortem of the deceased is being done. All the investigation is being done.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the tragic train accident which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.

“Anguished by the tragic accident on the railway tracks in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated in a post on X.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the families of the victims who died in the Jalgaon train accident on Wednesday. The state government will also bear all the medical expenses of the injured, the CM said. (ANI)