Month: March 2025

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Malviya on Monday condemned Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed’s remarks on Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and said that the party which has lost “over 90 elections” under Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, is now “body shaming” the Indian cricket captain.

“The Congress, which has lost over 90 elections under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, is now body shaming the Indian cricket captain at a time when our national team is in pursuit of the Champions Trophy! This is a premeditated put-down to undermine the team’s morale at a crucial time. Their disdain for our icons is apparent. They resent a self-confident India,” Amit Malviya posted on X.

Congress distanced itself from Shama Mohamed’s remarks on Indian Cricket Team Captain Rohit Sharma.

Congress leader Pawan Khera posted on X and said that Shama’s remarks do not reflect the party’s position.

“Shama Mohammed, National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, made certain remarks about a cricketing legend that do not reflect the party’s position. She has been asked to delete the concerned social media posts from X and has been advised to exercise greater caution in the future,” Khera said.

“The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy,” the Congress leader added.

In her post on X, Shama Mohamed said that Rohit Sharma needs to lose weight.

“@ImRo45 is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And ofcourse the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!” she said.

However, after the backlash, the Congress leader deleted the post from her X account.

Speaking on her post, Shama told ANI that it was a “generic” tweet about the fitness of a sportsperson.

“It was not body-shaming. I always believed a sports person should be fit, and I felt he was a bit overweight, so I just tweeted about that. I have been attacked for no reason. When I compared him with previous captains, I put in a statement. I have the right. What is wrong in saying that? It is a democracy,” she said.

The post ignited criticism from other members of BJP too with Shehzad Poonawalla attacking the Congress party.

“Those who have lost 90 elections under the captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling the captaincy of Rohit Sharma unimpressive! I guess 6 ducks in Delhi and 90 election losses is impressive but winning T20 World Cup isn’t! Rohit has a brilliant track record as captain by the way!” Poonawalla posted on X.

BJP leader Radhika Khera said that is the Congress party that humiliated athletes for decades, denied them recognition, and now dares to mock a cricketing legend.

“The party that thrives on nepotism is lecturing a self-made champion? Rohit Sharma is a World Cup-winning captain. Your leader, Rahul Gandhi can’t even captain his own party without crashing it into the ground! Jairam Ramesh instead of your team spewing cheap insults at a man who has brought glory to India, you and your spokespersons should focus on the real ‘weight’ your party is shedding–relevance, credibility, and elections! Congress should worry about its own sinking dynast before taking cheap shots at India’s pride!” she posted on X. (ANI)

The Delhi High Court’s Division Bench on Monday scheduled a hearing for April 7 to address the petitions challenging the results of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025 examinations.

During the proceedings, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay stressed the importance of prompt action to ease the anxiety of students who have been awaiting clarity on the matter, suggesting that the matter could be addressed with expedited resolution.

During the proceedings, the Counsel for the NLU Consortium acknowledged the challenges to the CLAT UG and PG examinations and committed to preparing a compilation of questions and relevant judgments.

The petitioner argued that despite the differences between the UG and PG exams, they should be considered together due to overlapping issues.

Additionally, the petitioner challenged the exorbitant fees charged by CLAT, questioning the authority behind such fees.

Initially, these challenges were filed in various High Courts across the country but were transferred to the Delhi High Court by the Supreme Court. The court has appointed a nodal officer and directed the registry to consolidate all matters received from various High Courts. The counsel for the CLAT Consortium has been instructed to submit a counter affidavit within two weeks.

Last month, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of all petitions challenging the results of the 2025 Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) to the Delhi High Court. This decision was made to avoid conflicting rulings and streamline the proceedings.

The CLAT 2025 examinations, conducted in December last year, serve as the gateway for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at National Law Universities across the country. Several petitions were filed in various high courts, claiming that several questions in the exam were incorrect. (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted Ranveer Allahbadia to resume airing his ‘The Ranveer Show’, subject to him furnishing an undertaking that his podcasts will maintain the desired standards of morality and decency so that viewers of any age group can watch. 

The apex court said that Allahbadia is permitted to resume his show as the livelihood of 280 employees depends on its telecast.

The influencer had filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking the lifting of one part of the order which restricted him from airing his shows.

The apex court today extended the interim protection granted to him from arrest in the FIRs registered against him in Maharashtra and Assam.

The Supreme Court noted that Attorney General and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that some regulations may be required to prevent the telecast or airing of programmes that are not acceptable in terms of our society’s known moral standards.

The top court asked the Solicitor General, appearing for the Centre, to deliberate on and suggest some measures that would not impinge on the fundamental right of free speech and expression but would be effective enough to ensure that they are within the bounds of Article 19(4).

Any draft regulatory measure in this regard can then be put in the public domain to invite suggestions from stakeholders before taking any legislative or judicial measure in this regard, the Supreme Court said. (ANI)

The mother of Haryana Congress worker Himani Narwal, who was found stuffed in a suitcase in Rohtak, said on Monday that she is sure that the accused is a known person either from the party, college or a relative.

Speaking to ANI, Savita, the mother of the deceased, asserted that her daughter was of the nature who could not tolerate anything wrong.

“I am sure the accused is a known person, either someone from the party or someone from her college or our relative. The person who could come to her house is someone she trusted a lot. If anyone tried to hurt her trust, she would take action against them. No matter how big the person was, she couldn’t tolerate even a single wrong word from anyone,” she said.

“There’s a difference between a friend and a boyfriend. She only focused on her work, and if someone tried to cross boundaries, she wouldn’t even let them enter her gate. Something wrong must have happened,” the mother added,

Further, Savita demanded a death penalty for the accused in the case.

“What will happen by meeting the accused? I want the death penalty. No one from the government has contacted us so far,” she told ANI.

Haryana Police have arrested one accused in connection with the murder case of Congress worker Himani Narwal, police said on Monday.

The body of Himani Narwal was found inside a suitcase near a highway in Rohtak on March 1.

Earlier, Savita (mother of the deceased), held the election and the party responsible for her daughter’s death, suggesting that Himani’s rising stature in the party had created enemies for her.

According to Savita, Himani’s mother, her daughter was at home on February 28 and had been receiving threats. Savita believes that Himani’s close relationships with prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and the Hooda family, had sparked jealousy among some individuals. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a lion safari in Gir National Park in Gujarat on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.

PM Modi was seen donning a safari outfit and holding a camera to capture glimpses of Gir’s Asiatic lions.

The Prime Minister also extended wishes on World Wildlife Day and said, “Today, on World Wildlife Day, let’s reiterate our commitment to protect and preserve the incredible biodiversity of our planet. Every species plays a vital role–let’s safeguard their future for generations to come! We also take pride in India’s contributions towards preserving and protecting wildlife.”

Currently, Asiatic lions inhabit approximately 30,000 square kilometers across 53 talukas in 9 districts of Gujarat. The state government has undertaken numerous initiatives to conserve these majestic creatures and protect other wildlife species. Additionally, as part of a national project, a National Referral Center for Wildlife is being established on over 20.24 hectares of land at New Pipalya in the Junagadh district.

Moreover, according to a release, a high-tech monitoring center for wildlife tracking and a state-of-the-art hospital have also been set up in Sasan to strengthen conservation efforts.

The Gujarat government has taken various measures for the conservation of Asiatic lions. In 2024, 237 beat guards (162 men and 75 women) were recruited in Gir to patrol protected areas and safeguard lion habitats.

For the protection of Asiatic lions in Sasan Gir and the overall development of the Gir region, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat and current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, played a pivotal role. In 2007, he personally visited the Gir forest to assess the ground realities and gather insights. Following this, he spearheaded transformative initiatives aimed at the holistic development of the Gir region, the conservation of lions, and the preservation of its rich biodiversity, the release stated.

The Prime Minister introduced the concept of Bruhad Gir, expanding the conservation focus beyond Gir National Park and Sanctuary to cover a 30,000 sq. km area from Barda to Botad, where Asiatic lions are found. With the development of Greater Gir, he also ensured the welfare and progress of local communities. (ANI)

The Champions Trophy’s group stage concluded with India’s 44-run victory over New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. The semi-finals line-up has finally been unveiled.

After a victory over the Kiwis, India finished at the top of Group A with six points, while New Zealand slipped to second place. India will now face Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday in Dubai.

On the other hand, Group B toppers South Africa will play against New Zealand on Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The Proteas finished at the top with five points. They won their games against Afghanistan and England, but persistent rain washed away their clash against Australia.

Coming to the match between India and New Zealand, the Blackcaps won the toss and elected to bowl first. Indian top-order failed, and Men in Blue were reduced to 30/3. A 98-run stand between Iyer (79) and Axar Patel (42 in 61 balls, with five fours and a six) brought India back into the game.

However, the dismissal of Iyer and KL Rahul (23 in 29 balls, with a four) reduced India to 182/6. A 41-run stand between Ravindra Jadeja (16 in 20 balls, with a four) and Hardik Pandya (45 in 45 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) helped India reach 249/9 in their 50 overs. Matt Henry’s pace worked well for the Kiwis as he picked 5/42 in his eight overs.

During the run-chase of 250 runs, Kiwis kept losing wickets regularly. Kane Williamson (81 in 120 balls, with seven fours) kept the team in the fight, but spinner Varun Chakravarthy (5/42) unleashed a spin web that bamboozled the Kiwis’ middle order. Kuldeep Yadav also took 2/56 in 9.3 overs, while Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja each took a wicket. (ANI)

Actor Adrien Brody took home his second Academy Award for Best Actor at the 2025 Oscars.

Brody won for his role in Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist,’ beating stiff competition from Timothee Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan.

As Brody walked on stage at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday (local time) to accept his trophy, he made an entrance by spitting out his chewing gum into his hand and throwing it to his partner, Georgina Chapman.

But it was his speech at the Dolby Theatre venue in Los Angeles that stole the show. As the Academy began to play music to signal the end of his time, Brody politely told them to “turn the music off.”

“I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off,” Brody said, adding, “I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief.”

Brody’s speech was a heartfelt and passionate tribute to the art of acting and the fragility of success.

“Acting is a very fragile profession,” he said, adding, “It looks very glamorous, and at certain moments it is. But the one thing that I’ve gained having the privilege to come back here is to have some perspective. No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away.”

With his second Oscar win, Brody joins the A-list group of actors who have won the Best Actor award twice, including Spencer Tracy, Jack Nicholson, and Tom Hanks.

He also became one of the youngest actors to achieve this feat, having first won the award in 2003 for his role in ‘The Pianist’ at just 29 years old.

‘The Brutalist’ has been a critical and commercial success, scoring 10 Oscar nominations in total, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor.

Conan O’Brien hosted the 2025 Oscars, which aired live at 7 pm ET on ABC and Hulu.

In India, the 97th Academy Awards streamed live on JioHotstar. (ANI)

Several people stood outside the White House on Sunday, calling for justice for Ukraine. The supporters rallied in the wake of a heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump last week.

The crowd was seen waving Ukraine’s flag while chanting slogans in support of Ukraine. Many of them told ANI they were outraged by Friday’s meeting in the Oval Office, which was cut short with Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House.

In support of Ukraine, a woman said, “I am out here because Ukraine has been a loyal ally. They gave up their nuclear weapons because we made them to. That made them vulnerable to an evil enemy. Who attacked without provocation and we have stood by them until recently. Our behaviour is disgraceful. I need to do everything to demonstrate my support. I am here, and others are here to demonstrate and change that behaviour. Because as of Friday, the Interview with Zelenskyy, I have never been so embarrassed being an American in my life. So if I can do something showing that the character of American people hasn’t changed, I am doing that”

A Ukrainian citizen said, “I am here today to thank my American friends for standing with Ukraine after everything that happened in the Oval office. We want this support to continue. We want to find a way to negotiate. We want the support of the US and Europe to get lasting peace; otherwise, Russia will rearm and reinvade again, and all our efforts to make this peace negotiation with Russia will go in vain, without security guarantees.”

She further added, “Basically, when everything happened, me and my fellow Ukrainians were sending our greeting to the US president, as he was support and sign a deal. Ukraine is actually ready for negotiations. We need peace more than anyone as we have lost so many people, and we don’t want to lose more. We want our kids, POWs to return. We want them to leave our territory, and then there will be peace”

The future of the United States’ support for Ukraine stands fluid after the high-profile meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump failed to reach any conclusion.

Trump supporters view the encounter differently, saying it was a necessary show of American power toward an ungrateful ally.

A man in support of US President Trump’s said, “Actually, I agree with Trump. Ukrainians like to come and bully people. We have been bullied too much by them. They use fear of Putin for us to be sympathetic to them. Look at all these people out here. We have Americans who are losing their benefits and jobs, but we are paying pensions and social securities in Ukraine. Ukrainians in America live better than other Americans. And you want to me to stand with them. No, he got just what he deserved in that oval office. That’s my opinion.”

Meanwhile, at a summit in London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters he was working with France and a small number of other nations to craft a plan to stop the fighting, which would then be presented to Trump, CNN reported.

The Ukranian President in turn expressed strong appreciation for the support Ukraine has received during a European leaders summit in London on Sunday (local time) focused on Ukraine’s future and its relationship with Europe. (ANI)